Chapter 7

Grandma

We'd been running around for weeks trying to get things done without Parker knowing. Between baseball, the house, the security company, and going to the lawyer, he didn't have a spare moment. Neither did Cassie, but somehow she managed to plan a baseball wedding. Every single one of us ladies helped in one way or another. The men helped too by keeping the kids when they needed to.

The day had finally come. Scott called Parker early and asked if he could come over to help him fix something at the house. Parker had a game the day before and another the next day as well, but he told Scott he'd be there. When the man walked in, I let out a laugh.

“Nothing like working on your day off,” I said.

“You got that right,” he said. “I don't mind though. He's gotten me out of some tough spots too. I'll always be there when he needs help. I just need to hurry though. I was able to get the twins today, so I want to spend time with them, and Sammie has already called to ask me to run over there for a bit too.”

“How's Cassie?” she asked.

He just shook his head. Then he finally spoke.

“Very pregnant,” he said. “I can't say she didn't warn me though. She said she was something else when she was pregnant, and she wasn't kidding. I don't know what's going on with her. She's been acting strange lately. Her mind is someplace else, and it can't be the magazine. It started before that. She went shopping for hours and didn't bring one bag home. When I ask her stuff, she acts like she's hiding something. Every time I mention how far along she is and that I want to be married before the baby is born, she blows me off. At first it pissed me off, but now it kind of hurts. Does she not want to marry me? Is it the whole baseball thing? I don't get it. The one thing I do know is that she's up to something. Maybe it's Jeff. If that fucker is contacting her, I swear I'll kick the shit out of him.”

“Parker,” I said, trying to stop him but knowing my granddaughter would kick my ass if I said anything.

“You want to know the crazy part?” he asked, and I nodded. “Just when I was convinced that she didn't love me like I did her, she shocked the shit out of me by telling me she'd made an appointment with a lawyer so we could try to get the kids more. If she wasn't in for the long haul, why would she do that? The only thing saving me from losing my mind is knowing that she's carrying my child and that she's one of yours.”

“One of mine?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he answered. “They all do crazy shit.”

I burst into laughter, as I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tight.

“My girl loves you, Parker,” I said. “Don't ever doubt that. I'm going to head over to your place to see if her and the kids want to go out to lunch.”

“See if you can find out what's up with her,” he said. “You have my back too, remember?”

“Oh, I remember,” I said. “Have fun working.”

“Very funny,” he said. “I'm just hoping I'm done in time to head to Sammie's place. She'll kick my ass if I'm late helping her because I was helping James' dad.”

I walked out the front door with a huge smile on my face. That poor guy didn't know what was coming his way.

Cassie got the kids in the car, and we headed toward Sammie's place. When we walked in, my whole family was there, everyone except for Parker and Scott that is. They were working at the house.

The guys were hanging decorations, and the ladies were ordering them around. Cassie jumped right in and began setting things up. She didn't stop for one second until the place was perfect. There were baseball decorations everywhere. The bleachers had streamers connecting each one to the next. There was a white runner going from the front door all the way to the pitcher's mound. When I walked over to the food table, I laughed. There were hot dogs cooking, and she had all of the condiments to go with them. There was even a cotton candy machine sitting next to chips, Cracker Jacks, and peanuts. The guys had stocked coolers full of juices, sodas, and beers. It truly was perfect.

The guests started arriving, and I hugged every single one of them. There were players with their wives and kids, girlfriends, or just by themselves. The teams coaches came, and I was shocked when the manager walked in too. How Cassie pulled off getting them all there, I wasn't sure, but it was awesome, and I knew Parker was going to be so damn happy.

When Cassie was ready, she told Sammie to call him, so I walked outside with them. Parker answered the phone, and I laughed.

“I know, Sammie,” was the first thing he said. “I'm coming. I was helping Scott, and we just got done. I'm on my way.”

“Can you bring him with you?” Sammie asked. “I could use the extra hands. This job is harder than I thought.”

“Shit!” he growled out. “I told your ass I would be there. You better not be lifting heavy shit on your own. Should I call Reid and have him kick your ass?”

“Hey!” she snapped. “I'm just as strong as your ass. Hurry it up.”

“Well hang up the damn phone then,” he said. “We're on our way.”

Sammie hung up the phone, and we all laughed.

“Do you think he's going to be mad?” Cassie asked, in a nervous tone. “What if he says no?”

“He won't,” Lucy said, as she walked up behind us. “That man is going to be putty in your hands.”

“Most definitely,” I said. “He was talking to me this morning about it.”

“About what?” Cassie asked.

“About you not wanting to talk about getting married,” I answered. “The man is a mess. He thinks you don't want to be with him.”

“What?” Cassie asked. “Of course I want to be with him.”

“When I showed up at that game and asked Lance to marry me, he was a total sucker,” Lucy said. “Parker is going to love this.”

“Bullshit, Woman,” Lance snapped out, as he walked out the door. “Want to say that to my face.”

“Anytime,” Lucy said. “You know damn well I'm telling the truth.”

“Whatever,” he said, as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

“We need to get back inside,” Cassie said. “I'm so nervous.”

“Don't be,” I said. “That man is so in love with you. It's amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better guy for my girl.”

