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My hubby — God, I love the sound of that.
“We’re also having a catered lunch with cake brought in this afternoon, if you want to let him know to swing by,” she continues.
“Oh, my God! You didn’t have to do that, but thank you!” My heart swells with the abundance of love we’re being shown right now.
“You’re welcome, and you deserve it. You work so hard, Kelsey. We wanted to do something nice for you as a thank you for all that you do.”
The staff all approach me with a congratulatory hug before leaving me to wait for my students to arrive for homeroom.
Daisy is the first one in the door for homeroom and she barrels over to my desk excitedly. “Hi, Mrs. Brooks!” She emphasizes my new name. “How was your honeymoon?”
“It was incredible — I’m waiting for the images to come back from the photographer we had, though I’m sure they won’t do it justice. I’ll show them to you when they come in. How are you doing? Did you have a nice holiday break?”
Before Daisy can answer, Dominic walks in and joins her at my desk. “Hey Teach. Or should I call you Mrs. Coach now?” His lips turn up into a playful smile. It’s a pleasant change of pace from the miserly kid who used to walk into my classroom every morning.
“Teach is fine, I suppose.” I’m starting to come around to the nickname he’s dubbed me with since last year. I glance up between Dominic and Daisy and notice that Dominic’s hand is wrapped around Daisy’s waist. “When did this happen?” I point between the two of them.
“Over break,” Daisy whispers bashfully.
I can’t help but chuckle as I look at Dominic. “Congratulations.”
“On what?” He looks at me completely dumbfounded.
“Being smarter than your coach was at your age.”
Both kids snort out loud with laughter before they take their seats. I’m happy to see that history is repeating itself, but also not at the same time. I’m glad this generation is smarter than we were back then, and that they’re willing to break through the stereotypical expectations of high school cliques and relationships.
Epilogue
Two Years Later
I’ve just finished wrapping up Joey’s birthday gift when I hear his key jiggling in the front door.
“Shit!” I quickly hide the gift behind the couch and jump onto it. My attempt to appear cool and collected is a battle I’m tragically losing.
“What are you doing?” Joey cocks an eyebrow at me suspiciously. He knows me all too well.
Goddamn me and my lack of a poker face. “What do you mean?” I shrug.
“I mean the way you just barreled over the couch like you were doing some kind of Olympic jump.”
I’ve been bursting at the seams since I received the gift this morning. I should resist the urge to give it to him now, but I’m just way too excited.
“Alright, fine. I was hiding your birthday gift.” I lean over the back of the couch and grab the box. I excitedly shuffle over to him. “Happy birthday, babe.”
“You know, it’s not technically my birthday until tomorrow.” He whispers before he kisses my forehead.
“I don’t care, I can’t wait another minute to give it to you.” I’m bouncing on my toes in anticipation. “You have to open the card first, then the box. Oh, and you might want to sit down.”
“Christ, Kels. I’m not getting that old…” he groans as we go sit on the couch.
My request had less to do with his age and more to do with what his gift contains. He tears the card envelope from the top of the wrapping paper and opens it far slower than I have the patience for right now. When he pulls the card out, the tickets fall out into his lap.
“Avenged Sevenfold tickets?!” he exclaims. “I didn’t even know they were coming to town!”
“I owed you a metal concert, didn’t I? Sorry it took two years to cash in your part of the deal.” I giggle lightly, remembering our first date at the Taylor Swift concert.
“Thank you, Angel.” He kisses me lightly.
