Lia06- That was not meant to sound like a line. It was meant just to show Craig being supportive of Kylah and trying to reassure her.

Emador- Glad it answered your questions. Hopefully you'll enjoy the humor in this chapter.

Prettypinkcheer5- Well the Pens are involved but I won't say no more. LOL

Meadow567- Did you get my email? Semi-first time…good way of putting it.

Flowersc781- The guy was an ass but was fictional, so if you meet a Rick Deveraux please don't punch him! LOL Yes, John Harrington was cute, madam president.

Author's Note- I just want to once again give a disclaimer about the religious material in this story. It is not meant to influence or reflect opinion. It is just part of the overall story.

December 1979

I had decided to spend the evening decorating the outside of my apartment door for Christmas. I had decorated the inside of my apartment the week before, but had run onto a good sale at the department store and bought a new wreath and some lights and such.

Craig had a meeting with Herb to deal with people from the USOC. I was glad that he and I had worked everything out. For the first time in my dating life, I felt I was able to put that night at the party behind me and look forward to being with someone.

"Kylah, what are you up to?" I turned and saw Rizzo walking down the hall.

"Oh hi Rizzo. I am just putting up a few decorations." I said.

"You celebrate Christmas?" Rizzo asked me.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" I asked.

"You don't believe in God. Why would you celebrate the birth of his son?" Rizzo asked.

I sighed and let go of the lights I had started stringing around the doorframe. "You're the first person that has ever called me on that. And you're right."

"I didn't mean to sound accusing. I just knew a lot of atheists don't celebrate Christmas." Rizzo said.

"Yeah, I know that. Truth is…the past few years Christmas has just been a family holiday more than a religious one. I ignored the religious side of the holiday and just spent time with my family, exchanged gifts and such." I explained. "And to be honest, both my parents still have such a strong faith; I didn't want to interfere with that, so I just quietly went about my business."

"Kylah, can I ask you something, not meaning to sound too personal?" Rizzo asked.

"Sure." I said and went back to the lights.

"I know you lost faith after your brother died….why didn't your parents lose faith too?" Rizzo asked.

"They just believe that everything will be explained in time and that God had his reasons. I just couldn't reach that same conclusion." I said. "Feelings about a higher power are something that each person decides."

"Well, I pried into your business enough. OC always accuses me of trying to solve everyone's problems." Rizzo smiled.

"It's okay. Sometimes I think I need to talk about it. I haven't always been good at releasing emotions, but Jake could always get me to talk. After he died, I just wouldn't open up to anybody until the past few months." I said.

"You know, I never met Jake…but I am sure he would want you to be happy, so don't be afraid to open up and talk to us." Rizzo said.

"Yeah…I know Jake would want me to be happy. And lately I get the feeling he wants me to make things right with my faith." I said, not feeling the need to tell Rizzo about my dream and have him think I was nuts. "But I just haven't found the way to yet."

"Something will come along, I am sure." Rizzo said.

"Maybe." I said.

"Well, I am going to head back to the room. I was waiting for OC to get out of the shower when I came out here. He was shaving and that takes awhile…especially because I make him thoroughly clean the bathroom afterwards." Rizzo said.

"I saw him at practice and his face looked pretty smooth." I commented.

Rizzo avoided my eyes. "He's not shaving his face." He mumbled.

Realization dawned on me. "He…are you serious….ohhhhhh." I started laughing.

"Well, I should get back. I'll see you around over the weekend Kylah." Rizzo said. He turned and hurried back down the hall to his room.

I couldn't help giggling, and part of me wondered if any of the other boys shaved other than their faces. I finished the lights and decided to hang some garland around the door as well.

"Kylah, you're just who I was looking for." Mac called down the hall.

"Hi, Robbie, what do you need?" I asked.

"I need your panties." Mac said.

I stopped in midair and turned to look at Mac. "Is this some bet that Verchota started with the team about who can get the coach's girlfriend into bed first?"

"No, nothing like that." Mac said.

"Than is this some gag the boys put you up to?" I asked.

"No. I am working on a Christmas present and need a pair of female panties." Mac said.

"Mac, if you're dating a girl, you really should buy her new lingerie." I said.

"Oh this isn't for anyone to wear. It's for a surprise gag." Mac said. "So do you have any panties that you don't wear very often or could part with?"

