Archive of Our Own ^beta

He stood behind the glass, watching as his teammates began their warmups. Normally, he'd be right along with them, his #72 jersey swirling about the ice in the blur of blue. But not now, and at least not for the rest of the season. Did he regret having a night with fowls after their playoff elimination? No, not one bit. His emotions had been high and his heart had been hurting. He just hadn't imagined that their night together would lead to this... But sure enough, here he was with the other wags, hand resting on the slight swell of his stomach.

It was strange... Beautiful, yes, but oh so strange. He was only 4 months along but the thought of his stomach swelling anymore baffled him beyond belief. He was growing a life. A whole life! The other wags had tried to give him advice, giggling amongst each other at the look of horror on his face when they told him what to prepare for as the months went on. The heart burn, the back aches, the kicking? And oh don't even get him started on his nipples. He shivered at the thought of what they'd have to go through.

But then he looked back out to the ice and saw Cam skating about, his beautiful features twisted in a look of focussed determination... All his problems seemed small. He was literally carrying this man's child! This beautiful man was not only his boyfriend, but also the father of the child currently growing inside of him. Maybe it was the hormones in him but he felt like the luckiest man in the entire world.

---

Cam felt like he was moving on autopilot during warmups. Get the puck, shoot it, skate a lap, get another puck. He only snapped out of it when he spotted Justin off behind the glass where the other wags stood. God, he was beautiful. Maybe it was cheesy or overstated but he had been glowing lately. Pregnancy glow was real and no one could tell him otherwise.

He quickly made his way over to the glass, a warm smile on his face as he looked over the other man. The gentle bump of his stomach had grown slightly more noticeable in the past few weeks, not that Cam minded. He thought it was cute! Justin of course, didn't agree. He was always huffing about how none of his shirts fit right and how his pants were too snug. But a smack to his ass or a kiss to his cheek tended to shut him up pretty quickly.

As he skated up to the boards, Justin gave him a small smile, that tired little smile that Cam had gotten so used to by now. The one that meant he wasn't feeling the best. He mouthed a quiet 'You okay?' to him which only got him a middle finger and a rather annoyed 'What do you think.' for his efforts. Which... Par for the course with him. Cam grinned and blew his love a teasing kiss before skating off, catching the pouty look from the other man as the women giggled, pointing out his blushing cheeks. But he knew Justin would never say anything. The man loved him too much.

---

2-4. Not how he would've wanted the game to end, especially against Chicago. But what could he do. The locker room was surprisingly quiet as everyone packed up their things. Everyone seemed to be off in their little cliques, chatting about what could've been done differently, missed passes and the like. Not that it'd do much now. Cam wasn't too focused on that, too busy trying to get his things together as quick as possible. Of course, it didn't go unnoticed. Soon enough he had Nibsy and Thommer in his business asking questions with stupid smirks on their faces.

"What's got you in such a hurry, fowls? You're packing up like you're on a time limit." Jake said, nudging Cam's bag with his foot.

"He's gotta get home to his baby mama, you know. Those pregnancy hormones aren't anything to play with."

Cam had to bite his tongue to not snicker at Robert's words. The idea of Justin as his "baby mama" was certainly an interesting one.

"I'm gonna tell him you called him that as soon as I get home."

Jake visibly winced, that smirk still on his face

"Please don't! I'd rather not have a pregnant Flak come in here to chew me out, please."

Cam had to chuckle at that. The thought of his pregnant boyfriend coming in to the locker room just to give Jake hell was a funny one. Also a very realistic one. He had never been known to be the angelic one of the team.

"Har har, very funny. Now shoo so I can't get out of here. I'm also trying not to get chewed out by him, yknow!"

The two finally relented, Jake raising his hands in surrender.

"Alright, alright. Get home to your boyfriend, fowls. Just don't go all sappy on us now."

Cam gave Jake's arm a light punch before going back to shoving his gear in his bag.

"No promises, Nibs."

---

Cam got home a bit later than he would have preferred, dropping his bags in the entryway as he locked the door. He was so ready to just collapse into bed. He groaned and ran his hands over his face as he walked through his and Justin's apartment. One by one, he shed his clothes. First his shirt, than shoes, pants, etc. Justin would probably throw a fit over him leaving his clothes all over the floor but that was a tomorrow problem.

By the time he reached their bedroom, Cam was merely in his boxers. He was greeted with a pleasant sight, however. Justin was sat on the edge of the bed, only sporting an old pair of sweatpants that were probably Cam's. He was so damn beautiful, even if he did look absolutely exhausted. The sight of his stomach, swollen with their child, something they had made together, sent a pang of awe throughout him. They had done that? Them?

He crossed the room within a few strides, sitting next to his love and wrapping his arms snuggly around him, one of his hands gently resting on his midsection.

"Hey baby," he said softly, pressing a tender kiss to his jaw. "How are you feeling?"

Justin sighed and leaned into the other man's hold. He sounded about half asleep as he spoke, clearly ready for bed as well.

"About like earlier... Exhausted, swollen... And sore, really sore."

Cam sighed softly at that, his hand rubbing gentle, soothing circles on his belly.

"I know, baby. I'm sorry... But you're almost half way there, yknow. Just 5 more months until our little darling is here."

"You're so cheesy."

"You love me!"

"You're damn lucky that I do..."

Cam chuckled against Justin's neck, the feeling making the other man's hair stand up. Cam was convinced that he truly was perfect. He wouldnt trade this man for anything in the entire world. He pressed gentle kisses to his cheek as he shifted to lay them both back down onto the bed.

"My beautiful boy... So perfect. I'm so proud of you, yknow it? Carrying our baby.. God, you're so perfect, Justin. You don't even know it."

Cam saw the blush spread across his love's cheeks as they laid back onto the bed. He quickly pulled the blanket over them both as he pulled the other man close to his chest. Justin couldn't help but notice Cam's clingy nature tonight, speaking softly as he wrapped his arms loosely around his neck.

"You're awfully affectionate tonight..."

"Can I not love on the father of my future child?"

"I never said that, asshole."

They both chuckled, settling into the plush sheets. Cam was the one t break the comfortable silence after a few moments.

"I love you, baby. So unbelievably much."

"You say that a lot"

"Well I mean it a lot."

Another comfortable silence fell over them after Cam spoke, Justin seemingly perfectly content. It was the first time in weeks he had genuinely felt so... Relaxed.

"I love you to... More than I could say."

Cam smiled tenderly at that, leaning over to flick off the lamp, plunging the two into darkness. He could feel Justin quickly start to grow limp in his hold, sleep already drawing him in. Yet Cam couldn't resist one last jab.

"... Y'know, Nibs and Thommer called you my baby mama earlier."

He didn't think he'd get a response for a few moments untill he felt a little pinch and heard his love's sleepy mumbling.

"Go to sleep Cameron."

Cam chuckled and shook his head. They'd probably be fine, even if that wasn't something he could guarantee. They'd still figure this whole pregnancy/parenting thing out. They'd do it together... Like they always did.