Chapter 23
Everything
Hildy
When Lenzin said he was sending a car and the driver was Scotti, I was expecting a Lyft or an Uber, not a large SUV with blacked-out windows rolling up.
I also didn’t expect an incredibly tall woman wearing sharp, oversized sunglasses with blonde hair pulled into a low, sleek ponytail, wearing a black wool coat that probably costs more than my monthly rent used to.
“Scotti,” she says, offering her hand. “I’ll be your driver while Mr. Faulker is unable to be here himself.”
Your driver? I think, as I shake her hand.
She hands me a card. I take it and look down. Heavy black stock. Embossed silver lettering. Her name SCOTTI, and phone number. That’s it, no nonsense.
Anna coughs into her hand to hide a laugh, and I simply look at her and blink once.
Lucy is already reaching up to get the handle, clearly excited to go see her school and Number 9.
Scotti beats her to it, opening it smoothly. “Watch your step, sweetheart.”
Lucy beams at her. “Thank you, Miss Scotti.”
Anna leans in toward me once we’re seated. “You should have seen your face,” she whispers, just low enough that Lucy can’t hear, then shakes in silent laughter, “You have a driver.”
I shoot her a look. “I do not have a driver.”
Anna presses her lips together, shoulders still shaking. “You absolutely do.”
I look out the window, jaw tight. This is temporary, just for tonight, not… excessive, I tell myself. Lie to myself rather, as Lucy narrates the city as we head to the arena. “That’s a bridge. That’s a taxi. That’s a dog!”
Anna grins at her like this is the greatest show she’s ever seen, and truly, she is. Lucy is happy.
That matters more than my pride, or if I’m honest, the fear of being na?ve, and failing, or my success being looked upon as such, because of a man. That realization is humbling, very, very humbling.
We pull around to the back entrance of the arena, where security is standing outside the players’ entrance, and there are cameras everywhere. Scotti pulls the vehicle up to stop, and exchanges a nod with one of the guards before putting the vehicle in park and sliding out.
The door opens as I gather my things, and Lucy’s as Scotti steps back, I see him.
Tailored charcoal suit, crisp white shirt, no tie.
The cut of it so precise it looks poured onto him.
The kind of suit that whispers ten thousand dollars without announcing it.
His thick dark brown hair is pushed back, his beard looks amazing and that smile, those eyes, that look when I climb out, lethal.
“Hi,” he says, like he didn’t plan this entrance.
Lucy launches herself forward, and he scoops her up effortlessly.
“Before we head to the ice,” he says, kissing her cheek, “let us show you where your Mommy agreed to let you go to school.”
Security scans us through, and we enter. Lucy waves at the guard as she passes like she’s hockey royalty.
Lenzin places his free hand on the small of my back, leans down, and kisses my cheek, “You look beautiful, Hildy.”
We pass players who call her name, and hold out their hands, she high-fives them.
It doesn’t stop.
“Hey, superstar.”
“Hey, Lu!”
They all know her name, and God, I love that for her, for a girl who’s been so alone for so long to be seen.
We turn down a hallway that looks less industrial, brighter, softer, and I see a sign,
Family Development Center.
Two women staff members are waiting inside the double doors, which open with the slide of a card. Security.
One kneels immediately. “Lucy? We’ve heard so much about you.”
Lucy clings to Lenzin’s suit jacket for half a second, then straightens.
“I’m three,” she announces, holding up three fingers,
“That’s amazing,” the woman says seriously. “We have a locker just for you.”
She smiles at me, and I smile back as Lenzin moves us forward, and I look back to make sure Anna is still with us.
We turn the corner, and we’re in the ‘locker room’.
It’s adorable, and clean, so clean. Small cubbies labeled with names and benches in front of them.
“It’s a Lucy-sized version of the Bears locker room,” Lenzin tells her.
One staff member opens a cubby, and the one with her name is stamped into a plate.
“Here’s yours.”
Lucy gasps and reaches for her name, Lenzin lifts her up, and she runs her fingers over the letters, “L-U-C-Y.”
“Good job.” I laugh.
“Looks like someone is ready for school,” the younger of the two women says. “Do you want to see some more?”
“Yes!” She grins.
I clear my throat as we stand in the middle of the room, and Lenzin looks at me.
“How about you let her check it out.” He cocks his head to the side in question.
Anna laughs, “Let the little one roam.”
“Yeah, Papi, let me roam.” Lucy squirms, and he loosens his hold and sets her on her very capable feet.
“You okay?” I ask as she follows the teachers.
“I thought she was nervous.” He defends.
I lean into him, “She’s going to love it here.”
He simply nods as he watches her.
She runs her hand over the wooden tables arranged in pods, moves toward the shelves lined with labeled bins, and then heads back toward the reading corner with soft rugs and a tiny couch.
The space is incredible. There are art easels near the windows, a sensory table, and a small STEM station with oversized building blocks and gears.
“Can you tell us what colors these are?” One of the teachers asks gently.
Lucy steps forward. “Red. Blue. Yellow. Green. Purple. Orange. Pink. And that’s turquoise, but sometimes people call it blue.”
“That’s our girl,” he murmurs, hand gripping my hip a little tighter.
I’m surprised to see Scotti standing outside the Fairfax Media box, but at this point, I’m not.
When Anna snickers, I hip check her, and she laughs out loud, and Scotti’s lips twitch briefly.
Lucy looks over at her, “What’s so funny?”
Scotti opens the door, “The ladies are waiting inside, Miss Lucy.”
Sofie stands from her seat as soon as we walk in and smiles at me, big and beautiful and real. “Lucy’s here.”
