Chapter 20-Lord Stanley, Puck Bunnies, and Pregnancy

Pat’s POV

When I woke up in the morning, I noticed the clothes on the floor and the handcuffs on the nightstand. I smirked to myself at the thought of what happened between Ally and me the night before. I don’t know what got into her and quite frankly I wasn’t complaining, but what the hell was I thinking telling her the connection wasn’t there between us anymore? We had one hell of a connection between us, I always felt the sparks between us when she kissed me.

“Pat,” she said standing in the doorway wearing my Hawks sweatpants and one of my t-shirts. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and was every which way.

“Good morning baby.”

She walked over to me and kneeled down to give me a kiss, “Did you sleep well?”

“I slept really well. Last night was amazing.”

“Tell me about it,” she said smiling, “I don’t know what got into me. I guess I was caught in the moment yesterday helping Erica pick out a present for Jon that I wanted to do something special for you.”

“I told you that you can still grab onto my hair.”

“I still hate it and I’m cutting mine today to get even with you.”

“I love your hair long though.”

“I love your hair long too but that didn’t stop you from getting it cut to look like Billy Ray Cyrus.”

“Hey that’s not funny,” I said smiling, “Listen, I’m really sorry about what I said yesterday afternoon. We have one hell of a connection and I was an idiot for even bringing it up.”

“Don’t worry about it, I forgot about it. So should you, I love you now come on and get something to eat I made your favorite.”

“Ham and cheese omelet?”

“Yeah now come on get dressed before it gets cold,” she said smiling.

“Maybe I don’t want to get dressed and I want to stay naked all day long.”

“As much as I would love that we can’t do that incase half of your team drops in unexpectedly like they always do.”

“Alright fine,” I said sighing in defeat and she laughed.

I climbed out of bed and looked for my boxers on the floor.

“Like what you see,” I said over my shoulder and she laughed and smacked my bare ass.

“I’ve seen better,” she joked while smirking and I rolled my eyes before helping her up off of the floor and we both walked out into the kitchen. I sat down at the counter and she placed the plate in front of me.

“Where’s yours,” I asked.

“I ate while making yours.”

“Oh, what do you want to do later?”

“How about we go see a movie or we can go out to dinner. I can cook you dinner if you’d like and we can watch a movie here.”

“How about we stay in tonight, you don’t cook a thing, we order take-out, and eat while watching a movie?”

“Sounds good,” she said smiling at me and I leaned over the island and gave her a kiss.

“You look good in my clothes by the way.”

“I wish I could say the same for you.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, this is how it was supposed to be. The two of us making sarcastic comments while being totally in love at the same time, it just felt right. It was like we were teenagers all over again.

I remember when I was thirteen and she was lying in the grass outside in the backyard and I sat next to her and without even realizing it held her hand. We both got into a fist fight when I did that and she kicked my ass but looking back on it now, look at how far we’ve come.

“What are you laughing at,” she asked me raising an eyebrow.

“Remember when we were thirteen and you were in the backyard and I held your hand so you sat on me and kept hitting me?”

“Oh my God,” she said laughing, “I completely forgot about that. How would the guys like hearing that you got your ass kicked by a girl?”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

“Want me to go with you when you get your hair cut?”

“Erica is supposed to go but I know Jon’s parents are coming so I highly doubt she can go now. Are you sure you want to go?”

“I don’t have anything better to do and besides I don’t want you going too crazy with your hair.”

“You’re one to talk Billy Ray.”

“You’re going to pay for that,” I said standing up and she took off down the hall with me running after her.

“Catch me if you can Patty Cake,” she said running into the living room and back out through the game room.

“You haven’t called me that in years,” I yelled smiling.

She tripped and before she could fall I grabbed her and held her against my chest with her back to me and my arms around her waist. I inhaled her scent and she was wearing that damn body spray I loved so much.

I felt her relax in my arms and I kissed her below her ear before I turned her around and took her face in my hands and kissed her lips.

“You know you calling me Patty Cake made me think of draft day when you called me that and I kissed your cheek,” I said and she smiled before she kissed me again.

“I love you so much, Pat.”

“I love you too,” I said kissing her forehead before I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and hugged her to me.

Jon’s POV

My mom had just called me and told me they were on their way to my house from the airport. I shuffled around my rooms struggling to get dressed. Erica was nowhere to be found and I assumed she was at Pat’s house with Ally or something like that.

