Chapter 26 – The Time of My Life
Ana POV
We won the quarterfinal match against Canada and will face Italy in the first semifinal game. I played a little longer in this game, and I am feeling it now. My body is aching, and I consider soaking in a warm bath once I get back to the room. China and Brazil won their quarterfinal match and will play each other in the other semifinal following our game.
"Ana, wait up." I turn around to see the team doctor approach me. "How are you feeling?" I shrug my shoulders slightly.
"I am tired. I would like to soak in a warm bath, is that okay? I know that pregnant women aren't supposed to be in a hot tub. My muscles are sore, and I could use a soak." She puts her arm around my shoulders.
"Why don't you get one of the trainers to give you a massage. That will help relax your muscles and won't require a long soak in the water."
"That sounds great. Thank you." She nods her head, and I start walking toward the training room. I feel an arm go around me again, but this time I know, it's Christian. He kisses me on the cheek, and I lean into his body.
"You played a great game. How do you feel?" God, is everyone going to ask me that?
"I feel tired, and my muscles ache. The doctor recommended that I get a massage from one of the trainers. I am heading that direction now."
"What are you going to do afterward?" We continue to walk together to the training room.
"I would like to soak in a warm bath. I know I can't take a hot one, but the soak in combination with the massage will help me relax. Are you going to wait for me here or back in the room?" We stop in front of the trainer's office, and Greg walks out with a towel over his shoulder. I feel Christian stiffen beside me, and I know he is jealous.
"I will wait for you here, and we can walk back to our room together." I chuckle to myself because he doesn't know that Greg is gay.
"Greg, I will meet you in the training room, alright?" He nods in agreement, and I put my arms around Christian's waist. "Baby, Greg is gay. You have nothing to worry about unless he comes after you." I snigger, and I see a hint of a smile on Christian's face.
"I will be right here when you ready. Then we can soak together, okay?" I nod my head and give him a quick kiss. He tries to deepen it, and I back away.
"You had your chance earlier. Now you will have to wait. See you in a little while." He pats me on the butt as I walk away.
CPOV
I still can't believe I am going to be a father. I was shocked to my core when she told me. She mentioned not having a period since before the earthquake. I wonder when we conceived? Maybe it was that afternoon by the pool? Or that time on the kitchen counter? Or in the shower? Damn, we have a lot of sex.
I have to find a way for her to forgive me for this morning. I know she wanted to have sex. Hell, she practically begged me for it. I'm afraid I will hurt her or the baby if we fuck too hard. Maybe we can do it in different positions other than missionary. I am getting hard just thinking about it.
The door to the training room opens, and Ana walks out, looking refreshed. I stand to greet her and take her hand. "Well, judging by the look on your face, the massage was just what you needed?"
"Yes. I feel so much better. Can we get something to eat and then go back to the room? Once I get in there, I won't want to come back out." She links her hands with mine, and I feel like I'm on cloud nine.
"Lead the way. What are you going to eat?" We step out of the air-conditioned building into the heat and humidity of a summer afternoon.
"Greg recommended something with carbs. I need the caloric intake right now. Maybe pizza or spaghetti. What would you like?" She leans her head on my shoulder as we make our way through the crowds.
"Pizza sounds good." She nods her head, and a few minutes later, we arrive at the athlete's village. There is every type of restaurant one could think of here. Every culture represents, and it all smells delicious. Ana leads us to one of the many Italian places in the village. After placing our order, we find a booth and sit side by side.
"Have you played the Italian team at all this summer?" I wrap my arm around Ana's shoulder, and she rests her head on mine.
"No, we haven't faced them yet. We reviewed some videos of them against Canada, and they are pretty tough. Their defense is solid, as well as their offense. It should be a competitive game. What do you think so far? These women are pretty awesome, right?" She chuckles and takes a drink of bottled water.
"I am impressed at the skill level. I bet a majority of these women could compete on a men's team." Our order number is ready, so I get up and grab the pizza.
I set it on the table, and Ana wastes no time grabbing a slice. We decided on a veggie pizza, and it smells divine. "Hey, save some for me!" Ana puts two slices on her plate and takes a big bite of the one she has in her hand.
"I'm sorry." She says with a mouth full of pizza. I shake my head.
"Don't be. I'm glad you are getting your appetite back. Just be careful. Even though there are veggies on here, it will still sit heavy on your stomach. I'd hate to see again later tonight."
