Just Me and You

Chapter 22

As the second half of the game comes on the tv, Pia and I cuddle into each other in her bed with lots of blankets and all the lights off.

It is 1-0 as the game begins again against Mexico and Kristie is immediately on the ball running down the center. She passed out to Mal on the wing who then crosses it into the box, as Kristie heads it into the back of the net.

"Goaaaaaaaal!" Pia yells as her arms fly into the air and her smile gets wide. I smile at her excitement and then look back toward the tv where Kristie is in front of the camera, with a heart made by her hands, and she is mouthing "I love you Pia."

"Did you see that little p? Mama just said your name!"

"When are you and mama gonna stop fighting?"

Her bluntness catches me off guard and I look at her with wide eyes.

"What're you talking about Pia?"

"I heard you and mama the other day when you thought I was sleeping, you were fighting. And now you are quiet whenever mama comes to visit. I want you guys to love each other again. Do you still love each other?"

"Of course we still love each other, we just had a small disagreement. Mama and I are okay I promise. You don't worry about it alright?"

She nods her head and smiles before looking back toward the tv, forgetting about the conversation.

As the final whistle blows with a 2-0 win by the US, Pia presses the call light and tells the nurse she would like her dinner. They tried to deliver it a bit ago but she told the nurse she couldn't be distracted as the game was on.

The nurse walks in with her tray and sits with Pia for a bit, pushing some meds through her IV and doing some small tests for her heart. As she is distracted my phone rings and I see Kristie's name appear on my phone.

I step out in the hall and slide to the floor as I hit the answer button.

"Hey, nice goal Kris, you played really well."

"You and Pia were watching right? Did you see my celebration?"

"Yeah," I said with a small smile and tears form in my eyes. "We loved it. Both of us," I say with a bit of emphasis hoping she would get the picture.

"Good, I am glad. Listen what do you want for dinner? Or did you eat already? I'm gonna shower quick and bring us some stuff from the conference room. I was hoping I could spend the night? That way you can get some rest at the hotel."

"Actually, I was hoping maybe one of the girls could come stay the night here. And maybe we could do dinner? I know we haven't been on the best of terms but I just want you to hear me out, so I can make it right."

The silence on the end of the phone makes the tears actually fall from my eyes and I silently let out a single sob before trying to pull myself together.

"We don't have to if you don't want to, I get it, I let you down terribly. But when you get here we have to act normal until you're ready to talk because Pia mentioned us fighting today and I don't want to put too much stress on her and -"

"Lex stop, breathe. And wipe your tears. I can hear the sadness in your voice. I would love to do dinner, I'll make us a reservation not too far from the hospital just in case we need to get back. Are you sure you're okay with someone staying the night there?"

"No not really but I need to get out of here and Pia will be happy to have someone else here. But maybe someone responsible? I love Emily and Rose and they're great but Pia and they could do some damage. Maybe Lindsey?"

Her laugh brings a smile to my face and I relax a bit, sinking into the floor even more.

"I'll talk to her and we will be there in an hour okay? I love you."

"I love you more."

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"Is Lindsey really gonna have a sleepover with me! Oh my gosh no way! Lindsey maybe the nurses will give us popsicles!"

She jumps out of bed and grabs a hold of the IV pole while pulling it toward the door where Lindsey is stood and she gives her a hug around the waist.

"Thanks mama and mommy for letting Lindsey come. I've missed you," she says as she smiles up at the blonde who ruffles her hair making it all crazy.

"I've missed you too! We get to cuddle and watch movies all night isn't that exciting?"

"Woah woah, Linds I asked you here because you're the responsible one. You guys have to go to bed at a reasonable time, or at least she does."

Before Lindsey can reply, Kris puts her arms around my waist and pulls me into her.

"One night isn't gonna hurt her lex. Besides, the girls leave the day after tomorrow so this'll be the last time she sees them for a while. She'll be okay."

She kisses my neck and squeezes my hips which send a shiver down my spine. On top of us arguing we have been in this hospital for 2 weeks and haven't been intimate in ages that the simplest touch is turning me on. I look back at the smirking girl giving her a warning look before turning back to Pia.

"Bed by 9:30 how does that sound? We will be back for breakfast."

"Deal, I love you."

Pia gives us both a hug, giving Kristie one that lasts longer as she hasn't seen her all day. The two spend a few minutes together before Kristie and I head out the door.

"You didn't pick anywhere fancy right?" I ask as we make our way outside. "I only have the sweats I'm wearing."

"Nope, a pub a few blocks away. Want to walk? It's a nice night."

She grabs my hand and pulls us down the road. We walk in comfortable silence, but the upcoming conversation is lingering in my mind.

"So we have a few minutes? I need to get everything off my chest before I explode."

She flashes me a small smile before pulling us to the grassy area outside the front of the hospital that has a playground for the kids who can take the trip outside. We sit on the swings and I take a few minutes to gather my thoughts before speaking. I keep my eyes down, because if I look at her I'll burst into tears.

"I guess to start I reallly want to say I'm sorry. I've gone about our whole relationship wrong and I haven't once valued your opinion and taken any help you've given. You're right, she is just as much yours as she is mine and she wouldn't be safe and sound where she is today without you. I guess I'm just not used to the help. And I know we'll have been together for a year in a couple months but I still have always tried to do everything myself. I think because I know she isn't yours I don't want to burden you. Your life is insanely busy, I don't want us to distract you from that. And I know, you enjoy the distraction and the company, but I never want to take you away from that life. But from here on out, I'm going to. We're in this together, as long as that's what you still want."

I stay looking at the ground as the first tear falls down onto my leg, afraid to see Kristie's face. A hand touches my cheek, and then another, forcing me to look up into Kristie's eyes.

"I'm here for the long haul, you're stuck with me. I am a hundred percent committed to the two of you. And I promise you you're never a burden. You two are a breath of fresh air outside of soccer and I appreciate that. I didn't speak up before tonight because I wanted you to come to your conclusion before I spoke my own. If I wasn't what you wanted, I would've walked away and taken a step back. But knowing that's not what you want, I'm so happy with that."

Pulling her down so our lips meet we kiss for what feels like forever as the sun sets behind us. I melt into her as we haven't had contact like this in days.

"Are you ready to eat? I'm starving," Kristie mumbles against my lips before pulling me up and back toward the side walk.

Eyeing her up and down from behind, I pull her into my side and whisper in her ear. "I am hungry, but I'm more hungry for you."