Epilogue

EPILOGUE

GRACE

"Oh my God, noooooo!" Bella says, waddling out of the bathroom like her ass is on fire. "Grace, help!"

I turn from where I'm helping Mads fasten her shoe just in time to see Bella bend at the side, showing a giant hole in the seam of her bridesmaid dress. Her pregnant belly peeks through the material as her jaw drops in horror.

Dia doubles over with laughter. "How the fuck did you do that?"

Bella pushes her lip out in a pout. "I'm a whale, that's how. I'm growing Maverick Moran's spawn. This kid is already probably bigger than I am, and he isn't even born yet!" she whines, making Dia laugh harder.

"It's all fun and games until the monster cock puts a monster baby in you and you can't even go pee without hulking out in your clothes."

Bella's shoulders fall. "It's not funny. I can't go out there like this ," she says, gesturing at her dress.

I stand. "I'll fix it. I have a sewing kit in my bag. Just take it off and throw your robe on. I need to repair it from the inside." I unzip her, and she goes back into the bathroom while I rifle through my bag, finding the emergency supplies I always carry. I'm making custom game day pieces full-time now, and I also have a line of affordable, ready-to-wear designs that are licensed by the NFL and can be purchased on my website by the public. I never thought I'd get here, but with the support of these women and my amazing husband, it was as easy as breathing.

Tanner and I didn't waste any time after we got back together. We took a page out of Dalton and Dia's book, visiting the same Vegas chapel they did almost a year to the day later. We figured the best way to top their second Super Bowl win was to tie the knot in true Boston Blizzard fashion. That was the day Blaze and Mads got engaged, and now it's their turn. They chose a more traditional route, getting married in the summer at a beautiful vineyard in Nantucket.

"Here you go," Bella says, setting her dress in my lap. I carefully turn it inside out, thankful that the seam is just pulled apart and that the fabric isn't actually ripped. I do my best to go over every stitch twice, since the girl is ready to pop and this dress was fitted two weeks ago. It's a snug fit, but once we get through the ceremony, she can change into something that'll be more comfortable.

I give it back and she disappears to change just as the door to the room inches open. "Baby Doll, are you in here?" Blaze says, making us all jump up to shield Mads.

"I'm here," she says quietly, her voice wobbling with emotion. Dia and I share a look because as the married ones in the group, we know how emotional your wedding day can be. Although we both had varying circumstances, we understand what these two are about to experience.

"Blaze, it's Grace," I say softly, still shielding Mads in case he peeks in. "It's bad luck to see her right now, but stick your hand through the crack in the door, okay?" He does and I lead Mads to it, putting her hand in his. Other than the bathroom, where Bella is currently changing, there's nowhere else for us to go to give them space, so we try to busy ourselves. But of course, I'm still as nosy as ever, so I listen while they talk.

"You okay, baby?" he asks. I can see his grip tighten when she sniffles, which makes her tears fall freely down her cheeks.

"Yeah," she replies. "Never better. You?"

It's his turn to sniffle, and I'd bet any amount of money he's crying on the other side of that door. At this point, Dia and I are just sitting on the edge of the bed watching this beautiful couple show each other their hearts.

"Do you remember the pop-up shop?" he says, making her smile through her tears.

"Yeah. I remember that blonde girl with the big boobs trying to press them up against you before I ran out. I was so jealous," she says with a laugh.

"That was the day I knew I wanted to marry you," he says. "The moment I walked in and saw you in my hoodie, I realized that I'd never want another woman ever again. I'm the luckiest man in the world, Madison. Thank you for being mine."

She hangs her head, her shoulders shaking as she lets her emotions take over. There isn't a dry eye in the house as Bella stands in the bathroom door with a wad of toilet paper in her hand to blot her soaked cheeks.

Dia grabs my hand and squeezes, and I realize that this found family of ours is unlike anything else I've ever been lucky enough to be a part of. We all have different stories and journeys that brought us to one another, but this group is so full of love and support, and I'll never be able to express how grateful I am for the way they welcomed me when I was so lost and unsure of who I was. This may just look like a group of football players and their significant others, but it's so much more than that. Every one of these people is a part of me, and they make me feel like my heart could burst at any second with the love I have for them.

Twenty minutes later, I'm making my way down the aisle to stand next to my friend as she marries the love of her life. My eyes immediately lock on my husband, who's standing with Blaze, looking at me like I'm the only girl in the whole world. Tanner has made our second chance more than I could've ever hoped for. I wake up every morning with so much gratitude that he came back home to me.

"I love you," he mouths.

"I love you, too," I mouth back, winking at him before I have to take my place at the other side of the altar.

We all turn to watch the bride as she makes her way toward her future husband. Blaze is an absolute mess when he sees her, not even attempting to hold back his tears. Dalton smacks his shoulder playfully with a goofy smile stretched across his face, because that man is straight-up giddy at weddings.

For the rest of the ceremony, I don't take my eyes off of my husband. I think back to everything we've been through; from bike rides to the end of our street, to him kissing my scrapes and bruises, to falling in love and every other milestone we've shared along the way. Some of them were hard. Others were amazing. But every single one of them was worth it to be able to call him mine.

Curious about Riggs and Monroe? Turn the page to read the prologue of their book, Wild Pitch!