You and Me Forever
An Oh Captain, My Captain Novel
by Lindsay Paige and Mary Smith
You and Me Forever
Copyright 2015 by Lindsay Paige and Mary Smith
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This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any actual places, products, or events mentioned are used in a purely fictitious manner.
Cover Designed by: Bailey Ardisone
Edited by: Rebecca Cartee
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Hadley
Chapter Two: Luca
Chapter Three: Hadley
Chapter Four: Luca
Chapter Five: Hadley
Chapter Six: Luca
Chapter Seven: Hadley
Chapter Eight: Luca
Chapter Nine: Hadley
Chapter Ten: Luca
Chapter Eleven: Hadley
Chapter Twelve: Luca
Chapter Thirteen: Hadley
Chapter Fourteen: Luca
Chapter Fifteen: Hadley
Chapter Sixteen: Luca
Chapter Seventeen: Hadley
Chapter Eighteen: Luca
Chapter Nineteen: Hadley
Chapter Twenty: Luca
Chapter Twenty-One: Hadley
Chapter Twenty-Two: Luca
Chapter Twenty-Three: Hadley
Chapter Twenty-Four: Luca
Epilogue – Eleven Months Later
About the Authors
Coming Soon
Chapter One
Hadley
“Luca,” I yell for him from the bottom of the stairs. “You’re such a girl. I’ve been ready for twenty minutes. Your hair is fine.” I shake my head and double check myself in the hallway mirror. My makeup is set in place and my straight red hair hangs around my shoulders.
“I’m coming.” Luca Zotov jogs down the stairs. Even after ten years together, he still makes my heart skip a beat. He’s in a dark suit, matching tie, and a crisp white shirt hugs his body in the right places. His thick dark brown hair is in its usual bed-head mess. I’m sure he spent an hour on it to make it look that way. His beard is perfectly shaped around his strong jaw and full lips. But, it’s his eyes that make me melt. His caramel brown eyes.
“About time, Luca,” I tease smoothing my red wrap dress. “We have to be there at seven.”
“We have plenty of time. Have I ever made you late for anything?”
I raise my eyebrow at him. “The TV Media Awards,” I remind him.
“Jeesh, baby, let that go. It’s one time and that happened five years ago. I was in the middle of the playoffs.” He throws his hands up in the air.
I roll my eyes playfully. “Sure, use hockey as an excuse.”
Luca wraps his arms around my waist. “You love me and my hockey excuses.”
“I suppose.” I dramatically fake sigh. “I mean, it is nice to say that my boyfriend is Luca Zotov, captain of the Nebraska Bucks.
“What if he was your fiancé?”
I stop breathing. Did I hear him correctly? “What?”
“We are celebrating ten years together, but what if we got engaged? We’ve talked about it a few times. You have no trouble with my schedule and I don’t mind yours. We’re never having kids. We already own our house together, and the cars. We’re practically married as it is.”
I stand there hearing his words, but unable to close my mouth. He’s being serious. I can see it in his eyes. Luca isn’t the type to joke around.
“Hadley, baby.”
I blink as I watch him drop to one knee, pulling a small black box from his pocket.
“I have loved you from the moment you kissed me all those years ago. I’ve loved every single moment from then. You’re the only one for me in my life and I want you to be my forever.” He opens the box and inside is the largest, most beautiful diamond I’ve ever seen.
“Shut up.” I'm finally able to speak.
“Hadley.” Luca shakes his head with a smile on his face. “I need an answer. I know you like a flare of the dramatic, but I’m waiting.”
“Luca.” I fall to my knees and take his stunning face into my hands. His beard is soft and tickles my fingers. “I’ve loved you since forever and I can’t imagine anyone else but you. I would love to be your wife.” The sting of the tears almost hurt my eyes as they’re about to fall. I pull his lips to mine, but it’s hard for me to kiss him with the smile on my face.
~ ~ ~
I fell in love with Luca when I was a freshman in college. I went to North Dakota because it had the best sports media program in the United States. I was lucky to join the newspaper as a freshman, and I had been able to charm my way onto the staff.
It was when I had to cover the men’s hockey team that I first met Luca Zotov. He grew up in Russia and came to the US only for hockey. At that time, I didn’t know a whole lot about hockey. I was more of a basketball and baseball girl, but after my first game, I was hooked.
Although, that had a lot to do with Luca and his hot body on the ice. I can’t tell you a single thing about that game, except Luca scored twice and blocked five shots. He was the best defenseman in the college circuit and I had a massive crush on him.
From that moment on, I did everything I could to cover every game. I was able to interview Luca a few games after seeing him for the first time. I’m thankful I had my question already prepared and had a tape recorder, because I couldn’t look away from his eyes to know what the hell he was saying.
I continually ran into him on campus, but nothing more than a ‘hi’ came of it. Until I saw him at a frat party. I’m glad I decided on the short dress because when I saw him walk in, I knew that I was going to talk to him.
