Only Ever You: Bonus Chapter Two

It's probably my 1st bonus chapter ever that doesn't have any hints on who the next book is about, or any other details about it. It just shows Michael and Isla enjoying their life and being the happiest little family. I loved writing it (P.S. head to my IG as a stunning characters' art for this scene is posted)

This chapter takes place a few months after Michael's epilogue.

I hope you'll enjoy this one. Happy reading!

MICHAEL

Twenty-six years old

By the time we’re done for the day, neither of us has enough energy to leave the nursery. Isla settles on the floor, her back against the wall, one hand resting on the curve of her stomach. With a satisfied grin, I drop and sit beside her. Our 4-month-old corgi, Archie, immediately claims my lap, dropping his head onto my thigh with a dramatic sigh.

Isla snorts. “Looks like he’s exhausted.”

“From what? From supervising us?” I ask, patting his head.

“Duh, it was a very important job.” She lets her gaze roam over the space, a faint smile on her lips. “This room turned out perfect. Mom definitely has a talent to get into your head, so she can create a design that will look exactly as you dreamed.”

“Yeah, Aunt Bella really helped us to create something magical.”

“It’s for her first grandkid, of course she wanted it to be the best of the best.”

“You sure only your mom wanted it to be the best of the best?” I tilt my head to the side. “Nothing to do with Uncle Xander hovering over your mom and watching everything like a hawk when we FaceTimed to discuss everything?”

Bottom lip trapped between her teeth, she holds my gaze. “Dad was just…”

“Supervising?” I suggest.

A bolt of giggles springs out of her mouth, and I laugh too. Uncle Xander will never change, but honestly I don’t mind. After we had our wedding ceremony, and he had a chance to walk Isla down the aisle, my relationship with him returned to where it always was. Support, respect and kindness. He knows I love his daughter more than anyone in the world, knows I’ll do anything for her—and for him that’s enough.

Archie thumps his tail once as if agreeing with us, his eyes still closed.

Outside the nursery window, the Upper West Side glows beneath the fading evening sky. New York never really gets quiet, even this high up, and especially not in December. Down below the trees in Central Park are covered in snow. In the past two months it became Isla’s favorite place to go for walks, just to enjoy the scenery when I don’t have games and neither of us have practice. Lights flicker from the busy roads and on in neighboring buildings. A siren and then a car’s honk cuts through the air before disappearing again.

The city is loud, it’s crowded, and yet it’s home. For both of us. And soon we’re going to bring our little girl to our family.

For a while, we just sit on the floor. Talking, laughing, arguing over whether the crib would still be standing if I’d assumed I knew better instead of following the instructions.

“You’re lucky I was there. A little bit of guidance never hurt anyone.” She points at my chest, smiling smugly.

I furrow my brow, pressing a hand to my chest. “Mind you, I’m perfectly capable of assembling furniture.”

“You attached one of the side panels backward.”

“Once.”

She rolls her eyes. “Michael, it happened twice, and both times you didn’t even notice until I pointed it out.”

Archie lifts his head from my lap, his beady eyes blinking as he looks between us.

I ruffle his fur. “You’re supposed to be on my side, bud. I need you to tell your mom she’s exaggerating.”

She gasps. “I’m his mom? Don’t you see him sleeping on your thigh?”

“He was just too tired, and I was closer. He’s clearly chosen a favorite, and that’s not me, because it’s you who he follows around everywhere.”

She reaches over and pats his head. “He has good taste.”

Once she settles back, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her to my side. She cuddles into me, her warmth sinking into my naked chest. And I don’t want to move an inch.

We eloped three years and a half ago. Then she won gold at the Olympics, then four months later I won the Stanley Cup with the Phantoms. We had a lovely ceremony with our closest friends and family a bit over two years ago. I was just happy to have her, to finally be with the love of my life.

But when we found out five months ago that we were having a baby? I realized there’s no limit to the love I feel for Isla, no limit to what I would do for her, or for the little life growing inside her. She’s already my favorite girl, just like her mom.

