AN: So, as i want to celebrate this story have it's own cover (Thank-you Linneagb!) I thought an update was in order. Not one of the longer chapters but as putting it with the previous chapter would have made that one too long and it not fitting with the following chapter, here it is by itself. Hope you all enjoy!
"Finn, will you please find something to do with yourself," Carole exclaimed as her son wandered into the kitchen for the fourth time in ten minutes on the pretense of checking the time. "Burt isn't going to forget you," she added.
"Sorry," Finn replied sheepishly, stopping and leaning against the door jam. He watched his mother as she made sandwiches for them to take with them. "I guess I'm just excited about today. I actually get to see a major league game in person. It's going to be great!"
Carole smiled. She was happy that her son was so excited, even if he was driving her a bit crazy right then. As she placed the ham and cheese sandwich she had just finished making into a plastic bag, she glanced over at Finn. "Why don't you go play a video game for a while," she suggested. It was probably the first time she had ever made that particular suggestion to her son, as usually Carole was trying to get him away from his video games. "Burt said he would be here at three o'clock. That gives you a half hour."
"I tried," Finn replied, not moving from his position. "I can't concentrate. I got shot in Medal of Honor five times in ten minutes."
"I'll pretend I know what you're talking about," Carole replied. She had long ago quit trying to keep the video games straight. These days she just had Finn keep a list of which ones he wanted and for which system and chose presents from that list. It kept her son happy and herself sane.
Just then the sound of a car pulling into the driveway caught Finn's attention.
"Do you think that's them?" Finn asked, excitement clear in his voice.
"Why don't you go find out," Carole suggested, grateful for the distraction if nothing else. She fervently hoped that Burt had arrived early as at least then Finn could pester him instead of her.
Leaving his mother in the kitchen finishing the sandwiches, Finn scurried for the front door. He didn't bother glancing outside before pulling the door open, happy to see Kurt's Navigator in the driveway.
"Looks like Kurt isn't the only one excited about tonight," Burt commented as he stepped out of the driver's side of the vehicle.
"I merely pointed out that we don't know what kind of traffic we might run into and giving ourselves some extra time so you don't have to speed to make up time might be beneficial," Kurt countered as he climbed out of the passenger's side of his vehicle.
"I don't speed," Burt countered.
"More like you don't bother looking at the speedometer," Kurt muttered.
"Did you bring the right kid with you?" Finn asked. He hadn't caught the exchange between Burt and Kurt because he had been taken by surprise by Kurt's outfit, which for once looked like what a typical teenage boy would wear.
The remark earned him confused looks from both Burt and Kurt.
"It looks like you raided my closet instead of picking clothes from your own," Finn commented, gesturing in Kurt's direction.
Kurt looked down at his outfit. He had donned sneakers, khaki shorts, and a Cleveland Indians' jersey which matched the one his father was wearing. "This is appropriate attire for a baseball game," Kurt replied looking up at Finn.
"Yeah, I know but it's unusual to see you in normal clothes," Finn said, immediately cringing at the choice of words. "Sorry, that didn't come out right. It's just that it's not one of your normal outfits. It looks good on you though," he said awkwardly trying to make the comment seem less of an insult.
"Thanks, I think," Kurt replied, not sure how to take Finn's comments.
"Speaking of dressing for the occasion," Burt said, breaking the awkward silence that had fallen over the group, "I bought you a jersey too."
Finn caught the jersey that Burt tossed to him as he started walking toward the house.
"I thought we could be like the Three Musketeers tonight," Burt added, not able to see Kurt roll his eyes at the comment as his son was now behind him.
"Cool," Finn said, holding the jersey out in front of him for a quick look. "I'm going to go change real quick! Come on in. Mom's in the kitchen," the teen added before dashing into the house again.
Chuckling at Finn's excitement, Burt walked up the front steps of the Hudson's small home, and let himself inside. Following his father, Kurt pushed the front door closed behind him as he stepped into the living room and then followed Burt to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Finn had quickly discarded the grey T-shirt he had been wearing and pulled the new baseball jersey on over his head. The new shirt fit perfectly, and Finn reached for the new Cleveland Indians baseball cap his mom had bought him last week for the occasion. He paused for a moment before putting it on his head, and glanced to where his older Indians cap lay on top of his dresser.
Kurt's comment about being in appropriate attire for a baseball game echoed in his head. The other teen was correct except for the fact that he was missing the hat. Finn knew how fussy Kurt got over his hair but he had seen him wear hats before. Deciding it was worth a try, and knowing there was no way Kurt would wear his old cap, Finn grabbed the older hat off the dresser and put it on his head. Carrying the newer cap, he left his room.
