“On second thought, I could use another residence.”
528
“Jax, you already own this wonderful house and have an elegant apartment in Prague.”
“Sure, but something more conservative for raising our son would make a better choice.”
“Wow, someone’s convinced we’re having a boy.”
“I have a good feeling.”
“What if the baby’s a girl?”
“May she be beautiful and talented as her matka. To be honest, it doesn’t matter long as we have a healthy, happy kid together.”
Alex snuggled against him. “I’m glad everything worked out.”
“Me too.” Jax kissed her one last time. “Thank you for making another one of my dreams a reality.”
***
PART FOUR:
Wife, Lover,
Expectant Mother
“Everything carries me to you,
as if everything that exists,
aromas, light, metals,
were little boats
that sail
toward those isles of yours that wait for me.”
-Pablo Neruda, If You Forget Me
529
Chapter 86
“What did you want to discuss, mate?” Davy asked when he and Troy picked up Alex’s dress in addition to their own outfits for Casino Night. “You appeared gutted this morning.”
Troy hung their garments on hooks above the car’s back side windows. “First you have to promise you won’t tell Al what I said. She’s probably planning to break the news herself, but I wanted to give an advance warning as to what’s happening.”
“Did you have another row?”
“No, Davy. Al…well…I don’t know how else to put this but…she’s pregnant.”
“Bloody hell! Did she tell you the pater’s name?”
Troy glanced at Davy with a raised eyebrow. “Want to take a few guesses?”
530
“God save the Queen, don’t tell me it’s…”
“Jax.”
Davy grimaced. “The thought of Ivanka spreading his DNA gives me a dicky tum. Has the old sod ever heard of using a johnny? ”
“I doubt Al got pregnant by Immaculate Conception and condoms seldom topped Jax’s list of priorities.”
“How is she handling everything?”
“Better than I thought,” Troy replied. “She wants to keep the baby whether or not Jax remains in their lives. I’ll give Al all the support she needs starting with house hunting.”
“Why? She has a nice flat in a fairly posh neighborhood.”
“Would you want to raise a baby in one? Come on, Davy; kids need lots of space to grow and play. A decent house complete with big backyard would be more ideal.”
“Now that you mentioned it, a house makes more sense. How will Alex explain lack of a pater to the tyke when he or she grows up?”
531
“No use getting ahead of the present situation. Neither of us knows if Jax will man up and take some responsibility.”
“Things will be awkward between them on the team if he doesn’t.”
“Al’s a big girl and knows how to face uncomfortable circumstances,” Troy said. “Jax has a couple years remaining on his Rebels contract. On the other hand, he plans to continue in the AHC until age fifty.”
“I don’t see why he has to keep proving himself. The bloke’s already achieved everything possible in hockey and likely Hall of Fame bound once he retires.”
“There’s no secret Jax has strong love for the game.”
“Not like he had anything else happening before getting Alex preggers.”
“Yeah.”
“I can tell you’re still gutted.”
“Davy, can I trust you to keep something else quiet?”
“Sure, mate; you can always count on me.”
532
“Remember what I said earlier about Al wanting to keep her baby?”
“Yeah, why?”
“She and I were discussing other options before morning practice and something popped into my mind after she went to her doctor’s appointment. If Jax doesn’t want any part of fatherhood – and that’s a big if – I want to marry Al and adopt the baby.”
“That’s noble of you, mate. Have you discussed anything of the sort with her?”
“Not yet; she’s supposed to see Jax sometime today.”
“Still good to know she won’t have the sole burden of raising the tyke either way. Will the latest development affect her being your date for Casino Night?”
Troy managed a smile. “She still wants to go with me.”
“Probably the last appearance Alex does before having a bun in the oven becomes obvious.”
“She still plans to attend some games. Jon will probably arrange for her to sit in the owner’s box during home games like I did after my concussion.”
533
“Lucky lass!”
“Maybe not so much once her pregnancy’s revealed to the fans and media.”
“You’ll help her handle everything though, right?”
“You know I will.”
Troy pulled up to Davy’s apartment building. “Remember, not a word to Al what you and I talked about today.”
Davy winked and retrieved his suit from the back window hook. “I know nothing. Thanks for the ride, mate. See you at the game tonight.”
