Epilogue

EPILOGUE

JACK

I’ve hardly let Ella out of my sight for the last two weeks. It’s not because I’m afraid she’s going to get cold feet, but I don’t want her to fall over. When she and her father reunited, she nearly toppled. Meanwhile, he got to his feet shakily and took several steps before the two embraced.

He promised her that he’d be able to walk her down the aisle. Now that the day has come, I’ve never seen two people happier, or more steady. Not to mention that nothing, not even the Stanley Cup during my first season on the Knights, compares to how I feel about Ella.

I mean, it was an epic win, and I’m proud to say I’m on the team. However, this new one that she and I are starting, I’ll be on for the rest of my life. Plus, as long as we have six kids, we’ll have a starting lineup for our own hockey crew.

Carlos flits around, adjusting everyone’s tuxedos.

“Don’t be nervous. This is going to be amazing,” I say.

“It will be perfect,” he answers as if trying to convince himself.

“Then why are you so jittery? ”

“I thought I was going to marry Marisol first. I placed a bet with myself.”

“That’s not how wagers work.”

“Also …”

“There’s more?” I ask with a laugh that reveals just how relaxed I feel. There are no doubts in my mind that my future is with Ella and it starts today.

Nothing is going to come between us and the wedding is going to go off without a hitch.

Carlos checks his watch. His smile turns wooden and then he rushes out of the room.

“Son,” my father’s strident voice calls.

My spirits sink. Oh, that’s what was making him jumpy.

I open the door to the private room in the chapel. Without letting him in, I say, “If you or Aston tried to dig up dirt on Ella or hire someone to interrupt the ‘Speak now or forever hold your peace’ moment?—”

His expression is brutal and his nostrils flare, and he starts again, “Son, I don’t want to bother you with this today, but?—”

“Father, this is my wedding day to Ella. Nothing is?—”

He claps his hands on my shoulders. “And I wanted to let you know there’s been a change to the seating arrangements. I didn’t want to stress Ella out and couldn’t find her wedding planner.”

Irritation makes heat rush up my neck. “You’re telling me this right now? Don’t you have someone that does things like that for you?”

“Once upon a time, that person was your mother. Then she made me hire someone because she said I was too fickle. Turns out she was right.”

My eyebrow arches. “She was right about everything.”

“Wish I’d had a chance to tell her that,” my father says.

“I did for you. ”

“You did?” His brow drops.

I shrug. “Yeah. Told her you’d figure it out one day.”

He chuckles and then looks at me with the kind of sadness I’ve never seen in his eyes, not even at her funeral.

I say, “Don’t tell me you’re getting sentimental because it’s my wedding day.”

His gaze sharpens as if remembering who he is.

“If you bring up the prenuptial agreement again, minutes before I’m about to walk out there?—”

He shakes his head slowly. “I’m glad that you’re only going to do this once.”

I tip my chin to the side. “Huh?”

“I can see how much you and Ella love each other. Never let anything, especially money, come between that. Not a lot and not a little.”

“No, Ella is my just right,” I say, thinking of finding her in the bed in the Ruby Room.

“I’m proud of you.”

I do a double-take. “What?”

“You turned things around.”

I guess it’s better late than never. “Thanks. The third period of the final was a nail-biter.”

“No, I mean in your life. Your mother would be proud, too. But maybe not of me.” He lets out a long sigh.

“She was your biggest fan, Dad.”

He forces down the emotion mounting inside and swipes his forehead. “I’m trying to tell you that things with Aston are over. That’s what I meant about the seating arrangements. I uninvited her.” He clears his throat. “From my life.”

I stagger back. Did not see that coming.

“In addition to the footage of Ella from the resort, some other recordings came to my attention involving Aston and one of the cabana boys.” He snorts .

“Wow. Um, how are you doing?”

Lips pressed together, he nods. “Better. I don’t know what came over me. I was transfixed by her … and she was solely interested in my bank account.”

“I’m sorry. Sort of. I mean, I could’ve told you that. In fact, I did, but we ended up arguing in your office.”

“I apologize for everything.”

“Yeah?”

He nods sharply, assuringly. “Yes, son. Now, go out there and get married. I’m going to get to know your father-in-law. Make sure his investments are sound. Then you and Ella get cracking on grandkids. I can’t wait to spoil them.” He smiles as if finally, after all these years, he’s settling into family life.

