The Fated Match

1 year later

Every morning I do the same thing. In my apartment that I share with Theo I get ready in the vanity and stare at the black box. Inside is the most beautiful ring, it wasn’t the usual diamond ring but rather a ring that took a lot of thought it. It makes it more difficult to see there sitting in that box.

Theo proposed to me on Friday and I wasn’t able to give him an answer. I was speechless, I didn’t know if saying yes was the right answer with how young I was and how early on our relationship we were.

Theo seemed to be fine with giving me time but somehow he’s decided to disappear for the last few days making this much more harder.

I walked out of the room and headed downstairs. Hero which was our Labrador was sniffing around the kitchen, around the cupboards where he has seen both me and Theo get his food from.

” you hungry buddy, let’s eat then” I said pulling out his food and filling up how bowl. 2 months after the competition we adopted a rescue puppy. Originally his name was going to be something else but Dillon ended up changing his name to Hero after his barking helped save a young boys life in the pool once. It was the perfect fit.

After sorting him out I grabbed some sour bread from the fridge and started to fry up eggs. Tina liked to get to the pool earlier and I decided to not come in so early. When Theo is here we like to have breakfast together before going there.

He gets grumpy with me when I wake up late or try to rush out of the door.

I grab my gym bag and head to the car. Hero jumps in and sits on the backseat, excited for his day. Turns out the guys like to have hero around when they train so we bring him along with us. I like that I don’t have to leave him at home every day.

The second I pulled into the car park I noticed students scattered around the cars talking or throwing balls or even racing. Ever since the success of the swimming and football team last year the enrolment in the centre has increased with Ryan adding more learning courses as well.

” what’s up coach, hey Hero boy” Jackson said walking up, he had his laptop tucked into his side and his other hand holding Jenny’s.

” still not back yet?” Jenny asked referring to Theo.

I gave her a tight smile. ” not yet, but I’m sure any day now” He’s called me a few times but he won’t tell me the day he will be back. But I can’t exactly blame him. If it was me I wouldn’t want to be around if I was still waiting for an answer.

” don’t understand why you can’t just say yes if I’m honest.” Kyle said running up to us.

Bryony who wasn’t far away walked over and slapped his arm. ” you can’t just say that kyle, have some manners ” kyle simply rolled his eyes.

” So where’s Scott, wasn’t he back on Friday?” I asked them. Scott decided to spend 2 weeks at a summer camp so it’s been rather quiet recently.

Which has been lovely.

” yeah but he got toasted last night so don’t expect him to be on time” Bryony laughed.

Well that doesn’t surprise me. I turned to start heading in when we all heard a seriously loud car. I watched the familiar car sharply turn into the car park and drive through the middle until stopping a few spaces away.

” well fuck me, he actually made it” Kyle says amazed.

I watch Scott stumble out of the car. His hand braced on the top of his car as his body catches up with him.

He squinted at the harsh sunlight but his face soon transformed into that usual grin when he saw us.

” oh how fucking adorable you all waited for me, you too coach I feel so loved” he says slamming his door closed and approaching us. Was he seriously still drunk.

I gave him a side glare before spinning on my heel and walking inside.

Never learns that boy.

I walked all the way inside and dropped Hero off in my office before adding a bucket load of ice in the small jacuzzi.

10 minutes later when they were all changed I waited for Scott to exit. “where is he” I asked ben who seemed nervous.

He scratched his head. ” he’s in there” I rolled my eyes before banging on the door. ” get the fuck out here Scott, now! ” I shouted.

Slowly the door opened and revealed Scott standing in his shorts. ” can we not do the ice bath right now” his eyes moving past me to the guys sticking their foot in before puling out and groaning about how cold it was.

I grabbed his shoulder. ” What went through your mind last night. Did camp not teach you anything” here was me thinking he would come back a different man altogether.

” okay okay be gentle coach” I didn’t loosen my grip I pushed him all the way to the jacuzzi and the guys helped me by shoving him in.

Scott’s screams could probably be heard throughout the whole building.

