Epilogue
Cara
Four Years Later
"Daddy! Unka Corey!" Atlas shouts, stumbling as he releases my hand to scurry across the arena as fast as his little legs will carry him, his toddler-sized hockey stick swinging in the air over his head.
At three, he's already a monster of a little boy, bigger than most of the kids his age.
He's going to be a giant like his daddy and his grandpa.
I have a feeling he may be just as good as them on the ice, too.
Phoenix and Corey glance up from their conversation at the same time, their faces breaking into matching grins when they see him. Corey mumbles something to Phoenix before striding toward Atlas.
Phoenix watches just long enough to make sure Corey has him, and then his eyes come to me. I swallow hard, my heart fluttering at the soft look on his face. He immediately heads in my direction, his eyes never deviating from me.
"Hey," I murmur, burrowing into his arms as soon as he reaches me.
He nuzzles his face into my hair, his body relaxing as if he's finally home. And I love that so damn much. I never realize just how much I miss it until I'm right here, with his arms around me, and his body relaxing like he's been just as strung out for me as I have been for him.
Away games are bitch.
"Missed you," he whispers, his lips against the side of my throat.
"Missed you too." I melt into him, just letting him hold me for a long moment. This is the best part, always. When he's home, and I'm in his arms. When our son's delighted shrieks echo around the arena. When life feels like my favorite fairytale.
"How's my baby?" he asks after a moment, his palm flat against my belly.
"Making me grumpy."
Phoenix tips his head back, smiling softly. "You're grumpy, huh?"
"Little bit. I couldn't sleep last night, and your son is on your evil hockey schedule. He was up at five this morning."
"My poor baby." He kisses all across my face, pulling me closer with a hand on my ass. "Want me to make it up to you?"
My body instantly ignites, a soft groan tumbling from my lips before I can stop it.
"I'll take that as a yes," he chuckles, scooping me up into his arms.
"Atlas," I remind him, but he's already on top of it, shouting for Corey.
"What's up?" Corey shouts back, amusement lacing his tone.
"Keep an eye on your nephew for five minutes," Phoenix growls, already striding toward the back with me in his arms. "I'll be right back."
"I just bet you will," Corey says through laughter.
I bury my face in Phoenix's shoulder, groaning. I swear, I think I liked the two of them better when they were fighting all the time. It's been a long time since that happened. Now, they're on the same team in every way that counts…usually against me. It's annoying as hell.
I'm happy they've gotten close, though. It's been good for both of them, I think.
Corey has changed a lot. I guess that happens when you realize you've been living a lie.
I'm thrilled at the way he pulled it together, though.
And I'm damn proud of Phoenix for being there to support him while he did it.
But seriously…do they have to be so damn annoying all the time?
Phoenix carries me straight to a tiny conference room before locking us inside. Within seconds, I'm pressed against the wall, my legs around his waist. His dark blue eyes meet mine, his expression soft and fierce at once.
He stares at me for a long moment before dipping his head, brushing his lips across mine. I melt for him again, my body going lax.
"Still grumpy?" he breathes against my lips.
"Yes."
His lips curve against mine, his hands tightening on me. He deepens the kiss, his tongue flicking against mine as he sinks into me. I moan softly, opening up for him.
"Still grumpy?"
I whimper in response.
"I'll take that as a yes…" His hand slides up my thigh, disappearing between my legs.
"Phoenix," I groan, my head thumping against the door.
"You're too grumpy, baby. I'm fixing it," he murmurs, flicking my panties to the side. His thumb parts my slit, a soft growl rumbling in his chest. "Look how wet you are. No wonder you're grumpy."
"Phoenix."
"You know how much I love when you say my name like that, gorgeous." He nips my lip and then my throat. "That's why you're carrying my kid right now."
"I…" My voice breaks on a moan, my body arching into his. I lose the threads of whatever I was going to say, every cell in my body focused on the way he grinds his thumb against my clit, two fingers working me open.
As soon as he curls them up, stroking that magical spot inside, I splinter apart for him, crying out softly. Waves crash through me, unmaking me.
"That's it," he whispers, working me through it. "Just like that, Cara."
I whimper, going boneless in his arms.
He buries his face in my throat, his fingers stilling between my legs. "God, I love you. So fucking much, gorgeous."
"Love you too," I manage to gasp, still shivering through aftershocks.
He just hums, his arms wrapped around me. For long moments, he holds me like that, letting me come down. And then he pulls back, meeting my gaze. "Still grumpy?" he asks, my favorite smile lines etched around his mouth.
"Sleepy," I say, smiling at him.
He chuckles, brushing his lips across my forehead. "You ready to go home and fall apart for me again?"
"No."
"No?"
"I promised Atlas that you and Corey would play hockey with him today."
"Shit."
I pat him on the cheek, smiling at the chagrined look on his face. "You're the one who taught him to love hockey, Phoenix."
"Didn't think he'd use it to keep me out of his mama," he grumbles before kissing me hard and deep. As soon as I start grinding against him, he pulls back, breaking the kiss. "None of that, gorgeous. My son wants to play hockey."
I glare at him, but he just smirks at me. "You're evil."
"You love it."
He's right, I do. And damn him for knowing it.
I don't protest when he straightens my dress and then slides me to my feet. As soon as I'm steady, he laces our fingers together, guiding me back toward the ice.
Corey and Atlas are on the bench, Atlas jabbering a million miles a minute while Corey finishes lacing his little skates. As soon as Atlas sees Phoenix, his little eyes light up.
"Daddy!" he shrieks, launching himself straight toward Phoenix, confident that his daddy will catch him.
Phoenix jolts forward, hauling him into his arms before he faceplants. "Dude, what'd I say about leaping from the bench?" he asks, hoisting Atlas over his head.
Atlas just shrieks, kicking his feet.
Phoenix softens, just like always, pulling him in to kiss all over his face. Atlas shrieks again, squirming to be put down and shouting for his stick.
"I've got it." Corey holds his stick out to Phoenix, and the three of them skate out onto the ice, Atlas's hand clutched tightly in his daddy's.
I settle onto the edge of the bench, content to watch. This is my happy place. I just never realized until Phoenix that it would be my whole world, too.