Two days later Jen and the baby came home. They stopped off at the big house before heading to their own place for some much-needed rest. Ryne had gone home only long enough to change clothes and gather Jen’s suitcase, spending the remaining time at the hospital.
They decided on a name for their daughter, Jacklynne Rose. It was Jen’s idea to name her after his mother, the mother who now meant the world to her. She chose her mother’s and grandmother’s name of Rose as her middle name. They hadn’t told anyone about her name; they’d chosen it just that morning before they were released from the hospital.
For the first time, they pulled up to the ranch as a family. She felt like she had when she first arrived two years earlier as only Jacques and Jacklynne were waiting for them on the porch. “I gather everyone else is inside.”
“Probably. I’m sure Mom didn’t want to overwhelm you and Jacklynne.”
“I remember the first time you brought me here. So much has happened since that summer day.”
“You’re so right.”
Ryne parked the car and came around to help Jen before opening the door and gathering Jacklynne. Jen watched as he carefully removed the car seat. Thankfully, Jacklynne had fallen asleep on her first car ride, and he was doing his best to keep it that way.
He guided her towards the steps. “Where is everyone?” she asked as she found herself wrapped in her mother-in-law’s arms.
“On the deck waiting for you and… Do we have a name?”
“We do,” Ryne said with a smile on his face. “Let’s join the rest of the family, and we’ll share it with everyone.”
Jacques took a quick peek at his adorable granddaughter. He brushed a sweet kiss on Jen’s cheek. “How are you feeling, my dear?”
“I’m doing pretty well as long as this little lady keeps taking a nap.” She chuckled. “I’ll be glad to go home and sleep in our own bed.”
“I’m sure you will. Let’s make this a short visit; we don’t want to tire you out.”
They gathered on the deck. All of the Fergusons were present along with Lauren. She’d held off returning to St. Louis until Jen came home from the hospital.
As Jen came through the French doors onto the deck, she saw her friend off to the side speaking with Philippe. She noticed Lauren’s smile and focus on him as he spoke. Lauren looked better than when she had first arrived. Jen was concerned for her friend and hoped that she’d return to Calgary later in the summer.
“Look who’s here,” Jacques spoke as he reached for the car seat. He set it down on the patio table. “She looks like you did when you were a baby,” Jacques indicated to Ryne. “Look at her nose and hands. A Ferguson through and through.”
Jen smiled up at Ryne. She knew how much Ryne loved his daughter and was ever thankful the season was over. After Jacklynne was born, she noticed a grimace on his face. He’d kept it from her while she’d been in labor, but he’d reinjured his hip when he took the hard fall to the ice. It wasn’t serious and she was thankful the season had ended so he could get much needed rest. He’d decided to take some time off from his training to let his hip heal and spend the summer with his family.
“So, do we have a name?” Emma cheerfully asked at a decibel level higher than they expected. Jacklynne jumped in her sleep and settled back down.
“Emma, you need to tone it down a little now that Jacklynne is here.”
Ryne had slipped in her name wondering if his mother would pick up on it. It took her a second before the baby’s name registered. “Ryne, did you say what I think you said?”
He nodded. Both a smile and tears broke out on his mother’s face. “Jen and I would like to introduce Jacklynne Rose to everyone.”
As soon as Jacques heard the first mention of the baby’s name, he’d draped his arm around his wife. “Jacques, did you hear that? They named her Jacklynne.”
“I heard, dear.”
“And Rose is for my mother.”
“Oh sweetheart, it’s such an honor for you to have named her after me.”
“As far as I’m concerned you’re my mom now, so why wouldn’t we?”
Jacklynne walked out of her husband’s arms into Jen’s. “I’ll never forget the day Ryne brought you into our lives. I’ve loved you from that very moment.”
Jacklynne had woken, so Olivia and Emma got the chance to hold her. While they were ogling over their niece, Jen and Ryne took in the scene before them. Philippe and Lauren were still enmeshed in their conversation. “I hope he does something about that.”
“I do too, Ryne. I think he’s finally moved on.”
“I hope so. He seems happy now, and I think Lauren’s a part of it.”
Ryne grabbed Jen’s hand and looked her in the eyes. “Sweetheart, I can’t believe we’re standing here today, happily married, with our daughter. So much has happened since our first meeting.” He ran his finger down her cheek and smiled. “I still can’t believe I was traded to the Storm, and soon I’ll be parading the Stanley Cup down Main Street with you on my arm.”
He brushed an errant strand of hair from her face. “It took you and my love of this city to get me here. For a long time, I was facing what I like to refer to as Calgary’s Dream, but you made it come true. I’ve come to the team I love, faced my dream of winning the Stanley Cup, and fulfilled the ultimate dream of having a family. You and Jacklynne are my family. I don’t know what I’d do without you in my life.”
“As far as I’m concerned I hope you’ll never have to face that day.”
He pulled her into a tight embrace.
“I love you, Ryne, and this moment will forever be etched into my memory. I’m wrapped in the arms of the man I love, and I’ve finally found my family.”
She glanced at Lauren and Philippe. “We can only hope and pray that our luck rubs off on them.” With that he kissed her then reached for Jacklynne’s car seat.
“We’re going to head home now.” He picked up his daughter and clasped Jen’s hand. Ryne’s life was complete. They were heading home. Home to a place both of them had longed for.
Jen’s life had come full circle since losing her parents. She’d recaptured the career of her dreams, discovered the love of her life, and finally found a family she could call her own. Nothing could be sweeter then what stood before her eyes. She’d dreamed of this day forever. One filled with love, hope, and a happily ever after. Her dream had become a reality, and she was ever thankful for that slip of fate when she practically ran Ryne over in the Generals’ parking lot. Her life had changed that day, and she’d always look back on it as the day she found herself.