Page 101 of Pucked and Pregnant

I blush a little, pleased at her words. “Gosh, that’s so great to hear,” I say, cursing my pregnancy hormones for making me want to cry at her praise. “I hope I can get back to work once the babies are born. I really do love my job.”

“You’re a badass,” the nurse says to me with a wink. “You’ll handle these twins like a pro.”

She looks at me with her hands on her hips then taps her watch. “I’m giving you another half an hour, missy, and then you need to get some rest, okay?”

I smile at her and nod. She reminds me so much of my mom. As the nurse leaves the room, I decide that the blog can wait until the next day. I pull out my phone and open my email. Sighing, I start to type.

Mom,

I knowit’s been a while, but I wanted to let you and Dad know that I’m pregnant... with twins. I also need to tell you that I don’t know who the father of the baby is. That part is complicated, but Max is on board and says he doesn’t care who the dad is so long as he gets to be the best uncle ever.

It’s all so confusing and surprising right now.

The men who could be the father are all in my life, and I can explain this a lot better over the phone. I can’t chat for a couple of days, but let’s plan a time to talk soon, okay? Kisses to Dad.

XO,

Liv

I sendthe message then lean back against the pillow. There was a period in my life when it would have terrified me to admit to my mother that I had enjoyed the love and affection of three men at the same time. I struggled to admit to myself how much I loved being loved by all of them.

Now, however, I am finding that I just don’t care much about what other people want me to do. After all, I’ve been breaking the rules ever since I was a young woman. I got into the business of hockey reporting on talent alone—women are not typically selected for sportscasting positions—but I put myself through college in record time, landed my first commentating job, and never looked back.

Why should I let myself feel guilty about the way that I want to be loved? I’ve never done anything by the book, and I’m not about to start now.

I place a hand over my belly.Twins. How on earth am I going to take care of twins? I hope my mom is able to come home to help me after the birth. I release a heavy sigh but then smile. I am forgetting one of the most obvious benefits of being in a multi-person relationship— multiple babysitters and extra hands.

As I close my eyes and let myself drift into sleep, I think about how adorable and fun all of my men are going to be as dads. I know that Connor will teach all the hard lessons, Aidenwill be a good, solid shoulder to cry on, and Dimitri, well, he will probably be the instigator, getting the kids into trouble on a regular basis.

While I drift into the first good sleep I’ve had in weeks, I dream about a happy future with my twins and my men.

30

LIV

Inervously pace around the living room of my brother’s lake house. I’ve been here a month—resting, reading books, and trying to figure out what comes next for me. The network kindly allowed me take a leave of absence before my upcoming maternity leave, but I made it clear that I wanted to come back as soon as I was feeling better.

Strange enough, Travis also took a leave of absence. A younger guy, much nicer might I add, took over for him for the time being. We have had some really productive conference calls over the past couple of weeks, and I really like his energy.

I’m not sure how my brother managed to keep the lake house a secret, but at least the press hasn’t found me here… not yet, anyway. I have been holed up, staying out of sight, and starting to go stir-crazy.

Who knew one could actually miss going to the grocery store?

The singular staff member that works around the property has been getting me all of the items that I need as far as groceries and supplies.

My focus has been reduced to not feeling sick every day, getting some much-needed rest, and trying not to stress over the hockey matches that I longingly watch on the massive TV in the living room.

It kills me not to be there watching the boys play, commentating on their triumphs and skills, but I honestly hadn’t realized just how tired I was. I had been working so hard for years, pushing to get to the top of my career. Apparently, it all finally caught up with me.

“Thanks for making me take care of myself,” I say to the tiny lives inside my body. I press a hand to my lower abdomen and close my eyes.

Sometimes, I think I can feel the thread of life between me and the babies thrumming with energy.

I smile as I realize that all three of the potential fathers are some of the most high-energy and charismatic people I have ever known. It only makes sense that their children would have a unique and transmittable energy, too.

I can foresee lots of after-school activities and early mornings on the ice.

I grin. I’m going to like being an active and fun mom. I have no idea how I feel about the tough parts of actual parenting, but I suppose I’ll figure that out on the fly, like all parents do.

---