Okay all! This the The Nanny PT2! This is not a sequel to The Nanny I previously wrote. I am going to be working on Time for Changes next as well as another new story. Please bare with me for the next two months. I will be busy with finishing my class, work, I have my sisters and my own birthday coming up next week, and I am planning a small vacation in May once school is over. Once I am done with the semester, I am going to be free to write whenever I want and I am hoping to get chapters out faster than I have been.
Please let me know what you think of this new Nanny!
ENJOY!!
"Oh where. Oh where, could Bella be?"
I could hear her little giggle coming from under the sofa. She was in this phase of playing hide and go seek… without telling anyone that they were playing too.
"Is she under the blankets?" I asked as I pushed the blankets to the floor so she could see and hear that I was trying to find her. "Is she hiding behind the couch?"
I looked over the back of the sofa and saw her little feet sticking out from the back. I was thankful that she was dressed and ready to go, because sometimes these hide and seek games could last a while.
"Oh! I wonder whose little feet these are?" I questioned as I started to tickle them, making her howl in laughter.
"Maw!" She yelled as she crawled backwards to look up at me.
"There you are!" I said in excitement. "I have been looking for you forever."
Her little giggle made my heart warm. I have been Bella's nanny for almost 2 years. I started when she was only one and a half years old, and I loved her with my whole heart. Bella's father was a big baseball player. He needed a nanny that would travel around to watch Bella, because he did not want to leave her behind for days at a time, and whenever Bella was with her mother, he would not get his phone calls returned. His name is Ben. Catcher for the San Francisco Giants baseball team. I babysat Bella almost everyday, but on my days off, I bartend. Bella used to love when I would make her a bottle, because I used to shake and flip them like I was making a drink. She was going to be 4 in 6 months and we would be in Chicago for it. Ben and I had planned for a small birthday party while we were at his game, and it was going to be in one of the VIP booths at the top of the stadium.
Ben was such a good father. He loved Bella more than anything in this world. If he could, he would be with her every hour of every day, but he has to make a living. Ben was tall, and I am not just saying that because I am 5'2"… okay… maybe I am, but he is 6'3". He has honey brown hair, hazel green eyes, and is muscular. He was cute… really cute. Not even I can deny that, but he is my boss… I can't think of him in that way. Bella looked just like him. She had light brown hair, she had blue eyes, but she got those from Ben's father, and she had the cutest round face.
Ben was dating a girl named Jessica, when he was a rookie. They were in an on and off relationship for about a year, before Ben wanted to end it completely, and when he was she told him that she was pregnant. He was very skeptical about it, because she was not faithful to him, which is why they were on and off. But after he took a paternity test, and Bella was proven to be his, he stepped up and became the father Bella needed and so much more. Jessica on the other hand… she was a party girl. Never wanted to take Bella on the weekends and really could only handle her for a couple of hours or half a day at the most. The only time she was there for more than a couple of hours was Bella's birthday or the occasional holiday. And it drove Ben crazy. He hated how fake Jessica was around his parents, and they could see right through her, but anyone could tell that she was doing it because she wanted Ben back. Hell, she was jealous of me. Her baby's nanny. Sure, did I find Ben attractive? Yes, but I was going to keep our relationship professional… no matter how much I wish he noticed me more than a nanny.
"Come on, princess," I said as I picked her up. "It is time for your swim lesson."
Every Tuesday and Thursday, I would take Bella to her swim lessons, before Ben got home, but today was going to be one of his longer practices, because the season was going to be starting soon.
During the off season, Ben would coach the city's youth baseball team, and boy, did Bella love watching her dad play and practice. I would watch Bella as Ben practiced, and there would be times she would run off to join in. It made both Ben and I laugh to see how excited she would get, and he would even put her on his shoulders as he told the boys what play they were going to be running next.
Bella hated when she would miss Ben's practice, but she also loved spending time with me too. Today was a special day. I got to Ben's a quarter to 9, and Bella was still asleep. Ben on the other hand was half asleep, trying to figure out how to work his new coffee maker. I walked over and plugged it in, before turning on the power button, making him look at the machine with a stupid face. I went to wake Bella up and saw that she was already up and rubbing her eyes. She recently got a new big girl bed, and it was her favorite place. Once I had Bella up and ready, I fed her breakfast, made Ben a couple of small breakfast burritos and his lunch, and went off to visit Ben's mother at the nursery. Belle loved when I would take Bella to her work, because Bella was the only girl in her family. After picking out the next floral arrangement for Ben's dining table, Bella and I went back to the apartment and got her ready for her swim lesson… which is where I am right now.
