The Wait Is Over

A Cause For Concern

A post-match exam on Saturday revealed that Christen Press picked up a slight groin tear against Vancouver. Upon hearing this, Olympias head coach Jenny Bindon and managing partner Mia Hamm felt it best if Christen didn't make the cross-country trip to Cleveland for national team camp, being that Katelyn, Lynn, and Shelina had also been called in by the US and Canada. Mia informed Laura Harvey of the development, which led to Christen being replaced by Ashley Hatch on the roster.

***

Rhian allowed Steph to come into camp on Monday afternoon so she could be with Yael for her appointment with their obstetrician. For the first time in the pregnancy, Dr. Fleet expressed a slight bit of concern as Deborah hadn't grown at the same rate as she had between previous visits. She prescribed a couple of dietary changes for Yael as well as cutting back on the anti-depressant and recommending she take up yoga alongside Steph as a means of de-stressing. Following the appointment, Yael drove Steph to the airport so she could leave for Cleveland. The pair talked a bit about the new developments and what they were feeling about them.

Yael: Steph, I'm worried. What if, what if....

Steph: Honey, don't think about that. Sara said that her growth was slowing, not that it had stopped. Maybe she'll be smaller than originally projected, which would make her a normal size as opposed to a giant like yourself.

Yael: I just can't help but think all of the stress the second half of the summer might have screwed things up.

Steph: She's not due for another two months. Maybe with the changes, things will pick up by the time of our next visit. When is it scheduled for?

Yael: Originally, we were due to go in on your birthday, October 10th, but I asked her move it to the Friday before that because, if we make the final, trying to squeeze that into all the things we have to do with the game and the wedding would be just too difficult.

Steph: I see your point. I remember my two trips to the final with the Spirit, and the week between the semi and final gets a bit crazy.

Yael: We were lucky when we faced Seattle in the 2015 final that the game was scheduled mid-week so we had a few extra days to prepare and get the logistics worked out.

Once at the airport, Steph kissed Yael goodbye, then grabbed her bag from the trunk and headed to ticketing. While waiting for her turn in line, she said a small prayer for Yael and Deborah, asking for divine protection while she was away.

***

The US National Teamers took part in the dreaded beep test this afternoon. With slight injuries hampering several of the players, the final handful alive at Level 45 were Ashley Hatch, Ashley Sanchez, Shea Groom, and Savannah Jordan. Abby Dahlkemper, usually one of the last to crash out, fell short on Level 26. Following dinner, she and Sam hung out in their room with Lindsey and Emily.

Lindsey: Getting nervous, Stretch? Less than four weeks away now.

Sam: No. My mind is on throttling those jokers to the north, then getting to the final and winning it. Kristie and Steph are handling some things this week while they're on a lighter schedule.

Emily: I'm glad our wedding is all-inclusive and that Moe recommended Rent the Runway for the dresses. All we have to do is show up and, oh, win the Coca-Cola Cup earlier that day.

Abby: That's not even a slightly funny joke, or did you not look at this year's results in the cup and in the standings?

Emily: It's a new season now. We don't have to win 17 games to win the league title, just three.

Sam: You have to get past Orlando first, then us, before you even GET to Chicago for the final. Just saying it's not going to be an easy task.

Lindsey: Preach, Sammy! You know I love you, Em, but I don't think you, Danelle, and Lyds can keep me and Alex off the scoreboard.

Emily: And Janine won't be held scoreless either, oh Great One!

Sam: I'm glad we'll face only one of you to get to the final instead of both. 

Lindsey: We're both going to be in Boston for the East final, even though only one of us will play in it. It will give us an excuse to give the two of you one last night out before you get married.

Abby: I might not be much of a partier that night if we get the good news we want on the 29th.

Emily: Meaning......

Abby: That's when I'll find out if I'm pregnant or not.

Lindsey: Sam, you been holding out on me?

Sam: No, Frick. We've wanted to keep it quiet until we got that confirmation, but I guess Abby has now let the cat out of the bag, sort of.

Emily: Ali and Ash had one last year, Moe and Kelley had one this year, if all goes well the two of you will have one next year. Think we should be looking for one the year after?

Lindsey: You know that I'm not a fan of babies, although Stephen is rather cute. Let's get married first and have some time together as wives before we make that leap, OK?

The two couples continued to revel in one another's company before Lindsey and Emily needed to head back to their room in order to meet curfew.