Shadows (Patrick Kane)

(47) This City

Patrick

Christmas time in the city is always special. It really makes you believe in magic and miracles and whatever else they're selling at hallmark. It's the one time of the year we give more than we receive. When family becomes the most important thing and we finally get to see that what we want most in this world can't be found under a tree but around it. And I'm not talking about the lights.

I just got back from Phoenix and Henry just got back from Seattle so naturally we both have the idea to go bother his sister. We have a group chat now and I spend more time in that chat room than any other. The Elways have become some of my best friends and with the holidays here I appreciate them more. I love that they let me bother them all the time even though we are always busy.

This late night we all jump on the couch to watch some Marvel movies. Henry was a huge comic book nerd and I wanted to get into it. So Sophia makes us some snacks and we make ourselves at home. I kick my feet up as I hang with my buddy.

"So how is Chicago treating you" I ask Hank. He just laughs as he shakes his head.

"Sure as hell not in Denver anymore" he admits.

"I know it's a lot. Walking around unbothered gets harder with each passing day. No matter how good you are someone wants to trade you and honestly it's freezing out there. Like I don't want to leave my apartment freezing all the damn time.

But the good in this place far outweighs the bad. The fans are passionate, Bears fans especially. They are ride or die so no matter what you won't be alone. And even when the world is ugly to you, you can look around and see how beautiful it is if you can truly appreciate it" I admit.

"Spoken like a man who was meant to be here" he accuses.

"Wasn't always like that. In fact it wasn't too long ago I didn't want to get out of bed. Didn't want to talk to people or even play hockey. The only reason I was here was to play and I was ready to throw it all away.

But the people here are just as convincing as the skyline as to why to stay here. You find love in the most unexpected of places. But we're lucky, people see us as answers to their questions. It makes the city that much better. Not easier but better" I insist.

"I love it here. My family is here and my future is here. We're 10-3 right now and that's with a team who had low expectations. I can't wait to see what we would be like when free agents are begging to come here. Then we can flaunt around the pier and the park and other attractions to reel them in. It's really a prime place to play" he agrees.

"I'm happy we ended up together. I think we both can make this city so proud" I nod.

"That we can" he agrees.

Sophia sets out some food before sitting herself in my lap. My arms wrap around her waist tightly and I pull her into my side. Her head rests on the nook of my neck giving me the best feeling. I softly rub her legs just trying to make her comfortable.

This past road trip was rough. It's always hard to leave the city but I find it getting harder and harder with each passing day. And she comes on some of the trips but it's not like I can just have her over on the road. I have to be responsible for my team relied on me. And she now has a future that she looks forward too. But being apart is getting harder and harder by the day. I've become accoustomed to being with her and every time I leave I die a little.

I wish I could tell her how happy she makes me. How I can have a bad day and be stuck on a stuffy plane and the only thing I want is to be with her. If there was a way that I could get her to understand just what she means to me, and what I'm willing to do just to look her in her eyes and smile. Well then life will be a lot more simple.

"Alright, I gotta get home" Henry says getting up off the couch. He comes over and gives his sister a hug and pats my shoulder before grabbing his coat.

"Don't forget we got dinner after your game this weekend" Sophia reminds him.

"I'm paying" he tries.

"Over my dead body" I tell him.

"If thats what it takes" he teases making Sophia roll her eyes. She should be used to this by now, but here we are.

He leaves and I knew that it was about time I return to my lonely home. It was already late and I'm pretty sure she had a early morning tomorrow in the studio.

"I guess I should go" I start as I get up. I feel her hand on my arm as she pulls me back.

"You don't have to" she says quietly.

I look at her weird trying to see if she was drunk. But we didn't touch a drink all night and she seemed coherent all night. But this didn't make much sense.

"I don't want to overstay" I insist.

"I want you to stay" she claims.

"Are you okay" I ask as I cup her chin. She slowly nods her head as her eyes get lost in mine.

"I just... I don't want to be alone tonight" she explains.

"Promise you're fine" I ask her.

"Promise" she says.

So we take off to her bed and crawl in. I pull her into me way happier than I should ever be. Her body forms to mine perfectly as we lay tangled up over the sheets. We didn't need sex or anything like that to lay in this bed together. Our relationship was deeper than that, though I'm not sure how much deeper.

"Do you know how happy you make me" I whisper in her ear as her grip on me gets tighter.

"I have an idea" she teases.

"Look at it this way. The one thing in this world I thought I was meant for, I hated. The one person I thought I couldn't live without was gone. And you are the only thing that brought me back" I tell her.

She rolls over before grabbing my cheeks. She places a soft kiss on my lips and I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest right there.

In that moment I knew, this must be love.