:: Emma's POV ::

"What do you think buddy, you excited?"

I held Noah's hand as we walked towards the entrance of NRG Stadium, home of the Texans. Noah clutched his football close to him and proudly sported his Watt jersey as he did every Sunday, football season or not.

"Yeah! I get to help JJ warm up!"

I smiled at his excitement. I had all could to even get him to fall asleep last night. He was worse than a kid awaiting Santa on Christmas Eve. This certainly wasn't his first Texans game but it was certainly his first time personally having JJ Watt ask him to help him warm up before the game.

"Yeah, we have to go find him."

I looked at Noah to see him really taking in all of his surroundings; he was always in awe of the size of the stadium and the crowds of tailgaters and spectators. I lead us to the gates JJ had told me about in the directions he texted to me and I was met by a balding, stocky man donning a SECURITY shirt.

"Can I help you?" He walked towards Noah and me, the radio on his hip transmitting all kinds of static laced voices.

"We're supposed to be meeting JJ Watt; these are the directions he gave me. I'm not sure if I'm in the right place."

"Are you contest winners? Do you have passes?"

I shook my head, "No, we're personal guests."

I was beginning to feel intimidated as he looked me and Noah over. He acted as if we were trying to pull a fast one on him. He pulled the radio off his hip and spoke into it, asking whoever was on the other end for reassurance that we were supposed to be there.

"Emma!"

I spun on the heels of my red Converse to see JJ jogging towards us. A red Texans baseball hat covered his blond hair causing me to really focus on the large arms and broad shoulders his black Texans muscle shirt exposed. His navy blue Texans shorts hung from his large frame and his football cleats covered his feet. Good lord, I hope someone has a mop because I am about to become a puddle on the floor.

"JJ!" Noah jumped up and down at the site of him, which is what I also felt like doing at the moment but had to control myself for very obvious reasons.

"Noah!" JJ held out his hand for their usual high five and Noah happily accepted the gesture.

I was still trying to pull myself together and I prayed JJ didn't notice me slowly coming undone at his presence. His eyes fell on me and I felt my heart rate begin to increase.

"They're with me Rick." JJ laughed at a comment the security guard made before he returned his focus to us, his hands resting on his hips, "I tried to beat you guys up here but I got stopped along the way."

"It's ok. We just got here."

A smile quickly crawled across his lips, "I love all this Texans love goin on here."

He looked at Noah in his 99 jersey to me in my typical football Sunday attire. I suddenly felt self conscious having his eyes on me. Which was very unusual for me, I was normally a pretty confident girl.

:: JJ's POV ::

I came around the corner and saw the security guard, Rick, standing with Emma and Noah. I had tried to beat them to the gate but was stopped too many times on my way up here.

"Emma!"

I called out to her and felt my heart skip a beat as she turned towards me. There it was... that smile. I can only imagine what the guys would say if they knew how soft this girl could make me feel with just her smile.

I jogged towards them, happy to see Noah in my jersey. I still couldn't get used to seeing people in my jersey. To know hard earned money was spent just to wear that 99. But it's always when I see a future generation wearing my jersey that it really humbles me. Knowing I'm their role model or knowing they look up to me... there's truly no greater feeling.

"JJ!" Noah bounced up and down clutching his football against him.

"Noah!" I held my hand out for his high five and he happily responded.

The static of Rick's walkie talkie grabbed my attention as I looked to see him waiting on the green flag from officials on the other side of the gate.

"They're with me Rick." I laughed as he nodded his head in Emma's direction and gave me thumbs up of approval.

I rested my hands on my hips as I regained my focus on Emma and Noah, "I tried to beat you guys up here but I got stopped along the way."

"It's okay. We just got here."

I couldn't contain the smile that was spreading across my face as I took in Emma and Noah in their Texans gear, "I love all this Texans love goin on here."

I looked at Noah in his jersey to Emma in her outfit. I couldn't help but to look her over and I'm sure it was obvious but she looked incredible. Her navy blue I ♡ Texans Football t-shirt clung to her body and her cut off jean shorts exposed the most incredible set of legs I had ever seen. Her long brown hair fell all around her and I swore I could smell the sweet scent of her shampoo. It was invigorating.

"But we need to get you a Watt jersey." Emma laughed as I looked over at Noah; I knew he'd agree with me, "Doesn't she need a 99?"

Noah nodded.

She laughed and I couldn't help but to laugh with her.

"But I'm not playin." My eyes caught hers, "To have the most beautiful girl in Texas sporting my jersey would be an honor."

I had surprised even myself at the words that just came out of my mouth, granted I meant every one.

She smiled at me as she pushed her hair behind her ear, "We'll see about that."

:: Emma's POV ::

"But I'm not playin." JJ's eyes met mine and I felt the butterflies suddenly fighting to escape, "To have the most beautiful girl in Texas sporting my jersey would be an honor."

