Those Eyes Could Make Me A Mewling Mess Anytime!!!

Rockies Christmas - Day 11

Warnings:  Hospital stay, Shameless Product Placement, Fluff – I guess

Guide: CBF = Cali’s Boyfriend / CGF = Castor’s Girlfriend / MBF = Marcella’s Boyfriend {I didn’t want to give them names}

It’s still very dark out the window.  Damn but hospital beds suck.  Especially when you’re sharing one.  But I would not have slept anywhere else.  Still cradled in James’ arm.  His bruised body next to mine.  His face, a little less swollen.  Remembering his split helmet still in his truck, I shudder.  This could have been so different.  I try to detangle myself, but James tugs me gently.  “James, I gotta pee.”

He grunts softly.  “I could piss too.”

“Well, let go of me and I’ll help you.”  I kiss his chest.

“mmmmk”

I climb out of the bed, retrieve the bottle and put it in place.  “Ready when you are.”

“Fire!” he smirks.

I put the gown back and flip the covers back up over him when he’s done.  I quickly make it into the bathroom.  When I’m done and washed – leaving the bottle under the sink – I retake my spot next to him.  His arm pulls me closer.  My eyes close.

I blink awake to the room filled with bright sunshine to find the nurse and doctor in the room.  “I suppose I should move, huh?”

“It would make checking the patient a little easier” the doctor laughs gently.

I slide out of the bed and step out of the way.

The doctor gives James a thorough go over, including rolling him to the side to inspect his back.  The nurse whispers into my ear, “Has he had a bowel movement yet?”

“Not yet.”  I look at her, “Should he have?”  She nods.  “Find me a tool catalog.”  I get a look.  “Trust me on this” I grin back.

“Ok.”  She is obviously thinking, “This might take a bit.”

“Check with the maintenance guys.”

She nods, “Yes!  Great idea!”

“What’s a great idea?” James asks as he rolls gently to his back.

The doctor pats his stomach, “You pooping.”  He totally deadpans it.

I snort softly and James laughs.  Not hard, but enough.  He toots.

“That’s a start!” the doctor smiles.   Reaching for the IV lines, “I understand that you know how these work.  Let’s pop the line off for now and see how you do.”  He removes the IV lines, hanging them from the IV bag holder.  “Leave these in” he instructs as he tapes the ports to James’ arms.  “Before I go, let’s make sure you can stand.  Using a bedpan is the worst.”  Looking at me, “Do you think you can help him?”

“I’m gonna try” as I move to the bed.

James flips the covers back and I help him get his feet untangled from the sheet.  He stands holding tightly on to the bed.  Right leg is good.  Left leg, not really happy.  I move to that side, wrapping my arm around his waist and put his arm around my shoulder, “Lean” I say.  It takes us a bit, but we get into the bathroom.

Grabbing the ADA rails, James sinks on to the toilet, “Might as well try to go while I’m in here.”

“Want me to leave?”

“You’re not gonna want to be trapped in here” as he toots again.

“I’ll get some spray” I smile exiting and closing the door.  The nurse is right there with a can, smiling.  “Thanks!”  Looking at the bathroom door, “Can I please get a second gown for him?”  She nods and disappears out the door.   Looking at the bed, it’s already been changed.  The new sheets and blankets flipped back waiting for James.  The nurse returns with the second gown.  “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.”  She pats my shoulder, “At least he’s not being super demanding.  There was a movie star in here that was just a pain!”  She grins at me.  “You got him from here?”  I can hear beeping down the hallway.

“Yeah, I’m good.”  She leaves.  I hear the toilet flush.  Then the sink running.  I crack the door open and spritz the can into the room and close the door.  I can hear him laugh.  Opening the door, he’s leaning on the sink, the hospital gown open in the back.  His bum fully exposed.  “That’s a sight!”  He wiggles it grinning at me through the mirror.  I see the bruises on his back.  “Can you stand a minute more?  I want to put arnica on these.”

“Actually, it feels good to stand.”

I quickly find the bottle and tenderly rub some of the oil into his back, hip and the back of his thigh.  Bending over, I get his shin.  He rests his hand on my lower back, “If I felt better…”

I stand up looking into his wicked grin, “Soon” as I gently rub his penis through the thin fabric.  He groans softly.

“Where are you, Dad?”

“Here, let’s get this on you.”  I pull the second gown on him with the closure in the front covering up his bare ass.  “Be right out!”

I open the door and the kids are all there.  James leans on me to get out of the bathroom.  Castor smacks CBF on the arm.  “Here let us” Castor takes his dad’s arm from me, “We’re a little better height wise.”

“Thanks son.”  James is slow but getting more confident with his left knee.  “Would you mind if we walk the hallway a bit?”

“Not at all Mr. Hetfield.”

James stops and looks CBF, “Call me James.  You are officially part of this family now.”

Cali giggles, “Told you!”

James starts walking, “Forward into the hallway!”

“Isn’t that forward into battle, Dad?” Marcella asks.

“Technically yes, but I am not quite ready for battle” James smirks back.

“I’m going to let you kids take this round.  I want to freshen up some.”

Cali grabs my purple bag and hands it to me.  “I thought you’d like to change clothes.”

I grab her upper arms, “Thank you!” I say a little over dramatically.  She chuckles and follows the others.  I step into the bathroom and close the door.  Grandmother would call what I do a whore’s bath: wet soapy washcloth on the major points.  Face, Pits, Crotch.  In that order.  Then rinsing the cloth out, a wipe down.  Granted, not a full shower, but I do feel better.  I pull on the extra cloths from the bag and stuff the dirties in.  I use the brush quickly on my hair and redo my ponytail.  I’m exiting the bathroom when the little parade re-enters the room, the nurse trailing them in.

James sinks into the bed.  The nurse helps him get his legs under the covers.  Seeing his face a little pale, she says “I think you’re going to want this back.”  She pulls the IV line and reattaches it to the port.  She tapes it securely in place.  “I’ll make it a slow drip.  If you need more, well…” she smiles knowingly at James.  Turning to me, “I’ll check in again later.”  I smile my thanks.

“Hey Dad, what do you want for lunch?”

James lets his head fall back, “A Hopdoddy Bacon Classic!”

“Ahh yes!!  I was hoping you’d say that!” Castor’s face lights up.  “Fries?”

