Tough Love

Chapter 30 - The birth

The birth of their babies came closer and closer, and about a week after the final, it could happen any day. Sid didn't leave Brooke's side, and his parents and Taylor had flown in as well, so they could be there for them when the time came. They were staying at a hotel nearby, and came over daily to check up on Brooke. Sid and her had just gone to bed after a long day with both of their families coming together for dinner, and even though Nathalie and Trina had done all the cooking and washing up, Brooke had been exhausted by the end of the evening, and so Sid had complimented everyone out of their house and promised to call them the next day and they both had went to bed afterwards. They had prepared everything for the upcoming birth, and the little suitcase was standing next to the door, so they could get it easily when they needed it. Sid had always been a light sleeper, but now he was extra aware of everything around him, in case Brooke needed him.

Brooke hadn't been able to fall asleep for a long time, but as usual, the sleep had overtaken her eventually. When she woke up again, it was around 4 in the morning, and she looked around sleepily and tried to figure out what had woken her up. Suddenly, she realized the wetness between her legs, and without thinking reached out for Sid, shaking his shoulder. "Sid, Sid wake up," she said loudly, and Sid rose from sleep and sat up. "Brooke? What happened?" he asked and when she told him, it only took him a few seconds to get out of bed. Brooke carefully got out of bed and dressed herself, and by the time she'd put on clothes, Sid was ready to go. He helped her out of the house and towards the car, and as soon as she was sitting inside, he started driving towards the hospital where they'd already been a few times for her check ups. He helped her inside and they told the lady at the reception what had happened, and Brooke was placed in a wheelchair while a nurse explained what would happen now. Sid just followed them and ran his fingers through his hair before taking out his phone and sending a text to both Mario and his father, as well as Coach Johnston, because he wouldn't be able to attend their fan event that day. Brooke was brought into a room and her doctor came in, and Sid - dressed in sterile clothing - was standing beside her bed, encouraging her and whispering soft words into her ear. After about half an hour, their parents arrived, and Sid shortly went out of the room to greet them and fill them in about everything that had happened, before he went back to Brooke. The minutes tricked by, and Brooke had already started cursing due to the pain of being in labor, and Sid just stayed by her side and held her hand in his.

After ten hours of labor, cursing Sidney and trying to relax again, Brooke gave birth to their two children, and when the nurse brought them out afterwards, she couldn't help but smile tiredly. Sid pressed a soft kiss onto her forehead. "I am so proud of you, Brookie. They are absolutely beautiful," he told her, looking at the two bundles next to her, and Brooke just smiled and closed her eyes shortly. "Are our parents still here? Would you go get them? I think I'm going to fall asleep any second from now," she stated and Sid nodded with a soft smile and walked out of the room. Both of their parents were still sitting there, waiting for the news, and when Sid appeared in the doorway, they all looked up. "Brooke wants you to come in and see your grandchildren," he stated softly, leading them inside again, and a smile spread on Brooke's face when they all stepped inside again. "How are you, Brooke?" Mario asked her and Brooke just smiled. "Trina, Mom, I totally learned to appreciate being pregnant more and more. I don't know how people go through this more than once," she stated and both Trina and Nathalie nodded with an amused smile. "So, are you going to tell us how they are called now or do we have to find out ourselves?" Troy asked with a fond smile and Brooke looked at Sid, who was standing next to her bed. "Well then, let me introduce you to your grandchildren: Ashley Crosby and Jordan Crosby. Ash was born first, so he's going to be a good big brother for Jordan here," he stated proudly, and Brooke giggled quietly. "And I can already guess that Jordan is going to be Daddy's little princess," she said with an amused grin. "I sure hope so. You were and still are my little princess, Brooke," her father spoke up and Brooke just smiled and closed her eyes again. "All right, we're going to check in with you later, let you get some family rest," Mario stated and Sid nodded thankfully, carefully brushing a strand of hair out of Brooke's face. "I'll also go and bring the team the great news, if that's all right with you. And I'll have a talk with the media. They've been waiting outside here ever since they got wind of it," Mario said and Sid nodded and watched them leave. "Sleep now, babe. I'll be here when you wake up, all right?" he told her and Brooke just nodded, her eyes already closed. "Take care of Jordie and Ash," she mumbled, falling asleep soon after, and Sid just smiled softly and got comfortable in a chair next to them.

Brooke was able to leave the hospital with Jordan and Ashley after a few days, and Sid was there to pick them up. He had parked in the underground car park, so they could avoid the media, and Brooke was smiling happily, though she was still pretty exhausted. They drove home carefully, and Brooke took her iPad and went onto the Penguins' app. The birth of Sidney Crosby's children had been all over the media, not only in America, but also in his hometown in Canada, and Sid had showed Brooke the articles, but she still hadn't seen the video of her father facing the media and Sid facing the media. The video of her father's statement was short, he had only told the media that she had given birth to a healthy boy and girl, and that it would be appreciated if they would be left alone for the start, and that had been it. Sid's video was longer, and it had been shot after an event with the guys. He was beaming at the camera, and he didn't say too much about their children, not more than her father had said, but he also told the media that the guys were excited as well, and that they hadn't yet seen the children personally. After the video had ended, Brooke closed her iPad and looked at the two babies that were cuddled between her and Sid. Sid was reading a hockey magazine, but he looked up when he noticed Brooke's gaze on him. "By the way, the guys wanted to know when they can come by and see Ash and Jordie," he then stated and Brooke just smiled. "Whenever they want," she then said and Sid nodded, taking his phone and sending a message, probably to the other guys.

It only took a few days for the guys to come and visit them. Geno was the first, as he had appeared only hours after Sid's message, and he had stayed a few hours, talking to Brooke and Sid, and cooing at the two babies. Kris, Fleury and Beau had followed the next day, and by the end of the week, everyone had met Ashley and Jordan, and eventually, Sid and Brooke asked Geno and Fleury to be Ashley's godfather and Kris and Beau to be Jordans' godfathers, and they all agreed. Of course, all of the guys would be uncles for the kids, but both Brooke and Sid agreed that those four would be amazing godfathers. They still hadn't told the media the names of their children, and thankfully, they had left them alone for most of the time, and Brooke was really thankful for that.