“Yeah.” A tear sprang to my eye. “It was the only way to get you back out there. No matter how much it killed me to do it, I couldn’t let you give up your dream. I wouldn’t let you, Logan. Hockey is your life and I wasn’t going to stand by and let you throw away everything you worked so hard for.” The tears fell down my cheek.
He swallowed hard. “I can’t believe you did that for me. These last few weeks have been hell.”
“I know they have, but look at where it got you tonight. You were amazing out there and I’ve never been so proud of anyone in my life as I am of you. I love you, Logan. I never stopped.”
He brought his hand to my cheek and wiped away the tears that were falling from my eyes.
“I love you, baby, and I missed you so much.”
I threw my arms around his neck and laid my head on his shoulder.
“I missed you too and I’m sorry.”
“So that explains why Owen flipped out at the bar.”
I pulled back and stared into his eyes. “You mean when you were going to take that girl home and fuck her?” I frowned.
“He told you?”
“Yeah. He told me.”
“Asshole. Remind me to punch him next time I see him.”
“I didn’t blame you. You thought I had left and we were over.”
“I feel like a total douchebag. I’m so sorry.”
“You’re forgiven.” I smiled.
He dipped his head closer to mine until our foreheads were touching, his lips mere millimeters from mine.
“I’m so in love with you and I never stopped. You have to believe that.”
“I do believe it,” I whispered.
His lips softly met mine and it felt so good to feel them again. As his hand cupped the back of my neck, our kiss became passionate. He pulled me on top of him and the feel of his hard cock beneath me excited me to the point that I felt I was about to have an orgasm. My breath became hitched and my heart was racing.
“We have some serious sex to make up.” He smiled as he broke our kiss.
“I hope you have enough energy left in you.”
He let out a growl. “I have more than enough energy to make love to you all night long.”
I climbed off his lap and stood up as he picked me up in his strong arms and carried me to the bedroom.
****
Logan
Being inside her again felt so good. Interlacing her fingers with mine, I raised her arms above her head as I slowly moved in and out of her, taking in all the beauty that was underneath me. I loved this woman more than anything else in the world, including hockey. She was mine and I was going to make sure she stayed with me forever. Her happiness was all that mattered to me and I would do everything possible to make sure she was happy for the rest of her life. We shared a bond and a connection that nobody could ever understand.
After we made love, I rolled onto my back and she snuggled against me as I stroked her soft hair.
“I can’t believe my brothers knew and didn’t tell me. Actually, I’m surprised Owen didn’t spill the beans. He can’t keep a secret for shit.”
“He knew he had to keep quiet for your sake. They weren’t the only ones who knew.”
“What? Who else knew of your plan?”
“Your dad, Maggie, Gene, and Bruce. Oh, and my dad and Woo.”
“Nice, Brooke.” I laughed. “But being out there, playing in the game tonight, was the best feeling in the world. There’s something I need to tell you.”
“What?” She lifted her head from my chest and looked at me.
“I didn’t mean what I said to you that day about wanting to be the hero that saved me.”
“I know you didn’t. But I’m glad you did, because you made it a whole lot easier for me.” She smiled brightly.
“Thank you for everything.”
She brought her hand up to my face and gently stroked my cheek.
“You’re welcome, and thank you for wanting me in your life.”
Just as I was about to speak, my phone beeped. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed it from the nightstand and saw a text message from Owen.
“You better have forgiven her, bro, or I’m seriously going to hurt you.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle as I showed the text to Brooke.
“Don’t worry about us. We’re great. Now leave us alone.”
“Whew. Okay, now I can sleep tonight.”
Setting down my phone, I brushed a strand of hair from Brooke’s face.
“There’s something I need to talk to you about,” I spoke with seriousness.
“Now what?”
“What you saw between me and Lina that night of the party. She kissed me, Brooke, and I pushed her away. I told her that you were my girlfriend and that I loved you. I would never do that to you.”
“I know you wouldn’t. I trust you completely.”
“Something else is bothering me and I need to ask.”
She tilted her head and smiled. “You can ask me anything.”
“How are we going to make this work when you go back home?”
“Who said I was going back home?”
“Huh? You’d permanently move here for me?”
“Yes, Logan, I would. I’m sure I can find a job here. Plus, the thought of all those beautiful snowy winters is like a dream come true.”
“You’re weird.” I chuckled. “What about your dad?”
“I already talked to him about it and he said if it’ll make me happy, then it makes him happy. Besides, he said he’d come visit a lot.”
“What about Woo?” I asked.
“Woo will be fine. He can come visit as well.”
“I can’t believe you’d change your whole life for me.” I ran the back of my hand down her cheek.
“Isn’t that what life’s all about: change? I embrace change. It keeps me grounded.”
“I’m the luckiest man in the world to have you, and just so you know, you’re never leaving my side.” I pulled her into me and kissed the top of her head.
“Good, because I don’t ever plan on leaving. You’re stuck with me, Jackson.”
“There’s nobody in this world I’d rather be stuck with. Now, enough talk because I’m hard and I need to make love to you again.”
