Page 72 of Falling for the Hockey Superstar

Jake’s face lights up like I’ve never seen before, pure joy radiating from him as his mouth drops open.

“Does that mean…” He glances at me, his little brow furrowing as he tries to piece it all together. “Beck… does that mean… you’re gonna be my… forever family?”

Oh, buddy.

My chest tightens as I crouch down beside him, my throat thick with emotion.

“Yeah, Jake,” I whisper, my voice barely holding steady. “If that’s okay with you…”

Jake’s eyes go wide, and for a split second, I swear the world stops.

Then…

“YES!” Jake throws himself at me, his little arms wrapping around my neck so tightly it takes me by surprise. “I always wanted this!”

I hold him close, my heart swelling with so much love I can barely breathe.

“Me too, Jake,” I murmur, my voice rough as I blink back the sting in my eyes. “Me too.”

Abby’s hand brushes gently over my back, and when I look up, the love shining in her eyes undoes me all over again.

I want even more, and I decide that now is the best time, so I squat down to Jake’s height. Then I sit down, Indian style and ask him to follow me to the floor. I’ve spoken with Abby about this, so it won’t come as a surprise, but I want her to be a part of the discussion. She comes to sit beside us.

“Jake,” I begin. “There is something I want to ask you. It’s very important that you think about it rather than just belting out an answer for me. Can you do that? Think about this hard before you answer?” Jake is clearly moved by what I am asking and nods his head an affirmative with wide open eyes.

With a deep breath I begin. “Jake, you know I love your mom as big as anything possible. She is so important to me, and I’ll do anything to make her happy.” Now he looks ready to burst; he’s actually hopping up and down on his butt, of all things.

I go on. “Jake, I also love you very much, and this is why I’m asking if you would allow me to adopt you. I know from your mom that you do remember your dad sometimes, and I would never want that to stop. I know I can never replace him, but I really want to be more than your stepdad.

I want to be your father, legally forever.”

I can see him taking this all in, and Abby leaning against my back with tears falling down her cheeks. He begins to talk but I quickly interrupt and continue.

“I know that your dad is and will be a big part of your life. I respect that. And if you don’t want me to adopt you, I’m okay with your decision. But if you do, I think that you might like to keep his name if we go ahead. So, I’m proposing that you use Price as your middle name. You could be Jacob Samuel Price Hayes. Or it can be simply Jacob Price Hayes.”

“So? What do you think? Does this sound good to you?”

His moments of quiet contemplation are making me fidget myself. He looks more like he is brooding than thinking about my question.

Then he just explodes off the floor throwing his arms around me, kissing me, hugging tightly. “Oh Beck, I’m so happy. Can I call you Dad, maybe Daddy? Can my name be on all my stuff?

“Breathe, Jake. Slow down and take a deep breath. I’m going to take that as ayesfrom you, right?” Abby comes in and joins our group, our family!

No, I think. We’re not justa familynow.

We’reforever.

***

We stay like that—our little trio—for a while. Abby's hand is on my back. Jake is still wrapped around me like a monkey who never plans to let go. And honestly? He doesn't have to.If I could freeze this moment forever, I would.But life? It has a way of crashing back in. Like now—when I hear footsteps and voices getting closer from the porch.“Hey, what’s going on in here?” Quinn calls, suspicious as ever. Wes follows with that slow, easy grin of his. “Either we’re interrupting a family meeting... or Beck just got suckered into playing Candy Land again.” Jane and Griff follow close behind.I glance at Abby, and we both kind of laugh—because neither of those guesses could be wrong in this house.Abby leans over, kissing Jake’s temple. “Ready to tell them?” Jake’s eyes go comically huge. “Can I?!”

“Go for it, buddy.” Jake spins around so fast he nearly topples over. He plants both hands on his hips like some kind of superhero making a proclamation.“Beck asked Mom to marry him! And she said YES!”The doorway explodes with sound.“Holy—” Quinn’s eyes go wide, her face splitting into a grin as she rushes up the steps. “Noway!”

“Way,” Abby says softly, her hand still in mine as she leans into me, her smile so bright it rivals the stars overhead.Jane gasps, her hands flying to her mouth. “Oh, Abby...!”Griff whistles low under his breath. “Well, I’ll be—”And Wes? Wes just deadpans, “Took you long enough, Hayes.” I hold up my hands, palms out. “Hey, hey, I had to make sure she liked me first.”Leave it to her sister Quinn who has no filter and says: “So give it up, Sis. Show us the million-dollar ring,” to which I retort that it’s actually from a box of Cracker Jacks, making the guys laugh and the girls scowl.

Abby rolls her eyes but holds out her hand. Quinn lets out another delighted squeal. “GORGEOUS. Oh my gosh, this is straight up Pinterest goals.”

Griffin leans over to Wes and mutters, “That’s a real thing, huh?”Wes grins. “Apparently.”

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