Oceans Between - L. Hughes

Thirty Seven

"There is an indentation in the shape of you. Made your mark on me, a golden tattoo."

~*~*~

*Two months later*

Pulling my jacket up over my shoulders I exit the car quickly. I'm ushered into the building through the player entrance to avoid any hassle. I can't help the nervous wringing of my fingers as we get closer to the suite.

I'm sweating though my deodorant the closer we get. I've never really had a problem making friends, I'd like to think of myself as a friendly person. Someone people can feel comfortable with right away but this time I'm wildly nervous.

Tonight Luke plays his very first game in the NHL and there is absolutely no way I would miss it. We came up with a plan earlier. Since it's the first game of the season I'll start out in the WAG suite so I can get to know all the wives and girlfriends. Once the game starts I'll sit in the crowd with Jim, Ellen, Hallie, and the babies.

We all made sure to be here in order to support Luke. Unfortunately Quinn couldn't make it because he is playing a game of his own but the rest of us are here. The second I walk into the room I'm greeted with the faces of the women I'm going to spend lots of time with. They are all gorgeous and it's slightly intimidating.

Clearing my throat I walk up to the first group of women I see and get right into introducing myself. "Hi there. It's so nice to meet you all, my name is Lainey."

A blonde woman turns to me with a warming smile. "Luke's girlfriend right?"

"That would be me."

She laughs at the tone of my voice before moving to introduce me to everyone. They are all incredibly nice and I quickly feel my nerves melting away. I'm paraded around the room to meet everyone else. They ask me questions and offer me food, it's going way better than I expected.

"So, how does it feel to see your man out on the big stage."

"Well I haven't seen him yet but I'm ridiculously proud. More than I could say."

The boys haven't come out on the ice yet but I'm sure the warmup will start soon. I should start saying my goodbyes so I can get to Jim and Ellen before he takes his rookie lap. Excusing myself I grab a handful of pretzels and duck out of the room making a quick get away towards the seats.

"Hey you!" Ellen wraps me into a hug as she sees me trying to shuffle towards them. The arena is packed and getting to my seat proves to be a challenge.

"My gosh there is so many people here. It's nice to see you guys."

"How have you been? I've heard a little from Luke but obviously I'd like to hear it from you."

Ellen is the kindest woman I have ever met. She's also probably the coolest. After raising three boys she treats Hallie and I like the daughters she never had. Showering us with love like it's her only job in life.

"I've been great actually. I put my application in for the clinic that I think Luke told you about but I'm not sure I'm going to get it."

Squeezing my arm Ellen looks at me like she knows something I don't. "Of course you will. You have a college degree, you're smart and you be an asset to any place."

"Thank you. I really appreciate the vote of confidence."

"Does my son not tell you this? Oh I'll kick his ass." Her eyebrows furrow slightly.

"No, no of course he does but sometimes I feel like I can do no wrong in his eyes so it's nice to hear it from someone else."

She laughs softly at me. "That boy loves you so much."

"I know."

We share a knowing look before a flash of red catches my eye. Luke is getting ready to step on the ice for his rookie lap. I scramble to pull my phone out to record, Ellen doing the same.

Watching him take that solo lap brings tears to my eyes. I feel so lucky to be able to be apart of his life. I get to watch him live out his dreams in real-time. This is a moment I'll never forget.

~*~*~*~

We are waiting for Luke and Jack in the hallway after the game. The boys won and I've been on the craziest high ever since. Luke did amazing and I couldn't be prouder of him. We don't have to wait that long because soon enough the boys exit the locker room.

I make eye contact with Luke and immediately burst into tears at the prideful smile taking over his features. It's like he can't believe what just happened and he can't believe we were here to witness it. Luke comes right up to me first and scoops me in the biggest hug ever. He buries his face into my neck and the only thing I can say is my brand new mantra. "Im so proud. I love you."

Over and over again I whisper the words into his ear waiting until he lets me go. We stay hugging for a few long moments before he sets me back onto the ground and moves on to greet and hug his family.

I give them their space as Jim and Ellen shower their son in praise. It's so sweet to watch him talk about the game. The words are spilling out uncontrollably as he rambles to his parents.

"He did good today."

Turning I see Jack is now standing next to me with the proudest look in his eyes. "Is it wrong of me to say he's going to be a star?"

Jack looks at me and laughs softly, nodding at the same time. "No, Quinn and I have been saying that all his life."

His words make me tear up once more. I know he's going to be something big and all I can do is sit back and enjoy the ride. As I stand here, a few feet back from the love of my life I'm taken back to the first time we spent actual time together. That feels like a life time away.

If someone would have told me a year ago this is where I would be I would have laughed in their face. It seems completely ridiculous but at the same time nothing has ever felt more right.

I know for a fact this is where I'm meant to be as Luke turns to face me, the biggest smile on his face as he mouths 'I love you'.

I truly hope he knows there aren't enough words to express the love I have for him. His support, his ability to inspire courage inside me. Everything he has ever done for me has made me a better person. A person who lives and breathes entirely for him.

~*~*~*~