Page 50 of Love You Already

She follows my head nod towards the TV where Brad Pitt's face sits on the screen with the movie title beside it. “Oh, yes! That's just what I need tonight. A little baseball to hold me over.”

I chuckle as I shoo her away. My woman's baseball knowledge knows no bounds. I would feel slighted if she hadn't told me the reason behind it. Apparently, Beckett played ball in high school to try to get the girls. He wasn't built for football, but he could hit a ball smooth across the field for a home run damn near every time. When Rose wasn't shadowing Nate to a local competition, she'd be with Beckett or Bridgett. That meant a lot of games in the stands learning baseball, and while she never got a desire to play softball or follow him, she appreciates the sport in a way most might not.

The food and drinks are in place, the movie is ready, and I'm in position for my wife to settle into as soon as she's ready. Life can't get much better than this.

Except... There's a deadline to all of this. We've been living as if I have all the time in the world before things change. We've acted like I don't have to go back to Houston in a few short weeks to start pre-season prep with the team. For the first time in my life, I'm not eager to get back on that ice. At least not in the capacity I need to for my job. I'd love to go skating with Rose again.

But we don't have the luxury of me just up and quitting. There are a lot of people depending on me to show up. Plus, I'm no quitter.

“You are an angel,” Rose cries out five minutes later when she's tucked into my side chowing down on the casserole I put together earlier this evening. The recipe was on her Pinterest board of things she wanted to try, though I don't think she recognizes it. How could she when she's shoveling it in at this rate? Thank goodness I didn't serve it up hot.

When she realizes what she's done, she blushes and tries to slow down. “Don't slow on my account, Ace. I like that you've got a good appetite. You're going to need all those calories for what I'm planning to do to you later anyway.”

The spark in her eyes returns as she pushes away her hesitation about eating. I focus on the movie and my own food for the next little bit. Then, when we're both done, I focus on rubbing small circles into her back as we lay down together. After that, my focus turns solely to the woman in my arms. To my wife.

Her breaths evened out before the climax of the movie hits. I watch as the main character tries to justify his actions and ultimately how the sports world is changed from his choices. It's a great film, despite not being about hockey.

I lay with her for a while as I let myself enjoy just having her close. My mind floats back to thoughts of having to leave for work and what that new life would look like. I've only got three years signed with this team. And after that, I'm a free agent. I could play or not play. If I were honest with myself, I'd admit that the main reason I play now is out of loyalty to my team. Some of it is also to honor my parents, but at the end of the day, it's not love of the game like it once was. Not like it was when the season was still going on, or like it was before I met Rose.

My wife has filled a voice I didn't even know I had. She's taken up space that my career once held and made it hers. I can't imagine anything else in this world meaning as much as she does now.

Thinking of her, I grab my phone from the coffee table and put it in selfie mode. I snap a photo of us where you can see us fully, then I grab a close-up shot of my hand resting at the back of her neck. I upload the second to my social media page with one word: Mine.

With that done, I slip out from under her to put away the food. I slip a blanket from the back of the couch over her still form to keep her warm until she's back in my arms again.

The cleanup process is pretty quick, and soon enough, I'm back in the living room beside my Rose. I scoop her up under her arms and behind her shoulders in a bridal carry. She's limp in my hold, her exhaustion keeping her in this dream state. I try to contain my chuckle at how cute she is.

In the bedroom, I tuck her in under the comforter before I brush my teeth and get ready for bed. It doesn't take all that long, but when I move to step into the room, I find a wide-eyed wife staring back at me.

“Hey, there. What are you doing, sleepyhead?”

Her eyes are wide and panicked, like something is wrong. I rush to her side, climbing in the bed and pulling her to my chest.

“I dreamed you were gone. Just... completely. I couldn't call you or see you. It was bad, Lachlan,” she whispers against my chest.

“Oh, baby. That's never going to be the case. You're mine, Ace. There's not a thing in this world that could keep us apart now.” I press a kiss to the top of her head as I rock her side to side for a few minutes. She falls back to sleep, and rather than get out of bed again to shut off any other lights, I simply tuck her into me and call it a night. I can worry about the rest some other time. My wife needs me close, because despite the audacity of her dream, there will come a time real soon where nights like this will be few and far between.

* * *

The morning after date night comes with Rose needing to spend some time with Bridgett for 'sisterly bonding' — whatever that means. My wife was stolen from me, nonetheless. I decide to take up court with Donnie since there's something very important I need to talk to him about.

I knock on the wall of the barn I was told he'd be in today. Donnie turns my way, his eyes assessing me right away for anything being wrong. “Lachlan! What brings you my way today? I thought you and Beckett were the dynamic duo these days. At least for ranch work. I know you and Rose are inseparable.”

“That's true. Wouldn't have it any other way either. I was hoping I could talk to you for a minute. You got time?”

He nods as he points to a brush leaning on the table. “Grab another brush and come help me take care of this one. Then we can discuss whatever is on your mind, son.”

I do as he asks. Once I'm on the other side of the horse, I wait for him to initiate. I'm not sure where to even begin. All my bravado from before has slipped away.

“Don't leave me hanging, Lachlan. You seemed like a man on a mission a few minutes ago,” Donnie teases after a bit.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

“I want to ask your permission for Rose's hand.”

He doesn't say a word at first. Then I hear a whistling sort of sound that quickly shifts into a full-blown laugh. By the time I make it back around the horse to face him, he's bent in half from laughing so hard.

“You could have just said no. No need to get worked up.” I put my hands on my hips as I stare at his hysteria.