"Hey Ty you're needed on register. There's like twenty people and some freak is holdin' it up swearing up a storm that his coupon is still good," Logan said as he walked into the back room. "The stupid coupon is for a Taiwan restaurant. I do not have the mentality to deal with the guy who looks like he feeds pigeons in the park during his chess game breaks."
"A little dramatic today are we," Tyler smirked. While he didn't mind inventory day it seemed to get on his brother's very last nerve. Letting out a heavy sigh he continued. "Don't worry hot head, I've got it covered. Just bring the box to the forbidden section." That "forbidden section" as their father so lovingly calls it, is the hockey shelf in the sports romance area. Something that seems to be very popular among the bookish world and well, if you ask Tyler, he'd say baseball is by far superior. But apparently all the books in the baseball romance world are trash.
"You say forbidden I say America's real pass time," Logan said as he picked up the box with ease.
"Shut your trap, baseball's been around for much longer, freak," Tyler replied.
"Boys," Brooklyn said in that motherly tone that she's mastered over the years. One word, one single look. That's all it took to stop the twins from going at it. And Albert. The days he'd be in the middle of said fights. Which was a lot more than she'd like to admit. As different as they may be, deep down, Tyler and Logan are very much Albert. Wordlessly they went back to work. Pleased with herself, Brooklyn resumed printing and slapping labels on boxes, all the while writing how much she had of what and so on. She was just glad her little book shop was on the smaller side, so this only had to be done once or twice a month depending on the time of year.
"I remember this little dress," a deep voice whispered in her ear. She felt strong arms wrap around her waist and pull her against an equally strong chest. "It's how we ended up with Nixie," Albert chuckled deeply.
"Yes Al, cause saying our children are the products of a World Series win and then a sundress is exactly what we need to tell people," as she spoke there was a lightness to it. Almost as if she was trying to hold back a laugh. To be fair those were…nice nights. Really, really nice nights. If there was alcohol involved she didn't remember, just how she felt.
"I love you," Albert said, spinning her around so now they were face to face. "Just as pretty as the day we met," he added, admiring the way her blue eyes shined, the light dusting of freckles that went over the bridge of her nose and spread across underneath her eyes. "But instead of shyness, you're glowing baby." he took a moment to admire the way she looked. The pale blue of the little strappy sundress barely scraped the end of her thighs. She had paired it with her favorite white sneakers while her hair was neatly braided down her back.
"Which day?" Brooklyn asked, locking her arms around his stomach. "The one when you cornered me at the snack stand or when you knocked me to the ground?"
"I didn't corner you. I was waitin' for food, same as you," Albert pointed out. "I'm talkin' about the second time by the way."
"And I return to the fact you knocked me on the ground."
"Even if the didn't the butterfly effect still wouldn't have gone into effect. It was love at first sight baby. You made my whole world stop the second I laid eyes on ya."
"You're such a flirt," Brooklyn giggled, leaning up on her toes, using his body for support.
"You love it," Albert replied as he pulled her closer by the waist. "And I love you." in one swift move he leaned down and kissed her. Her lips were as soft as ever. He could taste the mint of the chapstick she was wearing. He felt her hands tug on his t-shirt. Taking a few steps forward in the small space her back was now pressed against the shelf. He kept his arms locked around her waist, keeping her as close as he possibly could. But it was never enough. As much as he missed playing pro, getting to spend every waking hour with Brooklyn again made retirement much easier.
He missed mile stones with his kids. First steps and first words. The hours he spent hearing her sobs after his maternity leave was up. Those late nights trying to calm her down, reassuring her everything would be ok while resisting the urge to hop on the next flight to Manhattan when he was dead on his feet and falling asleep was winning out. He had his long nights and she had hers. Even with the boys and Feister around who were all more than happy to help. Off season was always a much easier time, though it was cold. Somehow they made it all work. And then Nixie was born and being away was much harder. A new born and two toddlers were a handful.
