738
Alex emerged from the restroom. “Don’t get me started on sending a kid to college. I want to enjoy my daughter’s childhood first.”
Davy grinned at her. “You and her godparents all do, love.”
“Forget it, Davy; no way am I leaving her with you, Jen, Phyllis, or Troy for long periods of time. All of you will spoil her silly!”
Troy laughed. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“In your case it may be,” she teased him.
“I love you too.”
Jax gathered his things. “I hate to leave the postgame wake, but I’d like to get in my workout. I’ll be upstairs in the gym if anyone asks.”
“Have fun, Old Man,” Marty called after him. “Say hi to Sonya for us.”
“Sonya?” Alex asked when Jax was gone.
“Yeah, she’s one of the new trainers,” Troy replied. “Nice lady.”
739
She looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “Really?”
“She’s a nice lady all right,” Lenny said. “Blue-eyed blonde hottie with a sexy accent, tight waist, fantastic ass, and a set of tits some dudes could get lost in.”
Troy glared at him. “You’re not helping, Lenny. That isn’t what I meant.”
Alex shook her head. Maybe that’s why Jax is more gung ho about his workouts lately. “Only Walton would lust after one of the Rebels’ trainers.”
“Yeah, and I have no plans to share her either,” Lenny replied.
“You’re delusional if you think she’d go for a pervert like you.”
“Like you’d stand a chance in hell, O’Freel. I’ve fucked at least two hundred chicks. How many have you smashed?”
“I haven’t exactly kept a scorecard, and I don’t date the help or people I work with anyway.”
740
“What woman would put up with you on a daily basis?”
“I could ask you the same question.”
A pained expression appeared on Alex’s face. “Uhhhh…guys?”
“Are you okay, Al?” Troy asked.
She whimpered in response as her eyes darted towards the floor.
He took a seat beside her and spotted a puddle of clear fluid. “Is it the baby?”
She nodded.
“Her water broke,” Pierre said. “I think the time has come!”
Byron interjected. “You’re in labor, Alexandra. Take it easy and breathe.”
“It hurts…” she whined.
741
Troy immediately took charge. “Marty and Vince, go get Jax and tell him Al’s having the baby. Davy and Lenny, see if you can find Roy or Coach Barry. Preacher, Brian, and Pierre, I know this is old hat to all of you, so help me keep Al comfortable until she goes to the hospital. Baby Finn; find a custodian to clean up this mess. The rest of you guys grab your shit and get the hell out of here.”
“I need…to call the doctor,” Alex said between contractions.
“What’s the number?” Troy asked. “I can do it for you.”
She relayed the digits. “Thank you.”
Marty and Lenny thundered into the room with Jax. “We found Old Man.”
Jax immediately knelt at Alex’s feet and took one of her hands. “How are you doing?”
She smacked his hand away. “Don’t touch me, you Czechoslovakian son of a bitch! How could you do this to me? You’re cruel to put me in so much pain!”
“Sweetheart, I–”
Pierre leaned towards him. “Let her rant, friend; it’s the labor talking. I went through the same thing with Patti.”
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Jax thanked him and the others. “Keep an eye on her a few more minutes while I bring around the car. I’ll text one of you guys when I’m ready. Good thing Alex had forethought to pack her overnight bag and put it in the trunk.”
Troy looked worried. Oh God, don’t let her pop out the kid in here. “Al, just breathe like Preacher told you. Jax will be back in a few minutes and take you to the hospital.”
“I swear to God if he comes anywhere near me again I’ll hack his dick off with a machete, grind it up, and feed it to the neighbor’s cat!” she screamed.
“Everything will be over soon, we promise,” Brian reassured her.
“Get this thing out of me now!”
“Okay, calm down and breathe,” Troy said in a soft voice as his phone beeped.
He glanced at the text message. “Jax is out front. Help me get Al to the car.”
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“I’ll fucking kill him…” Alex muttered as the others guided her outside and placed her in the car’s passenger side.
“Good luck, man,” Pierre told Jax. “Keep us updated.”
“This is one time I thank God for being a dude,” Lenny said as they watched Jax drive Alex away.
***
744
Chapter 118
“I know tonight was a tough loss,” Coach Barry said, “but now we need to move on and make any changes necessary for next season. Our eyes should still be set on a championship. You all gave one hundred percent and we’ll need to step up even more. We can do this; it’s only a matter of time. Come back on Sunday for locker clean out; I’ve designated a few of you to speak with the media.”
