Chapter 23
ALLY
“Idon’t have to go,” I said a few days later as I hovered in the doorway of our condo. Dom grinned at me with Livi snuggled in his arms.
“Go. We got this, right Livi?” Dom smiled down at our daughter. “And you’ll only be a few floors up. We’ll be fine.”
“You’re sure?” He was right. I was just going upstairs to Cora and Tally’s place for a small get-together with a few of the other girlfriends and wives, but at just over four weeks into being a new mom, I hadn’t been away from her yet. I needed the break, but it was also going to be weird.
“Tell Mommy she can go, Livi. We’ll be fine, and you need a break, Ally. I know it’s your first time away from her, but go relax with your friends. You have to do so much more than I can right now, and I don’t just mean because my nipples don’t work like yours.”
I smirked. “You’re thinking about my boobs again, aren’t you?”
He shrugged. “When am I not? I always have, and always will, love your boobs.”
I giggled. Ugh, I loved him.
“Seriously. I’m on the road a lot and have so many obligations between practice, PR stuff, and meetings with the team, and you’re always here with Olivia.”
My heart swelled. He knew exactly what to say, and it never felt like he was just trying to appease me.
“I love you, Ally. Now go away so I can do some father-daughter bonding.” He tried to look stern, but I melted at the twinkle in his eyes.
I huffed like I was annoyed, but I couldn’t stop smiling. “Fine. I’ll leave.” Then I pointed my finger at my baby girl. “Don’t you dare do anything new or fascinating while I’m gone. Got it?”
Dom chuckled. “We got it. Sticking to the normal baby stuff you’ve already seen. I’ll make sure of it.”
I walked over to them and wrapped my arms around both of them, giving Livi a quick kiss before I looked up at Dom. “It’s a good thing you’re cute.”
He smirked. “I’ll also take sexy or gorgeous or panty-melting.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Panty melting is weird and sounds uncomfortable.”
He pressed his lips against mine, swiping his tongue into my mouth, and I gave into the kiss.
Livi started squirming between us, and I finally pulled away, breathless.
He winked. “Go have fun. We’ll be here when you get back.”
“Um. I have to go change quick,” I muttered.
“Panty melting happening?”
“Shut up. I can’t help it. My boobs are leaking, and your kisses make me wet. Is that what you want to hear?” I glared at him and tried to ignore my pebbled nipples brushing against my bra.
He made an inaudible sound. “Fuck, Ally. Don’t get me hard.”
“Serves you right.” Then I headed back to the bedroom for a quick change, ignoring his chuckle.
A few minutes later, I walked back into the living room and grabbed my little wallet-slash-purse thing and my phone. It felt weird to not have my huge diaper backpack slung over my shoulder and Livi in my arms.
“Go. We’ve got this.”
I gave each of them a quick kiss. “Be good.” Then I slipped into the hallway and walked down to the elevator.
“You’re here,” Cora exclaimed when she opened the door minutes later. It was convenient living in the same building as a bunch of the players and their partners. “Come in, come in.”
I walked in and said a quick hello to the other partners. Anna was setting up a platter of mini cupcakes and cookies while Harper scoped out the rest of the dessert display after giving me a quick wave.
Brooke stood up and gave me a hug. “I was hoping to see that adorable baby.”
“Dom’s spending the day with her. Says he doesn’t get enough time since he’s always on the road or at practice. Practically kicked me out.”
Cora sighed. “That’s so adorable.”
Brooke grinned. “How the mighty players fall. I’m so happy for you two. I left Violet at home with Dunc.”
“Dunc?” Cora asked, then she laughed. “Oh, right, Flower’s name is Duncan. These players with all their nicknames.”
“Okay, everything is set. Cora’s extra, so she had lunch catered, and I brought desserts,” Anna said, grinning at her best friend.
She shrugged. “I could learn to cook, or I could help local restaurants stay in business.”
“Dom and I are learning to cook. He only set the smoke detector off once, I think,” I said.
