Arranging Alexandria [ON HOLD]

Chapter 33

-Alex's POV-

"Okay, ladies, that was our last game of the day. I don't know how we did it, but we managed to win every game today. This proves that if we work hard enough, we can do anything. I'm not promising a perfect season, but I think we'll go far this year." I preached to the girls in the locker room. "Anybody else wanna say anything? Jess? Chandler?"

"I wanted to make Coach Massey a gift basket. If everybody could give like five dollars that would help a lot. It'll be from the whole team." Chandler spoke up. "I need it by Tuesday, because we're going to see her Wednesday."

"Okay, so bring your money before Tuesday if you can." I told them all. "Is that everything?" They nodded. "Well, we have practice at my house on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. We're going to see Coach Massey in the hospital Wednesday, like Chandler said. We have a game Friday night at six, so be there at five."

After that, I dismissed everybody so we could go home. I saw Louis sitting in the bleachers, watching the current game that was going on. I plopped down next to him.

"Done for the day?" He asked. I nodded. "Do you wanna go home or watch this game?"

"Lets go home. I'm exhausted." I replied. He took my bag in one hand and used the other one to interlock our fingers.

"You played good, coach." Lou chuckled. It is weird to think that I'm actually the coach of my own team.

"Thank you." I laughed. "And thank you for putting up with my endless basketball practices, games, and tournaments."

"No problem." He replied. "I've definitely learned a lot about the sport. Especially since you talk about it in your sleep."

"I do not!" I disagreed.

"You do, love." He reassured me.

"What do I say, then?" I questioned.

"I hear all kinds of stuff like 'red one hundred' and 'do you know what the hell a diagonal cut is?' all the time." He answered nonchalantly.

"Well, do you know what the hell a diagonal cut is or not?" I laughed.

"No, I don't." He chuckled, shaking his head. "But I do know that red one hundred is your favorite inbounds play."

"Well done." I nodded in approval.

"I've picked up on a few things." He smirked.

"A few." I replied.

"So I was wondering..." He trailed off, turning all serious. "Do you want to go house shopping in London over your winter break?"

"Uhm..." I didn't know what to say. "I don't know anything about house shopping."

"Neither do I." He shrugged.

"I guess we can. We have to eventually." I agreed.

"Great. I'll make arrangements." He replied.

*December 20*

I had taken my last midterm several hours ago. Now I was at the airport, waiting to get on the plane with Louis so we could go house shopping in London. I made a list of what I wanted.

- 3 bedroom

- 2 bath

- big yard

- privacy

- close to town

That's basically all I needed. If it has a basketball court, then it's even better. Louis asked me why we needed so many bedrooms, while we sat at the airport awaiting our flight.

"Hell, we're getting married, Louis. Don't you want kids eventually?" I asked him. His eyes lit up.

"You do too?" He replied. I nodded with a chuckle. "I want three."

"At least three." I nodded with a smile.

"How come you're so calm about this? Don't you feel scared thinking about that?" He asked me.

"Having a baby? Not really. Everybody has to be a first-time parent at some point. Sure, we'll screw up and do the wrong thing sometimes. But we'll figure it out." I shrugged.

"You're perfect." He said, grinning, and pecked me on the cheek.

I laughed. "So you know what's coming up?" I asked him.

"Christmas." He replied nonchalantly.

"Your birthday too." I reminded him. "What do you want?" I inquired.

"You wouldn't let me get you anything, so you can't get me anything." He shook his head.

"You're buying me a house, though." I disagreed.

"Nope, that doesn't count." He shook his head.

"Fine." I sighed. "I'm just gonna have to guess."

"Oh my gosh." He groaned. "Don't get me anything, Alex."

***

"London is so pretty." I said for the millionth time. "I can't believe we get to live here."

"It's gonna be great." Louis replied with a goofy grin.

"What's the weather like in the summer?" I inquired, leaning against him as we sat in the back of the car that had come to pick us up.

"Rainy." He chuckled. "But occasionally it's sunny."

"Well, I bet it's still pretty when it rains." I replied.

"Not really." He shook his head. "But you're pretty all the time." He added, making my cheeks turn red.

"Are the rest of the boys in London right now?" I questioned.

"No, they're spending the week with their families." Lou shook his head. "Oh! You haven't met my sisters!"

"You have sisters?" I asked. "How have I not known this?!"

"I don't know! I just forgot. But they're flying to the states for Christmas with us, so you can meet them." He assured me.

"How old are they?" I questioned.

"There's four of them. Lottie's fourteen. Felicite is twelve. The twins, Daisy and Phoebe are eight." He explained.

"Do you think they'll like me?" I asked nervously.

"Of course they will, love. My parents adore you. They might be a little harsh at first, though." He said, frowning.

"Why?" I inquired.

"They're used to me getting a girlfriend, then they get attached to her, then I break up with her." He told me. "So my last two girlfriends, they haven't liked very much. They don't want to get attached to you and then me break up with you."

"Why'd you do that to so many girls?" I asked him. He didn't seem like the type to be a player. He's probably the sweetest guy I know.

"I have no clue. I was younger and stupid. But that's why I met you, so I don't regret it at all."