“So tell me about these lights” James said, pulling out of the garage. He paused a second so they could both admire the job Ali and Becky had done around the house while the car warmed up.

“Yesterday, after you left, I called Becky and we just did it.” Ali was staring at James, still is disbelief that he was home. “I had the idea a while ago, but I had to wait until you were going to be gone for a while.”

“They’re surprisingly straight.” James looked at her. “Must have been Becky’s doing.”

Ali snorted. “Very funny.”

“Kidding.”

“You better be. I strung all those with a sore back, a sore neck, a sore vagina…”

James was laughing. “Sore vagina, eh? How’d you get that?” He reached over and scratched at Ali’s hair, causing her to squeal a little.

She sighed happily in the passenger seat. James was looking ahead at the lights. The various colors, including the blue backlights on Ali’s SUVs dashboard, lit up his face.

“How is it that you were JUST on tv like….six hours ago…..and now you’re here, sitting beside me?”

James held a hand up. “I’m pretty impressed here by the lights, babe. Let me enjoy the sight.”

She smirked at his joke. “Go right ahead, I’m enjoying the sight myself.”

Their eyes met, and both smiled. James took Ali’s hand in his and rubbed it. “Thank you for taking the time to do this. I think it looks great.”

“You have no room to be thanking me right now” Ali replied. “You’re the one who somehow managed to get here early….and this whole time, I was worried you’d make it home late.”

Me too, babe. Me too. He leaned in and kissed her lips, then put the car in reverse. James drove them downtown, crossing the iconic Clemente Bridge to make it into the heart of the city. He took this route on purpose, just to throw Ali off a little for where he was taking her.

Looking over, he noticed her staring out the window silently. Her hair was down but she hadn’t straightened it, so it fell in easy waves down the back of her cream colored coat. She’d worn exactly what James had hoped: the plain black t-shirt she was wearing when she met him at the door, dark jeans, and bright sneakers. James kept his gray v-neck sweater on he had changed into at the airport; also with jeans and his usual Reebok trainers he wore to practice. The hat he slipped on while moving through the airport was the only item he removed.

Finally, the secret couldn’t be held out any longer. As James made one of two final turns to head towards the Consol Energy Center, Ali was quick to pick up their route.

“Wait…..”

James didn’t move his head, but shifted his eyes sideways. He waited as Ali put the pieces together.

“….Are we going to the CEC?”

He spun the wheel and made the final turn onto Centre Avenue. He watched Ali look around. Indeed, all the lights were off inside the CEC, save for the logo sign that was always alive in its red light.

“Did you forget something?” she asked.

“Nope.” James swung into the gate check where visitors would park for a game. When he got up to where an attendant usually sat, he rolled his window down and typed in a code into the gray panel in front of him. The gate swung up and James proceeded through.

Ali sat there stumped. If he didn’t forget something, what were they doing there? Wasn’t it closed?

“Don’t look so scared, Ali.”

She glanced over and laughed. “I’m not scared. I’m CONFUSED.”

“Don’t be. You’ve been here before.” James winked at her, then pulled into the closest spot to the doors. “Let’s go.”

Ali and James headed for the doors, and Ali still felt like there was a huge disconnect between her movements and her brain. This was calmed a bit when she felt James hand reach for her hand again.

With his free hand, he punched in another code, and then the metal doors clicked. They went inside, and the hallways were dark, as Ali suspected.

“Should we even be here?” she asked, whispering.

James chuckled. “Yes. And we’re the only ones here, so you don’t have to whisper.” He gave her hand a squeeze. He was feeling better now that he had somewhere to direct all of his nervous energy. His plan was in action; soon enough, he hoped he would give Ali one of the best presents he could think of.

Their shoes made a soft tapping noise as they descended two flights of stairs. Murals with the faces of Pittsburgh hockey legends stared at them from darkened walls as they passed through two long hallways. James purposely took the longest way around so that they never crossed near the locker rooms.

“How ya doing?” He looked over and smiled. The look on Ali’s face was priceless.

“I’m great! How are you?”

