AN: Hi everyone!
So this is my first All human fic. it's new territory so be kind :)
also full dicslosure I don't know a whole lot about Baseball, so I'm researching as I go along. please bear with me if I get some terminology wrong or mess up in the finer details of the sport.
Hopefully you enjoy this and let me know what you think!
Chapter 1 - first sighting
BPOV
I clipped the leash off Jake's collar as we entered the park. He was ecstatic of course and immediately took off in a dead sprint.
'Jake!' I yelled after the mutt, shaking my head at his antics. But he was too happy to heed my voice. He was running around, spinning in circles with his butt low to the ground, enjoying himself thoroughly. I chuckled and slowly set off after him, allowing him to get his energy out.
Jake was my two year old dog, a mutt in all senses of the word. He was a newfoundland, saint Bernard mix. And he was a truly amazing gentle giant. Usually he was demure and laid back, but when we went to the park once a week, he was absolutely energetic, and surprisingly fast for his size. The other dogs cleared the way for him, he was intimidating even though there wasn't a bad bone in his body, well unless you wanted to get at me, then he would become really protective and scare anyone off. It was a great feeling.
I whistled sharply and his head snapped up towards me, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth as he stared at me. I nodded my head to the side, indicating for him to follow me. I wanted to walk a bit around the path, instead of just staring at him running in circles. He took off at a sprint towards me, his ears flopping around and his coat shining in the nice winter sun.
'Good boy!' I exclaimed as he sidled up next to me, scratching behind his ear that was level with my waist. Had I mentioned he was massive?
We set off down the path and Jake kept close, still bounding away a few times to duck into some bushes or roll around on the grass, but he made sure to keep his eye on me. As I did him. When we'd walked for a while, and Jake's tongue was halfway out of his mouth and he was panting, I decided to sit down for a bit, to let Jake do his own thing for a while. I walked over to a bench that overlooked a large field of grass with a few trees interspersed. Jake sat next to me looking up at me expectantly.
'Go play.' I encouraged him. He looked at me for another moment, his head slightly cocked to the side, but then he took off. I laughed as he headed towards a group of other dogs playing around. He ran around with them for a bit before he got tired – or bored, you never could really tell with Jake – and found himself a nice stick. He laid down on the grass not far from me and started chewing it happily.
'Don't eat it' I warned him. he had a penchant for eating sticks which was annoying. Thankfully he was large so I wasn't really worried that he would hurt himself, but better safe than sorry. He knew to spit the pieces out now. He just liked chewing it. I sighed and closed my eyes, enjoying the warmth from the sun, it was mild today and I was enjoying it.
I was desperate for spring to start. I liked the winter; snow and lights that turned the world magical, but after months of darkness, I really enjoyed the springtime. The warming sun and the lengthening days. I was lost in my thoughts when a sudden shout from beside me startled me. I jumped and immdieately whipped my head to the side. on the other side of the bench sat a man, dressed in a wool coat, leather gloves and a beanie on this head. I blinked, when had he sat down? He was staring out at the grass and I realized he was shouting at his dog. A burnese mountain dog came bounding over lazily and stopped a few feet away from us, wagging its tail lazily.
'Stop doing that.' The man sighed indulgently. His voice was smooth and warm. 'Come here.'
The dog padded over and sat down in front of the man. 'I told you if you weren't going to behave we'd leave again.' He said sternly. 'now are you going to behave?' he asked. The dog just looked at him and I couldn't help but smile. 'okay, one more chance little guy, and don't you dare roll in the mud.'
The dog barked as if it understood his warning and then the man sent it off again with his hand. Jake was keeping an eye on us, his stick forgotten between his paws. But as the Bernese walked by, he sprang up suddenly and launched a sneak attack. My mouth dropped open.
'Jake!' I yelled. The man next to me burst out laughing as his dog first started and then started playing with Jake. 'I'm sorry, my dog's such a doofus some times.' I apologized to the man next to me.
He turned to me and raised his eyebrows. 'that's your dog?' he asked almost incredulous.
'yes.' I stuttered out, for a moment I was mesmerized by the greenest eyes I had ever seen, set in a handsome face that rivalled most models.
'Jesus I thought that one belonged to that guy over there.' He indicated to the side where a very buff looking man in a tough leather jacket stood watching the dogs play.
I shook my head. 'nope. He's all mine.' I said.
'how much does he weigh?'
'about 180.' I said shrugging.
He raised his eyebrow at me again. 'damn, and I thought mine was heavy.' He laughed. 'he's a little pudgy at 110.'
