They spent much of the afternoon lounging around in his hotel room, talking and laughing. They were always touching. James traced lazy circles on her legs, while Anna’s fingers tangled in his hair. They were acting as if they were sitting at home, in their own bedrooms without a care in the world. Anna told him all about her conversation with Braiden and how he showed her his love for his country. Anna explained the shock she felt when it was telecast that he was a drug cheat. James regaled his tale of disbelief and disappointment. They both agreed they couldn’t change it, so they resolved to just go with it. Before they knew it they had also concluded that remaining prisoners in a hotel room wouldn’t help either. So with a new determination, they made plans for the following day.

James woke at five o’clock that morning with a spring in his step. He was desperate not to let this whole drug slur make an impact on his championship campaign. By six o’clock he was in the pool, pushing harder than ever before. More than ever James was determined to not only win all seven of the races he was entered in, but to smash all the world records in the process.

When he arrived back at the hotel at nine o’clock that morning, Anna was already dressed and waiting. James was shocked to see her up and about. Despite their attempt to sneak past the media they couldn’t dodge the barrage of questions being fired at them. James continued to smile and wave at the cameras as he tried to shield Anna. The amusing part was the questions being asked had nothing to do with the drug scandal that had brought them to his front door. Now the questions focused on the sudden appearance of a woman by his side. They were desperate to learn Anna’s identity.

Neither James nor Anna could be bothered hiding. Unlike James, it was Anna’s first overseas adventure and she was determined to make the most of it. James had been travelling around the world since he was fifteen years old. He had been to Africa, Asia, North America and all across Europe. Now he was keen to show Anna as much of this beautiful world as he could.

Wherever they went they had an entourage shadowing their every step. Burly security guards and a bunch of paparazzi snapping their every move, James and Anna ducked into a small, cosy café for lunch. They had spent the morning shopping, giving Anna a chance to buy all the things she had forgotten to pack. They shopped for clothes, shoes, and even furniture. James and Anna were now in the midst of preparing for their future. When they arrived home in less than a month, the house hunting would start. James already selected the perfect house where he wanted them to live and raise their family. He knew the area and even the street where their home should be. Even if he had to build the house himself, James knew they were going to live by the water, in a house with views forever.

In James’s mind he had designed everything down to the last details and he wasn’t going to settle for anything less than his dream. As they were eating their lunch and chatting easily, James decided that he should probably tell Anna about their dream house that he’d already designed. “Hey. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about where we’re going to live out our happily ever after.”

“Have you now? Well, do tell! Where are we going to live?” Anna encouraged, stuffing another chip in her mouth.

“Well, it doesn’t technically exist yet, so that is a slight problem. But I have designed us the perfect house—right on the water, a two-storey masterpiece. On the bottom floor, a two car garage, a rumpus room, and a guest room with an en suite.”

Anna laughed. “Is that all, no wine cellar?” she teased.

“No, smartie pants. Then on the top floor, a huge master bedroom, with walk-in wardrobe and bathroom. In the bathroom it will have a huge shower and double spa. Also on this floor will be another three bedrooms, so the kids have somewhere of their own, a living area, and a huge country style kitchen. The lounge dining room will have polished wood floors with bay windows that reach from floor to ceiling, overlooking the water. In the centre of one of the cream coloured walls will be a large open fire place, with a big, white, soft rug on the floor in front of it,” James stared at Anna wide-eyed.

“Do I get any say at all in this house?” Anna baited him.

“I haven’t actually decided yet,” James played along. “So tell me, do you like the sound of it so far?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. I’d have to see it. It all sounds good except for the kids’ bedrooms,” Anna retorted. She knew by goading him she’d get a reaction. James finished explaining the details to her. He knew exactly what colours the walls would be. He knew every flower that would be planted in the garden. James could already feel the soft carpet between his toes. It was as if he had already lived a life in his dream home.

After a long leisurely lunch James and Anna headed back to the hotel to collect their swimmers. James was due at training and now was as good a chance as any for Anna to work the jet lag out of her system. She always felt out of place lapping up and down the pool with world champions, Olympic legends, and world record holders in the next lane. Yet they all knew who she was and never made her feel out of place. While they were in heavy training no one spoke, they were just left to swim. This was just the way things worked and Anna felt a strange sense of calm by the consistency. She could do whatever she wanted, while getting some exercise and spending time with James.

When they eventually made their way back to the hotel, James confessed that he had to go into camp the next morning. This didn’t surprise Anna. He always went into camp a few days before competition. Anna assured him this was a good thing. This would give Anna time to see all that London had to offer. Soon enough Anna knew there was no place she would rather be than standing poolside being James’s loudest cheerleader.

***

Anna

The next morning, after James had packed up and joined the rest of the squad in camp, Anna and Diana headed out to have an adventure. Their sightseeing trip took them past many of the most famous English landmarks. As the double decker red bus rounded the London streets or the Monopoly board, as Anna kept referring to it, they passed Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace. The visited Westminster Abbey and the theatre made famous by William Shakespeare, the Globe. As they passed the Tower of London, their tour guide hinted of all the royal jewels housed there before breaking into song as they crossed Tower Bridge. Anna found herself wishing James could have been with her, but it was okay, he had seen it all before.

That night Michael and Diana took Anna out for dinner. They wanted to thank her; not everyone would fly halfway around the world to support their son. It was an easy dinner with great food and friendly conversation. They had long ago accepted Anna as one of their daughters. To them they didn’t hesitate to tell people that they had four children. Renee and James, and the ring-ins Ryan and Anna. All they needed now were a couple of grandkids to round out the picture.

“So, Anna. How long do I have to wait to hear someone call me Pop?” Michael mocked.

“Well, I guess you should probably ask Renee about that. I mean, when you consider the fact that she’s the one who’s married.” Anna was well aware of what they were playing at. They wanted Anna to bite but she was determined not to give them the satisfaction.

“We already have. Renee tells me that she’s going to make me wait at least another five years! She’s decided that she’s too young,” Michael taunted.

“Well, there you go then. If Renee is too young, then I must be way too young. If Renee’s waiting five years then we’ll wait ten!” Diana knew she had no chance of winning this argument, so she dropped it. When and if Anna and James were ready to have children they would. No amount of pushing, hinting or coercing would speed up their time frame.