Page 80 of Mistletoe Face Off

He hesitates before he punches his fist against mine and skates away.

As I take my position, I glance back up at Holly. She gives me a proud smile, and I know I made the right call.

The whistle blows, and I'm back in the game, ready to shut down any of the Thunderwolves who challenge us.

This is my game, my team, my family to protect, and I've never been more ready for the challenge.

In the end, we snag a clear victory, winning 4-2 with a spectacular goal from Lorcan in the final period. The perfect Christmas present for us all.

After, once we’ve had the debrief with Coach, showered and changed, the team and our respective friends and family, wives and girlfriends, share a couple of post-game drinks at a private function room back at the hotel.

“And when you pushed the biscuit across the ice to Chase who got the goal? Harry, that was so cool,” Macy says with a broad grin on her face. She too is in my jersey, and I pick her up and hold her in my arms.

“Biscuit? Who taught you that word?” I ask.

“I know stuff,” she replies.

“Does this mean you like hockey more than figure skating now?” I ask.

She seems to think about it for a while before she replies, “Almost.”

I laugh, catching Holly’s eye, who’s beaming at me. I bet I can tell what she's thinking. She loves seeing the closeness betweenme and her daughter, but the way I see it, I'm the winner in this. I get HollyandMacy. The perfect package deal for me.

“Did you see my daddy?” Macy asks.

“I sure did. He's a good player,” I reply. “He gave me a Christmas present, but I'm not allowed to open it up until Christmas Day. He said so.”

“Did he now?” My eyes find Holly’s once more.

“He asked to see us after the game. We just got here,” she says as she places a kiss on my lips.

“Mommy,” Macy complains.

“That's what people do when they're in love, honey,” Holly says, and I can't help the huge grin from claiming my face.

We are in love, and it's the best feeling.

“I'm glad you went to see him,” I say as I place Macy back on the ground. “He needs to be a father to Macy.”

“It's good that he's at least asking to see her. Who knows? Maybe he might even turn up next time he's arranged a get-together,” Holly says.

“Chance would be a fine thing,” Cindy scoffs behind Holly.

“Mom. Play nice,” Holly warns.

“I am playing nice, but only with the people who deserve it,” Cindy replies, flashing a grin at me.

I definitely have the Cindy stamp of approval.

My mom joins our group, holding a plate full of Christmas food. “You were amazing out there on the ice. I think we lost our voices cheering for you for a while there.”

“We needed all the support we could get tonight. This Thunderwolves crowd doesn't exactly welcome us with open arms,” I reply.

“Can you blame them? You beat them too much for their liking,” Mom replies, always supportive of me and the team.

“That looks good, Nadia,” Cindy says, eyeing her plate. “I might need to get myself something to eat. Want to come with me, Princess Figure Skater?” she asks her granddaughter.

“Okay,” Macy says.