Luc
Luc arrived with Kassie to find Tyler and Paige already sitting in the hospital waiting room. There was no news as yet, so they took the seats beside them to wait. Whenever anyone passed by, Luc noticed their eyes widen. At first, he assumed they were getting so many strange looks because they were Renegades players. Then it dawned on him. They were all still in Halloween costumes, since they had come directly from the party. So, people were staring at a sexy Dorothy and a Cowardly Lion, Superman, and Supergirl.
Maybe if it was actually Halloween night it wouldn’t have been so odd for them to be at the hospital in costume, but it was a few days after Halloween. The decorations were still up, but no one else was dressed up.
Tyler slid the hood of his costume off. “I feel like an idiot. Only my sister would go into labor during our Halloween party.” He looked down at his full-body lion costume. He spoke again as he began to peel off the getup. “The only good thing is that I’m fully clothed under here. Unlike Superboy over there in his cute tights.”
Luc was jealous of Tyler at that moment. “You know what? Now that I think about it, I do have a set of clothes in my gym bag in the car. Kass, do you mind staying here with Tyler and Paige while I run to the car? I really don’t want to hang around the hospital in blue tights if I can help it.”
“It’s fine.”
“Do you want me to see if I have anything in the car you can put on?” He was sure there’d be something for her.
“Just a jacket or hoodie would be great.”
“Yo, Marcella. I have one in my car if you want it.” Tyler tossed Luc his keys.
Luc hurried down to the garage, wishing he would’ve thought of this before they made the walk all the way up here. Ironically, it was easy to forget they had costumes on.
He was right. His bag was in the backseat, and thank goodness there was a pair of blue jeans in there, and a t-shirt. He could work with that. And there was a hooded sweatshirt for Kassie. He checked Tyler’s car and grabbed his sweatshirt in case Paige wanted it. On his way through the parking garage, he realized that Kaden would be there soon.
They were on good terms, but this was still going to be awkward, sitting in a little room together. Taking a deep breath, he hurried back up to the waiting room, not wanting Kassie to be stuck there too long by herself. He didn’t think Kaden would start anything, because he was trying to accept the way things were, but he didn’t want to take that chance.
When he got back, Kaden wasn’t there yet, but Dom and Hailee had arrived. So now they had Superman and Supergirl, a sexy Dorothy, and two characters from the Suicide Squad.
“Sweets, here’s my hoodie. Paige, I brought Ty’s for you.” Luc tossed the sweatshirt to Paige and his to Kassie. “I’m going to find a restroom and change.”
“Anyone want anything? I really could use some coffee.” Kassie quickly stood up, holding the hooded sweatshirt, and grabbed his arm.
“Yeah, I’ll take a coffee if you don’t mind, Kassie,” Tyler said, handing her some money.
Luc and Kassie walked arm-in-arm down the hallway, searching for a public bathroom and a coffee machine. “You okay, sweets?”
She nodded. “Yeah. Dom told me that Kaden and Ali are on their way. They stopped to check on Kaleb.”
“And you didn’t want to be there when he showed up?”
Kassie shrugged.
“It’s fine. I’d rather have you on my arm, anyway.” Luc hugged his girl. Everything just seemed so much more enjoyable and easier now that their secret was out.
Kassie nodded as she snuggled closer and brushed her lips against his. “Well, there’s a restroom, and here’s a coffee machine.” She placed another quick kiss on his lips and slid off his arm.
“Catch you on the flip side, Supergirl.” Luc winked at her before closing and locking the restroom door. He still wasn’t sure if they should be here or not. But Sam was the closest thing he had to a brother, so he felt this was the right decision.
After he changed out of his costume, he rejoined Kassie, who was happily drinking a hot coffee, and was now wearing his sweatshirt. She looked adorable in the hoodie and her blue Supergirl leggings and boots.
“If you put on a pair of dark-framed glasses, you could totally be Superman’s alter ego.” Kassie ran her hand across Luc’s cheek with a sexy grin on her face.
“And you’d like that? Hmm, I’ll have to keep that in mind.” The look in her eyes, as she squinted at his face, imagining what he’d look like in glasses, made him hard. Definitely tucking that bit of info away for later.
Kassie’s cheeks turned pink, and she got a little shy before she changed the subject. “Want to check out the gift shop? Maybe we can find something for the new baby, or maybe something to give Willow.”
“Oh? Do you think someone will bring Willow in?” Luc asked. He hadn’t thought about that. And Kassie was right; he should have something to give her. Willow was becoming a big sister, and that was a big deal.
Kassie shrugged. “Yeah, I would think so.”
Not knowing about Willow, and wanting to be prepared for his little buddy if she did show up, he texted Tyler to be sure. “I just checked with Ty, and you’re right. The babysitter will bring her in after the baby is born, and then Ty and Paige will take her home with them.”
“Do you know what Trina is having?”
“A boy.” Kassie’s question got him thinking about what he was going to get for the new parents. “Let’s detour into the gift shop.”
Luc searched through everything, looking for something for Willow. After a few minutes of looking, Kassie found a princess crown that said “Big Sister.”
“You think she’d like that?”
“Absolutely! What little girl wouldn’t like a princess crown?”
