Vance and I have played together long enough that I know he’s reading my mind.
The ball is hiked, and I run my route straight toward the endzone with defenders draped all over me. Peeking back, I see Vance scrambling out of the pocket, away from defenders. I change course a bit to get to myself on the same side of the field as him, making the throw a bit easier. In the process, I shake all but one defender.
I can’t tell you how many times my father and I ran this play in our backyard. We’d pretend it was the Super Bowl, and I’d run as far away as I could before he’d throw it as far as he could. I’d catch it and we’d celebrate like it was actually the big game.
I’m now living that moment for real. Vance plants his feet and throws the ball high into the night sky. It’s a perfect spiralheading straight for me. The defender and I are shoulder to shoulder as we make our way to the back of the endzone, both with the goal of catching that ball, both with an equal chance of catching it.
As the ball approaches from the sky, we leap into the air for it. Both our hands grab it at the same time, but I muscle it away from him before dragging my toes down and then falling out of bounds. I think I got mine down in bounds, but it’s hard to tell. The back judge holds up his arms, indicating a touchdown. We win.
My teammates are all running toward me, but I do a little airplane move to get away from them so I can bust out all my best dance moves. First, I do my little swim move, then the Cabbage Patch, then the Running Man, then the Ted Lasso, all before I rock the baby and point to the suite where I know Kennedy is sitting, making my hands into a heart shape. I can’t see her with all the flashes and confetti, but I know she’s there smiling at me.
My teammates finally reach me and pile on top of me, blanketing me with their bodies in mere seconds.
Madness ensues as everyone around looks to congratulate me. What I really want is my family, but I know it will take them time to be escorted by security from their suite down to the field.
Given his size, I see my father first. His blue eyes are filled with tears. I know he remembers all the nights we practiced together for this very moment.
He wraps me in a huge bear hug and lifts me off the ground. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad. I wouldn’t be here without you.”
“I love you, son.”
“Love you too, Dad.”
Next, Jagger leaps into my waiting arms, screaming and crying tears of joy. Ashleigh follows shortly after, but I can’t find my girl. “Where’s Kennedy?” I ask them.
There’s some commotion with Vance and Sulley. People start to move toward them. When they clear away, that’s when I see my wife, standing on the sidelines with tears in her eyes.
She’s waiting for me. I start running toward her and smash my lips to hers as soon as we come together. She briefly kisses me back, but then mumbles into my lips, “I’m so sorry.”
I jerk my head back in surprise. “Why? What’s wrong?”
She looks down at her body. “My water just broke.”
EPILOGUE
KENNEDY
I’m sitting in my hospital room watching Daylen hold our daughter. He’s so gentle with her. He knows exactly how to hold her and soothe her. It’s all so foreign to me. I’m terrified that I’m now responsible for the little being who can’t do anything for herself. He’s calm as a cucumber, loving every minute of it, unwilling to let anyone else hold her or do anything for her.
The madness of today is running on a loop through my mind. I might still be in shock.
It was an exciting game that I got to watch from a luxury suite purchased by Vance and Daylen. It was filled with our friends and families. I laughed my ass off when we busted Pierce and Jagger locked in the bathroom together. Hank wasn’t as amused as I was.
I got to watch my husband be the big hero on what must be one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history.
I was hanging back to let Daylen have his moment with his father. It was emotional seeing the way they embraced each other. I can almost imagine long nights of the two of themthrowing a ball, preparing for this moment. Their bond is so strong. Love and admiration ooze from them when they’re together.
I could see him looking for me, loving that he wanted me in his big moment. The second our eyes met, I felt a pop and then liquid running down my legs.
I was frozen in shock, thinkingnot now. Please,not now.
As soon as Daylen realized it, he went into full-blown, take-charge, papa bear mode. He did what he’s done this entire pregnancy. He took care of me and our baby without an ounce of hesitation. I did nothing but allow myself to be taken care of. I’m not sure he understands how much that means to me.
Given that there’s emergency personnel on hand at these events, he had us in the back of an ambulance speeding off the field and toward the hospital within only a few minutes.
Ten minutes later, in the back of that same ambulance, baby Rose came into this world with my husband right by my side, whispering words of love and encouragement.
