LOGINTalia POVI'm exhausted by the time I leave Sweet beginnings.Bailey insisted I didn't need to stay the entire day helping reorganize the storage room, but I wanted to. No, I needed to. I needed anything to keep my mind occupied and away from thoughts of Marcus.It's been two weeks since I ended things with him.Two weeks since I submitted my resignation letter to HR.Two weeks of deliberately avoiding his calls, his texts and his attempts to corner me at the office during my notice period.Thank God that notice period ended yesterday.Now I'm officially unemployed and helping Bailey at the bakery while I figure out my next move. It's not ideal…I have a degree in marketing, not baking…but at least it's something. At least I don't have to see Marcus's face every day, pretending we're just professional colleagues when we both know exactly what we were.What we were. That's the past tense.I remind myself of that as I pull into my apartment building's parking garage.It's over, I e
Bailey POV As we start passing dishes around the table, conversation flows easily.Alana immediately launches into questions about the baby."Do you know if it's a boy or a girl yet?" she asks."It's too early to tell," I say. "We won't know for another month or two.""Are you going to find out or wait until birth?" Diana asks. She too looks excited to know.Orion and I look at each other."We haven't decided yet," I admit."I think you should wait," my grandmother says. "The surprise is half the fun.""I think you should find out," Diana counters. "How else will you know what color to paint the nursery?" She reasons.Both of them are right. Knowing Jess we get prepared, not knowing means we wait to be surprised."You could do yellow or green," Alana suggests. "They are gender-neutral colors.""Or just paint it white and add colorful decorations," Robert offers."Have you thought about names?" my grandmother asks."We have," I say.“ But we haven't made a decision yet.” Orion adds. Y
Bailey POV "Are you sure this dress still fits?" I ask for the third time, smoothing my hands over the fabric. I am nearly ten weeks pregnant and I am not showing much yet, but I swear my clothes feel tighter. Or maybe I'm just hyperaware of every little change in my body now. "You look beautiful," Orion says from where he is setting the table. "Stop worrying." "I'm not worrying," I protest. "I'm just... your entire family is coming over. Both our families, actually. And I want everything to be perfect." I don't know why I am acting like Orion on our first doctor appointment. "It will be perfect," Orion assures me, walking over to wrap his arms around me from behind. His hands settle on my stomach. It's a gesture that has become automatic for him since he learnt I was pregnant. "We're together, and we're celebrating our family. That's all that matters." I lean back into his chest, trying to absorb some of his calm. We decided to host a family dinner to properly celebrate ever
Orion POV Bailey and I look at each other."We haven't really thought about it," Bailey admits."We can decide later," Dr. Clara says. "You won't be able to tell for another month or two anyway. For now, let's just focus on keeping mom and baby healthy." She says and I nod in agreement.She goes through a list of recommendations…prenatal vitamins, foods to avoid, warning signs to watch for. I pull out my phone and start taking notes."Orion, you don't have to write all this down," Bailey says. "The doctor will give us pamphlets.""I want to write it down," I insist. "What if we lose the pamphlets? What if there's an emergency and I need to remember.""Orion," Dr. Clara interrupts gently. "Everything is going to be fine. But if you want to write it down, go ahead."The look on her face…amused yet understanding…tells me she has seen others act like me before I finish my notes while Dr. Clara prints out the ultrasound pictures.When she hands them to me, I stare at them like they're th
Orion POVI have faced down opponents twice my size on the ice.I've taken hits that should have broken bones.I've played through injuries, through exhaustion, through pressure that would make most people crumble.But standing in the waiting room of Dr. Clara's obstetrics practice, I'm more nervous than I've ever been in my life."Orion, you're pacing," Bailey says from her seat, amusement clear in her voice. "You're making the other people nervous." She added.I look around and realize she is right. A pregnant woman across from us is watching me with wide eyes, and her partner has his hand protectively on her shoulder like I might be a threat."Sorry," I mutter, forcing myself to sit down next to Bailey.She takes my hand, lacing our fingers together."Relax, everything's going to be fine." She says softly."I know," I say. "I just... What if something is wrong? What if all the stress from the past few weeks affected the baby? What if…""Orion," Bailey interrupts gently. "Take a bre
Bailey POV"It's really over," Orion says quietly as we walk to the car. "Nolan is going to prison.”"We're free," I echo, letting the words sink in.There is no more looking over our shoulders and no more fear of what Nolan might do next.We're finally, truly free."Where to now?" Diana asks as we reach the parking lot. “ Got any plans? I could borrow Bailey for a massage session.” She proposes."Actually, there's somewhere I'd like to go." I reply apologetically.As much as a massage session sounds like the perfect plan right now, there's someone I need to see.Orion looks at me questioningly."My grandmother's house," I say. "I want to see her and share the good news with her.The last time we saw each other, things ended in a rather sour mood.” I explain.Orion's expression softens immediately and Diana nods.“ You should see her. Sorry I didn't think about that.” She replies and I just smile.“ I bet she will be excited to know that she is going to be a great grandmother.” Orion
Bailey POVI wake up wrapped in Orion's arms, the gentle rocking of the yacht and the sound of water against the hull creating the perfect lullaby. Morning light filters through the cabin windows, painting everything in soft gold.Orion is already awake, watching me with that soft expression that m
Seeing my reaction, Fiona scoffs.“ I'll tell you what you have left, Nolan.You have nothing," Fiona says, answering her own question. "You have nothing and the woman you're obsessed with? She wants nothing to do with you. All you have is hockey. If you destroy your career over some pathetic attem
Nolan POVThe champagne cork pops with a satisfying sound.Jasper lets out a whoop as foam spills over the bottle onto the floor."To the fall of the golden boy!" Jasper raises the bottle before taking a long swig directly from it.I grab the bottle from him and take my own drink, the bubbles burni
Orion POVCoach Williams' office suddenly feels smaller than usual with six people crammed inside. Jasper also followed us uninvited."Can someone tell me exactly what happened out there?” Coach Williams asks once he is settled."I already told you that Hayes deliberately stepped on my foot with h







