The date was finally here, August 8th, Natalie and Patrick’s wedding day. Naturally, Natalie had not been able to sleep the night before because of the nerves. Natalie had stayed at a hotel about fifteen minutes away from the venue for the bridesmaids to get ready at while Pat had the boys have one last party night at another hotel down the road. It was basically Pat’s second bachelor party you could say, except this one was less intense, Natalie had limited the alcohol so the boys wouldn’t be hung over for her wedding. This was important to her and nothing, and no one could ruin it for her.

Natalie sat at the vanity mirror in the bridal suite of the Hilton she was staying in waiting for the rest of the girls to come help her get ready. She stared at her reflection in the mirror just thinking. She thought that she looked like her mother. Her mother that wasn’t there with her to get ready on her wedding day, yes she was there for her on the day she married Tyler but this was different. Natalie’s mom had told her multiple times that she was going to marry Patrick Kane. That’s why she supported her daughter’s decision when she wanted to move out to London, Ontario with him and watch him play hockey. And now after they are finally getting married she’s not there. Sitting there staring at herself she felt disappointed, disappointed in herself because she didn’t choose the right guy the first time around, and if she would’ve then her mom would’ve been there for this moment in her life. A tear fell from her eye as there was a knock on the door.

She quickly wiped her tears as she walked over in only her silk robe and opened the door, taking a deep breath before doing so. Erica was the first one to attack her with a hug and after Jessica and Jackie before her cousin Amanda followed shyly after. Amanda was Natalie’s only close cousin that she had growing up, she was like a sister to her but only got to see her once every few years because they lived back in Texas, where Natalie was born. So Naturally Amanda was tan, with the big Dallas hair and piercing green eyes. Amanda is always shy at first especially when she feels uncomfortable, and of course due to Jackie and her over outgoing self Amanda clung to Natalie’s side only smiling when it seemed necessary to do so.

Their lady in waiting, Tiffany showed up a half hour later to do the girls hair and makeup. She started with the bridesmaids hair doing it perfectly every single time. Natalie sat and talked with her bridesmaids as Tiffany mingled along with them, catching up on the final wedding details until it was her turn in the big vanity chair she was sitting in before they all got there. Natalie’s hair. While she was getting her hair done the others were putting on theirbridesmaids dresses they all came out looking beautiful and complete. Natalie suddenly felt the feeling that everything was going to be coming together. She was just hoping that the same was happening with the guys back at their apartment.

Meanwhile; Pat had just woken up, taken a shower, had breakfast, and watched the Cubs, and White Sox highlights from the night before because he missed them because of his party Natalie told him before she left for the hotel that he could have a few of the guys over for a small party before the wedding today. Natalie just told him that he couldn’t get drunk because she didn’t want her groom and his groomsman to be hung over.

He rolled his eyes claiming, “You should give me more credit, I’ve grown up over the past couple years.” She dismissed that comment not wanting to deal with it before leaving. Pat then called up Jon Toews and a couple of his friends he grew up with to come up to his hotel room. Naturally Pat wasn’t going to let the opportunity of throwing a party go to waste. Jon was already in the hotel in his own room with Bella so he was up in a few minutes, his cousin James was at his own apartment in downtown Buffalo but came as quick as he could, and even though he played for Dallas, Adam Burish was on his way, he was staying at a cheaper hotel, let’s just say Dallas isn’t paying him the amount he’s used to when he played for the Hawks. But he didn’t mind, especially when he could see all the cow girls in booty shorts with cowboy boots.

“Hey Kaner” Adam said carrying in a Walmart bag full of bottles of Budweiser. “I took a pit stop at Walmart before coming over here.” Pat greeted him accordingly before taking the bag from him and putting it over in the kitchen area. “Thanks for coming Bur, it wouldn’t be a wedding without you. And Natalie still doesn’t even have the slightest idea.” He laughed. When Adam had gotten the save the date card he immediately called her completely serious saying that he wouldn’t be able to make it, but he was planning on showing up to the wedding, surprising her. “Nope, no clue whatsoever. Only you and Jon know.” Speaking of the devil Jon showed up finally able to come upstairs because Bella had a stomach ache and wasn’t feeling well, she kept giving him requests, and of course being a good husband he fulfilled them before being selfish and went to see his friends. Soon after James and the others followed inside as they played video games, drank, and caught up. This was the calmest party Pat had ever had, and shockingly he was okay with it. He didn’t want to let Natalie down.

So this morning when he got up without a headache it was strange, but shrugged it off before going and setting out his tux on the bed in the hotel. It was a simple tux, Natalie never did anything extravagant; black jacket, black pants, white shirt, and a red tie that matched the bridesmaids’ gowns. He took a deep breath in his bath towel before staring at it. This was his wedding day, and it just finally hit him that he wasn’t going to be able to party with random strangers like he used to. He was going to have a wife and at one point kids. Pat had always known she’d want kids. He remembered when they were little and Natalie had forced him to play house with his sisters, he was the dad, Natalie was the mom and she always had two kids, played as baby dolls, a boy and a girl but the names always seemed to change. First it was Matthew and Amy, then it was Dominic and Daisy (twins), and finally the last one he remembered was Jayden and Claire. But who knows if that’s changed since they were nine years old.

