Vancouver

July 11th, 2024

A lot of time has passed since Myrtle Beach, when Nika and Kate's relationship began and grew. That one month felt like an eternity that had sadly come to an end. It was a shame that they started this tradition the summer before their last year in college so they would never be able to do these trips with their college friends anymore.

That doesn't mean that they can't visit though.

Yesterday Seattle Storm and the Las Vegas Aces versed each other at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. It just happened to turn out that the Connecticut and Iowa girls moved their vacation in Vancouver back a little so Nika and Kate could make a quick day visit.

Both Nika and Kate were stressing about how much dense time they had between their games. Nika was fine because her next game was at home but Kate and the Aces had to fly all away across the country. They both had to go back to Seattle either way because that's where Nika plays, obviously, and that's where Kate was flying out of.

The drive to Vancouver was just under three hours without traffic. Nika and Kate have been on the road for about 2 hours. The view was all mountains, there was some rain, and overall it just felt cozy and perfect.

Nika turned to Kate who was staring out Nika's car window, looking a tiny bit mysterious. "What are you thinking about, princess?" The accent of the Croatian caught Kate off guard. Nika kissed Kate's hand that she was holding with her other hand on the steering wheel.

Kate sighed and looked at Nika who was looking forward out onto the road. "Nothing really." Nika looked at Kate. "Fine. Everything here is so ,like, perfect. I know it's a lot of nothing but it's beautiful."

Despite driving on the road, Nika couldn't help but stare at Kate for a little bit longer than she might've been supposed to. These mountains reminded Nika about Croatia. Her and her family used to always hike the Croatian mountains and these mountains definitely look hikeable. "How about when we retire from basketball, we move to Vancouver or somewhere else in Canada like Banff."

Excited by that news, there was only one thing Kate could say. "Deal."

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

The déjà vu began when Nika and Kate stepped out of the car and looked up and saw the massive house standing right in front of them. Kate stood there mesmerized, as Nika got their suitcases out from the trunk of her car.

To say the house, sorry, mansion, was beautiful would be an understatement. The wood features everywhere was such a nice and cozy touch to the mansion. "Damn," Nika whispered under her breath. "I wish we were college students this year." All Kate could do was nod with her girlfriend in agreement.

Unlike when they went to Myrtle Beach, there were two large vans that were here instead of cars. Vans were probably easier and more efficient instead of renting multiple cars here which would've been much more expensive.

Nika and Kate walked up the steps that led to the front porch and Kate knocked on the door. Both of their stomachs were doing flips. They were both overly excited to see their friends but also a little anxious. A majority of these people they haven't seen in over three months and they were so used to seeing them everyday. It's not like they don't keep in touch with them, they do, it's just very different from texting or calling someone versus seeing them in real life.

"Holy shit it's the gay girly pops. No way! Nika?! Kate?! Is it really you guys?!" KK was touching both Nika and Kate's face, making sure that they were actually here and it isn't just a dream. "Omg I need to tell P Boogers that you guys are here! Paigeeeee!"

Nika playfully pushed KK. "Shut up KK." Nika brought KK into a hug and then Kate and KK hugged. "Okay but can we come inside?"

KK totally forgot about that and made room for them as Paige was sprinting to get to the front door with Azzi trailing behind her. "Twin! Blondie!!!!!!" With the same energy as KK, Paige was screaming as she attacked both Nika and Kate in tight hugs, nearly suffocating them.

After hugging Azzi, Paige showed them the way to the living room where everyone was waiting to greet them. It was basically the same group as last year but without Dorka, Monica, Caitlin, Aaliyah, Ines, Nika, Kate, and Amari, but have the newest additions of KK, Ashlynn, and Kennise. So with that math, there are five less people in the house this year than last year.

"How are you doing Kate?! I haven't seen you in so fucking long. It's been tough to try and go to some of your games." Hannah and Kate sat on the couch, beginning to catch up with each other. Kate hasn't been in as much contact with Hannah as she would've hoped for ever since she went into the WNBA.

"I'm doing great. Life feels like a dream right now and don't worry if you can't make it to any of my games right now. In a few years you'll be in the W with me and I'll be competing against you." Kate laughed as Hannah rested her head on Kate's shoulder. "So how are you doing Hans?"

