She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that special place
And if I stared too long
I'd probably break down and cry

Oh, oh, oh
Sweet child o' mine
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Sweet love of mine

She's got eyes of the bluest skies
As if they thought of rain
I'd hate to look into those eyes
And see an ounce of pain
Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place
Where as a child I'd hide
And pray for the thunder and the rain
To quietly pass me by

Oh, oh, oh
Sweet child o' mine
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Sweet love of mine








The guys did great against the Leafs, with Max scoring twice. I was ecstatic; I paced a trench in the floor waiting for the reporters to leave. As soon as I saw the locker room door open, I ran to stand beside it, bouncing from one foot to the other. I ducked in as the last reporter left. I went to Carey first, punching his shoulder.

“That was awesome!” I yelled quietly. He looked up at me with a smile.

Matching my tone, he replied, “Yea I know, I was there!” he pulled lightly on my sweatshirt string. I swatted him away and laughed.

“She could do it.” “Not against someone like Prusty.” “What?” “I call bull.”

I turned to find the source of one of the more strange conversations I had eavesdropped on. I saw Gally and Chuckie talking to each other animatedly. They must have felt me staring because both turned to me. I cocked and eyebrow and made my way over to them.

“What are you two talking about?” I asked.

“Whether or not you could get out of a headlock.” The younger replied. I shook my head.

“Why?”

“Just…cause. Do you think you could?” Brendan asked.

Before I could reply, an arm wrapped around my neck and a voice sounded behind me.

“Let’s find out, eh?”

I was pulled into a headlock in the middle of the room. I sputtered, laughing. Prusty started shouting to the remaining guys.

“Who’s gonna put money on it? Can she do it?” the guys laughed and threw some “helpful” advice at me, like bite his arm or punch him in the nuts. Betting started, as well: I got five on the child and a twenty on the hairy one. I hooked my hands around his arm, knowing full well I couldn’t just pull his arm off of me. I was smiling nonetheless. Most of the guys were milling about, changing or stripping off the last of their gear, eyes on me and Prusty.

“Is it even possible to get out of a headlock?” I asked. I had one idea, but no clue if it would work.

“You gotta at least try.” He said with a laugh.

“Oh I will.” I mumbled. I pulled my knee back and jammed it into the back of his, dropping my weight like a sack of potatoes to the floor at the same time. I could tell he wasn’t expecting that.

“Oh shit.” I heard as I kneed his knee, before he went down too. A cheer went up around the room. I punched him lightly in the kidney for good measure before detangling myself from his arm. I stood up, trying to regain some dignity. I stepped easily over him and planted myself next to PK.

“Just so you know I bet on you getting out of that.” I laughed.

“How much?”

“A nice dinner.” He laughed too. Prusty groaned from the floor. He hadn’t moved since, just laying limp there, but smiling.

“Mmmhmm. Probably a nice steak place…” I left PK to tease Prusty, making my way over to the freshly-showered Slovak.

“Did you see that?” I asked, smiling.

“Yea, pretty good. Not quite me though.” He said with a smirk.

“Oh haha.” I mocked.

I followed his lead as we made our way through the locker room. I caught snippets of everyone’s plans for the night. Their next game was in Jersey, two days away, so most of the guys were headed to a club. I grabbed the back of Peter’s suit jacket to get his attention.

“You should go out with them.” He turned to look at me, already shaking his head.

“Nah.” Was all he said. I hung my shoulders in exasperation.

“Uh, yah. Seriously, when was the last time you went out after a win?” I asked, putting my hands on my hips, and cocking my head to the side. He opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by a voice behind me.

“Buds, I don’t care what she’s asking, but you better agree, like, right now.” I turned to see Pleky watching us with a smile. I laughed.

“Tell Peter he needs to go out with you guys tonight.” I said.

“Peter, you need to go out with us tonight.”

He rolled his eyes at the two of us. “Fine. I’ll go out.” I fish pumped and high-fived Tomas.



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



“C’mon c’mon c’mon!” I said as I dragged Peter up the stairs to his room.

“Why are you so eager to get rid of me?” he asked. I let go of his sleeve and pushed his door open.

“Channel your inner male model, then come see me.” I demanded. He let out a hearty laugh that made me smile. I lightly pushed him into the room and shut the door. I skipped down the steps and jumped over the back of the couch. As soon as my ass hit the cushion, there was a knock on the door. I groaned loudly and rolled off to open it. Carey, Lars, Max, and PK stood at the door.

“HI LIZZIE.” PK said way too loudly. I mock winced and started to close to the door. Carey grabbed it and pushed it back open.

