Quietly

****************************************************************************** Ally finished tossing the dishes in the dishwasher. She should be bathing her daughter but instead was letting Evgeni handled it. Ally wiped down the counters. She had 5 days off work. She couldn't remember the last time she had taken that many days off. It was probably for a visit to Evgeni's home in Pittsburgh. She and Nat had their own 2 room suite at his house. Nat loved to visit her daddy and run amok in the house. She also liked to venture out into the neighborhood with Evgeni's dog and visit his teammates. Uncle Jay was one of her favorites because he was a big kid himself. Ally usually found her, Evgeni, and Jay sitting in Pauly's kitchen. Ally still blamed Pauly for the fact that Nat would no longer eat toaster waffles. Ally could still she her around age 3 with her face stuffed like a chipmunk with waffles, chocolate syrup, and cherries. The boys all looked apologetic except Jay who was eating the same thing as Nat. She had so many memories in Pittsburgh both happy and miserable. Ally threw the sponge in the sink. She had made her mind up that she was going to hear Evgeni out. Listening didn't mean she was giving in. Ally climbed the stairs and heard Nat and Evgeni talking. He apparently hadn't made it into the shower yet. She heard him talking to her in Russian and English. It had improved a lot over the years but it was still broken. He would revert to Russian if he was nervous or unsure in a situation. He wanted Natalya to be completely fluent in both languages. Plus Kris had been teaching her French. She could also curse like a sailor thanks to Uncle Jay and had picked up a little Swedish from the adorable little guys that played with Jay. Jay had to send her a Jarnkrok jersey after she had met the handsome Swede. Then again Jay did whatever Nat said he was as bad as her daddy. Jay however wasn't loving the Swedes interest in Tori Lynn. "No Natashka" he said "No splash. We get clean or you Mama not think I take care of you. Me and you we take care of Mama this week. Da?" "Da" she replied "Papa can we move our house to Pittsburgh? And my dance classes." "Nyet" answered Evgeni. Ally exhaled for once he was being logical. "I'm no sure your dance teacher will come to the Burgh." And he was back. "But until you Mama want to live in the Burgh you have to live here. Besides no have princess room at my house or live close to Uncle Jay." "Uncle Jay is closer here but still not like going to see Pap. We have to be in the car along time to see Uncle Jay." she answered. "Do you and Mama see Uncle Jay a lot?" he quizzed. Ally was standing outside the door eavesdropping. She knew she shouldn't but she was curious about where he was going with this conversation. "We went to see him play his first game there. They have a tooth tiger instead of a Penguin. His name is Gnash. I have a stuffed one but he isn't Tux. I have Uncle Jay's jersey. And Calle's." she said smiling. "Who Calle?" asked Evgeni. "He's pretty like Uncle Kris. He is from Sweden. He has long hair. Calle is a center like you. He has a big last name. Jarnkrok." Evgeni was staring at his daughter. He was pretty sure his 4 year old daughter had a crush on a Predator. "Nyet" said Evgeni "You too little have boyfriend in the NHL." Natalya started giggling like crazy at her daddy. "He's not my boyfriend. Aiden is my boyfriend." she replied. "Aiden" exclaimed Evgeni "Who Aiden?" She just smiled at her daddy and played with the bubbles. She was ignoring his questions and playing with a mermaid Barbie. "What about mama she have boyfriend?" "Nyet mama doesn't have a boyfriend. But Mr. Cole likes my mommy. He is state trooper. He doesn't understand hockey." she answered. "Don't trust boys no understand hockey." replied Evgeni "You play I shower" She nodded. Ally stepped into the room. The sight of Evgeni shirtless always took her breath for a moment. "Who Aiden?" he asked Ally as he stripped out of his lounge pants. "Uh she doesn't know the difference in girls and boys yet Evgeni" she admonished stepping between him and Natalya. "I not know. Hard telling what Natashka know if you keep her at Lazy's." he said stepping into the shower. He tossed his briefs over the shower door. "Who Aiden" he asked again. She heard Nat giggle. "Aiden is a kindergartener who walks her to the bus in the evening." she answered "Jay is your best friend Geno." "Nyet" he called from the shower "You no Geno me. You no tell me you see Lazy." "I didn't realize I had to tell you Geno" she fired back. Nat was still giggling. "Nat what are you giggling about?" "Daddy threw his panties in the floor from the shower." she answered. "That's all you Geno." said