Lucy freezes, and Sofie walks over more slowly, “Did I hear you now have a locker here?”
Lucy nods. “I have a classroom too.”
“Well then,” Sofie replies, “you’re officially employed.”
Noelle is next, soft sweater and warm eyes, bookstore calm radiating off her. “Was the locker wood or metal?”
She looks at me and asks, “Both?” I nod.
“Lots of room for books?” Claudia asks.
Lucy walks quickly to her and hugs her. “Lots.”
Claudia smiles softly, “That’s excellent.”
“Ah,” Paul says, adjusting Savannah on his lap, “The future captain arrives.”
Lucy steps to the side and looks around. Claudia and Savannah flail in excitement when they see her.
“Same hallway,” Claudia tells him. “Different rooms. Lucy’s down at the end with the big kids. Savannah’s just at the start.”
Nalani rises slowly, hand resting over her stomach like mine. “I’m three weeks behind you. We’re basically in sync.”
“You’re all building team depth,” Sofie adds and smiles at Anna, “You must be Anna. Aleks has said a lot about you.”
Anna arches a brow. “Should I be worried?”
“Not in the least.” She smiles. “And I’m very happy to have a friend who can still drink.”
“Um, hello, what am I?” Noelle asks.
“A lightweight,” Sofie answers.
Claudia squeezes my hand discreetly. “Congratulations.”
“I feel like an idiot saying this, but I really didn’t know,” I admit.
“You’re no more an idiot than I am for thinking you getting sick on the plane was nerves. I mean, hello, you’re Hildy Sullivan, one of the strongest women I’ve met.”
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do to assist you in getting ready for their arrival.”
“A few weeks ago, I would have let pride rule my answer, but realistically, I’ve lost five months of prep time, so I may just do that.”
“You honestly have everything you need.” She assures me.
“Boobs and a bassinet,” Nalani giggles.
“Diapers, clothes, about twenty-four more hours in a day,” I only half joke, and continue. “I know it will all be okay.”
“The childcare center here is truly amazing.”
“I’ll be using it,” Nalani yawns. “Koa keeps telling me to take a year off and then dive back into law school, but,” she shrugs. “I just don’t know if I can.”
“You’re both having late spring, early summer babies; make that decision after you’ve had time,” Claudia suggests.
“I really don’t have a choice, I—”
“You tell Lenzin you want to take eighteen years off and he’ll support it.” Anna smiles and takes a sip of her wine. “I swear I see hearts in his eyes whenever he looks at you.”
“I’m finishing,” I state.
“I’m sorry, but how is this not weird for you two?” Nalani asks.
“Oh my God,” Sofie snorts. “When did you become the brash one?”
“I can answer that,” Anna laughs. “We have never had those kinds of feelings for one another, and until Hildy, neither of us ever thought we would.” She looks at me. “I am so glad he met you, otherwise my so-called marriage would have been exactly as my parents is. Now, I’m free.”
“Aunt Anna, come say hi to Savannah,” Lucy calls.
She tips back the rest of her glass of wine and sets the empty on the bar, “On my way.”
As soon as she is far enough away, Nalani looks at me. “Are you okay with all of this?”
“With Anna, yes. When she was sick, and her fever spiked, she told me more than I needed to know.”
“And Faulker?” Sofie asks.
I feel my eyes heat up, “He’s wonderful with Lucy. Says all the right things to me, and it isn’t just words. I wish I didn’t doubt his intentions, yet ...”
Noelle laughs, “Fuck hot boys coming at you that hard feels like a romance novel. You wanna run.” She shakes her head.
“But then you remember they’re professional athletes, and the last time you actually had time or the desire to go to the gym, you were in high school.
My advice? Get caught, and enjoy the hell out of it. Life is too short.”
“Aleks has known him longer than anyone else aside from Anna, and he says he’s never seen him like this. The odds are good that neither of his two oldest friends is wrong. That man is in love.” Sofie states.
I glance at Claudia.
“Anytime you want to talk through things, I’m here to listen. But I also need to step out of the professional box and tell you, as a friend, I think my situation could be causing some of those questions, and I do not think for one minute he would ever do that to you.” Claudia assures me.
“And as a one-day lawyer, no judge would let a man take his children out of this country without serious cause.” She takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. “You have a friend who works in the system. The rest of us, we’re girls. You automatically get our loyalty.”
The lights dim, and Lucy gasps.
“Here we go,” Paul chuckles, and I look over and see Savannah on one knee and Lucy on the other. “You two little ladies ready to watch the Bears kick —”
“Watch it, old man,” Sofie laughs.
Claudia nods to the glass overlooking the arena, “You got him, too. Now let’s go watch our men kick Chicago’s A-S-S.”
Lucy’s little hand is on the glass, face practically pressed to it as well, when I crouch down next to her. “They look shiny.”
Then the lights cut completely.
“Uh oh, did they forget to pay the bill?” she asks.
As sad as that is, I can’t help but laugh as the announcer says, “And now… your Brooklyn Bears!”
Red lights light up the entire place, and she gasps again when they storm the ice.
And there he is, number nine. “I point to him, you see him?”
Lucy screams. Savannah startles, then giggles. Anna laughs, and so does the rest of the box.
And when Lenzin looks up toward the box, just once, he finds us.
Lucy waving, “I’m here. I’m here.”
He waves back and then skates off.
“Alright, Lucy Lu,” Paul says. “You listen to me, and by the end of the third period, you’ll know everything about this game.”
“I wanna know everything!” she exclaims.