30. My Happily Ever After
CHAPTER 30
MY HAPPILY EVER AFTER
DELILAH
I close the door to the room that used to be mine after cleaning out my things that are now in Miles’s room. His closet is massive, so there’s plenty of room, especially since I’m not a shopaholic. That goes double for the bathroom, and I realize what it’s all about being with an NHL player.
Miles is in the living room with Lola as I walk in, and he grins at me.
“Ready for today? You should drink some more water.”
“I hate water.”
I take the bottle from him and sip it, knowing I need it for the ultrasound in an hour. We decide to bring Lola and everyone else is meeting us there; I’ve already demanded lunch when we finish.
“Did you find out Lola was a girl before she was born?‘
I look at Miles as he glances in the rearview mirror.
“We did. It was a great moment, but this will be, too. I’m with the woman I love. Lola being here is going to be so special.”
“You’re sweet.”
I lean back as we make the drive, rubbing my belly. There’s a bump there now, and I’ve stopped trying to hide it as much. It’s still winter, so I’m wearing more clothes, but Miles still loves to talk to the baby at night.
We arrive, and the family is waiting, apart from Dad or Andrew. They didn’t want to be there for the ultrasound and already are refusing to leave the waiting room during the birth. I breathe a sigh of relief at that, since it’s not a circus. I am going to have to keep everyone but Miles out of the room.
We file into the exam room, and I finish the water before resting on the table. I already have to pee and I groan as Miles holds my hand, and the technician gives me an apologetic smile.
There’s cold gel spread over my stomach and then the familiar feeling of the wand as I stare at the screen. The baby is bigger now and moving all over the place and she tells us everything looks great. The heartbeat is strong, and I watch as our baby moves in my stomach.
“Are we finding out what this baby is today?”
“Absolutely.”
I respond with Miles, and we laugh as everyone chuckles with us. She continues and pauses at one spot, tilting her head before she smiles.
“It looks like you are going to have someone to teach your sport to, Miles. Congratulations.”
Everyone reacts with cheers and some tears, but I just stare at the screen. A boy. Miles leans in to kiss me, thanking me for completing his family as I feel everyone around me.
“I don’t know what to do with a boy. I’m used to Lola.”
“There are two boy moms here and we’ll help you along the way.”
My mom hugs me, and I smile as I return it. Now, the game is on, and we get to prepare for this little guy. Miles will want to set up a nursery in the room beside Lola and close to us, and the moms and aunts are going to spoil us rotten.
We go to an Italian place for lunch and plan everything together as I eat a plate of chicken parm and bread. Miles and Lola are sitting near me, and I look at them with a slow smile for a moment as he meets my eyes.
“What?”
“This is perfect, Miles. I’m so happy.”
Andrew is fine with things, mostly. The important part is they are still deadly on the ice together and friends through it all. When the baby gets here, my brother will be in a puddle like I heard he was with Lola.
“It is.”
“I’m having a brother!”
Everyone laughs at Lola, who is thrilled with everything. She’s going to be an amazing big sister and I can’t wait to see them grow up together.
“Can we name him Olaf?”
This girl is obsessed with Frozen, and I close my eyes at the suggestion.
“We’ll talk about it, bug.”
Miles grins at me, and I roll my eyes playfully. He’d love to name the baby after one of the greats in hockey, but there are also grandparents we can honor. Nothing needs to be decided yet and I remind myself to enjoy all of this love and support.
We have a big party for Lola on her birthday at the house, and the family travels to attend. It’s a Frozen theme and there’s food and cake for days; some of the team come with their families. It’s like another family and I know I’m getting into something good here.
She gets too many gifts and I know I’ll have to sort them out, but Lola is happy playing with the kids. They go outside for a while, and I sit down with my mom on the couch. Miles insists on it, but at seven months pregnant, he won’t get an argument from me.
“How are you feeling?”
“Is the last trimester this uncomfortable for everyone?”
I rest my hands on my round stomach and lean back.
“Yes, it is, but you’re doing fantastic.”
“I have help. Linda arranged this party nearly on her own and we have help with Lola every week now. What am I doing?”
“It takes a village, Delilah. You have an amazing support group between family and the team. It’s wonderful.”
“It is, right? How did I get so lucky? Nobody could predict me ending up with Andrew’s best friend.”
“Least of all your brother, but he’s coming around. He’s going to be a good uncle.”
“My son is going to be on skates before he can walk. I’m surprised the theme of the nursery isn’t hockey or even sports of some kind.”
We decided on a calming forest theme to represent Colorado and it’s beautiful. I can’t wait to put him down in the crib the first time and see him react to the animal mobile and mural I hired someone to paint on the wall.
Well, that won’t happen all at once.