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With the fireworks now a celebration of the Dragons’ victory, the fans stayed, chatting, laughing and reminiscing about the game. The players celebrated on the big screen, their grins wide as dreams came true. Suddenly, Dara felt a tap on her shoulder.
She turned to find her uncle’s assistant, Sam. He should be thrilled with the results of the game, yet his features were marred with worry. “Your uncle sent me. He said to come quick. Jason has planned some sort of big spectacle that could undo all the work you’ve done these past months. You have to get down there.”
Dara’s heart plummeted like an ill-hit ball destined for a fielder’s glove. It couldn’t be. Yet Sam’s expression was grim. “Hurry! You can stop him if you get there quickly.”
Dara grabbed her bag and let Sam pull her up. Jason must be planning something disastrous to get the normally calm assistant so worked up. She raced after him through the cheering crowds and celebrating fans, past the vendors and gift shops already selling league championship souvenirs. As her feet sped over the pavement, unease pummeled her soul. Just when she’d given Jason her heart, was he going to sabotage all her hard work?
They barreled through the employee doors that led down to the tunnels. When they reached the heavily guarded opening onto the field, Sam slowed ahead of her, then stopped. He gestured her forward. “Go ahead,” he urged.
Dara nodded. She stepped onto the soft green grass… and stopped.
The players were lined up in two rows, one on either side of a makeshift aisle. Each held a bat in the air, which came together to form a tunnel. Everyone – the players, the workers and even the fans – gazed at her. She looked up and caught a glimpse of herself on the massive screens above the stadium. Pat appeared before her, smiling, gesturing her through the tunnel.
“What’s happening?” she breathed as she slowly put one foot in front of the other, moving through the rows of men who’d become like a second family these past months. She breathed in the cool night air as she walked across her own field of dreams. There was one man at the end, the most powerful of them all.
He was down on one knee.
Dara lifted her hands to her mouth as tears stung her eyes. Even with a game-stained uniform and tousled hair, he was gorgeous, gazing at her as if she were the only woman in the world, his blue eyes brilliant with emotion. There was no uncertainty, no hesitation.
Only Pure Love.
And how she loved him, too.
As if in some magical dream, she walked to the man she’d gifted her heart. He was almost as tall as she, even down on one knee. She smiled sheer joy. “I heard you were going to make a spectacle,” she said softly.
He smiled even wider. “I plan on it.” Then suddenly his voice boomed through the stadium as his handsome visage graced the giant screens. “Thank you so much for coming to our exciting game. Yet for me, the happiest moment of my life has yet to come… I hope. Some of you may know Dara Everett, this beautiful woman before you. I’ve known her for a few months, but my heart has always known her.”
He took her hand, and with an audience of thousands, spoke only to her. “Your kindness is unparalleled, your heart filled with such rare and brilliant goodness. You are sweet and giving and generous, a soul who makes the world more beautiful because you are in it. My heart searched for its perfect mate. From the moment you came into my world, I knew you were that woman.”
Her heart raced as he looked straight at her. “Dara, the time I’ve spent with you has been the happiest in my life. No moment is as perfect or right as when I hold you. Whether we’re going on adventures or simply talking, the world is beautiful because you’re there. Destiny brought us together, but we forged our own path.” His expression reflected a thousand emotions, no longer hidden, no longer shielded. “There’s only one question to ask.”
And suddenly he produced a box, small and velvety. Dara could no longer stop tears of happiness as he revealed a stunning ring to rival a star, with a massive round diamond that sparkled fiery enchantment. “Dara, will you marry me?”
She didn’t hesitate.
“Yes,” she whispered. Then again, louder, “Yes.” Then, “Yes, yes, yes!” she shouted for the world to hear, as the giant screens projected her beaming face. Then suddenly, Jason was standing, the crowd was cheering and the world had never been so perfect. She couldn’t stop the trembling as he slid the ring on her finger, where it fit in destined perfection. Then Jason leaned down and brushed the sweetest kiss on her lips. Love flowed through her, pure happiness that she would forever be with this amazing man, this kind, sweet, powerful soul who had stolen her heart.
Finally, with the promise of so much more to come, he broke away from her. She gazed up at him, letting her own adoration show. “By the way, I love you, too.”
He softly squeezed her shoulders, and she could swear his eyes seemed a little glassy. Fireworks sounded above them, bathing them in dazzling golden light. Then, beneath the stars of a diamond studded sky, they started their journey of true love…
Forever.
EPILOGUE
How do you celebrate a World Series victory?
With the biggest party this side of the equator.
It took place in Miami, at Royce and Elora Livingston’s gorgeous mansion on Biscayne Bay. The ballroom was an enchanted wonderland, illuminated by crystal chandeliers, decorated with gilded mirrors and sparkling with golden accents. A feast had been served, followed by hours of mingling and dancing to one of the hottest A-list bands, led by the famous Carter Wyld. Dara spent hours dancing with Jason, as they held each other tightly. He never let her go.
She never wanted him to.
Now they strolled hand-in-hand through the enormous chamber, greeting new friends and old, accepting a thousand wishes of congratulations. For the game, for their engagement, for the upcoming wedding that was going to be the event of the year. If only she didn’t have endless work to plan for it.
She was no longer the Dragons’ Image Manager. With Alan’s revelations, public perception of Jason and the team transformed completely. They were now celebrated and lauded, especially for Jason’s sacrifice. Alan had taken responsibility for his crime and continued to do good to atone. Just yesterday, he had taken his first step.
With her job now superfluous, Uncle Pat made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. The team was expanding their charity department and needed someone to head it up. She was excited to make a real difference and had already set up multiple events to benefit the community. Yet now her time was divided as she planned a wedding that had already grown too large to handle. “If I could, I would marry you right here.”
