White Orchids

Nicki watched from the doorway as Tyler pulled his jersey over his head. She told him to wear it for the rest of the afternoon so that it would smell like him when she put it on. She found herself swooning at the sight. Without the pads underneath he looked so small, and his freshly shaven face made him look nineteen again. She remembered seeing the pictures of him taken right after the Bruins drafted him; he’d barely changed.

“Happy?” he asked, pretending to be agitated with her.

She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorway, the smile on her face so big it was straining her muscles.

“Very.”

She skipped across the room and carelessly threw her arms around his waist, leaning all of her weight into him. Tyler chuckled and accepted her embrace.

“You’re in an awfully good mood today,” he said, brushing a hand over her hair.

Nicki pulled back to look at him. “I can be a bitch if you want me to.”

“Do your worst. I’d love to see it.”

She held up a finger, ready to unleash on him. That was when she realized she couldn’t think of a single bad thing to say. She couldn’t even come up with a lie, just for the sake of her argument. Nicki pressed her finger into his chest, the way she always imagined an old lady would when she was scolding a youngster.

“You… suck.”

Tyler broke out in a fit of laughter. Nicki stared at him, trying to memorize the way his face looked. It had to be her favorite expression of his. He looked like a five year old when he laughed, and she couldn’t get enough of it. Could he be any more irresistible?

“That was pathetic,” he said once he calmed down. “And I’m not complaining. Do you have any idea how cool it is to say my girlfriend sucks at being mean?”

“What? What did you just say?” she said, holding a hand up to her ear.

It took him a moment before he said, “My fiancé sucks at being mean.”

Nicki nodded. “I like that word better.”

Tyler leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “Me too. So are you sure you want to come tonight? It’s not like it means anything.”

She reached her hands up to either side of his face, taking a brief second to enjoy the inconceivable smoothness of his skin. He rarely ever shaved anymore, and Nicki had grown to like the impermeable scruff that made its home on his flawless face. But the few times he got rid of it, it turned her into a giddy little girl with a crush. His normally chiseled, handsome structure became boyish and soft. It awed her how someone could be that perfect. He belonged in a museum somewhere.

Nicki eventually found her way back to his eyes, and glared at him. “Tyler, it’s your last home game. I’d go if the world was ending. You know how much I love to watch you play.”

“I still have a hard time believing it,” he said, matching her stare.

The light shone in his eyes just the right way, lighting them up like a Christmas tree. She could see every single magnificent shade of brown that made up his wondrous irises. She felt the need to look away, but couldn’t pull her gaze from his.

You are so beautiful.

“What?”

Nicki felt her eyes grow wide. “Did. Did I just say that out loud?” she stuttered.

His lips pulled back, exposing his faultless teeth. What was wrong with her?

“Yeah, you did,” he said, laughing a little.

“I am such a dork.”

She felt her cheeks grow hot. She was embarrassed. Why was she embarrassed? For God’s sake, she was going to be marrying the man.

The smile never left his face as he picked her up and brought her into the living room, collapsing into their spot on the couch with her. Nicki had never been fond of her small frame, until she discovered that she could comfortably sprawl out across another person without hurting them. Namely, Tyler. She curled up in a ball on top of him and felt his arms wrap around her.

Nicki pushed herself up gently so that her cheek was pressed against his, sighing when she made contact with his soft skin. She turned her head slightly so that she could kiss every inch of his face that was accessible to her. Tyler slowly began to shut his eyes, his grasp around her loosening just a bit.

“Maybe I’ll start shaving more often,” he groaned, obviously enjoying the extra attention being paid to his face.

“Maybe you should,” she said, giggling at his delight. “You wanna take a nap, love? You look like you’re about to pass out.”

“I know, I’m sorry. Claude murdered us at morning skate. He’s so pissed we didn’t make playoffs.”

Nicki ran a hand through his hair. She felt so bad for him. He worked his ass off day in and day out and never seemed to get recognized for it. In her heart, she thought he deserved to become alternate captain after Chara’s inevitable retirement. He was turning forty one soon, and didn’t seem to have much fire left. It went without saying that either Andrew or Patrice would become captain once he left, leaving a spot open that she thought he would fill well. She certainly wouldn’t mind having to buy a new jersey with an “A” on it.

