by Ryan, Kaylee
“And serve her with divorce papers,” Joseph adds.
“There’s a lot that we need to talk about. It’s late. Why don’t you get some sleep and we can get back to all of this in the morning?”
“I— I can’t be here.”
“Emma,” Landon says, reaching for me. “Please, let’s just get some rest.”
“Fine.” I march off down the hall without a second glance at any of them. I climb under the covers and settle myself on the edge of my side of the bed. I squeeze my eyes closed, trying to block it all out. It doesn’t work because I hear Landon come into the room, shutting the door behind him and climb into bed. I don’t fight him when he snuggles up next to me, wrapping me in his arms.
“I’m sorry, Emma. I never meant to hurt you. It was the opposite of my intention. I didn’t want to lose you. I didn’t know what was going on or why she would want you out of my life. I had to know so I could give you the facts. You’re my life, Emma. If you believe nothing else, believe that.”
I don’t reply as tears silently roll down my cheeks. I love him, and I feel his love for me, but we promised to always be open and honest. Then again, he did call me and let me know something was going on. I guess I can understand him not wanting to tell me any of this over the phone, but if he had told me before he left, that would have been a nonissue. “We’re supposed to be a team.”
“We are a team. I was going to give it up, Emma. I was going to walk away from my career if the trade was real. No way was I leaving you.”
“That’s crazy.”
“I know how much you love your job at the shelter and I would never ask you to give that up.”
“Do you hear yourself? You’re a professional football player with a multi-million-dollar contract. You can’t just walk away from that.”
“Yes, I can. What I can’t walk away from is you. I’ll never walk away from you, Emma.”
I think about what he’s saying and let the meaning sink in. He was willing to give up his career for me. I might be upset with him for not including me from the beginning, but I have no doubt his heart was in the right place. Slowly, I roll over to face him. He immediately hugs me tight and places a tender kiss to my forehead.
“I would have come with you,” I whisper into the darkness. “I’d follow you anywhere, Landon Barker.”
“Em,” he says, his voice cracking. “I’d never ask you to do that.”
“You wouldn’t have to. Relationships are give and take. Yes, I love my job at the shelter and I would miss Aubrey, Chance, and CJ, but I’d miss my heart even more.”
“I’m sorry. I should have told you as soon as it happened. Lesson learned, I can promise you that.”
“Hopefully nothing like this ever happens again.”
“If it does, we’re in it together,” he assures me.
“Together,” I repeat. We talk well into the morning hours. He helps me see Mom’s perspective and although I’m hurt, I understand why she did it. I can’t imagine telling my young, impressionable daughter I met a man, slept with him in the first week, fell in love, and didn’t even know his last name. I get it. I still think she should have told me when I was old enough to understand, but like Landon says, it’s not my story to tell. Not really. It doesn’t change the fact that Joseph didn’t know about me. We can only look toward the future, leaving the past where it lies and focus on what’s yet to come.
* * *
The next morning, Landon and I find Mom and Joseph in the living room drinking coffee and eating bagels.
“Morning,” I say, taking a seat on the couch.
“We went out for bagels,” Mom says. “They’re in the kitchen.”
“I’ll get it.” Landon leans down, kisses my forehead, and disappears into his kitchen.
“Have you been up all night?”
“We have.” Mom smiles at Joseph, and her face lights up. Something I’ve never seen from her before. Not like this.
Landon comes back offering me a cup of coffee but with no bagel in sight. I love how well he knows me. I’m not going to be able to eat until I talk to Mom. “Thank you.” He nods and takes a seat next to me.
“I’m sorry,” Mom starts. “I should have told you when you got older, but I didn’t know how. It hurt too much to think about never seeing him again.”
“Is that why you never dated?”
“I dated,” she counters.
“You did here and there, but never anyone serious. Never anyone you introduced me to. It’s always just been us.”
“I would have been there,” Joseph’s deep voice promises, filled with conviction. “If I had known where she was, I would have been there.”
“Why didn’t you look for her sooner?”
“I don’t know. For fear of what I would find I guess.”
“So, why now?”
“Seeing you. You’re the spitting image of your mother and it made her real again. All these years, that week has been in my mind, almost like a dream, but seeing you… that brought it all right back to reality. One I wanted more of. I knew if I found her and she was happy, I would walk away. I knew my heart would break all over again, but I did it anyway. I was tired of living with what could have been. I needed to know. I never could have imagined I’d find her and you. My d-daughter,” he says, choking up.
Landon places his hand on my thigh, giving me the courage I need. “I get it,” I tell them. “I understand, but it’s going to take me some time. I don’t have this… connection that the two of you have. You’re a stranger to me,” I say, looking at Joseph.
