Part XXVIII

Marissa was looking at herself in the mirror for last minutes touches on her make-up when their door bell rang. Alex had gone out early that morning because of practice. They were a little exhausted with the night before but they were both up and ready for work.

Marissa opened the door and saw their friends Joyce and Mark.

"HEY! You said you'll arrive later. Alex is already out. Practicing. What time did you leave Newport?" Marissa asked giving them both a friendly hug.

"I think 5AM?" Mark replied unsure if he said the right time.

He held his girlfriend by the hand guiding her to enter Alex and Marissa's apartment.

"Not too shabby Marissa." Joyce spoke, looking at the apartment in awe.

"It's what we can afford as of now. I really want the house in the beach." Marissa replied picking up the pillows on the couch.

She let her friends sit as she placed the pillows on her hand on the chair. She motioned her fingers to tell her friends to wait while she went to the kitchen to get some juice or tea for her visitors.

"Alex is hitting the big-time." Mark whispered as he looked at the various appliances in the living room.

"Let's just hope she stays the same. You know have ballers are." Joyce commented and stood up to help Marissa with the tray of refreshments.

"Where's Alex?" Mark asked looking around if the blonde would pop up from somewhere.

"Oh… She's at practice. If you want to see her I know they're in Staples Center right now. That's where they are practicing I think. I could call her to let her know case you want to go there. I really have to go to work." Marissa smiled apologetically as she looked at her wrist watch.

Joyce stood up and so did Mark who gulped the orange juice.

"Sure. That'll be cool. Now I would see how your girlfriend practices." Mark grinned pulling Joyce by the hand.

"I'm really sorry. I could have called in if I knew you were coming. I'll try coming by at lunch. Maybe we could all go out." Marissa replied, guiding her friends towards the door.

"No worries. Cooper." Joyce replied grinning.

----

Alex was shooting free-throws by her lonesome while the rest of her team mates lounged around. Some where sitting on the bench, talking, gossiping about certain things that may or may not be important to man kind. The others were in the locker rooms either fixing their things or taking a nap while the coach ran in late.

"Alex you should rest. You can warm up when Jill gets here." Mike, one of the assistant coaches, gave her a pat on the back.

"It's fine. I want to practice shooting. I'll be fine."

"Well, if something feels wrong, don't forget we have our own doctors here. Don't keep the hurt to yourself." He explains walking towards the other players.

It was part of the deal. For Alex Cohen to be able to play for the LA Sparks, the medical team, that includes a cardiologist is to be available at practices and at games, whenever, wherever. If you want to keep Alex Cohen playing, you had to keep her healthy.

Alex shot her 500th free-throw, and then motioned the ball boys to take the balls aside for a while. She wasn't feeling anything on her chest. But she felt a little dizzy. She sat down on the bench, opposite where her team mates sat. One of the assistants brought her Gatorade in a cup together with her towel. The blonde stretched out and tried to relax.

Just then Jill entered. She dragged along the players from the locker rooms, while the rest who where sitting on the benches stood up to follow her. She gave Alex a glance and noted that the blonde was already sweating. Alex wasn't only gifted athlete. She wasn't only a team player. She was also serious with her sport. Serious enough to practice prior to the "team practice."

"Give me five laps on the court." Jill said clapping her hands to signal her players to start running.

Alex was about to stand up but Jill motioned her not to. The coach walked closer to Alex and sat beside her.

"It amazes me how you tend to practice even though you're really good at what you're doing." The coach said looking at the other players running around the court.

"I'm not the best. That means I have more room to improve." Alex replied wiping the sweat on her forehead.

"I hope your ethics rub on them. They're really a good bunch. But they relied on Cathy too much back then that they forgot it's a team game. That they too can contribute."

"They'll get there. Good motivation I think could help."

"It's not good motivation. It's stars like you."

"I'm not a star. I'm just like them. I just do what I love."

----

"Mom… Wednesday. Today is Monday, so you have at least 30 hours to fly here." Marissa was talking to her Julie on her way to the office.

Alex and Marissa had only one car. Marissa didn't want Alex to hitch a bus ride to get back to their apartment so she had Alex take the car. They agreed that Alex would pick her up during lunch and in the afternoon after work.

What is so important that we have to go there honey? Is Alex sick? Are you… By any miracle pregnant with Alex's baby?

"Mom please. It's important. Can't you just ask questions later?" Marissa rolled her eyes at the notion of her mother's slight struggle to make a joke.

Alright. I'm sure it's really important. Because you're not telling me. You always tell me things Marissa. When you don't, it's really life changing. Like your relationship with Alex back when you were in college…

Julie started to drone about the history of Alex and Marissa's relationship. And Marissa was also almost at the office.

"Look mom… Can you tell me about those later? I have to get to work. Love you! Tell dad I love him too! Bye!" Marissa hurriedly flipped her phone shut.

"I wonder if I'll be like her when I grow old…" Marissa shook her head with a smile as she entered her workplace.