Love Prevails (Kris Bryant)

45| Welcome Home

Kris

McKayla and the baby come home the day after she was born and I was a tad bit nervous... okay more than a tad. A lot could go wrong, but a lot could go right too. It's the miracle of life after all, but unfortunately it's also everything that comes with it. I came home ahead of them to make sure the house is ready. At least I think everything is ready, maybe everything but me. I hear the car pull up and a very exhausted McKayla comes in with McKenzie asleep in the carrier. I couldn't help but smile at the sight, it was pretty beautiful. I grab the carrier from her and we head to the living room to sit down. I set the baby carrier on the table and put it so it's facing us on the couch. We sit there and stare at her as she stares back.

"She literally never cries. I asked the doctor if that's normal and he said we should feel blessed" Kayla giggles. Right on cue she starts crying and McKayla lets out a sigh.

"She needs a diaper change" she announces getting up. I softly sit her back down and pick up Kenzie from the carrier.

"I got this" I assure her and she nods her head. She lays down and I head up the stairs and into Kenzie's room. It came together nicely and I hope she likes it.

"Hey there pretty girl. This is your room for the foreseeable future. Mommy and I made it so you can always reach for the stars" I say setting her down on the changing table. I take off the onesie and the diaper to see a big mess.

"Damn. That came out of you" I joke causing myself to laugh. I get her cleaned up and a fresh diaper on then she was good as new. I put her in a pink "I get my good looks from my mom" onesie and she seemed a lot happier. I pick her up off the table and look into those eyes, she was perfect. Her eyes dart around and I knew she was getting herself comfortable.

I head back down stairs to see McKayla passed out on the couch and my mom in the kitchen cooking dinner.

"I wouldn't wake her, she needs rest to heal up" my mom says and I nod. I place Kenzie in the playpen in the living room and go outside to see my dad looking out over the city.

"I'm a grandpa" he says randomly as I sit next to him.

"Crazy... isn't it. Just yesterday you were putting a bat in my hand. Now look at us" I chuckle.

"I've had the honor of coaching some of the best players in the world in you and Bryce, Kayla even. But that doesn't make me half as happy knowing you have a great girl and daughter" he admits.

"It's a good feeling. Looking at McKenzie, I see the best of Kayla and I in her eyes. I always dreamed of starting a family with her and now that it's happening... it's better than I ever imagined. I can't put into words the happiness I feel right. It's great knowing that I have two beautiful angels currently running my life and they're right inside that door" I sigh.

"Out of all the things you've done in life, what you've done with McKayla is my favorite. She shouldn't have turn out like she did, but when I said she was fighting for something and I didn't know what, I really did. She was fighting for her future, she was fighting for you" he says.

"Her parents were in New York trying to find her. In fact they followed me around the city until I confronted them in a Panera Bread. And as much as I want Kayla to have her parents be who they should of been this whole time, I could see it in their eyes that they haven't changed. They still were incapable of loving someone besides themselves. Paul, he was so hurt because he never let go of what happened. How is he supposed to love her or our baby when he hates himself? I wanted so bad to fly them out here and for them to make up so we can all move on, but I know that wouldn't happen because some things are so broken they can't be put back together."

"I get why you did that though. Kayla needs time to let things settle down before reopening those wounds. Let's just make sure she's healthy and happy right now" he says patting my knee.

We walk inside and my mom has dinner in the oven and McKayla was nowhere to be seen.

"Kayla went to shower and the baby is a angel" my mom informs me. I go to the crib where Kenzie was just staring at the ceiling calmly. She was a beautiful little baby, my beautiful little baby. I pick her up and rest her head on my chest. I've never held a baby before today but everything felt so right. McKayla emerged from the stairs looking fresh and happy. She makes her way over to Kenzie and I with the brightest smile on her face.

"Hi baby, hi baby" she giggles kissing our daughter then me. Kenzie latches onto her finger and she stares at her mother. It was a sweet little moment between the three of us. Kayla feeds Kenzie before burping her and putting her down to rest then eating herself. We all gather at the dinner table and enjoy a meal like we did back in high school, but this time it was a little more special.