Our Happily Ever After (Bold As Love 5)

Chapter Ten

Jake

I try not to tease Emily too much on the house, but sometimes, I can't help myself. It's just too easy. The plan is all set as long as there aren't any major bumps in the road. The house will be built, fully furnished, and ready to move in a week before our wedding. The plan is to wait until we get back from our honeymoon to show it to Emily. We'll spend the first night in the house alone, and Drake will come home the next day. Hopefully, nothing will interfere with that plan.

Drake just left to spend the evening with his girlfriend and her family, which is a little crazy in itself. He's growing up, though, so it comes with the territory. Plus, Emily worries enough for us both. She's cuddled against me, and we're watching some lame romance movie.

“Hey, Sweetness?”

“Yeah?” She looks up at me with those beautiful brown eyes.

“Sometime before the wedding, I want to take Drake on a trip. We'll be in North Carolina the week of the wedding and then we'll be gone for the honeymoon.”

“And my friends know where I'm going, but I don't,” she interrupts.

“I want to hang out with him before all of that,” I finish.

“That sounds great, love. What are you thinking?”

I tell her how I want to take him on a little trip. It'll just be us, but I haven't made any solid decisions yet on where because it's still pretty early. Emily thinks it's a great idea. I'll have to talk to Drake and pick a destination.

We finish watching the movie, Drake returns, and then we go to bed. The best feeling is when Emily falls asleep in my arms, just like we used to do.

* * *

Today, I'm playing in an All-Star game. I'm more excited than usual because Drake and Emily are here to watch. I spot them in their seats, and they both smile at me. Seeing my lifelong Pittsburgh-Penguins-loving future wife wearing my jersey makes me proud. Sure, she still has her jerseys and t-shirts, but there are more Hawks apparel in her closet now. That's one of the best feelings ever.

I'm on top of the world during this game, and it shows on the scoreboard. The game is a part of my life, but it's with those two people in the crowd that I belong. Hockey is something I love and wouldn't want to live without, but my family is first, and I couldn't live without them. So I enjoy the game while I play, but when I go home, it's on the back burner, for the most part. Little changes make all the difference. Instead of going out after the game with teammates, I meet Drake and Emily for dinner at Drake's favorite spot downtown.

“Hey, love,” Emily greets me with a kiss as she takes my hand.

“That was a great game, Jake,” Drake adds as he opens the door.

“Thanks, buddy.” I tell the hostess that it's just us three, and she grabs the menus and leads the way to our table.

We talk very little about my game over supper. Instead, we focus on Drake and his skills. He and I really need to practice together sometime. There are some things that he wants to learn to do, and I can help him with that. When Drake excuses himself to the restroom, Emily's hand moves to rest on my upper thigh. I focus my attention on her and wait because I know she's going to say something.

“I love you.” Sweetness leans towards me, giving me a kiss.

“I love you too. Always.”

“You two are ridiculous. We're in public, you know,” Drake says as he reclaims his seat.

Emily laughs. “As long as we,” she motions between her and me, “are the only ones at this table who are kissing someone.” Emily gives him a pointed look, and I swear he blushes.

“She's just a friend,” he says with a bit of a defensive bite, causing us both to laugh.

“If you say so, but I know what I see.”

Looking devious, Drake teases her. “Well, I know one thing you aren't seeing.”

“What's that?”

“Your own house.” He grins triumphantly.

Emily snatches a roll that he was about to eat out of his hand, taking a bite out of it. “You,” she points a finger at him, “do not get to tease me, buddy. I don't even like when your brother does it, so you are forbidden.” When Drake opens his mouth for a smart remark, Emily quickly warns, “I will embarrass you mercifully next time you are around that girl.”

Drake's mouth closes instantly.

“That's what I thought.” She smirks.

The rest of dinner is spent discussing different options for Drake and my trip later this year. When we return home and start getting ready for bed, Emily stands behind me and hugs me around the waist.

“You know, we don't have to avoid your hockey altogether when we're all talking.”

“Did you see me play?”

She nods.

“Then there wasn't any more to add to it. Sweetness, it doesn't bother me. Our family time shouldn't solely focus on me and that's what happens every time. Haven't things been better?” I ask, worried that I've missed something.

“Everything is as it should be, love. Thank you.”

And that night when we lay down to sleep, my Sweetness is in my arms, cuddled against me just as she should be.