Disclaimer: Disney owns the Mighty Ducks. I own Terry (not like you'd want to use her anyway). God owns me. All material referring to the NHL was current as of the beginning of the 2002- 2003 season. It is not current for this season.
A/N: No one asked me for the reason behind my insanity. Usually Ice would have complained about the impossibility of Wing and Terry having kids, but since Ice's computer is still dead, I must justify my idea before anyone gets too mad. In the field of developmental biology, research is done on chicken eggs. The reason for this is because humans and chickens (ducks) develop in similar way. So in other words we are more closely related then you think. (Not on an evolution standpoint, but on a developmental. God must have planned it that way. The three-layer system is amazingly complex that it could not have formed by mere chance. So other animals develop the same way we do in some respects. If you want to learn more take a developmental biology class with Dr. White. You'll learn more then you wanted to.) Anyway, this is how I see it; since ducks have eggs and we don't you'll understand Tanya's confusion at the last scene. I can't ruin every thing, now can I? So without any further adieu, on with the fic
Knowing You
Chapter 3
By Silver Elf Child
Four and a half months later
Mac quietly entered his apartment at ten thirty p.m. He was surprised to find the lights on. Terry was at the stove cooking something that smelled absolutely scrumptious and his mouth began to salivate. He crept up behind her and wrapped his arms around her extremely swollen belly.
"Hello, Mac."
"Hi, baby. What are you still doing up?"
"Making dinner."
"You should have eaten when you got home."
"I hate eating without you."
"Go sit down. I'll finish here."
"Oh no you don't."
"Please Terry. You shouldn't be on your feet."
She kissed his cheek and began to set the table for their meal. He quickly checked on the food before removing the dishes from her hands. She knew that she was not going to win, so she struggled into a chair at the table. She watched him finish frying the chicken fried steaks, pour out the water from the pot of boiling potatoes, mash the potatoes, stir the gravy, and pour the milk.
Mac prepared their plates and brought the evening meal to the table. The Sluggers bowed their heads in prayer before they ate their dinner. Mac finished before Terry, excused himself from the table and went to wash the dishes.
"Terry, you should think about taking maternity leave."
"Mac, we can't afford it."
"I don't care. You need to take care of yourself. By the way, did you get that appointment?"
"Yes I did, but the insurance won't kick in till several months after the baby is born."
"Does it really matter?"
"Yes it does, Mac. We can't afford the doctor visits."
"We'll make do."
"I wish I shared your optimism."
Mac smiled. The pregnancy was taking its toll on Terry's good nature. She was over worked and always cranky due to the long hours and raging hormones. He knew that she was happy, even though her temperament spoke other wise. He would just have to be happy for the two of them. And her constant worry about money did not help ease her mind or nerves. He knew that the Lord would see them through. He had brought them this far, why would He abandon them now? Mac put the pan he was washing down and walked over to Terry. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed the back of her neck. It was in moments like these that Terry was thankful to have an understanding husband. "I'm grumpy again, aren't I?"
"It's all right, Ter, I love you anyway."
"Oh!"
"What is it?"
"Here," she grabbed his hand and placed it on her side. "Your sons jumping again."
"How do you know it's a boy? It can be a girl."
"Don't you want a son?"
"I wouldn't hold it against you if it were a girl. Boy or girl, I don't care, as long as we are a family."
Terry kissed his cheek and hummed softly to the new life growing inside her. Mac smiled as he too looked down at her stomach. The motion beneath his hand was invigorating. The thought that this child was his was amazing. Then he remembered why he had stopped washing dishes. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the tiny slips of paper. "Terry."
"Mmm hmm."
"I got you something." He reached around her and displayed the slips to her.
Terry steadied his hand to read the papers before crying out, "Mac, what were you thinking?! We can't afford these!"
"It's better to live our lives then to worry about money, Terry. The Lord will supply the rest."
"Mac, the Lord only bestows his gifts when the first ones are not wasted on useless pleasures."
Mac said nothing as his smile broadened.
"Mac, take them back."
"I can't. My work gave them to me."
Terry let his words sink in before slapping his hand away. "Why didn't you say that in the first place?"
"Because I love seeing that fire in your eyes."
