Chapter Text
Cliff had tears in his eyes and a bright smile, Vera was in his arms and the little girl has already stolen his heart. She was so tiny and cute and perfect and…
“She is so pretty, I can’t believe she is half you.” He said to no one in specific but as the seconds pass he could hear Shane laughing and Ilya’s protests.
“Hey! I’m pretty. Shane tell Marly I’m pretty and handsome and…”
“I mean… I can see Marly’s point.”
“Why are you so mean with me dorogoy? Don’t you love me?”
“I love you very much and you know that.”
The room was calm, Cliff’s presence hasn’t changed that; they still were in their little bubble of perfection and peace.
“Guys, guys I can’t believe I’m her godfather. Just… it’s an amazing feeling, thank you so much I promise you I will protect her and spoil her and care for her with my life.” Cliff needs a moment to breathe. “But, eh- I want to ask why me? I mean, all the league knows that Pike is your best friend and already has like a million kids, I would think that he was your first option?”
Ilya —like the asshole he is—starts laughing at the ‘million kids’ phrase and even I he tries to deny it, Shane does the same.
“Hayden is a great friend and a good dad but he is not- how can I explain it without sounding mean?”
“Don’t worry if you sound mean. Just tell what you think malysh.”
Cliff nods at his captain words.
“He is not good with boundaries, he is a bit pushy with me even when I already tell him I’m not interested or simply that I don’t want it. And yes, he is a good dad but he is not home for the better part of the year, he is always playing or training or going out with the team the nights he have a home game; Jackie is the one who does all the work with their kids and hey, if that works for them perfect! But I don’t want that for Vera, I don’t want the pressure, the feeling of not knowing if she is going to be heard; someone who is going to run to me to tell me everything she says. I want her to have a confident, someone who is in her corner no matter what, someone she can go if she doesn’t want me or Ilya to know but who is going to have her best interest in mind, someone who will not pressure her into being a legacy or a shadow of her name. And-” the Canadian avoids looking to other things than his hands. “Ilya has told me you are a good friend, that you are always a good listener, that you are gentle and patient with the rookies and playful but reliable. He has told me that you are someone I- we can trust to be in Vera’s life. Hayden may be my best friend but you are Ilya’s brother so…”
The silence descents in the room and Shane worries that maybe he has said too much, but the reality is different because in the blink of an eye Cliff is crying more and Ilya is smiling and hugging Cliff carefully—and Vera is sleeping with no worries—.
“Oh… Rozy, I love you too man. You are my brother since the very first time you put your foot on the ice looking like a wet Russian raccoon with anxiety and big dreams.”
Shane doesn’t know if that is a compliment but it has to because Ilya is smiling even more and everything is fine again.
“Love you Marly.”
“Love you too, Russian menace. And you too Holzy even if this is our first conversation in all this years.” They all laugh. “So… how can I help you? What do you need?” Cliff asks with a soft smile, his eyes never leaving his goddaughter’s face. “You just told me that this little lady,” he raises slightly the baby in his arms. “was a completely surprise, so I doubt you had the time to buy all the things you need.”
“I bought the basics.” Ilya says as he points to the bags he brought. “Clothes and diapers and the whole list that Shane gave to me. And a bit more, it was a fun trip.”
“Should I be worried about photos of you buying baby things? Are rumors going to start appearing saying that you have a secret wife with a secret baby?”
“Nah, people did not recognize me. I was a professional super-spy, and I do not have a secret wife with a secret baby but I do have a secret fiancé with a secret baby.”
Cliff laughs at the sight, the banter it’s so natural that he can’t believe how he has missed all of this.
“You are such a charmer Rozy.” “And yeah, I saw it. But I’m talking about things like a crib?, a car seat? A stroller? The big things you know.”
“No…” Shane voice is so low that Ilya —who is beside him—struggled to hear it.
“I can take care of it, don’t panic. I will buy the thing and brig them to Roz’s apartment. I can buy like temporary things until you two choose or I can pick all the five star rated things and call it a day.”
“That will be awesome, thank you Cliff. And buy the best rated items in whatever color you want I trust you and I trust your fashion sense.” Shane saids with a grateful smile. “I’ll give you my card when you leave.”
“Hey Marly, why do you know so much about the things baby needs?” Ilya is busy with his phone taking pictures, but manages to asks without losing concentration.
“Ah, I have three older sisters and two older brothers, all of them are married with kids so I have like a lot of nieces and nephews. The last time I went home, I count 14 of the little monsters with two more on the way. So I’ve been the best at giving baby gifts for years, a title I carry with pride and I will not lose it now.”
“Man, 14?!” Ilya whistles surprised.
