"Come on in Addie" Sarah greeted me. She was the main nurse caring for Jon, and I got to know her pretty well over the past year. She knew the whole story; she wanted all the details. We had become very good friends, often going out for drinks whenever Patrick offered to care for Ryder and Aveyah.

"Thanks Sare" I smiled weakly. She eyed me with sympathy; she knew what today was.

"Hey Patrick" she greeted, he nodded, holding Aveyah asleep in his arms. "And Ryder, look at how big you've gotten!" She smiled, tickling him lightly. He tried to squirm out of my arms, laughing the more she tickled him. I didn't take the kids every time I went; I wanted to go everyday. It was a hassle to get them ready so it was easier to stick to once a week or so.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Sarah asked, looking at me timidly. I smiled meekly, nodding my head. She nodded, opening the door to reveal Jon. Ryder squirmed out of my arms and ran to dad, taking the seat the closest to him. I slowly made my way in the room, holding onto Patrick for dear life. He kissed the side of my head, before handing me Aveyah. "If you need anything just let me know" Sarah called, leaving the four of us alone with Jon.

"We will thanks Sarah" I commented, feeling grateful for getting to know such a wonderful nurse. It made me want to go into nursing that much more; but I was very restricted with two kids, and a husband who spent our first wedding anniversary in a coma. The idea of pulling the plug never came up, and it was happy about that. I was not willing to let him go, regardless of how long it takes he's going to pull through.

"Hi daddy" Ryder smiled, touching his dad's hand. "When are you coming back? Mommy needs you" he spoke softly. "And uncle Patrick does too" it was the most coherent sentence I had heard out of him, and the one that made me tear up.

"He will be back before you know it buddy" Patrick assured him, feeling a little uneasy seeing Jon like this. All his cuts, scrapes and broken bones were all healed; his face looked as if nothing had even happened. I was afraid when he woke up he wouldn't remember me; or Ryder, Aveyah, or any of our life together.

"I miss him" he frowned. "I no want you to be sad mommy" he told me, leaning over and kissing my cheek, something Patrick often done when he told me not to be sad. I laughed, tears of sadness and happiness dripping down my face. "No cry" he stated firmly, wiping the tears away from my eyes.

"Aveyah, sweetie, wake up" Patrick urged her to open her eyes. It would be a long shot, but we hoped we could let Aveyah know Jon was her father. She grunted and grumbled. Opening her eyes widely, scanning the unfamiliar territory.

"Dada" she spoke her very first word. "Dada" she repeated, pointing to Jon. My eyes welled up with happiness; her first word was dada; and she was referring to Jon. Patrick looked at me, a huge smile on his face.

"What about mama?" I asked, pouting my lip. Jon and I had a bet going about that; if she said 'dada' first, he would force me to see a Toronto Maple Leafs game, in a Hawks jersey. He knew they were my favourite team growing up, and he would do whatever he could to tease me about it. If she said 'mama' first, he would be on diaper duty for a month whenever he was home. Unfortunately I lost; but I didn't care. All I wanted to do was see him alive; laughing, playing hockey, etc.

"Dada" she repeated. I frowned, a little hurt. Ryder's first word was mama; I guess I'd have to be happy about that one instead.

"You've been told" Patrick smiled, bouncing Aveyah up and down on his lap. I rolled my eyes, scooting my chair closer to the bed. I set Ryder on my lap, kissing the top of his head.

"Hey babe" I greeted him. I heard the beeps of the machine, causing tears to flood my eyes. "I miss you so much, please; please wake up. I need you... We need you. The team needs you; your fans need you..." I trailed off sadly, blowing my nose. "I believe you'll wake up one day" I told him firmly, holding his hand.

"I believe so too" Pat spoke up. "We miss you buddy. The dressing room isn't the same without you, Tazer. We haven't even replaced you as captain; there's no stand in captain; nobody wants to take your place; we're waiting for you to come back" his eyes began to water as well.

"We're never giving up hope" I rubbed my fingers over his hand. He looked so peaceful, like he was asleep. We stayed in a comfortable silence, both eyeing Jon, at a loss for words. There was only so much we could say to him; we'd said it all.

"Addie?" Sarah poked her head in with a frown. "Dr. O'Dell wants to speak with you" she added, holding the door open. I stood up, planting Ryder on my empty seat.

