Cold as (N)ice (Sticks and Vows #1)

Chapter 17

17

COEUR

Barrett couldn’t be happier than he was right now. Not only was everything falling into place in his life with Irene, but today was the first time they were getting together – the team, their families, the staff, and a few lucky winners chosen because of a charity giveaway. Oh yes, the Wolverines were off to the races to make sure they made a name for themselves.

“Heaven help me, I hope it’s a good one,” he muttered under his breath as they walked up to the door of the convention center. The coach was going to have them all over to his place but then had second thoughts regarding the space needed once he got the official headcount. There were going to be over seventy people there today.

I’m so excited! Stephen gestured quickly, his smile bright and enthusiastic as he skipped around them, wearing his ‘Coeur’ shirt with a number twelve on the chest.

Irene chuckled beside him, causing Barrett to steal another glance as she smoothed the jersey material over her slightly bulging belly. Just the sight of that made his stomach clench at the memory of kissing that same spot last night and again this morning.

“Oh…” she whispered, stopping – and he immediately caught the back of Stephen’s shirt in a panic, not wanting the three of them to get separated. Her hand was on her stomach and her eyes were huge, putting him on guard.

“What’s wrong?”

Irene didn’t answer – but grabbed one of his hands and one of Stephen’s, putting them on her stomach and smiled.

“Do you feel the baby moving?” she gestured to Stephen, whispering to Barrett – her eyes shining happily. “I can feel a swishing motion.”

“I don’t feel anything yet.”

Stephen shrugged silently, looking at him, and then both froze as they felt the weirdest sensation of what felt like sort of like digestion right beneath the skin.

Okay, that’s… odd, Stephen began and tossed a sharp look at Barrett - who nodded in agreement.

“That’s the baby,” she laughed tearfully. “I’ve felt a flutter here and there, but today is the first time that I’ve really felt something move.”

“It’s like… like Aliens.”

“Barrett!” she chided, laughing and looked at her son. Daddy said it feels like something from a horror movie.

It feels like you need to go potty.

Good description, buddy – and I said it felt like you had a chest-hugger in there, Barrett corrected, meeting Irene’s beaming smile and feeling such love in his chest. Yeah, it wasn’t his genes, but he was going to savor this experience like it was his own. That baby was innocent and Stephen’s sibling – and he loved them both already.

What’s a ‘chest-hugger’? Stephen asked silently, frowning as he spelled out the strange word.

A movie you aren’t old enough to watch, Irene replied quickly, giving Barrett a pointed look.

A scary movie – but wasn’t that cool to feel?

That Mommy has gas?

Barrett couldn’t help it – he threw back his head and laughed hard as Irene swatted him in frustration, gesturing frantically.

It’s not gas – it’s your little brother or sister moving around in my stomach. What is wrong with you guys acting like this? Aren’t you happy you got to feel the baby move with me? This is supposed to be a family moment and…

Barrett grabbed her hands, smiling tenderly, and stopped her silent tirade.

“It was a family moment,” he said softly, meeting her eyes as he gestured and spoke. “It was a very precious family moment – but we are guys. When we feel overwhelmed about something, we make jokes, talk about farts, boogers, and other inappropriate things because it’s a lot to take in. We are very happy to share this with you, Irene.”

Mommy, it’s really neat, but I have to wait a long time for the baby to get here, Stephen added. It’s like waiting for Christmas – it takes forever, and sometimes Santa gets it wrong.

What? Irene exclaimed gaping and looking at Barrett. “Can you believe this – he’s saying Santa got it wrong? I guess he didn’t like his gifts last year.”

“Irene, it’s an opportunity,” he laughed and motioned to Stephen. Why did Santa get it wrong last year?

Because, well… Stephen hesitated and looked at them both, suddenly unsure of himself as Barrett knelt in the parking lot where they had stopped.

You can say anything, buddy, and it’s okay, he promised.

I asked Santa for my daddy to come home…

And Barrett didn’t move, feeling those innocent words lance his heart as Irene gasped beside him.

I’m sorry your daddy didn’t come home.

Not him! Stephen signed, rolling his eyes in obvious annoyance. You! You were late and didn’t show up for months.

“Oh, Barrett,” Irene whispered emotionally, and he barely heard her as he stared at his son in awareness, realizing what the kid had said.

“You know, buddy,” he whispered and gestured openly. “I believe that everything has a time and a place. I always wanted to learn sign language, always wanted a family, and never knew any of this would happen… yet here you are. I’m sorry I was late meeting you both, but I am so glad I did. I love you, kiddo – so very much.”

I love you, too.

