It has been a few weeks since the Peck family dinner. Gail and Holly had fallen into a comfortable routine of Friday date nights and lazy weekends together, when neither of them had to work.
Unfortunately, this Saturday night didn't see Gail cuddling up on the couch with Holly. Instead, here she was sitting on a hard wooden chair in a cold arena surrounded by screaming hockey fans. How on earth did Holly get her to agree to this? She chuckled to herself when she remembered exactly how Holly got her to agree. She had flashed her irresistible lopsided smile and made a promise about some clothing optional activities when the game was over. How was Gail ever going to be able to refuse?
Gail was currently sulking in her rink side seat while the others went to get snacks before the game started. Gail's dad had invited Holly along, who full-heartedly agreed. Holly then convinced Gail, and well, Gail threatened Steve. If she was going, her brother could suffer right alongside her. Her dad had one extra ticket, which meant that Leo could come along too.
Leo had big saucer eyes when he entered the arena. He had never been to a game before, and his enthusiasm showed each step of the way. Bill made sure to buy all the necessary fan attire for the little boy and his excitement made everything a little more tolerable for Gail.
"Please don't tell me you are still sulking," Steve said as he came up beside her, arms full of food.
"No, I'm just trying to stay warm," Gail pouted, as she uncrossed her arms and sat up slightly in her chair.
"Why don't you stand up and cheer like the rest of the people here?" Steve suggested.
"But what are they even cheering about? The game hasn't even started" Gail pointed out.
"Hey Aunt Gail," Leo said, coming up behind Steve, followed by her dad and Holly.
"Hey Leo, what did you get me to eat?" she smiled at the little boy.
"No, Holly said I didn't have to share with you," he said, turning his body defensively away from Gail, blocking her view of his food.
"What? Not cool," she pouted, but then quickly followed it with laughter to let the boy know she was just joking. "Just kidding, sit and enjoy," she said, folding down his chair for him.
"Hey," Holly said, as she sat down on the other side of Gail. "I got you a hotdog and nachos, hope that's okay."
"That is amazing" Gail smiled, as she leaned over and placed a small kiss on Holly's lips before accepting the tray of treats.
Holly still couldn't get over this side of Gail. She marveled and adored how open Gail was about their relationship. Not only were they out in public, they were out in public with her family. It made her feel all warm and fuzzy.
Gail then turned back to Leo. "See, Holly is sharing with me," she smirked before taking an overly dramatic bite of a nacho which caused both her and Leo to burst out laughing.
That evening, Holly wasn't sure what she spent more time watching, the game or Gail. She had to hold back her laughter as she watched Gail and Leo sing the national anthem at the top of their lungs. She then melted at the way Gail encouraged Leo to bang on the glass as the players skated by. She was completely done away by the way Gail called out to players and convinced one of them to toss a puck over the glass for Leo just before the game officially started. Leo beamed from ear to ear at his new treasure. He wrapped his arms around Gail's waist and gave her an incredible hug.
Holly didn't even care about the score, even though the Leafs were winning 1-0. She just loved the way Gail was getting into the game and encouraging Leo to do the same. Anyone who didn't know Gail would have guessed that she was a regular hockey fan.
"Hey, I'm going to grab something to drink before the next period starts. Anyone need a refill?" Gail asked, turning to the group.
"I could use a drink," Steve said, standing up from his seat, "Why don't I join you? Leo, you stay here with Holly, okay?"
Leo nodded his head, refusing to take his eyes off the action on the ice.
"I'll watch him," Holly reassured.
Gail smiled at her before turning and walking up the steps with Steve following close behind.
"Gail is quite the character, isn't she?" Bill said, leaning towards Holly a little. He had seen how the doctor's eyes followed his daughter up the steps.
"She is," Holly blushed.
"Thank you for convincing her to come out tonight. I never did build the proper relationship with her and I'm afraid I missed out on a lot of her growing up. It is nice to spend tonight with her," he admitted.
Holly turned to look at Bill. "It only took a little convincing. I think she was more opposed to being forced to watch a game than to spending time with you," she tried to reassure.
"Thank you for saying that, but I know Gail. I know that we don't really see eye to eye. She is a very strong willed young lady, and I have been told that I can be quite stubborn. I'm just glad we could have tonight. So thank you," he smiled before leaning back into his chair.
Holly sat there, thinking about what Gail's dad just said. Holly didn't do anything special by getting Gail to come out tonight. Gail might have whined a little, but Holly knew that if she really wanted to go see a hockey game, Gail wasn't going to do anything to stop her or even discourage her. She also knew that Gail wasn't ever going to expect her to go alone. Gail had always been supportive in everything she did.
