#jh86

3 MONTHS LATER

She never thought that this day would come. Jack and she have been together for a good three years now, and even though they talked about being serious quite a few times, she didn’t put much thought into the fact that she might get married to him.

And the fact that she is getting married, only a month after her university graduation, sounds insane to her. Especially now that she is standing in the bathroom of the villa where her wedding is held, with two white sticks lying in front of her on the sink. Both of them are telling her that she is pregnant.

She had had a feeling for a few weeks now, but she didn’t make much of it until now. She just needed to know if she was right, and the two positive pregnancy tests showed she was.

Taking in a deep breath, Amara peeks her head from the door, her eyes immediately landing on Braely, who is sitting on the sofa beside the vanity table. “Brae, could you call Jack for a moment, please?”

Braelyn looks up from her phone, searching Amara’s face for some sort of answers, when she notices the nervousness, but when she finds none, she smiles softly. “Sure.”

Walking back towards the sink, she lets out a sigh, followed by a choking sound, as she starts to realize the reality. She is pregnant. With Jack’s baby. Jack, who will be her husband in an hour.

Tears form in her eyes just when Jack walks inside the bathroom, worry written on his face. He closes the door behind him, so no one disturbs them. “Hey, Berry. What’s going on?”

 His hands cup Amra’s cheeks when he notices the tears in her eyes. He immediately thinks the worst. She doesn’t want to marry him.

Before he can ask, Amara reaches for the two sticks, which earns Jack’s attention. “What’s that?” he asks in confusion, since he can’t see clearly what she is holding.

“I took those because I was late,” Amara whispers, grabbing his right hand and placing the two positive pregnancy tests in his hand. “I’m pregnant.”

Jack feels his heartbeat stop for a second when the words leave Amara’s lips. Pregnant. A baby is growing in her belly. His baby. He is going to be a dad.

Snapping his eyes up to meet hers, he is met with tears-stained cheeks and a wobbly lip. “Ar-are you for real?” Jack whispers because he doesn’t trust his voice right now.

When Amara nods softly, he slowly puts the tests back on the sink before he wraps his arms around her middle, hoisting her up in his arms. A shriek leaves her lips from the sudden movement. But she is quickly quieted by Jack’s lips on hers.

The kiss is filled with love, adoration, and happiness. So when they pull away, it’s no surprise to Amara when she finds a huge grin on Jack’s lips. “I love you,” Jack whispers against her lips, not trusting his voice, since all emotions are flowing through him. “So fucking much, baby.”

A soft cry leaves Amara’s lips. “I love you too, Jack,” she sobs, hiding her head in the crook of his neck. “We’re going to be parents,” she whispers after a moment, as they stand in a tight hug in silence.

“We will be amazing parents,” Jack whispers in her ear, because he knows his soon-to-be wife. She is overthinking again. “Now, stop thinking, because we have a wedding to attend in a few hours,” he pulls away, his hands cupping her neck. “A very important wedding,” he says with a smirk, when a smile forms on Amra’s lips. “So go get ready. I want you to be my wife as soon as possible.”

Amara’s room is calmer than she thought it would be if she had a wedding. The hairdresser and makeup artist have already left to take their seats at the venue, while she, Braelyn, Ellen and her brother’s wife, Anniken, are the only ones left in the room.

Her mother and Adela didn’t even care to show up in the room the whole day. Although she hoped for her family to support her, the only one who did was Spencer and his family. His two little girls are her flower girls, while Annika and Braelyn are her bridesmaids.

Ellen is the one who is walking down the aisle with Jack, and Jim is walking down with her, since her father couldn't care less. She thought she would be sad about it, but she realized that the three, her mother, father and sister, were never her family. The Hughe’s are.

“How do you feel, Amara?” Annika asks with a genuine interest. She remembers how nervous and excited she was before her wedding.

“I am nervous,” Amara confesses, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “And excited, a lot. I mean, I love Jack, and I can’t wait to marry him, so,” she explains as a giddy smile forms on her lips at the mention of her soon-to-be husband.

