Epilogue

Heart beating a bitquicker like it always did while attending Dre's games, Quinn focused on relaxing. The roof on the arena was open letting in the cool, sunshiny fall day. It was the sixth game of the season, and each game had been easier for her than the one before, yet she would never be fully comfortable while Dre played professional football. She accepted that as her reality, and unlike before, embraced the uncomfortableness. The risk Dre took each game was his decision, not hers.

That defined love for her. Accepting Dre, not wanting to change him, meeting him open-heartedly where he was in life, and believing in him.

He'd been approached by two NFL teams about coaching and three networks about announcing whenever he decided to retire, but he told her how much he hated to be apart from her so far this season and was considering looking for a molecular biology job in Houston instead.

Whatever he decided to do, she'd support him.

So much had happened in the last year. When Dre and Quinn returned to Katy after the sudden cardiac arrest fundraiser and announced they were engaged, everyone was overjoyed at the news. Her grandparents told them they planned to live at Chasing Time now that Grandma was better and loved it as much as Grandpa. Dre offered to buy them a house on the retirement village grounds, but Grandma and Grandpa would only agree to let him do that if Dre and Quinn accepted the deed to their home. They suggested they fix it, sell it, or build another home on the lot.

Once all that was settled, Quinn and Dre met with an architect and had plans drawn for a new home. At the beginning of spring, once the old house was razed and before construction started on the new home, they had tents brought in and were married on the lot.

The house was finally rebuilt, and they were able to move in a month ago. The only recognizable feature of the original home was the red door. The outside, built with light gray brick and white stone, had a wrap-around porch with columns. Quinn decorated with sleek modern furniture Dre liked and more traditional pieces she favored. The white kitchen with stainless appliances had a huge island with six stools and large windows on one wall overlooking a lagoon pool.

She smiled at the memory of last weekend when she and Dre had their families over to see the home for the first time.

Mama B had cooked for everyone. "Although I heard a wild tale that my son thought your rice and gravy was better than mine, that's what I cooked for lunch today, Estelle. I do hope you like it."

"I'm sure I'll love it." Grandma quietly uttered to Grandpa, "I wish we'd brought a Frisbee with us." She'd come a long way from thinking the Frisbee was silly after seeing so many people at Chasing Time using them.

Mama B insisted everyone go to the dining room before the food got cold. A crystal chandelier Dre and Quinn bought in Galveston three weeks ago hung over the huge dining table.

Grandpa laughed when he saw china Frisbees on the table. "Quinn, where did you get these?"

She pointed at Dre. "Ask my husband."

"I had an artisan make them special. I have an order for more so we can replace the plastic ones at Chasing Time. When I picked them up, he asked to meet you. He'd like to mass produce them and give you a cut of the profits."

Her grandfather grinned. "You're kidding."

"I'm not." Dre patted his back. "I told you they were a genius idea."

Quinn's eyes misted, recalling the first time he'd called her grandfather a genius and knowing, just like she'd told Jolene, it was the moment she fell in love with him.

A roar from the crowd around her brought her attention back to the game.

From out of the huddle, Dre lined up behind the offensive line. When the play started, he blocked an end and shot forward toward the middle of the field. Wyatt faked right, and then passed to Dre.

Quinn jumped to her feet as Dre caught the ball and raced for the end zone.

The crowd cheered.

"Go, baby! Go!" She bounced on the balls of her feet screaming.

"Go, son!" Grandpa stood on her left, Grandma beside him.

On Quinn's other side, Mama B remained sitting, her hands folded in prayer.

"Mom, you're going to miss it," Tracy shrieked from Mama B's right with Mr. Cason, Jamaal, Mac, and Knox on their feet rooting Dre on.

Kasey, Sadie, Zack, and Amanda chanted, "Run," from the row behind her.

A safety and a defensive back were the only players between Dre and the end zone. He'd already tied the record for touchdown receptions. One more and he'd achieve his goal.

The safety knocked Dre backward three steps.

He stayed on his feet.

The defensive back dove for his legs.

Dre spun around, evaded the tackle, and sprinted for the goal line. No one was close enough to stop him.

Cheers erupted as he scored.

"He did it!" Kasey shouted.

His teammates ran toward him, slapping his helmet and shoulder pads like it was any other touchdown.

Without fanfare, Dre discreetly tucked the ball under his arm and headed to the sideline with the other Scorpion players.

She turned around and high-fived Dre's friends.

"This is Commissioner Blake Jones," came over the loudspeaker. Everyone quieted and concentrated on the short man walking to the center of the field with a microphone in one hand and his other raised. "I attended this game today in hopes of getting a glimpse of history in the making, and I am thrilled to announce Andre Biel made NFL history today. Two weeks ago, he passed Marshal Faulk and tied Johnny "Blood" McNally for the running back with the most reception touchdowns. We just witnessed him breaking that record. And we're only in October, folks! Congratulations, Andre. You are remarkable. You've always handled yourself with class and dignity on and off the field. Football is a better sport because of you."

Thunderous applause filled the stadium. For the next ten minutes, everyone cheered as players and coaches from both sidelines congratulated Dre.

Her darling husband was receiving the praise he deserved, whether he wished for it or not. She'd wanted to go to the media and tell them about Dre's quest to make NFL history, but he asked her not to, and she promised she wouldn't. He'd made his family and friends promise the same. But he should've known he couldn't achieve something so monumental without the NFL community finding out.

Finally, Dre waved his helmet at the people in the stands before he looked straight at Quinn.

She yelled and threw her hands to the sky like signaling a touchdown.

He pointed at her with his helmet then brought it to his chest and tapped it over his heart twice.

~~~