Dream On (Jonathan Toews)

Chapter Thirty-Nine| Hometown Hero

Mary Kate

Post season starts in a few days and we were all really excited. Hockey itself is interesting enough, but post season hockey is a whole different story. It's like over time all the time and also a heart attack. Sure the Blues are no original six franchise but it's a St. Louis team so naturally, we hate them. They'll be hard to take care of as a first round series but I believe in the boys. I was planning to sleep in on this day off but apparently Jonny had other plans. "Babe, wake up" he says softly shaking me. "Five more minutes" I mumble turning over. Before I could protest any more the sheets are ripped off of me and I'm met with cool air. "Damn I'm up. Geez someone is ready for.... wait what are we doing" I ask. We didn't have any plans for today, did we? "Just put your team USA jersey and medal on and trust me" he says with a smirk. Okay then. I take a quick shower and blow dry my hair before putting on Capri leggings, my team jersey, medal, and the shoes Jon got me for Christmas on and heading to the living room. "Mind telling me what's going on" I ask as the two boys who sit in the kitchen talk amounts themself. "Not really, but we need to go now. We're going to be late" Jonny claims and with that we were off to god knows where.

You know what's really bad, sitting in a car for seven hours. Wanna know what's even worse, sitting in a car blindfolded for seven hour. And you wanna know what's worse than that, sitting in a car blind folded and forced to listen to Jonathan and Patrick bicker the whole time. I'm just thankful they let me eat and pee without the blindfold on. That could have been bad. About halfway through I realized that this might be one of Sharps pranks or some weird experiment. I trusted Jon and Pat, but they weren't angels by any means so the options of what was going on could be anything. But I love a good surprise and was curious as to what was planned.

"We're here" Jonathan announces and I grow a smile. I hear a bunch of talking or maybe yelling and wasn't sure what's going on, but I liked it. The car comes to a stop and I hear people hitting the car. "Can I take this thing off now. I'll start telling these people you've abducted me if I can't" I threaten. "Yes miss sassy pants, you can take it off" Jon informs me before getting out the car and coming to help me out. I let my eyes adjust and I knew exactly where we were. River Falls Wisconsin, my home town and pride and joy. I get out the car and am met with hundreds of people. "Who are these people" I ask looking around. "You're fans" Patrick says with a smile. Since when did I have fans? Jonny pulls me into my old rink where Vanessa is sitting with our old coach. So many memories filled this rink, trying and failing, it all floods my senses. I loved being back. "Patrick" Vanessa says quietly and he grows a big smile. Looks like I wasn't the only one in for a treat today. "Surprise" she says before she jumps in his arms, they were so freaking cute. I catch up with some old teammates and coaches and friends and it was amazing to be in the only place besides Chicago I was ever willing to call home. I never noticed how much I missed this place. I've been meaning to come back but if I came by myself I would surely break down. But I was made here, I trained and went to school in this little town. Everything I am is because of the people in this town and I wanted them to know I appreciated what they made me into. There was a meet and greet in the rink where I got to meet some new people. Some of them got to the falls after I left but still knew who I was, some came from Ohio just to see me. That was pretty cool. Before it was all said and done there was one thing I wanted to do.

I walk up to the grave yard and quickly find my family's resting place. This town was small and there weren't many people in the cemetery, but my family was front and center, just as I remembered it. I place flowers on each headstone and dig in my pocket. When we left Chicago I grabbed the game winning puck along with my medal because something told me I should, and I'm glad I did. I place the puck on my dads grave and sit down in front of it. "When I was a little girl you always told me I would do great things. From a young age you drilled a winning attitude and humbleness into me that has me set for life. You would always say I would amount to greatness, but that's true only because you helped me get that way. So that's why I think you should have the puck, because without you there is no Ice Queen, there is no over time game winning goal at the Sochi Olympics. There's none of that. And even though when I look up into the stands and I can't see your smile, I can still feel the way it felt to do that. And that's why I keep going. I don't know what's next, I've already done so much more than I was supposed to. But just know whatever I do, I do it for you, all of you" I finish letting a tear slip. I sit there for while before deciding to get up. When I turn around Jonathan is right in front of me with his arms open. I take no time inserting myself in them and letting out a sob or too. "That was really beautiful" he whispers. I hold him close and try to regain my focus but being here just makes it so much more real that they're actually gone. "How about we head home. Got a pretty cool family there waiting for us eh" he asks and I nod. The Hawks organization was second to none and there isn't anything in this world that could convince me otherwise. For six years I had no reason to ever go back to a places I've been, but I couldn't wait to get back to the place I call home.