Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The horn sounds in TD Gardens as the teams head to overtime. Team USA and Canada file down into their respective locker rooms. Mitch as usual is the last one down the hall. Just because he’s wearing a different jersey doesn’t mean he’s gonna stop doing his in game routines.

He and Auston are last off the ice, during warmups and after periods. Only today they’re warming up alone, at different ends of the rink.

Sitting beside Connor, Mitch listens to the speeches Sid and Jon give to amp the guys up for overtime. Mitch doesn’t notice he zones out until he gets an elbow to the side.

“Hey, you in there?” Connor asks, snapping Mitch out of his daze.

“Yeah, yeah. I think I just need some air.” He says, standing up. Connor looks at him concerned but lets him leave without a word.

Once Mitch leaves the locker room he finds an empty corner away from reporters, coaching and medical staff. He leans against the wall and notices his breathing getting quicker. He slides down the wall, arms wrapping around his legs as he tries to slow his heart rate and his breathing.

Mitch has had no shortage of ‘game 7’s’ in his time in the NHL, but this time feels different. He’s not doing it for the blue leaf on his jersey, for his city. He’s doing it this time for the red maple leaf on the front, for his whole country.

The weight of this game fully hitting Mitch leaves him sitting on the floor exhausted. But he has to keep himself together, for his team, for his country. His breathing starts to even out when he hears footsteps coming towards him. Standing up he wipes his face, trying to clear his head before going back to the team.

Hands grab each of his wrists and pull his hands off his face. Mitch would know those hands anywhere. The hands that expertly receive his passes on the ice. The hands that are calloused from all the goals they’ve scored. The hands that are soft and gentle when they make their way up and down Mitch’s naked body. The hands that are attached to the love of his life. Auston pulls Mitch’s hands off his face to see his red, tear streaked face.

“Fancy meeting you here.” He says, making Mitch laugh before throwing his arms around Auston’s shoulders. Auston rubs a hand up and down Mitch’s back while the other cups the back of Mitch’s head. After Mitch’s heartbeat and breathing has calmed down to match Auston’s he pulls away. Auston’s eyebrows scrunch in worry.

“You okay?” He asks. Mitch nods.

“Yeah, I just needed to get away from all the guys for a minute.” Mitch explains, Auston nods.

“I hate playing against you.” Mitch says, quietly.

“I know, some of the guys have been talking shit about you guys and I can’t stand it. Sometimes something happens in the locker room and I’ll turn to talk to you about it but you’re not there.” Auston says, running his hand down Mitch’s arm to interlace their fingers together.

“One of us is going to win tonight. One of us is going to lose.” Mitch says solemnly.

“I can’t even imagine winning without you, that’s not how it’s supposed to happen. We’re supposed to win together.” Auston says, squeezing Mitch’s hand.

“You need to promise me that whatever happens tonight, it doesn’t change us.” Mitch squeezes Auston’s hand in reply. Auston reaches under his jersey to pull out his necklace, doing the same thing to Mitch. Their matching rings rest on their chests.

“For better or for worse, remember?” Auston says, Mitch nods his head and rests his forehead against Auston’s. Footsteps come towards them.

“Fraternizing with the enemy Mitch?” Connor says, chuckling as the two men pull away from each other.

“Come on, we gotta get back out there.” Connor turns and walks away. Mitch pulls Auston in for a quick kiss.

“Good luck Aus.” He says quietly.

“Good luck Mitchy.” Auston says in reply. They both make their way to their separate locker rooms, waving as they open their doors.

-

The puck is barely on Mitch’s stick before he passes it to Connor. The horn sounds louder than Mitch has ever heard it before. A sea of red jerseys crowd around him and Connor. The screams of the guys and fans block everything else out. They did it. He did it, he finally won. Not The trophy, that’s next.

As the men disperse Mitch can finally see team USA, looking and feeling a way that Mitch is all too familiar with. The teams line up to shake hands, a ‘good game’ being shared back and forth. Auston reaches his hand out to shake but Mitch bats it away before throwing his arms around him.

“I love you. I’m so proud of you.” Mitch says, laying a quick kiss on Auston’s sweaty neck. Auston’s arms tighten around Mitch before releasing.

“You too Mitchy.” He says with a small sad smile.

-

The beer in Mitch’s hand is warm by the time the celebrations come to a close. He feels sticky between the sweat and champagne. After he washes the grime off, throwing his jersey on top of the pile, he makes his way to his room.

He opens the heavy door to see Auston laid out on the couch, phone in hand. When he hears the door shut his head snaps up. The pride on his face softened with disappointment in himself. Mitch slumps himself in Auston’s lap. They spend a moment together, cuddled up in silence.

“I am so proud of you.” Auston says, eyes meeting Mitch’s.

“I’m proud of you too. You played fantastic tonight Aus. I hate that I had to celebrate without you.” Mitch says. Auston lays a soft kiss on Mitch’s cheek before pulling away.

“I can think of one way we can celebrate together.” He says in a gravelly voice. Standing up, he leads Mitch to their bed. He slowly strips Mitch from his clothes, smoothly guiding his champion shirt up and over Mitch’s head. He pushes Mitch down onto the bed, taking his own shirt off as Mitch removes his pants.

“I want you to leave it on. We’re celebrating, remember?” Auston says, stilling Mitch’s hands as he tries to take off his medal. Once they’re both naked Auston takes a moment to admire Mitch’s bare form laying out in front of him.

“Take a picture Matts, it’ll last longer.” Mitch chuckles.

“Mitchell Matthews, you are beautifully irritating, you know that?” Auston says before bringing Mitch’s lips to meet his.

When they got married 6 years ago Auston had no problem with hyphenating their last names, but Mitch was more than willing to give up ‘Marner.’ Even though he still wears it on his back every game. He once said that he was sticking it to his dad by losing his last name, but Auston knew how rocky Mitch’s relationship was with his dad so he didn’t push.

Auston gently bites Mitch’s bottom lip, getting a moan in response. He takes the chance to run his tongue over the lip he just bit, before pressing into Mitch’s mouth. Mitch grinds against Auston to create some friction against his pre-cum leaking dick.

Mitch takes it into his hand but Auston bats his hand away, slowly running his hand up and down Mitch’s dick. They’re both pretty keyed up so when Auston reaches over into the bedside table to grab the lube Mitch flips himself onto his hands and knees, the position he knows is one of Auston’s favourites.

“No, no. We’re celebrating you remember? Come on, onto your back. I wanna see the beautiful face of my champion.” Auston says, rolling Mitch back onto his back. The mention of champion makes Mitch moan.

“Auston I swear to god if you don’t touch me in the next ten seconds-” Mitch gets cut off with a gasp as Auston quickly but gently slips a lubed up finger inside him. Auston doesn’t want to rush tonight. Slow and gentle, the total opposite of the hockey game they played earlier. He adds another finger and then another. Three fingers in and Auston has Mitch exactly where he wants him.

“I need you inside me, like, now.” Mitch says, throwing his head back as Auston pulls his fingers out.

“Anything for my champion.” Auston whispers into Mitch’s ear before kissing him as he slowly pushes in, swallowing Mitch’s groan as he slides all the way in. He gives Mitch a moment to adjust before pulling out almost the whole way before grinding back in. Slow and gentle, minus the bruises that will undoubtedly show up on Mitch’s thighs tomorrow. They will match the hickey he sucks on Auston’s shoulder.

“I’m almost there. Aus. Please.” Mitch whines.

“Touch yourself.” Auston’s gravelly voice tells him. Mitch didn’t realize that he was waiting for Auston to tell him it was okay to touch himself. Well that’s new. Mitch syncs up his tugs with Auston’s thrusts, groaning as he gets into the rhythm.

“That’s it. Ugh, you look, God you don’t even know how good you look right now.” Auston says before kissing Mitch again.

“I’m gonna-” Mitch says, speeding up his hand. Auston reaches down and lays his hand on top of Mitch’s.

“Do it, let go for me, my champion.” And with that Mitch whines as he cums. Auston follows him, cumming inside of him with his next thrust. They catch their breath as Auston slowly pulls out, noticing a wince on Mitch’s face as he does.

“You okay?” Auston asks, worriedly.

“God yes, that was amazing.” Mitch says. Auston lays a quick kiss on his cheek before running to the bathroom. He brings back a warm washcloth to clean Mitch up. He throws it into the general direction of the bathroom before gathering Mitch into his arms.

“I’m so proud of you.” Auston says quietly, he slowly slips Mitch’s medal off and rests it beside the half empty bottle. Mitch nuzzles into Auston’s bare chest.

“You too.” He says before falling asleep. Between the game and sex, Auston is quick to follow.

Chapter Text

By the time the end of March rolls around Mitch feels like a different person. And not in a good way. He blames all of their back to back games. The games on the west coast screw with time zones.

Mitch feels like crap. He doesn’t bother anyone about it though. They’re in the final stretch of the regular season, everyone feels run down by now. Whenever the medical staff asks if he’s okay he just blames the sleep he had the night before.

With all of the time zone changes Mitch needs all the energy he can get, but the smell of coffee literally makes him throw up. Even the taste of his favourite red bull has gone sour in his mouth. The team has a few days off once they come back from out west so Mitch makes the decision to talk with one of the team doctors.

“You sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Auston asks him as they unpack from their roadtrip. Mitch wraps his arms around Auston’s waist and rests his forehead on his back, leaving a quick kiss. Auston turns in Mitch’s arms and leaves a kiss of his own on Mitch’s forehead.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll let you know what they tell me, okay?” Mitch says, rubbing away the concerned wrinkles on Auston’s forehead. Auston takes the hand off his forehead and kisses the #34 tattooed on the inside of Mitch’s wrist. The tattoo that matches the #16 on his own wrist.

-

Mitch makes it to the Leafs training facility in record time. Knowing he only has a couple of hours before everyone starts to make their way in for practice.

“So how are you feeling Mitch? I know over the phone you said that you’ve noticed an overall decrease in energy and appetite right?” One of their team doctors Dr. Robin asks. Mitch nods and gives her the rundown of how he’s been feeling the last couple of weeks. She listens intently and notes down all of Mitch’s symptoms. By the time Mitch has finished his spiel his hands are nervously shaking, Dr. Robin gives his hands a reassuring squeeze.

“I think I have an idea of what’s happening. I can either draw some blood from you or I’d need a urine sample. It just depends on how long you want to wait for the results.” She explains to Mitch. He hates needles so he chooses the urine sample and gives it back to Dr. Robin.

“Alright kiddo, give me 20 minutes and I’ll figure out what’s going on.” She says. Mitch leaves the room, taking a walk around the complex with a 20 minute timer on his phone. He makes his way to the fitness room, planning on wasting the time running on the treadmill. Opening the door though he sees Mo riding on one of the bikes with his headphones in. When he notices Mitch he nearly falls off. Mitch would laugh if he wasn’t so nervous.

“Hey, what are you doing here so early?” He asks, climbing more gracefully off the bike.

“Visit with Dr. Robin, doing some tests and stuff.” Mitch says, sitting down on one of the benches.

“Auston didn’t come with you?” Mo asks, sitting down beside Mitch. He notices Mitch fidgeting with the bottom hem of his shirt so he wraps his arm over Mitch’s shoulder.

“Nah, it’s probably just exhaustion. I didn’t want to worry him over nothing.” Mitch says. His phone alarm goes off.

“Do you, would you come with me?” Mitch asks him nervously. Mo nods and leads him out of the fitness room. The two walk back to Dr. Robin’s office and Mitch goes to knock but Robin opens the door first.

“Good, I was worried I was going to have to come and find you. Morgan, do you need something?” She asks.

“I asked him to come with me.” Mitch says, she nods and leads them back to the chairs at her desk.

“So Mitch. I ran your urine test through for some different things, testing for an insufficiency of iron, Vitamin B, things like that to see if we can explain how you’ve been feeling recently.” She explains, Mitch and Mo nod along.

“I think it’s better to just show you.” She says, sliding the results over to Mitch. He picks up the paper and scans over it, dropping it when he sees the ‘POSITIVE’ beside the ‘urine pregnancy test’ line.

“Now I’ll have to do an ultrasound to confirm but these test results show that you’re pregnant.” Dr. Robin says in an unsure tone. Mitch is frozen in place, so she doesn’t know if this is good or bad news.

“Mitch, that's amazing!” Mo says excitingly, snapping Mitch out of the spiral he caught himself in. And with that the tears Mitch didn’t know he was holding back.

“I can do the ultrasound right now if you’d like Mitch, just to know for sure.” She offers, Mitch nods and wipes the tears off his cheeks.

“Could we wait for Auston? He should be here soon.” Mitch asks, Dr. Robin nods.

“Of course, he’ll want to be here for this. Meet me in the imaging room when he gets here.” She says before taking her leave, leaving Mitch and Mo in silence.

“Dude, could you imagine if Tone thinks this is just some really elaborate April Fools joke?” Mo says, desperately trying to lighten the mood. He gets loud laughter from Mitch so he’ll take it as a win. But before long Mitch starts to cry again. Well, you can’t say that Mo didn’t try. He squeezes Mitch’s arm before standing up to call Auston from Mitch’s phone.

“Hey Matthews.” Mo greets. Auston is immediately on edge. Mo never calls him that, unless Auston has done something to royally piss him off, and he can’t think of anything that would elicit the use of his last name.

“What’s wrong?” Auston immediately responds.

“Nothing, I don’t think. I can’t really tell. Just -. When you get here can you come to the imaging room?” Mo asks, Auston gets even more worried.

“Is Mitch okay?” He asks worriedly, tightening his grip on the steering wheel, stepping harder on the gas.

“I don’t know. It’s nothing bad, nobody is dying or anything.” Mo tries to joke, it doesn’t work. 0.5/2 today, great job Mo.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can. And Mo? Thanks for being there for him.” Auston says before hanging up, giving the engine a little more gas.

-

When Auston gets to the imaging room he sees Mitch and Mo sitting on the chairs outside. As soon as Mitch sees him he sprints over, throwing his arms around Auston.

“You okay?” Auston asks, squeezing him before pulling Mitch back to see his tearstained face. Mitch nods and gives him a quick kiss before taking his hand.

“Let’s do this. Mo, you coming?” Mitch says. In all of the years Mitch has known Morgan Rielly, he has never rendered him speechless before.

“Do you really want me to? I feel like this should be just you two.” He says finally.

“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want you there Morgan.” Mitch says with his usual sass, Mo sighs and follows them into the room.

Dr. Robin has the ultrasound machine set up, patting on the bench for Mitch to climb up. Hauling himself up he gets settled onto his back, lifting his shirt. Dr. Robin gives Mo a look to turn off the lights.

“This is gonna be a little cold Mitch.” She warns before squeezing jelly onto Mitch’s stomach, guiding the doppler until she finds what she’s looking for.

“There it is.” She says, turning the screen towards Auston and Mitch. Mitch starts to cry again, taking Auston’s hand in his.

“Is that?” Auston can’t even finish his sentence. Mitch looks at him and just nods, squeezing his hand.

“Congratulations Dads, I’d say you’re about 6 weeks pregnant Mitch.” Dr. Robin says, wiping the jelly off Mitch’s stomach. She gives a kind smile to them before asking Mo to turn the light back on.

“Let’s give them a minute Morgan.” She says, leading him out of the room. As soon as the door shuts Auston gathers Mitch in his arms. They stay there, in embrace for a moment before Mitch pulls away to see the widest smile on Auston’s face, happy tears in his eyes.

