Chapter 1 – That's It

Wednesday, June 1st, 2033

Gabi's POV

Kansas City, MO

"Maybe it isn't that bad," I responded, and Troy just gave me a doubtful look and I shrugged my shoulders back to him. "Troy…" he shook his head and got up from the chair as he paced the training room as he had been battling a constant shoulder problem all season. It wasn't affecting how he was pitching, it was just painful the days after he pitched. Troy and I had remained in Kansas City since the moment he signed the contract. I had been a stay-at-home mom traveling the country with four kids in tow to watch him play and to make sure we remained a family. That was always our number one goal. To be a family.

We never went more than a week apart from each other at the most. We had a lot of fun traveling and all of my kids were seasoned veterans by this point. Even six-year-old Grey. I stood up as I adjusted my jeans as my booties hit the ground as I went over and kissed the back of his shoulder. "I love you," I whispered, and he turned around to face me as his face was bleak and those blue eyes were showing that something was wrong. The last time I saw this was when he hurt his elbow all those years ago.

This time he was being a lot more vocal about it, but Troy and I had a lot better marriage than we did then. Our lives were balanced with each other and we were perfectly in tune again. "I love you too," he said back to me when the door opened. We both turned around to see the trainer, the doctor, and the new manager, Cal, walk into the room. "Troy, Gabi," we all shook hands as they had called us in to review Troy's latest MRI of his shoulder.

"What is it? Will you please just rip the Band-Aid off?" Troy asked, the trainer, Matt, laughed and nodded, "Yea, Doc," Dr. Aaron nodded with a smile, "You have small tears in your rotator cuff," he disclaimed, and Troy let his head hang because that wasn't what he wanted to hear. I watched his face drop, I watched a lot of his dreams and wishes rushing out of his system. Disappointment. My gut twisted with sadness watching him and wishing I could help him. "It doesn't affect his pitching though…" Cal finished, and Troy snapped his head up as I let my hand slip into his hand. My fingers locked with his because I knew there wasn't coming back from this. I was just hoping he knew that. I was hoping that he was ready to let go.

"No, it is just painful afterwards with the swelling. There is no complete tear. You could just strength on off days and work around it if you wanted too but you probably need surgery in the off-season." Troy leaned back but his hand stayed connected with mine. "So, you are saying that if I want too…I can push through the rest of this season and then have surgery this off-season?" Troy spoke, and Dr. Aaron nodded his head. Relief flooded my system.

"We can give a cortisone shot to help with the pain every six to eight weeks. We can do extra therapy around the shoulder and then you can have surgery right in the beginning of off-season." Troy nodded his head as if he really liked that idea. He bit down on his lip and then he looked up at the three people in the room, his eyes flickered over to me, and then back to the three men. A hesitation at his lips as he pursed them together and he just nodded before making eye contact with the three men. "Then this is my final season." Troy spoke, and I felt a gasp work through my lips as my attention turned to him. The three men in this room didn't say a word except for Cal.

"What?" Cal said, and Troy just nodded his head as if he had been thinking about this for quite some time. "There is no way that my shoulder will be ready by the time Spring Training comes around. It'll just be easier if I know that I am finishing this season and then being done. I don't want to toy with the idea of coming back and never make it back. That would hurt me more than just knowing I am done." The three men were silent as I was trying to process everything, but it still made my gut sink.

"Troy," I said softly, and he looked over at me and he just shrugged, "It's what I need to do." He said softly, those blue eyes pained with every word. I knew he wasn't lying to me. He probably had been thinking about it since the first pain had come upon him. I just nodded as he looked at the three coaches, "I will push through this season." Troy said to the group, "I will then have the surgery once I am done so that I can rest for the off-season before my wife probably goes to her big-wig job that I promised she could have once I retired."

I felt my cheeks blush and Troy looked over at me, "It's your turn Brie," I shook my head, "Are you sure?" I asked him, and he nodded his head, "Yea, I'm sure. I want the finality of it." He said, and I nodded my head as I squeezed his hand. "Of course," I whispered, and he looked at Cal, Aaron, and Matt as he nodded his head, "This is my last year," he announced again, and the three men nodded their head. "Okay, let me get Beckett and we can make up a press release," he said, and Troy just nodded as the three men left the room leaving Troy and I alone.

Once the door closed he sat down in a chair, our hands separating, and he pressed his palms against his eyes. "It wasn't that bad," I told him, and he just shrugged, "It was better than retiring now I guess…" I looked at him as his hair was chopped and spikey in the front as he rubbed his worn face. "You're a three-time World Series champion," I spoke up as he had won one more in the past six years after signing his contract. "two more Cy Young," I shook my head because Troy hadn't lost his form. Troy was still the best.

