"Pretty please tell me where we are going?" I asked as we drove away from the UC but not in what I knew to be the direction of our apartment.
"Nope." Pat said grinning. " You'll see soon enough." He said winking. "Anyways… you see my goal?" He said obviously changing the topic.
"Only if you tell me where we are going."
"The lake."
"Really?"
"Mhmm. So you see my goal?"
"Yes. I saw it." I said laughing. "Now are you taking me to the lake to hide my body? Should I be worried here?"
"Haha nope. No body hiding tonight. Consider it a relaxing trip."
"Ughh I've been relaxing the past 5 months on a hospital bed." I sighed.
"Good. It's not going to be relaxing." Pat said raising his eyebrows and smirking.
"Relaxing isn't that bad." I said laughing.
"Nope but that's not what we are doing." Pat said chuckling as he pulled up to a private beach. "We have to walk like 5 minutes to get to the house." He said picking up on my not knowing where to go.
"Your house?"
"Nope. Yours." He said laughing. "I've already got one."
"I bought a house?" I said incredulously.
"Yup. You wanted Bella to always have a bit of beach to call her own. It's a nice house."
"Haha I wouldn't buy it if it wasn't." I chuckled skipping in the sand. "Still can't believe I bought a house."
"Don't worry you didn't go crazy. It's just a nice house." He said pointing towards a house further down the beach.
"That's it?" I asked, not as if I could see that far down.
"Yup."
"Haha I can't see anything except the bonfire going on at the neighbours."
"You don't really have neighbours."
"Umm ok then." We'd find out soon enough who they were.
"OMG is that Patrick Kane?" I heard a girl say.
"Haha. Hey was your flight good?" I heard the two talking as I walked up to where they had been hugging.
"Great. You always get me the best Mr. Kane. Now where's that bitch of a friend. I'm not happy with the whole five month coma thing. I needed girl talks."
"Haha she's right there. Probably wondering what the hell is going on." I heard laughing as I saw his silhouette pointing in my direction.
"Right just let me clear that up. Oh and Megs flew back with me for a couple weeks. She wanted to talk if you were up to it."
"We'll see. How's she doing?"
"Less bitchy. Really nice girl actually. I think she just needed a lot of love, more than even you could give her."
"Haha yeah. Well I'm glad she's doing well."
"Yah, she actually has a job now and everything. Her French is spectacular, and she's traveling for her job."
"So she's doing fine without me." I heard Pat chuckle. Megan was his ex I think. I heard something about it in the hospital. They still keep in contact though?
"Just fine. No worries anymore. I think this gave her the motivation to make something of her life. Is she just going to stand there in the shadows?"
"Haha, umm she doesn't remember so she thinks that you and I don't know each other."
"Rach it's just me." I heard and instantly knew who it was. No way! I thought eyes widening. Right that picture! Gone were the thoughts of him kissing another girl.
"Slut." I exclaimed giving her a hug.
"Ahh there's my bitch. Nice house ya have here."
"Good you like it. I forget what it looks like. What are you doing here?"
"Pattie invited me."
"Did he?"
"Yup. Had to see my little sis alive and well. Plus I've made a couple friends out here." I heard Pat laugh and saw him shaking his head.
"I can only imagine." I said as we walked up to the beginning of the actual property.
"Haha where's the boyfriend?" Pat said chuckling.
"Ahh that one we decided to end it on good terms. As for the other one we'll have to see how tonight goes." I saw her winking at Pat.
"Right let me give him a call." Pat said grabbing out his phone.
"Corey, you here yet?" He said opening the door to the warm house.
"Yah, your girl's here."
"Oh yes you do have a girlfriend." He said laughing.
"Alright see ya in five."
"He's coming?"
"Yup, now set your plan in motion." He said going for the lights.
"Pat why are there cars in the parking lot over there?" I asked looking out the window.
"Huh?" He said walking out beside me. "Ohh that's because…."
"Because… You totally are having a party at my place!" I exclaimed punching him jokingly in the shoulder.
"Not just any party." He said raising his eyebrows. "Tomorrow? I wasn't forgetting."
"Haha thanks. A pre-birthday party. I figured you wouldn't. Let me guess everyone is in the basement?" I asked hearing the music coming from underneath me.
"Yah it was too cold for an outdoor party so we planned it for the inside. How'd you know? She could have had music playing."
"Because you idiot I just saw all those cars at the UC." I said shaking my head. "But I didn't realize it until now, so it was a good surprise."
"What the hell is this about, I have a girlfriend? Corey said coming though the door.
"Well I've heard some news, something about this single girl you've been crushing on…a girlfriend?" Pat said wiggling his eyebrows.
"Uhhh.. okay?"
"Really?"
"What? I don't know where you heard that or what you heard for that matter, but I haven't met any girls lately."
"Exactly."
"Hey Pat you know if there's any good beer around here? The Canadians want stronger stuff--"
"Holy Shit!" Corey exclaimed, I could see his eyes widening.
"Oh hey." She said winking. "So beer?"
"Tell em it's in the cooler in the right corner. They should be happy." He said chuckling. "Damn Canadians." He said laughing earning a glare from both Corey and I.
"Hey, there mister. No grumbling because we have better beer than you, and that we can drink it at 19. I might not remember everything but I'm damn sure I'm still Canadian."
"I could drink at 18 actually." Crow piped in. "What's the age in the states again?"