“You’re pregnant.” Auston says, still in awe. He gently lays his hand on Mitch’s stomach. Mitch places his on top of Auston’s, rings laying there together.

“I’m pregnant.” Mitch says, happily.

Chapter Text

After all of the meetings with management, medical staff and coaching Mitch is given the okay to get on the ice. Management wanted to know when and how they should tell the public. Auston and Mitch want to leave it until they are finished with the playoffs, however long that might be.

A lot of back and forth happened between Mitch and the medical staff on how to ensure the safety of the baby while Mitch is playing. Auston knows better than to try and change Mitch’s mind about anything, so all he can do is be supportive.

One of the equipment staff came up with a new chest protector that goes down all the way, attaching to the top of Mitch’s hockey pants. It’s a pain in the ass to get in and out of but if Mitch wants to keep playing he will just have to suck it up.

“You’ve got 3 weeks to figure out what you’re gonna do for the playoffs Mitch. We’re gonna support you as much as we can, but you gotta be careful.” Berube says in his office before they take the ice for practice. Mitch gets it, of course he doesn’t want to put his baby in danger. But there is no way in hell he is gonna miss the playoffs. It feels like their year, for real this time and Mitch will be damned if he can’t play.

“So who all knows about this?” Berube asks out of curiosity.

“Everyone except for the guys. Well, Mo knows because he was there when we found out. But nobody else knows.” Mitch explains with a shrug.

“And I assume you guys wanna keep it that way?” He asks. Auston and Mitch’s eyes meet and they nod their heads together.

“We don’t wanna take their focus away from the playoffs.” Auston explains. He and Mitch had given a lot of thought about telling the guys, but felt like it would cause more of a distraction than anything else. Having a nervous Auston and Mo on the ice during a game is hard enough, Mitch doesn’t even want to think about having everyone breathing down his neck. No thank you.

-

They make it to the playoffs, first place in their division no less! Although Mitch does know from experience how different the playoffs are. Harder, faster, more physical. His work is only going to get harder, trying to avoid checks, no extended periods of ice time.

Thank god that he’s finally getting over his energy and appetite issues. The trainer makes sure that he always has access to gatorade and granola bars on the bench to keep his energy up. He almost makes it through 3 games uneventfully, avoiding checks as best as he can and makes sure he stays out of the hot zone if scrums ensue.

They’re almost done the third period, sending the game into overtime. Mitch barely has the puck on his stick before he is sent flying, skates swiped out from under him. He lands hard on the ice, laying there stunned before getting up and skating right over to the bench. With a minute and a half left in the period he doesn’t even sit down, heading straight for the locker room.

He sits down in front of his cubby, hands in his hair, hoping and praying that the baby was okay. This. This is exactly why the medical staff didn’t want him to keep playing. He hears the men filing into the room but keeps his head down, pats on the back as the guys pass him. A hand runs through his sweaty hair before Auston squats down in front of him.

“You two okay?” He asks in a quiet, worried voice so nobody can overhear them. Mitch shrugs, wiping the tears from his face.

“I don’t know.” He admits, scared. Auston nods worriedly before getting up to sit beside Mitch, taking his hand and squeezing it. Nobody bothers them until Mo comes over with Dr. Robin, who insisted that she be present whenever Mitch is playing.

“Follow me guys. I sweet talked the Sens medical team into letting us use their imaging room.” She says, Auston and Mitch both breathe a sigh of relief. All eyes are on them now, seeing them talking with a team doctor.

“I’ll field questions, but I think you’re gonna have to let the cat out of the bag.” Mo says. Mitch follows Dr. Robin out of the locker room, hand in hand with Auston. Once they get to the room Auston helps Mitch remove his jersey and chest protector. Mitch lies back and Dr. Robin gets right to work. Mitch clutches Auston’s hand in his as they wait.

“Is something wrong?” Auston asks her, squeezing Mitch’s hand in his.

“There they are, the little one was hiding from me.” She says, turning the screen so Auston and Mitch can see. They both let out a sigh of relief, seeing their baby moving around in Mitch’s belly.

“Wanna hear something amazing?” She asks. The two men nod their heads. She presses a button and the next thing they hear is-

“Is that?” Mitch asks quietly, tears of relief and joy running down his face.

“That is your baby’s heartbeat.” She nods, the two men laugh in amazement. Dr. Robin presses a different button and a long sheet of paper prints out from the side of the machine.

“Baby Matthews’ first picture.” She says, passing the photos over to Auston before she wipes the jelly off Mitch’s belly. Auston runs a finger over the pictures. A knock on the door shatters the moment. Mo pokes his head around the door.

“You guys got 5 minutes before we gotta get back on the ice.” He says, disappearing back into the hallway. Auston helps Mitch off the table, putting his chest protector and jersey back on and they make their way back to the locker room.

As soon as they open the door they are flooded with questions, concerns, one on top of the other. Mitch looks at Mo, who is wearing a knowing look matching Berube’s and the training staff.

“Hey!” Auston’s captain voice silences the room.

“So, we have some news we would like to share. But you guys have to promise not to tell anybody, and that it won't affect our games.” Mitch says, clutching Auston’s hand in his. Auston squeezes his hand, relaxing Mitch ever so slightly. Mitch takes a deep breath and unravels the sonogram pictures. It takes a long moment before Auston and Mitch see lightbulbs go off.

“Wait, is that what I think it is?” John asks. Auston and Mitch look at each other before nodding, wide smiles on their faces.

“I’m pregnant.” Mitch says. A loud cheer fills the locker room. Guys come up to them, giving congratulatory hugs. The lights overhead flash, letting them know that there is one minute until puck drop.

“I know you guys probably have a lot of questions but let’s go out there and win this thing!” Mitch says. Everyone files out, Auston and Mitch last as always. Mitch takes the sonogram pictures and tucks them into his bag before heading to the ice for overtime.

Chapter Text

They did it. They made it to the second round! Auston thinks it would be funny if the baby was included in their post game celebration. So after the lineup of guys give Stollie his required head tap Auston waits for Mitch and takes his hand. He pulls Mitch close until their bellies touch, a belly five Auston calls it. Genius. Mitch loves the thought though, landing a sweet quick kiss on Auston's lips.

Auston and Mitch are laying in bed, getting their last dose of social media before going to sleep, when Mitch lets out a high pitched laugh before slapping his hand over his mouth.

“What the hell was that?” Auston asks, dropping his phone in surprise. Mitch starts to laugh again before turning his phone so Auston could see.

“People seem to love our little celebration Aus.” Mitch says, pulling his phone back to keep scrolling through reactions.

@3416: SHITFJDKLSFLKSD THEY POSTED THIS FOR ME.. THAT’S RIGHT SPORTSNET

@karmasleafs: don’t make me emotional rn sportsnet

@kateskates: the way they lean into each other… alright…

Mitch loves their fans. He loves how much they love him and Auston, how much they love their relationship, how much they are going to love this baby.

Mitch is about to turn his phone off when he sees one last post he has to show to Auston.

@MM16AM34: 16 is getting a good freaking rn.

Auston reads it and laughs for a moment, their fans are able to read them so well, too well. He looks back at Mitch though and he isn’t laughing. Mitch puts his phone on the bedside table to charge. He pushes back the comforter on their bed and hauls himself onto Auston’s lap.

“We can’t make them a liar now can we?” Mitch says, tilting his head to the side like Felix and Zeus do when they’re asked if they want to go outside. Auston snakes his hands under Mitch’s worn out sleep shirt, pulling it up and over his head then throwing it on the floor.

“Well if Twitter says it it must be true.” Auston says in a joking tone. Mitch rolls his eyes and leans in for a kiss, running his fingers through Auston’s hair. Mitch is slowly grinding his hips on top of Auston’s and he can feel him getting harder. Auston runs his hands down Mitch’s hips, sliding off his boxers.

“On your stomach.” Auston whispers in Mitch’s ear, sending a shiver down Mitch’s spine. Auston makes quick work of his own boxers, joining Mitch’s along with his shirt discarded on the floor. Mitch flips over as Auston reaches into his side table to grab the lube.

Placing himself behind Mitch, Auston pops open the cap of the lube bottle, generously coating his fingers. Auston kisses behind Mitch’s ear, trailing kisses all the way down his back before leaving a last kiss on the skin right above Mitch’s hole. Mitch gasps and Auston takes that moment to press a finger slowly in. Mitch lets out a pleasing moan. Auston takes his time opening Mitch up. Bringing him close to the edge and leaving him there. When Auston pulls out his fingers Mitch lets out a groan.

“Please Aus. I need you. I’m close.” He says, practically begging at this point. Auston silences him with a kiss as he lubes himself up and slowly pushes in. Giving Mitch a moment to adjust when filled. Mitch lets out a sigh and Auston knows that he is okay to keep going.

Pulling out and pushing back in, they find their rhythm. One of Mitch’s hands grips the sheet and the other wraps around Auston’s neck, gripping his hair. Mitch grinds into the bed to try and create some friction to help his aching dick. When Auston catches on to what Mitch is trying to do he stops, fully inside Mitch. He changes the angle, hauling Mitch onto his hands and knees. He wraps his arm around Mitch’s waist and tugs on his leaking dick.

“I’m close Aus. Please, I need…” Mitch says before Auston kisses him, cutting him off. Auston knows what Mitch needs. And he’s gonna give him everything he has. Auston stops touching Mitch in favour of fucking him. Auston holds one hip and then wraps around laying his left hand on Mitch’s stomach. Right above their baby. Mitch’s left hand joins, intertwining their fingers over their baby, wedding rings sitting side by side. Mitch’s breathing picks up, Auston knows Mitch is almost there.

“Let go, let go for me Baby.” Auston says, Mitch cums right then. Auston is not far behind, a few more thrusts and he is cumming too. He pulls out carefully making sure not to hurt Mitch. After cleaning up the two get settled back in bed.

“They were right.” Mitch says tiredly before falling asleep. It took a moment for Auston to realize what he meant, when he does he lets out a quiet chuckle before following Mitch to sleep.

-

If they thought that Round 1 was physical then Round 2 is downright violent. Sam Bennett concusses Stollie so badly that he leaves the game vomiting. Mitch can sympathize. He never actually vomited on the bench, but there were a few close calls with wonderfully timed TV timeouts so he could dash out of sight of the cameras to be sick. He’s so glad that part’s over.

In the dying seconds of the last period Mitch tries to chase the puck to kill time when he gets cross-checked in the side. Not hard but Mitch instinctively twists away to keep the baby safe when he gets cross-checked again. Mitch turns to see Matthew Tkachuk. He tries to skate away when he is cross-checked a third time, after the horn had already blown.

This time Auston watched it happen, everyone in blue saw it happen. The game was already over so it's not like they would draw a penalty so they all sped over. Some picking a fight with other Panthers, Auston leading the charge against Tkachuk. Mo, Willy and Knisey stay with Mitch. Woll makes use of his nickname in between the fighting and Mitch. After all the fighting was done the Panthers all skated off the ice with their tails between their legs.

Auston comes over and pulls Mitch into his arms as everyone else makes sure to thank Joe for his work in the crease, forgoing their celly for today after all of the theatrics

“You okay?” He asks, pressing their helmets together. Mitch sees the worry etched into Auston’s face.

“We’re fine. Thank you for defending my honour.” Mitch jokes, tension leaking out of Auston as he chuckles. Auston and Mitch make their way over to Joe.

“Thanks for being a Brick Woll.” Mitch says, throwing his arms around Joe. Joe laughs at the nickname used. The three of them make their way to the locker room. When they get there they can still feel the frustration running high as they all change out of their gear.

“I wanted to thank you guys for looking out for me.” Mitch says once everyone is dressed, frustrations finally settling down.

“It’s a team game, we’re gonna protect our team members.” John says, clapping Mitch’s shoulder.

“All of them.” Willy adds on, getting a laugh out of everyone, even Berube, which is a tough job.

-

Their car ride home is a quiet one, music softly playing in the background. Auston has one hand on the wheel and one hand clutching Mitch’s thigh. Mitch rests his hand on top, squeezing every once and a while. Once at home they slowly undress each other before stepping into their steaming shower. Slowly and gently scrubbing the game away. Dried and dressed they climb into bed, snuggling together. Auston rests his hand on Mitch’s tummy.

“I think it’s time to tell them.” Auston says, Mitch lifts his head off of Auston’s shoulder to look at him. When they had talked with management and the NHL liaison they were told that it was up to their discretion if or when the league would be told. Auston and Mitch initially agreed that they would wait until the end of the playoffs to tell the league and the public.

“Tonight really scared you didn’t it?” Mitch asks. Auston just nods, not looking to meet Mitch’s eyes. Mitch can see some tears running down Auston’s face, he takes his face in his hands and wipes away the tears that fall.

“Tonight, in Ottawa. Whenever you step on the ice I’m scared. But if we told them, even just the players, maybe they won’t be rough with you anymore.” Auston says. Mitch lays gentle kisses on Auston’s cheeks, wiping away the tears before laying a kiss on his mouth.

“We can’t guarantee anything, some of those guys are just assholes no matter what. But if it will make you feel better, me being safer, I’m all for it.” Mitch says, snuggling back into Auston. Auston breathes a sigh of relief. Auston knows that some players exploit any sign of weakness but he’s hoping that maybe even a couple common sense people in the locker room will keep Mitch even just a little bit safer.

-

They decide that Marchand is the one they want to tell, Mitch trusts him from the time they played together at the 4 Nations and Auston trusts Mitch’s judgment. He’s a good guy off the ice, so if there is 1 person that they would trust to take this information seriously it would be Brad.

“Hey, I got your text, what’s so important?” Brad says sitting down in front of them, his usual irritating tone he uses on the ice. Mitch and Auston look at each other, not knowing where to start. Brad seems to pick up that now is not the time to play the on ice mind games.

“This is serious, is there something wrong? What’s going on?” He asks earnestly. That, that is the guy that Mitch grew to like during the 4 Nations. Auston and Mitch look at each other again and Auston nods.

“So… back at the 4 Nations championship game, after we won… I came back to our room, and we… uh…” Mitch trails off, he doesn’t really know how to tell Brad.

“Had really annoying and loud sex? I’m aware, I was on the other side of the wall. Thank god for headphones.” Brad says, Auston and Mitch are speechless. They weren’t that loud, were they? Brad chuckles at their reactions.

“What does that have to do with anything?” Brad asks, wondering where this conversation is going.

“I’m pregnant.” Mitch says straightforwardly. Brad’s brain freezes for a moment, slowly processing the information he was just told. When it finally sinks in, a big smile appears on his face.

“That’s amazing you guys! Congrats!” He says, jumping up to give Auston and Mitch celebratory hugs.

“We were wondering if you would talk with your team, just to try and protect Mitch and the baby as much as we can. Tkachuk in particular, after last night.” Auston says, Brad nods along.

“I mean the safest would be just not playing at all but…” He says jokingly.

“You think we haven’t all been telling him that?” Auston jokes back. Mitch smacks his arm with a joking scoff.

“Of course I will. It’s everyone’s job to protect the heir of the royal couple of hockey.” Brad says, seriously. Is that how they were seen around the league? Auston and Mitch nevertheless appreciate the sentiment.

