Ice

I woke up to sunlight in my face, and Kris was gone, but there was a note on the night stand explaining that he had to leave for an early practice and then a press conference, for the game tonight.

I winced, feeling my sore ribs, where Luc had previously been kicking with a vengeance.

Climbing out of bed, i slipped on my silk robe, and walked down the hall into the kitchen, looking for some food.

There was some leftover pizza in the fridge, and i pulled out the box, setting it on the counter.

I don't give a fuck if it's morning, i'm going to have pizza for breakfast.

Pulling out a cold slice, i took a huge bite and moaned, chewing roughly.

The house phone rang, startling me, and i jumped, reaching over the counter to answer it.

" 'ello?" i answered, looking to the clock.
Who calls at 7:45 in the morning?

" Ah, Bonjour, Aurelie. qu'est-ce mon fils?" ( good morning, where is my son?) Kris' mother asked.

i sighed, " Practice. Should i get him to call you?" i took another bite of pizza, turning to grab the milk from the fridge.

" Oh no, c'est bon. I was just calling, to ask him something. I'll leave a message on his phone....'ow are you, Aurelie? The baby?"

i smiled lightly, " Je suis bonne. L'enfant est bon aussi." (i'm good. The baby is good as well)

Christiane laughed, ' C'est Manifique! Tell me, boy or girl?"

" A boy. We found out last week. " i replied, running a hand over my round stomach.

" Have you given him a name? Oh, please! Tell me his name!" his mother begged.

i laughed out loud," No! I will not! You will have to wait with everyone else!"

I could imagine the small brunette woman pouting, " Oui. D'accord. It just makes it more exciting, i suppose. Will you send us the-the...pictures?" i could tell she struggled to get the words out in English.

' Of course, Christiane, but, i must go now, i'm going to be late for something....i shall see you soon?"
" Oui. Oui. A bientot!" (see you soon). She hung up and i set the phone down, walking into the den to set up my lap top, getting ready for my video chat with Henri.

quickly moving back to the bed room, i threw on some sweats and a long sleeve Penguins shirt, before going back to sit on the couch with a cup of hot tea.

I signed on to the computer, and waited a moment. At exactly 8:00, a window popped up.

i clicked it, smiling, and Henri's face pulled up onto the screen, a wide grin across his familiar face.

" Aury! Sister! look at you, you are getting to big!" he spoke, noticing the bugle of my stomach on the screen. I could see in the background his office at the restaurant. He must be at work.

i scowled at him, " Shut up, i do not wish to hear it." i sighed, running a hand through my hair.

My once toned, slim body had been growing rapidly, and i had already put on twenty pounds. TWENTY!!

" Ah, but you are still beautiful, pregnancy does you well, no? Where is Kris?" he inquired, eyes searching.

" He's at practice, there is a game tonight, against the Wild. And soon they will travel to New York for two games there."

Henri nodded, then he sighed, " My restaurant is expanding, ma soeur, we are opening a new location. "

i grinned, " Really?? Oh, Hen that is wonderful! I am so happy for you! Why do you seem sad, this is good, yes?" i leaned forward, setting my mug on the table.

My brother nodded but bit his lip, " It is. I'm glad we're doing so well, but i'll have to move, and help set up, and hire....it'll be a nightmare." He pouted.

I rolled my eyes. " Get over it. I wish...i wish you could open up a restaurant here. Then we wouldn't be so far apart. "

Henri nodded, but his eyes lit up mischievously, " There's a thought, Oui. Now, what would you do if-"

He was cut off by the sound of the front door opening, and Julia came running in, not noticing that i was on the computer with him.

" AURELIE! Guess! You'll never guess!!" She screamed, practically bouncing. I looked at her shocked, never having see her so.... buoyant, before.

" Eh, i don't know, Jules? What?"

She grinned, walking to me, " You know how i've been working so much? Well it's finally paid off! I got that promotion! You're looking at the new Chairman of Relation for Byzantine Advertising!" she said quickly.

I grinned, " That's awesome, Jules-"

"Is that Henri? Hey Henri!" she cut me off, finally noticing his amused face on the computer screen.

He smirked, waving. " Bonjour, mademoiselle. Congratulations, it seems."

She nodded, then turned to me, ' Sorry, was i interrupting something?" she actually looked regretful.

I shrugged, smiling. " It is fine. Say, i was about to head out to the arena to see Kris, would you like to join me, give your best to the captain?"

She rolled her eyes, flipping me off but nodded, sitting across from me in the love seat, pulling out her phone.

" The captain?" Henri asked. I nodded.

" Julia here has been consorting with the team Captain, Sidney. It's quite scandalous, you see, being that she hates him." i winked to my brother.

Someone called his name in the back ground and he sighed, " Seems i have to leave, ma soeur, but i will talk to you soon."

i said my goodbyes and closed down the screen.

Standing up i stretched, and looked down at Jules.
" Let me get changed and then we'll go. We have to stop and pick up something for Kris to eat along the way, as well."

She nodded, playing some game on her phone and not even looking away.

i skipped into the bedroom, changing into some maternity jeans, and Toms.
I grabbed my giant grey jacket, and hat, and cleared my throat, getting Julia's attention.