"You had one hell of a career Troy," he gave a faint smile and he shrugged, "I know, it just…it doesn't make it any easier." I nodded as I wrapped my arms around his neck and I leaned in close to press my lips against his. He held onto me tightly and I smelled his cologne against his skin. "You and Casen will retire together, you can finally join Josh and Zach on the sidelines and get to spend time with the kids." Troy sighed, and he tilted his head back, "I just wish I would have known earlier. If I would have known that it was going to be my last opening day, my last spring training…I had all of these lasts and I didn't even know it."

I brushed my fingers through his hair and then I picked up his hat as I placed it backwards on his head as if he was seventeen again. "You told me not too long ago that you were enjoying every moment because you didn't know when it might just be over." Troy knew what I was saying but he just shrugged as I hugged him tightly, "You are amazing Troy, do not discredit yourself and you don't have to make this decision." Troy just nodded his head, "I do. I know I have another year on my contract but…coming back from that surgery for just one more year isn't worth it."

My lips met his and he pulled me to his body as I knew this wasn't an easy decision for him. He must have been thinking about it for some time to just come to this conclusion. "You still have three months," I told him as I tugged down on his hat and he smiled, "I know," I hugged him again and we both just held onto each other because it was weird even to me to realize that this part of our life was coming to an end. I had been involved for my entire life."

"Wait till you tell the kids," I mumbled, and Troy laughed, "They will be so upset." Troy whispered, "Especially Grey," I rolled my eyes pulling back to face him, "I wonder why," I said with a laugh and Troy smiled. "Sorry," he said sheepishly as if he didn't completely ruin our kids with his baseball obsessiveness. "They still have Luke," I mentioned as Luke played all four years of college and was in his first minor league season with the Boston Red Sox. He was doing very well too and making Troy proud.

"I know, I know, just wait till they find out what their mom is going to do." I smiled as most of them don't remember my broadcasting days. I smoothed my fingers over his face and he closed his eyes to the contact. "I love you," he whispered, and I smiled kissing him, "I love you too. I have to go pick up the kids from your mother's house before the game tonight. I promised Britt that we would be in attendance tonight." I said, and he nodded, "I'll see them later. We'll tell the family first and then we will tell the kids before we make the official release." He said, and I nodded, "Okay," Troy squeezed my hand as I picked up my bag.

"Bring the kids by the clubhouse?" he asked before I opened the door and I turned around with a nod, "Would they have it any other way?" Troy smiled shaking his head as I finally left the room to run into Brad, "Hey," I said with a smile and he smiled back, "How are you?" he asked, and I smiled, "Good." I told him, "Chasing the kids everywhere." I told him, and he smiled with understanding, "I bet. Finally, summer?" I nodded my head, "Yes! Finally, they had a brutal winter, so all of those snow day make-ups were crazy."

"I bet they are spending every waking moment in the pool," I laughed, "In the pool until it's time to go to the game." Brad squeezed my shoulder and he left as I went to get into the car that only had one booster seat left for Grey. It made me sad that they were all bigger now and didn't need me as much, but they were also fun. Logan was thirteen and man was she loving life. She was on the swim team all year long and she loved the water. She tried other things, but swim was what made her happy and her biggest advocate was Troy.

Troy loved to watch her swim and he learned everything about it to talk with her about it. He went to all of her practices that he could make it too and made me facetime him for any meet he was missing. He absolutely loved to watch her and cheer her on as he just wanted to be the biggest fan of hers and she adored it. She loved when Troy did everything to make her happy. She did really well in school and had more friends than I could keep track of. No boys had popped up in her life and I wasn't sure her daddy was ready for that yet. She was mostly focused on having fun.

Makenli was going to be our wild child. The girls would be turning eight in just a couple of months, but man was she everywhere and very much a daddy's girl. She was into every single sport possible going from softball, soccer, and even some basketball even though she mostly enjoyed softball and soccer. She was good at them too. Very athletic like her dad and just wanted to be the best and constantly pushing to win at such a young age. She was constantly busy and always doing other things in just the end of second grade. I could only imagine what her high school life was going to look like.

Adalyn was very much our quieter child. She loved to read, dance, and gymnastics. She was definitely my girl as she preferred the slower pace of life than the high energy that Troy had. She still very much could bat those eyes at Troy and get her way, but she was perfectly content to lay on the couch and read all day or go to a dance class. She loved school and was probably going to be very smart with her work ethic.

Finally, my little Grey man who was just a ball of energy but made absolutely everybody laugh. He was silly and definitely knew how to handle his three sisters above him, but they also adored him and loved him from the very beginning. He was a spitting image of Troy to make me wonder if he was even actually mine. If it wasn't for his long labor I would be more concerned. The twin girls still took a striking resemblance to me while Logan was the perfect mix of both of us. Grey absolutely loved everything about baseball and enjoyed watching Uncle Luke at Texas A&M where he was selected in the third round after his senior year two years ago. He was already in double A as a second baseman when he moved there in high school.