She flashed what looked to be an increasingly excited grin, and that made James even surer that what he was doing would make her happy.

“Couldn’t be better!” He released Ali’s hand because a doorway was in front of them. He stood with his hands behind his back, blocking her from opening the door. “Just a warning, before we go any further.”

Ali frowned. “Um….okay?”

“We only have until midnight, which gives us a little under three hours together, so try and put your skates on quickly.”

“Skates?” Ali repeated.

James watched her eyes go huge. She was shaking her heard slowly.

“James…..no……come on….”

“Exactly” he said. “Come on.” He opened the door ,which led to a smaller hallway. The wall of cold air hit them both at the same time, and he heard Ali gasp behind him.

“James, you are NOT taking me onto the ice!!???”

“Oh, but I am.”

Her mouth dropped open in pure awe. “You’re crazy!”

“I know” he said. “I don’t know why I even went to Phoenix when I could’ve skated here with you all night.”

He bent and picked up two pairs of hockey skates that were set against the wall. It was kind of dim in the hall, so he did the honors of lacing Ali up himself. As he did so, Ali looked down at him, completely speechless. James laced the first skate for her with ease. When she put her other foot into the skate, she leaned on his shoulder for stability. His eyes lifted to meet hers, smiling as he worked the laces.

“This is probably premature…but I love you.”

Ali put her hand on his head, fingers running through his hair softly. “I love you too. You’re crazy! But I love you.”

James stood and in even less time had both of his skates on and laced. His hand found hers again, and they tramped ahead along the rubber walkway. Ali walked a little awkwardly at first until she adjusted to the fit of a hockey skate. Beyond, she could see the ice. The plexi-glass softly reflected a light coming from somewhere near the ceiling. She didn’t see what that light was until James and her emerged before the entire rink.

Hopping out onto the ice first, James turned and faced Ali to take in the full reaction. Very slowly her head tilted to see the giant screens above her. She stepped one foot onto the ice, then the other, her eyes still gazing up.

Above, the massive screens of the jumbotron glowed black with red lettering: Ladies and Gentlemen – your next Pittsburgh Penguin: Allison Diserelli!

Flashing across the bottom in bright white lights: Merry Christmas, babe. I love you.

Ali brought her eyes back to him. She felt them well up with tears. “James.”

He pushed forward on his skates. “We have the whole place to ourselves for the next few hours.”

Ali heard him. She saw him. She felt the ice beneath her…but she none of it seemed real, even though it really, truly was. He did this. He did this for me. I’m on the fucking Pittsburgh Penguins rink, and he did this all for me.

She gazed up at the screens again. “That’s what I said on the pond in Whitby.”

James nodded. “I know.” He watched as more tears came, so he wrapped his arms around her. “Aww, don’t cry, babe—“

“—No, I just…” Ali was shaking her head. “I mean…” Her watery eyes looked up at him and she smiled. “No one’s ever done anything as nice as this for me.”

He laughed. “Well, I would hope not, because that would mean I wasn’t the only hockey player you’ve dated.”

She tapped him on the chest. “I mean….no one’s ever remembered something I’ve said before, and then made it come true again. How did you DO this!?!?”

“That’s kind of what I ask myself every day” James said. “I always ask how you’ve managed to love me like you have.” He actually started to feel the beginnings of tears sting at his eyes, but he quickly shelved them. “All of this is nothing compared to what you do for me every day.”

Ali choked on her tears, which were running free down her cheeks now. She didn’t have anything to say. Nothing came to her. What could she say? What was there to say to what James just told her? Nothing.

She sniffled. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

“You don’t have to, Ali.”

She looked back up at the jumbotron, her name written on it. In the house of the Pittsburgh Penguins, there she stood, and there was her name. It was all too surreal.

“Want to skate?” James asked her. His eyes were alive now, and excitement bled across his face. “It’s not the pond in Whitby, but it’s as close as I could get.”

Ali laughed, and more tears fell down her cheeks. James wiped them away with his thumbs, then took her hands in his. “Want to skate backwards?”

She nodded happily. “Yes.”

