Ashley came in the house it was oddly quiet. All the lights were out downstairs, usually you could hear Nat all over the house. Ashley dumped her purse and shoes by the door. She looked at her watch it wasn't even 5:30 yet surely Ally hadn't left yet. Ashley headed up the stairs. She stopped when she heard Ally laughing. She stood stalk still she didn't want Ally to hear her.

"You don't need a tie" said Ally "Very few of the dads will be in ties. Just the ones who wear them to work."

"I wear tie work every game night" he replied.

"You don't need a tie. I promise" said Ally "You look fine."

Ashley shook her head at least they were speaking. She decided just to go to her room and not bother them. Ashley was going to miss her and Nat when they went to Pittsburgh.

Ally was standing beside Evgeni in her tiny bathroom. He was sitting on the edge of the tub watching her do her make-up. He had always been fascinated by all the things she did. She didn't need all the make-up. She was beautiful without it. She was currently leaned over the sink putting on mascara. He smiled at the face she was making.

"What?" said Ally looking at Evgeni.

"Nyet" he said "I just like look at you. No need all that junk."

Ally walked over to where he was sitting and kissed his cheek. Evgeni wanted to haul her up against him but decided against it since she was initiating contact. "Well the other dance moms dictate that I do." she answered. She was busy twisting her hair up into a bun. He watched and pin and spray her pale locks up. It exposed the delicate curve of her neck. He wanted to kiss his way up that slim column to her lips but knew they would be late to see Nat. While he was pondering the amount of time before they see Natashka she had left the room.

"Evgeni" she called "Can you help me for a second?"

Evgeni came into the bedroom. She had stripped out of her comfy clothes and was wearing a black dress with a black and gold chevron top. It was Pen's colors and Evgeni loved it. She turned around and Evgeni saw the issue. He stepped up and pulled the tiny zipper into place. He kissed the side of her neck. "I go start car you get Ashley we be late."

Ally found her gold glittery pumps and put them on. Ashley came into her room as Ally was putting on her earrings. Ashley just raised an eyebrow at Ally. " So where is my favorite kid?" asked Ash.

"Like you don't know" laughed Ally " Tiff announced she was heading to Gattiland and Nat went wild until we let her go. Tiff told me you called her."

"I'm proud of you" said Ash "So how did you and the giant Russian spend the day?"

"We talked then we napped" replied Ally " I think we are heading in the right direction."

"You had him in your bed and you napped?" she said incredulously.

"Yes" laughed Ally "Come on he is waiting for us."

They made their way downstairs. Evgeni was sitting on the couch watching the NHL channel. He was mumbling in Russian watching the highlight reel from the previous day. He flipped the TV off and stood when he saw the girls. "I will have 3 gorgeous girls today." he replied looking Ashley and Ally.

"Yeah yeah big man" said Ashley "Let's go find the munchkin."

Evgeni laughed. Ally and Ashley headed out the door. They made it to the Mountain Arts Center in record time. Evgeni pouted when she told him no dads allowed. He negotiated to wait by the Coke machine so that she could bring Natashka out to him. Ally decided arguing would result in yesterdays chaos. Ally and Ashley found Tiff and the girls sitting on the Monster High blanket. All the girls were in full make up and costume.

"Tiff you didn't have to get her ready." said Ally "But thank you."

"Why are you here on time? I would think Mr. Hockey could keep you busy so you wouldn't be here on time." teased Tiff

"They napped" said Ash "She has apparently forgot what to do after 5 years."

"5 years" said Tiffany her eyes wide with surprise "No one but him will do?"

"I hate you both" said Ally "Nat you daddy is in the hall. He wants to see you."

Nat jumped up and down. She was headed toward the door and wheeled around to look at her mother "Do I have a baby brother yet?"

"Natalya Evgeniya Schafer Malkin" called Ally " Child I swear. Stop asking that question." She heard Tiff and Ashley as well as several dance mom start laughing. She managed to get Nat out the door without killing her. "Nat you can't say things like that in public."

