Rising Star (Patrick Kane)

Chapter Thirty Eight- Work Hard, Play Harder

Elizabeth

After the Hawks easily take care of the Wild in five games and I have a week off from recording and writing. Too much of a good thing isn't a good thing so a break is appreciated. So I was spending one of the free days at the farm, but I come baring gifts.

I walk up the long driveway with Patrick's hand in mine and the biggest smile on my face. I make it to the front door and knock loudly so my parents could hear me. The door swings open and my dad looks excited to see me, but more excited to see Patrick.

"Little Lizzie! To what do we owe for this surprise" he asks pulling me into a hug.

"I come bearing gifts" I announce and he raises a eyebrow.

"A gift? For what" he wonders.

"Is mom around, it's for her also and I want her to hear this too" I insist.

"Yeah, she's cooking right now. You guys come on in. Do you want a drink" he offers.

"A water please" I say.

"Me too" Patrick adds on. He pours us each a glass of water and my mom joins his side by the kitchen counter.

"Okay, so I came here because I wanted to give you guys this. It's 10,000 cash. Before you start to argue no I'm not keeping it and no you can't spend it on me. It's for the farm, to get new machines and animals and whatever you need" I announce placing the money in the counter. My mom gets tears in her eyes as she walks over and gives me a huge hug.

"Honey that's so sweet of you. You didn't have to do this" she insists.

"I do. You guys work to the bone to get me to where I am and deserve some help around here. Since I'm out of the house and can finally help out any type of way, I want to. I'm nothing without this place and it's important to me to know that you're set" I insist.

"I don't know what to say. Thank you. Thank you so much. We might not be your real parents but we are so freaking proud of you. We always knew you could do it and watching you do your thing is such a honor. Knowing we had a part in that is pay back enough, this is entirely too much" my dad claims.

"This is nothing compared to what you gave me. You gave me a chance to do something with my life and I will forever be grateful. But I do have one request" I admit.

"Of course. Anything" my mom says placing a hand on my shoulder. I look over to Patrick and he squeezes my hand that was still in his assuring me I could do this.

"I was wondering if I can have my parents contact information. My real parents" I say slowly.

"We knew you would be curious, always have been. Here" my dad says heading to the living room then coming back with a little pocket notebook. He hands it to me and I look up to him.

"Everything you need to know is in there. All the answers to your questions" he claims and I nod. I was eager to see what was in here but not right now.

"Thank you. Do you mind if Patrick and I walk around the farm a little" I wonder.

"Of course not. You kids have fun and you're more than welcomed to stay for dinner" my mom says pulling me into another hug.

We head out to the back and I find myself at the stables like the good old times. Sweetie finds her way to me and I pet her.

"Sweetie, Precious, I'm kind of scared to know what you would name our daughter" Patrick jokes.

"Acelynn" I say and he smiles.

"That was my fault for ever doubting you" he teases and I roll my eyes. He comes over and pets sweetie too. She was 15 years old and getting up there. But she was still strong and happy so I couldn't complain.

"What do you think they'll do with the money" he asks.

"I don't know, expand and buy more land. They always wanted goats so probably get some of them. Maybe they can pay my sister to like me" I say sarcastically.

"I never got that. I would be honored to have you as a part of the family" he claims.

"She doesn't like that I came to her family and took her spotlight. She was a only child and felt like all the attention should stay on here. I never asked for attention, I just wanted love. A family to call my own, and I found that here. From the first day she hated my guts, then my dad started doing music with me. That's when she got really jealous. You should have heard the things she said to me. Man that was harsh. But I get it. This is her family, not mine. They were way too kind to me and I didn't deserve any of that. But now that we're older I thought she would understand my situation, why her parents were so kind to me but it only got worse. She hates that they are so into my music career and that I'm able to get them nice things because she thinks I'm just sucking up. But I really want to help out around here, whether she likes it or not" I shrug.

"That's harsh. If any of my sisters didn't like me my life would be hell" he laughs.

"Your sisters adore you" I remember.

"Yours should too. You have a lot to offer and make everyone feel great. It's her loss really" he shrugs.

"You want to know the craziest thing" I ask.

"What" he wonders.

"She had a crazy crush on you. I didn't even know she liked hockey but when I told everyone I was dating you I have never felt so hated in my life. At least you're totally worth it" I say throwing my arms around him.

"I feel like I'm in the middle of a soap opera" he teases.

"Yeah. I guess I am a little complicated" I admit.

"And I wouldn't change a thing about you. Not a single thing" he smiles. I press my lips to his and I was suddenly feeling a bit better.

We walk around for a little and just enjoy the nice weather. We play around enjoying the day away from the rink and studio. You tend to appreciate the normal things out on the farm, and a beautiful open sky was just what I needed to free my mind. I pull the notebook my dad gave me out and look at it.

"What are you going to do" Patrick asks.

"I don't know. I'm not even sure my dad knows that I'm his and my mom hasn't reached out to me because she doesn't want my dad to know. But things are different now, I don't need them. I want to at least meet them, even if they don't want to stay in my life. Even if they have families of their own. I just want them to know that I would love to get to know them and maybe make something work out" I shrug. I wasn't sure what to expect honestly.

"Well I'm with you all the way. Whatever happens I'll be here, so will your adopted parents" I explain.

"I know. And for that I'm thankful" I smile.

We go in and eat dinner with them. The whole time my sister just stared at me and it made me feel like I did something wrong. As far as I knew I didn't but I don't say anything. If there is no problem why create one you know?

After the sun sets over the farm Patrick and I come home. We take Precious on a walk before crawling into bed together staring at the ceiling.

"A lot is about to change, isn't it" I ask.

"Yeah, but change isn't always bad" he claims.

"With you it isn't" I claim and he buries his face in the crook of my neck. I run my fingers through his hair as his breathing evens out. I'm ready.