49 - Good News

After dinner, Anna helped Elise with the dishes while the boys took to the pond to play some late-night hockey. Dean followed, along with Bruce, while Brynne stayed behind. It was two lady Millers and one-to-be doing the clean up.

“I am so sorry that Dean brought up the subject of that young man on the Penguins team,” Elise said quietly, “I’d no idea he was so close to you.”

Anna shrugged, “Max was like my big brother.” She smiled. “You know, when he found out I was pregnant, he told the coach and Mario Lemeuix so that I’d get sent to Buffalo.”

Brynne’s eyes widened, “Really?”

Anna nodded, “Yeah...he helped me packed and loaded things up for me. Then he had to go to a game.” She paused. “I still wonder what the last thing I said to him was, the last time I saw him...”

“You know, Ryan and Brynne’s cousin, Matthew, passed away a year ago,” Elise told her, “Ryan was a wreck about it, but one thing I remember is him consistantly saying that.”

“He has Matt’s name on the back of his helmet,” Brynne said, “And that’s why he started the Steadfast Foundation with Dad.”

“Shame we couldn’t go this year, I heard Britney Spears or someone like that was in it...”

“Lady Gaga, actually,” Anna laughed, “I have a friend who has connections. We raised enough to help out a hospital with facilities.”

Elise grinned, “You’re a good match for my son.”

Brynne’s eyes widened, “A step up from Noureen!”

Anna frowned, “Who’s Noureen?”

Elise shot Brynne a look, who simply said, “Ryan’s ex-girlfriend who cheated on him with Colin Farrel.”

“What?” Anna wrinkled her nose, “Oh my god, that’s horrible...”

“That was years ago, Brynne,” Elise corrected her, “You and I both know what kind of state Ryan was in.”

“He was drinking...”

Elise’s eyes flared, “How did you know that?”

Anna swallowed, “I remember the headline on NHL.com...at the time I didn’t know him, of course. It was referencing his rehabilitation.”

Elise calmed down, “I see.”

“Noureen was really nice, but too Hollywood for Ryan,” Brynne said with a sigh, “She tried to get him to request a trade to LA , San Jose or Anaheim so they could be closer...”

Anna shook her head, “He’d never leave the Sabres.”

Elise nodded, “He’s the kind of boy who doesn’t run away.” She glanced at Anna. “Trust me on that one.”

-

Drew Miller was beyond angry that Ryan was allowed to let Anna sleep in his room with him.

“But you wouldn’t let Angie-”

“Because Angie was your girlfriend, not your wife.”

Drew pouted, “Same thing.”

“What more can they do than what’s already been done?” Dean chuckled, messing Drew’s hair as he walked by.

Ryan yawned and crawled into bed, “Damn, I’m beat. My mom’s cooking always defeats me.”

“She is great,” Anna told him, “Really.”

“Can you get the light?” Ryan asked. Anna nodded and clicked it off.

Searching for the bottom of the bed, Anna lifted the covers and crawled under, making her way to Ryan’s waist. Ryan let out a small noise as he felt her reach for the elastic of his boxers.

“Annie, what’re-”

“Shhh...just be quiet.”

“My parents are downstairs!”

Anna rolled her eyes, crawling up to his face. “Yes, and?”

“And, they might hear us.”

“Why? Are you a screamer?”

“Anna, you know very well-”

Anna smothered Ryan’s words with a kiss, which he completely surrendered to. The kiss started to get really heated as Ryan pulled off her sleep top, letting his hands explore her. Just as she was about to reach for his boxers, the door flew open and the light was switched on.

“Hey Ry, have you seen my PSP?”

Anna almost screamed and dove under the covers, trying to cover herself. Ryan groaned and sat up, giving his brother the nastiest look he could muster. Drew stood in the doorway, making the most innocent face possible. Laced with guilt, of course.

“No, I haven’t.” Ryan told him bluntly.

“Whatcha doin’?” Drew asked, smirking.

“Trying to sleep, now go away,” Ryan replied.

“Ok, sleep tight, and remember, if you guys need anything,” Drew smiled, “I’M IN THE ROOM NEXT TO YOU.”

Ryan gave his little brother the finger.

-

“I’m going to miss you, sweetie,” Elise whispered, kissing Drew on the cheek, “Now remember, be sure to call when you get home.”

Drew rolled his eyes, “I know, Mom.”

Anna was dressed in her winter coat, ready to go. Ryan had received a call on his cell phone and stepped outside to take it. Christmas with the Millers hadn’t been so bad, even with Drew’s consistant interruptions- “How’d you guys sleep last night? I slept GREAT!”- everything had turned out just fine. Anna was happy they were accepting her, and the pregnancy.

“You’re really cool, Anna,” Brynne said happily, “Thanks for helping me with my project.”

“Oh, it’s no problem,” Anna said, glancing at the science presentation on mitosis she’d helped Brynne construct, “I loved that subject when I was in high school.”

Dean sighed, “So did Ryan. If he wasn’t a hockey player he’d probably be doing something in medicine.”

“Are you going to the Winter Classic, Anna?” Bruce asked from the stairway.

“Don’t think so, I’ll probably be with the boys on the road,” Anna rolled her eyes, “Well, until Lindy tells me otherwise.”

“I hope Boston wins,” Bruce added, “Can’t stand Philly.”

“Yeah, neither can I...” Anna said under her breath.

The door opened and Ryan stepped in, fresh snow on his boots. He was grinning from ear to ear. Something had happened. Something good.

“What is it?” Anna asked him.

“I just got a call from Ron Wilson,” Ryan said slowly, “I...I made the cut. I’m on Team USA. I’m going to play goal in the Olympics, in Vancouver.”

“Ryan! That’s amazing!” Anna threw her arms around him, following by five other pairs.

Ryan squeezed her tight, “It’s going to be an experience, I’m sure.”

“Just make sure you don’t lose to Russia,” Drew perked up, “I hear they’ve got Ovechkin.”

“Drew, shut up.”