Hadlee hadn’t realized that she had fallen asleep until Deke started barking. The pup had been curled up on the couch napping with Hadlee. He was startled by someone knocking on the door. Hadlee stood straightening her dress. She then looked at her watch. It was 12:15. Kevan should be home any minute. Hadlee was heading the door when it swung open.


“Hey babe, you okay?” asked Kevan, his mother followed him inside the door.


“I might have fallen asleep on the couch.” she said sheepishly “Deke and I were getting ready for court tomorrow morning.”


“You think he’ll sit first chair tomorrow?” teased Kevan gathering her into his arms “Puppy prodigy?” Hadlee smacked his chest. Kevan bussed a kiss across her full mouth. “You ready to head over to the doctor?”


“Give me 5 minutes.” said Hadlee.


“Um hmm.” he murmured as she headed to the bedroom.


“I heard that, Kevan Michael Miller!” she called over her shoulder. He laughed and picked up Deke.


“Mom, I’m going to walk Deke before I crate him. You want to come with me? Or stay with Hadlee?” he asked “You should stay with her, right?”


“Kevan, honey, she is pregnant. She isn’t handicapped. She will be fine on her own. You left her to her own devices and she took a nap and read. But I think I’ll stay here so you're calm.” explained his mother “Hadlee is a smart girl. You can’t smother her.”


“No smothering.” replied Kevan


“Or hovering.” said Hadlee joining the conversation “And no sneaky healthy stuff.”


Kevan kissed her quickly as he grabbed Deke’s leash “No promises, babe.”



Hadlee smiled as he walked out the door. Kevan’s mother was sitting on the couch. “He means well. He’s a little over protective.”


“He’s been a little excitable today. Just 9 more months of this.” laughed Hadlee “He did offer to buy me my own enforcer this morning. Nothing like a 6’ 9” professional goon to say I love you.”


“He’s actually very sweet.” laughed his mother.


“I know.”replied Hadlee “He's also a closet cuddler.”


“He has always been that way.” smiled his mother “Since he was very tiny. He's probably the softest heart of my boys.”


“I don’t doubt it.” answered Hadlee “So you are completely ok with this?”

“When he makes up his mind, little will change it. I could tell you were the center of his universe. Now it will be both of you.” replied Cathy “I was teasing him last night about wedding plans.”


“I wasn't sure how he would react this morning when I told him.” confessed Hadlee


“He better have reacted by being thrilled!” said his mom “I might have to stand on a chair, but I can still beat the boy.”


“And why are we beating me?” asked Kevan stepping up behind them.


“Damn it, Miller.” said Hadlee jumping “Caro is right, you're all getting cat bells. Or those shoes with the squeakers in them.”


Kevan laughed “I’m light on my feet, babe.” He winked at Hadlee. “So, why is mom threatening me?”


“We were discussing me being unsure of your reaction.” replied Hadlee.


“I wasn’t unsure of anything, babe. I just wanted to know why you were crying.” he answered
“No worries, I told you that you and baby girl come first. Hockey second.”


Hadlee launched herself off the couch at Kevan. He caught her. Kevan looked at her quizzically. “You said her!” said Hadlee in a sing song voice.


“So I did.” he replied kissing her nose “You putting shoes on? Or am I carrying you to the doc?”
Hadlee kissed him on the mouth “Put me down, Miller.” He reluctantly placed her on her feet. He watched her pull on her skyscraper boots. He was eyeing her. “Don’t start, Kevan. If the doc says they are a bad idea we’ll talk.”


“Louboutin makes flats. Bloody soles and all.” said Kevan as he watched her zip the boots.


“I won’t tell your brothers that you said that.” laughed his mom.


“What? I can google.” he replied shrugging his massive shoulders “This all started because of shoes.”


“He’s learning.” replied Hadlee “Move your ass, Miller. We're going to be late.”


Kevan grabbed his keys and ushered his mom and Hadlee from the apartment. His mother was talking to Hadlee about vitamins and supplements. She hadn’t balked at his mom. But then again, his Belle was unfailing polite. She was listening to his mom. He got his holistic stuff from his mom. He was just going to be quiet.


“Kevan, Can you pick those prenatals up for Hadlee at GNC or where ever you prefer?” asked his mom


“Yes, ma’am. But the Doc may have different plans.” He replied.


They loaded into the Tahoe and were at the doctor’s office within 20 minutes. Hadlee went straight to the receptionist desk to check in and get the required paperwork. She was filing out the forms when Kevan handed her a credit card. She all but growled at him.


“You use your insurance, and I’ll pay the co-pays until we figure out how to get you on my insurance policy.” he said calmingly. “I know you can do it by yourself, but I need to do this, Hadlee.”


