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FOUR
dear santa, i need your f#@kin’ help!
MIKHAIL
I ’m standing just inside the doorway when Reagan comes home from her job at Silver it's about the love we share and the life we're building together.
“Dear Santa,” I whisper under my breath, my fingers itching to find the web address for typing in my request. I need your help proposing to the love of my life. Please guide me in showing my wedding-planner girlfriend just how much she means to me…
The aroma of fresh pancakes finds my nose as Reagan flips them from the stove. I watch her, still sipping my coffee and admiring her grace in the kitchen. Her dark hair is pulled back into a tie, and she hums softly to herself as she works. It’s the weekend for her and a game day for me. On game days she likes to cook breakfast for me. I let her. I’m a nice guy like that.
“Those smell amazing.” I reach for a piece of bacon and savor it while I watch her work. I can’t help thinking that mornings like this would be even better together in our own home.
“Thanks. I wanted to make something special for us before you head off to morning skate.” But just as she sets a plate of steaming hot pancakes on the table, her phone buzzes from the counter. The happy expression on her face quickly disappears as she listens to the news coming from the other end.
“Mom, how did it happen?” Reagan's voice is worried, and my heart sinks with the realization something must be terribly wrong.
Audrey’s in the hospital? With a fractured hip. Oh fuck, that’s no good.
She hangs up, tears welling up in her eyes while she explains how her mom fell at work and fractured her left hip. “She’s going to need surgery and a new hip along with significant physical therapy in a rehab hospital afterward.”
“Reagan, I'm so sorry.” I pull her into my arms, trying to calm her down. “What if we were to bring your mom to Las Vegas? She can have her hip replacement surgery here and recover in a rehab facility nearby. I'll cover any extra expenses. I know how much you want to help her when she needs it.”
“Are you sure?” She hesitates. “I don't want my mom to be a burden to you.”
“Reagan, I love you. Taking care of you means taking care of your family too. Your mother won't be a burden anyway; she's family. She’d do the same for you if you needed her to.”
“You’re right, she would. Thank you. You’re support means so much to me,” she whispers, her eyes filled with gratitude and more tears.
“Is there anything else bothering you?” I sense there's more behind her worried gaze.
“Well, that’ll be a lot of money. I don’t think her insurance will cover all of the costs. Plus, work has been so busy lately and I'm struggling to keep up with everything now, how will I manage my mom too?”
My hockey commitments make it difficult for me to always be here, but what I can do is support her financially and provide for the extra help Audrey will need to recover. “Listen, I admit I feel bad I can’t be home more than I am now to help you, but the money is totally a non-issue for me. I have plenty and I’m definitely not at all worried about it, so you shouldn’t either, okay? I can ask Pam for suggestions of surgery centers and rehabs in the area. As the team physical therapist, she would know. I’m sure she can help steer you in the right direction. Just make some calls and start setting up whatever you think your mom will need and don’t have another thought about the cost. That’s all I want you to do today, babe, until game time. Seriously.”
She hugs me tighter and even though she is squeezing me I can feel the relief in her body. “Having you by my side is everything, Mikhail,” she says softly, resting her head on my chest. “You're amazing and so generous, and I just love you so much.”
As I hold her close, my determination to propose grows stronger. I want to be there for Reagan in every possible way—to protect and care for her, just like she does for me.
“Reagan,” I whisper against her hair, “I promise that no matter what life throws at us, we'll face it together. You'll never have to worry about facing things alone, because I'm not going anywhere.”
“Thank you,” she murmurs, snuggling closer. “That's all I've ever wanted.”
I know without a doubt that this is where I belong, with the love and the unwavering support of the woman I have in my arms.