Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
My jaw dropped. “Your what?”
“My wife. It just slipped out. And it sounded so fucking good.”
My eyes filled with tears as I began to laugh. “Joe Lupo! What does this mean?”
“It means I know what I want. It means you’re it for me, cupcake. It means I finally understand how my dad felt when he got that tattoo on his chest—you know forever when you feel it.” He cocked his head. “So what do you say? Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Pulling his head down, I rose up on my toes and kissed his lips. “Yes, yes, yes! God, I’m so happy right now!”
Laughing, he kissed me back. “I’m sorry I don’t have a ring.”
“I don’t care about a ring. And we don’t have to rush anything.”
“You don’t want to get married before the baby is born?”
I shook my head. “No. Let’s wait. Let’s just enjoy this time together, get Nicky into the world, celebrate your Stanley Cup win, and then we can think about what’s next.”
He grinned. “Mabel Jane Buckley, I love you beyond words.”
“I love you too. And as far as the contract, whatever you want to do is good with me.”
“I’m going to think about it. My body has some wear and tear on it already, and I’d rather go out by choice and not by necessity.”
“Your body is my favorite thing on earth, so you definitely need to take care of it,” I told him. Between us, Nicky kicked in agreement. “I think someone wants to be heard.” Turning within Joe’s embrace, I put my hands over his and placed them on my stomach. Inside me, our son moved again.
“You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me,” Joe whispered in my ear. “And I want to spend the rest of my life making sure you know it.”
Melting back against his chest, I closed my eyes and wiggled my toes in the softness of the carpet, just to be sure I hadn’t floated away.
TWENTY-SEVEN
mabel
MID-APRIL
“Cupcake, I’m not sure this is a good idea.” Joe looked worried—and absolutely gorgeous—standing in the bedroom dressed in his suit and tie.
“Joe, it’s the conference semi-finals. I’m going.” Sitting on the bed, I leaned back on my hands and stuck my bare feet out. “But I need you to put my socks on. And maybe my shoes.”
Lines appeared in his forehead as he knelt to deal with my socks and sneakers. “But today is the due date.”
“Do you know what percentage of babies are actually born on their due date?”
“No,” he said, tying my shoelaces.
“Five. Five percent.”
“Remember how effective condoms are? Ninety-seven percent. If we were in the three, we could be in the five.”
“We won’t.” I held out a hand. “Now help me up, please.”
He gripped my hand and helped me to my feet. “I feel like maybe you should just stay home and rest.”
“I’ve been doing that all week! I want to go out!” I pointed at the shirt stretched over my massive belly that said My daddy puts the puck in deep, a gift from the team wives and girlfriends, who’d thrown me a little baby shower. “Plus, I have this awesome new outfit. Don’t ground me, Dad.”
He laughed. “You’re not grounded. I just worry about you.”
“I know.” Rising on tiptoe, I kissed his scruffy cheek. He hadn’t shaved since the quarter-finals began. “But you don’t have to worry tonight. I haven’t even had any Braxton Hicks today. I feel great, lots of energy. I want to cheer my team on for the win!”
Joe didn’t look convinced, but he relented. “Okay, but you and Anna sit in those seats I bought you so I can see you.” Instead of sitting in the usual family section, Joe had gotten us seats on the glass right next to the bench.
I saluted him. “Yes sir.”
He rolled his eyes and bent down to kiss my belly. “You stay in there until I’m off the ice, Nicky. Do we have a deal?”
“He says yes. Now go to work.”
Joe scooped me into his arms. “You know I only worry because I love you guys.”
“I know.” I nestled my body against his, the best I could with my belly in the way. “We love you too. But tonight is not about me or the baby, it is about you winning this game. Pucks in deep!”
He laughed. “Pucks in deep.”
The game was a nail-biter, fast-paced, physical and ferocious, both teams fighting to stay alive. Anna and I clutched each other in fear, screamed with excitement, and jumped up and down when our team scored. Joe was having a great game—he’d scored in the first period on a gorgeous breakaway, in which he skated so fast and so beautifully, I couldn’t breathe. During the second period, he had an assist, but a few reckless penalties resulted in power plays that allowed Denver to score two goals, tying it up. Tension was mounting. The crowd was wild.