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Nine goals to four.
The replay from above the net clearly shows where the puck landed.
I glance up at the clock with ten seconds to go.
They’ve done it… They’ve freaking won the Stanley Cup.
The siren breaks a few seconds later. The reserves are out off the bench and straight onto the ice as the players, coaches, managers, and the entire stadium scream out their excitement. There are sirens blaring, streamers flying down from the roof, helmets crashing onto the ice. The noise of the crowd is goosebump worthy.
The players are all a tangle, jumping up and down.
I feel so elated for them. It’s absolutely wild.
I can’t even spot Taylor amongst it all.
“They did it!” I cry into mom’s shoulder as she hugs me, while Cindy and Susie jump up and down. We’re going just as crazy as the rest of the crowd. “They really did it!”
“What a game!” Mom gushes.
I turn and glance at his parents who are so elated and looking so proud. They both smile at me as Gillian reaches over to give me a hug.
It takes what seems forever for everything to die down, and for the ice to be cleared.
You can see the buzz radiating from the Hawks. I can’t even imagine how Taylor is feeling right now.Each team lines up in the middle of the ice as each player passes their opponents in a long line on either side to shake each other’s hands.
Shortly after, the Conn Smythe Trophy is announced.
It’s like another eruption as Taylor James’s name rings out through the crowd.
“OHMYGOD, MOM!” I jump up and down, not being able to contain myself.
I turn to hug Cindy and Susie at the same time.
This is just surreal.
Taylor skates up to accept the trophy and waves it up to the crowd. The entire stadium roars so loudly, it’s deafening. I’m up against the glass as I see him look over to me, and he smiles that boyish smile I know is just for me. Just the same way he did the day we met and he introduced himself under the trees separating our driveways.
This is his moment to shine, and I couldn’t be more elated for him with how hard he’s worked over the years.
The Stanley Cup is then presented to the captain, Ty Petersen. He skates up to accept the cup and holds it up into the air, and the crowd explodes yet again. There’s so much buzz, I don’t think any of us are going to be done celebrating any time soon.
As the team all take their turns holding up the cup, along with the coaches and management, we all continue to cheer.
When Taylor’s turn for the cup comes around, he skates forward, holding it up in the air, and I melt at the look on his face. Pure bliss. He’s in his element.
The huge smile says it all as he looks at me once more and gives me a wink.
He’s the same guy in there, but I’m proud to watch him now, seeing the man he’s become. We’re both better people for what happened; there’s no doubt about it.
I know there will never be another guy for me. This is it.
As he skates on over to me when some of the crazy starts to lull somewhat. I make my way over to the barrier, just like the day when we first saw each other again, just three weeks ago.
I throw my arms around him as he lifts me in the air and holds me tight.
“You’re wearing my jersey!” he breathes into my neck.
We both pull back to look at each other after a moment.