***
Alex sailed home as if a gargantuan boulder was lifted from her shoulders. If anyone told me this same time last year I’d marry Jax Ivanka and bear his child, I would’ve questioned that person’s sanity. Who would’ve thought he’d take the news so well and suggest a Vegas wedding? Wow.
534
Her phone rang. “Hey, Davy, what’s happening?”
“You sound in a good mood, love. Did you win the lottery?”
“I wish! What can I do for you?”
“One, Troy and I picked up your Casino Night dress today while getting our stuff and I wanted to drop it off. Two, I was wondering if you had any plans for tonight.”
“I’m coming to the game with Troy, why?”
“Want to hang out afterward?”
“I’d like nothing better than to spend time with my favorite Englishman. I have some news to share anyway.”
“Really? In that case, dinner’s on me. There’s a fish and chips place I’ve been dying to try.”
“Sounds great; I can meet you near the owner’s box. Troy probably told you I’m out for rest of the season.”
“He mentioned you went to the emergency room last night. I hope it wasn’t anything serious, love.”
535
“I’ll elaborate further over dinner. You will never believe how this day went.”
***
536
Chapter 87
Theories and rumors multiplied about Alex’s “undisclosed medical condition” following an official press release issued by the Rebels. Fan gossip didn’t bother her; she couldn’t help but laugh out loud at most of the “theories” she read on various blogs, fan sites, and message boards.
Alex was still on an emotional high from her talk with Jax and eager to meet Davy following the game. She correctly assumed he’d already received her pregnancy news from Troy, but neither had any idea about her upcoming wedding.
She now sat near Jon Halloran and Roy Bright in the owner’s box and watched her teammates struggle against the Montreal Blizzards. Alex could sense Troy’s frustration as he debated with referees throughout the evening.
Maybe I could ask if he’d like to join me and Davy later. A little time with us always lifts his mood and I can tell both guys about the wedding.
537
Troy accepted her invitation with alacrity after a Blizzards 5-0 shutout victory. Alex noticed sadness in his amber eyes that belied the calm demeanor displayed to the press and public. Boris barely maintained his composure before the cameras, but appeared ready to break down at any moment.
Away fro
m the spotlight, Pierre looked close to tears as Greise, Byron, Davy, and Johann quietly spoke with him; Reggie’s expression revealed disgust, Brian tossed gear into his locker in anger and frustration, Jax muttered a litany of Czech curse words under his breath, and Marty engaged in solemn conversation with Vince.
Davy met her outside the locker room. “Thank God this bloody mess of a night is over. I don’t know about you, but I’m ravenous.”
“I could eat the entire city. Oh, and Troy’s joining us,” Alex said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. How are you feeling?”
“Awesome aside from the game’s disastrous shut out.”
“Don’t remind me, love. Troy and I saw the press release about you. What did the PR chaps mean by ‘undisclosed medical condition’?”
538
“Cut the charade, Davy; I already drew the conclusion that Troy told you my news.”
“About being preggers? Yeah, but what’s with all the secrecy? People will put everything together once you show a tummy.”
“Mr. Halloran wanted to avoid any shit storms long as he could so the PR department put a spin on things. I suppose Troy also told you the father’s name.”
Davy shuddered. “Ivanka. Does the bloke know?”
“We had a long conversation this afternoon that went better than I’d expected.”
“He’s going to help with the tyke?”
Alex eagerly nodded. “To say the least.”
“Why do I have the feeling you’re holding back something else?”
“I have some additional news but want to tell both you and Troy.”
539
“I hope it’s nothing tragic; our captain’s already in a rotten mood.”
“That’s why I invited Troy to come in the first place. He’s better hanging with us than either dealing with some douche bag fans bashing him over tonight’s loss, drowning his sorrows with some jersey-chasing slut, or pouting alone at home.”
“I’m glad you did, love. He should be coming any minute.”
***
“Davy said you told him about the baby,” Alex stated to Troy after the three ordered fish dinners and beverages.
“Damn it, Davy,” he griped. “Can you keep your mouth shut about anything?”
“She already figured on her own, mate,” Davy replied. “I had no choice but to come clean.”
