Epilogue
KENNEDY
I’m sitting in my hospital room watching Daylen hold our daughter.
He’s so gentle with her. He knows exactly how to hold her and soothe her.
It’s all so foreign to me. I’m terrified that I’m now responsible for the little being who can’t do anything for herself.
He’s calm as a cucumber, loving every minute of it, unwilling to let anyone else hold her or do anything for her.
The madness of today is running on a loop through my mind. I might still be in shock.
It was an exciting game that I got to watch from a luxury suite purchased by Vance and Daylen. It was filled with our friends and families. I laughed my ass off when we busted Pierce and Jagger locked in the bathroom together. Hank wasn’t as amused as I was.
I got to watch my husband be the big hero on what must be one of the greatest catches in Super Bowl history.
I was hanging back to let Daylen have his moment with his father.
It was emotional seeing the way they embraced each other.
I can almost imagine long nights of the two of them throwing a ball, preparing for this moment.
Their bond is so strong. Love and admiration ooze from them when they’re together.
I could see him looking for me, loving that he wanted me in his big moment. The second our eyes met, I felt a pop and then liquid running down my legs.
I was frozen in shock, thinking not now. Please, not now.
As soon as Daylen realized it, he went into full-blown, take-charge, papa bear mode.
He did what he’s done this entire pregnancy.
He took care of me and our baby without an ounce of hesitation.
I did nothing but allow myself to be taken care of.
I’m not sure he understands how much that means to me.
Given that there’s emergency personnel on hand at these events, he had us in the back of an ambulance speeding off the field and toward the hospital within only a few minutes.
Ten minutes later, in the back of that same ambulance, baby Rose came into this world with my husband right by my side, whispering words of love and encouragement.
Less than thirty minutes after her father made a catch that will forever be memorialized in the record books, Rose Cunningham Humblecut decided she wanted to be part of the celebration too.
I have no idea who she looks like—she’s a wrinkly mess—but she’s the most beautiful wrinkly mess I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m kind of in shock that we created her.
Our families just left. My dad openly wept when he met Rose. It made me cry to see him so emotional over her. He and Daylen even hugged, no small feat considering how the day started.
Vance and Sulley walk in with huge smiles on their faces. Sulley runs straight to my bedside. “How are you?”
I exhale a long breath, not really knowing the answer. “Well, nine inches went in, but twenty-one came out, so how do you think I feel?”
She bursts out laughing. “I suppose that’s one way to look at it.”
Daylen mumbles, “I think it’s closer to ten inches.”
I point to my horrifically aching and sore lower half. “There will be zero inches going in for the foreseeable future.”
He deadpans, “Your mouth still works, doesn’t it? You know my favorite holiday is Suck a Dick Sunday. Today is Suck a Dick Super Bowl Sunday.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “I just pushed your giant, nine-pound baby out of me without any drugs. That little holiday of yours is on hiatus.”
He twists his lips. “Hmm, I guess I’m not heartless. We can skip this week. But just one.”
Vance and Sulley laugh while I glare at my husband with murderous intent. He smiles and winks at me.
They spend the next ten minutes oohing and ahhing over Rose, but when she begins to get fussy, Daylen kicks them out so I can feed her.
He gently places her in my arms. I look up at him. “I’m scared. What if I hold her wrong?”
“You’re doing just fine.” He gives me a little demonstration. “Hold her like a football. You need to support her head until her neck muscles develop.”
I gasp. “She was born without neck muscles? Is that bad? Should we get the doctor?”
He chuckles. “All babies are born with weak muscles. It takes a few weeks for them to strengthen.”
“What if I drop her?”
He raises an eyebrow. “You’re one of the best athletes in the world. I don’t see it happening.” He cups my cheek with his hand. “Babe, you’ll be fine.”
“You’ll be fine, you’re an expert. I’m going to fuck up.”
He shakes his head. “We’re both going to fuck up. That’s normal. I had the benefit of a baby sister when I was sixteen, or I wouldn’t know anything either. You’ll be up to speed in no time at all.”
She starts wiggling in my arms. “She hates me,” I pout.
He rolls his eyes. “She’s hungry. She just did the same thing in my arms.”
I pull out my nipple for her to take into her mouth and wince when she latches on. “Fuck, was she born with razor-blade teeth?”
He shakes his head. “No teeth. Yet.”
“Is it normal to not have teeth when you’re born?”
He smiles. “Yes. Relax. Look at you two right now. It’s the most natural, beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Enjoy yourself. Don’t worry. Take it all in.”
I stare down at her in wonderment as she happily sucks away. It’s wacky, but in an amazing way.
He smiles. “See, you gave her exactly what she needed.”
I nod with a heavy dose of pride. I suppose I did. “She’s good at this. Did you see how quickly she latched on? I read that a lot of babies struggle with that at first.”
“I told you, she’s going to be a freak athlete.”
I look down at her again. “Maybe you’re right.”
He watches us intently and licks his lips. “Don’t take all her milk, baby girl. Leave some for Daddy.”
“Are you out of your fucking mind?” I practically shout.
He laughs. “I’m just messing with you. We’ll wait a few more weeks for that,” he announces with a smirk on his face.
She eats for a while before I motion toward the bathroom. “You should shower and change. Vance brought your bag from the locker room.”
He’s still in his uniform pants and a T-shirt with my face on it that reads: My Wife is Hotter Than Your Wife. He was wearing it under his jersey for the game and planned to show it off in post-game interviews.
A year ago, that would have been a giant red flag. Now I love it. He loves me so openly and proudly.
