The Captains

During the lockout, Jon and I decided to stay in Chicago. A lot of the team that was also in Chicago wanted to stay in shape, so them and the other trainers would go to Jonny's Ice House to work ouut on and off the ice. I went most of the time, but every now and then I wouldn't feel like it or had something I needed to do. Sidney came to visit a few times and so did my parents and Jon's. Even though the lockout gave us plenty of free time to spend with our families, I missed hockey. The smell of the fresh ice, the energy of the fans and team, the exitement, all of it. I could tell Jon did too. He seemed bored with just going to Jonny's Ice House and not actually getting to compete.
We spent Christmas in Canada with Jon's family and went to Pittsburgh the day after to see mine. I got Jon two new Bauer sticks and a set of Under Armour thermal shirts. He got me a pair of Tiffany diamond earrings with a matching necklace. Jon got his name etched into the back of the necklace and he told me that if ever he was away, he was still always with me.

When the announcement was made that the season would start, Jon couldn't have been happier. He was ecstatic and in the best mood I'd seen him in for quite some time. When he heard the announcement, I was walking into our living room. He ran over to me and picked me up and spun around, then setting me down and kissing me. I asked him what was going on and he pulled me over to the couch, pulled me onto his lap and pointed at the screen. I read the headline at the bottom of the screen from the NHL network, it saying that the lockout is over. We watched the broadcast, it telling us about the new schedule and when play would resume.

Once the season started, things were back into full swing. With the shortened season though, our schedule was packed. Between games, practices, and road trips, I barely had time to breathe. It didn't matter much though, because those first 24 games, the Blackhawks were undefeated. The energy those wins created was incredible, the team was so upbeat and happy all the time. It was spread across the entire Blackhawks organization too.
When the team did get their first loss though, no one was too hard on themselves. Everyone realized the streak would eventually come to end, and they had to just be proud they let it run for those first 24 games. The losses didn't really affect the team bad either, because we still continued playin great and finished first in the entire league.

The playoffs were unlike anything I've ever experienced. Even though I went through the previous year's, this time was different. The team was so much more motivated and ready to win. We beat Minnesota in 5 games, Detroit in 7, and Los Angeles in 5. Traveling back and forth between the cities was definitely hard and tiring, but it was all worth it.

The Boston series was the most stressful for the entire team. We had the one game advantage going into game 6 and the entire team had only had one thing on their mind. We went through our normal game day routine except everyone was a little more anxious. No one wanted to do or say the wrong thing that they felt might jinx the game. In the first period, the Bruins got on the board first. We came back in the second period though, makinng the game 1-1. Quenville made a pretty good speech and got the guys really motivated for the last period. It seemed to have helped some, but the Bruins scored again, making it 2-1. We pushed and pushed though, until there was about 1:16 seconds left in the game, and Bryan Bickell scored to tie the game. Then, 17 seconds later, Dave Bolland scored again. The Blackhawks are up 3-2 with 58 seconds left in the game. The entire bench was going crazy, and Justin and I were clutching each other celebrating with the team. After what seemed like eternity, the buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the game. The Chicago Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup. The team ran onto the ice and celebrated with each other. The other trainers and I stayed on the bench and celebrated until it was our turn to go out. We watched from the bench as the two teams shook hands, and then it was time. Everyone else from the organization joined the team and watched as each member hoisted the Cup. Once Jon's turn was over and he'd passed it on, he found me. He skated towards me and I walked the best and quickest I could towards him on the ice. When we reached each other, he scooped me up in his arms and spun me around, hugging me tight to his chest. When he set me back down, I kept my arms around him and pressed my lips to his.
"You did it." I said when we pulled apart. He smiled down at me and kissed me again, then rested his head on my shoulder.
"I love you so much." he said, lifting his head. He kept his arm around me as his family approached us. We got a ton of pictures of Jon with all of them and a few with his teammates. After a little of that, I excused myself from them when I saw Cassie with Scarlette and Patick. I went over to them and Patrick pulled me into a hug.
"Congratulations Pat." I said before hugging Cassie. I took a few pictures of the three of them together and Patrick's family. After I was done talking with them, I went around and congratulated most of the other guys on the team before they went back to the locker room. I found Justin again and he and I went back into the locker room before it got too wild and made our way to the trainers room. I got my duffel bag from there and found a Women's restroom and used it to change and get ready for the trip back to Chicago. I changed into a pair of black skinny jeans, a white v-neck, and a black and red plaid flannel shirt. I left the flannel unbuttoned and added a pair of red mary-jane pumps. I pulled my hair out of its high pony tail and brushed it out. I whipped it back and forth a few times and teased it in a few spots to add some volume too. Lastly, I touched up and added on some makeup. When I was sastified, I put all my stuff back in my bag and left the restroom. I went back to the trainers room where I found all of the others having a few beers and eating pizza. We could hear the commotion from the locker and could only guess what was going on in there. While we were waiting on the team to get ready to head back to the airport, we wall talked about our summer plans and the upcoming season. About an hour later, we got word that it was time to head to the busses and head back to Chicago. We all got on the bus and headed to the airport and boared the jet. Everyone on the team was ecstatic and didn't stop talking the entire flight. Some played cards, others got rid of their playoff hair and beards, and others just talked about the season and how happy they were. Jon and I talked for a while and he showed me his name from the 2010 championship on the cup. He also showed me Sidney's from 2009. I told him again how proud I was and how happy I was for him.
When the team landed in Chicago, we got off of the plane and most people went to their cars and quickly headed home to change clothes. Jon and I went up to our apartment and put our stuff away and he changed out of his suit and into a button down and jeans. While he was changing, I called a cab so it would be waiting by the time we were ready.
Jon and I arrived at the bar where most of the team already was. We got some drinks and let the night begin. It was filled with loud music, drinking from the cup, and pure joy. Jon was drunk off of his ass, like most of the team, and it was hilarious watching everyone. Most of the other WAGs sat with Cassie and us and we watched our boyfriends and husbands celebrate what would probably be the best night of their life. Around 4 a.m., Jon stumbled over to us and found me, telling me he was ready to leave. I said goodbye to the remaining girls and we left, making our way up the apartment. When we got there, the two of us were nearly falling over each other trying to get back to our bedroom. I unbuttoned Jon's shirt and pants and let them come off before pushing him down on the bed. He had a boyish smile on his face as he looked up at me. I winked at him before going into the walk-in closet and changing into some custom lingerie, making him groan. I had found the store one day when running a few erands one day and put my order in. I had a bombshell bra made that was deep red and covered in black and white lace with a matching lace thong. I changed into those and added a short, black, silk robe over it. I opened the door again and turned on one of Jon's favorite rock songs and did a quick strip tease for him.
"There's a reason I love you." he growled into my ear after he'd had enough teasing and pulled me down with him.


