Crazy Thing Called Life

by R. P. Fischer

  He scoffs at my question. "Honey, I may be old, but I'm not dumb. You two are as happy as I was with Mom and Mimi is with Richard. Besides, we all know you guys will be married in no time."

  I blush thinking about us getting married. Mimi hasn't stopped hinting at it either. It’s like they all know something that I don't, but I refuse to over think any situation where Colin is concerned. I love the man, and I know he always has some kind of crazy trick up his sleeve.

  We only stay a few more days, but we promise to come back for Christmas and the San Francisco game. This time it's my surprise for Colin.

  The annual Humane Society Adoption Fair is next weekend, and since we are a participating clinic in the event, I get to see many of the animals ahead of time that are up for adoption. Dr. Schultz, Celeste, and I help microchip and immunize many of the animals that have been brought in or born.

  As much as I love all animals, Colin and I are definitely a dog couple. I wanted to tell him in a cute way that I was going to move in with him, so I had his address engraved on a collar to fit a puppy.

  I called Grant and Jamie to tell them the good news, but Grant went on a twenty-minute rant to remind me of what happened to Fuzzy. When I reassure him of what I do for a living, he relented, and Jamie would not stop laughing the entire conversation.

  The day of the adoption event is insane. Colin had a team workout this morning while I was busy talking with customers and clients about the pets. When I get Colin's text that he made it to the fairgrounds, I grab our new family member and place him in the playpen out in front of our booth.

  When I see the man of my many dreams, I smile and wait anxiously as he comes closer to the booth.

  I wrap my arms around his waist, inhaling his after-workout shower scent. He kisses the top of my head before readjusting his hat. A few people glanced at him as he walked by but most just kept on playing with the all the animals.

  "How are things going out here, baby?"

  I look around the grounds and smile. "Many of the cats have already been adopted and the dogs are getting finished as we speak. Tomorrow's set to be a little bigger because we will have mostly puppies."

  He wraps his arm around my shoulder and finally looks down at the playpen. He steps inside and sits down next to the Australian Shepherd puppy. His momma had the litter on the highway, and the couple who found her brought all of them to the shelter to be taken care of. This little guy was one of the last ones remaining.

  "Now who do we have here? What is your name little guy, and why are you wearing my jersey? Hmmm?"

  I hold onto the gate of the pen and smile at the puppy who isn't afraid of the man who is known for having bad luck with animals.

  "This little guy has something on his tag he'd like to show you."

  Colin puts him in his lap and looks at the metal bone-shaped tag dangling from the maroon collar. I silently mouth the words I had engraved on the tag while he reads them.

  Oscar Shaw. If found, please return to Natalie and Colin. 4785 Prescott Lane, Houston.

  He looks up at me, holding little Oscar. "You realize both of our names are on this address, right?"

  I pet little Oscar's head when I reply, "Well, I couldn't very well leave Oscar to fend for himself at your house, now could I? You need me there."

  He stands up while holding our little puppy in his arms. No puppy blood? Check.

  He steps over the playpen and grabs me as close as he can without squishing Oscar.

  "Correction: I want you there, and you're moving in tomorrow."

  Today is the first home game of the season. Summer has officially ended, and I'm beyond ecstatic with my life.

  I love my new position at the Schultz Clinic. Dr. Schultz offered me a job the second I passed my boards and received my license. I was so elated to stay at the clinic. I didn't want to go anywhere else because I love working here.

  I am officially Dr. Natalie Lyons, DVD.

  Our little puppy, Oscar, is getting so big that I know I made the right decision bringing him into our home. He's become a regular fixture at the clinic and on Colin's runs throughout the neighborhood. Dr. Schultz lets me board him at the clinic whenever we take long days of work or are out of town for meetings.

  Colin gave Dr. Schultz season tickets to the Rams as a thank you for pushing me into Colin's life. During preseason, I sat in the family box with Grant, Jamie, and Danny, but today I wanted to be up close in the action. Colin's been slaving away on two-a-days for the last few months to come back from the shoulder injury and fight for the playoffs this year. Coach barely played him during preseason to keep him full-season ready.

