Page 1 of Blizzard Babies (Alaska Blizzard #6.5)

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?”

“With a little Jameson’s,” he says.

“Sure, rub it in that I can’t have any.”

“Hey, you get a little of the taste without the alcohol.”

“I could use more than a little alcohol right about now,” I mutter.

“What’s wrong?” he asks softly, perching on the edge of my desk.

I motion to my stomach. “Hello? Have you not noticed your fat, exhausted wife?”

“I don’t see fat,” he replies patiently, his gray eyes gleaming. “I do see the sexiest, most hardworking woman I know growing our child inside of her.”

“I’m done with being pregnant,” I tell him, moving two fingers back and forth across my forehead, trying to fend off the headache that’s been threatening all morning.

“Tell you what.” He stands up and holds out his hands. “How about you play hooky this afternoon and we hit the spa?”

I roll my eyes. “I can’t, Gage. I have a million things to do.”

“Last time I checked, I was your boss,” he says, a teasing lilt to his voice. “I could make you go to the spa with me.”

“Just because you’re my boss doesn’t mean I can ignore my responsibilities. If I don’t do them now, I’m going to have to work late tonight. And tomorrow we leave on a road trip.”

“My love… maybe it’s time to go on maternity leave,” he suggests gently.

I glare at him. “Seriously? Now?”

“When else?” he asked. “You’re tired and miserable. Matthew misses you. Hell, I miss you.”

“Well, you shouldn’t have knocked me up again,” I snap.

“Your IUD slipped out of place,” he says. “That was no one’s fault.”

“I don’t want to argue,” I lean back in my chair.

“But I can’t play hooky today if I’m going to spend time with the baby tonight.

I’m sorry. I’ve got to finalize notes for Drake for when he takes over and also rearrange the third and fourth lines for the next game, and I have a doctor’s appointment at two. ”

“You can do some of that on the plane tomorrow,” he says, not budging.

“Gage.” I gave him a dirty look, but he gives me one right back.

“Laurel.”

We stare at each other, but he’s the one who finally backs down.

Not because he isn’t tough as nails when he has to be, but because he loves me enough to let me win. Even when I probably should have given in.

“I don’t want to fight either,” he says after a moment. “Will you please come home early then? Matthew needs to spend more than five minutes with you before you leave.”

Making me feel guilty about our son is a surefire way of getting me to do what he wants, and I nod despite the manipulation. “Yes. Okay. I’ll be home right after my appointment. Promise.”

“You’d better. Don’t think I won’t come back up here to get you.”

I smile. “Oh, I know you will.”

“I love you,” he says, brushing his lips across mine. “I’m sorry this happened at such an inconvenient time. I know we wanted to time it for summer.”

“I love you too.” I reach up to touch his face. “Sorry I’m so cranky.”

“It’s all right.” He puts one of his big, warm hands on my stomach. “It’s almost over. We’ll regroup this summer and work on a plan to make your schedule easier going forward.”

I didn’t know if that’s possible, but I’m looking forward to it more than he knows.