Cayden
FORTY-EIGHT
I watch my daughter hug Luna like she’s the best thing she’s ever had. My heart expands in my chest, and I’m not sure I’ll ever get over what I’m feeling now.
Luna sets down Scar and takes her hand, leading her over to where her nieces and nephews are.
“You’re my family, too, Mae.” I glance down at the woman who’s single-handedly kept me from drowning these past three years.
“I know that,” she smiles. “And I know you have your parents, too, if you ever need them, but look at your daughter.” She nods in the direction of the children’s laughter.
I turn and watch Luna blow bubbles for the kids as they run and try to pop them. Noah’s daughter, Lily Anna, has Scarlett’s hand as she helps her chase the iridescent bubbles, her face full of joy.
“She has a yard full of people who showed up for her. They barely know her, yet you can already feel the love.”
Luna glances over at me from across the yard, and the love I see in her expression steals what’s left of my breath. She radiates happiness, and all I want is to build a future around that smile.
“I’m scared, Mae,” I say quietly, my throat feeling tight with emotions. “Scared that it might all go away again.”
“I know, dear,” she says, patting my arm. “The question you need to ask yourself, though, is what if it doesn’t.”
I stare out at Luna laughing with the kids, her smile carrying toward me like a warm breeze.
What if it doesn’t?
What if this is the one thing in life that I get to keep?
My chest tightens around the thought before I shove it back down where all the others live.
Mae’s eyes scan the room, and she smiles when she spots Luna’s grandma standing with her husband.
She has a margarita in her hand and can’t be over five feet tall.
“That must be Mimi that I’ve heard so much about.
I’m going to go introduce myself. I can already tell from the drink in her hand that we are going to get along just fine. ”
I chuckle as she walks over and starts talking like they’ve been best friends for years.
“Looks like Mimi found a new bestie,” Noah laughs, coming up to my side with Maverick as Travis appears behind him. He arrived at the same time I did with his three kids.
“I think you’re right.” I grin as Mimi makes her a drink behind the outdoor bar.
Maverick hands me a long neck, and I raise it to my lips. It’s ice cold and tastes like heaven in this heat. “Thanks,” I nod.
“So you and my baby sister, huh?” Noah eyes me as he takes a sip of beer.
We’ve been talking back and forth lately about the house, but it didn’t feel right to mention over the phone that I’m seeing his sister. I knew this talk was coming, and I wanted it to be in person. I guess now is as good a time as any.
“I would have told you sooner, but I had some…stuff to work through. I respect you and your family, and I didn’t want to drag you into anything until I was certain it was moving in the right direction,” I explain, eyeing the stance of the three guard dogs staring at me.
Any other guy would be intimidated as hell, especially Sophia’s husband, Travis, who’s eye level with me at six-foot-four with both arms covered in tattoos, but years in the NHL have prepared me.
“We’ve known for a while,” Travis says with a smirk. “Kind of hard to miss when Luna’s plastered all over the news outlets wearing your jersey while you kiss her at a press conference.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. It just kind of happened,” I say quietly. “I’m surprised you guys haven’t said anything until now.”
“Our wives made us swear to stay out of it until you both were ready to tell us,” Mav chuckles.
“As much as I like you, I have to get this off my chest,” Noah says, getting my attention.
“I’ve seen how hockey players can be. You guys have women draping themselves over you in every city.
If Luna’s just some girl you’re having fun with until the next one comes along, we’re going to have a problem. ”
“She’s not,” I say firmly, “and I couldn't care less about other women. None of them matter. I’ve invited Luna into my home…into Scarlett’s life. Trust me, I don’t take that lightly.”
Travis’s grey eyes assess me as if he’s making sure I’m telling the truth. “I get it,” he says finally. “I was a single dad when I met Sophia and just as protective with Max.”
“So we’re good?” I ask, looking at Travis and Maverick before landing on Noah.
“Yeah, we’re good,” Noah smiles. “But just so you know, if you ever hurt our Luna, there’s a long line of us that will be waiting to kick your ass, and I’ll be the first in line.”
“Noted,” I chuckle.