“Well, he has every right to be pissed. Jesus, Ty. Sometimes I think you and Andrew are the only ones with heart anymore.”

“It does sort of feel that way. It just wasn’t there this year. You could feel it in the locker room the whole season. Just wasn’t meant to be,” he said, shrugging.

She hated seeing him so deflated. “I know it doesn’t compare to the cup, but at least you get to spend more time with me,” she said, joking, but not really.

Tyler turned his head and pressed his lips to hers. “That’s the only reason why I’m not absolutely miserable right now. I feel like I’ve barely been able to spend any time with you lately.”

The guilt seeped through his voice. As much as Nicki missed him when he was gone, she never wanted him to feel bad about it. It was his job, it was how he made a living.

“It’s okay, hon. That’s what the summers are for anyways. Now come on, take a nap. I don’t want you passing out on the ice later.”

A sad smile crept onto his face. He was obviously upset; she wondered if it was more about not making playoffs or about leaving her alone all of the time. She hoped it was the playoffs. Nicki left one more kiss on his cheek before climbing off of him.

“You’re not gonna join me?”

She walked across the hall and came back a moment later with a blanket from the closet.

“Nah, I’m not really tired.”

More like I just want to watch you sleep.

Nicki squeezed herself in between Tyler and the armrest. He spread himself out across the long part of the couch and let his head rest on her lap. She whipped the blanket in the air to unfold it and let it fall over him. Tyler turned on his side and slipped an arm behind her back, leaving the other draped across her lap in front of his face.

“Comfy sweetheart?”

A slight nod against her thigh indicated that he was. She chuckled and sifted her fingers through his thick, fluffy hair. He nestled his head further into her lap, nearly stopping her heart. It was in these moments that Nicki realized just how much she cared about him. She felt like screaming at the top of her lungs, just to ease the pressure of the emotions that weighed down on her. He wasn’t just someone she loved. He’d become a part of her. A part that she couldn’t live without. She needed him, the way she needed to eat and breathe and sleep.

She smiled down at him, stroking the baby soft hair on the side of his head. Nicki knew that he was tough. Hell, he was a professional hockey player. But she would always see him the way she did now; innocent and vulnerable and gentle. She was overjoyed to know that she was the only one who could see him that way. It was her own private side of him, one that she didn’t have to share with anyone else. One that belonged exclusively to her.

** * * * *

Tyler rubbed the sleep from his eyes before trying to figure out where the ringing was coming from. He knew it was Nicki’s phone, but the volume wasn’t loud enough to tell which direction it was coming from. As he woke up, he realized it was coming from her pocket. He rolled over and looked up at her; she was out cold, head back against the cushion of the couch.

Not gonna join me, my ass.

He should have known better. She always fell asleep. Tyler reached into her pocket just as the phone stopped ringing. Before he could pull up the missed call, it rang again. It was Lisa.

“Hey, Lisa.”

“Tyler?! My God, I’ve never been so happy to hear your voice in my entire life.”

Tyler could tell by the way she spoke that she was frazzled.

“What’s going on?”

“Where’s Nicki?”

He looked up again to make sure she was still asleep. “She’s right here. She’s asleep.”

“Okay, okay. That’s fine. Tyler, I need you to send her out here. I know it’s your last game and she’s all excited about going, I’m sorry as fuck. Danny’s sick again and we don’t know what’s wrong with him. We’re at the hospital now, but I have no idea how long we’ll be here and I can’t keep Bella here forever. I need Nicki to look after her. Ugh, I feel like a piece of shit. I just didn’t know who else to call. It’s not like we have any family here.”

Tyler tried to comprehend everything she’d told him. “Lisa, don’t worry about it. I’ll wake her up and get her on a plane out there. Try not to worry, okay?”

He heard her let out a long breath. “Thank you. So. Much. We’ll find a way to make it up to you.”

“Lisa, she has godparents for a reason, remember? Don’t sweat it. Just make sure Danny’s alright.”

“Tyler Seguin, you are a savoir.”

He smiled. “Give Bella a hug for me, will ya?”

“Of course. Love you, Ty.”

“Love you too, Lisa. Stay strong.”

With that, she hung up. Tyler pushed himself up and put his hand on the side of Nicki’s face, moving his thumb back and forth across her cheek. He didn’t even have to say anything for her eyes to open. As soon as she saw him, she smiled sleepily. He just wanted to kiss her, but there were more pressing matters at hand.

