Chapter 38

The following day, I went to act of sale on my new home, I left right before noon, with the keys to a multimillion dollar home in my pocket. On the ride home, I called Linda over at the team office and asked her if she could arrange transportation for Mai on Saturday morning. She promised me she would have my future mother in law picked up and brought to the hotel where the ring ceremony would be held. It was the best hotel in town, the ceremony being held in their grand ball room. Linda arranged for Mai to have a room at the hotel, I didn’t want Alexis to see her mother until my plan was in effect.

Alexis decided to take off Friday, taking the time to get her hair cut and shop for a new dress before the ceremony. I went with her to the salon, sitting in the waiting room while she was with the stylist. We then went to a couple of stores while Alexis shopped for a dress. While she was in the dressing room trying on another dress, I was looking through the different racks of garments. I came upon a very sheer, elegant black dress that was strapless, it had a black lace shawl, that went with it. I thought the dress would be stunning on Alexis, I called the lady over.

“Do you have this in her size?” I asked.

“Yes, we do.” she said, walking over to the far wall, pulling an identical dress down.

By that time Alexis had come back out of the dressing room carrying two more dresses, to put back on the rack. I walked over to her with the dress the lady had handed me.

“Hey baby, try this on.” I urged.

She held the dress up for a second looking at it, then walked back into the dressing room. She had barely closed the door, when it popped back open, the dress still in hand.

“Brian, this dress is twelve hundred dollars, put this back.” she whispered, extending the garment to me.

“Go try it on, please.” I urged.

“Brian, I’m not paying twelve hundred dollars for a dress.” She argued.

“No I am. I may never win another Super Bowl ring in my lifetime. This is a special night, don’t argue with me.” I said, pushing her towards the dressing room.

The sales woman was having quite a good time watching the two of us, I caught her laughing several times. After about ten minutes Alexis came through the door with the dress on, I was floored. She was beyond beautiful, she was exquisite. Even the sales woman had to do a double take. The dress fit her like a glove, every lovely curve falling perfectly into place. The olive complexion, the straight black silky hair and her bright green eyes complimented the dress so well.

“We’ll take it.” I told the woman.

“You sure Brian?” Alexis asked.

“Oh I’m sure baby, very sure.” I answered.

After picking out a really nice pair of Italian high heeled black shoes, she was all set. We went back to the condo and had some lunch, then took a ride to the new house just to look around again. On the ride back from the house, Alexis reached over and took my hand in hers.

“Brian, I have never been this happy in my entire life. I don’t know how or what brought us together, but I am so grateful that I’m here now with you.” she said.

“I’m glad you’re happy Alexis, you deserve to be.” I answered.

I woke up early Saturday morning, I still had a ton of things to do. I called Mai and told her the limo would be picking her up at one o’clock taking her to the hotel where I had a room in her name booked. I told her I would sneak away right before the ceremony and come upstairs and get her. I then called Linda back one last time to make sure she had everything taken care of. She assured me, even I would be surprised at what she had arranged.

I left Alexis at the condo and drove a few blocks to the barber shop to get a quick haircut. I then passed by the cleaners to pick up my suit that I would wear tonight. I then passed by the jewellers and picked up the ring, then drove back to the condo. I stashed the ring in my trunk, I would have to get it out later when Alexis wasn’t watching.

The event was scheduled to begin at six o’clock, with a meal, then the awards presentation. Everyone was asked to be there by five thirty if possible. Alexis and I left the condo around four forty five, I was amazed at just how beautiful she looked. She could easily pass for a movie star or a fashion model, I couldn’t believe that hopefully in a few short hours, she might agree to marry me. I opened the door for her to get in, then walked to the back of the vehicle, opened the trunk and slipped the ring box into my pocket. I then opened my door and slid in behind the wheel.

“What was in the trunk?” Alexis asked.

“Nothing, I just thought it wasn’t shut all the way, it looked funny.” I answered.

We arrived at the hotel right at five thirty, the valet took my keys. We made our way into the lobby where several of the players and their families were already congregating. Every man in the lobby couldn’t take their eyes off of Alexis, even the women were giving her serious looks. I felt like the luckiest man in the world as I grabbed her hand in mine. I introduced Alexis to several of the players, who in turn introduced their families to us.

Around quarter to six, the hotel manager began asking everyone to move to the grand ball room, informing us that tables had formal seating, to find the table with our name on it. I walked Alexis through the door, we found our table, it was in the first row, right in front of the stage. I helped her into her seat, then made an excuse about not getting a ticket from the valet for my car. I told her I would be right back.

