Accidentally In Love

Jordan and Mandy have been in New York for about a week and near the end of that week, Lindsay had given birth to a healthy baby girl, Melody Grace Staal. Everyone was excited to finally have another girl in the Staal family. Jordan and Mandy helped the proud new parents take their baby home for the first time. Eric, Tanya, and the kids went back to Thunder Bay with Linda and Henry the day after Melody was born. Jared and Megs had taken an early morning flight to Jamaica the day after the birth on their honeymoon since they wouldn't be able to take one after their wedding like most couples get to.

As Mandy held Melody after Lindsay fed her, Jordan couldn’t help but picture her holding their baby, not his brother’s. Normally a thought like that would send Jordan running for the hills, but ever since he met Mandy, all he could really thing about was their future together. Especially seeing his brothers, Jared included, with their wives and families, Jordan couldn’t help but envy them.

“Jordan, can you please hand me the burp towel?” Mandy asked, bringing him out of his thoughts.

Jordan looked around for the cloth and found it in the baby bag. “Here you go, babe.” He smiled handing her the rag. “I’m getting a beer, would you like anything?”

“Soda please. I don’t care what kind.” She smiled at him and his breath caught, she was so pretty when she smiled. Not that she wasn’t other times, but she just lit up when she smiled. Before going to the kitchen Jordan placed a kiss on top of Mandy’s head.

Marc was standing at the stove as he made dinner, since Lindsay just gave birth two days ago. “When are you going to tell her?” he asked without looking up from the chicken he was sautéeing.

Jordan took the top off his beer and took a pull from it. “I don’t know,” he sighed. “I’m not in any rush to do it, but…” he trailed off.

“But what?” Marc pushed.

“I’m scared.” Jordan admitted.

Marc placed the spatula down and turned to his younger brother. Jordan didn’t make eye contact, it wasn’t very often he admitted his feelings, let alone when he was scared. “What are you scared of Jordan? Not if she’ll love you back I hope, because let me tell you little brother, I’ve been watching you two together for the past week and you are both so in love it would be sickening if I hadn’t been there.” He placed a hand on Jordan’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “She loves you, believe me, and if you don’t, ask anyone who has seen you two together.” He smiled.

Just then Mandy walked in carrying a fussing Melody. She smiled down at the baby and then the boys in front of her. “I think someone wants her daddy.” She smiled at Marc, handing over the baby.

The smile on Marc’s face when he held his daughter made Jordan’s chest ache. He wanted that. With Mandy.

“Man, would you mind keeping an eye on dinner while I change her diaper?” Marc asked, bouncing slightly.

“Sure thing.” She walked over to the stove and began stirring the chicken. Jordan walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. “Hey there.”

“Hi.” He whispered, kissing her cheek. “So I was thinking, we could head to Thunder Bay this weekend. Spend one more night here and then go up. How does that sound?”

Mandy spun around and Jordan found himself lost in her eyes. God, I love you, he thought. He wanted to say it, but at the same time he didn’t. He was truly afraid of how she’d react. Jordan lowered his head and kissed her.

She smiled when they broke apart. “I think that sounds great.” She cocked her head to the side. “When are you getting the Cup?” She asked.

“July seventh ‘til the eighth.”

“Let me guess, Sidney is getting it August seventh….again.” She chuckled.

“Yeah, especially considering it’s their wedding anniversary and Sidney’s birthday.”

Mandy gasped. “That’s right! I guess I need to go to Cole Harbour in August.”

Jordan kissed her again. “I already planned on it.” He smiled.

She smiled up at him and ran a hand through his hair and down his cheek. “You are wonderful, do you know that? You’re taking me everywhere this summer and it’s your summer. I mean, I didn’t win the Stanley Cup, you did.”

Jordan chuckled. “I don’t mind going places, as long as you’re with me.”

There was a gagging noise from the doorway that caught Mandy and Jordan’s attention. Marc was standing there with a smile on his face. Both Jordan and Mandy flipped Marc off as they moved away from the stove. Jordan moved out of the kitchen and sat at the table and watched Mandy help Marc with dinner. In the beginning when everything between Mandy and Jordan started, Jordan was afraid that his family wouldn’t accept her. He was afraid that because she was so young they wouldn’t like the fact that he had feelings for her. But when he finally told them about his feelings they were all supportive, Linda even had tears in her eyes as she hugged him and said,

“I knew something good had happened to you. You have changed and matured so much in the past couple of years and I can’t wait to meet the girl who has done that.”

Normally a comment like that would have had Jordan’s shoulders up in defense and he would have become angry, but in reality he knew it was true. Since he and Mandy began hanging out that summer, Jordan hasn’t gone out and partied as hard as he use to, his game had improved, and he felt like a better person all around. Watching Mandy with his family just made his vision of the future that much brighter, knowing that his family approved and she fit in so well.

The ringing of Jordan’s phone dragged him out of his thoughts of weddings and babies. He looked at the display and groaned. Heather Jordan was sure he deleted her number as soon as she had put it in there.

“Hello?” He answered tensely, getting up from the table and onto the balcony.

“Hey Jordy!” She squealed and Jordan winced.

“Hi Heather, how are you?”

“Oh, I’m just fabulous. I was just wondering if you wanted to go out for a drink, Mr. Stanley Cup Champ.”

Jordan rolled his eyes. “Thanks, but I’m actually in New York right now. My brother’s wife just had a baby.”

“Oh Matt? That’s great, tell him I said congratulations.” She squealed….again.

“It’s Marc and I will, but I have to go. Dinner is ready. Nice talking to you Heather.” Jordan hung up before she could say anything else. He ran a hand down his face and sighed heavily. He silently cursed his best friend for ever trying to force Heather on him. She just wanted to be with Jordan when it was convenient and just because of his name. She didn’t want a relationship. She was a puck bunny.

The sound of the back door opening caught Jordan’s attention. He turned and saw Mandy standing there with a small smile on her face. “Are you okay?” She asked quietly.

Jordan sighed and leaned against the railing. “Yeah, I guess. Heather called me.”

Jordan watched as Mandy’s shoulder slumped. “Oh. What did she want?” Mandy knew about Jordan and Heather’s attempts at a relationship.

“She wanted to go out to Diesel since we won the Cup, but I told her no.” He smiled. “Mandy, you don’t have to worry about her.” Mandy bit her lip and nodded. Jordan sighed and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “If I wanted to be with Heather, I would have been with her since Sidney introduced us and not ever thinking about you. But I’m not, I’m with you.” Jordan leaned forward and rested his forehead on hers. “Now, let’s go spend another night with my brother and his wife.” He smiled leading her back into the house
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