No Letting Go [Completed]

Sixty-Six

The next morning I wake up to the sound of little voices. Riley and Nate are up making each other laugh. I open my eyes and smile.

"Good morning." They both look over at me.

"Morning mommy. We're we too loud?"

"No you weren't. But you two shouldn't be up alone."

"Can I wake up daddy?"

"Yeah, why not."

"Daddy.....daaaaaadddyy. Come on, wake up." He doesn't budge. "Dad..." I know he's awake by now and he's just messing around. "Dad. Dad. Daddy. Daddy." She shakes his shoulder. "Papa!"

"AHHH!" He yells while wrapping his arms around her.

"Daddy! Don't scare me like that!!!"

"I couldn't resist bear." She sticks her tongue out at him and he does the same.

"I love you daddy."

"I love you too....and I love you little man." He brings Nate in closer to him.

"Are you ready for the game?" She asks him.

"I'm always ready."

"Are you gonna win?"

"I'm gonna try my best to do what I can to get a win."

"That's not the right answer papa."

"What's the right answer then?"

"You're suppose to say yes, we're gonna win....even though there's a chance you're gonna lose."

"That sounds like something I've told you."

"It is. You said if I don't go in thinking I'm gonna win....chances are I'm not gonna win." She says.

"Oh yeah, I did tell you that. I'm glad you be listening to me."

"I always do."

"Oh really, then the next time I tell you to do your homework, you're not gonna whine about it like you always do?"

"No." She says quietly. While he has his moment with the kids, I sneak a picture and post it.

"This is what I get to wake up to. I swear, I'm luckiest woman in the world❤️ #GameDay #BeatJacksonville #7tormsComing"

*******************

Later that day, around 6, we head to the stadium. We have a police escort on the way there. We pull up and head inside through a separate entrance than everyone.

"Can we go see daddy while he's warming up?"

"Okay."

We make our way to the field and Colin spots us. He jogs over here and goes for the kids first. "Good luck daddy."

"Thanks Ry.." He stands in front of me.

"You look good...real good." He says.

"Thank you. Have a good game, okay." I say looking up at him, tugging on his tight, dri-fit warm up shirt. "And whatever it is that's bothering you, don't let it cloud your mind today." He dips down to kiss me.

"I'll see you after the game." He gives the kids forehead kisses before jogging back over to finish warming up.

"Can we stand here and watch?"

"We'll stay for another 10 minutes then go to our seats."

"K."

I take a picture of them while their eyes are glued to the players warming up on the field. I post it to Instagram.