Chapter 2-Rock the Red

"Hello!"

"Hey," Mike's voice said on the other end, "How are you?"

"Mike," Danielle sighed, "Why are you calling me?"

"I just called to ask how you were."

"I'm fine!"

"Danielle," he sighed, "I'm trying to do the right thing. Can we please talk?"

"We're talking now."

"As much as you'd hate to admit it but this is my baby too and we need to talk."

"I don't have time for this bullshit right now."

"Bullshit," Mike said finally getting angry, "Danielle, just fucking listen to me for once."

Danielle sat in silence not knowing what to say, "Are you there," Mike asked.

"Yeah," she mumbled running her hand over her stomach.

"I know you get out of school for the semester next week and I would like to come pick you up and bring you down here."

"That's not a good idea."

"Humor me as to why it isn't."

"I barely know you."

Mike laughed and Danielle wanted to kill him, "You didn't know me personally at all when we slept together. You knew who I was bur I was still a stranger."

"Are you calling me a whore?"

"I'm not calling you anything like that but I think we need to get to know wach other and you need to take into consideration my point of view on this entire situation."

"It's not easy just picking up and leaving my family."

"I promise that if you move here, you'll be safe with me. I have cars you can drive and more than enough room at my condo."

Mike knew he was taking a gamble inviting a girl he hardly knew to stay with him.

"If I say yes, will you leave me alone?"

"Maybe," Mike laughed and Danielle smiled.

"Have you told your parents?"

"Yeah, I did. They asked me how I could be so stupid then they both got really excited. What about your family, how'd they take it?"

"They were disappointed in me but I also told them I didn't know who the father was."

"Why would you tell them that?”

"I'm scared, Mike," Danielle admitted.

Mike wished he was there to give her a hug and let her know everything was going to be okay but he couldn't, "Everything is going to be okay, I promise."

"I hope you're right."

"Do you have any sonogram pictures that you can send me?"

"Yeah, I'll scan them to my computer tonight and email them to you. What's your email address?"

Mike told her what his email address was and she got on the computer and scanned them while he was on the phone.

"Are you doing anything special for Christmas," Mike asked.

"Just dinner at my aunt's on
Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner here at my house, how about you?"

"Probably spending it with Nicky and Marcus again. We have off the 24th-26th."

"Why don't you come to my house? We'll come back for the Holidays then we'll go back to Arlington and D.C. for New Years."

"I couldn't intrude on your family."

"Mike, come on, they have to meet you sometime."

"You're right," he replied, "I have to go, we have a game tonight but please keep in touch."

"Who do you play tonight?"

"Flyers."

"Kick their asses for me, please?"

"You got it," Mike laughed, "Bye Danielle, thank you again for the pictures."

"You're welcome, I'll talk to you later."

"Take care of yourself and if you need anything, please do not hesitate to call."

"I won't, bye Mike."

"Bye," he replied and Danielle heard the line click.

Mike looked at the sonogram pictures on the computer screen and smiled to himself. For the first time since finding out Danielle was pregnant, he was excited. He printed them out and put them next to his keys so he could show the guys.

"Hey," Kristi said when she came into the bedroom, "What's up?"

"Just got done talking to Mike."

"How'd that go?"

"He's coming here for Christmas then I'm going to DC for New Years."

"Have you told anybody downstairs yet?"

"I told them I didn't know who the father was but I guess I have to tell them who is now."

"Why don't you just tell them the truth?"

"I don't want them thinking that I purposely got pregnant to Mike because he is who he is."

"They're your family, they won't think that less of you."

"God, I wish we never would have went to that bar that night."

"Let's go to Primanti's and watch your baby's daddy play."

"Okay," Danielle smiled.

Kristi and Danielle sat at the restaurant staring at the TV with their mouths agape.

"Did Mike just knock out Carcillo?"

"Wha-what," Kristi asked, "I had no idea he could fight like that."

