Ripple Effect

-12-

Ava walks around the room with her phone attached to her cheek, "Yes, a minimum of two bedrooms. I know it won't be easy to find something within our budget, but, please, it's important. My wife and I are looking into adoption, and we need more space in order for it to happen. Alright, I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you." 

She sits down on the bed beside Lexa and hangs her head, "She's looking into it for us, and it might mean moving even further away from the city." 

Lexa reaches for her wife's hand, lifts it and kisses it, "We got this, A. I have no issue with a longer commute as long as it's in a good school district." 

"We should probably head to the team meeting now; the Captain can't be late." 

"It's fine if we're a bit late; I already cleared it with HAO." 

"You told her what exactly?" 

Lexa smiles, "That we were looking for a bigger place so that we could get the ball rolling towards possibly adopting Gabby." 

"I think when the Moms get here tomorrow, we're going to need to have a sit-down and get everything out in the open."

Lexa nods in agreement, "Definitely. I can't really see them objecting to the idea, can you?" 

Ava shakes her head, "I don't think so. After all, it was partly their idea, to begin with, or at least it was partly Mom's idea, to begin with. Every time I look at Gabby, I want to tell her what's going on, but I don't want to risk taking away the happiness that she and Wren have found with each other this week; she deserves to have someone care for her."

"Babe, we care for her; I think that Wren has fallen for her. I mean, she looks at Gabby as though she is her entire world; it reminds me of how I feel about you."

Ava smiles, "Oh really, and how exactly do you feel about me, Mrs. Mewis?"

Lexa smiles at her wife and scrunches her nose, "I think that I kinda love you." 

"You think?" 

Lexa shakes her head and smiles before leaning in to kiss Ava, "No. I know; I love you." 

Ava takes a deep breath and leans into Lexa's arms, "I love you, Lex."

Lex kisses the top of her wife's head, "As much as I don't want to leave, we should get to the meeting." 

Ava nods, "I just need to use the washroom and then we can go."

The two players make their way to the room where the team is watching a video of yesterday's scrimmage and breaking it down into what worked and didn't work. They grab chairs and sit off to the side of the room and watch the plays unfold. The lights come back on, and HAO informs them that they will be working on perfecting those plays during their afternoon session. 

"I have some news about tomorrow's end of the camp scrimmage. There will be a few former players in attendance to observe and give their impressions. I would suggest that if you want to be a part of the team at the Empowerment Tournament, you show them you are worthy of following in their footsteps. Get something to eat and drink and be ready to load at 1:00."

"Yes, Coach." 

The players trickle out of the room, and Gabby makes her way over to Ava, "Is everything okay? You weren't here, and I got worried. I sent you a message, and you didn't respond; you always respond." 

"Everything is fine. Lex and I had a bit of personal business to look after, and I couldn't answer your message without interrupting the phone call I was on. I'm sorry for causing you to worry."