She playfully slapped him in the arm before struggling to her feet. He helped her out of the chair and gave her a hug. This was why he loved Terry so much. She couldn't stay mad at him for too long, and when she was happy it made him happy as well. They finished cleaning the kitchen before heading off to bed.
***
Terry's slept peacefully by Mac's side as he laid in bed starring at the ceiling. She sighed in her sleep and he looked over at her. He moved closer to her and pulled the covers up to their chins. He loved to watch her sleep. He placed his hand on her abdomen, but he did not feel the baby move. He figured that the child was asleep. Most nights the child's activities ceased to let his or her mother rest. Mac closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. He awoke when he heard the sound of a woman humming softly a tune he distinctly remembered, yet could not remember where from. A large weight was in his lap and he was sitting up.
"Support his head dear."
Mac struggled to comply with the woman's request.
"Like this, Wing," the female duck said tenderly as she helped him accomplish the task.
Mac looked down and found a baby duck nestled in his small arms. The mother duck turned from him and started to hum again. The duckling looked up at him before smiling and gurgling happily. He didn't know where he was, but the feeling seemed familiar. The love he felt for the two ducks was immeasurable.
Mac lost the image when he felt Terry roll over. He looked at his sleeping wife and smiled. The love the felt for her and their child was the same he had felt from his dream. Somehow his imagination had transformed his brunet human wife into a blond female duck. The image was inviting, and at the same time terrifying. What if his child looked like him and not Terry? The child would be tormented in school!
***
Mac descended the narrow staircase carrying a tray loaded with food. Nachos, fries, hot dogs, sodas, soft pretzels, candy, and churros. He stopped at the designated row printed on his ticket and he waited for his oversized wife to teeter her way slowly down the stadiums steep steps.
"Did you have to get tickets this close?"
"I thought the closer the seats were to the ice, the better they were?"
"Not when I have to climb up them carrying this bowling ball you call a child."
Mac laughed. Terry hadn't lost her sense of humor after all. Terry walked down the aisle to her seat followed by Mac and the munchies. (This of course is just the appetizers. Wait till he has to go get the Una Mas and Round Table Pizza.)
Mac sat down next to Terry and put the food under his seat. He leaned over and gave her a kiss. The ice was empty, but soon it would be crawling with hockey players. The stadium was starting to fill up, but the majority of the seats were still empty. A group of children were gathering around a small area around the rink in anticipation of obtaining a small souvenir. The San Jose Sharks skated out onto the ice with much fanfare to prepare for the pregame skate. Mac leaned towards Terry as she told Mac who each player was. Patrick Marleau was one of the Sharks top scorers and fastest skater. Evgeni Nabokov was their starting goaltender and one of the top 50 NHL players for the 2001- 2002 season. Jonathan Cheechoo was the newest rookie (and quite a hottie I might add, so is Marleau, but too bad he's got a girlfriend.) Mike Rathje was the best defensive defenseman even though he tended to shy away from the major hits. His large size was perfect for the position, but he didn't throw his weight around. Teemu Selanne was defiantly their overall most skilled player. Mike Ricci, who has been dubbed the sexiest man in the NHL (Yuck!) was not only the Charlie Hustle of the team, but also the best defensive forward.
"Is he missing teeth?" Mac asked.
"Yes, most players in the NHL that have been in the league a while are missing a few."
Mac wrinkled his beak. Was the sport that competitive? Terry laughed at his expression. "Don't worry Mac, if we are lucky there will be a fight. Either that or someone will get hit hard enough to draw blood."
Mac gave Terry a skeptical sideways look. *And she likes this sport, why?*
"Don't worry dear, I was only joking."
The Sharks exited the ice and Sharkie, their mascot, came out onto the ice to energize the crowd. (NOW that is the sexiest of all the Sharks. I just love a man in uniform.)
"So when does the game start?" Mac asked.
"In twenty minutes, why?"
"Just enough time to eat my snack," Mac cracked his knuckles.
Terry smiled and shook her head. "Aren't you going to share?"
Mac took a huge bite out of a hot dog and shook his head no. Terry wrestled the partially eaten hot dog from him and began to eat it. Mac laughed as he opened the other hot dog that was stashed under his seat.
"Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls, welcome to the Tank for tonight's NHL game of your San Jose Sharks vs. the Anaheim Mighty Ducks." (Were you expecting the New Jersey Devils?)
When the announcer said Sharks' the crowd burst into cheers. When he mentioned Ducks' the crowd let out a round of boo's. Terry clasped onto Mac's arm and booed loudly and Mac followed suit.
"The Ducks starting line up right wing, Mallory McMallard, left wing Nosedive Flashblade, center, Duke L'Orange, defense Grin Hardwing, and Tanya Drakeson. And in goal Jean-Sebastian Giguere."
"This should be an easy win tonight," Terry whispered to Mac. "Ever since they lost their star goalie they suck."
"The line up for your San Jose Sharks right wing, Teemu Selanne, left wing, Marco Sturm, center, Patrick Marleau, defense, Mike Rathje and Jeff Jillson. And in goal Evgeni Nabokov!"
The crowd cheered wildly for Nabby, as they call him, as well as Selanne and Marleau.
The game stated when the linesman dropped the puck at center ice and the Sharks won the first face off. The battle was for possession was immense and the two teams spent an overwhelming amount of time in the neutral zone. With five minutes left in the first period the Sharks were finally able to gain possession and go on the attack. Todd Harvey passed the puck to Alexander Korolyuk who centered it to Jonathan Cheechoo. Cheechoo ripped off a quick wrist shot.
Mac suddenly saw a flash before his eyes and saw the puck coming at him. He instantly reacted and jumped in his seat. The horn blew and Mac shook his head. The crowd around him was on their feet celebrating the first goal of the game. Terry sat next to him with a large smile on her face rubbing her round belly. "Your son is enjoying himself."
"What?" Mac yelled over all the noise.
Terry leaned closer, "We've got a hockey fan on our hands."
Mac smiled as he placed his hand on her stomach. He could have sworn that the child was doing the crazy dance for the goal.
The second period was a little more exciting. Duke won the first face off. Tanya picked up the puck and sent it sailing across the ice to Mallory who raced it up the ice. Mallory was checked into the corner and Duke grabbed the loose puck. He tried a snap shot from the top of the left circle, but Nabokov was a human wall that no puck could penetrate.
The referee blew the whistle to bring the face off to the left dot in the face off circle. The Sharks won the face off and sent the puck behind the net and around the boards. Grin beat the puck to the blue line and kept it in the zone. He had a clear shot and he took it. Nabokov blocked the slap shot with ease, but gave up a rebound. Nosedive, who was centered in front of the net, was at the right spot at the right time. He gained control of the loose puck and fired it on net. Dive couldn't believe it as Nabokov kicked up his right leg and blocked the wrist shot. The puck bounced back to Dive and he quickly fired off a flip shot. Nabby was caught off guard as he laid on the ice. He couldn't get up because Adam Graves had been pushed into the crease by Duke and was standing on top of him. The puck flew over Nabby's right shoulder and into the net. The game was now tied at one all.
The battle for that goal was pretty exciting, but the Sharks came back with two more goals, thirty seconds apart. Each time the Sharks shot on Giguere, Mac would see a bright flash and be transported mentally to the ice, before another flash and he would be back in the stands.
By the end of the second period the Sharks were winning three to one. A major headache was beginning to pound against Mac's skull and Terry was becoming restless.
"I want to see the Sharks win, but I don't want them to score any more goals."
"Why not? I thought if they got four goals we got free pizza?"
"We do, but every time they score, your son kicks me. That last goal was very painful."
"He's your son too, Terry. Besides what if it's a girl?"
"Don't you want a son?"
"Yes, but I wouldn't mind having a daughter either. I'm not picky."
"Mac, you're a treasure," Terry laughed as she struggled to her feet.
"Where are you going?"
"Upstairs."
"If you keep this up you're going to have outstanding calves."
"I already have outstanding calves, thank you."
Mac waited impatiently for Terry's return. The third period was about to begin and she still wasn't back. How many times did a woman have to go to the bathroom in one evening? She had already been there five times! Terry pushed her way down the aisle and back to her seat. "Made it."
"How many times are you going to go?"
Terry smiled fondly at Mac. "As many times as it takes since your son has decided that it would be fun to flatten my bladder to nothing."
"Terry!"
