A/N Good morning! I can't tell you how much it pains me not to write my usual Happy Football Day to you all. Le sigh. I hate when the season ends. I truly do. I already miss football and it hasn't been gone for very long. I keep telling myself I'll have more time to write now, but that's a cold comfort :)

At least we went out on a high note. How about that game? I can't honestly remember a more exciting ending to a Super Bowl, at least not one that swung for both sides at the end that way. I'm sorry for the Seahawks fans. Losing that way is definitely a gut punch and a half, but at least you won last year, so that should lessen the sting some. And I'm happy for the Pats fans, after losing two Super Bowls on rather fluky plays, not to have it happen again, even though it came damn close. Now we get the joy of watching Gronk make the circuit, which is just awesome. He makes me laugh my ass off. I wish I knew him IRL. He'd be fun to hang with.

Before I forget, TWCS is having a Valentine's sale on the 13th and 14th. The Hot Corner is one of the many books available! So, if you were waiting, now's the time to pull the trigger. Well, this coming weekend anyway. There's a lot of awesome books on sale, so check them out!

I have a new appreciation for Rainbow and the cat carrier after taking outdoor kitten to the vet yesterday. Punkin doesn't like for me to touch her, so I had no idea how I was gonna get this done, mind you. Luckily she was playing in my bathroom when I woke up, so I trapped her in there. Then I brought the box in and spent 15 minutes (no lie) chasing her around the bathroom as she tried to climb walls, got on the counter and knocked everything over (mouthwash everywhere, fun), and finally I caught her with a towel and got her in. I managed to get out unscathed, but it was terrible. Now I have to take her back in 2-4 weeks to get spayed. Pray for me, people. I need it!

My beta and pre-reader tell me I need to issue a tissue warning for this chapter. (Not for any bad reason, per se, bittersweet stuff) So I'm issuing it. I loved this chapter and hopefully you will as well. A softer side of our boy. See you next week with more!

Getting Blitzed Chapter 22

"Edward Cullen?"

I looked away from the big screen that was showing my ass get planted by Connor Barwin and focused on the dude in the suit standing in the doorway.

"Yeah?"

He stepped into the room and flashed me a smile. "My name is Alec Sinclair. I'm your new PR rep."

Well, that was quick. It'd only been a few days since shit had gone down with Heidi. It was good to see that my demands were being met, though.

"Nice to meet you, Alec." I shook the offered hand.

"It's nice to meet you as well. I've spoken to Heidi-" He broke off at the snort of derision I couldn't quite contain. "Yes, well, I understand there were some issues there. I can assure you that you have nothing further to worry about from our department."

I smirked at that. "I didn't figure you were here to hit on me."

He laughed. "Not in the least. Not that you're not attractive, but I don't swing that way." He chuckled. "I'll just use it to promote you and the team to everybody's advantage."

"No shirtless calendars," I told him, making him laugh again.

"I think after the last photo shoot you did, we'll avoid those altogether."

I thought about defending myself and Rainbow for form's sake, but why should I? I didn't want to do that shit anyway.

"Good. What do you need from me?" Because I doubted he was just here to introduce himself.

"We've had an inquiry come in from Make a Wish. There's a little boy who claims to be your biggest fan, and what he wants most in the world is to meet you."

Make a Wish. That meant he was sick. "What does he have?"

Alec's expression let me know it wasn't good. "Leukemia."

Fuck. That sucked. "When and where?"

"He really wants to come to a game. I was thinking you could meet him before."

"Yeah. Have him come down onto the field. I'll throw with him. How old is he?" I hated thinking about a kid being sick. It was fucked up that a kid could get sick and die. My kid…no, that didn't bear thinking about.

"Nine. He's a big Florida State fan because of you, and he's local so of course he loves the Giants. He'll really like coming to the game."

That was cool. I could hook him up with some stuff from college as well as the pros. "Can we get him some jerseys, hats, and shit?" I asked. I'd get Jasper to send me some shit from Tallahassee. Hell, I'd get the whole team to sign a ball for him.

