The Wall

"I think y'all should stay all week" pouted Hadlee at her brothers "They're gonna be gone all week. You could hang out with me, Caro, and KK."
"Love to Boo but we can't we all have to work. I am surprised both posts let us off this long." said Ash "It will be Thanksgiving in no time. You and Miller can come down or we will drag mom and dad up here. You know we have always deferred to the game schedule."
"Alright fine pull the crime fighter card" laughed Hadlee as she hugged all of her brothers in turn. West grabbed her up off the ground in a huge bear hug. Hadlee laughed and thumped on his shoulder until he put her down. The boys all piled into Ash's Tahoe. Kevan wrapped an arm around Hadlee. She looked like she was on the verge of tears.
"You know you can fly down any weekend you want" he said "They can drive up to Columbus and watch us kick a lung out of the Blue Jackets or even come down to Nashville." Hadlee gave him a small smile. "You just let me know Babe."
"I know I am being silly. I just miss those idiots." she replied "Mom loves Nashville so maybe I can talk them into it."
"Your mom also loves me" he smirked opening the door to the Chevy.
"So you say Miller" laughed Hadlee "this has yet to be confirmed by me. But my brothers didn't kill you so that is a good sign. Plus West has stopped staring holes through Brad. I'm not sure Court will ever be okay with him."
"It's hard to know you fucked up Hadlee" he replied "I know I couldn't stand seeing you with someone else."
"Well I vote we don't find out" said Hadlee as he climbed in the driver's seat.

"Let's go over to get your charm put on your bracelet. Plus I have to do Marchy a favor." Kevan started the engine and headed towards Copley place.
"Favor" she asked "What favor?"
"He wants me to pick something up for Kayleigh. He was specific about one thing he wants but said to let you decide which one."
"What is it?" demanded Kayleigh. Her thoughts ran wild. She knew he was crazy about Kayleigh but surely not engagement ring crazy.
"He wants a bracelet with the infinity symbol" Kevan replied "not sure but he handed me a credit card and said to get your help."
"I love shopping" she said smiling at him "Kayleigh doesn't do flashy."
"I think that is why Marchmont sent me and you. He can't help but be over the top." laughed Kevan "that's just him."
Hadlee agreed with him. She had connected her iPhone to his sound system. She was currently singing along to something that wasn't the usual country/pop stuff she listened to. Something about seeing fire. Kevan thought this was closer to what he listened to than Hadlee. Plus he had heard the song before just couldn't place it.
"Babe, who is singing" he asked Hadlee.
"Ed Sheeran" she replied "You like him or don't like him?"
"I've heard that song before and can't place it." he explained "Isn't he the one that sings the Don't song."
"Yep same guy." she laughed "Do you watch the Lord of the Rings movies?"
"Krug and them watch them on road trips"
"The song is the ending song to one of the Hobbit movies. But I like it because it talks about mountains and brothers."
"Reminds you of your hellion brothers" he asked. She nodded her head. When it finished playing she clicked it up a few tracks and Thinking Out Loud came on. He would have to remember that one. Hadlee was singing along as the artist talked of falling in love and staying in love. Kevan parked the SUV and went around to open the door for Hadlee. They walked into Tiffany.
"Mr. Miller" replied a young guy from behind the counter "I take it Miss Hadlee liked the charms."
"Hadlee, this Bryan. He helped me get your bracelet all sorted out." Hadlee smiled and stuck out her arm to show him the bracelet.
"I need to get the one my brother got me put on as well." she stated. Bryan held out a hand and she gave him the small hockey stick charm. He told her that they could solder the charm on while they looked around. Bryan took the bracelet off her wrist and took to the back room. He came back in and Kevan caught his attention.
"I need you help a buddy of mine out" Kevan told Bryan.
"What does this buddy need" laughed Bryan. Hadlee wondered if Kevan realized that Bryan kept checking him out. Then again it was kind of hard not to check Kevan out.
"March, needs a bracelet with an infinity symbol." replied Kevan
"Brad Marchand needs jewelry from Tiffany." said Bryan in awe "Well I am officially heartbroken."
"Sorry, Bryan he is head over heels for Kayleigh" laughed Hadlee "But I can drag him in here so you can look at him." It took Kevan a second then he started laughing.