"Watch the game, Mac," Terry blandly remarked turning her attention to the ice.
The fans could tell that the Ducks were becoming frustrated with their lack of goals. At the moment Brad Stuart and Brandon Smith, two of the Sharks defensemen, were preventing them from getting into the offensive zone. Tonight was not their night, as Scott Thornton and Vincent Damphousse charged in to score again. Thornton (whose doggie, Gus, is the chunkiest golden lab I have ever seen and the sweetest thing. Oh yeah he also sprained my wrist.) received the pass and headed to the net. He fired off his backhand just as Mac experienced yet another blinding flash that teleported him visually, in his mind, to the ice. Giguere quickly snatched the puck out of the air and held it for the whistle.
"Are you okay, Mac?" Terry asked.
Mac opened his squinted eyes and looked at his concerned wife. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a headache."
"If you are not feeling good we could go home."
"But I thought you wanted to see the Sharks play?"
"I did see them play. Your son is just too excited to let me finish the game peacefully."
"Terry, it's almost over. Can we please" Mac winced in pain and instantly reached to cover his eyes in a futile attempt to stop the pain.
"Mac, we should Look OUT!"
Terry ducked against his chest as Mac shot his hand up and grabbed the flying projectile out of mid air. Terry was obviously shaken by the small object, but Mac was amazed that he had caught the hard rubber article with his eyes closed. His image was instantly displayed on the jumbotron as the lucky owner of the puck.
"When will we get a break?" Nosedive muttered to himself as he skated to the face off circle. He knew that they were loosing, but he couldn't help himself. He looked up, out of habit, to check the score. He almost fell backwards when he saw Mac sitting happily in the crowd waving the puck around. "Mal," Dive instinctively grabbed the red heads arm.
"What?"
"Look."
"We're loosing, Dive. I know. I don't have to be shown."
"No, look."
Mallory looked up and stood motionless. After two years of searching and giving up all hope, they had finally found their leader.
"Will you two love birds snap out" Duke began to grumble, but stopped when Mallory latched onto his arm. He gave her a puzzled look as she pointed at the large screen hanging over the ice. Duke rolled his eye before glancing at the image. "Wildwing!"
"It can't be," Tanya muttered as she came to a halt near the others.
"It's him, Tanya. I knew he was alive!" Dive said happily.
"But we can't get to him."
"Hold on, I have an idea." Dive skated over to the referee and discussed something.
"Out of the question," the ref said shaking his head no and skating away from Dive.
"Stanley! That's my brother! You know that he's been missing. Why can't you help me? I've never asked anything from you before, please just get security over there and take him to our locker room. Please."
Stanley Strazinsky closed his eyes and sighed. "All right, but no more favors."
"Thanks Stanley, you're the best."
The referee skated over to the officials box and talked to the score keeper before skating back to start the game again.
"Mac, let's just go home. The baby is getting overly excited and I can't take any more jumping."
"Okay, we'll go."
Mac helped Terry to her feet and they started to leave. They were greeted by the Tank's security when they reached the top of the stairs.
"Are you all right ma'am?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"She's tired," Mac informed.
"You look like you're ready to pop," commented another security officer.
"Let's be safe and have the paramedics check you out."
The security guards escorted Mac and Terry below the stadium to where the paramedics waited. Most nights they were lucky to just sit back and watch a good hockey game. On rare occasions they were called to do medical treatments. Tonight was an extremely rare occasion, because they had never treated a pregnant woman before.
"I said I was fine. My husband has a headache and I'm tired. Will you please let us go home."
Terry continued to try and convince the paramedics that she was not sick. Mac stood back and let the cool dampness of his current surroundings bathe over him and sooth his headache. Out of no where someone grabbed him and held him in a bear hug. He looked down and found a blond head pressing against his chest.
"What? Who are you?"
"Wing I found you. I finally found you," Nosedive sobbed as he clung to his brother.
"Excuse me, I think you have me confused with someone else."
Dive looked up and his pain stricken eyes met Mac's. Mac was taken aback to see a duck looking up at him. He thought that he was the only one. "Who are?"
"Mac?"
Mac turned and found Terry and the other humans, security officers and paramedics, staring at him and Dive. Mac pushed Dive's hands away and took a step back.
