What The Heart Wants

The Midnight Hour

Steph: WE DID IT!

Carm: Yes! I was watching the game and KNEW that John's plan to jump the US at the start would pan out. By the way, I think someone else would like to pipe in on tonight's game.

Ali realized that Carm was talking to Steph on the phone and asked her to raise the volume so her voice would be heard through the laptop.

Ali: Congrats on the win and the clean sheet, Ms. LA BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE!

Steph giggled and felt her cheeks start to burn bright red.

Steph: Ali! You have too much of a good time with Carm tonight?

Ali: We're not actually in the same place. I'm back in Orlando for a few days to catch a couple of NCAA first-round games before heading back to Philly.

Steph: Since both of you are "here", I have some news for you. John is letting me leave camp early since he plans to play Sabrina and Kailen on Sunday in San Jose.

Carm: So you won't have to red-eye it to get here on Monday?

Steph: Actually, I was wondering if I could come a day earlier and the two of us could watch the game together.

Ali: What do you mean two of you? If you don't mind a little ribbing and trash-talk along with your game viewing, I'll come in early as well and the THREE of us can watch the match side-by-side-by-side.

Carm: You two talk. Give me a few minutes to look for flights that will get both of you here on Sunday say mid-afternoon.

While Carm researched flights from Edmonton and Orlando, Steph and Ali caught up a little, both being slightly shy and stumped for words at times. Carm popped back in with some details.

Carm: Steph, I can get you one leaving Edmonton at 6am on Sunday and getting in here at 3:30 in the afternoon, with a layover in Toronto.

Steph: That works. I'll have some time tomorrow and all day Saturday to get my stuff in order.

Carm: For you, Ali, I can book an 11:25am flight out of Orlando that will arrive in Philly just before 4pm, with a short layover in Atlanta.

Ali: Actually, can you check on flying out of Raleigh? Looking over the NCAA schedule, South Carolina is playing Furman tomorrow night and Duke has High Point at home on Saturday. I could drive up from Orlando to watch both games and then fly from Raleigh to Philly on Sunday.

Carm typed in the new departure point and found a non-stop flight from Raleigh that would leave at 1:20pm and arrive at 2:50pm.

Ali: Since Steph and I will have to be out-and-about around Philly Monday and Tuesday at least, plus other times during the week I'm presuming, would you be able to get one of us a rental car for the week?

Carm: I'll book it with your flight since you get in earlier.

Diana walked up behind Steph, still on the BC Place field, to notify her that the team bus was ready to depart for their hotel.

Steph: D-Math is pulling me away to go back to the hotel. Stay out of trouble, you two, at least until I get there, and I'll see you on Sunday. Love ya both, and I'm looking forward to seeing your smiling faces again.

Carm and Ali: WE LOVE YOU, TOO!

The call disconnected and Ali broached Carm with her dilemma.

Ali: Now that it's just the two of us, and the game is over, I'm ready to fill you in on what's been going through my head concerning Ashlyn and me.