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Wake Me When It's Over

Part Two

For some strange reason, I wake up around five in the morning. I’ve only been asleep for four hours, and Sid won’t be home for a few more. I toss and turn for another hour, but clearly I’m not going to fall back asleep. I head to the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea then settle down in the living room to watch the morning news. The weather is just finishing up when a breaking news banner crosses the screen and the camera pan backs to the head anchor.

“This just in,” he starts with a grim expression, “reports have been confirmed that a plane carrying the NHL hockey team the Pittsburgh Penguins has crashed over a small Michigan airport. Sources say the plan suffered some kind of engine failure and attempted to land at the airstrip. We don’t know the condition of any of the passengers or crew yet. The plane was on fire as rescue crews arrived on scene. Please stay tuned as we will keep you informed of this tragic event as new information comes in.”

I can’t move. I can’t breathe. It’s like time has just come to a screeching halt. I stare blankly at the television for a long time.

More breaking news jars me from my stupor, “We have just been informed that there are survivors of the crash. The number and identities are still unknown, but it’s a little bit of good news. This was a terrible crash and it’s a miracle anyone survived at all.”

I need to call someone, anyone, but I don’t know who. Someone beats me to it, though, as I hear my phone go off back in my bedroom.

“Hello?” I say once I reach it.

“Ashley have you seen the news?” a panicked Emily says.

I shakily reply, “Yeah I have it on now. Have you heard anything else from anyone?”

“No,” she states, “but all the other wives, girlfriends, and family members are going to the rink. The staff and executives will be there too.”

“Okay, I’ll meet you there,” I hang up without a good bye and go get dressed.

On the drive into the heart of the city, I call my mom and she greets, “Hi sweetie, what are you doing calling so early?”

“Mom you need to turn on the news,” I rush.

I can hear the TV muffled in the background and it’s silent for a long moment before she speaks, “Oh no, oh Ashley, hunny are you alright?”

I start to choke up at the question, “I don’t know mom. I don’t even know if I’ve really processed anything. They say there are some survivors, but I’m so afraid to have hope. God mom, I don’t know what to do.”

I pull over to the side of the road because I can’t see through the tears. When did I start crying? My shoulders shake as sobs rack my body. It finally all hits me. I have no idea if my husband is alive.

“Ashley where are you? Are you home? Your father and I are coming over,” my mom says frantically.

“No, mom, no I’m not home. I’m on my way to the rink. Everyone is meeting there to find out what we can,” I say between sobs.

“Well then you need to stop crying,” my mom states firmly, “so you can get there safely. Try to be strong for yourself and the other girls. A lot of them look up to you. Being married to Sidney has made you a captain in your own right. You can handle this. We’ll head over there too. I love you Ashley.”

I take a deep breath, “I love you too.”

When I get there, everyone is sitting in the team lounge with the news on. You can cut the tension and emotional turmoil with a knife.

I approach Ron Burkle, one of the co owners, “Have you heard any news yet?”

He places a comforting hand on my shoulder, “Not yet Ashley, but we should have more information soon.”

I don’t know if that’s a good or a bad thing. I go join Emily and Catherine on a couch facing the big flat screen TV. We sit huddled together for a long time just watching the news replay the same story over and over. It’s relatively silent, but you can hear whispers of conversations. I don’t think any of us can really fathom what’s going on, and we just try to get through every minute with our sanity intact.

Finally Mario Lemieux and Ron put themselves in front of the television. Mario is fidgeting with a piece of paper as Ron hangs up the phone. They both wear identical somber expressions.

Mario clears his throat, “I have just been given the names of all the survivors of the plane crash. I don’t really know the best way to go about this…”

“Just say their names,” someone interrupts from the back of the room, and we all nod in agreement.

“Alright,” he starts and goes down the whole list slowly.