“I just got off the phone with Lisa,” he started, trying to speak slowly in case she was still half asleep. “Danny’s in the hospital, and she needs you to go out there to look after Bella. You go pack and I’ll get you a plane ticket, k?”

The news woke her up instantly. “Oh my God, is he okay?”

“She didn’t say otherwise. She just doesn’t want Bella to have to spend all that time in the hospital.”

She frowned. “I’m gonna have to miss your game,” she said, disappointed.

“There’ll be plenty more for you to go to. Right now you have to go help your friend.”

“You’re right,” she said, giving him a peck on the lips. “I’ll go get some stuff together.”

Tyler moved so that she could get up. “Pack for a long trip,” he called after her.

Nicki turned to look at him before entering their room. “Why?”

“I want you to stay there while I’m on the road this week.”

“What about Marshall?”

“I’ll call Freddy tomorrow and see if they’ll take him. I’m sure it will be fine.”

A smile grew on her face. He knew she would appreciate it. It was understandable that she missed her best friend. She disappeared through the doorway and Tyler grabbed his laptop off of the coffee table to find her a ticket.

Within thirty minutes, she had a one way ticket to Michigan and a bag full of her things. He grinned when he saw what bag it was. It was one of his travel bags for hockey, with the spoked B and his name and number in large, yellow writing. She noticed him looking at it and blushed.

“I hope you don’t mind. I always pick up the wrong luggage. I figured I wouldn’t have a hard time finding this.”

“I don’t mind at all.”

He didn’t bother to tell her that it made him die a little inside. Seeing her carrying a bag with his last name on it made him feel incredible. He wasn’t sure why, he just knew that he wanted people to see her with it. He wanted everyone who saw it to know that she was his.

“We should probably go,” he said, shaking himself out of it. “Your flight is in forty minutes.”

** * * * *

“This car is unbelievable,” Nicki said as she listened to the purr of the powerful engine. She had never really been one for cars, but she had a great deal of respect for them.

“She’s a beaut, ain’t she?” Tyler asked, stroking the steering wheel.

Nicki giggled from the passenger seat. “Please don’t cheat on me with her while I’m gone. That could get awkward.”

She’d evoked a laugh from Tyler. She felt a sense of pride every time she got him to, although sometimes she didn’t understand why he thought she was so funny.

“No promises. I might get lonely,” he teased.

She reached over and lightly shoved his shoulder before grabbing his hand. Car rides never felt quite right if their hands weren’t entwined.

All too soon, they’d arrived at the airport. Tyler pulled into the drop off circle, earning intrigued glances from every direction. If they weren’t eyeing him, they were checking out his car. Nicki shook her head. He didn’t like getting noticed in crowds, yet he bought himself a Maserati. Sometimes, she just didn’t understand his reasoning.

She got out of the car to get her bag from the trunk, but Tyler beat her to it.

“Jesus,” he said as he lifted it, “I don’t think this bag has ever been so full.”

“You told me to pack heavy!” she said, defending herself.

Tyler set the bag down at Nicki’s feet and slipped his fingers into her hair, holding her head in his hands.

“Be safe, okay? Text me when you land.”

She nodded. “I will. I’m gonna miss you.”

“Yeah, I’m gonna miss you too.”

They looked at each other, neither of them wanting to leave the other.

Nicki tilted her head and said, “Good luck tonight. Play your heart out.”

“I will.”

She watched his eyes dart back and forth across her face. He looked so torn. He leaned forward slowly until his lips met hers. Nicki put her hands lightly on his hips and felt his fingertips curl up against her head. Tyler’s kiss was filled with emotion, so much so that it made her dizzy. The taste of him intoxicated her. She kept her eyes closed when he pulled away, trying her hardest to hang onto the moment. She didn’t know when she would see him next.

“I love you so much,” he said, finally letting his hands drop from her head.

“I love you so much, too.” She felt tears welling in her eyes. She hated goodbyes more than anything. “See you soon, Ty.”

He nodded, lingering. Just as Nicki was about to leave, he pulled his jersey over his head and handed it to her.

“Don’t forget this.”

