“No, I’m okay,” I say, shaking my head, then taking a sip of my own cocoa. Since it’s snowing, it’s fairly warm for a New York winter evening. Plus, I’m wearing my red coat tonight because it’s Liam’s favorite.
“Are you sure?” he asks again.
“Yes … ”
Then he stands and holds out his hand. One for me, one for Sera.
“Come with me, girls.”
Sera looks at me, then at Liam.
“Okay, but I’m not done yet.” I lift my cup.
“I’ll get you another one.”
The air suddenly feels quieter, like the whole rink is holding its breath. My stomach flips. I don’t know why, but something feels different.
Liam doesn’t joke the way he usually would. His hand tightens around mine, and he keeps glancing between Sera and me like he’s making sure we’re both right where he wants us.
We step onto the ice, snow falling around us, glittering against the lights.
“Liam,” I whisper, feeling suddenly nervous, “what are you doing?”
He takes my hands in his and looks at me with pure love.
“I’ve spent most of my life chasing things,” he says quietly. “Wins. Contracts. Being the best.”
I swallow.
“And then I found out I’d already missed the most important thing.”
My hands start to shake.
“Sera,” I whisper.
“And you,” he says, pulling me closer.
Everything seems too quiet, and I swear I can feel my heartbeat in my ears.
“I can’t get that time back,” he continues. “But I promise not to miss anymore.”
Tears sting my eyes.
“I won’t miss another Christmas. Or another birthday.”
I lift my gloved hand and wipe at my falling tears. “Liam…”
“I love you,” he says firmly. “I love you in a build-a-life way.”
My breath leaves me in a shaky exhale.
Then he drops, shakily, to one knee on the ice.
“You okay, Daddy?”
Leave it to a child to change the tone, making us both laugh.
I faintly hear someone nearby gasp, but I don’t look. Because all I can see is him.