I wasn't even sure how to react to that. I'm pretty positive he's flirting with me and I knew the smile on my face grew and I could feel my cheeks turning pink.

I pushed my hair behind my ear, "We'll see about that."

Whenever I was nervous I fussed with my hair, it was comforting to me. I guess that's why I chose to keep it so long. As strange as it may sound, it was like a security blanket to me.

JJ threw his head back as he let out a laugh, "Ok... fair enough."

I laughed, he was almost too cute for his own good and as nervous as I felt around him, I also felt extremely comfortable around him. I suppose being nervous around someone you're attracted to is completely natural.

"You ready for the tour?" He looked down at Noah who nodded so intensely I thought his head was going to fall off.

"Can I see the field?" Noah's little voice was so hopeful.

"Of course man. I told you I need help warming up." JJ rubbed Noah's head as he began to lead us into the stadium.

Noah reached up with his little hand and I smiled to myself as I watched it disappear into JJ's. I knew that Noah was experiencing pure bliss right now and I knew how much this meant to him; as a mother, I was so touched. The amateur, mommy photographer in me had to document this with a picture. I stopped walking; letting them get far enough ahead of me to snap the picture I had wanted. The difference in size and height between the two was just so cute.

"You okay back there?"

I looked up from my screen to see JJ and Noah had stopped to wait for me.

"Come on mommy!" Noah called out.

"I'm coming." I smiled satisfied with the way the picture had turned out and slid my phone back into my cross body bag to catch up with the boys.

Noah handed me his football and immediately reached out for my hand. I looked over to see JJ grinning at me and returned the gesture as my hand replaced where Noah's football hand been moments before. I couldn't help but to think that to the untrained eye, we must have looked like a family. Not that I could possibly complain about being mistaken for Mrs. JJ Watt. I had put my love life on hold for so long to focus on Noah, that's what was always the most important to me. His happiness was always going to come before my own; I suppose that's just part of being a mother. But this brief moment I shared with JJ made me think that there's got to be someone out there for me that could potentially complete this readymade family, someone that wants to complete this readymade family. I've encountered so many jerks in my life that I was failing to give any credit to the good guys that are left in this world.

......................................................................................................................................................

:: Emma's POV ::

"Thank you for today." I looked over at JJ as we sat on my front porch, "It meant so much to him."

The smirk on his face was beyond adorable, "He's really a great kid. I love spending time with him."

I nodded; I had to agree with that statement, "He is pretty great."

I was a proud momma and I never got tired of hearing people tell me how great Noah was. As a single mother I did the best I could to raise him and I was so proud to hear my hard work and dedication was paying off.

JJ broke the brief moment of silent that fell over us, "Can I ask what happened with his dad?"

I sighed and took a deep breath. I was dreading this question, but had no problem answering. It only angered me because it constantly reminded me of what a jerk Noah's dad was and how terrible he was for not really caring much about having a relationship with his son.

"You don't have to talk about it. I'm sorry it's not my business." JJ must have sensed my uneasiness.

"No, it's okay." I reassured him, "He was controlling, abusive at times, a drunk... He was sleeping around and always acted like I was too stupid to know about it. I was pregnant with Noah and he was out at the bars all hours of the night with random women. He was never around. I finally got the strength to up and leave when Noah was about 2 months old and I never looked back."

"Damn." JJ shook his head in disbelief, "Does he see Noah at all?"

"Well..." I shrugged then shook my head, "he shows up when he feels like it. It's been nothing but broken promises and let downs and it kills me to see the hurt he goes through and to know that according to the justice system there's not a damn thing I can do about it."

"What about his grandparents? Do they ever see him?"

I shook my head, "No. My parents are the only grandparents he even has a relationship with. Ben's parents don't call or write. Nothing."

JJ leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. I was mentally cursing myself for spilling all that information. Just talking about it made me feel like I was living inside of a soap opera, I'm sure JJ felt like we were a charity case.

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have thrown all of that on you." I apologized, feeling almost foolish for revealing so much.

He turned his head to look at me, his blue eyes landing on me, "No, no... it's okay." He sat up straighter, "I'm just... you and Noah are great Emma. I'm sorry that some idiot didn't see that."

My eyes locked with his and I felt the butterflies in my stomach intensifying. No one had ever said something so sweet. I had to force myself to break our eye contact; I couldn't let myself get too caught up in the moment.

"I should get going. I'd love to get together again..." JJ pulled himself up off the stairs, "if that's okay?"

I nodded, "Of course, Noah would love that. Just give me a call."

"I will."

"Goodnight." I wrapped my arms around myself as I watched him head to his truck.

I wasn't sure what to make of everything. Noah and I had a great time with JJ today, from the football game to our pizza dinner afterwards. I wasn't sure if he had any interest in me at all or if he just wanted to be a mentor to Noah, either way, I was just thankful he had come into our lives.