So in a way, in his messed up brain, he was doing his best to make up for loss time. Her little sighs were the sweetest sound he ever heard. Just, the way her body felt against his. Maybe he was crazy for thinking this but he felt like he was back in the high school library. Somewhere lost in the back area where no one really went and they'd steal a few kisses. Ok well, he stole a few, Brooklyn was too paranoid they'd get caught. They never did. Only because she could never turn that brain off, not that he ever pushed her of course. He always stayed twenty feet away from the line of boundaries she was willing to go.
It wasn't easy, getting this girl to trust him. But eventually he cracked that broken shell she was hiding in. Now years later they have a happy little family. Yes, that includes the cats as well. They always send out a Christmas card with the cats in sweaters to match. That's always fun, watching Brooklyn wrestle the fur balls, trying to keep them in place while swearing they'll get no treats if they keep acting up. And why was he thinking about cat sweaters when he felt something warm run across his bottom lip.
Just as Albert was about to let Brooklyn take full control a loud, "MY EYES! WHERE'S THE BLEACH?!" broke through the air. Jerking away he looked to the owner of the voice. Which just so happened to belong to their very dramatic son. "I think I'm gonna be sick," Logan gagged, making a big show of it for good measure. "Oh that was -" he gagged again, holding his stomach.
"Don't you dare puke on that box Logan Anthony," Brooklyn warned in a motherly tone. "I mean it!"
"No, no, I most definitely will ruin these dead trees," Logan replied. "Oh gosh the room is spinning. Take me to the ER, see if they know how to do eyeball surgery cause that's what I'll need."
"Stop bein' such a drama queen ya little freak," Albert sighed heavily. "Need I remind you of the time your principle called us in when the science teacher caught you and the Hanson girl in a conspiring position. And you do realize that it was our love that brought you into this world, right?" Albert asked, sounding completely board. On the inside however, it was pretty amusing.
"I do not need to know the details of my journey into the womb. You've scarred me enough today father."
"What's with all the yelling? There's some lady who won't shut up about the noise. Like I'm sorry but this is a bookstore, not a library. Volume has more freedom," Tyler rambled as he walked up to his brother. "Why do you look traumatized?"
"Because I am!" Logan screamed. "You and me. We're headin' to the ER right now to get our eyeballs swapped. It's not my brain that's ruined, it's my eyes Tyler. My, eyes!" Logan pointed to his eyes that were now wide with a whole lot of crazy.
"And this is why we don't eat ten Danishes and two cans of soda before bed," Tyler calmly replied with crossed arms. "Either that or your cranky and need to get that tank refilled. I've been keeping Nixie out of the bakery display so why don't you two go out and get food. She threatened to throw the heaviest hardback edition at my "stupid head" if she didn't get food soon."
"Yeah I'll go do that. And maybe I'll get Nixie to switch eyeballs with me," Logan huffed as he walked away, muttering who knows what under his breath.
Later that night the Meyers and the Dasilva's gathered for their weekly dinner night, plus Bridget and Tinsely due to their status as girlfriends. Not that anyone minded of course, with Tinsely being family and Bridget being around for as long as anyone can remember. The two girls fit right in. Plus it kept the twins calm for once in their lives. Those girls settled something inside her boys and Brooklyn couldn't be more happy for them. Call it a mother's instinct but Brooklyn knew from day one that there was something brewing. Maybe it was the hopeless romantic in her, but it was true. Feister's killer gut only solidify that theory and look where they are now.
Paprika seemed to be in a good mood, as in she left Tyler. How long that would last was anyone's guess, for now, they were all gathered in the living room where Albert was trying, and failing to connect his laptop to the TV so they could play their weird game of home video roulette. Though they weren't at the Lodge anymore Monopoly was still very much a banned game. Brooklyn wasn't sure if any of the kids knew how to play due to their fathers refusing to buy the board game.