'no, he's gorgeous.'
'so is yours. What is it exactly? I can see some newfoundland in there, but there seems to be more.'
'yeah, he's a mutt.' I said glancing at Jake. 'newfoundland and saint Bernard and probably some great dane… although I'm not really sure.'
He whistled low. Both our dogs perked up and stared at us for a moment before continuing to play.
'what's his name?'
'Jake. Yours?'
'Mike.'
I smiled at the regular name. there were some strange dog names in this park, and I'd never really understood why. I was glad this man seemed ot be on the same wavelength as me.
'god damn it.' He suddenly snapped. I started again, and turned to look at him. but he was staring at the dogs again. I followed his gaze and realized what was wrong. His dog had found a puddle and was happily rolling around in it.
He sighed heavily and I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped my lips. I put my hand to my lips to hide my smile. The man blew out a big breath. 'well that's a bath in his future.'
'good luck with that.' I smiled. Then I glanced at my watch. It was getting late, I needed to head home again. I whistled and Jake looked at me before bounding over to me, all flopping ears and lolling tongue. I heard the man next to me chuckle. I pet Jake's head with a smile and clipped his lead back on. 'Time to go, boy.' I said kissing his head once before standing up. Then I turned to the man. 'good luck with that bath.' He smiled at me and thanked me.
I turned away and walked off with Jake by my side.
When I got home I gave Jake a bone to chew and then grabbed my purse. I gave him another pet and then headed back out again. The drive was okay, traffic was minimal and I made good time. the hospital loomed in front of me and I quickly pulled into guest parking and made my way inside. I knew the place by heart by now. I was here every single day after all. the nurses greeted me warmly as I stepped onto the ward my father was staying in.
'How was the night?' I asked Nurse Mitchells. She gave me a kind look.
'It was a rough one.' She said softly. 'he had trouble breathing and couldn't seem to get comfortable. He's in pain.'
I nodded and heaved a sigh. 'do you think I can bring my dog in tomorrow? Dad loves him.'
'We'll ask. Is he licensed?'
I bit my lip and shook my head. 'no, but he is very well behaved and a sweetheart.'
'I'll go ask.' She assured me. 'I'll come check on him in a minute. You can head on through.'
I smiled and thanked her before taking a deep breath and heading into the hallway. I schooled my features carefully before stepping into his room. He had a private room finally, that was a blessing. He'd hated sharing the room with others, complaining that they kept him up or complained to much. he didn't see the irony in that statement. Although I hadn't ribbed him too much about it.
'Hi dad.' I greeted as I closed the door behind me and hung up my coat. He looked up at me with bleary eyes.
'Hi Bells.' He muttered, already out of breath after just two words.
I walked over to him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
'You have more…. To do … than visit an old…. Sick man… in hospital every… day.' he said between gasps.
I shook my head. 'no dad, I'm here for you. and I'm not going anywhere and nothing you say will make me stop coming.'
He smiled shakily. 'I love you. Bells.' He said.
'I love you too dad.' I answered pressing a kiss to his hand which I had clutched in mine.
I sat by his bedside for a while talking about nothing in particular until the nurse came in and checked him over, giving him his dose of pain relief as well. He sighed when it kicked in and I was glad he was getting some relief.
'Is Harry coming by today?' I asked after a while.
He nodded. 'Yeah…. At four.'
'okay. I'll probably be gone by then, but give him my love.'
He nodded. 'Though… you should probably… stay… you know… to learn.'
I groaned. 'Dad. You know that I love you and the club, but you know that it would be a mess for me to take over… plus we're not there yet. You still have a while to go.'
He gave a dry chuckle which turned into a harrowing cough and I quickly grabbed some water for him, helping him drink it when the coughing passed.
'I'm not… gonna be here long.' He said.
I sighed and tried to swallow around the lump that was firmly lodged in my throat. I had promised myself I wouldn't cry. Charlie never knew what to do about that. So I swallowed again and put on a brave smile.
'You'll be here for a while still.' I kissed his hand again.
'The guys… visited yesterday…' he said after a moment of silence.
'That's great.' I enthused. 'all of them?'
He nodded. 'they spread out.' he said giving a wry smile.
I was glad the guys cared enough to come visit. Charlie cared about them greatly. His life was that club and that team. baseball was Charlie's life, owning the Chicago cubs had been written in his blood. He cared about his team and made sure to keep them well trained. He even sometimes stood on the turf with them. He had been a coach for a while as well, before he'd had the opportunity to buy the club. He still cared about his boys as he liked to call them and I was glad that they cared about him too.
