"I think…I'm going to take a break from boxing for a little while," Dean said.
"Oh? Why the sudden change of heart?" Lucy asked.
"Been thinking of just sticking to giving out boxing lessons at the moment. I don't want to keep dragging you and Jason along when you don't want to go anywhere."
"I've been enjoying the journey with you. But whatever you decide it definitely your choice."
"I'm deciding to take it easy, you know? I mean, it's not like I can't go back to boxing."
Lucy scooted closer to Dean and pulled the covers over them so they could be warm.
"Are you sure this is something you want to do?" she asked. "Are you sure about this? Are you sure you're doing this for you and not for me?"
"I'm sure I'm doing this for me. Trust me. I signed up for one more boxing match before I call it quits for a while."
"Just remember that I'm here with you all the way."
"I know."
"One more thing."
"What's that?"
"Jason is going to have a sibling."
Dean immediately sat up in bed at the news Lucy just gave him.
"A what!?" he said.
"A sibling! And calm down, Dean, you're going to wake Jason. Just calm down, love."
"Okay, how can I calm the hell down when you're pregnant, Lucille?" Dean hugged her and ran his hands through her hair. "I'm so happy right now…" He gave Lucille a deep kiss and continued to hug her. "Now you see why I want to take a break from boxing for a while. I need to be there for you…"
"I understand. I love you, Dean."
"I love you more, Lucille. And I mean that."
Dean half listened to Ray as he coached him on for his match against a local who had been undefeated for a month now. Him and Ray had been on good terms as of late and Ray wanted Dean to beat his opponent but warned him about how dangerous he was as well. But Dean, fearless as ever, quickly put a stop to his reign when he landed hits on the man's face and ribs until it was time to head back into the corner for the second round. Even though Dean was focused on his match, he couldn't help but think about Lucille.
That woman meant the world to him.
He never regretted marrying her and having a child with her as Jason made his life better as well. And now with another baby on the way, he had another wonderful addition coming into his life soon. He never forgot his promise he made to Thea about taking care of Lucille and making sure she would be in good hands. Dean definitely hoped that he had made her proud and was continuing to make her proud even now.
He got back up for the second round and easily knocked his opponent out, sending him flying to the ground along with one of his front teeth. The ref called the match and raised Dean's arm, much to his delight. Lucille carefully maneuvered her way into the ring to give Dean a hug.
"I'm so proud of you," she said to him. "My sweaty victorious husband."
"Thank you. Now, let's go home."
A month later, Dean and Lucille had moved into a three bedroom and two bath home that they had been saving up to move into it.
Nine months later, Francis Thea Ambrose was born.
Dean had gone back to giving boxing lessons while Lucille had begun to plan on giving self-defense courses for both women and men that she was going to teach once she healed up. In the meantime, she nursed Francis in the office as she watched Dean teach someone how to properly land a punch. She was happy that Dean decided to choose to do something that was going to make him happy and that was putting family first before boxing. She did tell him, however, that once she healed up, they would be sparring in the ring again soon.
After his class session, Dean retreated back to his office to check on Lucille.
"How're you holding up?" he asked.
"I'm fine. Little Francis here is drinking the hell out of the breast milk…"
"Well, she needed to eat so that's why she's having a nice buffet." Dean sat next to Lucille as she handed him the baby so he could burp her. "Oh…" He quickly grabbed a towel and put over his shoulder before patting the baby's back.
"You did a good job," Lucy said.
"Oh really?"
"Yes, really. I absolutely love seeing you teach people the art of boxing."
"I'm just good at it. But I still value my family more than I do my career."
"That's good."
"I'll never forget what Thea told me and I'll always remember what she told me: take care of you." Once Francis burped loudly, Dean cradled her in his arms. "And little Francis here looks just like her. I was happy when I found out Francis would be a girl because I immediately wanted to give her Thea's name. I'm so glad I was able to do that. Man…I've noticed that ever since I met you I've been more positive than I was before I met you."
"And so was I. I'm so glad you kicked my ex's ass though, that one day he decided to show his ass around here again."
"I enjoy kicking ass. And just like your brother, I'm going to teach you how to kick ass, too." Francis balled her fist up in response which made Dean happy. "I love you, Francis."
One day, the family decided to have a cookout in Dean and Lucille's backyard so that they could spend some quality time together. Jason had ran to his swing and slide set to keep himself occupied during the time being.
"Daddy, look!" Jason said. He went to go down his slide but ended up tumbling over halfway down the slide and landed on the grass.
"Aw, shit," Dean said, shutting the top to the BBQ grill and hurrying to check on Jason.
Jason got up, rubbed his leg, then took off running from his father and laughing all the way. Dean caught up to Jason, swooped him up, and checked to see if he was okay.
"Are you okay?"
Jason quickly nodded his head.
"Okay, be careful next time. Time to eat."
"Yes!"
Dean carried Jason back to the table and sat him down then went to get the food off the grill. The entire family had set the table and sat down to eat their meal. Before they started dinner, Dean stood up to make a toast.
"I just want to say that I'm very happy to be apart of this family. I'm very fortunate to have been able to have my own family with the woman I love dearly, Lucille Smith. I promised Thea that I would take care of her, no questions asked. And I'm sure wherever she is, she's happy about what she's seeing. Her niece and nephew, my children, are the best gift I've received. Things were rocky at first…with Mr. Smith and all…but now…everything is going well. Very well. And Lucille…just remember that no matter how many times we argue…no matter how many times we fight…you'll always be my backbone and I'll always be yours. I love you."
After the family gave each other a toast, Lucille stood up to give Dean a hug and a kiss.
"We love you too, chipmunk head," Joanne said.
"You're the best, chipmunk head," Cici said.
"Ha ha," Dean said.
"You're the best son-in-law I ever had," Mr. Smith said, holding up his drink.
Dean smiled and nodded at him as he was glad him and Mr. Smith finally put their differences aside once and for all.
"I want a picture of you guys and the kids!" Mrs. Smith said.
Dean lifted Francis out of her high chair and held her up with one arm as he put his right one around Lucille. Jason stood in front of them and smiled the biggest smile he could manage.
Mrs. Smith snapped a wonderful family photo that would hang up in Dean and Lucille's home for years.
Dean and Lucille had continued training people at the gym and even got back into boxing tournaments to showcase their talent. They had their fair share of problems but no matter what happened, they still loved each other at the end of the day.
Love hurts sometimes but making up with the person you love the most is the best remedy for everything.
Fin.
Thank you for reading!