Finn found Kurt standing in the doorway between the living room and the kitchen watching Burt and Carole pack a cooler with drinks and the sandwiches for the trip, as it was a three-hour drive one way to Cleveland.
"You know you're missing something if you want to look like you belong at the ballpark," Finn commented as he came up behind the shorter teen. He decided that getting Kurt mad at him by just putting the baseball cap on him was not the way he wanted to start off the trip.
Kurt glanced over and up at him. "What's that?" he asked skeptically.
"A baseball cap," Finn replied, holding up his new cap.
"Good luck with that. I tried to convince him to wear one for protection if we're in the sun for a while tonight and he wouldn't go for it. Something about it being a good hair day," Burt commented as he put the lid on the cooler.
"Well it is," Kurt insisted.
"But if you keep the hat on no one will know whether you're having a bad hair day or not," Finn countered. "And it'll complete the outfit."
Kurt glanced around to find Carole and his father looking at him expectantly.
"Fine," he said with an exasperated sigh. He reached out and took the hat from Finn. "Exactly how many times have you worn this thing already?" he asked, recalling that Finn had been wearing it when they arrived.
"Today was only the second time I've worn it. Don't worry. I don't have cooties."
"That is so second grade," Kurt quipped, as he gave in and put the ball cap on. He even allowed himself to smile at the thumbs up sign that Finn gave him.
"Okay then, are we ready to go?" Burt asked, smiling at the exchange between the two boys. Memories like these were what he cherished from his childhood - joking around with his brothers while they did things that they all enjoyed. Those memories far out shined the arguments that were interspersed throughout the days. He still hoped that Finn and Kurt might be able to discover that, and today was inspiring on that front. For that reason alone, he hoped the night went well.
Both teens gave the affirmative and after giving Carole a quick kiss, Burt grabbed the sandwiches that Carole had prepared for them and the group headed out to the car. Burt held his breath a bit as they approached the car, waiting for an argument about the front seat to break out, but Finn headed for the back without a word. Letting out his breath, Burt found space for the sandwiches in the cooler he had brought before climbing behind the wheel.
"Have fun!" Carole called from the front steps of the house, waving at the three in the car.
Burt, Kurt and Finn all waved back before Burt started backing the car out of the driveway.
Except for the slow traffic due to a disabled vehicle at one point, the drive to Cleveland was uneventful. Most of the talking that took place was between Burt and Finn, though Kurt did interject comments here and there. After the three-hour car trip, all three were relieved when Burt pulled the Navigator into a parking spot at the ballpark a half hour before the start of the game.
"See, I told you it wouldn't hurt to factor in some extra time," Kurt told his father as the trio started in the direction of the ballpark.
"Yeah, yeah," Burt responded, brushing off the I told you so attitude from his son. The older Kurt got, the worse it got because more often than not Kurt was right even if Burt didn't like to admit it.
"At least we won't miss any of the game," Finn interjected, trying to play peacemaker between father and son.
The comment served its purpose and the three continued a causal conversation as they followed the flow of people to the ballpark and through the gate.
"Give me one minute," Kurt suddenly said as Burt was looking at signs to see what direction they needed to go. "I want to grab a program," he said and dashed off before either Burt or Finn had a chance to comment.
Burt glanced in the direction his son had dashed off in and smiled. He never thought he would see the day when Kurt was genuinely happy to be at a sporting event. Granted, baseball wasn't his favorite sport but he did find it enjoyable. If he had known about Kurt's interest in the game, he would have taken his son to a game long before this.
"Thanks, Finn," Burt commented, glancing over at the other teen with a smile.
"For what?" Finn asked, confused by the comment.
"For helping me find something we can both genuinely enjoy other than working on cars. Most of the time when we spend time together it's one of us humoring the other."
"You're welcome," Finn replied awkwardly because he wasn't sure what else to say. It wasn't like he had planned this outcome, he just hadn't wanted Kurt to feel left out again.
"Looks like our seats are over that way," Burt said, pointing off to his right as he had returned to looking for where there seats, located in section 144 row M, were. "Tell you what, why don't you wait for Kurt and then the two of you go find the seats. I'll go to the concession stand and grab some hot dogs and sodas for us."
Never one to turn down food, Finn agreed to the arrangement. As Burt headed in the direction of the closest concession stand, Finn glanced toward the line that Kurt was waiting in. It didn't take long for the other teen to reach the front of the line. After making his purchase, Kurt made his way back to where he had left Finn and Burt, a genuine smile on his face.
"Where's Dad?" Kurt asked as he approached Finn.
"He went to grab hotdogs and drinks for us. He said he'd meet us up in the stands."
