Before I knew it we were down to the final seventeen seconds of the game. Fort Worth Big Horns were down by three, and Miami had the ball on their own thirty-seven yard line. It was the fourth down, with seven yards to go when Miami brought out the special teams to punt. The kicker lined up and punted the ball, and Fort Worth’s punt returner received the punt and ran it back to Miami’s thirty-five yard line.
The clock had ticked down to seven seconds with no time-outs left in the game. I could feel my palms sweating in anticipation for the final play—would we be able to pull out the win, bringing the Super Bowl victory home to Fort Worth?
To my surprise, Jax and the Big Horns offensive line returned to the field instead of special teams, in hopes of winning the ball game. I could only imagine the pressure Jax felt in this moment, but they didn’t call him the GOAT for nothing. Jax took the snap and faked a play-action hand-off to Williams, the running back and then threw the ball two yards backward to Hunter, the receiver. Jax didn’t miss a beat, not that I expected him to. With the speed of a lion, he sprinted down the sideline and turned just in time to catch the pass from Hunter, just as his feet crossed the endzone! TOUCHDOWN, baby! The stadium lost their shit as the final second ticked off the clock.
“Mom! Did you see that flea-flicker Hunter just passed to Dad!” Ben shouted, jumping up and down.
I couldn’t contain my excitement. The crowd around us was electrifying.
I high-fived Ben. “Yes, little man. That was awesome!”
“My dad is the GOAT! We won the Super Bowl, Mom! I’m going down to the field!”
Ben darted out the door, and I followed him, just as excited as he was.
My heart pounded profusely while my mind raced, and my chest heaved with each passing second, escalating with every step that brought me closer to my husband.
Ben jumped into Jax’s arms, and Jax placed him on his shoulders before he turned to me, catching my body next. I kissed him with all the love I could muster for him.
Murmuring into his ear, “I guess you get my ass after all.”
He grinned. “I would have taken it regardless.”
From that moment forward, the press circled around him like bees to honey.
“Jax!” one reporter shouted. “How are you going to celebrate winning the Super Bowl?”
I swear, for a minute I thought he was actually going to say something about taking my ass. I never imaged he’d reply…
* * *
“I’m going to give my wife the wedding she deserves.”
EPILOGUE
SOPHIE
“I, Sophie, take you, Jax, as my lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” I slid the band on his finger, and the officiant then nodded to him.
“I, Jax, take you, Sophie, to be my lawfully wedded wife.” He slid the band on my finger. “I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life.”
I smiled wide, feeling an endless amount of emotions. Each one more potent than the last.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”
Jax grabbed the sides of my face and claimed my mouth like we weren’t in front of our loved ones.
Slowly, he kissed me one last time and whispered, “I love you my Baby Soph,” against my lips.
Jax didn’t hold back on the expense of our wedding. It was everything I’d ever wanted and more. He’d made all my dreams come true, making sure to have every last detail I’d requested.
The theme was my favorite.
It was The Great Gatsby.
He wore a tux, and I wore a white gown that was inspired by Daisy Buchanan’s dress. It was custom made along with Jax’s tux that was identical to Jay Gatsby’s.
We were married on our property. Jax was adamant about having it there, saying this was the first time he’d ever had a home. We told the world that it was our vow renewal, but to us it felt like our wedding day.