"You know Green," someone asked behind them.

"He's an old friend," Danielle replied pulling out her phone and sending Mike a text message.

Where the hell did you learn how to fight like that?

The game finished in OT and the Capitals won 5-4. Danielle was on her way home with Kristi when her phone rang.

"Hello!"

"Did you see the game?"

"Is it Mike," Kristi mouthed and Danielle nodded.

"Yeah, Kristi and I are on our way back from Primanti's. We went there to watch the game since neither one of us get the channel that it was on."

"Alex told me to tell you that the win was for you."

"Tell him thanks," Danielle laughed.

"I just wanted to call and ask you if you saw the game. I have to go, Bruce is about to cuss us out and then we're catching a plane to Chicago."

"Get me Toews' phone number," Danielle joked but Mike didn't laugh.

"Real funny," he said sternly.

"Jesus Mike, I'm kidding."

"Is it okay if I call you tomorrow?"

"Tell Bruce to shut the hell up," Danielle said laughing hearing Bruce cursing in the background.

"I wish he would," Mike laughed, "Talk to you later, goodnight."

"Goodnight!"

Kristi faked like she was crying and Danielle punched her in the arm, "Is it just me or is someone crushing on their baby's daddy?"

"I'm not crushing on Mike, those days were over when he knocked me up."

"Do you regret sleeping with him now?"

"I never should have went to that bar that night; I should have just went about my business and just went to practice."

"Are you honestly that against being a mom?"

"This baby didn't ask to be here but how can I have a kid when I'm practically still a kid myself?"

"You left out with a guy you don't know except for what Wikipedia tells you," Kristi threw in.

"Shut the fuck up!"

"Maybe when you spend time with him in D.C. he'll take you to dinner or something."

Kristi arrived in front of Danielle's house, "I'll call you tomorrow."

"Thanks for taking me tonight Danielle replied.

"No problem, I figured you could use a night out."

"Goodnight!"

"Goodnight!"

Danielle walked up the steps to her house and gave Kristi a wave when she opened the door.

The conversation with her family was cut short when her phone went off letting her know that she had a text message. Glancing at the screen, she saw it was from Mike.

Hey, are you up?

Yeah

I've been thinking

about what?

Baby names

I don't even know what we're having yet

I know but I have a couple of good names picked out

Like what?

I'll tell you in a second, I have something to ask you

What?

Can we give the baby my last name?

Mike, it's your baby too

I know but I just thought that you...nevermind

Talk to me, what's wrong?

I just assumed you would give the baby your last name since you hate me

I don't hate you, Mike

You should

Why?

I ruined your life

You didn't ruin my life, why would you think that?

You were almost done with school and I pushed you to do something you didn't want to do

I don't regret sleeping with you, I just wish I listened to the voice telling me to stay home that weekend

At least you met me though =P

Someone's getting cocky

I'm kidding but really back to the baby names

What did you have in mind?

Landon Michael Green or Michael David Green Jr. for boys

What if it's a girl?

You can pick the names

What do you think of Kyleigh or Kristina?

I like them, is it okay if I call you?

Just give me twenty minutes, I'm going to take a shower

Okay

Danielle took her time in the shower. The hot water washed away the tears she cried as she placed her hand on her stomach. She always said she wanted a baby when she'd shop in stores for family and even friends but now that she was pregnant she didn't feel that way anymore.

She turned the water off and dried off before getting ready for bed. She was almost asleep when her phone rang.

"Hey," she said groggily.

"I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay."

"Sorry I didn't call when I was supposed to, I fell asleep."

"How's Chicago?"

"It's always bittersweet to leave. This city's gorgeous."

"Maybe you'll play for them one day."

"Maybe, their fans are amazing too."

"Chelsea Dagger is a pretty sweet goal song."

"I have something to ask you and you can completely say no and I would understand," Mike said suddenly.

"What?"

