Smile (Kris Bryant)

Chapter Twenty One| Pinky Promise

Kris

"How do I look" Alex asks for what feels like the 100th time in the last hour. She always looks good so I don't get why she bothers asking.

"Baby you look stunning. I promise. Please stop freaking out on me" I beg grabbing her shoulders so she would stop fiddling with her dress.

"I'm sorry. I just really want your parents to like me" she sighs.

"They already do" I assure her.

"You promise" she asks looking up to me. She uses that look that'll have anyone fall in love with her. My mom would melt under that look.

"Yes" I reply.

"Pinky promise" she asks holding her pinky out. I was taken aback at first that she went back to a middle school sacred form of promises but it was cute. I wrap my pinky around hers and she lets out a long sigh. It was then I know we would be okay.

The Cubs were in San Diego to play the Padres and my parents came out to watch. They've spent a lot of time here since I payed college ball here and always find a excuse to drive from Vegas to here. It's a lot closer than traveling to Chicago. But they threatened that I wouldn't live to play another game in my life if they didn't get to meet Alex first. A little harsh if you ask me, but in their defense they're waited a long time for this. They've been asking to meet her since we got together. With how much I talked about her to them you would have thought we've all known each other all our lives. But today was the first time they would meet far to face. When they came out for home games she was still with Spencer so they didn't get to see her, no one did really. And now they can and let's just say they were excited to say the least.

We get to the restaurant and find my parents looking through the menus. I introduce everyone and we get our food ordered. It didn't take long for the awkwardness to leave and we all settle in. Everyone wanted each other to like one another and once they realized that they were trying too hard to force it we got along comfortably. Maybe a little too comfortable.

"So how much can you bench press" my dad gasps.

"275" Alex states proudly and he nods approvingly.

"What about you Kris" he smirks.

"Nothing close to that" I admit.

"We're working on it" Alex adds on and my dad smiles. I knew he would like her because he always believed that conditioning was the most important aspect of the game and she was the queen of it. Plus she was this super cool active girl who loved baseball and working out, any fathers dream girl really. My mom on the other hand, I wasn't sure how she would react.

"Alexandria... that's such a pretty name. Where is it from" my mom asks.

"My mom picked it out for me. She was going to name my sister that but she said the name didn't fit her. But as soon as I was born and she looked into my eyes she knew I would be Alexandria. The name means "defender of mankind" and I always thought it was important to live up to that name. So now I help people learn to defend themselves from the evil of cramps and injuries. It's a long shot, I know. But I enjoy both my name and my profession" she shrugs.

"That's beautiful. If I had a girl I wanted to name her Alexandria, that's why I asked" my mom smiles. It was at that moment any doubt flew out of my head. We were going to be more than okay.

After sharing great stories and lots of laughs the dinner comes to an end. Admittedly I was kind of sad because this was so great and I was having a amazing time, but I had a game to play tonight after all. I was just thankful we got through that whole meal without any embarrassing stories, because I have plenty of those.

"So Alex, I'm hoping to see some more of you" my mom says.

"And I hope my son is bigger next time I see him" my dad teases and I send him a glare.

"I would love to talk to you guys again. And I'll make sure Kris gets his work in" Alex giggles.

"I'll say" I mumble and she hits my chest.

They exchange numbers and I head over to the park with Alex. Her hand laced in mine on the center counsel as I drive the familiar roads to Petco.

"So... I love your parents" she starts.

"I knew you would" I claim.

"Yeah yeah... whatever" she laughs.

"Say it..." I tease.

"But I don't want to" she pouts.

"Nope. You're not getting out of this one. Say it" I smirk.

"Why are you like this" she giggles.

"Say it or I'll start singing to you" I threaten moving my hand to the radio.

"Fine! You were right okay. I was freaking out for no reason" she finally says and I turn to her.

"Was that so hard" I joke.

"Worst thing ever" she claims and I roll my eyes.

We get inside the park and she stretches me out. Anthony and David comes over and sits next to us and watch as she stretches me. It was weird but anything with them is really.

"So how did meeting the parents go" David pries. Not even a hi or how are you.

"It was awesome. Kris' parents are amazing, just like him" Alex smiles at me.

"They weren't over protective or anything? Because they told me they didn't want me being the guy Kris followed because I was reckless" Anthony explains.

"They were just kidding... I think" I laugh.

"Still, we thought they would have scared Alex off" David claims.

"Nope. As soon as I told his dad that I work him out until he cries he wouldn't stop smiling" Alex informs them.

"Ohhhhh that makes sense" David claims and I shake my head. Imbecile.

The game starts and ends with a Cubs win. I head back to the hotel to get some shut eye and get ready for tomorrow. It had been a really really long day and I was exhausted. On the road Alex and I have separate rooms but still usually sleep together. But she crashed as soon as her head hit the couch in her room and I wasn't about to wake her up so I came to my room.

I lay in bed and stare at the ceiling just thinking. Anthony and David had a point, my parents usually are pretty strict, and I had never brought a girl to them before. But I guess that's why they liked her. Because they knew how serious I was. And I was very serious.