Jen stood nervously in Jacques’ box watching the Storm take the ice. She was surrounded by her family. She was nervous and excited all at the same time. Jacklynne had been mother hen making sure she wasn’t overdoing it. In fact, she’d ordered her to sit while the team warmed up.
She watched Lauren. She knew her friend hadn’t taken her eyes off of Philippe. She hoped she’d convince her to vacation with them later in the summer. Lauren’s job was driving her crazy. Every time they talked Jen tried to convince her to look for a new position. The stress lately had caused Lauren some health problems. Jen kept reiterating that her health was way more important than a stupid job. She didn’t need to make partner to be a successful attorney. Jen hoped Lauren would listen to her and make a change.
As she sat along the open box that overlooked the rink, she watched Ryne circle the ice. He seemed more relaxed and at peace than he had earlier. She caught a smile on his face as he ran into Etienne. Something must have been awfully funny for him to crack up the way he did. Before she knew it, the anthems were being played, and he was standing at center ice awaiting the faceoff that would ultimately bring a close to the season.
As he leaned over awaiting the puck drop, she saw him tense and knew his mood had changed from only moments ago. Jen was so familiar with the way he held himself; she hoped he got through the game in one piece.
She held her breath as the puck dropped and Ryne won the faceoff. The puck landed on Josh’s stick and he headed up ice. Everyone was fresh and scurried down the ice with Josh leading the charge. He entered the Generals’ zone and quickly passed the puck to Etienne who circled behind the net, spraying ice against the boards as he came around the other side.
Etienne offered a quick pass back to Josh who shot it across the ice to Ryne. Ryne faked a shot, spun around Derek Pfeil, and passed the puck back to Josh.
“They’re doing an awful lot of passing,” Lauren commented.
Jen nodded as her eyes never left the ice. Josh skated along the boards and was pushed up against them, momentarily losing the puck in his skates. A scuffle ensued for the puck when the linesman blew his whistle.
“That was intense,” Jen stated as she watched Ryne skate off the ice for a line change. Josh took the next face off and lost it to Curt Wiles who controlled the puck as he skated up ice. Quickly he crossed the blue line, catching Jorge off guard with a wrist shot, scoring the first goal.
Jen’s eyes sought out Ryne who’d been sitting on the bench, awaiting another line change. She witnessed the frustration on his face as he slapped his gloved hand against the wall. She knew he wished he’d been the one to take that faceoff.
By the end of the first period, the Storm was losing by one goal. As Jen stood to take a bathroom break, she felt the baby move. It was a hard kick to the bladder. She couldn’t make it fast enough to the bathroom.
When she returned, Jacklynne had taken Lauren’s place. “Everything okay? You looked like you were in pain.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. The baby’s a little active, that’s all.”
Jacklynne reached over and laid her hand over the baby. “I promised my son to keep an eye on you.”
“I know. I felt your glare the entire first period.” She guffawed. “I think I behaved myself pretty well.”
“In all honesty, dear, there wasn’t anything to get overly excited about.”
“You’re right there. At least they’re not losing too badly. They can easily make up one goal.”
“They can and they will,” Jacklynne commented as the players returned to the ice.
Jen’s eyes scanned the ice for Ryne and she didn’t see him at first. Philippe stood at center awaiting the faceoff. “I wonder where Ryne is?” she commented to Jacklynne. “Do you think he’s injured?”
“There he is,” Jacklynne pointed to the bench. “Maybe Ray’s decided to shake up the lines.”
“I hope that’s all it is. This game means so much to him.”
“That it does,” Jacklynne said as they watched Josh lose the opening faceoff.
The opening minutes of the period were a rush of back and forth. Ryne was just getting ready to return after a line change when Etienne broke up a Generals’ pass. Ryne flew over the boards, and as his skates hit the ice the puck was on his blade. He rushed up ice and crossed the blue line. He stopped and spun around, faked a pass and flicked his wrists. The puck flew into the air, deflecting off one of the Generals’ players’ stick right into the net. Goal. Ryne threw his arms into the air and was immediately surrounded by his teammates. He’d tied the game.
Jen saw a look of relief cross Ryne’s face. They were back to square one. She sighed loudly and watched as everyone stood cheering the goal. She remained seated, doing her best to stay calm and not get too excited.
By the end of the second period the teams were still locked in a tie. Lauren rejoined her as she’d spent the entire second period entertaining Emma and talking with Jules. “You doing okay?” she asked as she handed Jen a bottle of water.
