Page 77 of Dak

“Do you like that?” I ask her.

“For me?” She scoffs. “No, I was just looking at it.”

“Let’s get it. I can take it to the jeweler and have him attach it to your bracelet. It will commemorate our trip.”

“Did I ever tell you that my parents were big Disney freaks?”

“No.”

“We couldn’t afford to go that often but they took me and Pat once when we were young. I swear they had more fun than we did. I’d never seen them so happy.”

Katrina’s eyes become glassy.

“Let’s get it,” I tell her, knowing that even if she asked me to buy her an actual castle I’d do that too. I’d do anything to make Katrina happy.

“My mom did love jewelry.”

“Even better.”

“Thank you, Dak. I know this seems silly but–“

“There’s nothing silly about love and you loved your parents.”

“They would have loved you too.”

“They already love me. They’re watching over you right now, happy as clams that you found a catch like me.”

She breaks out into laughter with a few happy tears that flow as I pepper her face with a few kisses.

“I wouldn’t doubt it,” she mutters. “You’re very convincing.”

Later as the fireworks explode in the night sky above Magic Kingdom, painting the darkness with a riot of colors, I pull Katrina and Bella close.

“See that, princess?” I say to Bella, pointing at the sky. We were all smiles, our faces bathed in the glow of the fireworks.

“Wow!” she admired the night sky. “It’s beautiful.”

I look at Katrina, her eyes shimmering with happiness, and Bella, who is enraptured by the dazzling spectacle overhead. “You girls look beautiful under the fireworks,” I murmur. The joy on their faces was a mirror of my own.

I feel a profound sense of gratitude and love that transcends the euphoria of any touchdown or championship win. This is my team, my people, my world. And with them I am always a winner.

As the last firework explodes into a shower of sparkling gold, I whisper to Katrina and Bella, “This is the happiest I’ve been, the happiest I’ll ever be. Thank you for being part of my life, part of my story.”

Bella throws her arms around me, exclaiming, “I love you too, Daddy!” and Katrina softly says, “We love being part of it, Dak.” And I knew, right then, they were not just part of my story, but I was a part of theirs too.

The day ends with laughter, love, and a whole lot of junk food. Our hearts were full, our spirits high. The victory at the Super Bowl had been sweet, but this day, this moment, was sweeter still.

As we walk towards the exit, Bella on my shoulders and Katrina by my side, the park seems to hum with the promise of happily ever after.

“Ready for tomorrow’s adventure?” I ask, glancing at Katrina. And as we looked at each other, it was clear - we are already living it.

From this day forward, we will face everything together - as a team, as a family. And I know, in my heart, that I’ve won the greatest championship there ever was.

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