Kurt nodded in acknowledgment and then followed Finn as he headed toward the section that their seats were in.
"So I hear you were the one that mentioned to my father that I'd be interested in a game?" Kurt queried when the two of them had found their seats.
"Yeah, well I took a guess," Finn replied awkwardly, his attention focused on the pre-game activities down on the field. "I mean, I wasn't sure but you do seem to know a lot of the stats and you seem to like the game when we play in gym class."
"I'm surprised you noticed."
"I'm not totally oblivious," Finn said defensively as he turned his head to look in Kurt's direction.
"That's not what I meant to imply. I'm just surprised seeing as my father's never noticed my interest in the sport but you did."
"Well, he doesn't exactly have gym class with you," Finn commented. As Kurt didn't respond to the comment, there was a moment of silence between the two before Finn spoke again. "So why haven't you ever tried out for the baseball team. I bet you would make it."
"You actually think the guys on the baseball team want me on the team any more than the football guys did," Kurt scoffed.
Finn nodded as he realized that Kurt had a point.
"The only reason I even attempted football was a misguided attempt to make my Dad proud of me."
"He is proud of you, Kurt." Finn responded automatically. That had been something that had been clear to Finn the first day that he had met Burt. "Don't ever doubt that."
Kurt nodded, not sure what, if anything, should be said to that. Nothing else was said between the two until Burt joined them just as the first pitch of the game was thrown.
"Did I miss anything?" Burt asked as he passed out the food he had bought.
"No, the game just started," Kurt replied, passing a drink and hot dog to Finn.
"Good," Burt replied, handing Kurt a hotdog and soda before settling back in his own seat to enjoy the game.
As the home team knocked a ball into the right field stands, Finn, Kurt, and Burt stood up with the rest of the fans and cheered the player that had hit the ball. Five innings into the game, the Indians were leading with a score of six to one. Though Kurt hadn't been as vocal during the game as Finn and himself had been, Burt could tell his son was enjoying himself. He made a mental note to take Kurt to more games next season.
As the next batter stepped up to the plate, the fans found their seats again. The first pitch was a fast ball strike with the batter swinging but missing the ball. He took the second pitch as a ball outside the plate. Taking a swing on the third pitch, the batter caught a piece of the ball, sending it up into the air and toward where Finn, Kurt and Burt were sitting.
Acting instinctively, Finn reached up as the ball came toward him, his height giving him an advantage over other fans around him. Cheers and cries of 'nice catch' erupted from people surrounding them as well as a few grumbles from those who had missed their chance.
"Nice catch," Burt said, reaching around Kurt to clap Finn on the shoulder.
"Thanks," Finn replied, smiling at Burt before changing his gaze to Kurt. "Here," he said, holding out the ball to Kurt. "Have a souvenir from the game."
Kurt hesitated from taking it. He had seen Finn's room, and knew it was filled with sports stuff. The foul ball would fit right in with the rest of the stuff.
"But you caught it," Kurt finally managed to stammer.
"Yes, and I want you to have it," Finn told him.
As Kurt still hadn't made any move to take the ball, Finn grabbed his left wrist with the hand not holding the ball. Lifting Kurt's hand he deposited the baseball into his palm, only letting go of the other teen's wrist when he was sure Kurt wasn't going to drop the ball.
"Thanks, Finn," Kurt said, looking at the ball briefly before looking up at Finn, a huge smile on his face.
"You're welcome," Finn replied, the pure joy he saw on Kurt's face more of a thanks than the words had been. It felt good to know that he had been the cause of some happiness in Kurt's life after everything else he had managed in the last few months.
Burt glanced in the rear-view mirror to see that Kurt had fallen asleep in the back seat. He also noted that the foul ball Finn had caught and given to him was clutched in his hand. He smiled at the view. Kurt had always been one to fall asleep easily in the car. He had lost count of the number of times he had put Kurt in the car seat as a baby when his son had been fussing and unable to fall asleep. A couple of trips around the block had lulled him to sleep every time.
"That was a great game. Thanks for taking me," Finn said from his spot in the passenger seat. The game had gone into the eleventh inning before the Indians were able to manage a walk-off home run.
"You're welcome. And thank-you for making Kurt's day by giving him that ball," Burt replied.
"He was so excited about the game today, I thought he'd like it," Finn said modestly, glancing out the passenger side window.
"Well, if I have my way there will be other opportunities for you to catch a ball from the Indians," Burt commented. "I think the three of us should do this again."
"That would be great!" Finn exclaimed.
As Kurt continued to sleep in the back seat, Finn and Burt spent the trip home rehashing the game.