Page 291 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

He chuckles. "Yes, ma'am."

His wife thanks Mom before the couple slowly make their way toward the exit.

Mom waits until the door closes behind them before turning back toward the hallway.

***

That's when she sees us.

She stops.

The file slips slightly in her hands.

"Oh..."

The word is barely more than a whisper.

Her eyes find mine.

Then Annette.

Then back again.

For just a second, she doesn't move.

Then the biggest smile I've ever seen spreads across her face.

"My goodness."

She hurries toward us, abandoning every ounce of professional composure she'd been wearing moments before.

"You must be Annette."

Annette smiles. "I am."

"My dear..."

Mom opens her arms. Annette steps into the embrace without hesitation. Mom holds her for a long moment, then leans back just enough to look at her.

"It's so wonderful to finally meet you."

"You too."

"No." Mom shakes her head with a smile. "You have no idea how long I've wanted this moment."

Behind us, another office door opens. Dad appears, reading through a chart as he walks.

He doesn't look up until he's almost beside us. When he does, his eyes immediately settle on Annette. He closes the chart, looks at me, then back at her.

A slow smile spreads across his face. "So..."

I already know that look.

"So?"

"You're Annette."

She nods. "I am."