Alexander's POV
Time seemed to fly by. Our little Asher was now two years old, still brimming with curiosity, his bright eyes lighting up whenever he encountered something new. He had started walking without any support and was now forming small sentences, his development a constant source of amazement for both Victoria and me.
Asher had taken a particular liking to food. Once his milk teeth came in, we began introducing him to solid foods. It didn't take long for him to show an eagerness to try different cuisines, always reaching out for more. As he nibbled on his roasted vegetables at breakfast, Asher turned to me with his usual enthusiasm and asked, "Dada... mom when play?"
"After we eat, we'll go watch your mother play, Asher," I replied with a smile. It was reassuring to see him enjoy his vegetables, knowing it would provide the nutrients he needed for his growing body and will also benefit in his overall health.
Victoria had resumed her tennis career a year after her pregnancy break. She had waited for Asher to grow a bit before returning to the sport, not wanting to miss his early childhood moments. Now, her training and tournaments often took her around the world, limiting the time she could spend with Asher. But today was special. Victoria was set to play in the finals of the Miami Open ATP Masters 1000, and it would be Asher's first time watching her play live.
"Dad, mom's gonna be surprised," Asher giggled, his excitement infectious. We had planned to surprise Victoria with our visit, knowing how much it would mean to her.
"Yes, she'll definitely be surprised," I assured him, watching him finish his breakfast with a mixture of pride and anticipation.
We left the hotel's buffet area and headed to the elevator. I selected the ground floor, where our car was waiting to take us to the Hard Rock Stadium. It was only a 15-minute drive, but with Asher's boundless curiosity, even short trips could be an adventure. I kept him close, aware of his habit of reaching for the closing elevator doors—something that never failed to give me a fright.
"Asher, did you like the food?" I asked as we settled into our Bentley Arnage. The car was a spectacular piece of craftsmanship, befitting the occasion. And I had keen interest in well crafted cars more than serialised ones as they didn't appeal to me as a machine of perfection that was enjoyable when driving and even while in the passenger side.
"It's not bad, but not my favorite," he replied, his honesty refreshing.
As the car moved through the bustling streets of Miami, a scenery very different from Bradenton unfolded before Asher's wide eyes. The city's vibrant energy was reflected in the palm-lined roads of Biscayne Way, giving the day a casual yet exciting vibe. Asher was glued to the window, absorbing the new sights.
"Mama is the best," he suddenly declared after seeing the boarding of his mother's advertisement and her impending match today.
"Oh, so Asher doesn't like his dad, I see," I teased, pretending to be hurt. "I guess I'll just eat the ice cream by myself then."
"Uh, dad is also the best! Ice creeeaaam!" Asher quickly corrected, his eyes lighting up at the mention of a treat. He sure got a sweet and ice cream was surely a dessert everyone liked, he also had different dessert from different cuisines as sometimes change was necessary as repeating things tend to dull the same taste, feel, etc. to anything.
The drive was quick, and soon we arrived at the stadium. The crowd was already gathering, the excitement palpable in the air. Asher clung to my hand as we made our way through the throngs of tennis fans. The stadium was alive with the energy of anticipation, and I could tell Asher was feeling it too, even if he didn't fully understand what was happening yet.
We entered the VIP section, where the view was perfect for watching the match. Asher's eyes widened as he took in the expanse of the stadium, the sheer size of it overwhelming to his young mind. I lifted him onto my lap as we waited for Victoria to step onto the court.
When Victoria finally appeared, the crowd erupted into cheers. Asher's eyes were glued to her, his little hands gripping the edge of the seat. Victoria's eyes scanned the crowd, and when she spotted us, her face lit up with surprise. I could see the joy in her eyes, and I knew our surprise visit had made her day.
"Mommy!" Asher called out, his voice carrying over the noise of the crowd. Victoria waved at us, her smile even brighter.
As the match began, the atmosphere grew tense. The commentators provided their insights, discussing Victoria's strategy and her formidable opponent. I could see Asher watching intently, his eyes following the ball as it zipped back and forth across the court. He was too young to understand the intricacies of the game, but the sheer intensity of the match was enough to captivate him.
The game was intense, with both players fighting fiercely for every point. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, their collective breath held as Victoria fought to secure another title. I held Asher close, feeling his little heart beating fast, mirroring the tension in the stadium. As the they both won sets back and forth while sometimes even break even points become common as both of them were giving their all and passion for the sports was very visible in them. As every hit, every serve, every point brought the game closer to end it became more and more exhausting for both of them.
And then, with a final, powerful stroke, Victoria won the match. The crowd exploded in cheers, and I lifted Asher high into the air, his giggles mingling with the jubilant roar of the fans as even though it was a long match for a kid he still cheered throughput the match to support his mother. Victoria was handed the trophy, her face glowing with triumph as she raised it high.
Asher's eyes were wide with awe as he watched his mother lift the trophy in their direction as to celebrate with them, a fire igniting within him. This was the moment that planted the seed of passion in his young heart—a passion that would grow and lead him to create his own legacy in the world of tennis.
After the match, we made our way down to the court. Victoria was surrounded by media and fans asking questions and autograph, but when she saw us, she pushed through the crowd to reach us.
"Asher! My little champ!" she exclaimed, scooping him up in her arms.
"Mommy! You win!" Asher beamed, his tiny arms wrapping around her neck.
"I did, thanks to my biggest fan," Victoria said, kissing his cheek.
The photographers captured the moment, the image of Victoria holding her son on the court becoming an iconic picture in the world of tennis as it showed the gentle side of the one of the fiercest and agressive style player. But for us, it was just a precious family moment—one that marked the beginning of a journey we couldn't yet fully understand. After that we had multiple photos together, and Asher holding the trophy and many more moments were surely captured today.
As we left the stadium and headed back to the hotel, the day's events played over in my mind. Victoria had won another title, but more importantly, we had shared an unforgettable experience as a family. Asher's excitement hadn't waned; even after the match, he was still talking about the game, his little mind processing everything he had seen. After exchanging some pleasantry with her rival and the guests we decided it was time to head back to hotel, after she got her post match therapy etc as I didn't know well about all the protocol that goes after a match.
That night, as we tucked Asher into bed, I couldn't help but think about the future. Victoria and I had always agreed that we wouldn't pressure Asher into following in our footsteps. But watching him today, seeing the spark in his eyes, I wondered if tennis would become his passion too.
"Alex," Victoria whispered as we lay in bed, "Did you see how he was watching? He was so focused."
"I did," I replied, smiling in the dark. "He's definitely our son."
"We'll let him choose his path," she said softly. "But if he wants this, I'll be there every step of the way."
"And so will I," I agreed, pulling her close. "We'll support him no matter what."
As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't shake the feeling that today had been the start of something special. Asher was still young, his future unwritten. But whatever path he chose, I knew it would be extraordinary—just like him.