Chapter 5:
Thursday February 9th 2012
3413 Avenue T, Marine Park
Brooklyn, New York
1625 Hours
"I'm on my way to yours now…" Nathaniel was on the phone talking to his date Alina who had tickets to an NY Rangers game.
Nathaniel was pretty excited; this was going to be his first Rangers game since before he had joined the US Navy. He was eager to see the Rangers win.
Alina sighed, "Can't wait, I've got my Rangers game-day shirt on." "Did you just buy it…?" Nate asked.
Alina laughed, "No, I've had it for the last few years. My Mom bought it for me when we came to New York City for a trip." "Your mother was a wise woman to teach you about sports…" Nate laughed.
"I've caught a few games in the city. My brother likes hockey so he supports the Rangers." Alina said. Nate nodded, "Sounds like fun, I'm on my way now. Would you like me to walk up to your place or wait outside?"
"Come on up, I'll wait for you." Alina smiled.
Nate nodded, "See you shortly."
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Nate smiled as he put on his NY Rangers game-day jersey, he walked out of the house, he didn't lock the door, considering his adoptive-brother Robert Thompson was with his girl Charlotte.
He got into the car and began driving to Alina's apartment, the drive was a matter took a consistent time of 35 minutes.
Once he arrived, Nate parked a few meters from Alina's apartment. Knowing he didn't want Alina to see a part of his Navy SEAL past, he took out his pistol and put it in the trunk.
He locked the car and he walked into the building, he headed to Alina's apartment as he knocked 2 times on the door.
On the other side of the door, a voice said, "Who is it?"
"Alina? It's me, Nathaniel." Nate said.
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The door opened and it revealed a woman just in her early 30s, the woman had dark brown hair and hazel eyes. The woman looked at him as she said, "Who are you?"
"Forgive me, I'm Nathaniel. I'm here to pick up Alina Lafayette, who are you?" Nate asked.
The woman nodded looking at Nathaniel before tilting her head up and down as she said, "You may enter."
Nate looked quite concerned as he asked, "Who are you might I ask?" "I'm Katelyn. Katelyn Zelinski." The woman introduced herself.
"You must be a friend of Alina." Nate said.
Katelyn smiled, "That I am, sorry for the inspection." "Faced many of 'em over the years." Nate said.
"Serviceman?" Katelyn asked.
Nate nodded, "Navy, on leave."
"I have a brother in the service. One who's in the reserves, you must know them?" Katelyn asked. Nate nodded, "Adam Zelinski, I imagine." "Yes, that's my twin brother, he's a cop, mentioned you a few times. There's the other brother Brooklyn, he's in Special Forces." Katelyn said.
"Both your brothers in the Army?" Nate asked. Katelyn nodded, "Yes, you could say that."
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"Katelyn! Are you interrogating my date?" Alina said as she walked out of her room, she then saw Nate who had said, "Hi Alina."
"Hi Nate." Alina smiled. Alina was wearing an 2007-08 NY Rangers jersey; a pair of blue jeans hugged the curve of her legs to which Nate was smiling so intensely.
Alina then asked, "I see you met Katelyn."
"Yes, she seemed protective of you." Nate said. Alina laughed, "She's always protective, took on that role when my brother couldn't do it."
Nate nodded as he said, "Katelyn, thank you for not shooting me." "I'm good with a gun, but you don't want to know how good." Katelyn added.
Nate nodded as he turned to Alina and said, "Want to get going?" "Let's go. I packed a few snacks… mostly chocolate, some gummy bears."
"I like gummy bears. Let's get goin' we'll be walkin' on foot." Nate said. Alina smiled and picked up her jacket as she said, "Katelyn, do not burn my place down."
"Wouldn't do it." Katelyn yelled back.
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Alina shut the door as she said, "Let's go."
"So how long have you known Katelyn?" Nate asked.
"Remember I told you about my brother who was in the military?" Alina asked. Nate nodded, "You only mentioned, he was in the Army."
"I kinda have five brothers that have served in the military." Alina confessed. Nate's jaw dropped as he asked, "Five brothers?"
"Four of them are the oldest. I have a fifth brother who was adopted by my Ma when I was little, 4 are in the military, 1 is in Law-Enforcement." Alina explained. Nate nodded still surprised by the amount of brothers Alina grew up with, "Oh that must be fun. What's the age gap?"
