The One Night That Changed My Life Forever

Rachel's POV

I didn't know where our feelings stood. I could definitely feel my self falling for Patrick everyday we spent together, I just had to hope that Pat was feeling the same. I was scrambling around my apartment trying to find something to wear on my "date" tonight. I had a feeling in was just a friendly dinner so I didn't get my hopes up. However I did make sure that I was going to leave a lasting impression. I curled my hair loosely, and let it fall past my shoulders. I decided on a tight grey and black dress, and my favourite pumps. I hoped it wasn't too fancy, I wished Pat had been a little bit more specific when it came to how to dress. I looked presentable, that's all that mattered. I finished up with just under 15 minutes to spare, giving me that long to worry about the events that would take place over the night. Fifteen minutes later, right on time I heard the doorbell. I opened it up and saw Patrick standing there. Honestly he he just stood there, a shocked look on his face.

"Hi" I said.

"H-hi" he responded back. This was definitely the effect I had been going for, but I hadn't expected this strong of a reaction.

"You look amazing!" He exclaimed. "Like really great."

"I hope it's not too much. I didn't want to go too casual."

"You look great, nothing to worry about."

"Perfect, so are we going to head out, or just stand here staring awkwardly looking at each other for the rest of the night?" I asked.

"Right, Right. Off we go then." We walked out the door and made our way down the elevator and into the parking lot where his hummer was parked.

"So…Do you ever get tired of driving such a big vehicle?" I asked?

"Nahh, I love it." he responded.

"Haha of course you do. I bet it makes you feel as though you own the road." I smirked.

"I didn't say that, but yah I guess that's partly true. I like the way she drives too."

"Oh, so it's a girl then?" I laughed.

"Yah, but I need a name for it. I was thinking Bernice or Janice, but I'm not certain" he responded with a dead serious look on his face.

"Really? Bernice and Janice you couldn't come up with anything I don't know a little more modern?"

"Well what do you think?"

"Why not Patricia? I joked.

"I think we will just leave it unnamed for now. By the way we are here."

"We had pulled up in front of a nice looking Italian restaurant. It wasn't too big, and it still had that romantic and cozy feel to it. Patrick came over and opened the door for me. "Thanks Pat, you didn't have to do that, you know."

"I wanted to." He replied as we made our way into the restaurant. It was quite full, however we were lead to a corner table. I guessed it had been planned this way to give us a little bit of privacy.

Patrick ordered a bottle of wine, and it was brought over as we looked at the menu. Let me just say that it was not the cheapest of restaurants. I wondered if Pat brought all his girlfriends here or if it was special. "So how did you discover this place?" I broke the silence.

"One of my best friends from buffalo is actually one of the chefs here. So I can assure you that everything will be delicious."

"So, is this your first time here then too?

"Yup" he responded popping the "P".

We ordered our food, and talked about the most random things until our food came out. "Wow, this is really good" I said in-between bites.

"Ya, my friend Derek used to cook a lot of stuff for me and the rest of his friends when he was younger. " I was very happy for him when I heard he got hired into a reputable restaurant, especially with it being into Chicago."

"So does he know you are here?"

"Nope, I thought we could surprise him after dinner, when things die down a little bit."

" I'd love to" I responded with a smile. "It, would be nice to meet one of your best friends, especially one that cooks this good!"

We shared our desert. It was a piece of chocolate cake, that was just delicious. When it melted in your mouth it was like heaven. We sat there just laughing and conversing over the bottle of wine. "Hey, Pat? Do you really like wine? You know you could just get a beer" I said laughing.

"Ehh, it's not bad. I need to drive anyways so I thought by getting wine, I could kill two birds with one stone. Make you happy, and limit myself at the same time."

A couple hours later we made our way to the back of the restaurant to where Pat's friend was cooking.

"Hey, I just wanted to say that you are a great chef, thanks for the amazing food" I said, Derek turned around.

"Why thank you---Wait what? Pat?" he exclaimed, engulfing Pat into a man hug.

"And who might this lovely lady be?" He asked returning his gaze to me.

"Well, this is my friend Rachel." "Rachel-Derek, Derek-Rachel." he introduced us.

"Nice to meet you Rachel" Derek said shaking my hand.

"Likewise. I hear you and Pat are great friends."

"You heard right, I was wondering when I was going to be graced by his presence" Derek responded with a smile.

"Well, I 'll be sure to come here more often, that's for sure" I told him.

"It's great to know I have such a beautiful fan of my work, I guess I'm just going to have to keep this chef thing up. I'll have ladies all over me" he laughed.

"Good luck with that man" Pat laughed.

"So what are you two up to tonight? I am just finishing up here, want to hit a club?"

"Well…it's up to Pat. I have no idea if he has anything else planned for tonight" I said looking over at Pat.

