#reems

              James was always good with your nieces and nephews and loved to play hockey with them. You loved to watch him with the kids, imagining your own little one out there with his or her daddy and cousins, playing hockey and laughing.

              He'd make a great dad.

              "Uncle JVR!" your oldest nephew yelled. "Play goalie!"

              "I'm not a good goalie" he said, starting for the small net. "But I'll try."

              "Uncle Jamie is a terrible goalie" your niece said. "'Member last time?"

              "Maybe Freddie taught him something" your nephew said.

              "Freddie's a good goalie." There were murmurs of agreement from James and the children. Despite being raised a Caps fan, when you started dating James, you had convinced the family to become Leafs fans. Your dad was the last one to agree, but when James came to him to ask for your hand in marriage, he finally opened his heart to another team.

              Now your parents’ house was decorated in blue and white memorabilia.

              Your dad and brothers were beside themselves when the whole Leafs roster was at your wedding.

              "Aunt (Y/N)?" your niece asked. You looked down at her. "Will you come play with us?"

              "Yeah Aunt (Y/N)" James teased. "Come play!"

              "Fine" you said pushing yourself up off the swing. "But I'm not playing goalie."

              "You can be on my team!" your niece said.

              "I don't know" your nephew said. "She's a liability." James burst into laughter as you picked up one of James' sticks that he had cut down for the kids to play with the first time he met them.

              "Rude!" you said. "I won't play."

              "Nooooo" the kids whined.

              "You can distract Uncle JVR!" your nephew said. You looked at James and winked.

              "I do a good job of that!"

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              "I can't wait to tell the guys" you teased as you sat next to James on the porch swing. The kids had gone to bed for the night and you and your husband were enjoying the peaceful (somewhat warm) spring air.

              "Don't" he laughed. "Otherwise they'll all try to kiss Freddie to score."

              "I'd pay to see that" you laughed. During the final minute of game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals (the kids thought James would appreciate playing that game), you distracted the other team's goalie by kissing him.

              It worked.

              "You know" he said slowly. "I was thinking."

              "Oh yeah? About what?" James looked at you and shrugged.

              "Maybe just like... when we were going to be ready for our own little hockey players."

              "Oh" you said.

              "I mean whenever you're ready" he said quickly. "No rush I mean I was just wondering..."

              "James" you said, cutting off his nervous rambling. He was adorable when he did that. It only happened once before, when he was proposing to you. "I think we'll be ready in oh about... seven months."

              "Oh ok then we should..." James paused and you giggled. "Wait... seven months?"

              "Yeah" you said grinning. "I didn't want to tell you until after the playoff run, but... I'm pregnant."

              "You...? We...? Oh my god, (Y/N)!" James hugged you tightly, pressing kisses to every inch of you he could reach. "We're having a baby!"

              "We are" you agreed, nodding. "Steph and Molly are already planning a shower."

              "They know?" You nodded. "Playoffs are more important babe" you said. James grinned.

              "Maybe a baby will give me a Cam Talbot kind of season, next season." You laughed as James' hands moved to rest on your stomach. "Hi baby."

              "James" you whispered, setting your hands over his. "We're having a baby."

              "I know" he whispered. "Brendan will have to get over not being the baby van Riemsdyk anymore." You laughed. "Love you babe."

              "Love you too."

              "And I love you BVR" he said to your stomach.

              "BVR?" you asked.

              "Baby van Riemsdyk." You laughed.

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              You were going to kill him.

              Because of the short distance to Buffalo, you and the girls packed up and made the trip, wearing Leafs jerseys among a sea of Sabres jerseys (and quite a few other Leafs ones as well). The game was fun and you were having a great time until Ristolainen boarded Mitch and James took offense to that.

              James wasn't a fighter, but he was REALLY protective over Mitch.

              So you sat there, watching with baited breath, as James dropped the gloves and grabbed the Finn's jersey.

              "Oh my god" you muttered.

