CHAPTER NINETEEN
Once they stepped into the late afternoon sunlight, a myriad of emotions hit Gracie. Webb was back in her life. He loved her. They were engaged. She was carrying twins who, for now, were doing well. “I need a minute.” She sat on a bench and put her head between her knees.
“Are you gonna be sick?” Webb knelt at her feet. When she raised her head, his eyes were full of emotion.
She cupped his face. “I woke up scared this morning. Then you breezed into my office and told me you loved me.” He gave her his slow sexy-as-hell smile. “Our babies are fine.”
His eyes were suspiciously moist. “This has been the best day of my life, sweetheart. I’ve wanted kids, but planned on waiting until my football days were over, so I could spend all my time with them. With you. I don’t care about the timing. People come into our lives for us to love, when we need them most. And sometimes we don’t even know that necessity exists. We’re so used to our empty lives, you know?”
“I never believed in love at first sight.” She glanced at Diana and blushed. “Or at first fuck.”
Webb tilted his head. “Well I do give a good fuck.” The mischievous twinkle was back in his eyes.
Diana gasped, then looked away, her shoulders shaking in silent laughter.
“I just needed to pull myself together. You’re here. We’re engaged. The babies are fine. Life is good.”
He stood and pulled her into his arms. “Life is fabulous.” He kissed her like only he knew how to do, she was home again in his embrace.
When they reached Gracie’s SUV, Webb handed Diana his cell. “Would you mind taking a couple engagement pictures of us? I need to send one to my momma and sister and Gracie’s favorite sports reporter.”
“Why Skip?”
“Because he interviewed me just before I flew out here. I didn’t tell him where I was going, but he guessed. I think he’d like to be the first to know, don’t you?”
“Webb, you’re in a suit. I’m in a college t-shirt and workout pants. What kind of picture will that make?”
“You’ve got the rock, lay it on my jacket. Sweetheart, you look great.” They posed. “Did you pick a date yet?” He glanced down at her and the camera clicked again.
She gazed at him. “The Saturday of Labor Day weekend.” The camera clicked. “A simple ceremony. Family, close friends, and my squad. Your team if they want to come.” She looked at Diana. “Oh my God, that’s ten days away. Can we plan a wedding in ten fucking days?” She gasped. “Oh my God! What will I wear?”
For Gracie, there was no better place to exchange her vows, than on her basketball court, under their home basket. When she’d called an emergency team meeting two days later and thrown the idea out, her players were all over it. They saw the significance right away. They were also spellbound she was engaged to the pro running back, Webb Mohanty.
Once everyone finally made their congratulations, Webb hugged her. “You look exhausted with all this wedding planning. What you need is a little loving to put you to sleep for a few hours.”
They’d had so much sex since he’d arrived, the sheets barely had a chance to cool off.
After they got in his rental, she glanced at Webb and smiled, her hand slowly rubbing his thigh. “What’s on your mind, sexy momma?”
“Those special sleeping potions you’re so good at giving.”
****
Webb strode into the gymnasium to survey the work Gracie’s players had put into getting the place ready for today’s ceremony. None could really afford a gift, so they’d asked if they could decorate the place for the coach. She was so touched that she cried, but then again, she cried a lot these days. Pregnancy hormones, from what Webb had read online.
To help with the players’ project, he ordered a white arch and had it decorated with white and yellow roses and lots of ivy. He arranged for six large potted palms to sit on either side of the arch. Then he threw some cash into the pot for whatever decorations the players wanted to add.
“Place looks great,” his best man said.
“It does, doesn’t it, Coop? Man, I’m glad you’re here. You helped me through some rough emotional shit.”
“Hey, that’s what friends do, you know? Is Bethany coming?” He slipped a finger in his tuxedo shirt collar as if it were too tight.
“For the tenth time, yes.” Webb walked up the aisle, each chair at the end of a row decorated with a white net bow, its long ends pooling on the floor. Classy looking. Somehow their small wedding had morphed into seventy-nine guests, not counting Peanut and Nutty Buddy.
A cellist and classical guitarist were tuning up. Two college kids thrilled to be part of the event. A minister from a small church was performing the ceremony. As far as Webb was concerned, the day would be perfect. He was marrying the love of his life, the woman who completed him. The mother of his children. His submissive in the bedroom.
Guests filtered in. The string duo played their magic. At last, the moment of enchantment arrived. His Gracie floated into the gym on the arm of her uncle. Her knee-length golden lace gown was strapless and semi-fitted to hide her little baby bump. She wore her hair in a sophisticated bun. In her hands, she carried an arrangement of white roses and babies breath attached to the red purse she held flat in front of her like a ring bearer’s pillow.
Webb chuckled and shook his head. That damn red purse had started it all. He’d have to work hard to keep ahead of this woman. And he’d have a lifetime of fun doing it.