NGL looking at the schedule Iβm fucking pissed every other team has such an easy schedule compared to Dallas like NY plays connecticut today and the aces play the fucking storm why canβt we have that
Hardest schedule in the league and second in the league rn. In terms of Paige, Azzi, and Jess, doing this well against the hardest competitionβ¦.its about to get scaryyy
Nowwww!! Part 3 out after the fame Tuesday (once we win) and chapter 4 Thursday (once we win)
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For as long as they can remember, Azzi and Paige have shared the same dream β a life built together. Late-ni
For as long as they could remember, Azzi and Paige have shared the same dream β a life built together. Late-night conversations about championships, marriage, a quiet home, and the family they hope to have someday become the foundation of a future neither of them can imagine without the other.
Over the years, that dream begins to take shape. Through college, professional basketball, and every milestone in between, they keep choosing each other. But some dreams are harder won than others, and when the path to parenthood proves far more complicated than either of them expected, they'll have to navigate heartbreak, hope, and the question of how many times a person can keep believing before they break.
A/N: This has accidentally become a mini series. I have one more part to post lol. This chapter is suuuper smut heavy β all the pregnancy smut I couldnβt put in Love on Fire π anywho, I hope you love it!!! xx Elle
The first thing Paige did after Azzi showed her the positive test was pull out her phone and start researching.
"Baby, it's two in the morning," Azzi laughed, watching her wifeβs face illuminated by the screen's glow.
"I need to know everything," Paige muttered, scrolling furiously. "What you should eat, what you shouldn't eat, what vitamins β wait, are you taking prenatal vitamins? We need prenatal vitamins."
"Paige β"
"And folic acid. That's important, right? I'm pretty sure that's important." Paige looked up, eyes wide with determination. "I'm going to take such good care of you."
And she did.
Azzi woke up the next morning to find Paige already in the kitchen, surrounded by cookbooks and her laptop open to at least fifteen tabs about pregnancy nutrition.
"I'm making you breakfast," Paige announced. "Eggs for protein, whole grain toast, berries for antioxidants, and orange juice for vitamin C."
"You hate cooking."
"Yeah, I love you. And I already love our baby," Paige set the plate down with such reverence that Azzi's eyes immediately filled with tears.
"Oh my god, I'm already crying about breakfast."
"Hormones," Paige said with a proud smile, like sheβd become an expert in pregnancy overnight. Honestly, throughout the months of trying, she probably had
Her obsession only intensified. Paige downloaded three pregnancy tracking apps and set reminders for everything β how much Azzi should eat, how much she should rest, when she should take her vitamins, if capsules were better than gummies. She bought out half of Target's pregnancy section before Azzi was even eight weeks along.
"Baby, we don't need seventeen different kinds of belly butter," Azzi said, staring at the shopping bags covering their bed.
"Yes we do. Different ones have different ingredients. This one has cocoa butter, this one has shea butter, this one has vitamin E β"
"Paige."
"I don't want you to get stretch marks!" Paige looked genuinely distressed. "Not that stretch marks are bad! Stretch marks are beautiful! Your body is doing an amazing thing! I just want you to be comfortable and β"
Azzi pulled her into a kiss, effectively shutting her up. "I love you," she whispered against her lips. "You're going to be the best mom."
Paige's eyes went soft. "We're really doing this."
"We're really doing this."
They told no one for the first twelve weeks. It was their secret, their private joy. Paige would rest her hand on Azzi's still-flat stomach and talk to their baby, telling them about their day, about how much they were already loved.
Azzi would watch her wife with overwhelming tenderness, thinking about how lucky their child was going to be.
Azzi lay on the examination table, Paige gripping her hand so tightly it almost hurt. The technician spread the cold gel across Azzi's stomach, and then β
There it was.
Their baby. A tiny, perfect shape on the screen, heart beating strong and steady.
"Oh my God," Paige breathed. "That's our baby."
Azzi couldn't speak. Tears streamed down her face as she stared at the screen, at the miracle they'd created together β Paige's egg and Azziβs body bringing their baby into existence.
"Would you like to know the sex?" the technician asked gently.
They looked at each other. They'd talked about waiting, about being surprised, but β
"Yes," they said in unison.
The technician smiled. "It's a boy."
Paige made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob. "A boy. We're having a son."
Azzi turned to look at her, and Paige was crying too, smiling so wide it had to hurt.
Paige leaned down and kissed her, soft and reverent. "I love you so much. Thank you for carrying our baby. Thank you for β" Her voice broke. "Thank you for making me a mom."
"Thank you for making me one too."
