Chapter 20
ALLY
“Well, aren’t you the cutest little thing ever, Livi?” I asked as I picked her up a few days later. I swore she smiled at me, but it was probably just gas.
We’d arrived home from the hospital the day before, and the emotions coursing through me seemed to be endless. I was exhausted, elated, and head over heels in love with my baby girl. My entire body ached, and I was definitely moving slowly, but I was so happy she was here and that everything had gone well.
And now I was home. Dom had been amazing. I shouldn’t have been surprised how easily he’d stepped in to help without me asking, and he was in awe of everything. It was beyond sweet. He even changed her very first diaper without gagging, which was more than I was able to do. I wrinkled my nose, remembering how extra gross those first few diapers had been. He’d stayed at the hospital the entire time and had been in charge of her very first bath before we headed home.
If I wasn’t in love with him already, watching how gentle he was with her and how supportive he was with me would’ve sent me right over into head-over-heels territory. There was something about seeing him cradle her tiny body against his while he did skin-to-skin that made my heart want to burst. Maybe it was just the hopped-up hormones coursing through me or some sort of delirium from giving birth, but I was so damn smitten with that man.
But tonight, Livi and I were on our own. By some miracle, the Stampede had ended up with a small break in their schedule, so he hadn’t had a game in three days, but that streak had ended. At least it was a home game. He wasn’t heading back on the road for another four days. And then, when he got home, it would be Christmas Eve and the three-day break. As timing went, it was actually perfect, especially during the season.
“Are we going to watch Daddy play tonight? He’s actually pretty good, but don’t tell him I said that. He’s got a very big ego,” I whispered, kissing the top of her head.
“There are my girls,” Dom said, stepping into the living room.
My body may have ached in so many places, but that didn’t stop my heartbeat from kicking up a notch at him standing there in his game day suit. Dammit. He looked too hot for my well-being.
“Has there ever been anything more perfect than seeing you two decked out in my jersey?” He winked and leaned in to kiss Livi’s cheek.
“You’re looking pretty perfect right now,” I said softly before I could stop myself.
His grin widened. “Well, Ally, I didn’t think you’d want anything to do with me after just giving birth. Especially with all the threats you lobbed at me during delivery.”
I rolled my eyes. “My body is in recovery, but I’m not dead. And it freaking hurt like hell giving birth. I can’t be held responsible for anything I said.” I pretended to pout and then he was wrapping his arms around both me and Livi, pressing my back to his chest.
“The next six weeks are going to be torture,” he growled, kissing me under my ear.
“Stop it,” I whispered.
“Fine,” he murmured against my skin. His lips teased my jaw, and I tamped down a shudder.
Again. I was in achy pain, not dead.
“Give me my baby so I can get some loving before I head out,” he said. “Hi, Livi baby.”
He took her out of my arms, and I melted as he smiled down at her. Her eyes were wide open as she looked at him.
“Hi, sweet girl. You look so cute in Daddy’s jersey, and you better cheer for me tonight, but no being fussy for Mommy while I’m gone. I might come home with presents because it’s my first game back.”
“Dom,” I started.
He shot me a wink. “From the guys. And maybe a few things from the pro shop. She’s going to be spoiled rotten, just accept it.”
I shook my head at him, laughing softly.
“And if you need anything while I’m gone, just call Cora and she’ll help or come and get me if needed,” he said.
I wasn’t surprised by how family-oriented hockey teams were. I saw it every year while Ethan was on the Strikers, how the players and their partners stepped in to assist with new babies or basically anything families needed. I’d only been in Denver for a few months, but so many people with the team had stepped in to help. It made the sting of missing my family a little less painful.
“I’ll be fine. We’re going to watch a little, eat a little, and then go to bed. I make no promises about staying up for the entire game.”
“If you’re still up when I get my first goal for Livi, I want a video of her cheering.” He leaned down and nuzzled her cheek again.
Ugh. My heart.
