Page 244 of Fighting Chance

Layla

The energy on this side of the arena deflates like a balloon as the final buzzer rings out.

3-1.

IceHawks just lost the Stanley Cup.

The groans around us are so loud I’m surprised Emmy hasn’t clocked on. She doesn’t understand that we’re not celebrating, all she sees is the confetti that explodes across the ice, the cheers coming from San Francisco’s team.

Emmy squeals in my arms, clapping her hands. “Mommy, Mommy, look, it’s Daddy!”

It doesn’t matter that nearly six months have passed since Kieran told Emmy she could call me Mom if she wanted. I’m still not used to it, never will be if I’m honest, because every time it turns my heart into a puddle of absolute goo.

The fact this special angel in my arms likes me enough to want to call me mom?

I wasn’t lying to Kieran all those months ago on the mountain when I said it would be an honor. She is the most precious little girl I know, and this precious little girl is happy and excited regardless of the team loss because Kieran is skating over.

His face lights up the second he spots us at the plexiglass, Emmy going wild. With his gloves on he waves, Emmy waving back.

She’s still beyond anxious meeting new people and is very slow to open up, but around her family, she talks everyone’s ears off, Bambi’s the most. Bless her heart, she doesn’t understand that Bambi is deaf.

At least her therapist is finally included in the list of people she trusts. Emmy adores her and thank goodness, because Kieran was growing increasingly worried she didn’t want to share with her. Over time, though, the therapist has been able to make Emmy feel safe and work through all her memories of her mom—the ones she shares anyways. I think the full extent of how her mother treated her will always be a mystery.

I know there’s a lot Kieran struggles to tell me, and I’m okay with him wishing those memories are ones he could forget. But if he ever wants to share, he knows there’s an open heart waiting to listen to his story.

“Daddy!” Emmy squeals, banging her hand against the glass.

Kieran sprays ice, making her chuckle as he puts his hand against hers on the other side. “Hi, munchkin! Did you see me skate?”

“So fast!”

“You think Daddy was fast?” he asks, his eyes wide.

She nods before slapping her chest. “Emmy have a go next!”

“Hell yeah, Em!” Kieran looks up at me. “Hey, sunshine.”

“Hi, Ashford.”

“Want to come onto the ice and commiserate with me?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Kieran winks, following beside us as we walk around the arena until security lets us through and we’re able to walk onto the ice. Kieran holds out his hand. “You like me all sweaty, sunshine?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe.”

Kieran kisses me and like always, it’s so full of tender love he makes my heart skip a beat. Coming up for air, he winks down at me. “Nice jersey.”

“I was told he’s the best in the league.”

“Damn, some poor sucker let you go for the losing team?”

Shrugging, I throw up my free hand in the air. “They did. Guess I should have worn San Francisco colors.”

Kieran scoffs. “Over my dead body. You look sexy in black and white.”

Shaking my head, I hand Emmy over. “Take your daughter skating before you teach her more dirty words.”