The Ducks had won the face off when the puck dropped. Tate got in position as the Ducks started firing pucks at the net. Only two went through Adler and Titov, and Tate brushed them off easily, sending them to the side for his defensemen. The game was like that for most of the first period. During a Ducks’ power play, one of their young rookies almost got one past Tate, but he was there, deflecting it away with the tip of his skate. It was a sweet move and if the Assassins would have been at home, the crowd would have lost it at his ability to stop anything. Even he was impressed with the stop.

Standing up straight, but always on the defense, Tate watched as the Assassins made their way into the Ducks’ zone. Brooks got the puck, shot and missed. Getting his rebound, he sent it to the center for E. Titov. Not having the shot, E. Titov sent it to Anderson, who sent it back to Adler. Adler looked left and then right, was about to pass it but decided to shoot. Blasting past the defensemen, the puck hit the back of the net before the Ducks’ goalie even knew what happened. Adler’s arms went up in the air, while the guys came over to congratulate him.

It was great way to start the game, and it gave the boys what they needed to win the game in another shut-out. Tate stood in front of his goal while the boys all congratulated him. He felt on top of the world, and when he glanced back at Audrey, she was grinning widely at him, her eyes bright with excitement as she screamed and yelled for him.

Tate could honestly get used to this.

~*~

Later that night, Tate sat in bed with Audrey, a plate of sushi between them as they ate. He couldn’t help but notice how gorgeous she was when he was in goal, but sitting across from her was ten times better. She wore a pair of rolled up jeans with a light peach colored shirt covered by a red blazer. Her hair was in a big fluffy bun and it reminded him of the first time they ever went out together: to Aiden’s hockey game. She looked playful, beautiful, and for the first time ever, he was able to call her, ‘his’.

“So, Mr. Five-Game-Shutout-Goalie-Guy, how does it feel?”

Tate chuckled, “Great, but it isn’t all because I’m an awesome goalie.”

“Oh no?” she asked playfully as she held a piece of sushi between a pair of chopsticks.

Tate shook his head, reaching across their plate to cup her jaw. He loved her jaw line, and her chin, they were some of his favorite things about her face. “It has a lot to do with you.”

Audrey smiled as she popped the piece in her mouth, “I’m already planning on sleeping with you, babe, I even bought special panties, so no need trying to talk me out of them. They will be off sooner than later.”

Tate started to laugh as he shook his head, “I don’t have to try, like you said. I’m only speaking the truth, love.”

Audrey’s cheeks dusted with color as she eyed him over a new piece of sushi she was holding, “You smooth talker, you.” Tate chuckled before leaning over and eating the sushi she had out for herself. “Hey!” she complained before picking up another, “I don’t like sharing!”

“You better learn to, love. I love eating my woman’s food.”

Audrey giggled, “Your woman?”

“Oh yeah, you didn’t get the memo in the hall?”

Audrey laughed, shaking her head, “Sure didn’t, but I’m glad someone did!”

While laughing, Tate moved the plate to the side, taking her by the back of her knees and bringing her almost into his lap, where he promptly kissed her hard. He had missed her mouth so much, and the kiss they shared when they met up earlier wasn’t enough. Moving his hands into the back pockets of her jeans, he deepened the kiss, moving his tongue with hers as her hands ran up his back, making his body break out in goose bumps. Parting, Tate ran his nose along hers before leaning his forehead against hers.

“Question,” he said softly against her lips.

Audrey nodded, her eyes closed as she tickled his neck with her fingers. “Sure.”

He didn’t know how to ask, and he was worried he might upset her, but he had to know. Backing up a little, his eyes searched hers, he asked, “Is there a reason you can’t have kids?” Audrey took in a sharp breath, looking away, but Tate brought her face back up to look at him, “No, don’t hide, love, tell me.”

Looking deep in her eyes, she shrugged her shoulders, “It’s a long story.”

“And I have all night. I want to know.”

Audrey nodded, removing her hands from his neck to place in her lap, where she twirled a ring around her finger. “It’s basically the same story of Fallon and Lucas, minus keeping the baby and living Happily Ever After.”

“Huh?”

Audrey looked up, “Oh, Lucas never told you about him and Fallon?”

Tate shook his head, “Parts.”

“Oh, well here is my version,” she said taking in a deep breath, “I was twenty when it happened. I was messing around with this guy, Derek Rambles, he was tattooed up, spikes through his lips, total hottie and my dad hated him,” she said with a shake of her head, “We’ll we were careless and the next thing I know, I’m pregnant.”

“But I thought you couldn’t have kids?” Tate asked confused.

“Oh, I could have, but after Derek left me and my dad caught wind of it, he demanded that I get an abortion or he would take everything away from me. I was scared and young, so I went along with it.”

Tate’s brow came together, he didn’t understand. How could a man do that to his daughter? “That’s insane.”