Well here's the next chapter. Hopefully a bit of variety will keep you entertained. Also because of the chapter number I dedicate this one to Fulton.

Ch. 44: A long awaited arrival

After classes and practice I hung out with Adam. There wasn't really that much we could do on campus so we went and played video games with Dwayne who had also been feeling a bit left out. Some time during that night our conversation turned to the topic of me and Dean. True these two guys were two of my best friends but I didn't really want to talk about it so I turned it around on them. "Come on Dwayne there must be some girl in this school you like."

"Hey you can't do that." Dwayne protested.

"Sure I can, now don't change the subject."

"If you can then I can." Dwayne says.

"No, please Tex." I said.

"Yeah come on Cowboy, we're not going to tease you about it." Adam said.

"Well, alright there is one girl." Dwayne said hesitantly.

"Go on." I encouraged gently.

"Ok, I've loved her since I met her but her boyfriend makes her happier than I ever could and that's what I want for her."

"Aw Tex..." I started.

"I know it's bad to still be in love with someone who already has a boyfriend but she's really pretty and smart and creative and friendly that I just can't help myself."

"Is it possible that she's in a bad relationship that you can convince her to get out of?" Adam asked.

"No, he's a great guy and as far as I know he treats her like a princess." Dwayne answered.

"I don't want to sound mean or anything but if their relationship is that stable it sounds like the only thing you can do is move on. And I mean it's high school so you never know they could break up and you'll have a shot." I suggested sadly.

"Yeah maybe. So what about you Adam? We've mentioned Lizzy's relationship and I told you about my girl. Any special girl here you have your eye on?" Dwayne asked.

"Not really. Most of them here are like the girls in my neighborhood: rich, stuck up, and preppy."

"Aw come on Adam not every girl here is like that." I said.

"If there is a sweet girl here besides you, Connie, and Julie I have yet to meet her."

"What about...what's her name?" Dwayne said.

"Because that doesn't describe half the school's population." I said sarcastically.

"Aw...she's friends with Emma and Aly."

"Ellie Roberts?"

"Yeah her."

"She's real sweet and as far as I know she doesn't have a boyfriend or a crush on anyone."

"I don't know I mean she's kinda spacey and she does have a tendency to gossip a lot." Adam said finally.

"Ever girl has her flaws Ads." I said.

"Alright. Just give me time to find a girl I like huh?" Adam said.

"Yeah I guess."

We talked and played video games for a while longer until Adam noticed how late it was getting. He said good night and left the room. I stood as well and then headed for the door. "Lizzy," Dwayne said. I stopped and looked back at him. "Thanks for spending some time with me tonight."

"Sure. You're my friend Dwayne and I'm sorry that I've been letting you down lately."

"You'll never let me down. Thanks though."

"Oh you're welcome." I answered.

"Night Kitten."

"Night Tex." As I walked back to my room I thought about why Tex and Adam felt so left out. Then again I remembered how much time I used to spend with the team one on one when we were in Peewees versus what I had done since I rejoined the Ducks at Eden Hall. I made a resolve then to spend more time with all the Ducks instead of just Fulton and Portman.

The next morning I switched to the other end of the table sitting between Russ and Luis. "Morning chica." Luis said sitting next to me.

"Hey bud." I answered trying not to yawn.

"Either you had a long night with very little sleep," Luis raised his eyebrows in suggestion, "Or you just aren't a morning person."

"Maybe I just got up too early." I suggested.

"Maybe." Then he leaned over and whispered, "I want to thank you for helping me. I know you probably didn't want to but—"

"Hey don't worry about it. It's my pleasure." I answered.

"It's just not expected from you." Luis said.

"'Tis why I like not being captain. When you're captain you're meant to look out for the whole team and when you ain't you don't." I answered.

"But you do look out for the whole team."

"True but I make sure they don't mention who helped them out and that way I get many thanks but the coach never notices. And if he does notice it reflects on the captain and I'm happy that he's getting praise."

"So all your hard work gets him rewarded."

"I wish I could say it's a thankless job but it's not. I get plenty of thanks and I keep my self worth on the team."

"We couldn't get along without you now that you're here."

"But you could have if I was never here."

"I wish I could say no but..." He trailed off.

"I know. You didn't need me before but now you do since I've made things easier, especially on Charlie. I understand Luis."

"Isn't one of those lines from a kids' book?" Luis asked.

"I'm around only when you need me is kinda from Nurse Matilda." I answered.

"Oh. Did you do the same in Peewees?" Luis asked.

"Yeah for the most part. I was much more...Oh what's the word...more...took a less active role. I usually told him what to do in Peewees as opposed to now when I do it myself and let those not in the know think it was Charlie."

"Subdued is the word. I guess that makes sense."

"What brings you down here?" Russ asked. I looked around and noticed a lot of Ducks shooting me curious looks.

"Oh I need to talk to Luis about our project." I answered shrugging. Then Luis pulled me back to our conversation which was once again hushed.

