Never Let Go.

‘Kieran’s POV’

Update: Baby Benn is the 19 weeks and the size of an avocado. Avocado? Just thinking of an avocado I could throw up. The tiny human living in my stomach is not a fan of a lot foods and guacamole is one of them. Each week an app on my phone compares my growing child to some type of food, usually a fruit or vegetable. Oh the joys of pregnancy, at least I am almost hallway through it! In the coming weeks the fun will begin, we should find out the gender within the few weeks and can get started on the nursery.

Jamie swears the baby is a boy, and he’s been smacked more than once for referring to the tiny human as he/him. He also swears he doesn’t care what we have, “as long as it’s healthy” but I know he’s dying to have a son.

Due to our busy schedules we’re not having one of those crazy gender reveal parties but the team has a pool going on what Baby #14 is. It’s 50/50 in the locker room but I guess we’ll find out for real soon enough!

As if my body hasn’t been going through enough changes lately our traditions are changing as well. As always tonight the Stars will play a home game on New Year’s Eve, and for the first time in years there will be no wild partying in the Benn house. In the past 4 months Jamie hasn’t drank more than a few beers, coming nowhere close to drunk and he doesn’t plan to get there tonight. I didn’t ask him to stop drinking he did it on his own terms but I’m kind of glad, I couldn’t handle a drunk Jamie and my pregnant self at the same time.

Another change as of late is that for the first time in my life my pants have stopped fitting, not one single pair of jeans will cover my bump. These days when I’m not in my forgiving scrub pants leggings have become one of my best friends. I’m not in denial, I am just simply not ready to give into maternity pants, so I am sticking to leggings at least for the next month or two.

Up in the box I sit with Jamie’s parents and mine as well as the other WAGs. When Jess gets up to go to the restroom she passes little Josie over to me dressed in a victory green Benn #24 jersey and the tiniest pair of Converse. Part of me really hopes I’m carrying a girl just so I can dress her as cute as Josie! Bouncing my niece on my knee as her daddy and uncle play below us I feel a sense of completeness, this is where I am supposed to be with my life. An aunt to two perfect kids, a god mother, accomplished doctor, wife, and expecting mother; I have it all.

The final horn signals that the game is over and the Stars have won, defeating Columbus 5-2 as the confetti falls from the ceiling of the American Airlines Center. The box empties some going downstairs to wait for their player others going home to get ready for the night. Our groups splits up as I walk my parents out before heading home and Jess hands Josie off to our in-laws so they can attend the Stars party.

Back at home I change from the comfort of my leggings into a dress suitable for New Years and a pair of low heels. Thankfully my feet are still the same size as they were before I turned into a human submarine! When I’m ready I hop into my Jeep and head back into the city getting to the Stars office just as the team members are arriving.

As I am speaking with a member of the Stars Foundation an arm snakes around and rests on my ever growing baby bump. “Hi beautiful,” I feel lips on my cheek as I turn to see my husband at my side. Looking sharp as usual in his game day suit his hair still a little damp from his post game shower. The woman excuses herself after greeting Jamie and I wrap my arms around his neck, “Hello handsome.”

Throughout the night I notice things about New Year’s Eve that I had never noticed while being sober. Almost every girl in this room is wearing a black dress and most are wearing heels that they can barely walk in. Maybe 5 guys are still wearing their ties, and one this for sure; everyone in the building is having a damn good time, myself included. Sipping on my water I have mingled through the entire room talking to almost everyone. It turns out that a baby bump is a great conversation starter! Everyone wants to talk babies, when are you do? What are you having? Questions, questions, questions!

When the countdown begins Jamie makes his way back to my side. We countdown with rest of the party goers, “10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1! Happy New Year!” As 2019 opens Jamie pulls me as close as I can get to him before he plants his lips on mine, “Happy New Year, baby.” I smile before pecking his lips once again, “Happy New Year, J.” He pulls away and starts laughing a little, “I feel like there is something between us, do you?” I look down at my protruding stomach, “Oh no, I think I swallowed a basketball!” Through his laughs Jamie crouches down to face my stomach, “Happy New Year little one, we can’t wait to meet you! It’s your year.”

Notes

Happy New Year Benn family, looks like it's going to be one hell of a year ;)

2019.