Chapter Nine
 Eight Months Later
Amanda walked into her apartment in high spirits.  Her team had just won their game, beating the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche, and she couldn't have been more excited.  Well she could have been, if only Kevin was
there. She hadn't heard from him in several weeks, and that was the only damper on her excitement.  "Oh well," she thought, she could tell him about her team and how proud she was of them leading their division later.  Right now she had to relax and decide what to pack for the next road trip, which was to California in two days for the team to play the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.  The insistent ring of the phone intruded into her thoughts.  "Hello?" she said, picking up the receiver.
"Hey Amanda just watched the game, nice one!" said her friend Brittany from California.
"Hey Brittany! Yeah it was a good one-you know we lead the division now, and there's talk of us getting a playoff spot!"
"Wow that is great!" Brittany said. "You must be excited!"
"God yes I am, this is a dream come true!"
With a grin in her voice, Brittany said,"So have you talked to Kevin lately?"
"Not for weeks," sighed Amanda.  "I think he must have met some Scandinavian chick and forgotten all about me."
"Not a chance Amanda-I know he cares about you too much to do that."
"And how do you know that?"
"Umm-ummm....hey when are you coming to California?" Brittany said.
"In two days with the team Britt I told you that," said Amanda.  "And what's with all them ummm umming?"
"Uh nothing-hey I gotta run okay? I will chat at ya later!"
"Okay Brittany! Take care!"
Amanda hung up puzzled at the rather strange conversation, then decided it was just her imagination. 
Back in California, Brittany was rolling on the floor laughing at herself and how she almost had blown the surprise Kevin had planned for Amanda.  Amanda had completely forgotten that Brittany worked with Nick's sister Bobbie Jean and
knew exactly when the guys would be back.  Of course, she knew that Amanda did too, but what she didn't know is that Kevin was flying in a day earlier just to surprise her. Nick had enlisted her and Bobbie Jean's help in Operation Kevin and Amanda when his sister told him while home on a visit that she worked with Brittany, and somehow the fact that Amanda and Brittany had been friends for years had come into the conversation.  So Nick, even though he had a pretty good idea how Kevin and Amanda felt about each other, decided to get Brittany in on the matchmaking plan.
So now Brittany had to make sure Amanda was in the right place at the right time when Kevin got in to see her.  It was Nick's idea that Kevin fly in early, and so far things were looking good.  And where Brittany had almost blown it was when she had said that about Kevin caring very much about Amanda-in fact Kevin had emailed Brittany the other day for last minute details and had spent the last half of the message saying how much he missed Amanda.  He had also said not to say anything about the message as he wanted to surprise her.

Three Days Later
Amanda walked up the front driveway of Brittany's house about to shriek with excitement.  The night before, her team had won, clinching their division title and guaranteeing their spot in the Cup playoffs.  Knocking on the door, she thought she would be glad to have a few days to relax here in California with Brittany and her husband and her family before heading back to Tampa.
Brittany's six year old son opened the door "Amanda! Long time no see!" chirped Andrew.
"Hey Andrew how are you?" Amanda said as she bent down to give him a hug.
"Great! I got an A in spelling last week!"
"That's great! So how's your girlfriend?" she teased.
"Eww girls have cooties Amanda!" Andrew said with all the disgust of a six year old
girl hater. "Well all except you and Mommy," he amended.
Amanda tried to keep a straight face as she thanked Andrew.
"Mommy! Amanda's here!" screamed Andrew into the house and he ran in. Amanda walked in behind him and said hello to Brittany's husband Chris in the den. He returned the greeting just as Andrew ran into the den and cannonballed
into his lap and Brittany walked into the hallway outside the den.  "Excuse my madhouse, Amanda," she said as she hugged her.
"Ah no problem I like the noise-reminds me of a practice you know, "Amanda answered as they both laughed. They walked into the kitchen where Brittany was putting the finishing touches on dinner. 
Hey Brittany did you and Chris get a new truck?" she asked.
Brittany hid a grin as she said, "Yeah a 4Runner-why?"
"Oh I saw it outside.  It's nice-reminds me of Kevin's."
"So when is he due back?"
"Not until next week I think-man I miss him."
"Oh well hang in there, you'll see him before you know it." Brittany grinned.
Brittany walked into the dining area and sat the plates on the table and called out "Dinner's ready you guys!" Chris came in with Andrew slung over his shoulder, the sat him down as the little bow giggled and slid into his own seat. They had just started the lasagna when the doorbell rang.  "Amanda could you get that for me?" Brittany asked as she tried to wipe up Andrew's milk which was trying to make a break for it across the table.
"Sure Britt," said Amanda as she got up from her chair and walked out of the room. Brittany, Chris and even Andrew smiled.
Amanda reached the front door just as the bell rang again.  "Alright I'm coming," she said.  She opened the door.....to look into the face of the very man she had been thinking and dreaming about for months.  Tears of happiness filled her eyes as she said, "Oh my god Kevin is it really you? I'm not hallucinating or dreaming?"
"No babe, you're not," he said as he pulled her into his arms and hugged her close, then leaned back to gently kiss her.
Amanda wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him deeper into the kiss, just as Andrew, Brittany and Chris walked out of the dining room.  "Eww gross they're kissing," said Andrew.  Kevin and Amanda jumped apart, startled and then everyone began laughing as Brittany said "Well how would you like some lasagna Kevin?"
"Sounds great Brittany," Kevin smiled.
"Hey you knew about this all along didn't you?" grinned Amanda as she looked at Brittany.
"Yep sure did," said Brittany.
"Thanks," Amanda smiled gratefully.

Chapter 10