Tricks Of The Game

Chapter 39

*Kelsey's POV*

Before I knew it, Thanksgiving break was over and we were back to the ever rigorous Blackhawks schedule. We had gotten right back into the swing of things tonight with a game against the Red Wings. The boys put in a great effort, crushing them 5-0. After congratulating everyone on the victory and rearranging a few things in my office, it was time for the difficult part of my night: talking to Patrick.

I shut and locked the door to my office and turned around to see Duncan. I smiled at him and hugged him, trying to hide my evident nervousness in order to avoid any questions.

"So, how about we go home and take a nice, warm, candle-lit bubble bath, complete with rose petals and dark chocolate covered strawberries?" he asked after releasing me from the hug.

Ugh. The man knew my weaknesses well.

"That sounds wonderful, my love, but I have quite a few things to discuss with Joel before I head home. Can I take a rain check?"

I felt awful lying to him, but he would lose his mind if he knew I was communicating with Patrick in any way, shape, or form even though it was his child growing inside me. He had signed over his rights, but if he was second guessing that it would seriously throw a wrench in the plans of Duncan adopting this baby. I fully planned on getting that straightened out tonight, but Duncan couldn't know that.

"Of course darling. How about tomorrow after practice? After this weekend I can hardly leave you alone," he teased while rubbing his hands up and down my back.

"Tomorrow sounds wonderful," I said, placing a kiss on his lips. "Go ahead and take Colton home, I have a ride set up."

We said our goodbyes, and as soon as Duncan left, Patrick appeared.

"Hey," he said, leaning casually against the wall. It was hard to block out the way I used to feel about him.

"So where are we going?" I asked, pulling on my jacket.

"Let's just walk and see where we end up," he suggested. With that, we headed out into the cool night air.

It was unseasonably warm for late November, especially in Chicago. I was comfortable in the hoodie I had put on after the game and my black fall jacket. Patrick walked close to me with one hand hanging out, as though he was debating whether or not to grab mine. Two months ago, that would have been acceptable, I thought, but reminded myself he and I were far away from that moment.

"So what is it you need to talk to me about?" I asked, interrupting my previous thoughts.

"The baby..." he said almost hesitantly. Suddenly everything in my mind clicked into place. This was why he texted over break. He was having a change of heart about whether or not he wanted to be a father again, and I didn't know how I felt about it. Before I could open my mouth, he said something that stopped me dead in my tracks.

"And us."

Two simple words that could mean (and change) so many things. I didn't know how to respond.

"First things first, we shouldn't even be having this discussion. You abandoned not only me, but you abandoned our unborn child. I am being extremely generous by even giving you the time of day right now. But it's better late than never. Start with the baby." I looked at him expectantly, trying to hide how nervous I really was.

"I can't believe I signed those papers, Kelsey. I know that's what you wanted, but I can't not be in my child's life. I cannot let Duncan raise my child while I just sit in the background. I can't live with my son or daughter not knowing that I am their dad. I wish I could take back every word I said after I found out you were pregnant. That should have been the happiest day of my life. I can't even begin to tell you how horrible I feel about this. I loved you- fuck, I do love you, and I let you walk away. I know sorry isn't good enough, but..." He paused, a tear silently rolling down his cheek. That's how I knew he meant every word. Patrick never cried. Not a tear was shed that I saw when Abby left, and he had 2 kids with her.

I looked at the man who, through everything, still undeniably had my heart. Tears stung the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill over, but I swallowed them back.

"This is your baby as much as it is mine, Patrick. I'm not going to keep you from seeing him or her. I don't know what we have to do in order to have those papers annulled, but we will do whatever it takes. But know this child is not somebody you can walk out on. I am not somebody you can walk out on." The tears that I had held back blurred my vision, finally spilling over. Patrick immediately pulled me into his arms, soothing the pain he had caused. As soon as I stopped crying, I felt an odd little jab at the front of my stomach. A grin spread across my face, realizing what was happening.

"Did you feel that?" I asked, grinning up at him. He gave me a quizzical look as it happened again. "The baby is kicking!" I exclaimed as I grabbed his hand and placed it in the same spot the baby had just kicked. The baby kicked again, and I watched Patrick's eyes light up as he felt it.

"That's our baby," he said with a grin. Before I could register what was happening, he leaned in and kissed me. The kiss was passionate, and I was surprised to feel the spark that had connected us the first day. He slowed the kiss down, softly pecking my lips a few more times before pulling back.

"So where does that leave us?" he asked, a hopeful smile slowly spreading across his face.

Before I could answer, a sudden sharp pain in my chest told me everything was very wrong. Patrick reached out to catch me, and everything went black.