My nose lead me to the kitchen where Erica was standing at the stove cooking something. She was dressed in the button down that I had on last night and I immediately sucked my breath in at the sight of her in my shirt. I could definitely get used to this, I wish she’d move in with me already but she doesn’t want to leave her family in Buffalo. Maybe I’ll take her to Winnipeg for the summer, I would love for her to see the city that I grew up in.

“Good morning babe,” I said wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing her cheek.

“Hey,” she smiled giving me a kiss.

“You might want to go get dressed, my parents are on their way over here from the airport.”

“Wow, they’re here early.”

“You knew they were coming?”

“I called them last week and asked them if they wanted to come out here for your birthday.”

“My birthday was yesterday so what are they doing here?”

“Your mom had to work yesterday so she said she’d come in and spend the weekend here with us.”

“What would you say to going to Winnipeg with me for the summer?”

“Like the whole entire summer?”

“Yeah like from after playoffs are over until you have to go back to classes up in Buffalo.”

“I’d love to go to Canada with you.”

“Really,” I asked smiling at how fast she answered that question.

“Yes really,” she said when there was a knock at the door.

“Ah shit those are my parents,” I said and she took off running down the hall. Walking through the dining room to get to my front door I noticed the bra that she had on last night.

“ERICA,” I yelled and she turned around.

“What?”

“Get rid of this,” I said tossing the black lace object at her and she walked into the room and shut the door behind her.

That’s all I needed was my mom to find out about my sex life, talk about embarrassing.

A month and a half later

I watched with the rest of Chicago and the families of the team as game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals went into overtime. The boys were so close to winning but Philly had to tie it with a few minutes remaining in the third period.

As overtime began, the Hawks came out firing. All of the sudden I see Pat skating down the ice and jumping up and down like a mad man.

“OH MY GOD DID HE SCORE,” I asked Donna who shrugged her shoulders.

The Wachovia Center in Philadelphia was stunned and in complete silence right now. I looked up at the video board and saw the puck fly out of the net on the glove side of Michael Leighton.

“OH MY GOD THEY WON,” Erica shouted jumping up and hugging me. The families section went crazy.

The rest of the guys cleared the bench and jumped on poor Nemo who needed to breath. I pulled my camera out of my purse and watched as the guys shook hands with the Flyers and Gary Bettman stepped out onto the ice amidst a sea of boos.

He announced that Jon was the MVP with twenty-nine points in the playoffs. Up next was the presentation of the Stanley Cup. Erica, Andrée, and Bryan had tears in their eyes as he lifted it into the air and was screaming at the top of his lungs.

“OH MY GOD! DID THEY WIN,” Leah shouted running down the steps.

“Pat scored,” I said proudly, “They won.”

“Fuck me pissing fifty million times during this pregnancy,” she said as Adam skated out of the runway and over to his team.

“Are you telling him tonight,” Donna asked.

“Yep,” Leah said smiling and I screamed as Pat lifted the cup up into the air.

Jordan was jumping up and down on the seat next to Alyssa when she looked over and gave me a thumbs up.

All of us headed down to the ice so we can share the moment with the team. Pat skated over to me as soon as he saw me and picked me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist and gave him a kiss. His playoff beard was gross but I was sure that was being shaved off tonight and it made me happy.

Donna, Jackie, Jessica, Erica, and Pat Sr. all hugged Pat when he set me down on my feet. Jon skated over to Erica and gave her a kiss before hugging his mom, dad, and brother.

“You won baby,” I said to Pat who screamed and picked me up again.

“Where’s Adam,” Leah asked Pat who pointed towards Robert, Karen, and Nikki.

“LEAH,” Adam shouted rushing over to his wife.

“YOU WON BABY,” Leah shouted and Adam picked her up, “I have something to tell you.”

“What is it,” he asked.

“I’m pregnant,” she said and his smile got even bigger as he spun her around while hugging her.

“How long have you known?”

“A month and a half,” Leah replied, “I wanted to wait until you guys won so I could tell you.”

“BABY WE’RE HAVING A BABY,” he yelled causing Robert, Karen, and Nikki to jump for joy.

“I take it she told him,” Sharpie said skating over to us.

“Yup,” I replied, “Congratulations Sharpie.”

“Thanks hon,” he replied giving me a hug.

“DADDY,” Jordan screamed running down the red carpet and Brent skated over to him so he didn’t slip on the ice. Brent picked Jordan up in his arms and put him on his hip as he gave Alyssa a one armed hug.

“That’s definitely picture worthy,” Donna said.

“Team picture, gotta go,” Pat said as they all skated to the center of the ice and took a picture.

