Page 225 of Force Play
“Te amo, Ari.”
“Nado saranghae, Lucia.”
We slowly sway to the song now without saying a word, basking in each other’s company and enjoying the time we’re spending together.
I can’t believe how much has changed in such a short amount of time.
I moved in with Ari in the middle of December, and we could barely tolerate being in the same room together.
Just over six months later, we’re dancing at the Stars Charity dinner, where we soft-launched our relationship. We haven’t come out to say anything, but pictures are worth a thousand words, and all the pictures from tonight will show the way Ari looks at me with so much love in his eyes.
I can’t believe we’re here, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
For the rest of my life, I want to be in Ari’s arms while I get to love him out loud.
We’ll grow our family, and our love will only grow with that.
At thirty-one, I was afraid I’d never find the love I’d been so desperately searching for.
At thirty-two, I realize all I had to do was open my eyes and see Ari Morgan for who he truly is: the most incredible, loving man I’ve ever known.
Knowing that he wants to go through life with me just makes me the luckiest woman in the world.
Epilogue - Ari
Four and a half months later…
“How are you guys all feeling?” Lucia asks, looking around at our friends.
“I just want us to win this time,” I laugh.
Cole slaps a hand on my shoulder. “Still desperately searching for that World Series pennant, eh, Morgan?”
“You guys did it without me before.Againstme before. I’m not sorry that I want to be part of it this time.”
“I want Daddy to win again!” Sage jumps up, and Lane scoops her into his arms.
“Daddy wants to win again, too, Lovebug,” he smiles. “This time you’ll even be old enough to remember it.”
Harlow laughs. “She danced with Aunt Rory and Aunt Lo in the box when you guys took the pennant three years ago. Sure, she wasn’t even two yet and had no clue why we were celebrating, but she was still there.”
“And Mommy will be there, too!” she claps, and Olive beams at her.
“I sure will, sweet girl! We’re going to cheer so hard for Daddy today.”
“Will Ella be cheering for her Baby Daddy?” Josh asks playfully.
Ella rolls her eyes. “Do not call yourself my Baby Daddy. But get the win, and we can tell the baby all about what a great player Daddy is when we can evict them from my womb.”
Josh kisses her temple. “You’re due next week, Ell. It won’t be long now.”
“So help us get the win and avoid game seven, Garro,” Knox says, “and all your child’s uncles and aunts will sing your praises.”
“Maybe the excitement of a win will finally put me in freaking labor,” Ella grumbles, and Lucia throws her arms around her best friend.
“Babe will be here when they’re ready.”
“You, Rory, and Lo will all understand my pain one day, you know.”