“You’re lucky you’re hot, Miller.” said Hadlee finishing up the forms. Kevan mother smiled at them as he followed her to the window. She shook her head. Her bullheaded son had met his match. The receptionist handed Hadlee a cup and pointed her towards the restroom. Kevan was still following along. Hadlee stopped him “Nope, we need to leave a few mysteries, Miller. You're not coming with me while I do pee in the cup yoga.” Kevan frowned, then went to sit beside his mother. His phone chirped.


Brad: What’s the doc say? Boy?? Girl?? Hadlee okay?? Do you need back up??


Kevan stared at the phone then held the phone so his mother could read the screen. She stifled a laugh. “I guess you aren’t the only one excited.”


Brad: Miller don’t leave me hanging!!


“Am I that bad?” he asked his mom.


“You just tried to follow her to the ladies room.” she said gently “She will let you know if she needs anything over and above the norm.”


“I know.” replied Kevan “It's just, she is so tiny. And she thinks she can take on the world by herself.”


“And you love her.” said his mom.


Kevan nodded. Cathy smiled at her son. She had not seen him this nervous since the Catamounts were playing in the Frozen Four Finals. His eyes were locked on the door. She looped her arm around her son's arm. No matter how big he got he was still her baby. “She loves you, too. No worries. Don’t borrow trouble. Women have had baby since the dawn of time. She is smart. She picked you after all didn't she?” Her son might be a wall of muscle and bad attitude on the ice, but he was still the little boy who looked to her for answers.


Hadlee came out of the bathroom bright blue phone pressed to her ear. “No, I don’t know why he didn’t answer. He's with his mom. He’s right here, Brad. No we don’t know anything yet.” Hadlee was obviously listening to the squirrel “Bradley Keith, I have only filled out forms and peed in a cup.” She sounded exasperated “I know you're just worried.” She listened “Yes, I love you and KK too. I’ll call as soon as the appointment is over.” Hadlee tossed the sparkly phone into her giant purse.


“You want something to do, Kevan? You are Chief Squirrel Wrangler.” said Hadlee smiling at him. “No ignoring him. He gets panicky.”


“Yes Ma’am,” he replied “I’ll tell him to stand down.”


A nurse is bright pink scrubs called for Hadlee from the door near the ladies room. Kevan stayed seated as she made her way to the door. Hadlee looked back over her shoulder at him. He was almost bouncing, but his mom had an arm on him. Hadlee asked the nurse a question. The nurse nodded yes. “You coming or not, Miller?” He was on his feet and beside Hadlee in seconds. Hadlee grabbed his hand and pulled him into the triage area. “He’s a little excitable.”


“First baby?” asked the nurse. They both nodded. “On the scale, Hadlee.” Hadlee eyed the scale like it was opposing counsel. She sat down and unzipped her boots and handed them to Kevan. He raised an eye brow.


“Unlike you monsters, we prefer to shed all the pounds we can.” explained Hadlee “I must love you if I let you see them weigh me.”


“That scale doesn’t matter.” shrugged Kevan “You’re not more than a buck ten.”


The nurse was moving the scale until it balanced. She then eyed Kevan “108.” she stated.


“Show off.” said Hadlee.


“What? I’ve told you I lift way more than you.” he replied.


“If you guess her blood pressure or temperature I’ll be impressed.” laughed the nurse.


A male nurse came around the corner and asked if Hadlee was ready. The nurse told him almost. He then noticed Kevan Miller. He did a double take. He then composed himself. Hadlee giggled. “It’s okay, you can talk to him. He is pretty awesome.”


The nurse in the pink scrubs looked confused. She was entering the forms in the computer before the doctor evaluated Hadlee. Then, she came to the demographic information. She realized why Nate was geeking out. The guy was a huge Bruins fan. This wasn’t the first famous athlete to have a wife at the practice, but this was the first one Nate had been involved with. Mr. Miller raised a hand and waved at Nate.


“I’m sorry.” said Nate.


“No big deal.” replied Hadlee “I guess it’s a good thing we didn’t let Brad come.” The male nurse looked giddy. “I’ll bring him by.”


“You can take them to exam room 4.” said the female nurse.


“I promise not to be a spazz next time.” said Nate


“I like spazzes.” replied Hadlee.


“She loves Marchand.” said Kevan. He extended his hand and shook hands with Nate. “Take care of my girls and I’ll get you a signed jersey.”


“Deal.” replied Nate giving Hadlee instructions to change into the gown.


“I see what I'm worth to you, Miller.” teased Hadlee.


“Not even, Hadlee Belle.” he stated dropping a kiss on her lips. He then pointed at the door and towed Nate with him so that Hadlee could change.


