Chapter 11
11
R ex stood at his mother’s grave. Tears poured out his eyes like a waterfall. He fiddled with his wedding ring, grateful his mom had lasted long enough to see him marry the love of his life.
Tilly leaned against his arm, resting her head on his shoulder. “She died knowing she brought love and peace. That’s all she wanted.”
He swiped at his cheeks. “I wish I could have given her more.”
“Don’t go to that place,” Tilly whispered. “All wrongs have been righted.”
“I know, babe.” He kissed her temple. “Are you sure moving to Jacksonville is what you want?”
“We can come home and visit family anytime we want.” She smiled. “It’s time for me to shift gears. Starting my own foundation is something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s easier for me to pack up my life. But you can’t pack up your buddies.” She pointed to his team who had all made the trip to his mother’s funeral. “I’m not going to ask you to turn your back on them, and before you start in on me about the idea I might be giving up something, I’m not. Neither of us is giving the other an ultimatum this time. We’re doing what’s best for us. For our family.” She turned, taking his hand and placing it on her belly. “My only regret is that I didn’t have the chance to tell your mother that her little boy’s going to be a daddy.”
“I’m going to be a what?” He jerked his head back.
Tilly smiled, pressing his hand harder against his middle. “That’s right, big fella. Me throwing up and feeling sick all the time hasn’t been from the stress of everything that’s been going on. It’s because I’m pregnant.”
“Well, I’ll be damned. Wait until the guys hear about this.” He puffed out his chest. “My dad and Judy are going to go nuts and spoil this kid rotten.”
“So are you.”
“Did you hear that, Ma? Your baby boy’s gonna have a little one of his own.” He looped his arm around her waist. “I hope it’s a boy. That way I only have one penis to worry about.”
Tilly laughed. “What are you going to do if it’s a girl.”
“Lock her up and throw away the key.” He nudged Tilly toward the direction of the rest of his family and his friends. He never thought he’d see this day, but now that it was here, he knew this was exactly how his life was supposed to turn out. He reached inside his sport coat. “I have a surprise for you.” He handed her an envelope.
“What’s this?”
“Open it,” he said.
She tore open the edges and glanced at the tickets inside. “Oh my,” she whispered. “You’re taking me to Greece?”
“On a proper honeymoon, since we didn’t get to do that right after we got married.” His mom had hung on for a week and a half after he and Tilly had tied the knot. He’d refused to leave her beside and Tilly hadn’t once asked him to. He loved her even more for that.
“Good thing you like morning sex, because I feel like shit by four in the evening and thus far, chicken and coffee and make me want to stick my head in the sand.”
“We can cancel if you want.”
“Bite your tongue, husband.” She hip checked him. “You’ll just have to adjust your thinking and take me on romantic breakfasts instead of dinners.”
“That can be arranged.”
“Because you understand the word romantic.” She laughed.
“I’m learning.” He pulled her tighter. “Thank you for being you and waiting for me to get my shit together.”
“I could say the same thing right back to you.”
“I love you, Tilly, and I can’t wait to see what gorgeous babies we make.”