"So, I got the verdict" the room was silent and still. All of us hung on every word Jon said, desperately waiting to hear the news we wanted so badly. We wanted to hear he had made it, and we would all be heading to the United Centre tonight, all clad in our number 19 jerseys. Gabby, Ryder, Aveyah and I all sat at the kitchen table, Jon standing before us. Even Ryder understood this was big.

"And?" Gabby asked impatiently. Peering over at her I noticed she had her fingers crossed, in anticipation. I felt the same. I squeezed my fingers together, wishing to the hear the words I never thought would come out of Jon's mouth again.

"I'm playing"

The world went still. My eyes shot open; surprised to see the big smile on his face.

"I'm playing tonight" the words still felt like a dream.

"I'm fucking playing tonight" I didn't even care that he swore. I didn't care that Gabby had heard her father drop the f bomb. All that I cared about, was the one thing in the world I never ought I would see again; Jon playing hockey; his one true love.

"Oh my god..." I trailed off, my eyes welling with tears. I hopped up from my chair and ran to him, pulling him in for the biggest kiss I could manage. I hugged him close, sobbing uncontrollably. Half because I was pregnant; half because of the amazing news.

"Dad, I'm so proud of you" Gabby grinned brightly, joining me in hugging Jon. Ryder clapped his hands and Aveyah followed suit, not quite understanding why we were all so excited.

"I can't believe this" I whispered, finally my sobs ceasing. "We're going to a Hawks game tonight. We're going to cheer on the captain. Jonathan Toews, number 19 and captain of the Chicago Blackhawks. Mali am amazing return to the game nobody thought was possible" I rambled, still trying to convince myself this wasn't a dream.

And it wasn't. It was easily the best thing I had heard in a long time. Making up for the year I had been without him, making up for the night I thought I had lost everything....



"He-he's in a coma Addie, and it doesn't look good.

All in one sentence it felt as if my world had been taken from me. My anxiety rose; the tears began to fall; my stomach dropped down to my feet. I felt as though time was standing still. This couldn't be happening, they had to be lying to me.

"No" I whispered, shaking my head violently. "No, you're lying to me" I spluttered out, eyeing everyone in the room to confirm this was all a sick joke. Patrick and Abby held onto each oTher tightly. Avoiding eye contact, and seemingly becoming more interested in the floor. Patrick sat next to me, still holding my hand.

"I- I tried to revive him" he whispered, his tears falling faster. "There-I - I couldn't revive him- there was- s-so much blood" he barely managed to squeak out. "I'm sorry Addison... I'm so, so sorry" he added in a whisper, wiping his tears from his face. I wasn't sure how to react; was this really happening? In one moment, I was happily awaiting the arrival of my amazing husband, where he would meet their daughter for the first time, and name her.

"He might not make it Addie" Patrick added, being the bearer of the worst news I could ever hear. The room went completely silent, nobody knew what to say.

"is he here?" I asked, wondering where my husband was. "Can I see him?" I asked anxiously.

"Well he was originally in the hospital there, I'm not sure if they got him transferred here yet..." Patrick Sharp answered, yawning from exhaustion.


"Whose ready to cheer on the Hawks!" Jon yelled, yanking me from the horrible memory. The kids all raised their hands excitedly, grinning at the prospect of seeing their dad play hockey; live. Not old footage; in person. Up close and personal. Jon had gotten them tickets right up against the glass; we couldn't wait.

"Does Sharpe know?" I asked Jon. I didn't have to elaborate any further; he knew exactly what I meant.

"He's the only one" Jon whispered happily. "He's been keeping it from Abby. Driving him insane" he shook his head, laughing. "Obviously all the guys are gonna be confused when he comes out without a C on his jersey and an A instead"

"Just get him to change after the warm ups" I shrugged. "Give them less time to look and think about it"

After pondering for a moment, he nodded, pulling out his phone and sending off a quick text. Just as fast as he had sent it, a reply had come through, approving of his plan.

"It's set. Puck drops in five hours" he grinned happily.

"Any pregame rituals?" Gabby asked curiously gazing at her father.

"I don't. You can't think just because you didn't or did do something it affects the performance of your game. You just gotta be in the moment. I don't believe in superstitions. You just concentrate, and be" he worded carefully. Gabby nodded, the grin never vanishing from her face.

"I can't wait to see you play dad"

He beamed.

********************************************************************************************************************



"Here we go" I breathed nervously. I took the hands of Ryder and Aveyah, who insisted on walking themselves into the near packed arena. Despite being knocked out of the playoffs early; despite being embarrassed by the Canucks on home ice twice, the fans still came. They still cheered, and they still loved.

I knew I had to show my face in the room the ladies often watched from; it would be suspicious not to. They'd question why I wanted to sit so close, and I worked on an answer. But when the time came, I wasn't sure I would be able to voice it.

"Addie, hey!" Emma greeted us, pulling me in for a hug. I could tell she felt sympathy for me; another year gone by with Jon on the side lines. But she didn't know; after the warm ups, and when everyone stood for the national anthems, he would make his appearance. When announcing the starting line up; he would be on it, just like before.

"Hey Emma!" I smiled, trying to hide how truly happy I was. "Abby!" I grinned, bringing her on for a hug. She eyed me with the same sympathetic glance everyone seemed to be giving me; and I hated it. But little do they know, I thought to myself happily.

