Twenty Years Later
“I can’t believe we’re here!” Riley said excitedly.
“And that we’re in a private box!” Devyn agreed.
“Or that Shin-Soo Choo is sitting right over there,” Aspen stage whispered.
Oz listened as his wife and her friends chattered happily. As for himself, he couldn’t take his eyes off the field in front of him. His heart felt as if it was going to burst out of his chest.
Logan had done it.
He’d worked his ass off in high school and had gotten a scholarship to a division-one university. There, a scout had noticed him, and he’d played in the minor leagues for a few years before being called up to the majors.
Now, here they were. At the Olympics.
Logan had been invited to play for the United States Team, and he’d invited everyone to come watch him play. The Olympic Games were being held in Dallas, and they’d all made the journey to see their favorite baseball player’s dreams come true.
Gillian, Trigger, and their son and daughter were there. At nearly twelve, the twins were as different as night and day. Joe was athletic and thrilled to be at the Olympics. While Josie was more interested in people watching and checking out what everyone was wearing.
Kinley and Lefty had come, as had their son, Dominic.
Aspen, Brain, and Chance were there, although Chance was currently sitting with Shin-Soo and his family, chatting away in Korean. While Brain’s son didn’t know quite as many languages as his father, he’d come close.
Devyn and Lucky sat to his left. They hadn’t had any children, by choice, and were perfectly happy spoiling everyone else’s.
Ember, Doc, and Jemila sat directly behind Oz. Jemila’s eyes were huge as she took in the crowds. She was about to enter her senior year. She was absolutely beautiful, and though everyone kept encouraging Ember to let her daughter model, she’d refused. Jemila wasn’t interested in anything like that, anyway. She was her mother’s daughter for sure, and had been kicking ass in the modern pentathlon for years. Oz wouldn’t be surprised if they were all sitting in the stands at a future Olympics, watching her compete.
Sierra and Grover rounded out the group. They’d never had children, but had given at least two dozen foster children a temporary home. Mostly teenagers, who needed a safe place to stay while their home lives were figured out. They’d all eventually moved on, but almost all of them kept in touch with the couple who’d given them unconditional love during confusing and unsteady times in their lives.
They’d also filled their property with abused and neglected animals. Grover had expanded his barn, adding other buildings, and the couple now housed over four dozen horses, cows, donkeys, goats…even a few pigs. Oz had never seen two people so in tune with animals as his friends. They’d definitely had the favorite house for everyone’s kids over the years. And why not? They basically had their own petting zoo to visit whenever they wanted.
Oz turned his attention to his own family. Amalia and Brittney almost looked like twins. They were only a year apart, and as close as best friends and sisters could be. They were currently entertaining the two foster children who were living with them at the moment.
Over the years, Oz and Riley had taken in more than forty-six kids themselves, occasionally two, three…even four at a time. Some had only stayed a month or so, others much longer. They hadn’t ended up adopting any of their fosters, which was all right. Oz was extremely proud every time a child was able to return to family members who loved them.
But never quite so much as the pride he felt for the young man his son, Charlie, had turned out to be. He was tall and handsome, smart and kind, and he looked quite mature at the moment, discussing something with Grover.
Bria was a mother herself now. She’d met and married a military man, which hadn’t made Oz overly happy at first, simply because he knew how hard the life was. But she and her husband seemed blissfully happy, and they’d made him a grandfather last year.
Noise from the crowd made Oz turn. The players were running onto the field, and seeing Logan wearing red, white, and blue made Oz’s eyes tear up.
He’d done it. After all he’d been through. After the hard start he’d gotten in his life, he’d accomplished his greatest dreams.
It didn’t matter if the US won or lost this game. Logan had made it.
An arm snaked around his waist, and Oz knew immediately it was his wife. She was so tiny compared to him, and he’d recognize her touch anywhere. He didn’t take his gaze off Logan though. He didn’t want to miss a second.
Riley rested her head on his arm and said, “He did it.”
Oz wasn’t surprised she was on the same wavelength. “Yeah.”
“It was nice of Shin-Soo to come with his family,” Riley continued. “I know it means a lot to Logan that he’s here. Remember the first time he met him? God, I thought Logan was going to pass out. And now they’re friends. It’s kind of crazy.”
It was. It really was. Ember had facilitated that first meeting, and a lifelong friendship between the veteran and an up-and-coming player had been formed. It was as improbable as Oz becoming a father to a ten-year-old boy twenty years ago. But here they were.
Three hours later, Oz was just as awed as he’d been when the game first started. The US lost, but Logan had caught an incredible fly ball, getting his team to within one run of winning. There would be more games, and time would tell if Logan and his team would earn a medal, but for now, Oz was as proud as he could possibly be.
Their entire group waited outside the gates for Logan to come say hello before he went back to the athlete village with his teammates, and everyone made the drive back to their respective homes. Oz waited patiently when Logan finally emerged to greet everyone.
When it was finally his turn, he found himself utterly speechless. He remembered when Logan was just a scared kid. When he got upset anytime his throws went wide. How happy he’d been when he’d caught his first fly ball in a game. Logan was a grown man now, with a serious girlfriend who Oz had a feeling would become his daughter-in-law sooner rather than later. But Logan would always be his little boy.
He grabbed Logan in a bear hug and held on tightly, trying to come up with the words to tell this man how proud he was of him.
But he didn’t need to say anything, Logan knew. He pulled back and held his hand out to his uncle. In it was a baseball.
“It’s that last one I caught,” Logan said. “I thought you might want it.”
Oz chuckled. He had over a dozen baseballs displayed back home. His first homerun ball. The ball he caught at his high school championship game that had won the title for his team. One from his first college game, and a half dozen others from important games throughout Logan’s life. And now he had this one, the last ball Logan had caught in his first Olympic game. “Thanks,” Oz choked out.
“You were amazing,” Riley said, pushing her way between them and hugging Logan fiercely. He towered over her, but neither seemed to notice their height difference.
“Not bad for a pain-in-the-ass brother,” Bria said, shoving her way in as well.
Oz wrapped his arms around all three of them. He heard everyone talking in the background, but this moment was precious for the foursome. “Your mom would’ve been so proud,” Oz said softly.