Page 179 of Restricted List

Cole looks at me, love flashing in his eyes as he rubs the rings on my finger. “For as long as I live. She’s my everything, Skip. I love her.”

I press my forehead against his. “I love you, too.”

My dad stands now, holding out his hand for Cole to shake. Cole stands and grips it firmly. My dad smiles and throws an arm around his shoulders. “Welcome to the family, son.”

That word is all I need to completely lose it.

My dad came around. He accepts us being together, Cole being my husband. He accepts Cole as hisson-in-law.

The dam breaks, and I can’t stop the tears. Cole quickly pulls me into their hug, planting a kiss on top of my head as I cry into my dad’s shoulder.

“Thank you, Skip,” he says, not afraid to let his own emotion show.

My dad breaks apart from us, but Cole keeps his arm around my shoulder, holding me so tightly that it’s like he’s trying to make sure I don’t float away.

“Cole,” my dad says, wiping the tears from his eyes. “Call me Paul.”

Cole lets out a light, watery laugh as he wipes his own eyes. “You know, Paul,” he says, “you’re my first choice for a father-in-law.”

My dad laughs heartily. “That’s because you’ve apparently been in love with my daughter for four years.”

“That definitely doesn’t hurt,” he says, kissing the top of my head.

I step forward and throw my arms around my dad, tears still falling down my cheeks. “Thank you, Dad. I love you.”

“I love you, too, baby girl. I’m sorry I ever made you feel like you couldn’t take control of your own life.” He looks over at Cole and smiles. “You picked a good one, Rory.”

Cole’s grin is wide as I say, “I picked the absolute best one.”

We all take a few moments to compose ourselves after all the emotions even out.

“So,” my dad says, gazing right at us both. “Do you have pictures you can show me from the wedding?”

He stays for a couple hours more, listening to every story we tell him about us and every picture we have together.

We took pictures of ourselves last night, both out on the Strip and after the ceremony, and the chapel provided pictures as well. We even had some wonderful strangers capture the moment Cole got down on one knee, and they were kind enough to AirDrop them to us.

He and Cole also have a conversation about what happens from here. He’s officially off of the restricted list, and he’ll suit up and be back on the field tomorrow. And at my dad’s suggestion, the two of them are going to do a joint press conference before the game to address everything that happened.

He leaves shortly after midnight, leaving us alone and happier than ever.

When I close the door behind my dad, Cole looks at me with the biggest smile on his face. I squeal and run over to him, jumping into his arms as he spins me around.

“Everything worked out, Cole.”

“It was always going to,” he murmurs against my cheek. “There was no way your dad would be able to miss the way I look at you. See the way I love you. He was always going to come around.”

Cole sets me back on the ground, taking my hands in his, and we press our foreheads together. “After the press conference tomorrow, everyone is going to know we’re together.”

“I can’t fucking wait,” he smiles.

“You should be prepared, though. You married a black woman. People are going to leave some cruel comments.”

“And you married a white man, Starlight.” He smiles at me, completely unbothered about what people are going to say. “Technically, though, my wife is biracial.” I can’t help but laugh. “Rory, I don’t care what they say. If they have a problem withyou, they were never fans. Fuck everyone who has anything negative to say about my wife.”

I grin and fist the soft cotton of his T-shirt before kissing him tenderly. “You’re incredible. I love you so much, Cole.”

“I love you, too, Rory. And I’m going to for as long as I live.”

---