I walked back into the lobby then over to the reservation desk asking for Mai’s room number. I was told she was in room 816, then shown the elevator in which to take. I rode up on the elevator to the eighth floor, then down the hall to room 816, knocking on the door. Mai quickly answered the door, inviting me in. She looked lovely, her dress jade green, her hair had just been done. I accompanied Mai down to the grand ball room, we entered through the rear door. Since our table was front center, Alexis had her back to us. We walked down the center isle to the table where Alexis was sitting, Mai stood back behind her out of sight.

“Hey baby, another guest is here, they are going to take the one chair we have left.” I told her.

“Here she is.” I said, extending my hand to Mai.

Alexis glanced over her shoulder, the look on her face was priceless. She squealed in delight, jumping up to hug her mother. She helped her mother to her seat then sat back down, turning to me.

“How did you two pull this off without me finding out?” she laughed.

“He plenty sneaky Alex.” Mai said, pointing at me.

“Obviously so, I better start keeping a close eye on him.” she replied.

Alexis and her mother started talking, letting me off the hook for a while. Finally I saw Linda in the back of the room, she had motioned for me to join her. I excused my self from the table again, then walked back and met with Linda.

“I have it all worked out, just go along with the MC, do exactly what he tells you to do.” she informed me.

“No problem.” I answered.

“Do you have the ring?” she asked.

I glanced back at the table, Alexis had her back to me, so I slipped the ring to Linda. She instructed me to go back to my table, she would handle the rest. Just about that time, the master of ceremonies asked if everyone could be seated, it was time to start serving dinner. I glanced around the room, I would say there were at least five to six hundred people present as well as members of the local media, who were covering the event.

Everyone was served a bacon wrapped filet mignon topped in crab sauce, a baked potato and steamed vegetables. The meal was followed up by various deserts which you could choose from, everything was very good. Mai and Alexis had a great time chatting during the meal, I have to admit Mai did an excellent job keeping her composure, knowing what was to come. Finally the staff cleared away the dishes, bringing everyone a glass of wine to begin the awards presentation.

The master of ceremonies stepped to the podium, the program was underway.

“Good evening ladies and gentleman, I am so pleased to be here tonight with you to celebrate this year’s World Championship team from here in San Diego. We hope this is only the first of many more, this team has lifted the spirits of this community to heights it has never known.” he started.

“We will start the ring ceremony with the coaches, then players and finally the training staff and support personnel. As we call your name we would ask you to follow the front of the stage here to my left, then up the steps to center stage. Each player is asked to escort the woman in his life with him to the podium, so that she may receive her gift as well.” he continued.

Alexis looked at me strangely, then leaned over and whispered.

“What are they talking about?” she asked.

“You’ll see.” I smiled.

The procession started with the coaches and their wives being introduced, then walking up and accepting their rings. Since the players were called in ascending order of their jersey numbers, it was going to be while before they got to me at number eighty nine. When Josh was called with his girlfriend, the room gave him a standing ovation, which he rightly deserved. It took several minutes for the crowd to finally quiet down and get back in their seats. The procession restarted and one by one, the players moved across the stage with their significant others. It was really wonderful to see a few of the single players escort their mothers across the stage, you could tell they were so proud of their sons. Finally it was time, it was our turn.

“On offense, number eighty nine, tight end Brian Stevens, who is escorting Ms. Alexis Clarke.” he announced.

I stood up holding my hand out for Alexis, which she took so gracefully. You could just sense every eye in the room was on Alexis, she was a vision of elegance, form head to toe. The ovation was louder than most, I suspected mostly due to Alexis. I was handed a beautiful dark walnut wood box with a light blue band on it with the number eighty nine. Alexis was handed the same box, only slightly smaller. We made our way back to the table sitting down, we both opened the boxes. The rings were huge, I had never seen anything like it. The face was covered in diamonds, the team logo emblazoned in gem stones in the center. I looked over at Alexis, she had received the exact replica of the face of the ring, only on a beautiful gold chain.

“Oh my God Brian, it’s beautiful.” she said, kissing me quickly.

Several minutes later the entire team had received their rings, it was time to move on. The master of ceremonies once again took the microphone announcing it was time for the individual awards, starting off first with a few presentations the coaches wanted to make personally.

Coach Reed was announced first, once again a standing ovation following him to the podium. He thanked the crowd, then pulled a few index cards from his jacket pocket.

“Thank you so much for that warm reception, I can’t tell you how blessed I feel to be standing here in front of you. I have a couple of wards I want to make personally, so if you would please indulge me, I would appreciate it.” he started.

The table behind Coach Reed was filled with awards, crystal bowls, crystal footballs, sterling silver objects, as well as some beautiful porcelain footballs. There were close to three dozen wooden plaques as well.

