Never Let Go.

‘Jamie’s POV’
As Kieran’s due date rapidly approaches my nerves intensify each time we have to leave the state of Texas. I know her mom is a phone call away but there is no way in hell that I want to miss the birth of my first child. But for now I don’t have to worry, we’re in the second round of playoffs and thankfully we have home ice advantage. We were gearing up for practice today when I realized that there are some things I need to do for my wife before our daughter arrives. According to the married guys on the team I’m supposed to buy her some kind of “push present”. I have no clue what that means but according to Google it’s usually a necklace or a ring to represent the child.

I suck at shopping for jewelry so as I have done in the past I turn to Tyler for advice. With no pause he decides we’re going shopping after practice, and I’m a little scared for myself and for my credit card.

Hours later after asking Lauren and Tyler’s girlfriend Ari for advice we find ourselves in a jewelry store. Lauren says not to get her a ring because she takes her wedding band off for surgery anyway so adding another will be a hassle. We ponder a Pandora bracelet but Ari shoots it down as “too cliché”, this whole shopping thing is difficult.

We wander the store looking in the glass cases for a while before a woman asks if we need any help, and boy do we. Tyler nods and asks if she has any suggestions for push presents, which are apparently more common than I realized. Smiling she leads us to a case full of necklaces, “Which one of you is the father?” I raise my hand slightly and she smiles again. “Well congratulations, have you picked a name for the child?” Looking down I note that the case is full of diamond letters, “Lennan, her name is Lennan.” The woman slides the case open and pulls out an “L” on a silver chain. “These are very popular, the letter is moveable and you can add spacers and additional letters for future children.”

Holding the small letter between my fingers I look over to Tyler, “Think she’ll like it?” I ask and he shrugs his shoulders, “It’s simple, and she can wear it with a lot. I think she’ll love it.” Handing it back to saleslady I smile, “I’ll take it.” It comes back a few minutes later in a gift wrapped box all ready to go, with a few thank you’s we’re out the door.

‘Kieran’s POV’

Being this pregnant there’s not a whole lot I can do other than lay around and wait for my water to break. So all day I sit, or lay, or bounce on one of those giant exercise balls waiting on Lennan to make her arrival. So far today she has not made any indication that today is the day. Lying on the couch watching a very old episode of Grey’s Anatomy my phone chimes with a text from Jamie. *We’re going out, nowhere fancy don’t change. Be home in 20*

Lucky for him I actually got dressed today, which is quite the accomplishment these days. It was mostly because I had a doctor’s appointment this morning but hey, I have pants on that actually belong to me so it’s a small victory. When Jamie pulls in he kisses my forehead before grabbing my shoes and putting them on my feet for me. “Ready?” he asks pulling me up from the couch. I can’t help but giggle a little, “I guess, are we in a hurry?” He smirks a little, “Maybe.”

Driving down the road in our new “family mobile” I realize I have no clue where we are headed. We’ve passed most of the restaurants we usually dine at, the AAC, and are heading out towards the city limits when I finally ask where we’re going. I guess Jamie’s feeling like being a pain today because he continues to drive while focusing on the road, “You’ll see.” Huffing I rest my hands on my stomach and soak into the seat, sometimes he is such a child I feel like I will have two rather than one soon.

The SUV comes to a halt in a gravel parking lot, there is nothing but tree’s surrounding us and I haven’t the slightest clue where we are. “We’re here,” Jamie speaks before opening his door and stepping out. The driver’s side closes and the back door opens he grabs something before coming around to my side. When my door opens I notice he has a basket in his hand, “Where in the hell did you get a picnic basket?” I question eyebrows furrowed. Pulling me from the car he smiles, “I have my ways.”


I discover that we’re at a nature preserve just outside of Dallas, and it’s actually really beautiful considering the rain we’ve had this spring. Jamie decides on a spot in the grass laying a blanket down for the both of us, somehow he’s managed to think of all of this from the time he left for practice this morning. I’m not sure what happened but I won’t complain, I’m just happy he’s focused on something other than the playoffs right now.

The basket proves to be full of food and we have a nice dinner just the two of us and no talk of hockey. It’s relaxing and may very well be the last time we have “us time” before we become mommy and daddy for real. Focused on the breeze blowing through the trees I don’t hear Jamie talking to me the first few times he says my name. Snapping back into reality I look up into his dark eyes, “Yeah, sorry. What were you saying?” I think he mumbles something about baby brain as he reaches into the basket and pulls out a small box. “I was saying I have something for you.”

Holding the box in my hand I can’t quite figure out what the occasion is, “What’s this for?” I ask lifting the lid to the box that feels like it’s holding nothing but air. When the top is off I can see the small “L” on a chain and I look up through my watery eyes. “It’s for giving me everything I’ve ever wanted in life, my own family.” I cannot contain my smile or my tear as his lips land on mine one hand on my face one on my stomach. “I love you both so much Kieran, I can’t even imagine my life without you.” Resting my forehead on his I let him know he will never have to, I’m not going anywhere.

Notes

almost time for Lennan to maker her arrival! :)

Push