Chapter Text
Hayden Pike has known fear. He’s played overtime during the playoffs. He’s gone through not one, not two, but four newborns. He’s even dealt with Jackie finding out about his secret stash of croissants from Costco, and oh boy, Hayden does not want to relive that moment again. So, yeah, you can say Hayden has known fear. However, none of that compares to the terror of losing Ilya Rozanov’s dog.
He and JJ are returning home after visiting five animal shelters in the area; all of them claimed that no one had dropped off a dog that could have been Anya.
“So I guess you’re as good as dead then,” JJ says casually in the car on their way home.
Hayden tightens his grip on the steering wheel, sending a glare at his teammate. “Nuh-uh, we’re as good as dead because I will bring you with me.”
“Hey!” JJ exclaims. “You wouldn’t do that to your best friend, would you?”
“Fucking watch me.”
They sit in silence as Hayden continues to drive back home when Hayden’s phone buzzes in his pocket. Hayden takes it out and tosses it to JJ. “It’s probably Jackie. Can you tell her we’re on our way home?”
JJ is unlocking Hayden’s phone before he sends an uneasy glance at Hayden. The latter looks at him. “What’s that look, JJ?”
“It’s Rozanov.”
“Shit,” Hayden mutters. “What does he want?”
“Looks like he’s been texting you.”
“Bro, I know.”
“You’ve been leaving him on read?” JJ questions, scrolling through his messages with Rozanov. “Dude’s getting anxious.”
“Fuck, what’s he been saying? I haven’t dared to look at his texts.”
JJ is reading the last message that was sent. “Uh oh.”
“Oh, God, what is it now?”
“He wants you to send a picture of Anya–”
“Oh, I have plenty of pictures of Anya from the other day. Just send him one of those.”
“You didn’t let me finish,” JJ claims. “He wants a picture of Anya with a newspaper of today’s date.”
Hayden literally squeaks. He actually can not believe this right now. This is too fucking much. Maybe if he runs his car into a pole, it will be better than having to deal with Rozanov when he gets home. “Fuck… fuck, fuck, fuck.”
Now JJ’s phone starts buzzing with an incoming message. He takes his phone out. Hayden can hear JJ’s breath hitch. “It’s Shane.”
“Great, what does he want?”
“He’s asking me to tell you to check your phone.”
Hayden groans. “Fuck, tell him my phone broke or something. Jesus.”
JJ sends a text to Shane, telling the latter that Hayden’s phone broke. Before long, JJ gets another reply. “He wants me to go over to your house and take a picture of Anya with today’s newspaper.”
They share a worried glance at each other. Hayden almost feels sorry that JJ has to be dragged into this. Almost.
“You know,” JJ starts, “This could be worse.”
Hayden’s not sure if he appreciates JJ’s sad attempt at trying to make the situation any better. “How the fuck could this get worse?”
“Well, I mean, can you imagine we’re babysitting their kid?”
“Oh, fuck, they could not pay me a million dollars for me to watch their kid, if they ever do decide to have one.”
“Not even for 5 million?” JJ teases.
Hayden can’t believe he’s actually considering it. “Maybe. Maybe for 5 million, and I’ll make Rozanov rub my feet for the rest of his life.”
They share a laugh, basking in the lighthearted moment before things can get any shittier.
“But seriously,” JJ says, laughter dying down. “Can you imagine Rozanov as a dad? Shane, I can see, but Rozanov? Really?”
Hayden purses his lips and admits, “Actually, I can.”
JJ looks baffled. “We talking about the same Rozanov?”
“He’s actually really good with kids. My kids absolutely adore him.” Hayden has to give credit when it’s due. His kids would always beg him to see their Uncle Ilya. Hayden doesn’t know much about Rozanov’s past, but from what he’s heard from Shane, Rozanov didn’t have an easy childhood. He’ll admit he was skeptical about letting Rozanov meet his kids, but when he saw how he interacted with them, all he could say was that he was astonished. That’s as much of a compliment as Hayden will give to Rozanov.
“Well, Rozanov pretty much treats Anya like his daughter, so I guess that doesn’t help our case.”
Way to sour the mood, Hayden thinks as he’s finally pulling into his driveway. They step out of the car and head back to Hayden’s house. Though Hayden feels like he’s returning to headquarters with no good news.
“Babe, we’re back!” Hayden shouts so his wife isn’t startled.
