The First Intermission Read online

  “Excellent. So, we can get back on the ice tomorrow?” Dad clarifies.

  “I don’t see why not. I’ve already advised that if he feels the pain again, or it worsens, he’ll need to be evaluated by one of the team doctors, but from what I can tell, he’s good to go.”

  “Thanks again for coming down today for me, Julia.”

  “It was really no big deal,” I reassure him once again.

  “If you don’t have plans tonight, why don’t we go out to dinner?” my dad asks.

  “I don’t have any plans so, sure, I’d love to.”

  “Good, I’ll text your mother and let her know. Seven work for you?” he asks, pulling out his cell.

  “Works for me,” I confirm. “Just text me where to meet you guys. I’m going to head home and get some stuff done before then.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll text you once I hear back from Mom,” he tells me. I head back into his office to grab my things.

  “Nice meeting you, Beckett,” I say once I step back out into the hallway. “Don’t let him work you too hard,” I add, knowing how my dad can get sometimes.

  “Nice to meet you, as well, Julia,” he says, holding his hand out for me to shake before I leave.

  I slide my hand into his and the heat of his fingers scorch my skin once again. I keep my eyes on his, watching for any spark I might see in them, trying to see if this spark I feel is mutual or not. He’s either got one hell of a poker face or it’s all one-sided. That’s my first thought, but just as we part, I see a fire in his eyes as they quickly drop to scan over my body. The heat that flashes through them tells me exactly what I wanted to know—he feels this electricity between the two of us, as well.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Becca

  “Michael, be careful, please,” I call out as I watch him by the river bank. We’ve been back home in Alaska for over a month now and our time is quickly coming to an end. Scott officially accepted the assistant coaching position with the Eagles right before we left Indy for the summer. He’s due back next week, the same time Michael starts kindergarten.

  “I’m fine,” Michael calls out to me over his shoulder. “I’m a big boy now, remember, Momma,” he adds, the frustration with me evident in his little voice.

  “I know, I know,” I tell him as I sit with Anna in my lap. The sun shines down on us, warming my skin as I breathe in the fresh air. There’s a peacefulness I can only find when we’re here at the cabin each summer. Not tons of people around, no buildings or rinks or sheets of ice. Just us and nature. We relish the time we do get to spend here each summer, as well as the time we spend at our house in Anchorage.

  “Daddy!” Anna calls out to Scott as he walks down the path and into our vision.

  “How’s my baby girl?” he asks her, picking her up.

  “Tired,” she says, laying her head on his chest. It’s a little past her normal naptime, so that doesn’t surprise me one bit.

  “You ready to take a nap? Daddy can go lay you down,” he tells her, and she nods her little head against his chest.

  “I guess I’ll be right back. Do you need anything?” he offers.

  “Can you refill my water bottle for me, please?” I ask, handing him the empty bottle.

  “Sure can.” He leans down to kiss me. Before he stands back up, I kiss Anna on her cheek.

  “Have a good nap, sweetie,” I say quietly against her skin before Scott stands back up and takes off down the trail back to the cabin.

  “Are you going to catch a fish for us to eat for dinner tonight?” I call out to Michael. He loves fishing right here on the banks of the river. He’s growing up so fast. I can’t believe that he’s already old enough to start kindergarten in just a few weeks.

  “Yep!” he exclaims excitedly as he messes with his fishing pole. “Dad’s going to help me.”

  “Good, Mommy’s hungry for some yummy fish tonight.”

  “When are we going to Grandma and Grandpa’s?” he asks, out of the blue.

  “In two more sleeps, we’ll see them again. We have to pack up and head back to Anchorage, and we’ll be there for a couple of days. Then we have to fly back home so you can start school and Daddy can start his new job.”

  “Can I have another sleepover with Grandpa before we go?” he asks.

  “I’m sure we can arrange for that to happen,” I tell him as I wander over to where he’s playing. We find some great rocks to skip along the water as we enjoy the beautiful summer day.

  “Here’s your water. Sorry it took me a bit longer than I expected. Jacob called and wanted to discuss a few coaching-related things.”

