Ally's alarm bleated at 6:15 am. Not nearly enough sleep for the day she was facing. She quickly showered, dressed in black slacks and a hot pink sweater, fishtail braided her mop of hair, and slapped on some gloss and mascara. It would have to do for the matinee and show and work. She headed into the kitchen and poured Nat a bowl of cinnamon toast crunch and a glass of juice. She managed to start the coffee pot and toss two bagels in the toaster. Ashley was standing in the kitchen in a pair of boxers and pens shirts yawning. Ally shook her head and jogged up the stairs. Natalya was not a child to be hurried. She had some of the best parts of both of her and Evgeni's personalities. She was competitive and stubborn to a fault.

"Natalya" called Ally softly as she sat on the edge of the bed "Time to get up?" Nat cracked her eyes open and grabbed Tux. She promptly burrowed under the blankets and hid from her mother. "Do malen'koy zvezdy"

"No I sleep" replied the sleepy little girl.

"Up little star" repeated Ally in English "You have to get ready for the ballet. Then you will spend the day with Papaw. Then the ballet again tonight we have to get ready." Natalya threw her covers back and climbed down the steps of her princess bed. Another gift from Evgeni to spoil her. She grabbed Tux and flew down the steps to the kitchen. She and Ashley were play fighting as Ash was insisting the cereal was for her and the cream cheese slathered bagel for Nat. She clamored into her booster seat and started shoving cereal in her mouth.

"Slow down" instructed Ally " We have time to get you ready."

"We have to get really pretty tonight" said Natalya between bites of cereal.

"We do" asked Ashley.

"Yes ballerinas have fancy dresses with sparkles that they wear to shows. Ballerinas are very important." explained Natalya "You and Mommy have to dress pretty too. They will take pictures in the sleigh and with Santa."

"I have your dress picked out" said Ally "You are always beautiful zvezdy."

"You and Ash have to be pretty too" she insisted.

Ally looked at Ashley and shrugged. If get dressed up would make things easier they could at least give it go the first night. "Alright little star we will let you pick our dresses as soon as you let me do your hair and makeup."

"Yes I have to be the prettiest ballerina." she emphasized as milk dribbled down her chin. She smiled at her mommy. It was just as devastating as when her father smiled those nearly black eyes could pull you in and drown you. Everyone always asked about Nat's dad. It was obvious that she must favor him as Ally was fair of skin, possessed light blue eyes, and unruly light blonde hair. Ally was also tiny she barely topped out at 5'2. Those features coupled with the fact that her daughter was in the ninetieth percentile for height made people curious. That and the fact that she could speak fluent Russian. Ally's favorite rumor is that Natalya was the daughter of a Russian mob boss. Since Ally refused to talk about Evgeni and they always went to him to visit no one had laid eyes on her father there were lots of rumors.

"We've got it covered Boo" said Ash "I will see you at the office. I'll remind Kate about the Nutcracker get there when you can."

Ally replied to Ashley and turned back to see a huge smile on Nat's face. "Natalya Evgeniya Schafer what are you grinning like a monkey about?"

"Papa skazal, chto on podkhodit k moyey baleta" replied Natalya drinking the milk from the bowl. It amazed Ally that she did things that Evgeni does even though they don't spend a great deal of time together. Wait, did she just say her daddy was coming to watch her dance?

"What?" asked Ally looking at the little girl who gulping down her orange juice.

"I said my daddy is coming to watch me in the ballet." she finished her juice.

"Baby your daddy played in New York last night and he has more games this week. He can't drop everything and come to Kentucky to see you dance. I'm sure he told you he wanted to see you dance. I will record it for him."

"Nope, my daddy is coming plus my ded and babushka." she replied.

"I will call your daddy I think you got your Russian confused."

"I didn't" she yelled.

"Do not raise your voice to me" scolded Ally "Go up to your bathroom and brush your teeth." Ally tried not to laugh as her daughter gave her the same look her daddy gave the linesmen as he was being hauled to the penalty box. Lord help her when she was a teenager.

"What has Boo mean mugging on the stairs?" asked Ash as she slipped on her shoes.

"Did he mention coming in for the recital?"

"No" replied Ashley. Of course they had talked completely in Russian. Ash didn't have clue what they were saying. Her command of the Russian language involved the words yes, no, and Nichushkin.

"Alright I am gonna go brave the tiny bearcat. See you around 11"

"I'll save you a good referral" replied Ashley walking out the door.

Nat was standing on her step stool in her bathroom brushing her teeth counting alternating languages. "When you finish come to your room so I can get you dressed."

Ally pulled the little pink tights out of the drawer. She grabbed a pair of black dance shorts and a pink and purple button down short. She quickly dressed Natalya. She herded the little girl into master bathroom. Twenty minutes, fifteen bobby pins, lots of tears, a bun maker, and a gallon of hairspray later she was morning matinee ready. She would do her make up once they got to the Mountain Arts Center. "Get your iPad and your boots. We have to get going."