"Haha I was in France so…it was 18 too." I said laughing and giving Crow a high five. "Go get the damn girl. If you do anything, I will hunt you down and kill ya."
"Oh I got the same speech at the wedding. No worries." He said looking sincere.
"Now shoo."
"Aweeeeeeeee too cute." I said doing a little happy dance.
"You're happy." Pat said looking amused.
"Well duh! He seems nice and she deserves nice. Who was the other guy?"
"Ahhh right. Remember you said it was fine and meant it."
"Uhhh okay…"
"Maxime."
"Like my Maxime, Maxime?"
"That's the one. They dated for over a year. They didn't think the whole long distance relationship was worth it though, so they decided to go their own ways."
"He didn't pull anything stupid?"
"Nope.I think they both just realized they were better off as friends. 6 months ago they were dating. I have no clue when they called it off though."
"She didn't cheat on him with Corey did she? If she did I will kill him." I said glaring.
"Nah, he was too scared. You made sure of that. But you said if the two of them didn't work out then she was fair game and that if he did anything to hurt her, he was dead." Pat said chuckling.
"Haha good to know old me and new me are on the same page." I said laughing. "Hey! You totally stole my music!" I exclaimed as one of my favourite French songs came on.
"Not me." He said laughing.
"Right… I've got to go find Celia, be right back." I said going downstairs with a huge smile on my face. Soon enough Celia and I were singing along to the song.
Tu aimerait fait… ta fête.

La mayor veux te le faire aussi… ta fête.

La juge voudrait te faire…ta fête.

Tout le monde ferras aussi…ta fête.
"Damn now I really wish I spoke french." I heard Pat and a few other guys chuckling behind us.
"Pretty simple song." Jon said laughing. "I say we do it." He said winking.
"Yeah?"
Mmmhhmmm." He said nodding.
"Your next game isn't for a few days right?"
"Saturday. Yeah."
"Alright then. Let's get this party started." And party we did. Beers had been traded for hard alcohol before a few interesting visitors made their appearance.
"How you lot have won 3 cups I have no idea." Karlsson came down the stairs followed by a few other Sens. They must not be flying out until later tomorrow I thought to myself.
"Now. Where's the birthday girl? Kind of amusing that we are her favourite team." Spezza said smirking.
"Apparently it's were. You were my favourite team. I don't know what that's about." I said shrugging my shoulders. "I don't know if I've met you guys before, but as you've probably figured out I'm Rachel. "
"Met, no. Played against twice. Both losses thanks for that by the way." Bobby Ryan said chuckling.
"Yo Turris. Introduce yourself." Spezza called to the guy behind him.
"What I'm just inviting myself to the free booze, that these bozos have obviously been drinking for a while."
"Kyle Turris nice to meet you. I'm Rachel." I said sticking my hand out with a smile. "Now I've been told that this house here is my house, so I say that you guys can drink for free tonight. Everything's over there at the bar. Turris will show ya." I said winking. "Don't mind the drunk ones, they are quite funny. There's room to crash so don't worry about anything. What time are you guys heading home?"
"Not until like 2:30. But we'd have to be out of here before 12."
"Alright. I'm setting my alarm for 10 as I have no clue where this night is headed. I think I've had drinking competitions with atleast half the guys here."
"And that there is why you are Kane's wife. Not only can you outdrink his skinny ass, you hide it so much better. Plus you had to be the least bit hot to make him settle down for good."
"Haha right. No hitting on the wives and or girlfriends." I said laughing. "Looks like I've been summoned. Make yourselves comfortable, and thanks for coming. There's still a place in my heart for you guys. But I'm going to have to ask you for a birthday present."
"Hmmmm."
"Well ya can't come and drink my booze for free without taking a picture with the birthday girl." I said laughing. Why was I laughing? They laughed and we took a funny selfie, before they started up conversations of their own. I texted Dyl and Scott to the best of my abilities:
Happy 24th Birthday to me!!!! Ahhh Sens are in my house! #drunkandfreakingout

Dyl~~Oh God! There is no way you are drinking with the fucking Sens! Don't do anything stupid. Love ya sis <3 He attached a picture with the caption #jealous. I laughed.
Scott~~ Rach! Drinking is bad :( Angry Face. Haha just kidding. Say Hi for me, maybe get a few things autographed for your bestest brother. Be safe, and have fun. Happy birthday :)
"Soooo I want to see a Kane showdown. We already know who's fastest on ice, but drinking? That's a whole new ball game right there." Turris said laughing. If Pat was anywhere as buzzed as me…ugghh this is such a bad idea. Yet here we were, some sort of shots set out in front of us waiting to be drank.
"Such a bad idea." I managed to get out.
"Feels like the first night I met you." Pat said laughing. "We'll have to relive it. Meaning we are taking a walk on the beach after this. I am saying this now before this all settles in."
"Alright lovebirds get to it."
"5...4…3…2…1…Go!" In the end neither of us won. We had tied. We were now attempting our romantic (sarcasm) walk down the beach. It ended up with both of us falling in the sand, laughing over absolutely nothing. It was great.
**********************************************
Pat's POV:
"Rach."
"Yah."
"I think we are drunk."
"Haha ya think?" She said lying back into the sand. "It's friggin cold in Chicago!"
"You want to walk back to the bonfire?" I asked, keeping the whole I could warm you up stuff for another day.
