Evgeni had spoken with Coach, Sid, and Jen all of which were more than happy to arrange for Ally and Nat to come on the trip and to the games. He explained everything including the engagement. He told them he didn't want any press done about the engagement until Ally gave the okay. Evgeni laughed when Sid told him about damn time. Sid volunteered to hang out with Nat after the game so that Ally and Evgeni could go on an actual date. He couldn't wait for the entire world to see Natashka.

Evgeni turned around and caught a small sparkly bullet. He picked Nat up and sat her on the back of the couch "why run?" he asked.

"Mama says if I am late she won't let me stay up and play with Uncle Jay." she replied looking stressed "I need my shoes and coat."

" Natalya Evgeniya Shafer-Malkin child I am going to take you out. Where are you?" called Allison "You can't go to the recital dressed that way."

"She with me" yelled Evgeni "We do boots and jacket. We wait on you." Natashka smiled at her daddy. He helped her slide on her gold sparkly boots. He laughed at her choice of clothes for the day. She was wearing pink tights, a tiny Lazy Pens jersey, and he thought she might be wearing her little dance shorts but he wasn't sure. "She look fine" he called up the stairs. He checked to make sure she had shorts on. "Is last day. She dress up tonight. For Lazy." Allison came down the stairs and Nat wrapped her arms around her daddy's neck and held on for dear life.

"So is this how it's going to be" laughed Ally "I tell her no and she runs to you."

"Is baby" he replied "It no so bad her wear the jersey."

"Uncle Jay would be sad if I don't wear his jersey" said Nat.

"Jay would never know" laughed Ally "No arguments tonight when I get you dressed."

"Da" they both replied.

"Natashka you listen to mama" said Evgeni looking at his mini me "No give sad eyes and papa let do what want. If mama say no then papa say no."

"Da" said Nat as he buckled her into her booster seat. She gave him a fierce look.

"Nyet Natashka" he replied "Mama and I gonna be team. No mad faces."

Allyson was glancing over at Evgeni as he climbed in the car. She was trying not to laugh because Nat had never really had Evgeni discipline her in any way. It was all fun with daddy. This would be a learning curve for both of them. She smiled at him as he buckled in. He frowned at Ally.

"See I can be bad guy" said Evgeni "But not like it."

Ally burst out laughing. "I guess I will have to be the bad guy." she answered "But that really wasn't being the bad guy Evgeni. It's gonna be more parenting and less daddy hangs the moon with his hockey stick."

"I still no like it. I love you. Love Nataska. No like telling her no." he pouted. Ally started laughing harder. Nat and Evgeni were making matching pouting faces. "why laugh?"

"Look at your daughter you have matching scowls."

"See she no like either when I mean."

"Oh Ev, you are so screwed when she is a teenager."

"Buy tower like our Tangled movie" he said looking at Nat who was now happily poking on her iPad.

"It's okay. I'm pretty good at keeping everything balanced. " replied Ally "You can still be her favorite."

"Da" he said looking very serious. Ally started laughing again. Evgeni finally broke out into a smile. "Natashka say she need new dress for Uncle Jay. So go to where Natashka?"

"Lads and Lasses" chirped Natashka from her booster.

"So after dance we go to buy dress" asked Evgeni.

"Are you asking me or telling me?" she quizzed.

"Asking" he replied "She say her pretty dresses all from there."

"I do buy a lot of her frilly stuff there." said Ally "It's beautiful clothes but ridiculous prices. But since you have always been generous with her I usually let her pick whatever she likes."

"You give her everything I send" he replied "I see it all in house. Even things Mama send from Russia."

"Y'all spoil her. I never spend the amount your attorney sends for her monthly child support. She has a savings account that I put the excess in. I figure when she graduates from college she will have more than enough to buy a house."

"Why you no use it?" asked Evgeni.

"I want her to be as normal as possible and not think everything in life will be handed to her."

Evgeni nodded. His Ally was an amazing mother. Natashka was well behaved and polite. His Natashka was also very smart. He had no doubt she was paying attention to her iPad and their conversation. "I want her to have good life. But I no want her like Kardashian kid."

