Work Text:
Shane's body went still at his sudden wakefulness, his brain caught up as to why only a moment later as it registered the soft cry that crackled over the baby monitor. He moved to roll out of bed but Ilya's hand moved down from his waist to where it had been wrapped around and pressed on his hip to keep him from moving and pressed a kiss behind his ear, making Shane immediately relax into the bed with a content hum.
“I will get her,” he murmured, pressing his nose into Shane’s hair, “Need to get up for press shit early anyway, go back to sleep, moya lyubov'.”
“You sure?” he asked, his voice croaking from sleep, making his husband chuckle softly. He glanced at the clock, 4:54AM, it was pretty early, he did still have a couple hours before he had to get up for the day, he could still take care of the baby while Ilya got ready. Only Ilya and Couch Wiebe were needed for the early as fuck press meeting today. Shane was so very grateful he wasn’t Captain anymore, he did not miss some of the duties. He missed some things, sure, but overall he was actually very happy not to have that responsibility on his shoulders, and besides Ilya was a much better Captain in Shane's opinion.
“Da, sleep,” he said as he rolled up and then bent down to kiss Shane's forehead. Shane hummed again, feeling even more content, closing his eyes again and let himself drift.
Suddenly having a baby was not something either of them had planned, they'd talked about adopting, of course, even looked into it, but nothing set in stone. They had only been married a year and a half, on the same team for nearly as long, it was a change they hadn’t anticipated, but was very welcome despite the mess that led to it. And kids had been on the table, but it had not been a ‘soon’ kind of thing, more of a future plan thing, Shane liked planning these things, he liked knowing what to expect. He liked researching it too, he always had. He preferred to be prepared for hard things, and he knew not to expect babies and kids to be easy, he’d watched Hayden’s kids often enough to know better than to think for a moment he could just understand how to take care of kids. But he had enjoyed it for the most part, and he really enjoyed doing it with Ilya. So yes, had they expected to some day make that decision to adopt a kid, maybe two? Absolutely. Naturally life had other plans.
One of Shane’s old friends had ended up making the decision for them. One of the ice skaters he'd shared a rink with back in their training days who he’d gotten along with, but hadn't been super close with; in fact she was someone he'd only spoken to off and on over the last decade had ended up leaving them her baby. It had been a huge shock to learn she had died at only a year younger than he was from complications in childbirth, and it was even more of a shock to find she had, for some reason, named Shane as next of kin for her infant baby. It was nothing they’d talked about before, he hadn’t even known she was pregnant, and then the next thing he knew, he was getting a call in the late evening dropping the whole bombshell on him.
It was just one of those things, Ilya had said, it was a sign.
Shane hadn't been sure at first. Nervous for such an abrupt change to his normal, something he had not accounted for yet. It was not yet in his plan.
But the moment he and Ilya had laid eyes on her there was no question, if the chance of adoption was there, they were taking it.
It was exhilarating and terrifying but it was the right decision, Ilya had taken to fatherhood with aplomb, and Shane was hellbent on learning everything he could through research, still nervous but eager. It had been a very interesting series of months they’d been able to take paternity leave while she was very little, luckily she was born right before the end of the season and she had had to stay in the hospital for several weeks before they could bring her home, only a week after they’d won the Cup with the Centaurs, it had been an absolute rollercoaster of emotions for them both, but slowly they had eased into a sweet sense of normalcy.
A while later a gentle press to the mattress had him opening his eyes again, he couldn’t help the smile he felt split his face when he laid eyes on Lyra, the precious baby girl that had changed his and his husband's life once again, in so many good ways.
“Hello sweetheart,” he cooed softly, noting how she was in a new onesie than the one she'd had on last night when he’d put her to bed, also clearly with a diaper change and was happily sucking on a bottle. Ilya had changed her and gotten her nice and cozy for a lie in before the day started. Shane's chest felt fit to burst at how wonderful Ilya was at being a dad. He was always surprised at how much more he could love his husband everyday.
Her big brown eyes were staring at him, one of her hands came away from the bottle to reach for his face, he tilted his face up so he could kiss her fingers, making her babble happily at him around the bottle.
“This is very unfair,” Ilya sighed, his phone was already up taking a picture of them, Lyra snuggled up in the crook of Shane's arm, tiny hands wrapped around her bottle and Shane smiling down at her utterly besotted. It was the perfect kind of picture to capture and Ilya took one every chance he got. “How can I leave such a beautiful thing?”
“Yes,” Shane agreed, adjusting his position in the bed so he was more curled around the baby who was very content to go back to go back to sleep if her drooping eyelids were any indication. “But you can't disappoint Coach Wiebe, you don't have it in you.”
Ilya snorted a laugh but didn't disagree, he leaned over to kiss Shane's lips oh so gently, then shifted and kissed the top of Lyra's soft blond hair.
“See you in few hours,” he promised, “I love you both…mmm more than the moon.”
“More than the moon?” Shane asked back, amused.
“Much more,” Ilya said seriously making him laugh softly.
