Icing vs Frosting

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Kayleigh woke up because her head was throbbing. Champagne was perfume in and poison out. Maybe drinking brunch hadn't been a great plan. She tried to move, but couldn't because Brad was holding her.

"Where you going doll?" asked Brad.

"To find some Advil" she replied honestly. She heard him laugh softly. He rolled over to his nightstand and clicked on the lamp. Brad reached into the drawer and grabbed the bottle of Advil. He shook a few pills loose and handed her the bottle of water he had on the table. Kayleigh raised a questioning eyebrow as she sat up in the bed. "Use to this kind of thing?" she asked.

He smiled sheepishly "It used to be my morning routine." Kayleigh swallowed the pills. "However, I seemed to have developed a sugar addiction in place of my partying. But, it's very specific sugar." He leaned over and kissed Kayleigh. "It can't be just any sugar." he teased kissing her again " It has to be my sugar." Kayleigh laughed as he kissed her again. "What are you laughing about Kayleigh Jo? I'm being serious. It's a real problem." His lips landed on hers. The kissed turned heated. Kayleigh melted against hot muscle. He broke the kiss and looked at her. "Marry me." he kissed her again. "I'm serious Kayleigh" he said between kisses "This is it for me."

Kayleigh blinked rapidly and didn't know what to say. Was Brad serious? Did he really mean it? Brad moved from the bed and grabbed a hoodie from the living room. He tossed it on the bed and pulled out a small blue box. Kayleigh was staring at him but still didn't move. Brad climbed back into the bed and scooted next to Kayleigh. He held the box out towards her. Kayleigh didn't move. Brad wasn't sure she was even breathing.

"Kayleigh, this wasn't exactly how I planned to propose. But, you know how I am, and remarkably it doesn't bother you. You are everything I've wanted and everything I need. I've never been anyone's plan A. I've never had anyone depend on me. You called me first today. I want that always. I want to marry you. We don't have to do it tomorrow. We can just be engaged." he put the box in her hand "Marry me Kayleigh Jo Daniels. Today, tomorrow, or whenever you want. Just say you will. I love you."

Kayleigh tried to untie the ribbon on the tiny blue box but her hands were shaking. Her head was no longer pounding, but she was pretty sure that the level of adrenaline coursing through her might actually stop a Mac truck. She looked at Brad. He wasn't sure if she was excited, nervous, or going to throw up. He kind of felt all three at once. He'd had this ring less than 4 hours. In fact, looking at rings is what he had been doing when she had called him. He had told the guys to tell the girls about team lunch so they could help. But, he didn't need help when he saw it he knew it was Kayleigh's ring.

He took the box from Kayleigh and untied the white ribbon. He handed the box back. Kayleigh drew in a large breath before opening it. The ring was absolutely gorgeous. Kayleigh couldn't have imagined a more perfect ring. She was almost afraid to touch it. What if she was still asleep? What if it was all a dream? What if it never happened?

The ring was a perfect round pink stone set in diamonds. The entire platinum band was encrusted in smaller diamonds. She pulled it free from the box and handed the ring to Brad. She still hadn't given him an answer but held her hand out to him. He slid the ring on her hand. He rocked back on his knees smiling at her. She brought her hand up and stared for a minute. Tears started dripping and Brad panicked.

"I can put it away until later. It doesn't have to be today. Please don't cry Kayleigh. If you want a different ring we can get a different one. You can move that one to your right and no one will know."

"Bradley Keith Marchand, you hush!" she ordered "I love the ring and I love you. I want to marry you. Not today mind you, and probably not tomorrow either. So, slow down. But, I think I've known this entire time." She kissed him sweetly "Did Hadlee and Caroline help? How did you know I loved pink diamonds?"

"None of the girls know." he replied "In fact I've had it for less than 4 hours. You know I can't wait to do anything. There was no team lunch the guys were all covering for me. I didn't know you liked pink diamonds. Hell, I didn't know there were pink diamonds. That is a pink sapphire. I can have it replaced with a pink diamond."

"You ,Mr. Marchand, are not messing with my engagement ring!" admonished Kayleigh "It's perfect the way it is." Brad smiled at her. Not his I'm up to something smile, not the lady killer smile, not the PR smile, but the one he had when they were alone. "OH! I need to call the girls!"

