Chapter 43 I'm walking hand in hand with Ally towards the front door of Mitch and Andie's row house, and I'm feeling oddly nervous. Ally looks gorgeous in a black sweater dress and boots, and part of me wishes it was just her and me spending a quiet afternoon in her room, taking a pregame nap together-a ritual for us the last few weeks. But this afternoon feels like something bigger than just lunch at my sister's place. It's something new. A fresh start, a new life. Last time Ally and I were here, I was irritated she was in my space and tried my best to ignore her. Now, I want her with me everywhere I go. I want her inside my head, under my skin...surrounding me. The rental car her parents booked when they extended their stay is already parked in the narrow driveway, and I know this is my do-over. Sure, we had a nice lunch together a couple of days ago-but this time, both of our families will be meeting. Which I'm sure means all eyes will be on me and Ally. Penn and Fisher follow closely behind us as I ease the front door open and usher everyone inside. My youngest niece is there waiting, shrieking and running to hug my legs. I let go of Ally's hand so I can pick Harlow up, and my niece leans in and kisses my cheek. Mitch strides around the corner, his eyes softening as he spots me. With Ally's permission, I explained what happened with Tyler, and why I acted the way I did. After hearing me out, Mitch apologized profusely for being so hard on me, then confirmed what Carter said...that he would've done the same thing in my shoes. That he was proud of me. My brother-in-law smiles-well, it's a smile for Mitch Anderson at least-then takes Harlow from me. She swings easily into his arms with a giggle, wrapping her small arms around her father's neck then pressing their faces together. The attention from her brings a real, beaming smile to his face. "Welcome, Ally," he says. "Everyone's out back." "Thanks so much for having us," my girlfriend replies as she takes my hand again and starts dragging me in the direction of the back door. Behind us, I hear Harlow asking Fishy if he has an aquarium in the loft. Ally glances up at me, also hearing the exchange, and we both laugh. As my hand reaches for the door handle of the French doors that lead to the patio, it opens abruptly, and my sister appears. Her hair is pulled into a ponytail, and she's dressed casually in jeans and a white sweater. She smiles at me, her eyes dropping down to me and Ally's joined hands. Andie can barely hide her excitement. I roll my lips to keep from laughing at her as she tries and fails to compose herself. "Hi, you two," she says finally, her voice high and slightly unhinged. "Andie," I say, bringing Ally's hand to my mouth and pressing a small kiss to the back of it. "I know you've met Ally several times. But I'd like to introduce her to you again...as my girlfriend." My sister bounces up and down with a squeal, pulling me into a hug, and then doing the same to Ally. Ally hugs Andie right back. "This is so wonderful," she tells me, then turns to Ally. "Also, your mom is awesome. I think we became best friends about five seconds after meeting." Ally's head falls back as she laughs. "She's pretty awesome." Mitch and Harlow, followed closely by Penn and Fisher, walk toward us-both of my teammates openly gawking as they check out their surroundings. They're still a little stunned they've been invited to "Coach's Lair," as Fisher put it. Mitch leans in to give my sister a disgustingly thorough kiss, which makes my friends' mouths drop open further. "Get it, Coach," Fisher whistles, which earns him a stern glare from Mitch before he opens the door and arches an eyebrow in silent decree for us to head out back. The back deck is arranged for a beautiful outdoor luncheon with a white tablecloth and a floral centerpiece in the middle. Whatever Mitch has going on the grill smells incredible. Paige and Laini are crowding Ally's brother, Jamie-who's way too old for them. While they're staring at him like he hung the moon, he's scowling and crossing his arms. I chuckle, knowing I was just like that at his age. Carter and Lana Mae are seated at the head of the table, and when they see us, they both get up to hug their daughter. Lana Mae then turns and hugs me warmly, and Carter shakes my hand and pats me on the back. We've spent a lot of time together over the last few days, and I love how seamless it feels to be with Ally's family, like I fit right in and belong. It's a chilly November day, but the outdoor heaters are going, and the sun is shining. Mitch