miracle fan 9245: That's okay, thanks for reviewing! I know how hard school can be, lol. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Nelliebly413672: Yeah, drama! I hope you like it and after this chapter, there's more drama to come! Thanks for the review.
Emador: Glad you liked it and the preview. Thanks for the review. Yeah, I read about the balloon game on this website and I thought it would be pretty funny. Then I just had to make the guys name them, lol. Thanks for the information about the not having sex for six weeks after the baby's born. I knew there was some sort of time thing, but I didn't know what it was. Thanks again for the review!
Meadow567: You are right about the first one. That was pretty obvious. I guess the second one will be a surprise! And Bruin is cute. I never thought of that as an actual name until you mentioned it. I like it though. Anyway, thanks for the reivew.
A/N: Time for the exciting chapter! I'm sorry to say that it's only half of it. The Christmas part and one of the preview parts will be next chapter because this chapter got long. Sorry about that, but I think you'll like this one!
Chapter 19
December 12, 1979
The three weeks after the baby shower went by incredibly fast for everyone. Between practices, games, and Christmas shopping, the team seemed to be busy all of the time. Maddie was also getting bigger, and Jack started treating her like a helpless child. He never wanted her doing anything too stressful, even though the doctor assured them everything was completely normal and Maddie and the baby were both in excellent condition.
Maddie had a doctor's appointment the day before, and they decided that induction was the best method to assure the baby's birth didn't interfere with the Olympics. Providing everything continued to go as well as it already had, the baby's birthday would be Thursday, January, 31. Maddie immediately bought a calender and marked "happy birthday baby" on the day.
After practice that afternoon, Maddie was just wrapping up in the locker room when Herb asked to see her in his office. She followed him up there, and he asked her to sit down a minute.
"I'm bringing in another player," Herb told her. At first, Maddie didn't think she heard him right. She didn't think he could possibly have meant another player for the Olympics, because they were only two months away. As if answering Maddie's thoughts, Herb said, "Tim Harrer. He's a good player and I need someone that's going to be looking to net."
"What?" Maddie asked, still a little surprised. "I mean, the games are only two months away. Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"I need to do what's right for my team. And with the way Tim plays, he deserves a chance. It's not definite, but it's a possibility. We'll see how things go over the next few days." Maddie knew Herb was prone to playing games and testing people, and she just hoped that this was another one of them. Whether it was or not, she hoped Tim didn't stay on the team. Maddie didn't want to see any of her friends sent home. And with Rizzo struggling lately to find the net, she knew exactly who Herb was talking about.
Maddie left Herb's office a few minutes later, after Herb told her to keep the news about Tim quiet. He wanted to let the staff know, but he didn't want his players knowing until the morning.
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"What do you guys want to do tonight?" Bah asked in the locker room after practice.
"I can't do anything. I promised Laura that I would teach her how to play hockey. We're gonna have a little one on one game," Mac said.
"Can I join you guys?" asked Bah.
"Ew, Bah. Gross," Rammer said, thinking Mac wasn't really referring to hockey. "Get your own girl."
"Rammer, you're the one who's mind is in the gutter," said Mac. "I really am gonna play some hockey with her."
"Maybe I could get Gail to come. We could all play a fun game together."
"Maddie can play too," said Silky, trying to make sure she was included.
"Are you crazy? Maddie's not getting anywhere near the ice. Hockey is way too physical for someone that's pregnant." said Jack.
"We'll go easy on her, OC."
"No way am I even taking that chance. She can keep score or something."
"Why doesn't whoever wants to play later with the girls meet here at seven?" suggested Buzz.
After everyone agreed, the guys left the locker room and Jack went to find Maddie. She was just leaving Herb's office. Jack thought she looked a little worried about something, but after assuring him it was nothing, he shook it off.
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At seven, the guys were all ready to play a little easy hockey with Gail and Laura. Maddie had her skates on, even though Jack wouldn't let her set foot on the ice. Everything was going pretty well at first. Laura was having a little trouble skating, only because she hadn't been on skates in years. Once they were pretty much done playing, Maddie decided that she had enough of watching and went on the ice.
"Madison Alyssa Reynolds! What do you think you're doing on the ice? Get back in the box this instant," Jack yelled.
"Jack, I'm just skating a little. I promise I'll be careful, okay." Jack looked at her skeptically. "Would you holding my hand make you feel better?" she retorted.
"Maybe a little. But you still shouldn't be skating around. You're eight months pregnant."
"Seven and a half."
"Whatever." After arguing about it for a few more minutes, Maddie finally won. She skated around a little on the one end of the rink. About half of the guys were still playing on the other end.
"Hey Laura, you're getting pretty fast," said Mac.
