Always

Liz walked into the apartment with the most content expression on her face. The weekend that she had spent with Adam was one of, if not the, most fantastic weekend ever. They had spent the rest of their weekend cuddled up in bed or in front of the fire and it was definitely what the pair needed after the past couple months of hockey and school. Closing the door, she drew the attention of Julie who was sitting at their table with her notes spread out in front of her.
"I would ask the obligatory 'have a good weekend?', but the look on your face says more than enough right now." She chuckled, turning her body to face her.
Liz dropped her bag by the door and sunk her shoulders heading over to the table.
"Oh my god, it was one of the best weekends of my entire life. I'm giving up on real life and moving there with him." She said with a chuckle.
"Man, the sex was that good?" Julie said with a smirk.
"Always is," she smirked back, "but even more than that, he's such a fantastic guy. I have no idea how I got so freaking lucky."
Julie smiled at her shaking her head slightly. "You are so gone."
Liz chuckled and sighed, "I know."
"And remind me. who was the one saying all that stuff about how you've only known him for a couple months, not enough time to be head over heels blah blah blah blah blaaaaaaah?"
She looked up and narrowed her eyes at the other girl, "shut it."
"Oooh! Shut it, the alternate phrasing for you're right!"
Liz stayed silent and continued glaring at Julie.
"All you have to do is say it."
"Fine. You're right. I didn't plan to fall this fast though."
"You know, sometimes the things you don't plan are the best ones."
She sat and thought about that for a moment before she chuckled and looked across the table. "Since when did you get so wise?"
"pffft. I've always been this wise! You've just never taken the time to listen to me!"
The girls shared a chuckle before Liz got up walking around the table giving her roommate a hug. "I'm wiped, so I'm off to bed. Have fun studying lovely!"


The next morning Liz was woken up by the sound of her phone. Rolling over to hit the snooze button on her alarm, she was confused when the sound persisted. Grabbing it and looking at the screen, she saw Adam's face and smiled answering the phone.
"Good morning." She greeted him, sleep thick in her voice.
"Morning sleepy head. Sleep well?"
"It was alright, not as good as when you're beside me."
"I know, I feel the exact same way."
"So what do I owe this early morning call to?"
"We're leaving tonight for a week and a half road trip."
"Oh." The line was silent after his statement, she knew that he had said they were on a road streak this week, but she hadn't expected it to be that long.
"Well this silence is heart breaking," she heard from the other end of the line after she had been silent for a moment.
"I'm sorry. I knew you were on the road, but I didn't expect a week and a half. Plus I have exams as soon as you get back, and then I head home for Christmas."
"What time do you have class today?"
She was slightly confused at the change of topic, but she answered him anyway. "Eleven to one"
"I'm picking you up after class."
She was mildly cheered up by the fact that she at least got to see him before he left, because she knew she wasn't going to get to see him too much when he got back.
"Okay, I like the sounds of that."
"Perfect. I've gotta got to practice though, see you at 1."
"Play hard, hotshot." Ending the call she tossed it beside her on the bed and sighed. She knew that at times like these she wouldn't always be able to spend as much time with Adam as she wanted, but she definitely wasn't expecting to be without him for possibly two weeks. Instead of laying in bed thinking about it, she decided to get on with her day and walked to the shower.
A few hours later she sat in her Monday afternoon class waiting for Fred to show up. As she was pulling out her notepad and pens, she heard the chair beside her move.
"Hey hey heeeeeey."
She chuckled at Fred's greeting and looked over at him.
"Hello to you."
He stared at her with a mildly confused look before speaking again. "What's with that face? I heard about your weekend surprise, and that's definitely no reason for that face on a Monday."
She chuckled, "Oh you heard did you?"
"Who do you think was in on it to make sure that you didn't have any plans?"
She shook her head slightly, "should have known you guys were in on it someway!"
"What can I say? But again, hot weekend getaway is no reason for that face."
"Oh it was a fantastic weekend. But that's probably the last time I'll get to spend with him 'til after Christmas."
"Speaking of Christmas, you flying home?"
"Yep. Flight buddies?"
He leaned over and bumped her shoulder slightly. "Of course. You really think I'm going to spend a flight by myself?"
She looked up at him like he was an idiot, "It's like an hour and a half flight."
"So? I get bored easily."
"Well I'm glad to know that I'm at least good enough to keep you amused for 2 hours."
"Oh, I would give you a solid three hours of amusement."
"You are the sweetest fella."

