Don't Forget Me

Chapter Nine





"Goal!" Ryder shouted, cheering along with the crowd. Ryder and I jumped up, cheering for Patrick, who recorded his second goal of the night. The Hawks were currently playing the Sabres, and had a commanding 5-1 lead with only a few minutes left in the their period.

I had put Aveyah to bed during the first intermission; poor thing didn't last for much of the game. It was nice, having a family night for once. There was no hockey, media, or anybody here in our way; it was nice.
Admittedly, it was a little awkward at first. Jon and I struggled to make small talk, the heavy topic of what he wanted to talk about post game weighing heavily on my mind, and probably his as well. Luckily for us, Ryder kept us both entertained, and always had something to talk about, no matter how small or insignificant.

"Go Patrick!" I shouted, sitting back down in my seat.

"Just one more for the hat trick!" Jon called, excited for his former line mate and best friend. Despite not mentioning a word, I could tell he missed the sport more than anything. He eyed the puck with envy, jealous of every skater on the ice. Hell, I was even sure he was jealous of the back up goaltender; at least they had a chance of playing.

"Daddy I can't wait to watch you" Ryder smiled innocently. I felt as if all the colour drained from my face. I had completely forgotten what Sarah had told me about the prospect of him returning to the NHL; virtually a million to one odds he would ever play hockey again. I hadn't told Jon, but judging by the look in his eyes, I think he knew.

"Yeah buddy, I can't wait" he smiled, trying to remain cheerful. I knew this was a sore subject for him, and would continue to be for a long time. I knew how determined Jon was, and had no doubt in my mind he would be that one in a million that would defy the odds, and make a comeback.

"Alright Ryder, time to brush your teeth" I announced during the last minute of play. The game was already decided; the Hawks held the four goal lead, and showed no signs of letting the Sabres make any historic comebacks.

"But- no" he whined. "It's not over" he added sadly.
"We know who won, and it's way past bedtime" I informed him; it was almost ten, which was way past his bedtime.

"Daddddd" Ryder complained, trying to get his dad to side with him.

"Your mother is right buddy, it's bed time" he smiled, patting him on the back. He folded his arms, watching the final seconds of the third period tick down. The whistle blew with 10 seconds left in the game. I had to admit, the kid was smart. I rolled my eyes, sitting down and scooping him up in my arms.
"Come on, let's go" I carried him unwillingly to the bathroom. He squirmed as much as he could not giving up. Eventually, he did give up, when he heard the horn sound to end the game.

"But I wanna see uncle Patrick" he sobbed.

"And you can tomorrow" I told him firmly.

"But-"

"No buts. Brush your teeth, I'm watching" I told him strictly. He sighed, accepting the toothbrush in his hand. He held it out so I could fill it with tooth paste, before slowly putting it in his mouth. "Do it properly" I warned.

"Done" he announced, spitting the residue into the sink. I reached over to turn the cold water on so he could rinse up. He did just that, before hopping off the stool to help him reach and onto the floor.

"Alright, let's get to bed" I instructed.

"Race?" He asked innocently. A few times, to get him excited about going to bed, I would race him to his room. Of course, he always beat me, since I always found a way to trip and fall flat on my face every time.
"1...2...3...- go!" I shouted. He took off, giggling the whole way to the stairs. I chased after him, the smile on his face huge. He maintained a lead, so I caught up to make things interesting for him. "I'm gonna catch ya!" I laughed, and he screamed before continuing his way up the stairs. I reached the top at the same time he did, but tripped over the last step.

"I won!" He shouted before he even got to his room. He ran in, and waited patiently until I came into view, huffing and puffing from our intense race.

"Jeez, you're getting too fast for me buddy!" I breathed, pretending to be exhausted. He grinned from ear to ear, heading to his bookcase and pulling out his favourite story book.

"Story?" He asked, handing the book to me.

"Alright, here" I grabbed him and gently set him in his crib. He adjusted himself under the blankets, holding his blankie close to him. He stuck his thumb in his mouth, and waited patiently for me to begin the story.

"Night mommy" he whispered once I finished the book.

"Night Ryder, I love you" I kissed him on the forehead. Before I was even out of the room, he was out like a light. I smiled, before closing the door behind me. Tip toeing, I glanced into Aveyah's room to see her still sleeping soundly in her crib. I closed her door, before making my way back downstairs to see Jon.