“I am. On the outside I’m doing my best to remain calm, but on the inside I’m a basket case. When Ryne scored I wanted to scream from the rooftops, but right as the blue light lit, the baby kicked pretty hard and decided I needed to stay calm and not upset her.”
“That was smart.”
The third and hopefully final period began with Ryne at the helm. He took the faceoff and thankfully won control. The puck shot between his skates and Philippe fought for it, winning and shooting it into the Generals’ zone. Josh skated in but lost control of the puck. Again it was end to end play. She knew Ryne had to be getting tired. Ray constantly switched up lines, but his line seemed to have the most ice time.
They’d passed the half way part of the period, and the game was still tied. The more nervous she got, the more the baby moved. She ran her hand along her belly, hoping to settle her down. Yet all of the turmoil around her didn’t seem to help as she got more excited watching the play. At one point, Etienne took a shot that careened loudly off the post. Everyone thought he’d scored, and she jumped to her feet only to discover that he hadn’t. They watched as the Generals flew back up ice into the Storm’s end.
Ryne broke up a play and grabbed the puck only to end up along the boards, fighting hard to retain possession. Then he was slammed into the glass where he lost control of the puck and fell hard to the ice. Play continued as he slowly rose and made his way to the bench.
Her concern must have shown in her face, because Lauren said, “I’m sure he’s okay.” Philippe flew up the ice, passing the puck off to Etienne as Ryne moved to the bench for a breather. Off sides was immediately called as Josh stepped across the blue line before the puck.
With the stoppage in play, she certainly thought Ryne would return but he didn’t. The longer he sat there, the more concerned she became. Lauren grabbed her hand. “Stop worrying. I’m sure he’s fine. He’s been on the ice a lot this period. I’m sure he’s getting a little longer to recover.”
Jen listened to her friend, never taking her eyes off her husband. With three minutes left to play, someone laid their hands on her shoulders. Jacques had positioned himself behind her. He massaged her tight shoulders and waited for play to resume. “I have a good feeling,” Jacques whispered in her ear. “Ray’s just resting him. I’m sure of it.”
Jen reached back and clasped his fingers. “I hope so…and that it’s nothing else.”
Jacques stood over her shoulders as play resumed. Josh took another faceoff in the Generals’ zone which he won. He rushed down the ice, losing the puck at center ice. End to end play with less than a minute to go. Ryne hadn’t been on the ice for over five minutes when Etienne caught an errant pass. He looked up just as Ryne floated over the boards. He flicked the pass to his brother who flew into the Generals’ zone. It seemed as though time stood still. Ryne raised his stick and, in what appeared slow motion, slapped the puck towards the Generals’ goal. The goalie had committed to going down on the play when Ryne had approached, but the puck flew high over his shoulder, past the goalie into the net.
She released the breath she’d been holding as the blue light lit. Ryne had scored the tie breaking goal with five seconds to remain in the game. The crowd went wild. Jen jumped out of her seat and into Jacques arms. “Oh my gosh! Did you see that, Dad? He did it, Ryne scored the winning goal.”
“Honey, there’s still five seconds left to play, anything can happen.”
“Not with my husband taking the faceoff,” she said with confidence. The arena was the loudest she’d ever heard. The rafters were shaking as everyone stomped their feet, screamed at the top of their lungs, and clapped loudly. Jen got caught up in the excitement, jumping up and down celebrating Ryne’s biggest goal of his career.
And then she felt it— a stabbing pain. She clutched her abdomen and collapsed back into her chair. Jacques immediately noticed her sign of distress and caught her as she sat. “Honey, are you okay? Is it the baby?”
Through clenched teeth she nodded her head. “Let me sit here a minute, okay. I’m sure it’s just a Braxton Hicks.” Clutching her hands against her belly, she watched the time tick down on the clock. Five…four…three…two…one…
The cheers rang out and the Storm players gathered at center ice, out of control with excitement. They’d done it. Ryne had scored the game-winning goal with five seconds to remain in the game of his life. He’d won the Stanley Cup for his hometown team. When she looked back at the rink, the players had collapsed onto the ice. Ryne was at the center of their celebration.
Next she felt Lauren’s arms surrounding her, cheering the Storm’s win. “Ah, did you just change alliances,” she quipped at her friend.
“No, absolutely not,” she adamantly said. “I’m just happy for my friends.”
Jen caught Lauren smiling wryly at her.
The entire family was in celebration mode, high fiving and hugging each other. She leaned against the wall watching the fans cheering their hometown team. Ryne was surrounded by reporters. He’d already thrown on a ball cap and a new t-shirt proclaiming they were Stanley Cup champions. She watched his interview on the television monitor in their box. The smile on his face shone brightly.
