Leaping for Your Dreams

Geno was up to something. I had no idea _what_ he was up to, but I knew it was something. He’d taken Anna and retreated to his office, along with his laptop. It wouldn’t have worried me as much if it weren’t almost game time. Game Three of the Finals was in L.A. meaning that tonight was going to be a late night for us. To make it nicer for everyone coming over, we’d made up the bonus room upstairs into the ultimate sleepover space for those we knew wouldn’t make it all the way.

As the weeks had gone by, and Aleks and the Caps had gotten deeper into the playoffs, the crowds we were rotating hosting had thinned quite a bit. No longer did we have most of the team, only a few die hard family members. Cookie and Duper both brought their families. Kris and Catherine had begun to come out as well, now that most everyone knew. Flower and Vero were difficult to dislodge at times.

Tonight we were also welcoming Sid and his family to the party. Trina had already called 3 times to make sure that I didn’t need any help with set up or anything. Every one of those times I told her that I had everything in hand already. Michelle, Carole-Lynn, Catherine and Vero had already been over or called to coordinate everything with me. We had everything taken care of, including a menu.

I was actually starting to cook for the game; we were doing pizzas that meant that some of the things needed to be cooked beforehand. I was in charge of toppings. Michelle and Carole-Lynn were doing sauces and Cath and Vero were getting either dough or pre-made crust. Of all of us I think I had the easiest job. Vegetables were easy to clean and ready, in fact I had done that before I started the few things that needed to be pre-cooked. As I cooked I heard the doorbell. I thought about calling out to Geno and Anna, and then I remembered they were up to something. I turned off the stove and headed for the door.

A harried Vero met me on the other side. “I can no’ do t’is. I can no’ get it to go right.” I hadn’t seen Vero like this before but being a good friend I didn’t laugh at her. I did open the door fully and bring her and Marc inside.

“What are you having trouble with?” Then I noticed she was covered in flour. “Ah… Come on. We’ll fix it. Do you have a recipe?”

“Oh yes, but I can no’ get it to work right!” Marc set down the bags he had carefully. He then pulled out the recipe she’d been using.

I took a look while I started the stove again. “Oh, I think I see what the problem is. You substituted something didn’t you.” I could tell by how she looked at me that I was right.

“Pull the standing mixer out and we’ll get another batch started so when everyone else gets here we’ll have some ready.” Vero started looking for it. I shook my head. “Here, we’ll switch. You cook this and the hamburger and I’ll do the dough.” She gladly took the spatula.

I got the mixer out and began making several batches of the quick dough I made when I wanted pizza but was too cheap to buy it. It meant that by the time the rest of the gang got here we’d be all set. Marc was watching us both in amazement. “Where’s Geno an’ Anna?” He asked once.

“He’s up to something in his office with her. I haven’t bothered asking.” We’d been married about 6 weeks and it had been about 5 months since we started dating. In that time I’d learned that when he wanted me to know something he’d tell me. If I bugged him about it, he’d clam up and refuse to tell me.

I heard a door open, but since I couldn’t see which door it was I called out. “Who is it?”

I heard a giggle from a little girl answer me. Then Anna and Geno rounded the corner. “Mama it’s just us.” She went to Marc and hugged him tightly. “Auntie V is covered so you get her hug too.”

Geno mean while came up behind me and nuzzled my ear. “Thought others make dough and, I am lost.”

I snuggled into him with a smirk. “Vero was having trouble with the dough. I used to make homemade pizza before, I don’t know why I haven’t here before now though.”

He chuckled and cuddled me close. “Too busy being Супер женщина (super woman). Maybe you slow down now and be just Супер.” I shook my head at his joke. “People coming soon?”

As if his will conjured them, the doorbell rang again. “I’ll get it!” Anna yelled, even though we were close, and went bolting for the door. “REECE!” That told us who was here. Marc went to go see if he could help lug anything in. Geno didn’t want to but I made him anyway.

As soon as he was out of earshot Vero snickered. “He’s clingy tonight. Any particular reason?” I shook my head. I had no clue why he was being so cuddly. I didn’t mind it though.

“No clue but I’m not fighting it.” As much as I loved him, Evgeni wasn’t always the most physically affectionate man I’d ever been with. “I’d say he was afraid I’d break but I don’t know for sure. I _have_ been really stressed out the last couple weeks. I’m _not_ thrilled that Trina grilled me yesterday about the _entire_ wedding preparations I’d done. It’s not like I was shutting Sid and Aleks out of what was going on, hell Sid helped with most of it.”

Vero drained the hamburger and went to the cupboard where we kept the wine glasses. “Merlot or Pinot Grigio?” She pulled out a red glass for herself.

“You know, we’ve got some IC Amber in there, that sounds really good right now.” I had really come to like the Iron City brews I’d tried. Geno loved them too so we always had some on hand, well that and _good_ Vodka. Those two alcohols you could count on in this house. I was slowly expanding his palate to accept wines as well but he wasn’t a big fan yet.

Marc, Geno and Cookie came in loaded with things for this evening’s festivity. “Mari you’re sure it’s ok for us to crash here? I mean we _can_ go the DD route and go home.”

As I pulled the batch out of the mixer I just eyed Cookie. “Stop that. We said you were welcome because you are. I’d rather have people passed out on the floor than driving _any_ day.” Fortunately today had been the last day of school for the kids so there was no worry about that either.

