Epilogue Tyler
NEXT CHRISMUKKAH
Lainey trudges groggily into her living room in her Hanukkah-themed fleece pajamas that were a gift from my aunt. It’s morning, and even though Enzo faced the reality of Santa, he is still eager to open his presents this morning and is sitting on the floor near the tree, shaking a few small boxes.
A few months ago, we found a house that will give us a little more room, plus a yard. We’ll be moving in next month after the holiday buzz calms.
Lainey plops onto the couch, and I’m quick to offer her a cup of coffee that I already made because I’ve been up for an hour for many reasons.
“We have a solid two hours before we head to Chrismukkah at Gracie and Asher’s,” she mumbles.
“And a solid one minute for you to wake up and get with the show,” I retort.
She rolls her eyes and smiles against the rim of her mug.
“Can I open one now?” Enzo is about to lose patience.
“Sure,” Lainey agrees.
Truthfully, I barely notice the wows happening for the next five minutes from Enzo opening his new dart set and a bunch of hockey stuff. He has a talent and is doing great on the mini-team. It makes Seb and me proud. Seb is relaxed about his sister and me, so things are smooth sailing.
But the real reason why everything feels like it is in the background is the fact that I keep admiring Lainey. My eyes are unable to part from watching her bright smile as she watches her son. But it’s time, and before she opens her gifts, I need to get this out of the way because I can’t focus.
“Guys, we totally forgot to check our stockings.” I play it casual. “Not sure Santa appreciates that.”
Enzo sighs as though it is an inconvenience, and Lainey chirps a laugh. “Tyler is right. Stockings should always be the first thing to open.”
We all work our way to the fireplace where three stockings are hanging and a menorah that I bought from an actual store rests on the mantel.
Last year’s Chrismukkah might have rubbed off on me, and Enzo asked as well.
Enzo digs into his and pulls out his pair of socks and a few chocolate bars.
I went off script and got him a gift card so he can download some games, which causes Lainey to zip her eyes to me, and she wants to be angry, but her smile fails her.
My stocking also has socks and chocolate. Both Enzo and I wait for Lainey, but she does nothing, instead snapping her fingers in the air. “I totally forgot to add your parents’ presents under the tree for tomorrow.”
She’s about to twirl on her feet to fix that situation, but I grab her arm to stop her. “No, you don’t. You have a stocking still stuffed.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let me grab my socks and chocolate because Tyler has become Mr. Holiday this year and was on stocking duty.” She humors us and stuffs her hand into the stocking, only to pause, and her hand begins to fish around.
The expression on her face stalls, and her eyes brighten as she slowly pulls out the small square box. “W-what’s happening?” she asks blankly.
Catching her off guard is fun. Confident with what I’m about to do, I drop to one knee. I catch her hands to hold and steal the item in her hand. Opening the box, I present it to Lainey. Already, tears pool in her eyes. “I’m hoping you’ll make my Chrismukkah miracle come true this year.”
Enzo has a wide smile as he stands by the side. He knew I was going to ask and even came along when I picked out a ring.
“I thought you would get me a necklace with a little charm or something.” She is stuck in a daze.
“I did that already on your birthday,” I deadpan.
Her mouth parts open and words seem to get stuck. I’m beginning to worry.
“Can you actually ask the question?” she directs me, and my body eases because a smile is breaking out on her face.
“Will you marry me?”
When she pounces on me and throws her arms around me, it causes me to fall back onto my ass and take her with me. “Yes!”
Everything inside of me bursts, a spectrum of emotions that I’ve never experienced. Sure, winning a cup could be up there on the list, but hockey won’t always be there, and Lainey I get for life.
“Let me get that ring on your finger then.”
We sit up, and she stays on my lap as I slide the ring onto her finger. She flaps her hand against my shoulder as if she is a penguin, and her blatant excitement is the best. “This is a great start to the day. Now we have family and friends to share the news with.”
Oh yeah. That.
“Let’s go build our safety bunker in your room for tomorrow when my parents visit,” I advise.
She swats me and laughs. “What? My mom is going to squeal all day, before planning our wedding as if it were her own. And we still have to head to Gracie’s later to stare at a baby in an elf hat or something. ”
She points her finger at me and gives me a pretend stern look. “Hey, not my fault that your coach got my best friend pregnant, and their cute little baby has their first Chrismukkah. Plus, apparently we will be playing a solid game of dreidel with alcohol.”
My grin breaks out. “Fair enough. Now let’s celebrate over some cinnamon rolls and your disgusting candy-cane-flavored coffee.”
She bounces up and off of me and offers me her hand. As we walk to the kitchen, she takes her place between Enzo and me. One fit.
A family of three.
…maybe soon four, if I have my way.
So what about Gracie & Coach Tate?
What’s more terrifying than finding out you’re about to be a dad? Try doing it during the chaotic whirlwind of Chrismukkah.
The plan was simple: focus on coaching my hockey team, and keep our sponsors happy. What didn’t I plan? Gracie—gorgeous, sharp, way too young for me, and the main sponsor's daughter… Ending up in a surprise storm, sharing Halloween candy, and making a bad decision (okay, an amazing decision).
By Thanksgiving, the pregnancy test has two lines and one very clear message: that night wasn’t just unforgettable—it’s going to change everything.
Cue the Chrismukkah chaos: menorahs catching fire, Santa drama, moms going full holiday meltdown, all while trying to figure out if this surprise connection can turn into something real.
Oh, and her dad? The guy who chops down Christmas trees with an axe like he’s auditioning for a horror movie? Yeah—he’s not thrilled.
This holiday season, forget naughty or nice—we're just trying to survive with our sanity (and relationship) intact.
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Blue Lines & Chrismukkah Nights
If you are curious about Tyler’s parents, their enemies-to-lovers romance can be found in The Unexpected Card.