Chapter 41
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
MAYA
Lila’s already halfway through packing the night before the trip, her little suitcase bursting at the seams with all the things no sensible person would think to bring on a hockey weekend.
She plucks out a unicorn swimsuit from the pile and holds it up with pride. “Bear said he’d teach me to swim in the hotel pool,” she says, her eyes shining with excitement.
I glance at the unicorn suit, glittery and pink with sparkly hooves printed on the sides, and can’t help but smile. Owen has been so patient and gentle with Lila these past few weeks, and the way she’s attached to him is almost heartbreaking in its sweetness.
“Okay, sweet pea,” I say, “we’ll bring that along. But only if you promise to stay close and no cannonballs off the deep end.”
She giggles, stuffing in a tiara, three books, and an armful of stuffed animals that look ready for a hotel invasion.
I’m sitting on the bed next to her, trying to organise my own suitcase without making the same chaotic mess. Clothes for the weekend, toiletries, snacks for Lila, and of course, my laptop in case I need to keep up with the bakery back home.
This whole away-game thing still feels surreal to me. A weekend trip with Owen and the team. The fact that they’re inviting me and Lila to come feels like a tiny miracle. I’m not just the girl who bakes anymore. I’m part of something bigger.
And Lila? She’s buzzing with excitement, practically bouncing around the room as she zips and unzips her case to add more glittery stickers.
“Do you think Bear’s teammates like me?” she asks suddenly, looking up with big hopeful eyes.
I reach over and squeeze her hand. “They do. They think you’re magic.”
Lila beams. “Like my sprinkles!”
The bus ride the next morning is noisy and chaotic, just like I expected. The team is in full form, joking, singing, and making a lot of noise for eight in the morning.
Jacko squeezes my hand every now and then, his quiet presence grounding me amid the hockey chaos.
Dylan’s there too, grinning wide when he sees Lila sitting next to Maya, her fairy wings tucked under her coat.
“Hey, little fairy princess,” he says, making Lila giggle. “Ready to cheer the boys on?”
Lila nods enthusiastically, clutching her unicorn swimsuit and tiara.
Mia, Dylan’s girlfriend and the team’s physio, slides into the seat across from us with a friendly smile. She’s already got that easy, confident vibe that immediately makes me feel less like an outsider.
“Hey, Maya,” she says, leaning forward. “Lila’s got the full fan package, huh?”
I laugh. “She’s definitely ready for her first hockey road trip.”
Mia glances at Lila’s suitcase. “Unicorn swimsuit, fairy wings... sounds like we need to make a pit stop at the gift shop for some official Raptors merch, right?”
Before I can answer, Murphy’s voice cuts in from across the aisle, a little sharper than usual. “Sophie’s staying back,” he says. “Due any time now. Can’t exactly concentrate knowing she might go into labour while I’m away.”
The bus quiets a bit. I glance at Jacko, his jaw is tight, but his eyes are soft.
“I get it,” I say gently. “She’s lucky to have you.”
Murphy nods, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, well. I’m just worried sick.”
Mia puts a comforting hand on his arm. “You’re doing everything you can from here. And Sophie’s mum is with her so she’s in good hands.”
When we finally pull up outside the hotel, Lila presses her face to the window, eyes wide.
The place is stunning; gleaming glass walls, a lobby full of shiny marble, chandeliers dripping like frozen waterfalls. It’s not the kind of place I’m used to, that’s for sure.
Jacko grins beside me. “They don’t mess around.”
Lila hops out of her seat with barely contained excitement. “It’s like a palace!”
I watch her skip inside, clutching Jacko’s hand.
The team checks in quickly, and soon we’re standing in the suite the hotel has given us. Two bedrooms, a cozy living area, and a balcony overlooking the city lights.
Lila immediately flops onto one of the beds, patting the pillow beside her. “Bear, you have to show me how to swim later, okay?”
Jacko sits on the edge of the bed, pulling her into a hug. “Deal. But only if you promise to be my best swimming buddy.”
There’s a knock on the door and Owen jumps up to see who it is. As the door swings open Murphy, Dylan and Ollie drift in, laughing and chatting, and I’m struck again by how much this feels like a family. Mia brings up the rear, all smiles and clutching a Raptors away kit jersey for Lila.
Ollie tosses me a cheeky grin. “So, Maya, what’s your verdict? Ready to hang with the big boys for the weekend?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “I think I’m surviving so far.”
Dylan pulls me into a hug. “You’re part of the crew now. No backing out.”
Murphy, still looking tense but smiling anyway, adds, “And if anyone messes with Lila or Maya, they’re dealing with all of us.”
Mia winks. “That includes me.”
Later that night, after everyone’s settled into their rooms and freshened up, the team heads down to the restaurant for dinner.
The restaurant buzzes with a cozy energy, low lights casting a warm glow over the long table the team has claimed.
The scent of fresh bread and roasting garlic drifts through the air as waiters bustle by.
I settle into the seat next to Mia, grateful for her easy smile and quiet confidence.
Owen gently lifts Lila onto the chair beside me, careful not to let her wiggle too much. She beams up at him, clutching her unicorn swimsuit in one hand like a precious talisman.
“I’ll sit right here,” Owen says with a grin, sliding in beside her.
Lila immediately launches into her version of a royal welcome, turning to the team like a tiny emcee at a gala.
“Okay, everyone,” she says, holding up her hand for attention, “you’re all invited to the Unicorn Kingdom! There’s sparkles, and rainbows, and lots of ice cream. But no mean dragons allowed!”
Murphy snorts and nearly spills his drink. “No mean dragons, huh? Guess that rules me out.”
Lila crosses her arms, frowning mock-seriously. “You’re not a dragon, Mr. Murphy. You’re a big scary bear. So you can stay.”
Owen chuckles and ruffles her hair. “See? You’re the queen’s official protector.”
Sophie’s absence is felt but softened by the chatter and laughter filling the space. Murphy picks up his phone and, after a quick glance at us, taps the video call button.
“Hey gorgeous, how are you doing? Little man still cooking?” he asks softly as the screen lights up.
Sophie’s smiling face fills the screen, her hand resting on her swollen belly. “Hey, yep, he’s too bloody comfy in there. We need to turf him out now, I’m so over this whole pregnancy thing now.”
Lila’s eyes widen with curiosity, and before I can stop her, she’s leaning forward with a huge grin.
“Hello, baby!” she chirps, waving. “We’re all waiting to meet you!”
Sophie laughs, her voice warm and tender. “Hey, Lila! He’s got the best fan club already.”
Murphy’s smile is tender and relieved. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m hot, fat and can’t see my feet. How do you think I’m feeling?” Sophie replies. “Sorry. Sorry, I’m good. Mum’s fussing and loving it.”
Lila turns to the team, animated. “The baby’s going to have so many hockey buddies. Maybe Bear will teach you how to skate too!”
Owen grins at her, eyes soft with pride. “That’s Murph’s job, Jellybean.”
Mia raises her glass. “To the newest Raptors fans, may they grow up surrounded by love and a lot of goals.”
Everyone clinks their glasses together, the noise filling the space with warmth and belonging.
Lila leans against me, tired but happy, and I realise that for the first time in a long time, this feels like the beginning of something whole. Not just for me, but for all of us.
Jacko presses a soft kiss to my forehead. “Thank you for coming with us. It means a lot.”
I lean into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart. “It means a lot to me too.”
Lila looks up, eyes sparkling with tired excitement. “Tomorrow, Bear teaches me to swim. Promise?”
He grins. “Promise.”
As I watch them, I realise I’m not just along for the ride anymore. I’m part of their team, a found family that feels like home.