Chapter 37

The weekend was a blur, I had so many things to do. I had to move what few things I had out of my unit, then spent half a day cleaning up everything so it was really nice for when my landlord came home. She had been very good to me, it was the least I could do. I decided as a good will gesture, I would leave the TV behind, Alexis had one in her unit.

On Tuesday morning, I went to the bank and picked up the certified check and dropped it off to Amanda at ERT Realty. She gave me a copy of the key, I had promised to pickup Alexis for lunch, take her to see it. I was at Alexis’ office for noon, she was right on time. We drove straight over to the house, her reaction being the same as mind as we first drove up to the front door.

“Oh my God Brian, this is beautiful.” she exclaimed.

“Wait until you see the inside.” I answered.

I quickly ran around the car opening her door, taking her hand as she got out. We walked up to the door hand in hand, I pulled the key from my pocket and opened the front door. Alexis was overwhelmed, it seemed each room we walked into took her breath away. The pool, spa and backyard fire pit took her over the edge. She turned and buried her face in my chest sobbing uncontrollably.

“Geez, if you hate it that bad, I won’t buy it.” I laughed.

She squeezed me tighter, then lifted her head to mine, tears running down her cheeks.

“It’s absolutely amazing, I can’t even imagine living here.” she whispered.

“Well get used to it baby, this is your new home.” I answered, kissing her softly on the lips.

The next few weeks were incredibly busy, we both had numerous things to do. Alexis decided to try and sublet her condo for the time being, rushing to sell it could cost her money. I went to act of sale on the house, then contracted several companies to make the necessary repairs needed before we moved in. We also had to prepare for the team ring ceremony which was only about a week away. We would be presented with our Super Bowl rings, team and individual awards would be given out as well. We had been told when we were measured that we would each receive a Superbowl ring, designed exclusively for us, as well as a smaller version of the same ring, that would be placed on a gold chain, that would be given to the main woman in each of our lives, either wife, girlfriend or mother. I had long debated on what to do with mine, in my heart I wanted it to go to Alexis, but I knew I owed Ashley so much. The problem was solved when I learned that I could receive another one by paying the jeweller what it cost to make one.

I happened to be having lunch with Josh about that same time, we were cutting up and having a good time, both of us excited about the upcoming ring ceremony.

“So tell me Brian, how’s things with you and Alexis?” he asked.

“Really good, Josh.” I answered.

“You love her?” he asked.

“Absolutely, more than I ever imagined I would.” I answered.

He leaned across the table from me, like he was about to spill a huge secret.

“Then marry her, don’t let her get away. She’s an incredible woman.” he urged.

I was sitting in Alexis’ condo that night, those words kept running through my mind. Alexis had just went to soak in the tub, I knew she was going to be at least an hour. I picked up her cell phone and quickly scanned her contacts, finding the number I wanted. I entered the number into my phone, I would make the phone call the following day when I knew I wouldn’t be over heard.

After Alexis left the following morning, I opened my cell phone and made the call, it was answered quickly.

“Mai, how are you, this is Brian.” I said.

“Oh Brian, good, good, how are you?” she answered.

“Really good Mai, thank you.” I replied.

“I hear you buy really big house, very nice.” she told me.

“Yes ma’am, in fact that’s one of the reasons I am calling you.” I told her.

“Why you call me Brian?’, she asked, obviously confused.

“Would it be ok, if I came out to see you tomorrow? I need to talk to you.” I asked.

“Brian, what’s wrong, Alexis ok?” she asked, suddenly tense.

“Oh yes ma’am, Alexis is fine, everything’s really good, I just want to talk with you.” I said, calming her fears.

“Ok, you bring Alexis?” she said happily.

“No, I don’t want her to know I am going to see you.” I replied.

“Oh, no tell her?’, she responded.

“No ma’am, please don’t tell her.” I asked.

I told Alexis, I had to leave early the next morning, I told her I had some foundation business to attend to. Even though what I was going to do was perfectly legitimate, I felt bad, it was the first time I had ever lied to Alexis. Three hours later, I was pulling off of the freeway, I was only minutes from my destination. I found the house without any difficulty, pulling into the driveway minutes before ten o’clock in the morning. Mai apparently heard me pull up, she was waiting at the front door. She greeted me warmly with a hug, then invited me in. I followed her into the kitchen, where she poured me a glass of lemonade, then sat at the table with her.

“What you want to talk about Brian?” she asked, some concern on her face.

“Mai, I have fallen in love with Alexis, I want to know if you think she would marry me?” I asked.

“Oh Brian, you make me so happy.” she cried, jumping up from her chair, running around the table and hugging me.

“So when you ask her?” Mai asked.

“That’s what I am working on right now. But really, I wanted to ask your permission first, since she doesn’t have a father.” I replied.

I could see Mai was over come by emotion, tears quickly filling her eyes, spilling down her cheeks. She reached over the table and took my hand in hers.

“Alexis tell me before you visit, she love you very much. You ask her marry you, she will say yes. Alexis is very smart girl, if she love you, then you good man. Now I will have a son too.” she said between tears.

“Thank you Mai, that means a lot to me. But you have to promise not to tell her anything until I ask, it’s going to be a surprise.” I requested.

“Me no say anything, I promise.” she responded.

“I want you there that night, I want you to be with us.” I asked.

“Oh I love to be there, yes ... yes.” she answered.

I explained just what I had in mine to Mai, she loved the idea. I promised to get back with her, on the details, I had a ton of things to do in a very short amount of time. The awards ceremony was just six days away, this coming Saturday night. I left Mai’s house and drove directly back to San Diego, arriving in town about two thirty. I drove over to the team facility and met with one of the assistant media directors, Ms. Linda Kelley whom I had dealt with before. After laying out what I had in mind, I think she was more excited than I was. She assured me she would do everything she could to help me make this happen. I left her office and drove straight to back to the condos arriving an hour before Alexis did. As soon as she walked into the condo, I could tell she had a rough day.