The Wait Is Over

Getting Off On The Right Foot

March 1st finally arrived and all 14 teams in the NWSL opened camp in preparation for their season openers on April 9th. Before she left for Washington, Kristie talked to Sam about her situation and what she was thinking of doing about it. Sam reassured her that heading up Sporting Chic would be a viable option if she chose to retire, and that she could also count on Sam's portion of the profits for the upcoming year if she needed the money to keep playing.

***

The first stop today is in Boston, where the Breakers take the field as the odds-on favorite in the Eastern Conference. Steph Labbe and Abby Dahlkemper get onto the field a little late due to first-day paperwork for the team's new players.

Steph: I am really happy for the two of you.

Abby: Thanks, Steph. Between you and Kristie, I was able to get through last year's separation without losing my mind. Once the trade happened, I knew that the time had come to have "the talk" about our future.

Steph: I guess we won't be able to celebrate winning the league title TOO hard, since you're getting married the next morning.

Abby: We can still revel a bit, but it would probably not be good form to come to our wedding hung-over, especially if you're participating in it.

Steph: Is that a rhetorical question?

Abby: Steph, you're probably my best friend aside from Oyster, my fiancee, and my soon-to-be sister-in-law, and I want you by my side that day. Will you stand up with us?

Steph: WOO!! *high five* I duly accept your invitation. Now get over there with the rest of the gang or they'll start to wonder if we're planning something behind Sam's back.

Abby jogs over to join the group standing just to the right of the midfield circle. She comes up behind Sam and places her chin on her shoulder.

Megan Oyster: I thought seeing this every day for four years at UCLA would have been enough to make me immune from its cuteness, but I guess not.

Morgan Andrews: Welcome to the Breakers, Abby.

Abby: Thanks, Morgan. Jessie, I know you two and Rose like to swap around a lot. How did Sam take to that last year?

Jessie Fleming: She got used to it. With John wanting the outside backs to attack, a lot of the time Sam was protecting the center backs or playing alongside them.

Megan looks at the couple and sees that they both have athletic tape wrapped around their ring fingers.

Megan: Noooooooooo........

Sam: What?

Megan: The tape job both you and Abby have on your hands.

Abby (to Sam): I guess we better tell her before she starts with the 20 Questions. Megan, we're getting married.

Megan: When did this get decided?

Sam: About three weeks ago, just before Valentine's Day.

Megan: Do you have a date?

Abby: October 16th in Chicago. Win the title on Saturday, get married on Sunday.

Megan: Clever.

Abby: Sam, I've got my backups. Now it's your turn.

Sam: Megan, you've been there with us from the moment we first set eyes on each other, and it wouldn't make sense to take this step without you there with me. Will you be my bridesmaid?