“I’m fine, baby, but the question is, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I tell him, but then I push on his chest and he lowers me back to my feet. He hugs me again and I gag, pushing myself away from him I cover my mouth. “Ugh, Kal,” I mutter through my hand, “you stink.”
“Told ya,” Dad chortles as he walks over to Mom and envelops her in a hug. “How you doin’, sweetness?” The two of them whisper together and then they start kissing, my parents are still so in love with each other it’s sickening at times.
“Are you sure you’re okay, baby? You took a pretty hard knock when Doucheman and I got into it.” He cups my face and I cover his hand and smile up at him.
“I’m fine, Kal. No scratches or boo boos. Did you get everything sorted?”
“Well, I’m out,” he dejectedly replies. He pulls me in for another hug and even though he smells like a dumpster, I hug him back. “I missed you last night,” he whispers, kissing me on the head.
“I missed you too, please don’t get arrested ever again. I was so worried.”
“I’m sorry to have worried you, and I promise to never ever get arrested again.”
“Good, so what happens now?” I ask him but before he can reply, Dad does on his behalf.
Turning to face him, I can tell from the stern look on his face, he’s pissed off and I’m glad I’m not Kal right now. When Dad’s pissed, it’s not a pretty sight.
“Luckily for them both, no charges were pressed by Squires because Kallen and Stefan are going to head over there this afternoon and repair any damages themselves.”
“That seems fair.” I nod. “Anything else?”
“They both have been scratched for three games, each have been fined ten grand, and at the charity event next week, he and Däuchmen will be giving a talk on team bonding and how to deal with big personalities.”
“Really, Dad? You couldn't go lenient on your son-in-law?”
Kal hugs me from behind. I snuggle back into him even if his stench right now is turning my stomach. I love being in his arms and I didn’t realize how much I missed him until now.
“It’s because he’s my son-in-law that I imposed all that. I can’t be seen as showing favoritism, besides this feud has been going on long enough. It’s time to let bygones be bygones. What if you’d been seriously hurt, Pumpkin?”
“I’m fine, Dad,” I argue with him, but when David Maxwell has made up his mind, there’s no changing it.
“Your father’s right, Chels, it could have been a lot worse for you,” Mom interjects. I can see from the look on her face, she’s referring to the fact that I’m pregnant and not that I’m a damsel in distress.
“I’m not made of glass,” I snap, “and you both know that Kal would never let anything happen to me.”
“I know, Pumpkin, but you’re my baby girl. I will always worry about you.” Dad pulls me from Kal’s arms and wraps me in a hug. I stare over at Mom and I realize they’re right, it could have ended badly for me … and the baby. “When you become a parent, you’ll understand.”
My eyes widen when he says that. Does he know? Did Mom tell him? Pulling away, I look over to Mom. “Umm, Mom, can I get your help with something?”
“Sure, honey.” She follows me down the hallway and as soon as I close the door, I whisper hiss, “Did you tell Dad?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I would never spoil your news but, honey, you need to tell him.”
“I know I do, but what if he doesn’t want kids yet? We’ve only been married a few months, it’s too soon.”
“There’s no perfect time to have children, sweetheart. It happens when it happens, but you need to tell him.”
“I know … I think I want to wait. What if …”
“Nope, no what-ifs. This baby is a fighter, he, or she is a combination of Maxwell and Jones. Can’t get any stronger than that. You need to share this with your husband. Your husband, who loves you to the moon and back, he’ll be happy. Trust me.”
Smiling, I nod and for the first time since I found out, I’m not freaking the puck out. “You’re right, Mom, thank you.” I pull her in for a hug. “I … I think I want to give him the news as his Christmas present. Can you keep a secret for a little longer?”
“As much as I want to sing it from the rooftops that my baby is having a baby, I can wait, BUT please let me buy one baby thing for Christmas?”
“That’s fine and thank you, Mom, you’re going to make a fabulous granny—”