She smiled, and he smiled back. She knew that if she didn’t leave then, she never would. Without another word, she turned her back to him and walked into the airport.

** * * * *

Nicki waited by the luggage claim for her bags to come around. She’d just gotten off the phone with Lisa, who was coming to pick her up. Her eyes were peeled for Tyler’s name. When she saw a group of people begin to freak out to her left, she figured it was probably coming around. She’d gotten stopped by upwards of thirty people at Logan, from teenage girls to parents with little children, to a skeptical security guard who she swore thought she murdered Tyler and stole his bag.

Sure enough, she was right. She stepped forward to grab it and tried to ignore the looks she received from half of the people around her. As she made her way towards the place Lisa told her to go, she noticed a young girl who seemed to be following her. Nicki wasn’t sure if she should stop and ask her what her deal was or just ignore her. She slowed, trying to feel out the situation. A bony finger poked her shoulder blade.

“Are you Nicki?”

She turned around to face her. The girl couldn’t have been more than sixteen, probably even younger. Acne covered what would otherwise be a very pretty face. Ah, the wonders of puberty.

“Yeah, I am. Do I know you?”

The girl looked down at the ground when she spoke. “No.”

Nicki waited for some kind of explanation as to why she’d stopped her. When she didn’t provide one, she asked her what her name was.

“I’m Jessica.”

She smiled at her, trying to make the girl feel more at ease.

“It’s really nice to meet you, Jessica. How do you know me?”

“Well, I’m from Boston, too. My friends and I watched the Bruins’ ball on TV and at first we hated you because we all had crushes on Tyler,” she rambled, “but then we saw your interview and thought you were really cool and ever since we’ve been trying to find a way to meet you but we never could and I was just wondering if you would take a picture with me because my friends would absolutely die.”

Nicki laughed at Jessica’s ranting. No one had ever acted so nervous around her before.

“Of course I will.”

Jessica’s face lit up. Nicki couldn’t believe that people actually knew who she was. She waved to a couple across the room, who Nicki assumed to be her parents. As they walked over, her phone started to ring. It was Tyler. He was probably worried that she hadn’t called yet.

“Can you just give me one second?” she asked. Jessica nodded and she answered the phone. “Hello?”

“Hey, babe. You get there okay?”

“Yeah, I just got my luggage, Lisa’s on her way.”

She looked at Jessica, whose face had become serious. ‘Is that Tyler?’ she mouthed. Nicki nodded. ‘Can I talk to him?’ She nodded again, holding up a finger.

“Good. How was the flight?”

“It was fine. I didn’t need to be in First Class, though.” Before he could defend himself she said, “I have someone here who wants to talk to you, do you mind?”

“Uh, no?”

Nicki handed the phone to an exuberant Jessica.

“Tyler?”

“Hi. You don’t know me, but my name’s Jessica. I’m a really big fan. I just wanted to tell you that you’re awesome and your girlfriend is really, really nice.”

Nicki watched her cheeks turn red. “Oh… thanks,” she said shyly. “Well, I’ll give her the phone back, now. Thanks for talking to me!”

Jessica gave her the phone and bolted over to her parents.

“How did you manage to find a normal fan?” he asked, laughing. “I’m jealous.”

“She just came up to me and asked me to take a picture with her. I’m sorry if you didn’t want to talk to her, she was just so sweet and she asked and I couldn’t say no.”

“It’s fine. She was really nice. And she likes you a lot, huh?”

Nicki chuckled. “I guess so. I better get going though, call me after the game?”

“Course. I love you.”

“Yeah, I love you too.”

“You are the luckiest girl alive,” Jessica said.

She just smiled. She certainly was. Jessica’s parents took a few pictures of them and she bid them goodbye. When she got outside, she saw Lisa’s silver SUV waiting for her. Nicki tossed her bag in the back and jumped into the passenger seat, launching herself onto Lisa.

“I missed you so much!” she said, rocking back and forth as she hugged her.

“I missed you too, girl. So what in the world made you think it was a good idea to bring a bag with your beau’s name plastered all over it?”

Nicki laughed as she pulled away. “Honestly, I didn’t consider the attention it would draw. It was sitting in the closet and I just grabbed it.”

“You are such a liar,” Lisa said as she pulled out of the pickup area. “You just wanted to sport his last name. You fame whore.”

