Hidden in the Shadows

March 12th, 2011
Saturday
Milan’s and Raina’s Apartment, Boston, MA
8:36 A.M.

That next morning when Raina woke up she went downstairs to find the kitchen a mess and Milan cooking. The counters were covered in what looked like cake batter and there was floor everywhere.

“What are you doing?” she said. Milan stopped mixing the batter and said

“Making you a cake,”

“Why?”

“Because I want you to feel better about going to Vancouver.”

“You’re such a sweetie,” she said going over and hugging him.

“I made you breakfast too,” he said going over to the microwave and pulled out a stack of pancakes.

“I love you so much,” she said as he put the plate on the table for her. He laughed and said

“I love you too.” She began to eat and said

“Did you call your parents?”

“Ya, they’re absolutely thrilled you’re coming.”

“Did you tell them why I am?”

“Ya, they told me to be careful and everything but it’s obviously not the hockey players that this person wants.”

“What time’s the flight?”

“A little before mine, at 5:50, I leave at 6:10.” She nodded and said

“I have to go see Jasmiina and Sheena.”

“I called Tuukka and he said that he was coming to.”

“Good,” said Raina. She hadn’t seen Tuukka in awhile and she needed to talk to him. Milan finished the cake, put it in the oven, and set it out on the counter to cool before going to the hospital. When they pulled into the parking lot Raina saw Tuukka standing by the entrance. She jumped out and yelled

“Tuuk!” She ran over and gave him a hug. “I missed you!” Tuukka laughed and hugged back.

“I missed you too Ray.” Milan walked up smiling and said to Tuukka

“Ready to kill the Sabres tomorrow?”

“Absolutely, Miller is gonna hate us.” The three went inside and headed up to Jasmiina’s room. When they walked in she saw Jasmiina sitting up in her bed. She grinned when she saw them.

“Hey guys!” she said. Tuukka had brought a bouquet of roses for her and Raina let him give her them before bursting out

“OH MY GOD GUESS WHOSE BACK!!”

“Who?”

“Brittany.”

“What?!” said Jasmiina in shock.

“Ya I know it’s horrible. We got in a little argument but Sheena broke us apart. She’s such a bitch coming back here to try and cause more problems.”

“Whose she staying with?”

“Tammy.” Milan and Tuukka stood behind Raina amused with the girl’s gossip. “She’s totally all over Milan too.” Jasmiina shoke her head and said

“Just ignore her and maybe she’ll stop trying.” Raina was filling Jasmiina in on everything.

“Sheena’s here too.” Jasmiina looked confused and said

“Why?”

“They found her last night in an alleyway like they found you.” Jasmiina’s eyes went wide with shock and she said

“Is she ok?!”

“Ya she was conscious but tied up. Her arm and hand are the only things hurt though.”

“I can’t believe this is all happening.” said Jasmiina. “Someone is picking us off one by one.”

“That’s why Milan is making me go to Vancouver today so I’m safer.”

“How long are you gonna be there?” said Jasmiina sadly.

“I don’t know, until the police find who’s doing all this.”

“I’ll come join you when I get out of here tomorrow if Milan’s parents are ok with it.” Raina felt a glimmer of hope and turned to Milan and said

“Can she?” Milan shrugged and said

“Sure, my parents aren’t opposed to guests as long as their house doesn’t become a refugee camp for Bruins wives and girlfriends,” he laughed. Raina looked at Tuukka who then said

“It’s alright with me, it’s safer but I’ll miss you.” said Tuukka. Jasmiina smiled and said

“We can go walk around he city and go shopping.” Tuukka laughed and said

“How is that any different from what you do here?”

“We’ll I’ve never been to Vancouver,” she said.” What’s it like?” She asked Milan.

“It’s a beautiful city, a lot different than Boston though,”

“You can help me look at houses,” said Raina.

“I’ll take the flight out tomorrow afternoon when I leave the hospital.”

“This is going to be so much fun now!” said Raina. The four talked a bit more and then Tuukka, Milan, and Raina left to go visit Sheena. Raina walked up to Tuukka and said

“So when are you going to propose to her?”

“After she gets out of the hospital and I get the chance to take her somewhere special again.” He said. “It will probably be awhile but I still have the ring tucked away safe.”

“I’m so happy for you!” she said. “How’s Blake doing?”

“He’s doing well, he said he’s completely settled into Atlanta and he likes his new teammates.” Blake Wheeler, one of Raina’s other friends, had been traded to the Atlanta Thrashers earlier that year. It had made Raina depressed for awhile considering how close they had become but she knew that players getting traded and moved around was a constant system she’d have to deal with.

