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WHATEVER LIFE THROWS AT YOU – m. tkachuk

epilogue: ALWAYS BEEN YOU

warning(s): some language, mentions of sex, mentions of pregnancy, *multiple time skips, aka you see events from 2024 and also 2025 in this chapter!*

summary: caroline and matt have finally found themselves on the same page regarding their relationship and with that stressor behind, they're free to spend time with each other and their families, while trying to work around their situation once the summer ends and their separate day to day lives come back in full swing. six months after the conference championship, caroline had a sudden realization that changes everything and come the following fall, she and ethan find themselves adjusting to a big change, but one that's worth leaving everything behind for.

word count: 21, 293

an: and this marks the end of the main story of wltay! there will be numerous bonus chapters, especially some for events mentioned in this chapter that weren't in further detail, so don't panic! the first bonus chapter will be an au of ch 7 and then the rest of the bonus chapters will be regarding the lives of caroline, matt and ethan down the road! thank you to everyone who's read this story, it really means a lot and i love you for even taking the time to read. please enjoy!

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June 15th-16th, 2024

“Ethan, get over here!”

“Nuh-uh, no way!” Ethan replied, standing beneath a tree with Brady by his side, feet away from where the rest of their families were standing with the lake in the background.

“Brady, shove my kid over here, will you?” Matt yelled, pointing at Ethan.

“Nope, we’re not coming anywhere near that thing!” Brady replied, pointing at the small, round table that their families were surrounded by, with none other than the most coveted prize in the NHL resting on top of it. “Sorry, but you’re taking the picture without us.”

“That doesn’t even–” Matt huffed before turning to Caroline with a pleading look. “Can you please get him before I take them out on the boat and leave them stranded in the lake?”

Caroline nodded, moving from her spot beside him and walking over to the shady tree where Brady and Ethan were standing. “Alright, what’s going on here?” She sighed, crossing her arms as she stood in front of them. “Why won’t you two get into the picture?”

“I can’t go near it, Momma! If I do, I won’t win it one day.” Ethan whined, eyes drifting back over to the cup. “So BeeBee and I are gonna stand right here until you guys are done.”

“Who told you that if you go near it you won’t win the Stanley Cup?”

“It’s common knowledge, Line!” Brady protested, crossing his arms. “If you touch it before you earn it, you’ll never win it. And I’m not taking any chances.”

“Me either,” Ethan nodded in agreement, his eyes taking another quick glimpse at the coveted cup just a ways away.

“I’m sure that’s not totally true,” she replied, letting her arms fall to her side. “There’s got to be some players out there who touched the cup as a kid or something and won it as an adult.”

“Oh yeah? Name one!” Ethan replied, crossing his arms and copying Brady.

“Hey, why are we standing beneath the tree?” Rob asked, walking over with a beer in his hand. “Aren’t we supposed to be taking Matt’s big family Stanley Cup picture?”

“Perfect, just the person I needed,” Caroline smiled, looking at Rob. “You won a Stanley Cup, tell Ethan that if he goes and takes a picture with it, that doesn’t mean he won’t ever win it.”

“Are you kidding?” Rob laughed, shaking his head as he pointed at Brady. “He and Matt wouldn’t even stand in the same room as the cup when I had it for the day.”

“See!” Ethan whined again, pointing off at Matt. “If Dad didn’t take a picture with Rob’s Stanley Cup, why do I have to take one with his? He’s trying to ruin my chances.”

“You’re being dramatic, Ethan,” Caroline sighed, looking at Rob. “You’re telling me that not a single person has touched or taken a picture with the Stanley Cup before and then won it later on?”

“Oh yeah,” Rob nodded, taking a long sip of his beer. “I know of two people actually. Oshie and Shattenkirk. I’m pretty sure there are pictures of them as kids floating around on the internet somewhere with the cup. Shattenkirk even posted it after he won the cup.”

“Thank you,” she replied, turning back to Ethan and Brady. “See? Your chances aren’t ruined now please get in the picture with your Dad. It would really mean a lot to him, plus it's Father’s Day so it’d mean even more.”

Ethan looked back at the cup, the desire to stand near it was written all over his face before he looked back at her sighing as he uncrossed his arms. “Okay, I’ll get in the picture.”

“What?!” Brady gasped, looking down at Ethan. “Dude, we made a pact! You can’t go back on a pact just because your Mommy says you have to!”

“Braeden Tkachuk!” Keith’s voice bellowed, Brady’s eyes widening in response. “Get over here now. If you don’t want to stand next to the cup, stand away from it, but you’re getting in your brother’s picture. He’d do it for you if you won the cup.”

“That’s debatable!” Matt chimed in, holding up his hand.

“Matthew!” Chantal said, giving him a look before looking over at them. “Come on you four, time for the picture before we say goodbye to the cup later.”

“At least my Mom didn’t use my whole first name,” Ethan teased, smiling at Brady as they started to walk towards where everyone was grouped up.

“Your whole first name is literally Ethan, dude,” Brady replied, nudging Ethan ahead of him by the back of his head.

“But she still didn’t use my whole name. That means you got in trouble, not me,” Ethan replied, turning around and walking backward. “I’m too cute to get in trouble.”

“Keep talking and we’ll see who ends up thrown in the lake,” Brady replied, taking a step towards Ethan to get him and acting like he was going to grab him.

Ethan spun around and ran the rest of the way towards Matt and everyone else, never looking back. “DAD HELP, BEEBEE SAID HE'S GONNA THROW ME IN THE LAKE!”

“Nobody likes a snitch!” Brady said, sticking his tongue out at Ethan as he walked by, staying as far away from the cup as he could before settling besides Emma, who was standing at the end of the table that was furthest away from the cup.

“Brady, shut up and take the picture. You’ve already delayed it enough,” Matt replied, standing in the middle of the table and directly behind the cup as Caroline settled in on his right, wrapping an arm around her waist as Ethan stood in front of them both, his eyes never leaving the big shiny cup.

The last three weeks since that final game of the Western Conference Championship game have been one big whirlwind. With the school year wrapping up, Matt going back to Calgary with the Flames to start preparing for the Stanley Cup Finals, and both Matt and Caroline in a sort of limbo with each other regarding their feelings– it was kind of a lot for them to manage, but they somehow did it anyway. It was only a few days after the Flames championship win that the Islanders won the Eastern Conference and would be playing for the Stanley Cup as well.

As promised, once the school year ended– Caroline and Ethan both were joining along with the Tkachuk clan to both Calgary and New York to watch Matt and the Flames play. That first game of the Stanley Cup Finals was in Calgary, and this time, instead of staying in a hotel for the four days and three nights that they were there. And after dinner, when they went back to the apartment with Matt, they were each given an all too familiar jacket that Caroline had recognized as ones she saw WAGS and the kids wearing the last time they were at a game in Calgary– only this time, they had Matt’s 19 in big red numbered patches, his last name across the back and all little tiny details about Calgary on the front of the jacket.

Matt had reached out to Meredith, Johnny’s wife, who apparently made the jackets this year and had asked if there was any way he could get two more, the moment he dropped them off at the airport. He paid extra to get them there faster and according to him, they were sitting in his locker that first practice back after winning the conference. Ethan was excited about wearing it, asking if he could still wear his jersey too, to which Matt told him yes. While Caroline was still a little wary of wearing it, for while she had Matt had pretty much agreed that somewhere down the line they would be in a relationship– it was the ‘somewhere down the line’ that stressed her out the most and was making her feel as if she didn’t quite deserve the wives and girlfriends jacket, considering well...she wasn’t one. But Matt had shut her down and told her not to think too much into it and to just enjoy the jacket because either way...the title was hers.

Caroline and Ethan stayed with Matt at his apartment for those four days and three nights they were in Calgary, Matt and Caroline sharing his room while Ethan took the guest room, though on the first night he was adamant on staying with them in Matt’s room. The rest of their stay there, by the time they got back to Matt’s apartment, he was either fast asleep or way too tired to even fight about being put to bed in the guest bedroom. Matt and Caroline weren’t doing anything physical by any means, there were no crossing lines within these last three weeks– but once Matt came home from Calgary with a Stanley Cup win four days earlier, it wasn’t his parents’ house that he settled into...it was Caroline’s.

And perhaps, the small action blurring that simple, drawn-out line...was Caroline greeting Matt with a kiss down on the ice once he had won the Stanley Cup. Way too overcome with happiness and tears after witnessing him accomplish his childhood dream– it just happened.

From that moment on, there were plenty of close moments of holding hands, small kisses, a simple arm around the waist or over the shoulder. Matt was pretty much living in her house down the block from his parents. Even on his day with the cup, when cameras showed up at his parent's house, he walked in with Caroline and Ethan in tow. They tagged along as he took the cup to Chaminade, allowing the community to come see the coveted cup and even take a picture with him if they wanted. All four of Caroline’s hockey boys came to congratulate Matt and of course, see the Stanley Cup.

As the day drew to a close, they ended up down at the Tkachuk’s lake house, where it would be just the family spending time together and with the cup. For most of the day, the fact that it was Father’s Day tomorrow had been on the back burner, but it was something that Ethan had always reminded Caroline of because he had worked extra hard on his gift for Matt– especially now that he knew who the Father’s Day gifts were going to. With the school year done, the season at an end and everyone was able to relax...they would spend the rest of their week out at the lake house, soaking up each other's presence and spending much precious time together.

Gone were the days that Taryn and Caroline shared a room while Matt, Brady, and Andrew shared one– both parents getting their own bedrooms as well– because now, it was a whole different situation. With it being Ethan’s first time at the lake house, he wanted the full experience...which meant he was adamant on sleeping down in the basement. So, Brady and Emma got a room, Andrew slept on the couch in the living room, while Taryn and Cameron– who were now officially dating– had another room, and Matt, Caroline, and Ethan would all sleep down in the basement on either the pullout or the oversized round swivel chair...to which Ethan already laid claim to.

In the few hours they had left with the cup, Caroline watched as the media that Matt had allowed to tag along took videos and pictures of Matt and Ethan eating ice cream out of it. Matt had waved her to join and she was hesitant to do so, not wanting to impede on the celebration, but Matt insisted and suddenly Caroline found herself sitting on the other side of Ethan, the three of them enjoying the ice cream out of the cup.

Out of everyone who had the hardest time saying goodbye when the cup was cleaned and taken away, Caroline was surprised to see that it wasn’t Matt, but Ethan instead. Even trying to convince Matt that they should go visit Sam so they could spend time with him and the cup again. Instead, Matt just took his mind off of it by gauging interest in going out onto the lake and watching some fireworks shoot off instead.

And then, Ethan spent the rest of the night asking Matt and Caroline if he could make an Instagram so he could post the pictures with the Stanley Cup– waiting at least ten to fifteen minutes to ask again after every no they gave him.

The next morning, Caroline had the job of waking up early and maneuvering her way out from underneath Matt’s arm so she could get off of the couch and wake Ethan up too, the both of them going upstairs to meet up with Taryn, Brady, Chantal, Andrew, Emma, and her own Mom in the kitchen so they could help prepare for that Father’s Day breakfast. In normal tradition, the two families started out their mornings at their own homes before Keith, Brady, and Matt came together with her Dad and Andrew to go out golfing somewhere. But since they weren’t home and instead, at the lake house this year, the usual golf outing would be replaced by a day on the lake with everyone around. Keith came downstairs first, then her Dad second, each being greeted with Happy Father’s Day wishes.

“Can we go wake him up now?” Ethan sighed, holding up the gift bag containing Matt’s gift. “He can’t sleep forever.”

“Let him sleep, Ethan. He’s still recovering after the series,” she laughed, brushing the long curls off of his forehead. “He’s not going anywhere, I promise.”

“Fine,” Ethan huffed as he leaned against the back of his empty chair at the dining room table, everyone else mingling in between the kitchen and dining room, waiting for Matt to get up before they start breakfast.

“Caroline, Ethan, why don’t you guys go see if Matthew is up,” Keith said, walking out from the kitchen with a mimosa in hand. “He shouldn’t sleep through his first Father’s Day and if he needs a nap, he can take one on the boat.”

Ethan turned towards Caroline with a big smile, holding up the bag. “See? Can we go now pleaseeeeee?”

“Fine, come on,” she replied, nodding her head towards the basement door.

