Do Simple Better (Anthony Rizzo)

Chapter 18: Stars

-Vanessa's POV-

Right now I'm  out looking for Anthony's Christmas present and I might have gone a little too far. I already got him a Blackhawks sweater because we always watch games together. I got him a Christmas onesie to match mine and new batting gloves. But there's still one more thing I wanted to get him and I just couldn't put my finger on it. I was walking around the Woodfield mall which was just outside of Chicago. The sports stores had Anthony's and Kris' faces everywhere. I had someone take my picture with Tony's cut out and thanked the woman before sending it to him. I was about to get in the car when I saw someone walking around in a David Ross jersey. Then it hit me. I was going to get him a Rossy jersey and have David sign it with something funny. After my purchase I drove home and Anthony was watching sports center. "Honey I'm home" I yell and walk into the kitchen. I open the fridge in search of something to make. Lasagna sounded great so I got out the ingredients and was going to make a homemade sauce. After setting everything on the island I close the fridge door and Anthony stands behind it with the biggest smile on his face. "I've missed you" he said kissing my cheek. I smile and start browning the beef and boiling water. "Is lasagne good for dinner?" I ask adding spices to the meat. "It sounds wonderful" he says sitting on a stool at the island watching my every move. I cut up garlic and toss it in the meat then put the noodles in and bring the boil down. "Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask letting a blush creep on my face. "I just really love you" he shrugs. I strain the beef then start on the sauce pouring the tomato sauce and paste in then adding fresh oregano and other things in it until it simmers. "I love you too" I say stirring. I put all the ingredients together being a little too gracious with the cheese and pop it in the oven. I wipe my hands off and clean the pans and let out a breath. "Are you done yet" Anthony pouts from the stool. I laugh at his lack of patience and nod. "Good because I need my cuddle buddy" he says wrapping his arms around me. "Someone's being extra lovey today" I say snuggling into his chest, he smelled so good. "It's important to appreciate a good thing when you have it" he says. We stand there for a little until the alarm goes off and I grab the lasagna out the oven. I pop some garlic bread in the toaster and pour Anthony a glass of wine. I grab a gaterade and make our plates. We sit on the couch and enjoy the dinner. "This is really good" Anthony says for the 10th time. "You've told me that already" I giggle. We continue dinner and enjoy each others company when his phone goes off. "Kris says we just got Ben Zobrist from the Royals" he casually mentions and I drop my fork. "No. Fucking. Way" I say. "Damn girl you know everyone?" He laughs. I pick up the plates and go to the kitchen to clean up. "I'm a fan of the sport as much as I am of the Cubs" I say finishing off the dishes. "What can you tell me about Ben" he says drying the dishes. "Well he's a switch hitter who can play just about anywhere on the field if needed. Veteran. Lots of power, probably will hit after you" I say looking to see if I had bought Oreos last time. And I did. I snatch them down and head back to the couch. Anthony coughs and points to the mistletoe he was standing under. I roll my eyes and walk over to him and peck him on the cheek. "I love you" I remind him. "I love you most"

"My parents want to hang with you again" he says splitting his Oreo and eating the side with the cream. "I would love to be with your family again" I say. After thinking for a while I had a thought. "Why don't we invite the guys and your family over for Christmas?" I ask. His face lights up and he quickly nods. I send out text to everyone and try to get a head count on who's going to be here and how much food I will have to make. After getting all the invitations out I sit back down and look at the very boring tree. "How about we decorate this tree" I say a little too cheerful. I grab the ornaments and turn on the lights. Anthony starts stringing the lights and I go to turn some music on. After finding the Christmas pandora station I come back to Anthony in the tree trying to get untangled. He has lights all over him and was struggling to get them off. I make no effort to hide my laughter and fall to the floor. "Honey, we have a situation" he says and I finally catch my breath. After taking a picture I help him out and start putting up tinsel and ornaments. After we finished there was one thing left, the star on top. I hold the silver star to my chest and stare at the tree. I realized that my dad wasn't there to put the star on top like he had every other year. This is actually my first Christmas without him. As my thoughts consume me I let the tears fall. He wouldn't want me to cry over this but I can't help it, he was my star. Anthony was singing along to All I Want For Christmas Is You and turned to sing to me when he noticed I was crying. He immediately stopped and pulled me in. "He should be here" I sob. It's not fair he's gone. "I know sweetie, I miss him too" he coos and stroke my hair. He calms me down and looks at the star in my hand. "Follow me" he says and leads me out the door. We get in the elevator to go to the top floor. After a flight of stairs he pushes open a door. We end up on the roof where nothing but two chairs sit. He pulls me to one and I sit then he sits next to me. "Look up" he says and I do as I was told. In the clear night sky was thousands of stars, all of them definite and beautiful. "Wow Anthony, this is amazing" I say letting my eyes search the stars. Theres one that shines a bit brighter than the rest. Dad always said that's where the sparkle in my eyes came from. That star was burning bright as ever and I knew my dad was still with me. After a while I start to nod off and Anthony picks me up to take me back it. "That was beautiful, thank you" I mumble fighting off sleep. "A wise man once told me you would enjoy that" he says with a smile. I'm glad dad was still watching over us even though he's not here.