Page 63 of Fair Trade (New York Monarchs #2)

fifty-seven

It’s too late to back out now.

I probably could have done this from the comfort of our home.

But when her insecurities are loud, it’s my duty to make my love for her even louder.

“You’re all mic’d up. You sure you want to do this? You don’t even give out interviews, and this is for sure going to go viral,” Daisy says as she does a final mic check.

“I’m sure. You need to run through the plan again?”

She rolls her eyes playfully. “I think I’ve got it. You’ve only made me recite it to you ten thousand times.”

I’m happy that our relationship hasn’t taken a hit since the joint bachelor parties, but I’m still holding out hope that I can convince her to stop her train wreck of a wedding from happening next month.

“All right. Then off I go. Wish me luck,” I say as I exit the dugout and step onto the Monarchs’ field.

I keep my head down, staying focused on the task at hand and not the confused sounds of the thousands of baseball-loving fans in the stands.

I make it to the pitcher’s mound and finally allow myself to take in the sight.

I’m struck by an unexpected onslaught of emotion as I look around me.

This place is a thing of beauty. Filled to the brim with joy from New Yorkers who make this place feel like home.

The place that brought a new sense of purpose to my life.

The place that, more importantly, led me to my wife.

I take a deep breath as I lift my mic and smile as I greet the awaiting crowd.

“Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to Monarchs Stadium. It is my honor to have you all here today. I am proud of this organization and the good we provide by hosting these charity games here in the heart of the city. And I am happy to announce that I will be matching the final total of donations we raise tonight.”

That earns me an enthusiastic round of applause. I hope the crowd can keep that energy as I spill my heart out on the field.

“I’m sorry. Where are my manners? I have yet to introduce myself to you. Some of you may already know who I am, but I want to take this opportunity to make this official.”

I look down at my watch and smile. “Two hours ago, I submitted paperwork to have my name legally changed. So I’d like to re introduce myself, I suppose.

My name is Nicholas León álvarez-Stonehaven.

I’m hyphenating.” I wink at the crowd as they cheer.

“It’s only fair, since my wife has taken my name and heart as well.

And if I’m being honest, being an álvarez is one of the greatest honors I’ll ever have in this life. ” I smile to myself.

“Speaking of the love of my life.” I shield my eyes from the bright lights with the hand not holding the microphone. “I believe you may have heard of her. She’s only the most impressive woman in the sports industry. But then again, I am her husband, so I may be biased. Ah, there she is.”

I see my sister not so gently pushing Luisa onto the field. My wife’s rosy cheeks are visible all the way from here. It’s only going to get worse for her stage fright, I fear.

She smiles and waves as she makes her way toward me.

Her heels keep digging into the field, so she stops halfway into her journey and chucks them behind her, causing the crowd to burst into laughter.

“Lucifer,” she warns, careful not to move her lips due to the many camera angles pointed our way. But I don’t miss the barely restrained tears—hopefully her reaction to hearing my new last name.

I pull her in for a live TV-appropriate kiss, then whisper in her ear. “Fancy seeing you here.”

She manages to chuckle, but her body remains tense. She’s probably wondering why I’ve dragged her all the way out here, so I move it along.

“Some of you may have heard that my beautiful wife and I eloped last fall. I promise you, there’s a good story there, but I’ll keep that between Luisa and me.” I sneakily pinch her ass, and her face continues to turn a pretty shade of pink.

“And while I wouldn’t change a single part of our story, I do find that I need to remedy something immediately.”

I take a step back and, while keeping her hand in mine, drop down to one knee.

The noise level is deafening, but I only have eyes for my woman.

“Nick. Wh-what…”

“You should have had this the first time, but I’m doing it now. And don’t worry: this time I got your dad’s permission.” I point to the dugout. “Everyone, wave to Dad, Javier álvarez.”

The crowd cheers as Javier takes a step out of the dugout, decked out in full Monarchs’ gear as he waves to the crowd, recording the whole thing on his phone while in selfie mode.

“Luisa.” I bring the attention back to the most important person in the stadium—and in my life. “I have loved you since long before my mind could even reconcile the fact. It’s stubbornness only rivals your own. I vowed to be your husband months ago, but today, I’m negotiating for more.”

