“Ellis, you know I’ll support you. I care about you, even if we are technically exes…” His voice trails off slightly. “But if that isn’t what you want, I will support that too. Having two kids is a lot of work and if you don’t think your body can handle being pregnant… Or shit, if you just don’t want this baby right now, I will be right there with you. Just tell me what you need.” His words become a ramble as I drop my head to his chest and the tears begin to flow.

“I want to keep the baby.” I muster the courage to say. “I thought about it all, I thought about Jack… But how can you want this? You have a life and a career and you are so busy, it’s the middle of the hockey season and I just dropped this bomb on you.” I speak into his jumper.

“You want to do this, so we’re doing this. Don’t worry about hockey, we can figure that out as we go.” He strokes my hair as he continues. “We need to put you first, not hockey. I know the team will offer whatever support we need…” He stops for a moment, and I wonder what he’s thinking. I processed my emotions alone in my bathroom. But in real time, I’m watching Liam do the same, wondering who he’s going to tell, and how. How his life will change. What this means for both of us.

“I suppose we need diapers,” he says quietly.

“They’re called nappies,” I squeak.

“Shut it, little Brit.” He chuckles. “I think you should sit down,” he suggests, directing us both back to the couch. He takes me in his arms again when we flop down. “There’s a lot we need to talk about El.” I look up at him, waiting for him to begin.

“We might have to figure out if we are going to raise the little one to be British or American.” He raises an eyebrow jokingly.

“British, we came first,” I say decisively.

“Well, you sure did,” Liam quips.

Clocking onto his reference, I scrunch my nose. “Liam, oh my god.” His eyes are still shining, now with a tint of lust. “You’re a pain in my arse.” I pause, biting the inside of my lip. “Are we going to be okay?” I ask. “Co-parenting is hard for a couple who are actually dating, all we did was sleep together.”