He was successful too.

Grey adored him more than anybody else out there and Grey admired Troy just a little too much too. He loved going into the clubhouse, running the bases, or just being there to watch. He carried a glove with him all the time and was just happy. He was also my little man. He typically wanted me to do a lot of things for him instead of Troy but whenever Troy was going to the field it was all him. It was a good balance for all us.

My siblings were successful in their adventures as well as they were both in their final year of college together. Lilly had chosen a smaller college in Springfield, Missouri. The Missouri State Bears captured her attention while she was going to school to become a grade-school teacher. She was going to do her student teaching in the fall and then would graduate in December. Cameron chose a completely different school going to Arkansas. It wasn't too far from Lilly and they got to have their own lives. He was becoming an Athletic Trainer and would graduate in December as well before moving onto grad school. My parents were traveling a lot, but my dad still managed a handful of players.

I pulled into Lucille's house as I noticed Emily's car in the driveway. I smiled as I pushed the door open as that was probably a welcome surprise for my kids. I got out as I walked into the door and then I heard all four of them, "Mom!" Grey came rounding the corner and I smiled as I bent down to pick him up. "Hi big man," I kissed him on the cheek and he giggled. "Aunt Emily showed up!" I smiled, "I see that." I looked upstairs to see a pretty pregnant Emily standing in the kitchen.

After her and Finn got married six years ago and then they embarked on his medical school adventure. They were thankfully matched for his residency at Kansas University, so they didn't have to move as they had one little boy and were expecting another in August. Sterling was three years old and a little spit fire. He was funny as he chased down Grey and Grey gave me an impatient look as I laughed. "Go say goodbye to your grandparents." I said, and he spun around to do so as the girls were in the living room.

"Girls go say goodbye to your grandparents," I said, and Logan looked up at me, "How's dad?" she asked, and I smiled, "He's okay," I told her, and she gave me a weary look and I pointed in the direction of Lucille and Jack. They grumbled, "C'mon, we have a game to go to." They moved a little faster as Adalyn came over to me and leaned against me, "You okay?" I asked her, and she nodded as I kissed the top of her head before she went upstairs.

"Hey girl!" I said to Emily and she smiled, "Hi, how is my big brother?" she asked, I shrugged, "He's okay," most of his family knew the MRI was coming as it had been an increasing issue, but I wasn't going to spill the news to them without him present. "How is this baby boy?" I asked pressing my hand to her belly and she smiled, "Good, now it's just Luke's turn for kids." Lucille laughed, "I don't see that happening anytime soon." Lucille said, and I laughed, "He never found that high school girl or that college girl." Emily said, and I laughed, "I think Luke had a little too much fun in college." I said as he would increasingly call Troy drunk from a party.

His twenty-first birthday was worse than Troy's which I wasn't sure how.

He absolutely loved to have fun and I wasn't sure Luke was ever going to find that girl.

"Aunt Gabi," Sterling wrapped his arms around my legs and I picked him up, "Hi big guy," he kissed my cheek and I smiled as I put him back down for him to take off running. "Mom, where is dad?" Makenli came up to me and I smiled with a laugh, "At the stadium but he made a special request for all of you to come see him before the game tonight." Makenli smiled and Logan bounced up, "Mom, you aren't forgetting about my swim meet this weekend, right?" I shook my head, "No," I said rolling my eyes because she worried about things like that.

"Grandma, will you come?" Lucille nodded as she bid all of the kid's good-bye as I thanked her and hugged Emily once more before I disappeared out of the door with all of the kids in tow. The twins climbed into the back of the car while Grey took his position followed by Logan. "We're going to the house to change our clothes and then we are leaving," I said to all of them as I began the drive to the house that was perfectly ours since we built it.

It fit all of us perfectly and the only changes were from cribs to big kid beds. The house was full of memories, Grey took his first steps at ten months old in the kitchen, Logan lost her first tooth in the dining room eating an apple, Makenli fell into the fireplace requiring her first set of stitches with several more to follow over the years. Adalyn learned to read to me sitting on the couch and the countless memories of watching them all play together made me smile.

"Quick," I announced to everybody as I pulled into the driveway and they all scrambled as they knew if they were late they wouldn't get to see Troy. My phone buzzed, and I looked down to see Mallory calling me. "Hey," I answered with a smile as she was very happy with her life recently. Collin had made it big with physical therapy becoming one of the best around Kansas City causing a lot of people to go to him. Mallory had gotten her Doctor of Nursing and was still working at Children's Mercy. Their last little babe ended up being a little girl, Sage. She was feisty and was going to give Collin a handful because she was just like her mother which was terrifying.

