Epilogue
VICTORIA
Two Years Later…
My wedding day.
It feels like it’s been a long time coming but in a good way.
Everything I ever dreamed of and more. So much more.
A beautiful baby boy named Tanner. The perfect house in an incredible neighborhood.
And my better-than-perfect fiancé. Jordan has been the best friend, boyfriend, lover, father, brother-in-law, and uncle.
I can’t say enough about the man I’m about to marry.
Staring in the mirror, it’s a little hard to believe the woman staring back at me is…
me. Victoria Denali is about to become Victoria Palmer.
She’s nothing like the seventeen-year-old high school senior who fell in love with a rookie pro hockey player, but the feelings for Jordan?
Those haven’t changed. Not even a little.
I love this man with my whole heart and soul. Our life has been a bit of a fairy tale over the last two years, and never more so than right now.
This isn’t the wedding of my dreams—this is so far beyond anything I imagined as a little girl.
Three hundred guests.
The biggest wedding party I’ve ever seen—twelve guys and twelve girls standing up for us—in addition to Charlie and Tanner co-ring bearers since Tanner is too little to do it on his own, and Jordan’s cousin’s daughter as our flower girl. It’s a lot. Pre-wedding pictures took forever.
But I can’t complain.
I’m wearing a couture gown I designed myself—with the help of Terri and one of my instructors at the Art Institute where I’m getting another degree, this one in fashion design.
“You look beautiful,” Chloe says to me.
She and I are closer than ever, though I have other good friends now too.
“Thanks.” I squeeze her hand as our eyes meet. She just found out she’s pregnant, but she and Jude don’t want to announce it until Jordan and I leave on our honeymoon. I told her I didn’t care, but she’s thoughtful that way.
“It’s time, ladies.” My mother comes into the room where we’re all getting dressed and motions them into the hallway. “The guys are lining up so you need to get in order. You look beautiful, Victoria. Congratulations, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I give her a quick hug, and then she’s gone.
And my father comes in.
He looks amazing in his tuxedo, and there’s a soft look on his face that I don’t see very often.
We’ve come a long way the last two years, both as father and daughter and in his relationship with Jordan. They get along now, go to baseball games in the summer, and golfing when Jordan has days off. They also spend a lot of time with Tanner.
“You look…stunning,” Dad says, clearing his throat.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Are you ready?” he asks.
“I think so.” I pick up my bouquet.
“You’re sure this is what you want?”
I roll my eyes. “Daddy.”
He chuckles. “I’m kidding. You’ve never loved anyone else, and I can see how much he loves you.”
“I’m glad you finally understand that.”
“I just want you to be happy.”
“I’m very, very happy.”
“Then shall we do this?” He offers me his arm.
“Yes.” I take it, and we walk toward the hallway.
Jordan
My first sight of Victoria coming down the aisle takes my breath away.
I’ve always thought her beautiful, but today she’s ethereal. I can’t think of a more stunning woman anywhere.
And she’s all mine.
The last two years have been incredible, and I’m happier than I’ve ever been.
We have the cutest, sweetest, smartest little boy, and are talking about having another baby after the wedding.
Maybe we’ll make one on our honeymoon. Hockey is going well, we have family, friends, and a huge support group.
Life is pretty fucking magical.
Standing next to me, Milo has a big grin on his face as he watches Ivy, who’s Victoria’s maid of honor. Those two have been on again-off again for the last year or so, but weddings seem to bring out the romance in everyone.
Juliet and Chloe are both pregnant, though no one is supposed to know about Chloe yet.
Anders and Claudia, Johan and Sloane, and Slava and Zoe all just had babies in the last six months.
Our extended family has gotten enormous, and we love it.
The ladies hang out when us guys are busy with hockey, we all spend time together during the holidays and special occasions, and the best part is that Victoria and I are… happy. Truly, genuinely happy.
There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not grateful that we found our way back to each other. We argue and bicker sometimes, like any couple, but we never go to bed without making up and I don’t think we’ve ever raised our voices to each other in anger.
My relationship with her parents has done a complete one-eighty.
Especially with her father. Now, when he needs something, he calls me directly.
We spend a lot of time together both as a family and just the two of us, especially when it comes to golf and baseball.
I think I’ve become something of a son to him since he only had girls.
And it feels good to have that bond.
As he and Victoria approach where I’m standing, he meets my eyes and gives me a quick nod.
“Thank you,” he mouths.
I’m not sure what he’s thanking me for but I smile anyway. Then he lifts her veil and I look into my beautiful wife’s face. Her eyes are sparkling with excitement and emotion, her lips glistening with something soft and shiny that makes me want to kiss her.
That will happen soon enough.
I take her hand and we turn to the minister.
Since I’m not religious, I don’t pay much attention to that part of the sermon, but I’m all in when he gets to the good parts.
“…in sickness and in health…”
“…from this day forward…”
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Fuck, yeah.
I dip my head and press my lips to hers. Firmly, passionately, but also somewhat chaste—we’re not here to embarrass anyone’s parents.
The crowd erupts in cheers, and we turn, hands linked between us.
“Jordan.” Her voice is soft, filled with love.
“Yeah, baby?”
“I’m your wife.” There’s a touch of wonder in her voice.
“And I’m your husband.” I tug her against my side. “Ready to start this incredible new chapter of our life?”
“Uh huh.” She giggles and bites her tongue. “Can I tell you a secret?”
“Of course.” We’re still whispering and I lean closer to her mouth so she can speak right into my ear.
“I’m late.”
It takes a beat for that to register.
Then I throw my head back and laugh.
“Awesome.”
“We’re going to have to do something about your super sperm because apparently all it takes is us looking at each other for me to get pregnant.”
“Three kids then a vasectomy?”
She snorts. “Deal.”
We laugh softly before raising our arms to our family and friends.
Another cheer goes up and we walk happily back up the aisle toward our forever.
Thank you for reading Wild Shot—Jordan and Victoria waited a very long time for their happy ending! Up next is an entirely new series, the Atlanta Thunder, where you’ll see some familiar faces.
Turn the page for the first chapter of Penalty Kiss!