He agreed, and also grabbed a stuffed unicorn and a multi-colored lollipop.
“You really like to spoil their little girl, huh?” Kassie looked at him, her head tilted to the side and a sweet smile on her face.
“Yeah, I do.” He shrugged. “I spend a lot of time with Sam, and over at their house. Sunday dinners, cookouts, pizza night. Not having any family here in Pittsburgh, that’s who I spend my time with. Willow is part of that package. I’m the cool, fun uncle.”
“But isn’t Tyler her uncle?”
“Yeah. But, like I said, I’m the cool, fun one,” Luc said with a chuckle.
Once they were back with the group, he sat with Kassie leaning against him, and searched the internet for somewhere that would same day deliver a gift for the Morris family.
He found a place that would deliver a balloon arrangement the same day, and he added a stuffed teddy bear and a box of chocolates. He’d have a case of beer delivered to Sam’s house for when they went home, and maybe something Trina would enjoy.
“That’s so sweet,” Kassie fussed after Luc ordered the gifts.
“What’s sweet?” Tyler looked up.
“Luc ordered something for the new parents,” Kassie said before Luc could.
“Oh? Well, Trina is my sister and the kid will be my nephew. No way you’re showing me up, Rock-Star.” Tyler frantically searched his phone, and Paige helped as if this was some kind of contest.
Not long after, Kris and Kat showed up, so now they had a gangster and a flapper sitting in the group, too. They, along with Dom and Hailee, joined in the online shopping for the new parents. It was a team thing. The guys always needed to outdo each other.
“Hey, Rock-Star,” Tyler called, breaking the silence.
“What?”
“What’s in the bag?” Tyler asked, nodding at the bag from the gift shop.
Before Luc could tell Tyler to mind his own business, the way teammates do, Kassie answered for him. “A gift for the new big sister.” She saw the look on Tyler’s face, and then the look on Luc’s face. “Oh, was I not supposed to say anything?”
“No, that was perfect, Kassie. And thank you.” Tyler grinned at Luc as he quietly went back to his phone, typing away. Paige was pointing and nodding to things, and shaking her head to others.
“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!”
The baby was everyone’s focus, but Luc was more fascinated with the way Kassie looked at him holding the baby. It was as if the people she was so concerned with impressing didn’t exist. The way she doted over the new baby, and how her eyes sparkled when she looked at Luc holding Hank, was an honest expression full of love. And it was all for him.
“Hey, sweets, I think you should take him. If that’s okay, Trina?” Luc suggested.
“Sure. Kassie, I think you should hold him. Rock-Star looks a little out of his element,” Trina said with a stifled laugh.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Luc will get used to him. Just give me time,” Luc said.
Willow was now sitting with Tyler, playing with her new unicorn and her baby doll, while Paige was cooing over Kassie holding baby Hank. “Kassie, you look so comfortable with him.”
Trina agreed. “Kassie, you really do. And you know you’re welcome at our house any time. I’m sure I can use all the help I can get with the little guy. And looks like he likes you. Plus, if you bring Rock-Star along, he can play dolls with Willow.”
Kassie snickered at Trina’s words.
“What are you laughing about?” Luc pushed out his lip in a faux man pout. “Guys can play dolls, too. Especially if it’s with a kiddo as awesome as Willow.”
“Aw, you’re absolutely right,” Kassie sweetly apologized.
The door opened, and Kaden and Ali walked in. “Congratulations Sam and Trina.” Kaden’s voice dropped off as his eyes landed on Kassie holding the baby.
Kaden wasn’t glaring, but it was more like the look of realization that she was all grown up.
She was so good with Hank, the way she cuddled him and cooed ever so softly at him. Kassie must have a knack with babies, because she looked so natural and relaxed holding him. Luc couldn’t help but smile as she caressed the little guy’s cheeks.
“Hang on, I have to take a picture of this.” Luc couldn’t not take a picture of her. She was adorable.
“Oh, come on, more pictures? Don’t you have enough?” Kassie blushed.
“No. This one’s just for me.” This wasn’t for the internet. He just wanted to remember that sweet look on Kassie’s face forever. After snapping the photo, he couldn’t help but notice the look on Kaden’s face. He was watching them interact with the new baby. Luc had a rock in his gut and wasn’t sure if this was going to blow up in their faces or not.
“Trina, he’s just perfect!” Ali dropped down next to Kassie on the padded bench. She looked over Kassie’s shoulder at the baby, cooing and doting. “He’s so precious! Oh my gosh, Kassie, you look so natural holding him. Look at him staring at you. I think he likes you.”
“Oh, please.” Kassie waved her off, then she looked up at Luc and their eyes met.
Kassie really was beautiful, and she was all his. She smiled a bashful smile as she cuddled the newborn. Once she looked away, he snapped one more photo, not being able to help himself.
“Luc, enough,” she whined.
He knew Kaden was here, and he knew they were being watched, but it didn’t stop him from sliding in next to Kassie and the baby. Luc wrapped his arm around her and moved the baby’s blanket so he could see little Hank’s sweet face. A weird feeling filled his chest. This situation, him, her, and a baby, just felt right. It must’ve showed on his face, because he could feel Kaden’s stare on them.