Chapter 54
Chapter Fifty-Four
ECHO
May 2015
T oday is our championship tournament and I’m one nervous mom. I pull into the parking lot early, hoping to get us good seats as people come and go during the games. I see Dustin’s Blazer and it surprises me that he’s beat me here. I send Dylan off with his glove to find his team, and I grab his ball bag out of the back. I stand at the bottom of the stands, trying to determine which dugout our boys will be in so I can sit his bag down.
“Echo.”
“Echo.”
“Echo.”
“Echo.”
“Echo.”
“Echo.”
“Echo.”
Different voices say my name at different octaves like they are in fact trying to mimic the sound of an echo. I swirl around and search the stands. Taking up the entire row at the very top sits Dustin, Dax, Lynsie, Dustin’s parents, and my parents. They’re all wearing the same shirt that I can only imagine Dustin’s mom made. My heart is so happy it could burst. I run up the stairs two at a time, making my way to Dustin first. I throw my arms around his neck, and he quickly wraps his around my waist.
“I know this is for our son. But you don’t realize how much it means to me and how much it’s going to mean to him.”
“I would move the ends of the earth to make you both happy. I hope you know how much you mean to me.” His voice shakes. I lean back just enough to look deep into the green eyes I’ve loved my entire life.
“How’d I get so damn lucky?” I say before crashing my lips into his. All I want to do is deepen the kiss and weld myself to this man. That’s why I’ve held back for as long as I could because I knew one kiss would never be enough.
“I’m the lucky one,” he says, pulling away, and I’m thankful he had the strength to do so.
“Finally,” Dax says, dragging each syllable out. We all laugh because yes, fin-a-lly.
Lynsie smacks his arm. “Like you’re one to talk.”
“Hey, Ma!” Dylan hollers from near the dugout.
“What?” me and Jill say in unison. We look at one another and laugh. Something I never thought we’d do. In fact, us all being here together is something I never thought would happen. Then my gaze returns back to the man who put it all together. And as if my heart wasn’t filled with enough love for him, it grows even more.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” His hand grips my waist, holding me tighter.
“Because I’m ridiculously in love with you, Dustin Ryan Adams.” I smile brightly at him, unable to deny or hide my feelings any longer.
“You did it, Dad!” Dylan hollers as they wait to take the field.
“Whatdya do?” I ask.
“I won ya back.”
“I’ve always been yours,” I admit.
“I know.” He leans down and kisses me once more. “There’s much more where that came from, but right now, it’s time to cheer on our son.”
AS WE’RE HUGGING everyone bye, Dax whispers in my ear, “Before I go, I need your input.”
When we’re far enough from the others, he begins pacing back and forth before stopping in front of me. “Will Lynsie hate me if I never propose?”
His question shocks me.
“Umm, is this a trick question?”
“Okay, let me reword that. I know Lynsie wants to marry me, so with that being a known fact, can I just skip the proposal part and go straight for the tying the knot part?”
“Oh.” I let out a sigh of relief. “You had me worried. So, like, instead of a surprise proposal, have more of a surprise wedding?”
A slow smile spreads across his face, showcasing a few of the similarities he and his brother share, such as the sharp jawlines. Though Dax doesn’t have the dimples and it’s a real injustice. “You are brilliant, Echo.” He bear hugs me, lifting me off my feet.
“You two have some explaining to do.” I hear as Dustin makes his way over. I giggle, peering over Dax’s shoulder.
Dustin approaches, wearing a humorous expression, and crosses his arms as he leans back against my car. “Enlighten me to what I just stumbled upon.”
“Well, big brother.” Dax strides up to Dustin and places his hand on his shoulder. “We have a wedding to plan. Will you be my best man?”
“Well, duh. But when did you even get engaged?”
“That’s exactly why Dax showed up,” I explain. “He wants to skip that part.”
“You must be pretty damn confident, bro.”
“Well, duh,” Dax shoots back. “I wouldn’t be building a life with her if I wasn’t. That’d be a waste.”
“Then why the rush?” Dustin asks.
“Because my girl is ready to make it official, and I’m in the business of making her happy,” Dax says matter-of-factly.
“Okay, so what all do you want and how long do I have to get this together?”
“We,” Dustin corrects me, and I look over, raising a brow. “How long do we have to get this together, Dax?”
“I’m thinking next month.” Dax hugs me again and gives me a spin. His giddiness apparent. “You’re the best.”
“Ahem.” Dustin fake coughs behind me.
“Oh, hush and just stay back there looking pretty. We both know who’s going to be doing the work.” Dax’s words make me giggle.
