1. Sequel to "Going Public." In all reality, you don't need to read "Going Public" to follow these chapters. But if you want, chapter 1 of "Going Public" will get you as far as you need to be up to speed for this fic…

2. This particular chapter is an exploration of their differences of opinion when it comes to religion. It is based on my interpretation of the way the characters were written for the show.

Religion?:

- December 20th, 2017 -

Blip called Mike that morning, "Hey, since you and Ginny are staying in town for Christmas this year, we wanted to invite you over for dinner on Christmas Eve. But Evelyn said you have to run it by Ginny first."

"Thanks for the invite man, I don't know why it'd be an issue, count us in. What time?" Mike responded.

"7:00. Just check with Gin."

"Got… I can make decisions, too."

"You're funeral." And with that, Blip hung up.

A few minutes later Ginny came down the stairs to head out for a morning run. "Blip called. The Sanders invited us to Christmas Eve dinner at their house." Mike told Ginny as she started warming up her arms.

"What time?" She asked

"7:00. Why, you have a hot date I don't know about?" he joked as he went to kiss her good morning.

"Silly fool. Ask them if I can meet you all there at 7:30. I have something else to do first." Then she gave Mike a quick kiss and left for her run, not giving Mike a chance to ask anymore questions.

By the time she got back from her run, Mike had headed off to the gym. The rest of the day slowly got busy with errands and phone calls.

- December 21st, 2017 -

Ginny might not be able to use her arm, but she was going to keep up her endurance. She wanted to run a few miles before her therapy session that day. Her alarm went off and she went to roll out of bed. Mike grabbed her and pulled her back in. "Five minutes, that's all I want, promise."

"Just five? Why don't I believe you?" She joked with him, but still obliged.

"Seriously, what are you doing Christmas Eve before dinner?"

"It's not a big deal. Nothing to worry your pretty little beard about. I just want to go to 6:00 church. You can go over at 7:00 and I'll catch up a little later. Five minutes are up, old man."

"I don't think I got my full five minutes. But I'll let it slide this time. You'll have to make it up later, Baker."

- December 22nd, 2017 -

They were lounging on the couch watching a movie when Mike paused it. "Do you want me to go to church with you?"

"I didn't peg you as the religious type. I mean I know most ball players think baseball is a religion." She said jokingly.

"I'm not, religious that is. But I'll go if you want me to. I had no idea you were religious though. You threw me a screwball yesterday."

"Sorry. Janet… my mom took Will and I to church whenever we had a Sunday that was free. Which didn't happen as much as she wanted because of baseball. But I found it to be something that helped center me - give me perspective beyond the game. With my dad, it was all about the game. But church gave me something else to focus on beyond the game that no one could take away, not even my dad. So when I couldn't go to prom, or I they guy I had crush on asked out another girl, I could look to my God for the support my dad wasn't able to give me. I guess it's one of the benefits of growing up in small-town, North Carolina – you couldn't turn a corner without seeing a church. My first few months here in San Diego, I had lost my way a little. But you helped me find my balance, and remind me I could help myself." And with that, Ginny grabbed the remote and turned the movie back on.

"So last off season, when you and Ev would have girls mornings all dressed up on Sunday mornings..."

"Guilty, church, then brunch with the boys. Not sure why, but I didn't think it mattered."

- December 23rd, 2017 -

Mike had volunteered to bring a pie to the Sanders for dinner, and Ginny wanted to learn a little more about cooking. She was lingering over Mike in the kitchen as he prepped the dough for the crust and began to roll it out. Ginny pressed her chest up to his back and stood on her tiptoes to look over his shoulders, all the while giving him little kisses on the ear.

"Woman, this pie will never get made if you keep distracting me." And he turned around and planted a huge kiss on her picked her up in a big hug.

"Look at my shirt, I'm covered in flour from your giant man hands!"

"You asked for it, kissing my ear, being so close, smelling so good. But lucky you, I need to get this pie finished, so I'm going to get back to work. But no more distracting me lady."

Ginny jumped up and sat on the counter next to where Mike was working. Mike then toned the mood down and asked in a softer voice. "So when we do have kids… are you going to want to take them to church? Teach them about God?"

"I hadn't really thought about it, but yeah, I do. Is that going to be a problem for you?"

"I'm not sure, I don't think I know enough to say one way or another. Growing up, my mom was more concerned about where her next job would be, that my spirituality."

"Well I've seen you grow over the last year, and I think there is some sort of spirituality in that heart of yours. But I don't believe in forcing anyone to attend a church where they aren't comfortable and are going to be miserable, even if it is only for an hour. So don't worry about tomorrow. I'm not going to change you, I love you just how you are. We don't have to figure out the kid/God thing now." She leaned over and kissed him.

- December 24th, 2017 -

Ginny was just about ready for church. She went to grab her purse from her nightstand expecting to see Mike getting in the shower. But she was nowhere upstairs. She went downstairs figuring he was procrastinating and would probably jump in the shower and barely make it to Blip and Ev's when she arrived after church. However, she found him already dressed, sitting on the couch. He stood up and started talking… "Before you say anything… I've already called Blip to let him know we will both be late and they are okay with it. And you are not forcing me to do anything. If this is important to you, then I want to learn more. I'm not making any promises. But I will keep an open mind."

She extended her hand to him, "This is why I'm marring you, Mr. Lawson." And they headed to the door. About 30 seconds later, Mike came running back inside to grab the pie they almost forgot.

On the car ride over Mike had to ask, "Blip said Ev makes them go to midnight service at the same church. You didn't want to go to that one with them?"

"I should warn you now, this is the 'early' service for families with kids. I like going and watching all the kids. Makes me look forward to the day we have kids. So the service will loud and noisy, with crying kids, and everything we can expect when we are parents someday."

"God, I love you Baker. Just say the word and we can get started making those babies."

"You're getting ahead of yourself,Lawson. Marriage, baseball, babies, then maybe a little more baseball."

"If we must. But if you change you're mind, I'm flexible."

- December 25th, 2017 -

They woke up after a wonderful Christmas Eve. They had promised to keep gifts low key this year. Ginny was worried Mike wouldn't hold to his end of the deal, but she would.

"Merry Christmas Gin." Mike started. "Want me to start breakfast?"

"Coffee, but I want you to open your gift first." And she pulled out a 12x12 thin flat wrapped package she'd hidden under her side of the bed.

"Did you stick to our agreement? Must be under $20 but meaningful."

"I did, the question is did you, old man?"

"I may have gone a little over, but a promise not by too much." As he began to unwrap a 12-month calendar of San Diego. He looked at her with a flat expression..

"I want to set a date for our wedding. I've circled a few dates I think might work." Ginny responded. And with that, his expression went from flat to ecstatic.

"Then I think you'll love my gift," and he ran to pull out a box, not wrapped, from his closet. It was about the size to fit a basketball in.

"Saved money on gift wrap?" She teased him. Then she pulled out a globe.

Mike explained, "We don't have to get married here in San Diego, we can. But we can get married anywhere you want. North Carolina in a big church wedding, or in Fiji on the beach. Anywhere you want, I'll follow you, so long as I am the best looking guy around," and he kissed her, narcissism still fully intact.

"Well you better get some coffee and food in me so we can start planning on making us Mrs. & Mr." She responded.

I hope you are all having a Merry Christmas.