My Hockey Alpha

Chapter 0657

"Morning," I said, pulling back a bit to look at him.

He blinked, clearly having been pulled out of a deep train of thought, and offered me a tense smile. "Morning. Sleep well?"

"Mhm. Did you make your call yet?" I asked as I walked around the counter to turn on the electric kettle.

His eyes followed me as I moved. "I, uh... I did make the call," he said, his voice carrying a hint of something that I couldn't quite place.

I leaned against the counter, my heart racing slightly. "Well, how did it go?" I asked tentatively. "What did Tim say when you told him about what Mila had done? I hope he was supportive."

Enzo shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze. "I... I couldn't do it," he admitted sheepishly. "Right when I was about to tell him, Mila and the whole team came in."

My brow furrowed in confusion and frustration. "Why didn't you ask Tim to speak privately, then?" I asked, feeling a mixture of disappointment and concern.

He sighed, running a hand through his tousled, curly brown hair. "I just... I think it might be best to talk to Tim in person about this," he said, looking at me with a vulnerability I rarely saw in him. "I know it sounds silly, but-"

I found his response odd, but I nodded nonetheless. "No need to explain," I said, reaching for his hand across the counter. "If that's what you want, then I'll support you."

Enzo let out a breath that I don't think either of us knew he was holding, and squeezed my hand. "Thanks, Nina," he said. "Excited for your appointment today?"

Despite my reservations about the situation with Enzo and Mila, I nodded, a smile spreading across my face. "I'm over the moon. I hope we'll get to hear our baby's heartbeat today."

Enzo grinned. "Me too."

Together, the two of us prepared to leave for the doctor's appointment. The ride there was quiet, both of us lost in our own thoughts. I kept thinking back on what Enzo had said, and wondered if there was more to his reservations regarding telling Tim about Mila than he was letting on.

As I glanced over at him, driving with one hand on the steering wheel, I felt my heart twist in my chest. His jaw was clenching and unclenching, just as it often did when something was on his mind.

But I wasn't going to pry, and besides: we had our baby's heartbeat to look forward to today.

The doctor's office was bustling with activity. Pregnant women sat in the waiting room, some with partners, others alone. I checked in, filling out the paperwork, my hand unconsciously resting on my belly.

After finishing the paperwork, Enzo took the clipboard from me and returned it to the receptionist. I glanced around as he walked away, observing the other expectant mothers.

One particular couple caught my eye; the woman was beaming, her husband tenderly rubbing her round belly as they whispered in each other's ears. The doctor called them in, and they walked past us, their happiness infectious

I looked up at Enzo as he returned. He sat back down beside me, wrapping his strong arm around me and pulling me close.

"I hope that's us soon," I said, using our Mindlink to speak as I glanced toward the happy couple.

A soft smile twitched at the corners of Enzo's lips, and he pulled me a little closer, planting a soft kiss on the top of his head. "It will be, my love."

His words and his affection made me smile, and I leaned my head on his shoulder, my hand still resting on my belly. I hoped that he was right-and something told me that, after my offering to the Moon Goddess, he was.

But then, suddenly, a voice carried across my room and made my heart begin to race.

"Nina and Enzo?"