Page 80 of Like A Daydream
They win 3-2, and Danielle holds Harper’s hand, navigating back down the stairs and through tunnelstowards the Friends and Family area once both teams have cleared the ice.
“How do you know where everything is, momma?” Harper asks, looking up at Danielle as she flashes their passes at security.
“Remember in October when you stayed with Uncle Jet and Aunt Ainsley?” she asks, stepping past security and pulling Harper to the side so she can help her tie her shoe. “I came to see Andy for a couple of days.”
“Without me?” Harper’s eyes go wide.
“I’m sorry, Sparrow,” she says, finishing tying and standing back up, “I had some things to talk to Andy about. Grown-up things. It wouldn’t have been very fun for you.”
She stops where she and Harper should be the first people that Andy sees coming out of the tunnel. Some of the team’s girlfriends and wives wave to her, brows furrowed, but smiling as she keeps Harper close.
“Hey Danielle!” one of them, who she recognizes as Marcia, calls to her. She’s dating one of the goalies. Another girl, who Danielle knows is Mikhail Petrov’s girlfriend, also waves.
“Hey!” she says back, smiling. “This is my daughter, Harper.”
“We’re here to surprise Andy!” Harper says, bouncing up and down on her toes in excitement.
There are more curious eyes on them, but she can’t find it in herself to care as her heart starts to race and she pulls her phone out of her pocket to text Andrew.
Danielle:see you soon ;)
She sends it with the two selfies of she and Harper in the stands attached to it, and waits.
“He’s coming soon, right?” Harper asks, still bouncing up and down on her toes. Danielle has her in front of her, making sure that she can see everyone.
“Any minute now, I promise,” Danielle says, heart practically beating out of her chest as she watches the tunnel.
Every doubt of him being upset that they came is wiped from her mind when she sees Andrew barreling out of the tunnel, in an official team quarter-zip and black sweats. He’s freshly showered, and it looks likethey pulled an Alternate Captain for the press room tonight.
He scans over faces quickly before landing on her. His eyes immediately go soft, as if he can’t believe that Danielle and Harper are actually here, a few feet away from him.
Danielle offers him a small wave.
“Andy!” Harper yells, breaking free from Danielle. She takes off toward him as quick as her legs will carry her.
“Harper!” he says, happily, smile splitting his face as he crouches to catch her in his arms. She throws her arms around his neck and he stands, spinning her around and kissing her forehead before heading to Danielle. He sets Harper down once he reaches her, and Harper grabs a hold of his sweatpants, as if he’ll disappear the minute she lets go.
“Hey,” she says, hugging around his waist. She doesn’t even get another word out before he kisses her.
“Hey,” he replies, grinning as he pulls away. “What are you doing here?”
“Surprising the Captain.” Danielle says, smile to match his on her face. “We’re here until next week. Ichecked your schedule and know your next two games are here.”
“You’re coming to all of the games this week?” Andy asks, his eyes wide. “And spending the holiday here?”
“My parents were okay with us missing Thanksgiving this year,” Danielle shrugs, “and Erick is working, so we won’t really have much time with family. I wanted us to spend it with you. Plus, I know how to make a turkey. So, if anyone on your team is around they can come over.”
Andy hooks an arm around her waist and pulls her close, kissing her quickly. It doesn’t stop the jeers from some of his team, but Danielle just laughs and waves them away.
“Thanksgiving at Fisher’s!” Petrov yells. His girlfriend glares at him. “Or not.”
“Woah,” Danielle whispers, “what’s up with her?”
“She found out that he’s been going to my friend Catalina’s restaurant on the regular,” Andy says, shaking his head, “there’s a whole history there. I’ll tell you later.”
“I expect full details,” Danielle says, “you know I’m a sucker for gossip.”
Andy rolls his eyes. “How did you get tickets without me knowing? How’d you get tickets without thewivesknowing?”