Ethan ran ahead of her to the door as she followed behind, he opened the door and waited for her to be right behind him before he made his way down the stairs, Caroline slowly following behind. When they reached the bottom of the steps, she could see Matt was still lying down on his stomach on the pullout couch, looking as if he hadn’t moved since they left him to go upstairs.

“Go ahead,” she whispered, nudging Ethan towards the couch as she stood back by the chair Ethan had claimed as his makeshift bed.

He walked towards the couch, poking at Matt’s back. “Daddddddddddd,” he whispered, getting no response. “Wake upppp, Papa Walt says you have to.”

Matt mumbled incoherently in response as he shifted, grabbing the pillow Caroline had been using and pulling it beneath his head, exhaling heavily as he stayed asleep.

Ethan huffed, walking around the couch to the empty spot Caroline had occupied and climbed up onto the pullout, sitting back on his heels and nudging Matt’s arm. “Momma says you have to get up or she won’t be friends with you anymore.”

“Ethan!” Caroline whispered, giving him a look.

“Hmph, well tell Momma that she should be willing to look past that since I already forgot all about her almost kicking me last night,” Matt mumbled, keeping his head pressed against the pillow.

“Too bad I’m already looking past you freezing me to death with your feet.” Caroline laughed, leaning against the swivel chair.

Matt pushed himself up onto his hands before rolling himself over and propping himself up against the pillows behind him, rubbing his hands down his face as he yawned to wake up. “Okay, okay, I’m up.”

“Happy Father’s Day!” Ethan smiled, holding out the gift bag to him. “We made you, Grandpa, and Papa Walt breakfast upstairs, but you can open your present now if you want.”

“A present?” Matt asked, looking into the gift bag. “Is it another game puck from your season? I might start a collection of those.”

“Nope, you just have to look inside and find out.” Ethan smiled.

Matt took the tissue paper out of the bag, resting it beside him as he reached in and grabbed the green box of personalized Titleist golf balls and a small blue book titled “things I love about Dad, a book by” with Ethan’s name in the blank spot.

“The golf balls are personalized,” Ethan said, pointing at the green box. “They have your name on them and the St. Louis flag and you should look underneath your name, too.”

Matt laughed, taking the lid off of the box and grabbing one of the golf balls, holding it in his hand. “2024 Stanley Cup Champion,” he smiled, looking up at them. “How did you get that added on so quickly?”

“Andrew’s best friends’ Dad has a side business,” Caroline replied. “He was able to get them done for us pretty fast.”

“And this,” Matt said, holding up the book and turning to Ethan. “I’ll have to go through this later. Because right now, I can hear your stomach growling and if you’re anything like Mom, you’ll start getting hangry in less than a minute. But I can already tell you right now that I love it and I love the golf balls, so thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Ethan smiled as Matt put the gifts back into the bag and set it on the table beside the pullout before opening his arms as Ethan crawled onto his lap and hugged him. “I love you, Daddy and this is the best first Father’s Day ever.”

“I love you too, E,” Matt replied, kissing the side of his head before tapping him on the back. “Alright, let’s get upstairs so we can drown our pancakes in syrup.”

“How did you know we made pancakes?” Ethan asked, eyes wide. “Who told you?”

“It’s tradition, Ethan,” Caroline laughed as Ethan got off of Matt’s lap and walked over. “MiMi always makes her pancakes for Papa Walt, while Grandma makes her yummy mimosas.”

“Can I have a yummy mimosa this year?” He smiled, looking back and forth between them.

“You can have a sip of mine,” Matt said, getting up off of the couch and stretching. “But only a small sip.”

“Okay, I’ll go get our glass!” Ethan replied, scrambling off of the pullout and rushing by Caroline.

“I said a small sip!” Matt called out, shaking his head. “It’s still my glass!”

“He’s like you,” she laughed, standing up straight as Matt walked over to her. “You used to always take big bites or big sips of my food or drink even though you promised it would only be a small one.”

Matt rolled his eyes, walking over to her. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. Let’s just go upstairs.”

“Actually,” she said, holding her arm out in front of him to stop him from walking by her. “I have one more gift for you...two, actually.”

“Not saying that I don’t like every gift you give me,” he spoke, letting his eyes slowly drift up her body. “But am I going to really like this gift? Does it involve a certain eight-year-old crashing on the couch with a certain nineteen-year-old?”

“No, it’s not,” she replied, rolling her eyes before bringing a separate gift bag out from behind her back and holding it out. “This is my gift for you for your first official Father’s Day. Well...gifts, but if you don’t like one of them, I can always take it.”

“I’m sure it’s great.” He replied, grabbing the bag from her and opening it, reaching in and grabbing a plastic envelope with a small star map inside. “Whoa, what’s this? It has Ethan’s name on it…”

“It’s a constellation map of what the sky looked like right when he was born.” She replied, pointing down at the bottom. “I don’t know why I picked it, I thought it was something you’d like cause I know how much you liked to layout at the lake house or the beach house and just stare at the stars.”

“I love it,” he said, looking at it for a moment longer before putting it back into the bag. “But you have to promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“That we get the same one when we have more kids, that way they all have one.” He smiled, reaching in and grabbing the second present, which was wrapped in brown paper.

“How about we take it one step at a time first,” she laughed, holding the bag for him as he started to unwrap it. “But okay, I promise.”

“Perfect. We can hang them up in the living room of our future home, or even in the main hallway.” He smiled as he unwrapped the medium-sized canvas, placing the wrapping down on the pullout beside him before turning it over and taking in the present.

There was a picture that Chantal had taken on the ice after Matt had won the Stanley Cup. It was of Matt and Ethan from the side, with Ethan standing in front of Matt, wearing the playoff jacket and his Tkachuk jersey underneath. Matt had the Stanley Cup championship shirt draped over his right shoulder and was placing the hat on top of Ethan’s head with his left hand, both of them smiling. The way Ethan looked up at Matt with the adoration in his eyes mirrored just the way she remembered young Matt looking up at his own Dad. And the love she could see, even coming from the partial view of Matt’s eyes– those two things alone, besides the fact that two of her favorite people were in the picture...was enough to make it her favorite.

So, once Chantal showed her the picture, she asked for her to send it to her, and then Caroline sent it to Heather, asking if she could put it onto a canvas so that Matt could have it and maybe even hang it up in his apartment if he wanted to. Heather even made Chantal and Keith a copy, as well as Caroline’s parents.

“Wow,” Matt breathed out softly, shaking his head as he took in the picture. “You know what’s weird about this? There’s a picture my Dad has in his office from his last game where I’m looking at him just like how E’s looking at me...it’s,” he blinked, shaking his head. “It’s surreal.”

“What is? That you’re a great Dad? That your son absolutely idolizes you?” She asked, tilting the canvas down so she could look at it. “Because you are a great Dad, Matt. And Ethan loves and idolizes you so much. And I know sometimes it’s hard to be able to see that from your own point of view, so...I thought you might want to see it for yourself.”

Matt exhaled again, looking at the canvas before putting it down softly onto the couch and hugging her tightly. “I love it, thank you Care.”

“Happy Father’s Day, Matty.” She replied, smiling up at him softly. “I’m sorry it took so long for you to finally have one.”

“No, no, none of that,” he replied, kissing the top of her head before looking down at her. “All that matters is this one and every one after that. No more focusing on the past, okay? Because as far as I’m concerned, I’ve got seven years of Father’s Days gifts tucked away in a bin, so I’ve never missed one. Yeah, this one is my favorite by far, but next year will be my favorite and the one after that and so on and so on.”

“You mean it?” She asked, a small frown on her face. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better or anything?”

“Absolutely mean it,” he nodded, kissing her forehead again before pulling out of the hug. “The only downside is, I don’t know how I’m going to outdo you for Mother’s Day or how you’re going to outdo yourself for next year.”

Caroline laughed as the two of them bumped into each other and made their way to the bottom of the stairs. “It’s not a competition, Matt. You don’t have to outdo me.”

“It’s the competitiveness in me, what can I say?” He laughed, resting his hand on the small of her back to nudge her up the stairs ahead of him. When they reached the top, he grabbed her hand, stopping her from moving further. “Hey Care?”

“Hm?” She asked, looking back at him.

“I…” he took a deep breath and sighed, smiling softly. “I’m really happy we sort of figured everything out...you know?”

“Yeah,” she nodded, smiling at him. “I know.”

July 12th, 2024

She still couldn’t believe it– Brady was getting married.

The little platinum blonde, bright blue-eyed, curly-headed boy who used to tug on her pigtails during play fights, sneak them extra popsicles on hot summer days, and who used to hit her in the shins during mini-sticks...was now a 24– soon to be 25 in a few short months– year-old man, getting married to his other half, Emma.

Caroline still remembered when Brady brought Emma around that first time he came home for the summer, Matt was still in Calgary and Brady had wrapped up the season and school year in Boston. Caroline was bringing Ethan, who was two, by to see Chantal, Keith, and Taryn– not knowing that Brady had come home yet until he answered the door and let her in– Emma was sitting on the couch talking to Chantal and Caroline could see just how easily she fit in and meshed well with the Tkachuks. She learned from Brady that he and Emma had met on campus and the two became fast friends before it turned into dating a few short weeks later.

And now here they were, seven years later and Caroline was in their wedding party as one of Emma’s bridesmaids, while Matt was Brady’s best man and Ethan, was, of course, the ring bearer. While normally in the procession, the Best Man and Maid of Honor would walk together down the aisle, since Emma’s Maid of Honor was married to one of Brady’s groomsmen, they walked down the aisle together instead, while Matt had walked with Caroline.

Maybe it really was so the Maid of Honor could walk with her husband or maybe it was because Brady and Emma both were trying to nudge Caroline and Matt to take that next step in their relationship like everyone in their family and friends circle had been since last month at the lake house. For once, Ethan wasn’t the number one culprit in trying to get them to date– he was just happy that Matt was around every day.

But at this event, this beautiful and magical wedding that Caroline felt blessed enough to even be a part of– it was all about Brady and Emma and she loved celebrating them more than anyone else. And sitting at a nearby table to the Sweethearts table, surrounded by the rest of the bridal party and the Bride and Groom’s parents, another table over, Caroline was able to see and feel the immense amount of love in the room.

And she would absolutely be lying if it wasn’t making her sappy and emotional because she loved weddings just as much as she loved Valentine’s Day and also seeing Brady all grown up and dressed in a deep navy blue suit with Emma wearing a beautiful white dress beside him– it just made it all the sweeter.

“You know that they’re getting ready to take off, right?” Matt asked, coming up beside Caroline’s chair and resting his hands against the back of his beside her.

“Mhhm, they handed out the sparklers just a bit ago.” Caroline nodded down at the packaged sparkler in front of her, the packaging giving a time to line up just outside and that someone would be there to light them for them.

“Which means the night is coming to an end…”

“I hope so,” she laughed, placing her glass down in front of her and shifting in her chair, tugging up on her deep coral-colored bridesmaid dress and poking out her left foot, still wearing her nude heels. “My feet are starting to kill me and the Moscato only helps so much.”

“We can take care of that later,” Matt said, grabbing onto both hands and tugging her up onto her feet. “But right now, we’re going to dance before the wedding ends.”

“But my feet,” she pouted, letting Matt hold onto her hand as he led them onto the ballroom floor.

“I’ll rub your feet tonight and tomorrow,” he stopped in the middle of the dance floor and wrapped his right arm around her waist, pulling her into him as he held onto her right hand with his left. “But right now, we’re dancing. Capiche?”

“You’re not sleeping at your parents’ place tonight?” She asked, resting her left arm on his right arm and placing her hand on his shoulder.

“Oh no, definitely not. Ethan is, but not me. I’m staying with you in your room.”

“Matthew,” she rolled her eyes as he smiled. “We’re not crossing that line.”

“I know, I know,” he replied, sighing. “The one time when we got back from the lake house was bad enough, but I sure as hell don’t regret it. What’s a Stanley Cup celebration without some Stanley Cup celebration sex, hm?”

Caroline shook her head, resting her forehead against his shoulder so he couldn’t see her blush. It wasn’t intentional– her and Matt sleeping together– it really was sort of an accident...that involved being way too drunk from brunch with Brady and Emma that first weekend back from the lake house. They all ended up crashing at Brady and Emma’s place, and while Emma attempted to take a shower while Matt and Brady ordered food, Caroline was supposed to be taking a nap in their guest room.