“First and formost I want to recognize the man who I think turned this franchise around in just one year. He has brought a unique brand of football to us, one that I quite skeptically doubted was possible in the beginning. But nothing speaks louder than results, he is the orchestrator of the best offense in football. Ladies and gentleman our offensive coordinator, Chase Cullen.” he announced.

The room exploded in applause, he was in fact a huge part of our success. What he was able to do in just one short year was astounding. He was presented with a beautiful sterling silver bowl as the year’s most outstanding coordinator, something no one would question.

One by one Coach Reed gave out awards, all to people who really deserved them, he was spot on. He had just given out the award to his pick for defensive player of the year, which was not necessarily the player that would be recognized later by the team. He then moved on to the offensive side of the ball.

“This next award is for my pick on offense, which due to their success this year, was quite difficult to select to say the least. But in the end, I had to go with my gut. I had what most media members called a complete mental breakdown two years when I lobbied for this player to be drafted. I was told it couldn’t be done, some suggested I be drug tested immediately.” he started.

The room erupted in laughter at his latter comment, it took a few seconds for everyone to settle down. He leaned into the microphone again. By now, it was obvious he was talking about me.

“I put a world of pressure on this kid the minute he walked out on our practice field for the first time. I was relentless, failure was simply not an option I would consider. All he did in response was to spend countless hours of his own time in the film room and on the field with Josh Henson, doing everything he could to not let me down. In two short years he has emerged as one of the best tight ends in the game, he has redefined what the prototype athlete should resemble at that position. Ladies and gentleman, Brian Stevens.” he ended.

I stood up slowly, leaned over and kissed Alexis, she had tears running down her face. I walked up the stairs to the podium, where Coach Reed presented me with a beautiful crystal bowl that had an inion on the base. He shook my hand, then wrapped his arms around me, hugging me tightly. I so respected this man who had gambled his reputation on me, I might not even be playing in this league if not for his vision. I turned and began walking towards the back of the stage where the exit was.

“Oh wait Brian, I think we have another award for you somewhere here.” he said into the microphone.

He looked over the table quickly, then turned to where Coach Cullen was sitting.

“Chase, where is it?” he said grinning.

Chase shrugged his shoulders, grinning back at his head coach. Coach Reed then stepped back up to the microphone.

“Does anyone know where the award is for the most senseless fines in one season?” he shouted.

The entire room burst into laughter, most of the room standing and clapping, the joke was on me. He motioned me back over to the podium where he put his arm around my shoulder.

“Brian, I understand the beautiful woman you have seated with you tonight is also your agent, is that true?” he asked, grinning.

“Yes sir.” I replied, in the microphone.

Coach then leaned into the microphone, directing his comments to Alexis.

“Well when you renegotiate Brian’s contract next year, or the year after, I want a clause in there that any fines incurred during the year be paid back directly to me.” he laughed.

Alexis shook her head in agreement, the room once again having another laugh at my expense. He then shoved me toward the stage exit, I left quickly. I came out of the side of the room walking back to our table. I gently set the crystal bowl on the table, Alexis and her mom were admiring it. I was overwhelmed that Coach Reed had presented me with the award, especially after the year that Josh had. I really felt guilty, the award should have belonged to Josh.

The night was down to the final several awards, MVP of the Year, Best Offensive Player, Best Defensive Player and Best Special Teams selection. The first selection was for the MVP, as expected it went to Josh Henson, it was well deserved. Once again he received a standing ovation. As each award was given out, highlights from that player was shown on the huge screen directly behind the stage. The defensive award was given out, then quickly followed up by the special teams award. The players were asked to remain standing on the stage until all four awards were given out. It was quite obvious that Josh should receive the offensive player of the year as well. The master of ceremonies stepped back to the microphone once more, leaning forward.

“Finally the Best Offensive Player of the Year, Brian Stevens.” he said, loudly.

I was stunned, I just sat there, unable to move. Alexis leaned over once again hugging me tightly, then urging me to get up. On the screen behind the stage they were showing clips of touchdown catches, then several video segments of my dunking the ball over the goal post. I got up and walked slowly to the stage, my head down, the emotion had finally caught up to me. I was given a beautiful crystal football once again inscribed with the year and type of award. No one seemed happier for me then Josh who hugged me like a drowning man. We all moved of the stage to the rear, beginning to make our way to our tables. Linda was waiting for me backstage, she grabbed my arm and pulled me back behind the huge black curtain.

“It’s time.” she whispered.

I was already an emotional wreck, tears in my eyes, the night had been so much more than I had expected. The master of ceremonies made one more introduction to the crowd.