“Yeah, that is normal,” Ellen joins the conversation as she puts down her phone. A soft smile is grazing her red lips as she looks at her daughter-in-law with adoration. “And just to make you feel better, Jack isn’t doing any better. Jim just texted me that he is stress-playing with his stick,” she adds with a soft chuckle.

A shock takes over Amara’s features because she didn’t expect Jack to be nervous. He is always so calm about important occasions, especially games or galas, so hearing that he is as nervous, or even more than her, makes her calm down.

“That makes me less nervous.” Ameara chuckles, shaking her hands as if to get rid of the nervousness. “How long until the ceremony starts?”

Braelyn, who has been quiet this whole time, looks down at her phone before she speaks. “Ten minutes, babe,” she says softly, tears forming in her eyes when she looks at her best friend. Although they had known each other for a few months, Amara grew up on her, and during their graduation, she became her anchor and the closest friend she ever had.

So standing there watching her in the most beautiful, lacy wedding dress makes her want to cry with happiness. She looks gorgeous.

“Are you okay, Brae?” Amara asks in a soft voice when she notices the tears in her eyes.

Brae nods her head, wiping away the tears with a chuckle. “I am just… You look amazing, babe.”

Amara’s look softens at the words. “Thank you.”

The remaining minutes go by quickly. The first ones to leave the room are Anikka, who will be later joined by Braelyn as Amara’s bridesmaid, and Ellen, who has to walk her son down to the altar. Jack is already waiting for her at the back door, his hands nervously wiping against his dress pants.

“Honey,” Ellen calls out, earning her son’s attention. “Don’t be nervous,” she stops in front of him, smoothing down his suit vest.

“I’m trying,” he chuckles, letting out a shaky breath. “I don’t even know why I am nervous,” he confesses.

“Because you love her. That’s the reason, Jack,” Ellen says softly. “Now get yourself together, we have to walk you down to the altar,” she grins at her son, waiting for Jack to calm down and offer her his arm.

When he does, Ellen nods at the man standing behind the DJ table, and the music starts playing, and Jack lets out his last nervous breath.

“Ready?” Ellen nudges his side with her elbow.

“Ready.” And with that, they slowly make their way to the back door. The boy standing beside them opens them, letting them both step out, before he closes them again. Everyone stands up, watching both Jack and Ellen walk down the aisle, as he reaches the priest and his groomsmen.

Stopping in front of Nico, who is his best man, Ellen kisses his son on the forehead. She makes her way to her seat, sitting right next to her mother.

“Cleaned up well,” Nico murmurs to Jack, nudging him with his elbow.

“You too,” Jack chuckles, clasping his hands in front of him. He lets out a shaky breath. “I’m so nervous,” he whispers, shaking his head as he looks at the ground in front of him.

“You should be. You are marrying the most important woman of your life.” Nico whispers back, chuckling when Quinn, who is standing next to him, nods his head.

“You are one lucky bastard for marrying Amara.” That somehow makes Jack less nervous.

“That I am,” Jack agrees, just when the song Amara chose sounds through the garden.

On cue, everyone stands up, their heads turned in Amara’s and Jim’s direction. The door closes behind them as they slowly make their way down the aisle.

“Look at Jack,” Jim murmurs to Amara, whose eyes are already focused on him. Jack is standing in his spot, his mouth parted, as he breaths quickly. Somehow seeing him as nervous as she is makes her calm down a bit. “And he said he won’t cry.” Jim chuckles, and only now does Amara notice Jack’s red eyes and the tears sliding down his cheeks.

“He is cute,” Amara says back, her own eyes stinging with tears. “And it’s nice,” she admits, squeezing Jim’s arm.

“I can imagine.”

When they reach the altar, Jim hands Amara’s hand to Jack, whose eyes never leave her. “Thank you,” Jack smiles at his father, who is still holding Amara’s hand.

“You take care of her, Jack. This woman standing in front of you is the best thing that has happened to you.” Jim says, before he presses a gentle kiss to Amara’s forehead and makes his way to his seat next to Ellen.

“Hi,” Jack whispers when he takes Amara’s hands in her, his thumbs caressing the top of her hand.

