“I’d run through the desert, I’d walk through the rain, get you into trouble and take all the blame… I could be so good at loving you, but only if you told me to…”

Jamie shrugged the tuxedo jacket over his shoulders, looking in the mirror as the tailor smoothed the fabric out across his back, measuring the width and length. Beside him, Tyler and Jordie were trying on their tuxedos also, both murmuring measurements to the tailors behind them.

“They’re having the beige shirts and light gray vests, and I’m having the light gray jacket, beige vest, and white shirt,” Jamie smiled at the tailor who stood closest to him.

“And are we doing belts, suspenders, bowties?” The tailor asked, gripping onto the collar of Jamie’s jacket, helping him slip it back down his arms.

“Ties on everyone… I’ll do suspenders,”

“And for the groomsmen?”

Jamie glanced at Tyler and Jordie, “best go with belts. My brother will look too much like a lumberjack if he’s in suspenders.”

“Alright, I’m going to put the order into the computer. I’ll be right back,”

All the boys waited for the tailors to leave the room. Once they were alone, Jamie turned back to the mirror, running one of his hands through his hair. It was getting rather long, and he made a mental note of scheduling a haircut.

“You getting nervous, Chubbs?”

Jamie looked at Tyler through the mirror. It was rare that he called him that off the ice. But this was a special time, and called for a special nickname. “Not yet. I’m sure on the thirteenth though I’ll be a wreck. I have no one to talk to about it; I’m the first one taking the plunge.”

“There’s always dad,”

“Yeah… talking to dad about cold feet would basically be like telling Cassidy I’m having second thoughts.” Jamie turned away from the mirror, and his brother and Tyler. “I want to marry her but it’s a big deal… it’s nerve wracking.”

“It’s weird you’re only gonna be with one chick for the rest of your life; or for however long the marriage lasts.”

“I don’t want to be with anyone else,” he looked at Tyler, as if he were searching for some sort of validation from his closest friend. “I just hope I’ll be a good husband, you know? I’ve been thinking about that a lot…”

Jordie interjected, “of course you’ll be a good husband.”

“I promised her dad I’d take care of her and protect her, and now that he’s not here, I can’t stop thinking about it. My entire life, I’ve just had to worry about myself. But I have Cassidy now, and…” Jamie paused and sat down on the white couch in the corner of the room. “We kept it quiet just incase something happened, but I’m sure she’s told Kennedy so… we’re having twins,”

Tyler’s jaw practically dropped to the ground, and Jordie reached up for his ginger beard, gently tugging at it as he took in the news. Jamie waited for either of them to say something, but they both seemed to be in a state of slight paralysis.

“Two kids in one go. That’s what I’m really nervous about. On top of not being a good husband, what if I’m not a good dad. Then, not only am I letting Cassidy down, but also two kids who didn’t have a choice with what parents they got.”

“Little brother,” Jordie stepped forward and sat down next to Jamie, slinging his arm around his shoulders. “If there’s a girl in this world that doesn’t need your complete protection, you’ve found her. And you don’t have to worry about your kids, because when it comes to parents, your kids lucked out. Not to mention they’re going to have the best uncle ever,”

“What’s Cassidy think about it all?” Tyler asked, pushing his hands into his pant pockets.

“I don’t really know,” Jamie looked up at him. “Since we got back from the road trip she’s been in Nashville with Kennedy. She’ll be back for tomorrow’s home game… but anyway, I don’t really ask her about it over the phone. If she’s nervous, I don’t want her to be nervous and alone. I imagine she’s just as scared as I am.”

---

“No way! Holy crap, Knoxious! Well now that there’s a plethora of children in your abdomen, will you be able to see the bump under your wedding dress?” Kennedy was going straight for the tough questions.

“First of all, it’s not a plethora, it’s two. And I don’t know, maybe a little one. I just don’t want it to look tacky, like we’re getting hitched because he accidentally knocked me up. No shotgun weddings for me.”

“Do his parents know you’re giving them two grandchildren at once?”

Cassidy shook her head, “I think you’re the only one that knows. Jamie and I agreed to keep it quiet, but you’re basically an extension of the relationship. So don’t tell anyone,”

“I won’t… if you let the kids spend extra quality time with auntie Kennedy. I want first dibs on prime babysitting hours.” Kennedy curled over in Cassidy’s bed and tucked her hands beneath her head. “You know what you’re having?”

Cassidy shook her head, “next appointment. I’m betting on boys though. They’re already giving me a hard time… morning sickness is awful, and no girl would put their mother through such a thing. These tiny humans are boys, and they’re giving me a run for my money.”

“Your sons would be so cute… you’d have to fight off little girls left and right. Heartbreakers, they’re gonna be.”

“Better not be. They’re going to be good little hockey playing gentlemen.” She paused and set her hands over her stomach, “Jamie thinks it’s one girl and one boy, but I think he’s wrong.”

Kennedy burst out laughing and eventually shrugged her shoulders, “how do you think your dad would feel about it?”