"Sure but, I don't think I want to get up."
"I'll help ya." I said pushing myself up slowly. "And I'm up."
"Yes, you are. I'm down." She said pouting.
"And now you're up and I'm down." I said pulling her up.
"Why'd you go back down? I can't help you up." She said laughing.
"Well because I wanted to give you something."
"Way down there?"
"Mhmmmm way down here."
"What?"
"Well I wanted to return something that's rightfully yours." I said pulling out the ring box. "That is if you still want to be my wife?"
"Patrick Kane! Are you proposing to a married woman? Shame on you." She said laughing.
"Nah, that parts already over. But I did want to give you the ring back. "
"Haha a drunk re-proposal. Very classy Mr. Kane. I'd love to wear your ring." She said winking. "Though you might have to teach me the ropes on how to be Patrick Kane's wife."
"Just be you. The person I'm in love with and it'll be fine." I said smiling back and sliding the ring back onto the finger that had been bare the last few days.
"I'll try my best. Now get off your damn knee and take me back to the warmth!" She said laughing.
"Coming." I said laughing back. Well the ring was a start, I thought to myself suddenly feeling just a little bit more sober. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and smiled a little bit as I felt her snuggle back into my warm body. Can't kiss her is what I repeated through my brain that excruciating walk back to the house. The party had started to die down by the time we got there. Nothing scary was going on. A few guys were still at it, laughing and talking around the couch. The couples had found guest rooms to sleep in. I felt bad for Amanda, as Jonny literally was covering the poor girl. We were going to need a damn good cleaning crew tomorrow I thought as we manoeuvred to the master bedroom which I had locked before the night had even begun.
"Aweeeeeeee!" Rach exclaimed, giggling.
"What? Ahhhh." I said laughing as I saw what she was pointing to.
"Corey got himself a guuuurlfriend." I said laughing.
"We'll see." She said shaking her head before finally pushing the door open. "BED!" She exclaimed flopping onto it stretching out to cover the entirety of the bed.
"Hmmm I see how this works." I said pouting.
"What? You don't want to sleep like Jon? Sleeping starfish position?" She said laughing.
"I mean, I guess I could." I said smirking and calling her bluff as I stood at the edge of the bed ready to flop down.
"Alright, Alright I guess I can share half." She said laughing and wiggling over.
"What?! No Starfish pose?" I said falling back onto the bed.
"No way! You're huge."
"Am not!"
"Are too." She giggled.
"Take it back." I said smirking. If only she knew what she would be subjected to if she didn't take it back.
"What it's true. Dat ass."
"Oh really? Have you seen Jon's? Never mind scratch that. Oh really?"
"Mmmmmmm Jonny's ass. What a beaut." She said winking. "Perfectly sculpted, muscular.."
"Oh your going to get it now! Starfish position it is." I said flopping onto my back. "Mhmmmm that's better. How do you like my big ass now. Better than Jon's?" I asked chuckling.
"Patrick Timothy Kane. Off me right now!"
"Hmmmm I don't know. This is pretty comfy."
"Now. Or you're sleeping on the couch beside the Senators. I heard Karlsson's a good cuddler."
"Ehhhhhh, I think I'll roll back over now." I said defeated.
"Probably for the best. I've been told I'm a pretty good cuddler."
"By whom?"
"People." She said winking. "Maybe you should try, might like it." She said smirking.
"I fucking love you Rach. Don't get hurt ever again." I said hugging her tightly. "You're killing me though."
"Hmmmmm. How's that?"
"I've got to cuddle with you and not do a friggin thing. Do you know how hard that is?"
"Probably harder now that you're buzzed, and well I'm buzzed and you can't take advantage of me because I've seen you, your the good guy." She said smirking.
"Oh I'm not that good." I growled lightly. "Just for my wife. A wife that may be buzzed, but if she keeps this up she might just see the other side of me." I said as she returned the hug.
"I'm honestly surprised you've lasted this long." She said laughing. "I may not remember everything but man, 5 months pretty impressive if I do say so myself."
"Ughhh but at least you were on a hospital bed. But now I'm dying."
"Mhmmmm. So what are we doing for my birthday tomorrow?"
"Sleeping off this hangover for starters. Then my sisters wanted to know if you'd go shopping and well to their favourite place otherwise known as the spa, with them. Then I was thinking dinner to end the day. You can say no to my sisters if you don't want to go."
"What are you going to do all day?"
"Haha probably sleep off this party, call in the cleaners, and chill with my parents and the kids. Not really a spa person. I tend to leave that to you girls." I said chuckling.
"You don't know what you're missing out on. I mean goodness, massages are to die for."
"Mhmmm. Like this?" I asked rolling my hands on her back
"God. Pat that feels so good. Totally your new job from now on. Personal masseuse."
"I think I'll stick to hockey." I said chuckling.
"Yes, I've heard you're pretty good." She said laughing.
"I wonder where you've heard that. Man I think the booze is starting to wear off." I said as I was starting to get a small headache.
"Yah, it has been a few hours." She said sitting up. "You getting a headache? I don't know what they put in those last drinks but my goodness." She said looking at me with tired eyes. Ugh those eyes. I thought using all my energy to push myself out of bed.
"I'll be right back." I said heading towards the kitchen in search of water.
Holy Crap. She is friggin sexy as hell. I thought as I stood in the doorway two bottles of water in my hand, watching my wife stripping down to her bra and underwear. Holy Crap it's been too long, I thought.
