A/N Here we go!
First & Ten Chapter 42
EPOV
It should be old hat by now. It was just another game. Just another field. Just another moment. I'd been here before. I'd won then and I was going to win now. We were down by 4 with two minutes to go. 27-23 Ravens. The ball was on my 43-yard line. I had two timeouts. I had the best wide receivers in the game. I had a great offensive line and running backs and tight ends. They'd do their thing and it was time for me to do mine.
I threw a short pass to the Crowley on the sidelines that he took for an extra three yards before ducking out of bounds. Midfield. 1:51 to go. I let Crowley carry; surprising them with a run that went for five more yards. The clock continued to tick as I barked orders to my line. Jasper and Fitz went wide. I had Fitz for the safe throw and I took it, picking up twelve and on the throw and another two as he darted out to stop the clock. 1:23 seconds. First and ten from the 31.
I threw straight down the middle to Cheney for a 17-yard gain and immediately took a timeout when he went down. 1:13. Plenty of time. I handed off to Crowley for a gain of three. The clock ticked below a minute. I yelled over and over to get to the line. My boys were fast. We set, we hiked and I threw another pass on the right hash to Jasper. Gain of five. 3rd and 2 from the 6. 48 seconds left. We could pick up the first down without scoring.
I tossed a screen to Crowley who darted out of bounds after getting the first. First and goal from the three. The Ravens' defense was breathing heavy, gassed. Ray Lewis was screaming at his team to stack the line. We could run. We still had 39 seconds left, but there was no getting through that line. Suggs was licking his lips, ready to nail me.
Sam snapped the ball and I dropped back. My line held in front of me. Fitzgerald was blanketed by Foxworth. Jasper was locked up with Brown. Reed was roving in the middle of the end zone, ready to break whatever way I threw. Crowley was helping Emmett keep Suggs off my ass. Cheney was covered by Phillips. I could throw a jump ball there but Reed was in the vicinity and would find a way to knock it down, or worse, pick it like he'd done in the second quarter.
The clock was ticking. My line was still holding but being pushed back. I took another step. Jasper turned in the end zone, going first left and then right. Brown went left with him and I let the ball go to Jasper's right. Worst case scenario, he wouldn't catch it. Brown would have a hell of a time reaching past him to pick off the ball.
Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. Reed saw me let the ball fly and moved toward Jasper. Jasper pivoted, planted both feet along the sideline and plucked the ball out of the air. I didn't move. I didn't breathe as the ball hit his hands. He brought the ball into his chest. Brown hacked at it just as Reed slammed into him. Jasper went down out of bounds.
Time was endless. The refs were talking. Then, they both held up their arms to signal TD. I let myself breathe again. The stadium erupted. But, with less than two minutes left and it being such a pivotal time in the game, the refs announced that they were going to review the play. Of course they were.
I stayed on the field, just in case they ruled it incomplete. It looked good to me, but then again, I wasn't right on top of the play. Those toes of his had been close to the line. But Jasper knew the end zone better than he knew Alice, I think. The dimensions were imprinted in his mind. He'd come through. He always did.
Emmett came up and clapped me on the back. His face was impassive. Like me, he was waiting for official word. Once we got it, we could celebrate. There were only seven seconds left. We'd kick our extra point, kick off and make damn sure that there was no return. I'd go out and play special teams my own damn self if I had to.
It took forever, as these things do. Jasper came and stood on my other side.
"I was in," he told me in quiet confidence. It was so damn quiet in the stadium I could hear pin drop it seemed. Not that I'd heard the noise. When we first came onto the field, yes. After that last possible touchdown, yes. Other than that? I heard nothing but my teammates and the Ravens. I'd never been so focused.
"This is taking too damn long," Emmett complained.
"It's the play of the game. They're being careful." Jasper watched the Jumbotron that showed every angle. "I was in."
He was in. Of course he was. This was so much like last year. Then it had been Tom Brady and the Patriots. Then it had been Vince Wilfork instead of Terrell Suggs. Then it had been 38-35 with three minutes to go. Then we'd driven the field and scored a touchdown with a minute left. Then I'd had to wait on the sideline while the defense tried to keep them out of the end zone. I hated that. We'd won. I'd been a Super Bowl Champion and an MVP. But I hadn't been the one to finish the game. This time, I would be.
