Everybody Loves A Parade - Part 6
Everybody Loves a Parade - Part 6
Saturday – Part 6
Warnings: Pancakes, Fluff, shameless product placement
Again, his side of the bed is empty when I wake with music coming from the living room. I wonder what it will take to make one of the other two bedrooms a music room for him. I peek out the drapes. It’s finally stopped snowing. Whatever James is working on is going to be amazing. I can hear him humming as he figures out where the words are going to fill in. Maybe. He did help write two amazing instrumentals. His bandmates do call him the Riff Master. I stretch out in the bed. These sheets really do need to get changed. I climb out of bed and tug the dirties off. It took a moment because I was stumbling over the pile of dirty sheets, but I got the sheets changed. I was piling them up in front of the bathroom when I see James standing there.
“I didn’t interrupt you, did I?” my voice a little high.
“No. No. I hit a wall.” He scrubs his eyes, “That’s when I put it aside. Why didn’t you wait? I would have helped.” Concern spreads across his face.
“You were a little busy and I wasn’t going to potentially ruin a gold record.” I wrap my arms around his waist.
The concern seeps from his face making his eyes brighten, “You really liked it?”
“Yes I did” I squeeze his waist looking up into his face.
He cups my face and kisses me. “Well, I can at least take these to the washer.”
I give his waist another squeeze, “Thank you.” I help him by collecting all the pillowcases and follow him out of the bedroom. I grab the towels from the dryer and take them to the bedroom. I can fold those later. I hear James start the washer.
Returning into the kitchen, “What do you want for breakfast?”
James turns to me, “I kinda wanna go out. Is there a place close by?
“Yeah. It’s a real small place. It’s about a 5 minute walk.” I pull him into me, “They have pancakes….”
Pulling me into a kiss, “Let’s go!” he laughs.
Ten minutes later, we’re dressed. As I head out the door, I grab the hot plate and towels for Fannie and leave it with Carl. I call Fannie to tell her, but I know that Carl will just carry it over to her. Fifteen minutes later we are seated in a booth at the diner, pancakes ordered. James rests his hand over mine, “What’s on your mind.”
“What would you think if I give that second bedroom to make it into a music room for you.” I look him in the face.
His eyes open wide, “You’d do that?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Why not. I don’t use that second bedroom.” I think a moment. “Ever.” I play with his fingers, “What would it take?”
Using his other hand, he rubs at the scruff on his face, “It wouldn’t have be a full blown studio.” He looks at me again, “Seriously. You’d do that for me.”
I smile at him, “Yes, James. I will do that for you.” I sigh deeply, “Besides, it’s time I clear out both those rooms.” I look back at him, “You get to pick the room.”
He pulls me around the bench of our corner booth to his side and plants a deep kiss on me. I wrap my hands around his head. Our waitress clears her throat. Still clinging to the other, we look at her.
“Pancakes go?” she says holding our meal grinning.
James loses it, laughing into my shoulder. I just shake my head, “Thank you.” She sets our plates down as James slowly pulls himself together. “Are you ok?”
“It just caught me off guard. I’m fine!” James laughs.
We tuck into our meals. “That was an excellent idea” I look at James as I push my empty plate away.
Nodding, “Thanks.”
The waitress brings our bill. She’s obviously a fan. I just nod at her. “Can I ask you for your autograph, please?” her voice shaking slightly.
Smiling broadly, James signs the order slip and thanks her for being a fan. I go to the register and pay our bill. I make sure to add a good-sized tip and we walk with arms around each other back to the apartment.
Once inside, James looks at me, I nod, then he goes and looks at the spare bedroom. He opens the room that had been Grandmothers room. He comes back to me, “What’s over these two rooms?”
“There’s a mechanical crawl space between this floor and the one above and below. It’s the side walls that have neighbors.”
He rests his hands on my shoulders, “Is that why you scream into the mattress?” his eyes gleaming.
“uh huh.” I bite my lower lip.
He plants a kiss on me. “You are amazing.” I just smile up at him. He looks into both rooms again. He returns to me. “You’re sure.”
Nodding, “Positive.”
He claps his hands, “Ok.” Pulling me to him, “Do you want to go gear shopping with me?”
“How about you go gear shopping and I clear out the room you want.”
He plants another toe-curling kiss on me, “Ok.” He looks back to both rooms again. “That one.” He points to the spare room. “No neighbors on those walls, right?” I nod. “That one.” He pulls out his phone. “Don’t you even think of moving that bed. I got a guy” he points a finger at me. “Hey Pete! Need a favor.” James wanders into what will become his music room.
I remember that I’d done a floor plan, well, of the whole apartment. I needed one for the kitchen remodel and just kinda did all the rooms. Going into my office, turning on my computer, I pull up the diagram and hit print. Pulling the paper from the printer, I return to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. I can still hear James talking in the other room. His studio, I remind myself. He comes out with the biggest cheesiest grin on his face. “What?”
He wraps me into a hug, “One of our engineers is going to pick me up and take me to the warehouse to get gear.” He looks at me, “What?”
“You look like the kid that was just handed the key to the toy shop.”
Cupping my head, he kisses me deeply, “I was!” He kisses me again. His pocket buzzes right beside my crotch.
“Uuh!” my eyes cross.
“Sorry!”
I kinda grind into him, “Don’t be!” My voice a little higher than normal.
He pulls out his phone, “Yeah.” He eases his hold me, making sure that I’m stable on my feet. Sitting down at the dining table, he starts talking numbers. I’m sure it’s equipment, but I have no clue. Going into Grandmother’s room, I pull up the shades. I start shifting things. Most of what’s in this room is holiday decorations. So, I start shifting all those boxes together by the closet. Against the wall is what I’m looking for. Empty boxes. Grabbing a couple, I take them into James’ room and set them down. Going into the office, I pull out the packing tape. Going back to the room, I put together one box and start plowing through the built in drawers. After realizing that most of what’s in them can donate, I go grab a couple of large trash bags from the kitchen. These I fill with the donations and drop them in the living room. James grabs me after I drop another bag. “Damn you can be fast!”
“I have been accused of being a bit of a pit bull when I get an idea.”
“I can see that” he smiles.
“You are grinning like the Cheshire cat. What’s up?”
“Ahh. Big Mick happens to be in town and he’s gonna come over and look the room over and then we’ll go gear shopping." He kisses me. “Might be able to just pull a bunch of stuff from storage rather than having to buy anything."
"That’s cool!” I lean into him. “Oh!” I pull away, “You might find this helpful.” I give him the room diagram.
He scans it, “Damn!” He looks around and I give him a pencil. He kisses me. He starts noodling on the sheet. His eyes pop up to mine, “I can write this, right?”
I just smile at him, “yes.” I go back into the room to continue cleaning out my shit. Twenty minutes later the doorbell rings. I hear James answer it. I’m elbow deep into a box from the closet, ass to the door, when James walks in and smacks my butt. Hard.
I pop up, “OW!”
“Well, don’t leave him a target.” The man speaking with a heavy English accent is a rock and roll version of Santa. Long white hair and beard with blue eyes as piercing as James’. All his clothes black.
“Kira, this is Mick” James says. He has me tucked into his side, gently rubbing my tender ass.
I shake his hand, “Nice to meet you.”
Mick scans the room. “Not bad for a New York apartment.” He starts looking around for power plugs.
“Oh! Hang on!” James lets go of me and quickly returns with the room diagram.
Mick takes a look at it. “Who did this?”
“I did.”
He’s nodding, “This is very good.” He points to something on the diagram, and finds it in the room, nodding. “Do you have your own circuit box?”
“Yeah, it’s in here.” I led him into the office. Tucked into a small closet is the circuit box.
“This has been upgraded” he says in approval.
“I redid the kitchen a few years ago.”
“Upping the circuit box was a good idea.”
“Thanks.”
Mick takes a snap of the circuit box with its meticulous labeling. Then he and James sit down at the dining table and start going over what is needed and where it should go.
I go back into the room and pull out several more bags of donation stuff. I move a couple boxes into Grandmother’s room. As I come out of that room, James snags me in a hug, “We’re going to the warehouse. Shouldn’t be too long.” He kisses me.
“You might think about putting down a rug in that room” I suggest.
“Excellent idea! I think there are a couple in the warehouse” Mick chimes in.
James runs his hands over my head smoothing my hair, “You going to be ok?”
I look up into those fucking gorgeous eyes, “Yes.”
He leans his forehead against mine, “No bed moving.”
I look at him, “No bed moving.”
“Ok.” He kisses me, “We’ll be back.”
“See you soon!” I kinda follow them to the front hallway. I listen as the front door clicks closed. Knowing that’s secure, I return to the task at hand. Clearing out his music room. Stripping that bed, I forward my bed sheets and start the others. Most of what was in the built-in drawers in that room I decide is donatable. There are a few things that I add to my closet. A few things that I just shudder at and throw out. I check under that bed. A few dust bunnies. I pull out the vacuum and am working on the built in drawers in the closet when I hear, “Honey! I’m Home!” I turn off the vacuum and stretch my back. James comes up behind me wrapping his arms around me, “Damn! You can be tenacious!”
I lean back into him, “mmmhmmm.”
He kisses my neck, “We brought back lunch.”
The smell of burgers wafts in the room at that moment and my stomach rumbles. “It has been a while since breakfast."
"It has!" He takes my hand and pulls me from his music room.
There are about 12 people in my apartment. Most sitting on the floor eating burgers. I give James a look.
“They are going to help shift the furniture.” He whispers into my ear, “They are all our roadies. I trust them.”
I nod ok. James parks me at the table and hands me a burger. There is a communal pile of fries in the middle. James hands me a Severed Lime, puts his on the table and sits next to me. Mick is on the other side of the table. Someone asks where the trash is and James directs him to the can under the kitchen sink. About twenty minutes later, the bed is shifted into Grandmother’s room, as are the nightstands. A couple of the guys help me re-org that room so that I could get into the holiday boxes easily and they are neatly stacked by holiday.
I go to take a look in James’ music room. There’s a huge paisley carpet on the floor. A desk has been setup so that it looks out that window – tho it doesn’t really have a view. A big tempered glass mat covers the carpet and a rolly desk chair sits on that mat. There are a couple of guys behind the desk, at least one under it with both Mick and James sitting on the front side of the desk working on a piece of gear and cables are sliding all over the place. There’s a standing mic stand. There’s one clamped to the desk. There’s all kinds of music boards sitting on the top of the desk that cables are being plugged in to. A rolling road case filled with guitars now sits in the closet. But it’s at a wonky angle because of the doors.
“James?”
“Yeah?” he turns, his eyes bright.
“Just have them take the closet doors off. They can store them in Grandmother’s room against the wall.”
“What about the building super?” one guy asks.
“I’m the super. I own this apartment.”
Nodding approval, “Page six and an apartment owner. James, you dog!” Mick grins.
I just blush, spin and leave the room laughing softly. Checking on the laundry, I fold the one set of sheets and forward the other. Taking the clean sheets to my closet, I put them away. Then fold and put away the towels I’d dumped on my bed earlier. Crossing back into the living room, I realize that all the trash from lunch has been neatly put into a garbage bag left by the end of the kitchen counter. There’s nothing left on the floor in my living room except the donation bags. I sit on the sofa, a little bit in shock. A couple of guys come in the front door carrying foam that they have obviously custom cut. I follow them. They neatly tuck the foam into one of the built in drawers and close it. They measure the next one down and leave. The first drawer is reopened, and another guy starts setting microphones into the foam. James sees me watching and he pulls me onto his thigh.
“You look a little shell shocked” his lips right by my ear.
“They are so neat and tidy!”
“They better be for what they get paid” Mick says. “I don’t pay them to be slobs.”
“I’m impressed.” I see a couple of them smile.
“We’re almost done” James leans into my ear kissing it.
“James, unless you can play with Kira on your knees, I’m sorry love, but you’ll need to move so I can test the setup.”
“Of course” I stand and move back. One of the guys taps my shoulder. He indicates a shorter road case. I raise my eyebrows and he just nods. I perch on the case. James puts on a set of headphones and starts playing. I can only hear the strings twanging. The same guy plugs in another set of headsets and hands them to me. I put them on. I smile. That screaming guitar riff that James plays so well sounds in my ears.
James turns to me. “What should I play?” My eyes fly open wide. I can hear him. “Mics in the headsets” he smiles and points at the headsets covering his ears.
“Roam” I ask.
He smiles and he starts the song. I can hear the tweakings that Mick is making on the sound board. James is getting into the rhythm. I can tell that he wants to sing but is holding back.
“James, run the bridge again” Mick asks.
Effortlessly, James replays the bridge.
Four of the roadies come in the room. They are carrying some kind of drapery concoction. They hang a 1x2 along the top of the walls and make a large x on the ceiling. They staple gun the top of the fabric to the 1x2. As it unfolds, it’s been covered in the foam waffle sound proofing squares. They repeat this for all four walls and the ceiling. The one over the closet space has plastic tubing in the fabric to make an opening to get into the closet. They’ve done the same idea with the window. Once those are hung, James lets go with the vocals. I just smile.
“That’s got it James. You’re good.” Mick stands and stretches his back.
I take the headsets off and set them on the road case. Another one of the guys taps my shoulder. “Yes?”
