Shuffling closer, I took his hand in mine, squeezing it gently. “It’s okay. I understand.”
“Do you?” His eyes slid to mine. “Because I don’t. I don’t understand anything anymore. But my mom said I needed to come, and it was like she was giving me permission... so here I am.”
“Cameron...” I swallowed the words. It was like Karen was here, standing over us, watching as we tried to sort our shit out.
I knew if Cameron hadn’t turned up here today, I probably wouldn’t have told him yet. But could I really let him leave without giving him the truth?
“I don’t understand either,” I whispered. “But your mom was right.”
“W- what do you mean?” His eyes were filled with trepidation.
“I’m pregnant.”
The silence was deafening. My pulse hammered inside my chest, making me a little lightheaded.
“You’re pregnant?”
I nodded. “Almost three months.”
“But... how?”
“The doctor said it happens sometimes. I didn’t miss a period, but I was sick when I came to Rixon with you, remember?”
“You knew and you didn’t tell me?”
“I didn’t think you’d be ready to hear it...” I still wasn’t sure he was.
“The ice chips?”
“Morning sickness sucks.” I went to pull my hand away, but Cameron caught it.
“A baby? We’re having... a baby?” He swallowed, an awestruck expression falling over him.
It was too much, and tears sprang from my eyes as I nodded.
“I’m sorry.” He dropped to his knees, moving between my legs. “I’m so fucking sorry. I should have been here. I should have been here with you.”
“No.” I brushed the hair from his eyes. “You needed to be with your family. I understand—”
“You’re my family too, Hailee. I should never have pushed you away. I’m so sorry. She knew, my mom knew... how is that even possible?”
I didn’t know, but I would be forever thankful to her.
“Maybe she just wants to make sure you’re happy before she...”
Sadness washed over us both. “She said the same thing.” Cameron curved his hand around the nape of my neck and touched his head to mine. “Can you forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive.”
“I guess we have a lot to talk about,” he said. “But first, I’d really like to kiss you.”
I stared down at him, fighting a smile as I said, “What are you waiting for?”
Cameron
Six months later...
“I don’t want to,” Hailee cried, pain filling her voice.
I squeezed her hand. “Just another big push, and he’ll be here.”
My son.
I was having a son.
To say the last six months had been a whirlwind was an understatement. After Mom had sent me to Michigan, Hailee and I started making plans for the future. We got to enjoy one last Christmas with my mom. It had been bittersweet, but we’d filled it with so much love and happiness and gifts, all the gifts, that it was hard to look back and be sad. Mom had gotten her wish. I was happy, Xander was doing better, and my son was about to make his grand entrance into the world.
“Okay, Hailee, he’s almost here. I need you to push again, okay?”
“Cam, I can’t do it.” She turned into me and I kissed her damp forehead.
“You’ve got this, Hailee. One more push.”
Her screams filled the room but then a different sound took over. A baby’s cries.
“He’s here,” I choked out. “He’s finally here.”
It had been hard losing Mom three months ago. We’d all hoped she would make it to see the baby, but in the end it wasn’t meant to be. I’d made a promise to her that he would know his Grandma Karen though. He would know of her love and strength and spirit.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as the nurses handed Hailee the bundle of blankets. “Oh God, Cam,” she croaked. “Look at him.”
I stroked a finger along his little face. “He’s perfect.”
“He really is.”
As I watched Hailee watch our son, I was hit with such a sense of pride and love, I felt sure I would combust.
“Have you decided on a name?” I asked her, my voice shaky with emotion.
“Avery Chase, after your mom.”
It had been her middle name.
“I love you,” I said. “I love you both so much and I will spend my life loving you.”
“We know.” Hailee smiled, her eyes filled with so much happiness I just knew we were going to be okay.
Because if my mom had taught me anything, it was that life didn’t always go to plan. We couldn’t know what was around the corner, we could only live each moment as it came. And I intended on loving each and every moment for her.
For my son, and my family.
For the girl who had stolen my heart when I was just a boy.
I’d live it for them all.
Because I’d been taught once to play hard... fight hard... and love hard.
“It’s official folks. Fans everywhere will be mourning the loss of one of the greats today. Jason Ford, Heisman Trophy winner, American All-Star, and one of the NFL’s top-rated quarterbacks of all-time is retiring. After six years with the Philadelphia Eagles, Ford suffered a string of injuries last season.”
“Yeah, Dan, it’s been a rocky year for the record-breaking QB. He enjoyed five years of success with the Eagles, including two super bowls, but last year he suffered that nasty shoulder cuff injury and things went downhill pretty quickly from there.”
“But his high school team, the Rixon Raiders will be pretty excited to see the return of Ford as he joins them as assistant coach.”
“That’s right, Dan. Ford and his family are relocating back to Rixon. And who knows, maybe it won’t be the end of his legacy.”
Jason
There had once been a time when a three-year-old’s birthday party would have sent me running for the hills. But when one of the birthday girls was your daughter, that wasn’t really an option. I cut the engine, climbed out of my SUV, and set about emptying the trunk of all the balloons Fee and Hailee had sent me out to get.
Fuck knows why we needed more balloons. Cam’s house was already full of the damn things. But I knew better than to argue with my wife and my sister.
Hands full, I trudged up the driveway, which was already full of cars, and let myself into the house. It sounded like a zoo, kids running and screaming, adults hovering on the fringes unsure whether to intervene or let them have at it.
God, I missed football.
At least back then, things were simple.
“Daddy, Daddy,” Lily charged at my legs. “You got boons.”
“Sure did, baby.” I thrust the handful of balloons at the first person I saw and scooped up the birthday girl. “Are you enjoying your party?”
“Yes,” she shrieked with glee. “I am free.”
“Three, you’re three, Lily.”
“She’s a handful, is what she is.” Fee came over with our youngest, Poppy, asleep in her arms, and leaned in kissing Lily, and then my cheek. “Thank you.”