She was also amazed at how supportive Gail's family really was. She had heard many horror stories from Gail and Steve, plus the rest of the gang, on how judgmental and tough her parents were towards them. But now that she has met Gail's parents, she saw a totally different side to the whole situation.
Holly turned back to look at Bill. "Um…thank you for being so supportive of Gail and my relationship," she blurted without really thinking.
Bill quickly turned to look at Holly. His mouth hung open in surprise. "Oh sweetie, why wouldn't I be supportive? My daughter is incredibly happy. You are an amazing person. You don't need to thank me." He reached over and gave Holly's arm a reassuring squeeze. "But if you really want to thank me, I wouldn't be opposed to a few grandchildren running around," he said with a wink.
Holly blushed furiously, which caused Bill to laugh out loud. "I will see what I can do," Holly smiled.
Bill merely nodded his head in approval before both of them turned back to watch the zamboni make its way around the rink. Neither one of them bothered saying anything more.
Meanwhile, Steve and Gail stood in the never ending line for refreshments. Gail knew that by the time they made it to the counter, she was going to order the biggest beverage possible to make up for all the waiting she had to do.
"So it looks like you are having a good night despite being at a sporting event with your family," Steve teased.
"Yeah, I am," Gail smiled.
"What? No witty comeback? No snarky remark?"
"I'm not really sure what you want me to say," Gail said with a shrug.
"I don't know. I honestly thought you were going to sulk the entire game."
"First of all, I was not sulking. I was cold. Secondly, both Holly and Leo are having a great time. Who am I to rain on their parade?"
"Okay, who are you and what have you done with my sister?"
"Oh hardy har har."
"I'm being serious though," Steve continued, "It looks like you are having a good time, and not just tonight. Holly is good for you."
Gail turned to look fully at her brother. She could see the sincerity in his eyes. "She is good for me," she smiled before turning towards the counter and ordering the largest drinks available.
As the next period began, Gail settled back into her seat. "I wonder if they will score any more touchdowns this period," she said nonchalantly as she took a sip from her massive drink.
Holly quickly swiveled her head around to glare at Gail.
Gail merely gave her a wink. "Relax, Lunchbox, I know that is a football term. I'm just messing with you."
Holly let out a big sigh of relief. "Gosh for a moment, I thought I was going to have to break up with you."
"Hey! Not cool. We don't joke about that sort of thing," Gail pouted.
"I know. I'm sorry" Holly said, leaning forward and placing a soft kiss on Gail's pout causing it to quickly turn it into a smile. "But you should know, we also don't joke about sports," she added with a smile and a nod.
Gail nodded in agreement before turning back to the game.
As the game wore on, goals were scored, penalties were dished out. Eventually the Kiss Cam came on over the big screen. The crowd began to cheer as it fell on different couples. Gail thought she was going to die when it fell on her and Steve. Steve was quick to yell out that she was just his sister and shake his head no. Gail was tempted to embarrass him, but then quickly decided to turn her attention to Holly instead.
Holly smiled at her, knowing full well what Gail was thinking. As Gail began to lean in, Leo jumped between the two ladies and placed a giant kiss on Holly's cheek, catching both the ladies by surprise. Gail's mouth fell open in shock while Holly's turned into a gigantic smile as she wrapped her arms around Leo, engulfing him in a hug.
Everyone in the crowd burst out cheering for Leo and Holly, and laughing out loud at Gail's shocked reaction. Gail also played up the whole situation which made Leo beam from ear to ear at his hijinks. She grabbed him by the waist and tickled him relentlessly until he apologized profusely, which caused the crowd to roar with laughter.
As the game came to a close, the five of them sat there waiting for the crowd to disperse a little.
"Well, thank you everyone for coming," Bill said, leaning forward to look at the group.
"Thank you for inviting us, Dad. It was actually not terrible," Gail admitted as she reached over and laced her fingers with Holly's.
"And the Leafs actually won tonight, so that was a major bonus," Holly added.
Leo didn't say much as he was beginning to drift off to sleep as he leaned against Steve's shoulder. "I think he had the time of his life," Steve said, nodding at Leo. "Thanks for inviting us."
"Well, we should do it again," Bill said, somewhat apprehensively.
"You can count us in," Gail smiled before standing up from her seat and pulling Holly up along with her. "Let's go home," she smiled, as she wrapped her arm around Holly's waist, pulling her close.
"Yeah, let's go home," Holly smiled.
AN: Thanks everyone for the idea of them at a game. It was fun to write one of your ideas. Keep them coming. I hope you enjoy reading it.
