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I remember it clearly. We spent the day practicing making it from scratch, and I volunteered myself as tribute to test them out.
Would not recommend.
“Not sure I could forget it if I tried.” I chuckle. “I’ll never get the taste of mushy squash out of my mouth.”
“Oh my goodness, August. This one.” She hovers over the photo of her parents and my mom at the hospital with Apollo. I knew she would love that one. They’re crouched around the hospital bed while Tenley’s dad holds Apollo, and our moms hover at his sides, gazing at Apollo with tenderness. “It’s a little part of you and a little part of me. Together in one.”
Emotion fills me. I love this woman so damn much.
“Forever and yesterday. That’s how deep my love runs for you, Tenley.”
With the sweetest of smiles, she draws my palm to her lips and kisses it softly. “Can you believe there are people who go a lifetime without this kind of love?”
“We’re the lucky ones.”
“The luckiest.”
EPILOGUE
TENLEY
7 Months Later
“There’s my little slugger. You’re getting so big. Yes, you are. You’re daddy’s little star. Gotta get you trained. Come on, champ. Let’s go,” August coos at Apollo.
“No. No. What do you think you’re doing?” I stutter, reaching to grab Apollo from the giant man I love. “He’s too little, August. What if he gets hurt out there?”
“Too late. He’s already on the jumbotron, Mama. Gotta give the people what they want.”
“But he’s only nine months old!” I shout, unable to hide the smile sneaking its way across my face.
“Pretty sure I held my first bat at five months. He can handle it,” August tells me, beaming with pride as he shuffles back onto the field with our baby in his arms. “Take pics. Wouldn’t wanna miss a Polaroid memory, would we?”
“Bastard.” I huff, pulling my phone out despite how much I want to run out therewith him.
It’s family day at Makers Park, which served as the green light August needed to introduce Apollo to the game he loves.
Although Apollo has frequented the fields more than the average baby, getting up close to the coveted orange dirt? This is a first.
“He really loves you, you know that?” A deep voice resounds from beside me on the sidelines. My head swivels to meet Briggs’ stare.
“Think so?” I ponder. There’s no doubt in my mind that August loves me, but I’m interested to know why Briggs would say that. Waiting for him to answer, I search for August again, a giddiness stirring inside of me at the sight of Apollo standing at home plate with his daddy behind him for support.
“Know so. It’s good to see him like this. He deserves it.”
“You’ve known August for a long time, huh?”
Briggs nods, watching Bodhi run the bases with Addie and Magnolia on the field. “I have. A lot longer than most of these guys. I like to think I’ve seen what I’m guessing you now see in him for a long time. Fucking hated seeing him labeled as a guy he’s never been.”
“I was wrong, Briggs. I was one of those people who judged him without taking the time to know him. And now, I can’t imagine a world without him in it. Wild turn of events.” I laugh.
“I’d say.” Briggs pulls me in for a hug. “Happy for you guys, TT.”
“Thanks, Briggs. Now, if only we could find you a nice girl to settle down with.”
He tosses his head back with a deep chuckle. “Good luck with that.”
Looking toward the field again, Briggs and I watchas Bodhi crouches behind August in full catcher’s gear while King stands to the side, chanting Apollo’s name. Addie and Magnolia are now twirling in the outfield with their babydolls in tow.