“Of course you would negotiate at a time like this!” she yells, and a small chuckle escapes from her lips.

“I want to update our terms.” I clear my throat. “I want a full life with you, Luisa. One where we drink Dominican hot chocolate on cold winter nights. Spend weekends watching mind-numbing reality TV and outdated romantic comedies—”

“Careful. You were doing well there for a moment,” she fake scolds.

I smile. “Days where I fight with our dog over who gets to cuddle you the most, nights with family and friends dancing around our kitchen and forgoing the dining table to eat in front of the TV.” I look over at the crowd.

“To watch a Monarchs game, of course.” The cheers ramp up again, and I can already see a few weeping ladies slapping their husbands on the arm as they point in our direction.

“But most importantly, I’m asking for forever and a day. This lifetime and the next. Way past the moment we’re dearly departed. Because my body may have finite time here on this earth, but my soul seeks nothing less than eternity with yours.”

A tear streaks down her face as she smiles.

“Marry me, Luisa. Again. Because marrying you is the greatest thing I’ve ever done, and I’ll do it as many times as you allow me to.

” I lean forward and kiss her ring-clad hand.

“So what do you say, Angel? Ready to dance with the devil for the rest of your days?” I manage a small smirk, even though my heart is racing inside my chest.

She starts nodding her head before she speaks. “Yes! I’ll marry you a hundred times more, as long as you don’t propose to me in front of a million people ever again!” She laughs as she throws herself at me.

I catch her easily and pick her up.

“You’re certifiably insane, but I love you, so I’m not so sure what that says about me.” She laughs into my neck.

I pull back and place a soft kiss on each cheek, where her tears stream down her face. “Oh, c’mon, love. You know there’s no crying in baseball.”

My laugh gets caught when she leans in to kiss me. The flashing lights don’t hold a candle to the dizzying feeling of having Luisa in my arms.

I lift the mic once more as I pat my jacket pockets repeatedly and tsk loudly. “Seems like I’ve forgotten something important.”

I whistle, and a fuzzy ball of fur bounds our way.

“Delilah.” Luisa gasps as our beautiful pup hops onto her hind legs to greet us. “What is that?”

I take the rolled-up piece of paper from Delilah’s mouth. “Such a good girl. Say hi, Delilah.” She preens under the crowd’s whoops, and I swear I hear Luisa grumble something about how she’s just like her father.

“I didn’t get you another ring. I know we’re quite partial to this one, but I believe I’ve thought of something that could symbolize our love a bit better. Though I’ll warn you now: it comes bearing a bit of work… like your marriage to me.”

“Oh God, not another contract.”

I hand it to her. “Open it.”

Her eyes scan the top of the document, and she freezes.

I turn off the mic pack behind my back so no one can hear us.

“It’s yours, Luisa. If you want the partnership, it’s there.

Hell, if you want the whole thing, I’ll give it to you.

But I figured since you already have your plate full with being—”

“Yes! Yes, I want it. I want to do this with you. Together.” She kisses me deeply, and I couldn’t give a damn about who’s watching as I pull her in closer.

Delilah happily yelps beside me, and I recognize it’s time to wrap this up and give the field back to the professionals before my overexcited pup desecrates it.

“Can I make it official?” I wiggle the microphone between us, and she buries her head in my shoulder. “Go on, showman. But remind me to never invite you to karaoke night with the girls. You seem to get power hungry with a mic in your hand.”

I turn the microphone back on and test it quickly before announcing, “It is my greatest pleasure to announce the newest co-owner of the New York Monarchs, Luisa álvarez-Stonehaven.” She smiles as she shakes her head. “Oh, she’s also the majority owner, possessing 51 percent.”

Luisa gasps. “Nick!”

I smile mischievously at my wife as I muffle the mic behind my back.

“Have you learned nothing, wife? Always remember to read the contract thoroughly. Never know who or what you’ll get stuck with.

” I wink. “Now let’s hurry along. I have plans to sleep with my new boss tonight.

Can’t wait to see what all the fuss is about. ”