“Will you be okay?” he asks with concern written all over his face.
I look down at her and nod. “She and I need a little time alone together.” Lifting my face so my eyes meet his, I say, “I’m sorry you didn’t get to celebrate with your team.
I feel like you got deprived of the glory you deserved.
If you want to get out of here for a bit, she and I will be fine.
” I’m not sure that’s true, but he got shorted so much today.
I can always have a nurse help me if I need it.
He gets down on his knees so our eyes are on the same level.
He softly kisses my lips before saying, “I appreciate you saying that, but this has been the best day of my life and football has nothing to do with it. There is nowhere in the world I’d rather be.
No one I’d rather be with. You two are my everything, and I will spend every day of my life proving that to you.
There is zero chance I will be leaving your side anytime soon, so get used to me being around. ”
With glassy eyes, I nod. I hit the jackpot with this amazing man.
Five minutes later, I can hear him singing “Waterfalls” in the shower. I look down at Rose, who’s somewhere between eating and sleeping, I’m not sure which.
“Daddy loves that ridiculous song. The rap verse will probably be your first words.”
She coos in contentment. Damnit, she already loves the song. It’s probably because he sang it into my stomach a thousand times over the past few months.
I gently rub her cheek with the backs of my fingers, marveling at the softness of her peaches-and-cream skin.
“Look, we both know Daddy is going to be a rock star. I’m going to need you to bear with me.
I’m going to mess up, but I promise to try my hardest, and I promise to love you no matter what.
Even on my bad days, I won’t ever make you feel anything other than loved and prioritized. ”
“You’re going to be a great mom, Kennedy,” an intruding, deep voice declares.
I look up and see my father at the door with a few tears trickling down his face. “I’m afraid, Dad,” I admit.
He nods. “All parents are. Especially with their first. It’s a learning process.
I know I wasn’t the best father in the world, but I loved you from the second I saw you and every day since.
I know the type of woman you are. You’re going to be a great mom.
You’re going to protect and love the hell out of that little girl. ”
I exhale a long breath. “I hope you’re right.”
“I know I am.” He nods toward one of the chairs next to my bed. “Pierce forgot his hat. Do you mind if I grab it?”
I look down to make sure nothing is showing that a father shouldn’t see. When I realize it’s not, I nod. “Of course. Daylen is in the shower.”
He sighs. “I can hear that. He’s always singing.”
“Because he’s always happy. It’s nice to be around, isn’t it?”
He offers a small smile as he approaches and grabs the hat. “I suppose it is.”
The sound of the shower water goes quiet, but Daylen loudly announces from the bathroom, “There’s still a little time left in Suck a Dick Sunday. Are you sure you don’t want to imbibe, babe?”
My dad’s smile quickly fades as he growls, “Humblecut, I would sleep with one eye open tonight if I were you.”
I can’t help but laugh, and I think baby Rose does too.
It’s finally time for us to go home. The Camels sent their team jet back for us so we can fly privately with the baby.
My family went home, but Daylen’s family thankfully stayed to help us. I think I want them all to move in. I’m afraid to do this without their help. They’ve been amazing for the past few days.
Daylen smirks as he dresses Rose while I’m seated in a wheelchair, per hospital regulations. All I can see of her outfit is that it’s a pink onesie. “What did you do?” I ask accusatorily.
His smile widens. “Are you ready for the big reveal?” He looks like a kid in a candy store.
I shake my head. “I had the cutest Burberry outfit picked out. Our son would have been stylin’.”
“Keep it. Maybe we’ll have a son next year.”
I stare at him in disbelief. “Umm, no.”
“Okay, the princess is ready,” he proudly announces before holding her up for me to see.
She’s in a pink onesie that reads: Product of a Beau Fudd Boner Shake.
I spit in laughter. “Oh my god. Did you seriously put our three-day-old daughter in a shirt with the word boner on it? She’s going to have this photo for the rest of her life.”
He twists his lips. “Hmm, I never thought of it that way. I think you’ll be the baby stylist moving forward.”
Glad he said that, because, unbeknownst to him, her closet is already full of designer girlie clothes. I’ve been having a blast shopping for this kid since I found out the sex.
He continues, “I’m sure you’ll be introducing her to fashion in no time.
Her stroller is going to get some good mileage at the mall.
” He looks down at her and uses his baby voice.
“Right, baby girl? You and Mommy will go on shopping sprees all the time. Mommy is not only a professional athlete, but she’s a professional shopper. You’re a lucky little girl.”
I nod as I realize that when I shop for her now, she’ll be with me. Maybe it’s something special she and I can do together. Hope blooms in my chest as I begin to imagine it.
Hank knocks on the door and walks in. “The car is here.” He looks at Rose and fixes her little hat. “Are you ready to go home, baby doll? Is…yo mama ready too?”
Daylen’s head snaps toward Hank. I stare at them both and warn, “I love this game, but I’m thinking it's a bit much for Rose’s little ears right now."
They grin at each other before Daylen looks down at Rose. "Yo mama is so bold, she's featured on the toolbar of Microsoft Word.”
I smile, and Hank nods before saying, “Yo mama’s so smart, Google uses her, not the other way around.”
I giggle. These guys are too much. This is clearly a preplanned routine, and I love it.
Daylen looks at me and gives me the sweetest, most loving smile that has ever existed before looking back down at Rose. “Yo mama is so radiant, when she looks in the mirror, it starts glowing.”
Cheesy jokes used to be on my red flag list, a list I’ve since deleted from my phone. I can’t help but stare at my little family. All I see now are big green flags.
THE END