“ahh shit coach that’s so fucking cold”

Tina grabbed her phone and took a picture of Scott, another picture for the wall. Ice baths are actually great for athletes but even better for hangovers.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

I ended up spending a good hour working with everyone. Everyone was trying to get better so that they could compete against the best. I asked Ryan to get me another assistant coach to help since everyone was at different levels. I didn’t think I could do it alone.

5 minutes into me going through my emails Scott walked inside. Now fully dressed in his hoodie and joggers. ” please tell me I’m wrong coach, you still haven’t say yes to Theo” I shut my eyes in annoyance.

” not like it’s any of your business” I said to him. He raised his hands up. ” you should know better than that coach we are a family remember” he said relaxing on the chair infront of my desk.

I knew saying that would bite me in the ass one day.

” Just leave it, my personal life is still none of your business Scott” I snapped at him.

” damn coach you’re angry today, I only want to help you out, look I’ll be your therapist for today” he crossed his legs and pretending to somewhat look like my therapist.

Anything but train.

” Look Scott for the final time it is not your business but I don’t want to rush anything alright, are you happy” I said to him, giving him more information than he ever deserved. He was extremely lucky.

” no quite coach, why don’t you elaborate on that”

This was ridiculous, I didn’t have time for Scott’s games, not today. But Scott didn’t look like he was giving up anytime soon.

” I just think it’s too soon, we’ve been together for less than two years and are just coming to terms with living together” I explained to Scott. If I was going to vent to anyone why not him.

Scott nodded. ” I see, so you’re scared of commitment” I began to nod only to stop when I heard what he said. ” no that’s not it” I replied glaring at him.

Scott simply raised his eyebrow up at me. ” I think it is, you guys love each other what more could you want. Marriage isn’t scary you know, is Theo bad for wanting to settle down and keep you all to yourself” he asks.

” well no” I mumble. Scott leans in. ” exactly coach, You guys are meant to be together so why not make it super official with that ring”

Fuck. Why does he have to make so much sense.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. ” Just got news that he’s flying in this evening” Jenny said rushing into the office.

Scott turned to me with that grin of his. ” perfect timing don’t you think. C’mon coach its commitment but you’re in love why the fuck not” he yelled. I cringed at his enthusiasm but it was exactly what I needed.

” I guess you’re right” I smiled at him. Scott leaped up in the air before running to the door. ” and you bitches owe me my money” he screamed at the top of his lungs.

My eyes found the back of his head. ” Scott you little shit” I exclaimed realised that this was all a bet for him to convince me.

“what” he asked. ” it wasn’t all about the money I do honestly believe you guys should get married, the wedding would be fucking crazy”

Jesus Christ.

Scott and Jenny rushed me out, telling me I needed to plan something good and make up for the amount of stress I put Theo in.

Now that I think about it I do feel guilty for not answering him. Leaving him to think that maybe I didn’t actually want to marry him when actually I would love to I was just scared about the timing.

I rushed home immediately after buying all the roses I could find. I had no idea how to be romantic but I formed the petals I had gotten from the flower shop and created the image of a football.

I was pretty impressed with it myself. I grabbed my phone and took a picture before sending it to Jenny. She send loads of heart eyes emoji’s.

” hey hero don’t touch the flowers, hmm be a good boy and play outside” I said leading him outside to the garden.

My phone vibrated against the table.

Sorry baby, I’ll make it up to you. Dinner in 15 cooked by yours truly x

I smiled at his message. He thought he had to make it up to me.

I raced upstairs and dressed in a little black dress and applied some lip gloss to my lips along with mascara and some blusher. After that i raced into bedroom. My heart was racing and I instantly felt sweaty.

The loud barking of Hero let me know that Theo had arrived. I rushed over to the window and watched Theo jump out the car and head over to Hero, rubbing his head.

I stepped back when his eyes shot up to the window, like he knew I was watching. I scratched my arm as I felt the anxiety creep up. Was Theo this nervous when he asked me.

