Lizzie POV:

I woke up to an empty bed. My body was stiff, and I felt like I hadn’t moved for a few hours; I slept well. Cracking my eyes open, I blearily peered around the room. I spotted a note – shocking – placed on the bed. I reached for it.

Gone to practice. You were sleeping like a rock, so I didn’t wake you. See you soon

He drew a little smiley face at the end, and I laughed. I flopped back down on the pillows, until I heard a knocking on the door. Concerned, I furrowed my brows as I slipped out of Peter’s bed and padded silently down the stairs to the door. There was another knock. I was having an internal debate whether or not to open it when I heard a voice.

“Lizzie hun, it’s me, Maggie. I brought some of the girls!” she said cheerily. I unlocked the door and opened it to see three ladies. I smiled, somewhat nervously. Maggie pulled me into a hug and introduced the two other people.

“This is Maripier, Brandon’s girlfriend, and that’s Harvest, Brian’s wife.” I smiled warmly at the two, somewhat confused. Maggie further explained their presence.

“You have an impromptu photo shoot today with Peter at the Bell Centre.” She got right to the point. I was a little taken aback; I literally just rolled out of bed. I assumed that’s why they were all here; do make me look somewhat decent. I stood back and let them in. Maggie’s eyes found the clothes, still in the bags, from yesterday spread on the coach. She shook her head at me.

“Goodness, couldn’t even put these away? C’mon, let’s get them up to your room.” Three trips later, and all the bags were in my room. We started putting them away in my closet and dresser. There were a lot of questions and laughing. All three of them were so nice, and gave off different motherly vibes. Mari was like the bubbly fun French mom; Maggie was the shopper nice mom; Harvest was just the super motherly one. I was starting to really like all of them.

After all the clothes were put away, they started looking for something for me to wear. They couldn’t agree on anything, which I found immensely amusing. Eventually they turned to me. I picked out an outfit in five minutes. They inspected it for a minute before agreeing to it. They left the room, leaving me to change. I grabbed my newly bought figure skates (I learned how to skate on them first, don’t judge) and hockey stick (I could hold my own with a stick, thanks to Mat and a frozen pond outside the orphanage) and put them by the door.

“Ok, now for the fun part!” Mari grabbed my hand and led me to bathroom. I started to question how out definitions of ‘fun’ differed when she started applying eye makeup to me and Maggie curled my hair at the ends. Harvest searched my room for acceptable shoes and grabbed a bracelet for me. By the time she found what she wanted, the girls were done with me. I walked in bare feet to the large mirror in my room.

I didn’t look half bad. I was sporting the Habs’ logo, but I still looked photo shoot ready. Mari assured me if she had more time I would look “like a French model straight from the runway.” I laughed at that. I grabbed some socks for my skates, and we left for the Bell Centre. During the car ride, there was a lot of laughing and obnoxious singing, mostly from Maggie, Mari, and I. Harvest just quietly laughed at our silliness.


********************************************

The girls dropped me off and the arena, promising to spend more ‘girl time’ with me again. Some of guys had yet to leave the ice; they left on a flight for Buffalo in about two hours. The ones that were left on the ice gave me smiles and waves. I sat down in the stands and put my skates on. Grabbing my stick, I made my way onto the ice. The only guys that were left were Gio, Pleky, Gorges, Danny (lovingly referred to as the old man group, by me) Max and Larry. And of course, Peter.

“You look pretty.” Max remarked with a smile.

“She always looks pretty.” I heard from down the ice. Peter was standing in the crease, holding a water bottle. He was half turned in our direction, and he threw the compliment over his shoulder with a small smile. I rolled my eyes and blushed.

“He’s such a dork…” I mumbled, embarrassed. The guys just laughed.

Larry eyed our exchange. “Wow. I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.” he remarked. It was my turn to laugh.

“What are those?” Josh asked incredulously, whacking my skates with his stick. I shrugged.

“These are the only type of skates I know how to skates in. I’m breaking them in; my feet will hurt like a bitch tonight.” I grimaced. I bounced my stick on the ice.

“Know how to use that thing?” Max asked.

“I little.” I admitted. “It’s been so long since I’ve held one, let alone skate. Plus, I’m not that good with it.”

Some lights and camera stands were already set up on the ice, and more was being carried onto it by some men. The guys made their way off the ice to undress. They gave me some light taps on the shins, and Danny gave me a bear hug. I smiled into it.

Peter was already out of his practice gear; he had changed into sweatpants and a Canadiens’ sweatshirt. He had his goalie skates on and a stick in his hand. I made my way over to him. I leaned on my stick and watched them set up the gear.

“How’d you sleep?” he asked me after a few moment of comfortable silence. I looked up at him with a smile.

“Good. Really good actually. You’re a good cuddler.” I teased, poking him in the stomach.

“Just don’t tell the guys.” He replied with a grin. I turned to look at the photographers.

“I hope they don’t tell us to ‘just act natural’. I hate that. Like how am I going to act normal if you’re all looking at me?” I asked. He laughed.

