The Secret

In between World Cup the couples on the team didn't have much time to themselves as they had wished for. To the point the Kelley was thinking hard about her wedding since it was approaching fairly fast on whether Hope was going to be able to balance between Kel and soccer possibly kids in the future. Julie and Christen weren't their normal selfs they would spend tons of time alone being together only at team breakfast/dinner and when it came to sleeping. They were putting more pressure on themselves which was not needed and it was affecting their relationship. Of course Julie would make sure Christen took her inhaler a specify time which drove Christen insane since she already knew. The only ones who had it easy during the world was the married couples on the team. Almost 2 years married making it seem marriage was easy.

The USWNT came top out of their group and advanced into the knock around smoothly. The backline had 2 goals for this tournament to break the record as well to win the World Cup. The final was the most toughest and roughest game they had played in the tournament. They faced Germany who wanted nothing more than to deny the Americans their 4th star and the attention. Germany put up a good fight but not enough of a fight. Alex and Tobin the dynamic duo managed to beat their mark and to goal. Tobin the nutmeg queen nutmeg not 1 but 3 germans and sending a perfect cross for her wife. Alex’s head and the ball collated at the perfect time sending the ball into the back of the net giving the USWNT a 1 - 0 lead. The intensity picked up after the goal the germans where no longer going in for the ball they were going for body getting extremely physical. Carli gets fouled earning a free kick sending Julie up as her target. The whistle blew and Julie brings down the ball passing it to Christen for another goal. Christen runs straight into Julie’s arm to celebrate the goal Christen manages to thank Julie before their teammates come jumping on them. The game picks up with a few more goals.

During the cremeomy the USWNT takes a sweep all the awards the best one was that the backline had broken the record and they had just become World Champions again for the 4th time. It didn't really kick in that they had won until Carli and Becky were picking up the trophy. Winning the World Cup this time was completely different from 2015 everything seem to make sense among the players. Everyone was celebrating with their significant other after the lifting. The fans attention was on the children the married couples and the engangred couples that no one really paid attention the rest of the time.

CP: “We won babe and I scored !”
JJ: “I know babe and I assisted your goal”
CP: “Does this mean my reward for scoring is going to be a lot more better?”
JJ: “Yes trust me way better then any goal you have scored”

Before Christen could say anything they were being called by their captains to take more pictures with the team. After all the commotion they loaded up on to the bus to head back to the hotel to see their families. The Johnson and Press family were together talking about the final along with planning another vacation. The players where ambushed by their families and friends barely allowing them to breath. Erin and Ella were there as well Eli wearing the gift Chris and J the little jersey they had gotten her in May.

JJ: “Chris look how cute she looks in her little USWNT kit”
CP: “Our goddaughter is so adorable”

Ella: “It took some hard convincing for Erin to allow it she allowed it in one condition” (lifting up Eli’s jersey to show a Canadian shirt)
Erin: “ But hey she's still wearing the jersey you guys gave her”

The team headed back up to their floor to relax and get ready to go get hammered. Christen and Julie showered and went to straight to sleep. They woke up to someone calling their phones they had about 20 texts and 3 miss calls from their parents.
//Phone call Starts

Momma Press: “Did you guys fall asleep ? Well wake up and get dress we want to take you guys out to dinner to celebrate”

CP: “Okay mom let me wake up J”

Momma Press: “Meet us in an hour I will text you guys the location”

CP: “Alright mom see you in an hour”
//Phone call ends

Christen rolls over to try attempt to wake up Julie. Who was completely KO that a train can pass by and she wouldn't be able to hear it. She begins to tickle her girlfriend massaging her back as well when she felt Julie waking up she reaches over to place kisses along J’s neck. Julie picked up on what her girlfriend was doing so she flips them over so now Julie was on top. So caught up in the moment that Christen forgets to tell her to get ready.

CP: “Babe mom called they want to have dinner together later come on get dressed”

JJ: “But this is better tho”

CP: “If you get up and get ready we can do that later”

Julie gets up and gets ready faster than Christen they wanted to be comfortable so they wore jeans with some wedges and a cute blouse to go along with.

They pull up to the restaurant it was pretty private no fans or media trying to get them to talk. First thing first they got wine to have a little toast before dinner. Waiting for their dinner to get served the parents began to ask about their lives and how their relationship was going.

Momma Johnson: “So girls you guys have been together for almost 4 years are you guys planning to get married?”

