Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
“I heard the same. Any reason why?”
Elli shakes her head. “Girl, I asked, and he got defensive and walked away. I don’t have time for it. They’ll figure it out.”
“Agreed,” I say. Then I decide to ask what she thinks. “Do you think EMQUINNY is named after the both of them?”
She stops. “Well, hell. It sure does sound like it is. Could that be why they are having issues?”
“I honestly don’t know,” I say, a little sick over it. “I’ll ask the boys when they get here.”
“I’ll ask Stella.”
Just then, before either of us can go asking anyone, the door flies open and Asher comes in, carrying a huge box. My heart sings as he gently sets it down, and I go right for him. He meets me halfway, hugging me tightly as tears gather in my eyes. I squeeze him and take in his scent. Woodsy with a bit of spice. It’s the cologne I got for him for Christmas last year. “Oh, Asher, I’ve missed you.”
He squeezes me. “I missed you too, Mom.”
I pull back as he does and take in all his features. He’s gained a little weight, but it suits him. His eyes are bright and his nose red. You can tell he’s happy. I look at Ally as she comes to me, hugging her too. “Oh, I’ve missed you! How are you?” I gush, and she hugs me tightly.
“Good. Excited to see you,” she says, hugging me again. “Is my mom here?”
On cue, Harper scoops up her daughter, kissing her loudly on the cheek and starting to cry. I wrap my arm around Asher as Lucas comes in for a big, burly hug, basically hugging us both. I watch as Jakob hugs and kisses his daughter, and then both Titovs greet Asher. I am so thankful for how they’ve accepted my son and love him. All of us being together and raising our kids, it seems only normal that they would. But of course, as a mother, you worry for your child.
“So, we got an early Christmas gift for you guys,” Asher says, and then he carefully picks up the nicely wrapped gift and sets it on the table. “Not everyone—just Mom, Dad, Harper, and Jakob. Though everyone will enjoy the present.”
Ally grins widely, going to her husband and cuddling into his side. I can’t believe they ended up together. I’d wished for it since Ally is wonderful, but they always seemed to keep things on a friend level. Oh, how grateful I am. They are so in love. He looks down at his wife and kisses her nose. “You ready?”
She nods eagerly and then walks over to unlock the side of the box. I didn’t even realize it opened like that, but then, none of that matters. As the panel opens, I am confused by what I’m seeing. Harper gasps, and Jakob seems confused. I look at Lucas as he gawks at both Ally and Asher. I just stand there like an idiot, unsure of what I am looking at.
Asher lifts a bucket car seat from the box and brings it out, showing all of us a little bundle of pink. Instantly, I know that’s Asher’s baby. She has his nose.
“Oh my God,” I gasp, and Lucas starts to laugh.
“You put a baby in a box!”
“Whose baby is it!” Harper yells.
“Is it yours?” Lucas asks, and I am speechless.
Asher and Ally look back at us proudly. “Surprise! We’d love to introduce you guys to your granddaughter, Alexis Fallon Harper Brooks,” Ally says, her eyes bright and gorgeous.
And then, it’s complete mayhem. Everyone freaks out, congratulating them and trying to get details. Also, trying to get to the baby.
“When?” Lucas asks.
“Three weeks ago,” Asher answers. “We wanted to surprise everyone, so we kept it a secret.”
“It wasn’t easy,” Ally said happily. “And you don’t know how many times I wanted to call and ask for some kind of guidance, but we knew we wanted to surprise y’all.”
I am utterly dumbfounded as I gaze down at my beautiful granddaughter. I stroke my finger along her cheek, and I’m completely in love. “She’s perfect.”
“She is,” Lucas agrees as we stare down at her.
“Please tell me you’re not traveling anymore,” Harper says, and Asher nods.
“I’m strictly going to work for the Assassins and surrounding rinks.”
Ally adds, “We want to make sure that Alexis has her family around her.”
Tears run down my face as I kiss this sweet baby on her nose. She moves a little but not enough to wake up. I look at my son, and the pride I feel is overwhelming. I want to be mad they hid this, but am I surprised? No. They hid their love for each other, hid their marriage, and now a baby. They’re private, and I can appreciate that. Both grew up with pro hockey-playing dads, so I can get why they’d want to keep things for themselves. Plus, I can’t help but be proud they did it on their own and wanted to surprise us. I move my gaze back to my granddaughter Alexis and my heart soars.