"How was the appointment?" she asked, and I sighed, "They think they can push surgery off until the off-season. As long as his quality of pitching doesn't decrease, and he doesn't have more pain than what he has now they are willing to let him finish the season." I went inside the house as I picked up shoes as I heard each of the kids upstairs wrestling around trying to find all of their clothes for today's game. "Wow, so he does have a tear?"

"A couple small ones." I responded as I peeked in to see that Adalyn was already done but Makenli was distracted by a toy on the floor. "Mac," I said, and she looked up and only nodded her head before getting up and putting on a pair of shorts with a t-shirt. I knew her tennis shoes were next. I then peeked in to see Logan looking between different shirts and I bit down onto my lip, "Mal, I'll call you back." I said, and she sighed as I hung up the phone. "Lo, you okay?" I asked, and she looked up, "I don't know what to wear." I scrunched my eyes together, "It's a baseball game babe," I told her, and she sighed, "I know but all of my friends say that I need to actually look good…" she drew it out and I raised an eyebrow, "And why is that?" I asked, and Logan threw herself on the bed as she was being her thirteen-year-old self.

"I can't tell you," I couldn't stop a smile on my face as I crawled onto the bed next to her, "You can tell me," I told her and those blue eyes with the brown rings looked back at me, "I don't know, they really think that if I looked better than a boy would like me," she blinked and I looked at her a little taken back by this. "Lo, why do you need a boy to like you? You're thirteen," I reminded her, and she shrugged, "I don't know, all of my friends have these people who have crushes on them and…" I shook my head, "Lolo, you do not have to be like your friends at all. If you want to wear a t-shirt and shorts that's what you wear. You don't have to look nice for anybody at a baseball game and for the record, you're beautiful in whatever you wear."

She tried to fight the smile, but she couldn't stop it. "Thanks Mom," I nodded as I kissed the top of her head while she reached for her Nike shorts with a Royals t-shirt. I smiled as I walked out and then went to check on Makenli and Adalyn who were fighting over a shirt. "Girls," I warned as they both turned towards me and Makenli rolled her eyes. "Mac," I said again, and she looked over at me and I just gave her that look which caused her to sigh before reaching for a different shirt.

Finally, my little Grey man was sitting on the floor playing with his toys with a pair of shorts and his dad's jersey on his back. "Thanks buddy," I said, and he smiled up at me as I kissed his cheek before I looked at my own outfit. My ripped jeans with a pair of white Converses and a blue plaid shirt. I smiled shaking my head back and forth as I ran my fingers through my hair. "C'mon kids," I grabbed my purse as I tossed it over my shoulder and the kids all came tumbling down the stairs and back to the car.

They all piled back in as I made sure they all were wearing appropriate wear for tonight as they all had jackets at the stadium that we left in a spare locker that they offered to us. I think it was after the thousandth time we forgot to bring a jacket for one of the kids they offered it to the entire staff. "Mom, can we go somewhere cool for the All-Star break?" Makenli asked and I smiled, "I don't know sweet girl," I knew exactly where we were going for the All-Star game.

Arlington, Texas where this year's All-Star game was being held. I knew that once Troy come clean about his retirement then it will basically be guaranteed that he gets one last All-Star game. I exhaled as the car basically went to the normal lack of conversation unless I started one. Makenli would listen to music, Addy would read her latest book, Grey was playing with some toy, and Logan was buried deep into her phone.

Yet, there was one rule at the game.

We didn't have our phones, our books, and minimal toys to keep entertained. We watched the game and socialized with the people around us like normal humans. I pulled into the stadium and was quickly waved to player/family parking as I parked right next to Troy. The kids were already putting everything away as I smiled because they knew. "C'mon," we all walked into the stadium together as I held onto Grey as the girls walked with me.

We walked through the gate with our tickets and then quickly were escorted downstairs. The doors opened, and they must have told Troy we were here as he was talking to somebody in the hallway. Grey let go of my hand and he went crashing into Troy's legs as the other three were right behind him. I smiled as Troy picked up Grey and one of those smiles that I loved spread over his face as he greeted all of his girls and tickled Grey.

His eyes then flickered up to me with a smile. I couldn't wait to actually talk to him in our bed tonight. I really wanted to see where his head was truly at with his big decision this morning, but I knew he wasn't going to talk about it here with people lingering around. "I hope you all were good for mom," Troy mentioned and the kids all agreed that they were as I only nodded in agreement as they were really good kids. Of course, they had their moments, but I couldn't complain too much.

"I heard we have a full house tonight for the game." Troy mentioned and that only meant most of the family was going to be here tonight. "Gabs!" I turned around to see Britt with Poppy and Maddox close behind her as the kids all swarmed together as they all knew each other. They had been good friends as Britt and I traveled together all the time, so we had two adults with the amount of kids that we had together. Poppy was the sweetest girl who was just a little younger than Grey and then Maddox who turned three right at the beginning of this year. "Hey Britt," I hugged her tightly as she had become one of my closest friends.

