The One Night That Changed My Life Forever

"Rach have you seen my red tie?" Pat asked coming into the kitchen looking pretty good in his suit.
"Uhhh. Check the basket in the room. I think I washed it before Thanksgiving."
"Perfect! Thanks." He said returning to the room tie in hand.
"No problem Babe. Coffee." I said handing him the thermos.
"Bella's with Ellie. Coffee thank you." He said grabbing the thermos.
"Alright. Lets get to the UC." I said chucking him the car keys.
"Do we have to." He said pouting.
"Yes."
"But I don't want to."
"It's just a short press conference. You'll be fine." I said smiling as we entered the elevator. It was currently two weeks after thanksgiving at my house. Things had been going smoothly on the hockey front. We were currently sitting in first place with a good 2 game lead over St. Louis. After winning our first two games against St. Louis and Colorado, we had a short break over the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday. After the break we had started back into game mode. Winning the next two out of three games was pretty good for us, only losing to the Flyers on our three game road trip. I added another goal and assist to my point total. Pat had also made the scoresheet the past three games as well. As of now we were headed to the press conference regarding Pat and I. Apparently you could only ignore the media for so long before they convinced the people above you to call a press conference. I myself was okay with it, after all everyone was going to find all the dirt eventually. Did I think everyone needs to know? Of course not, but if it allows me to continue playing hockey, being with the man I love, and having an adorable daughter with said man then so be it.
FLASHBACK
"Q!" I muttered to myself. Tonight was the first away game of the season and we were playing the Flyers. Yet again I found myself kept out from the locker room by another clueless security guard. Q had promised me I would get in fine, and that he would have my ID card waiting for me after the game. Gosh this was such a hassle. All I wanted to do was get ready, I guess that wasn't happening for another few minutes.
"Yo Carson good luck scoring on me stuck out there." The Flyer's goalie Steve Mason said winking at me.
"Ehhhhh. I'll let Kane kick your ass for me." I said smirking and looking back at him.
"Kid's got nothing on me, you however rookie we'll have to see." He said winking. "Roy. Let her in." He said shaking his head. "Sooooo you and Kane huh?"
"Yes if you must know." I sighed laughing. "Thanks for getting me in, sorry if we win tonight." I said making a scared face.
"Haha not happening. Where's your ID badge? It would make things a whole lot easier."
"Q has it. Getting it today thank goodness. This is the second time in three games."
"Eh! Eh! Eh! What's this? Fraternizing with the enemy?" Jon said in serious mode but you could see the slight smirk on his face.
"For your information, I got your rookie into here. You left her to face the security guard again. How's it going Toews." Steve said smiling.
"Good. You?"
"Better once we win tonight." Steve said laughing.
"We'll see. Let's go Carson."
"Thanks again!" I said waving and smiling.
"You are too nice with the enemy." Jon said shaking his head.
"Am not! I was being friendly."
"Yah, yah. What about Quick, Oshie, Crosby?"
"Hey! That's no fair. They were my friends before the NHL." I said laughing.
Jon shook his head as he pushed in the door to the locker room. "Found her." He said laughing. "Fraternizing with the enemy!" He exclaimed.
I threw my hands in the air in surrender. "I was not fraternizing you liar!" I exclaimed.
"Eh, Carson Coach dropped of your ID badge, looking smoking." Crow said giving me a thumbs up.
"God! That would have been useful 5 minutes ago. The I wouldn't have found myself "Fraternizing" with the enemy right Jon?" I said smirking. "Awe thanks Crow!"
"Unnecessary Crow." Pat said chuckling. "You totally couldn't get through again could you?" Pat said laughing, as the others joined in.
"Yah, yah laugh it up. You guys left me with no one but the Flyers to get me in." I said pouting.
"Well to be fair we did send Jon out to find you, and it seems he was headed the right direction."
"Like ten minutes later Sharpie." I said laughing and settling down in my stall starting to get ready.
"Well next time have your stupid badge." He said smirking.
