Power Play (68 page)

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“You can say that again,” Phyllis said just as both she and Jennifer caught sight of Troy hoisting Alex onto his shoulders.

***

“Put me down you fool!” Alex happily squealed as Troy skated around the rink with her on his shoulders. “You’re going to get hurt!”

“I’ve benched far more than what you weigh, shorty,” Troy replied and gently placed her back on the ice. “Enjoy this moment because it’s been a long time coming.”

“Damn straight!” Hank bellowed. “I never expected this awesome when I got called up from Scranton!”

Travis and Johann bounced behind them, chattering excitedly in Finnish.

“Cut the exotic act, Vanderhoven,” Brian said laughingly. “Everyone knows you’re Canadian. If we’re going to celebrate, let’s do it right; that includes
everyone
speaking English.”

“Let them have fun, dude,” Lenny said. “The offseason started five minutes ago.”

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“I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m ready to get wasted,” Marty said.

“Why am I not surprised?” Pierre asked. “At least wait until the trophy presentation ceremony ends.”

“You mean after Talmadge gives one of his long-winded speeches? Now you know why I want to get a head start on drinking.”

“We’ll have plenty of time in the locker room.”

Vince nudged them. “Hey, what is Talmadge doing? I saw Coach pass something to him.”

“Calm down, Beaumont; it’s not a bomb,” Pierre replied.

Alex shushed them. “The presentation is starting.”

***

821

Troy had a secret plan he would’ve unveiled matter how the night ended. No one except Coach Barry and Jon Halloran knew what was about to happen following Troy’s obligatory Princeton Trophy acceptance speech.

He barely contained his excitement and congratulated his teammates one by one until reaching Alex at end of the line. Troy took her hand, brought her with him to center ice, and addressed the crowd.

“Alex Galloway helped make winning the championship possible,” he began. “I think she deserves something special for her efforts.”

Alex opened her mouth to protest, but he shushed her. “I’d like to thank both Jon Halloran and Coach Barry for helping put things together before I proceed.”

“What the hell?” Marty asked in a low voice. “Come on, Talmadge; I have to piss.”

Boris elbowed his ribs. “Stay quiet.”

Troy both of Alex’s hands and smiled warmly at her.

“Oh, shit!” Pierre whispered. “Is he about to do what I think?”

“Looks that way,” Byron answered with a nod.

822

Troy faced Alex. “You and I have been through a lot of ups and downs the past year but somehow always made it through. This organization took a chance on you and you never disappointed us. You gave us guys hope when things appeared bleak and shared all the good times. You’re an outstanding player, mother, ideal role model for girls, and a solid friend to all of us.”

“With that,” he said and got on one knee, “Alexandra Kirstie Galloway, would you make me the happiest man in the world and take my hand in marriage?”

Taken aback by his proposal, words caught in Alex’s throat. She eagerly nodded, unable to speak.

“Yes?” Troy asked with hope in his voice.

“Yes,” she croaked.

Thunderous applause and cheers bounced off the arena’s walls as she and Troy officially sealed their engagement with a passionate kiss.

Jennifer smiled down at Anna, who was ready to fall asleep. “Looks like one of your godfathers just got promoted to stepfather-to-be.”

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Anna responded with a yawn, more interested in bedtime than her mother’s upcoming nuptials.

***

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Epilogue

Troy Talmadge and Alexandra Galloway Ivanka married the following October only days before the new hockey season began. Her second wedding was more extravagant; the ceremony was officiated by Byron and took place on center ice before an exclusive group of five hundred friends, family, and local luminaries in contrast to an almost empty room in a Las Vegas “marriage mill.”

Her wedding dress was made of silk and ivory lace, and she carried a cascading bouquet of white roses matching the ones worn in her hair. Phyllis and Jennifer were her attendants, both in pale blue gowns.

Troy wore a black tuxedo with a white rose pinned on its lapel, his shirt the same ivory color as Alex’s dress topped with a powder blue bow tie. Boris and Davy served as groomsmen and the entire party donned hockey skates with their wedding attire.

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Their reception lasted into wee hours of the morning and headlined society pages of several newspapers. There was no honeymoon; bride and groom went on the road the day following their wedding for a game in Nashville.

Alex sold her condo and moved with Anna into Troy’s house. Judy remained the family nanny, receiving a substantial raise from Troy. Anna still spent off seasons with Jax in Prague and Miami, enjoying every moment possible with her father as she grew from a pleasant baby to sweet-natured toddler.

Anna was three when Alex gave birth to Quinn Parker Talmadge, a tribute to both his grandfathers. Troy was crazy about his son, determined to get Quinn in skates once he was old enough to walk.

Alex was concerned at first Anna would resent the new baby, but pleasantly surprised her daughter wanted to be with Quinn and hold him.

One night, Judy rushed into Alex and Troy’s bedroom and woke them. “Anna isn’t in her room!”

“Did you check the bathroom?” Alex groggily asked. “Maybe she’s using the potty.”

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“Yes, she’s not there, and I’ve checked everywhere downstairs.”

Troy yawned. “She couldn’t have gone far. We’ll help look for her.”

“Anna hides when she has bad dreams,” Alex said. “I can check her usual spots. If things were different, I’d guess she feels left out because of Quinn, but she loves him.”

The three of them searched every room, closets, and every tight spot they could find until Alex found Anna.

“Shh!” she told Troy and Judy. “Come here; you should see this.”

They peeked in the doorway of Quinn’s nursery. Anna was curled in a chair by his crib, covered in her favorite blanket and fast asleep.

Troy chuckled softly. “I guess we can put any further thoughts of her having any jealousy towards the baby to rest.”

***