The One Night That Changed My Life Forever

Thankfully practice the next day was only an hour long, nothing too tiring. Bella had been quite a bit fussy the night before and I was starting to feel the effects on my body. I could tell Pat was a little sluggish as well after practice. Thankfully my parents had offered to take her for the afternoon and hang out with her other set of grandparents. To say I was happy to see our two families becoming friends was an understatement. My family gushed about how much they loved the Kane's and vice versa. This was a good thing as I had no clue what I would have done if they had taken a disliking to each other. I figured that wouldn't happen however because I had never met two families quite so loving as the two in question. Usually having time alone with Pat would lead to something much different with sleeping, however walking through the apartment door today after handing Bella over we were at an understanding. Today we were sleeping. Overall I thought we were adjusting pretty well to the whole parenthood thing. We had gotten lots of compliments at the family skate, and were planning to hang out with Duncan and Brent and their families in the near future. I knew the hard part had yet to come however. Leaving her for practices wasn't easy to begin with, and the season's start was nearing closer and closer. This meaning more road trips, and less time to spend with our daughter. On top of that I had a few games I had to attend for Team Canada meaning either Bella would come with me, or she'd stay her with Pat. Sure it was going to be tough, and for sure as hell complicated but I had faith it would work out. I was amazed at how well Pat just slipped into the fatherly role in Bella's life. I mean sure it was his kid, but had I expected him to be this on board? No. Looking back now I could totally see how wrong I had been. Pat had always been good around kids, and he lit up around them, especially Izzy. He had also brought the cup to a children's hospital in Buffalo. Haha sure I had been pissed but I still followed what he did. I loved him, and honestly reading the articles and seeing the pictures of the kids and their smiling faces made me melt even miles away. To see him look at our daughter with the same passion and love in his eyes almost brought me to tears. Not ones of sadness but ones of complete joy and happiness. I could have never seen my life ending up like this in a million years. The Patrick the media saw, and judged was not the man in front of me today. They were still hung up on the past, not looking at the boy turned man in question. It didn't matter one bit to me. I knew it in my heart he would be my forever and he was perfect in every single way. Sure he had a dare I say it shitty past, but who didn't. I did crap I wasn't proud of and the only reason no one knew or judged me for it was because I wasn't famous. For me it had only been a few years since getting out of the crazy party girl phase, and I could honestly say I was happier now than I had ever been before. Sure there was a bit of an age gap, but three years wasn't too bad. I grew up with a sense of maturity, but also a wild side. I was glad no one looked down at me for being the 23 year old girl dating a hockey superstar, atleast no one important did. Andrew had apologized profusely at practice this morning on behalf of Bianca. Let's just say I don't think she was going to be around again. He had looked so sad, apologizing to me and he looked guilt stricken I'm guessing after finding out what had gone down between the two of us. After assuring him everything was fine, and that it wasn't his fault well other than bringing her there we hugged and got rid of all that guilt he had been feeling. I really needed to step up in the whole finding him a girl department. As for the BHTV video it was set to air later on this morning as a whole fan appreciation thing. There were a lot of one on one interviews, behind the scene videos, and tons of footage of us just being regular people only if for a day. I knew social media was going to blow up. Not just because of the new video, but because of Pat and I. He was worried much more than I was about how I would take the negative attention from his fans. Honestly I love the kid so much for still thinking about me first in all of this. Sure this was going to be press to a whole different level, but it wasn't going to change anything. Those girls hating on me and our daughter weren't going to make her disappear, and they could say mean things about me but they weren't going to change who I am. I had gotten pretty used too the whiplash of just dating Pat. Next it had been the whole getting a spot on the team just because of him. Now throw a kid in the mix and you get a whole shit ton of crap aiming your direction. I hoped the fan's at least the true ones wouldn't mind the fact that Pat and I were serious. Damn, I loved the kid to pieces. I never thought I would fall hard again for anyone after Mike cheated on me but I'm damn glad I did, and I wouldn't change the world for anything. I must have been smiling as I was brought out of my thoughts by Pat's chuckle.
