SlapShot Sweetheart (Pucks and Promises #2)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

“You wanna run that by me one more time?” Aimee blinked in disbelief, her gaze flickering between Becca’s bright smile and the attractive woman standing awkwardly nearby. The woman’s expression screamed I wish I could disappear right now, and Aimee couldn’t help but imagine her doing an Olympic-worthy swan dive into the nearest exit.

“This is… um, was… Theo’s maid,” Becca said, her excitement bubbling over like soda in a shaken can. “I thought it’d be good to introduce you so things wouldn’t get weird.”

“Oh, they’re definitely weird,” Aimee muttered, crossing her arms as she focused on the maid. “Theo never mentioned having a maid - or did he? Are you like a cleaning lady type or one of those French maids in the sexy outfits? Because if there’s a uniform involved, let’s just say the chances of me walking down that aisle today are going to plummet faster than a lead weight in water.”

“Ugh, no!” The woman recoiled, her eyes wide with horror, as if Aimee had suggested something utterly preposterous. “You might like mouthy, smart-aleck guys, but we had an agreement. I only worked at the house when he was gone because, for a slob who doesn’t own much, he’s ridiculously picky.”

Aimee raised an eyebrow. “Wow, not the nicest thing to say about your boss. You really think he’s that high-maintenance?”

“He’s not my boss anymore,” the woman shot back, a hint of defiance in her voice.

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to tell you!” Becca bounced on her toes, flapping her hands in excitement as if she were about to dive into a pile of gifts at Christmas. “She’s not working for Theo anymore because now she’s working for Coeur!”

Aimee chuckled, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, what’s your name? I’ll make sure to include you in my prayers.”

“Irene,” the woman replied, her frown deepening into a scowl. “And trust me, I could use them, but for very different reasons.”

“Oh?” Aimee leaned in, curiosity piqued. “What’s going on there?”

“Nothing,” Irene replied, crossing her arms defensively.

“Oh, but this gets even better!” Becca exclaimed, practically dancing with excitement.

“Better? Besides the fact that it’s my wedding day?” Aimee asked, skepticism lacing her tone.

“Boucher got married yesterday afternoon!” Becca practically shouted, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Aimee’s water, which she’d been sipping calmly just seconds before, suddenly erupted from her mouth in a spray, launching like a fountain toward the two women, who ducked just in time.

“Oh my gosh!” Irene squeaked, her eyes wide.

“Hey! Watch the hair!” Becca yelped, trying to brush the stray droplets off her face.

Aimee gasped for air, coughing and sputtering as she pointed at her throat mid-choke. “Did you just say…?”

“Boucher got married!” Becca repeated, her voice high-pitched with excitement. “Travis and Lafreniére came up with the idea, and the right person just happened to drop into Thierry’s lap. I mean, I thought there would be some sort of dramatic confrontation—shouting, tears, maybe even a few colorful words exchanged—but all Travis said was that Boucher just twitched an eye and nodded like it was all perfectly normal.”

“You. Are. Kidding. Me,” Aimee said, her jaw dropping.

“Nope! That little hellion screaming and running around? Those are his stepchildren now.”

Aimee’s eyes went wide. “Have you called CPS? Because this is starting to sound like a bad sitcom!”

“Aimee, he’s not that bad!” Becca laughed, though her smile quickly faded, replaced by a thoughtful frown. “I mean, at least that’s what Travis says. I can’t picture him as a stepfather, but when you’re backed into a corner...”

“That ‘corner’ involves shaping the minds of young children, Becca! You know he’s a wild card, right?”

He’s a good person,” Becca retorted, crossing her arms and looking more confident.

“Firmly against marriage!” Aimee countered, a teasing glint in her eyes.

“Aren’t they all at some point?” Becca laughed, her tone playful. “No offense, Irene.”

“None taken,” Irene replied with a smirk, finally relaxing a bit. “But seriously, this could be interesting. Maybe this Boucher-guy will surprise us all.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t hold my breath,” Aimee said, shaking her head, though a smile tugged at her lips. “But at least it’s shaping up to be one heck of a wedding day.”

As the three women stood there amidst the chaos of the wedding day, Aimee couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a wild ride. The air buzzed with excitement, punctuated by the distant notes of a string quartet warming up, their music weaving through the chatter of guests and the clattering of preparations. She glanced around the bustling venue, where florists made last-minute adjustments to elaborate centerpieces and family members dashed back and forth, each person carrying a piece of the day’s intricate puzzle.

“Time to go,” Becca said, breaking through Aimee’s swirling thoughts. She nodded toward Irene, who still looked a bit lost in the flurry of activity. “We’ll meet you at the doorway to the sanctuary. Just follow the sound of the music.”

Aimee sighed, her nerves twisting like a coiled spring in her stomach. “I should have eloped,” she muttered, half-joking but feeling the weight of the sentiment.

“Most of us say the same thing when we’re nervous,” Becca reassured her, placing a comforting hand on Aimee’s shoulder. “Whatever you’re feeling is completely normal. Just remember—we’re practically family now, and we’ve got your back.”

