Proving Her Worth

~*~*~*~ Mallory’s POV ~*~*~*~

After Jonathan brought me home I didn’t see him for the next two weeks. It wasn’t that I was avoiding him, we were just both busy with our jobs and I had taken a few days off of work after finding out some life-changing news. Turns out what my boss thought was the flu was really my first encounter with morning sickness...I was pregnant. Of course, while a lot of people would be shocked and scared, I was completely overcome with emotion and overjoyed. After all, this is what I had wanted since I was just a teenager far too young to even be thinking about becoming a mother.

I was sitting at my desk on a Friday afternoon in mid-October when I heard a knock that caused me to turn and look up to find him standing there.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Toews?” I questioned clicking and unclicking my pen a few times as I shifted to face him more fully.

“A few of the guys were going out tonight, to relax, have a few drinks...any interest in joining us?” He propositioned, taking me completely by surprise. After a moment of thought, I brushed a strand of hair behind my ear and nodded.

“Sure, but I’ll be a designated driver, not really in much of a drinking mood.” Really I wasn’t going to drink because of the baby but I definitely didn’t know Jonathan well enough to want to share all of my personal business when I hadn’t told anyone else yet.

## Jon’s POV ##

When the guys had decided to go out tonight it was my suggestion that we invite Mallory to join us. I wasn’t sure why I suddenly wanted to spend time with her but after dropping off the ginger ale and crackers, seeing her curled up on the couch stirred something inside of me. She’d looked utterly miserable but her wet hair had signaled she’d showered while I was gone and her Hawks sweatshirt was now paired with a pair of tiny shorts that you could barely see the edge of under the shirt.

So, after practice I’d made my way back to the UC and walked down the halls until I reached her office, knocking firmly on her door. Before I could even fully decide what to say the invitation was out there and I was waiting for her response. I quickly swallowed the lump in my throat that appeared when she brushed a single segment of hair back behind her ear and found myself grinning when she agreed to go as long as she could be one of the designated drivers.

“I don’t think any of the guys will complain about that. I’ll text you the address of the club?”

~*~*~*~ Mallory’s POV ~*~*~*~

After giving Jonathan my number to text the address to, I worked to finish up the rest of my workload for the day before gathering my things and heading out just a bit early at 4:30. I figured that they weren’t planning on getting together right away but I certainly wasn’t the type to frequent clubs so I needed to try and figure out what the hell to wear. Three hours after leaving work I was finishing up a piece of pizza as I waited for my curling iron to heat up. I’d thrown a pair of jeans on as well as a grey and gold sweater. Jonathan had assured me that the club we were going to was more of a bar/lounge and less of a dance club so I felt at least a little more secure in my clothing choice.

Loose curls and a light coat of makeup applied, I grabbed the few things I would need before stopping in the kitchen and taking my prenatal vitamins. I really did need to get going if I was going to be there on time but I knew if I didn’t do it now I would likely forget, and well the baby inside of me needed all the nutrients I could provide to grow healthy and strong.

The last thing I did before leaving was throw on my black boots before grabbing my keys from the doorway and heading down to my car. I really didn’t like to drive in a city as big as Chicago but seeing as it was past rush hour and the address I’d been given was a decent distance away I knew it was a better option than the ‘L’, plus I would have to get drunk hockey players home somehow.

## Jon’s POV ##

I’d gotten to the bar shortly before nine and reserved a table. It wasn’t long until Kaner, Saad, and Seabs had joined me at the table, drinks in hand. Since I was the one that had invited Mallory, I offered to drive as well not wanting her to feel uncomfortable. As usual, the guys were giving me crap about how I needed to get out more when I saw her looking around the club before slowly making her way to the table.

As she approached my jaw almost dropped and I swallowed hard. It was evident that her makeup was light and the fact that she was still completely stunning threw me for a loop. While I was taking in her appearance I noticed that she seemed nervous and so I quickly stood up, motioning for her to come closer and hugging her gently.

“Hey...glad you made it! You know all of the guys right?”

