“River Patton.” A doctor looks up from his chart.

  “That’s me.” I stand, shooting a glance at Axel.

  “Go,” he says, acceptance in his eyes, resignation in his tone. “Tell her I love her.”

  I nod, walking to the doctor. “Lola’s asking for you,” he says as he guides me through the double doors.

  “Is she okay?” I ask. My fingers tremble and I stuff my hands into the pocket of my hoodie.

  “She’s going to be fine.”

  The largest exhale of relief bursts from my lungs. “Thank God. And—”

  “The baby’s good,” he puts me out of my misery. “I detected a strong and steady heartbeat.”

  “Fuck,” I swear. The corners of my eyes pinch and it takes me a second to realize that I’m fucking crying. I swipe the back of my fingers over my eyes. “Thank fuck. Sorry.”

  The doctor snorts. “No need. It’s a scary situation. Lola suffered a subchorionic hematoma. This happens when certain membranes start to detach from the uterus.”

  I stare at him blankly.

  “In her case, the hematoma was quite large, so the bleeding was heavy. But the baby is unharmed. Lola’s okay. There are some elevated risks to her pregnancy now but no reason to believe that she shouldn’t carry a healthy baby to term.” He stops outside the door. “You can go in now. I’ll be in in a few to talk to you more about next steps and expectations.”

  I exhale shakily. “Okay. Okay. Thank you so much, Doctor…”

  “Patel.” He holds out a hand.

  I shake it. “Patel. Thank you. You have no idea how relieved I am.”

  He smiles and dips his head in understanding. “Go see Lola. She’s been asking for you.”

  I push into Lola’s hospital room and pull up short at the sight of her in the bed. Her eyes widen as she gasps. She looks pale and exhausted. She looks beautiful, like an angel.

  “Lola.” I’m at her bedside in an instant. Before she can speak, I press a kiss to her mouth, needing to connect with her. Then, I drop to her side. “I’m so fucking sorry, baby. I’m so sorry for everything. I—”

  “Shh,” she cuts me off. Taking my hand, she places it on her belly. “Everything’s okay.”

  More tears collect in my eyes. One drops over and Lola smiles, brushing it away with the pad of her index finger. “Don’t worry,” she whispers. “It’s just the hormones.”

  I laugh, the sound half sob and half strangled. “Lola.” I drop my forehead to hers, keeping my hand splayed on her belly, right over our little Bean. “You scared the shit out of me. If anything happened to you, or to Bean, I, I can’t even handle the thought.”

  “Me too,” she murmurs, wrapping a hand around my wrist. She keeps my hand anchored to her belly as she admits, “I should have told you everything about the internship as soon as I accepted it.”

  “Yeah,” I agree. “But I shouldn’t have tried so hard, pushed like I did, to make room for myself in your life.”

  “Yes, you should have.” She shakes her head, rolling her forehead over mine. It’s soft, like a caress, like forgiveness. “I needed to know that you want this with me, not only because of Bean, but because—”

  “I’m so fucking in love with you,” I cut her off. “I love you, Lola. Yeah, maybe even more so because you’re carrying my baby. But I love you for you. And I want to be the guy in your life you build a future with. I want to cheer you on and support you. Make plans together and share dreams, as fucking corny as it sounds. I want it all with you and I know I need to show you that but—”

  “You don’t need to prove anything. Just be with me,” she interjects, her words a whisper over my lips.

  I kiss her again, sensual and soulful this time. “I’m right here.”

  “Come with me to California this summer?” Her voice is hopeful.

  “Let’s live on the beach,” I decide.

  She laughs lightly. “You really think we can do this.” Her hand on my wrist tightens, indicating Bean. Our family.

  “We already are, beauty.”

  Lola smiles and all the pressure in my chest eases.

  “I love you, Lola.”

  “I love you so much, River.” She lifts her chin, her lips glide over mine, and our kiss is reverent, hopeful, perfect.

  “Glad you kissed and made up,” Dr. Patel says as he knocks on the doorframe.

  I pull away and Lola laughs.

