Chapter Forty-four

Zoey excitedly took the package from the messenger.  She rushed over to Alex, who was lounging on the couch where they had been watching a movie only moments before.  It had been three months of seeing each other whenever possible.  This time he’d been in New York for a rare two nights in a row.  He would have to leave early in the morning to go back to DC, but for now, it almost seemed like a normal long lover’s weekend. It was so great to have him around the house. 

“It’s here!” she exclaimed, jumping on the couch next to him.

“Open it,” he smiled at her.

She ripped open the extra large padded envelope and slid the hardcover book from inside it.   The cover was a splash of glossy blue sky with the golden turrets and white marble of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Zoey grinned at Alex and they thumbed through the pages of her book together.  She was so happy. It had turned out so lovely. Alex was very interested in seeing the places that he had not been able to see with her.  Zoey did not linger long on the page of Matthias Church in Budapest. The picture was lovely, but dim and the church, shrouded in mist. It portrayed a gloom that she did not want to remember. 

“It is beautiful book, Zoey,” he said smiling at her.

She took it from him with a smile and turned back to the beginning just after the title page.  She placed the dedication page before him.

For the man who opened my eyes to the sunlight before I was aware my world was dim.

He looked up at her. She smiled at him and took his face in her hands.

“I had to travel half way around the world to find you, only to lose you again. And I would do it again in a heartbeat. Being with you now makes everything worth it, Alex. Я люблю тебя.”

He smiled at her a little surprised. “I love you, too, Kroshka.”

She kissed his soft lips.  He lay the book down aside and wrapped his strong arms around her, pulling her across his lap, kissing her in return.  She loved being cradled in his arms, loved feeling his big hands against her skin. His eyes lingered on hers momentarily and then he sat her up and stood. He held his hand to her. She took it and when she got to her feet, he swept her up in his arms and carried her off to the bedroom, their movie completely forgotten.

The sunlight peering in through her window was beginning to rouse her from sleep. Alex had left quite early, kissing her good-bye and insisting she go back to sleep. After two days of waking up in his arms, it was a little bittersweet to wake up without him, but she’d never been so happy. She had everything she ever wanted.  She never imagined being able to love someone so much and have him love her in the same way.  She reached out and pulled his pillow close to her. Just the simple smell of him made her smile.  She knew when she opened her eyes that the nesting doll would be sitting on the bedside table.  He had left it for her every time he had to go away, without fail. What he hid inside it wasn’t really important. She knew that it was there and it always would be.

The end.

Chapter Forty-three

She was lying there nestled in his arms, her favorite place in all the world.  She couldn’t remember ever being so happy. She played with the velvety soft hair on his chest. She had not forgotten how much she loved to run her fingers across his beautiful body. She felt his fingers in her hair and knew that he had not fallen asleep. She kissed his chest and took a deep breath. She sat up and their eyes met.

“So, what now?” she asked quietly.

He grinned at her and raised his eyebrows.

“We could do it again,” he suggested.

She laughed at him and shook her head.

“That is not what I meant.”

“I will be in New York next week,” he said, clearly knowing exactly what she was referring to. “We have two games, Rangers and New Jersey Devils. You think you have time for me then?”

He brushed the hair away from her face and he closed her eyes as his fingers touched her cheek.

“I will have time,” she whispered, leaning in to kiss his soft lips.  She looked into his eyes, a slight fear stole over her. “Alex, are you sure?  I am still not Russian, you know.”

“Zoey,” he breathed. “There were many things that Olga told you that are not true. But, I will not lie to you. Many people will not like it that you are not Russian,” he sighed. “Maybe even my family. But I love you.  I have learned what it is like to live without you.  I will not be without you anymore. Not if you love me.”

“I do, Alex. I love you with all of my heart, with all that I am.  I will not be without you either.”

With a quick smile and a kiss, he lay her back down on the bed again.

A vibrating buzz surprised them from the nightstand.  Zoey’s phone was alerting her to a text message. Zoey reached over and grabbed the phone.

“Oh, my God!” she exclaimed.

“What?”

“Madison! She is coming back to the hotel! It is later than I thought!”

Zoey scrambled out of the bed and furiously began pulling her clothes on.  Alex grinned, lying back on his pillow with his hands linked behind his head.

“Alex, get dressed!”

“What is hurry? Come back to bed.”

“No, Alex. She will be here any minute! Get dressed!”

“Why? She will know what we have been doing anyway,” he smirked at her.

Zoey’s eyes narrowed at him. “Because, you are the sexiest man I have ever seen. And I will not have my best friend see you in bed like that.”

He laughed and she sat back down on the bed, grazing her fingers across his chest.

“That is for me.”

Chapter Forty-two

Her arms were around his neck before she knew what she was doing. His lips were still as soft as she remembered. He brushed her hair back from her face and his palms were warm on her damp cheeks. Her heart was soaring again as she kissed him over and over again. 