Alec nodded. "I'll take care of it. If you're on board, we can get his family to this week's game against the Ravens."

"Sure." Like I was going to make a sick kid wait to meet me? Fuck no. I'd get Reed Girl and Jasper to send me some FSU shit overnight.

"Great, I'll arrange it." He sat next to me and took out some notes from his pocket. "Now, it says here that you want your foundation to set up music programs at schools that have either done away with them or have limited budgets."

"Yes, my fiancée is a talented musician, and we both think it's important to bring music back into schools."

He looked up. "Is she your fiancée or your wife?"

It figured that Heidi had told him I was married. "She's my fiancée for a few more weeks. We're getting married officially on the bye week." I shot him a look. "I'd prefer if you kept that quiet."

He held up his hands. "I'm not working the gossip beat. I just wanted to know because it's noted that your fiancée is to be the point of contact on this, but from what I've seen, there hasn't been any."

Like that was a fucking surprise. "Heidi preferred to try to work with me, no matter how many times I told her that Bella would be the one handling things."

Alec shook his head. "I will get in touch with your fiancée right away, start working out what she'd like to do."

"That would be great. She's down in Florida right now but she'll be up here permanently in two months. I know she really wants to be hands-on, but…" Should I? Probably should. "She's pregnant, so I don't want her to do too much."

Alec smiled. "Congratulations. I take it you're not telling people that information yet, either?"

"That's right. I told you because you probably need to know, but we're not going public with that information. It's nobody's business but ours."

"Again, not here for gossip, but it's good to know if I start getting calls. Sports Illustrated wants to do an interview and photo shoot with you next week."

"Sounds like a plan."

He flipped through his notes. "We've got a visit to the children's hospital planned for the end of the month."

"I remember." One of the few things Heidi had actually done, workwise. "I'll be there."

"The animal adoption calendar is being put together. It'd be great if you could mention it in the SI interview and anywhere else you can work it in."

"That won't be a problem." I liked this guy. He actually stuck to business. It was a refreshing fucking change to be sure.

"That should be it for now. Here's my card with my cell, should you need me for anything. Can you let Bella know that I'll be in touch in the next day or two to start the ball rolling on the music program?" He rattled off her number. "Is this still her phone number?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I'll let her know you'll be calling."

He stood and headed for the door. "Great. I'll be in touch with you both. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything, day or night."

Had Heidi issued that invitation, it would have been a very bad thing. Thankfully, Alec seemed to mean it in a non-sexual way.

"Will do. And Alec?"

He paused. "Yes?"

"My Bella has a lot on her plate right now. I'm not sure how much she'll be able to contribute to the charity at the start. Just, don't push her if she can't commit to anything until she's actually up here." Because if he did, I'd kick his ass.

Alec grinned. "I have three kids, Mr. Cullen. I know not to push a pregnant woman. They tend to push back, really hard."

That sounded like my Reed Girl. "Good. Let me know when things are set with the kid." I realized I didn't know much. "What's his name, anyway?"

"Daniel Prentice. His parents call him Danny."

That was good to know. I'd personalize all the stuff I got him. "Thanks."

"I look forward to working with you, Mr. Cullen."

Mr. Cullen. It made me want to look for my dad. "Call me Edward, Alec."

His smile flashed again. "Edward, then. I'll be in touch soon."

He left, and I took out my phone.

Hey, J, can you get the team to sign a ball? Meeting a fan with cancer, and he loves the Noles.

Then it was Reed Girl's turn.

Hey, baby. Can you do me a favor?

I started the tape back up while I waited for responses. A few minutes later, my phone chimed.

What do you need me to do?

Of course my Reed Girl was prompt to reply.

Can you go to Bill's Bookstore and grab a bunch of stuff for a 9-year-old? Meeting a kid this weekend for Make a Wish.

It didn't take her long to reply.

I love you. I'm proud of you. And yes, I will get some things. Overnight it?