"Thanks for that mental picture, Mr. Grey." She continues to devour the slice of pizza in her hand. She stops for a few minutes and drinks most of the water she brought with her from the game. She picks up another slice and takes it slower this time.
We finish dinner and wander back to the room. Taylor and Prescott have been following us discretely. There are so many people here, and they would still blend in if their dress in ordinary. We arrive back in the room, and I start a warm bath for us. The rest of the evening is spent with me begging for her forgiveness over and over.
The next afternoon, I am watching Ana closely as she warms up. She manages not to get sick all morning but now looks a little pale. She ate a good breakfast and had a light meal about an hour ago. She takes a seat on the bench and drinks some water. The team doctor comes over to talk to her, and Ana shakes her head no multiple times.
The game gets underway, and Ana seems like she is back to normal. The teams continue to do the usual substitutions throughout the first game, which we win 25-20. The second game starts, and Ana is on the bench. She gets subbed in as the game goes on, and I don't see any signs of her being sick. Maybe she got overheated during warmups. Italy wins the second game 25-23. We rally in the third and fourth games to take the entire match-three games to one. The team meets briefly in the locker room, then returns to watch the game between China and Brazil. The winner of this game will face the US in the gold medal match tomorrow.
Tomorrow is also Ana's birthday. It would be awesome if the team could win the gold medal. It would be an unforgettable birthday. I see her walk out of the locker room, and she seems to be feeling alright. She sits down beside me and kisses me. I put my arm around her shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.
"Any problems?" I stopped asking her how she feels because I could tell she was getting annoyed. So I now ask if she is having any problems. It seems to be working better.
"I got nauseous before the game started. The more I played, the better I felt. I guess playing helped to take my mind off how I was feeling."
"I'm glad. Do you need me to get you anything before the next game starts?" She shakes her head no and leans further into me. "Are you tired?"
"Yes, a little. I don't think I will be able to last the entire match. I'm ready for bed now." She chuckles and puts both of her arms around my waist. "If I didn't tell you this before, I am glad you are here with me. I don't think I could have gone through this alone."
"Of course, baby. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but with you." I kiss the top of her head as the referee blows the whistle for the next game to start.
Ana makes it to the third game before she wants to leave. China leads Brazil two games to one, but are trailing in the fourth game. China's fans are loud. They wave their country's flag after every point that China wins. Brazil fans do the same thing. I guess USA fans do it as well, but I never paid anything attention. I think it's excellent the fans support their team. The Olympics is a massive stage, after all.
"Ready baby?" Ana nods her head as I reach for her hand as we leave the arena. The walk back to the room doesn't take very long. By the time we get there, Ana is almost sleepwalking. I chuckle as I hold her with one arm and find the key to the room with the other.
I walk her to the bed, and she falls on it like a starfish. "I am exhausted. How will I be able to work and carry a baby? I will be tired all the time."
I lay down beside her and run my finger down her cheek. "Ana, your body is trying to adjust. All of your energy is going to the baby you are carrying inside of you. That is why the doctor is adamite that you need to eat several small meals a day. You need to take care of yourself as well, baby." She places her hand over mine and smiles.
"I know. I am thankful to be playing here, but I am ready to go home. I am afraid to eat some of the food here. Water cleans the fruits and vegetables, but is the water clean?" I lean down and kiss her lips.
I place soft kisses from her lips along her cheek to the lobe of her ear. I nip it with my teeth, and she moans quietly. I continue down her neck to the soft spot at her collar bone, and she pulls me on top of her.
"I know you are worried about me, but I promise I am okay. I will tell you otherwise, Christian." She pulls my face down to hers and kisses me deeply. Our tongues fight for dominance, and I pull away slightly.
"What do you want, Ana?" I lean my body to one side, so my entire weight is not on her.
"I want you to make love to me." I grin at her.
"I thought you were tired?" She wraps her legs around my hips and grinds into me. I kiss her lips once more and get up off of her. I lean back on my knees and pull her up to a sitting position. I reach for the hem of her shirt and pull it over her head. She reaches for her sports bra, and I shake my head. "Let me take care of you, please." She grins and nods her head. I continue to remove her clothing, piece by piece.
She is laying across the bed naked as I stand to remove my clothes. She watches me with lust in her eyes, and I feel like a shit head for turning her down before. She has needs, and I disregarded them out of fear. She knows her body just as well as I do. From now on, I will trust what she says.
I pull her body down the bed and rest her feet on the edge. She spreads her legs wide, showing me her pussy that is glistening with arousal. The sight makes my mouth water. "Don't hold anything back, Ana. Let me hear you. I don't care who hears us."
