♡⤷ in which Jack Hughes falls head over skates for the new social media manager, Y/n. You were not looking for love when it found you with Jack. You definitely were not looking to introduce your twin one-year old toddlers to someone who very well could be temporary. What happens when Jack finds out about the twins? What do the twins think of Jack? Can Jack and Y/n make a happy little family?
♡⤷ 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚕𝚊𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚛: anything created with in this AU is entirely fictional. Anything that may pertain to real life is entirely perchance or can be proven as a fact. example: Jack Hughes plays professional hockey. Fact: he plays for the NJ Devils.
♡⤷ a special and huge thank you to @capquinn, @star2fishmeg, @bewaryofpity, @crumpledcat, @beenucks for masterminding this AU with me in the group chat.
𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: cherry and bubba give their momma the scare of her life in the middle of prudential on a game day. who else but Jack to be the one to find them?
𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 1.4k
𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: missing kids, panicked mom, not much of a x reader, filler/starter
𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬: ^ as said this is more of a starter piece for the au. also please remember that this 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐢𝐜𝐞 @capquinn @star2fishmeg @crumpledcat @bewaryofpity (we miss aimes in this house she’s still mentioned because she started this!! the og bug is also alluded too in this 🥺)
Y/n had brought her twins, Cherry and Bubba, to the bustling Prudential Center for an exciting afternoon. They had just settled into one of the quieter staff areas, a brief respite from the chaos outside. The air had the smell of fresh popcorn and the distant murmur of eager fans filtering through the walls. The twins' eyes sparkled with excitement as they took in their surroundings, they definitely fit right in with their tiny devils jerseys on. Bubba sporting a ‘hat’ hat, while Cherry bad the cutest bows in her hair.
“You two sit right here and play, okay?” Y/n directed her two year olds handing them their favorite plushies before turning her attention towards her camera.
Her eyes narrowed as she fiddled with the camera lens, her mind racing through the shots she could have missed because of the foggy filter. Its the first home game with her new job as the media director of the New Jersey Devils. The nerves she felt about potentially messing it all up were astronomical. She was so self asorbed in her thoughts and changing her lens she hadnt notice the silence that had taken over the room.
Her head whipped around to face where she had sat the twins down.
Empty.
No Cherry.
No Bubba.
Her heart skipped a beat, the room spinning as panic set in. The plushies lie discarded on the floor, as if the twins had been whisked away by a gust of wind.
"Cherry? Bubba?" she called out, her voice echoing in the empty space. The silence was deafening, broken only by the distant thud of a door slamming shut somewhere in the haze of corridors outside. The color drained from her face as she scanned the room, desperation clawing at her chest. She knew Prudential Center was vast and filled with thousands of fans, but she never thought she'd have to navigate its labyrinth in a heart-stopping search for her babies.
Her eyes darted to the door as a security guard ambled by. "Oh, thank God," she gasped, sprinting towards him. The guard, an older, burly man with a kind smile, looked surprised but immediately stood erect and alert as she reached him, panting. "I-I can't find my twins. They were just here. A little girl with two ponytails and bows and a little boy in one of the team ‘hat’ hats. Both wearing the black jersey. They..They’re only two! They don’t usually wander off…"
The guard's smile faded, replaced by a stern expression. "Ma'am, please calm down. We'll find them," he reassured her, his radio crackling to life as he called in the missing children. "What's your name and the kids' names?"
“My name is Y/n, and I call my babies by their nicknames. My babygirl is Cherry and my babyboy is Bubba or Bubs.” She went on to tell him their legal names as well, but asked that his team approach them by their nicknames.
The security guard , who wore a name badge labeled ‘Mike’ nodded, scribbled the information down on his notepad, and spoke into his radio. "All guards please be on the look out. Two missing children. Toddlers, twins, a girl and a boy. Last seen down in the media room, both wearing New Jersey Devils jerseys..." The message was met with a series of acknowledgments as the search began to unfold across the sprawling complex. “Ms. Y/n, you and I will linger closer to the media staff room that way if they wander back we will see them.”