Michelle came in and just shook her head. “He’s trying to do the DD route again isn’t he? Don’t listen to him. I’m glad you guys were willing to put up with all of us if need be.”

Everyone else joined with a few minutes to spare before the game actually started. Sid came into the kitchen and asked if he could help. “I’m fine Sid, really. You’re worried about her aren’t you.”

“They haven’t always been so hot on the road this year.” That was Sid for ‘Yeah I’m worried.’ “She’s got her Grandfather out there with her so…

I knew that he wished he could be out there but family was holding him back. “You know, she could come home a Champion. But, if that’s not gonna happen maybe you should look into.” He looked at me.

“I already have space ready in case. I mean I want her to win it but I don’t. Does that sound selfish?” He looked very much like a young version of himself as he asked.

“It makes you human. You want your name and hers together on The Cup. I understand. Come on. Let’s forget worrying for what we can’t control and enjoy the game for who is in it.” His phone went off.

“It’s Pat, I gotta take this.” He wandered off closer to the door to speak with his agent. Geno came over and cuddled with me again.

I hadn’t seen _this_ clean of a game in a long time. It wasn’t perfect but wow it was close. I could see every hit that Aleks took and gave just like I was behind her in net.

The first intermission had us all making our pizzas. Everything from a big family sized pepperoni to several personal size ones as well. I was glad we’d decided to do this as everyone had what they wanted.

We all cheered when she was the first guy to score, even though it was the second period. It was a neat wrister from just outside the hashes. “Man she makes that look easy,” Troy said as he watched. “They keep hitting her and she just keeps going.”

I laughed. “You should have seen her playing women’s hockey. She’s a lot happier right now I can tell you for sure.” Geno was still half wrapped around me. I’d have to ask what was up with him. “She hated that she had to barely hit and not fight at all. She’s not holding back _any_ right now.”

When the second intermission hit, Sid called us to attention. “Hey gang. You know that phone call I took from Pat?” A lot of yeahs answered him and one ‘out with it’. “It seems that the team wants Aleks to go to Dev Camp this summer after she signs her contract. So instead of the nice romantic honeymoon I wanted for us, we get to come back here. Sadly this also means that we’re going to have to cut the reception short too.”

I shook my head. “Sid, just because _you_ two are going to have to cut it short doesn’t mean _we_ have to. Don’t worry about the honeymoon suite you’ve got either. I’m sure they’ll understand. I’ll deal with it tomorrow.”

The tension slid to a new low. I felt bad that Aleks wouldn’t get her honeymoon trip. Then again I hadn’t gotten one either, so maybe I wasn’t feeling _that_ upset.

The third began with the Caps scoring again, making it 3-0. I was chanting my Shutout prayer as the minutes ticked by. Aleks scored again making it 4-0, Caps. Now the Kings started to put more pressure on Holtby and their defense. At one point I thought I saw Aleks block something with her knee. I winced in pain but she didn’t let it stop her.

Minutes later, the final horn sounded. 4-0 Capitals. They had won the first 3 games. Those still up at our house cheered kind of quietly as to not wake the children who had fallen asleep.

Sid and his family went home, they were all still barely awake. He said he’d text when they got home. True to his word about 5 minutes passed and I got the text that they were home and going to bed now. Cookie and Michelle had snuck theirs out of the house and also texted that they were home. The Dupuis clan also messaged that they had made it home safely.

There were now only 3 couple and 1 child still in the house. I had nothing to clean and was yawning pretty badly at this point. Everyone knew where they were staying so I didn’t worry about it. I climbed the stairs and headed for bed.

Once inside our room getting ready for bed was easy. Geno came up not long after I did. As I lay down in bed, I felt my whole body relax and let go of the tension I had been holding.

Geno rolled over and traced my cheek. “I have surprise for you.” He whispered in the dark. I snuggled close not really caring at the moment. “Mama and Papa will take Anna for time when we go to Russia so we can have time just us.” That got my attention.

“Is that what you’ve been planning in secret? Our honeymoon?” He smiled and nodded. I sat up a bit. “That is the sweetest thing. You do know that you don’t have to do that right?”

He stroked my cheek again. “My Misa so sad and busy lately. Want her to smile again. Want a little time without Anna too. She want time with Mama and Papa, it work good.”

My tiredness fled in the depth of my husband’s love. I gently tugged him to me and kissed him with passion. “Наполни меня своей любовью моя возлюбленной. (Fill me with your love, my beloved.)” I whispered as the kiss broke.

He rolled me onto my back and checked to be sure I was ready. “Так мокрой для меня. (So wet for me.)” I mewed as he fingered me. “Моя маленькая шлюха. Скажи, что ты хочешь меня. (My little slut. Tell me you want me.)”

Between his hands on me and the phrases he was using I couldn’t help myself. “Я жаждать вас. Трахни меня. (I crave you. Fuck me.)” The words came tumbling out of my mouth and faster than I thought possible he replaced his fingers with a better appendage.

Words weren’t needed after that, but being muffled was. As I was about to climax, Zhenya kissed me. My hands tangled in his hair I came screaming into him. I was barely aware of him joining me in the bliss of orgasm.

As we settled back down for sleep this time, I snuggled up close. “God I love you so much.”

His response was simple, he pulled me closer and laid a kiss on my forehead. I drifted to sleep secure in the fact that he was mine. I’d fight for him if I had to too.