Page 87 of The Cutting Edge
Coco's in the front row. She's on her feet, hollering at the top of her lungs while jumping up and down. The sight of her lifts my spirits. If anyone can will us to victory, it's her.
Beside Coco is Poppy, mimicking her every move. My heart swells with love for the two most important girls in my life. I can't imagine how empty the stands would feel without them tonight. How empty my life would be.
I subtly bring my glove to Coco’s lucky necklace, resting under my jersey, and smile.
At long last, the puck drops and the game is on. We battle back and forth, neither team able to gain the advantage. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Coco and Poppy on the Jumbotron, flashing homemade signs that read "Slashers Rule!" and "Daddy's My MVP!"
They must have made them after I left for practice today.
A surge of determination courses through me. I'm going to win this for them—for my girls. My girls. I love thinking of Coco and Poppy that way, the three of us together. I fly down the ice, intercept a pass, and rifle it top shelf where the goalie can't reach. The arena explodes as my teammates mob me. We're in this.
The rest of the game blurs together in a haze of hard hits and close calls. All that matters is the score. Regulation time runs out with the score knotted at 3. Sudden death overtime.
My legs burn as I chase the puck into the offensive zone. A pass from my winger and the puck is on my stick. I let a slap shot rip and find the back of the net.
Victory.
Itouch Coco's lucky necklace under my jersey as the buzzer sounds. The buzzer blares and the arena erupts. We've done it! The St. Pete Slashers are Stanley Cup champions!
My teammates swarm the ice, helmets and gloves flying. I search the crowd until I find Coco, her eyes shining with tears of joy. She waves her teal pom poms and blows me a kiss. I touch my fingers to my lips and press them against the glass where her hand rests, mirroring the move I made in Philly all those months ago.
Coco laughs, radiant in my jersey.Poppy is jumping up and down like she's spring-loaded, and I blow her a thousand kisses.
The Cup is wheeled onto the ice, the trophy I've dreamed of hoisting since I was a kid. I lead my teammates in skating a victory lap, pumping my fist as the crowd chants, "Slashers! Slashers!"
At center ice, I have the honor of grabbing the Cup first, raising it high above my head. The roar is deafening. I pass it off to my teammates, but my gaze stays fixed on Coco.
She mouths, "I love you," and my heart swells to bursting.
After all the photos have been taken and the champagne sprayed, I make my way to Coco's seat. She throws herself into my arms, and I lift her off her feet, spinning her around.
"You did it," she whispers fiercely. "You won the Cup."
"We did it," I say. "I couldn't have done this without you."
Coco kisses me soundly, and as confetti rains down around us, I know this is a night I will never forget. The taste of victory has never been sweeter.
I break the kiss to nuzzle Coco's neck, breathing in her familiar scent. "Want to get out of here?"
She laughs, pulling back to meet my gaze. "And miss the party? No way."
"We can have our own party." I waggle my eyebrows suggestively, earning myself a playful smack on the arm.
"Behave. We have a long summer ahead of us, mister." Coco kisses the tip of my nose. "Plenty of time for that."
Poppy barrels into us then, throwing her arms around my waist. "Daddy, we won! We really won!"
I scoop her up, balancing her on one hip. "We sure did, sweetheart. What did I tell you?"
"That the Slashers would bring the Cup home," Poppy recites, beaming.
"That’s right, Poppycakes." I kiss the top of her head as the team swarms the ice, their joy infectious.
We stay long into the night, celebrating with friends and family. Poppy conks out on the drive home, confetti still clinging to her hair. I carry her inside and tuck her into bed before joining Coco on the back patio, the sounds of the Bay lapping at the shore.
"Best night ever," Coco says, leaning into my side. She shivers, and I drape my jacket over her shoulders, pulling her close.
"It's only the beginning," I promise, filled with hope and possibility. "The future is ours, babe. And I can't wait to take that journey with you."