I snapped one too and put my now dead camera in my purse. I could use my phone since the camera decided to be a piece of shit.

A reporter from Chicago came over to Pat and us after the arena cleared out and everyone was still on the ice.

“Patrick, do you care to introduce us to your family,” she asked.

“This is Erica, my oldest sister and Tazer’s girlfriend, she’s 21.”

“I’m 20.”

“Oh she’s 20, I’m 21 and this is my beautiful fiancée Ally. My sister Jackie, the athlete of the family, that’s Jessica, and you guys of course know my mom Donna and my dad Pat.”

“Ally and Erica you two are definitely probably the most hated girls in Chicago right now being in a relationship with the Batman and Robin of this team, how does that make you feel?”

“I wouldn’t say we’re the most hated girls in Chicago but the feelings we have right now after they have just ended a 41 year drought makes us so proud of them and we couldn’t have asked for a better brother, best friend, or boyfriend,” Erica replied.

“Very well, well Patrick congratulations and we’ll see you back in Chicago.”

After we flew back to Chicago from Philadelphia we couldn’t help but party. Pat was drunk and Jon drank so much champagne he was feeling no pain.

We watched from inside Chicago O’Hare as the guys got off the plane and Jon lead the pack with the cup up in the air.

“I pray to God he shaves when we get home,” Erica said and I laughed.

“Pat said he’s keeping the mullet and I hate it which is why my hair is cut as short as it is,” I replied running my hands through my newly trimmed bob.

When I got my hair cut back in Chicago after Pat got the mullet, I kept the length because he begged me to but before the boys got back to Chicago I rushed to the same salon and got side bangs with a shoulder length bob.

“Does he know you got your hair cut,” Donna asked.

“Nope and he’s probably running on such an adrenaline rush that he won’t even notice.”

“What the fuck were you thinking,” he whispered to me as he walked over towards us.

“I wanted it cut short for a while now,” I replied and he rolled his eyes giving me a kiss and wrapping his arm around my waist as we headed towards the sea of reporters.

“Here wear this,” he said handing me a ring.

“Why?”

“They think we’re engaged and you need a ring so wear this.”

“Where’d you get this?”

“Don’t worry about it just wear it,” he replied and I slipped it on my ring finger.

I knew it was real but I just didn’t know where he got it from and how he got it so fast. It wasn’t an engagement ring, I was sure of it. Just something small that he bought for me and I couldn’t help but smile as we walked hand in hand through the airport.

I felt the glares from the female fans outside and I turned around and looked at Erica who was laughing at me because she knew was getting glared at too. I was used to it but she wasn’t since she was barely in Chicago.

Later that night we all ended up at this bar called “Tavern” in downtown Chicago. Everyone was there, Carmen and Leah left early because Leah got sick and Carmen wasn’t comfortable being there so she volunteered to take Leah home.

Pat and Jon stood up on a platform in the middle of the bar and started dancing. They pulled Erica and me on the platform with them and we were grinding to “Bedrock” by Young Money.

“You know this is my favorite song,” Pat said holding his hand out for me to take, “So, it’s only fair I dance to it with my favorite girl.”

“Do you always sweet talk your way into grinding with girls like this,” I asked.

“Just the really cute ones I’ve known since I was five,” he replied as we started making out while dancing to the song. I felt his hands go up the back of my shirt and I smirked against his lips.

“Not here,” I whispered but his lips never left mine and his hands fell to my ass.

“Get a room you two,” Sharpie yelled and I flipped him off.

“I’m not done with you, we’ll finish this later.”

“Not if you continue to drink like a fish,” I said smiling and hopped off the platform with Erica as the song ended.

We walked over to the bar and sat down. Adam came over and bought me a drink since I obviously wasn’t old enough to get it myself. Erica wouldn’t drink and just drank coke while we were sitting there laughing at the girls throwing themselves at Pat and Jon but they got rejected every time.

“Well, well, well if it isn’t the two biggest whores in Chicago,” a voice said behind us and I turned around to see two girls dressed like sluts standing there.

“Oh you’re right, Erica meet the two biggest whores in Chicago,” I said smirking and pointing at the two girls in front of me, “Meet bitch number one and bitch number two.”

“You know they can do so much better than the two of you,” the blonde slut said, “You do know they cheat on you when they’re on the road, right?”

“I’ve known Pat since I was five years old and we’ve been together for three years. I know him better than both of you sluts so if you’re going to stand here and talk about my best friend and myself, I suggest you back off before I kick both of your anorexic asses to the street corners you two whores came from.”