“I probably should have asked, but I tapped into the light switch line. That way James doesn’t have to turn each piece on or off individually. It’s kinda like a master switch now.”
“That’s fine.” I smile at James. “And actually a really great idea.”
“You think so?” my downpicking barbarian god grins.
“Yes, that way when we go back to Colorado, we know that this room is powered down.”
“Excellent job Trevor” James says.
Trevor’s shoulders square up a touch, “Thanks!”
“You guys get everything done?” Mick asks the room.
They all answer in the affirmative.
I quickly leave and move into the living room. Trevor approaches me, “Are these trash?” as he points at the donations bags.
“No. Those are to donate.”
“Ah.”
“Do you know someone that could use some women’s clothing?”
“My sister works with a shelter…”
“Take them” I cut Trevor off. “Please.”
“Thank you.” Trevor and a couple of others remove all the donations bags. Sinking into the sofa, I hear them chatting as they leave the apartment, “Damn! James scored a winner this time!”
I smile like a Cheshire cat.
Mick and James come out of the studio. James makes a point to stop and flick the switch off grinning. “Mick, thanks for giving up your Saturday.”
“Just remember this at the next acceptance speech!” Mick squeezes James’ shoulder. The Brit looks to me, “Nice to meet you Kira.”
“Nice to meet you too!”
James walks him to the front door. It clicks closed. I suddenly realize that it’s quiet in my apartment. James comes to me, leans on the back of the sofa over me and kisses me. “Thank you.”
I cup his face, “You’re welcome.”
His eyes pop open, “Ribs.” He stands and quickly goes into the kitchen. “Need to get these babies marinating!”
“Anything I can do to help?” I ask from the sofa.
“Nope.” He’s pulling spices from the drawer. “Maybe order a pizza?”
“That I can do.” I retrieve my phone from its charging stand in the office. Calling my favorite pizza place, I order two for delivery. With a salad. Then I let Monty know.
“It is nice having a doorman” James smiles at me.
“Yeah it is.”
Twenty minutes later the door bell rings. I go collect the pizzas and James tucks the ribs back into the fridge. He grabs a couple of plates and forks. “What do you want to drink?” as he pulls open the fridge.
“Grave Fruit please.” I sort the pies and pull out the salad, giving that container a good shake.
He grabs a Severed Lime for himself and brings my tallboy along with the plates and forks. We plate up and go sink into the sofa. I turn on the TV just as the National News ends. We watch the local news until the weather. Skies are supposed to clear overnight, which will drop temperatures as the clouds move north. Again, we watch Jeopardy. James collects another slice of his meaty pizza. I set my plate down, leaning back into the sofa, patting a full tummy. “Gawd, you and Kirk with pineapple on the pizza” he laughs. I just look up at him. “What?”
“I love to see you happy.”
He swallows his bite, “You make me happy.” He kisses me, “Today makes me very happy.”
“That makes me happy.” Holding up a finger, “Although, I would keep the singing to between 8 and 5. Don’t want Mrs. Friedman and Floofy making a house call.”
James snorts in laughter. “No! We don’t want that!” I kickstart my eyelids. He gently pulls me down to lie on the sofa, my head in his lap. I wrap an arm over his knees stretching my legs out on the sofa. He starts to gently play with my hair with his right hand, his left gently rubbing my back. My eyes start to close. I squirm a little to get comfy. “Shhh. You’ve done a lot today.” Both his hands work my shoulders. I groan lightly. “That’s my girl. Shhh.” Both his hands run down my back to my hips. He works his thumbs into my lower back gently. I sigh as his hands work my back softly. I feel his lips kiss between my shoulder blades. The next thing I know he’s tucking my naked body into bed, pulling my back into his chest, wrapping his arm around my ribs. His other arm is my pillow and I curl up around it. His nose buries into my hair and the back of my neck, “Sleep. Shh” he coos at me.
And I’m out.
More Posts from Horny4hetfield and Others
Everybody Loves a Parade - Part 8
Warnings: All Fluff
Monday
I am all tangled up in the blanket and my robe. It’s dark out the window. My back is achy, but my nipples hurt more. I can hear something. Then I realize that it’s James. He’s in his studio. Happily making music. Or at least I hope he’s happy. I grab his pillow and drift back to sleep.
His hand pressing between my shoulder blades wakes me. “Morning.”
“How long have you been up?”
“I woke up about 5:15 with a riff going through my head. I had to capture it.” His voice is a happy rumble. He kisses my shoulder, “Thanks to you, I was able to do that.”
“mmm. I’m glad” I murmur.
He pats my ass, “C’mon. Up. Breakfast will be here shortly.”
“Whaaa?” I’m confused.
“I called Carl who told me to call Rudy who put me in touch with someone who knows a guy at the Tavern.” He smirks, “Breakfast will be here shortly.” He flips the blanket off me, “C’mon sleeping beauty. Up.” I grunt. He grabs a nipple.
“I’m moving!” I squeak.
Grinning wickedly, “A little sore, are they?” I just give him a look. “I’ll take that as a yes!” He kisses my forehead.
Searching in my closet, I pull out another Hawaiian print dress and pull it over my head. The soft cotton fabric is tender on my sore nipples. James grabs me from behind, cupping my boobs, “That bad?”
“I’m considering bandaids.”
“Ahh.” He kisses my neck. “Sorry.”
I smirk back at him, “No you’re not.”
He smiles, “You’re right, I’m not” as he not too gently grabs my nipples. My knees threaten to buckle. His arms tighten around me keeping me from hitting the floor as he chuckles.
The doorbell rings. James makes certain that I’m able to stand before going to answer it. I cup my own boobs as I leave the bedroom, “Saved by the bell indeed.”
Carl is rolling a taller cart with several bags from Tavern on the Green on top.
James is grinning like a cheshire cat again helping move the bags to the dining table. “Carl, I can’t thank you enough for helping to put this together for me!”
Carl grins back, “It was all Rudy’s doing, James!”
“Oh sure! You can call him James but can’t call me Kira!” I snark with a grin on my face.
Holding up a finger as he pushes the cart toward the door, “Ahh, James is not an owner in the building!” The front door closes.
I see James stuff something into his pocket. I pat him on the bicep, “He wouldn’t have taken it.”
“What?”
“The tip.” I smile at him, “It can get added to the holiday packet I drop on his stand at Christmas.”
“Ahhh. I wondered if you – ahem – took care of him.”
“And Monty and Sebastian.”
“Whose Sebastian?”
“The maintenance guy.” I look at the table, “James. What did you order?” My eyebrows are in my hairline.
“I finally did what I’ve always wanted to do!” The cheshire cat goes psycho grin. I just raise my eyebrows. “I ordered the whole breakfast menu!”
“What?!?” I start looking into the containers.
“I couldn’t make up my mind!”
I turn to him, “The Tavern doesn’t do breakfast on weekdays!”
He smiles, “Turns out one of the cooks is a fan.”
“Chef.”
“Huh?”
“Not cook at the Tavern. Chef.” James just nods. “Maybe we should send the chef a snap?” as I pull my eyebrows out of my hairline.
We arrange the food so that all the items can be seen. James sits at the table holding up a fork and knife with psycho grin spread across his face. I can barely hold his phone still for the laughter. I send myself a text with the snap and hand James his phone back. He sends it to the chef.
“I give it ten minutes and it will be online” James says.
“Five.”
We both dig in. It was all amazing! “Man! I thought I’d overdone on Thanksgiving!” I lean back patting my belly.
James’ phone buzzes. He checks. And starts laughing. He hands it to me. It’s a screen grab from Facebook of the photo we’d taken from the Tavern’s page. The caption: James Hetfield goes crazy for Tavern on the Green’s breakfast! Laughing, I hand his phone back. I hear my phone buzz. Looking at the clock, “I’m late.”
“For what?”
“Work.” I stand up, “I need to at least put on a bra.”
“Why?”
“Zoom meeting.”
“Ahh.” James stands and starts cleaning up the table.
I grab his hands, “I’ll get this. These meetings are never long.”
He bends over and plants a kiss on me which I gladly return. “Then, I’m going to my studio!” he grins.
I walk with him to the studio door, “I hope it’s a good commute” I grin.
“Ahh man, traffic can suck!” He kisses me again. "Traffic jam" he chuckles. My phone buzzes again. We both laugh. He goes into the studio, I go put on a bra.
Back at my desk, I log into the meeting: “Hi Boss!”
“Morning Kira! Damn that Gala dress, girl!!
“James had it made for me.” I can feel my cheeks flame in blush. “Who’s mad at me.”
“Besides the creepy mail room guy? No one. Now, the good news. Margo is now on maternity leave.”
“She ok?”
“Yes. Just the little dude wanted out early! So, you get the novel.”
“How far along was Margo?”
The rest of the meeting went quickly. After ending the meeting, I pull up the files for the book that Margo was working on. It was almost done. Remembering that I’d told James I would clear up breakfast, I quickly take care of it – nibbling on the bacon while clearing up. I sigh as I get ready to close the fridge. I don’t think it’s ever been this full. Returning to my desk with a can of Severed Lime, I decide to go back to the beginning of the book Margo was working on. Pulling my legs into my desk chair I get started. My background music is provided by James.
I love working with Margo. She’s the one that taught me, so taking over her project is a breeze. I’m almost caught up when I feel James’ hands on my shoulders.
“How’s it going?” His lips press against my neck.
Stretching some, “Well, curve ball. One of the other editors’ is suddenly on maternity leave.”
“She ok?” James asks sincerely.
“Yes, just early delivery. Mom and baby are fine.”
“Good.” James’ fingers gently rub my shoulders. “You hungry?” I just rotate my chair and look at him. “I’ll take that as a no” he grins.
“I should go have something sent to Margo.” I uncurl my legs and stretch again.
James runs his hands down my arms, “What’s your deadline now?”
Closing out the files, “I have two weeks.” I send a text to my boss that I’ll be offline – baby shopping - for the balance of the day. I get a thumbs up response.
“That be enough time?”
Standing up, “Yes. Margo was almost done.”
He cups my head and kisses me, “Good.” He strokes my hair. “I think that you need to go shopping.” He grins.
“Would you like to go with me?” I wrap my arms around his waist.
He smiles gently at me, “Sure.”
“Did you finish your song?” I look up into the glorious blue eyes.
His grin gets bigger, “Yes. I was even able to chat with Lars on it.” He pulls me from my office. “He’s jealous.”
“Jealous?”
“Yeah, that you gave me a room with a view for a studio.” I give him a look. “Jess made him set up his drums in their basement” he laughs.
I smile up at him, “I liked hearing you play while I edited.” I stand on tip toe to kiss him. His hands hold me close.
“I think it’s going to turn out great. Lars is already putting drums to it.” I sink back to my flat feet. “What?”
“That blows my mind!” I smile.
“What? That I can start something here, Lars can add to it from Denmark, Rob will be working on it in SoCal and Kirk will lay his solo from Hawaii?”
“Think about what you just said” I say as I take his hand and led him to the bedroom.
He stops shortly after entering the room, “Damn.”
I just nod at him and chuck a shirt at him.
Twenty minutes later we are exiting the cab in front of Bloomingdale’s. The store is completely done up for Christmas and is amazing. We take our time getting to the infant’s section. Going to the counter, I am given Margo’s registry list. James follows me as I look over items. Since he’s had kids, he is able to give me some feedback on what is on Margo’s wish list. I pick out the stroller that will grow with the kid. James picks out the highchair that can also be adjusted as the kid grows up. He also suggests a toy that all of his kids adored. That will be sent from both of us. The salesperson assures us that if we sign gift cards, they will make sure that those are attached to the wrapped gifts before delivery.
James just smiles and puts a scary guy on his. “You know she’s going to die when she reads the gift cards!” I smile up at James. I thank the salesperson and we leave the infants department.
“Do you want to look around?”
James wraps an arm around me, “What do you want to look at?” I just point at the Christmas area. He hugs me a little tighter smiling, “Ok!”
I have more fun just watching him check out all the decorations. Slowly, I led him to a tree in the corner. “Hey.”
He grins, “Hi.”
“Where do you want to spend Christmas?”
He gives me a look. “Where do you want to spend Christmas?”
I work my hands inside his open coat and rest them on his chest. “Colorado” I say looking at his chest.
He lifts my chin, looks me in the eye, “Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
He wraps one arm around my waist, the other around my shoulders and tenderly pulls me to him and just looks at me. All I can do is smile at his blue eyes. “You are positive, aren’t you?” I just nod. “Ok. Colorado Christmas it will be.” He cups my head and slowly kisses me. I snake my arms tighter around him under his coat and kiss right back.
Someone clears their throat. James looks up, pulling me a little closer. I twist my head and there stands a security guard, whose eyes are now really big. “Can we help you?” James asks with a huge smile.
“Just makin’ sure that things are fine back here.” I can see the guy’s really nervous. “Can’t let the Page 6 girl get into trouble on my watch.”
I blush and shove my face back into James’ coat. I can feel him chuckle, “Yeah. We good.”
“Sorry to interrupt.”
“No worries. Thanks for looking out for the women, buddy.”
“Hey, it’s my job!”
From inside James’ coat I say “Merry Christmas!”
“And Merry Christmas to you ma’am!”
I feel James shake the guards hand “Merry Christmas!” That hand rests on the back of my head. I look up. James is almost giggling at me. “You OK?”
