Staal [A Jordan Staal Story] Seventy-Two

Hey guys,
Two of my notebooks came in the mail today which means.... UPDATES!!!! I hope that you all enjoy this chapter, I wrote it quite a while ago now and think that it's kind of weak. Comments, as always, are greatly appreciated. =]


Seventy-Two

“Miriya,” Jordan said in a sing-song voice.

“Jordan, what’s up baby?”

“Did you know that tomorrow’s going to be our ninth New Year’s together?”

“Really? Well we should make it special. You know we have a game the next night though so we can’t be up too late.”

“Fine, ruin the fun. Just kidding coach.”

***

The next day Miriya woke up and made sure that the house was ready, though it wasn’t hard to keep clean considering that it was vacant most of the time. The team along with Deb, Ryan, Sam, Amanda and Shelby were all at the Staal house for the annual New Year’s Eve party.

“Damn Miriya, this place is huge,” Shelby said after a tour.

“It pays to be married to a professional hockey player.”

“Seriously,” she said with a smile.

“Help yourself to whatever you want in the kitchen and dining room, and don’t mind the guys, you know how they are.”

“SHELBY!”

“COLBY!” she said excitedly as Colby literally threw his arms around her.

“I’ll let you guys catch up, I’ll talk to you later.” Shelby and Colby caught up and Miriya found Ryan and Deb in the kitchen. “You would be hanging out by the food.”

“You know it,” he said with a laugh. “Thanks for inviting us Mir.”

“You know I love ya kid. You guys feel like part of the team yet?”

“Yeah,” Deb said. “All of the guys are really nice, and entertaining, especially Colby.”

The night went on and everyone seemed to be having fun. Soon it got closer to midnight and everyone got noise makers and glasses of champagne ready. The TV was turned on so that they could watch the ball drop in Times Square and when the countdown reached ten everyone joined in. “Three, two, one… HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

All of the little kids who were still awake ran outside to scream, pop poppers and play with silly string. All of the couples kissed and for once Jordan and Miriya’s New Year’s kiss only lasted a few seconds as they looked on to see the new couple. Ben and Bella were in the kitchen, lips still locked.

Max being who he was whistled when he saw this causing the two to separate. “Max, leave them alone, they’re young and innocent.”

“Yes coach.”

***

As it got later the party guests started to take their leave. “Bye Miriya, thanks for inviting me.”

“Bye Shelby, I’m glad you could make it. I’ll see you tomorrow at the game, right?”

“Of course, would I miss an opportunity to hang out in the locker room?”

“True, see ya.”

All of the guests left with the exception of Nik and Erin who said goodnight and went to Nik’s room and quickly fell asleep. Miriya left the cleaning for the morning since there was no morning skate. “Happy New Year baby,” Jordan said as he got into bed next to Miriya.

“Same to you, I love you.”

“I love you too.” They shared a brief kiss before falling asleep.

When the house had been cleaned lunch was made and it was soon time for pre-game naps. When Miriya woke up she showered and changed into her suit, just like every game day. Today she wore black pants with a silver blouse.

“Looking good,” Shelby said when she entered the locker room that night.

“Why thank you. So I can’t remember where I got you a ticket for.”

“Right behind the bench, it’s gonna be fun.” Shelby went to her seat when it was time for the pre-game skate and enjoyed being so close to the ice. In the first period the officials made a bad call, Bugsy for hooking. As Ryan skated to the box there was a loud banging on the glass right behind the bench. Miriya turned around to see a smile on Shelby’s face and she tried to keep her composure while on the bench.

The boys ended up winning the game and Shelby definitely enjoyed sitting behind the bench, especially because the coach was one of her best friends. She came to the locker room after the final buzzer and found Miriya. “You had fun, didn’t you?”

“You could tell?”

“Lil bit. Colby, stop we have a guest.” Shelby laughed at this. “Well I’ve gotta go talk to the press but it was good seeing you.”

“You too,” Shelby continued to talk to the boys while Miriya started out of the room.

“Boys, airport, tomorrow at two, see you then.”

The next afternoon everyone was at the airport and soon were on their way to Los Angeles. After her meeting with the coaching staff Miriya returned to her seat where she found Kris and Nik playing cards while Jordan held Scott. Miriya sat down next to Jordan and took Scott from his arms. “Hey sweet heart, you’re getting so big. Nik you ready for after the road trip?”

“Yeah, it should be fun for my family to be here.”

The road trip was only two games, both were in California, one in LA and the other in Anaheim. Both games were won and when the team returned to Pittsburgh they had two days off.

One the morning of January the ninth the Staals sat down to breakfast. “Jay can I borrow the Escalade?”

“Yeah sure, you’re going to pick your family up, right?”

“Yep, I’m gonna take them to their hotel so they can check in and drop their stuff off. I’ll bring them back here so you can meet them. Oh and Erin should be here soon.”

“Okay, see ya.” Jordan said.

Nik left for the airport and waited at baggage claim. “Dominik!”

“Mom,” he said excitedly.

“”Nik, Nik,” his little sister said tugging on his arm.

“Hey Lor, dad, Luc.” Nik helped his family carry their bags to the car and loaded them in the back. The Vandershmuts got the Marriott and check in before going to their rooms on the fifth floor. Nikki’s parents and sister shared a room while his brother had his own. After putting their things down and getting cleaned up the Vandershmuts made their way to the Staals. “Miriya, I’m home.”

Miriya came from the kitchen with Scott in her hand. “Erin, Jordan!” She yelled down the steps. “Sorry they were down stairs attempting to get better at pool so we won’t beat them.”

Nik laughed and when Erin came upstairs he pulled her into a hug. “Erin it’s so good to see you my dear,” Nik’s mom said pulling her into a hug.

“Good to see you too, I missed you.”

“Miriya, Jordan this is my mom Sofie, my dad Niklas, my older brother Luca, and younger sister Lorelei.” Sofie, Niklas and Luca all shook hands with Miriya and Jordan, Lorelei on the other hand hugged them both.

“Hi!” She said excitedly.

“Hi, how are you?”

“Good, Nik I’m hungry.”

“Okay let’s get you something to eat, Luc you hungry?”

Nik, Luca, and Lorelei went to the kitchen and Miriya and Jordan stayed in the living room to talk to Nik’s parents. “Please sit down.” Everyone said down. “It’s so nice to meet you, it’s great having your son stay with us.”

“It’s great to finally meet you too, Nik talked about you two all summer when he was home,” Mrs. Vandershmut said.

“He’s so polite and is so good with our son Scotty.” At this Nik’s mom smiled. “I have to say that you did a great job with him, I only hope that I can do half as well with my son.”

Miriya and Jordan spent the day with Nik, Erin, and the rest of the Vandershmuts getting to know them. They all shared funny stories about when Nik was little. They learned that Lorelei is eleven years younger than Nik, making her eight. Luca was two years older than Nik, making him twenty-one, he looked a lot like Nik, and was a professional soccer player.