And they did.

They skated for two whole hours on the ice where James and the rest of Penguins did battle every week. Just the two of them, in an arena that could hold thousands, and they were skating like little kids. James and Ali twirled around one another, though Ali twirled a little less gracefully in her large black and white skates. James helped her find her balance, but when she fell, he picked her back up and kissed her every time.

As they skated, their laughter echoed. Their blades cutting along the fresh ice made a skiffing noise that was music to James’ ears. All of his nervousness was gone, replaced by a love for the girl who was flying along, arms out, hair lifting from her back as she skated.

“Allison!”

She stopped and spun to face him.

“I really do love you.”

Pushing forward, Ali skated closer until she was a foot in front of him. She came to a sharp halt, scraping a bit of the ice. She threw her arms around him and pressed her lips to his, thanking him in the best way she could. James lifted his hands to the sides of her face as their mouths moved slowly and deeply. Their movement made the pair of them drift ever-so-slightly backward.

Ali laughed through their kiss, holding onto James’ arms. “Sorry.”

He was grinning. “No ‘sorry’s tonight.” He pushed a little of her hair away from her face as he gazed down at her. “I have something else.” Ali’s mouth opened as if to protest, but he held up a finger. “Ah! Don’t say anything…just let me, okay?”

She nodded, watching as James skated speedily over to where they entered the ice. He stepped off for a second, and Ali skated forward a little to see what he was doing.

James dug through the pocket on the inside of his coat, finding the necklace box. Hiding it behind his back, he skated back out to meet Ali where she was waiting.

“So….I was going to wait to give you this on Christmas morning, but this night has gone better than I could have ever hoped for, and our time is almost up.” James felt his nerves coming back to him now. “I think this will only add to it.”

He held the slender box out, and Ali looked at him.

“James Neal.”

He felt his heart hammering in his chest. “Open it.”

Ali took the box and found herself in shock all over again. The way James was gazing at her right now let her know that he was as excited as he was nervous. Slowly, she flipped back the top. Her heart stopped dead in her chest when she saw the diamond.

James waited, feeling his own heart nearly stop. “I hope you like it. It seemed like something you would wear.”

Ali’s hand went to her mouth as she stared at the giant stone, the feeling of shock spreading through her all over again. James gave her the minute she needed, and was relieved when she looked up at him with a awestruck smile.

"This is absolutely stunning, James.”

“Here, let me.” He glided behind her and took the necklace. Gently, he moved her hair away from her neck, leaving room to clasp the necklace there. Ali lifted a hand to touch the pendant, feeling more special than she had ever felt in her entire life. She spun around to face James, her grin widening.

“How does it look?”

“Beautiful.” He wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her close. “The pendant isn’t too bad, either.”

Ali smiled, then sniffled. “I really don’t know how to thank you for all of this.” She wiped away a tear. “All I know is that I have never loved anyone as much as I’ve loved you.”

“Even through all my mistakes?” James asked. It was the one question he needed answered. He was changing; he felt it every day. But he was worried, and always would be, for the times he fucked up.

“Through everything, and you know it” Ali answered. Her arms snaked around his waist, her skates fitting between his. She saw nothing but love in his eyes as he looked at her.

“And didn’t I say I wanted you forever once already in the past two days?” she asked.

James let out a laugh, completely forgetting, and yet not forgetting at all. “Yes….yes, I believe you did.”

“I meant it, you know.”

James nodded. “So did I.”

Ali smiled. “Kiss me, James.”

And he did.


* * *


Ali lay in bed, naked except for her diamond necklace. She remained mostly under the covers, rolling the pendant along the chain with her fingers. It was gorgeous, and she couldn’t stop looking at it. She didn’t even want to begin to think how much it had cost James. It was bigger than anything she would ever, or could ever, buy for herself. It’s clarity stunned her beyond words. It was beautiful.

James came out of the bathroom, dressed in a thin pair of lounge pants that hung low enough to make Ali sigh when she saw him.

“What?” he asked, coming around to his side of the bed.