  He wants that championship ring.

  The amount of maroon and white plastered all over the stadium is overwhelming, to say the least. In the years I've lived in Houston and watched all the games on television, there is nothing compared to being surrounded by 70,000 people. Many of which are screaming the name of my boyfriend.

  My god, he's gonna get an even bigger ego than he already has.

  Both Dr. Schultz and I are wearing Colin's jersey, except mine has an extra special addition. On the front, it says, "Shaw's Girl." He's a silly man sometimes, but I love him all the same and I will gladly wear this jersey if it means that Shaw himself will take it off me later.

  The music to pump us up grows louder and louder as the Rams tunnel is surrounded by the Rowdy Rams cheerleaders and giant banners. Smoke surrounds the giant blow up Ram head above the banners, and the stadium employees hold the front of the line. I can see the silhouette of the team bouncing up and down in the dim light through the smoke. They look intimidating and exhilarating all at the same time.

  The stadium sound system booms out the Rams theme song before the announcer starts his intro.

  "AND NOW FOR YOUR HOUSTON RAMS LED BY LAST YEAR'S MOST VALUABLE PLAYER. NUMBER 24, YOUR WIDE RECEIVER, COOOOLLLIIIIINNN SHHAAWWWW!!!!"

  I jump out of my seat and scream so hard that Dr. Schultz has to cover his ears and hold his glasses at the same time.

  Colin bursts from the tunnel holding the American flag as he runs across the field.

  Holy damn, Captain America, his legs look sexy in those pants. How have I not convinced him to wear those around the house before?

  He hands the flag off to the military personnel awaiting their cue for the National Anthem presentation. He shakes the soldier's hand, pats him on the back, and walks back over to the rest of the team who are lined up for the opening ceremony. He glances toward the section we're sitting in and gives me a wink, making all the woman around us scream and swoon.

  My man knows how to work his crowd of followers.

  Lady B, who is actually one of my favorite musicians, comes to the center of the field, but rather than starting to sing, she smiles into the stands where I swear she's looking directly at me.

  "Natalie Lyons, there is a man here who has a very important question for you. Could you please follow the security guard next to you?"

  Shocked, stunned, elated and on the verge of tears does not even begin to cover my emotions right now. A part of me knows what this question is, but the events around me have caught me in a daze, and I don't even realize that there’s a large man in a yellow security shirt standing next to me. He holds out his big, meaty hand to escort me down to the field. I stop and look at Dr. Schultz as he gives me a bright smile.

  He nods toward the field. "Go, Natalie. Be happy."

  Nervously, I follow the guard through the gates and out to the field. The scoreboards on either end of the field show me walking toward the fifty-yard line where Lady B is smiling warmly at me.

  She holds the microphone next to her leg so that what she says isn't heard by the whole stadium.

  "I have never seen my friend so happy than when he's with you. I wish you two nothing but all the happiness in the world. My husband and I would love to have you guys over soon."

  She gives me a warm hug before putting the microphone back to her face. "Mr. March Madne
ss, I think she's ready for you."

  Still stunned at the events, I'm turned around toward the love of my life. Lady B hands the microphone over to him, and he goes down to bended knee.

  "Natalie Sarah Lyons, nearly a year ago I ran into your life and ever since, you have made me a better man. I love you more with each day and plan to chase you for the rest of my life. Will you do me the honor of joining me in this crazy thing called life and becoming my wife?"

  Tears stream down my face, and I can barely see him through the blurriness of my eyes.

  "Baby. Words. I need the words."

  "Yes, you crazy, beautiful man. Yes! A thousand times yes!"

  He picks me up, in full pads, and swings me all around the booming stadium. The screams and cheers would deafen any normal person, but I can't see or hear anything except Colin.

  I'm crying and smiling so much that I nearly miss Colin's voice shouting to me. "My beautiful fiancee. Please look at the scoreboard."

  I watch the giant screen and my dad's face pops up with Mimi and Richard standing behind.

