Part XXXI

Marissa stared at the land below as she and Alex, along with the rest of the team, took the plane right to Houston. There were of course certain thoughts that were bothering her. Juvy was for one thing. But Marissa was worried about Kaitlin too.

"Talk to me…" Marissa felt Alex's hand snake behind her pulling her close.

"I'm sorry… I'm just feeling a bit tired…"

Alex kissed her forehead then just held her close. From the corner of her eye, Marissa saw Juvy look at them with somewhat a jealous look on her face. Of course, Marissa dismissed it. Maybe she wasn't looking at them.

"I have to call Summer when we land…" Marissa spoke softly, snuggling to Alex's body.

"Ok…"

There was a short period of silence. But to both of them it was comfortable. Marissa watched Alex's fingers which were entwined with hers. She caressed it, and held it tight.

"Did you call him yet…?" Alex asked softly.

Marissa knew who the "him" was. She knew Alex was worried about her. And though they were going to have a different kind of family in the future, it was still family. And Alex valued family.

"I'll try when we get to Houston… I promise…" Marissa replied looking up to the blonde with a smile.

----

"She needs a few hours before she wakes up. A nurse will be available from the nurse's station if you need anything."

"Thanks doctor." Summer replied.

She rubbed Jodie's forehead, the Latina still fast asleep.

"I love you baby… Sleep tight…" Summer kissed her wife's forehead and then stood up.

----

Beth took a few deep breaths and stared at the wooden door.

"Can I help you?" An old lady appeared seemingly nice.

"Hi. I was wondering if a woman named Bianca lives here."

"I'm sorry dear we don't. But our neighbor does, right next door."

"Thank you." Beth turned around and made her way next door.

"Bian… You should have written the house number… You could be a little… Wait you're not a blonde…" Shaking her head, Beth gave the door a soft knock and waited to be answered.

"Yes?" Another old woman answered.

This time, the woman was not really that old, and she was Chinese.

"I'm looking for Bianca…" Beth replied letting out a soft smile.

"She's out with her sister doing groceries. Why won't you come in? You can wait for her inside. I just made some tea. Do you like tea?" Bianca's mother offered stepping aside to let Beth inside the house.

----

"She gives me the creeps Summer. She stares at me and Alex like she's jealous or something…"

Who could blame her? You have the hottest woman's basketball player holding you in her arms? If I wasn't married I might be too."

"Summer! I'm serious!" Marissa almost jumped up on the bed with the thought of her best friend having feelings for her fiancé.

Ok. First of all worry less. Alex loves you to death. You know what happened the last time you thought she was cheating on you? Alex is not the cheating type so try not to let her get to you. Did you call your dad already?

"No… I don't feel like I could. But I promised Alex so… I might… But later…"

Where's the blonde bombshell by the way? She's not there?

"She's out with her coach and the rest of the team. They're checking out the court here in Houston. It's the first time Alex will play here so it's a little new to her. The team isn't a pushover either."

I'm sure with team effort they'll get through. Alex knows she can't do it by herself.

"I know. But you do know Alex takes it hard when she loses a game."

She hasn't lost a game yet Coop. Of course, it's going to be a little hard.

"I wonder if you'll still call me Coop once I get married."

Shut up…

----

Lazily, Bianca stepped out of the car and picked up a few of the grocery bags. Tiffany gave her a smile, but she couldn't return it. Though her sister thought it was good to get a little air, Bianca couldn't feel any better.

Opening the door, she found herself almost dropping the grocery bags.

"Beth…"

Her ex-lover let out a small smile and stood up. Her mother took the grocery bags from her. The woman was saying something but she couldn't hear her. She was too transfixed at Beth who just ended up scratching her head.

"She's staying for dinner." Tiffany then blurted out from behind her.

It brought her back to reality then turned to see her ex-lover still standing in her living room. Knowing the two needed time alone to sort things out, Tiffany proceeded to the kitchen to help their mother.

"I thought you were in Houston…" Bianca mumbled, averting her eyes away from Beth.

"I was supposed to. But… I needed to talk to you."

"This is not a good time…"

"I can wait…"

"But…"

"I want to end this properly. I want to know the real reasons. That's all I want. Nothing more." Beth looked away as she said the words.

It wasn't what she wanted. But the mere fact her ex-lover refused to talk about it made her feel there was nothing left for her to save. It was just time to give up. She just needed to know the whole truth.

"Okay…" Bianca bowed her head, feeling something pierce her heart.

Is it really over for them?

----

Marissa stared at her dad's number as she sat on the bed. Alex wasn't back from practice yet so she had the whole hotel room for herself. It gave her time to think. But all the thoughts couldn't give her the courage to call her father. Caleb, though far away, wanted her to call. But of course, he didn't want Marissa to be forced to by it.

"Why did you have to wreck to families dad…?" Tears suddenly appear in Marissa's eyes.

She placed the phone aside and stood up, crying.

"It's like I don't even know you anymore dad… You threw us away… Why? Weren't we good enough? Weren't we enough to be your family?" Marissa sat on the floor and placed her hand on her forehead.

It was the first time since the engagement incident that Marissa actually thought about her family's situation. Her thoughts were preoccupied by Alex's games and practices, their dinner dates and love. Without the blonde, she was breaking apart.

The door gently swung open revealing the blonde she was dying to see.

Marissa threw herself into Alex's arms. The blonde already knew why her fiancé was crying.

"Just let it out Marissa. Nobody said it's a crime to cry over pain. Just let it out honey. You can try again tomorrow…"

With a kiss on the forehead, Marissa closed her eyes and succumbed to the warmth of Alex's embrace. It a start for Marissa, but she still has a long way to go.