"Yeah. I'm good at this. I've only fallen twice. I could probably beat you in a race," she joked.
"Want to try?"
"Yeah, let's go," said Laura, clearly up for the challenge. Mac and Laura started skating fast down the ice. Laura turned to look at Mac, who was right behind her. He was letting her win, and she knew it. To get back at him, she played along. Right in the middle of the ice, in Mac's path, she stopped. He hadn't reacted quick enough and slammed into her. Laura fell on the ice hard, hitting her head on Mac's skate.
"Well, cheap shotting seems to be your specialty, Mac," joked Jack.
"Very funny. You okay Laur?" Mac asked her, looking down at her, and ready to help her up. She stayed there for a few seconds, and just before Mac was ready to pick her up, she moved to get up herself.
"What just happened?" she asked, sounding disoriented. She looked up and had a very confused look on her face.
"Oh my God!" Mac gasped. Everyone else looked over and saw what Mac did. Laura had a huge gash on her forehead, and a pool of blood was forming on the ice.
"What's wrong?"
"You hit your head. Come here, let me see it. You're bleeding." Laura stood up, holding on to Mac for balance. She was a little dizzy. Everyone else stayed where they were, not really knowing what to do.
"It's pretty deep. Let's go get it cleaned up." As Mac started skating off the ice, holding Laura's hand, she fell. "Laura, are you all right?" She didn't move. "Laura, get up."
Maddie came over to Laura and Mac immediately, worried that Laura might be unconscious.
"Laura?" Maddie said, shaking her a little. "Laura, can you hear me?" Laura slowly started opening her eyes, and instantly made an attempt to get up. Maddie stopped her. "Laura stay there, okay. Your head is bleeding pretty bad. You need to sit up really slowly." Maddie slowly helped Laura into a sitting position. Her head seemed to be bleeding ever worse now. "Someone get me a towel or something," Maddie said.
Jimmy immediately rushed over with a towel, handing it to Maddie.
"I hope you don't want that back," Silky said, as Maddie put it on Laura's head. Mac and Jack carried Laura into the locker room, with Maddie and a few other guys following close behind. Laura blacked out again for a minute and this time came to, not remembering anything that happened.
Maddie did a few tests as Mac tried to control the bleeding. Laura could see okay, and her vision wasn't blurred, but she couldn't remember everyone's names. Mac was starting to get really worried.
"Will she be okay?" Mac asked.
"Yeah, but she needs stitches," said Maddie.
In the meantime, the boys that remained on the ice were talking about Laura's injury. Gail was pretty worried and wanted to go see how she was doing.
"Gail, stay here. They probably need some space and they don't need a crown around them," Buzz told her.
"Someone should probably clean up this blood," said Rammer, looking around to the other guys.
"Well, since you're the one that thought of it, we'll let you take care of it," said Philly.
Just then, Bah came back on the ice. He had went into the locker room before with the others. Maddie followed him out.
"Is she okay?" asked Gail.
"I don't know. There was a lot of blood," said Bah.
"Jack said they're going to the hospital now," said Maddie. "She needs stitches but she should be fine."
"Jack's driving them to the hospital so Mac can keep an eye on Laura. She lost consciousness a few times," explained Bah.
"She will be okay though, right?" asked Silky.
"Yeah. She'll be fine. Someone needs to clean this mess up though," said Maddie, referring to the blood. The guys just laughed.
Later that night, Jack finally got back from the hospital.
"Is Laura okay?" asked Maddie.
"Yeah. She needed eight stitches and the doctors had to run a few tests. It seems like she's having a bit of a problem with remembering certain things."
"Is she back?"
"Yeah, the doctor didn't think it was serious enough to keep her overnight. She's only forgetting minor things, and her head's okay. She is in pain though."
"Yeah, I bet. She hit her head pretty hard."
"Yeah, she had a little bump on her forehead to go with the cut and stitches."
"I'll have to go see her tomorrow. It's too late tonight."
"She's pretty tired. The painkillers she has are really strong."
Maddie was glad to hear that Laura was okay. She had to admit that when Laura was blacking out, she was getting a little scared. She had never seen that happen before, even though she knew it was possible.
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The next morning, the guys were stretching before practice when Tim Harrer skated on the ice to join them. Maddie noticed the guys all looked shocked, and wondered what he was doing. Jack looked over Maddie, as if silently asking, "Can you believe this?" Maddie tried to keep a really surprised look on her face, and she thought she was doing a good job. All through practice though, Jack kept giving her looks and Maddie wondered if he thought she knew about Tim coming.