“Good,” she said. “I haven’t talked to him in awhile; I’ll give him a call later.” When they reached Sheena’s room Raina was the first to walk in. She saw her sitting up and looking at her.

“Hey how are you doing?” said Raina softly.

“Better,” said Sheena. Raina saw she had on an arm and hand cast set up in a sling.

“Has Johnny been here?” Raina asked.

“Ya, he was here all this morning.” Sheena said smiling.

“So when are you getting out?” Raina asked.

“Soon, actually at 4:00 later today.” Suddenly Milan’s phone went off making Raina jump. Milan answered and said

“Hello, oh hey mom.” There was a pause and then he said

“Ya, she’ll be getting in around 9:00 in Vancouver time. I have to ask you something. Raina’ best friend Jasmiina, the one who got attacked first, is leaving the hospital tomorrow. She was wondering if she could also come stay in Vancouver to be safe.” There was another pause and then he said “Really? You’d be ok with that? Alright I’ll ask her now.” Milan looked up at Sheena and said “You wanna go to Vancouver?” Sheena looked confused and said

“Why?” Sheena asked.

“I'm sending Raina there today and Jasmiina’s going tomorrow because it’s safer there. You’d be staying at my parent’s house. You could take the flight out with Raina today at 5:50.” Sheena smiled and said

“Sue, but I have to ask Johnny.”

“Alright,” said Milan. He went back to his phone and said “Ya Sheena said she’d come up tonight with Raina.” There was a long pause before he said “Alright, love you too, bye.” When he hung up Raina said

“You’re mom offered for Sheena to come?”

“Ya,” he said, shipping his phone back into his pocket. “She got excited when I told her that Jasmiina wanted to come and I told her about Sheena earlier and she wanted all three of you to come.”

“Is the house big enough?” said Raina.

“I think so,” said Milan. “My little brother Nikola is still living there with them but I’m sure she can cram you all in.” he laughed.

“I’ll call Johnny and ask him, I’m sure he’ll be ok with it.” said Sheena. Now having to prepare more for her trip, Tuukka left so he could go buy a plane ticket for Jasmiina, and after Sheena got the ok from Johnny Raina and Milan went home to pack. When Raina walked into her closet she felt overwhelmed and said

“So how much should I bring?” Milan walked in behind her and said

“A lot, prepare to be staying there for awhile.” Raina spent the next hour packing three bags of almost everything in her closet. She was exhausted by the time she was done and with a sigh she lay down onto her bed. Milan sat down next to her.

“I’m going to miss you so much,” he said. She sat up and snuggled up next to him.

“At least we’re both leaving on a flight today.”

“Not the same one,” he said depressingly. She kissed him lightly on the cheek.

“Look on the bright side; I’ve never met your younger brother so when I go I’ll finally get to see him.”

“You’ll like Nikola, he’s a goof. He still lives with my parents. He’s only 21 and he’s going to Sanford University in Vancouver.”

“I’m gonna sleep in your old room.” said Raina.

“It’s full of all my old hockey trophies. From the time I was little until I was eighteen.”

“You’re gonna like the city of Vancouver.” He said. “I’m sure my mom will show you my old school, and introduce you to my old friends.”

“I can find out all the dirty secrets about your past.” She said.

“You already saw all my baby pictures, there’s not much worse than that. Oh and also keep in mind that I haven’t touched that room since I was eighteen so there’s going to be a couple of pictures of me and my old girlfriend before Brittany so don’t get upset.” Raina sat up a little and said

“You never told me about another ex,”

“You don’t need to hear about it.” He said.

“No tell me!” said Raina.

“It was nothing,” he said. “I dated her from when I was sixteen to eighteen and then we broke up because we grew apart.”

“I’ll redecorate your room,” she said. “It’ll be fun.”

A few hours later the two packed their luggage and drove to the airport. The gates to Vancouver and Buffalo were only separated by two other gates. Raina decided to hang around with the team until it was time to go. She saw Sheena and Johnny sitting together, Sheena’s arm still up in a cast and a sling.

“Hey ready to go?” said Raina to Sheena.

“Yup, I packed just about everything in my closet.”

“Me too,” said Raina. The team began to arrive one by one, Tuukka came over and sat with her and said

“I just want to propose to her and not have to wait any longer.”

“You will don’t worry,” Vlad who has sat down next to Tuukka and obnoxiously said

“Ohhhh, you’re in love! Can I be you ring bearer in your wedding?”

“Shut up Vladdy, you’re the one who wouldn’t stop going on and on about your new girlfriend.” said Tuukka.