Until Matt came walking in and cuddled up behind her and the soft kiss against her cheek, turned into a kiss on the mouth, then the hands got involved and before they knew it, the tension was high and they were naked, in each other's arms and under the covers being woken up by a slightly less drunk Brady a few minutes later, who came to announce that the pizza was there and that Matt was going to pay to have the sheets and comforter cleaned.

Since then, they haven’t crossed the line. The small touches, lingering hugs, and simple kisses were fine to them. Matt could stay the night and sleep in her bed with her and that was fine too– but sex was a no-go. Even while the being around each other was enough to solidify her feelings, it was the sex that would make her want to skip out on the hard work she was putting in with Moira in working through her issues from the past.

And that was something she was adamant about working on, for everyone’s sakes– but more specifically, her own and her little family’s.

“I’m more than okay with just sleeping beside you for the night, no sex needed.” He whispered, resting his head beside hers. “Just something to get used to once we finally figure everything out, because when we do, I can guarantee you that when I’m home for the summer that I’ll be sleeping over at your place.”

“You haven’t considered getting your own place here yet for the summers?”

Matt shrugged, trying to hide the sheepish smile on his face. “I’ll admit that I’ve been looking at a few places in the neighborhood, but I’m not looking to buy until we get everything settled.”

“And by settled you mean…”

“Definitely you and me in a relationship of course, duh.”

“I thought we were starting over, hm?” She laughed, looking at him.

“I mean, we don’t have to start way over...right? I’m pretty sure we don’t have to take it as slow as you and doucheface were. I’ve stayed over plenty of times, you and Ethan literally stayed at my apartment back in Calgary, I’m moving into a three-bedroom apartment in September so that when you guys do visit, E has his own room, plus we have years of history together. How much do we really need to start over with besides the obvious?” He asked, spinning her out before bringing her back in.

“You live in Calgary nine months out of the year, Matt. So what are we talking about here?” She asked, stopping him from spinning her out again. “Living together for three months here every summer in St. Louis where we’re vacationing some of the time? Or living together twelve months out of the year, both in Calgary and St. Louis?”

Matt paused, looking at her as he rested both hands at the small of her back. “It’s whatever you want to do, Care. You and E made a really solid foundation here and it wouldn’t be the first time a player lives somewhere different than his family for the season. I’ll do whatever’s best for you both.”

“Sounds like you’ve got more than just dating in mind there, Matthew,” she spoke softly, a teasing smile on her face.

“The tradition is that the people who catch the bouquet and the garter get married next, right?” He smiled.

“Does it really count if the toss was fixed?”

“Pft, of course, it does!” He said, dipping her down slowly as he smiled and brought her back up. “Besides, who said it was fixed?”

“I don’t know,” she smiled, the song coming to an end as they stayed on the dance floor. “Maybe it was Taryn shooing everyone else away from us in the circle?”

Matt rolled his eyes as he held her hand and the two of them walked back to their table. “What my sister does is her own thing. But I can promise you I didn’t set it up.” He pulled her chair out, scooting it back in once she sat down before sitting down next to her and turning towards her in his chair. “But back to your original question, yes. I’ve definitely got more than dating in mind.”

Caroline reached for her glass of Moscato and took a sip, savoring the taste before looking at him. “You know...when we were walking down the aisle together, I may or may not have pictured it being you and me on our wedding day.”

“We’re getting married?” He asked, gasping as he grabbed his beer bottle. “An invitation would’ve been nice.”

She was the one who rolled her eyes this time at his teasing tone. “I’m not saying that we are right now, I was just saying it was easy to picture.”

“Do you still have that Pinterest board of your dream wedding you made back in high school?” He asked, a teasing smile on his lips as he brought the bottle to his mouth. “Am I still wearing the gray suit and the purple accessories?”

“Lavender, thank you,” she replied, putting her glass back onto the table. “And I plead the fifth on my wedding board.”

“I have been told that is my best color, by you of course...and my Mom,” he laughed, taking another sip of his beer. “Just answer one more question before you cease the wedding talk until our own, hm?”

She picked her glass back up, preparing herself for whatever it was he was going to ask. “Okay, I’m listening.”

“Did you ever look at that board when you were planning your wedding with doucheface?” His tone was playful still, but Caroline didn’t miss the seriousness behind his playful question.

“Nope,” Caroline replied, shaking her head as she brought the glass up to her lips. “Never glanced at it once. And if we’re being honest...I didn’t get very far in the wedding planning process. I only got as far as ordering a magazine to look at dresses, but that’s it.”

“Good,” Matt nodded, failing to hide the smile as he finished off the rest of his beer before putting it down on the table.

“Momma, I’m tired,” Ethan pouted, walking up and standing in between Matt and Caroline’s chairs, leaning against Matt’s legs.

“You had all that cake after I told you not to, didn’t you?” She asked, looking at him as he nodded. “So now you’re coming down from that sugar high you said you wouldn’t get even though I told you it’d happen, right?’

“Mhhm,” he nodded, still pouting as he pried at Matt’s knees to step between them, leaning further against Matt. “Can we go home now, Daddy?”

“We’ve still got to say bye to BeeBee and Emmy, but after that, we’ll ride home with Papa Walt and Mimi, okay?” Matt asked, picking Ethan up and sitting him on his lap.

“Which speaking of,” Caroline said, nodding around them as everyone was getting up to walk towards the designated spot. “We should probably get our sparklers and go line up.”

“What do you think, E?” Matt asked, getting Ethan to lift his head off of his shoulder. “Can you stay awake a little longer to light up the sparkler? I’ll let you hold mine and yours, that way I can carry you, okay?”

“Okay, I can do that.” Ethan nodded, getting off of Matt’s lap and standing there as Matt stood up, grabbing onto the two sets of sparklers and handing them to him. “Where do we go?”

“Just follow Mom and me, okay?” Matt replied, resting his hand on Ethan’s shoulder as he waited for Caroline to grab her sparkler. “Ready?”

“Ready.” Caroline nodded, adjusting her dress as she stood beside him, draping her purse across her chest and holding onto the sparklers. “What?” She asked, looking up to see Matt smiling at her.

“Nothing, come on,” he replied, shaking his head and placing his hand on the small of her back, walking alongside her to the location they needed to be.

They lined up towards the end of the line, being one of the last people who would see Brady and Emma before they got into their ride to head back home to their apartment before they would wake up early the next morning to head off to the airport and start their honeymoon. Andrew and Nonnie were across the way from them, Keith and Chantal as well, everyone on either side of the line starting to light up their sparklers, using their neighbors as the flame while Brady and Emma stood at the very front of the makeshift tunnel.

Matt carried Ethan on his left hip, turning him towards Caroline as Caroline lit both of the sparklers, using hers before they followed everyone else in holding the sparklers up out in front of them and just above their heads, everyone cheering as Emma and Brady ran by their friends and family, big smiles on their faces and waving as they reached their car. They each stopped by their parents one last time, giving them a hug and a kiss and saying goodbye to their siblings before getting into their car and driving away from the venue and back towards home.

“Can we go home now, Daddy?” Ethan yawned, looking at Matt.

“We can go home now, E.” Matt nodded, pointing ahead of them and he squatted down and put Ethan onto the ground. “There’s Papa Walt and Mimi right there, why don’t you go see if they’re ready to go, okay?”

“M'kay,” Ethan nodded, rubbing his left eye as he walked across the way and over to Keith and Chantal.

“I know I told you earlier when we were walking down the aisle, but you look beautiful tonight,” Matt said, resting his hand on the small of Caroline’s back as he walked them over towards his parents. “If the officiant was still here, I’d have him marry us right now.”

“And you look quite handsome yourself,” she smiled, wrapping an arm around his waist and leaning against his arm. “You ready to go home?”

“With you?” He smiled, bending down and kissing her temple before brushing his lips just by her left ear. “Always.”

December 11th, 2024

The last five months flew by in the blink of an eye, especially the summer. It was non-stop spending time with family and friends, enjoying the freedom they had left before training camp and school came around. And like the first week home from Calgary, Matt stayed with Caroline and Ethan at her place the entire summer up until September when he had to leave for training camp.

Matt was there for school shopping– he helped Ethan pick out new clothes and get a new haircut– he let Ethan tag along for training days with Brady at the rink, he was there for Ethan’s first day of third grade– even getting to drop him off and take him into the classroom. He was there and involved in every moment that he could be until they had to drop Matt off at the airport so he could report to training camp.

In the three months since then, Ethan was doing a lot better with Matt being gone than he had originally done the first time he had to experience dropping Matt off at the airport– though he would still have his moments when he would crawl into Caroline’s bed, missing Matt, he’d try to extend his bedtime a little later to catch Matt’s games or he’d try to find a way to keep the facetime calls with Matt longer than normal. But slowly, and it was slowly...he was adjusting to Matt not being right there anymore– they both were.

And even Ethan couldn’t hide the disappointment as their birthday got closer and closer, fully knowing that Matt would already be in Pittsburgh preparing for the game the next night. Wanting nothing more than to be able to spend their birthday together again, Caroline was stuck in finding ways to try and boost his morale because she didn’t want to see him sad on his own birthday– especially since he had a game that same morning. Which is why it’s been the hardest thing she’s had to do– keeping her and Matt’s surprise from him. Because Matt had bought a ticket home to come and surprise Ethan at his hockey game and spend the rest of the afternoon with him before flying back to Pittsburgh to be able to rest up for the night.

The plan was for Matt to uber from the airport and over to the rink, dressed as normal yet incognito as he could be before making his way up into the stands to mix in among their teams' side of the bleachers. And for him, he showed up wearing dark jeans, a Gray vipers team sweatshirt, and a Cardinals baseball cap on his head, the hoodie of his sweatshirt on top of it. He sat behind Caroline and next to Mrs. Hastings, sort of blending in as best as he could.

“How’s he done so far?” He asked, leaning forward towards Caroline. “Sorry I’m late, the plane got delayed in Pittsburgh for mechanical issues and then on the runway here because of ice.”

“He’s been good. He’s scored twice and got an assist,” she replied, leaning back against his knees as they watched another shift change. “How was the flight?”

“Exhausting. I’m ready for a nap, honestly. You think he’d mind taking a birthday nap?” Matt asked, looking down at her.

“Doubt it. He’ll be go, go, go the moment he sees you,” she laughed, tilting her head back and smiling up at him. “Happy birthday by the way. How does it feel to be 27?”

“I could ask you the same. Feel as old as I do?” He pouted, wrapping his arms around her chest.

“Always,” she laughed. “And it’s all because of the nine-year-old on the ice. I think I found a gray hair the other day after trying to get him to understand that he can’t read the same book once he finished it for his reading log just because he didn’t want to start a new book. It says right there on the reading log that once you finish a book, you have to start a new one and he tried to say that it was an error.”

Matt laughed, nodding his head. “Yeah, that sounds like someone I know. Brady used to hate starting new books. Me too, honestly. Why start a new one when I can re-read the same one and know what happens?”

“Well, you might’ve given me a gray hair,” she huffed, crossing her arms. “I’m too young for gray hairs.”

“If it’s any consolation, I don’t think you look a day over 25.” He smiled, kissing the top of her head before they both turned their attention to the game as Ethan skated down towards the opposing goal and scoring. “Whoo!” Matt cheered, he and Caroline standing up with everyone else and clapping. “Wait– that was his third goal, right?”

“Go, Ethan!” Caroline cheered, cupping her mouth as they watched the celebration move from beside the goal and skate down the bench before getting back in. “Yep, third of the game. He got a hat trick,” she replied, a big smile on her face.

“Is that his first-ever?” Matt asked, eyes wide as he looked away from her and at the ice.

“First ever,” she nodded, looking at him. “What? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he replied, shaking his head as he sighed and a small smile on his face. “God, that’s so cool. He’s a freaking beast.”

Caroline smiled, bumping back into him. “Proud Dad moment, hm?”

“Hell yeah. Plus his backhand looks great,” Matt said, stepping down and standing beside Caroline. “He’s been practicing?”

“Only every day after school with your dad and every night,” Caroline replied, watching the time tick down before the siren echoed through the arena, signaling the end of the game. “He’s been working on a trickshot too that he wanted to surprise you with come Christmas. I’ve been sworn to secrecy not to tell you what kind of shot it is, but I think he’s pretty close to getting it down.”

