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SEVENTEEN

DANIEL

My stomach flips as I pull up to Hannah’s apartment. I’m early. Like thirty minutes early. I didn’t want to risk running into traffic or end up having trouble finding parking—yes, it’s midday in Boston, so it’s probably not actually a concern, but I couldn’t stop stressing about it. We’re going to see the baby this morning. Our baby.

I did a lot of research online after I left Hannah’s last night. Apparently, they typically collect a urine sample to confirm the pregnancy at the first appointment. And depending on how far along the mother is, they may use the doppler to hear the baby’s heartbeat.

The minute I read that, my own heartbeat took off. Because from the sound of things, we’re far enough into the pregnancy for that. Today we could hear our child’s heart. A baby that is mine and Hannah’s. My future best friend.

I hope I’m as good of a father as mine is. I hope—fuck, I hope so many things. But really, I just hope our baby is healthy. That everything goes okay today. That Hannah smiles.

My phone rings and I practically jump, feeling caught. Can she see me sitting down here? She probably thinks I’m a fucking stalker, but I figured I’d wait here rather than text her to let her know I arrived and risk rushing her. It’s my fault I have to wait, not hers.

But when my dad’s name flashes across the screen, I relax and pick up. “Hey, Dad.”

“How was last night?”

“It was good. Ending the season that way sucks, but we all need this break.”

My father laughs. “Yeah, I’m sure your legs could all use a few weeks on the beach.”

I hum, scanning the front of the apartment building. “How are Nash and Lake?”

“They’re good. We’re going to Miami for Melina’s first show next weekend.”

“No shit,” I laugh. “Fitz must be stoked.”

He didn’t come out with us last night. Not that he comes out much anymore anyway. Our goalie coach is dating Lake’s best friend, who just so happens to be an international popstar. The third member of their throuple is Fitz’s longtime best friend turned partner. The guy is the fire chief in Bristol, where my dad lives.

“Yeah, he and Declan flew down with Melina yesterday. I think they’re spending a couple of days together before the tour starts.”

A chuckle breaks loose. “Bet he’s not all that sad our season is over.”

“You sound good. Glad you aren’t sinking into the depression some guys face during the offseason.”

I’m back to watching the building when Hannah steps out. Her long brown hair is pulled up, and she’s in a pair of jeans and a white shirt. The woman makes even the simplest outfits look incredible. When she catches sight of me, her face lights up.

“Nothing but good vibes here,” I say to my dad as Hannah tilts her head, as if noticing that I’m on the phone, and offers a little finger wave. “I gotta go.”

“Okay, kid. Let me know when you’re coming down to Bristol again. Miss you.”

“Miss you too.” As I push the door open, I call out a “bye, Dad” and hit End.

“Aww.” Hannah’s eyes light up. “You talking to Daddy Hall?”

I round the car and grab her by the ass, pulling her in for a hug. “I’m your only Daddy Hall.”

Hannah snorts. “You aren’t my Daddy anything.” Lips twisting, she hums. “Well, maybe my baby daddy.”

With a growl, I squeeze her ass cheeks again. God, I like touching her. And I’m fucking ecstatic that she’s letting me without an ounce of hesitation. “Not a fan of that term either.”

Pushing away from me, she laughs. “Too bad. It’s Baby Hall or baby daddy.”

I shake my head as I pull her door open. “You sleep okay?”

Her face softens, and she keeps her focus on me as she eases into her seat. “Yeah, I slept okay. You?”

I have to grip the door to keep myself from ducking in and buckling her seat belt for her. Instead, I settle for watching her do it. Once she’s safely tucked into my car, I nod. “Slept great.”

I don’t tell her that I fell asleep watching baby vlogs. The one created by a group of dads hooked me right away. I went all the way back to the first episode and started there.

The ride to the doctor’s office is quick, and it isn’t until I’m pulling in that I realize I was so lost in my head—trying to come up with conversation topics and worrying about making it awkward—that I haven’t said a word since I pulled away from the curb.

Once the car is in park, I clear my throat, ready to apologize, but she’s already getting out. I reach into the back seat and snag the gift I brought, now worried that she’ll think it’s weird.

But she’s having my baby. It feels monumental. Like it should be celebrated.

I stare down at the bag and grimace. Fuck. What was I thinking? I should have gotten her jewelry or, I don’t know, a car? What kind of gifts are appropriate for the woman carrying my child? It all feels like it’s so much. Honestly, every time I’m near her, I have to fight the urge not to drop down at her feet to thank her or scoop her up and carry her around.

But not a single woman arriving for her own appointment is being carried in by her man, so I shake off the ridiculous thoughts and scurry after her, gripping the bag behind my back. I should have left it in the car.

By the time I get inside, Hannah is at the front desk, checking in. She motions me to sit, and although I want to go over there and hand my credit card over to pay for everything, I honestly have no fucking idea how any of this works, so I obey, finding two empty seats together, my knee bouncing as I wait for her.

