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No fucking way.
“Q, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love you. You have been my best friend for as long as I can remember, and somewhere along the way, you became my… my everything,” Eli says, getting choked up at the end and eliciting the tears that build in my eyes.
“I know I have done things… that I’ve hurt you in the past, but I promise I will never cause you an ounce of heartache again. I want to help you carry any pain this life may bring you and to be by your side through every high and every low.”
I’m full-on sobbing now. This man has honestly never done anything but love me. Even when he made mistakes, I never questioned his love for me. He rubs my hand to soothe me, and I smile through big happy tears.
“You once told me you could understand the concept of love being infinite easier than you could time. I have no doubt my love for you is eternal… everlasting. I whole-heartedly believe I was put on this earth to be yours and you mine.”
I nod, swallowing down more emotion, because I have no doubt our pull to one another is no coincidence.
“When I wake up every morning with you beside me, I wish for a million more. A thousand lifetimes with you would never be enough. You are the absolute love of my life, undoubtedly my soul mate, the most amazing mother to our girls, and the best friend I’ve ever had… Queenie, will you be my wife too?” He tugs the glove from my left hand.
I speak for the first time since he started without any hesitation in my voice. I have dreamed of this day.
“Yes. Yes, times infinity!” I exclaim, so overwhelmed with elation.
Eli slides the gorgeous ring on my finger, giving me one of those big cheesy Barton grins.
When he stands, I jump into his strong arms, searing my lips to his. “I love you, E! I have always been yours, but I can’t wait to officially have your last name.” He spins me around before putting me down on my feet again. I stare at my ring in fascination… I can’t believe this is real life right now.
“It’s stunning, Eli. Thank you,” I whisper in awe.
He points to the two small diamonds on either side of the large solitaire. “Those are for our girls.” I smile, shaking my head at how perfect he is.
“I love it even more knowing that.” I grab the sides of his face and pull him into another kiss.
Eli runs his fingers through my long ponytail. “I heard you when you said you always saw yourself getting engaged on the mound. I thought long and hard about this, wanting it to be perfect. And, honestly, I wasn’t sure that you would actually love thousands of strangers witnessing this special moment, so I added my own little twist to it.”
He knows me better than I know myself sometimes. The only thing missing is our girls.
The stadium lights suddenly turn on. “Maybe not thousands, but there were a few important people I knew you would want to be here.” He turns toward home plate, where I see all our family and friends filing in from the upper boxes, making their way down the stadium stairs.
“Oh my God!” I gasp in surprise as I see our parents, siblings, The Kings, Blossom and Dalton, Parker, Gemma, Tanner, Ava, and Roger.
Each of our moms has one of the girls in their arms.
Of course, Wes is the first to let out a whistle, and the crowd follows suit.
I turn to Eli, who scoops me into another hug. “I can’t believe you pulled all of this off.”
“Baby, if it isn’t obvious yet, I would do anything to see that smile on your face. I love you so fucking much.” He kisses my head, and then a thought pops into my mind.
“Please tell me they couldn’t see the bullpen from the suites they were in,” I whisper in embarrassment. Eli just chuckles as the girls start calling our names, and he takes my hand, pulling me toward them.
The sound of those two tiny voices calling me “Mama” will never get old.
Thirty-Two
Fifteen months later
“Wow, Daddy… Look,” Sophie says in shock as we approach the tree Christmas morning.
“Yes, baby girl… You must’ve been a very good girl this year.” She nods incessantly in response.
“Oh my goodness!” Addy squeals as she runs into the room with Quinn on her heels.
“Merry Christmas, my loves,” I cheer, crouching down with my arms spread wide, allowing all of my favorite ladies in their matching candy cane pajamas to come in for a big hug.
