Page 38

Game two and three went the same as the first. Nail-biting back and forth with a one goal difference. Tampa won the second, while our boys dominated the third and fourth. I was nervous for the fifth game today. Either the boys walked out champions, or they went on to a game six. There was nothing that could still my fears. Not even the hot Florida weather and the company of my family and Tyler's.

I'd introduced my parents to Tyler's grandma and his uncles and aunts. Apparently every member possible had taken off of work to come support him. Janet was particularly enthusiastic about everything. She'd printed out a giant cutout of Tyler's head. Times five. I almost spit out my coffee when I saw the massive pictures. Susan had looked a little miffed as well. Apparently, Janet had done the printing behind her daughter's back.

I couldn't be happier that Tyler finally had the support system he deserved. A grandmother who held up giant signs for him. Aunts and cousins who proudly made T-Shirt's bearing his name. Uncles who'd done as much research about him as they could and almost knew more than I did. It was overwhelming in the best way possible.

My own family, particularly my mother, was overjoyed to see the support. Hannah complained that we should have made shirts as well. Mason and Tyler's uncle Owen hit things off almost immediately. They both had the whole 'thirty and still a bachelor' vibe going for them.

I'd been rooming with Tayler, Alex, and Lyndsey down in Florida. The four of us were only a small portion of the sold-out hotel that consisted of almost entirely Hawks fans. I had to be proud of the fan base. They'd been loud and proud at every game. Chanting, cheering, encouraging. I wouldn't be surprised if it was solely the fans that encouraged the team to win.

Tonight, the Amalie arena was absolutely electric. And not from the Lightning side of the game. I felt supercharged. I could only imagine how pumped the team was. My shoulders were tense with the stress of the event. A lot was on the line for this game. It was now or never. I was about to witness history, one way or another.

I squeezed Tayler's hand tightly during the majority of warmups and the anthem. When the puck dropped, my world shifted into slow motion. Patrick's feet moved through water as he went after a blue-clad player who possessed the puck. I sighed in relief when he poked the puck away. He sent it to the center of the ice, where Tyler was poised in patience. Like always, the pass was square.

I had to appreciate how well Pat and Tyler worked on a line. Tyler could score or assist almost anyone, but Patrick was different. He was a mentor that turned into competition and a friend. The best kind of partner. Elvis was the only other teammate that had the same level of communication with the captain center.

Tyler sent a pass to Alex, who turned the puck over almost immediately. The Bolts player traveled down and placed a shot on Robin. Thankfully, the giant goaltender was just as much of a brick wall as always. Batting away the weak shot was no trouble. In fact, his block was a perfect hit to a waiting Tyler. Despite the man on his back, Tyler pulled the puck across his body and around the player. And he was off down the ice. Pat was hovering ahead of him. As I watched the defense set to storm in and place a heavy open ice hit on Ty, he sent the puck ahead to Pat. When the player and Tyler collided, the rest of the fans were cheering on Pat's breakaway. I was worried about Tyler.

He was down still, but rising slowly. His slapped a gloved fist on the ground in frustration. When his head leveled, his mouth guard was hanging from the side of his lips. I groaned to see him limping slightly in his skate to the bench.

"Shit Tay. That's not good." I bit my lip nervously.

"He's good. He's good. You'll see. He'll be right back out there in a shift." Tayler's words were drowned out by the cheer that went through the Blackhawks fans. Pat had scored by jamming the puck in, but as soon as the goal horn went off, Duncan had gone after the player who'd hit Tyler. The brawl broke out strongly. Even Patrick got involved. I groaned again. What were they thinking?

I waited anxiously while the penalties were dealt. Almost the entire line went off the ice. Kirby's line came out to play the three on two. Thankfully, out of the line, the penalty killers were the ones Jeremy chose to put out.

After two long minutes of heavy defense, Pat was released for the three on four. Duncan and Calvin were still in the box for us. My eyes traveled to the bench. He wasn't there. As I worried, the period ticked down.