"Um no worries" said Ally laughing.

Ally wheeled into the parking lot of the MAC and noticed the number of buses in the parking lot was triple since it was the final day. "You might want to lay low. Lots of school kids."

"Maybe they not notice." he replied helping Natashka out "I come hide with you." Ally nodded maybe the dance moms would notice Evgeni and not the ring. Evgeni was striding across the parking lot carrying Nat as if she weighed no more than a feather. She was so big now that Ally had trouble carrying her. Ally dreaded the fit that would come as Evgeni left. They had so much to figure out. Ally knew that all roads were leading to Pittsburgh. He carried the pink sequin chevron dance bag with the same confidence that he carried his gear bag. Nothing seemed to bother him except telling her no. Ally knew that would get easier when they were together most days. She knew from experience that he had a demanding schedule. She wasn't sure how Nat would take her daddy being on the road when they were all in one house. But knowing Nat it won't even phase her.

They made their way into the dressing room. Ally sent Nat to fetch her costume. Ally led Evgeni to the area Tiffany had been saving for the girls. Tiffany called out her greeting. Ally settled Evgeni in the floor with his back against the wall out of the way of all the little girls. Nat brought all her friends over to surround Evgeni. Ally though this must look like a scene out of Gulliver's Travels. Nat was explaining to Addison, Jayleigh, Olivia, and Harlee that Evgeni was her daddy. They were all staring at him.

"If he is your daddy where has he been?" asked Jayleigh

"He has to go play hockey all over the world" she explained "Papa, this is Addison, Jayleigh, Olivia, and Harlee. They are my bestest friends." Ally laughed as Nat pointed out each of the little girls to Ev. He was smiling at them.

"What's hockey" asked Olivia. Evgeni looked so confused she laughed out loud.

"You gonna save him?" asked Tiffany.

"Not a chance" said Ally "Evgeni I'm going to go grab a coffee. Do you want anything? She can stay in her clothes until intermission."

"Just a water" he said reaching for his pocket.

"If you pull out that wallet Malkin over a bottle of water I will take you out." said Ally

He held up both hands. "I watch girls. It habit. You know."

"I know. Occasionally you should give in. I figure the water is the limit, right?"

"Da." he replied as she and Tiffany left the room.

"So you baptizing him by fire. Leaving him with the girls." asked Tiffany.

"No. He is really good with Nat. He is really good with kids. It's one of the things that made me like him so much." replied Ally

"Tall, Dark, Hot, and Russian had nothing to do with right." laughed Tiffany

"The first day I met him he was with Sid, Kris, and Pauly. I was lost running late and Kris rescued me. It wasn't Kris or Sid that caught my attention it was Evgeni. I had no clue who they were. It was ridiculous him leading me around and me having no idea they were famous. When we got to my office Max was there. Evgeni took time to visit with him, gave him a jersey, and made sure he got to skate and play hockey. Max is on a traveling all star team there in Pittsburgh Ev, Sid, and the boys still go to games from time to time. " replied Ally "I think I knew from the time he gave Max his jersey that he was something special."

"So you going to tell me about that ring?" asked Tiffany.

"Nope" said Ally stepping up to the counter to order her coffee and his water.

"Damn it Ally. I at least waited until I was out here instead of squealing like a five year old in the dressing room" whined Tiff.

"I promise when we get it all sorted you will be one of the first to know." she answered "We want to do this right."

"Addison will miss Nat."

"I'm not running away. We will be down for holidays and some during the summer depending on what job I find. Plus you will come visit right?"

"Of course" said Tiffany "It's just sudden."

"To you" she answered "To me is been 5 years coming. And it still scares me to death." Tiffany squeezed her arm.

"No worries. He loves you. Everyone can see it. It's driving the dance moms crazy that he won't even acknowledge them. So Ash showed me the hot boys the least you can do is let me walk with the pretty one in the wedding."