              "It's ok" Steph whispered. You were both squeezing the life out of each other's hands as you watched Mitch skate off with a bleeding nose and James land punch after punch on the Finn.

              "We're a wreck" you muttered back. Lex chuckled from the other side of you. The refs finally came and separated the two fighters, sending both to the penalty box, James still ranting at Ristolainen.

              "Ok crisis has passed" Lucy said from the other side of Steph. You both breathed a sigh of relief. Play started and once the Leafs cleared the puck to make the change, Mitch was back out on the ice.

              "This is the second season of this and I'm still not prepared" you said. Lex laughed.

              "Heads up, it never gets easier." You chuckled, but your heart still raced.

              Holy crap, before dating James, you had LOVED seeing hockey fights. Who didn't? But now you hated them, knowing how their significant others felt watching them fight.

              "This sucks. He's ruined hockey for me!" The other girls laughed as James zoomed out of the box and set up a play for Mitch to score on Lehner.

              "That was pretty sweet though" Steph said.

              "Ok well maybe 'ruin' is too strong a word." You laughed along with the other girls.

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              You looked up at your boyfriend as he entered the apartment, a grin on his face.

              Along with a nasty black eye.

              You had been so worried about him that your stress completely blocked out the Ristolainen punch that actually made contact.

              "Holy shit" you breathed.

              "I'm fine" James said. You stood and made your way to him.

              "Like hell you are!"

              "We won and Mitch is ok, so I'm fine."

              "Your eye is almost swollen shut!"

              "A little ice and it'll be fine (Y/N)" he soothed. He reached out for you, but you backed away.

              "Why aren't you taking this seriously?"

              "I am, (Y/N). But this is hockey. A black eye is nothing. He could have seriously injured Mitch."

              "I understand that, but that's not YOUR style of play."

              "This is ridiculous. Everyone's fine and my eye will heal. Doc didn't even tell me I can't practice tomorrow" James said, walking into the kitchen and pulling out a bag of frozen peas. "See? Fine!"

              "This isn't fine! You weren't thinking and you could have seriously gotten hurt!"

              "Why are you being such a bitch about this?"

              "BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, YOU IDIOT" you yelled. Both you and James froze.

              After having been together for a year and a half, and neither one of you had said the words, until now.

              "Oh my god" you breathed. James set the peas down and grinned, coming closer to you. "James-"

              "Say it again."

              "Noooo" you whined, shaking your head. James laughed and pressed a kiss to the top of your head. He wrapped you up in his arms.

              "Ok fine. I'll say it. I love you." You looked up at him.

              "Yeah?"

              "Oh yeah. Definitely love the girl who's worried about me fighting."

              "You don't fight" you repeated. James chuckled, but didn't expand on the argument. "I love you, James."

              "Love you too."

              "But!" you said. "If you do that again, we're still having the same fight." James kissed you gently.

              "Counting on it."

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              "But why?"

              Tomorrow the Leafs had their team and family pictures and for some reason James really wanted you there. You didn't think you should be considering you were only dating, but James was being very insistent.

              "Look because you're a part of my family and I just really want you there. Pleaseeeeee?"

              "You're starting to sound like Mitch" you teased. James laughed.

              "I sound eleven?"

              "Pleaseeeeeeee" you mocked him. He laughed.

              "Come on. Just come to the pictures." You looked at him for a long moment before sighing.

              "Fine." James pulled you close, rubbing his nose against yours in an Eskimo kiss. You giggled and pecked his lips before you turned back to hockey highlights.

              You loved your cheesy Jersey boy.

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              "That thing swallows you whole" you teased Steph, who was swimming in Mitch's jersey.

              "Hey!" she said. "Yours doesn't look much better!"

              "Rude" you said laughing. In reality, it was true.

              James' jersey was huge on you.

              "I'm surprised you're here" she said. "You were totally against this the other day."

              "I still don't think I should be here. I'm not married and or going to marry him."

