Page 46 of Power Play (Titans Hockey #2)

Chapter forty-two

Lacey

T hings settle down at home. It's two months later and while I've mourned the family I wanted but never had, Tracey and the drama that comes with her has been blessedly absent.

So while I get used to my new norm, and the boys and I explore what our relationships look like, my body has gotten bigger and bigger.

Garrett insisted on taking me out this morning to a local cafe for pastries and black tea, since I burned my one coffee opportunity at home. Our local cafe Jammin' Java makes an amazing London Fog that's to die for.

As Garrett sits across from me at a little bistro-style table, I marvel at the change in him.

Gone is the bristly, hurting boy, and in front of me sits a gorgeous, carefree man.

He's lost the armor he previously had and God, a laid-back, happy Garrett, is a sight.

Every woman in here is checking him out, and I can't blame them.

I mean, they can't touch, but I get it. His devilish smile promises wicked things and has my panties dampening.

I wonder if I can convince him to have a quicky in the bathroom here before we leave.

And then he checks his watch.

"Got a hot date?" I ask, not bothering to hide the jealousy and possessiveness in my voice. I'm too fucking pregnant for this shit. The babies are sitting low in my belly, pressing against my pelvis with every move. My feet hurt. And I feel like I’ve eaten an entire watermelon .

I’ve just hit my third trimester and I’m huge. I try not to think about the fact that I have months left to go. I look like a woman full term with one baby. Apparently, baby A and baby B are both the size of butternut squashes? Whoever decided to use food as a measurement was stupid.

We’ve decided not to know the genders. If they’re fraternal twins, they could be different genders. Which could mean separate fathers. If they’re identical twins, they’ll only have one father. All of my men say they don’t care about the DNA of the babies, but I’m still cautious.

His eyes meet mine, and he grins again. "Only with my wife," he tosses in a wink, and I narrow my eyes. He's up to something.

"What's going on?" I challenge.

He shrugs and laughs, unaffected. "Nothing."

"Garrett Remi Jones, do not bullshit me."

He laughs again, holding his hands up in surrender. "God, you've got that mom-voice going on already."

I narrow my eyes more.

"I'm supposed to keep you out of the house until eleven."

The hackles raise on the back of my neck. I don't like the idea of my three men conspiring against me. I trust each of them implicitly, but if it needs to be a secret, it can't be good.

Garrett checks his watch again. "But it's good now. Cinderella won't turn into a pumpkin and we can head back home."

I finish my croissant, still miffed at the idea that the boys are doing something shady.

I'm silent the entire way home, hands clasped possessively over my belly. Garrett grabs one of my hands in his. "It's a good thing, I promise. "

I give a little grunt of disapproval and ignore him. He laughs. Mother fucker.

We park in front of the house I've begun to consider my own, and Garrett helps me out. I'm getting so big I'm uncomfortable at this point.

But when I look around, I notice half a dozen other cars parked along the driveway. What the hell?! Were they having a party!?

I march up to the door, ready to fight someone, but when I throw it open, the sight before me has me stuttering to a stop.

Pink and blue balloons are tied to every available surface, and Lauren, Emily, Martha, and two other WAGs are standing around my kitchen island, food, freezer bags, and casserole dishes spread out on every available surface.

Lauren's the first to see me. "Happy Baby Shower!" she shouts, and all the other women beam affectionate smiles at me.

"Wha-what is this?" I stutter, stepping closer to figure out what the hell they're doing.

"We're helping Martha meal prep for when the baby comes.

We'll have at least a month's worth of food in the freezer for you.

" She nods towards a massive pile of wrapped presents.

"And we brought everything we thought you might need for the first few months - diapers, bottles, nipple cream, soaps and shampoos, the whole nine. "

My eyes mist as my lower lip trembles.

"We know you can obviously afford everything yourself, and Martha doesn't need our help." Emily looks at me and shrugs. "But this is how the Titans do family. "

Garrett slides up behind me and wraps his arms around me, pulling me back against his chest. "I know they're a lot, but they mean well. Let them love you?"

A sob wracks my chest, and I feel the first of what I'm sure are many tears.

Martha comes forward, wiping her hands on a towel.

"Ben said you'd need a moment. And that you probably wouldn’t want to be the center of attention while opening presents.

" She takes my hand in hers. "Go to the bedroom and feel all your feels.

When you're ready, we'll be here for you.

" She tugs me towards Scott's bedroom, and I've never been more grateful for an escape plan.

She's absolutely right. I'm overwhelmed with emotions and don't want to make a scene.

I sit on Scott's bed, our bed, and ugly-cry into my hands.

I've never felt so loved, so appreciated, so taken care of.

Especially by women who don't owe me anything.

These women decided I'm one of them and picked me up and loved me just because.

I'm shaking as I try to calm myself down.

I can't believe these women, but God am I grateful for them and the sense of belonging they've given me.

And I know in a heartbeat I'd do anything for each of the women out there.

This is family. This is what family was always supposed to be. You decide you love someone and then you do it. It's really that simple.

When my chest has stopped shaking and I wipe my eyes, I find the bravery to head back into the kitchen. The women are happily chatting amongst themselves. Martha's directing everyone on what to do and there are printed recipes on the counters she's using as guides.

They all kind of pause when I reappear, though, trying to gauge where I'm at .

I wring my hands.

"I'm just really grateful for each and every one of you. I... I’ve never had a group of girlfriends and I'm so...so grateful." I start to get choked up again.

Lauren steps forward and throws her arm around my shoulder. "Trust me, girl, you're going to need a group of girlfriends to deal with being with hockey players ." She says the last two words as if they're the most obnoxious things in the world.

Emily smiles at me. "Ben’s with Carter and the kids. Apparently, he asked for Dad lessons, so I apologize in advance."

I can't help but laugh.

I know Garrett's here somewhere, but I wonder about Scott. Before I can shoot him a text, though, Lauren pipes up. "Jonesy and Scott are under strict instructions not to bother us, so they're downstairs with Novy and Kyle."

I smile, already grateful for everyone in this house.

"I... I really can't thank you guys enough."

Now it's Martha's turn to admonish me. "Enough with the thanks... let's get to cooking!"

And so we do.