15. Sean

15

Sean

As the morning light filters through the windows, casting a warm glow over everything it touches, Aubrey and I, alongside a buoyant Luke, make our way back into the heart of the house.

There's a certain magic to the start of the day, a freshness that seems to promise new beginnings, and right now, with Luke's laughter as our soundtrack, I'm all in for whatever this day has in store.

Luke, with the boundless energy only a two-year-old can muster, becomes the center of my world in an instant. As I lift him up, a laugh bubbling up from deep within him, I'm struck by a profound sense of connection. This kid, with eyes so much like my own, has me wrapped around his little finger in the best possible way.

"Alright, Captain Luke, ready to embark on a morning adventure?" I ask, as he squirms in excitement in my arms before I set him down to join in the fun.

We dive into a game concocted on the fly, involving an epic quest around the living room. Violet joins us, her crawling pursuit of Luke filled with joyous determination. "Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to conquer the kingdom of... the enchanted sofa!" I declare.

Their laughter, pure and unrestrained, fills the room, echoing off the walls and burrowing deep into my heart. It's a sound I could get used to, a reminder of the simple joys that life has to offer when you're willing to see them.

Catching Aubrey's eye, I notice her watching us, a look of soft amusement and perhaps a touch of admiration on her face. It's a look that sends waves of hope crashing through me, whispering of possibilities and shared futures.

Encouraged by her smile, I throw a playful challenge her way. "Care to join the ranks of the brave, Aubrey? We could use a queen to help rule over this wild realm."

Her laughter rings out, clear and beautiful. "I think you've got the royal duties covered, Your Highness. I'm perfectly content to be the royal observer."

As the game continues, with every giggle from Luke and Violet, every shared glance with Aubrey, I'm more convinced than ever that this is where I'm meant to be. These moments of unscripted happiness, of familial warmth, they're pieces of a puzzle I didn't even know I was missing until now.

Eventually, as our morning of adventure draws to a close and Luke's energy starts to wane, signaling the need for a nap, I gently scoop him up, feeling a sense of belonging that's both exhilarating and terrifying.

"Looks like our fearless explorer needs a bit of downtime," I say, handing Luke back to Aubrey.

Little Luke is about ready to drop into a deep, pancake-fueled slumber right in Aubrey's arms. The kid's enthusiasm is something else, and watching him now, all tuckered out, I can't help but feel a burst of pride. He's got his dad's stamina, that's for sure.

Seizing the moment, I decide to shoot my shot, albeit a more family-friendly one this time. "So, about tonight, I actually remembered I've got practice tomorrow afternoon. How about you and the mini-me come watch? Might be fun, and we could grab some dinner afterward.” I give them both a hopeful look, trying to entice them with the allure of live sports and the promise of good eats.

At the mere mention of hockey, Luke's interest skyrockets back to awake mode, his earlier drowsiness forgotten. Aubrey catches his reaction and laughs, "Looks like you've just made the team, Sean. Luke's clearly on board."

That's all the confirmation I need. "Great! Practice starts at 2, but come over whenever you're ready. I'll shoot you the address. Having my two biggest fans in the stands will definitely up my game," I say, throwing them a wink that's equal parts playful and sincere.

Aubrey smiles, and I swear it's like the room just got a bit brighter. "We'll be there, won't we, Luke?" she says, earning an enthusiastic nod from the little guy. "Looks like we've got a date with the ice."

As I head out, leaving them to their afternoon plans, there's a spring in my step that wasn't there before. The thought of Aubrey and Luke coming to watch me play, of sharing a part of my world with them, fills me with a kind of anticipation I haven't felt in a long time.

***

The rink's familiar chill wraps around me like an old friend as I hit the ice, the sound of blades cutting through the surface filling the air with a symphony of hard work and determination. Today's practice is my sanctuary, a place to channel all the energy, the nerves, and, yeah, the excitement bubbling up inside me about Aubrey and Luke coming to watch.