-

Auston and Mitch guess that Brad told everyone right away because as soon as he left they started getting congratulations texts. Nothing from Tkachuk apart from ‘Sorry for yesterday.’

Before the next game though most of the men made the effort to come and congratulate them in person. Reinhart actually bought a mini stick to give to Mitch as a kind and funny gesture.

And they kept to their word, no ‘accidental’ tripping, pushing or cross-checking. Even after Auston scores the game winning overtime goal to send the Leafs to the third round. Final congrats are shared with Mitch during the handshake line.

Chapter Text

They play the Carolina Hurricanes next. The night before game 1 Auston and Mitch invite Freddie over to their house. Freddie normally goes out to dinner with Auston whenever he comes to town to catch up. But tonight requires a bit more privacy than a restaurant would offer.

“So what do you guys have to tell me?” Feddie asks, sitting down in the chair opposite the couch Auston and Mitch are sitting on. Auston and Freddie are holding their beer bottles while Mitch holds his glass of water.

“What makes you think we have something to tell you?” Mitch asks. His voice is a tone higher than usual, giving away his lie.

“Come on, you know I love you Mitch but normally when I’m in town it’s Auston and I at a restaurant somewhere. Instead we’re eating here, with you. You have also been weirdly quiet, and we all know that you are a, what did Jarvy call it? A chronic yapper. So what’s going on?” Freddie asks again. Auston and Mitch are speechless. They look at eachother, mouths agape before looking back at Freddie.

“I’m pregnant.” Mitch tells him. This time it’s Freddie’s turn to be speechless. It takes a moment for Freddie to digest the surprising information but when he does he jumps up, pulling Auston into a hug, laughing as he slaps his back. He is more careful hugging Mitch, giving him a light squeeze.

“I’m not gonna break Fred. I’m still playing for god’s sake.” Mitch says, giving him a squeeze. Freddie gives him a harder squeeze in return. He scoffs before sitting back down on his chair.

“How am I not surprised? Even though you’re growing a literal human being.” He says, taking a sip of his forgotten beer.

“Your mom must be so excited about her first grandchild Auston.” Freddie says.

“We haven’t told her. None of our parents actually. We wanted to tell them in person, there just hasn’t been a good time. We’re gonna tell them after game 1.” Auston explains. Freddie is quite surprised. He would have thought that they would have told them as soon as they found out, Auston’s parents at least.

“Well, I’m sure your mom’s gonna be over the moon for you two.” Freddie says to Auston and Mitch with a happy smile.

-

Brian and Ema Matthews haven’t had the chance to make their way to Toronto for the playoffs this year until now, thank the hockey gods for the Leafs making it past the first round. They knock at the front door before Auston comes to open it.

“Mami! Dad! Come in, Mitch is just about finished with dinner.” He says, giving his parents quick hugs before leading them to the kitchen. Mitch has an apron on, hiding his belly as best as it can. He’s almost finished putting the plates of food on the table before he sees Ema.

“Mami!” Mitch says cheerfully bringing her into a hug, making sure not to touch her with his stomach. Ema demanded after Auston and Mitch got married that Mitch would call her Mami, he agreed obviously. You do not deny Ema Matthews anything, ever. Mitch learned that after the first time he met her, she insisted on being called ‘Ema’ instead of ‘Mrs. Matthews’.

Mitch also calls Brian ‘Pops’. Brian loves Mitch more than his own father most of the time so Mitch had no problems with it. Halfway through dinner Ema notices that Mitch is pushing his food around his plate.

“Mijo, are you feeling okay? You’ve hardly touched any of your food.” She asks, motherly concern etched into her voice. Mitch clears his throat and takes a sip of water nervously.

“Yeah, I’m fine I promise.” He says, eating a big forkful of food to get Ema off of his back, even though the food tastes off because of his nerves. She doesn’t believe him for a second but drops it. He will tell her whatever’s on his mind when he’s ready.

“So, we’ve actually got something to tell you guys.” Auston says once everyone’s plates are empty. He looks at Mitch and nods. ‘It’s showtime’ Mitch thinks. He grabs Auston’s hand on the table and squeezes.

“I’ll go get it.” Auston comes back with a little black and gold bag stuffed with tissue paper. He gives it to his mom, her eyebrows scrunched in confusion. She pulls out a folder up onesie. Unfolding it she drops it with a gasp, reading ‘Abuela’s favourite’. Brian looks at Auston in confusion before reading the onesie. Happy tears run down Ema’s face, matching those of Auston and Mitch.

“You’re-?” Brian asks. Mitch nods, standing up to take off his apron to show his rounding belly. Ema gasps. She jumps up, rounding the table to stand in front of Mitch. She reaches her hands out, looking at Mitch for permission. He nods and she rests her hands on his stomach.

“Oh Mitchito, you look breathtaking.” She says before bringing him into a warm hug. Brian shakes Auston’s hand before hugging Mitch himself. Mitch and Ema bring the plates and cutlery into the kitchen. When he tries to reach for a washcloth Ema literally pushes him out of the kitchen. After everything is cleaned and put away she joins the men in the living room.

“How far along are you?” She asks.

“Almost 13 weeks.” Mitch explains, resting his hands on his belly.

“Does the league know?” Brian asks. Auston explains that the teams they face know but that they’re waiting until after the playoffs to tell the rest of the world.

“Have you told your parents yet Mitch? I’m sure they’ll be happy for you.” Ema says, Mitch just looks at his hands sadly.

“My mom might be. I don’t know about my dad. Nothing I ever do makes him happy.” He says quietly. Auston grabs one of his hands and squeezes. They’re next on the list to tell.

-

When they get back from North Carolina Mitch asks to come over to his parents. He wants to make sure he has an escape route in case things go sideways. They always do whenever his dad is concerned. Mitch makes sure to wear a baggy sweater so they don’t notice his belly, even though it's 20 degrees outside. On the drive Mitch fidgets with his hands, the whole time.

“Everything will be okay Mitchy.” Auston says, taking one of Mitch’s hands to still it. They pull into the driveway. Mitch lets out a deep huff before unbuckling.

“Come in you two.” Bonnie says after she opens the door. As soon as they sit down in the living room Paul starts.

“Pretty bad game last night.” He says, not particularly directed at Mitch, but it was.

“The giveaway in the second turning into a goal, and then the penalty in the last 5 minutes to give them the game? I didn’t waste all my time and money on you, just to have you play like that.” He continues. Auston tries to defend Mitch, hockey is a team sport, but Paul wasn’t having it. Mitch sits there, taking everything Paul yells at him, he knows better than to try to interrupt.

“On the phone you said you needed to tell us something.” Bonnie says once Paul is finished with his rant. Mitch would rather the floor open up below him and swallow him whole than do this right now, but he knows the reaction would be way worse if they found out with the rest of the hockey world.

“I’m pregnant.” Mitch says quietly, shrinking in on himself waiting for their reactions. The small happy smile on Bonnie’s face does not match the fury on Paul’s.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me. How irresponsible are you? You’re on the most important playoff run of your life and you go and get yourself knocked up? You’re too immature, you can’t raise a kid.” He yells, standing up. Auston tries to interject, tries to point out how it takes two people to make a baby. But Paul doesn’t even acknowledge him.

“Mitchell Marner, I’m disappointed in you.” He says. That’s it, Mitch’s final straw.

“You know damn well that my last name isn’t Marner anymore dad. And this is exactly fucking why. You know what? I don’t give a shit if I disappoint you, nothing I do can ever please you anyway. We are so close to the cup finals, I’ve played the whole time jeopardizing the safety of my baby to try and win to please you. We could win the fucking cup and it still wouldn’t be enough for you. I don’t know what more you want from me. I don’t even care. But I’ll be damned if I let my child be around you if you can’t even be happy for me.” With that Mitch stands up and walks out, slamming the front door behind him.

Auston and Bonnie look at the door in shock. Auston doesn’t hesitate running after him, not even acknowledging his in-laws as he leaves. He opens the front door to a sobbing Mitch sitting on the front steps. He sits down beside him and pulls him into his arms.

“I’m so sorry Mitchy. It’s okay, we’ll be okay. I love you.” Auston whispers on repeat into Mitch’s ear to calm him. Once he is calmed down they head to their car. The ride home is silent. As soon as Mitch is in the door he heads straight to their room, lying down on Auston’s side of the bed. Auston crawls onto the bed, curling himself behind Mitch. All of the fighting and crying has drained Mitch, he falls asleep as soon as Auston pulls him into his arms.

The ‘Give him time’ text from his mother lays unread.

Chapter Text

The night before game 7 against the Canes Auston and Mitch decide how they want to announce to the league and fans that they’re expecting.

“I know we said after the playoffs.” Mitch starts before Auston cuts him off.

“We’re gonna win tomorrow.” Auston insists.

“I think so too, but on the off chance we don’t we have to figure out how we want to tell everyone.” Mitch explains. Auston gets it, he doesn’t even want to think about losing tomorrow. They bounce ideas back and forth, a statement released by the team, an instagram post with a cute caption.

“Why don’t we have them put it on the jumbotron? The news would spread from there, wouldn't you think?” Mitch suggests. It’s a pretty good idea. If they do lose the news might ease the sting a bit.

“Let’s get the team PR to send out an announcement on insta at the same time so everyone knows.” Auston adds on and Mitch agrees. They send their ideas to management for them to figure out if or when they need to do the announcement.

-

Turns out they didn’t need to think about announcing the baby just yet. They did it. They made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. The cup is finally coming home to Canada. After morning practice before game 1 against the Oilers Mitch tracks down Connor. Auston is getting his shoulder worked on by PT so Mitch is making this announcement solo.

“Connor! Just the man I was looking for.” Mitch says, giving Connor a fist bump instead of his customary hug. That will need to wait until after he tells him. Connor does notice but doesn’t bring it up.

“What’s up?” Connor asks, sitting down on the bench between the home and away locker rooms.

“So, I need to tell you something. But you need to promise me you won’t be mad. I’ve had enough from my dad, I don’t need you mad at me too.” Mitch says nervously. He sits down beside Connor, fingers fidgeting. Connor can tell how nervous Mitch is so he throws his arm over his shoulder, giving him a little squeeze. It does help a bit.

“Mitch there are very few things you could say or do that would make me mad. What’s going on?” He asks. That sentence alone helps Mitch to relax. He takes a moment to think how he can best explain everything.

“So after we won the 4 Nations I went back to Aus and my room. And… we, um.” Mitch trails off. He doesn’t even need to say it though. A look of disgust flashes across Connor’s face.

“No, no, nope. I don’t need to know what you freaks were doing between the sheets. I got the picture. I won’t ever be able to unsee it.” Connor says a bit dramatically, covering his eyes. Mitch just laughs. Typical Connor, being able to get Mitch out of any nerves or worrying. Mitch thinks it might be a captain thing, but it could also just be a Connor thing.

“Oh shush. Anyway… a couple of weeks later I wasn’t feeling very good so I went to our team doctor, and-” Mitch says, reaching for his wallet to pull out the sonogram he keeps with him, passing it to Connor.

“I’m pregnant.” Mitch says, as soon as he says it he is pulled into Connor’s arms.

“Mitch! Oh my god! That’s amazing! You and Auston must be so excited.” Connor says before pulling away. He gives Mitch a once over and now that he knows he can see the bump hiding under the slimming black top Mitch is wearing.

“Why would you think I’d get mad?” Connor asks, he can’t think of a reason why he would get mad about one of his best friends having a baby.

“Our sport isn’t exactly the safest. I don’t know, I was worried you’d think I was being irresponsible.” Mitch explains, the words of his father still looming in the back of his mind.

“I’m not mad. I’m sure everyone was trying to get you to stop playing, but that’s not who you are. So you and your staff must have come up with something to make sure the kid’s safe. I also know that if something bad did happen that you would stop playing. That’s not irresponsible.” Connor says, Mitch lets out a sigh of relief.

“One thing we’ve been doing is telling the teams we’re against about the baby. Helps to keep us out of harm's way as best as we can. Everyone so far has been good about it.” Mitch explains, resting his hands on his belly unconsciously. The sight makes Connor smile.

“I will let them know not to even think about doing anything stupid.” He says with a stern voice that Mitch knows all too well. He knows he can count on Connor.

-

After they get back from Edmonton tying the series 2-2, Mitch is scheduled to meet with Dr. Robin for his 16 week check-up. Auston helps Mitch climb up onto the bench. Laying back Mitch pulls up his shirt. Robin measures his stomach and takes his blood pressure. Auston just stands beside Mitch, holding his hand in his.

“Alrighty, those numbers are right where we want them to be.” She says, putting the equipment away.

“Have you been feeling baby move yet?” She asks, setting up the ultrasound machine.

“No, nothing. Is that bad? Is there something wrong?” Mitch asks worriedly. Auston squeezes Mitch’s hand, it relaxes him a little bit.

“Oh no, no, no. Nothing’s wrong. Most people start to feel their baby move between 16 and 22 weeks. So you should be feeling some movement soon.” She reassures Mitch. He lets out a sigh of relief. Robin squeezes the gel onto his belly, no warning so he jumps a little at the cold.

“So we might be able to find out the gender today if baby is positioned the right way. Do you two want to know?” She asks, moving the doppler over Mitch’s stomach.

“Willy and Mo wanna do some gender reveal thing. Could you tell them?” Auston tells her. She nods. She turns the screen to face Auston and Mitch.

“There they are.” She says. It’s always amazing to see, Mitch is always left breathless. Robin lets out a laugh.

“I will let Willy and Mo know.” She says, wiping the gel off of Mitch’s belly.

“I don’t even want to think about what plan those two have concocted.” Mitch says on their drive home. Auston chuckles in agreement.

-

They go back to Edmonton up 3-2 in the series. The games are getting more and more physical as they go on. They are losing 1-0 with 3 minutes left in the third period. Auston skates down center ice with the puck, Mitch and Knies on his wings. He passes the puck over to Mitch, who quickly shoots it over to Knies who tips it over the leg pad of Stuart Skinner.

Auston is making his way over to his linemates when he gets blindsided with a shoulder check right to the center of his chest. All of the air gets knocked out of him as he lands on the ice, thankfully not hitting his head on the way down. The other Leafs on the ice rush to the Oilers players but Mitch makes a B-line to Auston’s side. Their athletic trainer gets to Auston’s side shortly after Mitch does.

“Oh my god. Are you okay?” Mitch asks, ripping off his gloves to run his hands over Auston, checking for injuries that aren’t there. Auston is a bit out of it, not really focusing on all of the questions the trainer is asking him. Mitch grabs Auston’s cheeks, making sure to lock eyes.

“Auston Matthews, answer me! Are you okay?” Mitch demands, his scared tone snaps Auston back into his surroundings.

“Yeah, I’m fine, just got the wind knocked out of me.” Auston explains, trying to sit up with Mitch and the trainer’s help.

“There’s only 2ish minutes left, I wanna send you to the room, just to give yourself some time, take the intermission and we’ll see about you going out for OT.” The trainer says. Auston doesn’t want to leave but reluctantly agrees when he sees the scared look in Mitch’s eyes.

Once Auston is off the ice Mitch turns his focus back to the game. When Mitch was busy hovering over Auston, Mo apparently started a fight with Darnell Nurse after Evander Kane laid the dirty hit on Auston. They get a powerplay. They could win the whole thing if they score. With Auston gone Berube puts Bobby in his place as the fifth forward.

