A Different Side (University Park #4) (73 page)

“Good, because it’s the only heart I want, aside from our children.” Those words were sweet music to my ears. The only kind Lexi could make. I stood up. “Damn, we’re having twins.”

She laughed. “Yes, in twenty-eight weeks.”

“Do we know what they are?” I rubbed her stomach, eager to see, hear, and hold them. It was amazing how I could love something so much without even seeing it.

“Not yet. But at the next appointment, we should know.”

I grinned. “This is going to be fun.”

She snorted. “Uh, we’ll see. Luke and I were terrible when we were little.”

“I guess that means one thing.” I made a serious face.

“What’s that?” She sniffed.

“You’ll be the one disciplining them.”

She shook her head. “Oh, no, we’re doing it together.”

“And that’s what I love about you.” I lifted my hand, spreading it under her jaw and across her cheek. “I can honestly tell you that there wasn’t a single day that passed where I didn’t think of you. I never stopped loving you.”

“And I never stopped loving you, Raven.”

“So, you’ll still marry me?” I wasn’t giving up.

“Let’s just take this slow, okay? Like I said, you have a lot of proving to do.”

It wasn’t a
yes
, but it wasn’t a
no
either. I still had a chance and I wasn’t going to blow it. “I know. And I will,” I said with a strong nod. “It was wrong of me to walk out on you like that. I feel terrible. I was so selfish. Not being there for you.” I caressed her stomach. “For our babies.” “Please, Lexi. Just tell me you’ll marry me.” My throat tightened and my eyes watered. “I promise you won’t be disappointed. I’ll be everything you need and more. I’ll do whatever it takes to earn your trust and show I can support us. Just, please, don’t leave me. I need to know you’re on my side.”

She wiped the tears from my cheeks. “Raven, there’s only one side I want to be on.”

With a sniffle and a gut full of hope, I asked, “What side is that?”

“The winning side,” she said with a huge smile.

The End

Epilogue

One Year Later

“You ready, man?” Shawn gripped my hand, giving me a brotherly shake.

“More than you know,” I said with a huge smile.

The day had finally come. I was marrying the woman I loved, the woman of my children, the woman I’d do anything for. I did everything to prove I was worthy of her love, and in return, I was rewarded with her acceptance to marry me. Most importantly, I had earned her trust and unconditional love.

“Man, she looks just like Lexi.” Shawn tickled Nevara’s tummy.

My baby girl had her momma’s sweet smile and big brown eyes. “It’s amazing how similar they look. You should see Lexi’s baby pictures. I swear they’re twins.”

“I believe it.” Shawn laughed. “And Jonah looks just like you.” He glanced at my son, drinking his bottle as he reclined in his bouncer. “All the girls will be going crazy over him.”

“I don’t even want to think about that.” Internally, I cringed, thinking about how many women had come and gone in my life. I’d do my best to teach my son differently.

“You know what they say…”

I shook my head. “Don’t even say it, man.” The phrase,
paybacks are hell,
rang loudly.

Mimi held out her arms. “She just ate. I better take her before she spits up on you.”

“No, my baby girl wouldn’t do that to her daddy.” I held her chubby body in the air and she smiled and giggled. “Not on his big day.” Just as I said that, a stream of white milk projected out of her mouth, landing on the front of my tuxedo coat.

“How could something so sweet, do something so gross?” Shawn shuddered.

“When it’s your child, you kind of don’t care.” I shook my head with a smile. “Thank you, Nevara.” I handed her willingly to Mimi this time.

“Oh, no! Let me get a wet towel.” Mom scurried to the bathroom and returned with a washcloth. Her fingers worked quickly, removing all traces of my daughter’s mishap. “All cleaned up.” She smiled, a hint of tears in her eyes.

“Thanks, Mom.” I gathered her in my arms. “For always standing by my side. I know it hasn’t been easy.”

“Oh, son, you don’t have to thank me. I’m your mother. I will always be here for you, no matter what.”

I wiped the tears from her cheeks. “And I’m grateful for that.” I turned to Mimi and motioned for her to come closer. Wrapping an arm around her, I pulled her into our tightknit circle. “Thank you for everything. I don’t know what we’d do without you.” Taking care of two babies was a handful and Mimi was at our house everyday, helping us.

