Beyond the Bases

by Kaylee Ryan

  “Did you know that today I’m a Monroe?” she asks him.

  His misty eyes cause me to swallow back my own emotions. “I did, sweet girl,” he says, hugging her close.

  “Hey, Dad,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder.

  “East. Hey, Larissa, Helen, glad you could join us,” he greets them.

  After the hellos, we head to his waiting SUV. Paisley fills the car with chatter about our day and the events at the courthouse. She then goes on to tell us that it’s “the bestest day ever” since all her family is together. Little does she know that we really are all going to be together. It just didn’t feel right having this moment without the entire Monroe clan. One phone call to my mom, grandma, and Aunt Carrie, and the wheels were set in motion.

  Arriving at the farm, memories from my childhood assault me. This place is like home. I’m thrilled to be sharing it with my wife and daughter. Reaching for Paisley and lifting her out of the SUV, she holds my hand as we walk inside. The house is quiet, but I know where they are. As we turn the corner in the living room, everyone yells “Surprise!” causing P to squeal.

  “Look, Daddy.” She points to the banner that says, Paisley Gray Monroe in bright pink letters. That’s it, just her name. Not welcome home or welcome to the family, as she’s already so ingrained in our lives that would be foolish. Instead, it’s her new name, my last name that’s now tacked on to the end of hers that adorns the sign.

  I set her on her feet, and she makes her way around the room, getting hugs and kisses from her official aunts, uncles, and cousins. She’s lapping up the attention like I knew she would. I knew coming home is what I needed today, what we all needed.

  “Proud of you,” my dad says from beside me.

  “Who would have thought all those years ago, I’d become a father for the first time the same day that you did?”

  He smiles at me and nods. “Love you, son.”

  “Love you too, Dad.”

  “What are my boys doing over here?” Mom asks, stepping into me and wrapping her arms around my waist.

  “Just taking it all in,” I tell her. She smiles up at me, giving my waist another squeeze. “Well, excuse me, but my granddaughter has a gift to open.”

  “Mom,” I scold her.

  “She’s our princess, after all.” She grins over her shoulder as she picks up a bag I missed and then takes a seat on the floor next to my daughter.

  Larissa appears beside me, and I pull her into my arms. “Thank you,” she whispers, not taking her eyes off our daughter.

  “For what?”

  “For loving us.”

  I laugh. “Baby, loving you is the easy part. It was getting you to love me back I had the issue with. I should be the one thanking you.” She swats my chest playfully. We watch as Paisley opens her gift. It’s a bracelet of some sort, and I’m just about to ask when Dad explains.

  “It has her name on it.”

  “Paisley Gray Monroe,” my daughter reads the words aloud. “Thank you, Grandma.” She launches herself at my mother, and I can see the tears in her eyes from where I’m standing. Mom catches my eyes from across the room and smiles. I know what that smile means. Paisley is me, and my mom is Larissa. She knows what it meant to us and in turn how much it means to my girls.

  Larissa turns in my arms and looks up at me. Her smile is blinding as unshed tears fill her eyes. She laughs softly as she wipes away an errant tear. “You got a minute?” she asks me.

  “For you, I have a lifetime.” Lacing my fingers with hers, I allow her to pull me out on the back deck. “I used to worry,” she says once the door is shut behind us and she’s back in my arms, her back to my front as we look out over the landscape. “I used to constantly worry and never felt settled. That changed when I met you.”

  I kiss the top of her head. I’ve seen the change in her; it’s nothing she has to tell me.

  “I think he brought you to us. He knew that it would take an amazing man, one full of love and patience and understanding to break through my walls. I like to believe that he picked you for us. That he knew you would be the father she needed, the partner I needed.”

  “I like the sound of that.” It’s hard to think about everything she lost and my heart aches for her, but then we wouldn’t be where we are today. I like to think that everything happens for a reason. We might not know what those reasons are at the time, but we have to have faith that everything works out as it should.

  “The last time I had this conversation, the day started out great and ended not so much. This time, I can feel it in my gut that it’s different. I’m not worried.”

  “Babe, you’ve lost me,” I tell her. I have no clue what she’s talking about.

  She turns in my arms and presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth. “I have a secret,” she whispers.

  “I’m your husband. We don’t have secrets.”

  “This time we do.” She grins.

  “Larissa,” I warn. I hate not being involved in every aspect of their lives. I never want to miss a minute. It’s hard enough being away from them during the season.

