#nhl flames | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

hockeyboysimagines · 2 years

Text

The Battle of Alberta

A short blurb featuring Brady Tkachuk

Warnings: some language, fluff. Mentions of alcohol.

I have been so MIA, but seeing Brady so excited I had to write this.

“This is gonna be SO LIT!” Brady screeched as he shook Hallie by the shoulders. The entire Tkachuk clan had flown in the day prior and was seated around their house. Thomas was outside with Taryn and Keith, and Matthew was chatting with his mom, leaving her with Brady, who was buzzing. He’d been bouncing off the walls since the previous day, more excited than she’d seen him in a very long time. It was both funny and annoying and she realized why she never wanted a sibling. He’d woken everyone up at the ass crack of dawn with his antics and she was exhausted just looking at him.

The Battle of Alberta had Calgary buzzing under normal circumstances, but in the playoffs?

Things had been insane. A virtual sea of red could be seen everywhere they went in the days leading up to game 1, which would take place tomorrow evening. Calgary as a whole, was on fire. But no one was quite as excited as the Tkachuk’s.

“How much coffee have you had today?”

“Fucking none-“ he slapped a hand over his mouth and looked around for Thomas.

“He’s outside, but nice censorship.”

“My bad. I always forget he’s only 3 because he’s just so rad. Kid takes after his uncle.”

Hallie rolled her eyes and chuckled before Brady spoke again “Are you excited? This is your first playoff series after all.”

“Of course she is.” She glanced over her shoulder to find Matthew behind her smiling “She’s excited to see all of this out on the ice.” He waggled his eyebrows at her and winked, as two spots of pink appeared on her cheeks.

“Don’t ruin my buzz.” Brady said frowning and then made a noise of disgust “Seriously though this is awesome and I’m so pumped.”

“You mentioned.”

Brady slapped Matthew on the shoulder and made his way loudly through the house and outside, presumably to find the rest of the family. Matthew took a seat next to Hallie. She sometimes found herself just staring at him, like she couldn’t believe she was here with him. It seemed like so long ago she was dodging him as much as she possibly could, and now she couldn’t imagine life without him.

“So listen-“

“No.”

“I what? I didn’t even-“

“No.”

He smiled a little and let out a breathy chuckle, shaking his head “How did you even know what I was going to say?”

“You we’re going to say “Hey babe can we get it in tonight? And the answer is no.”

“Whyyyyyy?-“ he whined slouching against his chair.

Hallie glanced around over her shoulder and lowered her voice “Your whole family is staying in our house, and our child is sleeping on a bed in our room.”

“So? We can be quiet.”

“Quiet isn’t in your vocabulary.”

He giggled and reached a hand forward to run his fingers through her hair, which now fell just below her chest. He made sure to let his hand slide slowly down her breast, her breath hitching in her throat.

“Damn you.” Hallie whispered. Matthew smiled at her and pecked her on the cheek, before he stood and disappeared through the house.

Hallie turned back and suddenly a wave of nausea washed over her and for a brief moment she thought she might vomit. She subtly slid off her stool and walked towards the bathroom attached to their bedroom. It was cool and quiet and she leaned against the wall, heart thudding and stomach churning as she tried to keep it down.

It was an all too familiar nausea, one she’d felt before. She’d been putting off taking a test for weeks, mostly because she knew the answer but mainly because this wasn’t a distraction Matthew needed. But she had to know for sure.

She kept a stash under the sink, in a tampon box. She pulled one out, shimmied her jeans down and sat to pee, setting it on the counter and finishing while she waited.

It took less than 30 seconds for the test to finish.

Positive.

Two pink lines, unmistakable there in the tiny oval on the pregnancy test.

She sighed.

This wasn’t good. Matthew had been laser focused on the playoffs, and he didn’t need to be worrying about another baby right now. She carried the test from the room and sat on the bed, still staring. She was happy, but also not and it was a very confusing feeling.

“Hey Hal what are-“ Brady threw open the door and his eyes zeroed in on the pregnancy test “Holy shit!” He exclaimed, hands flying up to his head.

“SHH!” Hallie took two large steps forward and slapped a hand over Brady’s mouth. She thought she’d locked the door behind her, and she felt a panic set in.

“Okay I’ll be quiet.” He mumbled behind her palm, hands up in surrender. When she removed her hands he smiled so large his face could have cracked “Are you pregnant?”

Hallies lip trembled and she nodded, handing him the test.

“This is fucking awesome!” He whispered gleefully, but then stopped when he saw her face “Are you crying?”

“It’s not the right time. He has so much going on, and he’s been playing so well I don’t want-“

“Hallie are you kidding? He’s gonna be so excited! Remember how he was before Thomas was born?”

“I just don’t want to add any stress for him right now. Plus we still haven’t gotten married.”

“This is the good kind of stress! Who needs to get married anyways. This is so exciting!!!” He swept Hallie into a bone crushing hug, eyes closed and still smiling “I’m so glad your my sister-in-law. Now.” He stepped back and as gently as one who was as inebriated as he was could, wiped the smeared mascara from under her eyes “I’ll go stall so you can pull yourself together. It’ll be our secret okay?” She nodded and he gave her another hug before he left the room, stumbling only once when he bounced off the doorframe.

Hallie took a deep breath and eyed the red playoff jacket hanging on the back of the chair. She slipped it on, turning to the side. Her stomach was still flat, not even a hint of a bump showing yet so she wasn’t going to give herself away by wearing something loose or baggy. She would act totally natural until the playoffs were over. No reason to rock the boat.

Right?