I start with her feet and kiss a path to her knees, then her hip bones. I place kisses across her belly and stop where our child rests. I kiss every part of her there, including her belly button. She giggles, and I continue to the other side of her body. I make my way down her other leg, giving it the same attention as the other one.
I remove her feet from the bed and place her legs over my shoulders. I use my tongue and lick slowly up and down her sex, tasting the sweet cream that has coated her. I circle her clit with my tongue, and her body arches off the bed. I continue to lick and suck, as her moans get louder. I insert two fingers into her wetness, and she grabs my hair, pulling my head closer to where she wants it. Message received, baby.
I push my fingers in further and find the place that drives her insane. Her hips move in a circle, and I suck on her clit harder. Her head is thrashing back and forth as she begins her climb.
"Christian, oh my god..don't stop. Right there. Yes.." She is stringing words together that I can't understand. I heard her say my name and then don't stop, so I suck harder and rub my fingers around her g-spot. Her legs start to shake, and her vaginal muscles are starting to dance around my fingers. I bite her clit softly, and that's all it takes for her to catapult into an orgasm.
Her legs squeeze around my head as I continue to pleasure her. She is panting heavily, and I release her from my mouth while sliding my fingers out of her. I crawl up her body as she tries to catch her breath.
"Ready for more?" I ask while kissing up her body. I take one of her nipples in my mouth, and I can feel her body wince. "Tender?"
"Yes, they are a little sore. But don't let that stop you, Mr. Grey." I chuckle and take the other nipple in my mouth as she runs her hand through my hair. I suck it softly until it peaks, as the other one did. I kiss in between her breasts, up to her neck, and finish at her mouth. Her arms wrap around my neck, and she pulls me in closer.
Our eyes meet and stay locked on each other as I line myself up and enter her. She is warm and wet, and we both moan at the incredible feeling. She wraps herself around me as I move in and out at a slow pace. I am taking my time for her. She deserves all of the pleasure, and I will give it to her.
"Oh, Christian. Let's not go this long ever again. You make me feel so good." I rub my fingers along her scalp as I continue to move. She moves with me, and I feel her start to tighten around me. "Harder, please. I won't break," she says breathlessly.
I reach down and pull one of her knees up, opening her up wider. I pick up the pace and drive in balls deep as her cries of passion get louder and louder. I let myself go and push into her harder and harder. Her pussy squeezes my dick harder as she falls over the edge. I continue to pound into her a few more times until I call out her name as I come.
I slowly lay us down, turning to one side. We are still connected as we kiss and touch each other. I'm not sure what happened between us just then, but it has never been like that before. Maybe it was because it had been so long? Or is it the culmination of our feelings of becoming parents? I don't know, but I hope it happens again.
Ana's breathing has steadied, and I slowly pull away from her. "Where are you going?" she asks while reaching for my hand.
"I'm getting a towel to clean you up. I'm sure you are too tired to shower tonight. Am I right?"
"Yes, I am exhausted now. But in a good way. I love you, Christian." I lean down and kiss her lips.
"And I love you, Ana." I grab my boxers from the floor and wet a washcloth in the bathroom. When I come out, she is already asleep. I carefully open her legs and clean her up. I toss the rag on the floor and lay my head against her belly.
"Baby Grey, I know you're in there. I haven't seen you yet, but I love you and your mommy with all my heart. I will do my best as your father. I will teach you things that only I can but listen to your mother. She is smart and will take good care of us. I can't wait to meet you." I place light kisses along Ana's lower belly before moving back up to my pillow.
I pull Ana close to me as she continues to sleep. I can't believe we are going to be parents. I wonder if it will be a boy or a girl? Will they look like Ana or me? I feel giddy with excitement at the thought of a little boy that looks just like me. Then I dread thinking of a little girl that looks just like Ana. I will have to fight the boys away with a stick. I smile and kiss Ana's forehead. Don't worry. I will take care of both of you.
Ana POV
Today is the day. The USA plays China for Olympic gold in women's volleyball. I woke up this morning feeling better than I have in a while. I fell asleep completely satiated, thanks to the multiple orgasms provided by Christian's magical tongue and dick.
I step out of the shower, and Christian greets me with a hug and a kiss. "Happy Birthday, baby." He hands over a small present. Dang. My mind has been on other things, and I completely forgot that today is my birthday.
"Thank you." I take the present from him and sit on the bed to open it. I open the wrapping paper to reveal a red jewelry box. I look at Christian then open the box, seeing a diamond necklace. It is beautiful.
