Page 34

December

A fter weeks of behind-the-scenes planning, it’s the morning of Gemma and Bennett’s birthday. Having a birthday two days before Christmas can’t be fun, but I intend to make the day special for each of them.

Starting with Gemma. It’s her sixteenth birthday and I’ve been an emotional wreck just thinking about it, but now that the day is here, I’m excited for what I’ve got in store for her.

Bennett’s been gone for the past five days for the team’s away series in Canada and his flight lands back in Minnesota right about the time I drop the kids off at school.

Although today, only Gunner will go to his last day of school before winter break, while I bring Gemma to her driver’s test. If she passes, she’ll be a licensed driver and I’m not sure how to feel about that.

Tonight, Gemma and Bennett think we’re going to a team holiday party. Little do they know, our friends and family will all be gathered at the restaurant we rented out to surprise them.

Just as I flip the last low-carb pancake, Gemma comes into the kitchen and I use the spatula as a microphone. “Good morning birthday princess! In honor of your sweet sixteen, I’ve made a batch of your favorite pancakes! ”

She rounds the island to give me a big hug, and I have to look up at the balloon-covered ceiling in order to blink back the tears threatening to break free. “I love you so much, Gems. I can’t believe you’re already sixteen. Stop making me feel so old!”

Her shoulders shake with laughter, but I don’t let her go. “You are old, nothing I can do about that. I love you too, Scar. Thank you so much for making the pancakes and taking me to my test today.”

This. This is the best feeling in the world.

Being hugged by my little sister and hearing her laugh.

Things were tense between us for a few months and I tried talking to her countless times, but she’d been shutting me out.

I couldn’t figure out if she was still upset about how she found out about the engagement, or if she was mad about the fact that I’m engaged in the first place.

However, I doubt it’s the latter, because she’s told me how much she loves Bennett living with us.

Since he moved in, they’ve been playing guitar almost every night he’s home after she finishes her homework.

It’s become my favorite nightly routine to listen to them play by the fire together with the guitar Bennett helped us pick out a few weeks ago.

Something has changed recently, though, because the past few weeks things between us have felt more settled and she’s back to being my easygoing little sister. I’m not even sure what’s changed.

“Absolutely,” I tell her before turning her by her shoulders to face the birthday banner I made for her that hangs above the island with two gift bags beneath it.

“What are these?” she asks as she makes her way over to the bags. “You’ve already done so much, I didn’t need anything.”

“Gunner, Gems is about to open her presents!” I call to him before I hear loud footsteps stomp down the stairs.

“Happy birthday, Gemmy!” Gunner shouts, running to give her a hug .

“Thank you, Bug. I love you!”

“Love you mostest. Now open mine first,” he tells her as he points to the rainbow paper bag he painted himself.

Gemma rips the rainbow tissue paper out of the bag and pulls out a painting Gunner did for her. It’s of the two of them on the ice together. It’s such a sweet moment that I know meant so much to him.

“This is so getting hung up in my room! Thank you so much,” she says as she wraps her arms around him.

“You’re welcome. Now open that one,” he tells her.

Gemma opens the teal gift bag, her eyes widen before she looks up at me.

“No way.” I nod back at her and tears swell in her eyes. “A Taevin Gray T-shirt?”

“And . . .”

“And a signed poster? How did you get this?” She does a happy dance and squeals in excitement.

“Bennett had a connection. Do you like them?”

“Like them? I love them! Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure, Gems. Oh shoot, I forgot, there’s one more on my phone.” I pause to look through my phone before handing her the phone.

“Shut up! Are these tickets to see her when she’s in town?”

“They are. And . . . Bennett was able to get you backstage passes for a meet and greet with her after the show.”

“Shut. Up. Oh my god, I have to call him to say thank you,” she says, pulling out her phone.

“He’s still on the plane, Gems. You can thank him after you pass your driver’s test.”

A radiant smile lights up her face as she nods in agreement. “Alright. Shall we eat these pancakes, Gunner? ”

“Are they cake batter flavored?” he asks.

“Would it be a birthday around here if they weren’t? Of course they are, it’s tradition,” I assure him.

“Did you make enough for when Benny’s home?” Gunner asks me as he hops up on his stool at the kitchen island.

“I did, I thought he could either have them when he gets home, or we could do a birthday morning do-over for him tomorrow. What do you think of that?”

Gunner nods excitedly in agreement, making his wild hair fall over his eyes.

