Brooklyn was fast asleep in the living room when Albert got back home that night. She was curled up on the couch, the coffee table had an assortment of snacks and drinks while the orange kitten she had found in the dumpster was nestled against her arm. The animal in question had been named Paprika not for her color, but for the fact she was spicy and a little odd in Albert's book. Then again, most ginger cats are and his lovely wife had pointed out that he is an acquired taste as well. Whatever that meant. She had been rather sleepy when making that statement and when Brooklyn is tired she starts spouting nonsense as if she were drunk.

She was wearing one of his old t-shirts. A faded navy blue thing with his high school team's logo. It was soft, well worn, and drowned her little body. Ever so quietly, he shut off the tv and carefully scooped her up into his arms. Paprika, being the little lion she is, tried to scratch him, but all she caught was the the fabric of his hoodie. Though it was only two weeks playing against other east coast teams, it still felt like it was too long of a trip. All he wanted to do was to wash up in his own shower and fall asleep into oblivion beside his wife.

"Your little paws are futile against me," he said to the cat when Brooklyn was safely secure in his arms. He carried her to the bedroom with Paprika close behind. Luckily the bed was unmade so he laid her down, pulled the covers up and tucked them under her chin. Once that was done he picked up the cat and placed her down before heading off to take a quick shower before climbing into bed. In just a shirt and boxers of course.

It was at this moment Brooklyn rolled over to him. It was cute how she wanted to be closer to him even when she was in a deep sleep. Draping an arm around her warm body he shifted a bit until he was comfortable. The sweet scent of a bakery in fall filled his lungs. When she started to mumble something and move around a bit Albert stroked her head and whispered, "Go back to sleep gorgeous." she mumbled something and her body settled back down. He wasn't far behind in passing out himself.

A couple hours on a plane does that to a person. Even more so after playing some pretty intense games. The world series was nearing. The deadline for the final slots in the playoffs was just around the corner. The team was guaranteed a spot with being in the top five, but that could change overnight. A slump could hit and bye bye victory. He's been playing professionally for some time now, and while he's been close to making it all the way it's always cut short. This year Albert can't help but think this will finally be the year his dreams as a young boy on the t-ball team would come true.

The last thing he felt was a ball of soft fur curl up on his shoulder.

Brooklyn had no memory of how she ended up in bed. The last thing she could recall being a little sad the bag of preach rings was now empty and she didn't feel like going to the store since it was already late. Plus, she was watching the game, mostly to see her husband but that's beside the point. It doesn't matter how many years have gone by, she'll never understand anything about baseball. She was perfectly happy with being the pretty wife. The Manhattan Minute news articles had said she's a "sweetheart". Whenever asked about her in interviews everyone and their mother says how boyish Albert suddenly becomes. A little embarrassed, but in a cute blushful way. Yeah, she really did win in the romance department.

Speaking of which. She felt warm, and that was definitely a chest she was nestled against. Strong arms wrapped around her body…clean, fresh soap. Slowly opening her eyes Brooklyn took in the sight in front of her. Albert was still snoring away, probably worn out from the trip back. This was always the hardest time of the year. She hated the time zones and having to watch the game for even a glimpse of him if they didn't get to video chat. They text throughout the day, but his responses are far in between. Sometimes he disappeared without warning. Of course, Brooklyn doesn't read into it, knowing that he has a job to do. When she was in college it was much easier to let homework sweep her away, but now that's over with and she has more free time on her hands, she misses him much more. While running a bookstore her day consists of book keeping, checking stock, ordering stock, and helping out a lost customer.

Paprika chose this moment to gracefully walk over Albert's chest and plop herself between his and her body with a small meow. She was still a young kitten, only a few months at most according to the vet. She's a cute little thing, but incredibly sassy, and very strange, but that's apart of her charm. . Brooklyn gave the little creature a few head scratches just as Albert started to stir. A few moments pass until his eyes slowly opened up. The corner of his lip turns up as he brushes his fingers across her cheek.

