Beautiful Storm (San Francisco End Game #1)

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Luke

“ S lowdown,” I call out, but Amelia doesn’t listen until I catch up and clasp her hand, slowing her to a brisk walk.

“I’m pregnant, not sick. I’m allowed to walk fast. We’ve got less than an hour left.”

“I didn’t know we had a rule to get home by midnight,” I say, raising an eyebrow even though she can’t see it, as she’s too busy focusing on the GPS on her phone.

“Yeah, well, I’m worried you’re going to turn back into a rat.”

“Excuse me? They. Were. Mice.”

Amelia struggles to stifle her laugh as she shakes her head. “Not the point. But I’d like to find as many trees as we can before midnight. Set ourselves a challenge to beat.”

“Next year might be more difficult with a little one in tow, but I like the idea.”

“Oh, don’t worry, you can wear Jelly Bean strapped to your chest. It will be easy.”

The way she speaks so nonchalantly about our future has my heart picking up speed. Barely a month ago, I was fighting her to let me in, and now I’m firmly planted there. In her head, in her decisions. In her future.

“Do you think—”

“There it is!” she exclaims as we turn the corner, finding Christmas tree number seven. At least, oversized Christmas tree number seven. There’ve been at least twenty smaller ones along the way. I’m sure Amelia knows the exact number.

“Wow. This one’s gorgeous,” she gushes as I step by her side, my eyes locked on her face, taking in her awed expression.

“As is my date,” I whisper before wrapping my arms around her and swaying to the music, watching the lights sparkle.

“Jelly Bean is going to love this tradition. Or any tradition,” Amelia says, turning her head to face me. “Thank you for planning this. I’ve had fun.”

“The night isn’t over yet.” I kiss her cheek and then spin her around to face me. “We have thirty minutes left of Christmas Eve, which is just enough time to get a hot chocolate and finish at the skating rink when the clock ticks over to Christmas Day.”

“Another great idea. We might pass some more trees on the way. We’re currently sitting at twenty-nine.” I knew she was keeping track of them all. “But as much as I like the idea of an ice skate, I should leave the skating until next year.”

“I wouldn’t let you on the ice if you tried,” I scold until she pouts, making me laugh.

“Come on—we better be quick before they close.

It’s well after midnight when we get home, having walked slowly back to the skating rink and spent some time enjoying our hot chocolates before leaving. But despite walking several miles in search of the trees, neither of us mentions going to bed. Instead we both gravitate toward the living room, getting comfortable on the couch.

“Because it’s already Christmas Day, we should exchange presents,” I say with an excitement building in my chest. “Unless you’ve changed your mind about spending it with my family?”

“I haven’t.” Her nose crinkles. “But maybe next year? With Bean.” I’ll take it. I’ll take any plans she has for me in the future because God knows I have a lot of plans for her. Some next year, some right now.

“Next year works for me. So presents?” I ask, hoping she’ll agree.

Amelia giggles when she registers my anticipation. “Sounds good. I’ll go and get yours.”

I follow her quietly as she disappears into Jelly Bean’s nursery—where she thought she’d secretly hidden my present—and listen as she gasps right on cue before rushing back out of the room, where I’m waiting.

“Luke. It’s… It’s perfect.”

While she was sleeping last night and late this morning, I filled the room with things for Bean. Before then, we had a crib and rocking chair. But now, there’s jungle-themed wallpaper, which took way longer than Amelia’s wall originally did—most likely due to my cockiness before I’d begun. I also bought us a stroller, a changing table, and more soft toys than you could ever need, including a small plush football with my number on it. There’s a bookshelf with hundreds of books for different ages and a BossBaby film poster mounted on the wall.

“How…When… I… I don’t know what to say.”

“You said it all when you said it was perfect.”

“When did you do this?”

“Last night. With some help.”

“While I was upstairs?”

“Yep.”

“Is that why you had the music going all night?”

“Yep.”

“I assumed you’d fallen asleep on the couch like you did the other night.”

“I know.”

She glances into the room again before her gaze shifts back at me, her eyes welling with tears. “I haven’t bought you enough now.” Her tears fall as her face drops into her hands, making me feel guilty.

“Amelia. You didn’t have to get me anything. And if it makes you feel better, I didn’t get you anything either. This is your present, and technically it’s for Bean.”

“It’s better than anything you could have given me.”

That’s what I was hoping for. “And you’ve already given me plenty tonight. You just haven’t realized it.”

Amelia’s expression turns puzzled before she hands me a small box. “Well, I want you to have this anyway. We think alike.” She shrugs.

“Oh, yeah?” I rip into the wrapping paper, making her laugh when I don’t bother to keep a single piece reusable, and when I find her gift, a tightness fills my chest. I’m about to have a baby. I’ve obviously known this for months but her present makes it so much more real.

