A Second Chance at Love

We laid in the hospital bed together for an hour watching tv. I had called and checked on Claude and Ryan. Apparently they were fine and watching movies with Megan. She fell asleep right before hospital visiting hours ended. I took pen and paper out of the nightstand. "Goodnight love, get some rest. I will be back tomorrow at nine." I wrote and left.

I turned my phone back on leaving the hospital. I had twelve text messages, most from my teammates. I knew Caelan wouldn't be home for a little while still. I decided to grab a coffee and call Sylvie. I knew I needed to tell her before someone from the media caught wind and let it out there.

She took it well, laughing and telling me she hoped Raina had girls run in her family. She asked me when we planned on telling the boys. I let her know once Raina got home from the hospital we would. I wanted to make sure they knew before the guys discussed it in front of them. I got back to the house right after Caelan had made it home. "Dad, where is Rainy, how is she?" I let him know she would be home tomorrow. He made his way up to shower.

"I put Ryan in Carson's room." Claude let me know. Megan had left and we were sitting in the living room watching the Lightning/Rangers game.

"So man, two kids. You scared at all?" Claude asked.

"Not really, a little stressed about the timing of her due date- I mean only Raina would decide to pop out kids late in the playoffs--- but other than that no."

"Ahahaha, I didn't even think of that" Claude grinned. "But she is having twins, she may have them before her due date" he reasoned.

"Seriously, not if they are anything like their mother" I laughed. I went upstairs and laid down, trying to get rest before tomorrow.

The next morning I dropped Ryan off at school and went to check on Raina. She was up already and anxious to leave. I asked to see the Dr. "Ok, I'm releasing her, but I want her to rest." I had brought her sweats to change into.

"Raina, do you want to come to practice with me? Ryan is at school. This way you don't have to be alone." She agreed. We went and got breakfast before heading to the skate zone. She ordered one egg with toast and orange juice. I threw her a look before ordering a side of pancakes and fruit to add to her order. She just groaned, "oh it is gonna be a long winter."

We got to practice about a half hour earlier than I normally would. Pronger was the first guy there. He went over to Raina while I was on the phone with the car dealership I normally dealt with. "Come on Raina, I'll teach you how to check, get some skates on."

"You can teach me in June dear" she replied to him. He looked at the ultrasound picture and turned around and laughed at me.

"Dude, you guys are crazy, but Lauren will be thrilled, she gets to start buying baby stuff again." I just smiled at him.

I finally got off the phone and went and got dressed. Almost all of the guys were there by then. Mike quieted the room and looked at me. "Yea um so, Raina and I are having twins, she is due June 8th. We are telling the kids today." Everyone cheered, I got plenty of congratulations.

Kris yelled, "Dude, Raina so better have them on an off day, while we are at home. "

I yelled back, "Just so you know, my twins will have their infant pictures done in the Stanley Cup, so make it happen."

I pulled Mike aside after practice. "I need a favor. I need to go to the car place and pick her something up. Can you go with me. I need someone to drive it back once I get it. I have a few spots to stop at, but we shouldn't be more than two hours or so. I just gotta drop her off before we go."

He answered quickly, "Yep, just let me get showered real quick." I ended up finished before him, sitting in a chair in the family waiting room, contemplating how life had quickly changed for me and how much more it was about to change.

Notes

:)