“Hi, Jacky.” Amara grins at him, her hands shaking a little bit. “You look handsome,” her eyes travel down Jack’s face and down his three-piece suit.

“And you are gorgeous, Berry.” he leans close to Amara, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek, pulling away when the people start to clap their hands.

A cough leaves the priest's mouth as he stands next to them, the official papers in his hands, as he looks at them, waiting for approval to start.

“Dearly beloved,” the priest starts, looking at the people sitting in front of the altar, before he continues. “We gathered here today in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”

“Marriage is a promise built on love, trust, friendship, and the choice to stand beside one another through every season of life. It is a commitment to support one another's dreams, to find strength in each other's presence, and to face both life's joys and its challenges as partners,” the priest says, but neither Amara nor Jack really listened to him. Their eyes were locked at each other, as they tried to memorize how they looked.

“Today is more than the joining of two lives—it is the coming together of two families, two stories, and two futures. It is a celebration of the love that has brought them to this moment and of the promises they are about to make to one another.” Continuing, the priest looks at Amara and Jack, as a small smile graces his lips. He has officiated many weddings over the years, but looking at these two, he knows they are soulmates.

“We are honoured to witness this occasion and to share in the happiness of this couple as they begin this new chapter together. So, with grateful hearts and surrounded by those who love them most, let us celebrate the union of these two people.” Those words catch both Amara's and Jack’s attention as they look at the priest, waiting for him to ask the questions they’ve been dying to answer.

“Before we continue, I must ask if there is anyone here who has a lawful reason why these two should not enter into marriage. If so, speak now. If not, let us continue in celebration of the love and commitment they share.”

No one moves.

No one speaks.

Because everyone in that room knows what Jack and Amara have always known. They found their person.

Nodding softly, the priest turns slightly at Jack before he speaks. “Jack, do you take Amara to be your lawfully wedded wife. To live together in marriage, to love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.” Jack doesn’t miss a beat. His words are firm as he stares deeply into Amara’s eyes.

The priest nods before he turns slightly to Amara and asks her. “Amara, do you take Jack to be your lawfully wedded husband. To live together in marriage, to love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, for as long as you both shall live?”

Same as Jack, Amara doesn’t miss a beat as she answers. “I do.”

Smiling softly to himself, the priest looks back down into his book before he speaks. “Jack and Amara have chosen to write their own vows, expressing the promises they make to one another today. Jack, you may share your vows.” The priest smiles, closing the book he is reading from.

“Berry,” Jack starts, his voice shaky, as he looks deep into Amara’s eyes. “Loving you has been the easiest thing I've ever done. You make every ordinary day feel like the best day of my life, simply because you're in it.” Jack says, smiling softly when he notices Amara’s glossy eyes. “I promise to choose you, even on the hard days. To make you laugh when life feels heavy, to be your safe place when the world gets too loud, and to remind you every single day just how incredible you are.” Listening to his words, Amara blinks fast, trying to get rid of the tears threatening to spill over. “You are my best friend, my greatest adventure, and the only future I've ever wanted. I promise to love you with everything I have for the rest of my life. I love you, Berry. Always.” Jack finishes, his voice thick with emotions, his hands shaking from nervousness, his heartbeat rapid as he keeps his eyes locked on Amara.

“Thank you, Jack,” the priest says, turning to Amara this time. “Amara, you may share your vows.”

“Jack.” Amara smiles, tilting her head to the side, as she always does. “Before you, I never knew love could feel so safe. You've given me a home in your heart, and every day you've shown me what it means to be loved without conditions,” she chokes out, her voice thick with all the emotions, especially love and gratitude. “I promise to stand beside you through every high and every low, to believe in you even when you doubt yourself, and to never stop choosing you. I promise to celebrate every victory with you, to hold your hand through every challenge, and to remind you, every day, that you are more than enough.” She squeezes his hands, looking down at their joined hands for a split second. “You are my best friend, my greatest blessing, and the love of my life. I choose you today, tomorrow, and for every tomorrow after that. I love you, Jack. Always,” she says, tears now streaming down her cheeks, just like Jack’s.

