A match 2 remember…final chapter

Olivia stood with the crowd waiting to enter the stadium for the opening match to this year's USO. She was alone because the rest of the group decided to play match me…. shot for shot so no-one was in any shape to answer their 7am alarm. When she tried to get Fitz up he just put a pillow over his head no words necessary. Calls to both Mary and Jake went unanswered…. she was on her own.

Olivia figured she would see them around five, so she would take that subway trip alone…she thought. The were staying with Jake's parents in a house so big she wondered she somehow she got lost in the house would they have to do a search and rescue to find her...

When she got to the first floor she saw Huck….". what brings you out this early?"

"You…. I figured you would be the only one that would make it…. I'm here to make sure you get to the center ok".

"You do know that I can navigate NY without fear of harm."

"Of course. If you break a toenail between here and the venue Fitz will kill me because I let you go alone and then kill himself because he let it happen."

"Huck if my hubby is that concerned about my safety why did he let Jake goad him into matching shots with him."

"It's a man's thing…. men don't easily step away from a challenge…don't you know your husband by now.? "...

"I'm learning but sometimes it's baby steps…Are we taking the train or are you driving?"

"Neither …. a limo …. that way you can use the VIP entrance."

"The VIP entrance with seats in section 330 row X...good luck."

"Don't worry I have a phone with Jake's court side seats already loaded in case anyone ask.".

"Someone has thought of everything to make sure I am ok…. let's go."

The limo driver asked about their visit to the big Apple and what sights they were planning. Olivia said the open all 14 days or is it 13…. all of it. Since they were early he asked in she wanted a short detour to see the new gardens in Queens…. Olivia accepted his suggestion.

The detour over the driver maneuvered through the walkers and other drivers until they arrived at the gate.

"Huck thank you…. Will I see you later today?"

"Yes, and every day after. I'm officially taking a vacation."

"I am about to become Gerry Grants number one enemy."

"Why?"

"Because I have taken all his help on the farm."

"Don't worry it's been handled."

After saying goodbye to Huck Olivia made her way over to the main stadium and waited for the stadium gates to open for the first match at 11am.…. matches on the outer courts began at 10 but Olivia decided to pass. She did not drink as much as everyone else, but she had the same amount of sleep, or lack of sleep. She figured once she sat…she was planted.

As she circled the stadium she remembered last year, and a grin filled her face. Those 50 steps up now did not seem so daunting.

A handsome man boarded the escalator and gave her a good morning….

"'Good morning to you." Olivia responded

"What brings you out this early …you know the early competition won't be that entertaining?"

"Possibly but I believe the lower ranked players deserve the same support from fans as the higher ranked ones. Don't you agree?"

"'I guess I never looked at it that way….by the way my name is Ted….where are you sitting?"

"'I'm in the only seats that can be seen from the space station…."

Ted pulled his phone out and looked at his seats…." Mine are a little better and my group will not be here until the evening session …you are welcome to join me."

The escalator was nearing the top as she smiled to herself…she left one very handsome man in bed and here is about to be picked up by another….picked up may not be the correct words but another handsome man offering her court side seats.

"Thanks…no thanks…I like my seat….they overlook both two courts and the practice courts ….but thanks for the invitation."

By now they were nearly blocking other fans as they exited the escalator

"are you sure…..maybe I should follow you to see what your Space Station seat offer that my courtside ones don't . Can I buy you a cup of coffee maybe exchange numbers ."

"nope…but thanks again for the invitation." Olivia answered. What is this two years in a row being picked up in Ashe stadium….. who would have ever thought it. This should have been on her places to go and see in her twenties….but then she never would have met Fitz…..things happen when and how they are supposed to.

Ted continued to the door that took him down to his seats Olivia continued hers that would take her 50 steps up to hers. This year it seemed easier….maybe a year as a farmer has it's benefits.

The day session began and as expected the high ranked winner from 2017 gave her opponent a good spanking but the other player had bounced back and won the second set. They were now in the third set and it was a close battle which the higher ranked player won.

The next match was about midway when her phone rang.….it was Fitz

"Hi Mrs. Grant, are you enjoying yourself?"

"Of course, "

"Enjoying yourself without me…married under a year and I'm already in the trash file. As he kept talking she saw this figure coming up the stairs two at a time. She recognized the tattoos on his arm and the muscle shirt…. even the knee length shorts looked familiar but the hair…. the sides of his head had a military razor cut and the middle was jelled to the point it stood straight up in spikes. Last year she had watched him come up the stairs…. this year everyone he passed turned to look as she sat there with her mouth open.

"Is this row W? " that silky baritone voice said

Finally closing her mouth, like last year she pointed to the row ahead.

"Anyone sitting here next to you miss?"

"I guess you are now."

Fitz took the seat next to her then reached over and gave her a kiss that's usually left for the bedroom…. She heard a voice as hands began pulling at Fitz.

"Miss are you ok…. Sir…. that's not acceptable behavior you will stop, or I will make…. Fitz is that you….and Olivia…. how are you guys…. good to see you came back."

The jumble of words…. first anger then joy began pouring from the man who they both recognized as someone they met last year.

Fitz picked up his left had and showed it to Bob.

"You guys got married…. good. Fitz I was about to give you flying lessons."

Fitz doubted that was possible, but it was an interesting comment. This incident he is sure they would laugh about in the future.

