“I think so, too.”

“So we’ll break the lease? You’ll move in for good?” he asks.

“I’ll move in for good.”

“That means we’re one step closer to you being exactly where I want you. And where I want to be.” His lips touch the back of my hand.

“Which is where, exactly?”

“Right here.” He presses his hand over my heart.

“You’re already there, Jake. You’ve been there for a long time.”

“I’m glad to hear that, because I’m feeling pretty permanent about you, Hanna.”

He kisses me, and I feel the promise of a forever unfolding.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

The Heart of the Matter

Hanna

“I THINK I have everything.” I turn to Paxton, who’s carrying my baby bag. Last month, I went with JJ, Jake, and the team when they played Tennessee. I stayed for a few days and nervously flew back to Seattle on my own. The nerves had nothing to do with the flying part and everything to do with sitting in first class with a baby who very well might start crying at any moment. Thankfully, he was the picture of calm the entire flight home.

In return, I invited Paxton to Seattle to visit for the week. The pool house is a great place for guests. And, of course, my parents also flew out so they could see Ryan play in the finals and get in some time with their grandson. Things have gotten better with my mom over the past couple of months. I’ve learned that her love language is to be helpful to the point where she sort of steamrolls people and offers advice, whether or not it’s wanted or needed. But the way she’s started to acknowledge and talk about what a great mom I am to JJ and how good I was with Ryan when he was JJ’s age has gone a long way to helping heal our relationship and my heart.

Paxton pats the bag. “I think we’re probably good to go.”

“I should grab one more extra bottle and a couple extra diapers, maybe?”

“You have three bottles and half a package of diapers already in here. And there’s another bag in the car already. I think you’re set, Han. It’s a hockey game, not a weekend trip, and if it comes down to it, you can always sneak off to the offices and breastfeed there.”

“Okay, right. I think I’m ready to go then.”

She arches a brow and inclines her head toward the living room. “You’re missing one thing.”

JJ kicks his legs and flails his arms from his spot in the baby seat, making the rattle jingle. “Oh my gosh, where is my brain, and when do I get it back?”

Paxton shrugs. “Can’t say that I’m much of an expert on the subject, but based on all my friends who’ve had kids, possibly a year from now, possibly never?”

I shoot her a glare. “Not funny.”

“It’s a decent trade-off, though, right? I mean, look at this bundle of cuteness. Boop.” She bops JJ on the nose. “You are the most adorable baby in the history of the universe. I hope you’re exactly like your mom when you’re a teenager.”

I poke her in the side. “Don’t you dare wish that on me!”

“You were a great teenager. At least you were by the time I met you. And you and Jake are already kickass parents. The swoon on that man is serious. Do you think he’ll wear the baby for a while at the game? Oh, and what about the coach? Alec?”

“It’s Alex.”

“Alec, Alex, whatever. Can you imagine the number of ovaries exploding with those two guys standing next to each other and Jake is holding a baby?”

“You are ridiculous about those two.” I chuckle and follow her out to the car.

“At least I’m not alone. There’s a whole group of women who ship their bromance. They even have an online group. It’s a ridiculous level of dad hotness.”

I buckle JJ into his car seat and make sure it’s secure before I get behind the wheel of the SUV, and then we’re off to the arena.

We park in the lot close to the offices, and we’re let in by a security guard who takes us through the back entrance so we can avoid the crowds. This isn’t JJ’s first game. He’s been to a bunch over the past couple of months. With proper ear protection, his pediatrician gave me the green light. But we’ve only been in the boxes so far.

We still have one reserved for tonight, but we also have the opportunity to sit closer to the ice. JJ’s a few weeks out from being able to face forward in his carrier, but by the time next season starts, he’ll be able to watch the games.

Lainey is up in the box. She’s pregnant again, and just starting to show, which means she got her wish and she’ll have two kids in diapers in the coming months. It seemed the weekend getaway Rook took her on over the holidays was exactly what she needed. Aspen is passed out in her stroller and her son Kody is sitting in one of the seats at the front of the box, closer to the ice, with the other slightly older kids. Violet’s twins are glued to her side, her daughter Lavender holding onto her sweater while Queenie crouches beside her and offers her a bag, probably full of art supplies based on the way Lavender’s eyes light up.

Paxton has been to visit enough times that she’s become one of the girls.

My parents are sitting on the ice tonight, along with Violet and Alex’s family. Their parents are a hoot, and while my mom tends to run more on the conservative side, I find that she loosens up a lot around those women. Especially when they ply her with wine.

We settle in to watch the game, chatting amongst ourselves, enjoying each other’s company.

At the end of the first period, Seattle is down one goal. I can see Ryan on the ice, talking to Bishop and Alex. Jake comes up to check on JJ and me.

“You think I can take our little man down to the ice for a bit?” he asks.

“Sure. You can bring him back up if he gets fussy, or I can come down to you?”

“Either works for me, as long as you’re okay with it.”

“Absolutely.”

He shrugs out of his suit jacket and I pass JJ to Queenie and help Jake get the carrier on and adjust it to fit him, rather than me. Then we carefully put JJ in the carrier, making sure the ear protection is in place, and Jake shrugs back into his suit jacket.

“Okay, this is totally a photo op.” Queenie and the rest of the girls take a thousand pictures in less than five seconds.

“I’ll see you in a bit. Have fun with the girls.” Jake drops a quick kiss on my lips and disappears out the door.

Lainey, Paxton, and Violet have their heads together. “Oh, this is just too much. It almost makes me want Alex to go through with having his vasectomy reversed,” Violet says.

“Wait. What?” Lainey puts one hand over her belly and the other comes up to her mouth. “You want to have another baby?”

Violet raises her hand. “I said almost. Four kids are enough for me. I love them all, but the twins nearly broke my vagina on the way out. And my brother has six freaking kids. And you all keep popping out the babies.” She motions to the group of women and pats Lainey’s tiny bump. “And I know the two of you are up soon.” She points to Queenie and Stevie. “So I’m going to auntie it up and be happy that I can pass the babies back when they start crying.”