Love on Ice

Chapter 31

It was only a month before Rick started his next season of hockey and they were just pulling into Peter Lougheed Provincial Park to go camping for three days. This time Maria wasn't with them since she had elected to fly home to visit her family. It meant Kate and Rick were on their own with Alexis and one of them would have to cook.

"I can try," Kate offered. "Mom and my gran taught me a few things. I'm just way out of practice."

It was also Snow's very first time camping. They soon found that Snow was a very curious puppy and wanted to literally check out everything. She also wasn't house trained yet.

It took them eight hours to get there so they didn't really go anywhere that first day. They did, however, need to go outside so Snow could do her business out there instead of in the RV. She'd already done that twice on the drive out.

Rick finally joined Kate and Alexis who had Snow's leash. "We're all hooked up." He'd spent the time connecting the water, power, waste, and leveling the RV.

"You're thinking rather hard there." Rick was watching that Kate only had eyes for Alexis and Snow.

"Just remembering something." Kate was remembering something, all right.

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"What's happening?" Rick came upon Kate outside on one of the decks and looking out onto the backyard. She turned to look at him and put a finger over her lips and shushed him, wanting him to be quiet, and went back to watching.

Rick watched Alexis running for all she was worth with Snow right behind her, woofing softly since she hadn't really found her voice yet. Then Alexis stumbled and was soon laughing her head off as Snow clambered all over her.

"They've been doing that for a while." Kate was smiling wide and could feel her heart reaching out to both of them. It was a memory she was never going to forget.

"Still think it's the wrong dog?" Rick murmured.

"A Collie would have been just as good. …But no, you found the right dog." She knew Alexis and Snow were bonding. Hell, the entire family was bonding with Snow.

"So what's with the tears?" Rick saw them in her eyes.

That had Kate raising a hand and found them in both eyes. It was a feeling she wasn't used to. Watching those two while being married was just something she wasn't used to or really prepared for.

"You're going to be the greatest mom ever." Rick kissed her cheek and went back inside.

Kate continued to watch Alexis and Snow playing. Her first thought was to wonder how those two were going to get back up here and in one piece. She was still worried about all these stairs.

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Their campsite had trails leading all over the place and all were deep into the woods. Rick gave Alexis the job of holding onto Snow's leash as they walked. Both he and Kate were pleased that keeping Snow in line had her totally involved and not minding the walk at all.

The next day was a car trip with Snow since leaving her behind was out. It also meant lots of stops so Alexis and Snow could do their business. Kate would take Alexis to the restroom while Rick walked Snow in whatever grass he could find.

All too soon it was time to go home. Once there they had to unload the RV of everything, food included, since it was going to go into storage until next year.

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Kate was getting cross-eyed so she stopped studying for her exam and went looking for everyone. She found Maria in the laundry room and Alexis was in her room with Snow. Kate paused at Alexis's doorway. "Take Snow outside, pumpkin. We don't want her going potty indoors. She needs to learn to do it outside."

"Okay, Mommy." Alexis didn't have a problem with that.

But who she didn't find was Rick. Eventually she was in the kitchen munching on the last Gala apple she'd found when a tired and sweaty Rick came home. "Where have you been?"

"Gym." He stretched and Kate heard a popping sound. "I need to make sure I'm in shape when the season starts. I need to go back tomorrow as well. I may have to start living there," Rick joked.

Kate reminded him of his promise. "You still haven't taught me how to fight the way you do."

"You were studying for your exam," Rick said. "Your career means a lot to you so I thought I was helping by leaving you to it."

"Yeah." Kate knew he was right. She had plans to not just pass her exam, she was going to crush it and show Vancouver that she wasn't just a good potential investigator, she was going to be their best ever. "I guess it can wait."

"I'm glad you think so." Rick walked closer with the intent of wrapping his arms around her and kissing her soundly.

"Uh-uh, buddy. You're stinky and sweaty." Kate used her arm to keep him at bay. "Shower first, then kisses and cuddles."

"You don't want a kiss?" Rick fake pouted. "We've both gotten hot and sweaty while making love."

"That's different!" Then she issued a threat to get him moving. "Now go shower or I'll tie you to the bed tonight."

"Hmm, choices, choices." What Kate could do to him was exciting. Though kissing her now had a certain appeal. "Perhaps you're the one that should be tied to the bed tonight."

Now Kate had a problem. She really did enjoy tying Rick to their bed and having her way with him. But what this man could do to her when she was tied to the bed was still amazing. They had intentionally not done this all that often to keep each time fresh and enjoyable.

Since she had tied him to the bed last time. "Agreed. But only if you go take a shower first."