"Mornin' beautiful," he says in a deep, sleepy voice. A sound she's come to love.

His skin was hot as always. She took a moment to savor the warmth as his fingers thread through her hair. Occasionally, she'd feel the scrape of his callous. Another thing she's come to love. "Hey," she whispered back as she traced the ridges of his stomach. "You could've woke me up."

"And ruin your beauty sleep." his lips brushed against the top of her head. "I missed you."

"I missed you a lot more."

"I don't think that's possible." he poked her side, causing her to squirm. "I tried to get a homerun for you, but that score in the fourth will have to due."

"Having you here is better than any score you get," Brooklyn said as she turned over so now they were chest to chest. She nestled her head in the nook of his neck, savoring the way his arms locked into place around the small of her back. "At least I get to keep you for the rest of the week."

"Well I do have to go in for some training. Gotta keep in shape and all."

"You can afford to skip a day or three," she replied with a small pout.

"Brook-" Albert began.

"Are you sure you absolutely have too…" leaning in she kissed the corner of his mouth. Then his jaw before brushing her lips over the sweet spot on his neck.

"I know what you're trying to do."

"And what's that?" her eyes shined with the upmost innocence

"It's not gonna work."

"Ok." is all Brooklyn says before she planted her lips on his. This girl…his girl, knows how to play her cards. Albert caves in like a cheep tent and kisses her back. One hand tangles in her hair while the other runs up and down her back. When the t-shirt she's wearing rides up ever so slightly he slips his hand underneath the fabric. he's missed this, holding her, kissing her, hearing those little sighs she makes. Rolling over Brooklyn was now on her back while Albert hovered over her, their lips never breaking apart.

"I guess I can go in a little late," he mumbles against her neck, placing a delicate kiss that causes her to pull him closer. "I love you." the moment is cut off when both their stomachs started to growl. "How about we put a pause on this little romance." he whispered a little promise about picking up where they left off before getting up and heading to the kitchen, leaving a rather dazed Brooklyn to process.

About five minutes later she walked into the kitchen to the smell of bacon and sausage being made. Eggs were being scrambled while the waffle maker was being put to good use. By the looks of the whirlwind of ingredients she was in for a big breakfast. Albert seemed to forget he ate more than the average person. He does burn a lot of calories so he gets a free pass. There was a yogurt cup with fresh raspberries and granola waiting for her beside a steaming cup of tea in her favorite mug.

"Are you sure you don't need any help?"

"Just sit your pretty little bum down, I got it covered," Albert replied with a wink as he began mixing the eggs with some veggies. "It's orange spice by the way, we're out of raspberry tea." he's a little sheepish as he speaks, but it's cute. "I'll get some more later."

"You're the best." Brooklyn smiled as she took a sip of the tea. She sighed, savoring the mixture of herbs and spice. Setting the mug down she started to dig into the yogurt when suddenly she had to pause when the spoon just inches away from her lips. In a split of a second she dropped the spoon and made a beeline for the bathroom. Maybe eating a whole bag of peach rings on top of popcorn and a teriyaki bowl for dinner wasn't the brightest idea. There was also the pint of caramel ice cream.

Albert was hot on her heels. He made it just in time to hold back her hair. When she was done he continued to rub her back, her breaths were heavy and she looked like she was about to do it again but didn't. Reaching over he flushed the toilet as she leaned into his chest. "This has been happenin' a lot more lately." his voice was deep. "It's been weeks since that sea food place we tried, maybe it's time to get it checked out" because it turns out drinking a pina colada with fish in some sort of spicy pineapple salsa during her monthly isn't a good combo…

Brooklyn straighten up a little. "Al."

"Yeah?"

"I haven't had my period." she started doing calculations but it was no use. Her mind was a jumbled mess. Swiftly she opened up the cabinet under the sink. Right in front of her was a bag of unopened pads. The one thing she could recall was finishing off the previous pack at the end of said time. The ones she usually gets is enough for about two cycles, give or take. Because bodies are weird like that. "I never…" panic started to sink in. "It was before we went to Florida and…" her hands suddenly had a mind of their own, for she touched her stomach. Looking back she has felt a little bloated and there have been….times where her body was much more sensitive, specifically to when he'd touch her and they'd….oh gosh.

