The Final Base

A Little Love

Brooklyn was fast asleep in the living room when Albert got back home that night. She was curled up on the couch, the coffee table had an assortment of snacks and drinks while the orange kitten she had found in the dumpster was nestled against her arm. The animal in question had been named Paprika not for her color, but for the fact she was spicy and a little odd in Albert's book. Then again, most ginger cats are and his lovely wife had pointed out that he is an acquired taste as well. Whatever that meant. She had been rather sleepy when making that statement and when Brooklyn is tired she starts spouting nonsense as if she were drunk.

She was wearing one of his old t-shirts. A faded navy blue thing with his high school team's logo. It was soft, well worn, and drowned her little body. Ever so quietly, he shut off the tv and carefully scooped her up into his arms. Paprika, being the little lion she is, tried to scratch him, but all she caught was the the fabric of his hoodie. Though it was only two weeks playing against other east coast teams, it still felt like it was too long of a trip. All he wanted to do was to wash up in his own shower and fall asleep into oblivion beside his wife.

"Your little paws are futile against me," he said to the cat when Brooklyn was safely secure in his arms. He carried her to the bedroom with Paprika close behind. Luckily the bed was unmade so he laid her down, pulled the covers up and tucked them under her chin. Once that was done he picked up the cat and placed her down before heading off to take a quick shower before climbing into bed. In just a shirt and boxers of course.

It was at this moment Brooklyn rolled over to him. It was cute how she wanted to be closer to him even when she was in a deep sleep. Draping an arm around her warm body he shifted a bit until he was comfortable. The sweet scent of a bakery in fall filled his lungs. When she started to mumble something and move around a bit Albert stroked her head and whispered, "Go back to sleep gorgeous." she mumbled something and her body settled back down. He wasn't far behind in passing out himself.

A couple hours on a plane does that to a person. Even more so after playing some pretty intense games. The world series was nearing. The deadline for the final slots in the playoffs was just around the corner. The team was guaranteed a spot with being in the top five, but that could change overnight. A slump could hit and bye bye victory. He's been playing professionally for some time now, and while he's been close to making it all the way it's always cut short. This year Albert can't help but think this will finally be the year his dreams as a young boy on the t-ball team would come true.

The last thing he felt was a ball of soft fur curl up on his shoulder.

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Brooklyn had no memory of how she ended up in bed. The last thing she could recall being a little sad the bag of preach rings was now empty and she didn't feel like going to the store since it was already late. Plus, she was watching the game, mostly to see her husband but that's beside the point. It doesn't matter how many years have gone by, she'll never understand anything about baseball. She was perfectly happy with being the pretty wife. The Manhattan Minute news articles had said she's a "sweetheart". Whenever asked about her in interviews everyone and their mother says how boyish Albert suddenly becomes. A little embarrassed, but in a cute blushful way. Yeah, she really did win in the romance department.

Speaking of which. She felt warm, and that was definitely a chest she was nestled against. Strong arms wrapped around her body...clean, fresh soap. Slowly opening her eyes Brooklyn took in the sight in front of her. Albert was still snoring away, probably worn out from the trip back. This was always the hardest time of the year. She hated the time zones and having to watch the game for even a glimpse of him if they didn't get to video chat. They text throughout the day, but his responses are far in between. Sometimes he disappeared without warning. Of course, Brooklyn doesn't read into it, knowing that he has a job to do. When she was in college it was much easier to let homework sweep her away, but now that's over with and she has more free time on her hands, she misses him much more. While running a bookstore her day consists of book keeping, checking stock, ordering stock, and helping out a lost customer.