Epilogue
I’m sitting in the stands in Blue Valley, watching Gabe coach the Vipers in his last major league game.
I’m wearing the jersey he gave me with his name on the back.
Glancing down to the field, I drink in the sight of my man in his element.
He looks damn good in baseball pants. Hearing the crack of the bat, the Vipers player hits the ball to the outfield and over to the second baseman.
“Go, go, go!” I scream, jumping up and down.
He runs full speed, touching base right before the first baseman catches the ball.
“Safe!” the umpire calls. The runner on second advances to third.
I sit back down. I’m on the edge of my seat. Blue Valley is playing for the World Series title. If they win this game, they’ll be World Series Champions. I’m so proud of Gabe and his team; they’ve worked hard to get to this point. “Come on, baby,” I mumble under my breath.
“Breathe, Layla,” Cora says, laughing softly, smiling at me. She also wears a jersey, but it’s customized to their last name. Chris and their kid wear matching jerseys, too. It’s adorable.
The next batter steps into the box and I hold my breath.
There are two outs. This can go one of three ways.
He can hit a home run and the game is over or he can get a hit and the runner can try to score.
Or he can strike out, and then the Vipers have to stop them from scoring.
Either way, it’s a nail biter. The opposing pitcher winds up, throwing a curveball.
“Strike one!” the ump calls out as he signals.
Damn. Come on, guys.
The batter steps out and takes a quick practice swing, then steps back into the batter’s box, getting into his stance. The pitcher throws a missile, a fastball this time, and the batter swings and connects. Solidly. Did he… He did! He hit a home run!
“Vipers win!” the announcer cries out. “Vipers have just won the World Series!”
“They did it!” I shout at Cora. “They won!”
“They did it!” Cora cries, jumping up and down with me.
We celebrate along with the rest of the crowd.
And, of course, my eyes go to Gabe, on the field, in celebration with his team.
What a night! And what a way to go out. On top, baby!
Sensing my eyes on him, he looks up and into the stands, his eyes meeting mine.
Smiling, he motions to make my way down to the field.
I do so, but wait just a bit, since he’s with his kids.
I want to make sure he has time with them; they all deserve that.
“I love you,” I mouth. He smiles, his eyes searing into mine. I’m so glad that he’s mine.
I make my way onto the field, and as soon as Gabe spots me, he strides toward me and picks me up. Twirling me around, he seals his lips to mine. “I love you,” he murmurs, for my ears only.
“And I love you.”
“Wait for me?” he asks, referring to when he’ll finally make it home after all the celebrations tonight.
“Always,” I reply softly, tightening my hands around his neck. We’ll be celebrating in our own way later. Of that, I am sure.
Gabe
“We did it. We FUCKING did it!” I whoop, getting in on the celebration in the locker room. What a way to end the season!
“Congrats, Coach!” Nico says, followed by each and every player on the team and every member of the coaching staff.
“Congrats, guys!” I shout, spraying champagne all over them, same as they did to me. They deserve to celebrate. Me? I just want to get home to Layla. But for now, I soak it all in. It’s my last hurrah and I’m going out with a bang.
Once the celebration dies down, I head out to do press. Then, once I do that, Layla is all mine.
“Layla?” I call out, once I’m back at my condo in Blue Valley.
“Right here,” she says, getting up from where she was curled up on the sofa in front of the fireplace.
Standing in front of her, I pull her to me, kissing her like my life depends on it.
“How does it feel?” she asks.
“Like the best feeling in the world.”
She smiles, tugging me down to the sofa. “Easy now,” I tease.
She just shakes her head as I wrap my arms around her. We just lay there, in each other’s arms and it feels so damn good. “This is exactly where I’m supposed to be,” I tell her, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head. “I love you so much, Layla.”
She tilts her head up and locks eyes with me. “I love you, too.”
I’ve been wanting to bring it up, but I wasn’t sure how, or even when, the best time was to ask, so I just go for it.
There’s no time like the present. “What’s next?
” I ask. I still don’t know if Layla wants to get married or not.
Me? I’m fine either way. I’ve already done that and it wasn’t for me.
But for Layla? I might just be open to it.
“What are you asking, Gabe?”
“Uh.” I gulp. I can’t seem to get the words out. “Marriage. Is this something you want to do? Get married, that is.” Wow, real smooth Gabe.
She turns in my arms. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
Am I?
“I will if that’s what you want.” We haven’t even talked about it. Until now.
“Gabe!” she huffs, smacking me lightly on the bicep.
“What?” I ask.
She sits up, softly cupping my bearded cheek. “We don’t need to get married. Unless you want to. I don’t want to pressure you. You’ve been married before, so…”
I kiss her tenderly. “Thank you,” I say softly against her lips. “I’m not at that point yet. But never say never.”
“I feel the exact same way. I don’t need a wedding or a wedding ring to show me our love is real. It just is.”
I deepen the kiss. She’s right. And I spend the next several hours showing how much she means to me.