A/N HAPPY NFL KICKOFF SUNDAY! Come on, you guys didn't seriously think I'd let what amounts to a national holiday for me go by without posting something, did you? We started on kickoff Sunday last year, so I had to bring it completely around and post something football related today :) It's just a must! It's also International Chocolate Day, which should be every day, but I'd be happy to celebrate that one. And Hug Your Hound Day, for all of those that think I'm just a cat person, you're wrong. I love pretty much all animals :) So love on your pooches, kitties, rabbits, fishes (however one does that), snakes, and anything else you have!

Sincere thanks for all the love you showed last chapter, for these characters and for me as well. It means so much that they're like family to you, and will be missed, though as you can see, they're not going anywhere officially. I've got another outtake written, no guarantee when I'll post it, but there's more to come.

There was no way we weren't going to get a look at Edward's first Super Bowl, so that's what we have here. It takes place about a month after chapter 51. And it may cause a little teariness a time or two, so I'll issue a tissue warning. As the season kicks off officially, enjoy the close of one fictionally :) Take care, HAPPY FOOTBALLING, and have a great Sunday, week, and everything else until I see you again. As promised, it won't be long! Love ya!

Getting Blitzed Super Bowl Outtake

"So, we did it. We're here. Finally." I let out a laugh and ran my fingers through my hair. "Okay, not finally. It is only my third season. Not bad on the career timeline, but still. I wish…" I shook my head and looked up.

"I wish you were here. I've never really done a lot of thinking about the whole heaven and hell, afterlife thing. Religion isn't really my thing and-" I broke off. I was rambling. "That doesn't matter. I've always kind of scoffed when athletes pray to God to win a game or thank him if they did, because why should He care in the big scheme of things? I mean, here's hoping He's a Giants fan and all, but I doubt He loves my team more than Indy's. But He should, because we're awesome."

I couldn't help but laugh at myself. "I guess what I'm saying is that even if He doesn't care, I know that you do. And I know if there is a heaven, you're up there, because how could you not be? You were just a kid when you died, which fucking sucked, and I'm pretty sure you didn't have time to do anything that would send you elsewhere, so yeah. You're there. And there is no heaven without football. That just can't be possible. I know you're watching."

He had to be. "Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I'm going to do my damndest to keep my promise." I automatically winced at my curse word, but fuck, it wasn't like he was actually here to hear me curse.

"And I know you have my back today. I just wanted you to know that I definitely haven't forgotten you or my promises. Even if I get this done today, I'm not going to forget all of it. You're part of this, kid. I wish I could do more than wear this piece of you." I toyed with the orange bracelet he'd given me. "I never take it off."

There wasn't much time left. Just getting these couple of minutes alone had been a task of monumental proportions. "So, you'll be down there with me. And well, if you do have any pull with the big guy, I wouldn't mind any assistance from a higher power. Not that I need it. Just sayin'."

I grinned. "Enjoy the show, Danny. I'm going to do my best to win for you. Your family is here with us, and I know you'd physically be here if you could. But I know you're here in your own way, just the same. Bring us luck, little man. I'll talk to you after."

I took a deep breath before heading out of the showers. I'd had to duck in there to get away from the mass chaos in the locker room. I'd just needed those few moments alone to talk to Danny and get my head ready for the most important game yet.

Sammy grinned over at me as I grabbed my helmet out of the locker. "You get what you need?"

He probably knew what I'd been doing when I told him I needed a minute alone. "Yeah. You ready?"

He laughed. "I was born that way, baby."

I smirked. "Sure you were. At least you look well-rested."

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, don't tell my wife, but that's the first good sleep I've gotten since Melinda was born two weeks ago."

I snickered. I remembered those days well, and soon enough I'd be living them again. My son was due April twenty-seventh. If he was even a little late, he might share the same birthday as Dani. That would be sort of cool, though a part of me didn't want her to have to share her special day.

"Yeah, I know what that's like." But I'd missed my girls hard the past week. Yes, I'd managed to see them a couple of times a day, but I hated going to bed without my Reed Girl. Knowing they were so close but not right with me fucking sucked.

Sammy laughed. "It was weird, though. I definitely felt like they were missing. I slept, but…" He shrugged.

