Payson settled into the chair and smiled at Bob Costas who was sitting at his desk in what looked very much like a late night talk show set, in NBC's Olympic Studio.
Costas was in the middle of getting his makeup reapplied, but he spared her a nod and a small smile.
Payson smoothed down her skirt and crossed her legs at the knee, as the production assistants began scurrying off the set and the camera man began to count, "And we're live in, five...four..." he motioned with his hands, three and two before pointing to Costas.
"It is perhaps the story of the Olympic Games, the gymnast who recovered from a broken back just two years ago and came to London and won six gold medals, sweeping away the competition, Payson Keeler," Costas said, introducing her and turning to her with a smile. "Welcome and congratulations."
Payson smiled back and nodded, "Thank you and thanks for having me."
"Our pleasure," Costas said. "I can't imagine what it's like to win one gold medal let alone six, has it sunk in yet?"
She laughed lightly, shaking her head, "It hasn't, really. It's been a crazy couple of weeks for me, so I think it'll be a few weeks or even months from now that it hits me."
"It has been a busy two weeks for you to say the least...and it started off with you getting engaged."
Payson's smile widened, "That might be the most shocking out of everything that's happened in the last two weeks."
"You weren't expecting it? I know when I got engaged, my wife, girlfriend at the time, obviously pretty much knew."
She shook her head and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear, "No, he took me by surprise, but it was a good surprise, obviously since I said yes."
Costas chuckled at that, "And then the shock of the Women's Head Coach, your future father-in-law having a heart attack just moments before the start of team competition," he led her into a comment.
Payson nodded, "It was so scary. Boris is just, he's this larger than life man and to watch that happen...it was one of the scariest moments of my life. He's out of the hospital now and doing great, though, so that's a relief."
"And then, after that, your run to six gold medals, a sweep of the golds in your sport."
Payson shook her head, "Like I said before, it still hasn't sunk in."
"This might be a silly question, but how did you decide to do this, to go for a sweep?"
"It was after Worlds last year when the idea first popped into my head. Ask any athlete in any sport and the last thing you want to do is plateau and going into the Olympic year I knew that there'd be a huge target on my back. I knew I had to up my degree of difficulty."
"And the sweep, was that a conscious decision or something that developed as you realized it was a possibility?"
"Oh it was a conscious decision," she said. "I went in to training one day and told Sasha that I didn't want to win a gold medal, that I wanted to win six. I think he thought I was crazy for about a half second and then he was all for it."
"How's your knee by the way?" he asked, a small grin on his face.
She rolled her eyes lightly, "It's okay. I had an MRI last night and it's a small tear. It doesn't require surgery and it's not crippling, but it doesn't feel great right now. It needs some rest. In fact after this interview these shoes I'm wearing are coming right off because I can't walk in them."
Costas laughed, "She's not exaggerating, she got up onto the set barefoot and then put her shoes on."
"I love these shoes," she said, extending her leg out and admiring the black peep toe pumps.
"Okay, so we have some footage here, this is your final floor routine, going into your last tumbling pass, what are you thinking?" he asked as on the screen just off the stage it flashes to an image of her settling into the corner of the floor, taking a deep breath before pushing up onto her toes and taking a running start.
"At that point I'm just trying to ignore the throbbing in my knee. I sort of let muscle memory take over at that point. It's a double back with a full twist in the stretched position, so I don't have to bend my knee at all in the tumbling itself, but there's no cushioning the landing because my legs are straight, but I knew if I could just land on my feet I'd be able to get down to my finishing pose."
"And you did and at that point did you know you'd done it?"
Payson shook her head, "I didn't. I knew Kelly had done a great routine and I wasn't sure, but I was happy with my performance and I knew that if I didn't get it, KP would, which would have been the next best thing."
"And by KP you mean Kelly Parker, your teammate an roommate."
"Yep. She'd consistently done fabulous floor work during this competition, during her entire career really, so I wasn't sure, but then the score went up and almost everything after that is a blur, just like I'm sure this interview will be in a couple of days."
"So what's next for you? I know you're going to school, but have you definitely left gymnastics behind you at this point?"
