Epilogue
THANE
I’m leaving campus after finishing football practice and having a one-on-one with a player who’s been struggling extra hard with his mental health this week, and heading to my wife’s ceramic café.
Yes, I said my wife.
Marlow and I tied the knot after a few months of dating, right after her graduation.
While she finished up her last semester of undergrad, we kept our relationship a secret.
I didn’t want her to catch any heat for being with me, nor was it anyone’s business.
It wasn’t easy keeping our hands off each other in public, but we more than made up for it with secret rendez-vous in my office, in our motel room, in my truck after a football game.
Those encounters were hot, heavy, and laced with enough of a forbidden factor that our love-making always had a frantic quality to it.
I always had to cover her mouth with my hand as I bounced her on my lap because Marlow was a screamer and if anyone nearby heard her, they’d know the cheer captain was getting the ever-loving fucked out of her by the football coach.
After graduating, Marlow applied to some jobs, but I knew her heart wasn’t in it. She wasn’t fit for a corporate life. She thrived in creating so I took out some of my savings and bought her a commercial property close to our home so she could start her own business.
And now she’s flourishing, running her own ceramic café slash bookstore. Other than with me, it’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her. And I make it my life’s mission to always keep a smile on Marlow’s face.
She’s the other half of me. Therefore, it’s my duty to make her dreams come true.
Marlow’s Corner comes into view and I park my truck parallel on the street, before hopping out and grabbing a bag with all her current cravings.
When I enter the shop, I’m filled with pride seeing how many customers – most of them regulars – are here. Some quietly reading their purchased books with a cup of coffee. Others set up with paints and ceramics, chatting as they work on their pieces.
I find my wife standing behind the counter.
Everyone’s occupied, no one needs her – well, except for me because I’m very needy for Marlow, so she’s currently painting a mug herself.
She’s so concentrated that she barely notices me slip behind the counter.
A gasp flies out of her when I deposit the small bag containing vanilla sprinkle donuts and salty chips on the counter before her, and slink my arms just beneath her pregnant belly.
We conceived the night of our honeymoon. To say I’m excited would be an understatement. I can’t wait to be a dad. Can’t wait to start this new chapter in my life.
“Hi,” I whisper, tucking my chin in the crook of her neck and kissing her skin.
“Hi,” she sighs, leaning into me with a smile, her eyes closing for a split second as she relishes my touch. “How was practice?”
“Good.” I peck her lips. “How are you feeling today? Are you hungry? Did you drink water? Do you want to sit down?”
She puffs out a chuckle and shakes her head, eyes gleaming. Ever since she got pregnant, I’ve been extra protective and she always teases me about being a mother hen. I can’t help it. Marlow’s comfort and well-being is my top priority. “I’m fine, Thane.” She kisses me. “I missed you.”
I melt under her confession. “I missed you too.”
“I was waiting for you to get here,” she says. “I have something to show you.”
She turns the mug around and that’s when I see a baby-sized football jersey painted with my number from when I was a college athlete.
Except this jersey is colored pink.
My eyes widen and I stare at her, stunned. “We’re having a girl?”
She bites her lip and nods excitedly. “We’re having a girl!”
There’s a burst of confetti exploding inside my chest.
I can’t believe it.
“I’m so happy.” My eyes sting and I press my forehead to hers. “So damn happy, Marlow. Thank you.”
“For what?” Her hand cups my jaw and she strokes my stubble.
“For existing, for living life with me, for making all my dreams come true,” I rasp. “I love you, little cheerleader.”
Her brown eyes shimmer. “And I love you, Coach Thane.”
THE END