The Wait Is Over

Joy and Pain

Once the stands at First Energy Stadium were sufficiently cleared, the families of the US and Canadian players were allowed onto the field to wait for them to come out of their locker rooms. Julie King and John Herdman were discussing training plans for the upcoming week as Rose, Abby, Sam, Allysha, and Jessie would be returning on Wednesday from Hamilton and Yael would be on restricted duty until her next OB appointment on October 7th. Morgan and Patrick were standing front-to-back with his arms around her waist. Chris and Kate Markgraf were talking with Chris Rampone about their children's interest in one another.

Kate: I know you're concerned about Rylie growing up too fast now that Christie is no longer here, but she's a good kid, a mature young woman who seems to be able to stand on her own feet.

Chris Rampone: Yeah, Kate. Losing her mom has really affected her and I sort of don't know how best to handle it. Reece seems to be doing better, but I'm not sure that she won't end up dealing with the grief down the road, when she feels the void of her not being here.

Kate: Reece has Madden to lean on. He understands her loss like few others her age can, and that's probably why she seems to be coping better.

Chris Markgraf: Keegan is smitten with Rylie, and I know he won't mistreat her. She seems willing to open up to him about what's going on inside her.

Chris Rampone: She's been looking at going away to college. It might be a good idea for her to do that as a means of not having to face her mom's legacy and absence on a daily basis like she would in Jersey.

Kate: Keegan is looking at attending Michigan and living with my brother and sister-in-law. His cousin did that with us when he was getting his graduate degree in Milwaukee.

Keegan and Rylie walked over to their parents, their hands locked together.

Kate: Speak of the devils! Keegan, Rylie, we were just talking about the two of you.

Rylie: Hopefully all good.

Chris Rampone: Kate was just helping me understand why Reece seems to be doing a little better with your mom's passing than you are. How was your time in Michigan with Keegan and his cousin?

Rylie: I had a bit of fun, and it was relaxing to just be out of Jersey for a few days. Morgan and I got to know one another a bit, which is something that I think I need, someone slightly older than me who I can talk to when I'm feeling down or questioning things that are happening.

Keegan: Mr. Rampone, I like Rylie. I promise to be good to her and to treat her as she should be.

Keegan extended his hand to Rylie's father, which he shook. "If you're like your parents, I don't think I will have much to worry about."

The players began appearing from the tunnel in search of their guests and loved ones.

Julie: What do you think, Alyssa?

Alyssa: One, I think you're silly to take how many of my jerseys to make 1 mash-up. Two, how do I know the Breakers one is actually one of mine and not one of Steph's? And three, I love it.

Alyssa closed the gap between her and Julie and kissed her softly. "You're so sweet. Why did I wait so long to admit that you have a bit of a grip on me?"

Julie: Maybe for the same reason I didn't tell you what I felt when you were traded to Chicago. Shock, disbelief, not knowing for sure how I viewed you. By the way, this was the best possible result tonight. A draw with both of my goalies getting shutouts.