“That has a nice ring to it.”
“Sorry, Troy, my daughter isn’t for sale.”
“Check back with me in about five years,” he joked with a wink.
“You’re giddy for a guy going up against Jax and company tonight.”
“Al, I played beside him for how many years. I know most of his tactics, but that’s not the main reason for my mood.”
“Something you can share?” Alex asked.
“I may as well since it will probably be common knowledge by tomorrow anyway.”
809
“Well don’t keep me in the dark.”
“You’ll never believe it,” Troy said, “but Hockey Monthly wanted to feature me in their Physique Issue this year.”
“I hope you accepted.”
“Hell no! Are you nuts? I’m not thrilled getting naked in the locker room, let alone baring my fat ass for the world. I doubt many women have Hockey Monthly in their homes.”
“You’d be otherwise surprised, especially when the Physique Issue’s published.”
“No thanks; I prefer to be naked for only a select few people.” Troy patted her head. “I think you already know you’re among that exclusive group.”
“Such a shy goober you are,” Alex joshed and pecked his cheek. “I need to get ready for warm-ups. See you on the ice?”
He grinned at her. “We have a date, baby.”
***
810
“There’s Mama’s girl,” Alex murmured as she took Anna from the nanny. “Are you ready to see Daddy?”
“I fed and changed her before we came, Ms. Galloway,” Judy said. “She should be fine for a while.”
“Thanks, that’s a big help. Did you find your seat all right?”
“Yes. I’ll meet you at the usual spot before game time when Anna’s done visiting her father.”
Alex tightly clutched her daughter, noticing the number of fans waiting behind the glass with camera phones to get shots of them as she skated toward where Jax waited.
Anna was thrilled to see her father. She put her little arms around his neck with a huge smile and then patted his face. Neither he nor Alex heard anything beyond Anna’s joyful noises for several minutes; Jax reveled in holding his little girl, chattering nonsense to her in Czech as she responded with belly laughs.
“She’s getting big,” he said cheerfully. “How is everything going?”
811
“Great. You probably got word by now that I sold the house you signed over to me.”
“Yeah…I thought you liked that place.”
“I did, but didn’t find it appropriate to raise Anna in. Too many things there possibly dangerous to a baby. We’re staying at the condo I bought since no one’s renting at the moment.”
“I hear you and Talmadge have been hanging out more often.”
“Don’t start, Jax. I get enough shit from other guys on the team.”
“No, I think it’s great. Just because we’re separated and in process of a divorce doesn’t mean you can’t see other people, and you could do a lot worse than Talmadge.”
“Of course he’ll help me and the rest of our team beat the crap out of yours tonight,” Alex replied with a grin.
“Don’t get too confident, lady. I know the Rebels are hell bent on making the playoffs, but we’re going to make you work for it.”
“I’m sure you will, provided your hockey stick isn’t completely eaten by our daughter.”
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“Ježíš, Anastazie!” Jax laughed and gently pried the stick from Anna’s grasp. “To je tatínkův hokejky. Nedávejte ji do úst.” He turned back to Alex and joked, “Don’t you and Judy feed this kid?”
“Does she look starved?”
“Not in the least. My Anastazie has a good máma a chůva.” Jax handed the baby to Alex. “Thanks for letting me see her. I need to get changed for the game.”
***
The Rebels barely emerged victorious over Miami 6-5 in the shootout. The win not only clinched a playoff spot but also secured home ice advantage in their first round opposite rivals Philadelphia Liberty, whom the Rebels swept in four games.
The team then advanced to the semifinals opposite Carolina, which took all seven games for the Rebels to win and send them to the finals for another attempt to obtain what had eluded them for almost eight years - winning another Princeton Trophy.
***
813
Chapter 130
“So here we are,” Alex said night of the Princeton Trophy’s final game. “Once again we’re going for all or nothing; the only difference is me being on maternity leave during last year’s disappointing end.”
“I have a feeling something big will happen tonight,” Troy replied. “We have to keep faith.”
“Same speech you give last year,” Boris reminded him. “Look how bad things turn out.”
“Yeah, until Alex had her baby,” Johann said.
Boris nodded. “Could not happen at better time. Alex, how little girl?”
“Anna’s doing fine,” she answered. “She’ll spend time with Jax during the off season.”
814
Troy gave her a wide-eyed stare. “You’re letting him take her out of the country?”