"Between me and my oldest half-brothers, it's about 10-years, they're both Irish-twins. My 2nd oldest and I, it's 3-years and then 3rd older brother, it's about 7-months." Alina explained.
"So, you and your 3rd oldest are Irish-twins?" Nate asked. Alina nodded, "Yes, you could say that. My 2 older brothers was born in New Orleans with a different father compared to me and my brothers."
She then continued as she said, "My younger brother Enzo, he was born in 1987. My Mom, couldn't leave him alone on the streets."
Nate nodded, "What branch are your older brothers in?" "Navy, Lieutenant Joseph Lafayette and Lieutenant Commander Steve Lafayette." Alina said.
Nate's eyes bulged out of his head, Joseph Lafayette and he were best friends in the SEALs. They had met when they served in the Teams together on their first mission together, until today, he had presumed that Joseph and Steve Lafayette were coincidental men who had the same surname and was born in a different part of the States.
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Alina then asked, "You okay?"
"No, I'm fine, I just didn't make the connection between you and your brother Joseph, refresh my memory, Joseph has black hair, brown eyes, a small beard round his face." Nate said.
Alina nodded, "Steve is the younger Irish-twin, he's got black hair, blue eyes and a small amount of stubble for a beard."
"Very tanned complexion, yeah that's him." Alina said. Nate nodded, "I've heard of Joseph and Steve Lafayette when I was in the Navy, apparently they were both the best sailors to have joined."
"I'll ask if they've heard of you." Alina said, Nate shook his head, "I doubt they ever heard of a lowly sailor like me…"
Alina felt puzzled by Nate putting himself down, she then asked, "What makes you think you're a lowly sailor?"
"I'm nobody special, just a guy that had done his service for his country and continues to do it. I'm sure you think of your brothers as heroes for their service."
Alina nodded and turned to face Nate, "I do think of 'em as heroes, but they always say, the real heroes are the ones that sacrifice their life for their country, for the cause that makes them whole. Don't put yourself down, Nate."
Nate nodded as the pair continued on walking to the Madison Square Garden.
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Madison Square Garden, Lower Manhattan
Manhattan, NY
Nate and Alina watched as the Tampa Bay Lightning team had scored a point as Nate said, "That was pretty unlucky. Don't worry we'll hit 'em back."
"Getting antsy thinking a fight's gonna happen." Alina said.
Nate nodded, "Nothin' like a fight to settle some rage. Plus, it's all fun and part of the sport."
The first quarter ended 1-0 to Tampa Bay, Nate was chanting, "Come on, NY Rangers!"
Alina laughed, "You look funny." "Part of the fun, right?" Nate asked.
Blushing, Alina had just smiled watching her date chant to bring some spirit to the Rangers fans.
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In the second quarter, the Rangers were attacking the opposition, any time they got close. It looked as if they were gonna get the puck into the net.
Soon their wish came true, Ryan Callahan put the puck in thanks to Nate Stepan and Michael Del Zotto. The crowd cheered loudly as the buzzer sounded off and the goal theme called slapshot rang out, everybody was singing along as Nate and Alina cheered loudly as they applauded.
Alina then shouted, "Well done Callahan!"
"There we go, come on!" Nate said.
Soon enough, the NY Rangers scored once more, it was Nate Stepan's point as everybody saw the game change tables.
Everybody was enjoying themselves and they were loving it intensely. Nate high-fived a teenaged fan who had said, "This is goin' to be a good game."
"I don't doubt that. Probably could hit overtime though." Nate said. The teen then said, "Your girl's really pretty, you're a lucky guy."
Alina laughed, "I'm the lucky one."
"That you are." Nate said.
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Soon everyone's mood was dampened after the game twisted 3-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning team.
Nate was keeping hope that the NY Rangers could at least salvage a comeback, maybe even a win in the final quarter.
In the third quarter, everyone was holding their breath, a final 20 minutes beckoned upon the anxious Rangers fans who were hoping to see a victory for their side.
Halfway through the 3rd quarter, the NY Rangers were relieved to see Brian Boyle step in and hit a puck into the Tampa Bay net, everyone joyously celebrated as the Tampa Bay fans looked on in dismay.
Anxiety set in amongst the fans as they hoped for last-gasp winner for their side. Only however it didn't come true and it set the suspense ready for overtime.
