Part XXXVIII
Last game of the season folks and sure enough the Sparks already have a reserved seat for the playoffs. Looks like we're heading towards a dynasty? We'll never know. Only Alex Cohen and the rest of the team know if our fair city would find itself crowned once more. Of course, such task would never be easy. Two words ladies and gentlemen.
Catherine Dunn.
Watching the special sports review, Marissa lounged on the sofa. Alex was still at practice and sure enough the blonde was going to be later than usual. Marissa was considering the fact that this was the last practice prior to the rematch Alex had been waiting for.
It was a chance to prove herself against the East's numero uno, New York.
Now Marissa had no reason to worry. Alex was fairly open to her since the last incident with the magazines. The blonde did measures not to spend too much time with Juvy Yap. Of course cases that include being on the same court or on the sidelines were not regarded. Juvy was still Alex's teammate. The blonde can't ignore that.
"Marissa, where's the quick melting cheese??" Kirsten asked as she took a peek from the kitchen door.
Sandy and Kirsten had arrived from Oklahoma just to watch the game live. Support was something they always showered Alex with. They were proud of Alex, no matter what some tabloids or magazines may say.
"On the cabinet… Just above the sink..." Marissa replied with a smile on her face.
She turned her attention back onto the TV.
Let's speculate folks. Alex Cohen, though a prized rookie, signed, ONLY, a one year contract with the Sparks. If the Sparks win this year, which is a big possibility considering New York has yet to beat their behinds, that blonde bombshell would be the highest paid free agent this league has ever seen.
You know why folks?
Have you seen her play? Her moves? Yeah, we all know she has the skills. Not mad skills, but enough to consider her an All-Star this year.
Question is do you know her work ethic?
Yeah some people talk about dunks in the NBA. How high some guys fly, how much points they get in a game, but here in the WNBA, winning is about the good old teamwork. Unlike one player I know, Alex Cohen has a knack for making her teammates look better, play better, and just be the best on the court.
So you see folks, we NEED the blonde to stay. When the game finally tip-offs tomorrow let's show our support. Let's fill that arena. Let's make Alex Cohen stay!
"That's a very good publicity stunt for their game don't you think?" Sandy commented as he took a seat beside Marissa.
"Yeah… But it's true though. Alex was afraid I would kick her out of the house that she only signed up for a year."
Sandy shrugged and turned his head towards Kirsten who just appeared from the kitchen.
"Baking?" He asked trying to get a scent of what was cooking.
"Your daughter's favorite, Mac and Cheese."
----
Alex closed her eyes and tried to do breathing exercises. She was in the bathroom trying her hardest to catch her breath. Even though there were no instances that could stress her out, Alex was still careful. She didn't want Marissa or the team to worry.
"You alright?" The voice, though familiar, sounded an alarm to Alex's ears.
She wasn't really comfortable being alone with Juvy Yap.
"Yeah… Just need to breathe a little more then I'll go back out."
"You should rest."
Alex smiled and shook her head. They both knew she can't.
"Is Marissa picking you up?" Juvy asked biting her lower lip.
She hoped, earnestly, that the answer was no.
"No. I'm going to drive home by myself." Alex replied wiping her face with a towel.
"Um… Mind if I hitch a ride?"
Ok. Now it was something to be alarmed about. Alex wouldn't want to, but Juvy's apartment was on the way. Think of a reason. Find a reason. Alex can't stay nor sit with Juvy that long. Marissa would go berserk.
"It won't be that far. I'm sure Marissa wouldn't mind. Not unless…" Juvy added.
"Not unless what?"
"She can't trust you."
Right on the money…
"Hmm… She does. Well… Yeah… I'm sure Marissa wouldn't mind." Alex nodded nervously.
She wasn't really sure what Marissa's reaction would be. But like Juvy said, if she trusted Alex, she wouldn't mind. It was just a short ride.
"It's settled then. I get a ride from you." Juvy winked and then turned around towards the court.
Break was over.
Alex stood there by the sink, a little surprised. The last sentence was a bit vague for her. Shaking her head, Alex cleared all thoughts. This wasn't time for confusing sentences and over analyzing. She had practice to finish.
----
They stared at each other's eyes for a while. They want to fix things and make everything work again. The silence was softly killing their nerves. They want to assure each other that this would work: With or without their families' approval. Someday, maybe, their families' would understand. But now, the two of them were enough.
"I'll stay with you…" Bianca said softly breaking the silence.