“Of course; Anna’s also his daughter and I did promise unlimited visits with her.”
“Al, she’s barely a year old. I can’t see Jax handling a baby alone, especially with his other commitments in Prague.”
“He won’t exactly be on his own. There are his parents, sister, and cousins looking forward to spending time with Anna. Jax’s family is all she has besides him and me.”
“At least she gets to see Mommy play in a championship game.”
“Too bad she’ll never remember,” Alex said. “Oh, and I gave Judy the weekend off, so Anna’s sitting with Jen and Phyllis.”
“What’s up, fellow champions-to-be?” Lenny asked as he and Vince strolled into the room. “Ready to send the Wildings home with tails between their legs?”
“Hell yeah,” Marty replied. “I’m not settling for anything less.”
815
“You heard Coach earlier,” Troy said. “None of us can slack off tonight, not even for the most minor thing, and need to avoid many penalties as possible. I don’t want to see any stupid shit out there, especially no fighting, Donahue.”
Brian scowled at him. “Hey, no one else in here is a saint either.”
“I never claimed anyone was. Now how about we go get what should’ve been ours years ago?”
“Yes!” everyone cried in unison. “The Trophy comes home tonight!”
***
The night turned out more brutal than anyone expected. Despite everyone playing in top form, the game remained tied end of third period.
Overtime would determine the new Princeton Trophy champions.
“Alex,” Coach Barry said. “I’m putting you back in during overtime.”
816
“What? Why?”
“You’re only one of few who can keep a cool head. Last thing any of us need is everything going wrong at the most important moment.”
Oh, God, what if I blow this opportunity? “Oh…all right.”
“You can do it, Alexandra,” Byron reassured her. “You’ve already pulled us through several sticky situations tonight.”
“We’re in this together,” Troy added. “We’ll have your back. You know what to do with that puck when it heads in your direction.”
***
Hitting the critical goal now rested on Alex’s shoulders; whether the Rebels would win big or once again fade into dreaded second place no one would remember would be determined if she got the puck past Washington Wildings goaltender Foster Kingston…or not.
817
Alex hated overtime, but the game was still tied at two goals apiece. She stood almost frozen and looked at her teammates for some type of sign.
Coach Dean Barry stared back with a frown, wondering whether her sh
ot would successfully pass the blue line.
Davy St. Cloud, who scored both goals in regulation for the Rebels, and Brian Donahue gave her thumbs-up signs.
Byron Brady said a silent prayer.
Lenny Walton, Marty O’Freel and Vince Beaumont all glared at her with “You have one job” expressions on their faces.
Hank Stover, Travis Vanderhoven, and Boris Furishnykov gave her encouraging nods.
Jennifer and Phyllis sat behind the glass holding their breaths as Jennifer balanced a squirmy Anna on her lap.
Alex then spotted Troy mouthing “Whatever it takes, we’ll walk together. Go for it. You can do this!”
818
She turned back, skated past her opponents, and gave Kingston a determined stare before slamming the puck in his direction, where it whizzed past him and hit back of the net.
“Galloway scores!” an announcer’s voice shrieked over the PA system. “Ladies and gentleman, the Pittsburgh Rebels are your Princeton Trophy champions!”
Jennifer joyfully hugged Anna among cheers and roars of 22,000 excited fans filling the arena. “Did you hear that, sweetie? Mommy got the winning goal!”
“Talk about a moment that sent people screaming out of their seats,” Phyllis said. “Remind me to call Reggie when we get back to the hotel.”
“If you’re considering gloating that his old team won the Princeton Trophy, I’m sure he’ll receive word long before midnight.”
“Yes, but Reggie and Alex were good friends when he played here. He’ll be thrilled to hear she helped bring home a championship.”
“She and those boys are probably beside themselves right now.”
819
“You can say that again,” Phyllis said just as both she and Jennifer caught sight of Troy hoisting Alex onto his shoulders.
***
“Put me down you fool!” Alex happily squealed as Troy skated around the rink with her on his shoulders. “You’re going to get hurt!”
“I’ve benched far more than what you weigh, shorty,” Troy replied and gently placed her back on the ice. “Enjoy this moment because it’s been a long time coming.”
“Damn straight!” Hank bellowed. “I never expected this awesome when I got called up from Scranton!”
Travis and Johann bounced behind them, chattering excitedly in Finnish.