"We saved your seat!" Abby mentioned, noticing the warm up was about over. Even from a distance, I could see Patrick Sharpe still bearing the C on his jersey.

"Actually, we're sitting front row centre tonight" I bit my lip, unsure of what her reaction would be. "A the kids really want to see a game close up and personal" I added a little too quickly for my liking. I washed a sigh of relief when I noticed they bought it.

"Makes sense. Don't leave afterwards, we'll wanna celebrate later!" She gestured to my growing figure. I rolled my eyes despite myself. Every pregnancy she planned the most outrageous baby shower for me. It was a great time, don't get me wrong, but I had already had two; and that was plenty.

"I'll try and save some time" I winked back, waving goodbye to all the other wives and girlfriends.

It didn't take long before we found our seats. Gabby and Ryder stood up, noses pressed in against the glass, waiting for the zamboni to be Finished its work. They knew in a little over five minutes, their father would skate past them, ready to play a game; like they never thought they'd see.

"Five minutes" I heard Gabby tell Ryder, and I smiled to myself. She was a blessing through and through. Her parents were horrible, but ironically she was one of the most polite and put together girls of her age I had known. I didn't even think I was like that when I was a kid.

"Do you think he will score?" Ryder asked his big sister, to him, he didn't know the difference at this point, and I saw no reason to tell him; she was simply adopted.

"I him, he'll get a hat trick. A goal for each of us" she winked and he giggled happily.

Before long, the horn sounded and the players were skating their way onto the ice.

"Please welcome, your Chicago Blackhawks!" The crowd roared with cheering, happy to see their team hit the ice for another season, having much higher hopes than the last. I couldn't blame the,; I hoped Jon would be back with a vengeance, bringing the curl back where it belonged.

"And now for your starting line ups" at the sound of those words. My heart began to pound loudly in my chest.


*******************************************************************************************************************

His heart was beating a million miles am hour. His palms were sweaty, remaining in deep concentration. This was possibly the biggest game of his career. It was do or die at this point. He had to make a good impression; he had to show the world just how dedicated he was. How much work he had put into work gaining up strength.

Training camp had been a synch. the coaching staff and trainers were all in amazement at how fast he could still skate; how his puck handling had seemingly gotten better; how it seemed he wasn't through any major trauma; and he loved it.

"nervous?" The sound of the coach's voice startled him slightly, a light jump escaping him. "I've been watching you play for a long time Toews" Coach Q told him firmly. "And I can honestly say, there's no better captain suited for this team. Nobody has the dedication and drive you do. You take everything seriously, but know when to lighten the mood. You'll do fantastic. The team will do fantastic, and we will bring that damn cup back."

Jon blinked back confusion, simply sharing a small nod. Before parting ways, coach patted him on the back, allowing him to get psyched on his own.

He waited for the words. And alas, there they were.

"And now welcome your Chicago Blackhawks!" The announcer yelled, and the roars from the crowd told him they were excited. With last years disaster of a playoffs, the fans as well as players were hungry for a win; proving they won't back down, won't give up.

Training camp had been easy, he thought in comparison to this. At camp the only person he could disappoint was himself. Here, he could disappoint every damn person in the building; and that scars him more than it should have.

"Starting in goal for the Hawks is number 50, Corey Crawford!" The crowd went nuts. His palms were sweating; HE went nuts. He went closer to the entrance to the ice, taking each shaky breath slower than the first,

"On defence number two Duncan Keith, and number seven, Brent Seabrook" more cheers. More sweating. More nerves. He was visibly shaking at this point, anxiously waiting for his cue to step onto the ice.

"Your forwards for this evening are number eighty-eight, Patrick Kane, number 81, Marian Hossa and the captain of your Chicago Blackhawks, Jonathan Toews!" There it was.

The crowd almost went silent. He skated on the ice, raising his stick in appreciation to the crowd. Not a soul in the building was sitting at this point; they were all on their feet, clapping. The players from both sides clapped their sticks to the ice or boards, eyes wide; eye brows arched in surprise and confusion.

He made his way to the bench, getting a few glove taps from teammates, who were obviously still in shock of the recent unveiling. He bore the C, Sharpe now proudly showing off his A.

"Welcome back you son of a bitch" Kane slapped, surprised Jon had kept something so valuable from him. He knew he wanted it to be a surprise, for everyone. "I can't fucking believe it" shaking his head in disbelief.

Jon couldn't help but wonder what everyone would be saying about his return. How long would it take for the news to catch wind? How long before every goddamn website, paper or magazine would want to interview him?

"Well folks I think this is the surprise of the season, and it's only the first game for the Hawks here" the announcer chimed to his TV audience.

"I'm still not believe it" his commentator chortled. "But here he is, waiting to take the opening face off to begin the 2017-2018 season. And I can honestly say, welcome back Jonathan Toews; we have all missed you. Your incredible talent, passion, work ethic, and just about anything else"

Jon smiled to himself as he lined up to take the opening draw; he had one hell of a point to prove.

Notes

so I am sorry to say this is the last chapter :( there will be an epilogue and then it's done :(. I've done all I can with this story, so now it's time to end it. I just want to ramble here;

My readers, you all are amazing. For reading, for all the amazing comments, for all the support over the past two stories. I really makes me happy knowing someone enjoys my writing.

I will be writing other stories, and I hope you will check them out :)

as as another thought, if anyone ever has a story idea they want brought to life, I can be that girl. I'll write anything; it's my passion.