“Both.”

Turning to me, “What would you like?” Castor asks me.  I shrug. 

“Get Kira the Doddy Melt, hold the Comeback sauce on a regular bun.  Or sourdough if they have it.”  James smiles at me, “You’ll love it.”

“Shake?” Castor’s grin is wide.

“Two regular Salted Caramels, please” James is almost drooling.

I dig into my bag, find my wallet and pull out some cash.  I hand it to Cali, “Use this.”

“That’s way too much!”

“What?  You guys aren’t going to eat?”  She smirks at me.  “So, bring me the change.”  I smile back at her.  “And that should cover transportation too.”

“We’ve been using the car service.”  CGF suddenly looks like she said something wrong.

“That’s fine” James grins from the bed.  “Probably cheaper than taxis anyway.  And you’re all in one vehicle.”  There’s a chorus of yeahs and yeses as the kids head to the door.

“Hey!  Don’t forget lots of napkins!” I call out.

“Got it!” comes a couple of responses.

James pats the bed.  I find the bottle of arnica, “This first.”  I pull up the hospital gowns to get to his torso.  I tenderly rub the oil over all the purple spots.  They look horrid.  I gently pull the gowns down and put some on his arm. 

James has closed his eyes.  “That feels good” he rumbles softly.

Wiping off my hands, “The pain meds have kicked in, huh?”

“Not yet.  Just your fingers on my skin feel really good.”  He lifts his head and looks at me.  “When I was in ICU, I had the worst mental image.  Me paralyzed from the neck down.  Not being able to ever feel you again.  Or hold you.”  He scrubs away the tears before they can even fall.

I sit on the bed facing him.  “I cried in the shower that night.”  My hand resting on his belly.  “I take that back.  I sobbed.  I’d spent the helicopter flight in with my own mental images.  The worst was that you’d end up living the horror of your own song.”  I let my tears fall.

“I’m so sorry about all this…”

“James” I cut him off.  “We could have spun out or hit black ice in the Shelby.”  I rub his belly.  “It wasn’t our time then.  This” I wave my hand over his body “isn’t your time either.  The kids have assured everyone who will listen that you weren’t showboating when this happened.  They said that you’d gone to investigate new snow, that your machine started to sink in that snow, so you powered it up some.  And that’s when you turtled.”  I watch James’ face as he nods.  “Castor says that your snowmobile is completely trashed.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised.  But my machine didn’t sink.  I hit something.”

“I saw your helmet, James.”  More tears leave trails down my cheeks.  “If you’d not been wearing it, we’d be planning your funeral.”

He blanches some, “That bad?”

“James.  I wasn’t joking when I said it’s been split in two.  From here” I point to my hairline “to here” my hand stops just past the crown of my head.

He scrubs away another tear.  “Someone upstairs was looking out for me.”  He grabs my hand, “Again.”

I grin, “Being a Leo, you have now used 4 lives.  Please don’t use anymore!”  My fingers trace the flames tattooed there.  I look into his face.  “It wasn’t your time.  You have a grandchild that you need to meet.” 

His head falls back, “I still can’t believe that I’m going to be a Grandpa!”  He looks at me, “So what will that make you?”

“GG” I shrug.  His eyebrows knit together, “Grandpa’s Girlfriend.  What else?” I smirk at him.  He tugs my arm.  I take the hint and lean up over him, planting a deep kiss on him.  I heave a sigh as we pull apart.

“What?”

“I haven’t kissed you in two days.”

He pulls me in for another kiss.  After, “Then we have some kissing to make up on.”

I kiss the end of his nose, “Not here.”  His eyebrows furrow together.  “Because that kind of kissing leads to … well … other activities” as I raise an eyebrow wantonly.

He nods.  “Yeah, this bed is not big enough for those.”

“This bed is barely big enough for you!”  I giggle, turn around and lay down next to him.  He grabs the TV controller and finds the news.  I am rather surprised that he actually watches the whole program.  I rock my head back to look up at him.  “Making sure that I’m not page six” he grins.

“Ahhh” I say, snuggling in a little closer. 

He scrolls to the movie offerings.  We find one that is fairly long and start it.  His fingers play with my ponytail.  The movie is about a quarter through when the kids come waltzing back into the room.

Our burgers are handed out.  James sits on the bed, and we share the bed table.  The boys sit on the floor.  Mine is delicious.  James giggles watching me take my first bite.  The milkshake is thick and creamy with lots of caramel.

“We made a second stop.”  Cali pulls out a box.

James’ eyes fly wide open, “Dirty Islander!”

Grinning, “Yeah, we had to get a couple of these for you!”  She pulls out two rather large cookies that look like James’ eye.  “Black Eye Concussion cookies!”  The room erupts in laughter.  James laughs the hardest, holding his ribs.  Cali points to a couple of others, “These are mine.”

“What are they?” I ask.

“They’re called Mum I’m Preggo!”  Again, the room erupts in laughter.

I pass on the cookies – for the time being – as I still have half a shake left.  I sit and watch the kids and James interact.  He is most decidedly getting better.

The burger wrappers were gathered up and tossed out.  The boys take James for another hallway run.  Cali approaches me, “Kira?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”  She was almost in tears.  I gently pull her into a hug.  “I’m sure these are just the hormones” as she scrubs her eyes, “but I wanted to say thank you for everything.  You were so calm.”

“I guess I got that from my Grandmother.  I don’t think I ever saw her lose her cool.  She always told me that to panic is to lose time and to lose time could be very bad.”

Nodding, “I hope I can be that cool.”  She rubs her belly.

“I hope you never have to.”  I hug her again.

I can hear the boys coming back down the hallway laughing.  Evidently James has been in bad dad joke heaven with the boyfriends, as Castor keeps groaning loudly.  They enter the room and James is walking without help.  A nurse is following.

“Now, don’t you overdo!” the nurse scolds him.

“Naw, he’s just showing off” Castor grins.

James sinks onto the bed, “Yeah, I was that time.”

“All right kiddoes, the adults need nap time” the nurse says with a wink at me and a smile for the others.  “Oh!  Dirty Islander!  May I?”

James motions towards the box, “Please.  But check with Cali which ones are hers.”  The nurse gives James a questioning look.  “She’s pregnant” he dramatically whispers.

