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Thursday morning, the alarm went off at its usual time. Over the course of the previous two days, Harper had taken on the work of finding and booking an officiant for the selected date of their quickie wedding. She had also contacted Quinten to ask about using the bar as a location. Notified Tanner, Bex, and Tobey of their plan. Pre-filled the license using the online form. And contacted both of their parents for the virtual dinner announcement plan.
“You’re sure this how you want to do it?” Tanner had seemed skeptical.
“Considering how your own wedding went down?”
“Point taken, but this still doesn’t seem like your style.”
“What is my style, Tanner?”
“Don’t take that tone with me,” he retorted. “I’m just saying. You and Pietr have been talking about a summer wedding, at your folk’s place for a while. Getting hitched now, in a bar?”
“It’s the bar where we met. And it’s our favorite bar.”
“Who else is coming to this?”
“Just you and whoever is at the bar. I told Bex and Tobey that they could come, but it’s work hours for them. You said McKinley is busy. We’re just going to post some announcement photos via Felicity and on our own socials. She’s also been informed, as well as the coaching staff and HR. Let me remind you, we are still doing the big celebration later. We know that’s unavoidable.”
“Okay. I’m not pushing.”
“Darlene is making time to come snap some photos, which I really appreciate.”
“She did a nice job with ours,” he admitted.
“I know. I sent one of Pietr and I to Felicity to add to one of her posts. If she ever gets tired of porn photography, she should consider freelancing for weddings and events.”
“Darlene isn’t that kind of person. She really likes what she does.”
“I kinda got that feeling when we met her.” Harper laughed. “You want to come over and spend the weekend with me? The guys are out of town.”
“We could invite some of the other WAGs?” Tanner suggested tentatively.
“I suppose we could.”
“I like Seth, obviously. Marie is nice. Becca. Helen.”
“Yeah, those are the four I’ve gotten to know a little better. I can send a group message.”
With the plans all falling into place, Harper and Pietr went about their usual Thursday morning routine.
“All we have to do is sign and show our identification today, right?” Pietr asked as they both began dressing for the day.
“Yes. I’m not sure how long it will take. Do you have other things to do?” Harper answered. She pulled on a plain t-shirt and then a flannel over it. It had begun snowing the night before and hadn’t let up. New York was on track for a white Christmas.
“I’m yours all day.”
“Are you going to go in for some training? Your workout?”
“I can work out here today. Something light,” he said. “Should we go out to lunch?”
“We can.”
“Harper?”
“Pietr.”
“You are absolutely positive this is what you want? We don’t have to do this, this way. There is no rush.”
“Are you second guessing it?” Harper turned to look at him from where she was buttoning up a pair of well-fitting jeans. Then she opened a drawer for a pair of socks before selecting a pair of her Chuck Taylors from her side of the closet island.
“No. I have wanted to marry you since I met you. There is no one I want to do this with more. I am positive that you are the only one for me.” He circled the island to stand in front of her. He took Harper’s hands in his, lifting them to press a kiss to her fingers. “I need to know that you are that positive. That you want to do this. Be with me.”
“Pietr, of course I do. I asked you to marry me,” Harper reminded him. “Am I totally sure that what we’re doing is the best way to do it? No. I’m winging this whole thing. I know this is going to be something else my mother will complain about for the rest of her life. I know we are going to disappoint people, including our closest friends. At the same time, we both want this for different reasons, and for the same. We aren’t going to please everyone. Period. So, I want to take the stress off from trying and do this our way.”
“Alright.” He pulled her against his chest in a hug. “Our way. Does this mean we’re wearing Osprey merch? Or was that a joke?”
She smiled. “I didn’t think it was a joke. However, I am not wearing the Pigeon jersey.”
“Oh, come on!” He teased. “What if I get one with Tesla on it? Can do it at Pro Shop. It isn’t hard.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Fine. No sense of humor.”
“Considering all of the guys, and the coaching staff are calling me that? No, I don’t have a sense of humor about it.”
“You just need to own it. Don’t let them know it bothers you.”
“I do my best.”
The clerk’s office visit went smoothly, thanks to the pre-filled online form. Afterwards, Pietr joined Harper and Isaac for their usual Thursday stream. When the group had finished gaming and signed off of the stream, they filled Isaac in on the plan.
“I probably won’t be doing the stream next week,” Harper started.
“We’re getting married,” Pietr continued. “We’ve still got some details in the air, but it’s happening next week.”
“Do you want me to come?” Isaac asked, unfazed.
“Izzy, you’re welcome to come anytime you want,” Pietr reminded him. “But you just spent a whole month with Harper in Wisconsin. Is it worth it to come all this way after you just got home?”
“I have the airline miles and I can’t think of a better reason to use them.”
“If you can get here, come,” Harper said. “If it’s too much, then you’ll be with us for the celebration this summer. This is basically pure formality. We’re literally getting married in a bar, Isaac.”
He laughed. “Wearing Osprey shirts and sneakers. I get it. Very you. The both of you. No fanfare. Simple. I’ll look and see what flights are available as soon as we wrap here.”
“Remember, we’re not making the announcements until Friday, so don’t mention why I’m not on Thursday.”
“Not a problem. I’ve already got Creed from the Denver Peaks and I got an e-mail last week from Blair Ginty. She played for the last US Women’s Olympic team.”
“That’s awesome. What are you going to play?”
“I’m not positive yet. Ideas?”
“How about Fall Guys? It’s fun and a chill time.”
