Epilogue
The wind chills me, and I wrap my coat around me as best as I can. February in Michigan can be brutal. I take my time awkwardly walking in the snow before reaching the graves. I look at the headstone to the right first.
Hi, Daddy. Im sorry its been a while since I last visited. Life is chaotic, with three husbands, a busy career, and a toddler running around half the time. I know you would love them all and the life that weve built. Our new house on the lake is finished, and its so beautiful. It took longer than planned, but the wait was worth it. Talon even added a small guest house to the grounds for Mom and a live-in nurse to help her. Shes loving it there. You’d be so proud of her. It’s so inspiring how hard she’s worked. I love you and miss you so much every day. I can’t believe it’s been eight years since you left us.
I kiss my fingertips and lay them on his headstone. Tears flow down my cheeks. The anniversary of the accident never gets easier. I turn to the left to look at my childs headstone.
Hi, my baby boy. I love and miss you every day, too. Dominic, being with your fathers has been the happiest time of my life but also the hardest. Ive felt your loss like a sharp blade to my heart. Seeing your brother Connor have them in his life sometimes makes me sad. Theyve missed out on a relationship with you. I love him so much, but hell never take away from your place in my heart.
As I talk to my son, I think of all weve accomplished since our marriage six months ago. Once our house was finished, we held a small ceremony overlooking the lake in our backyard. We exchanged vows and committed ourselves to our unconventional but perfect relationship. I may not be legally married to any of them, but in every way that counts, Im their wife, and they are my husbands.
Cole is having a career-best year after missing a large chunk of last season with a shoulder injury. The Ice Dragons are a top competitor for the cup this season. I have my fingers and toes crossed for the team. With only a few more seasons with the team left on his contract, he’s making noises about retirement to spend more time with us and Connor. We’ll see how that goes.
Talon just released his second solo album, and its been more successful than his first. Hes so talented. I love that the world can see that in him. Hes currently butting heads with Vic about a world tour. Talon doesnt want to be away from home, finding that touring makes him miserable now. He’s considering switching gears to become a writer and producer full-time, working out of the extensive new studio hes built.
Foster has found a deep satisfaction in being a coach. He sold his health brand for an enormous amount of money and is now solely focused on high school hockey. He, Cole, and some of his teammates have started a program allowing underprivileged kids to play for free.
I stand in front of their graves for a few minutes more, sobbing and feeling the loss of them both so heavy in my heart. I wish things could have been different, but I cant let my grief stop me from living. After crying my grief out, I go to stand but wobble a little. An arm comes around me to help me up.
I turn, and Cole smiles down at me. It looked like you were ready to go. I didnt want you to fall.
Thank you, I take his hand and walk back down to the SUV, where the other two are waiting for us.
Foster pulls me in his arms and kisses my forehead, Are you ok, pretty girl?
I am, I reply, and he looks down at me skeptically. I am. Sometimes, crying is good. It feels cathartic.
Talon comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me, always giving me the silent support I need. I couldnt have imagined when I stared into the blinding lights of a car about to crash, the lowest part of my life, that it would become so overflowing with love.
4 Months Later
The buzzer rings out, barely heard over 20,000 screaming fans, signaling the end of the game. The Ice Dragons have won the Stanley Cup. I jump up and down, filled with pride for my childhood team. Someone’s arms wrap around me from behind, and I look behind me at Talon.
“He did it,” he says quietly to me.
“Yes, he did,” I say with a massive smile.
Talon has missed very few of Cole’s home games and even bought our family the suite in the arena where we watch the games. Being the wife of three wealthy men has its perks. We watch the players and fans celebrate from above while our family and friends toast behind us.
Cole looks up at us from the ice, and we wave. It has been an honor to watch him achieve his ultimate dream.
“You need to head down there. You don’t want to miss taking pictures of him hoisting the cup over his head,” Foster tells me as he walks over to us. He has Connor sitting on his hip. I don’t know how he’s managed to keep the busy toddler contained.
“Daddy won,” Connor yells with his hands in the air.
I give him a high five and kiss his chubby cheek, “Yes, he did, little man.”
Foster kisses me, “Gran is taking this guy so we can party tonight. Grab your camera, and we’ll meet you down there.”
I find my camera bag and sling it over my shoulder, hugging and high-fiving as I try to leave the room.
Mrs. Thorne, Cole’s mom, squeezes me, “I always knew you’d be at his side when he did this.” She takes Connor from Foster. We try to leave again, but I find my mom in the crowd, off to the side of the room alone. I give her a gentle hug.
“I’m so happy for him and for all of you. I love you,” she says, squeezing me.
Finally, I escaped and hurry to the elevators. I rush to find the perfect vantage point once we reach ice level. I congratulate the players and their families. Everyone is riding high on the euphoria of winning. I unload my camera as NHL suits make a presentation, and then the cup is passed from player to player. I continuously take pictures as everyone takes their turn around the ice. I have to hold my hands steady when Cole does his lap. When he spots me, he stops so I can get the best shot, with his smile shining with pure happiness.
After the festivities on the ice are over, Cole skates over to me. He pulls me in for a kiss before he tosses me over his shoulder, walking down the hallway towards the locker room. The party continues with champagne sprayed everywhere and elated players and fans.
I look forward to celebrating our wins with the five of us for the rest of our lives.