The Guy Named Harrison: Book One

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Debbie still hadn't learned of Carrie's pregnancy. Harrison's parents, his brother Terrance, and her brother Todd all found out Christmas morning. Now, only a few days after getting some of the best news of their lives, Harrison and Carrie were doing their engagement photos in Bank of America Stadium.

"Okay, move the ball a little bit to the right."

They did. "More."

"Carrie, its blocking your face."

They broke the kiss. "Which way?"

"Actually to your left. Now I can see both of you."

Debbie readjusted the camera. "Go ahead."

She looked up at him with a smile. Harrison looked down at her with a smile. Carrie leaning towards him a little bit, she tilted her head and met his lips in a kiss. Together they held a football in their outstretched arms. She had her mom focus the camera on the football that read '3•11•18.' It was the day the would have their wedding, since it would be a little warmer in March to have it outside. She and Harrison kissed in the background. The way Carrie held her hand on the ball, her ring was also visible.

Once the two of them heard her camera shutter stop clicking, they ended the kiss. Carrie rushed to see the pictures. She loved them. Harrison stepped behind her. After giving him a few moments to see the pictures himself, she told him to go lay in the end zone.

"Lay down."

"Why?"

"You'll see. Just do it."

He did as told while she helped her mom move the camera. On the way over, she threw the ball at him which he easily caught. Carrie then sat on him. "Lay all the way back."

Harrison did. She moved to sit on his abdomen. "You know what, I don't like this let me lay where you are."

Carrie laid back on the grass wearing the same grey sweatshirt and jeans she wore for the first picture. Harrison was once again wearing his white Panthers jersey and jeans.

She grabbed the ball. "Now look like you're tackling me."

"How do I do that? It's hard to pose for a tackle."

Carrie sat up a little bit. "Put a hand on my back and hold me up." Once he did, she then told him, "and the other on my hip."

He had his right hand behind her back and the left on her hip, the side where the camera was positioned as well.

"Harrison, now put one of your legs outside of hers and one in between," Debbie instructed.

"Good?"

"Yeah. Now foreheads together and go ahead and kiss."

They did with Harrison acting like he was tackling her. Just above where his hand rested on her hip, she held the ball between their bodies.

Debbie took the picture. "I love this one."

❺❾

It took Carrie a long time and a lot of willpower to change into a dress in mid December. It was a long sleeve dress, so at least it kept in some heat. Then Harrison came up with the suggestion she should wear on of her Nike long sleeve shirts and leggings underneath the dress. It was much better after that.

For the next photo, they sat at midfield and on the NFL logo. Carrie sat on the ground with her legs tucked to the side as Harrison sat next to her. They each leaned back on one arm. Carrie's other arm rested on her lap while his other arm rested on his leg that was propped up. In between them sat his helmet turned to the side so the Panthers logo could be seen.

After taking that picture, Harrison grabbed his football gloves. What was cool about them, was that when both hands were held together facing away from his body, the patterns on both gloves formed the Panthers logo.

"Which one do I need?"

Harrison thought about it for a moment. "Do you want the panther head?"

"Sure."

"Then you need the left one."

Harrison handed her the other glove and put his on his right hand while she put hers on her left hand. Then they put their hands together to form the Panthers logo.

"How does it look mom?"

Debbie looked through the viewfinder. "Move your hands about 2 inches to Harrison's right."

They did as told. "Good."

Then Harrison and Carrie kissed in the background.

❺❾

Carrie changed from the white long sleeve Nike shirt, to a black one that she put over the top of her dress. Then she pulled his black Panthers jersey over her head. She pulled her hair out of its beautiful braid, and braided her hair again, this time to the side so his last name and number 59 would be visible on the back.

She met Harrison in the end zone. He was still wearing his white jersey and jeans, but now added a Panthers hat to the outfit. Carrie had the baby's jersey tucked under hers. They weren't going to pull it out until the absolute last second.

Carrie also instructed her mother what they would be doing. "We're standing with our backs facing you while holding hands. Okay?"

"Okay."

Little did Debbie know she would be finding out she was going to be a grandmother in only a few moments.

Carrie joined Harrison in the end zone. They stood just to the left of the goalposts and faced the seats. She extended her hand to Harrison who happily took it.

"Okay mom."

Debbie took a few photos. "Now can you do one more please?"

"Sure."

Hoping to keep her movements to a minimum, Carrie slowly untucked the baby's tiny black Panthers jersey from under hers and held it out to Harrison. He held one sleeve while she held the other with his name and number facing the camera.

The camera shutter clicked a few times. Debbie hadn't picked up on it yet. They both glanced at each other and smiled.

Then they heard her go, "what?"

Turning to face her mom, both Harrison and Carrie wore smiles. "What's that?"

Carrie held up the jersey. "One of his best sellers."

"Why would it fit a baby?"

She didn't answer her mother and let her figure it out for herself. Her jaw dropped. "You're pregnant?"

Carrie nodded and tossed her mom the baby's jersey. Just holding the small jersey was enough to make Debbie begin to cry.

Harrison laced his fingers with hers, and they gave her mom a hug. "I can't believe I'm going to be a grandma."