"Wait" he called. "Come here. Can we just let it be us until I leave for the Garden?" Kayleigh moved so she was in his lap. She nodded and kissed him. "It will be wild once everyone figures it out. People will have lots of opinions. I just want 1 hour of just us." Kayleigh burst into tears again. Brad again panicked. "No more crying. Call them. It's fine."

Kayleigh smacked at his shoulder "I'm crying because that was the perfect reason not to tell anyone. I love when it's just us. But, I know I get Bradley Keith and the Little Ball of Hate. I want both of them." She snuggled her face into his neck.

Brad heart was beating faster and harder than when they had won the Cup. This was better than the Cup. It was his and his alone. Kayleigh was going to marry him. "Want to know why I picked that one?" asked Brad holding her hand so he could see his marker on her hand. Kayleigh nodded.

"The guy brought probably 100 rings to the Garden." Kayleigh looked at him odd. "Yeah, when you're a pro athlete, have money, and a tight schedule they will come to you. " He explained. "So, he was busy telling us all about each ring. He was showing me diamond after diamond but nothing screamed Kayleigh. I told him they were boring. He then showed me a yellow diamond. It was okay, but not you. He opened another case to find a different ring. I saw this one. He told me it wasn't an engagement ring. I told him it was your engagement ring. He started telling me that it was a pink sapphire surround by diamonds. But the next thing he said sold it. The little diamonds all over the band are called sugar diamonds. He was telling me all the reasons it wasn't an engagement ring. But, I knew sugar diamonds are what you would need. I'm pretty sure ring guy thinks I am an idiot."

"Well ring guy doesn't know me or you." she said kissing him again. She sat in his lap kissing him until his alarm sounded "Get showered Marchand, I'm going to make my fiancé dinner." She jumped off his lap and headed for the kitchen. Brad watched her go. I have a fiancé he thought.

Kayleigh was in the kitchen throwing ingredients together for a quick pasta. She was chopping tomatoes when she stopped and stared at the ring. She was engaged to Brad Marchand. Engaged to a guy she had been with only 2 months. This was insanity. A calm washed over her, she had never been this sure of anything in her life. Once she got the dish put together she left it on low heat and went to Brad's closet. She pulled out a dark gray suit. She found his pink shirt and a tie that matched. She figured that way if anyone noticed the ring they would kind of match. She laid the entire outfit across the bed. Kayleigh retreated to the kitchen. She was grating cheese into the pasta when Brad came into the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around her. Of course he was still wet and hadn't bothered to get dressed.

"Kitchen, not a locker room" she said "Go sit I'll plate this up."

Brad followed instructions and sat down at the bar. He watched her work on the pasta. She put his plate in front of him, then sat beside him with her own. This could be everyday for the rest of his life. It was going to be everyday for the rest of his life.

"You don't have to wear my jersey tonight if you don't want"

"Why would I not?" she asked

"Not all the WAGs do" he replied.

"Well we promised the other girls full Boston regalia. So, the WAGs are gonna have to get over it. It's a Southern invasion" she sassed "Doesn't my engagement ring go well with black and gold?"

Brad leaned in and kissed her. He loved it when she was sassy. Gears had been amazed when she got an attitude with his doc, and Bart was kind of afraid of Kayleigh. Which made them all laugh. "Doll, you can wear anything or nothing with that ring. As long as it's on your hand, and you're mine."

"It's gonna be a media circus, Brad" she replied.

"You get used to it" he said shrugging his shoulders "At least this is for a good reason." He finished his plate and put it in the dishwasher. He did the same with Kayleigh's as she put away the leftovers. Her ring would periodically catch the light. The only jewelry she wore was the bracelet he bought her and the engagement ring. Both meant the world to him because he would love her for an infinite amount of time. Brad started laughing.

"Why are you laughing?" asked Kayleigh walking towards the bedroom with him.

"Kevan just made a shit load of money" answered Brad.

"I forgot all about that bet" she replied smiling at him "Are you going to tell the boys as soon as you get there or wait for me?"

"Up to you." He said starting to put on the suit Kayleigh laid out.

