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The buzzer sounds marking the end of the game. Dunk’s peewee basketball team loses by five points, but you would not be able to tell by how loudly the children celebrate. It is the last game of the day and quickly the gymnasium empties. Parents wait on the sidelines for their kids while you wait for your partner to be ready to go. Dunk leads the kids over to shake hands with the other team and you smile as the kids catch sight of you alone in the stands. Dunk waves at you and gives you one of his big grins as he goes to check in with the parents and make sure all the kids have their respective adult there.
Then Dunk runs up the stands, stepping from one seat to the next until he slides in next to you on the bleacher. His arm wraps around you pulling you close while he presses a kiss to your temple. “Hey, Beautiful.”
You feel your cheeks blush only to deepen when you hear the voices of pre-school children squeal and call, “Hi, Coach Dunk’s lady!”
Your partner rightly cringes next to you as he looks away. “Dunk’s lady?” You ask with a teasing tone in your voice.
Sheepishly, he looks up and makes eye contact with you. “Ever since they saw you at the last game, they have been wanting to know what our relationship is.”
“And you went with ‘Coach Dunk and his Lady’?” You snort at what has just come out of your mouth before giggling.
His hand rubs the back of his neck. “Something like that…”
Smiling as you lean against his shoulder, the both of you wave as the children leave the gymnasium. They call to him, “See you at Papa’s Pizza! Bring your Lady!”
When they are gone, your partner turns to you with his big puppy dog eyes and asks, “Would you like to go get pizza with the team?”
Burying your face into his chest, you consider your options. As you pull back to tell him that you are not sure you are up for that, you find yourself changing your mind as you look into his face. “I suppose I could go for a little while.”
Dunk wraps his arms around you and gives you a light squeeze being careful to not jostle you. With a quick kiss on the lips, he is off to go and lock up the gym. You watch near the door as he puts the bleachers away and does a quick sweep before checking the bathrooms. Soon enough he is ready to go. After he locks the doors, he takes your hand in his and together you make your way over to Papa’s Pizza.
When you arrive there are multiple peewee basketball teams already running around the pizza parlor. Some children are eating, some play video games, and others just run around talking with one another. Dunk leads you to his group and sits you down in the seat that the children saved for him. He helps you take your coat off before giving you a quick peck on the cheek. “I will find us some drinks and food.”
The children all stare at you and the one closest to you goes nearly silent. You smile at the kids and try to start a conversation. “Hey guys! Great game today! You all keep getting better and better!” Most of the kids return to whatever they were doing before after cheering and thanking you for your compliments. The young boy next to you continues to stare and say nothing. You try to reassure him, “Dunk will be right back after he finds me and him something to eat.”
“Are you pregnant?” The little boy asks and it is as if the whole building goes silent. More kids around the table turn and look at the two of you.
You feel your hand against your belly, rubbing small circles against it. You make eye contact with Dunk from across the table as he is on his way back with a couple drinks in hand. Taking a deep breath, you turn back to the boy and smile. “I am.”
“Is it Coach Dunk’s baby?” The boy continues questioning. You hear a few parents gasp and what you assume to be the child’s adult begging for forgiveness.
All eyes are on you and you laugh joyfully. Dunk is quickly making his way around to you. “Yes, Coach Dunk and I are having a baby.” Two drinks are set in front of you and you watch as Dunk wraps his arms around your shoulders as he leans down. He nuzzles the back of your head as he murmurs out apologies.
“Are you going to get married then? Coach Dunk said you weren’t married, but my mom says you can only have children if you get married first.” Suddenly, a parent offers to give all the children enough quarters for a few rounds of video games. The kids scream and flee to the game room with the adults quickly following.
Dunk uncurls himself from around you and pulls the kid’s chair over to sit next to you. As he sits, his arm wraps around your shoulder and gently tugs you to his chest. Pressing another kiss to your temple, he apologizes. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea that the kids would even notice. You are barely showing.”
You hum in acknowledgement. “I’ve heard some kids are very intuitive plus I was touching my belly.”
Dunk’s other hand pulls your legs across his as he gently maneuvers you into his lap. Carefully he rests his own hand against your belly. “Are you both doing okay?”
“We are fine, Dunk. Everything is fine. Relax, please. Go hang out with the kids.”
“I know we said we were going to celebrate Valentine’s Day tomorrow, since I had the game and everything today…” He pauses as he rummages in his pocket. “I also know we talked about this and you weren’t sure if you wanted it due to… well, with everything you have going on.”
Inwardly you cringe, as you know what he is talking about. You were aware that Dunk would let you have whatever you wanted, even other people. He only ever wants you to be happy. The jock is a dependable, sweet partner who you cannot help, but be drawn in by. His bubbly nature brightens your day and his positive attitude does wonders to combat your intrusive thoughts. This man will and has done everything in his power to make you happy. You kiss his cheek tenderly, “I love you, Dunk.”
Eagerly, he kisses your lips and for a moment you forget where you are as you let him deepen the kiss. You feel his fingers rub against yours and then something is pushed onto your ring finger. Trying to push back to see what he has done, one of his hands comes up and holds the back of your neck to keep you from moving. Brushing his nose against yours, he explains quietly. “I love you. If you want to marry me, I would be happy. If you want things to continue as they are, that would also make me happy. Whatever you choose will make me happy. I want you to have this ring to remind you that I love you and I am here for you no matter what.” A surge of heat floods your system and you crash your lips against his. You push your tongue through his lips and lap at his mouth. Now Dunk is pulling back, “I want you so bad, but there are a lot of kids in this place. Let’s keep it G rated for now.”
You whine as you reel yourself in. Picking up your left hand, he brings it to his lips and kisses the back of it. Taking back your hand, you examine your gift. The ring is beautiful, a large diamond with three colored gems in the setting. One is chocolate brown like Dunk’s eyes, one that matches yours, and finally a light blue one. As realization hits you, you throw your arms around his shoulders. “Yes, Dunk. Let’s get married!” Suddenly the world is spinning as Dunk stands up with you in his arms. He crows and crushes his lips to yours again as he sits down. You sit together while you examine your ring and he finds it difficult to leave you. Giving him a peck on the cheek, you shoo him away to hang out with his team.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Beautiful!” With another kiss to your cheek, Dunk makes his way to the game room.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Coach Dunk!” You call after him as your hands rest against your abdomen again.