Bex shakes her head. “You’re so dramatic.”
“It’s called standards,” Taylor says with a wicked smirk. “Drake has to meet them before I’ll give in to him. He thinks he can smile in my direction, and I will swoon.”
She hasn’t stopped looking at Drake since the guys stepped onto the ice for practice. I enjoy hanging out with his teammates’ girlfriends. It helps that Shannon is one of them. She’s a good Big Sister and has been an enormous help since I told her I was pregnant. This transition is hard enough, and with my new circle of friends, I don’t feel as alone as I did in the beginning. Still, nothing can prepare you for one child, let alone two—especially when you hadn’t planned it.
The game starts with all of our men now on the ice for a face-off at center ice, cutting off our conversation. Trent lines up his stick with the player across from him on the opposing team, and when the referee drops the puck between them, Trent gains possession. I still know very little about hockey, even with all of Trent’s coaching, but it’s growing on me. Jordan and I never played sports. Our mother wanted us to be cheerleaders. I had zero interest while Jordan was the captain of her team in high school.
By the time the third period starts, Bex gives me the play-by-play. While I’m not clueless, I don’t understand all the penalties and line changes. From my vantage point, and with how fast everything plays out before me, it’s hard to see which player is on the ice. Someone on the Strickland Senators has possession of the puck and is dodging a player on the opposing team as he fakes him out to take the shot.
The puck sails into the net, and the entire arena goes wild. Everyone around us rises to their feet to clap and cheer. Not until he turns around do I realize Trent was the one who scored the goal. His teammates surround him, all of them huddling together to celebrate.
Even though I have a lot to learn, I can’t deny that hockey is a sexy sport. I get so turned on when Trent is out there doing his thing. Maybe some of it is from my hormones, which have been insane lately, but damn, he sure looks hot in his uniform.
“Regionals, here we come,” Bex yells, high-fiving each of us. She’s such a tomboy, a lover of sports.
Trent hasn’t stopped talking about making it to Regionals and the Frozen Four. He’s determined to win another championship before he graduates, and I know his team will bring another win home for Strick U.
I look over at the Senators’ bench, where Trent is already staring at me. He’s holding his helmet in his right hand. Sweat drips from his brows, which he wipes away with his hand. I smile so wide my cheeks hurt, and he does the same. There’s an unspoken bond between us, one I can feel from a distance.
I’m the mother of his children.
He’s the man of my dreams.
Life couldn’t be more perfect.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Trent
My babies are almost here. I still can’t believe I’m a father. No matter how much I prepare, I still don’t feel ready. Neither does Jemma. After months of reading baby books, we are still terrified. One baby is a lot of work, but two is another story. My brother and I were complete terrors when we were kids. We’re still a pain in the ass. And now, I will have twins of my own.
I stand beside the hospital bed, dressed in scrubs and a mask, holding Jemma’s hand. She squeezes so tight she practically cuts off my circulation. Teeth clenched, she writhes in pain that I wish I could take from her.
“Almost there,” the doctor says. “Push.”
A few seconds later, screams fill the room.
Dr. West holds my daughter in his hands. I can’t stop the tears from spilling down my cheeks. She’s so beautiful, so tiny and precious.
Thea Kane.
One minute later, the doctor passes my son to the nurse. Thea and Teddy are so perfect, little pieces of each of us. They have Jemma’s red hair and blue eyes.
Staring at my children, I smile so wide my jaw hurts. Jemma’s body shakes through mine. I wipe the sweat-matted hair from her forehead, and she looks up at me, smiling. At this moment, I know I will love nothing as much as I love Jemma and our babies.
Hockey was the love of my life.
But not anymore.
The nurse sets Teddy in Jemma’s arms and gives Thea to me. They’re not identical like Trent and me, but the similarities exist. Thea peeks up at me, her eyes fluttering like she’s fighting sleep. A chill runs down my arms, and I hug her lightly against my chest, kissing her forehead.
“I love you, baby girl,” I whisper to Thea.
Her tiny lip curls into a smile, her expression mirroring mine. Jemma’s cheeks are flushed, sweat still dripping from her face, but I’ve never seen her look more beautiful. She gave me the most precious gift.
And I wouldn’t give this up for the world.
I now understand why my father regretted missing out on Blake’s life because I couldn’t imagine not being here with my children.
