Divorced! Now what?
Chapter 60

Bethany

POV

Once the game started, all around me ceased to exist; it was me, the game, and Dad. After a while, I started to include Theo and Hank when I yelled and screamed, hearing them say similar comments. Together, the four of us screamed at the screen and made the wrong decisions, in our opinion. By the time the first game was over, I was hoarse from yelling at the screen and needed another beer to quench the burn. I had finished my happy dance to see Kitty standing at the door, watching us with a smile on her face. I smiled back, headed to the fridge, and grabbed four more beers and pies from the oven. If Kitty was not happy about the pies, she did not show it. During the second half of the game, Theo and Hank had eaten some of the food Kitty had placed on the table at half-time. Dad and I had only eaten our pies, not because we did not want the other food; it was more that it had become a custom of ours to eat those pies during our team's games, and we did not want to break that habit. It may jinx the game. The next game was against a team our team would play next week, so we were keen to watch that game. It was important to us. Dad grabbed a plate of food and placed it on our little table. It was a sort of hint that I should eat what the host had prepared, and though I understood this, I was still a little miffed by the greeting we got and the way they pushed our pies aside; I was determined to make sure all the pies I made were eaten. Call me childish, you bet. But I did not care at that point. By the end of the day, I would have forgotten all about it and moved on. It made me feel good to see Theo and Hank get some of the pies. That act symbolized them as now officially part of my cheer squad.

Towards the end of the next game, Felicity, Cindy, and Margaret arrive in the den to see what is happening. We were all too quiet. The game was neck and neck, and I think we were all holding our collective breaths for this attempt for points if they won. Cindy walked in front of the television at the wrong time, and Dad growled. I was so shocked that they could be that rude right at a crucial part of the game.

'Get out of the way, I cried out. As I tried to look around her, she froze right in front of the screen. I could not believe she stood there like that and blocked the screen.

'Cindy, move aside, please.' Theo said in an angry tone, and Hank growled at her, too. She fled the room with tears, but we missed the action and now had to wait for the replay. None of us went after her, not even Felicity or Margaret. They stood to the side and watched the game for a few moments.

When I suddenly stood up and did a happy dance, they both turned to look at me as if I had just gone mad. Dad got up, and we danced together. Soon after, Hank and Theo, the four of us, looped their arms and swung around each other. It was the best result we could have asked for.

The talk about the game began as we all grabbed plates of food and sat in the lounge, eating and drinking beer. We discussed the pros and cons, what we needed to worry about with the game next week, and any injuries. The girls gave up trying to follow what we were saying and left to replace Cindy and console her. Felicity had briefly stopped in front of me. I thought she was going to say something, but she shook her head and must have changed her mind when I corrected some stats Theo had said while looking at her as I waited for her to speak. I shrugged my shoulders and went back to the conversation with the guys.

The next game could have been more exciting. It was the soccer game that Dad wanted to watch, and though I enjoyed it, I was still hyped up from the other football game. It was nearing eleven o'clock when I left, hugging Hank as we left the house. The girls had already either gone to bed or out of the night, as there was no sign of them when we left the mess from the den in the kitchen.

Dad was dropped off first.

Theo stood at my door. I got the feeling he wanted to join me but was not going to ask, and I was tired and wanted to avoid inviting him. I was still happy from our day, and sleep was all I wanted. If I invited him in, it would be different from the sleep we were getting.

'I had a great time Theo.' I say as he pulls me to him and rests his head on top of mine. Yeah, he is that much taller than me.

'Yeah, sorry about the beginning. Mother didn't mean to offend you by brushing off the pies. They are your little tradition, aren't they?' He asked softly, kissing my hair.

'Yeah, we cannot go have a sports day without them. I will know next time to bring fewer of them with us!

'No, it is fine. We can heat them like we did today. I love those spicy ones you make. Dad does, too. Mum did not know how much they meant to you and your Dad. Don't worry, she will know about it next time. There will be a next time, yes?' Theo sounded concerned. Did he think the day went badly?'

'Yeah, Dad had a great time. He loves being around your Dad, having guys his own age, and enjoying the same things. I think it has been a while since he had this sort of interaction, it has been just Dad and me for several years.

Theo pushed me back a little but still held me in his arms. He leaned down and gave me a gentle kiss and a brief touch of the lips.

'Good night. Catch you in the morning! He gave me one more peck on the lips and turned to his door. I waited until he had closed his door before entering my home.

I climbed into bed around midnight with a huge grin on my face. Today was a great day. Our team did well, and the den was a place I would love to have when I decide where I want to settle down. The penthouse is a good place for now, but if I ever have children, I would like a house in which to have a family.

The morning saw me still with a grin on my face. I did my usual laps in the pool and left for work, grabbed the usual coffee, and was soon knocking on Robson's door.

Robson was in a good mood. He thanked me for the coffee and muffin, and we chatted for about half an hour before a tired-looking Theo entered the room carrying two more coffees. You would think all we do all day is drink coffee, but when we leave this room, we would be lucky even to grab a bite to eat, so having extra coffee and muffins to start the day is okay.

'Theo. We were discussing the next stage of media promotions for the heart. The monkey is doing exceptionally well, and I think we could look at putting one in a human sooner than we had planned. There has been little to no reaction, and I am very pleased with the results. We are even considering sending the monkey to a zoo in a couple of weeks. It would be good to see how he is back in his own habitat. Well, the one the zoo has for him. Will you look at those I am suggesting and any you think are willing to give it a go? I have two or three suggestions, but I want your input.' Robson was pushing this along a little faster than I had expected. The results are outstanding, but I must still prepare for human use.

'Not rushing things too fast, are you Robson?' Theo said huskily, his voice still raw from yesterday, and I smiled at the sound of his voice. It did things to me that were inappropriate for work.

'Not at all. You know we have clients that will only last for a while. If they are willing to take the risk and have the operation now, and not wait for the trial to be over, then we should. They will not be strong enough for the operation by the time the trial is over. 'I hear you, I really do, but what about the medical board? Will they cause an issue if it is not successful, and you have to explain why you rushed it? I am thinking of the hospital. Theo was giving a good argument.