Jackie approaches from around the corner and gives them a hopeful look. “Any luck?” Her response is two sighs. “I’m guessing that’s a no.”
Hayden shakes his head and slumps down onto the couch. “Jackie, we need to move. Start packing your bags.”
Jackie rolls her eyes, crossing her arms. “Stop being so dramatic.”
She hands a stack of papers in front of Hayden’s face. “Holy shit, did you use up all of our paper supply?”
“Oh yes, I did. Now, we have work to do.”
They begin right away. JJ takes a portion of the stack of papers and heads in one direction in the neighborhood. Hayden takes another stack, and he sets off with Jade and Ruby in tow. Jackie is bringing the two youngest with her and heads out.
It’s been nearly an hour since Hayden set out, and he’s not sure how much more he can take. He’s still got more than half of the stack of paper in his hands, and it feels like it’s endless.
“Daddy?” Ruby says quietly as they’re putting up a poster, motion all too familiar now.
“What’s up, honey?”
“What if Anya is gone forever?”
Hayden does not want to even think about that, but that’s a fear that’s been in his mind since he started putting up the posters. He bends down to speak to his daughter at eye-level. “We’ll find her, sweetie.”
“But what if we don’t? Uncle Ilya will be so sad, and if he’s sad, then Uncle Shane will also be really sad. What if they don’t ever want to see us again?”
Hayden is trying very hard not to panic in front of his daughter. “Um… let’s not think about that just yet,” he reassures, not sure if he is trying to convince his daughter or himself that everything will, hopefully, be okay.
By the time they’ve put up signs around most of the neighborhood, Hayden feels the need to act more proactively. He’s starting to ring his neighbors’ doorbells to ask in person if they’ve seen a lost dog nearby.
“Hm, I think I may have seen a mutt run around nearby. Just a few minutes ago, actually.”
Hayden’s ears perk up. “You have? Which direction were they going?”
His neighbor, a sweet 80-year-old lady, points in a direction, hands shaking. Hayden nearly wants to drop onto the floor and thank her, but he thinks he’s already embarrassed himself for the rest of his lifetime, so instead he settles for, “Oh my God, thank you so much, ma’am!”
He takes the kids with him and runs in the direction towards where the old lady had been pointing. Just around the corner, Hayden notices a furry tail. He sprints to it. “Anya!”
The girls are running behind him, also calling out to the dog.
Hayden turns another corner. This is it. He’s saved. The Russian man will no longer have any reason to kill him. “ANYA!”
It’s not Anya.
It’s a fucking squirrel. Hayden is one second closer to collapsing onto his knees. Okay, he’s officially dead.
His daughters finally manage to catch up to him, panting behind. “Daddy…” Jade says. “That’s not Anya.”
“I know, sweetie, I know.” Hayden holds back a sniffle. “If daddy ever disappears one day, just know that I love you guys so much.”
The twins give him a look like he’s grown a second head, but don’t question it. They’re all too winded to care.
A nearby neighbor is watering her lawn, and she seems to have noticed Hayden and the kids because she starts approaching them. “Sir, are you alright?”
Hayden takes a second to respond, still panting and wheezing after that wild squirrel chase, “Could be better!”
“Do you need a glass of water?” the neighbor asks him. She then, however, notices the twins behind him and is now sending them a wary look. “Girls, is he your father?”
Hayden nearly chokes. “Ma’am, they’re my-”
“That question was not for you,” she snaps, holding up a hand to silence him like he’s a misbehaving toddler. “Are you girls okay?”
Ruby looks at Jade, who just shrugs. “Yeah,” Ruby manages to say. “He’s our daddy!”
The neighbor narrows her eyes at Hayden like she’s trying to decide whether to call CPS or a psychiatrist. “Are you sure?”
Hayden throws his hands up. “Why would they lie about that?!”
The neighbor ignores him completely. “If you two are in trouble, blink twice.”
Jade, being the little kid that she is, blinks once. Then twice. Then again. And again.
The neighbor gasps, already taking her phone out. “Oh my God.”
Hayden groans. This can not get any worse. “No! Nobody is in trouble except me.”
Ruby beams. “Daddy lost Uncle Ilya’s dog!”
The neighbor looks a little bit relaxed after that. “Ilya? The hockey legend Ilya Rozanov?”
“Oh, so you know him, but not me?” Hayden thinks, but he doesn’t want to voice that out loud.
“That’s him!” Jade exclaims.
