30. Adam
Adam
Callie has named the conversation: We’re Your Aunts and Uncles and We Think…
Callie
Hi, hello, I’m up arguably way earlier than I want to be, BUT the cringy video of us guessing the baby’s gender is just as bad as I thought it would be.
Beck
Callie Bear I’m disappointed in you. Where is the crime in cringe?
I call it making memories with my best friends.
Jensen
A chill runs through my body every time I think about you forcing me to say “I’m your aunt, and I think you’re a girl.”
Lucie
At least you participated. Dex nodded to me and said: same. Miles was all about it though. He said he wants a girl for Thea since he has Lucas coming.
Emma
Well that is probably the most precious thing I’ve ever heard.
Callie
It is the one shining spot. I put it at the sweet spot of fourth. Just enough that you’re about to stop the video then bam, adorable Miles hits and you’re locked in after that.
Tripp
Do we get anything if we win?
Callie
Bragging rights mostly.
Beck
Being wrong is a strike on your Godparent application.
Adam
For fuck’s sake.
Mia
Adam isn’t really amused, but I loved every second of this.
Mia blows out a breath as she sits in the giant ultrasound chair. Her hands rest over the slightest curve of her stomach. “I’m really going to be happy no matter what, but…should we give it one final guess before we find out?”
I hum a laugh. “The video this morning really got to you, didn’t it?”
“Well, yeah! They all participated. It was sweet and it made me feel like they were excited for us.”
I rest a hand over hers. “That’s because they are excited. They have been, honey.”
“No, I know, it’s just—I love the reminder.”
“I know you do.” I glide my thumb over the back of her hand.
Everyone’s tried to get our thoughts on what we’re having, like we have some sixth sense or something, but neither of us have really been able to give an answer.
A knock comes on the door, cutting Mia off, and Rosa walks in. “So, are we ready to see the baby today?”
“Yes.” Mia shuffles her weight in her seat. “Very ready.”
“And you’re good for finding out the gender, right? If not, I can get the information in the file then show you what I can without any spoilers. Or if you’re doing a party—”
Mia lets a nervous laugh. “No, we’re looking forward to learning the gender now. We’re capped on surprises, and frankly I’m not strong enough to handle not knowing any longer.”
I squeeze her hand, and her shoulders fall as she takes a breath.
“Why do I always get nervous when I sit in this chair?”
“Don’t worry, we see that a lot. It’s part of why we wait to take your blood pressure.” Rosa rolls her stool next to Mia and leans the chair back.
I hadn’t thought I was nervous until Mia pulls her shirt up. With that tiny curve of her stomach, this drumming starts up in my chest. Rosa squeezes that gel on her stomach and it dawns on me that I’m not nervous—I’m fucking excited.
“Here we go.” Rose starts moving the wand around her lower stomach.
Mia’s hand grips mine tightly, and I can’t help but stand up out of my seat next to her.
“Alright, here’s baby…and…ope, we have some long legs.” Rosa takes the measurement, which only has Mia squeezing my hand harder.
And it only gets progressively tighter as Rosa does another snapshot of the arms and head. Finally, she rolls the wand around and pauses. “Congratulations, you are having a girl!”
Mia’s jaw drops, and my heart pounds heavily in my chest.
“W-we’re having a girl?”
I’m not sure if Rosa even answers me—I’m sure she does, but the reality is sinking in. We’re having a girl, and somehow in my head is a montage of braids and bows. I see this little girl trying to wear her mom’s heels and me dancing with her in the mornings.
It’s Mia’s squeeze to my hand that finally breaks me out of my haze. The excitement in her eyes reinforces every little glimpse of our future I saw in my head. “We’re having a girl!”
“Is that what you were thinking?” Rosa asks.
“We had no idea, but we’re very happy—” Her head whips back to me. “You are happy, right?”
“I get two of you now.” I let out a chuckle and kiss her forehead. “I’m so fucking happy.”
Mia’s grip on my hand finally lessens. “We’re having a girl,” she repeats again in a whisper.
“We are.” I give another kiss to her head when I see that excitement light up in her eyes again.
