Epilogue
NATALIE
EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER
The energy in the stadium was off the charts as I scanned the crowd in a sea of blue and orange colors. I was in one of the luxury suites, surrounded by friends and family, while my husband played his heart out on the field. I adjusted myself to get a better view, where one of our players was sprinting forward and dodging tackles. The crowd roared, and the official blew the whistle, signaling a first down for the Arrows.
I took a sip of my water when I felt the baby kick again. “Take it easy there, little one.” I rubbed my pregnant belly, feeling ready to pop at any second.
The offensive line huddled in a circle while our quarterback, Brent Wilson, barked out plays and signals. The team lined up, and I noticed Rhett crouched forward, ready to take off. The ball snapped, and Rhett ran, leaping across the line of scrimmage, veering around the defensive players, looking for an open spot. I could hear everyone screaming his name as he ran a perfect route, earning another first down. Completing two quick first-down conversions was a good sign that the Arrows scoring drive was underway.
I was trying to focus on the field when I felt a sharp pain. I looked around the suite. My hand instinctively went to my stomach.
“Natalie, are you okay?” Rylee asked with concern, filling her expression.
“I think it’s starting,” I whispered, trying not to panic.
Her eyes widened. “Stay calm. I’ll be right back.” She jumped over JP, who was stuffing his face with nachos, and ran over to where Dr. Sterling was sitting, just a few seats down.
Rhett made sure my doctor had season tickets so she would be here just in case. My due date was a week away, but according to my last exam, they thought there was a good chance I’d go early.
I tried my best to stay calm, but the contractions were becoming too intense.
Dr. Sterling sprang into action and rushed over. “Natalie, how far apart are your contractions?” she asked, looking at her watch.
“I don’t know, but they feel pretty close.” I winced when another one hit.
Her hands went to my stomach, and I looked around the suite. “They are two minutes apart.”
“Is that good or bad?” I asked, squeezing the armrest for dear life.
“We need to get you to a safe place where you can deliver.”
“What?” I shouted, noticing the rest of our friend group was surrounding me. “Why can’t I go to the hospital? ”
JP’s hands went to my shoulders while Maverick ran over to get my uncle Beau.
“This baby isn’t waiting. We need to prepare now.” She helped me from the chair while JP guided us out of the room. Maverick opened the door while Uncle Beau talked with one of the security guards. I waddled my way to the elevators, trying to focus on my breathing and not the fact that I was about to deliver my baby in a freaking football stadium. I guess there was a first time for everything.
I could hear the cheers and boos as we made our way to the medical room. It wasn’t the ideal place to deliver a newborn, but at least it had a bed and medical supplies.
Kinley and Rylee helped me lie down while Dr. Sterling pulled her equipment out of her bag. She was calm and focused while I was freaking out.
Uncle Beau came up to my side. “Stadium security is notifying Rhett.”
Another sharp pain shot through me. “Please tell them to hurry.”
“Just focus on the baby,” he tried to assure me. “He’ll be here in just a few minutes.”
Those minutes felt like hours while Kinley and Rylee each held one of my hands. I tried to smile through the pain, but every time a contraction would hit, I would cry out for Rhett.
“Try to get comfortable,” Kinley said and placed a cool cloth along my forehead.
Comfortable? Was she insane? It felt like I was being ripped apart.
The guys stood off to the side, looking petrified, when the door suddenly burst open. There was my husband, still in his uniform, his helmet under his arm and his eyes wide with worry.
Relief washed over me at the sight of him .
“I’m here, baby.” He rushed to my side as Kinley and Rylee stepped back, allowing him to take over. His presence was a balm to my frayed nerves.
“Rhett,” I panted, “the baby is coming.”
“I know.” He squeezed my hand. “And I’ll be right here with you.”
Dr. Sterling asked everyone else to leave the room and started giving me instructions on breathing and pushing.
“Okay, Natalie.” Her voice was calm as she held my legs open. “It’s time to start pushing.”
My eyes flew to my husband. “Rhett, I’m scared. What if something goes wrong?”
He brushed my sweat-soaked hair from my forehead. “Everything is going to be fine.”
With each push, the pain got worse. Rhett’s voice and Dr. Sterling’s calm instructions seemed to fade into the background as my screams grew louder.
“One more, Natalie. You’re almost there.” Dr. Sterling’s voice was firm as she kept giving me words of encouragement.
Gathering as much strength as possible, I took a deep breath and gave it one final push. A second later, the room was filled with the most beautiful sound in the world.
“It’s a boy!” Dr. Sterling announced, holding up our son. Tears streamed down my face when she covered him in a towel and placed him on my chest.
He squirmed at first, but then his cries softened as he nestled against me. I was so exhausted I could barely speak, but I could stare at the small miracle in my arms forever.
“He’s so tiny.” Rhett’s voice was thick with emotion as he kissed his forehead.
“He’s perfect, isn’t he?” I looked down at our son, feeling my heart fill with so much love. He was perfect, with a dusting of dark hair and big, curious eyes that squinted against the bright lights.
“Welcome to the world, little man,” Rhett whispered, taking his tiny hand. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
Dr. Sterling quietly cleaned up, giving us a moment to ourselves. The room seemed to fade away, leaving the three of us alone. I traced our baby’s features, soaking in every detail.
“We’re finally a family now,” I said, passing our son off to his dad.
I saw the first tear fall when I placed him in Rhett’s arms. His hands trembled as he cradled our little bundle with so much care that it melted my heart. I never loved him more than I did at that moment.
Our baby’s cries softened, and Rhett gently rocked him.
The door opened slightly, and a few of Rhett’s teammates and coaches peeked their heads in. “We won and wanted to come meet our newest fan.”
Rhett laughed and hoisted the baby up in the air. “Thanks, guys. I feel like I gained more than just a win today though.”
When they closed the door, I sat up and adjusted the blanket over my son. “I’m sorry you had to miss the end of the game.”
Rhett touched my face. “This was way more important.”
The door opened again as Uncle Beau and our friends came back into the room.
“He’s beautiful.” Uncle Beau came to my side, his smile was filled with pride. “And look at that, he’s got more hair than me.”
“Are you guys going to finally tell us the name?” Maverick asked .
Rhett insisted on keeping it a secret until the baby was born. He looked at me for permission, and I nodded.
“Meet our son, Landan.” He held him up proudly so everyone could see.
Landan was a combination of Landers and Atlanta. Two things we both loved.
Uncle Beau’s eyes filled with tears as he stared back at me. Everyone made their way around my makeshift hospital bed. Our son might have been born in one of the most unexpected places, but I’m so glad our big, crazy family got to be a part of it.
As I looked at my husband, I knew wherever life took us, we would be okay.