The One Night That Changed My Life Forever

"Where's the meeting?"
"Uhhhh United Center I'm pretty sure. " I said making a coffee in the kitchen the next morning.
"Interesting." Pat said obviously thinking about something.
"What?"
"Nothing. Just thinking." He said laughing.
"Fine." I huffed. "When do you guys get back on the ice?"
"Not for like another week and a half. Jonny likes to get back early and get into his groove before the season starts, and I am here with you." He said smiling.
"So does this mean we have time to make a Buffalo stop?"
"Yah. I already was planning it with mom while you were grocery shopping."
"Oh were you?" I said raising an eyebrow. "And what exactly are these plans?"
"Well we are going to fly into London. Grab Bella and say hi to everyone. Then I will drive us to Buffalo in the rental car I will pick up from the airport, then we'll drop it off at the company's location in Buffalo on our way back to Chicago. Mom was thinking a few days or so, plus the sister clan doesn't know yet." He said laughing.
"I guess that sounds alright." I said sighing. "Let's get this meeting over with." I said laughing.
"How are we going to take care of Bella when we are both playing?"
"El said she'd help out, plus I've got a few other people who I know wouldn't mind helping. We'll work it out." I smiled softly grabbing my sunglasses, and chucking on my Toms.
"I know we will." He said hugging me from behind and kissing the back of my head.
"Plus I don't even know where I'm playing yet." I said shrugging.
"Oh. I have my suspicions." Pat chuckled grabbing his keys and opening the door.
"Ooooo. Tell me!" I exclaimed.
"Nope you get to wait." He said laughing.
"Fine!" I huffed getting in the car. "Don't tell me."
"I'm not even sure!" He said laughing and pulling onto the road.
"Whatever." I said smirking. "I'll remember this." I said winking.
"We are here! Go ask Q yourself." He said laughing as he pulled into a players parking spot. "Text me when you're done, I'm going to chill over at Jonny's."
"Alright. " I said laughing and making my way into the building.
****
Pat's POV:
Was I expecting to be a dad? No. Was I ready? I think so. I thought to myself on the drive over to Jon's. If what I think is true our schedules are going to clash quite a bit. I hope Rach has some good people up her sleeves to look after Bella when we can't.
"Jonny!" I exclaimed walking into his apartment.
"What up man?"
"Am I assuming correctly what Rach's meeting is about?"
"Probably." He chuckled.
"Damn! That's why you went up to the Team Canada tryouts right?"
"Yah."
"This is going to be interesting." I said laughing.
"You think?"
"Does Q know about the baby?"
"I'm pretty sure. I think the Knights told him why she declined the offer." Jon said laughing. "It's weird huh? Remember back when we were 20, and the shit we were doing?"
"Yeah, almost 6 years later and I have a kid, and a future with a girl." I said.
"And I have a relationship, that I hope to keep for a long time." He said laughing. "Who would have seen this happening back when we were younger."
"I know. Remember the time we said we weren't settling down for a while. I said I probably wasn't having kids for a long time."
"Yah back at the Bull's game. We were so young then. So how are you telling the guys?"
"I don't know. They probably won't even believe me." I said laughing. "We'll probably just walk into the rink together and let everyone figure it out on their own. El will be coming to watch Brandon so she will want to take her."
"You're going to get so much shit for this you know that right?"
"Ugghh let Rach take the spotlight." I said laughing "I know, it's alright. She's cute, I'l take it. After a few minutes everyone will forget and turn into women around her."
"Like you did?" He said smirking.
"Yah, yah whatever she's my kid it's excusable." I said laughing. "You weren't much better. Mr. Protective Godfather mode. Don't worry we'll share." I said winking.
"I know! El videotaped that part too." He said shaking his head. "She wanted you to be there you know that right?"
"That's what she said." I shrugged.
"Well I for one can tell you she was almost in tears, and she kept saying how you were supposed to be there. She was planning on calling you within the couple days I was there, but then Bella decided to come a couple weeks early. "
"Damn. I would have been there if I'd have known. Thanks for being there man. I'm glad you were there." I said giving him a man hug sort of shoulder tap. "So what's up tonight?"
"Doesn't matter. This is your last time as a childless man." He said laughing.
"I know. Rach has already expressed the importance of this night." I said laughing.
"So we are partying?"
"That's the plan." I said laughing,
"Alright, sounds good. We inviting the Chicago guys?"
"Why not."
"Okay I'll text them." Jon said. "So how's the penthouse feel?"
"Occupied. I like it it's cozy. Not too much different than before at least for now.
"So when do I get to see my little goddaughter again?"
"We are picking her up tomorrow. Then heading to Buffalo for a few days . We should be back if all goes according to plan on thursday. We will be back later on Wednesday afternoon, but we will probably be tired from the flight so come over later on Thursday. I've got to go, Rach is done with her meeting. Text me the info for tonight!"
"Alright, See ya." He said as I shut the door and made my way to the car to pick Rach up.
****************
Rachel's POV:
I walked into the United Center. It wasn't too busy, but you could tell they were awaiting the season's start.
"Congrats." A few people said to me in passing. Now I'm confused I thought to myself. Did they already know about the kid? I got a lot of smiles as I made my way to Q's office.
"That was weird." I said to myself knocking on the door. I was greeted not just by Q but a bunch of people I recognized from the Hawks organization. "Ummm. Hello." I said entering the office. "Q am I early or interrupting something?"
"Nope, come sit down."
"Uhhh okay". I said grabbing the empty seat.
"Im guessing you know everyone Rach?"
"I'm familiar yes. Though I didn't have a lot of time to become super acquainted." There was a round of quick introductions, before the meeting officially started.
"So Rachel, do you know why we called this meeting?" Q asked.
"Not exactly sure anymore. At first I thought it was just a meeting to talk over a deal with the team you had lined up. Now I'm worried." I said laughing.
