Intrigue

Four weeks later we were packing up to head home for the Summer. The boys had fell apart and were swept in the second round of the playoffs. Everyone took it hard and I was happy we were leaving Chicago. Everyone was miserable.

I spent all morning packing all of our stuff. Keith and Brent had went out to get gas in the Tahoe we had just bought and get some food for the cooler. The guys were driving home to British Columbia, while Madi and I would fly out of Chicago tonight. I was just finishing packing when the guys came back in from the store. “Damn, you are hot when you are all super organized and stuff.” I just laughed at him. He was insatiable at times. Keith just shook his head at us.

They gave Madi and I kisses and took off. I laid around while Madison napped. Once she woke up we took a walk a few blocks over to see Jon and say goodbye. Him and Ava were eating lunch when I got there. “Hey beautiful” he cooed and Madi ran into his arms.

“Getting ready to leave Alex?” He asked as he kissed Madi.

“Yeah, gotta get home and finish everything up, four weeks until bachelor/bachelorette parties, five until the wedding. I want to get settled anyway. I need to set up an office to work out of and stuff.” We had decided to just stay with his parents. Even Keith was staying there. I was going to rent a small space to work from. We were past all of our active trials but I had a ton of research for two upcoming trials. I had five boxes worth of paperwork in the truck when Brent left.

I gave Jon and Ava a hug and Madi and I left, headed for my office. I knew Mike and Alan would be in and it was only like a five minute hike from Jon’s condo. We walked into the lobby and the secretary greeted Madi with a lollipop. “Wow Alex she is getting big. She looks just her Dad. “ Madi was waving hi and trying to climb out of the umbrella stroller. I unbuckled her and she ran down the hall right towards Mike’s office.

“My two princesses are here, he said, picking her up and kissing my cheek. Honey I am going to miss you, but I will call you every day and I will see you in a month.” Mike was flying in for the bachelorette party and then staying with us until the wedding. He was taking the wedding very seriously and wanted to be there the entire week before it happened. He also had planned the bachelorette party. I was dying to see what that entailed.

I sat for a while and we talked. Alan came in and he gave me a hug. “Take care. Will see you in a few weeks. Don’t go crazy stressing Alexa. Everything will go perfectly.”

Madi and I walked home. Within an hour I was in a cab and heading for the airport. The flight wasn’t too bad and his parents were already there waiting for us. “Hey, we missed you guys” Suzanne said grabbing Madison and covering her in kisses. We drove back to the house.

I spoke to Brent and they were still driving. They were going to pull over soon for the night and finish the drive tomorrow. I told him I loved him and settled back on the couch, falling asleep quickly. Suzanne was busy with Madison and I was exhausted. I slept for an hour or so, when I woke up she was bathing her and getting her ready for bed.

“See mommy, all clean” she said and Madison threw her arms up at me. I put her in pajamas and put her in her pack and play in Brent’s room. I looked at the picture he had hung up at Christmas time. It was the two of us huddled together on the front steps of their house, lightly snowing. It was adorable. The calendar caught my attention and I started to panic when I realized what the actual date was.

I sat down on his bed and started to panic. It couldn’t be. With the exception of the locker room we had been fairly safe. I was scared out of my wits. I laid back on the bed and cried. It hadn’t been that long since the miscarriage and I was freaking out. Suzanne came to the door. “ I just wanted to let you know I have hot tea made. She took one look at me and rushed over towards me. What is the matter dear?”

“I am like two weeks late. I didn’t even realize it until now. Oh my god, I can’t do this again.” She held me while I cried for what seemed like hours.

“Honey it is only nine o’clock. Let me go to the store, get a test. We will go from there.” She sounded so calm I started to calm down a little. She returned with the test and handed it to me. I took it and left it in Brent’s bathroom and walked into the living room.

Three minutes later his mom and dad stared at me. “Well, are you going to check?” she asked and I nodded. I walked slowly to the bathroom, my legs felt like lead. I closed my eyes and picked the test up. With all the strength in me, I looked down at the test. I took a deep breath and held in the tears, knowing I had to be strong and stay positive. I walked back into the living room and gave them a half-smile.

“I am going to need a good obstetrician out here.” I said and sat on the sofa quietly. His mom burst into “happy tears” and gave me a hug.

“Listen, I don’t want to get too excited, at least not until I am a few months along.” She nodded, but I could see her getting excited. I gave them hugs and headed to bed. Madi was woke up and looked at me as I entered the room, softly calling me. I picked her up and cuddled in the bed with her. We fell asleep quickly.

The next day was a blur of activity. By breakfast time Suzanne had already scheduled me an appointment for the Doctor explaining my situation to him. Brent and Keith had called and let us know they would be getting to the house around two o’clock. I worked on unpacking most of mine and Brent’s stuff and finding places to put it all. It was kind of cramped in the house, but staying with them was great because they were so helpful. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be lifting as much as a finger this summer.

We ate breakfast and lounged around, Madison running from Mom Mom to Pop Pop. It was cute and she knew she had them both wrapped around her tiny little fingers. Soon enough, we heard a car pull up and Brent and Keith came in, looking tired, but happy. “Food, now” Keith yelled and we cracked up.

“Everything is out on the table dear.” Suzanne yelled as Madison sat on her lap and they read a book. I waited until the guys had eaten before I pulled Brent into the empty bedroom. He looked at me quizzically before reaching his arms around me and kissing me passionately.

“Wait, that’s not why I pulled you in here silly. Stop distracting me.” He looked at me and frowned.

“I’m pregnant Brent. At least according to one of them tests. I didn’t even realize it was a possibility until last night then your mom went and got one of them test for me and I’m scared. We have an appointment tomorrow.”

He pulled me into his chest and let me cry. I cried for the baby we lost and the thought of it possibly happening again. He ran his fingers through my hair and rubbed my head.

“Alex stop. We will get through this. It is no guarantee it will happen again. All we can do is pray and wait honey. Please don’t be so sad.” He wiped my tears away and told me to go wash my face. “Come on, we will go for a walk around town. Let me show you around.” We pulled out Madi’s stroller and walked into town, hand in hand.

We walked for about an hour before returning to the house. Madison had fallen asleep and Brent was well on his way to doing so as well. We laid down in bed together. I quickly fell asleep, comfortable in his arms. His mom woke us up for dinner. “Brent dear, dinner is done and a few of your friends are in the living room waiting for you. Madi stood in her pack and play and Suzanne picked her up. I went into the bathroom and washed my face and fixed my clothes.

“Come on hun, let’s go see who is here. Probably a lot of people who have been waiting to meet you and Madi.” He whispered I love you to me and ran his hand along my tummy. I smiled in return and he grabbed for my hand before exited the bedroom.

Notes