The Super Bowl is the dream and here we are, living it.
The clock is almost out. We need one last touchdown to win the game.
“Go, go, go!” I scream along with thousands of other fans in the stadium. There are millions of people at home rooting on Andy Stafford, the love of my life, my husband, and the soon-to-be father of my child, as he runs, attempting to pass the football to the halfback.
But the halfback is intercepted and Andy is forced run the ball into the end zone.
“YES!!!” The stadium is on their feet as Andy makes the winning touchdown.
The team rushes my husband, lifting him to their shoulders. Confetti swirls everywhere, the celebratory music blasts around us as champagne corks fly. Happy tears streak down my face as I watch from the stands where the families of the players sit.
“He did it!” Andy’s mother cries, and I wrap my arm around her, both of us overwhelmed with pride for the man we love so dearly.
Andy’s eyes search for mine in the crowd. He sees me, and I see him and it’s like falling in love all over again. I’ve never been prouder than I am at this moment. I press my hand to my belly, amazed at this beautiful life I’ve been given.
It’s incredible and all I want is to wrap him in my arms. It takes a while, but eventually, we are able to get to the field and Andy runs toward me, kissing me, his hands in my hair and cameras are flashing everywhere. It’s the moment of a lifetime, and here we are, living it.
“I love you, Andy,” I tell him.
“I love you more,” he says, kissing me like it’s the first time. Every day is like that with Andy. He makes me feel so special, so wanted. When we got married a year ago, we promised to have and to hold, to protect, to cherish, to honor. And Andy is a man of his word.
He runs his hand over my belly. The jersey I wear with Andy’s number is stretched tightly over my nine-month-pregnant bump and the baby kicks back at his daddy.
“He’s cheering for you too,” I say laughing through tears.
Suddenly though, I’m not laughing anymore.
“What is it?” Andy says, seeing the look in my eye.
“Andy,” I whisper in shock. “My water… it just broke!”
His eyes widen and he steps back, looking at my feet that are now sloshed wet.
“Oh, my God.” His handsome face breaks into a massive grin as he turns, getting the attention of everyone around us. There are hundreds of people on the field. It’s a madhouse, and we’re gonna need help to get to the hospital. “My wife is about to have our baby,” he shouts. “Her water broke!”
Reporters turn their attention toward me, and a team medic arrives, clearing the way. I am going to have a baby--today.
I’ll be more than a grad student, more than the wife of the sexiest NFL quarterback of all time. I’m going to be a mother. And soon.
I look around, wanting to memorize every last detail of this perfect moment. I can’t believe it’s happening now. My jeans are soaked with my water and I’d be embarrassed if this wasn’t the happiest, twice-blessed day of my life.
“I made such a mess,” I say laughing in shock as I’m helped into a wheelchair.
Andy leans down and kisses me. “You always were a dirty girl.”Baby GravyA Second Helpings RomanceIt’s been four years since I saw my best friend’s sister.
Back then, I wasn’t ready for forever — and Autumn wanted one thing: a bun in the oven.
Now, I’m home from the Marines and am ready to give her everything she craves.
I’m hungry as hell and it’s time for our second helping at love.
When I join her family for Thanksgiving dinner, she wasn’t expecting me to be there.
And she comes with a date.
I missed out on giving her what she wanted last time — I won’t make the same mistake twice.
I’m not leaving this holiday without giving her my baby gravy.
She knows she wants it: thick and creamy and finger lickin’ good.
The season’s about gratitude, right?
Well, I’ll give my girl a reason to thank God I’m back in town.Dear Reader,
I saved the juiciest piece for you!
This one is deliciously insane and a little more punny than you’re used to.
Don’t worry, this lil’ story will make that drive to your in-laws as sweet as candied yams and sexier than basting that bird!
XO, frankie
#ButterMyBiscuits #CornThatCob #GreenBeanMyCasserole #MashMyPotatoes #ThatLastOneMakesNoSense #DoAnyOfThem #SorryNotSorry***This is a super short story that’s part of the Second Helpings series … all Thanksgiving-dinner themed standalones!
Check out all the fun and quick holiday stories by these other incredible authors: Sierra Hill, Alexis Adaire, Tessa Blake, Olivia Hawthorne, Laney Powell, Vivian Ward, Derek Masters, Dori Lavelle, Sher Dillard and Tracy Lorraine.