Something Old, Something New

Part 6

As the initial uncertainty and nervousness begin to subside, Avery and Kelley are able to get more comfortable and have a bit of fun with each other in front of the cameras for their pictures.

Looking at the proofs on the screen, they smile and choose a few of their favourite poses to be used for promotional and personal purposes.

Once that is complete, it is time for them to finally join their guests at the other end of the long hallway in the reception hall.

There are cameras in front and behind them as they walk hand in hand down the hall, stopping at the door as they are introduced for the first time and then making their way inside. Kelley looks over and Avery, "Would you like to meet my family and then I can meet yours?"

"Ok." Kelley leads her wife over to introduce her to her parents, who are sitting at a nearby table, immersed in conversation with Erin and Alex.

They all stand up as the couple makes their way towards them. "Mom, Dad, Erin and Alex, this is Avery, my wife." It isn't missed by any of them the emphasis made on the last word by Kelley as she speaks while looking towards Avery. One at a time they approach and hug her, with Kelley's parents instructing her to call them Karen and Dan respectively.

After spending a bit of time with Kelley's family, they venture across the room to where Avery's Mom and Sadie are sitting. "Mom, Sadie, this is Kelley, my wife." The two women stand up and hug Kelley, "It's nice to meet you, Kelley, please call me Abby." "It's nice to meet you as well, Mrs... uh Abby."

Avery looks around the room, "Where's Tucker?" Sadie answers her inquiry, "He disappeared shortly after Nat did. I'll sure they'll turn up eventually." "Tucker? That's your brother, right?" Yes, and Nat or Nathalie is one of my best friends, who was told to stay away from him, but apparently didn't listen." "Their both adults A, as long as we don't have to hear anything about it, let it be."

"Abby, would you and Sadie like to meet my family? I'm sure my Mom would love to pick your brain about everything." "That would be lovely, Kelley, I'm sure we will have a lot to talk about."

Kelley and Avery lead them over, and everyone is introduced, before Alex pulls Kelley away from Avery to catch up with her friend, in other words, gossip. The couple exchanged a quick peck on the lips, drawing a bunch of awws before Avery heads to her small group of friends and colleagues on the other side of the room.

Kelley takes a seat and is swarmed; everyone wants to know her first impression and thoughts of her wife.

Alex starts the conversation, "What do you think of her so far, Worms?"

Kelley looks up and meets a lot of eyes all focused on her every word. "She is beautiful, has amazing blue eyes and a killer body." "What else?" "She is 29, a Sports Psychologist lives in Atlanta and is a really good kisser."

Allie pipes up, "So, she overcame her initial reluctance and finally kissed you properly?" "Oh yeah, things got a bit heated during the pictures." They all laugh at Kelley's reaction to the question.

"I, for one, find it rather intriguing that they matched you up with a Psychologist, maybe they identified a flaw in your programming and thought she could fix it," Ashlyn adds. "That's a lot of big words for you Harris, does your brain hurt from saying them?" "Shut it, O'Hara!"

"Anyways, the big question, do you think that the two of you are having sex tonight?" Alex looks at Kelley as she poses the question. "She doesn't strike me as the type to rush into things, so if I were to guess, I don't think it be happening tonight; but you will have to find out with the rest of America if it does."

Across the room, Avery looks over at Kelley and smiles as she answers similar questions from her group.

"Of all of the available women in Atlanta they match you up with Kelley O'Hara, I'll be amazed if you make it through the 8 weeks." Avery looks at Austin, a former colleague from Atlanta FC, "What do you mean by that?" "She has a bit of a reputation around the soccer community for being a one and doner." Avery absorbs what he said before responding to it, "You know Austin, I don't even know why you're here, I sure as hell didn't invite you, but in response to your comment; we have all done things in our past that we aren't proud of, and I'm sure that Kelley wouldn't have been chosen to appear on the show if there was any indication whatsoever that she wasn't willing to commit to it."