In the second period, there was no sign of Tyler, and Tampa scored. I was worried. A whole period without him on the bench. That concerned me. Was he ok? I hoped so.

At the start of the third period, he was still absent. By the time five minutes were left in the game, I was really scared. Was he out for good? I took another glance out of desperation. Relief filled me when I saw Tyler had returned from the locker rooms. That was a good sign. He looked pissed, which I was surprised at. He had to be really mad in order to show any kind of emotion.

When Tyler got mad, the result was always explosive. I watched him carefully, wondering if he'd get back on this period. There wasn't much time left in the last period of the game. If he got back in, it wouldn't be for long. I kept one eye on the clock and one eye on him. I smiled when he rose slightly to poise on the boards.

It was time to pull Kirby and replace him with a consistent top player. Tyler was that forward. Jeremy wanted to score and avoid overtime. Of course he was going to throw Tyler out there. That's what you did when you had the best scorer in the league on your team. I watched in anticipation as he flew onto the ice.

Anger never looked so good on someone. He was rejuvenated. Explosive. He was the Holy One in embodiment. I grinned as he flew down the ice with a pass from Alex Nylander. He was unstoppable. The defense looked like children as he blew by them. I half rose, eye on the clock that was steadily counting down the seconds. I squeezed Tayler's hand. This was it. Now or never, Tyler.

Five seconds.

Closing in on the goalie.

Four.

Dangling the puck. Trying a fake out.

Three.

Drawing the goalie out and wide.

Two.

Sliding the puck wide. Stick met the ice, then the puck. Nailing a hard snipe into the net behind the goalie. It whistled through the air, finding nothing but the white webbing at behind the goalie.

One. The goal horn blared with one second frozen on the clock. I almost fainted. He'd done it. They'd done it. We'd done it. Tayler was screaming in my ear, jumping up and down.

"Oh my god! We're Stanley Cup champions!" She threw her arms around me. I was watching the ice in disbelief. I couldn't see Tyler in the mass of players that had mobbed him. The second he'd scored, gloves and sticks had flown everywhere. The ice was covered in discarded equipment. With the clock finally run down, the game ending horn blared. The two teams met for a moment to shake hands before the team gathered again. Tampa Bay had already left the ice by the time I started down. Tayler grabbed my hand, grinning excitedly.

We started to make our way down to the ice. The lights in the stadium went down. We stopped our movement to watch them bring the cup out. I grinned at the announcer's voice.

"An amazing series by two talented teams, the Lightning and the Blackhawks. After six years, the Stanley Cup is returning to the Windy City. Chicago, you've added to your dynasty. Fourth title in eleven years. 2021 Stanley Cup champions. Congratulations to the coaching staff and this amazing team, who came together to win it all in five games. Captain Tyler Dewalt, Chicago has been waiting for the continuation of this dynasty. Come get the Stanley Cup." Tyler skated forward, the widest grin on his face. The trophy was handed to him, massive and shining under the lights. He paused for a moment while cameras snapped away. When he skated away, his grin was massive.

Tyler hoisted the trophy over his head. He pressed his lips to the shiny surface before letting out a roar of triumph. The sound sent shivers down the spine. It was the sound of victory. The sound of someone who'd worked for years on end to get to this very moment. After the short victory lap, Tyler turned to his teammates. We were close enough to the ice that I could hear him call out.

"Panda, get the fuck over here." The grin on Robin Lehner's face was priceless. Donya sucked in a breath from near us. She looked like she was going to cry. As Tyler handed the Cup to Robin, I wrapped an arm around her. We weren't strangers to how rocky life had been for the Lehners in the past few years. She pulled Lennox and Zoé to her as Tayler and I hugged her tightly.