“Yeah. It’s kind of my job…” She replied, her voice signaling that her words were meant as a teasing quip. Kaner commented on how he didn’t think he’d ever seen her not in work clothes and I couldn’t help but smirk.

“Clearly you’ve never passed her office after a game, I’m pretty sure she’s always in a Hawks jersey after.” I threw out there bumping my shoulder against hers gently as we moved to sit back down in the booth.

“What can I say...it’s my second favorite color palette. I have to say I much prefer you in red, white, and navy there Brandon.”
~*~*~*~ Mallory’s POV ~*~*~*~

The moment I made the comment, the guys all looked at me like I had a third head and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Relax...I’m only kidding, I can’t stand the jackets.” I proclaimed, throwing my hands up defensively. “After all, they really do suck...talk about choking when it’s all on the line.” My parents were currently living about an hour south of Columbus but I hadn’t grown up as a Blue Jackets fan, they didn’t even exist until I was seven years old.

Motioning for Jonathan to slide out of the booth I rolled my eyes. “I’m going to go get a bottle of water, want anything?” While all of the guys there had drinks, Jon’s hand was empty and while he’d said he’d also serve as a designated driver, he could at least have water or tea or something.

“Water sounds great.” He agreed and I slid through the crowds to the bar, quickly ordering two bottles before sliding a five dollar bill across the counter to cover the cost. Returning to the table I passed him the second bottle before smiling at the song that came over the radio. While I was gone, Patrick and Brandon had gone to find girls and Anisomov and Wingels had joined the table in their place.

Jonathan shifted to let me into his side and I couldn’t help but giggle at some of the stories that were being told.

“You guys are ridiculous.” I murmured just relaxing and trying to take in the situation I’d found myself in. About twenty minutes later one of my favorite new songs came over the speaker and I looked down at my empty water bottle. “So..which one of you wants to dance with me?” I teased certain that at least one of them would take me up on the offer.

To my surprise, it was Jonathan again who motioned for me to lead the way and once we were pressed back to front on the crowded floor his hands moved to rest on my hips.

“Are you having fun?” He asked me and I couldn’t help but tilt my head back as I nodded, my hips moving slowly in his grasp. Singing along to the words softly, I just enjoyed the feel of his body heat though it was clear that he was not a dancer, something that made me appreciate the moment even more.

“I promise you that no one else will ever treat you better
And if you don't believe me, please see I don't need no effort
All you gotta do is flip that switch before we bed-up”


## Jon’s POV ##

When Mallory had asked someone to dance with her I wasn’t about to let the chance to touch her pass me by even if I wasn’t the best dancer. We quickly found a spot on the floor and her hips moved slowly, fluidly as my hands rested on them. Soon her soft voice reached my ears as she sang along and my pulse pounded through my veins in reaction. Hearing the phrase ‘bed-up’ leave her mouth forced me to bite back a groan because even without any alcohol she was sending my head spinning in directions I hadn’t expected.

She was always so professional and seeing this side of her had me wanting to know more. My grip tightened on her hips a bit as we finished off the song and as we were heading back to the table her eyes went wide and suddenly she’d slipped out from her spot at my side dashing toward the bathroom.

A creeping feeling entered my mind before it all hit me like a ton of bricks and I found myself following after her, waiting outside the bathroom until she returned, her hair pulled back into a ponytail and her eyes sunken slightly. The moment she saw me she looked away and unconsciously I reached out to her, motioning for her to follow me outside.

Standing in the cool alley I shoved my hands into my pockets before looking down, her gaze staring holes into the pavement. “You’re pregnant aren’t you?” Enough of my teammate's wives had gone through the experience for me to put the pieces together. She’d offered to come but didn’t want to drink and this was the second time in two weeks that she’d thrown up. There was nothing but the sounds of the street filling the air between us until she eventually turned her head to look up at me.

“Yes.” She breathed, a mixture of fear and relief in her tone. “I...I can explain if you want, but not until we get all the guys home safe.”

I wasn’t sure how I felt about her admittance that she was expecting, had I really been that off the mark when I was reading her the past few weeks? She was having a baby and that had to mean that she was involved with someone right?

Notes