"Hahaha funny." I said winking as coach walked in the room. He gave his pre game spiel and then we were on the ice warming up.
"Mason." I said nodding my head smiling.
"Carson." He said returning the smile before we both continued our respective practices.
**
4-3 we lost. Lost! It was a terrible feeling if I must say so myself. I mean it was an overtime loss, but still a loss. Losing made my goal seem so much smaller in the scheme of things.
"Uggghhh." I muttered sitting back into my stall defeated.
"Loosing sucks huh?" Pat said sliding closer to my stall.
"I understand why you always used to be so mopey/" I chuckled.
"Kaner mopey? Never!" Jon exclaimed hand over his heart. "Alright guys and girl. It's the first loss of the year. I'm not going to stand up here and lie and say that it doesn't suck, but who's kidding who we win and we loose. I wish we could but we aren't going to win every game. Tonight was no ones fault so don't go blaming yourself for what you didn't or did do. If you honestly think you should have done better in a certain area then talk to me or practice. We win as a team, loose as a team. Now we have one more game on this road trip, and hell we are going to play our butts off because momma and papa toews are going to be there." He said glaring jokingly as each one of us. "In all seriousness don't let the loss bring down your game, especially you rookie." He said winking at me. "Remember the positives. We got it to overtime, thank you Rachel for that beauty. We got a point, we could have come away with zero but we didn't so as bad as losing sucks, remember we played right with them and next time we can beat them."
"Captain Serious making his first appearance." Pat whispered in my ear making me chuckle.
"Couldn't have said it any better myself." Coach said after Jon finished his captaincy speech. "You all played good, that goal was just perfectly played. You guys played good for it being the third game of the season. Now like Jonny said, we leave for Winnipeg tomorrow. We will practice when we get there meaning a late morning, early afternoon practice. Then sleep, morning skate, and then we kick some Jet's butt." Everyone agreed laughing at coach. Since Pat and I were considered serious by the team they didn't even bother getting me a hotel room seeing as it was the first road trip and I was the rookie. I knew the special treatment wouldn't last, but hey I got to spend two nights with Pat.
"Jonny, what bed do you want?"
"I'll take this one, you two can have the one by the window."
"So Amanda's meeting you here right?"
"Yup. In like twenty minutes. It took her a while to get a cab, too bad she couldn't come on the bus."
"Ahh well, main thing is she's here. " I said laughing and chucking my body onto the bed.
"It's a full house tonight, the last time we were all together it was in Ottawa. Remember that Jonny?" I said my facial expression one of excitement.
"Yah. I was being a chicken shit and then you told me to talk to her. Then she got nervous because I hadn't told her it was going to be date night with you guys." Jon said laughing.
"Haha. Yes, we had a nice little chat." I said smirking. "But everything worked out! Looking back now, I'm the reason why two of Chicago's most eligible bachelors are off the market."
"Imagine if we hadn't met that night." Pat said.
"I have no clue where I'd be right now. Probably depressed, no job, no school…"
"You would've gotten through it, you're the strongest chick I know." Jon said laughing.
"Not always Jon." I said smiling softly. "Speaking of being strong, my muscles have toughed out the stiffness for too long. I'm going to grab a bath, yes you can come but no funny business like last time. We are taking a bath, getting ready for bed, and going to sleep." I looked seriously at Pat.
"Fine." He huffed.
"Don't worry Jon, you're safe." I said laughing. We will be out in an hour, not our bed." I whispered in his ear as he blushed slightly before returning back to normal.
"Are you actually being serious on the whole bath thing?" Pat asked.
"Well most of it. What you'll have to figure out now won't you. " I said starting the hot water.
"I will never get tired of looking at you." Pat said looking me up and down as I stripped down and slid into the water after cranking some relaxing tunes.
"How could you? I mean look at this body." I said laughing.
"Right." He said chuckling. I leaned back into him head on his shoulder and just rested there.
