The last game of the Western Conference finals was brutal. Both teams were desperate for a win but the Sidewinders were outshooting the Blizzard almost two to one.
“They’re out-working you,” Laurel told the team after the first period. “Defense is strong, but we need more shots to win.”
She made a few minor line adjustments and then they were back on the ice. This series had been draining, and coupled with the turmoil in her personal life, Laurel wasn’t sure how she was keeping up appearances. However, this might be her last game as the head coach of an NHL team, so she was going to enjoy every second of it. She was a little tired, fighting a tiny bit of nausea, but it was still one of the most exciting games of her life.
“That’s it,” she breathed as Kane put the puck in the net and the red light flashed.
The game was tied and both teams were on fire, shooting and practically flying up and down the ice. Aaron was at the top of his game, stopping shot after shot, but with just a minute left in the period, Toli Petrov got one past him and Laurel almost laughed as Sergei cursed at him in Russian. Toli blew his brother a kiss as he celebrated with the team and the Blizzard headed back to the locker room.
“It’s okay,” Laurel told them. “You worked hard this period. It’s one goal, so we’ve got this, but it’s going to mean stepping it up on everything.”
They hit the third period even harder, with Kane scoring again just minutes into it, but the Sidewinders came back with a goal of their own. A minute later Sergei scored and tapped his brother on the head as he skated back to the bench.
“That’s the way to work it,” Laurel told them. “Keep it up. We have fifteen minutes left to make it to the finals. Show me how much you want it.”
The game wound down, tied at three apiece, and they went to overtime.
“I think I’m gonna puke,” Dani whispered to Laurel as they waited to start.
“You and me both,” Laurel said, taking a pull from her water bottle.
The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife, and Laurel did her best to keep everyone’s head in the game.
“Let’s do this, boys!” she called out with as much energy as she could muster up.
Everything came to an abrupt, crashing end as Toli scored just a minute into the period, ending the game, the series, and the season for the Blizzard. Laurel managed to keep the tears that threatened at bay; she had to be strong for them and show them how proud she was. The Sidewinders had been tough and when it was all said and done, they were the better team, but the Blizzard had gone down fighting, which was all a coach could ask for.
She watched the players talk to each other in the handshake line, sharing a few intimate moments before they finally filed back to the locker room. They were quiet, subdued, and Laurel’s heart broke for them. They’d worked so hard, but at the end of the day, someone had to lose and this time it was them. Next year, however, they would be a force to be reckoned with.
“There are no words to express how proud I am,” she said, looking around. “I came in at the eleventh hour and none of us knew each other, but even amidst a shit ton of drama, you guys pulled together. For yourselves, for the fans, and for me. I’ve never been prouder of a team than I am of you. I hope this disappointment is a learning opportunity, because I have great hopes for you next season.”
“You will come back next season, Coach?” Mikka called out.
She shook her head and smiled. “I don’t think so,” she said after a moment. “I’m having a baby, so no, I don’t think I’ll be in the running for head coach. However, I’d be open to a consulting position, if you guys didn’t mind having me around. Maybe something in the back office? I’ve come to love this team and all of you, so I honestly don’t want to go anywhere.”
“You’re having a baby?” Logan asked. “I’m so confused—I didn’t even know you were married.”
“She’s with Mr. Caldwell,” Jake nudged him. “Pay attention, man.”
Logan looked surprised but then nodded. “I guess maybe I missed that.”
Everyone laughed.
“Now we’re going to go out there and talk to the press with our heads held high. Everyone understand me? It’s okay to be disappointed, but don’t show weakness, because you did nothing wrong. This was the run of a lifetime for this team, and I think it’s the beginning of a change in the tide for the Blizzard.”
The first thing on the agenda when they got back to Anchorage was seeing an OBGYN. Laurel got an appointment with the same doctor Hailey had used when she had the twins, and she and Gage waited for her anxiously.
Anita Deaton was friendly and efficient, coming in with a big smile as she introduced herself.
“Nice to meet you,” she said. “Hailey is one of my favorite people, so I’m happy she sent you to me.”
“Good to meet you,” Laurel nodded.
“So, based on the information you put on your paperwork, you’re about ten weeks along.”
