Six months later…

I’ve faced a lot of high-pressure moments in my life.

Game 7. Overtime. Penalty shots with the clock ticking down.

But nothing compares to the way my heart pounds as I stand at the front of the beautifully decorated church, doors open overlooking Irondale Lake, waiting for Abby to walk down the aisle.

The summer breeze carries the scent of blooming flowers, and the sound of soft laughter drifts through the air as friends and family gather to witness this moment.

Wes and Griff are standing beside me, looking unusually serious each in a tux that, despite their protests, they pull off better than anyone expected. And my brother Greg is here as well. Until a few weeks ago I thought having him stand with me was an impossible dream. It’s all thanks to Abby who convinced him to come, and I am so appreciative.

“Relax, Hayes,” Wes murmurs, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “She’s not going anywhere.”

“Yeah,” I murmur, but my pulse doesn’t slow.

Because the moment I see Abby…

My world stops .

She’s breathtaking.

Her dress is simple but elegant, flowing around her like she’s floating on air. Her hair is loosely curled, framing her face perfectly. But it’s the look in her eyes—filled with so much love and promise—that steals my breath.

Jake walks beside her, his little chest puffed out with pride as he carries the rings, looking every bit the part of the most important person in our lives.

My throat tightens as they get closer, and when Abby’s eyes lock on mine…

I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

“Hey,” she whispers softly when she reaches me, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

“Hey,” I murmur, my voice rough with emotion. “You ready for this?”

“With you?” Her smile is radiant. “Always.”

The pastor welcomes everyone, then begins with scriptures and adds his words of marriage advice. At least that is what he described at the rehearsal last night. Truthfully, I don’t remember hearing anything. All my senses were locked on watching Abby.

***

I’m shocked into a response when I realize the pastor is asking for my vows. I turn to Abby and tell her:

“I, Beckett Hayes, take you, Abigail Price, to be my wife… my heart, my home, and my greatest adventure.

When I met you, I didn’t know how much my life was about to change. I thought hockey was everything—until you and Jake showed me that love, family, and laughter mean more than any championship ever could.

You brought light into my life when I didn’t even realize I was living in the dark. You’ve taught me what it means to open my heart, to trust, and to dream of a life filled with something more than just the next game.

Abby, I promise to stand beside you through every victory and every challenge. I promise to be the man you and Jake can count on—to be your biggest fan, your fiercest protector, and the one who never lets you face life’s uncertainties alone.

I vow to love you endlessly, to cherish every moment we share, and to always put our family first. You and Jake are my greatest win… and I promise to spend the rest of my life proving that to you.

Forever and always… I’m all in .”

***

Abby’s eyes shimmer with tears as she repeats her vows, her voice trembling but filled with so much love it makes my chest ache.

“I, Abigail Price, take you, Beckett Hayes, to be my husband… my rock, my heart, and the missing piece I never knew I needed.

When Jake and I met you, I was so afraid to open my heart again—to risk losing what I had already lost once before. But you… you didn’t just walk into my life. You stayed . You showed me that love doesn’t have to be scary, that family isn’t just about blood. It’s about showing up, day after day, with an open heart and a promise that never wavers.

Beck, you’ve given Jake the role model he’s always needed. And me… you’ve given me a reason to believe in forever again.

I promise to stand by your side through every high and low. I promise to love you with everything I have—to be your anchor when life gets hard and your biggest cheerleader when life gives us reasons to celebrate.

I vow to love you fiercely, to laugh with you endlessly, and to build a life where Jake knows he is surrounded by love every single day.

With you… I’m home. Always.”

***

My breath catches. It’s like the whole church disappears, and it’s just the two of us—Abby and me, standing in a moment I never dreamed would be mine.

She just said I’m her home.

For a guy who used to think happiness was found in trophies and roaring crowds… there’s nothing that’s ever come close to this.

I blink hard, trying to hold it together. But even Wes, who’s pretending not to tear up, mutters a quiet, “Dang” under his breath.

Jake flashes me a thumbs-up from the side like he just scored a hat trick, and Abby lets out a teary laugh.

“Nice vows,” I whisper, leaning in.

“Yours weren’t so bad either,” she says softly, eyes still sparkling.

The officiant nods toward me, and I turn to accept the rings from Jake—who looks ridiculously proud, as if he handcrafted them himself.

I take Abby’s hand in mine, and for a moment, my fingers still. Not from nerves—but reverence. This woman is about to become my wife. My partner. My future.

Slipping the ring onto her finger, I say, “With this ring, I give you my heart, my loyalty, and my forever. Everything I have, everything I am, is yours.”

Her hand trembles slightly as she takes the band meant for me. As she slides it onto my finger, her voice is soft but steady.

“With this ring, I give you my love, my laughter, and every tomorrow we’re blessed to share.”

Our hands linger in each other’s, the rings now glinting in the golden afternoon light filtering through the stained-glass windows.

When the officiant finally announces us as husband and wife… I don’t wait.

I sweep Abby into my arms and kiss her like my life depends on it, laughter and cheers echoing around us. Then we wrap Jake up in our arms and dance down the aisle together

“About time!” Wes calls out, making everyone laugh.

In this moment…

I have everything .

***

The church bells are still echoing as we step into the sunlit courtyard behind the chapel, where white tents stretch across the lawn and twinkling string lights are ready to glow as dusk settles.