Damn! I fell asleep! I though to myself as I woke up to talking on the other side of the room.
"Mr. Kane. Care to explain how I got back into bed, and what I'm wearing?" I said sitting up and smirking.
"Haha. You're finally awake. We were just going to get you up and head for dinner. Oh and easy. I carried you duh." He said laughing.
"Hmmm. I see." I said pondering things. "I hate these stupid early games. Messes up my sleep schedule."
"Yes. We've seen." Pat said winking. "Oh yah Bella says hi, well without actually saying it."
"Awwweee I missed family chat." I said pouting. "Becca and Ellie getting along fine with her?"
"Yah they said she's been good. A little fussy, but nothing too bad."
"Good. Hey Amanda." I said smiling as I dug through my bag for something a bit more presentable.
"What! You're not going to wear my shirt?" Pat said pouting.
"Uh, no. What would everyone think." I said shaking my head and chuckling.
"But--"
"Nope."
"Fine. But it does look good on you." He said smirking.
"Dinner?" Jon butted in causing us to laugh.
"Haha sorry Cap, let me CHANGE then we can get out of here."
"I get it." Pat said.
"You do?" I asked shocked before heading into the bathroom and quickly changing into some lulu lemon black tights, and my own Blackhawks sweater. I threw my hair up in a messy pony after a quick brush.
"Alright I'm ready." I said coming back out a minute later.
"Damn. Why can't you get changed that quickly?" Jon joked looking at Amanda.
"Ahh that comes with the whole sportive thing. Plus do you see my outfit compared to hers? Sorry Patty." I said winking.
"Yah but you play professional hockey! So much cooler." Amanda exclaimed.
"And you are stunning, without even trying and you don't even know." I said. "I wonder if Pat knew this is what he was getting." I said laughing and motioning to my body.
"Shush." Amanda exclaimed.
"Dinner." Jon piped in again. This time it atleast triggered some movement.
"I'd still take you right here." Pat said whispering in my ear before leaning in to kiss me against the wall.
"DIIIINNNEER." Jon called from down the hall.
"We are coming!" Pat exclaimed before resuming the kiss.
"Damn. We need to do that more often." I said as we walked hand in hand towards the open elevator waiting for us. Jon went to say something but Pat stopped him.
"Yes. Dinner we know." He said shaking his head while snaking his arms around my waist and resting his head on the top of mine.
"Do you two ever stop?" Jon said eyebrows raised.
"Stop what Jonny?"
"Stop being so damn cuddly!" Pat and I exchanged looks.
"No." We both said laughing.
"Good to know. Next time you guys get a room to yourselves. Friggin honeymoon stage." I heard him mumble under his breath.
"Amanda you're coming next game right?" I asked.
"Yup."
"Nice ulterior motives there Jonny." I said laughing and shaking my head. "Plus you have to get married before you can have a honeymoon stage Jonny Boy." I whispered in his ear before we all got out of the elevator and made our way to the reserved section of the hotel. A couple of the other guys had made an appearance at some point throughout our meal. It wasn't an organized team meal, so it was self serve. We ate, strategized how we were going to pull off a win, and then headed off to bed to rest up for the next few days.
**
"So Jonny, when are your parents coming?" I asked Jon as we were currently flying towards Winnipeg.
"They'll be here for the next two days, you'll see them periodically. Probably waving at practices or with Amanda." He chuckled.
"Sweet." I said turning back forwards and resting my head on Pat's shoulder. Patrick being Patrick was playing some video game and getting all competitive with Sharpie. It's like deja vu I thought, as this happened so often between the two. I put my music in, drowning out the male voices laughing over the game and closed my eyes.
"How should we wake her up?" I heard as I turned my music off subtly. I just woke up to the sound of the seatbelt sign.
"No." I heard Pat say. I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Ohhh boys." I said laughing. "I actually have to be asleep for you to wake me up Sharpie. Did you win the game babe?"
"Yeah!" Pat said eyes lighting up.
"Humph." I hear Sharpie sigh and flop back into his seat.
"Good job." I said smiling and giving him a quick kiss.
**
"And you're Winnipeg Jets fall 4-1 against the Chicago Blackhawks, join us for the next game Thursday night when the Jets take on the Boston Bruins at 7."