"The team is having a New Years Eve party, it's a formal occasion that we have to have dates for and I usually take my assistant but she has a boyfriend and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind going with me."

"Do you always ramble when you're nervous?"

Mike chuckled softly, "I'm sorry, I didn't know how to ask."

"You had no problem approaching me in the club."

Mike laughed, "I'm sorry but it was the alcohol too. Alcohol makes people do crazy things."

"No kidding!"

"Seriously though, will you go with me?"

"Why not?"

"So, you'll go?"

"I'll go!"

"Good, Alex will be excited."

"I'm going with you not Alex."

"I know but he likes you. He thinks you're funny."

"Wow, Ovie has a heart!"

Mike laughed before sighing, "I have to go, I really need to get some sleep. We have an early practice."

"Alright, goodnight and good luck. Go Hawks!"

"Hey," Mike tried to argue but Danielle laughed.

"Bye Mike!"

"Who was that," her mom asked coming into the room.

"Remember how I said that I didn't know who the baby's father was."

"Yeah!"

"That was Mike, he's the father."

"Where's he from?"

"Canada."

"Where does he live?"

"D.C."

Danielle's mom stood in the doorway staring when her eyes went wide, "It's to a hockey player, isn't it?"

Danielle nodded her head and wiped away a tear that had fallen from her eye, "He's coming here for Christmas then I'm going to Washington for a couple of days over New Years. He wants me to look at schools so I can transfer and live there."

"At least he's trying to make it right and be there for you and the baby. He could have just blown everything off."

"I guess you're right, it's a big decision picking up and moving to Washington."

"You got to do what's best for you and the baby."

"You're right," Danielle replied giving her a hug, "Goodnight, I love you."

"I love you too."

Two Weeks Later

"I'm almost there," Mike said when Danielle answered the phone.

"Okay, I'll be waiting on the porch."

"Nicky and Mojo are with me, where do you want me to dump them off."

"Kristi's house," Danielle replied, "She loves Swedish men."

"What's her address?"

Danielle rattled off Kristi's address and Mike quickly said goodbye so that he could pull over and put it into his GPS. Sometime later, Mike showed up at Danielle's door, "Merry Christmas," he said giving her a hug placing her hand on her stomach.

"Thanks," Danielle smiled, "You too."

"Where is everybody?"

"They're at church, I wasn't feeling good and I took a nap."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine," Danielle smiled trying not to cry.

Mike saw right through her and pulled her into his chest and wrapped his arms around her as she cried into his chest, "Don't lie to me," he whispered kissing the top of her head before pulling away wiping the tears from her eyes with his hands.

Danielle looked Mike in the eyes and she sighed to herself. Why were they comfortable with each other like they've been friends for years. Mike could tell she was thinking something but he didn't know what. He didn't want to ask worrying he'd build all walls back up that he had broken down with her.

Mike felt comfortable around her and he would do anything to protect her.

The silent moment between them was interrupted when Danielle's phone rang.

"I LOVE YOUR SWEDISH CHRISTMAS PRESENTS," Kristi yelled through the speaker and Mike laughed.

"They needed a place to stay so I told Mike to dump them off at your place."

"Oh, I'm going to take good care of them."

"Alright Kristi, I'm hanging up now."

"I'm not held responsible for the Swedish threesome."

"GOODBYE KRISTI," Danielle laughed.

"Am I still coming over later?"

"If you're not making Nick and Marcus Swedish sex slaves then yeah you can come over."

"Don't give me ideas, Danielle."

"You're messed up."

"I'm not the one that wants to go for a ride on Mike Green's scooter, wait you kind of already did."

"GOODBYE." Danielle screamed blushing and ended the call.

Mike smirked at Danielle who glared at him, "She's lying."

Mike laughed, "Whatever you say."

Danielle's family arrived home and Mike introduced himself to everybody. Everyone seemed to like him and Danielle breathed a sigh of relief.

"Of all the Capitals, you chose Mike Green," Jamie whispered as Mike talked to Danielle's mom.