"Never say never, Bob, but at this point, both mentally and physically, I just can't imagine working through another Olympic cycle. I'm excited to finish up school and then see what else the world has to offer."
"Well we wish you the best of luck, Payson, with everything."
The interview, the last of a dozen she'd done in the last hour or so wrapped up and Payson, true to her word, kicked off the heels and carried them as she walked slowly off the raised studio floor towards MJ who was waiting with flip flops just off camera.
"Nice job," her agent said and Payson nodded, but grimaced as her knee spasmed. "You going to be okay?"
"Yeah I just have to rest it a little bit," she said as they made their way out of the studio. "We're going away next week and I'll be able to stay off it for the most part, a couple of weeks of rest should do the trick."
MJ frowned, "So I suppose you going on the exhibition tour with the rest of the team is out of the question."
Payson nodded, "Wouldn't have done it even without the injury."
"I figured. We'll schedule your promotional stuff for your semester break, just after the holidays. The Vogue spread will be in the Spring and then the rest can be done here and there on breaks from school."
She allowed MJ to ramble on, knowing she'd send her the details in an email. Payson sighed in relief as they got to the car and she could take her weight off her knee. She opened her eyes and saw MJ staring at her steadily, finally silent.
Payson took a deep breath seeing an opening to broach the subject hanging between them. "Look MJ, I know I sort of blindsided you with everything, with Sasha, and that we never really talked about it, but I have to be sure this isn't going to be a problem."
MJ shook her head quickly, "Payson, believe me when I tell you, you are more than welcome to Sasha Beloff, though I have no idea why you'd want him...besides the obvious."
Payson rolled her eyes lightly, but allowed MJ the small dig. The Sasha she knew was a much different man from the one MJ had been involved with, both success and failure having changed him irrevocably since he and her agent had parted ways. "So it won't be a problem?"
"No," MJ said firmly and Payson took her at her word.
They arrived at the hotel Payson's parents were staying at and she was shuffled in through a back entrance to avoid the media camped out on the street due to the hundreds of famous faces staying at that hotel.
"You have reservations at six and then a car will arrive for them by nine and one for you and Sasha to take you to the party."
Payson turned to her agent and smiled, "Thanks, MJ," she said. She took a step forward and hesitated, as did MJ, before she rolled her eyes and then hugged her quickly.
"I'll be in touch, Payson," MJ said, as they pulled back and she moved back down the hallway towards the waiting car.
"Have a safe flight!" she called to her retreating back.
She made her way up the stairs and into the hotel's lobby where she immediately spotted Sasha sitting on one of the couches waiting for her parents and Becca to come down. He stood immediately and took her hand, pulling her towards him into an embrace. The tension in her body immediately relaxed. It was always the same when he held her in his arms, since the beginning, her body knew instinctively that this was a safe haven for her.
"How'd the interviews go?" he asked, as he led them back to the couch and they sat together.
"They were long and boring and everyone asked me exactly the same questions, but they're done now. I'm just glad MJ finally dropped the idea of flying me out to LA," she said, crossing her legs, her foot resting gently against his shin as his arm slid around her shoulders. "I can't wait until we're lying on the beach in San Tropez, just the two of us," she said, entwining a hand with the one he had pressed against her knee.
Sasha pressed a kiss against the side of her head and inhaled deeply. She smiled as he gathered her hair away from her shoulder and trailed his lips down over her cheek. She turned towards him and let her lips brush against his, but leaned back when she heard a throat clearly uncomfortably. Her eyes flickered to the right and saw her parents standing just a yard or two away, Becca just off to the side not even pretending to try and hide her giggles.
Sasha coughed lightly and pulled back, standing quickly and offering Payson his hand. She winced a little as she stood.
"Oh, Pay, you shouldn't be on your feet," her mother said, shaking her head.
"I'm fine, Mom," she said, "there isn't much I can do for it. I'll rest it in the next couple of weeks."
They moved quickly into the restaurant where the maitre de stumbled over himself to seat them at one of their best tables. "It's been an honor to have your family here, Miss Keeler. May I offer my congratulations on your accomplishments this week?"
Payson smiled as Sasha pulled her chair out for her, "Thank you," she said and smiled sweetly at the older man.