They held each other in that small examination room, their son's heartbeat filling the space, and Azzi thought she'd never been happier in her entire life.
"You sure you want to come?" Paige asked for the third time as they got ready for the game. "You don't have to β"
"Paige." Azzi turned from the mirror, where she'd been adjusting Paige's jersey over her small but unmistakable bump. "I want to be there. I want to watch you play."
Paige's eyes darkened as they traveled down Azzi's bodyβthe jersey stretched across her fuller breasts, the gentle swell of her stomach visible beneath the fabric, the way the material draped over her changing curves.
"You look..." Paige's voice was rough. "Fuck, Azzi."
"What?" Azzi smiled, knowing exactly what.
"You're wearing my jersey." Paige crossed the room slowly, predatory, and she knelt before her wife. "Pregnant with my baby. Wearing my ring. Everyone's going to see you. Everyone's going to know you're mine."
Azzi ran her hand over her wifeβs slick ponytail. "I am yours," she said softly, and Paige's hands settled on her bump, possessive and gentle at once.
"Yeah, you are." Paige kissed her belly, eyes dark as she looked up at her. "Let's go before I decide to keep you home."
The arena was packed. Azzi settled into her courtside seat and immediately felt the cameras on her. She was used to media attention, but this was different β she was visibly pregnant now, glowing in Paige's jersey, and the commentators noticed immediately.
"And there's Azzi Fudd courtside tonight," the announcer said warmly. "Looking absolutely radiant at about five months pregnant. The couple announced they're expecting a baby earlier this week. Congratulations to them both."
The camera lingered on her, and Azzi smiled and waved, one hand resting protectively on her bump.
On the court, Paige was warming up. She looked toward the stands, found Azzi, and froze.
Azzi watched her expression change β saw the moment Paige registered what she was seeing, saw the way Paige's jaw clenched, saw the possessive heat that flared in her eyes even from this distance.
Paige pointed directly at her, mouthed something that looked like "mine," and Azzi felt heat pool low in her belly despite being in a crowded arena.
The game started, and Paige played like a woman possessed.
She was everywhere β stealing the ball, aggressively driving to the basket, hitting three after three with deadly accuracy. She was physical, dominant, and absolutely unstoppable. Every time she scored, she'd look toward Azzi, and Azzi could feel the intensity of that gaze like a physical touch.
"Bueckers is on fire tonight," the commentator said. "Absolutely on fire. Twenty-eight points already and we're only in the third quarter."
Azzi couldn't take her eyes off her. Paige was magnificent β all power and grace and controlled intensity. Watching her play had always turned Azzi on, but now, pregnant with their child, it was almost unbearable. She wanted Paige's hands on her. Wanted that intensity, that dominance directed at her body.
The game ended with the Wings winning by twenty. Paige had dropped forty-two points, her highest of the season.
She jogged over to where Azzi was sitting, leaned down, and kissed her hard enough that the crowd went wild.
"Locker room," Paige said against her lips. "Now."
Azziβs eyes widened, "Paige, you have press β"
"I don't give a fuck about press." Paige's hand found Azzi's bump through the jersey. "I need you. Right now."
Azzi's breath hitched. "Okay."
They made it to the locker room β empty because everyone else was still doing media, signing autographs, all the other obligations. Paige locked the door behind them and immediately pressed Azzi against it, kissing her desperately.
"Do you have any idea what you did to me?" Paige breathed against her mouth. "Sitting there in my jersey, pregnant with my baby, everyone seeing you're mine?"
"I'm yours," Azzi gasped as Paige's hands slid under the jersey, cupping her full breasts. "Always yours."
"Damn right." Paige's thumbs brushed over Azzi's nipples, and Azzi moaned. They were so sensitive now, every touch almost too much. "Look at you. So fucking beautiful carrying our son."
"Paige, please β"
"Please what?" Paige's mouth moved to Azzi's neck, sucking hard enough to leave a mark. "Tell me what you need, baby."
"You. I need you."
Paige pulled back just enough to look at her, eyes dark with desire. "Watching me play got you wet, didn't it?"
Azzi nodded, beyond embarrassment. "You were so β God, you were incredible. So strong and β I couldn't stop thinking about β"
"About what?" Paige's hand slid down to cup Azzi through her leggings, and Azzi's hips bucked forward. "About me touching you? Fucking you?"
"Yes," Azzi whimpered.
"I've been thinking about it all game." Paige's fingers pressed harder, and she could feel how wet she was even through the fabric. "Thinking about getting you alone. Getting my hands on this perfect body."
