(Mike's POV)

Nerves rattled around my stomach like pachinko balls, and I held up my shaky hands to show one of my wide receivers.

"See this, Higbee? I'm a bag of nerves." Tyler nodded grimly. "I have full faith in you, bud."

That didn't help. What really helped was Ever waving enthusiastically from the sidelines, eyes wide with excitement. Ben was standing next to her, holding her hand so she didn't get lost in the bustling sideline that was full of commotion.

He was now wearing a Brezenski Jersey, some khakis (What is up with this guy and khakis?), and my signature football cleats. He also had eyeblack painted under his eyes. Most importantly, he was smiling.

Ben was calm, as he had been to many of my games before. But I did notice that for the first time since Erica and Ben had broken up, he looked at peace, and even happy.

Ever's infectious enthusiasm as well as her ability to get us to do pretty much whatever she wanted definitely had an effect on both of us, and it was a pleasant effect.

Over the past couple of days, I had even seen Ben laugh.

The coin was thrown up in the air, and everyone waited with bated breath. I had selected tails. "It's tails!" The ref declared. Most of the stadium exploded in cheers, but a chorus of boos also rocked SoFi stadium.

We were playing the 49ers, who played a 4-3 defense and were also able to shut down crucial third downs.

All in all, they have had a very effective defense. In fact, it was probably one of the toughest defenses they were going to play all season.

On the bright side, we had several talented receivers, and of course, Todd Gurley was one of the top-ranked running backs.

Look, I know Gurley has some arthritis in his knee, but not in this story he doesn't!

I elected to start with the ball, and I squared my shoulders in determination in the huddle. "Alright guys, let's start out with a slant pass to the Y and Z receivers, O-line, make sure to give me some time."

I have no idea if this info is accurate. As much as I love watching football, I have no idea how to run plays. I have no idea if this is accurate 🤷‍♀️

We broke our huddle and went to the line of scrimmage. I started barking the cadence. "Blue.. gold... white... hike!"

Within a few seconds, the ball was in my hands. The O-line couldn't handle the charge, and I rolled out of the pocket. I found Kupp for an 11-yard long pass, and he managed to carry it for 4 more yards before getting bowled over. First down.

The rest of the game moved in a blur, one second I was shoving the ball into Gurley's stomach, and the next I was pulling it out and finding Higbee in the end zone for a touchdown. It was a perfectly executed PA pass, and the stadium was filled with loud echoing shouts that all seemed to melt together.

It seemed like I could do nothing wrong. Then, late in the third quarter, I threw my first interception of conference play. A drive later it was followed by another.

I slapped the sides of my helmet. "Dammit Mike, get it together!"

I chugged down my water bottle and headed to the sidelines to watch the defense work their magic. They weren't as good as the 49ers defense, but they were holding their own.

A few minutes into the 49ers drive, I felt a small hand slip into my own large hand. I looked at surprise at the short girl who had taken my hand. "Ever what're you doing here?" I asked. She looked up with me with that wide-eyed stare she knew I couldn't hold out to.

"It's okay Papa, you're going to do great next quarter!" She told me enthusiastically. A grateful smile stretched across my face. "Thanks Ever. Now I better go out there and win that game for you!" I poked her in the stomach playfully. She giggled. "You're a good dad." She said very matter of factly.

I grinned down at the small girl who had made such a big difference in my life recently. "Thanks. For what it's worth, you're an excellent daughter." She grinned ear to ear and jumped up to kiss my cheek. I had to bend down for her to get even close.

"Alright dad, I'd better go down to Uncle Ben." She told me cheerfully. I nodded and turned back to the game. The 49ers had scored off of my first interception but were struggling to capitalize on this one. Finally, they were left with 4th and 6th, and the most logical idea was to punt. The kicker kicked a squib kick, and one of the return specialists instantly fell on it before anyone else could. We were in good field position, at the 49er's 40, and one touchdown here would truly bring down the other opponent.

A flurry of short passes led us to the 15, and the entire stadium was watching, not daring to breathe. A perfect pass fell from Higbee's fingertips. 2nd and 10. I was sacked for 2 yards. 3rd and 12.

Not gonna lie, it looked dark. But I narrowed my eyes and fired a dart with a lot on it towards Kupp in the end zone. It barely passed by some of the defenders, but the force behind it was enough. 28-14, Rams.

Their spirit clearly downhearted, the 49ers played horribly in the last quarter, and we easily played through the rest of the game.

As soon as the ref had blown the last whistle, I barreled to the sidelines and hoisted Ever on top of my shoulders. I was grinning widely, like a cat who had just swallowed a canary as Ever shrieked: "Put me down! You're stinky!" But she was laughing as she said it.

The next day's headliner was a full feature about my case to foster and eventually adopt Ever, and the photos were taken from the night before, one of me grasping Ever's tiny hand on the sidelines as we watched the defense, one of her cheering loudly as I threw a complete pass into the end zone, and the last one of her on my shoulders, both of us grinning widely.

I was a father. I had a family. I had a best friend. And most importantly, I had Ever.

(Zoe's POV)

I stared down at the newspaper in front of me. Mike looked so happy, so exhilarated, and pure joy played over his handsome features in the photos of him and his adopted daughter.

Not for the first time, I wished I hadn't turned him down on the field... but it was for his own good.

But that didn't stop me from staring at the newspaper and wishing I was in the photos with them.