“Cora? Are you kidding? I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”
She smiles at me and shoulders her bag. “You’ve got it bad. You’ve both got it bad.”
Megan’s got it bad. I know she does, but it’s nice to hear it. “I really appreciate it, Kate.”
“She’s my best friend. Anything for her.”
11
Off days are always great, but today is extra special. Today is the start of a new chance, a new life. I can feel it in my bones. Add to it that I scored the winning run last night, and I’m on top of the goddamn world.
As long as everything goes to plan. And I’m nervous as hell.
I check my hair seventy-seven times and practice what I’m going to say twice as many times as that. This is worse than my first year in the draft, but better at the same time. That day, so many years ago, I thought it was the beginning of my life out on that field.
I was wrong. That day is today.
A bottle of Jack Daniels is calling me for liquid courage, and I almost, almost give in. But then I think about Shelbie, about our first night together in the club, how alcohol got us into this stupid mess, and I reshelf the bottle.
Kate promised Megan would be waiting for me. It’s all I can think about, regardless of the traffic and the absurd parking situation. She’s waiting for me. She may not know that’s who she’s waiting for, but she’ll be there. I just have to not screw it all up.
No pressure or anything.
I see her before I’m out of the car, and she’s stunning in her jeans and t-shirt. She was wrong, I don’t have a type that’s all heels and skin-tight dresses. My type is Megan; in whatever she’s wearing. Even today, just like this, she outshines everyone else around her. After a few deep breaths, and double checking my pocket for the millionth time, I grab the enormous bouquet of roses and begin my walk of penance.
Megan sees me almost immediately. She looks around, almost confused, as if she’s not the only person in the world I want to see. A few people take notice of what’s going on and they start pointing. Megan flushes bright red and she’s so beautiful. Embarrassed, angry, elated, it doesn’t matter how she’s feeling, she’s always as bright as the sun to me.
“I love you.” I say as I walk, not caring that the entire world sees or hears. “I love you more than the sun loves the sky.”
Megan is already wiping away tears. She’s crying and then I’m crying. I collapse to one knee, not bothering to wipe away the tears. I want her to see them. I want her to really see how important she is to me.
“Megan, you are everything to me. You are the sun, the stars, and the moon. You are the first thing I think about when I wake up, the last thing I think about when I fall asleep. You are my drive on the field, the reason I get up every day and try to be a better man.” I hand her the flowers and pull the ring box out of my pocket.
“Oh shit.” Megan whispers.
“I know I looked like an idiot. I know you thought I was going to be like everyone else. But I’m not, Megan. I want to be your husband, your lover, and your best friend. I want to be Cora’s dad for the rest of my life. I want to kiss her good night and kiss you good morning. I want to spend every away game counting down my hours until I see your sweet face. I want you to be by my side for the rest of my life.”
“But you…” she trails off.
“I’m not saying these things to get you to forgive me. I’m saying these things because I mean them, because I need you in my life. Megan, my life was meaningless before you two entered it. I drank too much, partied too much, bounced from girl to girl, always looking for something and never finding it. You are my home. You are my forever. My vows mean everything to me, and I vow to love and cherish you for the rest of my life.”
“You can’t be serious,” she whispers.
“I know you feel it, too, Megan.” Around us, people have cleared a circle. I spy a few phones out, people recording or taking pictures. It’s incredibly romantic in front of these huge fountains, which is exactly why I picked this spot. “From the moment we reunited, we have been like lightning shooting across the sky. Only, this isn’t temporary. This isn’t something we hit and quit. We are intense because we belong together. We are powerful because we belong together. We light up the sky because you are by my side.”
I crack open the box. It’s a 1.5 carat solitaire, bright and shining just like my gorgeous Megan. It could have been bigger, but those didn’t feel right. Megan isn’t flashy and expensive. Megan is hometown comfort in sweatpants and beers on the back deck. Megan is my abuelito’s arepas instead of a five course dinner. She’s perfect.
