A/N: Football games are fun :) Enjoy! xx Mariah
It had been years since Riley had gone to a football game, and she was excited.
The kids loved going to games with their daddy, who would share old stories about how he used to play on the same field when he was younger.
The roar of the crowd was better than any drug. The rush of a touchdown, the spirit of the game, a hot dog and a pop - that's heaven right there.
It reminded her of when she'd caught the eye of the quarterback's older brother and fell in love. She'd fallen in love with rush it gave her every time they got together, how he always managed to make her feel like she was the only girl the world.
"Daddy, I can't see!" Katie stood on top of the bleachers between her parents who dressed proudly in their old high school shirts.
"Well hop on princess," he sat down next to her and she climbed on his back, sitting on his shoulders.
He stood up and held her in place as she cheered from above.
Riley leaned into his arm and kissed his shoulder as they watched the team take the field again, the crowd roaring.
The crowd had been so jubilant, singing the songs that belonged to the inebriated and joyful. They rubbed shoulders never minding that their toes were often trodden on or that they were in closer proximity to these strangers than they usually were to friends or even family.
The atmosphere was one of elation, the warm fall air occasionally punctuated by whoops and hollers.
"I miss going to games," she looked up at her husband with a smile. "We should go to more."
"We should," he smiled at her and put Katie down on her two feet as everyone sat down again.
Katie plopped down on her mother's lap as they snuggled close.
Travis sat next to his father as he tried to gobble down a chili dog and onion rings.
"Baby, slow down." She laughed and stole an onion ring from him, plopping it in her mouth. "You're gonna choke."
"It's so good," Travis laughed before he finished the hot dog. "Want a ring dad?"
"Sure, buddy." He took an onion ring and threw it in his mouth before going to kiss her. "This makes me think of college."
"This reminds me why I don't let you eat onion rings anymore," she said pulling away. "Take a drink of a coke before I never kiss you again. I hate the smell of these damn things."
He took a swig and kissed her again.
"Better?" He asked.
"A little," she laughed as Katie hopped off her lap.
"I have to go potty mommy. Come with me?" Katie asked.
"Be right back," she kissed his cheek before grabbing her little girl's hand and leading the way.
They made it off the bleachers quickly and to the restrooms.
She waited outside while Katie ran inside, checking her phone.
Nothing important.
Katie came out quickly, wiping her hands off with paper towel.
"Wash your hands?" She kneeled down to fix her skirt and kissed her daughter's cheek.
"Yup!" Katie giggled. "Can I have a candy bar?"
"Sure, I think I'm gonna get one too." She picked Katie up and set her on her hip. "What do you want?"
They walked over to the concessions and the line felt like it was a mile long.
Katie was thinking long and hard about what she wanted.
"Have you made a decision yet?" She laughed as they stepped forward.
"M&M's!" Katie cheered as Riley set her back down as they waited in line.
"Alright, I think I'm gonna get that too." She pinched her cheek as the line quickly cleared. "I'll take two bags of M&Ms."
"One dollar," a high school boy said with a smile as he pushed the rim of his glasses up his nose.
"Here you go," she gave him a five
"Tips are appreciated, the Glee club is trying to pay for hotel rooms for State." The boy smiled.
She tucked a ten in the cup and took the candy, giving one to her little girl.
"Mommy?" Katie pulled on her hand as they watched the game from the sidelines.
They could hear the cheerleaders saying their spirit cheer and she smiled.
She'd created the routine in her bedroom with Lacey in between watching Audrey Hepburn movies.
"What's up baby?" She kneeled down and popped a few in her mouth.
"You were a cheerleader once, right? Memaw says you were," Katie smiled.
"I was," she laughed.
"And daddy was a football player?" Katie asked.
"Yeah," she smiled and pointed to the water station. "I met him right over there. He was going to see your Uncle Evan out on the field after he'd fallen. He ran into me."
"Did you fall in love with him right there?" Katie grinned from ear to ear.
She loved telling her little girl the little things about her and Kyle, and Katie loved to listen.
"Not right then, I actually thought he was a big jerk at first." She laughed. "But your daddy didn't give up, even though I didn't like him. He wouldn't leave me alone. He'd come to Memaw's house, and to church, and to the games until I gave up and went out with him."
She looked up to see Kyle cheering on the team with Travis beaming at his side.
She loved her family. She really did.
"Let's go back to the boys," she smiled and tucked Katie's hair behind her ear.
"Alright," Katie giggled and ran up the steps, jumping into Kyle's arms happily. "Want an M&M daddy?"
"I would love one!" He opened his mouth and she threw one in there.
She couldn't help but laugh before running up the steps and joining her family.
"I love you," she smiled up at him and he returned the gaze.
"And I love you," he said bringing her lips to his.
Katie cheered from his arms and they both laughed, looking up at their little girl and then their little boy.
"We made the perfect family," he whispered, kissing her forehead.
She smiled and leaned up to kiss him.