"Swim!" She yelled as she threw her hands up in excitement.
"Yeah! Swim, and then you are going to be going with mommy for a couple of hours an…"
Her face fell. Bella did not like going with her mother. She may be only 3 and a half, but she was a smart cookie. She knew her mom didn't really want her around, unless it was for the benefit of getting Ben back.
"And then Mally is going to be waiting here for you," I told her. "You are going to be going to the park that is right across the street, and Bryce and his mommy are going to take you after swimming."
"Bwice and Awy!" She exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes!" I said, smiling at the little girl in my arms. "Audrey is going to make sure that nothing happens to you, and she will call me if you need anything or if your mommy needs to leave."
This is a lot for a 3 year old. So much for her to know that her mother is not the best. A child is supposed to think the world of her parents, but… Bella knew the truth… and it sucks.
"Otay," she said with a nod.
"That's my girl," I said, making her laugh. "Now, are you ready to head to swim?"
She nodded her head eagerly as she wrapped her little arms around my neck.
—————————
BEN
I was just getting ready to head back to practice when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, and I knew it was Mal. Today was Bella's first swim lesson and I told her to send me as many pictures as she could. I opened my messages and saw an abundance of pictures from Audrey and Mal. Ones of Bryce and Bella with their floaties on, ones of just Bella, the kids and their instructor and a couple of Mal and Audrey with the kids in the pool. I was supposed to be the one taking Bella to her swim lessons because they needed a parent to partner with them, but with my busy practice schedule, I wasn't able to. Thank gods for Mal though. She has been my lifesaver with Bella… and for everything else to be completely honest. I wouldn't know what to do without her.
"You got the pictures too?" Chad said as he walked up next to me and looked over my shoulder.
"Look at the one Audrey sent me."
He showed me his phone and it was a picture of Mal and Bella. They were in the pool, Bella was in Mal's arms, and they were both smiling with their heads pressed to each other's. It was a really cute picture, and definitely one of my new favorites.
"Want me to send it to you?"
I nodded my head, before our coach came from behind us and started to push us toward the diamond.
"You both can go goo goo eyed over your families after practice," he said, making us laugh. "Right now, you are mine and I want you to work on Chad's curve."
"My curve…"
"Was bullshit last season, and I bet it is still shit as of now," he said. "Let's go. We have a game tomorrow and you're starting."
—————————
MAL
I was waiting for Audrey, Bryce, and Bella to come back here after their play date at the park. Or as we call it 'visitation hour'. After swimming lessons, I got Bella changed and Audrey put her car seat in her car. No matter how much I wanted to tell Ben that Bella shouldn't be visiting with her mother, it was not my place. I knew he thought the same, but I would be over stepping if I were to say anything about the matter, especially since the visitations were court mandated. I was getting some snacks ready for Bella and Bryce when I heard keys starting to jingle in the lock.
"No… it's okay. I got her," I heard Audrey's voice say.
I walked toward the door and looked through the peephole to see Jessica behind Audrey and the kids. I could see Jessica talking, but I couldn;t hear what she was saying.
"No… Jessica, it's not my home and I can't just invite you in."
Is she serious? Was she really trying to get in here again?
"Come…"
"No mom! No in!"
Bella's voice was loud and clear. She did not want her mom coming in, and I did not blame her.
"Isabella! Who…"
"Hi!" I said as I opened the door. "I have been waiting for you! How was your play time?"
Bella looked at me with a huge smile on her face, before she ran over and wrapped her arms around my legs. I picked her up and she laughed as she hugged my head. I heard Jessica's scoff, and I looked up just as she rolled her eyes.
"Did you have a good time with your mom?" I asked Bella.
Before Bella could answer, Jessica spoke up.
"Of course she had a good time," she said. "She's my daughter and loves me."
Audrey and I looked at her with furrowed brows, before we looked at each other.
"Why don't you and Bryce go and have some of the snacks that are on your table? And Audrey and I will be there in a bit," I said as I put Bella on her feet.
