She tore into it like a kid on Christmas, gasping when she saw what was inside: a sign reading "The Healing Ground" in beautiful script, with a small soccer ball and ballet slipper intertwined in the design.
"Derek, this is perfect."
"I had it commissioned. Figured we needed to make it official." I pulled out a second, smaller box. "And this is for you."
She opened it slowly this time, her hands shaking. Inside was a silver key on a delicate chain.
"The key to the studio," I explained. "Our future. Everything we've built together."
"And everything we're going to build," she added, fastening it around her neck. "Derek, I love you so much."
"I love you too, Thorn." I kissed her, soft and sweet. "Now come on. We have a studio to set up."
We spent the rest of the day unpacking equipment, arranging furniture, and slowly transforming the empty space into something real. Rosie set up the Pilates area with meticulous care, while I organized my office with books onsports psychology, trauma recovery, and athletic performance.
Around 6 PM, there was a knock on the door.
"Surprise!" Aaron, Max, Maddox, and a handful of our old teammates filed in, carrying pizza boxes and drinks. Behind them came Ivy, Nova, Daisy, and the other girls, their arms filled with decorations.
"What is this?" Rosie laughed.
"Studio warming party," Aaron announced. "We figured you could use some help setting up. And some food. You've probably forgotten to eat."
He wasn't wrong. We'd been so focused on the studio that we’d forgotten lunch.
"Plus," Nova added, hanging streamers, "we wanted to be here for this moment. This is huge, you guys."
For the next few hours, our friends transformed the space. The guys helped move heavy equipment and hang mirrors. The girls decorated the walls with plants and inspiring quotes. Someone, probably Maddox, even brought a sound system.
We played music and just worked on setting up the space of our dreams.
By the time they left, the studio looked professional and inviting. Exactly as we envisioned on those late nights talking about it. Ready to welcome our first clients.
"Thank you," Rosie said, hugging Aaron. "For this. For everything."
"You're my sister. This is what family does." He pulled back, his eyes suspiciously bright. "I'm proud of you, Rosie. Of what you've overcome. Of what you're building."
"We're building it together," Rosie corrected, pulling me into a hug. "All three of us. Because Derek's my family too."
Aaron didn't flinch at the sentiment. Instead, he clapped me on the shoulder. "Take care of her."
"Always."
When everyone had finally left, and it was just Rosie and me in the quiet studio, I pulled her onto the new couch in the waiting area.
"Tired?" I asked.
"Exhausted. But happy." She rested her head on my shoulder. "This is everything I dreamed of and more."
"We officially open next week. The first client is that swimmer you met at your Pilates class."
"The one with the rotator cuff injury, yeah. I'm nervous."
"You're going to be amazing. You've helped so many people already."
"Because you've been right there with me, helping them work through the mental blocks." She looked up at me. "We make a good team."
"The best team." I kissed her softly. "Speaking of which..."
