Liam grinned. "Lots to celebrate. I'm cleared to return to PT next week. Ray promised that Claire and I have full run of the mascot entertainment for the rest of the season, and I get to watch the dogs again during team road trips." Then he wrapped his arm around Claire. "And, the best news, Claire and I are engaged."
Cheers echoed through the room as hugs and well wishes were exchanged.
Slade moved through the kitchen as six different conversations resumed all at once. He grabbed drinks for Savanna and himself.
Dom pulled him aside after he set them on the table. "You okay?"
"I am. Really. Everything is good with Tiffany."
"I'm glad. And Savanna? You guys worked things out?"
"We did." He couldn't stop his smile. "She loves me."
Dom clapped him on the shoulder. "Of course she does. I'm proud of you, Slade. You had a lot thrown at you this season and you handled it all like a champ."
Happiness swelled until Slade nearly burst with it. "I might have had a little help from my friends. Okay, a lot of help. Thanks for always looking out for me."
"Anytime, bud. Anytime."
They rejoined their friends. He slipped his arm around Savanna, and she turned and smiled and leaned against his side.
Love had been his salvation. Savanna had come into his life and changed him in ways he hadn't expected. And loving her was far more exhilarating than any adventure he'd ever known.
With her and his friends by his side, there wasn't any challenge they couldn't handle together.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
LIAM
FROM HIS POSITION AT home plate, Liam adjusted the head of his shark costume and made a last-minute check of Fin's tuxedo. The wedding was about to begin in front of a sold out crowd. Per the Fin and Fiona videos, they had only a few minutes of air time between the sixth and seventh innings. Luckily, the Riptide were winning, but the majority of the crowd were already cheering Fin and Fiona's names. The team would be moving on to the playoffs, but the celebration for this final game in the regular season was all about the mascots’ wedding.
All the Riptide players lined up along the dugout. Dom, Adam, and Slade stood closest to him. They'd played starring roles in Fin and Fiona's antics over the course of their relationship. The fans had voted for Dom to preside over the ceremony.
The bridal march echoed through the stadium. Liam turned toward the visitors' dugout. Nurse Fiona emerged, wearing a white dress and veil instead of her blue scrubs. She walked on a white runner covered with the fans' choice of red and pink rose petals.
Liam watched the crowd's reaction. Fiona was as loved as Fin. When she reached him, he raised his hands to his heart.
Dom joined them, holding a microphone. "Riptide fans, we've watched Fin and Fiona fall in love this season, and through your help, they've arrived at this special day. Fin, do you take Fiona to be your wife?"
Liam gave an exaggerated and vehement nod and the crowd cheered.
"And Fiona, do you take Fin to be your husband?"
She nodded and with both hands, blew Fin a kiss.
Dom raised his hands. "Then by the power vested in me by the Riptide fandom, I now pronounce you married."
Grasping Claire's hands, Liam leaned down until the mouths of the costumes met. Cheers and applause rang out at deafening levels.
Claire grinned at him through the dark mesh. "Love you. Can't wait to do this for real later."
"Me either." He squeezed her hands once more, then let go. "Ready. On three. One. Two. Three. Go."
He crouched and then leapt high, throwing his body backward. Blue sky and then the green grass filled his vision and he grinned as he and Claire stuck the landings perfectly and simultaneously.
The crowd roared over their tandem backflip. They waved to the crowd and then he grabbed her hand and they ran to their waiting golf cart, decorated with streamers and crepe paper bells and a Just Married sign on the back. He hopped inside, made sure Claire was securely next to him, and then he shot off across the field, toward the tunnel, as the fans cheered around them.
Long after the game ended, when sunset streaked across the sky, Liam again stood at home plate, this time, wearing a dark gray suit, and at Claire's request, a bright blue tie that matched the sash she'd wear on her gown. Nerves pricked his stomach and his heart beat faster. He took a breath and tried to calm down, focusing on the soft strains of the violin music filling the air.
His best man Slade and groomsmen Dom and Adam stood to his left.
Two sections of chairs lined the infield in front of the pitcher's mound. Liam's family on the left and Claire's on the right.
His cousin Hunter and his wife had flown in from New York, bringing more toys to donate to the charity. They sat with Liam's parents, some of the Riptide players, and Adam and Dom's wives. Raymond and Andy were guests too.
Claire's side had her dad and sisters. The sisters' relationship with Claire had improved nearly one hundred percent from when he'd first been introduced to the family. Her dad had attended several Riptide games and had done his best to help them with every baby question they tossed his way.
Love was all around, everywhere he looked.
The violinist switched to a new song. All eyes turned toward the Riptide's dugout. Savanna emerged first, as Claire's maid of honor. She wore a dress of brilliant blue and a smile as wide as the sky when her gaze met Slade's. He offered her his arm
