"Her trillion days are over," Jamie happily agreed.

Sara, Caitlin and Jamie went down by the locker room entrance to greet Ryan after Cal's hard-won victory. They had been waiting for mere moments when Jamie spotted a familiar face from the corner of her eye. A very familiar face that she would have been happy to never see again. The thin blonde woman was leaning against the far wall, looking at Jamie with undisguised interest. Actually, she looked more like she was scoffing at her than interested in her, and that look alone made Jamie hand the baby to Sara with a quick, "Be right back." She stalked over to Ca.s.sie, smiling inwardly as the smirk left the taller blonde's face, replaced by shock at Jamie's audacious approach.

"h.e.l.lo, Jamie," she said with mock politeness. "I saw you upstairs with your mother. Interesting that she didn't go to Washington with your father. Trouble in paradise? Or hasn't she noticed that he's gone?"

Ignoring the comment, Jamie asked, "Why on earth are you here? You don't like sports." She acted as though something had just occurred to her. "On second thought, you don't like anything."

"You're not the only one with secret interests," she said dismissively as Jamie tried to figure out how to strangle her without attracting attention. "Actually I've gotten to be good friends with one of the players."

"Don't tell me, let me guess," Jamie offered. "Either Janet or Wendy."

Ca.s.sie blinked at her a few times. "How did you guess that?"

"They're the only ones who seem to be your type," she replied with a sickeningly sweet smile of her own.

"Speaking of types, I've just been hearing all sorts of things about you," Ca.s.sie taunted, her attractive face curled into a very unattractive sneer. "Everybody knows, Jamie."

"Knows what?" she asked, intentionally playing dumb.

"Knows that you two are d.y.k.es," she spat out, glaring at her former friend.

"You're kidding!" she said with a completely shocked look on her face. "Everyone knows?"

"Yes, everyone!" Ca.s.sie crowed. Jamie had seen her lanky lover emerge from the locker room, and caught her surprised glance. Ryan immediately changed paths and headed right for her. She was coming from behind Ca.s.sie, so the blonde did not see her coming.

"My G.o.d!" Jamie moaned. Lifting her chin she said, "Well, if everyone knows, there's no reason not to do this!" She opened her arms and pulled Ryan in close for an openmouthed, tongue-thrusting , spit-swapping kiss that continued long past any reasonably modest limit.

Knocking Ca.s.sie over with a feather would have been overkill at that point. Jamie could hear her try to catch her breath to make a comment, but after a few seconds of the pa.s.sionate kiss, Jamie no longer cared who was watching; and by the time she could feel Ryan's mouth curl into a grin, she had almost forgotten why she had even begun the embrace. "You must have really liked my game today," Ryan murmured through her grin.

"I think I was trying to make a point, but now I don't remember what it was," she said absently as she looked around and found the s.p.a.ce previously occupied by Ca.s.sie blissfully empty.

Sara came trotting over with the baby asking, "What in the h.e.l.l was that display about? That woman you were talking to almost fainted!"

"Old roommate," Jamie explained. "Doesn't like Ryan. Persona non grata," she added succinctly.

"I'm starved," Ryan complained as soon as she walked in the door to the house.

Jamie smiled at her and called out, "Hey, anybody home? I'm gonna cook!"

When there wasn't a reply she said, "Obviously, no one is home. We don't have a lot, but I could make vegetable frittatas. Would that hold you until dinner?"

"That would hold me for 12 hours!" Sara laughed.

"Hey, I'm a growing girl," Ryan said defensively.

"Face it, Ryan, you've always eaten like a teenaged boy," her old friend teased. "G.o.d, Jamie, you should have seen her when she was a pre-teen. She would go home after practice and eat a huge sandwich that her Dad would have left for her, then we'd go to my house and my mother would make her another one. Then she'd go home from there to have dinner!"

"Hey, I was a lot more active then," Ryan reminded her.

"Honey, you never stop now! How could you be more active?"

"Trust me," she said seriously.

"We really have to adopt," Jamie muttered as Sara laughed. "Are you in a hurry, Sara, or can you join us?"