"Don't be. How did the Team Canada tryouts go?"
"Great! Thank you. Playing for my country is a team come true, although there isn't many games for another 4 years." I said laughing.
"And you are fit to play?"
"I'd like to think so. I need to get back into workout mode. I've had a 2 week break, and honestly it's killing me." I smiled.
"Perfect. I think the guys are feeling the same coming into training a few weeks from now. Anyways…i'm going to pass off the talking."
"Alright?"
"Rachel, this is for you." The one guy in the back said handing me a folder.
"Uhh. Thanks. May I ask what for?"
"Take a look, it's all outlined inside."
"HOLY CRAP NO WAY!" I exclaimed looking at the papers. "THIS IS A JOKE RIGHT?"
"Nope." The guys said laughing.
"Damn Q that's why you got Jonny into the camp isn't it?"
"Maybe." He said shrugging a smile on his face.
"I'm going to kill him." I muttered.
"Hey! Now none of that!" Q said laughing.
"Ah Yup. There's the signed papers." I said shaking my head.
"So what do you say? " The guy in the back asked.
"Are you guys sure about this?" I asked.
"Yes. You'd be a great addition, plus you know the guys and the way they play. Q's showed us you can hold your own, and how great of a player you are. "
"Alright."
"Perfect. You are in on a trial basis. What you have there is a one year contract. It doesn't mean we can't drop you at any part. We hope however that isn't necessary. You will be given leave to play your Canadian games, as there aren't many of them. Your competitions happen to fall perfectly with the schedule and we have no problem having to scratch you for a few games on the season. The only thing left to discuss is money, your number, and the off chance your relationship with Pat falls through.
"As for the money situation you could pay me nothing, and I'd be happy just to be given the opportunity. As for the number, I don't mind what you choose. As for my relationship I don't see that happening. If it does however, we will just have to be professional co-workers about it. "
"Okay for starters we cannot pay you nothing, it wouldn't look good." The man said laughing. "However it will be less as you are new, and it's your first contract."
"That's fine with me. Honestly take the lowest person on the player payroll cut it in half and I'll be good with it." I said laughing
"We are just glad you didn't come up through the NHL draft or we would have had no chance to have you." He said winking. "As for the number we will choose one of the remaining ones and get it made up for you. And yes we've been informed congratulations are in order."
"Yes, believe me it was unexpected, but well welcomed."
"Bring her around sometime. We've always wondered what Kaner's offspring would look like." One guy winked, as the others laughed.
"Will do."
"So all thats left is for you to sign the papers." Q said handing me a pen.
"Shoot this is really happening?" I said taking the pen.
"Yup it's official. Welcome to the team." Q said taking back the pen and folder. I made my way around the room, giving out hugs and thank-yous to everyone. I made my way outside of the building and took a deep breath. A year ago at this time I was starting my last year of University. I had practically given up on my chances of making any progress in my hockey career. I was happily dating Mike, and just moving in with Ellie. Now here I was, playing for Team Canada, happily dating Pat with a daughter, and now signed to an NHL team. All this in my twenty third year, and as a girl. How the hell did I get here? I texted Pat that I was done and walked back and forth in the parking lot until he got here.
"Your bosses want to meet the famous Kane offspring." I said laughing as he pulled up.
"Next week." He said laughing and opening my door from the inside.
"Thank you!" I said in a great mood.
"Remember your first practice and I told you not to steal my spot? Yah that still applies." He said seriously.
"Oh shit. I won't I promised!"
"I'm just kidding…well sort of. Congrats by the way." He said winking.
"Remind me to kill your ex best friend."
"Jonny? Why's he my ex best friend?"
"Cause I'm gonna kill him…duh duh duh." I said going spy mode. "That's twice he hasn't told me!"
"Just because he's captain and he knows things that doesn't mean he can just share them, you goof!"
"I know its so weird though. We had conversations where I was freaking out about making Team Canada and he already knew I had. Just like when I asked him about the new prospects for the team he was like oh 'just some rookie' and he knew it was me!" I said laughing, and unbuckling my seatbelt as we got back to Pat's building.
"Well you can't just kill teammates!"
"Oh yah?" I said.
"Yes." He said picking me up and twirling me around before tickling me.
"This is making it easier to kill you." I said laughing uncontrollably.
"Maybe I'll just have to quit my position as hockey player, and take up a new one as personal tickler." He smirked.
"Ughhh go away!" I said laughing.
"Never!" He said winking.
"God you are such a kid sometimes!" I said laughing.
"You love it."
"You bet." I said winking.
"Good!" He said. "That was no fun though. I wanted to make you admit it!" He whined.
"Awww. I wasn't aware I had two babies!"
"Shush!"
"Ps. I know how you work. If there's a way to get you to stop tickling it's to agree and move on." I said winking and heading quickly for the bathroom to have a shower.
"You did not just lock me out of my bathroom." He said as I laughed and turned on the shower.
"Wait what. Sorry what was that? Didn't hear you I'm in the shower." I said laughing. "The water's really nice, you should totally come in." I cooed through the door.
"Ugghhh torture!" I heard him say before walking away.
"Wait what?" I said as I heard the door open a few minutes later.
"Oh babe you underestimate my knowledge of my apartment. But nice try." He said winking.
"I'm not even going to ask." I said laughing.
"Good. I wasn't gonna tell you. Plus it's obvious you'll see." He said winking.
"Well are you coming in or just going to stand there?"
"I think I'll just be the creepy person watching you shower."
"Ugggh No!" I said turning the shower nozzle onto him.
"You didn't!"
"What? I'm just having a shower." I said resuming my shower. "I just got your face quit being a wimp." I said winking.
"You're lucky I love you." He said laughing. and taking off his semi wet clothes.
"It worked didn't it." I said laughing.
"Maybe."
"Well make up your mind. I am actually showering and getting ready for tonight."