"But I really want a little brother" said Nat looking at Ally "Aiden said..."

Ally cut her off "No more." she said as they made their way to Evgeni. Nat was again giving her the mean face. "You see" Ally said to Evgeni "That's the exact same face you make when they are hauling you to the box. Our 4 year old daughter makes every time I scold her or punish her."

"What wrong Natashka" asked Evgeni stooping down to her height.

"Mama says I am not allowed to have a little brother. That isn't fair is it Papa" said Natalya her big brown eyes pleading with Evgeni.

"I said no such thing" said Ally "I told you that can't ask in a room full of people if you have a baby brother yet."

Evgeni was looking at his daughter and Ally. He knew he should not laugh but he couldn't help it. His baby really did have his fierce expression right now. He picked Natashka up and whispered to her "You no ask Mama that when people around. Da?" She replied "Da" but was still not happy. He laughed again and hugged her against him. He looked at Ally then again at Natashka. He whispered to Nat again "When it time to be big sis I let know, deal." Natashka smiled at her daddy like he had hung the moon. Ally wondered what he told her but didn't ask because Nat had began rattling at him in Russian. She kissed her daddy and left red lipstick on his lips. He put her down and she ran back into the dressing room.

Ally motioned for Evgeni to lean down. She ran her thumb over his lip and wiped away the red lipstick. Ally showed Evgeni her thumb. "She like her mama too." he said.

"Do I want to know what you said to her?" asked Ally.

"Nyet" he said as the lights flashed "I go to seat. He hand her a ticket. You sit with me during Natashka dance."

"Da" said Ally. He beamed at her and headed into the theatre. Ally turned around to see a crowd of dance moms gathered by the doorway. They had been watching her and Evgeni.

"Do you speak Russian" asked one of the moms.

"Some" said Ally "Nat is fluent."

"Amy said that he is a Russian athlete." said another mom. None of these women had ever taken the time to speak to Ally but everyone was curious.

"He is on the Russian Olympic team. But he plays hockey professionally for the Pittsburgh Penguins." she answered "I promise that is the least interesting thing about Evgeni."

"Does he spend much time with you all?" asked another mom.

"We see him a lot. She talks to him daily. Why is this so much more interesting today than it was last week" asked Ally.

"Okay" said another mom "We totally suck. We get that. But you have to realize that him walking in with the only hockey player I know the name of and the other pretty one that people would take notice. No one knew who Nat's dad was. And then this."

"Ash knew. This is exactly why we go see him. People act crazy. I want Nat to be as normal as possible." replied Ally "Any other questions."

"Yes, is the pretty one single" asked another of the women.

"Nope in a serious relationship with a beautiful little boy." said Ally "Y'all should have saw Kris with his long hair. In fact google it Kris Letang."

Ally walked back into the room. She made her way over to Ashley and Tiff. "So a baby brother." laughed Ashley.

"Yes apparently Aiden told her when parents naked kiss you get a baby brother." answered Ally "I'm thinking I should let Evgeni scare the little boy."

Both Ash and Tiff laughed. Ally watched the girls playing with their iPads. Dear Lord what would she do with another child with Evgeni off playing hockey. Where did that thought come from. He was leaving on Friday. She needed to remember that. Ally shook her head. Ally's phone chirped.

Jay: We'll be there tomorrow by 3pm.
Ally: What?
Jay: Tori Lynn is going to ride up with me. We are going to come watch Nat dance. Plus Tori Lynn loves G.
Ally: Loves G?
Jay: Yep she loves G and Pauly. Like you love Kris and Me.
Ally: You don't have to come.
Jay: The hell I don't. It's 12 hours in car with Tori Lynn. She will either love me or hate me. Plus you know you want to meet her.
Ally: She will love you Jay. Just be you. No douchebag shit.
Jay: What's with you Kentucky girls telling me not to be a douchebag.
Ally: I like her already.
Jay: Love you to Ally Kat.
Ally: Love ya Jay

"So much for low profile" said Ally looking at Ashley.