"Remember me I'm Bob my wife Clare,….. from Australia ." he pointed to the lady a row back two seats over. "You can give her a hug but no kisses. What happened to your hair?"

"I tried to recreate last year for my bride."

Giving him another look Bob shook his head "well you created something, but I am not sure it's your look from last year. Wasn't it your friend with the mohawk ….is he here"

"yes, he wore the style last year and he is here."

"How long will it take before you have a full head again?"

Fitz shrugged his shoulders

Bob shook his "The dumb things men do for love. I thought it was Olivia but it was the tattoos that finally gave you away."

"Bob it's ok…. not a great look for him lets hope it fills in quickly." Olivia smiled trying to see if she could get her fingers through the jelled spikes.

They moved to the last row of steps…all the way to the top…. overlooking the practice courts…. Clare joined them.

"When did you guys get married are you on your honeymoon?" Clare asked

"We got married last November we just wanted to return to where it all started."

"Last November …. that two months after the tournament. Fitz, I told you not to let her get away…. you lucky snake…. why the hair?"

"Not sure now it sounded like a great idea when I decided to do it."

"Well if it's an indication of love you have without a doubt proved yourself."

They reminisced about last year and updated what else had happened.

"Did you become an urban transplant, or did she become a farm girl…. milking cows…. washing clothes in a number two tub then hanging them over the line?" Bob asked Fitz.

"If I had even suggested any of that Olivia would have decapitated me with a look. From your description what do you know about farm life?"

"I watched my mom then caught the first thing with wheels and a motor and got out of town." The two laughed.

"So how has the family settled in to the new daughter-in-law?"

"Bob, I wish I could explain but it's impossible."

"Is it that bad?"

"Bad…. the families have blended so well I have trouble telling where one ends and the other begins. Olivia's aunt and her best friend are building a house nearby after months of arguments from my parents who told them it was not necessary, they have plenty of room for guest. They solved the argument when her aunt told my mom she did not want to deprive my dad of enjoying his morning coffee on the porch in his boxers."

"They sound like an interesting group."

"Interesting is not how I would explain it but it fits."

"Any kids in your plans?"

"Not yet I want us to travel first…we have left open a window of about five years."

The rest of the day session went as expected with the higher ranked player winning.

"Will you guys be here tonight…. Lets hope some of the group from last year is here. We had an opportunity to get better seats but decided to stay here. More room and we can see matches on the Stadium Court as well as see who is on the practice courts and it's all in the shade. I am sure some of the group for last year...we would love to hear your news from you."

The four returned to open seats in the area and watched the rest of the day matches. Fitz turned to Olivia…"court side or Space station for tonight..?"

""Here of course…" Olivia old Bob ..."We will be here. And we will bring the popcorn" they said as they made their way through the throng of exiting people….and reached the bottom of the ramp out.

Fitz told her they were scheduled to meet the rest of the group in the club house grill as his hair was getting a lot of attention which he hoped would be halved when Jake joined them with the exact style.

The rest of their group was closer to the grill and already seated when they arrived. Jake , Marcus and Mary Olivia knew but there was a stranger...but not really a stranger.

As she took her seat and Fitz was about to introduce her to the stranger they both said...Olivia ...Ted... "Olivia I don't believe you turned me down for this group."

Fitz not saying a word looked at them both then reached over and waved Olivia's left hand in the air….."I believe she was taken a long time before you met her or am I wrong?"

"Nope Fitz...Olivia and I met earlier...I tried to get her to change her seat to ones court side."

"Ok...I assume since I found her in her Space Station seats she turned you down...my wife has good taste."

Ted took one look at Fitz " that from a man who looks like he's auditioning for the drummer in a rock band."

Olivia interrupted the male testosterone taking over the table..."guys I am a happily married woman who loves the look her husband is sporting today."

Ted gave Fitz a pat on the back..."are you jealous?"

"nope" Fitz said with a mouth full of food " just a tad vexed with someone who was trying to pick-up my wife…."

"I'm sorry, Fitz ... I just offered her court side seats for the morning session….nothing more.' Ted replied

"'And her reply was?" Fitz said looking directly at Ted."

"Nope...nada...case closed."

"Mary look who is coming across as the wounded husband….sounds like 2017 all over again." Jake said

"But I never asked you to change your seat…..right." Fitz snapped back

" Do I see a little jealousy …if you had been here none of this would have happened." Mary jumped in

"Look I was at home trying to recreate last year I never meant to leave her alone for some wolf to pounce ."

"Fitz it's ok…I appreciate it that you took the time to try to recreate last year. By the way who is your barber?"

"Jake I cut his he cut mine."

"How long before it grows back?"

Jake answered…"because of my job as a clean cut businessman… my style will take a month…..Fitz's probably about six before he has a full had of curls long enough to run your fingers through. "

Mary leaned over to Olivia as they were leaving for the evening match. "Never doubt that your husband loves you and is very possessive."

"Mary I am learning I married an exceptional man."

The group finished their meat on a bun with several beers. The only difference that Olivia could see was the location and the cost ….it was still meat on a bun. Dinner over they verified they would meet in the food court after the match as they started out to their seats… …Stand in line to enter the stadium to do it all over again…50 steps up 50 steps down.

Thanks for your interest. That's all folks…or nearly all. I promised several interested readers I would finish all my stories. The story is finished but since it ended in such a stagnant manner I figured it needed an epilogue. Well that was expected...right