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There's a commotion over near the bar that's tended by two people, dressed in crisp white shirts and red and green plaid bow ties They'llfreely As is the arnated drivers, all paid for, of course, by Mr Brannon himself

I see a large crowd of tea Garrett and Olivia It takes me all of two seconds to see by the wide smile on her face, the even wider smile on Garrett's and the way she holds her left hand out for inspection to all ill look, that an engagement has happened

Nice

Very nice

I'd like to see the same happen in my life, but I have to wonder if it will occur So far, Vale has been cagey and secretive as to her i on her It is, after all, true love

I walk over to the crowd, push ratulations are in order, man"

"She said yes," he says, completely drunk on love and excitement

Olivia presents her left hand "Behold the power of love"

I take her hand, pull the ring up for inspection, and say dryly, "I would have thought he'd get you a bigger rock"

Olivia snorts and pulls her hand away, putting it up in front of her face to exa ever"

"It's three fucking carats," Garrett gruain

"You did good," I praise hiirl"

"I' her in She rests that left hand on his sto prettily

"Is Vale co?" Olivia asks

I shakein tomorrow Wanted to spend Christmas eve with her dad"

"How long will she stay?" Garrett asks

"A week, and then she has to start her new job," I say, even as I fight against the doard pull of my lips in dis to Coluo where the opportunity was, and right now, she needed a job Didn't matter that I offered to support her Told her she could move in with me and that I'd take care of her

She just rolled her eyes at estion in the world, but then mollified me somehen she said, "Just until their season ends, then I'll try to find soh area"

Which was a good bet that she would With three iate athletic prograood It's justI want her fucking here, now It's funny, once I opened ift of her love, I've found -distance shit Can't fucking stand it

A clinking on a glass gets our attention and I turn to see Brian Brannon standing at the head of the large, open living rooives a few ne with his Stanley Cup co, and it er badly I think we've got a great shot this year

"If I can have everyone's attention," he says loudly, and the last of the chatter dies down Waiters circulate with trays of cha with Garrett and Olivia

Once everyone has a glass in hand, he says, "I just want to thank everyone for coanization, and this time of the year is most excellent to celebrate those friendships I understand we have sohtlooks like our own Garrett and Olivia have gotten engaged Let's wish the happy couple well"

Everyone cheers, hoots, and hollers Olivia blushes prettily and Garrett puffs his chest out

When the ishes die down, Brian continues "We have so news," he says as he turns to look at his daughter, Gray, standing beside him She stands next to her husband, Ryker, who has his arm wrapped around her waist

"Gray and Ryker have generously given ht, so without further ado"

And here, Brian turns to his daughter and places a hand on her stomach His voice is cooing to randchild The baby is due in May"

Gasps of surprise and delight turatulations and raise their chalasses, as Brian kisses Gray on the cheek She is beahter than I think she smiled this past summer when the Cold Fury hoisted the Cup My eyes catch Ryker's and I raise ful nod of happiness for the dude

And even though I couldn't be more happy for Garrett, Olivia, Ryker, and Gray, it ht at this irlfriendmy loverthe woman who I love more than life itself and who should be withfifteen hundred miles away in Sydney I feel like a whiny brat, so I take a deep sip of chaht because tomorroill be all better I'll be wrapped up in some Vale Campbell, and that will be bliss We haven't seen each other since I left Sydney ten days ago, and the first thing I'et her alone is strip her naked, take my mouth and--

More clinking on the crystal glass and Brian Brannon is getting everyone's attention again The chatter dies once more and everyone stares at him with happy smiles fueled by Veuve Clicquot bubbles

"We have one et busy with some serious Christmas cheer and celebration," Brian says "Like I said before, we're a family I cherish each and every person in this room, and there isn't much I wouldn't do for the lot of you hacks"

Everyone laughs Brian beams back at the crowd

"So, it's with absolute pleasure that I get to spring another surprise on you I'd like everyone to welcome back to the team Vale Campbell"

Brian goes on to say so a new job offer with the teaht, trying to find her He did say Vale Caht?

My heart feels like it's about to ju at me as I vainly scan the crowded room

But then a small tap comes to my shoulder from behind me, and I whip around in a frenzy of excited expectation

And there she is

Gorgeously beautiful, a uely notice her dad standing behind her

"Hey, lover," she says as she cocks her head at ratulations, and then the din sort ofat her in disbelief