But those were when we were naked or laughing. Charlotte said she wanted the whole production, and she deserved it. She taught me how to love openly and how being vulnerable was a gift, not a burden.
She was perfect for me. That sentence was still true to this day. She brought me out of my shell and loved me so much that I didn’t know it was possible to be this happy.
On days I could get away in time, I’d often volunteer to run the scoreboard for her junior high team. I loved the sounds of the game and getting to watch her coach. She lit up on the field, her whole personality shining as girlssurrounded her. Did this town expect her to take their eighth-grade softball team to the state finals? No.
Did Charlotte think she could do it? Absolutely.
At today’s game, it was the bottom of the seventh. Her team was up one run, and the opposing team had a runner on third. Our pitcher, Mack, was exhausted, but she was still throwing well. Charlotte signaled something from the dugout, and Mack nodded.
If they won this game, they were in the championship.
“You got it, Mack,” I shouted from the press box. It was a nice setup because it was shared with the high school. Their sound system was top-notch, something I was going to use to my advantage as soon as they won this game.
Because they needed a win, or I wouldn’t propose. Something about the right timing and all.
Mom:Has she won yet?
Christian:HAVE YOU DONE IT
Penny:Who cares if they lose, just propose I’m sick of keeping this secret.
Garrett:Don’t do it if they lose, that’s not a great idea
Christian:Hard agree, pen. They need the W
Dad:She’ll say yes! I know it!
Garrett:Look at this onesie I bought Graham?
Garrett sent a photo that readjust escaped nine months locked upfor baby Graham. Penny and Christian had made me an uncle to the cutest baby boy. Gwen was obsessed with him too. Kept asking for a new baby for herself, which made me think of Charlotte.
I knew she’d say yes. She showed me every day she chose me and wanted a life together. But our timing was everything, and there was no time like the present.
I tensed as Mack threw the third and final strike, abandoning the runner on third and securing the win. Coach Calhoun was going to the championship. The balloon of pride almost had me welling up. She had a vision and brought it to life her first year.
Oh. The best part? Chad had a terrible first year at the high school level and had the audacity to ask her to help and be his assistant coach. He asked her yesterday, right in the middle of middle school playoffs. She rightfully told him to piss off until this season was done.
I voted for turning it down. Charlotte was on the fence. He didn’t deserve her, but I’d let her make her own decision there. I was her cheerleader no matter what she did. I always would be.
Now it was my game time.
I tapped the mic, the loud thud echoing through the speakers. “Congrats on the win, Bulldogs!”
Everyone cheered, and Charlotte looked up at me with the goofiest smile on her face. That was my woman.
“Now, I have a very important question for Coach Calhoun. Can you go look at home plate for me?”
She tilted her head, holding a hand over her forehead to shield the sun.What?she mouthed.
“You heard me. Go home.”
She smirked, like she knew what I was doing. Good. Let her enjoy this. She deserved all the attention and love. The girls all waited with huge smiles as she jogged toward home plate. I had paid the umpire to do this, because there was no way I could sneak onto the field unnoticed, so he had placed the key ring there for me as soon as no one was paying attention.
“Please move in with me, with Gwen. I love you and want you in our home. That is a key to our house with a key chain from Gwen and me.”
Charlotte held it in her hands, her slight headshake telling me she was surprised. Gwen picked a pretty purple beaded one with softballs on the end, and I chose a snowball with the year. She was balling it up as a coach, and I wanted to be cheesy for her.
“I need an answer. Breathe if it’s yes.”