The nurse looks around.  Marcella and Castor point to their sister.  “You look great!”  Cali blushes and rubs her belly.  “Now, which ones are yours sweetie?”  The nurse picks out a cookie, “Now out.  All of you kids, out.”

There is a chorus of Byes as they are hustled out the door.  Munching on her cookie, the nurse nods her thanks.  James finishes getting back into the bed.  He pats the bed on his right side.  I grab the extra blanket and climb in next to him, his arm pulls me close.  He heaves a sigh.

“You good?” I look into his face.

“Yeah.  Actually I am.”  He sniffs a laugh, “I still can’t believe that Cali is pregnant.  That I’m going to be a Grandpa.”

I stroke his stubbly cheek, “Well.  Ya are.  Mighty Grandpa Het.”

He snorts a laugh, “That doesn’t work!  I’ll have to come up with something new!”  He tightens his arm around me.  I grab the tv controller and we pick a movie.  He’s gently snoring about halfway through.  I heave a sigh and snuggle up closer.

I feel James shifting.  “You ok?”

“Gotta go.”

I unwrap my arms from him, push him vertical, “You got this?”

Nodding, “Yeah, I think I’m good.”  He grabs the IV bag and closes the bathroom door behind him.  I am scrolling through the movie selection when I hear the toilet flush.  Then water running.  James closes the door behind him, “You’ll want to give that a bit.”  He re-hangs the bag and sits on the bed.

I move up the bed and gently tug his shoulders, “Here.”  He rolls into me on his right side, his right arm sliding under my shoulders, his left arm with the IV port drapes over my ribs, his head on my shoulder, his nose against my neck.  My left arm wraps around his head, cradling it, my fingers softly playing with his silvered locks.  I start another movie.  I feel him sag into sleep.  Part way through, I get a text from Castor asking if we need dinner.  I send him the snoring emoji and say thanks anyway.

I watch all of this movie.  James’ breathing is steady.  His fingers on my ribs twitch.  He’s probably writing a song in his sleep.  At least I hope that’s what he’s doing.  I smile and kiss his hairline.  The nurse comes in to check on James.  Seeing that he’s asleep, she takes what vitals she can without waking him.  She pulls the IV line from the port, taping the port in place.  Giving me the thumbs up, she departs the room, closing the door behind her.  My left fingers gently rub his scalp.  After starting another movie to kill the sounds of the hospital, I lay my right hand over his left arm draped over my ribs.  I don’t remember my eyes closing.

Rockies Christmas - Day 12

Warnings:  Hospital release, Marvel Universe inferred, Shameless Product Placement, Homecoming, fluff

Guide: CBF = Cali’s Boyfriend / CGF = Castor’s Girlfriend / MBF = Marcella’s Boyfriend {I didn’t want to give them names}

I feel James untangle himself from me.  I help get him turned around and sitting on the bed.  He stretches.  I rub his lower back.  “Uuhngg.  That feels good.”  I rub his back a little more.  “I gotta piss.”  For some reason his bluntness about bodily functions doesn’t upset me.  Other men, I would have been slapping their arms or going on about that isn’t what should be said around a lady.  The very thought of James saying something like I gotta take a leak just doesn’t work.  Giggling to myself, I swing my legs to the edge of the bed.  James comes out of the bathroom.  He walks over to me and stands between my knees.  His hands run down my back, then back up and cups my face.  He kisses me.  There’s passion in it, but he’s holding back because of where we are.  I wrap my hands around his waist.  Pulling back from the kiss, James tucks my head under his chin and hugs me closer.  My nose is pressed up against his chest.  He’s smelt better, but he’s not that bad.  Yet.  “I suppose I need a shower” he huffs.

“You’re ok for another day.  No longer” I look up at him a grin plastered on my face.

“I can make that work!” as he kisses me again. 

“While you are vertical, I’m going to put more arnica on you.”  He nods, stretching.  I gently apply more oil to his bruises.  They are looking ugly.  Most are dark purple, some are going greenish-dark yellow.  “Do they hurt?”

“Not as bad.  My knee is still angry.”  He flexes and straightens his knee.

The doctor walks in.  “You’re vertical.”

“Barely” James grins.

The doctor starts going over James.  Makes James move his arms, legs and twist his head.  “Are you sure you’re not part X-man?”  James’ eyebrows knit together.

“I think he is part Wolverine” I grin up at James.

“You should still be lying flat on your back in agony.”  Pointing at James, “Even with your high pain tolerance.  What happened to you was pretty serious and yet here you are standing.”

“I’ve always healed quickly.”

As I cap the arnica oil, nodding, “Wolverine.”  I smile up at him.

“I am going to release you, only because I know you have someone who will keep you in check” the doctor points at me.  “But if anything feels or looks wonky, call me.”  He hands me a card with a number written on it.  “That’s my personal number.  Any time day or night.”

I nod, “Thank you doctor.”  I put the card with my phone.

“Alright then.  I’ll go do the discharge papers.  It will take a bit for those to process.”  He shakes James’ hand, “You’re going to been fine.  You will look a little shaggy for a time.”

“Thanks Doc!” James smiles.  “I’ll make sure that my number is on the paperwork.  If you ever want to go to a show, let me know.”

With a knowing look, “Show?  Are you in some kind of band or something?” the doctor almost laughs.

Nodding, “Something like that!” James laughs. 

As he walks to the door, “Not really my kind of music, but I might take my kids.”

“I’ll put you on the guest list for the whole package” James smiles.  As the door closes behind the doctor, James stretches.  He looks at the bed.

“Sit in the chair” I tell him.  I can see that he’s sore from being on his back in the crappy bed for so long.  Nodding he moves to the big ugly recliner.  He’s barely in it before standing again.  Rubbing his butt, “The bed is softer.”  I smile at him.  I adjust the bed so that the back is all the way up.  He sits and leans against the upright head of the bed.

I can hear them down the hallway before they barge into the door.  “Kids are here” I grin.  James smiles back me. 

“Hey Dad!” was the chorus.

Castor grabs his dad’s arm, “When are they letting you out?”

“Today.”

There’s a chorus of yays and woohoos.  “Then you’ll want these” Cali hands me a backpack.  Opening it, there’s clean clothes in it for both me and James. 

