Frostbite

Laiken

I'm glad Cole decided to come to my appointment with me. We had the opportunity to see our little one for the first time. Honestly, I was worried I was going to have to experience this special moment on my own. Cole looked so happy in that ultrasound room. I've never seen him this happy. The tech brings me back to the front desk to schedule another appointment in four weeks. I'll be ten weeks at this next appointment. That's nearly second trimester. In the meantime, I have to take prenatal vitamins and monitor my symptoms.

Cole held my hand all the way to my car. I have to go to the arena for my private lesson. I already warned Vaida I'd be late. She allowed me to skate after the guys' hockey practice today. When I get to the arena, I spot coach Vaida eating a salad at one of the tables next to the canteen. She looks up from her salad and smiles at me. I walk over to her table and have a seat across from her. "Hey. I'm sorry I'm late. It won't happen again" I assure her. "Its okay, Laiken. Are you ready to practice? We have lots of work to do for sectionals. I have your entire routine laid out for you" Vaida tells me.

Throughout my private, all I can think about is how I can tell Vaida I can't compete anymore. I feel like I need to tell her before we get too far into my new routine so she isn't wasting her time with me. Vaida teaches me a new combination spin. It makes me extremely dizzy. I start to gag from the nausea its caused me. Vaida quickly realizes something is wrong. She skates over to me. "Are you okay? Take a break if you need to." I skate to the boards and sit down on the bench. Vaida sits down next to me. "Coach, I have something to tell you" I plead. "I think I have a feeling I know what you're going to say. Its okay. Maybe skating isn't the best thing for you at this time." Vaida puts her arm around me. I lean my head on her shoulder. "I'm sorry for wasting your time. I didn't mean for this to happen. I was so looking forward to going to nationals this year. My life is ruined" I go on. Vaida shushes me. "You'll be fine. We'll opt out of competitions for the rest of the year." "But I want to skate. I just don't think its best for me or this baby" I cry out. "I have an idea. Why don't you help me coach? I could use an extra hand with the juniors. I think I have the perfect student for you" Vaida says. "You do? Who?" Vaida smiles. "Paisley. Her mom saw the way you helped her daughter off ice the other day. She really likes the way you teach. Besides, Paisley has way too much energy for an old lady like me. I think you will manage just fine".

Vaida and I cut my practice short and exit the rink with our belongings. I feel relieved hearing that my coach is okay with this sudden change in my life. Upon entering my car, I dial Cole's number on the touch screen on my dash. Cole picks up right away. "Hey baby. How was practice?" Cole asks. "It went better than I thought. Vaida understands my unfortunate circumstance. She's still allowing me to skate though. I can't compete, but I can coach. There's a little girl that is in need of a high energy coach. Vaida thinks I can do it." "That's great news! When do you start that?" "I'm not sure. I'm guessing next junior session. Can I come over?" "The doors always open for you, Laiken. I'm heading home from the gym now. Meet you at my place in a few."

Cole and I meet in his driveway. He opens the car door for me. "Did you eat yet? Mom is making burgers." "No I didn't. I'm starving!" I answer. Cole leads me to his backyard. His parents are sitting on the deck having a couple beers. "Hello you two. How did the appointment go?" Cole's mom asks us. "Hi Mrs. Beckett. It went well. Look at our baby." I pull a folded up slip of photo paper out of my sweater pocket and hand it to his mom. She unravels it, revealing three ultrasound photos of our fetus. "Look how cute. He or she is so small." Cole's dad took the photos from his wife. "Looks like the newest member of the Lake Stellar hockey team to me" he blurts out. I roll my eyes and giggle. "Yeah right. They're going to be a figure skater just like me." Cole gives me a side hug. He kisses my head. "How about we let our son or daughter choose what sport they'd like to do once they're actually born" he suggests.

Cole's family and I sit around the patio table chatting about the unborn baby. The more and more we talk about it, the more I'm actually looking forward to being a mother. Cole's mom shared a bunch of stories from when Cole and Madison were babies. During dinner, Cole gets his dad's attention. "I was thinking about finding a job. You know, to help pay for the baby's things. Do you think I can come work for you? Just until I go off to play for the NHL." Cole's dad grins. "Son I have been waiting for this day since you were old enough to work. Of course you can work for me. I could use a hand in the back ordering stock and unloading trucks. I'm not as young as I used to be. Those boxes can be pretty heavy." Cole thanks his dad over and over. He grabs my tiny belly with his hands and leans over. "I promise to give you the best life possible, little one" Cole whispers.