"Deal" laughed Ally "Wait until Jay gets here tonight I am sure all hell with break loose. But then again he is bringing the new girlfriend so I'm sure he will be on best behavior. "

"Is he the pretty one?" asked Tiffany.

"They are all kind of pretty" said Ally holding out her phone showing Tiffany a picture of Jay with Nat.

"Yep" said Tiffany "That's a lot of exposed skin and ink."

"That's after I made him get dressed. They have no concept of modesty. Him or Kris?" asked Ally holding out a pic of LeTang.

"Oh that one" sighed Tiffany "I can't believe you lived with him."

"Kris is like a brother to me." answered Ally "It would be totally weird.

Tiffany looked at her skeptically. Ally just shook her head. They ventured back into the dressing room towards Evgeni. "You never even thought about it?" asked Tiffany.
"Nope. Never." replied Ally "It would have been easier if I could have loved one of the others."

"Nope, Never, what?" asked Evgeni from his position stretched out on the tiny blanket. He had flopped down on his stomach and was watching Nat's iPad with the girls. He was surrounded by 5 tiny girls. All propped up beside him watching the movie. Ally pulled out her phone and snapped a few pics.


"She was just telling me that she never even considered dating any of the other Pens." said Tiffany "Apparently she has known for 5 years you were it."

"I be tell her that" he said smiling up at them. Ally handed him the bottle of water. He accepted it careful not to disturb and of the tiny girls laying beside him. "See I watch girls. No problem."

"He didn't have to tell them no" said Ally smiling at Tiffany "He's fine as long as he is the good guy."

"They angels" he said.

"He obviously hasn't spent much time with them" deadpanned Tiff.

"We will let him supervise a play date for all them during offseason." teased Ally

"I do it for babies. We be fine." said Evgeni. Ally laughed and ran a hand through his mop of dark hair. "Can't be worse than Lazy, Bortz, and Sunshine."

"True" laughed Ally "Alright girls we need to get dressed and touch up make up. You all can wallow on Ev later."

Evgeni turned off the iPad and sat up. The girls scattered around to their respective adults. Ally sat down next to Ev and Nat. Nat thrust her little booted foot at her daddy. She watched Ev calmly take of her shoes. Ally was about to step in when she heard Ev tell Nat to sit down so he could get her jersey off without messing up her hair. He was telling her that normally messing up hair with jersey wasn't an issue but today they best be careful. Ev instructed her to pull off her shorts while he got her tutu. After a small struggle he managed to wrestle her into the tiny yellow tutu. Nat sat on her daddy's leg and smiled up at Ally.

"See we manage fine" said Evgeni.

"Now for her make up" replied Ally. Nat and Ev both looked at each other. She laughed at their expressions "Maybe I should help daddy with that. He can get your ballet shoes for you." Nat nodded. She however didn't move out of her daddy's lap. It finally became obvious that she wasn't going to move so Ally scooted closer to them. Nat leaned back against Evgeni while Ally pulled out the contents of her make up bag. Ally had put the foundation and powder on before leaving the house. Ally did her blush. Nat whined when Ally told her it was time for eye shadow.

"No mascara" said Nat wiggling against Evgeni.

"We've been over this we have to do mascara?" replied Ally "Plus Uncle Jay is coming. He won't be able to see your eyes."

"Fine" said Nat shooting daggers at her mom "but no more."

"Not until recital time in June."

"She dance here again in June" asked Evgeni quietly.

"That's what is on the schedule so far." said Ally as she brushed silver glittery eye shadow across Nat's eyes.

"Ah" said Evgeni looking down at the Nat in his lap "We have to think." He was looking at Nat as if any moment she would disappear. Ally continued her eye make-up.

"Yes we have to think but it doesn't mean we won't see you while we figure everything out." said Ally "I figure nothing short of a run for the Cup will keep you away from her recital in June. Let's not worry now, deal Ev."

"Da" he replied with a smile. The smile however did not reach his eyes. Ally was coaching Nat through her mascara application. It would be easier to herd cats with a hockey stick than put mascara on a 4 year old.

"Now we just need lips" said Ally to Nat.

