The Wall

Hadlee was pressed into Kevan's side as they made their way to his SUV. He pulled the door open to the Tahoe, and helped her inside. He buckled her in, and connected her iPhone to the vehicle. Hadlee was already poking on the small device as he buckled himself into the driver's seat. She was listening to something that sounded way more R&B than her usual country. He wasn't sure what it was, but it sounded like her usual guys.

"Babe, what is this?" he asked looking over at her.

"Ride" she answered "It's Chase Rice and a random girl"

Kevan was listening to the lyrics. Something about candles dripping and hair pulling. Hadlee was singing along unphased in the passenger seat. "This new Had?" he asked. She nodded and dug in her purse. She fished out her giant sunglasses, and slid them over her eyes.

"Thanks for rescuing me." said Hadlee "We could have just taken a cab."

"The squirrel was wild. Thinking Kayleigh needed him. There was no way he was going to stay for team lunch until he had her squared away. Then, since you were all together, they decided to just call it on account of tipsy girlfriends. Looch said you all need to invite Britt to your shenanigans." explained Kevan "So no cabs for you guys. I'm going to assuming you need a vehicle for 7, tonight from our place."

Hadlee giggled "Nope 8" she answered "We will have Baby K with us."

"Nope, he's going with Krejci. He will meet you guys there." he replied "I'll have Greg get a car big enough for all of you to the door of the Garden." Kevan pulled into his parking spot. Hadlee was smiling at him. She unbuckled, and leaned across the console of his Tahoe. She kissed the side of his scruffy face.

"What was that for?" he asked grinning at her.

"Just for being you." she answered "My hockey boy, my wall, my rescuer, my cuddler, and my shampoo boy." She laughed. "You are a man of many talents. Some of them even with your clothes on." She kissed him again then squinted at him "Maybe i'm a little more drunk than I thought." Kevan shook his head and climbed out of the Tahoe. He retrieved Hadlee and her suitcase sized purse from the passenger seat. "Miller, maybe I shouldn't tell people about your mad hair washing skills, or you being a closeted cuddler." He laughed as they entered the lobby.

"Then, maybe you shouldn't say things so loudly" he teased. Greg looked at them questioningly. "Shots and mimosas."

"I see" replied Greg "Rough brunch?"

"Nope, way fun. We wore our pjs. We were celebrating Jami's last day as an ice girl." exclaimed Hadlee "Miller and the boys came to our rescue. No cabs, I think these boys have something against cabs."

"No, we have something against our girlfriends taking random cabs around Boston, while drunk." replied Kevan "Speaking of which, they need a car that can take the 7 of them to the Garden, picking them up at 6:00."

"I'll take care of it, Sir." answered Greg. Kevan immediately frowned, and Hadlee giggled.

"He called you Sir." said Hadlee "He doesn't like to be a sir, Greg."

"I know force of habit."

"Come on hot mess, let's go take a nap" said Kevan tucking her into his side. Greg started laughing, because he heard her ask Miller if they were really going to nap, and Hadlee tell him no bad hockey juju on game days. Greg wasn't sure he would have bet on Miller and Hadlee for the long haul. But , every time he saw them together it only re-enforced the idea that they were made for one another. He could not think of one other tenant in the building who's girlfriend or friends greeted him by name, and consistently brought him treats. He enjoyed his time with all the girls. He would miss them when they moved. Greg heard the elevator ding. Kevan walked out carrying Deke like a football.

"Trying to run again?" asked Greg.

"Nope taking the furball to potty, then back upstairs to take a pregame nap. Hadlee is fixing lunch. We'll see how that goes."

"Should I check on Miss Hadlee?" asked Greg.

"If I am gone longer than 30 minutes, or you hear the smoke alarm." laughed Kevan.
"You got it, Miller." said Greg.

Kevan opened the door to the apartment, and heard Hadlee singing along to her iPhone in the kitchen. She was singing something about leaving the night on. Her cardigan was draped over the back of the chair, along with the bra she had been wearing. He carried Deke into the kitchen. She was still in her MillerTime pjs, pouring olive oil and cheese into a pot on the stove. She had not noticed him until Deke barked. She smiled at them both. "Hand him to me, and you eat." she instructed "And not out of the pot like a caveman, put it on a plate. Please?"

"Yes Ma'am" he answered. Hadlee had fixed pasta with shrimp and veggies. "You didn't have to cook all this Hadlee."

