Captains Come First

James ran a hand through his hair trying to figure out what to do next. He had called Jen the PR lady, of course she was on vacation, he would call Paulie for advice, but he was in Sochi playing a hockey game. He even thought of calling his Mom. But what was he supposed to say? Hey mom, I got my sort of but not really girlfriend pregnant with twins? That wouldn't do. He did the only thing that he could think of at that moment. He got down on his knees beside his bed and he prayed. "God, I don't really talk to you much...ok at all. I don't really know how I'm supposed to deal with this. You see I'm not ready to be a dad. I mean who am I kidding? I don't even remember who I was with last night. What kind of dad is that? I just...I guess I just ask that you help me with this and maybe in exchange I'll go to church at Christmas and Easter...maybe even thanksgiving. American that is. Heather is already an amazing mom. I guess I should be happy it's with her and not somebody like Candy. Maybe...just maybe you could give me a sign that this is all going to be ok?" Just as he asked that his phone lit up, Heather's name and face lit up the screen. "Wow, you work quick." He said as he grabbed the phone and answered. "Heather, hey. I thought that you were watching Brooks and Paulie." He said laying down on the bed.

"I was, but I couldn't concentrate on the game. I'm...I'm sorry for how I told you. I was just mad that you broke up with me without even telling me." She said as she sat on a bench outside the Bolshoi arena.

"Yeah...about that. I shouldn't have done it." James said. "But God...are we really going to be parents?" He asked her again.

"Yeah, yeah we are." Heather said quietly. "I mean those two Lima beans on the picture are your first sons or daughters. Or maybe both." She said with a small smile.

"Wow." He said everything starting to sink in. "Double whammy."

"Yeah." Heather said. "I just wanted to call to say I'm sorry." She said to him.

"I guess I should be sorry too. I haven't exactly been an angel down here." He said to her ready to confess his sins like he was talking to a priest.

"I don't want to know." She said I him sternly. "James I'm not asking to be back together. I'm just asking that we do this together." James took a deep gulp and nodded his head as if she could see him.

"Right," he said sounding slightly disappointed. "Yeah, that totally makes sense." He said to her.

"I'm not saying we will never be together, I'm just saying right now let's keep this simple." She said to him. "And I was hoping you'd come with me when I give Mario my resignation." She said. Resignation...he hadn't even thought of that. He suddenly felt very selfish. He was losing a little bit of freedom, she was losing her home, her job, and in many ways her family.

"Heather this is all my fault." He said putting a hand on his forehead.

"No James, it's not." She said. "Well I mean it's both of our faults. Two people to make a baby, two to take the blame," she said to him.

"Where are you going to live?" He asked her.

"I don't know." She said with uncertainty. "I figure I'll live off of my savings until my visa runs out. Maybe I could freelance teaching dance or voice in Pittsburgh." She said sadly. "Hell, maybe Mario will take pity on me and get me a concessions job at Consol or something."

"Don't talk like that," her said to her. "My baby's mother is not going to be stuck working concessions." He said. "Just...is there one thing you could do for me?" He asked her.

"What is that?" She said resentfully.

"Could you...could you sing for me?" He asked her.

"Of course." She said. "I sung this at Avery's dedication service as a baby." She took a deep breath before she opened her mouth to sing Elton John's Blessed.

"Hey you, you're a child in my head
You haven't walked yet
Your first words have yet to be said
But I swear you'll be blessed
I know you're still just a dream your eyes might be green
Or the bluest that I've ever seen
Anyway you'll be blessed
And you, you'll be blessed
You'll have the best I promise you that
I'll pick a star from the sky
Pull your name from a hat
I promise you that, promise you that, promise you that
You'll be blessed
I need you before I'm too old
To have and to hold
To walk with you and watch you grow
And know that you're blessed" A single tear rolled down his cheek.

"Thank you." He whispered to her. " I love to hear you sing, it makes me forget about my problems." He said to her. He quickly realized that she could take that as a bad statement. "Not that I'm saying our babies are problems." He said

"I know." She said softly. "James I'm going to go. I'll talk to you again ok?" She asked.

"Yeah." He said. "Bye Heather."

------

Heather had decided to leave Sid alone for a bit. He seemed very distracted versus Norway and Austria. Today was the quarter finals versus Latvia. She'd be there of course, but he didn't know where she'd be. Taking a walk near the Bolshoi she enjoyed the air and warm sun. Ahead of her she saw a figure with his head dark head slumped forward kicking stones walking slowly. "Geno!" She shouted out. "Oh honey it's ok." She said hugging him.

"We lost. Heather I cannot believe...at home." He said collapsing into her arms.

"I know Geno." She said kissing the side of his face squeezing him tighter. "I promise, once you get back to Pittsburgh you'll feel a lot better. Back to winning again." She said giving him a smile. Tears streamed down his face as he seemed like an innocent little boy who's favourite toy was taken from him.

"You want to go and get drink or something?" He asked her trying to find something to cheer himself up.

"Sure Geno." She said as they walked into a small restaurant. "Stoli's on me." She said. A bottle and two glasses were brought to the table. She poured him a glass and slid it to him.

"You no drink?" He said after downing the glass. "You always drink with me. You sure you ok?" He asked pouring another one.

"Oh I'll be ok alright, in about 7months or so." She said.

"What you mean?" He asked her. Heather sighed. Her mouth was getting the best of her. She didn't want everyone to know and at this rate the team would know before she was even home.

"James and I....we are going to have a child. Well actually two children." She said covering her face with a hand.

"You and Lazy? Babies?" He asked with wide eyes downing another glass. "That a boy Lazy!" He smirked.

"We didn't exactly plan it Geno," she said shaking her head. "I don't suppose you'd want to come watch Canada Latvia with me?" She asked.

"No...too soon, but you come with me back to my room. Make me feel better?" He asked with a boyish smile. Heather contemplated it for a second. What did she have to lose?

"You got it Geno." She smiled as she paid the tab and they left. He gave her a little slap on the bum as they head back to his room.

-------

Sid stood on the bench looking around for Heather. "She's not here." He said quietly but not quietly enough that Kunitz couldn't hear her.

"She'll be here Sid, relax." Kuni said to her as they took their places.

"I can't believe she's not here. I have a bad feeling about this game." Sid said getting ready to take his place in the face off.

"Come on loverboy, we've got a game to play." Weber said patting Sid on the back.

Notes