"I've got no plans," she said, casting a tentative glance at Ryan to make sure she was in favor of her staying. The blue eyes were lit up in a bright grin, so she accepted. "Every minute I spend with the munchkin is blissful for me," Sara decided, jiggling the giggling baby on her hip. "Besides, the last home cooked meal I had was Thanksgiving. I usually just grab a salad for dinner. It would be nice to have something hot for a change."

"Okay, here's the deal. Ryan, go take a shower; Sara, you watch the baby - I'm going to the store for something more substantial than a frittata."

"Yes, ma'am," Sara said quickly, knowing not to refuse a direct order.

Jamie cooked while Sara and Ryan entertained Caitlin, with an a.s.sist from Duffy. Now that the baby could walk, Jamie did not like to cook with her in the kitchen, even with Ryan watching her, so the women followed her order and played with the baby in the living room.

"So... uhm... seeing anyone new?" Ryan asked, knowing that she was prying, but dying to know.

Sharing a shy smile, Sara nodded slightly and said, "Yes. I've gone out with Ally a couple of times since Thanksgiving." She paused for a second and said, "She told me about how close you were."

Ryan lifted an eyebrow and asked, "What did she tell you?"

"Not too much, honestly. I think she only said as much as she did because it was obvious that I thought she was insane for letting you go," she chuckled.

Ryan nodded, knowing that Ally wouldn't reveal anything of their s.e.xual history, but rea.s.sured that Sara knew the context of their relationship. "How do you feel about that?" she asked, her deep voice quiet and soft.

"It's a little odd," Sara admitted. "I uhm... I'm not sure if we'll keep seeing each other."

"Because of me?" Ryan asked.

"No, not really. We're keeping this very casual, Ryan. Ally has some very clear goals before she gets involved with anyone, and I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet." Sara was lying on the floor, her attention half focused on Caitlin and half on Ryan. "I'm a little scared by her, Ryan," she admitted.

"Scared?" Ryan asked slowly, not understanding the point.

"Yeah. She seems like she's very clear about what she wants and how she wants to get it. I just feel so muddled around her... like I'm still a kid, and she's an adult."

"I felt that way around her a little bit, too," Ryan admitted, sharing a warm smile with her friend. "She has a very powerful personality, and she's quite determined when she knows she wants something." c.o.c.king her head, Ryan asked, "Do you like her enough to try to go forward?"

"Yeah... yeah, I do," she said, blushing a little. "I like her a lot, I'm just afraid she'll think I'm too immature for her."

Ryan lay on the floor and put Caitlin on her stomach. The baby loved to sit on Ryan's belly and pretend that her big cousin was a pony, sticking her little feet into Ryan's sides as she jumped excitedly. "This is the best exercise for my abs," the dark-haired woman chuckled. She turned her gaze to Sara and said, "Ally gives the appearance of being totally in control. But she has just as many insecurities as the next woman. She's really clear about what she wants from a relationship, but I guarantee she's not significantly more mature than you are, Sara. A lot of that is just the image she presents."

"Really?" Sara asked, tilting her head in surprise at the information.

"Really. Ally had to grow up quick. She's been on her own for a long time, and I think that makes her appear more mature than most people her age. But she's just looking for someone to love - like most of us are."

"That's what I'm looking for too, Ryan," Sara sighed, absently playing with Caitlin's foot.

"Well, my advice is to give Ally a chance if you feel any spark. She's a great person, Sara."

"We haven't even kissed yet, Ryan, but I am really attracted to her. It's funny," she said thoughtfully, "she's really not my type, but I guess that doesn't matter, does it?"

"Nope," Ryan agreed wholeheartedly. "I didn't recognize that my type was feisty green-eyed blondes until just under a year ago. Who knew?"

Sara laughed mildly at her friend's joke then said, "Jamie tells me you're having a heck of a time with this coach. What's going on?"

Ryan shrugged and said, "She's a tough one, but I think I'm finally figuring her out."

"I've been on a lot of teams with you, Ryan, and I've never known you to have a problem pleasing a coach. What's up?"

"Well, I think the biggest thing is the fact that I'm a 24-year-old woman, playing with seventeen and eighteen year-olds. Coach believes in having one set of rules - and they're really inflexible. I think she does that to keep a very tight handle on the younger players - which makes sense, but she applies those rules to me as well. I started off the season by trying to do what made sense - even if my decision didn't fall within the rules. She's quickly made me see that's not gonna work," Ryan admitted with a wry grin.

