Holiday Hockey Tale The Icebreaker's Impasse (By Ivory Row) novel Chapter 5

Luci

“Mommy you ottayyyy?” Hayden yells behind me as he runs into the bathroom. Skittles is standing here barking worriedly at me like some kind of alert dog. I rub her head to stop her.

Cole will be hot on his heels after him, I already know and I hurry to get to the sink. After quickly rinsing my mouth out, I splash water on my face. Cole darts in, focusing on me intently.

“I’m ok. Needed to wash my hands and face.” I reassure them.

Cole’s eyes narrow on me and I’m reminded of his father so much. “Mommy, are you ok? Why did he think you’re not ok?”

“He’s two, Coco. His favorite expression is to ask if we’re ok right now.” It’s true, and it reassures Cole, who nods slowly.

“Ok. If you were sick, you’d tell me right, Mommy?” His little face tight with worry and a tinge of fear.

Great. I forgot one of the kids at school has a mom going through cancer treatment. “Yes, I would tell you. I promise I am not sick.”

With that, he’s nodding happily and tells Hayhay he’s taking him to Grandpappy’s. I lean on my hands against the counter.

I lied to my sons. I’m sick, but it’s morning sickness most likely, not some complicated illness.

I remove two pregnancy tests from beneath the sink and check the directions. Probably two months along which I should have known as freaking tired as I’ve been. My focus has been excellent, another sign I’m carrying another Reed baby. The extra estrogen floating around in my body really helps with my ADD. I grab my phone and set the timer after using the two

sticks, before texting Jason to let him know Cole and Hayden are taking the path to his house.

I can watch them on my phone. They swing through his gate right as the alarm goes off.

Keeping both eyes on my boys until they enter the back door, I blow out a slow breath. Turning toward that side of the sink, I can see the results from where I stand.

Positive

Both of them. I’m pregnant…..I feel the smile curving on my lips as I touch my stomach softly.

“Hi little one. You want to come join wonderland. Your daddy and brothers are going to be over the moon once they find out.”

They will. Easton will go hyperprotective polar bear again. Cole was as bad though with Hayden, so we’ll see how he acts this time. “Probably worse. Mini Easton Reed.” I whisper to myself, laughing a little.

I will need to make an appointment with my doctor. I want to make doubly sure before I tell Easton. We thought I was pregnant three months ago, only to find out I was just late and I don’t want to get it wrong again. And this time I think I want to reveal it to him in a special way. I grab my phone and call the OB office to make an appointment. When they tell me I can stop by that afternoon, I agree quickly. Easton is at the office all day today before the weekend begins. He always says I can’t keep secrets from him and he’s honestly right. My poker face is pitiful and the sooner, I confirm this the sooner I can reveal it. Maybe even tonight because the morning sickness is getting worse. Cole will notice if I’m not careful.

I hurry to the appointment after making sure Jason can watch my boys. They caution me the blood test won’t be back until Monday but the urine test shows positive. Dr. Morris walks in and smiles. “Hi Luci. Your urine test shows positive so that makes three positive tests. Let’s let you lay back and we’ll see if we can hear a heartbeat. From your chart, looks like you’re about eight weeks along.” I lean back and they run the heart doppler over my stomach. I catch the first whoosh and smile. “Oh yes, there it is. We’ll wait to the do the ultrasound until your next appointment. Your husband is going to be very excited along with that precious Coco of yours.”

She’s very familiar with them and as usual Cole stole her heart. “He is precious. And they will be over the moon. I need to figure out how to surprise them tonight.”

I leave and an idea comes to my squirrel brain. I remember my ice rink floor shirt and hurry home to go through my craft supplies for school.

I find some iron on letters and one of my old maternity shirts from Hayden’s pregnancy. I iron on my saying and then toss it on before going to start on dinner. Jason has a business dinner tonight so it will only be me and my boys here. Baker will be down at the restaurant tonight working. I put my bread pirate roberts apron on to cover it up. Easton texts me as I am finishing up the chicken fettucini.