One o'clock on the dot came and Adam was waiting outside of the building for Liz. She walked outside and immediately noticed him leaning up against the side of his car. Walking over to him, she wasted no time wrapping her arms around him, squeezing slightly.
"Hey." She mumbled into his chest.
He placed a kiss on the top of her head, "Hey."
The pair stayed like that for a few moments before she pulled away and he opened her door for her, letting her climb in the car. He walked around and climbed in his side, starting the car and driving away.
"How was class?"
She shrugged and looked over to him, tucking one of her legs up under her. "It was class," she chuckled.
He smiled and reached over to grab one of her hands that was resting on her leg. "I love your enthusiasm for it." He said as the smile melted into a slight smirk.
She scoffed, "you try being excited for that boring as hell class! The best part is me and Fred exchanging doodles."
"So productive!"
"Thank you, I know! But it was our last class, exams start next week. So I'll be hibernating in the library once again."
His face faded slightly, not enjoying the idea of not being able to see her whenever he wanted once he got back. The pair got out of the car and headed into the coffee shop that he had chosen for lunch. Once they had gotten to their table and ordered their lunch, they both fell in a comfortable silence. Both of them sat their thinking about the next couple of weeks and how difficult it was going to be coming off such an amazing weekend, but neither of them admitted that to the other. Reaching into his pocket, he tried to replace the smile on his face. "Well since I have no idea when I'm going to get to see you again, it's a good thing I brought this." He held out a small box for her and she quirked her brow at him staring at it.
"What's that for?"
"Christmas present."
"Christmas isn't for another 3 weeks Adam." She still hadn't taken the box from his hands.
"So, I don't know when I'm going to see you again." He shook his hand a little signalling for her to take it.
She hesitantly reached for the box, grabbing it and slowly bringing it back to her looking up at him.
"Open it." He chuckled lightly.
She looked back down at the box and opened it revealing a silver locket. Her mouth dropped slightly as she admired the simple piece of jewellery in her hands. "This is beautiful," she said quietly.
"Look inside." His eyes were focused on her, even though she hadn't taken her eyes off of the piece in her fingers.
Opening the locket, she let out a breath as a smile crossed her face. Inside was a tiny picture of the two of them on the night that he had asked her to be his girlfriend. She ran her thumb over the picture before looking up at him.
"This is one of my favourite pictures of us." She said reaching over to grab his hand, smiling up at him.
"Mine too, your smile is amazing."
"You put it there, hotshot."
She leaned across the table placing her lips on his. "Thank you, I love it."
"Now you've got something to keep you going over exams."
"It's true, but looking at you never makes me want to study," she smirked as she took a drink of her coffee.
"Well that's not my fault now is it?" He smirked back.
"I think in some way it is." She chuckled.


