Rising Star (Patrick Kane)

Chapter Sixty Seven- New Life

Patrick

Since my mom and sisters were in town to help with the wedding planning I decided now was a good time for the annual shopping trip.

Elizabeth was off to meet up with the band so they can sort things out so it was just me and my family today. And it started with a tour of the new house.

Elizabeth left us all breakfast for this morning because she finds any excuse to be in the kitchen. She loves it there. So we sit at the dining room table and eat the eggs and pancakes and bacon among other things.

"Wow, I'm not sure what's more impressive. This kitchen or this food" Erica moans stuffing her face with some eggs. They were fresh from the chicken coop and I hate to admit that they do taste better this way.

"What all kinds of animals do you have" my mom asks.

"Cows, horses, chickens, and some stray cats. They keep the mice away from the horses so we don't mind them. Plus they're cute" I smile.

"Who are you and what have you done with my brother" Jessica jokes.

"I'm still me. I just enjoy a lot more and respect going out and making my own things instead of having them handed to me" I shrug.

"I've must have died and gone to heaven. Are you admitting that it's okay to do your own work sometimes. And that you like this country lifestyle" Jackie asks.

"I'm getting older. The drinking and the partying, it was all fun. But I'm turning 26 this year, I've been in the league for 7 seasons and I think it's time I settled down. And it's amazing here, no one asking for autographs or pictures, no paps. It's just me and Elizabeth and this life we've created. It's a lot different than what I'm used to, but she is a prime example that different is good" I explain.

"I'm so proud of the man you're becoming" my mom says and I smile. I am too.

I show them around the house and they have fun at the piano. I'm not really good at it but I'm sure as hell better than my sisters. Then I show them all the animals out back and they seemed pretty excited by it. The smell is something to get used to but they were pretty cute so it all but made up for it. I let them feed the baby calf we had just got and I laugh when it spits up on Jackie. At least we were going shopping for new clothes anyways. My mom loved Show Time the most and I think he was showing off, I don't know what else I expected when we named him that.

After Jackie gets cleaned off we head to Michigan Avenue and they get started with the shopping. After about three stores I was already getting tired and I wish I was with Lizzie again. Although I'm really thankful I just got a new contract because they're not holding back this year. I sit in a waiting room with my mom as they all try on clothes.

"That's a really nice house you got" she starts.

"Thanks, I honestly love it. No one around to judge us or make up some stupid shit" I admit.

"Is that why you moved to farm? To get away from the media" she asks.

"That's not the main reason but it was a factor. I know this sounds crazy but it was kind of my way of protecting Elizabeth. She's a little too nice sometimes, and I know she sees what they say about her, about us. She doesn't show it but I know it kills her inside. She just wants to make everyone happy but that's impossible. Out there it's all background noise.

I wanted to get us a farm because she always talked about how she missed it. She loves Chicago but she missed the simplicity of life. And I will never tell her this but she's right. That farm is the best thing I've done in a really long time. It's just her and I and no one else, it's great" I sigh happily.

"You have changed so much" she smiles.

"Is that bad" I ask.

"Not at all. You were right, you're growing up. You're not some rookie or in your first years in the NHL. You have two cups and a nine year contract, nows as good as a time as any to start settling down. I just never knew if you would ever do it" she admits.

"If I was with anyone else probably not. But I watched that girl go from singing in a bar to being an over night sensation and never lose herself or get a big head. She never turned away a fan or if they asked her to sing she does so. She's doing things no other artist can do, and the people are attaching to her like leeches, but you would never know it. I don't even think she knows because all she wants to do is make music and help people connect to it like she does.

Did you know she donates half of her check to charities around Chicago each time and she doesn't tell anyone. I only know because we have a joint account now and saw hundreds of thousands of dollars go it and hundreds of thousands of dollars go out, she didn't even tell me. But she gives it to homeless shelters and under privileged schools and charities around the city.

And the same thing goes for hockey. It shouldn't matter if I score more points or what some analysis says about me, it's about me doing what I love. I lost that for a little bit then she made me leave Chicago and all my fans and the following I had and I had to play where I was just another guy. Then I realized that it doesn't matter if people like me more than the next guy, it matters if I'm trying harder than them. And as much as I hated leaving home for those two month I realized that I didn't need the drinks and the girls and the fame, I needed hockey and I needed her. And now that we live out in the country that's what I have and I'm really happy" I smile. That felt amazing to get off my chest. I meant every single word of it too.

"Where was this girl four years ago when you were walking around drunk as hell" she asks.

"Probably appreciating that she didn't have that type of responsibility like watching over me" I laugh.

"Well Patrick, I think you found yourself something better than any trophy" she claims.

"Me too momma. Me too" I admit.

After a day full of shopping we get everything into their hotel then we go to the farm for dinner Elizabeth was making. The band was coming over too so it was about to be a full house.

After everyone sits around the table and the food is passed out I sit between Elizabeth and Erica and look around the table. I look at this life we created and couldn't help but smile bright.

"What's got you cheesin" Elizabeth asks.

"You. Us" I say and she starts blushing. She looks back up at me and everything seemed so worth it. And let me tell you, it was.