We watched as Robin handed the cup to Duncan, then to Patrick. Down the line of teammates it went. After Patrick got the cup, Donya and I went to the glass. I knew Tyler's family was anxious to get down and see him, just like my family, but they held back. We waited on the glass until each crucial staff member had taken the chance to hoist the cup high and everyone was dispersing before heading onto the ice. I didn't bother to look behind me to see who was following. I was focused on Tyler, who's eyes had found mine. I grinned, my eyes moist.

I scooted across the ice as fast I could without falling. Tyler skated to me. He scooped me up in his arms. His nose brushed with mine. A blissful grin had taken over his features. I smiled down at how happy he was.

"You did it." He smirked into my kiss. When we separated, he put me back down gently. I turned to find Tayler pointing her phone at us. She grinned.

"That was literally picture perfect." She put her phone away when she saw Dylan skating towards us. "My man calls." I returned my attention to Tyler.

"That was amazing. You scored with like...less than a second left." He smiled down at me.

"I was pissed off. I don't even remember scoring." He looked so happy. I reached up to kiss him again.

"You did it Ty. You won." The emotion in my voice made him blink rapidly. He didn't say anything in response. We both looked up as a familiar voice came from behind us. I turned to see Janet and Susan, looking bewildered. Tyler smiled, leaving me to hug them. I could see how emotional Janet was.

She reached out her hands to grasp his face, murmuring things the whole time. I had to smile at the gesture. I scooted over, hugging Susan. She smiled at me.

"Wow. That was something, wasn't it?" I grinned up at her.

"He's awesome."

Tyler left Janet for the team picture, huddling around the large trophy. Tyler slung one arm around the silver cylinder as if I was the one sitting there. His other arm went around Pat, who was pressed in tightly. With the baseball hat over his head and grin plastered onto his face, I'd never seen him happier.

I smiled as he returned to me. His arms wrapped around me tightly. I let him pepper kisses across my face. Before he finally dispersed to walk to the dressing room, he murmured in my ear.

"Thank you for supporting me, my love."

&&&

When the hype of winning finally settled, I had Tyler back. Granted, he worked out a lot, but he was free of the practice constraints. I couldn't be happier. I settled into the Chicago summer with ease.

I woke up late. I tanned on the balcony. I made lunches and dinners for Tyler and I. We went out on dates, exploring every part of the city. We went to baseball games and enjoyed the touristy parts of our home. I thought I would have hated a summer away from the beach. Somehow, it was better.

In the middle of July, we attended the two weddings we'd committed to months ago. First, Jon and Lindsey. It was a beautiful ceremony that Tyler got the chance to be a part of. I enjoyed it, but I couldn't quite connect with it the way I did with Lyndsey and Alex's wedding. Tyler was a groomsman again, and so were Dylan and Connor McDavid. A few other guys came from Alex's hometown, along with his brother. Tayler was a bridesmaid, so I was alone with Alex and Elvis for the ceremony. I didn't mind. I actually cried during this one.

The ceremonies only strengthened my thoughts of marriage. I didn't say anything to Tyler about it, but I figured he could read my wistful face well enough.

Everything was perfect. I lived in a dream apartment with the love of my life. I had the best friends who supported my every choice. My family wasn't disappointed with what I'd decided to do with my life anymore. I was on track to graduate in two years with a degree in marine biology.

Tyler was reigning cup champion, with the ring to prove it. We had a charity that benefited those in need. And now we had a summer to relax and bask in each other's company.

I should have guessed perfect didn't last forever.

The minutes before the storm broke, I was content and at peace. I lounged in the couch in a sports bra and shorts. I was completely relaxed. Tyler was sitting up, playing a game on the TV. I poked at him with my toe.

"Ty, we should plan and figure stuff out."

"Like what?" He didn't look at me.

"Marriage and a family." He paused, looking down at me for a second.

"Oh...well. Ok. I wasn't expecting that right now." He didn't stop playing with the controller. I sighed, slightly aggravated.

"Can you please put the game down? I'm serious." He made a face, but complied.

"Ok, I'm all ears."

