Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
April
Frasier and I held hands as we headed down the hallway of the Huxley Grand LA. The Hawks were throwing a party to celebrate the end of the regular season, and I was looking forward to spending time with all our friends before the play-offs took over everyone’s lives.
We stopped just before the closed doors to the ballroom, and I could already hear music and conversation from the other side. Frasier raised my hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss to the inside of my wrist. I shivered from the contact and the way he was looking at me.
“Angel, you look beautiful.”
Georgia had recently suggested shopping for maternity clothes, and she’d helped me pick out this gorgeous dress.
It was pastel, and something about the pattern reminded me of butterflies.
It was comfortable but also sexy, showing off my growing baby bump.
Judging from the way Frasier kept looking at me—touching me—he was a fan.
I looped my arms around his neck, and his hands naturally dropped to my waist as if they were made to fit there. I pressed up on my toes, and he leaned forward, our mouths meeting for a kiss.
I kissed him again, short and sweet. “I love you, and I’m so proud of you.”
For the way he’d played this season. But even more than that, I was so impressed by the work he and Carson were doing in partnership with the league to train others to be upstanders.
They’d received so many wonderful messages from the next generation of players—and their parents—thanking them for their leadership.
“Love you, angel.” He pressed a kiss to the spot behind my ear. I want you.
I nodded emphatically, my pulse quickening. I wanted him too.
“Maybe we should just skip the party and get a room upstairs,” he rasped, eyes darkening.
“Tempting,” I said, even though he’d already made me come twice this morning before we’d left the house.
The man was determined to spoil me—with orgasms, back rubs, you name it. Anytime I even mentioned a pregnancy craving, he was on it. I felt his love for me and the baby in every single thing he did.
“Mm.” He slid his hands over my hips, down to cup my ass. And then he pulled me closer so I was flush with him. “Very tempting.”
He claimed my lips, coaxing me even closer, making me want even more. He gave my ass a squeeze, and I moaned when I felt his hard-on pressing against me. “Yes,” I said. “More,” I whispered. “Please.”
He groaned. “You’re killing me, Bryn.” And then, with a shaky exhale, he pulled back.
I pouted, my body still on fire for this man. He’d gotten me all hot and bothered, and now he was just going to…stop?
“Later.” He kissed me on the nose. I narrowed my eyes at him, and he chuckled. “Come on.” He linked our fingers, practically dragging me toward the ballroom. “We’ll just make a quick appearance, and then we’ll leave.”
“Promise?”
As much as I wanted to see our friends, alone time with Frasier was in short supply. And I didn’t feel like sharing him.
“Promise.” He kissed the top of my head.
Frasier held open the door to the ballroom, and as soon as the two of us were inside, everyone turned to us and shouted, “Surprise!”
I looked to Frasier for answers, but he seemed just as stunned as I was. He lifted his hands. “Don’t look at me. I had nothing to do with this.”
I smiled a few times, blinking rapidly as if to stop the tears I knew would fall.
Georgia was the first to approach, a huge smile on her face. “We wanted to throw the two of you a baby shower to celebrate! Surprise!”
I laughed, and as I looked around, the beautiful pink and white flowers suddenly made more sense. It felt like a springtime garden, with blue silk butterflies interspersed. It was so sweet.
“Georgia.” I pulled her in for a hug, trying so hard not to bawl. “This is beautiful. And so over the top.”
She sketched a little bow. “You’re welcome.”
I laughed. “I love it. Thank you.”
I spied Kylie and, “Logan?” I gasped as she stepped forward to hug me. “Oh my god. I can’t believe you’re here.” I thought she was supposed to be back in Minnesota, preparing for her own play-offs.
Logan held me tight. “Of course I’m here. So happy for you, Bryn.”
And then I noticed just how many people were here, for us. Coach Cross and his husband, Daniel and the staff from the Hawks. Carson, Gabe, Holden, Zayne, Boone, and so many of the other guys from the team. Friends from my work. Frasier’s agent, Talia. His parents. Derek’s parents. My parents.
