A/N:

Here it is. This is the final chapter in Chase and Lindsey's story. *tear*

I sincerely hope you enjoy it. Let me know in the comments what you think. One more important A/N will be posted at the end.

Chase

Come on, T.J., you've got this!

No! He missed the net. Shit! I hurry toward the puck, keeping it away from our rivals. I whip around the back of the net. This is our chance. I bring my stick back and line up my shot. The vibration from the stick hitting the puck is thrumming through my body as I wait to see if my timing was right.

Everything seems to move in slow motion as the puck slides forward. The goalie is sinking down to the ice. Did I give it enough power? Is it going fast enough? I exhale as I hear the puck tink against the bottom frame of the net.

I did it!

The loud sound of a buzzer solidifies it. We got the goal! We've won! I hear the announcers overhead. "The Cobras win the championship!"

The entire arena erupts as the rest of our teammates flood the ice. Everyone is going crazy. Our fans are cheering for us louder than I've ever heard them. The guys are all fist-bumping and hugging each other. The entire coaching staff is out here with us, joining in the mass celebration.

I'm pulled into a bear hug. "We fucking did it, man! We fucking did it!"

I clamp my arms around Liam's shoulders and return his hug with equal excitement. "Hell, yeah, we did!"

When we've all had time to congratulate one another, we make our way down to the other end of the ice and form a line to shake hands with our opponents. They played a great game out there tonight. I can't help but have a tremendous amount of respect for these guys.

When I make my way down to the team captain, we shake hands before he pulls me in for a quick hug. "You guys gave us hell out there tonight, but we couldn't have lost to a better team. Congrats, man!"

I thank him then make my way to the edge of the rink where several news crews are waiting. They swarm me and ask for a statement about how it felt to score the winning goal. Some ask what my plans are now that we've played the final game of the season. One asks if there is anything at all that could make this moment better.

That question catches me off guard, but I recover quickly. What could make this moment better? I smile as I think of the only thing in the world that could possibly make this moment better. I look into the stands and find Lindsey. Yep, there's my answer, right there.

I flash a quick smile to the reporter before turning back toward my girl. She, Taylor, and Mel are all staring down at me. I lift my arm up and wave them down to the ice. Lindsey's face is turning pink, and she stands there frozen to the spot. Her eyes are growing wider by the second. I continue waving them down and nod encouragingly.

Tay and Mel start to usher Lins toward me. The mega screen overhead is focused on me as they make their way to the ice. The crowd begins to quiet down, wondering what is happening. After the girls reach the spot just outside the rink, I push through the reporters and step off the ice.

I pull Lins into a big hug before glancing over to Taylor. She nods to me as she starts digging in her bag. A few seconds later, she pulls out the small box that I asked her to hold for me before I left this morning.

When I let go of Lindsey, she's staring up at me with questioning eyes. She doesn't notice as Taylor slips the box into my waiting hand. More reporters are surrounding us now, and the other guys have stopped their interviews to come over to see what's going on. I send one more look to the reporter who asked the question. Then, I grin as I slide down to one knee in front of Lindsey.

This isn't how I planned it. I wasn't going to do this until after the interviews when it was just the team and our families inside the team lounge. But hey, what the hell? The timing just feels right, and I can't think of a better way to answer that reporter's question.

There's a collective gasp across the arena, and Lins brings a hand up to cover her mouth. Okay, Chase, this is it. My hand pulls the box open.

I take a deep breath. "Lindsey, I don't know how I got so lucky to land a woman like you, but I am so grateful every day to have you in my life. You know me better than anyone else, and I've become a better man because of you. I've never felt as strongly about anyone in my life as I do about you, Lins. You're my happy place, my warmth, my world, my everything. I didn't know love could feel like this until I met you. I love you so much, baby. And if you say yes, I'll spend the rest of our lives showing you how much I love you, giving you everything you deserve. I'm choosing you, Lins. I'll always choose you. So, whaddya say? Will you marry me?"

My breath catches as I kneel there, waiting for her reply. I see tears forming in her eyes, and it feels like forever before she responds. I feel the tension building inside me. I'm wound so tight; I feel like I could snap at any second. But then, she drops her hands from her face and nods before saying the only word I want to hear.

"Yes! Yes! Oh my God, yes!" She reaches out for me and pulls me up, crushing her lips against mine.

I tug her against me and sink into the kiss, blinking back the tears that are forming. When we finally break apart, I take her hand and slide the diamond ring onto her finger, showing the world that she's mine. The fans are going wild all around us, and I look onto the ice to see my teammates cheering for us. One, in particular, makes his way over to us and slaps me on the back.

"See, I told you she'd say yes." Liam doesn't even try to hide the smug look on his face.

Lins stares at her brother. "You knew!?"

