Sweet Caroline (Corey Crawford)

Are You Ready?

Caroline

We take a few days after the New Years to rewind a little in Canada before we go back to Chicago. There was a lot of talk about the lockout coming to a end and I hoped it was true. I know better than to believe what people say in the media, if I did I would probably hate my father. But the thought of getting hockey back was huge and I was excited to maybe see everyone again and continue to write my story.

I moved back in with Corey for the remainder of the trip. Most of my things were either back home in Chicago or never left my dads house in the first place anyway. I brought a few things back over and of course my cat because I couldn't live without him and he missed Tommy.

This morning Corey and I decide to go out for a run to pass time then I make us smoothies once we get back. He stands next to me trying his best to help.

"You know, I've been thinking. Last year was pretty terrible" he remembers as we reflect on the fact the new year brought in a clean slate.

"It was not the best" I agree.

"The only good thing about last year was you" he claims.

"You're too sweet" I smile.

"Actually that's you."

We clean up our mess and drink our smoothies before hopping on the couch. He wasn't going to be on the ice today so it was a movie marathon type of day. All the romantic comedies we could find was lined up for us as we get started. We snack on candy and popcorn until Corey's phone goes off. He looks at it before putting it on silent and turning back to the movie. I shrug it off before it starts ringing again.

"Maybe you should get that" I say.

"But I love this movie" he claims and I giggle.

"Okay, but it could be important if they are trying this hard to get ahold of you" I insist.

"It's just Seab's. He's probably calling because he forgot the password to the weight room again" he jokes. That happens more than anyone is willing to admit.

His phone goes off once again and he lets out a sigh.

"Not even playing right now and he is making my life hell" he mumbles picking up his phone. I pause the movie so he doesn't get upset that I'm watching without him and he goes to answer his phone.

I sit there on the couch and look around the living room. I see the jar I got him for his birthday half empty and smile. I wrote a lot but he had read through them twice already and was working going through a third time around. It's been a crazy few days but this year is already going better than last year.

Eventually Corey comes back in, but not the same Corey that left. No, this Corey is jumping up and down like he just found out he was going to Disney world.

"It happened! It finally happened" he yells and I look at him weird.

"What happened" I question.

"The lockout is over. We won, we're going to be playing hockey next week" he claims and my eyes go big.

"No way" I smile.

"Yes way" he assures me.

He pulls me up into a hug and he squeezes me tight. I rub his back as we embrace each other.

"Are you ready for this" I ask.

"I've had almost nine months to think about it. I think I'm ready" he scoffs.

"Okay then. Let's do this thing" I insist and he smiles.

"I've never heard you talk like that. It's cute" he smirks and I roll my eyes.

"Imbecile" I mutter and he nods.

"That's more like it."

We pack up what we need and I go over to my dads so I could grab somethings. I explain to him what I knew and what was happening. I talk about how there was to be 48 games in two months and some days and how crazy this was about to be. They had a few days of practice before the season would start and that's all they had. We had to get the rest of the guys from over seas and everyone back into Chicago but we were finally getting somewhere.

"Are you ready" Corey asks as I finish packing up my things.

"All ready" I smile.

"Alright. I need to talk to your dad first so I'll meet you in the car" he claims and I nod slowly. I pick up my things and take them into the car. The cats start to cry in the back so I take them out of their cage and play with them. They hated traveling but I loved my babies too much to leave them behind.

I wonder why Corey wanted to talk to my dad? I thought he was still scared shitless of him to be honest. But I guess it had to be important to him if he asked for 1 on 1 time.

Eventually he comes out with a big smile on his face. He hops in the drivers side and looks around.

"What? I'm gone for five minutes and you replace me with cats" he asks.

"But they are so cute" I coo and he just shakes his head.

"Let's get this show on the road" he encourages.

We start our drive at about 11 Am this early January morning. There was no point in trying to fly because with our things and our animals it would be a pain in the ass. Plus we had to get his car back to Chicago so might as well drive it.

We stop in Michigan for the night then would finish the drive tomorrow. Practices didn't start for another few days so we just wanted to be ahead of the game. But we already drove for nine hours and still had four more to go tomorrow.

"I have a good feeling about this year" he claims as we sit in our hotel room. We were both pretty exhausted but neither of us could fall asleep.

"Why is that" I wonder.

"Well I got you, I got hockey back, and I got big plans" he claims.

"And what's that" I wonder.

"Only time will tell" he insists.

"I think you know" I admit.

"I know what my plans are, but that doesn't mean it will happen that way" he argues.

"What are your plans" I ask.

"Win a Stanley cup, marry you, start a family" he lists off.

"In that order" I tease and he lets out a deep laugh.

"Not necessarily, no" he claims.

"I like that plan" I admit and he looks down at me.

"You want to marry me" he asks.

"Of course. My feelings for you is still the same. You read those reasons, I'm still yours" I assure him. He presses a soft kiss on my lips and pulls me closer.

"I love you Caro" he reminds me.

"I love you too Crawford."