Page 83 of Whatever Will Be

The girls get fidgety by the third inning and ask to go play in their rooms. Gretchen reminds them to put back whatever toys they fish out and they utter identical “Okay”s before scampering up the stairs.

Gretch nudges my knee. “Roast chicken still okay for dinner?”

“You know I’m always ready to eat anything you want to feed me.”

She slaps my thigh, understanding I’m speaking in two languages right now. “You never stop.”

“You wouldn’t want me to stop.”

“True.” She stands and gives me a look. “After dark I’ll show you something more exciting than my chicken.”

“I know you will.” My eyes stay glued to her body as she struts to the kitchen.

Danny steals second base with an epic slide and I clap my hands loudly, as if he’s able to hear me cheering. The next batter delivers a base hit that brings Danny home.

For Danny, that is home, out there showing the world what he can do.

My home is right here, with Gretch and the twins.

It’s a destination I never would have expected.

It’s the one that was meant to be.

Gretchen returns from the kitchen on the verge of saying something, but stops short when she gets a close look at my face.

“Why are you grinning like that?”

Because I’m going to marry you, Gretchen Aaronson.

I drag her into my lap. “You’ll see.”

Content with that answer, she bends into my kiss, believing in the promises that come with it.

As she should.

Forever.

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