“Thanks for everything this year, Coach,” Troy said.
“No, thank you. I only guided everyone. The hard work was done by all of you. Remember that. Since free agency and trades are coming up soon, I don’t know who will be back next season and who won’t. In any case, best wishes in all endeavors you have planned in the offseason.”
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Coach Barry began to leave before turning back. “By the way, it’s a girl for those of you who don’t already know. Eight pounds, four ounces and named Anastazie Isla Jiva Ivanka.”
“Holy shit,” Brian said. “I can almost imagine the looks on people’s faces when Alex calls that kid in the house for dinner.”
“That name’s got Czech written all over it,” Marty replied. “Wonder if Old Man will teach her to speak his language?”
“Probably,” Davy said. “Or at least how to cuss in Czech.”
“I don’t think Mommy would go for that,” Brian replied.
“We should get Alex a gift,” Johann suggested.
“You gentlemen already sent pink roses,” Coach Barry stated.
“How is everyone, Coach?” Troy asked.
“Parents and daughter are doing well, Captain.”
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Troy gathered his things and grinned. “Well, we may have lost the championship, but the Rebels family gained a new member. Great ending to what began as a shitty night. Al should have some alone time to rest and spend time with the baby, but maybe tomorrow we can pop in for a visit.”
“Sounds good to me, mate,” Davy said. “I can’t wait to meet our new goddaughter.”
***
“I’ll call her Anna for short,” Alex told Jax as he cuddled their newborn daughter.
“Do you have to Americanize everything?” he asked.
“Not so much ‘Americanize’ as make it easier for others to remember her name.”
He began inspecting the baby head to toe. “They gave you the good drugs, huh?”
“Yeah…but they have nothing to do with my decision. What are you doing?”
747
“Getting a better look at her.”
“Jax, she’s a baby. All babies look alike. She has all her fingers and toes and even a little hair.”
“You already checked?”
“Most new mothers do, especially after having their first child. Did you wash your hands before handling Anna?”
“Yeah and I even used the sanitizer stuff outside your room.”
“Thanks, we don’t need the poor child getting sick her first hours on earth.”
“Good point. Who sent all the roses? Looks almost like a funeral home in here.”
“The team and Rebels staff members. Good news traveled fast.”
Jax pulled out his phone. “Oh, that was nice.”
“Now what are you doing?”
748
“Taking pictures to send Maminka and Táta, and to Teta Jiva.” He placed Anna in her mother’s arms. “Smile ladies!”
“Jax, don’t; I look like hell warmed over five times.”
“Funny, you’re both krásný to me. Come on, just a couple. I want my family to see the new addition.”
Alex looked down at her infant daughter. “Be warned; this is the daddy you’ll deal with for at least your next eighteen years.”
***
749
Chapter 119
“What a beautiful little lass,” Davy said as he cradled week-old Anna in his arms. “You’re gorgeous as your mum.”
Alex laughed. “She looks like Jax.”
“No doubt about that,” Troy replied. “Old Man couldn’t deny paternity if he tried.”
“Don’t count on him doing so anytime soon,” Alex said. Jax thinks Anna needs picked up if she much as whimpers.”
“She’s already Daddy’s girl, huh?”
“That’s putting it mildly. Between him and you two, I’ll have an overindulged baby on my hands.”
“Us?” Troy asked with a touch of amusement. “Never!”
“Nah, Troy and I are innocent,” Davy chortled.
750
“Innocent my foot,” Alex said. “Both of you turn to goo when kids are present.”
“A person would have to be hard-hearted not to,” Troy replied.
Davy handed Anna to him. “Here, mate, it’s your turn.”
“Ahhh, there’s Godfather Troy’s little beauty,” he cooed to her. “Who’s my good girl?”
Alex shook her head and tittered. “I rest my case.”
“Who did Ivanka hire to build this house?” Davy asked. “They did a smashing job.”
“Some local freelance contractors, believe it or not,” Alex replied. “I was shocked when he told me.”
“I should hire those blokes. I’m thinking about getting a house. Living in a flat isn’t doing it for me anymore.”
“You’re earning a decent salary now, Davy,” Troy said. “Time to invest wisely and become a homeowner.”