  “Thanks, everything good back in Indy?” I ask him, taking a big gulp of the cold water.

  “Yes, all is good. He’s ready for me to return so we can get to work. He’s got some large shoes to fill in the roster, and he wants to fill them with the right players that will continue to propel the team on to a winning record.”

  “I’m excited to see how the new team shakes out and what they can do as a new unit,” I tell him, leaning into his side. Scott wraps his arm around me, pulling me in closer to him.

  “You feeling okay?” he questions. “You looked a little pale earlier.”

  “I’ve been feeling extremely tired and a little off today, now that you mention it.”

  “Are you late?” he questions. Since deciding last month that we’re ready to add another little one to the mix, we’ve been actively trying to get pregnant again.

  “Not yet, and still a little early to test, but if my symptoms continue, then I’m going to guess it’s a big possibility that we’ve done it again,” I tell him honestly.

  “Really?!” he says, the excitement pouring out of his voice. “When will it be time to test?”

  “A few more days, at least. Once we’re back in Anchorage, if I’m still having symptoms and no period, then I’ll go grab a test and take it.”

  Scott squeezes me a little closer, dropping his lips to the top of my head where he kisses me. “Love you, Bec.”

  “I love you, too,” I say, looking up at him. I push up onto my toes and plant my lips against his.

  “Daddy! Help me catch a fish!” Michael calls out, breaking us out of our moment.

  “All right, buddy. Let’s catch us a fish.”

  I watch as my boys grab their fishing poles. Scott helps Michael get his all set up and the hook set, then cast out into the water before he does the same to his own. They sit next to each other in camping chairs along the edge of the water, holding their poles. I stand back and let them have this time together. Michael loves getting to spend unlimited time with Scott during the summer due to him being gone a lot during the season. I love seeing how amazing of a father Scott is to our kids. He loves spending time with them—whether it’s fishing with Michael or playing babies with Anna, he embraces it all.

  I sit back down in my own chair and pull out my kindle. With Anna down for her nap and the boys busy fishing, I take advantage of the time. I get lost in the story and am drawn out when I hear Anna call out over the baby monitor. I set my kindle down and head up the path to the cabin, going in and getting her up from her nap.

  “Hey, baby girl. Did you have a good nap?” I reach into the pack-and-play and pick her up. She snuggles into my arms, tucking her face against my neck as she always does. “How about some milk and a snack?” I ask her, walking with her into the kitchen. I set her down on a chair, then fill her cup with milk. I grab her a cheese stick and offer her both, now that she’s woken up a little more.

  “Dada,” she says, pointing to the door once she’s finished her milk and cheese.

  “You want to go see Dada and brother?” I ask, picking her up again. She nods her head, as I head back outside. She squirms to be let down as soon as we’re outside, so I let her down. I follow behind as she toddles down the path, stopping every few feet to check out the rocks and flowers along the path down to the river bank.

  “Daddy!” Anna screeches once s
he catches sight of Scott. When we return, Scott is helping Michael with a fish they caught while I was up in the house with Anna.

  “Hi, baby girl. Did you have a good nap?” he asks as she closes the distance between them. I follow behind closely as she’s getting a little too close to the water’s edge for my comfort, and I don’t need her getting in the way while the boys clean and cut the fish.

  “Anna,” I call out to her. “Come help Mommy over here.” I hold up some toys we’d brought down earlier.

  “No. Daddy!” she states. She’s a daddy’s girl through and through, always choosing Scott over me whenever she can.

  “Okay, we can stand here, near Daddy, but we have to let him finish before he can pick you up,” I tell her, pulling her into my arms. She doesn’t like it, but she stays put as we watch the boys finish up with the fish.

  “Give me that baby!” I tell my brother, Ben, after he arrives at our house with his wife, Ashley, and their baby girl, Faith.

  “Give me a minute.” He carries in her car seat and sets it down on the counter. “Let me get her out and changed. Unless you want to change her, that is,” he says, giving me a pointed look.