“I wish I could be around more to help him work on hockey stuff,” Matt replied, standing up from his seat. “Brady and I loved working with our Dad at home and even when he was tired from the games and the traveling, he always made that time to help us work on whatever we want.”

“You work with him when you can and he loves it all the same, Matt,” she replied, resting her hand on his arm reassuringly as they walked down the bleachers once the teams cleared out to the locker room. “Whether that’s in person or on facetime, he just wants his All-Star Dad’s hockey advice and treasures it more than you think.”

They walked down to the area just outside of the locker rooms, waiting along the walls for the team to come out once they were done changing out of their hockey pads. Caroline sent Matt outside to her car, the plan being he’d be standing there waiting and surprise Ethan when they walked over to the car. They’d have to go from the rink to home so Ethan could take a quick shower before they would leave for Dave and Busters for his birthday party– his team and other friends from school would be in attendance.

“Hi Momma,” Ethan greeted, carrying his hockey bag over his shoulder as some of his teammates followed behind to greet their parents. “Did you see my last goal?”

“I did,” she smiled, ruffling his hair. “All three of your goals were great. Your practice is paying off just like Dad told you, huh?”

“Yeah, did you get it on video?” He asked, their group starting to move down the hallway. “I want to send it to him so he can see it because we worked really hard on my backhands.”

“I’m sorry sweetie, I didn’t. But I’m sure you’ll be able to describe it to him just perfectly and he’ll be able to picture it.”

Ethan nodded, as he walked beside her, shoulders straight but a small pout on his face as he struggled to adjust the strap of his bag. “I wish he could’ve seen my game and be here for our birthday. I liked having him around last year.”

Caroline tried to hide her smile as she rested her hand on his right shoulder, letting him lean against her. “I know sweetie, but we’re going up there in ten days that Friday before winter break and spend the week up there with him, remember? Catch those two games before we fly home together here and spend some time together with everyone else, then we go back to Calgary for the last week of December.”

“I know,” he sighed, shrugging. “I’m excited for that too because he said I can fly on the plane with them to Seattle and Adam’s going too...but I still wish he was here for our birthday so I can give him his present.”

“We already mailed his present, Ethan.”

“I know, but Papa Walt and Coach Hastings gave me my goal pucks,” he replied, stopping in front of her and turning his back towards the area of their car, digging into his hockey bag and pulling out the three pucks from the game, each with tape around the side of them. “It’s my first hat trick and I wanted to give them to him.” Ethan paused, looking down at the three pucks in his hands as he frowned. “But I guess I can wait until Christmas.”

They had stopped by where Keith and Chantal and her parents had parked, Caroline parking her car about eight cars away purposely so Matt was able to hide by it. She looked up to see Matt peeking his head out from around the back of her car and she nodded, letting him know he could come out and wait before she watched him walk around and lean his left shoulder against the back of her car.

“Well, we’ll see him before you know it, Ethan,” she nodded, looking at her parents and Chantal and Keith. “Time will fly by.”

“Maybe,” he replied, shrugging and stuffing the pucks into his hoodie pockets before picking his bag back up. “We have to go home now though so I can shower. Can I facetime Dad on your phone on our way to Dave and Busters?”

“Sure, come on, the car’s just right there,” she nodded, pointing down in the direction of her car.

Ethan nodded and turned around and took two steps before looking up in the direction they were going and stopping, looking up at Caroline. “There’s someone at the car.”

“Is there?” She asked, looking up and seeing Matt standing there, still with his hat and hood on his head, only this time, wearing sunglasses. “Hm, I wonder who that is.”

“I dunno,” Ethan replied, shrugging as he looked back at the car, just as Matt was standing up straight and taking the hood off of his hat, and then his glasses off. “Nuh-uh…”

“Hey!” Matt called out, cupping his hands over his mouth. “Aren’t you #7 on the Vipers? Tkachuk, right? Can I get your autograph?”

Caroline looked down to see Ethan standing there, staring ahead at Matt as if he wasn’t believing that he was ahead of him. “I’ll carry your bag, Ethan,” she said, moving her hand beneath the strap on his shoulder as he looked at her with wide, glistening eyes. “Go on, go say hi.”

Ethan moved his arm out from his bag strap and ran as fast as his legs could carry him, over to Matt who had squatted down in preparation. Ethan almost bulldozed Matt over, wrapping his arms around his neck and hugging him, Matt hugging him back and standing up, taking Ethan with him.

“We’ll meet you at the restaurant,” Keith said, waving Caroline away. “You guys go ahead and take it in, okay?”

“Are you guys sure?” She asked, adjusting the strap of Ethan’s hockey bag.

“Of course, honey. We’ll see you three at the restaurant.” Her mom smiled, nodding in the direction of Matt and Ethan.

Caroline waved goodbye before turning around and making her way to her car, where Matt and Ethan were now talking. As she got closer, she could see that Matt was looking down at his own hands, holding something. “Hey you two,” she said, stopping beside the trunk of her car, opening it, and putting Ethan’s bag into it before turning towards Ethan and smiling at him. “Did you like your birthday surprise?”

“I love it,” he replied, turning towards her and hugging her. “Best birthday ever!”

“You said that last year when I got you the signed Nate card,” Matt laughed, ruffling his hair. “But really, you played great today E. I’m proud of you.”

“I gave him my goal pucks too!” Ethan smiled, pointing at the pucks in his hand. “He tried to give them back, but I said they were his birthday present so he can’t give them back.”

“I believe your exact words were ‘no-take backs’” Matt laughed, holding up the three pucks to Caroline. “But I will say, this is definitely the best present I’ve gotten. That and getting to see your sick backhand. Who knows, that might become your signature go-to shot.”

Ethan scrunched his nose, shaking his head. “I don’t know about that, I have to be cooler.”

Matt rolled his eyes, nudging Ethan as he put his pucks into the pocket of his hood before closing the trunk for Caroline. “How about we focus on the basic skills first before we move onto ‘cooler’, hm?”

“I guess I can do that.” Ethan sighed dramatically, looking back at Matt and hugging him again. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too, E. But hey, we’ll get to hang out for two weeks soon.” Matt smiled, looking down at Ethan. “I’m sure you’ll be ready for me to go back to Calgary soon enough.”

“Nope, never,” Ethan replied, shaking his head. “I want you to stay here.” He looked over his shoulder at Caroline, putting on his best puppy dog eyes and pout. “Can Daddy live with us please?”

“You know he has to go back to Calgary for the season, Ethan,” Caroline laughed, brushing the hair off of his forehead. “Besides, he already lives with us in the summer.”

“Yeah, but I mean full time,” Ethan replied, looking between them. “You should get traded to the Blues.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Matt laughed, not taking the comment to heart. “What about all the cool Flames gear you have then?”

“I mean yeah...but think about all the cool Blues gear I can get for you and BeeBee!”

“Sorry squirt,” Matt laughed, draping an arm over Ethan’s shoulder and pulling him into his side. “I plan on Captaining the Flames for the rest of my career. But when you’re old enough and I’m retired, maybe the Blues will draft you.”

Ethan’s eyes widened as he looked up at Matt. “You really think I’ll get drafted?!”

“As long as you keep practicing like you have been and put in that hard work and dedication, then teams would be crazy not to.” Matt smiled. “Just give it your all every time you’re on the ice and you’ll see your dreams come true.”

“Cool,” Ethan smiled, zoning out as if he was playing it all in his head.

“All right you two, let’s get home so stinky over here can shower, and then we can go off to Dave and Buster's.” Caroline laughed, walking by them and towards the driver's side door, getting in,

Matt and Ethan both got into the car as she started it, Ethan getting into his seat and all settled before they pulled out of the parking lot, turning out onto the main street and heading towards the neighborhood. Ethan kept going on and on and asking Matt about how the season was going and if there was anything he wanted to do when he came home, followed up with what he had planned for them when he and Caroline came up to Calgary. It was enough conversation to keep the life in the car lively before it turned into birthday presents and Matt telling Ethan that he didn’t need to share his cake with him this year.

“Momma, tell Daddy that he has to share my cake with me,” Ethan huffed, crossing his arms as he sat in his seat with a furrowed glance. “We have the same birthday, we have to share a cake.”

“Matt, share the cake with him,” she replied, rolling her eyes. “You guys shared one last year and if it wasn’t for the fact you coming to visit was a surprise, you already know you guys would be sharing one.”

“All I said was that I wasn’t going to blow out the candles and steal his wish power,” Matt replied, rolling his eyes as well. “Mr. dramatics over here blew it out of proportion. But if he wants me to take it, I will.”

“Wait,” Ethan said, sitting up and leaning his arms between their seats, squinting. “Nevermind, we don’t need to share. I need all the wish power I can get.”

“If you’re wishing for a dog, don’t. You know we have no time to take care of a pet, Ethan,” Caroline replied, turning and looking at him.

“Nuh-uh, no way,” Ethan replied, shaking his head. “This one is so much better.”

Matt shifted in his seat, tilting his head as he squinted his eyes at him. “What is it?”

“I can’t tell you, because then it won’t come true!” Ethan gasped, acting as if Matt had told him he was going to steal his signed Nathan Mackinnon card. “But trust me, it’s a good one. So you can have a piece of cake, but no blowing out the candles...they’re mine.”

“Mhhm, just go ahead and get in the house and get showered. We’re running out of time.” Caroline replied, waving him out of the car as she opened her door. “And please make sure to drop your hockey clothes in the laundry room.”

Ethan rushed out of the backseat and out into the garage, walking up the step and into the house. Matt walked towards the trunk, opening it and grabbing Ethan’s hockey bag before closing it and meeting Caroline up at the step to walk into the house. He stopped, opening Ethan’s bag and grabbing his gear, hanging them up on the makeshift wrack Keith had made for Ethan so they could air out. By the time he was done, Caroline was already sitting down in the living room, relaxing down on the couch with her feet propped up onto the table.

Matt sat down next to her, grabbing her feet and shifting her legs over onto his lap, keeping his hands on top of her legs as he relaxed into the couch. He sighed, leaning his head back against the cushion before looking at her. “You know what he’s wishing for, right?”

“Mhhm,” Caroline nodded, keeping her hands intertwined on her stomach. “It’s totally obvious.”

“He wants us to get married.”

“A sibling.”

They looked at each other and laughed, both relaxing more into the couch as their laughter faded out, leaving them sitting there on the couch in silence.

“Well,” Matt shrugged, a small smile on his face. “At least we’re on the same page.”

“Who? You and me or you and Ethan?” She asked, leaning her head against the back cushion of the couch, looking at him. “Because a baby and a wedding are two very different pages.”

“Are they though?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. “I mean...they seem pretty much the same. You know since uh, Emma is pregnant and all. Talk about a honeymoon baby.”

Caroline shoved his shoulder, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. “That’s your future niece or nephew you’re talking about.”

“Our future niece or nephew,” he replied, tugging on her legs. “I’m giving you all the time in the world, but you and I both know that this,” he motioned between them, “is ending with a wedding of our own and who knows, maybe even a honeymoon baby too.”

“I’m ready!” Ethan said, running down the hall dressed in jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt, his winter jacket in hand and a Calgary Flames beanie on his head. “I just rinsed off because we’re running out of time, but I promise I'll take a real shower tonight.”

“Sounds good to me,” Matt nodded as he and Caroline both sat up and got off of the couch, Ethan never questioning their position on the couch. “Are you ready for me to whoop you in foosball hockey again?”

Ethan glared, resting his hands on his hips. “That was a one-time thing. I’m winning this time.” He looked at Caroline, pouting out his bottom lip. “You’ll be on my team, right Mommy?”

“Oh no, no way,” Matt said, shaking his head and keeping Caroline by him. “You kicked her off of your team last time. Don’t go sucking up now with those puppy dog eyes and cute pout face.”

“But it’s my–”

“It’s my birthday too and if we’re playing that game, it was my birthday first,” Matt replied, looking back at Ethan. “And I was Mom’s foosball partner first.”

“That doesn’t matter, I’m cute and her kid. I automatically win.” Ethan smiled, crossing his arms.

“Nuh-uh.”

“Yes huh!”

“Momma–”

“Care–”

Caroline looked at the two of them, trying not to laugh at their argument. “I cannot believe you are arguing with our nine-year-old,” she laughed, shaking her head at Matt, whose smile fell.

“See? I told you she’d pick me,” Ethan replied, a smug look on his face.