“So, what’s up with you two? Still trying to act like you’re just co-parents?” Harper asked, quirking her brow.
“Harps! Subtle,” Cora scolded, but Harper just shrugged.
My cheeks were warm. “Uh. I guess more than just co-parenting. There’s a bit of baggage, so we’re figuring everything out, but yeah, definitely more now.”
“I know all about the roommate thing.” Harper winked.
Brooke’s smile widened. “Watching you keep that boy on his toes is a treat, Harps.” Then she turned to me. “And I can’t wait to see Harty put his foot in his mouth when they’re in town next week. Serves him right, considering how he’s been all season over this. I heard Penny made him sleep on the couch when they got home.”
“I love my sister-in-law,” I said. “And Ethan will be fine. I know he just wants me to be happy. And Dom makes me happy.”
Anna handed me a cookie—my favorite chocolate peanut butter cookie, to be exact. “That’s all that matters, then.”
The doorbell chimed, and Cora let in Alan Lambert’s wife, Maxine, Jamie Sweeten’s girlfriend, Abigail, and David Krasny’s girlfriend, Bethany.
We all said our hellos and then made our way to the couches in the living room.
“We talked last week about a few different events for the Stampede foundation, and I ran a couple of them by Meredith in PR,” Cora started.
“I like the charity auction idea,” Harper said. “Maybe another player auction since the last one went so well, right, Anna?”
Anna’s cheeks turned deep pink, and I chuckled slightly. I’d gotten the story from Dom. Last year, Anna had been jilted, and Cora and Joy had bought Anna a date with Santa. It hadn’t been the best start since I guess Santa was known for being grumpy as hell, something I hadn’t witnessed in the few times I’d met him. Everyone said Anna worked some serious magic though, and not just with her baked goods.
“No. We won’t do that one again. No need to tempt fate. I’m thinking a casino night and silent auction. All the teams usually have something like that with the fans,” Cora said.
“I’d definitely like Alan to bid on a tropical vacation or two,” Maxine said.
“Absolutely. Is the community garden idea still around, too?” Anna asked.
“Yes. I’ve already scoped out a few ideal locations. One of the spots has space for a new playground, too. Tally said the guys could help build it, and I’m starting to look for designers. Anyone want to help?” Cora asked.
“I can,” Maxine said. “I know a few people we could look into.”
Cora smiled. “Perfect.”
I sat back into the deep couch and nibbled on my second cookie as everyone continued to chat. I was excited to get more involved with these projects. It was something I’d enjoyed doing with the Strikers when they’d asked for family members to volunteer, but I’d never been in on the planning stage. Talk moved from community outreach to the guys and how the season was going and then just general conversation. I’d forgotten how much I loved hanging out with a bunch of interesting and passionate women friends.
A few hours later, I was showing them a few videos of Olivia that they’d demanded to see as we finished up the rest of the cookies Anna had brought.
“She looks like the perfect combo of you and Dom. Just beautiful,” Brooke said before turning to look at her buzzing phone.
“Violet,” she said, shaking her head and turning her phone to face us.
There was a line of quick texts.
Duncan: Mommy
Duncan: Mommy
Duncan : Mommy
Duncan: Come home
Duncan: Can I have ice cream
Duncan: Daddy’s mean
Duncan: This kid. Sorry. It’s me. She’s driving me crazy.
Duncan: Should she have ice cream?
Brooke laughed. “Someone taught her how to do voice-to-text.”
“Oh, man. I love that little girl,” Cora said with a chuckle.
“I should probably get back to them before all hell breaks loose,” Brooke said.
That was when I finally noticed the time. I’d been here for three hours, and the meetup had been exactly what I needed, but I wanted to see my Livi. And Dom. “Yeah. I need to head back downstairs soon.”
We all stood up, and Anna gave each of us a bag of sweets she’d tucked away. I should’ve brought a bag to hide them in. Dom was going to try to snag them as soon as I walked into the condo. There were too many cookies in here to polish off on the short elevator ride downstairs.
