I grab Sydney and spin her around, high on the fact that she’s not only trying to change my life, but the lives of so many others. “You’re amazing, Sydney Matthews.” She giggles before I set her down and kiss her chastely.
“Seriously, Sydney. That’s incredible. Let us know how we can help.” Andre says as he raises his beer, proposing a toast. We all lift our bottles and listen for what he says next.
“To Sydney … for showing us that first impressions aren’t always correct, that people can take you by surprise, and that true love can be found in a honky tonk.”
We all burst into laughter before we take a drink.
“Thank you, Andre,” she replies, reaching up to brush away a tear. “And I will definitely need your help for what I have planned.”
Pulling her into my side, I squeeze her tightly, thankful that she did spill soda on my crotch that night. Who knows where I’d be right now if it wasn’t for her making me want to be a better man.
Sydney Matthews flipped my world upside down that night, pulling me out of a dark place I was intent on living in in repentance for my choices. But she saw past my surly attitude and forced me to open my mind up to seeing her for who she truly is as a person. In doing so, I fell in love with a woman I thought was somebody else. And in turn she fell in love with me, giving me all of the unexpected things I never knew I wanted.
After we settle in my bed later that night, I pull her into my chest and turn her face toward mine. Staring into her aqua eyes, I bare my soul to her, making sure she knows how much I cherish the fact that she entered my life.
“Princess … I hope you know that I didn’t want to fall in love. I really didn’t want anything to do with it. But then you appeared and I started to want everything. You’ve changed my life, Sydney. I love you for not only what you are, but for who I am when I am with you. You are everything to me.”
“I love you too, Javi. You helped pull me out of the hole I was living in. You’ve given me courage to stand up for myself and fight for the life I want.”
“Ditto, babe.”
“Now we have nothing but time to spend wrapped up in each other. And I don’t know about you, but that sounds like one hell of a way to live.” Her teasing grin has me growing rock hard in seconds.
“Oh, I agree. And I’m gonna make love to you right now, Sydney Matthews.” I roll on top of her, bracing myself on my forearms as I peer down into her eyes.
“No. Love me forever, Javi.”
Epilogue
Javier
Ten Years Later
“That’s it, baby girl. Swing with your right. Now left.”
I’m trying not to hover, but it’s so fucking hard granting your daughter some freedom when you want to help her with everything.
“Am I doing it, Daddy?” My seven-year-old turns to check for my confirmation.
“Yes, you are, Ivy. Keep going, baby.”
She smiles proudly and keeps hitting the bag along with the rest of the kids in the class.
It’s a Tuesday night at Elite Gym, and I’m standing in the corner of the room where the kid’s self-defense class is held. For the past five years, I’ve taught this class, eager for the day when my own daughter would be joining us. Sydney was relentless about waiting until Ivelisse was a little older to start, so she’s a little behind the other kids. But my girl is a natural with the way she’s hitting the bag.
Behind the glass windows I see Ally walk by, waving at me in passing. Taryn’s class is down the hall and Tanner will join the class of older kids that comes next.
I lift my hand up in greeting to say hello just as the timer goes off on my phone. “Alright, time to take a break. Grab some water, kiddos. Great job.”
The kids all struggle with taking their gloves off as parents rush over to help them. Ivy comes over to me as I pop the lid on her water bottle and squirt it into her mouth. I convinced her to let me do this instead of taking her gloves on and off each time, and she agreed it was easier. For a seven-year-old, she’s quite adaptable.
“Thanks, Daddy. That was fun, but man I’m gonna pass out later.” I bend down to her level and watch her with fascination, admiring how much she looks like her mom.
“Is that so?” I laugh.
“Yup. You’re giving me a tough workout. I’m gonna be sore.”
“Well, that’s my job. I did the same thing to your mom ten years ago.”
“Yeah you did. Although, I don’t think I’d be able to keep up with you now.” Sydney’s voice comes from over us as I rise from my crouched position to admire my wife. She’s holding our son, Damian, named after my father, on her hip, and the slight bump of our third child under her shirt is starting to become prominent.
A year after we met and fell in love, I asked Sydney to marry me. I didn’t want to waste any more time without her being my wife. We had a small ceremony of close friends and family at the Gibson Ranch in Newberry Springs. Her mother wanted a country club wedding, but Sydney wasn’t having it. We also bought a house in the same neighborhood as Ally and her family, one I actually had a hand in building.
Around that same time I got a promotion to project manager at Gibson Construction. Forrest was impressed with my work ethic and valued my passion for the job. Stepping into management gave us a little more financial freedom, which came in handy when we had our daughter two years later. Sydney was
