Part 441
Sarah decided that taking the tough route with them wasn’t necessary. There was no way they could win now without a miracle. She said, "Guys, it’s just a game to raise money for Kevin’s foundation. Don’t take it so seriously and have fun."
Kevin growled, "Last inning you were telling us to stop clowning around! Make up your damn hormonal mind."
Howie said calmly, "Kevin, back off!"
"Kevin, you’re losing 15 to nothing. There’s NO WAY you can come back and win. I’m not telling you to start clowning around now…just don’t be so serious. It’s not like you’re professional ball players. You’re musicians for god’s sake!"
"Oh what faith you have in us," cracked Carlos.
"I do have faith in you guys, but I’m also realistic. Okay…Tommy you start it off, then Kevin and Carlos."
This time at bat was better. They actually got some hits and Carlos managed to score a run. When the inning was over, their moods were somewhat better.
It was time for them to perform. As they tried to decide what to sing, AJ pulled Sarah to the side. "’Tigger’, have you got the ring?"
"Yes, it’s right here," she said showing that she had the ring on her finger. "I need to go up the scorer’s booth to get the message put on the board."
"Do it now. Howie is trying to convince them to do ‘Yes I Will’."
Sarah smiled. "Calm down, Alex. It’s gonna work out."
"What if she says ‘no’? We really haven’t talked about this and it’s coming out of the blue!"
"She’s not gonna say ‘no’, Alex. She loves you and she’s really lucky to be getting you."
AJ looked at Sarah. "Thank you for sticking with me. You’ve been so good to me, even when I was such a jerk."
"Hey, everyone’s entitled to make a mistake or two. Looks like the guys are ready. I’m gonna go up to get the message up."
AJ gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, ‘Tigger’. You’re the best."
"I know," laughed Sarah.
Sarah made her way through the crowd with Raoul close behind keeping the fans at bay. It didn’t take much to convince the people to put the message up and then Sarah rushed back to join the girls. She had to be there when the message came up to give Ali the ring.
The guys had decided to do three songs; ‘Shape of My Heart’, the medley with ‘Time’, ‘Quit Playing Games’, and ‘All I Have to Give’, and ‘Yes I Will’. By the time Sarah got back, they were doing ‘Yes I Will’ and Sarah sat beside Ali.
When the song ended, the scoreboard flashed, ‘Alison, Will you marry me? AJ’. AJ and the crowd waited anxiously. All eyes in the stadium were either on AJ, who was on one knee, or searching the crowd for Ali. At the same time, Sarah held the ring for Alison to see.
Becca nudged Alison from behind. "He’s waiting for an answer."
Alison looked at Sarah with tears in her eyes and Sarah said, "All you have to do is take the ring."
Slowly, Alison reached for the ring Sarah held in her hand and slipped it on her finger to find that it fit perfectly. Then she looked down on the field where AJ had the silliest grin on his face. Nodding her head ‘yes’, Alison accepted AJ’s proposal and he started jumping around like a crazy man.
The fans cheered loudly realizing that Ali had said ‘yes’ as the guys congratulated him. The girls were busy ‘ohing’ and ‘ahhing’ over the ring AJ had given her as well as wishing their congratulations.
Alison asked, "How long have you known?"
"Ever since I set this week up. I even went with him to pick it out," smiled Sarah.
The two were interrupted by AJ racing up the bleachers to where Alison sat and taking her hand in his. He pulled her up into his arms to kiss her, a deep romantic kiss as her arms went around him to hold on tight.
Each couple paired off to spend a few minutes talking before the guys had to go back to playing the game. Howie and Sarah stood together, her head on his shoulder and his arms around her, watching their friends. Both sighed happily seeing all was right with their world.
When the game resumed, things seemed to level off. The other team didn’t let up but the boys weren’t quite as set on winning. They were more determined not to look so bad though. It helped to a certain degree but they still got beat….badly.