The Rookie and Me: Second Chances (COMPLETE)

Heartbeat

I woke up the next morning and immediately went to the drugstore. I told Tyler I was going to hang out with Whitney for a couple hours, which is true, but he doesn't know exactly why. I bought 7 pregnancy tests, just to be sure. I know that's excessive, but with what happened last time, I want to be 100% positive before I tell Tyler. I head straight over to Whitney's apartment and unlock the door with my key. I ran to her bedroom and opened the door to find her and Blake, still sleeping. 

I lightly shake her shoulder and whisper, "Whitney... Whit.. Wake up." 

She opens her eyes slowly, "Ali? What are you doing here? What time is it?"

I shake my head, "I have no idea. I think it's like, 9:30? I need you... Now. Please?"

She sits up immediately, "What's wrong?" 

I noticed Blake stirring around in the bed. I grabbed Whitney's arm and pulled her into the bathroom with me.

"Ali, what is wrong?" She asks as I set the plastic bag on the counter. 

I grab one of the boxes and rip it open. Whitney's mouth falls open, "Seriously?! Oh my god, hurry up. Take one right now!"

I take one of the tests and set it down on the counter to wait for the results. Whitney runs to the kitchen and grabs a bottle of water for me. I chug until it's completely gone, then take another test. We wait for the results on both of those tests before I take just one more for good measure. All three tests have the same result. Little pink plus signs appear on each test, proving that my intuition was right. I guess I have some news to share with Tyler afterall. 

Whitney is so excited already. She went online and made her first purchase for the baby, not even 5 minutes after the 3rd test result came up. And as for myself? I immediately went to the NFL Pro Shop by the stadium and found a onesie with Tyler's jersey number on it. I packaged it up in a gift bag and headed straight for home. As soon as I pull into the garage and head inside, I see the boys playing outside on the new playground with the dogs running around chasing each other. I run upstairs and put the gift bag on our bed, then head outside to meet them. 

"Hi, mommy!" Cameron shouts from the top of the slide.

I smile and wave, "Hi, bug! How has your morning been?" 

He slides down the tunnel slide and runs over to hug me, "We ate breakfast and came outside to play football and play fetch with Bear and Blue."

"That sounds like fun! Do you love your playground or what? This is the coolest playground I've ever seen!" I say back to him. 

He nods his head and goes running back to the rock climbing wall. Tyler wraps his arms around me and kisses my lips, "How was Whitney's house? Did you guys go to breakfast or anything?"

"It was good. We just hung out in her living room, talking about work mostly." I lie. I know it's not right to lie, but at least this lie has a purpose behind it.

He asks, "Do you miss it? The restaurant, I mean." 

I shrug my shoulders and say, "Sometimes I do. But I also have enjoyed being able to spend every second of every day with my boys while you're in the off season. I might go back when the season starts since Cameron will be starting kindergarten and you'll be gone. I won't know what to do with myself." 

He chuckles, "I'm sure you would find plenty to do, finally having free time for yourself. But I do want you to know that if you don't want to go back to work, you don't have to. I am more than happy to take care of you." 

I roll my eyes, "I know you are, but I'm not okay with that. I'll feel like a leech if I never contributed again. Now granted, my salary as a waitress won't be able to afford this house, but I can definitely afford the groceries and whatnot."