We exit his room, walk through the house, and head out to where both of our families are. We told everyone we wanted to have a family barbecue before I left for spring training, but I had other motives for getting everyone here today.
We step outside, and instantly, everyone looks our way with a gasp.
I have to seriously hold my laugh in when Nolan whispers to me, probably a little too loudly, “Do you have the ring?”
My eyes meet Christy’s as I respond, “Yeah, bud. We’re all good. Go ahead and start like we practiced.”
Christy covers her mouth in shock as tears well up in her eyes.
“Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention, please?” he says in his big-boy voice, bringing tears to my eyes, too, at how cute he is. “Mommy, can you please come forward?”
Everyone chuckles at the way he’s talking as Christy slowly steps toward us.
“I think she’s surprised,” Nolan whispers to me.
“Yep, we did good.” I high-five him, making him almost drop the roses, which gets a good laugh out of everyone.
Once Christy is in front of us, I reach for her hand. “Christy, the first day I met you, I knew there was something different about you, something special.”
“You’re welcome!” my sister yells out, making us all laugh again.
“Thank you,” I respond, trying to spot her, then looking back at Christy. I take the ring out of my pocket and slowly make my way down to one knee. “I love you and Nolan more than I love baseball.”
She lets out a surprised laugh, which makes me smile because that’s the exact reaction I was going for to help ease the moment.
“I want us to truly be a family, forever. Will you marry me?”
“Say yes, Mommy! Say yes!” Nolan says, jumping up and down beside us.
I look at him, then Christy and raise my eyebrows as I wait for her response.
She nods, more tears falling down her face. “Yes! Yes, Evan, I’ll marry you.”
I stand and lift her up in my arms, hugging her tightly.
“I want a hug too!” Nolan says, so I lift him up and hug him between both of us.
“I love you, Christy.” I give her a quick kiss.
She smiles at both of us. “I love you both so much. But y’all suck at trying to hide things from me.” She giggles.
I look at Nolan, then her, confused. “You knew?”
“Yes, I knew. But I have a surprise for you too.”
I pinch my eyebrows in question. “What?”
“Hey, Dad. Catch!” I hear Sasha yell out.
When I look up, she throws me a ball.
I look at Christy, then at the ball, then Nolan, who seems just as confused as I am.
“Read what it says,” she whispers.
I spin the ball around until I read, I’m pregnant.
I instantly lift my eyes back to her. “You’re pregnant?”