"Fine but can I distract your shower?"
"I guess. But I do need to get ready and have a nap…and I see you are accepting the invitation." I said laughing as he climbed in.
"You'd be an idiot to refuse the offer." He said laughing. "Now where were we?" he asked before closing the gap between us.
"So much for distracting, you are taking over my shower" I said laughing as he stopped kissing me.
"Well I've got two months to make up here."
"Make up for it tonight. Or in like a month." I said laughing.
"Still sore?"
"You have no idea." I laughed.
"I'm not jealous."
"But she was worth it." I smiled.
"Yah. She was wasn't she? I have the most adorable daughter in the world. To think a week ago I didn't know if I would ever have the chance to see you again. Standing on that doorstep was the scariest moment. Not knowing if I was making an ass out of my self for nothing, or if you'd even listen to me."
"But I did, because really you did nothing wrong. Well except kiss her, which I'm guessing was more on her part. I was scared shitless though when I opened the door up and saw you standing at the doorway." I said laughing.
"You? I was pacing the hallway. Trying to figure out what to say. Which obviously ended up being constant blabbering on my part."
"Though I love this heart to heart conversation we are having here, I need to get out of the shower." I said laughing. "I'm turing into a prune!" I exclaimed while examining my wrinkled fingers.
"You can't go all grandma on me yet!" I heard Pat call as I chucked on some sweats and flopped in bed. I woke up to my alarm at 6:45.
"Damn I could have slept all day." I said laughing to Pat who was watching TV beside me. "Maybe I have turned into an old person."
"Atleast you'll have energy for tonight. Some of the guys are coming."
"Kind of like an initiation huh?"
"You're lucky Bur isn't here anymore, otherwise you would have gotten hassled no doubt."
"Just wait until the media finds out. That will be the huge annoyance. " I said sighing. Sure I had gotten used to the hype, and attention from Pat and I dating, however I for sure wasn't ready for the media drama in store for us.
"Ughhh. Don't remind me." He grumbled as I made my way around the room finding things to wear for tonight.
"We're stopping for dinner first right?"
"Nothing fancy, but yes. We are meeting the guys and their girls there at 7:30 ish."
"Perfect." I said slightly curling my hair before putting it in a pony off slightly to the side of my head. After my hair came makeup. It wasn't too hard of a task, as I put on a light coating and then did my eyes. "Which one?" I said showing Pat the two outfits I had pulled, one being a form fitting dress which I assumed he would pick and the other was short shorts and a flowing tank which would be matched with my black army boots and jewellery.
"I normally wouldn't do this but I say the shorts."
"Really?" I said surprised.
"Yup. But not that shirt."
"Awww someone trying to show off their terrible fashion sense?" I said winking.
"No. But the team, well Jonny and I took the opportunity to get you something made for tonight." He said smirking. He laughed as I could feel my eyes widening and the scared look growing on my face. "It's not that bad. It's just a tank." He handed me over the bag laughing.
"Alright, it's not too bad but I'm going to have to wear my black shorts. No don't worry they are just as short." I said laughing before he could say anything. It was an incredibly cheesy shirt, but I would humour them for the night. "How'd you get my number before me? " I asked turning the shirt over to reveal my name and apparently my number and today's date.
"So you like it?" He asked as I put on my black bra and the tank to follow.
"You tell me?" I said laughing at the fingers on the shirt pointing back at me. "I mean could you make it any tighter?" I said laughing and shaking my head.
"I for one love it, cause it was partially my idea. And babe atleast its a full tank top. You should have seen the other ideas Jonny and I came up with." He said smirking.
"Is it actually my number? "
"Haha yah. We bugged Stan until he finally gave it up. " He said seeming pleased with himself.
"Sweet! I'm following the trend. 91 just like my birth year. I like the slogan."
"Yah? You like the whole 'Official Property Of The Chicago Blackhawks' idea?" He asked wiggling his eyebrows.
"Yup."
"Jonny came up with it." He said pouting.
"It's quite cheesy." I said laughing. "I'm guessing it was your idea to get the shirt made though."
"Damn Straight! Now lets get out of here before we are late." He said gabbing his coat and keys. I grabbed a light cardigan just to coverup at the restaurant, my purse and chucked on some black heels instead of the boots. They made me practically the same height as Pat, as I was only a couple inches shorter, though I had much longer legs.
"Ready." I said walking to the door which he opened and then locked before we left the building. The restaurant we came to was very nice looking. It wasn't somewhere you'd go on a budget that's for sure. I had my cardigan buttoned up as it was a little breezy outside. We walked in and joined everyone who was already there.
"Rach!" Abby half screamed and jumped up to give me a hug.
"Abbs!" I said returning her hug. "I missed you!"
"I missed you too! It's been too long!" She said sitting back down beside her husband. Pat and I made our way around the table, saying our hellos before finally taking a seat beside Jonny.
"Like your shirt?" Jon whispered in my ear.
"I loved it thanks Jon." I whispered back with a slight hint of sarcasm.
"I'm glad." He said smirking.
"What's going on with the three of you?" Sharpie asked from across the table as the three of us continued our whispered conversation. We all just shrugged our shoulders and smiled.
"Absolutely nothing Sharpie my dear." I cooed and then looked back at the menu. "So boys how were your summers? Any great stories with the Cup?" I got lot's of goods and greats as we shared about what everyone had done on their day with the cup. The food was delicious, though still overpriced in my opinion. "So you guys ready to get back on the ice? "
"Totally!" A lot of the guys responded while the rest nodded their heads, as the women laughed.
"Well Im glad the team is virtually the same! I would have missed you guys!" I said laughing.
"We would have missed you too." Sharpie said sarcastically.
"I'm going to ignore that Sharpie." I said laughing. "So how are you guys going to initiate this rookie Jon has told me about?" Jon and Pat chuckled lightly under their breath as I was going to catch Sharpie more than likely at his own game.