"I wish they'd hurry up. I need to get home." Emmett's voice was tight and I knew he was missing Rose and his baby girl. Megan Ann McCarty had been born only two and a half weeks ago, so Rose had to stay home with her. He hated being away from his girls.
"You can fly out first thing."
"After the party. Are you getting nervous?" Emmett asked, nudging me.
Was I? I didn't feel nervous, but I might as soon as the game ended. As soon as it was finally time. But no, why would I be nervous? She'd say yes. She had to.
"No."
Jasper laughed. "Sure you're not. Remember what a wreck I was?"
Were we really discussing this during the Super Bowl? Then again, what else was there to do? I could get another play called but we knew what we were going to do. And of course I remembered. He'd beaten me to the punch. I'd been all ready to do it in June, when the six of us went to Tahiti, our last get together before the season started. Jasper had surprised Alice when he'd gotten down on one knee on our first night there and asked her to marry him. He'd told me just before he did it. I'd gone back to our room and made sure the ring was well hidden. I wasn't going to rain on their parade and I wasn't piggybacking their engagement. That night, Emmett and Rose also announced they were expecting. It just hadn't been right. I wanted our moment to be just about the two of us, no matter how much I loved our friends.
Time had gotten away from me after that. Mini-camps. Preseason games. The regular season. I could have done it any time, of course. We lived together. But the time ticked away, just like a game clock. When it became apparent that we just might do it again, that we might be repeat Super Bowl Champs, I'd decided to wait. Come hell or high water, I was asking Bella to be my wife after the season was over. But it would be a hell of a lot cooler to do it as a Super Bowl champion again.
"Just remember what you need to do," I told them.
"We got this!" Emmett shouted, clapping me on the back. "You can count on us."
And I could. I always had. They were my two best friends and they'd gotten me through everything. They had my back, on the field and off. I couldn't ask for much more.
"Thanks, guys. I appreciate it."
"Cut the mushy stuff," Emmett said with a grin. "Can you believe we're here again? What a fabulous year it's been. Jasper's engaged. You're about to be. I'm a dad." His voice was filled with awe and I knew he was thinking of that tiny blond girl with blue eyes and dimples waiting for him at home. While he was still the Emmett we all knew and loved, he was a bit calmer now. Fatherhood was good for him.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, the refs were coming back out onto the field. I held my breath again. Emmett squeezed my arm. Jasper nodded confidently.
"After reviewing the play, the call on the field stands. The receiver got both feet down and maintained possession of the ball before going to the ground. Touchdown!" His arms were up and now the crowd exploded again. Jasper and Emmett were wrapped around me and then the whole offense was one massive crush of bodies. I couldn't breathe but I didn't need to. We'd done it.
"Alright, break it up! Kick the extra point!" someone shouted. The line formed again and I scampered off the field and into Coach Clapps' waiting embrace.
"Perfect throw, Cullen. Perfect catch, Whitlock. I love you guys!" Oh yeah, now he loved us. He'd sure been singing a different tune the last couple of weeks. I caught Jasper's eye and smirked. He laughed and shook his head.
The extra point went through. Coach started shouting instructions to the special teams. I stood next to him, ever fiber of my being focused on the field. Feely lined up and fired off a squib kick. The ball bounced down the field into the hands of one of the backup linebackers. He lateraled it to Ed Reed. Fuck. I held my breath. Reed was the one we were trying to avoid. Wilson wrapped him up and he lateraled to Mason. Miller got a bead on him and hit him just as he tried to lateral to Rice. The ball hit the ground and a pile of bodies fell on it. The clock ticked to zero and it didn't matter. Wilson came out with the ball, recovering it around midfield.
"We did it!" Emmett had me in his arms and ran us into the middle of the field. The team piled in. There were big bodies everywhere I turned. The press was trying to get in. My girl was somewhere on this field but I couldn't see her anywhere, also just like last year. I tried pushing through the wall of bodies but that was impossible.
