The Boy, The Girl, and The Game (Artemi Panarin)

Old Friends

-Annabelle's POV-

We arrive in St. Louis and the boys participate in a practice to get used to the ice conditions. Outdoor hockey wasn't the same as what they're used to. There was the glare from the sun that reflects off the ice, wind, different ice conditions. So they get to practice in the great out doors before they take center stage. Now being a Chicago girl, naturally I hate St. Louis. But this was really cool and I was honored to be here. I watch them practice and watch for anything the stuck out. All the injured guys were just happy to be back and Crow lived for these moments. I have to admit Art looked really good with eyeblack on. Still cute, just a little dangerous.

The family skate ends and people get off the ice as I wait by the door for them to finish. "Hey Anna, can I talk to you" Darling asks and I nod. "Sweet, I'm going to change and I'll meet you out here in 10" he tells me. Well that changes my plans. I find Artemi before everyone undresses in the locker room. "Hey Art, I have to talk with Scottie. I'm sorry, I know you have plans" I apologize. "Don't apologize for doing you're job. I'll just hang back with Yana and their son" he says referring to Tarasenkos wife and newborn child. I kiss his lips and he gives my butt a squeeze causing me to laugh. "Love you, see you later" I say walking back out to the rink.

I find a seat and watch as the Blues start their practice. Eventually Scottie finds me and sits next to me. "Amazing, isn't it" I say referring to the stellar view. The arch sits behind the rink as the field is covered in white and music related icons. As much as it killed me to admit, it was a breathtaking sight. "It really is, this is so cool" he admits fiddling with his fingers. "So what's on your mind" I ask Scott as he continues to stare off at the ice. He's one of the few players I never had to talk to. The rookies were worried about making it and the veterans were worried about cracking under all the pressure. But as long as I've known Scotty he's been doing pretty well all on his own. "I really love this team, Chicago has been my home my whole life. And I had my struggles to get here but now that I finally am... I don't want to leave. I just can't" he says. I turn to him and let out a breath. "My job is hard simply because no matter what my personal feelings are, no matter how much I want to tell everyone that everything will be okay, I just can't. I can't promise anyone that. I won't lie to spare feelings, because in the end we all end up getting hurt" I say and he nods. He's a free agent at the end of the year along with some big names, it'll be interesting to see what Stan does. But he wouldn't want to play if it wasn't for Chicago, no matter how good the deal. "I can't tell you that you're going to stay here, I can't tell you that if you leave you'll be a starting goalie. But I also can't tell you that something won't happen that will allow you to stay here splitting the net with Corey. I can tell you what I do know. I know that you're a damn good goalie that could start in almost any net in the league. You have the best team in hockey for the past seven years putting their trust in you when they need it most. You got people talking, the city believes in you. You filled the biggest shoes that can be left on this team. It sucks knowing how little control we have of our future. Trust me, I've been down that road many times before and it's a really painful one. But look where you are right now. Look at what you've done. We've watched you grow in this organization and we want you to keep growing with us. No matter what happens you will always be a Chicago Blackhawk, a Stanley cup champion, and a really great guy" I say before placing my hand on his knee. "I overcame so much to get here. From the drinking problem to my moms battle with cancer. For a while I felt like everything was telling me to run from hockey. How was I going to watch my mom battle cancer again, you know? I had my own demons I had to take care of. But she told me to fight for this, because I was lucky to have such a opportunity and I had to stop throwing my life away. The coaches and players in this organization, they didn't care about my dirty past. I promised that I wouldn't drink anymore and they promised to help me be a difference maker. I got to learn from one of the best goalies of our generation and win a cup along side him. I even played in a outdoor game, all these accolades have come from this team. All my fondest memories, meeting my fiancé, it all comes back to Chicago. I love this organization" he reasons. "I feel you there, we're lucky to be a part of the best organization in all of sports if you ask me. But all these things you're saying, they're only that way because you made them that way. Scott, you're a great guy. Even the president knows that. What you do when no one is looking make a you one of my favorite people. And as a player, well I know that if I had a choice I would want you in net. Don't stress about what is out of your control, you're not helping anyone that way. Make the most with what's given to you. Take the things you know and build off of it. You'll be surprised with what can happen. Trust the process and keep making memories" I advise to him and he finally turns to me. "Thank you. I know I don't come to you much but I do appreciate what you bring to this team" he says giving me a hug. "I'm here any time you need help for what ever reason. You know where to find me."