“Sorry, Irene,” Aimee added, turning her attention back to the maid, who was fidgeting nervously.

“No need,” Irene hedged, her voice barely above a whisper. Aimee noticed her twisting a delicate silver-looking ring around her finger, the motion betraying her anxiety. It caught the light, glimmering like a tiny beacon amid the chaos. Without thinking, Aimee reached out and gently grabbed the woman’s hand, a gesture of solidarity and encouragement - and the fact that she caught her red-handed.

But the moment Aimee touched her, she felt Irene’s eyes widen in horror, and the woman shook her head vehemently, yanking her hand away as if Aimee had set it on fire. “No, no,” she said quickly, her voice tinged with panic. “I’m fine! Really.”

“Irene, you coming?” Becca called out, glancing back with an encouraging smile, her tone warm and inviting.

“Yup,” Irene replied, pulling her hands to her sides and taking a small step back, her posture stiffening. “It’s nice to meet you, Aimee. And you look beautiful.” Her voice was genuine, but Aimee caught a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.

“Thank you! We’ll be talking again,” Aimee said, determined to keep the door open for a connection, her voice upbeat despite her own nervousness.

“I’m sure,” Irene replied, her smile wavering as she turned to follow Becca, but Aimee could still see the flicker of apprehension in her expression.

As the two women walked away, Aimee couldn’t help but feel a mix of sympathy and curiosity. Irene seemed caught in her own whirlwind, much like Aimee, and perhaps they were both just trying to navigate the complexities of unexpected relationships on a day meant for joy.

Taking a deep breath, Aimee steadied herself, her heart racing as the music swelled, signaling that the ceremony was about to begin. This was it—no turning back now. With each passing moment, the anticipation grew, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that today would be filled with surprises, not just for her but for everyone involved.

She took a moment to gather her thoughts, letting the melody wash over her, grounding her amidst the swirling chaos. This day was not just about the vows she was about to take; it was about the connections she would forge, the laughter and memories that would fill the air, and perhaps even the unexpected alliances that could change everything.

With renewed determination, Aimee took a deep breath and stepped forward, her heart racing with a blend of excitement and nerves. As she positioned herself behind her bridesmaids, a lively group of her closest friends, and the rugged hockey players who served as Theo’s groomsmen, a sudden commotion outside drew her attention. She had initially protested the idea of having security at their wedding, convinced it would take away from the intimacy of the day. But now, witnessing the bustling photographers and the chaos unfolding through the glass doors leading to the parking lot, she couldn’t help but feel a wave of relief. This wedding, pieced together at lightning speed, was turning out to be beautifully chaotic—just like their love story.

The soft strains of the string quartet filled the air, weaving a tapestry of sound that wrapped around her like a comforting embrace. Aimee swallowed hard, feeling a swell of emotion as the grand doors to the sanctuary swung open. There, at the front of the church, stood Theo, his dark gaze locking onto hers. The intensity in his eyes sent a jolt of warmth coursing through her. Pride radiated from his expressive face, his smile illuminating the entire room and making her heart flutter with joy. Aimee had never imagined she would find someone so wonderful who would choose her, and now, the thought of life without him felt utterly impossible.

With trembling hands, she cradled her bouquet of delicate pink roses, their sweet fragrance mingling with the scent of the polished wooden pews. The team’s coach, a steady presence who had supported each player at different moments, stepped beside her to walk her down the aisle. Although she barely knew him, she felt comforted by his reassuring demeanor, knowing he had been a mentor and father figure to the men she had come to adore. As he began to move, she felt a sense of pride wash over her—this moment was a testament to the family they had all built together.

As they made their way to the pulpit, Aimee’s heart soared. She turned to Theo, her breath hitching at the sight of him. The love shining in his eyes was palpable, and as he smiled at her, she could see the flicker of unshed tears threatening to spill over. His throat worked with emotion, and she felt a knot tighten in her own chest, the gravity of the moment overwhelming her senses.

“All?, ma belle ame s?ur,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion as a single tear streaked down his cheeks. The sight of him vulnerable and open made her heart swell with fierce affection, and she fought back the tears welling in her own eyes.

“I never realized I was waiting to hear those very words,” Aimee replied, her voice trembling as she struggled to keep the emotion at bay.

“You’ll never have to wait again, I promise you,” he said, his sincerity wrapping around her like a warm blanket, making her feel cherished and safe.

“You know I hate waiting,” she teased lightly, trying to inject a bit of humor to ease the intensity of the moment.

“Isn’t it worth the wait sometimes?” he countered, a glimmer of mischief dancing in his eyes.

Aimee couldn’t help but smile, her heart swelling with love. “In this case, I would wait for you forever.”

As the words left her lips, the world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them standing at the precipice of forever. In that moment, surrounded by family and friends, with the promise of a beautiful future stretching before them, Aimee knew she had found her home in her hockey player’s heart.