"You're on," Deborah said.

"Unfortunately we won't be able to watch it live," Chris responded, "So I'll Tivo it. We'll just avoid any news on the way home."

Chris and Deb had a reoccurring bet since they started dating. Chris was from Washington D.C. and a Redskins fan while Deb grew up in New York, and rooted for the Giants.

"I told Patty that it wouldn't make a difference if Timmy got christened next month, but she didn't agree. It starts at one thirty. And then there is lunch at some restaurant after." Deb said.

"We could skip the and maybe be home by five?"

"No, we can't. I know how much you hate small talk, but we'd miss the game anyway." The couple made their way through the mall, "So what's thewinner get this time?" Deb asked.

"Looser cooks for a week?"

"Hmm, I don't know if my stomach could handle winning that again."

"Hey!" Chris responded giving his wife a playful nudge on the shoulder.

Still laughing Deb said, "We need to pick up some of that coffee for Patty."

Deb guided Chris through the maze of retail, directly to the kitchen supply store. While Chris filled a one pound bag Deb wandered the aisles. When he had finished he found his wife perusing the cutlery section, "Do we need anything else?" He asked.

"Not really, unless I found our bet?"

"What do you mean?"

Deb said lifted a long breadboard, "the looser gets 10 with this?"It was 18 inches long unfinished wood with a handle carved into it.

Chris laughed out loud, "Um, ouch?"

"What's the matter, worried?"

"Me, my team has a quarterback."

"Ok then, ten for the looser, that's a good number."

"Ten how about a little more interesting? We'll go by the difference in the score?"

"Oh, I don't think I could hit you that many times. But if you think you can handle it, OK"

"Fine, may the best man win" Chris said emphasizing "man"

"The only position I have to think about is your's, bent over," She said holding out her hand. Chris took it and they firmly shook.

"Wow, that service was painful," Chris commented.

Debbie let another couple enter the restaurant ahead of them and tugged Chris' sleeve to stop, "That's three times you said painful in the last ten minutes. You preoccupied with what you're getting later." She whispered.

Chris laughed and walked through the door, "You betterhope not, because you'll be the one paying for it if you loose."

"If? You don't sound too confident," Deb said following.

One of the couple that they had entered with had over heard Chris' comment, "Sounds like someone has a bet going?"

Deb answered as they took their seats at a nearby table, "Chris and I always have a bet on any Giants Redskin's games."

"Mixed marriage huh?" The men said, taking a seat. As the whole table chuckled, the man's wife answered, "So what is the bet."

Deborah glanced at Chris who was reaching for his water glass. A mischievous grin spread across her face as she turned to the woman, "It's usually pretty tame, this time we've upped the stakes though." She turned back toward Chris. "This year the loser won't be sitting down for quite a while after the game."

Chris blushed. He didn't believe she would really say anything, but the way she'd been acting recently, Chris didn't want to take that chance. "Yeah, all the chores that were put off from coming down here get to be done by the looser after the game," Chris said as his eyes met Deb's.

The look she gave him said, "ha-ha made you small talk."

The rest of the lunch passed uneventfully. After coffee had been served, Chris leaned over to Deb, "We should get going. If we leave now we'll get home around the end of the late games."

"Well we have a long drive, it was nice meeting everyone." Debbie announced, "email me those pictures when you get a chance."

"As soon as I get home," answered the woman they walked in with.

Chris immediately went to the TV and checked the saved programs. There it was in big bold letters NFL FOOTBALL WASH VS NYG 1:00PM.

"You know? Part of me is a little disappointed," Deb said as she walked in carrying the paddle, "If you missed it, we could just check the final score and I could start using this on you," She laid the paddle across the top of the TV.

The first half passed quickly. There was more emotion in the living room than on the field. Deb taunted Chris about every good New York play, and ridicule for every Washington mistake. Chris' only response was, "you know, you really sound more like an Eagle's fan." She answered by sticking out her tongue. The half ended in a 6 - 6 tie.

Chris paused the TV, "Do you want something for dinner?"