"Edward! Edward! How does it feel the second time around? Easier than the first?"
I didn't know who asked it, but I answered in one of the hundred mikes that was thrust into my face. "It's never easier and it's always incredible. It's as good as the first one, maybe even better." Or it would be, once I got back to the locker room and found my girl. It had taken over an hour last year, though, so I resigned myself to the questions being fired at me.
"The Ravens' defense kept you on your heels most of the game. You threw one interception and could have thown another. How'd you have the confidence to throw that last touchdown?"
I grimaced at that question. "If I let myself think about throwing a pick on every play, I wouldn't be a very good quarterback. Reeds a ball hawk, always has been. I was aware of him at all times on the field. He got the better of me once. I got the better of him a couple times myself. It's part of the game. I don't let one mistake get me down."
On and on it went. I gave the Disney World line. Then I had to get on the grandstand and accept the MVP award. I got a red convertible for winning it, which made me smile. The one I'd bought Bella for her birthday was better, of course, so we'd donate this one to charity. The Pat Tillman Foundation could auction it off.
I still couldn't see her, even from the podium. I did see my parents, waving their arms and jumping around as if they'd won the Super Bowl. They were with Renee and Charlie, who, incredibly enough, was wearing a Cullen 10 jersey. He'd come to the grudging admittance that it was okay to root for me whenever I was not playing his team. So fourteen out of sixteen games I got his support. And of course in the Super Bowl I did. Probably because he got to come to the game though. I chuckled as my father plunked a Super Bowl hat on his head.
After I got my trophy and handed it off to Emmett, who was shimmying around giving interviews, I made my way over to our parents.
"Have you seen Bella?" I asked as my mom threw her arms around me.
"I'm so proud of you! No, I haven't seen her at all." She gave me a knowing smile and I grinned back at her.
"I got a text from her that said she'd meet us back at the hotel," Renee supplied as she took her turn hugging me. "She'll meet you in the locker room." She pulled back and put her hands on either side of my face. "This is the perfect night. The stars are all aligned. I'm so excited!"
She knew, somehow. I didn't want to know how. My mother would be cluing them all in soon enough.
"Good game, Cullen. Except for that one throw." Charlie's moustache twitched as he clapped me on the back.
"Thanks for noticing, Charlie. Hope you enjoyed your last trip to a Super Bowl."
He laughed. "You planning on not coming back?"
"Oh yeah, I'll be back. I'm just not getting you tickets." I grinned as his face fell.
Then he brightened. "Then I'll rescind permission for you to marry Bella."
I smirked. "I'll marry her anyway."
He glared. "You would. Bastard. Fine, you win."
"I always do, Charlie. And I'll make sure you get to come next time too. I like showing off in front of you."
"Ass," he laughed.
"I learned from the best." I glanced at my father and got a nod.
He hugged me tight. "I'll give it to you as soon as we get in the locker room."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Go, get the rest of the stuff out of the way. We'll see you in a little bit."
I waved and jogged back toward the sideline, heading inside the stadium to the media room. If the field had been a madhouse, this wasn't much better. And what drove me nuts was that I knew Bella was there. I could feel her, but I couldn't see her. It was so frustrating. Too many bodies gathered around.
I answered question after question. It was boring and annoying and tiring. Finally, after what felt like years, I got to go to the locker room. It was a mess, of course. Maybe I should have thought this through. Champagne had been popped, beer was flowing and the party had begun.
Emmett caught my eye when I came in and wrapped his arms around me. "I got this." I smiled gratefully and headed toward the shower as I heard him start to yell. "Party back at the hotel! Drinks are on me. Get your asses out of this locker room and onto the bus or you'll be drinking juice boxes out by the pool. Move!"
Cheers and grumbles started. I smiled as I stepped underneath the spray. The sweat and grime washed away but butterflies came to take their place. It was ridiculous. I was nervous. We'd been together for a year and a half now. I'd drilled marriage into her head time and time again. She had to be expecting it to come sometime soon.
I cleaned myself off and stepped out of the shower, drying off with my towel. I walked past the ridiculous bust that Emmett had commissioned Renee to make last year before the first Super Bowl. We needed one for traveling purposes, he'd said. Since it seemed to work, I wasn't even going to complain.
