Ali tried to say something, but only air came out. Her heart was racing, and her mind was confused. “James….”

He scooted closer, still on his stomach. With his free hand, he pushed himself up so that he was on one knee in front of her. Ali searched his gaze frantically for something, anything, to bust her out of this dream. Please don’t let this be a dream.

Covered in snow, little clumps of melting ice dripping from the bill of his Pens hat, James now held the tiny box in his hands. He looked at her with those giant blue eyes and his bashful smile. Ali braced herself, afraid to even breathe.

“So I know this isn’t exactly a fancy dinner…” James began, never taking his eyes from Ali. His heart stammered with every shallow breath he took. “…And it’s not on a rug in front of a fireplace, and it’s not on an ice rink, or in bed together, or on top of the UPMC building with some elaborate scene set up…”

Ali giggled, tears coming to her eyes.

“But not a lot about our relationship has been typical.” James smiled through his jitters, keeping his focus on the deep espresso colored eyes he’d come to adore. It’s what was keeping him steady. “Meeting you, the way we met?” He looked down and shook his head. “…well who would’ve guessed, right?”

Ali met his eyes and nodded. She had no words. Just breathing. She just had to keep breathing. She waited as James seemed to struggle with his next sentence.

He looked up at her and exhaled heavily. “Sorry, I’m nervous.”

Ali smiled.

James’ gaze never wavered, but inside he felt like he was struggling big time. When he saw Ali smile at him, however…the nerves were pushed back down again.

“Since last year, I can’t imagine myself not coming home to you, or having your hands in my hair, or your kiss on my lips…”

Breathe, Ali. Please breath.

“…I can’t imagine myself not lying in bed with you, or joking around with you, or going for runs together, or making you moan, or making you laugh…”

The tears were coming now, and Ali did nothing to stop them.

“And I know everyone thinks that Geno’s my best friend, or that Paulie is…” James smiled. “But it’s actually you.”

Ali exhaled a small laugh, wiping a tear from her cheek. James’ smile widened when he heard her laugh and the final amount of nervousness drain away.

So he opened the box.

The air was literally caught in Ali’s throat.“Oh my god…”

James swallowed hard. “Allison Elizabeth Diserelli…”

Ali felt hands shaking. Ohmigod ohmigod ohmigod.

“…Will you marry me?”

He held the box up and Ali’s eyes dropped to the ring. Her mouth remained open, and James thought he’d die if she didn’t answer him.

“You’re joking.” She was stunned. It was a ring….a fucking ring…her ring.

James laughed. “No, babe. I mean it: I want you forever.” He waited on baited breath, because it all came down to this. All his mistakes, all his poor decisions, all his trying to redeem himself and show this girl he was for real, and so was his love. He didn’t care who he used to be; this is who he was now, and he wanted to be that person with Ali forever.

Ali’s eyes slowly lifted. James looked scared, but also hopeful. This isn’t happening. This is all some joke. She looked back down at the ring again. She tried to force herself to believe he was proposing…but it all seemed like she was in some sort of dream. But that’s how it’s been since day one. A dream.

“Yes.”

James’ eyebrows lifted. “Yes?”

“Yes, James!”

“Yes, you’ll marry me?”

Ali laughed. “No, I meant I’d go pick up your laundry….YES I’ll marry you!”

Then she fell forward into his arms, which sent James flying backwards into the snow. Ali pressed her lips hard against his, her tears running down her face and wetting their lips. James was still holding the ring in one hand, his other hand held Ali tight against him.

When she lifted her head and looked at him, her tears still slowly trailed down her face. “Will you put it on me?”

James sat up, lifting Ali along with him in such a way that she was now sitting on his lap with her legs wrapped around his waist. He held the ring between them, the diamond sparkling whiter and clearer than the snow that surrounded them.

“It’s so gorgeous” Ali whispered. She held her left hand out, noticing that her hand was still shaking.

James fumbled nervously with the ring, but kept his gaze locked on hers as he slid the band onto her finger. It was a perfect fit. Thank you, Becca. He leaned in and kissed Ali, feeling her hand clench around his and their fingers entwine.

“I love you, I love you, I love you” she said, hands going to each side of his face. “And I’m so going to be the best wife ever.”

James laughed, feeling even more relief than before. Ali saying yes beat every win he’d ever had; every goal, every lone skate, the Olympics, even his vision of what it would be like to win the Stanley Cup: this topped them all.