"I'm glad you're here tonight," she was stressed about this season as Casen, who became quite a player, was retiring this season as well. They weren't sure what they were going to do after he retired because I knew they talked about going back home but they also made Kansas City their home. "Yea, it's a nice night for all of us plus the kids." I said as Troy snuck all of the kids into the clubhouse and I looked at Britt.

"How's Troy?" she asked quietly, and I smiled, "Okay, he's going to pitch through it." I told her, and she gave me one of those smiles that meant she knew. "He talked to Casen about it." She said with a shrug, "He basically said he knew what it was already but was hoping they didn't have to do surgery. If they did he wanted one more start and if not…" I sighed as I looked towards the clubhouse that had been Troy's harm for a very long time.

"Yea, he sprung it on everybody this morning after he found out. They are hoping cortisone will help to push him through the rest of the season." Britt just gave me a tight hug and I gave her one back. "Mom! I'm hungry!" I rolled my eyes with a smile as one of my kids was always hungry. I turned to look at Makenli with a smile on my face, "Get your sisters and brother so we can go find food." She ran back into the clubhouse and I looked over at Britt who shrugged.


"Good night Grey," I kissed his forehead as we left the game at the bottom of the seventh, so the kids could all go home and get into bed. Troy was rarely around for bedtimes during the school year and summer time when he was in season, but you better believe when he had the chance he loved to put all of them to bed. To spend that extra special time with them. "Night mommy," I smiled, "I love you," I kissed him one more time and he smiled sweetly, the same smile his father possessed.

"I love you too," I left his room turning on his fan and shutting off the light. I peeked into the twin's room as they were both sitting in their respective beds. Addy was reading her latest book and Makenli was playing on the twins shared iPad. "Girls, time to turn lights off." I said and they both looked at me with a nod. They both followed directions as I went in and kissed them both on the head. "Good night girls, I love you Makenli, I love you Addy,"

They both bid their good night and love as I walked out shutting the door. Normally, I let Logan stay up a little bit later than the girls. I went to her room where she was sitting on her bed texting somebody. "Did you check your blood sugar?" I asked her, and she looked up at me and nodded, "It was 150," I smiled, "Good." Logan had become really good at maintaining her own diabetes and doing everything on her own.

We helped her when she needed it, but she was very good at managing it. "Is dad really okay?" she asked me, and I looked at her as I nodded, "He's okay Logan," I spoke, and she sighed, "He didn't say anything to us today." I reached over, and I brushed her hair away from her face. "We'll all talk tomorrow," I mentioned, and I could see her face pale. "What does that mean?" her questions persisted, and I laughed, "It's okay Logan, if it was really bad we would have told you by now."

She sighed, and I smiled, "He'll be more worried that you wanted to dress a certain way for boys." Logan laughed, "Please don't tell him." I smiled as I was going to tell him but hopefully he wouldn't make a big deal out of it. "It wasn't like I wanted to do it, my friends just think I should do it." I shook my head, "No need for that Lolo, you are perfect." She rolled her eyes and I kissed her forehead. "Thirty more minutes okay?"

She nodded as I got up and I went to change into a pair of shorts with a t-shirt. I brushed my teeth, scrubbed off my make-up, and threw my hair on top of my head. I heard the garage door open and then shut as Troy must be home early tonight. I finished cleaning up the bathroom and then I went out to the hallway as he was poking his head into Logan's room. "Hey daddy," I smiled as Troy couldn't stop his smile. "Hey Lo, have a good day?"

"Yea, it was good. How was your day?" Troy smiled, "Great," he finished, and I knew Logan was probably really confused by that statement. "You should probably be getting to bed." Troy mentioned, and Logan sighed, "I am. Mom said thirty minutes about twenty minutes ago." Troy shifted and looked down the hallway towards our room where he spotted me. "Ten minutes then," he said with a smile as he looked at me and I shook my head as I turned.

"Yea, yea," Troy laughed as he pushed off the door and came into our bedroom. "Were they good today?" Troy asked, and I just nodded as he pressed his lips to mine and I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I love you," he whispered into my ear and I squeezed him back. "I love you too." I whispered to him and he kissed my forehead. Troy got himself ready for bed when I went to check on Logan, but she already turned off her lights and was in bed.

"Night Lolo, I love you," I said, and she turned in bed, "I love you too mom,"

I closed her door and then I closed our door as Troy was flipping through channels on the TV. "Hey," I said as I crawled onto the bed and over top of him, he smirked at that move and I shook my head. "C'mon, you need to explain to me this morning." I told him, and he sighed as he lost the smile almost instantly. "C'mon Brie, I just want to kiss my really hot wife for the rest of the night." I shook my head again, "No."

