Come Fly Away With Me

Catching Up

"So this woman was with you at the Olympics?"
Carina was finishing her makeup in the bathroom while Maya was changing Liam. 
"Yes, but she didn't do track, she was a swimmer.  We just bunked together and became good friends."
"Bambina, I've been with you for six years and I've never once heard you talk about this Kate person. Were you two...?"
"What? No! No, Katie was...I don't know, she was just 'Katie'.  She was a bit socially awkward, just like I was.  She was also super focused on her swimming, but deep down her passion was surfing.  We just hit it off right away and became instant friends.  I think because she didn't seem phased by my dad and his bullshit, so it was nice to have a friend because I was so focused on winning."
Carina came out of the bathroom, her face displaying a sarcastic shocked expression.
"You? Singularly focused on only one thing? I just cannot believe that!"
Maya picked Liam up and tilted her head, smiling at her wife.
"Ha ha very funny.  You know what I mean."
Carina took two steps toward Maya and cupped the side of her face as she leaned in for a quick kiss.
"I love you Bella, you are so cute."
She turned and headed back into the bathroom as Maya held Liam away from her to check him over.
"Ok my sweet boy, let's see how you look hmm?  Yup, still the cutest guy in any town.  You ready to go meet mom's friend from the Olympics?  She is going to love you!"

Dinner had gone well. Maya had been a bit nervous to bombard Kate with so many people all at once, but she took it all in stride and the entire group had enjoyed a lively meal filled with stories and some good natured ribbing at Maya's expense. And when little Liam had started rubbing his eyes, Katherine offered to take him up to the room and get him to bed so the rest of the group could continue to chat. Mason and Travis had stood up and offered to walk her back to the room so the ladies had suggested they all meet back up at the outside fire pit area to continue their evening. As Kate and Carina took their seats, Vic and Maya offered to go get the first round of drinks. While waiting for the bartender Vic laid her hand on Maya's arm.
"Thank you."
"Uhhh, ok, you're welcome?"
"Maya, we've been friends and colleagues for a long time, and I know that you, me and Andy have a bond, but seeing this side of you? It makes me feel really connected to you."
"Ahhh, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you and my brother seem to be headed in a certain direction?"
Vic smiled and blushed as she tilted her head.
"He really is this pretty cool dude. He's not like anyone I've ever felt attracted to, but there is something that just clicks. He is definitely his own personality and yet, he's so easy going. Honestly, I was expecting him to be a male version of you."
"Well, maybe he has some traces of that, but I always tried to shield him from our dad because he's always been a more gentle soul underneath what he presents."
"Well, whatever it is, I am really enjoying getting to know him. And I'm thankful that you put the clipboard down long enough to reconnect with him too."
Maya smirked at Vic before pushing her shoulder against her friend just as the bartender came over. Maya smiled easily as she ordered drinks for her, Kate and Vic and then a club soda with two limes for her wife.

"So Carina, you managed to be the one to make an honest woman out of Maya, what's your secret?"
"Well, I guess she just couldn't resist my lasagna."
Both women were laughing easily as Maya and Vic returned with the beverages. Kate took her drink from Maya and smiled.
"Lasagna huh?"
Maya's eyes went wide as she looked at Carina.
"Oh my God you told her how I gave you food poisoning?"
"Wait, what? Why would you give this woman food poisoning? She's absolutely adorable!"
Maya sat down as she stared at her wife who was not even trying to hide her laughter.
"She asked how I managed to capture your heart, but I thank you for admitting it finally that you did poison me."
All four of them enjoyed a smile as Carina leaned over and held Maya's hand, blowing her a kiss and winking. Vic leaned forward and stared at Kate.
"What I want to know is, did Maya carry a clipboard and blow a whistle in the village or was she more of a run around and enjoy some freedom Maya when she wasn't competing?"
Kate looked over at her friend and smiled.
"I want to say both. She and I were both pretty naive to social interactions so when we weren't practicing for qualifying or competing, we did tend to break loose. But when it came to the work, her dad was a complete hardass and Maya had to just become-"
Both Carina and Vic cut her off and spoke in unison.
"Eyes Forward Bishop!"
Maya shook her head as she smiled at the taunting.
"Hey, I won the damned gold though didn't I? AND because of that, I was able to run a guy's nose into the hospital where this incredibly beautiful doctor spotted me..and then stalked me in the bar later that night. So there!"
Maya laughed as she struck a confident pose and lifted her drink in triumph.
"Ok, enough about me, Katie, what's your deal? Who is this Lucy you were telling me about earlier and where is she?"
Kate's face broke out into a wide smile and her eyes twinkled.
"So Lucy works for NCIS out in Hawaii. Funnily enough, we had met at a bar too, but then things got awkward and I self sabotaged the relationship. I had to basically embarrass the shit out of myself by singing to her in front of all our friends and colleagues. She took me back and has more patience with me and my awkwardness than anyone ever has. I really got lucky and I've never been happier."
Vic and Carina looked at each other and nodded before Vic asked the question.
"So did you and Maya drink from the same water bottle? Because I swear your story is freakishly similar to theirs!"
Kate and Maya smiled as all four women dissolved into a round of laughter once again.

Mason and Travis entered the outdoor bar area and spotted the women seated around the fire pit laughing and chatting. Mason turned to Travis as he pointed his thumb in their direction.
"I don't know about you, but they look like they are having a grand old time without us. What do you say we let them have a girls night?"
Travis didn't even bother to hide his relief as he nodded in agreement.
"We can get all the details from Vic in the morning. Hey, I saw they had a couple of games on back inside at the bar. How's that sound?"
Mason stared at Travis, who seems to panic and tried to explain.
"I'm not implying anything, I just never had a brother and my dad was never really into watching sports with me. I just thought maybe it would be a good way for us to hang out and get to know each other."
Mason broke into a smile and clapped Travis on the back good naturedly.
"Do you know that I've never had a buddy I could sit and watch a game with? My dad just never had time for me and I didn't exactly hang with a crowd that was into that kind of stuff. But you are pretty cool Travis and since we are going to be spending so much time together, I think us starting a tradition would be a damned fun thing."