Rocky
Epilogue
Three Years Later
Montana and I got married a year after I proposed. We had a small beach wedding in Havana Bay, North Carolina, in September. Her Uncle Atlas gave her away. When I saw her walk down the aisle, I was struck by how gorgeous she looked. She took my breath away in her bohemian lace dress, with a flower crown on her head.
Xander and Talon, and my cousin West were my groomsmen, and my dad was my best man. Marley and Autumn were her maids of honor. She couldn’t pick just one and they were happy to share the title. My mom held little Romeo while I married his beautiful mommy.
You might have guessed it but if not, we got married on the eighth. It was the perfect day—she had a little heart pendant attached to her flower bouquet with a picture of her parents. Every time I pass by our wedding photo that’s on the wall, I think back to that day.
I walk through the front door our home and I’m greeted by the comforting smell of her favorite lit candle, which makes me smile. The warmth of the scent reminds me of why I love Montana. The candle has witnessed all our memories, from our first kiss to the late nights we spent in our bed. It has comforted us during rainy nights and the hard days, leaving a lingering trail of smoke in the house when we blow it out at night. As I reminisce about our time together, I realize that despite all the arguments and misunderstandings, the candle continues to burn, a reminder that no matter what, we will keep burning together.
Walking through the house, I hear Romeo’s favorite movie in the background. Cars plays nonstop on the TV around here. Autumn is here with Montana, and I can tell by the smell that they are in the kitchen cooking empanadas and some other things Montana seems to be craving with this pregnancy. This time we are having a little girl. I hope she looks like her mama.
With Montana being halfway through her pregnancy, we moved out of our old apartment and bought a home in a gated community in Stillwater. We got to build it to make it our dream home. We made Romeo's room a little boy's paradise, but he can grow with it. Filled with hot wheels and nerf guns. They love to ambush me. Sometimes there’s a note with a nerf gun when I get home and sometimes, I have to find one.
Our daughter, Sailor Daisy Savage, will have a bedroom fit for a princess. The subtle cream and sage green colors match the bohemian style along with Montana's favorite plants that are all around gives the room a calming effect. Sometimes, I catch Montana in her room sitting in the rocking chair rubbing her belly humming Black Bird by the Beatles. I think she goes in there when she’s missing her parents the most.
Our forever home, with my family, is more than I could have ever imagined.
I hear Tow Mater telling Lighting McQueen something about going tractor tipping. Little Romeo’s laugh fills the room, and it brings an even bigger smile to my face.
“Killer, I’m home!”
“Hi, baby! We’re in the kitchen,” she yells back.
“Daddy!” Romeo runs and jumps into my arms. I walk into the kitchen and kiss Montana on her forehead. After all these years she still loves those kisses and I turn to kiss Autumn on the cheek.
“What’s up, little man? How was your day with mama?”
“Auntie Autumn took me to the park so mommy could sleep.” He smiles at me.
“That must have been so much fun!”
“Yes! She brought pouches and my Paw Patro toys! Rubble dug in the sand wif me.”
“Pouches and Paw Patrol ! Best. Aunt. Ever.” I smile.
I put him down and he runs back into the family room to play with his toys and watch his movie. I love seeing his face light up when he tells me about his day.
We have been planning his third birthday party, and it’s like Pinterest threw up in the office. Autumn will make his cake and she’s so excited to see his little face. When she showed us the design of the cake and cupcakes, she was probably more excited than our little man.
Romeo turns three today. It’s Cars themed, so along with the balloon arch decorated with race flags there is also a black backdrop for pictures that says, ‘Can’t catch me, I’m three’ and a little car in front of the sign for people to take Polaroid pictures in front of.
All of our friends and family are here, including some of my teammates and their families. I see Montana in the kitchen, and I walk in to make sure she is doing okay. I turn the corner and see her crying.
“Baby, why are you crying.” I pull her into a hug and take her to sit down at the island, with her on my lap.
“I just wish my parents were here to see this, to see our kids grow up. I miss them so much, . Now that I’m having a little girl of my own, I just really wish my mom and dad were here.” She sniffles.
“I know, baby. They would be so proud of the woman and mother you have become. I’m so proud of you too. Your parents are looking down on you and smiling. I know it's not easy on you, you can cry if you want, and I will be here every single time. I love you, baby.” I kiss the top of her head while she nuzzles into my neck. The scent of her cotton candy perfume invades my senses and it's like coming home after an away game.
“Mommy! Come here and see the new car uncle Xander bought me!”
“You opened a gift already.” She laughs out to make sure he doesn’t see her cry. She is always putting everyone else first.
“Uncle Xander said I could,” he yells back.
“I’m going to give Uncle Xander pow pows.” His mouth turns into a little O as he runs outside yelling, “Ohh, uncle Xander gonna get pow pow from mommy!”
“Little man! You snitched on me!” He laughs but puts his hand over his heart like he’s wounded.
“I thought you was my best friend? You can't be mad at me,” Romeo cocks his head to the side as he says that with a sad face.
“Come here. I’m not mad, I’m just kidding, you know you’re my favorite little dude.” Xander kisses his head, and they go off to play. He grabs Romeo and jumps into the pool.
I see Marley talking to Montana as they just watch and smile looking on. She looks over at me and winks. She is still so sexy with her periwinkle bikini and white cover up on, but with her pregnancy she has more curves. I love to run my hands all over her body.
Think of football plays, you cannot get hard right now.
“, I'm so proud of you, my son,” my dad says as he comes over, hands me a beer and gives me a hug. “You’re everything I could have ever wanted and more and I’m so proud of the man you have become.”
“What can I say, pops? I had a great role model.” I tap his beer with mine.
This little life we have created together is everything I could have ever wanted and more. Montana is my everything and so are our kids. I can't wait to see what else life brings us.
I got everything I could have ever wished for. We won the Super Bowl this year and Montana, Romeo, and Sailor were right there with me along with my parents and sister.
“Are you happy?” Montana asks me.
I kiss her with all of the love in me and say, “Happier than ever.”
I take Sailor from her and kiss her little head with her purple and gold bow. She’s also wearing a onesie that Montana made, and it says, ‘Daddy’s cutest fan.’ Romeo is hugging my leg with his little jersey that says ‘Daddy’ on the back with my number.
All I can think in that moment is that this is the best life. I look down at my beautiful wife as she looks up at me smiling, her eyes swimming with love and affection as I lean down and whisper to her, “I love you, Killer, por vida.” I crush my lips to her and kiss her with everything ounce of love in me, as she whispers back against my lips, “Por vida.”
“Pinky promise?” I grin at her.
“Pinky promise,” she winks.
We connect our pinkies as we did all those years ago. She’s everything and more I could have ever wanted.