"Can I call Papa" inquired Natalya.

"You can give it a try in the car. He might be asleep still. Or who knows he may have morning skate." replied Ally.

They couldn't get a hold of her daddy. She sat through her make up like a seasoned runway model. Ally was not normally a sappy person but she almost cried the first time Nat came out from under Mother Ginger's skirt. Hopping and dancing it her tiny yellow tutu. Ally snapped a few pics. She sent them via text to Evgeni, her parents, and even Evgeni's parents in Russia. She tried to include them in everything. They may have treated her badly but she had been raised to do the right thing. Her phone chimed as she walked back to the dressing room. She didn't look at the text until Nat was back in her street clothes. Ally turned Nat over to Tiff, Nat's best friends mom, Addison and Nat were excited to be riding together. After insuring that Tiff knew where to drop off Nat Ally headed to work.

G: She beautiful. She grow too much.
Ally: Kids do that.
G: So much make up
Ally: For the stage. I don't like it either.
G: Thank you for sending to mama
Ally: No problem. Nat tried to call you this morning.
G: Sorry at Doc.
Ally: You okay
G: Do you care
Ally: Of course you are Nat's father
G: Knee being tricky no problem. I rest it until next game.
Ally: Be good and follow doctors orders
G: I am have plan to relax. Plane leave soon talk later.
Ally: Sure safe flight G
G: Boys say hi
Ally: Tell Sid, Kris, Flowers, and Pauly we will come up soon
G: Deal

Ally was amazed as she walked out the door of her office on time. This never happened. Ally's dad met her at the apartment complex with Nat. Ally was amazed that she still had her hair in the tight bun and her make up only need lipstick repair. Nat said good bye to her papaw extracting a promise he would watch her dance later in the week. Nat grabbed her by the hand and drug her towards the townhouse.

"Time to get pretty Mama" said Nat "I was good now you have time to get ready."

"You were good" corrected Ally "I guess so."

Ash was already dressed in a mint green shift that had a collar of rhinestones. Her red hair was twisted up and her makeup was flawless. "Will I do?" Ashley asked Nat. The little girls smiled and demanded that they fix mommy.

Ashley followed Nat's instructions and did Ally's make up and curled her blonde hair. Ashley pulled the top part of Ally's hair up. Ally pulled her the light blue dress that Nat insisted she wear and the silver shoes. Nat was bounding around the bedroom singing "let it go". She then told her mommy you look like Elsa. They got Nat into her silver Christmas dress and headed to the show. Ally and Ash were sitting in the dressing room repairing Natalya's make up. Ally put the finishing coats of mascara on Nat as she played Minecraft on her iPad.

Ally heard a commotion in the hall. She then heard several moms remark about a few really hot guys in the lobby. Some of them were even heading out to the lobby to see if they could get a glimpse of them. Ally rolled her eyes at Ashley. "Maybe we should go see the lobby hotties" teased Ash "You need a man."

Ally started to protest but someone answered for her "No she not." Ally was sitting in the floor on a monster high blanket surround by glitter, fluff, makeup, and little girls dressed as clowns. And she now knew Evgeni was standing behind her. Before she could ask a question. Natalya jumped from her seat and threw herself at Evgeni.

"Papa" cried Natalya "Momma didn't believe you were coming. I told her." Evgeni had caught Natalya with ease. She was now snuggled into her daddy's broad shoulders. Ally started to stand up. Evgeni extended one big hand and helped haul Ally to her feet.

"She is getting make up on your Armani" said Ally as she let go of his hand.

"I don't care. I hold Natashka." he replied inhaling the scent of his baby girl. Ally watched as he pressed kisses against her dark hair. "Who are you and what have you done with my Baby?" He asked teasing Nat.

"It's me" she said giggling "I just have lots of makeup cause I am a ballerina" Natalya had her arms around her daddy's neck. Ally noticed that most eyes in the room were on the 6'3 Russian.

"What are you doing here Evgeni?" inquired Ally. She looked around the room and noticed everyone still staring. "You can't be back here it's a guy free zone. Let's get you out of here. She can't come out in her costume. Leave her with Ash and we will try and get tickets for you."

Evgeni kissed his daughter and sat her on the blanket next to her friends. He then pulled himself upright to his full height. He was dressed in dark gray suit with a black shirt. He ditched the tie. He then grabbed Ally by the hand and started stepping over the blankets and around the children in the floor on the way to the door.

" My Natashka dance first ballet of course I come. I fly from other side of world for Natashka and you. Come moye solntse." said Evgeni smiling at her "You show me my seats. We order on the plane." She was being pulled along by Evgeni with every bitchy dance mom in the room salivating at the thought of drama. They were in the lobby before she registered he said we.

"Evgeni" she asked "Who is with you?"

