Chapter Twenty-One
ISABELLA
My alarm buzzes, pulling me from a deep sleep. As I open my eyes I stare at the ceiling, trying to remember what day it is. And then it hits me—Austin leaves for California this morning.
The last few days have been a whirlwind of emotions, packing, planning, and spending as much time together as we could squeeze in. It’s been wonderful but so draining. And today already feels even harder than all the physical activity.
We haven't talked about what comes next since our conversation a few nights ago when I admitted I was having doubts about a long-distance relationship. Austin was incredibly patient and understanding about how I was feeling. He didn't pressure me for an answer or try to convince me otherwise.
Since then, we've been living in the moment. But I know he's waiting for my answer. With a sigh, I force myself out of bed and get ready. There's no point dragging my feet, because it won’t stop time or change the next few hours.
I put on a flannel shirt, a pair of jeans, and my favorite boots. After brushing my hair, I gather it into a ponytail. I’m not going to bother with eye makeup, because there are going to be a lot of tears today.
I find my parents in the kitchen. They're always up early, so it isn't much of a surprise. The smell of fresh coffee fills the room as they go about their usual morning routine.
"Morning," I mumble.
My mom immediately looks up and gives me a sympathetic look.
"Oh. How are you this morning?" Before I can react, she's wrapping her arms around me.
"I'm okay."
She squeezes me tighter. "Mom. I can't breathe."
She finally loosens her grip, but only slightly.
Across the kitchen, my dad looks up from his phone.
"When is Austin heading out?"
My mom shoots him a look. "William, could you be a little more sensitive?"
"What?" Dad asks, genuinely confused. "I was just asking."
"It's fine," I say before they can start bickering. "His flight leaves later this morning. I'm taking him to the airport."
The words sound far too real when I say them out loud. Until now, Austin being traded has felt almost unreal, like something happening in the background of my life. But in a few hours, he'll be on a plane heading to a new team far away from here.
"You know, the Seals have a great record this season," my dad announces. "He's going to fit in really well there. They could go to the playoffs.”
"I know."
And I do know because I’ve done my own research.
The truth is, I'm beyond thrilled for Austin.
He's worked for years to get an opportunity like this. Hard work and every sacrifice—it all led to this moment. Any disappointment I feel is completely selfish because I’ll miss him.
Unfortunately, understanding that doesn't make it any easier to picture him getting on that plane.
"He wants me to come out and see a game soon," I tell them, as I stir my coffee.
"Oh, that would be fun," my mom says with a smile. "Isn't it interesting how I was right all along when I told Dex about you and Austin?"
Really? She wants to do this now.
"It's almost like I set destiny in motion," she continues proudly.
"You lied to Dex," I remind her. “Austin and I had barely spent any time together at that point.”
She shrugs without any regret. "But you're together now, and that's what matters."
I grab a banana from the fruit bowl and take a sip of my coffee, hoping that will signal the end of this conversation.
"I'm assuming you're going to stay together and commute to see each other once you’re back in LA?" Mom pauses dramatically. "Unless you decide to stay here forever, which is still an option."
I laugh, shaking my head. "Mom, you know I can't stay here forever. I have a life in LA."
The words come out easily. My life and career are waiting for me, just like the Seals are waiting for Austin. Just like there are people depending on me, there’s a team depending on Austin.
Suddenly, it hits me what I need to do and what I really want. It’s all clear.
I finish my coffee and hug my parents. I need to get over to Austin’s. We have a lot to talk about and only a little time.
“Hi, you’re here early,” he says, opening the door.
I don’t waste any time before throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him.
“Okay, I’m very glad you’re here early,” he says between kisses, pulling me closer.
I laugh, my heart racing as I pull back slightly. “My answer is yes.”
He gives me a confused look. “Yes?”
“Yes, I want to try this long-distance thing. I’ll be back in LA after the New Year, and we can figure out how to see each other as much as possible. Whatever it takes, even if it’s a morning flight and an evening flight in the same day—I’m in.”
He stares at me for a second, and then a huge grin spreads across his face. He lifts me off the ground and spins me around in the doorway.
“This is the best news I’ve heard all week.”
I laugh as he sets me back down and leads me to the couch.
“I was looking at the team schedule,” he tells me. “We have a break around New Year’s. I could come here, you could come to California, or we could meet somewhere in the middle and spend the holiday together.”
“I love that idea,” I say, clasping my hands together.
“I was hoping you would,” he says.
“Everything changed when I met you,” I admit quietly. “I was miserable because I wasn’t dancing. I felt so lost and incomplete. Then I went to that game, and you asked me what happened to my foot.”
A smile appears on his face. “I remember everything about that night.”
“It sounds silly,” I continue, blinking back tears, “but my life was different after that moment. One conversation with you somehow turned into this.”
“It doesn’t sound silly at all.” His thumb brushes across my cheek. “I know exactly what you mean.”
His expression suddenly brightens. “That reminds me—I have something for you.”
“You do?”
He gets up and returns with a gift bag.
“Austin, you didn’t have to get me anything,” I tell him.
“Well, don’t get too excited until after you see it.”
I eagerly reach inside and pull out a dark blue and red hockey jersey. My breath catches when I turn it around and see REED. I run my fingers over letters stitched across the back.
“It’s one of my new jerseys,” he tells me. “I know I can’t make Sammy’s Halloween party, but I thought you might need it if you still want to dress up as a hockey player.”
