Truly extraordinary

Chapter 10: The SEC Championship

Early December 2023, SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.The week leading up to the SEC Championship had been a blur of preparation, practice, and media obligations. Alabama's focus was squarely on taking home the title, but for Jalen, there was an extra layer of meaning in the game. The thought of Seraphine's presence, her unwavering belief in him, gave him a deeper sense of purpose.--- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, just before kickoff.Standing on the field for pregame warm-ups, Jalen looked around at the massive stadium filled with roaring fans. It was surreal. All his hard work, all the sacrifices, had led him here. But even with all the noise, his mind kept drifting back to Seraphine.He spotted her in the stands, wearing an Alabama jacket with his number on the back, her bright smile visible even from a distance. Jalen waved, and she waved back, her enthusiasm contagious.As the game progressed, it became a battle of wills. Jalen played with determination, focusing on executing the game plan, but the stress was palpable. By the third quarter, Alabama was trailing by a touchdown, and the pressure to perform was immense.During a timeout, Jalen stole another glance at Seraphine. She was standing now, her hands clasped together in nervous anticipation, and just seeing her made something click. Jalen knew that no matter the outcome of the game, he had already won something bigger. --- Post-game, after a thrilling victory.Alabama had pulled off a comeback win, clinching the SEC title. The locker room was filled with celebrations, but Jalen had only one thing on his mind—finding Seraphine.Outside the stadium, he spotted her waiting with the other families. Without a word, Jalen jogged over, and she threw her arms around him the moment he got close."You were incredible," Seraphine whispered into his ear, her voice full of pride."I couldn't have done it without you," Jalen responded softly, pulling her close. And in that moment, he realized how much she had come to mean to him. He wanted to be with her through it all—the highs and lows, the victories and losses. She was the constant in his life, the person who understood him in ways no one else did.--- Later that night, at Seraphine's family home.Back at the Saban household, the post-game celebration was in full swing. Friends, family, and teammates all gathered, enjoying a night of laughter and stories. But Jalen and Seraphine slipped away from the crowd, finding a quiet corner on the back porch.Jalen took her hand, the cool night air settling around them. "Seraphine, I've been thinking about us."Her eyes widened slightly, curiosity flickering across her face. "What about us?""I want us to be together. For real. No more just talking about the future—I want to start building it with you."Seraphine's smile grew slowly, her eyes filled with warmth. "I've wanted the same thing. I'm all in, Jalen."He kissed her then, the certainty of their shared future grounding him even more than the championship trophy in the other room.