“Yes. Danlovedit.” Watching his face had been fun. Nice to see the men who’d attended finally starting to understand what giving birth meant.
Dr. Feldman smiled. “Many of the women say the same.” She printed off a form. “Take this downstairs and make your appointment so the lab can test you first thing tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Sarah stood, a little unsteady. “Are you sure there’s nothing for me to worry about? You’ve always been open and honest with me.”
“There’s nothing to worry about, Sarah.Ifyou get that urine test sample done tomorrow.”
After arranging the appointment,she returned home in time for another virtual Musko-cheers meeting. But this one saw Jackie and Toni visit her apartment, and she’d set up the laptop in the dining room so they could conduct their meeting. She was slower to move now. The baby had decided to suddenly pack on weight these past few weeks, so she felt puffy and gross. Thank goodness Jackie and Toni understood that pregnant women didn’t have to have clean and tidy houses. Well, tidy ones, anyway.
Dan was now paying for a cleaner, and since he’d started putting together some of the baby gear their place was really cramped. She’d moved her keyboard to the living room, but now things looked untidy. And considering there was still a baby room to paint, and the car seat to organize, it felt like there was still so much to do. It was a good thing Jackie was organizing the baby shower this weekend.
“How are you managing?” Jackie asked.
“I’m a little achy most days. And I’m suddenly fat.”
“Lucky you,” Toni said.
“Only because I threw up half my body weight for the first five months.”
“That’s unfun,” Jackie sympathized.
“I remember waddling around, and Joel, my brother, making fun of me.” Toni wrinkled her nose. “Second time around was a lot easier, probably because I knew what to expect.”
They swapped baby stories for a little while until the others could join for the online meeting.
It was nice when Dan was absent to have the opportunity to do this. To meet with friends, to feel their support, to have them pray for her.
They caught up with where things were at—Lincoln’s newly-formed Muskoka Hearts Foundation had bought the property, and Rachel’s contractor husband was gathering quotes to renovate. Jackie, Serena, and Anna were all involved in different aspects of the various legalities of setting up a registered charity and a special needs home, while Staci, Toni, and Sarah were focused on public awareness and fundraising, thanks to their profiles and fan bases. How much they could raise awareness when things were barely decided remained to be seen, but this was a long game.
The discussion concluded with prayer and a final jest from Rachel, which drew everyone’s laughter, before Sarah’s yawns drew Jackie’s insistence that they finish.
“Are you sure you’re okay? You seem weary.”
“It’s just been a big day. Dan will be back tomorrow night.” Late, but he’d be back. Then they could enjoy their reunion, and he could opt not to go to the following day’s optional skate.
She yawned again.
“I’m going to take that as our cue,” Jackie said.
“Yeah, super subtle, Sarah,” Toni teased.
“Thanks for coming here.”
“I’m heading to Muskoka tomorrow,” Jackie said, “but you’ll let us know if there’s anything we can do, right?”
She nodded, and closed the door. Glanced at her phone. Dan had a game tonight, but he might be free to talk now. The way she was feeling now, she’d probably be too tired to stay up late tonight. Good thing the man understood her need for sleep these days.
She dialed, but had to leave a message, which she did, then wrote one too.
Hey, love you. Hope tonight goes well. Talk soon xx
Then she stumbled back to bed, closing her eyes against a headache.
* * *
The chance toconnect with his Original Six buddies during the season didn’t happen as often these days. That was the challenge of finding time squeezed between families, games, and differing time zones. So the fact so many of them ‘just so happened’ to be free on a weekday afternoon felt like a God-thing.
Dan was supposed to be having a pre-game nap, but he’d much rather talk to these guys. Brent Karlsson from Detroit, Beau Nash from Montreal, even former Boston-player Mike Vaughan had dialed in from over in Calgary. He’d see New York’s Tim Carruthers and TJ Woletsky tomorrow night in the game, but they’d find a moment to catch up. Both had lots to share, with Tim’s IVF twins, and TJ’s new son.
