Olsson clears his throat. “To piggyback off that, I have to agree. There’s a lot that Mia has done for the Blues and it’s been a great fit. I feel that part’s obvious, but you know the roster this season was really something special. My players have been through a lot on and off the field, but every day they show up ready to go and happy to be able to play the great game.”
Adam’s hand lands on my thigh under the table and squeezes. This really has been a phenomenal year. Foster just turned one, and in two weeks Adam and I will be having our dream wedding, then off on a honeymoon.
We take a few questions, and they keep the focus on the players. For a while I was the main focus of these interviews. Itreally bothered Adam, but I never minded. Yeah, some people in this room probably still don’t think I deserve to be here, but after several stupid, misogynistic questions that were met with well-thought plans, executed data, and competence…they got less and less each time.
I glance at Stella, and she taps her watch one time.
“We have time for one more question.” But the moment I get the words out, Foster has decided that’s not the case.
“Mama! Dada!” she yells.
Light laughter courses through the room, and while I try to push through and point to one last person, Adam stands.
“Sorry, I’m definitely not strong enough and need to hold my daughter. I’ll be right back.”
Dex leans up to his mic. “Hold on, now I need my three.”
“Apologies, if we could hold one second.” I wave a hand, and Miles runs up from the back and jumps in between Tripp and Beck. Lucie passes off Thea to Dex, but Will jumps in, stealing Lucas.
Adam joins us back on the small stage with Foster and places a small kiss on my head before leaning back up to the mic.
“We’re ready now.”
Epilogue - Adam
Ten years later
“Dad.”Poke.“Dad.”Poke, poke.“Daddy.” Foster puts all her ten-year-old might into shaking me.
I thought I was an early riser, but my girl has me beat. She gets me up every morning to watch the sunrise, and while I’ve been awake for the past five minutes waiting on her, I only pretend to sleep because I know she likes the idea that she’s the one waking me up.
“We’re going to miss the sunrise if you don’t get up.”
I fake a groan. “But I’m so tired.”
She giggles, giving me another shake. “No, you’re not.Come onnnnn. We do this every morning, Dad.”
That, we do. Just something for the two of us. Sitting up, I give her a smile. “Favorite way to start my day.”
“I’ll meet you in the kitchen. I’m going to start the kettle for the tea Aunt Cals got me.”
“Okay, sweetie, I’ll be right there.”
Waiting for her to run back to the bedroom, I fall back on the bed and roll over to my wife.
Mia snuggles deeper into me. “I can’t decide what I love more, hearing that interaction every morning or the fact that I get to sleep for another hour or so.”
I chuckle. “Want me to get Aiden in here with you?”
“Mm-hmm,” Mia hums.
With a kiss to her forehead, I roll out of bed and head down the hall to get our near-comatose five-year-old. He and his mother both sleep like the dead. His arm hangs weightless, mouth wide open as I carry him back to our room. His eyes never flutter until he hits our bed.
Once his eyes land on his momma, he rolls toward her, then he’s back out like a light. I place a kiss on both of their heads, then grab a sweatshirt from the closet before heading downstairs.
“Okay, this one’s yours.” Foster hands me a mug that says in all caps,my dad is way cooler than yours.
“Thanks, you ready?”
