Looking Up

-----Elle's POV

"Good morning," I smile sleepily and press my lips against Steve's.

"I always miss that when I'm on road trips," he pulls me back on top of him for another kiss.

"You better," I tease and lay my head on his chest.

After Valentine's day, the month of February flew by and the wedding was getting closer and closer by the day. My life was beginning to grow even more busy with helping plan the wedding with Jamie, who thankfully pushed back the wedding until September to give more time for planning, helping Jen move into her new apartment in the city, and the struggling push the Flyers were making towards the playoffs.

With the Flyers losing almost every game the past few weeks regardless of Steve's incredible effort in front of the net, he was growing more frustrated with their fruitless season. I was afraid at first he'd bring the anger home and give me the cold shoulder like in the beginning of the season but luckily history didn't repeat itself. Instead, he'd come home, grab me from whatever I was doing (if I wasn't already coming home from the game with him), and we'd let out all of our stress and aggravation into sex. Even I found myself seducing Steve into bed when I came back from a busy shift at work. It was becoming a habitual thing- and I honestly can't even complain; it has been saving both of us from having a mental breakdown from our constant stress- plus, Steve is just so good.

"So I know you have the day off today- finally- and you don't have to go but I have to get fitted for my bride's maid dress today- you can come if you want but you really don't-" I start to say, my ear pressed against his chest listening to his heart beat.

"No- I'd love to come," he says cutting me off, his voice reverberating through his chest.

"Really?" I ask in disbelief with an arched eyebrow as I sit up to face him.

"Yes," he half laughs while rubbing my back, "I want to spend time with you- plus I want to see what the dress looks like on you; it'll be fun."

"If you insist," I smile.

When we finally build up the motivation to climb out of our warm bed, we feed George and have a quick breakfast. Steve and I decide to take a run around the city together, another new ritual of ours, while it was still early and there weren't too many people crowding the sidewalks. Even though it was cold, we just bundled up in clothes and made our way down the steps ready to jog around the city's streets.

Even though I know Steve can run at a much faster pace, he sticks with me only running a tad bit in front of me. And of course, being the cheesy lovable guy he is, he constantly looks back at me to make sure I'm still right there. I love running around the city, it's always a good work out- plus there's something about Philly that tugs on my heart strings.

When we get to the park Steve stops running and takes a spot at one of the benches. I slow to a stop, take out one of my ear buds and give him a confused look, "are you okay? Is your knee bothering you?" I ask.

He gives me a sweet smile, "no, I'm fine- I just want to sit here with my girlfriend." I blush at his cuteness and take the seat next to him as he wraps his arm around my shoulder. I exhale deeply and watch my breath disappear into the air while I snuggle into his shoulder.

"So I was thinking," he starts, "maybe we could move out of the city?"

I sit up straight immediately and look at him with an arched eyebrow, "what?" I ask in disbelief, "are you serious?"

"Yeah- I mean don't get me wrong I like the city, but it's hard to get from the rink from here and then driving back into the city when practice is over- you never know if it's going to take you 25 minutes or 2 hours," he admits light heartedly. It takes me a few moments to process what he just told me and what it means for our future. "I mean we don't have to decide anything right now of course and I understand if you don't want to move out of the city because of your job- but I just thought I'd bring it up."

I blink a few times trying to think of something to say. I loved the city so much, but I totally understand what Steve was saying- sometimes the chaos and busy streets run you down thin. "S-so I guess we should start looking at new apartment options outside the city?" I question hesitantly.

"Well, actually I was thinking about looking at house, Elle," he says warily, worried about what I might think.

-----Steve's POV

"A house? Like mortgage, backyard, suburbs?" she asks looking like I knocked the wind out of her with my question. She looks away from me and towards the skyscrapers with wide eyes, still shocked.

"I know it sounds like a big commitment but really, I think it'd be great. Think about it Elle, a backyard, neighbors we'll actually know, not having to deal with other people that live in the building," I tempt, "we could paint the walls, decorate it how we want, and won't have to deal with everything that comes along with the city." As Elle stays silent, most likely thinking I'm crazy, I watch her intently trying to read her expression.

