Forever Chicago

The months zoomed by and Christmas was fast approaching. Jonathan and I dragged a tree into the living room.

Ollie barked and snapped at it as we stood it in the corner.
…
That night we sat under the glow of the tree, cuddled together on the couch.

“So are you ready to be Mrs. Toews?” he said playing with my hand.

“Of course.” I smiled.

Patrick burst through the door alongside, Andrew Shaw, Bryan Bickell, and Corey Crawford.

“Awwww” they said sarcastically.

I shifted out of Jonathan’s grip, as the guys took over the apartment. Normally I wouldn’t have minded, but between work and road trips, Jonathan and I hadn’t been able to be alone together in weeks.

Jonathan looked equally as irritated.

I walked into our bedroom shutting the door behind me, to my surprise Jonathan followed.

“I’m sorry babe.” He said hugging me from behind.

“Its fine,” I said, running my hands over his, “Go hang out with your friends.”

“I don’t want to.” He said as I turned around to him, running my arms around his neck, as he
pushed his bulge into me.

I laughed as we fell back on the bed.

“I love you.” Jonathan said as our eyes met as he pulled me into a long, slow kiss.
…
“Good luck.” I said, as Jonathan left for one last road trip before his three day Christmas break. I was left to get the apartment ready for Jonathan’s parents, and his brother and his girlfriend.

I was excited to be around Jonathan’s family at Christmas. I spread new sheets over the guest room beds.

The apartment was cozy, beautifully decorated with garland and bows. Ollie completed the scene perfectly in his Christmas sweater.

I dressed for work, and headed out the door.

Chicago was freezing under an inch of snow, as I trudged to the hospital.

I walked through the front door to see an exhausted Riley sitting at the front desk.

“Hi,” I smiled, as I sat next down next to her, “how’s the baby?”

“Exhausting,” she laughed, “I swear she never sleeps.”

“Aw,” I said, “She’ll get past that.”

“I hope so.” Riley said.

The night was filled with the usual, stitches, x-rays, and then a little girl bounced into the hospital for bloodwork.

“I’m Camryn!” she yelled as I sat her on the table.

“Camryn I’m Kodie.” I said, smiling at her, “how old are you?”

“I’m four.” She smiled.

I began taking her blood, her parents stood timidly in the corner, nervous to know the results.

After the past few months it was refreshing to see a set of parents who truly loved their child.

As I tested the blood, I was devastated to discover the results.

Camryn was leukemic.

I walked back into the room.

“Mr. and Mrs. Lukas, I’m sorry but Camryn in leukemic.” I said.

Camryn’s mother nearly collapsed, while her father caught her.

“What’s wrong Mommy?” Camryn said.

“We’re going to start her on treatment right away.” I said I looked at my sheet and miserably
realized that Camryn first day of treatment would be in five days, December 25th.

“When is that?” her father said.

It panged me to say, “December 25th”, her mother cried even louder.

“What’s going on?” Camryn said.

“Mr. Lukas why don’t you and Mrs. Lukas, wait outside.” I said, as he pulled her out in the hallway.

“Why is my mom crying?” Camryn asked.

“Well Camryn,” I said, sitting in front of her, and picking up a diagram “You have something called Leukemia, that means these little white things, can’t fight off any infections in your body.” I said, pointing to the diagram.

“Like bad guys?” she said.

“Right,” I laughed, “But we’re going to give you some things to try to make you better okay?”

“Okay!” she smiled.

I placed a sticker on her chest and gave her a high five, helping her down off the seat.

“We’ll see you next Wednesday.” I said handing her parents a treatment schedule.

It was hard to see another child take a diagnosis, but I had to hope she would be okay.
…
Camryn and her diagnosis, had reminded me of Rose.

That night I loaded a bouquet of holiday flowers in my car and headed to the graveyard.

As I approached her grave, I noticed a shadowed figure of a person standing in front of it. As I got closer, I could make out that it was Dorris.

“Dorris?” I said.

She turned around, crying.

“Hi.” She managed to get out.

I placed the flowers on her little grave, which was adorn with only the teddy bear I had placed there the day of her funeral.