She said yes.

You’re getting married.

Ali kissed him again, and James knew he’d never get tired of her kissing him. As their lips parted, he leaned his forehead on hers. The bill of his hat shielded them from the sun so that their focus was solely on one another.

“Is this for real?” Ali asked, afraid that at any moment someone would wake her up and the dream would be over.

James nodded, his forehead never leaving hers.

“We’re getting married.”

James nodded again, smiling.

“So I’ll be Allison Neal.”

He laughed softly. “Eventually.”

“Can I start saying it now?” She lifted her head off his, her grin widening. “I need practice, ya know.”

“Oh you do, do ya?” James hugged her even closer. “Let’s try it then.” He sat up straight, keeping her firmly on his lap. “Hi! What’s your name?”

Ali giggled. “Allison Neal.”

“Allison Neal. Sounds nice.” Sounds really fucking nice.

“Ask me who my husband is.”

James tilted his head and smiled. “Who’s your husband, Allison?”

“Number 18 for the Pittsburgh Penguins” she answered quickly. Her entire face lit up when she said it, and James had to laugh. “The Real Deal.”

“Allison Neal” he finished happily.

“God, I love you.” Ali leaned forward, her hands guiding James’ mouth to hers again. For whatever reason, a new stream of tears came to the surface.

James lifted a thumb to her face. “Aw, babe…”

“Get used to it” she said, feeling a little embarrassed. “Because it’s going to happen a LOT.”

* * *

James and Ali sat together on the large couch in the living room, the fireplace burning a fresh set of logs. Ali’s legs were draped over James, and they close sat together listening to the speakerphone on her cell. She was biting her nail as she waited for her parents to pick up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hi Mom.” Ali grinned excitedly at James, who took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “Say hi to James, he’s sitting here on speaker phone with me.”

Wendy made a hushed gasp. “OH. Oh God…um...Hi James!”

“Hey Mrs. D!” James smiled at Ali.

In the background, Ali heard her mom say something to her father, but she couldn’t make out what she was saying. There was a little noise and then Wendy was on the phone again.

“Oh my gosh, so how is your trip going, hunny? Having fun?”

“Well, that’s why I’m calling….” Ali squeezed James’ hand tighter. “Mom – James asked me to MARRY HIM.” She’d started out calm but lost control and ended up shouting the last two words. “I’M ENGAGED, Mom!!!”

She bounced a little on the couch, still holding James’ hand. More tears came to her eyes, though they didn’t fall, and James chuckled a little when he saw the water appearing.

“Oh ALLISON! James! It happened! Oh I am just so happy for you two!”

Wendy was crying; it was obvious to both of them. James thought it was fitting to have both Diserelli women crying at the same time.

“James – congratulations” Wendy said through sniffles. “Hang on…Here’s your father, Allison.”

Ali bit her lip as her dad’s voice was now heard on the line.

“What just happened? Did James propose?”

Jeff sounded happier than Ali would’ve guessed he would. She never really thought about how her dad might handle her getting engaged some day.

“Yes, Daddy.” She wiped her eyes and laughed. “He’s sitting right here and can hear you.” She met eyes with James, who was smiling like crazy.

“Hope that’s alright, Jeff” James said, smirking.

Jeff laughed, and Ali looked at James with some confusion. Suddenly she got the sense she was missing something. “Dad?”

“Yes, pumpkin?”

James rubbed Ali’s face. “They knew all along, babe.”

“They KNEW?”

He nodded. “I asked your dad first, before asking you.”

He actually asked my dad?

“He did, Allison. And I don’t think there’s been two people made for each more than you two” Jeff said. “Congratulations.”

Still blinking, trying to process the fact that James went old school, Ali shook her head. “This whole day has been so amazing. I just can’t believe it.”

Wendy was back on the phone now. “Are you still there, James?”

“Still here!”

“I’m proud of you.”

Ali and James looked at one another.

“Proud of me!?” James felt his heart jump a little. “Why me?”

“Because you were so nervous last week when you called us” Wendy replied. “And now you sound as confident as you always are.”

James looked down bashfully. “That’s nice, Wendy. Thank you.”

“And Allison?”

“Yes Mom?”

“Congratulations, hunny. You couldn’t have chosen a better man.”