The game was good. One assist, and lots of chances. My goal of the game had been to repay Jon back for that goal he had let me have my first game as it was his hometown. You could just tell he was loved here, no doubt. That's where my one assist had come from. I was on the second line of the power play and he was still on the ice, staying out a bit longer as the play was in the Jets end. Tape to tape and the puck had found the back of the net and the score was now 3-1. Unfortunately Jon didn't get his hat trick but a couple goals and an assist was nothing to be ashamed of. Pat had scored one of the goals, as well as the other Patrick. We ended up going out with Jon and some of his hometown friends. We went to a low-key sports bar and just hung out, and relaxed.
END FLASHBACK

"Yo babe. Welcome to the world." Pat said waving his hand in front of my face.
"Sorry."
"Where'd ya go?" He asked chuckling.
"Philly, Winnipeg… just thinking."
"Haha remember how I took back the scoring lead?"
"Yes. By one goal! Not much of lead." I said winking.
"Still a lead." He said grinning.
"It is, just not a great one." I said laughing.
"How's your side?" Pat had discovered the bruise I had gotten from Winnipeg, last night.
"It's fine." I said. "See it's just a bruise." I said lifting the side of my shirt showing him. We were in the UC parking lot so it was no big deal.
"Yeah, but I still don't like it." He grumbled running his hand along the bruise.
"It was just a hit. I'll face worse. If it was bad then you would have been first to know. I've gotten bruised before, this is nothing." I took his hand reassuring him, and giving him a soft kiss before exiting the vehicle. We walked in hand in hand to the press conference that had obviously been called to clear up our relationship.
"Alright you two, for the first part they want to talk to you Rachel. They want to know about the whole girl in the NHL experience. Then I'm sure you two know another topic that will probably be coming up." Q said raising his eyebrows.
"Got it coach." I said nodding my head and giving Pat a hug and a quick kiss before following Q out to where the press awaited. My questions went past quickly, they were the same questions I had been asked in a bunch of interviews so I guessed they just wanted them all in one place. There were the questions about how I liked playing, whether I was going to be able to withstand the level at which the game way played, and how I was fitting in with the team.
"I think I'm fitting in pretty good. The guys and I have a bit of history together so that always helps facilitate the process. They have been very welcoming and I think they enjoy being able to say they play with the only girl in the NHL. Even before getting the call to play I considered these guys as my family. They are all great friends and amazing people that I can say I'm lucky enough to know and play with. I have lots to prove that's for sure, but I'm willing to work for it and show that I deserved this spot."
"How is the locker room situation after games?"

"Haha yes. It's actually been working out great so far. The Blackhawks gave me the ensuite sort of bathroom so I can shower and change without making the others wait. The guys are great, probably helps that if they tried anything they would face Pat. So yah everything is good on that front."
"Alright since there's no more questions I'm here for questions and we'll resume after a 10 minute break."
"You did great, a natural." Pat said hugging me.
"Ugh, that was the easy part. Though really who cares honestly about you and me?"
"They just want a story, and well as we both play professional hockey that fits their bill. "
"Right." I said laughing. "You're happy right?"
"Yah, why wouldn't I be?"
"Everything just happened so fast, such a big change. Just making sure you're happy about it, truly happy."
"I love you Rach, and I adore my little girl. I'm almost 26, that's not to early for either of those things to happen."
"Good. I love you too." I said smiling as the guy came out and nodded at us.
"Showtime." Pat said winking, before we both stepped out smiling in front of the podium.
"Patrick! Rachel! " I heard coming from all over the room.
"We are here for a hour guys, we've got time." Pat said shaking his head.
"Patrick is the kid yours?"

"Wow, jumping right in huh. Yes she's mine, ours." He said arm around my waist protectively.
"Was this planned?"

"No, it wasn't." He said shaking his head. "But. Before you ask your next question, no she did not get pregnant on purpose so don't even ask."
"How did you manage to keep it hidden, we would never have guessed."

"That's her story to tell not mine." Pat said chuckling and looking over to me.
"Right that is true." I said laughing myself. "I actually didn't find out I was pregnant until about two months befor I was due, that being the end of july start of August. I have a thing that causes my body not to show many of the symptoms people would consider normal pregnancy symptoms, so I didn't realize until it was almost time for me to have her. Believe me I was just as shocked as Pat was."
"So you two aren't just together for the baby?"

"I'll take this one." Pat exclaimed. "No, we aren't. If anything she strengthens our relationship. We've always had a strong relationship, and not knowing about the baby and letting our relationship develop eight months beforehand was the best thing for us. Now with just another thing in common, it's just another positive in our relationship."
"So a question everyone is interested to know. What is her name?"

