Maddox's POV

"Holy Shit..." 

I nod in understanding as we look around the colossal arena. The room filled with flags of all different nations. This is nothing like the games we play. This arena could easily fill two of our stadium in it. Finding our seats didn't take long, we were escorted to our seats. Security here was madness. The amount guards ranged vastly while they remained within eye shot of each other. Luke look on just as amazed as I'm sure I was. 

Upon arrival in Japan, we were toured around the immediate city. Zethora's hand was always locked with mine making me smile. Luke was a constant thorn in my side but Z seemed amused by him. He had never left the country so he looked around like a kid on Christmas. It was fucking hilarious to watch a 60 year old trying swatting at him for not taking off his shoes in her shop. They definitely had different customs here. We quickly learned to be respectful not wanting to come off as rude. 

We went to a sushi bar the first evening and we learned that Luke doesn't have the stomach for raw fish. He left shortly after the first few bites stating he would order in at the hotel. It gave us some much needed Luke free time. The dinner experience was amazing. What was more amazing that no one and I mean NO ONE came up to us for autographs or photos. It didn't seem that anyone knew us or didn't care... Either way, it was a nice reprieve from our usual experience out in public. 

The following day, Zethora had an immediate practice with her coach. He came hammering on our door at 5 am. He was a bit surprised to see me open the door before he shook it off and went directly to Zethora who was still laying in bed. Following him, I stood by the door to see Zethora chuck a pillow at his face earning a chuckle from me. My girl is NOT a morning person... He left shortly after telling her she had 10 minutes. Her middle finger making an appearance to his retreating form. She sauntered out of bed still only in my shirt from the previous day. My eyes following her legs to the bathroom. 

She left shortly after and the rest of the day, she practiced. Luke decided to drag me around town. I decided it wouldn't hurt and we ended up finding some interesting shops. Luke bout some unique artifacts to take back to his mom. I did the same for my family, finding a beautiful paper dragon for Jackie. 

"Maddox!" 

My head snapped up to look Arabella waving as she slid in the isle. I stood up to hug her followed by the rest of the family. Arabella took the seat next me with Troy by her side. After Tyler bro hugged Luke, he sat next to him. I then noticed three familiar faces coming our way with drinks and signs in their hands. My smirk spreading at Zethora's support team. Macy winked at Tyler before sitting down in front of me with Chris and Derek on both sides of her. 

Arabella begins leaning over to me so I bend down towards her. 

"Do you think she is okay?"

I smile at her worried tone. Her fingers picking out her nails. Zethora has the same habit when she is deep in thought. I take her hand stopping her from doing it. Her eyes look up to me while I nod reassuringly to her. She gasp loudly looking at my chest. My eyebrows furrow in confusion looking down to where she is staring. Her hand gently comes up cupping the ring in her palm. Her hand trembling slightly while her eyes glisten. My face softening looking to her. She gives me a warm smile looking up with watery eyes. 

"You received my mother's approval.." 

Her voice soft and slightly shaky but her eyes hold nothing but love. My finger unconsciously goes up to hold the ring. She watches my movement and wipes away a fallen tear. She giggles shaking her head at a memory. 

"That chain use to ALWAYS fall off of Zethora's neck... she thought the chain just hated her. She couldn't never get rid of the chain though, it was our mother's. She wore it just like you do now." 

I rub the circular golden object in my finger letting her words sink in. I have never had a problem with the chain. Hell, I wore it during the Superbowl. Arabella reaches out placing her hand on mine. My eyes locking with her big doe eyes. She has such an angelic face, it reminds me fondly of my sister. 

RING RING RING

We both jump pulling out my phone to see my mother is face timing me. I hold out the phone answering the call as her face shows up on my screen. She begins waving frantically making me laugh and wave. My dad pushes up beside her. She tells me to let her see everything. Turning the phone around, I swivel it slowly around hearing my mom gasp in amazement. 

"Dox, is our girl ready?"

"Yes mom. She's ready.." 

"Oh how I do wish we were there." 

My mother pouts for a split second before shaking her head of the thoughts. Jackie then jumps onto her lap waving at me as well. 

"Uncle Dox, where's my aunt Z?"

Chuckles come from Luke beside me as he elbows me. I shove his shoulder before answering my adorable niece.

"She's getting ready to compete sweetie.." 

"GIVE HER A KISS FOR ME!" 

At this everyone around me laughs lowly hearing her scream through my phone. I chuckle along with them nodding my head before she jumps off my mom's lap. 

"Where's Cass?"

I ask noticing her not around. My mom sighs shaking her head. I lean forward getting worried. 

"She's at the office, she wanted to make sure everything was done for Ms. Knight." 

At this Macey's turns her head with her eyes narrowed. She quickly pulls out her phone before dialing a number. It takes less than a minute for me to begin hearing her scolding my sister to leave the office. Macey really is just trying to help but it made me grin hearing my kid sister getting told off by her boss. 

"I think she is on her way home mom" 

"THANK YOU MACEY!"

Macey turns around in her seat. I turn the phone to face her as she winks at my mother and waves before turning back around. Chris taps her shoulder pointing to something in the arena. Letting my mom know I need to get off the phone since the arena's music was lowering. She informed me they were set up in the living room to watch. 

My attention turns to the arena floor. We watch on for the next half an hour as they perform an elaborate routine. Luke's mouth agaped watching the performance. After the show, they begin announcing each of the countries as they come out of the tunnel. Troy letting us know that it's alphabetical order. I couldn't believe the amount of athletes who were performing in the games. 

"Jesus man, how many people are playing in the games?"

Luke ask leaning over to me. Arabella giggles holding her hand over her mouth. We both look to her with raised eyebrows. She shakes her head amused before answering. 

"These sports span over two weeks. There are 28 different events, 92 nations and to answer your question... there is nearly 3,000 athletes here., over 200 of those are from America." 

I breathe out slowly just now taking this in. Luke whistles leaning back in his seat. Some time later the United States group emerges from tunnel. I stand up yelling along with the rest of the group. My eyes searching endlessly for my girl. Arabella screeches pointing her out. It took me another minute to find her but when I did, I didn't take my eyes off of her. I knew she couldn't see us but that didn't stop me from whistling and shouting loudly. Her teammate Laurie Hernandez has her arm locked with Z's. She is smiling so big and Laurie is bouncy around like a hyperactive bunny. 

"Bro! She knows fucking Laurie Hernandez!" 

Luke's eyes look like they are going to bug out of his head. Tyler looks to him with a raised brow. 

"Dude, she is too young for you." 

My eyes still locked on my sweetheart while chuckling at my friend's banter. Macey turns around in her seat waving for me to lean forward. 

"So should I be designing a wedding dress soon?"

I grin still looking at Zethora who is looking around but can't see any of us. Her smile still intact as Laurie continues talking to her. My heart warms knowing that smile. The sky lights up with fireworks as I answer Macey. 

"Absolutely"