She pulled Azzi's leggings and underwear down carefully, reverently, then lifted the jersey to expose Azzi's bump. For a moment, she just looked β her hand splayed across Azzi's stomach, feeling their son move beneath her palm.
"Your DNA," Azzi said softly. "Inside me. Part of you."
Paige made a rough sound and dropped to her knees.
"Paige β"
"Let me taste you." Paige's hands gripped Azzi's hips, steadying her. "Been thinking about this all fucking game."
She leaned forward and licked a long stripe up Azzi's center, and Azzi's head fell back against the door with a thud. "Oh my God β"
Paige's mouth was relentless. Tongue circling Azzi's clit, then dipping inside her, then back to that perfect spot that made Azzi see stars. One hand stayed on Azzi's bump, possessive and grounding, while the other gripped her thigh.
"So wet for me," Paige murmured against her. "Always so wet. Pregnancy makes you so sensitive, doesn't it?"
"Yes β fuck, yes β"
"Love how you taste." Paige sucked Azzi's clit into her mouth, and Azzi's hands flew to her hair, gripping tight. "Love that you're mine. That everyone knows you're mine."
Azzi shattered, crying out Paige's name, her whole body trembling as Paige worked her through it, gentle now, reverent.
When Azzi could breathe again, Paige stood and kissed her deeply, and Azzi could taste herself on Paige's lips.
"I love you," Paige whispered. "I love you so fucking much."
"I love you too." Azzi's hands found Paige's face, holding her close. "But I'm not done with you."
"Baby, you don't have to β"
"I want to." Azzi's hand slid down Paige's body, cupping her through her basketball shorts. "I want to feel you come. Want to make you feel as good as you make me feel."
Paige groaned. "Azzi β"
"Please." Azzi kissed her neck, her jaw. "Let me touch you."
They moved to the bench, and Azzi straddled Paige carefully, mindful of her bump. Paige's hands immediately went to Azzi's hips, steadying her, and Azzi could feel how wet Paige was through her shorts.
"You're soaked," Azzi murmured, grinding down. "Did playing for me do this? Knowing I was watching?"
"Yes," Paige admitted roughly. "Couldn't stop thinking about you. About this."
Azzi reached between them, sliding her hand into Paige's shorts, and Paige's hips jerked up at the contact.
"Fuck β"
"I love watching you play," Azzi said, fingers finding Paige's clit and circling slowly. "Love seeing how strong you are. How dominant. And knowing you come home to me β" She pressed harder, and Paige moaned. "Knowing this is mine."
"Yours," Paige gasped. "All yours β God, Azzi β"
Azzi slid two fingers inside her, and Paige's head fell back, exposing the long line of her throat. Azzi leaned forward, as much as her bump would allow, and kissed her neck, her jaw, while her fingers worked steadily.
"You played so well tonight," Azzi whispered. "So fucking well. Made me so proud. Made me so wet watching you."
"Azzi β"
"Everyone could see I'm yours." Azzi's thumb found Paige's clit, and Paige's hips started moving, riding her hand. "Pregnant with your baby. Wearing your jersey. Your wife."
"My wife," Paige repeated, voice breaking. "My beautiful, perfect wife β"
"Come for me, baby." Azzi kissed her deeply. "Let me feel you."
Paige came with Azzi's name on her lips, trembling and gasping, and Azzi held her through it, whispering how much she loved her, how perfect she was.
They stayed like that for a long moment, foreheads pressed together, breathing each other's air.
"We just had sex in the locker room," Azzi said finally, and Paige laughed.
"Yeah, we did."
"You're going to be so late for press."
"Worth it." Paige's hand found Azzi's bump again, and their son kicked against her palm. "So fucking worth it."
At twenty-four weeks, Azzi flew to Phoenix for Paige's away game, and the media went crazy.
"Azzi Fudd making the trip to support her wife," the announcer said as the camera found her courtside. "Six months pregnant now and absolutely glowing. That's dedication right there."
Azzi was wearing Paige's away jersey β white with blue trim β and her bump was prominent now, impossible to miss. She'd had to get the jersey specially tailored to fit, and Paige had nearly lost her mind when she'd seen it that morning.
"You're going to kill me," Paige had said, staring at Azzi like she wanted to devour her. "You know that, right? You're going to kill me."
"Then you better play well," Azzi had teased. "Make it worth my while."
Paige played out of her mind. Thirty-eight points, twelve assists, and she was physical βboxing out, fighting for rebounds, taking charges, playing with an edge that had the commentators remarking on her intensity.
