Don't Let Go
Unexpected Surprises
A couple months have passed. Well actually a lot of months have passed and I am literally 8 ½ months pregnant. I’ve been relaxing all day just too lazy to actually go somewhere. I need to use all my energy for the game against the Devils. We drove in his red Chevy Tahoe with his one hand on the steering wheel and the other puzzle pieced together with mine.
Once we got there, I was ushered down the steps by one of the staff wearing my Blackhawks maternity shirt, some yoga pants, and Uggs. I hobbled all the way to my front row seat right behind the benches just so I could see him at all times and I wouldn’t distract him during the game. I was sitting next to other season ticket holders that I have enjoyed spending time with at the game. There were always two twin sisters; Alexa and Danielle and a newly married couple in their mid twenties; Chris and Taylor.
This game was going to be one of the last games before the regular season ends, and right now it’s the Blackhawks and the Devils tied for first in the NHL. We’d still be in third right now if the sharks hadn’t suddenly gone into a losing streak. The only reason why I know all this crap is ‘cause every night coming up to this game I’d get the speech basically every other night.
“So when are you do?” Taylor asked me for the billionth time.
I rolled my eyes and smiled, “April 6th, which is basically in a couple of days.”
Then Alexa came into the conversation, “Aren’t you nervous? I mean I would be just ‘because when I was in my parenting class in high school the teacher showed us this chart of cervical dilation and that’s not the big of a space for a baby to fit through.” Danielle gave her a look to shut up but she kept going, “Especially if your little girl gets a big head like her daddy.” Danielle hit her in the arm, “OUCH! What was that for?” “Alexa! She’s almost due! You’re gonna freak her out even more than before you said your speech!!”
The truth was that I was actually pretty nervous, I’ve heard about ripping and gives me a big pain in between my legs. “No, hun its fine I’m not really that nervous if something happens we’re prepared for it.” I totally bull shitted my way through that one. Their eyes went wide when I said that, “You are a brave, brave woman.” Alexa said. I just smiled and turned my head back to the game where occasionally it would get pretty exciting and baby Kate would kick me.
It was tied after the third period Patrick had already scored a hat trick, another goal, and had an assist. This was the biggest night of his entire career. Well other than when he wins a Stanley Cup. In overtime we came close to losing twice but because we have defensemen that should be goalies for us because of the shot blocks we were saved. I watched the clock on the scoreboard tick down second by second until the horn sounded.
“Great, shoot outs, I hate these.” Taylor said. “Why? They are so much fun and so suspenseful!” Chris explained. The zamboni came onto the ice to prepare it for the shootout with one perfectly straight strip going from one goal line to the other. Martin Brodeur and Cristobal Huet were getting set in their nets as Zach Parise was getting ready for his first attempt.
He skated in, picking up speed and went back hand on Huet for a goal. “See! This is why I don’t like these things! Just cause our goalie sucks!” Yes I totally agree with Taylor on this one we should be celebrating right now not freaking out about if we can win this game or not. Our normal first man up was Jonathan Toews; he skated in straight down the middle and went five hole. Brodeur had no chance whatsoever. Ilya Kovalchuk was next for the devils who they picked up over a trade with the thrashers. He ended up missing an open net and hit the post. “Phew!” Alexa and Danielle chimed in.
Next was Patrick sharp for the second shot (I guess Quenneville was saving Pat for the third round). He skated in and deked back hand forehand for a goal that went to the back of the net. After the second it was 2-1 hawks.
Finally it was the third round Cristobal Huet needs to stop this for a win. Jamie Langenbrunner skated in and had a hard wrist shot that Huet wasn’t ready for. “Shit,” I whispered just so I would be the only one to hear it (which was pretty easy to do over the boos and the YOU SUCK HUET’s).
I watched as my little Patrick skated on to the ice, going in circles on the center ice Blackhawks head. “His heart has to be beating out of his chest!” Taylor screamed. I closed my eyes and waited for the outcome. Then suddenly the crowd erupting as I burst my eyes open to the big jumbotron to watch the replay.
Patrick went skating hard to the net deak forehand backhand then forehand again for an amazing goal! I hobbled to my feet to cheer for my fiancé. Then suddenly Taylor tapped me on the shoulder, “Bridget, look down.” She said in a calm voice. It got the twins attention, “Bridget! Your water broke!” I looked down to see a puddle beneath me, “Oh my God! What do I do!?” They gave me a look, “Whatever happened to being prepared!?” Danielle said, “I LIED!” I hissed, “Now what do I do!”
Taylor took charge and went to the glass and screamed, “QUENVILLE!” no answer, “QUENVILLE!” no answer, “Tay, it’s not gonna--,” “QUUUUEEEEENNNNVVVVVIILLLLLEEEE!” finally he turned around and it caught the attention of the other players that were making their way off the bench.
Sharp turned around and saw my face almost ready to break out in tears. He jumped over the bench ledge and sprinted over to Pat and his other team mates. I watched as they stopped celebrating and they both looked over at us, just standing there waiting for what to do. Pat skated over to the benches and went through the door in sight of me. He ripped off his skates and one of the trainers tossed him a pair of flip flops.