I’d never had trouble talking to guys, but Luca was different. He’s almost a foot taller than I am, but when he looks in my eyes, I feel only one foot tall because my knees buckle.
“Luca, nice to see you again. Are you here alone?”
“No, I’m here with you,” he told me confidently.
“Are you? Because I was waiting for another tall, dark, Russian hockey player. Have you seen him?” I hid my smile because Luca was the only Russian on the team.
“I saw someone like that when I passed a mirror earlier?”
“Is that why your hair is perfect?” He has such a baby face. “I bet you’d be sexier if you grew a beard though. You would be more distinguished.”
“Sexier with a beard?” He rubbed his smooth skin. “You’re probably right. Maybe I’ll grow one.”
“Well, when you grow one, I’ll let you kiss me. Right now, I’m not sure if you’re
sexy enough for me. I mean, you don’t look like a good kisser.” I pulled out all my flirty skills on him.
“Looks can be deceiving. You should probably find out sooner rather than later. Either way, you’ll be fantasizing about it.” He stepped closer to me and I did my best to hold my own with him.
“I doubt it.” I shrugged. “I need to go find my date.” I tapped his hard chest as I walk around him and headed out to the back porch.
I took several deep cleansing breaths to try to calm my heart. It was beating hard because I still saw his deep caramel brown eyes piercing me. I heard the door open and I knew that it was him. I turned around and looked at him.
“Are you stalking me, Luca?”
He softly chuckled. “Making sure you find me, is all. Unless there really is another Russian hockey player walking around here somewhere?” He challenged me by lifting one eyebrow.
“Well, I have studied the roster intently and I haven’t seen anyone but you. I guess that means I’m stuck with you,” I told him nonchalantly.
“Good.”
He leaned in for a kiss, but I backed away. “You need to grow a beard and then we’ll talk about a kiss.” I smiled.
~ ~ ~
“Baby.” Luca’s deep voice brings me back to the moment.
“Yes.”
“Would you like me to put on this ring or are you just going to stare at me?”
I giggle and drop my hands from his face. Luca slips on the ring and there aren’t enough words to describe it. Stunning, huge, gorgeous, and wow is all that comes to mind in this second as I stare down at it.
“I love you, Luca.”
“I love you, Hadley. But, we do have dinner plans.”
I roll my eyes at his serious tone. “Let’s go, Mr. Zotov.”
~ ~ ~
I slap the screeching alarm and groan. My body is deliciously sore from Luca’s tongue, fingers, and dick. I stretch my arms over my head. I look over to Luca’s side of the bed and he isn’t there. He never is. I can hear the faint sounds of the treadmill running from the down the hall. Every morning, he’s up at six and hits the workout room. You’ll never catch me in there, unless my jeans are tight. I hate exercise. Then again, I live on lattes and potato chips. I roll out of the bed and jump into the shower.
Once I’m ready for my day, I head down the stairs to the kitchen. On the breakfast bar is my latte. I love that every morning my bugs bunny cup is sitting there waiting for me with a Luca-made latte.
“Baby, I’m going to be working out with the guys after practice.” Luca comes up behind me and kisses the top of my head.
“That’s fine and I may be late. I need to help edit some film for the feature next week.”
“Okay. See you later tonight.” Luca grabs his keys, gives me a quick kiss, and heads out the door. I check the clock and realize I need to go, too.
I’ve been working for KPSN for almost six years. When Luca was traded from Portland to Nebraska, I didn’t think I was ever going to be able to get used to the flat land and the extreme heat, but somehow I did. I started at the bottom at KPSN, but eventually I landed my dream job of sports producer. I love every moment of it. I don’t think I could wish for a better career. Not only do I get to be around some of the greatest athletes in the world, but I also get to travel, especially to the big games.
“Hadley, we need to figure out what we are doing for the playoffs.” Amy comes bounding around the corner into my office.
“Basketball or hockey?” I look up from my schedule.
“I’ve nailed down the basketball already and we’ve got the crew ready, but…” she trails off.
“But what?” I stare at her. Amy has been my assistant for about a year and she’s still scared of me. I can see it in her eyes.
“Are we sure the Bucks will make it to the playoffs?” she whispers.
“Luca told me that they are,” I say proudly. “But, just in case keep the soccer films on standby.” I hate to admit that they might not make it. The team hasn’t been playing their best and Blacksmiths are neck and neck with them. It’ll go to the wire for a playoff spot.
“Um...one more thing.” Amy shuts the door and steps closer to my desk. “Are you wearing an engagement ring?”
“Oh.” I smile and hold my hand out. “Luca asked me last night.”
“Wow, that’s the biggest diamond I’ve ever seen.”
“I know. Luca doesn’t do small.” I laugh.
“Have you set a date?”
“Good grief, no. I’m sure that it will have to be in the off-season and we'll have to check Luca’s workout schedule before a date is set. Plus, we’ve been together for ten years. We aren’t rushing into it.”
Amy nods. “Congrats.” She turns on her heels and leaves.