“Mom! Dad!” I hugged them. I’d had no idea they were even coming to town.
“So excited to be a Nana!” Mom said as Dad shook Frasier’s hand. They’d visited a few times since Allie’s wedding, but I was so happy they could be here for this.
“And an Auntie!” Allie said, jumping in. I launched myself at her. My family had been nothing but supportive—and enthusiastic—since we’d told them about the baby.
I couldn’t seem to stop crying. I was so grateful and happy and stunned, really. And through it all, Frasier was at my side.
It was so nice to have everyone together to celebrate such a happy occasion. And as we ate and talked and laughed, I couldn’t help but think about how much my life had changed. How much I had changed.
When I finally found Georgia again, I leaned in and said, “You could’ve given me a little warning,” in a teasing tone.
She laughed. “Why do you think I was so insistent on taking you shopping for a nice dress for the party?”
“Well, thank you. You did an amazing job.” I glanced around, taking it all in.
I loved how casual and low-key the baby shower was.
There were no cheesy games. No awkward opening of presents, though there was a huge pile of gifts that I had no idea how we were going to get home, let alone find a place for.
The party was more about spending time with friends and family than anything else, which was exactly the way I would’ve wanted it.
“I’m glad you like it. Though, I can’t take all the credit.”
“I love it.” I gave her shoulder a squeeze, meeting her eyes. “Sincerely. The flowers, the butterflies…” I trailed off. I couldn’t think of butterflies without thinking of Derek, and it felt as if he were here in some small way.
I was still trying to find that balance between honoring the past, living in the present, and looking toward the future.
But it was getting easier. I attended home games when I could, supporting Frasier and the team.
And I continued working with the SADS Foundation to raise funds and awareness for the condition that had claimed Derek’s life.
Georgia said nothing, wrapping her arms around me for a hug. Allie joined us, handing me a plate of food.
“You’re just as bad as Frasier,” I teased, though I appreciated that everyone was looking out for me.
“That man is so far gone for you it isn’t even funny. And when he meets your baby girl…” She shook her head.
Sometimes I still couldn’t believe this was my life. I’d been so convinced that my love story was over, and yet I couldn’t have been more wrong. I’d never been happier to have been proven wrong.
Yes, there were still times that I worried about Frasier when we were apart. I still talked to my therapist. I still missed Derek. But everything I’d gone through only made me more grateful for the blessings in my life. My friends and family. Bacon and Biscuit. Frasier. And a baby on the way.
I sat in the glider in the baby’s future nursery, writing thank-you notes while Frasier assembled the crib.
Our friends and family had gone above and beyond, and this kid was so spoiled.
Bacon was sniffing around, inspecting all the new items as if she couldn’t quite figure out what—or whom—they were for.
Biscuit was napping at my feet, bored by the whole thing.
I was just happy to be relaxing at home, with Frasier and the dogs for once.
The past few months had passed in a blur of games, doctor’s appointments, work, and so much more.
Frasier had sold his condo and moved in with me, and I loved being with him all the time.
At least, when he wasn’t out of town for a game.
When he was home, he was working on his latest project—preparing a room for our baby girl, who still didn’t have a name.
Frasier and I had hired a local artist to paint one of the walls as a woodland scene, and it was like an “I Spy” straight out of a fairy tale.
Foxes and other animals were hidden throughout the forest, including a family of bears to represent Frasier, me, and the baby.
I adored all the details—the little birds and flowers, even a hawk for the team.
But my favorite part was all the butterflies in varying shades, shapes, and colors.
It was beautiful and meaningful, and I absolutely loved it.
I placed my pen down for a moment, watching Frasier as he attached one of the sides of the crib. He already loved this baby so much, and it only made me fall even harder for him.
Life was good. Better than good.
