We Can See STARS

Future Chapter 16: We're Home!

June 2028-September 2028

Why they decided to schedule 1:05pm starts in the middle of the hottest month in Dallas was beyond your comprehension. The Rangers were in the middle of a slump which only added to the irritation and discomfort you felt from the dry blazing heat and from the always growing baby bump. You were counting down the days until you could go into maternity leave. Benn kept trying to convince you to ask for a longer leave of absence but you just couldn't give up your schedule and the excitement of being at the ballpark and it seemed like the twins thought the same thing since the only thing you seemed to be craving was ballpark food. Sitting up in the media booth behind home plate during games, your coworker would kindly or maybe out of fear of working alongside "Hangry pregnant Ana" would go and bring you some food every other inning.

The All star break offered you some much needed rest. Escaping the summer heat, you vacationed at Shawnigan Lake in B.C to visit Benn's side of the family. Your time by the lake was spent, barbecuing, swimming and enjoying Jordie and Jamie's crazy competitive side in full display at any game you all played. The days ended with everyone sitting around the firepit, the kids making smores and the adults enjoying some cold brews. Benn's mom would accompany you in drinking hot cocoa since you unfortunately couldn't have a beer in your current condition. You loved hanging out with his family and hearing all the adorable stories of shy chubby little Jamie. Both brothers joked with their mom about how she was so annoyed with having them wreak havoc at home, she signed them both up for junior hockey to get some much needed peace and quiet around the house. You joked that you would take note of that clever idea and do the same with the twins. As the temperature would start to fall deeper into the night you would cuddle up next to Benn enjoying his warm embrace and his flannel shirt that had soaked in the smell of the smoke coming from the firewood. You didn't know how you could get so lucky. Just then you felt the twins kick and move around. It was such a strange feeling. Benn quickly sat up straight, taken by surprise at the milestone. He was beaming and wanted everyone to come and feel. You couldn't really be mad at him for having everyone come and try and touch your belly because of his excitement, even though you would have preferred to not have the awkwardness of everyone touching you. Just as everyone was picking up their belongings to go inside the lake house you all had rented for the week, Jamie motions to you to stay behind with him for a bit. You were a bit cold and the warmth that the lake house offered, called out to you. However you hadn't had much alone time with Jamie so you stayed.

"W..what's up?" You ask between shivers wrapping the blanket you had around you a bit tighter

" I just want to say thank you."

"You're welcome..." You chuckle, " Thank you for what though?" Still a bit confused as to why he asked you to stay outside in the cold.

"Thank you for loving me, and my family and for being there for me these past eight years and being a light for me during my darkest times..." he stops for a moment, hands in his pockets his body swaying back and forth. He looked like a nervous teenager trying to spit out the words in order to ask the girl he likes out to prom.

" I love you too. You could have told me this inside where it's warm you know." you respond with a smile on your face, a look of slight confusion as well trying to figure out what was going on in that head of his. He lets out a soft chuckle and stays silent for a moment "Sooo should we head back inside or?" You motion towards the house

"No, wait there's one more thing. I wanted to give you something but didn't want to give it to you in front of everyone."

"Don't tell me it's that lingerie you wanted me to buy the other month."

"No! No That's not it." He shakes his head and nervously laughs. A look of relief on your face. He finally decided to stop acting weird and took out a little rectangular box from his pocket and handed it to you. You take the box and unravel the string around it and open the lid. Inside was a single silver key.