Y/n nodded, her heart pounding so loudly in her chest that she feared it might drown out any distant cries from her babies. She felt like she was moving through a fog, the corridors stretching out before her like a never-ending nightmare. She tried to keep her voice steady as she called out their names, her eyes scanning every corner and crevice for a glimpse of their tiny figures. Her mind raced with fearful questions, regretful questions: why did I dress them in black? Why did I turn my back? Why had they left? Were they lost? Had someone taken them?
Mike, kept up a calm and reassuring demeanor. He led her through the back hallways, checking in with other staff members and security personnel as they walked around the surrounding area. Mike opening different rooms and checking while Y/n stayed out in the open hall. Y/n felt the weight of every second ticking by, each one heavier than the last. Her eyes stung with the threat of tears, blurring her vision as they moved from room to room. “I thought we were staying near the staff room?” She asked more to herself, not outwardly to Mike for answer. He was doing his job, and for her.
His radio spit to life once again and they both halted, awaiting any news.
“Sir, I have the twins.” A sweet young woman’s voice cracks through Mike’s radio. “They won’t leave Mr. Hughes, so all four if us will meet you in the staff room.”
Relief flooded through Y/n’s body so suddenly it felt like she might collapse. Her knees buckled in a sense of relief, her babies were found. But who did she say? She clutched the guard’s arm. Many of the same questions still ran through her mind. Why?
They rushed down the corridor, the sound of laughter growing louder, more distinct. Finally, they arrived at the staff room, where the young woman on the radio was waiting. She looked flustered but had a gentle smile on her face. "They're in here," she said, pointing to the open doorway.
Y/n pushed past her, heart in her throat, and there they were: Cherry, her cheeks flushed with excitement, giggling as she tried to climb onto Jack Hughes' broad shoulders, and Bubba, clutching Jack's hand with a wide grin that revealed his tiny baby teeth. The star player looked a bit bewildered but was clearly enjoying the twins' attention.
Y/n was blinded by pure joy her babies were safe that she wrapped Jack in a hug. A million thank yous falling from her lips.
Jack, taken aback by the sudden embrace, felt a warmth spread through him. He hadn’t expected this reaction from the usually composed Y/n, but he couldn’t deny the way her desperation and gratitude made his chest tighten.
“No biggy. I think its safe to say little bit here likes me.” He chuckles nodding his head at cherry who has successfully made it on to his shoulders.
Y/n can't help but laugh nervously as she gently takes cherry from his shoulders and holds her close. "How did you find them?"
Jack's eyes twinkle as he recounts the bizarre encounter. "Well, I walked in to get changed for warm ups, and there was Cherry sitting in my stall, with my jersey like it was a blanket. And Bubba, he was with Nico, playing some game." The twins looked up at them with their wide, innocent eyes, clearly enjoying their unexpected playtime with the towering athletes. "We didn't have a clue who they belonged to, but they were having the time of their lives, so we just kept playing. They had us wrapped around their little fingers," he admits, a touch of fondness in his voice. Jack looked at Cherry as she made grabee hands at him. “Cherry reminds me of my brother’s little girl.” He gently rubbed her cheek and she giggled. “I dont get to see Bug often enough so i loved having a moment to play with her. Bubs here would love to meet my younger brother’s boy.” Jack nudged Bubba’s hat down a bit, resulting in a huff accompanied by a stomp from Bubba.
Nico poked his head into the room, his expression a mix of relief and amusement. "Jack, Keefe is looking for you. Oh! Glad to see you found who the littles belong too," he said with a chuckle, nodding at the twins. Y/n couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for interrupting their pre-game routine. "I'm sorry, guys. I don't know how they even got down there. They hardly ever do things like that and when they do its at home!”
Jack, shrugged it off with a smile. "It's all good. They're pretty great little fans. I better go see what Coach needs," he said in a heavy sigh. Almost as if he didn’t want to leave just yet.
“Wait, Jack! If playing with the twins for that bit of time really made you happy…if you want we could..” She let her words stop when she caught the look he was giving her. His eyes full of hope, a small, soft smile gracing his lips. “Maybe, we.. uhm maybe we could set up a day for you to play with them? I mean since you miss your brother’s kid and all, not like to try and replace them or anything of course.” Y/n rambled nervously. Suddenly unsure why she started offering up her kids as a playdate to a professional athlete.