“Whatever,” the brunette said rolling her eyes before she approached Erica and got in her face, “You think you’re little miss perfect because you’re with Tazer. He doesn’t love you, he’s just using you because he feels sorry for your ass because you can’t get a real boyfriend.”

I couldn’t take it anymore, I stood up from my bar stool with my fists clenched and was in the girl’s face ready to fight. I saw Sharpie look in my direction from the corner of my eye, I saw Troy nudge Kris who took a drink of his beer and sat down on the platform watching me.

“I got twenty on Ally,” Kris said to Troy who rolled his eyes.

“What? She looks like she can kick her ass.”

I saw Sharpie say something to Pat who tapped Jon on the shoulder, “You might want to go get your girl,” he said to Pat who looked at Ally in a brunette’s face.

“She must have said something to really piss her off,” Pat said tapping Jon on the shoulder, “Jon, come on we have to go get our girls before we’re bribing cops with Stanley Cup photo ops tonight.”

I saw Jon and Pat walking towards us and I was grateful because if they hadn’t came over to us when they did I’m pretty sure I would have been front page news tomorrow morning.

“What are you going to do about it, whore,” the blonde asked Erica who sat there as Jon came over.

“Excuse me ladies, what seems to be the problem,” he asked.

“Oh nothing, we were just talking,” the brunette said getting close to Jon and I saw Erica shift on the stool uncomfortably. Jon stepped away from the girl and wrapped his arm around Erica’s waist.

“No you weren’t,” he said, “I really don’t appreciate you talking to my girlfriend that way.”

“My fiancée only gets in people’s faces when she needs to and by the looks of it, you two must have really pissed her off. Do us all a favor and get away from both Erica and Ally before we have you thrown out,” Pat said to the girls who huffed and walked away.

“Toodaloo you motherfucking skanks,” I waved and they kept on walking.

“You okay, baby,” Jon asked Erica wrapping his arms around her and she pushed him away.

“I really need to go home,” she said and I volunteered to take her back to my house where Carmen was with Leah.

“We’re going to head out,” I said to Pat, “Please don’t overdo it and have me bailing your ass out of jail again for assaulting a taxi driver.”

“What did they say to you,” he asked me about the girls.

“We’ll talk about it at home,” I said giving him a kiss, “See you later.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Jon went to give Erica a kiss and she turned her face. He sighed before he gave her a kiss on the cheek and I stood up and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

“Don’t worry about it Jon,” I whispered, “She’ll be okay.”

“What did they say to her?”

“This is not the place to discuss it because you’ll go find them and you may want me to kick those two’s asses,” I said and she nodded his head.

When we were leaving the bar, my boss at the fashion agency I was currently working for was coming in.

“Where are you going,” Courtney asked me.

“We have to head out before I kick those two bitches in the corner’s asses,” I replied as the girls were staring at me, “TAKE A FUCKING PICTURE IT’LL LAST LONGER YOU WHORES!!”

“I came down here like you told me but since you’re leaving I’ll go too since I don’t know anyone.”

“Just a second,” I said turning to where Sharpie was, “HEY SHARPIE, COME HERE!!”

“Holy shit that’s Patrick Sharp,” she said and I smiled when he came over.

“What’s up doll face,” he asked, “Are you okay? Want an escort out?”

“We’re fine, this is my boss Courtney from down at the fashion agency,” I said introducing her to him, “Courtney this is Patrick and Patrick this is Courtney.”

“Nice to meet you,” she said smiling as he shook her hand and I saw her blush.

“Can you do me a favor and keep her company? I invited her down here but I didn’t intend to leave this early and do me another favor and watch those two sluts around Jon and Pat. If they pull any funny business, I want security over here immediately tossing them out.”

“You got it boss,” he said smiling, “So Courtney, where are you from?”

Courtney mouthed a thank you and I walked out of the bar with my arm around Erica.

“You okay sweetie,” I said when we got into the car.

“Do you really think Jon cheats on me,” she said crying.

“My God no,” I said hugging her, “He loves you so much, he’d never cheat on you. Pat doesn’t cheat on me either. I know this for sure because Sharpie watches them for us. Sharpie is the only one I trust besides Troy and Adam.”

“What about Kris,” she asked.

“He’s a lovable pig like Piglet from Winnie the Pooh,” I said and she laughed as we pulled into the garage of mine and Pat’s apartment building.

“What are you guys doing home so early,” Leah asked when we walked through the door.