“Thank you!”  I dash into the bathroom and quickly put the clothes on.  Laughing to myself, I have to remove the tags off them first.  I exit the bathroom and hand the bag to James.  I hold it a moment giving him a look of do you want help.

He kisses my forehead, “I got this” he tells me quietly.

“I hope you don’t mind, I used the change from lunch to get those” Cali looks with concern at me.

“I don’t mind at all” I re-assure her.  James comes out of the bathroom wearing a pair of loose pants, a sweater.  And sandals.

“Sorry about the shoes Dad, I couldn’t remember your shoe size” Castor grins shyly at his mirror image.

“It’s one smaller than yours” James cocks an eyebrow at his son.

CGF smacks Castor’s bicep, “Told you!”

James gives her a thumbs up, “Keep it up!”

The nurse comes in with James’ release paperwork but has to go over his vitals one more time.  I step into the hallway with my phone.

“Eagle Airport Choppers”

“Hi.  This is Kira.”

“How’s James?”

I recognize the pilot’s voice, “He’s being released today.”

“That is excellent news!  I’m guessing that you’ll need a lift back to collect his big ass truck?”

Laughing, “Yes please!”

“One question: Why did you drive his precious truck?”

“Because I couldn’t put seven into my Shelby.”

“That’s your car?”  The shock in his voice is very evident.

“Yes, the Shelby is mine.”

“That’s a nice car.  I’ve seen it around over the summer.”

“Thank you.”

“So, when will James be released?”

“He’s getting the release paperwork now.”

“I’ll get the big bird in the air in about 10 minutes then.”

“We’ll need to get him fed and then check out of the hotel first.”

I hear the smile on the other end, “Give me a call when you get breakfast.  By the time you guys are done and get to the airport, I’ll be landing.”

“Thank you.  For everything.”

“You are most welcome.  I’ll see you in a bit.”  The call ends.

I return to the room as the nurse is handing James his paperwork.  James immediately hands it to me.  “I’ll just lose it” he says to the nurse.  I just nod.

“The car service will be downstairs in five minutes” Marcella says to the room.

CGF and Cali start gathering up the personal items that have become scattered all over the room.  I drop my phone and James’ paperwork into my big purple bag and shoulder it up.  James stands and pulls me to his left side.  I wrap my arm around his waist.  Castor walks on his Dad’s right side.  The two boyfriends walk behind.  In the elevator, Marcella starts digging into her purse.  Handing James a pair of sunglasses, “You’re going to want these, Dad.”

“How many?”

“About eight in front.”

CGF speaks up, “We’ve been sneaking in through the service entrance.”

“That’s where the van will be this time” Marcella says.

We exit the elevator in the basement.  The kids lead the way through the maze to the service entrance.  Creatively tucked in behind the linen service delivery truck sits the car service van.  Cali, CBF, Marcella, MBF and CGF all pile into the back rows.  I step in and turn offering a hand to James.  Castor is standing behind his Dad, a hand on his back.  James climbs in and sits next to me.  Castor takes the front passenger seat.  James grabs my hand.  I pull the sunglasses off to see his eyes.  He wraps his arm around my shoulders and sighs.

“Where to?”

“Jake, where do you suggest for breakfast?” MBF asks.

James leans his head back, “Black Bear Diner.”

Jake – the driver – looks in the rearview mirror, “I was going to suggest the Black Bear!” he grins.  After getting onto the major roads, “I’m glad that you are doing well, Mr. Hetfield.”

“Please.  James.”

Castor punches Jake’s arm, “Told you.”

Grinning, James nods “Thank you.  Jake, right?”  The driver nods.  “Thank you for taking care of my kids.”

“It’s been a pleasure.”

“I think we should check out of the hotel first” I speak up.

“Then the hotel first.”  Jake makes a turn. 

A few minutes later, the van pulls up to the hotel portico.  I hand James the sunglasses.  There are no photographers there as we quickly make our way to the elevator.  Once in the suite, James is quick to head to the bathroom.  I was surprised that the room is fairly clean.  The random jacket or shopping bag are scattered around the main room, but otherwise it is tidy.  The kids gather up their things from the rooms they’d claimed.  I check the room I’d slept in one night.  I move into the bathroom to do a check as James is washing up.  He pulls me to him, kissing me gently yet passionately.  “I have missed kissing you.”

I run my hands up his back, “I have missed being kissed by you.”  Our lips meet again.  I hear a throat being cleared.

We pull apart, looking at each other.  James lowers his head to my ear, “Later” as he lifts a knee gently between my legs.  I sigh into his chest.  Arms wrapped around each other, we leave the bathroom.  Cali is standing there with a look on her face.  “What?” James cocks a look at his daughter.  She just shakes her head walking back into the main room.

MBF has collected all the room keys and hands them to me in the elevator.  I nod my thanks.  As the kids get the bags and James into the van, I check us out.

“I do hope that you had a pleasant stay Mrs. Hetfield.”

“I’m not Mrs. Hetfield.”  The young man behind the desk blushes.  “I’m Kira Mooreland.”  He looks at me.  “The girlfriend.”  He blushes even more.  “The room was perfect.”

Clearing his throat, “Well, I do hope that you’ll stay with us again soon.”  He hands me the portfolio.  “Everything is taken care of.”

“Thank you” I smile at him.  Then I quickly join the others in the van.

It’s not a long drive to the Diner.  As Jake pulls into the parking lot, “Jake, join us for breakfast” James says.

“I’m not supp…”

“I insist.”

“I’ll park right here then.”  Jake chuckles as he pulls the van into a handicap spot.  He opens the glove box and hangs an ADA placard on the rearview mirror.  “I’m not supposed to use this.  It belongs to my mom.”

I pat his shoulder, “Well, son.  You are an excellent driver.”  Everyone chuckles as we pile out.  Castor and MBF make sure that James exits the van without being obvious about it.  I just smile and wrap an arm around James’ waist as we walk into the restaurant.

With nine of us, we are given a table in the back of the diner.  James sits me to his left side, resting his hand on my thigh.  I place a quick call to the helicopter pilot.  After placing our order, the conversation moves to the shopping that the kids had done.  Evidently, they’d hit up every mall in Denver.  Cali said that she’d found some cute maternity clothes, which Marcella heartly agrees with.  Castor and MBF talk about the music store they’d found and some of the CDs that they’d gotten.  James indicates that he’d love to hear them. 