"Well…" Sharpie started. "There's the water bottle, where you unscrew the cap and watch them drink from it. Then there's always a bunch of stuff we do while they are sleeping. Right Saad?" He said laughing.
"Ugghh they barged in the first night at like 3 in the morning, scared me half to death. Then another night it was shaving cream, drawn on faces, you name it. Though I'd say the best was putting I'm saad on the back of what I thought was my jersey and then adding a sad face on it instead of my number."
"Oh goodness! That's a good one Sharpie." I said laughing.
"I remember that, that was too funny." Pat said laughing beside me.
"Really, we aren't too bad, just some harmless pranking especially with heavy sleepers." Sharpie said winking. We talked for a bit more, before paying the bills and making our way back out to the cars.
"So I say we ditch the cars at lil Peekaboo's place, and then walk." Sharpie said laughing. "That way if no when you need to cab home you don't have to worry about your cars. Up to you." He said laughing and looking at the younger boys on the team.
"You guys staying out with us?" I asked looking at Sharpie, Duncs, and Seabs as I figured they'd probably head home in good time.
"For a while." Abby said laughing. The other couples agreed saying they had to get back to their kids.
"Alright boys. Let's celebrate!" Jon said as we entered the club. I shed my cardigan in our VIP section, and accepted the invitation to dance from Pat. I took a beer from Pat as we danced along with the music.
"Come on. Let's go back. It's too early for dancing." I said laughing looking around at a half empty dance floor. He took my hand back and we slid back in beside Jon yet again. Shots awaited us, as we sat back down. None of the married with kids people went overboard. They seemed happy with a one beer limit. That wasn't me. Tonight was my night to get the teenager out of me, and to enjoy my last night to truly let loose.
"So who's genius idea was it to get Rach that shirt? Staking your claim eh Kaner?" Sharpie asked laughing.
"Nah. Wasn't me." He said laughing. "What! It wasn't" Pat said comically throwing his hands in the air sighing.
"Yah, yah. Everything about that screams Kaner." Sharpie said laughing.
"Well. Sorry to ruin this for you Sharpie, but he actually didn't get it for me." I said smirking and glancing in-between Jon and Pat before laughing.
"CAPIITAAN Toews! Let me guess you guys were all in on this?" He said looking between the three of us.
"What exactly are you accusing us of Sharpie." I said faking a knife to the heart with a gasp for effect. He laughed. "What's so funny?"
"It's different to see this side of you. You are normally Jonny's twin, all serious and stuff. May I ask what has got you in the partying mood? Spend too much time with Patty Cakes over here?"
"Hey. Just cause I let loose sometimes doesn't mean I'm not serious." I said winking. "Some times even serious people let loose. This is nothing, I was quite a party animal when I was younger. Oh and we are celebrating." I said shrugging.
"What?"
"I don't know… Jon said we were celebrating." I said innocently shrugging as I took a sip from the drink Pat offered me. "Maybe how much attention I get in this shirt." I said winking as the guys laughed.
"Definitely it." Shaw piped in,
"Agreed." The women said laughing.
"Let's dance." Abby said pulling me out of the VIP room and onto the dance floor. "Sooooo…what's up with you Pat and Jonny boy over there?"
"Why would you think anything is up." I asked making a surprised face.
"You're a shitty liar, so what's up? Something else happen over the summer?"
"Haha no, this was today recent." I said laughing.
"Obviously not bad news as you are smiling."
"Nope good news."
"Nice shirt." a random guy said in passing.
"So what's the number symbolic of?" Abby asked as we continued to dance.
"Had to follow suit. It's my birth year." I said laughing. "Though I didn't know what number to expect." I said shrugging. "I let them choose."
"Sooooo. You did know about the shirt then?"
"Not until just before dinner." I said laughing. "I had an outfit all picked out and then Pat changed it all on me." I fake pouted.
"Damn! You three are totally hiding something!" She said looking back at the VIP section and back at me.
"Maybe. Maybe not " I said smirking before reclaiming my spot on Pat's lap. "So what did we miss?" I asked the boys.
"Nothing. Just trying to get Captain serious to lighten up and let us know who the new rookie is." Shaw whined and the other guys nodded.
"Sorry. Captain duties come first boys."
"Plus the rookie ain't too bad." Pat said laughing.
"How does he know!" Shaw whined.
"Can't refuse a pretty face." Jon winked as the boys snickered and Pat and I laughed. We high fived and left the table in search of the bar.
"This is fun." Jon said chuckling. "They really have no clue."
"About anything." I said seriously.
"Worry about that another day. Tonight's for you." He said as we clinked our bottles together and laughed.
"Last one for a while." I said winking and taking a sip. "Ps. They are all staring at us with funny looks." I said nodding to the team and waving. Yup we caught ya
, good try being subtle." I thought shaking my head.
"So best friend, boyfriend we going to dance? Maybe mess around with them a bit more? Abby actually asked if something happened between the three of us during the summer." I said shaking my head, They laughed but obliged.
"Girls." Pat said laughing as we all started dancing to the music.
"Hey!" I said laughing.
"So how does it feel sharing your girl?" Jon asked winking at Pat.
"I'm alright with it. She's coming home with me." He said laughing. "Plus those stares are an added bonus." he nodded subtly to where the team was watching us.
"Jonny haven't you taught them to be subtle?" I said chuckling. "You're slacking." I whispered in his ear.
"Hey, hey, hey! That's not my job. Plus you've done a great job with the two of us, no one else needs to be subtle. "
"Look at their faces." I said laughing and moving back into Pat.
"What do you think they are talking about." Jon said smirking leaning closer to both of us.
"I have my suspicions." I said as the song ended and we decided to head back to the bar.
"So how long before one of them makes a move and gets their butt down here? I'll buy them a beer!" I said laughing.
