December 30th
Come join us.
Damon
I call Ainsley, as planned, when I get up. We chat for a bit, and then she asks about my schedule for the day.
“This morning, we’ll have our final walk-through practice. Then the coaches leave to go to the media hotel for their big press conference. Are you all planning to come join us at the local food bank?”
“Yes, your dad told us about that on the way down here, and everyone is planning to attend. I heard that last year, the teams, along with their families and friends, packed up over twenty thousand meals. Which is incredible. After that, some of us are going over to Fort Worth to check on the construction of The Archibald Hotel. It’s going to be so cool to see how far it’s come since I was there this summer.
My understanding is that most of the guest rooms are done, as is the lobby that I helped design. ”
“I wish I could go with you. Take lots of photos for me, okay?”
“I will. And what do you have?”
“Team dinner. Then a surprise team activity. Not sure what. But my guess is an emotional sports movie,” I say with a laugh. “Are you going to any of the festivities at the stadium? I think my dad and Jennifer plan to go.”
“Yeah, they do. There’s a battle of the school bands. A big pep rally. Lots of food trucks. And later, music artists performing. It sounds really fun.”
“I heard that it’s quite the event. Talk to you soon!”
Brought to life.
Ainsley
Our group has brunch, and while I’m not surprised to see the Mackenzie family has arrived, I am surprised to see that Daine has joined us as well.
“Hey, Daine,” I say to him.
He’s sitting next to Haley, and she’s looking quite happy about her current situation.
“Hey, Ainsley. Good to see you again,” he says, then greets Sammy and Apollo.
“You all going to the food bank?” Sammy asks.
“We are,” Haley says. “Then we’re going to relax at the hotel. The pool is heated, so we were thinking of going there for a bit.”
“Are you going to the pep rally tonight?” Daine asks. “Believe it or not, my band was offered a slot to play.”
“If we weren’t planning to, we have to now!
” Sammy gushes. “That’s going to make it even more fun!
” He loves Daine. He turns to Apollo and says, “We got to go to one of Daine’s concerts in Lincoln this fall.
It was so different from when he had played at the weddings we’d attended. Dare I say, a little rowdier?”
“For sure,” Daine says. “You all should come. Haley would love it.”
“I would,” she says. “Then maybe my parents won’t want to tag along.”
“I’d love to come,” I tell them all, “but my ankles are a bit swollen, and I can’t imagine standing all night.”
“Yeah, and it’s crowded,” Daine says. “I don’t think you’d be comfortable there. How far along are you?”
“I’m due toward the end of February,” I tell him.
“Congrats. That’s awesome,” he says. “I heard through the grapevine—the grapevine being Haley—that she’s going to be an aunt.”
“Yes, and we’re having a girl. Her name is Summer.”
“That’s pretty. What’s her middle name?” he asks.
“Summer Haley sounds pretty,” Haley interjects.
“Summer Sammy,” Sammy counters.
“Apollo Summer would be better,” Apollo says, causing Sammy to nod his head.
And I know what he’s thinking—of spending a whole summer wrapped around Apollo.
“Now, just wait a minute,” Dani says. “Summer Devaney Diamond does have a nice ring to it.”
“It is pretty,” I say to her. “When we decided on Summer, we didn’t pick a middle name. That’s why we haven’t told anyone.”
“When will you decide?” Haley asks.
“We actually chose one on Christmas Day, but decided to keep it a secret until she’s born. It’s funny though. Damon and I didn’t know each other’s middle names.”
“I know yours is Noelle,” Sammy pipes in. “What is Damon’s?”
“It’s Archer,” Dani tells him.
“Which I adore,” I say. “I told him if we ever have a boy, that’s what we’re naming him.”
“I love that,” Haley says.
“And I’m going to do my best to figure out what the middle name is before Summer is born,” Dani says.
“Good luck,” I tell her.
We have a lot of fun packing up meals, and I love the fact that we get to spend time with Damon and that it’s for such a great cause.
But it is pretty humorous because Dani keeps asking questions, pretending to try to get to know me better, but what she’s really trying to do is figure out Summer’s middle name. And it’s even better when Damon starts throwing out random answers just to tease her.
Afterward, Jadyn, Phillip, Tripp, Van, and I, along with Sammy and Apollo, get whisked to Fort Worth on a helicopter.
“I could get used to this,” Sammy says, looking out the window.
And all I can say when we open the door to the hotel lobby is … well, nothing. I’m stunned into silence.
This is the lobby that I designed.
Brought to life.
It’s the place where I learned that I was pregnant.
It’s the internship that landed my dream job.
It’s sounds strange, but I also feel like it’s the place where I grew up.
“It’s so beautiful,” I finally mutter out, my eyes filled with tears.
Uncle Tripp lets out a whistle and puts one arm around my shoulders and the other around Jadyn’s. “Hot damn, this place looks good.” He grins at us and then says, “Yeehaw!”
Which causes me to laugh, and Jadyn says, “Let’s go look around.”
After an amazing tour, where I about scream over how gorgeous the rooms are, we head back to the hotel and have dinner.
I planned on going to the tailgate—wanted to go—mostly for fear of missing out on all the fun, but after eating, I just want to go back to my room, put on a fluffy hotel robe, and lie in bed.
I should be bummed that I’m not going to the festivities, but I’m quite tired.
And, to be honest, I’m a little worried about how swollen my ankles look.
I do a quick internet search and find out that it’s not unusual when you’ve been on your feet all day and that I should put my feet up.
So, I hop into bed and do just that.
Then I search the internet for all the Damon Diamond interviews I can find and watch them.
Before I go to sleep, I text him.
Me: You’re so good with the press. I already knew that from watching you all season, but seriously, your interviews are amazing. I’ve been stalking you online.
Damon: Thank you. And as far as stalking goes, I’d much rather you do that in person. I miss you. I hate that I’m this close to you and I can’t snuggle up with you tonight.
Me: Me too.
Damon: Are you home from the pep rally already?
Me: I didn’t go. I’m tired, and my ankles are swollen and kinda sore.
Damon: How bad are they?
I send him a picture.
Me: See for yourself.
Damon: Oh, they are swollen. Be sure to elevate them.
Me: I’m lying in bed, so they are up.
Damon: Are they on a pillow?
Me: What is it with pregnancy and pillows? LOL.
Damon: It’s the same as if you sprained your ankle. You want it up a little higher to decrease the swelling.
Me: A pillow under my feet it is. Also, I was so surprised to see Daine here! You didn’t tell me he was playing tonight.
Damon: That’s because I didn’t know.
Me: Well, your Hay Girl looked very happy about it.
Damon: I hope they work out someday.
Me: Me too. And while I love talking to you, I’m having a really hard time keeping my eyes open.
Damon: Well, know I love you, Champ, and that I’m looking forward to seeing you on the field after we win tomorrow.
Me: You’re going to be the champ tomorrow night! And I love you too. Night!