It takes three servers to bring out our order.  Once everything is sorted, the table falls silent.  When he isn’t cutting his steak, James’ left-hand rests on my thigh.  As plates empty and tummies fill up, the conversation picks back up.  It shocks the boys that I actually like to watch football games.  And that I know – some – stats.  I sit watching James interact with his kids.  I also notice that Cali was apparently able to keep her meal down.  I just raise my eyebrows at her, looking between her plate and her eyes.  She just nods happily gently rubbing her growing belly.  CBF rests his hand on the growing bump, their fingers intertwining.  My phone pings.  The pilot is about 20 minutes out from landing at the airport.  I reply with a thumb’s up emoji.

“Ok.  That’s the pilot.  He’s about 20 minutes out” I inform the table.

“I need to hit up the bathroom” MBF declares. 

“Good idea” James says standing up slowly.  “Got a little stiff sitting” he reassures my look of concern.

Castor pats his Dad’s back, “C’mon Grandpa” grinning.

Wrapping an arm around his sons’ shoulders, “Just wait man.  Just wait” James chuckles.

The girls also head to the ladies room.  I pay the bill – leaving a good-sized tip, Jake goes out to get the van started and then I head to the bathroom.

After we all pile back into the van, Jake points the van north.  I lean into James’ bicep.  His hand gently squeezes my thigh.  Once at the airport, the pilot gets us through the gate and to the chopper.

“James, glad to see you up.  Jacobs said you looked bad.”

“I have looked better” James says pulling down his sunglasses.

“Ouch.”

“It always looks worse before it gets better” MBF chimes in.  The guys all nod.

“Ok then.  I hate to separate you two, but I want Kira in the right seat.”  Seeing the look on James’ face, “Short legs.”

“Ahh.  See?  Your short little legs do pay off every now and again.”  He pats my butt before he climbs into the chopper.

I climb in as the kids and all the various bags are situated in the back.  Once airborne, I feel fingers on my right elbow.  Seeing the tattoos, I reach back, and James’ hand engulfs mine.  It’s an awkward position to sit in the chopper with my right arm squished between the seat and the chassis.  But I don’t care.  James is coming home alive.  In one piece.  Fully functioning.  He doesn’t let go until just before the chopper comes in for a landing.  His truck is parked outside the hanger.  Shiny.  Obviously freshly washed.

“Hey, you didn’t have to wash it” I tell the pilot collecting the key fob from him.

“My kids wanted some pocket money” he shrugs.

“I remember doing that” Castor sighs walking to the vehicle.

“Me too” chorus both girls.

James goes to get in the driver’s side.  “Uh huh.  Other side” as I walk up to the vehicle.

“I’m fine” he complains.

“Dad, she’s actually a really good driver” Castor comes to my defense.  “She got us here in like 25 minutes.”  Or so he thought. 

James gives me a look. 

“I’ll pay the ticket on the truck.  You pay the ticket for the Shelby.”

James snickers a laugh, “Deal.”  He kisses my forehead.  I climb in the driver’s seat, the kids all squish into the back seat, girlfriends on boyfriends laps.  James climbs in the passenger seat.  He picks up his helmet from the floor.  He runs his fingers over the gaping gash in it. 

“Hey Dad.”

“Yes son.”

“Glad you’re home.”

Putting the helmet back on the floor, “Me too.”  Again, James’ left hand drops to my thigh.

I wave bye to the pilot and point the big ass truck toward home.  With the kids all squished into the back and no emergency looming, I obey the speed limit.  I pull the rig into the driveway and park it by the front door.  James gives me a look.  “Will you guys please shift the snowmobiles?” I ask, hitting the button on the garage door remote.  James nods as he sees that the machines are all parked in the space where the truck should go.  I look at him.  “Didn’t want to tempt those pesky squirrels to take one for a joy ride.”  A goofy grin spreads across his face.  He slides out the passenger door once the machines are moved and I put the truck into the garage.  James has gone in the house.  The kids all help to grab the bags from the back of the truck. 

I find James in the kitchen with a Severed Lime can in his hand.  “I needed that” he grins.  I can hear the kids throughout the house, chatting, laughing.  I push James towards our room.  “What?”

“Shower.”

His lets out a huge sigh, his eyes rolling some, “Yes please.”  He takes my hand as he starts walking toward our bedroom.

“Wait.”  I quickly find my purple bag and pull out the arnica oil bottle.  Holding it up as I walk back to James, I smile at him.

“I’m no Wolverine” he kisses my hair.  “You are Nurse Nightingale.”

I take his hand walking backward a couple of steps, “Perhaps it’s a combination.”

“Perhaps.”

As we get into our bathroom, starting the water in the shower we both help pull the clothes off the other.  He tugs me into the stall under the stream.  I reach up and wet his hair.  His hands are resting on the small of my back, just above my ass.  I shampoo his hair using my nails to scrub his scalp.  He sighs heavily.  I saturate his hair with conditioner as he begins to wet my hair in the hot water.  He pulls my head into his chest as he washes my hair.  I wrap one arm around his waist, the other presses on his upper back.  After putting the conditioner in my hair, I grab the scrubbie and load it with shower gel.  I detangle myself from him and turn him toward the shower wall.  He leans his crossed arms on the wall, his head resting on his forearms.  I give his back a good run over with the scrubbie.  He sighs deeply.  I do one arm and pit at a time, then one leg at a time.  Leaning into his back, I reach around and use the scrubbie on his chest and belly.  Pulling some of the soapy bubbles out of the scrubbie, I wash his butt.  Grabbing more bubbles, I reach a little deeper between his legs washing his testicles and penis.  I am careful to not arouse him.  Just wash.  I send the scrubbie over my own body quickly before rinsing and hanging it on the faucet handle.  Using my hands, I rinse his body.  Urging him to stand up, I rinse his hair.  He grabs my left wrist holding me while he turns in my arms.  He tilts my head back and rinses my hair.  His fingers wrap around the back of my neck holding me while his lips find mine.  My hands run up his back holding him close to my body.  Our kiss lingers.  It’s slow.  It’s deliberate.  It hints at the passions we will get to when he can move.  He finally stands up, his hands playing in my wet hair and over my shoulders.  His eyes search mine.  “I am so lucky to have you” he lifts my left-hand kissing both ring and finger.  “I hope that …”  I press my fingers to his lips silencing him.

