Wildflower (Kris Bryant)

43 Rookie Of The Year

Kris

Even though baseball for me had been over for a little while it comes time to announce the end of season awards. They announced Joe as manager of the year and Jake as Cy Young for being the best pitcher anyone has seen in a really long time. Today they are going to announce rookie of the year and I was nervous to say the least. Losing this wouldn't deter my whole career. There was a lot of good rookies this year so it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. But everyone telling me that I was going to win was getting my hopes up.

"What should I wear" I ask Serenity as we have our in our room. She stands next to me as we look at the different outfits set out on the bed.

"You realize I dress like a hippie every day right" she asks and I smile.

"If I'm not mistaken you told me that we had to take a look at my wardrobe when we first met anyway" I accuse.

She just giggles at me as she pulls out a pair of jeans and a Cubs shirt. "Yeah. But we can't be that couple that dresses alike too. We will never hear the end of it" she defends.

"I could use some more color" I insist.

"And that we can agree on. But for tonight wear that and don't make fun of me if I ugly cry if you win" she warns.

So I get changed and we decide to have them set up the camera crew in the reading nook because it's us. There was some of my post it's up from the books Serenity has read and it gave a little color with the sun coming in through the windows. I sit in the nook as they set up everything and let out a sigh. My parents were here too and I hope this wasn't all for nothing.

"Hey babe, why the long face" Serenity asks as she sits in my lap. I wrap my arms around her and pull her closer as she curls up in the nook.

"I just feel like this is a big set up to be let down" I sigh.

"Hey now, look at me" she insists as she rests her finger under my chin. I look into her big brown eyes and feel every wall I built fall to me feet. "No matter the outcome of this you will always be the best in the eyes of everyone around here. You've been in the major league for what, a year? And you're already being seen as one of the greatest who will play this game? I mean, look around you right now. Your family and the cameras are here because of what you did. No one can take that from you" she says.

I just smile at her because I was so so lucky that I found this girl sitting in the park and decided that I couldn't leave there without talking to her. "I love you so much" I whisper as I slip my fingers into her hair. She leans into my hand as she closes her eyes. Her lips pull into a smile as she embraces me.

"I love you most" she replies softly.

I pull her into a kiss and we sit there for a second. This nook is turning into the best place in the world for me, I already know it is for her. But out of all of the memories we've made in the short time we're here, the ones in this little hole in the wall were my favorite.

Finally it comes time and we get ready for the announcement. My parents and Ren join me in front of the camera as they talk about each candidate for rookie of the year. I hold my breath as they take out the envelope. "And this years National League Rookie Of The Year goes to...

Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs. Bryant hit .273 with 28 home runs and 99 RBI. He helped the team to their first NLCS appearance since 2003 and shined in the post season.

We now join Kris in his home to talk to him about this honor. Kris... how are you feeling" they ask.

I just blink a bunch of times before answering. "I don't even know what to say right now. This whole season kinda feels like a dream and this is no exception. I had such a fun time getting to play my game on the biggest stage this year, baseball has always been a passion for me and my first year didn't let me down. I feel incredible and blessed right now" I explain.

"What was the hardest part of your first season in the majors" they wonder.

"Being all over the continent and back. It's a lot of scheduling and having to be places even though you just want to sleep in or have some McDonalds. Luckily my girlfriend here was my personal assistant so she kept me straight and made sure I put in time for myself to focus on me and not let everything get the best of me" I explain.

"And what was your favorite part of this season" they ask.

"Easily the wildcard game. With my girlfriend just getting a new heart I didn't want her to feel like she had to come out to Pittsburg, but it's no secret it means the world to me when she's at my games. My parents surprised me and picked her up for the game. So she got to be there and witness one of the most dominate games we had the whole season besides Jakes no hitter. It just was an amazing time for me to have my first year here" I say.

"You and your family and your girlfriend started up a foundation in the middle of all of this, right" they ask.

"Yeah! We started Turn The Page when Serenity was in the hospital waiting for her new heart" I smile.

"A lot of players have foundations but this is obviously special to you. Why" they wonder.

"Because there are a lot of people out there suffering from a bad heart. And it's not just older people, children and teenagers all suffer the same. Ren has been fighting this kind of stuff her whole life. This disease takes so much from people just waiting for their heart to give out, but books can give some of that back. And I know this day and age not a lot of people read, or if they do they have a tablet. But we bought the bus and filled it with books to remind people how they can still be a kid. Just sit there with a book in their lap and get lost in a world they're not sick in" I explain.

"Well I couldn't think of a better person to win this award. Congratulations on a great rookie year and keep up all the good work you've done on and off the field" they insist.

"I'll try my best" I smile.