“You know you’re coming with us right?” he asked suddenly. I shook my head. “I thought I would just stay with Maggie or something.” He shook his head.

“Nah, it’s a short trip so Coach said you’re more than welcome to come. I packed you a bag before I left too.”

I smiled. I must’ve really been out, since I didn't even hear him get up or pack.

“You really do look pretty.” He said again with another smile. I blushed. “Aww,” he said in a baby voice, “did I embarrass youuu?” he pulled me into a hug. I giggled.

“Like I said, you’re a dork.”

“But I’m your dork.” He said lovingly.

“Mmm.” I wrapped my arms around him and he rested his chin on my head. We stayed like that for a few minutes.

A lady skated over to us and explained what they were going to do. Basically, we just had to skate around and interact like we normally did. She said it didn't matter if we took shots on goal or just skated around.

“That’s pretty much it. I guess to put it simply, just act natural.” She said last.

Peter and I looked at each other and burst into laughter. I heard some camera clicks and knew this shoot wouldn't be that hard. Once we were done laughing we didn’t really know what to do, so I scooped up a puck and started to bounce it on my stick. It was a little difficult because of my arm, and I dropped it a few times. Peter watched me with an amused expression as I concentrated on the puck. I heard camera clicks. Eventually I got bored and flicked it at him.

Again, after that we didn’t know what to do. We skated over to the crease.

“This is so weird.” I whispered as we skated. He laughed again.

“I bet this wasn’t what you signed up for.” He said. We stopped at the blue paint.

“Yea…but it was worth it.” I said sincerely, locking eyes with him. He held my gaze for a moment before kissing me on the forehead. More camera clicks.

“So is that all you know how to do with a stick and a puck?”

“Uh, no. I have a pretty decent shot.” I replied back. ’Pretty decent’ may have been a little generous. Nevertheless, I grabbed a puck and eyed the net. I carefully flung a shot top shelf. It actually wasn’t half bad, considering the circumstances. Peter gave a look of approval.

“See? Not that bad.” I said with a smirk, touching his face with my stick. He swatted me away and did the same. I leaned away, laughing. Click.

“How good are you with that?” I asked, whacking his stick. I spread my hands on my own twig and rested it on my hips, leaning back. I tapped the heel of my skate on the ice.

“Not as good as you.” He put his stick on his knees and leaned on it, peering up at me. “But I’m taller, so I win.” I scoffed. Way to pull that one out of nowhere I thought.

“Well obviously, you have just a FEW years on me.” I teased.

“Hey! I’m not that old.” He protested.

I saw the lights shut off. I looked over to a photographer and she gave me the thumbs up.

“That’s good guys! Thanks a ton.” She flashed a smile.

I turned to Peter as we made our way to the locker room. “That was fast.” I remarked. He shrugged.

“These things are really unpredictable. We have to leave soon, so that was probably why.” He replied. A few guys were still tying ties and shoes.

“Don’t I have to change into something nicer?” I asked, worried. All the guys wore nice suits, and I was in just jeans and a shirt. He glanced back at me, taking in my outfit.

“I didn’t pack you anything nicer.” He said with a grimace. “I think you’ll be ok. It’s your first trip, but next time you might have to wear a dress or something.” He make his way out to change into a suit.

I nodded. It made sense; I still felt out of place though. Glancing around, I saw Brendan stand up and head to the door. I shouted to Peter.

“I’m going to the bus!”

I heard an ‘ok’ as a reply, so I grabbed my bag and walked with Brendan. When we hopped on the bus, he turned to me.

“OMG, are you gonna like, sit next to me?” he asked in an extremely girly voice. I laughed, but before I could reply I was interrupted.

“Uh, no, she’s sitting with me. No one likes you.” A distinctly Russian accent. I turned to Chucky to see him smirking at us.

“Violent Gent buddies stick together!” I heard from the big man.

“She likes my flow!” Larry spoke up.

“I’m ahead of you all on the favorite players list.” Dan spoke to my right. A chorus of laughs broke out.

“We like the same music! I’ll even give you window seat!” Whitey shouted from the back.

I listened to them joust for me with a smile. Ducking past Gally, I jumped over Bourque into the window seat next to him. He looked at me with a big grin.

“HaHa!” he shouted triumphantly, throwing his fist in the air. The guys protested until the last players got on and found seats. I stuck with Rene and listened to the chirping and conversations on the bus until we got to the airport. On the plane, I picked a window seat with Peter. We both watched a rousing card game until takeoff. I would laugh often at a joke I heard from throughout the plane. I glanced out the window. It was my first time on a plane, and I wasn’t freaking out, so I guess that was good. I returned to watching the game, waiting to get to Buffalo.

Notes

I don't even know if Maripier speaks English. she probably does but i have no idea for sure OOPS

I made myself unnecessarily sad by reading articles about how Peter might not come back or how Marc should trade him or send him down. I literally sat reading them like:

NO. NO. HE'S STAYING. NO. HA. YOU'RE WRONG. AHAHAHAHA. *crys* *weeping* *rolling on floor*

anyway.