Reflection (Artemi Panarin)

Keep Going

Lesson 8: If you are tired of starting over, stop giving up.

-Taylor's POV-

Getting Artemi a gift was hard. He literally won't leave my side. But I don't mind much anymore, he's a really great guy and I loved him after all. I had Patrick go out and get it last week and keep it at his house. I got him a new stick that had "it's you and me kid" on the shaft and 72 on the blade. I also got him some beanies and baseball caps.

It was Christmas morning and the snow continued to fall onto a quiet Chicago city. It looked so beautiful. I rolled over to see Artemi still in a peaceful slumber and I couldn't help but smile. As much as I hated how fast I let him in I was more than thankful to have him.

I hobbled down the hall and poured myself a glass of egg nog and tried to decide when the most people would be out to hand out gifts. Artemi skipped out of my room and sprinted to my side. He quickly dips me backwards and kisses me with so much passion. As soon as I could realize what was happening he stood me back up and grabbed some egg nog. Okay then.

"Um good morning" I say not really sure the protocol for a suddenly beaming boyfriend.

"No... Great morning" he replies and takes a long drink. Okay, this is weird. I stand there trying to read what's going on and I got nothing.

"Do you want to do gifts now or later" I ask. He runs his fingers along the stubble on his chin and decided to do it now.

I lead him to my room and had him sit on the bed and close his eyes. I was able to hide it in the closet last night because all his stuff was in the dresser. I grabbed his bag and the stick and set them on the bed. He opened his eyes to see the bag on his lap. He took out the Bears and Cubs hat but naturally put on the Blackhawks one. After thanking me I told him to turn around and he found the stick.

"Oh my god is that the new vapor stick" he exclaims and I nod.

"Look out the shaft" I say pointing to it. He ran his fingers over the engraving and admired it. He soon jumped off the bed and gave me the tightest hug. I laughed at his reactions and he squeezed me tighter.

"Stay right here" he says and bolts out of the room. I hear him knock into the tree in the living room then run back to me. He hands me a bag with the biggest smile on his face. "Open it" he yells bouncing on the bed. 

First I grab a small jewelry box. I was very confused because the man who knows me best knows I don't wear jewelry. I open it to find Bears tickets and he starts laughing at me.

"Artemi what the hell" I yelled clutching the tickets and slapping him with my other hand. 

"I'm sorry I had to" he clutches his stomach trying to catch his breath. I shake my head and pick something else up. It was a large box wrapped neatly with a ribbon. I rip into it to show a pair of Bauer skates. I covered my mouth as I pulled them out. They were beautiful. I've been using a pair that was lying around the UC and I always bitched about how uncomfortable I was.

"Artemi this is too much" I gasp. It was. This was probably the nicest thing I've ever gotten.

"Well I do not regret a thing. But there's one more gift in there" he informs me. He pulls out a book and hands it to me. It's a nice leather journal that said "you don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great" in gold on the front. On the inside cover was a note from Artemi,

"To Taylor,
You've learned so much in this life, this is for what lies ahead. Hopefully I'm there for these ones. You can write about our adventures or epiphanies. And if you ever write in here because of something bad, always remember I'm here for you. It's you and me kid.
Love, Artemi"

I look up to see him smiling from ear to ear. "I'm speechless. I don't know what to say" I say trying to find my words.

"Did I make the great Taylor Smith speechless" he gasps. I shake my head at his sarcasm as he beams being pretty proud of himself. "Listen, Taylor. I know you're tired of getting back up. It would be a hell of a lot easier to stay down at this point. But all I want from you is to stop giving up. Stop letting these things take over your life, then you wouldn't have to start from square one every day" he says holding my shoulders. I think about what he said. I really was building myself up then tearing myself down a lot. It would be easier to just keep fighting through.

"Okay" I finally say nodding my head. "I'll fight" I conclude looking into his eyes. His face lights up and he kisses me hard. I kiss back trying to think of a better way of starting Christmas. I couldn't.