Two and a half weeks had passed, meaning that Adam's road trip and Liz's exams were over. Even though they barely got to see each other in person over those few weeks, that didn't keep them from texting, face timing and calling each other daily. Although she wasn't a fan of not being around Adam for so long, she knew that the few weeks they were apart made them appreciate the time they got together even more.
Currently the pair sat on Adam's couch, cuddled up in a blanket with a movie playing on the TV in front of them. In two days, Liz was leaving to go home for Christmas and they would have to go for another week without each other.
"I can't wait for January." Liz mumbled into Adam's chest.
He pulled her closer into his side and kissed the top of her head.
"Why?"
She let out a long sigh. "Because then I might be able to actually spend time with my boyfriend again."
"What do you call this then?" He said with a slight smirk and a quirked eyebrow.
She pulled away from him, flipping herself over so she was laying on her back on the couch with her head in his lap looking up at him. "Ha ha, funny. But we've been able to spend like a day together before one of us has to leave. And when I finally get you back now I have to go home for a week. Is it bad to say I just want to stay here with you?"
He smiled down at her running his fingers through her long brown hair. "No, but I don't think your family would like that very much. Especially when they haven't even met me yet." He chuckled.
Liz smiled and covered her face. "I know, one day they'll meet you and they'll understand why I would rather be with you than them." She smirked.
"You're going home. And don't worry, when you get back you get me for an entire week before I have road games again."
"I hope you're fully prepared for me to live here that week then."
"Only if you make breakfast every day." He said with a smirk.
She raised her eyebrows at him in a challenging manner. He chuckled and leaned down kissing her. "Fine, only most days."
She shook her head smiling before getting up and sitting on his lap. "Well, since this is the only alone time we'll have for a while, how about we make the most of it hotshot?" She said resting her hands on the back of his neck and busying her fingers with the curls at the base of his neck.
"That's the best idea you've had all day."


