Page 118 of Captain's Claim

I drop to one knee, the roar of the crowd suddenly shifting from complete silence to a deafening explosion of noise.

Camera flashes explode around us like lightning. My teammates are banging their sticks against the ice. The entire world around me explodes into sheer euphoria, but I don’t hear a damn thing.

All I see is her.

My Sophia, the most beautiful woman in the world, standing there with tears in her eyes.

"Sophia, will you marry me?"

My heart stops as I wait for her answer. The longest seconds of my life stretch out between us.

Then Sophia launches herself at me with such force my skates nearly slide out from under me.

"YES!"

The force of her body hitting mine knocks the breath from my lungs, but I don't care. I wrap my arms around her waist and lift her off her feet, spinning us in a circle as tears stream down her face. Her laughter and excitement rings out across the arena, mixing with the thunderous cheers of the crowd.

Music blares from the speakers and more confetti rains down around us.

The emotion wells up in my chest.

She grabs my face between her hands and kisses me deep, right there at center ice. The taste of her tears mingles with her lips, and I pour every ounce of love I have into kissing her back.

My hands shake as I fumble with the ring box, pulling out the princess-cut diamond I spent weeks picking out.

The stadium lights catch the stones as I slide it onto her finger - a perfect fit.

The crowd's excitement suddenly shifts to laughter, and I turn to see Ridge the Hawk skating toward us, his comically oversized hawk head bobbing as he carries a massive champagne bottle.

"Oh my! Is this supposed to be happening?" Sophia asks, wiping tears from her cheeks.

"I didn't plan this part!"

The mascot nearly wipes out, his taloned feet slipping on the ice. Connor and Logan rush to steady him before he face-plants.

Sophia bursts out laughing against my chest as Ridge finally reaches us, triumphantly presenting the champagne.

The opening notes of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" blast through the arena speakers.

"Really?"

I shoot a look at the DJ booth where Big Mike gives me an enthusiastic thumbs up. The dramatic song choice is absolutely ridiculous, but somehow perfect for this moment.

Ridge attempts to pop the champagne cork, but his costume head keeps getting in the way. After a few more failed attempts, Ryder skates over to help, and when the cork pops, champagne sprays everywhere.

The crowd goes wild as Ridge dramatically mimes conducting the music, his wings flapping in time with Whitney's soaring vocals.

"This is insane," Sophia whispers, pressing her forehead to mine as champagne drips from our hair. Her ring catches the light, sending tiny rainbows dancing across the ice.

"Welcome to the family," I murmur, pulling her closer as Ridge leads the entire arena in an off-key singalong. My teammates join in, deliberately singing as terribly as possible while circling us on the ice.

The whole scene is completely unhinged - exactly what you'd expect from the Iron Ridge Icehawks. But looking at Sophia's radiant smile, feeling her body shake with laughter in my arms, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I pull her back into my arms, holding her tight against my chest as she examines her hand.

She kisses me again, slow and sweet this time, full of promises of happy days ahead. When she pulls back, there's that familiar spark in her eyes right before she slaps my chest.

"I can't believe you."

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