Well two things, technically three. Thank you all for your continued reading. I know it can be boring to read the same thing you've already read but hang in there, you're almost to a brand new, never seen before chapter. Sorry this chapter doesn't have any Ducks in it but this shows a different side of Lizzy.

Chapter 19: Stanley

The following morning after breakfast, Lizzy looked out the window over the sink as she rinsed her bowl. "Seth, what is that?" she asked.

"What's what?" Seth asked, coming over to her side.

"That." Lizzy pointed out the window into the backyard.

"Well," Seth cupped his chin and rested his elbow on his other hand. "From my expert opinion and 21 years on this Earth, I'd have to say it's a trampoline. I could be wrong though." Seth turned toward the kitchen table. "Hey, Ben, come here a sec. I need your expert opinion."

Lizzy glared at Seth but Ben got up from the table and walked over to stand behind his sister. "What's up?" Ben asked.

"See that round, black thing in the yard? What is that?" Seth asked, thoughtfully.

Lizzy rolled her eyes knowing her brothers were making fun of her. "Gee, Seth," Ben answered. "I haven't been on this planet for quite as long as you have, and I do have one year less of college than you do, but I think I know a thing or two about springy things and I'd have to concur. That there is a trampoline," Ben agreed.

Lizzy sighed heavily and bit down on her tongue. This was definitely not something she had missed while at Eden Hall. She liked the respect that came with being the captain's cousin and a former Duck and on a new team that was a fresh start. "I guess a better question would be, why is there a trampoline in our backyard? None of us really need one."

"Dad thought it would be a nice apology gift for all the crap you had to deal with this past year," Seth explained.

"Oh?" Lizzy asked.

"The divorce, Squish being put down, being sent to a school you didn't want to go to, him lying about Matt," Ben listed off on his fingers. Squish was her cat.

"If he really wanted to apologize, he would have gotten tickets for the Stanley Cup finals."

"We don't even know that Detroit is playing. For all we know it could be Dallas and Buffalo," Seth told her.

"You really think Dallas can pull off an upset and win the next three games?" Right now it was the final round of playoffs. Detroit was taking on Dallas in a best of seven series as were the Washington Capitals against the Buffalo Sabres. It was Washington with a 3-2 lead and Detroit with a 3-1 lead. Though Detroit could lose two more games and still have a chance at the finals Dallas would have to win every game to get their shot.

"Of course they can," Seth said. Seth had been a fan of the Stars since they had played in Minnesota, even if he did support Matt and want him to do well. Lizzy on the other hand had always been a staunch supporter of Detroit.

"Oh please, Detroit's got this series in the bag. You'll see them in the finals, you can bet on it."

"Not including the series they're currently playing the Stars have played Detroit—"

"Five times this season. Their record is 2-1-2. Dallas has only ever beaten Detroit once. The lost twice and they tied twice. They've never pulled off an upset."

"You're so cocky your team is going to win that if Detroit loses to Dallas you have to have dinner with me and Tash once a week for the next month at a place of her choosing."

"And if Detroit wins then you have to wash and clean my car by hand once a week for the next month plus do the oil change before I go back to Eden Hall." Lizzy said, looking at her brother.

"We're just talking about this seven game series right?"

"The winner is the team that moves onto the finals not just the team that wins tonight."

"Deal." Seth stuck his hand out to his sister.

"Deal." Lizzy answered, gripping his hand and shaking it.

That's how the following Monday Lizzy found herself laid out in a lawn chair in the front yard, her big blue eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, watching her big brother wash her baby blue Mustang. Her dad stepped up beside her and handed her a cold bottle of soda. "Don't you think you're being a little unfair?" Rob asked.

"A bet's a bet. He lost fair and square. The Red Wings won the series 4-2. Not my fault he doesn't have faith in his brother's team," Lizzy answered.

"What do you want for your birthday, sweetheart?"

"It's not for another month. Besides I'm going to be in Minnesota."

"Since when?"

"Come on, Dad, most of my friends are in Minnesota. Can't I spend part of my summer with them?"

Rob stared at his daughter. "Sure, the 21st of August."

"How about the 14th?" Lizzy asked, sitting up.

"18th, my final offer."

"Fine." She could tell her dad wasn't going to budge.

"Good. Try not to abuse your brother too much. Please."

"Even though that's what he's there for?"

"Lizzy," Rob warned.

"Only teasing." Lizzy rolled her eyes. She wasn't really, but knew it would calm her dad.

