Do Simple Better (Anthony Rizzo)

Chapter 13: Theres Always Next Year

-Vanessa's POV-

I didn't leave Anthony's house much after my dads funeral. It's weird but ever since my dad died the Cubs couldn't win a game. So the mets went on to play the Royals in the World Series and Anthony decided that this week he's not leaving the house. I'm not going to complain, he's great at cuddling. We're sitting on his couch watching SportsCenter like we always did talking back to the tv like they could actually hear us. "I really miss him" I say randomly. He pulls me closer and starts to rock me. I felt like a baby. "I do too" he finally says. We continue swaying until I finally remember something I've been meaning to ask him. "What did you promise my dad?". He suddenly stop and I turn to look at him. "I promised to be the man in your life. To take care of you, make you happy. To show you that life isn't all that bad" he says. I knew that even though my dad is gone he's still here.

The boys helped move all my stuff out so I didn't have to go back there. It's all currently siting in the spare bedroom unboxed. I'll get around to it eventually. Tonight the boys and the wives are all eating dinner together at Giordano's because it's that good. I'm currently putting on a nice black dress and white wedges. I put minimal makeup on because I know I'm going to cry when everyone leaves back home or to go on vacation. I curl my hair and put on waterproof mascara. I take one last look in the mirror and decide this will have to to. "Honey are you ready yet" Anthony screams from downstairs. "Coming" I respond carefully making my way down the stairs. I reach the bottom. Anthony turns around and scans me up and down. "No fucking way go change". "What you don't like it?" I say feeling suddenly self conscious. "No no no. You look breathtaking and I don't want anyone looking at you like that" he pouts. I roll my eyes and grab my clutch, "come on fool were gonna be late"

Dinner starts and I sit next to Brittany, Jakes wife, and Anthony. I sat across from Melissa, Addis wife's, and we talk about this past season and our favorite memories. "What about the one time you told the home plate ump to go fuck himself with a cactus" Brittany cries. Every so often throughout the season they would come sit with my dad and I, but mostly my dad. He was kinda cool like that. "It wasn't my fault he called a game just about as well as a blind cat" I mumble. Topic of dinner conversation was currently funny things I've said the past season. "What about the time after the game when we were all walking out and Vanessa runs into Bryce Harper and told him real men cut their hair" Jake spats and everyone cracks up. I just shake my head and laugh along, no way I was getting out of that one. It was pretty funny though. His face was priceless until I told him I was joking. "Just putting this out here but so far David's my favorite" I announce and David raises his arms triumphantly. Anthony puts his hand over her heart and acts fake hurt and Kris lets out a gasp. "That hurts, V. That really hurts" Kris fake cries. Britney has yet to stop laughing and David looks pretty proud of himself. Dinner goes on and I continue to talk to Melissa, I was obsessed with their little boy. That is until Shwarber pipes up from the the end of the table. "Hey Vanessa, what do you think about us as world champs next year?". The table goes silent and I ponder my thoughts. "I think you guys should kill it. Get Dex down there back, bring in another starter and some bull pen muscle. Offensively you guys will be great no matter what. But it would be nice to see some strong arms in the back field, the farm program is fresh so bringing some guys up would be nice too" I finish. "Tony I'm stealing your girlfriend!" Shwarbs yells and Anthony pulls me close and wraps his arm around my head. "Can't. Breath. Suffocation" I choke out and he lets go. "Okay I'm back, how long was I out?" I joke and Anthony rolls his eyes. We spend the rest of the night cracking jokes and talking about off season plans.

"I'm going to miss you guys so much. Please keep in contact with me" I say giving everyone a hug. I'm trying my hardest not to cry but I get to David and he has that goofy smile. He's the closest thing I have to a parent now. "I'm expecting grandkids when I see you next" he says. I let out a unattractive cackle and hug him anyway. "Never change" I say giving him a good squeeze. We all part ways and leave knowing that this offseason is going to be a huge one.