Epilogue 2 - Emile

five years later…

The sun is just starting to peek through the curtains of our bedroom when I hear the patter of little feet on the hardwood floor. I smile, my eyes still closed, knowing exactly what's coming.

"Daddy! Papa! Wake up!" The excited voice of our four-year-old daughter, Juliette, fills the room as she leaps onto the bed between Sara and me.

I open my eyes, grinning at the sight of her, all messy curls and bright, dancing eyes. "Good morning, little flower," I say, scooping her into my arms and peppering her face with kisses. "What's got you so excited this early, huh?"

"It's game day!" she exclaims, bouncing on the bed. "You're gonna win the champion-chip, Daddy!"

I chuckle, glancing over at Sara who's watching us with a sleepy smile, our two-year-old son, Alan, nestled in her arms and smiling at me from around the thumb in his mouth. "It's championship, baby," she corrects gently, her hand running through Juliette's curls. "And Daddy's going to do his very best, just like always."

I feel a warmth spread through my chest, a feeling of contentment, of pure, unadulterated happiness. This is my life now—early mornings and sticky kisses, laughter and love and the kind of joy I never knew was possible.

My hockey career has been a dream come true, with the Nighthawks winning the Stanley Cup twice in the past five years. But as incredible as those victories have been, they pale in comparison to the wins I experience every day with my family.

"All right, munchkins," I say, tickling Juliette until she's shrieking with laughter. "Who wants pancakes for breakfast?"

"Me!" Juliette shouts, her hand shooting up in the air.

"Me too, Daddy," Alan pipes up, his little voice still thick with sleep.

I grin, scooping Juliette up and swinging her onto my back. "Then let's go, team. Operation Pancake is a go!"

Sara laughs, shaking her head as she climbs out of bed, Alan balanced on her hip. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"

I lean in, stealing a quick kiss. "But you love me, anyway."

She smiles, her eyes soft and filled with love. "I do. More and more every day."

We make our way downstairs, the kids chattering excitedly about the upcoming game, about the signs they've made to cheer me on. Sara moves around the kitchen with practiced ease, whipping up a batch of pancakes while I set the table and entertain the kids with silly faces and tickle attacks.

As we sit around the table, syrup-sticky fingers and laughter filling the air, I'm struck by how incredibly lucky I am. How blessed I am to have this life, this love, this family.

There was a time when hockey was everything to me, when the ice was the only place I felt truly alive. But now, looking at Sara, at our children, I realize that this is what it means to be alive. This is what it means to be happy.

After breakfast, we pile into the car and head to the arena, the kids bouncing with excitement in the backseat. As we walk in, hand in hand, I'm greeted by familiar faces, by teammates who have become our extended family over the years.

Luc is there, of course. His role as captain made it easy for him to transition into the assistant coach's role when he retired last year.

He greets us with his usual bear hug, ruffling Juliette's hair and high-fiving Alan. "Ready for another big win, Emile?" he asks with a grin that's contagious.

"I'm always ready," I reply, feeling the familiar surge of adrenaline as the scent of the ice hits me.

Natalie appears then, her own little girl, Amelie, toddling along beside her. She hugs Sara tight, the two of them talking animatedly about the kids, about their plans for the summer.

I take a moment to just watch them, to soak in the love and warmth that surrounds me. This is my team, on and off the ice. These are the people who have been by my side through thick and thin, who have celebrated my victories and mourned my losses.

And at the center of it all is Sara. My love, my heart, my home. She catches my eye over Natalie's shoulder, her smile soft and knowing, and I feel my heart swell with love, with gratitude, with the incredible, overwhelming knowledge that even without the professional victories, I'm a winner because this amazing woman loves me.

After a fast goodbye to my family, and a quick pep talk from Luc and my father-in-law—who, despite our complicated history, has turned out to be an amazing grandfather—it's time to hit the ice.

The roar of the crowd washes over me, and I take a deep breath, my eyes falling closed for just a moment. I picture Sara in the stands, Juliette and Alan by her side, cheering me on with all their might. Then I picture the life we've built together, the love we've nurtured, the dreams we've chased. And as I open my eyes, I say a quick thank you for my everyday blessings then get my head in the game. Time to make my family proud.