"Probably Sharpie. Give him five minutes." Jon said laughing as we sat at the bar.
"Nahh definitely Abby." I said laughing as she walked towards us.
"Hey! She's a Sharpie too." Jon said winking.
"No way! Doesn't count." Pat said chuckling.
"So Abbs! You joining the celebration? I owe you a beer, can ya drink it?"
"Sure. Hit me. I told Patrick he was driving. So what the hell was that?" She asked taking the bottle.
"Right to the chase huh?" Pat asked laughing.
"Well you see, Rach and I kinda took a miniature break during the summer, where her and Jonny Boy kind of hit it off, so we all decided it would be best to share." Pat said shrugging. "Plus Jonny and I have always had a bromance, so this just makes it sooooo much better." He said acting serious.
"You Fucking kidding me?"
"Duh! " Jon said rolling his eyes and shaking his head. "I mean really?"
"Frig you guys totally had me fooled." Abby said looking embarrassed.
"And that my dear is what the beer is for." I said laughing. "We are trying to get a rise out of the boys though. You in for a dance?"
"If you tell me the truth." She said smirking.
"Umm well, the shirt kind of is the truth." I said shrugging.
"Holy Shit! No Way! Does that mean you aren't my game partner anymore?" she said pouting, before turning it into a smile and giving us all fist bumps. "I can tell you that is the last thing on their minds" she said laughing.
"We'll lure them in one by one. I'm guessing your husband will be next." I said winking. "Now Pat, show me your moves." I said laughing as we all stopped to look at Pat.
"Guess I'm dancing with Jonny then. Sorry Abbs you're stuck with that." I said as we all burst out laughing. Our dancing was pretty innocent, nothing like how Pat and I usually dance.
"Ehemm." We turned to the person.
"Sharpie! Welcome to the party let's dance." I said laughing as we started to dance.
"Just go with it." Abby said laughing. "It's quite good actually." She said switching over to Jon. Pat came over and smirked at Sharpie.
"Jealous much?" Pat said laughing.
"I told ya, One by one." I said smirking.
"You guys totally planned this." Sharpie said shaking his head.
"Nahh we just wanted to celebrate, but no one was celebrating so we decided to have our own party." Pat said laughing before stealing me away and picking me up and twirling me around.
"Here guys." Jon said handing us another bottle.
"You want me to die?" I asked Jon laughing,
"Nahh."
"To Rach!" I heard Abby shout. We all clinked our bottles, except Sharpie who still looked confused.
"One by one." I said laughing. "Though at this rate we will be drunk before we even make it through half the team!"
"Good luck with your pranks there honey." Abby said laughing.
"Wait. What. NO WAY!" He said eyes widening then engulfing me in a huge hug. "Damn you beat me literally at my own game. Congrats kiddo or should I say rookie."
"Thanks." I said smiling, as I reattached my body to Pat's. "You better not call me that!" I exclaimed.
"Already done. Better start getting used to it." He said winking. "This isn't another prank is it?"
"No." I said laughing and shaking my head. "See!" I said showing him a picture on my phone with the management staff.
"And no one else wants to celebrate?" He said throwing his hands in the air.
"Like you were any better." I said laughing and shaking my head. "Though once they see you stay here I'm guessing they will not be far behind." I said nodding at the table.
"So you excited?" Sharpie asked.
"What kind of question is that? Of course" I said laughing. "It's an honour to play with such a great group of guys." I said smirking.
"Speak of the devil and they will appear." Jon said laughing. "Boys. Ladies." Jon said smirking. At this point we were all back to our regular guys, leaving us in a circle to include Jon. "Care to join us?" He asked sweeping his arm invitingly around the circle.
"VIP getting a little boring?" I said laughing. "You missed out on the celebration!" I said pouting. "And what were those glares for?" I asked smirking, as Pat, Jon, Sharpie and Abby chuckled from behind me. "Didn't appreciate them by the way. Not the way to get a girl to like you. Now quit assuming things and have fun." I said winking and dragging Pat to the bar.
"So how long until Jonny spills the beans?" I said resting up against the bar.
"No clue." He said grabbing another beer and leading me back to the dance floor. "But I know how to celebrate." He whispered in my ear.
"I know you do. " I said laughing as we began to dance. "You're going to have to sing me every Willie Nelson song." I said winking.
"Man, even you've seen that?"
"Ohhh Patty. Everyone has seen it." I said laughing and giving him a small kiss. "You were cute."
"Haha okay." He said laughing and shaking his head before returning the kiss.
"Ummmm Excuse me." I exclaimed as I felt my body being lifted up. "Where are we going?" I laughed seeing I was being carried by a group of hockey players.
"We are getting you drunk, what else?" Corey said laughing.
"Yah. That's your welcoming present." They guys said putting me down on a stool.
"Pat!" I exclaimed.
"Sorry Babe. Not much I can do." He said shrugging.
"Alright then. You are getting me home, and up tomorrow."
"Will do."He chuckled. Tomorrow was not going to be fun.
I woke up the next morning with a blaring head ache. "Ugghhh" I said turning over in bed. Cute I thought to myself as yet again Jon and Pat had literally crashed on the bed. I found my phone and took a picture and sent it to Sharpie, before continuing my search for Advil. I still had a few hours before Pat had to be up, so I let him sleep figuring he would be in the same condition as me. I put some coffee on, and sat down to watch some TV. Jon came out a few minutes later in search of Advil and coffee.
"What happened last night?"
"Don't ask me. Last thing I remember was a drinking competition between you and Shawzy, You were kicking his butt." Jon said chuckling.
"Despite popular belief I've had practice." I said chuckling. "Last thing I remember was being paraded around on the guys shoulders."
"How's the head feeling?"'
"Not too bad, now that I've had coffee and Advil, but it will be a fun day of travel." I said laughing.
