part 9

Brooklyn woke the next morning watching her ceiling fan spin. She flipped around trying to wrestle out of her blankets that were tightly wrapped around her legs. When she finally got to her phone to check the time, 1:27, she noticed the 12 text messages waiting for her. Two from her parents, three from her aunt and cousins, one from her coach and six from her former team mates, all wishing her a happy birthday.

"Oh baby" she said to herself jumping out of her bed"It's my birthday!"

She skipped to her kitchen and opened her empty fridge.

"I hope he makes me food"

She shut the fridge, popped a granola bar in her mouth and danced her way back to her bedroom. She stopped to grab her ipod and speakers. She turned it up full blast and jumped into the shower. It was the first time in a long time that she shaved her legs to Fall Out Boy. After she dried her hair, she threw in a few curlers as she did her make-up. She wanted to look good but not over done. She dug through her over flowing closet for a white polo with red stitching-Capitals colors. She put on her favorite pair of jeans-the ones that made her butt look amazing, and a simple pair of white tennis shoes. She pulled the curlers out and stepped back to look in the mirror. Her hair was perfectly waved, her eyes-the brightest green she had ever seen, and her ass-hello! It was almost 3:20 when she finally walked across the street to the Verizon center. She saw Nicklas standing with his arms crossed across that perfect chest his left leg kicked out slightly in frustration. He was wearing a gray and black argyle sweater over a white long sleeved polo, his light washed jeans had a hole over the right thigh; obviously bought that way.

"You're late" he said with a slight attitude.
"Don't you get sassy with me, it's my birthday!"
"Fine" he said letting that attitude go. "only cause it's your birthday. Wow...you..look..wow amazing, and you're hair..it's down!"
"Thanks" she said twisting her hair around her finger. "you're looking pretty sexy yourself."
"yeah" he laughed "are you hungry?"
"Duh"
"There's a nice little Italian place up the street"
"Sounds good to me."

They walked hand and hand to the restaurant, they sat down and the waiter took their order right away. He got chicken Alfredo and she ordered a plate of simple spaghetti.

"So" he started after he thanked the waiter for their plates. "you watch the game?"
"Yeah" she said a little confused. "why wouldn't I?"
"I don't know, you're not a Caps fan."
"No, but that Backstrom kid is kinda hott." she said throwing him a grin across the table.
"Psht! He thinks he's so good." he mocked throwing a grin right back.
"well you know some times you have to be a little cocky to get what you want."
"This coming from a teenage Canadian" he said with a laugh "So how old are you? 15..16?"
"Oh golly tee-hee. I'm 20 thank you"
"Good at least this isn't illegal."

She roller her eyes and kicked him softly under the table.

"So how's it going so far?" he said rubbing his shin.
"Well...I still haven't made out with a Russian yet."
"Ouch!" he said his hand holding his right eye.
"I'm kidding" she said reaching over to pull his hand down. "It's been great. Thank you."
"Well it's not over yet." he said just as the waitress took their plates.
"It's not?"
"Nope"

Nicklas thanked the waitress and took Brooklyn's hand and walked back down the sidewalk to the verizon center.

"Okay now." he said dropping her hand. "Wait here. Don't move."
"Alright pushy."

He ran into the lobby of the Verizon center said something to the lady at the front desk and quickly ran back out.

"Okay now" he started. "give me your hand, close your eyes and don't peak! Promise?"
"I promise!"

He took her hand and guided her onto the rink.

"Okay Brooklyn. Open!"

She opened her eyes and her mouth dropped. She was standing on the middle of a large mat that was covering the entire ice. Hundreds of tiny tea lights covered the tops of the boards, her favorite song; Crushed by Rosette, was playing softly over the loud speaker, the lights were dimmed to a soft glow.

"Nicklas." she stammered, her eyes filled with tears. "This is...beautiful.

The song started
-I told myself today was gonna be the day;
No more excuses 'cause I knew exactly what to say;

"How did you know?"
"I made a few calls to some very helpful girls back in Canada"

-was gonna make my play but just like yesterday;
my mind erased and I let the moment slip away.

"Ms. Brooklyn Lidwell" he asked offering his hand. "May I have this dance?"
"Yes you may" she replied taking his hand. "Mr. Nicklas Backstrom."

With his hand in hers, the other on the small of her back, hers resting on the back of his neck, she let her face rest on his chest. She looked up just as a single tear ran down her cheek.

-another night got me sitting her all on my own;
picking up the phone, but I can't get past the dial tone,

"Nicklas?"
"Yeah sweetheart?"
"Thank you."

He kissed her forehead and gently swayed to the music. Another tear quietly rolled down her cheek. She laughed as he wiped them away. He took her chin in his hand and lifted her to face him.

"Happy birthday Brooklyn."

He softly kissed her and pulled back to watch the smile form on her face. She wrapped both hands around his neck and as he pulled her closer.

"Now I hope those are happy tears, love."
"No one has ever done anything like this before, how did you get all this done in 2 days, when you were in Detroit most of the time."
"I know people, who know people, that has cousins, you know." he said bushing a stray hair from her face. "You're amazing, you know that right? I'm almost glad you almost killed yourself with your duffel bag that day."
"Almost?" she said with a grin. "I think I would've starved to death if you didn't come along."
"I wouldn't let that happen. Are you ready to go?"
"Only if were going back to your place."
"I think I might be able to make that happen." he said a sly grin forming on his face before Brooklyn removed it with a kiss.