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“River wants a hot dog. Can Unckie give him one? Give him a hot dog. With ketchup?”
I turn back around in our reserved box, seeing River playing with his train track set on the floor, the toys all spread on a yellow blanket set out by Colin. It makes my heart melt. Every time. I thought Colin was the best big brother, but it turns out he’s an even better uncle.
Three years since River was born, and he’s been a doting figure in his life. I never thought Colin would connect with a young child how he has, but he takes such pride in taking care of our boy.
“Um...yeah. Yeah, he can have whatever he wants as long as it’s cut up small, like I showed you. Just grab the food from the counter over there, Col. It’s all for us. The bananas too.”
“Riv, Unckie found bananas!” he cheers excitedly, and River bounces on his butt. “Bananas!”
The whistle blows as I roll the bottom of my maternity shirt in my grasp, my palms sweaty with anxiety. I watch as Lake lines up near Candy on the line of scrimmage. The whistle blows, and it’s a hand-off to Lake, just as I assumed. He spins, ducking into the colossal mess of men directly on the end zone line, disappearing from my sight entirely. I stare at the large screen over the field before us, trying to see. The whistle blows again and I see a referee holding up the touchdown sign. The crowd erupts as my screams fill the tiny, enclosed boxed section.
“He did it! He did it!” I scream and attempt to jump, turning to look at Colin and River. “Ahh!”
The little dark-haired miniature version of Lake himself looks at me all cockeyed before looking up at Colin.
“She a crazy mama,” he says, making a face.
I continue jumping and slapping the glass of the window while the rest of the crowd roars and confetti spills from the ceiling.
“She’s a crazy sister, too. Crazy sister,” Colin adds, giving him a little plate of snacks as the world outside our private box continues to erupt in celebration.
Lakefinallygetstous after the game and post-game press. River runs towards him, jumping up into his arms as he drops his bags to hold him.
“We did it, baby boy!” He kisses his chubby little cheek. “Daddy did it!”
“Congrats, Lake,” Colin says, coming up to pat his shoulder, sounding all formal. “I won a race once,” he adds.
Lake drops his head back in laughter. “That you did. Whooped their ass, too.”
“Ass!” River repeats.
He makes a pained face at me before setting River down. He runs back over to Unckie Colin, jumping up on his back. Lake bites his lower lip and makes those eyes at me that get me pregnant while being pregnant, grabbing my hand and pulling me into him.
“How are you feeling?” he asks, running his hand along my belly.
“Well, I thought I was going to go into labor from the fucking stress you were putting me through. Jesus, that last play,” I shake my head before punching his arm.
He laughs, grabbing the area and hisses, as if I could really hurt him. “I know. I almost went into premature labor myself.”
He grips my hips, pulling me close to him. Candy comes out of the locker room just in time to give us a low whistle.
“Give her a break, Deck. She’s already got one in there,” he says, bumping shoulders with him. “Looking hot, Cracker! Pregnancy looks good on you.”
Lake glares at him like he always does when Candy hits on me, and he raises his hands, backing away. Turning, he grabs River, placing him on his shoulders as he squeals, before playfully knocking shoulders with Colin as they walk back towards the field and some of the other players that have basically become our extended family.
“I’m so proud of you, baby,” I whisper in all seriousness as his hands slide from my hips to my belly.
“Please, you’re the one carrying my baby. Football is easy, mommin’ ain’t.” He grabs the diaper bag from me, tossing it on his back along with his other bags.
“Lake, really, I can—”
He cuts off my words with a kiss. “C’mon babe. Let’s get you and baby girl home. Time to get those feet up.”
I roll my eyes, then smile lovingly.I can’t stand how much I love this man.
Wepullintothenewly renovated home, the whole family in tow.
“I’ll feed the horses!” Colin calls out, practically running from the truck as soon as we pull into the circular driveway.