“Please, forgive me, Alex. I should have told you in Moscow. I should have told you how much I loved you. I was afraid. I’m so sorry.”

He shushed her quietly, wiping away her tears.

“Простите. I am sorry,” he said, enveloping her in his arms. “I was afraid, too.”

She looked up at him, grinning through her tears. “You are not afraid of anything.”

“Dat not true, Kroshka,” he said shaking his head.  “I never knew I could want something so much or hurt so bad when you were gone.”

He brushed the last tear from her face.  “I am still afraid.”

“You do not have to be. I love you, Alex,” she brushed her fingers across his lips, her tears threatening to fall again. “My heart is yours.”

His lips were on hers again, his body pressing hers against the door.  She fumbled with the doorknob and they nearly fell inside the room. He laughed and whisked her up into his arms.  He carried her to the bed and lay her gently against the pillow, his kisses never ceasing.  She felt as if her heart were finally beating again, that somehow the world was brighter once again. He loved her. She could hardly believe it. He kissed her neck just the way he’d always kissed it, the way he still did in her dreams.  He lay down next to her on the bed, his hand brushing across her trembling stomach.

“Alex,” she whispered, “this is real, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Kroshka, it is. Because I can feel your heart beating and your breath on my cheek. I can feel the softness of your skin and the goose bumps that rise when I run my fingers across it.  I can feel your hands on my back and your lips on my neck. It is very real.”

She kissed him hard, lifting up his shirt and sliding her hands across his chest. He sat up and pulled the shirt over his head. The sight of his chest wakened such longing inside her. The smell of him, the softness of his lips on her skin, the warmth of his touch, it was all she wanted for the last several months. She was trembling all over as he began unbuttoning her blouse. She was finding it quite difficult to breathe.  Then he was kissing her again. His kisses were like a spring rain after months of drought. Her whole body was coming to life again. The clothes were coming off quickly now until finally, she felt the weight of him on top of her. His arms cradled her beneath her shoulders and his hands were entwined in her hair.  She ran her fingers across the powerful muscles in his back and up his shoulders.  His kisses were soft and gentle. She found herself drowning in the deep blue pools of his eyes as he entered her.

“Я люблю тебя, Zoey,” he whispered softly against her lips as he pressed deeper and deeper inside her.  “I love you.”

His voice was deep and musical. Everything he said she heard as a symphony, as strong and powerful as if Mussorgsky himself had written them. This was where she belonged, with him.  It didn’t matter where they were. She was with him. She was home.

Chapter Forty-one

“Okay, so Danielle and I will be checking out the Mall after lunch,” Madison said, gathering a few things and tossing them into her purse.  “I’ll be gone most of the day.”

“I wanted to do all that, too, you know,” Zoey said, feeling guilty. “I should have said no.”

Madison smiled at her.  “Honey, you have a second chance. They don’t come along very often. Of course, you should have said yes.”

Zoey looked up at her friend and offered her a weak smile. 

“I know you are scared, Zoey. But he’s worth it isn’t he? Besides, maybe he’s just a little scared too.”

Zoey laughed. She couldn’t imagine Alex would be scared of anything. She embraced her friend.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” grinned Madison as she left the hotel room.

“That’s not saying much!” Zoey called after her with a laugh.

Zoey sat on the edge of the bed, waiting. Her nerves were not calmed by Madison’s wisdom.  The clock moved so slowly.  The television remote was in her hand and she thumbed through channels trying to distract herself. There were at least 40 channels available here at the hotel.  There was nothing interesting on any of them.  Zoey sighed and pushed the power button, turning the set off.  She glanced in the mirror and adjusted a rebellious wave back behind her ear. She wrung her hands with impatience and looked down at them.  They were clammy. She rubbed her palms on her jeans.  She stood and walked across the room to the window. She was reaching to pull back the curtain when there was a knock at the door. She caught her breath. She crossed to the door, let out the breath and opened it.

“Hello Zoey.”

“Hi,” she managed to squeak.

He held out his hand to her. “Ready?”

She slowly placed her hand in his and nodded.  She was going, but she wasn’t really sure she was ready.

Lunch was Five Guys Burgers and Fries. It was so good. The burgers were charbroiled and the fries were seasoned with Cajun spices.  It was fun. There were plenty of people around the small restaurant, a few of them even approached and asked for Alex’s autograph. But for the most part, they were able to make the place their own.  They sat in the corner and lost themselves in conversation. He chatted about his life in Washington DC. She talked about her work on the book and the process she had to go through once the pictures were done.  The time flew by unnoticed by either of them.  She couldn’t stop looking at his face. He was just the same. His mouth, his chin, his beautiful eyes – none of it was different.  He was still so beautiful. His smile still made her heart jump. Before she realized it, they were back at her hotel room door.