  “I wouldn’t want to deprive you of the new dad responsibilities,” I tease him. “That, and I’ve changed enough poopy diapers to last me a lifetime, thank you very much,” I add, as he pulls my brand spanking new niece out of her car seat. Compared to Anna, she looks like such a small peanut.

  I wait, not so patiently, as he changes Faith, then wraps her back up like a little baby burrito and hands her over to me. I bring her up close to my face, breathing in that new baby smell. I feel the softness of her skin, count her ten little fingers and toes. “She’s perfect,” I whisper, yet loud enough Ben hears me.

  “I’ll agree with you on that statement,” he tells me, as he watches me with his daughter.

  “How are things going so far? Are you getting enough sleep? Is Ashley?”

  “We’re all doing as well as we can be. Sleep has been a little lacking, but hopefully that will change once Faith has her days and nights completely back to normal.”

  “I’m here to break it to you, brother of mine. Sleep will not ever return to what it was like, pre-kids.”

  “Our new normal then.” He laughs.

  “But they are worth it, I promise,” I tell him as I snuggle Faith. “Hi, Momma,” I say to Ashley as she joins us. “How are you doing?”

  “Good, just tired,” she tells me, taking a seat on one of the stools at our counter.

  “Can I get you anything? Water, wine, beer, soda?” I offer.

  “Water would be great.”

  I pull out a glass and fill it for her. “Has she been nursing well for you?”

  “Somewhat. I had the pediatrician check to see if she’s tongue-tied today at our first check-up and she is, so we’re going to get that clipped this week and hope that it helps fix some of the issues we’ve been having these past couple of days.”

  “Anna was the same way and it made a night-and-day difference. It was a super quick procedure and she healed quick.”

  “Oh, good. I couldn’t remember if either of your kids had it or not. I don’t like the idea of my baby needing something done, but I’d rather get it fixed now than have to deal with it later.”

  “Exactly. Do it before she’s old enough to remember it happening.”

  We move out into the living room where we can all relax and visit a little more comfortably.

  “Hey, guys,” Scott says, coming in from the backyard where he’s been with the kids.

  “Uncle Ben!” Michael excitedly calls out to my brother.

  “Hey, buddy, how was the cabin?”

  “So fun! I got to catch fish and play outside!”

  “Awesome! I wish we could have come with you guys this year,” he tells him.

  “Me too,” Michael says, climbing up in his lap. Anna toddles her way over to me, interested in who I’m holding. She might be Daddy’s little girl, but that doesn’t mean that Mom can hold other babies.

  “Anna, can you say hi to your new cousin, Faith?” I say to my daughter as I help her climb up next to me on the couch.

  “Baby!” she says excitedly, pointing to Faith.

  “Yes, this is baby Faith,” I tell her, helping her touch her hand. “Gentle.”

  “Can I hold the baby?” Michael asks.

  “Go wash your hands first, then come sit next to me and I’ll help you,” I tell him, and he hops off the couch toward the bathroom.

  “You guys thinking of having more kids?” Ben asks as we wait for Michael to return.

  “Thinking about it,” I tell him, my eyes seeking out Scott’s from across the room. I plan to test tomorrow morning if my period doesn’t show up before then.

  “I’ve washed my hands, Mommy,” Michael says, coming to stand next to me.

  “Sit here, buddy,” Ben instructs, patting the couch cushion next to him. Once he’s settled, I lean over Anna and place Faith in his lap. Ben helps situate Michael’s arms so he’s cradling her, then keeps his hands close by to help him, if needed. He keeps her in his hands for a minute or two before he’s over it. Ben takes her as she starts to stir, and hands her over to Ashley, as it appears Faith is ready to eat.

  “We had a question for you guys,” Scott says once we’ve all finished our dinner. The kids are playing quietly, and Faith is asleep in Ashley’s arms.

  “What’s up?” Ben says.

  “With my new job, we’re not going to have as much time off each summer to come back home, like we have in the past. We’ve been talking about our places up here and have decided it’s time to either rent this house out long-term or sell it. We know you guys have been looking at buying a place of your own and wanted to offer up our house, either as a long-term rental or if you want to buy it, then go that route.”

