Home Team
by
Owlcroft

It was the first game of the championship series between the Boo Jays and the New Yuk Prankees, and since they'd played for the Prankees in the past, naturally Lydia and Beetlejuice had to attend, especially since Ginger, the current shortstop, had gotten them seats right behind the dugout.

"You miss it, don't you?" Lydia asked her husband. "Playing, I mean."

Beetlejuice nodded. "Yeah. Some. But we just couldn't this year, babes, with everything going on. And they've got a good team without us. And next year," he added with a sly smile, "we'll be even busier."

"Yes, we will," said Lydia, leaning against his shoulder. "But we can still come to games. And at least they're in the play-offs this year. Without our help!"

"Yeah, we should do that. Who wouldn't want us around, just for the clubhouse chemistry?" That got the laugh he wanted and he went on to talk chemistry to her until she begged him to stop.

The weather had cooperated for once and it was a beautiful day at the Nose Bowl for the opening game. The fans were already in their seats and the pitcher was just coming onto the field to start his warm-up throws. Ginger took a quick dart to the stands to exchange greetings with her old friends.

"You'd better win this first one," Lydia said to her. "This pitcher isn't nearly as good as the one you'll face tomorrow."

Ginger patted the air with one of her front legs. "Ah, we've got this series in the bag. You'll see. It'll be an easy sweep."

Beetlejuice smirked at her. "If you're waiting for me to turn into a broom, you'd better pull up a chair."

"I'm just glad our good luck charm turned up today," Ginger smiled at Lydia.

"Hey, no way she's your good luck charm!" Beetlejuice was emphatic.

Lydia turned to him in surprise. "And why not?"

"'Cause you're mine," he answered with a kiss.

Ginger cast her eyes to the sky. "If you two are gonna be all mushy, I'm outta here!" She noticed the Kiss Cam sneaking up behind the couple and grinned to herself. "Hey, Lydia," she said to keep the twosome distracted, "I like that new outfit. But it's kinda baggy on you. Is that the new style? It's sure a different look for you."

"Actually," Lydia put an arm around her husband, "I'm kind of . . . planning for the future. Making sure I have something I can still wear in a few months." She grinned up at Beetlejuice who smiled adoringly back at her.

"Wait a minute." The pink spider cocked her head and assumed a knowing expression. "Are you telling me . . . are you two finally gonna –"

"Hey, shh!" Beetlejuice waved his free hand, the one not around his wife's shoulders. "Ixnay already!"

Lydia chuckled, then turned to Ginger. "We haven't told anyone yet but our parents, so Ginger, you're the first to know, but please don't tell anyone else. We're keeping it a secret for a while, okay?"

Ginger smiled delightedly at her, watching the camera man edge up for a close-up. "Oh, I promise. I won't tell a single person! But, just to make sure we're talking about the same thing, could you just actually say the words for me? Pleeease?" She assumed a winsome look and folded her first four legs together, pleading.

"Oh, fine." Beetlejuice tried hard not to grin, and nearly managed it. "We're having a baby, okay?" He turned to look at his wife tenderly and she reached up to caress his face before they realized that his words and their images were on the big screen of the scoreboard.

As the entire stadium crowd erupted in cheers and applause, the camera man circled around to face them and held up one thumb in congratulation. Lydia sighed and shrugged and Beetlejuice scrubbed his face with his hand.

"Oh, well." He looked at Lydia. "You know, since it is the Kiss Cam . . ."

The crowd cheered them again.