"Wing, what's wrong?"
Mac shook his head and tried to find the words. "I don't know who you are talking about. My name is Mac."
"Wing, it's me! Nosedive, your baby brother. Don't you remember me?"
"I've never met you before in my life."
Nosedive's beak dropped. How could Wildwing not know who he was? Why was he acting so strange? Who was that woman he kept looking at? Where had he been all these years? What was causing Wildwing to be ignorant of his true self?
"Wing it's me."
"I don't know you." Mac quickly turned toward Terry to leave.
"WILDWING!"
Mac turned to face the emotional hockey player.
"You said you would never leave me! You promised to protect me. How could you have forgotten me?"
Mac proceeded to walk away as Mallory and Duke tired to comfort their young teammate.
"Excuse me."
Terry stopped and looked at the friendly female voice, "yes."
"Would you two mind coming with me?" Tanya asked.
"I'm sorry, but we have to get home," Mac said firmly.
"Please, it will only take a minute."
"We really should be going."
"Mac, it's only a minute."
"Fine."
Tanya smiled and led them to the Ducks dressing room. After everyone was in the locker room Tanya closed the door. In the middle of the room was a large table covered with small drinking cups filled with water. Nosedive sat in a corner ripping off his equipment. After each article was removed he would either toss it into his hockey bag, or throw it across the room. Mallory and Duke tired to restrain the hotheaded duck, but it was a loosing battle.
"Please forgive him, he's upset that we lost," Tanya tried to comfort Mac. She could see the apprehension in his eyes.
"I think we should go."
"Yeah go! Run away, Wing. Run! I should have gone back to Puckworld and forgotten all about you!" Nosedive shouted at Mac.
"Nosedive, stop that!" Mallory scolded as she forced him to sit down.
Everyone's attention quickly turned to Terry when she gave a startled cry. Mac was standing behind her and was struggling to keep her on her feet.
"Are you all right?" Grin asked.
"I'm fine. Thank you. AHHH!"
Terry slipped from Mac's arms, but he quickly caught her before she hit the floor. He placed her back on her feet before asking, "Terry are you all right?"
"Yes. Maybe we should have gone home a little earlier. The baby is really active."
Terry composed herself and smiled sheepishly at the ducks. She and Mac turned to leave when she cried out in pain and fell to her knees. Terry grasped at her belly and began to breathe heavily.
"Terry, Terry what's wrong?" Mac panicked as he knelt by her side.
"It's too early."
"What is?" Tanya asked.
"The baby. It's coming now. I'm not due for another month!"
"Move the table," Tanya ordered as she helped Terry to the center of the room.
Duke and Grin moved the table to one side, as Dive stood speechless next to Mallory. Tanya began to take off Terry's shoes as Mac comforted his wife. Once her shoes were removed Tanya attempted to remove Terry's pants.
"What are you doing?" Terry protested.
"I have to get these off, so I can deliver your baby."
"No, it's too early."
"You don't have a choice. This child is coming right now, whether you like it or not."
"But" Terry looked over at Dive and Duke. Tanya understood the glance and nodded.
"Guys can you get me the emergency blanket from the Migartor? Grin can you get me a wet cloth please."
Nosedive and Duke raced to the migrator to get the blanket. Grin and Mallory found a small cloth in one of their hockey bags and Grin wet it with some water from one of the cups on the table. He knelt at her head and placed the wet cloth on her forehead.
"Just relax," Tanya comforted. "It's a little too soon to deliver the baby. Whatever you do, don't push."
Terry nodded and bit her lip when another contraction rippled through her body. The pain was excruciating. Grin lifted her head and placed it in his lap. Mac stayed by her side holding her hand. He whispered soothing words to her as Grin ran his fingers through her hair. Nosedive and Duke returned with the blanket and stepped back.
"What's going on?" Dive whispered to Mallory and Duke.
"She's having the baby," Duke said.
"Shouldn't she go to the hospital?" Mallory asked.
"She won't go," Duke shrugged. "The paramedics were trying earlier."
"See this is what happens when you're stubborn," Nosedive said flatly.
"So when are you going to follow your own advice?" Mallory smiled.
"As soon as I am able to do what she's doing."
"In other words, never." Duke laughed.
"Exactly!"
