Round 1 - The Win

Nathan played an AMAZING game, he looked so good on the field, throwing the ball and kicking it, they won by a mile, so it wasn’t an overly exciting game, from the first quarter everyone could tell that the Eagles were going to win. Seeing as there was no tension with the game apparently the crowd soaked it up, and by the crowd I mean Martine.

As soon as I walked up with Chelsea, Jake and Georgie (Belle and Matt took a little longer to get ready, they were meeting us later) awkwardness filled the air.

“Hello everyone, I didn’t think you were coming Paris.” Martine said.

“Nope, Nathan called me this morning, I changed my plans.” I said and suddenly Lesley wrapped me up in a tight hug.

“You look beautiful Paris, I’m so glad you made it.”She said genuinely.

“Chelsea what’s wrong you look sick my dear.” Lesley said as she enveloped her, Martine stood up for the side watching the scene play out in front of her.

“Bit of a hangover is all.” She laughed.

“Really Chelsea? It’s your brother’s big day you shouldn’t have been selfish.” Martine chimed in.

“Mum you know Nathans had heaps of big days, I had a good night with everyone.”

“Hmm well I just think perhaps you could have been a little bit more sensitive, you know how nervous he gets.” She said.

“Well I’m bloody well here aren’t I?” She said quickly and falling back in line with me Georgie and Jake, he still had barely acknowledged his mothers presence.

“Now Georgie you’ve done something different with your hair?” Lesley asked fingering Georgie lighter locks.

“Yeah I have, it’s a nice change.” She replied.

“Hmm blonde is a lot of maintenance.” Martine again chimed in; she was even more negative than normal.

“Well I think it looks lovely, we going in?” I interrupted and linked arms with Georgie as we led everyone into the stadium.

Suddenly I became aware of somebody snapping pictures of me.

“What is he doing?” I asked Georgie.

“Welcome to a wag world.” The man snapping the pictures said as he winked
and started backing away.

“What the hell was that?” Chelsea said as she ran up behind me.

“Some pap wanted a photo of Paris.” Georgie laughed.

“Eww, I don’t want a photo of me! I’m SO not a wag, why do people keep saying that to me!” I moaned.

“Well maybe you should have thought about not wanting the wag status before you started dating a football player.” Martine added from behind.

“But then we wouldn’t have her lovely company.” Lesley added gosh she was good at turning a negative comment into a positive.

Soon we were all wedged into the seats in the VIP stand, well not wedged I’m not going to lie the seats were lovely, we were in the important area. The stadium took my breath away, I hadn’t been to a football game in a VERY long time, the sun beat down and there were soooo many people! All had different team jerseys, and people were milling around attempting to find their seats. The VIP apparently usually just housed girlfriends/wives/children that hang but it was a special day for the first game, so it was jam packed with club officials and the owners and stuff I was so busy trying to take in all the famous faces that surrounded me then the bell sounded to signify the beginning of the game...

It began with the Australian anthem all the players looking extremely reverent, it was hard to imagine in just mere minutes both teams would begin to play as hard as possible to win. To be honest looking at Nathan on the field was mesmerizing, he looked so in control and his team was listening to him, he got tackled a couple of times I have never felt so protective over someone, we obviously still needed to talk about our fight but I finally realised how important this boy was to me and how hard it was to watch someone you love being beaten down (even if he was getting up seconds later ready for round 2).

“So are you ok?” I asked Jake carefully; ever since we got to the stadium he was in a terrible mood.

“Hmmm, just a little weird with mum.” He answered watching the field with serious concentration.

“Wanna talk about it?” I asked as casually as I could muster, he shook his head and gave me an affectionate pat on the back.

About half an hour after the game ended the boys came out into the VIP area, the temporary walls were removed and the space became huge, waiters appeared and the music started playing. Nathan came over to our little group; we were being a little anti-social only because every time Georgie, Chelsea or me saw someone even mildly famous we’d let out a little squeal and ‘subtly’ point them out.

