Thankfully, everything worked out and I was able to call in a favor. It really wasn't much of a favor actually. My contact was more than happy to play.

I met her at the stadium entrance a few hours later, ready to join the practice. Hoping Oliver didn't mind, I offered her the position if she wanted it without clearing it with him first.

"You're sure he won't mind that I just show up?"

I rolled my eyes as we walked through the doors. "Trust me, if you could have seen the look of pure horror on his face, you wouldn't be asking that. He will likely be kissing your feet."

The team, minus Sophia, was just gathering, uniforms on, brooms at the ready.

"Oliver."

He turned around at the sound of my voice and broke out into a grin. "No WAY."

Ginny laughed. "Mind if I come out from retirement for a bit?"

Oliver rushed over to give her a hug, picking her up and spinning her around. "Absolutely not! You are amazing!" That last bit was said as he put her down and made eye contact with me.

I laughed, happy to see that I could ease some of the tension I had created when I delivered the news. "Glad I could help."

"I was just about to tell the team. This will make it easier."

I tugged Oliver's sleeve before he headed back to the rest of the team. In a hushed tone I said, "Let's keep the specifics of her condition between us for now. I have no idea if she's even told Alvarez yet and it's still so early. It would be respectful to let her tell the team."

Oliver nodded and proceeded to take his stand in front of everyone.

"Alright. Settle down everyone. I'm sure you must be a little confused right now, so let me set the record straight. Sophia will be out the rest of the season as she is no longer medically cleared to fly." Worried whispers erupted. "Don't worry, she will be just fine, but it did put us in quite the position. We don't need much to win our spot at the World Cup, but the chances of making it when we are down a player are slim. Thankfully, Ginny Weasley has agreed to come out of retirement to play as an alternate. We need to make sure we are on point with our training over the next couple days. You all know how much talent this fiery little redhead has, but she isn't used to our plays or our dynamics so no getting comfortable. Everybody ready?"

The news went over well and it was just a few minutes later that the team took to the sky to begin their practice.

The following days were the most intense practices I had ever witnessed. Ginny caught up to speed quickly. She had been playing on a couple pick up leagues and, of course, with her family. Having always been a quick study, she learned the plays easily and by the time Saturday came around, it was as if she had been playing with the team all season. It was nearly seamless.

I woke up Saturday morning in Oliver's arms. When I looked up into his face, I knew he had been awake for some time.

"Hey." My voice was groggy and thick with sleep.

"Hey yourself." He gave me a cocky smile as I sat up.

Despite his attempt at cockiness, I could feel the waves of nerves rolling off of him.

"How are you feeling?"

He let out a long breath. "I know at the end of the day it's just a game. Despite that, this is what the team has worked for all year. It would mean a lot to me if we win today. That would put us as the first undefeated team in so long. We've come so far and I'm feeling the pressure to take the team all the way. Having Sophia drop three days before our final game has been a challenge, but I really feel like we've pulled together and brought Ginny into our family. I have such a good feeling and I just really think we'll go all the way. I'm not quite sure how to handle the disappointment if we don't."

I cupped his face in my hand. "Hang on to that. You've all trained so hard. It's going to happen, but if for some reason it doesn't, it will be ok. We have each other. We are still a team, a family. That's what's important at the end of the day. Go out there today. Be with your family. Enjoy the moment, because you only get so many. Soak up every second. Whether you win or lose today, you've had an amazing season. So just have fun."

His eyes sparkled as they met mine in affection. "That was pretty amazing. Are you sure you don't want to give the pep talk today?"

I pushed him playfully and he grabbed my wrists to pull me closer. The affection in his eyes was dizzying before his lips crashed to mine. Once they met it was like the world swallowed me whole.

Being intimate with Oliver is not something I think I will ever tire of. In fact, the closer we get, the more intense and pleasurable our time together becomes. It leaves me breathless and disoriented in the best way possible.

Oliver turned to look at me as we caught our breath. "With that kind of start to the day, it's bound to be a good one."

I didn't say anything, just smiled back at him and placed delicate kisses along his collar bone.

Eventually, we accepted that we had a busy day ahead and got up to get ready for the day.