Sweethearts

Epilogue

Ten years later

Ruby kissed her son and watched as he walked into school. He met up with a couple of his friends, and she waited. Theo wrapped his arms around her, and she was used to several of the kids pointing in his direction.

He was, after all, a star football player.

A celebrity.

No matter his status on the field and in the sports world, he was always here for the first day and last day, for all the parent-teacher conferences, any activities that were required. His career never got in the way of being a parent, and she loved him even more for it.

“You know, this never gets easier,” he said.

“Watching him go to school?”

“Watching him grow up.” He kissed her neck.

Once their boy was inside school, Theo took her hand, like he did most days, and they headed back to the car. Whenever they went out a picture would always appear of them, holding hands. They were known as the football sweethearts, not that she loved football. In fact, several papers loved her dislike of the game, and it seemed to make them like her more. She didn’t follow her husband around, faking it. She was straight, honest, and happy for him.

Theo helped her into the car. He stroked her thigh, and she knew she had to tell him.

She waited for them to be driving away from the school.

Having a child at eighteen had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. She didn’t have the first clue how to raise a baby. With their parents’ help, they both got through the long nights, the feedings, the routine, everything it meant to have a baby.

“Do you want to tell me something?” he asked, surprising her.

“Me?”

He chuckled. “Come on, Ruby. I know you, and you’d be telling me all about your latest adventure.”

She wasn’t published, and her stories had been rejected so many times. She didn’t want the risk of being published because she was Theo West’s wife, so she used her mother’s name, and so far, nothing. One day, she hoped to have a book published, but Theo loved listening to her tell him her ideas.

“Also, I happen to know you’re late.” The car came to a stop at a red light. Theo turned to her.

“You know it’s weird for husbands to know their wife’s cycles, right?”

“It’s not weird. Besides, I’m the one that rubs your feet, gets you ice cream, and treats you like a queen. Does this mean what I think it means?”

She saw the happiness in his eyes, and it infected her with such warmth to know he was already happy about this. “I’m pregnant.”

Theo let out a whoop and pulled her in close, holding her.

“We’re having another baby.” He held her gently. “I’ve wanted another for so long, and now, are you okay?”

“Theo, baby, this is not our first baby.”

“I know. He’s our second. What if it’s a girl? Oh my, that’s it. We’re going for some hot chocolate.”

She burst out laughing.

Accepting his offer of a date was the best thing she ever did. As he held her hand again, locking them together, binding them, she knew there was never going to be anyone else in this world that could ever make her feel so happy.

“I love you, Theo West, so damn much.”

The End