Page 44 of It Must Be Fate

Thayer points enthusiastically at her stomach, at the same time swaying energetically to the beat of the music. My gaze drops to read the words printed in white ink on black fabric.

“BABY ON BOARD!”

My heart stutters in my chest, missing a beat or ten or a hundred.

Holy shit.

“Oi oi!” cheers Everett from behind me.

Thayer and Hayes both point at my daughter’s shirt next, revealing that it says, “BIG SISTER”.

And then Thayer turns her back to the camera and points at my last name where it’s printed on her back, doing away with any confusion about whose baby this might be.

It’sourlast name.

She looks over her shoulder at the camera with a brilliant smile on her face. I don’t know if she can see my reaction, but based on the look in her eye, I’d bet there’s another camera pointed at me, broadcasting my shock and delight back at her in 4k.

I’m running for the stands before she’s even turned around.

“Mackley! Halftime is almost over. The game’s about to start!” I hear my coach roar after me.

“Sorry, Coach, there’s something more important I have to do.”

I jump over the partition with ease, clearing a line of crouching photographers who all have their lenses aimed at me. I’d bet a lot of money one of those images will make it onto the front page of the Daily Mail tomorrow morning.

I’m taking the stairs two, then three at a time as I race for the WAGS’s section.

I can see Thayer’s face in the distance, getting closer with each step, her smile growing wider as she watches me approach.

“Excuse me.Excuseme.Move,” I growl, pushing clamoring fans out of my way as I go down a row towards Thayer. “Move the fuck out of my way.”

Finally, I’m free, and with five more steps I’m reaching my wife and daughter.

“Daddy!” Hayes screams, throwing herself out her mum’s arms and into mine.

“Hi, darling,” I say, throwing a quick glance down at her before reverting my attention back to my wife. I curl a hand around her waist and drag her to me. “Is the t-shirt real? Are you actually pregnant, love?”

“Yes!” she says, laughing and cupping my cheek. Mirth shines brightly in her eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think you’d jump into the crowd to come to us. I wanted to surprise you, not distract you.”

I set Hayes down, keeping her safely between my legs, and grab Thayer’s face.

“As if I could stay away once I knew,” I whisper. “We’re having another baby?”

“Yes!”

“Holy fuck. I love you.” I smash my lips against hers in a bruising kiss. I only dimly hear the crowd erupt once more like they’re watching their favorite Lifetime movie couple kiss. “I love you so fucking much.”

Thayer laughs, an open-throated peel of laughter that sends delight rushing down my spine.

“I love you too. Now go back down there and win this match. We can’t lose the day I tell you we’re having a baby. Oh, and fuck Chelsea.”

“You’re unbelievable, you know that?” I tell her, pressing another furtive kiss to her lips. “Fucking love you. Going to go win it for you now.”

And I do.

Forty-five minutes and two goals later, the Chelsea fans have been successfully quieted, and we come out victorious.

Me in more ways than one.

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