“I’m never gonna live that down!”
He actually laughs, “And I’m not gonna let ya!” He kisses my forehead and walks me out of the corner. “Do you need anything from this store?”
“I can’t think of anything.” I look up at him, “You ready to go home?”
“Home here home, or home Colorado home or home California home?” he asks with a twinkle in his eye.
“Here home!” as I smack his chest softly.
“I can go home here now.” He smirks at me.
“aagghh!”
He pulls me into him, kissing my hair, chuckling.
As we sit in the cab on the ride back the apartment, “When do you want to go home Colorado home?” he asks.
I look at him. He’s smiling like a damned cheshire cat again. I huff out a laugh, “Two weeks. I can get a lot done on Margo’s stuff and most of the top of the pile on mine done.”
“That sounds like a plan. I get two weeks to break in my studio here home – uhm – home here studio – er – studio home here.”
I shut him up by planting a kiss on him.
Rockies Christmas - Day 1
Oops! This should have gone up yesterday!
Here goes:
Warnings: NSFW, Sex, Shameless Product Placement
The flight from NY to Vail was a little bumpy. I held James’ hand a little tightly. I still am not used to the smaller planes. James had insisted on the private flight as commercial airlines would have to make a couple of stops and take about twice as long. He just smiles and let me cling.
Once landed, our luggage is shifted from the plane to his big ass truck. I gladly climb into the passenger seat. James climbs in and the big truck rumbles to life. After getting us on the main road, he drops his hand on my thigh, “You ok?”
“Better.”
“We’ll be home in about 40 minutes.” His fingers gently pat my thigh, “You want to stop on the way for dinner?”
“Did we leave anything in the fridge that will still be good?”
James considers a moment, “Probably not.”
“Then we should kill two birds with one stone.”
He cocks a smile at me, “Sounds like a plan.” I interlace my fingers with his on my thigh. “What are we serving for Christmas Day dinner?” he asks.
Shaking my head, “I have no clue.”
“I’d like to do a prime rib.”
Smiling up at him, “I’ll leave the meats to you.” He grins and pats my thigh.
We’ve spent the last month in my apartment in NYC for Thanksgiving. James had never seen the Parade live. Using my Grandmother’s tickets, I’d taken him to the Rockettes Gala performance and used her seats at the Parade. We’d quickly become the top fodder on all the gossip pages in the NY papers. I’d given one of the bedrooms in my apartment to James to make into a studio. He’d already put together three songs in it. When I thought about it, it still blew my mind that with his bandmates scattered all over the world – California to Hawaii to New York to Denmark – they could work together on their music. And what I could hear, it is amazing!
It had been James’ decision to spend Thanksgiving in NYC. It is mine to spend Christmas in Colorado. I am slightly nervous as his kids will be coming to visit. They’d spent Thanksgiving with their Mom. At least in James’ place in Colorado, there’ll be enough beds.
James pulls into the shopping center and parks his truck. As we met at the front of the massive rig James holds his hand out to me. I have grown to like shopping with James. He’d gotten used to having groceries delivered – especially during lock down - so wandering the aisles with him is fun. He makes a stop at the butcher’s counter to place his order for Christmas dinner. We select some sliced meats and cheeses for sandwiches. Then wandering the aisles filling the cart. I was glad that I’d selected the larger cart as he stocked up on the Liquid Death tallboys. A quick run through the deli counter and we each selected something to go for dinner. Checking out, we deposit the bags into the bed of the truck. James holds the passenger door for me as I clamber into the big vehicle. Moving quickly to the driver’s door, he steps easily in.
“What?” he asked, seeing the look on my face.
“You and those damned long legs.”
“I don’t hear you complaining when we’re in bed” he chuckles.
“I’m not complaining.” I give him a sidelong look, “Just jealous.”
He just laughs with me. “But you’d look funny with long legs. I rather like your height.”
“Why?” a grin still lifting my lips.
“It makes it easy flipping you over in bed.” His grin becomes wicked, his fingers grip my thigh a little tighter.
All I can do is whimper softly and smile at him.
A short time later, the truck rumbles into his garage. He kills the engine and opens the door. He’s careful to not clip my parked Shelby. I carefully open my door making sure to not ding it against the wall. “Kind of a tight fit in here” he grins.
I go to help grab bags from the bed, and he grabs me around the waist, “Speaking of tight fits!”
I grind back against him, “I can still feel you from this morning!” I purr at him. He rumbles into my neck. I giggle, “There’s no doorman here to help unload the groceries.” He sinks into my shoulder mumbling. “C’mon. This won’t take long.”
He grabs several bags and unlocks the door entering the house. I hear the security system beep off as James enters his code. I collect as many bags as I can and head inside. James passes me in the hallway. I put my bags on the counter and head back to the garage. “That the last of them?” I ask him as he kicks the garage door closed.
“Yes.”
I go collect several from him. It takes us a few minutes to at least put away the cold things. He wraps his arms around my waist, “I can’t wait any longer!”
He pulls me from the kitchen up to our bedroom. I giggle the whole way as his fingers gently work my sides, his mustache tickling my neck. We barely make it into the bathroom before he’s stripping our clothes off. He picks me up and puts me into the shower. The hot water coming from the multiple heads feels wonderful. His hands roaming my body feel better. My hands roam his arms, chest, shoulders, neck, face. His lips find mine in a gentle deep kiss that weakens my knees. His strong arms wrap around my body, one around my shoulders, one around my waist, one of his long legs slowly presses between mine, spreading them. I groan into his lips, my right hand pulling his head closer to my body, my left grabbing his hip. The water pouring over us adds a sensual slick to our bodies. He grunts into me. I can feel his erection growing into my hip. His fingers tangle into my wet long hair, tugging gently. I pull back slightly. He knows I don’t like my hair being pulled. His fingers loosen their grip, but his hand still holds my head keeping my lips locked with his. His other hand grabs my ass cheek tightly as he pushes me up his thigh. My head rocks back as a loud moan escapes my lips. His lips find my neck. His arm around my shoulders keeps me locked to his body. I grab his head tightly to me. I whimper as he leaves his love marks on my neck and shoulder as I grind into his thigh. Moving us, he pins me to the wall. He lowers his shoulders a moment and hooks my right knee with his arm. I gasp as he stands. He widens his stance. I wrap my left leg around his waist. Reaching between us, I manage to position his cockhead at my entrance. With one slow thrust, he seats himself balls deep into me. My mewlings only make him grow inside me. He pulls his face from my neck, the water pouring over his face. He looks totally feral at me. I grab his head and kiss him passionately. He starts thrusting into me. Hard. My weight dropping down his length forcing him deeper into me. My vocalizations get louder. It’s a vicious cycle that I adore. The louder I get, the harder he thrusts into me, his own grunts urging me to be louder. Panting into his ear, “You feel so big in me.” He bucks his hips harder. “don stawhp … don stawhp” I lay my head on his shoulder. He slowly lowers us to the stall floor. Leaning over me, he goes totally beast on me. I can only lie on my back and enjoy him ravaging my body. My hands clinging to his arms, his hands on the floor over my shoulders, my legs wrapping around his waist pulling him impossibly deeper into me. He finds that one magic spot deep inside me that makes stars burst behind my eyelids. I cry out as I fall over the edge into my orgasm. He chases his release with several powerful thrusts pushing us across the tile floor. Our voices echo around the tiled stall loudly for a moment. Then he collapses on top of me panting. I wrap my arms around his head and shoulders panting myself. I kiss his soaking wet hair, his temple, his ear.
He slowly raises himself to his elbows, “That felt good!” he purrs at me.
“mmmhhmmm” is all I can answer.
He gently slides out of me and kneels up between my legs. His hands slowly run over my body from my breasts to my hips. Gently pressing my thighs wider, he gives me a look.
“What?”
“I love making a mess of your pussy!”
I hook a foot around his neck and topple him onto me, “I love that you make a mess of my pussy!” as I wrap an arm around his neck. He kisses me deeply. I can feel him wince, “You ok?”
He slowly shifts and sits on the floor, “I really need to put bigger tiles on the floor in here.”
Looking at him, his knees are red with imprints of the little one inch square tiles that make up the shower floor. “Ohhh!” I reach out to cup them gently. He pulls me up to sit next to him and wraps his arms around me. I can feel our mixed fluids seeping out of me.
James stands and pulls me to my feet, “I suppose we should actually shower now” he laughs out softly.
My legs are still a little wibbly as I put a hand on the wall, “You might have to hold me a bit.”
Keeping me close to his body, “Sure thing” he rumbles into my ear. He tenderly washes and rinses my hair. He gently washes my body as I get steadier on my legs. I grab the scrubbie and use it on his body. He rests his arms on the wall of the shower as I scrub his back, “Aww man, that feels so good.” Then I wash his hair. He rinses the conditioner from my hair and I rinse his. He turns off the water and reaches for towels. I wring as much water from my long hair as possible, then take a towel from him and wrap up my hair. He wraps a bath sheet around me. He’s already got a towel wrapped around his waist. As I step out of the shower, my stomach gurgles. He huffs a smile at me, “I guess we haven’t eaten yet, have we?” He pulls me into his body.
I kiss his chin, “Not yet.”
He pats my towel covered ass as his stomach rumbles, “Maybe we need to get that taken care of!”
Minutes later, we are dressed in comfy jams grabbing our deli meals. Collecting our plates, we make our way to the table. James pops on the TV. The local news is just starting. The usual items – Parking lot car prowls where gifts have been stolen from vehicles, Christmas lights start a house fire, local store sued by customer who slipped on ice. The weather report is a mixed bag. The only common factor: COLD. James turns it off. I stretch and yawn. He yawns, “Stahp dat.”
“Sorry, the alarm went off a little early this morning.”
He stands and collects some of the plates, “Yeah it did.” He kisses the top of my head. I collect what’s left on the table.
After tidying up the kitchen, he laces an arm around me, “C’mon. Bed.”
“Yes, please.” I let him lead me to his bedroom. Our bedroom. We both shed our clothes. He flips back the covers, almost tackles me into the bed while rolling over me yanking the covers over us both. His arms wrap around me, pulling my body into his. I curl up around his arm. I have become used to his arm being my pillow. His nose is buries in my hair. His breath warming the back of my neck. “Good night, James” I breath out.
“Good night, Kira” he kisses my shoulder. “Welcome home.” He snuggles up a little closer, “Home Colorado home.”
I just snort in soft laughter. His arms wrap tighter around me.
We are both snoring minutes later.
Rockies Christmas - Day 15
Warnings: Fluff, Send offs, poignant moment
Guide: CBF = Cali’s Boyfriend / CGF = Castor’s Girlfriend / MBF = Marcella’s Boyfriend {I didn’t want to give them names}
There’s a loud buzzing in the room. I feel James roll to his back. The buzzing stops. It’s dark outside. He pats my lower back, “I want to see the kids off” he mumbles.
I swim to the side of the bed, “I would like to do that too.”
We get ourselves pulled together and head into the kitchen. “Do we do coffee now or later?” James asks.
“I’m awake enough to need it.”
He gives me a wonky grin, “Coffee it is!”
I sit at the bar while he starts the maker. I can hear the kids getting their things together. CBF is the first to round the corner with his bag. He puts it by the side door with a very mumbled “morning” in passing.
Cali isn’t far behind, “He doesn’t do mornings well” she apologizes with a smile. CBF takes her bag and puts it by his.
“Especially early mornings. I completely understand” James grins at the young man.
Castor, MBF, CGF and Marcella soon make the turn, all with bags in tow. “Morning” is mumbled by all.
James looks with concern at his boy, “You good Castor?”
“I just need some coffee.” I shove my cup in his direction. “Thanks!” as he almost chugs the whole cup. He gives me a look.
“What?”
“Where did you learn to drink coffee?”
“I spent a summer in Seattle.”
“Ah” Castor looks into the mug. “That explains it.” James pours more coffee into the mug. Castor takes another drink. “That’s better.” Then chugs the contents.
James goes to the living room and powers on the TV. The very early morning news is on. We have to wait for about 10 minutes for the weather and traffic report. The news is good. The trees on the freeway have been cleared overnight and the plows are running non-stop. But the reports say that some side streets are still blocked.
“You better load up and get on the road. I’d rather you sit at the airport than miss the flights because of the trees” as James turns off the TV
The kids all bundle up. James and I pull on our boots and help the kids load up.
James pulls Cali to the side, “You keep me informed on this” he puts his hand on her belly.
“I promise Dad.”
“We will be on tour in the spring in Europe. But should be stateside before this one makes its appearance.” He kisses her forehead, “We will get to you as soon as possible. Promise.” He gives her a hug.
Cali steps to me, “Thanks again for the baking soda tip. It really helped.” She gives me a hug.
“You’re welcome!” hugging her back, “I will get your Dad to you as soon as possible when it’s time.” I smile at her, “Promise.”
“Thanks!” Cali says stepping back, hand on her belly. Her eyes light up, “Dad” she grabs his hand and puts it on the baby.
I watch as his eyes close holding both daughter and grandchild. That moment burns into my mind. Then he stands up, “You stay in touch.” He helps her into the van. “Be safe. All of you.”
“We will” “Ok” “You got it Dad” all came simultaneously.
“Text me that you got there ok.”
