Epilogue

THE ATMOSPHERE AT JOSH"S HOUSE is alive with excitement and anticipation as we gather to celebrate Layla"s birthday. The air is filled with laughter and the sound of children"s voices, the scent of birthday cake wafting through the air.

As I look around, my heart is full of love and gratitude for the family and friends gathered around us. Gia sits beside me, her hand resting gently on her swollen belly, a radiant smile gracing her face as she watches Chloe play with Layla and the other children.

As Gia"s due date is fast approaching, she can't get completely comfortable no matter where she's at. Every movement is accompanied by a slight wince of discomfort, but she bears it all with grace and determination, her focus on the joy of the new life growing within her.

As we mingle with the other guests, talk inevitably turns to the upcoming baby, excitement bubbling over as we discuss names, nursery decor, and the anticipation of meeting the newest member of our family.

"Gia, how are you feeling?" Talia asks, her eyes shining with excitement as she takes in her baby bump. "You must be getting so excited to meet the baby."

She nods, her smile widening as she cradles her belly protectively. "I can"t wait," she says, her voice filled with emotion. "It"s been such an incredible journey, and I"m so grateful for all the love and support from everyone here."

"Chloe is so excited to be a big sister," Rosa says, her voice tinged with emotion. "She talks about the baby all the time, she and Layla can't wait to meet him or her."

Chloe races over to us, her face flushed with excitement as she grabs Gia"s hand and presses it against her own belly. "Mommy, can you feel the baby kick?" she asks eagerly, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Gia laughs, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she indulges Chloe"s request. "I think the baby is just as excited to meet you as you are to meet him or her," she says, her voice filled with love and tenderness.

Mommy.

My heart swelled so much the first time I heard Chloe call her that. I think Gia almost burst with happiness too.

"I'm excited to be an aunt again," Talia grins. "I need more babies to spoil."

"Do I get to claim this one as my niece or nephew too?" Matt asks.

"Yeah, I think that would be perfect," Gia grins.

"You can spoil them both," his partner Denver interjects.

"Good, I really like when Chloe calls me Uncle Matty."

I was hesitant at first, but I'm glad Gia pushed for me to allow ‘Matt' into Chloe's life.

"How's the job going to go with your pregnancy?" Josh asks.

"The team has been fantastic. I'm grateful that Ryder encouraged me to find something I love. I'm also grateful that my first big contract was being able to get in on becoming the head of security for Ryder's team. I've built all my guards up to where they're self-sufficient, they won't miss me while I'm gone. We've got other contracts coming in too, we're the first ones called for concerts."

"Oh, that reminds me Ryder, is Ethan single?" Rosa giggles. "Two of the younger girls at my job are obsessed with him. When they found out I knew you, they were asking a million questions."

"The kid is so laser focused that I'm not sure if he knows women exist," I chuckle. "I was so glad we were able to pick him up in the draft."

"It's cool that you trained with him while he was in college and then his rookie year is with you."

"I may have pulled some strings for that. I thought for sure he'd stay close to North Carolina or someone else would snatch him up first."

"Definitely a good choice. The two of you on the ice together are like poetry in motion," Josh interjects. "You can tell you have a good rapport."

"He's making me significant again, that's for certain."

"You've always been significant," Gia interjects.

She yelps loudly as she stands up there's a wave of fluid that splashes into the floor.

"Oh shit, your water just broke on my kitchen floor," Josh laughs.

"What?" I gasp.

"Looks like this baby is coming today."

"We need to get to the hospital now. My brother is not looking at my… he's not delivering this baby," Gia says quickly.

I can't help but chuckle as I grab her hand.

"Josh, you ride with them to the hospital, just in case. I will take care of everything here. Talia, you grab Chloe and go to the house to get Gia's hospital bag."

"I have one in the car."

"Okay, Talia you take Chloe in your car and follow them to the hospital. I will take care of everything here and then Layla, Landon, and I will meet you there."

Rosa kisses Josh quickly before she ushers everyone out of the kitchen. I lead Gia out of the house and to the car slowly. Josh and I help her inside and while I drive, Josh is trying to ask questions and distract us both from what's happening.