I smiled at her words.

Yes. I love you, too. Nothing to be proud of. Doing what I should do.

Jasper texted as I was typing.

Will do. Should I send some other stuff?

I could say plenty of shit about Jasper, but I knew I could count on him to help me out with anything I needed.

Reed Girl is gonna pick up some things. Get with her so you don't double up. Thanks, man.

Reed Girl responded.

Yes. I know it's hard for you to be around sick children, but you do it anyway. I'll always be proud of you for doing what's right.

She made me feel damn good when she said things like that. Maybe I could do the same for her.

I thought of our kid when Alec, who is my new PR guy, by the way, mentioned the boy to me. I felt scared at the thought of anything being wrong with him.

More like fucking terrified.

That's normal, baby. I'm glad you care, but let's not worry about things that we have no control over.

That was easier said than done.

I'll try, but there are so many things that could go wrong.

I'd no sooner sent that than my phone rang.

"Hi, baby."

"Hi, worrywart."

I sighed. "I can't help it. I'm meeting a nine-year-old boy that has cancer this weekend. What if-"

"We'll deal with what-if in the unlikely event that it happens. What we're going to do is be the best parents that we can be, and we'll face anything that comes at us together, like we always do. The boy you're going to meet is a fighter, just like our child will be. Anyone who comes from both of us is going to be strong, stubborn, and likely a bit full of himself."

Fuck, the woman knew how to make me laugh and stop my shit before it even started. "He'll obviously get that last one from you."

She giggled. "Oh yeah, I'm really cocky. Ask anyone."

"It's not cockiness, baby. It's confidence."

"Tomato, tomahto, Cullen. Feel better?"

That went without saying.

"Always do when I talk to you."

"Good. Now, do you want to tell me about the several hundred dollars worth of groceries that showed up at my door this morning?"

I grinned. "Nope. I guess the grocery fairy paid you a visit."

"Is that so? Well, next time you talk to the grocery fairy, let him know that he went a bit overboard. There's no way I could begin to eat all of this food."

Well, maybe I had bought a little too much, but still. "The staples will last for a while, I'm sure. And the fruit, vegetables, and meat will likely come weekly."

"You're spoiling me. But I love you for it."

"It's the least I can do."

She laughed. "No, you could do a lot less, but then you wouldn't be you. And I appreciate it. Dinner was great last night, as well."

"Did the soup help you to feel better?"

"Yes. I'm just sorry that I got sick right when things were getting interesting."

I groaned, just remembering. "It's not right that the kid is already cockblocking us."

Her laughter filled the line. "We'll make up for it soon. I promise."

"I'll hold you to that." Now was not the time. Not when I was about to hit the field with fifty-two other men.

"You do that. I know you must be busy, and I've got to head to class."

"Yeah. I love you, Reed Girl."

"I love you, too, Champ. I'll get that package in the mail first thing tomorrow."

"Thanks, baby. Jasper is going to call you. He's getting the team to autograph a ball and maybe some other stuff to send."

"I'll get it all together tonight. He'll have more stuff than he knows what to do with. You're going to make his day, Edward."

"I'm gonna try."

"You'll succeed. I believe in you."

She did. And wasn't that just awesome? "Have a good day at school, baby."

"I will. Kick some ass on the practice field for me."

I laughed. "Count on it. Love you."

"Love you, too. Bye."

Xoxoxoxoxo

Game day rolled around, and I headed to the field extra early so I could meet with Danny and his family. I had a ton of stuff to haul with me, courtesy of Reed Girl and Jasper, including signed balls, helmets, and jerseys.

I did some stretches and jogged around the field a bit until Alec appeared with Danny and his family in tow. He'd given me a little more info on them, and I knew that he had a twin sister along with his parents. Everyone was decked out in Giants jerseys and hats. I smiled when I saw my number on Danny. His sister was wearing Eli's number ten.

"Hi!" Danny chirped as soon as he got near me.