He excused himself with a nod after distributing their menus and taking their drink orders, and they sat in silence for a moment and then another. She hadn't expected this, as the lack of conversation began to feel slightly uncomfortable. Things had been progressing so well and now it seemed they'd stalled.
Her mother, finally, broke the tension, "How'd the interviews go?" she asked.
Payson shrugged, "Well enough. I'm glad they're taken care of, that way I can just wind down a little bit before school starts."
"Where is San Tropez?" Becca asked, "Mom says that's where you guys are going."
"It's in France," Sasha said, "the south of France."
"Very romantic," Kim supplied as well.
"Ooh, la la," Becca said, cheekily and Sasha laughed outright, but Payson glared at her sister.
"It's going to be great. We've got a villa reserved and a private beach. So relaxing," she said with a sigh. Sasha had practically read her mind when he'd planned the holiday. It was exactly what she needed coming off this whirlwind, even if it wasn't quite over yet.
Becca frowned, "Why would you want a private beach?" she asked.
Sasha tilted his head, unable to keep the smirk off his face, but Payson watched it fade as her father scowled at him over his menu. Her mother actually snickered at Becca's innocent and yet not so innocuous question.
"We just want a place to relax, Becca," she said finally, "where we don't have to worry about photographers and the press."
Becca nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer.
"Sasha, have you found gym space yet?" Mark asked, changing the subject, for which Payson was extremely grateful.
He nodded, "I have actually. My old coach, Nicolai, he had a gym not far from our house and it's been vacant for a number of years now. It'll take a little work, but I can have it up and running before the holidays. I wanted to buy it off the old man, but he wouldn't hear of it, only wants to lease it to me, but I think it's mostly because he wants to come and watch Austin train."
"Your coach Nicolai, he's still..." Mark asked, clearly implying he thought Sasha's coach had passed away.
Sasha shook his head. "He's been retired, well since my knee collapsed out from under me. It'll be nice to have him around."
"He's flying in from Romania after we get back," Payson added.
Dinner flew by after that, conversation flowing easily as they laughed and told stories and recounted the last few weeks. Payson couldn't believe it when she checked her watch and saw it was ten minutes to nine. She felt a lump gather in her throat as she looked up from her wrist, her eyes flashing over the three faces across the table from her, three people who would soon be on the other side of the world.
Her father insisted on paying the check and Sasha let him, only after her hand landed gently on his knee, asking him to let her father do this.
They made their way towards the lobby where the Keelers had stored their luggage and Sasha quickly excused himself, to check on their bags, allowing her time to say a proper goodbye.
Becca was the first to break, taking a quick step forward and wrapping her arms around Payson's waist tightly.
"We'll text everyday, Becca. I want to know about how much Boris is torturing you at the Rock and how green with envy Lily turns when you tell her about Damon and every new trick you learn, okay?" she said, holding her sister close.
"I'm going to miss you so much," Becca said and Payson felt her tears against her shoulder.
"Me too," she whispered, feeling her own tears gathering. Becca pulled away, wiping at her face.
"Mom," Payson said, stepping into her mother's arms. The tears began to fall as her mother's arms came around her.
"I'm so proud of you, Pay, of what you accomplished here this week and of the woman you've become. I love you, honey," Kim said, quickly, the emotion thick in her voice. Her voice lowered to a whisper, "and I am so happy for you. You've found the kind of love most people only dream of, it's a special thing, don't take it for granted."
Payson nodded against her mother's shoulder. "I won't. I love you, Mommy."
"Love you too, sweetheart," Kim said, pulling away, shaking her head and taking a deep breath to settle herself.
She didn't wait for her father to say anything, she simply moved towards him and fell into his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. She felt him place a small kiss to the top of her head.
"Thank you for everything," she whispered into the lapel of his suit jacket, "for believing in me, for forgiving me." She felt his back hitch beneath her hands.
"I am so proud of you, Payson," he whispered into her hair. "So very proud of you."
"I love you, Dad," she said, her words catching against the lump in her throat as the tears fell freely.
"I love you too," he mumbled into her hair, before taking a deep breath and stepping back.
