Never Let Go.

‘Kieran’s POV’

Whoever said that pregnancy is a beautiful thing was high as a kite. This shit sucks! There is absolutely nothing beautiful about throwing up at the drop of a hat, and mood swings that piss yourself off. Not to mention the fact that I have to pee all the freaking time!! Jamie is lucky that at this point of the season he’s in and out missing out on all of my vomiting and bouts of nonstop waterworks.

At a little over 4 months pregnant my stomach is starting to grow slowly but surely. Loose fitting scrubs keep the bump hidden at work but soon enough we will be telling the rest of the world. We’re in the beginning of the second trimester and Christmas is right around the corner so Jamie and I decide to tell the rest of the team at the Star’s Christmas skate. In case of emergencies Jamie has already told Coach Ruff and the GM the big news but they’ve held in the secret too. With a baby sized Benn jersey stuffed in my purse we head off to the arena, it’s time to face the music. I’m not sure if I am going to skate yet but Jamie has grabbed my trusty pair of Bauer skates anyway, maybe being pregnant will help my balance.

Once inside the American Airlines Center Jamie talks with the Coach about when to do our big “announcement” while I sit with some of the other wives. The topic of discussion is Lauren and Cody’s wedding coming this July. I now realize I will have just given birth right before the wedding and I can only hope this baby weight falls off before their big day! The guys take to the ice and Jamie appears in front of me leaning over the boards, “Are you coming out babe?” I wonder if it’s a good idea, I am much better than the first time I skated but I still don’t know if it’s safe. He leans down to whisper in my ear, “You don’t have to Kier, but I’ll make sure you two are safe.” I can’t help but smile when Jamie talks about the both of us, “Okay, let me put on my skates.”

After skating laps slowly to not initiate nausea and talking with all of the families of players and staff I skate off to hang out by the boards. Jamie is shooting around with some of the other guys and I can see Jordie skating around slowly with Josie in his arms. Without knowing it I’ve had a hand resting on my stomach as I think about how that will be us in a years’ time. Oh how things are about to change in our family. Suddenly Jamie appears at my side, “You ready to tell them babe?” taking his hand I nod, “Ready as I’ll ever be captain, but can I get outta these skates first?” He kisses my temple, “Of course princess.”

Like the perfect husband that he is, and because he says I don’t do it right Jamie takes off my skates for me throwing them into his bag as he goes. Wiggling my achy feet I zip my brown Frye boots back up my legs before waiting on Jamie. When he’s ready I grab my purse and he grabs the gear bag and we’re off to the conference room to drop the bomb.

‘Jamie’s POV’

I make speeches to my team all the time, it’s something that comes with the C on my chest. However, I don’t normally make them about my personal life even if most of these guys are like my brothers. So as I sit here waiting to talk with Kieran by my side I’m a little uneasy. Coach Ruff makes a short speech about how well the season is going as we’re defending the championship and how blessed he is to be coaching this team. He gets a huge round of applause before he turns the floor over to me, I’m sure they’re all expecting the same old speech from me but this year it’s totally different.

Standing up the eyes in the room all avert to me, something I’ll never get used to. “Alright, umm I’m not going to repeat what Coach just said, we all know that this season is going really well and we’re on track to defend the Cup. So, what I am going to talk about is a change that is coming to the Stars roster,” I stop and look over at Kieran she smiles reaching into her purse for the baby’s jersey before standing beside me.

“Kieran and I are excited to tell everyone that we’re expecting a roster addition in June!” We hold the small green jersey between the two of us and everyone in the room erupts in cheers. Throughout the team dinner my teammates and coaches approach us wishing us luck and offering advice for the future, and a few of the kids talk to Kieran’s stomach. It’s probably one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen.

Santa swings by for pictures and presents are handed out to the kids, all of these traditions make me excited for the year to come. Next Christmas I’ll have my own child to skate around with, and that will be an amazing moment. On our way home we decide to let the cat fully out of the bag, telling the social media world that we’re expecting. Kieran uses Instagram and I go for Twitter, alerting everyone to the great news that a Benn baby is on the way!

“@kieranbenn14: we’re adding to the roster! Baby Benn is expected to make their debut June 2019 <3 @jamiebenn14 #BabyBenn”

“@jamiebenn14: Adding to the lineup of Team Benn! #BabyBenn is due June 2019! Can’t wait to meet our little one! @kieranbenn14 :)”

Notes

Roster additions coming soon! Pink or blue? Who cares! It will be dressed in Victory Green no matter what, right?

A New Teammate