"Do you think Portman is really ok with our project?" Luis asked. Either he took me literally or it was an effect switch of topics.

"Probably not as much as we want him to be but I'm sure he'll get over it given enough time."

"Are you sure? I don't want him slamming me into the boards at today's practice."

"Personal stuff stays off the ice. Haven't you been warned about that?" I asked curiously.

"Charlie may have mentioned it but it's harder for some people to keep the hockey and personal crap separate." Luis said. I raised an eyebrow and he just looked at me.

"I'll have to work on that but for now..." I paused as the bell rang. "Now it is time for the wonderful world of Math." He rolled his eyes then grinned at a freshman cheerleader. "You are such a flirt."

"Ah but it's a redeeming quality." He answered. I just rolled my eyes.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Dean, my dear." I said sitting next to him at lunch.

"Yeah, babe?" He answered digging into his lunch.

"Do you really hate this project as much as I think you do?"

"Maybe not." He stopped eating and looked at me. "I mean a guy does start to worry, even if he's completely secure in his relationship, when his girl is spending time with one of the 'cheerleader proclaimed' hottest guys on campus. Especially when he's a flirt. I wouldn't mind if it was a group project but so much one on one time is starting to drive me batty." Dean said.

"Oh." I looked down at my plate and started picking at it.

His hand closed over mine making me look up at him. "I am trying to understand and not be so jealous but it's hard for me. I just need time." Dean smiled. I felt part of me want to smile back but held myself.

"Just as long as you remember leave the personal crap off the ice." I said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He snapped. He dropped his fork and looked at me angrily.

"Don't deliberately go for Luis this afternoon just because of the project." I answered calmly.

Then he started laughing. I gave him a look and he sobered. "Babe, personal stuff never factors into my hockey. Teammates squabble and they fight over stupid stuff. I hate the project because your attention's on him and not me but if I was going after him it'd be off the ice and in a way no one would find out. Not on the ice right there in front of you. I want to have kids one day and I've seen you behind a hockey puck. One tiny twitch and it's bye bye Portman kids." He said putting an arm around me.

"Interesting but like you said if you pissed me off I wouldn't get you back on the ice." I answered kissing his cheek. Then something occurred to me. I looked from Dean to Fulton who I had previously been ignoring. "Fulton, isn't there something coming up that I'm forgetting?" Like I had told Andy I had been at the school for nearly two and a half months which meant there must be a holiday soon. Well either that or I missed it.

"Monday is the 14th." He answered.

Now why was that so important? I questioned myself.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"The 14th of February." He replied again.

"No, not that day."

He looked at me then his eyes went wide. "No, not the dreaded V-day."

"You mean Valentines Day?" Dean asked.

"I was afraid of that." Fulton said. "What am I gonna do Lizzy? It's like the epitome of holidays."

"You relax first then you spend the weekend getting to know Aly and then ask her to be your Valentine." I answered.

"Right. Of course. I am going to need that brilliant mind of yours soon." Fulton said.

"Just ask and I will answer."

"And if you can't?" Fulton asked still looking panicked.

"That's why you have me." Dean said.

"You guys rock." Fulton said. He looked like he was starting to calm down. A while later the bell rang and we headed for class. I got to class and Luis turned to me.

"Well did you find anything out?" Luis asked.

"Yeah. He said that he doesn't let personal crap influence how or who he takes on during hockey." I answered.

"That's good." Luis said. I could tell he was finally ok.

"Alright settle down, settle down, SETTLE DOWN. Next person to say a word gets DETENTION." Mr. Stewart said. Suddenly everyone was quiet. "That's what I thought."

Then I noticed the baby seats and I groaned. "Not today. Any day but today." I muttered. Mr. Stewart shot me a look and I shut up.

"As you can see I have an announcement to make. Three of you are about to become proud parents. Now I've heard it all before so don't give me your excuses you all knew this was coming. You'll find a way to cope and take care of the baby no matter what you have previously scheduled." Then he announced two of them. "Before I tell you the third couple I want to remind you that the school has paid a lot of money for these high-tech babies. If you break it you've bought it. It is programmed to act like a real baby so don't think that you're off free because it is just a doll. The final little one goes to Mr. and Mrs. Mendoza." Mr. Stewart said. Even though the other two couples looked happy I was still worried. Especially since we had a game that night.

I looked at Luis who looked back at me. I rolled my eyes and he just shook his head. Then he stood and went to get the baby. When he brought the carrier back he pulled the baby out. I looked at the baby to see it wearing an Eden Hall Ducks jersey with light brown eyes and blonde hair. "Interesting. I get to name it?" I asked.

"Him, but yes." Luis answered.

"Fine him. Antonio Mendoza."

"Isn't that Italian?" Luis asked handing the baby, Antonio, over.

"Italian, Spanish, and Croatian. I believe. In English it means Anthony. He's kinda cute." I said feeling the seven or eight pounds in my arms. "Is this what a real baby feels like?"