Within a few long minutes Elle turns to me with a smile, "Alright Masey, I think I like this idea- but we've got to have a budget- unlike some people I don't make 4 million dollars in one year," she giggles light heartedly with a playful sneer. "A baker's salary doesn't even come close to that- even though I think my skill is a little more needed than yours- just ask Brayden," she jokes and I can't help but to laugh out loud at her comment.

"That's true- I think Brayden will definitely defend you more than me," I admit chuckling, "And I'm sorry but I'm going to have to ignore your request, I don't want you to worry about the money."

"What do you mean? You can't just buy us a house," she throws her hands in the air.

"Sure I can," I smirk.

"No friggin' way Steve! I'm not going to be okay with living in a house that for one," she holds up her pointer finger, "I can't afford, two: I can't help pay for, and three: that'll make me feel like a leech," she lists stubbornly.

I sigh at the truth of her statement- I know if I were in her shoes I'd feel the same exact way. "First of all, you would and could never be a leech," I wrap my hand around hers, "I really just want to do this with you Elle- let me do this for the two of us."

"We'll talk about this later, okay?" she huffs, "let's just get home, I'm becoming an icicle." I nod my head and we begin to run again back towards the house. I try to read her expression as we jog, but I really have no clue what she's thinking about my proposal. Shit, maybe I shouldn't have even brought it up.

-----Elle's POV

As I step out of a long hot shower, I find Steve sulking on the bed, watching something on his iPad. I feel bad for being stubborn about this but I can't imagine moving into a house that costs more than what I'll make in the next 8 years. I slip on my underwear, bra and a comfy shirt before breaking the uneasy silence between us. "So I've been thinking," I pause as he sits up anxiously from his slouched position, "I want to look at some houses you want, but we have to keep it in reason and I want to help pay for it and that's my final offer."

"Alright, it's a deal Bostic," he answers with a smiling, calling me by my last name.

"So what made you want to look at houses in the first place?" I wonder aloud.

"Oh, well, G told me about a few houses that were near his that were amazing and so-" he informs me but I cut him off.

"Wait, Claude? Near his house? Tell me Roo is going to be our neighbor," I laugh.

"Don't forget Schenner and Coots," Steve smiles.

"Seriously?!" I laugh harder and shake my head at the idea- I can only imagine what it'd be like to have them living next door- Bradyen would probably be over here eating everything I'd bring home from the bakery. "That honestly sounds like a lot of fun," I admit, my heart softening up to the idea of moving, "what about Ryanne though?"

"Well she actually lives in, Ottawa- she just moved back since she found a better job closer to her family up there and of course Claude is up there during the summer most of the time anyways."

"Oh, well that's good," I try to say positively- Ryanne was my favorite of the WAGs.

After talking about houses for a while, we go a cafe near the apartment building for a quick lunch. After, Steve drives the two of us to David's Bridal to get fitted for my maid of honor's dress. Thankfully, it doesn't take long at all and we still have enough time to get back to the apartment before Steve goes to the WFC to get ready for the home game tonight.

***

"Are you ready for some hockey?!" the man's voice blares over the loudspeakers in the stadium. I adjust in my seat uneasily- I felt a little awkward without Ryanne beside me talking up a storm with our usual group. It wasn't that I didn't like them it's just that I didn't have much to say to them in the first place- one of these days I'll be less anxious.

Suddenly, a figure sits next to me, one of their hands holding a carrier filled with bags of popcorn, two beers, a soft pretzel and the other hand holding a fistful of brown, thin napkins. Who the hell gets that much for just one person? I think to myself and look up to identify the obviously eager girl.

"Jen?!" I shout with a huge smile.

"Surprise little sis!" she cheers with the same large grin.

"What are you doing here?"I turn in my seat to face her more and give her a hug.