"What" asked Ash.

"The Real Deal will be here tomorrow." answered Ally "And his new girlfriend."

"Damn it" said Ashley "Not him too."

"Sorry love. He will gladly give you any member of the Swedish Mafia." laughed Ally.

"I am so confused." said Tiff

"More hot hockey boys" said Ash holding up her phone. She showed Tiffany pictures of Neal. "But he is bringing his girlfriend. I may cry. This means I get to walk with Sid in the wedding."

"Ash there is no wedding." growled Ally

"You are so not eloping" said Ash "I get to see all of them in person. Any chance we can invite Patrick Kane or Tyler Seguin?"

"You are impossible. You and Neal deserve each other." said Ally

"So any chance more of them are going to pop up?" asked Ash

"Not unless Pauly is coming." replied Ally. She looked up and saw the clowns lining up. "I'm going to find Evgeni. You coming with?"

"Nah" said Tiff "We will hang here. I am going to stare at hockey guys on Ash's phone." Ally rolled her eyes "What I am old and married?" said Tiff "I can live vicariously through you." Ally laughed as she walked out of the room.

Ally held her ticket out for the usher to scan. She saw the Spanish dancers on stage. Still a little while until Nat took the stage. She found her seat and sat down beside Evgeni in the small theatre. He smiled at her and took her hand. Evgeni twined their fingers together. She missed these small things with Evgeni. From the day she met him he had always found small ways to touch her. "Jay is coming up tomorrow. He's bringing Tori Lynn." she whispered to Evgeni.

"You and Tori Lynn gang up on me and Lazy" he replied "you will like her."

"I hope so." she replied.

"No worries she no leave after Melanie. She love you and Nat. Trust. She mad at Evgeni no tell her about my pretty girls. Tell me I jackass not try fix it." said Evgeni "She right so I now we fix." He kissed her hand "I like this dress. You wear it at Pen's Christmas party."

"Is this you asking me to the party?"

"Da. You and Nat. Plus you bring Ashley." he answered.

"Da" she replied.

"Really you come no argue."

"No more arguing Ev."

Before he could comment tiny clowns erupted out of the skirt. His Natashka was beautiful. She was so much like Ally but he could see himself in her as well. Ally readily agreed to come with him to the Pens party. Now he just needed to convince her to move back to Pittsburgh with his baby. Besides if Nat wanted a baby brother he needed Ally close. He would be with her every step for their next child.

"Evgeni why are you smiling like a loon?"

"Just happy see Natashka. Happy you still talk to me. Happy you not pull away when I touch you." Ally smiled back at him. The clowns crawled back into the skirt.

"We will meet you in the lobby."

"Da" he replied.

Ally retreated to the room and got Nat. She, Ash and Nat headed to the lobby. Nat took off running for her daddy.

"How'd I do?" asked Nat

"Perfect baby." said Evgeni. He pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to Nat.

"Really" asked Nat

"Da" he replied "But Mama say when."

"Da" she replied leaving red lip prints on Evgeni's face. "Mama daddy got us tickets to Russia."

"Not tickets" he said cautiously "It gift certificate. For when you have time. And you think old enough to go."

Ally drew in a breath "Thank you." she replied "We will work it out. Maybe in the off season."

"Disney then Russia" said Nat bouncing. She had her parents hands in her tiny ones "Now kiss she demanded."

"What?" said Ally. Evgeni simply leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

"You no in charge monkey" said Evgeni picking her up.

"What about Ashley?" asked Nat "She needs tickets to Disney and Russia."

"Da" said Evgeni kissing Nat "We take Ash."

Ashley didn't know what to say she had been teasing Ally. "Yep sucks when he pulls that shit with your life." said Ally laughing "Welcome to my world."

"I can't just take off to Disney and Russia" said Ash.

"Da I fix " said Evgeni as if he could charm the state of Kentucky into letting her off work for a month.

"It's not that simple" said Ash.

