It felt like it had taken forever to get to the Newark Liberty International Airport. The plane ride had been cramped and hot. There were several crying babies on board the flight. But everyone seemed to keep looking at Avalon like it was her doing. The man sitting in the same row as us, next to the window. Was nothing more than a rude stuffed suit. To top it off there had been some kind of miscommunication about the seats. At first they had expected for Avalon to be in a completely different row than me. I wasn't having that, so after me bitching to enough people they finally got me in a row Ava and the stuffed suit.

After the plan had landed and taxied and fifteen long minutes later. They finally let us all disembark from the cramped confines of the plane. I gathered Avalon up in my arms since she was half asleep and also so she didn't get trampled. The stuffed suit and several other rude people pushed by me in the small rows.

"Excuse you," I muttered quietly

Several of the people who had pushed past us shot ugly looks over their shoulders obviously hearing my comment. The last person who had pushed past us in particular was a woman who had red hair just past her shoulders. The woman turned and gave me a disgusted look.

"What was that," the woman snapped.

"What?" I asked, clearly confused.

"What did you just mutter? That obviously you didn't want anyone to hear. But obviously I did," she said snotty, with her hands on her hips.

The woman's attitude was shocking to me. I mean I had ran into plenty of rude people in my life. But this woman topped the cake, I mean she confronting me in a cramped plane in the aisle with people behind me. Also with no concern of my daughter in my arms, who was getting heavier by the second. I looked the woman over and honestly she was cute, even pretty if you looked over the caked on make-up and designer clothing. I could see a splattering of freckles across her nose and cheekbones beneath all the make-up. But her attitude made her ugly.

"Well obviously you didn't if you have to ask," I replied, rolling my eyes and hiking Ava up.

"Whatever. Just stay out of my way," the woman snapped, than turned on her heel and stormed away.

Someone cleared their throat from behind me. I took a deep breath and shook my head

"Sorry," I muttered, looking over my shoulder.

Exiting he plane and walking through the tunnel to get into the airport I took another deep breath and plastered on a fake smile. I wasn't sure who was meeting us, but I knew someone was meeting us. With all the talks with Lou Amerillo that I had, had he reassured me that someone would meet Ava and I when we got off the plane. I think I had talked more to Lou, than Ryan had in the past two weeks.

All I knew was Lou told me he was sending someone who was familiar with the area and could show me around. Also show me where everything was that I would need to know where it was, or answer any questions I had. I just hoped whoever he sent was a lot nicer then these people on the flight.

Walking out into the terminal I looked around all of the people standing around. There were a lot of people standing around and greeting people from the flight I was just on. I could tell people were looking for friends and family or loved ones behind me. But no one seemed to be waiting for me and Avalon, there was no signs or anyone who seemed to be looking for. I shifted Avalon to my other hip and noticed a figure standing to my left side by a pillar.

I couldn't see the persons face because they had their head down looking at a cell phone and a baseball cap on. But obviously they were a female from the size of their body, but there was something familiar about the way they were standing. The person obviously could feel me staring at them because just than they looked up. I still couldn't really see them with the sunglasses they had on, but they had a huge smile on their face.

"OH MY GOD IS THAT REALLY YOU MADDISON JAMES?" the person squealed loudly, and started moving towards me.

I narrowed my eyes at the person rushing towards me and they widen slightly when I realized who was rushing at Avalon and I.

"Is that Ally-Cat Zajack?" I asked laughing, with a huge smile on my face.

"I have a bone to pick with you Madi," Ally said as she reached us, lowering her sunglasses and looking at me.

"I'm sure you do," I smirked.

"Oh come here I've missed you," she laughed, giving me an awekward hug with Avalon.

"I've missed you to," I replied, giving her a one armed hug.

"Oh my goodness, this wouldn't be my god daughter Avalon would it? God Maddi she's gotten so big," Ally said in awe.

"Yup this is Ava," I replied, shifting her again.