"Well Michael invited me to come to the game," she blushes, "and so I decided to surprise you!"

"Well I'm definitely surprised," I giggle as she hands me one of her bags of popcorn. I ask Jen about how her and Michael are doing and she spends the first 5 minutes of the game gleefully informing me on their relationship and I couldn't be any more happier for her.

"So a couple of the ladies up top gave me some dirty looks," Jen confesses during a TV break.

"Well I'm sure they were wondering why you were carrying a shit ton of food," I laugh, imagining how funny she must've looked walking into the section, "but really some of them get really catty and bitchy about new girlfriends since they know they won't be sitting in this section for long if you know what I mean," I confess. "It's sad some of them are really just interested in their money - sometimes you can spot it right away."

Jen nods her head, digesting the information as I talk. She stuffs a large piece of stuffed pretzel in her mouth, "well I could care less about Michael's money- I'm just dating him for these great seats," she jokes with a big smile and I burst out laughing.

"You're too much Jen," I say still giggling as I shake my head, taking a sip of my beer.

The rest of the game goes by quickly, more and more of the steady girlfriends and wives coming down a few rows to sit with Jen and I. It was turning out to be a great night: Raffl scored and amazing goal- Jen's nearly screamed so loud her head nearly popped off and Steve was making great saves. The only problem? Flyers are tied 2-2 with the Calgary Flames

Everyone in the arena held their breaths tight in their chests as OT was coming to a slow end. Suddenly, Bellmare turns over the puck and TJ Brodie races towards Steve. He passes the puck to Hudler who shoots the puck. I wince and take in a sharp breath, come on Steve. My heart drops and I let out a deep sigh as I see the puck hit the back of the net.

"Aw, shit," Jen grumbles and tilts her head back in frustration, "where's the defense?" I just shake my head and try to refrain from cursing up a storm. We make our way down to the locker room silently with the other WAGs- we were feeling defeated as hell with all of the fans. We wait outside the locker room for 30 minutes while the press is most likely bombarding the guys with questions about the loss and playoff chances.

Once Raffl and Steve come out of the locker room, we head out to the now nearly empty parking lot. Steve was silent with frustration while Raffl was dealing well with the loss laughing with Jen. Before Jen gets into Raffl's car, she stops me.

"Hey," she tugs on my arm, "this was an amazing night. I haven't been to a game since the two of us went with dad a few years ago- I forgot how fun they were," Jen smiles bitter sweetly- the mention of our dad yanks on my heart.

"Well there's another game on Thursday, I expect you see you there," I smile and wrap her in a tight hug.

"I'll be there- see ya sis," she chimes as she makes her way with Raffl to his car. I wave back to her and catch up with Steve, already almost to the truck.

Steve starts the truck as I buckle my seatbelt, still silent from frustration over tonight. Steve was getting hung out to dry on most nights he played- playing amazing but no forwards making the eager push to score on the opposite team.

When we get back to the apartment, I still refrain from saying anything nervous I'd somehow say the wrong thing. Once Steve closes the door behind us, I take of my huge puffy jacket and before I can hang it up, Steve grabs a hold of my arm and pulls me into him.

I drop my jacket on the floor as he crashes his lips down onto mine hungrily. Steve backs me up into a wall and lifts me up, holding my ass. Once he frees my legs from my jeans, I wrap my legs around his waist tightly as he rips off my shirt. I tug off the v-neck from his torso and throw it across the room. I can't help but to feel a little guilty admitting to myself that I was a tad happy they lost as he carries me into our bedroom.

"I could get used to you guys losing more often," I whisper lustfully into Steve's ear.

Notes

Hey guys! I'm SO sorry it took me legit forever to update- work and life got really crazy in one week and the shifts at work have been kicking my ass hahaha. Anyways- hope you enjoyed the chapter- I didn't even double check it for mistakes so I'm sorry if it's real messy I just wanted to get an update out tonight no matter what!

More drama to come so stay tuned! Thanks so much for reading and subscribing!