Claire glided up the dugout steps, a vision in white in a sexy gown, with that bright blue sash at her waist. His mouth went dry. She'd told him it was a mermaid gown. He hadn't a clue what that meant except that if she'd been a sea siren, he'd gladly have jumped overboard.
She kept her gaze on his, her smile trembling, as she came to his side. And then she slipped her hand in his and all was right with his world.
He listened as the officiant spoke of love, then made his vow to love, honor, and cherish Claire forever. He slipped the ring on her finger and couldn't stop smiling.
She repeated the vows, squeezing his hand for emphasis as she spoke in a calm, clear voice. When she slid the ring on his finger, he felt complete.
He drew her into his arms, and bent to kiss her. Claire's lips softened under his and he poured all of the love and promise he felt into the kiss.
The guests cheered and the celebration was underway.
As the night wound down, Liam gathered with Claire and their friends in the dugout for a quiet moment.
Dom handed them an elaborately wrapped box. "Happy wedding. Here you go, from all of us."
Liam set the box on the bench and he and Claire tugged off the wrapping and the lid. Sifting through tissue paper, he spied a shark fin, and lifted it. Not just a fin. But a baby shark costume. His heart swelled with happiness and laughter burst out as it radiated through him. "I love it. It's perfect."
He held up the outfit, then handed it to Claire.
Slade clapped him on the back. "We can't wait for you to introduce the baby to the fans next season. They're going to go crazy."
"Everyone has been rooting for Fin and Fiona." Claire smiled and leaned into Liam's chest.
"Can't go against true love." Liam bent until his lips touched Claire's soft mouth.
She'd been an unexpected surprise. The best thing in his life had come out of the worst experience he'd ever had. He wrapped his arm around her and settled on hand on her stomach. He couldn't wait to meet his child and to share his life with the baby and Claire.
Everything was changing again. He couldn't control what it, but he was ecstatic about it, and all he could see was a future that ended in a happily-ever-after.
SLADE
SLADE WAS LATE. HE sped through the hospital's hallways on his way to pick up Savanna so they could visit Claire and Liam in the maternity wing. He hated being late. Especially for Savanna. Especially today. Once again, LA's horrible traffic hadn't cooperated during his drive.
She stood when he entered her office and held out a colorful card. "It's from Mason. He's officially in remission."
He closed the door, then kissed her, and then checked out the thank you card. "I'm so happy. I love that kid."
"Me too." Savanna grabbed her purse. "Speaking of kids, we should go."
He linked their hands together. The ring he'd picked up from the jeweler that morning was burning a hole in his pocket. Waiting to propose wasn't an option now that he had her so close to him. "In a second."
Savanna squeezed his hand as she studied his face. "You seem pretty nervous considering this isn't even your child. You're more wound up than Liam when he called to let us know the baby was on its way."
He nodded, even as his heartbeat galloped. "Yeah. There's another reason."
"What's wrong?" She set her purse down and regarded him with wide eyes.
He drew her over to the chairs in front of her desk. "We need to talk."
Her gaze turned cautious and she sank into the seat. "Slade? What's going on?"
"Nothing bad. Just thinking about something I need to do. But I need you to do it with me."
She gave him a half-smile. "I'm still working off the thrill of scuba diving with the dolphins. But lay it on me. What adventure are you looking to do next?"
He had a new contract and a promise to the team to keep his adventurous activities limited to the off-season. He still did them, but that need had lessened a lot since he'd found Savanna. "Nothing like that. Something bigger. Something permanent. Something I'm hoping you'll like."
Her brows arched. "Permanent. Like, matching tattoos?"
He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to where his ring would hopefully soon reside. "How about matching rings? Will you marry me?"
Her eyes grew wide and her hand tightened around his. "Yes. Definitely yes."
Relief mixed with joy and he leaned back in the chair, searching his pocket for the ring. Her hand shook as he slid the oval-shaped diamond surrounded by aquamarine stones onto her finger. "It looks good there."
"It belongs there." She slid her hands along his jaw and drew him toward her. Soft tips touched his in slow exploration. He splayed his hand across her back as his body heated with want and need and love.
After a long moment, he lifted his head. "I know you're not crazy about the penthouse. I was thinking we'd buy something new together. There's a property for sale near Dom on a good-sized piece of land with two houses on it. Liam and I were thinking that he and Claire and the baby could live in one and you and I could live in the other. But only if you like it."
He hoped she would. He needed to be close to the family he'd created. "If you don't like it, that's fine. I want to be close to the guys but I'll live anywhere you want. The place doesn't matter as long as you're there. You're home to me."
Her eyes sparkled with tears. "I can't wait to see the house. I know you need the guys. I'd like it if Claire was close by."
"Good. Because we already put a deposit down. We didn't want to