Jon and I had an amazing summer. It was definitely shorter and we couldn't do as much, but it was still really awesome. He went to the Olympic training center for about two weeks, and during that time I went to Pittsburgh. I caught up with my family and friends there, and also Sidney. He was really happy to see me and it was great getting be with him for longer than a few days. Once those two weeks were over, I met Jon in Canada where we spent the majority of the remaining summer. He taught me how to water-ski and we went fishing and just had a great time with his family and child-hood friends. We went back to Chicago for the convention and caught up with the rest of the team for a few days before returning to Canada. When the Cup day came, it was even better. He looked so happy for being able to come back and share that with his hometown again, and showing all the young kids that they could one day bring it home too. When it was time for training camp again, Jon and I left his lake house and went back to our familiar home in Chicago. It was good to be back, and I couldn't wait for the upcoming season.

The 2013-2014 was a season unlike any other. With the olympics and the Stadium Series games, it was going the be pretty busy. The Blackhawks played great the entire first half of the season, except for when Corey Crawford got hurt. The team didn't let that stop them though, because we pushed on and Antti Raanta helped us stay afloat. For Christmas, Jon and I stayed in Chicago and had both of our immediate family's come to our apartment, officially meeting for the first time. We spent the whole morning and a lot of the afternoon cleaning the entire apartment and getting it ready. Both of our families would be staying in a hotel. I wasn't so worried about my family, but more of impressing his. I'd met them before and loved them, but I'd never had them over to my own apartment. I'd also be cooking most of the food for everyone, which made my stress worse. After cleaning the apartment, Jon and I put up the rest of our decorations and finished wrapping gifts for each other and our families and set them under our tree. Both of us then showered and got ready for the arrival of our familes. When both of us were dressed and ready to go, we got into our seperate cars to accomadate everyone and drove to the airport. We parked next to each other and headed inside. My family would be arriving about 30 minutes before Jon's, so we would leave first and head to Ditka's for dinner. While we were waiting, both of us grabbed some cofffee from Starbucks and found a place to sit down. We talked about the upcoming days and teased each other about what we got one another for Christmas. Our laughter was interrupted by a phonecall from my dad telling us they'd landed and were about to get off the plane. Jon and I headed towards the baggage claim and waited for them to come over. I saw them come down the escalator, and Jared saw us too. As soon as he got off of the escalator, he ran straight to where Jon and I were standing. I crouched down and opened my arms for him, but instead of running into them, he ran straight for Jon. My jaw practically fell to the floor as I stood up and shook my head at Jon, who's laughter and smiling was mostly towards me than for Jared. He had picked Jared up and was talking to him some. When I stood back up though, Jared was ready for me and I took him from Jon. He was about 5 years old now, and getting heavier to hold. I did for a little while though until it was time for my family to leave. Jared wanted to walk to the car and roll his little spiderman suitcase by himself. I kissed Jon before leaving and then walked with my family out to my car. We drove to Ditka's, a steakhouse named after the legendary football coach, and claimed our private area for dinner. We were led up a set of stairs to private dining area and were seated. We ordered our drinks and caught up while waiting for Jon's family to arrive. When they did, my family and I got up and introduced everyone to each other. Hugs were exchanged and everyone seemed to be happy so far. Jon and I ended up on opposite ends of the table, but I was glad to see him getting along so well with my dad and brother. Benni and Jon's mother were talking to me about Jon and how we were doing, which made my look over at him while I was answering them. He saw me glance over at him and smiled back, winking subtly and getting back to his conversation. I got back to mine and the night went on really smoothly. Once we were all done with dinner, everyone said their goodbyes and we drove our families to their hotels. Jon got back before me and I found him getting a fire started in our fire place. I went back to our room and changed into leggings and one of his big sweatshirts before joining him on our recliner that faced out into the city. He held me tightly and kissed my temple periodically. I took his free hand in mine and felt all of his familiar scars and collouses. As we sat there, I thought about how lucky I was to have found him, and how I'd never loved someone more than him. He was everything I'd ever needed and I couldn't help but smile.
"What're you smiling about?" he whispered against my temple.
"You." I said, resting my head onto his shoulder. He squeezed my hand tighter and whispered I love you into my hair. We stayed together like that until I fell asleep, and then he carried me to our bed. He pulled me close to his body and I fell quickly back to sleep.

Notes

So sorry its taken me two months to update and what not. School has just been really dumb and thank god I was sick today and able to finishe the chapter. Enjoy!!