"It's okay to miss them," I promise him, turning to press a kiss to his temple before he pulls away to set the box on the table and slip his shoes off.

My smile softens when he stretches out on the couch, resting hsi head on my lap and I drop a hand to lightly comb my fingers through his hair. It still boggles me a little that I actually get to do this, just touch him so casually, innocent as it is.

"No, no," I tell him, smoothing my hand down to squeeze the juncture of his neck and shoulder. "Never too busy for you." I fall quiet then for a moment, just petting his shoulder and carding through his hair again before I ask him, "Have you thought about doin' somethin' with the schools this year? Seein' if maybe they need a coach for the middle school or high school? I'm not sure either of them even have a hockey team, but it might be worth lookin' into. You really seemed to love doing it."