Double Trouble

Lina got discharged, and was driven home by Daddy. The waiting room slowly cleared out, and I drove to the ice rink to get my things. I was surprised to see most of the Penguins in the locker room, and my bag sitting right where I left it.

“Hey, you’re the chick that’s on the Hawks. How’s your sister?” Cooke asked me. I gave him a smile.

“She’s better. She’s at home right now. I just came to get our stuff.”

“Yeah? That’s great. Tell her we all wish her a speedy recovery.” Letang said. I nodded at them and began gathering my stuff.

“Hey Ave, what are you doing here?” I heard Coach Q ask. I turned around, and pointed to my stuff.

“Getting my bag.” I replied.

“You should be with your sister. I could have had one of the men do it for you.” I gave him a look clearly showing that I was unamused.

“I play with a bunch of boys, Coach. Not men, boys. Oh, and feel free to drop by today. I’m making Lina’s favorites, and in large quantities, so they’ll be a lot of food.” I said to him.

“Did someone say food?” a chorus of voices asked. I turned to see most of the penguins behind me.

“Yeah I did. I’m cooking for Lina today...”

“How is she?” Crosby asked.

“Doing good. She’s at home right now. Anyone who wants to see her, come by later today when she’s not as pissed off at the world and is on her happy pills.” I said to the group before quickly putting the last few things in my bag and walked out to my car.

I got home and quickly ran through the doors to check on Alina. I found her asleep, cuddling her favorite pillow pet. I kissed her forehead before hopping into the shower. I quickly washed off all the dried sweat and tears before wrapping myself in a towel and getting dressed in a pair of leggings and an oversized button up. I walked to the kitchen and made a list of everything I needed to get from the grocery store to make Lina’s favorites.

“Guys, I’m going to get groceries to make Alina’s favorites. Expect a lot of hungry hungry hockey players to show up. Make them feel at home, and no, you can’t touch, bother, or take some things of Lina’s, unless you’re Daddy. You all have cooties, and she can get even worse.” I called out before walking out the door.

I walked through the aisles of the grocery store, placing the things I needed into my cart. I wasn’t paying attention when I bumped into someone.

“Sorry!” I exclaimed quickly.” I wasn’t looking and-” my babbling was cut off by a chuckle.

“Don’t worry about it.” I looked up and saw Marc-Andre Fleury.

“Still, I’m sorry Flower. Are you coming today for dinner and when Lina has taken her happy pills?” He laughed and nodded.

“If you don’t mind. I’m pretty sure most of the team is coming. Be prepared to feed an extra hockey team. We all got your address from your Coach’s files.” I groaned. “Is something wrong? We won’t come if you don’t want us too.” He said to me worried.

“It’s not you Flower. Just that everyone seems to get my address from sneaking into Coach’s office and taking my address.” He chuckled.

“It’s because you, mon cheri, are intimidating for such a small person.”

“I am not that small. And be there at 6. Food will be on the table by 6:30.” I told him. He nodded and gave me a bear hug.

“See you soon mon petite fleur.” He said as we went our separate ways. I smiled at his french mixed in with his english. I continued finding my groceries and placing them in the basket, keeping in mind what Fleury said and getting more than needed just in case I do end up feeding two hockey teams. I giggled out loud at the image of Lina seeing all the Pens in our house. She’d probably ask why the Shittsburgh Penguins were in her house, then keep Flower and just hug him. I finished my shopping and went to the checkout, only to find myself behind Flower.

“Ah, mon cherie, we meet again.” He said with a chuckle. I nodded with my own laugh.

“Yup. Do you think this is enough to feed two hockey teams, two buff brothers, a buff dad, and some random stragglers that happen to show up?” I asked him pointing at the cart that had everything needed to make enough Chicken Parmisana to feed the army, and some other sides, along with dessert.

“I think you have more than enough. I just looking at what you have is making me wonder what you’ll be making.”

“I’m making Lina’s favorite, which is Chicken Parmigiana, and then some other things that we happen to enjoy eating.”

“All from scratch?” He asked, and I nodded.

“Well, I will definitely be there... now I have to figure out a way to make sure the rest of the team doesn’t want to come so I can get lots of second helpings.” I giggled at the French Canadian man.

“If you can manage to not have all the Pittsburgh Penguins at my apartment, I’ll even send you home with leftovers.” I said to him serious. He grinned and nodded.

“Very well. Expect me at your house by six.” With that he payed for the few things he had and I waited patiently as the cashier began checking out my items. I took my bags and placed them inside my car and drove all the way back home.

I quickly began the process of cooking, humming along to the song playing from my iPod. By five thirty, most of the quick and easy had been made, and I had begun breading the chicken. I placed the pan of chicken into the oven and started on the parmisana sauce. The smell of food began to fill the air, and every once in a while, Daddy, Mikey or Mattie would come by and poke their heads in, trying to see if they could take anything. I let the sauce simmer and I went to wake up Lina, only to find her sitting in her bed drawing.

“Hey Lina, you feeling ok?” she nodded and grimace.

“Yeah, but I would love some pain killers.” I handed her the prescription pain medication with a glass of milk.

“Drink it with milk or you’re going to reject it. And I made some of your favorite foods, and I hope that you don’t mind that probably all the hawks will be here.” I said to her. She shook her head.

“Those boys are like family now. I’d find it odd if they didn’t stop by... and do I smell Chicken Parmigiana?” I nodded.

“Yup, oh and I bumped into Flower at the grocery store... According to him, the Penguins are also going to drop by, but he said he’ll try to hold them off.” Lina groaned.

