The Hero and the Fat Girl (New Hampshire Bears #3) (18 page)

I don’t want to push at all, but I did call my lawyer and gave him a brief overview of what the private investigator might find in Las Vegas. I’m still not sure what, if anything, they found about me. I just don’t want Maxima’s name dragged through the mud. She’s an innocent victim in all this and she’s too good a person.

“What are we doing today, Dad?” Arabella asks.

“Since Maxima is working today, I thought we could go play some hockey.”

“Good plan.” She hops off the chair and heads toward the stairs. “I’ll grab my skates.”

I chuckle as I pick up the workbooks on the table. I know she finished her summer classes, but I want to keep it fresh in her mind for when schools states. I’ve began working with her this week.

The doorbell rings, and I open it to see Edgar and his wife, Greer, standing on the other side.

“Hey, Rosin.”

“Hey, come in.” I step to the side. “How have you been, Greer?”

She gives me a smile. “I’m doing great.”

“How are the kids?” They have a boy and girl together.

“Growing up way too fast. We should get the kids together soon before school starts,” Greer suggests.

“Sounds great.”

“Hi, everyone.” Maxima comes down the stairs. “Thanks for coming.”

“Thanks for helping us again, Maxima.” Greer shakes her hand. “You’ve helped us out so much; we’ll go wherever you go.”

“Thank you for the confidence.” Maxima’s cheeks turn pink. “Remington has been kind enough to let me take over his office.” Her stunning eyes shine as she looks at me. “Let’s head up.”

Arabella comes racing down with her bag. “I’m ready, Dad.”

After a few greetings, we’re out the door and in the car. I let Arabella listen to the radio and my ears are bleeding from the horrendous music, but she’s singing right along.

When we arrive at the arena, Cabel is already on the ice with his two daughters: Leia is ten and Bria just turned four. Alden, Vance, and Bas are messing around at the other end. Kyson and Keaton are on the bench getting water.

“Arabella, it’s about time you come and show us your skills.” Kyson comes over to my daughter and helps her onto the ice.

Arabella is geared up with a helmet, gloves, and pads. She wears her Bears jersey with my number on it and the words
daddy’s girl
on the back. I am filled with such pride seeing it.

“Hi Arabella.” Leia skates over.

“Hi Leia.” My daughter waves. “Wanna skate together?”

“Sure.” They hold gloved hands together and head off toward Cabel and Bria.

“How are things with Maxima?” Kyson asks softly.

“Great.” I didn’t tell them everything about Maxima’s appointment, only she opened up to me.

“I’m glad it’s working out.” Keaton slaps my shoulder, and they skate off to Alden, Vance, and Bas.

I head over to Cabel for a moment as Bria tries to keep her balance with her tiny hockey stick. I know she just turned four, and she’s doing well for her age. We chat for a couple minutes, before I head over to the others and play some three-on-three with the guys.

After about an hour or so, we start cleaning up, and I even chase Arabella around the ice a few times. She’s an excellent skater. I remember putting her on the ice at three. She laughed and laughed. Now, look at her.

Arabella hugs all the guys, Leia, and Bria when we finish. She’s beaming when we leave and get in the car.

“Did you have fun?” I ask, pulling out of the parking garage.

“Yes. Now I’m ready for dance class.”

I chuckle and head toward the house. She needs to clean up before dance class.

As I park in our driveway, a massive Ford Truck is out front. It belongs to the one and only, Hamilton Baer. He’s a southern boy through and through. I knew he had an appointment with Maxima too. I’m proud of how she’s taking control of her career.

“Hi, Captain.” Arabella waves as he and Maxima come downstairs.

“Hello.” He gives her a small, quick smile. If he were to ever really smile, fully, I believe his face would crack. “I see you’ve been skating. Did you score on your old dad?”

“Old?” I scoff. He and I are practically the same age.

“I tried, but he cheated,” Arabella tells him.

“What?” I exclaim. “I did not.”

Maxima giggles as Hamilton says, “I’m sure you’re a better shot.”

“I am,” my daughter says confidently and heads toward the laundry room with her pads.

I mumble under my breath like a disgruntled teenager, telling them I’m the better shot, but neither of them is paying attention.

“Thanks for everything, Maxima. It’s a pleasure doing business with you.” Hamilton shakes her hand before he heads out the door.

“You’re welcome,” Maxima answers him professionally and then shuts the door.

“Good day?” I question as she rests her back against the door.

“Great day.” She comes over to me and plants a quick kiss on my lips. She wraps her arms around my neck. “I may need a file cabinet though.”

I slide my hands into her back pockets. She has a fucking fine ass. “Do whatever you need to. It’s going be your office.”

She tenses up.

“What’s wrong?”

“You just act as if I’m going to live here forever.” She gazes up at me.

“You are.” Okay, I shouldn’t have said like that, but I can’t take it back now.

“Oh, so you think I should just, I don’t know, up and sell my house and marry you?” She giggles.

“Yes,” I say firmly. “Marry me today.”

“Wait…huh?” She falters a bit. “I’m kidding.” She drops her hands and grabs my biceps.

“I’m not,” I counter. “I’ll marry you right now.” There’s no doubt in my mind that she is the one for me. She is mine, and I am hers.

“Remington, we’re being insane. We don’t even have a pre-nup.”

“Do we need one?” Before she can answer, I finish, “I trust you. Hell, I trust you more than anyone else. You would never do anything to hurt me or Arabella.”