Ali smiled. “Thank you.”

* * *

The shower water was running, and the mirrors and glass inside the bathroom were already fogging up. Ali stood in front of the sink, staring at herself. She was mostly looking at the hand that now contained a giant diamond ring. Holding that hand up, she studied her reflection in the mirror again and actually looked giddy. The ring felt so weird to wear. It was heavy, but not too heavy, but would definitely be a constant reminder that she was engaged.

Engaged.
To James.

She was smiling like a fool, and it was going to be a very, very long time before she stopped. It was, however, halted momentarily as James knocked on the door. He opened it a crack and peered inside.

“Oh good, you’re naked.” He let himself in.

Ali turned at faced him, hand raised. “Look at how awesome it looks while I’m naked.”

James placed his hands on her hips, ignoring the ring. “Sorry, did you say you had a ring on?” He kissed her.

“You’re my fiancé, Ali.”

“And you’re mine.” She pressed her lips to his, her heightened state of emotion causing her to notice every feeling more intensely. The short hair covering James’ face and around his mouth tickled her more than usual; his strong hands seemed to grip her hips with more strength than usual. Everything inside and outside of Ali felt like it was buzzing.

“I could do this all day” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. She pressed her body to his, her bare breasts against the cotton of his t-shirt. Even this simple motion felt electric to her body.

“Dinner, though.” James kissed along her jaw. “Then more of this.”

Ali was glad to hear it. She wanted to see what her ring looked like while James was fucking her.

“Take your time, we’re in no hurry” he said, taking another look down at Ali’s perfect body. “I want everything about tonight to be about you, so we’ll move at your pace, k?”

I get a whole life of this.

“Okay.” Ali hated to part from him, but if she was going to get ready at all, she needed to get started. “One question, though.”

“Shoot.”

“When does tonight get to be about you?”

James smiled. “Babe. You said yes. That’s all I ever wanted or needed.” His brow furrowed a little. “Wait…don’t cry again…”

Ali waved him off, tears running down her cheeks. “What did I tell you…”

He laughed. “You’re right. Just gotta get used to it.”

“Thanks” Ali mumbled, wiping her eyes.

James pressed his lips to her forehead and then left her to shower and get ready. In the meantime, he took a seat on the edge of the bed with his cell pressed to his ear. When his sister picked up, her voice nearly knocked him off the bed.

“JAMES DID YOU DO IT?”

“I did.” He laughed when he heard Rebecca scream. “Easy, Bec!”

“YOU DID IT!!” She was out of breath and making all kinds of high-pitched noises. “YOU ACTUALLY DID IT!”

“What exactly is that noise you just made?”

“Shut up, I’m EXCITED!” Becca yelled. “Please, please, PLEASE tell me she said yes.”

“Several times, actually.” James ran a hand through his hair. “I’m getting married, Bec.”

“I know!”

Rebecca was laughing, still thrilled over the news and still making odd noises. James couldn’t help but laugh a little with her. It would take a few days, maybe even a few months, before he believed that he did it.

“Can I tell mom and dad now? PLEASE?” Rebecca pleaded. “Oh Jimmy please let me tell them.”

“Hey, this is my news! I want to tell them. You can tell Mike, Pete and Nick.” He smiled when he heard her huff and puff. “What? Not as exciting?”

“They won’t believe me anyways, so thanks.”

“Welcome.” James smiled. “So, I didn’t just call to tell you the news, by the way.”

“Oh no. What happened.” Rebecca sounded immediately scared.

“Don’t worry, it’s all good” James said. “I just wanted to say thank you. I really could not have done this without you.”

“Oh yes you could.”

“No, Bec – you don’t understand.” He scratched at his hair, wishing she would just hear what he had to say. “The ring fit perfectly, and Ali loved it. Really loved it. You helped me with that, and I can’t thank you enough for helping me.”

The phone went silent, and James waited. “Bec?”

“I’m just so happy.”

Now she was crying.

Every damn woman I know is crying. James sighed, but it was a happy sigh. He waited until his sister was ready to talk again.

“I’m sorry…I just love Ali so much, and I just thought…” She blew her nose. “…I just thought you were such an awkward dork your whole life and now you’re marrying this amazing girl…”

James was torn between being slightly offended and taking this as a compliment.

“…And I just love you, James.”

