Page 43 of The Way We Collide

“Repeat after me.” The old man directs us to put each others’ rings on at the same time. “I give you this ring as a daily reminder of my commitment and love for you.”

We repeat the words, but this time our eyes don’t meet. They’re on the gold bands sliding on the third fingers of our left hands.

Raven’s tremble. Her voice is quiet. “It fits.”

My throat tightens, and we’d better wrap this up before I forget this is all an act. It’s the music and the small room, and it’s kind of warm in here. I think they’re running the heater.

It’s been a cyclone of a week. A lot of really big changes have hit me hard and fast, but I can take it. I grew up learning to hang on until the big wave passes.

I’ll get back to training next week, and things will go back to normal. Football is my life, and I’m only here to do a favor for a friend.

“I now pronounce you man and wife.” The old man holds up both of his hands over us. “You may kiss the bride.”

Raven’s eyes widen almost like she’s afraid of what I’ll do. With a wink, I lean down to gently kiss her pink cheek. Her sweet, flowery scent swirls around us, and I want to bury my nose in her hair.

I don’t.

“Don’t worry, Rave.” I move my lips to her ear, speaking so only she can hear. “I know the rules.”

Her shoulder lifts, and she blinks away, looking at our little girl as the flush I know so well travels to her ears.

The old lady presses the button on the tape recorder again, and the wedding exit march begins. Haddy perks up, bouncing on my hip to the tune.

She finally gave up on trying to rip her floral headband off her head. Now her attention is back on me, and she lifts her chin, patting my cheeks with her damp little mitts.

“Da!” She announces happily, almost like she’s been thinking about it the entire ceremony. “Da-da-da!”

My expression changes, my eyes snapping to Raven’s.

She’s just as surprised. “Did she just say…?”

I’m not sure.

Haddy bounces on my hip, saying it again. “Da!” Then louder, almost a squeal. “Da-da!”

“That’s your first word?” Raven laughs in disbelief. “Seriously, Hads? After all I’ve done for you?”

The little girl’s eyes blink, and she laughs that cute baby laugh of hers. “Da-da-da!”

“That’s me!” I give her a bounce, pulling her closer to my chest for a hug. “I’m Dada!”

Reaching out, I wrap my arm around Raven’s shoulder, drawing her to my side. We’re standing in front of this judge who just pronounced us man and wife, and I’ll be damned.

My daughter just called meDada.

I don’t believe in signs, and I’m not losing sight of what we’re doing here, but I won’t lie, nothing tops this moment.

Haddy twists against my hug, and I loosen my arm. She continues bouncing on my hip, patting my face and shoulder almost as if she knows she did something impressive.

She also hasn’t stopped saying it. “Da… da… da!”

“I’m not sure she knows what it means.” A hint of resentment is in Raven’s tone, and I chuckle more.

“She knows.” I can’t resist teasing her. “It only took her four days to figure out who’s the man.”

Raven exhales a groan. We’re walking slowly to the back of the room where we’ll sign the paperwork.

“I read somewhere it’s easier for babies to say theDsound than theMsound.” Raven is still rationalizing. “It doesn’t mean anything.”

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