“And when we get home” Marcella smiles. “Love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, baby girl!” Pointing, “I can’t wait to hear the new tunes, son!”
“As soon as I get home, Dad!”
James steps back as Castor backs the vehicle up. There are waves and shouts of “bye!” and “Love you” from the van. James reaches back and I take his hand. Together we turn and walk back into the house. The now very quiet house. I can see he’s already missing the chaos of having that many people in the house. I just wrap my arms around him, holding him. He wraps his arms around me, sighs and rests his cheek on top of my head. I don’t know how long we stood there just being together. He gently pats my lower back, “I should check the back of the garage again, just to make sure that no other branches came down.”
I loosen my grip, “Ok. Be careful. It’s slick out there.” He smiles at me. “I’m going to start the laundry.”
“That’s going to be an all-day event” he grins, grabbing his phone before heading back outside, this time with a jacket on.
I go to the rooms that the kids had used to pull the bedding off, only to find that they’ve already stripped the beds. Going into the laundry room, they have piled all their linens and bath towels on top of the Media Room blankets. Smiling, I sort things out, then load and start the washer. Returning to the kitchen, I pull out the last loaf of date-nut-bread and slice it. I am spreading cream cheese on a slice when I hear James come in through the garage. He joins me in the kitchen, “Want a slice?”
“Yes, please.”
Gathering up coffee mugs, the bread and some napkins we move to the living room. James turns on the TV just as his phone buzzes. “They made it to the airport and are through security.” I can feel him relax some. “Castor says that the road was slick in spots, a few smaller branches down, but otherwise clear.”
I smile at him, “I’m glad they got there safely.”
We watch the news for a bit.
Then James turns to me with a massive grin on his face, “I’m going to be a Grandpa.”
- -- - - - - -
Sorry this one is so long! I couldn't do one holiday without the other! I do hope everyone had great holidays!!!
~H4H
Rockies Christmas - Day 4
Warnings: Shameless product placement plugs, NSFW, Sex, oral sex, Holiday sex
It’s dark still as I roll over and pat his side of the bed. Empty. I listen. He’s in the studio, guitar screaming. Having a house does have its advantages over an apartment. Stretching, I decide to get up. Pulling on a pair of yoga pants and a light sweater, I make up the bed.
I grab the dirty clothes hamper and lug it to the laundry room. After starting a load, I go to the kitchen. Starting the coffee maker, I pull out what I need to make omelets. I make our breakfast bopping out to what James is working on in the studio. I put our plates on the table. James has already turned on the tree lights.
I make my way into his studio. He’s just cranking on his guitar. I lean against the wall and just watch him create. He’s completely lost in his music. I love to watch him. His eyes closed, head thrown back just rocking out. The tune ends. He clicks on his computer. He puts his guitar into its stand, and scrubs his eyes.
“Damn! That sounds great!” as I walk toward him.
He turns and looks at me, a big grin plastered on his face. “I’m really happy with that one!” he pulls me close.
I cup his face and kiss him. “Breakfast is ready.”
He plants a deep kiss on me, “Great tune followed by breakfast!” He kisses me again.
“C’mon, the omelets are getting cold.”
Wrapping his arms around me, crushing my face into his chest, “Omelets!” as he carries me – laughing – to the kitchen. Putting me on my feet, he sticks his finger into the middle of his omelet, “Still warm!”
“Sit! I’ll go get the coffee.” I love seeing him happy. His glacier blue eyes glittering, a cheesy grin plastered on his face as he digs into his omelet. Fixing our coffees, I set them on the table and dig into my own plate. The winds gust against the windows. James’ playing had covered that sound. I tense up a little.
James stands and goes to the living room. A moment later, Christmas music is filling the house. “That better?” as he kisses the top of my head.
“Yes, thank you.”
His hands squeeze my shoulders, “I got you.” He reclaims his seat.
I smile at him. “Are you done?”
“With my omelet or playing?” he grins at me.
I lean on the table, “Both” I smile at him.
“Yup” he pats his stomach. Then he points at his empty plate, “Did Grandma show you how to make omelets?”
“She did.” I collect his plate and mine. Moving into the kitchen, I put them into the dishwasher and start it.
James stands, stretches – his shirt rising up showing off his belly just above his waistband on his sweats – smiling at me. “Let’s finish this tree.”
“What time did you wake up?” as I follow him into the living room.
Shrugging, “Didn’t look at a clock. Knew I needed to get that tune recorded.” He stops short, I plow into his back. Laughing, he grabs me to keep me from falling. Turning to me, “You ok?” his hands on my waist.
“I prefer to slam into this side” I purr up at him bumping my hips into him.
He kisses my forehead, “Later” he wiggles his eyebrows at me. “Now. Ornaments.”
Smiling up at him, I step back. As he begins digging out the ornaments, I take the bins that we’re done with to the storage room and re-shelve them. I also take all the cushions from the patio furniture to the storage room too. His eyes twinkle as he hangs the ornaments. I wonder if there are enough ornaments as it has to be a 12 foot tall tree. He tells me the story behind each one. There’s probably two dozen or more made by his kids when they were in grade school. His face is glowing in the memories and lights from the tree. He finally steps back moving the step ladder out of the way. Nodding, “I think that’s got it.”
“It’s beautiful” I almost whisper.
“Almost” he grins at me. He goes to a drawer in the wall unit, “Here.”
He hands me a paper wrapped item. I slowly unwrap it. “My snowflake!”
“I grabbed that just before we left NY. I wanted you to have an ornament on the tree here.” He gives me a goofy look, “Tree here Colorado home - here.” I try to not laugh, but loose that battle. He joins me. Once we get our selves together, James kisses me. “Where do you want to hang it?”
I approach the tree. There’s a branch with nothing on it. I just give him a look as it’s obvious now he’s left that spot open. “There.” I point grinning at him.
He comes up to me, “There?” He wraps his arms around me, “Can’t you reach that branch?” grinning at me. I reach up as far as I can, but the branch is still about three inches out of my reach. “C’mon!” his fingers tickle me. “Reach!” I’m giggling and squirming. His arms tighten and he lifts me up about an inch, “Stretch!” I’m outright laughing now. Another inch, “So close!” he’s laughing now too. I put my hands on his shoulders and push up – wrapping my legs around his thighs – and finally hang my snowflake on the tree. I find myself under him on the floor laughing. His face is buried into my neck laughing. He flops to his back breathing hard with a smirk on his face. Rolling over, I straddle his hips.
His eyes, gawd, those stunning blue eyes, look up at me. His hands rest on my thighs. I can feel him getting hard. “What are you thinking?” I purr.
“That I might have an early present for you.”
I raise my eyebrows, “Something just … pop up?” as I grind into his growing erection.
Nodding, “You could say that.”
I push myself to my feet, ass in the air – downward dog from yoga coming in handy - but grab the waistband of his pants and pull them off. His erection stands tall. I drop my pants, stare into those blue eyes, put my fingers on his belly and slowly kneel back down – one hand guiding him into me. “I have something that you can … open … now” I sigh out as he fills me.
His fingers grab my hips, “Ohhhh, you are wicked.”
I rock my hips, my gummy walls grabbing him, “Yes, I am.”
His hips buck up as his hands pull down on my hips impaling me. My head lolls back. I lean back resting my hands on his thighs. His hands roam over my body, his hips not stopping. My breaths start shortening. He lifts a knee overbalancing me into his chest. He rolls us over, pulling out of me slightly, “Not yet” his lips on my neck. I whine loudly trying to force him back into me. I just get an evil grin from him. He knocks his knees up against my ass, lifting my hips. His left hand runs up my body from pubic bone to sternum holding my back to the floor. His right hand grabs the base of his cock. He teases my clit with his cock head gently. I paw at his thighs as I can’t get a grip on them trying to get him into me. I’m a gasping mewling mess at his mercy. Without warning, he slams into me. His balls slapping my taint, his left hand holding me firmly in place, his right hand pulling my thigh. I can only cry out in pure pleasure, “awgain. Please … James … again.” He pulls out slowly, “As you wish” and he nails me hard several times in a row. My body arches off the floor even with his weight pinning me in place. He hooks my knee with his arm and tosses my leg over his shoulder. My other leg follows. He holds me by my thighs tight to him. I reach for him and manage to get my fingers behind his knees, and I pull. He grunts. He thrusts. He ruts. Hard. Deep. He’s growling at me. I tug his knees again, he bottoms out in me and we both explode. The cheery holiday music is drowned out with our total porno soundtrack sounds. He slowly sits back easing out of me. He lowers my legs to either side of his body. My eyes blink open. I’m looking up into the tree. My head is literally a good foot under the tree.
“uhm, James” I tap his knees, “a little help here.”
He snorts in laughter, “That’s a sight!” He grabs my hips and tugs. “Wonder what the Big Guy would think to see you under there!” Then he helps me sit up.
“That I’m a very naughty good girl!” as I laugh. Then I grab my stretchy pants and stuff them between my legs.
“Leaking?” he asks merrily.
“Half that leakage is you!” I grin back at him. He stands up and pulls me to my feet. I crash into his chest, “woah.”
“You ok?”
“Headrush.”
His fingers stroke my hair, “Take your time.”
I push back a little, “Can’t. Still leaking.”
“Puddle?”
“Working on pond” as I step away from his body and head towards our bedroom with my yoga pants clasped between my legs.
As I’m passing the bed, James pushes me on to it. He starts crawling up the bed looking every bit the hungry lion. “You can leak all over the bedding” as he grabs my pants and tosses them aside. I creep backwards up the bed, chewing my bottom lip. “I’m not done with you yet” his voice a low velvet rumble. He grabs my ankles and pulls me back toward him as I let out a yelp. He yanks my legs wide and flops between them, his hands holding my knees wide. His eyes are still staring me down as he licks his lips. A loud whimper escapes me. He presses tender kisses to my pussy. I squirm without escape. An evil grin spreads across his face, “The second one usually takes longer.” His tongue flicks my clit. I gasp. “And I’m not in any hurry.” He sinks down between my legs, his tongue starts gently lapping at me. Small, precious, tender little licks that last forever. And not long enough. His glorious eyes holding mine. He slow blinks me and sends his tongue on a broad stroke from my entrance to my clit. My head hits the pillow.
And the headboard.
Reaching up with both arms, I push myself down some. Right into his mouth. His chuckle vibrates my cunt. I moan loudly. His mouth latches onto my clit with a power suction. I cry out and my hips buck up into his mouth, making him chuckle again. It’s almost too much and not enough at the same time. My hands lock over his still holding my knees firmly and obscenely wide. His tongue starts flicking my clit while it’s still trapped in the suction of his mouth. “Ahh gawds Jaammess” and I am thrown down the Mt Everest of orgasms. James locks my hips with his hands holding me tightly as I thrash in his grip. My vision blurs, my body twitches, my voice just whimpering mewlings. I feel the tension ease on my clit as he lets it literally pop out of his mouth. I feel him crawl up over me. Tucking me into his arms, his legs gently pull mine together. I whimper softly. I can feel his lips next to my ear, “Shhh” his breath warm on my skin. I try to reach up to grab his arm, but I have no strength. I feel his chest vibrate as he chuckles, “Ooops. I may have overdid.”
I manage to get my head to turn towards him, “I’m not complaining.”
His hands caress from the crown of my head down to my neck, “You can barely speak” he chuffs at me.
I kinda laugh as my eyes try to blink open. Those big blue eyes are right there. I kiss his lips. His mustache smells of me. His hand cups my face holding us in the kiss. I let him tuck my head under his chin, “Shhh. No rush.” I heave a sigh and he pulls me closer. I drift in the far reaches of the galaxy. Somewhere in the background Bing Crosby is caroling about Christmas chestnuts.
James shifting my arm wakes me. “Hey. Didn’t mean to wake you” he whispers.
“Stsok”
His eyes light up, “Man, you are still gone!” His fingers caress my face.
I stir some, “Ow.”
“What hurts?”
Trying to sit up, “Kinda everything.” I scrub my eyes, “And I gotta pee.”
“Yeah, I do too.” He releases his hold on me. Sliding off the bed, he gently pulls me to my feet. I grunt softly. I can feel him laughing softly. As soon as my bare feet hit the cold tile floor in the bathroom, I’m wide awake. He lets me use the toilet first. I’m shivering slightly while washing my hands when he’s done. He quickly washes his and puts his hands on my shoulders, “You need a robe, c’mon.” Sliding into the big comfy robe, I shiver once more.
“I’m hungry.”
James considers a moment, “There’s leftover pizza.”
I nod, “That sounds really good.”
Making our way into the kitchen, I grab a plate and a couple cold slices of my – as James calls it – fruity pie and take it to the living room. James heats his meaty slices and joins me.
The windows behind the tree are quickly fading to black as the sky turns to night. The lights on the tree make the ornaments sparkle. There are no other lights on in the room. I lean into his bicep, still munching my pizza. “That’s a pretty tree” I sigh out between bites.
“yes it is” he breaths at me.
We sit for a time just being. Leaning into one another. The Christmas music still playing softly. Happily munching left over pizza.
I rock my head back, looking up at him. His eyes are closed. I take his plate and stand up. He sniffs awake. “C’mon. Beddy-boo time” I coo at him.
“Mmmk” he mumbles standing.