I grinned and crouched down to his level. He had bright blue eyes and while I didn't know a lot about kids, I knew that he appeared a bit small for his age. His sister, with the same blue eyes, towered over him.

"Hi, Danny. Pleased to meet you. I'm Edward." I held out a hand and bit back a laugh when his eyes got comically wide. He wiped his hand on his jeans before taking my hand and shaking it.

"Whoa! You've got a good grip. Careful, kid, I need that arm," I joked, shaking my arm and flexing my hand a bit when he let go.

Danny laughed. "I didn't hurt you, silly! You're big and strong."

"Could be you don't know your own strength," I told him, meaning it. There the kid was, fighting cancer, and he was smiling and taking it on. He was stronger than I was, for sure.

"He doesn't." His mother stepped forward and offered a hand. "I'm Joyce Prentice. Thank you so much for having us."

"I'm happy to." I shook the father's hand as well. He introduced himself as Steve.

"How could I not meet my biggest fan? I hear you liked me back when I played in college," I said, addressing Danny again. He was looking up at me in awe, those blue eyes of his shining.

"Yeah! You broke the passing record for the entire ACC. And you won the Heisman twice! Only one other guy has done that!"

I chuckled. "You sure know your stuff. And who is this young lady?" I asked, turning to the girl in the Eli jersey.

"That's my sister, Chelsea. She doesn't like you."

This time I did laugh. "Is that so?" I asked at the same that she smacked her brother in the arm.

"Yes. Don't worry, though. She doesn't know football. She just likes Eli."

"He took his job!" she hissed before turning pink when she noticed that her parents were giving her "the look." The one that all parents seemed to know how to give, that says you're in trouble when we get home. Fuck. Was I going to have to learn how to do that?

"Well, I think it's cool that Chelsea is loyal to her favorite player. It just so happens that Eli is a friend of mine. I bet he'd be happy to know that he's got such a great fan."

"He is?" she asked, her eyes getting wide like her brother's. "Why would he be your friend when you took his job?"

"Chels," her father said, shaking his head. "Sorry. She doesn't understand the mechanics of football."

I laughed. "It's no problem." I turned back to Chelsea. "Eli got injured and can't play. Somebody needed to step in for him, and the team chose me. Eli has been really cool about it, though, and he helps me get ready for games, gives me advice on what to expect."

"He does?" She took off her hat to scratch her head, and I noticed that she had very little hair.

"He does," I assured her.

Her mother stroked the top of her head fondly. "Chelsea shaved her hair off when her brother started losing his," she murmured softly.

Fuck. That was awesome. I cleared my throat before speaking. "You know, Chelsea, it doesn't seem fair that your brother gets to meet his favorite player while you don't. Hang on a second."

I jogged over to the bench where my bag sat. I hadn't gone to the locker room yet. I got out my phone and dialed Eli, giving him a quick rundown of the situation. He wasn't in town, but he agreed to talk to her.

"Chelsea, your favorite player would like to say hello to you."

I held out my phone, and she let out a loud screech before grabbing it from my hand. "Hello? Eli! Is that really you?" Damned if she didn't wander over to the bench and take a seat, talking away.

"You just made her day," her dad told me.

"It was nothing," I said with a shrug, because it wasn't. I doubted Emmett would have shaved his head for me if I'd gotten sick when I was a kid, and I sure as fuck wouldn't have done it for him. Chelsea was a cool-as-hell kid.

"It was something, trust me," the woman, Joyce, said.

"She probably won't be able to hate you now."

I laughed and bent back down to talk to Danny. "That was my brilliant plan."

"Good one," he said, smiling.

"So, I know you've got a strong arm, just from that hand shake you gave me. How about we throw the ball a little?" I asked.

"Really?" His voice was full of excitement.

"Sure." I grabbed the ball I'd put nearby. "Show me what you got!"

We spent the next thirty minutes or so throwing the ball around while his parents took pictures and chatted with Alec. Chelsea was on my phone the whole time, chattering away. Eli had the patience of a saint, clearly. Good thing the man had daughters. He must know what girls were into.

