#seven steps

You promised yourself to stay there for two hours and get back home. You weren't much of a drinker and you couldn't understand how people can get drunk at every opportunity they have. Your friends were drunk dancing on a dancefloor. Meanwhile you were standing in a kitchen with a beer in your hand. 

“You also don’t want to be here?” You heard an unfamiliar voice.

“Yeah but the birthday boy is my friend’ boyfriend so I showed up” You took a sip. 

“I’m Luke” He reached out your hand to you. You shook it and looked up at him. 

“I’m Y/N” You smiled at him. 

“How about ditching the party and going somewhere else?” Luke proposed but you were sceptical. 

You didn’t know him but eventually you agreed. You put the cup down and left with Luke the house. He told you that not far away from here is a McDonalds that is open 24/7. You nodded and you two were walking there in silence until he spoke again. 

“So Y/N, what are you doing?” Luke asked you. 

“Currently I’m walking” Luke laughed at your answer. “I’m working in my mum’ shop and trying to enjoy my boring life. How about you?” 

“I’m an athlete and all I’m doing is training and playing” Luke answered. 

“Let me guess. Since we’re in New Jersey I’m guessing you’re a hockey player” You joked but Luke agreed with you. “Oh, that’s cool. I don’t watch hockey but my brother loves this sport and is at every game” 

“But you’re not a fan?” Luke asked you again.

“Not really. I mean I’ll watch a game with him from time to time but it’s not my cup of tea. Does it mean you hate me now?” You joked. 

“Actually, no. It made me like you even more” Luke said to you and you felt your cheeks burning. 

After 10 minutes, you two arrived in front of the McDonalds and Luke opened the door for you. He insisted on paying for your order too but you didn’t let him. When you two get the food you started eating and the conversation was coming so naturally between both of you. 

“You’re stubborn” Luke said and took a bite. 

“I know but I don’t want you to pay for me when I have my money” You shrugged. 

“Coming back to the hockey topic, do you like any other sport or you’re not a fan of it?” Luke asked you. He wanted to know. 

“I like running and that’s basically the only sport I do but to watch, I like soccer. I used to play it in high school and sometimes I watch games” You took a sip of your drink. “You? Do you like other sports or is it just hockey?” 

“I like golfing. I like to watch football and baseball but hockey is pretty much my whole life. My parents played and now me and my brothers are playing” Luke told you. 

“Wait, you said your brothers” Luke nodded, not sure where the conversation was going. “You’re one of the brothers who plays in New Jersey?” 

“Yeah. Me and Jack play here and Quinn is in Vancouver” Luke replied. 

“That must be cool to do the same profession as your brothers” You said but noticed the weird look in Luke’ eyes. 

“It is but it’s also tiring. As the youngest, I’m all the time compared to them and sometimes it's annoying” Luke admitted to you. 

“I get it. Back in school, I was all the time compared to my brother and I was so mad at everyone for this” You told him and continued eating. 

You and Luke sat there for a couple hours. The conversation was coming naturally between you two. There was no small talk and you learnt a lot about him and he learnt a lot about you. It was so nice to have someone to talk to without being judged. You had a lot of laughs together too but you were sure that it’s one time thing. 

“I need to get back home. I promised to be around midnight but currently it’s 3AM” You told him and stood up.

“Let me walk you home. I don’t want you to get back alone when it’s dark” Luke proposed. 

“I live like 30 minutes from here. I don’t want you to walk this distance. I’ll call the cab” You told him but he stopped you. 

“I drove here in a car. We can go back to the house where the party is and I can drive you home” Luke insisted. 

“I don’t want to bother you” You looked at him and saw that Luke won’t let it go. “Okay, thank you” 

After a quick walk, you sat on the passenger seat of Luke’ car. The whole drive was quiet. You two felt comfortable in each other's company. It wasn’t an awkward silence but something both of you needed. He parked in front of your house and you sat there a little longer. 

“Thank you for the night and thank you for the drive. It was really nice to meet you Luke” You told him and grabbed the car door handle. Before you could open the door, he stopped you. 

“Can I have your phone number? I don’t want this to be a one night thing because I had a fun time with you” Luke asked shyly. 

“Sure” Luke handed you his phone. You quickly type your number. “Thanks again for tonight” 

You exited the car and walked into your house. You ran upstairs to get ready for bed. After 30 minutes you left the bathroom and laid in your bed. You grabbed your phone and noticed a message from an unknown number. You knew it was Luke and quickly you sent him back a text. You placed the phone under your pillow and fell asleep.

