Baby Hold On // Eddie Money

Hannah - One year later

The crowd is electric. The energy filling the stadium is so strong it's tangible. I lean down to check on Honor. She's bundled up in her Fallbrook University winter gear and Matt made sure she had matching noise canceling headphones. They're on straight and Honor is sound asleep, even with the chanting and shouting surrounding us. My entire family and Jeff's are in the row with me. Matt's mom and brother are just in front. Our little cheering section has been watching with baited breath for the last few plays, knowing that the stakes are high.

It's the end of the fourth quarter. The season deciding bowl game has been tied almost the entire game. Fallbrook University against Wayford, their biggest rivals. It's down to the last two minutes and everyone is going nuts. My eyes are on Matt. He's been a star the entire season. His arm has served the team well and they've made it to the final championship of the year.

Everyone is on their feet. Fallbrook has the ball and Matt is counting off. After the hike, he takes a step back, scanning the field for an open player. I follow his gaze down the field and see Jeff break away from the other team. He's open. Looking back just in time, I watch as Matt launches the ball with a perfect spiral. Jeff follows its arc and times his moves in sync with the ball, reaching out to grab it and tuck in. He bolts for the end zone, completely clear of the defense on his tail. They won't reach him in time.

Touchdown.

The crowd on Fallbrook's side of the stadium goes nuts. We're up by six points with less than a minute of play left in the game.

"Daddy's doing good, baby girl. He's going to win." I speak the words softly to our sleeping daughter but if the screaming hasn't woken her up, neither will my whispers.

The team wastes no time in the huddle, lining up for what looks like a two-point conversion. No kicker has come out on the field, no special teams. The other team's fans are yelling, "time out!" No one has taken one, so this play is about to happen. Matt calls for the hike then fakes a pass to Jeff. It takes a second to see, but Gio has the ball and barrels through the linemen. With a head-first dive, he crosses into the end zone. Score!

The crowd surrounding me is losing it, screaming, "F.U." at the top of their lungs. Everyone is clear on the double meaning but that doesn't lessen the sting.

The other team has the ball, but the game may as well be over with only a few seconds on the clock. This time the special teams does come out and Fallbrook kicks to Wayford. Everyone knows the game is over but Wayford makes an attempt to move the ball down the field anyway. Only seconds later, the clock runs out. Game officially over. Fallbrook wins.

Matt's team has found victory at one of the biggest college bowl games of the year. The big screen is filled with players celebrating, jumping on each other. I stare hard at the screen then down at the field, trying to find him but too many players are jumping around him. Some of them may be on top of him with the way they are piling on.

I see Jeff first. His arms are around Matt, I can just make out number 3 below Jeff's arm. Then they break apart and start smacking each other's helmets, screaming something I can't make out. I turn from the screen down to the field and locate the two of them, still yelling at each other. Just then, Matt pushes away from Jeff and starts running toward the benches, past them and then on toward the fence. We make eye contact and I can tell he's yelling my name.

I'm waving at him with one hand and bouncing Honor with the other. Matt begins to wave me down. I shake my head at him. There's no way I can get down there through all of these rabid fans with a six-month-old and I'm not passing her off to my mom or Matt's. This girl wakes up the minute she's out of my arms and passed around. I'm not risking her foul mood if that happens. But the determination in Matt's eyes causes me to freeze in place. I can't imagine what he's up to now. He looks around and sees something, gives me the one-minute finger and takes off running. Next thing I know, his face takes up the big screen while he stands with the announcer on camera.

"Matt McKinley, how does it feel to be a Lightning Bowl champion?"

"Feels great. The team really pulled together. I couldn't ask for a better group of guys to play this game with, but I've got something else even more life altering on my mind. Joe, I'm hoping you can help me out."

The announcer turns to the crowd. "What do you say, Fallbrook fans? Should I help him?"

I can't move as the entire stadium seems to shout their agreement.

"Looks like the fans are in your corner. What's the plan, Matt?"

Matt points directly at me. "I need Hannah Long down on the field and I need everyone in her path to make way for her. She has precious cargo in her arms. Our daughter, Honor."

The collective "aww" warms my cheeks.

"Go on down, honey." My mom hugs me, a knowing look in her eyes.