JT wins the draw at center, passing the puck back to Willy. They have to reenter the zone a couple of times before getting some good passes, surveying for shots that could possibly get in the net. Mitch swings behind the net with the puck, open ice between him and Skinner.

Mitch loads up to take the shot when he feels it. A little nudge from the inside of his stomach. He shoots the puck wide, sending it all the way back down the ice to Joe. The timer runs out, horn sounding to take them to overtime. Mitch doesn’t know what it was. He rests a hand over his chest protector, knowing he won’t be able to feel anything through it. Mo comes out of the penalty box and speeds over to Mitch.

“Hey, what was that? Your shot. What happened?” He asks, not sounding accusatory (as Paul probably would be) but in concern.

“I don’t know, I just got hit with a wave of something. I don’t know what it was.” Mitch can’t explain it. Maybe Mitch’s mind was playing tricks on him.

“Okay, I believe you. If it happens again though I’d talk to Dr. Robin.” Mo says, Mitch nods in agreement. As they step off the ice Mitch grabs Mo’s arm.

“Hey. Mo. Thanks, for watching out for Auston.” He says. Mo gives him a quick side hug.

“Always, all three of you. You know that.” Mo says as they walk back to the locker room. Auston is already sitting in front of his cubby once everyone gets into the room. As soon as he sees Mitch he jumps up, ignoring the headrush he gets.

“You okay?” He asks, bringing Mitch in for a quick kiss. Mitch nods his head, taking Auston’s hand in his,

“I have to show you something.” He says, pulling Auston out of the room. Bringing him to the visitor’s training room, that is thankfully empty.

“What’s wrong?” Auston says worriedly as Mitch tires but fails to take off his jersey.

“Just… help me get these off.” Mitch says with a huff. Together they take off Mitch’s jersey and chest protector. Once topless Auston takes a moment to admire Mitch’s topless form.

“You look breathtaking.” Auston claims. Mitch just laughs at him.

“No, I think you’re feeling like that is because Kane landed you flat on your ass.” He says, Auston laughs back at him. He takes Mitch’s hands in his.

“So what did you want to show me, with your shirt off. We already made a baby.” He jokes, trying to stem the nervousness running through him.

“Oh, shut up. Just… feel.” Mitch says, resting Auston’s hands on his belly. He waits, trying to move them to the right spot before-

“Is that?” Auston asks, tears of joy welling up in his eyes. Matching tears run down Mitch’s face as he nods.

“Wondered why I missed the shot? Well someone decided to distract me a little bit.” Mitch jokes, the baby responds back to the dig by kicking again. Auston laughs when he feels it again. Pulling Mitch in for a quick kiss before falling to his knees, Auston lays a kiss on Mitch’s belly. He gets a kick back.

“Come on, you’re gonna need to help me get back into this thing.” Mitch says, bringing Auston back to his feet. They get Mitch suited back up and make their way back to the locker room. As soon as they open the door all eyes turn to them.

“What’s everyone looking at? Let’s get out there and win this thing.” Mitch says. Everyone snaps up, Mitch leads them to the ice.

-

They lose game 6. Bringing game 7 back to Toronto. Instead of going to optional skate Willy and Mo come to Auston and Mitch’s house.

“Okay so we have a 2 pronged plan on the whole baby announcement for you guys.” Willy says, pulling cue cards out of his back pocket. Cue cards… He and Mo had been workshopping what to do since they found out the gender of the baby from Dr. Robin.

“So you guys and Knisey are gonna start the game right? So when they announce the the starting line up they’re gonna say ‘#16 expecting #1 - Mitch Marner’” Willy explains. Auston and Mitch look at each other and smile.

“It’s cute. I’m not 100% sure everyone would figure out what it means though.” Mitch says, resting his hands on the top of his belly.

“See we thought about that too, plus everyone who isn’t in Scotiabank. So we’re gonna get the PR people to send out statements on social media and stuff.” Mo explains. Mitch is so lucky and grateful to have such amazing and thoughtful team mates.

“By the time the game ends everyone should be up to speed. And when we win-” Willy says. Auston, Mitch, and Mo all knock on the wooden coffee table. No jinxing.

“You’re gonna do the gender reveal. We’ve got one of our equipment guys filling up these balloons with powder, 3 with white and one coloured. Mitch you’re gonna pass the pucks obviously and Auston you’re gonna shoot them, just make sure you don’t miss.” Willy finishes. Damn he and Mo really thought all of this through.

“You guys had way too much fun planning this didn’t you?” Auston asks with a laugh, they all join in. By tomorrow night the whole world is going to know.

-

Walking into the arena for game 7 Mitch does not even try to hide his belly. Before he would wear slimming black shirts, oversized coats, anything he could to keep it hidden. But everyone is going to find out before the game anyway, so Mitch doesn’t see a reason to hide anymore. He wears his favourite suit, the pants thankfully still fit. He had to wear one of Auston’s dress shirts because his didn’t button up over his belly. He couldn’t button up the suit jacket either so he just left it open. He knew the photographer and cameraman were there, so hopefully with the video on TV and the walk-in photos posted on social media that it would help share the news.

Mitch is sure to soak up each moment, not just because it’s the Stanley Cup Final, but because today is the last time he’s gonna play before the baby is born. By the time preseason games start he is going to be too pregnant to play. So he is taking every moment he can. Lacing up his skates, taking the ice for warm-ups.

For the cup final they announce the starters right before the anthem starts. The standard boos ring out for the Oilers lineup. The announcer changes the way he announces the lineup. First announcing Joe, then the defencemen Mo and Carlo.

“The forwards…

From Phoenix, Arizona #23 Matthew Kines.

From Scottsdale, Arizona #34 Auston Matthews.

And, from Thornhill, Ontario #16 expecting #1 Mitch Marner.”

The fans cheer separately for each player but after they announce Mitch the arena goes wild. Auston nudges his shoulder during the anthem.

The game goes into overtime, because of course it does. The baby is moving like crazy, feeding off Mitch’s high energy. Mitch gets the puck, swings behind the net and passes it to Auston. The puck on his stick only for a moment before it finds the back of the net.

They did it. They won the cup. Gloves and sticks and helmets are all getting thrown into the air. Mitch makes a B-line towards Auston, just beating out the rest of the team as he throws his arms around Auston. The building is deafening but all Mitch hears is “We did it” into his ear before Auston pulls back and kisses him. They pull apart to wolf whistles by their teammates.

Hugs are passed around to everyone on the ice. After the handshake line Mitch turns to Auston to do their post game celly one last time. Pulling him in to tap their bellies before sharing a quick kiss. Gary Bettman brings out the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe trophy.

“For scoring 38 points in their playoff run, all while expecting, the Conn Smythe trophy goes to… Mitch Marner!” Bettman announces. Mitch is in shock, he can’t believe it. Auston has to nudge him forward to accept the award. After holding it for a picture he skates back to Auston. The cup gets passed around from player to player, kisses gently pressed to its silver skin.

Mo takes the microphone from Bettman while one of the equipment managers ties four black balloons to the crossbar of the hometeam net. He brings over four pucks, including the game winning puck.

“If everyone could hold on for a minute. We need Auston and Mitch at center ice.” Mo announces, all of the fans trying to leave stop in their tracks. Auston and Mitch skate to center slowly, for dramatic effect.

“Mitch, please pass Auston the puck. Auston you will shoot the puck at the balloons from left to right.” Mo explains. Mitch snaps the puck over to Auston. He shoots, hitting the first balloon. It pops, a white powder explodes out. A disappointed awe is let out throughout the crowd. Puck 2, pass 2, shot 2, white powder. Anticipation grew when balloon 3 popped.

This is it. With the next shot they’re gonna find out if they’re having a boy or a girl. Mitch passes the game winning puck to Auston, the crowd goes quiet. Auston shoots the puck. Pink powder explodes, and with it the crowd and their team. Auston skates to Mitch, lifting him up and spinning him around in excitement. The team speed over piling around Auston and Mitch. A girl. They’re having a little girl.

Willy and Mo look at eachother and high five, they did good.

Chapter Text

As Captain and alternate captain, Auston and Mitch get first dibs of The Cup. They bring it with them to Scottsdale to see Auston’s parents. The paperwork alone made Auston want to just pass the cup to John. But after everything Brian and Ema Matthews had to give and give up to ensure Auston got to where he is now, Auston feels like he owes it to them to show that all of the hard work they had to do to get him here paid off.

Though, however majestic the cup is, there is not much to do with it once the awe wears off. One celebratory dinner with Ema and Brian and then it sits in the office of Auston and Mitch’s Scottsdale house.

Auston and Brian are outside barbequing while Mitch helps Ema chop vegetables. Well, help is a strong word. He washes, she chops. All of the stories she’s heard makes her weary of giving Mitch sharp objects. They are having their last dinner before coming home to Toronto.

“Have you heard anything from your parents?” Ema asks, drying her hands after she finishes plating the chopped vegetables. She promised herself she wouldn’t ask, but she worries. She had a very angry Auston on the phone with her after they told Mitch’s parents about the baby.

“Yeah…” Mitch says, a sad quiet huff escapes as he plays with the dish towel. Ema can only give him a hug.

“You go sit on the couch, I’ll give this to the boys and then we can chat.” She says. Mitch nods and makes his way to the living room. Once Ema returns she sits beside Mitch, bringing him into his arms. Holding him like only a mother can.

“Let me hear it.” She says. Her tone makes Mitch chuckle. Ema has had a subtle but obvious disdain for Paul ever since she met him. The apathy for his own son is something that Ema could never understand. Mitch is a wonderful man and husband, in spite of his father.

“You know, I thought that getting so close to winning the cup that he’d stop picking apart everything I did. But no, all I heard about was what I didn’t do right. The give away to Davo, missing the powerplay goal to win it in Edmonton. Even the fact that I wasn’t the one to score the game winner. We won the cup for god’s sake. I won the Conn Smythe trophy, still wasn’t good enough for dear ol’ dad.” Mitch says. Ema rubs a hand up and down Mitch’s back, the exact same way Auston does when he comforts Mitch. That man puts the weight of the world on his own son’s shoulder and then doesn’t even congratulate him when he shows he can lift it. Ema squeezes Mitch before pulling away.

“I am so proud of you Mijo.” She says, pressing a motherly kiss to Mitch’s forehead. Mitch’s eyes well up. He only got a ‘congrats’ text from his own mom.

“Thank you Mami.” He says, pulling her into a tight hug. The baby kicks her abuela in greeting. She gasps in surprise.

“Is that her?” She asks, reaching out her hand in question. Mitch nods, taking her hand and placing it on his belly. The baby kicks again. Ema and Brian were watching the game so when Auston hit the balloon and the pink powder exploded everywhere Ema was beyond excited.

“You know that missed powerplay goal? I missed the shot because she kicked for the first time. I was so surprised that I completely missed the open net.” Mitch explains. Ema smiles, patting his belly.

“What did your mom have to say when you told her?” She asks.

“She looked happy for me, for us. But it kinda got taken over by my dad calling me irresponsible for ‘getting knocked up during the most important run of my career’.” Mitch explains, his imitation of his dad makes Ema laugh, and then scoff at the idiocy of his statement.

“She texted me telling me to give him time. So that’s what I’m doing.” Mitch says with a shrug.

“Dinner’s ready!” Brian yells as he and Auston bring in the food. Ema stands and reaches out a hand instinctively to help Mitch off the couch. He takes it gratefully and they walk hand in hand to the kitchen.

-

July flies by. Unfortunately for Mitch that now means sitting around doing a whole bunch of nothing while Auston starts back up with his training. One day he decided that he was going to take up crochet. He bought a whole bunch of yarn, watching a whole bunch of youtube tutorials of simple patterns. ‘Simple my ass.’ Mitch thinks. He doesn’t even give it a half hour before giving up.

“So what are you gonna do with all the yarn you bought?” Auston asks, carefully taking the hook out of Mitch’s frustrated hand. Mitch huffs.

“Donate it or something. Maybe my mom would know what to do with it.” He says. His mom still hasn’t reached out, but Mitch knows all too well that Bonnie Marner will go to the grave at her husband’s side so Mitch isn’t holding his breath. He’s not mad. He’s just disappointed.

-

The Saturday before training camp Willy invites all the guys over to his house for dinner, now that everyone is in the same city again. When Mitch messages him to see what he should bring, all he gets back is ‘Just you and your man’s BDE (Big dad energy).’ Mitch laughs so hard his eyes start to water.

They let themselves in when they get to Willy’s house. He walks into the living room to a loud ‘Surprise!’ Mitch jumps in shock, hands instinctively flying to protect his belly. Standing under a ‘It’s a girl!’ banner are his team mates all wearing different shades of pink.

“What is all of this? You guys didn’t have to…” Mitch trails off, he doesn’t even know what to say. He loves his team.

“Sure we all celebrated when we all found out you were having a girl, but we never got to celebrate just her. So now that we’re all back we wanted to get together.” Willy explains. Mitch’s eyes tear up, he gives Willy a tight hug, well as tight as he can. Willy laughs when he feels the baby kick.

“Hey, for your information I’m gonna be your favourite uncle young lady.” Willy says, playfully scolding Mitch’s belly. That makes Mitch and everyone else laugh.

“Have you guys picked out a name for her yet?” Joe asks, with Knisey practically sitting on his lap. Mitch and Auston looked at each other and shrugged. There wasn’t really any time for them to sit back and think about baby names.

“We kinda had more important things to do.” Auston says. Willy shoots off the couch and out of the room, returning a moment later with a huge whiteboard and a marker.

“Why the fuck do you have a whiteboard Willy?” Domi asks. Willy writes ‘Baby names’ on the top of the board before turning around.

“Why the fuck don’t you have a whiteboard Max?” Willy asks, matching his tone.

“Alright boys, Baby Matthews needs a name. Go!” Willy says, marker at the ready. He writes down each guy’s last name in alphabetical order (weird flex but ok) and corresponding baby name.

Benoit - Louise
Carlo - Carly
Domi - Monroe
Ekman-Larsson - Sara
Holmberg - Alice
Järnkrok - Ella
Kampf - Amelia
Knies - Violet
Laughton - Nora
Lorentz - Melanie
McCabe - Sofia
McMann - Isabella
Nylander - Melody
Pacioretty - Lucia
Rielly - Elena
Robertson - Mia
Stolarz - Aurora
Tanev - Mira
Tavares - Ema
Woll - Elizabeth

“Okay, Now I need everyone’s vote on the name they like best, besides their own.” Willy says. They all manage to narrow the list down to 3 names. Violet, Nora and Melody.

“Alright Dads, you two get the final say. What’s her name gonna be?” Auston and Mitch go into the kitchen to deliberate. In the living room the guys bicker about which name should be picked, everyone shuts up when Auston and Mitch come back into the room.

Walking up to the whiteboard Auston takes the eraser from Willy’s outstretched hand. Auston and Mitch crowd the board so no one can see the names they erase. They look at each other, nodding before stepping back. Melody. Everyone cheers.

“Melody Matthews, has a nice ring to it huh?” Willy says, happy that they chose his name suggestion.

“What about her middle name?” Nick asks. Everyone groans, Auston and Mitch just laugh.

“We’ll figure that one out later.” Mitch says, resting his hands on his belly. They guys all start to throw out different middle name suggestions. Mitch just laughs. Little Melody Matthews is going to be so loved when she’s born.