I knew that before Theo started on cooking he would come up, probably get changed into some comfortable clothes so I decided to get into position.

I knelt down on my knee in front of the bed. The spread of flowers in front of me. My chest felt tight as I heard his footsteps coming up the stairs.

” Elle, where are you?” he called out. I stayed quiet, I couldn’t even think of saying anything else right now.

Slowly the door to our master bedroom opened. Theo stood there, his bag slung over his shoulder and flowers in his other.

His lips parted as he finally found me. I bit my lip as he stared at me not saying a word.

“Elle, what are you doing?” he asked walking into the room, he throws his bed to the side.

“Haven’t I done this already?” he says as his eyes search the room. His eyes land on the football at his feet. A light chuckle escapes his lips.

I knew that he would like that.

” I know you have but I don’t want you to think that I don’t love you, because I really do. I thought that we were moving too fast but I realise that I don’t want to make you wait anymore. I want to marry you” I reached behind me and pulled the ring he proposed to me with.

” wait, please let me do it,” he says kneeling in front of me. I smiled up at him and gave him the box.

He picks up the ring and takes my hand in his. ” you really like to keep me on my toes don’t you”

I giggle as I hear this. Theo so tenderly slides the ring onto my finger. He brings my hand up to his lips and kisses it.

” beautiful” he mumbles staring at my finger, his thumb passing over the ring. I look down at my hand, the ring looks so pretty against my tanned skin. Even better as Theo holds my hand.

I stand up.

”There is no way we are wasting this dress, lets go out for dinner and celebrate” Theo said moving his hands down my waist.

I smiled up at him. ‘does this mean I get to see you in a nice suit, its been too long ‘ I moaned out as i moved my hand down his chest.

‘Give me 10 minutes okay” I nodded and let him dissappear into the bathroom so that he could freshen up.

I stayed back and looked at myself in the mirror with my ring.

I moved to my dressing table and added more jewellery to my look.

Ten minutes later I felt Theo come up behind me. I watched him grab his hugo watch and place it around his wrist.

” i can’t decided if I want to take you out or just keep you in bed all night” he says nuzzling his face into my neck.

He wrapped his arms around my waist as he kissed my neck. I felt his tongue against my skin.

” i don’t care as long as I’m with you, i missed you” i said turned to face him. I wrapped my arms around his neck. My fingers tracing his tattoo.

He moaned as he leant his head back. I took this moment to lean over and kiss his lips.

He kissed my back just as hungry as I was. ” i missed you too. Fuck you have no idea”

“Fuck it” Theo grabbed my waist turning me to the side. His fingers found the zip to my dress and he slowly tugged it down.

I held his head. ” Theo we can’t do this if we are going out ” i said stopping his even if I really didn’t want him to.

He didnt stop though, he got me out of the dress before kissing up my stomach. My breasts were barely covered by the lingerie I had on.

” its still early, we can shower again and then go out ” he said.

I have to get ready again no thank you .

Theo noticed my reaction and stood up. He grabbed my jaw pulling me up. “How about some sweet love making then. Gentle and sweet so we don’t get dirty” his eyes darkened as he said the last word.

I pulled away. “Like you’re capable of that” i said rolling my eyes.

“Fuck. So I can’t even have a taste” he pretended to sulk.

I glared at him. “Don’t Theo you know what happens when you say things like that”

He grinned at me but reluctantly stepped back. ” yeah you get all hot and bothered” he chuckled. He grabbed the dress on the floor and pulled it back up.

He helped with the zip too.

“Come on then fiance. Let’s celebrate he reached out his hand for me to take.

I grabbed his hand and squealed when he twirled me into his chest.

” i won’t be sweet and gentle tonight though. Remember that” he whispered into my ear.

I pressed my lips onto his. ” how could i forget” i whispered stroking his jaw.

” i love you Theo” i said staring into his eyes.

The look of lust disappeared and now i was met with those kind gentle eyes.

” never get tired of hearing that, i love you too Elle”

I hate to brag but tonight was honestly the best night of my life.