Easton takes a slapshot that glides into the corner of the net, securing our lead over New York. The fans are on their feet, cheers ringing out through the arena. I pump an arm in the air and skate toward my teammates, smacking their helmets and congratulating East.
When I glance into the stands, my eyes automatically zero in on the family box where Bella and the twins shout and dance, jumping up and down. Their faces are painted with excitement, their eyes glow, and a sense of peace flows throughout my body.
It wasn’t easy getting to this point. I’ve endured a hell of a lot of heartache and an alarming amount of self-doubt. My ego has taken too many hits to count and for a long time, I felt like I could barely keep my head above water.
But the past few months have changed everything. Meeting Bella Andrews was the turning point I needed, even if I didn’t recognize it at the time. Spending time with her, getting to know her, watching her interact with Milly and Mason clarified my priorities and restored my faith in love.
I pause on the ice, unable to turn away from the scene. Bella has her arms around Milly and Mason, squishing them into a hug that has the three of them cracking up. She’s been a force of positivity in their lives, helping Milly navigate her grief and anxiety, supporting Mason as he dives into new challenges.
When I hired Bella at the start of the school year, I hoped for a seamless transition. I never anticipated that the bartender from Taps would weave her way into the fabric of my family with invisible thread, becoming a part of us.
She looks up and our eyes hold, the noise and chaos of the arena freezing for a moment. Bella smiles, her face lighting up, and gratitude rushes over me.
I lift my hand, she tips her chin, and we both honor the moment. Because moments like these, where everything clicks together, where suddenly you can view the world with a sharper, crisper lens, where health and happiness and love trump every little thing, are rare. We both know that and we both savor them whenever they flare up.
“I love you,” she mouths to me. I blow her a kiss that Milly catches and giggles.
Then Noah smacks me on the back and my focus returns to my team, to the game.
I play the last period hard, going all in on every play. Knowing my girl and my kids are in the stands, that my family is watching over me, I play like I will forever. Like my days as a hockey defenseman nearing forty aren’t numbered.
I play like I did as a kid, savoring the sweep of exhilaration that floods my stomach when I catch sight of their cheering faces.
In another season or two, it will be time to hang up my skates, but knowing that I get to go home and build a life with my three biggest fans makes it a hell of a lot sweeter.
We win the game and the applause is deafening. I let myself get lost in the swarm of my teammates, in the locker room joking and after-game interviews. I enjoy every part of the process because at the end of it, when I push through the locker room doors, my family is waiting for me with open arms and sweet kisses.
“Good game, Daddy!” Milly clasps her hands, jumping up and down.
“Thanks, Jellybean.” I tug on the end of her ponytail, leaning over her head to kiss Bella.
She returns the kiss and for a second, we forget ourselves. Mason’s gagging interrupts the moment but when I glance at him, he’s laughing and Milly is beaming.
While the past month has been its own type of transition, with Bella moving into my bedroom, losing the nanny title, and becoming part of our family, it’s trending in the direction we all hoped it would. With each passing day, and weekly therapy sessions, the bumps we endured smooth out a little more. Milly and Mason lean on Bella for support when they need it and she gives her love easily, helping them in any way she can.
“Pizza?” I ask the twins.
“Definitely,” Mase agrees, linking his fingers with Bella’s.
I lift Milly and place her on my shoulders as we stride toward the parking lot.
“Can we get ice cream too?” Milly asks.
“Now you’re pushing it, Mils.” I tap her knee.
“But we’re celebrating,” Mason explains.
I chuckle, thinking they’re going to reference the Hawks win.
Instead, Milly surprises me by saying, “Yeah, Bella starts school on Monday.”
Bella laughs but I catch the way her expression softens. During our marathon-long conversations in California, she mentioned wanting to finish her degree. While I was supportive from the start, Milly and Mason really drove the issue, encouraging her until she signed up for two courses this semester. She’s joining in a little late as it’s already February, but her professor made an exception after she assured him she would catch up.
“Well, that’s true,” I agree. “I guess if it’s for Bella going back to school…”
“And your game,” Mase adds. “Nice win, Dad.”
“Nice save, Mase,” I joke.
Bella’s laughter grows.
“So pizza and ice cream?” I amend as we near the SUV.
“Yes!” the twins shout.
I place Milly back on her feet and the twins scramble into the back seat.
“You believe that?” I ask Bella, touching her hip. “Your return to the classroom just upstaged my win.”
She grins, wrinkling her nose. “I taught those kids well.”
I shake my head, smiling back. “They’re lucky to have you.”
“They’re lucky to have us,” she amends, leaning forward.
I kiss her hard as snowflakes begin to fall. I feel the curve of her mouth against my lips as she smiles.
“What’s so funny?” I whisper.
She pulls back, her eyes flashing with merriment. “Today is one of my favorite Saturdays.”
I grin at the happiness in her expression. Bella truly understands that magic happens in ordinary moments, that the best days are usually unplanned, that love is life’s greatest gift. “Mine too.” I kiss her one more time before opening the passenger side door. “Come on, we’re going for pizza.”
“And ice cream,” Milly reminds me.
And ice cream. Sometimes, the simplest celebrations hold the most meaning.
Sometimes, the mundane moments change everything.
I slide behind the steering wheel and point the SUV in the direction of our favorite pizzeria. The twins talk and laugh in the back seat, playing some game with rules I don’t fully understand.
Beside me, Bella glances out the window, a serene smile on her lips.
I reach over and take her hand, lacing our fingers together.
She squeezes her hand, the pressure gentle, the flash of her eyes knowing.
We’ve traversed a long road. We’ve climbed a lot of hills. It was rarely easy.
But as my family’s happiness surrounds me, I can say it sure as hell has been worth it.