"Bueckers is playing especially aggressive tonight," one said. "Playing with something to prove."
After the game β another decisive win β Paige found Azzi in the tunnel.
"Hotel," she said simply. "Right now."
They barely made it through the door before Paige was on her, kissing her desperately, hands everywhere.
"You flew here," Paige said between kisses. "Six months pregnant and you flew here for me."
"Of course I did." Azzi's hands worked at Paige's clothes, still damp with sweat from the game. "Wanted to watch you play. Wanted everyone to see I'm yours."
"You are." Paige's hands slid under Azzi's dressβshe'd changed after the gameβand found her already wet. "Fuck, baby. Already?"
"I've been wet since the second quarter," Azzi admitted breathlessly. "Watching you play like that, so aggressive β"
Paige groaned and walked them backward toward the bed. "You like when I play rough?"
"I like when you play for me." Azzi pulled Paige's shirt over her head, revealing her sports bra and the lean muscle beneath. "Like knowing you're mine."
They fell onto the bed together, and Paige was careful, so careful, as she positioned Azzi on her side, one leg hitched over Paige's hip.
"This okay?" Paige asked, fingers teasing between Azzi's legs.
"Perfect," Azzi gasped. "Please β"
Paige slid two fingers inside her, and Azzi moaned, rocking back against her hand. Paige's other hand came around to rest on Azzi's bump, feeling their son move beneath her palm.
"Look at you," Paige murmured in her ear. "So beautiful like this. Taking my fingers so well. Growing our baby."
"More," Azzi whimpered. "Please, more β"
Paige added a third finger, and Azzi cried out, the stretch perfect, overwhelming.
"That's it," Paige encouraged. "Take it, baby. Take everything I give you."
Her thumb found Azzi's clit, circling in time with her thrusts, and Azzi was already close, wound tight from watching Paige play, from the flight, from everything.
"I'm β Paige, I'm β"
"I know." Paige's lips found her neck. "I can feel you. So tight around my fingers. You going to come for me?"
"Yes! Oh my God, yes!"
"Come, baby. Let me feel it."
Azzi came hard, clenching around Paige's fingers, and Paige worked her through it, whispering praise and love against her skin.
When Azzi could breathe again, she turned in Paige's arms and kissed her deeply.
"Your turn," she said, pupils blown wide.
"You don't have to β"
"I want to." Azzi pushed Paige onto her back and straddled her thigh, careful of her bump. "Want to make you feel good."
She ground down, and Paige groaned at the wetness she could feel even through her shorts.
"Azzi β"
"Take these off," Azzi commanded, tugging at Paige's shorts, and Paige obeyed immediately.
Once Paige was naked beneath her, Azzi positioned herself so she could grind against Paige's thigh while her hand worked between Paige's legs.
"Fuck," Paige gasped as Azzi's fingers found her clit. "Baby β"
"You're so wet," Azzi murmured, circling slowly. "Did I do this? Watching me in the stands? Feeling how wet I am for you?"
"Yes β God, yes β couldn't stop thinking about you β"
Azzi slid two fingers inside her, and Paige's hips bucked up. "About this?"
"About getting you alone. About touching you. About β fuck β"
Azzi set a steady rhythm, her own hips moving against Paige's thigh, and they moved together, breathing each other's air, lost in sensation.
"I love you," Azzi whispered. "Love watching you play. Love being yours."
"Mine," Paige agreed roughly. "Always mine. Azzi, I'm close β"
"Me too." Azzi's movements became more urgent, grinding harder, fingers moving faster. "Come with me, baby. Let me feel you."
They came together, crying out, trembling, and collapsed in a tangle of limbs.
"I love you," Paige said when she could speak again. "I love you so fucking much."
"I love you too." Azzi's hand found her bump, and Paige's hand covered hers. "Both of you."
At twenty-six weeks, Azzi sat pouting on the couch. "I can't reach," she whined, staring down at her feet.
Paige looked up from her phone. "What?"
"My shoes. I can't β" Azzi gestured helplessly at her sneakers. "The bump is in the way."
Paige's face melted into the softest expression. "Come here."
She knelt in front of Azzi and gently lifted her foot, sliding on her sock and then her shoe with such tenderness that Azzi felt tears prick her eyes.
"You don't have to β"
"I want to." Paige tied the laces carefully, then moved to the other foot. "I'm going to do this every day until our son is born. And then after, if you let me."
"I love you," Azzi whispered.
Paige looked up at her, still kneeling, and pressed a kiss to Azzi's bump. "I love you too. Both of you."
That night, Paige made love to her slowly, reverently, kissing every inch of her changing body.
