Smile (Kris Bryant)

Chapter Forty Three| Opening Up

Alexandria

"So... when are you coming back to work" Anthony asks as I cook a big lunch. Anthony and Emily, David, Jason and Jake came over for some home cooked food. Or to heckle me as it turns out.

"Soon. But isn't Andrew there if you guys wanted personal training sessions" I ask tending to my noodles.

"Well yeah, but it's not the same. He doesn't work out with us and it's not as intense. He doesn't show that he cares like you do..." Anthony explains.

"That's very sweet of you, but my son comes first" I insist.

"I get that. Maybe you can bring him with" Anthony suggests.

"I will when he's old enough. But he's still small and weak and exposing him to dangers he's not ready to fight off yet is not something I'm interested in doing. Give it some more time and you'll be wishing I was back home instead of beating you at everything we do" I smirk.

"I haven't missed your competitiveness" he mumbles turning around and sitting down in the living room with everyone else.

I finish making lunch and prepare everyone's plates. On today's menu we have lasagna and green beans and garlic bread. We sit around the table and I give Bennett a bottle. I sit there and feed them while I talk to Emily about her possibly baby sitting so Kris and I can go out on a date.

"He's really easy, I promise. And if you have any issues we will come right home" I explain.

"He's an angel, I'm not worried. There's so much for him here that would give him the best chances to excel and I think he knows it. As long as he's home he'll be fine. For a one month he sure is attatched to you and Kris but you're a momma bear and he's your cub, I get it" she explains.

"What can I say, he's my everything. Well... him and Kris" I shrug.

"Yeah, love will do that to ya" she agrees.

After lunch Emily takes Ben and plays with him for a little while I cleaned up. Kris joins to help me, he usually does, as the guys mess around in the living room.

"I had a interesting conversation with Theo today" he starts as he hands me a plate to dry off. I'm a little old fashioned but it's giving us rare alone time right now so it's a blessing in disguise.

"What would that be" I wonder.

"The Cubs are doing a initiative on domestic violence. They feel like it a serious problem people aren't taking all that serious. In the months of June they have a bunch of fundraisers and things around Wrigley to raise awareness. And they're looking for a spokesperson. The first person they thought of was you but they weren't sure you would be into it" he starts.

"So they sent you to work on me" I ask trying to stay calm.

"No no, not at all. They're going to talk to you but they weren't sure if you were in a good mind frame yet. They asked me if I thought you would be comfortable with it."

"And what did you say?"

"I said that it's not my decision. That I couldn't imagine what you've been through so I couldn't tell them what you would think. In a perfect world I wouldn't even have to been asked this, and it sucks that I was. But it's up to you, I just wanted to warn you that they will be contacting you."

"I don't know how I'm supposed to tell my story, I could barley tell you. But I want to. I want to help people like me and show that things do get better."

"Why don't you start with our friends? They're all here, see how it goes wth them and go from there" he suggests. I feel the tears start and he pulls me into a hug. We don't say a word as he just holds me close.