Forward to October 2016

The offseason flew by with Brendan going back to Edmonton for 3 weeks while I worked at my summer job being a receptionist for a social worker. I also graduated in June which I was very excited about and am now in the process of finding a job that lets me be a social worker. Brendan was busying working out and skating, while I was refining my resume and getting my name into every social working agency in Montreal.

Sara graduated from nursing and almost instantly started working at the hospital where she did her placement as a nurse. She was dedicating her life away to long shifts of either days or nights. Sara and Dustin are not together for sure right now, Sara did go see him this summer when he was in Montreal making sure he had everything and move to Anaheim/ San Diego.

P.K was traded earlier this summer and to say I was devastated was an understatement. I told Brendan we were never able to speak of that event for at least a year. Being a huge habs fan, I was confused and frustrated and fed up with the organization. Brendan won’t tell me, but I think the whole trade was a huge racist issue with Michel, Bergervin, and P.K. Shea is a great player but I just can’t get over why they would trade their best player and arguably the most popular within fans and the league.

Blair moved to Montreal and is living in Alex and Brendan’s apartment which brought her dog so when I am over, the huge apartment can get cramped quick. This is probably going to be the last year that Alex and Brendan live together as they are getting older and it seems like they will want to get something bigger, Blair probably wants Alex and her to move into a house so they can settle down. Brendan and I are just fine, maybe Alex will move out and I will move in? Who knows what Sara will be up to in an year.

So today I was busy at work trying my best to try and get a promotion so I can actually be a social worker and not just answer phones all day. Brendan was at practice getting ready for a game against the Penguins tomorrow.

During lunch, my phone goes off and I quickly answer seeing that it is my mother calling. “Bonjour Maman.” I answer.

“Hi sweetie. How are you?”

“I’m good, on lunch break. You?”

“Your dad wanted me to ask if you are coming to game tomorrow with us or Brendan? I think your brothers are coming with Paige and Lucy, so it will be a family thing.”

“Of coarse I will come with you guys. Is there a seat for me?” I ask.

“Yes, your dad was given a suite for the night for his contributions.”

“Wow, yes I will be there. That’s cool.”

“Christian joked saying he got a suite because of your relationship with Brendan.”

“He’s such a jerk.” I mutter, rolling my eyes.

“So are you going to get a ride with Brendan or do you want to come over and we can all go together?”

“I will probably just drive from work tomorrow so I can meet you there.”

“Have you heard from any jobs yet?” Mom asks.

“Not yet, no. I’m a little stressed about it.” I sigh. “This receptionist thing doesn’t make a lot of money, I only get minimum.”

“Don’t stress about it honey, something will come along soon. If you need anything or some rent money, call daddy or I.”

“Thanks mommy. But I just kinda want to get through this without feeling like I owe you guys anything.”

“Don’t forget that we have had to give your brothers money too, you know. Sometimes you are too independent.”

“I wonder where I got that from.” I joke, knowing that I got it from her.

“I love you honey.”

“I love you too mommy. I should get back to work.”

“Good idea honey. We will see you tomorrow at the game, I will text you the suite information.”

“Bye mom.” I say hanging up the phone call.

______

Finally the day is over and I can go home and have a glass of wine and curl up on my couch. I get into my car to hear my phone vibrate for a text. It’s from Brendan.

‘Whats the plan stan?’

‘can it involve wine and a couch.’

‘sure babe, I’ll cook.’

‘u play tomorrow, u can’t have food poisoning’

‘ur not funny’

‘ur right, i’m hilarious’

‘whatever see u at home.’

‘my place?’

‘well my couch is covered in dog hair unless u want that’

‘no’

‘i’m already lying on ur bed.’

‘u don’t even have a key’

‘having a plant beside ur door is kinda a giveaway for a key’

‘bye im leaving now’

‘love u’

Brendan is obviously in a good mood which helps my mood, working as a receptionist is something I don’t want to do for the rest of my life so it sucks having to do it right now. Especially when I only get minimum wage for sitting at a desk for 9 hours a day.

I start the 10 minute drive back to our apartment building. Each day Brendan starts getting more and more annoyed with Alex and Blair so he is usually over at my apartment and Sara works a lot so we usually have my apartment to ourselves, like tonight because Sara just started working at 5 when I got off.

I take a deep breath when closing my door to my apartment and chuck my heels off sending them across the floor missing the shoe organizer on the floor. “Brendan.” I call out walking towards the kitchen.

“Hey baby.” Brendan says behind me as I am looking through the fridge for something for dinner. Brendan wraps his arms around me pulling me away from the fridge. “How was your day ms receptionist?” He asks.

“Better now that I’m home.” I smile turning around in his arms hugging him gently.

“Rough eh?”

“You have no idea. I want a real job in my field.” I whine, pouting.

“Soon Lyd.” He pecks my lips before letting go of me.

“What do you want for dinner?” I ask Brendan.

“What do you have?” He asks.

“Steak? Fish? Pasta?”

“Anything is good with me. I will have pasta tomorrow for pregame anyways.”

“will you cook the steak?”