Gemma reaches over to sweep it off his forehead, and I sigh in contentment at the small gesture of endearment.

These two are my entire world, and I wish I could freeze time in this moment so they wouldn’t get any older.

But even if I could, I know I wouldn’t. I’m far too excited to see how they’ll grow and all of the amazing things they’ll do, the dreams they’ll reach, the goals they’ll crush.

“I love you both, you know that?” I tell them as I hand them their plates full of pancakes and eggs.

Gemma rolls her eyes at my mushy sentiment. “You always get like this on our birthdays. You’re such a sap.”

Gunner giggles. “But we love you too!”

“Yeah,” Gems sighs in exasperation before continuing with a sincere tone. “We really do love you, Scar.”

I swat at the tears threatening to break free.

“And this is why I didn’t do my makeup before breakfast.” With a half-sniffle, half-chuckle, I tell them, “Alright, let’s finish eating and then we’ve got to get ready.

Gunner, today it’s silly sweater day for your class so I put the sweater you and Benny picked out on your bed.

And Gemma, we’ll have about thirty minutes to finish getting ready before we’ve got to drop off Gunner so we have enough time to make it to your driver’s test appointment. ”

“Is it the sweater with the skateboarding Santa?” Gunner questions .

“Was there another sweater you picked out with Bennett?” Gemma asks him.

“Yeah, he called the jerseys he got me sweaters,” he explains.

That makes us both chuckle. “That’s just a term they call jerseys sometimes. I meant the Santa sweater for today,” I clarify.

We finished eating breakfast together and got ready, and before I knew it, I was parking my car outside the DMV for Gemma’s road test. First, she had to complete the knowledge test, which she passed with flying colors, and then she had to take the road test. They’ve been gone for about a half hour, and I’ve been nervously tapping my foot in the waiting room when a deep voice I’d recognize anywhere says, “Is this seat taken, ma’am? ”

I’m up and out of my seat so quickly, I hardly have time to take him in before I’m jumping into his arms. I’d be embarrassed by my needy display of affection if I wasn’t so desperate for his embrace after nearly a week apart.

Bennett’s arms wrap around my waist, and I inhale deeply, feeling comforted by his familiar scent that’s come to feel like home to me.

His chest rumbles against mine, and it makes me want to squeeze him tighter to me. “Miss me, Little Red?”

“I missed you so much. Happy birthday, Cap,” I whisper into his ear before cupping his cheeks and peppering kisses all over his face.

He sets me down when someone clears their throat beside us, and I bury my head in his chest, embarrassed at how wrapped up in our reunion I got. But even as we sit down together, Bennett keeps an arm wrapped around my shoulder and intertwines our fingers with his other hand.

“What are you doing here?” I finally ask him.

“I came right from the airport hoping I’d make it in time to see our girl pass her driver’s test. ”

I don’t miss the way he said “our girl,” and my heart warms at the way he’s embraced my siblings in such a short time. It means more than I’ll ever be able to express to him.

“She was so nervous, but she passed the knowledge test with flying colors and has been gone now for a little over a half hour,” I tell him,

He hums in acknowledgment. “She’s got this.”

“She does,” I agree as I lean my head on his shoulder. “You guys had a great away series. And look at you with two power-play goals in three games.”

Bennett lowers his head closer to my ear and tells me in a low voice, “Coach says I’m playing some of the best hockey of my life and to keep up whatever’s gotten into me.

” His rough chuckle elicits goosebumps down my neck.

“Looks like I’ve got to keep up the sexy pregame FaceTime calls with you while we’re on the road and the visits to your office before home games. ”

“I suppose we could do that . . . if it’s what’s best for the team.”

“Mmm. It’s what’s best for their captain, so that’s got to count for something.”

I run my hand through his rough stubble he hasn’t shaved in the days he was away. “Is that a gray hair I spot in your beard?” I mock gasp.

His eyes widen slightly before narrowing on me. “What? No, you’re mistaken.”

“I’m not sure if I am. Wow, thirty-one. You’re getting up there, old man. Maybe I should reconsider hitching myself to your station wagon.”

“You’re teasing again. And, might I point out, lying to yourself. You know I’d be a silver fox if I got any grays in my beard.”

“You’re right, you would be a silver fox,” I hum in agreement, imagining what he’d look like. My stomach sinks at the realization that I may not be with him still when that time comes .