“Well, I love you too, definitely more than the moon, of which I have no real attachment,” he said drily, “Lyra on the other hand…I dunno that crib mobile mom got her, she seems to like a lot.”
“So funny first thing in morning, comedian my husband,” he teased back, stole another quick kiss then headed off to shower and get ready while Shane happily stared at their sleeping daughter.
His alarm went off an hour later, after Ilya had already left, he sat up and took the now empty bottle from tiny loose fingers, he kissed her head once, and then once more, just for good measure, then got up and went about getting ready for the day, making sure to keep an eye on her as he did so, he did not like the idea of her rolling off the bed, she hadn’t rolled over yet, but Shane wouldn’t put it past her to try when he wasn’t looking.
It was just a normal practice day for him so he had to be at the arena at a normal time which gave him plenty of time to get them both dressed and fed, some rice puffs for her and a protein shake and healthy carbs for him, then he'd drop Lyra off with daycare, he and Ilya would practice with the rest of the team until the afternoon then they’d go pick her up from daycare, head home and enjoy a nice evening together. It was normal, routine, easy.
Right as he finished zipping Lyra up in her coat his phone rang, he booped her nose making her giggle and grab at his hand as he answered the call, his stomach dropped seeing it was daycare.
“Marisol?” He answered.
“Hey, Shane, I am so sorry to do this to you, but Nellie and Ben both came down with the flu last night, they still have fevers, so it's really best to keep Lyra away for right now.”
“No, no, I mean yes, it is, thanks for letting me know, I'll figure it out, I hope they feel better,” he said quickly, his mind already racing as he thought up options. He knew he'd had a back up babysitter planned before they’d chosen Marisol as Lyra's primary daycare, but they'd only been doing this for a month and a half, so he hadn’t actually put in the work to find them. He had known this was a possibility, but of course hadn’t actually considered it was going to happen as quickly as this, could kids really get the flu this early? He thought flu season was closer to December, but no that didn’t matter, he just needed to find a solution faster than he’d anticipated.
“Well…okay,” he looked down at his daughter who was happily sitting in her car seat, ready to go, she babbled up at him before shoving her fingers in her mouth. He absently searched for a pacifier as he thought.
“Oh, right,” he found a pacifier and offered it to her before he dialed his other option.
“Hey, mom?”
Ilya was already on the ice, bored as the rest of his team filtered onto the ice, the press thing had ended much earlier than anticipated and Ilya was grumpy that he'd missed out on prime cuddle time with his family because it could have happened later. But it was fine, he’d see Shane soon and then they'd go pick up their darling baby girl after practice and argue about whose car she'd ride in, it would be fun. Ilya was totally going to win.
After all of the team was out and started running drills Ilya definitely noticed his missing Husband. It was not typical of Shane being late, he was either early or on time, and well knowing he’d left him safe at home was a bit of a reassurance, but still, his anal retentive husband being late to practice was not at all reassuring.
Luckily he didn't have to worry long as Shane came down the tunnel, still dressed in regular clothes and still holding the baby. He came to the edge of the boards next to the gate, he caught Ilya’s eyes easily as he was already skating over to them.
“What's wrong?” Ilya asked immediately after opening the gate so they could talk without shouting, he smiled brightly at Lyra who was already reaching for him, Shane switched her over to his other hip so she was closer to him, but didn’t hand her over, Ilya knew why, but he had to resist the urge to pluck her out of his hands anyway.
“Marisol had to cancel, her kids had the flu,” Shane said, biting his lip, “I called my mom, she can take her but she's coming back from Montreal from a meeting with a sponsor so it'll be a few hours, and Dad is at work.”
“Oh, nothing terrible,” he offered a smile, his shoulders relaxed and he reached for Shane's hand, quickly taking off his glove so he could squeeze it in reassurance. He knew his husband did not like routines being disrupted, but it would be fine, “You can watch while we wait then join us when Yuna gets here.”
“Okay,” he was still biting his lip.
“Is okay, team understands, remember when Bood had to leave to get Milo?”
“That was slightly different, seeing as Cassie was in active labor,” Shane said dryly. Ilya waved his hand dismissively.
“Details, point is, he left, we are fine, you are here, still learning through watching, is fine.”
“Eveything okay?” A new voice asked, Coach Wiebe had made his way around the rink to come check on them, and Shane saw several more curious and concerned faces looking at them from the rink, but not a single look of judgement.
“Yes, babysitter had to cancel at last second, so Shane will watch while waiting for backup,” Ilya said, “All is good, da, Lyrachka?”
He pinched the front of her coat and she squealed at him again, her tiny mittened hand smacking at his, he couldn’t help himself and he leaned forward to kiss her head.
“Careful,” Shane said softly, laughing at him, seeing how he’d very nearly slipped from the odd angle.
“You saw nothing,” Ilya said back, making more faces at the baby.
“Ha, that means we can have clean ice before Hollander gets his skates all over it, laying claim,” Wyatt teased, “Finally I can write my full name into it.”
“What stopped you before I joined the team?” Shane asked dryly, Wyatt only shrugged, grinning.
