Epilogue
4 years later
ALLY
“Mommy, hurry up. Daddy’s waiting,” Livi said, straightening her purse on her shoulder and sending me an exasperated glare.
“You’re the one who made us late, Livi.” I adjusted the baby carrier that currently held Poppy, our seven-month-old daughter. Our calm daughter. So far, at least. Livi had been calm and sweet until she’d hit eighteen months. Then the sass had come out full force and hadn’t lessened one bit since. And I freaking adored her, even when she tested every limit she could.
I jokingly told her that I hoped one day she would be running her own business and not a prison gang. Probably not the best thing to tell a toddler, but it was the truth.
“Ugh, Mommy. I had to find the perfect bow for my hair. Poppy tried to eat the one I wanted to wear and it was all gross. Yucky, Poppy, yucky.”
“You left it too close to her, so that’s going to happen.” Maybe I shouldn’t have talked to my four-year-old like she was an adult, but it wasn’t like I didn’t know where she got her sassiness from.
“Come on, come on.” Livi grabbed my hand, and we walked down the stairs to get to the glass. The Stampede were already warming up, but we still had a few minutes before they headed back to the locker room.
The energy in the arena was electric as usual, with the team improving each year. We’d gotten so close to the Cup last year, losing to Boston in the final, but this year was going to be our year.
“Daddy,” Livi called out when we got to the front row.
I watched Micah nudge Dom, and then Dom was skating over to us, looking stupidly hot as always. I couldn’t wait to get him home tonight. They’d just come back from a weeklong road trip two days ago, and we still had time to make up for.
I tamped down my shudder. This man still set me on fire every chance we got. Two kids slowed us down a little, but not by much. I’d enjoyed experiencing my entire pregnancy with him close by this time around. Those hormones definitely came in handy.
I looked up, meeting his gaze, and he licked his lips, those eyes twinkling like he could damn well read my mind.
Hell, I knew he could.
The last four years have been amazing. Yes, there had been ups and downs like in any relationship, but we’d gotten through everything and come out stronger.
I lifted Livi up as best I could so she could put her palm against the Plexi. Dom copied the move on the other side. It was their tradition, and it was so freaking adorable that I melted every time.
“Do you have my good luck charm?” Dom asked, his attention on Olivia.
“Of course, Daddy.” She nodded and pulled out her signed puck. They’d both signed their names on the back of it last year, and Livi brought it to every game, claiming that’s why Daddy got goals.
“Oh, good. Now, I’ll get you your goal tonight.” He said it matter-of-factly every time. I loved their relationship so much. He’d been nervous that he wouldn’t know how to be a father, but I couldn’t ask for a better partner and father for our children.
“Give me a kiss,” he said, grinning as Livi and I both blew him kisses. He took off one of his gloves and pretended to catch them before pressing his hand to his heart.
I could not love him—or our life—more.