“And you,” Caroline replied, nodding at Ethan. “You traded yourself from our own team and said that I stink. Why would I be on your team again?”

Ethan and Matt had matching confused and shocked looks on their faces as they looked at her, unsure of how to reply. Caroline just chuckled to herself and shook her head, walking by them and grabbing her keys off of the kitchen counter before heading towards the garage, Matt and Ethan following behind her. She got into the car, Matt and Ethan getting in as well, the silence heavy with tension as she opened the garage door and started the car.

“...But it’s my birthday, Mommy.” Ethan leaned out of his seat, resting his chin on the back of her seat, his puppy dog eyes and pout at its best. “Can you pretty please be my partner?”

“How about this,” Caroline said, turning in her seat. “You two be partners and I’ll be partners with whoever you choose, Ethan. Birthday boys versus the real foosball hockey champ...me.”

Ethan was silent as if he was contemplating the suggestion before he dramatically sighed and turned towards Matt, shrugging. “Okay, but if he lets you win I’m trading him for you.”

“As if little man,” Matt scoffed, shaking his head. “I never let anyone win. You gotta beat me that hard way.”

“You’ll still help me win tickets though, right?” Ethan asked, looking back at her. “That way we can get a big prize?”

“Of course, sweetie. You can have all of my tickets and Dads–”

“Well–”

“Isn’t that right, Matthew?” She asked, cutting him off and widening her eyes at him, signaling for him to relax.

Matt sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes. “I guess I can spare a few tickets, oomph–” He looked at Caroline, who had reached around and shoved his leg, looking at him again. “Fine, you can have all of my tickets.”

“Yay,” Ethan smiled, leaning in and kissing them both on the cheek before sitting back in his seat. “Best birthday ever, thank you.”

“It hasn’t even happened yet,” Matt laughed, turning in his seat.

“Yeah, but you’re here, I got a hat trick and I’m nine,” Ethan replied, buckling himself in before shrugging his shoulders. “Sounds really good to me. Oh, and I get cake.”

“Yeah, well just wait for the present I got you this year,” Matt replied.

“I WANNA KNOW, TELL ME PLEASEEEE,” Ethan whined, trying to lean forward in his seat.

Matt and Caroline laughed as they sat there, Caroline pulling out of the garage and into the driveway, then street before driving away from the house and heading towards the exit of the neighborhood.

“Well, I don’t know how much you were paying attention last year, but just in case you don’t remember, the Flames are playing in the Winter Classic next month against a certain Colorado team in Colorado too,” he smiled. “And guess who gets to go?”

“ME! I mean...US?” Ethan asked, unbuckling his seatbelt and jumping towards the front of the car. “IS IT US? DO I GET TO MEET NATE?”

“We’ll try to catch him, but you’ll definitely get to meet Mitch,” Matt laughed, nodding. “But yes, you’ll fly with us on the plane to Colorado. I had Mom keep it a secret, so that’s why you thought you’d be coming back here New Years Day– when really, you’ll be going to Colorado.”

Ethan wrapped his arms around Matt as best as he can hugging him tightly. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you, this is the best birthday present ever and you can have Mom as your foosball partner.”

“Hey,” Caroline laughed, looking over at him. “What happened to you two fighting over me earlier and my skills? Also, get back in your seat, you’re lucky we’re at a red light.”

“Sorry Momma, this is Nathan Mackinnon we’re talking about,” Ethan replied, sitting back into his seat before getting back up and leaning forward, kissing her cheek, and then sitting back down in his seat. “This is the bestest best birthday ever! Thank you for having Daddy surprise me, I love you too. Now let’s go to Dave and Buster's, we’ve got tickets to win!”

“Hey E, you know what I want for my birthday?” Matt asked, looking back over his shoulder. “I want to know what your birthday wish is. Mom and I have a bet and–”

“Nope, too bad,” Ethan replied, shaking his head as he buckled himself back in just as the car started to move again. “You’ll just have to find out when it comes true. And it will come true, trust me...I’ve got a tummy feeling it will.”

December 24th, 2024

After Matt had gone back to Calgary while Caroline and Ethan had stayed in St. Louis, Caroline felt different. She was still feeling the same about him and their situation– how they weren’t in a relationship, but they were...something. She knew those romantic feelings were there and she was tired of avoiding them or pushing them aside. But at the same time, she felt like she wasn’t allowed to choose him just yet. It had only been nine months since her relationship with Jonathan had ended and about a little over eight since she and Matt talked about how he would wait for her to figure everything out– that all she had to do was tell him she was ready and they’d start their relationship all over again. And she has been trying to figure it all out. She’s been diligent on her sessions with Moira, going from visiting three times a week, to two and just three weeks ago, Moira was letting Caroline know they could even go down to one session a week, but Caroline opted to stay at two– feeling as though she needed to keep up the work and stay accountable. By the time the end of the season rolled around, all three of them– Matt, Caroline, and Ethan– were in therapy, each separately and for their own reasons, though there have been times when they’ve come together for a session or two. Ethan was doing great, the moments when he was grumpy and would snap and try to use Caroline keeping Matt a secret as leverage, were no more. His main focus now was just trying to figure out how to healthily adapt to not having Matt there during the season. Matt was going for similar reasons, just trying to come to terms with how those closest to him hid Ethan from him for so long and working on how to healthily managing his emotions and relationships with those individuals. He was open with them all, letting them know he had his moments when he was angry or would get sad when he thought about everything that he missed– but he was getting better at managing it and not turning those emotions towards them. All three of them were excelling in their personal lives, the therapy they were all seeking was doing good, Caroline knew it, she could see the differences no matter how small. The only thing is that while she felt the emotional difference in herself whenever it came to thinking about her future with Matt. The guilt of her choice from nine years ago wasn’t swallowing her whole. And while she didn’t feel guilt from that choice anytime she ever thought about a future with Matt– those seven days they were with Matt in Calgary was just one guilty feeling after another. Ethan was all sorts of excited to sleep in the bedroom that Matt had set up for him in his new three-bedroom apartment, never once asking if he could come sleep in Matt’s room. She and Matt shared a room, the same as how they did in the summer when Matt lived with them down the block. There were no sexual moments between them that ever went beyond a simple kiss and even those were post-win celebrations. On game days, Ethan went with Matt to morning skate while Caroline, Elizabeth– Adam’s Mom and Brandon’s wife– and the newest Pruitt, an eight-month-old named Mollie, went out for breakfast, the two of them becoming good friends in the short time they were around each other. While Matt and Brandon both took pre-game naps, Caroline and Elizabeth would take Mollie, Adam, and Ethan around Calgary, Elizabeth and Adam being their tour guides. On the days there weren’t games, Matt took the two of them around Calgary himself, showing them his favorite spots around the city, playing in the snow, visiting parks, going Christmas shopping. Matt had even bought Christmas decorations for his apartment so that the three of them could decorate on their third day there– this time getting to experience decorating with them since he was watching them decorate the tree and Caroline’s house back in St. Louis over facetime. They watched Christmas movies together at night, Matt carried Ethan to bed when he fell asleep on the couch. At games, Caroline would ride with Elizabeth, Adam, and Mollie to the game,

hanging out in the family room waiting for the game to start. With each passing day in Calgary, being around Matt’s world and his friends and basically living with Matt– it all became so natural to her, and sometimes, even going back to St. Louis and reminding herself that this wasn’t her life...felt odd. The way her and Matt’s co-parenting, couldn’t even be considered co-parenting in her mind– it was just parenting, the two of them together and doing it with ease...it was natural and like everything that was supposed to happen was happening there and then. Which is exactly how and why she found herself sitting in Moira’s office talking about everything that had happened between her and Matt those seven days in Calgary. How she felt being around him, how easy it was for her to picture being there with him or having their own life together outside of just being friends. It felt like she hadn’t even given Moira a chance to talk, that’s how much Caroline was venting about everything that had happened. And when she did finally stop talking, she half expected Moira to be looking at her like a crazy person, but she wasn’t. Instead, she was just sitting in her chair, hands rested in her lap with an amused expression on her face. “I just,” Caroline took a deep breath and sighed, her legs curled up beneath her body as she sat on the couch in her office. “I know we’re just friends and that’s what we agreed on, but being there with him in Calgary...it felt more than that, even though we’re not and I don’t know what to think about it.” “Well...what’s stopping you from pursuing a relationship with him?” Moira asked, crossing her right leg over her left. “What do you mean?’ “What’s stopping you? You’ve done amazing these last nine months, Caroline.” Moira sat forward, uncrossing her legs and leaning her arms on top of her knees, holding onto her notepad. “The moves you’ve made in forgiving what your younger self did and the ways you’ve amended those issues while also accepting the damages it created have been nothing short of phenomenal. You’ve been working on yourself and you’re more confident in yourself as a Mom and as an individual. Even the session we did with Matthew, the way your communication skills have improved…you’ve grown up Caroline.” Caroline’s eyebrows furrowed as she sat up slightly, holding her arms close to her. “I don’t understand…” “You’re not that 18-year-old girl who chose what she thought was best. And sure, you’re only a year older now than when we started our sessions, but you’re not that same 26-year-old woman who was allowing that choice and mistake to drown her. You’ve grown up in more ways than one.” Moira sat back, raising an eyebrow. “So…what’s stopping you from pursuing a relationship with Matt, which is something that you clearly want…besides yourself?” Caroline blinked a few times, letting Moira’s question sink in as she thought back on the last few months with Matt. Sure, those initial months were plenty of reason to hold back from letting herself be with Matt. There was a lot of self-work she knew she had to do. But just this last week with Matt, she realized that Moira was right, she did feel different. Gone were the late nights she sat up thinking about just how different things could’ve been and letting that guilt eat her alive. She no longer thought back on their younger years and felt like crying at those last months they spent together. She had finally managed to find forgiveness for that scared, 17-year-old girl she used to be and it was more freeing than anything she had ever experienced. “Nothing,” Caroline spoke softly, looking back up at Moira as the realization settled. “Nothing’s stopping me.” Moira smiled, leaning back in her chair as she nodded. “Exactly.”

Her session with Moira was all she could think about from the moment she left the office building. During dinner with the Tkachuks and her family, a fun night at the winter carnival they host at the rink, during the entirety of Twas the Night Before Christmas they watched with everyone together in the Tkachuk’s living room, the cold walk home with Matt and Ethan where Matt had his arm wrapped around her and had her tucked close to his side as Ethan walked ahead of them in tired excitement. It was all she thought about as they made cookies and set them out for Santa together before they both tucked and kissed Ethan goodnight and went back out into the living room.

Even now, as the two of them sipped hot chocolate and wrapped Ethan’s gifts from Santa, she kept taking small breaks to look at Matt and picturing life together and what Moira had said. How next Christmas and every Christmas after that, this could be them— sitting on the floor and wrapping Christmas presents, though maybe somewhere down the line, they could be wrapping presents for more than just Ethan. Matt was focused on sliding the scissors through the Dr. Suess’s Grinch themed wrapping paper, the tip of his tongue sticking out the corner of his mouth as he finished cutting the piece, laying it down in front of him, and putting the roll to the side, smiling down proudly at his perfect cut and causing herself to even smile.

Caroline put down her own pair of scissors beside her and took a deep breath, exhaling calmly. “Okay, let’s do it.”

“Do what?” Matt asked, wrapping and taping the present up.

“Date,” she replied, keeping her gaze on him. “I-I’m ready."

Matt looked up, his eyebrows furrowed as he stopped taping the present, only taking a few moments before it clicked in his mind. “Wait, really? You’re not kidding?”

“Why would I be kidding?” She laughed, shaking her head.

“Shit, I don’t know. I mean...really?” He stared at her, almost as if he was too scared to look away and miss her reply as he put the present and tape down beside him.

"I had some issues with my past self, but she was young and I forgive her." Caroline nodded, sighing as she looked at him. “But if I let you slip through my fingers one more time, I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for that.”

Matt looked at her with care and love in his eyes, the hesitance in his acceptance of her choice was obvious. “You’re being 100% serious? You’re not just pushing yourself into this because you think you’re taking too long on figuring everything out and feel guilty for me or anything? You 100%, without a doubt want to pick up our relationship?”

“I think I’ve been ready for a while, but I was just stopping myself from moving forward because part of me, I guess, feels like I don’t deserve to have you in that way just yet.” She spoke, resting her hands in her lap as she shrugged.

