41. Between The Red Stitching

FORTY-ONE

BETWEEN THE RED STITCHING

Dessa

The next day, Garrett goes to the stadium early to prepare for the game. He's arranged for Melanie and Tori to pick me up at his condo to head to the game this afternoon. I love spending time with both of them. They've become two of my really close friends, and it's nice to have a few friends outside of Garrett.

During the seventh inning stretch, Garrett strolls onto the field, tossing a baseball into the air. He stops where I'm seated and motions for me to come to the railing. I glance at Melanie and Tori and they both shrug, but their knowing smiles tell me they know something I don't. Slowly, I rise from my seat and walk the few steps until I'm at the railing. He motions as if he's going to throw the ball to me, and I nod. He tosses the ball underhand and I raise my hands, catching it between my palms. Glancing down, black marker catches my attention. I rotate the ball and freeze. I repeatedly scan the seven letters, not sure if they're real. Between the red stitching are the words Marry Me. Tears instantly well up in the corners of my eyes. I tear my gaze away from the ball and meet Garrett's staring back at me. Love and adoration written all over his face. This is the man I want to spend the rest of my life with, the one I want to be with. The one I want to start a family with. He's the air I breathe. Every heartbeat in my chest. The only man I want to be with. My lips split into a wide smile, and I nod. An ear-to-ear grin splits Garrett's face. He mouths, "I love you" and I do the same.

He struts to the dugout, and I practically float on cloud nine back to my seat. My fingers run over the soft leather, tracing the letters. When I sit, Melanie and Tori are staring at me, anticipating my answer.

"I said yes." They both squeal with excitement and jump out of their seats, both of them wrapping their arms around me, giving me their congratulations.

For the final two innings, Garrett played amazingly. He even got a two-run home run in the eighth. As he jogs from third base to home plate, he points at me in the stands, a wide grin on his face, and I know that one was for me. The Warblers win nine to five.

After the game, I anxiously wait in the family room for him to finish. I want to wrap my arms around him and tell him yes, one million times yes, in person, but he never comes through the door.

Instead, Joe greets me. "Garrett is requesting your presence on the field." He's silent the whole time as escorts me from the family room to across the stadium. Every time I asked a question he'd either nod of press his lips together.

When I stroll onto the empty field, the only stadium lights on are the ones near home plate where Garrett's waiting for me, in a clean baseball uniform. I turn to Joe, and he motions for me to continue before he turns around and leaves the way we entered.

When I reach the plate, Garrett lowers himself to one knee. My hands fly to cover my mouth. My heart skips a beat and my entire body feels weightless, like I'm going to float away. Even though, I know what he's doing, one can never be prepared for it to actually happen.

Garrett grabs my hand and keeps me grounded.

"I know there are still a few uncertainties in our lives, but one thing I'm certain of is I want to spend the rest of my life with you. We can take this as fast or as slow as you want. The only thing I want is to have you by my side."

Tears well up in the corners of my eyes. Everything he's saying, I want, too.

His thumb brushes over the back of my hand. "I know you don't want to leave everyone in Harbor Highlands, so we can keep your townhouse or buy a house together and stay there during the offseason. Whatever you'd like. I'm here to support you, just as much as you've supported me."

Garrett is my everything, and I'm more than ready to take this leap with him. With him by my side, anything is possible. "Will you just spit the words out already?"

He barks out a laugh. "Always impatient." He clears his throat. "Dessa Marie Mitchell I once asked you to be my girlfriend, but now, I'm asking to be your husband."

His gaze meets mine. Love and adoration fills his irises. The day he strolled into Porter's, I knew my life was never going to be the same. And it turned out to be in the best way possible. Without any hesitation, I answer, "Yes!"

He pulls a diamond ring from his pocket and slides it on my finger. Before he can stand, I wrap my arms around his neck, tackle him to the ground, and crash my lips to his. I pour my entire soul into this kiss so he knows I'm all in. I'll always be all in with him. Through the good games and bad. Through the traveling and the grueling schedule, I'll be by his side. Maybe not always physically, because it's a lot of travel, but I'll be just as supportive of him as he is of me.

With his arms still wrapped around me, holding me to him, he breaks our kiss. "Also, since we're going to be married, I thought you should know I bought a baseball field."

"A what?" My brows knit together.

"Technically it's two. The fields in Harbor Highlands…"

"Shut up! You bought Hillside!"

He nods. "I still need to finalize the paperwork, but yes. Soon, I'll be the proud new owner of a baseball complex."

I scan his face, trying to determine whether he's telling the truth or not. "What are you going to do with it?"

He shifts me as he sits up and sets me on his lap, my legs straddling his. "When you mentioned I should go into coaching after baseball, it got me thinking about what I want to do with my life when I retire, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. Baseball's imprinted in my DNA. Growing up, it was my coaches who inspired me, pushed me, and encouraged me to fall in love with the sport. I would love the opportunity to do that for other kids, and maybe even our own kids one day."

Moisture pools in the corner of my eyes. I want nothing more than to start a family with Garrett. Hell, we can start tonight.

He continues, "Playing baseball won't be forever, but I would still like to be involved and I think this would be an amazing opportunity to do that. I don't want my legacy to be only what I do on the field. Instead, I want it to be what I leave behind in the world. My family, one day our children, and now this baseball complex. Something that lives on for years after I'm gone. Something that helps others."

"Garrett, that's amazing. You're amazing. I love that I get to go on this journey with you. There is no one else in the entire world I'd want as my husband." I clasp his cheeks. "I love you. So much."

"I love you, Tates."