He chose compliment. “I love you too, Becca.”

“Can I talk to Ali?”

“She’s in the shower right now; we’re going out for dinner.”

“Have her call me, please?” Rebecca was sniffling as she said this. “I can’t wait to talk to her.”

“I know, and I will.” James smiled contently. “I better run. And don’t tell mom and dad yet – I want to tell them myself, okay? Probably tomorrow, because Ali and I have called every single person she knows in the past hour or so.”

Rebecca laughed. “Fiiiiine, I won’t tell.”

“Thank you. Again.”

“Have fun tonight!”

She sniffled and it made James feel good to know his sister was so happy. He was smiling so hard his face hurt when he hung up the phone.

I did it.

I actually did it.

And damn did it feel good.

* * *

James went around the side of his Mercedes rental and opened the door for Ali. She stepped out in her heels, giving James her left hand to escort her. Although the sun had set, her diamond still shone as if it was daylight.

He held her hand up. “Looks great, doesn’t it?”

“Feels great, too.” Ali leaned in and gave him a quick kiss. “Shall we?”

“We shall.”

Hand in hand, they walked up to the restaurant James had seen earlier that day. In all the excitement of their afternoon, he actually remembered the name of the place. Ali said she’d brought exactly one dress, and it was a black number that fell halfway down her thighs and made her look spectacular. It worked perfectly for the atmosphere of the restaurant. He’d chosen one of his nicer suits he normally wore before and after games; wearing the engraved cuff links Ali bought him for Christmas.

They were seated at a private table, which James was thankful for. He wanted to be as alone with Ali as he could be. She looked like a knockout in her dress and her hair done in loose waves, so he wanted her for his eyes only.

Across the table, Ali smiled big. She drew her hand through the ends of her hair, the diamond bright against its dark color.

“You’re absolutely gorgeous” James said, feeling his heart beating fast. It felt like this first date again.

“Thank you.” Reaching across the table, Ali took his hands in hers. Both of them looked down at the ring she wore. Neither of them was used to it, and it showed.

“I seem to be at a loss for words today.” She looked at James, her dimples appearing. “But if I were to sum up how I feel right now, I’d say I feel lucky.”

“Lucky?” James let out a small laugh. “You think you feel lucky? I feel like the luckiest man in the world. Do you know how nervous I was?”

“Nervous?” Ali cocked her head. “Really?”

“The guys noticed it, my sister noticed it, and I had to live with it.” His thumb rolled the diamond a little as he held her hands. “Becca helped me pick out the ring, and I think she feared for my sanity.”

Ali giggled. “Wow, this was like a team effort and I was the only one who was clueless to any of it.” With this, she nodded. “Good job, babe.”

He shrugged. “What can I say.” At this point, James felt like he could actually say anything he wanted to Ali, he could emote in any silly way he could, and he just might.

“You’re still nervous, aren’t you?” Ali asked him.

“Aren’t you?”

“A little.” She did feel light headed, but she knew it was the personal high she was on.

“I don’t know the first thing about marriage,” James admitted.

Ali noticed his eyes got a little fuller when he said this. “Neither do I. We’re a team though. We’ll figure it out.”

An incredible woman. James was still stunned she said yes. Feeling lucky to have her was a downright understatement. He stared at the ring in her smaller hands; the hands that fit so well in his. Everything about her fit well.

“It might be a little late for this” he said, his voice lowering. “But you’ll stick with me through my crazy job?”

Ali nodded.

“And all the travel?”

“Yes, James.”

“I promise I’ll never screw up—“

Ali lifted her hand and cupper his chin. “James. We’ll figure it out. This was our first season together…we’ll work out the kinks as we go.”

“What if I get traded?”

Good question.

She thought for a moment before she answered. “I go where you go. Sure, I’ll miss the guys, and I’d hate to see you move on from some of them that you’ve really connected with, but I’m in this 100%.”

James had been holding his breath, but now he exhaled. Ali withdrew her hand but continued to hold that confident look she had on her face.

“Together, right? That’s what this means.” She flashed him the ring.

“Right.” He smiled, feeling better. “No matter what.”

Ali nodded. “No matter what.”

* * *

Notes

*** Happy sigh. ***

For real, I hope this was fitting. I never want to do these two an injustice. :) Sorry for that cliffhanger, but I just had to! Hee hee. ;)