“Why am I so nervous this time?” she asks, running a hand over her ponytail.

“I don’t know. You shouldn’t be. No doubt she’s going to love you.” I smile her way and take her hand as we approach the front door of the house I grew up in. My mother had been traveling around Europe for the past six months with two of her best friends. This is the first opportunity I’ve had to introduce Harlow to her.

Letting us in with the key on my ring, I immediately call out for my mom to let her know we’ve arrived.

She comes bustling from another room with a large smile on her face. As much as I look like my father, I’ve always heard how I get my smile from my mom.

She holds her arms outstretched. “Honey, I’m so happy to see you.”

Folding her into my arms, I kiss her cheek. “Hi, mom. It’s good to see you. I brought someone I want you to meet.” Pulling away from her, I grasp Harlow’s hand and slide her in front of me. “This is my girlfriend, Harlow. Harlow, this is my mother.”

“Mrs. Lincoln, it’s so nice to meet you.”

She dismissively waves her hand. “Call me Marie and give me a hug.” She wraps her arms around Harlow. “I need to be on a first name basis with the girl who makes my son so happy.”

Dinner conversation was full of Brady stories that had me cringing and thinking, so this is what it’s like to bring a girl home to your mother. Listening to Harlow’s laughter made all the embarrassing things my mom revealed worthwhile. After coming so close to losing her for good, I appreciate her more than ever. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make sure she’s happy.

After dessert, we help my mother clear the table and load up the dishwasher.

When Harlow slips away to use the bathroom, I take the opportunity to find out what my mother thinks of her.

“How do you like Harlow?”

“I love her already. She’s perfect for you,” my mom says, with a twinkle in her eye.

“What do you mean she’s perfect for me? I know she is, but I want to know why you’re saying it.”

“You guys just fit. She’s not attention seeking and you are.”

“Hey,” I say, pretending outrage.

My mom raises her eyebrows as if to say, ‘see.’ “You’re outgoing, she’s more reserved. You guys complement each other perfectly. It’s the old saying that opposites attract. They really do.”

Smiling at my mom, I lean down and pull her in for a hug. “Thanks mom. I’m glad you like her because I plan on marrying her someday.”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Harlow says as she enters the kitchen.

“You’re not interrupting.” Glancing at my mom, I say, “I’m going to take Harlow for a walk. We’ll be back soon.”

“We’re going for a walk?” Harlow questions, an eyebrow raised. “It’s like twenty degrees outside.”

I tug her against my chest, wrapping my arms around her waist. “Are you doubting my ability to keep you warm?” I run my nose up and then down the side of hers and brush my lips across her mouth.

She shakes her head then sighs when I nuzzle my lips against her neck. “Come on, I want to show you something,” I say, leading her to the entryway.

“That’s not the first time I’ve heard those words,” she replies dryly.

Grinning, I hold her coat up for her while she slips her arms in each sleeve, then spin her around so I can zip the front closed. I wink at her. “It won’t be the last time either.” Tugging on my jacket and a cap, while Harlow pulls on the black knit hat I gave her months ago, securing it over her ears. She adds gloves and a scarf and we’re good to go.

The air is crisp and bites into every inch of exposed skin. “Damn, it’s fucking cold,” I say and grimace.

“Is it?” she sarcastically asks.

I wrap an arm around her. “Don’t worry, kitten, I’ll keep you warm.” I kiss the top of her head as we continue to walk down the sidewalk of the same neighborhood I used to race around on my red BMX bike.

“Where are we going?” she asks, snuggling into my side.

“You’ll see.” I don’t want to give her any hints.

We walk for another five minutes, before we come to a narrow path leading into the woods. Following the worn ground, I keep her next to me.

“Are you taking me deep inside the woods to murder me?” she jokingly asks.

“Damn, you got me. Now what am I going to do with you?” I say. Leaning down, I growl and gently bite her neck eliciting a melodic giggle.

We reach a clearing and now it’s evident we’re in a small park. We pass by swings and slides and keep progressing forward until we come to a football field. The lights around the perimeter are bright and light the entire area for us. I don’t stop until we’re standing in the middle of the field.

I turn to face her, still holding her hand. “This is where I discovered my love for football. I played on this field as a kid and now this is one of my favorite places. I like to come here when I need to think or clear my head.” I run the back of my fingers down her cheek. “I never gave you one of the birthday gifts I purchased for you.” A smile teases at the corners of her lips. “I wanted to wait until I could share this place with you. I know it’s just a field to most, but this place feels magical to me. It’s where dreams were born - my dream of playing football - and my dream of falling in love with you.” Cupping her face in both my hands, I stare down into her alluring gray eyes. “I can’t count the times I’ve sat alone on this field and imagined what it would be like to meet a girl who was perfect for me. Someone who’d see me for who I am, and not my last name. Now that I have, I’m never going to stop showing you how much I love you.”

Her bottom lip wobbles with emotion and I steady it with my thumb. I trace over the plump shape and then reaching inside my pocket, I pull out a small box wrapped in shiny silver paper. “This is for you.” Holding my hand out in front of her, the gift rests on my palm.

She tentatively takes it from me and then quickly tears off the paper while I watch, chuckling at her eagerness. She shoves the tattered wrapping in her pocket and gazes up at me before her focus moves back down to the little black box. She opens the lid and her mouth drops open when she sees what’s inside.

“I wanted to get you something meaningful. The football can represent time you spent with your dad and how we came together. The letters are self-explanatory.”

“Brady, it’s beautiful.” She stares in awe at the white gold football charm suspended from a fragile chain with a capital H and B made from diamonds. “Will you put it on me?” She holds it out, pinched between her glove covered fingers.

Taking it from her, I undo the clasp, drape it around her neck and then fasten it. She turns around, a full smile on her lips as she stares down where it rests on her chest. “I love it almost as much as I love you.” She steps forward, wrapping her arms around my neck and tipping her face up to meet my lowering lips.

“I love you,” I whisper before sliding my cold lips from one side of her mouth to the other, kissing each corner. She presses on the back of my neck letting me know she wants more and my tongue moves inside to rub against hers. I drink her in, losing myself in the heat of our kiss. One hand grips her ponytail, tugging her head back while the fingertips of the other one gently trace over the curve of her cheek. I never want this moment to end. Kissing her for a lifetime won’t be enough, but I plan on doing just that. No matter what flags life will throw in our path, and I know there will be plenty, I’ll do whatever it takes to get us through and come out with a win. I want it all with Harlow and nothing will stand in my way.