Out of The Blue

Epilogue

ONE YEAR LATER

As I finished off the last of my morning coffee, I could hear Bowen as he came bounding down the stairs, Scout hot on his heels, and the corners of my mouth tilted up as they skidded to a stop at the kitchen entryway.

"Can I have Lucky Charms this morning? Pretty please?" he asked, eyes pleading.

I chuckled, turning to the cupboard behind me and pulling the box down from the top shelf. "Well, I'd say the first day of third grade constitutes enough of a sugary cereal celebration, wouldn't you?"

"Yup!" he chirped happily, pulling himself up to sit at his usual seat at the kitchen island while my dog headed for his food bowl, already full with his morning meal.

"Are you excited to head back to school?" I asked as I poured his cereal into a bowl, added some milk, and handed it to him with a spoon.

Nodding, he stuffed a large bite into his mouth. "Uh huh. I'm gonna bring my robot figures so I can play with Robert and Ben at recess." It didn't matter to him that he had food in his mouth, or that milk was running down his chin and into his lap. Which was a semi-normal occurrence around here, since he couldn't help but talk. The silver lining this time though was that he still wore his pajamas and wasn't messing up his return to school outfit. "And Sloane said that in third grade we get to learn about space!" he continued with wide-eyed excitement. "I can't wait."

"That'll be fun," I mused, reaching over to grab a paper towel from the counter before passing it to him, "but remember what we've talked about. Swallow first, and don't talk with your mouth full, especially while you're at school."

He flashed me a sheepish smile, before covering his mouth with his hand. "Sorry."

"What are we sorry for this morning?" Sloane asked, one of her eyebrows raised as she entered the kitchen. Wearing a pair of grey pants that molded to her figure, a simple white t-shirt, and a jean jacket with a few small bumblebees adorned to it, she looked every bit like the professional, yet fun, first grade teacher she'd become.

And somehow, I'd won the lottery because she was also exceptionally hot.

"Someone was talking with his mouth full of Lucky Charms," I said, gesturing towards Bowen.

"Ah, yes. I would listen to what Ryan said, because we wouldn't want your teacher or friends at school to think you're being raised by a couple of wild animals, now would you?" she asked, ruffling up his hair.

He shook his head as I chuckled at the interaction, having grown used the affection and love the two of them shared. It'd been last November, two months after Bowen and I had settled down in Boston, when Sloane had wrapped up things in Neptune Bay and had joined us in my old apartment. After weeks on end of texting, video calls, and wishing the distance wasn't separating us, everything had begun to fall into place. Though it became clear quickly that the two-bedroom I'd previously lived in alone was a bit too small for the three of us.

In between my busy hockey schedule, helping Bowen adjust to his new city and school, and Sloane getting hired on as a substitute teacher, it'd been difficult to look for a new place that we all loved. But on a snowy day in February, we'd found it, and had moved into a newly remodeled family home in Hyde Park in late March.

Because that's what we were. A family.

And while neither I or Sloane would ever replace his parents, Bowen saw us as the two main role models in his life. The people who cared for him and who he could look up to as he grew. Which was both a huge responsibility and, during quiet times like these, a hugely rewarding role to play.

Breaking me out of my thoughts was Bowen as he called my name and asked, "What kind of special breakfast does Sloane get?" He looked up at me with curiosity shining in his gaze. "She doesn't like Lucky Charms, so she'll need something else."

"Well, I don't know," I drawled as Sloane walked around the island, waiting until she was within reach to wrap my arms loosely around her waist to pull her close, "what kind of breakfast would suit your fancy? After all, the first day of school must be celebrated."

Because while she'd been a substitute teacher most of last year, bouncing between schools around the city where needed, a teacher at Bowen's school of all places had retired last year, and Sloane had gotten the full-time gig.

"Oh it must, eh?" A smirk pulled on her lips, and I knew exactly what had just flashed through her mind. A reminder of the 'celebration' the two of us had earlier this morning—between the sheets as the sun was rising. And then again in the shower before even a peep could be heard from Bowen's room that was down the hall. "If you're cooking, I wouldn't say no to a few pancakes. Maple syrup and all."

Seeing as I didn't have to be at the arena for another hour for practice, that was an easy ask. I leaned in to plant a quick kiss on her lips. "Coming right up, love."

As I got to work on the batter—simply mixing together a boxed mix and some milk—Sloane sat next to Bowen and started talking to him more about what he could look forward to this year at school. With every glance I tossed their way, I saw the gleam in his eyes as he listened to her and it warmed my heart. How two of the most important people in the world to me were here, a part of my life every single day.

Because even as my biggest dream had come true months ago, when I'd lifted the Stanley Cup alongside my Knights brothers at our home arena after winning a hard-fought game seven, it'd been the love, the support, and the congratulations I'd received from Sloane and Bowen when they joined me in the on-ice celebrations that had truly made that moment special. After all, the trophy was just a symbol, but the people I got to share it with were the real reward.

And with the ring I had hidden upstairs—one I planned to ask Sloane to marry me with later this month—she would officially be a part of what I hoped to hold onto for the rest of my life. The family that'd formed out of the blue.

THE END

a/n: this story, and the entirety of the Boston Knights series, is now OFFICIALLY OVER *cue the water works*

I've absolutely loved throwing myself into writing these stories centered around a game that I love while also focusing on featuring strong female characters as they embark on healthy relationships with some fine ass men :') I hope you've all enjoyed this world, and I can't thank you enough for reading <3

What's next? Well, I'll be plotting out another adult romance in the coming weeks - this time with a bit of a hot mess main character as she gets her life together while dealing with her new landlord, who just happens to be a bit of a grump despite being insanely hot. It'll be a whole lot of fun, so make sure to look out for that coming to my Wattpad profile in the coming months!