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It had dropped onto her desk at the start of December. A hand calligraphed invitation on thick card stock requesting her presence at a New Year’s Eve Soiree. Keeley & Roy’s Residence. 8pm. Dress code: elegant but sexy *dress shoes NOT required.*
Rebecca had been one out of two to receive the hand written invite. The other being Ted. Keeley swiftly deciding that the effort wasn’t worth the reward after the hand cramps kicked in. Everyone else got a text, with the word residence being changed to house and soiree to party after Roy groused that it made them sound like posh twats.
Truly, Rebecca didn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed a NYE. Perhaps when her and Sassy had been teenagers, necking whatever they could get their hands on from Deborah’s drinks cabinet. Parties during her marriage had been dour affairs, surrounded by Rupert’s friends. Never letting loose, compounded by the pressure to appear like she was having fun but making sure not to embarrass him. To never embarrass him, or it would be a whole 12 months of hearing about it. Being made to feel like she was too much but also never enough.
Last year Richmond had been scheduled for a New Year’s Day fixture, so it had been a bottle of wine and early to bed for her, and that was ok, her spirits lifted from her Christmas Day spent with Ted. In hindsight, that should have been her first clue that her feelings were on the slow path to spiraling.
Yet she was, ending 2021 surrounded by her found family, hours after another Richmond win at home. Her Richmond. A solid 3-1 victory over Arsenal.
She’d been at Roy & Keeley’s since six, helping set up the soiree/party. Ted had appeared not long after toting a peach and pistachio tart and a two tiered chocolate fudge cake - elegantly decorated with smatterings of perfectly placed gold leaf. She had no idea where he found the time, but the image of him puttering around in his kitchen, creating, made something flutter deep down in her belly.
Ted had done a double take when he’d seen her, accompanied by the tiniest lick of his lips as he took her all in. She was wearing red - a satiny dress fitted tight at the bodice but open backed, flaring out to just below her knees. “Well aren’t you a picture. You’re right on assignment, boss.” He’d declared, reaching for her hand and giving her a twirl, so he could truly take in every inch of her.
“I can say the same for you Ted.” God, did she love him in a suit. He’d foregone the tie and left the top button of his dress shirt undone. The bone chilling December wind had lightly tousled his hair, and she longed to reach over and smooth it down. Fortunately, before she lost control of her fingers, Keeley had bounded in to admire Ted’s desserts and set them in pride of place on the food table.
“Oh my God Ted, you should do wedding cakes.” She’d exclaimed at the gold leafed masterpiece.
“I hope it’s enough. I found a link on Pinterest called ’19 desserts to make when you’re feeling fancy AF’ and I sure would have loved to have made you all 19 but that darn day job called…” He nodded towards Rebecca with faux exasperation. “And oh, before I forget…” Ted reached into his jacket pocket and produced a small pink box which he placed carefully into Rebecca’s hands.
“Not sure how lively either of us will be feeling tomorrow, but I didn’t want you to start a new year without your biscuits.” He told her, with a soft smile.
All she could do in response was pull him in for a quick hug and tell him that he was a treasure.
Then they’d all thrown themselves into finishing the decorating, (Ted proving to have great lung capacity for blowing up balloons,) and setting up the alcohol, multiple cases of Champagne being Rebecca’s contribution. She knew these people and based off the summer’s promotion celebration, they could and would drink.
Roy had seemed a little on edge early in the evening, pacing about, occasionally muttering things under his breath. She’d caught Ted from the corner of her eye, cracking open a beer, thrusting it into Roy’s hands and giving him a vigorous slap on the back. But she hadn’t had the chance to think much about it, before the rest of the team begun their arrival in boisterous spirits, eager to get the party started.
Jan Maas had been one of the first, showing up with his usual bucket of chicken.
Other players had been keen to show traditions separate to the ones they featured at the Higgins’ Xmas bash. Dani had brought bunches of grapes, to be eaten as the clock chimed midnight, for luck and making wishes.
“Originally Spanish, but now also Mexican tradition.” He explained.
Soon the house was full of people milling around the open plan living and kitchen area, drinking, eating and dancing - the latter in exuberant fashion. It hadn’t been long before a conga line had formed, Isaac at the lead, Zoreaux at the rear, which lead to the demise of the Christmas Story leg lamp, followed by a poor attempt to reassemble it.
“It was like, proper ugly anyway.” Jamie announced when they gave up the endeavor.
“I must agree.” Jan concurred.
“Not a beautiful object to have in ze house. I do not understand it.” Richard chimed in.