I pull his left hand up and kiss the tattoo on the back of his hand, “Have I said this to you yet?”  He shakes his head.  “Then you are still working on it.”  I kiss his hand again.  “And after this little adventure” I cock a smile at him, “You have taken a step backward.  Not a big step.”  He pulls me into another kiss. 

His smile lights up his face and eyes.  “Then I will work even harder.”  He kisses my hair, turns off the water and gently letting go of me, reaches for towels.  I rub more arnica oil into the worst colored areas on his torso.

After putting on clean clothes, we walk down the stairs into the living room.  The kids are sprawled on the sofas.  Cali points to the table, “We got the mail.  Castor and CBF set out the cans.  Is this a recycle week?”  James shakes his head.  “And Marcella watered the tree.” 

“That’ll work.  Thanks” I grin.

Cocking one eyebrow up, James looks at the young people, “When did you kids become adults?”  I duck as they all throw pillows at their dad.  James laughs and tosses the pillows back.

“Let’s watch another episode!” Marcella says.  There’s agreement all around.  Getting into the media room, we all stake out our previous claims on the sofa structure.  As the system powers on there’s a pinging noise in the sound system.  Castor grabs the control pad and up pops a screen with Lars and Jess in one square, Kirk in another and Rob with Chloe leaning over his shoulder in another.

“James!” Lars almost yells.  “You need to adjust your camera.  There’s black and blue all over your face.”

“Yeah, it’s all over me” James sits up and lifts his shirt.

All on the screen flinch.  “That has to hurt” Rob says.

“It’s getting better.”

“Mind if I use that idea for next Halloween?” Kirk smiles.

“What?  Mangled Lead Singer?” James laughs.

“Naw!  He rocked so hard he bruised himself” Kirk grins crookedly.

“I like Mangled Lead Singer” CBF snorts.

“If that’s what you look like, what does your snowmobile look like?” Lars asks

“It’s kinda mangled” Castor speaks up.  “As far as I know, it’s still out in that field.”

“Reminds me, I need to get with Jacobs about lifting that out.”

“Right to the junk yard” MBF speaks up.

“That bad?” Lars asks.

“His helmet is split almost in two” I speak up.

There’s silence for a moment.  “But let’s talk the good news.  Cali, the others don’t know yet” Lars is grinning widely.

Cali blushes, she’s rubbing her belly again, “I’m making Dad a Grandpa.”

Kirk, Rob and Chloe erupt in cheers.  “How are you feeling sweetie?” Jess asks.

“Better.  I can actually eat now.”

“Morning sickness that bad?”

The media room choruses “Yes.”

“Have you played yet?” Kirk asks.

“Man, I just got home.  Give me minute!” James chuckles.  “How was you guyses holiday?”

“Compared to yours, dull.” Kirk deadpans.  There’s some giggling. 

The kids talk about their gifts and their adventures in Denver.  Chloe and Cali get into a discussion about pottery.  Lars very obviously yawns.  A pillow smacks him.  There’s more giggling.  Castor asks Lars and Rob about their boys’ bands with the answers being lots of touring coming up in the spring.

“Well, we’re gonna let you guys go now” Lars says.  “James, glad you are alive and at home.”

“Me too buddy.”  I see the look on James’ face of compassion towards the small Dane.  “Happy New Year!” James says.  The rest of us all say it at the same time.  There’s more giggling.

Kirk and Rob exit the call, Lars looks into the camera, “I’ll call you next week James.  I have some ideas cooking” as he points to his head.

“I look forward to it.”  The call ends.

The room is silent a moment, then Castor starts tapping on the control pad, “Where did we leave off?”

Three episodes of Stranger Things later James announces, “I gotta piss.”

Everyone departs the media room for either a bathroom or the kitchen.  Cali and Marcella kick everyone out of the kitchen – including me – saying they got it.  Fifteen minutes later they are yelling for the boys to come help.  They all return with plates.  Each plate has a pulled pork sandwich with mashed potatoes and green beans.  Napkins, silverware and Liquid Death cans are passed around.  MBF starts the next episode. 

James yawns when that episode ends.  “Kids, I’m sorry but I’m toast.”

“Completely understand”   “No worries Dad”   “Glad you’re home Dad”   “Hope you get a good night’s sleep in your own bed”   all come at once.

James slides off the sofa, turns to grab his plate.  “Leave that Dad.  We’ll get it” Cali smiles, rubbing her belly.

“Thanks Cali.”  He takes my hand, “Night kids.”

Almost in unison “Night Dad.”

“Good night everyone.  And thanks for all your help” I grin at the kids.  Cali stands and gives me a hug.

James is waiting for me by the door.  We wrap arms around each other and walk to our bedroom.  As he’s brushing his teeth, I put more arnica on him.  Then quickly brush mine.  James is already in bed.  He holds up the covers for me.  I slide between them only to have James snake an arm around me and pull me close.  “I have missed you” he whispers. 

I kiss his arm, “I have missed you.”

Moments later, we are both snoring softly.

I had to chuckle!! This came up in my FB feed!!

Rockies Christmas - Day 14

Warnings: Fluff, Marvel Universe Referenced, New Years celebrations, (Hang on!  It’s cumming!  {see what I did there}) Finger Fucking, NSFW

Guide: CBF = Cali’s Boyfriend / CGF = Castor’s Girlfriend / MBF = Marcella’s Boyfriend {I didn’t want to give them names}

The day dawns bright.  Right into my eyes.  Patting the bed, James’ side is empty.  Then I hear the toilet flush.  I slip out of my side and pad into the bathroom.  James scoops me into his arms, planting a kiss on me.  “Morning gorgeous!”

My hands find his shoulders, “Morning handsome!” and kiss him.  Then I sniff.  And look at him.

“Shower.”  He picks me up and carries me into the shower stall.  As I wash his body, I am amazed at how quickly he’s healing.  James sees the look on my face, “What?”

“Are you sure you’re not part Wolverine?” as I gently caress his bruised face.

“I might be.  I was back onstage 15 days after the fire.”

“How the hell where you able to do that?  You had to have been in serious pain.”

“Just stubborn idiocy.”  He rinses my hair.  “And I didn’t want to disappoint the fans after what happened.”  He gently kisses me.  “I promised myself after that happened, if at all possible, I’d get my ass on stage.”