“Dude the Zamboni drive would murder you if you did that,” Dykstra laughed, “Do it.”
“I have always considered it, I may have done the Superman symbol, once. Straight lines are easy,” Wyatt said, “It was during that one game against the Metros, you remember?”
“The one where we refused to let them get past center line? Yeah, I remember,” Troy said, still very pleased by the whole thing. Shane blushed out of the corner of Ilya’s eye, he grinned too, sharing in Troy’s joy. That had been a very good game, the first time Shane had played against his previous team after the trade. They’d been playing for blood on his behalf, and it still embarrassed him.
“I was bored, so…I started drawing with my skates,” Wyatt said. “Had nothing better to do.”
“Alright kids, I think it’s time to actually get practice started,” Wiebe said, stopping what was likely going to be a very distracted team very shortly. Well he tried.
“Oh! The person I just wanted to see!” Shane turned and saw Harris walking down the tunnel now, “Shane I was going to ask you to post- oh there's a baby. Hey Lyra, what're you doing here?”
“Harris!” Ilya said excitedly, “I just have genius thought! Harris, can you watch my precious darling baby girl while we wait for grandma? There was last minute baby watching change, and Shane must get on ice to defend his honor of ice menace!”
“Pretty sure that's you,” Shane rolled his eyes, but turned to Harris, “You needed me for something else?”
“Oh it can wait for later,” he smiled, then offered his finger to Lyra who immediately put it in her mouth, “Did you want me to watch her? I really don't mind for an hour or so while we wait for Yuna, she can hang in the office with me.”
“Are you sure?” He didn't want to impose, he knew Harris had a lot to do already and adding a baby meant he would get absolutely none of that done.
“Yeah, I don't get to hang around my nephews as often as I like and they are now at the frightful toddler stage, so I kinda miss the littles stage, I like babies.”
“Okay…well, I have a bag for her, it should have everything she could need-”
“And more.” Ilya said amused, “Shane is very prepared.”
“Better than unprepared,” Shane glared at him making the teammates still watching laugh remembering the diaper incident. Ilya never ever forgot diapers again, to say the least.
“That was accident and was fine, she had fun,” he said, “Now give baby to Harris, we do have to do practice, I know how much you hate to.”
Shane rolled his eyes at his husband's sarcasm, but handed first the diaper bag over which he slung over his shoulder and then he handed Lyra over to Harris who seemed thrilled, and had her sitting on his chest so he could look at her and hopefully distract her from the fact she was not with either of her daddies. She reached up and stole his glasses with ease and then tried to chew on them.
“Hey now,” he laughed, taking them back gently then he looked over at the high pitched whine that had suddenly started from behind Ilya.
He and many others turned to see Troy staring at his man holding a baby looking adorable, his eyes were wide.
Ilya immediately burst out laughing, “Oh you need to be careful now Harris, Troy wants to baby you!”
“Ohmygod, shut up, Rozanov!” Troy’s face went red so fast it was a worry he might lose blood elsewhere.
“Ah, so it has come again,” Bood mused, “The Centaur Stork.”
“The Centaur Stork?” Wyatt asked, eyes narrowed.
“Mhm, it hits us all at one point, or twice.”
“Nooo thank you,” Wyatt said, “Don’t get me wrong, Lisa and I love kids, but we’re good playing Aunt and Uncle to all of yours.”
“I am also good,” Haas said, looking terrified.
“We aren’t looking either! I can think my partner is cute holding a baby, leave me alone!” Troy said, still pink in the face.
Wiebe let out a long suffering sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose, “Children at home…children on ice…”
“It is fine, husbands look even better holding baby…just saying,” Ilya said, smiling innocently.
“You’re not helping,” Shane said, “Go, I’ll tell my mom where you are,” he told Harris who was clearly extremely amused by his boyfriend's reaction, he nodded and then headed back down the tunnel, Shane shook his head and headed to the locker room to get changed.
“Can we actually get to practice now?” Wiebe asked, “Before fines start rolling out?”
“Yes coach!” they all said and very quickly made haste to start on the drills they definitely should have been doing instead of gawking.
Ilya waited a moment before grinning at the coach, “We are your children too?”
“Not a chance, my girls are much more responsible than you lot,” he said, “You all act like children though.”
“Aaah, it keeps you young, besides, it is nice, to see families growing, yes?” he asked, “It is my new favorite thing, I think.”
“Yeah, seeing it in real time can be a bit entertaining,” Wiebe relented, then he offered Ilya a softer smile, “But it is nice to see families grow, especially when it’s for a bunch of people I care about.”
“I agree,” Ilya said, turning to look back at the team, his eyes tracking Shane as he stepped onto the ice to join the rest of the team, “I do not think I’d change anything about it, even though it was scary getting here.”
Wiebe pat his shoulderpads before closing the gate and Ilya smiled to himself, his smile growing when Shane caught his eye, he tilted his head at him in question, a bit of concern clearly, but Ilya just smiled at him which got him a smile in return.
No he didn’t think he’d change anything right now because every single change he’d experienced had gotten him exactly what he wanted.