Romeo On and Off the Court

Prologue – It Runs in the Family

You have to be able to accept failure to get better. ~Lebron James

Bella

Seven years later

I sat in the YMCA gym watching Edward's and my daughter run back and forth on the basketball court. A proud smile on my face as Elizabeth lifted the ball and shoot. She missed, but the look of determination was priceless.

Edward hated he had to miss his princess' first game, but he had a road game with the Sixers. He made me promise a thousand times to video the game and send it to him.

Uncle Seth was running the sideline with the GoPro camera, having moved to Philadelphia after college. He stayed with us for six month as he got on his feet. He was a nurse at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Elizabeth and her brother, Liam, loved seeing him.

Liam squirmed next to me. He wanted to be out there with his sister, chasing the ball.

"Not much longer, Li," I said, using his nickname Elizabeth gave her brother.

I was glad Elizabeth's games were about a half-hour or I would have had to get a sitter for Liam. He could sit still for about twenty minutes. I looked down at him and he pointed to the court, as if saying pay attention.

"Lizzie has the ball, momma," he said in his sweet four year old voice.

My gaze moved back to the court in time to see Elizabeth making a basket this time, right as the buzzer went off ending the game.

"Yay!" Liam exclaimed, bouncing up and down where he now stood.

Offering him my hand, we made our way down the bleachers. Liam took off toward his sister once his feet hit the floor. I laughed as he knocked her down to hug her.

Seth had the camera on my children, since he was recording the coach giving out the game ball. It surprised me that Elizabeth received it.

The coach reminded us parents of the next practice and game. Like our kids would let us forget.

"Hey, Sis," Seth said, joining me as I corralled Elizabeth and Liam and starting herding them toward the doors. "Here's your camera. The team gave me a good workout, but they sure are fast."

I chuckled having warned him. "You'll just have to deal with Edward if he gets sick watching it."

"He shouldn't. I had the stabilizer turned on."

Taking the camera, I put it into my purse before opening the backdoors for the kids to climb in.

I buckled in Liam before closing the door.

"Lunch?" I asked.

"No can do, Bella. I have a lunch date."

~~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~~

After making a quick lunch for the kids, I made my way to the home office and started the computer. The video didn't take long to download, I watched a few minutes of it to make sure it wouldn't make Edward sick. True to Seth's word, it was smooth.

A quick glance at my watch told me, Edward had about five hours before the team made their way to the stadium. So, he should have time to watch it. I attached it to an email and hit send.

Edward

My phone beeped, indicating a message. I smile when I saw it was from Bella.

"Video in your email. Check it out."

"Emmett, Jasper, game is here," I called out.

My announcement got the attention of the whole team.

"Game? What game?" Coach Garrison asked.

I smiled sheepishly. None of my teammates knew Elizabeth played basketball, and she was as good as I was when I was at seven.

"Elizabeth's first basketball game was today," Jasper said.

I shot Jasper the stink eye. He had been traded to the Sixers four years ago. It was a great move for the team and for Jasper.

"Use coach's laptop," Paul suggested, "so the whole team can watch."

My gaze turned to coach. He was hooked to the projector.

Coach Garrison didn't miss a beat. "Get over here and bring up the video."

I brought up the video and took a breath before hit the triangular play button.

My gaze drifted to my teammates and all I saw was smiles. We all helped out with youth sports in the off-season, so it shouldn't have surprised me.

Everyone cheered when Elizabeth scored a buzzer-beating shot that had her team winning the game. I thought the video would end there, but it continued. Elizabeth's coach had the game ball in her hands and addressed.

"You all did well today and I wish I could give you all the game ball," she started, "but only one of you can take today's home. Who did you think should get the game ball?"

The girls all looked at each other and then at Elizabeth. They all nodded. "Elizabeth," one said.

The coach smiled and handed my blushing daughter the ball. "Thanks," Elizabeth said, a small smile forming on her face.

"You've got one humble daughter, Cullen," one of the trainers said.

"Just like her father," Emmett chuckled. "Never wanted to game ball in college, but took it all the same."

The video ended, and I was grateful. I excused myself and with coach's blessing went to call home to congratulate my daughter.

~~~ Romeo On and Off the Court ~~~

It was late when I arrived home after a tough lose. The TV was on downstairs and Bella was curled up on the couch. Finding her like this took me back to college and coming in to see her asleep on my couch. We hadn't been together long then. A couple of weeks, at most. Though it could have been longer had she not been so stubborn, not that I would have had it any other way.

Like I had back then, I set my bag down on the floor and tip-toed over to the couch. Crouching down, I gave her a gentle kiss. Her eyes slowly opened.

"I think you'll be more comfortable in bed."

My darling wife nodded and accepted my hand, allowing me to draw her up off the couch. I gave her another kiss before we walked hand-in-hand to the stairs.

Together we checked on the kids before seeking our bed.

The End

A/N: This was a journey, one I learned a lot from. I didn't know much about basketball when I set out to write this story, but I am glad I didn't ignore this idea. Thanks for following me on it.

I have started noodling two ideas for my next Bella and Edward adventure. I am not sure which story path I will follow. If you haven't already, check out my other stories. And be sure to follow me. Until the next story.