This Changes Everything - a Patrick Kane fanfic

chapter nine

The next week went by super fast. I spent a lot of time with Patrick now we had three days off. We got up early and we drove to Minnesota for Patrick to meet my family. 

We were going to fly, but we would be recognized and we weren't ready for that yet. We took my car and Patrick started driving and I slept for the first hour.

When we finally arrived in Minnesota, we went to my parents house. This time it was Patrick's turn to be nervous.

"I get why you were so freaked out before... I need to be perfect because you are Ashley Schultz, the first female in the NHL.. You have so many options... Your parents would probably prefer you to be dating someone like Tazer, not me. Parents don't like me, they like Johnny. 

"Well, I like you and nothing will ever change that, no matter what." I said kissing him

We went inside and I introduced my parents and siblings to Patrick and Patrick to them. My brother and Patrick got along really well. My parents also really liked Patrick, which was a huge relief to me.

"How is Audrey?" My mom asked

"She is good, I am in love with her. We see her a lot" I said 

"We?" My mom questioned

"Yeah, Patrick loves her too." I said

"Wow, that's good to hear." My mom said smiling at us

Things went well and it was now time for us to go to bed. 

Patrick and I were laying in my childhood room and he said, "It's so weird that you used to fall asleep in this room dreaming about being in the NHL and now that dream is a reality."

"I also dreamed of the day that I met the love of my life."

Patrick kissed me and said, "Goodnight my beautiful girl."

"Goodnight." I said 

The next morning I got up around 9am and so did Patrick, my mom made a nice breakfast and I spent most of the day with my little brother and sister, of course Patrick was with us too.

Later that night, Patrick wanted to see the rink that I grew up playing in, so I took him there and we "explored" Minnesota that night.

"Wanna do something super cheesy and romantic?" Patrick asked

"Sure" I said laughing and he took my car keys and went over to a group of trees and he carved 

PK + AS = love

"Sorry, it would look better if I had a knife and not keys." Patrick said laughing

"It's perfect" I replied kissing him and almost as if it was magic, it started to snow.

I took a picture of our tree and Patrick and I went back to my parents house. It was midnight and we quietly snuck into my room and fell asleep.

The next morning we had to go back to Chicago, saying goodbye was hard and I cried a little. Thankfully, Patrick took the first driving shift.

My mom sent me a text that made me smile.

Mom: Thank you for letting us meet Patrick. He is a wonderful guy and we are so happy that you are with him. You are both welcome here anytime.   

Me: Of course, we are going to go public with our relationship soon, until them please don't tell anyone about us. We need to tell the team first. Love you!

Mom: Don't worry, we won't say anything. Drive safe and text me when you get home. I love you too!

When we got back to Chicago, I texted my mom and showed Patrick what she said. I slept over at Patrick's and we talked about how we were going to tell the team. 

"I have an idea how we can tell the team and the world.." Patrick said to me and then he continued, "We change the name on your practice jersey to KANER'S GIRL with the number 88 and you wear it for practice and see how long it takes the team to notice. We do the same thing with your game jersey for warm-ups."

"That's pretty good... Let's do it!" I said 

Patrick texted our equipment manager and asked for a red practice jersey and a red game jersey that said, KANER'S GIRL with the number 88 on both. He said he'd get them for tomorrow.

"I feel like maybe we should tell Tazer first.." Patrick said

"Do you want to tell him alone? or with me?" I asked

"With you... Since tomorrow is the day, can we have him come over tonight?"

It was only eight pm and I agreed. Patrick answered the door and Tazer came in. I was waiting in Patrick's room until he started telling Tazer.

Patrick and Tazer both were drinking a beer and Tazer asked, "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

"My girlfriend.." Patrick said 

"You have a girlfriend?" Tazer asked shocked

"Yeah, for about two months we've been together and I want to introduce her to the team, but before I do it, I want you to be the first one to meet her."

"I feel so honored Kaner.." Tazer said 

I walked out of his room and Patrick said, "Meet my girlfriend, Ashley.."

"What? No way!" He said shocked

We told him how things started, well not everything, and he was actually really happy for Patrick.

Around ten, Tazer left and we told him the plan for tomorrow. He was excited to see how the guys would react.

"Peaks, thanks for telling me first, it really means a lot and I'm happy for you."

"Thanks Toews." 

I fell asleep in my boyfriends arms and the next day at practice everyone was on the ice and I was putting on my KANER'S GIRL jersey. I got out on the ice and Tazer smiled at me and no one seemed to notice, not even coach Q. 

About twenty minutes into practice, we were doing a breakout drill and Crow said, "Holy shit!"

The whole team stopped and he looked at Patrick and said, "So she's really your girl?"

Patrick skated over to me and he kissed me.

"Boys, meet my girlfriend, Ashley!"

Everyone was freaking out, in a good way. After things settled down, Patrick said, "Our parents are the only ones who know besides you guys. So please don't say anything to anyone. We are going to tell everyone the same way during warm-ups at our next home game."

The team all agreed and after practice we got called into coach Q's office and the door was shut.

"So, I am going to say that this has been going on for a while. I am going to trust that you will both continue to separate your personal life together and hockey."

"Of course." We both said

Looks like everything was working out and I couldn't be happier. We were driving back to my place and when I was packing a bag, Patrick asked, "Do you want to move in with me?"

"I would love to!" I said kissing him