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We win this game, and I can’t help but smile as I look over at Tina and Gran. Where’s Charlie?

He was sitting there only moments ago.

There’s a bunch of oohing and ahhing from the girls, more like giggles. I turn my head a bit and see Charlie kneeling down behind me. He looks nervous, but I’m hoping he didn’t get hurt and now can’t stand back up. The history of hip and leg injuries we’ve had in our families is extensive.

Then he pulls out a ring and says, “Ava Marie Hooper, I have loved you for a long, long time. You’re one of the best things that’s happened to me, and you’ve helped me change my perspective on what living life should be like. I want to be with you for forever. Will you marry me?”

Squeals all around me cause my heart to beat hard enough it might pop out of my chest. Staring at the man I love, I can’t help but let the tears fall. He’s worked through my fears of being abandoned and has helped me find a safe space with him.

“Yes, I’ll marry you.”

He slides a simple ring on my finger and I can’t help but grin. “This is beautiful.”

He stands up and leans in to kiss me. “I wasn’t sure what you would like, so I took Gran.”

I laugh and say, “So that’s why she was showing me all of her jewelry and having me try it on!”

Charlie laughs. “I wanted this to be a surprise. Did it work?”

Grinning, I say, “Yes,” before leaning in to give him a kiss.

I lean back, surveying the group around us. The dozen girls on the team, their parents, Gran, Tina, Emily. They’re all there. An odd little family, but they’re all excited, cheering for us as we record this new milestone in our relationship. I couldn’t ask for a better moment than this.

The perfect ending to a love story started on the sidelines.

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