Page 17

EPILOGUE

CHLOE

FOUR YEARS LATER…

W e cheered on as the players skated circles on the ice, ready to use our home game to its advantage. Little legs, spurred on bouncing up and down. Her curly brown locks bounced along with her until she caught sight of what she wanted. Our jersey’s matching the number of a familiar right-winger. One we loved.

“Look at them go, Serenity!”

“Daddy’s gonna score mommy! He’s the best!”

“He always does, just for you.”

I smiled wider, watching as he passed us by, skidding to a stop and placing his large hand against the glass. It made my heart swell with gratitude that he could maintain his career and become a husband and father all in a few short years.

He never broke another promise, and we lived a rather safe life. Even though the times he was gone, and we couldn’t follow were hard. I never imagined us being here and his smile as he looked upon his daughter warmed my heart.

“Hey Beautiful! Are you cheering for me?” His voice barreled through the blockage loud and clear.

Serenity May Palmer. I grew her for nine months to come out looking and acting exactly like her father. Watching them thrive together never got old.

On the ice before she could practically walk, she grew every day learning more and more. Nick always made sure he was present in her life. The away games were fun and allowed us to travel, letting our girl see the world. When we couldn’t, it was just as much fun to curl up in a blanket with some snacks and hot chocolate to watch the games.

After much hesitation, I got back on the ice myself, but I rarely had time to volunteer, but always helped out when I could. I opted to use our in-home rink to become a coach myself, my father helping me every step of the way, including leaving my adoptive family behind. My sister and I, although I held a grudge for setting me up the way she did, was my best friend and now, we are closer than ever.

He glanced my way, his mouthguard hanging cockily from the side of his face, and he threw a wink before skating off, which his daughter didn’t love so much.

“Daddy, come back!” Her lip quivered, signaling an oncoming episode, and I had to think quickly. But he beat me to it. Balancing the puck on his stick before passing it to Angel.

“See, he loves seeing you. He always knows you’re there. Don’t be sad. The game’s almost over.”

Her chubby hands pounded repeatedly on the glass, wanting him to come back, and it was heart-wrenching. Yet, it sounded miniscule compared to the screaming fans within the arena. She quickly quieted to watch her father in action, as he moved flawlessly over the ice.

Distracted, he kissed the board as someone barreled into him and I shook my head, watching on as he went after his opponent. Skirting past him to steal the puck, passing it back and forth with Angel. Getting the assist when Angel sent the puck flying past the goalie.

“See,” Maya said, leaning closer. “If I never would’ve created that ad, you both wouldn’t be here with her. Instead of holding the slightest grudge, you should be thanking me,” she laughed, chugging her beer.

I only half listened, turning my attention back to the game. “Yes, yes, I owe you my happiness. You win this one.”

“I should also mention that Angel made a comment the other night.”

Well, that caught my attention, and I turned to her with raised eyebrows. “What did he say?”

“Oh, nothing much. Just asked me if I fucked as good as my sister,” she laughed, trying to be serious, but failing miserably. “And if I was ‘or better’, then he’d be keeping me.

Angel still came by to blow off some steam from time to time, but lately we’ve talked about expanding our family and thought it would be best to stop for now. It still worked out for him, though. He found a certain bubbly younger sister to feast his eyes upon. Although I didn’t think the comparison was a good idea.

She said they’d been doing some twelve days crap. More power to them. Nick and I were lucky to get wild these days, but god that man kept me satisfied whenever, or wherever I needed it.

We had lost the game tonight, but the thrill is what I enjoyed most, and I’ll never tire of watching Nick play flawlessly, one skate over the other as he moved around the ice. Even if he finds himself in timeout for getting carried away.

I waited outside the locker room as Serenity ran around in circles, finding better ways to wait while I tapped my foot impatiently. “Careful! You’re going to make yourself dizzy. Silly girl.”

He would be bummed out, always too hard on himself when the team took a loss. My mind drifted for just a moment, thinking back to everything I’ve overcome with and without the help and support of my loved ones.

I told my family the truth, hoping I wouldn’t face too much judgment. I was happy to learn I wasn’t alone. My biological grandparents had been through a lot as well. It took some adjusting to my wildcard, but he was quickly accepted into the family.

Her cry brought me back to reality, and I giggled, noticing she fell. Dizzy from spinning in endless circles, like I warned her not to. She shifted her gaze and pointed behind me, wide-eyed.

“Mommy! Daddy’s hurt!” she said sharply, and I turned to be met with Nicholas sporting a brand new black eye and a missing fucking tooth.

“It’s just a scratch! Maybe mommy should kiss it and make it better.”

“I’m not the tooth fairy Nicholas.” My voice lowered teasingly as I erupted in a laugh.

“Well, if the other team didn’t steal Daddy’s puck so much, I wouldn’t have to take it back,” He countered, capturing my lips before lifting her in his arms.

“Maybe you should protect the puck better when you have it ‘Daddy,’or you know, score. Or maybe not spend half the game in the box.”

His eyes raked over me hungrily, chomping down on his lip, but refraining from what he really wanted to say in front of small ears. “Hey Serenity, how would you like a sibling?”

She clapped happily at the idea, cheering and chanting. I furrowed my eyebrows.

He leaned in close and whispered just low enough for me to hear. “Watch me tie you down and fill you up. Then I’ll leave you for a few days, legs up. Wondering whether it worked or not. Test me.”

My face flushed a deep shade of red, and I tried to hide my embarrassment. He knew he had me by the way my thighs pressed together. I played with the edge of the jersey I sported at every game, rolling it between my fingers, and his hot breath hovered over my ear. “Just so you know, I came to every game for you.”

His eyes sparkled and lip twitched into a soft smile that spread across his face as we left the arena.

Yeah, life was good.

“You’re just buttering me up so you don’t get punished tonight.”