Hard Hit (IceCats 3)

I move my gaze to where Jean is sitting with Celeste in her lap. Jean is dressed all out in a stunning pink dress that hugs her curves in ways I wish I had. She is such a beautiful soul, and I’m so thankful for her. She loves Celeste, and she loves us. Her hours have been reduced since I’m now able to be with Celeste at night when Kirby is traveling, but Kirby still pays her the same. He doesn’t want to lose her, and I agree fully. Especially for when we decide to get married and have babies of our own.

Which, if my parents had their way, would be today.

My mom is sitting beside Jean, her eyes glistening for Aviva and Nico. Dad is currently playing with Celeste, making her giggle, and I’m overwhelmed with love. I never thought my parents would be okay with me being with a white man. But not only do they care deeply for Kirby, they absolutely adore Celeste. They spoiled her worse than we did on Christmas. I never knew Christmas could be so magical until I experienced it with a child. It was beyond my expectations, and I am in super planning mode for her first birthday.

It will be over the top, but I don’t care one bit.

She’s my everything.

Honestly, and I haven’t told Kirby this, I want to adopt Celeste. I want to make it official on paper that she is mine. I know she is in my heart, and I know I’ll be the best damn mom ever, but I want it to be official for when she goes to school and sports and stuff. When we signed her up for Mommy and Me gymnastics at the gym Chandler’s wife, Amelia, works at, she had to tell them I was her mom. I don’t want to have to have someone go to bat for me. I want her to be legally mine and me hers. I haven’t brought it up to Kirby since we aren’t married, but I can’t help yearning for that title.

I love her.

I love him.

“I, Nicolas, take you, Aviva, as my wife. My forever. My everything.”

“Mama!” Celeste yells, interrupting the pastor as she reaches for me even though she is nowhere near me. Everyone laughs as Celeste wiggles herself out of Jean’s lap and hauls ass to me. I bend down, picking her up as soon as she is within reach. She cuddles close into me, grabbing my bouquet from me and holding it to her chest.

I kiss her temple as Aviva looks back at me. “Sorry.”

She grins as Nico chuckles sweetly before she turns back to marrying her soul mate. I redirect attention to them, and I’m in awe. They’re so beautiful, so perfect for each other. I couldn’t handpick a better man for her. Nor could I have handpicked a man like Kirby Litman. As my gaze always does, it shifts to Kirby, who is watching me hold Celeste so close to me. She has her head under my chin, content as she bounces her fingers along the flowers in my bouquet. His lips quirk, and I smile back at him, so completely in love with him. So fully his, it’s mind-blowing.

I love you, he mouths.

And I mouth right back to him, Love you more.

After an evening full of a lot of food, drinks, and wishing the new couple a happy honeymoon, I find myself applying my face lotion as I lie in bed. Kirby sits on the end of the bed, taking off his shoes as he watches SportsCenter. He’s off for a few days for a small break for the Winter Classic. I have no clue what that is. Apparently, they play outside on ice? Instead of inside? Doesn’t make sense to me. Either way, I guess they would be cold. Kirby says it fulfills childhood dreams, which is cool if your dream is to play outside in the freezing cold on a slab of ice.

I’d rather be in my bed in my PJs, but that’s why I don’t play hockey. I do enjoy watching him play, though. He’s super good and super sexy.

“Will you guys get to do the Winter Classic?”

He glances back at me, tucking his socks in his shoes. “I don’t know, hopefully. It’ll be a cool experience. Though, I doubt I’d be able to get you there.”

I grin. “I’d go if you’re playing.”

He sends me a grin as he stands, unbuttoning his shirt. “Wanna go to the mountains this weekend? A little getaway?”

“Sure, I can bring work with me and do it on the way. Oh! But Celeste and I have Mommy and Me class this weekend.”

He shrugs. “She can miss.”

“Okay. We should take Jean. She’d enjoy some time away.”

“Absolutely. Plus, I can take you to a romantic dinner.”