“Yeah, we managed some good trades and draft picks. The team is almost completely altered now. But I don’t need to talk hockey. How was it this evening here?”
I half smile because sometimes it feels as though this homelife is his refuge. “Normal day. Bath time, milk time, white noise for sleeping, and night light. She has a good life.”
Vaughn kisses my head then brings his lips near my ear, his breath hitting a sensitive spot below my lobe. “And you?” he whispers.
“Watched the highlights from Briggs’s game with a bowl of soup, took a bath, then debated which shirt of yours I should wear. I’m running out of options since I seem to wear them when you’re away.”
“Hmm, guess that might mean you’ll be sleeping naked and sending a few pics and videos.” His long finger skims down my arm.
Playfully, I pinch him. “By the way, your new luggage arrived. Marketing made sure to have the team logo everywhere… Wait, sorry, no hockey talk.”
“I guess it’s hard. So far you’re staying strong for this professional life of mine.”
“It’s fine. Ooh, we have the team Halloween party coming up which should be fun.” I’m rambling and only stop when Vaughn captures my chin to guide my gaze up to him, as he is looking down at me.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” I blush from his apparent sentimental proclamation. “I haven’t decided if that makes it easier or harder when I’m away. I have a good thing happening here.”
“Don’t worry, all is well. Besides, you will be distracted, and I’ll be distracted for different reasons, which only means our focus is there when we see one another,” I promise.
Vaughn holds me closer and lets a deep breath escape as we both focus on the fire. “Tomorrow morning, I get an extra hour, so let’s enjoy breakfast together before we start this routine all over again.”
“Sounds perfect.” I pause for a second then attempt to study his face in the glow from the fire. “You’re happy with your job, right?”
“I am. Doesn’t mean I can’t complain about the logistics of it.”
“Okay, just checking.” It is a hard situation that we’re in, purely from external factors. We’re a new family, and throw in hockey and it’s an extra layer.
“We should get some sleep.” He’s already dozing off, and it makes me smile.
I slip off the couch to offer him my hand. “Come on, our bed will be far more comfortable.”
“As long as it has you,” he laments.
“Always,” I say softly, realizing I’m thinking long-term. “And that was a very cheesy line, but I’ll let it go.” He chuckles as he follows me along.
* * *
Sittingaround the breakfast table with the bright morning sun flooding in through the floor-to-ceiling windows and only a few leaves on the trees beginning to change color, I watch Vaughn sip from his coffee cup in one hand while his fingers on his other hand wiggle to Nora who is in the newborn insert of the highchair so she’s at our level.
My knee is propped up against my chest as I eat some cut-up fruit off my fork. This is heart-melting, all of this. The nights, the morning, him, her, us.
Everything was foggy before, but now it’s clear skies for us. I breathe differently.
I smile at Vaughn who gives Nora her toy keys, and then he grabs a piece of toast for himself.
“I’m sorry about last night,” he begins.
Lines form on my forehead, as I’m slightly confused. “For what? You took me in a flash on the counter. What am I missing?”
Vaughn’s head lolls to the side slightly as he bites his lower lip, debating his words. “Maybe I sounded a little down or out of sorts.”
“You’re stressed for this season, I get it. I don’t see it as a big deal.”
He nods once, not quite believing me, even though he should.
But I begin to have a change inside of me, and I can’t shake a peculiar instinct hitting me.
A suave smile begins to appear on his face, and he eases in his mood when he looks at Nora blowing a bubble. “I can’t believe I ever doubted when you told me about the pregnancy that this maybe wasn’t for me. The pregnancy and family thing. It’s exactly where I should be.”