"Hey" Jon whispered softly as I came back into the living room. He hadn't even moved an inch out of his place when the game had ended.

"Hey" I whispered back, taking my seat back in front of him. We sat in a silence for what seemed like years. He looked into my eyes, his glossed over.

"Listen, Addie..." He trailed off, looking extremely uncomfortable. I waited silently, giving him time to continue. "I want to apologize first and foremost. I've been a total asshole to you since I woke up" he stopped and paused for a moment. "I know you're only trying to help me. But- I, I just-" he stuttered, trying to find the right words. "I want to be the one to look after YOU. You shouldn't be the one to look after me. I can't accept I can't take care of you, or protect you. I can't accept I can barely walk, or barely lift a damn thing, I just can't" he sighed in frustration. "I know I'll probably never play hockey again, and it kills me. It kills me I missed Aveyah's birth; the first year of her life, all her firsts. Her first word, her crawling, laughing, learning... I missed Ryder's first and second birthday. He's growing up with Patrick as a hockey idol; I wanted that to be me" tears began to form in his eyes.

"Jon..." I stopped him, scooting closer to him. It was the closest we had been on what seemed like a fortnight. I wrapped my arm carefully around his waist, and pulled him in close. He rested his head on my shoulder, and shut his eyes, concentrating very heavily on his breathing.

"I can't excuse my behaviour with that, I know. I just want you to know- you are, and always will be the best thing that's ever happened to me. I love you so much; and I won't lose you after I've already lost so much" he concluded, taking his head off my shoulder. He looked into my eyes, searching for something; I gave him what he was looking for, so he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my lips. I closed my eyes at his touch, leaving it to linger, wanting more. It was the only even remotely sexual contact we had had since the day he woke up; give or take before his accident.

"I love you Jon, but you really hurt me" I told him sadly. "I maybe haven't been thinking about how hard this must be for you; but I don't care if you can't walk, or can't talk for that matter; I just want you, here with me; with us" he looked down at the ground, seemingly embarrassed about his treatment of me.

"Please forgive me Addison" he begged. Of course my answer was a no brainer.

"I forgive you Jon. Just- just don't do that again; never push me away. I'm always your support, regardless of the situation, I've got your back" I replied. He tried his best to contain his grin, before pulling me in for another kiss.

"I love you Addison" he spoke softly, pulling me in for a hug.

"I love you too Jon" I smiled brightly; maybe Jon wasn't gone after all.

"Can you help me up stairs?" He asked nervously, biting his lower lip.

"Of course" I answered immediately. He struggled to get himself up off the couch, leaning on me heavily for support. "Let me know if you want to take a rest" I told him in a motherly voice. "You're doing great" I grinned just before the staircase. He stopped for a moment, taking a seat on the bottom step.

"How long do you think this will take?" Jon asked suddenly. "I mean to walk normally" he corrected himself, seeing the confusion in my eyes.

"Well, it depends on your body I guess" I shrugged. "But I would say a few months. After that's over and done with we can work on your physical strength again, get you in shape for hockey" I smiled warmly.

"Addie, don't get your hopes up; there's a one in a million chance I'll ever play again you know that" he replied looking grim.

"You weren't supposed to wake up out of that coma, Jon. The doctors can't figure out how you lasted a year. Nobody expected you to make it, but you did. I believe you will be that one who makes a comeback. Sure, you may only have a few years left, but you can prove to everyone never giving up helps bring great success" and I truly believed if anyone could do it, it would be him.

"You think so?" He asked, looking a little happier.

"Always" I replied. I helped Jon back up, and started our hard journey up stairs. It took us a few breaks and awhile, but we made it in one piece. By the time we got to our bed, we were both beyond exhausted.

"Thank you Addie" Jon thanked me once he was all set for bed. I was about to reply, but was cut off by the obnoxious ringtone of my phone.

"Shit" I cursed under my breath, trying to remember where on earth I had put it.

"Right here babe" Jon reached from behind him and found my phone, underneath some of the pillows on our bed. He handed it to me, a "Unknown Number" showing on my iPhone screen.

"Hello?" I answered, unsure of who was calling me now, especially this late.

"Hey Addie" a familiar female voice trilled over the line. I recognized it to be my brother's wife.

"Oh hey! What's up?" I asked, a little taken aback.

"Greg's in trouble" she blurted out.

"What kind of trouble?" I replied worriedly.

"He's just been arrested for selling illegal drugs"

Notes

:)