“I’ve always loved watching him play! It will be an exciting year now that Shane Hollander is on his team.”
“W-Wait,” Hayden can’t help but interrupt. “What about the Montreal Metros?”
The neighbor literally rolls her eyes in front of him. “What about them? Look at how the team treated Hollander when he got outed. I don’t condone that behavior at all. Besides, it helps that my parents are Ottawa natives.”
“O-Oh, yeah, you got a point there.” Hayden now realizes he should really get going before the neighbor realizes that he’s a player for the Montreal Metros. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem she’s connected the dots yet.
“Ugh, and don’t even get me started on that player who outed them! How terrible!”
Hayden gulps. Okay, he really needs to think about fleeing. “Ha, you’re right. What an asshole he is.”
“Ain’t that true! What was that player’s name again? Harold or something?”
Shrugging, Hayden says, “Beats me!”
“True, besides, he’s only like, what, the 15th best player on the team? He’s not really worth remembering, in my opinion.”
Hayden thinks this neighbor is actually a spy for Ilya Rozanov. That has to be it.
“Anyway, how did Rozanov’s dog end up in your hands?”
“Uh, we’re acquaintances.”
The neighbor’s eyes brighten. “Hey, look, I know we got off on the wrong foot, but if you don’t mind, I’d love to get a signed jersey from him.” She winks. “I’ll pay good money for it!”
“We’ll see about that,” Hayden says truthfully. “I may be dead before I can get you anything.”
“Oh, yeah, I’ll keep an eye out for the dog! Good luck finding Anya. I know Rozanov loves that dog since he’s constantly posting her,” the neighbor claims. “I would not want to be in your shoes right now.”
Hayden has to fight back rolling his eyes, because that would just be rude. However, he’s considering it after being slandered by his neighbor for the last ten minutes.
“Anyway, girls, let’s go before this neighborhood turns into a rescue operation.”
At least the neighbor actually looks apologetic. “Sorry for assuming, you know? The world’s dangerous these days!”
Hayden can’t blame her. He’s about to be murdered by a Russian hockey player if he doesn’t find his dog any time soon.
He returns home shortly after and reunites with Jackie and JJ. They’re all slumped on the couch, and Jackie sighs. “Guess you guys didn’t have any luck?”
“Nope,” JJ admits.
Hayden purses his lips. “Don’t even get me started.”
Jackie raises a brow at him. “Huh?”
“Someone thought daddy kidnapped us!” Jade giggles.
JJ and Jackie both stifle a laugh.
Hayden just groans.
JJ and Jackie are still trying not to laugh, but Hayden is too emotionally destroyed to care. He slumps deeper into the couch and stares at the ceiling like it personally wronged him.
“I’m never showing my face in this neighborhood again,” he mutters.
“Honey, it’s not that bad,” Jackie says sympathetically.
“Someone thought I kidnapped my own children,” Hayden deadpans. “I think it’s pretty bad.”
Before Jackie can respond, Hayden’s phone buzzes violently on the coffee table. All three adults in the room freeze.
JJ leans forward. “Please tell me that’s your mom.”
Hayden dreadfully takes the phone into his hands, and his face drains of color. “It’s Rozanov.”
“Might wanna pick that up before they fly home earlier than scheduled,” JJ whispers, attempting to be helpful.
Hayden swallows. He hits accept and puts the phone to his ear.
“Pike,” Ilya says immediately, “Why did you not send photo of Anya with newspaper? Shane is worried. I am worried. You make us worry.”
Hayden can feel his soul leave his body. He can see JJ mouth Bark again, and Hayden shoots him a glare.
Ilya continues, "Put her on the phone. I miss her little snorts.”
Hayden feels sweat pouring down the back of his neck. He takes a look at his wife who looks like she's praying for him, then he looks at his teammate, who's trying not to laugh. Hayden really wants to slap his teammate. Sportsmanship be damned.
Finally, Hayden, with the confidence of a man who no longer has anything left to lose, says, “Uh… she’s… napping.”
There’s silence, and Hayden thinks he got away with this one when Ilya says, “Then wake her.”
Hayden’s life starts flashing before his eyes. “W-wake her?”
“Yes, is what I just said. I want to hear her little snorts.”
“Rozanov,” Hayden says, voice cracking, “I can’t wake her. She’s… she’s in a very deep sleep.”
There’s another pause, then, “How deep?”
