Page 68 of Snowed In With the PUCK

Then, finally, she lowers her hand and nods, her face breaking into the brightest smile I’ve ever seen. “Yes,” she says, her voice shaking with emotion. “Yes, Eric. I’ll marry you.”

The arena erupts into cheers, and I barely have time to slip the ring onto her finger before she’s in my arms, her laughter ringing out as I spin her around. Her joy is infectious, filling the entire space with a lightness that feels almost unreal. I can’tstop grinning as I hold her close, knowing that this is it—this is everything I’ve ever wanted.

As we pull back to look at each other, I see that she’s still beaming, her eyes glistening with happy tears. “I can’t believe you did this,” she says, her voice full of wonder. “All of this… for us.”

“For us,” I repeat, feeling the weight of those words. “This is our beginning, Jess. Everything from here on out—it’s ours.”

She nods, her expression filled with the same joy I feel. And as we stand there, surrounded by the people who mean the most to us, I know that every decision I’ve made in my entire life has led me to this moment where I’m looking into the face of my forever.

Epilogue

Jessica

The annual “Meet theCommunity” event in Nashville is buzzing with energy, filling the arena with fans, families, and familiar faces. The air is thick with excitement, laughter echoing off the walls as people wait in line for autographs and photos with the Nashville team’s hockey players. And while I’ve been to a few of these back in Denver over the past two years with Eric, today feels different—warmer, more personal, like coming home after a long journey.

Eric and I stand arm in arm as we take it all in, looking out over the crowd. He’s back in Nashville, back with his old team. It still feels surreal, especially when I think of everything that’s happened in the last couple of years.

“Hey, Jess! Eric!” a voice calls from across the room, and I look up to see Jake and Allie, both grinning like kids onChristmas morning. Jake’s holding a small Nashville hockey fan foam finger, while Allie clutches a cup of something that looks suspiciously like coffee with whipped cream, even though it’s not exactly arena-approved.

“Hey, you two!” I say, beaming as they come over to hug us.

Jake gives Eric a playful slap on the back. “Look who’s come crawling back to Nashville, huh?”

Eric chuckles, rolling his eyes in mock exasperation. “You know I can’t stay away. Nashville is home.”

It’s true. Even after all he accomplished in Denver—leading the Avalanche to the playoffs in his first season and the finals in his second—Nashville has always held a special place in his heart. The two-year contract with the Avalanche gave him the time to rebuild his reputation, to prove to the world and himself that he was more than the headlines of the past. And now, he’s back where it all began.

“Welcome home, man,” Jake says, his voice more serious as he claps Eric’s shoulder again. There’s a warmth in his eyes that says he’s not just glad to see Eric in a Nashville jersey again, but that he’s proud of him.

As we chat, Linda comes into view, and I feel my heart swell with pride. She’s glowing, surrounded by a group of young people who hang onto her every word, their faces lit with hope. Watching her here, now the director of a new nonprofit that helps at-risk youth overcome addiction, fills me with awe. It’simpossible to ignore how much she’s grown in her own way over the last couple of years.

When we get a quiet moment, I catch her eye and wave her over. She excuses herself and heads toward us; her smile wide.

“Jessica, Eric!” she says, her voice filled with warmth as she wraps us both in a hug. “It’s so good to see you both here.”

“We wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I say, hugging her back tightly.

Eric looks down at her, his eyes soft. “I was just telling Jessica how proud I am of you. What you’re doing here, it’s—” he trails off, shaking his head as if the words are too big for him. “It’s incredible, Mom.”

Linda squeezes his arm, her eyes glistening with pride. “Well, I couldn’t have done it without both of you. And Jessica, please tell your dad thank you for all he’s done. He helped me find the right people to make this happen.”

“Oh, I will,” I say with a grin, thinking of my dad. After spending so long chasing ambitions in LA, he decided to open an entertainment law firm for musicians. The best part? He asked me to be his lead attorney and run the place for him, and I said yes. It feels like the perfect balance, being able to help guide careers in the industry while keeping my work and family close.

And my dad’s doing more than just legal work—he’s also found happiness again. I glance around and spot him across the room,laughing with a woman named Claire. She’s warm, genuine, and—most importantly—she adores my dad for who he is. Watching them together fills me with a comfort I didn’t know I needed. It’s as if he’s found his way back to the person he used to be, the man who loved and respected my mom’s memory, who values real connections over fleeting flings.

When Eric catches me watching my dad, he gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “It’s good to see him like this, isn’t it?” he asks, his voice soft.

I nod, feeling a swell of gratitude. “It really is.”

We stay close, letting the energy of the event surround us as we make our way around, greeting old friends and teammates. The entire night feels like a celebration—not just of Eric’s return, but of everything we’ve overcome to be here.

After a while, Eric and I find a quiet corner to steal away into. I lean against him, my heart racing with excitement. I’ve been carrying a secret for the last week, one that I can barely contain anymore. Tonight feels like the perfect time to share it.

“Eric,” I say, my voice a little shaky. “There’s… something I want to tell you.”

He looks down at me, his eyes warm and full of curiosity. “What’s up?”

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding. “Well, you’re a… you’re going to be a father. I found out I’m pregnant.”

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