Ally "I'm going to get her clothes together." "Ally stop call me Geno" he said opening the shower door. She could see all of him. Every last detail was wet, soapy, and warm from the shower. She didn't answer him. She did what any sane woman would do. She ran. "Natashka girls wear panties boys wear underwear." Nat was still giggling. "Uncle Jay had panties that match yours." she said informatively. They were Pens issued Under Armor Lazy had the same ones. Why had she saw Lazy in just Under Armor. "Why you look Jay's panties?" he asked. "Because he forget me and mama there. Mama made him go put on pants. And she made Mr. Richie put on pants too. Breakfast you have to wear pants. Unless you have on a nightgown or a big shirt. You're lucky you had on pants this morning or Mama would make you go get dressed for breakfast." "Where you and Mama sleep at Uncle Jay's?" he asked while washing his hair. "In Uncle Jay's bed." she answered. Ally came back into the bathroom in time to hear this exchange. Evgeni came out of the shower and wrapped Nat's monster high towel around his waist. Ally wanted to laugh but Evgeni looked furious. She had news for him if he was about to accuse her and Jay of sleeping together she was going to take Jay up on Shea beating him. Evgeni looked at Ally who was smirking at him. Lazy best friend but also not so careful with girls. He was mulling over what to say when Nat yelled at him. "Papa that is my towel." "Well right now until Daddy is dressed he gets to use it." said Ally the tiny towel wasn't covering that much of the very naked Russian in her bathroom. "Let the water out. We have to get ready for ballet." "Daddy asked about Uncle Jay" said Nat as her mom wrapped her in a fluffy purple towel. Nat started drying the little girl. Evgeni was leaned over the sink brushing his teeth. That pink and black towel sliding lower and lower. "His panties match Uncle Jay's." Ally shooed the little girl to her bathroom to brush her hair, wash her face, and brush her teeth. "How long" asked Nat. Ally told her 2 minutes of brushing. Nat stuck her tongue out at Ally and fled the bathroom. "No wonder you were growly" laughed Ally "Jay let us stay at his apartment. He slept over at Richie's because he doesn't have spare bedroom furniture yet. They both came over to eat breakfast. Apparently pants aren't required for breakfast in the Clune house. But they are if you eat with my daughter." "I trust you Lyubimaya." he said walking into her room "It Lazy I no trust. Blyad. He say I mess up and he wouldn't have." "I trust you so you should trust me." said Ally following him. "And you don't see my conquests on the internet. Jay is like a brother to you and me. He just told me this morning to listen to you and give you a chance Ev." "See you talk to Lazy." he said looking at her across the room."I make you cry. You call Lazy. Why you no talk to me." "Because Jay is safe. I don't love Jay the way I've loved you. He can't possibly break my heart and my child's heart." she said quietly. Evgeni pulled on his briefs and jeans while thinking of what to say. She said she loved him. Past tense. Ally was sitting on the edge of her bed organizing hair things for Nat. "Say something Ev." "I thinking" he said "So much easier I say in Russian. But in English I have to make words." He crossed the bedroom in three strides. He sat down beside her. She was still fussing with the bobby pins. He took the hand closest to him and held it. "I want you feel safe with me. You did. You love me. I love you so much. I jealous of Lazy. I know not be. But Lyubimaya I not help it. You are moye." "Only until you decide you don't want me Ev. I can't do that to her." she replied. She wouldn't look at him. She would be lost if she looked at him. "Moye means nothing. I had to prove she was yours." "Nyet" he said "I always want you. I always want Natashka. Forever. I say sorry. You never forgive Evgeni. You forgive Mama and Papa but no me. I no want anyone else. I want you and Natashka." Evgeni turned her to face him. Her pale blue eyes met his dark eyes. " YA lyublyu tebya, i ya lyublyu svoyu Natashku . Eto nikogda ne izmenitsya . Vy i Natashka moye solntse i moi zvezdy . Nikogda changes.You skazhite mne, kak eto ispravit' . YA eto ispravit' " "It's more than loving us Ev. It's not a quick fix. I'm terrified that you will decided you don't really want us. I'm not even sure I can watch you walk away Friday without it ripping my scars open." she answered "The sun fades away and gives us the stars. I won't fight you on her. We will work on more visits now that she is older." "Nyet. I want both. Forever. No more hurt" he said as he kissed her gently "Start over be normal. No one tell me what do. I do