Book 2 Unexpected


    <b>Book </b><b>2 </b>Unexpected


    126 Pours


    Emma sat between her sleeping babies in the early morning light, Franklin’s letter trembling <b>in </b>her hands. The envelope had been tucked into her grandfather’s desk drawer for months,beled in his precise handwriting: “For Emmy When You Face Your Hardest Choice.”


    That choice had arrived unexpectedly yesterday when Alek received a phone call that <b>would </b>change everything.


    “NHL Commissioner?” she had repeated in disbelief. “You’re being offered Commissioner of the entire league?”


    Alek had looked as stunned as she felt. “The currentmissioner is retiring earlier than nned. Health reasons. The board wants fresh leadership, someone with ying experience and modern business acumen.”


    “It’s your dream job,” Emma had said quietly, understanding immediately what this meant.


    “In New York,” Alek confirmed. “Full relocation required.”


    Now, at dawn, Emma finally opened her grandfather’s letter with shaking fingers:


    *My dearest Emmy,*


    *By the time you read this, you’ll be facing the choice I once had to make between love and legacy. When your grandmother received an offer to head the Chicago Symphony, I had to decide whether to support her dreams or ask her to stay for mine.*


    *I chose selfishly. I asked her to stay, and she did, but part of her always wondered what might have been. Don’t make my mistake.*


    *The Mitchell legacy isn’t a ce or a business–it’s the values we pass to the next generation. Charlotte and Franklin will carry our name wherever they live. What matters is that they grow up seeing their parents pursue their highest callings together.*


    *If Aleksander’s opportunity requires leaving Boston, go with my blessing. The team will survive. Mitchell Industries will adapt. But a marriage built on mutual support is irreceable.*


    *Trust your heart, not your history.*


    *All my love,*


    *Grandpa*


    174


    < Book 2 Unexpected


    +25 Points


    Emma wiped tears from her cheeks as Charlotte stirred in her arms. The letter was <b>so </b>perfectly Franklin–anticipating her dilemma, understanding her torn loyalties, guiding her toward the decision she was afraid to make.


    “Early morning reading?” Alek’s voice was soft as he entered the nursery, already dressed for his emergency meeting with the NHL board.


    “From Grandpa,” Emma exined, showing him the letter. “He predicted this choice somehow.”


    Alek read silently, his expression shifting from surprise to understanding to something that looked like relief.


    “Wise man,” he said finally. “Even from his sickbed, he’s taking care of you.”


    “Of us,” Emma corrected. “This affects all of us.”


    They’d spent most of the night discussing the opportunity. Commissioner was indeed Alek’s dream position–the chance to shape the future of professional hockey at the highest level. But epting meant leaving everything they’d built in Boston, uprooting their children from the extended familywork they’d created.


    “The board needs an answer by end of week,” Alek said, settling beside her. “But Emma, I need you to know–if you can’t leave Boston, I’ll decline.”


    “Would you resent that decision?” Emma asked directly.


    Alek considered this with his typical honesty. “Probably not resent, but wonder. This opportunity may note again.”


    Emma nodded, appreciating his candor. “And if we go to New York, I’d need to rebuild my entire professional identity.”


    “Or create a new one,” Alek suggested. “The league has been discussing expanding women’s hockey development. A position like that might interest you.”


    The possibility intrigued Emma more than she’d expected. Leading women’s hockey expansion would be pioneering work, different from but equally meaningful as running the des.


    Before they could continue the conversation, Emma’s phone rang–Dr. Singh calling from Franklin’s bedside.


    “You shoulde quickly,” the doctor said without preamble. “Your grandfather is asking for you.”


    < Book 2 Unexpected


    +25 Points


    They found Franklin propped against pillows, looking frailer than ever but with familiar fire in his eyes. Natasha sat beside his bed, medical monitors beeping softly in the background.


    “There you are,” Franklin greeted them, voice weak but determined. “Bring those babies closer. I have things to say.”


    Emma carefully settled into the chair beside his bed with Frankie while Alek positioned Charlotte where Franklin could see her.


    “First,” Franklin announced, “I’m proud of the parents you’ve be. These children are lucky to have you.”


    “Grandpa,” Emma began, but he raised a trembling hand.


    “Second, I know about the Commissioner opportunity. Walter may have mentioned overhearing yesterday’s phone calls.”


    Emma shot a look at Walter, who appearedpletely unrepentant about his eavesdropping.


    “And third,” Franklin continued, “I’ve made some arrangements you should know about.”


    He nodded to Natasha, who handed Emma a thick legal envelope.


    “Trust documents,” Franklin exined. “The des and Mitchell Industries both now have session ns that don’t require your physical presence in Boston.”


    “<i>Who </i>


    Emma stared at the papers. does that mean?”


    “It means,” Franklin said with satisfaction, “that you can pursue opportunities anywhere in the world while maintaining your ownership and legacy interests. The businesses will run


    themselves through qualified management.”


    The arrangements were even moreprehensive than Emma had imagined. Franklin had restructured everything to give her maximum flexibility–she could be actively involved from Boston, provide strategic oversight from New York, or step back entirely while retaining ownership and decision–making authority.


    “When did you arrange all this?” she asked, amazed.


    “Months ago,” Franklin admitted. “When it became clear that extraordinary people like you and Aleksander shouldn’t be limited by geography or tradition.”


    Alek shook his head in wonder. “You nned for a scenario you couldn’t have predicted.” “I nned for the certainty that my granddaughter would face opportunities worthy of her


    < Book 2 Unexpected


    +28 Foints


    talents,” Franklin corrected. “The specifics were just details.”


    As they absorbed this information, Franklin’s expression grew more serious.


    “Now,” he said, “there’s something else. Aleksander, you should know that Dr. Crawford has made some… concerning allegations about workce conduct.”


    The


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