“You are everything important in my life, and everything I’ve ever needed. Please, Megan, make me the happiest man in the entire world and be my wife, from now until the end of eternity. Will you marry me?”
When I meet Megan’s eyes, I know we’ll be together for the rest of our lives before she says anything. And yet, when she finally whispers, “Yes”, I’m so happy I jump to my feet whooping and nearly fall into the fountains.
She’s laughing, pulling me out of the way of the water, and we finally, for the first time in over two weeks, kiss. It’s like planets colliding in that moment. The world stops turning and time stops spinning and the only thing in that moment is her and me, together.
Applause and cheers from all around us break us out of the spell. We kiss again and Megan stares at me with a sense of awe. “I love you,” she whispers.
“I want to marry you today.”
She spits out a laugh and looks at me like I’m crazy. “Today? Are you insane?”
“Yes and yes!” I spin her around just in time to see Kate, Cora, and her parents making their way through the Plaza.
“Is that my….” Megan turns to look at me, tears spilling down her face.
“I called them yesterday, asked them to come down. Told them it was a special occasion. Your dad is a really nice guy.”
“Mommy!” Cora squeals and runs for us. She embraces us both and shakes my hand. “Did she say yes?”
I can’t answer because the smile on my face is too big and my heart feels like it’s going to explode. She hasn’t let go of my hand, even to pick up Cora, but I still can’t believe, after everything, this woman agreed to marry me.
We are meant to be together. I always knew this. But now it’s really going to happen, and it’s almost too much to take in.
“Jamie.” A gruff man who reminds me of every single Nebraskan cowboy I’ve ever met sticks out his hand. Megan looks just like him. His face is lined and fierce, but he’s blinking back tears. “This is the only time you’re ever allowed to make my little girl cry; you understand?”
“I would never dream of it.” His grip is firm, but his expression softens as he embraces Cora and Megan together. Her mother pulls me into the group for an enormous hug and it hits me—this is my new family. All of us, together.
The only thing that would make this day better would be if my family could be here. My mom made me swear to Skype with them later and Camila swore she’d be down as soon as she finished an interview. She offered to move it, but I wouldn’t let her. It’s time she pursued her own dreams. We have the rest of our lives to come together as a family.
Everyone is clustered around, talking and hugging and laughing. Cora leaps into my arms and kisses my cheek. I have never felt this content, not ever. Not even when I got called up to the majors for my first game with the Royals. Not even after my first major league home run. This tops everything.
“I know it’s not the same with Scott deployed and my family not here.” I kiss Megan on the top of her head and pull her close. “But you’ve spent too many years being a family without me, doing this alone. I don’t want you to go another minute without knowing I’m right here. That I love you both more than I’ve ever loved anything. That I’ll never stop.”
Her smile is brilliant. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
A limo pulls up and we all pile in. I
refuse to tell Megan where we’re going, and instead just sit back, Cora in my lap, and watch everyone laugh and talk and cry and cheer in the car. It’s still hard to believe and I want to memorize every single second.
We pull into a tiny stone chapel hidden in a nearby park. Megan’s jaw drops. “Pilgrim’s chapel? I’ve always wanted to get married here!”
Kate catches my eye and I wink at her. “I know.”
The chapel is old stone covered in ivy, with incredible acoustics and old wooden pews. It’s perfect. The wooden doors creak open and out walk Kemp and Ally, grinning ear to ear. Megan points to them.
“Jamesy!” Kemp tackles me and pulls me into a bear hug.
“You told me you wouldn’t be able to make it!” I throw a punch at his arm and laugh. “You son of a bitch!”
“Like I’d ever miss this. Are you kidding? We flew up from Phoenix this morning.” Kemp straightens his suit and extends a hand out to Megan. “It’s so nice to finally meet the woman who changed this man’s life.”
“Told you so,” I tell Megan.
