Page 89 of Power Play
Scott throws an arm between us and pushes my father back, glaring daggers at him. Ben squares up next to me, ready to fight, too. But I was prepared for this.
"Actually..." I say, holding a finger up.
I pull out the check I wrote earlier out of my back pocket. It's slightly wrinkled so I spread it out flat against the wall behind me before handing it to Lacey.
"What is this?" she asks, her voice laced in curiosity. I don't respond so she reads it, and takes a step backwards.
"G... you can't..." Wide green eyes meet mine.
"I can and I will. I can't think of a better use of my mom's inheritance. She would have wanted me to spend it on something important to my wife."
A seven point five million dollar donation to the National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association (NTSAD), a leading research facility for Tay-Sachs.
Her eyes water. "G... "
I simply wrap her in my arms and kiss the breath out of her. She was right. I don't need the money. But I'm sure the researchers at NTSAD could use it.
Before she can spiral, I turn and grab the stroller.
"Alright Kit Cat and Savi, let's go home." Naturally, being hockey babies they clearly need nicknames.
As we step out of the lawyer's office, the warm afternoon sun kisses our skin. Lacey is still wiping tears from her eyes, her delicate sniffles tugging at my heart. Scott and Ben flank us protectively, their usual banter replaced with quiet solidarity.
"You're something else, Garrett," Scott finally says, clapping me on the back. It's high praise, and I recognize it for what it is. A year ago he thought I was a fuck up. This is his way of acknowledging me as the man he helped me become.
Ben chuckles, but there's pride in his voice. "Never doubted you."
Lacey looks up at me, her hand still in mine, her expression a mixture of love and awe. "They’re right, you know. What you did... it’s more than I could have ever asked for. For me, for them."
I squeeze her hand and smile.
She leans her head against my shoulder, her sigh of contentment soothing the last of my nerves.
As we reach the car, I pull the stroller closer and glance at my little girls, who are dozing peacefully. Kit Cat’s tiny hand twitches, and Savi lets out a soft coo, her lips pursed like she’s dreaming of something sweet. My chest tightens with a fierce, protective love.
This is my family. My everything.
I buckle the girls into the car seats, making sure they’re snug before turning to Lacey. She’s watching me, her eyes still glistening but her smile brighter than the sun.
"What are you staring at?" I tease, nudging her playfully.
"My husband," she says simply. "And the father of my children."
The words settle deep in my soul, more powerful than any check or inheritance. I cup her face, my thumb brushing away the last of her tears. "And don't you forget it."
Scott and Ben exchange amused glances before climbing into the car, giving us a moment.
But we don't need words. The look she gives me says everything. It's so full of love and promise and a lifetime with the people I took a chance on. Who made me take a chance on them. And God, was it worth it.
The Titans are playing better than ever. The restraining order we took out against Tracey seems to have worked and we haven't heard or seen her in the month following that day in the hospital. Apparently, she gave security enough cause for concern they spoke to the judge on our behalf. And we've slipped into a comfortable routine at home, between feedings, nighttime wake ups and diapers. It's not easy, but it's ours and it's worth it. They're worth it.
And with that, I climb into the driver’s seat, my family safe and secure around me. As I pull away from the lawyer’s office, leavingthe weight of the past behind, I can’t help but smile. This isn’t just an end; it’s the beginning of something beautiful.
Something worth fighting for.
Something worth living for.
Bonus Epilogue
