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But I do worry. About being a good mom. We hadn’t intended to get pregnant. I wasn’t sure I wanted children. So it had been a decision I needed to make faster than I planned. Bennett had supported me no matter my choice.

Now, with the moonlight streaming in through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of Speyside, the sound of the water outside, I couldn’t be more grateful for the life I’ve managed to achieve. The family that I have.

It’s the same now as I rest my hand on my low stomach where I’ve just started to show. Deep gratefulness for this family we’ve created. I’m on the bench—not even in skates. Still, my two little worriers watch over me.

Something warm that lives permanently in my chest with the two of them around me flares brightly, illuminated by their care.

A life and love I’ve fought for.

I graduated with flying colors. I testified against Ethan and helped to lengthen his sentence by appearing to read my victim impact statement alongside the other girls he’d hurt.

And then I continued to take the power of my life back.

I’d gotten offers for four different internships, but stayed relatively local for my first year so I could spend time in the Reiner house with Bennett and Adam.

And Alessia, who I’d seen next to Adam more often than not.

She’d blushed when I first asked her about it, but I knew she had her own issues, things that made her the way that she was. I also knew Adam was one of the most patient men in existence, second only to his son.

They’d been on their own timeline. But she’s living with him now, slowly healing each day.

I’d worked for two ECHL teams as the first woman assistant coach for both, before I started working for all women’s hockey teams. Then youth—where I really felt passionate.

And now, in our small, cold coastal town, I’ve found my place.

I let my assistant coach know I’m headed out for the day, calling toward the girls to rest up for their games this weekend before heading through the tunnel exit where I know my husband and daughter will meet me.

Annie runs right for me, grasping me in her little arms, while Bennett stands behind her in a beautiful blue peacoat and fancy slacks, a pleased smile across his bearded face. He gets more handsome with every year together.

“Ready to go home, loves?”

I grin and so does Annie. And for a moment, I can see it touch the light in Bennett’s eyes, our faces side by side. My little mini-me I love more than life itself.

“Ready,” we say in unison, stepping closer so he can cover us both in his arms.

Every breath. Every moment. He’s been here through every moment. And he’ll never leave me.

The shore to my rolling, calmed tide.

Bennett

“Daddy?”

I’m working a little later than usual tonight—which means I didn’t get to shower with or bathe my wife, which means my mood is irritated at best. But the sound of our daughter’s little voice is enough to make my frustrations completely disappear.

My face breaks into a gentle smile and I turn, spotting Annie with a messy blond braid that tells me she just woke up. She sleeps like her mom—rough, tossing around, but deep. In her hands, I spot a familiar stuffed rabbit.

Seven slowly trails behind her, the gray around his ears and muzzle growing by the day. Just like me, my loyal dog always sticks close to my girls.

“Hey, seashell,” I say, opening my arms for her to come to me. She climbs up onto my lap. I reach around her and scratch Seven’s ears as he sits by my thigh. “Did you have a nightmare?”

“No.” She rubs her eyes again. “Mommy’s sick again.”

My stomach hollows a little and I have to clamp down on the anxiety.

Paloma being pregnant is . . . a lot for me. Mostly because it plays with every single one of my emotions—joy, at having another child with her. But also fear at knowing exactly how many things can go wrong. Her pregnancy with Annie was smooth sailing, but she was pregnant at the same time as Sadie, who had one of the hardest pregnancies I’ve seen.

I was worried Rhys would chain himself to her arm and quit hockey after that. Or never have sex with her for fear of ever getting her pregnant again. I’d reminded him that a vasectomy was much easier.