“Hell yeah you do,” he replied, nudging Ethan’s half-wrapped present aside and crawling the short distance to her and wasting no time hovering over her, sending Caroline to the floor and kissing her square on the lips before holding himself up.

“Well,” Caroline replied, nudging herself up onto her elbows as she tilted her head to the side. “Maybe we shouldn’t pick up where we left off, you know? I mean, we can...but maybe we should just...start a little fresh.”

“Okay,” Matt nodded, a small smile on his face. “Fresh.” He bent his head down and kissed her, Caroline reaching up with her left hand and cupping the side of his face as she smiled into the kiss. Matt pulled back, pushing himself up onto his knees before standing up and helping her up too. She was barely standing when he bent down and picked her up, carrying her bridal style.

“Matthew!” She gasped softly, wrapping her arms around his neck. “What are you doing?"

“Hey, we’re starting fresh,” he smiled, shrugging. “I figured that means we should also get reacquainted with each other in the bedroom if you catch my drift.”

Caroline laughed, shaking her head as she patted his chest. “We can’t. We need to finish wrapping.”

“Ugh,” Matt groaned, rolling his eyes. “Can’t we just leave them unwrapped and say Santa was busy so he couldn’t wrap them all?”

“Nope, now come on and put me down.” She replied, patting his chest again.

Matt sighed as he put her down, a pout on his face. “Hmph, he’s asleep and yet he’s still cockblocking me.”

“I didn’t say we weren’t going to,” she replied, smiling as she sat back down in front of her present. “As soon as we finish wrapping these gifts, you can unwrap yours.”

His eyes widened as he tossed her the extra roll of tape before plopping down in front of his half-wrapped present, clapping his hands together at her. “Come on, these gifts won’t wrap themselves!”

Last night felt like heaven. Plain and simple.

It was hushed giggles as they walked down the hall and by Ethan’s room, Matt peeking in to double-check that he was asleep before they walked into her room, locking the door behind them and falling onto her bed in more giggles interrupted by passionate, long-awaited kisses and roaming hands that undressed each other in the dark of her room. By no means was it anything like the last time the two of them had found themselves in her bedroom, intertwined with each other multiple times throughout the night. The pure exhaustion of both flying in from Calgary late last night and the busy day that they had today, had taken a big toll on them both– but back then, they didn’t know when the next opportunity would arise to have each other in that way, so eager to experience that rush and feeling of the other in their arms and against their body.

But that was then and this is now...and now, they knew that there was no rush. They had tonight, tomorrow, and every day after that.

They had forever.

“Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!” Ethan cheered, jumping on the end of the bed.

Caroline sighed heavily, rolling herself over onto her back as Matt moved his arm from over her. “Ethan, less jumping.” She spoke softly, using her hands to push herself up.

Knowing that Ethan was always the first one to wake up on Christmas morning, Caroline and Matt had gotten dressed again and unlocked the door before falling asleep in each other’s arms. The sight wouldn’t have been a shock to Ethan either considering that the two of them had shared the pullout couch at the lake house and it was a sight Ethan had seen every morning waking up there, as well as every morning throughout the summer whenever he woke up before them and came to wake them up.

“Come on, wake up! It’s Christmas!” He replied, still jumping. “You gotta see what Santa brought!”

Matt reached up and wrapped his right arm around Ethan’s legs, tugging him down onto the bed. “Whoa, calm down skippy. What time is it?”

“Ummm 8?” Ethan replied, pushing himself up onto his hands and looking at Caroline’s alarm clock on her bedside table. “Yeah, 8.”

“Perfect,” Matt nodded, letting go of Ethan’s legs. “We’ll open presents at 10, so go back to sleep.”

“Wait, no,” Ethan pouted, getting out of Matt’s grasp and crawling in the space between them, sitting back on his heels. “We have to go to Grandma and Grandpas this year after we open presents, it’s tradition!”

“Matt, stop teasing him,” Caroline sighed, pushing herself up all the way and tossing off the blanket. “We’re getting up sweetie, don’t worry."

Ethan smiled, sticking his tongue out at Matt as Caroline got out of bed. “Momma, what happened to your neck? Did you fall?”

Caroline’s eyes widened slightly as she reached up to grab the collar of her shirt, tugging it up slightly. “Well–”

“Hey, why don’t you show us what Santa brought you?” Matt replied, cutting her off as he took the blanket off of him and got out of bed.

“Okay, come on hurry up!” Ethan replied, crawling off the bed.

Caroline was barely able to tug her sweatshirt on before Ethan grabbed the one hand she had through the sleeve, holding onto Matt’s hand with his other one and dragging them out of her bedroom and down the hall.

“See? See I told you!” Ethan smiled, stopping in the middle of the living room as he pointed at the decorated tree. “And look at the cookies and carrots too! They’re all gone and the milk is gone and he even left a note!”

Matt walked over to the table, picking up the piece of Santa stationary Caroline used every year, coming from a website that parents can have Santa write replies to their kids, letting them know he received their gifts. “Ethan, Matthew, and Caroline thank you for the yummy cookies and milk, they were just what I needed on this long, busy night. The reindeer loved their carrots and had lots of energy for the rest of our night. Merry Christmas! Santa.”

He put the card back down onto the table, pouting as he looked at Ethan and Caroline. “He didn’t say anything about how I’ve been good this year, that’s rude.”

“Maybe because you get in fights,” Ethan replied, shrugging his shoulders as he plopped down in front of the tree. “Can we open presents now, pleaseeeee?”

“You two go ahead, I’ll pour us some coffee,” Caroline laughed, grabbing the cookie plate and empty glass of milk, carrying them into the kitchen, and rinsing them off before putting them away into the dishwasher.

She grabbed two mugs and prepared herself and Matt some of the coffee she had set to brew an hour ago. Once she had the mugs done, she walked back into the living room and handed Matt a mug before sitting down onto the couch next to him, curling up beside him as Ethan started to play How the Grinch Stole Christmas before walking over to the fireplace and grabbing all three stockings, walking back over and handing Matt and Caroline’s theirs before sitting back down onto the ground.

“So after we open the stockings, which present should I open first?” He asked, reaching into his stocking and pulling out the Christmas candy cane tubs, each full with m&m’s. “OOH YAY CANDY.”

“Actually,” Matt said, leaning forward and resting his mug on the table. “We want to talk to you about something first, okay?”

“Um...okay. Is it why you spent the night? Because you lived here in the summer, so it’s not that weird…” Ethan asked, keeping his stocking rested against his knees.

“No, but there’s a reason for that,” Matt replied, looking at Caroline as if he was asking if she wanted to tell. Caroline nodded at him to go ahead and tell Ethan and Matt turned back towards Ethan. “Remember how I told you how if anything new was ever going to happen with Mom and me, that you’d be the first to know?”

“Mhhm,” Ethan nodded, reaching into his stocking again slowly and trying to sneak the next object out as if Matt and Caroline weren’t sitting right in front of him.

“Well,” Matt smiled, reaching his left hand out and resting it on Caroline’s knees. “We’ve decided to go ahead and start dating again.”

Ethan snapped his head up from his stocking, eyes wide as he looked at them, dropping the stocking onto the ground. “Does that mean you’re getting married?!”

“No, that’s not what that means,” Caroline laughed, leaning forward and resting her coffee mug on the table. “We’re taking it one step at a time here Ethan.”

“Yay!” Ethan cheered, standing scurrying up off of the floor and running the short distance to them on the couch, jumping at them with a hug, leaning back as he kept an arm wrapped around each of their necks to hold himself up... “So you guys are boyfriend and girlfriend now?”

“We are,” Matt nodded, smiling at Caroline.

“I knew getting all that wish power for my birthday would work!” Ethan hugged them both again, tighter than he had before and while he was silent, they could feel and hear the excitement radiating from him as he switched to hugging them individually before crawling off of the couch and standing in front of them with a smile. “Okay, now when do I get a sibling?”

“One day at a time, E,” Matt laughed, nodding towards the stocking on the floor. “And right now, how about we relax and open the gifts before we head over to Grandma and Grandpa’s, okay?”

They spent their morning watching Ethan open his presents and get wide-eyed with each present he opened, the excitement written all over his face and the childlike amusement brought smiles to both of their faces. Matt hadn’t gotten to witness Ethan open his presents last year, so every time Ethan opened one and started talking all excitedly, Matt would laugh softly and lean against Caroline, talking to Ethan about the present.

They alternated between who opened presents before all the presents were unwrapped and placed neatly back near the tree so the living room still had some walking room. By 9:30, Ethan was sent off to get dressed for the day, while Caroline and Matt took out the trash with all the wrapping paper. When Ethan was done, Caroline had gone to get showered and dressed in her room, leaving Matt and Ethan behind in the living room. When she was putting her hair up, having just finished her make-up, Matt came into the room to get dressed.

“You almost ready?” He asked, tugging a red sweater over his head as he walked into the bathroom. “E’s almost spilled hot chocolate on himself about three times now.”

“I am now,” she replied, finishing her ponytail. “It took me some time to cover up the hickeys thank you very much.”

“You should’ve seen your face when Ethan asked you if you fell. I had the hardest time trying not to laugh.” He smiled, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. “You look beautiful though. I’m one lucky man.”

“Mhhm, nice change of subject,” she replied, turning around and kissing him. “Come on, get your socks and shoes on so we can leave.”

Matt followed her out of the room and into the living room where Ethan was playing with one of his Christmas presents. Grabbing their winter jackets, they walked out of the house and made their way down the block to her parent's house where ahead of them, they could see Brady and Emma walking up her parent's driveway. Once they reached her parent's house, Ethan ran up ahead of them and onto the porch, ringing the doorbell twice before stepping back and waiting for Matt and Caroline to join him.

“Remember, best behavior E,” Matt said, resting his hands on Ethan’s shoulders.

“And it’s still pretty early, so just because you’re wide awake it doesn’t mean everyone else is. Keep an inside voice, all right?” Caroline added, fixing the one wild curl of his that was poking out.

“I know, I know. Best behavior so I can stay on the good list for next year,” Ethan nodded, looking at Matt. “Maybe you should do that too.”

Matt wrapped an arm around Ethan’s neck, pulling him back into him and ruffling up his hair. “Take it back or the tickle monster is coming out.”

The front door opened, Caroline’s mom standing in the doorway wearing her usual red Christmas sweater. “Grandma help me!” Ethan whined, trying to get out of Matt’s grasp. “Daddy’s being mean.”

“Matthew Tkachuk you leave that boy alone,” Chantal said, walking by in view of the front door.

Matt rolled his eyes, letting Ethan go. “Grandma and Mimi don’t come home with us at the end of the night, the tickle monster does.”

“Grandma, can I stay here tonight?” Ethan asked, pouting.

“Absolutely not, you’re sleeping at home,” Caroline said, nudging him into the house and by Matt. “Matt, leave him alone, it’s Christmas.” They walked into the house, Matt closing the door behind them before they greeted her Mom with hugs and taking their shoes off at the door.

“E-man!” Andrew smiled, standing up from the couch and holding his arms out. “Come over and give your favorite Uncle a hug cause you’ve missed him so much and he hasn’t gotten to see you since you’ve been off in Canada.”

“Hi Uncle Andy,” Ethan replied, jumping down the steps and running into the living room where everyone was sitting around on the couches, hugging Andrew. “How’s college and Nonnie?”

“They’re both good, little man,” Andrew replied, putting Ethan down and ruffling his hair. “Nonnie said to tell you that Mel said hi and she gave me your Christmas present, it’s just under the tree. Did the big man bring you good stuff this year?”

“Lots of stuff!” Ethan replied, walking towards the tree and going to pick up the present that Andrew had pointed at before standing back up and turning towards everyone. “I’m getting a sibling!”

Brady almost spit out his mimosa as he sat on the arm of the couch, everyone else sitting in silence and shock as they turned towards Matt and Caroline. “Nope, don’t listen to him,” Matt said, shaking his head and pointing at Ethan. “He’s lying.”

“I don’t know, you two definitely seem to have a track record of pre-marital children,” Andrew laughed, shrugging his shoulders.

“What do you mean you’re getting a sibling?” Keith asked, looking at Ethan as he waved him over to the chair.

“Mom and Dad are dating now, so obviously I’m gonna get a sibling soon,” Ethan replied, looking at Matt and Caroline. “Right? That’s what you said this morning.”

