Christian threw his glove into his locker, pissed at himself. He had so many opportunities. So many chances to come up and be the MVP the city expected. Instead, he struck out on three pitches in the bottom of the 8th.
This season was a disappointment for himself. It didn't matter what personal milestones he met. It didn't matter that he was at 29 homers in late June. None of it mattered. His team wasn't doing well. He wasn't doing well enough to help his team.
Christian roughly ran his hands through his hair and checked his phone, his heart clunking against his ribs as he saw Elena's name pop up.
Hey. Jonas and I are going to go to the team store. Text me when you're ready for us to come down there.
The text was sent 5 minutes ago and, honestly, Christian wanted nothing more than to revel in Elena's hugs in that moment.
Hey I'll be ready when you get down here. Is Jonas hungry?
Usually, Christian just went over to Elena's house after a game like this. She would make him leftovers and they'd talk on the couch until about midnight, when Christian knew that Elena would start dozing.
The six weeks they had been friends had been monumental for Christian. He felt as if he'd matured so much; he even called off whatever he was doing with that model in LA.
He didn't want that life anymore. The life where he made the choice that was objectively safe. Where he didn't have to show vulnerability and he wouldn't be at risk of being used. He knew from the get-go what she wanted.
At the time, he appreciated that. Now, however, he wanted nothing more than to feel genuinely cared for. To feel like someone wanted him for more than his dick and his wallet.
He wanted Elena. And he would wait; forever if he needed to.
***
"Hi," Christian said gently, a content smile on his face. Elena had that effect. Calming.
Encouraging.
"Hi back," the woman smiled, gently rubbing Jonas' head. He was so shy. So traumatized by the circumstances of her husband's death.
Christian knelt down in front of Jonas, attempting to make himself less foreboding to the anxious boy.
"Hi Jonas," he said carefully. "My name is Christian. I'm happy to meet you."
He knew to be cautious and to be patient.
"Mama," the four year old whispered, drawing closer to Elena and looking away from Christian.
"I'm sorry," Elena mouthed, seeing the dejected puppy look on her friend's face.
Christian sighed sadly and shrugged, slowly standing up.
"I'll grab him my good chair... it's comfy and he can rest there," he smiled a bit, gently squeezing Elena's shoulder as he walked away.
He knew it would take time; that Jonas had lost his father. He just had to be patient.
...so patient.
***
"Hey, HP. I know that Christopher likes to use my chair when he's here, but do you think I can borrow it? A friend of mine brought her son to the game, and he's sleepy. I figured he could nap," Christian smiled at his friend, his heart warming at the grin he was rewarded with. He'd been working on his Spanish, as a lot of his teammates and friends spoke the language.
It was worth the frustration just to see the grins of his teammates. It was worth enduring the merciless teasing just to see them not have to struggle to find the right word.
"Por supuesto, amigo mío," Hernán replied, wheeling the unnecessarily expensive piece of furniture over.
Upon reaching Christian's locker, he saw an obviously overwhelmed young boy playing with his hands.
"Hello, little friend," he said with a smile, sitting on the bench in front of the boy. "My name is Hernán. What is yours?"
Jonas looked up at the man in front of him, sensing the paternal instinct and energy he exuded.
"Jonas Henry. I'm named after my daddy and Hans Jonas," he said with a small smile, matter-of-factly repeating the story he'd been told about his name.
"Those are two great names, buddy. Are you hungry?" the Latin man asked, his body language open and welcoming. He grinned at the four-year-old's hesitant nod, showing him to the food display that Christopher was raiding through.
"You can have anything you want, bud. I'll hold your plate so it doesn't drop."
Christian watched the exchange, a little bit of hurt in his eyes. He was trying. And he didn't know why he scared Jonas. He didn't know what he could do to make it better.
"He's been so anxious and over cautious since Henry died. I think watching his dad die... he only trusts other parents since. Henry tried to protect him and-," Christian heard the break in Elena's throat and gently took her hand.
He knew how hard it was for her to talk about Henry. He knew that it was still a fresh wound.
He didn't know that Jonas was there for the accident. It all made more sense now.
He'd just have to continue his patience.
***
Christian watched as Elena tucked Jonas in, trying and failing to get him to change out of his new Pérez shirsey.
"He's a good kid," Christian smiled a bit, holding out a hard cider for his friend. She wasn't much of a drinker, but they had a tradition of a cider before an off day. Just to unwind from the stress of the week, in Elena's case, or the recent series, in Christian's case.
"He is. He'll warm up, Christian. Just give him time," Elena plead, shifting towards the dip in her coach that was the result of Christian taking a seat.
"I want him to take all the time he needs," he smiled softly, his hand clenching as he resisted the urge to squeeze her leg.
Patience, Yeli. He berated himself, getting lost in Elena's crystal blue eyes as she confirmed his statement.
"Thank you for being so understanding," the words and Elena's head hitting his shoulder was enough to pull him out of his trance.
"He's working so hard and adjusting to things. I can afford to be patient for the boy I care for so much," he spilled, unable to stop his arm from wrapping around the beauty sitting so close to him.
His heart stuttered in his chest as Elena relaxed into him and focused on the mindless episode of Counting On.
Though their initial meeting was less than stellar, Christian was beyond thrilled that he had time to be friends with the woman in his arms.
He would do anything to ensure she saw no pain.
YOU ARE READING
Cough Syrup
Lãng mạnWhen Elena lost her husband, she had accepted that life was just going to be her and her son, Jonas. That was until she met Christian Yelich -- Milwaukee Brewers superstar and surprisingly great man. Now her life was changed forever.
