Page 55 of Batter Up!

“I really love when you talk to our baby,” she said quietly and sat up a little in bed. “And, yes, I’m so glad I don’t have morning sickness anymore.”

“Hey, little baby, can I tell you a secret? I think I’m falling in love with your mommy.”

I felt her heart beat faster, and her breath hitched. “Tyler,” she said in almost a whisper. “You love me? Really?” When I nodded and kissed her belly again, she pulled me up to her and kissed my mouth. “Because I love you, too.”

“Damn it, did our baby already rat me out?” I asked, and she giggled the most adorable little laugh. She kissed me slowly and wrapped her arms around me. “I’m so glad you love me, Molly, because I really have fallen for you. I love you so much.”

“I love you so much, Tyler. I was scared to tell you. My grandma always told me when it happened, I would know, but I didn’t want to be the only one who felt that way.”

I barked out a laugh. “I was scared to tell you, too, because I thought we were moving too fast.”

“I’m scared, too. I just don’t know how I’m going to afford the ultrasound. The receptionist said it could be anywhere from $200 to $800 cash, depending on if they discover anything that needs a second look, and if it's twins, my doctor said it will probably be on the higher end of the price range.”

I sat down on her couch and pulled her to sit on my lap. “What do you mean having to pay cash for an ultrasound? Doesn’t insurance usually cover that?”

She looked away from my gaze and down at her hands that were now rubbing her belly protectively. “Please don’t think less of me,” she said with a pleading tone.

I quickly wrapped my arms around her tightly. She fit perfectly against me, and I used my left hand to gently lift her chin to look at me.

“I know I fucked up when I got mad about the pregnancy, but I could never think less of you for anything. I love you. I could be traded or called up anytime without warning, and for this relationship to work, we have to be one hundred percent honest with each other. We might get into fights, but if we’re not honest, there is no way this will work.”

She sighed heavily, and her eyes began to get watery. “Well, I’ve been meaning to tell you this for awhile, but I didn’t know how. You know how I said I had to tell you something in the shower…”

“Oh, I remember that shower,” I added with a huge grin and then got serious because of the look in her eyes. “I remember you saying you needed to talk about something. Then, all that stuff you did for Ivan came up, and I guess that talk never happened. What’s going on, love? We can figure this out together.”

“I’m an idiot and got small business insurance, but I didn’t get personal health insurance.” She continued to ramble, and a tear fell down her freckled face. I took my thumb and wiped it away before I stroked her arm to try and comfort her. “I looked at the price of Cobra, but it's insane. I haven’t even decided if I want to find out the sex of the baby yet. I know back in the day, they had kids without knowing the sex, and it was okay. But I want the option. Plus, I want to make sure it’s healthy and everything. ”

“We should get married,” I blurted out.

“What?!” She asked, her blue-green eyes huge as she looked at me in shock.

“We might get shit wages in the minors, but they want us healthy and give us amazing insurance. If we got married, you’d be covered under my insurance.”

Molly was quiet for a minute, and I realized my mistake. No girl wants a proposal of marriage just because of insurance. My girl was a romantic, and it shocked me how suddenly I realized I did want to marry her. And not because of insurance. She was my little Strawberry Shortcake. She was my Molly.

“I’m fucking this up,” I said, lifting Molly in my arms and standing next to the couch. I gently set her down on the ground, and I got down on one knee. I took her hands in mine and looked up to see tears falling down her cheeks.

“I don’t want to get married just because of insurance,” she admitted with a shake of her head and a loud sniffle.

“I told you, I’m fucking this all up. I know we just said we loved each other for the first time and found out why we are so connected this morning, but I see us heading towards marriage.” I rubbed the back of her hands with my thumb as I shook with my own nerves. “Maybe neither of us planned it to happen this soon, but here we are. Molly, we’re having a baby together, so we’re going to be connected together forever. I love you and want to marry you. Being on my insurance and not having to worry about that anymore is just a bonus.”

She still had tears coming down her cheeks but asked, “You really want to marry me?”

“I’m sorry I don’t have a ring or anything,” I said with a nod of my head and kissed her hands.

Molly nodded her head. “I would like that. Yes, I’ll marry you, Ty.” Then she pulled me along with her to our bedroom with a big grin on her face. She let go of my hands and started digging through her top drawer. She pulled out a jewelry box and lay it on the bed where I was now sitting and watching her. In it was a ring with a small diamond. “We can use my mom’s engagement ring. She would have loved you, Ty. I don’t have many memories of her, but my grandma told me she just wanted me to be with someone who loved me and took care of me. You providing insurance really does take care of all my concerns.”

I took the ring out of her hand and got back down on my knee, “Molly – I don't know your middle name -"

"It's Nicole, my mom's middle name, too."

"That's a beautiful name, just like you! Okay, Molly Nicole Green, will you do the honor of marrying me and being my wife?”

“Yes!” she said with a huge grin as I slid the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit, and I loved that her mom was a part of it. She jumped into my arms. I had to laugh and was thankful for all my time in the gym because I was able to catch her easily as I pulled her in for a deep kiss.

I pulled out my phone to see how getting married in Ohio would work, and Google was very helpful. “Check this out,” I pointed out with her still in my arms. “Marriage appointments must be made in person at the Circuit Clerk’s office. The couple can obtain a marriage license sixty days before their wedding, but there is no waiting period, so they can get married the same day the license is issued. Marriages are performed at the courthouse on Mondays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., excluding legal holidays.”

“It’s 9:47 right now. Today is Friday, right?” Molly said, looking at the clock on her bedside table.

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