The sound cuts through the noise like sunlight.
Mia and Harper stand from their seats near the middle of the table. Natalie already knows them well from games and team events, but tonight their smiles carry a new kind of welcome.
"There she is," Mia says, pulling Natalie into a quick hug. "So how's married life treating you so far?"
Harper smiles and squeezes Natalie's arm. "Blink twice if you need help escaping."
Natalie laughs. "It's been... eventful. But honestly? I'm kind of liking it so far."
Erwin Hacker stands from the far end of the room, dignified even in a steakhouse. "Natalie, good to see you again."
Annabelle nudges him. "Dad, she's known half this room for years. Don't start sounding like you're giving a press conference."
Erwin exhales. "Old habits."
Dex whispers loudly, "He's terrifying."
Erwin ignores him and shakes Natalie's hand.
"Anyone who marries Gabriel Shelly is clearly a person of excellent judgment," he says.
Dex chokes on his drink.
"That's a bold statement," Gregory says.
"Give her time," Bryce adds.
Natalie looks up at me with amused disbelief.
"This is your team," she says quietly.
"Yep."
"They're insane."
"Also correct."
Colby taps his glass with a fork.
The room quiets instantly.
Captain effect.
He stands and raises his glass.
"Alright," he says. "Let's do this properly."
Dex mutters, "Speech time."
"We've given Shelly a lot of crap over the years," Colby continues.
"Deserved," Gregory says.
"Mostly," Colby agrees. "But somehow, in the middle of a hockey season, he managed to secretly marry a woman who appears significantly more competent than the rest of us."
Laughter ripples around the table.
Colby looks at Natalie.
