The Hockey Life - A Patrick Kane Fanfic

Part Sixty-One - Engagement Party

PARTY SIXTY-ONE: ENGAGEMENT PARTY

I don’t always give Tess enough credit. I noticed that rather quickly once I started doing some hardcore wedding planning. She found awesome little books and websites for me and she helped me with some decisions I couldn’t seem to make by myself. And that was just in a few days. A couple weeks after Patrick and I officially chose the date for our big day, she threw me an engagement party.

I was completely amazed at how quickly she had pulled it off. She spent a week planning it and sent out invitations about a week in advance so that it could be on the following weekend. I told her who I wanted there along with my other wants for it, and she made it happen.

The party was supposed to take place at my parents’ house, so that morning Patrick and I picked his parents and sisters up from the airport and headed there. It was a casual party, so I wore a cozy sweater, a scarf, jeans, and boots. Outfits like this one were my favorites to wear. That was just part of the reason why I liked winter so much. That and the snow and ice for hockey.

We got to my parents’ house a few minutes early, but it didn’t take long for me and Patrick’s closest friends and family friends, including Tess’ family and some of the Blackhawks (those who could make it) to arrive. When they did, Tess and my parents poured a glass of champagne for everyone and Tess called for a toast.

“Can I get everyone’s attention, please?” she boomed so everyone would cease their talking and listen up. Once everyone, including my dog Puck, was silent, she spoke again. “I’d like to make a toast to Lena and Patrick and congratulate them on their engagement. You two are perfect for each other, and I’m so happy for you guys. Here’s to Lena and Patrick!” she chimed.

“To Lena and Patrick!” everyone cheered, and glasses clinked together before the guests took first sips of their champagne.

“Don’t worry, I’m saving the big speech for later on. That is, if I’m in the wedding party,” Tess joked when everyone began talking and mingling again.

“I wouldn’t count on it,” I smiled.

The pressure was on after that, because friends and family bombarded me with not only congratulations, but also questions. Lots and lots of questions. Fortunately, they were mostly questions that had answers. I told them that Patrick and I were registered at Crate and Barrel, our date was January 24 of the next year, and that we had, in fact, selected a venue and secured it. The wedding ceremony would take place outside, depending on how low the temperature got, at Chicago Botanic Gardens. The reception would be at the Trump International Hotel and Tower, in the Skyline room. Of course, if it was just too cold to be outside for even the very short ceremony that we planned on having, the ceremony would be inside at the hotel as well. I knew that as the day got closer, I would be praying for good weather. My dream was to get married outside, with snow on the ground, so we could have beautiful wedding pictures. I would wear a warm shawl or jacket over my dress if I absolutely had to, and the bridesmaids could do the same. I knew that for a late January afternoon in Chicago, an outdoor ceremony was nearly impossible, but the little girl in me told me that it could happen, even if that meant sacrificing a little bit of warmth.

After I had given these facts to plenty of people, my mom announced that the food was ready. There was no formal, sit-down dinner, just appetizers and hors d'oeuvres, but I definitely wasn’t complaining. I loved the cute little finger foods my mom made, and everyone else seemed to enjoy them as well. When I went into the kitchen to fill a plate, I ran into Dylan. It almost felt strange to invite him to me and Patrick’s engagement party, knowing that he had been so upset when he first found out we were together. However, at the same time, it wouldn’t be right to not invite him. He was a close friend, after all, and he knew both of us. The situation was bittersweet, but whether Dylan was over this or not, he took it like a champ.