Beyond the Bases

Over the next couple of hours, Chloe and I catch up. She started a teaching job in the fall and loves it. I too finished my degree, but I’m not in any rush to find a job. Easton and I have talked about it, and I want to be home for the girls, at least for a little while. Something I didn’t have the option to do when Paisley was little.

“It was good to catch up,” Chloe says as we walk to the front door.

“Definitely. We need to not go so long next time.”

“You have your hands full, with three kids.” She winks, making me laugh.

“How about you and Drew come over this weekend for a barbecue?”

“You sure you feel up to it?”

“Yes, I need more best friend time. Besides, East won’t let me lift a finger.” I shrug.

“Spoiled.” She grins. “And to think you almost let him go.”

“Turns out he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Aside from me of course,” she jokes.

“And that. So I’ll see you guys Saturday, say six o’clock?”

“We’ll be here.” We hug and then she’s gone.

Paisley is still playing in her room. I can hear her singing along to her Disney movie. Parker is lights out, but I know she’s going to be up soon; it’s almost time for her to eat again.

I decide to sit down and read for a few minutes. As soon as I get my e-reader open and my feet propped up on the table, Parker’s “I’m hungry” cry comes through the monitor.

“I’ll get her,” East says, scaring me.

“Hey, I didn’t know you were back.”

“I was trying to be quiet in case you girls were sleeping. You want to feed her down here or upstairs?”

“The nursery. I’m ready for bed.”

“Me too. I’ll get you two settled and then start P’s bath.” With a gentle hand, he pulls me from the couch and places his hand on the small of my back as we walk up the stairs to our daughters.

Forty minutes later, both kids are in their beds as we climb into ours. Easton aligns his body with mine, wrapping his arms around me. “I’m sorry for today.” I remember the look of hurt that flashed across his face.

“No need for apologies. I needed to be told to back off a little.”

“I love you, you know that, right?”

“I do. I love you, too, all three of you. The season starts in a few weeks, and I’m going to miss this. I’m trying to get as much time with the three of you as I can before I leave. However, it was nice to get out and hit up the cages for a couple of hours.”

“I’m glad you got that time with the guys. Oh, I invited Chloe and Drew over on Saturday night for a barbecue.”

“I take it I’ll be braving the cold to man the grill?”

“As if you would let me.” I laugh.

“I’d give you the world, Larissa Monroe.”

“You already have.”It’s amazing how the love of a good woman can change you. Change your perspective on life. Nothing mattered to me but baseball, until I found Larissa. I’m not sure how it happened, but I was the lucky bastard she decided to spend her life with. She gave me my daughters, all three of them.Peyton coos in my arms while her mom sleeps peacefully. At just a few hours old, she’s already captured my heart like the rest of my girls.

Larissa woke me up at a little after midnight when her water broke. I had just got to bed after being gone for an away game. I thank my lucky stars I was able to be here. The league now offers paternity leave, which I’m taking full advantage of. I was torn not wanting to let my team down, but at the end of the day, my girls are my home team, and this is where I need to be. I know any of the guys who were in my position, and those who have been, have made the same choice.

At just a few hours old, baby Peyton already has a firm grip on my finger. I can’t help but wonder if she’ll be into softball like her big sister Paisley? Parker is Paisley’s shadow, I can’t imagine that Peyton will be any different.

“Hey,” my wife’s sleepy voice greets me.

“Hey, beautiful,” I whisper.

“How is she?”

“She’s perfect, Ris. Just like her momma and her sisters. She’s perfect,” I say again, unable to take my eyes off our daughter.

“You’re going to spoil her.” My wife laughs.

“Of course I am.” This time I pull my eyes away from my sleeping baby girl to look at Larissa. “Have you not figured it out yet? Spoiling my girls, all four of you is my life’s mission.” Her soft laughter meets my ears, and I cherish the sound. I vowed years ago to do whatever it took to keep the laughter on her lips. I’d like to think I’ve achieved that and continue to do so.