“Not a bad idea, mate.” He peered at Anna, who fell asleep in Troy’s arms. “Looks like you still have the magic touch.”
751
“I’m with the majority of people who say he’ll make a great daddy,” Alex said.
“There you go with the flattery, Al,” Troy replied.
“Again with the modesty! Try taking a compliment for once.”
“Not always an easy thing.”
“I guess that’s part of being the gentleman you are. So what plans do you boys have now that another season’s in the books?”
“I’m heading to London tomorrow,” Davy said. “Mum’s planned another huge family reunion and wants to have a picture done in front of Buckingham Palace.”
“I didn’t know the St. Clouds were royalty,” Troy teased him.
“You’re amusing, mate. I’ll stay in London until middle of August, then head to New York and spend time with Jen before I’m due back for training camp.”
“How are wedding plans progressing?” Alex asked.
752
“Quite well; since we’re not doing anything fancy and Jen’s good at finding bargains, the thing isn’t costing us a queen’s ransom.”
“There is always Vegas,” Troy joked.
“I don’t think Jen’s parents would appreciate us going that route, mate.”
“Vegas weddings are overrated anyway,” Alex said. “Take it from someone who knows.”
“Well you can thank this little lady for sort of bringing together you and her daddy,” Troy replied. “By the way, are you going to Prague?”
She shook her head. “Jax left Monday on a solo trip. I didn’t feel comfortable taking an infant overseas. He’s sending pictures and videos to his family and they’re coming for Christmas, so no one will really miss any of Anna’s milestones.”
Davy took a few sniffs. “Speaking of milestones, I think your lass soiled her nappy unless Troy puffed.”
Troy punched his arm and laughed. “I didn’t do a damn thing!” He gently raised Anna and smelled her. “Yep, I found the guilty party.”
753
Alex put out her arms. “Let me change her.”
Troy rose from his chair still holding Anna. “Nothing doing; I’ll handle this.”
“Are you sure? She can get ripe.”
“I wouldn’t be a proper godfather otherwise. Where’s the diaper stuff?”
“Everything’s under the changing table in her nursery.”
“Now that’s a dedicated godpater,” Davy commented as they watched Troy leave the room.
“Sometimes I wonder if I let the wrong man go,” Alex replied.
“I have inklings you may have a second chance. Speaking of which, are you and he still fooling around?”
“We did until I had Anna. Now it’s mostly kissing and cuddling.”
“So you’re having a fling or…?”
“Oh no; it’s definitely love this time. Jax and I were supposed to be a fling, but you saw what happened.”
754
“Yeah, and if you and Troy are shagging, better use something or prepare a good explanation in case another bun is in the oven when hubby returns.”
“You don’t need to worry, Davy. I have to avoid intercourse for at least four to six weeks, and then Troy will use condoms and me a diaphragm until Anna’s weaned. I’m not planning on any more kids until she’s at least ready for preschool.”
“Smart move; last thing anyone needs is some random tyke who’s a dead ringer for Troy showing up at Rebels games wearing a mini Talmadge jersey and people start speculating.”
“Exactly.”
Davy stood up. “I need to get moving and finish packing before my flight tomorrow morning.” He pecked her cheek. “I’ll send something to you and the little lass.”
“Call me when you arrive in London,” Alex said.
“I always do. Have a great summer!”
“You too. We’ll see you late August.”
755
Troy returned from the nursery and handed over Anna. “Here you are, Mommy. She’s got a nice clean butt and ready for another round of napping.”
Alex placed the baby in her bassinet. “Thanks; it’s nice for someone to change her without complaining about the stink.”
“Jax is still adjusting to fatherhood, huh?”
“You could say that.”
“Well, he did get kind of a late start.” Troy scanned the room. “Davy already left?”
“Yeah, he has to finish packing for London. You never told me what you planned for the summer. Are you headed to Nova Scotia?”
“Not yet. Al, I don’t like the idea of you being alone with a baby in the middle of bum fuck nowhere. I’m staying until Jax comes back from Prague.”
“Troy, that really isn’t–”
“No arguments; I either stay or take you and Anna back to town.”
756
“What about the hockey camp in Yarmouth?”
“I’ll arrange for Dad and Louise to take over. They’ve been pestering the shit out of me anyway.”
Power Play Page 42