  “Let’s talk about what comes next,” the doctor says, entering the room. He discusses Lola’s hematoma with us and advises that she take it easy, with no heavy lifting or exercise, for the next few weeks. And no sex. While she can still attend her classes and accept her summer internship, he doesn’t want her to do anything strenuous. He informs us about the signs and symptoms of pre-term labor. Then, he grins. “You want to know the sex of your baby?”

  Lola squeaks, her hand clasping mine. She looks at me, her brown eyes dancing.

  “It’s your call, babe. I want what you want,” I say.

  “Smart man,” Dr. Patel says.

  Lola beams and looks at the doctor. “I can’t take any more surprises,” she laughs. “So, yes. Please, tell us.”

  He smiles warmly. “You’re having a girl.”

  Lola squeals and I smile, brushing her hair out of her eyes.

  “A girl,” I murmur. “I’m going to be girl dad.”

  “Best kind of dad there is.” Dr. Patel winks. He taps his chart against the edge of Lola’s bed. “We’ll keep you here tonight. Mr. Patton—”

  “River,” I interject.

  “River, you’re welcome to stay. If all goes well, Lola will be discharged tomorrow morning. Stay off your feet as much as possible and rest when you’re tired. Any vaginal bleeding”—he pauses to pass me his card—“call me.”

  “Thank you, Doctor Patel.”

  He nods. “Now, you’ve got the biggest fan club in the waiting room.” He grins. “The Bolts won tonight.”

  Lola glances at me as I smile. “Glad to hear it,” I admit. The team, the game, hockey hadn’t crossed my mind since I skated off the ice.

  If someone told me six months ago that anything—that anyone—could have distracted me from the game, I would’ve laughed my ass off. Now, I’ve got better things to care about. Lola and Bean. My girls.

  “Everyone wants to see you,” Dr. Patel continues, looking at Lola. His eyes dart to mine. “But keep it to two or three people at a time. And when she gets tired—” He points at Lola.

  “Kick them all out,” I finish his sentence.

  “Exactly. See you tomorrow. Have a good night and congrats on the win, River.” Dr. Patel strides out of the room.

  I look at Lola. “You ready for our family?”

  She smiles. “Please send my dad back first.”

  “I’m supposed to tell you he loves you,” I recall.

  Her smile widens. “I know. I need to tell him that too.”

  I nod. “He knows.” I kiss her forehead. “I’ll be right back.”

  I leave Lola for a few minutes to find Axel. When I enter the waiting room, I’m not surprised to see Gayle and Ken. Or Cullen and Leanne. Or the entire Bolts team and their women.

  Axel stands with Maisy glued to his side as I near the group.

  I grin. “Lola’s good and the baby is fine. A strong and steady heartbeat,” I repeat Dr. Patel’s words.

  A collective cheer goes up among our group. Gayle envelops me in a hug and I kiss her cheek.

  “Oh, River, I’m so relieved,” she murmurs.

  “Me too,” I say. “Thanks for coming.”

  “I’ll always be here,” she reminds me, the way she has for the past decade. Except now, I believe her.

  “Axel, Lola’s asking for you,” I say.

  He steps forward but I stop him, placing a hand on his arm. He glances at me over his shoulder.

  I turn to face him, so he knows I’m serious. “I know she’s your world. I know you love her. But I do too. I need you to stop getting in my way. I’m in love with Lola. And I hope I can be the kind of father you are. To do that, you need to fall back a bit.”

  Axel glares at me, long and hard. Unyielding and uncompromising.

  I hold his gaze, my shoulders square, my head held high.

  After a long minute, he nods and extends his hand. “Welcome to the family, River.”

  I slap my hand in his, give him a firm handshake. “Welcome to mine.”

  Axel snorts. He gives me a clipped nod and moves toward the double doors.

  “She’s in room 207,” I say.

  “Thank you,” he tells me, and I know it’s for more than Lola’s room number. “Her mom’s on her way too. Her flight lands at 5 AM.”

  “I’ll pick Anna up,” I offer, wanting to get to know Lola’s mom.

