Not Yet

“I saw the preacher talking to Dad. What if he doesn’t show up?” Her eyebrows draw together in concern but it doesn’t make her look any less beautiful.

She made me go with her to try on wedding dresses. I tried to tell her that wasn’t tradition but she insisted she needed me. I wasn’t any help and told her every single one was “the dress” and she finally gave up and got the one she loved most. Which was my plan all along.

It’s covered in white lace with long sleeves and hugs close to her body. The back is cut out completely all the way to her hips and shows off her gorgeous skin she knows I can’t keep my hands off of.

We graduated college three weeks ago, and I played my last game in college football on Saturday. I’ve got the draft coming up and I’ve got a real shot at the pros, but we’ve got time to think on that before we make the decision. Ali and I want a family, and we don’t want to wait too long. It’s been awesome having this time together alone and in college, but we’ve known from the beginning that we’re destined to be together and make babies. Why put off what we both want any longer?

“I’m nervous.” She runs her hands up my tux and I capture them in mine.

“Are you nervous to marry me?” I feel a smile tug at my lips as she rolls her eyes.

“Of course not.”

“Are you nervous to be in front of everyone and tell them you love me?”

She sighs as she shakes her head.

“Are you nervous to be my wife until the end of time?”

“Don’t be silly, Drake.” She slaps my chest and I grab her hand then kiss the palm.

“I’ve made sure that everything will be perfect. There’s nothing to worry about and nothing to fear. I’m going to be at the end of that aisle waiting on you to come be my wife.” I lean in close and kiss her softly before I rest my forehead against hers. “All you have to do is put one foot in front of the other.”

She nods and I feel her let out a breath as her shoulders relax. There’s a small knock on the door and then Dad opens it and he and Mom walk in.

“Are you kids ready?” he asks, looking between us.

“We are,” Ali answers for the both of us.

I give her one last squeeze as Dad walks over and takes her hands and I stand next to Mom. We decided to go the less traditional route since we’re already a little outside of tradition, and all four of us will walk down at the same time. Dad is walking with Ali and I’m walking with Mom. Once we get down front, we’ll switch.

“I love you,” I say to Ali and wink at her before I take Mom’s hand.

“I love you too,” she tells me back and I see the sparkle in her eye.

This is the first step of many and I can’t wait to begin.

Epilogue

Drake

Six years later…

“Breathe, breathe, breathe,” I chant as Ali squeezes the shit out of my hand.

“You can do this, Ali bug, we’re right here.” Mom is on the other side of her and she and Ali have locked eyes.

I thought I could do this on my own after having done it twice already, but Ali wanted to go for a natural birth this time after using epidurals for the first two. It’s been quite a bit more intense, to say the least.

Dad and Lindsey are in the waiting room with our two oldest boys while Liam is at home with their little girl. We all rushed into the ER with me yelling for help. At the time Ali thought it would be any second but that was six hours ago and she hasn’t made any progress since.

The nurse just came in and checked and said that she’s getting there slowly but I just want someone to give her a shot and make the pain go away.

“Maybe we should ask for drugs.” The words tumble out of my mouth and as Ali’s face snaps to mine I realize it was the wrong thing to say.

“Drake,” Mom says and I look at her. “If she can do this, so can you.”

I nod and go back to telling her to breathe. Suddenly a big contraction hits just as Dr. Cross walks in and comes around to check Ali.

“It looks like it’s time.” She grabs her scrubs and all the nurses come in as she looks at Ali. “Let’s meet baby number three, shall we?”

Without a word Ali nods and I see her summon all of her strength. She’s so damn strong and every day I’m with her I’m in awe of her. She’s the most amazing mother and wife I could’ve ever dreamed of and she’s more than just that. She’s my best friend and the one person in the whole world I want to share my life with.