"Liar" said Kayleigh "Your head will explode if I make you wait until after the game, and I can't be the cause of you not playing your best." She crossed the bedroom as he was putting on his tie. Brad stopped fussing with the tie when she took the ends and tied it. Kayleigh smoothed it into place and straightened the knot. She looked him over and then pulled a pair of silver cuff links from his dresser. Brad stuck out his wrists. Kayleigh fixed his cuff links. She dug out a watch that complemented his suit. Brad smiled at her. She was used to his habits. Kayleigh stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him "Your hair is a mess." she teased. Brad gave her a smacking kiss on the cheek and headed to the bathroom to fix his hair.

Kayleigh followed him into the bathroom and turned on the tub. She needed to get ready if she was going to meet the girls at Kevan's. She might want to take a little time considering she had a sneaking suspicion that the eyes of the Bruins Nation would be upon her. Brad was trying to tame his hair into submission. He eyed the bathtub and groaned.

"How am I supposed to leave my fiancé in the bathtub and go to the Garden?" whined Brad wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her neck and Kayleigh shivered. "It's even worse knowing I will be herded on to a bus and have to sleep with Millsy tonight. Team building sucks."

"Team building doesn't suck" replied Kayleigh "It helps y'all work together." Brad hugged her tighter. Kayleigh turned in his arms to face him. "Remember if y'all have to stand on a single brick put your toes on it, hold hands, and then lean back. As long as you work together you can all hold each other up."

Brad laughed "I'll keep that in mind doll." Kayleigh held his suit coat for him. She smoothed it out after he had it on. She picked a piece of fuzz of his coat. "What do you think? Do I pass inspection?" He asked turning for her.

"Always" she answered giving him a kiss on the cheek "Now get out so I can get pretty for you."

"Too late" he said capturing her mouth. "I'll see you after the game. Love you." Kayleigh walked him to the living room door.

Kayleigh quickly took a bath. She curled her hair and fixed her makeup. Kayleigh dug through her clothes and his sisters clothes. She ended up in her skinny jeans with a sparkly black and gold tank. She pulled a cardigan over the tank and pushed her feet into her black booties. After adding some lip gloss and grabbing Brad's jersey she was ready. Kayleigh let out a deep breath then headed out the door. She couldn't remember ever being nervous to tell Hadlee or Caroline anything. But, then again none of them had ever been engaged before. Kayleigh had believed with her whole heart that Court was the one for her. She knew now how wrong she had been. She drove over to Kevan's and parked in the garage.

"Hey Greg" she called entering the lobby.

"Hello Miss Kayleigh" replied Greg "Most of the girls are upstairs. I will send the Mr. David's Desi up when she arrives. The car will be here at 6:15pm."

"You're too good to us Greg" she called as she walked to the elevator "I'm going to have to name a cupcake after you."

"Chocolate" he yelled as the doors closed. Kayleigh laughed. She would make Greg a chocolate cupcake this week.

Kayleigh didn't bothering knocking. She opened the door and let herself in "Honey, I'm home" she said into the apartment. Deke came running from the master bedroom. She picked him up. "Where is your momma?" she asked the pup. Deke promptly licked her nose. "Not much of a conversationalist, eh Deke?"

"Did you just eh my dog KK?" asked Hadlee coming out of the bedroom "Look at you hot stuff. Trying to make Bradley Keith regret abandoning you for team building?" Hadlee was dressed in black leggings and a soft slouchy black sweater. Her hair was falling in perfect curls.

"Something like that" replied Kayleigh "Are you wearing opened toed booties to a hockey game?"

"Damn straight" said Hadlee "Gotta keep Miller guessing. Plus, I'm gonna throw on his giant jersey he'll want to know what's under it?"

"You're a hot damn mess" said Kayleigh "God bless Miller's heart." Kayleigh handed Deke to Hadlee. Hadlee barely had a hold of Deke when she grabbed Kayleigh's hand and squealed.

"Holy Hell! Kayleigh Jo Daniels" yelled Hadlee "Is that what I think it is?" Hadlee sat Deke on the couch and took a closer look at the pink diamond encrusted ring. Hadlee starting jumping up and down. Kayleigh nodded. "KK, I am so happy for you" she said squealing again.

