Chasing Charli - Kat Mizera Page 0,78

walked towards Charli and Miikka. She was about to burst into tears again and buried her face in Miikka’s shoulder. He stroked her back. “It’s okay, hani. I’m here. I’ve got you. Now wipe your face and smile, so you can say hello.”

She hurriedly dug a tissue out of her purse and dabbed at her eyes, turning to stare into a pair of bright blue eyes identical to her own. Her stomach clenched and her chest tightened, but then he smiled and it was like a rainbow was shining on her. Seven years of worry melted like butter on the surface of the sun, slowly dissipating and replaced with a warm feeling of contentment.

He was okay.

He was healthy and happy and had a big toothless grin that made her want to kiss his whole little face.

“Dylan, this is Miikka Laasonen, from the Alaska Blizzard, and his girlfriend, Charli.”

“Hi!” The boy’s eyes shone. “You’re my second favorite player!”

“Dylan.” Heather gently admonished him, though she was smiling.

“It’s okay.” Miikka squatted down so he was eye-level with the boy. “Who’s your number one?”

“Anatoli Petrov from the Sidewinders.”

“Good choice. His brother is my good friend.” Miikka was grinning. “I brought you a few things.” He handed the boy the bag.

“Thank you!” Dylan dug into the bag, pulling out an autographed jersey, baseball cap and puck, along with some team swag. “This is awesome. Thanks, Miikka!”

“You’re welcome. Next time the Blizzard comes to St. Louis, you can be my guest at the game.”

Dylan’s eyes rounded and he looked up at his mother. “Can we, Mom? Can we?”

“Of course.” She smiled, nodding.

“Do you play hockey?” Miikka asked him.

“Yeah. I’m number eighteen like Toli, but I’m a left wing like you.”

“That’s excellent.” They talked hockey for a few minutes and Charli could only stare in fascination.

This was her son.

A child that had grown inside of her.

The baby she’d never wanted to give up.

The baby no one had wanted but her.

And obviously Heather.

He looked so much like Charli it was startling. His eyes were big and blue, his hair dark and a little wavy, and he had her nose. He was truly the most beautiful little boy ever, and she longed to touch him, but so far she hadn’t even been able to talk, much less move.

“Miikka has to go soon,” Heather said gently. “Do you have anything you want to ask him?”

Dylan seemed to ponder the question. “Actually, yes. What’s your best strategy for the penalty kill? They always score on us when it’s five-on-four and I don’t understand what to do better. I don’t think our coaches know either.”

Miikka seemed to holding back a laugh but then got into a long, technical explanation about a few basic strategies related to killing penalties. As they talked, Heather moved closer to Charli.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine.” Charli couldn’t look at her, struggling with myriad emotions as she tried to soak in every second she got to spend in the presence of her baby.

“Do you have any other children?”

“No.” Charli shook her head. “Giving him up, well, it hurt in ways I can’t explain. I thought I’d done a terrible thing…that I somehow wasn’t worthy…” Her voice broke and she dabbed at her eyes again.

“You didn’t do any such thing,” Heather said gently. “You did the bravest, most amazing thing any mother could do. You sacrificed yourself for your child. That’s what a mother is supposed to do.”

“Do you have…biological children?”

“No. My husband, Lee, had mumps as a teen and he’s sterile. We didn’t know for sure until we’d been married a few years, but we adopted Dylan and then three years later we adopted Nancy. She’s over there.” She motioned where the towheaded little girl was now playing in a sandbox.

“She’s beautiful. They both are.”

“They’re happy and healthy and we love them more than anything on earth. Please don’t beat yourself up about what you did. It wasn’t just a good thing, it was the best thing ever.”

The two women locked eyes and Charli managed to smile. “Thank you.” Charli squeezed her arm. “I mean it. I promise I won’t try to see him again or anything like that. I’m sure you value your privacy. The only reason I did this was to assure myself he was okay.”

“While we prefer he doesn’t know who gave birth to him at this age, we’ll probably tell him when he’s a little older. He knows he’s adopted, and if he ever gets curious, we’ll most likely tell him whatever he wants