Page 156 of Unmasking Love
"I know, I know babe. Holy shit. You won! And I mean like,youdid. You scored the winning goal!"
I slowly lower her to the ice, "I got lucky."
"Maybe, but you worked for that luck."
"I don't just mean the goal." I lean my forehead against hers. I cannot wait to settle in with her. To spend every day with her for the next month before pre-season conditioning starts again. I feel so lucky to have Harper in my life.
"Luckily we worked for this, too." She says with a smile.
I hold her to me and kiss her. She smiles against my lips and I smile back and suddenly we're both laughing.
A year ago I was lost. I was alone. I came to D.C. ready for another year of heartbreak. And while the last twelve months haven't been easy, they've turned half a lifetime of turmoil into triumph.
The most precious reward in my arms right now.
Chapter 47
Harper + Aiden = LOVE
Epilogue | One Year Later
Harper
“Aiden, I can’t believe you won’t eat this cheese.” I say with a mouthful of the most delicious brie a person could imagine.
Mymanfriendjust smiles at me and continues to snack on the mixed nuts and dried fruits from the charcuterie board between us.
We’re in Annecy, France at a little bed and breakfast staring across a crystal alpine lake with mountains jutting up all around it. Aiden biked to the top of one of those mountains today while I sat along the water reading. This afternoon we’ll take a nice leisurely ride together.
This past year has been absolutely insane so it feels incredible to slow down.
After the team won The Cup we paraded through D.C.. His parents flew out to join in the festivities. We had rescheduled the housewarming party Felix threw for us from May to the end of June since the team was in the playoffs.
The Cup made an appearance and I think it took away from the splendor of the new house but I’d never admit that to Aiden or the boys.
The team was honored at the national Fourth of July party on The Mall and we got to shake hands with President Melissa Quinn which was a total pinch me moment.
Caroline and Johnny’s wedding went off without a hitch and Johnny’s goal in the playoffs last year was the one to knock her up. They welcomed a beautiful baby boy in January.
Tilly became a big sister when Danielle had her second girl in March.
The team was also honored during halftime of the National Women’s Soccer Team game against Venezuela. I didn’t get to go on the field with them but the boys enjoyed it. Bryson was especially excited to be there.
Aiden and I did take a trip to Europe last summer but it was cut short after only five days when he got the call that he’d be the starting goalie next season.
He wanted to get home to start training.
Gavin played a strong season but he told Aiden at the start that it would be his last.
The Renegades got through the second round of the finals before losing to Dallas who went on to win it all.
This past year, Aiden and I found a rhythm for balancing his schedule and mine. I never found an agency I wanted to sign with but Sean offered me a job managing the sale of properties he flips and I love it. I spend my day at construction sites and meeting with potential buyers. I’m on salary, not commission, so the pressure is to find them the right home without rushing it.
I let out a contented sigh because life is simply good.
“What’s that sigh for babe?”
“I’m happy.” I smile softly at Aiden as his piercing blue eyes soften. He reaches over and takes my hand in his. His thumb slowly caressing over my skin, sending shivers down my spine even after a year and a half together.