Terry screamed and everyone's attention flew back to the pregnant woman on the floor. Tanya continued to talk Terry through the ordeal and the other stood back wrestling with the flood of confusing emotions.
"Guys, why doesn't Wing remember me?"
"Dive I think there are more important things that need to be dealt with at the moment."
"No, I want to know what she did to Wing. Why would he forget about me and his promises?"
"I'd say he has amnesia."
"Say what?"
"Amnesia, Dive," Mallory said calmly. "He probably hit his head and lost all his memories."
"How do we make him remember?"
"Just give him time, kid."
"He's had two years!"
"Two years without us. He hasn't had the stimulation to remember us."
Terry screamed again before sobbing. "I can't do this."
"Yes you can," Mac encouraged.
"No, I can't. Mac, I can't."
"Be calm," Grin said coolly and confidently. "Relax, stay calm and believe in yourself."
"He's right, Ter. Trust in God. He has always seen you through."
"I don't think He can help this time, Mac."
"What?! This little thing. Come on, I was through much worse and I made it," he laughed. "You can do this."
Terry looked up when she felt someone take her free hand. She was surprised to see Nosedive sitting next to her. "He's right, you can do this," he said softly.
"Push!" Tanya ordered.
Terry closed her eyes, took a deep breath and pushed. Mac was concentrating on Terry, as was Grin. Nosedive looked over to Tanya, who looked like a quarter back ready to receive the snap. Dive looked down and saw Tanya holding two squirming legs. Soon the room was filled with the cries of the infant. Dive looked back to Terry with a confused look. Wasn't the baby supposed to come out headfirst? That's how all the movies and television shows portrayed it. Mallory placed a hand on Nosedive's shoulder and he stumbled to his feet. They walked away before Mallory wrapped her arms around Nosedive and held him close. Dive had not noticed that he had been shaking until Mallory took his hand and kissed it.
"I need a clean towel," Tanya ordered.
Duke jumped to action and dug out a towel from his hockey bag. Nosedive woke from his trance and he too raced to the rescue, but all he could find were two clean jerseys in his bag.
"What's this?" Tanya referred to the umbilical cord. "Mal, can you get a paramedic please."
Mallory nodded and raced out of the room. She returned with two handsome strapping men. They only had to glance once at the situation to know that Terry needed to get to the hospital. They tied off the umbilical cord and asked for something to wrap the neonate in. Duke looked around and found Dive fingering two jersey's absentmindedly. Duke ripped one of the jerseys away from the blond and handed it to the paramedic. Once swaddled, Mac was handed his son.
The paramedics left the room to retrieve a gurney. Terry looked over to Mac and smiled as she saw her son for the first time.
"What is it?"
"A boy," Tanya whispered.
Terry looked at Tanya then back to Mac. "I told you he was a boy."
Mac blinked back tears. He couldn't believe that he was holding his son. This night would change his life forever. Terry sucked in a quick exasperated breath and clutched at her stomach.
"What's wrong?"
"I thought the pains would stop after the baby was born."
Tanya instinctively placed her hand on the troubled spot and the color drained from her face.
"What's wrong, am I going to die?"
"I need another towel, quick!"
"Mac! What's wrong?"
"I don't know. It's going to be okay, Terry. Just hold on."
"Your fine," Tanya comforted. "Just the next time you feel that pain, push."
"Why?"
"Don't talk, just push."
Terry was about to object, but the pain came again. She doubled over and pushed with all her might. Grin pulled her back to a lying position and coaxed softly, "relax and be still."
Terry blinked at the huge mallard and continued to push. She was surprised to hear another child cry a few seconds later.
The paramedics raced back into the room to find another neonate to tend to. "How many are you carrying ma'am?"
"I was told one."
Terry was prepared and the second child was cleaned and swaddled in the second jersey from Dive's bag. It was by mere chance that Dive noticed that both jerseys had 00 on the back as Terry was wheeled out of the room to the awaiting ambulance.
"Wait!"
"What Nosedive?"
"They took Wing's jersey's!"
"We'll get them back at the hospital."
"I want them back now!"
"Nosedive, they need them."
"I don't care. I want Wing and those jersey's!"
To be continued in chapter four
Smile, Live, Laugh, Love and God Bless.