  Grabbing her phone out of her back pocket, she taps the screen a few times, then turns it to face me. “I got you something,” she says softly.

  My eyes focus on the screen, and it takes me a minute to realize what I’m looking at. “Is that?”

  “You’re going to be a daddy, again,” she adds.

  My hands grip her hips, pulling her impossibly close. “We’re pregnant?”

  “We are. We’re in the first trimester.”

  “I don’t know what that means? Are you okay? Is the baby okay? Have you been sick? Why didn’t you tell me?” I fire off questions faster than she can answer them. Something that happens a lot between the two of us.

  “It means I’m about seven weeks, just under two months along. I’ve not been sick, a little nauseous, but nothing otherwise. I was waiting for the right time to tell you. When we got our court date, I decided to wait. I wanted you to be here with your family when you found out.”

  “You’re my family.” I place my hand on her belly. “All three of you. We’re having a baby,” I say, pressing my lips to hers. “I love you, Larissa Monroe.”

  “I love you too, Easton Monroe.”

  I hear the door open behind us, and then my daughter says, “They do this all the time,” causing everyone to laugh.

  “Come here, princess,” I say, and she doesn’t hesitate to rush toward me. I step away from Larissa just in time to catch her in my arms. I reach for Larissa’s hand, and we walk back inside. “Can I have your attention,” I say to the room. It’s packed full of family all here for us. “We have one more surprise for P, all of you, really,” I admit.

  Mom gasps and covers her mouth with her hands. Dad puts his arm around her, pulling her close. My eyes dance around the room, watching my little sister, my aunts and uncles, my grandparents, and cousins, all of them smiling as if they know our secret. I turn to Larissa. “Did you tell them?” I whisper.

  She shakes her head, too choked up with emotion to speak.

  “Paisley,” I focus on my daughter, “today is a really special day,” I tell her.

  “I know. You and me are Monroes on the same day.”

  “That’s right, we are. You know what else?”

  “What?” Her eyes are wide with excitement.

  “You’re going to be a big sister.” The room is silent, unbelievably so, as we all wait for her reaction. She looks at me then to her mother then back to me. “You better not be joking,” she warns us.

  “It’s true,” Larissa says, finding her voice.

  “Yes!” She throws her arms in the air and cheers.

  The room breaks out in celebration, and we receive hugs and well wishes. Paisley is so excited she talks about all the things she’s going to do with her new baby brother or sister, including teaching them baseball. That has us all smiling. She runs off to play, and Larissa gets swept away by my aunts asking how she’s f
eeling. That leaves me to sit back and soak up the moment. Life and family are what you make it. You love with all that you have, and live each day like it could be your last. That’s exactly what I intend to do with my wife and children. Live each day with them as if it could be my last. I want to cherish their smiles and the sound of their laughter. My dad sweeps Paisley into his arms and sits her on his lap. Mom joins them, and they give her their full attention as her hands are flying this way and that, telling them a story. It’s hard to figure out what she’s saying; my girl has a vivid imagination.

  Mom smiles over at me, and it’s the same look she gave me earlier. The one that says she’s proud of me and the man I’ve become. The one that tells me that to this day, I’m not the only one grateful that Jeff Monroe came into our lives. For so many years it was just us, quite the same way as Larissa and Paisley. Never again will they be alone. They’ll be swarmed with love because that’s what you do when you’re a Monroe. You rally around those you love.

  Paisley stands from my dad’s lap and walks toward me. I bend down to greet her. “What’s up, princess?”

  “I knew this was going to be the best trip ever.”

  “Oh yeah? Why’s that?”

  “Because, Daddy,” she says like I should know the answer.

  “Because why, P?” I counter, tickling her side.

  “Because you’re my daddy and my Easton,” she says, bringing me to my knees.

  My husband is driving me crazy. Exactly three weeks ago today, we brought our baby girl, Parker Elizabeth, home from the hospital. Easton has been amazing, fussing over all three of us, not letting me lift a finger. The first week or so, that was appreciated more than he could ever know, but today, today his hovering is driving me mad. It’s the offseason, which means the four of us have been holed up in the house. Paisley is loving all her attention from Daddy… Mommy, not so much. I love my husband with all my heart, but he has to let me move, give me room to breathe.

  As I finish feeding Parker, I stand to take her upstairs to change her diaper. “Sit, babe, I’ve got her.” He holds his arms out, but I don’t release my hold on our newborn baby girl.

  “Easton, I’m perfectly capable of changing her diaper.”