I returned to the now mostly quiet locker room and pulled on my boxers and pair of black pants. Jasper came around the corner as I was pulling on my green polo shirt. I was more dressed up than my usual after game attire, but this wasn't my usual after game.
"Looking good, Cullen!" Jasper let out a wolf whistle and I rolled my eyes.
"Is everyone out?"
"Just me and Emmett left. He's outside waiting for Bella."
Bella. My heart started to pound and I sat on the bench. "You are nervous!" Jasper chuckled and sat next to me. "You have nothing to worry about, you know. She's going to say yes."
I knew that, of course, but what if she didn't? What if I'd waited too long? What if I hadn't waited long enough? "How do you know?"
He shoulder bumped me. "Because you're, to quote my Alice, meant to be. She's bouncing off the walls, waiting to pounce as soon as she gets the go ahead, by the way."
I shook my head. Of course she was. Another wedding to plan. She wasn't busy enough with her own and a billion other peoples'. Jasper stood and ruffled my hair. "We'll be right outside." That bolstered me, knowing that everyone would be right beyond those doors. If she said no…well, no, I wouldn't think of that.
My father came up to us then and Jasper waved goodbye before heading outside. "Is my son actually nervous? The Raven's defense and several billion people watching you play the biggest game of your life doesn't faze you, but this does?"
I shrugged. "Yeah, I guess it does. She's more important than the game, the people. She's everything."
He grinned and reached into his pocket, handing me the little blue box and my first Super Bowl ring. I put it on my right hand and took the box from him.
"It's because she's everything that you have nothing to worry about, Edward. She's the perfect girl for you and she's more than ready to be your wife. You know that's true. And I'm proud of you. And so very happy that you found someone we all love just as much as you do." He pulled me to my feet and put his arms around me. "You just tell her what's in your heart. There's no way she could say no to the love you have for her." He released me and smiled. "Good luck, son. Not that you need it."
I took a deep breath as he walked away. He was right. Everyone was so sure about it. So was I, really. It was just unnerving. I'd never done this before and I'd never do it again. Maybe this was stupid. Maybe I should have waited until we got back into the room and had candles and roses and stuff everywhere. She deserved romance, not some champagne soaked dirty locker room. What was I thinking? I'd just go tell the others that there was a change of plans. Surely Alice could…
"Edward?"
I whirled around and there she was. My girl. Bella looked so beautiful. She was wearing a red silk blouse to cheer me on in her silent way in the press box. She had on a black skirt that showed her legs off to perfection. Her hair curled down over her breasts. She was stunning. I tightened my grip on the box in my hand and swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat at the sight of her.
She had her trusty notebook in her hand and her recorder in her other. I wanted to laugh at the sight of that. Here I was freaking out about proposing to her and she looked cool and calm as she prepared to do her job and interview me.
I slid the box in my back pocket as subtly as I could and took a step toward her. Her beautiful brown eyes widened but I smiled. "We're alone."
She set her notebook and recorder down and took her own step toward me. I had her in my arms two seconds later and it was then that I finally felt right again. The effect she had on me was astounding. Just touching her was all I needed to calm down and remember how right we were. She couldn't say no, because she could feel it, too.
I bent to kiss her and she moaned softly and tightened her arms around my back. I slid my hands down to cup her ass as my mouth moved against hers. I pressed her back against the locker. Suddenly, getting her naked and reenacting our first locker room tryst as Emmett had suggested seemed like a very good idea. A naked proposal couldn't be a bad thing, could it?
"Ew, there's something sticky on my back!" Bella cried, pushing against me. So much for that idea.
"Champagne. It's all over the place." She wrinkled her nose and we stepped away from the locker.
"Sorry I missed it."
"There's plenty back at the hotel. You are coming, right?"
Bella laughed. "Yes, as soon as I file my story, I'm turning off the reporter and turning on the girlfriend. Buddy's fine with it."
Girlfriend. That didn't have quite the same ring to it anymore. I opened my mouth to suggest that she be the fiancée and then the wife but she bent to turn on her recorder and pick up her notebook. Interview time. I drummed my fingers against my hips impatiently.
