Page 87 of Power Play
Dr. Marley gently takes the baby from me, before laying her on Lacey's chest, just below her breasts. Our baby jerks her face a couple of times, before she finds the nipple and latches on. Lacey winces and Scott stiffens.
Dr. Marley is amazing because she picks up on Scott's discomfort. "It'll be uncomfortable for the first couple of days, but there are creams to help with that, and then Lacey will become accustomed to it."
Scott relaxes slightly, but then his gaze zeros in on where baby girl number two has latched onto Lacey's swollen tits and his gaze changes from protective to possessive to downright feral. I'm pretty sure he's growling.
Dr. Marley picks up on this change, too, and in an instant the tension has gotten awkward.
Lacey chuckles softly before smacking Scott with the back of her hand. "You're scaring people."
She grabs Lacey's calf and squeezes it. "You've got the all clear, medically. As long as baby girl two latches, you're good to go home. I'd like to keep you for another day or two, just to make sure you all are comfortable, but I want you to know that there were no medical complications and you're free to be parents."
She leaves, with a tentative glance over her shoulder, and then we're alone.
We hadn't wanted to know the genders of the babies, but now that we know they're girls, we need to name them.
"Lay? What are we going to name them?"
She looks at Jonesy tentatively. "I was thinking about Savannah, for my sister, and Catherine, for Garrett's mom?"
I nod. "I love it."
I take in the love of my life, my high school sweetheart, my beginning and my end, with two babies nursing from her and I'm overwhelmed at the rightness of it all. The names she picked are perfect. She's perfect. They're perfect.
My pocket buzzes. I reach into it and pull my phone out.
It's a text from Carter in the group chat
Carter: And?
I smile.
I nod at Jonesy. "When Savannah and Catherine are done, I'll take them to the waiting room. Apparently, we have a bunch of obnoxious hockey players out there waiting for updates."
Garrett relaxes. "I can take them," he offers. I know he's trying to be brave for us, but I also see the nerves simmering under his bravado.
"Let's take them together." I pick Catherine up, patting her back to burp her a little, before handing her to Garrett. Then I do the samewith Savannah. I love that Lacey wanted a tribute to her sister. It just feels right. To honor two women who left us too soon and who I'm convinced are watching from above.
Just outside the hospital doors, we can hear the murmuring men, the women, the entire hockey team that is dying to meet the two new members of the Titans.
I nod, and together we walk into the waiting room.
We're instantly surrounded by people. I've been a part of this team forever. I've been a part of hockey teams forever. But I've never experienced this.
"Two healthy, beautiful little girls. We're naming them Catherine and Savannah."
We're jostled gently with hugs and manly thumps of congratulations and I can't help how much my heart swells.
I share a proud glance with Garrett, who is sharing his own shy smile, surrounded by men who he was scared to let in.
"And mama?" Carter asks, eyes alight with meaning. It's been a year since we were here for the birth of his son and I'd asked the same thing.
A blush creeps up my neck but I can't stop my wide smile. "Doing great. Took it like a champ. She's resting with Coach now."
Carter pushes through the group and clamps a large hand over my shoulder. "I'm proud of you, rookie. You've earned your happiness."
A year ago I watched my friends grow their families and commit to a lifetime together. And then I went home, alone, to my dark apartment, and longed for a family I could call my own.
And now I know I'll never be alone again. Every night I'll come home to two other crazy hockey players, a beautiful pair of baby girls, and the love of my life.
