He folded the dress and placed it in the box with the others. He turned back to the closet and chuckled. Her Kronwall jersey. He'd gotten it for her as a surprise. They'd been dating for just under a year and her birthday was coming up. He had no idea what to get her but knew something girlie was not going to cut it. For as much as she loved the Wings, Carrie didn't have a Wings jersey. So he took it upon himself to get her one.
”Grattis på födelsedagen vackra (happy birthday beautiful).” He said, kissing her gently as she walked through the door.
”Tack (Thank you).” She replied. ”I hope you didn't get me anything.”
”Of course I did.” He said, placing the box on the counter. She didn't go for the box though. She went for the flowers that were set up on the counter by the refrigerator.
”Oh Nik. They're beautiful.”
”They aren't you.” He replied, smiling.
She walked over to him and gave him another kiss. ”You're absolutely perfect. You know that?”
”I'm far from perfect.” He chuckled, wrapping her up in a big hug. ”C'mon. Open your present.”
She pulled the box toward her, still wrapped up in Nik's arms. As she opened it, she had a sneaking suspicion of what it was. She still couldn't believe he'd gotten it though. ”Nik....”
”You needed a Wings jersey and anything other than a Kronwall jersey wouldn't be right.” He told her.
”It's perfect. It has the 'A' and everything.” She was in awe. She immedately pulled out of Niks arms and pulled the jersey on over her head. ”How do I look?” She asked modeling it.
”You look beautiful. Like always.” He pulled her back into his arms for deep kiss.
He didn't want to pack the jersey up. He left it hanging in the closet. A small reminder of her. Of the good times. He finished with what was hanging in the closet, every piece of clothing bringing back a memory.
Nik sighed. He had suddenly become tired. He walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge, running a hand over the comforter. His mother had made it for Carrie for her birthday. She sent it over as part of a care package. It was Red Wings colors, of course.
”You got a package today from Sweden.” Nik said, looking over his shoulder at Carrie from the stove.
”From Sweden?” Carrie looked confused. She ran through all of the reasons she would get a package from Sweden. She couldn't think of any. Nik nodded his head in the direction of the package. She walked over and picked it up, bringing it back to the island. She sat down and opened it. She pulled the card out and read it out loud. ”Grattis min kära Carrie. Vi hoppas detta år är fylld av glädje och kärlek (Happy birthday my dear Carrie. We hope this year is filled with happiness and love).... I love your mother.”
”And she loves you.” Nik chuckled. Carrie pulled out a few odds and ends from Stockholm before pulling out the quilt. The audible gasp made him turn toward her. She was standing, holding it in her hands.
”This is beautiful.” Carrie said. ”I can't believe this.”
”She made it. I told her the colors and she did the rest herself.” Nik turned the stove off and stood leaning against the counter.
”She's unbelievable. Amazing. Incredible. What would I do without her?” Nik laughed and Carrie looked up. ”What?”
”Nothing. Nothing at all darling.”
He couldn't believe that he kept it on the bed. The last time Carrie had used it was right before she was admitted to the hospital for the last time. He pulled the sheets back and crawled in bed, ignoring the fact it was only 4:30. He pulled Carrie's pillow into his chest. He inhaled deeply, taking in the smell of Carrie's shampoo. A few tears fell and he didn't attempt to stop them.