Over the next week and a half, Lizzy and her brothers watched the first three games of the Stanley Cup finals and Detroit won every game against the Capitals. The day before the fourth game in the series, the 16th of June, Rob entered Lizzy's room and sat down on the bed. Seth had shown her how to hook the TV back up so she was watching cartoons. She muted them and looked up at her dad.

"I need you to pack a bag; make sure you have enough for three days plus a hoodie, jeans, and sneakers and be ready to go in an hour."

"Three days? Tomorrow is the fourth game of the championship. You're not going to make me miss it, are you?"

"No. Just get packed."

"Ben and Seth?"

"They're coming too." Rob said. He patted her knee and stood, leaving the room. Lizzy sighed. She raised the volume on her TV as she thought it over. It didn't make any sense. Why would they suddenly be going on a trip with no notice and without him telling her where. Lizzy shook her head then got up and started packing. Soon they were in the car and then at the airport. It made her extremely unhappy to be stuck between her two brothers the entire flight but knowing that they were heading to D.C. where the, hopefully, final game of the Stanley Cup Championships was being played kept her temper in check. Even if they couldn't get into the game they'd probably end up at some sports bar and grill and she would see it on TV then hopefully get to meet up with Matt the following day. Once they landed, they were taken to their hotel where they checked in then they headed out for dinner at a local pizza place.

Seth was telling them about some complex math problem he had to do for his Trigonometry final when two people sat down at their table. A hand reached out and grabbed Lizzy's drink, downing half of it in one go. Lizzy looked up affronted to see Matt looking absolutely disgusted. He reached over and grabbed Seth's drink and drained the water. "What are you drinking?" he asked.

"In this state, you'd probably call it Rebel Tea," Lizzy answered.

"Since when do you drink sweet tea?" Matt asked.

"Texas. This isn't as sweet as the tea Mrs. Robertson makes, but it keeps her kids from drinking soda. I liked it but I'm not addicted to it."

"You know your mom loved sweet tea but always complained that places up north didn't make it sweet enough. She grew up in Georgia. Every time we tried to get one of the boys to drink it none of them liked it. Your mom went through two gallons a week," Rob explained.

"Who's your friend, Matt?" Ben asked.

"I'm not sure you or Seth remember him but brothers, Dad, this is Brad McCormack, my best friend since 11th grade. Brad, my dad and my brothers, Seth and Ben. I hear you've already had a run-in with my kid sister Lizzy," Matt said. Seth and Ben both nodded to the brunette at the end of the table.

"Brad, it's been a while," Rob said.

"Mr. Jacobs," Brad answered.

"How'd you and Lizzy meet?" Rob asked.

"He dropped by Eden Hall to visit his brother. He graduated this year," Lizzy explained.

"She was practicing shots on a goal. She's actually pretty good," Brad said.

"Taught her everything I know," Matt said.

"Not everything, just most. If it was everything, how would you ever beat me?" Lizzy asked.

"I like this girl, Matt," Brad said.

"You play for Detroit, don't you?" Ben asked.

"Second string, with your brother," Brad told him.

Ben held up a finger, cutting off his siblings who were probably going to try to explain it to him. "I know what second string is," Ben said

"Of these guys, only two are hockey fans; only one is a Detroit fan," Matt explained to Brad.

"You can't blame me for supporting Dallas. I was a North Stars fan growing up," Seth said.

"Ben and I like hockey well enough, we just prefer baseball," Rob added.

"Oh I don't mind at all. My brother is a basketball fan and on my days off I'm a Kings fan," Brad said. "With all that said, I take it you're the Detroit fan?" Brad motioned to Lizzy.

"Brilliant deduction there, Sherlock," Lizzy sassed.

"Thanks," Brad said, grinning.

"Boys, are you hungry? Thirsty maybe?" Rob asked.

"No, thank you, sir," Brad asked.

"Nonsense, they won't eat it all, they never do," Matt said.

"Speak for yourself," Seth said. "Tasha is on a health kick so bad, I think my blood is green. I know my pee is."

"Gross, did not need to know that," Lizzy whined.

"Here's an idea, you should tell her that instead of us," Matt said.

The waitress dropped off the three pizzas then looked at Matt and Brad. "Can I get you some refills?" she asked.

Rob nodded and soon their drinks were full and they were eating. "So what are you guys doing here?" Lizzy asked as Matt grabbed a slice her of pepperoni and sausage pizza.

"Just thought we'd come see you before the game tomorrow," Matt said.

"How'd your baseball season turn out, Liz?" Rob asked.