“Your first goal? That’s a lot to promise,” I teased.
“I might be a little exhausted from the last few days, but I’m fired up, and I’m getting my baby a goal,” he boasted.
I giggled at his ridiculousness. “Fine. If we’re awake, I’ll take a video.”
“See, Livi? Mommy doesn’t think I’m going to get you a goal tonight, but you are both my lucky charms. I got my head out of my ass—oops, don’t repeat that word—and I’ve been playing better since Mommy moved in. I’m only going to be better now that you’re finally here cheering me on too. Silly Mommy doubts your power.”
“Stop being adorable,” I grumbled, even as my heart clenched in my chest.
This freaking man.
“I can’t help it. It just comes naturally,” he stated.
“You better hope she doesn’t spit up on your suit.”
He shrugged. “I can change. Not a big deal. Do you need anything before I go?”
“You’re going to be late. And we’ll be fine. Cora and the other WAGs stocked our fridge with food, and I have everything I need.”
Dom nodded and set Olivia in the bassinet we had near the couch. Then he gently pulled me into his arms. “You are amazing, Ally. I’m still in awe of you.” He cupped my face in his hands and sealed his lips to mine.
I sank into his hold, moaning softly as he swiped his tongue along the seam of my mouth before I opened for his questing tongue. One hand moved to cradle the back of my head while he wrapped the other one around my waist. He held me like I was fragile, like I was cherished.
I wanted to tell him that I was in love with him, but right before he had to leave for a game was not the time. And part of me still questioned if he would say it back.
My tongue tangled with his and my nipples beaded. I felt my milk wet my shirt, and then Livi let out a cry.
“Fuck. I can’t get enough of you,” he said against my mouth when I broke the kiss.
He stepped away and picked up Olivia, handing her to me.
“Be good for Mommy, Baby Girl,” he said, pressing one last kiss to her forehead as she scrunched up her nose to cry. “I get it. Her boobs are delicious.”
“Oh my god, get out.” I gasped.
“It’s the truth. See you tonight.”
He gave me one last quick kiss, ran his finger down Olivia’s cheek, and then walked out the door.
“Your daddy is crazy, Livi.” And I was crazy in love with him. We’d definitely become more than roommates before Olivia was born, but with my head all over the place, was I reading more into us than was really there?
Livi let out another cry.
“Yes. Sorry, baby.” I settled on the couch and adjusted her so she could latch. I just needed to go with the flow, which had always been hard for me. I wanted to know where I stood with Dom. Where he saw our future.
Were we on the same page already, and I was second-guessing myself for no reason? Ugh, I was too exhausted to be dwelling on this right now.
***
“We want him to get a goal tonight, but if he does, he’s going to be insufferable,” I whispered to a sleeping Livi a few hours later. It was currently halfway through the second period, the Stampede were up by one, and I was ready to pass out. I’d sent Dom a few pictures of us cheering him on during the last period, and he’d responded, telling me that he shared the pictures with his teammates because Livi was just too cute in her jersey—as was I, according to him.
And dammit, if that didn’t make my heart swell.
“Go. Go. Just shoot it,” I yelled as Dom tried to find an opening. “Shit. Shoot it.” I lowered my voice and took a peek at my daughter. She was still sleeping, thankfully. I knew I should have been sleeping when she was, but I’d wanted to watch the game.
The puck banged off the pipes. Maybe I’d just get a little sleep.
***
Olivia’s cries woke me up. I tried to shake the sleep from my head and sat up so I could lean over her bassinet. Her eyes were open as she cried for me, and I held her against me, rocking her softly. She was probably hungry again.
Then the goal horn on TV blared, and I glanced up. There were two minutes left in the third period, and Dom was grinning on the screen. The replay showed him potting the goal and putting them up four to three.
He did his little salute that I loved so much.