“That my baby.” Dorris said, her head in her hands, “My baby’s dead.”

It was obvious that Dorris had weaned herself off her drugs, and was beginning to come to terms with her daughter’s death.

I collected her in my arms.

“It’s okay.” I said, “she’d be glad that you miss her.” I released her, “All Rose ever wanted was your love Dorris.”

“I know.” She said, “I come here every day now. She always did love Christmas in Chicago.”

“I’m glad you’re remembering her,” I said hugging her, “Merry Christmas Dorris.”

I walked out of the graveyard, feeling Rose’s warm glow around me.
…
The next night Riley, Paige, and I settled into the couch in Jonathan and I’s apartment.
Savannah sat in her playpen, in front of us.

The puck dropped between the Blackhawks and the Maple Leafs and the game was on.

The hawks were destroying the Leafs taking a 4-0 lead in the first period.

“So how’s the wedding planning coming?” Paige asked during the first intermission.

“Non-existent,” I said, “I feel like I haven’t even seen Jon and months.”

“When’s your date again?” Riley asked sipping wine.

“June, 18th. We’ve sent out our save the dates and that’s it.” I said.

“Well, we’ve got you.” Paige said, “When should we look at dresses?”

“How about next weekend?” I said.

“Perfect!” Riley squealed, causing Savannah to squeal, “Right Savannah!” she said lifting her out of her playpen.

“She looks exactly like you.” I said.

“She really does.” Paige added.

The second period went off without a hitch leaving us talking about wedding plans, dresses, and babies.


“So Paige,” Riley and I both looked at her.

“Do you think Patrick is thinking about it?” I asked.

“Thinking about what?” she smiled.

“You know.” Riley laughed.

“I don’t know.” Paige said, “Maybe after Kodie and Jon’s wedding.”

“Have you guys talked about it?” I asked.

“A little bit.” She shrugged.

“Well one of you needs to hurry up and make a playmate for Savannah.” Riley said, bouncing her on her lap.

We all laughed, I could only hope.
…
I anxiously awaited Jonathan’s return the next morning, hopefully we could finally have some alone time.

Around eleven he came through the front door.

“Hi,” I said, as he came through the door.

“Hi.” He smiled lifting me off the ground and into a kiss.

Jonathan’s parents, and brother and his girlfriend would be arriving around five, giving us a few hours.

We lay together with Ollie on the couch, just talking.

“So,” he said, “We should probably figure out some wedding stuff.”

“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.” I laughed taking a huge stack of magazines out from underneath the table.

“Holy shit.” He said, “Maybe this is a girl thing.”

“Oh no,” I laughed, “It’s your wedding too.”

We flipped through endless magazines.

“So,” I said, “What colors do you like?”

“Um, I don’t know, I don’t care.” He said.

“Jonathan,” I laughed into his chest, as he wrapped his arms around me smiling.

We decided our wedding would be in Winnipeg, that way we could spend time at the lake house.

“Well,” I said, “how about purple?”

“Purple’s cool.” He said kissing me.

And just like that our wedding colors became lavender purple and stone grey.
…
Five o’clock rolled around and Jonathan and I headed to the airport to pick up his parents.

“Kodie!” she yelled flying off the plane and into my arms, “Hi.” I laughed.

“Oh hi mom.” Jonathan laughed.

“Hi Jon.” She said pulling the brim of his hat down.

Jonathan’s brother David followed behind alone with his Dad and girlfriend.

“This is Jon and Kodie, this is Summer.” He said. Summer was a pretty girl with fiery red hair, green eyes, and freckles that covered her from head to toe.

“Hi,” I smiled shaking her hand.

She seemed sweet.

We all headed back to the house, around 6 the guys decided to walk down to a Blackhawks store while Mrs. Toews napped.

I was left alone with Summer.

“So are you excited for the wedding?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I said, “It’s a little too much stress though, sometimes I think it’d be easier to just alope.”

“That’s what I want to do.” She smiled, “to Paris, or Hawaii.”

Summer was a cute girl, and I loved talking to her. We laughed together for hours.

“You’re so much fun!” she laughed.

I laughed, “David picked a good one.”

Notes

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