Forever and Ever;;28

I turned away from the computer screen.

"Avs"I told Jimmy.

"Should be interesting." He replied.


I could hear my phone ringing in the other room. Jimmy looked at me and I looked at him.

I walked past him playfully and he followed me into the bedroom.

I picked up the phone to hear a familiar voice.

"Wanna play some hockey?" He asked. "We need a goalie or two."


Jimmy had his hands on my hips. I looked up to his amazing blue eyes. His lips collided with mine. As I moaned.

"So now you moan when you talk to me?" Aaron joked.


"I'm gunna have to call you back."

I heard him say something else,but the phone dropped from my ear and it hit the carpet.

His lips came to mine again. Then slowly came down my neck.

"Can this wait?" I asked. "Lets go play some hockey."

He groaned. "I guess...."
***

I stepped onto the ice at the Joe. I breathed in the cool air. It had been a long time.

I saw Aaron with Jimmy in the corner looking at me. I knew they were talking about what had happened before we left. They looked me over once before I asked "We going to play some hockey or not?"

I stood there in the middle of the ice before Aaron came over and skated circles around me,

"So you leave him hanging huh?" He asked.

I shook my head and looked down at the ice.

"It's alright. You did it to me before."

I pushed him playfully. "That was a long time ago."

He held out his arms at me and I skated toward the net.

Aaron and Meech both came at me at once. Aaron shot one high and wide but then blocked me so Meech could get one by on my blocker side.

I picked up my water bottle off the back of the net and sprayed my face.

We had been playing for hours. My thighs and arms started to ache. I caught myself breathing heavily. I took off my helmet and let it dangle from my hand while I skated over to the bench. I took a blue Gatorade from the bench and drank it down. Most of the guys were sitting on the bench, but Aaron and I were still playing. He skated over to me. "I can't play anymore."

"Yes come on. I need someone to play with." I begged.

"Meech!" I called. "Come play with me."

"I don't think you should play anymore." He said.

"I'm fine. I know how far I can push myself."

"Madison, the rest of the guys stopping playing hours ago."

"Okay. Thanks anyway. Anyone want to play?"

I got nothing. I skated over and sat next to Jimmy on the bench and took my helmet off. I rested my head on his shoulder.

"You done?" He asks.

"Well since Nobody will play with me then I guess I will have to be." I threw my blocker down.

***


"So where were we?" Jimmy asks me when we get back to the apartment.


"Uhmm I think here." His body came closer to mine and I kissed him gently. He picked me up and throws me over his shoulder. Headed into the bedroom. He sat me down on the bed while his hands roamed all around my body. And well the rest..... It's history.



I woke up the next morning, my whole body aching. I wasn't sure if it was from playing hockey, or from Jimmy and I's night before. I sat up and cleared my throat which was also sore. I turned over and laided on my side. 'Hmm. Jimmy must have went to practice.' I thought to myself. Tonight was the first game against the Avs. I was still shocked the made the playoffs this year. Let alone the second round.

Forever and Ever;;27

I sent Aaron a text message. Are u home? It took him a while to respond. Yeah. come on over. I would love to see you.



I got into my older Pontiac G6 and drove to Aaron and Meechers apartment complex.


When I got there Aaron greeted me at the door. I gave him a hug. And he kissed my cheek.

"I'm really sorry for talking to you like that the other night."

"It's fine I understand." I nodded and rocked back and forth on my feet. Still standing in the hallway.

"So am I not allowed to come in or what?"

"Meechers kind of on a date."

"No way!" I peeked my head over Aaron's shoulder to see a tall brunette sitting playing video games with Meech.

I pushed my way past him and looked at the TV.

"Is that the new NHL 08?" I asked.

"Sure is!" Meech paused the game and got up from his place on the floor.

"Madi, this is Megan. Megan, this is Jimmy's girlfriend Madison."

"It's really nice to meet you." She held out her hand.

We spent the rest of that night playing NHL 08. Me, Aaron, Jimmy, Derek, and Megan.

***

Facing Nashville that night made me nervous. It was a must win. We did beat them 3-2.

Then beat them in game five to win the series in only six games.

"Are we going or not?" I asked Aaron.

"Yeah we will get cleaned up and then go."

It had been a tradition for the team to go to a bar called the Whisky Barrel ever time we won a series. It was probably my favorite bar. Plus, we always had a great time since they gave out free cowboy hats.
I had on black skinny jeans, along with a black and white sleeveless shirt. I stood in the locker room waiting for everyone.
I could fell someone tap my shoulder, so I quickly turned around.
"Morgan!" I screamed.
"How could a miss this?" She came around and stood next to me.
"I'm really happy you're going. I have missed you lately."
"I know it was time to get out."
***
I woke up the next morning not being able to remember anything.
I turned to Jimmy. "Last night must have been crazy."
"More than crazy."
I sighed and fell back asleep.

