“I love you, Mrs. Bailey.”
“Ah, I like the sound of that, Mr. Bailey.”
I set her down, only for us to be mobbed by our friends. When I catch a glimpse of Wes, he’s wiping at the tears falling down his face. I didn’t know how much of a part Ainsley would ask him to play in the ceremony, but I’m glad he walked her down the aisle, especially since Stella couldn’t be here.
We walk down the aisle, pausing when we get to the end. Fans clamor in front of us to get pictures. This is the least I can do for interrupting their vacation. When more questions are sent our way, Daisy takes it upon herself to answer on our behalf. I don’t remember what Ethan says she does for work, something in publicity, though, so I’m confident in her ability to help us.
The Disney staff shows up, guiding us through the crowd and into City Hall on Main Street, where we officially sign our marriage certificate. Watching Ainsley sign her name with my last name does something to me, and it’s hard to explain, but one thing I know for sure is that there won’t be that many moments that will top it.
It’s with heavy heart that we bring you this news.
One-time Manager Cal Diamond has passed away due to injuries he sustained in a car accident on the Tobin Bridge. Eyewitnesses reported seeing Diamond’s car slam into the jersey barrier, head on, and did so without an attempt to swerve. It’s being speculated that he suffered a massive heart attack behind the wheel. Fortunately, no one else was injured.
Diamond retired suddenly earlier this season due to health-related issues. At the time of his death, he was waiting for heart surgery. It is unknown why the surgery had been put off.
Our hearts go out to the Diamond family.
Tonight’s game has been postponed.
The BoRe Blogger
Epilogue
Cooper
“Are you sure you’re able to travel? Dr. Chen seemed to think that you’d go early.” Ainsley rolls her eyes as she walks away from me. I’ve had a few injuries in my life, but none of them can even begin to compare to the amount of discomfort she’s in. She’s three weeks away from her due date, her back is arched—and not because I’m giving her pleasure—and she waddles. Bainbridge tried to demonstrate this pregnancy walk, but Ainsley’s puts his attempts to shame.
“I’m fine,” she yells out from the babies’ nursery. I follow her into the room, which is done in soft yellows, blues, and pinks. The room is a hodgepodge of baseball, butterflies, and teddy bears, and topped off with an abundance of love. Two large pictures hang on one wall, each of our mothers. We want the twins to know that, if they were here, the babies would be loved and spoiled beyond belief. Not that Ainsley and I don’t plan to spoil them ourselves.
Ainsley messes with the clothes we plan to bring the twins home in, folding and refolding them, pausing every few seconds to rub her back. We’re supposed to leave for Florida later this afternoon to go tie up some loose ends with her mother’s estate and to see Stella, but I’m second-guessing whether Ainsley should travel or not.
I go to her and start massaging her shoulders. Her neck falls to the side, and she moans, sending a jolt of electricity right to my cr
otch. We haven’t been able to be intimate in about a month. She’s pleased me in other ways, but I haven’t been able to do the same for her, and I hate it.
“Hmm,” I hum into her neck. Her skin blazes under my touch, something that hasn’t gone away. I love how she’s always so responsive to me, even when she’s angry because of something I’ve said or done. I work the kink out in her neck, hoping that this will make her feel better.
“Do you want me to help you pack?”
She nods, leaning back into my embrace. Taking her by her hand, I lead her back to our bedroom and sit her down on the bed.
“Are you sure Dr. Chen said this was okay?” I ask again. It’s not that I don’t trust her. I’m finding it hard to believe that someone this pregnant can fly. “I really think we should cancel this trip, babe.”
“I have to go. The new buyers want to close early.”
“I get that, but Stella can do it. You can transfer power of attorney to her.” It’s taken longer than anyone expected for her mother’s condo to sell, and when a suitable offer finally came in, Ainsley made plans to go back to Florida to complete the sale.
“I know. I just wanted to see Stella.”
I get down on my knees and position myself between her legs. With my hands on her hips, I try to massage her muscles there as well. “Stella will be here when the babies arrive. She’s promised you that. I haven’t known her long, but she’ll keep her word. Plus we’ll be back in Fort Myers in two and a half months. I think you’ll end up going only six weeks without seeing her.” Leaning forward, I kiss her bulging belly, holding my lips there as long as possible.
I can’t wait to meet the twins. For the past few months, they’ve been so active, causing Ainsley to be nauseated, that I really want this pregnancy to be over for her. She’s been a trooper, never complaining and never missing a game after the All-Star break. She and Daisy have even become close.
The Renegades’ front office threw a joint baby shower for Ainsley and Hadley. Ainsley was so starstruck that she fumbled through opening her presents and was more interested in seeing what Hadley was getting. Unlike us, Ryan and Hadley don’t know what they’re having. They decided to wait until the baby’s birth and be surprised.
For me, I’m happy that we know, especially since we’re having twins. Planning for one baby is hard enough, but when you’re planning for two, you need all the help you can get. The twins are stocked up on winter wear, diapers, bottles, and those damn sucky things that that look like odd-shaped nipples.
Buying everything in double was easy. The hard part was buying their clothes. Every outfit I wanted was something to do with the Renegades, but Ainsley put her foot down, saying the kids needed to be able to branch out with other teams. I told her as long as it’s New England football, basketball, hockey, and baseball, we’re okay. The last thing I want is to be ribbed by fans because my kids are wearing some other baseball team, although the twins have received numerous outfits and blankets from my peers all with their team’s logos. I reminded them that their time will come when I thanked them.