Chapter 10 - The Diamond Reclaimed
Six months later.
The summer sun washed over the green lawns of the Reyes estate, turning Lake Michigan into a dazzling sheet of liquid silver.
The estate had changed. The heavy steel gates were still there, and Mateo's security team still patrolled the perimeter, but the oppressive, dark atmosphere that had hung over the property for twelve years was completely gone.
On the baseball diamond, the grass was freshly mowed.
Luca stood on the pitcher's mound. He was wearing a simple white linen shirt and jeans, his mahogany cane resting against the wooden bench near the dugout. His right leg still carried a slight limp, but he stood unassisted, holding a scuffed leather baseball in his hand.
Behind home plate, Tommy was wearing a catcher's mask, slapping his mitt loudly. "Come on, Luca! Give her the fastball!"
At the batter's box, Maya adjusted her grip on a brand-new, perfectly sized aluminum bat. She was wearing a red baseball cap pulled low over her eyes, looking up at Luca with supreme confidence.
"Don't go easy on me just because you're my dad!" Maya shouted happily.
Luca chuckled softly, the sound warming his chest.
On the covered porch, Elena sat on the wooden swing, a glass of iced tea in her hand, watching them with a peaceful, radiant smile. Beside her sat the official adoption papers signed by the county judge three days ago, legally naming Maya as Maya Harper-Costello.
Luca wound up his arm, taking a slow, steady step forward on his restored legs, and pitched the ball down the center of the plate.
CRACK!
The sweet sound of metal striking leather echoed across the sunny garden.
The ball soared high into the blue sky, clearing the infield, landing squarely near the privet hedge.
"Run, Maya, run!" Tommy yelled, throwing his mask into the air.
Maya took off around the bases, her laughter ringing like music across the lawn. Luca stood on the pitcher's mound, turning to watch his daughter round third base, her red cap flying off into the green grass.
May you like
As she crossed home plate and threw her arms around his waist, Luca bent down and lifted her high into the air, holding her close under the warm afternoon sun.
The long winter was finally over. The king had reclaimed his diamond—not with a crown of iron, but with the love of his family.