After practice was over, Maddie went to talk to Herb and see what he thought about Tim. Tim didn't really seem to fit in with the team, and Maddie hoped Herb would notice and let him go. There was no such luck though, as she overheard Herb telling Tim that he was dressing for the game at Harvard the next night.
Maddie waited for Jack outside the locker room after practice. The guys were finished changing, and she could hear them talking, presumably about Tim. After Jack came out, he didn't say much to Maddie, and she knew something was wrong.
"What's wrong with you?" Maddie asked once they were in her room.
"I think you know."
"Not really. I mean, I don't know why you're taking this out on me."
"Did you know he was coming?" Maddie saw no point in trying to lie. Jack would see right through it.
"Herb told me yesterday after practice."
"Yesterday," Jack stated, sounding disgusted.
"It's not my fault," Maddie said in protest.
"You could have at least told me."
"Herb asked me not to."
"We're getting married."
"So?"
"So, usually when two people are getting married, they don't keep secrets from each other."
"Are you serious? You're going to tell me that just because we're getting married, we need to tell each other everything?" Maddie yelled.
"Yeah. And something like this. I thought you would at least tell me."
"Herb didn't want anyone knowing."
"So now you're siding with Herb over your own fiancee?"
"No! I don't like Herb bringing Tim here either, but there's nothing I can do about it. And warning you wouldn't have helped." Maddie knew Jack was pissed off, but that was no reason to start blaming her.
"I'm gonna go talk to some of the guys," Jack said, walking out and slamming the door.
Jack went down to Jimmy's room, and walked in. Rizzo, Mark, Mac, and Silky were there, talking about the Tim situation.
"Maddie knew."
"She did?" asked Silky. "Why didn't she tell us?"
"I don't know. But I'm pissed. We're getting married and she can't even tell me that Herb's playing with the team two months before the games."
"Maybe Herb told her not to," suggested Mark.
"Well he did. But she still should have told me."
"I hope you didn't start a fight with her over that," said Jimmy.
"Well, let's put it this way. She knows I'm not too happy."
"OC, you're an idiot. It's not Maddie's fault Tim is here. And Herb told her to keep quiet. Why can't you respect that she did what Herb asked."
"Yeah, it's not like she asked Tim to come," said Rizzo. Jack sighed.
"I guess you're right. I should go apologize." Jack talked to the guys a little longer and then left to apologize to Maddie.
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December 14, 1979
The team was in Milwaukee the next night, playing the IHL All Stars. Tim was there too, and the team was doing their best to avoid him. Even though Jack told Maddie he wasn't mad at her, Maddie knew he was still upset. After all, he knew his best friend could very well be sent home. Rizzo was just as upset, and very nervous before the game.
"You okay, Rizzo?" Maddie asked.
"I guess."
"It'll be okay," Maddie assured him.
"How can you be so sure? Herb's crazy. No one ever knows what he'll do," said Rizzo, trying to sound angry, but mainly just sounding sort of sad and hopeless.
"Rizzo, you're a great hockey player. Herb wouldn't have kept you this long if he didn't see something in you."
"You're so optimistic."
"You should be too. Good luck tonight," Maddie said and gave him a hug.
"I'll need it. I'm so nervous. I really need to play well tonight."
"You will."
Maddie wished she had been right. It wasn't that Rizzo played bad, but he hardly played at all. He went in for four shifts the entire game, and he was so nervous, he didn't do anything exceptionally well. At least he didn't mess up though. After the game, the whole team was so fed up with Herb and Tim, that they decided to do something about it. Maddie got on the bus and noticed Jack, Mac, Rizzo, and Mark waiting outside. She assumed they were going to talk to Herb.
A few minutes later, the four got back on the bus and Jack sat next to her giving her a look saying he would explain later.
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It was past midnight by the time the guys got back to the dorms. Jack explained what the guys told Herb and Maddie was happy to hear that Herb wasn't keeping Tim. The team was like a family, and Maddie wouldn't have it any other way.
Jack and Maddie were curled up in her bed, trying to stay warm. The past couple nights it had been very cold, and Maddie only hoped that it would snow soon.
In the middle of the night, Maddie woke up to her baby kicking. Since she was awake, she looked over out the window and saw pretty white snow falling.
"Jack," she said, shaking him. "Jack, wake up."
"What?" he answered, groggily.
"Wake up."
"Why?" He looked at the clock. "It's three a.m." Maddie pointed to the window.
"It's snowing!" she said excitedly.
"I see that. And I also can see the moon and stars are out." Maddie rolled her eyes.
"Let's go outside."
"Are you serious?" Maddie stared at him with a blank expression before answering.
"Of course I'm serious. Let's go build a snowman."
"Now?"