"Shut up!"

"I still don't get what you see in him."

"We're not even together."

"You're just knocked up to him."

Mike looked across the room and smiled at Danielle who gave a small wave.

"It won't be long before you're rocking the red."

"Never in a million years."

"Whatever you say, traitor," Jamie replied rolling her eyes.

Danielle nudged her best friend and tried to laugh it off but part of her felt it was true. That's what you get for sleeping with the enemy.

Chapter 1-Going Green

Mike Green was everything he thought he wasn’t. He had the bad boy looks with the mohawk and the tattoos with the family values that all girls looked for. He was by no means an angel and like some of his closest friends and teammates, he had his fair share of women.

“Where are you from,” Mike whispered in the tall brunette’s ear in the overcrowded DC bar.

“Pittsburgh,” she replied taking a sip of her drink.

“You’re shitting me, right?”

“Fuck you, Green,” she said finally recognizing the man behind the Prada sunglasses.

Deep down Danielle was jumping for joy although she hated the men in red; she loved the baby faced defenseman.

“Can I buy you a drink,” he asked when her friend approached her.

“We’re actually just leaving to head home, we have to work tomorrow. See you around,” Danielle smiled slightly before she grabbed her purse off the table and left with the other girl.

“What’s the matter Greeny,” Brooks Laich asked, “Did she shoot you down because she’s a lesbian?”

Mike flipped the forward off as he ordered a drink, “She’s from Pittsburgh.”

“Crosby chaser,” Brooks laughed, “Nice one.”

“She has to head home because they both have to work tomorrow.”

“Do they mean home as in D.C. or home as is back in Pittsburgh?”

“How the hell am I supposed to know,” Mike asked, “I didn’t get a chance to ask?”

“Fail!”

“Shut the fuck up,” he replied taking a swig of his rum and coke.

Back at the Hilton Garden Inn on the outskirts of D.C. located in Arlington, Virginia, Danielle was on the phone with one of her friends back in Pittsburgh.

“So, you met Mike Green in a bar and left,” Jamie, one of her best friends asked, “And you left with Kristi and went home or back to the hotel rather.”

“He was intimidating to me,” Danielle replied, “He expects me to just drop my pants for him right there.”

“Isn’t that what you wanted to do,” Jamie asked as Kristi hollered in the background.

“That’s the same thing I said,” she yelled.

“Both of you need to shut up.”

“Not our fault that you’re a chicken,” Jamie replied.

“Fuck off,” Danielle replied, “You’re a real bitch.”

“I’m going to bed; I will call you tomorrow,” Jamie said, “Enjoy the practice tomorrow. I still don’t know why you want to go to a Caps training camp practice anyway.”

“We’re going to hassle Ovi,” Kristi yelled.

“Mhm, I’m sure,” Jamie replied, “Goodnight whore.”

“Goodnight slut,” Danielle replied ending the call.

“Think Mike will remember you at practice tomorrow,” Kristi asked.

“Nope, he’ll be so hung over he won’t even remember his name. Come on, let’s get some sleep we have a long day tomorrow.”

Mike threw back the shot of vodka that Ovi had given him. “Slow down, Greener,” Nick Backstrom warned, “Bruce’ll kill you at practice.”

“Fuck off, Nicky,” Mike slurred.

“Take him home,” Brooks said handing Nick the keys to Mike’s Lamborghini, “I’ll come pick you up and take you home.”

“What about Mojo,” Nick asked, “He can’t drive.”

“He’s going to have to learn soon enough,” Brooks joked as the young Swede glared at him, “Relax Nicky, I’m kidding. I’ll bring him home.”

Nick left the club with Mike and Brooks followed behind them with Marcus. Mike was passed out before Nick even reached the Arlington exit on the beltway.