"So, how does it feel to be a champion?"
I laughed and ran a hand through my hair. "It feels great. I don't know if I've wrapped my head around it yet."
"Is it any different than the first one was?"
I shrugged. She'd been there, after all. Thank God for that. My first Super Bowl had been surreal. It almost felt like I'd been watching someone else play. We'd beaten the Pats by four and it had been over before I really knew I was in the game. The whole two weeks I'd been a machine, studying tape, practicing, going over every single thing that I could be facing. This time had been different. Not the prep, but the feeling. I'd been more confident of the game and less confident of the girl. It was insane.
"I think I was more focused for this game. I felt more in the moment. The first time was like a dream. This was like being slapped by reality."
"The Ravens' D got some good pressure on you early in the game. How'd you adjust at halftime?"
I smiled as she got that serious sports tone she rocked during interviews. It was sexy as hell. "We doubled up on the protection. Cheney stayed in the backfield most of the second half and kept the pressure off."
"You forced the ball to Jasper in the second quarter and Reed returned it for a touchdown."
I raised an eyebrow and she bit her lip, trying not to laugh at my irritated expression. "I didn't hear a question in there."
"What made you throw that ball?" She watched me expectantly.
"I thought I could get it past Reed and in front of Harris. I thought wrong. Suggs was breathing down my neck and I had to get rid of it. I should have thrown it away but I didn't."
I started to fiddle with my Super Bowl ring. I didn't usually wear it, but we'd all decided to bring them with us. Bella's sharp eyes landed on it. "Now you have two."
I looked at her and decided I wouldn't have a better opening. I reached behind my back and pulled the ring box out of my pocket.
"Yes, I do. And you don't have any. I guess I better rectify that."
Her eyes twinkled. "You gonna give me your second Super Bowl ring?"
"If you want it. I'd rather give you this though." I brought the box out and watched as her beautiful brown eyes widened and her cheeks flushed. She dropped her notebook and held her right hand to her lips. I reached out and took her left, flipping the box open so she could see it was exactly what she thought it was.
"Bella, I've thought long and hard about how to do this. I thought about candles and flowers and chocolate and a beach at night and in a hot air balloon and just about every place you can think of. But when it all comes down to it, this is where it should be." I gestured around the empty locker room. "Nosy friends and football brought us together. Those nosy friends probably have their ears pressed to the door trying to hear us right now. They're part of our life. Football is a huge part of our life. And you're all of my life." A tear fell down her left cheek and I reached to brush it away.
"Winning wouldn't feel the same without you. Losing feels better with you. If you say yes, I promise we'll both be winners in the end. Will you do me the honor of marrying me, Bella Swan?"
I hadn't gotten down on one knee, but I'd get down on both if I had to. I'd do anything to have her. She opened her mouth to answer, shook her head once and my heart fell. Then she smiled and launched herself into my arms.
"Of course I'll marry you." Her lips were on mine then and I kissed her over and over. That hadn't been so hard. Why had I been so scared? Bella had always been mine. This just made it official.
I broke our kiss with a laugh and hugged her to me. "I was so nervous. You just don't know."
Bella reached up and took my face in her hands. "Edward, I love you. I have been crazy about you from the moment we met. You've put up with my big mouth, my crazy family and my nutty friends, not to mention my intrusive job. I'd be a fool not to marry you, and I'm many things, but not a fool."
"No, you're not. You're mine." I pulled out the ring I'd spent hours picking out. It'd been ridiculous. But the simple platinum square cut diamond was perfect for Bella. She held her hand out and I slid it on her left finger.
"I'm yours." I kissed her again, holding her against me. This was better than winning ten Super Bowls.
"Can we come in now?" A loud voice demanded. Trust Emmett not to keep his mouth shut any longer than necessary.
Bella laughed. "You weren't kidding when you said they were listening at the door."
"No, no I wasn't." That was all the invitation they needed. Emmett, Jasper, Alice and both sets of parents came streaming into the room, yelling and congratulating us.
Emmett held his phone over his head. "Rosie's here!" Bella took the phone and accepted Rose's congratulations as her mother hugged her.