Her face pales, and her eyes bounce around my face. She’s studying me.

“I love you. Marry me? Marry me, right now.”

“Yes.” The scream startles both of Maxima and myself, and we break apart as Arabella comes running toward us. “We’re getting married.” She wraps he arms around us both.

“Um…Arabella.” Maxima bends down to her level.

“You don’t want to marry us?” Her brown eyes suddenly become wet with tears.

“It’s not that. It’s too soon.” Maxima tries to explain.

“But you love us; I’ve heard you say it.” Arabella calls her out. “I know it was fake when I got here, but now I see the love.”

Maxima and I both gasp, and I drop to my knees. “Who told you that?”

“The walls aren’t thick, Dad. I’m not dumb either. You two barely talked when I moved in.” Arabella rolls her eyes. “Now, look at you.”

I’m not sure what to say. Arabella knew the truth this whole time?

“We don’t think you’re dumb. You’re very bright and smart. But marriage is a big commitment,” Maxima tells her.

“Well, isn’t lying and keeping secrets a big deal too?” Arabella quips.

“Yes. You’re right again.” Maxima takes her hand in hers.

“You love Dad and when you love someone you get married. Is it because you want a big wedding? Like the ones on TV?” Arabella asks.

“No. I always just wanted a family.” Maxima’s eyes are filling with tears.

“We’re right here. We’re a family.” Arabella suddenly is the best philosopher in history. “You’re my mom because a mom loves her daughter and takes care of her. That’s how you are to me. You are my mom.”

Now
I’m
about to cry.

“You love Dad, and he loves you.” She keeps going.

I see tears roll down Maxima’s cheek. She’s quiet for several seconds. She opens her mouth, but closes it. More tears come, and Arabella wipes them away.

“I love you and your dad very much. I would love for us to be a married family.” She smiles. It’s her beautiful stunning smile. “I’ll marry you today.” Her silvery-blue eyes stare deep into mine. “I do love you.”

“I love you.” I kiss her.

“Eww. You don’t need to do all that in front of me,” Arabella exclaims, causing Maxima and me to laugh against each other’s mouth. “Are we getting married tonight?” She bounces up and down.

“I’m sure the courthouse is closed, and it takes time.” Maxima tries to reason with her.

I quickly pull out my phone. “Siri, where is the nearest twenty-four marriage chapel?” Siri answers with Anytime Wedding in Bedford, NH. They’re open late and will do elopements.

“We can be there in twenty minutes.” I stare at Maxima.

Her cheeks turn red. “Do you want to do this?”

“More than anything,” I tell her with all the love in my heart and soul.

She glances at Arabella, who is still bouncing on her toes, and then back at me, and then back at Arabella. “You’ll have to miss dance class.”

“I don’t care,” Arabella states.

“All right. Let’s go get married.” Maxima finally agrees.

I pull her to me, wrapping my arms around her. Arabella squeals again and throws her arms around us both.

This is the greatest day of my life.

The female pastor who ran Anytime Weddings was very nice to us. After showing our IDs, passports, a copy of my divorce decree from Rickie that I’d thought to grab before leaving the house, and paying the fees, we had a quick, simple wedding. Arabella stood next to Maxima the entire time.

After our first official kiss, Arabella wraps herself around our waists, shouting, “We’re a family!” And she’s one hundred percent right.

Had someone told me I’d be married today, I’d have called them a liar. But all I have to do now is go to the county clerk’s office tomorrow and file the license.

“We have to have a dinner now,” Arabella informs us as we get back in the car.

“Where do you want to go?” Maxima asks.

“No, you’re the bride. That means you pick,” Arabella tells her.

“Oh,” Maxima shrugs. “I don’t know. Remington?”

“Nope,” I shake my head. “Where does my bride want to go?”

Maxima blushes. “I guess tacos sound good.”

“Yes, nachos.” Arabella cheers. I chuckle as I drive back to Manchester to our favorite Mexican restaurant.

It’s the best dinner I’ve ever had. I tell Arabella and Maxima about pranks I’ve pulled or had done to me during my time in the league. The girls laugh and laugh, and I do too. My cheeks hurt by the time we leave.

“Arabella, you’re yawning a lot,” Maxima says when Arabella leans against her.

“I’m tired.”

“It’s a little early for bed, but if you want to go home, that’s fine,” I tell her.

Arabella nods and drags herself up.

“Come here, honey.” I pick her up. She’s tall like me, but I can still pick her up.

By the time we get home, she’s out. I place her in her bed, taking off her shoes and covering her up.

When I shut her door, our bedroom light is on. When I enter the room, Maxima is standing in the middle of the room, staring at her engagement ring.

“How about tomorrow we go to the Clerk’s first and then get rings? I suggest, closing our bedroom door. “Then we’ll get my sister from the airport.”

“Under one condition?”

“Okay.”

“I buy your ring.” Maxima looks up at me.

“Deal.” I step up to her and kiss her.

“Could you give me about ten minutes alone?”

I stare at her for a second.

“I want to surprise you with something.”

I kiss her again and leave her in the bedroom. If she wants a few moments to herself, I can do that for her. I move around the house, making sure all the doors and windows are locked. I send a text to Cora letting her know I’ll be at the airport. I want to call my parents, but I’ll wait until morning. Damn, I want to tell everyone Maxima and I are married.