Kate let him quickly kiss her before retreating. Now she had something to look forward to tonight.

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Kate was waiting at the door to the garage. The team had been having practices for the last few weeks while the coaches made sure the team was ready for the start of the season.

Their first two games were home games against other Canadian teams, which meant a lot to both teams. "Show them who's boss, babe." Kate slipped her arms around him and kissed him soundly.

"We have a good team. Find a game you want to attend and buy yourself a ticket." Even though he'd made the suggestion, the team owners hadn't gone with his idea of them buying season tickets for players' wives or girlfriends right behind their bench. So Kate was going to have to find her own ticket. She had declined to spend money on a season ticket. If all went well she would take her exam, then get hired, and start her job. So she wouldn't get good use out of a season ticket.

It was a home game and sold out so it was on TV. Kate and Maria watched the entire game while eating snacks and enjoying their choice of drinks.

The problem with watching a game on TV was that the cameras didn't follow Rick like she could if she was there. Though she watched intently for his number.

"THEY WON!" Kate was up out of her chair and reached for the ceiling. The Canucks had won 4-1.

Maria had long since gone to bed by the time Rick had made it home. Kate celebrated his win by tying him to the bed and having her way with him.

He had the day off before the next home game against the Edmonton Oilers. It meant the house went into their usual routine when Rick would be playing hockey. Alexis had Kate when her dad was gone in addition to Maria.

Rick was at his game and Kate was putting Alexis to bed after cuddling with her on her reading deck next to her bed and reading her a book.

Alexis knew this was different. Normally she just went to bed or maybe Maria would read to her. True, Kate had done this in the past but today was different to her. "I love you, Mommy!" Alexis looked up at her. Her heart was so full and she loved Kate so very much.

Kate had been busy reading and was taken by surprise; she was silent for a moment. "I love you too, pumpkin, so much." Kate hugged her and kissed her head. She had no idea just where that came from but she did like being told that she was loved.

Kate also knew one more thing. Rick had told her that the paperwork should be ready for her tomorrow for her to sign. All she had to do was go to the office, sign it, then she would officially have a daughter. They would all be Rodgers and become a family.

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It was October 11th and it was cool outside. Not really cold but chilly enough to not want to stay outside too long unless you had a coat. So Kate was sitting outside in a coat and looking out onto their backyard.

She had grown up in New York City and had never had a place like this in her life. The city just didn't have space for this. She was learning to really like it. Her life had changed so very much. Then her cell phone rang. She saw a familiar name on the caller ID. "Hi, Lanie."

"Hey, girlfriend! How is Vancouver?" What Lanie was really asking was how was married life?

"Just fine. I'm about to have a daughter." Kate was actually smiling. Alexis was so deep into her heart that to her she was her daughter.

"You're pregnant? It's about damn time!" Lanie was even happier for her now.

"No, not that. Rick has arranged for me to sign papers tomorrow to adopt Alexis. After I sign them I'll officially have a daughter." She hadn't given birth to her but by law that wasn't going to matter after tomorrow.

"Kate Beckett, a mommy. Who would have thought." Lanie laughed a little.

Kate gave a quick chuckle. "Not me."

"So when's the first baby?" Lanie wanted to be a godmother.

"I have to pass my exam and get my job first. They aren't going to hire a pregnant woman. We've talked about it but haven't really decided on just when." Kate was coming to terms with someday being pregnant. Either by accident or intentionally.

"Same old Kate." Lanie shook her head. "So where did I catch you?" Lanie knew full well that Kate wasn't going to commit to having children just yet.

"Outside on one of the decks overlooking the backyard. It's so pretty here." Kate looked it over yet again then sat up straight. "When are you coming out? We have a spare bedroom and Maria's a really good cook. We can get tickets to one of Rick's games and go together."

"Hang on, Kate." Lanie brought the Canucks' schedule on her phone. "Sorry for the wait." Lanie, like everyone else of the 12th precinct, was now a fan of the Vancouver Canucks even if Vancouver was very far away. "There are five straight home games from December 4th to 14th. Will one of those work?" It wasn't Christmas and after Thanksgiving so there should be available flights.

"Just pick one, Lanie, and I'll make sure we have tickets. Send me your flight info and I can pick you up at the airport. I might have my job by then but if I'm working the day shift I should have time." Kate knew her exam was happening soon. After that she just needed to get hired if they had an opening.

"Let's see, who do I want to see Rick beat?" Lanie had her choice of teams to watch go down in flames. "How about December 11th against the Colorado Avalanche?"

Kate got up and went inside so she could write that down. "I'll get us tickets. This is going to be so much fun!" Kate was now anxious to see her best friend and spend some time with her. And to showoff where she now lived.

