Page 45 of Learn the Play
“What? You want to stop at one?” My brow furrows. I couldn’t possibly imagine only having one child with her. The smile she gives me in answer to my question warms my heart.
“Can we maybe get this one here first?” she asks, grinning. I know that she’s secretly elated at the prospect of a future with a family of our own beyond this baby. I can see us with a house full of kids, and the vision alone builds hope in my chest.
“Sure, sure.” I nod, but I’m already seeing us sitting on the back porch, watching our kids play in the yard—our future flashes in my mind like a movie I want to watch on repeat.
“What about my dad?” she asks.
“What about him?”
“He’s not going to take this well.”
“I don’t care what he thinks, Bellamy, or how he takes it. I’m one of the highest-ranked tight ends in the league. I show upand give everything I’ve got on the field. He can ride my ass in practice and in games. Hell, he can bench me. My contract is solid. Besides, it doesn’t matter what he tosses at me. I can learn the play.”
“What if you get traded?”
“Then we’ll figure it out together.”
“He’s going to be hard on you.”
“Fine.” I nod. “Then I get to come home to you. So, like I said, he can push me as hard as he wants, because at the end of the day, you’re mine. He didn’t fight like he should have. He and I are not the same.”
“Okay,” she whispers.
With my index finger, I lift her chin, and she gives me a small smile, which brings back some of the sparkle in those big brown eyes. “Okay?”
She nods. “I’ll move in with you.”
In an instant, there’s a weight lifted from my chest, and my heart soars. I exhale a heavy breath and wrap my arms around her, pulling her into my chest. She fits perfectly, like she always has.
“We’ve got this,” I whisper into her hair.
She leans into me, her voice muffled against my shirt. “We’ve got this,” she repeats softly.
“Can we tell them?” I nod toward the kitchen, where I notice the others standing around. They’re far enough away that we’ve had privacy. Not that I care. I’ll tell anyone who will listen about my girl and our baby.
“The girls know.”
“Can I tell the guys?”
She tilts her head to the side. “They’re your family, Reid. Of course, you can.”
“I know some people wait, so I wanted to make sure you were okay with that.”
“I’m pretty sure Knox and Landry will find out anyway.” She laughs. “And the others, I want your friends to know if you want them to know.”
“Baby, I want to yell it from the rooftops.”
She giggles. “Can we maybe keep it to everyone here at least until I go to the doctor?”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine, but you know, let’s let the professionals confirm and take a look before we start shouting from rooftops.”
I laugh and pull her into a hug. “Anything you want, Dream Girl.” She wiggles out of my hug, and I kiss her lips. “Yo! Family meeting!” I call out.
Slowly, feet shuffle, and everyone surrounds us. I wait for everyone to find a seat before glancing at Baker, who’s holding Camden.
“Come here, buddy,” I say, holding out my arms. Baker must sense something because he stands and brings Camden to me. He snuggles into my chest, and my heart melts. Soon, this will be me. I’ll be holding my son or daughter. “Guess what?” I ask Camden. He lifts his head and places his hands on my cheeks. “You’re going to be a big cousin.”
