Page 102 of Praising the Pitcher

I think it’s going to make this day even more special, having such a good friend and an important person in Noah’s life up here with us.

It may only be Noah’s parents, Dallas, Haven, Harley, and Cane here, but that’s okay with me. I’m sure we’ll have a celebration dinner or party later with the rest of our friends and, of course, Cameran, Trent, Lane, and Memphis.

I fight a cringe thinking about how pissed they’re going to be to find out we did this without them here. They really are like aunts and uncles to Noah, and now to me too.

“We are gathered here today because my brother knows he’s found himself the best thing that’s ever happened to him, and he wants to lock her in before she realizes she’s out of his league,” Haven says, and even though Noah pretends to roll his eyes, I know he didn’t expect anything different from his sister.

Haven sniffs, giving her head a slight shake. “I’m just kidding, little brother. We both know you are one of the best men in this world. Truly, one of the good ones.” She wipes her eyes. “And Gigi is one of the most genuine, real souls I know.” She looks from me to Noah. “It only makes sense that two people as good as you two would find each other, really.”

She pauses, and I know it’s taking everything she has to keep her emotions in check. The Kings don’t hide their emotions. Contrary to how I was brought up, Anna and Mason let them know emotions are part of life and keeping them in isn’t healthy.

Which is why most people can look at Haven and know exactly what she’s thinking, I’m sure.

She says her ministry spiel, which doesn’t sound at all like the other weddings I’ve been to, but that only makes me like it more. And then … she says the words I was afraid of.

It’s time to say our vows, and I think my stomach falls out of my butt. Noah means so much to me, and I want to articulate the right words to explain how I feel, but it’s hard.

Noah being Noah speaks up to go first, and the second his mouth opens and he says those first few words, I’m a puddle at his feet.

NOAH

Like a little bitch, I have to choke out my words through blurred eyes because goddamn, this is making me emotional. I know she’s nervous, because it doesn’t matter that she just pitched on television and to a packed stadium because she could hide behind her uniform. Right now, it’s just Gigi Jacobs, soon to be my wife. And aside from being on the field, this woman hates to be the center of attention.

Unlike my sister who stands up here with us. Because of course she had to become a damn minister on the drive over.

“Gigi …” I drawl her name slowly, just trying to gather myself enough to say what I wrote as I look down at the paper in my shaky hand. The other holds onto her hand, and I feel bad because I’m sure I’m sweating.

She thinks I’m calm, I’m sure. Inside, I’m freaking out because she deserves the sweetest words, and I want to give them to her. I don’t want to fuck this up.

“The kind of pride I feel to tell people you’re my girlfriend is something I’ve never felt before. I love being in the stands, your name and number on my back, and pointing to you, saying … That’s my girl.” I sniffle, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. “I love watching you take a breath when you’re about to start a game with the first pitch. I love the moment you reach down to touch the dirt, letting it run through your fingers. I love when you peel your mask off after getting that third out and walk back to the dugout, only smiling a little because you’re the most humble person I’ve ever met.” I glance at her but can only do it for a second because the moment my eyes meet hers, and I see my words have tears streaming down her cheeks, I start to fall apart even more. When it comes to her, I’m not strong. I only pretend to be when it makes her feel better.

“I love listening to you talk about your dreams of helping future softball players and young athletes, and how you would drop anything to help a friend. You get as excited about someone you love having a dream come true as you do your own, and you would do anything in the world to help someone you love reach their goals.” I squeeze her hand, not meaning to, but fuck, my heart is beating so fast. “I love that you always tell me I did good, even when it wasn’t my best game. And I love even more that when I disagree with you, you remind me of all the things I did right. I love looking up in the stands and seeing you in my jersey as much as I love wearing yours and watching you in your happy place. Because your happy place, Gigi, is mine too.” I bring the paper down, not needing to look at it anymore to know what it says. “Most of all, I love that you trust me. And you don’t just say it, you mean it. And I love that I trust you too. I always have.

“I love every version of you. The intense one, starving for the out. The disappointed one, pissed off that someone got a hit off one of your pitches. The shy one, whose cheeks turn red as you bite your lip. The angry one, yelling at the TV over bad umping. The sweet one, who brings me healthy snacks before practice because you know if not, I’ll be hitting up some fast-food joint.” I cringe. “Sorry, Dad.”

I surprise her by sinking down on one knee, because I’ll be damned if I skip this step when she deserves every single one.

“If you’d do the honor of marrying me, I vow to you I will love every single mood or version you throw at me, Gigi Jacobs. And I promise I’ll be your biggest fan, always. I will spend my life reminding you that you are worthy. You are strong. You are extraordinary. And I will never let you forget it. Ever.” I inhale sharply. “So, will you marry me?” I pause, half laughing, half crying my eyes out. “If you say no, at least distract our family so I can run away quickly.”

She laughs through her tear-soaked lashes, bobbing her head up and down.

“Of course I will.” She cries, pulling me to my feet and kissing me.

“Well okay then, I didn’t even get to say the part about kissing,” Haven grumbles. “Annoying.”

Gigi slides her hands into mine, a nervous smile on her face.

“Well, if I wasn’t already nervous that my vows suck, now I have to compete with all that?” She breathes out a laugh but quickly tilts her head to the side. “The truth is, Noah, it would be hard to put into words the depth of what you mean to me, or just how serious I’m going to take the vows we’re making today. It would be nearly impossible because … this promise? It means more to me than anything I’ve ever done. It’s everything to me. You are everything to me.”

She gets choked up, having to stop, and that’s okay because so do I, and I have to wipe my eyes for the tenth time since she’s started talking.

“You gave me a home after years of being adrift. You brought me peace after being in an internal war with myself for as long as I could remember. You taught me how to love myself, when I truly couldn’t stand to look in the mirror. And you stood by me, helping me build myself up when I felt like I had nothing left to give.”

Gigi isn’t as open with her feelings, and I know that’s because of how her dad raised her. Almost as if feelings were a burden, and she needed always to be stoic or aloof. But right now, she’s showing me everything. And she’s doing it because she trusts me.

She really, really trusts me.

“You continue to remind me daily how much I mean to you, and I genuinely feel loved. More loved than I have ever felt since I lost my mom.” Her lip trembles, and her big blue eyes flash to mine, cutting my soul wide open. “You push me out of my comfort zone constantly, and even though it’s hard, I know you’d never push me to break. Instead, you strengthen me. You remind me I’m strong. I’m worthy of love. And you do it all while bringing this … sunshine into my life that I can’t even explain.” She wipes her eyes. “In the books I read, a lot of the time the girl is the sunshine. But in my life, you are the sunshine, Noah.” She squeezes my fingers with her hands. “You’re my sunshine. And even though the rest of my life still won’t be enough time with you, it’s a good place to start. So, I vow to love you the way that you love. Soft when needed, tough when necessary, deep and unending and unconditional. Always.”