Chapter 134 Leo's First Game

Chapter 134 Leo's First Game
Dr. Reed sets his folder down on the small desk, a warm smile spreading across his face as he looks at Leo. "Everything is clear, kiddo. Your strength is back, and your lab work is great. You have full medical clearance to play sports again."

Leo jumps off the exam table, his dark eyes wide as he looks up at me. "Did you hear that, Liam? I can play hockey now! For real!"

"I heard it, buddy," I say, dropping to my knees to pull him into a tight hug. Tears sting my eyes as I hold him close. After all those scary months in hospital rooms, hearing those words feels like a total miracle. "You're officially cleared."

Klaus steps forward, shaking the doctor's hand. "Thank you for everything."

An hour later, Klaus pulls into the parking lot of the local community rink. The smell of cold air and damp gear washes over us the moment we walk inside. Children in bright jerseys are running around the lobby, while parents sit on wooden benches with hot coffee.

Leo stops near the entrance, holding his gear bag tightly. "Liam... what if I'm not good at it? What if they laugh at me because I missed so much time?"

Klaus crouches beside him, placing a gentle hand on his back. "Nobody expects you to be a pro on your first day, Leo. You are out here to have fun. That’s all that matters."

"Klaus is right," I say softly, sitting next to him to help pull his skates over his thick socks. "Just try your best. We're right here watching."

When the coach blows his whistle, the kids step onto the slippery surface. Leo walks out carefully on his thin steel blades, arms out to keep his balance. I take a seat on the bench, pulling my camera out to check the lens. Klaus stands right beside me, leaning over the barrier to watch.

The coach sets up a line of orange cones for a basic skating drill. One by one, the kids weave around the markers. When it is Leo's turn, he takes three quick strides forward. But as he tries to turn around the first cone, his right blade catches a groove in the ice. His legs slip, and he falls sideways onto the hard surface with a loud splash of loose ice.

His wooden stick slides away, and a couple of older kids near the red line let out a small laugh.

Leo’s face turns bright red. Tears fill his eyes as he tries to push himself back up, but his gloved hands keep slipping. He drops his head, sitting on the cold ice with his knees pulled up, looking completely embarrassed.

My heart breaks watching him. I start to stand up, but Klaus places a calm hand on my shoulder. "I've got him."

Klaus steps straight through the side gate onto the slippery ice in his regular shoes and jacket. He doesn't care that he is a famous captain or that parents in the stands are staring. He walks across the slick floor, reaching Leo in a few long strides. He drops down onto his knees beside him, ignoring the wet cold soaking through his pants.

"Hey, buddy," Klaus says gently, placing a broad hand on Leo's shoulder.

Leo wipes a tear from his cheek with his glove. "I ruined it, Klaus. I fell down in front of everyone."

"Do you know how many times I fell down when I was your age?" Klaus asks softly, his deep voice full of warmth. "Hundreds of times, Leo. I even fell down in front of twenty thousand people during a real game last month."

Leo looks up slowly. "Really?"

"Really," Klaus smiles, picking up Leo’s stick and handing it to him. "Falling down is just part of the game. What matters is that you get back up and try again. I'm right here with you."

Klaus takes Leo’s hands, helping him stand steady on his skates once more. "Now, keep your knees bent, just like we practiced."

He holds onto Leo's gloved fingers as they glide forward together for three slow paces. The coach gives Klaus an appreciative nod as the rest of the kids fall quiet, watching the pro player coach the young boy. Once Leo feels comfortable, Klaus steps back off the ice, sitting beside me on the bench.

"Thank you, Klaus," I whisper, resting my hand over his knee.

"Always," Klaus says, offering me a soft smile as he wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me close.

A few minutes later, the coach sets a rubber puck in front of the goal line, calling Leo up for a shooting drill. Leo glides forward, stopping three feet from the black disc. He looks over at the bench, meeting my eyes and Klaus's steady gaze.

I lift my camera, focusing right on his determined face.

Leo swings his stick with all the strength in his small arms. The blade connects with the puck with a sharp sound, sliding it straight into the back of the net.

GOAL!

"I did it!" Leo screams happily, throwing both of his gloved hands high up into the air.

The kids on his line cheer for him, banging their sticks against the side boards. Leo turns around right away, a massive, radiant smile lighting up his pale face as he looks back at the bench.

I press the shutter button down, catching the pure, unbroken joy on his face through my lens—the bright lights bouncing off his blue helmet, his red cheeks, and the absolute happiness shining in his eyes.

I lower the camera, wiping a stray tear from my cheek as Klaus stands up beside me, clapping his broad hands together and cheering loudly for our boy. Leo glides over to the low barrier, leaning over the top to give us both a big high-five, and in that quiet, bright moment, I know that our family is finally right where we belong.