Forever and Ever;;26

The guys were headed to Nashville for games three and four. Jimmy asked me to come with but I decided not to. I wasn't interested going to Nashville to sit by myself surrounded by hillbilly fans. No way.





During game three at sat at Morgan's with a bucket of popcorn in my lap. Listing to Ally cry in the other room. I turned up the TV which displayed the ugly truth. Nashville won. We had lost big time. 3-5. Not a great way to begin the playoffs. It was only game three. Maybe the wings weren't going to win a cup this year. Or maybe I was over reacting.

But then again... maybe I wasn't because we lost again this time 3-2.
***
That night Jimmy got back really late and I tried to stay up to see him. I turned on the TV and they were playing re-runs of last year's playoffs. I tried to figure out what we did wrong. Why we didn't win. My train of thought was interrupted by Jimmy coming through the front door banging his bags around as they hit the walls. He smiled at me just slightly before I went over to him. Standing on my toes his lips pressed against mine.
"I missed you." He said.
"Missed you too. How was Nashville?"
"Terrible..." He shook his head.
"How could we let them come back like that!" He raised his voice.
"I'm going to bed. Night."
"Yeah I'm beat."
"What ever. You didn't even play."
I must have hit a sore spot. Jimmy loved laying in the NHL but hated being a back up.
"I'm sorry Jimmy."
"Its fine."
***
That next morning I sat on the couch going through old pictures and videos on my laptop. I turned my attention up to Versus on the television. They had recaps of the Nashville & Wings games. I sighed as Brian Engblom talked about the wings not winning the cup this year if they kept playing like that.
I jumped as I saw Jimmy out of the corner of my eye.
"Why are you watching this shit?" He picked up the remote and turned to the news.
"Its not shit Jimmy."
"They think we can't win it. That's shit."
He sat down next to me and took the computer on my hands. It just so happened that the video Jimmy had taken of me on the wedding was on the screen. He pressed the play button as I tried to take it out of his hands.
"Nooo let me watch this!" He grinned.
"No that's terrible."
"Nah it's hot."
Finally the movie ended. And I switched to the one of Jimmy, Meecher, and Aaron going at it to 'I like Big Butts and I can not lie'.
He muttered a "Oh god"
"God Jimmy you don't even like that with me."
"I don't even remember that, okay"
It reminded me that I had been a bitch to Aaron the other night. I needed to talk to him.

Forever and Ever;;25

On the 12Th I sat at the Joe by myself as the wings led 1-2. The buzzer sounded the end of period one. As I got up to head back into the locker room I noticed the same girls who threw beer on me. I turned my head just to barley glance at them.

"Hey beotch." The blond said.

I shook my head and continued to walk away.

"Were not done here."

She tossed her cup of beer at me as I tried to get out of the way. But failed.

They snicked as I walked into the locker room soaked once again.

I was beyond pissed and just wanted to go home. I walked past Aaron in the hallway first.

"Oh god you smell terrible." He said wrinkling up his nose.

I was in no mood to be kidding around. "Shut the fuck up!" I screamed.

He looked at me shocked as I turned my head and continued to the locker room. I walked in and came over to Jimmy's locker where he sat smiling.

"Well I'm glad someones happy!" I said being a bitch.

I took his sweatshirt off the hook in his locker and walked out.



He followed me.

"What the hell was that?" He asked looking down at my jersey.

Before I said anything he muttered a "Ohh"

"I'm sorry. Its just been alot of things lately, so I'm going home. Ill see you there."
"No babe. Stay... please."
"No Jimmy. I'm going."
He groaned "Fine"
I kissed him on the cheek and backed away our fingertips still touching. I smiled slightly, then walked out the Gordie Howe entrance to my car.

***
When I got back to the apartment and turned on my laptop. I took my video camera out of my Coach purse and uploaded videos to the laptop. I came across one of Jimmy, Meecher, and Aaron dancing to 'Sexy Can I' at Morgan and Val's wedding. I couldn't help but laugh. They were beyond drunk and spanking each other while 'I like Big Butts and I can not lie' came on. You could hear the laughs in the background. Mostly mine. Then, I came across one that Jimmy had taken of me dancing to 'Low' Yeah about that.. I ran my fingers through my hair and went along with the music. I heard alot of "Whoooooooo's" in the background. I shook my head as I turned off the computer.