“You have a new girlfriend?!” said Raina excitedly. “Who is she?!” Vlad’s face went a bright shade of red and he quietly said

“Her name’s Petra, she’s from the Czech Republic too.”

“How’d you meet?” Raina stood up and sat on the other side of Vlad.

“She’s a childhood friend and she just started coming to college here so she contacted me about it and we’ve been talking since.”

“That’s so sweet! I need to meet her!”

“She only speaks some English but she can understand it completely for her classes.”

“This is exciting! My Vladdy is branching out to girls!” said Raina throwing her arms around Vlad.

“Ya we all thought you were gay,” said Tuukka. “Honestly,” he laughed. “I thought you and Krejci were gay lovers just like Looch and Nate.”

“Hey,” said Milan. “Nate and I are just close.” Raina looked at Milan and said

“I’ve come to terms with the fact that you and Nathan have a bromance and I don’t feel jealous or competitive at all. In fact, if you came out right now and told me you two were gay I would accept you.” Milan rolled his eyes and said

“Nate and I got nothing going on.”

“What about me?” said Nathan, walking over after hearing his name.

“Oh we were just talking about how you and Looch have a bromance.” Said Tuukka.

“I’m ok with you being his lover Nate.” Said Raina. “We can share,” Nathan laughed and said

“Oh thanks, I appreciate it.” Nathan went back over to talking with Shawn Thorton and Tuukka said

“He’s been so down lately, that’s the first time I’ve heard him laugh in a few weeks.” Raina saw Milan stiffen and his jaw clench when Vlad asked “What happened?”

“I don’t know,” said Tuukka. Milan abruptly changed the topic by saying

“So how has Buffalo been doing this season?”

“Having Ryan Miller on their team is the reason they’re doing so good.” Raina looked up to see her father walking towards her.

“Dad!” she said, getting up to hug him.

“How are you doing?” he said smiling at his daughter.

“Great, how about you?”

“Good,”

“How’s mom?” asked Raina.

“She’s doing well too.” Claude looked confused and said “What are you doing here?”

“Oh my god! I forgot to tell you I’m going to Vancouver! Because of all the attacks lately I’m gonna go stay with Milan’s parents until the attacker is caught.”

“Well that’s a better choice than staying here.” Said her father.

“My flight leaves a little before yours. Sheena and Jasmiina are coming with me to stay there too.” Milan stopped talking to Tuukka and Vlad and noticed Raina talking to his to be father-in-law and coach.

“Hey Claude,” he said, standing up. He always felt slightly nervous around him. Claude had yelled at him a couple of times for doing something stupid on the ice and he couldn’t imagine what he’d be like if he upset his daughter who he was to be married to. Claude never showed any signs of truly disliking him but he did sometimes ask him questions about Raina’s and his relationship. Milan was alone in his situation, not many guys married their coach’s daughter and wouldn’t know the awkwardness of the situation.

“Hey Milan how are you?” said Claude.

“I’m fine, pumped up for the game.”

“Good,” he said. “You managing things well while Raina’s resting up?”

“Yup,” he said smiling. “She even taught me how to cook so I make dinner now.” Claude smiled, satisfied and said

“Good you two will have a wonderful life together.” Milan grinned. Over the intercom a voice said

“Flight 108 to Vancouver is now boarding?”

“It’s time for you to go.” Said Milan. Raina said goodbye to Tuukka, her father, and Vlad, and the followed Sheena over to the gate. She turned to say goodbye to Milan and began to feel tears coming to her eyes.

“I don’t want to go without you,” she said. “Don’t leave me!” She clung to him in a tight hug.

“You have to go,” said Milan. He then whispered in her ear, “Just think in a few weeks you’ll be walking down the aisle looking beautiful, and we’ll be married. I don’t want that to be taken away from us because some lunatic decides to hurt you.” Raina brushed away the few tears that had rolled down her face and said

“Ok,” she sniffled a little and said “I love you so much Milan Lucic,”

“I love you too,” he tightened his hug around her, loving the feeling of holding her in his big arms. She leaned up and pressed her lips to his, he felt the salty taste of her tears as she pressed to him harder. When they broke apart, Raina walked away towards the gate. She handed he boarding pass to the woman by the door and then turned to look at him. Milan smiled and waved. She managed to smile back and wave and then she turned and disappeared from sight down the hallway.
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Thanks for reading :) Please comment.

Hopefully the Bruins win tomorrow!! They've come so far and they really deserve it. If they do win I will definitely be in Boston to see the parade. :)