He climbed over the railing, which gave me a small smile. We made our way up the stairs with everyone in the crowd looking at Patrick and me. Some people starting crowding us so I couldn’t get through. Other people tried helping me get up the stairs which helped a little. We got up the main lobby and there were still people crowding us. I started to cry as we stopped being surrounded by people. Patrick wrapped his arms around me as I cried on his shoulder, “it’s okay baby we can get through this.”
Some security guards finally helped get the huge crowd away from us and had a wheelchair delivered from first aid. I sat in as Patrick wheeled me out into the open air as fast as he could run. We got to the car and he sped out of the parking lot as fast as he could, holding one of my hands. “Holy shit this hurts!” I closed my eyes and squeezed his hand. “It’s okay; you can do Th—OW!” He yelped. I took a deep breath, “Sorry…great the contractions are starting.”
***
I sat in one of the delivery rooms and waited for the doctor to come in to see if I was dilated enough or not. “PATRICK! Here comes another one!” He rushed over and braced for the pain I was going to release on his hand. I released his hand, “Where is that fucking doctor!?” I screamed at the top of my lungs, not caring who would hear me.
“Hey babe, good news the guys are here.” One by one everyone came in their suits and ties with a sympathetic smile on their faces. The last one and the shortest one came in; turns out he was the doctor. I couldn’t see with tears that were blocking my vision.
“Alright Bridget, it’s time to check again.” I put my feet up on the metal holders. “Good news, its time you are fully dilated.” A huge sigh of relief came as I through my head back on to the pillow behind me. Patrick smiled as he ran his fingers through my hair.
A couple more nurses came in the room, “Alright, who’s the father?” Patrick started walking over to the nurse but I grabbed his wrist, “You are not leaving this spot!” I hissed at him. He went back to his spot next to me and grabbed my hand. The nurse giggled, “Ok, blood relatives and family members only.” Patrick Sharp stepped forward, “Are you serious?” She nodded her head, “But we just got here!” He sounded like a child. Which I was about to have.
They all filed out of the room, “Ok now let’s scrub up.” The doctor said, “HEY! GET BACK HERE!” Pat turned back and came back by me, “Baby, Bridget, do you want baby Kate to get a bunch of diseases from me?” I rolled my eyes, “No….” He smiled and kissed my forehead, “Then let me go scrub up and we can do this thing.” I smiled and bit my lip, “I’ll be right back, I promise.”
They came back about two minutes later which felt like an hour, “Took you long enough!” I screamed as they came back in blue medicine wear and shower cap type things that covered up Patrick’s blonde curls that I fell in love with last summer.
“Ready Bridget,” The doctor said, “1, 2, 3, push!”
Once we got there, I was ushered down the steps by one of the staff wearing my Blackhawks maternity shirt, some yoga pants, and Uggs. I hobbled all the way to my front row seat right behind the benches just so I could see him at all times and I wouldn’t distract him during the game. I was sitting next to other season ticket holders that I have enjoyed spending time with at the game. There were always two twin sisters; Alexa and Danielle and a newly married couple in their mid twenties; Chris and Taylor.
This game was going to be one of the last games before the regular season ends, and right now it’s the Blackhawks and the Devils tied for first in the NHL. We’d still be in third right now if the sharks hadn’t suddenly gone into a losing streak. The only reason why I know all this crap is ‘cause every night coming up to this game I’d get the speech basically every other night.
“So when are you do?” Taylor asked me for the billionth time.
I rolled my eyes and smiled, “April 6th, which is basically in a couple of days.”
Then Alexa came into the conversation, “Aren’t you nervous? I mean I would be just ‘because when I was in my parenting class in high school the teacher showed us this chart of cervical dilation and that’s not the big of a space for a baby to fit through.” Danielle gave her a look to shut up but she kept going, “Especially if your little girl gets a big head like her daddy.” Danielle hit her in the arm, “OUCH! What was that for?” “Alexa! She’s almost due! You’re gonna freak her out even more than before you said your speech!!”
The truth was that I was actually pretty nervous, I’ve heard about ripping and gives me a big pain in between my legs. “No, hun its fine I’m not really that nervous if something happens we’re prepared for it.” I totally bull shitted my way through that one. Their eyes went wide when I said that, “You are a brave, brave woman.” Alexa said. I just smiled and turned my head back to the game where occasionally it would get pretty exciting and baby Kate would kick me.
It was tied after the third period Patrick had already scored a hat trick, another goal, and had an assist. This was the biggest night of his entire career. Well other than when he wins a Stanley Cup. In overtime we came close to losing twice but because we have defensemen that should be goalies for us because of the shot blocks we were saved. I watched the clock on the scoreboard tick down second by second until the horn sounded.
“Great, shoot outs, I hate these.” Taylor said. “Why? They are so much fun and so suspenseful!” Chris explained. The zamboni came onto the ice to prepare it for the shootout with one perfectly straight strip going from one goal line to the other. Martin Brodeur and Cristobal Huet were getting set in their nets as Zach Parise was getting ready for his first attempt.
