The Wait Is Over

Cleaning Out The Closet

Yael picks up Steph for their day of hiking and picnicking at Ward Reservation in Andover.

Steph: Good morning. Care for a donut? Sweets for the sweet.

Yael: You know me too well. Sleep well last night?

Steph: Yeah. Knowing that we would have the whole day to ourselves away from civilization, sort of, made falling to sleep rather easy.

Yael: When we get to the top of Holt Hill, we'll break out the picnic and have our talk about the future.

Steph: Sounds good.

Steph reaches across the armrest and places her hand on Yael's thigh.

Yael: I'm glad John decided to re-sign Devin for the Reserves after she cleared waivers yesterday. We're going to need to bring some players up next year to cover for having a handful of our first XI in Australia.

Steph: Julie thinks she has the potential to be a contributor in the future. Just got beat out by a slightly-older rookie who can cover all three back line positions at the present time.

Yael: When you came out on Saturday wearing your jersey with 16 on the back of it, was that for me?

Steph: Yes. When I looked back at pics from your playing days, I didn't see one consistent number for you with your clubs, but there were several with the National Team with you wearing 16.

Yael: I thought so. You might want to clarify that with Rose, because she seems to have the impression that it was for her.

Steph: Forgot she also has worn 16 for the National Team.

Yael: She's got a thing for you, I think.

Steph: Yeah, and I don't know how better to indicate my lack of interest than I have already, short of saying that I'm seeing someone.

Yael: We'll talk about that as well.

The two reach Ward Reservation and Yael parks the car. They get out and begin on one of the trails leading to the top of Holt Hill. After about a 75-minute hike, they reach the summit. Steph lays out a blanket and Yael reaches into her backpack to pull out the sandwiches and trail mix she has brought for the two of them.

Yael: I know we haven't talked talked since I got the news. It's a bit of a shock, to be honest. I thought I was in the clear when it came to staving off something like this happening. You've said that you'll stand by me regardless of what happens, and I hope that that will be true, because I really don't know at the moment what I want to do about this, or us.

Steph: I'm in love with you, Yael. I want to someday be your one and only, but I know that that will have to wait until you and Aaron separate, and that probably won't happen until after the baby is born, am I right?

Yael: In a perfect world, that would be the case, but life isn't perfect. Sometimes, you have to take what happens and make the best out of it.

Steph: Sounds like something John's friend Marc would say.

Yael: Actually, that was the gist of his blog entry a few weeks ago, that perfection is a myth. I know that we didn't plan for this when we got together, but I don't want to eventually raise this child with anyone else by my side. I love you, Stephanie Lynn, and I want you to be my partner in the future.

Steph: Since we're being vulnerable and honest with each other, I need to come clean on some things. I am not doing as well with staying away from drinking as I pretend to be. I haven't had a blackout yet, but I did have a few after coming home from Atlanta on Sunday. I didn't want to disturb you on your off day with Aaron, and Kyah was taking a later flight back because she wanted to spend more time with Alanna.