what Evgeni want." "It's not that easy Evgeni." she replied. "Is easy. Say yes new start." he answered "I know take time." "I will listen to everything you want to say this week. But no promises beyond that." He smiled at her. It was the same smile he had while hoisting the Cup. He already thought he won. "Don't think this is all going your way. You haven't convinced me of anything. I......" He cut her off with a kiss. His mouth sought hers out. It was like taking a breath after being underwater. It was like her entire being expanded and with that expansion Evgeni started cracking her walls. He kissed her a few more times before she pushed him away. "No PDA in front of Nat. I don't want her confused. Where is Nat?" Evgeni pulled on a t-shirt and headed out in the hall to find his girls. He stood in the door way and watched as Ally managed to dress Nat. She was leading Nat back to her room. Ally managed to get Nat completely ready for the ballet including make up since they were running late. Evgeni was carrying Nat down the stairs. He sat her on the back of the couch and pulled her coat onto her tiny body. "Papa" she began "Did you and mommy naked kiss in the bedroom?" "Nat" cried Ally "What are you talking about?" "Aiden said that parents naked kiss in their room. He said then he got a baby brother." answered Natalya " I want a baby brother." Ally looked at Evgeni in a panic. "How do we explain this" said Ally looking at Evgeni "I don't want her more confused." "No naked kissing Natashka. That grown up stuff. No worries for you. Maybe someday you will have a brother or sister." "Okay" she replied "But I still think we should all live together and you all should get married. Aiden got to wear a tuxedo when his mom married his stepdad. And he had his moms ring. I could wear a tux." She looked at them both very seriously. Ally looked at him again as if to say see it's already confusing. "How long you think they put me in jail if I kill Aiden" whispered Evgeni to Ally. "He's five" she admonished. "Marchand act 5" he replied "2-10 minutes worth it." Ally laughed as he scooped up Nat and headed out the door. "Evgeni" she called "You need a coat. It's cold out." "Russian" he answered "It warm here." Ally grabbed a Pens hoodie from his bag and her peacoat. He might want it later. She could smell him on the hoodie. She wanted to crawl inside it and live. She came out to Nat buckled ready to go, the car started, and Evgeni in the passenger seat. He smiled as she tossed him the hoodie. "You devious" he said "I never get hoodie back." "Smart ass" she replied "I brought that for you." Nat giggled from the back seat. "Mommy you have to put a quarter in the Disney jar." Evgeni looked to Ally for an explanation. "We have a swear jar. Every time she catches me or Ash saying a bad word we have to put a quarter in. She has decided we will use the money to go to Disney." explained Ally. "I'm going to go see Elsa, Anna, Hans, Sven, Oalf, and Kristoff." said Nat "You can go with us papa. I might need you to beat up Hans." "Da" replied Evgeni "I will take you to Disney whenever you want." "Evgeni don't promise her something we can't do." "Why we no do" he said looking at Ally "Normal families go to Disney. Starting over remember. So in off season we go to Disney." "Papa when is offseason?" asked Nat "In summer" he answered. Nat started giggling and singing. Evgeni looked at Ally for help. "In Summer is a Frozen song." "Play it Mommy" yelled Nat. "Natalya do not yell when I am driving" admonished Ally "I would like to get to the MAC in one piece." Ally turned on the sound system in the car and Disney took over. Evgeni smiled as Nat sang along with the songs. He recognized a few of the songs from the watching the movie with Nat. He also noticed that Ally was singing along quietly. She had always loved Disney movies. The first movie he had ever watched with Ally was her mermaid movie. "You like better than mermaid" he asked. She didn't answer out loud but shook her head no. "This is mommy's favorite" called Nat. Evgeni smiled at Nat. Then turned his dark gaze to Ally. "Your favorite" he asked. "Yes it's our favorite" she answered pulling into the MAC parking lot "Things change in 5 years Evgeni." Evgeni leaned in close to her and undid her seatbelt. "You love mermaid. You love watch mermaid with me. Still favorite princess other than you two." Evgeni undid his own buckle and scrambled out of the SUV. He was busy unbuckling Natalya and gathering her dance bag. He grabbed a Ally's UK ball cap out of the back seat and adjusted it and pulled it down over his eyes. He managed to capture Natalya and grab her dance bag. He was heading for the door to the MAC. "She can walk" called Ally. "Da, but