"Thinking about me babe?" He asked smirking and propping himself up on the bed a bit so he could look into my eyes.
"Maybe." I giggled. "You and bunch of other crap. But you are definitely the most enjoyable part of my thoughts."
"I know you were smiling." He said winking and pecking me quickly on the lips.
"I can't stop smiling anymore, and it's all your fault." I said laughing and giving him a playful shove before returning his kiss and snuggling into his embrace. How anyone could make me this safe and loved was a mystery but all that mattered was that it was Pat making me feel this way. I still got excited every time we touched, even a small gesture like him putting his arm protectively around my waist as he was doing now made me happy.
"Wouldn't want it any other way." Pat said chuckling. "Plus you're beautiful when you smile." He said kissing the back of my head and settling in beside me. I fell asleep with a smile on my face.
I woke up around 4 hours later to a soundly sleeping Pat. He could sleep through anything, at anytime. I slid out of bed carefully and smiled at him sleeping. I headed to the bathroom to start making myself presentable for dinner tonight. I knew I could give Pat a bit more time as all he had to do was put on his previously chosen clothes and do his hair. When I was finished with my hair and makeup I made my way back into the bedroom and placed a soft kiss to his lips, knowing it would be the quickest way to get him up. I smiled against his lips as I felt him respond to the kiss and deepen it. How one kiss could end up a full make out session I don't know, oh wait I do two words. Patrick Kane, I thought to myself smiling and leaning into his kiss.
"Well that's a nice way to wake up from a nap. Maybe I need to sleep more often." Pat said chuckling as we broke away.
"No way!" I exclaimed. "You sleep too much already!" I said pouting.
"Just kidding babe. I don't need to sleep to find an excuse to kiss you. I can just do this" he said kissing my neck "and this" he said kissing me in a kiss so sweet, and soft it portrayed one emotion, love. It was all I needed to know we were going to be just fine. "See I didn't need to sleep." He said winking and laughing. I kissed him one more time quickly before directing him towards his clothes reminding him we couldn't be late otherwise our families would get the wrong idea, although we had to have gotten Bella somehow. Less than an hour later, we were in one of Pat's more sporty, and stylish cars. My mom had offered her babysitting services for the night, something I would not refuse. The ride to the restaurant was a normal one for us. We talked, laughed, and were each other, there was no need to embellish anything. We went in the side door of the restaurant leading through the kitchen and to the private room without anyone knowing we were even there, After saying hello to a seeming busy Derek we made our way to where our families were laughing and talking around a table. We announced our presence and took our seats saying hi to everyone.
"So I see little Derek finally turned that idea of his into a reality?" Pat Sr. said to Pat.
"Just wait until you taste it. It'll bring you back the the good old days, when he used to help me cook because I was clueless and didn't understand everything." Pat said laughing.
"Remember that one day I asked you to make something up for supper, and you had no clue what to do so you called him up and had him come over to help you make supper. When I came home to food that wasn't burnt and actually tasted delicious I knew you had no part in making it." Donna said laughing. "I had to let the poor boy stay over and eat the supper he had made, and sent him home with the leftovers for him and his family." She said laughing and shaking her head.
"Ughhh. Little Patty Cakes here was never good at cooking." Derek said laughing as he stood propped against the door. "But he was damn good at hockey."
"Thank goodness Rachel can cook for him." Donna said laughing. "Not to make it sound like you have to or anything. I'm just glad Pat found someone like you." She said smiling sincerely.
"Haha no worries." I said waving it off. "Not to worry I'll make sure he follows the hockey diet, as I will be on it too." I said laughing as we ordered. "But as for tonight there is no such thing as a hockey diet." I said laughing and smiling at Derek. "You're food is simply too good to resist."
The conversation over dinner was light. Everything was positive. There was a lot of laughing as the childhood stories flowed around the table.
