Buzz (Camren)

Chapter 5: Shot Clock

Basketball in New Orleans was no joke, not that playing in Miami was a joke, but something about playing for the Cavalry was different. Camila said that it was just the excitement of playing in a new city and Lauren agreed, but there was another piece to the puzzle that was their happiness.

Since their move, things had settled down and Lauren and Camila had started official practice and training with the Cavalry.  It was hard work, not only because it was totally different than what they were used to, but also because they weren't young as young as they used to be.  

"So, babe, what do you think about me retiring after next season? I love basketball, but we all knew the day would come when you'd be the only Jauregui-Cabello on the court."

Camila walked over to her wife, she knew this day would come, but she didn't expect it so soon. "Whoa, where is this coming from? I thought you were happy playing here?"

"Oh, I totally am. It's just that Sammy's getting older, learning new things every day and I don't want to miss out on any of it."

"I sense that there is more to the story than you're telling me...talk to me please?"

"My shot clock is running out. We've spent the last few years furthering our careers and enjoying life in the moment. I want to have more babies running around this big house."

"Wow, why didn't you say something earlier? You know that when you signed to play for the Devils, we had our three conditions. You could have talked to me about this."

"Well since you know now, how do you feel about it?" Lauren was nervous to hear Camila's response. Life was good for them, they had a routine and it worked wonders for them. Adding a baby would change everything, don't even mention babies, as in more than one.  

"It's not that bad of an idea. If you're ready to stop playing basketball, then stop. If you want us to have more babies, then let’s do it."

"So we agree that after this season, I'll retire?"

"Yep! Tomorrow we can figure out how to fulfill your contract, but now, let’s celebrate.”

“I believe that there is a hot tub like two hundred feet that is just screaming our names. What do you say?” Lauren got up and ran to the sliding door that was between them and the pool. “Last one in has to make breakfast in the morning.”

“Oh you’re on sister!”

*****  

          When Lauren and Camila spoke to Coach Miller, he immediately understood where they were coming from. He realized that under the current circumstances, if they wanted to expand their family, it’d be next to impossible. After the season ended, Lauren would become a Play Coach for the Cavalry. It was her responsibility to review game tapes, make a report of her observations, offer advice as to how a play could be executed differently, and break down each and every play that was in the Cavalry repertoire. Next season, Lauren would be the go to girl if someone was having trouble with a play.  

Lauren’s last game for the Cavalry was the one that any player would only dream of retiring on.  The Cavalry played the Devils at home in the Smoothie King Center. It was a nail biting fight to the finish, ending in double overtime with a final score of 98 for the Devils and 103 for the Cavalry. Coach Miller and the rest of the team had a surprise party for Lauren planned after the game where he announced that she would be staying with the team, only from now on, she’d be behind a desk rather with heels on rather than on the court with ball shoes.  

*****       

          Being Play Coach for the Cavalry was the best decision that Lauren and Camila could have made. Even though basketball was Camila’s passion, Lauren grew to love it just as much as she did. After her first month of being back behind a desk, she realized how much she actually missed the hardwood.  If she didn’t have to be in a meeting or doing actual paperwork, she was on the court or as close as she could be to it making new plays, breaking them down, or trying to figure out ways to better the plays that already existed. Another perk to being Play Coach was that she could work from home when and if she needed to. Lauren was home every day by 3:30pm even if Camila wasn’t. She learned so much about Samuel that she thought she knew, but really didn't. It was all the little things, like knowing that before his daily nap he has a glass of juice or that he cuddles with the stuffed bear that Chris and Summer gave him three years ago only during nap time, that makes her job that more enjoyable.

Camila on the other hand saw different perks of Lauren taking a different position for the Cavalry. She saw her family in an entirely new light.  Before Samuel came, Lauren and Camila eat, slept, and breathed basketball. When Lauren started playing for the Devils, their entire family eat, slept, and breathed baby and basketball. Even though their son was their number one priority, basketball always found some way to enter their home or relationship, hence the reason for their family motto.  With Lauren no longer on the court, their family dynamic was different. It was a good different, and Camila learned how to come home and switch into Momma/Wife mode.  It was nice to come home to a waiting family rather than both she and Lauren coming home and having to figure out how to get through the rest of the day because of how tired they were.  Since the switch, she would come home and they had family time every day.  She was the one who got to put Samuel to bed and read to him.

*****     

The move to New Orleans was a good one for the Jauregui-Cabellos. Camila and Lauren played some of their best games at the Smoothie King Center. As a family, they grew stronger and learned how to handle unexpected opportunities, good or bad, that may come before them. Lauren, Camila, and Samuel were ready for the next seasons in their lives.  Maybe those seasons included basketball and maybe it didn’t, but no matter what it involved, they were ready for anything.