“Now I see y’alls haven’t watched A Christmas Story. Darn, I wish I’d known that earlier. Well that’s going to go on the movie list for next year.” Ted had sighed, apparently the only one with any investment in the salvation effort. Roy and Keeley weren’t bothered, with an entire tipsy football team in the house, some collateral damage was expected.
It isn’t as though Rebecca spends the whole evening attached to Ted’s side, but they always seem to make their way back to each other, at least every hour, usually less and she can’t help but feel warm inside whenever he passes by and checks in if she needs something, or just wants to say hi.
“He’s very attentive.” One of Keeley’s mates from her modeling days, points out.
“Oh that’s just Ted. How he is with everyone…”
Keeley just rolls her eyes at that response.
“What!?” Rebecca asked with a dry laugh.
Keeley shook her head. “Babe - denial. Not just a river in Egypt.”
Now it’s 25 minutes until 2022, and Rebecca has settled herself onto the sofa, a plate of Ted’s pie and cake in hand. Something to line the stomach before the midnight toast, an indulgence she never would have allowed herself, 3 short years ago.
“Turn out ok?” Ted asks, as he joins Rebecca, curling his long legs up to meet hers, their toes just touching. Her Louboutins long-abandoned beside his Nikes at the front door.
“Really, you’ve outdone yourself Ted.”
“Better than the biscuits?” He asks with an appreciative smile.
“Nothing is better than the biscuits - but these are both quite marvelous. I think you’re destined for a stint on Celebrity Bake-Off or Celebrity Masterchef.” Rebecca praises as she takes more bites, unable to keep the look of pleasure off her face.
“Don’t know that I’d consider myself a celebrity…”
Rebecca snorts, “Premier League manager,… you’d be more famous than most on there.”
“Well Boss, having your vote of confidence is truly all I need.” He beams at her, and there go the stomach flutters again, bigger and stronger than ever.
It’s 5 minutes until midnight, when Rebecca notices Keeley and Roy are missing. Asks Ted if he thinks she should go find them. “They’re going to miss midnight. It’s the whole point Ted!”
Ted looks completely serene as he responds, “As long as they’re together, that’s all that matters.” And she has to concede, plus she didn’t want anyone taking her place on the sofa, likes it right where she is.
Ted tops up her Champagne, distracts her with a folksy anecdote about the first time he tried it and before she knows, it’s a minute to midnight. All around is chaos as everyone piles in closer together. Big Ben displayed on the flatscreen TV.
When the countdown clock begins, Rebecca catches Ted’s eye and the longing to climb into his lap and press her lips to his feels almost overwhelming. But she knows that it isn’t quite the right time and well she doesn’t want their first kiss to be in front of the majority of AFC Richmond because when she starts, she’s not sure she’ll be able to stop.
“Happy New Year!”
“Feliz Ano Nuevo”
“Bonne Année!”
The cheers ring out, backdropped by the faint sound of someone gagging on a grape. Probably Colin.
Before she knows what’s happening, Ted reaches for her and pulls her in tight, his big hands splaying across her bare back and she’s suddenly so glad that she picked this dress.“2022, it’s gonna be our year, Rebecca. I just know it.” He murmurs gently into her ear, voice deep and crackly, sending those flutters distinctly lower than her stomach.
She doesn’t ask him if he means Richmond, currently 4th in the Premier League or them personally. Just hugs him in tighter, basks in the closeness and whispers back “Happy New Year, Ted Lasso.”
“Happy New Year, Rebecca Welton.” and she can feel him smiling against her cheek.
When they release, Rebecca notices Julie Higgins giving her a soft smile and she returns a sheepish one back, raising her glass towards the other woman.
She’s grateful that nobody has asked her to put a name on what’s happening between her and Ted, not even Keeley. She isn’t sure that she’s ready to articulate it to herself, let alone anyone else. All she knows is, lately every moment they spend together feels simultaneously electrifying and soothing. And well maybe she sometimes aches for him at night. Wonders what it would be like to be with him that way. She’s more than tired of hearing about it from Sassy. Wants to know it all for herself, how he’d touch her, how he’d love her.
But she tries not to daydream too much, doesn’t want to hurry him or herself. They’d been through it this past year, with her Dad’s passing, Nate’s betrayal, her and Ted navigating and acknowledging their trauma. Her less than sensible dating choices. Now, tiptoeing through their healing processes. She doesn’t want to get this wrong, she doesn’t want to lose him or lose herself. Scared that they’ll go back to that time in the spring where they felt a million miles apart.
There were those awful few months in the summer where she didn’t know if he was going to come back from Kansas, where she wanted to call and beg him for answers that she knew he wasn’t ready to give. Where she’d spent so many nights looking up flights to Kansas City, knew every airport she could connect via. But she’d been patient and he’d returned looking lighter, less worn and had told her that Richmond was where he needed and wanted to be. Told her Richmond was home.
