32. Adam
Adam
“No.” Mia slams her hand down on her alarm without even lifting her head from her pregnancy pillow.
I’ve heard her do it three times this morning so far. Her average for snoozing has significantly increased as she’s moved into the third trimester. We’re closing in on thirty-five weeks, and I believe the snooze cycle is up to six.
Moving from our bathroom, I squat down in front of her. “Honey—”
“No,” she grumbles, eyes not even twitching.
I’d lightly rub her back to help wake her up, but my entire career hinges on having both hands. “You don’t have to open your eyes or get up yet, but can you listen?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Your mom is going to be here soon to finish setting up for the baby shower…”
Before I can continue, Mia groans.
“Whose idea was it to have the shower here?”
“Yours, honey.”
Mia buries her face deeper into her pillow. “Why did I do that? That was second trimester me. I hate her.”
It’s not funny, but I can’t help but huff in amusement. Mia’s been nearly unstoppable this entire pregnancy. While I’m happy she’s starting to slow down—I know she’s getting uncomfortable.
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Can you go back in time and talk some sense into past me? Put your foot down or something?”
“How far back am I supposed to go? Are we talking like before the baby shower or before going out with me?”
That gets me a faint smile. “Baby shower. Don’t you dare change anything else.”
“Sorry, I think I can only go back in year increments.”
“Dammit, Adam.” Mia peeks half her face up from her pillow. “Will you lie with me for a minute then?”
I have exactly zero extra time today, but there’s not a thing in this world that could keep me from climbing into bed with her. Especially not this pregnancy pillow that does its best to keep me a good foot away while sleeping.
I maneuver the back part of the pillow the best I can and slide in behind her.
She lets out a little sigh. “Much better.”
“For about five minutes until you get too hot.”
Mia snorts a laugh. “Well, maybe if someone wasn’t a human-incarnate of a furnace I’d cuddle longer.”
“You used to love how warm I was.”
Mia pulls my arms tighter around her. “People warned us the honeymoon phase would end.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll revive it when I can take you on a real honeymoon.” I place a kiss on her head the moment the alarm starts to blare again.
Mia’s groan nearly matches its volume as I reach over her to turn it off.
“Sorry, baby, I think our time’s up. I’ve got to get to workouts, and your mom will be here soon.” Another groan cuts me off. “But hold on, I have a surprise coming for you.”
Her eyes pop open. “What surprise?”
“I think you know better than to ask that question.”
“Adam.”
“Mia.”
If my brain wasn’t the one in charge of moving my body, I’d say fuck everything else and just stay in this bed with Mia, but I’m past borrowed time.
Mia holds up a hand for me to help sit her up. Her eyes blink hard a few times before letting out a deep breath. “I have to pee, to shock literally no one. I’m pretty sure your daughter thinks my bladder is a weird-looking soccer ball.”
I laugh. “She gets her athletic ability from her dad.”
Mia’s shoulders fall and this soft smile comes to her face. “Don’t do that. You know I lose all my brattiness when you talk about us being her parents.”
Stepping to her side of the bed, I take her hand again to help her out of bed. “You know, the new pool they have is to guess who she’s going to look like. I’m hoping she has her mom’s bright blue eyes.”
“Stop. I don’t want to be excited first thing in the morning. I get until…” Mia glances at the time. “Wait, aren’t you supposed to be at the training facility in twenty minutes?”
Yes, I am. I’m really trying not to think about it.
Mia does her best to stand up quickly, but that only makes her bathroom issue worse as she rocks on her feet. “Quit helping me, you’re going to be late. You hate being late.”
“It’s okay—”
Mia cuts me off with a quick kiss and taps my chest. “I love you, bye.”
She tries to side-step me, but I gently catch her arm and bring her back.
My lips are on hers before she can argue further.
I know I need to leave; we’re practicing for the division playoffs, but this is the first time in nearly nine months that I truly have time with Mia without having a game or needing to be on a plane later in the day.
Mia pushes back with a hum. “You’ve missed your ten-minute window and at this point, you’re nearing normal-people late.”
I tilt my head back. “I know, I’m going. I’ll be back in a couple hours.”
“I’ll be here with my mother…and waiting for that surprise. Will I know it when I see it?”
“You really will.” I plant a lingering kiss to her forehead.
Her hand wraps around my wrist, then pauses for a moment before pulling it down and tugging me toward the door. “Apparently I’m going to have to force you out.”
“It seems that way.” I pull her back for one real final kiss. “I’m going this time, I swear.”
“Mm-hmm, well, I’m going to get somewhat ready before my mother gets here. The less nitpicking I have to deal with, the better.”
“Relief will be here soon.”
Mia’s eyes narrow. “As in, you’ll be back soon, or…”
Right, like I’ll fall for that. I can’t resist one more quick kiss and finally find the willpower to leave our bedroom.
Her groan has a smile coming to my face and gets bigger when I hear the knock at the door. Somewhat perfect timing, I guess.
The moment I get the front door open, there’s Wyla and Jett holding their newest baby, and then a blur of blonde curls. “Uncle Adam, we’re here!”
Their oldest daughter launches at me, and I give her a little toss before bringing her in for a hug. “Hey, Stevie, I’m so happy you’re here.”
“Me too.” She leans back and holds the deepest eye contact I think I’ve ever experienced. “Uncle Adam, where is your baby?”
“Oh, so that’s why you’re so excited to see me? This is usually what Aunt Cals gets. I’m going to soak it up anyway and not tell you just yet.”
