Shadows (Patrick Kane)

(45) Loved

Sophia

Though I don't travel too often for my job I found myself out in LA to cover a Blackhawks game. Unless I asked for a certain game I usually stayed in Chicago and worked from there. Between the Blackhawks and the Bears there's also something going on in the city that I could work on while letting other reporters travel. But today was a special occasion, Patrick's birthday was here at the end of the circus trip that had kept them away for a while and I was more than excited to be able to see him. They got in late last night but luckily that means they had a free day today. So that meant I got to spend the whole day with the birthday boy.

I was able to pull a few strings and rent out the Staples Center before they tore everything up for the game tomorrow night. We got the basketball court for a few hours to shoot some hoops and eat cake and celebrate one of the greatest gifts the game of hockey and Chicago has ever seen.

It wasn't easy planning this. I wanted it to be a surprise so I told him we had to stop by here so I can grab something for the game tomorrow. He had no idea his friends and family were inside ready to celebrate him. With his family being on the other side of the continent getting them here wasn't easy. Especially since his dad doesn't fly unless he absolutely has to. So they drive out and I do my part to make them feel welcomed here. This day was about Patrick but the saftey of his family and friends is important too.

A little before 11 am we arrive at the Staples Center and they let us walk through. I spent most of the morning setting up hoping it would be perfect. Not much is said as we walk through the hallways because I don't want to ruin everything. Patrick just looks around considering he's always down on the ice when he's here and hasn't seen much of the common areas. Staples is a historic building and its cool that they let us use it. Especially considering the Kings are not huge fans of Patrick's. You pull out the heart breaker celly against a team and they tend not to like you. But being who he is and be being who I am it allowed for me to set up a pretty cool birthday.

"Why don't we wait inside for my coworker to get here? Chill out and look around until he arrives" I suggest.

"I'm down. I've always wanted to see the basketball court" he admits. He will be able to see that today.

We walk inside and the lights were low at first. But they get turned on to reveal the court all decorated with birthday balloons and streamers. There was a table for gifts and food and drinks. Everyone down there yells "surprise" among other things making me laugh. It wasn't perfect but I think it captures Patrick's friends and family pretty perfectly. He smiles big before turning to me.

"Did you do this" he asks.

"No. I just planned it, rented the place out and got your friends and family here. Wait... I guess I did do this" I piece together.

Before I have time to figure it out I get pulled into a huge hug. My eyes flutter shut as my arms wrap around him too.

"Thank you" he whispers in my ear.

"Anything for you" I assure him.

I bring him down and he says hi to everyone. It took but a few minutes for him to start throwing up shots through the hoops. Not so deep down he wanted to be a baller. Being 5'11" on paper meant that basketball wasn't really a good option but he still loves it. He had a court in his home in Buffalo and he plays it every chance she gets. And where better of a place to shoot some ball than in a place like this?

I let him go off and play with his friends. I find his sisters and talk to them with it being they're one of the few girls here.

"You really did all of this for my brother" Erica asks making me chuckle.

"I did. I knew he was bummed he couldn't be back home or in Chicago for his birthday. So I brought home to him. He won't admit it but he's emotional, loves these kinds of things. I know he will appreciate this more than anything he could wear" I admit.

"This means the world to him. Just as you do" Jackie claims.

"I don't know about all that. We're best friends, best friends do stuff like this all the time" I try.

"Best friends don't act like you two do" Jackie claims. "All of this comes from the heart. Only you know him in the way that allows something like this to happen. He has best friends but you're not one of them" Jess accuses.

"If we're not best friends then what are we" I challenge.

"Confused" Erica shrugs. Sadly I don't think she's wrong.

"I just really wanted him to have a good time. He should see that no matter where in this world he is he is loved" I defend.

"He will be. Because no matter where he goes, he will have you" Erica claims.

After he messed around for a little we eat some food and relax for a little. I prepared a little video for those people who couldn't make it and a montage of some of his best moments. Perks of working at a tv company is having a editor who has been working with videos of Patrick for years. Didn't take him too long to put everything together.

"Sit" I tell Patrick as I put him in one of the chairs in the lower bowl. I sit next to him as the lights get dim. Everyone settles down before turning to the Jumbotron.

The video starts out with his family wishing him. Happy birthday. It goes to the guys giving him a hard time and making every joke they possibly can. His friends from Buffalo pitch in and even a few other players from around the league.

The video transitions to his on ice accomplishments. We see what another year has brought us and it's a lot of memorable moments both on and off the ice. I of course add some videos of his grandparents with help from his mom. The video turned out to be pretty great and Patrick couldn't get the smile off his face.

Finally my brother and I show up to wish him a happy birthday. Hank and Patrick have grown quite close, just not as close as Patrick and I. It was fun to put everything together and maybe get him to see how loved he is.