Page 129 of Home Run

“No, they were surprisingly understanding. It probably helped that you collapsed on live television.”

“Oh no,” she groaned, dropping her face into her hands. “If they lose tonight then you’re going tomorrow if I have to drive you myself.”

I wasn’t going to tell her it would be a few weeks before she’d be doing anything.

The Lions didn’t lose.

For the first time in history The New York Lions had won the World Series.

I suspected if I looked out of the window I could probably see the black and gold glitter being fired from the canons.

On the television right now, Jupiter Reeves was lifting the Commissioner’s trophy into the air – the crown of gold flags glinted in the lights of the stadium.

The game had been textbook – we’d definitely had much more exciting ones this season - and the Yankees had seemed a step behind all night. In the end we were too strong for them.

For three hours Millie’s room had been a thoroughfare of doctors and nurses popping their heads around the door to find out the score, only to stay until they were paged. The other draw to Millie’s room had been Holiday parked up on the couch watching with us and since she’d gone home this place had been much quieter.

“You should have been there.” Grumbled Millie for the fiftieth time.

“I’ll be there next year.” I replied, just like I had every time.

I couldn’t even say I was mad I’d missed it when I got to be here with Millie and the bump. Though I’d have preferred to have watched it at home.

“And next year Brady will be watching with us.” I grinned.

“He will, cheering his daddy on.” She replied, as her hand eased into mine and squeezed. “Hey Tan, ask me the question.”

My eyes flicked away from the screen where baseball analysts were dissecting the past season.

“What?”

“Tanner, ask methe question.” She pressed, though I had no idea what she was talking about.

“What question?”

“The one you always ask me.”

It must have been the lack of sleep, because it took me a second. Then a huge smile spread across my face, “Hey Mills, you fall in love with me yet?”

She nodded, her eyes twinkling as her smile grew. “Yes, Tanner I did.”

“You bet your ass you did.”

“And you still don’t care about being conventional?”

I shook my head, “Nope. Don’t care one bit.”

“Okay, then I have a question.”

“Oh really? What?” I asked.

She was silent for a moment and all I could hear was the sound of the sports reporters discussing Penn Shepherd’sstory, the journey of the club, and what an incredible achievement it was for everyone involved.

I was about to ask her what she wanted to ask me, but then she spoke.

“Will you marry me?”

EPILOGUE

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