“Possible. I’ll throw it at them as an option. Or maybe Among Us? That’s usually a good time.”
“Also a solid option,” Harper said. “We’ll let you go though. I need dinner. Lunch feels like a long time ago.”
“Okay. Love you both. I’ll text you my flight details when I have them.”
“Sounds good. Love you too,” Pietr replied.
The call ended and the pair looked at one another briefly.
“Have you told Misha yet?”
“I wanted to make sure that everything was in place. I know he can’t come. He has a game on Wednesday in Seattle, and Friday in Calgary.”
“He would still want to know. Have you talked to him since you told him we were explaining about Isaac?”
“A little. He’s been busy,” Harper answered. And it was true. Other than a good morning text nearly every day, followed by a few check-ins, Misha hadn’t seemed to have time and Harper wasn’t one to push to talk for nothing.
“You should call him. Where is he today?”
Harper sighed, rolling her eyes upward as though the ceiling held the answer. “I think tonight they’re home in Edmonton.”
“So, he’s probably at home right now. Leaving for the game soon.”
“I don’t like to bother him.”
“Is not bothering and you know he would say the same thing.”
Harper picked her phone up from the coffee table. A moment later, she heard a brief tone followed by Misha’s cool tone in her ear.
“Hello Kiska. I’m waiting for my car to the arena, so you have good timing. How are you?”
“Hi Misha.” Harper felt her cheeks warm. An involuntary smile tugged at her lips. “If you’re busy, I don’t want to bother you.”
“You’re never a bother,” he assured her. “I miss your voice. You didn’t call on Sunday. Because of holiday and travel, I assumed.”
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry. It completely slipped my mind.”
“Life happens. You must have something to say if you called me today though? To be honest, I’ve been meaning to call you too.”
“You go first then.”
“No, no,” she could visualize him shaking his head, “you called me. Your news first.”
“Pietr and I are getting married next week. Super small. Almost no one is going to be there. No fanfare. We have an officiant coming to the Mounting Bison in the afternoon. McKinley’s sister is taking some photos for us. We’ll post some pics with an announcement the next day.”
“When’s the wedding?”
“Thursday. The eighth.”
He grunted in her ear. “I don’t know if I can be there.”
“That wasn’t why I was calling, although you’d be welcome. I know you’re busy. Pietr is busy. That’s sort of why this is all happening the way it is. I wanted you to know.”
“I see,” he sounded a little relieved. A little disappointed. “Good. I am glad for you. Be sure to send me some of the pictures, so I don’t miss them.”
“I’ll do that,” she promised. “What was your thing?”
“Cecil and I have been talking. Especially after you warned me that you and Pietr were coming out about being with Isaac.”
“Did he not approve?”
“Is not that,” he assured her firmly. “We talked about whether or not I should admit to being your other partner.”
“What did you decide?” Harper felt a little pinch in her chest. Nervousness washed over her. A smidge of fear that this was suddenly not a good call and actually the end of her having a third partner.
“If it is okay with you, we are both comfortable with it being public knowledge that I am that other partner. Cecil thinks that it might take some of the pressure off if I have a public partner. However, that is also going to put some more pressure onto you. I don’t want to give you more than you can handle.”
“How long until your car arrives?” Harper asked.
“Wha—?” Misha seemed startled. “App says two minutes?”
“Okay. Hold on.” Harper heard him make another disgruntled noise as she pressed the phone into her shoulder to look at Pietr. “Misha says he and Cecil talked and think it would be a good idea for him and me to be public.”
“Okay,” Pietr shrugged, “good?”
“You’re sure? If that’s public, people are going to know I’m with both of you. That might make the upcoming Edmonton game awkward?”
“We can handle it,” Pietr assured her. “Don’t worry about us. More awkward for you, as you can’t exactly cheer both of us on.”
Harper laughed before picking her phone back up to her ear. “Sorry, Misha. Pietr says he’s not worried, so I’ll try not to be either.”
“You are sure?”
“Positive.”
“When I’m in town for the games later this month,” he suggested, “we can go out to lunch? Or dinner, after the game. Just us, if Pietr doesn’t mind.”
“I’d love that,” Harper said.
“We can each post something to our socials? Not make a big deal about it. Just, two people getting to know each other better.”
“Agree. I don’t think we need a big announcement. That would feel weird.”
“Agree,” he repeated. He took a deep breath. “My car is here, Kiska. I would love to talk to you on the drive, but it’s not long. Sometimes the drivers are gossipy. Can I call you later tonight? We can talk more about what to do when I visit. I’m looking forward to seeing my bonus partner too.”
Harper chuckled. “Yes, and I’m sure he’s looking forward to some fun. Have a good game.”
“I’ll do my best. Will you watch?”
“I think we could watch some hockey tonight,” she agreed.
“Good. Talk to you after.”
“Bye Misha.”
“Bye Harper.”
The line cut and Harper set her phone back down on the coffee table.
“We are watching Edmonton game tonight?” Pietr raised an eyebrow.
“If you don’t mind,” Harper replied.
“I don’t mind, but we still have a few chapters left to read. Can we do that with the game on as background noise?”
“Sure.” Harper slapped her thighs before pushing upward to stand. “Pizza for dinner?”
“Real pizza or some kind of bastardized healthy version of pizza?”
Harper hummed. “Something in the middle?”
Pietr shrugged. “All right. I suppose is acceptable.”
Harper laughed, making her way to the kitchen to start cooking.