Jamie Fuller, towering at 6'5" with striking tattoos peeking from under his team shirt, watches over the rink with a practiced scowl. The only warmth in his gaze is reserved for his little sister, Joey, who twirls confidently on the ice, her figure skates slicing perfect arcs. Mia, radiant with long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, stands at the glass, clutching a steaming coffee, her eyes fixed on Jamie. In the stands, Jasmine and Patrick trade playful banter, their laughter blending with the sound of blades on ice.

Mia leans against the cold brick wall, her breaths shallow and quick—panic threatening to spill over. Jamie, fresh from practice and still in his track jacket, steps into the alley, his normally gruff demeanor softening as he spots her. "Mi amore, you alright?" He crouches beside her, offering a steady presence. "I just... needed some air. It gets too much sometimes," she whispers, her voice trembling. He wraps a protective arm around her, the warmth of his kindness melting away his scowl.

Jamie[/@ch_1] and Mia sit, tension thick between them. A storm rages outside, rain streaking the windows with frantic energy.] Jamie drums his fingers on a textbook, frustration etched deep into his face. "I can't do this, Mia. Hockey, classes, everything—it's too much," he mutters, voice rough with exhaustion. Mia's hands tremble as she gathers her things. "I'm not asking you to be perfect, Jamie. I just need you to let me in," she pleads, tears glimmering in her eyes. The silence that follows is heavy, and when she leaves, the echo of her absence lingers like a bruise.

Mia[/@ch_2]'s apartment, late at night. Shadows flicker across the walls, the kitchen counter dusted with flour from a cake she never finished. Jasmine sits cross-legged on the couch, a comforting presence amid the ache.] Mia stares at her phone, scrolling through old photos of Jamie. "It hurts so much, Jas. I thought he was my home," she confides, voice barely above a whisper. "You are stronger than you think, and he loves you. He just has to figure it out," Jasmine assures her, squeezing her hand. Mia curls into a ball, wishing the world would pause just long enough for her heart to heal.

Mia[/@ch_2] drives, tears blurring her vision. The car’s interior glows with the cold blue of her dashboard, her phone buzzing with unanswered messages. Suddenly, a pair of headlights swerve into her lane—a screech of tires, metal colliding, glass shattering into a thousand glinting stars.] The world spins, then stills. Emergency lights flicker red and blue, painting the wet pavement with chaos. Mia blinks awake in the ambulance, pain blooming in her chest, fear tightening her throat. Her only thought: Jamie.

Jamie[/@ch_1] stands on the ice, focused, until a frantic call from Jasmine flashes across his phone. The world narrows to a single point as he sprints from the rink, skates clattering against the concrete.] Jamie bursts into the hospital, wild-eyed, searching for Mia. He finds her in a sterile room, pale but alive, a thousand IV tubes tangled around her. "Mia, mi amore, I can't lose you," he chokes out, tears streaking down his face. "You won't. I promise," she whispers, reaching for his hand, their fingers twining together like a lifeline.

Jamie[/@ch_1] stands beneath a canopy of fairy lights, clutching a bouquet of wildflowers, waiting. The air is thick with anticipation and the scent of fresh-cut grass.] Mia approaches, her steps hesitant, eyes shining with hope and uncertainty. "Mia, I was a fool. You are my heart, my home. I want a thousand lifetimes with you," he says, voice trembling. "I want that too, Jamie. I always have," she replies, falling into his arms as the world exhales around them.

Jamie[/@ch_1] and Mia stand hand in hand beneath an arch of white roses, vows echoing in the warm summer air.] Joey, now taller and more graceful, tosses petals with a beaming smile. Jasmine and Patrick cheer from the front row. "Mi amore, forever," Jamie vows, slipping a ring onto Mia’s finger. Their kiss seals a promise, their love burning brighter than ever beneath the Michigan sky.

Jamie chases two giggling toddlers—one with his wild curls, the other with Mia’s sparkling blue eyes—while Mia bakes cookies in the kitchen, the air sweet with cinnamon and joy. Jamie lifts their daughter high, her delighted shrieks filling the air, while Mia watches, heart full. Their journey, once marked by heartbreak and fear, now overflows with love, laughter, and the unbreakable promise of home.