“We said one day at a time, Ethan,” Caroline laughed nervously, trying to prevent her face from turning red as she looked at her family. “I’m not pregnant and we’re not having a baby any time soon.”

“Well…” Taryn replied, standing herself up as she smiled. “I think I speak for everyone here when I say it’s about damn time you guys start dating again. Only took I don’t know, forever.”

After Ethan’s fall announcement, the two of them were congratulated by their families for finally figuring everything out before Caroline’s Dad suggested they all move into the kitchen to make their plates for breakfast. Ethan had requested How the Grinch Stole Christmas to play on the tv so they could all watch it in the living room as they ate. As they enjoyed breakfast, they went around opening more gifts, laughing, and overall enjoying one another’s company as they took in the peaceful atmosphere.

Caroline sat next to Emma, talking to her about her pregnancy as the two swapped information that Emma had read online and what Caroline had experienced when she was pregnant with Ethan. Emma was absolutely glowing, her five-month baby bump on display beneath her gray sweater, and Caroline was more than excited to talk to her about all the baby things she and Brady had bought or yet to buy for their little girl– who the two had come to settle on the name Madeline– and overall just how excited they were for the new addition to their family.

As the time dwindled on and they cleaned up the wrapping paper and breakfast, it was time for the group to go off to the one area in the neighborhood that the kids had designated as the hill for sledding before they’d head off to another night at the winter carnival where they would do the big Christmas tree lighting and a light show. Everyone was moving throughout the house, Emma and Brady packing up their gifts in the car, Andrew getting dressed upstairs in warmer clothes while Chantal was taking trips between their house and the Marsh’s with extra food dishes. Caroline had gone downstairs with Ethan to her parent's basement to grab some of the sleds they had stowed away.

“Hurry up, Momma! We’re gonna hit traffic!” Ethan groaned, carrying the two sleds up the stairs and blocking his own view as he left her behind downstairs.

“Go ahead, I’ll be right up,” Caroline replied, searching through the closet and grabbing herself an extra underlayer jacket to wear so she wouldn’t be cold. Once she found one of her older jackets from college, she put it on over her sweater before she closed the closet door and started to make her way upstairs.

“Whoops, sorry there,” Keith said, bumping into her in the hallway as he came from the hall bathroom. “Oh hello, Caroline.”

“Hi Keith, sorry for bumping into you,” she apologized, closing the door behind her. “It’s so hectic, I wouldn’t be that surprised if I missed the sound of the door opening.”

“Well with that news earlier, I can understand how hectic today is. And I suppose congratulations are in order,” he smiled, hugging her. “About time you two figured it out.”

“Yeah, I think I figured it out a little bit ago, but it was just about letting myself allow to have what I want instead of telling myself I didn’t deserve to be with Matt because of what I did.”

“You’ve grown up so much,” he held onto her shoulders, smiling proudly. “Besides the fact you’re not that little cherub girl who would sit and share cotton candy with Matthew and Brady during my games, you've really grown up these last few years and I can see the difference just in the last year. So no matter how little progress you think you’re making, you’re still making it. And I’m so happy for you, Matthew and Ethan. This has been a long time coming.”

“Thank you,” Caroline nodded, hugging him again.

“Of course,” he replied, kissing the top of her head. “Love you kiddo.”

“Love you too,” she replied, pulling away from the hug before letting Keith walk ahead of her down the hall.

As she walked out into the living room, she saw her parents getting up from the couch, just as Ethan and Matt had opposite of them. “Alright, are we ready to go?” Keith asked, clapping his hands together.

“Chantal, Brady, and Emma are all in their cars. Andrew just went outside and we’re getting ready to head out,” her Dad spoke, nodding towards the door. her parents heading towards the front door with Keith following behind them, leaving Matt and Caroline alone in the living room.

“You guys looked like you were in a good conversation, what did I miss?” She asked, walking over towards the front door where she hung up her winter jacket.

“Oh nothing much, just Christmas talk,” he replied, shrugging his shoulders before leaning down and kissing her, pulling away, and then grabbing his jacket off of the coat rack.

“What was that for?”

Matt looked up as he shrugged on his jacket, smiling. “Mistletoe.”

She smiled, looking up and spotting the mistletoe hanging above their heads before standing up on her tippy toes and kissing him again. “One for the road.”

“God,” he sighed heavily, shaking his head as he helped her get her jacket on over the new layer. “And to think I went eight years without getting to do that.”

“Good thing you won’t have to do it again, hm?” She asked, leaning into his arms as she wrapped her own around his waist.

He adjusted the ear warmer headband on her head before he cupped her face, tilting her head up to him as he kissed her softly and smiled, bumping his nose against hers. “Damn right.”

March 17th, 2025

Almost three months into their “new” relationship and things felt more than perfect. While the distance between them was by no means any easier than it was when they weren’t dating, everything else was great. The physical moments were few and far between, and the way they talked on the phone or over facetime never changed– but it felt different...it felt right. However, and maybe she was waiting to say it since their relationship was so brand new, even if it wasn’t and they’ve said it before...but Caroline had yet to tell Matt that she loved him and he her. There were multiple times where the three words almost came out of both of their mouths, both of them hesitating to say it because they were unsure if it was too soon.

But this trip to Calgary would be the last that Ethan and Caroline would be able to make until the end of the school year– and there was so much more on her mind than just visiting.

Luckily enough, it was pretty much perfect timing, how Caroline and Ethan’s school spring break schedules lined up with Matt’s season schedule. They flew in that Friday night, Matt having an off day before their Saturday game so he could pick them up from the airport, giving them Friday night and Saturday morning together before Matt flew off after the game with the Flames to go to Colorado. Caroline and Ethan spent the day with the Pruitts over at their house and watching the Flames game that night. They were able to spend Monday and Tuesday together and even some of this morning too before their game against New Jersey– Caroline loving every moment that she got to see Matt in his element and the city of fans cheer him and the Flames on.

Calgary was growing on her more and more and their two days walking around the city and experiencing life there played a big role in the nagging thoughts that kept her up at night.

The Flames had won 2-1 in a shootout, the winning goal scored by Sam. Ethan and Caroline met up with Matt in the hall outside of the locker room and when Matt came out, he greeted her with a kiss before hugging Ethan and then kissing her again– much to Ethan’s dismay– which was something she would never get over, that much she knew. They drove home together, Ethan struggling to stay awake and when they got to the apartment, Ethan went off to take a shower before Matt tucked him in, spending some time together and talking about the game while Caroline was off in Matt’s bedroom, unpacking his duffle bag and putting whatever dirty clothes he had in it, off into his hamper before placing the bag down beside his dresser for Friday’s game. After Ethan was asleep, Matt came into the room, closing the door behind him as he got undressed by the hamper before walking into the bathroom to take his shower.

Caroline changed over into her pajamas before climbing into Matt’s bed, of course lying on her side as she snuggled down into the sheets and turned on his tv, putting on Netflix to distract her. She put on Grey's Anatomy, not caring where it started playing since it was just something to keep as background noise and that she wasn’t paying attention to– her eyes often moving from between the screen and the bathroom door. She got through half the episode of Lexi Grey telling Meredith they were sisters when Matt came out of the bathroom, already dressed in some gym shorts and rubbing his hair dry with the towel. She sat up slightly, watching him as he walked back into the bathroom, the towel slung over his shoulder along with a t-shirt and when he came back towards her, pulling the St. Louis shirt over his head and turning off the bathroom light behind him, her heart was thudding against her chest.

“I’m exhausted,” he huffed, lifting the covers and climbing beneath the covers, and letting his body sink into his mattress. “Oh yeah, no funny business tonight because I don’t think I’ll be awake for the next ten minutes.”

“I think we should move,” she blurted out, turning towards him as he laid his head down against his pillow.

“Move where?” He asked, looking at her as he rested his hands on his stomach.

“Calgary,” Caroline replied, speaking softly as she rested her hands in her laps, fiddling with her fingers and getting more nervous by the second as he stared at her in confused silence. “I was thinking...I mean, if you’re okay with it...that Ethan and I could move up here with you? But if it’s too soon, then that’s fine.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, chill out,” Matt laughed, noticing her nervous rambling as he pushed himself up and turned towards her. “You want to move up here...with me?”

Caroline opened her mouth to speak, instead just nodding in reply as she looked at him, still fiddling with her fingers.

“But what about work a-and everyone at home? Heather, Blake, our parents, Ethan’s school and friends?” He asked, reaching out and holding onto her hands.

“I think it would be better for us to move up here and be with you than it is for us to be stuck down in St. Louis. Besides, I own Nana’s house so I can just have my Mom look after it during the season, and then in the summer when the season’s done, we can come back to it.”

Matt looked at her as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, and maybe he couldn’t. After all, one of the biggest blocks in her and Jonathan’s entire relationship– was just how strongly she felt about moving Ethan away from their families and friends and everything he’s ever known. Yet here she was, suggesting the very same thing. She would be leaving behind her job, her friends and connections, Ethan’s friends and their family...to come up and live with Matt in Calgary– where there were times that he could be gone for at least a week.

“But...your job?” He asked, furrowing his eyebrows. “You love working there. You’ve got great friendships with your co-workers a-and your students.”

“I do and I’ll miss it and them,” she nodded, squeezing his hands softly. “But what Ethan needs is his Dad. Not just during holiday breaks or the few days you’re in town...he needs you. It doesn’t matter if you’re on long roadies or you come home late when he’s already asleep because there’s always the morning and road trips don’t last forever. He needs you outside of daily facetime calls and the only way I can think of to fix that...is by moving.”

Matt brought her hands up, kissing the backs of them before looking at her. “And what about you? What do you need?”

“I wouldn’t mind having someone to fall asleep next to every night,” she smiled, shrugging her shoulders. “The left side of the bed does get pretty cold and lonely and I’ll admit...Facetime and phone calls are nice, but they don’t beat the real thing. I’d love to be able to hug you or kiss you every day and get to see you play more.”

“Plus, Facetime sex is definitely not the same. How we survived doing that, I have no idea.” Matt smiled, as she rolled her eyes.

“Probably because we had no idea what we were doing.” She laughed, playing with his hands.

“So…whatever happened to taking things slow, hm?” He teased, rubbing his thumbs over the backs of her hands. “Considering we’ve only been officially dating for...hm...three months now?”

“What can I say?” She shrugged, a smile on her face. “I’m in it for the long haul.”

“Lucky for you,” he replied, rubbing his thumb over her left ring finger. “I am too.”

She reached up and cupped his face with both hands, kissing him softly before pulling back just far enough to where she could look at him, brushing her thumbs along his jaw. “I love you.”

His reaction to those three words was almost identical to how it was all those years ago when they were teenagers and told each other that they loved the other for the very first time. His eyes had widened slightly, his eyebrows barely raised and the twinkle in his eye was enough to set the butterflies alive and distract her from the thudding in her chest.

He smiled, brushing his hands up beneath the sides of her shirt and brushing his thumbs against her warm skin as he leaned in closer, pressing his nose against hers. “I love you too.”

August 30th, 2025

Caroline couldn’t remember the last time she was so busy.

The Flames had won another Stanley Cup, this time against the Penguins, and the way Ethan fangirled over Sidney Crosby when he and Caroline happened to bump into him after the first game in the series, was one for the books. He had practically frozen in place when he spotted Sidney when they were trying to find their way to the visitor's locker room after they stopped to use the restroom and Sid could’ve walked right by, ignoring the little kid in the Flames jersey and postseason jacket, but he immediately recognized the starstruck look on Ethan’s face and stopped to talk with him for a bit. Ethan loved it, Caroline loved it and Matt was thankful to Sid when he came walking up, shaking his hand and Ethan following suit before Sid left.

The summer was a good one to remember too. They took Ethan up to Boston where they spent some time visiting Keith’s side of the family, giving him the extra time to meet and get to know family– to which he absolutely would not leave Kevin’s side, too excited about how they were related and barely able to stop talking, to which Matt said was interesting since they were trying to teach Ethan how to golf. Then they went up to Winnipeg to spend time with Chantal’s side of the family, again spending and getting to know the family he’d yet to meet. In July, the morning of their flight where they were supposed to meet up her family and the Tkachuk’s down at the beach house in Florida, they celebrated a surprise proposal instead– the sentimental moment enough to make the rest of their summer feel like a blur and that nothing else would build-up to that moment. While in Florida, they even got to spend some time with the Pruitts when Caroline, Ethan, and Matt went down to Universal instead of going back to St. Louis with their families to head over to the lake house.