First, Dad and I exchange a brisk hug, but after a beat, he doesn’t let go. I let out a breath because I think we’ve both needed this for several years now. Maybe my whole life.

Then, I hurry to my place at the altar because I won’t be late for my bride.

The rest of the guests filter into the massive cathedral. I spot my Knights teammates and Coach Badaszek, along with an assortment of other players from over the years. Forget Hockey Town. This is like Hockey City. We could probably put together four teams right now and have a solid match. But I’m not giving up the Stanley. Not until I retire.

My gaze flits over family members and friends, and then the “Wedding March” starts. Carlos, my best man, walks down the aisle with the maid of honor, his sister. When he passes Marisol, he discretely points at her, then himself, and at the altar.

If I’m not mistaken, her lips quirk with a smile. The rest of the bridal party makes their way forward. Bark Wahlburger trots proudly down the aisle, gripping a little pouch in his mouth that contains the rings. Ella’s dad trained him not to eat it … and the dog makes sure he gets in his daily strengthening exercises now that he’s moved to Cobbiton with us.

The string band changes the song. A radiant light shines from the other end of the aisle. Alongside her father, steady on both feet, Ella floats toward me.

I recall her asking me if she was dreaming when we arrived at my parents’ place, er, palace. I could use a pinch now. Or a slap on the face because I’m gawking, slack-jawed, struck dumb.

She is a fairytale princess who came to life dressed in a white gown with a full skirt, lace, sparkles, and beads. She makes a grand, show-stopping march down the aisle as everyone gasps, oohs, and ahhs.

I’m holding my breath.

Ella is stunning.

It’s only when her hand finds mine that my feet return to the earth.

“Ready?” she whispers, biting her lip.

“Let’s do this,” I reply, unable to hold back my smile.

She squeezes my hand and then adds, “I had the number ten stitched into the inside of the back of my gown, like on your jersey.”

I beam. My goodness, do I love this woman. I tell her as much and look forward to telling her every hour on the hour forever. Maybe every minute. I’ll show her too. In big ways and little, because I couldn’t be happier.

The ceremony is seamless with the exchange of vows and rings. When I hear the words, “You may kiss,” the world comes into sharp focus and she’s standing in front of me. Ella is my everything. She wraps her arms around me; I cradle her head in my hand. With the other on the curve of her lower back, I dip my wife for one long, dramatic, romantic kiss.

We combined the reception with a housewarming party because we’re finally, officially moving in together and have had enough hotel stays to last a while.

After countless offers of congratulations, Liam—one of my teammates who was “away” for the end of last season, clinks his glass with me and asks, “So where does a billionaire take his bride on their honeymoon?”

Ella appears by my side, out of breath. “I just tossed the bouquet.”

“Please tell me Marisol caught it.” I want Carlos to be as happy as me, but I also want to see an end to his pining.

She shakes her head. “It was Jess.”

“She works for the Knights.”

Liam lets out a grunt, reminding me that I haven’t answered his question.

“Oh, right. We’re going camping for our honeymoon.”

“Glamping?”

“No, camping, in a tent,” Ella says. “We’re headed to the Poconos, where I’d go when I was a kid. Plus, we can bring Bark Wahlburger with us.” She pats the dog’s back.

Liam flashes me a look of surprise.

I smile warmly at my wife. “Time for me to see how the other half lives.”

“Well, I’d better avoid flying bouquets. I’d hate to get caught in the crossfire,” Liam says, leaving Ella and me alone for the first time in what seems like hours.

“So, Mrs. Bouchelle, any comments on the game?” I ask.

She tugs on my jacket lapel. “Ha ha, Number Ten. Only that I’m proud to wear your jersey.”

“And I’m proud to wear this ring.” I give my left hand a jiggle.

She takes it and tugs me into an alcove. I brush my knuckles down the side of her beautiful face. She tips her chin up and my gaze dips to hers .

“I’m excited about our honeymoon, but I cannot wait to get back here and spoil you with home-cooked meals, baking, oooh, cookies!” Ella bounces on her toes.

“You want to play house?”

“Not play. It’ll be real.”

My smile is irrepressible. “I didn’t realize it, but I’d been waiting for you for my entire life.”

She says, “You’re my happily ever after, Jack.”

“Forever,” I answer and our lips press together.