"I hope you like puppies. We got Alexis a puppy. Her name is Snow." They'd decided not to change it. "She's a Newfoundland."

"Aren't those really big dogs with lots of hair?" Lanie couldn't quite picture one but she knew that was big.

"She's only 40 pounds at the moment. But she should make it to 120 pounds eventually," Kate sighed. The Collie that she'd wanted would have weighed a lot less.

"You got her a pony." Lanie began laughing. "I need to find a flight. I'll talk to you later, girl." Lanie ended the call and didn't know what to do with herself first. She was going to go see her best friend who was now married and living in a real home.

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Kate told Rick the second she got to talk to him about Lanie coming for a visit and when. What she didn't know from this conversation was Rick buying Lanie a first class ticket and having it delivered overnight to her.

The month of October had been a good month for the Canucks. They were 8-2-2-0 and in first place in their division.

Maria was helping Kate with Thanksgiving preparations when Rick finally came home.

"Hi, babe." Kate wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. He'd clearly had taken a shower after his game. "We have a problem with Thanksgiving."

"Yes, I know. We have away games in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Calgary before, during, and after Thanksgiving, so I won't be home." It was just bad timing. He even had a game on Thanksgiving day as well as the day before. It would take a simple bus trip between Toronto and Montreal.

Kate's shoulders dropped and she looked sad. "We haven't solved that problem yet. We were hoping you could think of something."

"You mean like call in sick?" Rick knew that was out of the question. "Where's Alexis, by the way?" He didn't see her.

"Miss Alexis is in her room with a cold," Maria told him. They both watched Rick hurry off and head to Alexis's room to check on her.

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"We play Minnesota tomorrow before leaving for another game with them at their place." Rick was back and took his place at the table to eat dinner. "I have an idea for you but we have to plan it tonight."

"I'm listening."

"If you'll let me, I can buy plane tickets – economy class if it pleases you – for your friends to come here for Thanksgiving. It'll take a few phone calls but we could fly everyone out for Thanksgiving. Including Lanie who will come again later in December."

Kate pointed out a problem. "We don't have the bedroom space."

"But we do have the RV," he reminded her. "If it can fit us it should fit them. We can double park it out front for a couple of days. We may get a parking ticket but it will be worth it."

That had Kate getting up to kiss him. She found a new reason to love this man that she had married. "Did you finish your book?" She'd read the last chapter he had given her but it wasn't finished yet.

"I did. It's in Black Pawn's hands. If they get the corrections they want back to me fast enough it should be out the first of the year. That book will finish my present contract with them so I don't know what comes next." Rick stopped her from leaving to sit back down so he could kiss her again.

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Kate was down and she was waiting for Rick to call her from Boston. They had lost their last three games: Minnesota, Philadelphia, and Boston. That left them at 10-4-2-2. They were still in first place in their division at least.

The second her cell phone rang she pounced on it. "Rodgers." She loved answering her phone that way.

"Hello, Mrs. Rodgers." Rick smiled even if she couldn't see it.

"Hi, babe." Kate didn't waste a moment in giving him the bad news. "They can't make it."

"None of them?" She had sent invitations to literally everyone she knew back in New York City.

"No." Kate fell back onto her pillow. Tonight without him was going to suck. She had received that last of the bad news and she would love to be able to cuddle with him.

"I'm so sorry." Rick felt bad that Thanksgiving wasn't going to work out this year.

"It's not your fault." Even if maybe it was since he had given her hope to dream.

"What about your job?" Maybe there was some good news.

"I haven't heard anything. I got 96% on my exam so I passed. My passport showed up in the mail today so I'm officially a Canadian now. Maybe I haven't lived here for a year yet. I haven't tried to figure that part out." She'd been so focused on passing her exam that she hadn't kept track of time.

"Give them a chance. So how is Alexis?"

"Sleeping with Snow, as usual. She really is a good dog." Kate gave him that. She still thought a Collie would have been just as nice, but Snow was sweet.

"I'll remember you said that when she's 120 pounds and we have to buy dog food in 50 pound bags every few days." Rick was happy with Snow as well.

Kate laughed. She could just imagine how much a 120 pound dog would eat. "Now we just need to figure out where we're going to put all that dog food." It wasn't so much that they didn't have the space. They just needed a space where Snow couldn't help herself, rip open a bag of dog food, and binge on dry dog food.

Rick had a suggestion. "The garage, maybe."

Kate tried to picture how they were going to do that. "It might work."

"What are you wearing?" Rick asked since he was ready for their phone sex.

"Just three things. …Nothing, nothing, and nothing." Kate smiled wickedly then began doing what Rick asked and was wet in no time.