Chapter Text

Coach texts Mitch asking him to come in with Auston on the first day of training camp. Mitch is confused, it’s not like he’s gonna be training with everyone. He’s out of commission for the foreseeable future. Mitch asks Auston if he knows why Coach asked to speak with him Auston just shrugs his shoulders saying he has no idea. Mitch doesn’t believe him one bit but lets it go. They walk into the training complex hand in hand. Auston squeezes Mitch’s hand before leaving to go get suited up for practice. Mitch knocks at the door before opening.

“Mitchy, come in, take a seat.” Berube says. Mitch, still having no idea why he’s here, sits down in front of his coach.

“I’m sure you’re probably wondering why I called you in today.” He says, as if he could read Mitch’s mind. Mitch just nods.

“I know that you’re not playing right now. But you are still part of this team, you are still one of our alternate captains. So I was wondering if you wanted to be a junior coach for us until you have your little one.” Coach offers. Mitch is speechless. Over the offseason Mitch was worried he wouldn’t feel like a part of the team since he’s not playing. He’s the glue that holds the team together, Auston told him once.

“That would be amazing, I would be honoured.” Mitch says. Craig smiles, pulling his desk drawer open, placing a Maple Leafs coaching tracksuit on his desk.

“I had a feeling you’d say that. You’ve gotta look the part.” He says, sliding the tracksuit in front of Mitch. He takes the jacket, looking at the Maple Leaf emblem on the chest. Marner - Jr. Coach written above and below it. His eyes scrunch seeing his name. He would have thought that since he’s not on the ice that they would use his actual last name.

“It’s completely up to you how involved you wanna be. You can be on the ice with us during practice if you want, be behind the bench during games. Or you could coach from the bench during practice and be up in the press box during games. Totally up to you.” Craig says. Mitch is so grateful to have such an amazing Coach. Anyone else could have banished him to the press box, not having anything to do with the actual team until he can get on the ice to play again. Mitch puts on the jacket.

“Let’s do this.” He says, Craig laughs and leads him to the locker room. All eyes train on him and his tracksuit when he comes into the room. Dramatic ohs break out across the room. Auston just sits there smiling at him.

“What are you all doing sitting around? Get on the ice!” Mitch yells. The room erupts with a ‘Yes Coach.’ Mitch points at Auston to sit back down as everyone else files out to the ice.

“You had something to do with this didn’t you?” Mitch asks. Auston just shrugs, taking Mitch’s skate and ties it up for him.

“You were going stir crazy. This way you can still be with me all the time, doing something you love even though you can’t actually play.” Auston says, tying up Mitch’s second skate. He stands up, offering his hand to Mitch to help him stand up. Mitch just rolls his eyes and takes it.

“I wanna talk to you about something when we get home.” He says. Great, Auston has the rest of the day to worry about what Mitch wants to talk about. They walk to the ice hand in hand.

-

After the first practice of the year Mitch is usually pretty tired, but this time he is exhausted. His center of gravity has greatly shifted so maintaining his balance on skates is a bit harder than usual. He takes a nap as soon as they get home. Waking to the smell of dinner, he walks into the kitchen to see Auston making french toast, Mitch’s favourite.

They eat dinner while making mindless conversation. Auston isn’t going to ask Mitch what it is that he wants to talk to him about, Mitch will tell him when he’s ready. After cleaning up dinner Auston brings Mitch to the living room and puts on ‘The Princess Bride’, Mitch’s favourite guilty pleasure movie. They watch the movie in silence and every once and a while Auston will look at Mitch, seeing if now is the time he is going to talk. About half way through Mitch speaks.

“I want to change my name.” He says. Auston pauses the movie, turning to fully face Mitch.

“To what? Wesley?” Auston jokes. Mitch rolls his eyes and scoffs, playfully slapping Auston’s arm.

“No dumbass, to Matthews.” Mitch explains, Auston just looks at him confused.

“It is. It has been for years. What do you mean?” He asks.

“I want to change it with the team, with the league. I want to wear our name when I’m on the ice.” Mitch explains.

“I’d love to see you wear our last name. But why now? What changed your mind?” Auston asks. When they got married Mitch legally changed his last name to Matthews, but decided that he was going to continue to use Marner when playing. Still using it on his jersey, still having everyone in the league calling him by the wrong name.

“When she comes she’s not gonna have anything to do with Marner. I don’t want to be different from the two of you for most of the year.” Mitch says, resting his hand on his belly. Melody kicks him in greeting. Auston rests his hand on top of Mitch’s.

“Besides, it's not like people are going to get confused by having two Matthews on the ice at the same time. The Devils have Jack and Luke Hughes. The Canucks have three Petterson’s for god’s sake.” Mitch adds, Auston laughs. Mitch isn’t changing his number so people should still know him by the 16 on the back of his jersey.

“If that’s what you want we can go to the team tomorrow and change it.” Auston says, pulling Mitch in for a kiss before resuming the movie. Tomorrow Mitch is finally going to be seen as a ‘Matthews’ in the eyes of the NHL.

-

The league has no problem with changing Mitch’s last name. Mitch guesses it will probably take time before everything gets updated. The Leafs make their updates right away. A new name plate for his locker, new jerseys. They had his new jersey in the fan shop the next day. Everywhere that his name was listed, it was the right name. Coach shows up with a new tracksuit with the right name on it now. Matthews - Jr. Coach. Feels right.

It wasn’t really noticed by the fans until the first game of the season. They get to start the season at home this year.

“Not dressed for tonight’s game. From Thornhill, Ontario. #16 alternate captain, Mitch Matthews!” The crowd is quiet for a moment before his name sinks in. The crowd goes wild. It takes some time for the reporters, broadcasters, even fans to get used to it. But Mitch is glad that he finally gets to share Auston’s name on the ice.

Chapter Text

Mitch can’t join the guys on road trips until the baby is born. Something about blood clots and being too close to his due date. Mitch doesn’t like it one bit, but he isn’t gonna put his or his baby’s health at risk over a game he can just as easily watch on TV from the comfort of his own home.

The team is in Pittsburgh for the last game of their first road trip of the season. It’s almost puck drop, Mitch sits down on the couch with a bowl of his current favourite snack of popcorn mixed with peanut butter M&Ms.

Before he can get comfortable, which is rare these days, he hears a knock at the door. The dogs go crazy for a momentum barking their heads off, Mitch shushes them. He groans as he heaves himself off the couch. His hands support his back as he walks to the door. He opens the door to see Tessa standing there.

“Hey! What are you doing here?” Mitch asks, pulling her into a hug.

“Your husband asked my husband to keep you company. Apparently you’ve been left to your own devices for too long.” She says with a laugh as she pulls away. Mitch leads her to the couch, the game has already started. They chat as they watch the game; how Mac is doing, how Mitch is handling everything. By the first intermission they get to the topic of labour and delivery.

“Make sure to put in your birth plan that you want skin to skin for the full golden hour. It really helps to regulate her breathing and body temperature. You and Auston can spend the time bonding with her as a new family.” Tess says, taking a popcorn kernel from the bowl. She looks at him and sees a confused look on his face.

“A birth plan?” He asks, confusion in his voice matching his face. Tessa looks at him like he’s grown a second head.

“You haven’t made a birth plan? Mitch you have to make a birth plan that way your labour and birth is what you want it to be. If you want an epidural, any drugs at all, how much you want the doctors and nurses to check on you. Where and how you want to give birth, on your back, or side, or in the tub.” Tessa goes on and on, listing everything she had on her birth plan. With every new thing she lists Mitch gets more and more anxious, he has no idea what he wants. Tessa can see it on his face, she takes one of his hands in hers.

“I’m not trying to scare you, but I know you Mitch, you’re gonna freak out at the last minute. You’re gonna wanna write it out, that way when you’re in the thick of it everyone knows what it is you want. Have a talk with your OB or Midwife or whoever you’re planning to deliver your baby. Talk it out with Auston too.” She says, squeezing Mitch’s hand in hers. Mitch has a lot to think about. He doesn’t even know where he wants to give birth, at home or in the hospital. Once Auston gets home they’re gonna have to have a long talk.

-

Mitch does a lot of research about birth plans, midwives, home births. Every new thing he learns makes him more confused and unsure of what to do. He doesn’t want to unload everything onto Auston as soon as he gets back from the roadie so he waits until they get back from morning skate a couple of days later.

Mitch fidgets the whole way home, nervous and unsure how to start the conversation. Auston notices out of the corner of his eye and just reaches over and takes Mitch’s hand in his, squeezing hard to help Mitch release some of the nervous energy. Auston isn’t going to ask him what’s wrong, he knows that Mitch will tell him when he’s ready.

“So I hung out with Tessa when you guys were away, thanks for that by the way.” Mitch starts off once they get settled on the couch. Auston nods his head. He had asked Mo to ask Tessa to pop by during the road trip to make sure that the house was still standing and to check up on Mitch.

“She had a lot to say.” Mitch says with a chuckle. Auston takes his hand, squeezing to encourage Mitch to keep going.

“Apparently there’s a lot of things you have to consider and plan when actually having the baby.” Mitch says, struggling to get off the couch to get everything he’s thought and researched so far. Auston gives him a helpful shove. Mitch brings back a binder from their room, plopping back onto the couch.

Auston opens in to see pages and pages of information. He paroozes the binder. There is no rhyme or reason to the order of these papers, everything is just put in the order Mitch finds the information. Together they lay out all of the pages Mitch has printed out, reading them and discarding anything Mitch decides against.

“Do you want to give birth at home or at the hospital?” Auston asks. Mitch is really unsure. Everything he reads, all the videos he watches, none of it really helps him make up his mind. He groans.

“I don’t know, I really don’t. Why do you think I’ve printed all of this out, none of this is really swaying me one way or the other. I know you’re the goal scorer here but I need the assist here Aus. Help me figure out what to do.” Mitch begs. Auston laughs before pulling Mitch into his arms to calm him. Together they decide on a home birth. Mitch doesn’t want any fanfare while he is in labour. Being at home would feel more comfortable.

“There is no way in hell I’m having her in the water. It would ruin tubs and pools for me for the rest of my life.” Mitch says, resting his hand on the top of his belly. Auston laughs so hard he has tears running down his face. Mitch laughs right along with him.

“I guess the next thing we’re gonna have to research is Midwives. No hospital means no doctors.” Auston says once his laughter dissipates. Well it’s a good thing that the Leafs are on a homestand right now. Auston wants to support Mitch as best as he can, but finding and connecting to a midwife is not something you can really do over facetime

-

No matter how many times he does it so far he can’t get used to standing behind the bench. He’s supposed to be sitting on it. Sometimes when the team comes out he finds himself going to sit down on the bench before reminding himself that he’s not playing right now.

They’re set to play a home and away with Ottawa, Mitch only being able to be with them for the home game. There is 11:44 left in the 3rd period, Leafs up 4-2 when Brady Tkchuk rams his shoulder into an unsuspecting Mo, slamming him into the glass before skating away. Mo lays on the ice for a moment before slowly getting up and making his way to the bench. He heads directly to the locker room, face grimacing in pain.

Mitch takes one look at Coach and one look at Auston. They nod and Mitch makes his way to find Mo. He goes straight to the training room. Opening the door to find Robin assessing Mo.

“What’s the damage Doc?” Mitch asks once Dr Robin steps back. Mitch hauls himself onto the exam table to sit beside Mo, throwing his arm around Mo’s shoulder. Mo flinches in pain so Mitch pulls his arm back.

“No strain or sprain thankfully, but it’s definitely gonna be sore for a bit. You’re gonna have some gnarly bruises on that shoulder Morgan.” Dr Robin explains.

“I would suggest that you don’t go to Ottawa, give your shoulder a little bit of time before getting back on the ice.” She continues. She finishes up and he and Mo make their way to the locker room, Mo lending a hand to help Mitch off the table. The game goes to overtime.

“Well, I’m glad I’ll actually have somebody to watch the away game with me.” Mitch says, sitting down at Auston’s cubby. Mo laughs at Mitch as he slowly takes off his jersey and equipment. They make plans for their game watching session as the team wins in a shootout.

Chapter Text

Mo arrives with a nasty black and blue shoulder. Mitch grabs him an ice pack before they sit down to watch the start of the game. They chat about nothing, occasionally yelling at the refs through the TV when they think there should have been a penalty. The third period has just started when Mitch huffs.

“What is it?” Mo asks, looking over to Mitch who shifts uncomfortably on the couch. Mitch shrugs him off. There is 16:34 left in the third period when Mitch gasps, his hands flying to his belly. His face scrunched up in pain.

“No, seriously Mitch, what’s wrong?” Mo asks worriedly.

“I don’t know. Something’s wrong, it hurts really bad.” Mitch says, trying to get off the couch. He gets hit with another wave of pain, fingers clutching around his stomach. He feels something running down his legs. Mo notices and jumps up, rushing to Mitch’s side.

“Woah, woah, woah. Okay that’s blood. I’m gonna call 9-1-1.” He says. At the mention of blood Mitch starts to cry. Mo urgently but calmly tells the operator everything that’s happened and that they need an ambulance now. Once off the phone Mo takes the crying Mitch into his arms. Rubbing his hands up and down Mitch’s back, hoping to calm him down.

“The ambulance is going to be here in 11 minutes. I’m gonna grab you some new pants okay?” Mo says calmly. Mitch tightens his arms around Mo, wordlessly begging him not to leave.

“I’ll just be a second Mitch, I’ll be right back.” He says, squeezing Mitch lightly before running to the main bedroom, quickly grabbing Mitch new underwear and a pair of Auston’s sweatpants. A small 34 stitched on the pocket. He grabs a dark towel from the linen closet before running back to Mitch. He places the towel on the couch and slowly sits Mitch down. He reaches out to take off Mitch's pants when he stops him.

“Come on Mitchy. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.” Mo jokes. Mitch chuckles, still crying and rubbing his belly up and down. Mo gingerly takes off Mitch’s pants and underwear, sliding the bloody clothes down Mitch’s legs. Mo gently wipes the blood off Mitch’s legs with tissues from the coffee table before putting the clean clothes on. Mitch looks at the pile of bloodied tissues on the table and starts to hyperventilate.

“Hey, hey, Mitch everything is going to be fine. You and Mel are going to be okay, the paramedics are gonna be here any minute and we’re gonna get you to the hospital.” Mo says, pulling Mitch in for a tight hug, slowing his breathing down to encourage Mitch’s breathing to match.

“It’s my fault. It’s too early. I can’t have her yet. What if something happened and hurt her. ” He keeps rambling. Mo lets go and sits in front of Mitch, he grabs Mitch’s hands and squeezes. Mitch’s swollen eyes meeting Mo’s.

“Listen to me Mitch. None of this is your fault okay? Shit happens, and we have no control over it. She is gonna be fine. You are gonna be fine. You hear me?” Mo says, a tight squeeze of Mitch’s hands before wiping the tears off Mitch’s cheeks. Mitch nods. Mo jumps up when they hear a knock at the door, running to let the paramedics in. They get Mitch onto the stretcher and load him into the ambulance.

“I have to call Auston, he needs to know.” Mo says, sitting down beside Mitch in the ambulance as the medic attaches Mitch to different machines. Auston picks up on the first ring.

“Hey Mo, what’s up?” Auston says over all the noise of the guys changing out of their jerseys and equipment.

“Matthews, You need to get your ass home ASAP.” Mo says, urgency evident in his voice. That immediately sets Auston on high alert.