“Daddy’s going to be insufferable, Livi. He got you your goal,” I said, holding her close to my face to snap a quick selfie for Dom. At least she’d paused in her crying for the picture. I texted it to Dom, knowing he’d want to see it.
Ally: She woke up just in time for your goal. We’re very proud.
Ally: Congrats on the game. We’re heading to bed.
“Now, let’s get you fed, and then we’re going to sleep. Well, back to sleep. Don’t tell Daddy we didn’t watch the full game, okay?”
She let out a little whimper, which I took as an agreement.
DOM
“Look how cute she is,” I said, leaning over to show Micah the most recent picture Ally had sent. We were hanging out at the hotel restaurant in Nashville. We’d had a team meeting and afternoon skate and now had the night off before we played tomorrow.
I hadn’t seen my girls in three days and I swore I was going through withdrawal. Just had to get through the next two days and two more games before we headed home for the Christmas break. Then it was three days of no games, just hanging out at home.
I bit back a chuckle. If last year’s Dom could have heard me now, he would’ve thought I’d lost my damn mind or had one too many knocks into the boards.
“You’re so smitten,” Micah said with a smirk.
I shrugged. “Can’t help it. She’s adorable. I swore she smiled at me when we FaceTimed last night, but Ally said it was probably gas.”
“Isn’t it great?” Flower said, coming up next to us. “Although those first few weeks of trying to find some sort of schedule or routine were rough.”
“You’d think he’d be excited for a break from diapers and crying already,” Haldy said with a shudder.
“Constantly waking up at all hours to her crying, too. No thanks,” Xan added.
“Yeah, that stuff’s rough, but you deal with it because you have an adorable baby to love. It’s when they get a little older and the sass comes in full force that you might enjoy road trips more,” Flower said.
“I’m so telling Violet you said that,” Sin tsked.
Flower laughed. “Oh, she knows she’s sassy. She’ll be the first one to tell you.”
Sin chuckled. “It’s a good thing that we have our own plane because I swear Dom purchased more stuff on this trip for Olivia than everyone else has bought combined.”
“Hey, it’s Christmas in a few days.” I tried to sound outraged, but I couldn’t bring myself to care about their teasing. Yeah, it was nice to get some uninterrupted sleep in, but I’d rather be home with Ally and Livi.
Ally had been amazing, and I was in awe of how she was managing everything. I was also grateful that my teammates’ partners had stepped up to offer her any help she might need while I was on the road. They’d filled our fridge so Ally didn’t have to cook, and Brooke and Cora were already begging to come over and snuggle our girl. Livi was just over a week old though, and Ally wasn’t up for visitors yet, so everyone was being patient.
“She’s not going to know what you bought her,” Haldy pointed out.
“Doesn’t matter. She is getting all the things,” I said, knowing that Ally was going to give me that look when I walked in with an extra suitcase in a few days. I’d also picked up a few things for her. We’d said we weren’t going to do much because Livi just got here, but I wanted to make our first Christmas as special as possible.
“I bet all the grandparents are champing at the bit to meet her,” Flower said.
“Yeah. Ally’s mom is basically waiting on standby. They’re all excited.” At least, her family was. I hadn’t even texted my father. It was clear he didn’t care, and I had no plans to introduce them anyway. My mom had asked for a picture after I’d shared the news, but her response had been lackluster. She said congratulations but still hadn’t asked for all the details like Ally’s family did.
It shouldn’t have stung, but it still did. And that frustrated the hell out of me.
“You okay?” Micah asked.
“What? Yeah, I’m good. We getting another round?” I asked, brushing aside any further thoughts about my family.
“One more, and then we should call it a night. No hangovers tomorrow,” Tally said.
Sin rolled his eyes. “Always in captain mode. Thanks, Dad.”
“Some of us can play hungover,” Haldy boasted.
I shook my head at him. It wasn’t something a rookie should say to the captain, but hell, I’d been there.
“I mean, not me, of course. I take hockey very seriously,” Haldy said sternly.
