Page 60 of The Forever Game

“We’re really sorry about the timing on this thing. I feel like we ruined your wedding.”

“Of course you didn’t.” Tammy brushes her hand through the air. “Nothing is ruined. The world has just gained a precious little girl. And I can’t wait to meet her.”

“Oh my gosh, she’s so cute, you guys. She’s got this red fuzz all over her head and these blue eyes and rosebud lips.” His eyes get a little misty. “As soon as she’s strong enough, you guys will be the first to meet her.” He looks around the group. “She’s adorable. My little Lyla.”

And I get everything he’s feeling right now. I have a stepson and a daughter, and I love them both equally, but there’s something about being a girl daddy that’s different. My protective instincts go into overdrive when I’m watching Nova, and I’m sure Casey will be just the same with his little Lyla.

“You know, out of all the ways our wedding has been postponed, this is by far the best,” I tell him.

Casey laughs, setting Troy down when he starts to squirm. Liam steps away from Rachel, blocking Billy from taking off, while Ethan grabs up Troy before he can do a runner too. Nova skips across to me, and I pop her back onto my lap.

Now that we know everyone’s okay, I’m thinking we should probably get out of here. As much as I want to see Caroline and Lyla with my own eyes, we can’t crowd into a hospital room, and?—

“Hey, guys.” Caroline appears in a wheelchair, her father gently pushing her into the room. Her mother hovers nearby, obviously not loving the way her daughter is up and about.

I understand why. Caroline’s face is pale, her smile weak and exhausted.

“Mommy!” The boys rush over to greet her, Troy trying to climb onto her lap.

Casey’s eyebrows dip with concern as he moves back toward her. Scooping Troy up with one arm, he takes her hand and crouches down beside her. “What are you doing up?”

“Lyla fell asleep, so they took her to the incubator for a session, and…” She sniffs and shakes her head. “I can’t sit in that hospital room alone when I know all my friends are waiting out here.”

“You can, actually,” her mother murmurs. “Everyone understands that you’ve just had a baby. They don’t expect you to be out here visiting. This can wait, Caroline.”

“It can’t wait,” Caroline insists, looking to her husband for support.

He gives her a soft smile and kisses her palm. “What’s up, baby?”

“This has to happen today. We can’t be the reason they don’t get married.”

My eyebrows dip together as I stand with Nova in my arms. “It’s fine, really.” I pull Tammy to my side. “You and Lyla are way more important.”

She gives me a watery smile. “I can’t wait for you to meet her.” She lets out a soft breath. “I wish I had her in my arms right now, but I’m going to see her again right after this.”

“After what?” Casey tucks a curl behind her ear.

“After Tammy and Baxter get married.”

There’s a thick beat of silence as we all throw her confused frowns.

She glances up at our faces and brushes a tear off her cheek. “I mean, it is ultimately up to you guys, and I know you’re standing in a hospital waiting room right now, but all of our favorite people are here. It’s Hockey House, you know?” She looks up at her father. “You’re a minister. You could marry them right now, right?”

“Well, I…” He shares a soft look with his wife, who rolls her eyes but then ends up laughing and shaking her head.

“Oh, go ahead. You know you want to.”

His smile grows, taking over his face as he glances at me. “I’d love to. I mean… it would be an honor.”

Tammy lets out a surprised laugh, like she can’t quite believe this, and I have no idea what to think. Exchanging vows in a hospital isn’t exactly romantic.

“Do you… want to?” I give her an uncertain frown, but her smile is radiant as she nods.

“I want to be your wife. Let’s just do it. Right here. Right now.”

CHAPTER22

TAMMY

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