We've Got This

Mom turned to us as we walked into the kitchen. “So I just got off the phone with the doctor; you’re going to have another MRI done at nine tomorrow morning,” she said, grabbing a piece of pizza.

I nodded. “Okay, that works I suppose,” I replied, grabbing two plates and handing one to Tyler before grabbing a few pieces of pizza. I then took it over to the table and turned to Tyler again. “Do you want anything to drink, Tyler? Water, pop, beer?” I asked.

“Water is fine,” he replied, sitting in the spot next to where I set my plate. I nodded and headed over to the cabinet, took out a glass, filled it with water in the sink, and set it down in front of him. “Thank you,” he said with a smile.

I smiled back. “You’re welcome. Either of you want anything from the garage?” I asked Mom and Dad.

“Can you grab me a ginger ale?” Mom asked.

“Sure. Dad?” I asked.

“I’ll take a beer if you’re going that way,” he replied.

I nodded and headed out into the garage. I opened the fridge and grabbed a ginger ale for Mom and two Blue Moons; one for Dad and one for me. I then headed back inside and set their drinks down in front of them before taking my seat next to Tyler and opening my own beer. How are you feeling?” I asked Mom.

“I feel alright,” she replied, taking a sip of her ginger ale. “And I’m warning both of you right now; I will smack you if you’re gonna constantly ask me how I’m feeling,” she said, and both Dad and I held our hands up defensively. “So, how was Vegas?” she asked, starting up new conversation.

I shrugged. “It was fun; kind of hectic. I made friends with Patrick Kane though,” I replied nonchalantly.

“Get out of here,” Dad said, a shocked look on his face.

“Well, seeing as I’m dating Tyler Seguin and already friends with a couple other Dallas Stars….” I started, “Making friends with other NHL players shouldn’t have been far behind,” I chuckled. “He was actually the one that convinced me to give Tyler a chance,” I added, putting my hand on his leg under the table.

“Well I hope we’ll get the chance to meet him one day,” Dad replied. “As well as Jamie and the others you were telling me about.”

I chuckled. “I’m sure you will at some point.”

“So, do you guys have any other plans this weekend besides going to Six Flags?” Mom asked, changing the subject slightly.

I shrugged. “Did you want to do anything specific while you’re here?” I asked, turning to Tyler. “I mean, we don’t really have time to do anything tonight, seeing as I apparently have to be up early in the morning,” I added.

He shook his head. “No, I don’t have anything specific in mind. I wouldn’t be opposed to you showing me around town though; I’d love to see more of where you grew up,” he added, eating the last bite of his pizza.

I also took the last bite of my pizza and finished my beer before putting the rest of the pizza away, thanking Mom and Dad for dinner, and leading Tyler back upstairs.

“So, you really want to go on an adventure around town?” I asked.

He nodded. “Of course. I’d love to learn more about where my girlfriend grew up and became the woman she is today,” he replied, making me blush.

Before I could come up with a response my phone started ringing. “It’s Kaner,” I said, hitting the green phone icon and putting it on speaker. “Yello?” I answered, holding back a giggle.

“Thank you ,Kaner,” he said sarcastically, and I rolled my eyes. “I told you, didn’t I? I told you he was into you, and to give him a chance. So I deserve a thank you,” he continued.

“Thanks man, I owe you one,” Tyler replied, and I giggled a little bit as he kissed my cheek.

“Hey Segs! What’s up man? Hey, listen, what are you guys doing on Saturday?” he asked.

“Nothing yet. Why do you ask?” I replied.

“Oh, no reason. I was just wondering if you guys wanted to come to the Cubs game with me and Johnny. We’re throwing out the first pitches and singing the stretch,” he said nonchalantly.

I got so excited I nearly screamed. “Fuck yes I want to go! Holy shit! And they’re playing the Cardinals!” I exclaimed. “Oh, wait, Tyler, want to go to the Cubs game? Though even if you say no, I’m going,” I chuckled.

He laughed and rolled his eyes. “Sure, I’ll go,” he replied.

“Great! I’ve got the tickets already, you guys just need to worry about getting down there. The game is at 1:20, so why don’t you guys meet us at The Cubby Bear at around 11?” he said.

“Whoa whoa, hold up. Where are these seats? In a box? If you’re doing the first pitch and stretch they’re probably not in the bleachers….behind home plate? Behind the dugout?” I rambled.

“How about you shut up and I’ll tell you,” he chuckled, and I made a face at the phone. “They’re next to the Cubs dugout, first row,” he said.

I squealed. “Holy fucking shit!” I cried. “Oh my God, I’m so there! I’ve never sat that close before! Oh my God!” I rambled, and Tyler and Patrick just laughed. “Shut up, I bleed blue,” I defended. “I’ve been a Cubs fan my entire life.”

“Well great! I gotta go, but we’ll see you guys Saturday morning!” he said.

“Bye Pat, see you Saturday!” I replied before ending the call. “Holy shit,” I breathed, falling back onto my bed. “Oh, wait!” I exclaimed, suddenly remembering something as I jumped back up. By now my knee was almost back to normal, so I could walk and all of that just fine.

“Forget something?” Tyler asked as I headed over to my closet.