“We got into a fight with two puck bunnies and we came home before I kicked their asses. The boys are still there but don’t worry Sharpie is watching them for us.”

I saw Brent walk out of the kitchen, “When the hell did you leave the bar?”

“The babysitter called us and told us Jordan was sick so Alyssa and I left shortly after we got there. You would have known that haven’t you been dry-humping Kaner on the dance floor.”

“Where’s Alyssa,” I asked.

“I’m right here,” she said coming out of the bathroom with Jordan sleeping on her shoulder.

“Is he okay,” I asked.

“He’s fine just a stomach ache, no fever though so that’s good,” she replied and I rubbed Jordan’s back. He reached his arms out for me and I took him from her and sat down on the couch with him.

“Erica, are you okay,” Alyssa asked Erica who shook her head no.

“Ally, do you mind if I go lay down in the empty bedroom,” she asked.

“Not at all, go right ahead,” I said and she walked down the hall shutting the door behind her.

“What the hell happened,” Carmen asked.

“Two whores came over to us and told us that Jon and Pat can do much better than us and that they cheat on us every chance they get and that Jon is only with Erica because she can’t get no other boyfriend.”

“Wow what fucking bitches,” Leah said, “Where’s Adam?”

“He was talking to Troy when I left the bar. He was keeping to himself in the corner just drinking. Are you feeling any better?”

“A little bit,” she said smiling, “Thanks for asking, these hormones are kicking my ass.”

“It’ll pass soon,” I said like I knew, “Just think you have your first ultra sound appointment next week. I know Adam is looking forward to it.”

“ERICA,” Jon shouted running through the door with Pat following behind him.

“God damn Jon slow down,” Brent said and Jon ran through the house.

“Where is she,” he asked.

“She’s in the room across the hall from mine and Pat’s,” I said and he knocked on the door.

“Erica, it’s me let me in.”

“Go away.”

“Not until you talk to me.”

“I don’t have anything to say to you.”

“Baby, please let me in.”

“NO!”

“Adam, hold Jordan,” I said handing the sleeping toddler over to Adam who sat down next to Leah and gave her a kiss.

“How was the party,” she asked.

“It was fun but I couldn’t have fun knowing you were sick.”

“The party don’t start until I walk in,” Kris sang coming though the door.

“CAN IT VERBEAUTY WE HAVE NEIGHBORS,” I said and he smirked taking a seat next to Carmen when Troy came through the door and picked Carmen up setting her down on his lap.

“Where’s Sharpie,” Adam asked.

“He’s still at the bar with that Courtney chick, she’s smokin’ hot,” Kris whistled.

“She’s my boss at the fashion agency and has the hots for him so I took it upon myself to hook them up,” I said going over to Jon.

“Come on Erica open this door or I’m knocking it down,” Jon threatened.

“You knock any door down in my house and your MVP trophy winning ass is going to pay for it,” I threatened as I knocked on the door, “Erica, please open the door.”

“I’m not opening it if he’s there,” she said.

Pat slammed his fist down on the counter and rolled his eyes before he walked over to the door and beat on it.

“I swear to God Erica if you don’t open this door I am going to poke something in the lock hole and open it myself. You have until the count of five.”

“She’s not a kid Kaner,” Kris said laughing.

“FUCK OFF VERBEAUTY!”

“I’d gladly fuck your sisters or Ally but you not so much,” Kris joked and everyone laughed.

Erica opened the door and Jon pushed his way in shutting the door behind him.

“What happened at the bar,” Pat asked as Jordan came running down the hall and tugged on his shorts.

“Uncle Patwick, up,” he said holding out his arms.

“What’s up little Seabs,” Pat said smiling ruffling his hair and I smiled. Pat was so good with kids and Jordan loved him to death. I definitely couldn’t wait to have kids with Pat but I was twenty years old and wasn’t ready to have them yet.

“Can we party here,” Kris asked.

“JESUS GOD KRIS GO HOME,” I said and he laughed before saying goodbye to everyone and heading out the door.

“We’re going to head out too,” Adam said with Leah behind him, “See you guys at the parade tomorrow.”

“Bye Adam, Leah make sure you call me if you need anything,” I said and she hugged me before they walked out the door.

“Come on little man,” Brent said holding his arms out for Jordan who snuggled closer to Pat.

“No!”

“I’ll give you ice cream.”

“No!”

“Uncle Duncan will let you ride with him on the bus in the parade tomorrow.”

“YAY UNCLE DUNCAN,” Jordan screamed launching himself into Brent’s arms.

