Spring had sprung in Calgary. The temperatures were warming as April brought about the end to the regular season with the Storm riding on a high, winning their last three games.
As the temperatures rose, Jen was excited about the baby, especially as she entered her third trimester. She was feeling much better as she’d been sticking close to the foods her doctor recommended and had gained hardly any weight which she was thankful for. In the last couple of days, she was just beginning to really show. She finally needed maternity clothes and asked Jacklynne to accompany her to the store to choose a few outfits.
On the way home from their shopping spree, they stopped at a bakery that served sandwiches along with pastries. “Thank you for asking me go with you today,” Jacklynne said as she took a sip of her coffee.
“You’re welcome although I should have asked you sooner.”
“You were getting along just fine with what you had until a few days ago. I think you really popped out since just yesterday,” Jacklynne said as she placed her hand on Jen’s stomach.
“I have,” she smiled at her mother-in-law. “It feels more real everyday as I feel her move around. She’s keeping me up at night.”
“So it’s a she?”
“We decided not to find out. Ryne and I want it to be a surprise.”
“I thought you were going to find out at your last visit.”
“I did but he wants to be surprised so we waited.”
“Jacques and I never knew what we were having.”
“Did you at least know you were expecting twins?”
“That we did. I was as big as house when I had Ryne and Etienne. In fact, I didn’t think I wanted any more children after them.”
“And what? You had four more?”
“We did.” Jacklynne took a bite of her sandwich. “Have you chosen names yet?”
“We’ve thrown a few around but nothing for sure yet. I think I want to wait until I see his or her, face. I think that will help us name him. It’s a hard decision. How did you choose?”
They enjoyed the rest of their lunch discussing how Jacques and she had chosen names. As they got in the car to return home, Jen turned to Jacklynne, “Thanks for coming out with me, Mom.”
Jacklynne’s head spun when Jen referred to her as Mom. “I hardly call you that, but I am going to do my best going forward to refer to you as Mom.” Jen reached for Jacklynne’s hand. “You’ve been there for me since we discovered I was pregnant. You’ve passed along a wealth of knowledge to me, more than my mother ever could have. I miss my mom every day, but I feel like I have a mom in you that I can go to for advice, support or just an ear when I’m having a questioning thought about the baby. I was sure lucky when I married Ryne. I’ve got an amazing husband but I also have a family now. I’ve missed having a mom and dad, but to me you and Jacques are my parents now. So I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“Oh honey, you don’t need to thank me for anything. Jacques and I have loved you from the very first minute Ryne brought you out to the ranch. You’re a daughter to us. Whether you refer to us as Mom and Dad or Jacques and Jacklynne, it doesn’t matter. Family is what matters and you’re a part of our family.” Jacklynne reached over and pulled Jen into her arms. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
Later that afternoon, Ryne returned home from practice. Their first playoff game was scheduled the following evening. He was all worked up as the Storm won the President’s Trophy for having the most points in the league during the regular season. Jen knew he carried the weight of the trophy on his shoulder knowing they needed to earn it by winning the Stanley Cup.
She could feel the high level of stress he carried through the door. From the way he stood in the kitchen as he watched her prepare dinner, to the way he continually kept tapping his finger against the counter. She found herself out of breath from breathing to the beat of his finger.
She knew she needed to do something to ease the tension. She walked around the counter and laid her finger over his. At first he wasn’t aware of what she was doing until she got up in his face and glared at him.
“What?” he asked. “Is something wrong?”
“You bet there is. Can you stop what you’re doing?”
“What am I doing? I’m just standing here looking at my beautiful wife.”
She latched onto his finger and raised it to her lips. Kissing it, she said, “This finger needs to be put out of commission.” He continued to look at her strangely. “Were you not aware that you’ve been tapping your finger against the counter since you walked into the room?”
“I was? I wasn’t aware…”
She grabbed his hand and led him to a chair where he sat then pulled her onto his lap. “Honey, you’re a tangled mess. I can feel the tension radiating off of you. I was breathless trying to breathe to the beat of your finger. You haven’t even started the playoffs and you’re this way. How will you be if you make it to the finals?”
“Worse.” He chortled. “Sorry about that, I didn’t mean to get you all stressed out.” As he laid his hand atop her stomach, he felt the baby move. He moved his finger about, caressing his child. “I can’t wait for this little one. Sorry if I’m upsetting you and the baby. I’m excited, anxious, all rolled up into one. We’re so close and yet so far away.”
“Take it one day and one game at a time. Play your game, the game that helped you lead the Storm to the President’s Trophy. That’s all you need to do. In the end you’ll either win or lose, but in your heart, you’ll know you gave it your best shot. I know it’s been hard since your injury. You tried to make up the games you missed, and it almost backfired on you. Between the stupid, and I mean stupid, penalties you incurred along with the fights you engaged in— that’s not you Ryne.” She cupped his cheek.
“Play the game you’ve always played, don’t change it up or I’m afraid you’ll regret it. Don’t get yourself drawn into a fight that only hurts the team.” She brushed her lips against his. “I love you. I believe in you and I know your teammates believe in you.”
