Page 121 of The Way We Score

“Eight pounds.” She rubs my shoulder. “If your doctor’s any good at all, she’ll help you.”

“My doctor’s pretty good.”

Garrett looks up at us from the field and does a little salute. Lifting my hand, I wave, forcing a smile.

While I’m not feeling terribly confident, it helps to know she’s done it and survived… and is actually doing it again.

“So what’s this HypnoBirthing? Tell me all about it.”

I fill her in on the details while we watch the guys on the field. It’s a different experience being up here instead of on the sidelines dancing. When I used to be at every game, he’d walk over and we could hold hands a minute in between turnovers.

He was as focused then as he is now, and we all erupt into cheering screams when he turns to stop a cornerback at the last second, creating an opening for Ricky to complete the pass and score the winning touchdown.

The sports announcers go crazy, shouting that The Bear is back. It seems like every time I look at the jumbotron, Maddy and I are on it. All of this is new and exciting, and baby girl is kicking like crazy.

Confetti rains down on the field as the guys flood out to pick Ricky off his feet and slap Garrett’s shoulders. He and Charlie do their fist-bump routine, and Maddy grabs my hand.

“Come on!” She pulls me out of the box and to the elevator.

In just a few minutes, we’re out on the field, and Garrett’s the first one to meet us. He’s a sweaty mess, but he pulls me into a hug that makes me laugh.

“Wasn’t sure I could pull that off after such a long break.” A smile splits my cheeks, and I hold his face when he kisses me long and hard. “Were you okay with Maddy?”

“Yes!” It’s all I’m able to say between the noise and the hustle of the guys.

Garrett has to speak to the reporter on the field. She asks how it feels to back, and he shakes his head.

“It’s always great to play with the Pirates.” He smiles, holding out his hand, which I take. “I’m glad to be going out on a high note.”

“There’s been a lot of talk about your legacy with Logan Murphy and now Berke and Holmes picking up where you left off. What do you think about that?”

“It’s how football dynasties are made. I can’t be out here forever, so it’s good to know the team’s in good hands.”

She nods, and Ricky’s right behind him, ready for his turn on the mic. “Good game, Grizz.” He slaps Garrett’s back before stepping in front of him.

I’m annoyed, but Garrett’s eyes are fixed on mine. “Let’s get out of here.”

He’s smiling big as we leave the field, and I look back ready to call Ricky out for being ungrateful.

“How are you feeling?” We’re at the large entrance leading to the locker rooms, and Garrett’s hand is on my shoulder. “Are you tired?”

“Not right now.” Reaching out, I take his hand. “Feel this.”

We stop walking, and his palm spreads flat over my large midsection. His brow rises as he starts to laugh. “She’s going crazy in there.”

“I think we have a football fan on the way.”

“She’s cheering for her Papa Bear.” Leaning down, he holds my jaw as he kisses me slow. “Or maybe she’ll be a dancer like her mama when she gets here.”

“And her aunt Dylan.”

“Don’t look now. We’re on the Jumbotron.”

“Again?” I look over my shoulder, and the cameras are right on us again.

“What do we do?”

“Go with Fred to the car, and I’ll do a quick change and meet you there.”

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