“Dis seems familiar,” Alex said with a smile and placed his hand on the door over her shoulder. “Can I come in?”

“Alex,” she protested, placing her hands against his chest.  It was very familiar, but her heart was already crying.  She closed her eyes, but she couldn’t keep her face from showing the pain she was in.  It took all her strength not to break down in tears.

“I can’t, Alex.”

He pulled away from her. She was surprised at the amount of pain she saw on his face. 

“I’m sorry, Alex,” a rebellious tear began to slide down her cheek. “I just can’t. I won’t survive watching you leave again.”

Alex stepped back. He turned and started to walk away down the hall, but stopped. He spoke to her without turning around.

“I went back Zoey,” she watched his shoulders expand as he took a breath. “I went back and you were gone.”

His words hit her hard as if she’d actually been physically struck. 

“W-what do you mean you went back? W-why? Why Alex?”

It was only then that he turned around and walked back to her.  His eyes were so sad. He brushed the tear from her cheek.

“Don’t you know, Kroshka?” he whispered, lifting her chin.

“Why Alex?” she searched his face.

“Because I loved you, Kroshka,” he looked deep into her eyes.  “I still do.”

Chapter Forty

Zoey and Madison followed the security guard through the bowels of Verizon Center at a brisk pace.  Madison was quiet, or if she wasn’t, Zoey didn’t hear her. She was thumbing the plastic locker room pass that hung around her neck, lost in her thoughts and memories.  The man she saw on the ice today was very much the man she met in Moscow, but somehow even more.  He was dangerous when he was on the ice. She was surprised at the way he threw his body into other players.  She knew he was strong and his opponent usually got the worst of such confrontations. She recognized the competitiveness in him, but when he was playing hockey it was like a raging fire. She caught the eyes of some of the defenders and the goalie. They were afraid of him. He exploited that fear.  But then during a break in play, she saw him talking with one of the players from the other team and he laughed.  He was just Alex when he laughed, but the minute the puck dropped all friendships ended.  She found herself wondering how many friendships were suspended during play, only to reappear after the game was over.

The door to the locker room opened. She could hear the sounds of celebration inside. She took a deep breath and held it.   It was just like the first time she saw him in a suit. He looked incredibly handsome even though his hair was wet. He smiled and walked over to her.  Then he was embracing her, kissing her cheeks, calling her name and she was swimming with emotions. 

“Hello Alex,” she said as he released her. “Congratulations.”

“It was good game.  Was your first?”

“Yes, it was quite an experience.”

“I am glad we could win it for you. Dis your friend?”

“Oh yes,” Zoey flushed. “This is Madison.”

Alex shook her hand. Madison was surprisingly quiet for the first time Zoey could remember. She seemed a bit star-struck.

“Book done?” asked Alex. She felt his eyes moving over her.

“Oh, yes, soon. It’s at the printers now. It took a long time, but I’m very happy with it.”

“You look beautiful, Zoey,” he said and their eyes met.

“I found the swans, Alex,” she said and watched the smile grow wide across his face. “I’m sorry I didn’t find them sooner.”

“You just find them?”

“Yes, I-” she hesitated. She didn’t want to tell him that she hadn’t even been able to remove the dolls from her luggage. She didn’t want him to know that it hurt too much to remember him. The door to the locker room swung open again, rescuing her from her discomfort. Zoey clearly heard her friend gasp. She glanced toward the doorway.  She saw a young man. He was not as tall as Alex. His head was all golden blond curls, wet and combed back behind his ears.  He walked over to them. Zoey could see that he had delicate features.  His lips were plump and rosy like that of a cherub. His eyes were a curious shade of green because they weren’t really green. They were golden.  It was the only color that Zoey could think of to describe them. 

“Dis Nick,” Alex said, referring to his friend and made introductions. Nick shook each of their hands and greeted them. His voice was not as deep as Alex’s either. He seemed much younger, but Zoey knew that Alex was younger than he looked, so it was possible that they were closer in age than they looked.  Zoey could almost feel Madison’s excitement next to her.  She managed to say hello and made a comment about one of Nick’s assists. He smiled at her and Zoey wasn’t sure her friend was even breathing. Nick looked at his friend in a silent communication.

“I have plans tonight, but would you meet me for lunch tomorrow?” Alex asked, holding Zoey’s hand in his.

She looked up into his eyes, the same eyes that had captured her so many months ago and she couldn’t refuse.

Chapter Thirty-nine

He scored again before the first intermission. Zoey was so excited. She didn’t even remember seeing much of the other players. Every time he was on the ice, her eyes were on him.   The only one she even noticed was number 19. He seemed to be Alex’s partner by the way they played.