She blushes and I kiss her again because I can’t help myself and I never want to stop myself from doing so ever again. Everyone around us cheers and Cora covers her eyes, screaming, “Ew!” She doesn’t sound upset.
“Who is this darling little thing?” Kemp says loudly, interrupting us.
Something like fatherly pride fills me up. “Kemp, Ally, this is Cora, my daughter.”
“Hi Cora!” Ally drops down to her knees and shakes her hand. “Are you excited about today?”
“Today is going to be the best day ever!” She claps.
It really is. I hug Megan tight and whisper in her ear, “I’ll see you soon, my love.”
“I don’t have anything to…” Her voice drops when Kate hands her a garment bag. “You really thought of everything, didn’t you?”
“I wanted today to be perfect.”
She kisses me sweetly and I don’t want to let her go. “It’s absolutely perfect.”
Megan scoops up Cora and they disappear into the old stone cottage with the rest of the girls. Her parents hold hands as they walk into the chapel, something that reminds me of my parents back home. Something I look forward to doing many, many years from now.
“Too early for a celebratory cigar?” Kemp pulls two from his jacket pocket and waves them around. “Maybe after?”
Ally pats us both on the shoulders and heads towards the house. “I’m going to go do her hair. You boys have fun.”
We light up the cigars without a word and stand quietly, looking over the manicured grounds. Nothing could top this, nothing. My best friend is here. My daughter and future wife are inside. It’s perfect.
“You never got the DNA test, did you?” Kemp finally says.
I shoot him a look and he shrugs. “Didn’t need to.”
“Atta boy.”
We finish our cigars, talking about ball in Phoenix and the run for postseason ball at Kauffman. It’s like the old days, except now we’re married men with families. It’s great.
It takes a million years, but we’re all finally settled into the chapel with the officiant and an organist. This place really is beautiful. Megan has excellent taste.
Of course she does. She’s marrying me, isn’t she?
Our party hardly makes a dent in the small room, but it feels full with love and excitement. The organist transitions into Here Comes the Bride and my heart stops as the doors open. Megan is heartbreakingly beautiful in a purple dress that hugs every curve without being too scandalous. She outshines the sun. Next to her, holding on to her hand for dear life while grinning so hard she looks like she might shatter, Cora skips down the aisle next to her in a poofy pink dress and a tiny tiara. She looks every bit the part of a perfect little princess. My perfect little princess.
Kemp nudges me a little as I brush away a tear, but he’s all smiles. “I’m proud of you,” he whispers.
My girls are finally by my side. I pick up Cora and kiss her gently on the cheek. She hugs me tight and whispers, “I’m so glad you’re going to be my daddy.”
It takes everything in me to not collapse into a puddle of tears. I’m normally the guy who has his shit together, who never gets sentimental, but these girls have unlocked a whole new part of me. It’s terrifying, but it’s also wonderful.
The ceremony is a blur. I can barely pay attention to the officiant because I’m staring into Megan’s beautiful, tear-filled eyes. She whispers, “I love you” and I decide that’s something I’ll never get tired of hearing, ever.
“I love you more,” I whisper back.
Kemp nudges me again and laughter fills the room. I blink, and the officiant is staring at me, a knowing smile on his face.
“This is the most important part.” The officiant winks at me. “Jamie, do you?”
“I do, forever.”
“Megan, do you?”
She smiles so bright. “I do, forever.”
“What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. I know pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
I take Megan’s hands and I kiss her tenderly, loaded with every promise I made her. She kisses me back with more fire, and I know she’s promising me the same.
The officiant announces us at Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Bonilla and bells ring as the three of us—Megan, Cora, and me—make our way down the aisle together, everyone cheering us on.
This is the absolute best day of my life.
12
The high pitched sound of a fork against a crystal glass rings out in the air. I frantically search for my wife—my wife!—and find her across the table, laughing with her parents. She catches my eye and smiles brightly, meeting me in the middle of the table for a kiss. Everyone claps, except Cora, who continues her chorus of “Ew!”, despite looking very happy about everything.