It seems like forever by the time we're at the hospital. They immediately check us in and get Gia situated.

"Looks like you're having this baby right now," Dr. McCoy says with a grin.

The delivery room is a whirlwind of activity, the air thick with anticipation and nervous energy as we await the arrival of our baby. Gia lies on the hospital bed, her face flushed with exertion but her eyes shining with determination and love.

I stand by her side, my hand clasped tightly in hers as we ride out the waves of pain together. With each contraction, she squeezes my hand tightly, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she pushes with all her strength.

The sound of monitors beeping fills the room, the steady rhythm a comforting backdrop to the chaos unfolding around us. Nurses and doctors move with purpose, their voices calm and reassuring as they guide her through each stage of labor.

And then, finally, after what feels like an eternity, our baby boy arrives, his cries filling the room with the sweetest sound I"ve ever heard. Tears spring to my eyes as I watch in awe as the doctors place him in Gia"s arms, her face lighting up with joy and wonder as she gazes down at him.

"He"s beautiful," I whisper, my voice choked with emotion as I lean in to kiss Gia"s forehead.

She nods, her eyes shining with tears as she cradles our son against her chest. "He"s perfect," she says, her voice filled with love and awe.

As we bask in the glow of our new arrival, the world fades away around us, leaving only the three of us in a bubble of love and happiness. I can"t tear my eyes away from Gia, her strength and courage filling me with admiration and awe.

She"s incredible, this woman who has brought our son into the world with such grace and determination. At this moment, I"ve never been more in love with her, and I know that together, we can weather any storm that comes our way.

Everyone clears out once they do all of their necessary checks. One of the nurses brings Chloe into the room. The moment she enters, her eyes widen with wonder and excitement as she catches sight of her baby brother cradled in Gia"s arms. She approaches the bed with cautious steps, her expression a mix of curiosity and adoration.

Gia smiles warmly at Chloe, her eyes sparkling with love as she invites her closer. "Come meet your baby brother Charlie, Chloe," she says gently, her voice soft with affection.

Chloe"s face breaks into a wide grin as she climbs onto the bed beside Gia, her eyes fixed on the tiny bundle in her mother"s arms. With trembling fingers, she reaches out to touch his tiny hand, her touch gentle and tentative as if she"s afraid she might break him.

"He"s so small," she whispers, her voice filled with wonder as she gazes down at him.

Gia nods, her smile widening at Chloe"s awe-filled expression. "Yes, he is," she says softly, her voice filled with pride. "But he"s also very special, just like you."

Chloe"s eyes light up at Gia"s words, her chest swelling with pride at the thought of being a big sister. "Can I hold Charlie?" she asks eagerly, her eyes shining with excitement.

Gia nods, carefully transferring the baby into Chloe"s waiting arms. Chloe"s face lights up with joy as she cradles him against her chest, her eyes shining with love and wonder as she gazes down at his tiny features.

"He"s perfect," she whispers, her voice filled with awe as she leans in to press a gentle kiss to his forehead.

As I watch the sweet interaction between Chloe and her little brother, my heart bursts with pride and love. It"s a moment I"ll treasure forever, the sight of my two children together filling me with a sense of overwhelming gratitude and joy.

In that moment, we"re a family of four, our bond stronger than ever as we bask in the glow of our newest addition. The room is filled with love and laughter, the air thick with the promise of new beginnings and endless possibilities.

"Mommy, can I give my little brother the gift we found for him and Daddy?"

"Yes, you may," Gia grins.

Chloe runs over to Gia's bag and grabs out a wrapped box. She hands it to me. As I tear off the paper and open the box I see a tiny little hockey jersey with our last name on the back of it.

"Now Charlie matches you Daddy. Mommy got pink ones for me and her."

Tears fill my eyes, seeing my last name on the back of that tiny jersey is a feeling of pride I've never had before.

I love being a girl dad, but I'm excited about being a boy dad too. I get to teach Chloe and Charlie all about the game I love.

As we settle in together, I know that our future as a family looks bright. And as I look around at the faces of my wife and children, I know that there"s nowhere else I"d rather be than right here, in this moment, surrounded by the ones I love most.