Twin Babies for my Pucking Defenders (Chicago Icebreakers #2)

45. Chapter Fourty-Five

Chapter Fourty-Five

Jade

The locker room smells like sweat and pure adrenaline.

I’m still riding high from the game. My boys—Carter, Axel, and Nate—have just brought home the championship trophy and the celebration feels electric. The air buzzes with cheers and laughter, and I’m buzzing right along with them.

“Damn, I love a winning team!” I say, wrapping my arms around Carter’s neck, pulling him down to my level. His eyes are bright, a mix of triumph and something else—something deeper.

“Not as much as I love you,” he says, his voice low and rough, sending a shiver through me. He leans in, capturing my lips with his, and I melt against him.

“Get a room, you two!” Axel teases, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Shut up, Axel,” Carter mutters, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss. He tastes like victory and beer. I can’t get enough.

When we finally break apart, I’m breathless. “What’s next? Are we partying all night or what?”

Axel, standing nearby, grins like a kid on Christmas morning. “If it were up to me, we’d hit every bar in the city. But I think we might have something else to celebrate, right, coach?”

Coach Nate steps forward, a proud smile on his face. “Yeah, we’ve got a lot to celebrate. But first, let’s get our amazing assistant coach something to drink. Hydration is key, especially for the twins.”

“Aw, come on! Don’t be such a buzzkill.” I roll my eyes playfully. “I’m ready to party!”

“Okay, okay! But just one drink for now,” Nate says, shaking his head with a smile. “Then we can hit the town.”

“Deal! Let’s go home first,” Carter suggests, looking around at the group. “Then we can figure out how to celebrate in style.”

“Hell yeah! Let’s do it!” Axel agrees, and I can’t help but laugh at his enthusiasm.

As we pile into the car, laughter bounces around like the music playing on the radio. I lean my head against the window, letting the wind blow through my hair. Everything feels so right. The victory, the guys, the future—it’s all clicking into place.

As we pull into our driveway, I suddenly feel this tightening in my stomach. I brush it off, thinking it’s just a cramp from all the excitement.

“Let’s get the party started!” I say, practically bouncing out of the car.

“Whoa there, wild woman,” Carter says, a playful glint in his eye. “How about we slow down just a little? We don’t want you going into labor before the celebration.”

“Ha! Very funny,” I reply, shoving him playfully.

But then the tightening hits again, more intense this time. I stop in my tracks, clutching my stomach. “Uh…guys?”

“What’s up?” Axel asks, suddenly serious.

“I think…” I wince as another contraction grips me. “I think I might actually be going into labor.”

“No fucking way,” Carter says, his eyes widening.

“Seriously? You’re kidding, right?” Nate looks back and forth between us, disbelief written all over his face.

“I’m not kidding. This is real. We need to get to the hospital. Now!”

“Okay, okay! Let’s go!” Carter grabs my hand, his grip firm but gentle. “Nate, drive. Axel, help me get her in the car.”

As we rush to the car, another contraction hits, and I double over, gripping my belly. “Ow! Shit! This really hurts!”

“Stay calm, Jade,” Nate says, his voice steady but laced with urgency. “You’re gonna be fine. Just breathe.”

“Breathe? I’m trying! It’s hard to breathe when you feel like someone’s trying to rip your insides out!”

Axel opens the back door, helping me slide into the seat. “We’ll be there in no time, I promise.”

Nate’s foot hits the gas, and we’re flying down the street. The city lights blur past us, and I focus on the sound of Carter’s voice as he talks me through each wave of pain.

“Okay, babe, just breathe. In through your nose, out through your mouth. You got this.”

“Not the kind of celebration I had in mind,” I shout back, biting down on my lip as another contraction rolls through me. “I thought this was supposed to be more fun!”

“Yeah, well, it’s not a party until the babies show up, right?” Axel quips, trying to lighten the mood.

“Shut up, Axel!” I snap, but I can’t help the smile creeping onto my face.

“See? She still has her sense of humor,” Carter says, brushing my hair back from my forehead.

“I’ll show you my sense of humor when I’m holding our kids!”

Nate whips into the hospital parking lot, and I’m out of the car practically before it even stops. The three of them hustle around me, helping me inside. I’m practically doubled over, but they’re right there, supporting me.

“Help!” I shout, clutching Carter’s arm. “Someone help me!”

The nurses rush over, and I’m guided into a room. I’m shaking now, the pain hitting harder.

“Okay, Jade, just hang in there,” one of the nurses says, ushering me onto the bed. “We’re going to take care of you. Just breathe.”

“Easier said than done,” I mutter, but I do my best to focus.

Carter grips my hand, his eyes never leaving mine. “You’re doing amazing, Jade. Just keep breathing.”

“Not the kind of party I had in mind,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Next time, we’ll definitely plan better,” Axel jokes, trying to keep the mood light.

