Page 85 of Vanishing Legacy

Ten minutes later, Cash walked into the living room decked out in team gear. He threw his hands up. “Who’s ready for some Banana Ball!”

Rocco and Penny bounced up and down and cheered. Both were decked out in yellow Savannah Bananas team jerseys. Alana had Penny’s hair in pigtails tied with big yellow bows. Rocco had a Savannah Bananas team ball cap pulled low over his eyes. Cash was happy to see him wearing it, since he and Alana had scoured every souvenir store in Savannah to find it. The team was so popular that hats were sold out everywhere.

Alana threw her jersey over her T-shirt, and Cash helped her button it. When he finished, she slid her hand around the back of his neck and pulled him in for a lengthy kiss. Cash was breathless when he released her.

“Can I just say again how proud I am of you, Dr. Cash Thomas, Chief of Surgery? It took a bit longer than you expected, but now you finally have everything you wanted.”

Cash patted the ring in his pocket. Not everything. Not yet.

* * *

Alana wasn’t a huge baseball fan, but she had to admit, the Savannah Bananas sure made the game fun and interesting. Juliette had scored great seats behind the dugout. Three rows to accommodate the Elite Guardians Savannah branch employees and friends.

The pitcher called a time-out and huddled with the catcher and two fielders on the mound. A popular song Alana sorta recognized blasted over the intercom, and the players began a choreographed dance. Fans exploded into cheers and laughter while the batter struggled to focus on which of the three players would pitch the ball.

Alana leaned to her left to talk to Christina over the music. “Thanks for coming all the way out here for this silly game. Glad you and Grey could make it. And Boss, of course.” The retired military working dog was sprawled out asleep on the concrete in front of Rocco and Penny.

“Are you kidding? I’m having a blast!” Christina nudged her and pointed to the end of the row where Grey’s wheelchair was parked beside Cash. Jonah sat beside Noelle in the next row, his body angled to chat with the guys behind him. “Grey said he really likes Cash and Jonah. Between the military and medical stuff, I think they could talk for hours. How do you like Savannah?”

Alana caught Noelle’s eye, and her friend smiled and raised her cup of soda in a silent toast. Raven was busy taking photos of the game and the group, laughing at her own jokes and trying to get Juliette to pose for a photo with Rocco and Penny.

“It’s only been five months, but you know what? It feels like family.”

“Them too?” Christina lifted her chin to indicate Penny and Rocco in the seats in front of them. “Their bond seems tighter than ours at their age.”

“Well, you know what I always say. Family is more than blood.”

The Savannah Bananas announcer’s voice boomed through the stadium. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for our Kids Run the Bases event! Bring your little ones down to the field to run the bases with their favorite players! Families are welcome to cheer from behind home plate!”

Penny’s and Rocco’s eyes lit up. “Can we? Can we?” they chimed together.

“Sure!” Cash waved. “Hurry or they’ll start without us.”

Rocco and Penny ran ahead, and Cash interlaced his fingers with Alana’s. They made their way down to the field where the Savannah Bananas team was lining up on the foul line.

“Look!” Penny pointed.

The team pulled foam banana costumes over their uniforms. They shouted and waved to the children, encouraging them to find a player to run with. Music kicked up, and Alana burst out laughing at the familiar song. The Savannah Bananas formed a conga line with the kids and danced their way to first base.

Cash stood behind Alana and wrapped his arm around her waist. She didn’t stop laughing as the line rounded the bases. Rocco held Penny’s hand, and she was sure it was their giggles alone that echoed across the stadium.

When the line reached home plate, the team removed their banana costumes and formed a semicircle around her and Cash. Noelle, Juliette, Raven, Jonah, Christina, Grey, and even Boss stood with Rocco, Penny, and the team.

The music stopped.

Everyone in the small crowd, including the entire Savannah Bananas team, got down on one knee and mimed opening a ring box.

Alana gasped.

Was this…was this really happening? Right here on the field?

She whirled around to see Cash kneeling on home plate with a giant smile. Her hands flew to her mouth.

He opened a black velvet ring box to reveal a sparkling diamond. The crowd roared with applause, but she could only focus on Cash.

“Alana, I love you and our perfectly imperfect family.” His voice hitched and he swallowed. “Wow, I had a whole thing prepared, but…” He smiled.

She looked at him, eyes filling with tears. “It’s okay, just…” She nodded for him to keep going.