Epilogue
“I need you two to sit still, okay?” Tessa whispered as she sat down in the front row of the press room, trying to wrangle two endlessly energetic little boys; her and Tristan’s boys.
“I see, sticking me with the crazy one, huh?” Tessa said with a laugh as she attempted to get the two-year-old boy, Conan, into her lap.
“God, would you just sit still for five minutes?” Tessa grunted as she tried to get the boy onto her lap.
“You’re just like your father. Do I have to bribe you?
I’ll get you a donut after this if you sit still. ”
“Otay!” Conan immediately wiggled into his mom’s lap and sat perfectly still, looking over his shoulder to give her a mischievous smile.
Tessa didn’t trust him for a second but couldn’t help but smile back at him.
“This is very important for dad, so we have to sit still and be quiet, okay? You guys promise?”
The two boys nodded their heads enthusiastically and clapped their little hands together.
“How are you feeling?” Katie asked, leaning into Tessa’s side.
“Edgy,” she replied. “I’m just worried about him. I know this will be hard for him but I also know he’s excited for what will come after this. I’m just nervous is all.”
Katie looked down and noticed Tessa’s leg bouncing wildly.
“Are you sure it’s just this that has you nervous?” She asked. “You guys have been talking about this since last year.”
Tessa swallowed and looked around the room that was full of press, Tristan’s parents, Jordan, and some close teammates including Phillip before leaning back into Katie.
“Later today I’m telling Tristan that I’m pregnant again.”
Katie gasped and Tessa urgently shooshed her, motioning towards the very crowded room.
“Sorry!” Katie said. “I’m just really excited! Are you not excited? Why are you nervous?”
“I’m not nervous in a bad way,” Tessa says. “We wanted a third, we were just going to wait to try until the end of the season but you know Tristan. I tell him to pull out and he looks at me like I kicked his puppy.”
“Ugh, his brother is the same way,” Katie groans. “They’re such freaks.”
“What are you talking about, mommy?” Cameron asks, his inquisitive eyes that look so similar to his father’s shining brightly at Tessa.
“Nothing honey,” she says quickly. “And remember we have to be quiet, okay?”
A few minutes pass before the quiet murmurs around the room come to a dead stop and every single person immediately looks toward the podium.
Tristan walks in the room, dressed casually with a Titan’s shirt on and hat tugged over his eyes, and Tessa can already tell he was likely crying before coming out.
Tristan takes a heavy seat and adjusts the microphone before clearing his throat and taking a deep breath, his eyes immediately finding Tressa’s and giving her a warm smile. She winks at him and hugs Conan tightly, who is looking up at his dad like a real life hero.
“Thanks everyone for coming today,” Tristan says, nervously adjusting the brim of his hat before looking down at the paper in front of him.
“For the past 13 years, I’ve played proudly for the Kansas City Titans.
I’ve never played for any other professional team and never wanted to.
My loyalty to this franchise, to Coach Rice, Phillip Matthews, Brett Vance, and every single teammate I’ve had over the years has been unwavering, and I have absolutely zero regrets.
The things I’ve learned, the people I’ve met, the way my life has changed because of the Titans is something that I’ll never understand how I got so lucky to be a part of this team for even a second of my life, let alone lucky enough to spend every single year of my NFL career as a Titan.
And it is with a heavy but incredibly grateful heart that I announce today that this will be my last season playing professional football. ”
There is a low hum in the crowd once Tristan’s shaky voice pushes out the word retirement, and Tessa quickly wipes away years that have steadily started falling.
Tristan lifts his eyes again to look at his wife with their two sons, and his nerves immediately settle.
“I’ve been fortunate to have achieved things that I only ever dreamed about.
Super Bowls, Championships, Divisional Titles, lifelong friends, and ultimately, family.
I’ve escaped generally unscathed with minimal injuries, but my body has been screaming at me since last season.
If it was up to my heart and my brain, I’d play football for the Titans until the day that I die.
But there’s a few things that are even more important than the game I love.
I have two sons,” Tristan’ voice falters again, and he takes a moment to gather himself before continuing.
“I have two sons who are so full of energy and happiness that there’s no way I’ll be able to keep up with them in the way that they deserve if I keep putting my body through the grueling inferno that is professional football.
And while this decision was obvious for that reason, it doesn’t make letting go of playing any easier. ”
Tessa feels her chin tremble as Katie reaches out to grab her hand, and Tessa keeps her eyes trained directly on her husband. She knows that if she sneaks even the slightest glance at Jordan or Tristan’s mom, she’ll lose her shit.
