Fairytales & Lullabies

I held the phone next my ear. "Fuck, pick up." I cursed again in pain.

"It’s not a good time right now, Greta," he whispered. I could hear Sid in the background going on about their game plan for the night. I knew he was in the locker room; the TV in my room had the game on.

"I wouldn't call if it wasn't... Ah, fuck!" Another contraction hit, stronger than the last. “I wouldn’t call if it wasn’t important.”

"What’s wrong? Are you okay?" His voice changed from annoyed to worry in a split second. I could hear Sidney tell him to get off his phone. I could tell Jordan flipped him off when he yelled, “Fuck you!”

"I'm at the hospital Jordy. The baby's on its way. Give you phone to Dana and Anne will call or text as soon as she can with info. Don’t let it distract you. Everything’s going along great. Just go out there and play your game."

"Okay, hang in there. If you miss the game I'll be pissed."

"Don't worry, I've got it covered. You just go out there and force a game seven."

"Anything for you and the baby." I hung up on him when the next contraction hit. The pre game coverage on my TV was talking about the Stanley Cup Final Game Six that would be taking place in a half hour. The Penguins were at home, down 3 to 2 in the series against Detroit. If these guys could play hockey and get beat up just about every night playing hockey, I could fight through the pain and have this baby.

***

Jordan let out a sigh off relief after the win. Dana handed him his phone after he skated off the ice. He found a two new picture messages. One with a tiny baby wrapped up in a blanket. The other was Greta holding the newborn. The smile on his face grew twice as big.

He walked into the locker room and shared the news, "Guys! Before we celebrate the win, we've got something else to celebrate!" He flashed the picture of the baby to show everyone. "Eight pounds and ten ounces. 17 inches long, born at 9:06 pm central time, little baby Braydon Lucas Letang."

Kris' head shot up. He was not expecting to hear anything like that tonight. He shoved his face in his hands and groaned in frustration. The rest of the team went back to celebrating the win as Jordan walked towards him. "I made a huge mistake."

"Go." Kris just looked at him. "I'll have a ticket ready for you when you get the airport and I'll explain it to Dan. You can’t fix this here. You need to go to Minnesota. Don't worry, just go."

Kris slapped his shoulder, "Thanks man."

The plane ride was spent with Kris and his thoughts. How could he just walk away from her? He knew she would never cheat on him, so why did he assume it?

As soon as he landed, he jumped out of his seat and was the first one off the plane. He ran through the airport, not needing to grab any bags.

He found an empty cab and gave the driver the name of the hospital. Jordan had texted him the information before he had gotten on the plane.

When the building came into sight, he became nervous. He was going to see his son for the first time.

***

I woke up hearing the door to my room close. Anne had left an hour ago, but would be back in the morning. I rubbed my eyes and yawned before really seeing who was in my room. "Hi."

"Hi." Kris walked around the bed and sat next me. "How are you?"

"Fine, just tired." A nurse came in to check on me. "Could you bring him in? Dad just got here." She smiled and nodded leaving us alone.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He sounded hurt. I grabbed his hand and held it in mine.

"I was going to that night after the game. You just never let me get anything out."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have accused you like that. I don't know what came over me. I just wish I could have been with you through all this." I smiled.

"I forgive you." The nurse brought in our son. I turned to Kris, "Do you want to hold him?" He nodded and the nurse brought him over. She helped position his head in Kris' arms and left us alone for the night.

"He’s beautiful. He's got your eyes." Kris looked back at me a grinned.

"He has you hair already." Braydon's head was covered in dark hair. We both stayed quiet. Kris put Braydon into the small bed for him. When he sat back down next to me, he grabbed my hand.

"I'm sorry Greta. I wish this all had worked out how it was supposed to."

"I don't see why it still can't work out." He looked at me hopefully before reaching into his pocket.

"Marry me? I know it's not as exciting as my last proposal, but I know this is what I want."

I leaned over and kissed him. "Yes." He slipped the familiar ring onto my hand. I started to doze off. Maybe things in my life weren't working out perfectly, but if I have learned anything as a child it's that fairytales always come true; sometimes it just takes a little extra time.