“Yes, Alex. I have everything.” I’m finishing folding clothes into our suitcases. He keeps checking the room for anything he thinks I’ve forgotten. “Alex!” I growl at him. “I swear, if you don’t calm down I’m going to—”
“Ye’re gonnae whit?” he cuts me off, pulling me into his chest. His eyes are a stormy blue with fire simmering behind them. With a smile, I rub slow circles on his chest until he settles.
“We don’t have time to do that and still be downstairs in time.” I push him back, turning to finish packing.
“Fine!” he grumbles, stalking into the bathroom. “I can be quick,” he adds, sticking his head back out. I laugh as I put the last shirt in, closing the top and zipping it closed. Grabbing the handle, I start to set it on the floor.
“Dinnae fucking lift that!” I hear growled behind me, making me jump. Checking his watch one more time, he throws his pack over his shoulder, picks up the suitcase with one hand and grabs my hand with the other. I barely have a chance to snatch my purse off the table before he pushes us out the door.
When we reach the lobby, several of his teammates are milling around. I leave him in the sea of testosterone, walking over to visit with the other wives. As the busses pull up in front of the hotel, Alex leaves our bag by the luggage doors of the second bus.
“Good luck, baby,” I manage to get out before he gives me a quick kiss, disappearing into the first bus. With a sigh, I join one of the other wives in a seat halfway back.
“Did you get the ‘woman, I’m in the zone’ kiss too?” she asks me. We both laugh before greeting more wives as they step onto the bus.
The ride to the stadium is long and, even though it’s December, it's very hot. We’ve been instructed to always keep covered out of respect but I swear I can feel the sweat rolling down my body even in the air-conditioned bus. I don’t know that I could have survived chasing Alex for the month if it hadn’t been for these amazing women.
The roar of the crowd is already deafening when we arrive. Climbing out of the bus, I spot Alex standing just outside of the tunnel looking for me. When our eyes meet, I blow him a kiss. He grins at me before mouthing the words I love you.
“You know, you two are really almost nauseating.” one of the wives tells me with a nudge to my ribs on the way in. When I look back, Alex is gone.
I follow everyone into the stadium hunting for my box. I can’t help but squeal in excitement when I see who is waiting there for me. Aiden pulls me into a bear hug before both George and Robert throw their arms around me. Rory is next, followed by Maggie, Colin, Dia, and Marcus.
Alex’s parents are the last to hug me but I cling to them the longest. I’ve grown incredibly close to them since we married, traveling into the Highlands to visit every chance I get. A combination of work and babies have prevented everyone else from being here although I know they will be glued to their TVs at home.
Rory hands me a tissue so I can dry my tears as we try to catch up on everything that’s happening. I’m so emotional all of the time now it seems. Tim and Finlay come walking into the box apologizing for being late which starts the waterworks all over again.
We were both overwhelmed when Alex got the call he had been chosen for England’s World Cup team. My head still swims when I think about how hard we celebrated that night. I only thought he was athletic before. That night he used the furniture and walls in ways I had never dreamed of.
He is basically on a break from Manchester City until the next season. There have been buyout offers from other clubs, but so far none have been accepted. He did grumble a little at first about having to play for England instead of Scotland, but he quickly got over it.
I took a leave of absence from my job to move with him to London while he was practicing, then flew to the Middle East for the month as they slowly won game after game. Now, it’s all come down to one final game against Brazil and we can go home.
I have a lot to do when we get home. The house we bought after our wedding is in need of renovations which I hope to start shortly. I also need to return to work. The needs we help fund are increasing since Manchester keeps growing as younger couples move there for work opportunities. I need to jump back in charge of fundraising efforts. I also need to help Finlay more with the foundation as it rapidly expands in the States.
Dia, Maggie, and I are visiting when I hear the crowd start to roar.
“There he is!” Rory screams over the cheers. I strain to find him, recognizing his swagger immediately before he picks up a jog.
“It will be a while. They’re just warming up,” I inform everyone. Looking around the stadium, I see large areas filled with cheering fans wearing red and white holding up the English flag. I don’t know any of them, but somehow, I still feel we are kindred spirits.
It warms my heart to think they’ve traveled all this way just to root for my husband and his teammates. A lot of people claim it’s all political claptrap, but I know in the end, it’s just a group of men trying to make their fellow countrymen proud of them. It really is for English pride, even the Scotsman in their midst can feel it.
“I almost had a heart attack watching the last game at the pub,” Maggie is telling me. “Do you remember the one we went to for Alex’s first game with Man City? They’ve plastered a huge photo of Alex scoring a goal next to his jersey. He covers an entire wall now!”
“Oh my God!” I laugh just thinking about it. “Next time we come for a visit, I’ll have to drag him in to see it. He’ll be mortified, but I bet his chest puffs up.”
“The owner will probably throw a huge Xander Ross Day if he hears you’re coming.” Dia shakes her head. “The poor man already tells everyone that will listen that his wife comes in often. You’d think you live there to hear him talk about it. It’s pure, unadulterated hero worship.”
“My brother disnae need his ego encouraged anymore.” Rory laughs, looping her arm through mine. “Robbie was telling me that since this thing started, he is having tae turn tourists away from wanting tae rent the cabin. He’s even had a few ask if they can see the legendary kilt he wore on yer wedding day. That story has developed its own life.”
“Aye, I’m thinking aboot framing mine tae hang on the wall and charging tae see it. Naw one will ever know it’s naw his,” Robert yells over to me from where he’s visiting with the men. He grins when he sees the red spread up my cheeks.
“Hey!” I hear Colin and Marcus yell at him in unison. “Dude, that’s his sister,” Marcus points at a scowling Aiden.
“Not cool, man, not cool,” Colin says, trying to keep a straight face.
“True, gentlemen,” George rumbles at them. “But that’s our brother also, and we’re damn proud of that story.” The men laugh as high-fives are exchanged. I put my hands on my hips, glaring in mock annoyance when I catch Aiden joining in. “That place has turned into a mecca for pubescent boys with a six-pack of beer now. Rob and I chase them off all the time. I think they’re hoping that some of his mojo will rub off.”