"Stupid technology," Albert grumbled. "You'd think there'd be a way to get this to save to the smart tv, but no we still have special plugs and writes - damn you bluetooth it's connected!"
"Don't smack the keyboard!" Brooklyn yelled.
"If it works for the vendin' machine then it works for this thing!" a medley of sorts suddenly played, letting the room know the connection was made. "HA! See Freckles, smack the thing and it works every time."
"Actually I rebooted the wi-fi," Riley said as she retook her place on the couch. Pulling a pillow into her lap she added, "Snicker was getting ideas again. Apparently she never learned her lesson after that Christmas."
"Ok, home video roulette," Albert said, rubbing his hands together. "Crutchie is insanely organized with these files and sub files with years, holidays, birthdays, summer vacation, weddings, births, so on and and who knows what else is hidin' in here." sometimes the same video was in the same file according to year because why not. Crutchie only added the titles such as weddings and Christmas later on for more special occasions. " Ok, who's spinnin' first?"
"Seein' as I need new eyes I refuse to partake in such activities," Logan announced with his arm slung around Tinsely."
"Yeah well, this is family bonding time and you will bond with your family whether you like it or not," Brooklyn stated. "Don't make me unleash the cats on you."
"I'll go first," Ethan said excitedly before rattling off a series of numbers.
"Ok kid, let's see what's hidin' in here. Maybe it's your dad singin' in his underwear again," Albert laughed.
"Very funny," Mush grumbled. The tv went blank for a moment before showing a decent size bedroom with two bunk beds. A closet to the left and windows to the right. Up in the top left bunk was a boy reading a book. Music started to play in the background. As the opening began, a boy popped up on the screen and saluted while mouthing "hey" followed by a small girl wiggling her fingers in hello. Next was a blonde with sunglasses followed by a sandy brunette. The screen cut from time to time as they danced and jumped around. The song in question was "She Looks So Perfect".
"Oh my gosh is that my dad?" Tinsely asked when she realized what she was watching. Though it was fairly obvious what the year in question may hold, it was still shocking nonetheless. "What is - nevermind, I rather not know."
"Ding, ding, ding," Feister laughed. "That's Specs in the background ignorin' us."
"Actually I think he fell asleep," Mush said. "Look at your little braids." he nudged his wife happily. "Oh I remember your colored extension phase. You kept complainin' how itchy it was but you loved how cute it made you look."
"I wasn't tryin' to look cute, I was tryin' to look edgy," Feister shot back. "This must've been the beginnin' of when I changed my braids. I probably thought I did the Dutch when I actually French braided." she grumbled and slumped back.
"Still better than what I could do," Brooklyn replied, never taking her eyes off the screen. "Oh Al, please tell me that's not a lip ring."
"You had a lip ring?!" that was Tyler, who was now looking at his father with absolute shock.
"It was fake," Mush corrected. "He was tryin' to look edgy. We all think he got an infection when he started to swell."
"I hit my face when slidin' home Mush," Albert replied.
"Sure," Mush and Feister said in unison.
The scene cut again with a young Albert standing solo in front of the camera. Whoever had edited this had forgotten to cut out the background noise and overlay with music. I got your ripped skinny jeans laying on the floor. Just as this line came out, little Albert proceeded to hold up a pair of the tiniest ripped jeans anyone has ever seen. "You stole my jeans!" baby Feister yelled out as she attempted to tackle Albert. Sadly for her, all that happened was her body clinging to his back while he ran off trying to shake her off.
"Your nails are diggin' into my skin!"
"You put your hands on my clean clothes! I'm gonna have to wash them three times!"
"It's not like I went through your under - OW! Feisty that hurt!" Albert groaned when she yanked his hair.
"GOOD!" As this was happening, Race decided to take center stage while a confused Mush debated on whether or not he should step in or keep dancing.
"Now do you believe that she's insane?" Albert asked.
The twins, Nixie, Tinsely, Riley and Ethan all looked at each other. After a few moments of silence they all said, "Nope."
