Instead of getting a job teaching like I’d planned, I stepped into something more meaningful to us.
Officially, I’m the head of the new Lewis Foundation for Children. Unofficially, I try to keep Eli from spending every dime of his money frivolously. Oh, we still give generously, but with planned intent. Between Renae and me, we let Eli dream and come up with crazy ideas, but now we take all those ideas, figure out the best of them, and plan for them like a proper business might do.
What started as Eli’s passion project has grown intoours. We fund skating programs for kids who can’t afford them. Adaptive equipment. After-school tutoring. Therapy services. Even support for training pound puppies to become emotional support dogs. It’s bigger than hockey now.
Renae still runs accounting like a queen, but I’m the one coordinating families and programming, and sitting cross-legged on the floor with kids who just need someone to see them.
I love it. And I love we get to do good with Eli’s fortune.
Mostly, I love our little family. I sit in my office chair and rub my belly. This little girl is due in about four months or so—and yes, Eli cried buckets of tears the day he found out he would be a father again. I love that when he cries, it’s for the big things.
Later,after Aiden’s Pee-Wee team wins their game, of course there has to be celebratory ice cream. Aiden stocks us up at the store on the way home. I’ve been craving this for a week, so perfect timing with the win.
It doesn’t take long for three empty pints and spoons to litter the coffee table as we lounge comfortably watching a movie together. I enjoyed chocolate fudge swirl, peanut butter cream for Eli, and cotton candy for Aiden.
We’re all in sweats because we’re kind of a casual family like that. Zammie sprawls in his dog bed near the couch, his pup cup devoured as well.
I’m curled into one corner, feet propped in Eli’s lap while he rubs slow, steady circles into my arches. The kind of touch that says he knows exactly how sore I am without me having to explain the trials of pregnancy in the fifth month. My belly is rounder now—undeniable and hard to hide—and every so often I rest my hand there, grounding myself in the quiet miracle growing inside me.
This is the life I used to believe only happened to other people—and now it’s mine despite everything that happened last year. I try not to think about how easily it could’ve been stolen from us because of a lie. We’ve chosen to move forward instead.
Eli and Aiden make up for lost time almost every day; now best buddies, practically joined at the hip. Aiden is a rising star on his team, and Eli proudly coaches him along when he can in-between his own hockey schedule. But I hope he’ll find anotherpassion too, as he grows older, something to balance his life out with hockey.
When the movie is over, I’m ready for bed. Aiden glances at my stomach, then at Eli, then back to me.
“So, if I have a sister on the way, don’t you think it’s time you’re married to Mom?”
Silence drops into the room. Eli’s hands go still on my feet. My breath gets caught somewhere in my chest. Even Zammie lifts his head, tilting it to the right, tail giving a few lazy thumps likeWhat did he just ask?
I look at Eli. He looks at me.
“That is a fair question,” Eli says gently, eyes never leaving mine. We’d talked about it before, but agreed to wait. To let everything settle into place. To give Aiden and Eli the time they deserved—time that had already been taken once.
Aiden’s gaze bounces between us. “I mean, we all live together and you saved me. So…”
My eyes sting. Eli inhales slowly, then whistles. Zammie’s ears perk instantly.
“Hey, buddy,” Eli says casually. “Bring it here.”
Zammie trots over and jumps up, tail wagging like crazy. Something glints against his collar as he sits obediently in front of Eli.
I notice it before I understand it.
“Oh my God,” I whisper. Eli unties a ring from his collar.
My hands shake as he puts it on my finger. It’s classically elegant, not over-the-top. A perfect three-carat diamond that catches the light. I told him before I would accept nothing over three, and he delivered. I don’t need a huge ring, just this.
“Beautiful.” I admire it at first, then I side-eye. “Be honest. Did Renae help you pick this out?” She’s quite the indispensable assistant now to both of us.
“No, I did,” Aiden chimes in, shocking me. “We went to the jewelry store together, Dad and me. Right after he asked if I’d give my blessing to marry you.”
My hand flies to my heart. “Oh my God, really?”
Eli observes me. “I didn’t want a huge proposal moment. I wanted a real one. Right here in our home, within our little family.”
Tears spill before I can stop them.
“I love you, Stella,” he continues. “I love our son, our daughter in your belly, and Zammie, too. We’ve waited long enough for this. It’s time to make you my wife.”
