Page 139 of Fumble Into the End Zone

“Christina!” Harley yelled as Ed’s daughter ran to the car.

Marcus unlocked the door after he heard Harley struggle with the handle. I stayed on Marcus about connecting with the team, which led to Harley gaining a best friend.

“I’m on a high from you carrying my last name. But you owe me two more kids, Mia Allen. We amping up the sex,” Marcus said.

We exited the car at the same time to retrieve our babies. An awakened Marley slobbered on her hands and kicked as I removed her from the car seat. Kissing her cheek, I said in baby talk. “You want to tell Daddy it’s too late.”

Marcus’s brows pinched together as he lifted Jr. from his seat. I shut the door with Marley in hand and walked toward the house.

“Mia!” he screamed, and I continued to move with the knowledge he finally caught on.

“Congratulations,” Kindness said as we hugged each other.

Bryce kissed my cheek and Marley reached for him. She loved her Uncle Bryce, and he enjoyed rubbing it into Marcus face.

“Marley, he has Sincere right now,” I said as I bounced her up and down.

She continued to reach for Bryce and he gave in, hoisting both babies – for now, at least. The outdoor patio door being opened allowed for the pool to be visible. The scent of smoked meat called to my stomach as it lingered in from outside.

“Mia,” Whitney said and extended her arms toward me.

We embraced with warmth. “Marcus’s strawberry shortcake is in the fridge,” she said.

“You just started an argument between the guys,” I said and we both laughed.

Marcus

“Jr. your momma out here pregnant and ain’t said nothing,” I told my sleeping son.

Making it into the house, I searched for Mia because I need more confirmation about this baby situation. I knew something was up during the Elite Bowl because I couldn’t shake my headache. Bryce and I still connected for two touchdowns on the repeat. Stepping inside our house, it swarmed with people from the living room to the pool. Bryce was already holding my daughter, Marley, and his daughter, Sincere.

Marley knew her Uncle Bryce’s voice and reached for him on sight. We both were trying to figure out fatherhood. I struggled with having a partner this time around, and Bryce didn’t know what the hell he was doing. Kindness’s stomach was rounding, with them expecting a new baby.

“The girls want to do a sleepover at my house,” Ed said as he approached me and we slapped hands.

“I’m cool with it,” I said as I patted my son’s back.

Being wrong about Ed was something I owned up to. He showed himself to be a good friend. Bryce and Mia forced the situation, but I’m grateful they did. The way Whitney and Stacie took care of Harley with the twins in the NICU pushed me to let my guard down.

“Did your wife bring that strawberry shortcake?” I asked Ed.

“It’s in the fridge. I want a piece,” he demanded.

“Hold on,” I told Ed.

“Whitney, Ed is trying to make me share,” I yelled into the kitchen.

Ed glared at me and I smiled.

“You dirty,” he said.

Whitney appeared from around the corner and stared him down. He knew better than to ask for the cake she bakes only for me. I walked over to Mia and handed her Jr. and kissed Kindness’s cheek. Sincere reached for me and I removed her from Bryce’s arms.

“You miss your uncle Marcus, don’t you,” I teased.

“They’re both spoiled,” Kindness said.

I’m not sure how it happened but our daughters appeared to love their uncles more. Bouncing Sincere, I noticed Marley pulling on Bryce’s diamond stud earring.

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