I push him towards the bedroom, putting our plates into the sink on the way and quickly follow him. He’s climbing into bed holding the covers up for me. I let the robe slip off and climb into bed. His arms snake around me pulling my body tight against his. As I curl up around his arm as my pillow, my eyes drift closed.
Michael Bublé is serenading us to sleep.
Rockies Christmas - Day 8
Warnings: Fluff, the big reveal
I reach over to James’ side of the bed. It’s empty. I listen. He’s not playing. Then the smell hits me. He’s in the kitchen. I tumble out of bed and tidy it up. Looking around, he’s taken care of the clothes we’d yanked off each other last night. Grabbing a pair of leggings, a tank top and a long, big knit sweater, I head to the bathroom. A few minutes later, I’m heading to the kitchen.
James, wearing sweats and a Raiders t-shirt, is working on the roasts. The coffee pot has already been started. I lean on the end of the counter, my chin in my hands, watching him. He smiles at me, kisses me, “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas” I answer.
He has both roasts panned and opening one oven door, slides them in side by side. “I’m going to have to rotate these a couple of times.”
“Why?”
“Well side by side, the middles won’t heat correctly unless they get rotated.” He closes the oven door. “I was able to get them into one oven. That way the other is free.” He washes his hands then turns to me.
“I like having a big kitchen” as I let him pull me to his chest.
“Me too.” He strokes my hair. I sigh in his grasp. “You good?”
My hands cup his face, “More than good.” I kiss him, “Excellent.” I kiss him again. His hands grab my ass and pulls me closer. “Later” I whisper at him. He wiggles his eyebrows. “If you want cinnamon orange rolls, you need to let go of my ass” I say sweetly.
He almost jumps back, hands on my shoulders, “Yum!!” I giggle softly. “What do you need?”
“A couple of the big cookie sheets please” as I pull out several tubes from the fridge and set the second oven to preheat. I show him how to unroll and re-roll the pastry. After putting the pans into the oven, he helps me make up the frosting. I stop a moment when the light catches my ring. Here I stand in the megarocksuperstargods’ kitchen making breakfast with him. His eyes bright with joy. A goofy grin plastered on his face. We both smile hearing the sounds of his kids waking up. I grab a couple mugs and make our coffees. James is back at the stove scrambling eggs. I think those are the only kind of eggs he knows how to make. But they are good. Sitting on a barstool at the counter, I watch him.
“Morning Dad. Merry Christmas” Marcella yawns.
“Merry Christmas Marcella!” James replies cheerily.
Making her own coffee she looks at me. “He’s always super happy cooking.”
Raising my eyebrows, “You should have seen him earlier prepping the roasts.” Looking at me over the rim of her coffee mug, I just nod.
Swallowing, “Really Dad? Two?”
“They didn’t get the big one in that I’d ordered, so I had to get two.” He smiles at his youngest.
The others all wander into the kitchen, stretching, yawning, rubbing eyes.
“Are those your eggs Dad?” Castor asks.
“Well, I didn’t lay them. I just scrambled them.”
Everyone groans. “Not your best Dad” Cali says with a grin.
“It’ll get better” James smiles at her. The timer dings, “Now. These are Kira’s creation.” He pulls the rolls from the second oven. I let them cool a minute then top them with cream cheese frosting.
Castor grabs a pile of plates and hands them to Cali. Then the silverware. All the kids pitch in to set the table. The huge skillet of scrambled eggs and a pan of frosted rolls are set in the middle of the table. I hand James his coffee mug, he pulls out a chair for me, taking the seat next to me. For a time, there is silence. I watch Cali. She smiles at me happily munching on a roll and nods. I scrunch my nose at her smiling back. I go to clear my plate when CGF takes it from me. “Nope. You cooked. We’ll clean.” She makes a shooing motion to both James and me. Grabbing our coffee mugs, we move into the living room. The lights on the tree are already on. James turns on the fireplace on low – the stockings hanging over it do have chocolate in them - then the stereo. The Boston Philharmonic is playing Sleigh Ride. Very loudly. Grimacing slightly, James turns the volume down. Then he sinks into the sofa next to me, draping his left arm around my shoulders. With his thumb, he turns my head and kisses me. My right hand caresses his scruffy chin. “I didn’t want to wake you with my shaver” he whispers into my ear. I kiss him, “Later.” He snorfels into my hair.
The kids all come into the living room and stake out their spot.
“Who’s going to play Santa?” Marcella asks.
Pointing to my head, “I think the newbie should.” There are happy yeses from all the kids. He gives me a look, “Besides, she knows the Big Guy.” I smack his thigh as I stand up. The kids are giving James looks. “Yeah, here.” James pulls out his phone showing off the photos of us with Santa after the Parade. I hand out the packages under the tree. I slip Cali the bag with the photo frame in it. She smiles at me. I reclaim my seat next to James. He holds up his hands, “Wait. Where’s the ….”
“I got it!” Castor holds up a large garbage bag.
Giving his son a thumbs up, “Way to go! Let’s start!” Pointing to MBF, “Closest to the tree goes first.”
The next three hours are spent opening gifts. Each person taking a turn to open one gift. The wrapping paper balled up and tossed toward – and sometimes into – the garbage bag. A couple end up under the tree. Then the next, and so on. James would occasionally go check on the roasts.
After opening the necklace that I’d given him, James puts it on. His gift to me is a baguette cut garnet tennis bracelet. I immediately put it on.
After the gifts are opened, Marcella hands out the stockings. Which were mostly little things. I see Cali whisper to CBF before picking up the bag. He picks up his phone.
“Hey Dad. I have one more gift for you.” She hands James the bag. Total confusion covers his face. I twist sideways to watch. Pulling the tissue off the frame, its backwards. Turning it around he just stares. “You do have to wait for the delivery on this one.”
His face pops up to Cali’s. “Is this…” He pales a little pointing at the sonogram. He’s holding the frame like it’s a crown jewel. “you’re?” She just nods. I see all the others gasp. “You’re going to be a Mom?”
Again, she nods smiling. “And that will make you Grandpa.”
James covers his mouth with a shaking hand, a single tear streams down his cheek. He stands and pulls Cali into a hug. Turning them both, he looks at me, “I’m going to be a Grandpa!” The others join in the hug. There’s laughter all around. James pulls Cali away a bit, “Does your Mom know?”
“I told her before our flight yesterday.” CBF rests his hands on her hips. Concern spreads on Cali’s face. “Dad, me and CBF don’t really want to get married.”
James cups his daughters face, “You don’t have to.” He kisses her forehead and pulls her into another hug. Looking at CBF, “You do have to participate.”
“I will. That’s a promise that I made to Cali when she told me.” CBF smiles at her, “I didn’t know my Dad. He left my Mom before I was born.” He looks at James. “I will be a Dad.”
Grabbing CBF’s neck, “That’s what I want to know” James smiles at him.
Cali goes a little pale.
“James.”
He turns to me with Cali still clutched in his arms, “Yeah.”
“Cali needs to use the bathroom.” I smile at him. “Like right now.”
James looks at Cali, then releases her. She trots quickly to the bathroom. James looks at me. “You knew.”
Shrugging, “I figured it out.”
He sits back down, “How?”
I smile at him, “I used to work in an office filled with women.”
“Oh.” He looks at me again. A goofy grin spreads on his face, “I’m going to be a Grandfather!”
“You will be the Mighty Grandpa Het!” Cali exclaims, returning to the living room. Laughter fills the room.
For a time, we just sit in the living room amongst the opened gifts talking. James checks on dinner a couple more times. He leans over the back of the sofa, his fingers on my shoulders, “You need to get the rest of dinner going.”
I grab our empty coffee mugs, stand and follow him into the kitchen. James has the roasts resting in their pans on the butcher block counter. I get the sweet potatoes going in the oven. The green beans pan gets put on the stove top. The rolls are put in the cooling oven the roasts came out of. I pull out the gherkins, the olives, James’ horseradish, and my jellied cranberry sauce. Marcella, CGF and Cali put the items into the serving dishes and put them on the dining room table. I pull out the sweet potatoes and add the marshmallows. CGF grabs the biggest platter and hand it to James, who begins carving one roast. Grabbing a couple of hot pad holders, I take the sweet potatoes to the dining room. Cali puts the rolls into a basket covered with a napkin. She puts the basket on the table. Going to the kitchen, I plate up another orange cinnamon roll and set it beside Cali’s plate. She just laughs at me, her eyes sparkling. Castor and MBF get the drinks for everyone. James brings in the big platter with his carved roast on it. He takes the head of the table. Pointing to the chair on his right he looks at me. Grabbing my Severed Lime, I sit in it. The others claim seats at the table. CGF pushes Castor into the seat at the other end of the table.
Sitting, James holds out his hands. With my left hand, I take his right and hold out my right hand to MBF. And so it goes around the table.
“I don’t usually pray before a meal, but I feel it today.” I squeeze his hand. “There is so much around this table to be grateful for. The joy. The laughter. The unions. The new life.” He looks at each of us, “I thank God that I am here today with all of you.” There is a chorus of ‘Amens’ from the table. James gives my hand a squeeze before letting go. “I suppose the best way is to pass plates for the roast.” The next several minutes are spent passing plates and dishes. That’s followed by the sound of silverware on the dishes. I wrap both my feet around James’ right ankle, smiling at him. “How is it?” he smiles at me.
“Dewishous” I say around a mouthful.
“I need a cooking lesson from you James” MBF says.
“A roast is easy. Comeback in the summer and I’ll teach you how to grill” James smiles at him.
“Dad’s ribs are the best!” Marcella exclaims.
“I kinda enjoy his steaks” I volunteer. The flash memory of us having dinner at this table during a freak Sept snowstorm floods my brain. I can tell by his smile, that James is thinking the same thing.
The conversation moves from grilling to cars to the weather to past snow trips to sports. There’s a ton of laughter. A few sad memories, but on the whole the smiles win out.
As James stands up with his plate, again CGF speaks up, “You two cooked. We’ll clean up.”
James sets his plate back down, “I will finish carving the roasts.”
Holding her hands up, “That I won’t argue with.” She smacks Castor’s shoulder, “Maybe you can learn how?”
“Still shredding the meat son?” James gives Castor a look. Castor rolls his eyes at his Dad. “C’mon. Let’s work on this.”
I grab the dish of gherkins and head towards the kitchen. Cali is finishing the roll. I place my hand on her bicep, “There are more on the far counter.”
“Thank you. They are so good!”
“I’m glad you like them.” I look at her belly, “I’m glad you like them!” She laughs.
Christmas dinner is cleared, leftovers stored, the dishwasher started, what didn’t fit in is hand washed and put away. It’s still snowing hard.
“Now what?” MBF asks.
“Stranger Things!” is the unanimous answer. A few minutes later, the eight of us are curled up under blankets as another episode starts.
Four episodes later, a break is called for. Deciding to use the bathroom in our bedroom rather than one of the others, I make the trek upstairs. James is standing by the sink when I leave the toilet room. He wiggles his eyebrows at me, “Great minds think alike!” He smacks my ass as we trade places. I wait for him, rubbing my tenderized butt. He washes up after and then grabs me planting a deep kiss on me. Then looking at me, “I’m going to be a Grandfather.”
“Yes, you are.” I caress his cheek. “She was terrified that you’d be upset that they aren’t getting married.”
“As long as the kid doesn’t feel abandoned, I don’t care.” His eyes darken momentarily.
“I get the feeling that’s not going to happen.” I kiss him.
“Dad! Kira!”
“Coming!” we both yell and head to the kitchen
Getting into the kitchen, “Hey, can we have some cookies?” MBF asks.
“That’s why I made them” as I grab several and head back to the media room.
James grabs several and some napkins, “Hey. Here” he hands me a napkin.
“Tank yhow” I say through a mouthful of cookie.
MBF brings one of the platters while Marcella brings a stack of napkins. Retaking our seats, the next episode starts.
We finish the first season. “Should we start Season 2 tonight?” James asks the room.
MBF carefully shifts Marcella’s head from his lap, “I think we’re done for the night.” Marcella snorfels awake. She waves.
“Night Marcella” James smiles. He powers down the system. “I think it’s beddy boo time for all of us.” He smiles at me. I smile back. “Night kids.”
“Night Dad.” “Night James.” “Night Kira.” They all respond.
“Night” I say to the room letting James lead me to our bedroom. He closes the door, I turn the music on.
He pulls me to him, “Thank you” he sighs out.
I grab his shoulders pulling his head to mine. I kiss him. I giggle.
“What?”
“You had to jump start those eyelids” I smile at him. “C’mon.” I flip the covers back. We both drop our clothes on the floor beside the bed. James holds up the covers and I slip in. Laying on my back, I cradle his head on my shoulder.
He kisses my clavicle. “I can’t believe that my oldest is having a baby.” I kiss his hair, my fingers gently playing with it. Minutes later he’s sound asleep. I listen to a few more holiday songs before letting the sandman close my eyes.
if only those shorts were ... well ... shorter........
Everybody loves a parade - Monday
I came up with this idea a while ago. I hope y'all enjoy it! There will be a post everyday this week - as the story continues!! Again, I left the name of the main character in the story. I find it difficult to write without it. Sorry!
Link to the beginning:
Today's post: Fluff, Shameless Product Placement (IYKYK)
Monday
I was so thrilled to be back in my city. The Concrete Jungle. The City that Never Sleeps. The Big Apple. NYC.