“It’s just…”
“Listen to me. You have nothing to prove. You made it to the team you’ve dreamed of playing for. You’ve helped them make it to the playoffs, and you’ll be there when you win. Relax and enjoy the rest of the season. Because if you don’t, I’m afraid you’ll regret it twenty years down the road when you can’t remember what you were feeling when you hit the ice for your run to the Cup. You’ll also regret if you do something stupid that causes you to lose your dream. Keep your head about yourself. And no matter what happens, the baby and I will always be here for you. Your family will be here for you. Got it?”
“Yeah. Thanks for screwing my head back on straight again.”
“I needed to set you right or else I wouldn’t be able to sleep or eat around you. You were stressing me out just watching you.”
Ryne leaned in and kissed her. “I love you so much. Everyday I’m thankful that I found you. I’d be lost without you.”
“I don’t think you’d be lost, maybe a little challenged.”
She laid her head on his shoulder. “You know the next few weeks are going to fly by.” She felt him nod. “I hope you realize that this little one is going to be here soon, and if he or she is early could arrive during the Cup finals.”
She heard him nervously swallow. “I’m not trying to add any more weight onto your shoulders, but I wanted to remind you.”
“I realize that.” He stroked her stomach. “Whenever this little one decides to make his grand entrance will be the happiest day of my life.” He pulled her close. “I can’t wait for our baby to join our little family. I’d put you both in front of playing in the seventh game of the Stanley Cup any day. Yes, that’s been my dream since I first stood on skates on the backyard pond, but you are my reality. Dreams may or may not come true, but you’re also my dream. I’ve wanted a family that I can call my own and now I have it. Either way, I’m already a winner. I won your hand and I’m thankful every day I was traded to the Generals. If Ed hadn’t traded for me, I would have never met you, and I wouldn’t be sitting here holding you and our future on my lap. Fate played a role that day, and I will never forget it.”
She felt a calmness overcome him. The tension drained from his shoulders. His eyes were more focused, and he was no longer tapping his finger. Life was good and she knew it would only get better in the weeks to come.
The Storm easily won their conference quarterfinal round against the Otters in a blowout, winning all four games played. Their semifinal triumph against the Oregon Diamonds came almost as easily, taking the series three games in a row. Each series so far had its moments of scare for the Ferguson family.
Etienne was upended and ran into the boards during the final minutes of play in the conference quarterfinal win. He’d slammed his shoulder into the glass and went down hard. He didn’t return to the bench but headed straight to the locker room where he was met by Oscar. Thankfully it was just a bruise, and since they’d swept the series, he was able to recover before the start of the next round.
Philippe, on the other hand, wasn’t as lucky. He was involved in an altercation with Yevgeni Vasilev, one of the Diamonds’ hard fighting defensemen. Within moments of the opening faceoff, gloves were dropped and punches exchanged. Yevgeni walked away with a bloody nose while Philippe jammed his thumb. Yevgeni went to the bench while Philippe went straight to the locker room. He was out the remainder of the game and was day to day the rest of the series.
Again, the Storm was lucky with their series ending in five games. They were off almost a week before the conference final series began. By the time they were ready to drop the opening puck, the entire Storm team was healthy, including Etienne and Philippe.
They had home ice advantage against the Eagles, so when the conference finals began the entire Ferguson clan was in attendance. The Tide had lost their series. If they’d won, the final series would have put all four Ferguson brothers against one another. Now, three of the four brothers had the opportunity.
Jules had completed his semester at UW and had returned home. The entire family stood along the wall of Jacques’ box watching the Storm warm up. As they departed the ice, Ryne, Philippe, and Etienne raised their sticks and gestured towards the family.
Ryne was all pumped up to begin this series. In the last few weeks, Jen’s pregnancy had advanced. The weight she’d held off gaining crept on. She definitely looked pregnant, and Ryne knew she was starting to feel the effects.
Between the swollen ankles and feet, she couldn’t wait for the baby to be born. The evening before the start of the conference finals, she experienced Braxton Hicks contractions while Ryne was home. It freaked out not only her, but also Ryne as these had been the most intense yet. He wanted to jump in the car and rush her to the hospital, fearing that she’d gone into labor.
That afternoon, they’d taken a long walk. She’d hoped that it would de-stress Ryne and help him focus better. After their walk, he attended practice and when he returned found her stretched out on the couch clutching her abdomen.
“What’s wrong,” he called out as he dropped to the floor beside her.
“I’ve had a few pains.” Just as she said that another sharp pain shot along the sides of her abdomen. She smoothed her hand over the area.
“Where’s your suitcase,” he asked as he grabbed ahold of her hand. At the same time, he grabbed his phone and started to make a call.
“Who are you calling?”
“Your doctor.”
“Why are you calling him?”
“You’re in labor. We need to get to the hospital.”
Jen grabbed his phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Stopping you from doing something stupid.”
“But you’re in pain. The baby…”
“Ryne, can you please stop for a second? I’m fine. It’s just Braxton Hicks contractions. I’ve been getting them on and off for a while now.”