“Like… extremely deep,” Hayden blurts, kicking JJ in the shin when the latter is fully gasping for air on the floor now. “Like… REM, you know? Very REM. She’s kicking her tiny paws right now as she’s sleeping. Probably dreaming of you.”
On the phone, Hayden can hear Shane’s voice appear in the background. “Ilya, let the man breathe. Anya’s fine.”
“No,” Ilya insists. “I want to hear my daughter, Pike. Put phone near her face.”
Hayden is sweating so much that he thinks he might actually pass out. He mutes his phone real quick and hisses at JJ, “WHAT DO I DO?!”
“What does he want you to do?”
“HE WANTS TO HEAR ANYA SNORE.”
“Dude, just snore.” JJ shrugs casually.
Hayden stares at his teammate in horror.
JJ sends him an encouraging nod. “Yeah, snore. Like a dog. You can do it.”
Hayden wants to die. He’ll save Rozanov the trouble anyway.
He unmutes his phone. “Okay, uh… she’s here,” he says weakly. He leans toward the phone and produces the most humiliating sound of his entire life. “Hhhhngghhhh…. Hhffttt…. Hhngh…”
JJ is shaking violently along with Jackie. Literal tears are streaming down their faces.
There’s silence, and Hayden thinks he’s busted.
Then, “Awwwww,” Shane coos. “She sounds so peaceful.”
Hayden can hear Ilya sniffle. Sniffles. “Our baby girl. She sleeps like angel.”
Hayden feels like he’s going to throw up. “Okay!” he says quickly, hoping things don’t get any more awkward than it already has, but Shane and Ilya don’t know that. “She’s good, you’re good, everyone’s good. I gotta go–”
“Wait,” Ilya interrupts. “Pike.”
God damn it. Hayden thinks before he answers, “Y-Yeah?”
“You will still send picture of her with newspaper when she wakes up, yes?”
Hayden’s heart stops, which makes him briefly wonder how many times his heart has stopped since this whole fiasco started. He totally forgot about that. “Oh, yeah, of course! Absolutely. I could never forget.”
“Good. We trust you,” Ilya says confidently.
Hayden immediately hangs up with more force than necessary. He's considering throwing his phone across the room.
JJ starts full-on wheezing. “DUDE. You just fucking snorted into the phone.”
Hayden covers his face with his hands. He can't manage to look at anyone in the room right now. “I don’t think I can ever look them in the eye again.”
Jackie, his wonderful and beautiful wife, pats his arm sympathetically. “Honey, you might have to.”
“I’m so dead.”
“Don’t say that,” Jackie says gently. “Anyway, we have to figure out the newspaper situation.”
“Oh my God, I almost forgot about that.”
“Well, good thing we have Harris’ number.”
Hayden loves his wife. He wonders if he’s ever told her that. If not, he might start saying it every second now before he dies. He doesn’t hesitate to dial the Centaur’s social media manager right away.
“Hey, Hayden, how’s the search going?” Harris says cheerfully over the phone, clearly not realizing the state of panic that Hayden is currently in.
“I need your help.”
“That… doesn’t sound good.”
Hayden nods, feeling stupid because he knows Harris can’t see him. “It’s Rozanov. He wants me to send a picture of Anya with the newspaper that has today’s date.”
Hayden can hear Harris’ breath hitch, and then he’s chuckling. “Oh, that sounds like Rozanov.”
“He’s so needy!” Hayden exclaims, tone laced with accusation.
“Hey, don’t worry about it. You called just the right guy. Send me the most recent picture you have of Anya, and I’ll get to work.”
Hayden wants to kiss the man, if he wasn’t already married with four kids. “Holy fuck, you’re a lifesaver.”
“Don’t mention it! Just keep me updated.”
Hayden hangs up, and he feels the most relief he’s felt in the past 24 hours.
Luck seems to be on Hayden’s side for once, because after he sends an edited picture of Anya with the newspaper that Harris worked on, the couple tells him that they may not be able to call for the next few days. They tell him they’re going on an excursion and won’t have cellular data. Hayden, after hearing that, wants to dance in a meadow with butterflies.
Hayden tells them not to worry and to please enjoy their excursion.
The trio’s left waiting for the rest of the day, hoping for anyone to call them with news about the lost dog.
They receive one phone call that night, and Hayden almost leaps with joy until he picks up the phone. It’s one of their neighbors, calling them to complain that the posters are a distraction in their aesthetic neighborhood. Hayden doesn’t even allow the person to finish before he hangs up.
