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Ms. Deb walks her to the other side of home plate, which is perfect with Gwendolyn being a lefty. Deb gives me a hug then a kiss before walking to her place beside Annie and Marks, next to my old man and Mom on the pitcher’s mound.
“Done many of these ceremonies over the years, but never on a ball field. Couldn’t say no when Whitley Anne, Theresa, Deborah, and Annie called and asked. I mean, I could have, but the Mrs. would not have been happy, and son, when I tell you a happy wife makes a happy life, it’s the second most important thing I’ll tell you today. The first is that there is not one thing in our lives that cannot be made better by the one thing that matters the most—love.”
“Amen!” Chloe Aiken yells.
Pastor B smiles and continues, “And when you doubt what I’ve just said, and you will, you bow your head and ask the Creator of love and life for guidance in all things.”
Gwen has tears flowing already; I’m not far from doing the same.
“I know we have a hog, all the fixings, and even Mary Anne’s famous banana pudding to get to, so let’s get to it, shall we?”
“Would appreciate that.” I smile at my girl, and she gives it right back.
“Repeat after me,” Pastor B continues, and I can’t repeat them fast enough.
“I, Leland Thomas Locke, take you, Gwendolyn Rose York, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto, I pledge you my faith and self to you.”
“Now, Gwendolyn,” he begins.
She shakes her head. “I got this.”
Pastor B laughs. “Then go right ahead.”
“I, Gwendolyn Rose York, take you, Leland Thomas Locke, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto, I pledge you my faith and self to you.”
Pastor B raises his hand. “These words are more than just a script; they are promises sealed with deep emotion and a sense of divine presence. To have and to hold signifies a promise of companionship and mutual support. For better, for worse, acknowledges the ups and downs that life will inevitably bring. For richer, for poorer highlights a commitment that transcends financial circumstances. In sickness and in health is a vow to stay by each other’s side, no matter what. To love and to cherish speaks to a dedication to nurture and care for one another. Till death do us part underscores the lifelong nature of this bond. Those of you in attendance carry the privilege to witness these vows and the responsibility to guide Leland and Gwen through any storm you may see in their way. Commit to this by saying we will.”
“We will,” echoes through the air.
He looks at us and smiles. “By the power vested in me by the State of Texas, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
We both step onto home plate, toes touching, smiling. I take her face in my hands and kiss my wife in a way that I hope shows how much I will cherish her now and always.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Leland and Gwendolyn Locke.”
Holding our hands high in the air, we turn as they whistle, cheer, and applaud.
“Wanna round the bases, Gwendolyn Locke?” I ask.
She grins. “You know I do.”
And we do that. We walk from home to first and make our way around the bases, stopping and thanking every person who came here today.
A foot from home, I swoop her up and carry her to home plate, kissing her again, but this time, with a little tongue.
Epilogue
Twenty-Two Weeks
July
Four months ago, I married my dream girl on a ballfield, and we’ve been balls out since.
I met Ronald Sr., Ronald Jr., Nadine, and Rachel, her half-sister, who was nothing like the other three. They were in the stands during our vows. Mama Deb had emailed an invite. The man had the balls to offer to contact Ray Davis, the owner of the Rangers, to get me out of Jersey and back to Texas, right in front of Amias and Max Steel. I told him that I’d die or retire from the only team I’ve played for that felt like a true family, and then I introduced him to Max.
The invite wasn’t extended to the barbeque. Mama Deb told Gwendolyn Locke that she had done it to save her the headache of dealing with their bullshit later.
She received a call from a lawyer, asking where she wanted the money deposited. I gave Gwen my finance guy’s number and let them sort everything out.