“You didn’t tell me.”
“Because it’s nothing to worry about.” She took a deep breath. She supported her stomach and sat up. “I just need to change positions, that’s all.” She patted the sofa beside her. “Sit,” she instructed him.
Ryne pulled himself from the floor and sat beside her. “You’re sure you’re okay.”
“Yep, never better.” She gave him a sideways glance. “Except for the swollen feet, ankles, sleepless nights…”
“Okay, I get it. I have to believe you’re not in labor…” He reached for her hand and raised it to his lips. He smirked. “You will tell me when you’re in labor, right?”
“Definitely.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’ll be the first to know.” She laid her head on his shoulder. “So how was practice?”
“Great. I think we’re going to win the series.”
“Don’t be too cocky. After all, it is the Eagles that you’re playing.”
“I realize that. In fact, I ran into Beck Randolph as I was leaving the arena tonight.”
“Huh, what did he have to say?”
“That he wished he hadn’t traded me to the Generals.”
“And what did you say?”
“I thanked him.”
“You did?”
“Of course I did. I thanked him for leading me to you. I also told him we’re expecting any minute now.”
“Ryne, we still have at least six weeks.”
“To me that’s any minute.” She laughed at his description.
He ran his hand along her stomach. He saw what could have been an elbow or foot. He was in total amazement. “I can’t get enough of watching the baby move. It’s unbelievable to think that soon we’ll be holding him…or her. I can’t wait.”
“I can’t wait to see your face when you hold him for the first time.”
“I’ll be happy when the baby’s here and I know that you’re both safe and healthy. I have to be honest; I’m not looking forward to seeing you in pain.”
“That’s a part of having a baby.”
“I know but I don’t have to like that part, do I?”
“You’d think you were the one in labor.”
“No, I’ll just be the one hoping my hands make it through…”
“Your hands?”
“Yeah, I’m sure you’ll be clutching onto one or both of them.”
“I think you can handle me holding your hand.”
“Not from what I hear. Jim told me when Holly had their kids, his hands hurt for days after the children were born.”
“Maybe he’s just a wimp.”
“Who, Jim? Never.” He guffawed then smiled. “Yeah, maybe he is a weakling. After all, I am pretty strong.” He raised his arms and flexed his biceps.
She ran her hand along his muscle. “I guess you’re strong.”
“You guess?” he said reaching out to tickle her.
After a few moments rolling around laughing another pain hit her. She grabbed her side. “Enough, okay? I don’t need any more of these Braxton Hicks. I’m getting tired as it is. I’m going to take a warm bath. That usually helps relieve them.” She kissed him on the forehead and headed off to the bathroom. She hoped their exchange settled him down. He needed to be as relaxed as possible as they began the conference finals.
Relaxed was not the word to use for Ryne as he skated back onto the ice to take the opening faceoff. After the national anthem, he made his way to the circle. He eyed his friend Wiley and then the puck was dropped.
As soon as he won that opening faceoff, he put his nervousness aside and skated for the team. Ryne scored a hat trick in that first game and led the team in overall points for the series. He scored nine goals as the Storm surprised the Eagles, winning the series in four games.
When the buzzer sounded to end the series, Ryne threw his arms over his head and fell to his knees in jubilation. Philippe and Etienne rushed him as did the rest of the team. The Storm was headed to the Stanley Cup finals. The long road with all of its twists and turns had been reached. Ryne’s dream had come true. Now all he needed to do was help his team win one more series, and they’d be champions of the NHL.
Ryne said a silent prayer as he kneeled on the ice, then stood and motioned with his stick towards Jen. He saw her clapping away and then she threw him a kiss. He raised his hand, as if catching it and placed his hand over his heart and nodded to her. He couldn’t wait to hold her and the baby. He needed to tell her how important she’d been to him as he reached this milestone. He’d done it for himself but also their family. If not for her, he wasn’t sure he’d have returned from his latest injury.
He’d watched her as she suffered through her bouts of morning sickness and knew if she could make it through that, he could persevere through his rehab. She’d been his rock when he needed it, egging him on to keep focused so he could return to the ice.
In Ryne’s estimation, the team’s celebration and reporter interviews lasted way too long. He needed to get to Jen. Almost an hour after the buzzer rang ending the game, he departed the locker room and walked right into her arms.
“Gosh, I love you,” he said as he swept her hair to the side of her face. “It’s all because of you that I’m standing right here, right now.” He brushed a soft kiss onto her lips. “You made me believe that I could still play.”
She smiled at him. “I didn’t do anything. You were the one to push through the long hours in rehab.”
“You were right there beside me.”
“Yeah, throwing up.”
He chuckled at her response. “But you were there when you didn’t feel like doing anything but crawling back into bed. He laid his hand over the baby as he moved. “We’re going all the way, and then before we know it, this little one will be in our arms. What a way to end a magical season.” He hugged her tightly, reached for her hand, and pulled her out the door.
The Stanley Cup finals would begin in a matter of days; their opponent had yet to be determined. The Generals were playing in the conference finals as well. They were fighting a good fight, and he hoped they’d be matched against them.