Chapter 5

Parker

We were moved in. I couldn't believe we'd actually pulled it together in time. If Scott wouldn't have helped, I don't know that I would have made it before the season started. I guess we helped each other really. He was awesome the whole time, and he would never know how much I appreciated what he'd done for us, even though he gave me shit about touching his little girl every chance he got.

Cassie finally quit working. Yes, it had only been months, but that was too damn long for me. She made me wait until we were moved in, and I did, not so patiently either.

Jenny, Jeff, and Jake loved their rooms. We'd let them pick out their own things to decorate, and I was so happy, they'd all picked baseball themes. Cassie thought it was a bit much, but I didn't, not at all. I was ecstatic. I'd toned down the Pirate memorabilia and spread what I did put out through the house. When the kids decided on baseball, I hung shelves and let them put some of my stuff on them. They were just as excited as I was. Cassie looked at us like we were crazy, but I didn't care. I was damn proud and happy that they wanted me to be a part of their rooms.

My ex knew we were moving in together. I'd heard the kids tell her about the house when I dropped them off one day, so when I told her and she acted shocked, I saw right through that shit. The only reason I was even telling her was because the kids were coming over, and I didn't want her to be able to use my moving against me later. I tried to get them for the night, but she wasn't having it. I'd never get it. She'd have a babysitter watch them, but me, their own father, couldn't keep them. That shit was messed up. Since I couldn't have them for the night, I took them for the day.

Sarah and Sam walked into the house and ran for the rooms they'd originally chosen. They were yelling out for Jenny and Jeff right away. By the time I got up the stairs and down the hall, they were already talking about their rooms. Sarah wanted a baseball room. She said it was because of me. Since she wanted one, Sam did too. By the time I took them back home, they'd picked out what they wanted, and I'd promised to have the rooms done before they came back.

“Told you they didn't need their own rooms,” Cassie said, as soon as I'd come back from dropping them off.

“What?” I asked.

“We just created five identical rooms,” she said.

“Not totally,” I said.

“Parker,” she said, with warning in her tone.

“What?” I asked innocently. “I can't help it if they love me.”

“I get the baby's room,” she said.

“What if it's a boy?” I asked, as I pulled her close and hugged her.

“Doesn't matter,” she said. “They can have a cute room with zoo animals everywhere.”

“Really?” I asked, with a smile on my face.

“Yes,” she said. “Their bedroom and ours too. Those are the only two places there will not be any baseball stuff.”

“I already told you,” I began, “as long as you're ready and waiting every time I walk through that door, the only baseball item in that room will be my jersey covering your sweet ass.”

“Parker,” she whispered.

“As for the baby's room,” I began again. “Not going to happen. I'll be in that room somewhere. You better get used to that.”

“Ugh,” she let out, but I could see a smile trying to break through her stern look.

“Woman,” I snapped, as I leaned down and took her bottom lip between my teeth.

“It's time,” she said.

“Hell yeah it is,” I said, as I winked. “Get your sexy ass up to our room while I lock up. Only the jersey. Do you hear me?”

“That's not what I meant,” she said.

“You denying your man?” I asked, as I scooped her up in my arms.

“Not one bit,” she said. “It's time to get a lawyer. We need the twins here more.”

“I agree,” I said. “We're moved in and settled. I can have their rooms done in a couple of days. You ready to do this? It might not be pretty.”

“Oh, I'm ready,” she said. “I've seen ugly before.”

“I'm ready too,” I said, as I dropped her onto our bed. “I'll be right back. Be waiting, princess.”

“Of course, wannabe,” she said, as she smiled up at me.

“Such a smart ass,” I said, as I walked out of the room. “Wouldn't trade you for anything.”

The next day, Cassie had to run to the store, so I played with the three kids while I waited for the paint in the twins' rooms to dry. She'd only been gone for twenty minutes when my phone dinged. I pulled it from my pocket and looked down to see a picture of a tabloid magazine. Right there, on the cover, was a picture of Cassie and me. The words above it said “Pregnant and Engaged.” In smaller print below the picture were the words “Is that why he's marrying her?”. I let out a few bad words which I instantly apologized for to the three little ones looking up at me. Then I began typing.

Me: Come home.

My blood was boiling. I was pissed. Where the fuck had they gotten their information? I was marrying my woman because I loved her. Our baby was an added bonus. I was so damn happy she was having my child and as equally happy that she was going to be my wife.

Cassie: I haven't gotten what I need, Parker. Just thought I'd send that to you.

Me: Just come home.

Cassie: I'll be there as soon as I'm done.

I was getting so frustrated. Why couldn't she ever do what I asked her to do? The woman drove me nuts.

Me: Can't you ever just do as I ask?

Cassie: Sure, when I want to.

I was ready to spank her ass the moment I saw her. She needed to listen to me. Nobody knew we were having a baby. Was someone following us, I wondered? Why would they? Was it someone at her doctor's office? It couldn't have been. Not one of them gave a shit about the game. They didn't know who I was. Who was it? I was worried about my woman. Was she upset? What was she thinking? It was driving me crazy that I couldn't see her face or wrap my arms around her.

Me: Cassie!

Cassie: Pete!!

Me: Anything you have to buy can wait.

