Page 15

Ten Years Later

T he three boys I envisioned having the first night I met Zander, Owen, and Reece, stand in front of me each with their father's hair coloring. Only a year between each one. Our twin girls on the other hand look exactly like me as does our youngest little baby Lizzie who really isn't a baby anymore at two years old.

The boys are playing in yet another hockey tournament this weekend. Which by having three retired pro hockey playing fathers it's a given. In fact, all of our children play hockey, except Lizzie, but she will someday when she's old enough.

"What do you think? Are they going to win the championship again this year?" Zander asks, taking a handful of popcorn from the bag in my hand and shoving it into his mouth.

"If they're anything like their fathers, they'll win it numerous times in the years to come." I yank my bag of popcorn away from Zander causing him to pout.

"I thought you liked to share, Maggie May." Owen whispers in my ear with a sleeping Lizzie in his lap.

"Somethings, just not my popcorn." I give him my best come hither look.

"Duly noted." Reece takes the seat in front of me handing me I full bag of popcorn. "We need to keep mommy well fed." He places a hand on my ever-increasing pregnant belly and places a kiss to my stomach. "How are the twins doing?"

"Good. Active but good." He's referring to the twin boys I'm currently pregnant with. "Speaking of twins. Where are Laura and Lana?"

"Scouting the other team." Reece points to the other team's bench where two red-headed little girls giggle behind the other team's bench.

"Are you sure they're scouting the other team. It looks more like they're teasing the other team." Zander's not wrong at six years old they have a habit of getting into to trouble. I wouldn't doubt it if they were egging the other team's players on. "They're full of piss and vinegar, just like their mother." Zander adds.

"Hey!" I elbow him in the ribs causing him to choke on some of the stolen popcorn he shoved in his mouth.

Serves him right.

Once the coughing fit ends, Zander pulls me into his arms. "You know I'm just kidding. We love your fiery side. The girls are lucky to have inherited it." He places a kiss to my temple. "I love you."

"I love you too." Owen wraps his arm around my shoulders and places a kiss to my other temple.

Not to be out done, Reece leans in to kiss my lips, "I love you, too."

"And I love the three of you." I kiss each one of them on the lips. "I'm so glad you didn't give up on me when I tried to get you to puck it off and leave me alone.

"So are we, Maggie May. So are we."

-The End-

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