“What was that?” Jackie questions.
“Just someone complaining about the posters.”
“Ugh, people can be so mean, sometimes.”
“I agree.”
The days linger on, and Hayden still has no news on Anya. He’s thinking about digging a hole his size because not only is it just Saturday, it’s the day when Ilya and Shane will return home from their honeymoon.
“Honey,” Jackie says gently, placing a hand on his arm. “I think you’ll have to tell them the truth.”
Hayden looks at her, teary-eyed. “Jackie, just so you know, I love you and our kids.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re being way too dramatic.”
JJ doesn’t forget to call him that morning. He sends his best regards and tells him he’s praying. Hayden thinks his teammate’s a traitor for not wanting to join him in welcoming the newlywed couple back home.
Before Shane and Ilya return from their trip, Jackie suggests hosting dinner that night. Hayden thinks it’s her idea of softening the blow when he has to tell them the truth.
Hayden’s currently in the living room while Jackie’s working on dinner. His knees are bouncing with nerves, and he’s returned to biting his nails again. He hasn't bitten his nails since high school!
The doorbell rings. Hayden perks his head up and looks at Jackie. She just gives him an encouraging nod before she goes to open the door. Hayden thinks that’s his chance to run off, but he doesn’t make it because Jackie’s already greeting the couple at the door.
“Ilya! Shane! It’s so good to see you guys. How was the honeymoon?” Jackie gestures for the couple to come in. Hayden doesn’t think they've seen him yet. Maybe he can hide in Amber’s room for the night, or he can pretend to be deathly ill. Maybe the couple will leave him alone then.
“Honeymoon was amazing,” Ilya says with a bright grin, stepping into the living room. Hayden can see how tan the couple looks compared to when they left before their trip. He also doesn’t miss the fading love marks on Shane’s neck. It’s clear that Shane had tried to cover them up with makeup but failed drastically. “You guys should visit. Is beautiful country with great wine.”
“Maybe when the kids are older. We've got our hands full at the moment.” Jackie chuckles and sees Shane holding a wine-shaped bag.
“It’s for you, as a thank you for watching Anya for us.” Shane gives the bag to Jackie, and she returns to the kitchen to settle it down somewhere, leaving the couple with Hayden.
“Where is our little princess?” Ilya starts to look around for the dog.
Hayden lets out a sigh. Here goes nothing. “Rozanov–”
“Uncle Ilya! Uncle Shane!” Ruby and Jade shriek in sync when they see their favorite uncles. They run up to them, and Hayden, for once, internally thanks the girls for coming in at such a convenient time. They’ll be witnesses to his murder, which is a bonus.
Ilya and Shane hug the girls. Ilya announces that he brought gifts for them and tells them to hang on before he heads out to his car to grab them. Shane starts walking towards Hayden. The latter is looking anywhere but at this best friend right now.
“Hey, Hayden, thanks for watching Anya for us. Hopefully, she didn’t give you too much trouble?”
Hayden can’t do this anymore. He needs to confess. He takes a deep breath and starts, “Shane, look, I gotta tell you something.”
“Are you okay, Hayd? You look kinda pale.” Of course, Shane notices his nervousness. Years of being captain and honing his observation skills don’t dissipate overnight. “Do you have to sit down?”
“Um, no, bud, I think you have to sit down.”
Shane does so slowly. Hayden doesn’t miss the look of confusion on his best friend’s face. “Shane, I’m so, so fucking sorry.”
Raising a brow, Shane asks, “For… what?”
Hayden gulps and continues. “I…” He can’t continue when he hears the doors burst open.
Oh God.
It must be the Grim Reaper.
“SHANE, LOOK!”
The Grim Reaper sounds just like Rozanov himself. Hayden’s praying in his mind. This is it.
“Ilya, what is it?” Shane asks, standing up and walking to his husband. “Hayden, you didn’t tell us you bought a tutu for Anya!” Shane’s chuckling.
This is it. Hayden thinks. He closes his eyes and imagines the afterlife. Maybe it won't be so bad. It will, at least, be better than playing on the ice against both Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander.
And.
Wait.
Tutu?!
Hayden shoots his eyes open, and there he is, Ilya Rozanov, holding a dog that looks suspiciously like Anya. And the dog is wearing… a tutu?!
“Uh–” Hayden chokes out. He can’t manage to make anything sound coherent right now.
