One Goal Achieved (Patrick Kane)

Africa

-Patrick's POV-

Skylar has been so worked up over all the traveling and the new job and the case re-opening that she hasn't taken any time to herself. New Years marks one year since we met and I want to make it special for her. She isn't into anniversaries and stuff like that because she doesn't like the thought that one day with each other should be more special than every other day but I need a excuse for her to calm down for a second. So New Years morning I get up early and make her breakfast. It's no secret that I can't cook, so I slowly cook eggs and make toast but cut it in the shape of a heart. After the table is set I crawl back into bed and pull her into me tightly.

"Wake up Sky" I whisper into her ear until she turns around and looks at me. She flashes that beautiful smile of hers and it makes me go weak.

"Morning Pat" she says in her adorable morning voice while rubbing her eyes.

"Morning beautiful" I say causing her to blush.

"You never wake me up first... is this another one of Sharps pranks because I might freak out this time" she laughs resting her hands on my arms.

"No tricks, only treats" I say slowly pulling her out of bed. She gets out and into the kitchen before she starts to laugh.

"You made breakfast? This must really be a joke" she mentions sitting down.

"Nope. It's just that it's been one year since we met and I want you to know it's been the best year ever" I say scooting her stool closer to the island.

We eat breakfast and talk about anything besides her dad or hockey. I learn that she wanted to be a vet when she was a little girl and she wants to start volunteering at a nursing home along with other places.

"Can I ask you something" I say washing dishes then handing them to her to dry.

"Of course" she smiles taking a plate.

"How do you have so much hope in this world when life has been nothing but cruel to you" I ask drying off my hands.

"I wasn't always like this, I was a pretty messed up kid. Natalie has seen me at my worst, it isn't pretty I can promise you that. But one day I was flipping through channels in their basement and something in me told me sports center was where I should be. They were showing a segment on the 1990's Bulls. I fell in love with the competitiveness, the concept of a powerful team, the realness of Michael Jordan. I realized it wasn't about where I was from as much as it was about where I was going. That the good things in life aren't handed to you, you have to work for them. So I threw myself in my books, I learned everything high school had to teach, both from the book and from life. I started to do things outside of school like joining clubs and sports. I loved it all. I learned that love will always trump hate so that's what I wanted to do. Love" she finishes by staring into my eyes. I smile and nod my head, that answer was better than I expected.

Since I couldn't recreate the time we first met because there was no winter classic here I took her to the ice rink in grant park. It was snowing lightly but we didn't mind much. She was wearing dark skinny jeans then bundled up with a huge pink coat and black scarf, her mittens matching and a black beanie. I wore dark jeans and a nice dark blue coat my mom got me for Christmas with a grey beanie and gloves. We skate around for a little holding hands, just watching the snow fall.

"I love it here" she sighs looking around.

"I know what you're thinking. I'm not letting you leave" I assure her.

"I don't think that's up to us Patrick" she sighs. I know she's right but I can't lose her, not again. I stop skating and she soon stops too, giving me a puzzling look.

"If things don't work out were going to go live in Africa. I'll take all my money and we'll be set for life. You can help out around there, build houses, help build water wells, take care of the children who needs help. You will do charity work until your little body can give no more. We can even raise a family there. You'll wake up every morning happy as ever because you can help people until your heart is content and I'll be happy because I'll still have you. It'll be perfect" I say frantically.

"Honey calm down" she says in her mother voice but I was too far gone.

"No okay! I'm not okay with the chance of losing you. Not even in the slightest. I need you more than you can ever imagine. It's not fair to you. You deserve the world and then some. You have been nothing but wonderful to everyone and-" I was stopped by her lips on mine.

I wanted so bad to cry but my mind goes blank at the sense of her touch. "I'm not going anywhere Patrick. We've been through so much in this year, nothing's going to stop us now. Okay" she says holding my face. I nod in satisfaction that she is fighting for us and let out a long breath.

"Good. Now, show me how to do cool shit, I want to show Natalie something next time we skate together" she says with a laugh. I shake my head and make it my mission to protect her at all costs.