They’ve been spending more and more time together since his return. By Autumn, Ted had become somewhat of a late afternoon fixture in her office, usually working in companionable quiet with the occasional outbreak of goofiness. She enjoys his silent support, and having an audience for her eye rolls whenever she’s on a call with a difficult board member.
She’s been yelling out of the window more often, taken him to multiple lunches with her mother. Though those might have to stop soon because she’s not sure Deborah can make it through another meal without asking them what this all is. Then there was that trip to the James Bond Premiere with Roy and Keeley, where he matched his tie perfectly to the blue shade of her dress. She may have a folder on her phone of every single picture of the two of them together from that night, but she’d never admit it.
Around them a rendition of Auld Lang Syne has broken out, except nobody is quite sure of the words, but what words people do know are being sung with gusto and Rebecca finds herself pulled off the sofa, one arm crisscrossed to Ted, who is looking utterly charmed, and another to Isaac.
“Oi, let me in” Keeley announces her return and pushes in between Isaac and Rebecca. Except Rebecca sees something which makes her gasp and exclaim “Oh my God! Keeley!” She drops Ted’s hand and reaches for the younger woman’s left one, staring down at the large yet tasteful Emerald cut diamond that is now adorning her ring finger.
The crowd stills and quiets, as Keeley motions for Roy to come and join her, which he dutifully does, slipping into a gap Rebecca and Ted make room for. Keeley slides her right hand into his as she holds out her left. “Roy and I, we have an announcement. We’re getting married and you’re all invited!!!” Keeley beams.
“What, so like right now?” Jamie asks looking confused and unsure how to deal with this piece of information.
“No, this year or next year, or sometime! Haven’t got that far.” Keeley responds with a gentle look, aware that this moment could feel weird for Jamie. The shouts of congratulations begin and the party resumes with fervor. Rebecca loses Ted for a while in the melee as she goes to have a joyful freak out with Keeley.
***
It’s sometime later that she finds Ted out on the patio, catching some air. She’s worried for a moment, but then he notices her, waves and she can tell that he is perfectly at ease. She pads across the cold concrete on tiptoes, drops down onto the bench beside him, open bottle of champagne in one hand. Mascara slightly smudged from happy tears with Keeley. She shivers in the January air and Ted slips off his jacket, delicately placing it around her shoulders. Rebecca doesn’t protest as she threads her arms through the sleeves, feeling instantly warmer. And not just from the extra layer.
Beard is out there too, sitting in the corner, deep in conversation with one of Keeley’s friends, Melodie - a former model who’d gotten a PhD in History and was now working at the National Archives in Kew. Rebecca liked her, they’d met a couple of times on girls' nights with Keeley and she seemed genuine and kind. “What’s that about?” Rebecca asks, pointing with her elbow towards the pair.
“Deep dive into The Odyssey” from what I can tell.
“Very cerebral for 2 am on New Years Day.”
“That’s our coach Beard.” Ted chuckles.
“Are him and Jane done for good?”
“Sure hope so this time.” Ted sighs wistfully.
Rebecca nods in understanding, as she raises the champagne bottle to the air and takes a swig, “To leaving the wrong relationships behind & only investing in the good ones. To listening to our hearts and our guts.”
“Yeah, I’ll drink to that.” Ted replies fixing a smile on her as he takes the bottle, brushing his fingers against hers as he does so.
They spend a few moments in companionable silence. Rebecca feeling light and tipsy and free enough to allow herself to rest her head onto Ted’s shoulder without overanalyzing it all. “So, Did you know about…?!” She asks, outstretching her arm and wiggling the fingers of her left hand.
“Might have had an inkling…” He answers with a smile and a shrug. Rebecca raises her eyebrows.“Yeah, yeah ok, I was there when Roy picked out the ring. It’s been real hard not to tell you. Don’t like keeping things from ‘ya.”
“What are you idiots doing out here? It’s fucking freezing.” Roy booms sliding open the patio door, stepping through the threshold, closely followed by Keeley who has donned a pair of fluffy slippers. Sounds of continued partying filter through as they shut the door behind them.
“Do you want us to get rid of everyone?” Rebecca asks, indicating the revelers inside. “So you can celebrate properly?”
“Oh nah we already did that, it didn’t take Roy a full hour to propose.” Roy grunts, picks up and takes a swig from the Champagne bottle, before offering it to Keeley.
She grabs it and plonks herself down onto Rebecca’s lap.“Rebecca babe?”
“Yes darling?” She asks, wrapping her arms around her best friend’s waist to steady her.