Nathans arms were soon wrapping themselves around me from behind, I turned around and he pulled me close,

“Thank you.” Was all he whispered in my ear, cue extremely weak knees I didn’t care that his family was watching at that point, I gave him a congratulations kiss, he looked extremely delighted.

“GOOD GAME!” Chelsea and Georgie screamed together and wrapped in up in a group hug, Jake, Brad and Matt gave him a pat on the back, Belle gave him a kiss on the cheek, Lesley wrapped him up in big hug, then it was time for Martine they awkwardly hugged, obviously there was still some tension between them.

“Ok so we’re going to take you all out for dinner, I know you probably want to go out later Nathan with the boys but can we just have you for dinner?” Lesley asked Brad’s arm tight around her waist.

“I would love to come out for dinner, we just have to stay here for a bit longer, they are going to have some speeches and junk and then I’m free.” Nathan smiled in my direction.

“Good, good...” Brad added his face lit up when he saw any of the players; it was obvious his fantasy was coming true.
I realised it was probably time for me to leave, I was only there to support Nathan, we still needed to talk, I wasn’t prepared to just let this issue get swept under the rug.

“Ok guys, I think I better go.” I smiled, instantly Martine looked relieved.

I was met with lots of protests from Lesley, Brad, Georgie, Chelsea, Belle and Matt (Who only arrived just before the game started). Nathan just watched me, as I gave everyone hugs with promises to see them all for breakfasts tomorrow...Nathan grabbed my hand and led me outside.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come for dinner?” He asked as we found a little corner hidden away.

“No, I mean I want to but I shouldn’t, but babe I’m really proud of you.” I said.

“I didn’t mean what I said you know, I just got on the defence, and I was a complete ass.” He said.

“You weren’t the only ass in the room, I shouldn’t have brought up your family stuff, I had absolutely no right.” I said looking down; his finger gently pushed my chin so we were eye level.

“I’m not going to lie it was hard to hear, but you were completely right. I -,” he was cut off, a couple of his teammates practically tackling him to the ground and pushing him inside, he managed a quick kiss and a promise to call me later before they literally picked him up and dragged him inside.

Family Secrets

Dinner with Nathan was nice. I got to his apartment about 6pm, the poor boy looked so tired, I almost felt bad for being there, he should have been sleeping.
He opened the door in a hoodie and tracksuit pants, he looked so adorable.

“Hey, you look tired. Are you sure you want company?” I asked, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“Yeah of course, plus I need a massage...” He said as he hugged me from behind, kissing my neck.

The rest of the night was fun; I made a pretty yummy dinner, stir fry with noodles! Nate fell asleep watching Spiderman, it was his choice. I dragged him to bed; he was insisting he was ‘just resting his eyes’. Sure. We got into bed and Nathan asked something I didn’t hear, his voice was muffled against my hair, my head was lying on his chest.

“Pardon?” I asked, circling my finger against his stomach.

“I said, do want to know why my mum and I have so many problems.” He asked.

“If you want to tell me I want to know.” I said pulling back and looking at him.

“My...well my dad committed suicide...” He said gulping, I realised this was probably to stop himself from crying.

“Nate I’m so sorry. I had no idea. How long ago?” I asked.

“When I was 16, he uhh he walked in on my mum...with somebody else, and two days later he killed himself.”He said barely holding it together. “The kicker? The guy mum was with was West.”

I didn’t know what to say. I was too shocked. “Oh. I...I Don’t know what to say. That must have been horrible for you, all of you.”I said looking at him; he was looking straight up at the ceiling.

“Yeah it’s hard when we all go there and West is in my dad’s house...you know sitting in the same chair as him. West is an ok guy, but honestly Paris when I am around him it takes everything for me to be civil. They were married less than a year later too...”

“God Nate that must have been horrible. I understand why you’re angry. I am really sorry Nate.”

A couple of tears escaped his eyes, he quickly wiped them. His moment of vulnerability was over, at least with his family stuff...

“It’s not your fault. I haven’t really told anyone about that before, so it’s between us ok?” He said quietly.

“Yeah of course, but Nate if there is anything ever you want to talk to me about you can. Anything.” I added.