Momma Press: “Yeah we want grandchildren already”

CP: “ We haven't really talked about getting married nor children we are always busy we haven't had time to stop and talk about those things”

JJ: “Its a big step plus we still don't have a dog to determine how we are together in a more commit way we are basically best friends that do stuff best friends dont” (avoiding details about their sex life)

Momma Press: “You guys live together already wouldn't you guys like to be married?”

Momma Johnson: “Then get a dog girls that if that what you guys think will determine if you guys want kids”

Momma Press: “We have seen you guys with Eli you guys look like naturals with children so when the children talk comes along that should be easy”

Before the girls who answer their mothers again their fathers stepped in and changed the subject. Making the conversation as general as they could to avoid another confrontation leaving them with not knowing what to say. They decided to skip out on dessert to head to the bar with their teammates.

They meet up at the local bar they had their first night off the bar was already packed once they had arrived. The team had already order several around of tequila no one was really paying attention to what they were doing they only cared about was getting hammered. Alex, Ali, Syd & Kelley were already drunk as hell. Making a show out on the dance floor with their wives/fiancé paying close attention to them make sure they didn't get another drink nor fall. Christen and Julie had some catching up to do with the rounds of tequila. They eventually catch up and join the girls on the dance floor Julie joined the girls on the dance floor while Christen stayed with the wives watching.

A slow song comes and the girls come to find their girlfriend, fiancé or wife. No one pay attention to everything that was going on they where too focused on their girl. Julie had other plans for the night however Christen turned them down not because she didn't want to it just that she was physically and mentally exhausted. And they also had an early flight to Canada to celebrate

The next morning the girls said their good byes they would see each other within a couples of day. Johnson and Press basically ran to their since they almost missed their flights due to the long goodbyes. The flight was calm not much movement the girls slept through the whole flight since they where still hung over. Now they were switching flights to go celebrate their anniversary first.

JJ: “Press hurry up we are going to be late to our flight”

CP: “Really last names Johnston ?! I’m coming so hush”

They were defiantly jet leg from traveling everywhere in the past few days however like usual Julie and Christen always plan ahead knowing what happens when they forget and become insanely grumpy along with blaming each other on why they didn't plan ahead. One of Erin’s family members picked them up like usual to take them to their favortive coffee shop where they picked up their usual of every once a year. Although Erin and Ella were going to go celebrate their anniversary as well left her guest house all set up for them.

Sleep deprivation and jet leg required at least 1 very good cup of coffee however Julie order an extra 2 cups for the road to the guest house. The house was almost how they last left it since Erin doesn't even use the house but still likes to keep it for her close friends to use once in a while when they go visit her.

//After their must needed coffee they eventually found their way to the house. The plans weren't until the next day so they decided to sleep off their jet leg and rest for a day full of events. Their day consisted of consisted naps and snacks and parts of movies. They didn't even make it to the bedroom they fell asleep in the living room while “watching the movie” too tired to move. //

“Happy 4th anniversary babe” Christen said as she rolled over to Julie who was slowly waking up mumbling out the same phrase just wanting to get more sleep. However with the thought of what day it was she made the effort to get since it was going to be 1 for the books. Breakfast was light since neither was really hungry still full from all the snacks they had during their napping and watching the movie. Both to lazy to make coffee they decided to go instead to their favorite coffee shop for coffee and waffles. Getting dress was the hardest part since all of their comfortable clothes was either USWNT or Chicago Red Star gear they didn't want to get noticed at all. After what seemed like the millionth time changing clothes we made their way towards the jeep (courtesy of Erin) parked in the drive way.

Waffles drowning in maple syrup and a few cups of coffee the conversation finally struck.

CP: “Can you believe its been four years since we found this place and I poured out my heart to you thinking I would walk out heart broken however I walked out the happiest person even more happy than wining the World Cup!”

JJ: “It seems unbelievable but its been 4 years baby” ( reaching over to hold Chris hand) “Since you planned last years anniversary I get to plan the rest of the day and night”

CP: “Perfectly fine since I know its going to end like every year does” in a lower tone of voice “Me You Bed”

JJ: “We are in public shhhhh … but you never know I might change it up this time just for pointing that out”

CP: “You wont dare to”

JJ: “Enough of that and hurry up and finish you breakfast so we can go on an explore”

Since it was Julie’s date she was in charge of paying all of the bills for the day. Debating for the location of their hike went better than expected they had decided within a few minutes. Julie started up the jeep to head to the place where they had spent the first half of their first anniversary. Recreating the little things that made Julie fall for Christen every day more and more.

