Together Until We Die...

Patrick Sharp, Adam Burish, and Andrew Shaw sat down at Patrick’s kitchen table. They faced one another, deep in thought.

“So how are we going to figure out the location of the kids?” Adam questioned.

“Did Pronger leave any hints or clues in the messages?” Andrew asked. He propped his head up in his hands, gazing at the prankster pair.

There was an elongated silence, as both thought long and hard. Their gazes shifted around the room, scanning the interior, like it would help them out. Occasionally they glanced at each other, but it was momentary.

Andrew sighed and leaned back, knowing it might take awhile. He took the time to observe the setting he was in. He enjoyed coming to Patrick Sharp’s home. It was a neat little setup. The kitchen was different, but interesting. It was a cool, unique setup. He sat at the head of the table, like some important business guy.

To his left, Andrew made out the sleek black and white contrasting drawers, cabinets, and countertops that lined the interior of the kitchen. The kitchen itself was spotless and somewhat antiseptic in appearance. It opened to the massive family room behind him. In the center of the cabinets was a stainless steel sink with two potted plants on either side. Whoever was washing dishes had a nice view out a window, which separated the black cabinets apart, giving them a square shape. Lights were implanted into the top of the display, for night time sight.

Beside the cabinets, was an industrial refrigerator, with a pull-out freezer. Beyond the refrigerator was a short hallway that opened to a laundry room, where a ceiling fan sat idle.
Back in the kitchen, directly ahead of Andrew, was a fancy pantry, with double bi-fold doors like a closet. At the top, were two square nooks, where two chinese dishes sat. Lights implanted into the top, made them glisten and shine a rich copper color.

He continued to move his eyes around the spectacular Japanese style kitchen. Beyond the pantry, an elongated hallway led to the master bedroom. Andrew shook his head, not allowing his brain to think about what happened in there.

To the right side of the room, a nice wine area, where dozens of expensive and rare bottles were positioned in diamond racks.

The room continued on the right side, with the other half of the cabinets, where a neat little shelving unit was placed in the center. A bouquet of white flowers was placed in a vase in the center, on top of a long, rectangular table runner.

In the middle, sat a ceramic island bar, which Andrew guessed was for parties. A pendant light hung over it. And a small black “kids” table was attached at the other end.
They sat at the adult table, on the other side of the middle of the kitchen. They were just coming into focus and converse together again. But they were interrupted by high-pitched squeals.

Suddenly, Madelyn Grace and Sadie Ellen, Patrick’s two children darted in from the north side hallway, screaming, “Daddy! Daddy!” His daughters skidded to a halt beside him, where he turned to gaze at them. He flashed kind smiles at them.

“You girls remember Adam and Andrew, right?”

“Yeah!” they exclaimed in unison. “Uncle Adam!!”

“No, no, that’s not….nevermind!”

Adam grinned, standing up and rounded the table. He picked up Madelyn, the older one. “How’s my Maddie doing?”

She giggled, squirming in his grasp. Patrick picked up Sadie and placed her on his lap. He turned to Andrew, ignoring Adam, who was fooling around with his other daughter.

“We have business to attend to!” Andrew hissed, through clenched teeth. “Kaner and Tazer need our help, remember!”

Patrick nuzzled his younger daughter, not paying attention to Andrew, who folded his arms. The Chicago pest didn’t hate children, it was just that he never had any himself. He wasn’t exactly familiar with kids, especially little girls. He was so set and focused in his mind, that he didn’t realize when Sadie sat, with her big blue eyes focused on him in curiosity.

“Who’s that? Is that Andrew Shaw? Say hi to Andrew!” Patrick whispered. He grabbed one of her tiny hands in his fingers and made her wave at him, mimicking what her voice would say, “Hi Andrew!”

Okay, even the toughest shelled goon couldn’t help but crack a smile. Andrew thought Sadie was adorable! He leaned forward and smiled, responding with, “Hi Sadie!”

Abby, Patrick’s wife walked in. She was shocked to see Adam and Andrew there, but figured it was important. She dropped her purse and tucked a strand of her freshly dyed chocolate brown hair behind her ear. She smiled, but Patrick could tell it was a rictus. He passed Sadie to Andrew, who happily took her in his arms and began to play around and nuzzle her nose like an older brother. The little girl giggled. The golden blonde lowlights in Abby’s hair shone in the light, as did her blue eyes, as she made her way up to her husband.

“Hi Abby,” he greeted her with a hug and small kiss.

She glanced around the kitchen, snapping her gaze from Sadie and Andrew to Madelyn and Adam. She was definitely suppressing something from Patrick. She flicked her head to the side and signaled that they go to a private area.

The couple walked to the far end of the family room and sat down on the couch, turning to one another.

“What’s going on?” Patrick asked.

“Alright, so I had hoped that this was all a big joke, but on my way home from work, with the girls, a big utility van came zooming down the road, out of nowhere. It almost ran me right off the road!”

“Did you get their license plate number?”

“I did. I actually followed the vehicle to a building. I made sure to keep a good distance. I also made sure that the girls were completely safe. I got out to get closer and write the number down, but four masked figures emerged from the van. I dropped behind a bush and peered around it. And….”

“And what?”

“I saw Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews!”

Patrick Sharp sat up straighter. He tensed up. “What did you see?”

“They were, well, they were in trouble. They were tied up with tape over their mouths. I knew something was wrong. I quickly scribbled the number down and hightailed it back to the car. I literally jumped in and sped away!” She looked upset and physically shaken to the core. She had experienced a traumatic experience and witnessed something horrible. But she had also given Patrick the piece of information, they group had been lacking: a location.

“Where did this happen? What building?”

“They were dragged into the old Sunrise Building. The law office, just on the outskirts of downtown. Did they do something bad? Why were they bound and gagged?” Abby asked, looking into her partner’s eyes.

“They didn’t do anything wrong. No one did. It’s Chris Pronger.”

“That stupid ex-Flyer jackass who stole Kaner’s game winning puck?” Abby spat, frowning and narrowing her eyes.

Patrick nodded. “He sent me a text telling me the “news” and called Bur. He said that we both ruined his reputation and career, so he kidnapped Lil Peekaboo and To-ez!”

Abby’s hands flew to her mouth. She shot a glance to the kitchen. Adam was dancing with Madelyn. It was sweet. He twirled her, gently under his massive arm, laughing. Abby’s eyes suddenly snapped back to his. “So, are you going to go rescue your teammates, is that why Andrew and Adam are here?”

Her rather handsome husband nodded. “We were trying to figure out where Prongs might take them and hold them, but you’re story just helped a bunch! And I’m blessed that you are okay. You’re the best Abby Sharp!”

She giggled, breaking her serious nature. “I’ll watch the girls, you three go get those sweet kids back! Patty and Johnny are like family to us!”

Patrick Sharp lifted his head up proudly and gave a curt nod and salute to her. “Can do, Abs!” He gave her another kiss and trotted back to the kitchen.

Abby remained on the couch for a few seconds, watching her husband. She really was proud of him. She knew how much he cared for his teammates, especially the captain and his sidekick. She grinned at the thought of the bromances in Chicago and it made her laugh. She finally rose from the couch and walked into the kitchen.

Notes

Abby Sharp to the rescue!!!! Not really, but yay Abby!! Sadie and Madelyn are adorable, UNCLE ADAM BURISH!! :)