When Hate Turns to Love- Part 2

Ch. 10

Nini decided to wait until after the happy stuff to tell Ricky about the Ej situation. As soon as Ricky arrived back in LA from Phoenix, they had to head straight to Connor's first practice game.

"Daddy!" Charlotte cried, spotting her father.

Ricky dropped his bags and knelt to the ground, catching the twins in a hug.

"Hey Princess!" he kissed the top of her head, and then Connor's "I missed you Little Man! You ready for your game?"

"Yeah!" Connor said, "We gotta go!"

Ricky laughed and stood. He pulled Nini into his arms and kissed her.

"I really missed you." he purred into her ear.

"Ricky." she chastised, red-faced, "You do that on purpose."

"I love you." he said as they headed out of the airport.

"Uh-huh." she returned, smiling, "Where's Re-"

She stopped when she saw her un-official brother-in-law running to catch up with them, several different types of bags slung over his shoulders, an awful fanny-pack and suitcase in each hand.

"H-hey guys." the eccentric man panted.

"Red, what is all this?" Nini asked.

Red beamed.

"Every cheesy knick-knack he could find in every gift shop along the way." Ricky said dryly.

"Oh, you are so sweet, Red." Nini said, hugging her friend.

"I got you stuff too." Ricky pouted.

"Let's go!" Connor whined.

"Alright, Little Man," Ricky said, "We're coming."

LINE BREAK

"YOU CALL THAT A STRIKE! BOOOO!"

Nini jumped as Kourt yelled at the umpire. Kourt was a bit competitive.

"This is your last warning Miss." the coach said, "Tone it down or you're out of here."

"Stick it up your-" Kourt muttered.

"Kourt!" Nini exclaimed, covering Kourt's mouth, "Settle down. They're six."

"So?" Kourt cried, "That's no reason to be loose on the rules."

Ricky was laughing uncontrollably beside Nini. He thought Kourt was hilarious. She elbowed her husband. Brooke was trying to cover up her laughter.

"Where did Red go?" Nini asked, "Oh look, Connor's up!"

The whole group cheered.

"Kill 'em Connor! Make 'em cry!" Kourt shouted.

The other parents sent her dirty looks. Kourt pointed at Brooke when the coach turned around.

"She said it."

Brooke shoved Kourt.

Connor waved from home plate. Red re-appeared, camera in one hand, a handful of beef jerky in the other.

The first pitch came. Strike out. The second came. Strike out.

"It's okay Connor!" Nini called out.

"Eye on the ball Little Man!" Ricky shouted.

"Yay Con!" Charlotte yelled.

The pitch came and....CRACK!

"Whoo!" everyone shouted.

Connor ran to first base and second before stopping, but not before sending two players to home base. They all laughed as he did a little dance.

"He's a natural." Brookelynn commented, clapping.

"We might not have to pay for college." Ricky kidded.

"Let him be little." Nini said, still struggling with the fact that her little kids were growing up.

Soon Connor was sliding across home base, a big smile on his face. Nini was filled with pride seeing her son so happy. The game was over after that, with Connor's team, The Vipers, winning. They all went for ice cream to celebrate.

"So are you guys excited for the ultrasound Monday?" Kourt asked Ricky and Nini.

"Yes." Ricky grinned, "I can't wait."

"Will you be able to find out if it's a boy or a girl?" Brooke asked.

"No." Nini answered, "It's too soon."

"I'll bet it's a boy." Kourt said.

"I'll bet it's a girl." Brooke retorted.

The two friends stared at each other a moment.

"Fifty bucks?" Kourt asked, extending her hand.

"Fifty." Brooke agreed, and they shook on it.

"Really?" Nini asked, amused, "You are betting on my unborn child?"

"I'm in." Ricky said, surprising Nini, "I'm with Kourt. The baby is totally a boy."

"Nuh-uh." Red said through a mouthful of ice cream, "Brooke's right, it's a girl."

Brooke high-fived Red.

"Girl." Connor said, raising his hand.

"Alright little dude!" Red said, fist-bumping Connor.

"Boy." Charlotte said, crossing her arms and sticking her tongue out at her brother.

"That's my Princess." Ricky said, side-hugging the little girl.

Nini looked back and forth between her divided family. They all looked at her expectantly. She chuckled.

"I'm going to remain neutral on this." she decided, "That way I don't lose any money."

"Oh, come on Nins." Kourt whined, "Come join the dark side. I have cookies. And your husband."

Ricky waved cheekily.

Nini laughed.

"Nope. This'll be fun to watch." she said.

Each side tried, but they were unsuccessful in recruiting Nini. She was going to have fun with this.