Epilogue

*5 years later*

Ronan

I knew deep down when I moved to Vancouver, this was the team that could take it all the way. And we did. It might have taken a few years, but here we are, confetti streaming down onto the diamond and deafening cheers and laughter from the fans, players, and staff. Just in time, too, with my retirement from major league baseball finally here.

Every baseball player dreams of a moment like this. As I hoist the championship trophy above my head, my teammates surrounding me, all I feel is a deep sense of accomplishment and excitement for whatever comes next. My years playing professional ball might be over, but I'm ending things with my team in the best possible way.

As champions.

It's been a long season, hell, it always is with close to two hundred games when you include spring training, postseason, and playoffs. We're all looking forward to some time off, possibly no one more than me. Because in two days, Willow and I leave on our traditional trip back to Hawaii where we've gone every year. This time the trip will be even longer, with my mom and our kids flying out a week later to join us. After my girl and I get some much-needed alone time. We started talking about trying for another baby soon, and what better place than Hawaii to make that magic happen?

All it takes is the thought of Willow, round with my baby growing inside of her, and my pulse starts to speed up. Then, as if fate once again knows exactly what I want, the crowd in front of me parts slightly and my gaze lands on the woman I love with every fiber of my being. All of a sudden, my attention isn't on the trophy I'm holding or my teammates. It's on the beautiful brunette with our toddler on her hip and our daughter at her side, walking toward me with tears spilling down her cheeks. My mom is with her, and the sight of them has me smiling almost wider than I did when Rhett slid into home, cinching the win for us. That's my whole world, right there.

Proud doesn't even begin to describe how I feel looking at Willow and our family. She's the most incredible woman, and she's inspiring countless other women to work in sports media. Every year, she's invited to the university to give guest lectures to the business department, and last year she was interviewed by an international magazine for a spread on influential women in sports. My powerhouse of a wife is a wonder, and not a day goes by that I'm not in awe of her. And of the love she freely gives me and our family.

I turn to Maverick, who's standing next to me, and hand him the trophy, slapping him on the shoulder with a grin. Truthfully, we wouldn't be here without him, that's for fucking sure. The way he turned things around four years ago made him a force to be reckoned with on the field. Coming back from his injury stronger, and somehow more grounded, was a privilege to witness. I count him as one of my closest friends now.

He takes the trophy from me just in time for our three-year-old, Jett, to lean out from Willow's hold, making grabby hands at me.

"Dada, you won!"

I take the little guy with a grin. "Sure did, buddy."

Peyton also wraps her arms around my waist. "Congrats, Dad."

"Thanks, Rocket." She's tall enough now that it's easy to bend down and kiss the top of her head, even with Jett in my arms. Next year, she'll hit double digits, and as we hit those tween years, I'm so grateful she has Willow as a mom now. Their bond is strong.

Pulling back, my not-so-little girl gives me an impish grin. "But it's a good thing you're retiring. You're getting slow, rounding the bases in your old age."

Before I can give her crap for that remark, she takes off, over to Monty and Lark.

Willow's soft laugh reaches me as her hand comes to my shoulder, and I turn slightly to face the love of my life.

"Ignore her, babe. You were fast."

I chuckle as I lean in and kiss her forehead. "Nah, she's right. My knees aren't what they used to be."

"Still good enough to win, though."

I nod, and my smile grows. "That's true. We did it."

"Yeah, you did," she replies with a smile, rising up on her toes to kiss me again. Jett's squirming to be let down, but he's a wild one, and in this crowd, there's not a chance I'll let him go free.

"Dada, let gooooo," he protests, breaking Willow and I apart. My beautiful wife just shakes her head and gestures to take him back.

"Here, I'll take him. We'll go join Peyton and Auntie Lark. You've got interviews."

"You're not the head of media relations right this second, Willow, enjoy this moment with your husband. I'll take my grandson," Mom interjects from behind me, and I spin around to pull her in for a hug.

"Mom." My voice cracks as the other woman who has done more for me than I could ever repay her for takes my son. "Thank you."

Two words that don't say near enough, but as always, she gets it. "You're welcome, Ronan, but you don't need to thank me. It's an honour to be your mother and watch the man you've become. I love you, honey." We hug again, then she takes Jett and walks over to Peyton, Lark, and Monty. And finally, I'm alone with my wife. Well, as alone as I can be standing on a baseball diamond full of Tridents and their families.

"I'm so proud of you," Willow says, and just like that, I'm choked up again.

Pulling her into my arms, I hold her tight and just soak in the moment. This day is one I'll never forget. It's in my top ten of all time, for sure. Right up there with signing my first major league contract, Peyton's birth, marrying Willow, and Jett's birth, along with a few other perfect moments in time, all of which include my family.

Because even as I take in the sounds of celebration surrounding us, I know that as amazing as today is, it would be nothing without the woman in my arms.

She's my wife, my family, my everything.

I kiss the top of her head again, and she tilts her head up to meet my lips.

Then, the love of my life says the only words that could make this day go from top ten of all time to top five.

"By the way, I'm pregnant again."