Chapter 17
Jax - Triumph
The team and staff are assembled in the briefing room for a meeting prior to boarding the bus for the airport.
“Hey guys, I just wanted to officially hand off the Captain’s helmet to Samson and tell you all to give ‘em hell in New York and finish off this series, so you can make the run for the Cup. You’ve earned this opportunity. Now go get that conference title and bring it back to West Palm!”
Although the owners have my back, I know Coach is not exactly happy with my decision.
I understand his dilemma. His job is to win games, and if I’m not here to help him do that, his position could be on the line.
But I can’t let that influence my priorities.
Besides, this team is talented and hungry.
They’ve got what it takes to go all the way without me.
After my announcement, there’s a hint of grumbling in the ranks. Cole speaks up to deflect it. He’s really emerging as a natural leader and no doubt he’ll be a team Captain himself one day.
“I support you, Frost. It’s been a pleasure and an honor to play beside you and learn from the best. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me—done for us.”
The team and staff file out of the room, with everyone giving me a handshake or a back slap on the way out.
I then hustle to leave the arena ahead of the team bus, heading straight to the airport for the charter flight Stone arranged for me.
I may not know yet what’s going to happen in my hockey future, but I’m as clear-eyed as ever about my priorities, and right now, it’s all about supporting Elise.
Once I land in Ottawa, I get a text from Shay directing me to the Arts Foundation building. We coordinated the timing so that I’ll be waiting outside when they exit the building after the interview.
When I see Elise, she’s beaming. The interview must have gone well. And when our eyes meet, I know I’m where I’m supposed to be. Wherever she is—that’s where I’m supposed to be.
After saying our goodbyes to Shay, Elise and I take a waterfront walk along Rideau Canal, which interestingly enough, becomes the world’s largest ice skating rink in the winter months. There’s no ice today, just plenty of sunshine and row after row of tulips.
“Did you know that Ottawa is the home of the largest tulip festival in the world?”
Elise tells me that we missed the Canadian Tulip Festival.
There’s no shortage of the colorful flowers now, as almost one million stems are in bloom all over the capital region.
Apparently, the people of the Netherlands originally brought tulips to Canada as a thank you to our troops for their role in liberating the country during World War II.
That information fills me with a spirit of patriotic pride for my home country’s military.
Elise squeezes my hand. “It means the world to me, you being here.”
“There’s no place I’d rather be. Even though the team is in the middle of the conference run, I’ve had plenty of chances at chasing a championship.
Time to leave that to the younger guys. I’ve got enough money that I can retire and I’m pretty sure I know what I want to do next.
” I stop walking and pull her in for a kiss. “Besides, I’d rather chase you.”
She responds with a smile. “I might just let you catch me.”
“When are you supposed to hear from the committee?”
“They said I should know something within three days. That gives us some time to explore more of the city, if you’re up for it.”
“Oh, I’m up for it, all right. And we’ll have time to discuss the logistics of a long distance relationship if you’re going to be living here for six months.”
The next day, we return to our hotel room after touring the Canada Museum of History. After scanning the key card, I step aside so that Elise can enter the room first.
“Oh my gosh!”
She’s jumping up and down with excitement. On the table in front of us is a bouquet of flowers, an envelope, and an ice bucket containing a chilled bottle of champagne.
I pop open the bottle and fill two glasses, handing one to her.
“Congratulations, Princess. Looks like you’re moving to Ottawa.”
We return to Florida in time to support the Golden Blades in their quest for the Cup. Witnessing their triumph as a spectator with the woman I love gives me an unexpected feeling of peace and pride. For the first time in my life, I’m not dreading a future off of the ice.