"You coming in or just going to stand there?" Rach said turning around an amused look on her face.
Well I'd been caught. "Sorry." I said working my eyes up her body before looking her in the eyes. "Can't help it." I mumbled.
"It's okay." She smiled softly. "I'm going to head to bed. Is that for me?" She asked pointing at the water,
"Yup." I said tossing the bottle. "Got some Advil too if you want it." She nodded so I chucked the second bottle, before taking a swig of my own water and settling into the bed.
**
"Damnit. How do you two have so much energy?" Spezza said as Rach shook them all up after the friggin alarm went off at 10 o'clock.
"Boys. Food is on the table and there's Advil and water right here." Yup she had woken up and made food. Goodness I was glad to have her back I thought as I ate a biteful of the omelette she had made me.
"Ugghhh Pattie what time is it?" I heard from behind me.
"Haha you guys came. Damn you guys look good." I said laughing at my sisters.
"Shut up." They glared jokingly before grabbing a seat and a couple Advil.
"Wait, when did you guys get here?" Rach asked handing them each a plate.
"Sometime between when you two were having a drinking contest and when you ditched us for the beach."
"Oops Sorry. But look I'm married again." She said winking and showing her hand.
"Haha I see Kaner's living up to last year's birthday." Jon said chuckling as he sat down.
"Where's Amanda. And last year?" Rach asked.
"She's been a bit tired lately, I'm going to let her sleep a bit longer. As for last year, blondie here friggin proposed as part of your birthday. Romantic dinner, walk and everything."
"Well I figured if you didn't remember anytime soon it would be nice to atleast sort of know what it felt like the first time. The first time was a bit more romantic though." I said laughing softly.
"What? Drunk on the beach wasn't romantic for ya." Rach said laughing. "Don't worry it was perfect." She said smiling. "Anyone want anything else before I go check on the others. Nope okay perfect, let me know when you guys need to leave and we'll get you back." She said leaving the room.
"You are so f--ing lucky." Spezza and company turned to look at me. "Cooks breakfast before even worrying about how she's feeling. Again lucky!"
"Too bad she's married. She'd be perfect for you Spezz." I said winking.
"Haha funny."
"Yah real funny Pat." Erica said shaking her head.
"Right so how am I going to explain this." I said pointing to the three of them. "To our parents?"
"Pat it was a party thrown by you. Oh mom remembers your partying years. This is nothing."
"Good point." I said laughing before turning back to my food.
************************
Rachel's POV:
"You doing alright Amanda? Jonny said you weren't feeling too well."
"I'l be good just a bit sick is all." She said returning from the bathroom.
"Here I got you some mouthwash from my bathroom. I'd say you might need it more than me." I said smiling.
"You know don't you." She said shaking her head smiling.
"Maybe. I can read signs. I'll go get Jonny for ya." I said chuckling before sticking my head back into the dinning room.
"Yo Jonny Boy."
"Yup."
"I think your girl drank a bit too much last night."
"Wha--Right coming. I'll take care of her."
"She alright?" Pat asked.
"Oh. Yah nothing major. Just a bit hungover that's all." I said smiling. "Wow devouring my food eh? Morning my four lovebirds." I said smiling at Corey, Celia, Eliie, and Brandon. Sharpie and Abby were up as well and seemed to be in the best condition of anyone probably as Abby was in no condition to party.
"She feeling alright?" Jon asked as we walked down the hall.
"Pretty good for being hungover." I said smirking. "I think the worst of it is over now."
"You figured it out huh?"
"Again. I'm good at reading things." I said winking.
"I'd say.
"Ehhh. It's a girl thing." I said winking. "I've got her if you want to go back."
"I should probably stay." He said pointing at his sleeping fiancé.
"Noooo go." We heard her mumble from the pillow.
"On second thought, just take her home and let her sleep."
"Yah, probably for the best huh? You sure she's fine right?" He said looking at me… with those eyes.
"She's fine Jonny Boy. It's all normal. I've seen worse, be fine."
"Ughhh I hate seeing her like this. You'll cover for me right?"
"Yeah, you're good." I said smiling softly and nodding.
"Thanks. Funny last time it was me covering for the two of you. I owe ya." He said scooping Amanda up into his muscular arms.
"Don't even mention it. Get some food into her though when you get home okay." I said patting his back and walking back to where everyone was still situated around the table.
"Where's Jonny?" Pat asked.
"He took Amanda home. She figured it was better to be sick at their place than here."
"Ah makes sense." He said chuckling. "She doing alright?"
"Yah I think she's just got a little bug, and that didn't work too well with the heavy partying we were doing last night. I mean look at you guys." I said laughing. "You guys better clean up a bit. I'm not taking you guys back to the hotel looking like that," I said looking at the Ottawa players in front of me.
"Ahhhh coach. Haha we'll be ready in twenty. I still don't understand how the two of you look as good as you do."
"Ohhh my friends that involves water, Advil and sleep." I said laughing. "A comfy bed helped too." I said winking as they laughed softly.
"Well we're going to head out. Got to get back to the kiddos." Sharp said as he and Abby got up from the table.
"Thanks for coming." I said giving them a quick hug.
"Happy birthday." Sharp said ruffling my hair earning a playful glare from me as they left. Ellie and Brandon left not long after. The two lovebirds were going to hang around the house, until after the cleaning had been done. Everyone else was long gone, I had no clue who had all been there and where they ended up.