"Ugghhh, how are you so peppy?" I heard Pat groan as he entered the room.
"I've never been too bad the morning after. A gift I guess." I said shrugging. "Normally I just have my coffee and breakfast and my head calms down."
"Coffee?" He said moving into the kitchen. Jon and I smiled and ordered some breakfast.
"So when is the team going public with signing me?" I asked the boys as we ate.
"Probably Monday, seeing as it's the weekend." Jon said shrugging.
"Good thing we will be in Buffalo." I said laughing.
"Right, what time are you guys flying out?"
"Two. Then we'll stay at the house for a while, and then make the drive down and get there later on tonight."
"Send me some pictures." Jon said laughing.
"Awww you've gone soft, Captain." I said winking.
"Maybe I have. But don't tell the guys." He said laughing.
"Speaking of the guys. Where did they end up?" I asked.
"No clue."
"Haha good to know you two remember just as much as me." We talked for another hour or so before Jonny made his way home. Pat and I took a little nap after packing, and then suddenly it was time to go to the airport. We held hands, and kept our heads down until it was time to board.
"You ready to face the reality?" I whispered up to him as we took our seats.
"Hey it's okay. It might have been a surprise but we will be just fine." He said smiling and giving my shoulder a squeeze.
"And what happens when the media catches wind of it? Won't it look bad?"
"So what if it does. I have a kid with a woman I love. It's not like I'm twenty anymore knocking some random girl up." He said shrugging.
"I guess. I just know what people are going to say, and I'm sorry."
"Again. You don't need to apologize it wasn't your fault, and you mean more to me than what some magazine prints, or what someone says on the internet."
"Why do you love me so much?"
"Haha do you want me to answer that?" He said laughing.
"Nah." I said laughing and cuddling in.
"Cause I can." He said wiggling his eyebrows.
"You're such a goof." I said laughing.
"Hmmmmmm." He said laughing and leaning back into the seat. The flight wasn't too long, and it was virtually uneventful. A few head nods, and smiles our direction but nothing too big.
"Really? You're letting me drive?" I said catching the keys.
"I only lived here for a year." He said laughing.
"Right. You get to drive to Buffalo." I said starting the car.
"Oh really?"
"Yup." I said laughing, and pulling out of the parking lot.
"Fine" He huffed smiling as we pulled into my driveway a few minutes later.
"Thanks." I said winking as we made it into the house.
"MOM! We are back!" I yelled into the house.
"Now, now, now. Who do we have here?"
"Scotty! What are you doing here?"
"Hey I can come back when I want to." He said laughing and giving me a hug. "Plus mom said you'd be back up for an hour or so this weekend, so it was a perfect opportunity to say hi to everyone though Dyl isn't here."
"I missed you!" I exclaimed.
"I missed a lot." He said raising his eyebrows looking between the two of us.
"It's been a weird summer that's for sure." Earning a chuckle from the two boys.
"Glad to see he's sticking around." He said nodding towards Pat.
"Right here." Pat said laughing nervously.
"Scott, be nice." I said punching him lightly in the shoulder. "Where's Momma?"
"That was nice, and she's out by the pool."
"Thanks." I said as I nodded to Pat as he went out to find my mom. It was time to have a conversation with my brother.
"What was that?" I said.
"What?"
"You can't act like you hate him, just because something happened."
"Not my fault, you are 23 what else am I supposed to think?"
"Wasn't his fault either. Plus we are both adults in a serious relationship, you can't just judge him because he plays hockey." I said glaring. "You were best buds a couple months ago. Has he done anything to give you a reason that he isn't going to stick around?"
"I can't help it. I'm your older brother, I'm supposed to protect you and help you make smart decisions."
"And what Scott? You've never been in a relationship, don't tell me you haven't slept with a girl. Would I be judging you if the roles were reversed. Sure you are a few years older, but it could happen anytime. How come you think this is a mistake? We aren't going to cut it as parents, huh?"
"What are you going to have to give up to take care of the kid, huh? You ready for that?"
"Scott, what are you talking about? I live in Chicago and I have a loving boyfriend to help. I don't see what that has to do with me making a mistake. Does that look like a mistake to you?" I said pointing out to where Mom and Pat were talking. Isabella seeming very content in his arms as he cuddled and played with her. Honestly it brought a tear to my eye, as a smile engulfed my face. "Tell me that's a mistake, and you can hate me for as long as you want. You will never see me call that a mistake."
"Fine! I get it. Okay? I just want you to be happy, and if they make you happy then alright."
"I am happy Scotty! Happiest I've ever been actually."
"You promise?"
"Yes! I am." I said laughing and giving my brother a hug. "Go easy on him ok? He's going to be a great dad." I reassured him.
"So you say." He said still looking unsure.
"Scotty he is. Don't judge us on our jobs. Just because we play hockey doesn't mean we won't be serious. I mean the first thing he did was convert the guest room into a nursery. If that doesn't prove he's committed I don't know what will."
"Sorry it's just hard. You're my little sis and I love you!" He said squeezing my shoulder looking back out to where Pat and Mom were laughing. "Alright I have to admit, that is adorable." He said laughing.
"See! I love you too Scotty. I appreciate having you as a big bro even if you scare my boyfriend half to death the second he walks in." I said laughing.
"If it had been anyone else they would have been out!" He said sounding very serious. " Just wait till Dyl hears." He said smirking.
"I think he knows. Mom told him. I got a text from him over the weekend. Everything is fine between us. So anyways you've met Bella?" I said as we went to join Mom on the deck.
"Yes, yesterday. What a surprise, though she is precious."
"Glad you think so. Hey grandma." I said winking at my mom.
"Hey sweetie! How'd the meeting go?"
"Great!" I said smiling."How was my little girl?"
"As cute as ever. She's grown quite a bit this week."
"That's good." I said taking her out of Pat's outstretched arms.
"Hey Princess." I cooed rocking her slightly.