She looks back at me. "I asked your dad and Liam both for permission to ask you," I tell her, smiling.

The shock wears off her face and is replaced with a look of pure joy. "I love you so much, Chase."

I wrap my girl up into my arms as I tell her, "I love you too."

Every person on the team came up to congratulate Lins and me. I apologized to the guys for stealing the thunder of our big win with my proposal, but they all shrugged it off and told me they were happy for us and couldn't think of a better way to kick off the team's big win.

As person after person comes up to us to offer their congratulations, I can't keep the smile off my face. She did this to me. She made it possible for me to feel this happy. Before her, I felt lost. I felt trapped by the person I used to be. I thought the tabloids and my past exploits were all I'd ever be known for. Until she came into my life, I was starting to lose hope that I would ever find this kind of happiness; this kind of love.

I take another look at the beautiful woman in my arms and remind myself how lucky I am. Some people never get to have this moment, the one where they realize they've found their person. I'm so happy to have found mine. In Lindsey, I've found my other half, my soulmate, my heart.

I've told her once, but I'll tell her a thousand times- I'll always choose her. That's not the thing that's making my heart feel so full right now, though. No. There's only one thing that's making me feel so loved and warm and whole right now. Only one thing that is making it hard to hold back my tears of joy.

I chose her, but she chose me too.

*

*

*

Lindsey

I'm engaged!

I can't believe it. I feel like I've slipped into a dream that I never want to wake from. This is incredible. The team won the championship, and Chase and I got engaged. There are no words to express how unbelievably happy I am right now.

So many people came up to us to congratulate us and show their support for our engagement. I was blown away by the amount of love and kindness that was shined upon us. I'm still baffled by it as I sit here with everyone and celebrate the big win at our favorite karaoke bar.

Almost everyone from the team has taken a turn on stage to sing. Most dedicated their songs to the team for winning the cup or to Chase and me for our new status as an engaged couple. It's such a warm feeling to know that we are so loved and supported by everyone on the team. There was hardly a dry eye in the house after I said yes to Chase. Even Coach and the team manager got all glossy-eyed.

There's something electric in the air tonight. Everyone is buzzing with excitement, and I feel like nothing in the world can bring us down. I watch as Taylor and Liam hit the stage to sing Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." As they get going, the entire building starts joining in. It's such a fantastic feeling to be surrounded by this much joy at one time.

I look over at Chase, and he's looking right back at me. He doesn't even have to open his mouth to tell me what he's thinking. I can see it plain as day, sprawled across his face. I'm sure the same thing is spread across mine as well, telling him how much I love him and how happy I am right now. I feel so blessed that I get to spend the rest of my life with such a wonderful man. He leans in at the same time as me, and we share a loving kiss.

When we pull away, I sigh contentedly as I settle into his side. I look around the room at all of the people we're surrounded by. I'm so glad I took a chance on my dream- took a chance on me- and moved to the city all those months ago. In the time I've been here, I've met so many wonderful people and created a new life for myself. One I used to think would never have been possible.

I glance over at Tay and Liam and smile. Never before have I felt so loved and supported by a group of people. Liam has always had my back, and if it weren't for him, I never would have given myself this opportunity to live out my dreams. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have met Chase or Taylor, and I would have missed out on so many lessons in love and friendship.

I really do have the best people in my corner: the best brother, best friend, and best fiancé. Without them, I don't think I would have gotten the old me back. The girl who has confidence, self-respect, and strength. The girl who knows it's okay to trust others and herself. The girl who doesn't hide away from the world- who lets people in. The one who makes friends and takes chances. Someone who let love in and gave herself a shot at happiness.

They helped me become who I am today. They helped me let go- to stop waiting for the other shoe to drop, to be optimistic instead. They showed me my home, my family. They helped me uncover something I once lost. Something I never thought I'd find again.

They helped me find myself. I love them all so much for it. And finally, after all these years, I've learned to love myself again.

A/N:

I hope you all enjoyed Chase and Lindsey's story. And though this is technically the end of their staring roles, they will appear in the next books- just not with the same frequency as this one. I will be posting a bonus/extended scene chapter tomorrow. I promised all burning questions will be answered by the end, and I will not leave you hanging. Originally Lindsey's POV was longer and included the answer to THAT question, but I didn't feel right keeping that part in. It felt like that part of the scene took away from Lindsey's final paragraphs as published here. I felt she deserved her final moment and all the attention that goes with it, so tomorrow will be a bonus chapter for you guys. It will tie up one very important loose end.

I'd love to know what you all think of the story. Also, I love hearing your predictions about THAT question. It will be revealed tomorrow, but let me know who you think it is. Please if you feel compelled, let me know here in the comments. And if you've read this far, thank you so much for sticking it out. :)