"Do you know what's going on?"

"Me? Not a thing." She winks at me. "Matt's waiting."

I look up to see the crowd staring back at me. Apparently, they've figured out I'm the girl Matt was talking about. I scoot over to the aisle and ease my way down the steps with Honor in my arms. My heart is pounding as I make it to the field. I had lost sight of Matt while I was walking here and when I look up I can't believe what I'm seeing.

"What in the world?"

A tunnel of football players stretches out ahead of me. Each of Matt's teammates stand in two rows, arms outstretched to form an arch. Matt is waiting at the other end. Honor and I enter the tunnel to words of congratulations and good luck. My brain is trying to make sense of what's happening but all I can focus on is not dropping my daughter and getting to the other end of the tunnel.

And then I'm there. Matt steps forward, his helmet in his hands. He kneels to put it on the ground. When he looks up at me, I realize he's on one knee. He reaches into his helmet and pulls out a black velvet box.

"When we found out we were having a girl, I asked you if we could name her Honor, but I didn't tell you why. I never want to forget what an honor it is to be her father."

Cue the ugly tears. I hold them back as much as possible because I realize all eyes are on me. I don't think I'll be able to hold back much longer.

"And Hannah, the greatest honor I could have is to be your husband and build a family with you. You and Honor are the best gift I've ever been given. I love you both, so much. Will you marry me?"

"Yes," I cry. I don't hesitate for a second. "Yes."

Matt jumps to his feet and wraps Honor and I in his embrace. He kisses me then his daughter before sliding the most beautiful diamond ring I've ever seen on my finger. It's simple, a pear-shaped diamond on a thin band, but it was given with love so it's the best ring he could give me. Matt kisses me again. I wish we weren't surrounded by every Hawks fan there is and a couple of cable sports news cameras.

As our little family of three huddles together, we are joined by my family and Matt's. Everyone laughs as Honor wakes up and wails. But the collective sigh when Matt takes her in his arms and quiets her with a kiss...that's something that I will remember for the rest of my life.

My future husband, soothing our daughter in a gentle voice with nothing but love in every word and action. It's everything I dreamed of and more. Matt has been a doting father, diaper changer extraordinaire and apparently a baby whisperer as well.

"Baby, you are the love of my life."

"Are you talking to me or to the baby?" I laugh. I'm really not sure who he means.

"Both of you. I love you Hannah, down to the depths of my soul. I'd do anything for you. But for my daughter...it just hits different when it's your kid, you know?"

"I do know."

This is how I know that Matt and I have what it takes to make it. He's here, doing the work, being a father and now about to be a husband. I'm ready to keep working toward our future; more kids, our own place, a life together.

"Looks like we have a lot to celebrate. Are you ready to get the party started?" Matt takes me by the hand, still holding Honor in his other arm.

"Sure. As long as we get her to bed on time, I'm up for a celebration."

"That's good. Because the celebration is at home. Just the three of us and a Disney princess movie. I hope that's okay. I wanted to spend the evening as a family. With you and Honor."

I smile at his sweet words. Most guys would want to party the night away with their buddies after a win like that. Matt isn't most guys, however.

"What about your mom?"

"She's taking Mark and Ryan overnight to some amusement park since they don't have school on Monday."

"The house to ourselves?" I'm breathless thinking about it.

Matt just nods, eyes sparkling with mischief. He pulls me by the hand, leading me off the field as we say our goodbyes and thank well-wishers.

Who knew life could turn out this way? With the man of my dreams and a little girl who stole our hearts. It's all there is, the most important things in life.

My little family.

THE END!! I can't believe I got here, to the end of this story. Just over 70k words 😊 I was scared to write Matt's side of things but I am so happy I did.

Next week (or something like that) I'll be adding my behind the scenes chapter to spill all the tea about writing this and the future of the Fallbrook Hills universe. Plus, there may or may not be a Jeff teaser.

Just saying.

Thanks for the love on all of my stories, and I'm so grateful that you've given Matt a chance. I hope he's been fully redeemed in your eyes and heart ❤️

https://youtu.be/tWyNSIS8jRY

Stay tuned for the winner of my signed paperback give away!! Later today I'll be posting the announcement!!