The Other Side: Growing Pains

1. Huddle Up

Spencer's POV

"So today is the day, huh?" My wife questions before kissing my lips softly.

"Yes," I answer nervously.

I'm about to go on national television and announce my retirement. And for some reason I can't stop fidgeting.

"Relax, babe! You've literally performed in front millions of fans for the past thirteen years. You've earned the opportunity to retire on your terms." She says in effort to calm me, but it's not as easy as it seems.

I take a deep breath. "I know, but it's like I'm having second thoughts. You know?"

"No, I don't." She replies with a serious look on her face and I know exactly what that means after years of marriage.

"I know... I know... babe, I just don't know if retired life is for me."

"You haven't even tried it. How could you know?" She says in a frantic tone.

"I know but the franchise is still dangling that two year contract out here for me," I add.

"Spencer, we've talked about it all season long. Your knees won't make it another season. The doctor said so himself. Why are you doing this today?" She asks in a panic.

"Because, what if I have another year left in me?"

She pouts. "You promised you would retire and be more active with the kids. Now you're just going to change all of that in an instance?"

"No! I'm just— I'm just not sure anymore." I admit.

"Good luck explaining this to Jayda because she literally has every television channel known to man in that conference room, downstairs. And I'm not stopping her from whooping your ass!" Liv says seriously and I burst into laughter. "It's not funny, Spencer. You promised."

"Relax! It was just a thought." I say and she playfully punches my arm as I pull her into a hug.

"What if I told your thoughts cost you 'congratulatory' retirement sex?"

My mouth drops in between her laughter and she better be joking. I can give up football, but I can't give her up.

"I was just playing," I beg and she giggles as I kiss her neck.

"Stop starting what you can't finish," she says in between my kisses.

"Want to bet?"

"We have less than ten minutes," she whispers.

"I only need five."

Before we can take it any further, we hear a knock on the door and it opens.

"You have five minutes before we're live," Jayda says as she peeps through.

"He's ready," Liv says and I look confused.

"I need five minutes," I murmur as I continue to kiss her neck, ignoring her resistance.

"No," she giggles and I finally free her.

I laugh as I fix my clothes in the mirror.

"I'm ready," I say as I reach for my glasses and fix my tie.

I hold my hand open for Liv to grab, so that we can walk out of the hotel room.

Jayda walks ahead in her business suit as she knocks on the hotel room door next to ours.

"A let's go James gang! It's showtime." She yells and the first person to run out is our thirteen year old Owen.

"Mommy, do I have to wear this sweater?" He asks like only Owen can.

"But this is mommy's favorite sweater on you, O!" She says and he blushes at the kiss she gives him on the cheek.

"Straight mommy's boy! Doesn't matter if your three or thirteen!" His twin, Omari says as he walks out in the same sweater. "But he's right, ma. I think dad's all-star jersey would've been better for tonight."

Liv rolls her eyes, playfully, at Omari's words before Shai and Summer appear in the doorway.

Omari would wear football jerseys and sneakers 24/7 if we let him.

"Well, I know me and Shai look cute!" Summer says and I agree with a small wink in her direction.

"Me too!" Our youngest daughter Skyler yells excitedly as she runs into my arms.

She's our sixth and final blessing. Unless Liv and I get bored during retirement.

She was conceived on our vow renewal honeymoon vacation. And the entire family was stunned. Liv, especially.

She was not thrilled, at all, to add another baby into the equation. But Skyler made it hard not to adore her.

And even though Shai is Liv's twin, Baby Sky is Liv's clone. Same curly hair and big brown eyes as her mama.

"Yes, you are!" I say in a baby voice, making her smile as I lift her in my arms to steal kisses before putting her back down.

"I got a date. So if you can make this quick, I'd appreciate it." SJ mumbles as he walks out of the door, texting on his phone.

"Cancel those plans, baby boy! We're going to eat as a family after this announcement." I respond and he sighs.

"But can't we do that tomorrow?" He asks and Liv shoots him the eye before he quickly puts his phone away and stands up straight enough for everyone to know he's actually 6' 1" with a chiseled six pack and a complete stud on and off the field.

Summer and Owen chuckle at SJ and Liv's exchange before Jayda shoots all of us an eye.

"Are yall done?" She asks. "Because it's time."

"Alright! Bring it in! Bring it in!" I shout and the kids and my wife murmur as we begin to huddle up, similar to a football team before the quarterback calls a play. "I love each and every one of you with all of my heart. I played the game at the highest level because of each of you. You all sacrificed your time with me. But you're about to get some of that back now that daddy is retiring..."

"Yesssss!" Shai shouts excitedly.

I feel two pats on my back; one from my wife and the other from my six year old, Skyler. And it's all very fitting for this moment.

"Love you, dad!" SJ says with a smile.

"Awww," Liv whispers as she starts to get emotional.

I kiss his cheek and rub the top of his head. "I love you more."

"We got to go," Jayda says as I watch tears form in her eyes.

She's tough on the outside, but I know this journey was bigger than me. Jayda has been my agent since the beginning. And she's provided nothing but opportunities for this family through her savvy business skills.

"Aww..." Liv says again as she pulls Jayda into the family huddle.

"Stop, Liv!" I say jokingly.

Truth is, I don't want to get emotional before I go on stage. But Jayda and Liv's tears aren't helping me.

"I swear I'm too much of a thug for this," Jayda whispers.

"We love you, Jay!"

I nod in agreement with Liv. "Yes, Jayda. This family loves you and we have plenty of more to do. I just won't be playing football to do it anymore."

"I know!" She whispers. "And I don't know why I'm crying because I have five other athletes to worry about, other than your big head."

We all burst into laughter before I break the huddle. A tradition we started years ago.

"Alright, y'all! James gang on three. James gang on me!" I say in my spirited voice and it gets my entire family hyped. "One, two, three..."

"JAMES GANG!" The hallway erupts before I grab hold of Liv's hand to walk to the conference room.