Page 67 of Make Your Play

Instead, I just walk directly to the sofa and slowly sit down, careful to support my midsection. It still feels like my insides are going to tumble out of my stomach, but it’s more bearable than it was at first. The first time they had me get out of bed was absolute torture. They like to have patients up and moving within six to eight hours after surgery to promote blood flow, but I had to wait two days thanks to my body betraying me.

“It’s kind of weird that they just send you on your way with a tiny-ass person like you know what you’re doing.”

I look over at Nash as he gets a sleeping Theo out of his car seat and holds him against his chest as he walks over to the couch. “You’d think they would give you some instructions or something.”

“Right?” he says, raising his eyebrows as he lowers himself down beside me. "Like what do we do now?”

Handing the baby to me, he makes sure he’s secure in my arms before he wraps his around the tops of my shoulders. He scoots closer until I’m tucked in against his side. I move my head, resting it against his shoulder as I breathe in the scent of him. “I think we’re just supposed to enjoy it.”

“I think you might be right.” He presses his lips to the top of my head. “I’ll spend the rest of my days enjoying my time with the two of you… and however many other babies you let me put in you.”

Laughter bubbles in my chest. “You’re absolutely insane, you know that, right?”

“Insane about you, mama,” he says, his voice tangling around my soul. “Always you.”

EPILOGUE

NASH

Six months later

Rocking on the chair, I stare down at Theo, my eyes traveling over the contours of his face as I memorize every single developing feature. I feel like I’ve taken the time to memorize the way he looks at every single stage, as it feels like he’s always growing and showing no signs of slowing down.

If you would have told me a year ago that I’d be completely smitten by a little six-month-old baby, I would have told you, you were insane. He may not be mine biologically, but goddammit, he is mine.

The past six months haven’t been easy, but we’ve made it this far. Things between Riley and me have been absolutely amazing. Better than I could have imagined anything ever being. I ended up listing my place for rent and completely moved in with her and Theo, although I was already living with her anyway. It just was never official. It felt weird having all my things at my old house, and Riley agreed.

She wanted me here permanently with the two of them and considering the fact that she’s a permanent fixture inside of my soul, it only made sense.

After we got home and Riley got settled, it was clear the trauma she experienced with Theo’s birth was something she needed to deal with. Before she left the hospital, she made an appointment with her therapist and began working through everything immediately. I couldn’t personally relate to her because I didn’t have the same experience she did, but I knew the only thing I could really do was be here for her and be supportive.

When Riley was having a bad day, I made sure to step in and minimize the things she had to do, whether it was with Theo or just in general. My schedule with hockey made things a bit challenging, but thankfully we have quite the village of people here.

Nonna didn’t hesitate to step in when I was away and Nova was constantly checking in on Riley. Riley’s always been hardheaded and has struggled to ask for help, but thankfully everyone already knew that. She’s the type of person where you just have to tell her that you will be helping her and she usually doesn’t put up a fight about it then.

Theo’s been asleep for probably ten minutes now, but he’s still in my arms as I slowly rock on the chair. His weight feels comfortable in my arms, like this is exactly where he’s supposed to be. I watch his little lips curl upwards as he stirs in his sleep, smiling deeply about something.

He’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced, other than the love from his mother.

As I begin to rise from the chair, I hear a noise outside that sounds faintly like a car door shutting. Riley went out with the girls tonight, so it was just Theo and me this evening. I’ve been enjoying my time at home a little too much and the thought ofhaving to resume the grueling hockey season in the next month or so has me feeling a little disappointed.

I walk over to Theo’s crib, slowly lowering him down onto the mattress. He stirs a bit, but he’s good at staying asleep. He adjusts on the bed and I grab his blanket, pulling it over his body as he settles. Standing by the railing for another moment, I stare down at him, my heart swelling in my chest at my son.

Making sure his white noise machine is set for the night, I pull the door shut behind me, leaving it cracked open before making my way downstairs. As I’m coming down the steps, I hear the sound of the front door softly closing and Riley curses as her keys clatter onto the floor. She’s holding on to the wall, bracing herself with one hand, as she fights with her heels with the other, attempting to unstrap them.

A soft chuckle escapes me as I walk over to her. “Let me help you, love,” I tell her, grabbing a small stool for me to sit down on. Riley drops her foot to the floor, her eyes a bit glazed over as she gives me a crooked grin. Bending forward, I reach for her foot, lifting it into the air until she plants her heel on my thighs.

“Thank you,” she murmurs, watching me as I unstrap her heel, pulling it away from her foot before moving to the next. Her foot lingers on my legs and I grab her ankle, my fingers slowly trailing up the length of her calf, drifting around her knee before moving up her thigh.

“Did you have fun tonight?”

Riley blows out a soft breath, her hands reaching for my shoulders as she pulls her foot away from my legs. Instead of pulling her into my lap, I stand up, my hands finding her hips.

“I did, but I’m glad to be home now,” she breathes, tilting her head back to look up at me. “How was Theo?”

“You know he’s always good.”

“You’re such a good dad.” Her smile grows wider, her eyes shining back at me as she stares up at me. “He loves you so much.”

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