“What’s going on? What’s wrong? Is Mitch okay?” Auston asks, question after question. Mo lets him finish before continuing.

“We were just watching the game when Mitch started to get these pains in his stomach and back. He got up and then blood was running down his legs.” Mo explains. Auston’s stomach sinks. He hazily looks over to Willy as he carefully sits Auston on the bench, making sure he doesn’t fall over. Willy turns to the team.

“Alright everyone! Get your asses in gear, we’ve got to get Matty home pronto. I want asses in seats on the shuttle to the airport in 20. Move it people, move it!” He says, the room bursts into action. All the guys need to bring is the necessities, their phone, wallets. There is no time for baggage check once they get to the airport. Everything else will come back with the team staff, not all being able to fit on the private plane Coach managed to have Tre get his hands on at the last minute.

“We’re on our way to the hospital right now, just please, get here as soon as you can.” Mo says, squeezing Mitch’s hand in comfort. Auston has pin point focus now, putting his game day suit as fast as he can with his phone being held to his cheek by Willy.

“Can I talk to him?” Auston asks, taking the phone from Willy as they walk out of the locker room towards the bus. Mo passes his phone to Mitch.

“Hey Baby.” Auston says softly, hearing sniffles on the other line.

“Hi Aus.” Mitch says, sniffling.

“I’m scared.” He continues in a quiet voice. Mo squeezes his hand in comfort, knowing that it is what Auston would be doing if he were here.

“I know. I’m so sorry I’m not there with you right now. I’m coming home as fast as I can, we all are.” Auston says, the last person to get on the bus. He takes his seat beside Willy as the bus pulls away from the Canadian Tire Centre.

“I love you.” Mitch says, a tear rolling down his cheek. 400 km away a matching tear rolling down Auston’s cheek. Auston squeezes his eyes shut, he couldn’t break, not now. Mitch needed him to be strong for him.

“I love you too Mitchie. Could you pass the phone back to Mo?” He asks in a quiet voice, not wanting to disturb everyone else on the bus. Even though he is almost certain all eyes are on him right now. Mitch passes the phone back to Mo.

“We’re almost to the hospital. I will test you with information as soon as I know, even if you’re in the air.” Mo says. Auston nods, realizing that Mo can’t see him he responds.

“Thanks for being there for him, Morgan.” Auston says appreciatively.

“Always.” Mo says. The ambulance doors swing open as nurses and doctors crowd the foot of Mitch’s stretcher.

“Okay, gotta go. Be safe.” Mo says, quickly ending the call as he follows after Mitch.

“Okay we need to head straight up to L&D, we have a bed waiting.” A nurse instructs. Everyone runs as fast as they can. Once they get Mitch into his room a symphony of controlled chaos ensues, machines and people moving around the room in a frenzy. A nurse comes to Mo trying to push him out of the room.

“You’re gonna have to go sit in the waiting room. It’s family only till he’s been admitted, hospital policy.” She says. Mo stands his ground against the door frame.

“I’m not going anywhere. He’s my brother, I am not leaving this room.” He says firmly. The nurse relents, taking her hands off him. Mo pulls a chair up to the side of Mitch’s bed. He ties up the back of Mitch’s hospital gown before slumping down into the chair with a huff.

Chapter Text

It's been an hour and a half since they got to the hospital and still no word from the doctors. That’s got to be good news Mo assumes, if it was serious Mitch would have had to be seen right away, right? Mitch has finally been able to fall asleep, exhausted by the fear and panic. Mo’s arms resting on Mitch’s bed.

His head snaps up when he hears fast steps approach the room, thinking that the doctor has finally come. Standing at the doorway is Auston who’s still dressed in his game day suit. Mo jumps up and brings him into a bone crushing hug.

“God, I’m so glad you’re finally here.” Mo says into Auston’s shoulder. Auston squeezes him in response.

“How are they doing?” Auston says quietly, not wanting to wake Mitch up.

“They’re doing okay now I think? They did an ultrasound when we got here but the doctors haven’t come in yet to let us know what they found. A nurse has been coming in every once and a while to take his blood pressure, but he’s so exhausted he doesn’t even wake up for it.” Mo explains, Auston replaces Mo at Mitch’s bedside.

Auston takes in the sight of Mitch lying asleep on the hospital bed. An IV attached to Mitch’s inner elbow, the steady beep of his heart monitor. Auston stares too long at Mitch’s stomach under his hospital gown. The stomach he’s caressed a million times, feeling their daughter kick now has these circle outlines on the top and side of it.

“It’s a fetal heart monitor, they originally thought when we got here that he could have been going into labour. The one at the top monitors for contractions, the one on the side monitors the baby’s heart rate.” Mo explains, squeezing Auston’s shoulder as he stands beside him. That does make Auston feel a little bit better. Only a bit though, he still feels absolutely terrible that he wasn’t there for Mitch when he needed him the most.

“Aus?” He hears in a small cracked voice. Auston whips his head around to see Mitch’s sleepy eyes starting back at him. Auston takes Mitch’s face in his hands and brings him in for a gentle kiss.

“I’m here Mitchy. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here when you needed me, both of you.” Auston says, a tear runs down his cheek. Mitch wipes it away before he takes Auston’s hand, intertwining their fingers.

“You’re here now. I had a pretty awesome guy with me who kept me calm when I was freaking out.” Mitch says with a smile, looking over Auston’s shoulder to Mo. He smiles back.

“I’m gonna go and see if I can find the doctors.” Mo says, coming to the foot of Mitch’s bed to squeeze his ankle in comfort before he slips out of the room.

“How did you get home so fast?” Mitch asks, not knowing how long exactly it was that he was asleep. Auston chuckles.

“Willy put the fear of God into everyone. We were all dressed and ready in 20 minutes, and drove straight to the airport. Everyone went home after that, except for Willy. We split up in the lobby so he could get coffee, he should be up soon. All the other staff said that they were gonna catch the next flight. Everyone wanted to make sure I got back as soon as I could.” Auston says. Mitch scooches over on the bed, patting the space beside him as an invitation for Auston to sit with him. Auston carefully climbs beside him, making sure not to bump into or disturb the wires attached to Mitch.

“We have some pretty good teammates don’t we?” Mitch says, cuddling into Auston’s side. Auston nods before resting his head against Mitch’s. He lays his hand on Mitch’s belly, being greeted by a kick. He chuckles, he never gets tired of feeling her move around.

“How you doing Mitchy?” Auston asks. Mitch’s breath catches in his throat. He places his hand over Auston’s. It takes a while for Mitch to speak.

“We were just sitting, watching you guys. I was getting a little bit uncomfortable, my lower back started to hurt, little sharp pains here and there. But it started to hurt so bad, the pain wrapping around my belly. I went to stand up and then the blood…” A sob escapes Mitch’s throat. Auston pulls Mitch into a gentle but strong embrace. He waits for Mitch’s sobs to slow down before squeezing him, encouraging him to continue.

“I was so scared. It’s too early. She isn’t ready, hell we aren’t ready. We don’t even have her nursery set up yet.” Mitch starts to ramble on and on about how unsafe it would be if she was born too early.

“Hey, hey, hey. If she comes early then we will deal with it okay? Together.” Auston says pulling away to look Mitch in the eyes, hands cupping Mitch’s cheeks. Mitch releases all the tension that has built up in his body, he nods and pulls Auston in for a gentle kiss. They pull away as their attention gets turned to the door, a doctor walks in. She’s trailed by Mo and Willy, who sit themselves on the couch in the room, something hiding behind Willy’s back.

“I’m sorry for the delay but it’s nice to finally meet you Mitch, I’m Dr Maddison.” She says, rolling a stool over to come and sit beside his bed.

“I want to start off by telling you that your daughter is doing absolutely fine.” She tells them, it’s like everyone in the room simultaneously lets out the breath they didn’t know they were holding. Mo and Willy high five over on the couch. Auston, who is sitting back down on the chair, squeezes Mitch’s hand in his.

“So what happened?” Mitch asks, still wondering what the hell happened.

“You had a Grade 1 placental abruption. Essentially what happened was that your placenta, where your daughter is currently taking up residence, detached itself from the uterine wall. That’s why you were bleeding and feeling the pain.” She explains.

“Did I do something to cause this?” Mitch asks, voicing his worst fear. Dr Maddison places a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“Oh no! Most of the time these things just happen and we don’t even know why. You don’t have any pre-existing risk factors, no smoking, no hypertension.” She says. Mitch feels the weight of his own guilt and worry be lifted off of him.

“So, what’s the treatment?” Auston asks.

“There isn’t anything we can do for the abruption itself, I suggest just taking it easy for the next little bit. No real strenuous activities.” She continues. Willy waggles his eyebrows suggestively at Mitch, who rolls his eyes before turning back to concentrate on the Doctor.

“For your daughter however, at 34 weeks her lungs aren’t fully developed yet so we’ve given you corticosteroids to help mature them just in case anything happens and she has to be delivered earlier. But we’ve been monitoring you since you’ve arrived and you have not had any contractions, so there’s no worry about you potentially going into labour at this point.” She explains as she stands up, rolling her stool into the corner of the room. Auston and Mitch let out a twin sign of relief.

“I am going to grab a nurse to help you get ready to be released. Stay happy and healthy, okay Mitch? I don’t want to see you in here a day too soon.” Dr Maddison says, taking her leave.

“Well I guess I’m gonna have to be the uber for tonight? I’m tired as shit so don’t be expecting 5 stars.” Willy jokes. Everyone laughs.

“You didn’t have to come.” Auston says in retort. Willy sobers.

“Of course I did.” He says, face serious. Mitch tears up at that. Willy stands up from the couch, hand behind his back. He pulls out a stuffed brown bear with a T-shirt that reads ‘Get well soon!’ Mitch takes it and chuckles.

“Thanks Will.” He says, reaching out to pull Willy in for a hug. Once he steps back he crosses his arms over his chest.

“I’m gonna put in the group chat that you two are doing okay, cause I know that everyone is worried. We’re gonna give you tomorrow to rest but the day after? I have devised a plan…” Willy explains with a sarcastically maniacal tone to him.

“Well, that sounds ominous.” Auston says, everyone laughs again. A nurse comes into the room to help get Mitch disconnected from the wires and tubes before leaving a bag of clothes on the end of the hospital bed. Mitch doesn’t want to think about the blood he might see on the sweats he has to put on.

Chapter Text

True to his word Willy leaves Auston and Mitch alone. Well at least physically. He texts Mitch every hour on the hour. Sometimes checking to see how he’s doing and sometimes he just spams him with pictures wanting Mitch’s opinion and Mitch’s opinion only. He responded to one text Mitch sent stating Auston’s opinion on a blanket saying ‘If I wanted Auston’s opinion I would have texted him.’ Mitch laughed for a solid 5 minutes, laughing so hard his eyes started to water. Swatches of different paint colours, cute clothes, different stuffed animals. Mitch doesn’t mind thought, he knows that this is Willy’s way of showing affection.

There is a knock on the door at 10 AM sharp. Auston leaves Mitch on the couch, Netflix paused. He opens the door to see the entire team. Everyone files into the house, carrying boxes and paint cans. Joseph Woll seems to have brought an entire hardware store with him.

“To the nursery!” Willy yells like a charge into battle. Everyone climbs the starts to the baby’s room. It is still empty. They’ve just been busy alright, it would have gotten finished sometime before the baby came. However with only 6 weeks before his due date, they were running out of time. Auston and Mitch make their way up behind the boys. Willy stands in the middle of the room with a clipboard.

“Okay. Laughton, Tanev, McCabe, and Stolarz. You guys are on crib assembly. Domi, Homberg, Knies, and Robertson. You are on dresser assembly. Woll, Carlo, and Lorenz. You guys are on rocking chair assembly. Ekman-Larsson, McMann, Benoit, and Tavares. You are on paint duty. Järnkrok, Pacioretty, and Kampf. You guys are on cleanup duty, collecting cardboard, styrofoam, plastic. Reilly and I will be coming in and out with all of the smaller stuff downstairs.” Willy reads out like he’s announcing the starting lineup for a game. Everyone gathers into their groups and starts to figure out where to start. Willy and Mo lead Auston and Mitch back down to the living room.

“Where did you get all of the stuff from?” Mitch asks, heaving as he lands himself on the couch.

“Ikea, like a good Swedish meatball.” Willy jokes, the other men break out into laughter.

“We’ve still got a whole bunch of smaller stuff we need to bring in. You guys put back on whatever show you were watching before we got here. Once we get everything in we’ll show you all we got.” Mo says before heading for the door. Between him and Willy they must have made at least 5 trips back and forth, shopping bags and boxes of different sizes. Mitch wasn’t really paying attention to the show, more focused on every time one of the men comes into the living room to put another load onto the floor. It takes them a full episode to bring in everything. The final trip brings in 2 different sized gift bags, filled with tissue paper.

“You guys really didn’t need to do all of this. This is way too much. Everything for the nursery, all of this.” Mitch says, but Willy just shushes him.

“Just think of it like a baby shower, only without the stupid party games.” Willy says. That idea does make Mitch feel a little bit less guilty. The four sit and chat, the next episode playing in the background. They hear a cheer and the sounds of high fives coming from the nursery. The guys all make their way down the stairs. Benny has paint on his shirt and pants, John’s hands have their own share of paint.

“Must say Coach, it looks pretty good in there.” Kinsey says, jokingly referring to Willy as coach. Everyone cracks up as Willy preens at the comment. The team talks amongst themselves as they eat the pizza Auston had ordered in. Once everyone finished eating and the evidence had been put away Willy enlists the help of the ‘strong defencemen’ to lug all of the boxes and bags over to the front of where Auston and Mitch are sitting on the couch.

“So when I came over I noticed that the nursery was empty. And you guys only have a couple of weeks until that baby is gonna be here. So I talked with Willy and we decided that we were gonna get everyone together to lend a hand. We know that you guys are gonna want to go shopping on your own for her things, so we only got the bare essentials.” Mo explained. Mitch sheds a tear at the amount of love he has for all of his teammates, and how much they love him back.

“We’re a team. We help each other out. You were told to take it easy Mitch, and Auston I love you but there is no way in hell I trust you to do everything by yourself.” Willy says, everyone laughs. Auston grumbles under his voice that he would have figured out how to do it eventually. Auston and Mitch take turns opening the bags and boxes Mo and Willy brought in.
Mitch opens a bag with a couple of really cute onesies and a package of different pacifiers. Auston opens a big box to find a mattress for the crib the guys made upstairs. They got about 8 boxes of diapers and wipes. Mitch opens another bag to find something he doesn’t know what the hell it is.

“It’s a baby carrier. You strap her to your chest and you can carry her around without having to hold her in your arms all of the time. It’s versatile too, we’re still using the one that we got when Mac was born.” Mo explains. Every bag or box that was opened was brought directly up to the nursery, leaving them with the 2 gift bags. Willy passes the first bag to Auston. He opens it to see a T-shirt with ‘#1 Papi’ written on the front. Everyone laughs. Auston guesses that it never really crossed his mind that he would now officially be a papi, nickname becoming a reality.

Mitch gets the next bag, opening it he finds a crib mobile. It has the blue maple leaf hanging from the middle. Hanging around it are little skates, a puck, a hockey stick and two little jerseys. Mitch tears up when he turns them over to see ‘16 - Matthews’ and ‘34 - Matthews’ on the back of them.

