Page 121 of Slap Shot Daddies

Back then, every moment was filled with a restless need, a constant quest for something unnamed. That was before Kenzie, the woman who entered my life and taught me that stability could be as exhilarating as the unknown.

She didn't clip my wings. Instead, she showed me how a steady heart can make flying even more meaningful.

For years, I had dreamed about traveling the world, chasing sunsets in far-off places, and immersing myself in every culture.

But now, experiencing all of it with Kenzie, Ambrose, Reggie, the rowdy triplets, and Wyatt has infused those adventures with an unexpected depth.

We spent months trekking through Europe, wandering the lively, sun-drenched streets of Barcelona, marveling at the frozen peaks of Switzerland's Alps, and marveling at the dramatic landscapes around every bend.

I still remember the rugged Scottish Highlands, the wind whipping through our hair and Reggie, eyes glinting with pride, leading the way as if he were a warrior of ancient clans defending his territory.

And then there was Venice, a city of labyrinthine canals, where Kenzie's hilarious reprimand rang through the narrow alleyways after I clumsily nudged a gondola into a precarious tilt, nearly upsetting an elderly couple riding on it.

Amid these escapades, my travel vlog unexpectedly exploded with recognition. I pull out my phone with trembling excitement and scroll through a sea of comments.

One headline catches my eye: "The Marauders’ Wild Family Adventuers—Backpacking Across Europe!"

Each comment, brimming with enthusiasm and calls to break free from ordinary lives, sparks a tiny flame of inspiration in me.

As I look up, the comforting sight of Kenzie catches my eye. She is bending over with gentle care, patiently helping little Daisy tie her shoe, the soft glow of a nearby reading lamp casting a warm halo around her.

In that moment, my heart swells with a deep, unwavering certainty that even all the travel in the world would pale in comparison to the journey I share with her and our children.

I realized then, I never needed just the thrill of travel.

I needed them.

As much as I love the adrenaline rush of gliding across the rink, I know my days on the ice are numbered. My muscles still ripple with strength, but each morning I feel the deep ache in my joints, the weariness that clings to my bones, the relentless demand of the sport taking its toll.

Yet, amidst the fading echoes of hockey's pull on me, something new has begun to grow within me, writing.

With Kenzie’s gentle guidance, I've ventured into the world of romance novels. The irony isn't lost on me.

I used to scoff at her towering piles of paperbacks, poking fun at the improbability of their plots, teasing her mercilessly about how unrealistic they were.

And now? I’m captivated. I find joy in weaving characters together, spinning tales of love, adventure, and the search for that perfect connection, or connections, in our case.

Kenzie has been my anchor through this journey, helping me hone my ideas, offering feedback on every chapter, and encouraging me to delve into emotions I once found elusive.

The most rewarding part?

It’s working.

My first book, a romance infused with wanderlust and distant lands, is actually selling. I drum my fingers against the edge of my spiral-bound notebook, eyes locked on the new outline I've been carefully crafting during our trip.

I want to make this my future. I want to write full-time, to pour the same passion into my words that I once reserved for hockey.

Then, when I finally hang up my skates for good, I won’t be adrift. Because I have something just as exhilarating waiting for me.

I glance at Kenzie again, her laughter ringing out as she balances little Kingston on her hip, amused by something Reggie said.

This is my next story.

This is my happily ever after.

"Can we go running with you tomorrow, Dad?" Wyatt asks, his voice bubbling with excitement as he bounces on the balls of his feet.

Ambrose grins and kneels down, adjusting the straps on Wyatt’s backpack, which is decorated with patches of superheroes and hockey logos.

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