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CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Ally
The past year has felt like a whirlwind, but somehow, everything has fallen into place.
Juggling three babies, planning a wedding, and managing my responsibilities as the team doctor has been nothing short of chaos, but it’s the best kind of chaos.
After completing my fellowship and graduating, the team officially hired me as their full-time physician, fully replacing Dr. Martin.
True to his word, he retired almost immediately after. Strangely enough, I never saw him again after he signed off on my hours. Not once.
It’s almost comical how that worked out. He barely mentored me, yet here I am, running the medical side of the team on my own.
Despite the challenges, I love my job.
The players respect me, and the staff has been nothing but supportive. And somehow, amid all the work and sleepless nights with three little ones, I’m planning a wedding to three incredible men.
It’s unconventional, sure, but it’s ours, and it works.
I sit in the stands, the low hum of the crowd buzzing around me like a comforting melody. The stadium lights flicker and cast a golden glow over the ice, and I rock the triple stroller gently with one hand.
My babies stare back at me with wide, curious eyes, and I can’t help but marvel at how much they’ve grown in just a year.
Marcus, my dark-haired, hazel-eyed boy, is the happiest little thing. He giggles, staring at the bright stadium lights as if they’re the most magical thing in the world.
He’s so much like Tyler, charming, energetic, and endlessly curious.
Derek, on the other hand, is his polar opposite. His small scowl mirrors Brooks’ perfectly, and his medium blonde hair and stormy gray eyes make him look like a perfect blend of us.
He sits silently, his little fists curled as if he’s unimpressed with the loud crowd. He’s my little thinker, always observant, always calm.
Then there’s Elise, my radiant auburn-haired, hazel-eyed angel. Her gaze is sharp and focused, taking in everything around her with quiet intelligence.
She reminds me so much of Nick, thoughtful, perceptive, and grounded. Watching her, I know she’s going to grow up to be something extraordinary.
No one’s ever asked for DNA tests, and none of us want one. These children are ours, equally, wholly, and completely.
It doesn’t matter who they look like or who their biological father is. They’re ours, and they always will be.
I can feel the butterflies in my stomach as I glance down at the pristine jersey draped across my lap.
The bright team colors stand out even in the dim light of the stands, and the bold “PERRY” across the top with the number “1” fills me with both pride and nerves.
Tonight, I’m slated to skate out with the boys as part of a tribute to the “stars behind the team”, showcasing the people who work tirelessly off the ice. It’s a huge honor, but I’m not used to the spotlight.
The crowd grows thicker, the hum of chatter blending with the smell of popcorn and hot dogs wafting through the air.
I keep an eye on the entrance, scanning the rows for Jinx and Kenzie. They promised to help watch the triplets while I skate, and I can’t help but tap my foot anxiously as I wait.
My babies babble softly in their stroller, their little hands gripping the plush toys they’ve become inseparable from.
Finally, I spot them. Jinx’s unmistakable fiery hair bounces as she waves enthusiastically, and Kenzie follows, smiling wide. I wave them over, pointing to the two seats I saved for them.
Relief washes over me as they climb the steps toward me, their presence immediately settling my nerves.
As Jinx and Kenzie reach me, the triplets’ faces light up with joy. Marcus lets out a happy squeal, his golden eyes sparkling as Jinx coos at him, her fire-engine-red hair attracting his gaze with ease.
Derek, ever the stoic, gives Kenzie a long, thoughtful stare before his lips curl into the tiniest of smiles. Elise, always the little charmer, reaches out her tiny hands toward both of them, her auburn hair catching the light.
“You guys are lifesavers,” I say, standing to give each of them a quick hug.
“Are you kidding? We wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Kenzie replies, adjusting Elise in her lap.
Jinx grins at Marcus, who’s already trying to climb out of his stroller. “These little ones are the real stars of the night. Look at them—they’re naturals!”
I laugh, leaning down to kiss each of my babies goodbye. “You behave for Aunt Jinx and Aunt Kenzie, okay?” Marcus giggles, Derek gives me a side-eye, and Elise gurgles happily.
My heart aches leaving them even for a little while, but I know they’re in good hands.
With one last wave, I make my way down the stadium stairs, the hum of the crowd growing louder with each step.
My nerves spike as I approach the tunnel leading to the locker room, but the thought of skating out with the boys, my family, steadies me.
I clasp the jersey tighter and inhale deeply. This moment is for all of us.
As I approach the locker room, the door swings open, and out come Brooks, Nick, and Tyler, already in their gear and radiating confidence. Brooks grins when he sees me. “You ready, Ally?”
I swallow hard and nod, though my voice wavers. “As ready as I’ll ever be. This feels like taking my medical school finals all over again.”
Tyler chuckles, throwing an arm around my shoulders. “Except this time, no one’s grading you. You’re going to crush it.”
Nick smirks, adjusting his gloves. “You’re an amazing skater. Don’t overthink it. Just have fun.”
Their reassurances make me smile, and I nod again, my confidence bolstered. “Okay, okay. Let’s do this.”