"Totally get it, man. Let's go out there, kick the Colts' asses, and then we can have our girls back with us where they belong."

A grin lit his face. "Damn right. Let's do this!"

Before I left my locker area, my phone beeped with an incoming text. I smiled when I saw it was from Chelsea.

Thank you for bringing us to the game. It's really cool. My brother would have texted you today to wish you luck. Since he can't, I am. We're rooting for you!

And there it was. I nodded my head. "Message received, Danny. We've got this."

I put my phone away and slipped my helmet on. It was time.

Xoxoxoxoxox

It was really strange being an underdog. I mean, yeah, we hadn't been favored in all of my games since I'd hit the NFL, obviously, but still. I was a touchdown underdog in the Super Bowl. Today was supposed to be Andrew Luck's official ascendency into NFL royalty. He'd been destined for this moment since he hit the league, if the pundits were correct. And maybe he was. But I'd been destined for this moment since birth. There was no way he was taking it from me. No way.

We took the field to the roar of the crowd, although it wasn't as loud as my national championships had been. It wasn't surprising, really. Way too many corporate types came to these games, because the shit was expensive. But everybody I wanted to be was here, and I had a big cheering section.

Reed Girl and Dani were seated in the family section, along with my parents and Charlie. Emmett was there without Blondie, since she'd had twins recently and wasn't up for leaving them or bringing them this early. Shorty and Jasper had come as well. And of course, Chelsea and her parents had let me hook them up for the trip. They knew they were a part of this, along with everyone else.

I waved over in their general direction as the pregame shit started up. I wished they could be on the sideline with me, but I'd have to wait until after. After I won. No celebrating on the field if I didn't. Even more incentive to win, not that I needed any.

I warmed up my arm with Sammy and Paul before sitting down with Palmer to go over plays one last time. I could feel the moment building around me as I focused on what we needed to do. Part of me wanted to focus on the spectacle around me, but fuck that noise. I'd enjoy that crap on the DVR when we got home from Miami. I'd skipped all the parties, endured all the bullshit press stuff, and worked my ass off. There was time to party after we won.

Finally, Carrie Underwood came out and kicked off the National Anthem. I soaked up that moment, the last before shit got real. After, I made my way midfield with Sammy, Colin, JPP, and Prince. Yeah, I was a team captain now. We were deemed the visitor and chose heads. We won. Coach had told us he wanted defense first, so that's what we did, even if it meant that I had to wait longer to get shit started.

We kicked off to the roar of the crowd. I didn't watch. I wasn't going to let what Luck did influence anything I did. The game plan was my focus. Palmer quizzed me on their defense over and over. I recognized all their blitz patterns, stunts, and schemes. I should. I'd done nothing but watch tape on those fuckers for the past two weeks. Longer, really, because they were the top seed in the AFC and I'd had a hunch they'd be facing us here.

I was thrilled when Coach fist-pumped because the defense held, stopping them right around midfield. The punt left us pinned pretty deep at our own twelve, but that was fine. Just more room to play.

Maybe it was ego, maybe it was my own natural competitiveness, but after weeks of listening to the sports anchors talking about Luck's arm and ability, I wanted to show off my own. I started short, running some screens and check downs, mixed with actual running plays, just to get the defense comfortable.

After we crossed the forty, I sent Sammy and Paul both on long corner routes. I took five steps with the snap, waited, saw Sammy make the break I was looking for, and let the ball fly just as Simms slammed into me. I sat up as quickly as I could when the roar of the crowd alerted me that it had been caught-I just wasn't sure by whom. But I saw Sammy scampering into the end zone and threw my arm up in my own fist pump. Seven to nothing, or soon to be when my kicker got his shit done. Way to start.

Coach slapped me on the back with the order to, "Do it again," on the next series, before he turned to scream at the defense. He was in fine form already, purple from the very start of the game. He'd probably stay that way all through, unless I could get him a big lead. I'd just have to do that for his health's sake. And, you know, because I wanted to kick some ass.

I got with Sammy, Paul, Embry, Jennings, and the new guy, Streeter, to sit with Palmer as he showed us what he'd seen with their defense. Everybody knew this was going to be a high-scoring game, as Indy drove the field with efficiency this time. I had my helmet in my hands as soon as Hilton crossed the goal line. We had to answer.

