Smile (Kris Bryant)

Chapter Thirteen| Family Get Together

Kris

After a very very long series of away games we were finally coming home. It was hard to leave Alex in such a difficult situation but she couldn't travel and I couldn't miss another game. She could take care of herself, she just wasn't supposed to drive around while taking the medication she was on, but she did anyways. We talked every day and every night. She still gave me conditioning to work on and I happily did them, they really do help. We were in Miami and Washington and Detroit before we finally made it home.

I walk up to my apartment and stop when I smell something really good. There was no way it was from my apartment, there hadn't been actual food in here since I started renting the place. I open the door and see food everywhere. I mean there was cookies and brownies and homemade fries and every thinkable food sitting in here. I honestly never touched the stove and it looked like it got all its work in today.

"What in the world" I say slowly and Alex turns to me. She looked a hundred times better than when I left her which made me feel great. Her lip was still a little swollen and she still had to wear the wrap around her abdomen but the other things were gone. Her eyes were open and bright as ever and all the scabs were either scaring or healing. The bruises were hardly noticeable at this point. I guess I was gone for 10 days but still, it was a day and night difference.

"Wow Alex, you look really good" I admit.

"Thanks. My check up went well and I already started counseling. Thanks for suggesting me for that by the way. Things are finally starting to look up" she smiles. I walk into the kitchen and try to find out what smells so good. It could be a number of different things.

"Why did you make all this" I laugh looking around.

"I cook when I'm upset" she shrugs.

"What's wrong" I ask a bit concerned.

"I... kinda... I missed you" she finally says looking away. I know she was blushing right now and that made me smile.

"I missed you too" I admit and she turns to me. She brushes her hair behind her ear and we just stare at each other. "Why don't you invite your family over and we can eat all this food" I say looking around at everything sitting out.

"Really" she asks a bit surprised.

"Yeah. It would be a shame if all this food went to waste. You've kept the place up and we most certainly won't be eating this all by ourselves. I've seen enough of the guys over the past week plus I really enjoy your parents" I admit.

"You've been checking up on me, haven't you" she accuses crossing her arms over her body.

"I most certainly have. Your parents are just as worried as I am, but you did great without us. It just makes me feel more at ease knowing that you're doing good. And thanks for all you're doing for me. This place actually looks like a home and I'm actually getting my money's worth with this kitchen" I smile.

"You can make any house a home with the right decorations" she shrugs.

"The right people" I add on and she smiles.

"Yeah, that helps too" she smirks.

I go up and shower then change into something a bit nicer. I come out to the living room and see all the food set out with drinks and other stuff. I find Alex in a floral sun dress and her hair up for once. The bruises on her neck had faded and the rest she covered up with makeup. It was great to see her moving on and trying new things, even if it was just a hair style.

"I can't get over how great you look, because you look amazing" I gasp.

"Thank you. I feel pretty good for the first time in a really long time" she smiles.

"That's good. This is just the beginning" I assure her. After a little while her parents and brother and sister come over. I meet everyone and encourage them to eat all the food. We mingle and talk and I start to see all the good in Alex come to life. Her family was great and I hope to one day be a part of it.

"Wow, this view is killer" her brother Mathew whistles looking over the city. The window was the main attraction in this apartment, it really captures the beauty of this city.

"It never gets old" I admit. He turns to me with a big smile and nods.

"I can't believe you're friends with my sister. I thought she was lying to me when she asked me to come over" he admits.

"Nope. In fact your sister is my favorite person" I inform him.

"Seriously? The same sister who didn't talk to anyone for three years" he asks.

"Yeah, but that wasn't really her though" I remind him.

"I know. It was that jack ass" he mumbles.

"Wait, you didn't like him either" I question.

"Of course not. I mean at first I liked him. We were cool in high school but had a bit of a temper. As soon as he purposed I got this feeling everything wasn't as it seemed" he admits.

"How come you never said anything" I wonder.

"There was no evidence. I can't just go to the police and tell them I have this bad feeling something might or might not be wrong. You can't just be like "this guy purposed my sister and I don't like it... do something". You have to have some type of proof the guy was bad but he was so good at covering his trails it was almost impossible to find him. Didn't have a job, didn't leave the house, never left a trace so he couldn't get in trouble. All he needed to do was slip up once and he was done for, sadly Alex has to get the worst of it" he sighs.

"Yeah. I just wish it didn't have to be like this" I admit.

"But look at her now. She's actually happy. She told me you convinced her to get help and that sparkle is back in her eyes. You saw in her what we used to see in her. And I really appreciate all you've done for my sister" he mentions.

"Alex is special. I would be stupid not to see it. She's helped me a lot on and off the field. I... I love her" I whisper.

"You what" he asks.

"I love her" I repeat. He smiles up at me and I couldn't help but smile back. Maybe that's a family thing.

"I know things are tough right now, but it's great to hear someone like you is looking over her. She needs you more than you guys realize. But if you so much as think of lifting a finger at her I will kick your ass" he threatens. Message received.

"I wouldn't even think about laying a finger on her or demeaning her in any type of way. She's been hurt so much and she doesn't need any help from me in that department. And I know she's healing right now, so I'm not going to push her to be with me. But I can't deny these strong feelings I have for her. There's not a doubt in my mind that she will get through this and I just want to be there every step of the way. I want to be the reason she laughs and smiles. I want to show her that love is real and it's great, I don't care show long it will take" I admit.

"I'm glad to hear it. My family is glad to be back in her life and to be in yours too. I can tell your a great guy and I appreciate you taking care of my little sister" he says.

"It's been a pleasure to get to know Alex and you and your family" I smile.

We finally sit down to eat and I sit between Alex and her brother. We have a nice meal and talk about anything and everything. The food, the weather, the Blackhawks who right now are almost to their third Stanley cup in six seasons. I hope I have that type of success one day.

Eventually time passes and we had been siting at that table for three hours just talking. The food had been gone for a while but no one really noticed. Sadly everyone had to go home to their families or just to ready for the next day so I wish them well. We thank them for coming over before it was just Alex and I again.

"Thank you so much for suggesting that. I forgot what it was like to be a daughter and a sister for a while. It was great to see everyone and I haven't felt this good in years" she says with the biggest smile on her face.

"Anything to see that smile" I mention and she blushes. I move some hair so I could see those defined cheeks bones burn. She was so beautiful I couldn't even put it in words. But it was who she was that made her beautiful. I was addicted and I was in love.