"So kiddo, you ready for the media buzz?" My dad asked as we were getting ready to leave.
"As ready as I ever will be. It'll be fine." I said shrugging.
"That's good sweet heart. If it ever get to be too much just let us know, and we can take her for a week or weekend here or there. You two looked cute in the media the Hawks put up today." He said winking.
"Right. They did put that up today. Good thing my phone's on silent." I said laughing and looking down at my phone. "Seriously? He's trending on twitter." I said shaking my head after looking at a text Ellie had sent me. "I shouldn't be surprised."
"Just like you said, everything will work out." He said giving me a quick hug before I said my goodbyes to everyone else. Both our parents were sticking around to watch our home opener next week, so it wouldn't be long until we saw them again. However the Kane sisters and Dylan were heading back tomorrow. We were dropping them off at the airport for their respective planes. After our quick goodbyes, and handing over a bag of everything my mom would need for Bella, Pat and I snuck back out the side entrance sating by to Derek on our way out. He made a joke about how he wanted people to know that famous people ate at his restaurant and we weren't helping sneaking in and out. We laughed and mentioned the generous tip, and continued on our way.
"Soooooo. Someone's popular." I said laughing as we pulled out of the parking lot.
"Hmmmm."
"You're the number one trend on twitter." I said turning my phone towards him.
"Seriously can't they like forget about me for like a day even?"
"Nope. You're an amazing hockey player. Everyone knows who you are." I said laughing. "Don't worry I fall in at number three."
"Damn, sorry to drag you into this mess."
"Not you're fault." I said squeezing his shoulder. "If this is what comes with loving you I'm not too upset. Plus being the first girl in the NHL kind of draws an interest in me anyways. I wouldn't change anything." I said smiling.
"We get through it together then." He said placing his hand on mine as he drove.
"Mhmmm." I said smiling as we pulled into the parking garage. There was people hovering around, we could tell. The people outside the lobby didn't give anything away" I thought laughing.
"You saw them too huh?" He said pulling into one of his many reserved parking spots.
"Yup. " I said wrapping my arm around his waist. "I love you Pat. Now let's get home." I said as we made our way to the elevator.
"I love when you call it home." He said grinning.
"Sorry. I've just spent so much time here it just comes naturally now."
"I love it don't worry. Plus you are the only girl I would let get away with that, as I see it as your home. I want you living here, even if I haven't said so formally I hope you picked up on it." He said smiling, "I would have asked you to move in even without Bella you know that right?"
"I had hoped." I chuckled. "And thanks it means a lot." I gave him a quick peck as the elevator doors shut. He squeezed my hand and we hoped for as little interruptions as possible. We were thoroughly disguised however they would only hold up for so long. I laughed at our luck as of course the elevator signed signalling it was opening at the lobby floor. Pat backed me into the corner and turned his back to where the doors would open.
"Don't be awkward. I'm going to kiss you." He said looking into my eyes as he threw the hood up on his jacket.
"You don't see me complaining. " I said grinning as he leaned in. I knew the sudden PDA was to hopefully have people wait for the next elevator and to shield me from the nosy people. I was serious though, I didn't mind, not one bit. Thank God they weren't allowed past the lobby without being invited up meaning that after exiting the elevator we would be free, at least for tonight. You could say the disguise partially worked, as only a few reporters made a beeline for our elevator.
"Ehhem." One of them coughed out.
"Yes." Pat said not turning around or changing one part of his position.
"Can you answer a few questions? We know who you are."
"Sorry I don't do personal interviews. I know the elevator is public property it doesn't mean I have to give you anything." They settled for taking pictures, though I didn't think they'd be very good as they got a man in a hoodie facing backwards to them. When the elevator signalled the floor below ours we hurried out to the annoyed remarks of the reporters. We took the stairs up to get to our floor, hopefully buying sometime away from the media. We got into the penthouse condo and flung ourselves down on the couch. Not even five minutes later there was a knock on the door. Pat got up to get it looking through the door just incase. Jon, Amanda, Davey and Marie made their way into the apartment. "Dude, it is crazy down there!" Jon exclaimed. "I mean that's taking popular to a whole new level." He said giving Pat a man hug.
