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It’s the weekend of their first ever Winter Classic together playing on the same team. They’ve been buzzing with excitement since it was announced, particularly because it would be their first Winter Classic as dads, which meant they could bring their daughter to the family skate. A tradition Ilya and Shane long since wanted to participate in.
Each team playing gets a day before the actual game to bring their friends and family to the stadium to skate on the ice. For the longest time, Ilya let himself believe he would never get to participate in a way where he’d have his own family enjoying the day, but here they were. Against all odds, their happy family.
Thankfully, the weather for the Winter Classic this year is mild when it comes to Canadian winters. Shane still made sure she was bundled up nicely, regardless.
“Come here, malyshka.” Ilya begins unhooking her from the car seat as Shane unpacks the trunk. Her smile shows off a few new teeth coming in. “There she is!”
He brings her tiny body up against his chest and gives her a hug.
“You ready to skate with Dada and Papochka?” He bounces her lightly as he walks around to where Shane has the stroller set up.
Shane’s face lights up when he sees Ilya and Viktoriya. He leans in close and presses a kiss to the top of her soft hair before putting a purple knit hat with a furry pompom on her. She rubs her eye with a tiny fist and blinks, realizing that her Papa is here too. She twists her body to reach for Shane.
“Pa-pa!” Her little voice is soft and joyful.
“Yes, it’s Papa!” Ilya says excitedly and he hands her over to Shane so he can grab the diaper bag from the backseat.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.” Shane coos as he straps her into the stroller and tucks a blanket around her. “We’re going to have so much fun today!”
“I have extra clothes in case she gets wet, some snacks, formula… obviously, diapers. Am I missing anything, sweetheart?”
“Please tell me you have Mister Duckie.” Shane pleads. “She’ll fricken freak out if we forgot him.”
“Do not worry. Mister Duckie is…” His head disappears as he reaches further into the backseat, searching for the fuzzy yellow duck. “Right… here!” Ilya whips out the small stuffed animal and has it kiss Viktoriya’s face before placing it beside her.
“Uckie!” She squeals and kicks her feet.
“Okay, let’s go!” Ilya closes the car door and locks it. “It’s time for me to embarrass your Papa on the ice.”
Shane rolls his eyes fondly.
“She knows I’m the generational talent in this house.”
“Mmm, no. She specifically told me Ilya Hollander-Rozanov is best to ever play the game.”
He takes one hand off the stroller to slap his husband’s shoulder playfully. “Always such a smartass.”
____
Ilya has played in Winter Classics before, but standing at center ice and looking out at the stands is always a surreal feeling. He feels dwarfed by the sheer size of the stadium.
Shane is putting final touches on Viktoriya’s bundling before they skate. Once she turns two they’ll have her actually skate with skates on. Today, they’ll hold her while they skate.
The rest of their teammates are beginning to guide their significant others or little ones onto the ice. Their kids are decked out in winter gear or various Ottawa jerseys.
It reminds him of the day they got Viktoriya her first customized Ottawa jersey. When they held it up, it was so incredibly tiny that they both burst into tears. Their hyphenated last name couldn’t even fit on the back, so they settled on it saying “My Daddies” instead. Her shoulders each had an 81 and 24 embroidered, representing both him and Shane.
Today, Shane has her dressed like a purple marshmallow for warmth. Her black hair pokes out from her hat in two small pigtails and she kicks her feet as she sits on the bench. Shane is kneeling in front of her fussing with her gloves. Watching her babble to Shane happily makes Ilya’s chest flutter.
“Dada!” She points her mitted fist that has Duckie in it at Ilya. “Hiiii!”
Ilya comes closer with his arms outstretched.
“My solnyshko! I’m coming to rescue you!” He scoops her up in his arms. “Weee!”
He spins her around and Viktoriya lets out a bright giggle. Shane rolls his eyes fondly from his spot on the ground and stands up. He kisses her head and then kisses Ilya.
“You ready?”
Shane looks absolutely beautiful, his long hair framing his face right where his cheeks are tinged pink with cold. Ilya can’t help but smile at him.
“Let’s go, sweetheart.”
____
The ice is fresh under his blades as he takes a couple of laps on his own. In the entire rink, Shane’s eyes don’t leave Ilya and Viktoriya. The noon sun shines on them as Ilya spins and dips her close to the ice and back up again. They’re both laughing their heads off. It’s a perfect sight.
Shane borrows a small sled from his teammate and drags it over to his husband.
“For me?” Ilya asks excitedly when he sees what Shane brought. “Do you think you are strong enough to pull me and our malysh, Hollander?”
He nudges Shane playfully. Shane just rolls his eyes. He takes Viktoriya in his arms as Ilya lowers himself onto the child sized sled.
“If it breaks you owe the Pointe family a new sled you giant oaf.”
“I am average sized oaf, thank you.” He makes grabby hands for Shane to hand Viktoriya over. He settles her on his lap and holds her tight. “Toriya, tell Papa to be nice to me.”
Shane grins. “In your dreams, Rozanov.” His voice goes up an octave as he addresses their daughter. “Hold on tight, sweet pea.”
He skates backwards so he can face Ilya and Viktoriya as he pulls the sled across the ice. She squeals and claps her hands. The slight breeze created by the movement tousles Ilya’s curls as he makes obnoxious car sounds with his mouth.
“She has need for speed! Watch out for this one!” Ilya shouts at their teammates and family members as they speed past them.
“Too bad you sold all your sports cars.”
“Do not pretend you were not happy I sold them, moya lyubov. Also, that collection will pay for this cutie’s college.”
Shane picks up the speed a little bit. “A little faster now.”
He’s definitely not at full skating speed, but Ilya is dramatically acting as if he’s being launched into space via shuttle. Viktoriya lets out the most piercing screech of excitement and it sends Shane’s heart into his throat the way it usually does.
“Jesus Christ!” He clutches a hand to his chest. “It gets me every time!”
Ilya sputters out a laugh at Shane. “You are so jumpy. Is her happy noise, you have to get used to it.”
“Hey, don’t listen to Dada. I love your happy noise. I just wish you’d do it more… quietly.”
“He thinks you are very scary, malyshka.” Ilya whispers to her conspiratorially and kisses her cheek. “We must make him not afraid!”
Shane slows his skating to a stop and looks down at his husband and daughter. The center of his entire world.
Ilya stands with Viktoriya in his arms. “We must cover Papochka in kisses so he is not afraid!” He shoves Viktoriya into Shane’s orbit and her lips leave little butterfly kisses on his face.
“Enough, enough!” Ilya jokes. He pulls her back to his chest. “Is my turn to kiss!”
Viktoriya is tucked between them as Ilya peppers kisses to Shane’s forehead, his cheeks, and then finally, his lips. The moment feels so tender and perfect that it brings tears to Shane’s eyes. He can’t believe how fucking lucky he is.
He looks up into Ilya’s eyes and his whole expression softens. He swipes his thumb gently under Shane’s eye and traces his cheek reverently.
“I know… I know.” He murmurs. “Ya tebya lyublyu.”
The kiss is soft and sweet.
“Ya tebya lyublyu.”