He glanced up at me, sunlight streaming through the window. We’d have to get some blackout shades, but for now, I was enjoying all the natural light.
“So, I was thinking,” he said, returning his attention to the crib. Which meant my attention returned to his forearms. So hot.
“Bryn?” he asked, brow raised.
“Mm.”
“I was thinking about names for the baby.”
We knew she would take Frasier’s last name, but we hadn’t decided on a first name yet. Nothing had felt right.
“What if…” He shifted. “I was thinking Morgan, in honor of Derek.”
“Morgan.” I nodded as a tear streaked down my cheek. “I love that.”
Frasier set aside his tools, coming over to me. And then he was kneeling before me, cupping my cheeks, wiping my tears.
“Morgan Holmes.” I smiled, loving that Frasier wanted to honor someone who was so dear to both of us. “It’s perfect.”
I thought back to the book Frasier had given me, and the inscription from Meghan Hart and Penelope Glass.
The best love stories have no end.
Because I’d never stopped loving Derek, but I’d also made room in my heart for Frasier and, now, our child.
The baby—Morgan—kicked as if to show her approval. I laughed, placing Frasier’s hand over my stomach. When he felt her movements, his expression softened even more. He was such a goner for our daughter. He hadn’t even met her yet, and he was already wrapped around her little finger.
“Hi, baby.” He spoke to my stomach. “It’s your daddy, and I can’t wait to meet you. But if you could please try to time it so that I’m not at an away game, I’d really appreciate it.”
I laughed, but it was no joke. The play-offs were starting soon, and depending on how the Hawks played, they’d last for months. I wanted success for Frasier—for everyone on the team. But selfishly, I wanted him home for the birth of our child.
For now, I was trying not to stress. I still had a few months until my due date. I might not be able to travel to the away games now that I was in my third trimester, but I would attend every home game possible. And the ones I couldn’t attend, I’d watch from the comfort of our couch.
Allie had already offered—insisted, really—on coming to stay for the last few weeks of my pregnancy. And I was looking forward to spending some time with her.
“So…” Frasier said, seeming nervous all of a sudden. “You know how we were talking about names?”
I nodded, assuming he wanted to discuss a middle name for Morgan now that we’d decided on her first name.
“I was wondering what you’d think about changing your last name so we’d all have the same one.”
I considered it a moment. I’d loved being married to Derek. I’d loved sharing his last name. But I wanted to have the same name as my children.
“I’m not opposed to the idea,” I said. “But the only real reason I’d do it is—”
I realized then that Frasier had shifted from two knees to one. He was kneeling before me, a plastic Easter egg in hand like the ones that were often thrown on the ice after a shutout game.
“This egg contains a promise, but it will only open when you’re ready for it.”
I had a pretty good feeling I knew what was inside that egg, and it wasn’t chocolate candy. A swell of emotion rose inside me, and I loved the fact that he’d given me a choice. He hadn’t put me on the spot; he hadn’t pushed. He was patient, as always.
And even though I knew I could’ve told him I wanted to wait, that wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted him, and I wanted this life—together.
I swallowed hard and whispered, “I’m ready.”
The corner of Frasier’s mouth lifted into a hint of a smile. “I love you, Bryn, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you that. Marry me?” He popped open the egg, revealing…
“Is that a ring pop?” I laughed, removing the candy from inside.
When I glanced up again, he was holding out another ring with a gold band and two large stones—an emerald-cut diamond hugging a pear-shaped one. My eyes widened. I’d never seen anything like it.
“It’s called a moi et toi ring. It’s French for ‘me and you,’ and I liked that it symbolized us—together.”
I met his eyes and vowed, “Together.” He slid the ring on my finger, and it sparkled and sparkled. “I love it. It’s perfect.”
He brought my hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss to the back of it. “We can get married whenever you want. I’m a patient man, but I can’t wait to make you mine.”
I leaned forward, cupping his cheeks as tears ran down my face. “I already am.”