"You're so beautiful," Paige murmured against her skin. "So fucking beautiful."
She worked her way down Azzi's body β kissing her neck, her breasts, so sensitive now that Azzi gasped at every touch, her bump, and then lower.
"Paige β" she moaned loudly.
"Let me worship you," Paige said, settling between her legs. "Let me show you how perfect you are."
Her mouth was gentle at first, teasing, but Azzi was already so worked up that she was begging within minutes.
"Please β please, baby, I need β"
Paige gave her what she needed, tongue and fingers working in perfect harmony, and Azzi came apart with Paige's name on her lips.
"Wha β" Paige blinked blearily. "Baby? What's wrong? Is it the baby?"
"I need pickles."
Paige stared at her. "What?"
"And ice cream. The chocolate peanut butter kind from that place downtown. I need it right now or I'm going to die."
"It's three in the morning."
"I know." Azzi felt tears well up. "I'm sorry, I know it's ridiculous, but I just β I need β"
"Hey, hey." Paige sat up, cupping Azzi's face. "It's not ridiculous. You're growing our baby. If you want pickles and ice cream at three in the morning, I'll get you pickles and ice cream at three in the morning."
She was back forty-five minutes later with a jar of dill pickles and a pint of ice cream, plus chocolate croissants from the twenty-four-hour bakery and a stuffed elephant she'd seen in a shop window last week but had forgotten to bring in the house.
"For the baby," Paige said sheepishly, setting the elephant on Azzi's lap.
Azzi burst into tears.
Paigeβs eyes widened in panic. "Oh no! What β did I get the wrong kind? I can go back β"
"You're perfect," Azzi sobbed. "You're so perfect and I love you so much and our son is so lucky to have you as a mom."
Paige climbed back into bed and held her while she cried and ate pickles, and then β because pregnancy hormones were wild β Azzi was suddenly kissing her desperately, pickle juice still on her lips.
"Baby β" Paige laughed against her mouth. "What β"
"I need you," Azzi said, already pulling at Paige's clothes. "Right now."
"You just ate pickles β"
"I don't care." Azzi straddled her, grinding down. "I need you inside me."
They made love at four in the morning, Azzi riding Paige's fingers while Paige's other hand cupped her breast, and it was messy and perfect and exactly what Azzi needed.
Azzi stood in front of the mirror in their bedroom, trying to button her favorite maternity jeans.
They wouldn't close.
She tried again, but the button wouldn't reach the buttonhole.
"No," she whispered. "No, no, no β"
"Baby?" Paige appeared in the doorway. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing fits!" Azzi's voice cracked. "Even my maternity clothes don't fit and I look β I look β"
"Beautiful," Paige said immediately, crossing the room. "You look fucking beautiful."
"I look huge like a walrus!"
"You look pregnant." Paige's hands settled on Azzi's hips, turning her to face the mirror. "You're seven months along, growing our son. Look at you."
Azzi looked. Her stomach was round and prominent now, her breasts fuller, her hips wider. She looked so different from the woman she'd been nine months ago.
"I'm only going to get bigger," she said miserably.
"I know." Paige's voice was rough. "It's so fucking hot."
Azzi blinked. "What?"
"You're carrying my baby." Paige's hands slid around to rest on Azzi's stomach. "My DNA is inside you. You're growing our son with your body. Do you have any idea how sexy that is?"
"Paige β"
"I'm serious." Paige met her eyes in the mirror. "I've never wanted you more in my life."
And Azzi could see it was true. Paige's eyes were dark, her breathing slightly uneven. She was looking at Azzi like she wanted to devour her.
"Really?" Azzi asked softly.
"Really." Paige kissed her neck. "You're a fucking goddess."
Azzi felt heat pool low in her belly. "Show me."
Paige didn't need to be told twice. She turned Azzi around and kissed her deeply, hands roaming over her body β her breasts, her bump, her hips.
"Bed," Paige murmured against her lips. "I want you on the bed."
They made love slowly, Paige taking her time, kissing every inch of Azzi's body and telling her how beautiful she was, how perfect, how much she loved her.
When Paige finally slid her fingers inside her, Azzi was already trembling, wound so tight she could barely breathe.
"That's it," Paige encouraged, thumb circling her clit. "Let go, baby. Let me make you feel good."
Azzi came with tears streaming down her faceβfrom pleasure, from love, from the overwhelming emotion of being so completely cherished.
Paige's team was playing at home, and Azzi was courtside as always, her bump prominent beneath Paige's jersey.
