Page 375 of Breaking the Pucking Rules
She pauses after opening a new set of hair brushes and looks at me.
“Are you okay?” I ask, sensing something shifting.
“Daddy, can I?”
“Of course,” he says, his hand squeezing mine.
Okay, what is happening?
Looking over, I search Dad and Kathleen’s faces for clues, but if they know, they’re not giving anything away.
Sutton rummages around under the tree until she finds the gift she wants before shuffling to me on her knees and handing it over.
Memories slam into me of this time last year, when I was handed a key to the house and they asked me to move in.
It blew my mind in the best possible way, and I can only imagine what they’ve planned this time.
“This is for you,” Sutton says, holding the gift out toward me.
I take it give it a little shake, seeing if I can guess before I rip into the paper. Everyone watches me closely, and I glance between them all nervously.
Whatever is in here is important. I can tell by the hitch in both Kodie and Sutton’s breathing.
Inside, I find a box. And then inside the box, whatever it is is wrapped in bubbles.
But the second I slide the contents out, my breath catches.
“Sutton,” I breathe, staring down at a photo of the two of us at a Vipers game in a frame that is engraved withMommy and Me.
Tears flood my eyes.
Kodie reaches over and squeezes my hand in support.
“Peanut, you have something you want to ask Casey, don’t you?”
Ripping my eyes from the frame, I stare at her, noting the tears in her eyes, too.
“Casey, will you…will you be my mommy?”
“Oh my god,” I cry as I place the frame to the side and gather her up in my arms, holding her as tight as I dare.
Her entire body trembles against mine, and I can’t say I’m in a much better state as I fight to suck in air through my sobs.
“Oh, Sutton, I’d love nothing more,” I tell her when I’m finally able to pull back and look into her eyes.Reaching up, I wipe away the tears on her cheeks with my thumbs. “I love you so much, sweetie.”
She mimics my move and wipes my tears too. “I love you too…Mommy.”
My heart is in pieces as she tests out the word, she has never called anyone before.
Kodie’s hand shifts on my back, reminding me that he’s here in this moment with us.
“You knew about this?” I ask weakly.
“Of course. Sutton asked me a few weeks ago how I thought you’d feel about it.”
“You two wreck me in the best kind of way,” I say, wiping my cheeks again because the tears won’t stop.
“I’ve got another matching gift here too,” Sutton explains as she pulls another wrapped box from beneath the tree and walks toward Dad.