"Christian, you didn't have to give this to me now." I look back to the necklace, and it is sparkling in the light. "It could have waited until we got back to Seattle." He takes my hand and shakes his head.
"Ana, today is your birthday. If we had been in Paris, London, or any other country, you would have received this gift today. I have something else for you, but it can wait until later. He grins at me, and I hope it's another orgasm. I bite my lip, and I see his eyes move to my mouth.
I place the box on the bedside table and straddle Christian's lap. "Thank you for my gift. Can I thank you properly?" He chuckles and shakes his head.
"You don't have to thank me for your birthday present." He kisses my lips, and I wrap my arms around his neck. I feel him harden beneath me, and I deepen the kiss. I reach down and palm his erection, and he groans into my mouth.
He pulls away from the kiss and asks me if I am sore from last night. I answer by grinding my hips down onto him. He stands up quickly and turns around, tossing me onto the bed. He slides his boxers down to his ankles, and his erection springs free. "Eyes up here, baby," he says with a smile.
"I can't help it. I love looking at your body. You are one sexy man, Christian." He reaches down and pulls the towel from my body.
"This going to be fast and hard, Ana. Are you okay with that?" I pull him on top of me and tell him to do his worst. He wastes no time pushing into me balls deep. He sets a relentless pace, and I am already on the verge of an orgasm. I dig my heels into his lower back and beg him to go harder. Our skin is sweaty, and our bodies are slapping together.
He reaches his hand down and pinches my clit in between his fingers. I see stars and fall into an intense orgasm. He drives into me harder and after a few quick pumps, shouts out my name as he comes.
We are both breathless as he pulls from me. We lay side by side for a few minutes while we attempt to catch our breath. "Oh wow, that was intense," I say in between breaths.
Christian lays on his side, resting his head in his hand. His finger circles one of my nipples. It puckers as he takes it into his mouth. He softly sucks and licks it, and I feel my sex tingle with arousal.
"That feels good. Any chance we can stay in bed all day?" He lets go of the nipple with a pop, then leans up to kiss me.
"I would love to, but you need to eat something. There is a team meeting at 11:00 this morning. Your coach sent me an email in case you weren't up yet. They want to discuss a strategy for China."
I shouldn't be surprised they reached out to Christian, considering how tired I was when I left the arena last night. "Mmm. Okay. We can continue later?" I ask, with a hopeful tone in my voice.
"I hope so. Maybe we will have something to celebrate? Come on, let's go shower again. I got you dirty." He helps me off the bed and into the bathroom.
My nausea has subsided, and I eat a good breakfast. During the team meeting, we discuss being underdogs to the host country. We review their strong players, which is pretty much the entire team.
"I'm not going to lie; this is going to be a hard game. China has a deep bench. You all will have to play the best game of your career for us to have a chance. I don't want to sound negative. You all are adults, and there is no need to sugarcoat anything," Coach Kiraly says while making eye contact with all of us.
"The crowd is going to be loud from start to finish. The only thing I ask from each of you is to give me your best. If we lose this game, we still have a silver medal. Yes, a gold medal would be awesome. But I think it's an honor just to have reached this point. Please report to the arena by 3:00." Coach Kiraly nods his head, and we all stand to leave the room.
The team doctor approaches me and asks how I am feeling. I shrug my shoulders. "Right now, I feel great. I was able to eat a healthy breakfast without it coming back up. I have been eating small meals, and it seems to be helping with nausea. In all honesty, I am ready to go home. I am afraid to eat certain foods here." She nods her head and hands me some brochures.
"Your OB will probably give you this information as well, but I felt it could answer some questions if you have any. When will you be flying back to the US?" I look around for Christian, and he is talking to one of the assistant coaches.
"I believe Christian's jet will take off tomorrow evening. It arrived in China today, and he is giving the pilot time to recuperate before flying back home. He may delay it to the day after tomorrow; I am not sure." I reach for my bag and place the brochures in it.
"If I don't speak to you before, then, have a safe flight home. Will you remain a part of the Olympic team?" That is something I have not thought about yet.
"I am not sure. I will be out of commission for at least a year between carrying the baby and the recovery time after delivery. Christian and I haven't talked about it yet."
"Okay then, keep in touch. Let us know how things go and what you have." I smile and nod my head. Christian comes over and places his arm around my waist.
"Are you ready, baby?" I nod, and we walk arm in arm back to the room.
"Can I ask your opinion on something?" I say as we are lying in bed facing each other.
