Niklas laughed as Alana danced around his living room to Keith Urban's "Days Go By". "You just love dancing, don't you, Lannie", he asked. Alana stopped and turned her head to look at him, her green eyes shining. "Yes, I do. I love music and dancing is part of music". The timer from the toaster went off and Niklas pushed himself off the couch and scooped the girl up into his arms. "Our grilled cheese is ready. Are you hungry?" Alana giggled. "Yes, I am hungry. Just like Hank is for goals", she replied. Niklas laughed and set the girl down on her chair before moving to get the sandwiches. "Nicky?" The Swedish defenceman turned around to look at his little friend. She was leaning on the table, her cheek resting in her hand. "Yes, Lannie?" She smiled. "I love having you as a friend", she replied. Niklas turned his head, not wanting his young friend to see his tears. Alana was so precious, so sweet, so loving. Niklas didn't even think Alana knew how much he loved her. She was way too deep in his heart for him not to love her. When she said things like this, Niklas loved her even more. He turned back towards her, wiping away the tears. "You're a great friend too, sweetie", he said. Alana smiled again, but only for a second before she turned concerned. "Why are you crying?" Niklas shook his head. "I wasn't crying". Alana frowned. "Yes, you were. I can see tear streaks on your face", she pointed out. Niklas smiled. "Just because I love you, Lannie", was his reply. Alana slid off her chair and walked over to her friend. She held her arms out and Niklas picked her up. "I love you too", she said before burying her face in his shoulder. It was then Niklas's heart melted completely. She just amazed him: she had cancer and yet she still loved and cared for others. This girl was truly a miracle. He felt her head come off his shoulder and found himself looking into her eyes. "Are you gonna take those sandwiches out", she asked, teasing Niklas like someone who was older than five. "Yes I am, princess", he said. He put her down and then got the sandwiches out of the toaster.
While they ate, they talked about the remaining games in the season and the games they'd already played. Niklas had just finished his sandwich when his text ring went off. He checked it and saw it was from his former teammate, Valtteri Filppula. 'Since we're both off tonight, do you want to face time?' Niklas chuckled and sent a text back. 'Sure! Just let me get my laptop!' "Who was that", Alana asked, looking up from her plate. "Val. You remember him, he wore number 51." Alana grinned. "Valtteri Filppula, Finn? Sure I remember him. He was one of my favorites". Niklas laughed and went to get his laptop. He turned it on and set it on the table. Alana placed their plates in the dishwasher so she was sitting back in her seat with her foot tucked under her. "Thank you, Lannie", Niklas said, dropping a kiss on top of her hat-covered head. "No problem, Nicky." It was minutes later that Niklas was greeting his old teammate. "Hi, Val! How are things down in Florida", he asked. "Pretty good, Nik! How about up there?" "Going pretty good, Val. It's hard not to see you in the locker room sometimes. I miss having you as a roommate". "Yeah, Nik, I know. But I had to go. Oh, and I saw your interview the other night. Who's Alana?" Niklas swallowed and glanced sideways at the young girl. "She's a friend of mine I met about four months ago. Her story is that she has cancer-leukemia- and she's wanted to meet me since last year. So a meeting was set up for us and her dream came true. It turns out she's my biggest fan and…" He told Val all about the young girl and there was silence when he finished. "Wow, Nik, that's pretty special. She sounds like a great kid. I wish I could meet her." Niklas smiled and gestured towards Alana. "Maybe you can, Val." Alana climbed into his lap and rested her head back against his chest. "Hi, Val", she said. Valtteri's eyes widened. "How do you know who I am?" "Nicky said your name about half a dozen times in the last two minutes. And I'm a Red Wings fan: I know all the players: former and current", she replied, again sounding older than she was. They talked for a little long before Val hung up. "What did you think of Val, Lannie", Niklas asked. Alana smiled and turned in Niklas's lap to look at her friend. "I liked him. He was funny". Niklas smiled and wrapped his arms around her. "Like me?" Alana giggled. "You're funnier than he is." Niklas suggested they watch a movie and Alana's eyes lit up. "Beauty and the Beast", she asked. "Anything for you, princess", Niklas said.
Niklas woke up from his deep sleep to the sound of crying. It sounded like Alana had another nightmare. He threw the covers off and sprinted into the room next door. "Lannie? Are you okay", he asked, sitting on the bed next to her. "I j-just had an h-horrible dream", Alana sobbed. Niklas lifted her into his lap and Alana rested her head against his chest. "What was it", he asked gently. "A hooded figure dressed in a dark robe with no face chased after me. I was alone in the dark woods calling for help but n-no one h-heard me. Then the figure snatched me away and I screamed", Alana said. A chill ran down Niklas's body. –Death. That was who that hooded figure was- he thought. He didn't say it out loud, however, for fear of making Alana even more scared. "Don't worry, Lannie. He can't get to you here". He rocked her in his arms until he felt her relax. "Stay", Alana whispered as he tucked her back in. Niklas nodded and smiled when he felt Alana grabbing onto his finger. – I'd do anything for this girl. I love her-. "Nicky?" Alana's voice pulled him from his thought. "Yeah, baby", he asked, turning back to the little figure in the bed. "When did you start playing?" "Hockey?" Alana nodded. Niklas started stroking Alana's cheek with the back of his hand. "When I was four. My dad took me to a rink he'd made in the backyard. I remember it was really cold and I wanted no part of it. It took a while for my dad to calm me down and tie my skates on. Then I loved it. The cold wind on my face, the rush that went through my body. I didn't want to get off for a very long time. Eventually I did". Alana giggled. "Did your mom make you hot chocolate when you came in?" "She sure did. She always made us hot chocolate in the winter. I remember she'd put marshmallows and whipped cream in it. It was so good." Alana smiled. "My mommy makes me hot chocolate." Niklas laughed. "All mommies make their children hot chocolate. It's part of being a mommy." He started to say more but realized Alana was asleep. She looked so peaceful: her dark eyelashes resting softly on her skin, her mouth opened in a little smile. -I hope she has no more nightmares tonight- he thought. He stood up and then bent over to press a kiss to her forehead. "Sweet dreams, my beautiful princess", he whispered.