Epilogue
Maren– Three years later
“Who is that?” I ask, pointing to the field. “Do you see him?”
I’m standing right behind home plate as Oz walks up to bat. He’s walking up the first base line throwing plates on the ground and watching them shatter as he lip syncs “Breaking Dishes” by Rhianna.
He quickly became a fan favorite in Jersey, and Benni the Bagel has become our new favorite mascot. Rhett loves him when he walks up to the fence and grabs his tiny little hand through the chain link, but today Orbit is giving Benni a run for his money, making Rhett laugh until his face is flush.
But as soon as Ozzie gets close enough for Rhett to see him, he stops laughing and tries to claw his way out of my arms to get to his daddy through the fence. I’d like to say I’m his favorite, but let’s be real, it’s Ozzie.
I only grew him from scratch, spent months making lungs and eyelashes and shit, but Ozzie plays with him, and throws him in the air—and that’s who he wants to cuddle him to sleep at night. He’s a daddy’s boy through and through.
The ball cracks on the bat as Ozzie swings, and the crowd goes wild. A lot has changed over the past three years. The biggest change being that he wears a jersey now, and I can’t say I’m a fan.
“Jax is going to be pissed if that goes over the fence.” Sloan laughs next to me.
I love when we play in Mango Bay. There is nothing better than coming home.
“Yeah, they can argue about it over crab cakes at Ruby’s.” I smile.
You know, the funny thing about coming home is that everything is the same—but nothing is the same at all.
Ruby retired 6 months ago. Closed Second Base, and now Sara runs the bar. It felt weird walking in for the first time without her there, but it’s a lot better enjoying a relaxing meal with her at our table and having her here at the game.
“Give me that baby,” Ruby says, reaching out for Rhett. “Come see MiMi,” Ruby coos at him as she smothers him in kisses.
“You know I think we’re going to skip dinner tonight. We have a special date of our own, and you two need a night without the baby.” She winks. “How else are you going to find the privacy to make me another one of these cuties in that tiny apartment of yours.
Ruby has always been the best mother figure to me, but watching her be the grandmother Rhett deserves is even better.
“I won’t complain about time alone.” I laugh. “But you should come eat first, and then you can have a Mimi night,” I insist
She waves me off, and continues to fuss over my cute little man.
The rest of the game is chaotic. Mango Ball is played the same at each team’s field, but Horner makes games in Mango Bay a whole day event.
The crowd is louder, the music is better, and both teams perform for the crowd, making for quite the atmosphere.
We watch the rest of the game, and when it’s over we are actually able to convince Ruby to join us before taking Rhett home.
It surprises me.
It doesn’t take Ozzie and Jax long after the food arrives to start arguing about who had the better game, despite the Moonshots taking the win.
Everything feels perfect here, except for the fact that Sadie is visiting Beau.
“Ruby, you think Sara will set up bottle service?” Jax says across the table.
“I’m already ahead of you.” Her response is quickly punctuated by Sara bringing over a bottle of whiskey.
Ruby leaves with Rhett shortly after the first shot, and we stay and drink and visit a while longer before heading back to our rental.
Last year we decided that we’d rather be able to have a place to stay here in Mango Bay than upgrade to a bigger place in Jersey, so we still live in the same apartment.
It makes our rental feel like a castle, but Ozzie’s only a few years away from retiring.
Horner already promised him a coaching job with the Moonshots, so it won’t be long before this is our permanent home.
Ever since Rhett was born, my schedule on Broadway felt suffocating, so Oz wasn’t surprised when I put in my notice and decided to stay home, making the idea of moving back here much easier.
We’d already be back if it wasn’t for the fan draft.
They love him in Jersey, so there’s no chance he’ll be traded.
We walk through the door of the rental, and I collapse on the couch.
“Ughhh. This feels so good,” I groan as I fall into the pillows.
“You know what would make it feel even better?” he says, brushing his fingers up and down my arm.
“Sleeping and then having hot shower sex in the morning?” I suggest.
He laughs, but that’s exactly what we do.
Somewhere along the way we settled the urgency with predictability. We still have passionate heated moments, but my favorites are the ones like this, where we know there’s tomorrow.