Bryce looked up at Audrey, before he walked over and took Bella's hand and walked inside. Gods they were smart for a 3 and 4 year old. Who, at that age, could read a room like this and know what is going on?
"Hi, Jessica," I said as I crossed my arms over my chest. "How are you?"
"Mallory," she said as she mocked my movements.
Was she 5? How did Ben ever find this attractive?
"I see you are still trying to play house?"
"I am just doing my job," I said. "I am not playing house."
"Well, you are trying to take my place," she snapped back.
Oh gods. Here we go again.
"I am not trying to take your place," I said calmly. "I am Bella's nanny. Ben hired me to watch her. So, yes. I am going to form a bond with her, but I am not trying to become her mother. That is your job."
Even though you are a horrible one at that.
"That's right," she stated. "I am her mother. Not you. She loves me."
"I never said she didn't love you," I told her. "I was just asking if she had a good time."
"Why does that matter to you?"
Is she serious right now? Does she not know that having actual conversations with children at this age helps their brain development as well as their verbal skills.
"I was trying to start a conversation with her," I explained. "A child learns and develops a lot from having conversations. It helps with their vocabulary and it helps with speech impediments too."
"Isabella doesn't have any speech impediments," she stated.
Audrey and I looked at her with a dumbfounded look on her face. Was she serious? How could you not hear that Bella has a hard time with her l' s and r's.
"Bella has a hard time with her l' s and r's," I said. "Has you not noticed that she says Bwice and not Bryce?"
"Who is Bryce?"
"My son?" Audrey said, questioning if Jessica was serious or not. "The little boy Bella was playing with for the past two hours."
"Oh. I forgot his name."
"And you forget that everyone calls your daughter, Bella and not Isabella too," I muttered under my breath.
"What was that?" She asked, making me look at her.
She was trying to act intimidating, but that was not going to work on me. I am not easily intimidated.
"I said everyone calls her Bella," I stated slowly. "You are the only one to call her Isabella."
"I didn't name…"
"You didn't name her," I told her, cutting her off. "Ben named her after his mother, because you were too busy trying to leave the hospital after she was born."
"I had…"
"You had a party that night," I said. "We all know the truth. So you can stop with the, I had this I had, that bullshit."
Her mouth was agape, and I was assuming that she didn't think I was going to span back at her.
"So, if you don't mind, Audrey and I are going to head in, because it is almost dinner time," I said with a fake smile.
"I would like…"
She started to walk past me, but I stood my ground. Ben made it clear that he did not want her in his apartment, and I was going to respect his wishes.
"Ben does not want you in," I said.
"I want to say bye to my daughter."
"Bella! Come and say bye to your mom," I shouted.
I heard the pitter patter of her feet and she stopped right behind my right leg.
"Bye," she said.
"Come and give mommy a hug," Jessica said as she held her arms out for Bella.
I could see Bella shaking her head, out of my peripheral vision, and I knew this was going to lead to a temper tantrum from Jessica.
"Isabella. Come and give me a hug."
"No, mom," Bella said. "I no want to."
"Isa…"
"Bella does not want to give you a hug, Jessica," Audrey said, standing up for her. "You have to learn how to respect her boundaries. If she does not want to do something she is clearly uncomfortable with, then she does not have to."
"She is my daughter," Jessica stated as she stomped her foot on the ground. "She listens to me."
"I agree to a point," I said. "Bella does have to listen to her elders. Whether that be, you, Ben, Adam, Belle, Audrey, or even myself, but she does not have to do anything she does not want to do. Please respect that, because no one makes you do anything you don't want to do."
"Fine," she said, rolling her eyes. "I'll be at the same place next weekend, but I will text Ben if things change."
"Of course," I said, trying not to roll my eyes at the comment.
Well, that was her way of saying she was not going to see Bella for a month. I could not wait to tell Ben. She turned on her heels and walked down the hall, heading toward the elevator. Audrey and I watched until she disappeared, before I turned to look down at the little girl behind my leg. She looked up at me with her blue eyes, and I could tell that she was a little bit afraid.
"Are you ready to go back inside?" I asked.
Bella nodded her head before she held her hands up for me to pick her up. I took her into my arms and she wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Did you have fun at the park?"
"Bwice and me played on the swing," she told me as she nodded her head.
"That sounds exciting. Did you go super high?"
"I onwy go high when I in the baby seat," she said, making me laugh.
