43. Epilogue
Epilogue
I can see the team’s defeat in their eyes as the game ends. We were down by one point, in game seven of our journey to the Stanley Cup finals. The moment Dean is close enough, I wrap him in my arms. He’s on the ice while I'm still in the bench area which puts me in the perfect position for him to bury his face into my neck.
“I’m so proud of you,” I whisper into his ear.
“We lost...” he mutters into my neck.
“That doesn’t make me any less proud of you. There’s always next year.”
He hums into my neck as he pulls me closer. My eyes meet the rest of my boys’ as they skate closer. I open my arms with a grin. “I’m proud of you guys. You did amazing!”
Mac gives me a small smile as he joins the hug with Dean and I. Taz and Vicy pat the top of my head as they make their way toward the exit. I notice Daisy waiting there for them. Aspyn is in her arms as she gives them both a side hug. I don’t know what she’s saying, but I can see their spirits lifting in her company as Aspyn reaches out for Taz.
He smiles as he takes the small girl into his arms, and they head toward the locker room.
Mac’s voice jerks me out of my spying. “Are you trying to play matchmaker, Lizzy?”
I give him a crooked smile as I reply, “I don’t think there’s much I need to do.”
Dean pulls away, looking in the direction Taz and Vicy just left. “I hope they don’t fuck it up. That girl is a spitfire.”
“I’m sure they will do just fine.” I lift on my tiptoes to kiss both my boys on the cheek. “I guess figure skaters can’t help but fall for you hockey players.”
Dean smirks. “Well, we are pretty irresistible.”
I smack his pec as I roll my eyes. “If I remember correctly, you were an asshole at first.”
Dean shrugs as Mac says, “True love has bumps and hurdles. If they believe it’s worth it, they will fight for it just like we did.” He looks at me with a soft smile and rubs a thumb over my bottom lip. “A love worth fighting for and all that, right?”
“I hope their journey is smoother than ours,” I say with a sigh.
Mac leans forward and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “?a vaut tout.”
And it was. It was worth it all. Every bump. Every bruise. I love these boys with every beat of my heart. “Tu es mes cadeaux les plus précieux.”
Mac grins against my lips as he says, “I love when you speak French.”
I laugh and push them both away. “Go get cleaned up, so we can go home and celebrate.”
They grin and skate toward the locker room. I jump when I hear a feminine voice beside me. “So, how’s life with your harem of men?”
I laugh as I turn to face Danni. “It’s not a harem, there are only two men.”
She shrugs. “Same thing if you ask me. Anyways, how’s life?”
“I love it.”
She arches a brow and asks, “Any issues with the whole Emmitt thing?”
I shake my head. “He was found guilty and will spend a few years in prison. He accepted a plea bargain and will be placed in a psychiatric hospital once he’s served his time in confinement.”
“The nightmares?” she asks softly.
I shrug as I look in the direction the guys left. “I have my good days and bad. But the guys are there to make it better.” I give her a soft smile. “All of them help, actually.”
She returns the smile. “That’s good. I’m glad you’re doing great.”
I point to her. “What about you?”
She shrugs. “I haven’t found the right one yet. But I’ll let you know when I do.”
I jump when I hear my name yelled. I look over to find Dean and Mac waiting at the exit for me.
Dean cups his hands around his mouth as he yells, “Let’s go home, Ice Princess.”
I look at Danni and she gives me a shooing motion. “Go get your men.”
Laughing, I jog toward my guys. We have some celebrating to do, and I do love the way we celebrate.