The first two weeks of having Jon back turned out to be more of a curse than a blessing. Obviously, I was beyond ecstatic he was alive and doing okay, but he had changed a lot. He was snippy towards me and Patrick most of the time we tried to help him, he barely even accepted our help in the first place. It was clear to me he couldn't sub comb to being dependant on somebody else to move around, shower, eat, or do mostly any daily activities.

Being in touch touch with Sarah we both agreed hiring a care worker for Jon was best. As much help as Patrick was, he was busy most of the time with media, practices and games. I had Ryder, Aveyah and Jon to all take care of, and it was beginning to get to me. Jon and I seemingly did nothing but fight, the both of us being past our limits of frustration.

Not only would the personal care worker help care for Jon, she would also be able to help me care for Ryder and Aveyah. I took a leave off work, which my boss was more than happy to grant me; like most people, he just wanted his captain back.

Besides caring for Jon, it seemed we had a stream of constant visitors. Between his parents, his brother, my brother, family friends, old teammates and old friends, I could barely keep my head on straight. I understood they loved and missed Jon just like I did, but it was becoming too much for me; I had a mental break down almost every night before bed.

Today, was the first relaxing day I was having in awhile. Sarah was taking care of Jon, doing some exercises with him to help ease him out of the wheelchair, Abby, Kelly and Sydney were all here, sharing stories of their lives I seemed to be so behind on. Maddie, Ryder, Isabella (Kelly's daughter) and Aveyah seemed content in playing with some toys in the corner, as we waited anxiously in the living room to interview potential home care workers. Sarah was gracious enough to line up six different people that had applied for the job, come to the house for an interview. I had to be very careful who I picked for the job; I didn't want some crazed fan looking after him.

"Thank you guys so much for this" I commented to the girls around me. "I feel like I haven't talked to you guys in a light year" I added with sadness.

"We miss you obviously!" Abby chimed in. "About we totally understand; it's not your fault" she added as there was a light knock at the door. We all eyed each other nervously, as Abby hopped up to answer the door. I was beyond nervous; was there going to be a solid choice?

"Come in!" We heard Abby greet her with a smile. "Welcome, I'm Abby, Addison's best friend. Come on in, we're just in the living room" she ushered the very nervous looking girl into the room. Abby took a seat next to us, handing me a clip board with her resume on it.

"Hey, I'm Addison" I smiled, introducing myself.

"Hi, my name is Theresa Brown" she announced professionally. She was an older woman, who looked to be in her late fifties. Her age concerned me a little; how would she be looking after two kids? She sat in the chair we had set in the middle of the room, her hands folded over her knees.

"What makes you think you are qualified for this job?" I asked, despite seeing her resume right in front of me. She had a history of being a personal care worker, for a variety of different patients. Sarah had taken the liberty of calling those previous patients, who had nothing but great things to say about her.

"Well, I absolutely love taking care of people; helping people is my passion" she smiled proudly.

"That's great! What we're looking for, obviously, is for somebody who, like you, has a passion for taking care of people. Your resume is excellent- and the other thing, is taking care of the kids sometimes" I smiled, gesturing to Ryder and Aveyah in the corner.

"I- what?" She asked, a little taken aback. I looked at her oddly, giving Abby, Sydney and Kelly a weird look. "I thought this was just looking after- Jon is it?" She asked curiously. I nodded, looking up from her resume.

"Yeah- and helping me with the kids" I trailed off.

"Kids? Oh I hate children" she shook her head.

"You- what? Why I'd you even apply?" Sydney asked abruptly before anybody could say another word.

"I like to help people" she repeated, nodding her head slowly.

"We'll be in touch" Kelly spoke up, getting up to escort her out. She looked at her confused, before getting up and shaking her hand, her sleeve was pulled up slightly, revealing the reason she had applied in the first place. "Is that a Chicago Blackhawks tattoo?" Kelly asked in shock. Theresa pulled her sleeve down, trying to hide it.

"So you're a fan" Sydney asked, a little disgusted. She hung her head in shame, running out of the house in record time. I sighed heavily, crumbling up her resume and throwing it to the side; today was going to be a long day. "I'm sorry, Addie" she added in apology.

"We had to assume this was going to happen" I let out a sigh. "Hopefully the next five aren't nearly as bad" I sighed heavily.

The next three were no better. Another girl, a puck bunny, faked her resume to try and fool us into hiring her to be close to Jon. It was hard not to kick her in the teeth, but we resisted the urge, cheering when she left us. Another, Sammy Wilson, seemed like the perfect fit. She was smart, loved kids, though she didn't have much experience in the field. We were all on board, her being the obvious choice, until I actually saw her interact with Ryder and Aveyah.

She was rough, obnoxious, and rude to the both of them. She was impatient, and seemed to pay little attention to the kids. Sydney and Abby had to restrain me back from hitting her in the face. The last girl we had saw just simply wanted to be in the same room as us. She was fairly qualified, but having a crazy fan girl take care of my husband and two children hardly seemed like a good idea.

