Page 33

halle

I waited until after the last All Star event to tell Tyler what I'd found. We were relaxing on our hotel balcony when I pulled the laptop out. I opened Facebook, selecting the messages button.

"Ty. I have some updates." He turned to look at me. I bit my lip, nervous for some unknown reason. "I put my Facebook down as a contact for anyone with relations to your parents, and I managed to find a few people in common. I found your grandma. And two of your aunts. So far your grandma and one aunt has responded." Tyler blanched.

"What? Are you serious?"

"Yes. Here, I'll let you read the messages." I positioned the laptop so Tyler could scroll. My eyes flicked over the messages at the same time his did.

We'd continued on, talking about Tyler's aunt and uncle, both siblings of his mother. They all lived in the Pittsburgh area in Pennsylvania. We'd been able to confirm that Tyler was definitely related to them through the connection on the website to Tyler's aunt. Now, Tyler finally had a chance to see what I'd been doing for the past month.

"She...she wants to meet me?" Tyler looked dumbfounded. I nodded. He sat back, in shock. "I didn't think you'd find anything. Wow. She was there the whole time and I never knew."

"She didn't know about you either. Sounds like she's pretty excited to find out about another grandchild."

"I want to meet her. As soon as possible." I knew the determined look in his eyes. I'd already picked out some possible dates.

"You have four days off next weekend...anyway you could swing something by and we can go to Pittsburgh then?"

"I'll try."

&&&

It didn't take a lot of convincing to get out of one optional practice for the team. The coaches had allowed for the family exception, only on the fact it didn't interfere with games. On February fifth, the two of us were on a plane to Pittsburgh. I was nervous, but I couldn't imagine what was going through Tyler's head. Twenty years of not having a family, and suddenly this happened. Everything he knew was changed. I just wanted to see him happy.

I drove the rental car, not trusting Tyler's driving skills when his knee was shaking like a wasp nest. Thankfully, the address Janet had sent me was several miles into the suburbs of Pittsburgh and not in the city. The drive would've been relaxing if the event wasn't daunting. Tyler clutched at my hand the entire way. It seemed like his nerves grew as we drew closer.

I'd never seen him look like this. His eyes were wide, and his face was pale. No game had ever affected his nerves like this. Tyler was always calm, cool, and collected. As I pulled up in front of a decent sized, one floor ranch, Tyler squeezed my hand tightly. Then he let go and dropped his head into his hands.

"I can't do this. I can't do this." Tyler moaned.

"Hey, hey. You're ok. You can. They're just people. If things go badly, you never have to see them again if you don't want to."

"I don't know how to do this." His words were low and soft. My heart clenched at the uncertainty behind them. I reached out one hand and gently rubbed his back.

"I'll help you. Ok?" After a minute, he nodded.

I got out of the car, eyes flickering to the house. I could've sworn I saw a curtain move in the front window. When I joined Tyler's side, he found my hand again. I gave it a comforting squeeze. Together, we started for the door.

Tyler didn't do anything for a moment. He stared at the knocker blankly. Finally, I nudged him. He started, lifting a finger to press the doorbell to the left. It went off within the house, a tingly bell sound that was sweet. I saw movement behind the warped glass. When the white wooden door swung open, I recognized the woman as the aunt I'd contacted over Facebook. She stared at Tyler for a moment, her jaw almost slack. Then she smiled, holding the door open.

"Please, come on in. I'm Susan." She stuck out a hand for Tyler to shake, then me. We stepped past the threshold, taking in the living room. "This way. Mom's in the kitchen." The kind woman smiled at us again. She lead us through another doorway into a brown-tiled room. The small table was crammed with people, but the one that stood out to me was Janet.

The older woman stood immediately, her jaw open in shock. She stepped forward, hands outstretched. Tyler stiffened at my side as she approached. Her hands gently cupped his face. Her words came out in whispered awe.

