Forever - Christian Yelich

Just Open Them.

Brooklyn~

I feel soft kisses on my neck as I start to wake up. They soon travel down to my shoulder and I feel Christian's hand travel around my waist. 

"Happy Birthday," he whispers into my ear. I roll over onto my back and let him hover over me. 

"Thank you,"  I say quietly and kiss him. "I wish we had an off day like last year, but we gotta go kick some ass," he tells me and I laugh. 

"At least it's an early game though," I say and scoot up in the very uncomfortable hotel bed here in Pittsburgh. 

"The least they could do is find a more comfortable hotel for us to stay in," I say and watch Christian go through his bag for some clothes. 

"You got that right."

I watch as he digs around in his bag and he pulls out a few papers. He hands to me and I furrow my brow. "Before you open them I wanted to let you know that you can say no. It might be a lot to take in." 

"What did you do?" I say putting the papers in my lap. "Just open them." 

I slowly open them and read what's on the page. "What are you planning?" I ask seeing some printouts from his brother's realty company back in Milwaukee. 

"Well, I did some asking around and found out your lease is up next month and was wondering if you wanted to move in with me. Except, my brother and I have been looking around at some newer properties around Milwaukee, specifically in Whitefish Bay. So, I guess my question is would you want to move in with me and look into buying a house with me?"

I look at him in disbelief but soon a smile takes over my expression, "Are you serious?" I say and look back down at the papers. 

"Yeah. I've told you this before, but Brooklyn, I don't see myself with anyone else." 

"Of course I'll move in with you." He smiles and leans in to kiss me. "I was hoping you were going to say yes," he tells me and we both laugh.

There's a loud knock on our door that both startled us. Who the hell could that be? 

Oh, I know, it's Ryan. Nobody else would ruin a moment like this even though he probably didn't know it was happening. "It's your other favorite baseball player," Ryan says as he comes through our door. 

"Ryan, I expected nothing less from you." He looks between Christian and me and doesn't really know what to say. "Anyways, Happy Birthday. After the game, the rest of the team put something together for you." 

"Thank you, but what the hell are you two planning?" I say back to them and they stand there, smiling at me. "Whatever," I say laughing it off. 

"See you guys in a bit?" Ryan says and we both nod and he heads out of our room. 

"Was that part of my present too?" I ask Christian as he comes back down into the dugout as he just hit a grand slam to push us over 7-3 as we had been tied for the last 5 innings. "Well, I was just hoping for a solo home run just for you, but I guess I had other plans. So yes, that grand slam was just for you," he says wrapping an arm around my shoulder. 

"Ryannnn," I say drawing his name out. He turns to me from where he sits along the dugout fence. "Yes?"

I go take the seat next to him, "So what did you two plan?"

"You can't get it out of me that easily," he says and I let a breath out. 

"I just want an idea. Like should I dress comfortably or like a going-out outfit? Just give me something," I say as I watch the guys get ready for their last outs in the 9th. 

"Hmm. We are just going somewhere I know you haven't been because that's what Christian told me. I'm just gonna put on a nicer shirt and some khaki shorts or possibly jeans." 

I try to put together where they could be taking me but I can't seem to figure it out. "Okay," I say looking at him. "Fine, it has to deal with the water. That's all I'm giving you," he says and I laugh. I really didn't think he would've told me a clue. But, I'll take whatever I can get. We watch Lo make the final out and they all start to jog back to the dugout.

We get back to the hotel so whoever was going could change. Luckily, I bring "going out" clothes with me while we travel so I had a few pieces to pick from. I put on this leopard bodysuit and some light wash boyfriend jeans and put on some short tan heels. I keep them in there just in case Christian wants to be spontaneous and go out to dinner. I lightly curl my hair while Christian showers. I finish it off by adding some gold jewelry. 

I sit on our bed waiting for Christian to finish up. I go through my texts and respond to a few of them. 

Mom & Dad: Happy Birthday, Brooklyn! I can't believe our baby is 25. Stop growing up on us. We can celebrate when you get back. 

"Of course. Thank you. Miss you guys! <3

Maggie: Happy Birthday! Keep living out your dream. Let's catch up when you get back?

"YES! It's been too long. Girl, I need to tell you so many things. I get back in a week. So lunch one of those days at our favorite place?" 

Maggie: It's a date! 

"You ready?" Christian asks getting my attention. "Yeah, let's go." He grabs my head and pulls me up and kisses me. "You look amazing, babe," he says as he opens the door to the hallway. 

"There's the birthday girl," Ryan says as we head out of the elevator and to the lobby where the rest of the guys were. "Our Uber's are almost here," Ryan says and hugs me. 

"Are you guys going to tell me where we are going now? Or do I have to wait?" I say looking between Christian and Ryan. "You have to wait." 

"Ugh, fine," I say as our cars arrive out front. Christian and I get into the very back of the suburban that picked us up. Ryan, of course, has to come and sit right next to me. "You know being squished by two major league baseball players was not on today's agenda, at all," I say as I can barely move between them. They both laugh at me and shake their heads. 

A short ten-minute drive right back to PNC Park and we're back where we were a couple of hours ago. "Why are we here?"

No one answers me. "Don't answer all at once."

All of us walk past the entrance to PNC and make our way to the river. Christian interlaces his fingers with mine as we stop at the river. "What are we doing?"

"That," he says pointing to a boat, more like a floating bar that's in the water.

The boat docks and we all file into the octagonal-shaped boat with a bar in the middle. Christian sits next down next to me as our server introduces himself. "Birthday girl, I assume?" he asks me.

I smile, "Yeah."

He makes everyone some sort of drink and lets us all mingle while we cruise through the Alleghany River and see the parts of Pittsburgh we normally don't get to see. Pittsburgh is just beautiful. It might be one of my favorite cities to visit during the season. 

Everything about it is just beautiful. The history behind the yellow, steel bridges is amazing. At least, I find it amazing. I look toward the guys as they wave us over to them for a picture.

I stand in the middle of everyone. Christian on one side, Ryan on the other. Our server takes a few pictures of us all before getting some of just Christian and I.

"This is really cool. Thank you," I tell Christian as we lean up against the railing and face the sunset.

"I figured we could do something pretty lowkey since we do have a game tomorrow. Ryan was always saying he wanted to do this so it's a win-win situation."

"Of course, he wanted to do this. That doesn't surprise me. I am surprised that he hasn't asked to drive this thing."

"Don't put it in his head. He could hear you."

I laugh, "You're right. And he's had a couple of drinks already."

I turn to look up at him and he smiles. "I love you. Happy Birthday," he says before kissing me.

"Thank you. I love you too."