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This win, Honey in the stands and knowing our chances for the Cup are around the corner? Best night ever.
EPILOGUE
HONEY
It's beenseven weeks since they won the game that pushed them into the playoffs and now the Strykers biggest night is ahead of them. They play for the Stanley Cup tonight and I couldn’t be more proud of Eli. He’s emerged into the man I knew he was hiding those few short months ago when I met him in the bar.
And whether they win or lose the game tonight, in the end, we’ve both won. We’ve won something that’s going to last a lifetime. Leave a legacy.
There will hopefully be many Stone babies filling our home, but for now? We’re kicking it off right with two.
Twin Boys, to be exact.
At my last appointment, baby number two was found hiding behind his brother. Eli missed it because he was away at a game. I sent him a picture of the sonogram but he, of course, didn't know what he was looking at. I chuckled as I remembered his text asking which was a foot and which was a head.
“Oh, my Eli, you’ve got a lot to learn. And quickly.”
The crowd is insane tonight. Rose, Heather and Erin are here with me. I’ve upgraded to a bigger jersey that fits over my belly. The magazines have since noticed me, and picked up that I’m pregnant. They broke the news to the rest of the team before Eli could, but it’s been fine.
The coach has noticed a change and I’m pretty sure we’ll be staying in New York for the foreseeable future.
“This game is in the bag!” Rose lets out awhoopand we all shush her.
“Stop it! Don’t say that until the horn blows!”
“Don’t be so superstitious! They’re ahead by two goals and we’ve got forty-seven seconds left.” She nudges me. “And your baby daddy has been on fire. There’s no more goals getting past him!”
I still watch with held breath, my anxiety on clear display. The cameras flash to us and the crowd cheers. Then they begin the countdown and when 3! 2! 1! is done and the horn goes off naming the New York Strykers Stanley Cup Champs, the arena erupts. We’re jumping up and down and crying happy tears.
It’s amazing how a few short weeks can change your entire trajectory. I moved to New York City looking for a new life. A new direction just for me. At thirty years old, and coming from a free loving household, it was not in my thought process to get tied down. But the universe had other plans for me, and I’m not hating it. In fact, I’m falling in love more and more every day.
We’re rushed into the locker room where the families of the team get to celebrate with their players. Champagne is spraying, music is playing and the smiles and laughter are contagious.
I’m wrapped up from behind and when I turn to meet Eli, my belly between us, he kisses me like he’s starving.
This man.
“Baby, I love you! I love you so much!” He’s laughing and hugging me. He’s so full of joy right now, my heart almost can’t take it. This is the man I knew he had inside him all along.
“I’m so proud of you, Eli. You were amazing out there!”
“I did it for you. Knowing you,” he leans down and kisses my belly, “and my baby, were out there cheering me on? It was everything to me.”
Tears leak from my eyes. Luke and Blake circle around us, clapping him on the back, hugging and roughhousing with each other, before giving me a kiss. I congratulate them and Rose hands me the bag I’ve been carrying with me since arriving here tonight.
His night is about to get a bit more joyous.
“I have a small present for you, Eli.”
He takes the bag from me, a wide smile across his face. He digs around the paper and pulls out a jersey. It reads STONE with a number 1 underneath it.
“Babe! Guess after today’s win, it’s official that I’ll be staying here in New York. Is that why you’re giving me this?”
My lips twist and I try to hide my smirk. “Keep looking, there’s something else in there.”
He furrows his brows at me and now we’ve drawn the attention of everyone around us. He pulls out the second jersey that reads STONE with a number 2 underneath it. I laugh as he looks up at me in confusion.
“I don't understand.”