Our entire dinner goes just like that: dancing between tables, stolen kisses, and my tiny daughter squealing and hiding behind splayed fingers when she isn’t curled up in my lap. The best day of my life keeps getting better.
Saying goodbye to everyone is bittersweet, but they all promise to stick around one more night and watch the game against the Rangers tomorrow. Coach Halstead hooks us up with a few tickets on the house to celebrate our union, throwing in an, “I knew something was up your ass, Bonilla. Why didn’t you just tell me it was a woman? It’s always a goddamn woman.”
“Eh, Coach likes you.” Kemp punches my arm and escorts Ally into a cab. “Hit a long ball for me tomorrow, asshole. I flew a long way for this.”
“The limo’s waiting.” I slide my arm around Megan’s waist and kiss her cheek. “Are you ready to go? I need to make an honest woman out of you. Consecrate the marriage and all that.”
Already, I’m fantasizing about removing this dress and seeing the creamy skin underneath. It’s been entirely too long since I’ve had her between the sheets, and now is even more special.
Megan swats at me, but beams bright red. “Mom has Cora in the bathroom. I’ll go get them.”
“Well done.” Kate slides next to me as Megan disappears into the restroom. “I’m very impressed by all of this. Getting her parents here was a nice touch.”
“I would have loved to have everyone here, but I’m sure we’ll plan a big celebration in the offseason, when I can fly up my parents. Maybe even honeymoon in Venezuela. My abuelita would love her. I just couldn’t spend one more day without her by my side.”
“What’s one more day if you have forever?”
I cock my head to the side to get a better look at her, the best friend who made this all happen. She’s got a hint of bitterness around the edges, so I hug her. “When you find the one, you don’t want to wait for forever. You want it to start as soon as you open your eyes.”
“Humph.” Kate returns the small hug and edges away to get her purse. “You know; you still owe me.”
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten. Edwards will be waiting for you after the game to
morrow night.”
Her face splits into a grin. She slowly nods. “You’re all right, Jamie.”
We have a small block of rooms at one of my favorite hotels downtown. Two very comfortable rooms in the main block for Megan’s parents and Kate, who graciously agreed to babysit Cora for the evening. It’s my favorite place because not only is it incredibly luxurious, but it’s comfortable. The staff treats Cora like a princess and everyone showers us with congratulations as soon as we walk in the doors. It’s like the party never ends. Not to mention, I don’t think Megan has ever stayed in a place as nice as this, and it feels amazing to give her that gift. Yes, as a professional baseball player, I’m going to be gone a lot. One hundred and sixty-two games a year is substantial and doesn’t include spring training in Arizona. But where I lack in time with my girls, I can make up with giving them the best possible life. My absurd contract means nothing without having someone to share it with, that much is clear now.
“Welcome to the family.” Megan’s mom, Denise, hugs me tight. “We are so grateful you called us, Jamie. This is a family to be proud of.”
I squeeze Megan’s hand and feel myself getting choked up again. “I couldn’t ask for a better one.”
“You are pretty lucky,” Megan teases. “But I think Cora and I are luckier.”
“Maybe it’s a tie, then.”
“Smart man.” Her dad, Roger, claps a hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “You two have fun tonight.”
“Roger!” Denise shoos him inside their room. “Enough of that. Go, you two. Enjoy the rest of your wedding night!”
They close the door and I sneak a full grab of Megan’s firm ass. Oh, we will enjoy. But first, we need to tuck in Cora, because I promised I would every night I was home and able, and I would never fall down on that promise on the very first night.
“These beds are the jumpiest beds I have ever seen!” Cora leaps from one bed to the next while Kate is buried in her phone. I hope it’s Edwards, and judging by the smile on her face, I’m probably right. Cora suddenly flops down and stares at us, looking a little upset. “Am I not supposed to jump on the beds?”
Long Ball: A Secret Baby Sports Romance Page 11