"That was awesome!" Danny exclaimed. His face was a little flushed, but he seemed happy and his parents didn't look upset about it. I probably should have asked if he was up to physical activity. What did I know?

"You've got a great arm. Maybe you'll be my replacement one day."

His mom gave a sad smile, and his dad put his arm around her. Fuck. Did I say something stupid? They probably didn't even know if he'd be alive in a year. So fucking stupid.

"Maybe! Dad says I can do anything I put my mind to."

His dad smiled. "And you can, Danny."

Thank fuck they didn't seem upset with me. "You know, a big part of being quarterback is being strong in here." I tapped his temple. "If you believe in yourself, you're already halfway there. That works for lots of things."

"Like cancer." Danny nodded. "I know. I'm gonna beat it, and then I'm going to play at Florida State, just like you did."

Fuck. The kid was killing me. There was a lump in my throat that I had to clear before I spoke. "You know, I believe that you will. And we could use a good quarterback."

"Jasper Whitlock is pretty good, but he's not you," Danny announced.

"True. I certainly wouldn't have lost to Miami yesterday." That shit still smarted. I'd sent Jasper some texts to console him, and he'd shot back that he was glad to get the monkey that was me off his back. Now nobody expected him to be perfect like I'd been, so he could just relax and play. Dude was weird.

"No way! You didn't lose to anybody in college."

Translation: you lose some now. I laughed. "Yeah, college is a lot easier than the pros. You'll find that out one day, too. But speaking of college, I have some things for you."

I got the big FSU tote that Reed Girl had sent everything in and handed it over to him. "I think you might like what's inside."

He tore into that bag like it held bricks of gold. Then again, for him, maybe it did. He gasped when he pulled out my autographed jerseys, both FSU and the Giants. Reed Girl had hit my closet down in Tally for the Noles jersey.

"That's a game-worn jersey."

He clutched it to himself. "From the championship game?"

"Yeah, see the patches? That's from the Sugar Bowl when I won my first championship."

"Wow. Dad, do you see?"

His father took the jersey he offered. "Yeah. That's really cool, Danny. Nobody else will have anything like it."

"I can't wait to show my friends!" And he was back in the bag. "A ball! Signed by the Seminoles?"

"Yeah, Jasper got the whole team to sign. He's a friend of mine. That's his jersey there. He signed it for you, too."

"Wow! Dad, do you believe it? The whole team!"

He oohed and ahhed over the piece of sod that I'd had Jasper take from the stadium. Then he held up the helmet. "It's a big helmet."

I laughed. "Yeah, it's a true FSU helmet. I signed that one for you, too."

"To Danny. The next great Seminole quarterback. Your friend, Edward Cullen." He thrust it at his father before throwing his arms around me. "Thank you!"

"You're welcome." I patted his back and tried not to notice that his mother was crying. Hell, part of me wanted to cry.

"Danny, why don't you go show your sister what you got and get her to hang up the phone? Edward has a game to get ready for," his father suggested.

I didn't really want them to leave, but it was true.

"Okay, Dad!" He grabbed the jerseys up and headed over to his sister.

"Thank you," his mother whispered before hugging me. "Just…thank you."

Fucking hell. Tears. Happy ones, maybe, or happy and sad, but I didn't know what to do. I wanted Reed Girl with me in the worst way. I hugged her back, patting her just as awkwardly as I had her son.

"It was-"

"Don't say it was nothing." Her husband pulled Joyce away from me before offering me his hand again. "He's wished for this day for a long time, and honestly, we weren't sure if we'd ever get the chance to meet you. It means everything, not just to him, but to all of us."

"He's a great kid. I meant what I said about how strong he is. I can't imagine going through what he's going through." I didn't want to. "Listen, I don't know how much stuff he has ahead of him, but could you keep in touch? Let me know how he's doing?"

