How to Save A Life (Anthony Rizzo)

56- Baby Showers Bring May Flowers

Clara

Right before I hit the seven month mark of my pregnancy Anthony's mom and a Farrah insists on throwing me a baby shower. I did want one, but I hate when people give me things and I didn't want it to be this big extravagant thing. I wanted it to be intimate and small and fun for everyone, no awkward games or dressing up. Just celebrating the fact that our family is about to grow and the first little Rizzo is coming into the world.

So we just had it at the house, a little get together in the back yard. There was pink and grey things like balloons and streamers hanging up around the place. There was a bunch of snacks and drinks out on this warm late May day. People could swim or sit by the garden, if Maddie is feeling up to it the kids can play with her.

"How you feeling Mama" Aliya asks as she comes up to me. She pulls me into a hug and I squeeze her tight. I was so thankful Dexter and his family got to stick around for this season. I've been through so much with Aliya and I would have really missed her if Dexter signed with the Orioles.

"Really good. Besides the usual headaches and swollen ankles I'm fine. I pop some Advil and have Anthony rub my feet and I'm good to go" I admit.

"Wow, I wish Dexter did that for me" she scoffs.

"You're feet are disgusting" Dexter says as he joins me and his wife.

"Only because you wouldn't rub them" she reminds him.

"Surrre" he says and she taps his chest.

"I'm really happy you guys got to stay here in Chicago with us" I admit. Like really happy.

"Me too" Dexter admits. "This is like a second family to me. I love being here" he insists.

"I'm glad you guys could make it out today. Don't be shy, eat a bunch of food and play in the pool" I encourage.

"Can't wait" Aliya smiles.

I walk around and say hi to everyone who was kind enough to come out. It was mostly guys from the team and their families, some of my painting friends, and some of Anthony's friends. We had a lot of friends, technically, I guess. But as far as close friends our group wasn't all that big. But a baby shower isn't the most personal thing ever, it's a way to come together for fun games and gift giving. Besides, who doesn't like babies?

"Where is the baby momma" Anthony yells and I laugh.

"I'm right here" I say as he follows the sound of my voice. He appears and quickly grabs my hand. He pulls me behind him to the big table with a box on it and I stop before I nearly run into him.

"Do you mind telling me what's going on" I ask.

"We're going to cut the cake before opening presents" he claims.

"Oh! Okay, that sounds like fun" I admit.

He takes the box off the cake and reveals a beautiful cake. The first level was the painting I made on Christmas Eve of when I told him we were expecting a baby and the other one was one I did for when the baby gets here I completed not too long ago.

"How" I ask as I look at how detailed it was.

"I have my connections" he claims and I roll my eyes.

"Just kiss already" Kris yells and I laugh. Anthony pulls me into a deep kiss and our friends let out a holler to celebrate that we conformed to peer pressure. The usual.

We cut the cake and hand it out to everyone. It tasted just as good as it looked, even Daisy liked it. After everyone gets a slice we head over to the table full of gifts where Laurie was waiting for us. We sit in the seats and everyone sits around us as they watch us open presents.

We got a lot of clothes, some cute tutus from the girls and some jerseys from the boys. Let's just say that she is ready for a lot of baseball to be played. On top of that there was plenty of other things we needed like bottles and teething toys and regular toys. Since a lot of the people on the team had kids, literally 80% of them, there was a lot of pro tips too. Jake and his family got us the sensitive soaps and washes that will be good for her skin. Farrah got us a lot of things that will help with baby proofing the house. Anthony's mom got us a diaper bag already packed and ready for us to use. It was helpful that Anthony's team was young but mature, it made me feel better about the position we were in too.

After about half a hour all the gifts were opened and the thank you cards were already in the mix. The great thing about being crafty is that it made doing things like invitations and gifts so easy to do. So even though I already thanked everyone a million times already, I can still send out cute little notes to let them know that they're truly appreciated.

But as the time passes on this beautiful day it starts to come time for people to leave. They had families of their own to care for and it was time for them to go do that. The cake was gone and the drinks were drank, duty calls for whatever awaits everyone at home and so we all go back to our lives too.

Laurie stays back to help us clean up and we get everything squared away. All the extra food we had she takes to a homeless shelter before going up to her room for the night. We insisted she stayed here since we had the room, but she was tired and wanted to take a bath and go to bed so we let her be.

And after everything was taken care of Anthony and I make it our mission to get everything put away. Daisy's room was starting to come together finally and we were excited because that just meant it was even closer to her finally being here.

"There's one more present" Anthony claims as he hands me a small box.

"Oh yay, who am I writing a thank you card for now" I wonder.

"Me" he claims.

"You" I ask.

"Yeah. I got you a little gift. Open it" he insists.

I open the box like I'm holding and I see a necklace. It had a daisy on the end with the initials D.C.R on it. I smile big as I look up at Anthony.

"This is so sweet, but why did you do this" I ask.

"A baby shower is a celebration of bringing a new life form into this world. And you always say you wanted to keep moments like this in your heart forever. So I figured I could get you something that could rest over your heart forever" he explains.

"Oh sweetie, that's incredibly nice of you" I say. "Can you put it on for me" I ask and he nods his head.

He takes the necklace from me and wraps it around my neck. I look down and see the little flower resting on my chest.

"It's beautiful, thank you" I say.

"Anything for you."