“You should be proud of yourself.  You’ve done pretty good.”

He turns off the water, “It was because of me that the Australian dates had to be cancelled.”

I kiss his wet back, “That was needed.”  I turn him, “And I am proud of you.  That environment is tough to stay sober in.”

“Hey lovebirds!  Pancakes!” comes from downstairs.

I am almost dumped on the shower floor as James bolts to get dressed, “PANCAKES!”

“Go!” comes from downstairs.

It took me a little longer to get dressed before I could make my way to the kitchen.  I snort a laugh as I see James sitting at the table behind a stack of about eight cakes on his plate. 

Marcella is at the stove grinning.  As she flips another cake, “I made a whole batch just for Dad” she tells me.

When everyone is done, I kick the kids out of the kitchen and start with the clean-up.  James helps with the unload on the dishwasher.  He puts the big platters away in the high cupboard.  He smacks my ass when I bend over to put the cookie sheets in the drawer under the range.  I stand up rubbing my butt, “That one hurt.”

Pulling me to him, “I can kiss it and make it all better” he grins at me.

“Gross Dad!”  “Take it upstairs!”  “There’s kids here!” comes from the table.

We snort in laughter.

As we finish with loading the dishwasher and starting it, CBF comes into the kitchen.  “Out.”  We quickly depart the kitchen.  Cali sits on a stool and watches her man with a grin, hand on her belly.

“Hey Dad, are there still skis downstairs?” Castor asks.

“No.  I donated those to the ski school a couple of years ago.  Why?”

“I thought about doing a couple of runs.”

“You could call the run and see if they can help out.  You’d need them to be brought here and a tow to the lift.  I’m not driving today.”

Castor uses the house phone.  By the look on his face, it’s not what he wanted to hear.  “They don’t have someone to do the tow.  I guess a bunch called in sick today.”

James pats Castor’s knees as he sits on the sofa, “Sorry about that buddy.”

“Mind if bang awhile?”

James gives his son a look, “When did you grow up?”

“When you did” Castor gives his Dad a look.

“Will you two please go bang away!” Marcella gives them both a look.

“Race ya!  First one gets the drums!” James is grinning broadly.

“Now!” Marcella yells and they bolt from the room.  Laughter is heard from the studio.  Quickly followed by drums being played.  “Castor won” Marcella states.

I go to the tree and start collecting the empty gift boxes and collapsing them.  Marcella joins me, flattening out the tissue paper.  We manage to manhandle the boxes to the bedroom I’ve set up as my office.

Seeing the monitors and computer, “Whose set up is this?” Marcella asks.

“Mine.”

“Those monitors are huge.”

“I have bigger ones on my desk at work.”  I open the closet door, and the wrapping paper bin falls out.  We both giggle as we wrangle the rolls back into the bin. 

“How often do you have to work?”

“You mean you haven’t seen me working?” I grin.  She nods.  “I got the top files done the first week of December.  If something gets pressing, my boss would have called me.” 

The boxes threaten to fall off the shelf, but Marcella gets them organized and closes the closet door.  I slid the bin of papers under the bed.

“Don’t let Dad see that.”

“I’ll move it later.  Thank you, I appreciate the help” I tell her on the way back upstairs.

“You’re welcome.”  She stops on the stairs and turns to me, “I have noticed a change in Dad.  A good change.  What happened?”

“I was ready to walk out the door, but didn’t get out before the snow in September.”

“What aren’t you telling me.”

“My boss edits my notes to the authors that I edit.  I can be a little blunt.  Sometimes harsh.”  I sigh, “I was downright mean in the letter I wrote to James.”  I heave a sigh, “He still says that my bluntness was what he needed to see that he was being a …” I hesitate.

“A jerk?”

“That’s a nicer word” I smile.

“Your ring.”

“This is not an engagement ring” I look at my diamond encrusted band.  “I told him that I could accept his apology.  But that he’d have to work on my forgiveness.”  I play with the ring, “He said that this is his promise ring to me that he will work for that forgiveness every day.”

“I like you” she states simply.

I grin at her.  “James has told me that he will never marry again.  I told him that I don’t need the blessing of an archaic theological institution to say that I can love someone.”

“Soooo, you love Dad.”

Patting her shoulder, “With every fiber of my being” I tell her from my soul.  Marcella nods and we continue up the stairs into the living room.

Father and son are still pounding out music in the studio – all songs from other artists.  Marcella, myself, CGF, Cali, CBF and MBF all sit around the living room.  We occasionally pause when the song from the studio changes.  We start to see who can name the song first.  The discussion then goes into the memories of the new song.

“We could help you take this stuff down” Cali offers.

“No thank you.  I’ll get it taken down later” as I snuggle into the sofa a little.

CBF stands, “I need to check the Jambalaya” as he goes into the kitchen.

CGF looks at Cali, “You are so lucky.  Castor can barely boil water.”

“Yeah, but he can order a mean pizza” Cali deadpans back.

Nodding to Cali, “He learned that from his Dad.”  I manage a straight face for about 30 seconds.  Then there’s outright laughter.  “CBF, that smells wonderful!” I smile at the young man as he returns to the living room.

“Thank you.  It still needs a little longer.”

James and Castor walk into the living room, arms around each other’s shoulders.  Both sweating.  “Bit of a workout?” I ask them.

Using the hem of his t-shirt – exposing his still bruised belly - James wipes his brow, “Little bit.”  He sinks into the sofa next to me dropping his hand on my knee.  I smile softly at him.  Castor picks CGF up, sits and plops her into his lap.

“Was that better than skiing?” James smiles at his boy.

Castor laughs, “Not nearly as messy.”  CGF gives him a look.  “Wet snowsuit, wet socks, snow covered boots …”

“Usually left in the middle of the hallway.  Skis dropped in the driveway” James smiles at his kids.

“Hey!  Those weren’t my skis!” Castor says pointing at Marcella, who smacks her brother’s leg.

“I never left my boots in the hallway” Cali says.

“No, you’d leave yours in the garage and then complain that they were frozen the next day” James points out with a grin.

Nodding, “Ok yeah, I did that all the time” she confesses with a grin.  Then she looks at her belly.  Total fear written on her face.  “Dad?”  She looks again, “It feels weird.”  CBF is ready to jump up and dial 911.