Got the two little Jedis and heading home. Missed you all day.

I grin at that. Like I didn’t know. He texts me probably five times a day telling me how much he loves and misses me. I keep waiting for the day he changes it up and works from home

forever and begs me to quit my job too.

They walk in as I’m setting the table and Cole immediately runs for me. “Hey Mommy. We having chicken fettucini?”

“Yes sir we are, Papa B’s recipe like you love. Can you and Hayhay go wash hands?” He takes off with Hayden’s hand in his. I hurry to take their picture of them walking together. They will have another one tagging along soon, I think as Easton spins me around to kiss me fiercely.

“Hi.” I say when he finally releases me.

“Hi yourself. I was hoping all day you might agree to a late movie night with me once those two are asleep.” He leans his forehead to mine.

“Rough day?” I run my hands over his shoulders.

“Yes. I had to ream out a manager who thought he should fire his pregnant secretary. The poor lady has hyperemesis and he was upset she missed three days without finishing his notes for a presentation. I explained we don’t operate our company that way. He’s probably on the chopping block, I have no patience for that kind of fuckery as you well know.” He closes his eyes. “I could use some Luci time.”

“I’m all yours once we get them to bed. Maybe some ice cream and I’ll rub your neck and shoulders.” I offer.

“That’s my job sweetness.”

“Nope. I get to take care of you too. It was in the marriage contract you signed.” I argue andfinish making plates.

“I need to reread that thing.” He mutters with a half–smile.

We sit down and I take my apron off but since I’m sitting, he can’t see it. It isn’t until I start picking up the boys‘ plates that he glances at the shirt. “Luci….what does that say?” He breathes out.

Baby Jedi number three: fully operational

I hold it open so he can read it. “You’re…..sweetness are you pregnant?” He whispers and Cole’s on his feet immediately.

“Mommy, are you having another baby?!” He spreads my shirt and sees the mini lightsaber I made.

I nod keeping my eyes on Easton’s face. He grins before coming to lift me off my feet. “How did you hide it from me?”

“I only found out today. I figured I couldn’t keep it a secret. Hayhay and Coco almost caught me throwing up this morning. I’ve been pretty tired but super focused so….I took a test and went to see Dr. Morris. About eight weeks along, due at the end of January, early February. I heard the heartbeat.” I reach for Cole’s hand and he hops up and down with excitement.

“Yes! Hayhay! We’re getting a baby sister.”

“Whoa buddy. We don’t know that yet.” Easton cautions him.

He fixes his dad with that very Easton–like stare. “I knew Hayhay would be my brother, and I know I’m getting a sister this time.”

“Can’t argue with him there.” I mutter and Easton laughs.

“True Coco. Let’s get you two ready for bath and bed. I’m doing the dishes, sweetness. You go rest.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “I’m not that pregnant, Easton. I can do the dishes.” I turn, heading for the sink. I even have time to set up the movie before going to tell the boys goodnight. Both are almost asleep when I show up for story time. Grandpappy wore them out on the obstacle course today.

Easton pulls me into his lap as soon as we make it back to the living room. He covers my stomach with his hand. “I can’t wait to meet this one. I’m betting Cole is right and it’s a girl. A sweet, beautiful little girl like her mom.”

“We’ll see. I probably will have a house full of boys.” I answer honestly.

His tone becomes very serious. “You tell me if the boys get to be too much once hockey season starts and we’ll hire a part time nanny.”

“Yes, Ice Overlord.” I say in a robotic voice.

He smirks evilly. “I think it’s been a while since you’ve been punished, Mrs. Reed.”

“Survey says….no, it hasn’t.” I joke and climb out of his lap to grab the ice cream bowls. I hand him one and then squeeze behind him to rub his neck and shoulders.

“Luci Reed, I am the one who should be rubbing your back.” He admonishes.

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