Shadows (Patrick Kane)

(12) Approval

Sophia

Since my family was in town I was obligated to see them. I wasn't really interested in trailing them as people ask for pictures and they sit there and act like I don't even exist. But I can be the bigger person and swallow my pride and meet up with them. Of course Patrick insisted on coming with me. He wanted to meet my dad and vice versa. Plus if I need a get away card I can pull the "Patrick needs to get ready for game seven tonight" excuse and they'll let us go.

"How do I look" he asks as I laugh at him.

"You're meeting my dad, not the president" I tease.

"I've met the president. Twice. And I wasn't quite as nervous to meet him as I am to meet your family" he claims.

"Why are you nervous" I question.

"I really want your dad and brother to like me" he tries.

"Why? He won't sign anything" I assure him. My dads not the type.

"I don't want his autograph" he scoffs. "I want..." he trails off.

"Approval" I ask.

He turns from me as he adjusts his shirt again. "Yeah. I guess so" he shrugs.

"Why do you need their approval? I already like you-" I start as he smirks. "You know what I mean" I say as I nudge his side.

"And that's why I want them to like me. No matter what happens between us I want us to be together. Whatever way possible. And that'll be hard if your family doesn't like me" he tries.

"I don't care what they think Patrick. They could hate you and I would still hang out with you. Maybe even more than before just to spite them" I smile.

"Cute" he laughs.

We meet them at a nice restaurant and I introduce everyone. We get seated and order some food before my dad starts with the questions.

"So Patrick, you ready for the game tonight" my dad asks.

"Yeah, I think I am. I really like our chances to repeat and were playing good hockey right now. Plus my family is in town and it's nice having them come watch me. It means a lot to me" he explains.

"I wish I could say the same for Sophie" he shuns as I roll my eyes. Here we go.

"Dad, can we not do this? Because no matter how many times I tell you why I feel the way I do you don't ever seem listen. So let's not make this lunch messy" I beg.

"I'm just saying" he tries.

"I've felt more at home here in Chicago, by myself, than I ever felt surrounded by people in Denver. And I'm happy you guys are here, I really am. I hope that you love it as much as I do. But Chicago is my home, this is my future and it's mine only. Not Henry's or yours, but mine. There has been nothing I could call my own and I finally found my something. It's not that I don't want to be around you guys it's... it's hard to explain" I sigh.

"I think what Posey is trying to say is that in order to find herself she needed to not be your daughter or Henry's sister, not whatever her last name brings, but she needed to find out who she is without you guys. And that's not saying she doesn't want or need her family. She knows she does. She just wants to be her own person, walk her own path instead of the one you lay for her. Sophia is a brilliant young woman, maybe even more wise than she knows. I've been lucky enough to get to know her and see things she doesn't often show. She is on her way to do some incredible things but it's whatever she finds on her own" Patrick tries to explain.

I smile like a idiot as I get lost in his words. I couldn't have said it better myself. Believe me, I tried. For some reason he always sees more in me than I can find. No matter how hard I look I can't see it. But now I have someone who will say those things I've left unspoken for so long. And maybe now that he's saying it dad will finally listen.

"You're pretty fond of my daughter huh" he asks and my eyes get big. Dear god please don't let him embarrass me.

"I like to think so" Patrick smiles.

"Well I'm happy you two found each other. It sounds like you two make quite the pair" my dad insists.

"That we do" I admit.

We finish lunch and dad shared the same stories he always shares. He was a great quarterback but that was a long time ago. There's a new generation upon us and it's my brothers time and Patrick's time. And I hope he sees that this city doesn't owe him shit, my brother has a long road ahead of him before he can retire in peace like dad did.

"So Patrick, any advice for a kid coming to the city trying to turn around a franchise like you did" Henry asks.

"You mean while keeping your sanity in tact" Patrick teases earning a few chuckles. "But for real, you can't sweat it. There's always going to be doubt, going to people in the corner across from you praying that you fail. You can't let them get to you. Because the fans here are insane, they love their sports teams. They ride and die with you. I just suggest staying away from the bars though, they'll get you every time" he laughs.

"Hey! They're not all bad. That's where I met you" I remind him.

"And for that I am happy. But I wasn't supposed to be there that night. It was more fate than anything" he assures me.

"You think us meeting was fate" I smile.

He freezes for a second once he realize what he had said. I smile like a idiot as he starts to get flustered.

"I mean, yeah. I guess it was. There was a lot of people that night and you could have gone up to any guy to ask for help. You found me and now here we are" he shrugs.

"I guess you're right" I admit.

We finish up and I send the boys on their way. My dad was finishing up getting Henry settled in and Henry was getting work in. So I go back to Patrick's place to get ready for tonight's game.

"Thank you for saying those kind words. It means a lot to know that you think so highly of me. Though I'm not sure I'm ever going to be as great as you make me seem" I insist.

"I think you'll be even better" he smiles.