Page 100 of Taking the Pitch
Lucy snorts into her water, making her cough while Kessler pats her back.
“I’m sitting right here, Shortcake,” I mumble.
She turns and smirks at me. “Don’t be jealous, Davis. I can look, It’s you I’m going home with.”
“Damn right you are,” I tell her, giving her a wink.
“Alright, everyone,” Mom announces, standing from her chair, “I just want to say how happy I am to have so many people joining us this year. My heart is full seeing all the love and laughter filling this house. For those of you who’ve never joined us before, we usually go around the table and say what we are thankful for this past year. Does anyone want to go first?”
Everyone looks around the table at each other, seeing who might go first. I clear my throat and start, probably shocking everyone because I’m usually one of the last people to go, but I have a lot to be thankful for this year.
“I have a lot of things to be thankful for this year, but I know Hudson and Kade are hungry, so I’ll keep it short,” I joke, getting chuckles from everyone. “First, I want to thank everyone for sticking by me a few months ago when I made the biggest mistake of my life. Your support got me through a dark time.” I look at Amelia, taking her hand. “I’m also thankful for making that mistake because I may not have met my missing piece, if not for my stupidity.”
Amelia squeezes my hand, giving me her sparkling smile and whispering, “I love you.” I raise her hand to my lips, kissing the back of it.
Mom clears her throat, and I look down the table, seeing her dab at the corners of her eyes. Lucy sniffs and Kara swipes a finger under her eye. “Uh, who’s next?” I ask, looking at Kessler.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll go.” He sits up in his chair, but keeps his arm draped across the back of Lucy’s shoulders. “I’m thankful for meeting the love of my life this year and gaining a son.” He ruffles Hudson’s hair, then turns to look at Lucy. She nods her head and Kessler turns back to us. “We also have something we want to share with everyone. Well, two things actually.” Hepauses and Lucy reaches up and grips his hand on her shoulder. “This next season is my last year playing ball.” Shocked gasps echo around the table, and he locks eyes with me. I know how hard of a decision this is for him and I know it’s not one that was easily decided. But he’s starting a new chapter in his life, one that involves being an incredible dad and loving husband, and when Kessler decides to do something, he never does it halfway.
“What’s the second?” I ask.
Wide grins break out over Lucy and Kessler’s faces. “If everyone could look under their plates, you’ll see what it is,” Lucy says.
Everyone picks up their plates. On the place mat is a picture of two baseballs, one pink, one blue. In the center of the baseballs are the names ‘Aspyn’ and ‘Denver’.
“Does, does that mean you’re having one of each?” Mom asks, voice tight from trying to hold back her tears. Lucy nods her head, her own tears streaming down her face. Getting up from her chair, Mom goes over to Lucy and Kessler, giving them each a hug.
Everyone takes turns telling them congratulations and once everyone is back in their seat, Mom asks if anyone else would like to share what they’re thankful for.
“I’d be thankful if we could eat,” Hudson says from the other side of Kessler.
“Hudson James,” Lucy scolds, trying to hold back her laughter. Kessler doesn’t succeed and chuckles along with everyone else.
“I want to say one thing, then we can eat, Hud,” Mom tells Hudson. “I just want to say how thankful and blessed we feel to be able to share our home and food with you all today.” She looks at Hudson and gives him a wink. “Now we can eat.”
Dishes are passed around; plates are loaded, and a hush falls over the table while everyone eats. We’re about halfway through the meal when some of the chatter starts back up.
“You doing alright?” I ask Amelia. She’s only finished half of what’s on her plate.
Leaning back in her chair, she groans. “My eyes were too big for my stomach.”
I chuckle and run my hand over her thigh. “There will beplentyof leftovers and Mom will make sure she sends us home with more than we need.” I look across the table and see Hudson reaching for seconds. “Or Hudson will eat it all.”
“This kid is going to eat us out of house and home.” Kessler laughs. His eyes flick to mine and he sits forward in his seat, leaning on the table. “Speaking of homes. I had an interesting conversation with Beau Miller the other day.”
I set my spoon down and swallow my mouth full of mashed potatoes. “About what?”
“You know the lot next door to us?”
“I wouldn’t call that alot. It’s 30 acres of overgrown pasture and trees.”
“Same thing. Anyway, he’s looking to sell. Wanted to know if I was interested before he officially put it on the market.”
I sit taller in my chair. Kessler knows I’ve been looking for property near here since moving back home. “What did you tell him?”
Kessler smirks and leans back in his chair, lacing his fingers together behind his head. “I told him I wasn’t interested. It’s too big of a project for us right now with the babies on the way.” He pauses and keeps staring at me with that stupid smirk.
“And?”