Looking at Nico, the priest asks. “May I ask for the rings?” Nodding, Nico reaches into his inside pocket, taking hold of the box with rings, before he hands them over to the priest.

“Jack, as you place this ring on Amara’s finger, repeat after me. With this ring, I give you my heart and pledge my love, today and always.”

Taking the wedding ring, which he custom-made for Amara, between his fingers, he takes hold of Amara’s left hand, sliding the ring down her finger. “With this ring, I give you my heart and pledge my love, today and always.”

Amara lets out a shaky breath when the feeling of the wedding band around her fingers sends a wave of pleasure and happiness straight to her heart.

“Amara,” the priest says, getting her attention. “As you place this ring on Jack’s fingers, repeat after me.”

Between her shaky fingers, Amara gently picks up the ring, sliding it down Jack’s ring finger, as she repeats after the priest. “With this ring, I give you my heart and pledge my love, today and always.”

The priest opens his book yet again, “Jack and Amara, you have declared your love and commitment to one another in the presence of your family and friends. By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Closing the book, he looks between Amara and Jack before he finishes. “You may kiss the bride.”

He doesn’t even get to finish the words, and Jack wraps his arms around her waist, bending her down as his lips find Amara’s in a soft yet hard kiss.

The whole garden is filled with applause as the guests watch Jack and Amara have their first kiss as newlyweds.

Later that night, after they had their first dance, cut the cake and had their food, Amara was sitting in her seat, her head resting against Jack’s shoulder, as they watched their friends and family celebrate and have fun.

“I love you, Jacky,” she says softly, playing with his wedding ring.

Jack's gaze, which was focused on his brothers on the dance floor, moves down on Amara, who is already looking up at him with her big brown eyes. “I love you too, Berry,” he says back, leaning down, grazing his lips softly against her’s. “Both of you,” he whispers against her lips, his hand automatically going to her belly, which is hidden under her after-party dress.

They stay silent for a moment, enjoying the proximity of each other, before Amara speaks again. “Are you happy?” she asks. “With the pregnancy, I mean.”

Jack’s brows shoot up in disbelief when he hears the words leave her mouth. “Why is that even a question. Of course I am, baby.” he turns in his seat, his left hand finding her cheek. “I know we never really talked about babies, but I always wanted to be a father, Berry. And I wouldn’t want anyone else to have my babies, then you.” his voice is steady and firm as he says those words, making sure that Amara knows that he means it. “I love you so much, Berry. And I already love the small worm in your belly too, my love, so don’t overthink it,” he continues, his right hand joining the left one of Amara’s cheek. “It’s our wedding day. Let’s enjoy it, okay?”

“Okay.” Amara smiles at her husband, pressing a kiss to his lips, before she and Jack stand up and join their friends on the dance floor, enjoying their wedding day, just the way they should be.

THE END.

TAGLIST: @r0nnsblog, @rusty436, @cosmosnkaz, @igotbored13, @alwaysclassyeagle

_____________

The draft was only a week away.

The entire Hughes household seemed to exist in a strange state of anticipation.

Phones buzzed constantly with texts from friends, teammates, coaches, and family. Sports channels never stopped speculating. Every conversation somehow circled back to rankings, interviews, and what life would look like after Jack heard his name called.

It was exciting.

Jack had spent the last month smiling for cameras, answering the same questions a hundred different ways, shaking hands with scouts, and pretending he wasn't thinking about the fact that in seven days his entire life was going to change.

Tonight, he wanted a normal night.

No cameras, interviews, or hockey. Just you and him. 

You'd been friends for years. Long before everyone in the hockey world knew who he was. You'd been there when he was just Jack, the annoying teenager who insisted he could beat you at Mario Kart despite losing every race.

You were the girl who'd watched countless tournaments. Who'd sat through endless road trips. Who somehow fit into the Hughes family so naturally that Ellen had stopped asking before setting an extra place at dinner.

Being around you had always been easy. So when you knocked on the front door carrying a grocery bag full of snacks and two DVDs under your arm, Jack actually felt some of the tension leave his shoulders.

"You seriously brought DVDs?"

You held them up proudly. "I don't trust your choices."