"Well you guys look better." I said laughing as they all climbed into the back of the SUV. "Thank God you don't play until tomorrow."
"Haha it was fun. Well worth it. Will we be seeing you again on the ice soon?"
"We'll see. I'm a bit rusty." I said smiling softly. "You're might have to show me the way. I'm like new to this city." I said laughing.
"Do you remember how to drive?" Spezza asked wide eyed.
"Yes!" I said laughing. "You really think I would have gotten the car from Pat if I didn't?" I laughed and pulled out of the parking lot. "Gotta love GPS'."
"Haha he trusts you with the car. GPS is probably a good thing. We don't really know much of the city either."
"Well did you see the car he ripped out of here with his sisters?"
"Yah, that was a beaut."
"Right well apparently that was my car." I said laughing.
"Good taste. Hell I wouldn't trust him with your car." Turris said jokingly.
"Haha it'll be fine." I said pulling off the expressway towards downtown. "Thanks for coming by the way. It was a great birthday."
"Anything for a Sens fan. Even one that can't cheer for us anymore unfortunately. Plus you Kanes throw a killer party."
"Haha I think that's all Pat." I said laughing as I pulled into the parking lot's reserved section.
"Miss we need to see your parking pass."
"Right, well I'm just dropping some guys off. Can I have twenty minutes?" I said looking up at the guy. "I'll pay you for it."
"Sorry we don't do that miss…"
"Kane." I said smiling. I already hated having to pull the last name card.
"Man he's like a friggin god in this city. " Karlsson said laughing as we got in easily after that.
"Ughhhh. It just feels so wrong." I said locking the car and walking in with the guys.
"Ehhh that wasn't too bad. So you coming to get your present?"
"Duhhh. And to save you if your coach gets mad."
"Well it was a last minute gift and all but I'm sure you'll like it."
"Sweet! Just coming last night was good enough." I said winking and then waving to the person at the front desk as we walked in.
"So next time you guys are in Ottawa we'll have to go out after. Need to show off our party skills."
"Hahaha I lived there too. Go to this address and you'll have a good time." I said winking and giving them the address of the Hawks bar. "We'll meet you there after the game." I said laughing. "But only if we win."
"Let me see it." Karlsson said grabbing the paper. "Ahhhh hell no." He said laughing. "Not getting within 100 feet of that place." We were both laughing by the time we got out of the elevator.
"Why not?" I said pouting.
"Nice try Kane. We'll let them find out on their own though. I'm not giving them the paper, I'll just text them to meet me there one night or next time your up. Oh god this will be hilarious." He said whispering.
"Look what the cat dragged in." One of the Ottawa rookies said sticking his head out the door. "Damn who's the hot chick. What kind of party did you guys go to?"
"Looks like someone didn't get the memo last night." I whispered to Karlsson who laughed.
"He's not the sharpest tool in the box that's for sure." He whispered back.
"So wait you come back with one girl, for all of you?" The kid asked with a look of amazement plastered over his face.
"Um excuse me, say what now?" I said laughing along with the other guys.
"Just stating the obvious." He said shrugging.
"Haha I'll forgive ya this one time rookie." I said shaking my head. "I guess I'm not a god in this city."
"Haha someone else stealing the spotlight." Spezza said laughing. "You still share the same last name though." By this time the rookie looked so confused and a couple other teammates had come to see who he was talking to and laughed.
"Rookie this is Rachel. Rachel this is the dumbotron rookie."
"Nice to meet you." I said being polite and sticking my hand out. "You already know these bozos you call your teammates."
"Shit that's a big rock." He said eyeing the ring.
"Mhmm. "
"So wait your married, and your husband doesn't care that you spent your night with them?"
"Rookie do you know what city we are in?"
"Chicago why?"
"And who is their hockey team?"
"Blackhawks duh, we played them last night."
"Uhuh. So then you know who number 88 is?"
"Ughhh yes. Why? He fucking scored on us last night. Everybody knows Kane."
"Right. So what was the huge excitement before the game about?"
"Something to do with one of their players. Not too sure. Didn't really pay attention."
"No shit." Karlsson said laughing.
"Ahhh so it was you guys that stole my team." A guy I assumed was their coach said as he made his way over. "Well I can say I've seen worse. Everyone just looks a bit tired."
"Yes, they look better than they did this morning. Sorry about stealing them away for my birthday." I said laughing and giving him a handshake.
"I was a bit worried when I heard it was the Hawks throwing the party. But hey like I said, I've seen them in worse shape. So how are you doing?"
"I'm alright. Just kind of getting settled back into my life. Seems I'm suffering from a bit of memory loss, so we're hoping that goes away soon. The kids are good, my husband takes good care of me, and I've been out on the ice once and that went well. Q wants me back as soon as possible so I might just be making the trip up to Ottawa later on in the season."
"Haha I'd want you back as soon as possible too. Maybe come back next year, give us an easier time." He said laughing.
"We'll see what I can do." I said laughing. "I better get going though, I'll give you your team back."
"Not quite yet." Spezza said handing me a bag.
"Ooooooh my present! Awe thanks guys." I said hugging all them. "You know he's never going to let me wear it though." I said looking over the signed Sens jersey.
"Yah the guy looked at use pretty funny when we asked for it to be customized like that." Spezza said chuckling.