Ali smiled. “Nothing. Just admiring everything gorgeous in my life right now. You know….youuu, my necklace…”

“And youuuu.” He slid his shorts off and Ali’s smile grew.

“And hiiiiim” she said, eyes looking below his waist.

James slid under the covers next to her, pulling her into him. They shifted onto their sides so they were spooning. Ali fit perfectly against him, and her skin warmed him against the chill in the sheets. He buried his nose in Ali’s hair, inhaling the fruity scent of her shampoo.

“I don’t ever want to take it off” Ali muttered. She turned her head so she could see James better. “Would that be bad?”

He looked down at the diamond, settled neatly between the soft curves of her breasts. He couldn’t resist, he just had to kiss her there. The feel of James’ lips on Ali’s skin gave her a flash of goosebumps.

“The diamond, babe. Not the other so-called diamonds…”

“They’re hard enough right now, you might want to make sure it doesn’t cut through the real one.”

Ali giggled. “Shut it.” She drew the comforter up a little to cover more of herself. “No staring.”

“For now? Okay.” James kissed her temple.

They were silent for a time, and Ali’s fingers still clung to her new necklace. Slowly, her and James’ breathing matched with one another, and slowed as their bodies began to relax.

“James?”

“Hmm?”

“Tonight was really cool.”

He smiled. “I know. I think so too.”

“What made you think of even doing that?”

“Our time on the pond.” He lifted his head and looked at her. “We just had so much fun there, I wanted to see if we could recreate it somehow.”

Under his long lashes, his eyes were a soft blue in the dim light of the bedroom. Ali reached a hand back and cupped his face, dragging her nails lightly through his short beard.

“Thank you. Again.”

“You’re welcome.”

Their lips met for what seemed like the millionth time since James had arrived back in Pittsburgh. James was grateful for every opportunity that had come into place to make the night happen; Ali was happy and content and in his arms where she should be.

* * *

It was Christmas Eve, and James and Ali did nothing the entire day. They slept in, since they stayed up until about 2 am, and together they made a pretty decent breakfast. James even successfully made pancakes without burning them, which was a Christmas present in and of itself to Ali.

When they brought the food into the living room, James laughed.

“What’s that I spy under the tree?”

Ali sat on the couch and placed her dish on the table. She shrugged innocently. “Guess Santa came early.”

“Ohhhh, I seeeee.” James took up his spot beside her and nudged her knee with his. “Do I have to wait to open them?”

“You’re worse than a kid!” Ali laughed. She reached over and stole a piece of his bacon. “You have to wait ‘til tomorrow morning like everyone else.”

“But at the Neal household, we always opened at least one gift on Christmas Eve.” He took a bite of the pancakes he made and his eyebrows rose. “Whoa.”

“Edible?” Ali teased.

“Tryem” he mumbled, mouth full.

Ali scooped up some of her pancake and paired it with some of the banana she’d added to it. James watched as the same look came over her face.

“Wow, you were right.” She held her hand over her mouth as she spoke. “Really good.”

“If hockey doesn’t work out for me, maybe I’ll open a restaurant.”

“Don’t get too ahead of yourself, babe.” Ali looked at him and smirked. “But yes, these are good. Thanks for making them.”

“Anytime.” He reached and stole a piece of bacon back, causing her to laugh a little.

“So what are we going to do today?” Ali asked. “Should we be starting some sort of tradition? Is that what happens?”

“We could go caroling over at Paulie’s later.”

Both of them chuckled at the thought.

“That would actually be pretty hilarious.” Ali took another bite of food.

“Let’s do it then” James said. “They’re supposed to get back around 6 or so. Think he’ll be surprised as I was to see our lights?”

“HA! That’s right!” Ali was giggling. “Oh man, what if he thinks you strung them?”

“Paulie’s not that dumb.”

“Let’s hope not.” She winked at him.

James was looking across the room at the wrapped presents under the tree. There were three boxes, and one envelope. He wouldn’t admit it or make any more of a fuss about it, but he was kind of anxious to see what Ali got him. She always had the best ideas, so he guessed her gifts would have that special element to them that she always managed to add to what she got him.

