Hockey Baby 🏒

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Sophie

    The last three days have been sheer hell. I wiped away a tear as I sat on the living room couch after putting Aurora to bed, praying for the pain to go away. I was upset that Ashton had hidden this from me, but what embarrassed me most was my memory loss. I knew something had happened between Ashton and Lindsey, but I couldn't remember her, which upset me the most.

    My mom appeared in the living room doorway and gave me a sad smile as she approached. "Aurora went to sleep okay?" she asked, sitting beside me. I shrugged, pulling my legs to my chest and resting my chin on my knees.

"It was a little easier tonight. I think she can't sleep because Ashton hasn't been around to tuck her in," I admitted. My mom nodded sympathetically.

"I think she's not the only one having trouble sleeping without seeing Ashton," she said, placing her hand on my back. I was about to say I was sleeping just fine, but she shook her head, stopping me. "Sophia, I know you've been having trouble sleeping. I can hear you crying in your room when you think I'm asleep." Her gentle words and the comforting rub on my back made the tears sting even more.

"I'm so sorry for bringing all this drama to you, Mom. I came home to spend time with you, but it feels like I got caught up in Ashton, and you've been bombarded with all our relationship problems," I said, my voice breaking. My mom shook her head.

"Don't apologize, sweetheart. That's what moms are for. We're always here for our babies, no matter how old they are," she teased. I gave her a watery smile as a tear escaped my eye.

"I don't think Dad would be very happy with me right now," I sighed. My mom looked at me in confusion. "I mean, I graduated college with a writing degree and all I do is work from home editing books. I'm not actually writing anything. Then I got pregnant by Ashton, and now I don't even know if we're getting married anymore," I croaked out. My mom tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and placed her hand on my cheek.

"Honey, there's nothing in this world that could've upset your father. He loved you so much, Sophia. You are and always will be his little girl. I know he would be so proud of how you've grown up. You have plenty of time to write. Don't feel like you're a disappointment because you haven't written the next bestseller. As for Ashton, you need to hear him out. You two love each other so much. It would be ridiculous to throw it away because of a misunderstanding."

"Would you have forgiven Dad if he had done the same thing to you?" I asked. My mom took a slow, deep breath as she considered my question. I knew it was unfair to compare Ashton and my Dad, but I needed to know.

"I would have forgiven him," she answered with a nod. "It would've hurt to hear it from someone else, but I know your father loved me more than anything in this world, just as I know Ashton loves you. Sophie." I sighed, resting my head on her shoulder, and letting her words sink in.

    I knew she was right, but forgiving him was easier said than done. I wished he would try to contact me to let me know that he missed Rory and me, but I had only myself to blame for not hearing from him.

"So, I never really stop being a mom, no matter how old Aurora gets?" I asked with a nervous chuckle. My mom laughed and kissed the top of my head.

"You're doing a wonderful job, Soph," she assured me. I smiled gratefully. The sound of a car door closing outside made us both sit up and look out the window. My heart stopped.

    Ashton was running up the sidewalk and heading straight for the front door. "He actually came," I breathed in disbelief, waiting for him to knock, but it was silent. I turned to my mom in confusion, and she gave me a light nudge.

"Go talk to him, honey. He's probably trying to think of what to say." I took a deep breath, nodded, and forced myself off the couch.

    I walked toward the front door, trying to reassure myself that everything would be okay. But the moment I opened the door, time seemed to stop. Ashton looked at me with so much pain in his eyes that it made my heart ache. I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around him, but I held the door instead. "What are you doing here, Ashton?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. He took a sharp breath, staring at me intently.

"I'm here to bring you and our daughter home," he said. I shook my head, about to argue, but he marched toward me, causing the words to get stuck in my throat. "I am so sorry for keeping this from you, Sophia. I know I should've told you. I'm an idiot for hiding it, but I won't let you throw away what we have over a stupid mistake. Yes, I had lunch with her, but it wasn't a date. She kissed me, but her lips barely touched mine before I pushed her away and made it very clear that I have feelings for only one person, and nothing will ever change that."

    He reached up and cupped my face in his hands, pulling me closer. I could feel tears welling up from his words, but I couldn't find my voice to tell him I forgave him. "You have every right to be upset with me, baby, but I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. You and Aurora mean everything to me. These last three days have been the worst of my life. I love you, Sophia, and I will love you for all eternity. You are it for me. My life is meaningless if you're not in it." A tear escaped my eye as I let out a strangled sob and leaned up on my toes to crash my lips against his.

    We kissed with a passion that left me breathless. We kissed as if it would be the last time, and it stole the breath from my lungs. I tangled my fingers in his hair as we pulled each other closer. Ashton released my face and wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me off the ground.

    After a few minutes of kissing each other as if our lives depended on it, we finally slowed down. I placed a soft peck on his lips before pulling back slightly to look into his eyes. "I love you so much, Ashton, and I'm sorry too. I should've heard you out before leaving. I promise I won't leave during an argument again. Can you forgive me?" I asked. He squeezed me tightly, and a grin spread across his beautiful face.

"I forgive you, baby. Can I take you and our daughter home now?" I shook my head, and the fear that appeared on his face made me laugh.

"I just put Aurora to bed, and you know how grumpy she gets if she doesn't get at least eight hours of sleep," I reminded him. He chuckled, shaking his head at me, and lowered me to the ground but kept his arms wrapped around my waist.

"I wonder who she gets that from," he teased. I gasped, preparing to deny that I was not a grumpy person, but he pressed his lips against mine, silencing me and making me lose myself in his kiss.