Mike sauntered into the box set aside for families. He was wearing a Baker jersey and had their 11 month old in a harness on his chest. Jacqueline "Jackie" Baker-Lawson was fast asleep, clutching her tiny fists in the front of his shirt. Evelyn walked over to him. "Does this make you a WAG?" She asked. Around them, the other women were clustering around, looking at Jackie.
"Well I couldn't take Jackie to the field it's 105 degrees out there." Mike said. "Otherwise we'd have been right behind the plate to yell at mommy when she ignores her catcher's calls." Jackie let out a sleepy gurgle. Mike pressed a kiss to the back of her head.
"Uh huh." Evelyn said. "But you'll take her into the clubhouse to have her give high fives to the team."
Mike frowned. "I'm failing to see your point."
"It's unsanitary." Evelyn said.
"It's tradition." He countered, going over to the buffet table. "Is that sushi? Damn I should have retired years ago."
"Except." Evelyn smirked. "Years ago you wouldn't necessarily have had your amazing, better than you deserve, wife."
Mike gasped and covered Jackie's ears. "You take that back."
Evelyn chuckled. "Champagne?" She asked. Mike shook his head.
"Jackie and I need to focus." He said. "Nothing between us and the game." Jackie woke up to spit up her breakfast. Mike chuckled, looking at his daughter in exasperated fondness. "Except a changing station."
5 minutes into the pregame commentary and Mike was ready to assassinate someone.
"This is the first game Ginny Baker is starting in since her pregnancy."
"I think it's Baker Lawson now." One of the announcers replied.
"That's not what her jersey says."
The round table laughed. Mike tightened his fists and looked down at Jackie. "See sweetie. Those are what we call assholes. You are not allowed to date anyone like that. Ever...actually no dating in general."
"Mike." Evelyn warned.
"That's the other team." he pointed at the Cardinals. "They're losers. Their catcher is a guy named Trevor Davis and he's a buttface." He grinned as Jackie reached for his face and tangled her fingers in his beard.
"Da" She had been her first word and Mike had got himself banned to the couch for calling everyone they knew to declare that his daughter liked him better.
"That's right, I am the most handsome man to be behind home plate and way better than buttface Davis." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. Evelyn rolled her eyes.
"Fatherhood has made you even more of a narcissist." She remarked.
The commentary got worse as the game went on. Mike was grinding his teeth as three men in suits, who'd never met Ginny. speculated on her weight change, balance, and whether or not Mike approved of her taking the mound again.
"Before she got pregnant, Mike Lawson would be sitting behind the plate, rain or shine, but today he's nowhere to be seen."
Mike grabbed his phone and took a picture of him and Jackie, smiling with the field in the background. He instagramed it with the caption, too hot outside for baby, but still supporting our favorite Padre.
Evelyn liked it almost immediately.
By the third inning Mike was pacing back and forth, glaring at the field.
"I'm going to-"
"No." Evelyn said.
"But Livan's-"
"No."
"Just for one-"
"Mike." Evelyn glared at him. "The new captain will handle him."
It wasn't that Mike doubted Blip, it was just that he wanted Ginny to have the best first possible game back and he didn't want Livan screwing it up by making the wrong calls.
"It doesn't matter if its the catcher who messes up." He told Jackie. "The pitcher gets the blame." He watched as Livan called for a curve ball. "No, her curve isn't ready yet." He grumbled. "But if I know your mom she knows that and..."
Ginny shook him off and threw her fastball. Mike noted the irritated shift in Livan's stance, but the batter missed.
"That's my Baker." He grinned, pointing to the field. "That's a strike. It means Livan's never going to be as good of a catcher for mommy as I was."
"Da." Jackie agreed.
"That's right." Mike gave her a little bounce. "Making you was the best thing that ever happened to my ego."
Ginny was changing when she heard an excited uproar from outside. She rolled her eyes, knowing exactly who was out there. The door opened and Mike poked his head in.
"I could have been indecent." She said as he walked in.
"That comes later." He shut the door. "Besides. Your two biggest fans are here." Jackie was sleeping. Ginny took her and gave Mike a kiss. "You waved off Livan." he mumbled. "It was awesome."
"What happened to the angry captain who told me to trust my catcher?" Ginny teased, stealing another kiss.
"No, I told you to trust me." Mike corrected. "It's completely different."
There was a knock on the door.
"Go away." Mike said. Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Come in."
Salvamini poked his head in. "Hey. The guys were wondering if we could hang out with Jackie."
As though she knew they'd asked for her. Jackie opened her eyes and yawned.
"You woke her up." Mike accused, reaching for her. "And now she's going to want her dad to-"
"Ma." Jackie insisted, grabbing hold of Ginny's shirt. Mike's jaw dropped and Ginny couldn't help the surge of satisfaction she felt as she sauntered to the door.
"Start calling everyone we know, Lawson." She said. "I believe baby has a new favorite." She followed Salvamini out the door holding Jackie up. "Who wants to say hi to the cutest Padre?"