"Good idea, you won't be able to sit comfortably to eat if we wait until after."

Chris chuckled, "What do you want?" "To eat," he added just as Debbie was going to make a smart comment.

"What ever you're having is fine," she said as she kissed him. "Having for dinner, not what you're getting later," she joked and grabbed his ass. "I'm going to get changed."

"Wear something easy to pull down," he replied giving her a squeeze.

Deb ran upstairs while Chris made two sandwiches. He put them, a bag of chips, and two beers on the coffee table. He stopped in front of the TV and hefted the paddle. Chris swung it slowly once through the air. This was certainly the heaviest implement they owned and a part of him was not looking forward to feeling it. Especially not tonight, "Let's go guys." He replaced the paddle and trotted toward the stairs like the players heading into the locker room.

Chris changed into sweatpants and his team jersey. Deb was across the hall at the computer in her Giants sweatshirt and stretch pants, "Just checking emails. We got those pictures for the christening."

"You ready to get put away in the second half."

"You were watching the same game I was right?"

"If it was the one with the sucky team in maroon, then yes" she joked.

"You just don't quit. You're cocky because it's close. Probably be decided by a field goal. So only three swats."

"Ok then, let's up the bet. Double?"

"You sure you want to do that"

"Yeah my arm won't get tired."

"OK then, double it is."

The second half went much like the first. Nothing exciting, but neither potential spankee gave up on their team. With under a minute to go, Washington had just tied the game.

"Come on boys, hold 'em and take this thing to overtime." Chris said leaning off the couch.

"Plenty of time Big Blue. A field goal for six of the best." The kick went up. Deep and long, it seemed to use up half the time on the clock while in the air. The New York Giant fielded it at the goal line. The ball bounced off his chest and landed a few yards in front "No!" Deb screamed.

The return man tried to scoop up the errant ball but only managed to bat it up the field.

The Washington players drew closer.

"Fall on it, fall on it!" Chris yelled as if they could hear him. Two players dove for the ball but it avoided their grasps and bounced away. Finally as if the ball acted on purpose, it bounced perfectly into the waiting hands of one of the Giants. Most the other players were either on the ground or entangled with someone else. He took off down the field, easily out distancing everyone else. Only the kicker stood between him and the end zone.

Debbie kept chanting, "Go! Run you fool, run!"

Chris was transfixed mumbling quietly, "get him, get him." The kicker made a valiant attempt, diving for the Giant but only sprawled himself across the field. New York scored a touchdown with seconds left, and the rest of the game ticked away while Chris sat dumbfounded.

Deborah on the other hand instantly sprang up and retrieved the paddle, "Woo Hoo! Go big Blue, go big Blue!" She sang as she held it over her head like a trophy. Chris looked at his wife in disbelief, "Let's go mister, There's going to be one more Redskin tonight."

Chris chuckled despite himself, "You've been saving that one," Deb just nodded with a huge grin, "I should paddle you just for making such a bad joke."

Laughing and motioning to the stairs she replied, "Oh no, this is all for you. 14."

Chris led the way upstairs. "Hands on the bed should work nicely," Deb stated stepping up beside her husband. Chris bent forward, placed his palms on the bed with his feet wide apart. He raised his head and took a deep breath. He glimpsed his wife while she stroked the flat of the paddle. He knew this was going to hurt, but the tingle in his stomach also caused another part of him to tingle.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes," was Chris' reply, followed almost immediately by a loud smack. Chris felt his cheeks go numb for a split second, but didn't feel as much pain as he expected. The second swat fell exactly like the first. This time a sting lingered.

"Hmm, I think these need to go," Deb said lowering the paddle. She hooked her thumbs through the waistbands of his sweats and his boxers. In one motion she yanked them down to his ankles. The air on his exposed lower half added to both Chris' excitement and trepidation. Deborah continued the blows. Whack, whack, whack. Three quick hits made Chris lift up onto histoes and almost lay on the bed. He knew if got too far out of position, Deb wouldn't count the swats, but brushing against the bed did feel good. Whack, whack. The next two strikes were harder. Chris leaned in again, and let out two loud grunts. He could feel his cheeks tightening up; the tingling behind him was gone, replaced by a deep stinging. With half of the penalty paid, Chris braced himself.