Brooks helped Nicky carry Mike into the house because he was no lightweight and he couldn’t sleep in the garage. They dropped him gently on the bed before leaving a note reminding him that they had practice in the morning. Nick set the alarm on the bedside table and left the apartment locking the door behind him and sliding the keys under the door.

Danielle paced her hotel room the next morning making sure she had everything packed so that she and Kristi could leave the next morning and not forget anything.

“Are we going back to the bar tonight,” Kristi asked coming out of the bathroom putting her hair in a ponytail.”

“Let’s go to a different bar, I’m really not in the mood to be running into anyone.”

“You can’t avoid that today; we’re going to see his team practice.”

“Shut up, do you have to remind me?”

“Make sure you wear something sexy to the bar tonight just in case we see him.”

“I don’t even know what to wear today.”

“Just wear your red Wisconsin Badgers hockey hoodie, jeans, and your tennis shoes.”

“I don’t want to wear red.”

“We kind of have to blend in.”

“My Penguins logo necklace is going to be on full display, I could give a good fuck what the other people that see it have to say.”

“That’s my girl,” Kristi said high fiving her as they finished getting ready.

Mike woke up to the sound of the obnoxious alarm clock. He grabbed it and threw it across the room groaning as he opened his eyes and saw the sunlight coming through the window. He sat up rubbing his eyes before glancing at the bedside table to see his phone and a note with Nick’s chicken scratch writing letting him know that they had practice at eleven over at Kettler.

Mike groaned before climbing out of bed and going into the bathroom to clean himself up. He didn’t bother taking a shower since he was going to be sweaty anyways and would have to shower after practice anyways. He washed his face and brushed his teeth after taking two ibuprofen pills that were in his medicine cabinet. He packed a clean outfit in an old backpack that consisted of a grey v-neck t-shirt and jeans before he sprayed on more of his cologne tossing the bottle into the backpack as well. Grabbing the keys to the black Cadillac Escalade, he headed out of the house and to the iceoplex.

Danielle was bouncing with anticipation as she stood in awe of the players going by and signing autographs. They weren’t her team that she was loyal to but it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet players on an opposing team. So far both she and Kristi had gotten autographs and pictures taken with Brooks Laich, Nick Backstrom, Marcus Johannson, and even though neither one of them wanted to admit it, they got their pictures taken with Alexander Ovechkin as well. They both never dreamed they’d meet the Russian superstar at the rink since it was next to impossible. He even laughed when they told him that they were from Pittsburgh. He even tweeted a picture of himself with them and joked around, completely coming out of the douchebag persona that they had of him. It shocked them to say the least and they forgot all about their mission to hassle him.

Mike arrived next to last to Braden Holtby and Danielle hid behind her sunglasses and got a picture with the defenseman. She wanted to scream with excitement as soon as she put his arm around her waist when he posed for the picture.

“Thanks,” she replied.

“No problem,” he replied with a smile before signing a few more autographs and heading inside.

Danielle and Kristi sat close to the rink but not too close where the defenseman would see them. Danielle didn’t want to cause a scene and she wanted to go unnoticed. She suddenly realized that maybe telling Ovechkin they were from Pittsburgh was a huge mistake because they were probably talked about in the locker room because the Russian called their hometown “Shitsburgh” on the HBO documentary the season prior.

The practice ended sooner than the girls wanted it to and they headed towards the Smithsonian’s American History museum. As they looked around the museum they actually realized that they liked the nation’s capital and would be back when their schedules allowed them to. Grabbing a bite to eat at the small eatery inside, they made their way back to their hotel.

After taking a nap and showering before getting ready for the night, they called a cab and headed to the small nightclub in back in the city. As soon as they entered, they knew what kind of night it was going to be. The music of Lady Gaga filled the club and the bar wasn’t that crowded which means there would be no waiting for drinks.

“What will it be for you ladies tonight,” the bartender asked as Danielle and Kristi sat down on the two vacant barstools.

“Sex on the beach,” Kristi replied.