"Of course, you can ask me anything." He pulls me closer, and I rest my head on his chest.
"The team doctor asked me today if I would continue to be a part of the Olympic team after I have the baby. I haven't thought about it, and we haven't discussed it. What do you think?" I rub my hand in a random pattern along his chest.
"I will support you in whatever you decide. I think it will depend on how you feel and what all you are involved in. The foundation will be in full swing; you will be working part-time plus taking care of a little one. You may not have the energy to keep up with the practice schedule. I think you will have to wait and see when the time comes." He kisses the top of my head, and I snuggle into his chest further.
"I agree with that. I told the doctor we would discuss it when the time came. Okay, another question. How do you feel about having traditional vows at our wedding, then writing a letter to each other on the day of the wedding?"
"Do you mean writing what we want to say on paper and exchange it before we get married? I like that idea. I'm good with that." I smile.
"Alright. I think that is all I want to talk about right now. I am tired, can we take a nap? We have a few hours before needing to report to the arena."
"Let me set the alarm on my phone, so we don't oversleep." He reaches back and removes his phone from the bedside table. He taps a few keys and places his phone back on the table. He rubs his hand up and down my back as I drift off to sleep.
We arrive at the arena, and it's already full. Thank goodness we don't have to worry about parking because there would be none. Security is turning people away at the door. Luckily, Christian already has a pass to get in. He kisses me for luck and walks to his seat.
Butterflies are floating around in my belly as I walk to the locker room area. The team doctor wants to see me before the game to make sure I am not dehydrated. I knock on her door, and it opens from the inside.
"Ana, come in and have a seat," She greets me as I walk into the training room.
I hop up on the table, and she wastes no time checking me over. "Your color looks good. Did you eat anything before coming here?" I nod my head.
"I ate some fruit and a granola bar. I ate lunch before taking a nap. I feel good." She takes my hand and checks my skin turgor and nail beds.
"Your skin is tight, and your nails show good circulation. I don't think you need any IV fluids right now. If you get sick during warm-ups, you may need to come in for some. Make sure you drink plenty of water. You may not feel thirsty, but your body will be burning energy, and you will need the fluids." She takes my blood pressure and writes some numbers down on her clipboard.
"Every okay?" I ask as she puts away the blood pressure cuff.
"Yes, your blood pressure is normal. Just listen to what your body tells you. I am glad you are feeling better. Being pregnant with morning sickness while in a foreign country is the pits. Come see me if you need anything." I hop off the table and head for the door.
"Thank you for everything, doctor." I smile and open the door.
"You are welcome, Ana. Good luck out there." I leave the room after her parting comments.
Everyone is in the locker room, getting ready. I remove my warm-up suit and leave it in my bag. I sit down on the bench and try to get myself mentally prepared. I have been on many stages, but this one is the biggest of them all. Win or lose; I am proud to be here at this moment.
We take the floor for warm-ups, and our fans cheer for us and wave small American Flags. A sense of pride overtakes me as I see the flag waving around. Christian is smiling and showing his flag like a crazy person. I laugh and smile back at him.
Warm-ups are complete, and we take the floor for the start of the game. China won the pregame toss and will serve first. Their quickness and aggressive play help them jump out to a 10-2 lead. Coach calls a timeout, and we huddle around each other.
"Find a way to slow the pace of the game down. Take as much time as you can between points to disrupt their rhythm. We aren't committing any unforced errors; they are outplaying us. I know you can work it out," Coach says before going back to the sidelines.
We did our best to compete in the first game but lost it 25-10. We have no answer for their strong hitters. I hope we can make some defensive adjustments and make the second game a little closer.
The second game was similar to the first. We stayed with China at first, but they pulled away to win the second game 25-17. I shake my head as I walk off the court. This is crazy. I know we can play better. It's like we are just watching them play and not even trying to defend.
I notice a few teammates are removing their warm-ups, and the scorekeeper has a new list of players. I remain on the floor, but the replacement players are younger.
"I am changing a few things in this game. We may not be better than they are, but there is no reason why we can't compete with them. Go for everything. If we lose this game, that's it. I don't know about you, but I would like to win at least one game. We have played aggressively until this match, and I don't know what is happening on the court. Let's see how you all can handle it. If you can keep pace with them, you will stay in the game. Otherwise, I will try something else." No one says anything as we take the court.