“You made Jelly Bean a number 42 jersey.”

“I did.” She nods as fresh tears prick the back of her eyes and I fight to hold back my own.

“And a pink plush football?” I say in confusion, until a tear falls from Amelia’s eye as she nods. “Pink.” My eyes flash to her stomach. “Jelly Bean’s a girl?” I’m having a daughter. I stare at her in awe.

“Yes.” She nods again, more forcefully as more tears fall. “I finally opened the envelope. We’re having a girl. You’re going to have a daughter.”

I quickly step into the room and drop the jersey and football onto the rocking chair before turning and stalking toward Amelia, grabbing her face in my hands. Emotion threatens to clog my throat, but I swallow it down as I stare into her soul. “Thank you. This present is everything. You are everything. This family is more than I ever thought I wanted. And God, I love you.”

Amelia’s eyes widen as her breath hitches. “You love me?”

“More than words can describe.” I smile at her shocked expression. How did she not know?

She pauses for a beat, staring at me with more emotion than she’s ever shown, and then whispers the most beautiful words. “I love you too, Luke. So much.”

Now it’s my turn to be shocked as my jaw drops. “You do?” I ask stupidly, though she wouldn't have said it if she didn’t.

“Yeah, I do. More than words can describe.”

Without waiting another beat, I glide my hands into her hair and tilt her head, our lips barely a breath apart. Locking her gaze in mine, I find the words in her eyes, her expression reflecting her love, and my heart pounds.

“Thank you,” I whisper before pressing my mouth to hers and caressing her lips as I pour everything I can into the kiss, showing her what she means to me. Our mouths mold together, moving in sync as all the emotions take over me.

Amelia's the first to break away as she sucks in a breath, and when a yawn escapes her, I remember how late it is. Despite her argument, I press another chaste kiss to her lips before carrying her to bed and holding her in my arms, wanting nothing more than to grasp onto this moment for as long as I can.

I never thought I’d fall in love. It wasn’t something I ever wanted. And it took me by surprise. But now that I’ve said it out loud, it’s the most natural thing in the world, and I know with absolute certainty that I wasn’t closed off to love. I was waiting for Amelia. Waiting for her to come back so that all could be right in the world.

“I love you,” I whisper again as she’s falling asleep, sensing her sleepy smile in the dark. And when I hear her soft snores, I sit up and gently place my hand on her belly, feeling for Jelly Bean’s movements. “I love you too, Jelly Bean. My baby girl. My angel. Thank you for bringing your mom and me together. We owe it all to you and we’re going to have an amazing life together. I can’t wait to meet you.”

N ew Year's Eve comes and goes, with most of us taking it easy, having a quiet one as we prepare for the final game before we have to get our minds set on the playoffs. Amelia and I spent New Year’s Eve together, but by ten p.m. she was asleep on my lap, having been so busy trying to make sure Adrian’s ready to take over her role.

Amelia’s at work when I arrive home from practice the following Thursday, and I’ve barely stepped through the door when my phone alerts me to a text and then another. I panic, knowing she can’t always call if they’re filming, and rush to check my phone, finding it’s the Luke support group chat.

Dylan: I hate to once again be the bearer of bad news but have you seen the latest article, Luke?

Reed: I just grabbed my phone to text you. Bria showed me when she arrived for lunch

I start typing a response, having no idea what they’re talking about when Easton enters with his thoughts.

Easton: Did you know that the more people read and share gossip articles from piece of shit online magazines the more they produce them? So here’s an idea… ignore it

That’s probably the most Easton has ever written in our message chain, so I give him a thumbs-up. But unfortunately, I have to know. Especially if it involves Amelia.

Luke: Send it to me

Easton: It’s better if you don’t know

Reed: So, you’ve seen it. You read that piece of shit online gossip magazine?

Easton: (Middle finger emoji)

While Easton and Reed are arguing over text messages, Dylan sends me the link, and the second I open it, I groan.

Is San Francisco Storm’s star tight end cheating on the mother of his child? We speak to three women who say that he is.

“Motherfucker.” I bite my tongue and shake my head as that term takes on a new meaning. “ God-fucking-dammit,” I say instead and instantly feel better. About that anyway.

How are we supposed to stay stress-free with shit like that going on?

Dylan: I’m sorry, man

Luke: Not your fault. Thank you for letting me know

Dylan: At least you didn’t do anything wrong. You and Amelia weren’t together

Fuck. They believe I did it? I shouldn’t have to justify myself, and Easton knows how I feel, but for some fucked-up reason, I don’t want him to think badly of me, more than he already does.

Luke: They’re lying. I don’t have to read the article to tell you that

Reed: Good to know

It is good to know. The problem is, who outside of my friends is ever going to believe me?