The brisk fall air slaps my cheeks as I step out of the taxi in front of my building. Turning back, I help collect the luggage from the cab trunk: Two suitcases, a pair of backpacks, one large garment bag and a guitar case. My boyfriend pays the driver.
“Welcome back Miss Mooreland!” Carl, the doorman, is quick to help with the luggage onto a cart. “And your guest is?”
Smiling, “Carl, this is James.”
“A pleasure to meet you. Here, let me get that for you.” Carl reaches for the guitar case.
James quickly picks up the case. “I can get that, thank you.” He smiles at the doorman, “But would appreciate your help with the rest tho.”
“Of course!” Carl smiles back as he holds the door open for both of us. “It’ll be up in a minute for you Miss Mooreland.” Seeing another resident, “Mrs. Friedman, you and Floofy had a good walk I hope.”
The elderly woman scoops up the little lap yap yorkie, “We did Carl, thank you.” Seeing me, “And you are back from your adventures?”
“Yes, Mrs. Friedman.” Taking James elbow, “May I introduce you to James Hetfield?” James offers his hand.
Shaking just his fingers, “Are your people from Wisconsin?” Mrs. Friedman squints up at James’ face as she is shorter than me.
Blushing slightly, “I honestly do not know” James admits.
Letting go of his fingers, “Well, you have their height.” Setting the little yorkie down, “Come along Floofy. We need to visit Mr. Jefferies” as she pushes the call button for the elevator. When it arrives, “Shall we share this one?” she asks.
“Thank you, Mrs. Friedman.” I grab James’ hand, and we get into the small car. Mrs. Friedman pushes the buttons for the 9th and 12th floors. I smile kindly at the elderly woman.
“Will you be in town for the Holidays?” Mrs Friedman asks.
Nodding, “At least for the Parade. James has not experienced it live.”
“Ah. That will be fun.” The elevator stops on floor 9. “Here we go Floofy.”
“Have a good afternoon” I say to the old woman. When the doors are closed, leaning back into James, “Booty call.” James snorts a laugh as the doors open on the 12th floor. “This way” I lead James down the hallway. Opening the door, “Ahh! Home.”
“Woah.”
My apartment is done all in white with tile flooring. The furniture in tan is understated but comfy. Dropping my backpack on a chair at the dining table, shedding my heavy jacket as well, I take James into the living room. The large windows look out over Central Park. The foliage in the park is a glorious mix of golds and reds with a smattering of evergreens. The doorbell rings. I leave James staring out the window.
“Thank you, Carl.” I take the luggage from the doorman.
“Glad that you are back safely, Miss Mooreland.”
Laughing, “Carl, when are you going to call me Kira?”
Leaning into me, “When the old biddies are all gone!” Carl chuckles as he closes the front door.
James wraps his arms around my waist. “This is a cool place!” His coat now is on the chair with mine.
“It’s small, but home.” Pointing to a room right by the front door, “My office.” Taking his hand, “Kitchen. You’ve seen the living room. Guest bedroom, my bedroom and” opening the last closed door, “storage or Grandmother’s room.” It’s taken all of about 20 steps for him. 50 for me.
“You weren’t kidding about it being small” James says as he investigates my bedroom. The king bed almost fills the entire room.
Smiling awkwardly, “I like a big bed.” Pointing to a darkened doorway, “Bathroom.” Wandering back to the living room, “There are two more bathrooms as well.” Collecting my backpack, I go into my office. Flipping on the light, I wince a little. The desk is covered in piles of folders, magazines, newspapers and books.
“Why would put your office in the smallest room?” James asks, “Why not clear out the other bedroom overlooking the park?”
Smiling up at him and wrapping my arms around him, “I’d never get any work done with that view.”
Frowning slightly, “Huh.” James cups my head and plants a kiss on my lips.
Detangling myself from his body, I set my phone on the charging stand. James pats his pockets and pulls out his phone checking its charge. “Uhm, do you have a place I can plug in?”
Digging into a desk drawer, I find a cord and plug one end into a hub. Holding the other end to him, “A little Apple juice?” I smirk.
“That’s funny!” he chuckles as he takes the cord and plugs it into his phone.
Kissing his bicep and I retrace my steps into the kitchen. Checking the fridge, “Yikes.”
“What?”
I let the fridge door swing all the way open. There’s a mustard bottle, ketchup, soy sauce, butter, and a few cans of Severed Lime. The rest of the shelves were empty. “I think we need to hit up the store.”
“uhm, I’d say so” James huffs a laugh.
Quickly collecting my wallet, shrugging back into our big coats, I lock the door after stepping into the hallway. James rests his hand in the small of my back inside the elevator. Carl holds the door for us as we walk out onto the sidewalk.
James asks, “Cab?”
“On the way back. It’s just a short walk there.” Buttoning up my jacket, “But carrying the full grocery bags back can be a pain.” Slipping my hand into his elbow, “This way” I smile up at him. Although the parade is just a couple days away, the streets are only slightly crowded at the moment. James is getting a little tense. At the stoplight, I look up at him, “You ok?”
“Yeah,” he smiles down at me, “Just not used to so many people.”
Nodding, “Colorado is a lot less populated.” Tugging him with me when the light changes we cross the street.
Entering the store, I grab a shopping cart. Pulling out of the main traffic flow, “James, are we doing turkey dinner in or out?”
James steps in front of the cart, leaning his tattooed hands on it. “I don’t know” he says honestly.
Smiling gently at him, “If you do the bird, I can do the rest.”
His face lights up, “Deal!”
Unbuttoning my coat, “Right then. Meat department first.”
An hour of shopping and cab ride later – his height made hailing one super easy - we step from the taxi back at the building. Carl is there immediately with the cart. As I pay the driver, Carl and James load the groceries onto the cart. The three of us and the cart take the elevator to the 12th floor. At my front door, “Oh. Carl, we have a turkey being delivered on Wednesday from the store.” I hold the door for Carl to pull the cart inside my apartment.
“Thank you, Miss Mooreland. I will add you to the list.” Carl helps put the sacks on the counter. As he pulls the cart back into the hallway, “Should I put it in your fridge if you are not available for the delivery?”
“Yes, please Carl. I don’t know our plans just yet.”
Nodding, “I will see it’s taken care of. Have a good evening!” Carl makes certain that the front door clicks shut.
After putting all the groceries away, I set about making dinner. James seems to be fascinated by the view out the living room window. The sun is setting and dancing off the windows in the high rises. The leaves in the park are dancing in the winds as they pick up. After making sure that our dinner is simmering just right, setting a timer, I join him, slipping an arm around his waist.
He drapes his arm around my shoulders. “I get it now.”
“Get what?”
“Why your office is in the back room.”
We stand there for a time just watching. The trees. The setting sun. I point out a skein of geese flying over the Park. Shifting me to stand in front of him, he wraps both arms around me. I lean back into his chest. A siren screams down the street. I heave a sigh.
“Life in the big city, huh?”
“yeah” I sigh out.
The timer dings.
“That smells good.” But his arms still remain wrapped around me.
I squeeze his arms, “It’s going to burn if I don’t take it out of the oven.”
Kissing my shoulder, “Don’t want that!” he rumbles into my ear. Easing his hold on me, I move back into the kitchen. He follows me. “Is there something I can do to help?”
Opening a cabinet, “Yes, please. Can you grab two of those big white bowls?”
“What?” he grins. “You can’t reach those?” He easily lifts the bowls down. He holds them tightly as I try to collect them.
“Thank you” I purr at him. He lifts my chin and tenderly kisses me. I breathe deeply. His cologne, the faint cigar smoke, him, fills my nose. “Dinner is going to burn” I purr. He huffs a laugh gently, letting go of the bowls.
I check on the rice and open the oven door. The steam from the paella wafts out. Pulling the dish out, I set it on the stove to cool.
“Where will I find silverware?” James asks sincerely.
“Oh. Thanks! That drawer. And there are glasses in that cabinet.” Tasting the paella, I add just a couple grinds of pepper. “Napkins are in that drawer.”
I watch him go about setting the table. This, the megarocksuperstargod that I about dumped three months ago, doing a mundane task. A freak September snowstorm gave us a second chance. He has been working on changing. So have I. It’s not been an easy road. We have had some heated discussions. We have had some intensely deep discussions. But - so far - we have agreed that this is the best relationship either of us have had and it’s worth the effort to make it work. His offering to set the table is just one more step in the right direction for us. It was his idea for us to spend Thanksgiving in NY. That he’d be willing to give up the sanctity of his Colorado home for the big city during one if its biggest events spoke volumes to me.
As I dish out the rice and paella into the bowls, James collects drinks for both of us from the fridge. “Squashed or Severed?” he asked.
“Either will work with the paella.”
Smiling at me, “Blended it will be!” Filling two large glasses with ice, he pours half of one can into each glass, adding half of the second can to each. Taking a spoon from the drawer, he gives them a gentle stir. He carries them to the table, me following with the bowls.
Taking a bite of the paella, “This is so good!” James smiles at me.
“Thanks.” I smile gently.
“What’s that look for?” his concern genuine.
“My Grandmother taught me to make it.”
Taking another big bite, “She taught you well” James smiles at me. “Tell me about her.”
Sighing, “She raised me from the time I was three.” James looks at me and puts his spoon down. “My parents died” I shrugged off the memories. Looking around the apartment, “She bought this apartment when it was new before I was born.” Taking a sip of the concoction James had made, “That’s good!” I smile at him. Hie eyes light up. “When I was 23, she added me to the paperwork.” Smiling awkwardly at him, “When she died, it reverted to me.” I set the glass down. “I didn’t mean to be a Debbie downer.”
James rests his hand on mine, “I’m sorry about your parents. But it seems that you have a lot of happy memories here with your Grandmother.”
“I do.” I took another sip. “I am grateful for everything she gave me. This apartment. My love for reading that got me my job.” I smile at James. “Her cookbook!” I giggle.
Picking his spoon back up, “Me too!” he chuckles at me.
We finish dinner talking about my childhood memories in this apartment. Going to the Parade. The Rockettes. The windows. The baking. Summers playing in the park. The fall trips to Vermont to go leaf peeping.
As we clean up, James really looks around. “This kitchen is newer.”
Nodding, “I upgraded about six years ago.” Shuddering, “It needed it.”
“That bad?”
Patting his chest as I leave the kitchen, “Think avocado green and shag carpet.”
James shudders. “Shag carpet?”
“Yup. The whole place.”
“Blech!” He sinks into the sofa, pulling me with him. “It looks good now.”
“Thanks.”
He presses a kiss to my neck. Leaning back, “So what’s the schedule tomorrow?”
Twisting slightly and leaning into his chest, “I have three articles that need to get finished. Two won’t take long. But the third one, she gets technical and I have a lot to look up.”
“You have to look up?”
“Yeah. I made the mistake once to not double check and there was holy hell to pay. Not making that mistake again."
James wraps a hand around my head and kisses my hair. “While you are working, then I want to get to the management company office. They will probably insist on taking me out to lunch.” He looks at my face, “That ok with you?”
Again, my heart is warmed that he’s really trying. A few months ago, he would have just taken off and not said a damn word to me. “Yes.” I kiss his chin, “Just bring me the leftovers, please. I will probably forget to eat lunch.”
Patting my stomach, “You got it!” his eyes sparkle as he grins. Looking out the window, “Dang, it gets dark here early.”
“Yeah. And sadly, we don’t get the stars.”
“Too many lights.”
“Yup.” Leaning forward I grab the TV remote and power up the system. We watch a little bit of the local news. After the weather report – potential snow flurries for the Parade – I change the channel to a nature show. I can feel him looking at me. “The rest of the news will be shootings, stabbings, holdups.” Looking up at him, “Sunday will be game day.” His eyes light up. “Yes, I get all the games. I have the morning game, you have the afternoon game.” He looks like a kid that just got handed the keys to the candy store.
“I’ll stop on the way back tomorrow and get some ribs from that store.”
“I’ll text you the address” I smile up at him. “And my address so you have it.”
Gently kissing me, “And text me anything else you want to go with the ribs.”
He wraps his fingers around the back of my neck and messages it. “mmmm. That feels good” I murmur.
Leaning into my ear, “It’s been a long day. Let’s get a shower” his voice a velvet rumble.
I stand, power off the TV and take his hand, pulling him from the sofa leading the way to my bathroom. It is a bit smaller than his in Colorado. But the white marble and glass stall fit us both comfortably. We take turns washing each other’s hair and scrubbing each other’s backs. I wrap my hair up in a second towel, using a bath sheet around my body. James, wraps in a towel, goes to his luggage and pulls out his toiletries bag. I am brushing my teeth when he comes back, claiming the second sink and starts brushing his teeth. Finishing drying my hair, I hang up both my towels and pad naked to my bed.
Flipping off the bathroom light, a very naked James joins me between the sheets. He wraps me in his arms, pulling me to his chest. Kissing my forehead, “I can’t believe I almost let this slip between my fingers.”
I snuggled in closer, “Well, you got lucky” I purr.
Kissing me tenderly, “Yes.” Another kiss. “I got very lucky.” He tucks my head under his chin, his left hand playing with my hair. His right hand holding me securely to his chest.
I fall asleep listening to his heartbeat.