The game was close, tied with two minutes left, and Paige was in the zone. She hit a three to put them up, stole the ball on defense, and drove the length of the court for a layup that sealed the win.
The crowd went wild.
Paige jogged over to where Azzi was sitting and pulled her into a kiss that had the cameras flashing like crazy.
"You're incredible," Azzi said against her lips.
"Come to the locker room," Paige murmured. "I need you."
"You still have press β"
"After." Paige's hand found Azzi's bump. "Please, baby. I need to touch you."
They made it to the locker room β empty again because Paige had asked for privacy β and Paige pressed Azzi against the wall, still in her uniform, still sweaty from the game.
"You're still in your uniform," Azzi said breathlessly as Paige kissed her neck.
"I know." Paige's hands slid under Azzi's dress. "Canβt wait. Need you too much."
She dropped to her knees and pulled Azzi's underwear down, and Azzi's head fell back against the wall as Paige's mouth found her.
"Oh fuck β"
Paige was relentless, tongue working Azzi's clit while her fingers slid inside, and Azzi came embarrassingly fast, crying out Paige's name.
"My turn," Azzi said when she could speak again, and Paige stood, eyes dark with desire.
Azzi worked Paige's shorts down just enough to get her hand inside, and Paige groaned as Azzi's fingers found her wet and ready.
"Fuck β Azzi β"
"You're so hot when you play," Azzi murmured, fingers working steadily. "So strong and aggressive. Makes me so wet watching you."
"Yeah?" Paige's hips were moving now, riding Azzi's hand. "You like watching me?"
"Love it." Azzi's thumb found Paige's clit. "Love knowing you play like that just for me."
"Always," Paige gasped. "Always for you, Azzi. Fuck, I'm β"
"Come for me, baby."
Paige came hard, trembling against Azzi, and Azzi held her through it, whispering how much she loved her.
Azzi woke up to Paige's hands on her breasts, cupping them gently through her sleep shirt.
"Paige?" she mumbled sleepily.
"Sorry," Paige whispered. "Couldn't help it. You're so beautiful."
Azzi turned in her arms, and Paige's hands slid under her shirt, thumbs brushing over her nipples.
Azzi gasped. They were so sensitive now β every touch almost too much but also not enough.
"Does that hurt?" Paige asked, immediately gentling her touch.
"No," Azzi breathed. "Feels good. Really good."
Paige's eyes darkened. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." Azzi arched into her touch. "Don't stop."
Paige worked her shirt off and took her time, kissing and sucking gently while her hands roamed over Azzi's body. When her fingers finally slid between Azzi's legs, Azzi was already soaking wet.
"God, you're so ready for me," Paige murmured.
"Always ready for you," Azzi gasped as Paige's fingers slid inside. "Always want you toβ oh God β"
Paige made love to her slowly, drawing it out, until Azzi was begging and trembling and coming apart over and over with Paige's name on her lips.
Azzi made the trip to Seattle despite being eight months pregnant, and the media couldn't get enough of it.
"Azzi Fudd continues to be the most dedicated WAG in the league," the announcer said. "Thirty-three weeks pregnant and still traveling to support her wife. That's love right there."
Azzi was wearing Paige's jersey β another one that was specially tailored to fit her prominent bump β and she was glowing, radiant, completely at ease despite the cameras.
Paige played like a woman possessed. Forty-one points, and she was aggressive, physical, playing with an intensity that had everyone talking.
After the game, in their hotel room, Paige couldn't keep her hands off her.
"You flew here," Paige said, kissing her desperately. "Eight months pregnant and you flew here."
"Wanted to watch you play," Azzi said, already working at Paige's clothes. "Wanted to see you win."
"I won for you." Paige's hands found Azzi's bump. "For both of you."
They made love carefully, Azzi on her side with Paige pressed against her back, and it was slow and deep and perfect.
"I love you," Paige whispered as Azzi came apart around her fingers. "I love you so much."
Azzi woke up to Paige's hands on her feet, massaging gently.
"What are you doing?" she mumbled sleepily.
"Your ankles were swollen last night," Paige said. "I'm helping with the circulation."
Azzi's heart squeezed. "You don't have to β"
"I want to." Paige's thumbs pressed into her arch, and Azzi groaned. "Feel good?"
"So good."
Paige worked her way up to Azzi's calves, her touch firm and sure, and Azzi felt herself relaxing completely.
But then Paige's hands moved higher, to her thighs, and the touch changed from therapeutic to sensual.
"Paige β"
"Let me make you feel good," Paige murmured, and her fingers found Azzi already wet.