“Please tell me you’re done interrogating my boyfriend,” Luna says, coming up behind me. “I haven’t even gotten to say hi to him yet. All your kids ambushed me,” she laughs, looking at the three of them before kissing me lightly on the lips.
“We’re done,” Noah grins. “We got what we needed.”
“Good, because you guys are on castle duty for the next hour,” she grins. “They are all yours.”
“Why does this feel like a punishment?” Mav mutters.
“Because it is,” Travis laughs. “We’re outnumbered, and I saw Luna load them with sugar when she passed out cookies just a minute ago,” Travis says as they walk away in the direction of the inflatable slide.
As if on constant alert, my eyes find Scarlett right away, and I notice she’s already stripped down to her pink ruffled bathing suit. Lily Anna is still by her side as they stand under a spray of water coming from the sprinklers inside the castle.
“I can’t believe you did all of this.” I shake my head in awe at how much time and thought went into this.
“I’m glad you love it,” she smiles, watching the kids have fun in the pool. “I hope my brother and Mav weren’t too hard on you. They can be a bit overprotective when it comes to me. It got even worse when Sophia married Travis because with him came all his brothers,” she chuckles.
“They’re just looking out for you. If I had a sister, I would be the same way. And to be honest,” I grin, looking down at her, “I’m glad you have so many people who want to protect you. Makes my job easier when I can’t be here.”
“Well, you can add a whole new list of protectors to Scarlett as well.” She nods toward the swimming pool where Travis’s fifteen-year-old son, Max, is putting pink floaties on Scarlett’s little arms.
When he’s done, he hops in the pool and holds out his arms to her as she jumps off the side to him.
“Your family is pretty amazing, you know that,” I say quietly.
“Yeah, I know,” she whispers, sliding her hand in mine. “Yours is too,” she smiles, looking across the yard.
I follow her gaze and see my teammates walking in, each holding a gift bag with various pink designs on them.
Kane spots me first and walks my way as the others follow.
“You invited them?” I ask, peering down at Luna.
“They’re Scarlett’s family, too,” she beams. “Savi helped me with the invites.”
Touched that they all showed up for my daughter, I’m left speechless as they crowd around us and give Luna a grin.
“Let me put those on the gift table for you,” she says, taking the bags from their hands and walking toward the table filled with presents.
“Luna did all this?” Kane asks, looking around.
“Yeah, she did,” I smile, watching her load a tray of drinks for the guys. “Thank you for coming. Scar’s going to be thrilled when she sees you all.”
“We wouldn’t miss our little girl’s party,” Hayes grins.
“Looks like she’s met some new friends,” Foxx says, watching Scarlett and Jax slide down the inflatable castle together.
“Luna’s nieces and nephews have been amazing with her. Welcomed her right in.” I see Noah help her up the slide again with Jax right on her heels.
“Sorry, I’m late,” Stone says, coming up behind me. “Leaving the house with a newborn is like packing for a small vacation,” he chuckles.
“Where’s Beck?” Hayes asks Stone.
“He’s with Luna. She scooped him up as soon as she saw him.”
Kane starts talking to McCormick about the press meeting they had after practice, but I don’t even hear the rest as my eyes land on Luna.
She’s holding Beckett and smiling down at him as he sleeps peacefully in her arms. Touching his soft black hair, she places a kiss on his head. Her finger traces over his hand, and her smile widens as his fingers curl around hers.
“Careful, Blade,” Stone chuckles softly. “You look like you want another.”
“You’ve got it bad,” Hayes chuckles.
I ignore their comments as Luna lifts her eyes to meet mine. Seeing her holding a baby is doing something to me that I didn’t expect. Putting visions in my head of a life that I’ve long ago stopped imagining.
What if it doesn’t? Mae’s words come back to me.
My feet start walking toward her before I can stop myself, my gaze never leaving hers.
She smiles when I reach her, and something new and real passes between us.
“Do you want to hold him?” She asks softly.
I glance down at the tiny bundle in her arms, and my heart beats steadily in my chest as I touch the soft, downy hair on his head. His eyes flutter open, and I get the briefest glimpse of blue before he sighs and goes back to sleep.
“Yeah,” I whisper, smiling. “I think I do.”