"I have lips" laughed Nat.

"Yes but I need to paint them red so we can see them from the stage." replied Ally "You need to look like a little clown."

Ally pulled out the bright red lipstick and a brush. Evgeni watched her work the lipstick and brush and slick the color over Nat's lips. Evgeni was frowning as he watched.

"It's just for the shows" said Ally "She normally won't even wear chapstick."

"Her baby. But not baby anymore." he replied morosely.

"They grow up Ev" said Ally as she watched him put her ballet shoes on her feet.

"I no miss anything else" he replied seriously as Nat stood up.

"Papa fluff my butt" instructed Nat. The look on Evgeni's face was priceless. He had no clue what to do.

Ally and Tiffany both burst out laughing along with several other moms. Evgeni frowned. "See I miss too much. "

"She wants you fluff out her tutu" said Ally "Come here Nat. I'll show your daddy." Evgeni watched as Ally pulled and straightened each of the layers of the little yellow tutu. She kept fussing with it until it stood out perfect in all directions. She smacked Nat's booty and pronounced her fluffed. She promptly flopped back into Evgeni's lap.

"See I miss everything" he said "Natashka no tell boys to fluff your butt."

"You are not a boy" she replied "You're my daddy." This caused another round of laughter.

"I think we send her to boarding school" he said "All girls in Sweden or Switzerland."

"As much as she like the Swedish Mafia in Nashville I think that would be a bad idea." teased Ally

"Natashka too little like Mafia. Should have killed Jarnkrok when had chance" he growled "First Tori Lynn now my baby. No more Mafia."

The lights flashed signaling for the little clowns to head to the stage. Nat bounded over to her teacher bouncing up and down with excitement. She was telling Miss Lauren that her uncle Jay was coming. Miss Lauren nodded and herded them into line. Ally held and hand out to Evgeni and he rolled up on to his feet. Ally couldn't help but laugh at his expression.

"No laugh. No Mafia. No for you, no for Tori Lynn, and definitely no for my baby." he groused. Ally just nodded her head. "No laugh. My baby too little like NHL boy. Even little Swedish babies."

"Ev, Calle isn't that much younger than me." she reminded

"You no like him either." he said as they found their seats "Just wait til Lazy find out everyone think teen wolf pretty."

"Teen wolf?" asked Ally

"Lazy call him that" explained Evgeni "Tori Lynn maybe like him little but like Lazy better. Now Lazy stuck with little Swedes because they Tori Lynn friends. Oh and all country boys. Poor Lazy he surrounded. Better be best for her or someone steal her away. Pauly might even get in the fray."

"I can't wait to meet her." said Ally.

"You two no gang up on us" said Ev. He grabbed her hand and settled into his seat. Ally noticed him running his fingers over her engagement ring. He brought her hand up and kissed it. She smiled at him as Mother Ginger rolled onto the stage. Within a few minutes the clowns erupted. Ally laughed every time she watched them. She loved seeing her on stage. Tonight might be the last time she ever watched Nat on this stage. She was amazed that this didn't bother her more.

"Let's get baby" he said pulling her through the crowd.

"She isn't a baby" reminded Ally

"Her my baby. " he said "I plan kill first boy look at her. The rest hear story. Boom her stay with papa forever."

"Are you sure you aren't mafia" asked Tiffany.

"Da" he answered "I do for Addison too."

"Dear Lord" laughed Tiffany "He is going to be a mess as she gets older." Ally nodded.

Fifteen minutes later they were dressed and in the car. Nat decided she wanted chicken noodle stars for lunch at home. She then told Ally she was going straight to bed so Uncle Jay would get there. Ally explained that Jay wouldn't be there until 4.

"How many Spongebob's is that?" Nat inquired.