I shook my head. "Oh why not? I'm a good sport. Come on in, we'll see what will work for you."

Mac followed me through my apartment and into my bedroom. I stopped at my dresser and opened the top drawer.

"What exactly are we looking for? A specific color?" I asked.

Mac peered his head over my shoulder. "Wow, I never realized you were that kind of girl…lucky Coach Craig!"

Startled, "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"Nothing bad. It's just you've have…..well….those panties of yours……they're sexy." Mac blushed.

I was still confused. "So?"

"Well it's just. I always pictured you as the pretty girl, who wore granny panties. You know the type- hott and modest." Mac explained.

"Oh…" I still wasn't sure it made sense.

"It's not a bad thing. As a matter of fact, I have a new found jealousy for Coach Craig." Mac winked.

"Somewhere in this whole sordid tale is a compliment." I rolled my eyes. I looked back to my drawer. "Here how about these? I didn't like them after I bought them."

Mac took the offered pair of underwear and looked them over. "Could you model them for me? I need to make an accurate judgment if they will work for my surprise or not."

"Robbie!" I giggled.

"Hey, can't kill a guy for trying. These will work great. Thanks Kylah." Mac said and walked out of my bedroom.

I followed him out of my apartment to finish decorating the door. Mac went back to his room.

I finished putting the garland around the door. The wreath, the lights and the garland all looked nice. I debated if I should put up anything else. I had got a small Santa that I thought would look nice hanging from the door handle.

"Kylah, great. I need your opinion." Verchota came walking down the hall.

"Why is it I try decorating my door and suddenly everyone wants to talk to me?" What do you need Phil?" I asked.

"A bunch of us want to go to a strip club this weekend, and we can't decide which show to see." Verchota said.

"And this is a problem I can help with how?" I sighed.

"Well I have the opinions of the guys, now I get the female opinion." Verchota said.

"My opinion is that you boys don't go because I don't want to answer questions about the team frequenting after-hours clubs." I said.

"We'll stay out of trouble, but we are buying Ramsey a lap dance as a late birthday present." Verchota said.

"Oh dear I can see the headlines now." I groaned. "Virgin Hockey Player Hospitalized After Cardiac Arrest From Lap Dance."

Verchota laughed. "That's about right. But I promise we'll be discreet and not cause you any problems."

"I appreciate that." I said.

"Now about these shows. We're stuck between two clubs. 'Whispers' downtown is doing a nightly show of 'Mrs. Claus and 9 Naughty Reindeer' this month." Verchota said. "And 'The Gentleman's Club' on the upper eastside is doing a two week run of 'Christmas Carrols'!"

"What is 'Christmas Carrols' about? The other is pretty self explanatory." I said, morbid curiosity getting the best of me.

"It's a show and the ladies' costumes are all based on Christmas songs." Verchota smiled. "So which do you think we should see?"

"Not that I care one way or the other…but I think the songs show would be cute. I'm half interested as to how they interpret the song into costume." I said.

"You want to come with us?" Verchota asked.

"Why in the world would I go watch a bunch of women take off their clothes and grind against you boys?" I asked.

"That would be so kinky if you actually went to a strip club and enjoyed the show." Verchota said.

I rolled my eyes. "I'll stay home, thanks just the same."

"Okay, but I'll tell you all about it. Thanks for your help." Verchota said.

"It really helped me get in the Christmas spirit. I mean nothing says 'Merry Christmas' like topless women." I said sarcastically.

"That's what I'm saying!" Verchota smiled and took off down the hall.

I sighed and shook my head. Verchota never ceased to amaze me. And I wondered if I should warn Ramsey of what was coming. Part of me was surprised that they were able to talk him into going to a strip club.

I finished the door and stood back to look at it. It looked nice. Inside my apartment was fully decorated; although Smokey was big enough to climb the tree.

"It looks nice." Craig called down the hall.

"You're home from your meeting." I said.

"Yeah, it didn't take long." Craig smiled and hugged me. "You did a nice job on your door."

"Thanks, I didn't think I was going to get it done." I said.

"Why? What was the problem?" Craig asked as we walked into my apartment.

"Strippers and panties and crotch shaving and lap dances for Ramsey." I said.

"What the hell goes on around here when I leave?" Craig asked.

"Don't ask." I giggled.