Page 218 of Check & Chase
“You provided so much more than that,” she corrects gently. “Safety. Patience. Unwavering belief that I could heal, even when I didn’t believe it myself.”
I’m not ashamed of the tears that escape then, too overwhelmed by what she’s given me.
“There’s one more thing. If you’re up for it.”
“Anything,” I say without hesitation.
She disappears briefly, returning with something in her hands that makes my heart stutter—a pair of hockey skates. My size.
“I know you’re not cleared for hockey yet. But Reynolds said gentle skating is actually beneficial at this stage of recovery. Controlled, non-strenuous movement that strengthens the joint without impact.” She holds out the skates. “Skate with me? Just once around the rink?”
The request—so simple yet so profound—nearly undoes me completely. This woman, who faced crippling fear of the ice, who rebuilt her relationship with skating through sheer determination, now wants to share that reclaimed joy with me.
On our wedding day.
“Try and stop me,” I manage, already reaching for the skates.
Getting onto the ice is a careful process—Maya and Jackson positioned to help if needed, Emma’s hands steady and sure as she guides me through the gate. The first moment of blade meeting ice sends a jolt of familiar joy through me, even as my weakened knee protests the unfamiliar movement.
“Take it slow,” Emma advises, positioning herself beside me, one arm linked through mine. “Let me do most of the work.”
We begin moving together, a careful glide that bears little resemblance to my usual powerful stride but feels like flying nonetheless. Emma matches her pace perfectly to mine, providing just enough support to keep pressure off my knee without making me feel dependent.
“This is just for us,” she says as we glide slowly around the rink. “Just us having this moment together.”
“This is perfect, Emma,” I look down at her, unable to imagine a better wedding gift. “Absolutely perfect.”
Later, as we prepare to leave, Emma turns to me with a smile that makes my heart race despite my physical exhaustion. “Ready to go enjoy our honeymoon, husband?”
“Lead the way, wife,” I agree, accepting the crutches she offers. “Though fair warning—this knee might limit some of our wedding night activities.”
“I have complete confidence in our ability to adapt,” she assures me with a wicked gleam in her eye. “After all, I am a physical therapist who specializes in… creative positioning for optimal recovery.”
“God, I love you,” I laugh, following her toward the exit, toward the beginning of our married life together.
“I love you too.” She smiles, holding the door open for me. “Today, tomorrow, always.”
Emma
Chapter Fifty-One
“Keep your eyes closed.”
Chase’s voice is full of excitement as he guides me carefully through what I assume is the entrance of the beach house he’s rented for our honeymoon.
I’m still in one of my outfits from the wedding, a simple white dress I changed into after my skating performance, and my new husband is apparently determined to continue the night of surprises.
“If I trip and break something on our wedding night, I’m filing for annulment,” I warn, though there’s no heat behind the threat.
“Such little faith,” he teases, bringing us to a stop. “And after I trusted you to blindfold me earlier.”
“That was different.”
“Details.” I can hear the smile in his voice. “Okay, just a few more steps.”
I let him lead me forward, curious despite my fake reluctance. After my surprise at the rink, I hadn’t expected Chase to have something planned too.
“Almost there,” he murmurs, adjusting our direction slightly. “Step up here, one small step, that’s it. Now stop.”