gathers the food from the grill onto a large platter while Andie asks everyone what they want to drink. Mitch narrows his eyes at Penn and Fisher. "Only water for the boys. They have a game tonight." Fisher and Penn groan in unison. Once everyone is seated and passing food around the table, I realize I haven't had this since I was a kid, having meals with Mitch's former hockey team-the D.C. Eagles, who we're playing tonight. I've missed the feeling of being surrounded by a big family. A large group of people to share life with. And maybe I could've had this sooner, if I would have opened my heart to it. But Ally was the one to burst into my world and show me what was missing. I think she's the only one who could've shown me that. There's a prickle up my spine, the hairs on my neck standing up. And I swear I can feel Mom and Dad here in this instant, like they're watching over us and enjoying what they see. Seeing their children happy and loved...it's all they ever would've wanted for us. Ally places her hand on my knee under the table, and I look over at her, our eyes meeting. My throat grows thick with a strange and overwhelming emotion. Love. Because of this girl, I have all of these people around me right now. Because of Ally, I know how to love and be loved. She has changed my life...she's changed me, more than she will ever know. "I love you," I whisper to her. Her eyes grow glossy with unshed tears, like she can read my every thought. At this point, I wouldn't even doubt if she could. "I love you too, Noah." Before I remember we're surrounded by family and friends, I lean in and place a soft kiss against her lips. She kisses me back, then smiles against my mouth. Whistles and groans and giggles erupt around the table, and I'm brought back to the present. Mitch is shaking his head but smiling. "There are children present," he teases. Ally's mom claps her hands together, her eyes soft and full of love. "Miss Ally?" Paige pipes up, head tilted as she looks across the table at her dance teacher. Ally smiles. "Yes, sweetheart?" She smiles back with the wide-eyed innocence of a seven-year-old. "Is my Uncle Noah a good kisser?" "Gross!" Jamie exclaims, looking at my niece in horror. Carter and Mitch both snort ill-disguised laughs. Fisher and Penn are less subtle, both hooting out loud. "Yes, Miss Ally, do tell us, as we are all dying to know," Penn says with a huge smirk at my girlfriend. She sticks her tongue out at Penn, then squeezes my hand. "The best." I squeeze back. "Puck, yes, I am." And then, for the hell of it, I kiss her again. That night, during warmups, I make eye contact across the ice with a familiar face-Bruce McBride. He's the D.C. Eagles' starting goalie, a total badass. And someone who's always been in my corner. He beams when he spots me and skates to center ice, clad in his thick layer of goalie gear. "Noah Downsby," he says, removing his helmet. "I've missed you, kid." He pulls me into a hug, and I don't fight it. Bruce is like an uncle to me. "It's good to see you," I say, glancing toward my brother-in-law-Coach Anderson-who's on the bench watching us. "How's the grump treating you?" Bruce asks with a chuckle, the corners of his eyes starting to crinkle with age. His blond hair is sprinkled with silver strands. Bruce must be nearly forty now and about ready to retire. "He's a pretty good coach, actually," I admit. Because despite being brand new to NHL coaching, Mitch Anderson and Sebastian Slater have led us well. The San Francisco Lions are toward the top of the leaderboard for the western conference for the first time in years. "Glad to hear it," Bruce says, securing his helmet back in place. He waves with his goalie glove then turns to head back to his net. "Can't wait to kick your ass tonight, old man," I call to him from across the ice. He stops and turns back toward me with a wicked grin. "We'll see who kicks whose ass." Bruce winks and skates off. I chuckle, skating back to my teammates. That's when I notice Ally has arrived-in my lucky jersey, of course. Her blonde hair is tied back in a matching burgundy ribbon and she looks cute as all hell. Her parents and brother are with her, along with my sister and nieces. They're all wearing Downsby jerseys too, but turquoise Lions ones. Ally looks over at me, and as our eyes meet, I realize that right here, in this moment, I feel complete. And whatever happens tonight, whatever happens this season, or the next, Stanley Cups or no, it doesn't matter... Because I've already won. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!