"Now for the double. Too bad it wasn't a field goal." The phone rang. "Oh, looks like you get a halftime," she said as she picked it up. "Hello...Oh hi...nothing, just settling up a bet...one sec mom." Deb patted Chris' red ass while grinning and motioned for him to stand up, "I'll just be a minute."

Chris stretched his back, and turned away from Deb. He shuffled toward the bedroom door and pulled up his boxers. He walked without bending his knees, and gently put is hands to his sore backside. Chris walked into the office and noticed that the computer was on. He thought checking his fantasy football might distract him. Chris sat gently and kept some weight on his feet, he pushed the mouse and the familiar list of new emails appeared. As he moved to "x" out of mail, the preview pane caught his eye.

"Deb, here are the pictures, and congrats on the Giants," read the subject.Chris checked the time stamp, four hours. He stood up slowly and walked purposefully into the bedroom."OK...I will...take care...bye," Deb said haning up thephone. She reached for the paddle, "Ok Hon, ready for the second half?"

"I don't think so," he responded.

"A bet's a bet?" Deb sounded a little unsure.

"Double the bet huh? How many times have I asked you to turn off the computer?"

"Oh you can't weasel out for something like that "

"Oh I'm not. Those are interesting pictures from the christening"

"OK, but what's that got to..." Deb froze. Her eyes darted back and forth. She clutched the paddle tight, "Ok, well, you took your seven, we'll just call it even."

"You cheated, you little..."

"No I didn't, not really. How could I? I would have doubled anyway"

"Deborah, give me the paddle." She melted at the command. Dropping her gaze, she handed Chris the paddle, "now bend over the bed." Deborah's face began to flush as she stepped up to the bed. Chris heart started to race, "Now how many? I could give you the next seven. Or, what was that number you liked? 10 was it?" Deb remained silent, bent over. "After the way you've been acting, and the cheating, I think that's fair. Anything you want to say?"

Deborah took a deep breath, "I deserve it."

Chris drew back the paddle, hesitated an instant, and then swung. Whack. The first smack took Deb's breath away. Whack. The second brought the tingle back to Chris. Watching his wife take what he just got made him want her more and more with each swat. Whack. As the third hit landed, Deborah stood up and put both hands on her ass. "Ow, damn that hurts," she tried to rub out the sting.

"Tell me about it. Back down, you have more." Chris tugged down her pants and panties.

Whack. Deb grunted and dropped her head to the bed. Whack. She lay forwarded rolling onto her side and reached one hand back. Chris waited a moment, and then he heard the sob. The red in Deborah's cheeks had no gentle fade at the edges, only a harsh contrast to the rest of her skin.

"Honey, are you ok?"

"Yes," gasped a weak response.

"Ok, you've had enough, come here."

"No," Deb's replied stronger, "I want the rest." She took her position, sniffed, and wiped back tears.

"Really Deb, it's ok"

"I want the rest, I'm ready...please." Chris lined up the paddle. Whack. This strike was lighter the others. Whack, the next was the same, and the sobs returned. Chris excitement was evident as his boxers pushed out in front, despite the hesitation he felt, "Now we're even."

"Give me the rest," Deb pleaded, panting loudly

"You're sure?"

"Yes. You just be ready to fuck me when you're done."

That comment erased all doubt, and if it was possible Chris' excitement doubled. The paddle rose and fell as hard as the first swat. Whack. Chris drew it back quickly as Deborah let out a grunt. Whack. Chris left the paddle in contact with Deb's ass. Deb pushed back against it, but stayed in position.

"Take me now," Deb practically yelled.

Chris whipped off his boxers, and stepped up behind his wife. The couple started their own game, that in the end left them tired, satisfied, and sore. Both of them hoped their teams would meet more than once again this year.