I break. As in, I actually break. These tears won’t stop and I won’t try to make them.
“Oh, Theo…”
He shrugs, suddenly shy. “I mean…we can be Team Stockton. Right?”
And it hits me—the choice in this moment isn’t just mine. It’s Theo’s too.
“Juliette,” Sawyer says softly, eyes locked on mine. “I don’t want to only be part of your life. I want to build one with you. With both of you. I talked to Theo about it, and he’s okay with it. Right buddy?”
“Right.” Theo nods, his tiny hand out slapping five against Sawyer’s giant paw. “And I’m okay with it.”
I try not to giggle as Sawyer continues. “I want to merge our teams, as it were.”
Theo looks up at me. Hopeful. Brave.
“Do you want to marry him Mom?” he asks, like it’s the most logical question in the world.
Tears blur everything. I step onto the ice without thinking, boots slipping slightly before Sawyer steadies me. The world is suddenly moving at a faster pace than I’m prepared for, and I want to savor every second of this special moment.
I crouch in front of Theo first.
“I do,” I whisper, brushing my hand over his cheek. “You’ve had my whole heart since the day you were born. Are you okay with me sharing it with Sawyer now, too.”
He grins, relief flooding his face. “Yes please!”
Then I look at Sawyer, who slowly opens the ring box. The diamond catches the string lights, scattering tiny sparks across the ice, and he slowly kneels down in front of me.
“So, will you marry me?” he asks, voice steady now. “Will you let me be a part of yours and Theo’s lives?”
I laugh through tears. “Yes.”
Theo whoops so loudly it echoes off the boards.
Sawyer stands and pulls me into him, kissing me under the glow of the lights while Theo skates wild, triumphant circles around us like he just scored the winning goal.
And maybe he did.
Because this time, when the world feels big and bright while it’s watching—I’m not afraid of being seen.
I chosethis.
And this time, I’m not afraid of the spotlight.
I’m basking in it.
EPILOGUE TWO
SAWYER
“Hey,” Ty’s voice reverberates through my bedroom door. “You coming out to join us or hiding in your room tonight?”
He doesn’t wait to be invited in, Ty opens the door expectantly, grinning. Teammate to neighbor to guy who has an extra key and shows up here almost every night to have dinner with us. Yep, he’s family.
“Dude. I’ve told you to at least let me say ‘come in’ before you do that.”
He shrugs. “Don’t be doing anything I shouldn’t see.”
I hold my phone up. “I’ll be out in a sec, got something I need to do.”
