Forever Chicago

"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Toews," The doctor said as she came through the door, "So," she said sitting down, "Your pregnancy is going perfectly so far."

I breathed a sigh of relief. I had had no morning sickness or swelling like I had with Ryan and although I was grateful I was starting to get a bit nervous.

"You're about six months along due December 5th," she said looking at a piece of paper, " Now, would we like to know the sex."

Jonathan and I smiled at each other, "Yes." he said clasping my hand and turning his view back to the doctor.

"You're having the next NHL star, a little boy." she said.

Jonathan beamed and kissed me on the cheek.
"Congratulations." the doctor smiled as she stood up and left the room.

"A boy." Jonathan smiled.
…

"Thank you for watching her." I said as Jonathan and I walked into our townhouse in uptown Chicago.

"Of course." Erica said, "She was great."

Erica was in town with her mother to help Paige and Patrick get ready for the baby.

Ryan stirred in the background as Jonathan, Erica, and I stood in the front hallway.

"I got it," Jon said, "Thanks for coming Erica." He hugged her and slipped into the living room to tend to Ryan.

"So how's Paige been doing?" I asked, "I haven't seen in a while and she wasn't at the game the other night."

"She's been....okay." Erica said, "Her and Patrick have been struggling a bit lately. She just, she feels like Patrick is never there for her."

"It's tough to be an NHL wife, I'll give her that" I said.

"Right," said Erica, "Even as his sister I see how he gets during the season. He gets so wrapped up in hockey, its like he forgets about the real world sometimes. And he can't be like that and be a Dad you know?"

"Well see that's how Jonathan used to be, he got so into hockey during the season and then we had Ryan-"

We heard a squeal from the living room and looked in to see Ryan giggling out of control as Jonathan tossed he lightly into the air and tickled her stomach.

"They'll figure it out." I smiled.

Erica smiled, "I hope so, I'll see you at the game tomorrow night right?"

"Of course, see you there." I said.

"Bye." we said as I closed the door behind her.

Ryan squealed as I walked into the room.

"Everything okay?" Jonathan said as I sat next to him.

"Yeah just Patrick and Paige problems as usual." I sighed.

"Ah the first baby syndrome." he said sitting Ryan upright on his lap.

"Exactly." I said.

"They'll figure it out I'll talk to him tomorrow." he said.

We snuggled into the couch for a little while before heading off to bed.

…

The next morning Jonathan headed to his morning skate while Ryan and I went to meet Riley, Savannah, and hopefully Paige.

"Hey" I said hugging Riley as Ryan and I entered the coffee shop.

"Hi!" she said setting Savannah down, "It’s about time I saw my best friend and my god daughter, look how big she's getting."

"So," Riley said as we sat at the table waiting on Paige, "Have you found out what you're having yet?"
I smiled, "Have you?"

"Okay on three" Riley said, "1,2,3"

"Boy!" we both shrieked.

"Oh my gosh! when are you due?" I smiled.

"January 5th, you?" she asked.

"December 15th." I smiled.

We were thrilled. We talked for a while before a very pregnant Paige stumbled into the coffee shop.

"Hey ladies," she said, as I stood up to hug her.

"how are you?!" I said, "I haven't seen you in so long."

"I'm good, I'm busy so much baby stuff. So how are you guys?!"

"Good, busy." I said.

"Great." Riley said.

"Oh my gosh the girls look great." Paige said looking at Savannah and Ryan, "They got so big."

"So when are you due?" I asked.

"November 30th, about two weeks." Paige said.

"Are you excited?" Riley smiled sipping her coffee.

"I am, a little nervous though." she said changing her expression.

"Don’t worry," said Riley "You have Patrick to help out and you'll always have us."

"You guys more than Patrick." She snarled.

"Paige I know Pat travels a lot but he's trying the best he can, and at least they have Christmas break coming up."

"I don't know" she said, "it's like we're right back where we started and he just doesn't care anymore."

"Believe me he does." I said, "He wouldn't still be here if he didn't."

"I guess." she sighed.

"I promise." I said, "I mean before we had Ryan Jon was all hockey all the time from September to March. And then we had Ryan, and something just clicked and he changed. They learn how to leave work at work because they have to, and their kids become more important than hockey."
Ryan giggled, as I smiled down at her happy little face.

"I hope so." Paige sighed, "Because I need help with this baby."

"You'll always have us anyway." Riley said.

I returned home with Ryan to see Jon, Patrick, and Patrick Sharp laid on the couch.

"Hey babe." Jon said kissing me, "Hey Ry!" he said roughing up her light hair making her giggle.

"Wanna take her well I start making lunch?" I said.

"Of course, come here," he said.

"Da!" Ryan smiled.

"Almost" Jon laughed sitting down with her.
…

"Good luck!" I said kissing Jon goodbye, Ryan on my hip.

Ryan and I waved as Jon pulled away.

I looked at the calendar, the next few weeks would be crazy. We had to get ready for Christmas, and the baby. But I was happy Jonathan would get a few days off.

I pulled a Toews t shirt on and dressed Ryan in her jersey. This was a familiar routine on home game days.

As I placed Ryan in her car seat my exhaustion was setting in.

I had worked the night shift last night and was up early for Ryan while Jonathan went to his morning skate.

"Kodie!" Maddy Sharp sprinted into my arms in familiar fashion.

The room echoed in hellos and hugs.

The Hawks came out flying in the first period, Jonathan, Seabs, and Bicks all found the back of the net in the first 10 minutes. All the way to the end of the third it looked like the Hawks would walk out of the United Center with another 3-1 win. Until the Flyers came out viciously in the end of the third 4 minutes left, and not only 2, but three goals scored for the Hawks first loss of the season.

I could see the anger on Jon's face.

It was going to be one of those nights.

Notes

OMG SO sorry its been like 10 years since I've updated. I've been crazy busy with college apps and hockey. Please keep reading, I really want to finish this story. Thank you all!!!