It stays there for the entire appointment, and when we get back in my car, she keeps that same amazing smile and bright eyes that gleam with just a hint of tears as she stares at the ultrasound photos.
“I still can’t believe it,” she mumbles. “I mean, truly, I had no idea and I would’ve been happy either way, but I—I don’t know how to explain it. It feels…right.”
“I can’t say I disagree with you.” Leaning over my console, I give Mia a quick kiss. “We do have to tell everyone now, though.”
I thought it was impossible but her eyes seem to get brighter. “They’re going to lose their minds. And hey, I can finally look at baby names.”
“You mean we get to look at baby names.”
I really fight the laugh as her expression drops.
“Don’t nitpick, you know what I mean.”
I do, but that worked-up face she gets when she’s annoyed will never not be adorable to me. On our very first date, I became obsessed with it, and I can’t exactly pinpoint what it is.
Whether it’s the little wrinkle in the middle of her brows or the slight pout in her lip…it very well could be the fact that I doubt anyone really sees that look unless she wants you to. In her business and the way she carries herself in public…I get to see those sides she doesn’t openly show.
I run my hand through her hair and drape it behind her shoulder. “We have about an hour before I have to be at the stadium. Why don’t we pick up some food then we can call everyone and tell them together?”
That glint comes back to her eyes. “I’m desperately going to need some barbecue pizza. Actually baby girl is demanding barbecue pizza.”
“Our daughter’s going to be real demanding, isn’t she?”
Mia shuts her eyes as she nods. “I fear she will indeed learn from the best considering both of our personalities.”
That’s the truth. I barely make it out to the main road before both of our phones start to ring.
Mia laughs as she picks up her phone. “They’re FaceTiming the group chat.”
Of fucking course, they are. I barely get a full eye roll done before Mia answers her phone. “Hey, guys, we’re headed back to our place now.”
I’m not at all shocked to hear my sister’s voice first. “Uh, yeah, we know. I definitely have been watching your location very closely.”
Also not shocking to hear Beck follow up. “So, who’s winning the pool and getting one step closer to being Godparent?”
Fucking hell. “We’ll call you back when we get home.”
A chorus of arguments start. From what I can make out of the jumbled mess is demands for telling now and fights over favoritism.
“Mia, honey, please hang up the phone. They all can wait.”
More fighting erupts, but I’ve already started to tune them out.
“Adam, they’re just excited.”
“I know, I am too.” Reaching over at a red light, I take her phone and end the call. “I want us to enjoy it. Just the two of us for twenty minutes. No commentary, even ones expressing joy—Twenty minutes for me and you.”
Mia’s phone immediately rings again. She doesn’t even glance at who’s calling and slides her phone into her bag on the floor. “Me, you, baby girl, and very soon, a pizza.”
“I still can’t believe you’re having a girl!” Callie beams from next to me in the dugout. “And you’re wearing your new jersey tonight. I promised Will I wouldn’t get worked up again. I’m just happy for you,” Callie says as she frantically fans her face.
Dex comes over and his hand lands on my shoulder. “Adam Wright. I like it.”
“A role model for us all.” Beck tosses his glove on the bench. “After Jensen sees this tonight, she might very well pitch this idea when we get married.”
Callie cocks her head to the side. “Oh, and when will that be happening?”
“Some more of your business, Callie Bear.”
“Mm-hmm, just know we’re all waiting.” Callie turns back to me. “Does Mia know you’re wearing it tonight? I confirmed with Emma, and we’ve got it sorted with the announcers and everything.”
“She knows. I think if I wore it and didn’t tell her she’d lose her mind.”
“Yeah, they’ll definitely put her up on the jumbo screen and TV cameras for sure.” Callie pulls out her camera. “Which I also will be needing new photos, so be photogenic tonight please.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I can give you pointers,” Beck calls from behind me.
“Yeah, I would pass on that, if I were you.” Dex taps my shoulder before stepping back. “I’m headed to the bullpen. Anderson’s starting tonight, much to Lucie’s dismay.”
