... And Then There Were Three

**Nov. 29th, 2015 Aleks’ POV**

When I woke, I felt much better. It’s amazing what just a couple hours of sleep will do for a person. I looked at the clock and saw it was 10:15 a.m. I knew that there would probably be a line to come and see us and I desperately wanted a shower before that happened. I eased myself out of the hospital bed. Aches and pains I hadn’t felt while laying now showed up.

Once I was standing fully I waited for a second to make sure I had my balance. When I was good, I carefully slid into my crocs and walked over to my weekender backpack and got out some things I would need. My toiletry bag for one, a towel from home, the seamless nursing bra I had gotten from Cake, a clean pair of panties and lastly the purple nursing pajama top. I laid the clothes on the bed and made a slow beeline for the shower. Just before I closed the door I heard a sleepy Sidney speak. “Holler if you need me.”

Sure the water pressure wasn’t as good as home, but I didn’t care. After washing myself, I hit my hair and then my face. It took a few rinsings to get all of the conditioner out but oh it felt glorious to be clean. I turned off the water and picked up my towel to dry off.

I came back out and found that everyone was awake. Mom smiled. “Feel better?” I grinned and nodded. “Have you called Kristilee Williams yet?”

I paused as I was getting dressed. “Oh, no I haven’t yet.” Mom waved a hand, picked up her phone and called. She went outside to make the arrangements to get my placenta to the person who would encapsulate it. I put my chosen clothes on and got back into bed, all under the watchful eye of my husband. “What?” I asked as I was finally situated.

He shook his head. “Nothing, just thinking how beautiful you are.” He got up and stretched. “You ready to see people?” He asked as he saw the time.

I smiled. “Almost.” I pulled out the Physician’s Formula Organic makeup I had been using for months. It didn’t take me long to put it on and then brush my hair out. Mom was coming back in as I got done.

“Ok, you have a line of people waiting to see you guys and I’m going to take the cooler to Kristilee. You might want to turn your phones back on too.” She said as he picked it up and opened the door. I saw Mario and Nathalie on the other side.

They exchanged hellos and mom left. Mario and Nathalie came in with big smiles. “Where is the little darling?” Nathalie asked. Sid picked her up and placed Mikhaila in my arms. Nathalie cooed. “Oh just look at her!” I smiled and then noticed that Sid had placed the purple and gray headwrap on Mikhaila.

Mario sat in one of the chairs and smiled warmly. “Congratulations you two. We know her name and how beautiful she is already but how big was she?” I saw Sid flush as I shrugged.

“I think we forgot to tell people. She’s 8 lbs 9 oz and 19.75 inches. She was born at 6:15 a.m.” He was beaming.

Nathalie was looking closely at Mikhaila. “She’s just perfect.” Just then Mikhaila yawned as widely as she could as she also opened her eyes and began to turned towards me. “Oh, someone’s hungry.”

I felt a little self conscious as I undid what I needed to and helped her latch on. As she began to suckle she had her fists balled in the swaddle. I could tell cause I could feel one of them against my belly. “Marie said she had a good latch. She’s my nurse for today.”

Sid moved a chair over for Nathalie and she sat down. “If I remember right she does look good.” She glanced at the clock. “We shouldn’t stay, let the others waiting say their hellos.”

Mario nodded, got up and then leaned over to kiss my head. “Let us know if you need anything. Tell your mom to take her time coming back.”

I chuckled. “Sid’s folks come in tomorrow. I’m sure I’ll have as much help as I need for a little while.” He nodded at me and shook Sid’s hand.

Sid paused for a second. “Do you…” He looked down and then back up. “Can we not tell people until after she gets home? I mean the fans, not the guys.”

I rolled my eyes and noticed Mario was trying not to smile. “Sidney,” he said carefully. “You know she will be a popular and wanted subject to photograph. We can just as easily tell the public that you had a baby girl and wait until she’s a bit older to release her name and photo. On our terms.”

The next two in were Geno and Mari. They brought not a vase of flowers but an aloe plant. “Good for air and burns.” He said as he set it down on the windowsill. I couldn't help but smile, it was thoughtful of them to bring something that would have more of a life than a bouquet of flowers.

Mikhaila was still eating but they still leaned over and looked at her. “Look like Mama, this very good. No look like ugly Papa.” This of course made Sid huff and G smiled.

Mari chuckled. “She’s beautiful. Good size too, Nik was a bit smaller if you remember. He and Anna are out in the lobby with the other kids.”. She then leaned over and kissed my temple. “Good job sis.”

They left and we had Flower and Vero in next. “We are drawing lots and watching each other's kids.” They cooed over our nestling, who was ignoring everything for the breast in her mouth. “She is lovely. How was your labor?”

I laughed. “Mostly done while sleeping badly. According to the nurses and my midwife I didn't even tear. He didn't panic and I got to push how and where I wanted. All in all it was pretty good.”

Sid grimaced. “You didn't see the floor after you delivered. I feel bad for whomever had to clean that up.” I glared at him but he looked unrepentant.