She looked at her dad confused at the sudden topic change, but shrugged. "Ok, won against the first team but lost to the second. Maybe we'll be better next year," she answered.

"Are you going to try out next year?" Seth asked.

"I did just say we, didn't I?"

"I guess that is self-explanatory. What about hockey?" Seth asked.

"I don't know, maybe. Next year I'll be a junior like the rest of the Ducks and I'm a bit worried that some of them aren't varsity level and Coach Wilson is going to make them stay on jv."

"Like you?" Ben asked.

"I have to admit as good as I am and as much as I want it, I'm not sure I'm at the top of his list because I don't eat, sleep, and breathe hockey like some of my teammates do. Guy Germaine is a solid player, Goldberg is a goalie turned defenseman who won the jv varsity show down his freshman year, the Bash Brothers are driven to protect the team any way they can, Julie Gaffney is an amazing goalie, I've seen her stop even the trickiest of shots, Adam Banks is like destined for greatness and will have no trouble making the team but the rest of us ... I don't know."

"That's something Wilson will take in to account. You'd make a great captain," Seth said. "You know your team but sometimes the greatest players are the ones that are the hardest on themselves."

"Seth's right. I don't know Coach Wilson personally, I loved Stillwater too much to give it up for a preppy school, but most coaches look for the great all-around players and you definitely have that in you. Spend this summer working on your shot and maybe if you come up, we can work on what you think you're lacking," Matt said.

"Why did Seth go to Eden Hall instead of Stillwater High?" Lizzy looked from Matt to Seth then at her dad.

"I gave all my kids the option to go to Eden Hall instead of Stillwater. Only Seth took me up on it. Matt had friends going to SHS, Chris said their ball team wasn't good enough, and Ben wanted to go to school with Chris. I only had to make you because of your brother."

"And I am sorry about that. I didn't mean to hurt you," Seth said.

"Oh, I know you didn't and that you regret it."

"So Ben how'd your season go?" Matt asked.

"Bittersweet." He shrugged.

"What do you mean?" Brad asked.

"Well it's the last season I'll play with Chris so it's a little sad even though we won."

"Where is Chris?" Brad asked.

"Playing for the Memphis Redbirds. Triple A baseball," Matt said.

"You must be proud," Brad said.

"Yeah," Rob and Matt answered. They looked at each other and both smiled.

The next day Rob revealed what they were doing in D.C. and as it turned out, only Lizzy was surprised. "Hey, I was watching that," Lizzy said as her dad snapped off the TV.

"I know, but I want you to know what's going on," Rob said. "Liz, I know the past year has been tough on you and I haven't really helped. I apologize for all of that."

"So what are we doing in D.C.?" Lizzy asked.

"This." Rob held up four tickets.

"Are those ..." Lizzy got up off the bed and went to her dad. She pulled one of the tickets from his hand. "Section 100, MCI center. What's that?"

"Look at the teams, Liz," Seth reminded her.

Lizzy rolled her eyes but looked at the teams. "Detroit Red Wings vs Washington Capitals. These tickets are for tonight." Then it hit her. "You got us tickets to the Stanley Cup final?"

"You're welcome," Rob answered.

"I wish I would have known, I would have brought something with Detroit on it."

"Speaking of, Matt wanted me to give this to you," Ben said, pulling a red Detroit jersey from his bag. "This was the jersey he was wearing when they beat the Rangers during regular season. The last winning game of regular season."

Lizzy took it from him and swallowed. "He ..." She wasn't sure what to say.

"You don't have to say anything, we all understand how much you appreciate it," Ben told her.

"Time to get ready. We leave in 20," Rob told them.

"We are ready," Seth said. Both he and Ben were already dressed in long sleeves and jeans. Lizzy however was still in her PJ'S. Rob just motioned to his daughter. Lizzy got dressed and soon they were off to the game.

The first and second periods passed and soon the score was 3-1, Detroit over Washington. As the minutes wound down on the clock, Matt snuck in a fourth goal for Detroit, getting the last goal of the game. With about 28 seconds left in the period Detroit gained control of the puck and began moving it between themselves. Lizzy knew they were just trying to kill the clock because even if the Capitals regained control of the puck there was no way they'd catch up. She split her attention between the scoreboard and the puck tracking it back and forth. With 10 seconds left the crowd began a countdown to the Red Wings second consecutive Stanley Cup win. This would be their third time winning the Cup back to back. The end-of-the-game buzzer sounded and the Red Wings celebrated. The crowd was on its feet and the noise level inside the arena was barely contained by the walls of the building.

