New Light || Chris Taylor

Thirty-Five

Nora's POV- September 2019

Sonia grinned as we both approached each other in the parking lot.

"What a pleasant surprise" I noted.

"You're showing!"

She whispered/yelled it.

"Well I am over 4 months pregnant," I told her.

18 weeks to be exact.

"How does it feel to have Alex back in town?" I asked.

Even if it were just for a couple of days.

"We're honestly not doing well"

Alex was dealing with back pain at the moment, so he was rehabbing in Arizona.

"I'm sure it will work itself off" I said.

She shrugged.

"I can talk to him" I offered.

She shook her head,

"I think I've made up my decision"

She sighed,

"How's your sister?" I asked.

"Dealing with a moody Christian""

He'd taken a pitch to the knee and was out the remainder of the season with a broken knee cap.

"There's a bit of discomfort, so he just has to take it easy,"

Well, that makes sense.

"Is he rehabbing over there, or how is that going to work?" I wondered.

"I think the plan is that they're staying there most of the offseason, but they'll be home for the Holidays"

Well, that made sense seeing Stella had work keeping her in Milwaukee at the moment.

"Where are you sitting?"

"I'm going to play it safe and hang back in the family room," I told her.

"What's wrong?"

"The smell of garlic fries make me nauseous" I confessed.

She scrunched up her nose.

"Yeah, that smell is everywhere"

Exactly.

"Alex mentioned that Chris took in a rookie"

"Yes, Gavin" I answered.

His parents raised a well-mannered boy who was quite the goofball.

"Cody moved out"

"Yeah, his mom convinced him to get a place" I stated.

"Oh, so you didn't ask him to move out?"

"No" I answered.

"He just made it seem to Carol that you and Chris had asked for space"

"I didn't ask him to move out, he did that all on his own," I told her.

"I figured"

She pursed her lips.

"He brought up the idea of partial custody, and Carol shut it down"

"Well, I mean it makes sense. Drew doesn't know him very well" I noted.

"This has his mom written all over"

Pretty sure it was because his mom was influencing him.

"If he wants to play the athlete card she can very well use government employee"

True.

"Anyways, I should go. Even though Alex isn't playing, his family is waiting for me"

I nodded and accepted another hug from her.

"Bye"

"Bye," I called out.

In the end, the Dodgers beat the Rays 7-5 and I got an Alex Verdugo bobblehead. As I waited for Chris to come to get me from the family room, Kourtney approached me with a bottle of champagne.

"Oh, Nora!"

Shit.

"Let's celebrate that engagement and marriage"

Um.

"Let's go to the locker room, everyone is waiting"

"Sure" I answered.

I stood up and gestured for her to lead the way. Guess Chris and I had to spill the beans.

"Did you retouch your makeup?"

I shook my head.

"No, I just blotted some oil off," I told her.

"Your skin is glowing, did you add anything to your skincare regime?"

Uh, prenatal vitamins?

"Nope" I answered.

"It was nice to see your brother and sister"

She was in New York.

"Those two make skating look so easy"

And it was not, they were just really good.

"Did you ever skate?"

"I learned the basics but was never really interested" I replied.

The chatter in the locker room died down as we walked in. Everyone who worked for the Dodgers, Josie included was in there. I reluctantly took the glass of champagne and made my way over to Chris.

"I know it's late, and that you have work early in the morning Nora, but we just want to congratulate you and CT on your marriage"

I smiled at Justin as Chris put his arm over my shoulder.

"If it weren't for Cody, I don't know how long it would have taken for us to find out that CT was seeing someone"

Oh, right.

"The signs were all there; he had a goofy smile on his face, and his phone was always in his hands"

I looked at Chris when he placed his hand on my shoulder.

"You two have been through a lot these last couple of months, and I just want you both to know that we're glad you made this situation have a positive outcome"

He raised his glass.

"May this be the first of many celebrations we have this season"

I looked at Chris as everyone downed their champagne glass. He took the glass and replaced it with his empty one.

"I saw that"

Chris cleared his throat ignoring Kike's comment.

"Before we all go, Nora and I would like to tell you all something"

He turned to me and smiled.

"So" I started.

All eyes were on me.

"We wanted to know the gender before telling you all, but Kike won't let me leave without an explanation" I noted.

Some of them got what I was trying to say.

"I'm pregnant" I revealed.

"I fucking knew it!"

Mady had hugged me when I got to the family room and was a bit confused when something pressed up on her. I played it off and told her it was my waist bag.

"Congratulations, girly!"

She was the first to hug me.

"How far along are you?"

"A little over 4 months" I answered.

As I got hugged by the ladies, the guys congratulated Chris.

"It feels so good to know that I no longer have to keep this secret"

I laughed as I looked at Cody.

"Wait...big mouth kept a secret?"