37. Mia
Mia
Foster is truly the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen. All seven and a half pounds of her are perfect. The dark hair she gets from her father, and my blue eyes…
“I can’t stop staring at her,” I say to Adam in our new room.
“I can’t either.” He brushes my hair behind my ear. “You did so amazing, Mia.”
Tears roll down my cheek, and while many nurses warned me crying post-birth was very normal, I’m really over them.
My blood pressure also thankfully has dropped down to normal levels and continues to stay that way. Or at least if it goes up a bit, as I let all of this out, then it won’t be as terrible.
“Adam, I want to tell you what happened yesterday.”
“You just gave birth a few hours ago, honey. I think it can wait.”
No, no, it can’t. I hated doing it without telling him to begin with, and I don’t want to hold on to it any longer.
Looking into his eyes and holding our daughter tight, I let it out. “I bought the Boston Blues yesterday.”
Adam blinks, and his head does a small shake. “I’m sorry, what?”
When he sits in front of me, I reach for one of his hands. “It’s probably best you let me get this all out before reacting and asking questions.”
His head bobs slowly. “Okay…”
“Yesterday, I went into Winedown and your father came in…” When Adam’s eyes go wide, I squeeze his hand. “I know, stay with me, it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
Fury ignites in his eyes. “Tell me what happened. Did he threaten you? I’m going to—”
“Nope, nope, nope,” I cut him off. “That’s reacting instead of listening. I want you to take a breath and look at our beautiful daughter.”
I wait for two cycles of inhales and exhales from Adam as he stares at Foster before starting again.
“He did make some demands. The threats weren’t exactly aimed at me, more you and everyone we love on the Blues. He wanted to buy the Blues, and as long as I came to work for him at his new office here in Boston, no one would get traded or lose their jobs.”
“So, he’s why your blood pressure went up and caused you to go into labor. Mia, why didn’t you tell me what was happening on the phone when you called?”
“Adam, I wanted to, believe me I did. But again, let me get this out. I may have become a fan of the game through watching, but apparently, I paid zero attention to the ownership. One of my grandfather’s closest friends owned the Blues.
He’s been coming to Winedown since I took over, and I never knew what he did.
I thought he was just checking on the place since my grandfather loved it so much, but as it turns out he wanted to sell me the Blues as an ode to my grandfather. ”
Adam blinks a few more times. His mouth opens and thankfully shuts.
“I wanted to tell you about it right away, Adam, but us being married complicates things. I had to play it smart. There’s no way I was risking your dad buying the Blues and getting access to our lives like that.”
Silence hangs for a minute, and much to my surprise, Adam breaks it with a light laugh. “So, you own my team now?”
I nod. “I signed the contract right before my water broke and Wren should’ve completed the wire transfer this morning.”
“Holy fuck.” Adam chuckles again then cups my face in his hands. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
Warmth explodes in my chest and my tears are back. “You’re not upset?”
“No, honey. I’m grateful. I’m so damn proud of you. There are so many things I am right now but upset isn’t one of them.” Adam looks down at Foster and brushes his fingers lightly over her head. “I don’t know if you realize what an incredible mom you have, baby girl.”
The Family Lineup
Callie
Okay, it’s nearly eleven and I’ve yet to get pictures of my nieces and nephews today. I demand to see the children.
I laugh and send a few photos of Foster completely milk drunk in my arms. We’ve been home for three days and there’s been a minimum of two hundred pictures sent to the group chat.
While Boston in general is a little bummed that the Blues ended up losing and not heading to the World Series, I can’t say Adam and I are exactly torn up about it.
The announcement of me being the new owner did go live this morning, and while there is some pushback, there’s been quite a bit of positive responses, too.
The team’s comments of support and the MLB’s statement of approval did most likely lead that step in a better direction, but I can’t seem to get too upset about anything negative someone has to say when I’m holding this angel in my arms.
“Hey, is she out?” Adam whispers softly as he walks in the nursery.
“Yeah, like a light. Come here, she’s even got her mouth open.”
Adam’s smile when he looks at her is one of my favorite sights ever, but then he turns it on me and my whole body wants to melt. He gives me a kiss.
“Your mom said she’d volunteer to hold her while you pump and rest.”
“A.k.a. she wants to hold her, and she doesn’t care what I do.”
Adam muffles his laugh. “Yeah, in other words. I made her wait in the hallway so I could ask, and then relay the answer without you having to deal with it.”
“Has anyone told you you’re the best?”
“I try to be.” He kisses my forehead. “What you do want to do, Mama?”
“I do have to pump, and I wouldn’t turn down a little bit of rest with you.”
“Sounds good. I’ll let her tag in and get your stuff downstairs.”
I rock Foster back and forth a few more times before passing her off to my mom, who I have to credit has been so immensely helpful.
“Hi, sweetheart,” she whispers as she now rocks my little girl. “Go rest, Mia. I’ll come get you if she wakes up or when it’s time to eat again.”
And I know she will.
Slowly making my way down to the living room, Adam’s got all the stuff I need to pump and is scrolling through Netflix. “Feeling anything in particular, honey?”
“Show-wise? Not exactly.” I ease my way back onto the couch slowly and take a big gulp of my water. “I do think I need some food, though.”
“Your dad brought some food from Winedown. I was about to go help, but I wanted to get set up first.”
“You’re good. I appreciate it.” Breastfeeding, while truly incredible, has felt a bit overwhelming. My supply wasn’t the best at the hospital, which I was told was normal, especially when giving birth slightly early.
Wyla and Lucie have checked in a lot on that front. Wyla wasn’t able to with Andie and Lucie only pumps with the twins. But the main thing that has me motived to keep going is Adam.
I’m not sure if it’s another hormone thing or the fact that I’m just obsessed with my husband, but he fills my water and washes my pump supplies and has it all ready to go when I need. We also sit on the couch together, and whether we talk or watch something, he sits next to me the entire time.
While I rifle through my little basket to get started, Adam pulls out his phone. “Hey, Cals, Foster’s asleep.”
I can’t help but smile. Everyone really has been helpful, and the check-ins always make my day, but then Adam’s tone shifts.
“Wait, turn to what channel?”
Adam sits back on the couch as he switches our tv over to cable and pulls up the news.
It takes a minute to register what we’re seeing, but the headline finally sinks in.
Harrison Reyer accused of embezzling 9.3 million dollars and an estimated 800 thousand dollars in tax evasion.
“Callie, I’m going to have to call you back.”
Adam ends the call and turns up the volume on the TV. Apparently, an anonymous tip came in two days ago with more than enough evidence to arrest him, with further investigations being launched into every aspect of his business.
My dad’s hum startles me. “What a shame,” he says so nonchalantly as he hands plates over to me and Adam.
Wait…is a smirk on his face?
“Dad, did you do this?”
He holds his hands out in defense. “I didn’t commit federal crimes. He did.”
“You know what I mean.”
“What? They said it was an anonymous tip, no need to question it further.” He shrugs. “It doesn’t seem like he’ll be bothering either of you anymore. I can’t say I feel bad for him.”
My dad walks right back out while mine and Adam’s jaws hang on the floor.
Slowly, I look at him. “Are you okay?”
A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, and he lets out a little laugh. “Yeah, I really am.”