It's China's turn to serve first this game, and their fans are going berserk. The noise level is loud, making it hard to hear the whistle. We battle back and forth, each team not giving up. The lineup change has benefited, helping us keep pace with China's aggressive play. They call a time out, and our team huddles around each other. The score is tied 20-20.
"We need a few plays to go our way, and we can take this game. Our quick-hit in the middle is catching them by surprise, so I think we need to start with it out of this timeout. We have been using outside a lot, and they may expect us to stay with it. Ana, I will let you decide which way you want to go. It is hard as hell to hear in here, so you will need to watch each other." I nod my head in agreement.
My teammates are the best athletes in volleyball. We need to work together and figure out how to beat China. Hell, everyone here is considered world-class. Amanda, one of our outside hitters, pats me on the back.
"Ana, we all have faith in your ability to help lead our team. I know we can do this. If we can find a way to win this game, I think we can take hold of the momentum and pull an upset. What do you think?" I smile back at her and consider my options. The only play that is hard to see coming is the quick middle hit.
I display fingers behind my back, showing our offense, and we get into a defensive position. The serve comes hard and fast, making the play easier to execute. We have practiced it so many times, and I could do it with my eyes closed. The pass to me is perfect, and I offer Amanda a quick, short set in the middle. Her timing is right on, and she pounds the ball to the floor, untouched. We celebrate together, and I retreat to serve.
I get the signal from the bench and direct my serve to float to the back row. China sets up their play to the outside, and the spike goes out of bounds. We are now up 22-20, and I feel the shift starting. Butterflies are taking flight as I serve again. They try a quick hit in the middle, but Amanda is there to shut it down. China calls a time out, and we head to the sideline.
"Continue to lull them to sleep with outside hits, then bring the quick hit in the middle. Try throwing in the slide as well. They seem to be getting flustered, so be prepared for some frustration hits. Some balls may be close to going long, so pay attention to where you are on the court. Trust each other when calling or hearing the ball called out. I don't have to tell you to play, considering where we are on right now. I need to help you bring it all together. Keep the momentum going and close this game out." Coach Kiraly delivers the message as the whistle blows again.
Play continues after the time out with a score of 23-20. I get the sign for a jump serve deep, and I deliver. The defender gets an arm on it but not enough for another player to do anything with the ball. We score the point, and the score goes to 24-20. The Chinese coach is yelling and waving her arms around, pointing at the back row players. I wonder if she is cussing in Chinese? I laugh to myself.
I go back to serve the next point and get the same sign as the previous one. The whistle blows, and I hit the ball, watching it cross over the net. Two players go for the ball, then stop suddenly thinking the other one is going to hit it. The ball drops in between them, untouched. We win that game, and I sigh in relief. We are still in it.
Our fans are on their feet, cheering and waving their flags. I suck down water and Gatorade to keep myself hydrated while Coach Kiraly goes over our plan for the next game. The team doctor asks me how I am feeling, and I tell her I'm good to go. She makes me promise to come out if I start to feel sick or light-headed. I nod my head in agreement.
We switch sides and take the floor for the fourth game. The energy in the building has shifted, and the Chinese fans are murmuring between each other. I hope we can work it to our advantage.
CPOV
The English TV announcers are calling this game David vs. Goliath, with China being the powerhouse Goliath. China mowed over most of its opponents this past summer and continued the domination here in the Olympics. Elliott has been texting me non-stop since the game started, and I feel my phone vibrate again in my pocket. For fuck's sake, leave me alone!
*E – What is wrong with the team? They are playing flat.
*C – Nothing is wrong. China is a great team. This is the gold medal match, dip shit—the best of the best.
*E – Yeah bro, but I thought we were better than this? Is Ana, okay? She didn't play much in the first two games.
Tread carefully, Christian.
*C – She is fine. The coach is trying different things to get China off their game. Chat later, the third game getting ready to start.
*E – Alright, bro. I am watching the game, but keep me posted.
I drop my phone in my pocket and watch Ana take the court. She has a pep in her step and seems ready to go. There are several players on the court that I haven't seen play before. I hope they can do better than the others did. I would hate to see us lose in three games.
The teams go back and forth in scoring until they reach twenty. I timeout is called, and I take a minute to check my phone. Elliott has text me again, and I roll my eyes.
*E – What's going on, bro? I wish I would have flown there to watch it. TV is boring.
*C – It appears the tide is starting to turn. We are gaining some momentum. It is incredible to watch live. And I'm glad you didn't come.
*E – Thanks a lot, bro.
He sends a selfie of him, giving me the middle finger. I laugh and shake my head. The teams are retaking the court.