"I knew that my shoulder was probably full of tears and probably needed surgery. I was prepared to fight to have at least one more start, so I could properly say good-bye to the game but when they said I could push through it and finish the season I was thankful that I could have one more season. I could have many more starts, and I could travel and say good-bye to some of my favorite cities. That I could pitch for this team one more time. It was an easy choice for me though." He spoke with a shrug, "This was not an easy choice," I countered, and he let out a sigh. He rolled off of me as he rubbed his face.

"Brie, I knew it had to end at some point."

I narrowed my eyes at my husband, "Troy, you were in a panic attack two years ago thinking about this ending." I spoke, and he just shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know Brie, maybe it's because my kids are a lot older now and they are doing things that I hate missing. I hate not being there for all of them for whatever they are doing. I just want to be their number one supporter and I can't do that with my job. If I have to have surgery this off season there is no way I am ready for next year. Why not just let it go?"

"Troy," I stopped, and he shook his head this time as he rubbed my arms, "It's your turn Brie, it's your turn to shine and get to go do what you want to do. Your turn to shine for this family because you are so talented. Our kids are going to love that you are an announcer for some big network. This decision was easy because I knew you were going to go kill it. You are going to get your turn finally. I promised you that much and it's easy for me to stop because I will get to see you so happy."

His thumb stroked my cheek and I just shook my head because he knew how to get me to stop asking questions. "The kids will love to have you around all the time." I whispered, and Troy smiled, "I know, that's what made it even easier." I kissed him softly and he knew that I was satisfied with his answers and he turned me onto my back. His hands slowly crept up his t-shirt and his warm hands touched my stomach while he kept creeping up. I smiled softly into the kiss while he pushed my shirt up and over my head.

"Just think…we can go on a really nice vacation with just us to before I have surgery for us time." He whispered, and I smiled because we always kept our vacations together really short because Troy was going to be gone all of February and March for Spring Training. He wanted to spend time with the kids. We did a big family vacation in December during Christmas Break over the New Year. We chose different destinations every year but normally it was somewhere warm, or we went skiing.

Troy pushed my shirt off my body and was quick to pull off my shorts and underwear as we had to learn to make this speedy because he knows when a child will walk through that door.


Thursday, June 2nd, 2033

I woke up the next morning and I reached over for my husband, but he was gone already. I frowned because we didn't have kids in our bed and I was still naked. I really wanted my husband. I got up out of bed and I slipped on his t-shirt and a pair of shorts as I went out into the hallway. All of the kid's doors were still shut which only meant they were all still sleeping. I walked down the hallway and to our living room as Troy was cooking breakfast in the kitchen without a shirt showing off his strong back.

"Uhm…" I started, and he turned around to look at me as a slow smile crept over his face, "Hey pretty lady," I smiled as I walked into the kitchen as he stirred eggs on the stove while he drank a cup of coffee. "What are you doing out of bed," I whispered as I wrapped my arm around his arm and he laughed, "I couldn't sleep, and I didn't want to wake you up with the TV or anything." I frowned, "I woke up really wanting my husband," my breath in his ear caused the back of his hair to stand up with goosebumps traveling down his arm.

"Well…that's unfortunate that I wasn't in there." He looked over at me with his worn blue eyes and I reached up to kiss him softly. He put both hands on my hips but then stopped as he turned off the stove and pushed his eggs back to the back burner before he pushed me up onto the counter. I wrapped my legs around his waist to pull him closer to me. "Good morning," he mumbled pulling away from my lips and I could only smile as I kissed him again.

I heard a bedroom door open and I groaned as Troy chuckled into my ear as he kissed me one more time before helping me down the counter as the footsteps came down the stairs. Addy rounded the corner and she was still in her pajamas with sleep in her eyes. "Morning Addy," Troy spoke, and she looked up with a smile as she wrapped her arms around my waist. I smiled kissing the top of her head, "Did you sleep okay?" I asked her, and she nodded into my belly. She then went over to Troy and did the same thing, but he just picked up his seven-year-old daughter. She rested her head onto his shoulder while he finished cooking.

I poured myself a cup of coffee while Troy put Addy down and he easily served the eggs he was cooking himself to her. She happily accepted them as she hopped into our breakfast nook. I poured her a cup of milk and found some fruit to add to her plate. "Thank you," I nodded as Troy began to cook more and I went over to wrap my arms around his waist. My head pressing between his shoulder blades. "I think we do it this morning," I whispered, and he nodded, "I know."

