Page 103 of On Thin Ice

“I’m not having kids, so we solved that one. But there’s no way I’m fainting,” Sin retorted.

“Idiots, the door is open,” Micah said, quirking a brow at me.

Tally stood up. “Dom’s off first. Ally’s in labor and at the hospital.”

The guys all cheered and slapped me on the shoulder or arm as I headed down the center aisle where the flight attendant was standing at the now open door.

“Tell Ally good luck,” she said.

“I will.” Then I lifted my hand to my teammates as they shouted more words of encouragement for me and Ally. I wasn’t doing anything. I just had to get to her and stay on my two feet while she delivered our little girl.

I couldn’t stop my grin as I raced to my car in the player’s lot.

Dom: In the car. I’ll be there soon.

***

Less than an hour later, I walked into Ally’s room. She was glistening with sweat, and her hair was a mess, piled on top of her head. She gripped the sheet and had never looked more beautiful.

“Baby Daddy is here,” Joy said, spotting me. She was sitting on Ally’s left side as Cora stood next to Ally.

“Sorry I’m late,” I said, rushing over to her side. Cora stepped away to give me space, and I ran my hand over Ally’s forehead, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Hello, gorgeous.”

Then I leaned down and kissed her cheek.

“Gorgeous? It’s not fair. You coming in here, looking all hot and everything,” she muttered, and I couldn’t stop my chuckle.

“What?” I asked.

“I don’t like you right now, and you look hot. Unfair,” she repeated.

Joy laughed.

“The contractions have increased, and she’s not a fan of you right now,” Cora said with a soft smile.

“He did this to me. I said I wasn’t going to say that, but he did,” Ally said, then she cried out and squeezed the hell out of my hand.

“And you’re doing great, Ally.” Unsure of what else to say, I figured asking her not to crush my hand because I needed it to play hockey was something I should keep to myself.

“We’re going to step out. If you need any of us, just send a nurse,” Joy said. Cora stood next to her.

“Thank you so much. Both of you. For being there for Ally today when I couldn’t,” I said, hearing the emotion in my voice.

Cora patted my shoulder. “We’re a family, Dom. You need us, and we show up. Now, you just focus on Ally and we’ll be waiting for when you have news.”

Her words squeezed my chest almost as hard as Ally was clenching my hand.

“Thank you, Cora, Joy,” Ally said, her breathing stilted.

“Good luck, Ally. You got this,” Joy said, giving me a big smile before she and Cora walked out of the room.

“It hurts.” Ally gasped.

I leaned down. “And you’re strong and amazing, and you’ve got this, and I’m going to do whatever you need today, tomorrow, and forever.”

Her eyes widened, but she didn’t ask what I meant, and thank fuck for that, because I’d showed my hand, and I didn’t want her to brush it off at the moment.

***

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