Chapter Twelve

Indya

A few moments after I hang up the phone with Atlas, I make my way back to the living room to begin our knitting session. I really do miss him, I thought not seeing him all the time during the season would be easy, but it is anything but. We have been out together on dates or just drives, just not as much as either of us would like. In the past four days, Haven has asked about him several times. She wants to call him and let him know what she has been up to too, just like she does with her Uncle Silas.

I am getting the yarn situated on my lap and handing Haven her own yarn, the television is paused on a YouTube video about Knitting for Beginners, for us to follow along with. Just as I am about to push play, my phone makes a sound, letting me know I have a text message.

Atlas: i also wanted 2 let u no the invite 2 come c me is 4 u, Haven, and Amara. i didn't want u to think that i only invite them so u would come, that is y i only asked if u would join me. hope to c u soon.

Oh my god! Atlas is seriously too good to be true. He is also right, if he would have invited all three of us while we were on the phone I would have gone out of obligation. I am so giddy I almost forget to respond to him.

Indya: That is awfully generous of you, Atlas. I will talk to Amara tonight when she gets home, and I will let you know after. Are you sure you want to cover all the expenses? We can help with the costs of the flight and car and rooms we will stay in.

Atlas doesn't respond back, which means he is getting ready for the game or already playing the game, but he will see it when he gets back to the locker room.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Haven getting a little impatient for me to push play. I decide I will give her news that will make her forget all about this knitting crap.

That was Atlas that messaged me something he forgot to say when he called a moment ago.

Haven's face lights up at the mention of his name. Coming home, soon? I miss him, mama. He's my best friend.

She sets her yarn and knitting needles next to her, moving mine out of the way as well, climbing into my lap for a cuddle. I turn her toward me, so she can see my signs.

No, he isn't coming home early. He did say he missed you though. What he asked is if we want to fly in a plane to see him for a couple of days. Is that something you would want to do?

Haven's smile is so broad now. She is so excited, she forgoes signing as her curls are bouncing this way and that, as she nods her head vigorously. I just laugh, thankful she's letting me off the hook on the knitting session this evening. Pun intended. I explained to her that we will talk more about it when Amara gets home from work tonight.

Haven runs to her room, bringing out her bracelet making kit, to start making some bracelets for some of his teammates. The last time we all had dinner together and Haven had seen that Atlas was still wearing the bracelet she made him, he told her all the guys were jealous. She told him to tell the guys not to worry, because she has plenty of charms and thread.

We are on the twelfth bracelet by the time Amara gets home, completely forgetting to start on dinner. She does her usual greeting then goes to her room to change out of her work clothes, then settles in next to us on the living room floor.

Are we ordering pizza tonight? I feel like a super cheesy slice would make my day better. How about you, Haven? You feeling like pizza tonight?

Haven nods her head, hands still working on her bracelets, done with conversation, only wanting to complete her task before bedtime. So, I decide to tilt my head toward the kitchen so I can let Amara in on Atlas's request, and get her opinion on what we should do.

"Are you telling me, that Atlas wants to fly the three of us to Chicago, where we will travel with a professional baseball team, and go to two MLB games and spend an entire day with him and hopefully his team, all on his dime?"

I can't tell if she thinks it's crazy or if she is excited, her face is giving nothing away, neither is the tone in her voice.

"I know. I think it is too much, I told him that we can help with the purchases or something, but he said he wanted to take care of everything. He misses us and wants to see us," I nibble my bottom lip, looking anywhere but at her.

"Are you out of your beautiful fucking mind, Indya? The man is obviously obsessed with you, and us. He said he misses all of us. Even me. Fuck yeah, I am down for a mini vacation. I am going to email my supervisor now and let them know I will not be in for the next three days due to a personal matter. Shit I need to go pack. What cities are we going to, so I know what to bring?"

"We fly into Chicago, from there we head to Minneapolis, but we get a free day in between games, to hang out or whatever they have planned, and after the game in Minneapolis, he will fly us home. Are you sure you are okay with this?"