Rockies Christmas - Day 2
And here's today's!
Warnings: Fluff mostly. Christmas tree cutting, chainsaw and ATV use.
I roll over into his body. He’s still gently snoring, one arm wrapped around my shoulders. Laying on my side, I rest my left hand on his chest. My ring glints in the rising sun. The memories flood my brain. Me almost walking out on him a few months ago. The talks – some heated – during that snowstorm that trapped us in this house. The trip to California for him to work on some songs. Me getting super sick while there. The trip to NYC. His face seeing the Parade in person. The trees in Santa’s wonderland. The look in James’ eyes. My insides still flutter seeing the ring. My heart is still rapting around the clouds. My brain no longer screaming ‘Hold on a second here’.
We have both made changes. Both worked on becoming better people. Better partners. Better lovers. Well, the last one has never really been an issue. I can still feel how he’d stretched me out in the shower yesterday when we got back to the house. Home Colorado home. I snicker softly to myself. He shifts slightly in his sleep, his arm tightening slightly around me, then relaxing again. His tattoo laced body is still in excellent shape. His arms tight from years of playing guitar. His legs strong from his stage stance – legs wide and leaning back. His chest firm. His belly might be a little poochy since we have eaten a lot over the past couple of weeks. I smile gently as I run my hand over it. A couple more weeks won’t hurt. His hand gently cups mine. “mmm” he sighs.
“Morning handsome” I whisper.
He lifts my hand to his lips, “Morning gorgeous” he whispers back.
I lower my head back to his chest. His hand starts playing with my hair. He heaves a sigh. Looking up at him, “You ok?”
He pulls me closer, “Yeah.” He kisses my hair, “I’m good.” His blue eyes catch mine. “I’m better than good.” He kisses my forehead, “I’m great.” He pulls me closer. “How you doing?”
I lean in to his body, “Wonderful.” He cocks a smile and wiggles his eyebrows.
Both our stomachs rumble. And we both burst out laughing. He flips the covers off us, “C’mon. Let’s get breakfast” as he pushes me from bed.
I flip the covers back over the bed, “You making or me?”
“Will you make your breakfast sandwiches, please?” His big blue puppy eyes blink at me.
Giggling, “Yes!” I grab my robe, “You get to make the coffee.”
“Yes!” he grunts as he pulls on a robe.
Twenty minutes later we are sitting on the back patio, the firepit lit, munching happily on our breakfast. My toes are shoved under his thighs in his chair. Between bites, his hand wraps around my ankle gently. We watch the wildlife – namely birds and squirrels – play in the trees.
Sighing, I look over at him, “What’s the plan today?”
James rubs from my ankle up my calf, “Well, I should probably find the decorations in the garage. There might be some in the big storage area off the media room.”
“Where do you store your tree?”
He just points to the woods. I give him a look. “I go cut one” he says plainly.
“Like, with an axe, cut one?” my eyebrows are nearly at my hairline.
He sits up in his chair, “You’ve never cut a Christmas tree?” I slump and give him a look. “Oh. Right. Big city girl.” He stands up and pulls me to my feet, “Then to the forest we go!” He turns off the firepit, grabs our plates and almost shoves me inside. Our breakfast dishes get dropped into the sink, and he’s pulling me to our bedroom. “You’ll need something that you won’t care if it gets sticky.”
“Sticky?”
A kiss to my forehead, “Sap.” He stops a second and really looks at me. “You’ve never had a real tree. Have you?”
I just shake my head. “They are super expensive in New York City.”
“What kind of tree did you have?”
“I still use my Grandmother’s aluminum one.”
“WHAT??” Shaking his head, “Nope not here.” He gets a really big grin, “Oh! This is going to be fun!” He smacks my ass, “C’mon!”
Ten minutes later, I’m dressed in a pair of his old sweatpants over my stretchy pants with one of his old t-shirts under a super baggy sweatshirt that both look like he’d worn them to paint something. My big winter boots complete my outfit. We put together a cooler - filled with some quickie sandwiches, a few Squeezed to Death cans, some granola bars and a couple of chocolate bars - that he’s strapped onto the back of the huge ATV. James pulls out a chainsaw in its case, some rope and small toolbox from the back of the garage and adds them beside the cooler. He was super careful moving the big machine past my Shelby. “We should drive that once more before winter really sets in” he mentions in passing. He closes the garage door and plops me onto the rig. Grabbing a helmet, he straps it on me. He puts on his own helmet and climbs up onto the ATV. Sitting between my knees he turns, “Try not to pull me too hard with your arms.” He pulls my knees into his hips, “Squeeze here.” I nod. “If you need my attention, tap my back.” Again I nod. “You ok?”
“I’ve never been on one of these.” I look at him, I can’t hide the concern on my face.
He smiles at me – our helmets won’t let him kiss me – “I got you.” He cocks a lopsided smile, “You trust me?”
I smile at him, “Completely.”
His smile broadens, he pats my knees, then turns and fires up the machine. Its huge engine screams to life vibrating me. He scooches back a little, pulls my one knee a little tighter into his hip and slowly pulls the rig down the driveway. I gently wrap my arms around his mid-section, trying to keep my knees locked tightly to his hips. I can tell he’s having a blast. I’m still terrified that I’m going to fall off the back. But I begin to realize that he’s not going to let that happen. He takes us up into the hills. I think we’re on a trail. I could be wrong. My helmet takes a branch or two, so I lean in a little closer to his back. Eventually, he pulls the rig to a stop and kills the engine. The quiet is deafening. He spins to look at me. His eyes sparkling with joy. “Well?” He tugs off his helmet.
I nod, “Ok. It was fun.”
He helps me pull my helmet off, “Sorry about those branches. That’s why the helmet tho.” Then he plants a toe curling, earth stopping, crotch instantly sopping wet kiss, on me. Pulling away from me, he’s just smiling.
“I have never seen you so happy.”
“I love being out here.” He helps me off the ATV, “I love getting up here.”
“You love the engine.”
Nodding, “Nnyeah, that too!” Another big smooch. He walks me a few feet, “And this.” He turns me.
I gasp. I didn’t realize how high we’d gone. There is the valley floor laid out below us. The houses tiny. The highway looking like a thin grey ribbon. Suddenly, the cry of an eagle. James spots it and points it out to me. I can only stand there staring. I lose the big bird in the sun.
James’ hand slides down my arm to my hand, “This is as far as I take the 4-wheeler. Where I want to cut the tree is up this way.” He undoes the straps and grabs the chainsaw. “Can you carry these please?” He hands me the rope and the toolbox. I collect them from him. As we walk away from the ATV, James pulls the key. “Don’t want those pesky peeping tom squirrels stealing it!”
I laugh at him and follow his lead. I have no idea how far we walk. He leads the way into a grove of evergreens. He sets the chainsaw down. We were both panting. He looks at me, “You ok?”
“A little light headed, but ok.”
“Yeah, I forgot about the altitude.” He sits on a fallen tree and pats it. “Come sit for a minute.” I sink onto the trunk. James is looking at the trees. “Now. To find one that’s fairly straight. Branches evenly spaced.”
“How do you know how tall?”
“Height isn’t the issue. I can always cut some from the bottom at home.” He looks at me, “Those lower branches can be used to decorate the house.” He holds up a finger, “But it can’t be too tall, then it will be a pain to get down the hill.”
I cock a look at him, “Down the hill?”
He just laughs, pats my thigh, and standing, “C’mon. I want to get home before dark.”
I stand, collecting the rope and toolbox then follow him into the trees. After a few hundred feet, we come into a bigger clearing. Well, a clearer space. With the stumps in the area, it is obviously where he’s cut trees in previous years. He smiles at the look on my face, “Yeah, me and the kids have thinned trees here for a long time.” He sets the chainsaw down on a large stump. “Some of these were cleared before I found this spot.” I perch on the stump. James looks around at the trees. “Here.” He holds his hand out to me and leads me to a good-sized tree. “What do you think of this one?” We both walk around it.
“Where will this go?”
“I usually put it in the corner windows by the kitchen.”
Shaking a couple of boughs, “It looks good to me.”
“I think we have a tree!” He goes to the uphill side of it, “Watch it and see if anything flies or scampers out of it.” He shifts a couple of boughs and literally gives the trunk a couple of solid kicks. “Anything?”
“I didn’t see anything.”
“Good. We’re not taking somebodies home.” He almost skips to get the chainsaw. Carrying it back with the rope and toolbox, he sets up a work area a distance from the tree. “Don’t want it coming down on the case.” He pulls out a pair of blue plastic gloves for me and puts on his big leather work gloves. Pulling out the chainsaw, I take a step back. The chain looks absolutely wicked. Before he starts it, “I want you to stay where I can see you. Once this starts, I won’t be able to hear you. And this can take off a limb in a heartbeat.” I can tell he’s serious. I nod. “I’m going to try to lay it down that way” he motions with his arm “so stay over this way. But be ready to jump if the tree decides to fall the wrong way.” Again, I nod. He leans into me with a quick kiss. Then setting the chainsaw on the ground, he yanks on the starter rope, and it buzzes to life. It’s ear splitting in what had been a quiet forest. James shoves his way into the boughs on the downhill side. The pitch in the chainsaw noise drops as it starts to cut. I can see the sawdust flying out of the branches. The tree is vibrating violently. He shifts to the uphill side of the trunk. Then it starts to lay down, almost gently. James steps out of the boughs and guides the tree all the way to the ground. He lets the chainsaw sputter off. “Ta dah!” he grins. “One Christmas tree!” He moves to the work area and puts the chainsaw down. “Now,” he pulls me to him, “to get it home.” He gives me a quick kiss.
It took us some time to lash the tree up so that the branches were all pointed to the top of the tree. The smell of fresh pine fills my nose. James makes a couple of loops around the lower branches to make pulling the tree a little easier. I carry the chainsaw case and toolbox. Watching him makes me smile. “What?” he chuffs.
“You look like a woodsman.”
“Why thank you!”
I just smile at him.
We pass the big stump where we’d taken a break. There were a couple of times when the rope around our tree gets snarled up in bushes that I work free. Finally, the ATV comes into view. James drops the tree next to the rig, panting. I’m not far behind, breathing just as hard. “That’s a work out.”
His hands on his knees, “No shit.”
My little plastic gloves are all sticky with pine sap, so I tug them off and stuff them into the sweatshirt pocket. I pull open the cooler and hand him a Squeezed to Death can. He chugs a good portion of it. He hands me the can and I finish it. Putting the empty can back into the cooler, “How does the tree go on the ATV?” as I look between the two.
James smiles, “It kinda gets drug behind it.” He goes to a nearby fallen log and reaches under it. He pulls out two long poles. “I keep these here” he grins. They have been drilled with a huge bolt through one end. This bolt James attaches to the cargo basket. About halfway down the poles is another shorter one that James positions across them. They now look like a huge capital A bolted to the cargo rack. Grabbing the tree, James positions it on that cross bar between the two long ones, top of the tree between his feet. Seeing what he’s going to do, I go hold the tree while he finishes tying it in place. He drops an arm around my shoulders, “You might have to snug up close to me.”
Wrapping an arm around his waist, “That’s not a problem!” I brush the pine needles and sawdust from his hair.
He kisses my hair, “Sandwich time. I’m starving.”
Sitting on the ground, we eat the sandwiches, granola bars with the chocolate bars after. The last cans of Squeezed to Death are finished and tossed back into the cooler with the other wrappings. James straps the chainsaw and the cooler back in place. “Ready?”
Standing up and brushing off my butt, “Yup.” He helps me onto the ATV seat and makes sure that my helmet is secure.
“I might have to stand up on the trip back. Put your hands here” he takes my hand and puts them on the cargo post, “and lean back.”
“ok.”
He gives me a kiss, puts his own helmet on, straddling the machine he powers it on. He nods at me, I grab the cargo post. He slowly starts moving the machine and watching the towing poles. Since he’s not sitting, I have to hold on tightly to the cargo rack posts. The trip back was much slower than the trip up. We pull into the driveway just as the sun is setting. Powering off the big machine, James sits between my knees and pulls off his helmet. I pull mine off. I can tell he’s exhausted. He gets off the ATV, helps me off and opens the garage door. I pull off the cooler, toolbox and chainsaw case. As I walk toward the garage, he stops me and kisses me. Although he’s exhausted, I can tell he’s happy. I set the items on his workbench in the garage. He digs out a huge tree stand from the garage shelves. I help him get the stand onto the trunk. He stands the tree up in the middle of the driveway and pulls the ropes off. The branches spring open. James grabs the garden hose and sprays down the tree thoroughly. Tons of dust and dirt fly out of the branches. He puts the hose back and stands behind me, his hands on my waist. “It’s gonna be a pretty tree.” He pulls me towards the garage door.
“You’re just going to leave it there?”
He huffs a gentle laugh, “Well, yeah, city girl. Right now, it’s dripping wet. It’ll get sprayed down again tomorrow morning. Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll bring it in.”
“Why spray it down?”
He runs his fingers over my neck lightly “To get the creepy crawlers out of it!”
I squeak at his fingers. “Spray it all you want!” I bat his fingers from my neck, “You know I hate spiders!”
“And that’s such a disappointment for Kirk” he sighs dramatically.
“I’m not interested in Kirk” as I grab his ass.
He grabs my waist, “Good!” pulling me into a deep kiss.
