“I love you, too, my handsome boy,” I say to Teddy as I bend down to kiss him on the forehead. “Someday, you will be a lady killer like your daddy.”
Jemma laughs.
Sometimes, the one thing you didn’t know was missing in your life is what you need the most. My dad was right about being a father. I once thought being drafted into the NHL would be the highlight of my life. But no feeling in the world can compare to holding your child for the first time. It’s a feeling I wouldn’t trade for anything.
After the doctor gives us the okay, I call my family into the room. My parents, accompanied by my sister, Ava, and my older brother, Tye, stand in the doorway, smiling at the babies.
My friends wait outside as the nurse reminds us about the three-person limit. Until today, the Kanes had the same white-blond hair as my father. Teddy and Thea are beautiful, with their mother’s red hair and my blue eyes.
My dad slaps me on the back before pulling me into a powerful hug that nearly knocks the air from my lungs. “I’m proud of you, Trent.” His eyes leave mine and land on the twins.
Now that I have Jemma and my babies, I couldn’t imagine returning to my old ways. My friends crowd around Jemma, Thea, and Teddy, each of them taking their turns saying hello before they turn to congratulate me.
My mom squeezes me tightly, offering her support and congratulations. She will be the rock Jemma and I both need. After she releases me, Preston hands me a cigar, even though I will never smoke it. And he knows that. I take it from his hand and lean into his embrace, followed by Jamie, Drake, Ava, and Tye.
Saving Trent for last, I hold out my arms, and he slaps me on the back with even more force than my father.
“Congrats, bro. I can’t believe you’re a dad now. Your entire life is about to change.”
“I still get to have it all. A family and a career.”
“Yeah. And you lucked out getting signed by the Devils. You’ll only be an hour away.”
I’m about to respond when Drake interrupts our conversation. “Who’s the godfather? I call dibs if you haven’t picked one yet.”
I shake my head, laughing.
Leave it to Drake to say the most unusual thing moments after Jemma gives birth. If anyone will be the godfather of our children, it will be Tucker, Tye, or one of Jemma’s brothers. But I can’t deny that Drake is also my family.
I slip my fingers between Jemma’s. She glances up at me, a tired but happy look on her beautiful face. I return her smile.
She’s the love of my life, the one person I couldn’t imagine living without, so I plan to make her my wife.
Epilogue
Jemma
Two years later
As the goal horn sounds, the entire arena erupts into chaos. People rise from their seats, hands raised, yelling and chanting Trent’s name. Kane echoes throughout the Prudential Center, where Trent plays for the New Jersey Devils. With Teddy in my arms, I jump out of my seat, excited about Trent scoring the game’s last goal.
After they drafted Trent into the NHL, I stayed behind with Thea and Teddy to finish my degree at Strickland University. I lived with Trent’s parents in South Jersey until we moved permanently last month to the outskirts of New York City. The temporary separation was hard initially, but seeing Trent pursue his dream was all worth it.
Now that I’m finished with college, I joined Sports Buzz, my soon-to-be mother-in-law’s online newspaper, as an associate reporter. My goal is to one day write for a paper like The New York Times, but until then, I’m learning the ropes of the business from Kennedy. She’s been doing this for nearly thirty years, a journalism major like me.
I can work from home, which helps with the twins. And today, my job requires me to interview the players on Trent’s team, starting with my man. He’s all smiles after he finishes congratulating his team on their latest win. His eyes meet mine through the Plexiglas, and his smile widens, mirroring mine.
Teddy squirms in my arms when he sees his father. He pushes out his hand to reach for Trent.
“Da,” he says, even though he can say Daddy.
“Daddy.” I plant a kiss on his forehead. He giggles, his blue eyes pointed up at me. “Daddy won the hockey game, Teddy.”
“Da,” he says again, his adorable face lit up with excitement. “Hockey.”
I laugh and hug him tight against my chest.
I met Trent because I was running away from starting a family. It almost seems ridiculous now that I have one. I couldn’t imagine not having Trent and my babies in my life. They’ve rounded out my life and made me feel complete. Now, I have everything I want.
