Peyton shrugs and wiggles her way in between Liam and me, but leans her head on my bulging belly. Liam and I have decided to wait until the baby’s born to find out what we’re having. He thinks it’s a girl because it’ll be payback for how rotten he’s been and because Nick and Aubrey are having a boy. Liam says that this is his punishment. He says luck is not on his side and he’ll be damned if his daughter marries an Ashford. I usually just nod and agree with him, even though I think we’re having a boy.
At the end of the inning, Aubrey and I stand and stretch. Since Yvie moved to Beaumont two months ago, she’s been teaching us yoga. It’s helped a lot and I’ve been able to keep my weight gain to a minimum. Not too many expectant moms travel with their yogi, but having her on the trip has been amazing. She’s making sure our blood pressure doesn’t skyrocket from a combination of the heat, uncomfortable seating and ballpark food. I may or may not have eaten my fair share of hotdogs since I’ve been here. I blame the stress and the fact that I’m eating for two.
Noah takes the mound. He doesn’t look nervous at all, but Liam does. Liam’s hunched over, resting his elbows on his knees with his ball cap turned backwards. I know it’s hard for him to see Noah with Nick, but honestly, it’s been good for everyone involved. Nick loves coaching and has been offered the Varsity Coach spot at the high school. He’s yet to give them an answer, though; he says he needs to get through baseball first and discuss it with Noah.
Bianca, who was sitting with my mother, comes and sits next to Liam. He puts his arm around her and gives her a hug. This is another thing that’s transpired out of my impromptu trip to LA – a relationship with Bianca.
When we returned to Beaumont, he went to her and they talked for a long time. She spends more and more time at our house now, and she and I get along pretty well. I’m still hesitant in some regard, but I’m trying. It was Bianca and my mother who cleaned out the nursery to get it ready for this baby. We gave everything we had to Meredith and her son, Daniel. Meredith cried and apologized profusely, but it was the right decision. I see her every now and again at the park, but I don’t talk to her or ask to see Daniel. I’ve closed that chapter and moved on.
I asked Katelyn not to throw me a baby shower this time. One, I didn’t want to explain to everyone where the other baby was. Two, I want to buy stuff that I like and I’m waiting until I pop this sucker out before I splurge on too much. Katelyn promised me a massive shopping trip as soon as we’re back in Beaumont. It’ll be a girl’s weekend with the grandmas.
We’re tied one-one with Japan and everyone is on edge. The grandstands are split down the middle, with us having a large cheering section.
Junior Appleton is catching and as much as it pains me, he and Noah are good friends. Don’t expect me to invite Candy over anytime soon, though. I’m still not over her trying to steal Liam from me... twice.
I have to stand in between the batters Noah is facing and stretch. My back is starting to ache from sitting down for too long, but thankfully it’s almost over. We’re in the top of the fifth and we’re taking the field.
“You okay?” Liam asks as he hands me a bottle of water.
I nod and keep shifting from foot to foot, pressing my hands into my lower back to relieve some of the strain. “Just stiff from sitting for so long,” I tell myself. When Noah strikes out the third batter, ending the inning I sit back down, only to have fingers start kneading my back.
“Relax,” my mom says as she digs her fingers into my lower back. “You’re full of stress right now and there’s no reason to be.”
I take a long drink of my water and point to the dugout where her grandson is about to step up to the plate. “He’s my stress,” I tell her. “And yet he’s so calm about everything.”
“That’s because he’s just like Liam. I remember watching many games and biting my nails because I thought we were going to lose and there was Liam, cool as a cucumber.”
I bump my leg with Liam’s, and he smirks. “He was cocky, Mom, there’s a difference.”
Liam turns and winks and I blow him a kiss. When Noah’s name is announced over the loud speaker my mom stops rubbing my back so we can watch.
“Let’s go, Westbury, keep your eye on the ball!” Liam yells after Noah swings and misses.
He digs his right foot into the dirt before stepping in to face the batter again. The pitch is delivered and I reach for Liam’s hand, squeezing tightly, as Noah steps with his left foot and starts the bat rotation. The thwack of the ball hitting the bat ricochets loudly throughout the stadium. Our side is yelling at him to run, while the other side is yelling at their kids to drop the ball.