Epilogue
Olivia
Six years later
I’ve only been on the ice for ten minutes and my legs are already killing me. This is what I get for getting older, I guess. I told Robbie I needed to get on the ice more during the offseason, but he insisted we needed a long vacation somewhere warm. So we spent the last two weeks in the Bahamas, in pure family bliss.
One of the Toronto players takes control of the puck and moves toward the Detroit net. As he gets closer, he passes the puck to another player and takes up a position to screen the goalie. He keeps moving closer to the goalie until he is inside the crease and his stick is blocking the goalie’s glove. When his teammate shoots, the goalie can’t move in time to make the stop. The player screening him falls back and knocks him down into the net.
I blow the whistle and motion that there is no goal. Then I skate up to the box and make sure my microphone is on when I call the penalty. “Toronto, number #22, two minutes for goalie interference. There is no goal.”
A chorus of cheers rings out in the large arena, and I skate back to the goalie. “Eli, are you okay?”
He pulls off his helmet and sprays water on his blond hair. “All good, Olive.” Elias smiles and winks at me.
I turn around and almost collide into Ash as he skates up to check on him as well. “He’s fine, get back in the face-off before I give you a penalty,” I say with a small smile on my face.
“Yes, mom,” Ash replies but does as he’s told. These two are something else.
Detroit won 3-0 this afternoon, and while I have to be impartial on the ice, I have to say that I am damn proud of this team. Elias got called up to the NHL about four years ago when one of the goalies got injured and was out long term. He proved himself by being a hell of an asset to the team so they kept him on. He is now the primary goalie for Detroit. Ash got called up as well a few months after Elias and fluctuated between the NHL and AHL for that entire season. During training camp the following year, he showed more promise and eventually got a contract in the NHL.
As happy as we are for them, we do miss seeing them on a regular basis. Which is why I can’t wait to go out to dinner with them both while in town.
As soon as I leave the locker room, I head to the player entrance. My two favorite people in the world are there, wearing referee jerseys with #13.
I’m accosted by a tiny human with dark blond hair and green eyes as she jumps in my arms. “Mommy, I saw you on the ice!”
“You did, baby? How did I do?” I say, twirling her around.
“Daddy said your skating was choppy.” My adorable four year old doesn’t understand the concept of a filter. I bite my lip and hold back a laugh and I see Robbie choking on a cough. “I did not say that, love. She’s lying.”
“Mhm, I’m sure.”
“Are we going home?” Valerie asks, bouncing up and down in my arms.
“We need to say hello to Uncle Eli and Uncle Ash first and get some food. Then we’ll go home.”
“Okay,” she says and then wriggles around until I set her down.
Robbie’s gorgeous face replaces my view. How is he even more handsome now than he was six years ago? The silver hair he’s gotten in the last few years blends in perfectly with his dark blond hair which is now shorter on the sides and longer on top. And I love running my hands through it. He also looks incredibly sexy wearing my jersey.
“You did amazing, love. Is the NHL everything you expected?” Robbie asks, knowing I was nervous and excited to officiate in the NHL for the first time ever this week.
“It is. Although I’m going to miss you both once I start traveling.”
“We’ll miss you too, but we got it handled. Plus if you’re gone too long, we can always come visit you.”
I smile at my perfect husband. “I love you.”
Robbie chuckles. “I love you too, Olive.” He leans in and gives me a sweet kiss, his thumb caressing my jaw.
We get interrupted by a loud text and Robbie sighs as he looks down at his phone.
“How are the wedding preparations?” I ask, knowing Alice has been driving him insane.
“Jesus, I can’t wait for it to be over already. She’s such a bridezilla.”
“I made sure I wasn’t working that whole week so we’ll be there at her every beck and call.” Robbie groans but I laugh. I get to be Alice’s maid of honor at her wedding up north and I am beyond excited. She’s become my best friend in the last few years and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.
Ash and Eli join us in the lobby and we all hug and congratulate them on their wins.
“How’s my favorite niece?” Ash asks Valerie while grabbing her and flipping her upside down.
She’s giggling uncontrollably but manages to say “Good, uncle Ash.”
Robbie scoffs and says, “I think you mean your only niece?”
“Well, if Alice gets her way she’ll have a whole football team of kids once they get married. Val will definitely have competition then. Won’t you Val?” he asks my toddler and snuggles her.
“Are you excited to be the best man?” I ask Ash.
“Hell yea, I have a speech they will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Elias sighs and shakes his head at this. “Not sure why he wanted Ash to be the best man. It will be a disaster.”
We all laugh and head out into the crisp October air. I love my found family that somehow keeps expanding.