Imogen Is my stomach in knots? You bet it is. Am I scared? You bet I am. I feel sick, nauseous and like I’m about to projectile vomit. Ever seen the Exorcist? That’s exactly what I am talking about. The bile is at the back of my throat as I listened to Cody telling me about having to make good with Luna for appearances sake and the baby scan later today. Shit. I honestly thought it wasn’t for a few days. Would it have made any difference? Probably not. I’d still be on tenterhooks. It’s the way it is but I am a big girl, and I am stronger than I think. Will I run again this time? No way. He is the real deal for me, he makes my heart melt, I swoon just looking at him and hearing his voice. There is no way I am running out on Cody Brannigan and leaving him hurting and broken hearted nor for another girl to come into his life to take him and nurse him better. It’s not happening. He had to leave soon after we had breakfast, kitten was crying by the door when he left, and it made me sob.
CodyI dress in an ordinary pair of black jeans and wear one of my white Versace t-shirts. I have changed four times, you thought a woman could be bad, well today folks, I am having high wardrobe anxiety. I don’t want to look like I have made a huge effort to see Luna, absolutely NOT. Yet, I do want to feel good about myself for the first images of seeing my baby.I rake my hands through my hair. The door knocks. Who the fuck is that? Thus, the white t-shirt because I am rapidly running out of time, and someone is at the door.Opening it, I find Atlas standing outside. “What are you doing here? I thought you were flying from the game straight to see Fallon.”“That was the plan but now she has a paper to sit and needs the study time. Besides, I know today is really important for you and wanted to come by and give you man-hug.”“Aw, Man how sweet.” I’m being sarcastic. “Um, how did you know today was a big thing?” I look at him confused and allow him to step inside the property. He’s a
Cody I still can’t believe that Luna is already twelve weeks pregnant, I rake my hands through my hair as the sonographer tells her to take a lay down on the bed by the machine. It makes me nervous just being in a hospital. Watching my grandfather dying from cancer with a brain tumour was one of the first encounters I had in hospitals. Sure, I’ve spent my fair share of time now in them from accidents on the ice but being in a room with contraptions, monitors and the like, still gives me nervous tension. I am also worried that everything might not be okay with the baby, I mean it should be fine but what if it isn’t? My mouth has gone dry, and I wish with all my heart that Immi was here by my side. Luna is lapping it up, she is all smiles and reaches her hand out to mine as she lays down. The woman standing by the bed smiles, like it’s the most beautiful thing she has ever seen. Instead of giving my hand to Luna, I pull up the chair and take a seat with my legs stretched out in front
ImogenI am all a dither; I sent my mom home telling her I needed to take a lay down and that my head was pounding. I felt mean and horrible telling her big fat fibs just so I can get away with Cody coming over and my panties getting soaked. The thought of it is already making me wet and I have literally just had a shower.I’ve fluffed my hair out a bit, so it looks fuller and put on sheer, black lace lingerie. I happen to know that black is his favorite. It’s my lucky lingerie, well that’s what I think of it now since I was wearing it the first time Cody and I ever had sex.“You’ll call me later won’t you, Honey and let me know how you’re feeling?” Mom had said I was ushering her out the front door.“Absolutely, Mom. Of course.” I nodded vigorously knowing that I didn’t have long before Cody would be hauling his ass over to mine. I only had time to dash upstairs and grab a shower, play with my hear, put on the lingerie and throw my baby pink kimono over, tied at the waist. Kitten is
CodyMan, I hate leaving Immi like that. All I want to do is pick her up, sweep her off her feet and spend eternity with my girl. The way she feels and makes me feel is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced.“You got your head in the clouds?” Coach says as I walk up the steps of the jet.“Huh?” Yeah probably, I am lost in thought of Immi. The way her lips taste, the way she smiles and those eyes that pull me in and make me forget everything else around me. The way she smells, her divine coconut and strawberry shampoo, who’d have thought that a basic shampoo can drive me quite so wild. But it does.“Your top is on back to front.”“What?” I look down. Shit, he’s absolutely right. The V is at the back. Man, how embarrassing.“I was kind of in a hurry.” I say, I’ll fix it when I’m seated.“Yeah, Bro did your mommy forget to dress you this morning?” I glare at Calli.“Shut it, I was in a rush.”“We can see that. Sure, you got your head screwed on or were you screwing something else.” Nol
Imogen My evening was pretty uneventful after Cody left. I felt totally bereft like my left arm was missing. I was so thankful and grateful that I had my little fella, Kitten to keep me company. Thinking of which, I do need to give him a name. Today is the day my bestie arrives in town, and I cannot wait. Literally, I am so excited to go pick her up. Tonight, will be huge fun as we are planning to go out to watch the game and keeping everything crossed that our boys will bring the Stanley Cup home. I’ve been awake since five a.m. and made sure the place is hoovered, even though I only did it the other day. Autumn will sleep in my bed, and I will sleep on the sofa. Calli, it turns out has already given her a key to his house he shares with Logan, so she has the option of going there. She told me not to be ridiculous and that she was looking forward to girlie nights since we haven’t had a proper one for over a month. Actually longer, as I moved in with my folks when I came back home f
