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Chapter Forty-Nine

Jared

It’s Christmas. I can hardly believe it. Savannah’s out of the hospital, the babies are all healthy, and we’re finally on our way home. There’s a buzz in the air, like everything’s falling into place. It’s chaotic and wild, but damn, it feels right.

Troy’s driving like a maniac—he’s literally bouncing in the seat, eyes gleaming. “We’re really doing this. Fuck, man. We’re taking them home. It’s happening. It’s really happening.”

He keeps glancing back at Savannah and the babies in the back seat, like he can’t believe they’re finally all here. It’s like he’s a kid on Christmas morning.

And maybe he is. Literally.

I catch Savannah’s eye in the rearview mirror. She looks so content, smiling softly at the babies, her hands resting on their carriers.

Her lips are a little cracked from the cold air, but she’s glowing. I love seeing this side of her—calm, peaceful, so happy. It’s like she’s been waiting for this day forever.

We pull into the driveway of the house. Jesus, it’s all lit up like something out of a movie.

Red and gold lights twinkle, and there’s a massive wreath on the door. The tree inside is probably bigger than it should be, packed with ornaments and tinsel. It smells like cinnamon and pine. You can feel the holiday spirit in every corner.

“This place looks like a fucking Hallmark movie,” I mutter under my breath.

“Right?” Troy says, grinning like a damn fool. “We’re gonna have the best Christmas ever, man. I swear to you.”

Savannah laughs, her eyes sparkling as we all pile out of the car. “I can’t believe it. I’m finally home with all of you.”

She leans over and kisses me on the cheek, and I just smile, squeezing her hand. This moment, this fucking moment right here, makes all the shit we’ve gone through worth it. It feels real now.

I help her inside, guiding her to the couch. She’s exhausted—she’s been through so much, but the smile on her face never fades.

The babies are still in their carriers, resting, and we’re all just staring at them like they’re the most precious things we’ve ever seen.

She lies down on the sofa, stretching out, her legs propped up. “God, it feels so good to just be here,” she sighs. “Finally, it’s all happening.”

I glance at Jamie, who’s fussing over Noah, making sure he’s comfortable, and I feel a pang in my chest. I don’t know what’s going on in Jamie’s head right now, but I can’t help but wonder if he’s getting that same feeling—the feeling that Noah’s his.

There’s something there between them that’s hard to ignore, and I know what it is. I’ll never let him know that Noah’s really his. He doesn’t need to. It’s a secret I’ll take to the grave.

Jared, focus.

I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. I’m about to ignore it, but then I see the name on the screen. Coach Nate.

“Shit,” I mutter, getting up. Savannah flashes me a quick smile, like she’s trying to be understanding.

“It’s fine, go ahead,” she says. “It’s a time to spend with the family, but I know you’ve got stuff to take care of.”

I nod and step away from her, answering the call. “Coach?”

“Jared, you sitting down?” Nate’s voice is urgent, but I can tell there’s relief in it too.

“I’m standing,” I answer. “What’s going on?”

“The team’s safe, man. The Blackhawks have pulled back from the merger, and the investigation’s been dropped. All that shit about the doping scandal—it was true. Half their team was doping. The PI did his job, and Carter got everything we needed. The team’s safe, your job’s safe. We’re good.”

For a second, I can’t process it. My mind races. “Are you fucking kidding me? They withdrew? The merger’s off?”

“Yeah,” Nate says, sounding more relaxed now. “We get to keep our jobs, Jared. The Chicago Icebreakers are back on track. We’re good.”

“Holy shit. Holy fucking shit.” My hands are shaking, but I can’t help but smile.

I turn around, finding Troy and Jamie standing nearby. I hold up the phone, motioning for them to come over. “We fucking did it. The team’s safe. It’s over.”

Troy lets out a loud whoop of joy, then claps a hand over his mouth, glancing at the babies, who thankfully, don’t wake up. “You’re kidding! That’s amazing!”

Jamie just gives me a smirk, his hands still on Noah. “I told you, man. We’re too good to take down.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah, well, I was a little worried there. But now—now we can finally breathe.”

Savannah, who’s been listening, lets out a soft sigh. “It’s Christmas,” she whispers. “It’s like a present.”

“Finally,” I say, stepping over to her. “You ready for your present?”

She raises an eyebrow, grinning. “What’s the big surprise?”

I nod at Troy, who’s got a box in his hands. “This is from all of us,” he says, a soft smile on his face. He walks over to Savannah and hands it to her. “Merry Christmas, babe.”

Savannah takes the box, a curious look in her eyes. She opens it slowly, her breath catching when she sees the key inside. “A house key?” she whispers. “Wait—what’s this?”

Troy’s grinning. “That’s your new home. We’re all moving in together, babe. I’m not letting you go anywhere. It’s ours, all of it.”

She looks from Troy to me, blinking in shock. And then, Jamie steps forward, holding out a ring box. My stomach twists, not sure how this moment’s going to land, but I know it’s right.

Savannah’s breath hitches as she opens the box. The ring is beautiful—three carats, just right. She gasps, tears welling up in her eyes. “Are you serious?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yeah,” Jamie says, stepping forward with that soft, loving smile of his. “We’ve all been talking. We know. We want this. We want you, Savannah. We want Noah. We want this life. So, will you marry us?”

And in that moment, I’m hit with a rush of emotion—pride, love, relief—and I know. I know that this is it. This is my family.

Savannah’s crying, her cheeks flushed with joy. “Yes,” she says, her voice cracking. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I’ll marry all of you. I want this. I want us.”

I smile, stepping forward, kissing her gently on the forehead. “You did so fucking well,” I whisper, pulling her into my arms. “We’ve got this. We’ve got everything.”

And for the first time, I feel like everything is exactly where it’s supposed to be. It’s Christmas. It’s the start of something new. And we’re a family.