He gave me a quick kiss and pulled me back into his chest, and he slept soundly for the rest of the night. I was going to tell him that I had lost my dad to, but it didn’t feel like the right time.

The Morning after the Night Before

I woke up in Nathans arms, just after 10 am the day after the wedding. He was still asleep and I was just replaying last night in my head. We got home around 1am, and went straight to bed. Lesley showed us where we are sleeping. The house was a beautiful two storey house; it had hardwood floors, and balconies that wrapped around the entire houses two levels and bushland as a backdrop.

“And you Nathan will be sleeping in here and Paris you’ll just down the hall.” She joked. I laughed.

“Ha, ha.”Nathan said sarcastically. I hit him playfully on the arm. Lesley chuckled.

“Ok well Nathan you know where everything is, so you can just show Paris.”

“Thanks heaps for having us Lesley.” I said.

“Hey no worries, we love having people here.” She smiled.

Nathan and I walked into the room and it took my breath away. It was a 4 poster bed, with white lace curtains around the frame, it was beautiful and the moon was shining through the window onto the hardwood floors. This house had lots of character and warmth; it was the house I could imagine Nathan growing up in. His mother’s house was cold from the inside out.

“Oh...This is so beautiful!” I said while touching the curtains.

“Yeah, it’s pretty nice.” Nathan said intently watching my fingers on the curtains.

“Nate, why didn’t you tell me you lived here growing up?” I asked.

He sighed loudly but he wasn’t angry, “It just didn’t come up, I...mum and I had problems lots and lots of problems Paris. So Lesley said I could stay with her, and I did.”He looked sad.

“I’m sorry Nate, you don’t have to tell me...I just want you to know, that you can talk to me about this, if you want too.” I said wrapping my arms around him.

He gulped repeatedly before speaking, “I can talk to you Paris. It’s just hard. There’s a lot...”He stopped talking before he finished his thought.

“It’s ok Nate.” I said kissing him. He kissed me back, and led my over to the bed.

We both got lost in each other after that. His hands travelled the length of my body over and over again, and his lips only left mine once to tell me he loved me...I don’t think he realises how special he is.

Nathan woke up about 15 minutes later and pulled me in for a kiss.

“Morning beautiful, how’d you sleep?”He asked.

“Actually it was the best sleep I have had in ages.” I answered honestly.

“Me too.” Nate said.

“Hmmm ok let’s get up, can you show me where the shower is?” I said.

“The shower is just there, that door.” He said as he pointed to the other side of the room.

I shook my head, “No...Can you show me?”I smiled.

He chuckled softly before untangling himself from the sheet and dragging me to the bathroom.

Nate and I walked down the stairs about half an hour later laughing at some stupid joke from the best man speech at the wedding.

“Hello you two, nice of you to join us in the world of the living.” Lesley said.

“Sorry, we were tired.”Nate said smiling at me.

“Yeah sure...”Lesley said with a knowing smile that made me go bright red, and Nathan cough loudly.

“Well Brad’s making breakfast and your mum, Belle and Matt, Georgie, Chelsea, Jake, West and Uncle John are coming over.” Lesley said, counting everyone on her fingers.

“Oh cool. Well I guess you’ll get a chance to meet everyone then.” Nathan said to me.

I smiled, “Guess so, I think I’m going to go see if Brad needs any help.” I said.

“Morning Brad, did you need any help?” I offered.

“Oh hello Paris, I would LOVE some help. Can you make scrambled eggs?” He asked.

“I can certainly try.” I smiled.

Half an hour later we were all sitting around the table, I was wedged between Nate and Georgie. Everyone was having a really nice time. Chelsea was nice but a little closed off just like Georgie said. Jake was a little serious but friendly. It was going well and Martine was keeping her distance. The newlyweds looked so happy, Matt was absolutely smitten with her, he looked at her like she was the only girl in the world. And then Martine decided to change the subject.

“Well this is lovely isn’t it? All the family together, oh and Paris of course.” Martine said. I felt Nate tense up, like he knew trouble was coming, I rubbed his leg under the table and gave him a smile, as if to say it’s all fine.