Beck immediately takes Dex’s spot with his hand on my shoulder. “Well, if you don’t want pointers from me, I’m pretty sure Will could…or maybe that’s the wrong style.”
Callie hits his arm. “Shut up.”
“Fucking gross.” I roll my shoulder. “I’m done talking to the both of you now.”
At the start of the game, I’m in my catcher’s gear, and while the majority of the last name is covered by the straps—and soon the umpire—Mia still gives me a whistle and calls out, “Nice jersey.”
For the top of the inning, Will hammers out a strike with the first batter with ease.
No challenges, no balls, and I can tell right away that it’s got him locked in.
Dex is really a contender with Will. Neither of them necessarily pit themselves against each other either, but when I’m catching, I have to know the differences.
Will’s an incredible pitcher, there’s no question, but when he starts off strong like this, I know we’re in for a damn good game.
The top of the inning is over in a matter of minutes, and not a single player makes it to a base.
I nudge Will in the dugout. “That was something, man. Keep those pitches coming.”
Will takes a drink of his water then squirts some down his back. “Will fucking do. I was looking at our stats, and I really think I have a shot at the Cy Young award this year. I fucking want it.”
“Heard. Innings like that will definitely get you closer.” I pat his back before sitting on the bench to get ready to bat.
“You know, Callie’s really proud of you for taking Mia’s last name.” Will takes the spot on the bench next to me.
I shake my head as I unfasten my leg guards. “I don’t think I’m the first man in the world to take his wife’s last name.”
“No, I’m sure you’re not, but she’s still proud.
She even brought up the idea of us doing the legal marriage part and wedding party later so she could go ahead and change her last name, too.
I’m not going to press you on your reasoning for changing it, but I’m assuming a part of it—I think Callie sees how happy you are now, and I think she finally feels like she can fully move on, too. ”
Dammit, I took my chest plate off, but I want to put it back on with the pain that caused in my chest. “Is she doing okay? Therapy’s going well, right?”
I stand as Sam manages to get on first base and Tripp goes up to bat next. I know I’ll need to move up soon after Beck goes, but I need Will’s answer.
“She’s really great, man. Not to get too sentimental in the dugout, but as proud as she is of you—I’m prouder of her.”
I chuckle as I pick up my helmet. “As you should be.”
With the roar of the crowd, I look back to now find Tripp on first and Sam on second. A fire must be lit under us all this game. Even Beck hits the fuck out the ball, and for a second, I thought it was a home run but ends up getting caught in the far back left field for our first out.
Beck shakes his head and points back at me. I might just try for one right now to really let it set in that he won’t get more than me this season.
While I do typically drown out the announcer, I try to pay a little attention this time as he says “Now up to bat, Adam Wright…” I anticipated he’d stop there, but he continues with, “Who turns out just found out today that he’s having a girl with his wife, Mia.”
The jumbotron flashes with pictures of me and Mia split down the screen. This beautiful smile is on her face as she waves. It’s in the very next second that my walkout doesn’t play, but “Hey Daddy” by Usher instead.
My head hangs with a shake as I walk up to the plate. I’m not sure if Callie or Emma is responsible for this, but I feel it’s a bit too much. Mia, however, whistles and hangs her head back with a laugh.
I suppose it can slide since she liked it.
With a deep breath, I block everything out.
In my catcher’s position, it’s all about multitasking, but here, I focus on the pitcher and nothing else.
I let his first pitch go to get a feel. The Astros don’t have any crazy pitchers, if I’m being frank.
It’s their main Achilles heel for this season from what I can tell.
Another pitch comes and it’s a ball for sure. When he winds up for the next pitch, it’s as if I can feel it in my bones—I think I might just hit a home run.
The crack of the ball hitting my bat is a sound I feel deep in my soul. I make it round first and the sirens sound…yep, home fucking run.
It’s when I round third that I realize they’ve turned that song on again, and every one of my teammates stands with shit-eating grins behind home plate. Their celebrations thankfully drown the song out, but before making my way to the dugout, I meet Mia’s eyes and point right to her with a wink.