"C – Play resuming, chat later.
God, he is annoying. I'm glad he didn't come here. It's been nice just being Ana and me. We were alone in California, but between her training and me working, we only had evenings together. We have been together constantly for the past week, and it's been fabulous.
The next five minutes pass in a blur. We gained a point from a quick set in the middle, then two more points from great serving, followed by a fantastic block. It's now game point, and Ana is still serving. She has been using her jump serve this game, and I hope she doesn't tire out quickly. The ball goes deep, and two players go for the ball. Neither one hit it, and it falls to the floor. Hell, yes, we are still in it!
Ana takes a seat on the bench and chugs water and Gatorade. The doctor approaches her, probably asking how she feels. Ana nods and then shakes her head and continues to hydrate herself. Luckily, it is not too hot in this building.
After a brief timeout, both teams take the floor for what I think will be an epic fourth game. Our team seems to have picked themselves up, and China looks flustered. Their coach is pointing fingers and yelling at individual players, and I laugh to myself. I have dealt with Chinese business people, and the conversation the coach and players are having doesn't appear to be friendly.
The whistle blows, and we jump out to a quick 5-0 lead. Our team is feeding off each other's determination, and it's showing. China is flustered. All of us fans are yelling, waving our US flags.
"This is awesome, Christian. I never thought Amanda would get an opportunity to play," the guy next me says. His name is Brett, and he is married to Amanda. We started talking during the pool play games and have continued sitting together.
"Why do you say that?" I continue to watch Ana, as Brett explains himself.
"She didn't play much during the summer tournaments. We discussed her not returning to the team after the Olympics. We put starting a family on hold because she wanted to play. The coaches have their favorites, and she felt discouraged due to her lack of playing time. But, in all fairness, every one of these women is phenomenal players." I nod in agreement.
"Ana says she is happy just to have the opportunity to be on the team. She just graduated from college in December, and the invite surprised her."
"Are you two married?" I shake my head, no. Brett is the CEO of a marketing firm out of Texas. He and Amanda met while they were attending the University of Texas. Amanda works at the same company he runs in the sports marketing department.
"We will once we return to the states." I turn my attention back to the game and see the score is 10-4. I need to pay better attention, so I don't miss anything.
The game continues back and forth until it reaches 20-19, with us in the lead. China calls a timeout, and I feel my phone vibrate again.
*E – This is killing me! I'm coming next time.
I roll my eyes. There probably won't be the next time, but I won't say that. I put the phone back in my pocket without answering Elliott. I keep a watchful eye on Ana, and she seems to be hanging in there. She is keeping herself hydrated and resting on the bench during timeouts. I hope I can keep myself under control when we get home and not be too overbearing with her pregnancy.
Play resumes, and we finish it out, winning 25-21. China hasn't laid down and let us win. We have found a way around their heavy hitters while being aggressive on offense. I take a deep breath as butterflies appear in my stomach. I am excited and nervous about the outcome of this game.
The same players from the previous games take the court while each coach yells out some last-minute instructions. This is for all the marbles, gold ones in particular. Ana leans over with her hands on her knees, and her chin tucked to her chest. I am ready to run to the sideline, but she stands up and high fives her teammates. I wonder what she was doing—maybe having a moment to herself? I will ask her later.
The whistle blows, and China serves first. Once again, each team battles back and forth with points until it's tied at 10. I can't take this back and forth shit. It's fun to watch them play, but I am ready for it to be over. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket but ignore it. I want to concentrate on the game. I am watching history here, no matter what the outcome is.
China scores the next two points, and Kiraly calls a timeout. I have to admit this guy knows his shit. I checked him out online, and he has won a few medals playing indoor and beach volleyball. Sometimes players don't make good coaches, but I think this guy can do both very well.
Both teams take the court, and the Chinese coach is smiling. Her smile turns into a frown when we score the next two points, tying the score at 12. My nerves are worse now, giving me a nauseous feeling. I can't imagine being on the court experiencing this. It's nerve-wracking, just watching. My phone has been continuously buzzing, and I still ignore it. I don't want to miss anything about the next few points.
We score the next point on a missed serve by China, inching us closer to fifteen. Both coaches are shouting instructions from the sidelines as we go back to serve. It's nothing spectacular, giving China a chance to get the ball back with their offense. They try a quick hit in the middle, and Amanda reads it perfectly, blocking it for another point. We now are at match point, and everyone in this group is going nuts waving our US flags and cheering our hearts out.