“They don’t have partners, Zoey,” scoffed Madison.  “They have line-mates and there are five on the line, two defensemen and 3 forwards.  Number 19 is Nicklas Backstrom. He’s the center forward. He’s the boss on the ice.”

“Alex is not the boss?” Zoey asked in shock.

“No, Alex is a left wing. He doesn’t drive the play. Nick does.  But Alex is the playmaker.  He’s the big star. Alex makes things happen.”

A fan moved toward them and Zoey had to shift her weight to let him pass. Intermission was a bustle of energy. It was seventeen minutes of chatter and commotion and anticipation. People were moving about going to concessions, meeting with friends that they only see at the games. Zoey enjoyed looking around Verizon Center and taking it all in.  She looked all around the stands. Most people were excited and happy. She saw a great deal of red jerseys, but also more white jerseys or blue jerseys supporting the opponents, the New York Rangers, than she thought would be there.  There was a couple sitting a few rows behind them.  He wore a Washington jersey and she wore a Rangers jersey.  She found herself wondering now their evening might end up depending on the outcome of the game. She glanced up to the top of the stairs and noticed a very large man coming toward them. He was in a suit, but he had the look of security. He moved with a purpose. He held his head high and took in his surroundings. He finally stopped at the row where Zoey and Madison were sitting. 

“Are you Miss Simmons? Zoey Simmons?”

“Yes,” Zoey answered slowly. bewildered.

“Mr. Ovechkin would like you to join him for a few minutes after the game.”  He pulled out two passes on lanyards and handed them to Zoey.  Zoey looked up at him openmouthed.  Madison squealed.

“If you will wait here after the game, I will come escort you to the locker room.”

“T-thank you,” she finally said. Madison took the second pass from Zoey and squealed again.

“I can’t believe it!  I get to meet Nick, oh my God, Zoey!”  She threw her arms around her friend in a quick embrace and began to chatter again.

Zoey didn’t know why she was surprised by this. It was just like Alex. It was something so insignificant for him to do, but it would normally be out of her reach.  Madison was so excited.  But Zoey got nervous all over again. Seeing him was wonderful. Watching him play was amazing, but the idea of actually standing in front of him again was a little unnerving. Her heart was beginning to soar again.  

Chapter Thirty Eight

He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. After all this time, there she was, just sitting there watching him.  Her eyes were wide, clearly surprised that he actually saw her.  Then she smiled.  A flood of memories washed over him. 

“Ovi!” Nick called to him, clearly frustrated.  Alex recovered the misplayed puck and shot it back to his teammate. He joined the back of the warm-up line. Nick skated over to him.

“What was that?”

“She here.”

“What? Who?” asked Nick, bewildered by his captain’s loss of focus.

“Zoey.” Alex stared at the stands. Nick turned to look at the section that held Alex’s attention and spotted a brunette at the glass that resembled the picture he discovered in his friend’s kitchen.

“Okay, she’s here. But we still have a game to play. Look at me,” Nick ordered. 

Alex’s gaze turned from the stands to his line-mate.  Nick watched him smile and then his focus returned.  At that point, Nick knew they would win the game, that Alex would take the opportunity to show off and they would all reap the rewards of his excitement.

He positioned himself on the outside of the faceoff circle. The sounds of the arena were muted until there was nothing but the sound of his own heart beating. There were ten of them all frozen and poised as the puck was released from the referee’s grasp.  A shared breath was inhaled, muscles contracted, eyes focused. The puck hit the ice, stick hit the puck and the players exploded in a flurry of motion.  Hockey was a very fast game. It was all about anticipation. He had to expect to see the puck on his stick before it was actually there. If he didn’t, he’d be two steps behind the whole time. Alex was never surprised to see it and this time was no different. He was off like a rocket almost before it was there.  He beat his defenseman by a fraction of a second, more than enough time to exploit the situation. Once he was a step ahead, there were very few who could overtake him.  There was no better feeling than being on a breakaway, leaving the rest behind. It was a duel between him and the goalie. A quick move to the left and Alex caught the goalie committing to his position. He hesitated slightly and crossed in front of the net and caught the defeated look on the goalie’s face as the puck flew just over his left shoulder.

Verizon Center erupted with a roar of cheers. It was alive, with its own pulse, its own collective breath.  Everyone was on their feet as his teammates tackled Alex in a triumphant embrace.  The goal music played.  Fans danced in the stands. It was electric and contagious.  Zoey had never experienced anything like it.  She was on her feet with all the rest. She was searching the pile of red sweaters on the ice until he emerged and skated to the bench bumping fists with all his teammates in congratulations. The smile on his face was like nothing she’d seen before.  It was pure joy and triumph.  His eyes drifted to her and she was overwhelmed with desire to jump into his arms. She placed her hand on the glass in front of her and watched until they were set up in the face-off circle again before joining the rest of the fans back in their seats.