"Haha I'd imagine. I obviously wear the name best no?" I said chucking the jersey on and doing a little spin.
"We'd never get him in a Sens jersey so yup."
"I love it guys. I'll probably just get it framed, so he can look at it everyday. Maybe mount it in the bedroom." I said laughing.
"How long till rookie puts it together?" Karlsson asked.
"Maybe another 5 seconds or so."
"What? Did he think you lot managed to bring her back?" Coach said chuckling.
"Yup." Karlsson said minding the negative compliment and smiling and nodding.
"You do know what he just implied right?" I said laughing.
"Well it's true." He said shrugging.
"Shoulda made me a Senator. Then I wouldn't have left Ottawa. Things could have been so much different." I said winking.
"Nah you go for the short, muscular, hockey playing blondes."
"Hmmmm especially the ones with curly hair, that play right wing, and can score against you guys." I said smirking. "You're right you had no chance." I said laughing.
"I think he got it." Bobby Ryan said laughing.
"Perfect. Later boys. See ya rookie." I said waving. "Dinner date with the hubby. Can't be late." I said smiling.
"See you on the ice." Their coach said nodding before everyone dispersed, leaving to pack for their flight home. I made it back to the apartment just fine with the help of my GPS, and made it back up. Everyone was there, kids in hand laughing. The perfect family I thought to myself as I shut the door.
"Hey!" Pat said smiling. "Ya get lost?"
"Haha no. Crappy GPS though." I said winking. "Nahh the Sens wanted to give me my present."
"Oooooh will I like it?"
"No." I said laughing.
"Well then. I'm guessing it has to do with the Sens then."
"Mhmmmm just a bit. But that's not what I'm worried about." I said chuckling. "You see there's this thing when you get married apparently you take you husband's last name, well…."
"They didn't?" He asked shaking his head. "They totally did." He said laughing. "You're right I hate it. Not wearing it ever."
"Haha. I never saw that coming. That's why I wore it in the hotel today." I said winking.
"Is it atleast signed."
"Duh. Anyone could buy a plain old jersey." I said laughing.
"So wait they got you a jersey?" Erica asked.
"Mhmmm." Pat said half amused.
"Why can't she wear it Pat? Let the girl be." Erica said laughing.
"Nah I actually can't wear it. See." I said showing the girls. "Wouldn't be right."
"Major faux pas. You're right probably not the best customization they could have gotten done."
"Oh it was done like that on purpose." Pat said laughing.
"Maybe." I said holding up my fingers to indicate a little bit. "Thanks for watching the kids." I said turning to Pat's parents. "I can take them for a few hours, if you guys want to go out for lunch or something."
"Alright sweetheart, but my son is staying here." She said handing Bella over.
"Oh it's okay, I'll manage on my own."
"I see him all the time. He's new to you. Get to know him okay. Plus it's your birthday, you don't deserve to be alone." She whispered giving me a hug. With that her and Pat Sr. and the three girls went off in search of food. I kind of did deserve to be alone I thought to myself before turning back to the baby in my hands.
"Alone at last." Pat said flopping on the couch cuddling his boy.
"Minus these two." I said laughing before settling down on the couch beside them.
"Ehhhh they'll be asleep before you know it. She really likes you eh?"
"Haha yah. No clue why." I said winking. I loved just being able to joke around freely. Pat was just so easy to be around, it was refreshing. Atleast I knew that the old me married well.
"Nothing to do with you being her momma. Nah that's not it." He said chuckling.
"Impossible. Now I just got to get this one to like me."
"Uhh, that might be hard. He's like the opposite of me. He doesn't like the girls much."
"Haha if he looks anything like you, it's probably going to change once he's older."
"Probably. I was pretty bad myself."
"No high school sweetheart?"
"Nope. I was the cocky jock type. Hard to imagine huh?"
"Really hard." I said laughing.
"Yah, the girlfriend I had before meeting you was my first real relationship that I actually worked for. Other ones I tried to care, but again I was the cocky jock. Then when Megan cheated on me I figured I was through with dating, with girls the whole lot. But life had it's own plan and then you and I met, and I fell hard."
"And now I'm making you have to do it all over again huh?"
"Haha but atleast you're giving me that. Plus I never stopped loving you, even when you were on that bed. But I'll go through it again if it means you feeling comfortable again."
"You don't have to worry about me feeling comfortable. Honestly just continue to be yourself and I'll be comfortable. It just feels like parts of my life is missing, and as much as I want to continue on with the future like nothing is wrong, it just feels like I have to understand who I was before becoming who I'm going to be."
"Just know that you are the best thing to happen in my life. You're an amazing person, an amazing wife, amazing friend, and amazing mom. You can have someone falling in love with you in minutes. You're great with kids, and with fans. Not to mention you're damn great at hockey."
"Haha but you have to say that."
"I don't have to. But it's true."
"Alright…" I said laughing. "I need to take a shower. How dressed up do I need to be tonight?"
"I'll pick out your dress, just get ready up to that point."
"Um ok."
"Haha don't worry. You don't have to wear it if you're uncomfortable."
"You better not dress me up like a slut." I said shooting him a glare jokingly, but serious.
"Never." He said putting his one hand up in surrender. "Nah you never needed to. You were always beautiful. Lit up the room."