Brooke hugged Anna. “You are amazing.”
Anna laughed. “Sugar is good for you.”
“Thanks for all this. I needed it,” I said to the women.
“Any time. And if you and Dom need a night out, call Cora.” Harper grinned and pulled me into a hug.
We all said our goodbyes and headed to the bank of elevators. I was so happy that I made the decision to move to Denver.
Hell, I was so happy that I stupidly slept with Dom after that game last year, setting all of these changes in my life in motion.
DOM
“Don’t cry, Livi baby. We’re going to get you all cleaned up before Mommy gets home, promise.”
I refused to look at the time on my phone. Ally had gone up to Cora’s place a few hours ago, and everything was fine. She needed a break, and I wanted to spend some time just me and Livi. I kept repeating those two sentences to myself for the last fifteen minutes.
I could do this. At least that’s what I kept telling myself every time she cried and I had no clue what was wrong with her. We’d done some dancing, had a bottle, and took a nap. A shorter nap than what I’d been led to believe happened with new babies, by the way.
Now she was fussy, and we were both missing some clothes thanks to her spitting up everywhere when I tried to rock her to calm her down. Okay, it’d been a bit more bouncy than just rocking.
Which could’ve been why she tossed her cookies all over me. I shuddered, glad that I’d kept my own cookies down. Blowout diapers were gross, but I could handle them. Projectile vomiting was something else.
Shit. I wanted to be good at this. I knew today would be a test for me—not in Ally’s eyes but in my own.
“Okay, Baby Girl, just stay right here.” I set her down on the couch next to me so I could clean some of the sticky mess off us.
My phone rang, and I swiped it on without looking, praying it was Ally.
“You could at least send me a picture or two of the kid so I don’t have to grab them off social media,” my father barked into the phone.
I pulled the phone back from my ear. What the actual fuck? Was he for real? And why the hell did I just answer it without seeing who was calling? My brain was more addled than I’d realized.
“I’m assuming that’s her. Damn, she’s loud. She cry a lot? Fuck, I do not miss that.” His obnoxious laugh was grating.
I turned to look at Livi just as she started to roll off the couch. Dropping the phone, I quickly grabbed her, holding her to my chest as my heart threatened to explode.
“Fuck,” I said, closing my eyes and cradling her against me as I tried to calm myself down.
“Dom. Dom. Are you listening?” My father’s voice was tinny and muffled, coming from where my phone had landed face-down on the rug.
Then, I did the best thing for all of us. I picked up the phone and swiped across the screen, ending the call without another word. Livi had finally settled and was staring up at me as I held her close. She had Ally’s eyes, and I swore they looked right through me.
Just like her mother.
“You’re okay, sweet girl. I got you,” I murmured, kissing her furrowed brow. “No more crying, okay?”
My phone chimed with a text, and I glanced down.
Dad: Don’t fucking hang up on me like that.
Dad: Send me some pics.
Dad: I should have some pics of her that aren’t just social media shots. I’m your father.
Dad: Saw one of you out with them at a park or some shit. You looked miserable. Pretty sure I said that’d be the case when this all came out.
“Is he fucking for real?” I asked out loud.
“Is who for real? And why are you both nearly naked? What happened?” Ally asked, walking toward us.
Shit. I hadn’t even heard her come in.
“I still have my boxers on,” I muttered.
Livi let out a little cry, and I stood up with her still in my arms.
“Hi, sweet girl. What’s wrong?” She put her hand on Olivia’s back but didn’t rush to take her. That soothed me more than I’d anticipated, and I decided not to ruin the moment by telling Ally that I’d almost let Livi fall off the couch.
“It’s fine. She’s been a little fussy, and she spit up all over both of us. I wasn’t sure if I should give her a new bottle or just wait for you to get home. Did you have fun?”
Ally’s entire face softened as she smiled at me, her hand still on our daughter’s back. Fuck, she was beautiful.