“I love my great-grand babies.” She nuzzled Nevara and glanced behind us at Jonah. “I’d do anything for them. For you and Lexi, too.”

“I love you both, I squeezed them tightly.”

“I love you, too,” they both said simultaneously.

“Eww. You better spray some more cologne.” Mimi scrunched her nose. Leave it to my mom and Mimi to make sure I was perfect for my bride. But none of that mattered to me. I had my beautiful children and now I was going to have their beautiful mother as my wife. Life couldn’t get any better than this.

“Alright.” They released me and I reached into my bag, pulling out the bottle. I sprayed myself with the scent that made Lexi weak in the knees. Hopefully that wouldn’t happen until after the ceremony, though.

“Are you sure Lexi’s okay with you wearing that?” Josh came up from behind, eyeing me as I stood in front of the mirror. I adjusted my bowtie and shot him a confused look.

“As opposed to something else?”

“All I know is my mom’s single friends are going to be lining up to dance with you tonight.” His blue eyes widened as they swept over me from head to toe.

I laughed. “And that’s
all
they’re getting. The Raven’s
trap is officially closed.”

“I’m sure there’s going to be lots of hearts breaking today.” He clutched a fist to his chest.

I shrugged. “Oh well. Let them weep. I got the woman I wanted.”

“And she’s the best catch of all.” He winked.

“Hell yeah she is.” I puffed out my chest and pulled on the lapels of my suit jacket. Lexi was the only woman who belonged in my trap. I was, by far, the luckiest man in the world. She had stayed with me, despite all my issues and insecurities. She didn’t blink once, taking my bad days with the good ones. She weathered my demonic storms and did it all because she loved me. And in return, I was about to promise to love her unconditionally. Forever.

“I’m happy for you two.” He smiled, flashing his pearly whites.

I turned around to face him and Shawn. “Thanks for everything. For always being there for me. Putting up with all my shit. I appreciate it.”

“Hey, that’s what friends are for.” Josh placed his hand on my shoulder.

“That’s right. Dragons stick together, no matter what.” Shawn extended his arms around us, pulling us together.

We exchanged a team hug, like we used to in the locker room at PHU, repeating our chant.

“We are the Dragons. We play with passion and pride. We fight to the end!” So much had changed in the past year. But it had been my best year ever.

After Lexi told me she was pregnant, I went back to Fort Worth with her, determined to face my demons. Dr. Galen was right, running away didn’t solve my problems, they were still there, but this time, I was the one in control. Shawn and Josh convinced me my football days weren’t over, and to announce I was a free agent and try for the supplemental draft. I had some reservations at first, but after talking with Coach Anderson and putting my resentments aside, I felt good about my decision. And it proved to be the right one.

A few days after my announcement, I received a call from the coach in New Orleans. He invited me to a private practice session and I jumped on the next plane. By the end of the week, I had signed a contract with them, earning me a nice salary and sign-on bonus, bypassing the supplemental draft altogether.

I started practice a few weeks later and we moved in with Mimi until I could find us a place. Right before the first game of the season, I purchased our first home. Lexi was so excited, decorating the house and preparing the nursery for our twins. It was awesome to see her so happy. Everything had happened so fast, but I knew it was meant to be. Just like Mimi had said, I just had to have faith that everything would work out. And it did, more than I could’ve ever dreamed. God was good!

“The preacher’s finally here,” Luke said as he walked into the room. My mom and Mimi sighed in relief. “Said he got lost and tried to call your cell, but you didn’t answer.”

“Shit.” I dug in my bag and pulled out my phone, seeing I had missed several calls and text messages from him. I didn’t want the thing going off during the ceremony so I’d left it in there. I switched it to silent and slipped it inside the pocket of my jacket. “Tell him sorry.”

“My directions were clear.” Josh shrugged. “How could he get lost?”

“I don’t know, dude.”

When Lexi and I announced we were getting married, the Marshalls insisted we hold the ceremony at their house. Since Lexi’s family and the majority of our friends lived in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, it made sense. My mom’s family always came to Fort Worth to see me play, so they had no problem coming to the wedding.

The Marshalls’ place was ideal, sitting on a few acres, and overlooking a beautiful lake. I spared no expense, giving Lexi the wedding of her dreams. But in all honesty, I would’ve been perfectly fine going downtown to the courthouse. As long as she said
I do
, I didn’t care what kind of ceremony we had.