It was almost an hour later before the team headed back to the locker room after the MVP trophy and the Stanley Cup trophy presentation ceremonies. As they did, most people overcrowded the two sections on either side of the tunnel that lead back to the locker rooms reaching out for handshakes, high fives, anything they could get from the Red Wings' players. Soon people were leaving the stands and heading for their cars. The Jacobses waited for the crowd to thin out before following suit.

"Hold up," Rob said, stopping just outside the arena door. They stepped off to the side out of the flow of stragglers who had parked on the street instead of under the arena and looked at their dad. "Ah, there she is," he said, waving.

"Mr. Jacobs," Star called, coming over to them.

"Star, how are you tonight?" Rob asked. Lizzy looked up at her brother's girlfriend, only for a brief second wondering what she was doing there. Of course Star would be in D.C.; she loved Matt and probably had the whole week off to watch the games.

"Great, Mr. J. Come with me, Liz," Star said, taking Lizzy's hand. When Star started pulling, Lizzy had no choice but to follow.

"Where are we going? The busses park under the stadium," Lizzy said as Star pulled her away from the front of the building. "It's not like Joe Louis." Joe Louis was the home arena of the Red Wings and the visiting team's bus parked out back.

"You'll see," Star said. They walked several blocks from the arena finally stopping in the lobby of a hotel. "Before you say anything, again, you'll see." Lizzy only shrugged noticing that her dad and brothers hadn't come with them. Finally her questions were answered about 10 minutes later when a bunch of rowdy men in suits traipsed into the lobby. They slowly went quiet as they saw her and Star and when Lizzy spotted a familiar face, he was already heading their way.

"How is my most favorite sister?" Matt asked, scooping her into a hug.

"I am your only sister, dork," Lizzy answered, swatting his shoulder, "Now, put me down."

"For now," Matt said as he put her down.

"You're only going to put me down for now?"

"You're my only sister, for now." Matt rolled his eyes.

"Do you know something I don't?"

"I know a lot of things you don't. For one: how much our brothers love their girls."

"Whatever," Lizzy said, making a face. Matt only smirked as he pulled the championship ball cap off his head and plopped it down on hers. That's when Lizzy's eyes landed on the trophy in his team captain's hands. "Can I touch it?" Lizzy asked, her hand reaching out for the cup.

"What do you think, Cap?" Matt asked, turning to look at his team captain.

"Do you think she deserves it?" his captain asked.

"Well, I helped my varsity baseball team get to the last round of State playoffs, helped my jv hockey team win three crucial games to keep them in playoff contention, and ... oh yeah, they named a pro team after my peewee hockey team. So ... there's that," Lizzy explained. "It's okay if you don't let me though. I plan on winning it one day."

"Plan on winning the Calder Cup in the same year?" one of Matt's teammates asked.

"Even though it's possible, it's hard to do. Play in the AHL for most of the year, win the Calder Cup, then get lucky and get called up to the NHL for one game in the Stanley Cup finals. It's difficult enough for a man but for a woman? Yeah, probably even harder," Lizzy answered, barely taking her eyes off the cup.

"Go ahead," Matt nudged her towards his captain. Lizzy focused in on the cup barely daring to blink just in case the last couple hours were a dream. "It's like watching her take those first steps all over again. Actually that's a lie 'cause I didn't get to see her first steps. It's like watching her score her first goal on a mite's goalie," Matt said to Star. Finally Lizzy reached the trophy and her hand brushed the side. The metal felt cool under her touch, but there was no choir of singing angels, no spotlight from heaven, all-in-all it just felt normal, almost like any other trophy.

"Feels better when you win it, trust me," Brad said in her ear. Lizzy looked up at him. "Went to the Hockey Hall of Fame when I was a kid and they let us touch it. Didn't hit me until I won it last year."

Lizzy grinned. She could definitely see that. After a few photos with the team and trophy, Star took Lizzy back to the hotel where the family was staying at. "Did you get to touch it?" Seth asked.

"Yeah, bit underwhelming though," Lizzy answered.

"I thought so too." At her confused look, Seth elaborated. "Last year after they won, he brought it to Stillwater and threw a big party."

"I see." As Lizzy went to bed that night, she thought about how much Charlie was going to flip when he learned she had gotten to touch the Stanley Cup. She couldn't wait until August when she could rub it in his face.

Thank you all for hanging in there. I deeply appreciate it, just like I would if you want to leave any thoughts in the box below. Like I said earlier, the next chapter has never been seen before so I hope you'll all be interested.