Chapter 31
Haddy
“You are so adorable!” Kimmie holds my arms out, smiling as she inspects my baby bump. “How far along are you?”
“Just starting the third trimester.” I look down, smoothing my hands over my growing midsection. “Once she popped, she never stopped.”
“You’ve got your new slogan!” Gigi teases, hugging me from behind and resting her chin on my shoulder.
“We might.” I laugh, thinking about how much this baby moves in my stomach. “She’s a busy little thing.”
“What are you planning to do for delivery?” Aunt Dylan sits at the bar munching on a crispy chocolate Easter egg. “Liv had us all doing hypnobirthing. What’s the hot new thing now?”
“I’m looking into water birth.”
“Oh, my goodness, that was in an episode of Girls, remember?” Aunt Allie calls from the couch, where she’s sitting by Gigi’s mom. “Jessa put her head in the tub and looked between Gaby Hoffman’s legs, and they ended up running down the street with her to the hospital?”
Aunt Allie falls forward laughing, and my mom’s eyes go two sizes wide. My shoulders tense as I wait for her to freak out, but Aunt Rachel swoops in for the save.
“It’s actually not a new method at all,” she says calmly. “And it’s so much easier on your body. The warm water is relaxing, and you can move around to find the most comfortable position.”
“That’s what the instructor said.” I hang my hand on Gigi’s forearm around my neck. “We’re just checking it out at the moment. The birthing center at New Beginnings has private rooms with special tubs. It’s all really nice. Very upscale.”
“I’m sure if your doctor recommended it, it’ll be fine.” Mom’s voice is tentative, and I can tell she’s trying, which I appreciate.
“Anyway, Haddy’s a scientist,” Aunt Dylan adds. “Don’t freak out, Raven.”
I fight against a laugh when my mom makes a defensive face and exclaims, “I wasn’t freaking out.”
“I’ve seen that look before,” Aunt Dylan waves a finger, walking over to give her a hug. “You were freaking out a little.”
“Nobody will be running down the street with me,” I reassure her. “Dr. Barry will be on site the whole time.”
“Of course they won’t.” Gigi’s mom narrows her eyes at Aunt Allie, which only makes her snort more.
“It was a funny part of the show,” she says defensively.
“Well, I think water birth sounds very cool,” Aunt Dylan hops off her stool and walks over to give me a hug. “And I can’t wait to have another baby girl. They’re so fun with all their little dresses and bows…”
“Speaking of dresses, we’ve got to get ready for the game.” Gigi releases me, jogging to the kitchen table where a large bag is sitting.
Spanky bounds after her, but Patsy is curled up on the couch with the aunts. I walk over to help my cousin distribute the jerseys.
“We got three with Mav’s number and two with Gav’s,” Gigi explains, dragging out the oversized purple, white, and black shirts. “For the record, they’re called sweaters in hockey, but you can just call them jerseys.”
All our uncles, along with Sage and Knox, are at my parents’ place, and our plan is to meet up at the arena. Gav and Mav are already there getting ready for the game.
Gavin’s parents are in town as well. He told them about the baby, and they’re so excited. We’re all planning to meet at the arena, and we’re also having lunch together tomorrow.
I’m excited and nervous, and I especially want to meet his mom Kenny and talk about all things Japan and Buddhism and tattoos.
I’ve been thinking a lot about a red ring around my pinky finger, but it feels premature. Gavin and I have said those three little words, but we haven’t talked about marriage or anything official yet.
When we arrive, Dad and all his brothers are standing in a row wearing their Gav and Mav jerseys while talking and watching the rink. They’re an impressive, handsome lineup with their arms crossed or in Uncle Garrett’s case, trying to put Dad in a headlock.
Knox walks down as soon as he sees us to give Gina and me a hug. “Look at you!” He puts a hand on my stomach, giving it a rub. “Do I get three wishes?”
“Don’t be a pest, Knoxey.” Kim pushes his head.
“I was just kidding,” he laughs, putting his arm around my neck. “Haddy loves me, don’t you Hads?”
“When did you get so tall?” I put an arm around his waist, hugging him back.
“Can you believe it?” Aunt Allie grabs his other arm. “He’s taller than his dad!”
“Bradford family trait,” he calls over his shoulder, continuing down the steps to the wide hallway beneath the stands.
“Where are you going?” I call after him.
He only waves. “Important business. I’ll be back.”
“Not sure why I didn’t get that Bradford family trait,” Aunt Dylan grumbles.
It’s true, looking up at my four uncles, who all range in height from six-two to Gigi’s dad, Uncle Garrett at six-four. When they see me looking, they all yell and wave for me to come up and see them.
Wrinkling my nose, I do a little wave before climbing the rows to where they all want to hug me and ask how I’m feeling, ask about the baby.
