Page 76 of Knox
I cocked my head to the side. “For what?”
“For loving Grady like you do. I’m sure finding out Crew had a son must’ve come as quite a shock to you as well. It would have been easy to cut your losses and bail, but you stuck around. It means everything to me that he’s got another person now who would do anything for him.”
I swallowed around the lump in my throat and wrapped her in a hug. “Thank you for letting me be a part of his life.”
She squeezed me tight, then pulled back and wiped under her eyes. “All right. Let’s get you two married.”
We stood just inside the French doors waiting for Mallory’s signal.
“You ready?” I asked, squeezing Crew’s hand.
He smiled. “I’ve been ready since the moment I proposed.”
Mallory nodded, and we opened the doors. As soon as we stepped outside, the small gathering of family and friends fell quiet.
“There they are,” Grady shouted from the front row and everyone chuckled lightly.
Mallory had rented a wooden arch and had it decorated with twinkling lights and blue and white flowers. Underneath, the officiant waited for us. When we reached her, Crew turned toward me and didn’t let go of my hand.
“Family and friends,” she began, “we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Crew Stratton and Knox Singleton. Through every win and loss, every road trip and return home, they have proven that love is a team sport.”
We both shook with silent laughter, but what she said was true. We’d definitely worked together to get to this point.
“We’re going to keep this short and sweet like the couple requested and start with the vows they’ve prepared for each other. Crew, whenever you’re ready.”
He took a steadying breath. “Knox, you came into my life during a time I was still hiding who I truly was. The way you lived out loud without worry or care about what others thought was inspiring. Our relationship hasn’t always been easy, but I’ll be forever grateful for your love and patience through all the curveballs that have been thrown at us. I promise to never take you or us for granted, to be there for you every day, and to make sure you always know how deeply I love you for the rest of our lives.”
The officiant turned to me. “Knox?”
I held Crew’s hand a little tighter. “Crew, if you’d asked me two years ago if I’d be getting married, I probably would have laughed. But you changed everything the minute I walked into that Rockies clubhouse. You have such a big heart that’s capable of so much love. It’s clear in the way you love your son, your friends and family, and how you love me. I never have to doubt your feelings for me, and I promise to give you the same security and make you feel loved forever. You’re the love of my life, and I’m never letting you go.”
Crew blinked hard, and I had to look up to keep my tears from slipping down my face.
“Do we have the rings?” the officiant asked.
Mallory gently nudged Grady who looked up and shouted, “I have them.” He walked up to us and handed over the two rings his mom had been safeguarding.
Crew smiled at him. “Thanks, buddy.” He held onto my ring and passed me his.
“Knox,” he said, placing the band onto my finger. “With this ring, I promise to stand beside you on and off the field for the rest of our lives.”
Next, I slid the ring onto his finger. “Crew, with this ring, I promise to love you through every inning, every season, for the rest of our game.”
The officiant smiled. “By the power vested in me by the state of Oregon, I pronounce you married. You may kiss your husband.”
I didn’t wait for Crew to make the first move. I tugged him forward, and kissed him like I’d been waiting my whole life to do it in front of everyone.
30
CREW
Knox’s mouthwas warm against mine, and even though I heard the cheers rising behind us as we kissed, I didn’t ease off. Instead, I slid one hand up his chest, cupped his jaw, and kissed him deeper until I felt the shift in his breathing. When I finally pulled back, I didn’t let go right away. I pressed our foreheads together and kept him close, every nerve in my body buzzing from what had just happened.
We were married.
We turned and walked back down the aisle, past the wildflowers Grady had scattered over the white runner. Our guests got to their feet, cheering as we stepped away from the arch.
The sun had started to drop through the trees, casting long shadows across the grass. That warm mid-July light touched everything, and I felt as though I was living a dream. The golden rays soaked into the chairs, the flowers, the familiar faces I didn’t always get to see together in the same place. For a second,it felt like time had slowed around us, but all I could focus on was my husband beside me.