"8 entire shows" said Ally

"Oh!" whined Nat "That is forever"

"He will be here before you know it. He is bring Tori Lynn with him. He might be a little busier than usual." said Ally

"Nope she told me that she talk to daddy while I visit with Jay. Plus she will sing Frozen songs." replied Nat

"How long were you on FaceTime?" asked Ally

"Not long. But Tori Lynn likes me already" said Nat

"Oh really" asked her mom

"Yes she put furniture in Jay's guest room, and a picture of me and Uncle Jay, and a dollhouse." exclaimed Nat

Ally just looked at Evgeni. He smiled and nodded "She redo all Lazy's apartment. It no look like bachelor pad. It have stuff and colors." Ally laughed remembering Jay's beige house in Pitt. "She best thing happen to Lazy. He mess up though a lot."

"I am sensing a pattern." teased Ally

"Da we good at that" he smiled "love you."

"Love you too" she replied.

"I love you both" chirped Nat from the back seat. Evgeni's entire world was in that car. He couldn't have been happier. They stopped at the children's store and bought a ridiculously fluffy dress. Ally pointed out that it was too much for Jay visiting. Evgeni reminded her that Jay was taking them to see the ice at OpryLand and the Nutcracker in Nashville. So she could wear it again. Plus she could wear it to the Pen's Christmas Party. Ally just shook her head as he let Nat pile bows, shoes, and other clothes on the counter.

Evgeni was sitting at the table with his tablet looking at email and details about their trip to Florida. Also reading on the hockey blogs why he was missing from the plane. Lots of speculation nothing close to the truth. Ally sat a plate and soup in front of him and Nat. During lunch Nat rambled about her upcoming trip to Nashville and Uncle Jay. Nat finished lunch and said she was ready to nap. It was only 1:30pm. Ally hoped she would actually sleep some. Nat kissed her daddy. Then kissed her momma. She was head out the kitchen door when she turned.

"Momma can we go see Calle, Filip, Matti, and Josi?" asked Nat.

"We'll will go see them the next time daddy plays Nashville" she supplied.

"Can we see them when I see the Grinch?" she asked.

"Da" said Evgeni "But no kissing on the Swedes." Ally laughed. Nat made an ick face and ran up the stairs. "You laugh I have to tell girls that a lot." Ally sat down in his lap. She smiled at him then kissed his mouth. "That go for you too." he reminded.

"Me" she said "No worries I have a thing for Russians."

"Nyet" he replied "No other Russians."

"Da" she answered as she kissed him again.

"You come to the Burg soon?" he asked.

"Not until we are married" she answered.

"Then we get married today" he said smiling at her.

"Oh no you don't Evgeni Malkin" said Ally "I'm getting married here in Kentucky with my family and everyone watching."

"Okay you plan fast" he said.

"Why fast?" she asked

"Because Nat want little brother and you want big wedding." he supplied as he picked her up. He started up the stairs 2 at a time. "I do best to keep both promises."

"Evgeni Malkin" she said smacking his shoulder "put me down."

"Nope. We nap before Lazy get here." he said walking in to her room "I go check on Natashka."

Ally changed clothes while she waited on Evgeni. She heard him and Nat talking in Russian. She loved to see him with her. She dreaded him leaving. But she had to sort everything out.

"Nat watching movie until sleep" he responded as he pulled his shirt off. He moved through the room leaving clothes in his wake. "I know pants Evgeni we have baby." he replied pulling on a pair Pens ball shorts. Ally just smiled at him. "Now we snuggle." Ally didn't argue. She simply snuggled into his side. She was warm, comfortable, and exactly where she needed to be. Evgeni looked down to speak with her and realized she was asleep. Evgeni smiled down at her. Two days ago she wouldn't let him touch her. Now she was asleep beside him. Asleep beside him wearing his ring. Maybe Jen could plan wedding? He needed to ask. Or maybe he let her tell him what she wanted. He slipped out of the bed and checked on Natashka. Now both his girls asleep. He sent Lazy a text and then stretched out beside Ally. He laughed when he got a text back from Tori Lynn she told him they have gummi bears, ski, and lots of music. Be there at 3:30 or 4pm. He told them to be careful. He texted Sid, Tanger, and Flowers. He then fell asleep beside Allyson dreaming of both of his girls in white dresses.

Notes