“Strawberry daiquiri, please,” Danielle said setting a twenty dollar bill down on the bar.

“Already taken care of,” the bartender informed them as he sat their drinks down in front of them.

“By who,” Danielle asked.

“He asked me not to say anything so you’ll have to figure that one out yourself.”

“Mike Green,” Kristi whispered as her eyes roamed the club and landed on the defenseman standing on the balcony looking down at them.

“Just my fucking luck,” Danielle mumbled pulling out her phone and sending a text message to Jamie letting her know what happened.

Just don’t come home pregnant

Danielle rolled her eyes before responding to the text message with an as if and she shoved it back in her purse. It wasn’t long before she felt someone behind her and Kristi nudging her, “Are you stalking me?”

“Oh please,” Danielle replied turning around, “I’m from Pittsburgh what the hell would I stalk you for?”

“The question is, if you’re such a loyal Penguins fan why were you at practice earlier today. I’m not stupid; I knew who you were before Ovi even opened his mouth to let me know who you were little miss Wisconsin Badger.”

“That’s not my name, my name is Danielle and if you want to talk to me you call me what my mother named me, okay?”

“You didn’t answer my question, why are you in DC?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are, refresh my memory.”

“Don’t play dumb, you’re far too intelligent for that. Trust me, I can tell you’re what a junior maybe senior in college. What’s your major? Business, journalism?”

“My major is noneya.”

“Real funny,” Mike replied, “Let me do this the right way, hi, I’m Mike.”

Danielle smiled, “I’m Danielle, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Where are you from?”

“Pittsburgh, home of the 2009 Stanley Cup champions, you know the team that killed you in game 7 of the 2009 Eastern Conference semifinals.”

“That was harsh.”

“You asked for it.”

Mike laughed and Danielle wanted to melt at the full smile that spread across his face, “You’re cute when you smile,” she blurted out and Mike’s head snapped in her direction and Kristi almost spit her drink out across the bar.

“Thanks,” he replied and Danielle swore she saw him blush.

“Want to dance?”

“Sure,” she replied following him to the dance floor.

“Why are you really here,” he asked as they moved to the music.

“It’s too embarrassing to tell you why I’m really here.”

“Come on, I’m sure it’s not that embarrassing.”

“Do you really want to know?”

Mike nodded his head and Danielle took a deep breath, “I came to meet you.”

“Nice try!”

“I’m being serious!!”

“Wow, I don’t know what to say.”

Mike never asked a reason why and they both went back to their friends. Kristi went on and on about how everyone was talking about them in the club but Danielle ignored it. The bartender walked over and handed Danielle a piece of paper with a note written on it.

You and your friend should come up here

“A thousand times yes,” Kristi said grabbing Danielle’s hand and her drink off the bar before heading towards the balcony.

As the night wore on, Danielle felt herself getting drunk and she could tell Mike was too. She felt herself slowly wanting to kiss Mike and she tried to fight it but it wasn’t worth fighting anymore when he leaned down and claimed her lips with his own. Kristi was talking to Brooks Laich when she noticed her friend making out with the defensemen and she grabbed her phone and took a picture before sending it to Danielle’s phone.

Danielle woke up the next morning with a throbbing in her head an arm around her waist. She cracked and eye open and immediately both of her eyes went wide when she saw Mike next to her. Danielle lifted the blankets and saw that she and Mike were both naked. There were no signs of used condoms in the trash or the bathroom when she went searching for her clothes. She suddenly panicked and left without saying goodbye. She called for a taxi and went back to her hotel room where Kristi was waiting in the lobby with a smirk on her face and their luggage.

“It seems as if you had one hell of a night. Tell me all about it.”

“I don’t remember,” Danielle replied honestly opening her pink luggage to grab a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt for the bus ride back home to Pittsburgh.

Two months later, Danielle wasn’t feeling well. She came down with the flu and called her doctor who immediately called her in a popular medicine used to cure it. When she wasn’t getting any better, she made an appointment to actually go see the doctor.