“I know, I know. Family reunions are always wild and loud. And can you believe that even with 14 grandkids my mom still asks me when will be my turn?”
“Well, now you have a goddaughter so maybe your mom will be more relaxed?” Shane says with a smile.
“Oh yes, absolutely! I’m just warning you that Vera is going to become Boston most spoiled baby as soon as my family knows. If you are ok with that of course.”
“You just said that Ilya is your brother and, how could I not be ok with Vera being loved by more people?” The Canadian feels so happy knowing that Ilya has a safety net, a group of people who love him so much. Shane knows that Ilya’s life in Russia has not been easy, he knows his dad is a tough man, he knows that Ilya’s brother is rude and mean and have a lot of problems, so Ilya having a best friend who also consideres him a brother, it so good. So he is ok with having more family for his little Vera.
“Yeah Marly, you just claimed me as your brother so not take backsies.”
“Deal.”
Yuna Hollander doesn’t know all as shocking as it sounds. She knows a lot of things like Shane’s schedule with the brands, his training schedule, his diet plan. She knows that her son is obsessed with hockey and nothing more and also she knows that said son is supposed to be in his Montreal apartment but the red bright dot on her phone say other thing.
Her phone shows that Shane is in Boston.
Boston Memorial Hospital to be precise.
She tries to call him; one, two, three times and more —23 calls in a span of half an hour—. But Shane doesn’t answer, he sends a text saying everything is fine and that he is getting ready to go practice. Yuna knows is a lie and she is getting more and more worried as the time passes, so her next decision is the only logical one.
“David, I’m booking a flight to Boston for tonight.”
“I’m going to pack our suitcases as soon as I finish dinner.”
Shane and Ilya spends the afternoon in the hospital room listening to Marissa —the nurse who is taking care of Vera and who is going to receive a very thoughtful ‘thank you’ basket—who is explaining to them how to bath their little one. Shane still can’t believe that this is his life now, he can’t believe that he now has a daughter, a little girl who is half him and half Ilya. A little baby named Vera who is a surprise but so loved and who is also currently showing off her lungs because she is getting a bath. A warm one with gentle hands and a very good smelling soap.
“She is very opinionated.”
“She is loud.”
“She is expressing her dislike.”
“She is just like you Ilya.”
“I know.” And he looks so proud.
Marissa swaddles Vera with one of the blankets Ilya bought earlier —they were kind enough to wash it for them—, the baby is wearing another hospital onesie because she is still small enough so the new ones her papa has bought for her are still too big. Ilya is there, learning how to do it because he has decided he is going to take care of that as soon as they are home because Shane deserves to rest, so he needs to know everything.
Shane is just amused and touched by Ilya’s commitment.
“All ready little miss. You are now safe and warm and ready to be with your parents for the rest of the afternoon.” She passes the baby to Shane, who cuddles her against his chest with ease. Vera is slowly blinking almost ready to sleep and Ilya is ready to take more pictures of her. “The doctor is going to stop by your room in a moment, he is going to tell you the next steps and the dates you need to bring her fin or her next check-up. And… if someone asks, you haven’t heard it from me, but everything is perfect and you are ready to go home!”
“You hear that malysh? You are ready to go home with us.”
“Speaking of, how is Cliff doing with the shopping?”
“You are going to laugh dorogoy.”
“Why?” Shane settles into the bed with Ilya’s help.
“I managed to avoid photos and rumors but Marly didn’t.”
The Russian shows Shane his phone, where a few post are displayed. Pictures of Cliff Marlow carrying a few boxes to his car; all of them with brand of baby things.
“He now has a one secret wife in Boston, a girlfriend in Los Angeles and a Mistress with a baby in Las Vegas. A whole family I haven’t met, shame on him really.”
Shane grabs the phone closer to his face so he can read it —he doesn’t have his contacts on and he left his glasses in his bag back at Ilya’s—, and he laughs startling Vera slightly.
“Oh sorry baby, I’m sorry. Don’t cry little star, you are safe; just papa just showed me something very funny.”
“The chat is going crazy, Connor is trying to make Marly confess and St. Simons is starting the betting pool. I love this guys.”
“Ah, can you give me my phone please? My mom is going crazy and I want to call her now we are more settle. I sent her a few texts but I’m pretty sure she didn’t buy my excuses.”
“Here, take phone and give me baby please. I need my baby right now.”
Shane unlocks his phone and tries to call his mom but the he is sent to voicemail and his text doesn’t reach her phone. Weird.
“Maybe she is in a meeting so you can do more commercials. That would be nice because in front of my apartment was a huge picture of you but got taken down like two months ago and I want to see you again trough my window”
“Really? Even if you have the man himself in your bed?”