Hannah sighed, but it was a sigh that seemed to have meaning behind it. A sad meaning. "Life has been nothing more but okay but I hope this trip can make me feel better. I've just been feeling sad lately. I don't even know what it is that's making me sad because there's nothing bad happening in my life. I just don't know."

Kate wrapped her arm around Hannah's shoulder. "I get what you mean. Everything's going to turn out alright though, I know it." And Kate really does.

Several periods through Kate's life she just felt sad. She didn't even know what the reason was. The last time she felt like that was during Covid. But since then, she found things that made her happy. Like her friends, her nephew Carson, her family, and most of all, Nika.

Kate and Hannah sat there for a moment before they got up and Kate made her way to the kitchen. As soon as Kate walked into the house there was something she smelt and knew that it could only mean one thing.

"Ms. Ice Brady, cooking as always." Ice was making what seems to be an unlimited amount of pasta and clams.

Ice turned around and had a priceless expression on her face. "Katiee!!" Ice immeadietly ran to Kate, forgetting about the foods cooking in the pots on the stove. "How are you?! It's been so long."

Still hugging Ice, Kate exhaled. "Life's been a rollercoaster but a great one." Finally Ice and Kate parted and Ice gestured for Kate to follow her near the stove. "How about you? How has life been?"

"Hectic as well. Maybe not as hectic as you but you know." Kate nodded in response. She missed catching up with everyone from UConn but Ice especially. They have a bond that feels different from the rest. She's not sure where this strong bond came from but she wasn't complaining about it. It's been evident that Ice would do anything for her and Kate would do anything for Ice.

After another minute of chattering while Ice was putting seasoning in one of the pots on the stove, none other than the Croatian girl stepped into the massive kitchen. Along with Nika came Sydney who sat at one of the two islands in the kitchen.

"Damn Ice it smells good as hell in here. I smelt it all the way from across the house which is saying something." Nika made her way over to Kate and hugged her from behind. "I can't wait to eat the food." Nika turned to Kate and winked at her and then looked at Ice and Sydney who were fake gagging.

"This is my sign to leave. Syd, will you be following me?" The couple laughed as Ice looked terrified as hell as she looked at Sydney.

Sydney had her head in her hands. "You bet your sweet ass I'm joining you."

"No no no, stay you guys." The room fell silent as the only sound was the fan from on top of the stove and KK's loud mouth in the distance. "Me and Kate are going to be going on a walk anyways so you guys can stay here and yap about whatever the fuck you guys talk about."

All three of the others eyebrows furrowed. "But didn't y'all just get here? Leaving us so soon? Damn I knew we were boring but that boring? Really Nika."

Removing her hands from the front of Kate's waist, Nika put her hands up in defense then held Kate's hand who was also confused as to why they were leaving to go on a walk so soon when they literally just got here. Kate's aware of how beautiful the views of Vancouver are but are they really worth going on a walk as soon as they got here? Maybe.

Kate convinced Nika enough to let them hang out with everyone for a few more minutes. Well actually, it only took Kate one try until Nika gave in and listened to her girlfriend. Throughout the chit chatting with the other girls, Nika and Kate felt out of place. They were only a year or a few years older than the girls but somehow they felt more adult-like. It's only been a few months since the draft but it felt like Nika and Kate have aged years since then.

But right now Nika and Kate were walking hand in hand outside, walking around the neighborhood. The clouds were sparse and limited, the sun beginning to set, and the mountains being the main view. They were fascinating. Of course for Nika, mountains like these have been in her blood whether it was hiking up European mountains or the mountains in Seattle. The only kind of mountains Kate got in Las Vegas was all desert. So this was something new and exciting for her.

The mountains really did make Kate breathless. It felt like a dream to her. No way this was real. "This is the best view I've ever seen in my life." Kate couldn't seem to stop smiling and take her eyes away from the mountains. Kate's mountain nerd era is about to begin.

"Not as good as this view though." Kate turned and saw as Nika was looking in her eyes with her puppy eyes. Kate rolled her eyes as red started to flood into her cheeks. She should've seen that coming.

"Fine. Second best view." Hoping that that would put an end to this, it didn't. Nika looked Kate's body up and down as she bit her lip and them smiled at Kate who seemed irritated with the girl. "Ugh I hate you Nika."