“The first people I need to thank as my career comes to a close are my parents. The ways that they sacrificed their own lives and happiness to make sure Jordan and I were able to do the things we loved is nothing short of amazing. Having my own children now, I understand your dedication and sacrifice, and I need you to know that I recognize what you guys did for us. You saw something that made your kids happy, something they were good at and loved, and you nurtured it, pushed us, and encouraged us. I achieved everything I have because of you guys, thank you. I love you.”
Tessa takes a deep breath and closes her eyes.
She hugs Conan against her chest and reaches over to squeeze Cameron’s hand.
She knows exactly what he’s talking about.
She would go to the ends of the earth if it meant her children were happy and thriving, and hearing Tristan thank his parents in such a heart felt way was splitting her chest wide open.
“And my brother,” Tristan’s voice quivers and he has to clasp a hand over his mouth to gather himself again.
“You’re my fucking hero, man. The amount of times you saved me?
Came to my rescue? Whipped me into shape?
Just…believed in me? You moved mountains for me, Jordan.
When all I really wanted was to be like you.
Thank you for always paving the way for me as my big brother.
For always doing the scary stuff first, giving me great and not so great advice, letting me mess up countless times but loving me anyway.
My life’s goal is to make sure my boys have the same bond we do. I love you, brother.”
Tessa’s heart catches in her throat when Tristan’s eyes dart over to her and he gives her a warm smile. She returns the smile and takes a deep breath, praying that she can keep herself from literally sobbing.
“And to my wife.”
Tears slip furiously down her cheeks now and he can’t help but smile lovingly at her display of emotion.
“Thank you, Tessa, for being the single greatest motivator in my life. Everything that I do, I do it for you. My life means something because of you. I have purpose because of you. Those who know our story, and those who have been there along the way, will be the first to attest to this – you make me better. The man I am today is because I have the privilege to love you. Even through all of the heartbreak and uncertainty, having the perspective we do now, it all makes perfect sense. And I’d relive everything over again for a thousand years if it meant I got you in the end.
The moment I first saw you when we were 20 to the moment you finally came back home to me when we were 30, every single moment has been worth it, and I’ve known you were it for me ever since.
Thank you, baby, for supporting me, pushing me, loving me, and simply just giving me a chance.
I owe every aspect of this beautiful life we’ve built together to you.
And I can’t fucking wait to see where life takes us after this because with you, baby, the possibilities are endless. ”
Katie throws a supportive arm around Tessa’s trembling shoulders and Tessa gathers herself enough to look back up at Tristan to mouth “I love you” before he continues on with his speech.
“Why you cry, mommy?” Conan asks with curiosity as he looks up at Tessa.
“I’m just happy, honey,” she replies with a sniffle. “Sometimes grown ups cry because they’re happy too.”
“Thank you all again,” Tristan says. “Every single person that had any involvement in my football career. I am endlessly grateful and I can’t wait to see what retirement has in store for me. Hopefully I’ll see some of you along the way. Go Titans!”
The room claps and woops and Tristan runs straight down to his family, Cameron and Conan launching themselves into his arms and squealing as Tristan throws their tiny bodies around effortlessly.
“I’m so proud of you,” Tessa says as she places a gentle kiss against his lips.
“I love you baby,” he whispers, pulling her body firmly against his. “Also, I know you’re pregnant.”
“What?” She pulls her head back and looks at him, not even registering that the boys are running erratically between their legs and not being quiet or dignified at all.
Tristan gives her a cocky smile and leans into her ear.
“I know you, Tess. I can feel it in my dick.”
“Oh my God, quiet!” Tessa hisses and smacks his shoulder, hating that the giant smile on his face makes her want to laugh along with him.
“Go on, tell me,” he says with a knowing grin.
She gives him a deadpan look before grunting and saying, “Okay yes, I’m pregnant.”
“Balls of fucking steel! Jordan! I knocked her up again!”
“Fucking hell,” Tessa buries her face into Tristan’s shirt as embarrassment washes over her.
“Hell yeah, brother!”
“You two and your breeding kink need to lower your voices,” Katie says, trying her best to wrangle the two boys. “There’s press here.”
“I don’t give a fuck,” Tristan says, putting a finger under Tessa’s chin to bring her eyes up to his. “I love you and I love the family we made,” he says.
“I love you too,” Tessa says with a dreamy look in her eyes. “And I’m so proud of you.”
“I owe it all to you, Tessa. Let’s take out little family home.”
The End