Jett passes off Andie to Wyla and pulls Stevie back. “We talked about this, remember? She’s still in Mia’s tummy, like your sister was.”
Stevie groans just like Mia did and her eyes roll hard. Dear Lord, I hope my daughter has this level of sass.
“Well, Mia’s upstairs getting ready, and I’m officially late for practice.”
Jett takes a step back. “Whoa, you late?”
Wyla bounces Andie on her hip. “Are you sick?”
“No, a—” I cut the cuss immediately. Can’t have Stevie on my case for my language. She might actually prefer me over Callie this trip with all the baby talk. “I wanted more time with Mia.”
Wyla drags out an awe, while Jett puts a hand on my shoulder. “I thought I’d never see the day.”
I push his arm off. “Okay, I still loathe being late, so I’m going to go. Jett, if you and Stevie want to come, you can. Dex usually brings Miles and he’s close to Stevie’s age.”
“Ooo, can we, Daddy? Please?” Stevie squeals.
Wyla leans up, planting a kiss on his cheek. “You guys go. We’re about to do a whole lot of catching up while getting ready for the shower. I fear you men will just be in the way.”
“Hey, I’m helpful,” Jett protests.
“And I’m late, so you coming or what?”
Stevie smashes her face against his. “Pleaseeeee, Daddy.”
“Alright, get in the rental, the car seats are in there.”
“Let’s go then.” I lift a hand for him to lead the way. I can feel my phone blowing up in my pocket and I already know what’s happening.
The Family Lineup
Will
Adam, where are you at?
Beck
I never thought I’d see the day.
Callie
You’re freaking me out. Where are you?!
Tripp
I’m just glad I wasn’t the last one today.
Emma
That’s when you know it’s bad.
Tripp
Hey, I’m never late! Unlike someone now.
Adam
I’m on my way. Relax.
Dex, is Miles with you? Ellison just got here and he’s going to bring Stevie.
Dex
Yeah, he’s here.
Callie
SHUT UP! My niece and nephew together for the first time. I might pass out from joy.
Callie
Is Wyla coming?
Adam
I’ll let Mia answer that one. Should be any minute now.
Jensen
Oh, I can’t wait for this.
Mia
Best surprise ever.
A smile comes to my face at the photo Mia sends of her and Wyla together. Mia’s now holding Andie and it does something deep in my soul.
“Here.” I hold my phone out for Jett to see as we head toward the facility. “Update from the girls.”
“Can I see? Uncle Adam, I wanna see!” Stevie shouts from the backseat.
I personally was ready to switch right over to her, but Jett shakes his head. “Maybe we can ask nicer?”
“Right, sorry. Can I pleaseeee see the picture?”
“Sure thing, Stevie.”
I pass my phone back to her and she giggles. “Andie’s sitting on her belly.”
Jett takes a deep breath. “Listen, one thing to really prepare for is your child just saying anything that comes their mind, and then you have to try to not overcorrect them because you want them to talk to you and people…but sometimes what they say sounds a little rude.”
“She’s fine, Jett. Miles has humbled all of us many times before.”
“I’m excited to meet Miles,” Stevie says as she hands my phone back. “Is he coming to the shower?”
“I believe so, and his mom is bringing his baby brother and sister, too.”
Stevie lets out another little squeal. “Then we’ll only be missing your baby, Uncle Adam. Maybe all of us together will make your baby come play.”
Jett opens his mouth then closes it with another shake of his head.
I really can’t help but laugh. “I like your thinking, but our baby needs to be in Mia’s stomach a little while longer.”
Stevie hums. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” I pitch my voice slightly lower toward Jett. “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to lose in the postseason so badly as I do now. If she goes into labor while I’m gone—”
I stop the moment it hits me. Jett missed a lot with Stevie, and while it was a genuine accident and he’s made his peace with it, I don’t exactly want to try to force salt into a healed wound.
“It’ll be okay. She’s due the week after the World Series, right?”
“Yeah, and thankfully we finished at the top of the league so the playoffs are here, but there’s no telling where the championship will be and…”
“You just want to be home with her and enjoy it, right?”
I nod. “Yeah, I do.”
“I get it. You know, when everything happened with Stevie’s incident—Wyla’s dad told me I was never going to be able to make up for everything.
I just had to show up in other ways. Obviously, being there for the birth of a child is a pretty clear nonnegotiable, but for these next weeks, just show up in other ways when you’re home…
If I had to guess, being late today was one of those times. ”
Yeah, I can’t say it’ll be a recurring thing, especially for games, but this morning it did feel a bit necessary.
“It was.” I catch the time on the clock and my jaw clenches. “I do really hate fucking being late, though.”
“Language!” Stevie yells.
Oh, how I’ve missed the curse word police.
Jett barks a laugh. “Yeah, but it was worth it.”
“Stevie, cover your ears… It fucking was.”
Stevie makes a little humph, and I look back to find her arms crossed with a very angry face. “I did not cover my ears and that was two very big bad words.”
“It was the same bad word. Doesn’t that only make it one?”
“No!” She shakes her head at me like I’ve lost my mind. “You can’t cuss around your baby, Uncle Adam, you need to practice now.”
Jett glances up at the mirror. “Well, sweetheart, he is late to practice today so…maybe he’s not the best at it.”
This asshole. I might not be able to get Will and Callie to teach her cuss words like they did with Miles, but there’re some new people Stevie can meet.
“Hey, when we get there, ask Miles to introduce you to Beck and Tripp. They have great games for you guys to play.”