44. Sydney

Three Months Later

The colorful balloons sway in the breeze as we approach Emma's imposing greystone, a "Welcome Baby" banner fluttering above the door. My heart races, palms sweaty as I squeeze DJ and Tyler's hands.

Our first official team event as a throuple.

No pressure, Syd .

Slade opens the door, and a smile spreads across his chiseled features at the sight of us.

"Hey, you three! Welcome, come on in." He pulls me into a warm hug, his citrus cologne enveloping me. "I'm really happy for you guys," he murmurs discreetly in my ear before releasing me to embrace DJ and Tyler.

Slade's genuine acceptance and support means the world, dissolving the anxious knot in my stomach. I blink back tears, determined not to become a blubbering mess thirty seconds into this baby shower.

We enter the living room, and the guys grab drinks and start making the rounds, leaving me to take in the festive scene. Pastel streamers twist across the ceiling and a towering diaper cake serves as the room's centerpiece. It's like Pinterest threw up in here, but in the best way possible.

My gaze lands on Jasons's wife Melissa, positively glowing in a flowing floral maternity dress that drapes over her seven months pregnant belly. Her chestnut hair tumbles over her shoulders in glossy waves and her skin has that luminous mama-to-be sheen. She's a vision of fertile goddess beauty.

Definitely puts my simple sundress and sneakers to shame.

"Melissa, you look absolutely radiant!" I exclaim as I approach, marveling at her serene smile. "Pregnancy suits you."

She laughs and waves off the compliment. "You're too kind, Sydney. It's really sweet of everyone to make such a big fuss over this baby shower considering it's our second kid."

"Are you kidding? The team wouldn't miss a chance to celebrate you and Jason, especially with everything you've been through lately. This little one is a symbol of Jason's incredible recovery journey too."

Melissa's eyes mist over as she rubs her belly. "That's true. We're so grateful for the support. I don't know how we would've made it through otherwise."

As she mentions recovery, my mind wanders to Tomas and his continued sobriety alongside Jason. They've been pillars of strength for each other. If only Mikey had been so lucky...

He relapsed again recently and the sting of it still feels raw. Maybe if I had noticed the signs earlier or reached out more...

Rationally I know addiction doesn't work that way, but the guilt still gnaws at me. The Blizzards had to cut ties with him last month, which was brutal but necessary. I have to believe we did everything we could for him.

You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped. As someone who spent years filled with denial in an abusive relationship, I know that firsthand.

I blink, pushing the somber thoughts aside, and refocus on Melissa's angelic face. Today is about celebrating new life and fresh starts.

For all of us, in our own way.

Nearby, I spot Tyler engulfed by a gaggle of teammates, their boisterous laughter carrying across the room. Curious, I meander closer, snagging bits of the animated conversation.

"Congrats man, officially our starting goalie!" Ryan says. "It's about damn time."

"Seriously, you're gonna crush it out there," Alex agrees. "Adam left big skates to fill, but if anyone can do it, it's you."

Over the summer, Adam decided to retire instead of coming back. His injury was still not totally healed, and he didn't want to risk making anything worse. It was a tough decision for him, but one that lead to Tyler getting permanently promoted, so I can't feel too bad about it.

Tyler ducks his head, a shy smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks guys, that means a lot. I've got a solid team backing me up, so I know we'll kill it this season."

Pride surges through me, warming me from the inside out. That's my man, humble as ever. He's worked his ass off for this and he deserves every bit of recognition.

Watching him navigate the spotlight, I can't help but reflect on the rocky road that led here. Tyler's come so far, not just in his career but in his personal life too.

You'd think that his asshole brother would've been thrilled by Tyler's promotion. Instead, Steven was snide about it, making cutting comments about how Tyler was always picking up everyone else's sloppy seconds.

The awful subtext about our relationship went unnoticed by no one.

In the end, Tyler chose himself. Chose us. He told Steven where he could stick it and hasn't talked to him in months.

I couldn't be prouder. Screw anyone who can't see how amazing he is, brother or not.

As if to punctuate that thought, I notice the casual way our teammates include DJ in the conversation, clapping him on the back and drawing him into their circle. It's a small gesture, but it speaks volumes.

This team, this beautifully unorthodox family, has embraced every facet of who we are, no questions asked. The gratitude that washes over me is staggering.

Lost in my musings, I startle when a fruity concoction appears under my nose.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Emma grins, pressing the chilled glass into my hand.

I take a sip, the fizzy mocktail dancing across my tongue. Mm, passion fruit and...is that a hint of ginger?

"Just soaking it all in," I reply, linking my arm through hers as we amble toward a quiet corner. "It's surreal, you know? Being here, like this, with the guys..."

Emma nods sagely. "The Blizzards have a way of sneaking into your heart like that. They're good people."

We settle onto a loveseat, the buttery leather sighing beneath us. From our cozy nook, the party ebbs and flows in a vibrant swirl of laughter and chatter, a live jazz quartet laying down a smooth soundtrack.

"So," Emma leans in conspiratorially, "a little birdie told me residency interviews are coming up. How're you feeling about that?"

And just like that, the contented bubble bursts, anxiety zinging through my veins.

Ah yes, the looming specter of my future, come to rain on this beautiful parade .

I gnaw my lip, the question I've been avoiding for weeks pushing to the forefront. What if I match somewhere far away? Will a long-distance relationship even work?

DJ and Tyler's careers are here and I can't— I won't —ask them to uproot their lives.

"I'm excited about restarting my career," I tell her honestly. "But I'm trying not to think about the possibility that I don't end up in Chicago. Like…what if I match in Texas ?"

DJ approaches, the warmth of his presence enveloping me like a protective shield. His arm slides around my waist, pulling me flush against his lean, muscular frame.

The contact ignites a flurry of butterflies in my stomach, and I instinctively melt into his embrace.

"Don't worry about that," he says, clearly having overheard our conversation. "We'll figure it out when the time comes. And besides…even Texas has hockey teams."

I laugh, leaning further into his solid chest. The steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my cheek is a soothing metronome, grounding me in the here and now.

Tyler materializes on my other side, his broad shoulders and chiseled jaw a striking contrast to DJ's dark, tattooed beauty.

"We'll be fine, Syd," he says softly, his calloused hand finding mine and twining our fingers together. "No matter what."

I glance between them, my heart so full it feels fit to burst. DJ, with his razor-sharp wit and fiercely protective nature. Tyler, steady and strong, an unwavering pillar of support. Two sides of the same coin, each completing me in ways I never knew I needed.

In this room full of people, I've never felt more seen, more cherished, more wholly and completely myself.

The fears that plagued me earlier—the residency, the future, all the unknowns on the horizon—suddenly seem small and inconsequential in the face of this love.

As DJ leans in to brush a feather-light kiss across my temple and Tyler rests his forehead against mine, I close my eyes, silently pledging to nurture and protect this precious, unconventional love we've fought so hard to build.

Come what may, we'll face it as one. Always.