"Before they all go beg to go swimming. I think Ellie and Mallory are coming over with the kids to swim. I invited Alex and Melissa, but they weren't sure if they were going to make it today." He nodded as he was still really close with Josh and Zach. They both retired in the past three years as they weren't surprised that Troy was in the longest. It didn't take long for Grey to come down the stairs, but he jumped into my arms and I knew it was going to be a bit before he left.

This was our morning routine as I slid into the breakfast nook with him as I sipped on my coffee. My phone buzzed in front of me as I glanced down to look at it.

Ellie: Still cool for us to come for a little swimming + lunch today?

Me: Absolutely.

"Grey, buddy, do you want some eggs?" Troy asked, and he shook his head into my shoulder, "Cereal?" Troy asked again and Grey thought about it, but he shook his head no again. "How about some fruit and yogurt?" I finally asked, and he nodded into my head as Troy rolled his eyes. He was truly a momma's boy, but Troy didn't have much room to talk as him and his mom still talked daily. Grey was all about Troy when it was time for baseball but normally just wanted his momma.

Troy slid a bowl in front of me as I turned him in my lap, so he could eat. Troy kissed the top of his head, "Dad, can I go to the park with you this morning?" Grey asked, and Troy turned to look at him and nodded with a smile. "Yea, of course," Grey smiled as he started to eat. Troy finished his meal for the second time and came to sit down across from me as Adalyn ate while I sipped my coffee. Logan came down the stairs next, but she normally gravitated towards cereal.

"Morning Lolo," I said, and she smiled, "Morning Lo," Troy turned to face her, and she must have had a low blood sugar. She seemed a bit out of it, but she managed to fix her cereal to sit down next to Troy. She ate quietly, and Troy reached over to rub her back as she must have woken up low and that normally meant she didn't feel the greatest. She ate about half her bowl before leaning into Troy, "You okay?" he asked her, and she just nodded.

Finally, Makenli came down the stairs with her sleepy eyes and I smiled, "Hey sweet girl," Troy smiled, "Morning Mickey," she went and wrapped her arms around Troy's neck as he smiled, "You need to eat," he reminded our seven-year old and she shook her head. "Yes," Troy said and Makenli shook her head no again. This was a daily battle with Makenli in the morning. She hated to eat breakfast, but we made our kids eat something when they got up.

"Mickey, c'mon babe, just something and then we are all going to talk." Logan popped up at that and I watched Troy for a moment as he looked at each of our kids around the table. He got up and refilled his coffee cup and took mine to do the same. He remade it with milk and two sugars like a saint he was before he slid in back over to me. He fought with Makenli for a few minutes as they settled on a bowl of fruit for the morning.

Logan was coming around from her blood sugar, "Lolo, that's two mornings in a row. Do you want to mess with your pump settings?" I asked her, and she thought about it, "I have an appointment next week. We can wait." I just nodded taking a sip of my coffee. Grey was still eating in front of me as I stole a piece of fruit and I glanced over at Addy who was finishing the last of her breakfast as Makenli scooted in next to her sister and Troy sat on the edge.

"What's wrong dad?" Logan asked, and Troy shared a look with me and I just nodded as I patted Grey's leg. "Yesterday, as most of you guys know, I had an MRI the other day on my shoulder." Grey looked up at Troy, "What's that?" Grey asked, and Troy smiled, "It took pictures of the inside of my shoulder," Troy said and Grey just nodded, "It showed that my shoulder is tearing, but it isn't bad yet. I don't have to have surgery right now, but I will this off season," Logan looked relieved, but I knew Troy wasn't sure how to end this little conversation. The kids all looked relieved that nothing was wrong with their dad.

"But," he finally said, and this caught the twin's attention, "This will be my last year playing, I'm going to retire at the end of this year." Logan quickly looked over at me and then back to Troy, "Wait what? Dad, I thought you were going to be fine? You can't stop," Logan said, and Troy smiled, "Lolo, I've been playing baseball my entire life now. My shoulder will never be the same after this surgery and I just want to spend time with you guys. I'm already missing too much as it is, and I want to watch you grow up." Logan leaned into Troy again as she hugged him, and he hugged her back. "Wait…does that mean you won't travel anymore and no Spring Training?" Makenli asked and Troy nodded, "Yes, I'll finish this season but after that I'll be here all the time."

The kids all shared a look with each other and Grey was still quiet in my lap. "I like that you play baseball," he pouted, and Troy laughed, "We can still play buddy, I'm just not going to play with the Royals anymore. You can start playing baseball and I can be at every single game." Grey looked down and I rubbed his leg. Grey moved from my lap and then went over to Troy. I smiled watching as Grey climbed into his lap and hugged him. "I'll be sad that we aren't constantly at the park anymore," Logan said, and Troy sent me a look. A tiny smile playing at the corner of his lips.