I pull the jersey over my hoodie, the fabric fitting snugly and perfectly. The Maurader colors feel like a badge of honor, and the bold “1” on the back reminds me that I’m part of something incredible.
I lace up my skates, my fingers trembling slightly as excitement and nerves mix.
The boys skate out first, their names announced one by one, and the crowd roars. My heart pounds as I step onto the ice, the cool, smooth surface familiar beneath my blades.
I push off, joining them, and the cheers erupt louder. The stadium lights shine brilliantly, reflecting off the ice and making the entire rink look like a sparkling wonderland.
As I glide around, I feel the rush of freedom and joy that skating always brought me as a child. The wind brushes my cheeks, and the sounds of the crowd echo in my ears.
For the first time in a long time, I let go of everything; my fears, my insecurities, and just live in the moment.
Brooks skates over, his grin warm and encouraging. “Hey, want to give shooting a puck a try?”
My face lights up. “Are you serious? I’d love to!”
He laughs. “Then come on. Follow me.”
I trail behind him, gripping the stick he hands me tightly. I’m so glad he’s been able to heal fully and get back to playing again. It wouldn’t feel right to do something this special without him on the ice with us.
The rest of the team lines up to take their shots, and the crowd cheers each time a puck hits the net. My heart races as I step up, the stick firm in my hands, and I take my place behind Brooks.
“Just keep your eyes on the puck and aim for the net,” Brooks says. “You’ve got this.”
I nod, swallowing hard as I focus on the puck resting on the ice in front of me. I haven’t done this in so long. What if I mess up? What if I look stupid?
My heart feels like it’s trying to leap out of my chest as I bring the stick back, aligning myself with the goal. The rink seems to quiet for a moment, and I exhale sharply, swinging forward.
The stick connects with the puck, and it rockets toward the net. Time seems to slow as it sails past the goalie and hits the back of the net with a satisfying thunk.
The crowd explodes with cheers, their excitement washing over. My hands tremble slightly as I lift them in triumph, a huge grin spreading across my face.
My eyes sting with tears as I wave to the crowd, soaking in the incredible moment.
Coach catches me as I skate off the ice, wrapping me in a warm hug. “Pretty good for a rookie,” he says with a chuckle.
“Thanks, Coach,” I reply, my voice thick with emotion.
I glance back at the boys, who are all grinning like proud fools, and my heart swells. This moment, this night, it’s everything I could have dreamed of and more.
I make my way back to the seats where Jinx, Kenzie, and the triplets are waiting.
The three of them look up as I approach, and Jinx flashes me a thumbs-up. “You were incredible out there, Ally!” she says, scooting over so I can sit.
Kenzie claps her hands excitedly, leaning in for a quick hug.
Marcus, Derek, and Elise grin up at me from their stroller, their little faces full of energy. I press a kiss to each of their foreheads, feeling a wave of pride wash over me.
As I settle in, people in the nearby seats turn toward me. A woman in a team jersey smiles warmly. “That was some great skating,” she says. “Really inspiring.”
“Thank you,” I reply, my cheeks heating up.
A young girl, no older than eight, tugs on her mother’s sleeve before turning to me. Her eyes are wide with excitement. “I want to play hockey now!” she declares.
Her words hit me in the chest like a warm burst of sunlight. “You should,” I tell her, leaning down slightly. “It’s so much fun. You’d be amazing.”
Her grin lights up the space around us, and her mother nods, mouthing a quiet, “Thank you.”
I sit back, basking in the glow of positivity around me. This night feels perfect.
The game resumes, and my attention snaps to the ice.
Nick, Tyler, and Brooks are skating with an intensity I rarely see outside of playoffs. They maneuver through their opponents like seasoned predators, their passes crisp and their teamwork seamless.
Every goal feels electric, the crowd roaring with every success.
But I notice the little gestures, Nick looking up after a block and winking, Tyler blowing a subtle kiss before setting up an assist, and Brooks flashing a small, knowing smile before his next play.
The women around us giggle, nudging one another and whispering, assuming the boys’ flirtations are aimed at the entire crowd. I smile quietly to myself, knowing every gesture is for me.
When the final buzzer sounds, signaling a Marauder victory, the stadium erupts in cheers. My heart swells as the boys take one last lap around the rink, each of them glancing up toward me, their pride unmistakable.
As the crowd begins to settle, I lean back into my seat, pulling the stroller closer.
The triplets look at me with wide, curious eyes, their tiny hands reaching toward me. I pick up Elise first, cradling her close and pressing my cheek to her soft auburn hair.
Derek and Marcus babble happily, and I kiss their heads in turn, feeling so much love I could burst.
“You know what?” I whisper, brushing a hand over Marcus’ dark curls. “You can play as much hockey as you want when you’re older. Just like your daddies.”
The word slips out naturally, and for a moment, my breath catches. “Daddies,” I repeat softly, my heart swelling with joy.
This is our family, a strange, beautiful, chaotic family. And it’s everything I’ve ever wanted.
I hug my babies tighter, my gaze drifting back to the ice where the boys celebrate their win.
This, I think to myself, is what happiness truly feels like.