“Whoops,” Kassie said, with an apologetic look on her face.
Luc didn’t want her to feel bad. It was their stupid little rivalry and had nothing to do with her. Putting his arm around her, he pulled her close. She was so cuddly in his sweatshirt. “It’s fine. No big deal.” Tyler was probably now going to buy something outrageous for Willow, but that was the fun of their little game.
It was a few hours before anyone came out to update them. And still no Kaden and Ali yet. Kassie got a text message, letting her know that they had stopped at home and that the babysitter couldn’t stay. So, they took some time to get changed and wash off their Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein makeup. Then they were waiting for Ali’s mom to come over to stay with Kaleb.
“Maybe the other guys had the right idea, staying at the party and just waiting for word?” Dom suggested. But Hailee didn’t look so convinced with the way she was shaking her head.
Finally, after about two more hours, Sam came out into the waiting room. Kassie was resting on Luc’s shoulder, and he had to nudge her awake.
“Wow, I can’t believe all you guys are here!” Sam exclaimed, a big smile on his face. He still had a blue hospital gown draped over his clothes. “We have a boy! Baby and mom are doing just fine. They’re both healthy, happy. And the little guy is ready to meet his hockey family.”
“Congrats, bro!” Luc jumped up and stuck out his hand for a handshake, but turned it into a man hug. “I’m so happy for you and Tri.”
The rest of the crew jumped up and hugged or shook Sam’s hand, then followed him to the room. “She’s in a regular room now, but try to keep it down a little. She had a little tougher of a time with him than she did Willow.”
When they walked into the hospital room, they found Trina in bed, holding the newest addition to the Morris family. Luc couldn’t believe the baby was so small. He’d seen babies before, but this little guy just seemed so tiny.
“Wow, look how little he is. Congratulations, you guys.” Luc was in awe over the little guy.
“Thanks Luc. I’m so glad to see you all. Meet little Hank.” Trina nodded to the newborn. He was wrapped up like a burrito in a light blue blanket and had a tiny, matching blue hat on. “He might look tiny, but he’s a little brute. Much bigger than Willow was.”
“Hank?” Tyler commented. “You’re really straying from the whole ‘T’ thing, huh, Tri?”
Trina shrugged. “I think it’s been played out, don’t you Ty?”
“Well, as team captain, and this little guy’s very cool and very talented uncle, it’s my job to present you and the newest Morris with a baby-sized Renegades blanket.” Tyler laid the folded yellow-and-gray blanket beside Trina.
Kassie watched the interactions between Tyler and his sister. Her eyes stayed on Sam and Trina as Tyler talked and fawned over them and the new baby. Everyone found a place to sit or stand in the large hospital suite. The women cooed over the new baby.
Soon, the babysitter arrived with Willow.
“Beth, thank you so much for bringing Willow in. Did you by chance remember to bring her overnight bag?” Trina asked from the bed.
Beth, the babysitter, held up a little pink backpack. “Congratulations. Oh, he’s so sweet!” Beth hugged the new parents.
“Thanks so much, Beth,” Sam said before he gave Willow a big hug. “Hey, sunshine! Look, it’s your new baby brother, Hank.”
“He’s so little,” Willow said. She wiggled until she was back on the ground. Tugging at the baby blanket, she tried to get a peek at the baby. Then she ran and hid behind her babysitter’s legs.
“Hey there, doll,” Luc said, and squatted down on the ground. “What do you think about him? Isn’t he kinda cool?”
“Uncle Luc!” She hugged him and then shrugged her shoulders at his question. Her attention then went to the other people in the room. “Uncle Tyler!”
Willow ran to Tyler and Paige, hugging them both. Beth handed over the pink backpack and said her goodbyes before leaving.
Paige stood with little Willow. The little girl was now not very interested in the baby, and Paige seemed good at keeping her busy. Luc couldn’t get enough of how interested Kassie was in it all. She held tight to his arm and stayed at his side as she watched.
“He’s so little, huh?” Luc softly commented, in a whisper only for Kassie to hear.
She nodded. He shifted his stance so that now his arm was around her waist. Kassie had no choice but to let go of his arm. She nestled into his side.
“Sorry we don’t have enough seats for everyone. I really didn’t know we’d have such a huge entourage of people,” Trina said. Directing her attention to her daughter, she continued. “Willow, honey. Did you say hi to all of Daddy’s friends?”
Willow nodded as she sheepishly looked around the room and waved. Then she hid behind Paige’s legs with her doll.
“She’s never this shy. I don’t know what’s come over her,” Sam said with a chuckle.
“It’s probably the baby. She’s just not sure about him. It’s fine. Willow will get used to him; it’s just going to take time,” Trina reassured her husband.
“Hey doll,” Luc called to Willow. “I thought you might be here, so Kassie and I brought you a gift.”
“A gift? What is it?” Willow ran to him.
Luc handed her the bag. Her eyes widened as she pulled out the tiara.
“Told you,” Kassie whispered.
“A big-sister princess tiara! I’m a princess!” Willow said with sheer delight. She pulled out the unicorn and squeezed it tight.
“Kiddo, we also got you a lollipop, but I think you’d better ask your mommy and daddy if you should save it for later. I’m no expert on how late is too late to eat candy, and I don’t want to get into trouble with your mommy,” Luc said with a grin.
Willow looked at Trina and asked, “Mommy?”
“Yeah, I think it’s okay.” Trina nodded. Then she looked at Paige, “There’s so much going on, I think she’ll pass out regardless of a little sugar.”
“It’s fine.” Paige waved off her concern with a smile.
“Luc, want to hold him? C’mon! Here.” Sam placed Hank into his arms. “Relax a little, dude. He’s not going to break.”
Luc wasn’t used to babies. He was rarely around kids besides teammates’ families, and most of the time he skipped out on family time. He was young and unattached, and he’d never really fit in with the family functions. This warm little bundle in his arms didn’t feel comfortable, sort of like how he felt playing baseball—a bat wasn’t a hockey stick. It just didn’t fit.
“Oh my god,” Kassie cooed, watching him hold little Hank. She fussed with the blanket, moving it away from the baby’s face, and caressed his chubby little cheeks. “Oh, look at those little lips. I could just eat him up! What a sweetie!”