He had been in the bathroom gelling his hair when Jon showed up, already his perfect self. Pat rolled his eyes when he opened the door to Jon fixing his tie. “What?” Jon spat at him before following him inside, but Pat only smiled and shook his head. “Alright man, the limo is coming to pick us up in 15 minutes, Natalie already told me that you can wear different shoes for the reception if you want, and trust me I’m going to. I hate these shoes.” Pat said looking down and wiggling his toes. “Wow, I knew I loved this girl for a reason.” “True that brother.” Pat laughed.

They had arrived first at the park and people were already taking their seats for the five o’clock start. He had gone down towards the altar as the instrumental version for Lost In You came on the speakers standing next to the gazebo. The aisle was lined with daisies, taking his smooth steps down towards his spot he had practiced in. His groomsmen had followed after being accompanied by Natalie’s bridesmaids. The little flower girl, Trisha, ran down the aisle throwing pedals at the guests before accidentally dropping the basket and started to whimper before running to her mommy. Natalie was next with her dad. She peered down the long aisle seeing Pat just smirk at her, not letting the eye contact go for a second. He remembered thinking that she looked like a cover of a brides’ magazine and he looked like some guy in a tux. She smiled this big toothy grin at him before wrapping her arm through her father’s. He was already in tears before they were even half way down. He had given her a small kiss before she wiped his tears and told him that she loved him. And he whispered back, “You look beautiful Natalie, you’re mother would’ve been so proud of you.” She mouthed, “thanks Dad.” Before returning her eye contact with her fiancée quickly grabbing his hand before the priest asked, “And who would be giving his woman away today?” “I am.” Her dad managed to get out before taking a seat in the front row.

The ceremony went smoothly, until it was time for them to say their vows. “The Bride and Groom have prepared their own vows today. Patrick would you like to start?” he nodded, “Natalie Anne Vaughn, to put it simply, you changed my life. You kept me in line, you showed me the way. I’ve loved you my entire life. I have no idea what I would do if you weren’t here standing in front of me right now. When I was nine all I cared about was hockey so I didn’t have many friends outside of the sport. Then you walked into my life and introduced me to this incredible adventure, and I want to continue that adventure for the rest of my life. I love you with all my heart Natalie Anne.” Natalie was in partial tears, and a partial smile as he slid the wedding band on her left hand. “Natalie?” The priest motioned on. She nodded taking a breath before Erica handed her the sheet of folded paper with the scribbles of her vows on it. “Patrick Kane,” she began, “I’ve been to so many places in my life, but I’ve never thought going to a place like Buffalo New York I’d find someone as incredible as you during my first day in the city. I was nine, and you were instantly my best friend, soon to be my secret crush, now my fiancée and soon to be my husband. I love you Patrick Kane.” She sniffled as she slid the ring on his finger eternally bonding them forever. “So with the power vested in me I know pronounce you husband and wife.” But before he even said husband they were already kissing.

Later at the reception everything was going smoothly. Natalie had used the same seating cards that she planned with Bella and Jon that she saw at Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher’s wedding. The happy newlyweds shared their first dance to the song Pat sang played for her to get her back in the park, Whatever it Takes occasionally taking innocent kisses from each other’s lips. They had each other’s body’s pressed up against them, their faces inches apart, romantically swaying to the music behind them. Natalie threw the red daisy bouquet into the air behind her and it was caught by one of her bridesmaids, and Pat was thankful it wasn’t one of his sisters, it was Amanda, who really didn’t even know what to say. Amanda really didn’t care to get married, she was completely comfortable being single. Pat had removed Natalie’s blue garter and someone brought out a hockey stick and he took a slap shot at the garter into the crowd. Pat’s cousin got the garter and instantly went over to flirt with Amanda. Natalie rolled her eyes.

But the Father Daughter dance was the best. They danced to My Little Girl by Tim McGraw first and then jumped into Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas. Everyone had their laughs, but this just spoke volumes of how close they were and still are.

As the wedding was coming to a close everyone was sharing their last dances, which included the bride and groom. Pat tightly wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. They were one of the last ones out on the dance floor. He spun her around and brought her back in and said, “Ya know, where would I be without you Natalie Kane?” he smirked. She bit her lip, “I honestly don’t know Pat, maybe you’d be in Chicago at a bar right now, who knows.” She shrugged her shoulders as his mouth dropped open, “You know words hurt Nat.” She laughed and gave him a quick peck. They swayed to the music without a single word being said to one another, just staring into each other’s eyes. Natalie was the first to break the silence with a small, “thank you.” He gave her a confused smile, “Dare I ask for what?” She looked away for a split second before looking back at him, “For taking me back.” He laughed as if she wasn’t serious, “Seriously? Natalie I would take you back in a split second. And all this shit we went through? I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat because I’m lost in you.