"Are you sure?"
"You're the one I want to spend the rest of my life with…"
"You're the one I want to spend my granny days with…"
"Can you be a little bit more romantic? Granny days are a little too far fetched."
"Marry me."
"Huh?"
Beth took Bianca's hand and gave it a light squeeze. Her other hand pulled out a diamond ring.
"I…"
"Just say yes… No need to be over dramatic." Beth cut her off.
Bianca frowned then let out a cute pout.
"What?" Beth asked grinning.
"I want to be dramatic. Like the ones in the movies."
Pulling her girlfriend close, Beth leaned down to give Bianca a kiss on the lips. Resting her forehead against her girlfriend, Beth sighed before speaking once more.
"Marry me Bianca. Because there's no other person in this world I would want to be with, to grow old with and to spend the rest of my days with… I will love you not till the rest of your life, but till my dying day."
"Directly from a Hallmark card?"
"No. Can't send the very best because it's already in my arms." Beth replied, her lips drawing nearer Bianca's.
"Baka…" Bianca whispered smiling as her lips grazed her lover's.
"Since when did you study Japanese?"
"Since the day you said Ashiteru… And my answer is hai koibito… Hai…"
There were no words uttered after that. There were just a few more kisses shared nothing more. And nothing less.
----
"Remember when your tummy was this small? Morning sickness kicked in?" Summer sighed happily as they stared at the drawing on the wall.
It was some sort of chart the showed the monthly size changes in Jodie's tummy. The two took it upon themselves to draw the chart so they can show it to their twins. Six months of pure torture was still rewarding for the two.
"I remember baby. Oh by the way, congratulations with the special on Alex. It was fantastic. I'm sure they'll retain her in case Alex decides to play some more."
"I'll make sure she does. I mean, think of all the commercials! Next thing you know that blondie would have her foundation. I'm looking into it by the way. More publicity for us."
"Working hard are we?" Jodie smiled and gave Summer a kiss on the cheek.
"Well we need money to sustain those two when they come out."
"Yeah… Specially if they're little versions of you. They would surely be a handful." Jodie commented sticking out her tongue.
She earned a glare from her wife who walked away afterwards to bring her dinner.
----
They just reached the alley in front of Juvy's apartment. Alex was a little weary but was still very much aware of her surroundings.
"Would you like to come up? Grab a bite?" Juvy asked.
She turned to Alex as she unhooked her seatbelt.
"Nah. My parents are home. Don't want to make Marissa wait either."
"She sure is lucky."
"No… I am…" Alex turned to face Juvy then smiled.
"Do you really love her? I mean… Aren't you going too fast?" Juvy asked.
She was hoping to stir some doubts on Alex. She prayed for some chance.
"I've loved her since college. I've been with other people prior to her, and… She's the one I see myself with the rest of my life."
Juvy frowned but listened.
"I know, you may say that even though we knew each other that long it isn't an assurance that we'll be together for the rest of our lives. But you see… I spent some days without her too. I learned that I'd rather be with her than to be without her." Alex added then turned to Juvy.
She studied the smaller woman's face which changed from confused to completely determined. She noticed Juvy turn to face her, cup her cheek then leaned in to kiss her.
The kiss.
It was heated from Juvy's end and Alex couldn't move away. There was something about the kiss. It wasn't that deep, nor was the tongue included. Juvy got her thinking if she was so skilled that her lips felt so much more. It was starting to scare Alex. With all her strength, Alex gingerly pulled away from Juvy.
"What?" The woman opposite her asked.
"I…"
"I know you liked it…"
"Juvy it's not what you think."
"But deep inside you, you want me."
"Juvy…"
"TELL ME!"
"Granted it was one of the best kisses I ever got, but Juvy, I love Marissa."
"Ugh!"
"Juvy…"
Juvy didn't reply. She just pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.
"You better step out of the car Juvy. I don't want to argue with you. You're my friend, my teammate. I can't lie to you. The kiss was just a kiss. Nothing more."
"Fine! Fine! You don't have to rub it in." Juvy replied in frustration.
She took her gym bag then got out of Alex's mustang. Alex watched her walk away from the car.
"Damn it…" Alex whispered.
She had to deal with Juvy again tomorrow. To add insult to injury, she had to tell Marissa too. She can't let Juvy have the chance to ruin them, in case Marissa wasn't going to break up with her yet when she tells her.
"Damn it! Damn it!"