Bryan laughed as well. "All the good ones are straight" he replied. Hadlee and Kevan followed him to the infinity collection. Kevan thought they were all similar but some were more sparkly than others. Bryan pulled them out and showed them to Hadlee. Hadlee pointed a plain sterling silver one that was an infinity symbol with a fine linked silver chain bracelet.
"You sure Hadlee" asked Kevan "It's a little plain. Marchand wants something nice for her."
"It's Tiffany Kevan" she replied "it's all nice." Bryan was now smirking at the couple. "She won't wear anything dangling because of the bakery mixers, she isn't flashy, and it's delicate. It's perfect for Kayleigh."
"She's the boss" said Kevan to Bryan. He handed him Marchand's card and gave him instructions to gift wrap the bracelet. He showed Bryan the text Marchand sent of how he wanted the card to read. Bryan told him them to look around while he checked on Hadlee's bracelet and got this one wrapped up.
Kevan and Hadlee roamed around the store. He was paying attention to all the things she looked at. Christmas wasn't that far down the road. She was looking at the display of charms that went with her bracelet. She refused to tell him which ones she liked. She was different from the other girls she didn't expect anything from him except to spend time with him. He loved that about her. In fact he loved everything about her.
Bryan came out of the back and called for them. He held out her bracelet. It now had the present, the shoe, and the hockey stick. It represented her and Kevan very well. Kevan was signing the credit slip for Marchand's bracelet. Kevan turned and noticed Hadlee and Bryan talking about something in the display case.
"What are you staring at Hadlee?" he teased looking in the display case.
"I get distracted by sapphires" she laughed. He saw blue and silver, blue and platinum, and even blue and gold.
"I'll keep that in mind" he said "Any one in particular."
"Oh no Kevan Miller" she said "I am not showing you anything. This weekend has been over the top enough."
Kevan laughed "Babe we have Christmas, Valentine's, St Patrick's day, Easter, Arbor Day, and our anniversary coming up."
"I think sapphires are bit excessive for Arbor Day" she laughed "really Miller Arbor Day."
"I just like spoiling you." He replied dropping a kiss on her mouth. Hadlee looked over at Bryan who had pulled the most beautiful sapphire ring she had ever laid eyes on out of the jewelry case. Hadlee didn't even want to touch it.
"Try it on Miss Hadlee" said Bryan " it a diamond, sapphire, and platinum ring. It's just over 3 carats of sapphires and another carat of diamonds. It's an Art Deco setting inspired by the Great Gatsby. I've never had it out."
Hadlee took it from Bryan and slid it on her right ring finger. Hadlee loved the ring but it was ridiculously impractical for just everyday wear.
"Do you like it Hadlee?" asked Kevan
"It's beautiful but it's not practical at all. Plus I'm pretty sure it's a more than a down payment on a house."
Kevan laughed. She started to hand it back to Bryan but Kevan made her let him get a picture of it on her hand. He told her so it's so he knew what she liked. Bryan placed it back in the case. He gave Hadlee the small blue box with the white ribbon for Kayleigh. Hadlee carried carefully so as not to smash the bow. Kevan and Hadlee said goodbye to Bryan.
"March wants you all to give this to her tomorrow after we are gone." explained Kevan "not sure why but he was insistent that we be already on the road."
"Because surprises are awesome" she replied as she climbed in the SUV. Kevan leaned in and kissed her and buckled the seat belt. Hadlee had given up arguing that point with him. It was almost a habit at this point. She was busy syncing her phone when he buckled himself in. She clicked on the Rick Ross mix of Ed Sheeran's Don't.
Kevan shook his head from Southern belle to ghetto in seconds. "No more hanging with Marchy if this is what we are listening too." Kevan then realized it was her little British fellow singing. He listened to the lyrics. "Is this a warning Hadlee Belle?"
Hadlee laughed. "No I just like it. But come to think of it you can just behave yourself while you are gone. You can snuggle with Bradley Keith."
"I'll pass on snuggling with the squirrel." He growled "you on the other hand I plan on snuggling until I have to leave in the morning. I vote I pack while you take a bath. And we watch whatever random TV you've dvrd. Plus I will show you my final birthday surprise."