I push through drill after drill, feeling the burn in muscles that welcome the challenge, my mind occasionally drifting to the stands, searching for two specific faces among the sparse crowd. It's this weird mix of wanting to impress and just plain wanting them here with me that keeps me on my toes, skating harder, faster.

And then, there they are. Aubrey, with Luke perched like a tiny king on her lap, their presence sending an undeniable jolt of joy through me. It's a game-changer, having them here, watching me do my thing.

During a much-needed water break, I make my way over, the grin on my face probably too big to be considered cool, but who cares? Luke's excitement is like a shot of adrenaline, his little hands waving as I approach.

"Hey, you two made it!" I beam, pulling up to the boards near them. "How's it for my biggest fans? Cold enough for you out there?"

Aubrey's smile is all the answer I need, her eyes lighting up in a way that punches right through the protective gear straight to my heart. "We wouldn't miss it. Luke's been talking about this all day."

Luke's enthusiasm bubbles over as he babbles something about "Uncle Sean fast on ice," and I swear, if my heart were a puck, it'd be in the back of the net right now.

"So, I was thinking," I start, leaning on my stick, trying to sound casual but feeling anything but, "how about we grab some pizza after this? Keep it chill. My treat, of course."

Aubrey's hesitation is brief, a fleeting shadow across her face before she nods, a gentle warmth in her voice. "Pizza sounds perfect, doesn't it, bub?"

The little guy's agreement is immediate, his approval loud and clear, not that we needed any translation on his stance regarding pizza.

"Great! It's a date then," I say, the word 'date' hanging between us, charged with possibilities.

As I push off, back into the fray of practice, I can't help but steal glances their way, each look a reassurance that they're really here. Aubrey's presence, Luke's boundless energy—it's a reminder of what I'm skating towards, not just in this practice or the upcoming game, but in life.

Diving back into the drills with a renewed vigor, I'm practically flying across the ice. There's this electric buzz under my skin, a fusion of adrenaline and something deeper, something like joy, knowing Aubrey and Luke are out there, watching. It's as if their presence, their support, fuels me, driving each stride, each shot with purpose. Who knew playing to an audience of two could make me feel like I'm gunning for the Stanley Cup?

As practice wraps up, feeling like I've left everything I've got out on the ice, Coach McDaniels flags me down. His usually stern face is cracked with a rare grin, the kind that says you've done something right.

"Gotta say, Sean, you were on fire today. If you bring that heat to the game this weekend, the other team won't know what hit 'em."

Pride swells in my chest, a warm acknowledgment of the effort and passion I've poured into every moment on this ice. "Thanks, Coach. I've got a good feeling about this one," I reply, the image of Aubrey and Luke cheering me on flashing through my mind.

Speaking of my personal cheer squad, Aubrey and Luke choose that moment to make their appearance, her hand guiding Luke, who's all eager smiles and wobbly toddler enthusiasm.

Coach's eyebrows shoot up, his gaze flicking between Aubrey, Luke, and me, a silent question hanging in the air. "And who might this be?" he inquires, a hint of curiosity coloring his tone.

Without missing a beat, and with a confidence that surprises even me, I wrap an arm around Aubrey's shoulders, pulling her slightly closer. "Coach, meet Aubrey, my fiancée," I declare, the word feeling both audacious and absolutely right in the moment.

Aubrey's reaction is a priceless mix of shock and amusement, her mouth forming a perfect 'o' of surprise. Luke, blissfully unaware of the bombshell I've just dropped, simply beams, happy to be the center of attention.

Coach McDaniels’s eyebrows arch up, total surprise on his face. "Well, congratulations to you both. Looking forward to seeing you at the games, Aubrey… and little Luke here."

As Coach heads off, leaving us in a bubble of our own making, I catch the look on Aubrey's face, a total expression of disbelief

“I’m your what ?”