Sliding into Home (A Frank Adler AU x MLB)

Fastballs and Fiances

Arizona in the spring is amazing for baseball.  The air was dry, the crowd was loud.  Frank loved spring training.  Nothing counted but everything mattered.  He tapped his bat against his boot and took his stance.  The opposing pitcher from the Brewers took his stance as well.  Frank could see it, a twitch in his eye, a tell.  Frank anticipated the pitch to be low and away. 

Sure enough, Frank saw the pitch and his bat made it around, hitting the ball into deep center, just out of the reach of the other team.  He made it to first and rounded to second.  He stops and smiles as the crowd cheers. He stands on base as he pulls his batting glove off, stuffing it into his back pocket.  He chats with the second baseman, joking around.  He's in his happy place, the game, where all the personal shit doesn't touch him. 

In the quiet roar of the fans in the crowd, he can hear one distinct set of voices. "Go Adler Go!"

He looks around and smiles.  Mary and Scott finally made it to Arizona for the weekend and are sitting right behind the dugout. He waves at his little girl, and she beams.  At least today she's happy, he thought to himself.  He thought back to the shit show of a couple of days ago when he was getting ready to leave. 

Three days before – Dodger Stadium

"Mary, just give me a minute to grab my kit, ok? I know you are ready for me to leave you with Scott so he can spoil you but ya still have ta drop me at the airport." 

"Scott doesn't spoil me," she replied as she swung around on his arm. 

"And I'm the queen of England," he replied. 

Mary frowned. "You're not. That's a lie." 

"So is the statement that Scott doesn't spoil you," he sassed back. "It's called sarcasm."  He stopped because Mary stopped.  "Nugget?" He looked up to see Abby frozen in front of him.  "Abby." 

"Uh, hi." She tucked her hair back that had escaped her bun. "Mary?" Frank nodded.  "She's so big," she whispered. 

Mary tugged on Frank, and he kneeled down.  "I want to go," she said with a tremble. "I don't want to talk to her." 

"Mary..."

"NO!"

Frank scooped up Mary in his arms as she buried her face in his neck. "I'm sorry, I just needed something for the trip... yeah... see you later."  He walked away as he felt the wetness on his shoulder. "Mary, c'mon take a breath." 

"Why is she here? I thought she left," Mary sobbed. 

"She works here, Nugget." He sighed, "I didn't want to tell you yet because... because I don't know how to deal with it myself." He continued to hold her as he walked into the locker room. "I'm sorry Nugget." 

"It's ok," she sniffled. "Do you still love her?"

Frank choked up but cleared his throat. He remained honest. "I never stopped." 

Abby had remained frozen in her spot as her heart split once again. But this time, it was her own fault. 

Mary was quiet for the ride to the airport and Scott had reported that she had been sullen the rest of the week.  They were only here for the weekend since Mary had school, but he was grateful to see her smile again. 

Frank took a lead off on second, watching to see if the pitcher would make a throw or give him the moment to steal.  Johnny was at bat. Pitcher looks but then sends it flying towards Johnny.  He's good, recognizing it would be outside and takes the ball, but the catcher isn't ready, and it goes flying back into the backstop.  Frank races over to third base, stopping just as the ball is thrown towards the third baseman and it goes sailing over.  The third base coach waves him over and Frank makes for home, sliding in and scoring.  He jumps up and high-fives Johnny as he makes it back to the dugout.