Outtake 3: Spring Endings
The late morning sun is what wakes him up. He had left the curtains drawn back from the window, the cool breeze wafting in. The smell of coffee permeates the air even though the bedroom door is closed, but the movements of those already awake silenced.
Nothing much has changed, really, Kyle thinks as he stares out across the street. The cream colored house is still standing; he is still in the same neighborhood. The occupants haven't changed, drastically at least, not his, not Tara's. If anything, the noises of children rolling around in backyards throwing footballs have died down.
It is a pity the Orioles didn't make it into the playoffs last year, but it has given him the chance to catch his breath and spend sometime with himself, away from the team. He loves the guys, but if even he needs a break from the tight knit group.
The team has broken up a little, these past six years. Dan and Meghan have moved down to Florida for two years, but Lauren stayed behind. She had begged to stay back in Maryland to train with Tara. Speaking of the two - Kyle grins as he closes the window with a snap - the girls are taller than Erin now. Lauren is almost as tall as he is with Tara hot on her footsteps.
Telson and Carrie are also gone, the second baseman finally pulling out of the tabloids and getting his head on straight in Pittsburgh. His skills shine as he helped head the ailing team past the first round of the playoffs. The two are supposed to be married within the month, and Kyle is lying when he tells himself he isn't happy for them both – he truly is, and has never been one to deny Carrie anything. How Telson survived and will stay alive with Carrie, Kyle doesn't know, but hey. All to their own?
The Crowls are still around, even though Jordan retired last year after taking a pitch to the face. As much as it pains Kyle to say it, the man knows how the end the season with a bang, even if it was torturous to close family and friends. They often stop by for dinner, Jordan never ready to pass up a chance to chirp Kyle and the rest of the remaining Orioles core.
The bedroom door opens, and Kyle turns to face the two people that have become constant fixtures in his life.
"Hey, Cole." Kyle takes his son into his arms, grinning when Cole babbles and pats his face.
"He's been up for a while," Erin says, leaning in and pressing a kiss to his cheek. She nuzzles her son with her nose for a moment.
"Did I sleep that long?" Kyle jokes.
Erin laughs and Kyle can't help but smile. She leans in for another kiss before pulling farther away from him. "Go. Wake up a little bit more."
Kyle watches his wife disappear out of his sight with his son before he ducks into the shower. There are things he misses, but he will still say that he doesn't regret anything. The ride wasn't necessarily smooth to get here – they've had their bumps and bruises – but they have made things work.
When he finally trips his way down to the kitchen, he is greeting with the sight of Erin bustling around, Cole wriggling around in his high chair.
"Hey buddy," Kyle murmurs. He gently pulls his son out of the seat, pressing his nose against his son's baby soft cheeks. "You being good?"
He receives a hearty smack on his nose for his troubles. Laughing, Kyle continues to mumble nonsense to his son, bouncing the child in his arms. It is only when he hears the huffs of laughter he stops to look at Erin.
"What," Kyle stifles his grin. "Problem?"
"No, no problem," Erin says. She leans against granite counter, considering something for a moment. "Sometimes I wonder though."
"I was under the impression you did so often."
Erin rolls her eyes at him fondly. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
"You're stuck with me anyways, Erin," Kyle says. He looks down back at his son in his arms. "And Cole as well."
"Always, it seems," Erin drops into a chair next to him with a sigh. She smiles suddenly. "Do you remember when we had to tell people how we got together?"
Kyle buries his face in his son's stomach. Cole squeals, loud and happy. "I'm just glad we didn't tell them it was Tseng."
"I thought it was Telson."
"No, it was Tseng. You know the time you came to interview the team? The first time?"
Erin hums, and shrugs. "To some extent."
"After it - the team picked up on it too - Tseng told me to help you out."
"Ugh," Erin groans and takes Cole back into her arms. "He's a meddler." She says this lightly without malice in her tone.
Kyle turns to her and gently bops Cole on the nose. "That reminds me, what did Tseng say to you that day? In Chinese?"
"Oh god," Erin pauses for a moment. "That was so long ago. I think it was something on the lines of whether or not I was the girl who always whacked him or something."
Reeling back, Kyle stares at her for a moment before bursting into laughter. "So violent, Erin."
"That was a long time ago," Erin protests, but doesn't move away from him. A small smile tugs at the edges of her lips.
"I still remember it," Kyle teases.
"It is long enough ago, he won't remember it." Erin tucks her hair behind her ear. "We've got to get moving. The team has got their first practice today."