"Oh, yeah," I said, nodding my head. "How could I forget? Did your mom push you?"
She shook her head. Of course she didn't.
"Awry pushed me," Bella said, looking over at Audrey and letting her cheeks flush a little red.
"Aw. That was very nice of her," I said with a smile. "Now what do you say about spaghetti for dinner?"
"Yeah!"
"Alright, let's get you inside and Audrey and I will ge hubt dinner started."
—————————
BEN
By the time I was done with practice it was almost 11 at night, and I had about a 45 minute drive back home, depending on traffic, which is why I was so thankful that there was hardly any right now, but I really needed to consider moving closer to the stadium. I was just getting into the apartment when I heard the television on. I walked to the living room and saw Bella and Mal sleeping on the couch. Bella was asleep on Mal's chest, and Mal's arms were wrapped around Bella so that she didn't fall. The sight made my chest feel warm. I was so thankful that Bella loved Mal so much. I was honest the first time I left her alone with Mal. Not because I didn't trust her, but because any parent would be nervous leaving their kids with someone. I reached over them and covered them with the blanket that was over the back of the couch, making Mal stir awake.
"It's just me," I said as she loosened her grip on Bella. "Go back to sleep."
"What time is it?" She asked, trying to reach for her phone.
"It's almost midnight," I told her as I picked her phone up.
"I have to get going," she said as she tried to get up, but Bella wrapped her arms around Mal's neck. "I…"
"No," I said, shaking my head. "You are not going to drive home right now. You are super tired and Bella won't be letting you leave either."
She relaxed back into the couch and looked around the room. She had not meant to fall asleep, but I guess the energy of a three year old tired her out.
"Come on," I said. "Lay back down and go to sleep. You're going to be here early tomorrow anyway, and you live across the bridge. You can take Bella with you to get a change of clothes tomorrow, unless you have some."
She nodded her head, before she turned onto her side and pulled Bella closer to her. The bond they had was unbreakable. It was a bond like I had with my parents.
"I have some," she said as she started to doze off. "But I may go by my apartment if you don't mind me taking her with me."
"That's fine, but go to sleep," I told her. "We can talk in the morning."
I didn't get an answer, because she fell asleep. I smiled at the two girls nestled cozily together, before I walked down the hall to my room. Tomorrow was game day, and I was very excited.
—————————
MAL
I woke up to a giggle. A giggle I knew all too well.
"Maw," Bella whispered. "Maw. It time to wake up."
"Five more minutes," I said as I rolled over, throwing my arm around her, and making her laugh.
Her laugh was so infectious. I opened my eyes and saw her smiling brightly. Her hair was a mess, her nose was scrunched up, and she was looking at me with her beautiful blue eyes. A laugh came from the hallway and we both looked to see Ben standing there with a kind smile on his face.
"Daddy!" Bella yelled as she sat up and crawled over me.
She ran over to him, and he picked her up, before throwing her into the air.
"Good morning, princess," he said as he kissed her cheek. "Did you sleep good?"
She nodded her head eagerly, making Ben smile. I loved their relationship, and I understood that there was nothing that could stand between a father's love for his daughter.
"Did you sleep well?" He asked as he looked over at me.
"Like a baby," I told him, making him laugh. "I could live on this couch if I could."
"Well, at least you're getting some use out of it," he said as he walked over and threw Bella onto the couch. "It cost me enough."
I laughed before I sat up and stretched my arms. Ben's couch was like a cloud. Which is strange because I like really firm mattresses.
"Can we have bwekfast?" Bella asked as she looked at me.
"What would you like, baby?" Ben asked, making Bella turn her attention to him.
"Maw make bwekfast," she said.
Both Ben and I laughed. Bella did prefer my cooking over her dad's, but even I knew I was a better cook.
"What would you like?" I asked.
"Egg and bacon!" She exclaimed.
I nodded my head, before I looked over at Ben who was looking at me.
"And what would you like?"
"I can…"
"You want a breakfast burrito don't you?" I asked, making him smile and laugh.
"I would love a breakfast burrito," he said with a nod.
I got up, fixing my shirt, and pulling my hair into a ponytail, before I went to get everything I was going to need. I was whisking eggs in a bowl, before I looked at the clock and saw it was almost 10 in the morning.