"What's with the squealing and yelling? And why is Hadlee jumping in 4 in heels?" asked Caroline. Kayleigh smiled Caroline had on black leather legging and a gold tank. Her auburn hair was half up and half down and teased with in a inch of it's life. Caroline's hair was barometer for her mood. She was putting on her armor. Her make up was flawless. She was ready for the WAGs.

Hadlee said nothing she simply held Kayleigh's hand out to Caroline. "Fucking hell the squirrel proposed." Caroline pulled her into a hug and pulled Hadlee in for good measure. They were all laughing and crying when Dani Grace walked in. She looked at them questioningly. Caroline thrust Kayleigh's hands towards Dani Grace.

"Oh, it's beautiful" cried Dani Grace.

"Say something" exclaimed Hadlee.

"I'm getting married"

The girls were all squealing and hugging when Desi, Jami, and Tegan walked in. "Pregame ritual?" quizzed Tegan.

"No worse" said Caroline wiping her eyes "Kayleigh Jo is going to marry Brad. I swear KK if you mess up my make up I will take you out."

Kayleigh laughed "You're perfect."

"Congratulations" said Desi hugging Kayleigh "You might want to tell Davey before he's blindsided. He still has a huge crush on you." Kayleigh nodded.

"Oh wow" bounced Jami "A Bruins wedding. God bless you and your future wild children."

"Are you knocked up?" asked Tegan. All the girls glared at her. "What? You were all thinking it? It will be speculated about everywhere tomorrow."

"No, we aren't pregnant. Crazy maybe, but not pregnant. I want to actually be engaged for a while. He of course will want to get married tomorrow. Bless his heart, he only had the ring for 4 hours before he gave it me."

"When?" asked Hadlee "Why didn't he ask for help?"

"Apparently, jewelers will come to the Garden, and he had lots of help there was no team lunch. The boys all knew he had the ring. But, I am assuming they thought he would wait more than 4hrs to propose." answered Kayleigh "But, he's been proposing since I fell in his lap. Today he was serious. I've never been so sure of anything."

"Aww" said Hadlee bursting into tears "I am happy for you and Bradley Keith. "

"Whoa waterworks" said Caroline as she sent Hadlee to the bathroom to fix her face "I expect this shit from Kayleigh but not from you."

"I know" cried Hadlee "I'm just happy for her and Brad."

"We are a hot damn southern mess" replied Caroline "and we have a wedding to plan. But first we have to brave the WAGs, win a hockey, send the boys away, meet the parents, and survive opening night."

"When you put it that way..." Kayleigh giggled. The girls all packed in the elevator. They were still between laughter and tears when they saw Greg.

"Everything okay?" asked Greg.

"Just fine" replied Kayleigh holding out her hand to Greg. Greg's eyes got big. "It's a secret."

"My silence can be bought with pastries." answered Greg giving Kayleigh a hug." Congratulations to you and Mr. Marchand."

"I'll bring you a payment next time I come over."

"See that you do." teased Greg "Miss Hadlee, I'll check on the pup."

"He's gonna be all alone" said Hadlee crying again.

"Jesus Had" said Caroline "Get in the damn car. I think you need to see Miller."

"I really am a hot damn mess" said Hadlee "Since the boys will be gone will you stay the night Caro."

"Of course you're my damn mess" replied Caroline shutting the car door "We have WAGs to slay. Tegan you're with me. Spoons is my pet gremlin and you are a bitch, and that makes you okay in my book."

"If we get beer I'm in" shrugged Tegan "When do I meet Spoons?"

"He and Davey will be waiting on us at will call?" said Kayleigh "And no one knows about this yet so no big announcements."

"As if Marchand hasn't put it on the jumbotron" laughed Caroline "I bet the boys had to sedate him."

Kayleigh smiled and looked at her ring. The minute she stepped out of this car at the Garden she was no longer just Kayleigh Daniels she was the future Mrs. Brad Marchand. Damned if she didn't want that and all the crazy it came with. "You girls promise you'll love me even if it's a full three ring circus."

"Forever and Always" replied Caroline and Hadlee in unison.

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