“Cut the exotic act, Vanderhoven,” Brian said laughingly. “Everyone knows you’re Canadian. If we’re going to celebrate, let’s do it right; that includes everyone speaking English.”
“Let them have fun, dude,” Lenny said. “The offseason started five minutes ago.”
820
“I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m ready to get wasted,” Marty said.
“Why am I not surprised?” Pierre asked. “At least wait until the trophy presentation ceremony ends.”
“You mean after Talmadge gives one of his long-winded speeches? Now you know why I want to get a head start on drinking.”
“We’ll have plenty of time in the locker room.”
Vince nudged them. “Hey, what is Talmadge doing? I saw Coach pass something to him.”
“Calm down, Beaumont; it’s not a bomb,” Pierre replied.
Alex shushed them. “The presentation is starting.”
***
821
Troy had a secret plan he would’ve unveiled matter how the night ended. No one except Coach Barry and Jon Halloran knew what was about to happen following Troy’s obligatory Princeton Trophy acceptance speech.
He barely contained his excitement and congratulated his teammates one by one until reaching Alex at end of the line. Troy took her hand, brought her with him to center ice, and addressed the crowd.
“Alex Galloway helped make winning the championship possible,” he began. “I think she deserves something special for her efforts.”
Alex opened her mouth to protest, but he shushed her. “I’d like to thank both Jon Halloran and Coach Barry for helping put things together before I proceed.”
“What the hell?” Marty asked in a low voice. “Come on, Talmadge; I have to piss.”
Boris elbowed his ribs. “Stay quiet.”
Troy both of Alex’s hands and smiled warmly at her.
“Oh, shit!” Pierre whispered. “Is he about to do what I think?”
“Looks that way,” Byron answered with a nod.
822
Troy faced Alex. “You and I have been through a lot of ups and downs the past year but somehow always made it through. This organization took a chance on you and you never disappointed us. You gave us guys hope when things appeared bleak and shared all the good times. You’re an outstanding player, mother, ideal role model for girls, and a solid friend to all of us.”
“With that,” he said and got on one knee, “Alexandra Kirstie Galloway, would you make me the happiest man in the world and take my hand in marriage?”
Taken aback by his proposal, words caught in Alex’s throat. She eagerly nodded, unable to speak.
“Yes?” Troy asked with hope in his voice.
“Yes,” she croaked.
Thunderous applause and cheers bounced off the arena’s walls as she and Troy officially sealed their engagement with a passionate kiss.
Jennifer smiled down at Anna, who was ready to fall asleep. “Looks like one of your godfathers just got promoted to stepfather-to-be.”
823
Anna responded with a yawn, more interested in bedtime than her mother’s upcoming nuptials.
***
824
Epilogue
Troy Talmadge and Alexandra Galloway Ivanka married the following October only days before the new hockey season began. Her second wedding was more extravagant; the ceremony was officiated by Byron and took place on center ice before an exclusive group of five hundred friends, family, and local luminaries in contrast to an almost empty room in a Las Vegas “marriage mill.”
Her wedding dress was made of silk and ivory lace, and she carried a cascading bouquet of white roses matching the ones worn in her hair. Phyllis and Jennifer were her attendants, both in pale blue gowns.
Troy wore a black tuxedo with a white rose pinned on its lapel, his shirt the same ivory color as Alex’s dress topped with a powder blue bow tie. Boris and Davy served as groomsmen and the entire party donned hockey skates with their wedding attire.
825
Their reception lasted into wee hours of the morning and headlined society pages of several newspapers. There was no honeymoon; bride and groom went on the road the day following their wedding for a game in Nashville.
Alex sold her condo and moved with Anna into Troy’s house. Judy remained the family nanny, receiving a substantial raise from Troy. Anna still spent off seasons with Jax in Prague and Miami, enjoying every moment possible with her father as she grew from a pleasant baby to sweet-natured toddler.
Anna was three when Alex gave birth to Quinn Parker Talmadge, a tribute to both his grandfathers. Troy was crazy about his son, determined to get Quinn in skates once he was old enough to walk.
Alex was concerned at first Anna would resent the new baby, but pleasantly surprised her daughter wanted to be with Quinn and hold him.
One night, Judy rushed into Alex and Troy’s bedroom and woke them. “Anna isn’t in her room!”
“Did you check the bathroom?” Alex groggily asked. “Maybe she’s using the potty.”
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Power Play Page 46