"So whats up?" Pat asked.
"Well these two losers wanted to say bye to your girl here before leaving tomorrow. It was a good excuse to come drink your beer." Jon winked, chuckling.
"You're not going to complain about how sucky it is are you?"
"Haha no. It's pretty good, must be your Buffalo roots." Jon said laughing. If there was one thing always present in the fridge it was beer. I could see why, Pat always seemed to have unexpected guests chowing up. The boys grabbed a bottle for everyone and we sat in the living room just chatting and hanging out as if we had all been friends forever.
"So Davey. You going back to school tomorrow?" I asked laughing.
"Yah." He pouted. "I wish I didn't have to go through school to play hockey."
"You're talking to someone who did almost six years of university before getting anywhere in my hockey career, and that was just by chance. Everyone knows who you are, and with pure talent it won't be long before you are playing on the big stage."
"I guess, but Jonny boy over here kind of stole the spotlight." He said jokingly.
"Eh! No reason you guys can't be like the stall brothers. Plus theres only two of you. Look at the Sedin's although they didn't play too great back in playoffs."
"Yah, yah you're right." He said laughing.
"I know." I said laughing. "Soooo Marie you ready for our first game?"
"For sure! I've missed the whole gemlike situations. I'm not going to like being away from lil dave her but it will be great." She said beaming. "You?"
"Haha I get the whole mixed emotions thing. I'm stoked to play, and thankfully its only a day or two fro the games. But like you I have to leave people behind as well, and a team. I never imagined being in this position when I agreed, but I'm super pumped to play for Canada."
"Pffft." Pat said.
"Awe little Peeks is the only American here." Jon said laughing.
"He needs Bella to be here. Although she is only half and half."
"Oh she will have her Canadian roots, not to worry. I'll make sure of that." Jon said laughing.
"I bet you will." I said chuckling. "So Mands we hanging out this week? Maybe a little shopping? I'm sure Ellie, and the other gals would be into something."
"For sure. I'm sure to get tired of Jon at some point." She joked.
"Take it back." Jon said laughing, I knew the tickling would ensue.
"Hey now, I know where these tickling matches lead." I said raising an eyebrow at the couple smirking. "Work it out later."I said as the others chuckled.
"I think we will finish it right here." Jon said with a smirk.
"No, no, no." Pat said shaking his head.
"Ottawa?" Jon said smirking again looking between the two of us.
"Totally different dude." Pat said shaking his head. "That is my couch." He said getting up to grab another round of beers as everyone had finished their first.
"Really Jonny? You are comparing a hotel shower to Pat's couch." I said laughing and shaking my head. "Plus I was planning on chilling and watching TV with you." I said smirking..
"I did kind of set that one in motion didn't I?"
"Just a little." Pat said chuckling as he handed out the bottles.
"And then there's these two." I said pointing between Marie and David.
"Ughh you two were so obvious I'm surprised nothing was ever said about it." Jon said shaking his head.
"I never heard this story." Pat said leaning forward.
"Well anyways Marie and I were both out in Winnipeg for tryouts. Jon already knew who I was rooming with, however she didn't really know that I knew him per say. Anyways we became friends and I would often find myself over and theToews' house. So anyways she came out one saturday and it literally took them an hour, before the 'tour' of the house began." I said laughing.
"And I thought she was full of it, until my idiot brother blasted the music, and said they were playing video games." Jon said shaking his head.
"Davey the badboy in the family huh?" Pat said laughing. "Who knew?" That earned a chuckle from everyone but Jon who just looked at him rolling his eyes. "Well it's true. You would never bring a girl back to your house. IT's just the way you were. They had to be special." Pat said shrugging.