We all looked at each other and then burst out laughing.
“Yeah, sure, kid. We’ve all been there,” Sin said.
“Maybe you have,” Micah said to Sin.
“Last drink for everyone,” Tally said, eyeing Sin, who just shrugged at his best friend. The two of them were quite an odd pairing, but they fed off each other, and for some reason, it worked.
***
I opened the condo door as quietly as possible. It was five in the morning on Christmas Eve, and we’d just returned from our road trip—with six more points too, thank you very much. I’d scored at least one goal per game, which I was attributing to my two girls.
And all I wanted to do right now was take a quick shower, then climb into bed with Ally and snuggle both of them. I was turning into complete mush. The guys could tease me for being whipped, but I didn’t have it in me to care.
Toeing off my shoes and leaving my suitcase at the door, I quietly moved through the dark condo and stepped into the bathroom. I shed my clothes and walked under the warm spray.
“Dammit, stay in there,” Ally said just as I turned the water off a few minutes later.
“What?” I asked, poking my head out of the door.
“I have to pee. This one bathroom thing is annoying as hell,” she groused.
I chuckled.
“Don’t laugh at me. My bladder is still not my own,” she said, glaring at me.
“You’re gorgeous,” I said. Her cheeks were flushed from sleep, her hair a messy brown cloud around her shoulders. I ached to kiss her.
She huffed. “You’re delusional right now.”
We’d had more than a few bathroom run-ins since she’d moved in, but none as memorable as when she walked in right after I’d jerked off and said her name. Even though she’d murmured that she’d heard me when she’d been half asleep shortly after it’d happened, I’d never brought it up again, and neither had she. But now I was thinking about it, and my desire for her increased. She was off-limits for at least another five weeks or longer, depending on when she was ready.
I opened the shower door and grabbed my towel.
“Put that away,” she said, gesturing to my dick, a touch of humor in her eyes.
“Sorry. I can’t control him around you.”
She waved her hands at me. “Shoo! Go away so I can pee.”
I wrapped the towel around my waist and strode toward her, then tugged her into my arms to give her a quick kiss.
As my tongue swept against her lips, she sagged against me.
“Stop, stop. I have to peeeeeee,” she muttered as she pushed me away. “Go get dressed or something.”
I was laughing as the door shut behind me. Moving as quickly and quietly through our room as I could, I dried off and slipped on a pair of boxer briefs. Livi was still sleeping as I peered down into the bassinet. She was so adorable that my heart seized.
“Don’t you dare wake her, I just got her down twenty minutes ago,” Ally whispered from behind me.
“I would never.” She’d warned me more than once that waking a sleeping baby was not allowed.
“Good. She’s really cute, though,” she said, standing next to me.
It was second nature to wrap my arm around Ally’s waist and hold her as we looked at our daughter.
“She’s perfect. Just like her mommy,” I said.
She scoffed. “I see the charm is in full force, even at five in the morning.”
“Always ready to turn it on for you because I know how much you love it,” I teased.
She pinched my side, then stepped out of my hold to climb back into bed.
“Fuck, I missed you,” I murmured against the back of her neck as I slid under the covers and spooned against her.
Twisting slightly, she turned to face me. “Dom,” she said softly.
The room was too dark to see if her cheeks were tinged pink, so I pretended they were.
“Can I kiss you?” I asked.
She skimmed her hand up my bare chest, and I sucked in a breath. Then she was kissing along my jaw, and I couldn’t help the groan that slipped out as her lips met mine.
The kiss was quick, then she lifted her head.
“I missed you, too, but I’m missing sleep more, so put that thing away and go to sleep.” Humor laced her tone, and I couldn’t help but grin as I reached down and adjusted my dick.
“The dick wants what the dick wants,” I said.
She giggled. “You’re ridiculous.” She shifted so we were spooning again.
Her breathing evened out as I held her, happier than I’d ever been in my entire life.
I hoped it would last forever.