Page 105 of False Start

She giggles at me. “Then I have two gifts for you. Would you like to open it now or later?” She asks and I can tell she’s really hopeful I’ll say now.

“Definitely now.”

Once we’re inside the cabin, she leads me to the bed in our downstairs bedroom, and she reaches underneath it to pull out a wrapped t-shirt box. Zhanna is a thoughtful person, so I can’t wait to see what she bought or made for me.

“Dig in,” she says as she hands me the box.

“You didn’t have to buy me anything. Marrying me a second time is more than enough.”

She leans down to press a kiss to my lips, and then I start ripping the gift paper. Inside the box, underneath white tissue paper, there’s a little cat onesie that reads “Hudson” on the back and “Future Quarterback” on the front.

“You bought Punter a shirt! But, babe, I think it’s a bit too big for him.”

She puts her hands on her hips and sighs. “Keep looking, QB.”

Underneath another piece of tissue paper, there’s a pink onesie with “Hudson” on the back and “Future Coach” on the front. I look up my wife with confusion and maybe a little hope. She’s bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet in excitement.

“Baby?”

“Yeah?” She nearly squeals.

“Really?”

“Keep looking.”

Underneath the last piece of tissue paper is a sonogram of a little bean-shaped baby.

“I’ll be damned,” I say and start to feel a little weepy. And then I leave the bed and find my way to my knees in front of her. I place both my large hands on her belly and lean forward to press a kiss to it. I can’t wait until there’s more to kiss. “I love you more than life itself, Coach. Thank you.”

“And I love you to the moon and back, Quarterback.”