By the time of the 1st Overtime Period, Nate and Alina had taken a quick water and toilet break.
They continued to share a pack of gummy bears, they found out that they both loved oranges, green and yellow colored bears.
Nate shared a bit of his Hershey bar that he bought for both him and Alina, they made their way back to the seat, by the beginning of the overtime period.
The NY Rangers soon scored, everybody went wild during the overtime period, Brad Richards was the hero that the Rangers needed, everyone cheered or cried tears of joy seeing that they won.
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After the game, everyone began to leave the Madison Square Garden, Nate began to walk Alina home as he said, "That was a fun night."
"Exciting to the last minute of overtime. It's great to see them win." Alina said. Nate nodded, "As long as it's a win, everybody's happy."
Alina nodded, "Defeats are the hardest, sometimes I just listen to music to take my mind off it." "Whenever we lose, I just hit a bag for a few days on end. Keeps me busy, keeps me in shape." Nate replied.
Alina patted his six-pack as she blushed, "Excellent shape. I mean you could play a xylophone on you."
"You mean, you want to?" Nate asked teasingly.
Alina rolled her eyes, "I can neither confirm, nor deny that allegation." "Oh, you want to, I can tell." Nate said.
Alina playfully glared before poking Nate as she said, "You shouldn't know any of my looks." "Worried I might know you better?" Nate asked.
Alina rolled her eyes and just laughed, "Smartass."
"At least you curse like a sailor." Nate said. Alina laughed, "Joseph and you would love that, wouldn't ya?"
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Alina leaned in close to Nate as she said, "What an effect you have on me." "It's like Christmas all over again." Nate said.
Unsure what to say next, Alina asks, "What are you doin' Valentine's Day?" "I would usually be on Naval duty, why?" Nate asked.
"No reason, it's nothing." Alina said.
Nate smiled as he said, "Spend Valentine's Day with me. I know a few things we can do." "I'd love to spend Valentine's Day with you." Alina said softly.
Nate smiled as he said, "I'd love that." Nate pushed a curl out of Alina's eye as he touched her soft cheek gently as he breathed, "Alina…"
"Nate…" Alina breathed placing a hand on his own cheek as she smiled, they lent their foreheads onto each other, their noses were quite literally tipping close to each other.
Nate didn't know what to do, but he decided not to kiss Alina, he wanted to wait for the right moment, make it absolutely sure that it was perfect.
Unbeknown to both of them, they were being watched by a shadow, who had snapped a picture of them.
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The pair walked up to her apartment as Alina turned to say, "Thank you for a great night."
"Thank you for making tonight memorable. I'll see you soon, Alina Lafayette." Nate said. Alina nodded and kissed his cheek before saying, "See you soon, Nathaniel Dempsey."
Nate smiled and kissed her cheek in return as he said, "You have a lovely night, Alina."
"You too, Nathaniel." Alina said. Alina had said as she walked into her apartment.
Once inside, Alina saw Katelyn who had said, "How was date night?" "So happy, the Rangers won the game in overtime." Alina said.
"What about the sailor?" Katelyn said. Alina sighed, "I might have nearly kissed him."
Katelyn was shocked as she said, "What?!"
"You heard, I nearly kissed Nate." Alina said. Katelyn couldn't believe her ears as she said, "I can't believe it! you really like him, don't cha?"
"He's so cute, sweet, he makes me laugh." Alina said. Katelyn replied, "Aww! He sounds like a version of a prince."
Alina then gushed, "He treats me with respect and he's very loyal." "You've got a winner, hon. Did he ask you anythin' else?" Katelyn inquired.
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"He asked me out for Valentine's Day." Alina replied.
Katelyn was shocked as she then asked, "Did you say yes?"
Alina blushed with a smile on her face as Katelyn realised, "Yay! I'm so happy for you. You've got a lucky man with that Nathaniel."
Alina nodded as she sobered up, Alina confessed, "I don't how to tell him about who I am…"
"Oh, sweetie… he'll be understanding, if he loves you that means, he'll be completely respective of you and who you are…"
"What if he ain't?" Alina said.
Katelyn then said, "Cross that bridge when you come to it."
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Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Be ready for more from my other stories. Hope you have a good day today.
Please like and review down below, God bless you all.