Chapter 34
Brooke
Two Months Later…
I nervously sat in my seat and gripped onto Owen’s arm, as there were only twenty seconds left and the Chicago Blackhawks were in the lead by one point.
“Don’t worry. He’ll do it,” Owen spoke nervously.
“I know.” My heart was beating a mile a minute.
The puck was in Logan’s possession as he streaked down the ice, heading towards the net in full force, firing the shot right into the net before the goalie even had time to move.
“YES!” I screamed as I threw my hands up in the air and stood up.
The buzzer rang and the game was over. The crowd roared and howled as the Rangers won the Stanley Cup. Excitement took over me and I could barely breathe.
“Did you see that?” Owen screamed. “How the fuck did he do that? It happened so fast I didn’t even see the puck.”
“That’s why he’s Lightning Logan.” I smiled.
His dad, Maggie, Owen, Brandon, and I all hugged each other in elation over the win. Tears streamed down my face as I watched Logan skate around the ice holding the cup in the air. When he looked at me, he stopped and yelled, “For you, baby. All for you.”
I blew him kisses and mouthed, “I love you.”
Once the players skated off the ice and headed to the locker room, Logan’s family and I waited patiently for Logan to emerge. I paced around, back and forth, in anticipation.
“Hey, baby.” I heard Logan’s voice.
Turning around, I ran to him and jumped into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist as he held me tight.
“Congratulations. I love you.” I kissed his face over and over again.
?
??I love you too, baby. I need you to do me a favor.”
“Anything.” I smiled.
“Will you marry me?”
“Oh my God, are you serious?”
“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”
“Yes. Yes. Yes.” I kissed his lips three times. “I will marry you. I love you so much.”
He set me on the floor and got down on one knee as Brandon handed him a small velvet box. Opening the lid, Logan pulled out the most beautiful diamond ring I’d ever seen. Slipping it on my finger, he spoke, “I love you, Brooke, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
****
Logan
After we won the Stanley Cup, Brooke was offered a job as the team’s physical therapist. She was thrilled and accepted it without any hesitation. I was happy because that meant she would be with me always, even at away games. If she had accepted any other job, that wouldn’t have been a possibility and I would have missed her too much while I was away.
Brooke and I wanted to get married before the next hockey season started, so we planned it for the beginning of September and then took a week long honeymoon in Aruba. These were the happiest days of my life. About two months after we were married, my dad and Maggie gathered the family and we all went to Vegas to witness their vows and commitment to each other.
I got my endorsements back, and this time, I added two new endorsers to the list, Chevrolet and Electronic Arts, bringing my total in endorsements to over fifteen million a year, not including the seventy-million-dollar contract I signed for the new year. Life was perfect. I was making more money than ever. I had the most beautiful wife in the world and there was never one day that I took for granted.
****
After the next season ended, Brooke and I took a trip out to California to visit her dad and Woo. While we were at Woo’s house, having dinner, he sat across from us with a smile on his face.
“Congratulations to you both.”
“For what?” Brooke spoke.
“You’re pregnant.”
Brooke laughed. “I am not.”
“Yes. You are,” he spoke with seriousness.
“Come on, Woo.” I chuckled.
“You laugh. Stop on your way back to your father’s house and pick up a test kit, then we’ll see who’s laughing.”
Brooke set down her fork and looked at me.
“Are you?” I asked.
“I don’t think so.”
“You are.” Woo smiled at us.
After leaving his house, we got in the car, and Brooke grabbed hold of my hand.
“He’s never wrong about anything, Logan.”
“We’ll stop and pick up a test. Just relax, baby.”
When we arrived back at the house, we went up to the bedroom and shut the door. I opened up the box, took out the stick, and read the directions.
“It says you have to pee on the stick. So here, go pee on it.” I smiled as I handed it to her.
I was calmer than she was. The idea of having a kid didn’t freak me out. I wanted nothing more than to have a baby with her and start our own family, but in a couple of years. She set the stick on the counter and walked out of the bathroom.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m not going to sit there and watch it. Let’s make out for the next two minutes.”
I walked over to her and placed my hands firmly on her hips.
“What if Woo is right and you are pregnant? How would you feel?”
“I don’t know. We never talked about having kids yet. It’s been about our careers and being newlyweds.”
“I know. But if you are, it wouldn’t be so bad.” I smiled.
“No. I guess not. I mean, we were going to have kids eventually, right?”
“Of course we were.” I kissed her lips and then looked at my watch. “It’s been two minutes, babe. Shall we look together?”
I gulped. “Sure. We can do that.”
Walking into the bathroom, we both looked down, and there it was, the big blue plus sign staring us right in the face.
“Woo was right,” I spoke as I stared at the positive test telling me that I was going to be a father.
“Yep. He sure was,” Brooke responded.
I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight.
“We’re having a baby, Mrs. Jackson.”
“Are you happy?” she asked.
“I’m very happy. You?”
“Yeah. I am.” She smiled.
Chapter 35
Brooke
Eight Months Later…
“Come on, baby. You can do it. Push!” Logan spoke as he held my hand and wiped my forehead with a cool cloth.
