Through it All

Chapter 33

Cheyenne POV

Today is a big day for Ace, he has to do double duty for his school . He has sectional track meet today and has a double header playoff game . It's gonna be a long day. I have gotten up and made breakfast. Ace comes down and sits to eat with Sports center playing  on the TV. My phone dings with a notification and B has tagged me in a picture of him and Ace wishing him luck today in his double duty. It makes me happy that they get along so well. B hasn't tried to be Ace's dad but he is there for him as a sounding board and role model. All the guys have been there for him. I look at my baby and my heart catches because I see a young man and not a baby anymore. He has had more responsibility on him than I ever wanted him to have at 17 years old. He is my hero.  Ace has seen the picture because he comes running Mom B posted me on his social media wishing me and the team good luck. I told him I saw it. Mom he hasn't ever done that before, yeah I mean when dad died he put that picture of you and dad  on there but never anything else. I asked Ace what picture and he looked at me like I was crazy. Mom the picture of you and dad in the hospital bed when he died. I have no idea what Ace is talking about but I will go back and look when I have a minute today. I tell him I haven't ever seen it but then I didn't check social media for a day or two and couldn't tell you what was on it then either. We have to get ready and be at the track in 45 minutes so he had time to warm up.  And it begins.

We arrive at the track and I get my stuff set up and help get all the teams stuff set up. I am standing talking to another mom and one of Ace's coaches comes up and hugs me and thanks me for Ace being here. I tell Jake that it was all him nothing I did. He lets his arm rest on my shoulders and pulls me close and asks what his mind set was today. I told him that Ace wants to win no matter what it is. He said I know I love him because he hates to lose more than he wants to win. I look at Jake as I'm laughing and say that is true. Jake asks how I was and I said pretty good that today is one of those bittersweet moments I'm happy we are here but missing Robert something fierce. He nods and gives me another hug. As he is hugging me I hear a growl and look around because the only person I know who does that is B and he said he couldn't make it for doing radio tour. I look and at the gate stands a sight for sore eyes B and Kolbs and the band!!! I get loose from Jake and run and jump on B. He has to catch me to keep from falling. I hug his neck so hard, and whisper in his ear I'm so glad your here and didn't realize how hard this would be today. He squeezes me and whispers back I know darlin' I wouldn't miss it. Now whose ass do I have to whoop for having their hands on you? I roll my eyes and say come on B let me introduce you to Jake, Ace's coach the one who helped talk him into doing both. I say hello to the guys and then take them all over to the tent area and introduce all the parents and coaches to my boys and BG and Kolby. They set up their chairs outside the tent and at that time the team is through warming up and B yells at Ace "hey hoss you ready to go to work today and smoke some folks?" Ace comes running over talking to everyone and hugging them all and ends up next to me. He puts his arm on my shoulder and leans over and whispers " it's almost like dad being here isn't it" when he says that I can't answer I just nod my head and put my arms around him and squeeze him. The rest of his team comes up and Ace introduces the ones who haven't met our family. The kids are a little star struck but soon it's just like they have always know the guys. The events start and Ace has a little bit until he runs the 4x100 relay but I head to the far end of the track where he will run the third leg. B follows and the other guys spread out to different places and events and cheer on the whole team. It looks like they have all tried to be incognito today dressed in under armour and Nike track pants, t'shirts and tennis shoes. They may not be family by blood but they are family none the less.

BG POV

I pull up a photo of me and Ace and wish him good luck today pulling double duty. They don't know that I'm coming and bringing Kolby and the band, it is a surprise. I have a feeling that today will be a little tougher than what Cheyenne and Ace think it will be. Robert never missed anything his kids did if he could at all help it. I can't make it to everyone but I will be there for all the big moments for them. We are driving in 2 trucks and Kolby is driving his truck. I left mine at the farm and rode with him because I had radio phone interviews this morning. We are throwing a party tomorrow night after all the sports events. Cheyenne's girls and I have it all planned out. We have friends in the music business coming, family , the kids friends it's just going to be a celebration with food, music and a bonfire. We get to the track and I come around the corner of a building and I stop dead in my tracks, this young guy comes up and hugs Cheyenne and that's okay until he leaves his arm on her shoulders and hers is around his waist. He pulls her in and says something and she laughs. He turns and says something else and hugs her and I growl low in my throat. I didn't realize I had done it until she turned and looked around. It was like she was looking for someone in particular and her eyes found mine. My heart stopped cause she lit up with a smile pulled away from that guy and ran and jumped into my arms like she had no doubt I would catch her. She squeezed me hard and tells me she was glad I was there because she didn't realize how hard it would be. I just held her a little tighter and was wishing I didn't have to let her go. Woah where did that thought come from? She hugs the guys and takes us over and introduces us to all the other parents and coaches. When the team finishes warming up I yell at Ace. He lights up just like his momma and runs over to us. He introduces his team and as he is standing there with Cheyenne he leans over and whispers it's like dad being here. I'm humbled I could never fill Robert's shoes but for him to think that means I am doing what I promised his dad. We all scatter around the track to cheer on different events. I head to the far end with Cheyenne. She has been quiet all the way down and I ask her what's on her mind. She tells me nothing but I don't believe her. She is too quiet and I'm worried. I ask her again and she just shakes her head no. I lift her chin and she has unshed tears in her eyes. That is my undoing I pull her in my arms and just tell her it's gonna be okay no matter what we will get through it. She looks up and asks me how did I know that she would need me today. I told her I guess it was kinda like when Amber and I split and she sent the text was I up. Just a feeling is all I can tell you. Just like when you came running that day when I needed you even though I didn't say anything. Is that it? She shakes her head no and walks a little ways and I follow. Ace said something to me this morning and I haven't thought about it til now he was so excited about your social media post with him in the picture and he made the comment B that you had never posted about any of us except the picture of me and Robert. What is he talking about? You know I didn't ever go back and look when I got back on after the funeral , and if I saw it I don't remember because there was so much going on. So will you show me ? I told her of course and I got out my phone and pulled up the post she was talking about. She blushes a bright red and then I remember when I snapped that picture and what was happening as I was body guard. I just laugh and she looks at me and says you know don't you. I told her that yeah I knew what had happened he had asked me to stand guard for him. She just cried silent tears and said I need a few minutes B. So I watched as she walked away from me my heart breaking for my little blond haired blue eyed pixie.