The Love to Live For

Alysha's POV

Today is the day that Olli is going to meet my parents. I am soo stressed. I hope this goes well. I land in Detroit and get off the plane to see my entire family waiting for me. My siblings, my mom, my dad, grandma, grandpa and my two aunts and uncles. They are all waiting in the middle of the terminal. I have been telling them all about Olli, but I didn't tell them that he is my boyfriend. I'm scared to find out what they think of him. Or worse, what if they don't approve? There are so many thoughts racing around in my head. Olli has yet to meet my parents, and there are so many people that Olli knows that I'm sure he'll want me to meet. I can't wait to meet his team, but I get really nervous meeting a lot of people at once. For Thanksgiving, he will be meeting my parents, aunt, uncles, grandparents and my siblings.

"Honey! We couldn't wait until you got here! Come give me a hug!" says my grandma holding her arms out.

"You look tired," says my mom as she joins in my hug with grandma. My family is weird as hell, but I love them.

"Let's head home and get ready for this game that we are supposed to go to," says my dad and he takes my bags and brings them to the van. We head home and to get ready for the game. Puck drop is in two hours. I really wish the Pens were the home team, but we are in Detroit. This game is the last game for a few days for them. They have about three days off because of Thanksgiving. I can finally spend some time with Olli.

"So, you told us a lot about this Olli guy. When do we get to meet him?" asks my dad.

"Soon," was my only reply. I don't want them to know when and I don't want them to know that he plays for the Pens. That is the only thing about him that I did not say. I want them to be surprised when they see him on the ice. They can meet after the game.

"What time?" asks my little brother. He is a big hockey fan and he is actually a big Olli Maatta fan. He can't wait to go to the game he is bouncing in his seat from excitment.

"A little excited little bro?" asks my big brother, Andrew. He is home from college for Thanksgiving. We don't get to see him much. I'm so happy that he is coming with us to the game. MY uncles are Red Wings fans, but thankfully my parents are Penguins fans. Maybe that will improve my chances of them liking Olli. I love Olli so I really want this to go as planned. Nothing ever goes right for me.

"You happy to be home from school?" asks my dad as we pull into our driveway. We all pile out of the van and head inside to get ready for the game. I put on some of my facepaint. Of course I put on my Pens jersey and a #3 on one cheek and a "Let's Go Pens" on the other cheek. They won last game in Ottawa, I wonder how this game will go. I want Olli to score to impress my parents. He has been playing really well recently.

"Alysha! Are you ready to go?" shouts my dad as everyone piles back into the van after getting their hockey jerseys. Some are Pens others are Red Wings. We are finally on our way to the game.

Olli's POV

I sit there in the locker room thinking about how this game is going to go. Alysha has told me that her parents are going to be here. She told me they have glass seating at the end we will be defending. I want them to like me. I was never really good at meeting people. Anyone for that matter. I have only had a few girlfriends. I don't date much, but when I do, it's usually long term. I'm not one of those guys that just dates girls for sex. I date them for happiness and so I'm not alone and so she's not alone. I love everything about Alysha, her smile, her laugh, her voice, her looks, her humor and she loves hockey. That's a win in my book.

"Alright boys! It's show time!" says coach Sullivan as he walks in the locker room with the rest of the coaching staff. "Remember the game plan? Body first, puck second. Get bodies in front of their net, screan the shit out of their goalie. He should not see any shots tonight. That's how we are going to get them past him. Jimmy Howard is starting. He can be a tough nut to crack. Get in the slot and the back door and we shoud be good. Use the points when the Wings get too low. Slap shots, defections, those will end up in the net. Now let's go get 'em!"

The guys all cheer and we head out to the ice. I am so nervous as this game is about to start. Me and Tanger are starting on defense. Sid's line is starting on offense. Jarry is in net. I look over and I see Alysha and her family. Her little brother is pressed right up against the glass. He is wearing my jersey. The ref drops the puck and Sid gets it back to me. I pass up to Tanger and he passes up to Sid and he take a shot that is stopped by Howard. Sid gets the puck back and passes it to me. I take a slap shot that is stopped and held by Howard. The ref blows the whistle for a faceoff. I can't believe I just shot it right at him. The Red Wings win that draw. They head towards us. I face the puck, skating backwards. I go for the poek check and steal the puck away and take it towards the other end. I flip a quick wrist shot that hits the post. I hurry to get back in position as the Wings bring it back towards us. Jarry gets ready as they take a slap shot that is snagged out of the air by Jarry. He releases the puck and passes it to me. I throw a pass as hard as I can to Sid as I get knocked hard into the boards. I head to the bench to get a break. That was a decent first shift. I hope they are impressed. Alysha looks so good wearing black and gold. I wish she would wear it more often.

Alysha's POV

Olli is doing great so far. My family is really into this game. My little brother, William, is so into this game. He is a huge hockey fan that talks about nothing but the Penguins. If you ever want to know when the Pens play, who they play against, if they are winning or losing, or if they win or lost last game, ask him. He knows everything about them. Olli gets back on the ice. He gets ready for the Red Wings to come at Jarry. Jarry has been a pretty good goaltender so far this year. Real solid between the pipes. The Red Wings take a quick shot and Jarry lets out the rebound. Of course, it's shot back and Jarry and Olli gets in front of it to block it. If he didn't do that, it'd be a sure goal. The Pens take the puck up the ice. Its passed to Olli and he one-times the puck and it hits the back of the net. The goal light is lit and the fans are silent as the Pens celebrate their first goal of the game. Howard was a little slow to try to make the save on the one-timer. Olli got the goal. I am so happy for him. My parents are clapping and my little brother is cheering. He so adorable. Olli and William will get along just fine. Olli looks over at where we are sitting and I smile. He's adorable. He smiles back.

Olli's POV

"Is that Alysha?" asks Tanger.

"And her family," I mumble trying to avoid the teasing that Tanger is going to throw at me. He likes to tease our teammates about their girlfriends when they get one.

"She's pretty. Have sex yet?" asks Tanger as he basically hustles away from me. He knows I'll get him back for that. Of course guys act that way. Always be praised when they get a girl in bed and when girls are in bed with guys, they are called sluts and whores. I do not like the way women are treated in this world. I would never try to put any pressure on Alysha. She is the best thing to happen to me. I hope her parents like me.

***

The game ended. We won 2-0. Jarry had an incredible game stopping 40 shots. Now, I need to meet Alysha's parents. This is going to be overwhelming. I am nervous as it is. I walk out of the locker room followed by Tanger.

"You were quiet in there. Something on your mind?" asks Tanger trying not to tease me. I can see it in the smile that he's holding back.

"No, it's nothing."

"Does it have to do with Alysha? OMG she's pregnant isn't she?" says Tanger letting out that smile that he was holding back. I just roll my eyes and shake my head.

"No, she is not. We haven't done anything yet."

"Key word right there. So it will happen?"

Alright, I will admit, Tanger is funny and his teasing is actually making me forget about the stress of meeting the parents.

"Ah you just blushed," says Tanger as he walks away. I will admit that I do want to do it at some point, but no pressure towards Alysha. I love her so I respect her. She is at the end of the hall, waiting with her parents. Well, here we go.

Notes

I hope this leaves you wondering what will happen next! I need suggestions! I want this meeting to go well, but I want to keep it interesting! Enjoy!