Disclaimer : I don't own anything so there!

A/N : I was just deleting some files on my laptop to make some room, and found this amongst everything, so thought, meh let's put it up. Not my best work, but never the less, I wrote so why let it go to waste. So enjoy!

Chapter 10

Charlie could have easily been mistaken for a boy no older than Shane the following day. From the moment he woke up at 6 am, he'd been bouncing around the house in pure excitement. Even Shane was baffled by his behavior. Connie was slightly nervous, and must have changed her outfit 10 times at the very least, reverting back to previous outfits time and time again. She'd called both Julie and Tammy 3 times each for their advice, telling them, she didn't want to look too conservative, but didn't want to look too 'tarty' as she referred to it. She eventually settled on a pair of cropped pants and a tank top. Summery, yet not revealing too much, Tammy had told her.

By 10 am, Charlie's excitement and energy had fed through to Shane who was running around the house after both Connie and Charlie, though, he didn't realize Connie was running round in pure nervousness, and Charlie was simply doing it, through excitement.

"Can we go now"? Charlie whined for the 5th time in 5 minutes.

"2 minutes, I'm just making sure I look ok". Connie replied, as she applied some lip gloss, and tidied her hair back into the pony tail.

"You've been making sure of that all morning. You look amazing, they're all gonna be jealous of me". Charlie argued. "But they can't be jealous until I turn up with you both".

"Ok, ok I'm ready". Connie followed him out to the car. "You sure I look ok"? She bit her lip, undecided.

Charlie couldn't understand why she was so nervous. It wasn't as though she'd never met any hockey players before, they'd all met Basil McRae, Mike Modano, Paul Kariya and Wayne Gretzky before, so the wilds were nothing compared. He stepped toward her, planting a soft kiss on her lips, hoping that rather than words would reassure her.

He finally managed to her into the car, and as a good measure, flicked the child safety on, so she wouldn't be able to get out, before he managed to get the car in motion. At this Connie playfully scowled. A few blocks later, he did get out and unlocked the child safety, so she could let herself out when they got there.

10 minutes later, Charlie pulled into the parking lot, surprising Connie at how many vehicles were already there, and even more surprised when Charlie announced there were more still to come. As Charlie got Shane out of his car seat, Connie continually asked if she was dressed ok, of which every time Charlie told her, she looked perfect.

They slowly headed toward the picnic area, the sound of peoples chattering getting louder the closer they got. Charlie had slung his arm around her shoulders, and Connie was gripping Shane's hand so as not to lose him before they'd even got there.

"You ready"? Charlie asked as they got even closer.

"If I say no, can we leave"? Connie chuckled.

"Nope". Charlie laughed, pulling her closer and planting a kiss on her temple.

"Ahh young love, you remember that Dutes". An older man of about 35, with a shaved head, nudged a man taller than himself before stepping closer. "You must be Connie, I'm Mike". He offered her a hand.

"Hi". Connie managed to mutter, totally spell bound, that it was actually Mike Peron stood in front of her.

"I'm Mark". Mark Dutiaume offered her his hand.

Again Connie was taken a back, that 2 of her childhood heroes were actually stood before her. She could remember reading, back in high school, about the Wilds signing Mike, Mark and Dion Darling, who was no longer with the Wilds.

"And this must be Shane". Mike announced, as they both turned to look at Shane, who was partially hiding himself behind Connie's leg.

"Shane say Hi". Connie prompted him.

"Hi". Shane almost whispered, waving his hand gently.

They finished passing pleasantries, before Charlie lead her away. She was introduced to another handful of men, and their families. She knew she'd more than likely remember the players names, but as for their families, she could only hope that she didn't call people the wrong name, by mistake.

There were a few other children, but not nearly as many as Connie imagined there to be, and there only looked to be one or 2 Shane's age, the others were either a few years younger or older, which in some strange way settled Connie slightly.

"You can't remember half their names can you"? Charlie asked chuckling.

"Nope". Connie laughed.

"Well you're not gonna struggle with this next name, for 2 reasons. 1. He's my defense partner and 2. It's just one of those names you can't forget". Charlie smiled, as he lead Connie and Shane to another picnic table. "Ron, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend Connie, and her son Shane". Charlie announced proudly.

"Hi Connie". A man at the very least 6 foot tall, stood up from his seat at the table, and offered her, his hand.

"H…Hi". Connie stuttered, when she realized it was Ron Shudra stood before her.

"And this is my daughter"… Ron began, as a short blonde haired girl bounded toward them.

"Stacy". Both Connie and Ron said simultaneously.

"Huh", Ron looked confused as to how Connie had known Stacy's name.

"We met at the doctors office, didn't we Stacy". Connie informed them.

"Yesh". Stacy answered, before running away.

"And this is my wife, Liz". Ron stated, as the woman Connie remembered seeing with Stacy.

"Hi it's nice to see you again". Liz greeted.

"I'm Connie". Connie offered her hand.

"Oh hey, lets not be so formal". Liz stepped toward Connie, and gripped her in a bear hug.

"You ladies want a drink"? Ron asked.