"We just β we had sex last night β"
"And?" Paige's fingers circled her clit. "Youβre lucky I donβt fuck you every time I look at you. I can't get enough of you like this. So soft. So full. So fucking mine."
She made Azzi come three times before finally letting her rest, and Azzi lay there afterward, completely sated, thinking about how lucky she was.
At thirty-four weeks pregnant, Azzi probably should have been at home with her feet up.
Instead, she was courtside at Paige's playoff game, like always, and cheering louder than anyone else in the arena.
"And there's Azzi Fudd," the announcer said, camera panning to her. "Looking absolutely radiant as she supports her team and her wife in the playoffs. The couple is expecting their first child in just a few weeks."
Azzi waved at the camera, grinning, one hand resting on her bump.
On the court, Paige looked up at the jumbotron and saw her. Her whole face lit up, and she pointed directly at Azzi, mouthing "I love you."
Azzi mouthed it back, and the crowd went wild.
"Cutest couple in the WNBA," the announcer said. "No contest."
Twitter was losing its mind.
azzi fudd is literally glowing
paige pointing at her pregnant wife I'M SOBBING
theyβve probably been dreaming of this since HIGH SCHOOL. never give up on your dreams kids
the way paige looks at azzi... that's LOVE
azzi in paige's jersey with the baby bump is the cutest thing i've ever seen
they're going to be such good moms
Paige played out of her mind that game β like she did anytime Azzi was in the crowd β dropping thirty-five points and leading her team to victory. After the final buzzer, she jogged straight over to where Azzi was sitting and leaned over the barrier to kiss her.
"That was for you," Paige said, hand on Azzi's bump. "Both of you."
"You were amazing," Azzi said, eyes shining.
"I had good motivation." Paige kissed her again, and the cameras caught every second of it.
The next game, Azzi was there again. And the game after that. She became a fixture at the playoffs, the most photographed WAG in the league, always glowing and beautiful and so obviously in love.
Paige would find her in the crowd during timeouts, and they'd share these private smiles that made everyone watching feel like they were intruding on something sacred.
"She's my good luck charm," Paige told reporters. "Her and our baby. They're everything."
The sexual tension between them was palpable even courtside. The way Paige looked at Azzi β possessive and hungry and so full of love β had fans swooning.
And after every game, they couldn't get home fast enough.
"You sure you should be flying?" Paige asked for the tenth time as they boarded the plane to New York.
"I'm fine," Azzi said. "The doctor cleared me. I want to be there."
"But β"
"Paige." Azzi took her hand. "I want to watch you play. I want our son to be there for his mama's game."
Paige's expression softened. "Okay. But if you feel anything, anything at all, you tell me immediately."
"I promise."
The game in New York was intense β Game 4 of the semifinals, and Paige's team needed the win to advance.
Azzi sat courtside, her bump prominent and impossible to miss, and the cameras loved her. She was glowing, radiant, completely at ease despite being nine months pregnant.
Paige played with raw intensity, knowing Azzi was there, knowing their son was there. She dropped forty-two points and led her team to victory, securing their spot in the finals.
After the game, she found Azzi in the tunnel and kissed her deeply, not caring about the cameras.
"We're going to the finals," Paige said against her lips.
"You're going to the finals," Azzi corrected. "You were incredible."
"I had my good luck charm." Paige's hand found Azzi's bump, and their son kicked against her palm. "Both of them."
That night, in their hotel room, they made love slowly, carefully, both of them aware that this might be the last time before their son arrived.
"I love you," Paige whispered as she moved inside Azzi. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," Azzi gasped. "Both of you β fuck, Paige β"
They came together, trembling and gasping, and held each other afterward, feeling their son move between them.
"He's going to be here soon," Azzi said softly.
"I know." Paige kissed her forehead. "I can't wait to meet him."
Azzi was thirty-eight weeks and three days pregnant, and she'd insisted on coming to the game despite Paige's worried protests.
"I'm fine," Azzi had said that morning. "The doctor said I could go. I'm not missing your game."
"But what if β"
"Then we'll deal with it." Azzi had kissed her firmly. "I want to be there. I donβt wanna miss the big game."
So there she was, in the box this time β Paige didnβt want to take any chances, even though sheβd been with the masses. It was in middle of the second quarter, when she felt the first contraction.
It wasn't bad. Just a tightening, a slight discomfort. Braxton Hicks, probably. She'd been having them for weeks.
But then ten minutes later, there was another one.
And ten minutes after that, another.
Azzi shifted in her seat, trying to stay calm. It was fine. It was probably nothing. She wasn't due for another three weeks.