  “Wow, that’s an amazing offer. We love this house,” Ben says.

  “It has always been one of my dream houses!” Ashley says, a little shocked at Scott’s question.

  “Think about it, talk about it, and let us know in a few days. We don’t expect an answer tonight, we just wanted to put the option out there. It wasn’t an easy decision for us to come to, as we love it here, but it just doesn’t make sense to keep three places, between our house in Indy, this house, and the cabin.”

  “We’ll definitely think about it and let you guys know,” Ashley says. “If we were to buy it, did you guys have a price in mind yet? My only concern is that we can’t afford a house this big.”

  “It’s worth around a half million, which we realize is probably out of your price range, so if it’s something that you guys are wanting to do, we can figure out a price we’re all comfortable with. We could also look into owner financing it for you guys.”

  “That is a bit out of our price range, so we’ll have to think about it and get back to you,” Ashley states.

  “We’re completely fine either way, so don’t feel obligated over it. We just thought we’d put the offer on the table,” I tell them.

  We continue visiting for another hour or so until it’s time to get the kids off to bed.

  “Good night, guys, we’ll see you this weekend before we take off next week. Love you all,” I tell them, giving them all hugs, then herd the kids off to the bath before tucking them in for the night.

  A few hours later, Scott and I crawl into bed. With only a few days left here in Alaska, we’re soaking in every minute of our time here.

  Once Ben and Ashley had gone home and we got the kids off to bed, we headed outside and sat out by the fire pit, and just enjoyed each other’s company. We don’t get many nights where we can simply relax like that by ourselves, so when we do, we take advantage of it.

  “Are you still planning on testing first thing in the morning?” Scott asks, once he’s settled in bed next to me.

  “That’s my plan. I picked up a test today when I was at the store.”

  “Wake me up if I’m not alre
ady up when you decide to take it.”

  “I could take it now,” I offer. My gut feeling all day has been leaning towards being pregnant, so it won’t shock me if I am.

  “It’s not too early, is it?”

  “I don’t think a few hours is going to make a huge difference at this point.”

  “If you want to, then yes, let’s find out if we’re adding to our family.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right back,” I tell him, pushing up to slide out of bed.

  “Wait just a second.” Scott reaches out and pulls me into his arms. He brings his lips to mine in a searing kiss. “Love you, Bec,” he says, his lips still pressed to mine.

  “I love you, too,” I tell him, kissing him once more before I slip out of bed and head into the master bathroom. Once the test is taken and I’ve washed my hands, I set a timer on my phone and take both my phone and the test out with me and set them both on the nightstand, then climb back into bed.

  “How long do we wait?” Scott asks as I settle next to him, his arm coming instinctively around me, pulling me close to his side. I rest my head on his chest and link our fingers together.

  “Five minutes total, so we’ve only got a couple more to go.”

  “We’re going to be outnumbered,” Scott muses.

  “Tell me about it. I’m kinda scared about the thought of that. I don’t know how I’m going to get three kids out of the house by myself. Grocery delivery will have to become my go-to, I’m thinking,” I tell him as the timer on my phone goes off.

  “Ready for the moment of truth?” He reaches over and shuts off the alarm on my phone.

  “As I’ll ever be,” I tell him. He grabs the test and holds it up for us to look at the same time.

  “We’re really doing this again,” I whisper, as I read the digital screen that says pregnant.

  Scott tosses the test back on the nightstand and rolls me under him. “We really are. I love you so damn much, Becca. Thank you,” he says before dropping a kiss to my lips. “Thank you for saying yes to me.” A kiss to my jaw. “Thank you for marrying me.” A kiss to my collar bone. “Thank you for giving me the best kids in this world.” He sucks a very sensitive nipple into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the stiffened peak. “For making me the happiest man on this earth.” He moves to the other breast, lavishing it just as he did the first. “But most of all, thank you for being you and for loving me,” he says as he pushes inside me, filling me with one thrust.