I find artemi with a baby boy and nearly fall over. I've seen a lot of great things today but this is by far the greatest. "Who do we have here" I coo as the little boy grabs my finger and Artemi happily bounces him on his side. "This is Aleksandr, Yana and Valddys kid" he says as the kid starts to giggle. "Wow okay... You're the cutest thing ever" I say tickling his stomach and Artemi starts to pout. "Oh come on, look at those curls" I joke running my fingers through the babies hair and he rolls his eyes. "Hi, I'm Yana, you must be Annabelle" a brown haired woman says and I give a smile. "I am, I've heard so many great things about your family" I say honestly before hugging her. Artemi and Vladimir were close, as close as two kids from Chicago and St. Louis can be. Vladimir came out to Artemis birthday party so I already met and loved him, such a character. "Nice to finally meet you, I swear every time Artie here calls we end up talking about you" she laughs and I turn to see him turning red. Cute. We talk while they finish up practice and decide to meet at a little restaurant for dinner.

Artemi and I change into something more dressy before finding the little diner and getting a table. "Are you excited" I ask as I sip on my water. "Of course, my two favorite people in the world are officially meeting. I could explode from happiness" he claims. Soon enough they find us and we order our food. "Nice to see you again" Vladimir says with a huge smile. I don't care what anyone says, him and Artemi are the happiest guys on earth. "Thank you, you have a beautiful family" I reply. He looks over to his wife and baby and nods. "I do, don't I" he asks. The way he looked at them, with unconditional love, it was beautiful. For people like Artemi and Vladimir who come to America from a culture where family is important, it's easy to see just how much they love each other. The boys catch up and I listen to them talk in their native language. It was confusing, but beautiful none the less. I just make faces at the adorable kid and enjoy the home made food. "Do you work with the Hawks" Yana asks me. "Yeah. I'm practically their baby sitter but if they have a emotional problem I talk them through it" I shrug. "Oh that's cool, I wish the Blues had that because I know this one won't tell me everything" she says pointing to her husband. "It's not easy. Hockey players aren't very open people but they're extremely passionate and extremely emotional. Luckily for me they come to me so I don't have to do too much digging. But they're a great group of guys" I admit. It's never easy doing what I do. But it's so worth it. "That's awesome. So I hear you write" she says feeding Aleksandr. "Yeah, I wrote one book already then I'm doing another about the life in the NHL" I inform her. "I'll have to give it a read" she smiles and I nod. Despite common thoughts, Russian people are extremely kind and extremely funny. Artemi's family was literally perfect and from what I can see the Tarasankos were brilliant too. maybe I just know all the good ones, but I love them all.  Eventually it gets late and with the game being so early tomorrow curfew was at 9. "It was so nice meeting you, hope we can hang out again" Yana says giving me a hug. "Me too, next time were down or you guys are up give us a call as we can set something up" I say hugging Vladimir. "Of course. And take good care of him will ya? He's kind of a wimp" he whispers in my ear and Artemi punches him in the arm.

We get back to the hotel and I find myself sitting comfortable in Artemi's arms. "What did you guys talk about all night" I ask. "Why my team is better than his" he laughs. "I'm serious. I know that's not what you guys were talking about because neither of you are conceded like that" I remind him. "Okay, I was asking him what it's like to be married and have a kid and he said it was the best thing that ever happened to him. No matter what happens out on the ice he's just happy to come home to people who he loves and loves him back. I told him I wanted that and he said he saw all that in you" he says. I lay silently and let that all set in. I wanted the same thing, I will never get tired of telling him how good he was or why he was different than most players. I can't wait to be that person. "I love you a lot, you know that right" I ask. "Yeah, I can feel it. It's nice to know you love me as much as I love you" he admits. Yeah... That is nice to know.