Wednesday morning finally arrived and she endured her grueling physical. Once the doctors finished torturing her, they gave her a break before demanding she join the other girls that had to work out for the coaches on the chilly softball field. Cole and the others climbed the frigid bleachers in order to get a good seat. Although it was the end of March, the temperature had climbed to the middle sixties. But it didn’t make the steel bleachers any warmer.

Cole watched anxiously as about 15 girls walked out on the field, each one dressed for a workout. He spotted her at once dressed in navy blue baseball pants and one of his Nike t-shirts, tied in a knot at her back to keep it from falling to her knees. He smiled, hoping his shirt would bring her extra luck; not that she needed it, he thought. She always impressed him with her athletic prowess and he was sure she’d knock the socks off all the coaches watching today.

One by one, the girls entered the batter’s box and faced the pitching machine. A couple coaches with clipboards stood around, jotting down notes and consulting with each other. Finally, Ally made her way to the plate and dug her cleats into the dirt. She took a few practice swings as Cole leaned forward, anxiously watching. She let the first couple pitches blow by, gauging their speed and positions. Finally, she swung and sent the ball straight up and behind her. She dug back in and swung at the next pitch, sending it to centerfield. After that, she found her rhythm and sent pitch after pitch sailing to the outfield. Jamie jumped up excitedly and hi-fived Cole and RJ when Ally crushed one over the fence.

“Wow,” Stephanie exclaimed. “She’s got power.”

The girls finished batting and listened to the coaches’ instructions as a crew removed the pitching machine and gathered up the baseballs from the outfield.

“What position does she play,” Steph asked as the girls grabbed their gloves and headed to the field.

“Short stop,” Cole told her as Ally jogged out between second and third.

A coach stood at the plate and started hitting balls to various positions, warming them up. Once he deemed them ready, he started belting them all over, watching as the girls fielded them and threw to whatever base he called out. Ally was on top of her game and never missed a single ball. She made a few great plays, including one spectacular throw from her knees, and Cole knew there was no way in hell she wouldn’t be signed.

Finally, the coaches called them in and they huddled together, listening to their next instructions. Cole and Jamie exchanged nervous glances as RJ stood to get a better look. All the girls dispersed except for Ally. A heavy set, gray haired man took her by the arm and led her to another gentleman in khakis, dress shirt and tie.

“Dude,” Jamie said. “I think that’s the GM.”

Cole nodded and watched intently as Ally shook his hand with a smile. They talked for about fifteen minutes, making the boys a little crazy.

“What the hell is taking so long,” RJ whined. “I mean, either they want her or they don’t!”

“I don’t think they’re signing anyone today,” Jamie said. “Ally thought it was a workout session for the girls who’ve had injuries. Maybe they’re discussing that.”

Cole just shrugged and shook his leg nervously, eyes never leaving Ally. She shook the man’s hand again and headed to the locker room. “Come on,” Cole said getting to his feet. “Let’s go wait for her by the doors.”

They waited as the other girls started filtering out and finally Ally appeared, hair damp and duffel bag in her hand. She smiled at them. “Ready to get out of here?”

“No,” RJ said. “We want to know what happened!”

“What do you mean,” she asked.

“You stood there talking to the guy in the tie forever,” Jamie reminded her.

“Oh, you mean Mr. Menedez.” Ally looked over her shoulder. All the other girls were gone and Ally turned back to smile. “We were just making arrangements for my parents to come to Chicago so they can sign me.”

It took only a few seconds for the words to register before Cole picked her up, causing her to drop her bag, and swung her around in a circle. He kissed her before putting her back down. “I knew you’d do it, princess.” She beamed in his arms and he wouldn’t let her go.

“Hel-lo,” Jamie called. He grabbed her arm and pulled her into a huge hug. “Congrats, coz! I knew you’d make it!”

RJ congratulated her next with yet another embrace and a sloppy kiss on the cheek. “We’ve gotta celebrate tonight! We’ll take you out for dinner then back to the suites.” He gave her a wink.

“What,” she frowned. “What did you guys do?”

Cole draped an arm around her shoulders. “We kinda figured you’d do well so we just brought along a couple bottles of champagne.”

“One of these days, Cole, I’m gonna figure out how you always manage to have alcohol,” she warned.

He kissed her before giving her a smirk. “It’s part of my charm.”

She snorted and turned to Stephanie who was tugging on her sleeve.

“Congratulations, Ally,” Stephanie said tentatively. “I’m really impressed.”

“Thanks,” Ally said, pulling the other girl into a hug. “And I really mean it.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After a fancy dinner downtown, they returned to Ally and Cole’s suite. RJ and Jamie had already chilled the champagne in their suite and popped the corks. They passed the glasses around and held them up.

“To our little princess,” Cole began. Ally rolled her eyes at him. “May she kick ass and take names this summer!” They all drank.

“Oh, hang on,” Jamie said. “I got one!”

Ally groaned.

He smiled. “To my favorite cousin,” he began, raising his glass. “May she always put us in our place.” The guys all drank, along with Stephanie, but Ally gave Jamie a puzzled look. “What,” he asked.

“What was that? I thought we were toasting softball,” she told him.

He shrugged. “It just seemed fitting.”

She rolled her eyes and sipped at her glass.

“My turn,” RJ declared, lifting his glass once Cole went around and refilled everyone. “For Ally,” he smiled sweetly at her. “Heaven help the coach, umpire or opposing player who crosses her the wrong way!” They all drank again, except for Ally.

“Hey,” she protested. “That’s not fair.” They all looked at her and Stephanie fingered her lip. Ally sighed sheepishly. “Ok, ok, so it’s a little fair.”

“My turn,” Steph said. “I don’t know you too well Ally, but I have to say after watching you play today and after being on the receiving end of your right hook, I think whoever made up the saying “Girls Rock,” had you in mind.”

“Here, here,” Ally smiled, clinking her glass with Steph’s.

Cole groaned. “Don’t feed her ego.”

“My ego,” Ally protested. “Yours is so big, I’m surprised it fits in this room!”

Cole smirked. “You love it and you know it, princess.”

She glared at him. “Don’t call me that!”

His smirk widened. “You are a little princess and you know it.”

RJ and Jamie looked at each other. “There goes that sexual tension again.”

Ally overheard him, and thinking of the past two nights she spent in Cole’s arms, hid her blush in Cole’s chest. He laughed. “Yeah, well, it keeps things from getting too boring.”

“You four are anything but boring,” Stephanie stated. They all laughed.

“All right,” RJ said, refilling everyone’s glasses. “Back to the toasts. Who’s next and what are we toasting?”

Ally peeked out from Cole’s chest and he gave her a kiss. She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked at all her friends, gathered together. “I have a toast,” Ally whispered. She picked up her glass. “To old friends,” she said, nodding at Cole, RJ and Jamie. “And new friends,” she nodded at Stephanie. “No matter what’s happened in the past and no matter what happens in the future; whether we stick together or have to go our own ways, may we always love, protect, defend, and be there for each other. Always.”

After they clinked her glass, she watched them all drink and she knew in her heart, no matter what it would take, they would always stick together somehow. Always.

A/N: Yay! It’s over. This one caused me more stress than any other story I wrote.

Thanks so much for all the reviews. Your words always encouraged me and kept me grounded. And, they helped me figure out what to do with these characters along the way.

I absolutely have no ideas for a new story right now, but I do have a few ideas for a sequel. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough of a storyline figured out yet. It is definitely time for a little break. Besides, my poor, neglected Rookie series needs my attention.

Thanks again for your wonderful words. Without you, I would never have written as fast as I have nor would I have written as much. Thanks a million! I love you all!