“Ash actually offered to help, but I told him I’ve got this.” I bury my nose in her hair, breathing in her scent. “So proud of myself for actually having this.”

“If he’d been here, I’m afraid it would’ve turned into complete chaos. Without him it was…a manageable disaster.”

“You wound me.” I sigh dramatically, putting on a solemn expression.

She pulls back a little, and I duck my head to look her in the eye. The warmth swimming in her eyes as she holds my gaze makes me drop the act and smile at her.

“I love you,” she murmurs. She lifts her hand and cups my cheek. “And I think you’re the best husband in the world.”

“Even though I’m not a handyman?”

A giggle bursts out of her, as she shakes her head. “No one can be good at everything.”

I lift one shoulder in a shrug. “Dunno. My wife is kinda perfect.”

“Is she?” She arches an eyebrow.

“Are you fishing for compliments? Because you know I can go on all day about how amazing you are.” The sudden change in her expression makes me pull my brows together. “What’s wrong?”

Eyes wide, she just gapes at me. My heart kicks into a nervous rhythm, pounding in my chest so hard I swear it could be heard from the moon.

“Babe?” I ask cautiously.

“Our baby…”

Her quiet voice makes my palms sweat, but when her lips stretch into a huge grin, I almost get whiplash.

“Isla, you’re actually freaking me out. Like, for real.”

Instead of saying anything, she takes my hand and pulls it toward her belly. With a concentrated look on her face, she presses my palm to her skin, right below her ribs. I wait, not really understanding what’s going on. But then I feel it—something moves right beneath my hand. It’s not the kick I’ve heard so many people talk about, more like a gentle tap. A little hello, a little nudge to tell us she’s here, to let us know she’s listening.

My eyes misting with tears, I look up and meet Isla’s gaze. “Looks like our baby girl wanted to remind us she’s here too.”

“Do you think it means she knows we’re preparing a room for her?”

Slowly I turn to face her, then cup her cheek and slip my fingers underneath her hair. Forehead to forehead, I soak in her warmth, the heat of her skin, the scent I love so much.

Eyes closed, I whisper, “I think what she really feels is how much we love her. How we’re waiting for her to join our family of”—Archie lets out a snore reminding us about his presence—“of three.”

Isla chuckles. “This family of three cannot wait for their fourth member, but…”

I open my eyes. “But?”

“I love being pregnant.” She gives me a cute little smile. “And we still have around four months before our baby girl gets here.”

I look over the room: the assembled crib and dresser, half-way stocked with clothes, Isla and I already started buying, the bookcase filled with children’s books. Some essentials are here, but the room isn’t finished. So much work to do, so many things to prepare, so many days for us to enjoy this waiting.

“Can you please help me stand up? I really need to use the bathroom.” Isla’s words pull me back to reality.

“Of course.” I stand and hold out my hand to her, gently pulling her to her feet.

Archie is instantly on his feet too, glancing between us. The moment she moves, the little devil does too, following her out of the room.

“He stalks you,” I comment.

“He doesn’t.” She’s about to step into the bathroom when he sneaks in ahead of her.

I point at the door. “See? He even follows you to the bathroom.”

She lets out a huff. “So do you.”

I open my mouth, then close it, because, unfortunately, I can’t argue with that.

Her smile widens. “That’s what I thought.” And then she closes the door.

Well, I have a wife who loves me to the moon and back. I have a baby on the way. Who cares that this dog loves Isla more than he loves me? I can still win him over.

The happiness that settled in my chest when Isla and I finally got together only keeps growing, keeps spreading. My career is going great, and I’m getting better every time I step on the ice. My best friend plays by my side. My parents and my in-laws support me and cheer me on.

I’m happy, I’m fulfilled. But more than anything, I’m still in love with my childhood best friend, and this feeling is the best thing I’ve ever experienced…all because she loves me back.

***

Thank you so much for reading!

While I’m not ready to tell you anything about the second book in the Games of Hearts series just yet, I can confirm two things: it’s coming in 2027, and you can already pre-order it at a special preorder price 🩷

PRE-ORDER GAMES OF HEARTS BOOK TWO

With love,

Ana