" Let's go." i said, pulling on my hat. I snatched the keys off the hallway table and Julia followed me out to the car.
The snow was starting to melt, due to our current heat wave, so the black top was easier to drive than usual, without the fear of ice on the road.
We drove into town, listening to the radio, and once again, I stopped at Colbert's.
Kris' favorite place.
I went in and picked up his usual, grabbing an orange mango smoothie for me, and said hello to Mrs. Colbert.
" Ah! Aury, sweetie you look so big! You're glowing!" the kind older lady squealed from behind the counter.
i smiled, holding my hand on my stomach, " Thank you, Ellen. Kris and I are very happy. I'll see you soon!" i yelled going out the door.
When i got back into the car, Julia sighed, " Took ya long enough. Good lord."
i giggled, " Sorry. I was talking to Ellen. Such a nice lady. "
Luckily, we were only two blocks away from the Consol, so we made it there in no time at all.
I parked and handed the bags to Julia, for my back was hurting.
Two and a half months left. And everything hurts.
The two of us slowly made our way in the doors and down the halls, waving at certain security guards.
I saw Mario and Dan standing in the hall outside the rink, and i yelled, " Boys!"
They looked up, startled, and Mario grinned, walking toward me.
" Hey LeeLee. You look great. What's all of this? Hey Jules." he asked regarding the three bags.
I pulled out a sandwich for him and for Dan.
" Figured you guys would be hungry. I was already there so i picked up a few more."
Dan thanked me," You girls didn't have to, but thanks. It was very thoughtful of you....Aury i think Kris is down there on the bench. You can go ahead down there...but be careful." He said eyeing me.
I nodded, taking Julia's hand to stabilize me, so i didn't fall off balance, being to front heavy.
We slowly made our way down the many steps to the ice, and i tapped on the plexi-glass, seeing Kris's face on the bench.
A few of the guys looked over, and Kris got up, laughing and shaking his head to open the gate.
" Hey." He kissed me gently, ' What are you doing here? Is everything okay?" he worried.
Julia scoffed, handing him a sandwich and a smoothie.
" Don't get to mushy, lover boy. We're just delivering. "
Kris laughed, taking the bag and pulled me through the gate into the bench/box thing.
I sat next to him, rubbing my stomach and taking my smoothie out of his bag, while Julia went out to go find Sid.
" Kicking a lot?" Kris asked, noticing my occasional wince.
I nodded, taking his hand, and pulling off his glove, placing his palm on my shirt covered stomach.
His face lit up when he felt the kick, kissing me again.
' Aury can i feel?" Jordan asked shyly.
I was shocked, never having seen the obnoxious giant so...calm.
i nodded, ' Yeah Jordy, go ahead, right.....here." i moved his palm to where Luc just kicked.
He was silent, and then the blond grinned, pulling his hand away and clapping Kris on the back.
" You two are gonna be great parents, man, i just know it. " Then he got a sad look on his face, and skated away.
I turned to Kris, " What was that about?"
" Heather doesn't want to have kids. Jordan does." my husband explained, stretching.
i nodded slowly, " I see. Well, maybe he can change her mind, oui?"
Nodding, Kris stood up, take a sip of his smoothie - strawberry banana.
" BOYS! HIT THE SHOWERS!" Dan yelled, ending practice.
I held Kris' hand as we all walked back to the locker rooms, and waited outside the doors as they all changed.
I knew that i was only allowed to have all this access to the guys because of my relationship with Mario, but i don't want to step on anybody's toes.
"Hey whore." Julia said, coming to stand beside me outside the locker room.
I gave her a grin, " How's our captain today, hmm?"
" Perfect. As usual." She grumbled. I stifled laughter.
" Hey girls? You can come in now." Mario said, peeking his head through the doors.
We slipped in, and i went to go sit by Kris, while he finished putting on his normal clothes.
" Alright, guys. Listen up, listen up." Dan began, ready to give his usual post-practice speech.
" Tonight, we play the Wild. Any i don't want you guys to underestimate these players, because of their current loosing streak. Don't let it fucking get to your head, alright? We'r gonna play them like they'e fucking on top of the league. We're gonna crush them. Defense, pull out all the stops. Sid, just... be you, i guess," a chuckle went out through the room, and i saw Sidney blush,"We did good at the last game, we did. We won, but that doesn't give us any liberties. I want to see some good, team work action tonight. Now after the press, go home, get some food, get some rest, and i want to see you back here for five o'clock. No later. Don't walk in here at 5:13, i'm talking to you, Neal."
James chuckled, nodding his head.
" Alright, oh, Aury?" i looked over to the Coach, '' Thanks for the sandwich, doll. You got a good lady there, Letang. Can't wait to see that kid." Dan smiled, patting Kris on the back.
The guys all " awwwweee"ed. Kris kissed my cheek, wrapping his arm around me.
" Now get the fuck out of my locker room" Bylsma ended eloquently.
We all stood up, and the room grew loud with chatter and such.
I turned in Kris' arms to hug him goodbye.
" I'll see you at home, oui?" He nodded, letting me go and leaning down to kiss me. The kiss lasted a little longer than i though, though, and i wrapped my arms around his neck and his drifted to my waist, pulling me in tighter, kissing me roughly.
Then a glove came flying across the room and kit Kris in the head, causing the room to break out in laughter.
" Hey hey hey, break it up Letangs, you already got her pregnant, what else you need?" TK teased.
I pulled away and glared at him, grabbing my bag, and chucking a pack of gum at him.
But he caught it of course, taking it and tucking it into his pocket.
Julia came to stand beside me and i nodded, saying good bye to Kris once more, and waving to the rest of the guys.
As the two of us went for the exit, Mario cut us off.
" Lee, listen. I really want you and Kris to come over for dinner tonight after the game. Will you? Nathalie has been bugging me about it, and well, you know her." He said, eyes pleading.
I looked down, thinking, but nodded, " Sure Mario. I'll see you then."
He gave a thankful smile, pulling me in for a hug, and kissing the top of my head, as he did when i was a child.
" Thank you, Aurelie."
Julia and i moved past him and out the exit doors.
" You two are getting close again?" She asked.
I pursed my lips, ' Trying. It won't be easy, but i do miss him. "

As we climbed in the car, i made Julia drive. The busy day was wearing on me, and all i wanted was a nap.
I can't wait to get home.