protect my heart

6.

c h r i s t i a n

I woke up feeling like shit. It was the last spring training game before we would travel back to Milwaukee. The last thing I wanted to do was be benched for the last Arizona game, it's my last game as a Brewer in Phoenix. I had to play. Knowing Nadia, her motherly instincts would kick in and insist that I rest, but until I'm throwing up or unable to move, I'm gonna play.

I mean hey, Houser threw up on the mound and he still played.

Getting to the stadium, I really did everything to avoid Nadia seeing me. I'll admit, I looked pretty sickly, but I wasn't gonna let that stop me. I set my things down in my locker in the clubhouse and sat down, taking off my hoodie and changed my shoes.

"Yo, Yeli, you okay? You look horrible," Jacob said, causing me to look up at him.

I nodded, "I'm fine. Just woke up feeling a little nauseous, but I should be fine." I coughed into my elbow and took a sip of water.

"You look super pale." He commented, "I am guessing you didn't listen to your girl and didn't want to rest?" He chuckled.

I laughed, shaking my head, "I didn't even see her this morning. I tried to really avoid her when leaving the house because I know she would be the one to tell me to stay in bed." I look down at my phone and see it's Nadia calling, "Speaking of her..." I get up and answer the phone, "Hey you, what's up?"

"Did you go to practice already?" Nadia asked over the phone, "Willow woke up worrying about where you were..."

"Oh, yeah. I left a little early," I move my phone away from my face to cough, "I wanted to get a couple of work-outs in before actual field practice."

"Christian, you sound like shit. Are you feeling okay?" Nadia asked me. Shit, she was catching on.

I sigh, "Yeah, Nads. I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Just had some nausea but I'm fine." 

"I don't want you playing if you don't feel good, C." Nadia replied, "I know you'll say you're gonna play anyways, but, I think you should actually listen to your body for once.."

I just roll my eyes, thankfully she couldn't see me. "Nadia? I'm fine. I'm playing it by ear. If I don't feel good come game time? I'll take it easy. I'm not sitting out. It's the last game before we head back to Milwaukee, I'm not sitting out." 

She sighed, "Fine. I'll be there later with the kids. Just, be smart, okay?"

"I'll be fine, baby. I gotta go. Love you." I say before hanging up and just let out another sigh. I put my phone away and went to go get ready to take batting practice. 

***

After batting practice, I made my way back to the clubhouse and I could just feel my body getting worse. I couldn't sit out today, I just couldn't. It was my last spring training game ever, I wasn't going to let some stomach bug take that away from me. 

"Daddy!!" I hear a familiar voice yell and get closer and I turn to see my little Willow running towards me. "Hi, daddy!" Willow says as I pick her up. 

"Hi, princess. How are you doing?" I say, kissing her cheek and fixed her hat, "I like your hat!"

Willow giggled, "Thank you very much! I good! Mommy and Wy are coming!" 

"I would hope so! I didn't think you got here by yourself!" I laugh, resting her on my hip as I see Wyatt walking with Nadia. "There he is! There's my man!"

Wyatt came running towards me and hugged me, "Hi, daddy! You weren't home for breakfast!"

"I had some practice things to take care of, buddy. Last game before we go back home!" I ruffled up his hair a bit. "I see you're wearing a new shirt! Who got that for you?"

"Um.." he thought for a second, "Mommy, who got this for me?" Wyatt asked, looking up at Nadia.

Nadia laughed, "MLB gave it to you when you did that commercial!" She looked up at me, "How are you feeling?"

I shrug, "I'm a little better. I took batting practice and my stomach just felt weird, I mean, I still hit pretty good, but I know that my body is telling me not to play." Before Nadia could even speak, I held my hand up, "But, I'm playing today."

She just sighed and shook her head, "You never listen, Christian. You obviously don't feel good. I know how special this game is to you, but I can't have you just making your body feel worse and worse because you refuse to listen to it and just take a break.." Here we go....

"I have it under control, Nadia. I took some medicine, I'm fine." I explain to her, "Everything will be okay.." I set Willow down, holding her hand. "I have to get ready for the game. Are you kiddos coming with me? Or going with mom?" 

Willow let go of my hand, "I go with mommy.." She went over by Nadia and grabbed her hand. 

I look at Wyatt, who's kind of standing in between Nadia and myself, "Wy? You wanna come with me? You can be in the dugout again if you want!" 

Wyatt's eyes widened and he nodded quickly, "Yes, please, daddy! I'll be good, I promise!" 

I laugh and nod, "I trust you, buddy! Give mommy a hug and kiss." 

Wyatt did that and I kissed Nadia, "I'll make sure he behaves." I tell her, crouching down to Willow, "You better cheer loud for me! I wanna hear you yelling for me!" I kiss her cheek and open my arms so she can hug me. 

"I will, daddy! I make mommy cheer too!" Willow says as she hugs me back as tightly as she could.

"That's all that matters," I tell her and then look up at Nadia, "I love you." 

"I love you. Go get 'em, superstar.."