Epilogue
Going to the ballpark was always an exciting event when the entire family was in town. Esme, Doc, Rose and Emmett, Alice and Jasper, all of the children…
Today was a very important day, and we needed to hurry or we'd be late.
"Where's your father?" I asked Jackie.
"Upstairs, looking for his socks." Jackie rolled his eyes, though a small smile played at his lips, which let me know he was more amused than irritated. I reached over to brush a lock of ginger hair from his forehead before hurrying upstairs to find my husband.
"Edward?"
"I can't find my damned socks," he mumbled, digging through a dresser drawer.
"That's because they were in the wash." I grinned, holding the items he searched for. "Can I help you with anything else?"
"I can think of a couple ways you could help take my mind off of things…"
"There's no time for that." I giggled, dancing away from his outreached hands. "And you have a houseful of people waiting to go to the ballpark."
"I know, I know." He shook his head. "Can I get at least one kiss, Mrs. Cullen?"
"Have I ever been able to deny you?"
I wrapped my arms over Edward's shoulders and kissed him soundly before stepping away. "Now, you've got five minutes, or we're leaving without you."
"Yeah, right," Edward muttered. For all of his success on the field, Edward still had difficulty being the center of attention. Opening day ceremonies, World Series parades… Edward never felt comfortable receiving the accolades. I knew he'd feel better once we got to the stadium and had the dirt of the track under his feet. That was where he thrived.
At the stadium, we were ushered down underground hallways and arranged to sit in a shiny red convertible that would slowly drive at the head of a long procession. The air around us was filled with energy, excited cheers, applause, and music.
As soon as we were clear of the shadows of the tunnel, the noise above us became deafening. 46,000 screaming fans stood and cheered for Edward as he appeared on his beloved field. Edward's fingers squeezed mine tightly, and I soothingly rubbed his arm. I wanted him to enjoy this moment. He deserved it.
When we reached home plate, it was time for us to exit the vehicle.
"Don't let me fall," Edward whispered.
"Never."
Jackie held Edward's hand to the left, and I held his hand to the right. Ann, our daughter, held the fingers of my opposite hand tightly, connecting our family in a supportive chain as Edward took slow steps toward the group that waited for us. It was the first time he'd walked on the field since undergoing knee-replacement surgery just over a month earlier. He hadn't wanted to use a cane for this event and had worked relentlessly with his physical therapist. He was never afraid of hard work.
Edward "The Lion" Cullen played for the St. Louis Cardinals for a total of twelve years. He'd hoped to make it to his jersey number, thirteen, before retirement, but a torn meniscus during his eleventh season had him sitting on the disabled list. He came back, only to reinjure his knee midway through the following season. He decided then it was time to retire.
With too many awards credited on his stat list to count, Edward considered his children to be his greatest accomplishments. Jackie, who was currently in school with a sports-broadcasting degree within reach, walked proudly and shoulder to shoulder with his father. Ann, named after Ann Harnett, one of the first women signed to the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, waved at the crowd like a pageant princess. She was as girly-girl as a girl could get, and while she'd literally taken her first steps on this baseball field, she had virtually no interest in the sport whatsoever. Her daddy was actually happy with that. He said that made it less likely she'd ever fall in love with a baseball player. But hey, she was only eight years old. Give the girl some time.
We proudly watched Edward accept his red jacket that day, as he was inducted into the Cardinal's Hall of Fame. I had to wipe away proud tears while Edward was publicly thanked for his brilliant contributions to the team and recognized for the outstanding work The Level Playing Field still continued to do in the St. Louis area.
After being allowed time for full recovery, Edward planned to stay on with the Cardinals organization, acting as a batting coach. Management certainly wasn't too lofty a goal to consider in the future, and I planned to continue my work with our foundation. Well, for a while, anyway. I'd have to consider maternity leave again. Soon.
Yes, there was going to be an unexpected, though not unwelcome, addition to Team Cullen arriving in about seven months. Edward didn't know yet. I thought I'd tell him today during the seventh-inning stretch.
THE END
~*~*Reviews are better than long author's notes... but NOTHING is better than the awesome team of friends who helped me get this little story out there.
Bee? You remain my artistic goddess. I love you long time.
CejsmomWatson? You kept the faith. There would never have been a baseball story without you. I'm sorry to keep you waiting so long.
Iris? I can't even tell you in words, how amazing I think you are. Not only did you take me on as a beta-deluxe, but you contribute to the fandom in a million and one ways, every day. Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us, and for taking such good care of my "return to the field." What shall we work on next?
And Pamela Lorraine-
My cheerleader, pre-reader, secret-keeper, and ass-beater... you kept me sane, in line, and on course. Can't wait to hug you for realsies. And...
I PROMISE YOU MVP OUTTAKES! (There. Now it's in writing, so I can't get out of it!)*~*~