“Thanks Y/n. I can get Luke to bring Bud around too. How about we chat after the game?” Jack’s smile grew as he walked backwards towards the door but he ducked out before she could properly answer him. He left her standing there, holding Cherry and Bubba clinging to her pant leg, feeling entirely bewildered by what all just happened.
Jack didn’t try to be charming, he just was. He naturally fit every where he went. And here he was, crouched on the floor with Cherry tiny doll clutched in his hand, making exaggerated crying sounds that sent the kid into giggles. Bubba, ever the skeptic, watched with narrowed eyes before snatching the toy and declaring it "boring." Jack just grinned and let him win. Their relationship having progressed tremendously over the last few months. No more mischeif against Jack from Bubs when he was over, openly playing with him, asking for him.
Y/n leaned against the kitchen counter, stirring lukewarm coffee she hadn’t actually wanted, just something to do with her hands while she watched them. Jack’s laughter rumbled through the room, warm and easy, the kind that made people feel safe. Cherry shrieked as he scooped her up, dangling her upside down while she kicked her little legs, her laughter bouncing off the walls. Bubba, not wanting to be left out, attacked Jack’s leg with all the force a four-year-old could muster.
Jack didn’t miss a beat. "Ah! A tiny monster!" he gasped, shaking his leg exaggeratedly while Bubba clung on, giggling. His gaze flickered up to Y/n, eyes crinkling at the corners, and something fluttered in her chest. She couldn’t quite put a label on it stupid, reckless, hopeful?
Cherry wriggled free and immediately tackled Jack’s other leg, shouting "Daddy!" just another slip, it’d been a bit since it had happened but this time the word hung in the air much longer.
Jack froze, just for a second, before recovering tickling her sides until she collapsed into giggles. But Y/n swore she saw him smile, even if only for a second. Her own pulse stuttered, her grip tightening around the mug.
Was he? No. Nope. He couldn’t actually like that, right? He’s a professional athlete, we are essentially coworkers, and good friends. He said the twins remind him of Quinn’s kids. That’s all.* She swallowed and turned away, pretending to sip her coffee.
Her stomach flipped as she let herself imagine it all.
Jack sprawled on their couch after returning from an away game, his equipment bag tossed by the front door, too many of Cherry’s sparkly hair ties tangled in his hair because she insisted on "fixing" it. Bubba tucked under his arm, half-asleep but refusing to admit it, whispering secrets about dinosaurs while Jack nodded solemnly like it was playoff strategy. The scent of his stupidly expensive cologne mixed with the twins’ bubblegum bathwash, something warm and familiar settling in her chest like sunlight through a window.
Christmas morning. Cherry shrieking over the dollhouse Jack had spent three hours assembling at 2 AM. His Christmas pajamas rumpled, dark circles under his eyes, but grinning when she hugged him tight enough to cut off circulation. Bubba solemnly handing Jack a crayon-scrawled card that had the two of them on it displaying their much improved relationship. The way Jack’s breath hitched before scooping him up, murmuring something against his hair she couldn’t quite hear over the protest from Bubba to put him down, that he had more presents!
But none of that was real.
Y/n blinked, the warmth of her imagined future dissolving like sugar in water. She exhaled sharply through her nose. What was she doing? Building castles out of sand at high tide. Jack Hughes wasn’t some fairytale prince who’d sweep her off her feet and adopt her kids. He was… well, he was Jack. The guy who forgot where he put his keys three times a day, the guy who has dated pop stars and models. So, why would he want a single mom with twins?
Cherry was now attempting to climb Jack like a jungle gym, her tiny fingers gripping his shirt collar. He let her, because of course he did, adjusting his stance so she wouldn’t topple over. Bubba had moved on to stacking blocks with the intensity of a engineer. The scene was so normal, so painfully domestic, that Y/n’s ribs ached.
She could no longer deny it. She was down bad for Jack Hughes. Now, what happens if he falls for someone else and leaves her babies behind?
