Reflection (Artemi Panarin)

Thanks and Giving

Lesson 6: It never gets easier. You just get better.

-Taylor's POV-

It was Thanksgiving and I was in so much pain. But me being me I love the holidays so I didn't care. I just painted that same smile on my face like I did for the past... who know how long and acted like everything was okay. A holiday meant it's time to be thankful and to give, it's like it was made for me. I invited my parents to my apartment to meet Art and enjoy a nice meal. Even though they were divorced they still liked each other enough to be able to be together. Artemi hasn't left my apartment since I had surgery and I invited the few of the guys and their families over if they were still in town. So today my house would be packed.

I had the turkey, cranberry thingy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and fruit set out. It was 3 and I told everyone to come around 5:30 to eat and watch the Bears-Packers game. I was exhausted, turns out cooking is hard when you can't bend your knee let alone stand on it. But everything was ready and I could finally take a nap. I fell asleep to Artemi decorating the living room and kitchen while my leg was in the machine that makes it bend. Sounds painful, but I enjoy it. I woke up about a hour later and decided to start getting ready. I wasn't in the mood to impress anyone and I was in too much pain to care so I decided sweatpants a bears shirt would suffice. I crutch downstairs to see a pacing Artemi.

"Hey babe, what's wrong" I ask standing in the hallway tying to find the most comfortable position to put my crutches in.

"Honestly, I'm nervous to meet your parents" he replies still pacing the floor. I laugh hard and I think it scared him.

"Oh you're serious? First of all they will love you. Second of all, if they don't they can go suck a dick" I scoff siting on the couch.

"You're, great. You know that" he says checking the time. 5:20. People should be arriving soon.

-Artemis POV-

The first person here was Pat who keeps insisting he needs to meet the people who put up with Taylor for 18 years. Later Nik and his family, the Seabs', Jonny and Lindsey, and finally her parents came. I made Pat and Lindsey baby sit Taylor, making sure she never left the couch. They found a game so they got preoccupied.

I answered the door to a small female who has the same hair and nose as Taylor and a very large man behind her. "Hello, you must be Mr. and Ms. Smith" I say shaking their hands. Her mom smiled bright and he dad nodded.

"We are but you can call us Samantha and Terry" she replies brighter than ever. I see where Taylor got her optimism from.

"I'm Artemi, please, come in" I open the door wider and they walk in.

"Has our daughter been treating you well? She's very fond of you" her mom says walking into the kitchen.

"She's amazing" I say looking at her and Pat argue about the game.

I go over to her and let her know her parent are here and she follows behind me slowly. "Hey mom, dad" she gives a little wave.

"Oh honey how are you doing" her mom hugs her.

"I'm getting there" she replies trying her best to hug back.

"There's my little fighter" her dad says beaming into the kitchen.

Taylor says her parents don't know everything about what happened last time and it was obvious. I can see why. She hides it so well.

We all sit around the new dining room table Taylor had bought and started eating. We all shared stories and laughs throughout the dinner. The little kids didn't understand most of it but mimicked their parents actions anyways.

"Next thing you know, Taylor hits a home run over the fence and straight into some lady's car. But her being her, instead of running the bases she runs to the lady to apologize and make sure she's okay" her dad says through a fit of laughter.

"It's not funny! We lost because I never cleared home plate" Taylor whines from beside me.

Her parents sat across from us and the Hjalarrson's sat at one end and the Seabrooks on the other. Pat, Jonny, and Lindsey sat on the other side of the table.
Before everyone was done Taylor clinks her glass of sparkling grape juice to get our attention. "Before we finish up I would like to ask everyone to go around the table and say what they're thankful for".

Starting with Brent who she was also sitting next to everyone went around the table and said what they were thankful for.

"I'm thankful for the chance given to me to come over to America and continue my passion at the highest level. And I'm thankful for Taylor, for always keeping my head on straight and reminding me what life is all about" I say looking into Taylor's eyes. She blushes and tries to hide it, but I could see it.

"I would like to thank the Blackhawks for this amazing opportunity and my parents for letting me spread my wings away from home" she giggles. "And I would like to thank Art for taking care of me no matter how much I tell him I can do it on my own" she concludes.

We finish up eating and I send Pat and Taylor to the couch again. The other players and their families left because the kids were getting tired and Jonny was too full to move.

I stayed back in the kitchen to clean up and pack up the leftovers with her mom while her dad went to living room to get ready for the game.

"Thank you talking care of my only daughter. I worry about her a lot, but it's nice to know she's in good hands" she says drying a pan.

"She's unlike anyone I've ever met. You raised a great daughter" I say putting up the pan. She shakes her head and let's out a sigh.

"She wouldn't let me raise her. In fact you're the only person she's opened up to" she says cleaning off the table and tossing the table cloth.

"She doesn't know how to ask for help. She feels like her only option is to find strength, and by herself" I say fiddling with my fingers.

"You love her. Don't you" she accuses. I nod my head and smile. "You're good for her" her mom tells me before going into the living room to watch the game.

"What the fuck was that!?! That is a fan in the stands not a fucking wide receiver" Taylor screams at the tv. Her dad starts laughing and shakes you head.

"It's good to know you haven't changed" he says looking at his daughter with her head in her hands.

"It's not my fault he still sucks ass" she mumbles leaning into me. Glad to know she doesn't change just because her parents are here. Taylor's mom wanted to see the rest of the apartment but I wouldn't let Taylor walk around that much on her crutches so I made Patrick carry her around on his back during halftime. I was left behind and with her dad and we started talking about hockey. He told me how she loved it since she was a little girl and was always captivated by it.

"Is my daughter going to be okay" he asks randomly. I'm taken aback by the question but find the courage to answer anyway. "I know she gets bad. I don't know how bad, I wasn't there a whole lot the first time this happened. But I know she's hard on herself" he explains turning to me.

"I think it's going to be different this time. I think she's stronger going into it. She's still scared as hell, but she knows it won't be easy. But I'm not letting her fight by herself" I reply shaking my head.

"Thank you, son" he pats my leg. I nod and finally feel at ease.

The game ended with the Bears winning and that made Taylor and Terry happy.

"It was nice meeting you. If you ever want tickets to the game let me know and I'll hook you up" I say to her parents. They thank Taylor, Pat, and I and head home. We all plop on the couch and fall asleep quickly.