Epilogue
Tessa – Christmas – One Year Later
Christmas looks a little different this year, but at the same time, nothing has ever felt more right.
Clay and I decided to host this time. It just made sense considering it’s his first Christmas as coach of the Kolmont Kings. I just started an internship at the beginning of the month and, while I could’ve taken time off, I didn’t want to be away from Clay either.
We didn’t have as much space for everyone as we did at the lodge, but it didn’t matter. Both of our families rented a house only a couple of miles away that was big enough to fit everyone.
It worked out better than any of us expected.
Evan got a few days off between road games and flew in to spend Christmas in Kolmont. He showed up last night with a girl named Harper. We hit it off right away. She’s the kind of person whose infectious smile and energy fill a room without even trying.
Still, there’s something about the way they move around each other that feels… careful. Like they’re trying to convince everyone—including themselves—that it’s real.
I don’t know what their story is, and maybe no one wants to ask. But when he walked in last night, smiling like nothing had ever gone wrong, something in my chest pulled tight and let go all at once.
This version of our family has been a long time coming.
In the kitchen, our moms are already working on dinner, bumping into each other as they try to share counter space.
They’re laughing and chatting about the charity gala they have to get back to in Briar Creek in a couple of days.
I know my mom well enough to know she wouldn’t have missed a chance to get everyone under one roof again, even if it meant traveling here to do it.
The TV plays on low while Clay and Evan catch up, talking about the one thing that still bonds them together—hockey.
Harper’s tucked under Evan’s arm, smiling at all the right times.
She’s sweet, easy to like—the kind of person who instantly fits in.
Still, I can’t help but notice how she watches him when he talks, like she’s studying him as much as she’s listening.
I settle onto the arm of the couch near her. “How are you two getting used to the long-distance thing with him on the road so much?” I ask lightly. “Clay’s coaching schedule can get crazy, but it’s nothing like the NHL schedule.”
She laughs softly, glancing toward Evan before answering. “Yeah, it’s… a lot,” she admits. “But I try to keep busy when he’s gone, so it helps.”
I nod, smiling. “Yeah, I’m the same way. I hate the nights Clay’s away. It’s weird trying to sleep without him next to me.”
Harper’s smile wavers, just for a second, before she smooths it over with another quick laugh. “Oh, right. Yeah, I can imagine that must be tough.”
Her tone is kind—genuine even—but something in the way she says it makes me pause. Almost like she’s never had to miss him that way.
I force a small smile, brushing it off, but the thought sticks. When I glance over at Evan, he’s laughing at something Clay said, head tipped back, eyes lighter than I’ve seen in a long time. After everything that’s happened, seeing him like that, with Clay, it’s all I could ask for.
Clay catches my eye from across the room, his expression softening when he sees me watching. He crosses over, sliding his arm around my waist, his voice low enough for only me to hear. “You okay?”
I nod, smiling. “Yeah. Just… taking it all in.”
He follows my gaze, his hand tightening gently at my side. “Not bad for our first Christmas hosting in Kolmont, huh?”
“Not bad,” I say. “Though technically, we can’t call it hosting if we’re at the house our parents rented, and our moms did all the cooking.”
He chuckles. “Fair point.”
I rest my head against his shoulder, soaking in the sound of laughter filling the room.
The lights on the tree glitter against the window, and snow falls outside.
Thankfully, the storm held out until everyone made it here.
For once, the timing worked in our favor, and it looks like everyone will make it home without any trouble.
The only thing that matters is that we were all able to be here to celebrate together.
Clay presses a kiss to the top of my head, his voice barely above a whisper. “Merry Christmas, Sug.”
I smile, the words settling deep in my chest. “Merry Christmas to you, my sweet-talkin’ Scrooge.”
* * *
Thank you for spending the holidays with Clay and Tessa.