LOGINThe crowd inside Climate Pledge Arena was on its feet ten minutes before puck drop. Twenty thousand home fans filled the stands in a sea of navy and silver, welcoming Rhys back for his first start following his three-week paternity leave.I sat in the secure executive suite directly above the home bench, holding three-week-old Leo against my chest. He wore small noise-canceling headphones, sleeping soundly through the noise echoing off the glass below. Security guards stood outside the suite door, while Lars sat at the central desk monitoring financial streams and media feeds on his laptop.Down on the rink, warm-ups were coming to an end. Rhys glided up to the glass near the home tunnel, unstrapped his chin strap, and looked straight up into our box. His dark grey eyes locked onto mine, a quiet, confident smile touching his lips. He raised his stick in a private salute before turning to lead the team back to the locker room."His baseline stride metrics from warm-ups are exceptional,
Three weeks of paternity leave passed quickly at the mountain estate.During the day, Rhys handled his strength training in the home gym while keeping a close eye on three-week-old Leo. At night, he took the late feeding shifts without complaint, allowing me to catch up on sleep and oversee the remote operations of our European clinics.On a Tuesday morning, I was sitting at the dining room table reviewing our third-quarter financial reports when Rhys walked into the room carrying Leo. He wore a grey t-shirt and dark athletic shorts. He sat down in the chair next to mine, carefully holding Leo against his chest."Leo just finished his morning bottle," Rhys said, his voice calm and clear. "His weight is up to eight pounds two ounces.""Dr. Evans said his growth curve is right on track," I replied, setting my tablet aside. I reached over, touching our son's small hand. "How are you feeling about returning to practice tomorrow?""My knee is fine, my shoulder is strong, and my conditionin
The private delivery suite at Swedish Medical Center settled into a absolute silence as the clock passed six in the morning. Outside the high windows, rain washed across the glass, but inside, the entire focus of the room narrowed down to the hospital bed where our son lay wrapped in a white fleece blanket against my chest. Dr. Evans completed her final medical check, signing off on the chart before looking up with a relieved smile. "Mother and baby are both in exceptional health. Heart rate is ninety-eight, weight is seven pounds six ounces, and the APGAR score is a perfect nine. I'm going to give you three some privacy." She stepped out of the room, letting the heavy door slide shut behind her. Rhys sat on the right side of the bed, his broad frame leaning close. He had dropped his jacket on the chair hours ago; his sleeves were rolled up past his elbows. His dark grey eyes were fixed entirely on the baby’s face, his expression completely stripped of the cold, tactical detachmen
The wind woke me at three in the morning.It came howling off the high mountain peaks, rattling the heavy glass panes of our bedroom suite with violent force. Outside, the blizzard had turned into a whiteout. Snow swirled across the balcony in thick, blinding sheets, hiding the forest and the valley below in total darkness.I shifted slowly under the heavy duvet, trying to find a position that took the pressure off my lower back.Then the first real contraction hit.It wasn't the dull ache I’d felt earlier in the week. It was a sharp, tight wave that started deep in my lower spine and rolled across my stomach, squeezing hard enough to catch the air in my throat. I gripped the edge of the mattress, focusing entirely on a slow, steady exhale through my nose.Beside me, Rhys was awake before my second breath cleared."Sasha."His voice was instantly clear, free of any sleep. He sat up, pushing the blanket aside, his large hands reaching out to steady my shoulders. He looked at my
The snowfall didn't stop for three days.By Friday morning, the mountain pass leading down to Seattle was completely washed in white, the heavy fir trees bowing under the weight of fresh snow. Inside the compound, the furnace hummed quietly, keeping the wide rooms warm and sheltered from the winter gale outside.I stood in the center of the nursery, adjusting a small stack of organic cotton onesies on the dresser. My belly was high and heavy now at thirty-seven weeks. Every movement required a slow breath, a conscious shift of weight. But a strange, relentless energy had taken over my mind since yesterday morning—a fierce need to have every blanket folded, every baby drawer labeled, and every corner of our home prepared for our son's arrival."Sasha."Rhys’s voice came from the doorway, low and thick with that quiet, protective weight he’d carried all week.I turned slowly, holding a tiny white beanie in my hands. He was leaning against the doorframe in an old charcoal t-shirt and gre
The morning after our return from Vancouver, the quiet serenity of the mountain compound was a welcome contrast to the loud, chaotic energy of the arena. Snow had fallen steadily overnight, blanketing the pines in a fresh, thick layer of white. Inside the main study, the stone fireplace crackled softly, casting a warm golden light across the room. I sat at the wide mahogany desk in a soft, cream-colored cashmere sweater and warm leggings. At eight months and two weeks pregnant, getting comfortable was an ongoing negotiation, but the thick padded armchair provided plenty of support. My tablet rested on the desk in front of me, displaying a secure video link to our head legal counsel in Toronto and Geneva. Rhys walked into the room carrying a silver tray with fresh fruit, poached eggs, and a mug of warm herbal tea. He had already completed his morning workout, wearing a dark fitted shirt and sweatpants. As always, the moment his eyes landed on me, his posture softened completel







