"Hey kiddo, it's time to wake up." Adam rolled to his side now squeezing his eyes shut. My son had inherited my tendency to sleep like a rock. "Come on,"

An arm came flying up and swatted at me this time, "Daddy go away." He mumbled into his pillow.

"Alright, alright. Fine," I said drawing out the 'fine' in an whinny tone, "I'll just have to go to work and not spend the day buying your hockey supplies or taking you too your first practice like you've been nagging me." An ear to ear smile crossed Adams face, his eyes however remained tightly shut.

"Hey Dad," Jason called from somewhere in the hallway.

"Yeah, I'm in Adam's room."

My elder sons head popped in, "Can I have my lunch money?"

"Oh yeah Mr. Big Tough I'm an adult. The handy Dad ATM is still open." I teased Jason who merely scoffed in reply. I slid out my wallet and grabbed a twenty. "One thing thought." I said handing the crisp bill into his hand. "Get that little brother of yours out of bed, use whatever mean you deem necessary."

"Really?" Jason asked a mischievous look smirked across his face making him apperear much younger than he claimed to be. I can't believe my baby is eighteen, I thought starring at Jason.

I shook my head clearing the feelings of nostalgia. "Go do it, before I change my mind." I said laughing a little. I exited the room, leaving Adam in the capable hands of his conniving older brother. It was probably better not to witness whatever Jason had up his sleeve.

Downstairs I got about two coffee sips in when the bomb went off.

"DAAAADDY!" A small blonde figure came running down the stair screaming Jason super soaker in one hand trailing closely. "Daddy," Adam said wedging himself between the counter and me.

"I'm sorry you must be mistaken, you can't possible be my children. My children would never run through the house dripping wet screaming at the top of there lungs, there much better behaved," I said sweetly letting the sarcasm barley come through, looking down at the eight year old who was positively fuming at me.

I glared over at Jason. "A water gun, How soaked is his room?" I asked trying to hide my amusement.

Jason shrugged it off, "You said anything I deemed necessary."

"Hey," Adam voice of protest was officially raised, "That's not fair. You said he could do this."

I ignored Adam for the moment; "You really found drenching him head to toe necessary?" I questioned.

"Maybe not necessary per say,"

"Yeah yeah Mr. Per say go help your little brother get everything wet off his floor."

"But I have to get to school." He argued crossing his arms over his chest. He was far too stubborn for his own good. He was far too much like me for his own good.

"Then I suggest you hurry." I said raising my eyebrows and waving him off. He groaned throwing up his arms.

"Come on Adam, lets go before Hitler decides we-"His sentence was cut off as the door to the kitchen swung shut.

Grabbing my coffee cup and the paper I couldn't help but keep smiling. Half way through

The business section the boys re-emerged.

"Operation water world is complete sir." Jason said mockingly.

"Good," checking down at my watch, "Well it's time to hit the road Adam, and aren't you late."

"I know I know," Jason said running out the door.

After the morning ritual of grabbing homework, collecting all my files and his backpack and the 'I can't find my other shoe' game we pilled into the car right on time.

"Remember Adam, I'll be here after school to pick you up." I reminded as Adam dashed from the car. "Sure Daddy," He hollered over his shoulder.

The chimes of bells sounded above me when I pushed open the door. "Can I help you?" the elderly man asked coming out from behind the counter. Adam stopped mid story and got behind me a little. As active as he was at home new people made him very nervous. His schoolteacher said he was shy even around the kids his own age.

"Yes, my son," I said placing my hand on his shoulder, "Need a new hockey set."

"Ah ha, you are going to be a big hockey star. I can feel it."

"Really?" Adam asked biting his bottom lip. "My Dad always said so," His big blue eyes held mine for a moment. I smiled exhaling a breath I'd been holding. Hockey season had to start in the middle of my biggest case of this year, didn't it? I rolled my shoulders trying to get some of the tension from my neck.

"Your Father is a very smart man," The elderly gentleman bent down to Adam's level. "I am Hans," He stuck his hand out for a shake.

