Five years later…

The applause is thunderous. I’ve been to many, many ribbon cutting ceremonies for new Matthews Football Schools over the years, but it never fails to give me chills.

This one is particularly special. We’ve upgraded the Boston facility and found a new place that can accommodate double the students. The scholarship program has grown as well, and there are so many happy faces in the audience.

Jesse puts his arm around me and kisses the side of my face. He squeezes me, then looks deep in my eyes.

“Couldn’t have done it without you,” he says, touching his nose to mine.

“I know,” I grin.

He laughs and kisses me. A shiver of warmth spreads through my stomach, as it always does when Jesse brushes his lips against mine.

Now, I work full-time for the Football School. I left Angel Investments after three great years, and moved on to be the Chief Financial Officer for the Football Schools. It was a natural step for me, and I’m proud to be part of the organization.

It helps to be able to be close to Jesse all day, as well. We didn’t see much of each other when I worked at Angel Investments.

He takes me by the hand and leads me towards the edge of the field. With his arm around me, we watch the kids practice. There’s so much laughter and joy in the air. A few parents come shake our hands. I steal a glance at Jesse and have to smile.

Even five years later, my love for him hasn’t dimmed at all. If anything, it’s gotten stronger. Last year, we got married in Hawaii. It was a small ceremony, and one of the happiest days of my life. Whenever I catch sight of my wedding band, my heart still flutters.

I look down at my finger and smile. The engagement ring Jesse chose for me isn’t as ostentatious as the one Elijah had bought. It’s simple, and elegant, and it fits perfectly with the plain wedding band beside it. It’s just like our relationship—timeless.

We go back home and start cooking dinner together. We work in silence, with Elijah glancing over at me and smiling once in a while.

I’ve been waiting all day to tell him my big news, but now that we’re alone, the words escape me. I know that he’ll be a great dad, and I can’t wait to have a family with him.

I turn to watch him stirring the food in the skillet and smile.

“I love watching you cook.”

“Yeah?” He grins. “Why’s that?”

“Nothing sexier than a man in the kitchen.”

Jesse starts swaying his hips back and forth as he stirs the food. “How about this? Is this turning you on?”

I laugh. “Yes. Very much.”

He starts moving his eyebrows up and down and I laugh harder. “Stop, Jesse,” I giggle. “I’ll need a ‘wet floor’ sign soon.”

He laughs, leaving the skillet and wrapping his arms around me.

“I love you, Farrah.”

I smile. “I love you too.”

The words catch in my throat as we look at each other. The little flecks of blue in his grey eyes are particularly bright today, and I brush a strand of hair off his forehead.

I take a deep breath. I didn’t think I’d be this nervous.

“Jesse,” I start. He leans his forehead against mine.

“Mm-hmm?”

“I…”

He holds me closer, swaying back and forth. “What is it?”

“I’m pregnant.”

There. I said it. Jesse freezes. His whole body tenses and he pulls his head away from mine. His eyes widen, and he stares at my face.

“Really?”

I nod.

“You’re not pulling my leg?”

I shake my head.

“I’m going to be a dad?”

A smile spreads over my face as my eyes fill with tears. I nod. I can’t speak, so I just smile harder and nod faster. Jesse lets out a breath and then starts laughing.

He yells and picks me up, spinning me around in a circle. I scream, giggling, and he sets me down gently. His hands fly to my stomach and his eyes widen.

“Sorry! Are you okay?”

I laugh. “I’m fine, Jesse. So you’re happy?”

“What are you talking about? Of course I’m happy! This is what I’ve wanted ever since we got married! Oh, Farrah,” he says, wrapping his arms around me. “You make me the happiest man in the world.”

My heart explodes with joy. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him deeply. The love I have for this man is endless. He never stops making me laugh, and smile, and making me feel like I’m the most special woman in the world.

The skillet starts sizzling and we jump apart. Jesse goes back to stirring it, swaying his hips and glancing at me as he does.

I laugh, shaking my head.

“You’re going to be a good dad.”

His eyes soften and a smile twitches at his lips.

“I love you, Farrah.”

“Not as much as I love you.”

That night, we make love more tenderly, more lovingly, more closely than ever before. When it’s over, he places his hand over my stomach and nuzzles his face into my neck. I put my hand over his and sigh in contentment. Our family will grow, just like our love for each other. Wherever Jesse is, I know it’s where I belong.