Leaping for Your Dreams

***Mari’s POV***

The event could _not_ have gone better! Not only did Lou and his staff go above and beyond to make sure everyone had what they needed or wanted. Dom and the Kitchen Crew knocked it out of the park as well. Then there was the game itself. I didn’t get to watch a lot of it cause I was working, but what I did get to see made me so proud.

I was out checking on how they thought things were going towards the end of the second, again I can’t tell you what time it was I don’t look at the clock. I saw Nealer pass it up ice to Kuni; it was a pretty pass. What happened next had even me cheering. Geno on a breakaway fending off someone literally on his back putting it past Pavelec. Ok it wasn’t professional of me, but really didn’t care at that moment. It showed that evening guests that I was a hockey fan too, which just put me over the top with them.

During the 2nd intermission I had a few of them asking me questions on how I started doing things like this and how well I knew hockey. I laughed at them. “Believe it or not this is my first official event in Suite 66. I have, however, worked for the League itself for a few years so I _do_ know what I’m doing. As for hockey, I’ve played since I was 4 and in fact am now a part of the in house rec games. I gotta tell you, nothing funnier than having Disco try and bench you and you don’t even play for him.”

We chatted about the game and the awards along the wall. I got to show off my knowledge and they got someone to answer some questions that no one seemed to ever answer. My favorite was, “How crazy are goalies really?”

I laughed again and brought the guy over to the doors. We were nearing the end of the intermission. Flower was standing in the doors kind of hunched over. “What do you see there?”

“Flower’s standing away from the guys like he doesn’t want to be near them.” Said someone.

“You’re wrong. I know for a fact he loves the guys, but right now he’s telling himself just how good he really is. Psyching himself up for the 3rd. If it were me I’d be visualizing myself filling the net and stopping everything.” Johnny came out and leaned conspicuously against the doors. I shook my head and smacked the door behind his head. He turned and stuck his tongue out at me, which of course I returned.

He opened the door. “What Mari? Can’t I lean against a door in peace?” There was a teasing tone to his voice.

I scoffed. “Not when it’s _my_ door. I don’t lean against _your_ workspace with _you_ in it.” There was a smattering of chuckled behind me.

“No, you just get yourself invited to work with me and turn it _down_ cause you love this more. Not to mention _stonewalling_ the boss men. Mar you’re making us look bad.” Flower looked up at the end and I caught him smiling.

Rolling my eyes at Johnny’s attempt at a guilt trip. “I have my own professional pride too Johnny and maybe if I’m making you look bad it’ll push you two to work harder. God knows you’ve got the _easiest_ job out there.”

Flower laughed out loud at that. “It’s no’ easy looking t’is good!” He chirped. That told me he was ready and made me smile.

“Sorry fishing for compliments isn’t that easy from another tendy you should know that. Go do work and _earn_ it like a normal person.” Flower flashed that smile and laughed.

Soon enough more of the guys were waiting and the 3rd was about to start. We closed the door again and I found myself being eyed with new awe from the guests. I could only hope that tomorrow night went as well.

***Geno’s POV***

To say it was a hard fought game for us would be an understatement. The first ended with a 2-2 tie. In the second we _finally_ took control. I heard some chirping outside the locker room before the 3rd, but didn’t pay it any attention. It was Flower and Johnny, that was normal.

In the end it wasn’t a blow out but it was a solid Win. Tanger, Kuni and myself were named the three stars, which was cool. All through the few interviews that were done, I kept thinking about how Misa did with her event. After showering it must have been obvious by just looking at me cause Johnny came over. “Hey Geno, Mari rocked it. I just poked my head out to see how things went and they were clearing out and singing her praises. Saying that they would have to book another time once she was more comfortable cause, and I’m quoting here… If she’s this good at her first event, what will it be like once she’s fully up to speed?” He clapped me on the back. “Dude your girl made those guys feel awesome. Not to mention she chirps with the best.”