Keeley pouts and opens her eyes wide, “Will you be my maid of honor? Please.” Rebecca squeezes the younger woman in tighter.
“Of course. Of course I will. I would be so honored to be your maid of honor.”
“Thank you.I love you so much.”
“Love you too.” Rebecca responds and plants a kiss to Keeley’s cheek.
“Yeah I’m not going to do any of that.” Roy indicates in the direction of Keeley and Rebecca cuddling before fixing his eyes on Ted. He takes a deep sigh, as if it’s paining him to get the words out.“Ted. I need a best man, just do it please.” Ted looks slightly choked as he takes this in.
“Are you sure?” He asks.
“Of course, I’m bloody sure. Would have asked you earlier but wanted to make sure she fucking said yes.”
“Then it would sure be my pleasure.” he grins. Keeley claps, and Roy almost looks pleased.
“Group hug, group hug.” Keeley requests, standing up and clutching Rebecca’s hand, gathering them all in together. As they embrace, Ted’s hand slips to Rebecca’s lower back, making small circles and she almost wishes that she hadn’t put his jacket on so she could feel his fingers against her bare skin again. She’ll blame the champagne, but the more he touches her, the greedier she feels for more.
The foursome release to find Beard snapping a pic. “Cute moment, thought it should be documented.” He shrugs.
“Thats that then. Now can we get back inside because it’s fucking Baltic out here.” Roy demands, making his way to the door. “Ted, Beard some of the lads are requesting flip cup. It’s already past 2 and we’ve probably all ingested the yearly alcoholic intake of a small island nation so what’s a bit more.”
Beard’s team wins at flip cup.
It had started well for Team Ted, he’d opened up strongly, Rebecca had surprising skill at both flipping and downing.“Should have seen me in Uni.” She tells him afterwards.
“Damn I wish.”
It’s Will where the wheels come off the wagon, he just couldn’t find the motion. Then Keeley’s nails were too long and by the time they came to Bumbercatch, Team Beard was already victorious.
Beard’s secret weapon had been Higgins. Him and Julie having come to the conclusion that if the kids were going to set the house on fire, that it would have happened already so why not stay out a bit longer. It could be their one wild night of the decade.
Post game, things start to chill down. More people headed home and a few players start to pass out wherever they can find a comfortable spot. Jamie sat in the corner, quietly, thoughtfully eating some of Ted’s tart.
It’s nearing four-thirty before Ted & Rebecca leave after taking some time to sober up. Attempts to hail an Uber are unsucceessful, so they decide that walking is the best option. Keeley quietly suggests to Rebecca that her and Ted should share the spare room. “It’s not quite the time.” She’d sighed in response.
“Babe, it’s a new year, so we are going to talk about all this soon? Aren’t we?” Keeley strokes her arm, soothingly. Rebecca gives her a nod of assurance before she heads towards the front door, where Ted is readying himself for the walk back.
“Sure you can make it in those tall ol’ heels?” Ted asks as she sits on the stairs, skirt fanned out around her, easing the shoes back on.
“It might take a little longer but I think I can make it.”
She chuckles when he puts on his big puffy Richmond jacket on over his suit.
“Eh, I guess it isn’t the most stylish but it sure is cozy.”
“It’s ok, you still look — Perfect.“
“A boy’s gonna get big-headed. But back 'atcha, still looking mighty fine, Becca.”
They head out into the night after a multitude of hugs from Keeley, gruff thanks from Roy, and some final congratulations and admiration of the ring. Ted offers Rebecca his arm and she loops one of hers through securely, walking closer than may be totally necessary, enjoying the remainder of the tipsy buzz running through her bloodstream and the way their hips occasionally bump together.
The streets are mostly empty, the majority long asleep, but they pass the occasional reveler, like them, traipsing home. A pair even chant, “Richmond ’til we die!” and Rebecca feels even giddier from the warmth that the fans now show her and Ted.
Locked in step, despite the protest from her feet, (why must the most beautiful shoes always be the most painful?) Rebecca almost wishes that this walk, this night would never end.And maybe Ted is feeling something similar because the nearer they get to her home, the slower he seems to walk. He pauses before they reach her front door, turns and takes her hands. His eyes looking dark and clear, illuminated by the streetlights
“Make a New Year’s wish Becca.” He asks. “I’ll make one too.”
“Do we have to share?”
He chuckles, “Not now, only when they come true.”
She’s tired and still tipsy enough, that she doesn’t try to hide from herself, pretend that she doesn’t know exactly what she wants. She doesn’t have to close her eyes to imagine, she looks at him and her front door and wishes them into a place where they’re going home together and he doesn’t leave her here alone.