“Really?” Laurel shook her head. “That’s practically before we got back together.”
“Okay, so on paper, pregnancy actually starts on the first day of your last menstrual period. So even though fetus development doesn’t start until the day of conception, that’s usually about two weeks after the first day of your last period. Does that make sense?”
Gage frowned and shook his head. “Not even a little, but if you say so, I’ll go with okay.”
Dr. Deaton chuckled. “It’s better to just accept it and move on. Anyway, this puts your due date at the first of January. A New Year’s baby.”
“Wow.” Laurel glanced at Gage, who was grinning from ear to ear.
“I’d like to get you on prenatal vitamins right away, so you’ll get a prescription for that, and I’ll give you a call once the bloodwork comes back, but I don’t foresee any problems. Do you have questions for me?”
“I…” Laurel bit her lip, something she found herself doing more and more when she was nervous. “I’m a little concerned about my age and my history of miscarriage.”
“According to your records, you’ve only had one previous pregnancy and one miscarriage, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Many, many pregnancies, especially first pregnancies, end in miscarriage, often before a woman even knows she’s pregnant. In your case, it was at thirteen weeks, which isn’t as common, but it still happens. As far as your age is concerned, you’re thirty-five, and technically, statistics show women who get pregnant after the age of thirty-five, meaning around thirty-six, are at higher risk for things like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. But none of that is a given and even if it was, you’re not there yet. I have a huge number of patients that are in their late thirties, and in all of my practice, over more than a decade, I can count on one hand how many had age-related issues. There are certainly risks with any pregnancy, but you’re in good health, you stated you’re physically active and don’t smoke or do drugs. I truly don’t foresee any problems.”
“Okay, thank you. That’s reassuring.”
“I’ll keep a close eye on everything, so I don’t want you to worry.”
“Thank you.” Gage nodded.
They walked out to the car hand in hand.
“We should get married,” Gage said casually once they were on the road. He’d driven them instead of taking the limo, so he was staring straight ahead, not looking at her, and Laurel chuckled.
“Is this your idea of romance, Mr. Caldwell?”
“It’s my absolute fear that you’re going to say no,” he responded.
“Not a chance. But under one condition.”
“Anything.”
“We tear up those ridiculous papers giving me everything.”
“We can tear those up if you want, but we’ll have to draw up a different set, giving you half of everything. Like not in the event of death, but right now—you’ll be my full partner in everything.”
“Babe.” She reached across the console for his hand. “I have zero interest in your software company or all those weird little companies you sit on the board for. Really. If you want to give me half of the Blizzard, that would be amazing. The thought of having to keep up with all your money, businesses and investments makes me a little stabby.”
He laughed. “Okay, that’s fair. When and how do you want to get married?”
“It’s not fair for us to throw a big event with Kane and Hailey having theirs in a month and Jake and Whitney not long after. Plus we already had a wedding.”
“Yeah, but your parents were broke and my uncle wouldn’t pay for it so it was small… Let’s do it again the right way.”
She shook her head. “I’m pregnant and already tired and grumpy. I don’t feel like planning a wedding. I’d much rather fly to Hawaii and do it privately, maybe with Sergei and Dani, and/or Jake and Whitney? Then come home and announce it to everyone. If we do it soon, I’ll still be skinny and feel like celebrating… If we wait to plan something, I’m going to gain weight and won’t feel bride-like.”
“Okay. Hawaii it is. We’ll talk to Sergei, Dani, Jake, and Whitney ASAP.”
“If we invite them, we have to invite Kane and Hailey, too, although I’m pretty sure they’ll say no because they’re busy getting ready for their own.”
“You work on all that, I’ll work on reservations.”
“Okay.” She glanced over at him. “Why does this feel so easy, so natural?”
“Because it’s meant to be. Why else?”
“I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
“Nope. We’re both barefoot in that regard.”
“You’re funny, Mr. Caldwell.”
“I try, Ms. Saunders-Caldwell—Jesus, you’re not going to hyphenate, are you?”
“Hell no. My legal name will be Caldwell, but professionally I might keep Saunders. I don’t know yet.”
“Whatever you want is okay with me.”
“One of many reasons I love you, Gage.”