“Babe, she wants to play basketball,” Mia said.

“I know. She can play basketball.” Skylar put the plate in the dishwasher. “But she’s interested in softball, too.”

“Yes, she is. But softball doesn’t start until spring. Basketball is in the fall.”

“Fall ball is starting in a few weeks,” Skylar pointed out of the indoor softball league available for players who try out and make one of the teams.

“Sky, she hasn’t asked about fall ball,” Mia replied and watched her wife put another plate in the dishwasher. “She’s only twelve. She still wants to play everything. I think she’s interested in cheerleading, too, but likes basketball more.”

“I’m only suggesting that we bring up fall ball as an option to her. She might not think she can make the teams.”

“They’re really good players.”

“So is Hazel,” Skylar said. “She has the talent, Mia. She’s a great utility player. In these leagues, she’s sought-after. She can technically pitch if they need someone to fill in. She knows how to catch.”

“Well, her parents are Olympic gold medalists in those positions, so that’s unsurprising.”

Skylar stood and smiled at her.

“I don’t want to pressure her, but Hazel might like it. She plays outfield well and can switch to infield, too. That’s rare. Most kids her age are already starting to focus on one sport or one position, even, within that sport. I’m not trying to get her to do that or anything. I just know she’ll make the team. Then, there’s travel ball, which is even more competitive, but I think she’d enjoy it, and it would put her on track, Mia.”

“Babe, I love you.” Mia walked around the still-open dishwasher and wrapped her arms around Skylar’s neck to pull her in against her. “And I know you love our daughter. But just because you and I love softball, doesn’t mean she does or that she’ll want to do what we’ve done one day.”

“I know. We just only have one little girl, and she’s growing up, Mia. I want her to have everything, you know?”

“I know.” Mia smiled at her. “And she does. She has two moms that love her very much, an annoying little brother, and she likes school. She has friends and wants to join activities. I think that’s about as much as she can ask for at twelve years old. Well, she also wants a cell phone that isn’t a kid phone that only calls us and the police, but she can get that when she turns thirteen.”

Skylar pulled Mia against her and asked, “So, I shouldn’t mention fall ball to her?”

“You should definitely mention it to her and make sure to tell her you think she’s good enough to make the team, but only if she wants to try out. If she doesn’t, that’s fine. She can still play basketball. It means you and I will be running around this city picking both of them up from even more activities, but we can do that if it’s what they want.”

“She’s really good, Mia.”

“I know she is. She’s just like you, somehow.” Mia tilted her head and smiled at her wife.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I birthed her, but she’s your kid, Sky. I was always a pitcher; even when I was younger. Yes, I couldn’t pitch all the time, so I played other positions, but I only excelled at one. You played everything, and you were good at all of it. You made the Olympic team as a catcher, but you pitched before that, and you were good in the outfield and infield, too. Hell, had we not lost a catcher to illness during the Games and it had been someone else, I still think coach would’ve used you as the alternate, even though we had other options. Hazel is you, too, and I love that.” Mia leaned in and kissed her wife.

“Gross.”

Mia laughed and looked around Skylar to see Hazel walking into the kitchen.

“Can I have a snack? I’m hungry.”

“We just ate dinner,” Skylar told her and looked at Mia, confused.

“I’m growing or whatever,” Hazel argued.

“Yes, you can have a snack. Grab a yogurt or applesauce, though,” Mia told her. “Oh, and your mom wants to talk to you about something. So, you can talk while you eat.” She kissed Skylar, smirked at her, and walked out of the kitchen.