43. Epilogue

Two years later

The stadium roars as the defense keeps the Jags out of the endzone and forces them to kick a field goal. The Jags are up by three with a minute and fifty seconds left on the clock. As the Jags' special teams kicks it to the Mav's receiver, the catch is clean and Brown runs it back to the Jags' forty-yard line. With one minute and twenty seconds left in the fourth quarter, we need to score to win the game.

We take the field, knowing that the two-minute drills we've practiced all season need to be executed perfectly. The offense gets into position, and Michaels counts down the play. He throws to me for a checkdown, but the Jags' D is expecting it, and we lose a yard. Michaels immediately starts yelling the next play as the refs are putting the ball down, and everyone lines up. The clock is ticking, and there is now a minute and three seconds left.

Jags fans are working hard to drown out the quarterback's voice. I hear him start the play, and I run my route. I'm working to shake the safety off of me when he suddenly looks at one of the other players, leaving me wide open. Michaels throws the ball toward me, and everything moves in slow motion. I reach out my hand, grab the ball, and pull it in for the catch. I turn my body forward and see an open field in front of me.

The crowd"s roar penetrates, and everything suddenly returns to real-time as I cross into the endzone for the lead we need. The guys rush down and celebrate with me. As we run to the sideline, I look up to where my family is sitting watching, and I point at them.

The extra point is good, but the clock still has twenty seconds left. Special teams take the field, and I watch from the sidelines, holding my breath. The whistle blows to start the play. Johnson kicks the ball, and the line runs down the field toward the receiver. When they finally reach him, the first two defenders miss. Then, all of a sudden, the receiver gets hit, and we see the ball fly out of his hands.

"Ball, Ball…" Everyone on the sideline and in the stadium yells. Then a loud cheer explodes as the Mavericks recover the ball.

"The Mavericks are going to the Super Bowl!" the announcer yells as the fans and players jump up and down and scream. "What a game!"

This is one of the most incredible moments of my life. I have my wife, yes, my wife, sitting in the stands cheering with my entire family and sixty thousand fans. The last four hours have been like a dream. But even in my wildest dreams, I never could've imagined how perfect it would be with the woman I love sharing it with me.

The Mavericks are headed to the Super Bowl. This is the stuff that every professional football player works for and dreams of. The play clock winds down as we head across the field to congratulate the players on a hard-fought game. I see Adam talking to his brother before he heads over to me.

"Josh!" He chest bumps me and then hugs me. "Dude, this is freaking amazing. One more game!"

My body hums at his words. "One more game!" I growl and hug him back.

I see the Mav's owner come onto the field for the post-game celebration, and then, after what feels like forever, the team starts to head back to the locker room. As we head in, the roar of the excited fans continues to bounce off the stadium walls. As much as I want to celebrate with them, there is one person I want to celebrate with even more, but before I can do that, I have to talk to the press first.

When I get into the locker room, I hit the shower and change into joggers and a Maverick's hoodie. I meet up with Michaels and head to the press table. Just as I sit down, my eye catches on someone in the back of the room. I'd recognize my sister anywhere, but it's strange that she'd be here now.

The first question is directed at Michaels, but I'm still looking at Susie in an attempt to figure out what's going on. When I hear my name being called, I look toward the reporter.

"Josh, how are you feeling?" He asks. "That catch! Wow!"

"It's beyond exciting, but I didn't do it alone. This man over here—" I slap Michaels on the back, "Threw the perfect pass. Right now, I'm going to celebrate with my team and enjoy the moment. But I know, and the team knows, we still have one game left."

The next question completely catches me off guard. "Josh, can I ask you a question about #Briosh?"

My eyes narrow as I tilt my head. "Sure, but I thought when I married Brie, that pretty much answered any questions." Laughter fills the room, but the reporter continues.

"Is it true that there is a new addition to the family on the way?" My mouth drops open as I notice someone in the back stand up. It's Brie, her back is to me. She's wearing a Mavs t-shirt with my last name, but instead of my number, it has a number three. My brows furrow in confusion. She turns to face me, and on the front it has the words "Baby #Briosh" with an arrow pointing toward her belly.

My heart races, warmth fills my body, and tears prick the back of my eyes. Brie's eyes are shining as she nods her head. I run a shaky hand over my face, my surprise evident at the news. I stand up.

"Well, I guess I'm done answering questions, ladies and gentlemen." Laughter fills the room as I get up and approach my wife.

Everyone in the room fades as I make my way over to where Brie is standing. When I reach her, I cup her face with my hands and whisper, "Truly?" Her smile brightens the room as she nods her head up and down, affirming that she is indeed pregnant. I give her a kiss, then pick her up and spin with her. Her squeak of surprise has me laughing.

"Congratulations, Daddy," she whispers in my ear, sending goosebumps throughout my body.

Daddy. I'm going to be a dad.

Flashes are going off, and everyone is cheering. I feel like I'm going to burst at any moment. I didn't think I could be happier than I am right now after winning the championship game and heading to the Superbowl, but I was mistaken.

When I start walking with her in my arms out of the press area, I hear, "Just one more picture of Briosh and Baby Briosh."

"Later, everyone, I need to celebrate a bit with my wife in private." I waggle my eyes at Brie and hear laughing before they turn their questions back to Michaels.

"I'm not sure there's anything I can say to follow up that little show," Michaels jokes.

When I put Brie in a small alcove out of the way of prying eyes, she playfully hits me on the shoulder. "You're awful."

"How long have you known?" I ask her, my arms wrapped around her waist.

"Officially? Yesterday." She reaches up and pushes some of my hair back, and my heart melts at the gentleness of her touch. She's going to be the best mother. I lean in and rub my nose against hers.

"Yesterday? And you were able to pull this off?" I gesture to the t-shirt. "In that short amount of time?"

"Well, apparently I know somebody who has connections." She chuckles. It must've been Johnson.

"As long as you're not wearing his jersey anymore I guess I'm okay with him knowing you're pregnant before me to help you pull this off," I tease.

"You know, I only wear his jersey for away games." My eyes widen and I set my mouth in a thin line, determined to not laugh as she teases me. I can't control the laughter that forces its way from my mouth.

"That was never part of any agreement, Mrs. Owens," I growl at her before giving her a kiss to remind her who her husband is.

"Ummmhmm." I give my Brie one more quick kiss before looking over my shoulder to see Susie, Adam, my parents, and Brie's Aunt and Uncle all with huge smiles waiting to get in on the celebrations. "Is it okay for us to join in now?" I grudgingly step away from Brie and let everyone else come in to congratulate my beautiful wife.

"Congratulations." Adam, now my brother-in-law, slaps me on the back.

"Did you know?" I narrow my eyes at him.

"Oh no, Susie was like a vault. Plus, you know how the two of them get when planning something. Those squeals could've been about anything." His eyes shine as he talks about my sister.

"This is true," I chuckle as I look at my wife. She turns and looks directly at me as if feeling my gaze on her. My heart swells. I'm married to the most amazing woman, going to the Superbowl, and I'm going to be a father.

"I love you, Brain-anne," I mouth.

The smile she beams my way makes my stomach flutter. The words she mouths back at me make me feel like I can fly: "I love you, too."

Our moment is interrupted as the rest of my team rushes over to add our news to the upcoming celebration.

The Mavericks are going to the Super Bowl and #Briosh is expecting.