Charlotte grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia with none other than Atlanta Braves rookie, Dansby Swanson. They remained close through college despite heading separate ways and now they are both back in Atlanta, Dansby with the Braves and Char...
MLB Opening Day had come and gone. The boys had opened the season away - first in New York playing the Mets, the heading on to face the Pirates and the Marlins. Finally, they headed home for the Suntrust Park opening series against the Padres.
Lucy and I had already made plans to attend most every game we could. With me working nights, I knew I would miss some night games, but there was absolutely no way I was missing the first regular season game in Suntrust.
Ender and I had met for breakfast that morning before he headed to the park for team stuff.
"I wish you would not have bought tickets, I could have gotten you a seat." He complained, drinking the last of his coffee.
"Ender, we have been over this. I bought tickets for this day long before I knew we would still be talking. You weren't even speaking to me when I bought these. It's fine. It's one game."
"I could get you better seats, though."
I shook my head no. "I don't think any seat is going to be a bad seat."
He pulled a pass out of his pocket and handed it to me. "At least take this and come see me before the game."
I looked down and saw it was a club house pass so I could see him before the game. I was nervous about being around the team....I had met some of the guys at Spring training but had not met many wives or girlfriends. I wasn't even sure if anyone knew Ender and I were talking. I wasn't even sure where exactly we stood, as in would he introduce me to someone as his girlfriend or what? I knew today of all days was not the day to bring that up though.
Ender must have sensed my nervousness at being a little more "involved" with the team and the family aspect of the team.
"No te preocupes tu preciosa cabecita. Don't worry your pretty little head. Dansby got Lucy a pass so you will have her and anyone who meets you will love you." He leaned over and kissed my temple before throwing some money down on the table for our bill. "Come on, I have to get to the ball park and you need to rest some before the game. You can't work all night and stay up all day like this. I get worried about you not sleeping."
I rolled my eyes at him. No one quite understood the life of a night shifter until they have actually worked it, but to give him credit, he did try to understand.
"I didn't work last night, En. I slept."
"But you worked the night before and stayed up to help me go tv shopping. I'm trying to keep you caught up."
We had gotten to our separate cars by that time and Ender opened my door so that I could climb in.
"Hasta luego." I said with a big grin. Ender just rolled his eyes, leaned over to kiss my cheek and headed to his car and off to the field. -------------------
Lucy and I had gone shopping and got manis and pedis after I left breakfast with Ender. We were long overdue for a girls day. I tried to pry her for information on her and Dansby, since both Ender and I felt like there were sparks there, but she said she absolutely did not want to talk about it. I think they both felt weird talking to me about it because they knew how close I was to the other party involved and didn't want to make things weird.
"Let's discuss you and Ender instead. Have y'all spent the night with each other yet?" She wiggled her eyebrows at me.
"Honey, he hasn't even kissed me yet. I mean he has kissed me on the forehead, my cheek, nose, you name it. He told me when he finally kisses me for real the build up will make it worth it but I'm about to die!"
"Maybe tonight?" She said. "It is a special night. Maybe he's waiting for something special."
I shrugged and pushed it to the back of my mind. It was a non-issue really because I really enjoyed where we were at in our "relationship" and was more Jan willing to let it take its course naturally.
A few hours later we were pulling up to Suntrust Park. I had mixed feelings about being in a new ballpark. I had many good memories with my grandad at The Ted. We had gone to many games every year there. He had passed away the year before and so when the Braves ended their run at Turner Field, it felt like I was saying goodbye to him again.
"Let's walk around a little and then go see the boys." Lucy suggested, smoothing her jersey out as we walked through the gates. She had worn jeans, a Braves jersey and converses. I opted for some dark jeans rolled up, a long white tee and jacket, with a Braves hat.
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We explored the park a little, but she could tell I was antsy to see Ender so we headed to the gate that Ender and Dansby had explained to us and showed our passes to the man at the door. I texted Ender to let him know we were coming back, but I wasn't sure if he would see it before we got to him.
"Y'all made it!" Dansby saw us walk in first. I gave Dansby and Ender big hugs and they introduced us to some of the people hanging around. Ender held on to my hand the whole time, introducing me as "his girl". I guess that answers my question, I thought to myself as the boys took us on a small tour of the clubhouse.
It was soon time for us to head to our seats so the boys could get ready to take the field. Ender pulled me off to the side and leaned against the wall in the hallway, pulling me into a hug. I rested my head on his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist.
"Knowing you are in the stands watching me has me all messed up on the inside." He admitted.
"In a bad way?" I questioned, pulling back to look at him, worried.
"No, not really bad. I want to play well so you will be proud of me. I'm nervous, but excited."
"I will be proud of you no matter what. You know that right?"
Ender leaned down and placed a light kiss on my lips. Finally! He pulled away quickly though, and pulled my head back down to rest on his chest. "I want to really kiss you so bad right now, but I will lose all my focus. Más tarde, princessa. Later I will kiss you like you deserve to be kissed."
I was sure I had melted into a puddle at Ender's feet. Somehow I managed to gather myself together enough to place one more kiss on his lips before heading out the door and up to my seat.