“Really? The Penguins want to drop by? Don’t they know I don’t like them?” She asked me. I just shrugged,

“How should I know? They just want to make sure that you’re ok.” I said to her. She took her medicine and handed me the cup back. “Now just relax, and come out when you feel like it. Food will be done by 6:30.” She nodded and looked at the clock, seeing that it will be done in a half hour.

“Alright when will everyone show up?” The doorbell rang and I smiled.

“Now.” I said before going to open the door. I opened the door and smiled at Flower.

“Hello, Mon cherie, I have brought you flowers, and some dessert. And I feel that I will not be getting any leftovers today. No one would budge.” He said dramatically. I laughed and took the things from him.

“It’s okay. I’ll give you leftovers anyways. You tried.” He gave me the most precious smile and walked in.

“Hello Flower.” Lina said walking in. He smiled and greeted her.

“Do you know when the team is going to be here?” Lina asked me. I shrugged, and the doorbell rang. I opened it, and came face to face with both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks crowding my apartment hallway.

“Oh shit.” I muttered as everyone walked inside. They all went to my living room, and by some miracle they all fit.

“Ave, why are there two hockey teams in the house?” She asked me.

“They’re here to see you to make sure you’re better from the accident.” I told her, fully knowing she was drugged up considering she didn’t flip a bitch.

“And your sister invited us to dinner.” Letang said.

“YOU INVITED THE PENGUINS? HOW COULD YOU!” Lina said as she burst into tears. “HOW COULD YOU INVITE SHITSBURGH INTO THIS HOUSE.”She latched onto Flower and cried as he rubbed her back and looked at me confused.

“What the hell was that?” Hammer asked me.

“She’s on her medication. They screw with her emotions. But she’s always liked Flower. He’s her favorite Penguin.” I said before walking to the Kitchen.
“So, Ave, when is the food going to be done?” Kaner asked me.

“Right now.” I said as the oven beeped. I took out the pan with the chicken and poured the Parmesan sauce over it and placed it on the table along with the other foods I made and a stack of plastic utensils and paper plates.

“Lina, come get some food.” I said to her gently. She nodded and walked up to me with the assistance of Flower and I made her a plate. I sat her down on a chair and let her eat. I grabbed my own plate and made it before turning to the men that crowded my apartment.

“Bon apetit. You guys may dig in. And don’t kill each other while you do.” I said and quickly sat down on the chair next to Lina’s as I watched the boys fight for the food.

“Why did you let them in,” Lina said, eyeing each Penguin with a glare.

“Whoa, why the hell are there so many men here,” I heard Mike exclaim.

“Avery, why do you have Shitsburgh here?” Mattie said.

“SEE HE UNDERSTANDS ME, I LOVE YOU MATTIE.” She yelled out.

“There are so many men here because when I invited Coach Q over because he wanted to see Lina, the Penguins decided that it was an open invitation, and when I bumped into Flower at the grocery store, he confirmed that they all were going to show up, even if he did try to make them not come. But really, you think I could banish twenty-five hockey players at once? I can barely get Sharpie to leave the apartment.” I exclaimed.

“HEY! I only show up when there is food!” Sharpie defended himself. “And I also come when Abby kicks me out of the house because I’m ‘smothering’.”

“She has a point.” Kaner pointed out. “You’re here more than anyone.”

“And of course Abby’s going to kick you out. You hover over her and Maddy.” Lina added, popping a mini empanada in her mouth.

“Go away. You all are mean.” Sharpie mumbled before eating more. By then the tension had disappeared and everyone began to fully enjoy themselves. Surprisingly I had a lot of leftovers. I started putting things in tupperwares and set aside some for Sharpie and his little family and Flower. I found the guys all playing NHL 12 on the playstation.

“Really guys? You play the game in real life, do you have to play as yourselves on the screen?” I asked them.

“Yes!” They all yelled at me in unison. I glanced at Lina and found her dozing off on Tazer. I walked over to them and let him help me put her to bed.

“She won’t remember this tomorrow morning, will she?” He asked me. I chuckled and shook my head no. The night carried on, and I somehow fell asleep while sitting with the boys. I could feel a pair of arms pick me up and I snuggled into their chest.

“Easy there Kaner, careful with her head.” I could hear Flower’s voice tell him. I snuggled even more into his chest as I finally fell asleep to the rhythmic pattern of his walking.

“WHAT THE HELL? WHY THE FUCK ARE MOST OF THE SHITTSBURGH PENGUINS IN MY LIVING ROOM?” I flew off the bed to the sound of Lina shrieking. I ran to the living room and burst into laughter at the scene in front of me. Almost every Penguin that was here last night was asleep in my living room, some too close together than they should be.

“What is so funny, petite fille?” Flower said from behind me. I pointed at his team and at Lina freaking out.

“I don’t get what’s so funny either. THE SHITTSBUGH PENGUINS ARE IN MY LIVING ROOM. WHY ARE THEY IN MY LIVING ROOM?” She yelled.

“Don’t you remember?” I asked her. She shook her head no. “They came to see how you were doing yesterday. You cried about how they were here, then latched onto Flower.” The glare in her eyes softened.

“They came to check up on me? Aww, that’s sweet. And I latched onto Flower?” I nodded, and she blushed. “Sorry Flower, it would make sense though, you are my favorite Penguin, well the only one I like actually.” He brushed it off with a laugh.

“Don’t worry, mon cherie. It was quite adorable.” he said, as we walked into the kitchen to make breakfast.