"Brook?"

"I need a test." without another word Brooklyn shot up and ran towards the bedroom,. Wildly she started to find her clothes all while rapidly brushing her hair. That's when she felt a pair of strong arms lock her in place, turning her around and pulling her body close. The brush was stuck in her hair, her eyes were wide with panic.

"Brooklyn. Calm down, what's going on?" Albert asked. Though he was sure he knew what was going on, shock does that to a person. Stay in denial before reality sets in.

"I'm pregnant!" she shouted. "Or, I think I am. I'm late Al! I'm - oh gosh I don't know how many months but I'm late! I haven't had - I'm bloated and been eating like it's a full time job and spending way too much time in the bathrooms and you and me when we start getting and don't lie to me! You know I've gotten bigger and sensitive."

"You're gonna have to be more specific."

"I got pregnant by an idiot." Brooklyn laughed, but it was hallow.

"Calm down gorgeous, you don't know for sure." she gave him a stern look. "It could still be the sea food. Relax. We'll head out, get the test and-"

"Have someone see you buying a test and have the whole world talking about our baby."

"You don't know you're pregnant."

She's pregnant. The test laid right there in her hand. "So," Brooklyn began.

"So," Albert echoed.

"Looks like we're having a baby." a soft smile turned up on her lips as she settled into his lap. Her head rested in the nook of his neck once more while his arms wrapped around her, holding her in place. She kept one hand on her stomach while he placed his on top of hers. Their fingers tangled together. "We're having a victory baby."

"It's better than a Valentines day baby," Albert chuckled.

"You mean birthday baby," Brooklyn corrected as her eyes met his. He let out a small laugh. Out of all the days Albert was born on, it had to be the the fourteenth of February. But it also made things extra special. He found it cheesy how the whole world turned pink and red with so many glitter hearts it should be illegal. There's a reason why he kept this from the boys for the longest time, saying it was actually the nineteenth to save himself from whatever antics they (Race) would come up with.

Carefully, she laid down on her back, pulling him down with her. Albert adjusted himself so now he was propped up on his side, his hand never leaving her stomach. "So, guess I'm off limits now."

"Brooklyn, you've always been off limits," he replied.

"Well, more so than ever." she reached up to cup his cheek. "I'm scared," she whispered.

"Me too," he whispered back. "The next few months isn't going to be easy. Especially with me being away so much, but I promise every second of free time I get is yours. I'll go to as many appointments as I can, I'll be there for every ultra sound and when you throw up. You've got Feisty, she's been through this, and I'm sure Buttons will be thrilled to help with another nursery, and you know Race will make a great godfather-"

"Who says it's gonna be Race?"

"Hey we took care of a potted plant together," Albert defended, granted in the four years of college plus about a month or so afterwards they killed ten plants and one fake one. The story they spun for what happened to George is rather complicated, but somewhat forgotten. "And let's face it, if your brother didn't kill me before he'll definitely do it now."

"Or, we could keep this our little secret…" she trailed off, an innocent, yet coy look washed over those pretty blue-gray eyes.

"Our dirty little secret," Albert said as he kissed her

"Why do you have to be like that," she mumbled against his lips.

"You love me." he deepened it. "And I love our baby."

Author's note

Would anyone believe me if I said I struggled with how I wanted this to go? I had no idea where I was going with this chapter when it started, and believe me I did try writing a wedding chapter but it wasn't working out, so in the end I scraped it and here we are now. I had so much fun with the life changing bomb was dropped. I know there's been a few time jumps within the past few chapters and trust me, I have a love hate relationship with these things. But I also didn't want this to be a carbon copy of Life's Next Chapter. In my mind, that's been done and it's time to explore something new, and I had more of an idea of how I wanted this book to go than the other one. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed, thanks for reading and I'll see you next week.