He skated in, picking up speed and went back hand on Huet for a goal. “See! This is why I don’t like these things! Just cause our goalie sucks!” Yes I totally agree with Taylor on this one we should be celebrating right now not freaking out about if we can win this game or not. Our normal first man up was Jonathan Toews; he skated in straight down the middle and went five hole. Brodeur had no chance whatsoever. Ilya Kovalchuk was next for the devils who they picked up over a trade with the thrashers. He ended up missing an open net and hit the post. “Phew!” Alexa and Danielle chimed in.
Next was Patrick sharp for the second shot (I guess Quenneville was saving Pat for the third round). He skated in and deked back hand forehand for a goal that went to the back of the net. After the second it was 2-1 hawks.
Finally it was the third round Cristobal Huet needs to stop this for a win. Jamie Langenbrunner skated in and had a hard wrist shot that Huet wasn’t ready for. “Shit,” I whispered just so I would be the only one to hear it (which was pretty easy to do over the boos and the YOU SUCK HUET’s).
I watched as my little Patrick skated on to the ice, going in circles on the center ice Blackhawks head. “His heart has to be beating out of his chest!” Taylor screamed. I closed my eyes and waited for the outcome. Then suddenly the crowd erupting as I burst my eyes open to the big jumbotron to watch the replay.
Patrick went skating hard to the net deak forehand backhand then forehand again for an amazing goal! I hobbled to my feet to cheer for my fiancé. Then suddenly Taylor tapped me on the shoulder, “Bridget, look down.” She said in a calm voice. It got the twins attention, “Bridget! Your water broke!” I looked down to see a puddle beneath me, “Oh my God! What do I do!?” They gave me a look, “Whatever happened to being prepared!?” Danielle said, “I LIED!” I hissed, “Now what do I do!”
Taylor took charge and went to the glass and screamed, “QUENVILLE!” no answer, “QUENVILLE!” no answer, “Tay, it’s not gonna--,” “QUUUUEEEEENNNNVVVVVIILLLLLEEEE!” finally he turned around and it caught the attention of the other players that were making their way off the bench.
Sharp turned around and saw my face almost ready to break out in tears. He jumped over the bench ledge and sprinted over to Pat and his other team mates. I watched as they stopped celebrating and they both looked over at us, just standing there waiting for what to do. Pat skated over to the benches and went through the door in sight of me. He ripped off his skates and one of the trainers tossed him a pair of flip flops.
He climbed over the railing, which gave me a small smile. We made our way up the stairs with everyone in the crowd looking at Patrick and me. Some people starting crowding us so I couldn’t get through. Other people tried helping me get up the stairs which helped a little. We got up the main lobby and there were still people crowding us. I started to cry as we stopped being surrounded by people. Patrick wrapped his arms around me as I cried on his shoulder, “it’s okay baby we can get through this.”
Some security guards finally helped get the huge crowd away from us and had a wheelchair delivered from first aid. I sat in as Patrick wheeled me out into the open air as fast as he could run. We got to the car and he sped out of the parking lot as fast as he could, holding one of my hands. “Holy shit this hurts!” I closed my eyes and squeezed his hand. “It’s okay; you can do Th—OW!” He yelped. I took a deep breath, “Sorry…great the contractions are starting.”
***
I sat in one of the delivery rooms and waited for the doctor to come in to see if I was dilated enough or not. “PATRICK! Here comes another one!” He rushed over and braced for the pain I was going to release on his hand. I released his hand, “Where is that fucking doctor!?” I screamed at the top of my lungs, not caring who would hear me.
“Hey babe, good news the guys are here.” One by one everyone came in their suits and ties with a sympathetic smile on their faces. The last one and the shortest one came in; turns out he was the doctor. I couldn’t see with tears that were blocking my vision.
“Alright Bridget, it’s time to check again.” I put my feet up on the metal holders. “Good news, its time you are fully dilated.” A huge sigh of relief came as I through my head back on to the pillow behind me. Patrick smiled as he ran his fingers through my hair.
A couple more nurses came in the room, “Alright, who’s the father?” Patrick started walking over to the nurse but I grabbed his wrist, “You are not leaving this spot!” I hissed at him. He went back to his spot next to me and grabbed my hand. The nurse giggled, “Ok, blood relatives and family members only.” Patrick Sharp stepped forward, “Are you serious?” She nodded her head, “But we just got here!” He sounded like a child. Which I was about to have.
They all filed out of the room, “Ok now let’s scrub up.” The doctor said, “HEY! GET BACK HERE!” Pat turned back and came back by me, “Baby, Bridget, do you want baby Kate to get a bunch of diseases from me?” I rolled my eyes, “No….” He smiled and kissed my forehead, “Then let me go scrub up and we can do this thing.” I smiled and bit my lip, “I’ll be right back, I promise.”
They came back about two minutes later which felt like an hour, “Took you long enough!” I screamed as they came back in blue medicine wear and shower cap type things that covered up Patrick’s blonde curls that I fell in love with last summer.
“Ready Bridget,” The doctor said, “1, 2, 3, push!”
Please keep writing!!!!!!!!!
7/16/14