It's Time

When We Were Young

It's almost time for the big game. All of the Bear's hard work this season paid off, and they made it to the Super Bowl. I'm so excited for Spencer. Even though he won a ring his rookie season, I wasn't with him, so it doesn't count. I don't make the rules.

I'm writing my last pregame note of the season for him, and the nostalgia washes over me. Ever since high school, I've written Spencer a pregame note during every football season, and he has all of them in a shoebox under our bed. Even his rookie season, I wrote him a note before every game. I knew he'd never see them, but I couldn't bring myself not to write them. I watched every minute of every game of his despite how painful it was. Then, they made it to the Super Bowl, and they won. My eyes remained glued to the tv, watching him celebrate on the field with his mom, Dillon, and Coop. I wanted to be there. I wondered if he wanted me there. Now, I have his name, I'm the mother of his son, I'm carrying his daughters, and this time, I will be there to celebrate. While so much is the same about these pregame notes, everything is different.

"Jace, what are you doing up there? We're going to be late to the airport." I call into the intercom since that is apparently my son's favorite way to communicate.

"Sorry, mom! Almost done." He calls back.

He seems so grown up when he calls me mom instead of mommy, which scares me. I don't want him to grow up, ever. He'll be five in two months, and the thought completely overwhelms me.

Spencer and the team left for Miami yesterday, but I had a shoot, so me and Jace are flying out today instead. Me, my parents, Spencer's parents, and Jordan all rented an Airbnb in Miami for a week so that after the Bears' win, the celebration can turn into a mini-vacation.

Simone is unbelievably close to having the baby, so this is the last chance at a vacation for the new parents. Jace finally makes his way downstairs, dragging his spiderman luggage. Bentley, of course, is right on his heels. I feel a little bad that we'll be leaving Bentley for an entire week, but seeing as the price of this 'doggy hotel' for one week is almost as much as Jace's tuition for one month, he should be in excellent hands.

"About time. It takes you longer than your daddy to get ready." I give him a stern look which only draws giggles from him. I load his suitcase into the trunk and get him strapped in his car seat. Finally, I pick Bentley up, setting him down on the backseat. We're ready to go. How I've managed to have more energy at 21 weeks pregnant than I did just a few weeks ago is beyond me.

The flight to Miami was easy, thanks to Jace falling asleep when the plane took off. One thing about this kid, he's going to get a nap in. Jordan and Simone are waiting for us at the airport, and Jace practically yanks himself out of my grasp when he sees them.

"Hey, sis." Simone hugs me, taking a second to rest her hand on my growing stomach. She and I both squeal as we feel one of them kick.

"Looks like someone else is excited to see you." I choose my words wisely. Spencer and I haven't told anyone that we're having twins or that they're girls. Call us crazy, but we live for the element of surprise.

"You're really not going to tell me what you're having? She nags me.

"You haven't told me what you're having." I shrug my shoulders.

"That's because I don't know what I'm having." She rolls her eyes at me. "You, on the other hand, are just being cruel." She pretends to cry.

I playfully stick my tongue out at her and shift my focus to my brother, who is throwing my four-year-old up in the air.

"If he throws up, it's on you." I offer him a disapproving look.

"Oh, lighten up, Liv." He continues tossing my kid.