23. Give Mama a Big Kiss

I can't move. Frozen to the spot, my eyes shifting between two men who mean the most to me in this world, other than Remy. I give Tucker all the credit for speaking first.

"Hi, Brad. Listen, I'm Remy's?—"

Only my brother doesn't let him get too far. He punches Tucker straight in the gut, doubling him over.

"I had one rule. One. Rule. Players don't date—or fuck—my sister," Brad's tone reaches scary levels.

"But I love her," Tucker squeaks. "And I'm Remy's father."

"What did you say?" I ask. Love… He loves me.

"What did he say? Remy's father?" Brad stomps over to me. "You said you didn't know who the father was?"

"I didn't at the time. We met in Montana. When I stayed behind at the hotel, I went for a drink at the bar instead, and that's where we met." I eye Tucker, his hands on hips, at least upright, breathing deeply in and out. "It was just a one-night thing. And I had no way to reach him until the day he was in your office signing on for the Vipers."

I hear Remy fuss, waking up, and I walk past them both out of the room.

"I don't believe this." Brad follows me to the nursery. "A hockey player is Remy's father? After everything I've done to protect you from the sports world, from the life that ruined our father and our family."

"And I appreciate everything you did for me." I pick up Remy and hug him tight. "We both do. I don't know how I'll ever be able to pay you back for everything you spent so I could have a better life, and for Remy, too. You sacrificed so much for us, Brad."

He scoffs and says, "Money means nothing to me. I would have spent my entire fortune to care for you. You're my sister, the only family I have because we know Mom and Dad are too messed up to care."

"You're my family, but now… Tucker is, too."

"For the record," Tucker steps carefully into the nursery, keeping an eye on Brad's fists. "We did a paternity test if you need proof."

Brad shakes his head. "I heard every word of what you said, Ne ne. Have I really been holding you back by being overprotective?"

I reach a hand to his cheek. "You've only been the best brother. Tucker's right. Fear has paralyzed me from moving on. But now, I'm ready to trust and to love and to grow our new family." I step over to Tucker and search in his eyes. "With you?"

"Definitely. Come here." He envelopes me and Remy in the comfort of his arms. Then he reaches for Brad. "You too, big guy. Bring it in for a family group hug."

"Too soon, Tucker. Way too soon for that." Brad sticks a hand up and eyes us. "If he's who you want, I would never stand in the way of you living your life, Ne ne. But I will watch closely. If he messes up, you always have a home with me."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Tucker smirks, and in the next breath, says, "But I'm so grateful you were there for Whitney and my son. Believe me, if I'd have known she was pregnant, I would have been there, right beside her. I missed the first year of Remy's life, but I won't miss another minute."

"Good. I'll be holding you to that. And now, I need to make some phone calls. Unfortunately, I got news today that the Vipers want to trade you to Edmonton."

"What the fu—" Tucker yells, something like fear taking a hold in his eyes.

"You know how hockey works, Tucker. It's business, nothing personal."

"How can they do that? The Vipers just got him," I exclaim. And Edmonton? Isn't that somewhere in Canada? My baby's father cannot live that far away.

"I know it's crappy, but during the playoffs, the teams do a lot of trades to level up and get them through the playoffs to the championship. The Vipers like you, but there's always someone better."

"No," I can't help it and break down in Tucker's arms. "We just found each other. I can't watch you leave."

"Hey," Brad says, patting my back. "You know they don't call me the super agent for nothing. Let me work my magic. I have to go to the office and deal with this. I'll be in touch."

We follow Brad out to the door, where he turns and sticks his hand out to Tucker, and they shake. "No hard feelings about that punch in the stomach?"

"I'll be okay. You sure have a powerful one."

"Yeah? You should come with me sometime to train. I go to this gym run by one of the heavyweight champs in the world." He tugs at Remy's toes. "Well, I'll be in touch as soon as I have news."

He leaves and a huge weight lifts from my shoulders. I lean on Tucker for support at first, but then I stand straight and tall by his side. For the first time, I realize I can step out from Brad's safety net, and I'll survive. I have two men who love me and who will catch me if I fall.

* * *

"Here are our seats, along the glass, right next to the team bench." Brad leads the way. I carry Remy, and behind us are Duke and Phoebe and their boy Hunter. We're here to watch Tucker play in the last game of the championships for the cup, and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Thanks to super agent Brad Dawes, and his quick action, he created and ushered a new trade, taking the focus off of Tucker. For now, he's still here, with us, in L.A., playing for the Vipers. The odds are in their favor to win the cup, and living through his grueling schedule these past several weeks throughout the playoffs to get here, he deserves—the team deserves—to win it all.

We get seated just in time as the team finishes up their warmups. Tucker spots us. Me in his jersey and Remy in the child's size jersey, standing at the glass, here to cheer him on.

He stops right in front of us with a smile splitting his face. He puts his glove up on the glass and I reach out and touch my hand to it.

"Dada!" Remy squeals. I bring his little hand to meet the glove, too.

"Yes, that's your dada. And he's going to have a great game tonight. Maybe even a hat trick."

Tucker mouths something that I can't comprehend.

"What did you say?" I try to read his lips because the crowd noise is loud with a packed arena.

"He said he loves you," Brad interprets.

Tucker nods, his eyebrows to his hairline.

"I love you, too!" I can't help it, and I don't care if the glass is dirty, but I press my lips to it, and Tucker does the same.

When we part, he says something else.

Brad interprets again. "He said for Remy to give his mama a big kiss."

"Mama!" Remy shouts and points to me.

"Oh, my God. You said it. You said Mama!" I could jump for joy right here. "Oh, I love you, my little baby. I love you, Brad. And I love you, Tucker!"

Tears fall down my face right up to the first puck drop.I love my little family, and nothing can tear us apart.