These last few weeks have flown by. It’s gone by in a blur of events with the girls, nights with Harper, and hockey games.
So many games.
With the holiday season upon us, my mom will be home soon and it will be time to break the news to her that Harper and I are together. I’m surprised the girls haven’t told her yet on their calls. But with chess being Sadie’s thing, she loves talking about that more.
Thank God.
If Emma isn’t with the girls, it’s Harper. I even gave her extra booster seats for the girls so she could have them in case of an emergency.
Harper’s done more than just have them in case of an emergency. She’s taken them to pottery classes on the weekend when I have games. Movies when I have an extra practice. Tucking them in and reading them books.
At this point, I’m not sure who they love more—me or Harper.
“Are you heading back home to Denver?” I ask Noah.
“Nah. Family is coming here. We wanted to spend our first Christmas together in our new place. What about you?”
“We’ll be spending it here before the girls visit Dan’s parents.”
“That’ll be fun for them.”
“They always have a good time.”
A few times throughout the year, the girls will take a week or two and go visit my brother-in-law’s parents. I hate that they live in Washington, but with them being older, it’s harder for them to come visit the girls. I wish they could see them more, but the girls still love them. I know they’re looking forward to another Christmas with them. Especially because they have a new dog.
One of these days, I’m going to cave and get them a dog. It’s only a matter of time.
“You boys ready for warm-ups?” Bode asks, walking by us to head out to the rink.
“Just finishing up.”
Grabbing my phone, I see one last text from Harper. Since it’s an early afternoon game, she’s bringing the girls with her.
A photo of all three of them in front of the arena awaits me—with each of them wearing my jersey. The girls are wearing their Knights hats and look fucking adorable.
Harper
Good luck! We’ll be cheering loud for you
The girls said if you score a goal, they get a dog
I shake my head laughing.
“The girls?” Jasper asks as he and I head out.
“Yeah. Apparently if I score tonight, they get a dog.”
Jasper chuckles as we hit the ice. “I’ll score for you then.”
“What a martyr you are.”
We’re still a good hour away from the puck dropping, but the arena is packed. With the Black Diamonds in town, tickets were at a premium. Both teams are playing well this year, and it could be an indicator of the playoffs.
“Are you really not going to say hi to me?” the familiar voice calls out on the ice during warm-ups.
Skating over to the Colorado zone, I see my best friend from my college playing days, Troy Hollins, standing there shaking his head.
“Hey, I’m not getting in between any man and his pregame rituals.”