Cody Atlas taps me on the shoulder, we’ve just run through the press junket, thankfully none of the reports have invaded my personal space asking questions about the baby or whether or not I am going to be with Luna. Trust me that shit is draining. They have stuck thankfully with professional questions, and I have replied accordingly. It’s been a good session and I feel lighter that no one stepped over any boundaries. “We’re getting ready to head out for some lunch. Are you coming?” “Sure, I’m famished. Meet you in ten, I just want to get this damn suit off and into my sweats.” “Okay, I’ll let the guys know to meet in the hotel lobby say fifteen minutes. I’m guessing you want to make a call into Immi?” “Nah, she is with Autumn, I want her to focus on her friend, they’ve not seen each other for a while.” I see Coach approaching us. “Good interview guys. All those classes on honing your response technique have paid off.” Yeah, believe it or not we had to be coached on how to respon
Imogen “Are you nearly ready?” Autumn asks me as we get ready to go to the bar tonight. Honestly, I’ve not been out for a while, and I am actually looking forward to letting my hair down. “I have to fix my hair, thinking maybe I will do a blowout. What do you think?” Autumn turns to look at me and gives me her I’m assessing you kind of look. “Yeah, do it. You want me to handle it for you? That way you can have a drink and chill out. Honestly, if anyone needs to chill it is you what with everything you’ve got going on.” “That would be amazing. Thanks so much, bestie.” “Sure, no problem. Go and fill our wine glasses. I’m looking forward to the guys playing tonight. Seriously, Girl my stomach is knotted up thinking about it. I mean, do you think they will win?” I cock my head to one side as I stand with Kitten in my arms, I swear he is the cuddliest kitten in the universe. He purrs, it’s adorable. “I hope so, it’ll mean so much to them. I think for Atlas and Cody it’ll be special;
Bonus Epilogue – CodyI watch Immi holding our baby boy, who we called Miles, he’s just three months old and Immi is a natural mother. My heart swells watching her holding him in her arms whilst her mother fusses around her.Her father slaps me on the back, “you did us proud, Cody. I couldn’t wish for a better man for my grandbaby and little Summer. That girl is a firecracker, she’s got you eating out of the palm of her hand.”“Don’t I know it, Sir. My boy will be the same.” We chuckle as we watch my Minnesota team enjoy a few colds ones on the grass that leads down to the lake out back of my Lake home. Immi and I are back now, we’ve come full circle from the first moment she came back into my life to be my nutironist and the sparring of words that took place back then.Who’d have thought that in just two years I’d be married to my gorgeous wife, have a baby girl who totters around everywhere and is obsessed with her baby brother and a baby boy. We plan on going for six kids, hell I’d
Imogen – EpilogueLife has been wonderful to us; our wedding was a dream with all our friends and family around us and the entire hockey teams for Minnesota and for Austin. Of course, as Cody is such a big name, we had to have one of the top celebrity magazine photographers attending and the exclusive pictures in the magazine were amazing. My mom’s cake she made for us was something out of a movie, five tiers, with one chocolate and one vanilla sponge alternating to the top, frosted in a delicate cream frosting with an iced arch at the top, she even made tiny flowers to match the wedding flowers to decorate it. I’m telling you, my mother is a baking wonder.It's been a year since our wedding and I am the happiest I have ever been. Little Summer is crawling and sort of walking, I swear I need eyes in the back of my head. Her blonde curls are to die for and those big blue eyes of hers, well she is a daddy’s girl and the way that Cody is with her, it makes my heart melt. He is the best d
Cody – December 21st “You look worried, Man you need to chill out. She’s going to be here.” I take a look at Atlas in his striped, grey charcoal pants, his matching waistcoat, the button down white shirt and the cream cravat. We’re matching today, it seems surreal we match on the ice and now we match as I stand in the bedroom of my Lake House nervous as hell, about to go out the back and take my place to wait for my beautiful bride to come down the aisle on her daddy’s arm. I exhale.“I am chilled out, but what if I let her down? What if I’m not the husband she wants to spend the rest of her life with? What if she thinks she wants to fly?” He pats me on the shoulder.“Listen to me, Bro. I like that now we’re going to be proper bro’s no getting away from me now. She loves you, Immi is besotted with you, that girl knows her own mind and if she didn’t think you were right for her, she’d have off-skied a long fucking time ago. So, now stop. This is your day as much as it is hers and you n