  Axel’s quiet for a beat. “Anna will like that.”

  I nod and turn back toward my family. The Sullivans and the Thunderbolts. Maisy smiles at me encouragingly.

  “Thank you all for coming, for being here,” I say.

  “Save it, Patton. We’re here for Lola,” Damien cuts me off, grinning.

  Harper smacks his chest and shakes her head. “What Damien means is we’re relieved Lola and the baby are okay.”

  I smirk. “It’s a girl,” I announce with no warning.

  “A girl!” Jasmine jumps to her feet.

  “So perfect,” Maisy gushes.

  Cullen slugs me in the shoulder. “You’re gonna be a girl dad.”

  I beam. “Crazy, isn’t it?”

  “Wonderful,” Ken says, wrapping me in a side hug.

  “She’ll change your life,” Coach Scotch advises.

  “She already has,” I admit.

  Then, I sit down in a waiting room chair. I spend time with my team, with my family and closest friends. They take turns visiting Lola. Johnny picks up a bunch of burgers and Cokes.

  And for the first time in a long time, I feel settled. At home.

  Finally, at peace.

  Thirty-Two

  Lola

  “I’m not your blushing bride,” I remind him as he carries me over the threshold to his place.

  He chuckles. “You should be.”

  I roll my eyes as River moves through the living room. He doesn’t set me down until we reach the center of his bed. Our bed, now that I’m officially moving in.

  “You need anything?” He kisses my forehead. “Water? Tea?”

  I shake my head. “I’ll just oversee this unpacking process.”

  He chuckles. “I got it, babe. Jas packed up everything she thinks you’ll need.”

  “And she can come sleep here every time you have an away game?” I ask for the third time. It’s strange to be moving out during the last two months of senior year. Jasmine and I had a plan, a vision, for graduation that doesn’t pan out with me being on partial bedrest in River’s condo.

  “And even when I don’t,” he assures me.

  I grin. “Thank you, River.”

  “I got you, Lola,” he gives me his signature line.

  “Hello,” Dad’s voice calls out. “Anyone home?”

  “We brought dinner!” Maisy chimes in.

  “Good because I’m starving!” I holler.

  Dad and Maisy enter the bedroom. Dad frowns, clearly hating the visual of me in River Patton’s bed. Maisy sweeps me up in a hug, snuggling next to me. “A tray of lasagna and one with chicken marsala are in the kitchen.”

  “Mmm. I have been craving Italian.” I lean back against the pillows, resting a hand on my stomach.

  “Bean has good taste,” Maisy says.

  “What can I help with?” Dad asks River.

  River stands up straighter, as if taken aback by Dad’s question. I clear my throat and Maisy coughs, both of us trying to hide our smiles.

  “I need to put together a new dresser.” River moves toward the closet. “Want Lola to have her own space, her own drawers,” he explains.

  Dad grunts.

  “I’ll go get us tea and popcorn so we can watch the show,” Maisy whispers.

  “You’re the best,” I tell her.

  Dad and River drag out a box that looks way too small to hold a dresser. When they open it up, I snort at the number of wooden pieces, packets of bolts and screws, that need to be assembled.

  Maisy returns and we munch on snacks, watching as Dad and River try to find their footing in their new, complicated dynamic.

  But, as the most important men in my life, they both make a valiant effort. I smile, taking a sip of my tea, as I watch them build a dresser.

  “They’re doing great,” Maisy whispers beside me.

  “Bean’s a lucky little girl,” I whisper back, knowing in my heart of hearts that River is going to make one hell of a girl dad.

  Just like mine.

  The rest of senior year passes without a glitch. River and I settle into our new normal. I take my final exams. Dad and I resume our weekly breakfast dates. And River and the Thunderbolts make it to the Western Conference finals before losing to Edmonton.

  “We’ll get it next year,” River says with his usual cockiness.

  “I’m sure you will,” I agree. After all, two years ago, the Thunderbolts were one of the biggest underdogs in the league. Now, they’re a powerhouse.

  “Don’t make his head any bigger,” Cullen warns.

