Page 141 of Uniquely in Love

A sparkling ring rested on the second finger of my left hand. The one he’d given me two years ago, when he’d gotten down on one knee and proposed to me.

Maybe we were still young, but I was blissfully happy. Our second chance had given me everything I’d ever wanted. I had a career, a fulfilled life full of friends I loved, and family that was close enough to see multiple times a year, but far enoughaway that they weren’t over every evening. And a dog, who normally was wagging her tail and waiting for me when I got home from work.

I frowned. “Zambi? Babe?” Heading into the bedroom, I found a little note on the bedside table. Two years later, and he still left me notes all the time. It was just our thing.

Took Zamboni out for one last run in the park. Be home soon. Love you. -O

One last run, since tomorrow the movers were coming. Sitting on the bed, I looked around our bedroom. It was bittersweet to leave. We’d had so many wonderful memories here. Moving in back when we were trying to convince ourselves we could be friends, like we weren’t inevitable. Like I hadn’t loved him all my life.

I would have followed him anywhere, and I knew that was true now more than ever. Even if one day he got traded to a different team, I’d be right behind him, cheering him on.

For now, though, we both loved Seattle, and we loved our friends. Sophia had been one of my bridesmaids at our wedding last year, along with my sister, Penelope, Quinlan, and Avery. She was Owen’s cousin, but we were friends, and now I got to call her my cousin, too.

Owen and I had tied the knot last summer, since it was aloteasier to host a wedding during the off-season, with their hockey schedules being what they were. And now he wasmine.

My husband. I sat on the bed, fidgeting with my ring.

“Ellie baby,” he called out as the front door opened, and I heard the sound of Zambi’s nails clicking against the hardwood floor. “We’re home!”

His footsteps padded into our room, and there was that gorgeous smile I loved.

He ran his hands through his blond hair, our fully growngolden retriever trotting behind him. She jumped onto the bed and laid her head in my lap, and I scratched her head. “Hi, sweetie pie. Did you have a good walk with Daddy?” I made some kissy noises at her, and she barked excitedly at me.

She was my girl, one who loved cuddling with me, always sleeping next to me in bed when my husband was gone on a road trip. And though I’d never expected him to get us a puppy when he did, I’d never regretted it. Not once.

When I looked up, Owen’s eyes were full of heat. It was intoxicating, even after all this time, to see how much he wanted me. To know how much he loved me, every single day.

He kneeled in front of me, his arms resting on my knees. He laid his head on them, looking up at me. “What are you thinking, El?”

“That everything is about to change,” I admitted. “That I’m going to miss this place. It’s where we’d brought Zamboni home. Where we…” I bit my lip. “You know.”

He smirked, leaning in to press his lips to mine, and his hand slid over my still flat stomach. “Oh, I know.”

It was stillreallyearly, but I’d found out last month that I was pregnant with our first baby, and we were over the moon. Owen’s mom was even more excited to have her first grandchild, though I wasn’t the first of my siblings to have a baby. Though that wasn’t my story to tell.

Owen kissed me again, his hand still resting over my still-flat stomach.

“I love you so much,” I murmured, cupping both of his cheeks in my hand. “Thank you for loving me. For our second chance.”

“Oh, El.” He nuzzled his nose against mine. “I’m the one who should thank you for chasing after me. For showing me just how much I’d been missing for all those years. What a fool I was to not fight for you sooner.” His lips brushed my mouth, just a tender touch. “I love you and our little Daisy. I can’t wait to meet her.”

My eyes watered. “You think it’s a girl?” We wouldn’t find out for a while, but I liked the idea.

He nodded. “I can’t think of anything better than having a little you running around our house.”

God, my ovaries were crying. If he hadn’t already knocked me up, that would have had me melting for him. I placed my hand over his. “I know it’s too early to know, but I feel like it’s a girl, too. As long as they’re healthy, that’s all that matters.” Girl or boy, they would be cherished.

“Our little skater.” He looked at my stomach in wonder.

“What if they don’t want to skate?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He just gave me a look. I reached up, combing my fingers through his long blond hair. “Honestly, Ellie baby. With a NHL Superstar and a Figure Skater as parents? Our kids are going to grow up on the ice.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” I laughed. “One at a time.”

He kissed me softly. “However many you want to give me, I’m all in.”

I hummed. “I can’t believe we’re moving tomorrow.”

---