Chapter 46
Quentin
“Looking good, Q,” my catcher says to me as he throws the ball back to me.
We’ve been warming up in the bullpen before today’s game, just enough to get my arm loose and ready. Thankfully, my shoulder’s not aching too bad currently.
Post-game might be a different story as it has been all season with my shoulder.
I wipe the sweat off my brow—an oddly warm October day—and then focus on the batter’s box.
So far, I’ve been dialing my speed back, taking it easy.
But before we stop to rest before the game starts, I want to give it my all.
Winding up, I throw a curve ball, the ball making a loud snapping sound when it hits his glove.
“Whew, giving me some heat,” my catcher whistles.
We take a break and make our way to the dugout to relax before the beginning of Game One of the World Series.
Our team crushed our playoff run, making it to the World Series this year. I couldn’t be prouder of these guys, despite the lingering ache in my chest today.
Because this series will be my last games in the MLB.
A bittersweet feeling washes over me because while I’m looking forward to resting my body and being a dad, I know I’m going to miss the thrill of the game. The camaraderie with these men who are like my family.
Whether we win or lose, I already feel like I’ve won in life because my real trophies are at home.
Well, not today. Teagan’s here watching, but the point remains the same.
She’s sitting in the family and friends box with Camille and Olivia, a request from me because the fans are going to be rowdy tonight. It’s Game One on home turf, and I can’t focus on the game if I’m worried about her out there.
Already, there’s a buzz in the air that’s different from any other game. It’s potent, like you could almost touch it and get zapped from the electricity of it. It’s a sold-out crowd, and it’s going to be the same every night we’re here or in Florida on their turf.
“You ready for tonight?” Ian asks as he slides down on the bench next to me.
“More than ready. I feel good.”
“You’re going to pitch a hell of a game and start us off with the energy we need,” he tells me.
I tilt my head at him with a quizzical look on my face. “New Ian is sickeningly nice.”
“I can go back to being an asshole if you’d like. I find that much more fun, to be honest.”
“No, I’m good. I’d rather not want to punch you in the face all the time.”
He laughs at that. “You nervous about Landon? That guy is a killer in the batter’s box.”
Landon Twain is one of the best hitters in the league, but I’ve never been afraid of any player, no matter how good they are. I have confidence in myself and my team.
“No, I know that he’s got a weak spot for inside pitches, so I’m going to run with that.”
“Better you than me.” He blows out a breath, and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen him doubt himself.
I go to respond, when Ryker appears, looking concerned.
My stomach drops instantly, anxiety and fear crawling up to my throat. “What happened? Is Olivia okay? Cami?”
“They’re great.” Ryker swallows, seeming uncomfortable almost. “It’s, uhh…it’s Teagan.”
Every hair on my body stands as I freeze, unable to do anything for a moment but mentally panic.
Is she okay? Is the baby okay? What the hell happened?
“What happened?” The words come out breathless, and Ryker puts a hand on my shoulder, gripping it.
“You need to breathe. Follow me, in and out.” He breathes in and out deeply, and I do my best to mimic him.
“Ryker, tell me what the hell is going on,” I demand, frustrated and overwhelmed.
“What the hell is happening with my sister?” Ian joins in, running a hand over the brim of his hat.
“Camille said they were up in the box, and everything was fine. I guess Teagan was complaining about cramps, and when she went to the washroom, there was some blood.”
Everything around me fades away except the rapid beating of my own heart as my blood cools to ice.
“She’s gone to the ER to get checked. Camille just came down and saw me first. She waited with her until they took her. It happened so fast she didn’t have time to alert either of us. She’s sorry,” Ryker says.
“She did the right thing.” Ian’s voice is full of understanding while I struggle to find words.
I make up my mind in that moment as I begin taking off my wrist tape.
“What are you doing?” Ian and Ryker ask.
“Leaving. I’m going to the hospital with her.”
“You can’t leave. It’s the first game of the Series. You’re set to pitch!” Ian shouts, seeming stressed.
“Watch me. Those girls are my life, and I’ll be damned if something happens to them while I’m here,” I snap, not meaning to sound so harsh, but I’m on edge.
“You’re going to get fined or in trouble…” Ian goes on.
“Go,” Ryker says. “I would do the same thing. Get out of here.”
“Who’s going where?” Coach Tran appears beside us, not looking happy.
“Me, Coach. My girlfriend is being rushed to the hospital and she’s pregnant with my baby.
I won’t be able to focus on doing my job here today.
I need to be with them,” I explain, hoping he understands but also not worried if he doesn’t, because either way I’m leaving.
He could fire me on the spot and I wouldn’t care.
Coach Tran gives me a hard glare, then looks away as he says, “Go, Laurent. But you’re paying the fine and I expect you to be ready to pitch for the next game.”
“I will, Coach, thank you.” I shake his hand, then I’m turning on my heel and running to the locker room where I quickly change out of my cleats, leaving my uniform on as I grab my keys and get the hell out of there.
It takes me longer than I’d like to get to the hospital with the traffic downtown due to all the roads closed near the stadium. It’s nearly half an hour later before I get there, and I barge into the hospital like a madman.
I walk up to the welcome desk, not wasting time on pleasantries. “I need to see my girlfriend.”
A woman with gray-streaked hair looks up at me over the perch of her glasses. “What’s her name?”
“Teagan. Teagan Witt. She should’ve been admitted not too long ago.”
“Listen, son, you come in here all fired up and demand to see the greatest Olympic athlete our country has seen. You could be an abusive ex for all I know.”
