Chapter 38: Super Bowl.
"I cannot believe you tried to buy Stone construction." I tell Zachary, yelling at him.
"You almost died, Vee. And I thought they were after your company and not you. So, I wanted them to come for me instead." He tells me.
"And you didn't think it was important to tell me." I tell him looking at him with sad eyes.
He doesn't reply, he just stares at me.
"I had to find out from Ashton today at work. Do you know how embarrassing that was?" I rant.
"I'm sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing at that point in time." He says and I laugh in his face.
"Or you just wanted to add my business to the list of your conquests. So, you can get rich off my hard work while I stay home and raise your kids." I tell him.
"No, not at all, Vee. I really had good intentions." He says, trying to hold my hand, but I don't let him.
"You know you didn't. You wanted to buy that shit and put your name in front of it. Oh wait, I just remembered. Your family has a construction company too. Was this some sick plot to end Stone construction for good while your family's business thrives?" I ask him.
"So, this was all a plan. Huh?" I say about to cry. He just stares at me, speechless.
I scoff and nod as I stare at him.
"The wedding's off." I tell him, placing the ring in his palm. I turn around and I pick Anna up from the sofa. I hold her to my chest as I walk to the door.
"Valarie, stop. Don't do this." He says, pulling me backwards. "I didn't think wanting to buy Stone Construction was such a big deal." He tells me.
"Of course you didn't. You had everything handed to you, but unlike you I've worked for my accomplishments." I tell him. "It's ironic how your grandmother tried to say that my people take everything, but forgot the fact that that's what her ancestors did too. Your ancestors. Maybe it's just your second nature to take things you didn't work for." I tell him, grabbing my keys before I open the door.
The warm breeze outside hits my face, my hair flies around my face and I put it behind my ear.
"Please Vee." Zachary says, kneeling down in front of me.
"Don't beg me. Stand up." I tell him.
"I can't let you leave me. Not again." He says, wrapping his arms around my waist.
I stare at his head and I feel some moisture on my jeans.
Is he crying?
"Please." I hear him say as he holds on to me.
I run my fingers through his hair as I stare at him in thought.
"I forgive you." I tell him.
That's it guys.
That's my character flaw.
It doesn't matter what this man does, I will always forgive him.
He gets off his knees and he kisses me.
"I'm sorry. And please never take this off again." He says as he slides my engagement ring on my finger.
"I won't. And I guess I overreacted a little bit." I say as we walk back to the house.
"No, your reaction is valid. You had every right to be mad at me. It'll teach me to never try this shit again." He says, placing his hands on the small of my back as I walk inside the house.
"I'm glad this was a learning experience for you. Now, I'm gonna go put our child to sleep." I tell him, heading to the nursery. I feel Zachary's eyes on me as I walk and I smile to myself.
***
"We're gonna go see, Daddy." I say, rubbing Anna's stomach and she flashes me her toothless million dollar smile.
She is so darn cute.
Today is the Super Bowl and Anna and I are going to support Zachary. The New York Jets are playing against the Cincinnati Bengals today.
I put Anna's trousers and New York Jets jersey with Zachary's number at the back on her. I place a beanie on Anna's head before I take a picture of her. I pick her up from the bed and I place her in her car seat, strapping her up. I pick up the car seat and I head to the car. Once I wrap the seatbelt around Anna, I get into the car and I drive to the Allegiant stadium. The drive from Caeser's Palace to the stadium is very long and I regret not leaving sooner.
When I get to the stadium, I park in the VIP parking lot before I head inside the stadium with Anna sitting on the baby carrier on my chest. The fans in the stadium are roaring. The security lead me to my seat, beside the football pitch.
I arrived just in time because as soon as I sit down the players mount the field. I see Zachary looking around. He scans the stadium until his eyes meet mine. He runs in my direction and I smile as I stare at him.
"Hey." He yells as he waves at me. I get up and stand at the metal demarcation between us.
"Hey. You should go hurdle up with this rest. This is a big one, no distractions." I tell him as I hold his hand.
"I'm doing it for you guys." He tells me. He kisses me before he kisses Anna's head.
I grab his helmet and I put it on his head.
"Go get 'em." I tell him, tapping his helmet.
"This one's for you." He says before he runs back to the field.
I smile as I watch him.
That's my man.
***
"The Bengals and Jets are sixty eight for sixty eight. The Jets need to make this play to win it. What's it gonna be?" The announcer says and I stare at the field.
Zachary has the ball as he crouches in position. The whistle is heard and he starts running. The stadium roars as he dodges players on the other team. A player from the other team tackles him and I swear I feel it in my soul.
"Get up." I yell as if he can even hear me. He's on the other side of the field.
Zachary and the other player scuffle for the ball and Zachary finally gets the ball and runs past the touchdown line just before the final whistle.
"Aggghh!!!" I scream as I clap.
"And just like that Zachary Henderson has led his team to victory. This is definitely a Super Bowl to remember." The announcer says.
Zachary takes his helmet off and roars in the middle of the field. His teammates swarm him and lift him up.
"Hendo!!! Hendo!!! Hendo!!!" They chant as Zachary sits on their shoulders.
Confetti starts pouring from the sky and everyone cheers. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be deaf after this. Even through all the noise Anna is sound asleep on my chest.
I pull out my phone and I take a video of Zachary and his teammates and I post it on my story. When they are done celebrating, Zachary walks to where I am sitting and I get up and go to him. He takes my hand and lifts me up and drops me beside him on the field.
"So, how'd I do?" He says, giving me a cheeky smile.
"I'm so proud of you." I tell him as I get on my tippy toes and plant a kiss on his lips.
"That's all I ever wanted. You to be proud of me." He says as he holds my face in his hands.
Anna stirs on my chest and she starts crying. Zachary takes her out of the baby carrier and rocks her in his arms and she goes back to sleep.
"You're such a good dad." I tell him, caressing his cheeks.
"Excuse me, can I take a picture of the two of you?" A photographer asks us.
Zachary stares at me waiting for my answer.
"Sure." I say, smiling at the man.
Zachary and I stand beside each other and he wraps his hand around me. I smile for the camera and pose, Zachary still has Anna on his shoulder. Confetti is still falling from the sky as the photographer takes the picture.
"Beautiful. Would you guys like a copy?" He asks and I nod.
"Yes please." I tell him.
He brings out a white portable photo printer from his backpack. He sets it on the green grass and he connects his camera to it. Within seconds, the picture starts printing. I just stare at the man as he works.
He hands me the photograph and I stare at it and smile. I take out a fifty dollar bill from my back pocket and I hand it to him, but he refuses to take it. With a little bit of convincing, he accepts the money before he thanks me and leaves.
I catch Zachary staring at me and I raise an eyebrow as I stare back at him.
"What?" I ask him.
"Nothing." He says, leading me towards the locker room area.
"You're weird." I tease.
"I'm aware." He retorts and I laugh.