“You look good,” Uncle Zane bends down to give me a hug. “You’re about what? Halfway there?”
“I’m starting the third trimester, so…”
“Wow, more than half.”
I nod, and Uncle Jack steps over to give me a hug. “Gavin seems like a good guy. We talked some at Christmas. I got the impression he was there to see you.”
“You mean we didn’t fool you?” I squint one eye up at him.
“I’m an old hand at sneaking around,” he teases. “I know all the signs.”
“He played with Maverick in Atlanta,” Mav’s dad, Uncle Logan says. “He’s a good kid.”
“He’s more than a kid.” My dad walks over to pull me into a hug. “How are you feeling, Super P? Don’t stand in one position too long. It’ll make your back hurt.”
“I’m doing good.” I hug him back. “Thanks, Dad.”
“We are the Champions” by Queen starts up, and the guys all glide out onto the ice as the fans go crazy. Crowds line up around the glass walls to watch them warm up and hopefully catch a puck.
The song quickly morphs into “Another One Bites the Dust,” and I spot Gavin at once. He turns, skating backwards and waving at all of us. I don’t know why skating backwards is hot, but maybe it’s my hormones. Everything he does is hot to me.
“Haddy, look—is that Gavin’s dad?” Mom points to a group of four people a few rows down from where we’re sitting. “Should we introduce ourselves?”
Our eyes meet, and I duck, smiling nervously. “I guess we’d better!”
Holding her hand, we walk down the rows to where a tall man my dad’s age with light brown hair dressed in a tweed sports coat and dark jeans stands beside a woman Mom’s age with long blonde hair and wearing a Knight sweater.
A slender, petite woman with long, straight dark hair and a Knight sweater is on her other side, and she’s with a muscular man in a short-sleeved, black sweater that does little to hide his tattoo sleeves.
I recognize them at once from Gavin’s descriptions.
“Excuse me?” I carefully extend a hand. “Are you Patrick Knight?”
I’m relieved when his hazel eyes brighten at once. “Haddy? Hey—it’s so nice to meet you!”
“Yes, sir, it’s me, and this is my mom, Raven Bradford.” I nervously motion to my mom.
“How do you do,” Mom’s saying the words as my dad’s loud voice comes up from behind us.
“Don’t leave me out of this!” He reaches out to shake Patrick’s hand. “Hendrix Bradford, Haddy’s dad.”
They shake hands, and before I know it, Uncle Logan is with us along with the rest of the brothers. Aunt Dylan skips up, and they’re all introducing themselves and talking about hockey and us and babies and how long are you in town? And inviting each other to Wilmington and Newhope.
“That was easy!” Gigi’s upbeat voice is at my side. “It’s like we’re not even here.”
“Gavin said that’s why he and Mav were always so close.” I smile watching them chat like old friends. “We all come from big, loving families.”
An air-horn sounds, and we notice the teams have moved off the ice, leaving two players at center of the rink.
“It’s the face-off.” I reach for my mother’s arm. “The game is starting!”
“I really like Gavin’s parents. They’re so nice!” Mom stands beside me, eyes on the rink below. “Wow, look how good they can skate.”
I’m about to agree when I feel a hand touching my back. Turning, I see it’s Gavin’s mom Kenny, and I stand quickly.
“Haddy?” Her voice is soft, and she has bright blue eyes just like her son’s. “I didn’t get to meet you earlier. I’m Kenny.”
“Yes!” I take her hand. “I’ve been wanting to meet you. Gavin’s told me so much about you.”
Looking down at her ivory hand in mine, I notice the red ring around her pinky finger.
“He’s told me about you, but I think he told his dad more.” Her small nose wrinkles and she leans forward. “He thinks Elaine and I pressure him too much to settle down.”
“I don’t know about that. He only says good things all the time.”
“We love him a lot. I hope you do, too,” she laughs, and I like her already. “How are you feeling? How’s the baby?”
“So far, so good,” I take her hand, placing it on my stomach. “This little girl is active. You might get to feel a kick. Gav and I are always laughing at the crazy shapes my stomach takes.”
“He was pretty active when I was pregnant, too.” She rubs my stomach gently. “He said you’re naming her Lucy?”
“We were also thinking of naming her Kendra if that’s okay?”
“I would love that.”
Noise on the rink draws our attention to the guys flying around, passing the puck to each other. They’re facing off against the Colorado Cliffs again, and I’m bracing myself, remembering what a rough game it was last time.
Mav has the puck and is flying down the ice to try and score when one of their defenders skates right at him, stealing the puck and taking off in the opposite direction.
My hands don’t move too far from my face the entire play. I’m ready to cover my eyes when I feel a light touch on my shoulder.
“Haddy?” The blonde woman is at my side, and I quickly reach out to shake her hand.
“Elaine?” I guess, and she smiles, giving me a hug.