“You sure I have to wait until morning?” he asked her once more.

Ali thought about it while she chewed. “Maybe not.”

James looked over at her excitedly. “Really?” He watched as she started giggling again. “What’s so funny about that?”

“You ARE just a giant kid” Ali said, leaning over to kiss his shoulder. “Sorry, but it’s cute.”

He rolled his eyes. He supposed he would just have to be patient.


* * *

James was staring out the window pane of their front door. “He’s home!”

“YES!”

Ali hurried downstairs, wearing the ugly sweater she’d worn to Sid’s party. She had on a Santa hat she picked up a few hours before, and handed James the one she’d gotten him.

“What song are we going to sing?” She slipped on her cable-knit mittens.

“Here Comes Santa Claus?” James pulled the velour hat down over his hair and ears. He pointed at the hat. “Come sit on my lap, little girl.”

“Ew, James.” Ali handed him his sweater vest. “At least you’re wearing a shirt underneath this time.” It was a long-sleeve 412 shirt, but it would work. She waited until he was fully ready before she opened the door. “Let’s just sing Jingle Bells. That song is so obnoxious anyway.”

“Done! Now let’s go, before that lame ass goes to bed.”

The couple hurried across the street to Paul’s house, each of them trying to contain their laughter. In their ugly sweaters and matching Santa hats, they huddled together in front of Paul’s front door and rang the doorbell. Steam rose from their mouths in the cold night air as they waited.

“Get ready” James whispered. He could hear footsteps coming towards the door.

They linked arms.

Paul opened the door and immediately busted out laughing. “What in the hell—“

“JINGLE BELLS. JINGLE BELLS. JINGLE ALLLLLL THE WAY!”

Paul put a hand over his face, shaking his head as he watched.

“OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE IN A ONE HORSE OPEN SLEEEIIGGGH-EH!!”

James yelled “eh” louder, emphasized by his Canadian accent.

“JINGLE BELLS. JINGLE BELLS…..”

Ali and James started to laugh, breaking up their song. Paul was even laughing. Next door, the neighbor’s dog started to bark.

“OKAY! Okay!” Paul held his hands up, watching as James and Ali just lost it.

“MERRY Christmas, Paul!” James cried. “Have you been naughty or nice this year?”

“Shut up, Nealer.” He opened the door. “Now get in here before you freeze your asses off.”

The couple moved inside, happy to feel the warmth of the house. Paul was still laughing.

“Well I have to admit, you two know how to get a good laugh” he said. “How did the whole surprise turn out anyways?” He looked at James first, but then looked at Ali.

“I’d say it went amazingly” Ali replied, looking up at James.

“I didn’t even know it was possible to do what Nealer did” Paul admitted. “You’re one lucky chick, I have to say.”

Ali smiled. “You don’t have to say. I know!”

“How’d the ice feel?” Paul nudged her. “Pretty cool, huh?”

“REALLY cool.” She felt James tighten his arm about her waist, like an unspoken ‘thank you’ through the gesture.

“We should get going anyways” James said. “We just wanted to fuck with you before you went to sleep.”

“Gee, thanks. Always love a good joke on Christmas Eve.” Paul’s tone was lighthearted and was paired with a smile. “I actually love you guys.”

“Awww, Paulie!” Ali separated from James so she could hug Paul. As she did so, Paul smiled at James.

“We love you too, man” he said, then shook Paul’s hand. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you guys.”

James and Ali headed out the door, but James hung up just a second longer.

“Soo…..breakfast tomorrow?” He laughed as Paul shoved him the rest of the way out the door.

Hand in hand, James and Ali walked back to their house, smiles on both of their faces. Little did they know, they just started a new tradition. Little did Paul know he was also a part of it, and would have multiple holidays awaiting him of the couple coming over and ‘caroling’ for him on Christmas Eve.

* * *

Notes

Okay, confession: I had a hard time writing the ice rink scene because even *I* had tears. Just little ones! But I was listening to sappy music while I was writing it, so maybe that had something to do with it. :)