They both nodded, and both Ron and Charlie disappeared toward where the cool bags were sat. Shane now attached himself to Charlie. From where they stood, Connie could see him grip Shane's hand, and introduce him to a few other players. At one point, Charlie picked Shane up, placing him on his hip, to stop Shane from hiding behind Charlie's leg.

"How long have you known Charlie"? Liz asked, after she noticed Connie watching them.

"Oh, um, all my life". Connie chuckled. "We played pee wee hockey together, went through high school together and everything, then just lost contact when we went to college".

"You played pee wee's with Charlie, so that would mean you were a duck"? Liz asked knowingly.

"It would"? Connie nodded.

"Ron, Ron, would you believe this young lady was a duck". Liz stated when her husband returned with their drinks, having left Charlie talking to a few other guys.

"What, you played with Charlie"! Ron looked Connie for confirmation. "The team followed your games, course I was only a 3rd line back then, never thought I'd meet one of you, let alone 2 of you". Ron chuckled. "You should come down to one of our practices, join in". He offered.

"Um, I don't think so". Connie laughed. "I haven't played in years".

"It's like riding a bike, you never forget". Ron pursued. "The offers there, if ever you want, just come along with Charlie". He continued to offer. "I think I'd better go check on the kids". Ron put his beer down on the table, and headed toward Stacy and 2 other children.

"So Stacy's not your only child? Connie asked, sitting opposite Liz.

"No, we've got Laura, she's 13 in a month, Stacy's our middle daughter she was 9, 2 months ago, then we've got Robert he's 4, and we have 1 more on the way". Liz told her, pointing each of her 3 children out.

"You're a miracle worker, how do you cope with 3"? Connie asked in astonishment.

"Probably better than when there's 4 of them". Liz laughed. "What about you, haven't you ever wanted more"?

"Um, it's not that I don't want more, I do, one day. I just, I have my hands full with Shane". Connie took a sip of her beer.

"I know that feeling well. When Stacy came along, Laura was only a toddler, and demanding a lot of time, Ron was constantly traveling, and then we learnt of Stacy's problems, and oh, how many nights I spent crying, wishing for that one magic cure". Liz told her honestly.

"It never comes though does it"? Connie replied knowingly.

"No, no it doesn't. But I think we had it easy, compared to you, I had Ron, doesn't look to me, like you had anyone".

"Oh no, I have a few very good friends in fact they were all ducks at some point. They helped me through everything, they still do to be honest".

Connie found it strangely easy to open up to her. Maybe it was because she knew, Liz had been through something similar herself, or maybe it was because she was basically a stranger, but either way, over the next hour, they'd both traded stories about how they dealt with motherhood, and what struck Connie as the strangest, was that she openly told of Shane's problems, something which she never normally did.

"And you call me a miracle worker, not many parents would do what you do. They'd stick them in special schools, expect the teachers there to 'fix' their children". Liz stated when Connie finished.

"I did actually enroll him in a special school, but after 6 months of working my ass off to pay for him to attend, and seeing no results, I pulled him out. Now it's just me, with a little help from a school teacher friend".

"So ladies, you've been jabbering for over an hour now, you nearly done"? Ron asked a cheeky smile on his face.

"No, now go play with the kids"? Liz replied, taking two more bottles of beer out of his hands.

"How long have you been with Ron"? Connie asked, feeling the slight need for a change in subject.

"Oh um, it'll be 22 years in 2 months time, but we've only been married 18". Liz told her.

"Wow". Connie said astonished.

"I know, I'd have got less for attempted murder". Liz laughed.

"Doesn't him traveling a lot bother you"?

"Oh yeah, and it always will. But you just have to weigh the pro's an con's up. Ron's played hockey his whole life, so asking him to just give up, well it's un-ask able. I knew what I was getting into when we started dating, even though we were only in high school. During our senior year, we'd talk about where we were headed, and Ron's answer was always the same, professional hockey".

"That answer sounds fairly familiar". Connie smiled at the memory.

"Charlie"? She asked, turning to see Charlie stood, Shane sat on his shoulders, talking to a few of the other guys.

"Yeah. I can't ever remember him saying he wanted to be anything else".

"Sounds about right. He reminds me a little of how Ron was at his age. So what's going on with the two of you"? Liz asked. "Sorry, I'm prying aren't I, I have that habit".

"No, um, you're ok, it's not like we're hiding anything. We're just going out, nothing too serious at the moment. Step by step if you know what I mean"? Connie replied, her gaze lingering on her son, and Charlie.

"You don't sound so sure about how you feel"? Connie turned back to Liz, seeing a knowing expression on her face.

"No, I do, I know I love him, it's just that, well Shane. He's mine for life, you know, I can't simply walk away when I get bored". Connie began.

"You think Charlie will get bored"? Liz asked.

"No, no I really don't, Charlie isn't possible of being that way, it's just, well it's a lot of responsibility, accepting another mans child. Even more so when that said child has got the problems Shane has. All I'm saying, I'm just trying to be careful, for all our sakes, you know". Connie finished quickly, as she noticed Charlie and Ron look toward them, then obviously begin ending their conversations.

"Yeah honey, I do". Liz reached across the table and gave her hand a squeeze. "But take it from experience, men like Charlie don't come along everyday. Don't push him away".

So what do you think? Please R&R!