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*One year later*

The field is covered in confetti and filled with my teammates and their families, staff, and media personnel.

My shoulder is sore. Fuck, my entire body is sore, but my heart is so damn happy, I don’t give a shit about pain. And I’m definitely not crying, my eyes are just watering from… Ah, fuck. I’m crying.

As the starting pitcher, as soon as the game ended, I was pulled aside for some postgame interviews when all I wanted to do was find my girl and kiss her. And even now, after making my escape from the cameras and microphones, I seem to keep getting stopped by my teammates.

Not that I’m complaining, they’re the reason this day happened.

“We did it, brother,” I shout as I take the trophy from Monty and hoist it over my head. He slaps my back, then turns to kiss Lark deeply, his own cheeks also wet with emotion.

Yeah, I’m certainly not the only one in tears. Most of my teammates are, too, as we celebrate a win that’s been a long-fucking-time coming. I thought we had it in the bag last year. We made it to the championship series, then got knocked out.

We came back stronger than ever the following spring. I knew we were going to go all the way, just like I knew when that day came, I wanted Isabelle to be my wife.

Our one-year wedding anniversary is next month, and I’m surprising her with a trip back to Italy where we said “I do” surrounded by our family and friends.

I finally see my wife standing with my mom and dad and make my way over to them with the trophy in my hands. Mom hugs me first, then Dad, and finally, I reach Isabelle.

“Hey baby.” I grin, and she stares up at me with so much pride and love, it’s enough to bring me to my metaphorical knees.

One of the other guys walks past, and I hand him the trophy with a back slap before returning to her.

With my arms now free, I catch her easily when she flings herself into my embrace.

“I’m so, so, so proud of you,” she sobs into my shoulder as I crush her to me. My beautiful wife, my soulmate, my best friend, my everything.

Pretty soon, we’re joined by Darling and my sister, who holds up her hand that now sports a massive diamond, and we’ve got even more to celebrate.

We’re quickly surrounded by the rest of the guys, and with my arms around Isabelle, I look at them. The men who make up my second family.

Sin and Willow, and their two kids. Over the last five years, he’s become more than just a friend and teammate. He’s the older brother I never had, the mentor and inspiration for how to balance family and career.

Mav and Sadie. Who would have guessed he’d end up married to someone like her. No one ever saw that coming, that’s for sure. Quiet, kindhearted Sadie and the league’s ultimate bad boy? Yet, somehow they fit.

My boy Monty and Lark. She’s always been one of the team, like our sister, our friend, and our trainer all wrapped up in one. But all along, we were rooting for Monty to get his shot with the only woman he’s ever loved, and now, with their daughter, I’ve never seen two people more in love.

And Darling, my brother from another mother. And now, soon-to-be actual brother. I might not have been team “dating my sister in secret” at first, but fuck, there’s no denying how good they are together.

As if by some unspoken cue, the five of us break away from our loved ones, moving to the side. We’re all connected, through more than just baseball. Family who bleed, sweat, cry, and now, celebrate together.

“We fucking did it, boys,” Monty says in an uncharacteristically serious voice.

“Hell, yeah,” Sin says, draping his arms over the shoulders of Mav and Darling who stand next to him. “I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this team. You made it one hell of a season to go out on. Thank you.”

We’re all quiet for a moment. No doubt reflecting on the fact that things will be very different next year with Sin and Darling both retiring to move on to other things.

“Y’all better keep up next year, don’t go lettin’ us down,” Darling says, his accent coming out even stronger with all the emotion in his voice.

I scoff, even as I’m all choked up. “Don’t overestimate your importance, boys. We got this.”

Darling cuffs the back of my head as we all chuckle.

It won’t be the same, playing without the two of them.

Although, a part of me is jealous. They get to move on to more amazing things in life with their partners and families at their side.

I’m not ready to stop pitching, but damn, I can’t wait for that for me and Iz.

Speaking of my perfect wife, she slips between me and Mav, and I notice all the other wives joining us as well. And as we break off into our pairs, it hits me. For so long, I thought there was no way I could have it all: the career, the friends, my family, and the love of my life.

If it weren’t for fate bringing Isabelle back into my life, I might be standing here alone on this field, celebrating this win without her.

But I was given a second chance at having everything I could’ve possibly dreamed of and more. And there’s not a day that goes by when I’m not incredibly grateful for that.

“What are you thinking about?” Isabelle’s hand cups my cheek, and I look down at her.

“How fucking happy I am,” I reply honestly. “And how lucky.”

We kiss, and in that kiss, I feel everything. My past, present, and future all align to bring me to this moment.

Sometimes life throws you a curve. But a good player knows how to adjust so they can smash that out of the park. Home run, baby. Now and forever.

Thank you for reading Curve Into Forever!