The reception area is everything Abby dreamed of—simple, warm, elegant. Wildflowers in mason jars line the tables, and photos of our favorite memories are strung up on twine, fluttering in the breeze. There’s laughter, hugs, champagne toasts being poured, and the smell of grilled food wafting through the air from the big outdoor buffet station Quinn insisted on organizing.

Spotty is here, of course. He’s wearing a bowtie and already sniffing out leftover sliders under the kids’ table. He’s practically the guest of honor there.

Jake’s bouncing from table to table, proudly telling everyone how he carried the rings “without even dropping them once.” Wes hands him a root beer with a wink. “Job well done, kid.”

The music softens as Dexter Stone, our gruff but soft-hearted team manager, steps up with a glass in hand.

“I’ll keep this short before I start bawling and ruin my tough-guy reputation,” he grumbles, clearing his throat. “I’ve known Beck since he was a cocky twenty-year-old who thought he could win every game on his own. And in a lot of ways, he could. But the man you see here today?” He pauses, glancing toward me and Abby. “He’s grown into someone who understands that life’s real victories happen off the ice. When you show up for people. When you love them right. Abby, Jake—you’re his Stanley Cup. And Beck? You’re lucky as a fox in the hen house.”

The crowd laughs and cheers, and I raise my glass in gratitude.

Then comes Quinn, who’s pink in the cheeks and dabbing her eyes with a napkin. “Abby’s always been the brave one. She’s the one who taught me how to ride a bike, how to sneak cookies without Mom noticing, and how to hold my head high even when things hurt. But today, watching her stand with Beck, I realize she’s found someone who holds her heart the way she deserves. Someone who makes her feel safe and wild again. I couldn’t be happier for you both.”

Abby clutches her hand, and the two of them hug as everyone claps.

Wes steps up next, looking like he might actually behave. “I was going to make a joke about Beck finally being off the market so the rest of us mere mortals can have a chance with Irondale’s ladies, but… nah.” He grins at us. “All I’m going to say is this—” he gestures toward Abby, Jake, and me. “This is what it looks like when love wins.”

Even Griff adds a toast—surprisingly sweet and brief—before disappearing to the dance floor with Jane.

Then I call Jake up to the head table. I can see he’s confused, but he trots up smiling and looking at me quizzically. Abby stands up with me as I reach for something on the table. “Jake, I want you to have this memory that we as a family came together in front of all these friends and family members. This paper I’m holding up is the judge’s decree of adoption. I’ve signed it but I would like you to sign it as well. Do you want to do that?” Jake is just overjoyed. After he signs the document, he grabs me around the neck and tells me how much he loves me. Then he calls me DADDY. Talk about my love basket being filled to the top! And off he trots to tell everyone who will listen about me being his “real daddy” now.

***

Then the festivities resume and the music shifts.

The DJ cues up the song we secretly picked weeks ago. It’s not a slow ballad. It’s not even traditional. It’s an upbeat swing of an old classic “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole, but with a modern twist.

Abby raises an eyebrow. “Are you sure you remember the steps?”

“Are you kidding?” I grin. “I practiced with your sister. Jake judged me the whole time.”

We step onto the dance floor.

And as the band kicks in, we launch into a choreographed swing routine—twirls, dips, a dramatic spin that ends with Abby laughing breathlessly in my arms. The crowd erupts. Jake is shouting “Go, Mom!” from the sidelines. And Wes is filming the whole thing for blackmail purposes, no doubt.

By the end, we’re both more than a little winded, but totally glowing.

“That,” Abby pants, fanning her face with her hand, “was insane.”

“But unforgettable,” I say, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

The party unfolds around us. There’s cake, kids chasing Spotty, and dancing under the stars.

Later, as the music slows down and the guests start to trickle away, I step aside with Greg near the lake’s edge. The moonlight reflects off the water, and for a moment, it’s just the two of us.

“Glad you came,” I say quietly.

He nods. “I almost didn’t.”

“I heard.” I swallow hard. “But I’m really glad you did.”

Greg shifts his glass in his hand. “For what it’s worth… I used to think I lost everything when I gave up hockey. But seeing you today—marrying her, loving Jake like your own—I realize I didn’t lose. I just took a different path.”

I look at him, my voice thick: “You’ll always be part of my team, Greg. No matter what.”

He clinks his glass against mine. “Right back at you.”

We stand there in silence, two brothers who once drifted apart, now stitched back together by forgiveness and time. Greg leaves to join Daniel with a promise to stay connected now that we have found each other.

Abby joins me a few minutes later, her heels dangling from one hand and her other arm around my waist.

“So…” she says. “Ready to kick off the honeymoon?”

“Oh, absolutely. You still good with the plan?”

“Couldn’t be more ready.”

The plan is to spend three days in a family cabin near Maplewood Falls, just the three of us—me, Abby, and Jake. Canoeing, stargazing, making s’mores. Jake even has a special “Honeymoon Buddy Badge” he designed himself, which he wore proudly at the reception.

Then Quinn and Wes will take over kid duty, and Abby and I will fly to a small beach cottage in the Virgin Islands for a quiet, private week—just the two of us. No distractions. No hockey. No deadlines. Just waves, hammocks, and love.

I glance down at her now, my new wife, barefoot and beautiful, and feel something inside me settle completely.

“We’re really doing this,” I murmur.

She smiles at me. “We already did.”

And with her hand in mine, we step into the warmth and laughter of our new forever.

***