Page 8 of Catching Her Heart (Austin Stars Baseball RomCom #2)

CHAPTER EIGHT

One year later

I'm standing in the grand foyer of Rosewood Manor, watching Kathleen pace back and forth in front of the ma?tre d' like a caged lioness.

The Victorian mansion turned event venue is gorgeous—all restored hardwood floors, crystal chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows—but I'm pretty sure Ted's mom is about to have a nervous breakdown.

"Are you absolutely certain there will be enough salmon?" she asks the poor man for the fourth time in ten minutes. "Because I counted, and with Ted's teammates and their appetites, and my sister's family coming in from San Antonio, and what if people want seconds?—"

"Mom," Ted says gently, appearing at her elbow. "It's going to be fine. They've been doing this for twenty years."

"But what if it's not fine? What if people leave hungry? What if?—"

"Kathleen," Nana interrupts, patting her daughter-in-law's arm. "You're working yourself into a tizzy. The boy's getting married tomorrow, not today. Save some worry for the actual wedding."

I catch Ted's eye across the foyer and we share a smile. He looks devastatingly handsome in his navy blazer, and when he winks at me, my heart still does that little flip it's been doing for over a year now.

"You look beautiful," he says, making his way over to me. His eyes travel over my emerald green dress—the one Bridget helped me pick out because "it makes Ted go all swoony."

"Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself."

"Just pretty well?" He leans closer, his voice dropping. "I was hoping for devastatingly attractive, irresistibly charming, maybe a little ruggedly handsome?—"

"Don't fish for compliments," I laugh, straightening his tie. "You know exactly how you look in that blazer."

"Like a man who's about to marry the most amazing woman in Texas?"

"Exactly like that."

Before Ted can respond, the ma?tre d' announces that dinner is ready to be served, and our families start moving toward the private dining room. Ted offers me his arm, and we follow the cheerful chaos.

The dining room is perfect—long tables arranged in a U-shape, candles flickering in tall glass holders, and massive arrangements of white roses and greenery.

Our families mingle as they find their seats, and I watch my parents trying to keep up with a conversation between Nana and Jay about the finer points of slide techniques.

"Your grandmother is explaining baseball to a professional baseball player," I murmur to Ted.

"And Jay's listening like she's the expert. And Jay’s actually a pitcher, I couldn’t tell you the last time he slid into a base, " he murmurs back. "I love your family, but mine has no shame."

Dinner is actually perfect, despite Kathleen's worries. The salmon is perfectly cooked, there's more than enough food, and the wine flows freely. By the time we reach dessert, everyone is relaxed and laughing.

That's when Bridget stands up, tapping her wine glass with her fork.

"Excuse me, everyone!" she calls out. "I have a special surprise for the happy couple!"

Ted and I exchange glances. "Should I be worried?" I whisper.

"Definitely," he whispers back.

"As you all know," Bridget continues, beaming, "I've been practicing for this moment for over a year. And now, I'd like to perform a special song for Ted and Piper!"

She clears her throat and launches into what I think is supposed to be "At Last" by Etta James. What comes out sounds more like a cat being stepped on by a moose.

"At laaaaaast, my looooove has come alooooong..."

I try to keep my expression neutral, but Ted's shoulders are shaking with laughter. He’s not even trying to hide it. Around the room, our families and friends are wearing the same politely pained expressions I remember from the national anthem.

But something miraculous happens. Despite the off-key warbling and the creative interpretation of the melody, there's something genuinely sweet about Bridget's performance.

She's singing with her whole heart, her face glowing with joy and love for us.

When she hits what might charitably be called the chorus, her voice cracks with emotion.

"At last, the skies above are blue, my heart was wrapped up in clover..."

I feel tears prick my eyes. Not from the musical assault, but from the pure love radiating from Ted's sister. This woman has been planning our wedding since the day she met me, and she's putting everything she has into this moment.

When she finally, mercifully finishes, the room erupts in applause. Bridget takes a bow, flushed and happy, and I realize that Aaron Mitchell, Ted's teammate from the outfield, is clapping particularly enthusiastically.

"That was beautiful," Aaron says, standing up. "Really moving."

I stare at him in shock. Either Aaron has terrible taste in music, or he's seeing something the rest of us missed.

"Thank you," Bridget beams. "I've been taking voice lessons!"

"It shows," Aaron says earnestly. "Would you like to dance?"

Bridget's face lights up like the Fourth of July. "I’d love to!"

As Aaron leads Bridget toward the small dance floor area, I lean over to Ted. "Is he serious right now?"

"Aaron?" Ted grins. "Dead serious. He's been asking about Bridget since the engagement party. He said she's refreshingly authentic."

"She's something, all right," I mutter, watching Aaron spin Bridget around the dance floor. She's giggling and glowing, and Aaron looks completely smitten.

"Oh no," I say suddenly.

"What?"

"I can see it happening. He's going to ask her out. She's going to say yes. Your family is going to adopt him immediately." I pause, watching Aaron dip Bridget while she laughs delightedly. "Your mother is going to start planning another wedding."

Ted follows my gaze and grins. "Aaron could do worse. Bridget's amazing. The best and biggest heart."

"And questionable vocal abilities."

"He doesn't seem to mind."

On the dance floor, Aaron is listening intently as Bridget chatters away, probably telling him about her voice lessons or her maid of honor dress or her theories about proper wedding planning. He looks fascinated. I’m genuinely happy for them both.

"Heaven help him," I mutter.

Ted laughs and stands up, offering me his hand. "Come on. Dance with me before my sister scares off another one of my teammates."

"Another one?"

"You don't want to know about the incident with the backup catcher and her PowerPoint presentation on wedding flowers."

I take his hand and let him lead me onto the dance floor.

As we sway together to the soft music playing from the restaurant's sound system, I look around at our families and friends.

Jay and Tracy are dancing nearby, looking blissfully happy.

Kathleen has finally relaxed and is showing my parents photos on her phone—probably baby pictures of Ted.

Nana is holding court at the head table, regaling anyone who will listen with stories about Ted's childhood baseball career.

"No regrets?" Ted asks softly.

I look up into his eyes, at the face I've come to love so completely. "About what?"

"Staying in Austin. Turning down Chicago. Agreeing to marry a catcher with an insane family."

"Are you kidding?" I reach up to touch his cheek. "Best decision I ever made."

"Even with Bridget's singing?"

"Especially with Bridget's singing. Though I'm drawing the line if she wants to sing at the actual ceremony tomorrow."

"Too late," Ted grins. "She's already planned her playlist."

"Ted Brennan, please tell me you're joking."

"Okay, I'm joking."

"But you're not really joking, are you?"

"Not even a little bit."

I groan and drop my forehead against his chest. "What have I gotten myself into?"

"A lifetime of off-key serenades, interfering family members, and reporters asking if I'm going to hit better now that I'm married."

"And?"

"And a lifetime of coffee dates, inside jokes, and falling asleep next to the woman who makes me want to be better at everything." His arms tighten around me. "Still sound good to you?"

I pull back to look at him, at this man who saw past my professional armor from day one, who trusted me enough to share his dreams and patient enough to forgive my mistakes. Tomorrow I become Mrs. Ted Brennan, and I honestly can't wait.

"Sounds perfect," I say, standing on my tiptoes to kiss him.

From across the dance floor, I hear Bridget's delighted squeal as Aaron dips her again, and I can't help but smile. I’m so happy right now I just want everyone else to be happy, too.