Neither coach calls a time out, and the whistle blows to start the play. Both teams are trying everything to score the point. Just when I think the Chinese will score a point, our defense makes a great play and keeps things going. Ana sets the ball to Amanda on the outside, and I swear she must be a foot higher than the other players. Her spike goes down, untouched on the Chinese side of the floor.
Once our players realize what has happened, they pile on top of each other in celebration. All of the USA fans are chanting U-S-A and waving the American flag. I pull my phone out and open up the camera to snap some pictures and video the celebration. The see the elation on our player's faces and the sadness on the faces of the Chinese players. They have to be stunned to lose this game, considering they were heavy favorites to win the gold medal.
Once the celebration subsides, the floor clears, and the podiums are in place for the medal presentation. I take the opportunity to check my text messages and see a ton from Elliott. I text back and let him I will call him later. There is no way I would be able to hear him right now. This place is loud.
Canada and Brazil played before us, with Brazil winning in four games. They will be receiving the bronze medal. The teams line up behind their podium. Brazil stands on theirs, waiting to have the medals placed around their necks. The Chinese go next, and their fans cheer during the process. The US team steps up onto their podium. All of them are smiling through their tears. This is a once in a lifetime thing for these women. I hope they are proud of their achievement.
Ana POV
I am numb. I am on a team that has won an Olympic gold medal. This feeling is surreal. I have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming. I feel arms wrap around me from behind, and I turn to see Amanda's tear-stained face. I hug her neck, and we continue to celebrate our win.
Coach Kiraly speaks to each of us individually as we put on our team warm-ups. He stands in front of me, and I meet his hug. "Ana, I am proud of you. You battled from illness and fatigue, helping your team win when it mattered the most." He pats me on the back in whispers in my ear, "congratulations again on your little one." I nod my head, considering only four people know I am pregnant.
After dressing, I leave the locker room in search of Christian. He is holding his phone toward me, so I wave and smile. I don't know if he is face-timing home or taking pictures. We line up and step onto the long podium. Each player bends forward as an Olympic committee rep places the gold medal around their neck. After the last player has received her medal, the arena becomes quiet. The American flag is on a far wall, with the Canadian and Chinese flags on either side of it. The announcer brings everyone's attention to the wall as the flags raise.
The Star-Spangled Banner starts playing, and I place my right hand over my heart. I sing the anthem as it's played, and my eyes fill with tears. I am so proud right now. We have represented our country on the grandest stage of sports by bringing home a gold medal. When the anthem stops, we all raise our flowers in the air and wave to the crowd.
Christian greets me courtside once the medal ceremony is over. He engulfs me in his arms, and I melt in his embrace. "I am so proud of you, baby. You played your heart out, and I know you are exhausted right now."
I bury my nose in his neck and take a few deep breaths. I relax in his arms and reflect on the past six months. Everything has finally come to an end. I have graduated, and volleyball is over. Now, Christian and I can focus on getting married and starting a family. I laugh into his neck.
He pulls back and looks into my eyes. "What is so funny?" I put my arms around his neck and pull him down for a kiss.
"I was thinking about how we are finally able to start on our forever. But I think we did it backward." I chuckle and shake my head.
"What do you mean? Because you are pregnant before we are married?" He smiles and kisses me again. I hum against his lips before he pulls away.
"That doesn't matter to me, baby. I am thrilled that you are carrying my baby. I can't wait to see you heavily pregnant and naked, but not in that order." He smiles widely, and I nudge him the ribs.
"I love you, Christian. Thank you for being my support system through all of this. I couldn't have made it without you." My eyes cloud over with tears, and he runs his thumb down my cheek.
"I love you more, Ana. I am glad you let me be your support system. I will always be here for you, no matter what." I nod my head and bury my head into his chest. He hugs me tightly and kisses the top of my head.
"I need to get to the locker room for a quick team meeting. Can you wait here for me?" He tells me yes as I break away from the hug. I can't wait to get on that plane to go home. I'm ready to start the rest of my life.
Last year at this time, I would have never guessed Christian, and I would be together, and expecting a baby. We had just found each other again. My college volleyball team won the national championship. I tried out for the US National Team, and I made it. Now, I am in a foreign country celebrating winning a gold medal. I am having the time of my life, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.
A/N
Chapter 27 and the Epilogue are done, except for editing. They will be posted on Sunday. I am heading out of town for a scholarship meeting. Thank you again for reading this story! Cheers and have a great weekend! The Chapter song is Time of My Life by David Cook.
Sherry