ImogenSummer is a dream, honestly you couldn’t ask for a happier baby, she hardly cries and always holds out her chubby little hands when she sees me, and don’t even get me started on when she sees her daddy. Oh, my it makes my ovaries ache something crazy and I literally cannot wait the next two months for our wedding.Where has the time gone? It’s literally insane. Where to start, first Cody did bring the Stanley Cup home for Austin during the event in June. He is now officially a legend, the crowds went absolutely nuts for him and the team, we have been inundated with so much press and media attention that sometimes it feels stifling, but I have to accept it because being married to the man who won both years in a row for his teams with hattricks in both games, is going to be a major thing. He could happily hang his skates now if he wanted to. He has achieved all the dreams he ever had as a child in his ice hockey career. Although, I have to admit, I would miss going to the games w
CodyWatching Luna giving birth was surreal, she didn’t make a fuss or create and scream the hospital down, she took it all in her stride, showing her strength and dignity. Seeing the crown of my baby girl’s head brought tears to my eyes.We’re all in the private room and Luna holds our baby in her arms, swaddled in a pale pink blanket, Immi and I have both held her and oh my, I can’t begin to tell you the way I feel. My heart expanded and fluttered like crazy, the love that I feel for this tiny little girl is unbelievable and the way I want to protect her and keep her safe, Man it’s blowing my mind.“So beautiful, Luna.” Immi says her smile wide on her face, her eyes shining like diamonds. “I think she has Cody’s cute nose,” she touches the baby’s face, yes, we still need to name her.“Cody, can you take her, then settle her down, I’m pretty exhausted and will nap.”“Absolutely,” I extend my arms to take our baby girl. “Come here Princess my daddy’s little girl.” Immi giggles and I ca
Imogen – five months later“I’m coming hold on.” I shout to Cody as he calls me from the front door. We’re due to go riding this morning but we’re both on edge kind of as it has already gone past Luna’s due date by a week. She is totally fed up and just wants the baby to drop. NOW.I rush to step into my riding boots, Ben is coming with us - he has become a real fixture of our bizarre family set up. And the best thing is that he has gotten closer to Luna. How amazing is that since Ben would often keep Luna company on her cabin porch when Cody and I were travelling to his ice hockey games.Fallon has been a dream constantly popping over to see us and also Luna, to be honest I think she has found a friend in Luna too. They’re both in the same position with pregnancies and Fallon stopped travelling to the away games with Atlas about three months ago.Life can be weird at times but in a good way. The one person who caused so much heartache for Cody and I, is now a firm friend and not just
CodyHer pussy feels wet as I glide my fingers over the lace of her panties, Imogen is so damn beautiful it can bring me to my knees. “I missed you darlin’,” I tell her as I kiss her neck making her tingle and squirm, I know it’s a feeling of delight and tickling as she giggles at my touch.“You were only gone during today, Brannigan,” she giggles as I nip at her neck, whilst continuing to stroke through her soaking panties.“A second is too long to be away from you, I swear Immi you do something to me that makes me want to be glued to your side. It’s a job to take myself away from you.”“You’re such a smooth talker, Brannigan. I feel the same way.” I know she does, whenever we get the opportunity on my away games that she doesn’t travel with me, we make sure to call each other it seems like every few hours around the games and photoshoots, signing autographs, sponsor meetings and the such like. And when I am at practice hell, we still talk regularly in the day. I feel like I cannot b
Imogen – One Month LaterTime has gone by so quickly, and yes Cody did go on to play with a broken jaw in New York. I went with him and held my breath the entire game, least ways that is how it felt. One more injury and he could have been off the ice for a while. He’s a stubborn old mule is what he is, but they won and he went on to score a hat trick, for those of you who don’t know what that is, it’s when a player scored three goals in a single game. Of course Cody was over the moon, the crowd went nuts even the New York fans.So, where else have we travelled? Let’s see we played a couple of home games, we went to Winnipeg which was fun and I got to do some sightseeing and his folks came too. We are bonding much more and I am loving how much they care about me. His ma even made me a beautiful sweater even though we are heading into Spring, it’s a soft blush pink mohair with daisies. She is so clever, the last time I tried knitting it was a total disaster and I ended up having to ask
CodyWhat the fuck, did I pass out or something? I’m in a room with hooks up to me and darkness filtering through some lemon shade blinds, Immi is sitting by my bed holding my hands and tears on her face. “Hey darlin’,” I manage feeling like I have been run over by a truck or something, I ache in my ribs, my pelvis and my face is fucking sore.“Cody, baby. Are you in pain?”“Some it’s not so bad. What the hell happened?“You were taken down on the ice. They say you have a bad concussion and a broken nose, and your jaw is fractured.”“Hey, don’t cry it could have been a whole lot worse. Least ways I can still play.”“No way, Brannigan.” Just as she says that a man in his fifties or so comes in with dark hair, splattering of grey at the temples and kind green eyes, not dark or emerald just plain green like leaves in the spring.“Good to see you awake, Brannigan. You took several shots to the head. Your jaw is fractured, I am guessing this lady has already told you that. We assessed your