A few days later and Christmas had come. Liz sat in the living room of her parents house where her and her parents were currently opening their presents. The day was perfect except for one thing; Adam wasn't there. Instinctively she reached up and grabbed at her locket, running her fingers over the smooth surface. She was broken out of her trance as she felt her mom sit down beside her on the couch.
"What's with the long face? There's no sad faces allowed on Christmas."
She smiled lightly and shook her head.
"Really? I'm your mother, you expect me to believe that there's nothing wrong?"
Liz pulled her feet up under her as she sighed. "Just miss him. It's been a long month and it sucks he had to stay in Boston for Christmas."
Her mom wrapped an arm around Liz's shoulder pulling her over for a hug. "I know sweetie, but you'll get to see him again soon. Plus, judging from that Christmas present he gave you," she motioned towards the necklace, "I'd say he misses you just as much as you miss him." Her mom kissed the top of her head and moved back to her spot across the room in the chair just as Liz's phone went off from the couch beside her. Looking down she saw 'Hotshot' across the top of her screen and grabbed her phone opening the message.
'Merry Christmas baby. I hate that I'm not there with you, but have a good day and don't be sad. You need to smile on Christmas, especially because your smile is so beautiful. Miss you.'
Reading the message, she couldn't help but smile. She was shaken out out of her trance by her dad announcing that it was time for her to open the next present, she looked over at her mom to see her smiling at her knowingly. She dove into the present that was on the table in front of her happily, knowing that none of the presents she got would be as good as her Christmas morning text from her man.
Later that day Liz and her parents were walking into her grandma's house, ready for a day full of food, family and gifts. She sighed to herself slightly as she looked around and saw a few of her cousins there with their boyfriends, sad that hers wasn't there too. Before she knew it her grandma was in front of her, arms open, prepared for her Christmas hug.
"Merry Christmas Grandma."
"Merry Christmas to you too, hunny." She kissed her cheek, pulling her back to look at her. Her eyes stopped at the locket around her neck and she reached out for it, admiring it. "This looks like something special."
Looking down at it, Liz smiled. "That it is."
"From that friend of yours?"
She chuckled at the phrasing her grandma always used when it came to her grandkids significant others. "Yep." She opened it, showing her grandma the picture inside. "That's him."
Her grandma studied the picture for a moment before looking up at Liz. "Well he's handsome."
She chuckled, a smile spreading across her face. "Yeah, he's pretty cute."
Grandma looked back down at the picture again, her face thoughtful. "You look beautiful in this picture. Happy." She looked back up at Liz and grabbed her chin. "My Liz is always more beautiful when she's happy."
Liz looked back down at the locket before back at her grandma. "He makes me happy."
"That's all I need to know." She leaned forward kissing her cheek and squeezing her shoulders before moving on to greet her parents.
A few hours later, everyone had arrived and they had all gathered in the basement to start passing around presents. The adults had all taken their turns admiring Liz's Christmas present from Adam and now she sat in the corner of the room with a few of the older cousins. The young kids could barely contain their excitement at the idea of two sets of presents in one day and Liz couldn't help but smile at the excitement on their faces. Reaching for the box beside her she picked it up and called for one of her cousins. He looked up at her and his eyes widened when he saw the box she had on her lap for him.
"Is that for me?"
"Well that depends, have you been playing good this year?" Her cousin was only 9, but he was definitely the superstar player on his hockey team.
He nodded feverishly, "Top goal scorer!"
"That's a pretty big coincidence then." She said as she handed him the box. He ripped the paper off in a hurry and pulled the lid of the box off, stopping dead when he saw the item in the box. Staring up at him was a signed Kane jersey, courtesy of Adam. He looked up at her, his eyes wide as saucers.
"How did you get this?"
"Adam pulled a few strings and called in a few favours."
Before she knew what was happening, he had launched himself at her wrapping his arms tight around her shoulders. "Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!" He repeated constantly. "Tell Adam he's the best!"
She smiled as he released his grip on her and pulled the jersey from the box looking at it like it was made of gold. Liz pulled her phone out and opened her message to Adam.
'He loved it :)'
'Good, I'm glad!'
'Sucks you couldn't be here to see the look on his face though…'
'I know :('
'Miss you'
'Miss you more'
She sighed as she placed her phone back in her pocket, turning her attention back to the room around her trying to cheer herself up with the looks of happiness across her families faces. A few minutes later they heard the jingle bells ring, signalling that the back door had been opened. She looked around, taking note that everyone was there and turned her attention to her grandma who had headed towards the stairs to see who was there. A moment later, her grandma had re-entered the room with a sly smile on her face.
"Well folks, we've got a special guest with us for Christmas."
Liz being in the corner of the room, couldn't quite see who it was yet, but she could see the reactions of her family and knew that it was obvious her grandma wasn't lying.
"Merry Christmas everyone." She heard his voice before she saw his face and immediately her heart stopped. She couldn't tell if her mind was playing tricks on her or if he was actually there, but she was on her feet before her mind knew what her body was doing. Manoeuvring her way around gifts she made her way over to him, wrapping her arms around him immediately. As she buried her face in his chest, she smiled at the feeling of him pulling her close. She couldn't help the tears that were forming in her eyes as she looked up at him with a smile a mile wide on her face.
"What are you doing here?"
He smiled back down at her, brushing her hair away from her face. "You really think I could spend my Christmas without you?"
She stared up at him with amazement before pulling herself back into him again, wrapping him in another hug. She could hear the mumbles coming from her family as they took in the scene before them. She wiped her eyes before pulling out of the hug and wrapping an arm around his waist as she turned to her family.
"Guys, this is Adam."
A wave of various greetings came from the group of people before them and she looked back up at him, still amazed that he was actually here, with her.
"How about we do introductions later and finish what we started here, huh?" Everyone agreed and Liz led Adam over to the couch that she previously occupied. The pair sat down and the few cousins that surrounded Liz introduced themselves to Adam. One of her cousins, Bailey, nudged her leg smiling over at her from the adjoining couch.
"Good job cousin, he's cute."
Liz chuckled, it being impossible for her to smile anymore. "Thanks cousin."
She turned her attention back to Adam, looking at him still smiling. He look over at her, returning the smile.
"What?"
She shook her head in amazement. "You're something else."
He leaned in towards her, bumping his nose against hers. "But I'm your something else, right?"
"Of course." She whispered, stealing a light kiss.

Notes

HELLO AGAIN! I'M SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG! Exams, holidays, my birthday. UGH. So much stuff all at once, but here it is!
I hope you all love this because I thought it was ridiculously adorable! I would definitely swoon if this happened to me!
I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season and HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! Let's make 2014 a good one!
LOVE YOU ALL THANK YOU FOR READING!
Vote, comment, you know the drill :)