"Mama and Papa" he replied as if it weren't crazy his parents were here from Russia. She hadn't faced his parents in the same room since the Pens won the cup. She started fidgeting and smoothing her dress and hair. He noticed she was nearly panicking. "You beautiful. You give them Natalya. They will love you like they love me. Mama still cries over you name Natalya after her when she so bad to you. Give chance okay?"

Ally took a fortifying breath. Evgeni laced his fingers with hers and tucked her into his side. He maneuvered through the crowd as easily as he skated. They came to stop in front of Natalia and Vlad Malkin. She looked to the left and realized what had the women in a tizzy. She let go of
Evgeni and hugged both Sidney and Kris. "Way to be low profile Geno" laughed Ally "You bring the face of the NHL and the face that stops women dead in their heels."

"I can't 'elp it" said Kris kissing her cheek "They love me" he smirked at Ally. This was a repeat of the first conversation she and Kris ever had.

"It's not a hockey state" said Sid "Besides how many first ballets does my goddaughter have?"

Ally turned and said hello to Evgeni's parents. His mother was glancing behind Ally. They both said hello. Natalia looked near tears.

"She is in the dressing room. They aren't allowed in the lobby in costume. If you want to see her I can take you back." offered Ally.

"Zhenya wasn't sure you let us see her" replied Natalia.

"You see her on the computer all the time. She will be excited but if you want to see her before the show we need to head to the room."

They all ventured out to the hallway next to the dressing room. Ally explained the guys weren't allowed in the room. She offered to bring Nat to the hallway. It would cut down on some prying eyes. Ashley and Natalya followed Ally to the hall. She squealed and ran straight to Sidney.

"Uncle Sid" she gasped "You were in the box last night. A lot." Sidney just smiled and hugged the little girl to his chest.

"Mess her hair up and die Crosby" said Ally. Natalya then turned and looked at Kris.

"You cut your pretty hair" she cried looking at Kris shorn locks.

"It will grow Princess" he replied hugging her. He showed her the new pictures of his son. "You will be fast friends, no?"

She nodded at Kris and then turned and held her arms up to Evgeni. He picked her up and settled against his chest. "Papa is that my ded and babushka."

"Da" responded Evgeni "Can you say hello to them?"

"Privet babushka i dedushka" replied Natalya "Papa and I have practiced. It was right?"

'It was perfect Natashka." said Evgeni. He handed Nat to his father and Natalya hugged him and kissed his face. She then kissed her grandmother. Natalia was starting to cry. Kris pulled the pocket square from his suit and handed it to her.

Ally saw the lights flash. Nat announced "Go to your seats Papa. It's time to dance."

"Ash will you take her in. I will get them seated and be back."

Ally walked them all to the door of the theatre and found their seats. Ally explained that Nat was in the next to last dance in the second act.

"Two after Russian dancers" replied Evgeni.

"Of course she told you that" smiled Ally

"We all go to dinner after" asked Evgeni

"Yes, just wait in the lobby." said Ally as the lights went out. "Y'all enjoy the show. Oh I will go grab the nutcracker I got her and you can give it to her."

"No need" replied Evgeni "I have doll of Clara, Mama bring her nesting dolls of nutcracker dancers, Sidney brought a Pens one, and Kris has flowers. I am ready. I walk you back."

"No stay" said Ally "I will see you after."

Ally made her way back into the dressing room. When she walked in you could have heard a pin drop. She ignored them and headed over to Natalya. Ally touched up Nat's make up and ignored the gossiping mom.

"You alright?" asked Ashley

"I will be" said Ally.

"Dear lord those boys are pretty" replied Ashley "Kris Letang might be able to stop traffic."

"Silly Ash, he stops pucks not trucks." said Nat laughing at her rhyme.

They both laughed at the little girl. Amy, one of the dance moms, ventured over and sat down next to Ash. "So" she began "that is Natalie's dad." She couldn't even bother to learn Ally's child's name but she wanted dirt.

"Yes he is Natalya's father." replied Ally

"My husband texted and said that he is pro athlete. "

"Yes he plays hockey for the Pens and Team Russia." responded Ally

"Those kinds of guys are usually love 'em and leave 'em" stated Amie distastefully.

"He proposes to her about three times a year Amy. She is playing hard to get." snarked Ashley

"Oh" she replied "I guess I will go get Kami ready."

"And so it begins. He gets the Cup and a ring. I get a baby and judgment" said Ally "This why we go to him."

"Do me one favor at least listen to Geno before shoving him out the door. Please it's what I want for Christmas."

"I want Papa to live with us for Christmas. I asked Santa" said Nat

Ally just put her head down. I am so screwed she thought. Now what was she supposed to do with Evgeni and his family. It wasn't like there were a lot of quality hotels in the tri-county area. Plus she knew Nat would insist on Evgeni coming home with them. Between Ash match making and seeing Evgeni with Nat it was going to be a long night. Why the hell did he have to look so perfect? Her mind went back to the day she met Evgeni.

Notes