The fine crystal and china didn’t matter to me.

Neither did the thousands of white roses and purple hydrangeas she wanted.

Nor did the big white tent with thousands of tiny white lights that made the inside seem like a Disney fairytale.

None of that mattered. Only my bride.

Lexi.

“Are you ready?” Luke asked.

“Yes.” I glanced at my watch, noticing it was five after five in the evening. I was officially late to my own wedding.

Damn! I hope Lexi’s not mad.

Luke started to turn around, but stopped. “I will admit, there was a time where I wouldn’t have agreed, but you definitely proved me wrong. Without a doubt, I know you will take care of my sister and the twins.”

I nodded. “It’s my soul purpose in life.”

He shook my hand and we gave each other a pat on the back. Luke had willingly accepted me, long before the rest of Lexi’s family did. It was probably hard for him since Collin was his best friend, but he never told me that directly. It showed me he really wanted the best for her, and even though that lie crept up sometimes, I knew the truth: Lexi and I were meant for each other.

“Good. I’ll let Lexi know you’re ready.”

“Thanks, man.”

We walked out of Josh’s room and entered the backyard. I shook hands with the preacher and stepped underneath an arch covered in fragrant flowers. Shawn stood next to me, along with Josh, Luke, and my brother, Trey. The Marshalls’ property had been turned into a scene from one of Lexi’s bridal magazines. Flowers were placed everywhere on the patio and white posts were wrapped in a white and purple sheer material. Family and friends sat in white chairs, waiting for the ceremony to begin. It was beautiful and I hoped it was everything she dreamed of.

And I did it all for her.

Because I loved her more than anything.

The music started and my heart rate kicked up a notch. I took a deep breath and relaxed my shoulders. I never thought this day would come. My patience and hard work had paid off. I had the best damn catch, and the best part? It came with two little ones who were mine to love forever.

Within seconds, the back doors opened and Lexi’s cousin, Kenzie, proceeded down the aisle, followed by Ashley, Shelby, and Delaney. Ashley’s little girl sprinkled rose petals along the white runner leading Lexi directly to me. Where she belonged forever.

The music switched to the wedding march and everyone stood up. My heart pounded as I waited to see my beautiful bride. The minute she appeared the whole world stopped as I took in every part of her beauty. Her brown locks were swept to the side, giving her a sexy look. She wore a gorgeous strapless, beaded gown with ruffles along the skirt that was made for a queen. I’d waited months to see this fairytale dress. It was worth every minute.

Lexi smiled and I was awestruck by her glowing presence. Cameras flashed and people sighed as her father walked her down the aisle. Our gazes connected as she marched to the beat of the music. This was the best damn day of my life. I couldn’t wait for Lexi to be my wife.

“Take good care of my princess.” A soft smile spread across her dad’s face and he blinked the tears away before placing her hand in mine.

“Always,” I replied with a firm nod.

Travis and I had no problem getting along, but it took a while for Lexi’s mom and I to reconcile our differences. It was evident she had a hard time accepting me and I honestly didn’t trust her. But, I did it for Lexi and our children. I took Mimi’s advice and kept her close to me, letting her see there wasn’t anything I had to hide — at least, not any more.

Her dad gave me an approving nod and then stepped aside. I took a few seconds to take in all of Lexi’s grandness. She was stunning and completely took my breath away. “Damn, Lexi, you look exceptionally beautiful.”

“Thank you.” She eyed me for a moment. “And you look damn sexy in that tuxedo.”

“Wait until you see what’s underneath.” I winked. Lexi and I were headed to the Caribbean for our honeymoon. It would be the first time we’d be leaving the twins, but at six months old, I was ready for some alone time with her.

She giggled and we turned to face the preacher.

“Family and friends, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Lexi Ann Thompson and Raven Renee Davenport.”

Awes filtered through the crowd and the twins babbled. Everyone laughed and we turned around to adore our precious babies. The preacher waited for the laughter to subside and then continued. Lexi and I exchanged traditional wedding vows, pledging our love to one another in sickness and in health, for all eternity. I slipped the ring on her finger and she placed a band on mine. Holding hands, we turned to face the crowd.