“It is lovely isn’t it?”Lesley said casually.

“So football season starts soon Nathan doesn’t it?” Brad asked, it’s like everybody knew when trouble was brewing and they all took on the appropriate roles to diffuse the situation.

“Sure does, I have training on Tuesday.”

“Oh well, won’t be able to have so much fun with Paris then?” Martine chimed in.

“Nope probably not, but will make time.”Nate said his voice light but his body was tense.

“Hmmm I’m sure you will.” She said angrily. At this point everyone had turned their attention to the intense conversation going on.

“Ok so who wants some more orange juice?” Chelsea asked, a few people said yes and the cups were passed around.

“So are you both planning to stay another night still?” Lesley asked Nathan and me.

“Yep if that was ok.” Nate answered.

“No worries. Happy to have you!” Lesley smiled.

“Oh so none of you are not going to stay with me tonight?” She asked her question directed at Nate, Chelsea, Georgie and Jake.

“Mum why would we? You treat us like crap for most of our lives and then you treat Paris like a stupid slut that’s just after Nathan’s money. WHY THE HELL WOULD WE?” Georgie screamed. I had definitely never seen her angry and it seemed like most of the table was shocked too.

“Don’t you ever speak to me like that. How dare you?” Martine yelled back. At this point the table cleared, Lesley grabbed my shoulder and we walked outside, followed by the rest of the family besides Georgie, Nate and Chelsea.

Jake grabbed my hand and steered me towards the garden. “Paris...I’m sorry, she...we’ve all been through a lot with her.” He looked exactly like Nate looked last night, extremely vulnerable and sad.

“It’s fine. Every family has baggage I suppose. I don’t know exactly what happened with all you kids and your mum but I’m sorry.” I said patting him on the back, while he lit up a cigarette.

“Stress smoking only.” He smiled.

We chatted easily for about 15 minutes, just sitting in the garden looking out at the bushland. Then we heard Georgie calling us up to the house, while we were walking back he said,

“Your good for Nathan, I can see why he likes you.” I smiled back at him and realised that all of family (besides his mum) were really genuine and kind.

Breakfast

Breakfast was awkward at best. I came downstairs about ten minutes later, I walked into the kitchen and it was evident that tension filled the air. It was also evident that I was the cause of the tension.

“Hey, how’d you sleep?” Nathan asked, obviously pretending we hadn’t seen each other less than 10 minutes ago.

“Not bad, what about you?” I said with a smile.

“Ok...”

“Morning Paris.” Nathans mum said barely looking up from her paper.

“Martine, would you like anymore coffee? Oh good morning you must be Paris?” Said a friendly looking man.

“Paris, this is West, my step-dad.” Nathan said, he forgot to mention his step-dad to me before, and so had Georgie...hmm.

“Hello, lovely to meet you.” I said smiling warmly at him, and he gave me a look I couldn’t decipher.

“So coffee Paris?” West asked. I nodded and Martine shot me a dirty look.

“So Paris what exactly do you do?” Martine asked.

“I work at Radiance magazine, I am an assistant for the editor but soon I start working as the beauty editor.” I smiled.

“Oh, is that the magazine all about sex?” She asked eyeing me up and down.

“Uh...well no, there are a lot of other things in there.”

“Hmm, so you think that somebody dating a footballer should be writing sex articles?” She said her voice full of hate.

“Mum –” Nathan said harshly.
“No Nathan, I want to hear what she has to say.” I said, I couldn’t help it, I hated confrontation but I wasn’t about to let her walk all over me.

“Well I am just saying, my son is in the public eye enough without you trying to gain material for stories, and I definitely wouldn’t want his contract to be put in jeopardy because his girlfriend couldn’t keep her mouth shut.”She said with a defiant smile.

“That is not an issue. And to be honest I don’t really like what you’re implying. My career is for me, it has nothing to do with Nathan...” I said honestly.

“Look love,” she said patronisingly “I just don’t want my son to used.”

