Long Ball(36)

“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.