"So when is your mother returning darling?"
Julie eyed the woman sitting across from her carefully, trying to discern if she was genuine or not, by this point she really couldn't tell, "In a few days," her gaze briefly flickered over to her father, "from what I hear she and Britta are having a really good time."
"That's good," David said without conviction and asked about what he really wanted to know, "When's Adam going to be here again?"
Julie smiled, "I pick him up in two days after work." And she was really looking forward to ringing in the New Year with him. He was lucky enough to have a day off between traveling and insisted on coming to see her. And she was happy for that seeing as how Gunnar had a game that night and was spending time with both of their mothers.
"It's a shame he can only stay for one day," David pursed his lips, "I always did like that boy, are you sure he's not the father of your baby instead of the foreigner?"
"David," Carolyn lightly tapped his arm with her hand in dismay, "honestly, I wish you would think about the things you say to your daughter sometimes."
With a long, loud sigh Julie pushed back from the table after placing down her eating utensils, "Help yourselves to the door when you're done and don't bother coming to visit tomorrow."
As soon as Julie stood Carolyn rose to her feet as well and hurried around the table, she placed one hand on the younger girl's shoulder and peered down at her with apologetic eyes, "I'm sorry darling; from what I've seen Gunnar is a nice young man."
"Carolyn, while I do appreciate the effort you are putting in, you can't make apologies for my father. Thank you, I have enjoyed getting to know you," her eyes turned to seek out her dad and said, "but I will not listen as he puts him down. I'm tired of hearing about him being a foreigner, or the fact that he can't be here every day. It's my life and my decision and I am not about to be sorry for loving him or our baby."
David put down his napkin and stood, "Honey, it's not that, throw an old man a bone here. Do you know how hard it is for me to even think of you doing something to get pregnant? I've known Adam, I am used to him. This other guy," he put up his hands, "I have no idea who he is."
"Trust me; there will be plenty of opportunities to get to know him because he's not going anywhere. Even if it doesn't work out between me and him he's made it clear that he's going to be in his son's life. You know what I think?" Julie curled a fist on her hip, "I think you don't like the fact that he doesn't roll over to try and impress you."
Her father severely frowned, "You are wrong there sweetheart, if there is one thing the boy's got going for him it's that he stands up for himself. Can't you see how difficult it is for me to sit here and see you all lovey dovey with this guy I don't even know? I didn't say I don't like the kid, I can admit that he seems like he's a decent guy. But Julie, you're my daughter. When your baby comes you will know what I'm talking about."
Carolyn huffed and crossed her arms, "Not everything is about you David. You should consider how your attitude and disparaging comments affect her. She's carrying your grandson and here you are making her so upset."
Julie was more than a little surprised at how upset her dad's fiancé actually was over this stupid argument, "Dad, I love him," she laughed to herself and wrapped her arms around her middle, "I love him so much it makes me crazy. I don't know what else to tell you, I'm still your daughter but you have to see I'm not a little girl anymore."
David sighed, "Baby I know, I just want to make sure you are taken care of."
Carolyn actually laughed at that, "Clearly there is no reason to worry when it comes to her being cared for, the boy is smitten. Why else would he put a ring on her finger, send flowers, and leave that last gift for her to find after he left? He loves her David, stop being so childish about it before you drive her away for good." Honestly, her own fiancé could learn a thing or two from the Icelander.
The engaged couple shared a long look together while Julie blushed and smiled to herself. True enough Gunnar kept to his habit of sending her something once he had to leave. The flowers were actually a poinsettia plant but with red and white roses mixed in; they were lovely and kept her in the whole spirit of the holiday season. As for the last gift he sent, because apparently the extraordinarily beautiful oval sapphire and diamond promise ring wasn't enough, she opened a box wrapped in light blue paper and found it filled with classic nursery rhymes and children's stories. There were even a few in Icelandic and knew that Britta must have had a hand in helping him.
"Alright," David moved to hug his pregnant daughter, "I promise I'll ease up when it comes to Gunnar. Like I said it's not that I don't like him, I'm just having a hard time getting used to all this. My baby is having a baby."
And for the first time in probably two years Julie let her dad hold her close. He needed to understand that Gunnar was in her life and she wanted him to be. By that same token though she needed to understand that this was hitting him a little harder than she first realized.
They finally ended up finishing dinner with Carolyn providing most to the conversation while the two Gaffney's were lost to their thoughts. Hopefully things were finally settled between them. Because Carolyn was right, if her dad couldn't accept Gunnar or their son then she was afraid of what that might mean.
Julie decided to get to bed later that night and just as she was falling asleep got a phone call from her mom. She could hear Britta's enthusiastic laughter in the background as they told her about their day. They were still at the arena in Carolina and celebrating the King's thrilling overtime win. In all honesty she was a little jealous of them yet understood why she couldn't go with them. Not only did she have to work but she also didn't think it was a good idea to fly at 7 months pregnant.