“Pike, I must say, you’re pretty good with dogs,” Ilya states as he’s holding his precious dog, cooing at her. Anya gives Ilya a lick on his cheek, and she turns her head to Hayden. Hayden can see it. He can almost see the devilish smile on Anya’s face. That is no angel. That is a demon in disguise, just like Ilya Rozanov himself.
Shane is also petting Anya when he looks up at Hayden. “So, Hayd, you were saying?”
“Nothing! Um, it was nothing.”
“ANYA!” the twins cry out this time. They’re bolting towards Ilya, whose hands are still occupied with holding the dog. “We missed her so much!”
Ilya furrows his brow. He glances at Hayden. “What do they mean they miss her? Wasn’t Anya here this whole time?”
Before the twins can spill the truth, Jackie miraculously returns from the kitchen just in time and interferes. “Girls, let’s give some space for Uncle Shane and Uncle Ilya. They’re both very tired from their trip.”
“Ah, no, is okay, they can stay,” Ilya reassures, but Jackie insists the girls play in their rooms with the gifts that they got from their Uncle Ilya.
Jackie’s looking at Hayden like he’s grown two heads. Hayden just shrugs because he has no idea how or where Ilya found Anya. Hayden does a double-take. He thought Anya would look skinnier after not being home for so many days, but in all honesty, she looks very well-fed and happy.
They all settle in the kitchen with Jackie’s food all ready to be served on the table. Ilya’s still holding Anya in his arms, and Hayden’s learned to breathe a little easier now. Things, somehow, all worked out in the end.
They’re midway through their dinner when Hayden hears a knock on the door. “I’ll get it,” he says, stopping Jackie from having to get up, and he quietly leaves her alone with Shane and Ilya.
He opens the door and sees an unfamiliar face. It’s a man, and he looks… enraged. The man’s got his arms crossed, and Hayden looks behind him to see a little girl with tears painted across her cheeks. The little girl looks to be the same age as the twins.
“Um, how can I help you?” Hayden asks incredulously. He’s not sure what’s going on or who these people are.
“You took our dog!” the man huffs, his arms flailing.
Hayden widens his eyes.
Oh.
Ooooh.
No one fucking messes with him or his best friend’s husband’s dog. Geez, that’s a mouthful.
Hayden steps out and closes the door behind him. He’s suddenly glad he’s trained for years for his professional athletic body because he’s at least a foot taller than the man standing before him, and he's at least twice his size. “Excuse me, what did you just say?”
The man stands back a bit, clearly intimidated. “Y-You!” he exclaims, pointing an accusatory finger at him. “I saw you take our dog!”
“Where’s the proof that she’s yours?” Hayden crosses his arms. “Maybe… you don’t have any? Because she’s not yours in the first place?”
“Are you implying that I stole the dog?!”
Hayden casually shrugs. “Huh, I never mentioned anything about stealing.”
The man sputters, and he looks at the girl behind him. “Sweetie, didn’t you tell daddy that your friend gave you her dog?”
The little girl starts bursting into tears. “I’m sorry, daddy! I lied… I found the dog wandering around, and she looked so cute. She didn’t have a collar or anything, so I…”
“Emily, you can’t just pick up any dog off the streets! I’ve taught you better than that!”
“I’m sorry, daddy!”
The elderly man huffs in frustration and looks apologetically at Hayden. “I’m so sorry for the misunderstanding. I truly thought a friend gave the dog to her. She’s mentioned one of her friends’ dogs being pregnant and all that.”
“Well, I suggest you confirm your sources next time,” Hayden remarks before he sighs. “Seriously, you guys almost got me fucking murdered.”
“Huh? I don’t follow.”
“Never mind. It’s a long story,” Hayden says, “You’re lucky I feel too relieved right now to bother the police, so I suggest you get going now.” It’s the truth, Hayden does feel a sudden gush of relief. He also does feel kind of bad because he can see his twins pull off the same stunt as the little girl before him. However, if Hayden didn’t spend the last couple of days fearing for the end of his life, he probably would have thought this situation was actually pretty funny.
Hayden actually feels a little bad when he sees the girl sulk. Hayden thinks about the tutu that Anya came back with, and feels a sense of warmth inside him. “Wait!”
The two of them look back at him.
“Look, I got this friend who owns a farm in Ottawa. He’s got plenty of dogs there who need a home. I can ask him if he’s okay with me giving you his number so you can set up a time with him, and, you know, maybe adopt a dog there.”