“We have one last presentation to do, then we will wrap up the evening. I would like to introduce our director of media relations, Ms. Linda Kelley.” he told the crowd.

Linda passed me off to one of her associates, she would give me the signal at the appropriate time. She then walked across the stage, shaking the master of ceremonies hand, then stepping up to the microphone.

“Thank you so much for that warm welcome. As most of you know I am the director of media relations for this wonderful franchise. I love my job, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I have been here for close to ten years, but I have to admit, this is a first for me. Being in media relations, I constantly work with the day to day operations of the franchise. This year, for the first time, we have decided to give an award to someone who we feel has made a significant contribution to this franchise.” she started.

“I would now like to ask Ms. Alexis Clarke from PSA Sports Management to join me here on stage.” she instructed.

I was watching the monitor back stage, I could see the stunned look on Alexis’ face, as she pointed to herself making sure Linda was talking about her. Linda nodded waving Alexis up to the stage. The amazing part of this entire situation is only three people in the entire room knew what was about to happen, Linda, Mai, and myself. Alexis walked up to the podium standing next to Linda, completely at a loss as to why she was standing there.

“Alexis, I would like to thank you for your dedication to this franchise, I’m not sure everyone knows, but you represent three players currently on our team. We feel blessed and fortunate that you are part of our family and we want to give you a small token of our affection.” she started.

A very nicely dressed woman crossed the stage and handed Linda, another dark walnut box, exactly like what the player’s rings had been encased in, along with a white envelop about the size of a greeting card. Linda thanked the woman, who quickly exited off stage in my direction. I was then positioned right behind the split in the curtains, Alexis had her back to me, she couldn’t see me. I had noticed her scanning the room several times for me, I knew she was completely confused.

“I would like to present you with this gift, hopefully it tells you exactly how we feel about you. But please do not open it, until I read the inion on the card.” she asked, handing Alexis the box.

Alexis gently took the box, I could tell from her reaction she was at a complete loss for words or even thoughts for that matter. Linda then tore open the top of the envelop, pulling the large square white card in front of her. Everyone in the room was extremely quiet, no one had a clue what this was all about.

“Wait a minute.” Linda said, looking in the direction where the woman had just left, “I think you gave me the wrong card.”

The woman who was next to me stepped back through the curtain and shook her head, reassuring the crowd she had the right card.

“Alright, if you say so.” she said turning back to the crowd.

“Ms. Clarke, I would like you to open the box please.” she instructed.

I watched thru the small space in the center of the curtains as Alexis opened the box only to reveal a smaller velvet box inside. Once again, she appeared completely baffled as was everyone in the room. Everyone was looking around, trying to figure out exactly where this was going.

“Ms. Clarke, I was instructed to read these words to you as you receive your gift.” she stated.

Alexis slowly opened the smaller velvet box, her eyes opened wide in disbelief, one hand immediately covering her mouth. She looked at Linda in disbelief, surely this was a mistake. Linda held up the card, then began to read into the microphone.

“Alexis, you have only been a part of my life for a short time, but I am hoping with one simple word you can change that forever. You are the most beautiful, caring, and loving woman I have ever met. I have lost several people in my life that meant the world to me. I don’t intend to lose another. Alexis Clarke, will you do me the honor of being my wife. Will you marry me?” Linda finished.

The entire room erupted in screams, men clapping, women were jumping up and down, people were hugging. Alexis was stunned, she kept looking at the ring, then looking back at Linda. The lady with me tapped me on my shoulder, I parted the curtains, stepping out on stage behind Alexis, she still had not seen me. As soon as I walked out, the applause and screams grew louder confusing Alexis even more. I was maybe five steps away from her, when she turned and saw me. I walked up to her, reaching gently for the ring box, carefully removing the ring from inside. Tears were streaming down her face, her body shaking with emotion. I took the ring in my hand, then got down on my right knee in front of her. The noise in the room was simply overwhelming, everyone was cheering me on. I took Alexis’ hand in mine, placing the ring at the end of her finger. I looked up into that beautiful face, the one that I hoped would change my life forever.

“Alexis, will you marry me?’, I asked.

She was unable to speak, sobbing almost hysterically. She just began nodding her head that she would, as I slid the ring on her finger. I then stood up and kissed her gently on the lips, wrapping my arms around her. Never in our relationship had she held me that tightly, almost as if she were afraid to let go. Finally she let go of me, I took her by the hand and led her off backstage. She was still crying when the curtains closed behind us, she then turned and hugged me again.

“How ... did you ... I mean ... I didn’t know...”. she stuttered.