“And when you are late – you have to make a grand entrance in life, which is why I swept you and your mom away, dragging you with me to my new home… and we are late now – so cue another grand entrance!” he teased and shot up to his feet, scooping up the boy before he could answer – and put him on his shoulders.

“Oh gosh, Barrett, hang on,” Irene chided, laughing tearfully as he looked at her, already walking forward. Stephen was clutching his head, laughing thickly, and hanging on for dear life. He saw someone with a camera in the distance, realizing it was probably either someone from the social media team or a reporter and smiled, pausing for their photo to be taken. Irene immediately moved to his side and he knew, he knew , it was going to be a great memory of them arriving today.

“I want a copy of that,” Barrett said openly.

“Yes, Mr. Coeur,” the woman smiled, nodding. “I’m Jamie Salas – Kenneth’s wife and your worst nightmare.”

“I thought that was your husband,” Barrett grinned and heard Irene’s confused exclamation beside him, quickly explaining. “Kenneth Salas plays left defense for the Wolverines – and I’ve met him on the ice before. He plays hard and has a mean right hook.”

“I wouldn’t know about the hook, but he does have an attitude,” Jamie grinned, smiling.

“He’s hit you?” Irene gasped, shocked as she reared back to look at Barrett.

“It’s hockey,” Jamie and Barrett said in unison – right before he saw his wife’s eyes narrow. Yeah, he knew that look, and it was time to smooth her sweet, ruffled feathers. She was jealous and that was shocking that she could even remotely feel that way.

“Sweetheart and Love-of-my-life – hockey is a rough sport, and her husband is an incredible player,” Barrett crooned tenderly to Irene, leaning down despite the weight of Stephen on his shoulders, to kiss her quickly, claiming her publicly. “I love you, Troll doll. Let’s go meet the others.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Coeur – Hi, Stephen,” Jamie motioned and then looked at them. “Kenneth showed me after you taught him.”

Barrett plucked Stephen from his shoulders the moment the child let go to say ‘hello’ back – and put him down as another child ran forward, causing him to look up. Boucher was standing there, watching, and raised a hand in acknowledgment.

“Girls, remember to use your hands to say ‘hello,’” Boucher called out easily as she grabbed his arm – and to his utter shock, the little girl standing there turned, looked at the man who played hockey beside him, a man with an attitude that could rival his own… that tiny girl uttered the most shocking thing he had ever heard in his life.

“I’m not stupid, Keith ,” the child snapped at the six foot tall man– and then ignored him completely as she tugged Stephen forward into the chaos.

“Hang on,” Barrett called out, shocked at how rude and headstrong she obviously was as Boucher sighed, rubbing his face in dismay and looking completely flustered. He knelt, immediately waving his hand before the distracted child to get his attention and signing to him.

Stephen, you are free to walk around safely here, but do not leave the building, okay? If you need something, you can find me, your mom, Mr. Boucher here, and they will try to help you. Not everyone knows how to sign, but they know ‘hello’ and ‘help’ – okay?

I’ll be okay, Daddy Stephen replied and then hugged him. Thank you for showing them how to say ‘hello.’

“You betcha, buddy – love you.”

Love you too.

He rose to his feet, watching Stephen and the little girl disappear into the crowd, and met Boucher’s gaze.

“Keith?” he asked, grinning.

“Shut up, Coeur.”

“That kid calls you by your first name?”

“Obviously, not everything has gone as smoothly for me as it has for you and your wife,” Boucher said bluntly, his tone terse. “Mrs. Coeur, nice to see you again.”

“Hello, Mr. Boucher,” Irene began, and Barrett chuckled, correcting her.

“Apparently, you can just call him Keith.”

“She can,” Keith smirked and then pointed off in the distance. “The blonde woman holding the toddler – that’s my wife, Constance. She could use someone to talk to, especially a new friend who has a kid also. Obviously, my new stepdaughter has taken a shine to your son.”

“I could use a friend also,” Irene smiled gently, nodding. “While we were really lucky, maybe Constance could use someone to talk to – and don’t worry. You have my husband’s back on the ice, and I’ll have yours.”

As Irene walked off, Barrett looked at his friend – and hesitated. Boucher’s stance softened slightly as he chuckled and shook his head in disbelief and wistfulness. He felt a pang of understanding, his heart going out to his friend. The gruff man obviously liked his wife and had no clue how to handle it as he spoke, his eyes staring across the room at Constance.

“Coeur, you are one lucky cuss… and I hope your wife can work miracles cause I could use one in my life. The last thing I want is to ruin this, because I think this is my last shot in the NHL, brother.”