"What time do you have to be at the stadium?" I asked as Ben leaned on the counter.
"The game starts at 3, so about 12," he said. "Which means I have about 30 minutes to get ready, eat, and pick up Chad."
"Then go and get showered, changed, and ready so you're not late," I said as I shooed him away. "I will have a couple of these ready for you, and some for Chad if you are willing to share."
"I don't know if I will be able to do that," he said with a smile. "But, I will take you up on the offer of going to get ready. You are still able to take Bella to today's game right?"
"Absolutely," I said. "Audrey is going to pick us up at 1, so we can dodge the crowd as best as we can."
"Okay, good," he said eagerly. "I'll head to the shower, and I'll be back in a bit."
"Sounds good."
—————————
BEN
I got out of the shower, I hurried to get ready. Today was going to be a long day, and I wanted to make sure that Chad and I were not going to be late. I grabbed my keys, wallet, and phone, before leaving my room. As I was walking past Bella's room, I saw a glimpse of movement, making me stop in my tracks. I peaked in and saw that Mal was changing, and I looked away fast, but caught myself wanting to take another look. She was standing in front of the large mirror that was screwed to the wall, in her bar and a pair of jeans.
Look away, Ben. For fucks sake! You're not a peeping Tom. You're a grown ass adult.
I pushed myself forward and saw that Mal had wrapped more than a couple of breakfast burritos. She wrapped what looked like eight, and put four in two bags. Probably for Chad and myself. I walked over to the pantry and grabbed two of the energy drinks, threw them in my bag, and started to eat the leftover eggs and bacon Mal had in the pan. If she came early enough, she would make breakfast, and she would always leave the leftovers for me to eat, even though it was more than just leftovers.
"Daddy!" Bella yelled as she wrapped her arms around my leg. "I ready for you game!"
"I see that," I said with a bright smile.
I picked her up and threw her in the air, making her laugh. She was dressed in a pair of black shorts, an orange shirt, and her hair was pulled into two pigtails with black and orange bows.
"I go pay!"
I put her down and she ran off to the abundance of toys she had in a corner of the living room. Mal walked out of the hallway wearing a Giants shirt, a pair of ripped jeans, and she was barefoot. Her platinum purple hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, her bangs were hanging down, and some loose pieces of her hair were falling around her face. I remember the first time I saw her new hair, it took me by surprise. When I first met Mal, her hair was a very pale blonde and was so long that it reached her butt. She had this new hairstyle for almost a year, and it suited her more than her blonde hair. She looked beautiful with both, but this purple look she was rocking was so much better.
"Is Evie going to be coming today?"
"I don't think so," she said as she put Bella's backpack on the counter. "She and Doug are going venue browsing today."
"You're not going?"
"No," she said as she shook her head vigorously. "I am going dress shopping with her, planning her bachelorette, her bridal shower, cake tasting, food tasting, and so much more. They could go find the venue without me."
"I see," I said with a laugh.
"Which actually brings me to a question Evie has for you," she said. "She and Doug would like to know if Bella would be their flower girl."
"Of course," I said. There was no hesitation. Bella loved Evie too, and Doug was a really nice guy.
"That's great! Evie will be so excited," she said with a bright smile. "You're invited too, which means I can tell them to finalize their guest list."
"Were they just waiting on me?" I asked.
"Not really," she said. "Evie was iffy between a couple of her coworkers, especially her co supervisors."
"Why?"
"They think they run everything, and think they can walk all over her," she said as she started to organize Bella's bag.
"I see," I said. Then I remembered that Bella had a visit from her mom yesterday, and I forgot to ask Mal about it. "I forgot to ask yesterday, mainly because you were dead tired, but how was Bella's visit with her mom?"
She scrunched her nose. No one liked Jessica, but the courts say she has to have her visitation… unless she disappeared like she did sometimes.
"I think, fine," she said. "Audrey said that she was on her phone for most of it, and would only move when Bella went to a different part of the play yard."
Of course. I hated these 'visitations'. They were pointless. Bella didn't even want to go most of the time.
"Did anything happen after she was dropped off?"
I had to ask. Jessica was not Mal's biggest fan, but that was only because Bella liked Mal more than her own mother. You would think that if your daughter liked her nanny more than you, you would want to change. But not Jessica. No. She just assumed because she held the title of mother that she was going to have this magical bond with Bella.