“Stronger than you.” He mocked as he passed me. I just smiled. “He’s changing.” I explained. “Damn, you guys clean up nice.” I added.

“Yea, with help from the fashion master.” PK said from his spot on the couch. Larry shook his head.

“You shoulda never given him that weapon.” He said.

I sat on a barstool, watching Carey sift through the frig. Max leaned on the counter beside me, arms crossed.

“So what are your plans for tonight?” he asked.

“It will probably involve an unhealthy amount of Guitar Hero. I like to keep it crazy.” I said sarcastically. He looked thoughtful for a moment.

“That actually sounds more appealing than going out. I’m beat.”

“Uh, no! You guys just beat the Leafs! You scored twice! You gotta go out and celebrate.” I exclaimed. Max just smiled. I swiveled a circle on the barstool.

“Well someone looks yummy.” I heard from Carey. I swiveled again to see Peter descending the stairs, Carey watching him. He did look good; I guess he took my advice to heart. People should do that more often. “Goalies are weird.” I heard from Larry. He had made his way over to Max and I, and we watched Buds descend the last few steps.

He was fixing his watch as he walked down and took in all the guys in the room. “LizzAY.” he started, “I told you not to let idiots in.” Carey threw his hands up in mock offense.

“Ok can we go now?” PK asked impatiently, getting off the couch.

“Yea yea.” Max and Larry followed him out, Carey was last. Peter finally got his watch fixed on his wrist and put a hand on my shoulder.

“You gonna be ok?” he asked.

“Yea, I’ll be alright. Don’t have too much fun.” I replied.

He laughed. “Don’t worry.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead, and I closed my eyes at the touch. When I opened them again to find Peter watching me with a small smile.

“What?” I asked, matching his expression.

“You’re just so damn cute.”

My smile grew and I wrapped my arms around him. He returned the gesture before grabbing his phone. Past him, barely leaning in view of the still-open door was Carey. I assumed he has watched the whole thing, since he smiled a little and then disappeared. I didn’t say anything, following Peter to the door and locking it.

True to my word, I pretty much ran to the game room and started up Guitar Hero.


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


Peter POV:

I leaned against the bar and watched, amused, as some of the single kids tried to wheel a girl. It was around the time that the guys with wives or girlfriends would be leaving. I took another sip of my beer. I’d probably leave soon too. I felt someone beside me and turned to see Carey.

“I gotta tell you Buds, I almost threw up there back at the house. That was too adorable.”

I laughed. “You saw that?”

“Yea. You two are really close.” He stated.

“We are. It’s kinda weird. I feel like I’ve known her my whole life…like she’s actually my kid, y’know?”

“Well I can’t say that I do, but that…that sounds special Buds.” He replied.

“Yea, I think it is.”

“Did you release a statement yet?”

“Nah, not yet. I should talk to Therrien and get one together.” I said thoughtfully.

“Well, until then, I'd say use the boys' twitter pages. Post some pictures, tag the NHL. That’ll let the guys around the league know early too.” I nodded, rolling my beer between my palms.

“Thanks man.” I polished the rest of the beer off.

“You goin’ back?” he asked, with a knowing smile.

“Yup. See you at the next optional?” I asked.

“Maybe, I dunno. I might take it.” Carey responded.

“Alright man. See ya.”


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


I closed the door as quietly as I could, making my way upstairs. The apartment was silent, so I assumed Lizzie went to bed. I peeked in her room, but she wasn’t in there. I didn’t really expect her to be.

Sure enough, she was in my bed, hugging a pillow. I pulled on more comfortable clothes, glancing over to make sure I didn’t wake her. She woke up anyway.

“Hi.” She murmured sleepily, rolling over.

“Hey. Sorry I woke you.”

“It’s ok.” She yawned. I smiled to myself. "Did you have fun?" she asked.

"Yea, going out with the guys is always fun." She fell quiet, and I in turn asked her a question.

“Do you not like your room anymore?” I asked her quietly.

“No.” she assured me. “I like it. You’re just warm.”

She scooted closer to me as soon as I settled under the comforter. She used my shoulder as a pillow – again – and fisted the blanket over her mouth, so only her nose and closed eyes were showing. It made her even more adorable, and I feel asleep with a smile on my face.

Notes

I don't think I'll be using song lyrics much, but I was listening to this and thought it fit this chapter, I really recommend reading them before or after you read this chapter.

Not sure if you guys are getting bored with the normal daily stuff in this story, but I keep saying things will happen - and they will - just gimme like....maybe next chapter, maybe the one after that.

started my soccer camp today, training small baby-childs in the ways of kicking a round object. its early in the morning too, and last all week. wish me luck :P

:D love you all comment are my favorite :)