"Kevan no more surprises. It's way too much already." She said exasperated.
"This surprise is for both of us" he replied "We've got to run by Krejci's place."
Hadlee shook her head and just sang with the radio. Kevan was on a roll with surprises. She took his hand and held it on the console. "First my brothers leave now you take off for a week. I'm gonna be lonely. Caroline is picking up shifts so she can be off when you all get home. Kayleigh goes to bed crazy early. I'm gonna have to find ways to amuse myself."
Kevan just laughed. "In another month you'll be like Britt yelling at Looch. Wanting to know when I'm leaving. The WAGs get together all the time. I can get Britt to introduce you. I know they are excited you are an attorney. You can look over contracts and such."
"Do you want me to hang with the WAGs?" She asked.
"Well most of the girls who are more than a quick thing end up helping out." he replied "and since I kinda like you and want to keep you. It would be nice if you wanted to be with the group. Plus you have Caroline and Kayleigh. So it would boost Kayleigh's business."
"And people say I am the one with the argument skills." She laughed "tell Britt to set it up."
Kevan gave her a megawatt smile. One you rarely see. Hadlee loved every second of it. Caroline however may kill her. They pulled into the drive of Krejci's home. Hadlee noticed Pastrnak running around the yard. He was running in circles.
"What is Baby K doing" she asked watching him run a lap.
"Umm it's part of your surprise so you don't get lonely." Replied Kevan.
"Aww I get to baby sit Baby K while you are gone?" She smiled at him. Only Hadlee would be excited about being stuck with a rookie. Kevan opened her door.
"No Gears is coming with us."
"Gears y'all call Baby K Gears" Hadlee made a face of disapproval. Kevan laughed. Krecji and Pastrnak were both in the yard.
"Hadlee disapproves of Pastrnak's nickname. She thinks Baby K is better." Kevan explained to Krecji
"Blame the Swedes they call the kid the Gear Changer." Replied Krejci.
"Well I guess he will have multiple nicknames like Marchand." Said Hadlee "cause he is our Baby K." Kevan and Krecji laughed. Poor kid it would be hell if the crowd caught wind of Baby K.
"So I don't get to babysit Pastrnak?" She asked pouting.
"No you all cannot keep Gears and torture him for a week. Between Kayleigh feeding him, Caroline teasing him, and you babying him he wouldn't be fit for hockey when we got back." Laughed Kevan.
"Gears, bring it here" Kevan called at Pastrnak. Hadlee watch him scoop something off the ground and start jogging toward them. The closer he got the more Hadlee saw the little gray ball of fluff. Hadlee saw the ball of fluff wiggle and took off running towards Pastrnak. Hadlee squealed when she saw the tiny puppy. It was a baby husky puppy. He was beautiful he has one blue eye and one brown eye.
Pastrnak held the pup out to Hadlee "you're last birthday present. No be lonely when Miller gone."
Hadlee sat in the grass and petted the pup. She sat him down on her lap and he crawled all over her. Kevan sat down beside her as she cradled the pup like a baby. "He's beautiful but huskies are huge."
"He isn't a husky. He is a Klee Kai. He is a miniature husky." Said Kevan roughing the little guys fur. "He is actually toy size. He will be about 13 inches tall and only weigh around 20lbs."
Hadlee launched herself at Kevan and almost squished the pup in her haste to kiss him. He caught her and the pup. Shoes and puppies his girl was easy to please.
Pastrnak and Krecji were laughing at all three of them the puppy was now climbing on Kevan's shoulder.
"You like him" asked Pastrnak
"Love him." she replied
"Good the breeder is a nice Czech guy. Hence why me and Gears went to check him out and pick a pup." Explained Krejci "Gears has been taking care of him for a few days. He kind of named the lil guy but I'm sure you can change it." Pastrnak turned red.
" What have you been calling him?" asked Hadlee. He motioned for Hadlee to put the pup down.
"Here Deke. Come here boy" the little pup ran to Pastrnak as fast as his stubby little legs would go. He picked the pup and loved on him. "You can change it Hadlee. Just didn't want to call him dog for 3 days. Plus he will totally fake you out dodges left then right. So Deke."