"Does Tara know I'm home?"
Erin smiles at him mischievously as she stands and walks towards the stairs. "No. But I did tell her to be on her toes."
The wind is deceivingly strong despite the cloudless skies. One lone girl stands at the edge of Lutherville fields, her curling hair whipping in the wind.
A smile curves at the edge of her lips, her long arms crossed over her chest. She is amused by something. Her hip is cocked where she leans against the edge of the tired wooden bleachers. There is nothing to be amused about, except two aging men with two girls batting away on the muddied field. To be fair, no one is supposed to be on the fields. It is far too muddy and mushy to truly do much besides bat.
No matter, she thinks, pressing a hand to her hip. It's been a while since the fourteen and up league has had six teams, but this year is going to be their year. Sure, she said this six years ago, but this time, they are going to crush the Longhorns. Things are different now, and that's just how things are.
Lauren's gone; and all that fun stuff. All the girls from six years ago? They're all gone too. But Erin and Kyle are still around, with all their lovey-dovey glory. She snorts. Actually though. She doesn't want to think about the two of them having sex, but Cole is adorable. There is nothing more fun than to pinch his baby soft cheeks.
"Tara! Oi, Tara!"
Tara whirls around at the sound of the familiar voice she hadn't heard in so long. Actually, it hasn't been long at all. After all, she saw this woman with burning crimson hair trekking her way down the grass patched hill.
"Late!" Tara screams back. "Has college taught you anything?"
All the same, she runs towards Lauren, and just barely restrains herself from throwing herself at her best friend.
"Oh god, don't bowl me over, you giant human," Lauren gripes as Tara wraps both her arms on her.
"Oh god, stop whining," Tara retorts, "You're taller than I am by like, five inches."
Lauren rolls her eyes and pulls back from her. "Please, I am not that much taller. You're just short."
"There's a reason why I said calling me a giant human doesn't make sense."
"You didn't say anything of that sort!"
"Um. Is this – Uh. Are you guys part of the Wolfpack?"
Both girls whirled around to face the newcomer; mouths open as they are stopped mid-bicker. It is Tara who regains her breath first.
"Yeah, hi!" she extends a hand to her teammate. Tara wishes she knew who this girl is, but as far as she is aware, she knows no one on her team this year. "I'm Tara. You are?"
"Jen."
"Oh, fantastic." Tara claps her hands once together. She takes in her teammate's slightly frightened look and shrugs. "I know I'm tall, but I'm pretty weak."
"She can't hit," Lauren bumps her hip against Tara's. "She can't pitch either."
"Uh huh," Tara tilts her head up to look at her best friend. "Like you can say that."
Lauren puts her hands on her hips and smiles down at Tara, a twitching smile betraying her condescending look. "Picking up the sass from Carrie?"
"Come on!" Tara jokes back.
"Um… Where's our coach?" Jen cuts in timidly.
Both Tara and Lauren flap their hands flippantly at her.
"She's late," Tara says. How can Erin not be? She's got a wriggling – cute – son that she has to leave with the sitter for at least an hour – Trish – then find a way to get here before one thirty. Which Tara doesn't think is going to happen any time soon. As much as Erin is capable of keeping things straight, a two year old? Not even Erin can keep Cole straight.
When Jen's eyes widen to the size of saucers, Lauren and Tara exchange a look with one another.
"She's right behind us isn't she," Lauren drops her face into her hands. It startles a laugh out of Jen when Tara mirrors the action.
"You have so little faith in us," a familiar baritone drawls.
Lauren turns around with her head ducked, chastised, but Tara knows better. Kyle is nothing but a giant puppy when she pokes all the right buttons. The words fall off her lips when she sees the bundle of clothes and dark brown eyes peering sleepily at her.
"You brought Cole with you? Is that even a good idea?" Tara asks incredulously.
Kyle chuckles lowly and shrugs, a habit he seems to have picked up from Erin. "I fly down here and this is what I get for a hello?"
"Better question," Lauren interjects. "Why are you down here?"
"I think we could be asking you that," Erin finally speaks up.
"I'm spring break."
"Ugh, you," Tara groans at Lauren, rolling her eyes. "We've got so many snow days that we're getting days of spring break docked off."
"Sucks."
Kyle ruffles Tara's hair with his free hand and smiles down at her. "Looking good Dusty. Ready to make this season count?"
"Hell yes." Is that even a question? She wants a Longhorns purse – figuratively of course. Orange isn't her color, but Tara wants first place. They got it in Lauren's last year, but that doesn't mean she doesn't want it again.