"Shows how much you've paid attention" said Hadlee "We froze a few things to make days like this easier."

Kevan brought his plate over to counter, and sat on a bar stool. Hadlee was sitting next to him talking to Deke. The poor furball didn't stand a chance. He was going to be a lapdog. No doubt about it. "You don't have to take care of me all the time Hadlee."

"I happen to like taking care of you, Mr. Miller." answered Hadlee "We fixed a few extra things that could be tossed in pastas when we were taking care of Davey. I told you we have mad hockey mom skills. Kayleigh even managed to make some awesome shakes that follow all the rules, and taste decent. I am still not sure they are up to your standards. I told her I was pretty sure you were doing some kinda Harry Potter herbology project with those shakes."

"It's kale and wheatgrass, nothing scary" replied Kevan. Hadlee had turned Deke loose in the apartment. He watched her putter around the kitchen. She washed her hands, then started packing up leftovers. She was busy putting stuff in the fridge, when Kevan realized this was the life he absolutely wanted every day. Hadlee put his plate in the dishwasher. He had spaced out watching her clean the kitchen.

"Come on Miller. It's obviously nap time, you're asleep with your eyes open" said Hadlee pulling him by his hand.

"I wasn't sleeping, I was thinking." replied Kevan.

"Deep thoughts Miller." she teased.

"Maybe" he answered "I was just thinking about how much I like having you here all the time." Hadlee was fixing their bed. Kevan captured Deke and put him in his crate. He came back into the room to find Hadlee climbing into bed. He tossed his shoes, shorts, and shirt at the hamper before climbing in beside her. Once he was in bed, Hadlee draped herself across his chest. He couldn't imagine life without his fireball.

"Any chance you want to move in here with me? I realize you have a lease and Caroline. But, we can figure all that out." he asked "I know it won't be a drop everything and move in like KK and the Squirrel."

Hadlee was very quiet. It was unusual for Hadlee to be so quiet. Her hand that had been stroking his abs stopped. He wasn't sure what she was thinking. She levered up and looked at his face. Kevan was completely serious.

"You realize my stuff will be everywhere." she replied.

"As opposed to now." he laughed "You're stuff is all over my apartment. I can deal with random bottles of nail polish, girly magazines, and lingerie drying in the bathroom. If it means I get you."

"Where are we going to put your clothes?" asked Hadlee. Kevan laughed. That was his Hadlee.

"We'll figure it out" he replied "If we can't work it out here, we'll get a bigger place. Maybe, with a yard for Deke. If you can't find something you like we'll build something. A place with a gym for me, and a room for your shoes."

"You've been thinking about this" she said in amazement.

He shook his head. She leaned in and kissed him. "I've been looking at houses. I can't find one that screams Hadlee. So I guess that will be your job. We can live here until you decide what you want. A house or a bigger apartment, it doesn't have to be a rush. But, this is it for me Hadlee Belle. You are stuck with me."

Hadlee smiled at him. She nodded and kissed him again. Snagging the phone she set an alarm for their nap. She clicked off the lamp, and snuggled in beside him. Hadlee was spooned up against him. She loved times like this with him. "Hey Miller?" she said quietly.

"Yeah, babe?" he responded.

"Who's gonna tell my brothers and daddy?" she asked.

"I don't think your brothers will be shocked by you moving in. Me and your daddy have an understanding." he replied.

"Oh really?" said Hadlee "I thought you weren't going to tell me what daddy said to you."

"I have no intention of telling you what your daddy said. But trust me, I am fully aware of his expectations in regards to you. Also, I can promise you that someday when we have a wild, little, blonde haired girl, I will be calling her Papaw when it's time to scare her first date."

"Blonde baby girl" said Hadlee turning to face him. "Been thinking about that too Miller."

"Babe, you're in all my thoughts." he said kissing her. "Now, go to sleep. I have to nap before the game."

Hadlee cuddled back into his embrace. How the hell was a girl supposed to sleep, when her boyfriend just informed her not only did he want her to move in, but he'd been looking at houses. Furthermore, he was looking forward to having babies. She wanted all that, and more with Kevan. But, they were going to have babies that looked like their daddy and play hockey and football, of course. Hadlee fell asleep to a mental image of Kevan helping a tiny blonde girl skate around the garden in a Christmas dress.

Notes