To Sweden With Love

Waking up Tuesday morning after the Penguins won game 4 was so easy. I was able to leave San Jose knowing we went 1-1 and lead the series 3-1.

We were headed to Nashville next so he could go to the CMT Music Awards with a friend of his. I was looking forward to being able to explore the city while he hung out with one of his buddies.

We arrived in the Music City late Tuesday evening.

After we checked into the DoubleTree, we decided to just wanted to stay in and order pizza.

"Dominos?" Derick suggested.

"That's fine," I yawned.

"You'd think you had a long day," he joked.

"Traveling makes me so sleepy." I flopped down on the bed. "I should call Liv to see how she's doing."

I took out my phone and dialed her room number.

It rang about ten times before I finally hung up.

"She must be out right now," I shrugged.

"It is what? Three o'clock there? I'd be out too."

I threw a pillow at him. "Shut up."

He jumped on the bed next to me. "You love me."

"Well..."

"You know what I mean."

It was so hard for us to say the L word to each other. I'm sure soon enough we would say it.

It's not like I didn't love him, I just didn't want to rush into anything.

Derick stared at his phone for a minute before breaking the silence. "By the way, Mats said your stuff got to New York and in the apartment safe and sound."

"He didn't break anything?" I asked, concerned.

"El, seriously? Stop worrying!"

"Some of that stuff has sentimental value!"

He turned to face me and kissed my forehead. "There's nothing to worry about, I'm sure Mats and the guys were extra careful with your things."

"You're wonderful, and so are your friends." I smiled.

There was a knock at our door.

I watched Derick as he walked over to the door to answer it. Laying on my side with my hand propping up my head. He shut the door and turned around to walk back when he saw me staring at him.

He stopped in his tracks. "Enjoying the view?"

"Indeed, I am," I smirked.

I whistled as he turned around and shook his ass.

"I'd enjoy it a little more if it was Luke Bryan who was shaking it for me right now," I laughed.

"Hey! That gives me an idea." He sat the pizza down on the table next to the TV.

He went over to his suitcase that was still sitting by the door. He unzipped it and took something out.

He walked back over while holding something behind his back.

He got down on one knee.

"Derick..."

"Arielle..."

"What are you doing?"

"Would you do the honor in," he started.

"You better not be..." He cut me off.

"In going to the CMT Awards with me tomorrow?"

I could have punched him in his stupid face.

"I swear to God, Derick."

"So that's a yes?"

"Only if I get to meet some hot country singers." I grinned. "And by that, I mean Carrie Underwood. Have you seen her?!"

"I shouldn't answer that."

We sat at the table and ate our pizza. And within a couple minutes after finishing my last piece, I was passed out in bed.

---

It's now quarter till midnight; Ellie has been asleep for an hour and a half now.

Ever since I figured out my real feelings for her, I haven't been able to sleep.

There were so many people I wanted to call but couldn't because it was too late at night and I didn't want to wake anyone up.

So I just lie here with the TV on and the volume down real low so I don't wake Ellie up.

Her phone started to ring. It was an 808 area code. Who's calling her at this hour?

"Hello?" I answered.

"Derick?" It was Olivia.

"Olivia, do you have any idea what time it is?"

"Oh shit! Sorry! I totally forgot about the time change."

"It's okay. What's up?"

"I just wanted to talk to Ellie. I take it she's asleep?"

"Yup, but you can talk to me if you have anything important to say. Otherwise, I'm gonna try to sleep."

"Well there is one thing..." She started.

"Yeah?"

"I met a guy."

"You WHAT?" I was louder than I thought I was because I work up Ellie. "You mean to tell me... you met someone... who isn't Carl?"

Ellie rolled over and backhanded me on my arm.

"Would you give that to me?" She said as she snatched the phone from me.

"Owww, abuse!"

"Oh shut up," she said as she got up and walked into the bathroom.

"Oh shut up," I mocked her.

I take so much abuse from her. Nothing over the top, because I know she doesn't mean anything from it.

I would never hit her back. Not after all the pain she's been through.

I laid back down and closed my eyes in hopes I would fall asleep.

