37 - Hope

That night turned into a late one for Anna. She called Erica and Steven Stamkos, who had to decline the offer due to her pregnancy, but explained that they’d be more than happy to take pictures for the visual graphics. Steven was kind enough to say he would ask Martin St. Louis and Vinny LeCavlier if they were interested, since both were on injured reserve.

Irma and Victor were next. Both said yes, and Anna gingerly asked if she could get any of the Red Wings involved. After playing a bit of phone tag, Irma got back and explained that Henrik Zetterberg and Drew Miller (of course!) were both interested. Anna thanked her and went on to call Julia.

Carey was reluctant but Julia said yes for the both of them. She even suggested calling Max Talbot and asking if he was interested. That was when Anna’s roll came to a stop.

Anna sighed, “I can’t...”

Julia seemed unchanged, “Why can’t you? Last I checked you were best friends with Maxy.”

“Last I checked the entire Penguins organization evicted me because I got pregnant.”

“I thought you transferred...”
“Not on my own accord. TK and Tanger squealed on me. It was Caesar and his colleagues all over...except, Caesar’s knocked up...”

“Listen to me, Anna,” Julia replied, “You know Max would do anything for you. And the only reason they transferred you here was because they wanted you to have a better life with the baby.”

“I could’ve done it on my own!”“You know you could not. Now get on it and call one of those boys. They miss you like crazy, I know it.”

Anna shrugged, “Yeah? How do you know that?”

“Easy,” Julia said simply, “They played the Habs tonight and I talked to Flower. They’re worried because they haven’t heard anything from you in almost three weeks. So call his cell or text him. I’ll talk to you later.”

Before Anna could protest Jules hung up. Anna growled into the phone and clicked the line out. She knew Flower’s cell number, of course, and Max’s. And TK’s, and Letang’s...she knew them all. Perhaps calling them wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

She almost chickened out when a familiar voice came through the line.

“Mon etoile.”

Anna felt her cheeks burning in spite of herself, “Marc...how are you?”

She could hear the smile in his voice, “I am well now that I am talking to you. We miss you very much here. It is not the same without you, Anna.”

Anna grinned, “It’s still weird not waking up and meeting you and Vero for coffee.”

Flower chuckled, “Yes, it is strange.” He paused. “Did you receive the flowers?”

“Actually, Ryan’s brother took care of them, but I did see the bundle,” Anna replied earnestly, “I couldn’t read the card.”

“Well, we’re very sorry for what happened with Ryan. We are hoping he will be well again soon. Is he feeling better?”

“He is. At first, it was really hard...” Anna sniffed a bit, “I hated seeing him in so much pain. It didn’t feel right....like, when he screamed, it felt like I had to scream too...”

“You’re falling for him.”

Anna shook her head, “I don’t know, Marc. All I know is that we both want this baby, and that we’re willing to try and make this work for her sake.”

“Her? It is a girl?”

“I have a strong feeling it is.”

“I am very happy for you,” Flower said quietly, “I just wish we could be there, you know, to see you along...”

At this point Anna was truly crying, “Is Max there? I mean, does he have his phone?”

“Yes, we all do.”

Anna paused, “I’ll talk to you later, Marc. I have to do something.”

“All right, au revoir, etoile.”

“Bye, Flower.”

For the next four hours, Anna called Max, TK, Kris and even Sidney. All agreed to star in the fashion show except for Sid, who thought it best not to attach his name to Ryan’s event. Her work cut out for her, Anna put the phone done and put her arms around herself. The next day, she would visit Ryan and tell him that his charity show was to go on after all.

The best part was, she realized that her brothers missed her as much as she missed them.

Anna spent the next day with Vesa in downtown Buffalo, looking all over for the clothes that would be featured in the show- because every year there was a theme, Anna and Vesa decided on the 80’s. Good music and wacky clothes.

After calling Dean in Michigan and finding out what brands the store stocked up on (he and Ryan also co-owned a clothing store in his hometown), the two went crazy. Vesa’s phone went off almost every five minutes with confirmations of NHLers willing to model. Anna grew more excited by the minute.

“Patrick Sharp says he would be more than happy to model for you,” Vesa said as they raided the racks of a particularly expensive store, “Since you were there for him that day he collided with Malkin.”

“You know, I never thought that helping out the other team would pay back so much,” Anna replied, “And to think I’d be needing them for a friggin’ fashion show!”

“Speaking of which, what are you going to wear?” Vesa asked her, trying on his third fedora. The man had a love of hats Anna never could understand.

“Oh, I don’t know...do I even have to attend?”

Vesa looked at her, horrified, “Well, yes! You ARE the event coordinator...and Ryan Miller’s leading lady.”

“For the last time, V, nothing is going on between me and Ryan Miller.”

“You are such a liar,” Vesa scoffed, “Seriously. You’re four months pregnant with a little Miller child and cannot admit you have any feeling for the man.”

Anna’s eyes flashed, “How did you know I was pregnant?”

Vesa shrugged, “Well, you ARE showing. I could tell your butt had grown. And it was on the news last night.”

Anna felt her blood run cold, “What do you mean it was on the news?”

