“Yes,” she answered shakily. “I’m processing. Would you care to elaborate?”
I told her everything about Caro, about the death of her husband, about the kids, and about her moving to Seattle. She listened quietly, making a brief comment here and there. When I finished, I waited for her response.
“I’m surprised. I’m thrilled. I’m going to need some time to adjust to being a grandmother, but I promise you I’ll be the best grandmother ever.
“I’m certain you will. I don’t know how long it’ll be before we reveal I’m their father, but as soon as we do, I want you to meet them.”
“I can’t wait, Easton. I really can’t.”
“They’re great kids but still reeling over the death of the man they thought was their father. That’s why we have to be careful about everything. They need time to heal and adjust before we drop another bombshell on them.” I was parroting Caro’s words, but as much as I hated to admit it, they were good words.
“And you and Caro? How is that going?” Leave it to Mom to get right down to one of the most troubling pieces of this entire mess.
“I was angry at first because I couldn’t understand how she didn’t know they were my children, but I’m working past that. I didn’t leave her much room when I dumped her. I made it clear we were through, that I was moving on to college and the pros, and she was moving on to nursing school. She went back to her former boyfriend on the rebound and got pregnant. I guess she never imagined I was the father.”
“I’m glad you’re over blaming her. Time to look forward, not backward, for the children’s sakes. How do you feel about her now?”
“That’s the problem, Mom. I’m conflicted. I expected I’d find the same thing again with other women I dated, but I didn’t. I thought once I made the NHL, I’d have arrived, and this emptiness inside of me would be gone. Pro hockey should’ve filled in the missing part of me, but it hasn’t. I don’t know if we have a future, but I wouldn’t throw out the idea either.”
“I’ve always liked Caro. Maybe she’s your special someone.” Mom was a bit of a romantic. After Dad had died, she’d never shown any interest in dating anyone else. My brothers and I encouraged her, but she said she was happy with her life and her friends.
“Like Dad was yours?”
“Yes, like your father was mine. I’ll never have what I had with him, and I’m not looking for a replacement.”
“I know, you’ve said that. But don’t you get lonely?”
“At times, but let’s not talk about me. Let’s talk about you. Easton, follow your heart. What is it saying to you?”
“A couple years ago, I decided to find Caro for reasons I really couldn’t explain. When I tracked her down, I sat outside her house and a guy came out along with her and the two kids. I left, feeling I’d been robbed of my life that could’ve been. He had the family I didn’t know I wanted, and the woman I’d walked away from. Now I wonder… I’m getting a second chance. I don’t know if I should take it or not.” I was being brutally honest with her and with myself for the first time regarding this situation.
“Things happen for a reason. At sixteen, you weren’t equipped to handle a wife and two small children. Chances are things wouldn’t have worked out. Now you have another opportunity. Most people don’t get that lucky.”
“A do-over?” I chuckled.
“Yes, a do-over. Don’t let something special slip out of your hands, Easton.”
“What should I do? Should I tell her I want to give us a chance as a family? I’ve made a point of telling her that I don’t want a relationship, just sex.” I couldn’t believe I was talking to my mom about stuff like this, but I had to talk to someone. Was that what I really wanted? Another chance at a relationship? Or was it the need for sex with her that was clouding my judgment? Fuck, I was confused.
“Maybe you should tell her you’ve changed your mind. Be honest with her and, most of all, yourself.”
“I’ll give it some thought.”
“I have faith in you to do the right thing for everyone concerned.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Yeah, once I figured out what that was.
We talked a few more minutes about family stuff and ended the call. Then I phoned my two brothers and broke the news to them. They were equal parts surprised and thrilled to have a niece and nephew. Of course, they gave me all manners of shit for getting a girl pregnant in the first place. I wouldn’t have expected any less of them.
After I ended the last call, I sat in silence, trying to process what to do next. If I was Caro, I’d make a list, but I wasn’t Caro. I tended to dive in and think about the consequences later.
Did I want just sex, or did I want more? Maybe testing the waters with every possibility on the table would be the best way to go.
But first…
I’d put off Christmas shopping until the last minute, typical of me, but now I knew what I needed to buy and had very little time to do it. I made a few phone calls and set everything in motion.
This would be a Christmas to remember.
Easton point of view
After I finished shopping, I drove out of Seattle to the burbs where Ice and Avery lived. Our captain had invited the entire team to an open house on Christmas Eve, and I felt obligated to put in an appearance. Ice was a private person who was trying to come out of his shell, and I appreciated this gesture.
As a rookie, I was always trying to make a good impression on my veteran teammates and my coaches. As much as I’d preferred to insinuate myself into Caro’s evening, attending this party was necessary.
I double-checked the address multiple times as I drove farther into the country. I had Ice pegged as a city boy, and living out here didn’t fit with my image of him. My GPS told me to turn down a narrow gravel lane lined with trees and a white-rail fence. In the distance were a couple large barns. I drove past the barns and turned down another driveway. As the thick trees opened up, a large two-story home lit up with Christmas lights came into view. I was surprised once again as I pictured Ice on a ladder stringing lights from his eaves.
His driveway was clogged with cars, and I pulled behind Steele’s car, surprised to see my roommate was already present.
I grabbed the gift bag containing a nice bottle of wine from the seat beside me and stepped out of my truck. The evening was clear and brisk, a nice respite from the incessant rain and gray skies of the past few weeks.
Several of my teammates stood on the front porch flanking the entire front of the farmhouse. They were drinking beers and laughing. I walked onto the porch and greeted everyone, stood outside for a short time, and ventured in the house to find my host and hostess.
Avery and Ice stood in the large living room with a huge rock fireplace on one wall, talking to Smooth and his wife, Bella, along with Brick and Amelia.
“Hey, glad you could make it.” Ice was beaming from ear to ear. Glancing down at Avery’s stomach, I could see why. She wasn’t showing a lot yet, but her pregnancy was obvious. Not to mention, Avery inadvertently called attention to her baby bump by rubbing her stomach quite often.
I shook hands with the guys and hugged the women, then settled back into conversation that ran the gamut from hockey to kids to buying a house. I didn’t say much, just listened and observed. The three couples were very much in love. They were always touching, sharing private glances, and standing close to each other. Bella liked to finish Smooth’s sentences, but he didn’t seem to mind. Amelia often directed the convo to kids, while Avery often talked about horses. Every one of them gave me advice on being a dad, and I discussed riding lessons for my daughter with Avery.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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