"We can do that. I'm not sure how-"

"Here's my card." Alec handed over one of his ever-ready business cards. "You can call me day or night and I'll get in touch with Edward for you."

I rolled my eyes and took his card. "Give me a pen." Alec did so. I scrawled my cell number on the card. "You can contact me directly."

Steve slipped the card into his wallet. "We will. Thank you. For caring, I mean."

I watched as Danny and his sister walked over, holding hands. She had my Giants jersey while he held on to the Noles one.

"You've got great kids. I can only hope that mine are half as good as yours are."

"We do," he agreed.

Chelsea walked up to me and held out my phone. "Eli says you're a good quarterback and it's okay if I root for you since he can't play."

I grinned at her. "Well, if Eli says I'm okay, it must be true."

"He's going to send me a signed jersey, too."

"I figured he would. Eli's a cool guy."

"He is. And so are you. Thank you for having us at the game. It's going to be lots of fun."

"You're welcome. I hope you have a great time and that you come again someday."

"I will. I might wear your jersey next time," she informed me. I felt as if I'd earned a gold star when she gave me that much.

"Tell you what… I'll send you a signed jersey as well. That way you can support whatever quarterback is playing."

"Cool! Come on, Danny. Let's go get a hot dog!"

"I'm coming. Thanks for all the presents and for teaching me to throw. I'm going to keep practicing."

"You do that." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "You practice a lot, and we'll play again sometime."

"Really?" He turned to his parents. "Can we? Can Edward come over sometime and play?"

"Well, son, I don't know-" his dad started, shooting me an apologetic look.

"I'll come. You practice, and I'll come over and we'll play again, with all your friends." I was going to make that happen.

"Awesome! Chelsea, Edward's coming to our house!"

"Can you bring Eli?" she asked, not seeming as impressed as her brother was.

I had to laugh. "I'll talk to him about it."

"Okay. You can come over, then."

"Why thank you." The kid cracked my ass up. She was a hard one to win over.

"We should get going. Thanks again, Edward."

I shook hands and got hugs from Danny and his mom again. Chelsea gave me a smile and wave. It was something anyway.

"Aren't you forgetting something, Danny?" his dad prompted.

"Oh yeah! I got you something, too!" He did? I watched as he dug in his jeans pocket. He brought out an orange band. "It's a leukemia cancer awareness bracelet. We all have one, and I thought you might like one."

I took it from him, trying my damndest to keep the smile on my face. "Thank you. I'll wear it every day." I slipped it onto my wrist. Fuck. My eyes were watering.

"Enjoy the game. Hey, Danny, who's your favorite receiver?" I asked before he walked away.

"Sammy Maddux."

Good. I smiled. "We've got a long passing play in the game plan that usually goes for a touchdown in practice. If it's open, I'll throw that touchdown for you."

"Awesome!" That got me another hug. "I can't wait!"

Xoxoxoxox

I managed to keep my promise late in the third quarter. I called the play, took a five-step drop, and watched as Sammy streaked down the field. I pump faked to where Paul ran the slant in the middle of the field. The safety bit on it, taking a couple of steps in his direction. I let the ball fly just as Ngata slammed me to the ground. The roar of the crowd let me know that my aim had been true. I stood up and fist pumped before pointing to the owner's box, where Danny and his family were supposed to be sitting, tugging on the bracelet he'd given me. I didn't see him, but I hoped he saw me.

We lost the game. Flacco had a monster day, and the Raven's defense was able to shut down our running game completely. I felt like shit that I hadn't been able to win for Danny, but when I took out my phone after the game, I had a text from an unfamiliar number.

Great game, Edward! Thank you for my touchdown! Dad said it was okay to send you a text this once. Thanks for the best day ever!

I felt myself smiling as I replied.

You can text me anytime, Danny. Sorry we didn't win for you.

I was home before I was able to check my phone again.

You tried your hardest, right? Then you shouldn't be sorry. You'll get them next time.

That's right, kid. I'll get them next time. Count on it.