Page 176 of Wild Blades

And it’s time I buried the hatchet and moved on.

In the living room now, I stare at the electric blue and white ride on car for Ollie that Wade is excited about and is a gift from his grandpa.

“It’s a Zamboni.” Wade spreads his arms wide, presenting the sit on motor powered toy.

“He’s too young for that.”

“It has lights, an Eagles logo and look…” Wade turns it on, making music and Zamboni noises play from it. “It even sounds like an ice resurfacer.” Looking pleased as punch, Wade liftsOllie out of my arms and places him on the seat, holding on to him, ensuring he doesn’t fall out.

“Let’s prep this ice, baby.” Wade toots the horn and then pretends to drive the Zamboni, moving the steering wheel left and right. “Let’s go cruising.”

And all the while Ollie stares at his daddy with the biggest smile on his face. That kid is never going to sleep tonight, but will have a better childhood than Wade ever had.

My mind wanders back to the day on the boardwalk, the day he doubted himself if he could ever be a good father.

I was right about everything.

There is no manual for parenthood.

But he never needed one because he’s a great father.

He was born to be one.

My loving, caring, incredibleWildWonderfulWade.

Did Wade ever make captain? Read the Extended Epilogue to find out… plus there’s a beautiful bonus which you’ll find at the end…

EXTENDED EPILOGUE

Wade

I’m standing around the edge of the rink watching Ollie warm up for his training session that’s about to begin.

“Am I doing it right, Dad?” Ollie shouts from across the ice, checking he’s doing his hamstring stretches correctly. Raising both my thumbs in the air, I confirm he is. My heart fills with pride and I can’t help but smile. He takes hockey so seriously and part of me wishes he would try and have more fun on the ice.

“He’s faster than you out there.” Kali laughs, appearing by my side, stating how awesome our seven-year-old is.

Ollie is talented, with reflexes that scare me. He’s insanely accurate when scoring and assisting, and loves hockey more than I do, and that’s saying something.

“How are you feeling?” I rest my hand on Kali’s swollen belly.

“Tired. She’s playing havoc with my sleep.” She rests her hand over mine, then yawns. “She’s a night owl.”

With only two weeks to go, we are expecting our first girl, and I can’t deny I’m petrified of what I will be like with my daughter. I’m protective of Ollie and little Dayton, who is now four and the complete opposite of his brother. While Ollie plays a different sport every day after school, Dayton is creative, sings to himselfall the time, and loves nothing better than drawing and painting while listening to music.

“Our girl is going to be a party animal,” Kali teases, making me groan.

“Not if I have my way. No boys until she’s at least eighteen.” Itskat myself. “Our daughter is going to hate me, isn’t she?” I groan.

Kali lays her hand on my cheek. “She’s going to love you. Just like they do.” She points her chin in the direction of our sons and we both burst out laughing when we see Dayton lying face down and licking the ice while Ollie shouts at him, telling him to stop.

“Do you think we took the correct baby home?” I mutter, stepping onto the ice to retrieve my son.

“There’s something wrong with him, Dad,” Ollie announces so everyone hears.

“He’s only four. And remember when you stuck a marble up your nose?”

I lift Dayton into my arms and carry him off the ice to the sound of Ollie’s teammate’s laughter as they share their own tales. One of them tells Ollie he stuck a stone up his nose, while another tells him he got a raisin stuck up his. I shake my head, smiling, kissing Dayton on the cheek as he wraps his little arm around my neck. “Boys,” I say to no one. “Maybe your sister will have more common sense.”

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