“I’m not mad, Troy,” Alex said. “I was going to tell him anyway. I know you guys had a bad night, but I’m in no mood for arguments at the table. We’re here for a good time and happy conversations among friends.”
540
Their drinks arrived and Davy took a long swig of beer. “You heard the lass. No rows tonight.”
A smile crossed Troy’s face as he raised his hands in surrender. “Okay, Al, you win. I always defer to expectant mothers.”
“On a lighter note, I was wondering if you boys would like to be the baby’s godfathers.”
Davy looked puzzled. “Uh…don’t most mums and dads pick only one?”
“I had a tough time deciding so I chose you both, just like I asked Phyllis and Jennifer to be godmothers.”
“You told your girlfriends about the pregnancy?” Troy asked, alarmed. “Al, Jon and the PR crew busted ass to keep things quiet a little longer, and you’re blabbing to people outside the Rebels’ organization.”
“I forgot to mention no arguments at our table included lectures,” she replied. “Prying secrets from Phyllis and Jen is akin to effortlessly getting into Fort Knox with their toughest security measures.”
“Okay, but not a word to anyone else. As for your offer to be a godfather, count me in.”
541
“I also accept,” Davy said.
“Terrific! Now I have more news.”
“Don’t tell us you’ve expressed interest in buying a share of the Rebels,” Troy teased her.
“I’ve entertained the idea,” she kidded back, “but no, this concerns Jax.”
“Old chap appeared in a good mood before the puck dropped,” Davy said.
“I noticed that too,” Troy replied. “How did your conversation go with him, Al?”
“Not the way I imagined, but–”
“I’m sorry, shorty.”
“I’m also gutted for you, love,” Davy added.
“Save your apologies,” Alex told them. “When I said things didn’t go as imagined, I was about to add that Jax proposed. We’re getting married.”
542
Troy spit out his drink. “What!”
“Are you out of your bloody mind?” Davy hissed.
“I know Jax doesn’t come to many minds as the ideal spouse with his stubbornness and several outdated views on women, but has long matured since his ‘bad boy’ days. He’s intelligent, funny, and sensitive – albeit sometimes too sensitive – and as we already know, possesses a strong work ethic. Most important, he wants to do the right thing for our unborn child.”
“There are other ways besides a shotgun wedding,” Troy pointed out. “We live in the twenty-first century where couples have families without marrying.”
“I think Americans call those ‘hood marriages’,” Davy added.
“Jax and I are not going to be hood married. You both need to understand his family may adhere by certain customs. I don’t think they’d relish the idea of a grandchild born outside the traditional union of a husband and wife.”
“I hate to ask, but did you set a date?”
“Yes. Everything should be together by the Rebels-Fortune game.”
543
“You’re eloping in Vegas?” Davy gasped.
“Don’t make it sound so tawdry.”
“That’s three days after the Rebels’ Casino Night,” Troy said.
“I’ll still be your date,” Alex assured him. “Jax has no problem with you taking me.”
“Fans and reporters will have a field day with your sudden marriage. Al, at least give more thought to whether or not you really want to go through with this.”
“I have and still drew the same conclusion.”
“Be careful, love,” Davy soothingly advised her. “Just be careful what you’re doing.”
“If money matters are concerning you two, I agreed to sign a pre-nup since his net worth outweighs mine. I don’t want his family thinking I’m some gold digger only after his substantial net worth.”
“At least you made one rational decision,” Troy replied.
544
“Can either of you at least pretend to be happy for me?”
“I don’t feel comfortable with any of this, Al, but if you’re determined to marry Jax, I adhere to my earlier promise to support you in any decisions made.”
Davy nodded. “Ring either of us if you ever need anything or just chat.”
“Thanks, guys.” She spotted their dinner tab and slid it across the table. “I believe this is your responsibility tonight, Mr. St. Cloud.”
***
545
Chapter 88
Alex traveled with the team on their charter plane to New York. She looked forward to visiting friends on her old stomping grounds. While she grew to love Pittsburgh, a small part still missed the bright lights and quicker pace of New York.
She felt queasy with early pregnancy but avoided vomiting most of the trip, thanks to Davy supplying her with plenty of ginger ale and soda crackers before takeoff.
Power Play Page 30