"Oh you have your mother's eyes." Through the film of tears, I could see that Tyler had Janet's eyes as well. They were the same shade of sparkling green, holding a glint of something mysterious. When I looked up at Tyler, I was surprised to find he was biting his lip and holding back his own tears. I'd never seen him cry. The sight was enough to make my own eyes mist over.

Janet dropped her hands from his face to embrace Tyler in a hug. They stood like that for a few minutes. I felt like I was intruding on the sacred moment. My eyes traveled to my feet.

When they separated, Janet wiped at her eyes furiously.

"Oh I promised I wouldn't cry. I hate crying. But look at you! So tall and handsome." She finally turned to me "And you must be Halle." Her hand reached out and squeezed mine. "Thank you so much for this sweetheart."

Susan reappeared at her mother's side. I noticed the mist in her eyes as well. Green eyes. It obviously ran in the family.

"Don't keep them standing forever Mom. We all obviously have a lot to catch up on."

"Twenty years of catching up." Tyler spoke for the first time. I caught his renewed confidence immediately.

"I still can't believe my youngest daughter had a child and never told me. Was she a good mother, at least?" Tyler hesitated as he took a seat at the kitchen table. He nodded greetings to the other adults sitting with us, all of them gaping at him in shock.

"Well...she...no. I can't even call her my mother. She certainly didn't raise me." Janet's face darkened.

"Oh. And what about your father? I'd like to know as much as I can, please." Tyler let out a sigh. His eyes caught mine for a split second. I was uncertain too. How would his grandmother react to the truth of upbringing?

"I really don't remember my dad. He went to jail before I knew him. I think he got out, but he never bothered to come around again. My mother ran drug dealing out of the house for a few years, but stopped when I was five. She got a boyfriend and moved out semi-permanently to live with him. She left me with my coaches for days, sometimes weeks, at a time. I left when I turned fifteen, and could move out for hockey. Haven't looked back since."

"Oh Theresa. What have you done?" Janet looked beyond distressed. Susan put a comforting hand on her arm.

"It's not your fault, Mom. You didn't know anything about Tyler. There wasn't anything to do."

"I'm so sorry, Tyler. I'm sorry I didn't look for you. Life could've been so much easier for you." Janet's eyes were hurt. Tyler smiled kindly at her.

"It's ok now. Really, it is. I had a hard time growing up, but I've turned out ok. My coaches helped me out a lot. They were the ones that encouraged my career and raised me into who I am."

"What coaches?" One of the men sitting next to Susan finally spoke up, looking slightly lost. Tyler gave a questioning sideways glance. I shook my head.

"I didn't tell them."

"Tell us what?" Susan looked confused. Tyler nodded, leaning back.

"I play in the NHL. Professional hockey." The uncle who'd spoken looked dumbfounded.

"Are you any good?" Tyler let out a laugh.

"No, I suck."

"He does not." I rolled my eyes. "Don't be humble, you showboat." Tyler shrugged.

"Where did hockey come from?" The uncle looked dumbfounded. "We're a football family."

"Sorry to betray tradition." Tyler grinned.

"None of us went pro. I guess if you're decent it's good enough for us."

"He's more than decent." I chimed in. I nudged Tyler with my shoulder. "Please tell them."

"Tell them what?"

"All your achievements. Make your family proud." Tyler narrowed his eyes at me, but the rest of the table egged him on.

"Ok, fine." Tyler began to list things on his fingers. "I got drafted first overall in 2019's draft. I got 142 points my rookie season and won the Calder and the Art Ross Trophy." I tapped his shoulder, about to speak. "Biggest score was Halle, though." I blushed. Janet smiled sweetly at us.

"Tyler, I don't know a thing about hockey but that sounds awesome."

"Mom, it means that our blood has produced the best hockey player in the world." I smirked up at Tyler. He gave an exasperated glance. His uncle that had spoken was looking down at phone in disbelief. "You're the real deal, huh?"

"I guess." Tyler shrugged. The uncle frowned.

