Chapter 74
Chapter 74
# CHAPTER 14: HOME ICE ADVANTAGE
"Welcome to Toronto!" The studio audience erupted in applause as Emma walked onto the set of "Ice Breaking," her new weekly show about women's hockey and sports leadership.
Six weeks into their Toronto life, Emma still felt a thrill every time she stepped into the television studio. The show had exceeded all expectations, drawing viewers across North America and sparking conversations about transparency in sports governance.
"Today we're discussing something revolutionary," Emma told the cameras. "What happens when sports organizations operate with complete openness? My first guest knows this challenge intimately - NHL Commissioner Aleksander Volkov."
Alek walked onto the set to enthusiastic applause, settling into the guest chair with the ease of someone who'd grown comfortable with public scrutiny.
"Commissioner Volkov," Emma began with professional formality that made her smile inside. "Six weeks ago, you implemented the NHL's first transparency initiative. How's it going?"
"Better than anyone expected," Alek replied. "Fan engagement is up forty percent. Trust in league governance has improved dramatically. And we're seeing more diverse voices participating in hockey conversations."
"But it hasn't been without challenges."
"Absolutely not. Some owners are still uncomfortable with public accountability. Some media outlets prefer speculation to facts. Change is always difficult."
Emma leaned forward slightly. "What's surprised you most about operating transparently?"
"How much stronger our decisions become when we know they'll be scrutinized. When you can't hide behind closed doors, you make better choices."
The interview continued for twenty minutes, covering everything from league expansion to women's hockey development. Their chemistry was obvious - professional but warm, challenging but supportive.
After the show wrapped, Emma found Alek waiting in her dressing room.
"Not bad for a Commissioner," she teased.
"Not bad for a talk show host," he countered, pulling her close. "Though I still can't believe we're doing this."
"Having second thoughts?"
"Never. Just amazed that our crazy plan is actually working."
It was working. Emma's show had become appointment television for hockey fans. Alek's transparency initiative was being studied by other sports leagues. Their Toronto women's hockey team had sold out every game, with a waiting list for season tickets.
"Speaking of working," Emma said, checking her phone, "Katie texted. Charlotte's soccer practice is running late."
"I'll pick her up," Alek offered. "You have the sponsor dinner tonight."
Emma felt a familiar flutter of gratitude for how seamlessly they'd learned to coordinate their complex schedules. Toronto had tested their partnership in new ways, but it had also strengthened it.
"Actually," she said, "want to skip the sponsor dinner and have family pizza night instead?"
"You can't skip sponsor dinners."
"I can if my family needs me more. Charlotte's been asking for family movie night all week."
Alek studied her face. "You sure? This isn't about proving you can put family first?"
Emma laughed. "It's about wanting to eat pizza with my favorite people and watch Charlotte try to explain Frozen to Frankie for the twentieth time."
"In that case, absolutely."
Two hours later, they were sprawled on the floor of their Toronto living room, surrounded by pizza boxes and pillows, watching Frankie attempt to sing along with "Let It Go" while Charlotte provided enthusiastic choreography.
"This is better than any sponsor dinner," Emma declared, stealing a piece of Alek's pizza.
"Agreed. Though tomorrow's meeting with the Ottawa expansion team might be interesting."
"The one where they want to discuss our 'unconventional approach'?"
"That's the one." Alek grinned. "Apparently, having a husband-wife team running hockey operations is still considered radical in some circles."
"Good. Radical means we're changing things."
Emma's phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number: "Saw your show tonight. Thank you for proving women can lead differently. Starting my own sports agency next month. - Sarah, age 25."
"Look at this," Emma showed Alek the message.
"How many of those do you get now?"
"Dozens every week. Women starting businesses, girls joining hockey teams, men reconsidering how they approach partnerships."
"Any regrets about the fishbowl life?"
Emma considered the question as she watched Charlotte dramatically act out Anna's journey through the snow. Their lives were definitely more public now - photographers occasionally caught them at school pickup, interviews required careful coordination, and every business decision was analyzed by sports media.
But the trade-offs felt worth it.
"No regrets," she said firmly. "Though I reserve the right to change my mind if paparazzi start following us to grocery stores."
"Deal."
Frankie toddled over and climbed into Emma's lap, sleepy from the excitement of pizza and movies. She held him close, breathing in his baby scent and feeling profoundly content.
"Mama," Charlotte said, settling beside them, "are we gonna stay in Toronto forever?"
"What do you think?" Emma asked. "Do you like it here?"
"I like my purple room. And my new friends. And the big hockey rink where you work."
"Then we'll probably stay for a long time."
"Good," Charlotte declared with finality. "I want to play hockey like you and Daddy."
Emma and Alek exchanged glances over their daughter's head. Charlotte had been showing increasing interest in hockey, but they'd been careful not to push.
"Would you like to try skating lessons?" Alek asked casually.
"Yes! But only if Frankie can come watch."
"Of course he can watch," Emma assured her.
As they put the children to bed that night, Emma felt a deep sense of rightness about their choices. Toronto felt like home in ways New York never quite had - maybe because they'd chosen it together, built it together, instead of inheriting or accepting it.
"Emma?" Alek's voice was quiet as they settled into their own bed. "I have something to tell you."
Emma's stomach clenched slightly. After months of transparency and partnership, unexpected announcements still made her nervous.
"Good something or bad something?"
"Good something. I hope." Alek turned to face her fully. "The Ottawa expansion team? They don't just want to discuss our approach. They want to hire us."
"Hire us how?"
"As consultants. To help them implement transparency and partnership models in their organization."
Emma sat up straighter. "Both of us?"
"Both of us. They want the full package - governance transparency, women's hockey development, family-friendly policies. Everything we've been building."
"That's..." Emma struggled to process the implications. "That's incredible."
"It would mean expanding beyond just our own organizations. Becoming consultants for organizational change across hockey."
"A whole new business model."
"Built around everything we've learned about partnership and transparency."
Emma felt excitement building. "We could revolutionize how hockey organizations operate."
"Starting with Ottawa, but potentially across the entire sport."
They lay in the dark, both thinking about the possibilities.
"Are you interested?" Alek asked.
"Are you?"
"I'm interested in building something with you. Something that proves partnership makes organizations stronger."
Emma thought about Franklin, about the legacy he'd left her. Not just businesses or money, but the example of building something meaningful.
"Let's do it," she decided. "Let's show hockey what the future looks like."
"Together?"
"Always together."
Outside their Toronto bedroom window, the city hummed with possibility. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new opportunities, new chances to prove that transparency and partnership weren't just personal choices - they were revolutionary business strategies.
But tonight, Emma fell asleep feeling like she and Alek had finally figured out the secret to having it all: you didn't grab everything you could reach.
You built everything you could dream.
Together.