Flower piped up then. “Ya Geno. She knew ‘ow to keep t’ings light before we go out for de t’ird. Finally you got a good one!” All the guys must have heard that cause then all they could say was how lucky I _finally_ got with Mari.

They all began filing out for home. I, however, didn’t know where I should meet her. I texted her but didn’t get a reply at first. After about 15 minutes of waiting I went out to see if she was sitting in the suite savoring her success. That was the right call; she and a few other people were sitting there either rubbing their feet or just relaxing. I knocked on the door and went in. Someone jumped up and began to ask if there was anything they could get me when I heard Misa laugh. “Relax Lou, hey babe.” She patted the seat next to her. “Take a seat and chill for a second. We’re reviewing what we can do better and stuff.”

I snuggled up with her and laid my head on her shoulder. It’d been a hard game and I was a bit tired and hungry. “Guys thought you did great. Make them happy.” I traced small circles on her thigh, just cause.

She laughed. “How much you wanna bet Johnny does that again tomorrow.” She picked up a clipboard and wrote a few notes.

Lou spoke up. “I’ve never had something go so smoothly. There’s always been something that either went wrong or we didn’t do enough of something else.” He was loosening his tie. I wasn’t sure who he was but if he was a part of Misa’s team he was ok by me.

They chatted a little bit longer and then decided that they couldn’t worry about tomorrow until then. I must have closed my eyes cause when I was gently shaken awake; we were alone. “Where they go?”

She chuckled warmly. “They went to make sure everything was clean for tomorrow. Come on, let’s go grab a bite and go home.” She sounded as tired as I felt.

We peeled ourselves off of the very comfy couch and walked out to the car. I didn’t want to go out, but that didn’t mean she didn’t. “Where are we eating?” I asked as we drove along.

“Home, I set something easy on a timer up for us so we wouldn’t have to do anything. Unless you don’t want pot roast, then I don’t care.” She answered.

I shrugged. “Food is good, where matter not. Some guys going out; invite us but I rather sleep for game tomorrow.” Actually I’d found out that she was a really good cook, I’d had pot roast from others before and was sure hers would be better.

It didn’t take us too long to get home and trudge into the house. “Go get comfy while I check dinner.” She said as we got in. It smelled heavenly, I was _positive_ it would taste even better.

A few minutes later I padded into the kitchen in sweats and a t-shirt. “Smells great.” She looked up and grinned. “Go change, I wait for you.”

She shook her head. “Nah I’ll be alright. It’s a simple meal but so good after a long day. Sit, I’ve got plates right here.” She began dishing up dinner from the crock-pot. Man, it smelled great and _looked_ even better. “I love my programmable crock-pot. Means I don’t have to cook after a long day, it’s done already.”

I took a bite and couldn’t help but groan. God if she learned a few of my mom’s recipes I’d be in _serious_ trouble. After savoring the bite, I took a drink of the glass she’d set near me, milk. That made flavors I hadn’t noticed before come to the fore. “Good thing I work out and play. You cook too good.”

She chuckled as she ate. Once her mouth was clear she leaned over the counter and kissed me. “It’s not that big a deal. Besides I knew after the game you’d want something full of protein and good stuff. Why go out if we can have it waiting for us at home?”

We chatted as we ate, but as we finished the dishes it was clear that we were just too tired from the day to do anything else. As she put the last dish in the drainer, I dried her hands. “Come, bed time.”

She chuckled low. “Is that _real_ bed time or _fun_ bed time?” I glanced at the clock, only 11 but damn I was tired.

Pulling her in close I gently kissed her. “Have game tomorrow, real bed time, after game _then_ fun time. Ok.” She kissed me back and led me upstairs. Once in our bedroom, she let go of me and headed for the closet. I crawled under the covers and waited for her reappearance.

I was mostly asleep when I felt the bed dip and was cuddled against. “If we survive tomorrow I’m holding you to that.” I couldn’t help but chuckle, I knew she would.

The last thing I remember before drifting off to sleep was how lucky I was to have found someone who complimented my life instead of dictating it. I hoped that my parents would love her just as much.