I like carry her." he answered. "If you steal my hat Malkin I will take you out. I know which knee is your good knee." "I no steal blue hat" he replied "You always like UK on me." "I used to like a lot of things" she responded opening the door "Ok time for me to get her dressed. You should be able to buy a ticket at will call. It's matinee so it will be all school kids. You might get recognized and cause a riot. Try and be not so large and not so Russian." Evgeni laughed at Ally's suggestion. "No promise" he said "I am very big and Russian." He sat Nat on her feet beside her mother "Natashka dance good. I send to Uncle Jay and Pauly." She hugged her daddy around his legs. She managed to get her little arms around one thigh. "Love you Zvezdy." She bounced around his feet. He decided that she wasn't likely to make a huge scene in public so he leaned in and kissed the corner of Ally's mouth. "Take care of our girl." Ally didn't have a chance to respond as he headed to will call and Nat saw Addison. Ally was still shell shocked when she sat down in the dressing room. "So" said Tiff, Addison's mom "Want me to take the girly so you can put him out of his misery." "I have no idea what you are talking about, Tiff." replied Ally trying to keep a straight face. "He is just here for Nat." "Didn't look like it in the lobby" she teased "Are you blind that man is hot?" "I am aware" she said pointing at Nat "Exhibit 1 stares me in the face daily Tiff." "Ash called" said Tiffany "Apparently I am to keep you from killing Amie, convince you to jump the Russian, and make sure to keep Nat occupied so you can do it." "There will be no jumping the Russian" answered Ally "He will be gone on Friday back to his real life. Hockey and Facetiming Nat." "I'm not sure he is leaving without a fight" replied Tiffany. "We are good at fighting." said Ally "We do better now that Nat is older." Amie came over and sat down next to Ally. She said hello to Tiffany. "I had no idea that Natalie's dad was so famous. Who knew hockey players were that popular. So he is not even an American citizen. Do you worry about him taking her to Russia and never bringing her home?" "Yes he is fairly well known in the hockey community here and in the Europe. He is a Russian citizen and goes home every summer. He would never take Natalya." answered Ally "Amie you never been bothered to speak more than 2 words to me unless it directly benefits you. I assume if you know about G it because you have googled him and probably me. Go ahead and spread the rumors. I could care less but you breathe one word in front of Nat that hurts her feelings and you will see the full power of what Evgeni's attorneys can do. Trust me no one knows more than me what it's like to stare them down. And for the last damn time her name is Natalya not Natalie." "Isn't that Russian for Natalie." said Amie in haughty tone. "Nope Natalie is an American bastardization of Natalya." replied Ally. "Oh they are calling for clowns" said Tiff "Let's go girlies" Tiffany and Ally herded their little clowns to Miss Lauren. They then scrambled into the theatre to watch the girls. The Arabian was still on so they had about 3 more performances before the clowns. Ally looked around the theatre. The usher pointed out Evgeni near the front. Ally and Tiffany made their way to Evgeni.
"Hey" said Evgeni smiling "I buy 3 seats so you and friend have ticket. Usher tell me he let you know." "He did Evgeni. They would have let us in anyway." she laughed "This is Tiffany " Ally introduced Evgeni. "Addison mom" he answered "Natashka loves Addison." "It's mutual" said Tiffany "Nice meeting you. I'm glad you turned out to be a hockey player instead of a Russian mob boss." Evgeni laughed out loud. Ally smacked him in the chest "It's not that funny" she admonished looking at both of them. "It pretty funny" he said throwing an arm around her. Ally settled into her seat and Evgeni. He was testing his limits "See start over." he whispered. "You better get that camera ready" she replied "If you don't get video you will have an unhappy little girl." "No you worry" he said "I ready. Get all my baby dancing." He removed his arm from her shoulder and leaned forward. He was concentrating on his phone as Mother Ginger rolled onto stage. Nat and the tiny clowns exploded out all over the stage. Everyone was laughing at their antics. They were adorably out of sync. "She perfect" he said turning the camera to face him and smiling. "Hi Lazy and Pauly" He turned the camera back to the girls disappearing under the giant skirt. "I come with" he asked. "Nope" said Ally "no boys allowed." "She's lying. Come on" said Tiff. "Traitor" laughed Ally "It's okay now but tonight no way. Deal Evgeni?"