“I want to get to know you, Emma. I want to be a part of your life. You take all the time that you need. When you’re ready, I’d like to add my name to your birth certificate. I know you’re an adult, but it’s important to me.”
“I’m not changing my name.” I don’t know why I say it. He didn’t ask me to. I guess I just need to get that out in the open. Who knows, maybe one day I might change my mind.
“Not to Stamper,” Landon speaks up. He sets his coffee down on the table and drops to his knees in front of me. He takes my coffee and places it on the table as well, before taking my hands in his. “This isn’t how I planned to do this, and I don’t have a ring.” He grins, giving me a flash of his dimples. I stare down at him, my heart. My breath stalls in my chest when the reality of what’s about to happen settles.
“When I thought I might lose you, I felt like my world was spinning out of control. I don’t ever want to face that again. I want to know that it’s always going to be you that I come home to. You who’s sleeping next to me, and you who has my last name. Emma Deaton, freckles…” He smirks. “Will you do me the incredible honor, and make me the happiest man alive and be my wife? Will you marry me?”
Tears are flowing down my cheeks and emotion clogs my throat. I nod and he chuckles. “I need your words, baby.”
“Y-Yes,” I manage to croak out.
He lets out a whoop of excitement and lifts me off the couch and into his arms. His lips press to mine and suddenly, everything is right in my world. I know it’s going to be tough with his career, but we have a great support system that surrounds us, and most of all, we have love. Landon Barker is everything I never knew I wanted and everything that I need. He’s the love of my life.
“I love you,” I say as he sets me back on my feet.
“I love you too.”
“Congratulations, you two.” Mom comes to us and wraps her arms around us in a giant hug. “I’m so happy for you both,” she says, wiping tears.
“Landon,” Joseph says from beside us. It’s going to take some time for me to call him dad. I’m sure I’ll get to that point eventually, but right now, first names are the best that I can do. “Take care of her.”
“Always,” Landon replies.
“You know, you’re one lucky bastard, right?” Joseph asks him.
“I could say the same for you.”
“Yeah.” Joseph pulls my mom into his side and k
isses the top of her head. “Lucky bastard indeed.”
Epilogue
Landon
This is my first baby shower, but certainly not my last. Luna and Trent were showered with gifts from family and friends today. Now, Luna, Aubrey, and Emma are sitting on the couch eating cake, talking and laughing. The three-carat diamond ring that Emma and I picked out together sparkles and shines every time she moves her hand. It’s not what I would have picked. I was looking at a six carat, but she shut me down. I get it. It’s not practical when she’s working, but I want nothing but the best for her. It also helps that it’s a beacon of light so all the single guys who think they’re going to make a move get the hint quickly. At least I hope they do.
“This going to be you next?” Trent asks, handing me a bottle of water. We try to limit our alcohol during the season.
“I hope so.”
“Really? That’s not the answer I expected to get.”
“No?”
“Not at all, but I can tell you, it’s a fucking rush, man, to know that my baby is growing inside her. What’s even better is watching her body grow and change, and feeling the baby kick. I’m telling you, it’s next level.” He takes a swig of his own water. “I can still remember the day she told me. I was scared to death. But the minute I heard the baby’s heartbeat for the first time, I knew we were going to be fine. How do you love someone you’ve never met? It’s wild as hell, but it’s a ride I can’t wait to take again.”
“Think we’re going to go somewhere tropical when the season’s over and get married. I hope by then I’ve talked her into trying.”
He nods toward the living room. I follow his gaze and Emma has her hand on Luna’s belly, a grin that lights up my life on her face. “Don’t think it’s going to take much convincing.” He walks away and I watch as he bends to kiss Luna’s belly and then places a tender kiss to her lips.
Life is finally starting to settle back down after the media frenzy. As soon as Joseph’s divorce went public, it didn’t take the vultures long to dig up that Emma, my fiancée, was his daughter. Bridgett didn’t have a leg to stand on in the divorce. The terms of the prenup were clear. Should Joseph decide to end their marriage, she walks away with way more cash than she deserves. She played the victim to the media, but they passed over her play for attention. Surprisingly, the majority of them decided to report on the long-lost love of the Hermosa Beach Trojans team owner. Everyone loves a good love story. It helps that Bridgett is not a nice person. She’s shown her bitchiness to too many people over the years, and even the media doesn’t want anything to do with her. I think they call that karma.
There is one good thing that came out of all of the media attention. Well, two things actually. One, Caroline moved to Hermosa Beach. Joseph insisted he get her a place in my building, so we’re neighbors for now. I don’t see that lasting long. In fact, if he had his way, she would have just moved straight into his place—his new place. However, my future mother-in-law is adamant she won’t live with a married man. She’s keeping him at arm’s length in that aspect of their relationship. Other than a slight peck on the lips and some hand holding, he’s in the dark until the ink is on the papers. He has connections, and called in some favors. The divorce should be finalized next week.
