Fighter (Anthony Rizzo)

Promise Ring

Anthony

Although Camilla is still in school she's started to work as the PR manager with the Cubs because we needed one sooner rather than later. The first event she has planned is the Christmas in July special at Wrigley field. I help her set up the morning of the event and couldn't help but feel excited.

The big screen was red and green and had images of snowfall moving across it. There were tables filled with things being auctioned off and little booths for Christmas themed games. There was also a pie eating contest and a dunk tank set up. All money raised today was going to various charities and cancer research. We set tables along the base path and lay out game used uniforms and baseballs and bats and caps. Whatever fans were willing to buy. Each player puts up Christmas trees and decorated them however we wanted and it too would be auctioned off at the end of the day.

"Your tree is looking great" Cam says walking around it.

"Thanks, I had some inspiration."

"And what would that be?"

"Well this ornament is the cancer awareness sign, pretty self explanatory. Even though I no longer have cancer it's still heavy on my mind. I put it up to remind me that people are still fighting even though I'm not, and I want to fight with them. The little baseball bat has a lot of childhood memories. Even at a young age I couldn't put the bat down, it was a lot simpler back then and I will always cherish those memories. The palm tree reminds me of home, you know, the humble beginnings. I love Chicago but Florida is always home to me. And the heart one is my favorite. It's in a pair of hands, and that shows that you have my heart. These past few months have been great in large part to you. What you've already done for this organization and me, it's astronomical. I don't open up often, but there's no other pair of hands I would rather have my heart in than in yours. Your hands have done some great things and I hope that now that my heart is in them you can continue to work your magic."

"I don't know what to say... everything I do, I do it for you. I honestly just want what's best for you. You have been nothing but good to me in the few months we've been together. I'm not going to lie, it sucks when you're gone on long road trips or I go days without seeing you. But it makes the time we do spend together that much more valuable. I love that you're letting me grow with you, I can't imagine what the future holds."

I pull her close to me and wrap my hands around her waist until the distance between us is no more. She runs her fingers through my hair and I take in her scent.

"I honestly don't care what happens, as long as I get to do it with you" I admit and she smiles. Suddenly she cringed and her hand shoots to her head.

"Hey now, are you okay?"

"Yeah, just a headache."

"You sure? That looked pretty intense..."

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I promise" she says before kissing me. I think it was just a distraction, and it worked.

The event starts and people file in as we play Christmas music and talk to the guests. There's about 200 people on the field and even I'm surprised at how many people showed up. I watch as Cam goes around and talks to nearly everyone. People are naturally attracted to her. Maybe it's her sweet sounding voice or that fact that you can just tell she cares so much about everything, I don't know. But I know for a fact she's raising a lot of money right now.

"Hey, merry Christmas" I say handing her a present.

"What is this?"

"Well you're going to have to open it and find out."

She opens the box and finds a knot ring with a diamond in the middle. On the inside it had "forever and always" and my name engraved in it.

"Oh my god Anthony, this is beautiful."

"It's a promise ring, and I promise that I want you and everything that is tied with you. Forever and always."

I slip the ring in her finger and she gives me a big hug. I wasn't expecting it but my arms wrap around her and I close my eyes letting me enjoy the moment.

"What was that for" I ask as we break apart.

"To tell you things words can't" she says with a smile. I don't know much about life, but I know that it would be a lot worse without her in it.

I work the dunk tank with David sitting on the ledge. He's got dunked a few times, it was mostly me just pressing the button but a few people did hit the target.

"How are you even qualified to work this thing?"

"Don't worry about it old man."

Eventually someone dressed up as santa comes out and I immediately recognize who it is.

"Hey santa, want to toss a few" I ask and he grows a smirk. As he gets closer David realizes who it is and starts squirming in the tank. It was no one other than Jon Lester. He takes a ball into his left hand and teases him a little.

"Come on, I thought we were friends. I catch you" David begs.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm Santa Claus" Jon replies and the kids cheer. While their parents were betting on the cool things the kids got to play at the booths, this was the popular one through.

Jon winds up and hits the very center of the target sending David into the cold water.

"Merry Christmas" Jon calls out and I couldn't help but laugh. Every guy on this team was a great genuine guy, but I have a connection with Jon. He's helped me along in my career and in life, I'm happy to be on the same side as him.

As the day goes on I couldn't help but realize how much fun everyone was having. All the players' families were here and having a great time, cam did good with this one. I'm proud of her.

"This was exhausting, but definitely worth it" she says as I wrap arm around her.

"You did good, everyone had a really good time."

"Thanks, I was hoping people would be able to relax a little and have fun."

"I think Kyle had too much fun at the ring toss booth" I mention as he carries around three large stuffed bears.

"Hey, he can't play this year. That's probably the closest he's come to making a play on this field since the NLCS last year" she laughs. She has a point since he get hurt before the first home game.

As the night draw to the cloths everything is auctioned off and we clean up.

"ANTHONY" Cam screams starling me.

"Yes dear."

"We raised over 100,000 dollars today!"

"Wow Camilla, that's so great! I'm proud of you."

We get all cleaned up and I drop her off at the diner for her shift. I place a kiss on her lips and watch her leave. I hated that she had to go but I knew when she accepted that ring that I would have nothing to worry about.