Page 87 of Power Pucking Play

His career is soaring, the trade rumors long forgotten.

And me? I'm happier than I've ever been, both personally and professionally.

"Hey," Gio says softly as we load our purchases into the car. "You okay? You've got that look again."

I smile, leaning into him. "More than okay. Just...happy. Really, really happy."

He wraps his arms around me, and I feel that now-familiar surge of warmth and safety. "Yeah? Even with all the chaos and the media circus and the fact that we still can't agree on a color scheme for the bedroom?"

I laugh, tilting my face up to his. "Especially with all of that. Because at the end of the day, I have you."

"And I have you," he replies, brushing his lips against mine.

As we drive home, hand in hand, I can't help but think about how easily things could have gone wrong. How easily Gio and I could have missed our chance at happiness because of fear or pride or stubbornness.

But we didn't. We took a leap of faith and it paid off in ways we never could have imagined.

By the time we park in front of the new house, I'm still debating whether to tackle the kitchen first or start figuring out what we need for our home office.

As we unload the car, our bickering reaches new heights of ridiculousness.

"Gio, for the last time, we are not putting a hockey stick coat rack in the entryway," I say, exasperated.

He grins, that infuriating smile that still makes my heart skip a beat. "Come on, Brookes. It's practical and on-brand."

"On-brand for what? The Hockey Hall of Fame gift shop?"

"You're killing me, Brookes. Fine, no coat rack. But I get to keep the signed jersey display in the den."

"Deal. As long as it's not front and center."

As we carry boxes into the house, our conversation shifts to his teammates' love lives again.

"I'm just saying," I insist, "Who knows? Sophie and Evan might be perfect for each other. Maybe they just need a little...nudge."

Gio shakes his head, but he's grinning. "All right, Cupid. That's enough. What's next? Setting up Coach with the team nutritionist?"

"Ooh, that's not a bad idea actually..."

"No! Absolutely not. You are banned from matchmaking. Stick to sports reporting, Brookes."

I stick my tongue out at him, feeling ridiculously happy despite our bickering. Or maybe because of it.

This is us after all.

Teasing and challenging each other. Making each other laugh and grow.

We may not always agree, but we have each other's backs on and off the ice.

And as I watch Gio wrestle with an oversized box labeled "kitchen appliances", I know that no matter what life throws our way, we'll face it together.

Because that's what family does. And whether by blood or by choice, Gio is my family. He places the oversized box inside the foyer, heading back out to the car for another load.

I pause for a moment, taking in our new home. I can already picture the memories we'll make here, the laughter and the love.

I open my eyes just as Gio's voice reaches my ears.

"All right, last box," Gio calls out, coming in from the car. "And then we can finally relax and order some takeout."

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