"You know Jessica," she said, as she played with the zipped on the backpack. "She and I are not the best of friends. Which is dumb, because you would think to get along with the person who helps take care of your child."
"I do, but you could just be being nice because I pay you."
The joke made her laugh and my heart skipped a beat. Mal's voice sounded silvery, her laugh was intoxicating, and her singing voice was hypnotizing. I don't know what fairytale book she came from, but I hope she stays around for a while.
"Be that as it may, you are not all that bad," she said, meeting my eyes. "You're kinda cool, and hey. How many people can say that they are the nanny for the Giants starting catcher?"
I laughed this time. I couldn't say that she was wrong, but I was more blessed to have here here than she was to have me as her 'boss'.
"Very true," I said, nodding my head. "What else happened?"
"Just her usual pettiness," she said. "She tried to come in, but Audrey was blacking her until I opened the door. She still played the fool of 'forgetting' she can't just waltz in here. Then she tried to make Bella give her a hug, even though Bella said she did not want to."
I rolled my eyes. Bella was a smart little girl for being 3 years old. She knew when her mom was doing wrong and would even tell her no. I am trying to teach Bella that she does not have to do things that make her feel uncomfortable, just because she is told to, and I guess Jessica does not respect anyone's boundaries.
"I'll talk to her," I said, running a hand through my hair. "No matter how much I would rather not."
I hated talking to Jessica. She never listened, and no matter how many times I would tell her I am not interested, she could never take no for an answer. I was just hoping she would after today… maybe. I looked at my watch and saw that I was supposed to leave about 10 minutes ago.
"Crap, I have to go," I said as I threw my bag over my shoulder. "By Bella!"
"Bye daddy!"
I rushed to the door, and Mal was hot on my heels.
"Chad and I will have tickets for the four of you at the ticket box," I told her as I opened the door. "They will be under your name, and Audrey's under hers."
"Okay," she said, before I turned around to look down at her. She was just about to run into me, but jumped back about a foot. "Sorry."
I shook my head. "It's okay," I told her with a small smile. "I'll see you there."
She looked up at me with her gorgeous green eyes. My god, I could be lost in them for hours.
"See you there."
I huffed a laugh, before I turned around and ran toward the elevator. I knew Chad and I were going to be a little late today, but that was fine because the cause was worth it.
—————————
By the time we got to the stadium, it just missed the traffic. We walked up to the ticket box, Bella in my arms and Bryce in Audrey's. I thank Chad for letting us park where the rest of the players park, because we would be at the back of the line if we parked anywhere else.
"I have two tickets on hold for Mallory Drakos," I said to the girl behind the glass.
She smiled sweetly at me. Probably because she remembered Bella and I from past games or just because Bella was with me. She looked through her folder, before she saw a note attached to the tickets. She smiled, before she turned her chair so that her back was to me, and turned around with a bag in her hand.
"Okay, Mallory," she said. "If I could just see some sort of identification, we can send you through."
I shimmied Bella onto my other hip so that I would reach for my wallet that was in Bella's bag. Once I showed the girl my ID, she handed me the tickets and walked out of the booth to hand me the bag she had picked up.
"Enjoy the game," she said with a bright smile.
"Thank you," I said in a confused tone, because this was the first time that we have gotten a bag with our tickets.
I walked through the gates, waiting for Audrey and Bryce. When they walked through, I saw that Audrey was holding a bag too.
"What's in the bag?" I asked.
"You haven't looked yet?" She asked.
I shook my head, before we walked over to the side and stood the kids in front of us so that they wouldn't get lost. I opened the bag and pulled out a small jersey. I held it up and it was a small version of Ben's jersey with his number and last name on the back. It was the perfect size for Bella.
"Is that for me?" She asked, making me look down to see her bouncing up and down.
"It sure is," I said.
I squatted to her height and helped her put it on. After I buttoned it up, she squealed in excitement. I looked over and saw Bryce and Audrey were now wearing jerseys too, but with their last name, Charm, and Chad's number on the back.
"Put on!" Bella said, making me turn back to her.
She was holding up another jersey to me, and I grew confused again. I took it from her and saw that it was a matching one to Bella's with Anderson on the back and Ben's number, and it looked like it would fit me. I mean, it could have been for his mother, but then he would have had one for his dad… and I am the only one who has brought Bella to his games. I had honestly forgotten about the rest of the bag once I saw how excited Bella had gotten.
