Madeline's POV- June 2017

Dad turned to me as his dog, Rocky bolted after the ball I had just thrown out to the field. Where exactly was I? I was at the park with my dad, it was a little tradition we had. Every time he came to visit we would come to this exact park and play catch. We had been here for about ten minutes, and so far dad had yet to speak. He was just watching me play catch with his dog.

"I'm pretty sure Rocky thinks you're the best person in the world"

I smiled and looked at him.

"Your mom tells me you're seeing someone"

"I'm proud of you dad, you contained yourself" I stated.

He just shrugged.

"We talk on the phone every other day, and you managed to hide that from me"

"I didn't hide it, I just didn't know how to bring it up" I said.

"Well what's his name?"

"Mom hasn't told you anything?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"Nope, she wanted you to tell me"

I nodded.

"His name is Cody" I began saying.

"What does he do for a living?"

I bit my lip as I watched Rocky make his way over.

"You have to promise not to freak out" I told him.

He looked at me and began shaking his head

"Oh god, is he in a band? Because I won't allow that Madeline"

It was a fear I never understood, but in my dad's head I'd fall in love with a drummer of an indie band. I would be so in love, I would just drop everything I was doing to be one of his groupies. He had a dream about this a few years ago, and for some reason he was convinced it might actually happen.

"He is not in a band" I informed him.

"So what does he do for a living?"

"He's a professional athlete" I answered.

Rocky placed his tennis ball full of his drool on my hand and waited for me to throw the ball. He even sat on his bottom as I took my time to throw the ball.

"Be more specific here"

"He plays for the Dodgers" I explained as I threw the ball and watched Rocky bolt after it.

I raised an eyebrow at him as dad let out a sigh of what seemed to be relief.

"Oh thank god"

"This is weird" I noted when I saw him smiling.

Dad never smiled, not when it came to me dating guys. He hated my exboyfriend (because no one dumps his baby girl!), and he always made sure to emphasize that I should focus on school. Guys would come and go, but an education wouldn't. The only men he trusted in my life were my old roommates, Jon and Manny. Jon because he was dating Mel, and Manny because he was going to be a doctor one day.

"I actually know his father, Clay"

Of course he did, he knew everyone in the baseball world.

"We've actually been trying to get you two to meet, but you're never in Arizona at the same time"

That made sense considering I was home in Arizona during the summer and Cody was probably home during his offseason, which was during winter.

"What time does his flight get in?"

I pulled my phone out and looked at the screen.

"Uh, like twenty minutes ago" I answered.

Cody had texted me asking if he could come over. When I didn't reply, ten minutes ago he called me. I had a voicemail and another text from him.

"Call that boy and tell him to come over"

He whistled to call Rocky over as I called Cody.

"Hello"

"Hi, sorry I just saw my phone" I said.

"It's alright, I figured you'd be with your family"

"Yeah, my dad is actually in town" I stated.

"So all your family is over?"

"Yeah" I answered.

I bit my lips as I hyped myself up. Just ask, the worse he could do is say no.

"Do you want to come over?" I asked.

The worse he could say is no.

"Ok, should I bring something?"

"Just yourself, there's enough food" I replied.

"Ok then, I'll see you in a bit"

"See you then, bye" I said.

"Bye"

I ended the call and made my way over to dad who was trying to get Rocky to sit still.

"He's like a little ball of energy" I noted.

Dad nodded agreeing with me as we watched Rocky chase his tail.

"Malin felt it was time for the girls to have another dog"

"So why the name Rocky?" I wondered.

"Rocky Raccoon"

Why was I not surprised, a dog named yet again after another Beatles song. Rocky was a black and white Australian Shepherd.

"So what did Cody say?"

"He'll be here in a bit" I replied.

"Well then let's head back"

We were at the park a couple of streets down from where mom's house was.

"So you're dropping by the week before you head to Toronto?"

"Correct" I said.

"Are you planning on driving there on your own?"

"I was actually hoping you'd come" I confessed.

He smiled.

"There will be lots of crying"

"Oh I know that" I answered.

"You may be the oldest, but you'll always be our baby girl"

They co-parented for nine years until I turned eighteen and went off to college.

"I say we did a good job"

He lightly nudged me.

"You turned out pretty well"

That I did dad, that I did.

"I honestly thought you were going to end up dating Alexandria's brother"

"Why's that?" I asked.

"Well for one you're going to be going to school in Toronto"

Ok that was a valid reason.

"He seemed really into you"

A lot of people had been surprised when they learned that I told Auston I saw him as a friend and just that.

"Auston has a lot of growing up to do" I told him.

"Does Cody know about Auston?"

I nodded.

"Yeah, I was straightforward about it when he asked me out on a date" I said.

"What did Auston think about it?"

"He got jealous" I answered.

"Jealousy gets you nowhere"

He gave me a light squeeze.

"Cody must really like you since he's coming over after a long flight"

Those games tire you out, so I understood what dad was saying. He was the head Physician for the Arizona diamondbacks and occasionally traveled with the team. If playing three back to back games every weekend tired me out, I knew for a fact Cody was exhausted. At least I had the week to recover (I mean I had school to worry about) but, they had a game every single day...with the occasional off day.

"So he's been over before?"

"Yeah, he came over for brunch a week ago" I informed him.

Dad hummed.

"So he hasn't spent the night"

"He has not" I confirmed.

He nodded.

"You know in my days getting to know each other meant you were dating already. As in you were boyfriend and girlfriend"

I shrugged and followed him inside. He closed the gate and took Rocky's harness off.

"Go away now"

I just shook my head at him and made my way to the backyard where the whole family was.

"I have great news!"

He turned to look at me.

"There's no need to change honey, I'm sure Cody will love those overalls"

I just shook my head and made my way. Just as I made my way into my room, my phone chimed. Looking at the screen I saw Cody had texted me,

"Please don't embarrass me" I told him.

He smiled.

"Hey Maia, do you have the baby pictures"

Mom laughed.

"Mateo, be nice"

Yes dad, be nice...please

😯