Page 84 of Triplet Babies for Pucking Christmas

“Don’t worry about it,” the doctor interrupts. “She’s in good hands, and I’m here to help guide you through this. But right now, just focus on keeping her calm and healthy. That’s the most important thing.”

Then he leads us back to her room.

Savannah’s still lying on the hospital bed.

I can’t stop looking at her. Triplets. This is insane. But I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’d do whatever it takes, but it’s still a shock.

I turn to Jamie. “We’re gonna make this work. We’ll get through this. We have to.”

Jamie nods, still in shock. “We’re doing this together. All of us.”

I lean over to Savannah, brushing her hair back from her face. “We’re in this together, baby. You and me and the whole damn family.”

Savannah seems to have fallen soundly asleep and she just leans into my palm.

“She is going to be so scared,” Troy says. “We are definitely going to need to be there for her.”

At least we are all in agreement on that.

For the first time tonight, I feel like I can breathe again. I don’t know how we’re going to handle triplets, but we’ll figure it out. One step at a time. Because this? This is my family. And I’ll protect it with everything I’ve got.

Right?

The nurse comes in and checks on her. She tells us that it is better Savannah stays overnight for observation.

“We’ll stay with her,” Troy says.

“Okay. Jade has Noah, and Millie is going to pick up Pup so we can all stay the night,” Jamie says.

I am about to agree with them when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I glance at the screen. Coach Nate’s name lights up the screen, and I instantly feel the knot in my stomach tighten.

“Shit,” I mutter under my breath. This can’t be good. “Excuse me for a second.”

I step outside, trying to get some air. I don’t want to drag anyone else down with whatever the hell Nate’s about to hit me with.

“Jared,” his voice comes through the phone, low and steady. “I’ve got some news. You’re not gonna like it.”

I run a hand through my hair. Of course, it’s never good news with him. “How the hell do you know what the board decided?” I ask, already dreading whatever he’s gonna say next.

“I’ve got my ways,” Nate replies. I can almost hear him shrug. “But you’re gonna want to hear this.”

I brace myself, trying to keep my heart from racing. “Who’s being traded?” I ask, crossing my fingers behind my back. Don’t say Jamie. Don’t say Troy. Don’t say Declan or Finn or Carter. Hell, I’m hoping no one gets traded.

Nate hesitates for a second. “It’s worse than that,” he says, and I can feel the tension in his voice.

“Worse?” I bark. “What the hell could be worse than that?”

He sighs. “The Blackhawks, man.”

My chest tightens. The Blackhawks. Fuck. They’ve been rivals for years, and now what? My stomach drops. “What about them?”

“They’ve been putting in offers to buy some of our players,” Nate says. “But now? They’re talking merger.”

A wave of disbelief hits me. “Merger? Are you shitting me?”

“Unfortunately not. They’re talking about combining the two teams.”

“Jesus Christ, Nate,” I mutter, pacing in a circle. This is bad. Real bad. The Chicago Icebreakers and the Blackhawks are like oil and water—they don’t mix. No one would’ve ever thought this could even be a possibility.

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