“Why are you saying sorry to her?” JP asked, holding his eye.
Ignoring his son, Cliff studied his hand. “That fuckin’ hurt.”
“Oh, did it?” JP snapped sarcastically. When he took his hand away from his eye, I gasped. His face was already red and blotchy from the punch. But for some reason, the way JP was muttering complaints had me struggling to keep a straight face. I immediately rolled my lips together to stop, but the damage was already done. JP shot me a look that saidreally?
I gave a sheepish shrug, then ducked out of the room and made a beeline to the freezer. I fished around until I found a bag of frozen peas. Grabbing it, I headed back to the living room and handed it to Cliff.
“Here, put this on your hand,” I told him.
JP’s eyes bulged. “Really? What about me?”
Struggling not to laugh, I went back to the freezer for some ice for him.
After we were all settled in the living room, an awkward silence descended on the room.
“Are you really okay, Ali?” Cliff’s knee bobbed up and down nervously. “I’ll help you in whatever way you need. Anything, all you have to do is ask.”
“No, I’m okay. I’m… I’m happy,” I said, and it was the truth.
Seeing my smile, a little tension bled out of Cliff’s shoulders. “I’m so glad to hear that.” He shook his head, fighting off emotions. When he looked at me again, his eyes were teary. “Good.” His chin wobbled “I’m… That’s good.” Pushing himself off the couch, he awkwardly shuffled over to me. I stood and hugged him.
"Everything's good. I’m four months along. We’re having twins,” I said, struggling to reign in my own happy emotions.
“Twins?” he asked. He rubbed his forehead. “How about that, eh?” He smiled at me with sparkling grey eyes.
“Yeah.” I bit my lip to contain my smile. “You’re gonna be a grandpa.” My hand went to my stomach. “I think we’re gonna find out the genders at the next appointment, right?” I asked JP.
“Yeah, I think we’ve had our fill of surprises, but it’s up to you,” he said distractedly, still rubbing his eye. “Right hook better than half the NHL’s,” he muttered.
I gave Cliff another reassuring smile. “I think I need a nap. Is it all right if I…?” I nodded to the hallway leading back to the bedrooms.
“Yes, of course,” Cliff said hurriedly. “Go for it.”
As soon as I started walking, Hank struggled off the couch to follow me. JP rose to his feet and his hand found the small of my back as he guided me back to his bedroom.
“Wow, I feel like I’m breaking rules by being in here,” I whispered, taking in his room, which looked like it hadn’t changed since JP’s teenage days. There were random sports memorabilia hanging around the room, nailed to the walls. Seeing his old #26 jersey that he wore at Centre Ice in a frame had me smiling. I watched so many games of his in that jersey. A small wooden desk was pushed up against the wall, staked with a bunch of hockey and baseball trophies. My eyes caught sight of something else on his desk: a picture of the three boys in their pond skating gear, aged about ten. Wearing sweatpants, hunting hats, hoodies, and skates, they were holding their hockey sticks and making faces at the camera.
“I love this one,” I said.
Leaning against the doorway, crossing his socked feet at the ankles, JP gave me an amused grin. “Kappy’s mom gave that one to me. She’s got a ton of old pictures.”
“I’ll have to ask her to see them sometime,” I said while struggling against a yawn.
“Hey.” He strode over and palmed my face, studying my eyes. “You feeling okay?
“Yeah, just tired.” I smiled, putting him at ease.
He leaned down and kissed me, his palm never leaving my face, his fingers curled around the base of my skull.
Feeling a spark inside of me. I reached my arms around his neck.
His left arm snacked around me, pulling me tighter as I deepened the kiss. Pulling back, he bit out a groan. “I want to pick you up so bad right now.”
I patted his cheek and struggled to contain another yawn, which made him yawn. “You wanna nap with me?” I asked.
“I’ll stay for a couple minutes, but then I should catch up with my dad,” he said.
Nodding, I made my way over to his bed, which smelled just like him. Tucking myself in, I let out a hum. “This is either very comfy or I’m extremely tired,” I joked. “I think I stayed up too late with Annie.”
