Page 144 of A Whole New Play

I have full custody of the twins. My co-parenting relationship with Laura is improving. And now I have the woman of my dreams back in my arms. Life couldn’t get any better than this.

“Carter Jones.”

A growl leaves my lips at the interruption, earning a giggle from Valerie.

Reluctantly, I lean back and stare stonily at the reporter shoving a microphone in my face.

Valerie lowers onto her heels, but she doesn’t step out of my arms.

“Carter,” the man continues unapologetically. “You and the Rough Riders just won the Super Bowl after one hell of a season.”

Oh, yeah… I did. Didn’t I?

“How do you plan to celebrate?”

I look back at Valerie and the twins.

“With my family.” I match my kids’ smiles and press another light kiss on Valerie’s lips. “How does that sound?” I ask her quietly.

Her eyes shine, but her smile is just as bright as mine. “That sounds great to me.”

EPILOGUE

CARTER

“Do you think Valerie will like our sign?” Andy asks self-consciously.

“She’s going to love it,” Abby reassures her brother even as she rolls her eyes. “Stop worrying so much.”

He looks down at the handpainted “Welcome Home” sign he spent hours working on and chews his bottom lip. “I don’t know. I’m not sure she’s going to like the colors. I should’ve used more green. That’s her favorite.”

Corey places a hand on Andy’s shoulder and squeezes. “It’s a great sign, little dude.”

“Yeah,” my sister seconds in an upbeat voice, leaning around her fiancee to smile at her nephew. “Valerie will be touched you made it for her.”

“You think so?”

“I know so,” Carlee replies.

The anxiety fades from my son’s expression, replaced by excitement that rivals his sisters.

The baggage claim conveyor belt buzzes. The screen above flashes “First Bag” and lists Valerie’s flight number.

Anticipation makes my chest tighten.

“Oh my god,” the gasp steals my attention. “It’s Carter Jones!”

I turn and see a group of teenagers gawking at me. Their eyes shift left and one cries, “And that’s Corey Johnson!”

My best friend grumbles under his breath, but he lifts a hand to wave.

I do the same and throw in a smile, “Hey, guys.”

“Can we get a picture?” A boy wearing a Rough Riders hat asks, looking starstruck.

“Sure.” I step away from my family, hitting Corey’s back as I walk by to make him come with me.

Carlee follows and offers to take the picture. The teenager practically throws his phone at her in excitement.

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