"Well I had a low key night of just chilling at my place and watching movies, but yah sure lets go out. It'll be nice to catch up, its been too long."

"Alright, Ill just go grab my coat and then we can get out of here" Derek left, and re-appeared a few seconds later with coat and keys in hand.

"Let's get outta here boys!" I said a little louder than I wanted too.

"Wow someone's excited" Pat exclaimed.

"Well you should't have let me drink almost the whole bottle of wine in two hours" I laughed.

"You're not a lightweight are you?" both boys looked at me.

"What? Me a lightweight. Never" I replied with a smirk. "Don't worry I'll take it slow."

We made it out to the hummer, and into downtown Chicago. We went to Club X, which wasn't too far away from Pat's penthouse allowing us a place to retreat to easily when the night was over. I was glad for my wardrobe choices, as my outfit could also double as a nice outfit for a club. As usual there was no wait in line. As soon as they saw Patrick it was as if there wasn't a red belt in the first place and they were pushing him into the club. We grabbed a few drinks and hung out around the bar, just talking. Pat and Derek did most of the talking, but they made sure to include me in the conversation as well. Pat and I had both finished our drinks, and I wasn't sure whether or not to get another one.

"Hey, wanna dance?" Pat whispered in my ear.

"Sure, but let me warn you I'm not very good." I said laughing. We made our way onto the crowded dance floor, earning many glares from a lot of the women on the floor. I just laughed, loving how there were people actually jealous of me. Of me I thought again, unsure of how I had made it to this point, and what Pat could possibly see in a girl like me. I was brought put of my thoughts as I felt a pair of hands on my hips, swaying my back and forth. We stayed like this for a while. I took everything in, his scent, the feel of his hands on me, and how safe I felt in his arms. Unfortunately our time was cut short as fans wanted autographs, and we had to get back to Derek.

"Sorry again about that. I wish we could have done that just a little bit longer." Pat whispered in my ear as we made our way back to where Derek was sitting at the bar.

"Long time no see. What did you two get up to?"

"Haha we got mauled by over excited Patrick Kane fans" Pat replied " Sometimes its just so frustrating" He said putting his hands on his head like he was in agony.

I just laughed. "When your famous, that's what you get. It can't be all that bad."

"Yah, I have to admit I do love it, but I wish I could just have some privacy like a normal guy."

"I get it, I mean I obviously don't get it because I am in no way famous, but I understand. We can get outta here and just hangout if you want? I'm getting a little tired anyways."

"That good with you Derek?" Pat inquired.

"Yup, I'm with Rach. I'm not really feeling the club scene anymore."

"So it settled then, movie night at my house" Pat exclaimed like a little kid.

"Pat it's like 3 in the morning. I was more thinking a sleepover at your place" I said muffling a yawn.

"Can you remember any sleepovers where you actually slept as a kid?" Derek piped in.

"Don't be giving him any ideas Derek. I actually need to sleep, I have school tomorrow afternoon, and I can't be sleeping halfway through the seminar."

"Alright, we sleep" Pat said linking our hands together and leading us back out of the club and to his apartment. It was a good 10 minute walk, and I was happy to be able to take off my shoes.

"Hey Pat?"

"Yah."

"Can I borrow some sweats, and a t-shirt? I have a feeling that sleeping in this outfit will not be the comfiest of ideas."

"Sure no problem, I think I have some of my sister's stuff from the last time she was here. I'm sure she won't mind."

He came back with a pair of sweats and one of his shirts reading Chicago Blackhawks. "Thanks, I'm just going to go change. I'll be back in a few minutes." As I turned and made my way into the bathroom. I washed my face, and changed into much more appropriate sleep ware. I made my way back out, and found Pat in the kitchen getting a glass of water. " So, where do you want me to sleep? Derek is going to have the guest room I'm guessing."

"You can take my bed, and I'll take the couch" he answered.

"No, you are not taking the couch. You are pretty short, but there is no way you are fitting comfortably on that. You are sleeping in the bed, but don't worry I won't let you get up to any funny business. There is plenty of room for both off us"

"You sure?" he replied hesitantly.

"Yes, now lets go" I said making my way to his bed, and sliding under the covers. Pat did the same on the other side. "Night." I said. The last thing I heard before falling was asleep was Pat's reply "Night." I slept the best I had in months, feeling safe and protected with Pat sleeping beside me.

********
Patrick's POV
She looked so beautiful tonight. Derek loved her, and I was starting to feel myself fall for her. She looked so beautiful in my shirt, and I wished that this could happen more often. I smiled to myself as I saw her drift off into sleep. She looked so peaceful. I didn't want to push it, but I had to go for it. I drew her in close to me and wrapped my hand over her waist, smiling as she snuggled in closer. I let myself fall asleep, knowing I would wake up next to her the next morning.

Notes