Leaping for Your Dreams

***Mari’s POV***

I was walking from my office to my ‘other’ office when I heard someone behind me. “Ooh, qui est ce petit biscuit? Je me demande si après le match, elle sera dans l'humeur pour quelque chose de français ... (Ooh, who is this little biscuit? I wonder if after the game she'll be in the mood for something French...)” I rolled my eyes and kept on walking. I had my hands full with the new uniforms for the Suite.

“Bonjour, puis-je vous aider? Peut-être ... (Hello there, can I help you? Maybe...)” He wiggled his eye brows at me. I stepped around the annoying ginger that had stepped in front of me and, again, continued on my way to my destination. I was used to annoying Frenchmen trying to get into my pants because of my job. I always found it best to ignore it. “Maybe you do no’ understand me. Can I help you… with anything?”

I turned and angrily replied. “Je vous ai entendu très bien, je n'ai pas besoin _de votre_ type d'aide. Si je n'avais Je suis convaincu mon copain assez grand serions _heureux_ de m'aider. (I understood you just fine, I just do not need _your_ kind of help. If I did I am positive my rather large boyfriend would be _happy_ to help me.)” I turned back and began walking towards the suite again.

“Aw come on, I’m sure you need _some_ kind of ‘elp. Think of me as a friend.” Giroux was running a hand up and down my arm. I heard other Flyers coming up behind him as well.

I jerked away from him. “I’m sorry what part of I have a large boyfriend to help me did you _not understand?” I saw Lou out of the corner of my eye. “Now if you will excuse me, I have my job to do.” I waved briefly at Max and then turned away again. “Lou, the new uniforms came in! It’s like Christmas, except not as insane.”

Lou laughed. “If you think Christmas is insane girlie wait a week.” He took the packages from me and laughing went into the Suite.

I stood at the door and laughed. “Playoffs are nothing compared to what I used to do. _You try coordinating The Draft!” He laughed and waved a hand as he opened the packages. “I’ll be back, gotta check on something.” I left Lou opening his gifts.

As I left I ran, literally into the Flyers again. “Oof. Can I help you?” I took a step back and found myself too near the door.

“I don’t know, first you brush off G and then you wave at Max. What’s up with you?” Don’t ask me who was speaking to me I only knew a couple of them.

I sighed. “Max is my friend, has been for years. Not _that_ kind of friend either, although I’m sure he’s got plenty of those here. As for brushing off the ginger… Я считаю русских мужчин _гораздо_ более привлекательным. (I find Russian men _much more attractive.)”

Max was on his way over. “Come on guys, Mari is _not someone you want to mess with. Messing with her is _exactly_ like messing with Aleks in D.C.”

I whipped my head towards him, eyes flashing. “_Who_ was messing with Aleks?” NO ONE screwed around with my bestie and lived. Max saw the look on my face and sighed.

“Relax Mari, it was a while back.” He had his hands out in front of him working on placating me. “I handled it then. They don’t know either of you like I do. You two are like sharks with how you defend each other.”

“Don’t you forget it either. Messing with either of us means messing with our families.” Then something hit me; I looked up at Max. “Oh god… did anyone tell Uncle Nick?” I touched his arm with horror and fear drilling a hole through my heart.

Max blanched. “I… I don’t know.” The rest of them were confused, I could tell by how they were whispering. He quickly explained. “Aleks and Mari have family all over the league. They are two of the untouchables within the league. Trust me, guys, it doesn’t matter where we are, they know someone there.”

Wracking my brain I did the one thing I could think of, go and ask. “I gotta…” I was looking at the locker room doors. “Geno…” I pointed and pulled away from Max.

“I hope he knows, or someone does. Come on guys she’s got things to do now and we’ve got skate to prep for.” He waved his arm and turned back towards the visitor’s room.

I stood there frozen until they all passed me and were out of earshot. Then I sprung into action. 4 strides and I was yanking the door open, 3 more and I was now at the inner door. I banged 3 times on it then I barged in. None of them looked shocked to see me, until they got a look at my panicked face. Then they all moved towards me. “Uncle Nick…. Did _anyone_ tell Uncle Nick?” A few of the guys looked confused at first then it dawned on them.

“No, I don’t think anyone thought of it.” Kuni said, as he understood what I was _really_ saying.

“Fuck!” I grabbed the phone and dialed mom. “Mom, after Aleks’ accident did anyone call Uncle Nick?” I heard her rapid intake of air followed by several curse words. She hung up on me and I finally could breathe a sigh of relief.

I turned back to the room and saw Geno looking at me oddly. I walked over and sighed. He pulled me close and nuzzled my stomach. “OK now?” He asked low.

I shook my head and quietly answered him. “Not really. I’m tired of being hit on by Frenchmen.” He looked up at me questioningly. I shook my head. “The fucking ginger was trying, I shut him down.” He tightened his hold on me, not painfully though. I took my hands and tilted his head towards mine. Leaning over I kissed him thoroughly and tenderly. We got a few wolf whistles but I didn’t care at this point.

Geno wrapped his arms around me, stood up and traded places with me all without stopping the kiss. When we finally had to breathe he slowly pulled back and whispered to me. “Подожди здесь. (Wait here.)” He went into the change room leaving me a bit confused and breathless.

The guys had not quite stopped what they were doing to watch Geno and I. Even Sid, who was notorious with his routines, was kind of watching. Geno came back with a smile and his hands hidden. His eyes were soft and hopeful as he looked at me and slowly knelt in front of me. “Желаете ли вы мне честь быть моей женой? (Would you do me the honor of being my wife?)” I was _stunned. We’d only be a couple for a few months. As I blinked, he continued. “Я знаю, что это рано, я не хочу потерять тебя. Было бы сломать меня. (I know it's early, I do not want to lose you. It would break me.)” I put a finger on his lips.

“Было бы сломать меня потерять тебя. Давайте не позволим этому произойдет никогда, мой любимый муж. (It would break me to lose you. Let's not let that happen ever, my beloved husband.)” He handed me a box to open. Inside was a pair of rings. He pulled the smaller one out and slipped it onto my right hand, a perfect fit.

Another tender kiss and I knew I had to get moving. “Crush them.”

“We will. Go work before Coach have fit.” He smacked my leg lightly making me roll my eyes and move. I waved a goodbye to the rest of the guys and left the locker room. I heard the questions begin as I left.

I went back to work happily. It might have been a unorthodox proposal, but it was mine and I’d take it.