"But you don't play for the Penguins. What a shame. You ever think about getting moved here?" I had to laugh. Tyler did as well.

"I'd have to say no. Chicago's going to be my home for a long time." He let his arm snake around my shoulder, pulling me closer. I watched Janet's eyes light up at the gesture.

"So Tyler. How long have you and Halle been together?"

"About a year." She smiled again.

"That's wonderful." Janet was interrupted by one of the younger men sitting next to her.

"Gram, why don't we do introductions? Tyler doesn't know any of us yet."

"Oh, good idea. Everyone say your name and relation." Susan was smiling at Tyler. "I'll go first. I'm Susan, your aunt. Mother's sister." Tyler nodded, then let his eyes carry to the next person.

"Owen. Your uncle." The man that had made the suggestion offered rather stiffly.

A whole slew of introductions continued around the table. I easily lost track of the time. When I looked at my phone next, it was well past ten at night. I cursed silently, nudging Tyler with my knee. Our flight out the next morning was early, so that he was back in time for practice then the flight to Minnesota. I showed Tyler the time. He let out a sigh.

"Sorry it's so soon, but we should really get going. I'll keep in contact, I promise. I might be able to get the chance to come visit this season, or the summer. When we play at Pittsburgh I'll send tickets." Janet looked slightly upset.

"We've only just got you back, how can you leave so soon?" She embraced Tyler in a hug. Susan was next to wrap her arms around him. When Owen came around, he held out a heavy hand.

"Kick ass out there on the ice, ya hear me? I'll be going around bragging and I need to look good." His stone demeanor dropped, and he grinned. Tyler smirked back as he shook his hand.

"Will do, as long as you root for us."

I said my own goodbyes to the Faust family. Janet hugged me kindly, thanking me repeatedly for putting her in contact with her grandson.

When we were finally back in the rental car, I squeezed Tyler's hand. He dropped his head back let loose a heavy breath.

"Wow."

"Yeah. See, it wasn't that bad." Tyler rolled his head back and forth on the headrest.

"I have a family. Am I dreaming?"

"You do and they're wonderful people who are going to love and support you from now on." Tyler looked daunted.

"Will they?" I had to laugh at the innocence in his face.

"Yes, Ty."

"How do you know?"

"Because I have a family that's supportive, and I know what it looks like. That house just welcomed you in with wide open arms. They don't care you weren't around for the first twenty years of your life, they only care that you're their blood and that you're here now." Tyler was silent for a long while. I let him bask in the reality he'd just been thrown into. I couldn't be happier and more proud of him.

A month ago, Tyler had been someone without a real family. His life had been a hard battle without a supporting force to fall back on in hard times. He'd never known anything else. Now, he'd found out he could have had that. He could've had a supportive family who cared for him. Life could have been so much easier for him. But he wouldn't be here. He wouldn't be getting ready to fly to another state to play hockey. He might've never picked up a hockey stick in his whole life.

As much as my heart hurt for a youthful Tyler and his tainted childhood, I had to be grateful for his upbringing. If Tyler had never played hockey, we never would have met. He wouldn't have gone through the glass, he wouldn't have met me after the Carolina game. We wouldn't be here now. We would be without our other halves for the past year. I wouldn't know it, but I'd be incomplete, unable to find peace and happiness. I liked to imagine that I would've found him anyway. Somehow we would've run into each other.

It was pointless to imagine what might've been. We were here now. I glanced from the road over to Tyler. He was deep in thought, his eyes looking at nothing in particular. I was going to say something, but thought better of it. I continued to drive in silence until we reached the hotel near the airport. Tyler grabbed our small bags while I checked in.

I was exhausted when we got into the room. After I'd taken my minuscule makeup off, I fell into bed beside Tyler. I was too exhausted to do anything else. The daunting thought of waking up early only made my eyes droop more.

Before I drifted into sleep, I felt the lingering touch of a kiss on my forehead. Sleepily, I grinned. A slight murmur escaped my lips.

"Goodnight Ty. I love you."