"My choices are elite."

"You watched the same Fast and Furious movie three times this week."

"They're different movies."

"They're the exact same plot with different cars."

Jack laughed, stepping aside to let you in. "You wound me."

"You'll survive."

The familiar smell of dinner still lingered through the house. Voices drifted faintly from upstairs. Luke was laughing with someone through his gaming headset. Quinn had already disappeared into his room after another long day of offseason workouts.

Ellen and Jim had gone out for dinner together, taking advantage of one of the last quiet evenings before draft week became chaos.

For once, the downstairs belonged entirely to the two of you.

Jack flopped onto one end of the couch. "So..."

"So..."

"What masterpiece are we watching?"

You dropped onto the opposite cushion, spreading the DVDs across the coffee table dramatically. "Comedy."

"Hmm."

"Or..." You held up the second case. "Rom-com."

Jack made a face. "You brought that just to annoy me."

"I brought it because I knew you'd react exactly like that."

"You are evil."

"I've been told."

"You definitely have."

The playful bickering came as naturally as breathing. It always had. You argued over snacks, over who got the bigger blanket, and over whose turn it was to choose. Eventually, after a ridiculous amount of negotiation and one game of rock-paper-scissors that Jack claimed was "rigged," the comedy won.

The lights were dimmed. The only illumination came from the television, washing the living room in soft shades of blue and gold that danced across the walls.

You both settled in as the movie started.

At first, there was the usual space between you, but as time went on that cushion of space disappeared. Your knees brushed when you both reached for popcorn, your shoulders bumped every few minutes whenever one of you laughed.

Jack stretched his arm across the back of the couch, not quite around you, just resting there casually, but it left barely an inch between his hand and your shoulder.

Neither of you moved away. It wasn't unusual; you'd always been comfortable around each other. Comfortable enough that physical closeness had never really meant anything, except recently... it kind of did.

At least for Jack.

He'd noticed it months ago, how every accidental touch lingered in his mind far longer than it should, how he found himself looking for you first whenever he walked into a room, and how every exciting piece of news somehow became something he wanted to tell you before anyone else.

He hadn't meant for it to happen. He'd never planned on falling for his best friend, but somewhere between late-night drives, endless FaceTimes, and years of shared memories, he'd lost that battle completely

About halfway through the movie, you let out a long yawn.

Jack glanced over. "Tired?"

"No." Another yawn escaped quickly after.

He raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"I said no."

"You also just dislocated your jaw."

"I worked today, and then you dragged me to the gym."

"You asked me to go."

"You could've said no."

"You would've guilt-tripped me," Jack smirked.

"You live in delusion," You said.

"I do not."

You rolled your eyes so dramatically that he laughed. God, he loved making you laugh, loved hearing it even more.

The movie continued in the background, but neither of you was paying much attention anymore.

The conversation slowly faded.

Your replies became shorter, your blinking slower.

Jack noticed before you did.

Your head tipped slightly, then corrected itself. Another minute passed, and your eyes closed for a second, then opened again. Finally, you leaned sideways, resting your head gently against his shoulder.

Jack froze every muscle in his body locked, his heartbeat stumbled so hard he was convinced you could probably hear it through his hoodie.

You simply sighed a sleepy, content sigh.

"...Comfortable?" he asked quietly.

"Mhm."

"You sure?"

"You make a decent pillow."

Jack scoffed softly. "Decent?"

"You've got bony shoulders."

"I play hockey."

"I know."

"I thought that would've earned me at least 'good pillow.'"

"It would've if you had more cushioning."

"I'll start bulking."

"You'll complain the entire time."

"I definitely will, you're right."

You smiled without opening your eyes, then your breathing slowed.

Jack looked down carefully. "Y/N?" No answer.

He smiled to himself. "You actually fell asleep." The words came out barely above a whisper. He stayed perfectly still because he didn't want to wake you.

After a minute of sitting like that, the air conditioning had kicked on, and a cool draft drifted through the room. Even asleep, you curled inward, instinctively searching for warmth.