Nika put her arm around Kate's shoulder. "You know you love me." She kissed the blonde's cheek as they continued to walk around the neighborhood. "But yeah, this view is really amazing. I can't wait for the future for when we live here. Actually not here, forget what I said in the car because I don't want to go through all of that visa process again but like Washington or Oregon. Then maybe Croatia when we're a little bit older so that you and our kids can explore. I know we didn't see all there was to see so I want to make sure we do have the time to do that in the future."

Suddenly, all Kate could pay attention to was Nika talking about their future as if she had been thinking of this future for the entirety of her life.

"One day me and you are going to be on the same basketball team, win a championship, and do all of the stuff that I just said." Nika turned to Kate who was smiling widely at her. Nika wasn't embarrassed at what she was saying, in fact, all she wanted to do was say more. "And then our kids, whether we adopt, get a surrogate from someone we know, or scientists find a way for two girls to make their own baby with their own DNA, they are going to become fucking basketball Gods. If that's what they want to do. They are going to have my awesome defense and your jumper and play-making skills."

The birds were chirping as Nika looked up at the sky. "Sorry, that might sound stupid and stuff. I don't know why I rambled. I'm sorry-"

"No, it was perfect baby." Kate brushed Nika's cheek with her free hand. "All of that sounds perfect. I loved the idea almost as much as I love you. It makes me really happy to know that you've thought about this stuff that you want to do with me. I want to do it all with you as well. I just can't wait for the rest of the days and years we're going to have here together on this earth."

It's a positive assumption that both of the girls didn't go into this conversation with the intention of talking about their future. But it just felt right. That was the perfect conversation for the both of them. Despite breaking up once, they've managed to mainly be with just each other for over a year. Some could say that only a year of dating and already talking far into the future is moving too fast. Others could argue that it took them long enough. But both knew that they found the one so what do they have to be worried about?

"God works in mysterious ways Nika. I don't know how he does it but he does. If you never came here from Croatia, none of this would've ever happened. But him and you knew that going on that flight to America was going to be life changing for you." Kate looked at her girlfriend as they finally made their way back to the front of the house.

KK and Hannah were 1v1ing in the driveway, Jana, Caroline, and Addi were making Tiktoks, some others hanging outside, and the rest of them inside. Now this was perfect. There was no way life could get any better than this. It just couldn't.

It was now around 11PM and everyone was hanging out in the living room. They've played rounds of multiple board games like Smart Ass, Family Feud, and more. They also watched some YouTube videos, and went on TikTok live for a few minutes. Not a long time, but a long enough time for editors to get more scenes for their next edit of whoever it was going to be. They decided to scroll on YouTube again and came across something very very familiar.

"Holy fucking shit Hannah if you click on that video I will scream into a fucking pillow." Paige stared profoundly as Hannah who came across the Iowa vs UConn Final Four game on YouTube. The video had hundreds of thousands of views with none other than Caitlin and Paige being the thumbnail.

All the Iowa girls were either laughing or trying to hold in their laugh while the UConn girlys look traumatized even by looking at the thumbnail on the video. "Yes please don't that was very traumatic. I hate that day Hannah. I hate it!!! I wake up every night from nightmares of that night." KK was practically on both of her knees on the floor in front of Hannah, begging her to not play the video.

Knowing exactly what she was going to say, Hannah smirked. "As you like to say, girl boo. An illegal screen was so clearly committed. Come on if the roles were reversed you guys would be saying the same things as I am right now. You know it. All of you guys know it.

Hannah looked around the room and smiled because she knew she clocked everybodies tea. Kate made eye contact with Nika and could tell exactly what Nika was thinking about. She was thinking about that post-game interview and how Nika wished she played better, did better for her team. She believes she made so many mistakes during that game. Nika just needs the reassurance that one game doesn't fall on only one person.

"Just trust if we somehow play each other during the season or during the NCAA again, we will be blowing you guys out. My girl Azzi is going to be back, Aubrey, and hopefully Ms. Caroline. You guys won't stand a chance." As always, Paige needed to find a way to boost her ego and confidence and if this was going to be the only way, then so be it.

"Alright everyone settle down settle down." Nika sat up a little with her arm still draped around Kate's shoulder. "As much as I hate to say it, the past is the past and we have to move on from it. Not you Iowa girls since you won but you know. Instead of talking about that game, start talking about when you guys are going to come visit Seattle or Vegas. You've guys still got a while here, coming to one of my games at least is doable. Although I will fight you if you don't go to one of Kate's games."