“sure babe. I will start barbecuing, you go change into something other than a work outfit.”

“I thought you like my work outfits.” I pout.

“Yeah, for foreplay. Not for dinner.” Brendan smirks smacking my butt as I leave the kitchen.

“You're unbelievable.” I mutter.

“You love me.” Brendan calls.

“Don’t burn the steak.” I call back.

_______

Now after a long day at the office I am off to the Bell Centre for the first home game of the season. It is pretty exciting getting to go to a home opener with my family, this is my first home opener ever so its a new experience I get to do with my family and Brendan.

This home opener wouldn’t be easy because it would be against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, but without Crosby and Murray. I am pretty big Crosby fan so its always exciting to see him play.

I wave to Dave the security guard and tell him I am going to be in a different suite tonight, my parent’s. He was probably used to me going to the WAGs suite but not tonight.

“Bonjour ma famille.” I singsong opening the door to find my Mom, Dad, Henry and Lucy, and Christian and Paige.

“Shhh. The game is on.” My two brothers reply as I roll my eyes at them.

Lucy and Paige come up to give me big hugs. I haven’t seen Lucy since the summer so I hug her a little longer. Mom is next and I hug her gently. I grab a beer and some nachos from the back of the suite and head to sit beside my brothers.

“You missed puck drop.” Henry comments. “Which means you also missed to torch being passed around.”

“Sorry boss man. I got caught up at work.”

“It’s okay Lydia. Henry is just being a butt.” Lucy says.

“Yeah we know you are busy.” My dad pats my thigh.

“I thought you got lost on your way to a different suite. Where is the WAGs one?” Christian chirps.

“Its across from us.” I point to a suite where I can see some of the girls watching the game and some talking to each other.

“Do they even watch the game?” Henry complains.

“Most do. But we talk and watch. It’s fun. You guys would hate it though.”

“How’s Brendan doing with his start of the season?”

“Good, he’s was becoming quite restless before the season, now he eat, sleeps, and plays hockey. I think this will be a good year for him.” I smile.

The game ends with a 4-0 victory for the home team. Brendan didn’t get any points but I am glad the team got a win. Right now, they were almost unbeatable at home.

“Good win eh? Up for dinner?” My dad asks the family as we are exiting the suite.

“I bet Brendan will be up for food.” I reply. Christian and Henry agree and my family heads down to meet Bren. I text him warning him that we were coming and that we had talked about dinner.

“Good game Brendan!” My mom cheers wrapping her arms around my boyfriend. I was talking with Blair quickly as Brendan exits earlier than normal, he must have read my text. My brothers and father congratulate him and my sisters-in-law hugging him quickly. “Ready to go?” My mom asks as I tangle my arm with Brendan’s back with our group.

We decide to meet up at a steakhouse not far from the Bell Centre. Brendan got a ride with Alex so he gets to ride in my civic to the restaurant.

“Good game Bren.” I murmur when he puts his bag in my trunk and I lean against the car looking at him.

“Thanks.” He smiles at me and leans over to peck my lips once. “How was work today?” He asks as we settle into the car.

“Long but good.” Brendan rests his hand on my thigh for the car ride.

“Thats good Lyd, I don’t think you have said it was good in a while.” He looks over to me. “What was different today?” He asks.

“I don’t know, I was looking forward to tonight. I missed the Bell Centre. But it just went smoother today and I guess I am starting to adjust to it more.”

“Thats great.” Brendan smiles. “It was nice to be back on the ice.”

“It was weird not being in the wag box.” I chuckle.

“How was your suite?”

“It was good, the nachos were great as usual. I don’t know it was a different atmosphere, I think I enjoyed being able to focus on the game. With the wags box I’m usually gossiping or taking care of a baby. It was like before the perks that you have and just being a fan.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it baby.” Brendan murmurs getting out of the car and heading into the restaurant.

“What did everybody think of the win?” I ask meeting up with my parents who were seated at a table closer to the back in a secluded area.

“They were happy. 4-0 against the defending cup champions is something special.”

“I thought so too.” My father chirps in as we sit down.

“Did you like the game from the suite André?” Brendan asks my dad quickly getting into a conversation with my dad and brothers. My mom, Paige, Lucy, and I talk fall into conversation about babies. Henry and Lucy announced to us that they were trying to have a child, this made me the happiest person in the world because I love children and I cannot wait to be an aunt. Lucy is an only child in her family so Paige and I get to be the greatest aunts for our little niece or nephew.

Its crazy to think both of my brothers are married and one is going to start a family soon. We are all growing up, we have settled down into relationships that we want to spend the rest of our lives with each other. I see myself with Brendan long term, as much as it scares me it also makes so super happy for the rest of my life. Brendan has fit in so well with my family and I couldn’t be anymore grateful.

Brendan and the boys order steak and I order a wrap with sweet potato fries that Brendan helps pick at. My mom and Lucy have a salad and Paige got some soup to warm her stomach up. I think it was a pumpkin flavour of soup.

Notes

this is long overdue but I started a new story called "Finnished Before We Started" and I recommend it!
Home Opener Outift

Work Outfits