Moments later, Sasha appeared, a bellhop with him pushing a cart of luggage and they walked her family to the same back entrance she'd come through a few hours earlier. She hugged each of them tightly again and watched as Sasha shook her father's hand. Mark leaned in and whispered something to him and Sasha nodded seriously, she wondered what words has passed between them before as he hugged her mother and then Becca, although somewhat awkwardly.
"You okay?" he asked, as they watched the car pull away towards Heathrow. The tears fell freely, but she wiped them away, nodding, before taking his hand in hers. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. "Then I believe we have a party to attend," he said, nodding towards the car waiting for them.
The only thing she felt like doing in that moment was going home, crawling into bed and letting Sasha hold her until she fell asleep, but the party was, after all, in her honor, in fact in the technical sense, she was throwing it.
It wasn't until they climbed into the car that Payson turned to Sasha and asked, "What did my father say to you?"
Sasha smiled, a reaction she hadn't expected. "He said, 'Prove me wrong.'"
She furrowed her brow, "I don't understand," she said, shaking her head. "What does that mean?"
"I think it means he likes me," Sasha said, simply and Payson squinted at him.
"How does that mean he likes you?" she asked, still not quite getting it.
"Don't worry about it, love, it's definitely a good thing. Let's just leave it at that."
She sighed, "If you insist."
"I do," he said, his arm sliding over her shoulders and pulling her into him. "I also insist on doing this, since I haven't been able to do it all day." Her eyes slid shut, anticipating his lips upon hers and relishing the moment they met. His tongue swept into her mouth, as he leaned into her, his free hand sliding over her stomach to her hip, pulling her as close as they could get in the backseat of a town car.
A soft sigh escaped from her throat as he moved his attention to her neck and at the sound his hand found her thigh, gripping the soft skin, slipping up under the silky material of her skirt.
"We can't do this here," she said, knowing the only thing separating them from the driver was the thin screen between the front and back of the car.
"It feels like it's been weeks," he mumbled into her skin, but relented, easing the grip of his fingers, "Tonight, I'm going to make love to you until sămânţa mea curge în jos picioarele tale ca un râu," he said, slipping into Romanian as he often did in moments like this, his tongue forming around each syllable in a way that sent a surge of lust through her body, settling low in her stomach.
She knew it was dirty, in the best way possible, as she picked out his meaning slowly turning his words over in her head. She shivered as his mouth found that spot just behind her ear and as her lust foggy mind finally understood what he'd said, she decided turnabout was fair play.
"Te vreau," she began, whispering the words against his ear. "Am nevoie de tine," she said, cupping his cheek gently, looking into his eyes. His gaze softened at her words and then even further when she said, "Te iubesc."
She kissed his lips lightly, but pulled away without deepening it. "Stau uşor," she said, smiling wickedly, but only for a moment as he did not struggle with her meaning, in fact he'd been the one to teach her those words. His hand bit into the skin of her thigh again as his hand buried into her hair and brought her mouth to his in a mind blowing kiss.
A cough interrupted them and they looked up guiltily to see their driver standing on the sidewalk, holding the door open for them, an eyebrow raised and the beginnings of a smirk on his face.
They took a moment to straighten their clothing and Sasha stepped out of the car first, holding out his hand for her. She took it and allowed him to support her weight, knowing her knee would be achy after sitting for so long at dinner and then again in the car. His arm slid around her waist as the cameras flashed brightly and the photographers, who'd obviously been tipped off about their arrival shouted to them. They walked together into the restaurant MJ had booked at her request and saw her friends gathered together, many of the other American athletes as well, along with dozens of others she'd never seen before, whom she assumed MJ invited.
"Time to celebrate, love," Sasha said, as they took in the party, already in full swing. "You've earned it."
Payson smiled and grabbed a flute of champagne off a passing tray. Taking a long draught, she caught Sasha's amused glance. Suddenly, the pain in her knee was gone and the soft ache in her chest from saying goodbye to her family eased. It was all coming to an end, but tonight, she intended to enjoy herself.
Translations:
Te vreau: I want you
Am nevoie de tine: I need you
Te iubesc: I love you