I nodded. “I can’t remember if it’s in here,” I said, more to myself, as I opened the closet. I searched around for a few minutes before I finally found what I was looking for. “A-ha!” I shouted, picking it up and leaving the closet. “Found it!” I said, unfolding my huge 3x5 Cubs “W” flag.

He chuckled and rolled his eyes. “I’m gonna go ahead and guess that you’re bringing that to the game?” he asked.

“Hell yeah I am! Like I said, I bleed blue baby!” I replied, folding it back up carefully and setting it down on my desk. “Don’t worry, I won’t completely embarrass you,” I added.

I wasn’t gonna say anything about that,” he chuckled. “Plus, I highly doubt a lot of people would even know who I am,” he added. “But seriously, where did you even get that?”

I shrugged. “I’ve had it for a few years. My mom got it for me for my birthday,” I replied, my smile suddenly dropping at mentioning her.

Tyler noticed my sudden change in demeanor. “You okay?” he asked softly.

I walked back over and sat down next to him on the bed. “Honestly, I don’t know. I mean, I’m having a hard time just wrapping my head around it. Right now, all I feel is fear, and hurt. I just don’t understand why this would happen to my family; why my family!?” I exclaimed, picking up a pillow and throwing it across the room.

I stood up and started pacing, but Tyler grabbed me and held me still. “Hey, look at me,” he said, and didn’t continue until I did. “This isn’t anyone’s fault; especially not yours, if that’s where you were gonna go with this. These things just happen and, right now, your mom needs you to be strong and to think positive thoughts. That’s what I’m doing. It’s going to be fine, just you wait and see,” he said, pulling me into a tight hug and running his hand through my hair. I managed to hold my tears in as he pulled away and looked at me. “Are you okay?” he asked again.

I just nodded and pulled out of his grip. “It’s getting late,” I said, going back to the closet. “Let’s get you all set up for bed,” I continued, pulling an air mattress out of the closet and taking it out of the bag. “Why don’t you get this inflated while I jump in the shower?” I asked and he nodded. “Then we can put on a movie or something until we fall asleep.”

I then grabbed my pajamas and headed into my bathroom that was connected to my room. “I’ll be right out; blankets and pillows are in my closet. And go ahead and find something to watch on Netflix,” I said before closing the door.

After I closed the door I put my back to it and slid down it. And since I was alone, I let the tears that were threatening to come when I was hugging Tyler finally fall. I just sat there for a few moments, sobbing quietly, hoping Tyler couldn’t hear, before stripping down and getting into the shower.

Tyler’s P.O.V.

A few seconds after Jean went into the bathroom I heard a thud. I figured it was just her putting something down, but then I heard what sounded like crying. I slowly and quietly tip-toed over to the bathroom door and listened, and I was right. I could tell that she was trying really hard to be quiet, but I could hear her coming undone, and it broke my heart. She cried for a few minutes before getting in the shower and turning on the water, and it was only then that I went back to setting up my air mattress and deciding on a movie.

Normal P.O.V.

I took about twenty minutes to shower, and I cried through most of it. Before leaving the bathroom I towel-dried my hair so it wasn’t soaking wet, put on my pajamas, and made sure it didn’t look like I had been crying. When I decided I looked well enough to sell, I went into the bedroom and saw Tyler laying on the air mattress under a blanket, ready to start “10 Things I Hate About You” on Netflix. I smiled. “I love this movie,” I said, surprising him a little bit; he must not have heard me come out of the bathroom.

He turned his head to look at me and smiled. “I know; you gave it five stars and it was on your ‘watch again’ list,” he chuckled. “Feel better after your shower?” he asked.

I shrugged. “I suppose, but not really,” I replied, sitting down at the foot of my bed. “Go ahead and hit play,” I added, grabbing my pillow and turning over to lie on my stomach.

“That can’t be comfortable,” Tyler quipped, looking up at me after starting the movie.

I gave him a confused look. “What can’t be comfortable?” I asked.

“Laying on your stomach. Don’t your boobs get in the way?” he asked.

I chuckled and shook my head. “Ty, sometimes boobs are a marvelous thing, and sometimes they’re not. When it comes to laying on my stomach, believe it or not, boobs are great. It’s actually pretty comfortable,” I replied.

“Why don’t you come down here and lay with me?” he asked.

I nodded and smiled, rolling off the bed. When he moved the blanket to allow me to get under it with him, I saw that he wasn’t wearing a shirt. “Oh sweet Jesus,” I said to myself, but he heard me and chuckled.

“What?” he asked. “Does my not wearing a shirt make you nervous?” he asked cheekily as I looked over my shoulder at him. I blushed like a mad woman and shook my head.

“Shut up,” I replied, pressing my back into his chest and resting my head on his outstretched bicep. We stayed like that for the entire movie. Once it was over and I turned off the TV, I rolled over to face Tyler in the dark. “Good night,” I said softly, leaning my head to give him a sweet kiss.

“Good night,” he replied as I crawled off of the air mattress and climbed into my own bed.

I had a hard time falling asleep that night; my thoughts kept getting the better of me, but I didn’t let myself break down again until I was certain Tyler was fast asleep. I bawled quietly, but I obviously wasn’t quiet enough; I heard Tyler climb off of the air mattress and climb into my bed next to me, pulling me close. I turned into him and wrapped my arms around his waist, crying into his chest until I eventually fell asleep.

Notes