Page 115 of Clear Shot

“All right.” We head toward one of the airline counters.

“You realize most of our exchange was probably recorded and is already on social media?”

I shrug. “I have nothing to hide. We didn’t say anything about visas, and other than that, I don’t care what people know.”

“What about the team?”

“Hopefully, Mr. Knight wasn’t joking when he said he wasn’t trading me, but I’m going to have to focus on hockey for a bit. I’m on the outs with CoachandMr. Knight. Probably my teammates too.”

“You do what you have to do. I’ll be okay.”

“I love you, Hana.”

“I love you too.”

“I’m going to spend the rest of my life being the man you deserve.”

“I know.”

“Yeah? How do you know?”

“I think I always knew. I just had to wait foryouto figure it out.”

I chuckle. “I guess that makes sense. I can be slow sometimes.”

“The baby will be here before you know it so you can’t be slow in getting ready for that.”

“I’ll never be slow again when it comes to you and our family.”

Our family.

I love the sound of that.

My genetics still make me nervous but there’s nothing to be done except be the very best father I can be, and make sure our child—or children, if she wants more—have the help and the tools they need if they do end up with mental health or any other issues.

“You’re going to be a great dad,” she whispers, as if she can read my mind.

“Thank you,” I reply quietly. “And you’re going to be a great mom.”

“I was really scared at first,” she says, “but then I started to get excited. Not about being a single mom but about the idea of bringing our child into the world.”

“I have no doubt you would have owned parenthood, even if I turned out to be a dud.”

“You’re not a dud, Aiden Barbeau. You never were.”

I tug her close to my side. “Thank you for bringing out the best in me.”

“Thank you for loving me.”

Epilogue

Aiden

Hana’s co-edbaby shower is on a beautiful day in April—the day after the last game of the regular season. We’re headed to the playoffs, which is great, but that’s why the ladies decided to do it now, so none of us guys are any more distracted than necessary. I’m always distracted by my gorgeous wife, that’s a given, but the baby isn’t due until mid-July, so this is a good time for us to have a celebration.

The event itself isn’t a surprise but I was given very strict instructions about what time to arrive. I guess Claudia and Sloane want to surprise Hana with the details. From what I understand, there’s a chocolate fountain, some kind of photo booth, and a bunch of games that supposedly won’t embarrass us.

I figure I deserve a little embarrassment now and then, and if it makes my wife happy, that’s all that matters.