"Put on, Maw!" Bella said again.
I laughed at her, before I put the jersey on and picked her up.
"We mach!"
I laughed at her, before she wrapped her arms around my neck. I was not expecting to get a jersey with Ben's number and name, but I am not going to complain about it.
"Hey," Audrey called as she bumped me with her hit. "It's photoshoot time."
—————————
"Welcome all. Welcome all! We are so excited to start off this season on such a beautiful day! Aren't we all excited for today's game? The first Giants game of the season, and hopefully this will lead these men to this season's World Series. Let's hope for a good game ladies and gents, and let's welcome our players."
I stood Bella up so that she was standing on my legs, so she could see her dad. The crowd started to roar as they ran onto the field.
"Here they are! Your San Francisco Giants!"
Bella started to bounce up and down as she cheered for her dad. I looked to my right and saw Audrey was in the same state I was, with Bryce bouncing on her legs. Once the crowd died down, Bella and Bryce sat down, but Bella sat in my lap, rather than in her seat.
"Now, since our players are on the Corel, why don't we introduce their families!"
The big screen showed the crowd and Bella started to bounce again, because she knew they were going to do a close up of her on the screen.
"First, we have the Charm family."
Audrey and Bryce came onto the screen, before they looked into the field to see Chad smiling and waving to them. They were playing music as they switched to each family, and it was kind of fun to see everyone's family. It was a new thing, but it was cute too.
"Next, we have the Anderson family!"
The song My Girl came on as Bella and I popped up on the screen. My face turned red, because I was not ready, nor was I even expecting to be up there. Bella, on the other hand, was waving crazily, and I just laughed. I caught Ben running to the pitcher's mound and turned to face where our seats were. He smiled before he waved.
"Daddy!" Bella yelled as she started to wave frantically at her dad.
He continued to wave, before he kissed two of his fingers and then pointed them toward us.
Weird? I was still on the screen so I kept smiling, until it moved to the next family.
"Well well well," audrey said as she nudged me with her shoulder.
"What?" I asked.
"Seems you two are…"
"No," I said. "He was just blowing Bella a kiss."
"Uh huh," she said with a smirk. "The two fingers said otherwise."
I shook my head. Audrey was being preposterous. Ben is my boss. Even though I thought he was really attractive and an amazing father. That could never happen.
"Shut up, Ari," I said as I looked at Bella. "You want ice cream or a hot dog first."
"Fwench fwise!"
"Of course," I said with a laugh.
Audrey and I took the kids to get some food, but I started to wonder if what Audrey was saying was true.
—————————
"What an amazing game from both teams! But what an amazing win from the Giants! If they keep this up, there is no way they won't be at the World Series this year!"
The Giants won 27 to 10. Chad did amazing and was on a no hitter streak until the fifth inning, and Ben had hit 4 homeruns. I could see in their coach's face that he was proud, which is good because they have been working their asses off.
The four of us walked down to the field, with ice cream in hands, and ready to head home. I bent down to wipe Bella's face with a napkin, when someone took my ice cream from my hand.
"Daddy!"
I shot around and saw Ben smiling while liking my ice cream.
"Cookies and crème and mint chip?" He asked with a smile. "My favorites!"
I rolled my eyes, before I crossed my arms, and looked at him.
"Yeah, mine too," I said.
"Daddy, you have to share."
He looked down at Bella and laughed, before he held the ice cream back out to me.
"I'm sorry. Did you want it back?"
I couldn't help but smirk, before I took the ice cream from his hand and liked it. This was a usual thing between Ben and I. He would always steal my food or drinks no matter what it was. He was literally a human garbage disposal.
"Thank you," I said.
"Well, I better get the wife and kid home," Chad said as he picked up Bryce and threw him into the air.
"Babe, he's going to drop…"
It was too late, Bryce's ice cream hit the border of the dugout and you could see the tears forming in his eyes.
"Crap," Chad said. "I'm sorry, buddy. I'll stop by the store on the way home to buy more."
Bryce nodded his head, before he nuzzled into Chad's shoulder.
"Ready?"
Ben grabbed Bella's bag off my shoulder, before throwing his bag on his other shoulder.
"I can carry that," I said, trying to take the bag back.