Vesa frowned, “You didn’t tell the media about it?”

“Of course not! The media has no idea! The only ones who know are the ones close to me...and the Sabres organization. No one would have told because it was supposed to be kept a secret.”

Vesa gazed at his friend worriedly, “So, you were not at the game in Philadelphia, telling the press about it?”

“I was here! I never went on the road trip, Vesa! I swear I didn’t.”

“Well, I would not worry,” Vesa said, brushing it off, “These things usually blow over soon enough. The rumour about your sister didn’t last much over a week.”

Anna nodded, feeling a bit better, “True, and if anyone asks Lindy, he’ll just say it’s a lie. And that will be that.”

“Good,” Vesa pulled out a pair of jeans, “THESE, are perfect for Mike Green!”

“Wait, you got Mike Green, from the Capitals?” Anna exclaimed.

“Yes, did I not say that? He and Backstrom are coming.”

“Vesa, I could kiss you right now.”

“Please don’t.”

The rest of the day the two spent shopping and deciding on music for the show. Vesa and Anna decided the show would open with Cyndi Lauper and end with Lady Gaga. Having the guys coupled up with some of the girls would mean some choreography would be involved, Vesa explained, so they would have to make it simple but cool. By the end of the day, Anna hugged her friend good-bye and thanked him for all the help. They agreed to meet again the week after when the Leafs were in town so things could be finalized. Until then they would communicate by email.

“Do yourself a favor and visit your man,” Vesa said as they parted, “I am sure he misses you.”

Anna playfully nudged Vesa, “You know, that’s not a bad idea.”


Ryan’s face lit up as soon as he saw Anna walk in his room. He was sitting up in his bed, a small neck brace on, holding a book. Thankfully, not watching the television. She couldn’t resist rushing in to kiss him.

“Hey,” Ryan grinned, “Where have you been?”

“Busy,” Anna replied, sighing as she sat down on the edge of the bed, “I got Toskala helping me with the Catwalk for Charity.”

Ryan’s relaxed mood turned instantly, “Wait, what?”

“I thought Drew would’ve told you,” Anna said, “He got me planning the Catwalk. Your annual charity ball?”

“No, I wasn’t aware of that.”

“Oh...well anyway, Toskala and I-”

“Annie, Toskala’s a Leaf.”

“So?”

“So...we only have Sabres involved.”

“You’re NHL-racist now.”

“I just don’t know what it could mean for the team’s reputation...given they made me the poster-boy for the Sabres,” Ryan said regrettably, “Collaborating with the Leafs, our rivals, could mean some bad blood.”

Anna bit her lip, “Well, do you have anything against the Canucks?”

Ryan raised an eyebrow, “What did you do?”

Anna gave him an innocent smile, “Nothing, just...invited Victor Hedman, Henrik Zetterberg, your brother...Carey Price-”

Ryan leaned back, “My god...”

“It’s a good thing!” Anna insisted, “Really! Think of the publicity you’ll get.”

“I don’t want publicity,” Ryan said quietly, “I’m a low-profile kind of guy...”

Anna was quiet for a moment. Ryan didn’t have anything to say either.

“There’s a hospital in Amherst,” Anna said slowly, “And they have a Cancer unit with many children, but it’s an old facility and they don’t have everything they need...” Ryan’s eyes peaked with interest. “If we raised enough money to assist them...”

“...then we’d need a hell of a show.” Ryan finished, “Wow, Anna. How did you find out about this?”

“Simple,” Anna said with a tiny smile, “I was in my room looking for something and I saw that some of Derek Roy’s fan mail was lying around. One of the kids that mailed him a letter is in that hospital. So I did some research and found out they’re in dire need of some financial assistance.”

Ryan smiled, “Wow...I love you.”

The atmosphere changed. Anna looked at Ryan, who looked away in embarrassment. Did he really mean to say that?

“I’ve got your Blackberry,” Anna said quickly, “Just so you know.”

“Oh, good,” Ryan said, relieved, “So, um, the doctor says I can come home tomorrow. Which is good, because I really miss my bed.”

“It’s not the same without you,” Anna replied, “I keep having to rearrange the pillows.”

“I’m proud to be your human cushion,” Ryan told her, “And I’ve got to take it easy for awhile, so...”

Anna blushed, “I’m not up for that, anyway. The kid’s been making me tired. Too much kicking.”

Ryan’s eyes widened, “The baby kicks now?”

Anna smiled at him, “Yeah, she does. Well I think it’s a she. I just have a feeling.”

“Could I....could I feel?” Ryan asked gingerly.

Anna took his hand and led it to rest on her belly. Almost instantly, instead of a kick, the baby’s elbow grazed along Anna- causing them both to stare in awe. Ryan gently rubbed the spot lovingly.

“That’s insane...”

“I know. You wouldn’t believe how it feels.”

“No, I mean...” Ryan looked at her, “When my mom was pregnant with me, I did the same thing. All the time. At least, she said I did.”

Anna reached out and touched his cheek, “Can’t you come home tonight?”

Ryan leaned into the caress, “I wish I could.”