Epilogue
ARIANNA
“Dean is going to lose his mind,” my mom says with a delighted laugh.
“I can’t believe we actually pulled this off,” I reply, adjusting my hold on Clara as she wiggles in my arms while trying to get a better look at the rink where we stand.
At just over a year old, our little girl is obsessed with everything hockey, much to Dean’s delight. Any chance he gets, he will bring her to hit the ice with him. The second she took her first step, he was online ordering her skates.
“Dada!” Clara shouts, pointing to where the Bobcats team is emerging from the locker rooms and onto the ice. As if he heard her, Dean looks directly toward us, his wide grin visible even from where we stand by one of the gate accesses.
He flies toward us. How he moves so flawlessly with all his pads and gear on will forever be mind-boggling.
Skidding to a stop, he sends ice chunks flying toward the plexiglass, which sends Clara into a fit of giggles as she reaches out to slap her hands against the glass.
Dean blows us both a kiss, shooting me a wink before turning to find his spot in front of the net for warmups.
“Lala!” Clara calls out, spotting my brother seconds before he zooms past, banging on the panels as he passes.
When she really works for it, she’s getting better at saying his name, but all progress goes out the window when she’s excited.
Plus, it’s really fun to get away with calling my brother Lala simply because his niece does.
“Uncle Landon!” my mom reaffirms for her, waving at him with my daughter.
As each of the players pass by in the warmup laps, they all pause long enough to acknowledge Clara, who screeches and shouts right back at them.
The visiting team, the Colorado Yetis, hit the ice and Clara switches to roaring at them every time they pass.
A wonderful habit she learned from my father, who taught her different sounds to call out for each team.
Personally, my favorite is whenever they play against the New York Nighthawks, and she tries to caw like a bird at them.
I shake my head but laugh at my daughter’s antics just as the announcer calls out his intro for the puck drop.
“You sure you want to bring her out there with you?” my mom asks. She is here to help in case Clara can’t handle going out there.
I glance over my shoulder, where the surprise Coach James and I had been working on since the end of last season stands off to the side. When I look at my daughter, I know the answer.
“I’m sure. She’s gonna love this just as much as her daddy.”
“Dada!” Clara yells just as the access gate is opened. A couple employees roll out a red carpet for us and Dean skates up next to the door.
Clara practically launches herself toward him and he laughs, reaching out to take her as I start walking out beside them.
The announcer overhead bellows our introductions, making special note of the two awards Dean was given at the end of last season, followed by a quick call of Clara’s and my names.
She soaks up the attention, waving at the crowd and cameras.
When we reach the end of the carpet, I easily scoop her back from Dean so he can go stand across from the Yetis’ goalie.
It was easy enough for Coach James to convince Dean to participate today, spewing some line about how they didn’t celebrate goalies last year and want to make sure it happens this season.
What Dean doesn’t know is just how special tonight will be for hockey goalies everywhere.
“We have a special guest of honor with us tonight to drop the first puck of the season. Here at SweetHeart arena for the first time in ten years,” the announcer calls out, going on to list his many accomplishments and awards while I make sure to watch Dean’s face as the anticipation builds.
“Everyone, please put your hands together for Declan Travers!”
The crowd erupts with excitement as the infamous goalie steps onto the red carpet. A woman and three little girls surrounding her all stand back at the gate entrance, clapping and cheering after Declan.
Dean’s head snaps in the direction of Declan, mouth hanging wide open as he stares in shock at the approaching man.
Giggling, I tighten my hold on Clara and lean forward in Dean’s direction. “Surprise.”
His eyes bounce between me and his idol, struggling to process that this is happening.
“You did this?”
I grin, pride swelling in my chest. “Yup. Remember that company from up north I told you reached out about branding?” I wait for him to numbly nod before continuing. “It was his new local ice rink and girls’ youth hockey team.”
“Holy sh—” Dean stops his swear before it slips out, knowing Clara will try to repeat it. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“Coach James helped.” I shrug, but Dean doesn’t accept it. He bends down and kisses me senseless. It takes someone clearing their throat to break us apart.
It’s amusing to watch Dean interact with Declan, trying and failing to hide the fact that he’s excited.
They go through the motions of the puck drop, pausing for a picture that I have no doubt will be framed and put in our house somewhere.
While Declan shakes hands with the other goalie, Dean bounces on his skates in anticipation.
By the time Declan turns in our direction to shake hands with Dean, I’m almost surprised that he didn’t put a hole in the ice.
Declan glances at me and smiles, stretching his hand in offering. “Thank you for getting me to come down here. It was…long overdue.”
“Trust me, it’s me who should be thanking you,” I tell him, taking his hand. “You just made me the coolest girlfriend in the world by helping me out with this.”
He glances behind me, his eyes widening before he points. “Yeah, about that ‘coolest girlfriend’ title…”
My eyebrows furrow as I turn around, and I don’t even fully process the fact that my mom appears beside me and pulls Clara from my arms.
No, the only thing I can focus on is the sight of Dean down on one knee in all his hockey gear in the middle of the rink. His gloves are on the ice beside him, resting by his helmet and leaving his hands free to hold the black velvet box.
What Declan says now makes sense because if what’s happening is real, I won’t be a girlfriend anymore…I’ll be a fiancée.
With my hands now free, there’s nothing to stop them from flying up to cover my mouth.
“Dean?” I choke out his name, eyes pinging between his face and the box.
“I feel like there’s no better moment than right now to do this, and you pulling off bringing my hero in without me knowing only solidifies it. Only the two of us would plan a surprise for each other at the exact same time.”
I laugh, but it’s clogged with all the emotions coursing through me.
Disbelief. Happiness. Excitement. And of course, a smidge of anxiety.
“I have loved you for longer than either of us knew. I love the way you bring out the best in me, how you push me to never give up. You’re always helping me learn new things and I know without a doubt that we can face whatever challenges come our way.
You’ve given me the gift of being a father while allowing me the honor of loving you every single day.
” Dean pauses to open the lid on the box and my breath catches in my throat at the sight of the oval diamond.
I never gave an engagement ring much thought, but if I had, this would be it.
“Arianna Sinclair, will you make me even luckier than I already am by marrying me?”
I was nodding the second he said my name. “Yes.”
Without thinking it through, I launch myself down at him. Pulling him in for a kiss that is mixed with happy tears. His padded arm catches me around the waist, and how he keeps us both upright is beyond me.
“I love you,” I mumble against his lips.
“I love you too, Freckles. Now let me get this ring on your finger,” he demands and I laugh, pulling away enough to give him space to do just that.
With the ring in place, I finally remember where we are. My cheeks flush as the sound of everyone’s cheers meets my ears, which Dean notices. He pushes to stand on his skates, keeping me close as he does. Once standing at full height, he leans down to whisper in my ear.
“I can’t wait to see you wear that pretty blush later tonight, with nothing else but my ring on your finger.”
“Dean!” I gasp, shoving him away as my face flames hotter, doing nothing to hide just how much I also love that idea too.