“And before any of you ask, yes, the baby is mine. Ellis wouldn’t lie about that. Everything… lines up,” I assert. They can ask questions about my own morals and choices, but I won’t have them accusing Ellis of anything. They might not know her, but if she is half the woman I remember she would never dream of lying about something like this.

“Then we’re happy for you Ruin. Seriously dude, y’all need anything just ask. We might not have kids, but I’m sure we can read a book. Maybe I can come tell Coach with you, be a buffer?” Anders offers as he pulls me into a bear hug. There are not many men who make me feel small, and even though I’m around the same height as him, Aiden Anders feels like my hockey dad. With my real one off retiring in Florida, I might need to seek some wisdom soon.

“She has a kid, right?” Rook asks. I’m waiting for him to make a remark about Ellis being a single mother, before he shocks me. “You should bring him to the rink back home and we can teach him to skate, you know, so Ellis can have a break.”

My eyes widen at Rook’s startlingly mature suggestion. “Look at you being helpful for a change, I might just take you up on that. Jack is great; he’s five and I can already tell he’s just like his mom.” I tell them, strangely full of pride. Jack was nice to me when he could have thrown a tantrum or demanded I leave. Instead, this little guy took my hand and showed me his trains.

“You’re fully in for a ready-built family? Especially with your ex? That’s a lot.” Anders asks but there isn’t really a question in the way he says it. He knows my answer. I think they all do. As if my little outburst in defence of her wasn’t a clear indication of my feeling on this whole thing.

“They are my family. Well, if I get my way they will be.” Ellis is my sunshine, always has been and always will be, but I know it will take time for her to get used to the idea of me being around. There is no way I am going to push the idea of us in a relationship for a while yet. I need her to know once she says yes to that she is saying yes to forever.

“Damn Liam, you’re going to be a dad,” Anders repeats again. “A good one, I’m sure. You’re one of the most even-tempered people I know. You need that in spades with kids.” The rest of the guys nod along with him, showing their support for me too.