"I got it," he said, before he nudged his head toward Bella. "She is going to want to be carried to the car."
I looked down and her eyes were starting to look droopy. It was cold out and she was shivering. I turned to Ben, just as he turned so I could get Bella's sweater out of her bag. I put it over her head, after wiping her face and handing Ben our ice creams. I scooped her up into my arms and held my hand out for my ice cream, but Ben was already almost halfway done with it and Bella's was nowhere in sight. He sucked in his lips and his cheeks flushed red. All I could do was shake my head and laugh. It was so hard to be upset with him, let alone be mad.
"Let's go," I said as I started to follow Chad and Audrey toward where we parked.
After getting Bella into her seat, in Ben's car, and saying bye to Chad, Audrey, and Bryce, Ben and I got into the car and headed back toward Ben's apartment. I don't know how long it took for me to fall asleep, but Ben's voice woke me up. We were in his apartment and he was laying me down on the couch.
"Woah," I said as he looked at me. "I didn't even feel you pick me up out of the car."
"You were pretty out," he said with a laugh. "I'll be right back."
I rubbed my eyes and saw that Bella's bag was already on the counter, and Ben was heading back out towards the parking garage. I walked down the hall and toward Bella's room. I silently opened the door and saw that she was asleep in her bed. She was still wearing her New Jersey, but at least she was in a pull-up now. I closed the door, before I went back to the living room to grab my bag and keys.
"You're going?"
Ben's voice made me jump. Wow he was fast. I turned to face him and he was putting his bags in the coat closet, or as I call it 'the baseball closet'.
"Yeah," I said, nodding my head. "I should head back. I have to be up early for fittings with Evie, which reminds me again. Can I take Bella with me? She will get to pick out the dress she wants to wear."
"You know she'll try to pick some obscure color like blue right?" He asked with a laugh.
I laughed too. I knew Bella was going to want to stand out, and I honestly could not wait for the mini feud between Evie and her.
"That's fine," he said, breaking me out of my thoughts. "When is it again?"
"It's in 4 months," I told him. "They are chopping at the bit, but hey, they wanted a short engagement."
"There is nothing wrong with that," he said as he started to walk toward me.
The way he walks could make my knees weak. Malloy, no. Stop.
"I mean…"
My focus was back on his and he was not leaning against the counter, only able 14 inches away from where I was standing.
"I would want a quick engagement if I were with the one I wanted to be with for the rest of my life."
My head spun. That lucky bitch.
"What about you?"
"Oh. Um… I'm not sure," I said. "If they loved me as much as I love them, then I don't see a problem with it, but I would want longer than a 5 month engagement."
"Fair," he said with a laugh. "How long would you want to know them before you even started a relationship?"
"For me? I would want them to know more than just the basics," I said. "I would want him to know my hobbies, my talents, my family, my friends, everything," I continued. I looked up and our eyes locked. Fuck. "I… I guess someone who knows and loves me for the person I am and not the person they want me to be."
He smiled, my favorite smile, and nodded his head.
"That's nice," he said.
"What about you?"
"Me?" He questioned as he stood straight. "I would like someone who understands my busy schedule. Someone who loves my daughter the same way I do, if not more. Someone who could make me laugh. Someone who loves me for the same reasons you said."
We stood there for a moment with nothing being said. This was a different conversation between us, and I honestly didn't know what to think of it. I looked at my watch and saw that it was almost 11 o'clock.
"I should leave," I said as I pushed myself up. "I'll be back at about 9 for Bella. Is that okay?"
"Yeah," he said as he held his hand out for me to move forward.
"Okay, cool."
Ben followed me to the door, and I was trying to maintain the heat rising to my cheeks, before I had to say goodbye. Both of us reached for the door knob, but Ben grabbed it first, opening the door completely.
"Um… thank you," I said as I stepped through the door. "And thank you for letting me go to another game. Four home runs. It's like you were trying to impress someone."
I started to laugh as he leaned against the doorframe, and smiled at me.
"I was," he said, and I stopped laughing. "And I am hoping it worked," he whispered with a wink.
My mouth went dry. I'm sorry. What?
"Goodnight, Mal," he said. "I'll see you in the morning."
He closed the door, leaving me standing there, wondering what he meant by that, but all I could think was…
"What the fuck?"
Until next time my Lovies! Xoxo GM