Chapter 12 #2
“I want what you’re saying. I want to build a life with you, but, Reid, I’m so scared.
I know I can’t keep letting my past guide my future, but I’m already too far gone.
If we take this leap, and you decide I’m not what you want, I won’t survive that.
I’ve had one man who was supposed to love me unconditionally walk out on me. I can’t do it again.”
“You won’t have to. You and this baby, you’re my entire world.” I move my hand to her flat belly. “Fuck, how do you love someone you’ve never met?”
“Promise me we won’t end up like them. Tell me we won’t end up like my parents.”
“I promise you that will never be us, baby. Never,” I say with conviction. Then I grin. “So, you’re moving in, right? Wait, maybe we should buy a place. Our kid needs a yard to play in. I don’t want to raise our kids in a condo.”
“Kids?”
“What? You want to stop at one?” My brow furrows. I couldn’t possibly imagine only having one child with her. The smile she gives me in answer to my question warms my heart.
“Can we maybe get this one here first?” she asks, grinning. I know that she’s secretly elated at the prospect of a future with a family of our own beyond this baby. I can see us with a house full of kids, and the vision alone builds hope in my chest.
“Sure, sure.” I nod, but I’m already seeing us sitting on the back porch, watching our kids play in the yard—our future flashes in my mind like a movie I want to watch on repeat.
“What about my dad?” she asks.
“What about him?”
“He’s not going to take this well.”
“I don’t care what he thinks, Bellamy, or how he takes it.
I’m one of the highest-ranked tight ends in the league.
I show up and give everything I’ve got on the field.
He can ride my ass in practice and in games.
Hell, he can bench me. My contract is solid.
Besides, it doesn’t matter what he tosses at me. I can learn the play.”
“What if you get traded?”
“Then we’ll figure it out together.”
“He’s going to be hard on you.”
“Fine.” I nod. “Then I get to come home to you. So, like I said, he can push me as hard as he wants, because at the end of the day, you’re mine. He didn’t fight like he should have. He and I are not the same.”
“Okay,” she whispers.
With my index finger, I lift her chin, and she gives me a small smile, which brings back some of the sparkle in those big brown eyes. “Okay?”
She nods. “I’ll move in with you.”
In an instant, there’s a weight lifted from my chest, and my heart soars. I exhale a heavy breath and wrap my arms around her, pulling her into my chest. She fits perfectly, like she always has.
“We’ve got this,” I whisper into her hair.
She leans into me, her voice muffled against my shirt. “We’ve got this,” she repeats softly.
“Can we tell them?” I nod toward the kitchen, where I notice the others standing around. They’re far enough away that we’ve had privacy. Not that I care. I’ll tell anyone who will listen about my girl and our baby.
“The girls know.”
“Can I tell the guys?”
She tilts her head to the side. “They’re your family, Reid. Of course, you can.”
“I know some people wait, so I wanted to make sure you were okay with that.”
“I’m pretty sure Knox and Landry will find out anyway.” She laughs. “And the others, I want your friends to know if you want them to know.”
“Baby, I want to yell it from the rooftops.”
She giggles. “Can we maybe keep it to everyone here at least until I go to the doctor?”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine, but you know, let’s let the professionals confirm and take a look before we start shouting from rooftops.”
I laugh and pull her into a hug. “Anything you want, Dream Girl.” She wiggles out of my hug, and I kiss her lips. “Yo! Family meeting!” I call out.
Slowly, feet shuffle, and everyone surrounds us. I wait for everyone to find a seat before glancing at Baker, who’s holding Camden.
“Come here, buddy,” I say, holding out my arms. Baker must sense something because he stands and brings Camden to me.
He snuggles into my chest, and my heart melts.
Soon, this will be me. I’ll be holding my son or daughter.
“Guess what?” I ask Camden. He lifts his head and places his hands on my cheeks. “You’re going to be a big cousin.”
“Fuck yeah!” Landry cheers.
I smile and glance at my friends, their wives, even Sloane and Amanda. “Bellamy’s pregnant,” I say, and I don’t need a mirror to see the happiness on my face. I can feel it deep in my soul.
Everyone says congratulations. Camden claps and giggles, feeding off our energy. “This will be us soon,” I whisper to Bellamy.
“It’s scary and exciting all at the same time.”
“I agree, but we’ve got this.” I kiss her once more, before Camden wants down, so I place him on the floor, and he crawls to Foster, who lifts him into his arms.
“What time do you have to leave?” Corie asks.
“We have to be back at six in the morning,” Knox tells his wife.
“I get you all night?” Corie grins.
“Come home with me?” I ask Bellamy, my lips next to her ear.
She turns to face me. “You have to be up early.”
“I don’t care. I need you there. I can come to your place if you want.”
“Your condo is closer to where you need to be.”
“Our place it is.” I grin. “One more week of training camp, but I’m not staying overnight anymore. I’ll give you a key when we get home, and I’m coming home to you and this little one every night,” I say, placing my hand on her belly.
“No. Don’t change your routine for me.”
“I think you’re on to something,” Knox says. “We used to do it because we didn’t have anything waiting for us at home. Now, we do.”
My eyes automatically go to Foster, and he swallows hard. I’m sure no one else notices because they weren’t looking.
“Well, Cam, how about we invite Uncle Foster to our place, and it’ll be boys' night every night,” Baker asks his son. He must have noticed Foster’s reaction, as well, and hell, maybe he, too, is feeling lonely.
“Don’t you two jokers be corrupting my nephew.” Corie points a finger at Baker and then at Foster.
“I would never.” Foster places his hand to his chest as if he’s offended. The grin that’s replacing his usually stoic expression gives him away.
“I’m down for sleeping in my own bed,” Foster says.
“What? You’re going to abandon us?” Baker asks.
“Camden can spend the night at my place,” Foster replies, making us all laugh.
My arms wrap tightly around my girl, and it hits me that I’m holding my entire world in my lap. This incredible woman dropped into my life when I wasn’t looking, but I’m so fucking glad I opened my eyes.