Mush and Albert shared a sigh. Getting these kids to believe that Feister was actually unhinged was nothing more than a loss cause with how calm she had become. Now that Mush thinks about it, when did Feister's fiery ways begin to settle. Oh yeah, the second they got engaged. Yup. she was still in the blissful honeymoon stage. Not to say she didn't blow up every now and then, because she did, but that was way before the next generation started to pop out. So really it was more motherhood than the ring. Just as the little music video came to an end there was a buzz from the doorman. "I got it," Nixie said as she got up and headed over to the door. She pressed the little button on the wall and said, "What's up Danny? And if it's those girl scouts trying to peddle their cookies tell them no can do, my mother can out bake those expensive, pea sized, dry, sorry excuse cookies any day."
"It's not them Nixie," Danny chuckled. "It's the Hunter boy."
"And why is he showing his face here?"
"Your study session I presume."
"Fine, send up the little hotheaded helmet," Nixie grumbled. She was a little mad that Hunter blew off their study session the other night and didn't respond to any of her messages. But he was here now. Without letting her know first. She wasn't sure if that earned Hunter brownie points or not. It wasn't long before she opened the door to find him standing there in a pair of old jeans and black t-shirt that hugged his chest nicely. Seriously the boy has some nice muscles. Mentally, Nixie slapped herself and let him in. "You're here."
"I am." Hunter nodded.
"You didn't answer my texts."
"I didn't."
"Why not?"
"It's complicated. But I'm here now, so…if you're still up for it?"
It's kind of weird to see Hunter get all shy and nervous. Maybe it's because he's a big guy but it's kind of cute. Though Nixie has to mentally slap herself for thinking that. "Get it together. He technically didn't blow you off, he's here now." she thought. "I'm sort of in the middle of home video roulette so if you don't mind doing this in the kitchen then let's get into it."
"Any baby videos I should be aware of."
"Me, no. but my parents, aunt and like a million uncles are embarrassing."
"Nixie. Get real you-"
"Zip it freak or I'll send Paprika after you," Nixie cut Tyler off.
"I'm not scared of that orange bag of flees," Tyler protested.
"Sweetie. I love you, but I think you're starting to get a little paranoid over a cat," Bridget says softly, her hand gently stroked his knuckles.
Nixie sighed heavily. "Try not to embarrass me in front of my friend."
"Why're you looking at me for?" Albert asked. "I can play nice as long as he keeps his eyeballs in their sockets and hands to himself."
"I know where your locker is Hunter," Logan added with a pointed glare.
"Oh my gosh leave the poor girl alone already," Feister snapped at the two idiots. "C'mon Logan, you of all people should know what it's like to have someone disapprove of…whatever they are. You two go study, I'll keep everyone in line."
Just as he was about to follow Nixie to the kitchen table a familiar tune caught his ear. The home video that was playing showed what looked like a somewhat younger version of Nixie. She was wearing jean shorts and a pale blue top as she danced in front of the camera looking carefree as ever. "Is that you?"
"Try again," Nixie giggled.
"That's your mom?"
"Yup."
"You look a lot alike."
"Thank you!" Albert practically shouted. To his wife he said, "See? I told you she's a carbon copy of you."
"With your attitude," Brooklyn shot back.
"Yeah well Tyler overthinks."
"Logan's a cocky little son of a-"
"BROOKLYN!"
"ALBERT!"
"You named them after your dead tree boyfriends!"
"Yeah well at least I put some thought into their names. You named her while you were half drunk watching basketball."
"Oh like you should listen to me when I'm out of my mind," Albert scoffed.
"I am so sorry about them," Nixie sighed.
"It's ok," Hunter replied with a hidden smile. "It's kind of nice. You're lucky to have such a big family. A little chaotic but it's better than - never mind." he shook his head. "It's not important."
"Do you want to talk about it?" when he didn't respond that's all Nixie needed to know. "Do you wanna watch a few videos before hitting the books?"
