A/N: Here it is… the last chapter. Extremely bittersweet moment for me…but I finished just in time for the new episode tonight! I am truly grateful for all the reviews this have received, thank you ALL. And especially a thank you to the reviewers and readers who have stuck with me since Home. Don't forget to stay tuned to Piper Chris Melinda Halliwell's stories, Absent Love and the sequel that's coming! Enjoy the last chapter, everything goes to its rightful owners.
One year later…
Olivia's throat was rubbed raw from all the screaming she had been doing the past two hours. And a throbbing head from the adrenaline… but if you guessed it was from her job, guess again. The cause? Middle school baseball. Yes, Olivia didn't normally like baseball, but things change when your son is on the team. Oh yes, when it came to watching Calvin play, Olivia was a baseball fanatic.
She had checked into the baseball program a few months after his twelfth birthday, and he was enrolled a few months later. His first season had started up a few months ago, and tonight was the last game. His team, the Cardinal's, were in the playoffs against the Tiger's. The score was 7 to 5, with the Tiger's in the lead.
The Tiger's were at the bat, and Calvin was out in the outfield, wearing what he called his 'lucky glove.' His lucky glove was the same glove Olivia had given him for his twelfth birthday, only when Marcus had taken him to the baseball game, he had caught the winning game ball, and ever since then it was his lucky glove that was reserved for special games.
One of the Tiger's hit the ball and it soared towards the outfield. Olivia rose off her seat on the bleachers as Calvin got under the ball as it started to fall. Perfect Catch.
"Atta boy, Calvin!" She heard Marcus, the coach, yell from somewhere to her right on the field. Calvin grinned in his direction and looked over at Olivia. She sent him two thumbs up and a huge grin. Calvin turned his focus back to the game as the next batter stepped up to the plate. The batter striked out, this made three outs so the Tiger's ran out onto the field as the Cardinal's ran back off of the field to bat.
Michael, Marcus' nephew, was up to bat first. Olivia clapped for him as he got into position. Cheering erupted around her as Michael hit the ball and ran towards first base. His foot hit the base right before the ball was thrown to the player guarding first base.
Another player from the Cardinal's stepped up to bat, and striked out. A third player stepped up, and hit the ball far enough so that Michael has able to run to third base, and the third player made it to second base. A fourth player stepped up, and striked out as well. Olivia's nerves started to run high again, as she watched Calvin get ready to step up to bat. If he striked out three times, the game would end and the Tiger's would win. She would be left with a very grumpy thirteen year old teenager. On the other hand, if Calvin hit the ball, far enough so that Michael and his other teammate could score, they still had a chance to win, if not tie.
"You can do it, Calvin!" Olivia called out.
He got into position, the ball was thrown, he missed. He rolled his shoulder and got into position again, the second ball was thrown, he missed again. Olivia could tell Calvin was getting stressed and extremely frustrated with himself. He ran a hand over his face before looking over in her direction. She shot him an encouraging smile as he turned back and got into position for the third time. He relaxed the bat onto his right shoulder, took a deep breath, and turned his head so that he was looking straight down at the ball. He nodded and the third ball was thrown. Clunk! The ball flew over the back fence of the field. An automatic home run, all of the Cardinal's supports in the stands were up on their feet and cheering as Michael and the other teammate passed home base. Calvin jogged around the bases, a wide grin on his still somewhat boyish face. He waved at her as he passed where she sat. He passed over home base and was instantly mobbed by his teammates and the coaches. They all threw their red uniform caps up into the air and Marcus and one of the assistant coaches lifted Calvin up onto their shoulders. Two more assistant coaches came up behind the three and dumped the remaining water from the coolers onto them.
Olivia laughed as Calvin ran his hand through his wet hair then flicked it into Marcus' face. She walked off the bleachers and onto the field. She waited as Calvin and Marcus packed up and grabbed their gear. Calvin jogged ahead of Marcus towards Olivia and held out his arms.
"You want a hug?" He teased, trying to wrap his soaking wet arms around her.
"Ha, oh no," She told him smiling, holding him by his shoulders at arm's length. Marcus came and stood beside them. "Hey," She greeted him, holding out her left hand to hold his.
"Hey yourself," He responded with a soft smile, bringing up her left hand to kiss her fourth finger, where a small diamond engagement ring was currently resting.
"Aw, gross," Calvin kidded.
"Oh, hush," Olivia told him, bringing her and Marcus' entwined hands back down by their sides. "I saw you with the girl after school yesterday, you know, but I was nice and didn't say anything about it."
Calvin's face became a deep crimson, "Mom," He groaned.
"I would like to meet her," She told him, reaching up to ruffle his hair. He was now about her height, and would soon be taller than her. His voice was getting deeper too.
He pushed his semi long hair out of his eyes. "Maybe."
"That's not the correct answer," Olivia told him, acting offended as the three of them made their way to the parking lot. "You made me let you meet Marcus."
"But that's different," He reasoned. "He was possibly going to become my dad. Melanie isn't going to become my wife."
Triumph flashed across Olivia's face. "Melanie huh?"
Calvin clamped his mouth shut.
"Marcus, do you know any eighth grade girls names Melanie?" Olivia asked, turning to her fiancée, who was still the principal at the middle school.
After catching the pleading look Calvin sent him, Marcus said with a sly smile, "I'm not really sure."
"Way to gang up on me," Olivia grumbled. "I'm really glad Abby is a girl, or else I would be the only girl the apartment in a few weeks. I don't know how I'd live."
"That's why I need a sister," Calvin said with a grin.
Olivia stopped in her tracks and glared at Calvin. He grinned at Marcus who was watching Olivia nervously.
"Told you I know just what to say to get her to act a certain way, you owe me ten bucks," Calvin held his hand out to Marcus.
"I uh-" Marcus stuttered as Olivia turned to him, a questioning eyebrow raised. "I was curious…"
"Uh-huh."
"Pizza anyone?" Marcus offered, changing the subject.
"Yes!" Calvin agreed. "Olivia?"
"Pizza sounds great," She agreed.
"Pizza it is," Marcus told them, taking Calvin's gear and walking ahead to the car to put it up.
Calvin wrapped an arm around Olivia's shoulders as they followed him.
"You stink," Olivia commented.
"Well, I did just win a baseball game…"
"You sure have a big ego," She kidded.
"Yup," He responded. "I hear I inherit it from my mom…"
Olivia reached up and smacked the back of his head.
"I didn't even feel that."
"I'll use my club next time…"
Calvin backed away, faking shock, "That is verbal abuse, Miss Benson. You're supposed to help victims, not make them!"
"None of those victims are my son," She retorted, walking to the passenger side of the car.
"True that," Calvin said with a grin, climbing in the back seat as Marcus started the car. "If the were, then I would already have a sibling and you wouldn't have to think about getting or having one now and we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"Calvin," Olivia groaned as they drove off.