“I haven’t seen him happier since your wedding. Look at that smile,” Jacklynne stated as she wrapped her arm around Jen. They continued their celebration in Jacques’ box and took in Ryne’s interview before the players headed off to the locker room. Ryne’s last words in his interview were priceless to her.
“This is for you, Jen. I love you and can’t wait for the next chapter in our lives.”
Tears welled in her eyes. She raised her hand to her lips to stave them off, but wasn’t successful. She turned to Jacklynne as a lone tear slid down her face. “He did it, Mom. His dream came true.”
“That he did, honey. Now, let’s go congratulate the boys.”
She reached for Jacklynne’s hand and was caught off guard again by a searing pain. She was sure it was just a Braxton Hicks as she’d overextended herself with excitement. She clenched Jacklynne’s hand, took a deep breath, and eased it out slowly.
“Honey, are you okay? Shall we sit for a minute?”
“I’m okay. Let’s get this reunion over with so we can go home. I think I need to lie down.”
The entire family along with Lauren took a private elevator, and Jacques led them down a series of corridors to the locker room. She was ever thankful they arrived as quickly as they did. She didn’t want to put a damper on Ryne’s celebration, but she needed to get home.
They’d waited for only a few moments when Ryne appeared. She opened her arms and he hugged her tightly. “You did it!”
“Yeah, we did,” he said as he looked her squarely in the eye. As he ran his hand along her cheek, she knew he knew something was wrong.
She leaned in and kissed him. “I’m so proud of you. Are you okay after that fall?”
He ignored her comment as he placed his hand on her stomach. “I’m alright but are you?”
“Of course, I am. Your parents are going to take me home so you can bask in the glory of this win, okay?”
“Let me change and I’ll take you home.”
“Ryne, no! You need to celebrate with the team. I’ll be just fine. Your parents will make sure.”
“I’ve had my celebration. Give me a few minutes to shower and I’ll be right out.” Just as he leaned in to kiss her, she crumbled in his arms clutching her stomach.
“Jen, hey, what’s wrong? Is it the baby?”
His parents surrounded them immediately. Before she could utter a word, she felt a warm trickle of fluid run down her legs. “Ryne,” she said nervously. “I just think my water broke.”
“What? Are you in labor?”
She nodded her head. “I think I am.”
Jacques took over. “Ryne, go shower and change. I’ll get the car, and Jacklynne can help Jen to the players’ entrance.”
She took one look at Ryne. She knew he was just as scared and nervous as she was. He kissed her cheek and hurried back to the locker room. “I’ll be right back. Wait here.”
In less than five minutes, Ryne was by her side. He tightened his arm around her and guided her to the back doors. Just as they reached the entrance, she clutched his hand. “Are you having a contraction?”
“I think so.”
Jacklynne grabbed ahold on her hand. “Breathe, Jen. Don’t forget to breathe.”
When the contraction had ended, they hurried out the door. Jules waited with Lauren, Emma, and Oliva for Philippe and Etienne. Jules would go home with the girls while Etienne, Philippe, and Lauren decided to follow them to the hospital.
Less than three hours later, Jen and Ryne welcomed their bundle of joy— a baby girl. The Braxton Hicks contractions she thought she’d had for hours were in fact real, and she’d been in labor a good portion of the day.
Tears of joy ran down not only her but Ryne’s face as well. She clutched her precious little girl to her chest.
“Look at her Jen, she’s perfect.” Ryne ran his hand lightly against his daughter’s hair. He leaned his head against Jen’s and cried. It had been a truly emotional day for them. He still hadn’t fully come to terms with winning the Stanley Cup, but add in the birth of his daughter, and this was a day he’d never ever forget. Who could imagine? All of his dreams had come to fruition. He had fulfilled his career goals, just had his first child, and he had a beautiful wife.
“Ryne, hey, you okay?”
He sniffled. “Yeah. It’s been one hell of a day.” He brushed the tears from his eyes. “I still can’t believe it. Who would have thought when I woke up that I would achieve all of my goals in one day? Never in my wildest of dreams. Never.” He leaned over, brushing a kiss on the baby’s head and Jen’s brow. “I love you so much, Jen.”
She smiled up at him and clasped his cheek. “I love you too.” She nuzzled his neck as he wrapped his family in the first of what he knew would be many hugs.
“We need to name her,” she said now through her own tears.
“Let’s enjoy this moment. We have time.”