"No, next June," Maddie replied with sarcasm. "Come on. Get up."
"Fine. But I bet there's not enough snow to make a snowman."
"Then we'll make snow angels." Now Jack rolled his eyes and Maddie started getting dressed to go outside. "We went out for the first snowfall last year, so we have to this year. It's tradition."
"Just because we did it once, doesn't make it tradition," Jack said.
"Well, it will be now. Hurry up."
"Why? Is the snow going anywhere?" Jack said as Maddie opened the door and started heading down the hall to go outside.
Jack and Maddie made a few snow angels first, and then laid down, watching the stars. They talked about the baby and how excited they were for it to be born. Maddie got up a few minutes later, and began rolling a ball for the base of the snowman. She hoped there was enough snow for what she wanted to do. Jack made another ball, and Maddie told him to put it next to hers.
"Why don't we put them on top of each other?" Jack wondered.
"Cause there's going to be more than one snowman."
"How many are we making?" Jack asked, a little scared for the answer.
"Three. We're making a snow family. The mommy, the daddy, and the baby."
"Aw. How cute," Jack said, somewhat sarcastic.
"Yeah. It will be cute."
"I know," Jack said, and kissed Maddie's temple. "At least I don't have practice until ten tomorrow. We might be out here a long time."
By the time they finally finished building their family, it was going on five a.m. Maddie said she was tired again, and getting cold. Before she went in though, Jack threw a snowball at her back. After getting hit, Maddie turned around and gave Jack an evil stare, then bent down and began making her own snowball. She threw hers at Jack, hitting him in the chest.
They continued their mini snowball fight for a good fifteen minutes, laughing and screaming the whole time. Jack and Maddie knew they were probably waking everyone in the dorms up, but they didn't care. They were having too much fun. Once they were finally done though, they went inside and back to bed once again.
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To say Jack was tired the next morning was an understatement. He was exhausted and starting to get sick. Some of the guys seemed to notice.
"Late night, OC?" Rizzo asked.
"Just ask what he was doing?" teased Silky.
"Actually, I would like to know," said Mac. "After all, you woke me up at three a.m."
"Yeah, me too," said Bah.
"Was that you and Maddie outside?" asked Rammer. "We were wondering who was out that early in the morning," he said, referring to him and Phil.
"Maddie wanted to build a snowman. We ended up building the whole family." A few guys laughed. Once the guys made it out on the ice for practice, they had to skate Herbies for warmups. Jack was a little slower than normal and Herb noticed.
"Pick it up, OC." Jack tried to skate harder. It was difficult because his head hurt and he could barely breathe. He really needed cold medicine. For most of practice, he managed to do okay. Jack did have more mistakes than normal, but he hung in there and didn't get yelled at much. That was, until they scrimmaged.
The team was divided in two and the plan was to scrimmage for the last hour of practice. After fifteen minutes, Herb had seen enough.
"OC, what the hell are you doing out there? It looks like you forgot how to play defense overnight. This isn't the Special Olympics. For God sakes, stop the puck!" Herb yelled, distracting Jack more than anything. Some of his teammates stifled laughter at Herb's comment. Jack missed another, and Herb was done with him. "Get off the ice. Someone that can block a shot get in there."
Jack came off the ice and got a sympathetic look from Maddie. He slumped onto the bench and Herb gave him some "words of encouragement." A little while later, Jack skated again, this time doing much better though he felt worse. As soon as practice was over, Maddie came into the locker room with a bottle of cough and cold syrup. Jack knew what she was going to do.
"Drink up," she said, handing it to him.
"I don't want to," Jack said, and he sniffled and sounded stuffy.
"Come on. Be a big boy and take the medicine. It'll make you feel better."
"That medicine is nasty."
"I don't care. You need to take some."
"Fine," he said, drinking it quickly.
"Get changed and go to bed. You need some rest."
"We're still on for later, right OC?" Silky asked. The guys had plans to watch the Bruins game.
"Of course."
"I don't think so," Maddie said. "No going out for you tonight. You need to get better." Jack rolled his eyes, but knew he wasn't going to win this one.
A/N: I had you guys fooled with the blood thing! I hope you 're not disappointed it wasn;t more dramatic, but I promise next chapter is full of drama! The cramping part of the preview from last chapter really did have to do with Maddie, and that's going to be next chapter, cause this one was getting too long! You'll just have to see what happens. It's basically done being written, so maybe I'll post Monday if I get some good reviews. That is definitely the Christmas chapter, so if you're excited for it, review because I'll post it faster. :)
Oh yeah, the Special Olympic reference - I don't know if they were around in 1979, but let's just pretend for now that they were. It was the best smart remark I could come up with at the time, lol.