Page 100 of The Hockey Contract

I was swept into the championship celebration – holding the Cup when Jax insisted I take my turn, posing for official photos alongside other families, accepting congratulations from coaches and executives who now knew me by name rather than simply as "Jax's wife."

The celebration continued at The Puck Drop, now filled beyond capacity with players, families, and VIPs. Throughout the evening, I found myself sought out by wives and girlfriends I'd come to consider genuine friends, sharing hugs and celebratory toasts that held real affection.

"You've changed him," Sarah confided during a quiet moment. "All of us have noticed it. He plays with joy now, not just precision."

"The Ice Man officially melted," Willow added with a wink. "And we all know who turned up the heat."

When team owner Thomas Blake approached to congratulate Jax, I prepared to step aside, assuming the conversation would focus on hockey matters. Instead, Jax reached for my hand, introducing me not just as his wife but as his partner, explicitly crediting my support for his championship performance.

As the night progressed, I found myself watching Jax across the crowded room – the easy confidence with which he interacted with teammates, the genuine pleasure he took in their collective achievement, the way his eyes regularly sought mine as if ensuring I was still there, still part of his celebration.

Walking home through streets filled with celebrating fans, we discussed the vow renewal ceremony scheduled for the following evening. What had originally been planned as our exit strategy from the arrangement – a public recommitment before a quietly planned divorce – had transformed into an opportunity to make genuine promises.

"Perfect Home Furnishings is handling everything," Jax explained, his arm around my shoulders as we navigated the crowded sidewalks. "Though I did insist on some personal touches I thought you'd appreciate."

As we approached our house – no longer just Jax's house where I stayed, but truly our shared home – we spotted Chloe and Leo waiting outside with Sprinkles, who bounded toward us the moment we came into view.

"The champions return!" Leo called, raising an imaginary toast as we approached.

I raised an eyebrow at Chloe, noticing Leo's arm casually draped around her shoulders – a public display of affection she would have rejected vehemently just weeks earlier.

Her cheeks colored slightly, but she met my gaze with defiant happiness. "Fine, yes, we're officially dating. Can we please focus on the actual champions here?"

The casual admission created a burst of happiness that added to the evening's joy. My best friend and Jax's agent, who had begun as antagonists, had somehow found their way to each other in parallel with our own journey.

Inside, champagne was poured, toasts were made, and the four of us celebrated not just a hockey championship but the unexpected connections that had developed through our initially transactional arrangement.

"I have news too," Leo announced after several glasses of champagne had loosened his usual professional restraint. "I pulled some strings, called in favors, possibly sold my soul to an airplane company..." He paused dramatically. "Your parents land tomorrow morning, Sienna. They'll be at the vow renewal."

For a moment, I couldn't process his words. "My parents? From Italy? But their assignment—"

"Can wait," he finished with satisfaction. "Some things are more important than photography deadlines."

Tears filled my eyes at the realization I would see my perpetually traveling parents for the first time in nearly two year.

After Chloe and Leo departed, Jax and I found ourselves alone for the first time since the championship victory.

"Stanley Cup champion," I said softly, reaching up to trace the tired lines of his face. "How does it feel?"

"Honestly?" He caught my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. "Not nearly as meaningful as this – us – feels."

"Careful," I teased, though his sincerity made my heart race. "They'll revoke your hockey card if they hear you saying something matters more than the Cup."

His laugh was low, genuine. "Six months ago, I would have said nothing could be more important than winning a championship. Now?" He shook his head slightly. "Priorities change. People change."

"For the better, I hope."

"Definitely for the better." He pulled me closer, his arms encircling my waist. "I love you, Sienna. Not because of any arrangement or contract or public image. I love you because you're you – stubborn, passionate, flour-covered you."

"I love you too," I replied, the words feeling simultaneously momentous and natural. "Enough to overlook your protein shake obsession and terrible taste in reality TV shows."

His kiss was both tender and hungry, months of gradually developing feelings distilled into physical connection. What had begun as a business proposal in my small bakery office had evolved into something neither of us had been seeking but both had found nonetheless – a partnership based on mutual respect, genuine understanding, and love that had developed organically from unexpected beginnings.

Tomorrow we would renew vows that had initially been empty words spoken for financial benefit. This time, the promises would carry the weight of genuine commitment, intentions we actually meant to fulfill.

"So," Jax murmured against my lips, "ready to marry me again? For real this time?"

"Absolutely," I replied without hesitation. "Though technically, I think we're already married."

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