  Colin stands next to me as my dad tries to navigate the camera. "We're live, right?"

  Mimi smacks him, and he looks back to the screen. "My beautiful daughter. I can only imagine that since I'm live on the Houston Rams stadium scoreboard, that you accepted Colin's proposal. Congratulations, my dear Natalie, and just so you know, Colin's holding onto your mother's ring to put on your finger. We'll see you both at Christmas."

  Mimi and Richard wave to the crowd before the video ends. The feed goes back to Colin and me standing on the field with Lady B coming up behind us, handing a small box to him.

  She pulls the microphone back from him and speaks to the crowd. "Can we all have a round of applause for the happy couple?!"

  She nudges Colin who's wiping the tears from my eyes. "Colin, you think you can put the ring on her finger and let me sing the National Anthem now?"

  He gives her a quick hug, and she quickly adjusts her earpiece before turning her attention to the crowd. He guides me back to sidelines and pulls me up for a quick kiss. Before Lady B begins the anthem, Colin pulls out my mother's engagement ring and slides it onto my finger. He continues to dry the tears from my face, but the smile hasn't faded at all.

  The intro of the anthem begins and both of us stand at attention. When it ends and the crowd cheers, Colin turns to me and gives me another kiss while the rest of the team gets ready for kick-off.

  "Go enjoy the game, and I plan to celebrate privately with you tonight and a few days after."

  As security leads me back to my seat, a few people congratulate me while some women give me a dirty look.

  I can't find a damn thing in me to give a shit about their opinions. I have the man of my dreams, and I'm holding onto him.

  Taking my seat, Dr. Schultz gives me a giant hug and congratulates me on our engagement. I glance down at my left hand and look at the token of love my dad gave to my mom that I now get to wear for the rest of my life.

  The game is probably one of the most amazing experiences of my life even without the surprise Colin has given me.

  They won by a monstrous amount against Atlanta, and the commentators think this will be Houston's year to win it all. Colin scored five touchdowns, and I can’t wait to congratulate him tonight at home. A lot of Atlanta defense kept trying to go for his shoulder on the tackles, but Colin was too quick and swift to be brought down. I don't know if it's all the workouts he's been doing over the last few months or me saying yes that gave him the extra push of determination to win.

  Such a show-off.

  At the end of the game, a state trooper shows up next to my seat and guides both Dr. Schultz and I out of the main stadium toward the players’ lounge in the tunnels. The walk feels quick because I'm floating on air. The lounge is nice compared to all the noisiness of the stadium.

  It feels like an eternity until Colin walks in through the doors. I knew he'd have to do a few interviews, and I'm thankful I haven't been bombarded by any reporters. His woodsy scent invades me as I'm squished tightly into his body and dipped back for a kiss.

  When he pulls me back up, I'm given another kiss. "Hello, my beautiful fiancee."

  I put my left hand against his cheek and give him a teary smile. I still can't believe this day. "Hello, my crazy wide receiver. Score enough touchdowns?"

  He grabs my hand and leads me out of the conference room through the staff tunnels and back out to the field. He drops his gym bag to the ground and picks me up bridal style and runs to the end zone. He doesn't put me down but spins us around, and our laughter echoes through the stadium.

  "You're the only touchdown that matters, my love. You're my end goal for the rest of my life. Let's go home."

  ***

  I don't even bother waiting until we get upstairs to jump Colin. I need my fiancé, and I need him now. I leap into his arms, and he catches me under the ass as our mouths fuse together. He walks us into the living room and tosses me onto the couch. He quickly takes his shirt off and undoes his tie, tossing everything on the ground while I sit up on the cushions watching every single moment.

  "God, I have a hot fiancé," comes from my mouth as my body heat rises. I rise up onto my knees and anchor myself against the arm of the couch as I run my hands over every delicious plane of Colin's body. His outdoorsy scent engulfs my senses, and I'm entranced by all that is this gorgeous man.

  I look up at him and see nothing but love pouring from his features. My left hand finds its way to his cheek, and his hands find their way to the bottom of my jersey.

