Life as a hockey player herself dealing with growing up with 3 brothers all close in age who are all in the NHL. Payton has to choose between brothers, friendships, and relationships in her life that may not be easy.
These past few months of my pregnancy has been really tough on me, especially since I'm doing it alone for the most part. Sure, I have my brother Dylan trying his best to do things for me but sometimes he gets in the way more than he is helping, he also has his own job to worry about and he's on the road a lot this season so I'm stuck in the condo alone. I have made friends with some of the wives and girlfriends on the teams who do have children who have helped me out a lot just by giving me advice. Auston calls me everyday and we text all the time when we can, he's really been there for me- distantly, but it doesn't feel that way. Steph has came a couple times already to just visit me and hangout, or come to my appointments with me here in Chicago. I have two doctors; one in Toronto, one in Chicago, and I'm really not sure where I'll be when it's time to give birth. My dad took a new job offer which has him working constantly, almost every day of the week and my mom gives that an excuse since she's working from home now to come to Chicago a couple times a month to see her kids but I'm reality we know it's just to come take care of me. Will and I rarely talk anymore which makes me kind of sad, but I totally get why and I'd feel the same way so I usually communicate with him through his brother Alex since we live together.
I'm currently 5 months along which means I only have 3 months at the most to keep on flying back and forth to Canada before I'm restricted to fly due to being more months along in the pregnancy.
"Payton?" Austons says my name from across the room to get my attention. I look behind me to see him standing there, "yeah?" I answer. "Can I ask you something?" This question scares me as the way he said it because I don't know what he's going to ask. "Yes... anything, what is it?" "Will you- uh, be my uh - girlfriend?" He nervously asks me, not making much eye contact. I smile lightly and take a minute. "Yes, Auston. I will be" I put my knees on the couch and reach behind it to give him a kiss. "I just don't want you to think I'm doing this just because we're having a baby together. I really do like and care about you so much Payton."
I know many people will assume we're together because I am pregnant- but that is definitely not the case. Back when we first met, he told me he never falls for anyone this quick, and he did with me. Back in Arizona, he did ask me if I wanted to starting dating, but I never answered him which made me feel really bad because he's such a great guy. I never had a guy officially ask me to be his girlfriend so this moment was special to me.
"After we go to your appointment, we're going to go have a nice dinner, okay? Okay." He states not giving me a chance to even say yes. "What do I wear? Not many of my clothes I have here fit anymore." "You'll look beautiful in anything. Just wear what makes you comfy even if that is one of my hoodies and sweats."
This man is so amazing, where has he been my whole life? And why didn't I see this sooner in our friendship?
"Um, Auston..." I lean over and whisper, showing him my phone. "Steph just sent me this. It's all on Twitter and everything now" I show him all of the media outlets posting articles and photos of us walking into the hospital together hand in hand, him holding my stomach as we stand there smiling at each other. How could I not see paparazzi taking photos of us, sneaky little people. "What do we do?" He asks me. "Hell if I know. It's out there now, my belly is only getting bigger, who knows many more appointments they'll catch us at, it's out there now eh?" I tell him. "I guess it's time to make it official?" He says. "Only if you want to, I'm fine with it." I smile lightly at him. It's up to him because it's his career and life that's most publicized.
We get through our 22 week appointment which I learned he/she is now the size of a coconut. The ultrasounds are definitely both Auston and I'd favorite part so we could see the baby develop and as we get closer each time, many features start to appear which is so neat to me. There's not many appointments that Auston can get to make although he always wants to be there. If he cannot, we always FaceTime so he can be there that way. It's always special to watch his face when he gets to see his baby. Next appointment is a very exciting one as we get to know the gender. Well- not quite as we are giving it to Steph so she could plan the gender reveal party!
At dinner, all we could talk about is our future as parents and what it would be like having a girl or a boy. I'm so happy and excited for what's to come. Although I would love to just have a nice dinner and relax, I have to get back to do some work since I do have a job in Chicago with the Blackhawks as a social media producer. I mostly just edit/ upload photos and videos while I'm gone or cannot be in the arena during this pregnancy. When I am there, I shoot interviews/ tiktoks/ YouTube videos and take photos of them for media day/ Instagram/ etc.
Instagram: @austonmatthews
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172k likes 824 comments "The news is out! @paytonstrome and I are expecting a baby! Baby Matthew's coming in March"
@paytonstrome "So so happy, we cannot wait to meet you little one 🥺❤️" @willnylander "Congratulations man" @nazkadri "damn this baby is going to be one amazing hockey player, drafted #1 already" @marner "best babysitter" > @austonmatthews "I'm scared... we will see when the time comes." > @paytonstrome "if it wasn't for Steph, I'm not sure if you could take care of yourself. Love you though bro" @stephlachance "the best unexpected news I've ever heard. Love you already baby M"
"Now that I posted the news, I have one more thing I've been wanting to ask you... just don't freak out over this question and take as much time as you need. Would you like to move in with me? It doesn't have to be right now, it can be in a month. You just get a key, come and stay as long as you want." "I need time to think about it Auston. It's just a lot of change. I just moved to Chicago, got a job, now I'm pregnant. I will take a key though and eventually I would love to move here for good. I'm never going to keep the baby away from you. I want to live with you, I do."