“He’d probably call the wedding a backyard hootenanny that was just happening because I was pregnant. But I know he really liked Jamie, and I know he would want me to marry him and have a family… Anything at a shot of a normal life again.”

“Well I’m happy for you. You deserve this, all of it. And on top of all that, you get to raise a family in the same home you grew up in. Things are working out for you.”

From there, both girls had to finish up packing. After spending nearly a week in Nashville, it was time to get back to Dallas. They’d be back in time for the game against Buffalo, and while Kennedy was still deciding whether or not she’d attend the game in person, Cassidy was ready to get back home and watch the game from the couch, where she could cuddle with the puppies.

By the time the plane landed back in Texas and Cassidy arrived home, Jamie had already left for the rink. Kennedy had opted to actually attend the game, so for the most part, the night would be quiet. At least that’s what Cassidy thought. Although it wasn’t certain, with how far Dallas was from the wild card, they probably wouldn’t be making the playoffs this year. With only ten games left in the regular season, it looked like the Stars would be in for a long summer.

Getting in, Cassidy smiled as the dogs began howling for her. Jamie had penned them in the kitchen before he left, that way the potential mess they could make was minimized. Thankfully, everything seemed in order. She clicked on the television after the pups were fed, just in time for the second period puck drop. Truman passed out on the kitchen floor as Shiloh barked at the backdoor, waiting to be let out.

Based off of what the commentators were saying, Jamie had scored late in the first. This year had been a big one for him individually. Although the team as a whole was not where they hoped it would be, Jamie was in the race for point leader in the league, riding the coattails of Tavares and Crosby.

The second period ended with Buffalo on top, but Jamie answered in a big way at the start of the third. Cassidy squealed and raised her arms in the air, gaining the attention of both dogs, who rushed to her aid thinking she needed help. She kissed them both and then looked back at the TV. The period wore on and she could feel herself getting drowsy. Each blink seemed to last longer than the one that preceded it. It wasn’t until the commentators started screaming that Cassidy realized how close to being asleep she actually was.

Her eyes shot open, staring at the screen, as Jamie was clearly the focus. He was grabbing at his leg, pinching it tightly as he got back to the bench while yelling profanities. He was in absolute fear, and so was Cassidy as they replayed what had just happened. He took a skate in between the legs, clipping something along the way. And when they finally cut back to Jamie, he looked more relieved, smiling as he spoke to someone beside him on the bench.

Cassidy’s heart couldn’t take it. That was too much. As the announcers said, that was a way to get gelded, which was a polite version of saying Jamie almost got castrated. All that happened with only a minute left in the game, and figuring the Stars could hold onto a one goal lead for that long, she shut off the TV, and closed her eyes again. She was determined to speak to Jamie when he got home. After having limited contact with each other for the past few weeks, she was looking forward to being able to FaceTime with him while he was in the air, off on the next three game road trip.

“Are you genitals still in tact?” It was the first thing out of Cassidy’s mouth once she had accepted the FaceTime request from Jamie. He was already on the plane with the team. Tyler was sat beside him, enthralled with his own music, and Jamie was wearing earphones so their conversation was mostly private.

Jamie smiled and licked his lips, “thankfully, yes. I still have two testicles, neither one of them severed. How was Nashville?”

“Great. The house looks amazing. And I finished going through some of my dad’s stuff and I found a jersey for you.”

“Shea Weber?” Jamie rolled his eyes.

She shook her head and smiled, “Ryan Suter.”

“That might be worth some money now that he plays for Minnesota. You’re going to keep it though, right?”

“Yeah, it’s the only jersey he had.” Cassidy smiled and stared at her cell phone, happy to actually see his face. “I miss you baby; I’m lonely without you.”

“I miss you too, but I’ll be home soon. Just a quick trip through Canada, and then I’ll be back in Dallas to cuddle the crap out of you. And in three weeks, we’ll be married and off on a relaxing honeymoon.”

“That sounds perfect.” Cassidy covered her mouth as she yawned, “I’m gonna go catch up on some sleep. Be safe, and make sure your genitals are tucked for the next game,”

Jamie laughed quietly, and then Cassidy ended the call, setting her phone down on the coffee table. “C’mon Truman… Shiloh, time for bed guys.”

The ridgebacks jumped up, wagging they tails and bolted up the stairs. With her size, they had no issue getting up the steps. Jamie had done a good job disciplining them in her absence. They seemed to be almost completely housebroken, and also knew that they weren’t allowed on the furniture. Although with their compact size for now, it truly was hard not to invite them on the couch or bed to cuddle.

She couldn’t wait until the new house was ready to be moved into. It would be nice to sleep somewhere she could actually consider hers; not a combination of Jamie and Jordie’s. More and more furniture was being moved in everyday, and they figured that by the time they got back from the honeymoon, the house would be completely ready to be lived in.

Notes

This chapter is titled after "If You Told Me To" by Hunter Hayes