After the meeting is over, my only thought is getting back home to Bella and our baby. I'm determined to make our life together great now and to do whatever possible to take care of them both.
I meant what I said to her—and to Derek.
I intend to be with her forever and I have no intention of going anywhere else.
I want our family life to start now and last for good.
Epilogue – Bella
It's a year later and Steve is playing in the Super Bowl again with his team. The Leviathans have sure been on a roll ever since he got drafted. And he helped them pick some new players that have made the team even stronger this year.
It’s almost Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. People are wearing headbands with hearts on them that the stadium gave out, which say, “I love the Super Bowl.”
This time, instead of being in a hospital bed watching the game on TV and holding my newborn daughter, feeling worried about how Steve and Derek will react to everything, I'm in the stands, along with Felicity and Derek, enjoying our family’s closeness.
We're all here cheering Steve on.
Felicity is clapping her chubby little hands and saying, “Yay, Daddy!”
Derek and I get caught up in cheering with the crowd as well. He’s been explaining a lot about football to me so that I could know what I’m cheering for. I hadn’t been that into following it in the past but now I sure am.
He still plays college football and he’s scored a job coaching at the college next year after he graduates. He is happy with his career and with hanging out with Felicity and me a lot, being an uncle, and he no longer seems jealous that Steve’s life took a different path.
"Man, this is so awesome, to be here at the Super Bowl, cheering on my best friend,” Derek remarks.
"Yes, it is!" I answer with a smile.
I pick Felicity up in my arms and point out towards the field.
"I told you that you'd get to see your daddy play for real one day," I say.
She claps her hands together again and laughs. She had just been eating a banana, so her hands are all sticky.
Usually, I’d get out a wipe and clean it off her right away, but my focus is on the game, which is in its final minute, and it all comes down to Steve again. Everybody is tense with anticipation, including me.
It’s funny how I used to care so much about maintaining order and control, and now I’m so busy hoping Steve can win this game that I don’t even care about a mess. A lot has changed, but I guess having a baby can do that to a person.
My life may be messier now, but it’s full of love and happiness.
The weather is chilly, so we're all bundled up in our winter coats and I can see my breath coming out in anxious bursts as I stare at the field.
"This is it; do you think he can do it?" Derek asks me.
"Of course he can. I don't doubt him," I answer.
Derek still looks unsure and a bit worried.
"He won the last Super Bowl," I add, as a reminder and to help calm his nerves.
"That's true— he did," Derek replies.
His shoulders seem to ease up and show less tension.
Both teams are in their final time outs now. We wait until the clock runs out and they all get back onto the field.
They're ready to make the last play. It's going to be a good last few minutes of the game.
Steve is already in position and ready. The play starts and the ball is soon in motion. Steve runs down the length of the field, dodging people left and right and knocking people out of his way.