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

A Toast for the Breadman

Artemi

I eventually make my way into the locker room after announcing to the world I purposed... on accident. I don't know what happened, I guess I'm just really excited and wanted the world to know. Maybe not in that way but it was inevitable I was going to slip out. I mean we were going to have to tell everyone somehow right? I guess that time is now. The first step I take into the room I get a hard punch on the arm.

"What the fuck Breadman" Jonny yells and I rub my arm. Ow...

"Hey... Yeah nice game to you too.... No. If I go on IR it's because of you" I joke but he doesn't laugh. Captain serious is in full swing today huh?

"When did this happen" he asks as everyone stares me down. I feel all eyes are on me as I get questioned.

"Valentine's day. When I set up that scavenger hunt with you and her parents and a bunch of different places from our relationship it led up to me with a ring" I explain and he hits me again.

"I was a part of the proposal and you didn't even tell me" he yells and the guys start to snicker. He was mad, yet not mad a at all.

"Yeah" I say shamelessly and a smile comes on his face. He pulls me into a hug and I become very confused.

"Our little Breadman is growing up guys... we should make a toast" he giggles and I raise a eyebrow at him.

"Come on Jonny, I expect more from you" I laugh. I'm used to the bread jokes... but that was just terrible. We all get changed feeling in top of the world and Kaner gets the belt for this game, and rightfully so. After a shower and a bunch of congratulations I head out to the plane as we head to Minnesota to take on the Wild. I get on the plane and see Annabelle in our usual spot. I walk over and put my things in the overhead as she watches me intently. I know she says she not mad but I still felt bad. Maybe she wanted to tell people or just wanted her privacy, I don't know.

"Hi" I say and she falls into a fit of laughter.

"Hi" she says as I sit next to her.

"Are you sure you're not mad" I ask and she shakes her head.

"I could never be mad at you. It actually saved me a lot of work because now everyone in the world knows and I didn't even have to lift a finger. But I'll have you know that in the hour since your little announcement I've recieved over a hundred calls and texts ranging from congrats to I'm going to kill you" she giggles lacing her fingers through mine.

"Amanda" I ask and she nods.

"Yeah. But I turned it off because now I get to cuddle with my fiancé and I can finally say that in public" she smirks.

"Well I, for one, am excited to show you off as my fiancé. Now we can take over the world together" I claim.

"That sounds pretty good" she smiles. We wait on the plane as the last few people board. Hartzy and Hossa stop by us with big smiles on their faces as they look down.

"Can I help you" I laugh.

"Yeah, since you guys decided to leave us out of your engagement celebration we decided that you needed a proper one" Hossa says and I look to Anna for answers but got nothing.

"A toast... to the Breadman and Anna" Dennis yells and Hartzy and Hossa pull out two large bottles. Before another second passes we were being showered in champagne. Annabelle clings on to me as more champagne bottles appear and we were completely drenched. We shield out eyes as the cold liquid covers us.

"You guys are insane" I yell as they finally stop their attack.

"Congratulations you two" Patrick calls out and I flip him off. I look over at Anna and as soon as our eye meet we start cracking up.

"I think we need new friends" she laughs.

"I don't know. I'm kinda attached to these guys" I admit smirking at my team. I was lucky, through the ups and downs I know that at the end of the day we were more than a team. We loved playing with each other but we also loved being around each other. I know that this isn't going to be easy, that's true for getting married or being in the NHL. But as I look around at everyone smiling and laughing, I know that it's all worth it.