To Sweden With Love

"I don't care if I have to drag you in there," I said as I got out of the car. "We have this all figured out for after the game."

Olivia came into the suite carrying a beer in each hand.

"One of those for me or are you double fisting tonight?" I laughed.

"What do you think?" she said as she flicked me off.

I laughed at her as she took a drink of one of her beers. She couldn't stay mad at me for long. This is going to work.

---

Throughout the game, Derick kept texting me.

I'm sorry; I don't wanna fight.

I took a drink of beer as I read the message and then put my phone back in my pocket.

It buzzed again. Seriously?

I was thinking and I'm sorry, I was wrong.

I knew you'd apologize sooner or later.

I can't stay mad at you. I'm sorry.

I smiled at my phone and texted him back again.

Thank you. I'll see you when I get home.

I put my phone in my back pocket and sat forward to finish watching the game.

It was the beginning of the third period and we were tied up with the Sharks 2-2. Olivia finally calmed down a bit, but I think she was too buzzed to realize what was actually going on.

"Oh my God, Olivia, calm down!" I rolled my eyes.

Time seemed to drag on and on during that final period of regulation. There were about five minutes left to play.

"Oh God, I can't do OT!" I kept saying.

Derick texted me again.

It's going to OT, guarantee.

I rolled my eyes and held my breath for those remaining minutes. And then...

"GOOOOAL!" Liv and I shouted as we jumped up to celebrate.

"Scored by number thirteen, NICK BOOOONINOOOOO," they announced the game-winning goal.

I grabbed Olivia by the arm and dragged her out of the suite and down the hall. She asked me where we were going and I explained to her the whole master plan.

Fleury ran interference for us so she wouldn't be seen.

I found Malin and Isabella.

"Ellie!" I heard Isabella's little voice calling my name.

I crouched down and she ran to me and gave me the biggest hug.

"She's missed you," Malin said as I picked up her little daughter.

"Oh I bet she has, haven't you?" I gave her a kiss on her nose as she giggled.

I watched Olivia walk out with Ian.

---

I drove home jamming to some of my favorite music. When I got home, I realized only one light was on in the house.

I opened the front door to find Derick passed out on the couch.

I closed the door quietly and locked it.

Walking over to Derick, I bent down and kissed him on the forehead.

"Sleepy head," I whispered as I woke him up.

"I tried to wait up for you but..."

He sat up and I cuddled up next to him on the couch. We sat in silence for a few minutes, as we were both exhausted.

"I'm sorry," his voice was low. "I don't know why I said that to you."

I sighed, "I already forgave you, why are you apologizing again?"

"Because I just want to make a point to you that it's something we shouldn't brush under the rug."

"I understand that, but you also have to understand that making assumptions isn't going to get us anywhere."

"Sorry," he apologized a third time.

"It's fine," I nestled my head into his chest.

He kissed the top of my head.

"I'm working on a surprise for you," he said after a few moments of silence.

"Oh?" I asked, intrigued. "Is it really a surprise if you told me you have a surprise for me?"

"Well, you won't know when you're gonna get it, so yes."

True. I hated surprises.

---

It was the afternoon before game 2 of the finals. I was excited about getting to spend another game with Liv.

"Do I really have to go again?" She whined.

"Oh c'mon. He's not going to see you. I got this."

She rolled her eyes at me. "If you say so."

It was Olivia's turn to drive into the city. We decided to go to Tavern 245 before we headed to the arena.

"Would you stop looking around? He's not here!" I snapped and dragged her into the restaurant.

We ate real quick and headed over to the arena.

"Stop. Looking. Around." I was getting mad with her shenanigans. "They've been here for a couple hours probably. You have nothing to worry about."

I practically had to drag her out of the parking garage and into Consol.

We went up to the suite level where we'd be sitting again, thanks to Patric. I texted Malin when we got in our seats letting her know that we were here.

We actually enjoyed ourselves a little better this time. Liv finally calmed her paranoid self down.

It was about eight and a half minutes into the game before Kessel scored the first goal.

“Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguin!” Liv and I shouted.

During the intermission, we got up and got ourselves a couple beers and some soft pretzels. I couldn't go to a game without one of those.

The second period dragged on. Then the Sharks tied it up in the third period because they thought it'd make it more interesting.

Regulation ended and we were headed into overtime. I can't do overtime. It makes me too nervous.

Conor Sheary scored the game-winning goal just two and a half minutes into overtime.

We could have jumped from our suite in excitement.

Immediately after we celebrate, I dragged Liv into the elevator so we could get down to the locker room.

We met up with the other girls, and made plans to go out. Since Liv drove tonight, Malin offered to take me home afterwards.

"I just have to let Derick know I won't be home until late," I told the girls and they all oooh'd.

I rolled my eyes and sent him a text.

Don't wait up for me tonight. I'm going out with the girls :)

Olivia didn't want to go with us because she had an early fight to Hawai'i in the morning. I still don't know why she chose Hawai'i of all places.

---

On our drive home, Malin asked me about Derick and how I didn't seem to want to talk about him with the girls.

"I guess I just don't wanna jinx anything. You know. We've only been together for a month and we're already living together and doing everything together."

Malin gave her opinion. "I think you really hit it off with him, El. From what I've seen, he treats you like a queen. I don't think you have much to worry about."

I smiled. "I just hope we're not moving things too fast, that's all."

It was a little past two when she finally dropped me off. I opened the front door to find a bouquet of flowers sitting on the end table.

He have me a lot to smile about.

Walking into my house and seeing all my stuff packed up made me realize that this was really happening. I'm really officially moving to New York. It's becoming so surreal.

I crept my way up the stairs and tried to crawl into bed without him realizing. He turned and faced me once he felt me next to him. He opened his eyes and said, "Beautiful, get some sleep now. We have lots of work to do tomorrow before we leave on Friday."

He pulled me close and kissed my forehead before saying good night.

I snuggled into his body and instantly fell asleep.

I was going to be alright.