              "Yet!" Steph said laughing. She reached out and squeezed your hand, her own diamond ring sparkling brightly. "I'm glad you're here though. You're totally a part of this dysfunctional family."

              "Come on" Lex said, waving you guys further down the hall. "Almost time!" Steph linked arms with you and led you down the hall. You stood with the other wives, fiancées, and children and watched as the photographer rearranged the team, trying to find a spot for Connor and Mitch where they weren't hidden.

              It was comical.

              They finally got the picture done and the higher up and coaches left. The photographer’s assistant waved you on to the ice and you immediately made your way to JVR, who helped you onto the step.

              "Awkward" Freddie laughed from in front of you. You could barely been seen standing behind the large ginger.

              "Rude" you said, shoving his shoulder playfully. "Switch with Mac."

              "I like it here" he said. James laughed.

              "He'll kneel" James explained.

              "Well that's good. Otherwise it would be a waste for me to be here." James bent down and pressed a kiss to your lips.

              "Thank you for coming."

              "I still don't-"

              "Ok guys! I think we have everyone settled!" You looked to the cameraman who looked over the group. "Yes yes perfect. Ok we'll do a few. Smile!" You looked at the camera and smiled. You saw James shift out of the corner of your eye before you caught the glint.

              You turned to look and gasped.

              "Surprise" he said. Naz shifted down as James knelt next to you and held the simple ring up for you to see. "(Y/N), you have made me the happiest guy in the world. You're always there for me and you love me unconditionally, even when I have to fight." You let out a watery chuckle. You could see Steph bouncing excitedly. "I've thought of you as a part of my family for a while now, but now I want you to make a family with me."

              "Bold move, Jim" Auston muttered.

              "You're right, Bob. Let's see how it plays out" Willy responded. You and James laughed as everyone stood staring at you. You were vaguely aware of the photographer continuing to snap pictures, but you had more important things to worry about now.

              "So (Y/N) would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

              "I would like to remind you, by marrying him, you're officially stuck with us" Leo said. You looked around and nodded.

              "Yes."

              "Would you look at that Jim?"

              "It's a miracle, Bob!" Willy and Auston joked. James shook his head and slid the ring on to your finger. He stood and you hugged him tightly. He pressed a kiss to the top of your head.

              "You ok?"

              "I love you" you whispered. He kissed your head once more.

              "Love you too Future Mrs. van Riemsdyk."

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“Hey, babe, how was your day?” Your boyfriend James van Riemsdyk asked, momentarily tearing his eyes away from the television screen to shoot you a quick smile before returning his attention to the game of Call of Duty you presumed he was playing with his teammates. You could only grunt in response; you were too tired to even make the effort to truly answer him. 

You had been dating James since November of last year. It had been a set of strange circumstances that led to your meeting. You had stayed the night at the hospital with your friend who had an appendectomy and was scared to death of hospitals when you literally ran into the tall American, dressed smartly in a suit, and was there with the Maple Leafs for a charity function. You were quick to apologize, but before you could hurry off in embarrassment, he asked if he could buy you a coffee. The two of you sat in the hospital’s coffee shop and talked for hours. It was actually you who asked him to dinner the following evening. Having dates with his hockey schedule was difficult, but after over five months of making it work, you wouldn’t have had it any other way. 

James scooted over so you could collapse onto the couch next to him. “That bad, huh? Want to talk about it? I can quit, I’m sure the guys won’t mind.” You heard some muffled protests through his headset, which he pulled off as you nuzzled into his side. 

“Not really. I just want you to hold me,” you said.

James quickly quit his game, tossing the controller onto the chair beside the couch and turning to wrap his arms around you. “You know you’re amazing, right?” He asked, pressing a kiss to the crown of your head. 

“What makes you say that?” You questioned, looking up at James with a raised eyebrow. He was grinning. 

“I just want you to remember that. And I also want you to remember that I love you.”

“I love you too, James. Thanks. For everything,” you smiled, hugging your boyfriend. He wrapped his arms around you securely, and the stress of the day just seemed to melt away.