And the second thing? Emma moved in with me. It was an easy decision when she came home from work to reporters camped out on her lawn. My building is secure, and she’s safer there. Besides, she stays with me most of the time anyway. We have an appointment next week with a realtor to list her place, and to start looking for a home of our own. We need a bigger place for our growing family. The one that I hope we start sooner rather than later. In the meantime, until I convince her, we’ll have to settle with bringing home one of the dogs from the shelter. Nothing says committed and domesticated more than buying a house and getting a dog together. Well, you know, unless you count the rock on her finger.
If you’d told me that day at training camp when I first met Emma that this is where we would be, I would have laughed my ass off. I never could have imagined we’d be engaged and planning our lives together. I never dreamed I’d be standing at a baby shower, and wondering how long it’s going to take to convince my future wife that this is our next step. Starting a family.
Emma catches me watching and waves me over. I smile at her and head her way. She’s been through a lot these past few weeks, but she’s handled it with grace. My girl’s heart is huge and already she’s warming up to her dad. It’s still going to take some time, but I have no doubt he’s going to make damn sure he’s a part of her life. I see it when he looks at her, or her mom. He loves them both. They say you don’t know love until that of your child. Whether or not that’s true, I’m not sure, but I know the love of a good woman, and that’s something I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Emma
Landon never takes his eyes off me. It doesn’t matter where he is in the room, I can look up and find him watching me. I smile at him and that’s all the invitation he needs to join us. I stand to greet him, telling Trent to take my spot next to Luna.
“Hey,” I say when he’s close to me.
He bends to give me a kiss. “Hey, freckles.” He nods toward Luna. “You ready for one of those?”
“Are you?” I counter. I’m ready. I want nothing more than to start our life together. That includes having kids.
“Yes.”
“Really?” I’m surprised by his answer.
“We can start tonight.”
“Hold up, Number Eighteen. I think you’re rushing the pass a little.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “I love that you know football. Have I told you that?”
“You have.” I chuckle. “Although, we’re going to have to hold off for a bit.”
“Why’s that?” he asks. His eyes are soft as he stares down at me.
“Well, it just hit me that I’m going to be married to a Trojan. I think I need to take some time and ponder this agreement.” I hold up my hand and wiggle my fingers, showing off my engagement ring. “I at least need to let AJ have a—” He cuts me off with a kiss.
“Mine, Emma. You are mine. You are a Trojan. Our babies will be Trojans.”
“I can still cheer for the Mavs, right? You know, some good, healthy competition?”
“As long as you have my last name, and you’re wearing my jersey, I will concede some cheering for the opposite team. However, not when we play them.”
“Deal.” I stretch to kiss the corner of his mouth. “You don’t think we should be married first?” I ask, going back to our original conversation.
“That’s going to happen. But there is no law that states we have to wait until then. Hell, we can get married tonight. I’ll charter a plane. We can go to Vegas or Fiji or wherever your heart desires.”
“You’d do that?”
“I’d do just about anything to make you my wife, Emma.”
“Mid-February. Your mom and dad, and my mom and Joseph. Keep it small. That’s only a couple of months away.”
“Done. I’ll make it happen.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that. Looks like you’ll be changing your name after all.”
“I don’t know. Landon Deaton has a nice ring to it.”
“Not as good as Emma Barker.”
“Hmm.” I slide my arms around his neck, clamping my hands together. “That does have a nice ring to it.” My heart is full. Landon is the man of my dreams, and I never could have imagined we would be here in this moment. What started out as a chase, ended in forever.
“Speaking of ring, yours is shining.” He smirks.
“My fiancé insisted I get it. It’s obnoxious.”
“But you love it.”
“I do. I love him too. Although, I’m not exactly sure he knows how lucky he is.”
“You don’t think so? Does he kiss these freckles?” he asks, kissing the bridge of my nose.
“Every day.”
“Does he get to hold you in his arms each night?”
“He makes sure of it.”
“Does he tell you how beautiful you are?”
“Without fail.”
“Trust me, he knows he’s lucky.”
“You think so? Do you think he’d still feel that way if I told him he was going to be a daddy?”
He freezes, his body going stiff. “What did you just say?”
I nod, unable to speak through the tears in my eyes.
“We’re having a baby?” he asks reverently.
“Y-Yes.” I’m able to croak out.
“Emma,” he breathes as my feet leave the floor. He lifts me, holding my body close to his, his face buried in my neck. I don’t know how long we stand this way, but when he finally sets me back on my feet, his number thirteen eyes are misty with tears. “I can’t believe we’re here right now. That I finally have everything I’ve ever wanted in my arms.”
“Good surprise?”
“Damn good surprise. You’re right, Em. I am one lucky bastard.”
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