Hanging up with Sophie she turned her light off and with her hand on her chest lightly holding the crown pendant she never removed from around her neck she fell asleep. Only to wake up a couple hours later thanks to several elbows and kicks her son was throwing. Sitting up and turning the lamp back on she ran her hands soothingly over her belly. Nope, not tonight, because tonight her baby was up and determined to keep her awake with him. So with a sigh she stood up and began to gently pace her room, talking quietly and hoped he would settle down soon.
Checking the clock she saw it was just after one in the morning and thought about calling Gunnar. Considering he would either be asleep or already on a plane to New York she decided against it and sent a goodnight text instead. And yeah, she was a little surprised when her phone rang just a minute later. Guess their travel day was tomorrow.
Before she could even say hello he was already talking, "Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
Julie smiled at his sleepy voice, "I was, but your son decided to wake me up."
"He's just excited because his daddy got a goal tonight," they shared a small laugh, "I miss you."
"I miss you too, and congratulations on the goal and win," she continued to pace and let out a small breath, "I wish I could have been there."
"So do I; and I really wish you were here now. What are you doing?"
"Just walking around my room in circles."
Gunnar chuckled, "Our little boy must be wide awake. I have an idea; try to lie down on your side." At her silence he let out a sigh, "Julie, come lay with me."
She groaned, "If only I could."
"You will, just do it." Gunnar waited as he heard her stretch back out over her bed, "Now close your eyes and listen to my voice, I want to tell you what I would do if we were together right now. First I would climb in next to you and pull you into my arms. You don't know how much I love to hold you Julie; you are always so soft and warm. I would kiss your shoulders and your neck and let my hands get lost in your hair. Just thinking about being with you turns me on. I'd make love to you, so tender and perfect like it always is between us. Then I'd hold you close with your head on my chest and for the rest of the night nothing could touch us, it would just be you and me and our baby. Can you feel it Julie, can you feel how much I love you?"
"I feel it," she breathed out with her eyes still closed and wrapped her arm over her tummy, "I feel you."
They spoke in whispered tones for another hour, who would have thought that one little precious mistake could lead to this? What was only supposed to be one magical night turned into something rare and unexpected yet so beautiful.
Julie woke up the next morning and found their call was still connected. She listened in closely and could just make out the soft breaths he made in sleep. It was nice and it almost felt like he was right there with her the whole night through.
"Gunnar? I know you're sleeping but I still want to say I love you. I don't think you'll ever know just how much you mean to me. You took me by surprise from the very start. I wish I hadn't been so scared to come to you. That's my only regret, not trusting you or even myself. I can't wait until we get meet our son," there was a smile in her voice. "There's so much more I want to say. You've changed my life Gunnar, and I can't thank you enough for it. Sweet dreams, I love you."
And quietly she disconnected the line not knowing the man lying in yet another hotel room was in that state of half asleep and half awake. His eyes were still closed but took in every word with a gentle smile tugging at his lips. It was lucky for him that his teammate didn't get in until after he and Julie were already sleeping, must have been some party. Gunnar had been invited, of course, but he spent time with Britta and Sophie after the game and decided to just head up and get some sleep instead of heading out with the boys.
Getting that text from Julie was a surprise and he instinctively called her, now he was so glad that he did. He could care less about any charges he might get through the hotel for staying on the line all night. Because in a way he was able to fall asleep with his girl, no wonder he felt so rested now. Julie Gaffney, she'd changed his life too. And maybe he shouldn't keep sending her gifts all the time but now that he was so comfortable and welcome to the idea of being a father, he wanted to somehow thank her for giving him the greatest gift she could possibly give. No amount of money he spent on her or their baby would ever compare to the fact that she was carrying his son.
She was giving him a life, a family. And he vowed to not follow in his father's footsteps and abandon her. How could he when his heart was already so incredibly involved? And the knowledge of their future together was changing him as a man and as an athlete. He was more serious now with his training and role on the ice. Before Julie came into his life with the news of their baby on the way, he could admit that he let some of the parties and new money get to him. It was a drastic lifestyle change from having almost nothing to be able to get anything he wanted. But he had a family to work for now, to provide for. And his work ethic was catching the attention of his Coach and other teammates. Out of all the rookies that participated in the pre-season and had the opportunity to play the first few regular season games, he was the only one with the club that earned a roster spot. There were a few reasons for this but mainly most of the guys were a couple years younger considering he didn't enter the draft until he was already 20 years old. In that essence alone he was that much more developed and proved he was ready to play at the professional level.
Gunnar let out a deep breath as he put the phone back on the receiver and whispered to himself, "Thank you Julie, thank you for everything."