Kevan hauled Hadlee into his lap and tossed his iPad on the coffee table. Hadlee started laughing at his expression. He was smiling. Hadlee laid back against his chest. His hands settled against her abdomen. Kevan was rubbing circles as he leaned down and gave her a kiss. Hadlee was the most content she had been since she had discovered she was pregnant.


"Do you think he can feel that?" asked Kevan still rubbing her belly.


"I don't know if she can or not." laughed Hadlee "But I've been talking to her since I found out."


"Her?" grinned Kevan "Pretty sure of yourself, Hadlee Belle."


"We've been calling her little one." replied Hadlee "Caro and KK have been talking to her as well."


"I leave you for less than 24 hours and you've nicknamed our baby."


"Well I can't call her Spot," groused Hadlee "and Baby M sounds indecisive."


"Spot?"


"See, little one is much better for her." answered Hadlee.


"So am I gonna go on an away game and come home to him having been named?" asked Kevan smiling down at her. Hadlee tilted her mouth up so she could kiss him. She moved to his scruffy jaw as she pulled him closer. Kevan kissed her forehead "No answer I see."


"If she turns out to be a boy, you can name him." replied Hadlee.


"And if it's a girl?" quizzed Kevan. Hadlee moved so that she was straddling him. She kissed him quickly and shot him a dazzling smile.

"Then I'll tell you her name when I start getting stuff monogrammed." she teased as she climbed off his lap. She smoothed out her green dress. "We need to get going if we're going to pick up your parents."


Kevan looked at the sky high heels on her boots. He nodded his head towards them "You think you're going to wear those stilts the entire pregnancy?"


"Since you like googling and research look up Rosie Pope." sassed Hadlee "She's made an entire website about being pregnant in heels."


"I won't say a word, as long as the doc says it's okay." he replied "But I am seriously considering seeing how much it would cost to have John Scott run interference for you." He stood and wrapped his arms around his tiny girl friend.


Hadlee smiled up at him "Southern girls are tough." Kevan was towing her along towards the door. She stopped long enough to grab her purse. Kevan took the bag and carried it. "I'm pregnant Miller, not handicap."


Kevan picked her up gingerly and put her over his shoulder "If it were up to me, I'd wrap you in down blankets and bubble wrap for the next nine months." Kevan tapped her on the ass. "Meanwhile you've had two extra days to absorb this info. I just want to take care of you and little man." Hadlee swatted at his shoulders "As soon as the doc tells us what needs to happen, I'll be fine." Kevan deposited her on her feet inside the elevator. Hadlee looked at him skeptically. "Fine, I am totally lying, I'm going to be a complete fucking mess the next nine month."


"No worries," she laughed "I've got this. You just need to tote, fetch, and paint the nursery."


"Is that all?" he asked smiling at Hadlee.


"How do you feel about Kentucky blue glitter?"


"UK blue's fine," he answered "But my boy doesn't need glitter."


"Kevan Michael Miller, you'd better love our son even if he does like glitter." admonished Hadlee "Beside our little one will have Bruins glitter too."


"Hadlee Belle, I'm pretty sure if she is anything like her mom she will be drop dead gorgeous, have glitter pouring out of her ears, and be born chanting Go Big Blue." Kevan's large hand was again resting on her stomach "And your daddy will love every minute of it." he answered kissing her stomach. Hadlee ran her fingers through his hair and laughed.


"I wouldn't mind a wild little surfer boy."


As the doors open Kevan frowned "Girl or boy I'll teach them to surf...and swim. I want them to love the beach."


"No objections, Miller." replied Hadlee "When are you going to teach me to surf?" Hadlee burst out laughing when he looked panicked. "I figure she is due in May. So no worries of me trying to be all Gidget when pregnant." Kevan shook his head. She was going to be the death of him. Her and the tiny person they created.


Hadlee left the elevator ahead of Kevan. He was still carrying her purse. "Hey babe, does this count as toting? I'm might need a Southern to California boy dictionary."


"Of course it does." she said as she gave Greg instructions for the pup. Greg would be at her beck and call as soon as he found out she was pregnant. Kevan realized that finding a house would be a lower priority because Greg would always be around if Hadlee needed something.


"Need anything, Miller?" asked Greg "Maybe skates to match your bag?"


Kevan looked at him and grinned "Make sure they sparkle." Both him and Greg shared a laugh as he headed to the garage.