The trip to Universal was the last vacation they had before they stayed in St. Louis the rest of the summer where they got to spend a little more time with Brady, Emma, and their new addition Madeline who was almost five months old. Getting to spend time with the tiny baby was great– Matt, Ethan, and Caroline all loved getting to spend time with and cuddle or play with the newest Tkachuk addition. If anything, it gave their family of three major baby fever. Caroline thought back on how tiny Ethan used to be and how much she loved the baby stage, even if it could be exhausting. Ethan loved being able to play with Madeline, even if there was only so much they could do– he truly enjoyed it. And Matt, Matt loved it all together. Out of the three though, it was Matt and Ethan who kept pushing a baby, Caroline often reminding them that it wasn’t happening anytime soon.

It was the beginning of the month when things really got hectic. Trying to settle and prepare for the school year at the same time was a big task. Caroline remembered her last move from her apartment and into her Nana’s house as a smooth one and that was when she was bringing in a little more furniture. Here, in Matt’s...well, technically their three-bedroom apartment, there wasn’t much that they needed to bring besides their clothes and a few personal items they chose. But still, in the last week of unpacking, it felt like she was still getting settled in– even if they had been moved in the last two weeks.

And it wasn’t like she did it on her own, either. Matt had yet to start training camp and they had help from their families, as well as Gio and Lauren who they’d spent time with on their first weekend in Calgary. Plus the Pruitt’s were back in Calgary as well, Elizabeth being like a saving grace to Caroline. Maybe it was being in a new home that was throwing her off or maybe it was because the school year was starting in two days and training camp. In two days, she was going to start her new life, where Matt was preparing for a season, Ethan was starting fourth grade at a new school and Caroline was preparing to teach at St. Mary’s High School as a multi-grade English teacher– a job Elizabeth helped her get since Elizabeth teaches science amongst the three grades as well.

Add all of that in with also planning a wedding for next year and it’s a miracle that Caroline hasn’t lost her mind.

“Momma, I’m back!” Ethan called out, the sound of the door closing echoing through the apartment. “Mr. Thompson walked me up cause Mollie was crying and tired, so Mrs. Elizabeth couldn’t get out of the car, but she waited for Mr. Thompson to meet me at the front door and told me to tell you that they’re still coming over for dinner after they take Mr. Pruitts Mom and Dad to the airport.”

“Okay, that’s fine. Did you say thank you to Mrs. Elizabeth and Mr. Thompson?” Caroline asked, looking towards the door as he walked into the living room.

“I did,” he replied, taking his overnight bag off and holding onto it. “I’m gonna go take a shower now for dinner. Adam and I were playing mini sticks with Mr. Pruitt and it was us two against him and it was really fun.”

“Before you do, can you set out the placemats and silverware?” She asked, setting her school planner aside as she stood up. “I had them set out and meant to do it, but I just wanted to go over my lesson plan one more time.”

“That’s okay, I can help,” he put his backpack down beside the couch before walking into the kitchen with her, grabbing the placemats. “Are you nervous?”

“Very,” she nodded, grabbing the silverware and following him around the dining room table, putting them down beside the placemats before walking back into the kitchen. “It’ll be weird without any of my co-workers and friends from before, especially Coach Preston...but I’m also excited. Mrs. Elizabeth really enjoys working there and everyone I’ve met so far is friendly. What about you? Are you nervous for school?”

“Yeah, really nervous,” he replied, walking into the kitchen with her as she checked the recipe she had found off of Pinterest that was cooking in the crockpot, as well as the food in the oven. “I don’t know anyone besides Adam…”

“Well, you know the Giordano’s too…” Caroline replied, leaning against the counter.

“Yeah, but she’s in a younger grade,” he replied, nervously plucking at the towel hanging on the bar of the oven handle. “I had a lot of friends back home…”

Caroline sighed, walking towards him and resting her hands on his shoulders. “I know, sweetie. But hey, I’m sure Adam will introduce you to all of his friends, and then once you guys start practice, you’ll make even more.”

“I know.” Ethan nodded, still pouting slightly.

“Are you regretting moving up here?” She asked, squatting down in front of him. “It’s okay if you are, Ethan. You don’t need to be scared to tell me, I want you to know that you can tell me anything.”

“I like being up here, I promise. I just miss my friends and my team I guess.” Ethan shrugged, taking a deep breath and sighing. “I also miss Grandma, Grandpa, Papa Walt, and Mimi. BeeBee and Emmy too and Maddie...but I also really like being up here because we’re with Dad, so I feel bad for being up here and being happy being away from them...but I miss them too, so that’s okay, right?”

“You don’t need to feel guilty about living up here with Dad, Ethan,” she replied, holding onto his hands and squeezing them. “It’s okay to be happy living up here while also missing your friends and family. I miss them all too and I can promise you that when Dad first moved up here or even when he went to Michigan or Ontario, that he’s felt exactly what you’re feeling. So if you ever want to talk, you can always talk to either of us, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Good,” she smiled, leaning in and kissing his cheek before standing up. “Now go ahead and take a shower, Dad will be home any minute and you don’t need to dress up super fancy tonight, but please put on a nice shirt.”

Ethan left the kitchen as she opened the fridge, checking on the chocolate mousse pie she got from Heather before closing it and returning back to the couch where she was able to see her phone light up with a text from Emma, who was one of her right hands in helping plan her wedding aside from Cheryl, her planner, her Mom, Chantal, and Heather. Taryn had opted out of helping plan the wedding, instead deciding she wanted to help plan the bachelorette party instead– in true Taryn fashion.

Just as she relaxed down on the couch, ready to reply to Emma’s text, she heard the key in the lock, and then the door opened a few moments later. “I’m home,” Matt called out, closing the door and hanging his keys up on the key hook by the door. “And I picked up that video game E was talking about. Figured it’d be a nice ‘sorry your summer is ending and you have to go back to school, but good luck’ present.”

“I’m sure he’ll love it,” she replied, looking at him as he walked behind the couch and came around, sitting down beside her. “He’s in the shower now, which you should be doing once he’s done. Can’t have you stinking up the dinner table.”

“Ha ha, very funny,” he replied, rolling his eyes. “I don’t smell that bad.”

“Tell that to my nose,” she joked, waving him off.

“Oh yeah, don’t mind if I do,” he replied, dropping the plastic shopping bag onto the floor and turning on the couch, pouncing on top of her and pushing her down onto the couch. “Embrace the post-workout stink, Line.”

“Get off of me you dork,” she laughed, nudging his chest up and off of her as he held his hands beside either side of her head. “Don’t make me call your Mom, you do know she told me that if you were ever picking on me, to call.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. This is just me showing love and affection to my fiancé, nothing more or nothing less.” He smiled. “Unless you want to move this into the shower...then it’s a little more than that.”

“No can do, I already showered this morning,” she replied, patting his chest and signaling for him to get up, sitting herself up as he did so as well. “Besides, I’ve got to reply to this text Emma sent.”

“Ooh, another picture of my favorite niece?”

“No, it’s about the wedding.” Caroline sighed, looking at the text. “She wants to know what I prefer for the boutonniere for you and the groomsmen. Cymbidium orchids are a really popular choice, but baby’s breath could be a close second.” She looked up from her and phone and at him. “What do you think?”

“I think I just had a major cause of deja vu and I need to go call my brother,” he laughed, pushing himself up off of the couch.

“Matthew,” she whined, pouting slightly. “Come on, I want your input on more than just the suits or anything involving the men.”

“Okay, I’ll provide input on the honeymoon lingerie,” he smiled, laughing as she rolled her eyes. “Kidding, kidding. Send me the pictures of said options and I’ll take a look, okay?”

Caroline nodded, sending him the pictures of the two options before letting her phone rest down beside her as she leaned back into the couch with a sigh. “Planning a wedding is so stressful. I feel like I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing, even if I have all this help. I just...I want it to be perfect for the both of us.”

“You make the wedding what you want it to be, Care. I’ll be glad to give my input if you want it, but all I want is for you to be able to bring that dream Pinterest wedding board you’ve had since high school...alive.” He spoke, grabbing her left hand and running his hand over her engagement ring. “Our wedding’s already perfect to me because I’m marrying you. I get to see you walk down the aisle towards me and Ethan and we get to exchange vows and rings and you know what the most important thing is to me?”

“What?” She asked, pouting slightly as she looked up at him.

“That I get to hear the officiant say ‘I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride’ and obviously kissing you is great, but the part I’m looking forward to most is when they say ‘ladies and gentlemen, I’m proud to announce, Mr. and Mrs. Tkachuk.’ That’s it, that’s my perfect wedding. You, me, and Ethan, all sharing one last name and officially being a family...and then, of course, making more babies. That’s perfect too.”

Caroline laughed, nudging his arm. “No babies till after the wedding,” she replied, holding his hand with her left hand. “You promise to look at the picture options?”

“Absolutely,” he replied, grabbing her right hand. “After our shower, though. You look stressed, there’s nothing that needs dire attention right now–”

“There’s food in the oven.”

“Will it be done in ten minutes?” He asked, pulling her up off of the couch.

“Well, no but–”

“Perfect, because that’s all we need,” he said, intertwining his left hand with hers. “We’re going to relax in the shower. Then we’re going to get dressed, look over the options and then come out here and have a fun dinner with our friends and their families, okay?”

“Okay,” she nodded, squeezing his hand. “Do you want me to wash your hair?”

“I knew I loved you for a reason,” he laughed, cupping her face with his left hand and kissing her twice.

“No funny business,” she said, following him into their room as she pointed at the hall bathroom. “We’ve got a child present.”

“A child who will most likely go back to his room and play on his Xbox or facetime his not-girlfriend,” Matt said, letting go of her hand and coming up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. “I think we’ll be fine with a little funny business. It’s not like we haven’t done it before.”

“We’ve got options to look at,” she replied, looking over her shoulder at him.

“But first,” he nudged her into their room, closing and locking the door behind him. “We’ve got a shower to take.”

“Matthew, what are you–” She laughed, her arms immediately wrapping themselves around his neck as he picked her up bridal style. “The bathroom’s right there, I can walk.”

“Yeah, but I’ve gotta practice for the honeymoon,” he smiled, kissing her and pulling back as he walked them into the bathroom, putting her down and walking towards the shower and reaching in, turning it on before turning back around, smiling at her as he peeled off his shirt, tossing it onto the ground. “Come on, future Mrs. Tkachuk...strip.”

taglist [if striked through, it won’t let me tag you 🥺] :

@steve-is-daddy @hockeybabe87 @nolanscheeks@hey-there9-its-me @besthockeyfics @hockeyschmockey @tysonsjosty @hockeystop @hannabritta @robschwartzman @ipuckwithhockey-archive @tkachuk-yeah @luvsherleafs @heyheyheyhayes @oilers2997@cutiesara23 @glassdanse @annedub @notaccurateornice @art-m-anic @corrinereads @reavenedges-lies @lwstuff @whatishockey @mydarkestsecretlol@dorotheathe1 @barzyspov @dutch-tv-fan@dude-44 @wastedheartcth @sorryjustafangirl @turnoutthecitylights@teenagekook @precioustk @lorrmorr @linkingdolans @starswin @barzysreputation @heatherawoowoo @usmileismile @hockey-and-wine @brehonodea @ggggmoneyyyy @majdoline@hiimjaredim19 @aesterins @adelaidestreets @idkalexaaw @u-4-ia@jennielynnie @miss-cap21 @itrocksmysocks @spencereidbasis @b34ut1fulb4st4rds @withthelightoff @dreamer1430@predshockeyfan @joelsfarabees@ollywahlygator @lovethepreds@taitor-tots @fansessions @basicallyido @mattyskies @ayowhatitdojd @string06 @dreamsndior @stuff4me2do @tkachuk197 @missymore @mellany1997 @leafs-forever @love-like-woaah@puckingrightschicagoo @hockeyunits @fuckyeahmattytkachuk @himbos-on-ice @brkfstatmidnite @rattymattytkachuk @tkapuckit @lovemesomevesey@thebestoffanfiction @ohpuckyeah@hrmatics @patsmoynihan @monalicia@simplegirl-lat @isletakebarzal@carebearofriddles

#what a finale!!!!#matthew tkachuk #calgary flames #fic rec #series rec #raysofcrosby

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