Scoring Position Strike Zone Series Book 3

Epilogue

Epilogue

Kayleigh

     First day of camp that spring ushered in changes. The field is full of kids. The place is packed. Nate couldn't have asked for a better turn out. Kids swarmed around the field, parents filled the stands. While others waited in lines for food, drinks and uniforms. It was a good thing Matt had suggested that they brought in the extra seating. They never would have thought the first camp would be such a success.

      Of course having some of the biggest names in baseball, current and retired, to help coach is a huge coup. Nate's face held a permanent smile as he hunkered down to talk to kids of all ages on the third baseline. A teen was getting his autograph, while a toddler was sitting on his knee. A line of boys and girls waiting their turn nearby chatted with Dillon and Parker, Bailey's Dad, who decided to join in the fun.

      Watching from a table outside the first baseline, Jenna and I checked in players and sent them to join their age group to divide into teams. Max helped Mark and Carson as they lined up kids, while Dillon walked up and down in the stands where Bailey sat, checking off batting orders.

      "Can you believe this, we've got some of the best little league kids out here." Bailey checked the names off her list and looked around the field.

      Her hair fell in long, heavy layers down her back as she pulled it back through the hole in her hat to hang in a tail, midway down her back. Her loose, lightweight sundress stuck to her skin as the early morning sun began to heat up and moisten her skin.

      "Baby, you should go sit in one of the deck chairs with Mom in the shade. It's too hot for you up here." Dillon urged her, once again, to get in the shade with his mother and I.

      He is overprotective of her. It seems the further along she is, the more he worries over her. Who'd have thought that the bad boys of baseball would all be settled down? A year ago none of them would have believed it.

      "I can't get a good view from there. I'm fine, Dillon. Stop fussing over me. I've got weeks before we're due. Wyatt isn't gonna pop out today." Bailey strokes his arm to soothe him, while rejecting his request.

     At seven months pregnant, she hasn't stopped her activity level. Bailey is just as big a part of this camp as Nate and Dillon. She's pulled her weight and then some with getting everything in place. With Jenna and Max's help, the boys have been able to bring in kids from all over the state for this week. And next month, they're doing it again and again.

      Dillon got frustrated with the amount of time Bailey was spending at the cages helping out. He immediately forced Bailey to take it easy at home from the moment she told him they were having a boy.

      Having insisted on being married before the baby's birth, he took on the brunt of putting a wedding together with his Mom, and got a nursery together with Nate's help. Bailey was set up to read the instructions on putting everything together, since neither of the brothers were willing to read the directions.

      Sitting here now in the spring sunshine, Bailey looks wonderful. Happily married for three weeks, and big as a balloon about to pop, she is at home on the baseball diamond. It is where she grew up, watching her father coach, learning the ropes from his words to the players and then teaching them herself.

      "I'm coming back in twenty minutes. Drink your water. I'll send your dad over to keep you company." Dillon kisses the top of her head, while she rolls her eyes.

      The last thing she needs is a babysitter. But Dillon is getting worried about her with the due date right around the corner now. She can't stay mad with him, not when he is so sweet and wants to be part of everything. Dillon headed down as Nate and moved to the pitching mound.

      Nate is in his element here. Introducing coaches, joking with parents and enthralling the kids. It is his dream coming true. I smile watching this amazing man in my life take charge of his day.  My own world changed, just a year ago, when he stepped into my life.

      With two weddings, a move across the country and Bailey's baby on the way, my lonely life is definitely full of happiness and family now. I rubbed my own - not quite there - bump of a belly and kept my secret just a little longer. No one knows yet but the two of us. A couple more weeks, just to get out of the danger zone, and we will make the announcement.

      "You good, sweetheart? Here, eat some food and make sure you drink all that water. You don't want to get dehydrated out here." Nate sets a plate filled with a hot dog, carrots and strawberries on it, in front of me.

     "I just ate one, Nate." Frowning down at the second plate he pushed on me.

      "I just want you to eat. You're eating for two now." He whispers against my ear before he kisses my head, then rushes back to the field.

      Jenna pats my hand and laughs at her son. "You know, when I was pregnant with Dillon, Max was a wreck the entire pregnancy. He thought I needed to eat constantly. You'd think he was the one squeezing out a ten pound watermelon out the size of a lemon. Nate will be a wonderful father."

      My mouth drops as I look from Jenna to Nate's back on the field. "He told you?"

     "Oh, no, honey. I'm his mother, I know the signs." She patted my stomach and hugged me. "I'll pretend I'm surprised, just like I did for Bailey." This woman, I swear, knows everything!

       It was a great day. The only thing missing was Reese and Molly. It was too bad they couldn't be here but they made up for it. Over the field on the Jumbotron was the first practice for New York playing. The kids were able to watch, learn, and interact with players on the other side of the country as Molly ran the FaceTime on the field from there.

      She stays in daily contact with all of us. The two of them have never been happier. After agreeing to keep her house here, they moved into a gorgeous penthouse Matt McConnell arranged for them. She showed off her engagement ring the night before to us and announced that the wedding was planned for the fall. After the season was over and they could take some time off to have the wedding here. It's home, no matter where Reese plays.

      Family is family, and now the Segler's are growing by leaps and bounds. Miles don't matter, the love is tangible, even over the phone. Years will pass, children will grow, and the baseball legends will teach, coach, and move forward. Until the next generation of Segler's can take baseball by storm, filling their shoes, and hitting those home runs.

As long as the ball stays in The Strike Zone.

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