Page 1 of Blizzard Babies
Chapter 1
Laurel
It’s hard to garner any kind of respect from the men you work with if you waddle when you walk.
Trust me, I would know.
Being the head coach of a professional hockey team while eight months pregnant, mid-season, is nothing short of a disaster. Gage and I already have a beautiful little boy, Matthew, and though we wanted one more, I had no plans to do that so soon. Considering our busy lifestyle, this isn’t the best time for another baby.
Fate, however, had other plans.
I’m thirty-six weeks along, due at the end of March, and I have no idea how I’m going to go on maternity leave at this stage of the season. I can’t wrap my head around the idea of missing the last six weeks and then somehow jumping back in during the playoffs. Assuming we even get to the playoffs.
“Laurel.”
I turn at the sound of my name and smile at Drake Riser, one of my assistant coaches. He’s the one I find myself turning to most often, and he’ll take over as head coach while I’m out. I trust him, but it still makes the control freak in me a little crazy.
“Hey, Drake. What’s up?”
“Everything okay with you?” he asks quietly, falling into step beside me. “You were rough on the boys this morning.”
I scowl. “They looked like they’d just rolled out of bed,” I say. “If I can haul my pregnant ass onto the ice at eight months pregnant and outskate them, they needed me to be rough.”
He chuckles. “Agreed, but it’s not like you to bust their balls the way you did.”
I shrug. “They needed a good kick in the ass. Besides, I have to play bad coach so you can go be nice coach. They’ll be fine after you soothe some ruffled feathers.”
“I’m not really worried about them,” he says quietly. “I’m more worried about you. You just haven’t been yourself. Is everything okay?”
I pause to eye him as I get out the keys to my office. “I’m unexpectedly pregnant. I’m tired, stressed, and wholly unprepared to go on maternity leave again this soon. Not to mention the idea of coming back to work with a newborn and a toddler at home.”
He grimaces. “I totally understand, but what’s the alternative? You’re not thinking of retiring, are you?”
“Fuck no.” I shake my head. “I love Matthew, and I already love this little one too, but staying home with them twenty-four-seven would probably destroy my soul one diaper at a time.”
“So hormones and backaches for the win?” he asks, laughing.
I can’t help but chuckle. “Something like that.”
“Well, if there’s anything I can do to pick up the slack, let me know.”
“I appreciate that,” I tell him. “I’m probably going to be relying on you more and more as I get closer to my due date.”
“Whatever you need.”
“Thanks.” I smile before sinking into the chair behind my desk.
Practice was brutal this morning. Yes, the team needed a little ass-kicking, but I was already in a bad mood and it showed.
I absently rub my hand over my belly, trying to breathe through all the negativity I’ve been feeling lately. I had hormonal moments during my last pregnancy, but they’re far more intense this time. I’m not sure whether it’s the fact that I’m getting older, that I have a toddler at home who misses me, or all the pressure from work, but whatever it is has finally started to catch up to me.
“Hey, beautiful.” Gage peeks around the corner. “You have a minute?”
“For my favorite boss?” I smile at my gorgeous husband. “Sure.”
He laughs as he comes in and shuts the door behind him. He comes around behind my desk, and I tip my face up for a kiss.
“Mmm, you taste yummy,” I tell him. “Espresso?”