"So if the meeting went good, you have a team for the season?" Mom asked.
"Yup! Pretty excited. Gonna be tough with this little one however." I said laughing as she snuggled into my arms and closed her eyes.
"You can do it." She said smiling. "Would I know the team?"
"I hope." I said laughing. "Recognize it?" I said showing her the picture with the jersey and management staff.
"Are you serious?!"
"Dead serious." I said laughing. "Exciting huh?" She nodded, looking at the picture again then back to me.
"I wanna see!" Scott exclaimed. I nodded at mom who passed him the phone.
"Holy shit!"
"Scott! Language!" I exclaimed getting a laugh from everyone.
"So not fair!" He said shaking his head. "You better get me into games!"
"You better watch when we play LA." I said giving him a glare.
"Totally! This is sooooo cool!" He said giving me an awkward hug.
"Well, I would love to talk a bit more but we do actually have to get going if we are going to make it to Buffalo in good time." I said.
"Alright honey. I have the bag ready and car seat by the door."
"Thanks mom." I said giving her a hug.
"Congrats sis. You're going to be a great player, and a better mom. Sorry about earlier." Scott said hugging me again. Pat and him did a man hug, where he apologized and practically welcomed him into the family. We organized the car and put the sleeping baby in the back for the time being, and made our way down to Buffalo. Bella was pretty cooperative. I had to feed her once along the way, but other than that she slept the whole way. "This is your house?" I said in awe of the huge house we had stopped in front of.
"This is my house yes, I bought it a while back. But it's not where we are going. Just wanted to make sure it was still standing." He said laughing.
"It's breathtaking!" I exclaimed as we drove a bit further until we pulled in to a more traditional yet just as beautiful house.
"Home sweet Home!" He exclaimed shutting off the car. "Don't look so scared!" He said laughing, as his mom poked her head out the door and instantly smiled and headed for us.
"Rach!" She exclaimed as she hugged me.
"Donna! Your house is absolutely beautiful!" I said.
"No hug for me?" Pat said pouting.
"Well get your butt over here then!" She said laughing before giving him a hug.
"Now gimme!" She said outstretching her arms.
"Go ahead." Pat said nodding towards the car. Seconds later Bella was in her hands and she was smiling.
"Well Mom's got the baby, so lets get unpacked." Pat said shaking his head. "Call us if you need anything mom." He said shaking his head as we made it into the house and left our luggage upstairs.
"Patty!" Three girlish screams entered the room. They gave us both hugs and looked at us.
"Yes?" Pat asked.
"Mom said you had a surprise, so spill."
"Well… I'm the newest player on the Hawks. The other half of the surprise is downstairs." I said laughing.
"Really? That's soooooo cool!" Erica exclaimed. "Now excuse us a moment." She said before they all hurried downstairs. Pat and I leaned back on the bed, and cuddled waiting for their return. We heard shouts of 'give her heres' and we looked at each other and laughed. Somehow I think this vacation is going to go just fine. Pat seemed to have the same idea, sighing and relaxing back into the bed and sighing with a smile on his face.
"Whatcha thinking about?" I asked lying my head on his chest.
"How lucky I am." He said chuckling.
"Really?" I said laughing.
"Yup. Mom told me I'd fall head over heels someday for a girl, obviously I believe her now." He said winking.
"I'd love to see you tumbling around." I said laughing. "I have a great mental picture, ya klutz. All over a girl too, just falling all over the place."
"Yah Bella's just adorable. I love her more than hockey. Best thing in the world." He said winking.
"Ohh really. I was thinking the same thing. Not too sure about her daddy though. He can be a real pain in the ass sometimes."
"What?" He gasped. "Now I might have to rethink the whole falling head over heels thing."
"Damn. I loved her daddy." I said pouting. "Enough to put up with him too."
"That's good, cause he loves you too." Pat said laughing and pulling me closer. "He fell head over heels for her." He whispered in my ear.
"Mhmmm. I love ya too." I chuckled leaning up to kiss him.
"Ughhh break it up you two!" Erica said laughing as she came in the room. "Aren't you forgetting something, or should I say someone? "
"Not that I know of." Pat winked and kissed me again.
"Practicing more of the stuff that got you in your current situation huh?"
"Why not?" Pat said laughing as I probably turned pink.
"No we aren't" I said sending Pat a smirking glare. "Sorry, what's up?"
"Well on behalf of the girls we want to welcome you too the family." She said raising her eyebrow expectantly at Pat. "As well we want to thank you for finally getting our brother to settle down, even though it's on surprising circumstances. Anyways we love you like a sister already, you're amazing and we definitely approve of the two of you, not as though you need it."
"I love you guys too!" I exclaimed giving her a hug. "It means a lot even if it wouldn't change us being together. I'm happy I made the cut." I said winking.
"Now that that's settled. How the hell is there a kid in our living room?"
"Um, that's kinda what we'd all like to know." I said laughing. "But I'm guessing has to do with the birds and the bees idea." Getting a chuckle from Pat.
"Goodness! You've been around my brother too much." She said shaking her head. "Now seriously. I'm not leaving until you explain." She said crossing her arms.
"You." Pat said when I looked back. "I'm exhausted." He said yawning.
"Alright." I said to Erica. "But we are doing it downstairs, he's been through a lot this past week." I said nodding at Pat who was almost asleep.
"You'll be back." He mumbled.
"Yes." I responded kissing his forehead and heading down stairs.
"Wow! I walked into a family pow wow." I said laughing as Erica and I walked into the living room.
"Come have a seat honey." Donna said patting the couch beside her. "Patrick sleeping like usual?"
"Yes!" Erica sighed taking her seat.
"That boy!" She said laughing and shaking her head.
"So tell us!" Erica exclaimed her head propped up in her hands waiting intently.
"Yah!" Jessie and Jackie exclaimed nodding their heads.