Jack frowned. He slowly leaned forward, careful not to disturb you, and reached for the knitted throw blanket folded over the arm of the couch.

He unfolded it as quietly as he could before draping it over you, tucking the edge gently around your side so it wouldn't slide off, and the second the blanket settled around you, your shoulders visibly relaxed, and you instinctively burrowed deeper against him.

"There." His voice was almost inaudible. "Better."

Something inside his chest squeezed painfully because this felt so natural, like something he'd seen his mom and dad do a million times before

He wondered, for one second, what it would be like if this wasn't just movie night. If this were every Friday night, if this were home.

The thought scared him almost as much as it made him smile.

He looked down at your sleeping face a strand of hair had fallen across your cheek.

Without thinking, he reached up and gently brushed it behind your ear.

His fingertips barely grazed your skin. "You're gonna make this really hard one day," he whispered.

He wasn't even sure what he meant, maybe the draft, maybe moving away, maybe watching you fall in love with someone who wasn't him, maybe realizing that if he never told you how he felt someone else eventually would.

His throat tightened. "You deserve someone who looks at you the way," He stopped himself. "Never mind."

You shifted in your sleep impossibly closer, your forehead rested lightly against the side of his neck.

Jack's breath caught. "You're killing me." He laughed quietly to himself. "I am so unbelievably screwed."

The credits began rolling and the soft music replaced the talking of the movie.

The living room became even quieter than before.

Jack looked down one last time, your eyelashes rested against your cheeks, your lips were parted slightly in sleep.

You looked peaceful, happy.

Before he could lose his nerve he leaned down carefully brushing his lips against the side of your head, right above your temple.

It lasted less than a heartbeat, but it was the kind of kiss that said everything he was too afraid to admit out loud.

"Goodnight."

"You know," Your sleepy voice shattered every coherent thought in his brain. "I wasn't asleep for all of that."

Jack's entire body went rigid. "...You weren't?"

"No."

"How much?"

You opened one eye. "The blanket."

He groaned.

"The hair."

He covered his face.

"The kiss."

"Oh my God."

"And," you paused just long enough to make his stomach plummet, "the part where you said I was going to make things hard one day."

Jack wanted the couch to swallow him whole. "I can explain."

"Can you?"

"I– uh– No, I guess not."

"I didn't think so."

Jack laughed once, a nervous, embarrassed sound. "This is... probably the most humiliating moment of my life."

"A little."

"I wasn't trying to make things weird."

"You didn't."

"I did though."

"You kissed my head and tucked me in."

"Yeah."

"You've done sweet things before."

"Not while confessing my feelings."

You blinked. "What?"

Jack closed his eyes there wasn't really a point pretending anymore.

He'd already said too much. "Yeah."

"You–"

"I like you." The words came out in one rush. "So much, actually." He rubbed the back of his neck, unable to meet your eyes. "I don't even know when it happened I just," He laughed softly. "You became the first person I wanted to text when something good happene, I started wondering if you'd eaten lunch, If someone made you laugh, I'd wonder what they said."

His smile turned almost sad. "And then draft week got here." He finally looked at you. "I realized there's a really good chance I'm leaving and going somewhere really far away that you aren't gonna be, and the idea of getting on a plane without telling you how I feel–" He swallowed. "It honestly made me feel sick."

You stared at him.

He took your silence as rejection. "So..." He forced a small smile. "Now you know. I'm sorry if I ruined–"

"I like you too."

Jack stopped mid-sentence. "What?"

You smiled, suddenly just as shy as he looked. "I've liked you for a while."

"You..."

"I just figured if you felt the same, you would've said something."

Jack laughed. "I spent six months trying to convince myself I didn't."

Jack smiled. "So when all this draft stuff is over..." He squeezed your hand gently. "Would you let me take you on an actual date?"

You intertwined your fingers with his without a second thought. "I'd love that."

His grin spread wider than you'd seen in weeks. The weight he'd been carrying for months seemed to melt away all at once.

You leaned back against his shoulder again. "And for the record, I keep track of what everyone's saying, and you're definitely going to Jersey. So I went and committed to Rutgers in New Brunswick and wasn't planning on telling you until after."