The moment I heard my daughter cry, I knew there would never a better sound to my ears. I couldn't contain myself and the tears flowed freely. Jace held me as both our shoulders shook with sobs.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lightwood," the nurse said as she brought our daughter to the bed. "I think someone wants to meet you."

She handed her to me and I cradled her against my chest as Jace checked to make sure she had all her fingers and toes. He stroked her tiny head covered in light hair like her dad's and kissed her gently. Her eyes were green like mine.

"Welcome to the world, Aiden Rose Lightwood," I whispered against her forehead. Jace wiped away my tears and kissed the top of my head.

"Hey, baby girl," Jace said. "I'm your daddy and I'm going to love you forever."

Five years later

As I sit on my back porch, watching my daughter play with her cousin, I couldn't be more thankful for my life. Jace, along with Isabelle and Simon join me and Jace hands me an iced tea kissing me on the cheek in the process. Simon retired a few years ago after he threw out his shoulder and is now helping coach for the Giants. Jace's contract was up this year and we had some big decisions to make. He could stay in San Francisco, move on to another team, or stop playing.

Later that night, as Jace and I laid in bed, he turned to me and took my hand in his.

"I think I'm done, Clary," he said looking into my eyes, his glowing in the darkness.

"Done with what," I asked oblivious to what he was talking about.

"Done with baseball. I've played in this league for six years and I've loved every minute of it, but I think it's time for me to move on. I want to be there for you and Aiden. I haven't been a big enough part of her life. I want to make lasting memories with you two. I want her to look back on big events and remember that her dad was there to support her. Even small things, like me being at her ballet recitals, I just want her to know that her dad loves her."

"Jace, that little girl worships the ground you walk on. I'm not saying it wouldn't be nice to have you around more consistently because it would, but you need to be completely sure about this."

"I told you once that I didn't know who I was without baseball. That has all changed. I have more to live for than a game. I have a wife and a daughter and a family that I want to be with. I've lived my dream and it was amazing, but I have new dreams to live now."

"I love you and I will support you with whatever you choose to do. I know that you have made all of my dreams come true, so I want all of yours to come true."

"This is what I want. I'll make my decision official by the end of this week."

I looked at my husband in that moment with so much respect. Jace may never hit another baseball again, but he had chosen to live a different life for me, for Aiden and most importantly for himself. No one was forcing him to stop playing, and he probably would always have baseball in his life. I knew as soon as he made the announcement, coaching offers would roll in. He had nothing to worry about, which meant I had nothing to worry about. We were together, we had our family and that was all that mattered.

The curtain was about to close on the show and we would make it through together, no matter what.

El Fin :)