I almost laughed at the look on my best friends face. But honestly the truth is Alison and I hadn't seen each other in years. The last time she had seen Avalon, she had been almost two years old. The fact was after my accident was I barely saw Alison. I had left for college and Ally was busy with Travis. Luckily for Ally and Travis, I could remember our friendship. Even though I hadn't seen either of them recently, I had asked them both to be godparents to Avalon. They both had asked me several times who her father was of course I hadn't been able to give them an answer. Travis had asked pointedly if she was his best friend Zach's kid. I of course told him there was no way that she was Zach's, considering Zach and I hadn't dated for eight years. I sometimes thought they had their doubts and didn't believe me, but they dropped the subject.

Since Ryan was always getting traded around I hardly got to see Ally. She was always to busy to travel with Travis, when the Devils visited the team Ryan was on. Traveling with Avalon wasn't really ideal, so I didn't get to come to New Jersey much. The last time I had seen Ally had been in New York a few years before. Looking my best friend over now she looked good, she seemed to finally have her body back down to the size it was before she and Travis had there son. Her hair was a little darker and longer.

"So speaking of god children, where is my god son?" I asked.

"He is with his daddy. Their waiting at baggage claim. We didn't want to fight through this mess with him," she laughed, waving a hand at all the people.

"Afraid he'd get lost?" I asked.

"Oh god no. He's just kinda cranky these days," she sighed.

"Oh your at that stage?" I laughed.

"Oh shut your pie hole. It's not funny," she said laughing, and pushing me lightly.

"Mommy," Ava grumbled sleepily, wiping at her eyes.

"Sorry sweetheart, mommy and her friend are just playing. You remember your mommy's friend Ally, don't you?" I asked Ava quietly.

Ava nodded her head yes

"Can you say hi?" I asked.

"Hi," Ava whispered.

"Hi Avalon," Ally replied, smiling.

"So shall we go get mine and Avalon's stuff and find your husband? Or are we just going to stand here all day?" I asked sarcastically.

"Yeah yeah I guess we can go find him. Let's get outta here," Ally said playfully, hip checking me as she walked off.

I couldn't help laughing to myself at Ally's antics. It came as a relief to me that Ally felt comfortable enough to act like herself around me. Like nothing had changed, that this was an everyday occurrence. Sometimes I felt uncomfortable around people, because they didn't know how to act around me since the accident. Even though there were parts of my life I couldn't remember, I hadn't forgotten people.

Walking through the airport with Ally towards baggage claim I felt her glancing at me severals times. I could tell she wanted to ask me something but refraind from doing so. We finally made it to baggage claim and I immidately spotted Travis, who had a little boy climbing all over his head since he was sitting on his fathers shoulders. Ally walked up to the two and the little boy got excited as he saw his mother. Ally pointed towards me and Travis handed their son and he rushed towards me, with a huge smile.

"Maddi and Avalon how are my two favorite girls?" Travis asked with a smile, walking up to us and giving us a huge hug.

"Hi Trav and you better not let Ally hear you say that," I replied, with my own smile.

Ava only giggled in response

"So let's get your stuff and get out of here. How about that?" he asked.

Twenty minutes later Travis had grabbed all our bags and Avalon's car seat. We were all sitting comfortably in Travis's truck as he drove along the roads, as I looked out the window from my seat in the back.

"So Maddi, did Ally tell you all that she does?" Travis asked, looking in the rear view mirror.

"Uh no not really. We haven't really talked about that," I replied, shaking my head.

"Thanks honey for putting me on the spot," Ally ribbed Travis, who just shrugged his shoulders in response.

"So basically, I guess you could say I'm in charge of making sure all the new players and their families get settled in here. That they find a place of their own or help them find an apartment where usually the single players settle. I guess with being one of the families that has been here the longest they feel comfortable with me helping people and showing them around," Ally replied, looking back at me.

"Thats great Ally," I said.

"I guess. Sometimes I run into WAGS who, shall we say are not so appreciative," she responded, scrunching her nose.

"I can imagine," I laughed.

It went silent for a few minutes except for the sound of the music lightly coming through the speakers.

"So uh Maddi, did Ryan get to speak to you yet?" Travis asked clearing his throat, and breaking the silence.

"Not really why?" I asked.

I noticed Ally give Travis a look and wondered what that was all about.

"Nothing," Travis mumbled quietly, but I could still hear.