After a few more minutes they left and Duper came in. “Well you finally did it, we don't have to worry about you stealing any more kids. You have your own now.”. Sid rolled his eyes but hugged him nonetheless. “Carole-Lyne is at home with our few. She said if you need anything do not hesitate to call her.”

I smiled as Nestling popped off with a big sigh. “Thank her for us. Right now I think we just want to find our balance. Take this one out of here when you leave would you. He needs some food soon and another nap.”. I gestured towards Sid with my elbow as I did up the bra.

Duper laughed. “I will gladly take him out of here, but only once everyone who is here to see you three has done so.” After taking a few pictures for his wife he left and in came Tanger.

“Kallie would love to be here, but… it’s not been a good few days for her.” Man did I feel horrible for her. Turns out her morning sickness was really Hyperemesis Gravidarum. She was on a pump for some meds, oral tabs for others and overall just miserable. She was doing her best though.

“Completely understand. Hope she starts to feel good again soon.” I said as he came in and took a look at Mikhaila.

“She is just like you Mal. I hope the little one growing in Kallie looks half as much like her as this one does like you.” He took a picture and then checked the time. “I have to get home for lunch and then nap. You gonna try and watch tonight?”

I chuckled. “Of course, I have been every night. I don’t know what Coach is doing, he’s messing with what works and I don’t like it.” We groused about the changes a little bit and then Tanger sighed.

“I need to get going. Armdog is out there and wanting his Creature time.” Oh god help us, Army was here.

Not only was Army here but also Andy O’Brien. By now Mikhaila was falling asleep again and I was able to put her in the bassinet. Andy sat on the bed while Army and Sid did their greeting. I didn’t question it, was easier not to. “So, when you get the green light for more intense stuff you want me to come and help?”

I smiled. “I’ve done a good job of keeping fit while I was pregnant, so while I know I’ll have a lot of work to do. I don’t see why we can’t discuss a workout and not have to have you here. We can have it start slow and maybe have it incorporate her as she grows for weight.” I had tried to put some thought into bouncing back into game shape, not that I would be playing anymore.

Andy nodded. “Sounds good. It’ll give me a chance to talk to some people about what would be good and gentle to get you back in the rhythm of things. I can send it to the guys here too, to give you an incentive to get out of the house.” We both laughed at that. I knew life had changed drastically, I just didn’t know how much yet.

Army, on the other hand was taking pictures for Melissa and his kids. “Man, she’s a looker. You guys hit the jackpot. Easy labor, feeling pretty good so far and a kid that looks great for being squished for so long.”

Sid laughed. “You don’t know what happened. She didn’t even make it onto the bed before she had Mikhaila.” I reached over and smacked his arm.

“I’ll have you know I was comfortable in that position and not tearing is a _really_ good and a rare thing. It means I’ll heal faster.” Army just whistled. “Hopefully it will also mean that I won’t be as sore either, but until I get home I won’t know for sure.”

We got a break for a little while and Duper was able to drag Sidney out for food and a nap. I was resting, reading up on stopping breastfeeding problems, when there was a knock on the door frame. I looked up and felt a smile light up my face. Standing there was not only Gonch but also Billy G. “Hey guys, Sid’s been dragged out but you’re more than welcome.”

Billy laughed heartily. “Why would we want to see his ugly mug? We’re here to see you.” They both hugged me. “You’ve thrown the entire organization into a tizzy, you know that right?”

I flushed. “I didn’t mean to. I just wanted everyone to know I was finally not pregnant anymore.”

Sergei moved further into the room and set a basket down. “Ksenia sends the basket. She would love to come but the girls are getting out of school soon. Things she wishes she would have gotten before she left the hospital.” I took a look inside it and grinned.

“Looks like she remembered how much breastfeeding makes a momma hungry and thirsty.” That’s when I found the cookie mix. “Oh, I’ll have to hide these from Sid.” I looked at him gratefully. “Thank you so much Gonch.”

He shrugged. “It was nothing really, things we had around the house. I am sure she will have more to give you when she finds out there is another little girl in the world. What is her name?” I pulled the bassinet closer.

Lifting her out, I smiled and placed her on the bed between my legs. “Mikhaila Rose. We talked about how we wanted her name to reflect her heritage, but not be strangled by it.” Oh boy did I know how she could have been. Patronymics aren’t the norm here so I got teased a lot growing up when people asked.

Billy leaned over and grinned. “You did good. That’s a good name.” Mom came back then and waved to me as she did so. Billy didn’t even miss a beat. “So, next year you joining our home crew?”

“Billy! She shouldn’t have to make that decision yet. She just had Mikhaila.” Ah, trust mom to come to my defense even when I don’t need it.

“Mom,’ I said laughing, “He’s not serious. That’s something I’ll talk about with Mario and Jim when I’m feeling better.”

Both Billy and Gonch said their goodbyes, making sure mom knew he _was_ only kidding.

Later that night I talked Mikhaila through her first hockey game as the Panthers beat the Red Wings in OT. I then talked her through what would happen when we first got home. How it would be her, myself and two sets of Grandparents. That her daddy would be on the road and busy way out to the West but we would talk to him every night.

During the game I did notice that there was no mention of the Nestling, I had to smile about that. It gave us a bit of a reprieve before the storm of publicity began.