“Really?” she asked.

“Really,” I answered. “He's your forever, princess.”

“Very funny,” she said. “I love you, Grandma. You better make sure his ass makes it in there.”

“He will,” I said, as I gave her a huge hug. “That man isn't going anywhere unless it's with you. Hurry up and get inside before he sees you.”

Everyone walked back in except for me.

When Scott pulled in and parked his car, Parker got out and headed for the door, but he stopped the second he saw me.

“What are you doing standing out here?” he asked. “You're supposed to be at lunch with my family, aren't you?”

Scott walked by us and disappeared into the building.

“I'm here to give you something,” I said, as I handed him the folded piece of paper Cassie had given me.

“What's this?” he asked.

“It's a letter, Parker,” I said, looking up at him. “You're supposed to read it.”

“Okay,” he said, as I turned around to walk into the building.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“I'll see you inside,” I answered.

“Is this from Cassie?” he asked. “Don't even tell me she's running. If she is, her ass won't get very far. That's my baby inside her belly. I will chase her. Did you tell her that?”

“Read it, Parker,” I said.

“Stay out here,” he said, with the saddest look on his face. “Don't leave.”

I stood there, as he unfolded the letter and began reading.

Pete, Parker, wannabe,

When I first walked into this place, my life was a mess. It had been turned upside down, and I had no idea what I was going to do to fix it. When you walked up and messed with me, I wanted to kick your ass. When my mouth opened, and I gave you shit, I couldn't believe it. That wasn't me, but it felt damn good. The more I saw you, the more I looked forward to our next confrontation.

I told you things I hadn't told anyone, and you helped me, even though I wasn't your problem. I think the dick helped a little too, but we won't talk about that. When I ran, it didn't matter, you helped me anyway.

I tried, wannabe. I tried not to fall for you. You were everything I did not want. I can't tell you how many times I tried, but it never worked. You were there, and I couldn't fight it.

You did so much to help me, more than anyone had ever done before. More important than that, you cared, Parker. My world was a mess, and you cared. You never gave up on me. As many times as I tried to push you away, you came back. Thank you!

I love you so much more than I could ever put into words. You are my life, and I don't want to go one more minute without being Mrs. Pete Parker. So, what do you say? Do you want to get married? If so, walk through the door in front of you, put on your jersey, and meet me at the end of the aisle. If not, watch out, my grandma has strict instructions to kick your ass, and you know she'll do it.

I love you so much, so hurry up. Get your ass in here.

Your loving wife,

Cassie

When he finished reading the letter, I knew I had the biggest smile on my face.

“I can't believe I just read that in front of you,” he said.

“Don't worry about it,” I said, as I pointed to the building. “You know I've heard worse from them.”

“You knew,” he said. “You knew, and you let me ramble on earlier.”

“What do you think she would have done if I'd told you?” I asked. “Not happening. She's been planning this for weeks. So has Sammie and the rest of us too. What's it going to be? You going to marry my girl?”

“Hell yeah, I am,” he said. “I've been waiting to make her mine.”

“Thank you!” I said, as I turned toward the door.

“For what?” he asked.

“For being who you are,” I answered. “I've been waiting for so long for her to find what she deserves, and she finally has. All of my kids are happy, and I'm happier than I've ever been in my life because of that. You were the final piece. Take care of my girl, Parker.”

“I'll do everything I can to keep her safe and make her happy,” he said.

“I know you will,” I said. “Come on. Let's get you married.”

I pulled the door open, we stepped through, and Parker stopped. His eyes scanned the place, and I instantly saw a tear leave the corner of his eye.

“She did all this?” he asked.

“She did,” I answered. “You've not seen anything yet.”

“My woman made a baseball themed wedding,” he whispered. “This is awesome.”

“She thought of everything,” I said. “We're even having a ballpark lunch.”

I handed him the jersey we'd left just inside the door, and he pulled it over his head. Then I motioned in front of us at the path leading to my precious granddaughter.

“Go make her yours,” I said.

He leaned down and hugged me. Then he headed for her. When he came into view and all the guys from the team started cheering, he burst into laughter, but his eyes stayed in front of him. Cassie was standing, in her jersey, in the middle of the baseball diamond. Next to her, in their own jerseys, were all five kids. She even had the tiny jersey pinned over hers, covering her round belly.

Parker walked quickly to her, picked her up, and spun her around. Then he looked down at the kids and hugged each of them.

“You did this for me?” he asked her.

“I figured this was the place,” she said. “It was where we were the first time we met, and it means a lot to both of us.”

“I love you,” he said, as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer again.

“Are you sad it's not fancy?” she asked.

“Are you kidding?” he replied. “This is perfect. I can't believe you pulled this off without any of them telling me. This is the best gift ever, aside from our kids of course.”

“You ready to be stuck with me forever, wannabe?” she asked.

“More ready than I've ever been in my life,” he answered. “Let's do this.”

The ceremony was short but sweet, and before I knew it, Parker was kissing his bride. I could only remember a few moments in my life when I'd been as happy as I was right then, but there was something about that moment that was more special than the rest. Every single person in my amazing family had found a love just as amazing as I'd once found for myself. It was perfect.