Nolan is my entire world, and knowing that our little bubble is expanding to include Evan and Nolan’s grandparents now is both nerve-racking and exciting.
When they get to the door, Evan waits for me to catch up before opening it up. Then he leans in to whisper, “We’ll just head straight to his office, if that’s okay with you.”
I nod and face forward, taking one step in front of the other, trying not to overthink what is about to happen.
“We’re going up here first.” Evan guides Nolan. “I have some people I want you to meet.”
Nolan follows with ease, not having a clue what is about to happen.
We get to the office door, which is open, and Evan knocks before entering. Across the room, a tall man has his arm wrapped around a woman, who is holding her hands over her mouth.
They stand there, patiently waiting for us to introduce their grandson to them. Evan looks at me, wondering what I’m doing because I guess we both just assumed I would do the introductions, but at this very moment, I’m a statue, unable to form a coherent sentence.
Evan leans over, kisses my forehead, then squats down to be at Nolan’s level. “Hey, bud. Remember I said I wanted you to meet someone?”
Nolan looks at me, then at them, and back at Evan. “Okay, who are they?”
Evan places his hands on either side of Nolan’s arms. “Bud, these are some of the owners of the team.”
“Really?” He turns to them. “You guys own the team?” he asks, excited to meet them.
They both nod as tears fall down their faces.
Evan continues, “They are. But guess who else they are.”
“Who?” Nolan asks so innocently that it breaks my damn heart and tears flow without me being able to stop them.
“They are your grandparents,” Evan states, then gives Nolan time to process what he just said.
Nolan looks at me. “Like Grandpa David and Grandma Bobbi?”
I nod. “Yep. Just like Grandpa David and Grandma Bobbi.” I lean down and decide to just tell the truth. “Grandpa David and Grandma Bobbi are my parents. These”—I point to them standing there—“are your dad’s parents.”
“So, if you’re going to be my new dad”—Nolan points at Evan as his little brain tries to connect the dots—“that means I get the owners of the team as my grandma and grandpa?” Nolan celebrates. “That is, like, the coolest thing ever!” He hops into Evan’s arms, giving us a much-needed laugh in this unique situation.
“Actually,” Evan begins to say wanting to correct his thoughts, but I stop him.
This is a lot to take in, and if right now, that’s what he wants to think, I’m okay with it. After all, we’re only here because of Evan being the baseball player that he is.
Evan nods at me in understanding and turns to face Mary and Charles. “So, Nolan, this is your grandpa Charles and your grandma Mary.”
Nolan runs to them both and jumps into Charles’s arms, just like he does with my dad, Jamie, and now Evan.
Mary wraps her arms around them both as sobs escape her lips.
When they pull back, Nolan looks at them both. “Why are you guys crying? ‘There’s no crying in baseball,’” he says, trying to mimic the line fromA League of Their Ownthe same way Evan did before we all watched the movie together.
We all laugh as Mary places her hand on Nolan’s back. “We’re just so happy to meet you.”
Nolan nods his head with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you too. Are you going to watch the game with us?”
“If you’ll allow us to.”
“Is it okay, Mommy? Can they join us in the suite?”
“Yeah, that’s fine,” I reply.
“Well, if it’s okay with your mom,” Mary says, looking at me for confirmation, “we can sit in the owners’ suite together. Want me to show you?” She holds out her hand to Nolan, who instantly wiggles out of Charles’s arms.