"And you're okay with that?" Sara asked.

"Yeah. I am. It's her team - her rules. I knew she was inflexible when I signed up - so I've just decided to stop being a baby and go along with the program. From now on, I'm gonna ask permission for everything!"

After Sara left, Jamie gave her partner a grim smile and said, "Time for my weekly attempt to cheer my father up."

Ryan squeezed her shoulder and left the room so that Jamie had some privacy. "Hi, Daddy," she said when he answered.

"Hi, sweetheart. It's nice to hear from you. How are things?"

"Things are fine. I just wanted to see how you were doing, Dad."

"Oh, about the same," he sighed heavily. "I'm getting by all right, honey. I just... I just didn't expect to be at this place at this point of my life." He was quiet for a moment, then added, "It's so ironic, honey. I can hardly count the things I've done that would have given your mother every justification to boot me out of her life. But when I make up my mind to dedicate myself to her and permanently stop cheating - she jumps to an erroneous conclusion and tosses me aside." He sighed once again and said, "I can't complain - since G.o.d knows she's got plenty of justification. But it just seems so ironic... do you know what I mean?"

"I think I do," she said quietly. "I know this is hard for you, Dad."

"Yes, yes it is, Jamie. I uhm... I just wish I could get her to listen to me. I really have committed myself to her, and I swear that I'd try to be the husband she deserves - if she'd only let me."

"I wish I could help, Daddy. I really do."

"Jamie," he said, "I don't want to put you in a bad position, but if you ever get the chance, I'd really appreciate it if you'd try to get her to at least talk to me. This is driving me absolutely mad!"

"I don't know if I can do that, Dad. I just can't get in the middle of this..."

"You're right," he said, sounding thoroughly defeated. "I'm sorry I asked. I made this bed... now I have to lie in it."

PART 8.

ON MONDAY OF Christmas week, Jamie convinced Ryan to go down to Hillsborough to spend the night. Ryan was happy to oblige, but she wanted to stop at Sacred Heart and speak with Sister Mary Magdalene for a few minutes since they had some free time. She was certain that Catherine had done a good job of making Jennie's needs known, but Ryan was determined not to let anything slip by. Coach Hayes had miraculously revealed that she had a heart - moving their practices up to 10 a.m. for the remainder of their winter break, to allow the players to have their evenings free. Jamie's coach proved to have an even bigger heart, urging his players to play their home courses during the long break rather than forcing them to stay in Berkeley.

Just after noon, Jamie watched with a grin on her face as her partner stood in front of her closet in her underwear, debating the merits of her wardrobe. "Still trying to impress the good sisters?" she asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

Ryan turned a stern gaze on her, but couldn't maintain it for long. She almost immediately let her face slide into a grin as she said, "I hate to get busted so easily."

"Well I think it's adorable that you still care what the nuns think of you," she said fondly.

"I just want to look like an adult," she admitted shyly. "I was such a gawky kid... I hate to look the same six years later."

"Honey," Jamie said slowly as she let her gaze travel up and down her lover's sculpted body, "gawky is the last word anyone would use to describe you." She smiled and regarded her for a moment. "Gorgeous... s.e.xy... devastatingly beautiful..."

Her litany was stopped abruptly by Ryan's lips gently pressing against hers. "You always make me feel special," she said softly.

"You are special," Jamie a.s.sured her as she ran her fingers through her dark hair. "Will you let me pick out some clothes for you, babe?"

"Sure. You do a much better job than I do, anyway."

"I don't agree with that, but you seem especially indecisive today, and we need to get going to avoid rush hour traffic." She jumped to her feet and quickly pulled out a pair of neatly pressed khaki slacks, a pale yellow turtleneck, and a marine blue wool sweater that looked particularly good on her lover. "Here you go, hon. You'll look nice, and you won't be uncomfortable."

"Thanks, babe," she said, sliding into the slacks. "As long as you're there, pick me out something for tomorrow too, okay? And add some workout clothes so I can go on a run or use your mom's gym."

"Coming right up," she agreed. "Then let's rock."

"I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me, Sister Mary Magdalene," Ryan said as they were shown into the neat office. "Do you remember my partner?"

