Page 104 of On Thin Ice

Hours and plenty of cursing and growling directed at me later, our daughter came into the world. She was red and squirming and screaming and so perfect that I swore my heart stopped.Ally had been the rock star I told her she’d be, and I’d held her hand the entire time. I’d never witnessed anything so amazing. Seeing my daughter being born was even better than winning the Stanley Cup.

I’d kept that thought to myself as well.

“I still say we should name her Allison after her incredible mom,” I said as one of the nurses laid my daughter on Ally’s chest for skin-to-skin time.

Ally laughed. “Absolutely not.”

I leaned in close to them. “It could be her middle name.”

“I just birthed a human, Dom. I don’t have the energy to argue with you right now, but I’m not giving her my name.” Her voice was raspy as she gazed down at our baby girl. The look of pure love in her eyes was breathtaking and I couldn’t help but move in closer so I could kiss Ally’s forehead.

“She’s beautiful. You’re beautiful.” I met Ally’s gaze. “Ally, you were fucking incredible. Kick-ass. The strongest person I’ve ever met.”

“I think you’re delirious.” She smiled. “I can’t believe she’s here.”

I had never been so overwhelmed and ecstatic in my entire life. I couldn’t even begin to describe the emotions rolling through me. I ran my finger down our daughter’s soft cheek. She had perfect little lips and an adorable nose. Her eyes were blue now, and I hoped they’d stay that way, like Ally’s. Her dark brown hair was closer to my color, but I’d read that could change, too. She was just perfect.

Yeah, I was a goner. And I didn’t have it in me to care. I should have just presented her with my heart and my wallet. Both of them. Really.

One of the nurses moved a chair over near Ally’s head and I sank into it, not wanting to miss anything with my girls. Fuck, itwas crazy to think how quickly my life could change, and I was totally here for it.

“How about Olivia?” Ally said.

It’d been on our short list, but Ally had said she wanted to see her before deciding.

“Olivia Allison?” I asked.

She gave me a weak glare. “No. For two reasons. One, we aren’t using my name and don’t think you can wear me down on this. And two, because her initials would be OAT, and who knows what kind of horrible nickname could come out of that. Initials shouldn’t spell a word.”

I chuckled. “Okay, weird issue, but it’s fine.” I wouldn’t tell her how much it thrilled me that she gave our daughter my last name so casually.

“Olivia. I like Olivia,” I said, touching her cheek again. “Do you like that name, little one?”

She made a sound. It wasn’t a cry. “Guess she does.”

Ally snorted. “Or she’s hungry.”

***

A short while later, I sat in a chair and held a sleeping and swaddled Olivia while Ally dozed. It’d been a long day, and I wasn’t going to disturb her. While the nurses had gotten Olivia and Ally cleaned up and taken all of their vitals, I’d slipped out to let everyone know that she had arrived. A bunch of my teammates had joined Joy and Cora in the waiting room, and they’d been loud as fuck when I’d shared the news.

Ally’s phone pinged again next to me. I glanced at it, then silenced it so it didn’t wake either of them. The messages were from her family group chat. We’d texted them the news along with some pictures before I’d gone out to tell my teammates. Ally’s family was over the moon, and I could tell they werealready waiting impatiently for Ally to tell them to come and visit.

“So many people want to meet you, Olivia. You’re going to be the new star of the team, too. Everyone will love you. And I’m going to love and protect you and your mom with everything I have.”

She made a soft sound but didn’t open her eyes.

I was going to do everything I could to keep that promise, which is why I hadn’t texted my family. It’s not like either of my parents really cared anyway. But I didn’t need them. I had everything I needed in this room.

Chapter 20

ALLY

“Well, aren’t you the cutest little thing ever, Livi?” I asked as I picked her up a few days later. I swore she smiled at me, but it was probably just gas.

We’d arrived home from the hospital the day before, and the emotions coursing through me seemed to be endless. I was exhausted, elated, and head over heels in love with my baby girl. My entire body ached, and I was definitely moving slowly, but I was so happy she was here and that everything had gone well.

And now I was home. Dom had been amazing. I shouldn’t have been surprised how easily he’d stepped in to help without me asking, and he was in awe of everything. It was beyond sweet. He even changed her very first diaper without gagging, which was more than I was able to do. I wrinkled my nose, remembering how extra gross those first few diapers had been. He’d stayed at the hospital the entire time and had been in charge of her very first bath before we headed home.

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