Epilogue
It'd been over a year since I de facto moved in with Spencer and we started our lives together. There had been a few ups and downs. Mainly watching the drama between Siobhan and Carter and then seeing Scuba reconnecting with his unexpected family.
Spencer was his typical self and had been a damn pest all the time.
If it wasn't for Carter pulling him back, I was pretty sure Spence was going to lick another player in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Thankfully, it was only an attempt, and with some quick thinking, I made a meme saying how he was mocking a player with that attempt since Spence did it to a known licker.
So, at that time, he was considered a hero.
I looked at my watch; I was going to kill Spencer.
Today was the day for us to have our assessment to become foster parents, and he wasn't back from his workout.
It already took a minor miracle that they worked with Spencer's schedule to set up the appointment.
But there was no way in hell that we would be approved to be foster parents if he didn't show up soon.
While I fumed, I did that anxious cleaning. Rethinking every little thing on the coffee table, including the little tray filled with tea.
I heard the alarm beep, indicating that someone had come through the door. I peeked out to the kitchen to see Spencer walking in. "You're late."
"I know," he said with a smile. "But I figured you would want me to be clean after working out."
He was more than clean. His hair was perfectly done. His beard was trimmed. Even his outfit was a huge upgrade from his normal stuff. He had a nice Legacy polo on and a good pair of khakis. It was just a step down from his game-day suit.
He pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me. I smelled that wonderful woodsy cologne. "Don't worry about it so much."
"You know they don't like unmarried couples and whatnot."
He chuckled and kissed my forehead. "We can fix that any day you want.
I already tried to propose to you last year, and you said I needed to wait at least another ten days before I could do it again.
Hell, we could get married any day of the week as long as you don't mind disappointing your parents. "
I giggled and stood there in disbelief. He knew down to the day when he could propose to me again.
I could see him dragging me off to the courthouse to get married. But he was right; my parents would flip if we eloped without a ceremony. Besides, I still had my image of a perfect wedding day.
The doorbell rang. He kissed my nose and went to answer it. A middle-aged woman was standing there. Spencer held out his hand and said, "Thanks for coming to meet with us."
She smiled and shook hands with both of us. "I'm Bella McPherson. I know you already were granted temporary guardianship of a child about a year ago, so this shouldn't take too long."
First came the home inspection. That part was easy.
Everything was clean and tidy. We showed off the guest room, which we turned into a kid's room and explained how we planned to tailor it for any child we got.
We even moved Spence's gym stuff out to the finished shed so we could have a playroom for some kids.
Then, we sat down for the interview. I grabbed Spence's hand and tucked it around my elbow. I was so afraid of him saying something stupid in the interview process.
"As far as the application process, everything seems to be in order, but there are a couple things that I wanted to get more information about. Why fostering?"
I looked up at Spence to see if he wanted to take the lead. He nodded.
"Well, quite frankly, we want to help make kids’ lives better.
Give them some stability and hope. While my situation growing up wasn't exactly a fostering program, it did shape everything in my life.
That was moving into my billet family's home and getting away from a toxic family.
It was life-changing. I met my best friend and my life partner, and I could really see myself playing in the NHL. "
That was such a good answer, and thank God he kept all the swear words out of it.
"Also, it's one of the best ways for us to have a family and do good. If the circumstances are right, we would love to adopt a kid."
The woman smiled and jotted down a couple notes into her phone. Then she asked, "I have to ask, with Mr. Suzuki's work schedule, what are your childcare plans?"
I smiled and said, "Well, I work more or less from home. Then, when we need additional help, my parents are willing to step in, especially now that they have moved here."
Spencer spoke up, "Plus, I have enough resources to hire anybody else needed. Although, we do plan to take an active role in parenting. It's not just hire a nanny and let them do all the work."
Bella put her phone into her blazer pocket. "Well, I think that is everything for it. You'll hear back from the agency soon with the next steps."
Oh, I felt so giddy with that news. It seemed so real now. Spence was a perfect gentleman the whole time. Everything was falling into place.