The fourth contraction made her gasp.
"You okay, honey?" A Wings staffer next to her asked, concerned.
"Fine," Azzi managed. "Just β the baby's moving a lot."
But the contractions kept coming, getting closer together, and by the start of the fourth quarter, Azzi knew.
She was in labor.
"Shit," she whispered.
She looked at the court, at Paige running the offense, completely focused on the game. They were up by eight. There were eleven minutes left.
Azzi could wait eleven minutes.
Another contraction hit, stronger this time, and she gripped the armrests of her seat, breathing through it.
Okay. Maybe she couldn't wait eleven minutes.
She caught the eye of one of the team staff members and gestured him over.
"I need to go," she said quietly. "Don't tell Paige. Not until after the game. Please."
"Butβ"
"Please." Azzi's voice was firm despite another contraction building. "She needs to focus. I'll be fine. Just β just get me to the hospital quietly."
They snuck her out through a side entrance, and Azzi labored in the car on the way to the hospital, contractions coming every seven minutes now, breathing through each one and thinking about how Paige was going to kill her for not saying anything.
Azzi was admitted to the hospital at 9:47 PM, already four centimeters dilated.
The game ended at 10:15. The team won by twelve, securing the championship.
Paige didn't find out Azzi had left until she was in the locker room, and then she was running, still in her uniform, not even showering, sprinting through the hospital corridors until she found Azzi's room.
"Oh my God," Paige burst through the door. "Oh my God, baby, I'm so sorry β"
"You won," Azzi said, smiling despite the contraction that was currently making her want to die. "I saw the score. You won the championship."
"Fuck the championship!" Paige was at her side immediately, taking her hand. "You're in labor! You should have told me!"
"You needed to focus β oh God β" Azzi squeezed Paige's hand as another contraction hit.
"Breathe, baby. Breathe with me."
They breathed through it together, and when it passed, Azzi looked at Paige with tears in her eyes.
"I'm scared," she whispered.
"I know." Paige kissed her forehead. "But you're the strongest person I know. You can do this. We can do this."
"We?"
"We." Paige's hand settled on Azzi's bump. "The three of us. We're a team."
Labor progressed slowly. Six centimeters at midnight. Seven centimeters at 1:30 Eight centimeters at three AM. Nine centimeters at four.
Paige never left her side. She held Azzi's hand through every contraction, breathed with her, whispered encouragement and love.
"You're doing so good," Paige murmured. "So good, baby. I'm so proud of you."
"I can't β it hurts β"
"I know. I know it hurts. But you're almost there. Our son is almost here."
At 5:23 AM, Azzi was finally fully dilated.
"Okay, Azzi," the doctor said. "Next contraction, I need you to push."
Azzi looked at Paige, terrified.
"I'm right here," Paige said firmly. "I'm not going anywhere. You've got this."
The contraction came, and Azzi pushed.
And pushed.
And pushed.
"I can see his head!" the doctor announced. "One more big push, Azzi!"
"You can do it," Paige said, tears streaming down her face. "One more, baby. Bring our son into the world."
Azzi gathered every ounce of strength she had left and pushed.
And then β
A cry.
A beautiful, perfect, piercing cry.
"It's a boy!" The doctor said, and suddenly there was a tiny, screaming baby being placed on Azzi's chest.
"Oh my God," Azzi sobbed. "Oh my God, he's here. He's really here."
"He's perfect," Paige whispered, staring at their son in awe. "Azzi, he's perfect."
The baby had Azzi's nose and Paige's eyes β or maybe it was too early to tell, but Paige swore she could see it. He was pink and wrinkled and screaming, and he was the most beautiful thing either of them had ever seen.
"Hi, baby," Azzi whispered, touching his tiny hand. "Hi, Bryce. We're your moms. We love you so much."
Bryce wrapped his tiny fingers around Azzi's, and both women burst into fresh tears.
"Bryce Timothy Bueckers-Fudd," Paige said softly. "Welcome to the world, little man."
The nurses cleaned him up and did all their checks, and then they placed him back in Azzi's arms. Paige sat on the edge of the bed, one arm around Azzi, the other hand gently touching their son's head.
"We made him," Azzi said wonderingly. "We made a whole person."
"You made him," Paige corrected. "You carried him. You brought him into the world. You're incredible."
Bryce made a small sound, and they both looked down at him, completely entranced.
"I can't believe he's real," Paige whispered.
"I know."
They sat there as the sun rose, the three of them together, and Azzi thought about the conversation they'd had as teenagers β about having kids young, about building a family, about living their dream.