I walked out to the living room where I turned on FSN. My boys had beat Nashville 2-4. I smiled and turned the TV back off, and turned on the shower. I still reeked. As i was getting out of the shower I heard the front door open. I wrapped a towel around myself and opened up the bathroom door. Jimmy was still facing the door so I ran up to him and jumped on his back. He laughed and put his hands on both of my legs holding me up.
"You won. Sorry I wasn't there."
"Its fine. I understand. At least you smell better!"
I laughed "Thanks sweetheart."
"Sweetheart?" He asked.
"I don't know where they came from..."
"Ohh I see."
I ran my fingers through my wet hair and ran into the bedroom, putting on clothes.
"Love you!" He shouted from the other room.
I smiled "Love you too"

Forever and Ever;;24

The playoffs came around quickly. We faced Nashville in the first round.
I walked into the locker room after the pre-game skate and sat next to Jimmy.
"You okay?" I asked him. I knew he was kind of upset because he wasn't going to be playing at all. And if he was it would have been a miracle. Ozzie was starter, he would be starting.
"I'm fine."
A long silence came before I tried to break it with a joke.
"I don't even know why you like me then!"
He looked at me obviously not knowing I was kidding. "Madi, in the past few months I have noticed so much about you. You look at the world in such a different way. Whether we win of lose your happy. And you re the one person in here who keeps everyone going and has a positive attitude. For instance, you're one of the very few girls I know who puts on tons of makeup, but doesn't need at at all. When you look at yourself in the mirror every morning, its not a 'I'm so hot look. It's a 'who am i really' look. I love you so much for all of those things that make you.. you.
I looked deep down into those blue eyes of his. He must have been telling the truth.
"That is either the weirdest..... or sweetest thing I have ever heard."
I kissed I'm gently before I walked out the door.
Aaron was standing out in the hallway, so I came up from behind and hit his butt.
He jumped and said "Real nice. Wait till I tell Jimmy about this."
I laughed one more time before I told him "Go get em'"


We beat Nashville that night 3-1. Except for once again.. I say by myself. Morgan was at home, with Ally. I could go over there and watch the games with her. But being at the Joe during the playoffs was amazing. The energy and the fans. I loved it.

After the game Jimmy put on regular clothes. I walked out to the care with him and said "I think this is the year."
"Don't be to sure though."
***
When we got back to the apartment, I put on sweatpants and sat on the couch next to him.
"What do you want to do this summer?" He asked.
"Well if you guys do win the cup. you should bring it to New york, James." I laughed at his real name. It didn't fit him at all.
"That's a great idea." I kissed me slightly before I fell asleep on his shoulder.

Forever and Ever;;23

We won the last few games of the season. And then, it was on to the playoffs.
***
But before we faced Nashville, Jimmy and I were going to a charity event in downtown Detroit. I guess a lot of guys from different teams were going to be there.

"Zip it," I told Jimmy
He looked at me with a weird grin.
I laughed. "The dress!"
"Ohhh, yeah sure."
When my black cocktail dress was zipped Jimmy turned me around.
"You mean everything to me Madi."
I gave him a shy smile. "No Jimmy, you mean everything to me."
He kissed my neck "You look great."
I fixed his red tie "You don't look to bad yourself."
He took my hand as we walked out the front door.
***
When we got there there was tons of people. So many you couldn't move around.
I sighed and looked at Jimmy. "Do we really have to to here?"
"Babe, its for charity."
"I know..."
"Listen I'm going to talk to the guys. Coming?"
"No, I'm going to get a beer."
"Okay. Get me one."
I nodded and slowly made my way over to the bar. I hated bug crowds. The made me nervous, seeing that I was so self conscious.
"Two Miller Lights." I told the bar tender.
He handed them to me, I turned around but quickly ran into someone who was taller than me. I expected it to be Jimmy. So, I handed him the beer and looked up. It was definitely not Jimmy.
"Sidney Crosby" He held out his hand.
I was shocked. I had always liked Sidney as a player. But I had never met him.
I looked up at him. "You have a name right?" He said to me.
I laughed "Madison... Maltby."
He sat down on one of the bar stools and made a gesture for me to do the same.
I sat down next to him and turned my stool to face his. "Kirk Maltby's daughter?"
"Yeah.." I told him still shocked.
We started talking about nothing in particular. When it came to a question I didn't expect him to ask.
"Boyfriend?" He asked.
I turned over and say Jimmy talking to Colby Armstrong.
"Actually.... yeah I do. But cmon Sid the Kid. An amazing hockey player. Heartthrob. You must have a girlfriend?"
"Actually I don't."
I nodded and looked back and Jimmy one more time. Who was looking at me. I blushed shyly as I laughed.
I sat there most of the night talking to Sidney. He seemed like a real great guy. Layed back, funny, and always had something to talk about. He always seemed like a jerk and a complainer on TV but he was actually nothing like that. He was a genuinely sweet guy.
I blackberry vibrated and said 'One new text from Jimmy.'
"Want to go?"
"Yeah I will meet you outside in a second."
When I was done Sidney took the phone out of my hand. And saw the text from Jimmy.
"Oh yeah,, you are dating Howard right?"
"Mmhm." I told him as he put his number in.
He handed me his phone and said "Put yours in."
When we were done I handed his phone back and said "Thanks!"
"Call sometime. I am sure we will be seeing the Wings in the playoffs. We should hang out. I mean if that's okay?!
"It would be fine."
I gave Sidney a small hug and said "Night."