Kevan caught up to Hadlee and opened the door to the Tahoe. He leaned across her and buckled the seat belt. Hadlee had given up arguing with him about her seat belt. She pulled her giant purse from the floor and extracted her sunglasses. She had settled them into place and turned on the music. She currently had FGL pouring through the speakers.


"When does their new album come out?" asked Kevan climbing the drivers seat.


"Next month." replied Hadlee.


"So we cruise until then?"


Hadlee turned and smiled at him. He hoped this baby had Hadlee's eyes and smile. "Unless you want to listen to Sam Hunt or Chase Rice? Oooh, or Brantley?"

"When do I get to pick?"

"Toss me your phone and you can pick." replied Hadlee.


Kevan laughed "No way, I can't wait for you to torture my brother with this."


"Cooper loves me." said Hadlee sticking her tongue out at Kevan.


"Put that away.” teased Kevan "We're five minutes from picking up my parents. Not nearly enough time." He watched Hadlee flush. "Cooper only listens to rap and hip hop. Mom and dad are stuck in the 70's. So you're country will be interesting."

"I have hip hop and rap." she answered

"Yes, I've heard you and Brad. I'm glad you're an attorney and not a rapper." Kevan pulled to a stop near the revolving door of his parents hotel. He noticed his parents and Cooper standing just outside door. Coop was bundled up in a hoodie and a beanie. It was 68 degrees, it was winter by California standards. His family climbed in the Tahoe.


"You're mean, Kevan Michael Miller."


"Full name, bro." said Cooper "I'm pretty sure she just cursed you out in Southern belle."


"Nah." replied Kevan "I'm straight, but if she starts saying "Let me tell you something" "Oh hell no", or "Bless your heart" or "Aww your momma thinks you're pretty" then we are in trouble."


"So, there are warning shots fired?" asked Cooper.


"Definitely mean." pouted Hadlee.


"She's mad because I told her that she needs to stick with the law and not her and Brad's upstart rap career."


"Dream crusher!" yelled Coop from the third row "It's alright, Sis. He has no flow so he tries to bring the rest of us down. Damn the man, Hadlee. You do you."

"I told you he loved me." said Hadlee smirking at Kevan.

"Traitor." deadpanned Kevan.

"I don't subscribe to that bros before....." began Cooper

"Cooper Mason Miller!" called his mother "Do not finish that statement." She leveled her best momma glare at Cooper. He was now giggling like a little kid. "Hadlee, did you get some rest after we left?"

"Yes, Ma'am." replied Hadlee "Kevan rescued me from sleeping in the bathtub. He's handy as a pocket on a shirt sometimes."

"No wonder you were in such a rush to leave last night, bro. Tub time with Hadlee obviously trumps hanging with your baby brother."

"All day, every day, Coop." said Kevan "I did my tub time with you as a kid."

"And I have pictures, Hadlee." stated his mother "Can't wait for you to come out to California. I have lots of pictures of Kevan. He didn't like clothes anymore then than he does now."

"So Kevan, you boys ready for the first game of the season?" asked his father.

"Nice save, dad." replied Kevan "Yeah, we'll be ready tomorrow. You'll get to see us today at practice."

Hadlee was smirking behind her giant sunglasses. She could handle a wild naked little boy that looked like his daddy. Her hand automatically landed on her stomach. Kevan's hand came across the console and grabbed that hand. He squeezed her hand. Their hands came to rest on the armrest.

"Aww, their holding hands." mocked Cooper from the back seat.

"You want me to hold your hand, Cooper?" asked Kevan.

"Yes, please!" replied Cooper. Hadlee laughed as Kevan flipped his younger brother the bird.

"I swear, I raised you both better than this!" called Cathy.

"My brothers act like this too." said Hadlee shrugging "Except it normally ends in someone getting cuffed." Kevan's moms eyes widened. "Oh, sorry!" exclaimed Hadlee "They are all state troopers. They get the greatest joy out of catching the other one unaware and cuffing them. They are heathens."

"Glad it's not just me." answered his mom.

Kevan parked in a space behind the bakery. His family crawled out of the Tahoe. Cooper stopped and opened the door for Hadlee and helped her out of the SUV.

"See they do have manners." laughed his mom as Cooper extended his arm to Hadlee. She grabbed her purse and linked her arm with Cooper's. They made it to side walk before Kevan growled at Cooper to get his own girl.

"I'm trying." said Cooper wiggling his eyebrows at Hadlee "Is it working, Hadlee?"

"Not even. Sorry Coop worse than friend zoned." she replied walking into SugarBakers "You're in the baby brother zone."