"Her name is Isabella Grace Kane, after our lost friend Isabelle who was such a great part in each of our lives, everyone's life." I said into the microphone.
"Ah yes, wonderful girl. Sad she couldn't be with us today. But its a touching name."

"Yes. It is I saw her as a sister, and it was a tough loss but we get through it. When asked for the name it just came naturally. She was a big part of our relationship and will remain so."
The questions continued. Always more of the same thing. Were we ready to be parents? How did we do it both being on the road at the same time. Whether our families were on board. Then of course the next step in our relationship. The answers came easy as we both saw Bella as the best thing in our life.
"We are glad to see such a young couple such as yourselves having a relationship this strong. Best of luck in the future and we look forward to your future."

"Thank you. We look forward to our future too, I promise to make it worth the wait." Pat being Pat said winking.
"One last question. Did you ever think you would be in this position?"

"Uhh, well I figured I'd fall in love someday. I guess it took me 25 years to truly find it. I didn't think it would come out of the split of my previous relationship, but I wouldn't change a thing." Pat said shrugging.
"Before I met Pat, I never saw myself even playing hockey again. So no, I never saw it coming, but honestly who would. Sure I'm young, some may say too young to have a kid and a full time career, but I wouldn't trade it for the world."
"Thank you for your time today. There you have it folks the story on Chicago's hockey couple. Things are looking pretty serious here in Chicago…who know's future Mrs. Kane? I guess we'll just have to wait and see. From the UC, farewell and have a great rest of your day. Thanks for tuning in."

With that we were given the go ahead that it was over and we were free to leave whenever.
"See not so bad." I said squeezing his arm.
"Still annoying. It's none of their business really."
"But, they are you're fans. It's part of the job description, plus it's better having it all in the open, and not something spit out from the rumour mill."
"Yah, yah. It just seems more real now that it's you, me and a kid. I just want to protect her as long as possible."
"And I stand behind that 100 precent." I said smiling back. "Now what do you say we grab a quick lunch, you and I no crying baby, and then go pick up that crying bundle of joy." I asked.
"You just used crying and bundle of joy together in the same sentence." He said laughing. "But yes that sounds good, possible future Mrs. Kane." He said sliming his arm around my shoulders.
"Oh yeah?"
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see." He said winking and mocking the reporter. I shook my head and continued walking to the car, smile never leaving my face. We had lunch at a pretty low key restaurant. Nothing fancy or over the top, but the food was delicious. It was nice to have an hour or so to ourselves to just hang, and talk with no obligations or stresses to worry about. After leaving the diner we headed over to my old apartment in search of our daughter. Rebbeca was touched to know that her daughter had made such an impact on our lives. If only she knew how those letters changed me, and made me realize how important somethings and some people are in your life. Bella decided not to sleep much longer after we made it home. Waking up as soon as the car was in park. She loved car rides, and always managed to sleep through them. It sure was nice sometimes. I thought smiling. The rest of our day was spent lounging. It was one of those rare off days and we were taking advantage of not having to do anything all day. We ordered in and watched movies like an old married couple. Thankfully we weren't always this boring, but today was definitely a day devoted to relaxation and relaxation only. Even the simplest things were fun, when you had the right company.
"Rach."
"Yah, whats up?"
"I love you." He said smiling. I smiled back, it was impossible not to. He had been saying that a lot lately and each time made my heart leap a little in my chest.
"I love you too."
"You know, I want you to be mine forever right?"
"Awe romantic Patrick is making an appearance." I said chuckling. "I'd like nothing more in the world than that."
"Good." He said grinning. "Forever and always I will love you." He said giving me a quick kiss.
"Forever and always." I said curling up beside him, wondering when my life had become perfect, complete.

Notes

A/N
Alright…so the story is going to jump quite a bit. Almost a year or so. Before anyone wonders if they missed something or a few chapters not to worry, the major things will be told through flashbacks within the next few chapters… you will see why. I just had the idea so I wanted to make it work. The next little bit of the story will be predominantly from Patrick's point of view. I know none of you will see this coming but i hope you like it. Don't be mad I skipped ahead ;) Thanks for reading xoxoxoxo Jordan