  When his tongue ring makes an appearance from his lips, I kiss the shit out of him. Feeling the little ball move alongside my own lips and against my tongue, the fire inside of me lights up. I scratch down his chest, watching my maroon nails against the paleness of his skin.

  "Mmmm, the future Mrs. Shaw doesn't want to wait, does she?"

  "It's Doctor Shaw, thank you very much."

  "Oh really? I like the sound of that. In fact, I love the sound of that. I also love the sound of you coming over and over on my cock."

  He whips the jersey and my tank top over my head, throwing them on the pile of clothing on the floor.

  He shows me how much he loves the sounds coming from all of me for the rest of the night.

  SEVERAL MONTHS LATER

  Natalie insisted she didn't want a long engagement, but that we should wait until the season ended. And what a season it was. We fucking won the Super Bowl, but right now, this is probably going to be the best day of my life.

  Our wedding day has finally come and is being held at the vineyard. I've already noticed that my family never wants to leave. Jamie's in love with the restaurant, and my family loves the stables.

  Danny can't get enough of having all the dogs around to play with. Fuzzy has found a boyfriend in Curly, and they both whimper whenever we separate them. Oscar loves running around all the fields and chasing anything he can find. All five dogs are dressed up in little black and white bandanas with our names embroidered on them. They're running around the white chairs that are draped in maroon tulle stuff. We only invited our closest friends and family, even though hers is twice the size of mine.

  Typically, the guests get married in the giant gazebo by the vineyard, but Natalie and Mimi had other plans. My mom and Jamie have been super involved in helping plan with our side of the family. Danny is our ring bearer, and Natalie's little cousin is our flower girl. They look miserable being paired together, but they're at the age where the opposite sex has cooties. Jamie and Grant's daughter, Melissa, is not quite up to this responsibility at only a year old.

  The field on the side of the vineyard overlooks the beauty of the hills around us. This is the spot Natalie comes to every New Year's Eve when she rides Starlight. The sun is barely starting to set, and I know we're about to get this show on the road. I'm bouncing in my shoes waiting for my woman. I haven't seen her in two days thanks to Mimi, my mom, and Jamie.
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br />   Mimi is running around talking to all the guests, and Richard seems to be in deep discussion with the judge who is performing the ceremony. Neither Natalie nor I am extremely religious, so a judge friend of Mimi's agreed to marry us.

  When Richard nods to me that Natalie and her father are on their way down, I take my stance next to the judge with Grant on my left. I glance at my brother and then down at myself. Natalie didn't want me in a traditional tuxedo, so she picked out a gray suit with a white shirt and maroon bowtie since she says they look sexier on me than a regular tie.

  Grant, as my best man, is also in a gray suit, but with a standard black tie. The music from the speakers indicates the ceremony is ready to begin. I watch warmly down the aisle as my nephew begins his slow walk. Danny looks like a future heartbreaker in his matching suit. The little flower girl is having a ball tossing the white lilies onto the ground before being scooped up by her mom at the end.

  Jamie is next in her descent as she walks down the aisle. She and Natalie have grown so close over the last few months, and she burst into tears when Natalie asked her to be her Matron of Honor. She blamed it on post-baby hormones, but we all knew she was excited.

  I can hear my brother murmur, "Fuck my wife's hot." And I elbow him in the gut. He gives me a look and whispers again, "What? She looks incredible."

  Her one-shouldered maroon dress sets off her natural beauty with golden tan skin and jet black hair. My brother did choose well, but she's not my Natalie.

  My Natalie is being pulled up by her horse, Starlight, while sitting in a two-person carriage. Her dad steps down onto the grass and holds his hand out for my future wife.

  Everything fades away as the most gorgeous woman in the world steps down from the white carriage and is slipping her hand into the crook of her father's elbow. She has her head tilted down, but the second she looks up and our eyes lock, I nearly fall to my knees enraptured in her beauty. It's not about the dress, the hair, or the makeup that makes her look stunning; it's the love and happiness that is pouring out of her that makes her gorgeous.