"I am positive. I am fucking ecstatic for this trip. Do you know the best thing about baseball games besides the stadium hot dogs? Baseball players and their baseball pants. Jesus, I am getting turned on just thinking about it. What time is our flight there, so I can make sure I am ready and have everything ready to go before then?"

Okay then she really is excited. I text Atlas and let him know that everyone is onboard for the trip and Haven is in the process of making thirty bracelets for the team and some of the coaches. His response has my breath catching in my throat.

Atlas: im excited 2 c u all. ur flight leaves portland @ 8 a.m. ill have sum1 there to get u and bring u 2 the hotel.

I let Amara know and she runs off to start packing. The pizza arrives and we all take a seat at the table and devour the cheesy goodness. We tell Haven we are going to see Atlas and she is thrilled.

After getting everything packed up for the next couple of days, making sure I pack plenty of things to keep Haven occupied so she doesn't get restless. We all shower and head to bed, excited for the next couple of days.

The flight and drive to the hotel was uneventful. Chicago is nice and warm, but a little breezy. No wonder it is called the windy city. We are staying in the Ritz-Carlton, the fanciest place any of us has ever stayed. It has two bedrooms, a huge living room, and a view of the Navy Pier and Lake Michigan that will take anyone's breath away. We just finished getting settled in the rooms, Amara decided that she is going to bunk with Haven, in case I get lucky. I just go along with it, because she doesn't know I haven't had sex with Atlas yet.

We start getting ready to go to the game, we won't be able to see Atlas until after the game is over, when there is a knock on the door. Amara goes to answer it, since I am trying to tame the curls on my daughter's head.

Amara comes back into the room holding several boxes.

"What do you have there? Who was at the door? I hope it wasn't the driver, because I still have to get ready once I am done with Haven's hair," I tell Amara as she sets the boxes on the bed next to me, causing Haven to jump up and check out each box.

Please wait for us to see what it is first, Haven. I need to finish your hair before we open anything, okay?

Haven's shoulders drop and she plops back down in front of me. When I am finished, her hair looks like two little pom-poms setting atop her head. She is too cute for her own good, I swear.

Looking at the packages that Amara sat on the bed, they each seem to have each of our names on them, and then there is a small rectangle box that also has Haven's name. I hand the boxes to the correct person, and we all count to three and open the medium sized boxes.

Each box holds a baseball jersey with the number 8 and Kensington stitched across the top of the back. The red and black colors are stark and vibrant against the gray color of the shirt. There is also a white jersey displaying the same name and number. Amara explained that the difference is gray is for away games and white is for home games. I cannot believe he got all three of us official jerseys, just like the one he wears on the field.

Let's see what is in your rectangle box, Haven.

Okay, mama. When we done, you put this on me, please?

I nod yes and sit her between Amara and I and we all look to see what Atlas has given her. Haven lifts the lid, and once it is open, Amara gasps, Haven looks at me then back in the box, then to me again. Her little eyes are filled with tears, I wrap my arm around her shoulder and Amara does the same from the other side.

Nestled inside the box is a locket in the shape of a heart with baseball stitching on it, the locket is open showing a picture of Atlas and Haven on one side and me and Amara on the other side. The pictures were taken when we were all feeding the ducks in between Atlas's workout and baseball practice a couple of weeks ago.

Why? The tears have broken free from Haven's eyes, the confusion on her face is almost heartbreaking.

The only male that has been in her life and treats her well is my brother Silas, and he has never given her jewelry. When I start to respond to her, I see a note tucked into the side of the box that the necklace came in. I give it a once over, then read it to Haven and Amara.

Princess Haven,

I hope you accept this necklace as a promise from me. I promise to protect you like a prince, love you like a parent, and be best friends with you until the very end. This locket represents the two women who are closest to you in life and in heart, and me, who wants to be a part of not only your mama's life, but yours as well.

Enjoy the game, I will see you after we win.

