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...
A few weeks had gone by and thankfully I was able to get both of my casts off. I had to do physical therapy 2 times a week and was in a walking boot for my leg.
Ender and I had discussed my job and while he certainly didn't try to make any decisions for me, he had made some good points.
"Look, Lettie," he had said as we laid in bed one night after a game. "An emergency room is busy and fast paced. It's going to take you some time to be running around on your feet for twelve plus hours. Maybe a slower paced job is best for right now."
I knew he was probably right so I had applied and got a part time job at a pediatricians office nearby with plans to return to the hospital setting once I was 100% better.
Tonight was the first game I was going to go to and sit in the stands since Opening Day. I'm not going to lie, I was nervous. I had met some of the other wives and girlfriends before but not spent any extended amount of time with them. And I had not been to a game since the accident as it was too hard to get around all the people.
"Charlie!!!" Nick yelled as I walked into the clubhouse. "Ender told us you were making your return today. Glad you're doing better!"
I have him a hug along with Julio and Ozzie, who I had hung out with a little at Ender's house.
"Hey Dans," I walked over to the couch where he was sitting on his phone. He looked up and pulled me into a tight hug.
"You ok?" He whispered. He knew I felt a little panicked about coming since last time was the night of my wreck.
I nodded and jumped as I felt someone's arms wrap around me from behind. I turned to see Ender and smiled.
"Hey, baby. You made it. You look beautiful."
I had decided to be festive and found a super cute dress in Braves colors. I went between that or wearing Ender's jersey but so far we had managed to keep our relationship pretty low profile and if I sat with some of the wives and girlfriends with his jersey on, it would only be a matter of time. Not that we wanted it to be a secret, but the two of us were enjoying the privacy while we could.
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"Are you packed?" Ender asked, nuzzling my neck from behind.
The guys were leaving for a road series right after the game and Ender had asked me to come with them. I was able to work my schedule at work around it and I was excited.
"Mmmm,I cannot wait to get to the hotel room tonight and see what you look like under that dress." Ender half whispered, but I knew others heard. I turned and hit his chest.
"Shhhh. Aren't you supposed to be focused on the game?"
"I'm just happy you're finally feeling good enough to come see me and travel with me." He shrugged.
After visiting with the guys for a little while, the girls all headed to our seats along the first base line. I gave Ender a good luck kiss and a pat on the butt.
"What?" I asked when he gave me a funny look. "Isn't that what you guys do?"
(Later that night)
The Braves had won so the plane ride was probably going to be pretty noisy, Ender had explained to me. Everyone would be talking about the best plays and reliving the game. Ender had a 5 hit night, which I was so proud of.
Ender gave me the window seat and slid in beside me, lifting the arm rest in between us and pulling me close to him.
"Proud of you," I whispered to him. We were surrounded by noise but I felt like we were in our own little bubble.
"I love you." He replied.
I hesitated, shocked because that is not what I expected to come out of his mouth.
"Don't respond," he said. "You don't have to say it back yet. It's been on my mind and I know this crowded plane is not the best place for me to tell you this but I love you."
I pulled him to me and kissed him deeply. I had just slid my hands up under his untucked dress shirt, forgetting for a minute that we were on a crowded plane, when Dansby hit him in the back of the head from the seat behind us, ruining the moment.
"Gross, guys. Can't you wait."
"He's just jealous," Ender said, leaning back in his seat with a satisfied grin and closing his eyes to take a nap, his arm still keeping me tucked tightly to his side.
-------------- ENDER'S POV
If there is one thing I have learned from my father passing away, it is to tell the people you love that you love them when you get the chance because you may not get to tell them again.
So, that is why after coming to the conclusion during the game that I loved Charlotte, I decided the best time to tell her would be on a crowded, noisy airplane.
I did not expect her to say it back, so I was not hurt at all when she didn't. Her reaction, however, was a very positive one so I felt at ease now that I had said it.
"I know you need sleep," Charlotte said when we got to our hotel room. "But....you said you wanted to see what was under this."
Her dress was on the ground before I could blink.
"I did say that, didn't I?"
I pulled my shirt over my head and sat on the couch, motioning for her to come to me. She got to the couch and straddled my hips, but not before unbuckling my belt and unzipping my pants. I did not know where this side of her came from because she normally let me take the lead, but I liked it. I lifted my hips and pushed my pants off, holding onto her waist so she didn't fall.
"Ender," she gasped, her head rolling back and her hands coming to my shoulders to brace herself.
I knew it would not be long with how frantic and needy both of us seemed. The room was filled with the sound of both of us breathing heavy.
"Ender," she whispered.
"Yes, baby. What is it?"
"I love you."
That was it. We both went over the edge, I swear I saw stars even. She loved me. She LOVED me. We rode it out until we both were able to regain a small bit of composure. I brushed her sweaty hair back from her face and looked into her eyes, still inside her and not wanting to move.
"Say it again, Lettie baby. Tell me again."
"I love you." She said, still out of breath. "I love you, Ender David."
