Epilogue

The arena is alive with energy, the air thick with anticipation as the final moments of the championship game between the Bruins and the New York Rangers tick away. The crowd roars with excitement, the sound echoing off the walls and filling the arena with tension and excitement.

I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as I skate onto the ice, the familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. This is it — the moment we"ve been waiting for, the chance to make history and bring home the championship trophy.

Beside me, Eric skates with determination, his eyes focused and his movements fluid and precise. We"ve been through so much together, faced countless challenges and obstacles, but in this moment, none of that matters. All that matters is the game before us, the chance to prove ourselves on the biggest stage of them all.

We get to do it together again, it's college all over again.

As the final buzzer sounds, signaling the start of overtime, a surge of excitement courses through me. I skate onto the ice, my eyes locked on the puck as it flies across the rink.

The play unfolds in a blur of motion and noise, the sound of skates scraping against the ice and sticks clashing filling my ears as I race towards the net. I can feel the tension mounting, the pressure of the moment weighing heavily on my shoulders.

And then, in an instant, it happens. Eric steals the puck from an opposing player, his movements fluid and graceful as he maneuvers towards the net. With lightning speed, he passes the puck to me, a perfect setup that leaves me breathless with anticipation.

I can feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me as I take possession of the puck, my heart pounding in my chest as I skate toward the net. Time seems to stand still as I line up my shot, my eyes locked on the goal as I prepare to make the winning play.

And then, with a flick of my wrist, it happens. The puck soars through the air, sailing past the goaltender and into the net with pinpoint accuracy. The crowd erupts into a frenzy of cheers and applause, the sound echoing off the walls and filling the arena with a deafening roar.

The rush of adrenaline coursing through me as I celebrate with my teammates, their faces lit up with joy and excitement. We"ve done it — we"ve won the championship, against all odds. And as I skate towards Eric, a sense of pride and camaraderie washes over me. We did this together, as a team, as brothers on the ice.

With a grin, Eric pulls me into a tight embrace, his excitement contagious as we celebrate our victory together. I feel like I"m on top of the world. And as we hoist the championship trophy high above our heads, I can't believe how much my life has changed in a year.

"Dad!" Breckin calls out excitedly.

I watch as my son and my wife make their way out onto the ice. Layla's parents follow as does my entire family, which is new, and I'm okay with that.

I grab him up in a giant hug.

"What do you think of this?"

"Man, you and Uncle Eric were on fire. It's like you were supercharged and no one could stop you!"

"It felt that way too," Eric laughs as Breckin jumps to hug him. I reach out and tug Layla into my arms. "I'm so glad that's over," she groans. "It was like… the most boring game ever."

"Is that so?" I laugh as I pick her up off the ice.

She laughs and wraps her arms around my neck before leaning down and kissing me.

"Best game ever," she breathes in my ear.

"I thought Layla was going to go into labor," Janet giggles. "She still might."

"She exaggerates," Layla says as she waves her hand dismissively.

"You are close."

"I'm fine."

"Her contractions are really close," Beth chimes in.

"It's just because of the excitement and…"

She doubles over in pain.

"I'm going to change and we're going to the hospital."

"It's fine," she says.

I shoot her a look as I kiss her on top of the forehead.

"Why don't you have your mom and dad take you to the hospital and I'll be right behind you guys."

"Okay," she says as she blows out a long breath.

I skate over to my coach and tell him that Layla may be in labor. Then Eric and I hurry to the locker room to change out.

The excitement of the championship victory still pulses through my veins as Eric and I finally make our way out of the rink. The cheers of the crowd still echoing in my ears, the taste of victory still sweet on my lips. But amidst the celebration, my phone rings, pulling me out of my reverie.

I glance down at the screen and see my mother"s name flashing across the display. With a sense of urgency, I answer the call, my heart pounding in my chest as I await her words.

"Mom? What"s wrong?" I ask, the adrenaline from the game still coursing through my veins.

"Brock, it"s Layla," my mother"s voice is filled with excitement and urgency. "Her contractions have started. You need to get to the hospital right away."

My heart leaps into my throat at her words, the adrenaline from the game replaced with a surge of excitement and nervous energy. This is it — the moment we"ve been waiting for, the moment our family will finally be complete.

Without a moment"s hesitation, Eric and I rush towards the parking lot, our strides quick and purposeful as we race to reach the car. I jump behind the wheel, my hands trembling with anticipation as I start the engine and peel out of the parking lot, the tires screeching against the pavement.

As we speed towards the hospital, my mind races with a whirlwind of emotions. Fear, excitement, anticipation — all swirling together in a chaotic frenzy as I try to prepare myself for what lies ahead.

When we finally arrive at the hospital, I leap out of the car before it even comes to a stop, my heart pounding in my chest as I race towards the entrance. Eric follows close behind, his expression a mirror of my own.

As we make our way through the maze of corridors and hallways, my pulse quickens with every step, the anticipation building to a fever pitch. And then, finally, we reach the OB ward, where Layla waits, her face flushed with exertion but filled with determination.

I hurry to her side, my heart overflowing with love and concern as I take in the sight of her, her strength and resilience shining through despite the pain she must be feeling.

"Layla," I breathe, my voice barely more than a whisper as I take her hand in mine. "I"m here. We"re here."

"Just in time," the doctor chuckles.

As the contractions intensify, the doctors and nurses spring into action, preparing Layla for the final push. And then, with a cry that echoes through the room, our daughter enters the world, her tiny cries filling the air with a sound more beautiful than any I"ve ever heard.

Tears fill my eyes as I look down at her, my heart overflowing with love and awe. She"s perfect — tiny and fragile, yet strong and resilient. And as I reach out to touch her for the first time, a surge of emotion washes over me, filling me with a sense of wonder and gratitude.

"She"s beautiful," I whisper, my voice choked with emotion as I look up at Layla, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Yes," she whispers back, her voice filled with love and pride. "She"s perfect."

Sometime later, Breckin comes in the room with Eric and all the grandparents to meet his baby sister.

"Hey bub, meet Mackenzie."

"Can I call her Mack?"

"Absolutely," Layla laughs.

"I"ll be Cheese and we can be Mack and Cheese! The best ever!" My son"s intelligence and playfulness never cease to amaze me.

"Hey Mack, you're going to make a great goalie."

I laugh and shake my head. "Maybe give her a year or so before we start that."

"Okay," Breck shrugs. "She's cute."

"She is. Pretty just like your mama," I say.

"Oh, Layla, she's gorgeous," my mother gushes tearfully as she comes over to the bed.

She strokes Mackenzie's cheek softly and with the other hand she squeezes Layla's hand.

Once Mom got to know Layla and Breckin, she fell in love with them, just like I did. It started rough for sure, but she came to understand why Tierney wasn't the one for me and Layla is.

"This is pretty cool, Dad. You and Uncle Eric win the championship and I get a baby sister, it's like we all won today."

"We are getting pictures of this sweet girl in the Stanley Cup," Eric teases.

I lean over and kiss Layla on the forehead. Won the championship with my best friend and added new life to my family.

It can't get much better than this.

***

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed the love stories in this boxset.

If you did, you"ll love "Pucking Hot Hockey Billionaires: An Enemies to Lovers Romance Boxset"!