Page 40 of Curve Ball
I snuggle into his chest, feeling content and complete. “It really doesn’t. I love you, Gael. So much.”
20
GAEL
Istand on the field, the cool evening breeze rustling my jersey, carrying with it the cheers of the crowd. The Giants lost, but they got the heads-up that there was something special happening tonight, so they are hanging around in the dugout. The guys are with me, my brothers in black and white; they're hiding the pure excitement that I know they must be feeling. I, on the other hand, am shitting bricks.I’m so fucking nervous.They know what’s coming, and they’re here to support me, to witness this moment that I’ve been planning for weeks.
Isla and Adriana are seated in the lower level, their faces a blend of confusion and curiosity as they watch. Kai comes out with me, holding onto the microphone. They have no idea what’s about to unfold, because for the first time, Kai and I could keep this a secret. I take a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest like a drumbeat, and I step forward, my voice steady. I take the microphone from him and clear my throat as I begin.
“Adriana,” I start, my eyes locked onto hers from across the distance. “You’re the reason I wake up every morning witha smile on my face. You’re the one who makes my world a better place, just by being in it. You’re my partner, the mother of my soon-to-be-born children and the love of my life.”
I see her hand fly to her mouth, her eyes widening in surprise. Isla is grinning from ear to ear, already knowing what’s coming. The crowd is silent, hanging onto my every word, their anticipation palpable.
“I remember the first time I saw you,” I continue, my voice softening with the memory. “You were so full of life, so vibrant and beautiful. I knew right then that I wanted to spend the rest of my days making you happy, making you laugh, and loving you more each day than the last.”
Adriana’s eyes well up with tears, and I can see her trying to hold them back, but I want her to let them fall. I want her to feel every emotion that’s pouring out of me right now.
“The past few months with you have been the best of my life,” I say, my voice wavering a little as I try to hold back the emotions. “You’re not just my girlfriend, Adriana. You’re my everything.”
I take a deep breath, my heart swelling with love and nerves. Seeing her eyes full of tears, I continue. “So, Adriana, in front of all these people, in front of our family and friends, and in front of God, I ask you—will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?”
The crowd holds their breath, the stadium so quiet you could hear someone drop their bucket of popcorn. Adriana stands up, her hands still covering her mouth, and she nods, tears streaming down her face. There’s a camera pointed at her and me, and our faces are on the jumbo screen. “Yes,” she mouths, her voice too choked up to speak louder.
A roar erupts from the crowd, a mix of cheers and applause that shakes the very foundations of the stadium. I drop the mic and sprint to the stands, jumping over the wall and climbingover a few seats to get to her. I cup her face and kiss her like it’s the last kiss I’ll ever have.
And in a way, it is a last kiss.
The last kiss I’ll ever have with her when she isn’t my wife.
So I savor it.
“Yes,” she whispers into my ear, her voice finally finding its way out. “I want nothing more than to be your wife, Gael Javier Hernández Mendoza.”
I hold her tight, my heart so full it feels like it’s going to burst. I can’t believe she’s going to be my wife. I can’t believe I get to spend the rest of my life with her. That I get to have and raise children with her.
I’m the man that gets to love her and show her what it means to be truly loved and adored.
Me.
To Be Continued.