“It’s okay. I’ll just feed her when you’re done cuddling. And I had a lot of fun at Cora’s. I definitely needed it, so thank you.”
I guided us all over to the couch, and we settled in. With Livi on my chest and Ally tucked up next to me, I knew, without a doubt, that this was exactly where I wanted to be.
“You don’t have to thank me. I get tons of time away, and you do more than I could ever imagine or accomplish on my own. I wish I could do more, so I’m always up for giving you a break. You deserve free time, too, Ally. I never want you to resent me.”
Her eyes widened, and she moved her hand from Livi’s back to scratch my scalp. It was a soothing gesture that I loved, and she knew it.
“Dom, I won’t resent you. I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. NHL schedules are crazy, and being a new parent is a lot for both of us, but as long as we actively work on doing what we need to do as a family, how can I get upset? Yeah, I was skeptical at first about us being together and raising a child because of our history. I mean, hell, you took playing the field to a whole new level.” She gave me a little smirk.
“That’s not me anymore.”
“I know that. You stepped up more than I ever imagined and I’m glad we didn’t try to really date or whatever when we were younger. Neither of us was ready for that, but now this feels right. Am I scaring you?”
I shifted Livi to one side of my chest and cupped Ally’s face with my other hand, drawing her closer. She turned slightly and kissed my palm.
“You’re not scaring me the way you think you are. I’m just scared that I’m going to fuck this up, and that’s all on me. I want you—this—more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my entire life. Hell, I didn’t want to tell you this, and don’t get mad, but Livi almost fell off the couch just before you got home.”
“What?” Her eyes widened, and she glanced over at our daughter.
“She’s okay! I caught her before she even got to the edge, but it scared the hell out of me. My father had called and was being an ass, and I got distracted. I’m so sorry.” I tried not to visibly wince while I waited for her to get mad.
“But you grabbed her. Dom, it’s going to happen. And believe me, she’s going to get even more squirmy. But she’s okay, right? We’re not perfect, and I doubt we’re going to be.”
“Fucking hell, I love you. And all I want to do right now is put Livi down and show you just how much.” Livi let out a little cry at that suggestion. “Okay, I won’t put you down, princess, but I really need to kiss your mommy.”
Ally laughed and took Livi from my arms. “She’s hungry. I’ll feed her, and you can kiss me.”
I chuckled and leaned over both of them, helping Ally out of her shirt and groaning when she removed her bra and brought our daughter to her breast.
“You’re such a boob man. You have to wait.” The twinkle in her eyes made my cock harden.
“Have you ever seen you? I can’t help it.” I ran my finger down Olivia’s cheek as she nursed. There was nothing more beautiful in this world than the two of them.
I moved my hand up to cup Ally’s jaw and pressed my lips to hers in a soft kiss.
“I love you, Dom,” she said against my mouth. I wanted to deepen the kiss, but that could wait until later.
Then my phone chimed with another text, and we both pulled back.
“That better not be him again.”
“Do you have to respond? What’s he even saying?”
I sighed. “He’s just being a dick. Kept telling me that having a kid will derail my career, but then he wants pictures of her so his friends don’t think he’s a shitty grandfather.”
“I’m sorry. You deserve so much better. But don’t think for one second that you are anything like your parents. You’ve stepped up more than I ever expected, and we’re a family now. The way you are with Livi is so sweet. Super hot, too.”
I grinned. “Is it?”
Her cheeks pinked. “And we love you so much.”
“I can’t believe how lucky I was to knock you up. You and Livi are the best things to ever happen to me, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make this work forever.”
She leaned in and cupped my cheek, scooting her body in close to mine, our daughter settled between us.
“We are going to make this work.”
Then she sealed her lips to mine in a kiss that ended far too quickly when Livi started to fuss again.
Ally shifted to help Livi nurse, and I ran my thumb over Ally’s cheek. Pure contentment and happiness washed over me, and thoughts of my asshole father faded away.