We got the ball on our thirty-two after a decent return. Indy was anticipating the throw because we lined up three wide. When I saw the hole in the line, I switched up the play to a run, and Jennings hit the hole, blasting through for a gain of twenty-two before the safety brought him down. One play, and we were already past midfield. As good as a passing play. Awesome.

They had to respect the line and tightened up against the run, so I sent Embry in a crossing pattern for a gain of eight. My next pass got deflected at the line. We needed two yards for a first down. Indy stuffed the line, and I rolled right. Paul executed a beautiful juke on his corner, and I let the ball fly. First down at the sixteen.

They anticipated pass all the way, leaving only seven in the box. I let Jennings take it right up the middle, untouched, for a touchdown.

"It's there all day!" he crowed, yanking me into a hug in the end zone.

"Damn right. Keep it up!" I ordered.

And we did. Indy got a field goal, which I answered, just before halftime. The score was seventeen to ten, and we had the ball first. I hated going in while the halftime show bullshit stretched on. It was extra long because it was the Super Bowl and they needed to rack up their commercial fees. It fucking sucked.

"We are on fire!" Sammy yelled, throwing his arms around me from behind as we hit the locker room.

"Their defense blows. Thank fuck for that," Colin said, ruffling his hair as he walked by.

"Yeah, ours is better, but the second half is going to be a shoot-out. Give me time, and I'll get it done."

"Jenkins pulled something in his right leg on that last series," Paul told me. "He's off his stride. I doubt it's getting fixed at the half. Either he's going to be gimpy or Charles is going to be out there. Either way, I can burn the hell out of whichever one they play."

I nodded. "Good. We'll test that shit on the first possession."

"Thirty minutes!" Coach yelled, getting everyone's attention.

We immediately fell in line. He yelled about all the shit we'd left on the field: my failure to see Embry being open on the field goal drive; our three and out right at the start of the second quarter. Halftime was not the time for compliments. Not until the end. He ripped into the defense next, and there was a lot more to rip. I saw JPP clenching his jaw. Good. A pissed-off defense played with even more of an edge, and we needed it.

After Coach ripped us down, he pumped us back up again, reminding us this was our game. We had the lead. We just had to keep it for thirty more minutes.

I grabbed JPP as he headed back out of the locker room. "Get me one turnover. Just one. I'll make it count, and we'll end it right there."

He nodded. "We'll get your turnover."

We took the field, and I took my time, giving the defense a little more rest, toying with Indy's. We dinked and dunked for a bit, mixing in some Jennings runs.

Once we crossed their forty, I gave Paul the signal. Jenkins was still in the game, and it was time to test that leg. I took a five-step drop, Paul cut to the left, Jenkins falling into step, and then he juked right and Jenkins couldn't keep up with him. It was an easy, beautiful touchdown.

"Told you!" he yelled when he hugged me. "Keep feeding it to me."

I would. And I did. The defense gave up a touchdown, earning Coach's ire, but I didn't let that bother me. We started the next series with a long pass to Paul, who was now covered by their backup since Jenkins couldn't go. They brought the safety over to help, so I threw a perfect fade to Sammy in the end zone. It was just that easy.

The defense decided that the offense shouldn't have to do it all alone, finally, and JPP came through. He got his big hand up, deflecting the pass. We all held our breath as Prince battled Hilton for it, and came up the winner.

"There's your fucking turnover," JPP told me as he jogged past. "Finish it."

"Dagger to the heart time," I told my offense. We had a short field, and I didn't want to waste the turnover. "If you're open, it's coming your way. Check is to Jennings. Embry take the slot. Paul, you're my first look."

They all nodded. I gave Colin, Brady, and the rest of the line the orders to protect for me. I saw it the instant the ball hit my hand. The middle of the field was wide fucking open. I faked a throw toward Paul to get the safety breaking that way, then threw to Embry as he crossed into the middle. He turned and ran untouched into the end zone.

"Dagger!" Sammy screamed, hugging me.

And it was. They couldn't come back from a three touchdown deficit, especially when we went into clock mode on the next series after they'd scored. We ran on every other play, and I'd throw short passes just beyond the first-down marker when we needed to pick one up. We were up forty-one to thirty-one when I took the field for the last time with less than a minute left.

