Yesterday was spent baking, eating, watching classic Christmas movies, and snuggling by the fire. Oh, and did I mention eating? Because we definitely did a lot of that. And it was awesome.

It was the perfect way to spend a holiday, and is exactly what I needed after a long ride in the car. My aching body definitely appreciated the break.

Today, however, we’re heading to the Olympic Oval in Salt Lake. It was originally built for the 2002 Winter Olympics, but is now open to the public. I haven’t been here since high school when Adam and I had a double date with Luke and his flavor of the week. Bree had tagged along as well, unashamed of being the fifth wheel.

We had spent the evening laughing, holding hands, drinking hot chocolate, and eating stale donuts from the gas station. I chuckle softly to myself, remembering Bree and I fighting over the last chocolate donut. Unfortunately, she won. She’s a scrappy little fighter, that one.

It really was a perfect night.

I smile fondly, remembering how sweet Adam used to always treat me.

He was a really good guy.

I know that college was tough on him and our relationship, but high school was a completely different story. Well, the majority of it anyway. The last semester took its toll on Adam, too. He was always so hard on himself, trying to please everyone and trying to be perfect.

Despite that, the guy waited on me hand and foot. He really knew how to make a girl feel like a princess. I know I was his entire world, just like how he was mine.

I take a deep breath as we pull into the parking area, surprised that my walk down memory lane didn’t leave me in tears. It’s refreshing to think about my first love without breaking down afterwards. I think Adam would be proud of me. My eyes glaze slightly with the overwhelming feeling of peace that encompasses me.

I know he would be.

My soft smile is still firmly in place as Luke grabs my hand across the center console. He squeezes it gently, taking in my glossy eyes before asking, “You ready for this, Liv? You better be careful. I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen an eight-month pregnant woman ice skate before,” he teases, gently.

I laugh, wiping under my eyes. “Bring it on.”

We make our way into the arena, meeting his family by the area where you rent skates.

Breezy comes bouncing over holding two pairs of skates over her head. “Gotcha covered, slow pokes!” she teases, while handing both Luke and me a pair. “Now, suit up, Ted!” she jokes, quoting How I Met Your Mother. “We’ll meet you on the ice!”

Bree bobbles toward the rink on her skates as Luke and I take seats on one of the many benches scattered throughout the area to lace up. While attempting to bend forward and slip off my shoes, I hear Luke chuckling in my direction before sliding off the bench and kneeling before me. He grabs my moccasin-covered feet and slips them off. “Don’t hurt yourself, Liv,” he teases. “Let me you help out.”

I roll my eyes, feeling like a toddler, but reluctantly grateful for his thoughtfulness. We both stay silent as he continues to tie my skates.

Looking around the arena, I take in the fun atmosphere. It looks like your average skating rink, except bigger. There are flags hanging from the ceiling, along with the Olympic rings decorating the walls, and a running track surrounding the ice.

I notice a family with three small children near us. The mom is smiling in my direction as the dad is rounding up their kids. I smile back, silently laughing at the father’s exasperated face.

Luke finishes lacing up my skate and sets my foot back on the ground. He then leans forward, places his large hands on my round stomach, and rubs gently. “You ready for this, Little Man?” He kicks at that exact moment, and Luke’s face lights up. My little boy is wiggling constantly now, but it never ceases to amaze me how excited Luke gets every time he feels him move.

Luke chuckles quietly before speaking to my belly once more. “I know, I know. Soon enough it’ll be you out there bud, and I’ll be lacing up your skates.” He smiles softly and glances up at me with his gorgeous green eyes.

I can’t help but grin as I see this giant man on his knees in front of me, talking to my unborn baby.

I hear someone clearing their throat slightly, gaining our attention. Breaking eye contact with Luke, I look over to see the mom with the three little kids.

“You two are the cutest couple ever, and are going to make great parents! I can already see how much you love your little one.” She smiles sincerely.

Luke stiffens, his cheeks reddening from her inaccurate observation, but I stop him before he can correct her. “Thank you. We are so excited to meet him! Only one more month!” I reply, happily.

“Well, it’ll be here before you know it! It was so nice meeting you!” She grabs her littlest girl’s hand and leads her toward the ice.

Luke clears his throat and stands up from his kneeling position in front of me. He rubs his hands through his hair before sheepishly looking my way. “Sorry, Liv. I know how much you hate it when people make assumptions.”

I shake my head back and forth before grabbing his face so I have his full attention, which is kind of hard to do considering our height difference. “Luke. It’s not your fault at all. And it’s not a problem.” I shrug. “Seriously. I know our situation is a little…” I pause, looking for the right word, “unorthodox? But it’s okay. You have kind of stepped into the supportive father role, and even though we’re not a couple or anything, I know that you care about this little guy.” I lick my lips before continuing. “Don’t get me wrong. I know you’re not his dad, and I’m not asking you to be. But I also kind of love how much you love him already. So, thank you for that.”

I feel a light blush stain my cheeks as I finish my vulnerable monologue. I let my hands fall to my sides and clear my throat, suddenly uncomfortable with his undivided attention. I look down at my stomach, picking at invisible lint and effectively breaking his intense gaze.

Luke grabs my left hand, gently intertwining our fingers before bringing it to his lips and placing the softest of kisses on the back. He smiles softly and nods his head once, acknowledging my confession without verbal confirmation before leading me toward the ice.

Which is exactly what I need.