"Alright. I guess I'll trust you. Don't give me a reason not to anymore." I said laughing before heading to the nursery to put Bella into her crib. The shower was much needed. Relaxation. I got out and wrapped myself up in a towel and went to work with my hair and makeup. Thank god I didn't forget how to do this, I thought to myself as I started curling my hair.
"Damn put some clothes on." Pat said eyeing me from the bed when I came back into the bedroom.
"Ehh no point. Now show me the dress." Seems I still got it. I thought to myself noticing the subtle looks back at me. The dress was beautiful. The perfect length, colour everything. "Wow. It's beautiful."
"It looks better on you though." He said handing me the dress smiling.
"Ahh so I've worn it before."
"Yup. One year ago."
"I see…you're recreating things."
"Just the best ones."
"Well, I'm going to put this on." I said nodding towards the bathroom before heading in. I looked skinnier than what my brain last remembered. Probably because of the lack of exercise and proper food I thought as I put the dress on. It still fit almost perfectly though. Falling in all the right spots, tight where needed, it was beautiful. Suddenly I was worried about tonight. 21 year old me would never have been able to afford a dress like this. I almost felt like I didn't belong here, or deserve this. This is my life. I kept repeating as I looked at myself in the mirror. Almost no evidence of a car accident. People could look at me and see nothing wrong. But things were definitely wrong. I am scarred, physically and mentally. I need to remember. I thought to myself almost angry that my brain wouldn't let me remember.
"You look beautiful, now come out." I heard Pat from the other side of the door. Damn guy knew everything.
"Coming." I said taking one last look before coming out.
"See beautiful." He said giving me a hug and twirling me around.
"Thanks." I said chuckling.
"Come on. Mom's out there with the kids."
"Alright." I said following him out.
"You look great sis." Erica said giving me a hug.
"Thanks." I said laughing.
"We bought that dress together, you know?"
"Really? No wonder it's beautiful."
"Ahh you picked this one out not me. But I did make sure you bought it." She said winking. "Now go. Shoo. Have fun on your date." She said waving us away while making googly eyes.
"Thanks for watching the kids again Mrs. Kane." I said.
"Ughhh. No more calling me that." She said laughing. "Makes me feel old. Before my kids can tell me that I am old, I'll just say it myself. Donna's fine until you get comfortable having another mom in your life."
"Oops sorry. Thanks though."
"No problem. I'll take all the time I can get with these little munchkins." She said holding up a smiling Bella.
"Alright we'll be going then." Pat said waving before leading me out. "Bye mom."
"So…how did this date play out?"
"Well I would tell you how beautiful you looked, even if you didn't believe it, then I would lead you down to the car, open the door for you and make sure you were comfy. Then I would let you choose the music we were going to listen to, you chose a pop rocky radio station like this one." He said putting the radio on. "Then we would hold hands all the way to the restaurant, and I would tell you again that I loved you. You would sing along to some of the songs making the drive there amusing. But you probably don't know these songs so I guess I'll have to fill in for you." He said winking before attempting to sing some of the song lyrics. " As you can see, it is not my forte." He said as I was laughing.
"Eh. Your voice is nice, but you're a bit off on the lyrics." I said laughing.
"Then we would get to the restaurant, and I would open the door for you again, and take your hand and walk you into the restaurant." He said as he did all these things.
"Then we would walk in, and the hostess would look at me wrong and you'd laugh your butt off at her attempt of getting with me."
"Too bad it's a guy tonight huh." I said laughing.
"Ehhhh. Guys can still love me. Kane for two." He said to the man. "We were then seated at this exact table." He said as we sat at a corner table. "We'd get some compliments on how great we looked, and how we had the same love for each other as the people had when they were our age. Then we ordered this." He said pointing out what we had ordered.
"You remember this perfectly huh?"
"Well it was the night I proposed so yes, I remember it." He said laughing.
"I guess I'll have to order the same thing then."
"You don't have to." He said laughing. "But I'm going to."
"Alright then we get our food and then what?"
"Well we talked about life, everything going on with each other."
"Alright I'll start. I've got the memory of a 21 year old in a 24 year old body. I have a husband and two kids I can't remember. I'm mad that I can't remember because I want to love them back the same way that they love me. I married a great husband, who obviously doesn't give up at the sight of trouble. I love this re-date that I'm on. I have great families, and friends who accept me even after everything. I have two adorable kids that I am trying to be the best mother I can to them. Oh and I play for the fucking Chicago Blackhawks." I said laughing. "You're turn."
"I have a beautiful wife sitting in front of me that I hope knows that I will never give up on her. She's making it easy on me as I've already gone on this exact date once before. I've got two great kids who will love their mom even if she doesn't remember them at birth. I hope to win the Stanley cup again this year, and well I guess I play for the Blackhawks too." He said laughing. "Then we would finish eating our food, and you ordered the chocolate cake to split for dessert."
"Well then that clears up dessert." I said as I ordered the cake.
"And then those two people would walk past us and talk to us." He said nodding at the older couple behind us.
"Really?"
"Yup. No joke. Said I should make you mine before you slipped away." Pat said chuckling.
"Looks like you took their advice." I said laughing.
"Best decision I ever made."
"Haha glad you think that." I said laughing as our desert was placed in front of us. "Now no going on my half." I said jokingly running a line through the cake.
"Well I guess I'll just have to…"
"Hey!" I said quietly, kicking him lightly under the table.
"You like that?" He said grinning.