“Guilty as charged. On a serious note, Lis, what’s going on with Danny? Is he okay?”

“As far as I know. He’s having a hard time breathing. You should see it, they’ve got him hooked up to all of these little tubes and wires. It’s heartbreaking.”

Nicki couldn’t decide if she felt worse for Danny or for Lisa and Zach. She couldn’t imagine watching her baby go through that. He had just turned one and was still as fragile as they day he was born.

“I’m so sorry. This must be so hard for you guys.”

“Honey, hard ain’t the word. You coming here means the world to us. I know you wanted to go to Ty’s game. That boy is a wonder. And he was so ready to give you up,” she said, giggling.

“Gee, thanks. By the way, I hope you don’t mind that I stay for the week.”

“You kidding? I’m putting you to work, girl. Bless your soul if you aren’t running for the hills by tomorrow.”

“I’m here to help, I’ll do whatever you need me to.”

“I owe you my life.”

Nicki looked at her. “You don’t owe me anything.”

“Oh, that’s right! I forgot you enslaved yourself to me. Just so you know, when I give my speech at your wedding, I’m taking full credit for your entire relationship.”

“Go ahead, I’m sure his sisters totally won’t try to kill you,” she joked. Candace and Cassidy also liked to take credit for getting them together. And keeping them together.

“Hm, maybe it’s not the best idea to mess with an entire family of hockey players.”

“Good call, Lis.”

The hospital was only a half hour from the airport, and twenty minutes from where Lisa and Zach lived in Ann Arbor. Luckily, there was no traffic, even though it was rush hour. The peacefulness was a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of Boston. Nicki looked out the window at the gorgeous scenery that swept by them.

When they arrived, Lisa pulled into a spot in the parking garage. Nicki looked around, trying to find something to help her remember where they parked. They were in section 5B. Lisa led her to the children’s section of the hospital. It was much different from the hospitals in Boston. It only had six floors, and wasn’t nearly as pristine.

They came to a waiting section where Zach sat with Bella in his lap. As soon as she saw Nicki, she rocketed off of him and bounced down the hallway. Nicki bent down on a knee to lift her up, spinning her around as she hugged her.

“Auntie!”

“Bella, sweetie, I missed you! You look so pretty.”

“You look pretty too!”

Her squeaky voice made Nicki laugh. She had to be one of the sweetest kids she’d ever met.

When she put her down she asked, “Where’s Uncle Tyler?”

“He’s got a game tonight, Bells,” Lisa explained.

Bella’s face dropped. “But I wanna see him.”

“Well, Auntie’s in charge tonight. If she says it’s okay, you can stay up with her and watch his game.”

Her mouth and eyes opened wide, making all of them chuckle. “Really?!” She looked at Nicki and put her tiny hands on her shoulders. “Can I stay up Auntie? Can I?”

“Only if you’re good for me.”

Little did Bella know, even if she colored all over the walls and spilled shit all over the house, she’d still let her watch the game. She lacked the disciplinary measures to tell her no. Bella was too sweet, and too excited.

Bella shrieked and ran in a circle around the lobby. “We’re gonna have soo much fun!”

“Good luck with her,” Lisa whispered.

Zach came over to hug her and say hello. He looked like a wreck. Nicki imagined he’d already worked a full day before coming to the hospital. They went over the last minute details and made sure Nicki knew how to get back to their house. After stopping by the room Danny was in, she and Bella made their way back to the parking garage. She hadn’t stopped talking once; she was keeping Nicki thoroughly entertained.

** * * * *

“Segs, where’s your other half tonight? I thought she was gonna be here?” Milan asked, taking a seat next to him in the lounge. They still had forty five minutes to pass before they had to be out for warm ups.

“She was. Remember her friend, Lisa?”

Milan laughed. “Course I remember her. She was the chick that got up on the bar with me.”

“Yeah, her,” Tyler said, amazed he remembered. “Her younger kid is in the hospital and she asked Nicki to watch the older one. They live in Michigan, she flew out earlier.”

“Bummer. The girls are gonna miss her tonight.”

Tyler nodded. After the last home game, the wives and girlfriends always went out together to celebrate the end of the season. They’d never say where they went, so the team always assumed it was a male strip club or something. It remained a mystery.

“So the one she’s watching, is that the one that’s your god daughter?”