“Oh great I have two of them who are crazy about Duncan,” Alyssa said, “Just my luck.”

Brent rolled his eyes and laughed as they left the house. Last to leave was Troy and Carmen.

“Can you please tell me what happened,” Pat said when the door shut.

“We were sitting at the bar, Adam had bought me a drink. Erica and I were talking and those two girls walked over to us and called us whores. They told us you guys could do better than us and that you guys cheat on us. The brunette chick got in Erica’s face and said that Jon only dates her because she can’t get anyone else.”

Pat was beyond pissed and quite frankly I didn’t blame him, I’d be pissed too if someone ruined my reputation, wait the fans do that every day on those stupid online boards.

“You know that isn’t true,” Pat said.

“I know, Pat, I know.”

“I love you too much.”

“I love you too.”

“I wish it was the middle of July so we can go to Disney World.”

“Me too, I can’t wait for the summer.”

“I’m tired, how about you?”

“It’s been another long day and it’s going to be even longer tomorrow with the parade,” I said, “Come on let’s go to bed.”

“After you,” he said following me down the hall before he pushed me up against the wall and gave me a kiss.

“What the hell has gotten into you?”

“I wanted you to know how much I love you and how happy I am that you are here with me today.”

“Are you drunk?”

“A little bit,” he smiled.

“Sleep, now,” I said and he flopped down on the bed.

“How am I supposed to get undressed?”

“You’re a big boy, you figure that out yourself.”

“Can you do it for me,” he asked and I knew what he was getting at.

“Nope,” I said taking my clothes off not caring if I was naked in front of him. It’s not like he hasn’t seen anything before so I pulled my spaghetti strap t-shirt over my head and my shorts on.

“That’s not very fair you get undressed in front of me and I can’t do anything.”

“You’re drunk and I’m not having sex with you while you’re drunk. We’ll have our fun tomorrow if you’re not drunk.”

“Promise,” he said.

“I promise, now get some sleep,” I said giving him a kiss.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Pat. Good night.”

“Night,” he said kissing my forehead. Both of us fell asleep not even thinking about what was going on in the room across the hall from them.

“Erica please talk to me,” Jon said as Erica laid on the bed with her back towards him.

“What’s there to say Jon?”

“What happened at the bar?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“GOD DAMN IT ERICA,” Jon shouted.

“WHAT JON,” she said sitting up, “Do you want to know what they said. They said I’m a whore and that you cheat on me every chance you get and the only reason you’re with me is because I can’t get anyone else.”

Jon sighed and pulled her to him, “That’s not true.”

“How do I know that?”

“I’ve never been in a serious relationship before, I’ve had girls I’ve dated but you, you’re different. I can be myself around you and not have to worry about saying the wrong thing. I also know that you aren’t using me for fame and that you really and truly love me for who I am.”

“So the only reason you’re with me is because I’m not using you,” she said crying.

“I’m with you because you make me feel complete. Erica, I was lonely for so long. I hated not having someone there to tell me great game or that I will do better the next game when I have a bad one. Erica, you’re my life now. For so long hockey took up my life but the day you walked into that locker room my life changed. I love you more than anything in this world. I love everything about you: your laugh, your eyes, and the way you smile when Kris tells a dumb joke. I love you much more than life. I’d give up my career for you.”

“I love you so much Jonny.”

“I love you too more than you could ever know. Those other girls can’t compare to you. I put up with girls like that on an everyday basis and why would I want them when I have the most beautiful girl in the world. I don’t notice them when I’m not with you and I don’t notice them when I’m with you.”

Erica couldn’t help but cry as she clung to Jon and he held her in his arms. Erica almost cried herself to sleep but Jon made sure she was awake before he asked her the one question he had been dying to ask her all day.

“Move in with me?”

“What?”

“I know I asked you before but I really want you to consider it.”

“I can’t just leave Buffalo.”

“You have to leave sometime,” Jon said, “Please just think about it.”

“I will,” she replied giving him a kiss.

“I’m tired,” Jon said, “Come on let’s go home. We have to wake up early tomorrow for the parade.”

Erica stood up from the bed and Jon wrapped his arm around her waist and they left the house to go back to Jon’s.

“Goodnight baby,” Jon said kissing her again.

“Goodnight Jonny,” she replied as he turned off the lamp.

Erica fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillows while Jon laid in bed with his arms around her thinking about how he could convince her to move to Chicago. He had the perfect plan, he just needed Pat’s help. One thing is for sure this summer was going to be a crazy ride but he then again so was his life.