“Of course you’re not leaving me.” I shake my head at him. I go to crawl off him but he stops me from moving. He’ll always be quicker than me. “Let me get something.” He reluctantly lets me go. He watches me walk naked over to our small dining room table. I shuffle through my papers, coming back with one. I hold it out to him. It’s my acceptance letter to NYU School of Medicine..
He reads it, sitting up himself. “You’re going to medical school here. It’s where your dad went.”
I shake my head no, that I’m not. I’ve already talked to Dad about this. He agreed with me. “I go where you go.”
Owen starts to talk but I put my hand over his mouth to stop him. I drop down into his lap. His tongue darts out, licking my finger where my engagement ring is. He put it on my finger two years ago. “Above all, my dad taught me family comes first. That he and Mom are a team. We’re all a team. It’s you and me forever, Fast. There is nothing we can’t accomplish together.” He pulls my hand down and kisses me hard. I pull back, knowing that I need to tell him one more thing before we wind up back in that bed. “I’m so proud of you, Owen. Not only for your success but for the way that you love me and take care of me.”
We stare into each other’s eyes. This decision will keep us together. I’ve already discussed it with Owen’s mom as well.
Owen’s mom has gotten close to my parents over the years. It was impossible not to. We do everything together as a family. Owen and I haven’t walked down the aisle yet and said I do, but that day is coming. It is actually months away from being here. “NYU is a good school,” I say with a laugh. The best really. I am lucky they picked me.
“You’re coming with me.” His eyes grow soft.
“Every time,” I say instantly.
“I’m going to make this up to you.” A playful happy smile pulls at his lips, giving me those damn dimples.
“There is no making this up.” That isn’t how this works but I know there is no fighting Owen on this. He flips me onto my back, hovering over me.
“Oh, I’m going to make it up in more ways than one,” he says as he moves down my body, parting my legs. I don’t stop him. I am all for this kind of making up.
Epilogue
Owen
Ten years after that
Ace has always been the smart one of the two of us. I was never too proud to admit that. But I am damn proud of her, that is for sure. Still, I’m not getting how she hasn’t put this together. Hell, I’m not even sure how it happened. Okay, I know how it happened. I’m just not sure why her birth control didn’t work. Not that I am complaining. She goes in and gets shots for it. She must have missed one or something. We knew we wanted a family but she only just became a board certified surgeon.
“Something is wrong with me.” She paces back and forth. There isn’t a damn thing wrong with my wife. She’s perfect. Fuck she’s cute as she worries her lip between her bottom teeth while she’s thinking. I don’t know how I picked up on her being pregnant before she did. She’s the doctor. Likely because I know every inch of her body. I could feel the changes in it. Ace can live in her head sometimes. She often forgets about her own needs. Not that she needs to worry about them. When it comes to my wife I always make sure she’s getting what she needs. That’s always going to be my role and I enjoy every second of it.
“Nothing is wrong with you, Ace.” I stand from leaning on the kitchen counter and walk over toward her. I lift her, sitting her on the counter. We are ready for a family. We can handle it. Not a damn thing has ever gotten in our way or tested the love we have for each other. Not me having to travel during the season or all the hours she’s had to work during her residency. Nothing. We’ve even been dubbed America’s sweethearts. The tabloids run random-ass stories about us sometimes. It doesn’t bother either of us. We ignore it but I am over being in the spotlight. I need a change of pace and this is the perfect opportunity for me to take it. A lot of things need to change actually. It is time to take my girl home. New York has been good to us. Even gave me a few Superbowl rings and made it so I would never have to worry about taking care of my family. I will always be grateful to the Jets for the chance they took on me but it is time for Ace to shine now. Well, Dr. Ace, that is.