“That’s the one.”

Before Milan could say anything else, Tyler’s phone went off on the table next to them. It was a face time call from Nicki.

He accepted the call and an enormous grin spread across his face. Bella was lying on top of Nicki, and they were both wearing his jersey. Nicki somehow looked even prettier than she had when he left her that morning. An ache in his chest made him realize how much he already missed her.

“Look! It’s Uncle!” Bella screamed, pointing her finger towards the camera.

“Hey Bells! I like your shirt.”

She looked down, as if she’d forgotten what she was wearing.

“It’s your shirt! I wear it all the time to school and people tell me that you’re famous! And I say ‘that’s my uncle!’ and everyone says ‘nuh uh!’ and I say ‘yah huh!’ and then I show them the picture in my desk and then they believe me!”

Tyler heard Milan laughing next to him. It was impossible not to find the gibberish of children humorous. Bella was going to be absolutely devastated when she finds out that he isn’t really her uncle.

“What picture is that?” he asked.

“It’s the picture of us! Don’t you member?”

“What’s the picture of?” Nicki asked, trying to help him out.

“Me and Uncle Tyler! On the jungle gym!”

He did remember that picture. It was from the last time Lisa and Zach had come to Boston, before Danny was born. Lisa was too pregnant at the time to play with Bella, so he and Nicki took over. It was one of the best memories he had with her.

Tyler looked into the screen on his phone, and knew that Nicki was thinking the same thing.

“So your mom is letting you stay up for the game, huh Bells?”

He watched as she bounced around on top of Nicki. “She said it was up to Auntie and Auntie said yes so yeah I’m gonna watch! Will you score a goal for me?”

“I’ll try, no promises though.”

“Aw, okay.”

Tyler couldn’t stand to see her sad. “Hey, Bella. Who’s your favorite hockey player?”

“You!”

He laughed. “Besides me.”

He nudged Milan, trying to get his attention.

“LOOOOCCCHHHH!”

“And how come?”

“Cuz he beats peoples up!”

“Do you want to talk to him?”

She shouted ‘yes’ over and over. Tyler handed his phone to Milan.

“LOOCH!”

“Hi Bella. Hey, Nicki.”

Tyler leaned over so he could see. Bella’s jaw dropped.

“You know my Auntie?!”

“I do.”

“THAT IS SO COOL!”

Claude’s voice boomed down the hallway; it was time to get ready for warm ups.

“We gotta get going. Say bye to Looch,” he said, knowing it wasn’t going to be an easy task trying to get her off of the phone.

“Bye Looch! Uncle, tell him to beat someone up tonight!”

“You heard her, man.”

Milan chuckled and said goodbye, giving Tyler his phone back.

“I’ll talk to you guys later, okay?”

“K, bye!”

He stayed on the phone for an extra second. Nicki mouthed I love you. Tyler nodded and gave her a half hearted smile. He was glad she was having fun. But he wished more than anything that he could be there with her.

** * * * * *

“We won we won we won!” Bella shrieked, jumping up and down on the couch.

Nicki stood up and grabbed her around the waist, trying to keep her from falling and breaking something. The last thing she needed was to join Zach and Lisa at the hospital. Bella wrapped her arms around her Nicki, hanging onto her like a monkey.

“We did win. And Uncle scored for you, didn’t he?”

She nodded proudly. “And Looch beat that guy up!”

“He did,” she responded, laughing. She was surprised such a cute little girl got so excited watching Milan beat the ever living shit out of someone.

“Does that mean I havta go to bed now?”

“Sorry, Bells, but you have to wake up for school tomorrow.”

She pouted, but didn’t fight it. Just as Nicki was about to carry her upstairs, a familiar voice echoed through the room. She turned around to watch, and nearly had the breath knocked out of her. Tyler’s face was beat red and drenched in sweat; he was absolutely glorious. She listened so closely to his entrancing voice that she couldn’t remember a single thing he’d said.

“I got the coolest Uncle ever,” Bella said into her shoulder, yawning.

Thank God she’d settled down. Maybe Tyler’s talking had done it. Nicki liked nothing better than falling asleep to his voice. Besides falling asleep to his body against hers. She sighed, wondering how she was going to sleep without him that night. At least at home, she had Marshall to cuddle with.