"It won't be the end," Troy said simply, "It might be the end for me, but it definitely is the second beginning for your mom." Troy glanced at me and I was met with a few other pair of eyes. "What?" Logan said, and I laughed as she really didn't remember my broadcasting too much from her younger days. She just knew I did. I cleared my throat, "I am probably going to get back into broadcasting." I said with a nod of my head.

"Like Brad and Casey?" I nodded my head, "Brad is doing my old job. When you three," I pointed to the youngest three, "Were itty bitty. I stopped after Grey was born. Your dad and I made a pact with each other that I would get to go back to broadcasting after he stopped playing baseball." Logan smiled, "That's pretty cool."

"It is pretty cool, but it definitely won't be until next year, so we'll see what happens." I said, and Troy smiled, "So baseball isn't leaving our family by any means," Troy stated, "Plus we have Uncle Luke who will be up with Boston in no time and all of our friends with Kansas City still." The kids all smiled as they were realizing that having Troy around all year won't be an awful thing. "It'll be fun to have you around more," Logan said, Troy smiled, "I figured. That way I can be at everything."

Troy hugged on all of his kids and they all then began to scatter. Going in different directions to play with toys and do what they wanted before friends came over to swim. Troy started to help do dishes and I stood next to him. "That went well."

"I think the last three don't understand too much." I said with a shrug, "The girls will be eight soon. I figure they would know more and understand." I just shrugged as I kissed the back of his shoulder. "It'll be okay," I told him, and he sighed, "I know. I know."


Mallory, Ellie, Alex, and Becca all ended up over at the house for a little swimming party this afternoon. Grey ended up staying as Finn was coming over and they were just an identical copy of Troy and Cody. It was a little ridiculous, but they were the best of friends as they were only one day apart from each other and loved it. Anna, Ryan, and Ben were all splashing around in the pool as well. Ellie had her two littles: Rylan and Emerson who were perfect at the ages of 7 and 11. They played well and were copies of their parents.

Mallory had her three playing in the pool: Audrey, Drew, and Sage who were all similar to their mother with the attitude problems and the sassiness but also, they were happy.

Alex and Zach ended up having one more kid after Piper. Zach wasn't sure because he didn't want to go through all of that again like the last time, but it was a very smooth pregnancy and she was slow glad she went along with it. Hanson, Piper, and Beau were all active and happy kids. Beau just turned three not too long ago and loved to play with Casen's youngest. Zach was happy with his family and was claiming his MLB pension while getting to watch his kids grow up.

"Gabs," I looked over at Alex who was smiling, "I heard it's your turn," I laughed and nodded, "Yea, next year," Becca shot up, "Wait what?" I let my eyes grow wide, "I can't believe that Cody didn't say anything." I mentioned, and Becca shook her head, "My god, it's happening." I laughed shaking my head, "He was really calm about it and really okay with the whole decision." I said with a shrug and the group all shared a look.

"I'm waiting for the breakdown," I mentioned casually, and the ladies laughed as all of the kids were in and out of the pool. Troy was telling his teammates today as he went over and told his parents this morning. They were both really supportive of the situation and his mom really wanted him to stop now but she knew that was useless. "So, are you just going to stay local or are you going to branch out?" Mallory asked, and I shrugged, "I don't know. I have to see if anybody still wants me after six years of not working."

They all laughed. "Please girl, you rocked that booth." I smiled with a shake of my head. "We'll see." I mentioned, and I looked at all four my kids laughing and having fun. Audrey, Ben, and Logan were all playing together and then I shifted to my middle girls. They tried to act so much older, but their youth was brought out when around their friends. "Alex, have you heard from Melissa?" I asked her, and she shrugged, "Not too much recently. They are enjoying their first season off." I smiled as I wondered if I wanted to do that. If I wanted to spend a year with my husband before I started doing my thing again.

Did I want to miss my kids' lives?

I sighed thinking about it because I wasn't sure. I watched all four my kids laugh and have fun with each other. They were happy as could be. I loved being with them. I wasn't sure I was made to be a stay-at-home mom but when you're chasing your husband half the time it was actually a lot of fun. I looked over at my friends and then back to my kids wondering just what I wanted to do in the future.

But first, I was going to enjoy my husband's last few months on the mound. Vowing to not miss anymore starts. To be constantly present in these last few months and make the most of these memories with the kids. I was going to most of these next few months because he knew what the future was going to bring.


Hey Guys! Welcome to Closer! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. This story is going to do the every two weeks with some random updates mixed in based on how much writing I actually have done! It will follow the same guidelines like my previous stories. It seems to work really well for me and that way you are consistently getting chapters. I know you guys wish it was sooner but its better than nothing right? Let me know what you think of how this story is starting and what you would like to see! I am excited to finish this series because it is one of my favorite.

Thanks for all the love!

Next Update: September 30th

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Jo