"Mommy will be right back" I told him and he nodded. Patrick eyed me with sympathy as I made my way out the door. Sarah closed the door behind her, the doctor standing just a foot away.

"Addison, nice to see you again" he smiled awkwardly. I nodded, just wanting him to spill whatever news he had for me. "I don't know how to say this, Addie..." He trailed off. I felt my heart begin to best so fast I thought it was going to burst through my chest. I remained silent, waiting for him to press on. "We've tried several things to get him out of the coma, but nothing seems to be working. I'm afraid there's not much point keeping him alive" he told me.

"He will wake up" I told him firmly. I wasn't going to be told I had to pull the plug on the love of my life; it wasn't happening. "I'm not giving up" I added stubbornly.

"He's not responding to anything, it's just a waste of time and money for all parties concerned" he stated bluntly. I was caught off guard by how much of a jerk he was. Was he really putting a price on Jon's life?

"I don't care how long it takes or how much it costs; I'm not pulling the plug" I stated firmly. Sarah looked between the two of us, sensing the awkward tension. I was furious with this doctor. Up until now, he had been nice, consoling, personable... But now he seemed to lose all of that.

"He has a month" he retorted, almost yelling. "If he doesn't wake up in a month, I'm sorry but he won't wake up ever if that's the case" he sneered, turning around and leaving the ICU. I stood in place,shock overtaking my body. Sarah eyed me, with wide eyes; she couldn't believe it either.

"Addie, I'm so so sorry" she apologized for him.

"I can't believe him" I stated, shaking my head in disgust. "He'll be sorry he ever said that" I murmured under my breath. Jon's life was priceless to me; I wasn't just going to give up; I knew he would eventually wake up.

"He'll wake up before then, don't worry" she promised, putting a comforting head on my shoulder. "I gotta get back, try and cheer up for the rest of your visit, hmm?" She tried to put on a smile. I nodded, sliding back into the room.

"What did the doctor have to say?" Patrick asked curiously. I tried to hide my anger as best as I could.

"He said if Jon doesn't wake up in a months time he's pulling the plug" I said without any emotion. I sat back down in my seat, setting Ryder back on my lap.

"What!?" He asked, near yelling in shock. "He'll be sorry he said that..." He trailed off miserably.

"That's what I said" I smirked, the both of us chuckling to ourselves.




"Finally; they're both asleep" I sighed heavily, feeling exhausted. After visiting Jon for about an hour longer, we said our goodbyes and headed back home, putting Ryder and Aveyah to sleep. It was only eight o'clock, but I felt as if it was midnight. Pat and I sat on the couch in the living room, a bottle of wine and two filled glasses on the coffee table in front of us. I was glad Patrick had the night off; I didn't think I could do it alone.

"It's been a long day" Pat replied, flipping through the channels trying to find something of interest to watch. "I love this movie!" Pat exclaimed, landing on the Movie Network. The movie "A Million Ways To Die in The West" was playing.

"It's fucking hilarious" I agreed, taking the last sip of the third glass of wine I had. Not having drank anything in awhile, I was feeling it already. Pat nodded, taking a chug of his beer, before downing the rest of his wine.

"Are you drunk?" He asked, slurring his words. I giggled, nodding, realizing I was intoxicated.

"Are you?" I asked with a grin.

"Yep" he smirked, laying his head on my shoulder. "You know, Addie. There's something I've wanted to tell you" he all of a sudden became serious. I tried my best to maintain a serious face, nodding so he would continue.

"What is it?" I asked curiously. He lifted his head off my shoulder and gazed deeply in my eyes.

"I- I never stopped loving you" he told me. I looked at him, a little surprised. "I know, I know. But hear me out" he continued, wanting me to hear him out. "Jon is the luckiest guy in the world. You're amazing Addie; you're smart, talented, beautiful and a wonderful mother... I never should have let you go, and everyday I wish Ryder and Aveyah were my kids..." He trailed off, finally meeting my gaze once more. "I know you're married to Jon but I just- I couldn't hold it in any longer" he finished, searching my eyes. I was frozen in shock; I didn't know how to respond.

"I-" I tried to start, but was cut off by the connection of his lips to mine.

Notes

glad you guys are reading!! Hope you like the chapter :)