“It hurts!” I yelled as I pushed for the third time.
I was exhausted as I laid my head back down on the pillow.
“This kid is never coming out,” I panted.
Logan gently smiled. “Yes he or she is. Patience, baby.”
I wanted nothing more than to throat punch him, but for the sake of our child, I resisted. When we had the ultrasound, the technician asked us if we wanted to know the sex. Both of us agreed that we wanted it to be a surprise, but I knew Logan was secretly hoping for a little hockey player. He would never admit it, but I knew. To me, it didn’t matter. As long as he or she was healthy, that’s what was important.
“Okay, Brooke,” Dr. Greene spoke. “Time to push and give it everything you have. I have a golf game to get to.” He winked.
I sat up and squeezed Logan’s hand as I pushed as hard as I could.
“I see the head, Brooke. I see the head,” he spoke in excitement.
“One more,” Dr. Greene said.
“You said that two pushes ago!” I shouted as I pushed one last time and heard the crying sounds of my baby.
“Congratulations. It’s a boy!” Dr. Greene exclaimed.
I fell back on the bed. Logan yelled, “Yes, we have a son, Brooke. A future hockey player.”
When I looked over at him, he was on his knees with his hands up in the air.
“Is he okay?” I asked the nurse, who was cleaning him up.
“He’s perfect.” She smiled as she wrapped my son in a blanket and put him in my arms.
Tears started to fill my eyes as I looked at him. He was perfect and he looked just like Logan.
“He’s beautiful, Brooke.” Logan kissed my head.
“He sure is.”
“What are we going to name him?” he asked as he lightly stroked his head. “We talked about a few different names.”
“He looks like a Nathan to me.” I smiled.
“Welcome to the world, Nathan.” Logan kissed his tiny head. “Middle name?” he asked.
“He doesn’t need one. I think Nathan Jackson is perfect.”
“Me too.” He leaned over and kissed my lips.
“Want to hold him?” I asked Logan.
“Of course.”
****
Logan
I took my son and held him in my arms. As I stared down at his tiny little face, the love that poured out of me for this little guy was astonishing. I couldn’t wait to spread the good news to everyone.
“I’ll be right back, baby,” I spoke as I handed him back to her. “I have to go out to the waiting room and tell the family Nathan is here.”
She gave me a small smile as I kissed her forehead. Walking into the waiting room, everyone stood up and waited for me to say something.
“It’s a boy. A healthy eight pound, two-ounce baby boy and he’s perfect.” I smiled.
“YES!” Owen shouted. “A future heavyweight champion in the making.”
I rolled my eyes. “You wish, bro.”
He laughed as he grabbed me and pulled me into a tight hug.
“Congrats. When can we meet him?” Owen asked.
After making a round of hugs, I led Owen, Brandon, my dad, and Maggie to Brooke’s room. My dad was beyond thrilled to be a grandfather as he held Nathan
in his arms and I swore I saw his eyes fill with tears.
“Good work, Logan. He’s beautiful.” Brandon smiled.
“Of course he is; look at who his parents are.” I smirked.
After my family left, I made a few calls and then Brooke and I did facetime with her dad and Woo. They were so excited and hopped on the next flight to New York.
****
I heard Nathan crying through the baby monitor.
“I’ll get him, baby. You go back to sleep.” I kissed her head.
“Thank you. I’m so tired,” she sleepily spoke.
Walking into the nursery, I picked the little guy up from his crib, grabbed a bottle filled with Brooke’s milk, and sat down in the rocking chair. When I placed the bottle in his mouth, he instantly silenced. I couldn’t help but think that between me and Brooke, he was going to be a natural born skater.
“There’s this thing that your daddy does and it’s called playing ice hockey. You’re going to love the game and you’re going to be one of the greatest players in the NHL. Better than your daddy.” I smiled. “When you get a little older, I’m going to teach you everything you need to know.”
As I looked up, I saw Brooke standing in the doorway, looking as beautiful as ever.
“What if he wants to be a figure skater?” she asked.
“Don’t say things like that, Brooke. Our daughter will be a figure skater.”
“Our daughter? How do you know we’ll even have a daughter?”
“Well, we’ll just have to keep trying until we have one.” I smiled.
“Or we could end up having our own hockey team.” She walked over and kissed Nathan’s head.
I paused for a second and looked up. “That doesn’t sound too bad.”
She softly laughed as she brushed her lips against mine and went back to bed. After Nathan finished his bottle and I burped him, I laid him down on the changing table and changed his diaper before putting him back in his crib. He stirred for a moment, but as soon as I rubbed his back, he fell asleep.
Climbing into bed, I wrapped my arm around Brooke and she snuggled into me. My life could never be more complete than it was at this very moment. Brooke and Nathan were my entire existence and my world. I’d never dreamed this would happen to someone like me. I could honestly say that being in that accident was the best thing that ever happened. I thought my life was over, but the truth was that my life was just beginning. Even though I thought I had it all, I had nothing until the day Brooke walked into my life.