Page 37 of Just One: Box Set
Chapter Eleven
O ne Year Later
Amy cradled Collin in the crook of her elbow.
He was born on September tenth, at three thirty in the afternoon.
Phillip had just made it to the stadium for one of his games, but Andre, her brother and the Atlanta Firefighter made sure he arrived at the hospital in plenty of time.
Now she held him against her body, bundled in a fleece blanket.
Even though they were watching from a player's box, she didn’t want to take any chances on him getting cold.
He was one week shy of being two months old.
She watched intently as the Atlanta Force took the field.
This was it—the final game. Whoever won tonight would take home the MLS Soccer Cup.
Phillip had pushed himself hard to build himself stronger and faster after the injury that put them in each other’s path again.
Amy wasn’t going to complain. Even though him getting hurt sucked…
it helped her get past her fears and fall in love with him.
A feeling she’d been fighting since meeting him in Vegas at her brother’s wedding to his sister, Harley.
Speaking of Harley, she was six months pregnant herself. “How you feeling over there?”
“Like a whale.” She grumbled. “This wasn’t supposed to happen until after I was done with Law School.”
“Well, when you play hide the hotdog as much as you and Archer do… it was bound to happen.” Her best friend Jackie threw a grape at her from across the room. “Didn’t you pay any attention when I showed you how to put a condom on using that banana?”
Harley blushed, burrowing her head into Archer’s chest. “Is that why you’re the master at covering my cock in record time?” Jackie’s husband Carter, and best friend to Archer, smirked before laying a hard kiss on her lips.
“Jesus Christ, your man is a beast.” Andre plopped down beside Amy and smiled at his nephew. “He hasn’t given up that ball once in this half.”
Leaning her head against his shoulder, “Say hi to your uncle Andre.” Amy held Collin out for Andre.
“Damn little buddy. You’re growin’ like a weed.”
“Pretty sure you shouldn’t cuss around him.” Damon laughed. “But he has Cross blood in him so it may be unavoidable.”
The crowd roared below, and they all jumped up to see Phillip score another goal.
At that rate, the MLS Cup was theirs. This will be the second one for the Atlanta Force and if all went well, Phillip will be around to see it through the end.
Glancing at the clock, Amy saw there wasn’t much time left.
“Oh my God… they’re going to do it.” Amy glanced back at her brother, Andre. “Andre… put that phone down and come see the love of my life win another cup.”
Andre mumbled something unintelligible but moved to her side. “What the hell is so important you have your face buried in that thing?”
“Nothing.” It chimed in his pocket, making Amy raise a brow. “Fine. The guys at the station signed me up for a dating app. I’ve been chatting with someone. But let’s focus on you, not me.”
Amy turned in time to see the clock roll to zero, and the arena erupted into boisterous applause.
The Atlanta Force pulled another one off and claimed the MLS Cup.
Amy watched as the men she’s come to know, like family, hug and cheer down on the soccer field below.
Suddenly, the crowd parted, and Amy saw Phillip was on the megatron screen.
“What’s he doing?” Amy glanced back at Damon, who simply smiled.
“Amy. I know you can hear me up there, baby. We did it! We won the cup… I couldn’t have done it without you.
I love you!!” He hollered, making the fans go nuts.
“And I have something to ask you. Amy Hunt—the mother of my son… and he’s a damn cute boy, folks.
” They giggled at his joke, making Amy smile.
“I can’t see life without you—no… I don’t want a life without you.
Amy Hunt… answer me one question, will ya? ”
The positron lit up with, ‘Will you Marry me?. The sound of blood rushing to her head filled her ears as she stared at it in wonder. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pressed her hand to the glass and nodded.
“Thank fuck. Oops… sorry about that, but I’m pretty sure she said yes. Wait there, baby. I’m coming to you.”
The Sports announcer took the mic and Amy watched as Phillip disappeared down the players' tunnel. She turned, noting the happy faces staring at her, and looked at the door. After what felt like an eternity, Phillip finally burst through the door.
He dropped to a knee in front of her, and Amy caught sight of Damon as he slipped a black box into Phillip’s hand. “Amy Hunt… I love you more than life itself. Please do me the honor of becoming my wife.”
“Yes.” She nodded, the tears dripping onto Collin's blanket.
Phillip eased the diamond solitaire onto her finger and stood.
Careful not to crush his son, Phillip placed a gentle kiss on his head before claiming Amy’s lips with his own.
Forcing himself to tear away, he rested his head against hers.
“Winning the MLS Cup again is surreal. But hearing you say you’ll be mine forever…
Fuck Amy. Just one win if it’s you, is worth a thousand soccer cup trophies. I love you, baby.”
Amy pressed her lips to his again and smiled. This was everything she never realized she wanted. The perfect job, the perfect baby… and now the perfect husband—or husband to-be.
“Let’s go home… you never know. You just might score again.”