"Yes and don't shake him." Luis said.

"Why?" I asked still bouncing him up and down.

"Because he could vomit."

"It's a doll."

"It is not just a doll, Ms. Jacobs." Mr. Stewart said. "It is a pooping, peeing, vomiting, burping high tech project."

"Oh you're kidding." I said.

"No I'm not." Mr. Stewart said. Just then from the other side of the room I heard something that sounded like a small burp. "Told ya." He said. I grimaced and he walked away.

"We'll make it through this. I promise." Luis said.

"I really hope you're right." I told him.

"What do you think the Ducks will say?" Luis asked as he pulled out his notebook.

"I don't know." I answered. After working through a few details for the moment the bell rang. "Carry that will you?" I asked as he helped me cradle the baby correctly. The baby blinked up at me then slowly fell asleep. Luis grabbed my bag, his and the car seat. We slowly walked to my locker as we talked.

"We need to find someone to watch him during practices and during games." Luis said.

"Bash said he'd take the baby during the games but someone else would have to any other time." I answered as we stopped in front of my locker. Luis put my backpack down along with his and the car seat. I handed Antonio to him and he easily put him down in the car seat. It looked too easy. "Have you done this before?" I asked.

"My little brother is three." He replied.

"Oh right, sorry." I said. In study hall Kenny kept glancing at me weird. "Is something wrong Kenny?" I finally asked.

"No I just thought I saw...never mind." He shook his head and went back to what he had been doing. Then I realized what he wanted.

I nudged Luis. "Guys we have an announcement to make." I said getting their attention. "We, Luis and I, want you to meet a duckling." Luis lifted the car seat on the table and turned it around.

"The first duckling, Antonio Mendoza." Luis finished.

"Oh you so owe me dude." Dean said.

"You bet on it." I said astounded.

"Just what it would be, Lizzy. I would never bet on anything else." Dean said. "Fult said it'd be a girl, I said boy."

"Fult and I think alike." I said.

"With the exception of Lizzy, Portman, and Fulton you all owe me five dollars." Charlie said.

"They bet on the date of birth. Charlie was closest." Dean said. Then I realized that Luis had been involved.

"You bet on it." I said turning to Luis.

"I really thought I'd be closer and you know me I would have shared it with you." Luis said. I crossed my arms and sighed. "I apologize." He said softly. I just rolled my eyes.

"When I really do get pregnant, years from now, I won't have this happening again." I said.

"Never." The team agreed. After fielding a bunch of questions the baby started wailing. I looked at Luis panicked but he was already digging through the diaper bag. Soon he pulled out a bottle and scooped Antonio out of the car seat. The minute he placed the bottle of water in the baby's mouth the wailing stopped and the level of water in the bottle started to decrease.

"You miss him don't you?" Fulton said.

"Sometimes," I answered honestly.

"Miss who?" Dean asked.

"Antonio Jacobs, her granddad. He died right after the Ducks first game against the Hawks. He never saw her play for an organized Peewee team." Fulton said.

"It was the last game he saw. Matt's middle name is Anthony because of him and so I decided to continue the tradition so to speak." I said.

"But..."

"Antonio is translated to Anthony in English from Italian." Dean said. I looked at him but he just shrugged. I shook my head and turned my attention to the sight next to me as Luis continued to feed Antonio and was struck by the sereneness of it. I pulled out my sketch pad and with a few more looks at Luis I sketched that picture. When I finished Luis had burped him and had him sleeping in his carrier.

"Wow." Russ said.

"What?" I asked.

"He's good." Connie said.

"That's not what I meant. True but not what I meant. Check it out." He said pulling my sketch book from my hands.

"Russ." I complained as he held it up. "Give it back."

"You did that in 10 minutes?" Luis asked taking the picture from Russ.

"Yeah but it's not quite right. I can never get your picture right." I said looking at the table.

"It's really good even if it only took 10 minutes."

"You think?" I asked looking up at him.

"Yes, it's got a few flaws but you're right it's really good." Luis said smiling. "I think I like it just like this."

"I never knew you were that good." Russ said.

"I started drawing in middle school it's what I did during the fall and winter when I couldn't play baseball."

"Well you're good." Luis said.

"Thanks." I answered. "You can keep it."

"Lizzy I couldn't." Luis said.

"I insist." I said. Luis nodded. Soon we were talking about our schedule of who would look after the baby and when. As it turned out during practice was the only time we would need to find someone else but we had every day covered and opted to alternate weekends. By the time the bell rang for the next class we had everything sorted out. He was going to talk to Anna and see if she or some of her friends would mind watching him.

"Lizzy are you sure everything's covered with this project?" Dean asked as the late bell rang.

"Yes. You know me I have to double and triple check everything. I'd be going nuts if I didn't." I answered.

"I just wanted to make sure."

"Thanks." I said.

There you go. Let me know what you think.