"I'm sorry, we're being rude," Erin's voice cuts through Tara's thoughts. "You are?"
"I'm Jen."
"Nice to meet you Jen." Erin shakes the girl's hand firmly before she turns back to Tara and Lauren. "I'm going to go put all this gear up in the tennis courts. You guys should start warming up, and whenever the rest of the team arrives, we'll get started. Sound good?"
"Yup!"
Tara takes in a breath of the wet grass and dirt smell running through the Lutherville fields. This season is definitely going to start with a boom, whether or not the team is filled with new players. Erin has never failed to bring up the team to a certain level, and now is not the time to doubt her coach.
"What's going on in that head of yours, Dusty?" Lauren bumps into her again.
Tara bats at her with her bare hands. "Just thinking how great it would be to beat you when I get into my college."
She realizes a moment too late that maybe it isn't the best idea to bring it up, but thankfully Lauren takes it in stride. She purposefully flicks her long crimson fishtailed braid in Tara's face. "Like you even could."
"What, like you can even talk," Tara tosses over her shoulder. "Jen! Wanna throw?"
The other girl meekly nods and looks around wildly for a ball. Before, Tara would have sighed and walk long suffering to the bucket of balls, but she is proud of herself. Just because Lauren is in college doesn't mean that she is the only one that has changed.
"Look at you, stepping up and being all nice," Lauren teases when Tara walks past her.
"Shut up, Fireball."
"Love you too, Dusty."
Jen looks back and forth between them. "Are you two sisters?"
Tara takes one look at Lauren and bursts out laughing. It only takes a few seconds for Lauren to join in. Yeah, Tara will admit maybe she and Lauren haven't matured at all since they were twelve and fourteen.
"They couldn't be sisters even if they tried," Erin sighs. "Throw, Dusty, throw. Get that arm warmed up."
"I gotchu coach!" Tara yells just to annoy her. Kyle is sitting by metal tables with Cole in his lap, so she isn't at all worried about disrupting the kid.
And of course, the first ball that she throws isn't anywhere close to Jen's glove. Lauren unhelpfully laughs and laughs, leaving Tara to go fish for the lime-green softball rolling down the hill.
"I'll… go get that," Tara says bashfully to no one in particular and dashes off after the ball.
When she runs out, her eyes are trained on the ball, nothing else. It's a softball, and she's a softball player. Like hell is she not going to be paying attention to the one object in the game. So naturally when she dives down to pick up the ball, she nearly pushes someone off his bike.
"Hey!"
"Oh, geez. Sorry!" She quickly apologizes.
"Yeah, watch where you're going," he bites back at her.
Tara brushes off imaginary dirt off her shoulder and adjusts her cap. Excuse her for apologizing and trying to be nice. "I didn't push you off the bike?"
"You essentially did."
Well then. "I could push you off if you like."
He squints at her and Tara smiles beatifically back at him. Kyle has always told her about how her smile lights up the entire world – she is kidding. Mostly she is doing so to aggravate this kid.
"Have a good weekend. It's really nice outside," Tara says blithely.
Then she winks at him like Carrie taught her how to, then runs back up the hill to the tennis courts. Not her best move, but hey.
"Not a word, Kyle," Tara shoots at the catcher on her way back up to the court.
Lauren is still laughing at her when Tara enters the tennis court again, her hands crossed over her chest. "Never change Dusty, never change."
"Tara!"
The curly haired pitcher makes a face in Erin's direction then tosses the ball back to Jen. At least that one was a decent throw.
"I am going to body tackle you," Tara mutters under her breath.
"You wouldn't."
"I would."
"Tara." Erin is eyeing her over from the edge of the tennis court, conversing with another teammate.
"I hate you so much," Tara growls at Lauren.
Her auburn haired friend just laughs and laughs, strands of her braid blowing out as the wind bears down. Tara smiles. Lauren can laugh now, but the world better be ready when Tara gets up there with her. She likes the sound of that.
"Uh huh, keep telling yourself that," Lauren calls over.
"You suck."
"Tara, focus!"
Tara ducks her head and snatches the softball Jen throws back at her out of the air. "I knew there was a reason I liked March."
"I'm flattered Dusty, I'm really flattered. You're making me blush."
"Shut up Lauren."
A/N: March is the month of: practice ;). Alright, thank you for reading Behind the Field. This chapter was really meant to close things up, tie together some loose ends. We've ended where we have begun, March to March. I began writing this back in late March of 2013, and here we end a year later.