*********

The saddledome was louder than Hallie had ever heard it, as she and Taryn followed Brady and Emma. Carly was already sitting with the rest of the Tkachuk’s, some of whom she had met for the first time. She had tried to remain as cool and collected as possible. She realized as she walked that a lot of people were looking at her, and it dawned on her that the fire red jacket and TKACHUK in large white lettering was easily recognizable as a wag playoff jacket. She smiled and held her head a little higher. It made her proud to be wearing this name across her back.

She couldn’t wait to have it as her own last name.

“I need beer.” Brady said suddenly, stopping short and causing them all to slam into him from behind. They watched and giggled as Brady stuffed a beer can into each pocket and held a third in his hand, shoving his wallet into Emma’s purse.

“Braeden!” Chantelle scolded him as they sat down in their seats. Thomas was seated on her lap, smile so large and bright as he looked around, waiting for Matthew to come out on the ice.

“Mom I’m thirsty!” He said as he cracked one open and took a small sip. Keith rolled his eyes and reached over to grab Hallie’s knee.

“Are you okay?”

Hallie blinked and nodded slowly “Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?” He glanced around and then spoke lowly “Something seems off.”

“Thomas hasn’t been sleeping much lately, you know. Playoffs.” She said trying to keep a straight face. Taryn, Emma, Brady, Chantelle or even Matthew would have accepted that as a reason and moved on, but Not Keith.

“Don’t lie to me. I raised these morons-“ he gestured at a very drunk Brady, and Matthew’s face, which had appeared on the Jumbotron as he spoke “What’s going on?”

Hallie bit her lip and swiveled her eyes towards the rest of the group and then back to Keith. He stared at her for a moment before he cleared his throat.

“Does anybody want anything? I need to get a water.”

“I’ll come!” Hallie jumped up “I need to pee.” She and Keith headed down the steps and out on to the concourse before he turned to her, making sure they were out of earshot.

“I’m pregnant.”

Keith’s face went from concerned to confused before a large smile stretched across his face, and Hallie was reminded for a moment how much Matthew looked like him.

“Oh my goodness. No way!” He grabbed her shoulders and then pulled her in for a hug “Does anyone know?”

Hallie wiped at a tear and nodded “Yeah Brady found out on accident, but that’s it.”

“Why are you crying?”

“We aren’t even married yet Keith I-“

“Ah who needs marriage.” He waved his hand but his smile was wide and his eyes were twinkling.“How far along are you?”

“That’s what Brady said. I’m not really sure. 12 weeks? Maybe less. I just found out two days ago.”

“Well no one will hear it from me, but-“

“I promise after the series I’ll tell him.”

“Good. Now, I have to go buy something so we don’t look suspicious. Come on.” He gave her hand another tight squeeze and together they walked through the concourse.

************

It was a hard fought 5 games but the Flames just couldn’t pull it off. A horrendous call at the end of game 5 may have tipped the scales and forced a game 6 but they would never know.

Brady during that time had become an internet sensation, his wild antics in the crowd and die hard support of his brother was nothing short of endearing to both fanbases.

The Tkachuk’s hung around for a few days after the playoffs ended to help Matt and Hallie pack up the house and begin to get ready for the journey back to St.Louis. Hallie didn’t have a plan, but she was winging it at this point. She wanted the announcement to be special, and Matthew had been so down about the elimination to Edmonton she wanted it to lift him up, and not stress him out.

She slipped on a black sundress, stowing the test in the pocket and made her way outside, taking a deep breath and plastering a smile across her face.

The air was warm and the sun had begun to set over their backyard. The drinks had been flowing, and the mood was light on the last night in Calgary. The team was there, the family was there and this would be the perfect time to let the cat out of the bag.

She made her way to the porch and glanced at Brady who smiled and nodded. She cleared her throat, gaining the attention of a few people, but most were too involved in their conversations. Brady however wasn’t having it.

“Hey! Hallie’s trying to talk shut up!” She rolled her eyes and chuckled remembering this going similarly to the first announcement.

“I just wanted to say, it’s been a pleasure having you all, and although we didn’t win this series I do have some good news.”

She found Matthew in the crowd and smiled. He was looking at her strangely, a small smile on his face.

She pulled the test out of the pocket of her dress and held it up “I’m pregnant!” She squeaked.

A large roar sounded and Matthew’s mouth fell open.

“No fucking way!” Noah yelled, slapping Matt on the back “Congrats buddy!”

“This is so exciting!” Carly screeched, rushing forward to hug her, followed by Johnny who she clung to, unsure if this might be one of the last times she was able to hug him.

“Congratulations.” He whispered in her ear, squeezing her tightly.

“I knew it first! Guess we know who the favorite is huh?” Brady said elbowing Taryn gleefully.

She accepted hugs and cheek kisses from various family members and teammates until only Matthew himself was left, still rooted to the spot dumbfounded.

“Are you mad?” She whispered, approaching him slowly.

“Am I-what? Of course not. I’m just shocked, we were so-“

“I know I just. I want you to want this.”

“I want this. I want all of this. All of this with you.” He reached forward and pulled her into a very long kiss.

“Hey there are children present!” Johnny yelled. Hallie felt a tug on her dress and pulled away, to find Thomas smiling up at her.

Matthew scooped him up and showed him the test “Hey buddy do you know what this means?”

He shook his head and Matthew smiled at him “It means your gonna be a big brother!”

Hallie smiled and let her hand drift over her stomach. She couldn’t feel the baby yet, but it was in there.

Another perfect piece to her perfect family.

But she had another surprise.

A surprise that involved an early gender blood test.

“A big brother to a little sister.” She said.