“Thank you guys. For all of this. Mel is gonna be blessed to have all of you guys as her uncles” Mitch says, rubbing a hand over his belly where Mel is moving around a bunch.

“Yeah, good luck to any guys she tries to bring home.” Knies says, the whole room erupts in laughter.

“I think we need to have a grand reveal of the nursery. Let’s go!” Willy announces. The team springs from their seats and runs to the room. Mitch however needs help getting up. Willy and Mo both offer him a hand. He takes both and is hauled to his feet. Taking his time they all climb the stairs to the nursery.

“Okay guys, step back. Let Papi and Daddy through.” Willy says. A path is cleared to the nursery door. Mitch takes a big breath before opening the door. Inside everything is perfectly set up. A light purple painted the walls. The matching darker stained wood of all the built pieces. Mitch does notice that Willy’s bear that he bought is now sitting on the rocking chair. Auston comes and stands behind Mitch, arms wrapping around his chest to lay them on his belly.

“This is perfect. Great job guys.” Auston says. An overwhelming feeling for gratitude hits Mitch, his breath catching in his throat. Willy notices immediately.

“Alright everyone file out. We’ve got to give dads their alone time in this beautiful room.” Willy says. Everyone gives hugs and back pats before taking their leave. Willy and Mo are the last to leave.

“Thank you, for all of this.” Mitch says, hugging Willy and Mo tight. Mel kicks Mo from the inside of Mitch’s stomach, Mo chuckles when he feels it. He places a hand on Mitch’s belly, she kicks again.

“For you guys? Always.” Mo says. Auston and Mitch are left in the now vacant room. Just seeing everything in the room makes everything feel even more real. Soon they are going to actually be Daddy and Papa.

Chapter Text

Mitch is back on his feet within a week, the follow up appointment showed that there wasn’t any further tearing or bleeding, so as long as Mitch makes sure to take breaks and rest he is allowed back behind the bench. Auston would rather have Mitch lay in bed all day, or wrap him in bubble wrap. But with the doctor’s go ahead there is nothing that he could say that would make Mitch want to spend another day on the couch doing nothing.

Mitch’s first day back with the team at the practice arena starts immediately with a strong-armed visit to Dr Robin’s office. She doesn’t find anything different from the hospital doctor but Mitch lets her do it anyway. There’s nothing wrong with a second opinion, especially when that second option is coming from a doctor he trusts wholeheartedly.

“Everything looks good. She’s even turned head down, the perfect position for a safe delivery.” Dr Robin says as she wipes away the gel from Mitch’s stomach. She helps Mitch to sit up on the exam table. It’s just the two of them since Auston is currently leading the team through practice.

“One thing I did want to talk to you about though… your home birth plan.” She says as she walks with Mitch to the players lounge. From the look on her face Mitch knows he’s not gonna like what she is going to tell him next.

“I know that you really wanted to give birth at home, and I know that both the hospital and I have told you that you’re healing great. But I would not be a good doctor or friend if I let you give birth at home after an abruption and then something happens to you or the baby. At least at the hospital if something were to happen you would get the best care right away.” She explains. Mitch gets what she is saying. He doesn’t have to like it but he doesn’t even want to think about something happening at home when he could be safer at the hospital.

“How do you know all this stuff about pregnancies and babies anyway?” Mitch asks once they take a seat on the couch in the players lounge, room empty with everyone else on the ice.

“What is it you guys think I do during the offseason? Just sit around and wait for hockey to come back?” Dr Robin asks sarcastically.

“Don’t you?” Mitch responds back, matching sarcasm.

“I don’t get paid that well to take the summers off. I have a double specialty in sports medicine and obstetrics. They’re two very different fields, but I excelled in both and love both dearly so I make it work.” She says. They stay and chat for a little while. Mitch tells her all about what happened on that night, her squeezing his hand as he recalls seeing the blood on his legs.

“And how is Auston handling everything? It must have been hard for him-” She says before she is interrupted by all of the guys filing in, all cleaned after practice. She takes that as her cue to take her leave. She gives Mitch a hand getting off the couch before giving him a look. Mitch is gonna need to talk with Auston

-

He doesn’t bring it up as soon as they get in the car after practice. Not even when they get home. Mitch can’t really find the right time to bring it up. So as the two of them get ready for bed Mitch readies himself, but Auston beats him to the punch.

“You’ve been pretty quiet today, did something happen with Dr Robin?” Auston asks, bringing Mitch into his arms. Mitch just shakes his head, laying a hand on Auston’s chest. Auston doesn’t push him, he’ll talk when he’s ready.

“Mo’s phone call. I was so caught up in everything that was happening I didn’t think about how you were feeling. She’s your baby too.” Mitch says laying one of Auston’s hands on his belly, the couple giggles as Mel kicks him in greeting. Now it’s Mitch’s turn to wait.

“I felt powerless, I was so far away from you two and there was nothing I could do to get back fast enough. I’m supposed to protect you, both of you, and I couldn’t do that. As soon as I got off the phone with you and Mo I kind of shut down. Willy was the one to keep me moving, hauled me off the bus and onto the plane, he drove us to the hospital cause my hands were shaking so bad.” Auston explains. They’re both in tears in the end. Auston holds Mitch tight, as though he can protect them both so long as he holds them tight.

“We have some pretty amazing friends don’t we?” Auston says as they are both starting to fall asleep, emotionally exhausted. Mitch

“I have some thoughts about them…” Mitch says before he is asleep, out like a light. Auston tries his hardest to not shake him awake with his laughing, but he quickly follows Mitch to sleep.

-

Before the next game Auston and Mitch invite Mo and Willy over, each being called individually to talk about an ‘important baby announcement’ that no one else is allowed to know about. When Willy shows up and Mo is already sitting on the couch they look at each other like they’ve been caught red handed, Willy jokingly freezes in place before taking the spot beside Mo on the couch.

“So, we invited you guys over because we wanted to ask you both something.” Auston explains once Willy sits down. Mitch fiddles with the hem of his shirt nervously. Auston takes his hand in his, squeezing it reassuringly.

“We wanted to ask both of you to be Melody’s godfathers.” Mitch explains. Willy and Mo’s faces match in pure shock. Blinking slowly, mouths hanging agape. Auston and Mitch look at each other with knowing smirks.

“Can you repeat that? I could have sworn I heard you ask us to be Mel’s godfathers, that can’t be right.” Willy says, shaking his head. Mo sits beside him looking really confused, like there wasn’t any way that he would be asked to be anybody’s godfather.

“Why us?” Mo asks in a quiet, unsure voice. Mitch has never seen or heard Mo like this in the 10 years he’s known him.

“Mo, you were the first person to find out about Mel. You helped make sure I didn’t completely freak out before Aus showed up. You were there for me, at my side when we had that scare. Willy, you were there for Auston when he couldn’t be with me. He told me that you essentially guided him home. You both have taken the lead on all of the celebrations, the announcement, gender reveal, everything with the renovations to the house and all of the gifts. Willy you literally gave her her name. Those are the people that I want to look after and protect my daughter if anything were to happen to Aus and I.” Everyone is in tears once Mitch finishes explaining himself.

“I would be honoured to be Mel’s godfather.” Mo says, voice cracking with emotion. Willy nods emphatically in agreement. Auston helps Mitch up off the couch, Mitch grunting as he gets to his feet. Mitch pulls everyone into a group hug, surrounding and protecting Melody before she even enters this world.

Chapter Text

Auston and Mitch are cuddled up on the couch, watching misplays of the month when it happens. Mitch is laughing at a clip of Auston falling on his ass on the ice when he feels the top of his belly tighten. He lets out a soft hiss as he rubs the spot, willing the uncomfortable feeling away. It eventually does. Mitch doesn’t think that Auston noticed, or if he did he did not say anything. It doesn’t happen again until Auston reaches his hand out to Mitch to help him off the couch, getting ready to go to bed. Mitch goes to take his hand but his hand flies to the same spot on his stomach as before, tighter than last time causing a bit more pain. The small ‘ow’ he lets out snaps Auston to attention.

“Are you okay?” He asks, falling to his knees in front of Mitch on the couch still. Auston can see the worry written on Mitch’s face. He takes his shaking hand in his, kissing the tops of them. Mitch squeezes his eyes closed as he squeezes Auston’s hands.

“Mitchy, what’s going on?” Auston asks, wiping away a tear before it rolls down Mitch’s cheek.

“It’s like this cramping at the top of my belly. It happened earlier, but this one hurt a little more. But the last time…” His breath catches in his throat even thinking about it, tears running down his cheeks. Auston realizes what he’s thinking about. He helps him to his feet and gathers him in his arms. He cups the back of Mitch’s head in one hand and runs soothing lines up and down his back.

“Oh Mitch. I’m sorry I wasn’t here with you last time. But I’m with you now okay. I’ve got you.” Auston says, pulling back to see the tear tracks running down Mitch’s worried face.

“We should give Dr Robin a call, see if she’ll meet us at the hospital. I can do the talking if you want. Just tell me what I should tell her?” He asks, not really wanting Mitch to have to think back to that awful night, but he wasn’t there, he doesn’t know what happened, just what little Mitch and Mo had told him.

“Tell her… tell her the pains aren’t sharp like they were last time, more like just a tightening. They’re at like the top of my belly, not in my back. Tell her-” Mitch’s voice cracks before continuing.

“Tell her I can’t feel any blood like last time. There isn’t any blood?” Mitch asks him. Auston wipes away a stray tear running down his face before looking.

“No blood.” He assures, pressing gentle, soothing kisses to his forehead, cheeks and finally landing on his lips. That alone makes Mitch feel a little bit better, some of the tension washing away from him. Auston presses call and puts the phone on speaker.

“Boys, do you know what time it is?” Robin asks, clearly sounding like she just woke up.

“Hey, we got a bit of a scary situation going on over here.” Auston says. Whatever sleepy state Robin was in before has completely vanished, she sits up in a hurry.

“What’s going on, what happened?” She asks, finding clothes to throw on. Auston gives her the run down, following his promise to do all of the talking. Even she tears up at the mention of the blood.

“I’ll meet you guys at the hospital. I’ll call ahead to L&D so they have a room waiting for us when we get there.” She says before hanging up. Auston and Mitch fall back into each other’s arms for a moment before pulling away to get ready for the drive to the hospital.

-

Mitch feels a deep sense of dread as he gets hooked up to the same monitors as last time. At least this time Auston is here and not a plane ride away. He sits at the side of the bed, fingers intertwined in Mitch’s, slowly rubbing his thumb on the top of his hand. Dr Robin is reviewing the page printing out beside Mitch’s head.

“Okay Mitch, I don’t want you to even think about what happened last time. What you’re feeling right now, it’s only happened a couple of times? Do you know the time in between them, roughly?” She asks, moving over to check Mitch’s vitals.

“Yeah, it’s only happened twice. Like 3ish hours in between I think.” He explains.

“And the pain, was it like a cramp in one specific spot or was it everywhere, kind of like wrapping around your whole middle?” She thinks she might have figured out what’s going on, but she pulls the ultrasound machine that is sitting in the corner of the room to the side of the bed.

“Yeah, just in one spot, at the top of my belly.” Mitch tells her, rubbing the spot subconsciously and chuckling when he feels a little foot pressed back into his hand.

“Okay, I’m gonna do a quick ultrasound but I think I know what’s going on.” She says. Mitch lifts his hospital gown and Robin squeezes the jelly onto his belly, he is never ready for how cold it is so he jumps at the cold. Everyone chuckles. It takes her a moment but she directs the doppler to the right spot and Auston and Mitch both breathe a sigh of relief as they see their baby on the screen.

“Baby Matthews is perfectly fine, I’m not seeing any fetal distress on the monitor. The tear has fully healed so no worries there. What you’re explaining to me are Braxton Hicks contractions. They’re like pretend contractions, getting your body ready for the real thing.” She explains to them as she wipes the jelly off Mitch’s stomach. Relief crashes into them like a wave over the rocks at low tide.

“So this isn’t something I did?” Mitch says in a worried voice. Even though everyone has told him that the abruption just happened, that nothing he did caused it, he still feels like he did something wrong, that it was his fault. Robin lets out a sad sigh as she rests a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“Oh no Mitch, you didn’t do anything wrong. Braxton Hicks contractions happen to everyone, your abruption didn’t cause this.” She says, taking the weight off Mitch’s chest that has been sitting there all night.

“She’s okay.” Auston says, wiping a happy tear off Mitch’s cheek before pressing a kiss there. He then bends down to lay a kiss on his belly, earning a kick in return.

“She’s okay. Since you’re 36 weeks you might have them some more before you actually go into labour. You just want to keep an eye out for when they start getting stronger and closer together. It’s time to go to the hospital when it’s around 5 minutes between contractions.” At the mention of going to the hospital Mitch starts to shake his head, breathing faster than before.

“No, I don’t want to. Please don’t make me come back here. She wasn’t safe, she wasn’t safe here last time. You said that she’s fine, that the tear has healed. Let me have her at home, I want to have her at home.” He says, the sense of dread hitting him again. Auston rubs his hand up and down Mitch’s back, trying to offer what comfort he can. Eventually his breathing levels out.

“I’ll make you a deal okay? You get passed 39 weeks and I will help you deliver her at home. Deal?” She says, reaching out a hand. Mitch smiles and shakes it. Hopefully he’ll be able to have his home birth after all.

Chapter Text

Mitch makes sure to take it easy. Coaching from behind the bench at practice, making sure he does not stress during the games. Usually during games his senses are at 100, but he uses the breathing techniques he and Auston learned from YouTube to keep himself in check. He is having this baby at home if it’s the last thing he does. And he makes it to 40 weeks, like the overachiever he is.

The Braxton Hicks contractions have been happening every once and a while, but he’s prepared when they come. No freaking out or getting worried, they don’t get any stronger and they don’t come at consistent intervals, so Mitch has grown to ignore them. The anthem just started when he feels one. He ignores it, focusing on the start of the game. There’s about 4 minutes left in the first period when he feels another one. This time it feels a bit different than the previous one. He lets out a small groan as it goes away, thankfully with how loud the arena is tonight nobody hears him. It isn’t until he is sitting in the locker room during the first intermission and he feels another contraction that he starts to ‘Oh shit, this might be happening for real.’ Auston notices Mitch’s fists clutching his pants and reaches out, taking his hand in his. Mitch squeezes his hand until the contraction is over.

“You okay?” Auston asks him as they get ready to go out for the second period. Mitch reassures him with a gentle kiss. Auston doesn’t believe him, but he has no time to argue so he just kisses him back and heads for the ice. Mitch walks beside Dr Robin through the tunnel.

“Hey, I need to talk with you.” Mitch tells her. Her eyebrows raise in question. They turn around and head to the training room. She helps him up on to the exam table.

“So, how long have you been having contractions?” She asks. Mitch is shocked, but also not. Robin has had a very keen eye on Mitch through this whole pregnancy, so for her to guess that he was in labour without him telling her is not necessarily surprising.

“Since the national anthems?” He says. She just rolls her eyes at him, of course he has been having contractions and not told anyone. She is not surprised in the slightest.

“Okay, and you’ve had what 3 or 4?” She asks, trying to figure out how far along in the labor process Mitch is. Mitch just nods his head. Robin shakes hers in return.