"Da, I make Sid come to Disney." he replied as if that would make her agree. Ally laughed at the expression on Ashley's face.

"Did he tell you we are going to the Pens Christmas party?" asked Ally "No welcome to my world"

"Yeah" said Nat "We get to skate on hockey ice."

"Umm, I can't skate" said Ash as they made it to the car.

"No worries Pauly, Sid and Evgeni help." smiled Evgeni "You no fall."

"He's lying" said Ally "I fell hard."

"Da but for me not on ice." said Evgeni teasing her. Ally nodded as he leaned in and kissed her mouth. Ashley busied herself buckling in Nat. She had never noticed that Nat had Geno's smirk until this trip. Ashley climbed in the back seat with Nat. Ally and Geno were still outside the car. She could hear them talking but couldn't see them without crawling across Nat.

"They are kissing" reported Nat "I'm gonna get a baby brother."

"It's not that simple Nat." replied Ash.

"Yes" said Nat "I've decided they are getting married."

"You have huh?" said Ash

"So what's your plan kid?" asked Ashley

"I don't need a plan." said Nat confidently "She only kisses me and daddy on the lips. Cause she loves us."

"Valid point" said Ashley "So when we get home lets go to bed. We'll let stay up. I'll come sleep in your room." Nat nodded her head. Ashley knew the kid might be asleep before they even got home. Evgeni opened her door.

"Out I sit with my baby" said Evgeni. Ashley didn't bother arguing. She climbed up front with Ally. Evgeni was talking softly in Russian to Nat. Ally glanced in the rear view mirror. She wished Nat could have this every day. Ally looked at Ashley. Ash raised an eyebrow "So what's the plan?"

"What plan?" asked Ally

"You and Mr. Hockey" she answered.

"No plan. He is leaving Friday."

"Bullshit" said Ashley "I'm going to miss you both so much." Ally just looked at her. Ashley's heart swelled and broke when she didn't deny it. Evgeni could hear the conversation in the front seat but pretended he didn't. Ally hadn't protested the fact that they might consider moving.

"I probably need to feed him. We skipped lunch in favor of napping." said Ally "Are you hungry?"

"Not really" said Ashley "I ate lunch super late."

"Evgeni are you hungry. I know you eat like every 20 minutes in the Burgh."

"Nyet" said Evgeni "But you promise peanut butter and jelly. I eat popcorn at ballet. "

"Great I am gonna get lectured by Sid for not feeding you properly."

"I big boy I find food if hungry" he replied "no have Ally take care of me at home."

"For now" said Ashley sticking her tongue out at Evgeni. He started laughing.

"Hey you on my side" said Evgeni.

"Nope on Nat's side" answered Ash. Evgeni started laughing. Ally glared at both of them bur said nothing. Ally heard tiny snores from her sleeping daughter.

"Natashka sleeping" said Evgeni. Ally saw that she was still holding her daddy's hand.

"Good tomorrow she will be wild enough to shoot at when Jay gets here." said Ally as she pulled in the driveway.

"So Lazy surprise" asked Evgeni.

"Yeah" replied Ally "You know Jay is flaky."

"He come if he tell you." said Evgeni as he unbuckle Nat. "Lazy managed not lie you in 5 years. That record for Lazy and girl." Ally and Ashley laughed. Poor Neal. "I carry her you help put to bed."

"Yeah let me lose the shoes." she said unlocking the door.

"I'm just going to make myself scarce." said Ashley "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Evgeni carried Nat up the stairs to her room. He laid her on her bed. He pulled he tiny boots off and tossed them beside the bed. She stirred a little and sat up. "Papa where is Tux?" Evgeni handed her the stuffed penguin. He managed to unbutton her shirt. Why buttons so little? He found the Pens shirt she slept in. He pulled it over her head. He managed to get her shorts and tights off. As soon as she was undressed she flopped back against the pillows. She yawned. Evgeni stretched out beside her. Ally came to the door and laughed. Nat's clothes were all over the floor but he had her tucked into her bed and up against his side. Ally snapped a quick pic of the two for Nat. Ally picked up her dirty clothes and tossed them in the little ruffled hamper. Ally leaned over and kissed Nat good night. Evgeni caught her hand.