“Well then, you have nothing to worry about, because he is not getting used by me...” I said I couldn’t help it. This woman really ruffled my feathers and I wasn’t about to be spoken to like I was some fame hungry whore. Not after last night.

“Ok, ok I think this conversation should end now...”West said.

Martine just walked about of the kitchen, giving me one of the dirtiest looks I have ever seen...

“I’m sorry Nate.” I said, suddenly angry at myself. That was my boyfriend’s mother; I should be at least trying.

“Hey, it’s fine, honestly babe. She deserved it.”He said kissing my forehead.

The rest of breakfast was pretty smooth, and soon me and Georgie were off to the brides house to get ready.

Mums the word...

*Hey guys make sure you read the post below first! I felt bad about no posting, so this week is another bonus post!?*

As we pulled up to the house, both Nathan and Georgie sighed.

“Ready?” Nathan asked while getting our bags out of the car boot.

“Don’t have much of a choice do I?” I said smiling at him, and then he pulled me in for hug.

“Come on you’ll be fine. She won’t be bad; she’s not mean until she knows you well.” Georgie laughed and gave me wink.

We walked up to the door and rang the bell, soon after his mum opened the door. I could definitely see where Nate and Georgie got their looks, but her face was harder than theirs, a lot more serious.

“Hello, well come here then.” She said pulling them both in for a quick kiss on their cheeks. “And you must be London?” She asked, the question directed at me.

“No mum, this is Paris.” Nathan said.

“Uh well hello, how was the drive then?” She asked, virtually ignoring my presence.

“Fine, it was easy once we got out of Sydney.” Georgie answered.

“Ah good, good. Well come in, I’ll show you to your rooms.” She said dismissively.

I realised I had yet to say a single word...this was not going well.

Georgie was shown her room first, despite the fact they had grown up in the house they were still shown were to go...

“Ok so you’re in here.” She said to no-one in particular. So Nathan walked in and I went to follow, then a hand shot across the door frame to stop me.

“Oh no, you’re not in here. You two will be in separate rooms.” She said harshly.

“Mum-,”Nathan began to protest.

“No Nathan, this girl is a complete stranger to me. You cannot expect me to allow some strange girl to play house with you, certainly not in my home.” She said severely.

“Mum do not talk about Paris like that. She is not some strange girl, why do you always do this?”He was almost yelling, I have never seen him angry before. By this time Georgie had wandered out of her room to see what was going on.

“No Nathan, No. You don’t know this girl; you have only been seeing her just over a month. For all you know she is just after your money or fame. At least Kate already had all of that, you are so naive Nathan.” She yelled back.

“NO mum, you don’t know her!” He was really angry now. They went back and forth for a while until Georgie interrupted.

“HEY, both of you SHUT-UP...Mum stop talking about Paris like she isn’t here, and Nathan what did you expect from her?” Georgie was angry now too, and frankly so was I. I wasn’t given a chance to defend myself, and their mum made assumptions about me that were not true! I was so livid that angry tears threatened to spill over. Instead of crying right there Georgie noticed my reaction and took me to my room, while I assume Nathan and his mum fought some more.

“I’m so sorry Paris, you didn’t deserve that.” Georgie said sympathetically.

“I just didn’t expect it, I...I’m not with Nathan for his money or whatever else she said...”I said confused.

“Oh sweetie, we all know that. She just says things Paris.”

“What the hell was that about Kate?” I asked bewildered.

“She loved Kate, I don’t know...Maybe because they were similar, Kate is not a good person.”

We sat in silence for a few minutes, listening to the hush tones of the argument just down the hall. Soon Georgie left the room I was apparently staying in, and went to attempt to shut them up.

Nathan knocked on the door about ten minutes later, “Hey, are you still talking to me?” He asked cautiously.

“Yeah of course...” I said.

“I’m really sorry about that, she had no right.” He said, sitting next to me on the bed, burying his face into his hands.

“Hey, it’s not your fault...I just wasn’t really expecting it, I don’t want to cause problems Nate.” I said grabbing his hands and placing them in my own.