I have no words, so I just hug the jersey to my chest, overwhelmed by all the emotions I’m feeling at one time.
“I can’t believe you’re giving this to me.”
He shrugs, but I can tell he’s pleased with my reaction. “I figured it belongs with my biggest fan.”
I laugh through my tears and pull him into another hug, clutching the jersey between us.
“I love it,” I whisper. “I’ll be wearing this at the party and possibly every day until I see you again.”
Once again, I’m hit with the painful reminder that in just a few hours, we’ll be thousands of miles apart. The thought settles heavily in my chest, but I refuse to let it ruin this moment. We still have time together, and I want to focus on that.
“And hopefully you’ll wear it soon when you come to one of my games,” he says.
A smile immediately finds its way onto my face. “Definitely.”
“I have the team schedule right here,” he says, holding up his phone. “We could pick a date and get it on the calendar. That way I’ll have something to look forward to.”
The fact that he’s already thinking ahead, planning for the next time we’ll see each other, makes my heart want to burst out of my chest.
“Okay,” I say with a grin. “Let’s plan.”
We scroll through the schedule together, discussing possibilities and comparing dates. What starts as simple planning quickly turns into excited conversations about future trips and all the little moments we’ll get to share in various cities.
After a few minutes, Austin grows quiet.
“I have to ask you something else,” he says. “I’ve already been warned by my future sister-in-law, and I don’t want to get on her bad side.”
I laugh and make a face. “That’s probably a smart idea.”
He smiles. “Would you be my date to Logan and Ivy’s wedding?”
For a second, I just stare at him.
I cover my mouth as the meaning sinks in. This isn’t just an invitation to a wedding—this is him wanting to take me home to meet his family and be with him for this very important day.
“I’d love to,” I say softly.
He pulls me into his arms, burying his face in my neck.
For the few precious minutes we have left, we curl up together on his couch.
His jersey is still in my lap, and neither of us says much.
We don't need to say anything. I try to memorize every detail, knowing that soon this will have to last me until the next time we're together.
We need to leave for the airport soon, but right now, I just want to hold on to him for as long as I can.
“Someone wants to see you,” Sammy calls from the doorway, pulling me from the fog I've been stuck in since getting home.
I glance up from the couch and immediately feel my heart squeeze.
Baby Jude is perched on her hip, dressed in a tiny green outfit complete with matching slippers. The mini-Peter Pan costume is the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.
“Jude wanted to show you his Halloween costume,” she says with a grin.
It only takes a few seconds to lose my composure.
“Ohhh, I’m obsessed,” I sob, reaching for him. “This is exactly what I needed right now.”
I pull him into my arms and bury my face against his soft little shoulder. Jude happily gurgles completely unaware that his auntie Isabella is a hot mess. He obliviously chews on a plastic toy, drooling all over it while staring at me with those big blue eyes.
“He has a way of brightening even the hardest days,” Sammy tells me.
I smile through my tears. “Yes, he really does.”
For a moment, I focus on Jude's tiny fingers. And this brings a smile through my tears.
“How did the airport drop-off go?” Sammy asks.
“It was fine. I managed to hold it together until I got to my car.” I shake my head. “The second I closed the door, it was ugly. I cried the entire drive home.”
Sammy winces sympathetically. “That's rough.”
“Yeah.” I look down at Jude. “I figured the people at the airport didn’t need to witness that.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t be the first person to break down in the terminal,” she reminds me.
“True. But it's going to be okay,” I continue. “We're already making plans. I'm going to visit soon, and we're spending New Year's together.”
Telling Sammy about our plans lightens my mood slightly.
“So you're giving the long-distance thing a go,” she exclaims.
I nod while gently rocking Jude in my lap. “Yes.”
“I think that’s awesome. If anyone can do it, you can. You both know what that life is like, and you adapt very well.”
“I decided I wasn't going to let my fears make this decision for me,” I tell her. “Austin means too much to me.”
I point toward the gift bag sitting beside the couch. “He gave me that.”
Sammy reaches over and peeks inside.
The second she sees what's there, she gasps.
“Awww. You're going to wear your boyfriend's number.” She presses a hand dramatically to her chest. “You two are basically going steady.”
I burst out laughing.
“We were supposed to dress as hockey players for your Halloween party.”
“Are you still going to?”
“Absolutely. I’ll be wearing that jersey a lot,” I pause. “There's a very good chance I'll be sleeping in it every night.”
“That sounds like true love to me,” she teases.
I grin without saying a word.
“You know, I hate what happened with your Achilles, and I know how much you lost because of it. But look what you gained.”
I stare down at Jude, who is still content playing with his toy.
I understand what she’s saying. If my life hadn't taken that unexpected turn, I never would have crossed paths with Austin.
“It’s true,” I say quietly. “I've been thinking about that a lot lately.”
Sammy smiles. “I'm excited to see what the future holds for you two.”
“Thanks. So am I.
The future still feels uncertain, and long distance won't be easy. But right now, that uncertainty doesn't scare me as much because Austin is worth it.
“For now,” I say, lifting Jude into the air, “I'm going to focus on being the best auntie to this little one.”
Jude lets out a loud belly laugh that fills the room.
And while I soak up every second of my sweet nephew's first holiday season, I’m already counting down the days until Austin and I are together again.