"Baby brother zone not good." said Baby K from just inside the door "Baby brother zone suck." He tossed a mournful look over his shoulder at Kayleigh.

Kevan felt bad for the kid. The rookie didn't mean to end up the girls pet. Now he had to live with it. God forbid anyone hurt the kid. Kevan already knew that if someone came at the kid while he was on the ice that guy would get a beat down from him. Or there would be hell to pay when the girls got to him.

"Sorry, Davey." replied Hadlee kissing him on the cheek "We did get you a hot cheerleader."

"Yes, Desi be here soon." said Davey returning Hadlee's kiss.

"Whoa, how come the kid with the floppy hair gets to kiss on Hadlee, and I get growled at for helping her out of the car?" asked Cooper.

"We let them rookie sit and they have adopted Pasta." answered Kevan.

"Don't call him that!" called Kayleigh "He isn't soft, squishy or a noodle."

"So we should call him Baby K?" asked Brad coming to stand beside her.

"The Swedes call him Gears." replied Kayleigh "That's the only acceptable one." Kayleigh made her way over to Hadlee. She smiled and hugged her. KK turned to Kevan's family "I'm Kayleigh Daniels. Welcome to SugarBaker's."

Cooper nudged Kevan "I think I might be in love." He was staring at Kayleigh.

"Stand down, bro." said Kevan pointing at Marchand "She is practically married to Marchand."

"Practically is not the same as all the way." replied Cooper.

"You're about to be an only child, Miller." groused Brad coming to stand beside the brothers.

"Nah, I have a spare bro in Cali." he answered "You two make nice."

"Make nice?" asked Kayleigh "You've just met him, Bradley Keith."

"No worries, Doll." replied Brad "Did you show your engagement ring to Kevan's mother?"

Caroline and Dougie both laughed from the door way "You want to pee on her foot?" asked Dougie. Brad looked around before whispering "Maybe." to Dougie. Caroline gave Brad a quick kiss on the cheek. She shed her coat and handed it to Dougie. His parents followed suit. Freddie glanced around the bakery.

"This place is fucking awesome!" exclaimed Freddie "Look at the walls. Is that Tim Couch?"

"Oh, yes." replied Kayleigh "That's an old UK publicity still. I think the last 10 quarterbacks are on the wall. Make sure you sign it before you leave. I don't have any west coast hockey autographs on the wall. You too Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, you'll be the first non hockey Olympians."

"KK!" called Davey "You want the signed closed or open?"

"Closed," she replied "Thanks Davey"

"Why is Baby K here?" asked Caroline.

"His family isn't coming for opening night. He's pretty sure he's going to Providence, so I got Brad to pick him up." shrugged Kayleigh waving at Brad's siblings as the entered the bakery with their parents. Kayleigh watched as Brad, Kevan, and Dougie pushed tables together. Soon all the families were seated. She was thrilled to have them all together. Desi made it just in time and slid into the seat next to Davey.

"How is this fair?" asked Cooper looking at Freddie and Jeff "They are handing out hot cheerleaders to rookies."

Desi laughed and smile at Davey. Caroline without missing a beat replied "You three are on double secret probation if you survive we'll introduce you to some girls."

"Animal House. Nice," laughed Cooper "You aren't a belle."

"Miller, you told me he was special at best." teased Caroline.

"He's already hit on Kayleigh." said Brad belligerently.

"Well that makes him smart." poked Caroline "I'm straight out of Boston. But I cheered at UK. My step mother is a belle. So, I am a belle by proxy."

The entire tabled laughed. The families all appeared to be getting along. Kayleigh was taking everyone's orders. She stopped and looked at Kevan "You eating or drinking, Kevan?"

"Not sure." he replied.

"He stays on plan." explained Hadlee "Unlike Brad." Hadlee nodded at Marchand who was currently raiding the pastry case.

"Not all for me!" called Brad "You want a Blue Velvet?"

"Of course." laughed Hadlee.

"Do you trust me, Miller?" asked Kayleigh.


"More than I trust your fiance." replied Kevan.

"Okay, then I have your order handled." she responded. KK then looked at Hadlee "What are you having?"

"Orange juice." she answered.

"You feeling okay?" asked Brad sitting the cupcake in front of her "I've never known of you to turn down coffee."

"She's already had a few pots at the house." supplied Kevan. Hadlee smiled at him. KK and Caro both looked at Kevan's hand resting on Hadlee's abdomen. Hadlee really was horrible at keeping secrets.

Notes