Love, Atlas

"That man is beyond words. I think you found a good, babe. He says he has a brother, I wonder if I can get in on that family. Well unless he is nothing like Atlas, then I will keep my eye open for my own ballplayer. But seriously, Indya, if you don't want him, can I have him? I'm joking! I am extremely happy that you two found each other, and even more thrilled that he thinks the world of Haven and treats her like the princess she is," Amara coos.

He really is a good one. I don't think I have ever been this happy in my life. For myself and for Haven. He is in for a big surprise when we see him after the game.

The driver picks us up in a blacked-out SUV, which he says is for privacy. I'm not sure why we need privacy, we are no one special, and we are doing the American tradition of going to a ball game, like a lot of people do. But I don't question it.

When we arrive, there is a tall, lanky man, with a headset and iPad, wearing a white polo shirt and a pair of khaki shorts. He introduces himself as Steve and he is telling a bunch of information that Mr. Kensington wanted us to know. I really hope Amara is listening, because all I can do is look around.

The only thing filling my nose is hot dogs and popcorn, with the occasional whiff of cotton candy. We haven't even made it to our seats yet and I can feel the energy here. It is electric, a feeling so strong that it is something you feel even after you leave the ballpark and go home.

The atmosphere is so welcoming, you can't help but smile. We walk towards a red marquee, and follow Steve through the doors, then followed him as he turned multiple times, and then rode an elevator. Steve tells us that Mr. Kensington has us sitting in the family box, but we are the only family in attendance today.

I don't correct him when he states that we are Atlas's family, because I don't know what he told them about us to get us here on such short notice. He opens the door to what seems to be a private room with a huge window facing the field. I can see the ivy growing on the wall at the back of the field. The view is beautiful, I have no words on its beauty.

There is a snack bar already filled with hot dogs, nachos, corn dogs, popcorn, peanuts, water, juice and soda. There is even wine chilling in a bucket of ice with two glasses not far from it. Different types of candy and cotton candy are just on the other side of the food and drinks, which I appreciate, because Haven would refuse everything except the candy selection.

Steve tells us the phone on the wall is to call for service should we need anything, other than that we will not be disturbed and to enjoy the game and the Wrigley Field experience. Without another word, he politely lets himself out and it is just the three of us.

This place feels like magic, mama.

I feel it, too, baby girl. Let's get some food and snacks and get settled before the game starts, that way we don't have to get up and don't miss anything important.

The three of us pile a little of everything on the trays they have sitting next to the food and get settled in the seats right at the window.

Someone was kind enough to have a booster seat in here, because had that not been in here, Haven would not be able to see in the chair alone.

The National Anthem has been sung and the game is in the sixth inning. The Legends are up by two runs and are up to bat. It shocks me that I know this much about baseball, when I have never had any interest in the game until I met Atlas.

The announcer says that Atlas is up to bat, so I let Haven know, so she can go up to the window, where she has been anytime, he is in the outfield or up to bat.

She jumps up and steps on the step stool we found so she can have a better look. She is beaming, grinning from ear to ear, hands pressed, and face squished against the window as if she is trying to get closer. Her breath is fogging up the window so she keeps moving all around so she can see.

I tap her on the shoulder, you have to stay still so you don't fall, Haven, move your face from the window and it wouldn't fog up.

She doesn't respond, only moves her head back. All of a sudden, I hear a loud crack, the sound being from the bat making contact with the ball. I jerk my head around, as I see Atlas running the bases. He hit a home run!

Amara is now standing next to me at the window, jumping and screaming. Haven is pounding on the window and shaking her little hips in excitement. I just stand there in awe at his athletic abilities, smiling.

As Atlas passes third and crosses home base, his team is there to congratulate him. His eyes come straight to us, in his family box he reserved just for us to use today. He holds up his arm, the one with the bracelet on it, his hand making the sign for ‘I love you' in the air. This sends Haven into a frenzy, she is returning the gesture with one hand and smacking me with the other.