In all, three crew members, five team staff members, and eleven players survived. Most of them are in serious and/or critical condition, but even that is better off than the rest. All nineteen survivors are better off than the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins. I stare into nothing. There is a lot of crying and screaming going on, but I don’t move. The love of my life is gone. My husband is dead. Reality comes rushing back and I feel myself sinking to the floor. I open my mouth to scream…

And I suddenly find myself on my living room couch. I look around thoroughly confused and wipe the tears from my face. That was by far the most realistic nightmare I have ever had. Did none of that happen? I can feel myself start to panic as I question what’s real and what’s not. I jerk myself to a standing position as I hear the front door open. I run towards the front of the house and skid to a stop in the hallway. Clearly startled, Sid takes in my sudden appearance and harrowed expression. He opens his mouth to say something, but I don’t give him a chance as I launch myself into his arms. Sid wraps his arms around me, and I start to cry again. I bury my face into the crook of his neck and he carries me back into the living room. He gently pulls my face from his should and brushes away the tears.

“Ashley, baby, what’s wrong?” he asks.

I barely pull myself together as I reply, “I had a nightmare that you died; where most of the team died.”

Sid lies down and pulls me close so we’re cuddling on the couch.

“Alright, tell me all about it,” he says as he strokes my hair to try and keep me calm.

We lay together for a while as I recall the horrible dream. When I get to the worst part, Sid tightens his arms around me and kisses me on the forehead to reassure me that he is right there with me. I finish talking and let out a long sigh that also releases all my tension.

“Wow,” is all Sid can say and it makes me chuckle.

“Yeah,” I agree, “I must have fallen asleep during the second period of the game tonight because the last thing I remember is you guys being up 1-0. Did you win?”

Sid smiles, “We beat the Flyers 5-2. You missed an exciting game.”

“Damn, sounds it,” I reply glumly.

My husband frowns, “I’m worried about you Ash. You’ve seemed a bit off the past week or so. I don’t think you’ve ever missed a home game against the Flyers. Now you just woke up from a terrible nightmare, which you don’t usually have unless you’re running a fever. What’s going on? Are you sick?”

Sid puts the back of his hand to my forehead to check for a fever, but there isn’t one. Abruptly, the real events of today come rushing back and I shoot to a sitting position on the couch. How could I let that nightmare get to me so badly?! I completely forgot what I found out today. Sid stares up at me with wide eyes and I give him a reassuring smile.

“I’m not sick,” I start, “but I do have something to tell you.”

He sits up next to me and arches an eyebrow as he waits for me to continue.

I take a deep breath and say, “I’m pregnant.”

His mouth drops open and he stutters, “You’re pregnant? You’re sure?!”

“I went to the doctor’s with my mom and Sarah today right after you left for pregame. I didn’t want to tell you until I was 100% sure so… Surprise!” I exclaim.

Sid’s face splits into the biggest smile I’ve probably ever seen, “We’re going to have a baby! I’m going to be a dad!”

He pulls me into a passionate kiss, and I sink into him. My heart bursts with joy now that I know he is just as happy as I am. I hadn’t been too worried about his reaction, but this wasn’t exactly planned so there is always that little voice in the back of your mind. We reluctantly separate to catch our breath.

“I love you,” I whisper as I rest my forehead against his.

“I love you more,” he replies.

I press my lips against his for another kiss, any lingering remnants of the nightmare now completely erased.

Notes

Tada! I almost made and kept it tragic, but I couldn't bring myself to do that. Hope you liked it! Rates and comments welcomed!

Comments

love it!!! I really hope you have more to come because this shouldn't be just a two shot :)

@Morgan Chase

Thank YOU for reading. I have a few things I'm in the middle of trying to right. We'll see what gets posted haha

Great job, thanks for sharing!
can't wait to see what you write next.

Morgan Chase Morgan Chase
3/18/14

@EricaC

Thank you for liking it, but I made it a two shot because I had no idea what else to do with it lol. Maybe inspiration will hit me one day

Please continue!! I love the story!

EricaC EricaC
3/17/14