Page 59 of Pucking Fate

I was surprised to see Preston and Elle at the house this morning, but I shouldn’t have been. I know why they’re here—to give Maya moral support.

Since I wanted some more time alone with Finley, I asked Maya if I could bring him to the park for an hour or so. I was a little shocked at how easily Finley agreed to leave his visiting uncle behind. I know Preston wants to spend time with his nephew, so I won’t keep him out long. I just want to make sure everything is okay between us now that the truth is out.

Finley’s laughter echoes through the park, and for a moment, I forget everything else. It’s just him and me—no stress, no history, no mistakes. Just a father enjoying the summer day with his son.

The word hits me like a punch to the gut. It’s what I am, what I should’ve been all along. And now my son knows the truth.

Finley looks up at me, his little face lighting up with joy, and I swear, I’d give anything to hold on to this moment forever.

“Higher, Christian!” he shouts, his voice filled with excitement.

I give the swing another push, and he soars higher, the wind rushing through his hair. His giggles fill the air again, and my chest tightens with a mix of pride and something deeper—something I can’t quite put into words. I watch him, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be, something I haven’t felt since those few days Maya and I had together before I screwed it up. Back then, being with her was the best part of my day, helping me forget all about trying to get picked up by a professional hockey team.

Thinking of Finley as my son feels more real now. There’s no more pretending to just be a cool friend or hockey player he looks up to.

I’m his father. And he’s…everything I never knew I wanted, everything I’ve been missing in my life. And he seems to love spending time with me, as if there’s no other place he would rather be.

As the swing slows down, Finley drags his feet along the grass and dirt, stopping himself. “Can we go play on the jungle gym?” he asks, hopping off the swing.

“Of course, buddy.” I follow him as he sprints toward the apparatus, his little legs carrying him as quick as they can. He really is fast for his age.

I watch as he climbs up the bars, his hands gripping them with confidence. My son is damn strong too, which makes a smile tug at my lips. He’s so strong and fearless. It’s incredible to think that I had a hand in making this amazing little human. Not that I think he got his strength and fearlessness from me…

“Look, Christian! I made it to the top!” Finley calls out from the highest platform, waving at me with a wide grin.

“Yeah, I see you! Great job, Finley!” I call back, my heart swelling with pride.

He beams at my words, his face lighting up even more, and I realize just how much my approval means to him. I’m not sure why I’m surprised since my father always held that same power over me. Still, it’s a sobering thought—how much power I have in his life, how much influence. And I’ve wasted so much time. But I’m not going to waste it anymore.

Finley runs across the adjoining rope bridge, heading for the slide. I move closer to catch him at the bottom. He slides down with a squeal of joy, landing in my arms with a giggle as I scoop him up.

When I set him down, he glances up at me with those big brown eyes of his—Maya’s eyes—and something in his expression changes. He looks serious and thoughtful in a way that makes him seem older than five.

“Christian?” he says, his voice soft.

“Yeah, buddy?” I crouch down so that I’m at his level, my heart beating a little faster for some reason.

“I think I want to call you ‘Dad’.”

His words hit me like a freight train. And for a second, I can’t breathe. My heart pounds like a drum in my chest, in my ears even, as I stare at him, this little boy who is so much a part of me, and I feel like the ground underneath my feet is shifting.

He wants to call me ‘Dad’.

I swallow hard, emotions surging through me so fast I can barely keep up. “Of course, Finley,” I manage to say, my voice thick. “I would love that.”

His face breaks into a huge smile, and he throws his arms around my neck, hugging me tight. “Okay, Dad,” he whispers, and this time, it’s not just a word. It’s real. It’s everything.

I close my eyes, hugging him back. For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel whole.

When Finley pulls back, his face is still glowing with happiness. “Can we go get ice cream, Dad?”

Dad. He said it again. My chest tightens, and I nod, forcing myself to keep it together. Part of me knows it was probably a ploy to get some dessert, but I don’t mind. “Yeah, buddy, let’s go get some ice cream. How many scoops do you think you can eat?” I ask him.

“Three!” he replies, holding up three fingers.

Maya is going to kill me for letting him have ice cream before noon.

We walk over to the stand near the park. This moment, this day, it’s everything I’ve been working toward, one I’ll never forget.

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