"Of course," the woman said. "It's good to see you again, Jamie. After having had the pleasure of speaking with your mother, I'd better watch out if you share the same negotiating skills."

"Oh, my mother is far more adept than I am," she said modestly.

"Well, Ryan, what can I do for you today?" Sister Mary asked.

"I had a couple of things on my list," she began, "but I may as well get the stickier one out on the table." She looked a little uncomfortable, but she forced herself to take a breath and get it out. "Jennie is very excited about attending school here, Sister. And I have no doubt that the academic instruction she'll receive here will help her tremendously. But I'm worried about her socially," she revealed.

"Is that because she's a lesbian?" Sister perceptively asked.

"Partly, yes," Ryan agreed. "It's hard to be a lesbian-identified teenager almost anywhere, but I'm particularly worried about how she will fit in here," she said, getting to the issue.

"I a.s.sume you're now referring to your own experience, Ryan," she said quietly.

"It's the only experience I have to go by, Sister," she said with a tight smile. "I want to make sure that Jennie will get some support from the faculty if any of the students start to hara.s.s her. She's very open about her orientation compared to how I was at her age. I hadn't even really acknowledged to myself that I was gay. And when I think of the hara.s.sment I got, I can only imagine what will happen to her."

"Ryan," she said thoughtfully, "given how you feel about your experiences here, why do you want Jennie to attend our school?"

"Because I know you well enough to believe you, Sister," she said flatly. "And if you tell me you will support Jennie, I believe you will. Except for that one dreadful incident, Sacred Heart changed my life in so many positive ways, that I want Jennie to have those same opportunities."

Sister leaned back in her chair and dropped her head back for a few minutes. She got up smoothly and came around the front of her desk, perching on the corner, right in front of Ryan. She extended her hand and gently held Ryan's when she gave in to her unspoken request. "I promise I will support her, Ryan. I owe that much to every student who attends this school. I'm so sorry I didn't do the same for you." Her light brown eyes stared deeply into Ryan's, and Ryan knew that the woman was telling the truth.

"It's okay, Sister," she said. "It all worked out for me in the end."

"G.o.d works in mysterious ways, Ryan," she said as she released her hand and went back to her chair. "Now what else did you want to cover?"

"I wanted to find out where to buy her uniforms and a list of textbooks she'll need. I want her ready to go on January the tenth," she said with a broad smile.

"My G.o.d!" Ryan cried as they turned onto Catherine's street. "Looks like half of the electric usage in the Bay Area comes from your neighborhood!" Jamie laughed at her characterization, but she did have to admit that the gardeners had been busy. Most of the large homes were surrounded either by stone or stucco walls, or dense shrubbery. Nearly every hedge and fence was decorated by some form of electric light in honor of the holiday, and given the neighborhood, it was clear that the homeowners didn't stand on a rickety ladder to put up the lights. When they entered the property, Ryan was delighted to see that every large Italian cypress that surrounded the Evans home had been neatly wound in tiny white lights, and a long double row of shiny silver luminaries bordered the gracefully curved drive. The roofline of the house was trimmed in white lights, and a pair of gargantuan wreaths hung on the front door. "Who was the poor sucker that had to get on that slippery slate roof?" she marveled slowly.

"Mother hires professionals, honey," she chided her. "They have cranes."

"Whew! I could just see some poor guy sliding down that thing, never to be heard from again!"

Marta answered the door just moments after they rang the bell, and she gave each woman an enthusiastic hug. "Feliz Navidad!" she cried as she motioned for them to enter. The high ceiling of the living room allowed for the placement of the largest Christmas tree Ryan had ever seen in a private home. It stood at least twelve feet tall and was perfectly, and professionally, decorated in ornaments that Ryan guessed were precious antiques. The selection of ornaments perfectly accented the furnishings of the living room, of course - matching both the warm, rich colors and the understated style. The tree also carried more lights than seemed wise when attached to a dead, drying tree. The tree actually was putting out as much heat as the cheery fire in the stone hearth just next to it, and Ryan mused that her father would probably not be able to be in the room without a fire extinguisher in his hands. When she looked carefully at the tree, she noticed that the lights ran up and down the trunk and then spread out to cover every major branch from one end to the other. Wow, she thought to herself. It would be hard enough to put those on, but taking them off must be a b.i.t.c.h!