Page 102 of Fumble Into the End Zone

I watched as she curled up next to me and yawned. She lifted my arm and placed her head on my chest.

“How was therapy? You don’t have to give me details,” she said.

“Dr. Choice is cool. I scheduled a follow-up appointment with him. Mia, if I’m smothering you...”

“You’re not smothering me. One of the things Dr. Choice and I work on is my voice. Trust me, I will let you know.”

“What’s going on with Harley?” I questioned.

My daughter hadn’t taken a nap since kindergarten. She was usually up around this time.

“Dance class has been wearing her out, but she loves it. Be ready for next week, they get tap shoes,” Mia said.

“Shit!”

“Can your mother watch Harley Friday night? You and I have a date,” I said.

Mia peered up and danced her brows. “Mom already had plans for Harley this weekend. Something about a glam party. I promised Stacie I would come over on Saturday. I haven’t been a good friend to anyone.”

“You’re always good to me,” I said, and she rolled her eyes.

My entire body trembled as I drove to our future house. Mia sat on the passenger side with a blind fold. I wanted to hold her hand but my nerves wouldn’t allow it. In a few minutes, I was going to pop the question with a list of my flaws. Pulling into the driveway, I switched off the ignition.

“Marcus, what are you up to? You’ve been nervous since Harley left. Do you need game motivation?”

I chuckled at her statement, but we’ll address the game motivation later. Opening my car door, I sprinted to her side, anxious for what’s to come. Mia extended her hand to me, and I captured it, captivated by the sight of her legs in these heels. I maneuvered her backward and shut the door.

“Follow my lead and put your arm in mine,” I said.

I moved at a slow pace to prevent any missteps. The lady from Event and Things Bryce recommended came by and decorated for me. He warned me about the owner, so we conducted everything via telephone, and I paid one of the crew members over time to stay behind and watch her ass. He sent me pictures after she left.

Sticking the key in the door, I opened it to see three giant floral hearts decorated in pink and white roses. The pathway to the spot I planned to propose held more roses. I led Mia to the middle of the room before I removed the blindfold. She scanned the unfinished room before turning to me.

“Marcus, this is...” she paused after catching me on one knee.

I reached for her hand. “I had this big speech planned, but I’m getting to the point. I want to marry you. From the moment we met, I knew you were my other half. You pushed me out of my box, you take care of the people I care about and the person I neglected: myself. I got some problems, but Dr. Choice said he would help me with my clinginess and trust issues. What I’m saying is, can you just… Will you marry me with all my baggage?” I said, between tears and stammering.

Mia wiped away the tears with her thumbs. “If you can get past my trust issues, my need to be perfect and my occasional visit to the past. Yes, I’ll marry you Marcus Allen,”

Hearing the words yes, I cried, struggling to stand on my feet. Mia allowed me to rest my head against her stomach as she caressed my head.

“Marcus, are you okay?” she asked.

My tears spoke for me as I couldn’t find my words. I’d been nervous all day and even tried to imagine my life without her. It made me sick to my stomach. My pent-up emotions were finally loose; too far for me to catch them.

“Marcus,” Mia called, lifting my head with her hands.

“I love you. You were never in danger of me saying no. As a man, you surpassed my every expectation. Marcus, you are a protector, a provider, a lover, a friend, and an amazing father to our daughter. I meant what I said in the Bahamas. No more holding back. Can I have my ring now?” she said, and I kissed her stomach.

I stood and removed the box from my pocket and revealed a marquise-shaped platinum diamond ring. Sliding it on her finger, Mia trembled. I kissed her several times, soft as the treasure she was to me. After breaking apart, we pressed our foreheads together.

“I’m going to be Mrs. Marcus Allen.”

“You were always Mrs. Marcus Allen,” I confirmed.

I pulled Mia into my arms, and we danced to no music for several minutes. Our hearts spoke the words they needed to hear.

“Oh, I have a message for you,” I said.

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