  River tosses a grape at his brother’s head. Cullen catches it easily and pops it in the air. Without missing a beat, Leanne catches it in her mouth.

  I laugh as River whistles loudly.

  “Dinner is served,” Gayle announces, entering the dining room with a large serving platter, filled with roasted turkey, between her hands.

  “Smells delicious,” I say.

  She smiles. “I’m glad to hear you say it. I couldn’t eat meat at all when I was pregnant with Cullen.”

  I shake my head. “I’m hungry all the time.”

  “You look amazing,” Leanne reassures me.

  Ken fills wine glasses and places one in front of me. He winks. “It’s sparkling cider.”

  “Thanks, Ken,” I say sincerely.

  Over the past few months, we started having weekly dinners with River’s family. While the first few interactions were strained, with so many shifting dynamics, they’re now a favorite part of our routine.

  River is closer to Gayle and Ken than he’s ever been, and Leanne and I hit it off easily.

  The hardest part of moving to California is leaving our family behind. As excited as I am for the opportunity to work for a tech company in Silicon Valley, I also think we’ll be back. Not only because River plays for the Thunderbolts but because too much of my heart is here, in this city, with these people.

  I want that for Bean. Friends and family and a loving support system more than I want the flashy job title or the independence I used to crave. After all, what’s more empowering than bringing another life into the world? Then nurturing and loving and guiding my daughter, with her father, and most of her grandparents, as a constant?

  “Please pass the gravy,” I ask. Cullen reaches over and drizzles some on top of my turkey.

  “Thanks, Cullen,” I say.

  He nods. “What are you guys doing this weekend?”

  “Well,” River says, looking at me.

  “It’s my graduation,” I say.

  “Oh, that’s right!” Gayle clasps her hands together.

  “Dad’s having a barbecue at his house afterwards. It’s a graduation party and a moving away send-off all in one. I’d love if you all came,” I invite the Sullivans.

  “We’d be thrilled,” Ken answers.

  “Yeah, we’re in too,” Leanne says easily.

  Under the table, River takes my hand in his and squeezes. I glance at him and smile. He gives me that lazy smirk I love.

  But his eyes convey the things he doesn’t say aloud.

  We’re doing it. Creating a family, building a future.

  We’re doing it all. Me, you, and Bean.

  Together.

  Epilogue

  River

  September

  * * *

  “Oh, man, am I glad you’re home.” I kick the door closed behind me and rush my beauty, gathering her up in a tight hug and kissing her hard.

  We both glance down at the little basketball stopping me from pulling her flush against my chest.

  Lola laughs. “I’m huge.”

  “You’re beautiful,” I tell her sincerely. I place a hand on her belly and gently feel around for Bean’s feet. I grin when she kicks against my palm. “I missed you, angel.”

  “These past three weeks have been long,” Lola agrees, snuggling back into my arms.

  “Sorry I couldn’t pick you up from the airport,” I say, gently stroking her hair. Three weeks without Lola was three weeks too many. When she finally booked her flight home, it gutted me that I couldn’t pick her up now that practice is in full swing.

  “It’s fine.” She waves a hand. “Jas was happy to get me. Are you hungry?” She points to the kitchen. “I didn’t get a chance to make anything but—”

  “We’ve got leftovers,” I assure her. Walking to the refrigerator, I pull out leftover baked ziti.

  “Dad says he’s impressed with how well you’ve been eating.” Lola grabs two place settings from the kitchen.

  I chuckle. “I don’t know about that. Maisy’s asking him to cook more now.”

  Lola laughs and swipes two cans of sparkling water from the fridge. We sit down next to each other and fix our plates. I enjoy the moment, being back in my beauty’s presence and sharing a meal.

  We had the best summer in California. While Lola spent her days wrapped up in the tech world, learning and networking, I pressed pause on my usual routine. Sure, I still spent my mornings working out and conditioning at a local gym. But my afternoons were enjoyed on the beach, reading, learning to surf, or just taking a swim. My evenings were spent learning to cook so that when Lola came home from work, exhausted and starving, we could sit down together for a home-cooked dinner.

 

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