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Rosie stood at his words and grabbed both sides of Buck’s face, kissing hi a renewed round of cheers and whistles frolasses in the air and took a drink in their honor I was setting mine on the table when my napkin slipped from my lap and I bent down under the table to pick it up Just then, I saw Reed’s boots step up on top of the seat next to ain

"Sorry…almost done," he said, his voice so similar to his father’s now "I’m the bestat these things I’d know…I’ve done this before, right Pops?" Everyone laughed at Reed’s joke, picking on his dad’s es His father just wadded up his napkin and threw it at his son

"I’ I love you Pops, you know that And Rosie, you’ve been faht? Well, that’s just a forulped a little, looking down, his eyes wide and concentrating

"It’s funny, I do this a lot Talk in front of crowds But soet nervous Phew, I’m a little nervous now," he reached down to take another sip frolass I felt bad, I almost wanted to rescue him I knew he didn’t really like attention He tolerated it, played his part when he had to, whatever it took to get back out on the football field I squeezed his hand at his side, and he looked down, his eyes intent on aze on me when he continued to talk, and I hoped it would help cal wise--so I know about love you taughton any words of wisdom to you here," he spoke, his eyes still trained on mine as he lifted one side of hishis words That di to give you any advice At least, not anything you don’t already know But I would like to tell you what I’ve learned, what you’ve taught me I’ve learned that so against you and finding things to throw in your way And sos knock you down No…they knock the shit out of you, knock you on your ass, isn’t that what you said, Pops?"

"Sure is, son Sure is," Buck piped in, leaning back in his chair, his face proud, and his head nodding I looked back at Reed, his eyes never once leaving ht It knocks you on your ass But then you get up You get up, because that person, the one you loveit bluntly, likeyour ass knocked doorth the trouble," Reed said He was speaking tofro for the love fro away ht here, in front of everyone

Reed stepped back down frolasses, getting ready to toast Only Reed didn’t reach for a glass Instead, he pushed his hand in his pocket and pulled out a tiny antique box, holding it for a few brief seconds in his giant hand before slipping down to one knee in front of asps and a fehimpers from my friends just before the entire scene folded in onbut Reed "Oh my God!" my mind screamed

"Nolan From the h, and honest, and smart, and funny, and beautiful But you also fitelse inpieces," he spoke, shaking his head a little as he laughed to hiood in me What drives me, what motivates me Yeah…I love football But what I leave out there on that field, it’s all for you And I’d give that all up in a second if I had to Because you…well, you’ve knocked me on my ass But you’re worth all the trouble"

Reed flipped the box open, revealing an antique ring with small swirls of diamonds and a pearl at the center It was beautiful and perfect It was old, and told a story, like our love I couldn’t blink, but rather could only sit frozen in ed to look up briefly at my mother, her eyes teary and a saze and looked back atmischievously "Oh, they know all about this," he said, reaching into the box while the crowd snickered a little at oose bumps