Three quick knees, and it was over. It was almost anticlimactic after the flurry of scoring in the third quarter. I'd known that we had the win then. I hadn't let myself celebrate, though. Not until the clock hit zero.

I was then lost in a mass of bodies as my teammates piled on top of me. That was when it hit me. I was a Super Bowl champion. Finally. My dream, his dream, had been realized.

As soon as I disentangled myself from the hugs, I pointed up. "We did it, kid."

It was mass chaos for several minutes, with reporters crowding around, asking what it felt like to win, what holes I'd seen in the defense to allow us to score virtually at will, what it was like to beat Luck. The questions droned on and on. I answered as I looked for my family through the crowd.

It was crazy how different the experience was from what I'd dreamed initially as a kid. My fantasies had been all about me in this moment, basking in the adulation of the crowd and my teammates, loving that all eyes were on me. And of course, part of me still loved that. But what I wanted most, at that moment, was my wife, my daughter, Chelsea, and the rest of the gang. It wasn't going to really be real until I had them celebrating with me.

Finally, I saw my brother. Thank God he was a big fucker. I edged my way through the throng of reporters and headed in that direction. The crowd cleared some, and there they were.

Reed Girl's face was positively glowing, and this time it wasn't just pregnancy making her that way. Her eyes were shining as I reached her. Dani was in her arms, looking a little tired since it was well past her bedtime, but she smiled and reached for me.

"Daddy!"

I wrapped them both in my arms, and my wife planted her lips on mine, kissing the hell out of me for the world to see, since I had a feeling the cameras were still on me. I didn't give a fuck, though. This was our moment.

Little hands tugged my hair, so I laughed as I broke the kiss with Reed Girl and turned to kiss my baby girl, who had her little lips puckered up.

"Tiss! Smoot!" she demanded.

"Kisses and smooches just for you, baby." I peppered her face with kisses as she giggled. "Daddy won!"

"Won!" she yelled.

I laughed with her as I scooped her into my arms.

"You were fantastic," Reed Girl told me. "I'm so proud of you. You did it."

I shook my head. "We did it. Always we, baby. We're a team."

That got me a smile and another kiss. "The best team."

"Way to go, bro!" My brother slapped me on the back, albeit gently since I was still holding Dani. "What a game! You were awesome! Though your defense could have used me."

I laughed. "Of course."

Jasper threw his arms around me. "You won the Super Bowl. You said I could hug you publicly then."

Of course he would remember that shit. I didn't care, though. I'd won the fucking Super Bowl. Everyone was getting hugs.

Mom came next, telling me how proud she was of me. She took Dani so I could accept congratulations from my Dad and my grandparents.

"Great game, Edward," Grandfather congratulated me.

"Congratulations," the grandmonster said, kissing my cheek. Gross. Old-lady whiskers. "You're a credit to the family."

I smirked at that. She'd mellowed even more since Dani came along. While she didn't exactly love Reed Girl yet, she was a lot nicer to her. And she adored my daughter. I was pretty sure my kid was getting the bulk of the inheritance one day. She called her Danielle Elizabeth at all times. It was pretty fucking hilarious.

Shorty gave me a hug, and then I saw the other person I'd wanted to see.

Chelsea stepped forward, and I crouched down, opening my arms to her. She stepped in and I stood and twirled her around while she laughed.

"You did it!"

"I did. We did. I'm pretty sure your brother had a hand in what happened today," I told her.

She pulled back and looked into my eyes. "He did. He was here. I felt him."

I wasn't about to argue with that. "You know, I think I kind of did, too." It wasn't a lie. Something felt bigger than the game the whole time. I liked to think it was Danny.

"You kept your promise to him, so he's happy. So am I." She smiled. "But you know what?"

"What?" I asked. I couldn't stop grinning at her. Just having her here, representing her brother, meant the world to me.

"Now we want more."

I threw back my head and laughed. "Challenge accepted, kid."

No point in getting complacent, was there? I wanted more, as well. But that was for another year.

Reed Girl put her arms around my waist, and Mom handed Dani back to me so I was holding her and Chelsea. Yeah. Right now, I had everything I could possibly want.