Nicki carried her upstairs and helped her change into her pajamas, making sure she used the bathroom and brushed her teeth before she went to bed. She was not dealing with piss stained sheets in the morning.

Once Bella got into her bed she asked, “Can I wait til Uncle Tyler calls? I want him to say goodnight.”

She sat down on the little, twin sized bed and pushed her hair back from her face, the same way Tyler did it to her. “I guess that’d be okay.”

After a few random questions by Bella, Nicki’s phone started to ring.

“Great game, Ty.”

“Thanks. Did Bella see the goal?”

“She did. And the fight.”

“I wanna talk to him!”

“Put me on speaker,” said Tyler.

Nicki took her phone from her ear and put him on speaker phone.

“You scored for me!”

“Yeah, I did. Hope you liked it.”

“I loved it!”

“Tyler, Bella has to go to sleep. Will you say goodnight?” Nicki said, trying to keep her from getting hyper all over again. She’d been so close to falling asleep before he called.

“Goodnight, Bella. You go right to sleep, okay?”

She bobbed her little head up and down. “Auntie, will you sing me a lullaby like last time? Your singing voice is pretty.”

“I only know the one I sang last time, is that okay?”

“Uh huh.”

She waited for Bella to recline in her bed and rest her head on her pillow. Nicki stroked her hair as she sang. She figured if it worked on her and Tyler, it would probably work on a four year old, too.

“Hush little baby, don’t say a word…”

Nicki sang until she was sure Bella was fast asleep. Tyler was silent on the other end of the line. She left a delicate kiss on her forehead and whispered, “Night Bells” before turning off the light and sneaking out of the room.

“You still there?” she asked once she got far enough down the hallway.

“Yup. How come you never sing me to sleep?”

“You never asked,” she answered flatly.

“Good point.”

When she didn’t say anything he added, “I’m really gonna miss you tonight. I can’t even remember the last time I was home and you weren’t.”

Nicki entered the guest room and took her jeans off with one hand. “Honestly, I think it was after Jason died.”

She squeezed the phone between her cheek and her shoulder to unhook her bra underneath his jersey, maneuvering the bra out of it without taking it off. She had decided to sleep in it, hoping the faint trace of Tyler’s scent might help her fall asleep.

“Yeah, I think so too.”

Nicki could hear the sadness in his voice. She knew he probably didn’t want her to go, but he would never deny Lisa and Zach the help they needed; he wasn’t that selfish.

“So are you going out tonight?” she asked as she slipped into bed.

“Nah, I think I’m just gonna rent a movie and hang with Marshall.”

“When did you get so boring?”

She made fun of him, but her heart ached just thinking of him on the couch alone, watching some terrible movie that wasn’t worth the five bucks he paid for it.

He laughed a little. “I dunno. Somewhere between meeting you and getting engaged, I guess. Maybe I’m just getting old. I can’t imagine going out and partying right now. I’m exhausted.”

“I’m sure you are,” she said sympathetically. “You played so good tonight babe. I wish I could have been there to cheer you on.”

She heard him sigh. “So do I. I gotta tell you though, that face time call totally made my night. You guys are so cute. You’re my favorite groupies.”

“You’re such a sweetie.”

What she would give to kiss him…

“So how’s Danny?”

“Not sure, actually. Last I heard, they were still running tests. That was at nine, maybe. They’ll probably be there all night.”

“Wow, that blows.”

“Yeah,” she said. “Makes you rethink what it’s like to be a parent, huh?”

“No. Not really.”

His response had been so simple. Nicki was always afraid to bring the subject up in conversation. Maybe it was time she did.

“Oh.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say. “I think I’m gonna try to go to bed. If Zach and Lisa aren’t back, I have to get Bella ready for school in the morning.”

“Okay. Sleep tight Nicki. I love you.”

“I love you too, Ty.”

Nicki tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable. She tried her stomach, her side, her back, a spread eagle, nothing worked. She adjusted the pillows, and ended up making them worse. A frustrated groan pushed its way from her lips.

All but five minutes later, she was on the phone again.

“Hello?”

“Will you talk to me until I fall asleep?”

Tyler’s melodious laugh traveled through the phone to her ear.

“Of course I will.”

He started talking to her, but she didn’t understand a word he said. She was already drifting off to sleep.