Cassie: I disagree.

That was the moment it hit me. It was my ex. She was the only one that knew that wasn't family. The kids had told her about the baby and us getting married. Why would she do that? What would it matter to her? Fuck! The money. She did it for the money. What a bitch, I thought. Her being the one to tip them off didn't change the fact that someone took that photo of us, on our deck, in our own backyard. My woman and three of our kids were living there too, and there was no damn way I would risk anyone coming near them.

Me: Hurry that shit up. I want you home with me.

Cassie: I'm fine, but I'll hurry if it makes you feel better.

Me: It does, but be careful. I need you safe.

I found the phone number for the security company a lot of the players used, and I called them. Things had been so busy that I hadn't had a chance to get an alarm put in yet, but the wait was over. That shit was taken from the woods behind our house, and it was not okay.

In that moment, I was even happier than before that Scott was only two houses away. He was my second call. When I told him about the magazine, he was furious. It wasn't so much that someone had printed complete shit about me. It was the fact that they were at my home that had us both pissed and worried.

Cassie walked in the door without any bags over two hours later. When I asked her where the stuff she bought was, she just shrugged and blew me off. My woman blew me off.

“Seriously?” I asked. “You couldn't come home. You stayed out shopping for two more hours, and you don't have a single bag. Is everything okay?”

I thought the whole thing was crazy. It wasn't about me keeping track of her. That wasn't it at all. I was worried about her safety. Not to mention how concerned I was about what was going through her head. Something wasn't right, and it irritated the shit out of me that I didn't know what it was.

“It's fine,” she answered, with a smile on her face, but I wasn't buying it.

“We need to talk,” I said.

“About what?” she asked.

“About that damn magazine, Cassie,” I answered. “It had to be my ex. She was the only one that wasn't family that we told.”

“True,” she said.

“I'm thinking she did it for the money, not that I don't already give her enough,” I said.

“It's definitely time for a lawyer, Parker,” she said.

“I agree,” I said. “I called a security company and your dad.”

“What?” she asked. “Why?”

“Because that picture was taken in our backyard,” I answered, and her eyes widened.

“Shit!” she whispered. “That's why you were acting that way. I'm sorry I gave you shit. I didn't even realize it. My dad.”

“Is pissed,” I said, cutting her off. “Really pissed.”

“Parker,” she said, as she reached out and grabbed my arms.

“I promised him that I'd protect you, Cassie,” I said. “Now look.”

“Everything is fine,” she said. “You're overreacting. It was just someone who wanted a picture.”

“In my fucking backyard,” I snapped. “Where our kids play and my wife relaxes. I am not overreacting.”

She was looking up at me with so many emotions in her eyes.

“What?” I asked.

“You said wife,” she said.

“I don't need a damn piece of paper, princess,” I said. “You became mine the second I slipped that ring on your finger.”

“Everything is okay, Parker,” she said. “You need to calm down. You're going to be on the road in a week. Opening day will be here in a few days. Relax.”

“Relax,” I said. “I don't think so. The security guys will be out in a few hours. We'll have a system put in tomorrow. I told them to rush it.”

“Parker,” she snapped. “That's going to cost a fortune.”

“There is no price on my family's safety,” I said. “Don't even bother trying to argue it either.”

“Okay,” she said. “I called a lawyer.”

“When?” I asked. “I already have a lawyer.”

“A fine job they've done,” she said. “I don't think so. I got the name from one of the player's wives.”

“When?” I asked.

“Months ago,” she answered.

“Before I asked you to marry me?” I asked.

“You didn't ask me,” she said, with a smile. “You told me, and yes, before that.”

“Why?” I asked, shocked by her answer.

“Because we needed the kids more,” she said. “I was just waiting until I knew for sure we'd get more time.”

“Cassie,” I said. “You're so damn amazing.”

“I know,” she said, as she stood on her toes and leaned in to kiss me. “We have an appointment tomorrow.”

“With the lawyer?” I asked.

“Yes,” she answered. “First thing in the morning, so you need to tell your security guys to come later.”

“Yes, dear,” I said.

“You okay?” she asked.

“No,” I answered her honestly. “I'm not. I can't stand that someone has invaded my family's privacy. It was one thing when I was single. I didn't worry about me. You are my everything, Cassie, you and the kids, and I will not have anyone coming near any of you, I don't give a shit how much I make or what I do for a living.”

“Thank you,” she said.

“For what?” I asked.

“For being honest with me,” she answered.

“Are you okay?” I asked her.

“I wasn't when I saw it,” she said. “It upset me. I'm not going to lie. It was hard reading those words. I'd thought the same thing myself.”

“Cassie,” I growled.

“Hold it, wannabe,” she said, as she rested her hands on my chest. “I said thought. I don't think it anymore. I know you love me. If you didn't, there's no way you'd put up with me or the crazies two doors down. You've done so much to get us all together before the season started. I don't doubt your love, not one bit.”

“You better not,” I said, as I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her tight. “I love you and your family, all of them. I had that ring long before Christmas. You are my life, my forever. Do not ever doubt that. I love you with every bit of my heart, and I will never let anyone think different than that.”

“What do you mean by that?” she asked, as she looked up into my eyes.

“Just that I love you,” I said. “That's all.”