"Yes, we'll have a party as soon as we get home," she assured her. I reached to reclaim Bella when she got off the phone. Everyone was trying to hug her and me and everyone else. I felt like I was in the press mob all over again when all I wanted was to be alone with my fiancée.
"I've got another wedding to plan!" Alice did a little dance. Emmett whirled her around expertly.
I smirked and he grinned. "Practice." I laughed. Any chance he got, he was busting a move.
Bella glanced at me and smiled. "As long as you make it fast. We're getting married before the season starts." Damn right we were.
"But that's…" Alice started spluttering.
"We're getting married in Esme and Carlisle's backyard, if that's okay with them," Bella asked my parents. And if I hadn't already known she was the woman for me, that would have solidified it. Married at home? Simple and quiet and just about us? Yes.
"Of course, dear! We'd be delighted," my mother assured her. "And please, call me Mom, finally!"
"Okay, Mom," Bella corrected, blushing lightly.
"You've given this some thought," I said, running my hand through her hair.
"Told you that you were taking too long, Cullen!" Charlie interjected. He hugged Bella and glared at me. "You're just lucky I didn't introduce her to Charlie Whitehurst when she visited last. I thought about it, since you were moving like a damn turtle."
I shoved him away and reclaimed my fiancée. "I took the perfect amount of time, because she said yes. And as you can see, we're not wasting any time getting married. Now, can we get the hell out of here so she and I can celebrate in style?"
"What, are you going to go desecrate the field again?" Emmett asked, laughing like a loon when I swiped at him.
"No, we're going to party with the team. We did just win the Super Bowl, didn't we?"
"Hell yes!" Emmett shouted. "Let's go!"
Everyone piled out as quickly as they'd come back in. I looked at Bella. "So, we're getting married in a few months?"
"If that's okay with you. I didn't mean to decide that myself but…"
"Bella, I'd marry you tomorrow if I could."
She laughed and kissed me. "No, tomorrow we go home and find a tattoo parlor. I have a promise to keep, after all." My number, on her body permanently. That was a beautiful thing.
"Works for me!" I kissed her hard again and took her left hand in mind, running my thumb across the ring that now sat on her finger forever. "Shall we go?"
Bella glanced around the room and smiled. "There's a shower here, right?"
I chuckled. That was my girl. "Of course."
She let go of my hand and started unbuttoning her blouse. "Let's bring it full circle, Cullen. Have you ever been fucked in a locker room?"
She was perfect all right. Perfect for me. "Not in far too long, Miss Swan."'
"Then why don't we rectify that?" Her blouse was off and she was reaching behind to unbutton her skirt.
"Why don't we?"
"And it's Mrs. Cullen-to-be to you, sir."
I tossed my shirt on the bench and stepped toward her. "Mrs. Cullen-to-be. I love you."
"I love you, too. Now shut up and do me."
Yeah, it didn't get any better than this. I was a true winner now. We both were.
A/N They're engaged! Ya'll knew it was coming of course, because I'm about as subtle as a sledgehammer, but I imagine the time twist managed to surprise you? It was too early for him to propose in Super Bowl XLV. They needed time to go on vacations and be a normal couple in the offseason, but I wanted him to propose in the Super Bowl so indeed he did. Just a little later than expected. I hope you liked it! Edward made me tear up when he proposed, I'm not ashamed to say it. The guy gets to me! I hope you liked it!
Epilogue is next followed quickly by the Emmett/Dancing with the Stars situation. It didn't fit into my timeline, but I'm definitely writing it so never fear. And other outtakes as well, so if you have stuff you want to see, this week and next is the time to hit me with it! If you want me to write their first Super Bowl, I can do that, I just didn't want the proposal to get lost in a whole game and the madness that is Super Bowl week. Let me know!
Sideline Collision is up for Fic of the Week over at The Lemonade Stand www (dot) tehlemonadestand (dot) blogspot (dot) com Go vote for your faves!
Big thanks, as always, to the prereaders for putting up with my crazy and to the readers for just reading and enjoying this story along with me. Every one of you is amazing :)
