Frozen Heart

Chapter 49 ~ "I Have A Surprise For You"

Grace

Today was Nik's final game, I was supposed to meet him here at the rink this morning before their team warm-ups and everything.

I'd spent the night with Chelsea, Kristin and Josie, it was nice to hang out with them again. I missed Josie loads and I'd been missing my friends a lot. My dad being home had put my social life on hold temporarily.

Best of all was when Nik called me last night before bed. I loved my boyfriend more than anything. He was perfect for me, no matter how difficult the road was to get here, it was worth it. I always smiled and laughed when I heard his voice, knowing how much he cared about me made me smile.

"You look excited." Chelsea mumbles and I shrug.

"I guess I am." I admit and she laughs.

"You two talked forever last night, I wasn't sure if you were ever going to come back and hang out with us." She teases and I laugh too.

"Yeah, I just wanted to make sure he was okay, he's been having one hell of a hard time lately." I admit and she smiles.

"There he is." She says and I see Nik hurrying over from the front doors. I rush up too and he scoops me into a huge hug. I smile into his shoulder and he kisses the side of my head. I pull back again and give him a real kiss this time around that he seems to enjoy.

"Hello." I mumble and he laughs.

"Hey baby." He whispers and I feel my stomach flip. 

"How was your trip?" I ask and he shrugs.

"No problems, she won and everything so it was more than worth it. But I wish I was here with you." He says quietly and I smile. "I missed you."

"God I missed you too." I whisper. His hands slip through my hair and I close my eyes briefly, enjoying the way they feel. 

"Look, I have to run, but I'll come see you right after the game. I have a surprise for you." He tells me and I nod. I pull back a bit, holding his hands and he smiles.

"I have something to tell you later." I whisper and he nods, looking possibly a bit worried. "We'll talk about it tonight."

"Alright." He sighs, pulling me back against him and giving me one last kiss before he leaves. "I love you." He whispers and I smile. He takes off his jacket and passes it to me, my heart swells and I pull it on. It swallowed me whole, but I'd gladly wear it everyday. "Stay warm." He adds and I smile.

"I love you too." I whisper and he pauses, seeming almost conflicted. He then gives me another kiss, before turning back around and waving as he walks down the hall.

My cheeks turn red and he smiles at me as he disappears. I just stand there, wondering what he had in store for me tonight.

"Grace, come on." Josie says, tapping my shoulder and I snap out of it.

"Sorry, I'm coming." I say and she smiles.

"Did you tell him you got into that technology institute yet?" She whispers and I shake my head.

"Tonight, when I can actually sit down and tell him." I explain and she smiles. 

I got my confirmation email to the Rochester Institute of Technology the other day. That meant Nik and I would be together next year, while he'd be busy and have away games, the comfort of knowing he was nearby made me happy. I'd also booked my appointment with a physician next week to get on birth control.

This was good news all around for us. I walk back to the arena seats and I wait for the players to take the ice and start warming up.

I don't pay much attention to their warm-up, but when the game started my eyes were glued on the ice. Nik looked brand new, I think seeing Sasha's big moment last night made a big difference. I knew Sasha, Alex and Nik were much closer than normal siblings. Seeing her happy after months and years of suffering seemed to make him much brighter.