I look at the pictures on my bookshelf of Luca and me. They are of all of our travels. England, South Africa, Australia, Fiji, there aren’t too many places that we’ve not been. The off-season is when we spend the most time together and we love to explore.
Now we get to continue to do it as husband and wife.
Chapter Two
Luca
A bunch of my teammates and I are lifting weights after practice. I’m halfway through a set when James, a winger, glances over at me.
“You had your anniversary dinner last night, right? How’d that go?” James is one of the guys I’m closer with, but it surprises me that he remembered. I do good to remember the names of their family members, but then I’m terrible at that kind of thing, sometimes.
“Good,” I reply. “I proposed and she said yes, so we’ll get married some time.”
A few heads turn my way at this. Darryl, another defenseman, says, “She’s not pregnant, is she?”
I laugh. “No. No kids for us, now or later. I’ve been with her ten years.” I shrug as if that’s explanation enough. She’s my girl and I love her. It was time to make the next step, one that doesn’t include kids. I’ve always been thankful that she’s been on the same page as me on that.
“Well, congrats, man,” James smiles. A few other congrats are said, and I nod my head in thanks.
Darryl speaks up again, though. “Let us know when you set a date so we can start planning a bachelor party.” He grins. I’m sure it would be a crazy party because he can be a bit wild at times.
“Will do.”
Afterwards, on the drive home, I realize I should call my parents and let them know. They’ll be happy for me, I think. I know they like Hadley, so that’s a plus. Hadley’s car isn’t in the driveway when I arrive. Once I get settled inside, I lean against a counter in the kitchen and call my parents. My mother answers.
“Hey, Mama. How have you been? Are you busy? Is Papa there?”
“Luca, I’m great. Of course, I’m not busy, but I’m about to go to bed in a little bit. Let me get your papa.” She yells for him before speaking to me again. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, everything’s good. I have some news, though.”
“You’re on the speaker that I have on this blasted phone you bought for me. We can hear you.”
I chuckle. “I was calling to tell you that Hadley and I are engaged. I asked her last night.”
“Oh, Luca, does that mean we’re going to be grandparents? Oh, that is wonderful,” Mama gushes.
“He didn’t say that, he said engaged,” Papa corrects. “But Luca, is she going to have a baby soon?” Even he sounds hopeful.
With a deep breath, I answer, “No, Papa. We don’t want kids. The news is we’re engaged, nothing more.”
“You both would make the most beautiful children. Why can’t you settle down and have a couple? Are you going to try once you get married? Luca, you’re almost thirty,” Mama reminds me. “By the time I was your age, I had you and…”
“I know, Mama,” I tell her gently. “But we don’t want kids. We’ve talked before about it. We’re happy with just us.”
“Son, I know that it’s hard for you still, but kids bring
you such joy. I’m sure in a couple years you’ll change your mind.” Papa sounds like he’s so sure of this.
“We’re very happy for you both,” Mama adds, but she sniffles and the sadness is evident in her tone.
“Thanks. I’ll let Hadley know you said that. I should probably let you go. We’ll talk soon, okay?”
“We love you both,” Mama says.
“We love you, too. Bye.”
I toss my phone onto the counter. What is with everyone and their kid talk? Not everyone has or wants kids once they’re married. For a moment, just a moment, I let myself imagine Hadley and I having a baby. My mind goes blank, absolutely blank. I can’t picture it. Relief moves through me. I don’t want to be responsible for another human being ever. Not being able to picture it is good. My life is meant to be spent with Hadley and Hadley alone. I’m beyond lucky that she knows and understands how I don’t want kids. I’m lucky that she’s happy with not having kids, too.
I hear the door open and seconds later, Hadley walks around the corner. She smiles when she sees me.
“Don’t just stand there looking pretty. Dinner won’t cook itself, Luca,” she says as she sets her things down on the table.
Her words stir me into action as I start taking things out of the fridge and pantry for dinner. “Did you have a good day, baby?”
“Yeah, it was fine. Did you?”
“Yes. Teammates send their congrats and Mama and Papa said they’re happy for us.”
“You called your parents?” she questions as she walks out of the room, probably to change into sweats and a t-shirt.
I wait until she returns to answer, “Yes. Just before you got here. Have you told anyone?”
“A few people at work. They wanted to know if we set a date.” She laughs softly. “I told them it took you ten years to propose, we’re not in a rush.”
With a small smile, I glance at her. “I had to be sure you were the girl for me. Not a fast process.” She shakes her head at me as she goes to fix herself something to drink. “Everyone asked me if you were pregnant. Apparently, that’s why people get married. Or because they want kids.” I pause as a thought slams into me, guilt rising within me. “I feel bad Mama won’t have grandkids, but…” my voice trails as I shake my head. She’ll be okay without them. I just wish it wasn’t up to me to give them to her, and that it wasn’t my fault that it’s up to only me.
You and Me Forever (Oh Captain, My Captain Book 6) Page 1