Chapter 10 Aldrich #3
Seeing them together made me want to get to my family even faster and I knew they had to be somewhere close by if Rachelle and Tiana were already on the field.
Glancing around I saw Jacoby with Billy’s long ass legs wrapped around him slobbing each other down like they didn’t already have four kids.
Those kids were unmoved by their parents display as the twins were each being held by their grandmothers, Destiny was holding Sampson’s hand as she stood between him and his wife and Mac was there holding Ascher’s hand as he seemed to soak in the celebration.
My eyes continued to move, as did my body and I saw Grant and Lyric damn near fucking on the sidelines.
Her brother and his wife couldn’t make it because she was too close to her due date and he refused to let her fly but his people were somewhere pretending they couldn’t see him being fresh.
Lyric’s other brother was standing next to Grant’s sister who was talking to some herb ass nigga who kept looking like the grass was gonna fuck up his loafers.
Antwan and Anthony were of course right next to each other with Rye and Aphrodite hugging them. I knew my girl had to be close by and when ‘Phro saw me, she pointed behind her and I nodded my appreciation because she understood I wanted to see my people.
“Congratulations, bruh!” I’d shaken off all the words from everyone else but I stopped to dap up Runt who of course had Reece right by his side. He had the most people here even though he was from South Carolina. Them folks had rolled so deep they damn near took up an entire section of tickets.
I grinned looking at him before embracing him back. “Thank you for everything, Runt. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Just remember to say that shit when you go up there for that trophy ceremony.” He was grinning but I wasn’t too sure about his proclamation.
“Bruh, Grant's gone get that shit, watch.” I was smiling but now my heart was racing at the idea of getting a different trophy today.
“I wouldn’t be too sure about that if I were you.” Runt’s face was intense and as he always did, his eyes stared like he was looking into the future or into your soul.
“I win it I got you and the entire line.” It was the least I could do since they definitely were a big part of my success.
His face broke out into a grin and he nodded. “Bet.” He leaned down and pulled Reece to him and with the easy way she stood next to him, custom Desperados cowboy hat on and all, I had a feeling he wasn’t going to need to trap her at all.
“Richie!”
My head snapped up because even with the noise of the stadium I could recognize my mama’s voice anywhere.
Sonya was standing there with her hands on her hips like she was annoyed that I had taken so damn long to get to them.
My siblings were beside her looking less like teenagers and more like young adults and that shit was killing me to watch them grow up so fast. Beside my sister was my lady holding our daughter, who had noise-canceling headphones on her ears clapping as she reached for the confetti that had fallen from the cannons.
I excused myself from Runt and went into a group hug of all my family.
I loved them all too much to single them out initially, but as I took in their congratulations, I gave them each love individually.
I, of course, took my baby from her mama and kissed Ling’s ass because she had the nerve to be crying.
“Stop them tears, Tesoro.”
She nodded and wiped at her eyes, the long ponytail she’d worn for the game bobbing as she did it. “I’m just so proud of you, baby.”
She leaned up and kissed as Ami continued to look around with wide eyes.
“You did it big bro! I’m happy for you but I can’t lie, it’s going to make dating that much harder.” Cass was smiling but she had her top lip curled up.
“Dating? Cass, don’t piss me—”
“Money! We need you!”
My words were interrupted by one of the media handlers that I had all but ignored on my way to finding my people. I nodded at her and looked back at my baby sister as I handed Ami back to Sterling.
“We gone talk about this dating shit in a minute.”
“Richie!”
“Aldrich, leave her alone.”
I looked at Sterling as she stuck up for my baby sister with wide eyes.
“You know about this, Ling? You keeping secrets?” Sterling shook her head but glanced at my sister fighting a smile.
I loved the fact that they were so close but I was gone have to talk to her about whoever this boy was sniffing around my sister.
I was just as protective with Teo, but he didn’t really deal with too many people like that.
“MONEY!”
The media assistant was calling me again but I looked at my sister and my girl again before I nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
I kissed Ami before jogging over to where the assistant was waiting for me.
They were trying to gather all the players together again to do the trophy presentation and to give individual awards.
I thought I would be settled once the clock hit zero, and as much as I wanted this moment, I wanted it with my people more than talking to the media.
I had to make a few stops and I was thankful that all our people were together, waiting for us to finish with this so we could celebrate together.
Someone had passed out cigars and folks were getting restless.
I made my way on stage with the rest of my people dapping up and congratulating everyone along the way.
I stood a few people back and to the side of the podium and searched until I found my people in the crowd.
My mama was crying and I knew she’d witnessed me win a championship once before, but this time everything was different.
I wasn’t just a kid who got drafted to a good team.
I’d been through a lot last year and I knew that was what was on her mind as her tears fell.
My brother and sister were on live recording everything from their vantage point and Ling was bouncing Ami and pointing me out so Ami could see where I was.
“We’re starting off with the MVP award today. I know you guys are ready to get to your families. Your Super Bowl MVP is… Aldrich ‘FAST MONEY’ Dinero!”
I’d barely been paying attention to the announcer, too busy mouthing to my family I loved them. But when they called my name my head snapped up in shock.
The noise around me was loud as the crowd cheered and the congratulatory hands of my teammates hit my shoulders and back as I walked up to the front to take the trophy.
Once it was placed in my hands, I got choked up at the weight of my emotions.
“You earned this shit, man.” Stew embraced me and then stepped to the side to let me get to the mic. I wasn’t sure what to say but I closed my eyes and thanked my dad for watching over all of us before I spoke.
“I was told by somebody I’d be holding this trophy but I didn’t believe him.
I should’ve known with his connection to the ancestors not to doubt him.
