Page 83 of Safe at Home

“When did all this happen?” I asked, overwhelmed by the generosity and love our family, friends, and community put in for everything to be ready when we came home from the hospital.

“It was actually the day you went on bedrest, and the contractor, McDonald, came to my apartment looking for you,” Penelope began to tell us. “He said it was almost done, and he hoped it would be finished soon. Dominic asked if it could be done sooner if we got people to help. His goal was to make it where you wouldn’t have to bring the babies back to the motel. We put together a schedule of what people could help with and when and made it happen.”

I walked over to my brother and gave him a huge hug. I was so thankful he was in my life.

“I can’t take all the credit,” Dominic said. “Everyone helped just as you did for to be able to go home, but others stepped up, too. It was the same thing here.”

“Thank you so much, everyone,” Tyler said and wiped away the tears that were coming down my cheeks with his thumb.

“Yes, thank you, guys, for making sure our babies will be safe at home! I love it so much!”

After Batter Up! closed for the day, we all gathered in our family room. Some people were sitting on our new couch, on the floor, or on kitchen barstools all facing our big screen TV. I sat on my husband’s lap on the end of the couch and loved when he pulled me as close to him as he could. I smiled as my brother took Hazel in his arms, and Penelope took Olivia to hold while sitting on the floor surrounded by her kids. I snuggled into Tyler’s embrace as we all watched Landon’s Jaguars play in Game 1 of the World Series against the Cleveland Rockets.

“Batter Up! This is Molly,” I had to smile as I heard her familiar voice. I loved this woman more than I ever thought I would.

“Howdy, ma’am,” I said, trying to feign a southern accent. “I heard from a good ‘ol friend of mine that you had a whole peanut-free kitchen. I wanted to know if you delivered down south? I have a hankering for some strawberry shortcake.”

I heard my wife giggling. I couldn’t hold up the horrible facade and had to laugh along with her. “Yes, sir. We deliver down south, and you might get lucky and get your very own personal delivery from the owner herself.”

“Hi, baby.”

“Hey, handsome. Is everything okay? You hardly ever call during the day. Shouldn’t you be watching film right now?”

My girl knew me way too well. “I should be, but I’m heading to the airport.”

“Airport? Where are you heading?”

“Miami,” I said simply with a huge grin on my face. “Why don’t you sit down before I tell you the rest.”

“Miami,” she repeated, “Okay, I’m sitting now. Holy shit, Ty, are you getting traded and called up at the same time? Do you get to play on the same team as Landon?”

I love that her mind went there. “Close, but not quite. The Jaguars are playing the Coyotes!”

“But you’re getting called up? You’re going to the majors? I’m right, aren’t I?” I could tell by the quiver in her voice that she was now crying. I had to wipe away my own tears.

“We did it, Molls. I’m getting called up. My first game in the majors is against my brother!”

“Oh my god! Hold on, love. Let me call you back on my cell phone.” After she called me back I heard a bell clink in the background and could tell my wife was on the move. I heard some muffled sounds, and then I heard Molly say, “Hazel! Olivia! Your daddy is on the phone. Girls, guess what? Daddy is going to the majors! Your daddy did it”

“Daa daaa daaa daa daaa!” I heard a little voice say.

“What the? Who is that, Molly? Is she saying what I think she’s saying?” I had tears in my eyes again. I don’t know what was a better sound - hearing I was going to the majors or hearing one of my girls say her first word and for it to be Dada.

“Liv started saying it last night. We were watching your game, and I don’t know if she knows what it means, but she knew it got a reaction from me. I didn’t tell you yet because I wanted you to hear it in person, but I knew now was the perfect time.”

“Has Hazel said her first word yet?”

“Not yet, but she gets so excited watching you on TV. She loves watching baseball with me, and her whole body shakes with excitement.”

“I love that!” I said as the Uber driver pulled up to the airport. “I’m at the airport, baby, and I need to go, but you had to be the first one I told.”

“Oh, Tyler, I am so proud of you! I love you so much. Do you want me to call your mom and the guys and everyone to tell them the good news, or do you want to tell them?”

“Go ahead and tell everyone, Molly. Well, everyone but Landon. I want to tell him. I’ll be in the air, and then I’m not sure what will happen. It’s all happening so fast.”

“I will start making phone calls. Your dreams are coming true!”

“Baby, as corny as it sounds, my dreams came true when I met you. It’s all been leading to this ultimate dream of playing in the majors.”

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