Everyone nodded, intimidated by the Croatian. If anyone has not intended on going to one of Kate's games beforehand, they sure are now. Angry Nika was not a pretty sight. It was one of those findings they hoped to never see.

"It's only fair that you guys come to one of our games and one of Iowa's games. Nobody likes a hypocrite, Nika." After being silent almost all night, Azzi finally spoke.

"Well I don't know about Nika but I'm definitely going to try and come to a UConn game. It's a no-brainer that I'll be going to an Hawkeye game. In fact, I'll probably be going to several. Just need to find a way to convince this girl to come to games as well." Kate pinched Nika's cheeks who playfully rolled her eyes.

Nika sighed. "Yes. I guess I'll come to a UConn game. I might play some overseas but I'll try and find time in my schedule." Nika was being sarcastic so no one felt any harm. Of course she was going to try and go to at least one Husky game. It's going to be harder for her to not run on the court and play with them than trying to find time in her schedule during the off season.

More on playing overseas, Nika wasn't sure how much playing time she was going to get with Storm this season because if she isn't getting a lot right now, she sure as hell isn't going to get much the rest of the season. A girl needs a way to make more money and if she had to play overseas to do it, then that's what she was going to do.

Kate on the other hand, she's been in talks with the new 3v3 league 'Unrivaled.' It's a league that has been in talks by two WNBA players, Napheesa Collier, and Breanna Stewart. This league is a way for people to still have those competitive games to help them get better in the off season without having to play overseas. Most importantly, it's a way for WNBA players to make money and a living during the off season as well.

Two days ago the first player in Unrivaled was announced, it being Breanna Stewart. This league caught Kate's eyes immediately and is considering joining the league. What players joining the league is supposed to be a secret so she can't even tell her friends that she's in talks with Phee and Stewie.

"Okay so boom, overseas sounds very exciting but I am not going to fly in the air for ten thousand miles. That shits to long. What happens if I book a first class seat and my PS5 can't connect?"

Everyone looked at each other, knowing exactly what two words they were going to say to KK. In synchronicity, everyone said "Girl boo."

KK gave everyone a side eye and groaned. "Ugh you guys are so annoying. Bully after bully. Even the fucking princesses Azzi and Kate hating on me?! Nah P Booger and Croatian girly brain-washed them."

No alcohol in the room, surprisingly, but KK did not seem sober. Then again, that is just KK's normal personality. "Y'all make me sick. I'm going to bed. Good night."

Everyone expected for KK to go upstairs and go to bed but instead she just fell on the carpet and began to sleep in a very weird but KK position. Laughs were heard all around the room. If someone ever hated on Ms. Kamorea Arnold then they clearly have never had any fun before, no offense.

"I guess that's our sign to go up as well and get some rest. Goodnight everyone." Kate sat up and reached her hand out for Nika to accept which she gladly did in the blink of an eye.

"Just no funny business." Paige shouted as Nika and Kate made their way upstairs. Nika flipped Paige off without even looking at the girl. Nika missed seeing her twin but the good news was the Olympic Break is coming up in just a little over two weeks so they would have all the time to see each other and hang out then. The Instagram followers are going to love that.

After being almost halfway to their room, Nika spoke up. "So do you miss it?" Kate's eyebrows were furrowed as she looked at her girlfriend with confusion. "Like playing with these teammates and stuff? I know you love the girls on the Aces but just curious to know if there were ever times you wish you were playing with the Hawkeyes again."

Kate smiled. "Well considering I played six years of college, I would say no. But I really do miss playing with them. But the W is where I was meant and wanted to be so I can't really complain. What about you?"

"Ditto. But I feel like I could have the greatest team in the world you know? Like Sabrina, A'ja, KMac, Arike, and all of them but my favorite team would be if I ever got the chance to play with you."

Kate shrugged as she opened the door to their room. "Well, let's hope that can happen one day."

Authors Notes:

Ik yall hate to see me and my inconsistent ass coming

But srsly this week has just been so bad with history projects and them me going away which I can confirm after seeing Georgia Amoore in the UK vs LSU game, Georgia irl would never do what she did to Kate in here.

Nonetheless, there are only THREE more chapters left of the book.

Hope yall enjoyed this chapter and just get ready for the big time jumps ahead.