Page 78 of Mended Hearts

Today is our championship tournament and I’m one nervous mom. I pull into the parking lot early, hoping to get us good seats as people come and go during the games. I see Dustin’s Blazer and it surprises me that he’s beat me here. I send Dylan off with his glove to find his team, and I grab his ball bag out of the back. I stand at the bottom of the stands, trying to determine which dugout our boys will be in so I can sit his bag down.

“Echo.”

“Echo.”

“Echo.”

“Echo.”

“Echo.”

“Echo.”

“Echo.”

Different voices say my name at different octaves like they are in fact trying to mimic the sound of an echo. I swirl around and search the stands. Taking up the entire row at the verytop sits Dustin, Dax, Lynsie, Dustin’s parents, and my parents. They’re all wearing the same shirt that I can only imagine Dustin’s mom made. My heart is so happy it could burst. I run up the stairs two at a time, making my way to Dustin first. I throw my arms around his neck, and he quickly wraps his around my waist.

“I know this is for our son. But you don’t realize how much it means to me and how much it’s going to mean to him.”

“I would move the ends of the earth to make you both happy. I hope you know how much you mean to me.” His voice shakes. I lean back just enough to look deep into the green eyes I’ve loved my entire life.

“How’d I get so damn lucky?” I say before crashing my lips into his. All I want to do is deepen the kiss and weld myself to this man. That’s why I’ve held back for as long as I could because I knew one kiss would never be enough.

“I’m the lucky one,” he says, pulling away, and I’m thankful he had the strength to do so.

“Finally,” Dax says, dragging each syllable out. We all laugh because yes, fin-a-lly.

Lynsie smacks his arm. “Like you’re one to talk.”

“Hey, Ma!” Dylan hollers from near the dugout.

“What?” me and Jill say in unison. We look at one another and laugh. Something I never thought we’d do. In fact, us all being here together is something I never thought would happen. Then my gaze returns back to the man who put it all together. And as if my heart wasn’t filled with enough love for him, it grows even more.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” His hand grips my waist, holding me tighter.

“Because I’m ridiculously in love with you, Dustin Ryan Adams.” I smile brightly at him, unable to deny or hide my feelings any longer.

“You did it, Dad!” Dylan hollers as they wait to take the field.

“Whatdya do?” I ask.

“I won ya back.”

“I’ve always been yours,” I admit.

“I know.” He leans down and kisses me once more. “There’s much more where that came from, but right now, it’s time to cheer on our son.”

AS WE’RE HUGGING everyone bye, Dax whispers in my ear, “Before I go, I need your input.”

When we’re far enough from the others, he begins pacing back and forth before stopping in front of me. “Will Lynsie hate me if I never propose?”

His question shocks me.

“Umm, is this a trick question?”

“Okay, let me reword that. I know Lynsie wants to marry me, so with that being a known fact, can I just skip the proposal part and go straight for the tying the knot part?”

“Oh.” I let out a sigh of relief. “You had me worried. So, like, instead of a surprise proposal, have more of a surprise wedding?”

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