Stars Align

She Gets That From You.

Dani~

"Mama," Brie says as I cut up her breakfast for the day. Did she just say that? That was two syllables. It wasn't just the one.

Christian looks back at me, "Did she just-"

"Yeah, she did."

She didn't say 'dada' first like we both thought she would. I put the knife down and pick her up from the high chair. "Please say it again. Please."

She looks at me, "Da!"

Christian laughs as he comes into the listen from the living room. "Oh, c'mon, really?"

She mumbles something we can't understand. "Mama!"

I hand her to Christian so I can finish cutting her food. "Mama!"

"I'm going. Hold on."

I put the fruit on her tray. I kiss her cheek, "There's your breakfast."

She gets excited when he puts her down. He puts his arm around me, "She'll be walking next."

"Too soon. Let me enjoy this."

He laughs, "Then she'll find her way out to the court just like you did."

I watch her pick up each piece and put it in her mouth. "You think so?"

"She already likes watching you."

"She's a happy baby."

"Not when she's hungry. She gets that from you."

"Nobody likes to be hungry."

"Yeah, especially you."

I roll a ball over to Brie as she sits on the floor. She hits the ball with her hands, "Are you trying to be like mom?"

"Mama!"

"Yeah! Get the ball."

She plays around with the ball as I continue to work on my ball control. I'm surprised Christian hasn't come in yet to see what I'm up to.

I set myself the ball before hitting it over. I grab another ball and do it again. She starts clapping as I hit the ball again. "Are you excited?"

"Mama!"

She smiles as I look over at her. I take another ball and pass it to myself. I hit it over the net and she claps again. "See, even she knows you're still that good," Christian says, scaring me a bit.

"You scared me," I say, turning to face him.

He smiles, "I see she found a ball."

"It's keeping her busy."

He pinches my side, "Are you almost done?"

"Just about."

He goes to sit with Brie as I finish up. I start picking up the balls as I'm finished for today. I've been feeling better about my swing and my physical readiness to compete in the Olympics again. I still have some work to do but I do feel better about everything.

I go over to them and pick her up, "Are you ready to go home? You need a nap."

She mumbles something. "I don't know what you're trying to say but okay."

I kick my shoes off and put my slides on. "Let's go."

I put my backpack on as he took Brie from me. I hand him the keys as we walk out of the court. He gets her situated in her car seat while I sit up front. I handed him a bottle I had in my bag for her. He gets in and drives off from the gym.