Hadlee laughed and looked at Kevan. "I guess his name is Deke." The guys explained the deke to Hadlee. "I figured it was hockey related." She picked the puppy up and loved on him. "I would have named you Rupp, but you look more like a Deke."
Hadlee continued to snuggle Deke as the boys loaded his crate and other things into the truck. Hadlee sent both Caroline and Kayleigh a picture of Deke. Baby K handed her a Bruins bandana which she tied around his neck. She tweeted out a picture of the newest Bruin #deke. Kevan started to put him in his crate but Hadlee gave him the evil eye and snuggled the pup into her lap.
"I see how it is." laughed Kevan "he is going to run the house. Your brothers said your Yorkie was a terror."
"Maybe a little spoiled" she said "I miss Zander he was a good dog."
"Now we have Deke." he said leaning over the console and kissing her. She beamed at him. "You won't be lonely when I am gone."
"Deke is great but I will still miss you." she replied " no way will he be as warm as snuggling you."
"Hadlee he needs to learn to sleep in his crate."
"He will when you are home." she petted the sleeping pup "your daddy thinks he makes the rules" she cooed at the little puppy. Kevan just laughed. God he loved her.
Hadlee whipped her head toward Kevan. "My apartment doesn't allow pets." She looked panicked.
"Then you will just have to stay at my place." He smiled at her. She gave him the evil eye.
"Well played Miller well played" she said "now I have to be at home waiting on you."
"We can board him if you need to be at your place."
"Your daddy is mean" she said to the sleeping puppy "but we will have a sleepover with Aunt Caroline and Aunt KK at Daddy's. You will be a spoiled little man."
Kevan had no doubt she meant every word of it. He pulled into the apartment. He opened Hadlee's door and she climbed out bag over her arm toting Deke. He would have to get her a carrier for Deke or he would be all over Hadlee's roller skate of a car. He grabbed Deke's crate and bag. By the time he made it in the lobby she was introducing Deke to Greg. Greg fussed over the puppy. Hadlee smiled at him.
"Best present?" Asked Greg
"I'm going with Miller being my best present." She replied. Greg smiled at her. "He's pretty awesome I think I will keep him."
"Shoes and puppies" laughed Kevan "Hadlee is happy with shoes and puppies."
"Knowing is half the battle Sir" laughed Greg. Kevan nodded his head at the GI Joe reference.
Kevan and Hadlee made their way into the apartment. Hadlee dropped her giant bag and carried Deke into the living room. She watched Kevan drag all Deke's things into the apartment. Apparently Pastrnak had though the puppy was in need of toys.
"Babe, where do you want his crate?" asked Kevan
"It's your apartment." she responded.
"Do you want him in our room, the laundry room, or in the office?" he asked.
"When you are gone he will probably sleep in our room." she replied "But until he is really potty trained I guess the laundry room is the best bet."
"Laundry room it is." said Kevan as he carried the crate to the laundry room "You ready to put him down and let him explore a little." Hadlee was still clutching the fuzz ball to her chest. Hadlee placed Deke on the floor in front of her. He promptly laid down and spread all 4 legs out like an area rug. Kevan laughed at the pup. He tried calling the dog over to him. But Deke didn't move. Hadlee walked away from Deke and went to stand across the room beside Kevan. Deke moved his tiny head and glared at both of them. He then trotted across the room and laid down on Hadlee's feet. Hadlee giggled at his antics. After a few minutes Deke started wandering around the apartment. Hadlee slipped on her shoes. She picked him up and told Kevan that Deke needed to go out. She told him she would take him and he could set up Deke's crate. Kevan smiled as she bounced out of the apartment talking to her fuzz ball.
Soupy and Looch had told him that having a puppy was dangerously close to playing house. Looch said for him to remember he had a girlfriend and a bulldog one day and then he had a wife, baby, and bulldog the next. Kevan laughed it off and told them that he was pretty sure that Hadlee was it for him. He didn't mind her invading his space. In fact, he enjoyed coming home to her. Hadlee started dinner on most nights and read her trial notes. He came home from skate and it felt like home. Now he just needed to convince her this was home, or that they could get a bigger place for him, her, and Deke.

Notes