“You do realize that these people will need to see my vagina to deliver your daughter, right?” called Hadlee.


“Not today.” he said shutting the door. Kevan looked disgruntled. Nate looked at the big defenseman.


“I never need to see.” said Nate. Kevan nodded. “You guys ready for tomorrow?”


“Yeah, I think so. Milan’s hand needs a little more time.” replied Kevan. He was talking about opening night when Dr. Forrester came around the corner.


“Nate,” stated Dr. Forrester “Why are you out here?”


“Miss Reynolds is changing into a gown. And Mr. Miller wanted her to have her privacy. Dr. Kalen Forrester this is….”


“I recognize Kevan Miller.” said Dr. Forrester. Kevan shook hands with the doctor. “So, this isn’t the surprise we need at the start of the season.” Kevan eyed the tiny doctor. Okay, he was bigger than Marchy. He didn’t like what the doctor was implying. Kevan pulled him closer.


“Hadlee is my entire world. She is more important than this season. I never want to her to hear this conversation. If you can’t handle that, I suggest you find someone who can. This isn’t some mistake. It’s not an oops with a puck bunny. Understood?” explained Kevan quietly.


The door to the exam room came open. Hadlee smiled at him “I’m ready.” She then assessed the situation “Why are you mean mugging like the Habs are around?”


“Just introducing myself to the doc.” he replied.


She didn’t quite believe him. The doctor then excused himself and stated he’d send Dr. Taylor over. “Why are you not seeing me?” Hadlee asked. The smaller man never broke his stride away.



“I thought you might be more comfortable with a female doctor. And Dr. Taylor is from Tennessee.” stated Nate “She is who delivered the Lucic’s baby.”


“That’s why we came to this practice, right Hadlee Belle?” asked Miller


“You’re up to something, Kevan Michael Miller.” said Hadlee going back into the exam room.


“Just doing my job, babe.”


“That's what I am afraid of.” she admonished “You can’t threaten everyone around me.”


“Not a threat.” he replied “Just a word of warning.”


“Uh huh.” said Hadlee “Be nice.”


“I was nice.” he said coming to stand beside her. He was looking at the OB chair. He was looking at the moving pieces “This thing is scary. And my boy Nate totally earned his jersey and beers with the boys.”


“It just looks scary.” said Dr. Taylor walking in “I was told that Brittany referred you here for birth control.”


“About that,” said Hadlee “This is all kind of on the down low right now.”


“It’s not my story to tell.” replied the doctor “He’s a keeper by the way.” said the doc nodding at Miller as she put on her gloves.


“I think so,” said Hadlee “But I am curious as to why you think so?”


“So Doc,” began Kevan “Where do you want me?”


“In that chair.” she stated indicating across the room “He’s very attentive. Those are always the keepers.”



Okay note to self, thought Kevan, flowers for the doc and a jersey for Nate. He listened to her talk to Hadlee about pregnancy. He listened to the speech about nutrition. He laughed when Hadlee gave him the evil eye.


“He’s gonna make me drink green stuff.” said Hadlee. “What about coffee?”


“One cup, no more. But preferably no caffeine.” replied Dr. Taylor.


“He’s taking mental notes.” pouted Hadlee


“It’s ok, some guys wouldn’t care.” she reminded


“What about her sky high heels?” asked Kevan


“As long as she's comfortable and her feet aren’t swelling she can wear whatever.” explained the doctor “If swelling, flat shoes are better and feet up.” She checked Hadlee and pronounced her pregnant and healthy.


“Can we see her?” asked Kevan


“Pretty sure of yourself, Mr. Miller.” replied the doctor.


“No, Hadlee is sure.” he explained “My mother is here from California. It might be the only ultrasound she gets to see.”


“Well, if you play the grandparent card.” teased Dr. Taylor “I'll have Nate get the equipment and your mother.”


Nate appeared with the machine and Mrs. Miller. He looked right at Kevan “Okay man, I lied. I'm the ultrasound tech, and this has to be done transvaginally.”

Kevan started laughing “Necessary personnel only.”




“Did you lay some weird caveman claim on my whoo ha?” asked Hadlee

“I think it’s a little late for that.” said Dr. Taylor. They got Hadlee into position. Kevan and his mom were both next to Hadlee’s head. In a few moments Nate had everything on screen. Dr. Taylor pointed at the baby. She showed them the heart beating. That tiny flashing light. Kevan’s mom was slightly teary. Kevan looked away from his mom and down at Hadlee. Hadlee was smiling up at him. He wasn’t sure lifting the Cup could compare.


“Karolea,” she whispered to Kevan “Her name is Karolea.” Kevan leaned in and kissed her forehead. Hadlee had decided on a name. Everyone else just needed to get on board.

Notes