“To be honest either was I, and you are not causing problems, Paris. This is just who she is. I am so sorry.”

“Please stop apologising. Look tomorrow is the wedding and we all need to attempt to get along. Tomorrow is a new day ok?” I said.

“Ok, I don’t think she is going to let up on us sleeping in the same room. God it’s like where teenagers.”

“Come on, will just play by her rules. Plus it’s only for one night.” I said, standing up and giving him a kiss.

“Paris, you’re being so cool about this. It makes me feel worse.” He said, obviously trying to lighten the mood, but still visibly upset.

“Would it help if I was being a bitch about it?” I asked wrapping my arms around him.

“Yes.”

“Ok well I’ll tune into my bitchy side tomorrow, ok?” I said resting my head against his chest.

“Thank you.” He said kissing my forehead.

Suddenly there were three sharp knocks on the door, “Nathan, I don’t care how much you argue you will not be staying the night in there.” She said. Nathan walked out exasperated, and shot me an apologetic look.

Nathans mum was about to walk out after her son but first she coldly added, “I am sorry for how we met Paris. But my opinion still stands until I am proved otherwise.”

“I understand that, but I do really care about your son.” I said, as she shut the door before I had even finished. This was going to be a long weekend.

Surprises, Disappointments and Awkwardness...

“Hey, what are you doing here?” I asked with a confused smile on my face.

“Nothing, I was just in the neighbourhood...” Nathan said pulling me for a kiss.

“Well it’s a very nice surprise.” I said kissing him back.

“I have another surprise too...my sister needs a lift up to the wedding, but she’s coming back with my brother, is that cool?”

“Yeah, that’s awesome. It will be nice to meet her before I meet everyone.” I said smiling. “But you know what this means don’t you? No car sex and no surprise bj’s.” I joked.

Nate raised his eyebrows, “Well you know we could try that surprise bj now.” He laughed.

“Ha ha, you are so funny, but no. I have to show you my dress and we have to talk about your sister!”

“Oh great...”He said sarcastically, with a smile.

I showed him my dress, which he loved he said the shoes really compliment the outfit...I teased him for that, and he just stuck his tongue at me.
___________________________________________________________________________

Nathan and I were cuddling in my bed after he helped me take off my wedding outfit and just talking about the wedding and what to expect.

“So practice starts on the Tuesday after we get back...” Nate said.

“Oh really.” I replied, unable to hide the disappointment in my voice.

“Hey, you know where going to be fine. I lo...like you a lot Paris...”He said stumbling over his last words.

We both knew what he was about to say. I didn’t know what to do, I knew that I was getting close to saying it the L-word but I wasn’t quite there yet. So I just pretended it didn’t happen.

“I...I like you a lot too.” It was now very awkward. “So uh, what pre-game rituals do you have?” I asked smiling, trying to lighten the mood.

“Uh well, obviously you can’t drink the night before, and when we have big games we have to stay in a hotel and have a curfew, you can’t track attention to yourself like you can’t do interviews without the clubs permission....”

“Pretty standard, but I meant what do YOU do? Do you have like lucky underwear or socks or something?” I asked smiling at him.

“I do have lucky socks, but I only wear them before the game, because I don’t wash them. I change into any socks like 5 minutes before the actual game, and I don’t uh...have sex 24 hours before a game and I don’t...uh help myself out 12 hours before a game.” He laughed.

“Very precise Nate, I’m sure I could change your mind if I wanted too.”I giggled.

“I’m pretty sure you could do too, but you wouldn’t because I would totally blame you if we lost.” He joked.

“Well I won’t be trying that then!” I said lightly kissing him on the lips. “So your sister? Is she nice or should I be afraid?”

“I know you’re not meant to say this, but I’m probably the closest too her. She is just really kind-hearted.”

“Oh good, I can’t wait to meet her! But I’m really nervous...” I said fiddling with the sheet that was draped over us.

“I know what I said about my mum made you nervous, but seriously Paris everybody will love you.”

“Ok if you say so...” I said sceptically.