“No wonder you’re not getting any better, you’re two months pregnant,” Dr. Davis said into the telephone and Danielle sat there in silence.

“That’s funny doc, seriously what’s wrong with me?”

“You’re pregnant, Danielle,” she replied.

“That’s impossible!”

“I’m going to schedule an appointment for you to come in next week to get everything checked out and we’ll estimate your due date.”

“Thanks,” Danielle said ending the call before she slid down the wall crying. She pulled out her phone and sent a text message to Kristi and Kristi replied that they both knew who the father was and it was going to be impossible to tell him and it was better off if she didn’t know. Jamie was freaking out telling her that she knew it was going to happen.

The Capitals were in town in early December and Mike was skating around the rink at the CONSOL Energy Center with Brooks Laich talking and shooting pucks around.

“Hey Mikey, that chick you left the bar with that one night back home is sitting up in the upper bowl and she looks pregnant.”

“You’re talking out of your ass, Nicky,” Mike replied to the young Swede who rolled his eyes and skated away before he let his eyes wonder up to the top level of the arena. He could barely see her but he knew that red hair anywhere and the brunette she was with. Sure enough, there looked like there was a small bump forming under her Letang jersey.

“You need to talk to her,” Brooks said.

After the game finished, the Pens had won 4-2 in regulation after a brutal game between the rival teams. Mike contacted the ticket office and asked for the information of the girl named Danielle that was sitting in section 222. The office was reluctant to turn over such private information but since Mike was who he was, he got it without a problem.

Mike took a cab to the place thirteen minutes east of the city and he rang the doorbell, “I should have called,” he thought to himself, “It’s almost midnight, I’m probably going to wake up the entire house.”

The porch light went on and Mike saw the curtains move then he heard the locks clicking. The door opened and Mike’s eyes went wide when he saw Danielle. Her stomach was swollen and he could immediately tell that she was pregnant. He had enough teammates with wives and babies to know when a female was pregnant.

“Is it mine,” he asked.

“Mike, what the hell are you doing here,” Danielle asked eyes wide as Mike stood on the porch in the cold December night.

“Can I come in? I think we need to talk!”

Danielle swallowed hard and let the defenseman into the house, “How did you find me?”

“The ticket office had your contact information and gave it to me.”

“Can I get you something to eat or drink?”

“I’m fine.”

“I just found out a couple of weeks ago,” Danielle began when they sat down at the table, “It’s yours.”

Mike sat there in silence not knowing what to say. He couldn’t believe it. The only thing he could say was, “You’re coming back with me.”

“No, I’m not.”

“It’s my baby too.”

“Mike, I can’t just up and leave my family.”

“But you’re pregnant with my baby and I’m not going to stand back and let you have the baby without me.”

“Mike, please? You’re going to wake everybody up.”

“Danielle,” Mike began, “Just hear me out.”

“No,” she replied.

Mike sighed and he went to say something when Danielle cut him off, “Mike, it’s late. I have class in the morning and I hate waking up grouchy so you need to leave.”

“I’m not leaving until we talk about this.”

“We already talked about this, please leave.”

Mike rolled his eyes and grabbed his coat before leaving the house. Danielle broke down crying, she wanted Mike deserved to be in the baby’s life but she never expected to be pregnant either. Who would have thought going Green for one night would turn into something that neither one of them saw coming.

Prologue.

Danielle James is from Pittsburgh and is in Washington D.C. with one of her best friends. Being Penguins fans in the nation's capital in September means they are also there on the weekend that Capitals training camp begins. A girl's night out quickly turns into a run in with Mike Green.

Mike Green was looking for a one night stand but both he and Danielle both got more than they bargained for. It's the middle of November and the Capitals are playing the Penguins at CONSOL Energy Center and he sees Danielle again in the crowd. Brooks Laich is the first one to notice, Danielle is pregnant.