“Listen…” I look at her name tag, seeing the name Denise there. “Denise. I’m not an abusive ex. I’m her boyfriend. Look it up online if you must. I’m very close to losing my patience, because my life is somewhere in this building hurting, and you’re keeping me from her.”
Another worker approaches the desk, recognizing me. “Quentin Laurent, right this way.”
I wave with a smile to Denise, who looks dumbfounded, and as much as I’d like to call her boss and get her in trouble, I do appreciate that she didn’t let me in easily. Being a celebrity comes with risks like crazy fans who would do something like that.
“Thank you so much…”
“Janice. I’m a huge fan. The custodian saw you on the security camera and told me. Since I know about you and Ms. Witt, I came down immediately to get you up there.”
“I appreciate it a lot. Thank you, Janice.” I smile the best I can, when I feel like I’m dying on the inside because I have no idea what to expect.
We’re silent the rest of the way until we reach a room with the number 224 on the door. “She’s just in here. I’ll leave you to it.”
When she walks away, I don’t waste any time as I open the door and stalk into the room. And the sight fucking guts me.
Sitting in a hospital bed is Teagan with wires hooked up to her and her belly, and tears are streaming down her face.
Seeing her look so vulnerable, scared and sad is the worst thing I’ve ever had to witness in my entire life.
“Mon coeur…” My voice cracks as I make it to her side.
“What…what are you doing here?” she hiccups. “You’re supposed to be pitching.”
I take her hand gently in mine, bringing it to my lips as I press a kiss there. “You think I care about a game when the woman I love is in the hospital?”
Her lip trembles as she sucks in a breath, her brown eyes glossy.
I lean down and softly kiss her, then pull away, looking into her eyes as I say, “I love you. Baseball isn’t my future anymore. You and Blueberry are. I’m exactly where I want to be.”
She nods shakily, her voice cracking as she says, “What if something’s wrong with our daughter?”
“We will deal with it together, okay?” I assure her as I kiss her once more.
There’s a knock on the door, followed by a voice. “May I come in?”
“Yes,” Teagan calls out, and the doctor walks into the room.
“Hi, I’m Dr. Dean,” she introduces herself to Teagan and me. “I heard you’ve experienced some cramping and spotting today. Is that right?”
“Yes,” Teagan admits as she squeezes my hand.
“Spotting in the second trimester can be caused by a few things, so it’s a good thing you came in. I’m going to do a physical exam and ultrasound to make sure that everything looks good, but just before we start, have you had any sexual intercourse recently?”
“We have,” I answer, noting the red hue on Teagan’s cheeks that tells me she probably didn’t want to answer this question.
Dr. Dean fixes her glasses on her nose, then says, “That could be the cause of it, but I’ll go ahead with the exams and get some samples just to cover our bases, all right?”
Teagan nods at the doctor as I squeeze her hand reassuringly as the doctor prepares for the physical exam.
Once that’s done, along with the ultrasound that shows our little girl, the sound of her heart beating, it feels like I can breathe again.
“Is the baby going to be okay?” Teagan asks as Dr. Dean moves the doppler over her belly.
“Yes. I want you to call your OB and schedule to see them in a few days to follow up, but you have nothing to worry about,” Dr. Dean explains, calm and collected.
“Will do,” I reply, unable to take my eyes off my baby on the screen. God, I can’t wait till she’s here. To hold her for the first time, see what color her eyes are, or the color of her hair.
After the ultrasound is finished, Dr. Dean says, “If you have any more questions, have a nurse page me. I’d like you to stay the night to relax and we’ll monitor things, along with getting your blood and urine results back. Then you can leave tomorrow.”
“Thank you so much,” Teagan and I say in unison.
“Of course,” Dr. Dean replies with a curt smile, then leaves the room.
“See, everything’s going to be okay.” I turn to Teagan, noticing the lingering fear in her eyes.
“I know. It was just so scary. I can’t imagine anything happening to her,” she says as she rubs a hand over her belly.
“Multiply that by two and that’s exactly how I felt. Imagining anything happening to you two is the worst kind of torture.”
“It’s going to suck, not being able to be as active as much anymore.” She sniffles, wiping at her cheeks.
“I know, but we need to keep you rested,” I try to comfort her, knowing this situation isn’t ideal, but at least it’s not dire.
“And no sex? I’m going to die,” Teagan whines, making me chuckle.
I smooth my hand over her hair, making her smile.
“I’m serious!” she protests. “We just started having sex and now it’s gone for four months.”
“Well, we really made the most out of it. I think we’ve had sex more times in the last two weeks than I’ve had in the last few years.”
That makes her laugh, making the tightness in my chest loosen at the sound. Everything’s going to be okay. My girls are okay.
Teagan’s finger grazes over mine, stroking back and forth. “I want to say thank you for being here, it means a lot. No one’s ever done anything like this.”
“You don’t need to thank me for loving you. It’s as easy as breathing for me, mon coeur.”
“I know. It’s one of the many reasons why I love you.”
A feeling like no other fills my body at her words, at hearing the confirmation that she loves me too. It’s like the feeling you get the morning of a vacation or Christmas day. But multiply it by a thousand.
The ultimate joy and ecstasy.
“We’re platonic, remember?” I joke, making her laugh once more.
“Shut up,” she says through her laughter. “I never want to hear the word platonic again. Unless it’s regarding you and another woman, of course.”
“Other women exist?” I act, dumbfounded, making her laugh even more.
“Je t’aime.”
I smirk at that, the fact that she said it in French, making it even more meaningful.
“Je t’aime aussi, mon coeur.”