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FORTY-TWO

willa

“Why do you look so nervous?”

“I’m not sure this is the best time for the surprise I planned for Dec,” I tell Maggie.

“You said you weren’t in any danger.” She’s frowning at me and looking around the arena like she might find the invisible danger lurking there.

“I’m not.” Probably. “But Declan was ready to hang his skates last night and now I’m probably going to stress him out more.”

“I’m sure he’ll be happy,” she says, smiling. Her smile quickly turns into a frown. “Is that them?”

I turn and stifle a groan. Declan’s parents are making their way to us. They’re in his jersey, each sporting matching Bruisers winter hats and foam fingers, while telling everyone they walk past that Declan is their son and then winking at them, leaving a trail of confused faces in their wake. I love Sally and Ted, but they’re over the top at all times. And considering what happened last night, I can’t say I’m in the mood for it. I was surprised when I finally tracked them down and got them to come home long enough to watch Dec play on his new team.

I also had to break the news of our marriage to them over the phone. They had been backpacking in South America and didn’t bother even turning on their phones. Which is another thing I don’t want to get into with them, but if something had happened to Declan, they wouldn’t have known. You know, like a whole wife and marriage.

“There she is! Our new daughter!” Sally squeals and practically runs over the other people in our row to get to me.

“Hi, Mrs. Monroe, it’s great to see you again,” I tell her as she crushes me to her chest. She’s tall, probably at least a half of a foot taller than me. Ted is Declan’s height and is grinning at me over his wife’s head. Declan looks just like his dad, green eyes, strong chin, muscular build. But he got his light brown hair and kind smile from his mom.

“It’s Sally, Willa. You’re Mrs. Monroe now too.” She was ecstatic when I told her over the phone. Swore she was just waiting for us to figure it out.

Sally sits, and then Ted pulls me into a hug. His hugs are warm and comforting like Declan’s are. “We’re so happy you’re officially family now,” he says before letting me go.

I introduce them to Maggie. She and Sally get along immediately and before I know it, they’re exchanging recipes.

“What’s going on, W?” Ted asks me. He’s the guy that needs to give a nickname and it’s always just the first letter of your name.

I bite my lip and stare at him. I don’t want to freak him out, but they’re going to be staying with us for the next week until they fly out again, so it’s not like they won’t hear about it. Leaning closer to him, I whisper a short, condensed version of what’s been happening and why I’m now nervous about how Declan is going to react to it. To his credit, Ted nods along and doesn’t freak out like I thought he would.

“Text D. Let him know we’re here before he hits the ice. He’s an emotional player, always has been.”

I pull my phone out and text him immediately.

I had a surprise for you, but after last night the timing is bad.

Hockey Boy

What is it? Does it involve you being naked?

Your parents are here. They’re sitting with Maggie and me in her parents’ seats.

What? How? Why?

I’m excited and worried and nervous and sad it’s not you naked, but happy because I miss them.

It was going to be a happy surprise. I talked to them last week.

I am happy, Princess. Thank you for telling me before I got out there.

Your dad told me to.

I have to get on the ice. I love you, Princess.

I love you too, baby.

“Well?” Ted asks me when I put my phone away.

“He’s happy you’re here but thanked me for warning him.”

Ted smiles like he knew that was going to be exactly what Declan said. He probably did.

Boston piles onto the ice, and I watch as Declan skates a few laps around the rink before coming to a stop in front of us. He smiles at me before turning and waving to his parents. His smile is happy, but I can see the concern in his eyes. He misses them, which is why I called them in the first place.

“I love you, Princess,” Declan shouts so that I can hear him through the glass and over the crowd.

“I love you too, hockey boy!”

He blows me a kiss and skates back to warm up with his team. Martinez shoots me a wink and then one to Maggie. Gideon glares at him, but then waves to Maggie with a sweet smile on his face.

“Your mom knew the two of you would end up together,” Sally says from my right. Ted is to my left, and I’m just now realizing they may have wanted to sit next to each other.

“She did?” I ask, surprised.

Sally nods. “She did. She would always say our little darlings were destined.”

“Sounds like her,” I say with a smile. It’s not often I get to speak with people who knew my mom. My friends did and so did Declan, but we were all so young when I lost her that there isn’t much they remember.

“She’s part of the reason we’ve been traveling so much. She was always one to love to live life. Any curveball the world threw at her, she would take in stride and turn it into something new and beautiful.”

“New adventures,” I say in agreement, feeling a little choked up.

“I worry that I’m stuck sometimes,” I admit before I think to stop the words. “I signed on the dotted line when Cal presented us with the recording contract because it was a new adventure. Marrying Declan was a new adventure. But what now? What’s the adventure after this?”

Sally smiles. “You’re worried whatever the next thing is will be negative, aren’t you?”

I think about it, realizing she’s right. “Yes,” I whisper.

“It could be, but you’re never alone, my love. We’re here for you. Declan is in your corner and always has been. You have some great friends. So take that negative and find the positive.”

“Sally and I were having some marital trouble one year. My job was taking me away from home a lot, and it put a real strain on our relationship,” Ted says. I turn to look at him, but he’s smiling at his wife like she’s the only person he can see. “Your mom said something to me that I’ll never forget.” He turns his gaze to me. “She said that love is life’s greatest adventure, and what’s an adventure without a few challenges?”

I quickly wipe the tear from under my eye.

“I think that’s when I realized that, even in the tough times, loving Sally would always be the greatest adventure of my life.”

“You’re not on the ride alone anymore, Willa,” Sally says, squeezing my hand. I try my best to keep the tears from falling, but one escapes and, of course, that’s the moment Declan comes back over.

His eyes are wide as he rips off his helmet and looks between me and the exit, like he’s thinking about getting off the ice and coming over to me. I stand and put my hand on the glass and shake my head.

“Happy tears!” I yell at him. I can see the way he breathes out and relaxes. He puts his forehead to the glass, so I do the same on my side. “Kick Minnesota’s ass, baby!” I yell when I back away from the glass. Declan smiles and puts his helmet back on.

“I’m so happy you two finally found your way to each other,” Sally says, clasping her hands together over her heart and looking genuinely happy.

“Me too,” I tell her.

Because if there’s anything I’ve come to accept these past few months, it’s that Declan and I were always going to find our way.