"What about Evgeni?"

"I'll kiss you later" she teased.

"Hold you to that" he replied "Now I snuggle with Natashka."

Ally headed downstairs. She pulled out the peanut butter and the strawberry jam. Ally made a 4 sandwiches 3 for Evgeni and 1 for herself. She was grabbing herself a cherry coke and a blue Gatorade for Evgeni. He came into the kitchen and laughed. "Little formal for peanut butter and jelly."

"I was going to change but Ash was in her room and you were snuggling Nat" she answered "No one to unzip me."

Evgeni sat down at the barstool next to the counter. Ally pushed the plate over to him. She sat down on the counter beside him. They ate in companionable silence. "You have best jelly."

"Because Gran makes it." replied Ally "I've sent all kinds up to Kris and Pauly. Didn't they share."

"No one tells Evgeni they talk to Ally." he answered. He put his hand out and pulled her closer to him "no one talk about Ally or Nat. No one but Lazy."

Ally just looked at him. She didn't know what to say. She had assumed this entire time he was living his life. Ally had never once thought about him missing her just as much as she missed him. Ally watched him. She thought back to what Jay had told her this morning. She knew he loved her but was it enough. She finished her coke and hopped down from the counter.

"I'm going to go get ready for bed" she said heading out of the kitchen. Evgeni's eyes followed her but he said nothing. Ally wondered what was going on in his head.

He watched her walk out of the kitchen. He wasn't sure what he should be doing right now. She was definitely happier with him now than when he showed up yesterday. Obviously she had called Lazy in a panic and he was coming to the rescue. She didn't act like she needed rescued. She was touching him and kissing him. He put his plate in the dishwasher and tossed the bottle.

Evgeni walked into the bedroom and heard the bathtub running in the bathroom. He walked into the bathroom to find Ally dumping bubble bath into the tub. He could smell the peachy scent he always associated with Ally. He remembered that she always took a bath before bed. Always said it relaxed her. He remembered climbing in his huge tub with her many times. He remembered the boys chirping when he rolled into practice smelling like peaches. He remember getting pissed at Tanger when he came in smelling like peaches. He remember Kris holding up both hands and telling him Ally forced him to soak in the tub after he had hit the boards awkwardly.

"Unzip me and let me take a bath Ev." she said "you can shower if you want."

Evgeni walked over to her. He unzipped the dress. She held it tightly against her body. It took everything in him to walk into the other room. She undressed. Ally couldn't believe he just walked away. She sank down into the bubbles. Her mind was in over drive. She didn't know what to do. She closed her eyes and willed herself to relax. She could hear him in the bedroom. Should she call for him? Should she just let it go?

Evgeni sat on her bed. He wanted to go drag her out of the tub. He was usually very sure of himself when it came to women. But he was never sure when it came to her. Especially since she had Natalya. Blyad! He got off the bed and headed back to the bathroom. Her eyes flew open as he walked in. He started unbutton his shirt. He peeled it from his body and tossed it in the floor of the bathroom. She was watching his every move. He undid the button on his jeans and they landed with his shirt. Ally was still sitting in the tub motionless. He walked over to the edge of the tub and looked at her.

"You choose Moye" he stated "You out or me in the tub." Ally didn't say anything. Instead she just stood up. Evgeni picked her up from the tub. He held her against him. Water dripped down both of their bodies and puddled at his feet. His mouth descended on hers "Last chance Moye."

"I know" she replied as she fixed her mouth to his. Evgeni carried her out of the bathroom and to her bed. "I know what I am doing Ev." she replied against his mouth "Don't stop." Evgeni kissed her gently as he laid her on the bed. He stepped back away from her and just looked at her. He wasn't sure where to begin. She held out her hand to him. "Please Ev."

Notes