Page 62 of The Decoy

Ellis lets out a breath, a relieved smile spreading across her face. “Well…that went well.”

“Yeah, I knew she would be excited. I sort of feel bad I haven’t told them sooner, but we hadn’t really talked about it much.” I slip my phone back into my pocket just as the sales girl walks back to us.

“We’ll take a few more things.” Ellis hands her the little sweater, takes the sneakers from my hand, and gives them to the girl.

“Very good, I’ll be right back.” She walks toward a counter, and Ellis and I follow instead of waiting.

After I sign the bill, we gather our bags and make arrangements for our items to be delivered to my house. Ellis and I walk out of the store hand in hand.

We walk down the block to another shop with a crib and a rocker Ellis has had her eye on. When we step into the store, Ellis drifts over to a setup featuring an oak crib, running her fingers along the smooth wood.

“So…since big things are happening today, I think we should also talk about where we’re putting all this stuff,” I say, leaning against the display crib, watching her closely.

Ellis looks up at me. “Meaning?”

“Well, I’ll need to start working out more regularly again here really soon, then before you know it, I’ll be getting ready for OTA’s and camp. We don’t really have a lot of time to decide what we’re going to do in terms of our living arrangements.”

Ellis pauses, her hand resting on the crib rail. “Right. I mean, I love my place, and obviously it’s convenient for me to get into the office.”

“I totally understand that. I’m not asking you to give it up or anything,” I say, my voice leaving no room for misunderstanding.

She watches me, blinking slowly. “Okay, so what are you saying?”

“Well, I’d really like you with me at my house,” I explain, my tone steady. “Think about how the next few months- hell, the rest of this year will look. June and July, I’ll be in training. By August and September, preseason, then the regular season games start. I don’t want to be sitting in team meetings and practices in Jersey worrying about you and the baby, while being stuck an hour away in gridlock traffic.”

Ellis opens her mouth to speak, but I gently hold up my hand, keeping her focus on me.

“But more importantly,” I continue, my eyes locked on hers. “I want to wake up with you every morning. I want to come home after a grueling day on the field, and see you and our boy safely in my house.”

The silence stretches between us.

Ellis stands frozen, her lips slightly parted, eyes wide as she processes my words. A faint flicker of hesitation crosses her face.

“Brody, moving in together is a massive step,” she murmurs. “And it’s not that I don’t want to be with you; I just don’t think I want to sell my place right now.”

“Okay, I get that,” I say, wrapping my hand around hers. “I’m really not asking you to sell it.”

I squeeze her hand and step closer, so there’s no space left between us.

“But let me be clear, I’m not asking you to move into my house as a guest,” I say, every word said sincerely. “I’m asking you to make it our home. We’re building a life together, Ellis. We’re having a baby in less than twenty weeks. We’re going to be a family. I don’t want to be living in two places. I want us under one roof. Where I can protect you, take care of you, and be the father this boy deserves.”

Tears well up in her eyes. She searches my face. “You really want me to move in?” she breathes, her voice cracking slightly. “Now?”

“I don’t just want you to; I need it,” I admit. “My house feels empty when you’re not there. Move in with me. Let’s make it our home before he’s born.”

A tear escapes, running slowly down her cheek. A shaky smile breaks across her face.

“Okay,” she whispers, letting out a breathless laugh. “Yes, I’ll move in with you.”

A massive weight feels like it’s lifted off my chest. I bring her hand to my lips and press a lingering kiss to her knuckles.

“Best decision you’ll ever make, Princess,” I smirk, my eyes burning into hers.

“We’ll see if you agree when we’re up for two am feedings,” she teases, wiping the tear from her cheek with her free hand, her smile radiant.

Before I can answer, an excited gasp shatters the moment from someone standing nearby.

“Yo! Holy shit! Brody Vaughn?!”