"Well, there's one more choice..." Abby trailed off with a sigh.

"What's the resume like?" Sydney asked, exhausted. It had been a long day of having disturbing women in my house.

"Impressive" Kelly nodded with a smile.

"Like the last ones?" I sighed heavily, throwing the papers in the air. I had already set Aveyah and Ryder to bed, Maddie and Isabella getting a little cranky. "Well, there's one last one; her name is Emma." I said, the last resume. Like the first few, they were very similar. Lots of experience good with children... I guess we were going to find out if she was any better.

"This day has lasted forever" Kelly groaned, smacking her hand.

"Seriously, why do all these stupid puck sluts keep showing up and thinking they'll get the job" Abby scoffed. "Im praying and hoping the last one works out for us" Abby pouted, taking a sip of the water Sarah had so kindly brought to us.

"ILl get it" Sydney sighed, the doorbell signalling the last of our interviews. If nothing came out of this, I had no idea what I was going to do. There was a lot of stuff I had to handle by myself; I had taken a leave off work and everything, something that really got to me.

"Welcome" I heard Sydney introduce in the lobby. "Come on I , and take that seat" she ushered her over to where we wanted her to sit. We all sat in silence. Before Emma decided to speak.

"Hey, my names Emma" she came and sat down on the chair.

"I'm Addison, Jon's wife" I introduced myself, "and these are my friends Kelly, Abby and Sydney" I pointed to each of them, who waved. She nervously waved back. It was obvious to tell she was nervous for the interview; I could see her twist her necklace continuously, okay with the rings on her finger, and looking around anxiously.

"So, why did you apply for this job?" I asked, finally hoping to get a good answer.

"I've been a nurse for a long time. I've began studying personal care for awhile, and I just love it. People are my passion; there's nothing I love more than helping people. I know you're looking for someone who is agile, patient, good with kids, and deals with frustration easily, and I believe that person is me" she rambled, blushing a little when she finished her sentence.

"So you love kids?" I asked rather excitedly.

"I adore them! Now whose this cutie?"


Immediately Maddie ran up to her, enveloping her in a hug. "Hi sweetie! What's your name?" She asked with a big grin. None of the other kids had gone anywhere near the other options. But here Maddie was, already interacting and playing with Maddie.

"Maddie"'she announced proudly. "And I'm this many" she held up two fingers proudly.

"Awh, I'm this many" Emma smiled, holding up her hands twice and one hand again; she was twenty seven, around the same age as Patrick, Jon and I. She was very pretty; long brown hair, combed nearly into a side ponytail. She was small, petite, with pretty eyes and a great smile.

"Wanna play blocks?" She asked, gaining a little more energy back.

"Go for it" Abby laughed, as Emma made a move to get up. She and Maddie sat in the corner player; and lookingly having a great time. Kelly, Abby, Sydney and I all scoured her resume; she was the perfect candidate. We sat there, looking at the way she was with her; it was adorable. It already seemed Maddie loved her.

"Mommy can we keep her" Maddie asked with a giggle. Emma blushed a furious shade of red.

"Well, you certainly proved you are great with kids" I smiled. I was already impressed with her. She was 27, and already seemed to be doing great things with her life. She played inter mural hockey with a women's league, she went to school for nursing, leaning more into personal care. She was sweet, Pettit little brunette who was absolutely adorable.

"Hey Jon!" Emma greeted, walking up and smiling. "I'm Emma. I'm one of the possibilities to look after you and the kids to help your beautiful wife out" she smiled with a wink. I blushed, approaching Jon and kissing his cheek.

"Nice to meet you Emma!" He smiled, shaking her hand. "Have you ever been a personal care worker?" Jon asked, wanting to make sure he was comfortable with the person who would be helping him out. She was to mostly help him with some exercises to maintain his strength. I would take care most of the bathing of him, feeding him, etc, unless he was to become more comfortable with Emma.

"I haven't, but in just worked through school for it specifically" Emma replied, making a rocket out of mega blocks for Maddie and Isabella.

"Hey, do you guys mind if we go into the other room for a sec?" I asked Jon and Emma. They nodded, a little confused, but allowed it anyway.

"Hired" Abby said, knowing why I had called them over to me.

"Hired, 150%" Kelly grinned.

"Hired!" Sydney shouted enthusiastically.

"She's hired!" I smiled in excitement. I couldn't wait to see how much easier my life was going to finally be with some help. She seemed sweet, caring, and genuine, something you didn't see too much of on this day and age.

"So can you start Monday?" I asked her, making my way over to Jon and Emma.

"Im hired!? oh my god thanks so much" she replied. "What time do you want me here?" She asked as professionally as she could.

"This Monday is fine, in a few days; uh, I'd say 8? On Monday we can work out the kinks and what not, let you know what you think!" I pronounced.

Hopefully with Emma's help, and the occasional help from Sarah, they were taking a huge weight off my plate. Not only do I feel as if 299 points lighter, but I was hoping maybe Jon and I would stop fighting.mwe hadn't spoke for most of today at all; and it scared me.

Notes