  “I know, but you fed her.” He points to my breasts and his eyes heat. Ignoring the way that one look from him makes me feel, makes me want things it’s too soon to want, I focus on the issue at hand.

  “I know that. But I can do this. I want to do this.”

  “Ris,” he sighs.

  “Why don’t you call Drew and see if he wants to go to the cages?” I suggest.

  “What?” he asks, appalled. “I can’t leave you here alone.” As if I’m not capable of caring for myself or our children.

  “I won’t be alone. Chloe is coming over to hang out with me. I haven’t seen her since the first week we were home.”

  “I’ll take the girls downstairs so you two can catch up.”

  “East.” I say his name in my mom voice that always stops P in her tracks. “Go. Call the guys. Get out of the house. You need a break.”

  He scoffs. “I don’t need a break from my family.”

  “Fine. We need a break from you.”

  His head jerks back and hurt flashes across his face. “Look. I love you. You are the most amazing father and husband. I love our life, but, babe, your hovering is driving me crazy. I’ve been down this road, and I traveled it mostly alone.”

  “But not this time. I promised you wouldn’t ever do it alone again. I meant that.”

  “You’re here for us every day. You’ve barely seen the guys since I told you we were pregnant. You need to still have a life, even though we have a family. It’s a balance. You need this, trust me.”

  “What happens if you need me?”

  “I’ll call you. Chloe will be here. Nothing is going to happen. Go have a few beers, swing the bat a few or a hundred times. Go do manly things.” I offer him a smile.

  “Mommy, girls can hit balls too.” Paisley’s ever-present ears pick up on everything.

  “That’s right, princess,” Easton agrees with her.

  I move to stand in front of him. “I love you, Easton Monroe. You need a break, too. Go call Drew.” Before he can protest again, the doorbell rings. “That’s Chloe. We’re going to catch up. You should do the same.” With my index finger, I motion for him to come closer. He does as I ask and leans down so we are eye-to-eye. “I love you, slugger.” I kiss him, taking my time. When I pull away, I see the worry leave him.

  “Okay. But I’m not staying out long.”

  “Take all the time you need,” I say, walking past him to let Chloe in.

  “Aunt Chloe.” Paisley runs and wraps her arms around Chloe’s waist.

  “Hey, P, you been helping Mommy and Daddy take care of your new baby sister?”

  “When Daddy lets me.” She giggles.

  “I get it,” Easton says, joining us at the front door. He has on a clean T-shirt, and his keys and phone are in his hand. “I can’t believe I’m getting kicked out of my own home,” he grumbles.

  “Drew’s waiting for your call.” Chloe grins. She and Drew dated sporadically in the beginning, but these last few months, it seems to have become more serious.

  “Love you.” Easton bends to kiss the top of Paisley’s head. He then gently presses a kiss to the top of Parker’s who is asleep in my arms. “Love you, too,” he says softly. His hand slides around the back of my neck as he leans in and kisses me. “Love you, wife. I’ll be back soon.” Standing, he points at Chloe. “You take care of them.” The two of us throw our heads back in laughter.

  “Go,” I say, pushing on his back with my free hand.

  “Love you,” he calls over his shoulder, walking out the door.

  “Gimme.” Chloe holds her hands out for Parker. I transfer her over, then reach for Paisley’s hand.

  “Let’s go sit on the couch.” P is thrilled that she has my attention and leads the way. “So how are things with Drew?” I ask Chloe.

  “Good. We’ve gotten closer these last few months.”

  “Exclusively?”

  She smiles. “Not officially, but yeah, we’re headed that way I think.”

  “You need one of those,” I say, pointing to a sleeping Parker.

  “I think you’re right,” she agrees, shocking the hell out of me.

  “That’s a first.”

  She shrugs. “Finding a guy who you know is going to stick around changes a girl’s perspective.”

  “Don’t I know it.”

  “Daddy never leaves,” Paisley says, adding her two cents to the conversation, causing us to laugh.

  “Your daddy just loves us and wants to take care of us.”

  “I know.” She sighs. “Can I go play in my room?”

  “Sure you can.” Like lightning, she’s off the couch and dashing upstairs to her princess room. Easton went all out when he asked us to move in with him. He took the liberty of making a pink and purple princess oasis for Paisley, the minute she saw it, she begged to move in. That was two months after he proposed. Since that day, the day of the proposal, our lives have been a whirlwind. A happy, full of love and laughter spiral of moments that I never want to forget.

  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.”