Forever Chicago

The next morning we all headed for the United Center for the team’s family skate.

“Kodie!” MaddySharpy sprinted at me as soon as we walked through the door, her little hockey skates already tied to her feet.

“Hi Mads!” I said bending down to catch her.

We headed out onto the ice; it was crowded with family, and kids flying all over the place.
Maddy Sharp grabbed my hand as we skated along.

Jonathan’s POV:

I watched as Maddy grabbed Kodie’s hand, and skated along with her.

She was so natural with her, Maddy gravitated to her from the start.

I couldn’t help but watch as she glided across the ice, giggling, with Maddy and Riley.

“Hey lover boy.” Patrick Kane glided along in front of me.

“Ha ha.” I said.

“Whatcha lookin at?” he said.

“Nothing.” I laughed.

“Yeah looks like nothing.” He laughed skating away.

I just laughed and joined Kodie as she skated along.

…
(Kodie’s POV:)
That night over dinner, David and Summer had an announcement to make.

“So,” David started, “I’ve been traded to the Phantoms.”

“We’re moving to Pennsylvania after Christmas.” Summer added.

“That’s great.” I said.

“Congrats bro.” Jonathan said, messing up his hair.

“All the way to Pennsylvania?” Mrs. Toews said, “That’s awfully far.”

“It’s not much farther than Chicago.” David said.

“Well,” she said, “I’m happy for you honey.”

We talked and laughed late into the night, before Jonathan and I fell into bed.

As we lie there talking, I tried to find a way to break to Jonathan that I had to work on
Christmas night.

“About Christmas,” I said as he finished talking,

“You don’t have to work do you?” he said right away, sitting up.

“I’m sorry,” I said sitting up next to him, “It’s just at night.”

“Well that sucks.” He said, moving in closer.

“I know,” I said scrunching my nose, as I lay back with him, he laughed.

Jonathan pulled me into a long slow kiss and I rolled over on top of him. As Jonathan’s hands moved south, I realized his parent were just steps away.

“Jonathan,” I laughed, “Your parents are here.”

He laughed, “soooo.”

I laughed as he stripped my t shirt over my head. He lips pressed against my soft skin. My back arched into him, as he began to move in and out, gradually picking up speed. It became harder and harder to stay quiet as he brought me closer and closer to the edge.

We laughed as we fell back praying no one had heard anything.
…
I walked into the kitchen early the next morning to get an interesting look from Summer.

“Good morning.” I said as I turned the coffee maker on.

“How was your night?” she smiled.

I turned around, smiling, “You didn’t hear anything, did you?”

“Maybe.” She laughed.

“Oh my God.” I laughed putting my head in my hands, “Sorry.”

She laughed. I laughed it off, but I legitimately prayed his parents hadn’t heard us.

It was Christmas eve, and basically the entire Blackhawks organization would flock to our apartment tonight.

Mrs. Toews, Summer and I spent the day cooking and baking while the guys did, whatever guys do in the living room.

I pulled a green dress over my head as party time crawled closer.

“Damn.” Jonathan said, hugging me from behind, as I pulled half my hair up.

I smiled as he kissed my neck.

“Excuse me lovebirds.” Mrs. Toews popped her head in the door, “Your guests are here.”

As more and more guest arrive, Jonathan and I were pulled into a hundred different directions. Everyone wanted to know information about the wedding, and I felt even worse when all I could give them were two colors and a date.

The night was filled with laughs, and a lot of alcohol.
..
The next morning, we all awoke to see Mrs. Toews filled underneath the tree with presents.
The four of us laughed at the site, and Mr. Toews just shook his head.

We exchanged gifts, and spent an amazing day just hanging out together. By four o’clock, I had to head to work.

Jonathan kissed me goodbye and I headed out into the freezing, Christmas air.

I arrived at the hospital to see an empty waiting room except for Camryn and her parents who were anxiously awaiting her first treatment. Camryn had a big green, Christmas bow tied in her dark hair.

“Hi Kodie!” she yelled.

“Merry Christmas Camryn!” I said dropping my bag at the front desk and going over to see her.

“I got a new bike!” she said.

“No way.” I smiled asI led her and her parents into an empty treatment room.

“Okay,” I said, “So this machine is going to clean all the bad guys out of your blood.”

“Is it gonna hurt?” she sighed.

“It might hurt a little bit.” I said, I didn’t want to lie to her, “But your mom and dad and me are
going to be right here, okay?”

She nodded, as I hooked the machine up to her arm.

Camryn whimpered as the machine started circulating her blood.

I kneeled next to her grabbing her hand, “it’s okay.” I said as she squeezed my hand. I brushed a long, dark piece of hair out of her eyes.

Camryn’s first treatment was four hours long and grueling, by the time she was done; I
couldn’t wait to unhook her from the machine.

“Thank you so much.” Her parents said as I handed her a lollipop.

“Of course.” I smiled.

“See you next time Kodie!” she said skipping out of the room.

I felt a bit relieved as I headed home.

The apartment was dark, except for the glow of the Christmas tree.

To my surprise Jonathan had waited up for me.

“Hi.” He said kissing me, “Come here.” He took my hand.

We sat cuddled on the couch underneath the tree. It was beautiful.

“Have you thought about any wedding stuff?” he asked.

“A little bit,” I said, “Maybe we should just alope.”

He laughed, “Not a bad idea.”

The next day we hugged Jonathan’s family goodbye.

“It was so good to see you.” His mother said hugging me.

“You too.” I smiled.

“You better call me!” Summer said as we hugged.

“Of course!” I said.

Jonathan shut the door as he pulled me into kiss him.

“We really have to figure out some wedding stuff.” I said.

“I don’t wanna.” He whined.

“I know.” I laughed, as I pulled the magazines out once again.

We began circling items, from linens to silverware.

Our wedding would be held at the Pineridge hollow, in Winnipeg. It had a bit of a rustic feel
that Jonathan and I both loved. Our colors turned from just lavender to pastels.

I set the magazine down and fell back into Jon’s arms.

“It’s going to be beautiful.” I smiled.
…
Thursday morning I kissed Jon goodbye for yet another away game, before heading to the bridal shop to meet Riley and Paige.

“Hi!” They squealed.

“Are you excited?!” Riley asked.

“Yes!” I blushed.

“Ms. Toews?” The attendant said, my heart pulsed at the words, as I turned around, “We have a room ready for you.”

We followed the woman past gorgeous dresses into a bright white room.I tried on dress after dress until I finally put on the one I had originally set my eye on. It was gorgeous.
I walked out into the room, where Paige and Riley sat.

They jaws dropped, and tears filled their eyes.

“Oh my God.” Riley said, “You look gorgeous.” She said wiping tears away.
Paige sobbed.

I whirled around to see myself in the mirror, and tears filled my own eyes as I caught sight of myself.

“I’m getting married.”

Notes