Page 143 of Uniquely in Love

I fell asleep in his arms, dreaming of our little ice skater who was growing inside of me and all the wonderful memories I knew we’d make in our new home… together.

Extended Epilogue

OWEN

Two and a half years later…

My wife stood in front of the glass, hefting up her little mini-me in her arms. She wore a Seals jersey—both of them did—with my last name on the back.

Ourlast name.

My girls. A smile brightened my entire face. Everything Ellie and I went through—every obstacle we faced to get here—was worth it. Of course it was. She’d always been the most important thing in my life. Even more than hockey. I skated over to them, pressing my gloved hand against the glass.

I love you,I mouthed.

Her blonde hair was pulled back with a light blue bow, and even though seeing her in my jersey—and nothing else—was still the sexiest thing I’d ever seen, nothing compared tothis.

Ellie was glowing, holding our two-year-old daughter in her arms, the gentle swell of her belly showing through all of her layers. Satisfaction and a rush of possessiveness run through me, like it always did when Isaw her like this.

She grinned at me, bouncing our daughter, making her little blonde curls move with the effort.

Mine.And I couldn’t be happier about that. Soon, we’d be welcoming another little girl into the world, and I couldn’t fucking wait.

I was convinced I was born to be a girl dad, and I was perfectly happy with only having girls, even if my teammates teased me and asked me if we were going to try again for a boy. I was happy to have however many kids my wife gave me. If she wanted three, we’d have another. I knew she’d loved growing up with her older sister and brother. But if she only wanted the two, I knew our lives would be complete with them.

The team had gone through changes over the last few years. Rhodes and Stefan had retired, and I was the one with the A on my jersey now. I still couldn’t believe I was an alternate captain now. Or that I’d been playing on the team for almost a decade. It didn’t feel like it had been that long.

I loved my girls being here to watch me warm up on the ice. Sometimes Ellie would leave Skyler in the wives’ room, since they had childcare for them during the games, but lately, she’d gone back after the first period and waited for me to be done with the game.

Not that I minded. Just having her nearby was like my lucky charm, and I always thought I played better when she was watching.

Every goal I got was for my girls. I’d tattooed a second flower next to the daisy on my arm—a lily, for Sky’s middle name. And I planned to add another one in a few months, too. I’d have a little bouquet representing the loves of my life, and then they’d be with me everywhere I went.

Every home game, every away game, I carried them with me.

“You were amazing, baby.”Ellie’s eyes were bright as I wrapped an arm around her, tugging her tight against my body. I’d taken a quick shower after the game, finished the press, and headed straight for her. God, there was nothing quite like this. Skyler was scribbling on a coloring book on the floor, happily babbling away to herself.

“Thanks.” I kissed the top of her forehead. “How are you feeling? How’s the baby?”

She ran her hand over her bump. “Good. She was moving around like crazy when I was watching you on the ice.”

“That’s because she knew her dad was out there scoring goals for her.” I leaned down, pressing a kiss to her bump.

We were over halfway through this pregnancy, and Ellie’s morning sickness had been awful for the entire first trimester. She’d barely been able to keep anything down. Luckily, it had been in the off-season, so I could stay at home and help take care of her. I would have felt like shit if I’d had to leave her for a long road trip while she felt like thatandwas taking care of our toddler.

“Daddy,” my daughter said, tugging at my leg. “Up.”

Bending down, I picked Sky up in my arms. “And how’s daddy’s perfect little girl?” I nuzzled my nose against hers, and she tucked herself against my neck, cuddling into me. God, I fucking melted anytime she let me hold her like this. Ever since she was a baby, she’d been like this.

“Go car?” Skyler asked me, blinking up at me with her big blue doe eyes.

“Yes, little skater.” I kept holding her with one arm as I grabbed Ellie’s bag off the floor and took my wife’s hand in my other. “We’re going to go home now.”

Our little girl didn’t even make it to the car before she was out like a light. I buckled her into her carseat, helping Ellie into the front seat before buckling myself in and heading out of the arena lot.

“I can’t believe how much I’ve popped already,” Ellie murmured, resting her hand on her belly. “We still have so many months to go.”

After I pulled on the interstate towards our home, I kept one hand on the wheel and let the other drape over her lap. “You’re beautiful, baby.”

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