EPILOGUE NUMERO DOS
I walk by my family in the front row and stop to pull my boy from his seat and hug the hell out of him. It’s a long time coming but he’s finally made it to my fight. My rematch to get my championship title back and it’s about fucking time. I’ve missed this but I’m ready now. I’ve been working nonstop to strengthen my arm and get it back to the full strength it was before I broke it. If it’s possible I’m stronger.
“Dad this is so cool!” Gabe yells as I place him back on his feet.
“I know huh, pretty crazy right?” I run my hand through his hair messing it up and move down to Soph. She stands up and I place my hands on her extremely swollen belly. “Stay in their baby girl, Daddy has to work before you come into this world.” I bend down and kiss her belly then stand at my full height and kiss my girl.
“Knock ‘em dead Reckless.”
“With pleasure babe.”
I continue to the octagon with my brothers all around me. The air tonight is different than it’s ever felt. Losing isn’t an option, there’s no way Gibby will make me look like a pussy twice. I’m announced first as the challenger and have to roll my eyes when Gibson makes his way to the cage. I know my entrance song annoys the hell out of my family but his is above and beyond. Who the hell picks Lady Gaga to walk into? I shake my head and laugh.
When he’s finally in the ring we stare each other down as the announcer goes over our stats. I think he knows what’s coming, how could he not? I feel like my life’s been about retribution this past year and this is the icing on the cake. I’ve got my wife and son back in my life and a family that’s sitting ringside proud of me for the first time in my career. This motivation will be Gibson’s undoing.
The bell rings and I wait him out. He’s changed up is fighting style a bit since we last fought but it’s nothing I don’t know. I can read him like a motherfucking book. He darts at me trying to get a jab in but I grab his arm and drop us to the ground. I have him locked into an arm bar and I’m grunting trying to hold him with all my strength.
He manages to get out and three rounds later we’re both panting and sweaty as we’re pushed to our corners after the round ends. He’s bleeding thanks to a nice elbow to the nose he didn’t see coming and my ribs are a little tender from a kick he managed to surprise me with.
The bell rings and I know this has to be the last round. We circle each other before I see my opening and you best believe I take that shit. He drops his guard on his right side and I go in with my left fist. It connects with his temple and he goes down like a sack of potatoes.
Knocked out.
The crowd goes crazy as I raise my hands in celebration. My eyes search out my boy and sure enough he’s standing on his chair with his hands going crazy as Sophie tries to convince him to get down. I point my finger at him and he points back at me with the biggest toothy grin I’ve ever seen on his face. He’s completely surprised when my brothers walk over to him and pick him up in the air carrying him towards the ring.
Gibby’s up and the ref brings us to the center of the ring holding my arm up in victory as I’m announced as the new Light Heavyweight Champion.
Gabe flies through the ring and into my arms. He’s hoisted up on my shoulders a second after I hug the life outta him and we make our rounds around the ring cheering and pumping our fists. When our families in front of us they’re all out of their seats and going crazy! Sophie has tears in her eyes as she smiles at me and mouths I love you. I mouth it back and from there I do every interview with Gabe by my side and try to make everything speedy so I can get Sophie home with her feet up relaxing like she should be. The baby’s due date is in three days and it makes me nervous with all this fanfare that our little girls gonna want to join the party.
A couple hours later I’m carrying a passed-out Gabe to bed and tucking him in.
“Daddy…”
“Yeah bud?” I rub my hand down his cheek.
“That was the best, I can’t wait until I can start fighting.”
“When you’re big and strong I promise we’ll start your training.” His tiny arm fist pumps the air before rolling over and going back to sleep. I often wonder how many of the Cage kids will want to follow in the family business. It’s all Zander’s talked about since he found out he and Savvy are finally getting their boy. We’ll need to teach them how to fight and how to accept the fame in their lives better than I did.
I walk down the hall and find Sophie softly snoring in bed. Poor things been so tired and its way past her bedtime. Grabbing the comforter, I pull it over her body after placing a kiss on her forehead and belly. I exit the room with one final look at my wife and walk to the living room of the penthouse.
We figured the 45-minute drive would suck so late for both of them so we decided to crash here. When we’re in Vegas we tend to stay at my house because it’s safer for us all. We bought a new house a few months ago that’s in a gated community because the paparazzi were getting a tad bit crazy. And with the new baby coming I wanted to make sure we were all completely safe.
I stare out at the city in awe. How could I have lived here all these years and not appreciated what I have. There’s no way I’ll ever take something for granted again. My life’s more than I thought it’d ever be and not for one second will I let it pass me by.
I hear Sophie get up to pee as she usually does 15 times a night and decide to join her in bed. The adrenaline is starting to wear off and I’m about ready to crash. The next few days are going to be busy as hell with all the interviews I’m obligated to give as the new champ. We’re heading back home first thing in the morning and most of my interviews are going to be done at the gym or on the phone because no way am I keeping Sophie from her doctor on my account. No, she needs to be close to home when our girl decides it’s time to grace us with her presence and I can’t fucking wait for that moment.
I laugh to myself thinking there will be a new baby Cage in town.
THE END