Chapter 27

“ Y ou’d never know that before the playoffs, he hadn’t played in a game since this fall,” Klay says beside me, like the proud baby brother that he is. He watches in awe as his big brother plays in the Stanley Cup game. “He’s such a fucking animal on the ice.”

It’s funny, hearing him say that, because Kolt always talks about how great of a player Klay is and hints that he’s better than even he himself is. I’m a little biased, so I wouldn’t go that far.

“I hope they can hold them down,” I murmur, glancing at the clock. “We need this.”

We’re only up by one, which is far too close for comfort. With forty-three seconds left on the clock, this could easily be tied up and go into overtime, which I really, really do not want. I want the Sharks to win, but more than that, I’m ready for my husband to safely step off of the ice.

“Holy shit,” Maci says, squeezing my hand. “They are going all the way.”

“You said shit,” Amelia says, scolding Maci. “But it’s okay because Daddy is about to win. I forgive you.”

We’re both too engrossed in the game to laugh, cringe, or really react at all. The clock winds down. With each second that passes, somehow, the tightness in my chest grows. I want this so badly for Kolt. I want this dream to come true for him and his team.

This season started off strong for Kolt. And then he had his heart attack. Now, he’s here. Playing in the ultimate game. A real Cinderella story for his season.

With only a few seconds left on the clock and the Sharks in possession of the puck, the game is over.

As Logan stops in the center of the ice, he looks up at Maci and Amelia and holds his hands up to his mask, blowing them a kiss. She practically bounces up and down with Amelia in her arms.

“Daddy did it!” she squeals.

My eyes find Kolt, who has Ryder and Smith hanging off of him, and yet he’s looking at me.

Wearing his jersey, I jump up and down, waving my corny-ass pom-poms. Because, yeah … they deserved to come out tonight.

“I love you!” I scream, knowing he can’t hear me.

He holds his hand up before tapping his palm to his chest.

Today is one of the greatest days of our lives. Because today, one of his dreams came true. He accomplished something great after enduring so many challenges. I’m so proud that I got to be here for it. Even the thought that I could have missed it if we’d never worked things out guts me.

I like to think that without Kolt’s heart attack, we would have found our way back to each other. But the truth is, how could we know that for sure? The world works in mysterious ways. And even though Kolt having a heart attack is the scariest thing to ever happen to us, it brought me back to him.

I received an email this morning that starting next month, I’ll be able to begin my fertility journey through IVF. And given Kolt’s history and my cycles, it’s our best bet at having a family. So, just when I thought this day couldn’t get better, it did.

Kolt skates toward the plexiglass, and I rush down the center aisle to meet him.

One day, maybe I’ll have a baby on my hip or a toddler’s hand to hold during these times. But right now, it’s just Kolt and me. And I’m going to love and support him, no matter what.

And if that never happens, if I never get the chance to hold a kid up to watch their dad play … it’ll all be okay. Because we have each other. And that will always be the most important thing.