It's called Love is Stronger than Words.
Chapter Sixty-Seven
The new week started and as it went on Thanksgiving drew closer. Games had been scheduled for Monday and Friday, giving the team a nice break. Monday the game was to be played against the Panthers in Florida and the team arrived their shortly after practicing at Consol Energy Center. The game was won by a close margin after a tight-checking, hard fought game.
Following the game the team boarded the plane for Pittsburgh and after close to two hours they were back in black and gold territory. Tuesday morning Jordan picked Scott up from Miriya’s parents’ house and the day was spent at home.
“Erin wanted to know if you needed any help tomorrow.”
“Help would be great,” she smiled. “Now I just need help keeping someone out of the kitchen while I’m making food,” she rested her hand on Jordan’s thigh.
“Sorry babe.”
Wednesday Erin arrived at the front door just before noon. Jordan had taken Scott with him to Marc’s house where a bunch of the guys were getting together to play video games, leaving the house to the girls and the preparation of food.
Miriya was covering the last dish with foil when came through the front door and into the kitchen. “Mmm food,” he said before kissing her cheek.
“Which will not be eaten until tomorrow,” she smiled and looked around, “Where is our son?”
“With Nik in the living room,” he reached around his wife and tried to lift the foil to see what was underneath.
“Not until tomorrow,” she smacked his hand, lightly.
The next day Miriya’s parents arrived just as she was placing the last of the dishes on the table in the dining room. Dinner went well just as the rest of the evening and for this Miriya was very thankful.
***
The rest of November went by quickly and December brought the first snow of the year. The tenth came and with it something discomforting. Michelle had a woken to find that she had gotten her period. She called Miriya with tears in her eyes and waited for the doorbell to ring. “Hey Mir.”
“Baby, what’s wrong?” she said sitting on the couch next to her.
“I’m not going to have the baby anymore,” she said, trying to choke back her tears.
“I’m so sorry,” Miriya said shocked, the news was like a punch to the stomach; she could only imagine how Michelle was feeling. “Does Sid know?”
“No, he left before I woke up.”
“I’m sorry,” was all that Miriya could say. She sat with her until the front door opened and Sidney walked in.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” He asked replacing Miriya on the couch.
Miriya had placed Christiano in his car seat, grabbed his diaper bag, and headed towards the car to relieve both Sidney and Michelle of any more stress.
Michelle finally spoke up, “Baby, I’m not going to have the baby anymore, I got my period.”
“Baby, I am so sorry,” he wrapped his arms tightly around her. “Everything will be okay. I love you no matter what.” Michelle couldn’t bring herself to say anything; she nodded in agreement before burying her face in Sid’s chest.
The next morning brought morning skate which as usual went well. “Alright boys, hit the showers.” Everyone left the ice; including Sidney, in fact he was the first one into the locker room. ‘Hmm something’s wrong with this,’ Miriya thought to herself.
All of the boys had showered and quickly left to get to their pre-game rituals. Miriya walked into the lounge to see if anyone was there and she found Sidney staring at the blank TV screen. “Hey, everything alright?”
“No, she really wanted this baby,” he said and a small tear fell to his cheek.
“I know Sid,” she hugged him to try and comfort him. “Are you going to be able to play tonight?”
“I don’t know,” he sighed.
“I’ve you’re not going to be one-hundred percent I don’t want you to play,” she didn’t say this like other coaches would. “You’re one my best friend Sid and I know how hard this is for you. If you want to sit out tonight I’ll put Ben in and move the lines up.”
“Thanks coach, I mean Miriya. I’ll be there tonight though.”
“You can take Ben’s spot in the box.”
That night when the boys filed into the locker room Miriya pulled the rookie aside. “You’re back on the fourth line.”
“Alright coach, I’ll do my best.”
Once everyone was suited up Miriya went to the center of the locker room being careful not to step on the Penguin. “Alright boys you’re without your captain tonight, it’s not like it’s never happened before. I want you to go out there and play hard and win this for Sid and Michelle. Geno you’re taking Sid’s place on the first line, Jordan second, Hallsy third and Ben fourth. Now get out there and kick some ass.”
And that’s exactly what they did; they went out and kicked the Rangers’ asses. The final score was four-one and even Sidney and Michelle smiled in the end. The team showered, Miriya announced the optional skate that would take place the next morning, and everyone headed home.
The next morning Miriya entered her office to find a letter on her desk. She sat down and took a sip of her green tea before opening and reading the letter. ‘Hmm there’s someone who loves the Guins as much as I did when I was her age.’ She thought after reading through the letter. She decided to read through it again to make sure that she didn’t miss anything.
‘Coach Staal,
Let me start of by saying that I am a huge fan of not only the team, but of you and your coaching style. I have been watching the Pens for most of my life but have never had the opportunity to meet any of the players. Now I’m not asking for anything special but with the holidays approaching there’s only one thing I want.
If it is at all possible I would like to attend a practice and spend a day with the team. I know this is a lot to ask of you and the organization, but as I said it is the holiday season. I know that this is something that must be taken up with management and ownership and I would have gone straight to them but I know that they are swamped with requests and more important things. If you could take this up with them, I know you have a lot of influence within the organization. It really means a lot if you just read this.
Thank you for your time.
Isabella Hardy
Her phone number and e-mail address were also included.
After reading through the letter the second time she made her way from her office to Ray’s.“Ray after you busy?”
“No, what can I do for you?”
“I got a letter from a fan and have a question to ask of you.” She handed him the letter and he quickly read through it.
“Well it seems like a good idea. I’m okay with it but you have to make sure that the boys are okay with it and figure out when she’s going to come.”
“Really, that simple it’s a yes?”
“If the team’s okay with it.”
“Thanks Ray,” she said before making her way back to her office. The time quickly passed and she made her way to the ice where she found the entire team. “Now boys it’s not surprising to see you all at optional skates anymore.”
The team laughed before Scuds said, “We love you Staalsy and we’re going o practice when we can so that we can play well in front of you and maybe win the cup.”
“Well Scuds, I love you all too and I’m glad that you all want to play well. But it’s still way too early to even think about the cup,” she slowly skated backwards until she got to the boards before pulling herself up and sitting on the boards. “I have a question for you boys. I came into to work today and found a letter from a fan and all she wants for Christmas is to meet you boys. Now she’s like me when I was her age and is completely in love with you boys, not in a creepy way, just the way that I did when I was her age.”
“And what age would that be?” Nik asked.
“Seventeen. So would you guys be okay with her coming to a practice and then maybe hanging out with you guys for a little bit afterwards?”
“Yeah, I guess,” Sid said from center ice.
“Well I see that your captain is speaking for everyone, I’ll pick a day,” she said with a smile.