"Sure."
"Want anything to drink first?"
With a quick nod they headed into the kitchen. "We've got water, lemonade, and soda. Pick your poison hockey boy."
"Water's fine, thanks."
"The water thing is broken so we've been using a picture until it's fixed. Glasses are over there."
Hunter headed to the cabinet in question, but when he opened it up he jumped back when a strange noise came from inside. "Uhh, Nixie, are you aware there's a cat vibing with the glass wear?"
"That's Paprika, she's harmless. Unless your name is Tyler. Just don't touch the ones that look like sea glass," Nixie laughed.
"Why not?"
"Do you really want me to explain the mind of a feline?"
"Point taken."
Once the waters had been acquired they headed back to the living room. Or rather Hunter followed Nixie's lead. The whole family bonding time wasn't really his thing. Plus he felt like he was intruding, but when he saw Bridget was there it was a relief of sorts. Though she's Tyler's girlfriend so that was a given. Tinsely Higgins had relations so she got a free pass. He's just Logan's teammate and Nixie's friend. But nobody seemed to mind that he was there. Well, Mr. Dasilva eyed him warily, until the Mrs. poked him in the side and gave him a look. They were communicating silently and suddenly he started to wonder what it would've been like to grow up like Nixie did. With parents that were present and a big loving family. The home video that was playing showed a darked haired girl around fourteen. Beside her was a brunette guy that almost looked like the boy version of Nixie. It didn't take long to figure out the couple were her Uncle Mush and Aunt Feisty.
"I want that someday," Nixie whispered. "All us kids grew up listening to their love story. It's kind of gross, a little sad and just a roller coaster. They never gave up on each other. Like my parents, only that's a little different. He coaxed her out of her shell. Tyler's pretty much been married to Bridget since the moment they met and now that Logan's cozied up with Tins…it's the stupid romantic in me." she shrugged.
Over on the other side of the couch Brooklyn nudged Albert and whispered, "I think we just found your future son-in-law."
"Brooklyn," Albert groaned. "It's already bad enough she figure skates, don't put notions in my head about her getting with a hockey player, this isn't one of your books. That's our daughter."
Brooklyn shrugged. "Well I think they look cute together. Actually, they kind of remind me of us, only reverse."
"I don't want to know," Albert grumbled.
"C'mon Albie, let me humor you."
"I'd rather watch her play volleyball."
Brooklyn lightly laughed as she placed a gentle kiss on his arm before resting her head against it, taking in his familiar scent and the way his strong body felt against hers. "You're lucky I love you."
"Nah, it's you who's lucky." Albert smiled down lovingly at her. "I took a chance on the quiet bookworm, risked even more when I found out you're my buddy's sister. Best bet I ever took baby."
Actually, it was Brooklyn who took the bigger risk. Taking a chance on the boy with the backwards cap who always cracked a joke with the contagious laugh and smirk that did things to her mind. But she wasn't about to argue with him. Not yet anyways. For now she wanted to soak up every moment here on this couch surrounded by her family and the young love stories blooming right before her eyes.
Author's note
And with that my friends is the end of The Final Base. What a ride this was to write. I always knew how I wanted to outline this but getting everything else in between wasn't easy, and then one day everything started flowing and the next thing I know I'm editing. But no seriously the relief I felt when the first draft was finished was something else. I was scared I wouldn't make it this summer with a new book. Telling myself I have plenty of time didn't help either, nonetheless here we are. I hope you all enjoyed Alblyn's journey as well as seeing a bit of the next gen. While I don't have as many plans just yet for the off-spring rest assured it'll come one day. Of course if you know me I'll also be jumping back in time to the newsies teen years, I know it's been a long time since I did something in canon time, don't worry, I miss it too sometimes. I do have a few plots in mind, though I'm unsure where I should start. Anyways if you made it this far I'd like to thank everyone for reading, once again I hope you enjoyed, and I'll see you guys next time.