For the offensive line, and especially to Runt, thank y’all for giving me the time to run and break the records that I have this year.
None of what I’ve done would be possible without y’all doing your jobs as well as you do. ”
“We gettin’ trucks this time?” One of the linemen down at the front hollered up at me and the rest of the line started to laugh.
I glanced back at Grant who just shrugged like he was on whatever and I had to laugh.
“Uh, QB1 and I will have to discuss finances and get back to you on our appreciation gifts. Speaking of QB1, Grant, you’re a friend, a mentor and I’m thankful to back up the arm that you possess and help make this team better.
” He waved me off like he didn’t deserve appreciation and I should’ve known better than to think anything else would happen.
“To my teammates this wouldn’t have meant anything without y’all here.
We aren’t besties but we brothers. We’ll fight, we’ll argue and we’ll come together when it counts every time.
Defense, offense, special teams all bought in to the words of Stew, the rest of our coaches and the front office to get us here today.
To my family, my mama who has always stood in the paint with me and for me.
To my brother and sister who have always kept me on my toes, I love y’all so much.
And to my two angels, my daughter Ami and my girl Sterling I’m so grateful that God put you both in my life last year because none of this would be as sweet without being able to share it with you.
A mi papá en el cielo, gracias for ensenarme a ser un hombre.
Tus ensenanzas vivirán conmigo para siempre.
Te quiero, papá.” I kissed my fingers to the sky after speaking with my dad and looked out at my people.
Ling’s ass was crying and my mama was grinning because she knew what was in the works.
I had more to say but I couldn’t jump the gun on my plans.
I blew a kiss to them and then moved away from the podium.
The reporter who was covering our side of the field called Parker up and he hesitated before moving forward damn near dragging Tiana with him.
She looked like she was going to cuss him out when they got off the stage but I understood why he wanted her there with him.
“As the owner of the Desperados, Parker Phillips, may I present to you the Lombardi Trophy that represents the excellent achievement of your team tonight.”
The trophy was pulled out of the case but Parker waved up Stew to come and grab it.
“I might be a hands-on owner, but one thing I will never do is take credit of another man’s accomplishments.
On behalf of my fiancée and I, we want to thank everyone who is a part of our organization for the work you’ve put in tonight.
Coach Douglas Stewart and the entire coaching staff, home office and every individual from the field crew to the stadium crew, this trophy belongs to all of you.
” The entire crowd started to cheer and I knew many of the staff were in attendance.
Parker held a lottery for the top-ranked employees from each area of the team to enjoy the game all expenses paid on him.
So, people from the suite attendants to the environmental services staff were here celebrating.
“Anything else you want to say?” The mid-sized, balding man held the mic out to Parker who just smiled.
He turned to Tiana and her eyes bugged but he simply waited on her to speak up.
She sighed and took a step forward, the royal blue silk dress with the billowy sleeves moving easily around her as she moved.
When Tiana lowered the microphone to her height, her ring sparkled off of every light in the stadium.
“The last thing we want to say to everyone in attendance today is, ‘We’re going to Disneyland’! The flight charters for you and your families along with park tickets and hotel reservations are awaiting you all in the locker room.”
The entire crowd and the stage erupted at her announcement because although it was tradition, having the team cover the cost wasn’t something that was expected.
They wrapped up the broadcast and I could get away from the stage, congratulating my teammates as I went.
When I got close to Ling, I wrapped her up and finally had time to kiss her the way I wanted to before.
My brother was holding onto my MVP trophy for me and I couldn’t wait to give him and my sister their gifts from me.
Ling and I had already picked out a house for my mama in case she was serious about letting her house in LA be rented out.
I had a feeling that being an empty-nester would hit her hard as hell with the twins gone.
She would have to work through that at some point, but having her closer to Ami and to us, especially with both of my siblings looking at full rides to multiple schools in the south would be ideal.
I took my baby and tossed her in the air and I swear Ami’s giggles were exactly what my soul needed.
“Do you need to get going?” Sterling looked around and saw the rest of the team trudging into the locker room to get changed and get on with the night but I almost didn’t want to leave. Rushing this moment with everyone I loved with me seemed wrong.
I held Ami, who was so used to being around the lights and cameras that it didn’t bother her as the team photographers snapped photos for social media, and put an arm around Ling.
“Y’all ready for Disney? Don’t tell me y’all gone be too cool for that shit.” I was looking at the twins because I couldn’t remember the last time they’d even wanted to go to the theme park.
They looked at each other before they spoke in unison, “What you mean?”
“When Tiana said everyone, she meant everyone. Family included.”
Now my mom looked taken aback as well. “You’re joking?”
“Nah, knowing them they probably shut down the whole park just for the winning team. I’m sure there're all kinds of stuff waiting for y’all because they asked me everyone’s sizes as soon as we knew we were coming.
I had room for up to five people so—” I shrugged and looked at the five of them.
When me and Ling had more kids, I would pay out of pocket so that we could all continue to enjoy this tradition together.
“I ain’t ever too old to have an entire park to ourselves.
Coach just gone have to understand ‘cause I ain’t going to school.
” Teo was grinning despite still being in season.
I knew he wasn’t about to worry with missing a few days of school.
The twins were smart as shit competing against each other for who would rank one and two in their class.
“Ma?”
“And miss the baby’s first time there? You are out of your mind. I took the entire week off.” She looked excited and the joy of the day was finally settling in fully. I was ready to wash my ass, celebrate in the locker room and then get back up with my family.
I kissed Ling and then Ami because I knew they would be on whatever I was on. “Good, then it’s settled. We're going to Disney!”