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              "What no hello?" You hugged him tightly.

              "Hi, Taylor. How are you? How's New Jersey treating you? Do you have my Taylor Ham?" Taylor laughed.

              "The trainers put it on ice. Come on." You followed Taylor through the bowels of the ACC to where his medical professionals were setting up for the game tonight.

              You had met the young Canadian on accident when he was still with the Oilers and had kept in touch through James. So the moment you found out he had been traded to New Jersey, he became your Taylor Ham supplier since it was the only way you could get it.

              Well that and both you and James' parents sending it to you.

              "Here you go" Taylor said, handing you the paper bag. You looked inside and your heart grew three sizes.

              "I owe you so much" you said. Taylor laughed.

              "No worries. It's pretty good. I understand why you like it."

              "James and I grew up on it. I think that was the hardest part about coming to Toronto. But now that we have a dealer..." Taylor laughed once more. "How are you liking Jersey?"

              "It's different" he said. "Not many people know who the Devils are so we can walk around freely. It's pretty nice." You squeezed his arm.

              "You're going to be good there. I'm rooting for you guys."

              "Shouldn't you be rooting for the Leafs?" Taylor asked, chuckling. You shrugged.

              "Grew up a Devils fan. Can't change that now."

              "Hey" you both looked up to see James walking towards you. He shook Taylor's hand. "How you doing?"

              "Good good. How are you?"

              "Pretty good." James looked at the bag in your hand. "Pork roll?"

              "Taylor ham" you responded.

              "Babe... It's pork roll." You rolled your eyes at Taylor.

              "It's Taylor ham. And TAYLOR Hall will agree with me, won't you?" Taylor held up his hands in surrender.

              "I'm not touching this one. It's a tradition I have not been part of long enough to have an opinion." You and James both laughed. "I gotta get going. See you guys."

              "Are we doing dinner after?" you asked. Taylor grinned.

              "Yeah. I might need to bring a couple of people..."

              "Rico can't go a night alone?"

              "Or Kinkaid." You laughed. "See ya!"

              "Go Devils!" you yelled at his retreating back.

              "Hey!" James said in mock outrage. You rolled your eyes.

              "Babe, I'm a loyal fan."

              "That's not very loyal to me" he said.

              "I can wear my Leafs jersey and root for the Devils." James wrapped an arm around your shoulder and led you in the direction of your car.

              "Except I specifically remember a certain someone asking last night where her Brodeur jersey was" James said arching a brow at you. You rolled your eyes.

              "Whatever. Let's go home. I'll make Taylor ham sandwiches" you said, your mouth salivating at the thought.

              "Except its pork roll, but that sounds good." You laughed.

              "Noooo Jamie. It's definitely Taylor ham."

              "The package even says pork roll on it!" James said.

              "You're wrong" you said bluntly. James laughed and pulled the bag from your hands. He grabbed one of the boxes and held it up, pointing out where it said pork roll. "No. I meant about calling it" you paused. "Pork roll" you spat out.

              "Oh my god. It's not ham!"

              "No it's TAYLOR ham" you said.

              "Can't we just agree to disagree?" he asked.

              "No. You're wrong and I'm right" you said. James rolled his eyes. This was probably the only thing you two ever fought about really.

              "Seriously? That's what you're going to use?"

              "Fine. I will make myself a Taylor ham sandwich and you can eat whatever you want."

              "A pork roll sandwich." You shrugged and walked away from James. "You're being ridiculous."

              "Oh so now I'm ridiculous?" His arms wrapped around you from behind, halting you in your tracks. "Let go James."

              "Baby is making you cranky" he whispered, pressing a kiss to your neck. You sighed, shoulders slumping.

              "Yeah. She's making me hungry too."

              "Come on. Let's go get you and our son some pork roll."

              "Taylor ham works" you replied. James laughed. You looked down at your belly and rubbed it. "You'll call it Taylor ham, won't you?"

              "Nah. Pork roll will be its first words."

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