"No." I said pouting, before laughing softly. "Yah I saw it coming." I said taking a bite from what was left from my side.
"Sorry had to keep the re-enacting correct." He said laughing.
"You did that on the first day too?" I said eyes wide.
"Yup. We ended up laughing a lot over it too. I had to give you some off my side."
"Ahah that's too good." I said laughing. "You better give me some of yours. I'm feeling hungry tonight."
"Go ahead." He said pushing the plate forwards.
"See it is them." The woman said to her husband.

"A sight for sore eyes. We meet again." The man said smiling down on us. "I see you two are still together."

"Yes this is my wife Rachel."
"Took my advice eh?"

"Well I was actually going to propose later on that night. You just kind of confirmed it for me." Pat said laughing.
"You guys going through the exact date again?" The woman asked.
"Well…"
"That's my fault. I can't physically remember the date, so we're having it again."
"Oh. What happened sweetie. If you don't mind me asking."
"I've been told I was in a car accident. I believe them, looking at myself. But I just woke up from a five month coma just over a week or so ago."
"Wow. I'm so sorry."
"Oh it's okay. I'm still having a great time. Pat said you guys were here the first time too."
"Yes we were. It's our wedding anniversary tonight so we come here every year."

"That's so cute." I gushed.
"Cute." The guy said laughing.
"Not as cute as the two of you. I remember when we were around your age. But we'd better get going and let you guys get back to your date. Just know true love shines bright, and I can tell you two will be just fine. " She said smiling, before saying goodbye and leaving with her husband.
"You notice something? Not once did they talk about hockey." I said laughing.
"No, they didn't even seem phased by it. I'm pretty sure they complained about the waitress on our behalf too."
"Alright. What's next?"
"Well then I pay the bill. Which I've successfully done already. Then we walk out of the restaurant hand in hand, and I put your coat on you and we walk back to the car. Then I drove to Millennium park and we walked around as the snow started falling. You said it reminded you of winters at home in Victoria Park. I was going to get down on my knee and do it right there, but you wanted to go skating." He said as we walked up to the outdoor ice rink.
"I look like a friggin figure skater on hockey skates." I said laughing.
"Haha. It was fine. It's your birthday anyways so you can do whatever you want." He said as we made it onto the ice. There wasn't too many people, so we just skated hand in hand around the rink. "Then when it was just us left, I got down on one knee and asked you to marry me just like this." He said going down on one knee. "And you said one word that made me the happiest man alive."
"Yes." I said smiling.
"There it is." He said laughing. "Then we took a picture of the two of us, with me kissing your ring and tagged it 'she said yes' and texted it to our friends."
"I think we could make that work again." I said taking out my phone as we posed. This time it was tagged 'she said yes…again ;) #oneyear' and we sent it off. Everyone seemed to enjoy it judging by the replies. "So after skating?"
"Ummm well." He said going into shy mode.
"You can say it you know. I'm not stupid." I said laughing. "But I am a traditional girl, and there's no way we are going that far on a first date young man so don't even go there." I said laughing. "But if your lucky…hmmm maybe not the best idea. My dad will be waiting at home shotgun in hand." I joked.
"Hmm maybe I should rethink the whole taking you home and ravishing you idea. But we could grab a coffee and then head back."
"Coffee sounds great." I said laughing. We got our coffees and made the drive back to Pat's place. It was pretty late when we got back to the apartment. His sisters were long gone and it was just his mom watching TV when we got back to the apartment.
"I hope you kids had a great night, but I'm going to head to bed." Donna said laughing and giving us both hugs before returning to her room.
"So did you have fun?" Pat asked.
"Mhmmm." I said grinning. "Not bad Mr. Kane. Not bad at all." I said laughing. "Though you forgot one thing."
"What?"
"Well you walked me home, after proposing to me and didn't even give me a goodnight hug or kiss." I said pouting.
"Mrs. Kane are you giving me permission to kiss you?" He asked wide eyed and grinning.
"Huh. Well would you look at that. I guess I did." I said chuckling.
"Good God. You are so f-ing beautiful." He said eliminating the space from between us. "So beautiful." He said as he leaned down enveloping me into a soft, sweet kiss.
"Thank you." He said with bright eyes as he hugged me.
"For?"
"Showing me that all my efforts weren't for nothing." He said smiling.
"Well it takes a really good first date to sweep me off my feet. I thought this one qualified. But who proposes on a first date?"
"Cocky sport jocks?" He said jokingly.
"Haha. Maybe. But the guy must have been pretty special if she said yes.
"Nahh. I just think he's one f-ing lucky bastard to have such an amazing wife.
"Maybe you just impressed her. Showed her what she was missing." I said winking.
"I guess we'll have to see if he did enough to get a second date huh?"
"Mmmm I think he's got a pretty good chance. But that will have to wait, I'm friggin exhausted." I said laughing.
"I'll give you your presents tomorrow then." He said lifting me up and carrying me to bed.
"More presents? I don't need anything else!" I exclaimed eyes staying awake just enough to change into sweats.
"I had to get you something silly." He said laughing and flopping in bed beside me.
"Dinner? Party? Sens? I don't need anything else."
"Haha too late." He said winking. "Now get some sleep."
"Fine. I'll open them tomorrow." I said smiling. "Thanks for tonight." I said as I closed my eyes.

"Thank you." He said kissing my forehead before I slipped out of consciousness, and into the world of sleep.

Notes