When they arrive to the location Julie grabs a small basket and blanket for when they decided to take a break. Half an hour later Christen begins to complain that it was hot and she was tired and wanted to rest Julie sets up the blanket for Christen to sit down. She also pulls out wine and a couple of roses.

JJ: “For my gorgeous girlfriend of mine”

CP: “Aww babe they are beautiful”

The little buzz that was forming along with the heat was causing the girls to get drowsy as they began to doze off Julie’s phone goes off. A confirmation text for the plans for later that night. Since they were fully awake now and spent most of the afternoon at their spot they packed up and drove home to get ready for dinner.

CP: “J where are we going for dinner?”

JJ: “mmm I was thinking about cooking your fav for a calm and relaxing evening”

CP: “That sounds perfect I didn't feel like getting ready anyways”

JJ: “Im going to shower real quick so I can get started on dinner ok babe”

CP: “OK let me know when your out”

Half an hour later comes into the living room to let Christen know she is out as well as telling her to take her time and not to come back into the living room until she said to come back. Julie quickly begins to start dinner going chopping veggies fast but careful enough not to cut herself. When the preparation was done she went into the dinning room table setting up with candles, the roses from earlier and some more wine that complimented her dish perfectly. Instead of making her signature dessert she decided they would go out for dessert instead and enjoy the change of scenery they had.

JJ: “Christen dinner is ready”

Christen walks out of the room in grey Chicago Red Star long sleeve with some black nike sweats and hair up making her necklace and earrings standing out. As she makes her way to the the table she notices that the lights are very dim a little afraid she would trip over her own foot in the process of getting to her chair.

CP: “Babe this is 100’x better than going out”

JJ: “You can give you compliments to chef once we are done with our meal

Christen starts eating before Julie even sits down she couldn't wait which caused Julie to laugh softly. First eat then conversation was the usual thing for them to do that night was no different.

CP: “Thats was wonderful babe thank you”

JJ: “Im glad you love it”

CP: “Whats for dessert?”

JJ: “I thought instead of making dessert why don't we go on a walk and grab some ?”

CP: “Okay let me go grab our sweaters and we can leave”

About 15 minutes intro the drive Julie changes the distinction for their walk instead of heading south she headed north. Christen doesn’t question her girlfriend since after all it was her date and her plans. Another 15 minutes pass and they pull into BC Stadium she began to think why are we here and how did she get the permission to get in here?
JJ: “I thought we could walk around in here instead”

CP: “How did you get permission to be here?”

JJ: “I have friends who have connections Now come soon lets go inside”

CPOV

Ok there no movie, flowers, nothing special may be it just a normal regular walk down memory lane.

Christen finally snaps out of her deep though when they step on to the pitch all her fears she had been feeling went away she felt so calm and peaceful at the moment. Getting closer to the half way circle when Julie turns away to look at the opposite side of the stadium Christen felt her turn around but when Julie didn't turn back she turns around to see Julie down on one knee holding out a small black box with a huge diamond in the center of the ring. She brings her hands up to her mouth about to throw a fit.

CP: “I wanted to ask you to marry me first”

JJ: “Looks like a beat you to it so Christen Annemarie Press will you marry me?”

CP: “Yes a million times yes I will marry you”

Julie gets up and grabs Christen left hand to put the ring on “Prefect fit” then goes in for a kiss. A few kisses later Christen pulls back and pulls herself away from Julie who is puzzled at what just happen did she change her mind already within a few minutes !?

CP: “I was planning it along but since you beat me to it (as she goes down on one knee) although I said yes already but anyways Julie Beth Johnston will you marry me?”

JJ: “Yes baby”

CP: “I had asked you dad for permission during the World Cup when you were busy I was able to sneak out of your sight and ask”

JJ: “Thats funny because I did the same no wonder they changed the subject at dinner when our moms were questioning us they already knew”

Both of the rings where the typical engagement rings since their was no gender roles in their relationship. This time neither pulled away from the kiss when they pulled away to caught their breath “lets … go … home … bed” taking off sprinting to the jeep to get to the bed ASAP. Before they actually made it into bed they took a picture of their rings and texted their parents and Erin and Ella.