Page 96 of Strike Zone

“Oh God.”

“Don’t do that. You stood up for me, and that’s everything. Protective is sexy on you, Diana.”

“I’m always going to be protective of you. Remember what you told me. I’m yours, and you’re mine. I’ve got your back, and I always will.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“I have one more place I want to take you today. You up for it?”

“Sure. Do I get to punch things? My adrenaline’s pumping, and I’m spoiling for a fight.”

“No punching today. Save that for when we get you back into training for Vegas.”

“Do you really think I can get back to where I need to be?”

“After what I just witnessed, I’d say, hell, yeah.”

“I’m so sorry this didn’t go the way you wanted it to.”

“I had zero expectations of my mother. Today was for you and me. I wanted to share this part of my life with you before closing this chapter and moving on.”

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

“Nope.” He flashes me that panty-melting smile of his, and I know he’s up to something.

* * *

“Your big surprise is Yankee Stadium?” We pull up at the player’s entrance, but it’s like a ghost town. There’s no game tonight or training session, so I guess Lilah is getting a private tour of Daddy’s work.

“Trust me.”

We head inside, the stands empty, the hallways eerie without the hustle and bustle of game day. “What are we doing?”

“You’ll see.” He seems a little on edge as we make our way to the tunnel and out onto the field.

I’m not prepared for what I find when we emerge onto the iconic diamond of Yankee Stadium. I haven’t been back here since the day I very publicly went into labor. Now, I’m cradling Lilah in my arms with tears welling in my eyes as I take in my surroundings.

There are candles everywhere with a path mapped out around all the bases. “What’s all this?”

“I had a big flashy plan the day you went into labor.” We come to a stop on home plate. “I was going to do this huge grand gesture after the game and before our little peanut princess arrived, but she had other ideas. I was standing right here when I saw you in labor, ready to bring our daughter into the world.”

“You and everyone else in here. I was mortified.” He lifts Lilah from my chest, cradling her in one arm, taking my hand and walking me to first base.

“You let me get a bit further than first base the night we kissed in Vegas. I knew then that you were going to change my life for the better. To be fair, I thought it was going to be with some mind-blowing sex that night, but you tossed me out on my ear.”

We continue on, leisurely strolling to second base. “The night I tried to go all old fashion on you, cook dinner, and beg to be more than your booty call, we conceived Lilah. There will never be enough words to tell you how lucky I consider myself every day to have both of you in my life.”

By the time we reach third base, tears are streaming down my face. “The day we moved in together, I knew you were the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. We may not always get along, but there will never be a day I don’t love you with every fiber of my being.”

Stepping back onto home plate, Linc drops to one knee with Lilah still nestled in the crook of his arm. “The day I watched you give birth to Lilah, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I punched way above my weight with you, and I’m the luckiest guy in the world to be loved by you, Diana. I loved you before I knew what loving you really meant. You’re the most beautiful, kind, loving, ball-busting, phenomenal woman I’ve ever known. I love you, and I want to keep loving you every day for the rest of our lives.”

He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small red Cartier box. “Diana Lexington, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” I drop to my knees, cupping his face in my hands as my lips crash down on his.

“Careful not to smush, Lilah.”

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