"Girls!" Donna scolded.
"It's fine." I said laughing. "I wish I had a good explanation, but apparently I was clueless up to a month ago. Anyways I'm not going to go into detail about 9 months ago, but anyways, that was our first month dating. We had known each other for a month or so before dating. Anyways, I'm lucky I'm not a huge partier, as that would have caused complications. Anyways I never really had any symptoms like you would expect, and playing sports my whole life the whole being a woman thing is always out of whack so I never even realized it. Looking back I was always tired, and some days I would feel bad for no reason, but back then I thought nothing of it. So fast forward to the summer. It wasn't the greatest of summers at the start, but everything worked out by the end. So my American best friend Ellie came up to visit, during the time originally planned for being here. Sorry for not coming by the way. So I wasn't feeling great at all that week, and one day I just knew something was wrong. Long story short I literally passed out on the couch and woke up in a hospital bed with a doctor telling me nothing was wrong and I was perfectly healthy. I obviously didn't believe him, as something was definitely wrong. So he explains what was going on, and the fact that my body is different or something. So Jonny my Canadian best friend came to visit after visiting his girlfriend in Ottawa. We had planned it back in Winnipeg. Before he came however I got a surprise visit from Megan. No No it's alright. So she explained everything, and how she was just jealous of how she went from everything to nothing and jealous of me in general. Anyways me being me sympathized with her, and bought her a ticket to France, my second home. Next, I told Jonny, and at this point I still had a projected month before the birthdate. I was planning to call Pat, saying I was sorry for leaving him and inviting him up to talk, but life had other plans. The day I was going to call, she decided to come, a full two weeks early. Jon can attest that she is my kid, well atleast his hand can. So I spent the whole time complaining Pat wasn't there. So when he showed up here on the way back to Chicago it was because I told him to. Then you son spilled his heart out on my doorstep, even if it wasn't necessary. We worked things out, and then had a new surprise sprung on him. I'm happy that it wasn't the reaction I was expecting from a 26 year old hockey star. He didn't seem too against the idea, which was a great sign. Then we left for Chicago for my meeting with the management, and then we hopped on a plane picked Bella up and drove down here. Now he's sleeping, and I'm blabbering on."
"You stayed skinny the whole time?" Erica exclaimed!
"I got a bit chubbier nearing the end, but it was only because the doctor said to let up on the workouts."
"Interesting."
"Yup. I'll pay closer attention next time." I said laughing.
"Wow! I still can't believe it, my boy's a dad." Pat Sr. said with a sleeping baby curled up against him.
"I didn't mean to keep anything from you, I wouldn't do that to you or Pat. I honestly wanted him there."
"Honey, you were part of this family even before Bella came. Honestly meeting you that game, and then finding out you were dating Pat made me so happy. You are down to earth, sweet, not to mention beautiful and you are exactly what my son needs. Plus the kid thing was born to happen. The way you two look at each other with so much love surprises me you only have one. It not only crushed Pat, but it crushed us too thinking that maybe it was over. I don't know about him." She said nodding at Pat Sr. "But I love you like a daughter. I know you wouldn't do anything just to be famous, or get Pat to stay with you. Not that you need it anyways. He loves you, and I'm certain you are the one for him, and life continues to prove it for me. We love you no matter what, plus you guys make cute kids." She said laughing, as I felt a few happy tears slip from my eyes.
"I love you guys too! Im relieved you don't hate me." I said hugging Donna.
"The only way you could make us hate you is if you were just another one of those money digging, cheating, lying girls our son was a fan of when he was twenty." Donna said shaking her head.
"How did you two meet anyways, we never really got the entire story." Pat Sr said handing me Bella who was stirring. She relaxed back into me, happy to be with me again.
"You sure? It's not the best of stories." I said laughing. "Well at the time I had a boyfriend of three years named Mike, and he was two years into his relationship with Megan. So we were in a downtown club enjoying time with our respective dates. I had to go to the washroom. When I came back long story short I found my boyfriend dancing with another girl, well not just dancing, and then watch the two of them leave together. I was crushed so I immediately went to the bar just needing a place to sit down. Anyways I picked Pat to sit beside as it looked like his day wasn't any better than mine. Anyways we got talking and realized that we had just witnessed both our dates leaving with each other. Life works in mysterious ways huh? So we headed back to his apartment, and continued talking where I made sure to limit the alcohol consumption adding water whenever we could. So we crashed after a long night of heartbreak. The next day I woke up to his team mates banging on the door, looking confused as to who I was. I kind of forgot I wasn't home. Funny thing being I didn't recognize him for a good 12 hours, which was surprising seeing as I play hockey. Anyways he offered to let me crash for a few days as I didn't want to face confrontation with the ex. So the game I met you at wasn't long after we had met." I said smiling. "Pat came home that night laughing about how he had looked up and saw us sitting beside each other. So anyways that's about it." I said shrugging.
"A lot has changed since then huh?"
"Sure has. Not the most romantic of encounters is it?" I said laughing.
"Nah but that's life. Imagine if you had of stayed in Ottawa instead of taking the adventurous route of coming to Chicago."
"We probably wouldn't be here today." I chuckled. "I wouldn't be playing hockey, and I would probably be heartbroken finding out Mike had been cheating on me all along. I'll take this any day." I said winking.
"So would we. Pat would probably be heartbroken, playing crappy hockey, and miserable."
"Life works in mysterious ways. I don't mean to cut this short but is it alright if I try and get some sleep?"
"So sorry to keep you up." Donna exclaimed.
"It's fine." I said smiling softly. "You guys deserved an explanation." I said standing slowly. I gave everyone a small hug, before heading upstairs. I got Bella changed and ready for bed before putting her in the fold up bed I had brought, and sliding in to join a sleeping Pat.

Notes

Just full of surprises today.... xoxoxoxoxxoxo Jordan