"And that's why he would never bring one home."David said laughing. "Until you." He said pointing at Amanda.
"Really? When you said you didn't bring girls home I figured occasionally. Seriously I was actually the first?"
"Well if you want to get technical, Rach is the first girl who came to stay although it was just as friends. But yah I've always thought of my home as somewhere only people I can see myself with for the rest of my life get to visit. My family is important to me, and I can't bring just anyone into it." He said shyly.
"Awee. You're too sweet Jonny boy." I cooed. "Good values though."
"Wow. I was the first one huh?" Amanda pondered.
"And hopefully the last." Jon said laughing.
"Oooo Captain Serious getting serious about a lady?" I said laughing.
"Shush Momma Kane." He said winking.
"Atleast my kid is cute. You better hope your kids get Amanda's genes." I smirked as he pouted, though there was an unmistakable tinge of red on his cheeks.
"They better get my hockey genes then."
"You're going to have a little princess that will not want to play hockey, but do something like dance or figure skating." I said laughing.
"Boy."
"Nahhh, that'd be too easy Jonny boy. " I winked. "So how many kids does everyone want?"
"3 is a good number. As many as it takes to get a boy." Jon said laughing.
"You might regret that Jonny Boy." I said chuckling.
"No way in hell I'm having more than 4!" Amanda exclaimed. "If you want more, go elsewhere." She said throwing her hands in the air.
"Marie?"
"2 or 3. It would depend on a lot of things though."
"Davey?"
"I can honestly say I haven't thought too much about this subject." He said chuckling. "It would all depend on the first one."
"What about you Rach? I happen to remember you shouting 'never again' at me in the hospital room." Jon said laughing. "I don't think my hand could take that sort of punishment again."
"Just wait until you have your four kids there Jonny." I winked. "I'm down for another, though Pat here wants a decent sized family like his. We might just have to have the same amount of kids, to match them off and watch them all marry each other." I said winking.
"Not happening." Jon said laughing.
"You're mean." I said pouting before letting out a low laugh.
"Nahh I'm just not exposing my kids to the heartbreak that would occur."
"Ehhhhh, easy there. No judging because of her amazing parents." I said laughing. "I'll even make sure she speaks a little bit of French just for you." I said winking,
"I'm just worried about that American side of her. Why couldn't you have fallen for a Canadian?"
"Haha. Growing up I said I'd marry a Canadian. We'd have a bunch of kids, and teach them hockey. We'd enjoy ourselves in the Canadian winters. Skating, tobogganing, drinking hot chocolate, having snowball fights and of course mowing down on pancakes with maple syrup. I'd have a crappy day job, but it wouldn't matter as I would come home to a loving family. Silly huh?" I chuckled.
"Sounds just like Jonny Boy over here." Dave said laughing. "Maybe you two should have run off as kids and got married."
"Oh shut up Davey. What did you say as a kid? Mr. I'm never ever ever going to get married. NEVER!" Jon said laughing.
"I was ten!"
"So was I!"
"Brothers." I said laughing and shaking my head.
"Thank goodness I didn't have any." Pat said chuckling.
"But you got to deal with the girly drama instead." I laughed. "I have brother's plural."
"Yah, but they are nice to you. This one over here is just an idiot." Jon said glaring at David.
"Oh they aren't always that nice." I said shaking my head. "They were soooooo annoying when I was younger. Too overprotective." I laughed. "Drove me out of the country twice."
"Babe, have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? I totally get the whole protective side of things." Pat said as everyone chuckled.
"I know, I know. Plus I got you out of it, but still it was like I couldn't even talk to guys when I was younger." I pouted. "They were all terrified of my brothers, and me being the sporty kid didn't really fit in with the little princesses. I was a loner." I exclaimed.
"Well I was the jock." Pat chuckled. "I made my sisters off limits too, not to the same extent but guys knew if they fucked with them they were toast."