The little girl’s eyes sparkle, and she looks up at her father. “Daddy, can we, please?”
The man sighs and gives his daughter a tiny smile. “Only if you promise not to pull a stunt like that again.”
Hayden gives them his own number. He needs to make sure he remembers to ask Harris if it’s okay to give out his number later tonight.
“Thank you so much!” the girl screeches with excitement.
“Thank you.” The man puts his hand out, “Name’s Bradley, by the way. I should have introduced myself sooner. Sorry about that.”
Hayden takes Bradley’s hand and shakes it. “You know what’s funny, Bradley?”
“What?”
“That’s the second time a ‘Brad’ has screwed me over.”
“Uh…”
Hayden doesn’t say anything else, and it doesn’t seem like Bradley wants to question it. The father and daughter duo leave after that, and Hayden steps back into his house again. He lets out a sigh of relief with his body pressed against the door.
“Everything okay, dear?” Jackie asks as he walks back into the living room. He sees the twins on the floor with their Uncle Ilya, playing with Anya. Shane’s sitting on the couch with Jackie across from him. She’s sipping on a glass of wine while Shane’s nursing a ginger ale.
Hayden, for the first time in days, feels a genuine smile growing across his face. “Yeah, everything’s perfect.”
Shane currently has his hands on the steering wheel as he’s driving him and Ilya back to their home in Ottawa. They just finished having dinner at the Pike’s, and although Hayden insisted on them staying over a little longer, Shane really just wanted to get home, shower, and cuddle with his husband and their little princess.
Ilya’s sitting in the passenger seat with Anya on his lap, sleeping contentedly.
Shane’s navigating his way through the neighborhood when Ilya says, “You were right. Pike was good with Anya.”
“I told you he’d be good with Anya.”
“I’ll never doubt you again, sweetheart.” Ilya leans over the center console and presses a kiss on Shane's cheek.
Shane gives his husband an endearing smile. He continues to drive when he sees something that catches his eye.
Huh. It’s a poster for a missing dog. Shane steps on the brakes, slowing the car down.
“Shane?” Ilya questions, noticing the intense look on his husband’s face.
Shane doesn’t say anything. He continues to squint at the poster taped onto the pole. That’s when he notices. The poster’s taped onto every pole on the street. “Ilya?”
“Shane?”
Shane points to the poster on the pole. “Am I crazy, or does that look like Anya?”
Ilya looks to where Shane’s pointing and squints his eyes. “That can’t be Anya…”
Shane puts the car to a full stop. He’s taking his phone out now. Ilya looks at him, obviously wondering what he’s doing, but Shane pays him no mind. Shane scrolls through his phone and looks up at the poster again. “Oh my God.”
“Shane, want to tell me what’s going on?”
“That’s Hayden’s phone number,” Shane states. “I’m going to call him because what the fuck?”
Ilya seems to have connected the dots because he allows Shane to do his thing.
“Hayden?” Shane says when the man on the line picks up.
“Hey, buddy, what’s up? Did you forget something here?”
“Look, Hayd,” Shane starts, “I don’t mean to be accusing you or anything, but I’m driving through the neighborhood right now, and I’m seeing a lot of these missing dog posters, and the dog on the poster looks suspiciously like Anya.”
Shane can hear Hayden’s breath hitch over the phone. “Um… okay… look, I can explain–”
Ilya suddenly grabs the phone from Shane’s hand. “PIKE!”
Hayden literally squeaks into the phone, and Shane can’t help but wince. Everything’s making sense now.
“We trusted you!” Ilya shouts, clearly upset that his precious princess had actually once been missing.
“Guys, I’m so sorry–”
“You’re lucky Anya came back when we came back,” Ilya huffs. “Otherwise, you’d be leaving Jackie as a single mom of four.”
“Ilya!” Shane hisses, but he can’t help but agree with his husband. Anya is Ilya’s precious baby. Actually, Anya is their precious baby. He would also be upset if he found out his best friend had lost something so precious to him.
Ilya starts grumbling something in Russian that Shane can’t comprehend, but he assumes it's a slew of curse words directed at his former teammate.
Ilya doesn’t say anything else after that and aggressively hangs up the phone. Once he sets the phone down, he looks at Shane and says, with confidence, “We are never letting Pike babysit our kids.”
Shane can’t help but smile and agree.