“If I can have both I want both.”
As Marissa said, the doctor came to the room a few minutes later to say that everything seems to be more than fine.
“So, you are free to go home. Vera is healthy and you Shane are also ok despite the shock. Marissa will be back to help you gather everything and to give you the dates you need to bring Vera. If you are going to move to another city” he glances at Shane with a smile. “just make sure you tell that to the front desk so we can send your medical files to the doctor you choose. If not, we will see each other soon. If you have any doubts, worries or if you notice something that does not feel ok to you please call or come to the ER. No doubt is small or silly.”
“Good because I’m so fucking nervous and I don’t want to mess something.”
“Shane! Little ears!”
“She has heard hockey players chirp each other for months, she will be fine if I say one bad word from me.”
“That’s all from my part, I wish you well gentlemen. And don’t panic much, you are going to be fine. You are doing excellent!”
“Thanks.”
Ilya and Shane are left alone with their daughter, they are now just waiting for them to be discharged and finally going home.
“Marly just texted me. Everything is ready back at home, he just built the crib and stub his toe with the hammer; very funny. Also, what do you think about having a bazillion plushies? Like the whole shop if this picture is right.”
“If Cliff wants to spend his salary in Vera then… be my guest.”
Marissa comes back with a bunch of papers, a tray with cotton and some alcohol; and the rest of the clothes she kindly washed for them.
“Well, you are free to go. Go live your life with a newborn and be happy!”
They have to wait until Cliff appears with a new car seat installed in the safest car that Ilya owns, then with some help they managed to settle Vera in the seat. Cliff is driving because Ilya doesn’t feel confident enough to do it, instead he is in the backseat with Shane trying to keep his daughter calm.
“So Cliff, when are you going to introduce us to your wife, girlfriend and mistress? I read somewhere you also have a new baby and I want Vera to have friends her age.” Shane says laughing. Cliff just sighs at the words while trying to avoid the busiest streets.
“You have no idea how many times my mom has called me. How did you do it Roz? I was there in the most un-Cliff outfit I owned and still they managed to find me! And man! It is not the first time I went there to buy things for a baby, I was there last year when my sister was pregnant.”
“People are weird.”
“Yeah.”
“So I managed to got everything you need for tonight. There is a crib in your room and a lot of gifts from my part; I will come back tomorrow to help you with more things if you are ok with that. Or I can come later in the week, just tell me and I’ll be there.” He is rambling and Ilya can’t help feeling nothing but happiness.
“Thank you Marly. For everything.”
“Welcome to America Airlines. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight BO-342 to Boston. We are now inviting those passengers with small children and passengers who require special assistance to begin the boarding process at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regylar boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes time. Thank you for your preference.”
“So what do we do now? We should do laundry? Online shopping? Nothing?” Ilya feels weird, he is just there watching little Vera sleeping.
“I have no idea.”
“I’ll order dinner oke? You need to eat something more than hospital food and I want a hamburger.”
“Then I’m going to stay in the bedroom with Vera and I’m going to search for an immigration lawyer. And then maybe we can talk about what are we going to do with our teams and everything else.”
Ilya disappears downstairs and Shane is alone with his daughter. Vera is sleeping in her crib and the Canadian is finally able to sit on the bed; he is sore and tired and anxious. He didn’t let himself feeling everything back at the hospital, but now in the calm of Ilya’s room (their room) he feels everything downing on him. His cheeks are wet, he is crying because he can’t do anything else, everything has changed so fast in so little time and there is no plan, no list, no steps or anything. Shane can’t grasp the fact that a baby has been growing inside him, that he wasn’t able to enjoy that part of his life —that he didn’t take care of himself, that he kept playing, that he wasn’t sure about being able to be a good parent—. Shane wants to be optimistic, he wants to believe that his team is going to accept him, his relationship with Ilya and their baby but Shane has spent years in that locker, he has heard their comments, their opinions, their beliefs.
Shane knows that he is going to have to leave, if he wants to be able to breathe with ease he needs to say goodbye to the team who drafted him —his dream team—. Maybe he will need to take a sabbatical, because despite his love for hockey (obsession some say) Shane wants to be there for his daughter. And the possibility of having to choose one or another breaks his heart.
He also needs to tell his parents, he doesn’t want to do that because he knows his mother will be overbearing. He wants peace and calm, he wants to be able to panic alone and in silence —with Ilya by his side—.
“Well, one problem at the time.”
