Indy and I might be opposites, but we’re more alike than I initially thought. We care about those we love. She’s nurturing and I’m protective, but it all comes down to a common denominator— we love hard.
She swings her arms over my shoulders as we get back to the conversation between our family and friends.
“Kai, when do you leave for spring training?” she asks.
“We’re headed to Arizona next week.”
“And what about Max?”
This is Kai’s first baseball season since finding out that the baby boy dropped off on his doorstep is his son, and though he’s one of the biggest names in the MLB, his first priority is Max. I’d imagine balancing his hectic baseball schedule while raising his son all on his own is going to be tricky.
“I’m still looking for a nanny that’ll stick.”
“Well, stop firing them all,” I laugh.
“I can’t help it.” He drops a kiss to Max’s head. “I don’t trust anyone with him.” He looks to Indy. “Hey, Ind…”
“Don’t even think about asking,” I cut in before she could agree.
“But he’s really cute,” Kai adds innocently.
Indy sighs. “The cutest.”
He waves us off. “I need someone willing to travel with the team and put up with our insane game schedule, anyway. And I highly doubt your boyfriend would let me steal you for an entire summer.”
I wrap her up tighter. “Yeah, not a chance in hell.”
The group continues to talk among themselves when Indy leans her head on mine, speaking quietly. “I’m excited to be home with you all summer, neither of us traveling for work.”
“I’m excited to be home with you forever, Blue.”
She smiles, soft brown eyes filled with so much love. “Forever sounds perfect.”
Forever does sound perfect.
I could not be more content, with my people, with my girl, and with my team on the way to the playoffs. This life, this home, this relationship is everything I never let myself want, and it’s more than I knew I was allowed to dream for.
EPILOGUE
INDY
Four Years Later
Iverson lifts his sweaty little head from my shoulder. An imprint of my shirt creases his cheek as he stirs awake from his afternoon nap. His sister, Navy, has been up for over an hour, running around our family box at the United Center.
It doesn’t happen too often, but at least once a season, both Ryan and Zanders will play at home on the same day. I intended to spend the afternoon at home while they transformed the arena from a hockey rink into a basketball court, but the kids fell asleep after their uncle’s game, and I wouldn’t dare mess with nap time.
“How’s my favorite niece?” Zanders asks, barging into the room as he carries my favorite niece.
Taylor Shay Zanders is my only niece, the same way Navy is his.
“She’s a little fussy.” My little girl’s hair is a mess from her nap and her eyes are still swollen from crying. “Navy, we’ll go see Daddy before his game starts, I promise.”
My daddy’s girl hates when Ryan has to go to work. Even though he’s only in the locker room downstairs and spent the entire morning with her watching her uncle’s game, it’s never enough time for her.
It’s not enough time for him either.
Iverson is my laid-back guy and Navy is my emotional girl. They’re both just over two years old with completely defined yet opposite personalities.