"We're young. And I'm not even out of college yet, but this feels so right. I feel like I can't function until you're mine in every way possible."

"Why?" His response startled me.

"Uh...because...I don't know. It's just a feeling."

"Wouldn't it, technically speaking, easier to not get married and just stay like this?" I blinked. Hadn't he been all gung-ho about getting married a few months ago? I specifically remembered the multiple half-joking conversations we'd had.

"Is that what you want?"

"Well, not really. It would just be easier." He shrugged.

"And easier is the answer to everything?"

"No...that's not what I meant." He made a face at me.

"Then what did you mean?"

"If we didn't get married then if things go south it'd be easier to walk away. There's a reason all the top guys aren't married." His words were blunt, although I didn't think he meant for them to hurt. My heart jumped into my throat.

"Is that what you think? That this isn't going to work out?" He didn't look at me. I wished he would have. Maybe then he would've stopped talking when he saw the look on my face.

"I don't know. Nothing ever does. My parents didn't. My grandpa died and left my grandma all alone at a young age. Everything ends, one way or another. Someone gets hurt. Kids. Spouses. Both. It's usually in a bad way that ruins lives. Why make it harder with a legal bond?"

"If everything ends, then what are we doing right now? Why am I here? If it's just going to end? You don't believe in us?" My voice cracked at the last question. I was trying hard to keep my composure. Tyler quickly looked over at me, his eyes wide. As if he'd realized the implications of his words.

"No! I do...it's just..."

"It's just that you don't want to marry me. Because everything ends and we're a part of that everything. You don't believe we can last. Do you even see a future with me?"

"Jesus, Halle! We're only twenty! We have the rest of our lives ahead of us. Whole careers. Why would I dwell on something that far in the future? Yeah, I've thought about it occasionally. But it's not on my mind every second of the day."

"Is it me? Or is it just the generalization of a family. Because when I see a future I see you and I raising kids and growing old together. I see you. I don't just see what the world's idea of a family is. When you think about it, do you see me?" His hesitation broke my heart. He worked his jaw, a frown set heavily into his face. I couldn't just sit there anymore. "If you can't see it, then it's not there. It won't ever exist. I'm not going to let this be one sided with false hopes." I started to stand and walk away. He grabbed at my arm, pulling me back.

"Don't." The single uttered word made my heart flutter.

"I'm serious Ty. This isn't a hissy fit. I can't explain how badly I want to start a family with you. Every ounce of me aches to be yours for eternity. How can I survive knowing that you don't feel the same? That you might want someone else more one day." His face twisted. He brought his hands up to cup my face. I tried to twist away, but he kept me straight.

"There is no one else for me. It's you. Forever and ever. Nothing will ever change that. I physically can't survive without you. That's never going to go away. We might fight and go through rough times, but I'm going to be there for every damn second." His eyes bore into mine. The green burned holes into my head with their passion. I couldn't blink or look away. He faltered, voice dipping. "And the truth is, I want a family just as badly. I just can't bring myself to admit it. Because I'm scared. I'm terrified. We're young and we're inexperienced. We've barely lived. How the hell could we get married and set an example? Raise kids the right way? What if I turn out like my parents? I don't want to be my dad. I want to be there as much as possible. But how can I do that when I'm playing in the league? I don't want to retire and I don't want to wait to have kids. It's terrifying."

I had to let out a sigh. At least he'd let me know how he was really feeling.

"So you see me."

"Of course I do Halle." I nodded, letting my head drop forward. I pressed my forehead against his. I was exhausted for some reason. For rarely arguing, this had been a heavily spat. A serious conversation that left us both with food for thought.

"I'm sorry Ty."

"Stop. You have every right to be angry at me. I should be the one that's sorry. I don't think. I'm—" I cut him off by placing a finger on his lips.

"No more. Not right now. Ok?" He nodded. Instead of talking, he pulled me into his arms. I smiled slightly against his chest.

"I didn't cry. I think I'm growing up."