The Final Base

Pages of the Heart

"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.