"You in charge." he winked at her "Tiff we be friends. You want come to the Burgh?" "Actually my husband is a huge Steelers fan." she replied "We come up to games on occasion." "Since you now partner in crime. You call I get great seats for all." he smiled. "He just wants to drag people to Steelers games." said Ally. "You like football games. Make go to Penn State." said Evgeni hip checking her. "You like better if Cats. You Bear forgive you yet." Ally smiled up at him. Evgeni remembered her Bear Bryant story. "You remember about Bryant." "I remember everything" he answered folding his large frame up on the tiny monster high blanket. "good, bad, silly. All of it." "Papa" squealed Natalya "No boys allowed!" "Tiffany give permission. Just today at matinee so see my big girl sooner." he answered hugging Nat to his large frame "So little clown we go now?" "Papa we can't leave with the costumes on. It's a real show." she replied rolling her eyes "Do you leave in your stinky hockey stuff." "So now I stinky and boy" he said tickling her. He pulled off her tiny ballet shoes and handed them to Ally. He then managed to wrestle the tutu off Nat. He pulled the tiny shorts on to Nat and frowned "Her need bigger shorts." "They are bootie shorts for dancing" said Nat laughing "You ice girls wear them." "Ice girls no my little girl." he said buttoning her tiny plaid shirt "I think maybe you wear giant Pens hoodie." ''Evgeni she is 4." said Ally putting her hand on his shoulder "When she gets older we will cover up more. But in case you haven't noticed the older girls dress this way and they want to be like the big girls." His large hand closed over the one she had on his shoulder. He looked at her like she told him there wasn't a santa claus. "She no baby, Allyson" he said still holding on to Ally's hand. He smiled at Nat trying to pull on her own boots. "I miss much. Soon she be too old to want to visit and divide time between here and the Burgh. I miss too much of her." "You've missed a lot but she is just getting started Ev." she replied. Evgeni had let go of her hand and was stuffing her stuff back in the dance bag. "First step in starting over is no looking back. Come on I'm taking you for the best burger in Prestonsburg." Evgeni was on his feet with Natalya in his arms. Tiff laughed. "In a hurry there" she asked "What do I call you anyway." "You call G or Geno." he answered "I have to be fast first time she say we start over. Now hold her to it. Bye Tiff." He took Ally by the hand and led her to the car. "I strap in Natashka." "Bye G" called Tiffany putting Addison in her car seat. "Want to go to Dairy Cheer " called Ally. "No we are headed to Gattiland" said Tiff in a very loud voice. Ally was ready to kill her. Nat was yelling from the backseat. Evgeni was staring at Nat who was throwing a fit. "I want to go with Tiff and Addison. I want to go to Gattiland." she said pouting. "No Dairy Cheer." "Let her come with us" replied Tiffany "I will bring her back over this evening just meet us here." "Please Mommy" exclaimed Nat "Please Daddy. It's the funnest place her. Uncle Jay takes me. You have mommy." "I hate you" said Ally to Tiffany. She pulled money out of her purse and handed it to Tiff. She rummaged around and found the Gatticard and gave it to Tiffany. She undid Nat and her booster and handed it to Evgeni. He strapped her in Tiff's Tahoe. "Be good and no messing up your hair no ball pit." Evgeni pulled his wallet out and handed Tiffany more money "You let them play and I pay. Plus you give me entire day with Ally." Tiffany started to refuse the money "No you take don't offend the Russians." Tiffany laughed remembering the mob comment. "Thank you" said Tiffany "But it's way too much." "Not" he replied "May need snacks later or who knows." The group said good bye. Evgeni climbed into the passenger side of the escape. He plugged her phone into her car. He was flipping through her songs. "Guess I need to change my passcode." "Da, easy me and Lazy." he answered. He turned on Sam Smith. He turned it down so it was just background noise "So burger sounds good. But home sound better." "Home" she asked. "Yes lets go home. We make peanut butter and jelly. Watch movie. You choose." Ally nodded and laughed. She wasn't sure if she was laughing because her NHLer wanted pbj or because she was going to be truly alone with Evgeni. He wasn't like anyone she had ever met. "PBJ and a movie" "Yes and maybe nap" he said "I miss our naps." Ally loved those quiet times with Evgeni. Even if she didn't sleep she would snuggle with him and read. There is an intimacy in getting into bed with someone for the sole purpose of sleeping. She knew it was a bad idea but she nodded in agreement. They were back at her house before 11:30. Ally and Evgeni decided to change before fixing lunch and watching a movie. Ally told him to pick the movie and she would make sandwiches. She started up the stairs when he called out to her and tossed the Pens hoodie in his hands. Ally laughed at him. "I thought you wanted to keep this one?" "No worries" he answered taking the stairs two at a time. He came to a stop beside Ally and leaned close to her "I get back." Ally shivered due to his nearness. He started laughing and headed on up the stairs. Ally followed him into the bedroom. He was pulling his shirt over his head. Ally was staring at the muscles of his back when he turned around and smirked at her. "G, you can't just strip like it's a locker room. He shrugged his huge shoulders. He crossed the room and hauled her up against him. He lowered his mouth to hers. Ally dropped the hoodie and wound her arms around his neck. Evgeni stopped kissing her lips and dropped a kiss on her forehead. His mouth found hers again. "No call me G" he said against her mouth "it hurts my feels." And with that being said he grabbed a change of clothes and headed to the bathroom. I hurt his feels thought Ally. Oh hell no. Ally turned on her heels and threw the bathroom door open "Evgeni Vladimirovich Malkin you want to talk about feels?" she yelled. Evgeni stared at her for a moment. She was angry. Maybe the most angry he had ever seen her. But mad meant she cared. This meant he had a chance.

Notes

Doing the weird format thing again. We'll see what it does.