Page 215 of Check & Chase
“I’m so proud of you,” she says softly, linking her arm through mine.
I’m weirdly proud of me too.
Chase
Chapter Fifty
I’ve faced playoff games, career-threatening injuries, and literal fistfights on the ice, but nothing gets my heart pounding like waiting for Emma to walk down the aisle toward me.
“Breathe, man,” Donovan murmurs beside me, straightening my tie for the tenth time. “You look like you’re about to pass out.”
“I might,” I admit, shifting my weight carefully to ease the pressure on my still-healing knee. Dr. Reynolds cleared me just yesterday to stand for the ceremony without crutches, though they’re positioned nearby for after, when adrenaline won’t be enough to mask the pain.
Worth it, though. The ability to stand unassisted as Emma approaches, to hold both her hands in mine as we recite our vows.
I’d endure twice the pain for that privilege.
From my position beneath the lakeside arch, I scan the guests one final time. Seventy-eight people total, seated in white chairs arranged on the gentle slope leading down to the water. Bears teammates on one side, Wolves players on the other, family and friends filling the remaining seats. The lake house rises behind the guest seating, its wraparound deck draped with flowers and lights for the reception to follow.
“Two minutes,” Maya calls from her position near the house, headset firmly in place as she coordinates the proceedings.
“Last chance to run,” Miller jokes from his position beside Donny, earning an eye roll from Maya, who’s still annoyed he decided to join the wedding party at the last minute.
The string quartet begins playing, signaling the official start of the ceremony. Maya processes as maid of honor, her simple light pink dress complementing the sky. Donny takes his place as my best man, patting my shoulder.
The music changes to “Saturn” by Sleeping At Last. The guests rise, turning toward the house where Emma will emerge.
And then she’s there, and everything else disappears.
Emma in white, simple and perfect, her blonde hair swept up with tiny flowers scattered through the loose pieces that frame her face. Jackson’s arm is linked through hers, but all I can see is her. She’s walking toward me with those steady, sure steps, and when her eyes find mine, the smile that breaks across her face steals my breath.
It’s not possible to look this beautiful. It defies logic, physics, every natural law.
And yet, there she is.
The tears hit me out of nowhere. I don’t even try to stop them. Through the blur, I can see Emma’s crying too, one tear slipping down her cheek as she comes closer.
They reach the arch, and Jackson places Emma’s hand in mine with a nod that somehow manages to be both threatening and approving. “Take care of each other,” he says before taking his seat.
Emma’s fingers tighten around mine, and I realize I haven’t spoken, haven’t moved, haven’t done anything but stare since she appeared.
“Hi,” she whispers, a hint of her sass breaking through. “Still with me, Mitchell?”
“Always,” I manage. “You’re breathtaking.”
The officiant begins the ceremony, but I barely register the words. All I can focus on is Emma’s hand in mine, her green eyes fixed on my face, the reality that soon, she’ll be my wife.
“The couple has prepared their own vows,” the officiant announces, nodding to me first.
I take a deep breath, grateful that Donny presses the small card with my written vows into my hand. Not that I need it. I’ve rehearsed these words a thousand times.
“Emma,” I begin. “When we met again, I was a hockey player with a blown-out knee and a reputation for being impossible to work with. Then you walked into my life, recognized me from a certain party, and proceeded to both heal me and call me on every bit of my bullshit.”
Emma laughs softly, tears already gathering in her eyes again.
“You were supposed to be my physical therapist. Then you became my ‘fake’ girlfriend. And somewhere along the way, you became the most real thing in my life.” I squeeze her hands, needing the physical connection. “You’ve seen me at my best—holding the Stanley Cup after scoring the winning goal. You’ve seen me at my worst—unconscious in a hospital bed after pushing my body too far. And you’ve loved me through all of it, exactly as I am.”
Another tear escapes down her cheek, and I resist the urge to wipe it away.