I walked out the front door and say Jimmy standing to the left. He took me in a hug and kissed my neck. "What do you want to do now..." He asked me
I bit my lip. "Ohhh I don't know."
"Oh but I think you do..."
We got back to his apartment taking clothes off as we came through the door.
I stepped away for a second "Playoffs?" I asked him.
"Doesn't matter"
Burying my face in his neck I said "Okay then.."

Forever and Ever;;22

I sat at the top of the bleachers, but minutes later my phone vibrated in my left pocket. The caller I.D read Morgan.

"Is everything okay?" I asked her

"No I think it's time."

"Oh my god. I will be there as soon as I can."

I ran down the steep stairs of the Joe to the ice where I shouted for Val and Jimmy.

"Morgan's contractions are really close. We need to go." I told them as the rest of the team gathered around.

"They're not the only ones going." Draper told me. "Were going too." He told me as he made a gesture to the rest of the team.

I got into the back eat of Val's car and Jimmy sat in front. Val was taking really deep breaths so I said "Val, Morgan's having this baby not you. Calm down!"

Jimmy snickered. "Yeah Vally calm down." He said mimicking me.

I slapped his shoulder. "Gosh you're mean!" I told him kidding

I ran up to the front door and didn't bother knocking. Morgan was sitting on the couch. I grabbed the bag she had and slung it over my shoulder as Val helped her up. We got to the hospital in no time. Val drove like a maniac.

As Morgan was sitting down in a wheelchair I asked "Ali Elizabeth, right?" Even since I had been friends with Morgan she always told me that's what she wanted to name her daughter is she had one.

She nodded as the nurse took her. I smiled as Jimmy grabbed my hand from behind.

"Cmon, they guys are over there." He said pointing to the waiting room. I looked back at Morgan and then at Jimmy who was raising his eyebrows. I sighed "Okay..."

I sat down next to Jimmy and Draper. Jimmy still had my hand that was getting really sweaty. I pried my hand from Jimmy's grasp and turned to Draps. "What the hell are you doing out here!? Get in there, she's your daughter!" He looked shocked at what I had said. I pointed to the direction of the room and he got up and left. '

It started to get late. I hadn't heard anything about what was going on with Morgan for over three hours. It was almost five.

Another few hours went by and most of the team was still there. If anything there was more people in the room than before. Most of the wives, girlfriend, and a few other people were now there. I turned to Jimmy and smiled before I gave him a kiss.

"Go home. You have a big game tomorrow." I told him

"I will be fine. He whispered.

***

Finally around 10:30 the nurse came in and told us Ali was in the nursery. We could go see her.I walked with Jimmy down to the nursery with the whole team following. We got alot of weird looks from people. Alot of them just wanted autographs.

I put my hand on the glass window and said "That's her!" I noticed her even before I looked at her tag. She had lots of blond hair. Just like her dad. As soon as everyone got a look a look, most of them went home. Pav,Z, Frazen, Cheli, my dad, Cleary, Ozzie, and Jimmy and I went to see Morgan.

When I walked in a Morgan looked happy, but shocked. I said "Congratulation's!"

"Is everything OK Morg? Why did it take so long?"

"The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck."

"Ohh. She's okay right? We saw her! She has lots of blond hair!" I told her giving Val a hug.

"She's great!" She finally perked up,

Jimmy and I stayed for awhile until I noticed the time. 11:30 read the clock next to Morgan's bed. Jimmy yawned.

"Well, I have to get this little boy home." I joked "See you tomorrow."

The next game was tomorrow. Jimmy was going to be in. And, it was one of the last games before the end of the season.