“Okay, lay down and I’ll see how dilated you are.” She says, pushing his shoulder down onto the exam table. Mitch just stares at the ceiling uncomfortably. He always hated these checks.

“Okay, you’re only 2 centimeters dilated so far, so that’s good. Your water hasn’t broken either, so you’ve still got a while yet until she comes.” She says taking off her gloves. Mitch lets out a sigh of relief as he sits up.

“I know no matter what I tell you you’re gonna go back behind that bench so I’m not even gonna waste my breath. But I want you to be tracking these contractions from now on. Track how long they are and how far apart they are.” She says, he just nods.

“I’m gonna check you again at the second intermission. But in the meantime if your water breaks or the contractions are less than 7 minutes apart you need to tell me and we are leaving. I don’t give a damn how much time is left in the game. You want to have her at home, not in the fucking locker room of Scotiabank Arena right?” Mitch is surprised at her swearing but he understands the sentiment, he doesn’t want to give birth to his daughter on the emblem of the blue leaf in the middle of the locker room. No matter how cool that might sound. Robin helps him off the table and they make their way back to the bench. They’ve only missed the first 4 minutes of the period. Everyone on and behind the bench looks at Mitch as he makes his way to stand beside Berube.

“Everything okay kid?” He asks as Mitch grabs one of the 4 tablets from its cubby in the boards. He opens the clock app and starts the stopwatch when he feels another contraction coming. He just nods, lightly swaying side to side trying to alleviate some of the pressure he’s feeling. Berube looks at him knowingly but raises his hands in surrender anyway. By the end of the second period his contractions have gone from 80 seconds every 20 minutes to 65 seconds every 15 minutes.

Every once and a while he looks over to see Robin looking at him. He just gives her a thumbs up. After a particularly painful contraction Mitch leans forward, clutching onto the jersey of the man in front of him. It’s a good thing that the player in front of him just so happens to be wearing #34 on his back. Auston immediately turns around and notices the pain etched into his husband’s face. The horn sounds at the end of the second period. Auston takes Mitch’s hand in his and leads him directly to the training room, Robin is not far behind them.

“Okay, let’s see how far you’ve progressed.” Dr Robin says, taking the tablet from Mitch. She looks it over as Auston helps him onto the bed. Another awkward uncomfortable check, but at least this time he has Auston to hold his hand.

“Okay, you’re only 4 centimeters, almost half way there. Which is an okay pace for someone who’s been labouring for the past 4 hours. Your water still hasn’t broken but I’m not that worried yet.” Robin explains, finishing her exam. The look on Auston’s face is something Mitch has never seen in the 10 years of knowing him.

“You’ve been in labour this whole time? Why didn’t you say anything? Why didn’t you tell me? What are we still doing here?” Auston rambles, asking question after question until Mitch cuts him off with a kiss.

“I’m sorry for not telling you, I didn’t want you to be distracted worrying about me when you should be worrying about the game.” Mitch says.

“Who cares about the fucking game Mitch. You’re literally having our daughter right now.” Auston says, frustrated at Mitch for labouring by himself. He still helps him off the table. But as soon as Mitch stands upright he feels a gush of fluid between his legs. He groans, hands going to his belly as a contraction comes over him harder than ever before.

“Okay, we are getting you home. Now. Things are only gonna get faster and harder from here.” Robin says, grabbing her coat. Auston and Mitch nod. Auston races to the locker room, quickly stripping his uniform, padding and skates. Everyone stares at him wondering what the hell is going on until they hear a groan through the locker room door. All the dads on the team realize what is happening.

“Is it time?” Mo says as Auston gets dressed back into his game day suit. Auston just nods in return, hands shaking. Mo slaps both hands on Auston’s shoulders before pulling him into a tight hug.

“All you need to do is just be there for him.” Mo says as he pulls away. Auston takes a deep breath before nodding. He runs through the door and hears ‘Good luck!’ ‘Mitch you’ve got this!’ and various yells of encouragement from behind him. Mitch seems to be coming out of another contraction, reaching his hand out for Auston to take.

Auston gets them home in record time, managing not to get pulled over for speeding either. Mitch couldn’t sit in the car, opting for laying across the back seats. It takes some time but Auston is able to get him out in between contractions. They’re not even through the front door when another contraction comes. Mitch clutches the door frame letting out a long groan. All Auston can do is rub him back. Robin is right behind them. As soon as they get inside she checks Mitch again.

“Wow, okay you’ve picked up the pace Mitch. You’re 8 centimeters. Keep at it and you’ll have your baby girl in the next hour or so.” She says. It hits Auston and Mitch simultaneously, this is it, they’re gonna be dads. They both tear up at the thought that is becoming their reality, right now. Robin and Auston help Mitch up the stairs into the bedroom. Robin runs around, grabbing and setting up everything they’re going to need, while Auston has Mitch wrapped in his arms. They sway back and forth, it reminds Mitch of their wedding night, slowly swaying to the music as their friends and family watch their first dance as a married couple. Only now, it’s their first dance as a family. The thought and pain of another contraction brings tears to his eyes, a quiet sob escaping his lungs. Auston pulls back, wiping the tears from Mitch’s face.

“I love you, you know that? I am so proud of you. You are going to make the best dad. Mel is so lucky she gets to have you as her father.” He says, still wiping the tears off Mitch’s face.

“Jesus Auston, stop saying sappy shit.” Mitch laughs, tears still rolling down his face. Auston chuckles, bringing him into a kiss, when Mitch’s whole body goes rigid.

“You need to get me to the bed.” Mitch says quietly. Auston looks at him and sees fear and pain in his eyes. He and Robin get Mitch onto the bed, carefully laying him on top of the sheets and towels and sterile pads. After a quick exam Robin tells him it’s pushing time.

“Okay Mitch, I want you to lay on your side. Auston, I want you holding his knee up and back. When you feel ready I want you to push for 10 seconds and then breathe. Push like you’re doing a crunch, we want those muscles to be the ones doing the work okay?” Robin explains. Auston helps roll Mitch onto his side. He puts one hand under his knee, one of Mitch’s hands coming to rest on top of it. His other hand runs through Mitch’s hair, pushing it off Mitch’s sweaty forehead. Mitch’s whole body tightens so he knows that it’s go time. In 4 pushes Mitch can feel the baby’s head right through his pelvis, as if he’s being ripped in half. After one more push Robin stops him.

“Okay, I need you to breathe this baby’s head out okay Mitch? I don’t want you to push or else you might tear, and promise me that is gonna hurt way more, takes way longer to heal too.” She says. Mitch laughs at her joke but is immediately brought back to reality with another contraction. His body tenses up again.

“No, no, no Mitchy. Don’t push, don’t push.” Auston says, wiping the sweat of Mitch’s brow with a cool face cloth. They breathe through the next couple of contractions together.

“It hurts so much Aus.” Mitch says in a quiet, pained voice. Auston leans over him and kisses him on his forehead, his cheek, his nose, anywhere he can reach.

“I know, I’m so sorry Mitchy. If I could take your pain myself I would. But you got this Mitch. I know you can do this. I know damn well that you can and will do anything you put your mind to. So let's do this. Let’s have our baby girl. Okay?” Auston says, with this tone of determination that Mitch brings to his next push. With the next push Mitch delivers the head, a sigh of relief as the pressure dissipates for a moment.

“Okay Mitch, just the shoulders now, after that you’re gonna have your baby girl in the world. Just one more big push and she’ll be here.” Robin says. Mitch takes a deep breath, a quiet ‘You got this’ whispered in his ear before he pushes. He lets out a loud groan as he gives it everything he has. All of the pressure is gone, and a moment of silence passes before a loud scream fills the room. Everyone lets out a breath they didn’t know they were holding. Mitch collapses on the bed, his energy completely drained by all of the pushing. But as soon as baby Melody is placed on his chest, he doesn’t even think about what he had to do to get here.

“Hi there baby girl, welcome to the world. We’ve been waiting for you.” Mitch says quietly. He softly caresses her little head before pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Auston does the same thing but to Mitch.

“Mitchell Daniel Matthews, I love you so much. You amaze me.” He says, tears of joy running down his cheeks. Mitch wipes them away before pulling Auston onto the bed beside him. Together they clean their baby girl, wiping away the blood and fluids.

“Well Papi, do you want to cut the cord?” Robin asks, a pair of scissors in her hand. Auston nods, carefully taking them and cutting where he’s told. Mel doesn’t cry like Auston was scared she would, lying contentedly on Mitch’s chest again.

“I am gonna get rid of all of this stuff, I want to give you some time as a new little family. I’ll come back in a bit and get all the information I need for her birth certificate, her measurements and stuff.” Robin says quietly, not wanting to intrude in the moment of Auston and Mitch looking down at their daughter in awe. She makes it to the door before Auston calls out quietly to her.

“Can you let the guys know? They were all really excited when we left.” He asks. She nods and closes the door behind her, leaving the new family to spend time together, just them and their daughter.

Chapter Text

Dr Robin softly knocks on the door before walking in to see Auston sitting in the middle of the bed, a sleeping Mitch tucked into his side and a sleeping baby laying on his chest. He doesn’t notice her enter the room, too deep in thought staring at his new daughter on his chest. Robin lightly rests a hand on Auston’s shoulder, trying to not have him jerk both Mitch and Mel out of their slumbers.

“You know you need rest too, right?” She tells him as she gently lifts Mel off his chest. As soon as she loses her dad’s body heat and heartbeat she wakes, letting out a high scream. Mitch jerks awake as soon as he hears it. Robin quietly shushes her as she quickly takes all of the information.

“She’s small but she’s got a strong set of lungs in her. She’s probably hungry, want to give feeding her a try?” Robin says, laying Mel on Mitch’s chest. It takes a moment for both of them to get the hang of it, the position of the baby, Mitch’s posture, but eventually Mel latches on to him. Mitch lets out a gasp at the sensation, waking Auston from the little cat nap he was taking.

“You are so amazing, you know that?” He asks, in awe of his husband feeding their daughter. Mitch rolls his eyes as he leans for a kiss, one that Auston is happy to provide. After burping her, the two new fathers learn how to put a diaper on their daughter. After a couple of failed attempts they manage to put the diaper on correctly and dress her in one of the purple onesies that Willy had given them.

“Okay, I think it's time for me to go, I’m always free if you need to call about anything. By the way you have a whole bunch of people downstairs wanting to meet this baby girl. So when you feel ready they’ll be waiting for you guys to introduce her. Congratulations boys.” Robin says. Mitch gives Mel to Auston and slowly stands up with a hand from Robin. He takes her into his arms giving her as tight of a hug that he can give right now.

“Thank you for everything.” Mitch says, pulling back with tears in his eyes. Robin just nods, knowing that if she says anything right now everyone will be crying.

“Well I guess we’d better go greet the masses since I’m already standing, cause when I lie back down I’m not getting back up.” Mitch says, breaking up the emotional tension. Everyone laughs and wakes Mel but she doesn’t cry. Thank goodness. They make their way down the stairs together. Robin first to make sure that Mitch gets down the stairs without falling or hurting himself and Auston pulling up the rear with Mel in his arms. Walking to the living room they hear chatter that silences when they enter. Everyone looks at Auston and Mitch, and then down to the bundle in Auston’s hand.

“There she is!” Willy says, jumping off the couch to see his goddaughter. One after another come up to meet and coo at the awake but quiet baby. Her eyes are wide as she meets the faces of all her uncles. Instead of going to meet the baby, Mo comes and helps Mitch to sit down on the couch sitting down beside him.

“I know you’re probably starving so I made you something simple, throw it back in my face if you don’t want it. How you feeling Mitch?” He asks once he gets Mitch situated, cushion behind his back, grabbing the water bottle and PB&J sandwich from the coffee table.

“Really sore, but I’m so glad she’s here it doesn’t even really matter.” Mitch says after inhaling the sandwich, he didn’t know how hungry he was until now. Thank god for Mo. Mel starts to cry so Auston brings her over and places her in Mitch’s arms. Without thinking he brings her to his chest, figuring she must be hungry again. None of the guys even pay attention, Mo grabs the blanket from behind them and carefully places it over Mitch’s shoulder for privacy. The chatter starts back up, talking about the end of the game, new baby stories from the other fathers on the team. After burping and getting her back to sleep, Mitch passes her over to Mo, gently placing her in his arms. He immediately starts rocking gently wanting to keep her asleep.

“So we wanted to formally introduce you guys to the newest addition to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Everyone, meet Melody Morgan Matthews.” Mitch says. All eyes go right to Mo who lets out a small gasp, arms tightening around Mel, not hurting her. He has tears running down his face, clearly shocked at the news.

“Really?” He says, not completely sure that he wasn’t hallucinating.

“Really Mo. You’ve been there for me since the beginning. You were there for me when-” Mitch’s voice cracks before he continues.

“And besides, one of her godfathers chose her first name, we thought it was fitting that her middle name should be from her second godfather.” Mitch says. Mo just nods, staring at his sleeping goddaughter who was named after him. She opens her eyes and stares back up at him. Willy brings over a small dark blue bag and gives it to Mitch.

“Not another one, we have enough of literally everything that you guys have given us.” Auston says. Willy really went overboard, any time he saw something out shopping and thought it was cute he would buy it and give it to Mitch the next time he saw him. Mitch stopped trying to decline the gift after the fifth present, knowing there is no use in arguing with a determined William Nylander.

“Just open it.” Willy says. Mitch reaches in, taking out the tissue paper packed in the bag. He pulls out a baby sized Leafs jersey. In his whole pregnancy, not once did Mitch think to buy Mel a baby jersey, it completely slipped his mind.

“Look at the back.” Willy tells him. Flipping it over he gasps. Auston and Mitch both look at the jersey, at each other and then to Willy who just shrugs his shoulders.

MATTHEWS
50

“We didn’t want to have to get her two jerseys for each one of you, so we thought we’d put 34 and 16 together. Just like you guys, coming together to make this beautiful baby girl.” He explains. Mitch starts to laugh, full body laughter, everyone joins in until the laughs turn to tears.

“Get your ass over here right now Nylander.” Mitch says, trying to wipe the tears off his face. Mitch reaches out his hands, wordlessly asking Willy to help him off the couch. As soon as he’s standing he brings him into the tightest hug he can manage right now. Whispering quiet thanks for the amazing gift. He gives Willy one last tight squeeze before letting go with a wince, still sore from birthing an entire human being just hours ago. Willy notices.

“Alright guys. I think we should let Papi and Daddy here get some rest, we don’t want to overstay our welcome.” Everyone clears out, one by one coming over to say goodbye to Mel in Mo’s arms. They give Mitch a gentle hug, making sure not to hurt him. The strength they would normally use gets given to Auston, a hug and a back slap before they take their leave. Willy and Mo are the last to leave, helping Mitch back upstairs, moving the bassinet into the main bedroom so Mel can sleep in the same room as her dads.

“Can you believe she’s actually here? We’re actually dads, we made a whole person.” Mitch says, still in awe as he gets as comfortable as he can. Auston lays Mel into her bassinet before climbing into bed beside Mitch, gently pulling him to lay on his chest.

“You were a beast Matthews.” Auston says. Mitch chuckles, already half asleep in his arms. Auston is soon to follow him. Knowing that they will probably be up in the next hour or so to take care of their daughter, and then for the rest of their lives. They thought being a professional hockey player was hard? Parenting is going to be a whole new game, but they’re professionals, they got this.