You and Luke had been talking about having kids. You knew that he wanted to be a father and he knew that you wanted to be a mother. When the season started, you felt like it’s a perfect time to think about starting a real family with kids running around the apartment. 

“I think we should stop using condoms” You told Luke who was playing with Sully in the living room. 

“Are you for real?” Luke was shocked at your words. 

“Yeah. I think now it’s a proper moment. We are both young and we are both ready to be parents. We don’t need to have sex every single moment to get me pregnant but if it happens, we’ll be ready” You said with a smile.

“Oh I can’t wait to put a baby in you” Luke stood up and kissed you. 

For the first two months since Luke stopped using condoms, you couldn’t get pregnant. You wanted to act like it’s not bothering you but it was. You really wanted to have a baby in you and felt like something was wrong with you. Luke could tell that you’re disappointed when you had your period but he strongly believed that this was going to happen soon. 

During Christmas, you were feeling sick. At first you thought that you ate something bad and this is food poisoning but something forced you to take the pregnancy test. When you saw the result you screamed with happiness. Luke ran into the bathroom thinking that something happened to you but he saw you standing with the test in your hand. 

“We’re pregnant Luke” You said and jumped into his arms. 

“We’re gonna be parents” Luke said, he couldn’t believe it. 

“It’s a Christmas miracle” You kissed him. 

“We’re gonna be parents” Luke repeated his words and started crying from happiness. 

After the doctor confirmed your pregnancy you two shared the news with your families and friends. This also meant that you were dropping work in your mum’ shop to focus your energy on raising the kid. Everyone was happy and they could tell that you’re gonna be great parents. Luke became more protective over you when the belly started showing up but also couldn’t keep his hands from you. 

You were glowing and Luke was in awe of how good you look. He never thought that you can be prettier but you proved him wrong. He was proud of you and he was proud to call himself your husband. You were happy most of the time but sometimes the pregnancy was too much for you. He was always by your side to help you. 

“I can’t do this Luke. I’m so tired and we’re only halfway through” You cried and Luke felt bad for you. He wanted to take away the pain from you. 

“Baby, you’re doing great. It’s hard now but it will be worth it. Tell me what I can do for you to make you feel better” Luke said and you looked at him. 

“Can you rub my back?” You asked him shyly but he quickly positioned himself behind you. 

Your friends made you a gender reveal party. You and Luke were always saying that gender is not important as long as the kid is healthy. Everyone was wearing pink or blue clothes but you two were all in white. It was a nice thing to spend the day out of the house without any worries. Your friend put the cake in front of you to cut it and see what’s the color. Luke grabbed the knife and did the honors. 

“It’s a girl” Luke said proudly and you started crying. “We’re having a mini you” He kissed you. 

“Later we have to try for a mini you” You whispered into his ear and Luke smiled widely. 

Right after the gender reveal party, you and Luke decided that this is the right time for a house search. You were renting the apartment all the time but now, you two wanted that you needed a space that you own. He found a perfect house and decided to buy it. For the next month, you were packing everything from this apartment and already felt sentimental. 

You two moved into a new place and instantly got to work to be ready for the kid's arrival. You picked which room is going to be a nursery and decided to do it at first. Thankfully, you had help from your friends and Luke’ teammates. Two weeks later, the room was ready for the baby and you started working around the house. He didn’t let you do anything except unpacking and placing things on the shelves. 

Months went by, you and Luke were getting used to the new place. You loved the house and already felt the warmth. Your due date was for September and both of you decided to return to New Jersey in August. Patiently, you’ve been waiting for the arrival. You were glad that the due date was when he was still free. 

When your water broke, both of you panicked. Quickly he drove to the hospital and you were rushed to the delivery room. After long hours, you could hear the crying. You started smiling and crying at the same time knowing that you just gave birth. Luke was next to you all the time. After the check up, your daughter was finally given to you.

“We did it” You said quietly to Luke.

“No baby. You did it” Luke kissed the top of your head. 

After three days, you went back home and the smile could’t disappear from your and Luke's faces. You were a real family. You were thinking about the start of your relationship. 

What if you didn’t go to the party?

What if you didn’t agree to ditch the party?

What if he didn’t ask you for your phone number?

Thankfully, this was not important for you. You were grateful that you were here with Luke by your side and daughter in your arms and cat laying on the couch in the living room. You felt that you’re living in a fairytale.

