May 25, 1941

Baseball was a very long game, Lucille decided. And so far, not a lot had happened in this game. She glanced at the scoreboard again. The fourth inning had just begun, and the Dodgers were up by only a point over the Phillies, who hadn't scored at all yet. She looked the other way at Bucky and Steve. They seemed to be having a good time, and that was really the whole point. She had gotten the tickets for Bucky's birthday last week, knowing he was a big fan of the Dodgers.

The crowd suddenly roared, and Lucille looked to see the Phillies' batter rounding second already, the Dodgers' outfield scrambling for the ball. The Phillies' runner that had been on first base crossed home plate to thunderous applause and cheers from his supporters. Next to her, Bucky and Steve good-naturedly jeered as the batter finally came to a stop at third base.

Baseball was a very long game, but it had its moments, Lucille amended. The Phillies were able to score once more before getting their third out, now beating the Dodgers two to one. Bucky and Steve refused to be dismayed by this turn of events, assuring themselves and Lucille that the Dodgers would come back.

Sure enough, the Dodgers scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, bringing the score to three to two. Bucky threw an arm around Lucille's shoulders, pressing a celebratory kiss to her temple.

The fifth inning found Lucille at the concessions stand. It seemed the fourth inning had used up the game's allotted amount of excitement because nothing was happening this inning. She had decided to stretch her legs, promising to bring back sodas for both Bucky and Steve, who couldn't bring themselves to take a break, no matter what was happening – or, rather, wasn't happening. So Lucille happily offered to get the refreshments. Sodas in hand, Lucille climbed the stands to their spot near the top, halfway between first and second base. She handed one to Steve, and he nodded his thanks. Bucky pulled her down next to him, sliding an arm around her waist. Lucille stole a sip before handing the soda over to him.

"What'd I miss?"

Bucky shrugged, taking a large gulp of soda. "Not a whole lot. We shut them out at the top, but they just did the same now."

The sixth inning gave the Phillies the first home run of the game, much to the loudly-voiced displeasure of the Dodgers' fans in the stands around them. Bucky and Steve were on their feet, throwing their hands up in the air. Despite her earlier misgivings, Lucille was starting to understand the draw of baseball. Or, perhaps, it was watching Bucky and his childlike excitement over it. Jeering or cheering, there was always a smile of sorts on his face, and she thought it was just beautiful. That, combined with the fact that his smiles and good moods were more infectious than the common cold, made the whole experience worth it.

Bucky noticed her staring. "What's that smile for?" he asked, pulling her to her feet to stand next to him.

"You," she replied, stretching up on her toes and giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

Bucky grinned. "I may have to take you to more baseball games if you're enjoying yourself so much."

Lucille giggled. "I'm just glad you're having a good time."

"You sure know how to pick a birthday present. The only way this could be better is if the Dodgers actually managed to pull off a win here," Bucky added, throwing the scoreboard a disapproving glare. On the field below, the Phillies' third batter knocked out a triple, sliding to safety at third base.

"They will," Lucille nodded with the air of someone who wanted to appear confident, despite the fact they had a limited idea of what they were talking about. It made Bucky laugh. "I mean, they're only tied..." Lucille was forced to trail off as the next batter hit a double, allowing the runner on third to make it home. "Well, one behind isn't too bad, yeah…?" Bucky just groaned.

They watched as the teams switched places, and the first Dodgers batter stepped up to the plate. He ended up getting a walk, which, Lucille thought, wasn't very exciting, but at least he got on base. The Dodgers seemed to be playing it safe to her, with the next batter only hitting a single. The next play, though an out, showed some promise as the two runners each advanced, and now the Dodgers had one on third base.

"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon," Bucky was muttering, bouncing up and down slightly on the balls of his feet. The next batter took a walk, and now the bases were loaded.

Lucille could feel her own apprehension rising as Bucky continued his nervous jittering. The Dodgers were already on their fifth batter. He swung and the ball flew out towards third base. The runner on third made a dash for home. Bucky and the rest of the Dodgers fans were on their feet, jumping and stomping as if their energy could spur on the runner even faster. He slid headfirst to the umpire's bark of "Safe!" The fans around them whooped and clapped; Bucky and Steve high-fived.

When the sixth batter received yet another walk, Lucille changed her mind about the Dodgers' strategy. It wasn't playing it safe; it was making it as nail-bitingly suspenseful as possible. Bases were once again loaded.

The rows of Dodger fans around them seemed to fall quiet all at once, the hush briefly punctuated by cheers of "C'mon, Reiser!" "You got it!" "Hit this one!"

Lucille recognized the batter. He'd yet to make it onto a base, getting out one way or another every turn he had. Fourth time was a charm, right?

Bucky's hand had found hers, and he was holding on for dear life. The seconds dragged on. The Phillies' pitcher whipped the ball toward the plate. Reiser tensed, then swung. The ball arched through the air and over the back wall. Home run.

The fans were deafening as all four runners crossed home plate. The entire stadium seemed to be shaking, and Lucille thought that this must be what an earthquake felt like.

And then Bucky had his arms wrapped around her and she was suddenly off her feet, being crushed into the biggest bear hug she had ever experienced. Their fellow Dodgers fans from nearby seats and rows were patting them and everyone else on the back.

The game ended with no further scores, Dodgers: 8; Phillies: 4. The singing and cheering followed them out of the stadium, a long process, and into the parking lot. After a bit of searching, they found Bucky's car. Bucky motioned for Steve to go ahead and get in, and then he laced his fingers between Lucille's, gently tugging her closer. They stopped next to the trunk of the car, and Bucky used his free hand to sweep her hair away from her cheek. He left his hand on her cheek, brushing his thumb over her cheekbone. She leaned into his touch, smiling softly.

"Thank you," he told her, dropping his hand down to her neck, his thumb just grazing under her jaw.

"I'm just glad they won; I would have felt terrible if they hadn't," Lucille replied.

Bucky shook his head. "Win or lose, this is still the best birthday I could have ever wished for. It was a day with my best friend and my best girl, and who could ask for more? So thank you, Luci. I loved it."

Lucille beamed. "Good, because I'm usually awful with gifts, so don't expect anything like this again," she teased. Bucky just laughed and pulled her to him, capturing her lips with his.

-0-

Hello again :) I hope this chapter was okay; it's not my favorite, but I really wanted to include the baseball game from CA: TFA. In case you're interested, I've put a link to the play by play (yes, this was the actual game from May 1941 that was playing in the background) on my profile. Reviewers, you should have my reply in your inbox by now :) Hope you enjoyed the latest chapter! Love.

[Guest: Thanks very much, dear! I put an extra special heartbreaking line in that last chapter – wonder if anyone caught it? ;) ]