Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 54710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
“So, Jules,” Talia says, raising a glass in the air. “Happy birthday from me, Audra, Chloe, and Chase. Soon you’ll be driving us around in your new minivan and buying us Starbucks.” She locks eyes with Jules, smiling. “But seriously, you make our dad very happy and we already love you so much. Welcome to the family.”
Everyone raises their glasses for the toast, Jules clinking hers against mine. As soon as we both take a sip, I kiss her, still intoxicated by the scent of her perfume.
We’ve talked a lot about our future. She wants to get married a year from the next offseason, and she wants a big wedding in Cleveland, so all our friends and family can be there. I’m already shopping for a new home for not just me and her, but also Blair and her boys. Jules thought I’d be reluctant to live with them, but I’m not. Eli and Cooper are great kids, and they’ve both started in youth hockey since we got engaged.
We’ll find a home that’s comfortable for all of us. The boys asked for a pool, and I’m happy to accommodate, even if it means having a pool installed at a home we build.
There may be more kids in the house in the future, but we haven’t decided on that yet. Jules doesn’t think she wants to have kids, but she said she may want to adopt one.
She’s worked hard to get to know Chase and Chloe, spending time with each of them individually and making dinners for all of us at my place.
“Now we’re doing a song requested for the birthday girl by her fiancé,” the DJ says.
I pass my drink to Olivier, taking Jules’s hand as “All of Me” by John Legend starts. I used to be a guy who didn’t like dancing in public, but it’s important to Jules that I don’t just say I’m proud to be with her, but also show it.
This is me showing it. Happiness shines in her eyes as I put my hand on her waist and pull her close to dance.
She sighs softly, resting her cheek against the front of my shoulder.
“Would you still want me if I had praying mantis legs instead of my legs and hands?”
I laugh and kiss her forehead. “Where do you come up with this stuff?”
“This is just how my brain works. I’ll be asking you these questions for the rest of your life.”
“Hm. Well, I need some clarification then. Would you use the legs to hold me so you could eat my head off after sex?”
“I can’t make any promises. It would depend on how hungry I was.”
I bark out a single note of laughter. “Then I’m gonna have to say no, babe. I want to keep my head attached.”
“Okay, but Lainey is a science genius and she told me the male praying mantis doesn’t die immediately when his head gets bitten off. Scientists think it actually enhances sex. So it’s the ultimate kink.”
“So decapitation, one earth-shattering orgasm, and then death?”
“Yes, but your genes would endure.”
“I’m gonna have to get back to you on that one.”
“I’d still love you even if you had mantis legs.”
I wrap my arms around her fully, bringing her body all the way against mine.
“Would you?” I ask softly, my mouth beside her ear. “Even if I sliced your nipples off with my razor-sharp legs?”
“Damn, babe. You made that dark.”
“Darker than getting my head eaten off?”
She runs a hand up the back of my neck, into my hair. “New subject. I love you so much.”
“I love you so much, too.”
“Is this our song now?”
“I think it should be. I picked it out because of the lyrics.”
She listens for a few seconds, smiling. “I’m your end and your beginning?”
“You’re my everything. End, beginning, and every second in between.”
She kisses me softly.
“You’re mine, too,” she says against my lips.
The song ends, but we stay there, unaware of anything but the two of us. For me, the music is her. She’s my ocean and my sky. The air I breathe and the star that shines brighter than any other, guiding me home.
Home to her.
EPILOGUE
Magnus
I’m never wearing this sweater again. It’s hot, especially in a crowded restaurant. But I had no other choice, because the hotel laundry service is unpredictable, and I still don’t have many clothes.
I needed something appropriate for my coach’s engagement party. So when my laundry didn’t make it back in time, I had to rush to a department store, pick up a dress shirt I didn’t have time to iron, and also get a sweater I could wear over the shirt so no one could see how wrinkled it is.
Hotel life is getting old. I’m on the road or at the arena a lot, but it would be nice to have a couch to sit on when I’m home. A way to make protein shakes that doesn’t include washing my blender in a bathroom sink would be good, too.