Luke never felt better in someone’s presence. He was never bored with you by your side. Every single day he was wondering how he got so lucky to have you as his girlfriend. When he had to leave for roadie, he felt heartbroken. He didn’t want to leave you behind and if he could, he would take you with him. 

Sully, your cat was your baby. He was a perfect addition to your relationship. Seeing Luke being so gentle with him made you fall in love with him and you knew that he would be a perfect father one day. After all those years, you were wondering in what direction this relationship is going. 

You knew that Luke is the guy you want to spend the rest of your life with. Many nights, you two were cuddling on the bed and talking about the future together. He knew that you’re a keeper and wanted to put a ring on your finger. After your third anniversary, he felt that this was the right moment to start searching for the ring. 

Luke was sneaky with this. When you went with your friends on a trip to Montreal, he arrived at your family house. First thing he did was to ask your father and brother for permission. He knew it might be dumb because your family loved him but he wanted to have their blessing. His next move was asking your mum to help him pick the ring. 

Your mum was all over the moon when Luke asked her to help. She could tell that he treats you seriously and with pleasure she was willing to go shopping with him. She was giving him advice about the jewelry you like. He knew you really well but this ring needed to be perfect. In the third shop, he spotted the most beautiful ring and he could already picture it on your finger. 

Now, all that was left for Luke was to plan the whole proposal. He didn’t want to do it in the restaurant or in front of your family. He wanted to have a private moment with you and tell you everything he’s feeling. In his notes on the phone, he was even typing what he wanted to tell you. 

When you got back from your trip, you noticed that Luke was acting differently. He was shy around you and didn’t speak much. It was unusual for him because he was never shy around you. You were often joking that he’s the definition of confidence. And the fact that he wasn’t talking like he was always doing was alarming for you. 

You were wondering what happened to him during the week when you were out of town. You told your mum about this but she laughed it off and said that you’re overreacting but you noticed that she was lying to you. You were confused and felt that everyone’ lying to you. It was like everyone made a pact of silence. 

Luke could notice that you’re suspicious about something and he knew that he needs to think fast about the proposal. He already had the ring but he was lost with the rest of the plan. That’s why he made up his mind to propose to you at the apartment. He asked your mum to keep you longer at work so he can prepare everything. 

When you opened the door to your place, it was quiet and dark. You thought that Luke went out somewhere. You walked into the kitchen and dropped your purse on the kitchen island and noticed the light in the dining room. You went there and you spotted Luke watching something through the window. 

The next thing you noticed was the table. The food was placed and the candles were lit up. You opened the door further and Luke heard you. He turned around and gave you a huge bouquet of red roses. Your face was burning because you didn’t expect this. He handed you the flowers and kissed your lips. Then he grabbed your hand and helped you sit down. 

“I made your favorite because I knew you might be tired after the work” Luke said half lying to you. 

“Thank you baby but what’s this all about?” You asked him and grabbed a fork. 

“We haven't had a date in a really long time and I wanted to do it at home” Luke told you and you smiled at his words. 

For the next hour you were sitting by the table eating, drinking and laughing. You felt how love is taking over your body. You knew that Luke is a romantic guy but this was something new for you and you still enjoyed it. You were grateful for him and what he did for you. 

“Wait here, I have one more surprise” Luke told you and kissed the top of your head while leaving the dining room. Patiently you’ve been waiting for his return not knowing what he’s into. After a minute he was back and grabbed your hand to stand up. 

“What are you doing?” You giggled. Luke kneeled in front of you and you gasped. He took out the box with a ring from his pocket and opened it. 

“I love you Y/N. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me and I can’t imagine my future without you by my side. You taught me what being in love means. You showed me that there’s a life outside of hockey. You’re my rock and without you, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I see our future together and it’s bright as the sun. Do you give me the honor and be my wife?” Luke asked you and you felt the tears running down your cheeks. 

“Yes. Of course yes. I want to be your wife and I want you as my husband” Luke gently grabbed your left hand and placed the ring on your finger. He kissed the ring and stood up. You jumped into his arms. “I love you so much” You kissed his lips. 

You couldn't believe what just happened. A man that made you fall in love is now your fiance, soon your husband. You were excited for your new chapter and couldn’t stop crying. Those were happy tears. You looked at Luke' face and noticed that he also shared a tear. You kissed him again and looked at the ring. 

“It’s beautiful. This is how I pictured my engagement ring” You told him. 

“Your mum helped me to pick” Luke admitted and your heart melted. He acknowledged your family with this whole thing. You felt like the luckiest girl in the whole world.