“First time?” a guy sitting on the other side of a small coffee table asks. He’s facing me, waiting just like I am. Probably for his wife.

I nod. “Yeah, you?”

His lips tip up. “Nope. Fourth time.”

“Fourth visit to the doctor?”

That gets a chuckle from him. “Fourth child.”

“Shit,” I hiss.

“You’ll be fine.” With that, he holds his phone up and scrolls, ending the conversation.

I’m considering asking if he’s seen any of the baby vlogs when Hannah sits next to me. “She said it shouldn’t be too long.”

I turn my whole body to face her, taking in her pensive expression. “It’s okay. I’ve got nowhere else to be today.”

She forces a smile. “I have a plane to catch later.”

Gut sinking, I deflate a little. “Oh, right. Your season isn’t over.”

She chuckles, though there’s nothing humorous about it. “No. We’re just getting started.”

“Where are you off to?”

“Philly, then Tampa. Then we’re back for a series, then—” She hums, lips twisted. “I think after that, we’re in Cali, but don’t quote me.”

I laugh. “Got it. Do you like it?”

Her eyes widen, the blue of her irises sparkling in the light of the waiting area. “My job?”

“The travel.”

“Oh.” She shrugs. “Yeah, I do. Though now that I’m tired twenty-four hours a day, I’m not sure how I’ll handle it.”

“Oh!” I say, a bolt of excitement running through me. “I’ve got something for that.” Bending down, I pull out the bag that I’ve hidden beneath my chair.

“What’s this?” Brows pulled together, she studies the pastel pink and blue bag I hold out to her.

I shrug. “Just a few things I picked up for you. Not a gift, because who would buy a gift for the woman they knocked up?” I chuckle but snap my mouth shut when I realize I sound like Ross from Friends . “But also, like, kind of a gift, because, obviously, you deserve all the gifts. Just not only this stuff.”

Hannah’s lips tip up in a half smile. “You freaking out a bit, Baby Hall?”

I blow out a breath. “That obvious?”

Her expression turns into a full-on grin. “Can you keep a secret?”

I nod. Hell, yeah, and I’m frickin’ elated that she’s willing to share one with me.

“I am too.”

The way her blue eyes appear almost translucent in this moment, like she’s just as emotional, just as in over her head, and just as in this as me, sends a calming warmth through me.

“Let’s see what we’ve got here.” The spell is broken as she reaches into the bag and pulls out a bottle of prenatal vitamins.

“I’m sure you’ve already got them, but I figure you can’t have too many vitamins—” I shake my head. “Actually I should probably google that. Maybe it’s possible you can.”

With a giggle, she places her hand on my perpetually bouncing knee. “I don’t have any. Thank you. And I’ll make sure to ask the nurse if it’s possible to take too many.”

Sighing, I settle back in my seat. “Right. Because we’re at the doctor’s office. Definitely better than Google.” As she pulls out the next gift, I point to it. “That’s the tea Lake liked to drink while she was pregnant. She said it helped with her heartburn.”

Hannah stiffens, her focus zeroing in on me.

“I didn’t tell her.” I hold up both hands. “I just remember seeing her drinking it a lot, so when I saw it on the shelf near the prenatal vitamins, I grabbed it.”

Hannah smiles softly. “You can tell your family if you want. It’s not just happening to me. I get that now. It was unfair to keep you out of the loop this past week. And I shouldn’t have made the decision to keep this quiet without your input. I’ll do better.”

I dip my chin, keeping my mouth shut. I’m done talking, since everything I say comes out all crazy-sounding.

She picks up the next item and tilts her head, a frown marring her gorgeous face. “Is this a butt plug?”

My mouth falls open as I scan the room. There are four couples scattered around the space, and every one of them is staring at us. I didn’t notice before, probably because I was too focused on my own insanity. “No.” I shake my head and lean closer, voice a low whisper. “It’s to put on nipple cream.”

“Nipple cream?” she practically shouts.

The woman across from us glares over her magazine.

“Oh, fuck,” I mutter, which only makes her scoff. Hand held up, I wince. “Sorry.”

Hannah shoves my hand into my lap and glares right back at the woman.

“We’re in a doctor’s office, and you’re pregnant, because guess what? You fucked. Get over it.”

With a huff, the woman stands and storms to the other side of the waiting area. A moment later, the man with her eases out of his chair and slinks over too.

Hannah turns back to me without a care in the world. “Continue.”

“You’re kind of a badass,” I whisper.

Those pretty peach lips of hers lift in a wide smile. “Thank you.” She holds up the nipple cream applicator. “So nipple cream?”

“I read that they can get sore. This numbs them.”

She laughs. “Cool. Thanks.”

“There’s one more thing?—”

The door next to the check-in window opens, and a nurse in blue scrubs calls Hannah’s name.

We both straighten, the heaviness of the moment returning.

I’m thankful for the few minutes we’ve had together. I may have embarrassed the shit out of myself, but it was worth it just to see her smile.