Searching in the web he is able to find a promising lawyer, the reviews are good and the success rate is high enough to catch Shane’s eye. He sent the name to Farah with a short message asking for discretion. He is sure he will have an answer by morning because Farah is pretty good at her job. That’s the first thing they need to take care of, because he won’t be able to sleep until Ilya’s situation is resolved.
Please be safe. Please stay safe. Please be safe. Please stay safe.
He keeps scrolling, now looking for baby things he wants to show Ilya later.
The aforementioned appears at the door, he looks so soft that Shane smiles back at him. The bed dips when Ilya sat there too and Shane can feel Ilya’s arma surrounding his waist, then the Russian head finds its place in the crook of the Canadian neck. Little kisses are given to the place and Shane shivers, it’s all pretty surreal but he is trying to just adapt to the new pace of his life —it’s a good one—.
“Food is already on its way.”
“Good, I’m starving.”
“It’s my little bear sleeping oke?”
“Yep, she looks pretty comfy.” Both of them look at the crib where Vera sleeps.
“Good, she deserves it. Being born is pretty hard task.”
“Tell me about it.”
They both get comfortable, they are tired and life has just get ten times harder; they have to face the(ir) reality in a couple of days: their friends, their teams, the league and the commissioner who is a whole different character, a man who is at best a behind-the-door-closed-minded-ancient-being. Shane is trying to bring up the topic to talk about it when his phone lit up with an incoming call.
Yuna Hollander
“You should answer dorogoy. She is worried about you.” Ilya says as soon as he noticed Shane’s hesitation.
“I know, I know. It’s just…” he can’t explain himself. Shane loves his mom, that is a fact that everybody knows. But he also feels anxious thinking about talking to her, because she is a loving mother but a ruthless manager and most of the times they mixed. She is going to ask where he is, because it’s obvious that Yuna knows her son it’s not in Montreal. It’s obvious that she knows something has happened and she wants (needs) to know. Shane has experience dealing with her, he is pretty good avoiding her questions and giving her not specific answers but now? Shane it’s not sure he can do that. He is not in the right state of mind to deal with his mom.
“I’m here. Just do it and then we can enjoy our food and our baby time.”
“You are a good negotiator.”
Shane waits a few more seconds and then he hits the ‘answer’ button.
“Hi mom. How are you?” Shane chooses to feign ignorance (a good tactic learned from early stages of his adolescence).
“Don’t do that.”
“I’m just asking how are you? Did the sponsors meeting went ok? Farah sent me the contract draw and I think is a good one but as always I want your opinion on that matter.”
“I’m here Shane, outside.”
“Ah, I’m still at practice and I don’t know what time I’ll be back because afterwards the boys want to go for a drink…” Ilya makes a weird face at the statement. ‘Such a bad lier’ he mouths to Shane. “And as their captain I should…”
“Don’t lie to me, I know you are not at practice. In fact I know you are not in Montreal.”
“What, what are you talking about?”
“When I say I’m here outside I mean that I’m here in Boston, in front of a few buildings trying to decipher where are you so I can go up and talk to you. To ask you why did you travel all the way to Boston without saying anything just for me to discover your little trip by checking your location after you refuse to answer my calls all day.”
“Mom…” He sounds and looks panicked, Ilya grabs his hand and kisses his knuckles trying to keep Shane calm.
“So, are you going to tell me where are you or I need to guess?”
Shane doesn’t know what to do, what to say. He doesn’t want to do this in that moment, he wants to enjoy one more day with no worries but it seems that he is being greedy wanting that.
“Just tell her.” Ilya says. “It will be fine, I’m here oke?”
And Shane does that, he tells his mom the right address and then they just need to wait for her arrival.
“Well, something you need to say to me Shane?” Yuna says when Shane opens the door.
“Hi mom, I was not expecting seeing you here.”
“So, are you going to tell me what happened or I also need to guess that?”
Boston Sights | @BearSighstBos_
Cliff Marlow spotted in downtown Boston!
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Boston Sights | @BearSighstBos_
Some lovely fans have provided us with some pictures. He was shopping for baby things!
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Nova | @BrightStar
So, another niece/nephew? I swear this would be like the tenth.
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Briggitt | @BabyBunny
Or maybe it’s his baby??? I mean, he was shopping for the big things. Look at all those boxes!!! And in a recent interview he said that his siblings are like done with having kids at this moment.
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BostonBearsNews | @BBNewsOfficial
Cliff Marlow shopping for his baby?! The internet is connecting the dots and all the evidence points to the Boston Bear player having a baby (one he has only just found out about). Read more here…
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Lily18RH42 | @LilyFlower1213324
Looooool
Replying to
[BostonBearsNews | @BBNewsOfficial
Cliff Marlow shopping for his baby?! The internet is connecting the dots…]
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