Ellie had come back out of the bathroom and asked me if I was asleep yet.

"No, I can't get to sleep."

"What's wrong?" She asked me, concerned.

"Nothing, there's just been a lot on my mind lately."

"Babe, you can talk to me about anything."

"Not this," I said as I rolled over onto my side.

"Der, please. Don't keep anything from me. No secrets."

No secrets?

"Please don't get mad at me..."

"Why would I get mad at you?" She was anxiously awaiting for what I was going to say next.

"Because I've been thinking about leaving New York."

She didn't say anything. She just stared at me.

"Earth to Ellie." I waved my hand in front of her face. "Did you hear what I said?"

Oh, she heard me. She was just taking a minute to process it.

"What do you mean by 'leaving New York'? You just helped me move all my stuff and got me a job with the team. But you want to leave?" I could tell she was starting to get mad.

"I knew that if I told you, you would get upset."

"Did you even, for a second, consider the feelings of the people around you?" She raised her voice.

"I did! And I wanted your opinion on what I should do, but clearly you don't care about my feelings."

"Your feelings? You know what, Derick. I'm tired. We'll talk about this in the morning." She turned her back to me and I could hear her starting to cry.

What have I done?

---

The sun peaked through the curtains in our hotel room, shining right into my eyes. I was hoping what I had heard last night was a nightmare.

It wasn't.

He was seriously considering leaving New York.

Does he not want this relationship to work?

I can't even stand to look at him.

He tried to roll over and kiss me good morning like he usually does, but I pushed him away.

"Oh c'mon. You can't still be mad," he huffed.

"Really? Really Derick? This isn't something you can just brush off."

"Can you just listen to what I have to say first?"

"No," I slammed the door to the bathroom.

I jumped in the shower and just stood under the hot water as I just cried.

As I got out, I realized I didn't bring my clothes for the day in with me. I dried off and wrapped the towel around me before walking out.

"I'm sorry," he tried to apologize but I ignored him.

I grabbed my clothes and returned to the bathroom.

I heard him groan as I shut the door again.

"You can't stay mad at me. Science has proven it!"

I got dressed, put my hair into a braid, and then returned into the room.

"What if I got you a puppy? Would you forgive me then?"

I smiled.

"See, I knew you couldn't stay mad at me."

"Get me a puppy and then we can talk."

"Oh and I have meet and greet passes for tonight too so..."

"When were you going to tell me that?" I exclaimed.

"Uhhh... I was going to surprise you?"

"Right, but I'm headed across the street to the spa. I need to be alone for a couple hours. I'll see you later."

I gave him a kiss on the cheek before leaving.

---

After my massage and getting my hair and nails done, I felt so much better. Everyone who attended to me today could tell that I was tense, but I didn't want to talk about anything. It was a 'me' afternoon.

I went back to the hotel to find that Derick had gone out. I looked at my phone to see if he had texted me. Nope.

I sighed.

Oh well, gives me a chance to get ready for the night in peace.

I decided to go with my new dress I bought when I went shopping with Shane back in San Jose. Hopefully it'll make Derick reconsider ever thinking about leaving.

I had put the dress on just in time.

Derick came walking in the door.

"Ellie... You look... beautiful."

I smiled. "I was hoping you would like it."

"Like it? I love it."

I put my new heels on and I could feel that my look was complete. I felt amazing.

Derick grabbed his suit jacket and we were set to go for the evening.

As we walked out of the hotel lobby, I could tell he wanted to say something but had to figure out the right way to say it.

"Look, Ellie. I'm sorry I upset you."

I just looked at him waiting for him to say more.

"But I really want you to have a good time tonight. Oh and, look what Mats found for you." He showed me a picture of a puppy.

"Which one is it?" I joked.

"There's that beautiful smile that I love." He said as I linked my arm with his.

---

I'm not the biggest fan of country music, but that award show was so much fun.

And the best part? Getting to meet Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood afterwards!

Carrie even told me that I was welcome to join her in Nashville anytime Derick's team was in town. How awesome is that?

Derick made sure I had a great time.

I think he just wanted to make sure I would forget why I was even mad at him for.

Yeah, right.