“Oh yeah?”
“Yep,” I bubbled, relaxing in the grass. I didn’t care where I was, as long as Rashawn was with me.
“Essex said y’all were in the grass kissing, but I didn’t believe him,” Mrs. Nina squealed.
“Victoria always had her suspicions,” Mr. Jordan chimed in.
Rashawn peered over my shoulder and burst out laughing. I strained my neck to see as well, and the entire family was outside looking at us. We sat up in the grass, and Rashawn helped me to my feet. Once I was on my feet, he dropped to his knees, and Rashawn pulled a necklace from beneath his shirt. A modest diamond ring dangled from the chain, and he snatched it off, lifting it up towards me.
“What we share is special. It’s rare. I know I’ll never find it again. I love you. I have loved you since we were eighteen. You’re my best friend just as much as your brother. I’m ready to love you out loud for the rest of our lives. Everything reminded me of you while we were apart, and Ion ever wanna do that shit again. Elise Marshay Hunter, will you marry me?”
“Yes!” I shouted, bouncing on the balls of my feet with my hand extended in his direction. “I promise it’s me and you for eternity, Rashawn. I’m ready. The outside noise no longer matters.”
Once the ring was on my finger, Rashawn stood, and I leapt into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist while I devoured his face. Loud claps and whistles erupted behind us, but Essex’s shock cut through the noise just as sharply. He’d have to get used to Rashawn playing the role of his best friend and my husband because we were all family, more now than ever.
“No disrespect, Essex. I was planning to ask you for permission after we told you we were a couple, but we skipped a few steps,” Rashawn yelled at him.
“If you would’ve sprang this on me a few years ago, you would’ve had to run me a fade. It’s just weird, man. Seeing my sister with anybody is weird. I guess if it was going to be anybody, I’d prefer it be you. You know how I’m rocking behind Elise, and you’re probably the most chill I’ve ever seen you in my life. I know you’ll take good care of her and my niece or nephew.”
“You know I got them,” Rashawn dapped him up, then glanced down at me. “You want to get married in Tennessee next weekend? We can take that trip to Tennessee with Essex and Nariyah and tie the knot up there without the waiting period. My mama can skip church for us this one time. We just need to get Nash there because I gotta make jit my best man.”
“Damn, you taking my sister and my son?” Essex nudged him.
“We had a deal. You know that’s my lil nigga. Plus, he told me on Halloween that he knew we had something going on. We were planning to tell you that Sunday, after everybody left y’all crib, but then that shit happened with Myron. We didn’t want to pile too much on at once. This ain’t about you, though, Essex. This is about my baby. Do you want to get married next weekend? Become Mrs. Williams in Tennessee?” Rashawn redirected his attention to me.
“We could get married tonight, and I’ll be happy as long as I get to spend the rest of my life with you,” I cooed, peering up at him.
Rashawn leaned down and pecked my lips before I cuddled up against his chest. He announced our plans to the family, eliciting another round of celebrating that Essex joined in on that time. The support from our family that mattered was more than I could’ve imagined. It drowned out all the negativity that wanted to fester in the back of my mind. I had to live my life for me from that moment forward.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Elise Marshay Hunter
With Rashawn by my side, the last week before winter break flew by. It was my birthday, and the greatest gift was waking up in Rashawn’s arms with our baby growing inside of me. Of course, that wasn’t enough for Rashawn. The mountain of gifts on my dining room table took me a moment to get through before leaving the house for the last day of school. It was a half day, and we were scheduled for our first prenatal appointment, so my team got off easy without one last practice before break.
Rashawn texted me that he was on his way up to my classroom, and I closed my laptop. My door swung open a few moments later, and Cara entered with a swarm of balloons battling their way inside behind her.
“Happy birthday, Coach Hunter!” The entire team celebrated once they were inside.
“Ladies…” I blubbered, happy tears overwhelming me.
“Awww Coach. We didn’t take you for a softie,” Cara joked.
“I’m definitely a softie,” I admitted before going around to hug each girl and offer a sincere thanks.
When I got to Cara, she embraced me in a hug, then placed a small yellow gift box in my hand. “From the team. We appreciate you so much for your hard work and dedication.”
“Yeah, we have grown so much this season, and you’ve instilled a level of confidence in us that we definitely didn’t have going into this season. We were prepared to be fish food at every match,” Taylor joked.
“No way. This team is small but most definitely mighty. I can’t wait to see you ladies compete after winter break. No slacking off while on break, either. Eat right and exercise daily,” I lectured.
“We already know, Coach,” Melody confirmed.
“I only heard Melody. Does everybody know to eat right and exercise daily during winter break?”
“We know,” they chanted in unison.
“Good,” I nodded and pulled the top off the gift box.