"I'm Adam," he said softly shaking his hand and the retreating to the protection of me.

"And who is this?" Hans asked straitening back up and looking at me.

"Philip Banks." I said absentmindedly.

"You playing pee-wee's right?" Adam nodded still uneasy. "What team?" Hans asked.

At this Adam lit up, "The Hawks!" I beamed at his enthusiasms. Last months tryouts had been nerve racking, for Adam that was. I already knew he was good enough. Still, it filled my heart when he found his own name on the top of the list for new hawks. "There the best teams ever, right Dad?"

"Right Adam, the best." I agreed not even mustering half of his excitement. "And now we need all his equipment." I said to the storekeeper. He sat Adam down and they started going over the list of required padding and such.

I paced the store looking over the displays with half interest.

"Hey Dad, look at me." Adam called.

I turned around to see him. And there he was. It's hard to explain, but Adam standing there in full padding with a stick in his hand and a helmet on his head, it just made perfect sense.

"Now then, your really starting to look like the best hockey player in the world."

"Daad," He said in a tone that was far too teenage-ish. But that was part of Adam; he'd always been five going on sixteen.

"So I guess this will be it?"

"Yes," Hans spoke clearing his throat a little, "If you don't mind coming up front I'll ring you up and wrap it for you." Nodding I followed him up to the register.

"Dad," Adam pulled slightly on my leather jacket, "Can I look around, please?"

"I suppose, don't break anything," I called after him.

"That's a good boy you have there." Hans said looking up at me a twinkle in his eyes like I'd never seen.

"Thank you."

"He'll be quite something when he gets older." His eyes drifted over to the display Adam was looking at. "These boys that come in here. There love for the game is what keeps me going." He said wistfully.

Had I been in a better, more sentimental mood I probably would have agreed. But I was not, "Yes," I said briskly nodding to be polite.

"Oh I apologies Mr. Banks." He said sensing my mood and hurried back into ringing everything up. "I just sense something with Adam, he really wants it." He continued.

I nodded fully understanding. Adam's passion was something unmatched; by any and every one I have ever meet in my life.

I glanced back over at my son. "How about some new skates too? Yours are getting a little worn if I remember correctly?" I asked fully ready to indulge him.

Shrugging he simply replied, "No thank you,"

"Why not?" I asked squinting at him as he walked over to the register.

"I like my skates," he said leaning against the counter.

"And why is that?" Hans asked grinning ear to ear.

"Because," Adam started seriousness that I didn't think an eight-year-old could must in his voice, "Worn skates remind you of all the things you learned since they were brand new."

"Ahh, you want a secret," Hans said lowering his voice and leaning in towards Adam, "I like my old skates best too," Straightening out he raffled off the total and I paid, "There now, your ready for your first step in becoming the best."

Hans handed Adam the large bad. "Thank you Hans," Adam said grinning ear to ear.

"Yes thank you very much." I added.

"It was my pleasure, and Adam you remember to come back, huh? When you need to get your next pair of skates to wear in,"

Adam nodded his head bobbing rapidly up and down, "You bet."

:END:

I should be beaten for going this long with out updating, really lol. Once everything calms down things should get back to normal when it comes to my updating but until then thank you for being so patient with me! Please leave a review on your way out! Rachel

SHOUTOUTS!

Jess: lol, yeah I can't wait for Adam to be in High school too, I think that will be the fun stuff to write. Oh yes and you did review twice but that just extra nice! Thanks for reading!

Gina: No, no YOUR completely awesome. Thanks a billion for those kind words, Happy (very late) birthday too! Oh yeah and Update already!!!

Sammy: your right I must!

Jenn1: I'll never tell, guess your stuck reading it!

Katie: I'm glad you don't mind fluff because it's still fluffy!! Hehe, now it's time to get up some of that story of yours. :prods:

K.T. Rose: WOW, a nice long review my favorite! I love wee Adam too, he's just so darn cute! Pig nose and the same hair cut mind you. I think your review was stupendous, (yes actually I love that word) and I love you and your review too!