It was another rainy day in Chicago and the weather suited your feelings. It had been the worst month of your life. First, your now ex-boyfriend dumped you because you thought you were pregnant and then, soon after, your brother lost his life in a car crash. He was your best friend and the only one who understood what you had been through when that sad excuse of a boyfriend had dumped you.
You were kneeling next to your brother's grave, holding a bouquet of flowers and talking to him, tears slowly slipping down your cheeks on your shirt and on a cold soil. You wished so hard he was there with you and you still felt his presence next to you every second of every day.
Lost in your grief, you did not notice someone standing behind your back and holding an umbrella above your head. That someone was standing quietly behind you, wordlessly holding up umbrella and giving you time to talk to your brother. After twenty minutes you finally realized your hair was not as wet as it should be and you looked up.
"Patrick," you breathed out and stood up, hugging your brother's best friend.
"What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to visit Brandon's grave. But then I saw you and I didn't want to disturb you."
"So you were standing behind me for the last how many minutes and making sure I wasn't soaked?"
"Well, yes. I don't want my best friend's little sister get sick. And I am sure Brandon wouldn't like that as well."
"Thanks, I guess," you smiled weakly while fighting back tears which threatened to start pouring down your cheeks again. But no matter how hard you tried, the sorrow was still too strong and you buried your head in Patrick's chest. Even though you hadn't known him that well, you felt safe when he kept holding you. You somehow expected him to move away and leave you with your tears, but he didn't. Pulling you closer to his chest and holding you gently, he let you cry in his Chicago Blackhawks T-shirt and quietly whispered: "Shhh, everything will be fine, I promise."
"I-I miss him, Patrick."
Deep sigh: "So do I, Y/N. So do I."
You did not answer so Patrick and you remained hugged while rain was pouring down loudly.
"Come on, let's get off this rain before we drown," he suggested and lead you away from your brother's grave. His palm on your back felt natural and somehow comfortable. After long silence Patrick spoke up:" How come you didn't take an umbrella? You must have known it'd be pouring again."
"Brandon always said you are weak if you have to carry an umbrella."
He bursted in laughter:"Brandon always said such things, that's why he was the best person to hang out with. He made everything sound easy."
For the first time since your brother's death, you smiled sincerely. Talking to Patrick seemed like the easiest thing, even talking about your brother, which had usually made you sad.
"Well, he was one of a kind."
"He certainly was, but he wouldn't want to see you down."
"I know, Patrick. But I still can't understand he is gone."
"No one can. Listen, uh, would you like to grab a coffee later? I have something left to do..."
"Are you asking me out?"
"I can't let you grieve on your own," he smiled. In that moment you realized he was hurt as much as you were, but he was concealing it.
"Can you pick me up at five?"
"Yeah, no problem. Uh, can you go home on your own?"
"Sure. After all, you came here to visit Brandon's grave not baby sit his silly sister. I'll see you later,okay?"
"See you later!"
You waved at him and left him alone.
~PATRICK'S POV~
When I saw her kneeling down next to her brother's grave I realized something I hadn't even though of before. Brandon's sister was the most loving and family-oriented girl I had ever seen. Even in a downpour she was willing to visit her brother's grave,not even bothering about getting soaked.
I slowly and quietly approached her and held my umbrella abpve her head. After all, her brother wouldn't like her getting soaked because of him and... Well, I wouldn't forgive myself if she got sick because I did nothing to help her.
After standing there for about twenty minutes, she realized she was not alone. She looked up and our eyes met before she breathed out my name, sounding quite relieved to see me. She wrapped her soft arms around me and asked me what was my business there. I gladly hugged her back and answered her questions. But when I told her I was making sure she wouldn't have gotten soaked and mentioned her brother wouldn't like to see her getting soaked because of him, she buried her head in my chest and started crying. Awkwardly, I pulled her closer and whispered: "Shhh, everything will be fine, I promise."
"I miss him, Patrick," she answered, her head still buried in my chest.
"So do I, Y/N. So do I."
She did not answer and we remained hugged under my umbrella, which was pur only shelter from the rain. Only then I realized I had had my hand on her back all along, but she didn't seem to bother, so I didn't move it away. Another few moments had passed before I asked her why she hadn't brought her umbrella and her answer nearly made me laugh:"Brandon always said you are weak if you have to carry an umbrella." Yes, it reminded me of her brother :"Brandon always said such things, that's why he was the best person to hang out with. He made everything sound easy."
I looked at her and saw her face light up with a sincere smile:"Well, he was one of a kind."
We talked a bit more about her brother, what a great person he was and it felt good to have finally someone to talk to.
"Are you asking me out?" she asked surprised and I realized I must had asked her out or something.
"I can't let you grieve on your own," I smiled and hoped my face was not turning bright red. Surprisingly, she started asking me about details and we agreed to meet at five. After that she left, waving goodbye while walking away.
As soon as she was put of my sight, I kneeled down next to Brandon's grave and touched his gravestone:" I know you wouldn't approve this, but I really like your sister. She is not ashamed of her emotions and she needs someone who would understand her, be by her side. I promise you I'll give her time but... I really like her. And I promise on my career I'll be there for her."
I looked down and confessed quietly:" Bran, I miss you."
I felt small tear slip down my cheek and I was glad no one was around.
~YOUR POV~
You walked away, but something made you stay and listen. You hid behind a tree near your brother's grave and soon Patrick's words reached your ears. You were stunned, things coming from his mouth surprised ypu beyond words. He had been so nice to you since forever, but you never even thought he has such a great heart and you excitement and happiness about him asking you put grew even stronger. In a dime light you saw a small tear slip down his cheek and you knew for sure his words came straight from his heart.
Months later you were looking at your brother's photo on a coffee table and quietly thanking him. You and Patrick started dating soon after you had met at the graveyard and now ypu were carrying Pat's baby under ypur heart.
Even though you met in such sad circumstances, you finally started believing in love again.
For hockeykid820 , sorry for the wait:(
