“I told you, she’s going to be a freak athlete.”
I look down at her again. “Maybe you’re right.”
He watches us intently and licks his lips. “Don’t take all her milk, baby girl. Leave some for Daddy.”
“Are you out of your fucking mind?” I practically shout.
He laughs. “I’m just messing with you. We’ll wait a few more weeks for that,” he announces with a smirk on his face.
She eats for a while before I motion toward the bathroom. “You should shower and change. Vance brought your bag from the locker room.”
He’s still in his uniform pants and a T-shirt with my face on it that reads:My Wife is Hotter Than Your Wife. He was wearing it under his jersey for the game and planned to show it off in post-game interviews.
A year ago, that would have been a giant red flag. Now I love it. He loves me so openly and proudly.
“Will you be okay?” he asks with concern written all over his face.
I look down at her and nod. “She and I need a little time alone together.” Lifting my face so my eyes meet his, I say, “I’m sorry you didn’t get to celebrate with your team. I feel like you got deprived of the glory you deserved. If you want to get out of here for a bit, she and I will be fine.” I’m not sure that’s true, but he got shorted so much today. I can always have a nurse help me if I need it.
He gets down on his knees so our eyes are on the same level. He softly kisses my lips before saying, “I appreciate you saying that, but this has been the best day of my life and football has nothing to do with it. There is nowhere in the world I’d rather be. No one I’d rather be with. You two are my everything, and I will spend every day of my life proving that to you. There is zero chance I will be leaving your side anytime soon, so get used to me being around.”
With glassy eyes, I nod. I hit the jackpot with this amazing man.
Five minutes later, I can hear him singing “Waterfalls” in the shower. I look down at Rose, who’s somewhere between eating and sleeping, I’m not sure which.
“Daddy loves that ridiculous song. The rap verse will probably be your first words.”
She coos in contentment. Damnit, she already loves the song. It’s probably because he sang it into my stomach a thousand times over the past few months.
I gently rub her cheek with the backs of my fingers, marveling at the softness of her peaches-and-cream skin. “Look, we both know Daddy is going to be a rock star. I’m going to need you to bear with me. I’m going to mess up, but I promise to try my hardest, and I promise to love you no matter what. Even on my bad days, I won’t ever make you feel anything other than loved and prioritized.”
“You’re going to be a great mom, Kennedy,” an intruding, deep voice declares.
I look up and see my father at the door with a few tears trickling down his face. “I’m afraid, Dad,” I admit.
He nods. “All parents are. Especially with their first. It’s a learning process. I know I wasn’t the best father in the world, but I loved you from the second I saw you and every day since. I know the type of woman you are. You’re going to be a great mom. You’re going to protect and love the hell out of that little girl.”
I exhale a long breath. “I hope you’re right.”
“I know I am.” He nods toward one of the chairs next to my bed. “Pierce forgot his hat. Do you mind if I grab it?”
I look down to make sure nothing is showing that a father shouldn’t see. When I realize it’s not, I nod. “Of course. Daylen is in the shower.”
He sighs. “I can hear that. He’s always singing.”
“Because he’s always happy. It’s nice to be around, isn’t it?”
He offers a small smile as he approaches and grabs the hat. “I suppose it is.”
The sound of the shower water goes quiet, but Daylen loudly announces from the bathroom, “There’s still a little time left in Suck a Dick Sunday. Are you sure you don’t want to imbibe, babe?”
My dad’s smile quickly fades as he growls, “Humblecut, I would sleep with one eye open tonight if I were you.”
I can’t help but laugh, and I think baby Rose does too.
It’s finallytime for us to go home. The Camels sent their team jet back for us so we can fly privately with the baby.
My family went home, but Daylen’s family thankfully stayed to help us. I think I want them all to move in. I’m afraid to dothis without their help. They’ve been amazing for the past few days.
