Flightless

Champagne was flowing, more being sprayed around than consumed, and the locker room was packed with bodies, each as ecstatic as the next. Voices were beginning to fade from overuse, not that it mattered for this celebration. I couldn't even count the number of players I'd gotten to congratulate so far, majority adding yet another layer of sweat with their hugs.

Seeing Kris mark this event with such joy and sorrow was heart touching. Hearing him in interviews, explaining how he hadn't won the Cup for himself, but for his best friend who'd had his dreams cut short had me close to tears. Knowing just how that loss felt, it was inspiring that he'd come out so strong, and gave me hope that I'd be able to talk about my parents and Adam so easily.

Catching Jordan surprisingly alone as he started to strip out of his underarmour, I ran a hand down his back, appreciating the way the muscles tensed beneath my fingers, only to relax as he turned his head to see who was touching him. Turning around he took a seat in his stall, pulling me down onto his lap as he went.

"I am so proud of you Jor," I smiled, appreciating the pride that shined back at me through his ice blue orbs. "And," I drew out, shifting a little to pull something out of my back pocket, "I have a surprise for you."

Watching as he unfolded the paper, I saw his intrigue turn to confusion as he took in the booking confirmation of flights to Las Vegas. "What?" he breathed out, mind working overtime to connect the dots. "We're going to Vegas? Does that mean?" His eyes were ablaze with excitement again, realising the significance.

I barely got out a confirmation nod before he was kissing me unabashedly, apparently forgetting there were other people, including his parents, surrounding us.

"I can't wait to make you my wife," he mumbled against my lips, foreheads together as we took a moment to calm down. Pulling away and looking back at the booking he frowned, "Why do I have to wait 'til next week? We should be leaving right now."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Really Jordan, you want to miss out on all of this?" I gestured to the revelry we'd somewhat managed to seclude ourselves from. "You don't want to drink from the Cup? Enjoy this win with your teammates?" That had him reluctantly conceding that maybe it was better to wait. "Besides, you still have a couple things to organise first."

Since I'd decided on going ahead with this decision I'd managed to get a lot of the planning done, but there were a few details I wanted Jordan to deal with.

"Name it and it's done," Jordan grinned. "If it means I get to marry you, I'll do whatever you want."

Knowing we'd been lucky to have been uninterrupted for as long as we had, it wasn't surprising to find Max hauling me up off Jordan's lap so he could drag his buddy back to the Cup. "You can be all lovey-dovey later, this is time to party!"

x

Once we got back to Pittsburgh things were crazy. The weekend flew by in an alcoholic haze of happiness. It was early Saturday morning once we got back and after a quick sleep, and the shaving of beards, everyone was back in party mode. There wasn't much time left before the team would split up, going their separate ways for the summer, knowing they wouldn't all be back for the following season.

A barbeque at the Lemieux house served as the official team celebration. Lord Stanley was the guest of honour, taking laps around the lawn and even a few of the pool. From there it didn't stop.

The city of Pittsburgh didn't miss out on the events, hosting a parade through the streets on Monday so fans could show their appreciation, and the team could return the favour. First up that day, however, was the team photo on the ice at Mellon with the Cup, before the clearing out of the guy's stalls marking the end of an era.

Sitting in the back of the truck Jordan, Alex Goligoski, Chris Minard and Phillippe Boucher had been assigned to was overwhelming. I'd been on the other side of victory parades, but actually being in one was a completely different experience. It was amazing to see just how many people supported the Penguins, the streets being packed the whole route.