"No really? Patty Kane was a jock?" I gasped. "I sense a dual meaning of that sentence." I said raising my eyebrows.
"Jon was always too serious for friends." David joked.
"Lies. I had friends, just ones I could get along with. You crapped your way through high school." Jon said laughing.
"I did." David said proudly. "And I got a full scholarship out of it."
"I was pretty popular back in high school. Never got too crazy, but it was fun times." Marie said smiling.
"I was an only kid, so my parents put me in this stupid preppy private school that I hated. After Grade 10 I forced them to get me out of there." Amanda said. "And there were no boys!" She exclaimed.
"Damn. That is terrible. " I said laughing. "A teenage girls worst nightmare. I atleast had guys in my reach. It helped that I played hockey with them, something my brothers couldn't do." I said smirking. "Somehow I always seem to end up falling for those damn hockey players." I said shaking my head.
"Damn, irresistible we are." Pat said chuckling.
"Oh, Im sorry did somebody just let their ego soar? Cocky idiot." I said winking.
But I'm your idiot." He said smiling and giving me a quick kiss.
"And I'm your tired girlfriend." I said laughing.
"Ughh me too." Marie exclaimed, and Amanda nodded.
"Alright then I'll see you two a practice next week." Jon said grabbing his coat. "Thanks for the beer. I can see Canada is rubbing off on you Peeks." He said winking and giving Pat a man hug before waiting by the door. We said goodbye to the younger couple and Amanda, before they left and we were alone yet again.
"So were you actually tired? Or was that just to get them to leave?"
"Well I am quite tired, but I could be persuaded to do something else."
"Then it's good I'm great at persuasion." He said winking.
"That so?" I asked cuddling into his embrace and looking up at him smiling.
"Yup."
"Ughhh who is it now?" I exclaimed as someone knocked just as our make out session was going somewhere.
"Go away!" Pat laughed.
"We are coming in!" Jon said coming back in the apartment. "Tired huh?" He smirked as Pat and I separated.
"That is how we sleep, for your information. Now to what do we owe this little interruption?"
"Yah? Jon." Pat said putting on a pouty glare.
"We need to get out of here, and it's not going to be through the lobby. I swear you are like a full on celebrity or something. It's like they are camping out there. " Jon huffed.
"Well we were trending on twitter." I said laughing. "Where'd you park? Parking lot?"
"Yah."
"Alright. Then head down and out through the parking garage. Have the girls walk out on their own and meet you out there when you pull around out front. Sorry about that." I said laughing.
"Alright, see ya at practice kiddies." Jon said waving and heading out the door.
"He's used to the media isn't he?" I questioned.
"I think he wants to keep the girls out of there as much as possible. Plus the questions they would ask would be annoying tonight."
"So do you think they will be back?" I asked smirking.
"They aren't getting in either way." Pat said locking the door following me as I headed towards the bedroom. Pat and I slept well that night and most of Sunday morning as well before sneaking out and taking our respective siblings to their airplanes. We hung around at the hotel for a while with our two families. Donna wanted to take Bella for the night as well, complaining she was never going to get to see her, to which Pat and I laughed and shook our heads. We said bye too our families, and little girl and went home to relax and enjoy our alone time. The staff at our apartment building always managed to get us in and out, over the next week. I don't know how, but it was perfect especially when we brought Bella back home. The other WAG's and I had gone out shopping on our one practice free day. Pat had done well on Daddy duty in my absence. The time had flown. Practices, hanging out with the family, and of course Bella had caused the week to fly by. It was only one night until our first home game, and my first game in the NHL. I was so excited, almost too excited to sleep. However Pat had managed to calm me down, and convince me I needed sleep for the game the next night. Thankfully Bella had been starting to sleep on a more regular schedule. One with less wake ups, and not as awkward of times for me to wake up. Less than 24 hours until my NHL career would finally begin. I went to sleep with a definite smile on my face, and an amazing guy by my side.

Notes

lemmmme know what you think xoxoxo Jordan