Page 68 of Pucking Fate

“I was thinking,” I begin, my voice hesitant, “maybe we could plan a weekend trip. Just the three of us. Somewhere close, nothing too fancy. Just… some time away together before Finley starts school. What do you think?”

Maya lifts her head, her eyes searching mine. “A trip? Just the three of us?”

“Yeah,” I nod. I need something to look forward to now that the summer is ending. “I think it would be good for us. To get away, spend some time together before the season starts too.”

She looks at me for a long moment, her gaze thoughtful. “I guess it depends on if I get the job or not, but if we can make it work, then I’d really like that,” she says finally, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “I think Finley would love it, too.”

Leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. “I’ll start looking into it tomorrow.”

The next morning, I wake up early, my mind already buzzing with ideas for our trip. It’s a small thing, really, but it feels like the first step toward something bigger, like we’re a family.

I head downstairs, making a mental list of places we could go — somewhere with a beach, maybe, or a cabin in the mountains. I’m not sure yet, but I’ll figure it out. All that matters is that we will get to spend some uninterrupted time together, just like we did this summer.

As I sip my coffee, I hear the sound of small footsteps, and I look up to see Finley standing in the doorway, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

“Morning, buddy,” I say with a smile, setting my mug down. “How did you sleep?”

“Good,” he mumbles, shuffling over to throw his arms around me, giving me a hug. “I didn’t know if you would say bye before you left.” He rests his head against my chest, and I wrap my arms around him, holding him close.

“Of course I’m going to say goodbye to you. I don’t have to leave until late this afternoon.”

“Okay, good.”

“And don’t tell anyone if I cry a little, okay? I’m going to miss you so much.”

“I won’t tell anyone,” he agrees. “Is it okay if I cry because I’m going to miss you, too?”

“Absolutely.” I press a kiss to the top of Finley’s head, my heart full.

I just wish I could have it all – Finley, Maya, and hockey all at the same time. Then my life would be perfect.

29

Maya

Christian’s last day with us goes by way too fast.

It seems like I barely blink and we’re having dinner, which means he better get on the road soon so he can get a few hours’ sleep before tomorrow’s training starts.

I tell him as much. “I’ll leave after I help you clean up the kitchen and read Finley a bedtime story.”

There’s no way for me to argue with either of those things, so he stays another hour.

I wait out in the hallway while he’s finishing reading a book about dinosaurs who wear pants.

“This is goodbye, but not for long, okay? I’ll call you tomorrow and tell you all about the first day of training and you can tell me all about going school shopping with Mommy. I wish I could go too. We’ll have to do a video call so I can see all your cool supplies.”

“Okay,” Finley agrees, his voice soft and shaky as if he’s trying to hold back tears. I try and fail to do the same.

“I love you, buddy. Sleep tight.”

“Love you too, Dad.”

A moment later, Christian comes out of Finley’s room, pulling the door shut behind him. He’s swiping the back of his knuckles over his cheeks before he sees me. Rather than be embarrassed about showing emotion, he just says, “You think the Warhawks would trade Spencer Williams for me?”

I smile and shake my head.

“Too bad,” he says as he takes my hand and leads me into my bedroom, shutting and locking the door once we’re inside.

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