I look into his eyes as we part the kiss. They are almost glowing.
He looks at the ATV, “I should put that in the garage.”
“C’mon. I’ll help.”
He undoes the towing poles and I lay them down between his truck and my Shelby. He pushes the ATV in the garage far enough so that the door will close.
Once inside, I take his hand and lead him upstairs to our bathroom. I start the hot water filling the tub while he uses the toilet. He comes out carrying his pants. “That’s a look” I sigh. He just smiles. I help pull off the rest of his clothes. “In” I point at the tub. He slowly sinks into the hot water. Taking off my clothes, I lob all our sticky dirties towards the laundry basket in the corner. I grab a couple of towels and drop them on the floor at the end of the free-standing tub. Kneeling on them, I dig my fingers into his shoulders and neck. He groans sharply. I take the warm water and let it flow from my hands over his shoulders. I continue to give him a rub down until he’s not groaning as badly. He grabs my left hand and pulls me to the side of the tub and pulling a little harder on my wrist, I step into the tub sinking down between his legs. He pulls my back into his chest wrapping both arms around me, his hands cupping my breasts.
“That was fun today” he breaths into my hair.
“I did enjoy that.” I lift his right hand and kiss his thumb joint where it joins his hand, sucking softly on the tender skin tattooed with his barbed M there. He just moans softly. I pull his right hand to my chest. My left hand gently caresses his neck and shoulder. His breathing evens out. I just smile and let him snooze a bit. The water gets a bit chilly, “Hey, c’mon” I say gently. He sniffs deeply, stirring awake. Exiting the tub, I grab a towel and quickly dry off. He stands up and steps out of the tub. I take the other towel and dry his back, then he takes the towel and dries the rest of himself off while I drain the tub. I take his hand and lead him out of the bathroom, tossing both towels on the counter and flipping off the light. I flip back the covers on the bed and gently push him in, climbing in next to him. He pulls me to his side. I flip the covers up over us. He’s asleep before I can get the lights turned off. I curl up next to him, my head on his chest.
I fall asleep listing to his steady heartbeat.
Rockies Christmas - Day 15
Warnings: Snow Day, Wind event,
Guide: CBF = Cali’s Boyfriend / CGF = Castor’s Girlfriend / MBF = Marcella’s Boyfriend {I didn’t want to give them names}
I slowly rotate in bed. My legs a little achy from being pinned by James earlier this morning makes me smile. I can hear that the winds have picked up outside. Reaching out I find his side of the bed empty. The smell of onions being grilled floats into the room. Sitting up, stretching, I make my way into the bathroom. When done and cleaned up, I dig out a pair of stretchy pants. I’m down to the bottom of the stack which means that I need to do laundry. Pulling open the drawer that should have my tank tops in it, it’s empty. Yup. Need to get the laundry done. I find a bra and taking one of James’ t-shirts – Bastardane – I finish getting dressed and head into the kitchen finding James at the stove with a huge skillet grilling onions. I hug him from behind, “Morning.”
Twisting slightly and wrapping an arm around me, he kisses me, “Morning.” He smiles at me and wiggles his eyebrows, “Feeling ok?”
I stand on tiptoe and kiss him, “I feel beautiful.”
Gently patting my ass, “Good.” Then, “Hey, that’s my shirt.”
“Well, if the kiddos weren’t here, I’d be starkers” as I flash him my lacy bra. I get a grin in response.
“Need to do laundry?” he smiles turning back to the skillet.
“Should probably change our sheets too” I purr at him as I head towards the coffee maker running my hand over his ass.
He nods in agreement, “Yeah, that’s probably a really good idea!”
Almost as if by magic, all the kids turn into the kitchen together. “Damn, Dad. You use a lot of onions” Cali declares sitting at the bar.
Looking at his oldest, “You have a problem with that?” he grins.
CGF sits next to Cali, “I don’t, except that they give Castor gas.”
“Tell us something we don’t already know” Marcella snarks at her brother. He gives her a snarky smile back.
Marcella pulls out her phone as it buzzes. James looks at her. “Reminder that we need to check in to our flights.”
All the kids pull out their phones and check into their flights. “Hey Marcella” Castor says putting his phone away, “Thanks for the reminder.”
“You’re welcome” she grins at her brother.
“Hey Kira! Nice choice in shirts!” Castor grins. I give him a pair of horns.
James finishes the onions and starts the eggs. I see that he’s already put out the stuff to make burritos. “Kira, will you please start the microwave? I already have the roast beef in there.”
He’s even set the time needed. I push the start button smiling at him. Then grab our mugs and make our coffees. A few minutes later, we are all sitting at the kitchen table enjoying our breakfast burritos.
I watch as Cali and CBF keep giggling with their hands interlaced over Cali’s belly.
James smiles at them, “Moving more in the morning or evening?”
“A little in the morning. More in the evening.” Cali smiles.
Nodding, “I’ll bet on an evening birth” James grins.
“Morning” Marcella speaks up.
“Midday” is CGF addition.
“Someone write these down!” Marcella giggles.
CGF finds a notepad and pen. We all make our guesses.
“What does the winner get?” Castor asks.
“To change the first diaper” CBF suggests and there’s laughter all around.
A strong gust of wind hits the house. “Picking up out there” James says looking out the window. The wind picks up the loose snow and is blowing it all around. The clouds in the sky are being torn apart and then put back together. I shiver some as another gust lifts more snow from the patio. “How many episodes to we have to finish Stranger Things?” James looks at Castor.
Thinking, “There’s all of season 4 – which is 9 shows, and I think we have 3 left on season 3.”
“Shall we do the long haul and finish this?” James looks around the table. Another gust of wind hits the house.
“Sure.” “Not going out in this.” “Might as well.” “Yes!” are the mixed responses.
Everyone helps get the kitchen and dishes sorted. Carrying my coffee mug as I’d not yet finished it, we all make our way to the media room. Marcella and Castor pull out some extra blankets as the room is little chilled today. Sinking into our positions on the sofa structure, Castor fires up the system and starts the next episode.
Between every other episode, there’s a bathroom break. Someone gets something from the kitchen. Someone takes all the dirty dishes from the previous kitchen run to the dishwasher. As the second episode of the fourth season starts, there’s a very harsh gust of wind. I wince and lean into James. The power flickers. “Hold on Castor. Let’s see if the genny is going to kick in.” The lights flicker again - then go out. About 45 seconds later, they all come back on. There’s a dull roar from outside. “Ok. The genny is on. Go ahead.”
Restarting the TV, Castor starts the next episode. James pulls me into a tight hug, “I got you” he whispers to me. Smiling, breathing a little fast, I lean into his chest.
Pausing before the fifth episode, it’s the usual bathroom and kitchen runs. I lean back and look up at James, “How long will the generator run?”
Frowning slightly, “36 to 48 hours. Depending on how many devices we have running. The furnace is gas, but the fan is electric. The biggest draw will be the TV, chest freezer and the fridge.” He kisses my forehead, “I doubt the power will be out that long.”
Before the sixth episode, it’s a unanimous decision to have more Jambalaya. CBF pulls the leftovers out and in short order, we are all seated at the kitchen table. A couple more heavy gusts hit the house. One of them followed by a loud thud. I jump. James kisses my hair, “I should check on that.”
MBF stands, “I’ll go with you.”
The rest of us clean up the lunch dishes.
James comes back in the house after being outside for a time, “Hey Castor, where are the keys for the rental van?”
“Uhm, by the front door.” Castor follows his Dad and I follow Castor. “Everything ok Dad?”
Nodding, “The van is fine, but that old oak dropped a branch. I’m going to move the van just to be on the safe side.”
“Is that side drive slick?” Castor asks.
“A little.”
“Let me grab my coat. It might need a shove.”
James back tracks into the kitchen, stopping to give me a reassuring kiss. He smells of fuel. Then he, MBF and Castor go out the side door by the kitchen. I see the two younger men walking beside the van, hands on it, with James in the driver’s seat. He slowly moves it up into the small, protected area in front of the side door. The three stomp the snow off their boots before coming in the door.
“Thought we couldn’t park there, Dad” Cali teases.
“Hey, my house, my credit card on the rental van” James grins at his daughter.
Holding her hands up, “I concede the point!” she laughs.
The two boys put their coats on the coat rack by that door. James takes his into the garage. I stand at the end of the hallway waiting for him. “I topped off the fuel in the genny” he smiles at me. “Diesel fuel stinks” he grins at me before kissing me gently. He stops in the kitchen to wash his hands. Several times. He just grins at me. Another powerful gust hits the house. I shiver. James pulls me into a hug, one arm around my waist, the other tenderly cupping my head. I wrap both my arms around his waist. Gently easing his hold on me, “You ok?” I heave a sigh and smile at him, nodding. We all make our way back to the media room.
Castor stands and stretches before the last episode. “Who’s up for some snacks?” he grins. Again, we all head into the kitchen. Some popcorn is made. James, MBF and I make sandwiches from the last of the roast beef. Cali heats up some rice and tops it with butter and salt. Grabbing a couple bags of chips and everyone grabs a Liquid Death can from the fridge, there’s a parade back to the Media Room. Castor is the last one to enter the media room, carrying one of James’ guitars. Grinning, “Here Dad, in case you want to play along!”
Laughing with his son, “Thanks, but that’s not my line. That’s Kirk.”
“No, it’s yours.”
“I do a short solo in the middle. The lead is all Kirk” James smiles at his boy, taking a bite from his sandwich.
“I thought this was all you.”
“Sorry Castor” James smiles. “They even cut my solo from the show. This rendition is all Kirk.” Seeing the look on his boy’s face, “But I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
Castor, setting the guitar on the counter, “I honestly thought this was all you” he grins at his Dad.
“It’s me in Jungle Cruise” James offers.
“We should watch that next” MBF offers.
“How about we finish this show. Next time we’ll do a movie marathon” James counters.
“Deal!”
Castor starts the last episode. Everyone sits up to headbang when Eddie starts playing. When the lines comes, we all shout “Most Metal ever!” laughing. I smile at James. He pulls me into a kiss. When the episodes ends, Castor flops back on the sofa, arms raised, “We did it!” There’s general laughter.
“You guys should pack up tonight” I offer.
James nods in agreement, “Excellent idea. With the winds, you’ll want to leave a little early in case there’s trees on the freeway.”
Looking up at his Dad, “That corner there at Wolcott can be tricky.” James just nods.
“Ok dorks” Marcella turns to her counterparts, “Let’s bag up.”
Castor powers down the system. The kids all depart to their rooms. I gather up the blankets. James helps me, grabbing his guitar before turning off the lights in the room. Leaning his guitar against the wall, the blankets get dumped on the floor in front of the washer. “I’ll get to these when the power’s back” I tell him as he pulls me into a hug, my hands rest on his chest.
He kisses my forehead. “What about the wind here has you jittery?” his eyes search my face.
“The winds here just sound … savage.” I pat his chest, “The winds in the city just don’t sound like the winds here.”
Cupping my head into his chest, “I can understand that” as he pulls me in tighter. I lean my head back looking into his face. “From the sounds, I think the worst is over” he looks at me a gentle smile on his lips. Leaving the laundry room and taking my hand, James reaches for his guitar and is almost bowled over by Castor.
“Yikes!” Castor grabs his Dad. “You ok?”
“I have enough bruises, thanks son” James teases Castor.
“I was just coming back. I forgot to put your guitar away.”
James hands the axe to his boy, “Here ya go” he smiles.
Smiling, “Thanks. I’ll put it back.” Castor heads up the hallway, “Night Dad.”
“Night Castor” he watches the young man retreating up the hallway.
I rest my hand on his forearm and let it slide into his hand, smiling gently at the megarocksuperstargod dad at my side. Sighing, he gently squeezes my hand. Then turning to me with a gentle smile, we walk into the living room. I see that there are some things the kids have left in the room and start collecting them. James stops me, makes me set the things down and smiles, “Hey dorks! Y’all left things in the living room!” I raise my eyebrows at him. “What?” he grins.
“So you started the dorks thing?”
“No. That was actually Lars” he smiles.
Soon all six young people are in the living room collecting their items. CGF and Marcella do a thorough search of the room as well as the kitchen. With a “Good night!” they return to their rooms.
James turns off the lights in the living room. With a sigh, he turns off the tree lights. The room is very dark indeed. Draping an arm over my shoulders to my other hip, he leads us to our bedroom – making sure to close the door behind us. After climbing into bed, he’s fidgety. I roll over, “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t like sleeping with the genny running.” Reaching to my bed side table, I hand him the TV remote. With concern etched on his face, “Are you sure?”
“Positive” I caress his face.
He sits up against the headboard and turns on the TV. I completely roll over, putting my head into his lap. His fingers play with my hair. I drift to sleep.
I feel him shift me gently off his lap. That’s when I realize that the faded roar of the generator is silenced. James is cold when he curls up against my back. “All good?” I whisper.
“Yes, other than I’m cold” he snugs up closer. I pull his arms tighter around me.
Sleep grabs us both.
Weird Observation
I'm supposed to be working (Yay for the hybrid work!) and listening to this podcast again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O6QPTawR14&t=145s
But I am now distracted because I have noticed that I can watch his hands in the reflection of his sunglasses hanging from his t-shirt.....
He's a "hand talker".
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