Page 205 of Slap Shot

“You and Luce spent Christmas with me last year. And the year before that.” He drops his palms to my waist and squeezes my hip. “Best Christmases of my life, if we’re being honest.”

“I have a feeling this year is going to be even better,” I say. He doesn’t know about the envelope Lucy is grabbing from her desk drawer. He’s clueless about the adoption papers she begged me to file so Hudson could legally be her dad. He’s been in that rolesince they met, and I can’t imagine another man ever holding the title. “But just because of the cookies I’m going to make tonight.”

“Cookies?” Hudson’s whole face lights up, and he kisses me in the gentle way I love. “Now you’re speaking my language, Maddie.”

“I thought your love language was food.”

“I think my love language might just be you,” he says, and leave it to him to make me feel like I’m on top of the world in the middle of our condo on a random Thursday night. “And Lucy. My favorite girls in the entire world.”

“You’re our favorite, too.” I rest a hand over his heart. “And speaking of Lucy, she has a present for you.”

“Yeah?” He kisses my forehead and pulls me onto the couch. “Where is she?”

Hi, Lucy signs as she makes her way to the living room.Great game tonight.

Thanks, princess, he replies, beaming.Do you know what kind of shot I scored with?

A slap shot,she tells him, and he nods, impressed. I don’t know why he’s surprised about her knowledge; he’s teaching her everything he knows about hockey in hopes she’ll play in the PWHL one day.I’m going to start learning how to do those.

They’re the most fun shot you can take. Hudson pats the couch, and she sits between us.Your mom says you have something for me.

Yeah. Lucy clutches the envelope tight to her chest.I know it’s not Christmas yet,but I couldn’t wait.

That’s how Hudson feels about Lucy’s present too. He adopted her favorite dog from the shelter where we volunteer every month. He was planning on giving him to her on Christmas morning, but every day that passes, he gets closer and closer to ruining the surprise and bringing Bartholomew home.

Lucy’s already nicknamed him Barty.

I’m excited. Hudson smiles.Can I see it?

She nods and hands him the envelope. I wrap my arm around her, and she rests her head on my shoulder.

We watch Hudson open the envelope, pulling out a stack of papers. His eyebrows wrinkle when he sees the Superior Court of the District of Columbia’s logo at the top of the page.

“What is this?” he asks me, and I nudge his knee.

“Read it,” I say.

His mouth moves as he reads the first couple of sentences, and I see the moment understanding dawns. The papers fall from his shaky hands and land in his lap. He looks up at us with wide eyes.

“It’s an adoption petition,” he says slowly, signing at the same time.

Lucy wants you to be her dad, I explain, and Lucy nods along beside me.You’re her favorite person in the world. She wants to be a part of your family, and she wants to have you be a part of ours.Legally.Officially.In every sense of the word. I take a breath and stop signing. “I know this is a big step. You don’t have to say yes right away—or at all. We’re not married, and?—”

“This is the easiest answer of my life.” Hudson glances at Lucy and signs,Are you sure?

Yes, Lucy answers, and she lunges for him. He holds her in a hug and buries his face in her hair.I love you,she adds when she pulls away to look up at him.

I love you too, Lucy girl. Hudson looks at me, and his eyes are wet with tears. “Thank you.”

I wipe my own eyes and sniff. “I didn’t do anything.”

“You did. You came into my life, and it’s been the biggest blessing I could ever ask for. I was so fucking lonely before you and Lucy got here, but look at us now.” He switches back tosigning.I’m the luckiest guy to have such amazing girls.Get me a pen and let me sign.I would’ve said yes on day one.

Lucy claps, and I can’t help but sob.

My life has taken such a drastic turn from where I thought I’d end up, but I’m so grateful. The bumps in the road were worth it, and I know every day is going to be the best day from here on out, because I have him by my side.

Hudson puts a hand on my thigh and squeezes. “Are those happy tears?”

“So many happy tears.”

“Glad to hear it.” He pulls me close, and the three of us huddle together. Ilove you, Maddie. And I love you, Lucy.

We love you too. I sigh and close my eyes. “You’re stuck with us, Bombshell.”

“Good. There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”

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