Begin Again

Chapter 17

Alex POV - two weeks later

I lean my head back and feel a kiss get pressed to my head.

Mack pulls away, "What're you thinking about?"

I sigh and bite my lip.

She squeezes me.

"I'm going to retire from the national team." I say.

Silence.

I turn in her hold and see her smiling softly.

"You already knew?" I ask.

She shrugs, "I know that you had been thinking about it. You've been leaving little clues."

My eyes widen, "No I haven't."

"Babe. They had to tell you to stop signing autographs. You're never on the field that long." She deadpans.

"So? I stay out longer sometimes, when I can." I cross my arms over my chest.

"You've been having little pow wows with Jaedyn. Like more than helping her, more like preparing her when you're gone." She says.

I pout.

"Aw, you're so cute when I'm right." She says.

I huff.

She leans down and presses a kiss to my lips then pulls away.

I smile.

"So are you still playing with San Diego?" She asks.

I nod, "One more year."

She bobs her head up and down, "I'm proud of you."

I smile wider.

I move so that I'm straddling her and cup her face, "How are you? You've been kind of deep in thought."

She bites her lip and I rub my thumb across it.

"Hey, talk to me." I whisper.

She sighs, "Do you want to get married again?"

My eyes widen.

I take a breath, "Hey, of course I do."

She stares at me and bobs her head, "I think I do. I'm not ready, you know?"

I smile and lean in, pressing a kiss to her lips.

I pull back, "I know that you're not ready. It's a big deal."

She nods, "I don't want to make you feel like I'm not in this for the long haul."

I rub her cheeks with my thumbs, "I've never thought that. Not even close."

She nods and leans in, quickly capturing my lips.

I get lost in the kiss and pull her closer when the door busts open, "Mommy!!! Mama!!"

I quickly pull away, which causes Mack to lose her balance and fall.

"Shit, babe." I say.

"You said a cuss word!" I hear Riley.

"I'm um okay. I think." Mack groans and pushes herself up.

I smile and help her up.

"You guys were kissing!" Charlie says while my dad carries her.

I feel my cheeks up.

"Baby, you are 35, no need to be embarrassed." My dad says.

I scoop Riley up and press a kiss to her cheek.