Sorry for the lack of updates lately! I will be honest and say they will be spread out now that I've caught you all up and everything I have. No worries though! Just be patient with me and I promise goodness and happy endings. ENJOY!!

77.1 - Feisty Pre-Teen

Spencer's PoV

It was hard to believe that three months had passed since January. Three short months, and it all went by so fast.

It was the last game of the season for the girls and I had two more weeks of coaching for Jaiden's team. Then I'd be setting my attention fully on the Wedding plans and work.

"Are ya ready Coach?" Ashley bumped my hip with hers as she helped fill up the team's water bottles. She made a really great assistant and I even gave her the responsibility of blowing the whistle when the girls had to change it up.

My proud helper.

I couldn't wait to marry that woman, say our vows, be completely together.

"I'm ready." I grinned widely, knowing I was ready for anything life was going to throw our way.

Ashley stuffed her cold hands in her jacket pockets as she eyed up the girls warming up on the ice. "Is it weird that it's colder in here than it is outside?"

"April showers bring May flowers." I chirped and gave her the signal to blow the whistle.

The team came forward and huddled around me and Ashley. "Alright, so here it is, your last game of the tournament and everyone is banking on us to win the championships three years in a row!"

The team cheered and I could tell they were just as pumped up as I had always been during a huge game.

"We're up by 1 goal and there's less than five minutes left. Now, I have to tell you that winning isn't everything, okay? You've all made me proud. I just want you to play your best, have fun and show them who owns this ice!"

"Woo!" Lucas was the loudest to cheer, swinging her stick in the air.

"On the count of three," I put my fist in first, followed by the teams', then Ashley's cold hand, "one, two, three, Rawr!!"

"Rawr!!" They screamed and were off to their positions on the ice.

"Are you going to be coaching next hockey season?" Ashley asked me, biting her nails in anticipation as the puck dropped in front of Dylan and her opponent.

"We'll see." I smiled and continued to cheer on my favourite hockey team.

Lucas had mentioned that she wanted to play for the rest of her life but also wanted to pursue something with her art. She was showing more interest in her art club, art classes and sketched almost everything in sight.

Dylan wanted to play hockey for the rest of her life as well, her drive was so strong for it that she asked if she could enter a three day hockey camp during the summer. Ashley didn't even question her, she just nodded and asked where to sign a parental sheet.

"Penalty on #5!" The referee blew the whistle and pointed Lucas towards the penalty box. I raised my hands in the air at her and frowned.

She just looked smug.

I couldn't even rip into her for it because I played the exact same way.

"You couldn't have done something before we entered under two minutes of the third period?" I heard Ashley question her, with a raised eyebrow.

"Chill Momma," Lucas took off her helmet and threw her stick over towards me, "Dyl's got this in the bag."

Ashley turned to look at me and shrugged, turning her focus back on the game.

Lucas was banging on the glass, hollering at Dylan to pull back. They had their own language when it came to game time, talking in riddles to throw the other players off.

Carmen and I taught them that, it worked 99% of the time.

"Skate! Faster!" Ashley screeched as Dylan's small frame took her across the rink faster than you could blink.

She stopped right in front of an opponent and looked down to where the puck was passed to her by another teammate. Dylan grinned and flicked the puck quickly between her legs before she swung her stick again. The puck ricocheted off the post in an angle and dropped right in the net, over the goal line.

The buzzer went off.

Legion Lions won!

The team was hugging and congratulating each other before they were back on the ice to shake their opponents' hands. I was right behind them and when I got to the coach, he stopped me before I turned around.

"Coach Carlin, I just wanted to congratulate you on your much success. What is your secret?" The older guy gave me a soft grin.

"Patience, Coach Perch, a lot of it." I returned the soft grin and made my way back towards my team. They held the trophy high above their heads, cheering and laughing.

After they lined up to receive their much earned gold medals, the locker rooms were full of high energetic 9 to 11 year olds.

"I'm gonna miss you in this jacket," Ashley brushed her lips over my cheek as her fingers trailed over the 'Coach Carlin' embroidery.

I pushed myself off the wall by the water fountains and smiled, grabbing her by the belt loops. "I'll model it for you whenever you want." I wiggled my eyebrows and she grinned widely, nodding.

"You're seriously thinking about hanging up your whistle?" She asked with her eyes full of concern. I watched as she placed the whistle in the palm of her hand.

"I guess we'll see how work is come October," I shrugged a little with a true smile. "Something tells me that I won't stop coaching Legion Lions for a couple of more years, not until Dylan's old enough to move onto the next age group."

"Hi Miss Carlin, Miss Davies!" Jason, Dylan's best friend, came bounding down the hall towards us.

"Hi Jase," Ashley responded kindly. She adored the smaller blonde boy, never knowing when to say no to Dylan when she asked if he could go and play at their house, or ours.

"Can Dylan come over for dinner? My mom said it was cool and she wouldn't mind talking to one of you, if you want." His piercing blue eyes landed on me and I looked to Ashley.

"Of course, let me go and talk with her." Ashley smiled and excused herself, leaving me with the boy who held our nine year old's heart in his hand.

"So what are your intentions with Dylan?" I asked, scratching behind my ear.

"What?" He blinked at me confused and I groaned, realizing I had to wait a few more years before questioning any girls or boys that come knocking on our door.

"Nevermind." I almost pouted and was interrupted by Dylan and Lucas turning the corner to make their way over to meet me.

"Jase!" Dylan beamed, her brown eyes sparkling as usual when Jason was around.

"Awesome goal, Dyl!" Jason wrapped his arms around the small brunette in a hug and I bit my lip hard.

"Wasn't it wicked? I totally knew she could get one more goal in there." Lucas beamed proudly and twirled her hockey stick around. "Where's Momma?"

"She went to talk to Jason's. They're eating dinner at his place tonight." I smiled and played with her long blonde ponytail.

We met Ashley up at the concession, finding her in a conversation with another woman that wasn't Jason's mother.

Laughter ripped through the blonde as she ran her hand down Ashley's arm.

Lucas whipped her head in my direction, silently asking me if I just saw what she did. Her grey eyes narrowed and she threw her hockey gear in an empty seat before taking a spot next to her other mother.

"Hey Luc," Ashley's warm brown eyes welcomed her and she wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "ready to go?"

Lucas stared at the other woman who touched my woman. "Yes, your fiancée is missing you, I'm starving and watching this conversation is a little boring."

"Lucas!" I hissed and laughed, stepping up to the three older women. "Sorry, when she's hungry, she's very feisty."

Ashley shook her head but smirked a little. "It's okay Spence, I was a little bored myself."

The blonde looked more than offended and turned around to walk away. "What was that all about?" I asked, more curious than anything. It would take a lot more than some blonde to make me jealous.

"She overheard me asking Patricia if it was okay Dylan go over there for dinner. She wanted to know if Dylan had a father and if I was married, blah." Ashley rolled her eyes and looked at Lucas, "thanks for rescuing me."

Lucas shrugged and smirked. "No big Ma, I'll always have your back."

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