As the contractions keep coming, I’m aware of the chaos around me, but all I can focus on is the burning pain and the three of them, each providing a different kind of support. Axel holds my other hand, his expression serious and focused, while Nate paces, ready to spring into action.

“I’m not doing this alone, right?” I say, my voice tight. “You guys are staying with me?”

“Always,” Carter promises.

“Not going anywhere,” Axel adds, squeezing my hand.

The nurse checks on me, and I can feel myself slipping into the zone. I’m in the middle of something big, something life-changing, and it’s both terrifying and exhilarating.

“Okay, Jade, it’s time to push,” the nurse says, her voice calm and reassuring.

“Time to what?” I ask.

“Time to push, sweetheart,” she repeats. “You can do this. Just listen to your body.”

“Like I’m listening to my body right now? It’s telling me to run!”

Axel chuckles nervously, and Nate leans in closer. “You’ve got this, Jade. Just think of the babies. You can do it for them.”

“Fine! Just get them out!” I shout, my body tightening with the next wave of agony.

I push with everything I have, gritting my teeth, and suddenly, it feels like the world fades away. It’s just me, the pain, and the sheer determination to meet my kids.

With one last push, there’s a cry—loud and piercing. I gasp, trying to catch my breath.

“Jade! You did it! You did it!” Carter shouts, his voice filled with awe.

“Is it a boy? Is it a girl?” I ask breathlessly, the adrenaline still rushing through me.

The nurse holds up a tiny baby, wrapped in a blanket. “It’s a boy! Congratulations!”

“Oh my God!” I gasp, tears filling my eyes. “We did it! We have a son!”

The nurse hands him to Carter, and I watch as his eyes widen, a mixture of pride and joy washing over him.

“Hey, little man,” Carter whispers, cradling our newborn. “Welcome to the world. You’re perfect.”

Another contraction hits, and I grip the bed, panting.

“Yup, the other one is coming,” the nurse confirms.

“Let’s go! I’m ready!” I say, trying to rally myself despite how tired I am. I don’t even feel the pain anymore. I’m just struggling to meet each wave of the contractions, swimming through it, listening to the nurse as she coaches me through the process.

With another push, the second baby arrives, and we hear another cry, loud and strong.

The nurse holds up the second baby, a beautiful boy. “It’s another boy!”

“What? Two?” I can hardly believe it, tears streaming down my face. “We’ve got two sons?”

“You bet!” the nurse grins, placing the second baby in Carter’s arms alongside the first.

“Holy shit! I can’t believe it!” I’m a mess of emotions, laughter, and tears.

Carter looks down at the twins, and I can see the way his heart swells. “Jade, they’re amazing. What are we naming them?”

I know right away what I want. “We have to name one Jared, after my brother. We can call him JJ, for Jared Junior.

“Perfect. I love it!”

“And the other one?”

I glance at the baby in Carter’s arms, and inspiration strikes. “Stanley. After the Stanley Cup. It just fits.”

Carter’s laughter fills the room. “You’ve outdone yourself, babe.”

Axel leans in, beaming at the two tiny boys. “They’re gonna be legends, just like their parents.”

“Yeah, right!” I say, grinning back. “They’re gonna be better than us!”

Nate steps forward, a proud smile on his face. “Two little champions. I love it.”

In this moment, everything feels complete. We’ve come so far, worked through so much, and now we’re a family.

“Jade,” Nate begins, his voice serious, “we’ve been thinking about this for a while. We wanted to do something special for you.”

“Special how?” I ask, my brow furrowing.

“Like, we want to propose to you,” Carter says, his tone sincere. “We’ve all figured out our issues, and we know this is unconventional, but we want to make it official. We want to be a family together.”

“Are you guys serious?” I blink in surprise, my heart racing all over again.

“Dead serious,” Axel confirms, nodding. “We love you, Jade. We want to spend our lives with you and raise these boys together.”

My chest swells, and tears spill down my cheeks. “Yes! Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!”

“Wait—really?” Carter looks stunned, and then his face breaks into a huge smile.

“Of course, you idiots! I’ve always wanted this. I love you all!”

Axel grins, reaching into his pocket. “Then let’s make it official.”

He pulls out three rings, each one unique, shining under the hospital lights. I stare at them, overwhelmed by the beauty and the thought behind them.

“We all wanted you to have something from each of us,” Carter explains, handing me a ring. “Will you marry us?”

“Yes! I will!” I say, laughter and joy spilling out of me as they slide the rings onto my finger.

The room erupts in cheers, and I can’t help but laugh through my tears.

Two little boys and three loves all wrapped into one moment. This is everything I’ve ever wanted.

“Can someone please call Millie?” I say.

“She’s already on her way with Sadie,” Axel reassures me.

I nod and turn my attention to my rosy-cheeked, precious boys.

“Welcome to the family, JJ and Stanley,” I whisper, my heart full. “You’ve got the best dads in the world. And now, we’re all together, forever.”