“I’ll show you pretty,” Dustin mumbles.
Dax walks off and Dustin pushes himself off my car and walks over to me.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, tipping my chin up, forcing me to look at him.
I let out a breath. “I got?—”
“We,” he corrects.
I smile and roll my eyes. “We’ve got two weeks to pull this off.” I bite my lip with worry. “What did I just commit to? What if I can’t get everyone there?”
“I think this just means you and Dylan need to come home now. You know, so we can plan this wedding.” He winks.
“Is that the only reason?” I raise a brow, urging him.
“No.” He pushes my hair behind my ear then glides his thumb across my cheek. His eyes hold mine with such an intense desire, freezing me in this moment. “I’m ready to have my life within arm’s length at all times.”
“Wow, that sounds very clingy-ish, Dustin.” I tease, gripping his hips with both hands, pulling him closer to me.
He smiles and what a glorious site it is showcasing my favorite dimple in the world.
“Honey, arm’s length is the PG version of my clingy-ness. If it was up to me, I’d be conjoined to you for the rest of eternity, but since we have a son to raise that’s not an option.”
“Speaking of Dylan.” I look around the parking lot, seeing the last of the cars pull out.
“He went with your parents. I hope you don’t mind. I just wanted to have you to myself for the night.”
“Oh,” I say, feeling a bit shy suddenly. Or maybe it’s the butterflies fluttering that have me speechless.
“Yes.” He wraps his arms around me, pulling me flush against him. His mouth hovers so close I can feel his breath teasing my lips. “I want to be clingy with you tonight.” He admits, before his lips lightly press against mine. It’s not needy and rushed. The kisses are slow and deliberate as we etch the feeling to our memory. But they've never left. No matter how hard either of us tried, we've never been able to escape the memories of each other.
The last of the field lights shuts off and Dustin pulls away. His eyes are wide with excitement as a big grin covers his bearded face, reminding me I still need to give it a good tug. “I have a surprise for you.” He can barely contain himself as he grabs my hand, pulling me behind him.
Once we are away from the parking lot, the only thing lighting our path is the big full moon above us. It’s like it’s a beacon, beckoning us. I don’t ask where he’s leading me because I’d follow him blindly anywhere. We are almost to outfield when I notice the pallet of blankets on the grass. I throw my hand over my mouth. He didn’t do what I think he did.
“Dustin.” I say in awe.
“You haven’t even seen the best part.” He hunches down in front of me. “Giddy up, pretty lady.”
“I mean, you on the ground in front of me is a nice view.” I jump on his back and hold onto him.
“I’m about to give you a nice view.” He glances back and winks.
I rest my head on his shoulder and take in the closeness of being wrapped around his body. We come to a stop and I take it as my cue to slowly slide down. I stand at his side and intertwine my hand in his. I look up and lean against him. The most beautiful canvas hangs above us with all the stars scattered about.
“Ahem.” He interrupts me.
I finally look out in front of us. I take a few steps and drop to my knees. “This isn’t—I touch the telescope and look it over—this can’t be the same one.”
“I told you you’re present would always come with me in tow.”
I jump to my feet and spin around to face him. I step up to Dustin, wrapping my hands around his biceps as I hold his stare. My eyes start to gloss over from the overwhelming emotion I’m unable to control and I’m incapable of forming words. I begin shaking my head and he grabs my chin, tilting my face up to his. He leans his forehead against mine and we just stand like this momentarily…no words needed.
“I know.” He says before kissing my forehead. “Now go find our constellation.”
I bounce up and down a few times before turning away from him. I stare out into space for what feels like eternity. I could never get tired of God’s majesty that surrounds us.
“It’s gorgeous. Wanna look?” I peel my eye away and look over at Dustin who is sitting on the pallet of blankets, watching me intently.
“I’ve been staring at the night sky the last thirteen years to feel closer to you. Now that you’re here with me there’s nothing more beautiful I’d rather stare at.”
I walk the short distance to where he sits and straddle him. He groans from the pressure and tightly wraps his arms around me. I let my fingers trace the side of his face, pushing back his loose hair.
“I want to kiss every scar.” I lightly press my lips to his temple and trail kisses down to where they disappear beneath his beard.
“That’s a lot of kisses.” He shivers and pulls me in tighter. The motion causes me to gasp. “Echo.” His voice is raspy with need. “I’m not going to be able to control myself with you sitting on me like this.”
“I want you to lose control.” I whisper in his ear.
“Say no more,” He lays us down, rolling on top of me. I look up and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more beautiful view in my life. Dustin’s face looking down at me with such love and adoration with the sky above encasing it.