Epilogue
Emma
One month later
Wedding Reception at the Inclusion Park
It’s Otto and Mia’s big day. They’re showing off the newly completed Arcadia Inclusion Park while celebrating their marriage. It’s a perfect combination.
I squeal when I spot my former employee and one of my best friends, Bailey, who I haven’t seen for many months. She’s standing beside Mia while Otto’s standing over by Levi. I squeeze Joey’s arm, “Go over and talk to your peeps!”
He laughs as I rush over to my girlfriends.
The three of us exchange tearful hugs. When we break up from our joyful reunion, Bailey says, “Let me see that ring!”
I extend my finger so she can ooh and ahh over my diamond. “Joey picked this out?” she says, surprise lacing her tone.
I give Mia a teasing grin. “He had a little help from Chelsea and Mia.”
Mia holds up her hand. “Hey, all I did was approve their choice.”
“It’s beautiful and I love it.” I swivel my finger, letting the diamond catch the sunlight as I show off the ring. Putting my hand back at my side, I turn to Bailey. “Now, let’s talk about you!”
She gives Mia and me a coy look. “I may have an announcement.” She blushes to the roots of her hair, and it hits me.
“Is that a baby bump?” I blurt, then bite my lip. Hopefully my guess is correct, and she hasn’t just gained a few pounds around her mid-section.
Bailey nods excitedly. “Yes!”
“Oh my gosh!” Mia exclaims. “When are you due?”
“Five months from now.” She turns to me. “I shouldn’t be showing too much for your wedding, but I’ll understand if you don’t want me to be a bridesmaid.”
My jaw drops at her suggestion. “No way! Even if you were nine months along, I’d still want you to be a bridesmaid,” I say to one of my oldest friends. Mia and Bailey blink back tears as we all hug over the happy news.
“How is the father-to-be feeling?” I ask after we’ve hugged it out and made spectacles of ourselves. Nodding towards the trio standing a few feet away, my heart swoops in my chest. The three hockey players are all impressive, swoon-worthy male specimens, but I’m partial to the hunky goalie.
Bailey giggles. “He’s already built the crib! Whenever I try to lift something, he’s at my side, telling me to take it easy. I know he’s being sweet and considerate, but he’s kind of driving me crazy.”
Mia and I laugh. “Any weird cravings so far?” Mia asks.
“Yes! Two days ago, Levi had to run to the store to get mint chocolate chip ice cream.”
“That’s not so weird,” I say.
“And dill pickles! It’s quite a delicious sweet and salty combination.”
Both Mia and I wrinkle our noses while Bailey chuckles.
It’s hard to believe that all three of us were single and working together at the bakery just a little over two years ago. Some strange coincidence or quirk of fate made each of us fall for a Golden Stars hockey player. My bakery and hockey appear destined to be intertwined forever, especially when I start baking those hockey-themed cupcakes for parties at the Bruins’s stadium.
Nora walks up with Madison rolling by her side. Mia runs over and hugs both of them. “Come see the park!” she squeals, literally vibrating with excitement. “I know Madison did a test run of all the equipment a few weeks ago, but I’d like our guests to see the playground in action!” Nora waves and grins as she follows Mia and her daughter.
“This park turned out fabulous,” Bailey comments as we watch Mia push Madison on the merry-go-round. It’s designed so Madison’s wheelchair can be strapped in, giving her access to the play equipment she wouldn’t otherwise have.
“Levi’s donation was a big part of getting this built.”
Bailey nods. “He’s going to be such a great dad.” There are tears in her eyes and her voice cracks with emotion.
I reach out and squeeze her hand. “He is.”
As I glance over at the three guys, Joey’s eyes lock with mine. When he smiles directly at me, happiness flows through me, and I smile back. Although I’m getting ahead of myself, I know that he’s going to be a great dad, too.
Our son will play hockey and be the best skater on the team. Come to think of it, our daughter might also take up hockey and our son could learn to bake like his mom. They can be anything they want to be as long as they’re happy.
We’ll build gingerbread houses with the kids, our son making suggestions for creating the front door out of pretzels or licorice. Joey and Blake will apply far too much icing and build a fortress as sturdy as Fort Knox. Our little girl will want to add a fairy—or maybe Mickey Mouse—to the roof. She’ll wear mismatched, brightly colored outfits and dance around our legs. We can even celebrate her non-birthday at the stadium.
It’s going to be a wonderful life with my goalie, and I can’t wait for it to start.
THE END