James is instantly sitting on the table in front of her.  “Show me.”  She puts his big hand on her bump.  James feels around a minute, then grins and kisses her forehead.  “That’s your baby moving.”

She works her fingers under his big hand, “Really?”

“Yup.  Right there.”  James smiles, “That’s probably a foot.  Too early to tell for certain.”

Cali’s eyes tear up, “That’s our baby” she leans into CBF’s shoulder.  His hand joins Cali’s, wonder etched on his face.

James returns to my side, draping his arm around my shoulders.  “You used to kick your Mom really hard” James tells Cali.  “Especially late at night.”  Looking to Marcella, “You had your butt out almost the whole time.”  He smiles at me, pulling me closer to him.  “I should have known that you’d be the drummer” he looks at his son.

“Why?” CGF asks.

“His hands were constantly playing a rhythm!”  Smiling at Cali, “Your child will only get more active as time goes on.  Sleep while you can.”

CBF, with his hand still on her belly, “I’ll see that she does.”

Pointing to the young man, “Good answer.”

“I remember the first time you took us skiing!” Marcella laughs.  “I think I spent more time sitting in the snow than standing on my skis!”

Cali points to her dad, “I remember the trip to Hawaii where you ended up carrying me because I lost a water shoe!”

James huffs a laugh “My favorite memory is the look on your faces when that elephant charged the jeep!”

They spend time dredging up memories of family trips, holidays, tours and school events.  I feel James flinch slightly at some of the school things the kids talked about.  Evidently he’d missed a few.

Castor looks at CBF, “When’s dinner?”

“About 40 minutes from now.”

Castor just looks at everyone with his own goofy grin smeared on his face.

“Hang on Castor.  I want Kira to see the Torchlight Parade and Fireworks” James says.  I look up at James.  “They ski down the main run with flares lit right after sunset” he looks at the clock on the shelf “in about 20 minutes.  Then there are fireworks lit.  Not as big a show as the Fourth, but still decent.”

I smile, “I like fireworks.”

MBF leans forward on his knees, “You should the ones in Vancouver BC.  It’s three nights.”

“Isn’t there a huge competition for fireworks?” CBF looks to MBF.

MBF thinks a second, “I think that’s the one in Finland.  There are a couple of others in the states, but not as big as Finland.”

Nodding, “We’ll have to see about getting to one of those” James hugs my shoulders.

“Can we see the skiers from the house?” I look up at James. 

“Yes.  But the best place is outside on the patio.  Which means, we’ll need coats and boots.”  He stands up and pulls me to my feet.  “I want to change shirts.  This one is a little damp” as he pulls it off. 

I toss him a look as he knows I love to see his body undressed.  Even bruised.

Everyone is searching for a coat and boots when Marcella yells from the living room, “There’s the warning shot!”  A small firework booms.

Wearing my big coat, I’m tugging on my mukluks when James comes up behind me bumping his hips into mine.  Putting a hand on the wall to keep from being knocked into it, I look over my shoulder at him.  He’s giving me a wicked grin.  Standing up, I turn to him caressing his face with both hands, “Later” I purr at him.

“It’s starting!” MBF calls.

James gets his boots on and follows me to the patio.  It’s quite the sight of all the skiers, each holding a flare, coming down the hill making a zig-zag pattern down the main run.  James wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his chest.  I reach back and grab his pants and pull his hips closer to me.  He growls gently into my ear. 

The fireworks start almost as soon as the last skier gets to the bottom of the run.  James was correct that it was a relatively short show but still pretty.  I sigh as it ends.

“Dinner’s probably done” CBF says.  “Who’s hungry?” he grins.  CBF leads the way into the kitchen with coats and boots left by the patio door.

“I think I forgot something, but it turned out ok” he grins as he dishes out dinner. 

Taking my bowl, I sit with the others at the kitchen table.  I take a couple of bites.  “It’s delicious.”  Looking at Cali, she has a bowl of rice with a little of the Jambalaya in a separate bowl.  “Tum?”

“Don’t know yet.  I’m going to take it easy.”

“Good thinking” James smiles at her.

Marcella makes CBF sit as she, Castor and CGF clean up – which doesn’t take long.

“Ok.  There’s about six hours to midnight.  Six more episodes?” again Castor with the goofy grin.  For the win.  He almost skips leading the way into the media room. 

After four episodes, “I could use another bowl of Jambalaya” James declares.  He almost dumps me off the sofa as he stands up, barely catching me before I hit the floor, both of us laughing.  Even MBF reached out to help me.

As we walk to the kitchen, Castor drops an arm around my shoulders, “You might regret Dad having another bowl.”

CGF pat Castor’s stomach, “Yeah, you too.”

Nodding, “It might be a tie then” Castor grins.

Grabbing his hips from behind CGF chuckles, “You can’t talk!”

Pointing, “Dad is worse!”

Both his sisters shake their heads, “You can be worse!”

CBF dishes out bowls for those wanting more.  I, like Cali, go for just a bowl of rice.  Clean up was everyone putting their own dishes into the dishwasher.  CGF tosses in the pod and starts it.

“Hey, Kira.  Are there any more cookies left?” MBF asks.

As James pulls me down the hallway to the media room, “Check the pantry!” I laugh out.

Castor starts another episode after we’re all back in our places, some happily munching cookies.

Three more episodes under our belts, James stands up and stretches.  “Who wants pots and pans?”  He’s almost knocked over by his kids running to the kitchen.  James holds his hand out to me and hand in hand we follow the six kids.  They are all in the pantry pulling out the old pots and pans that I’d almost thrown out.  Donning coats and boots again, we pile out on to the patio.  James keeps an eye on the clock in the kitchen.  The kids are all bouncing around.  His velvet rumble starts the countdown, “Ten.  Nine.  Eight.  Seven. Six.  Five.”  He turns me to face him, “Four.  Three.  Two.  One.”  To the banging of pots and pans from more than just this patio and fireworks from the skir run, James leans in and kisses me.  I wrap my arms around his neck pulling him closer.  His hand cups the back of my head keeping me in our kiss.  He slowly lets me go, his blue eyes flaring with passion, happiness, a flash of darkness, then something deeper.  He gives me a quick follow up kiss.

“I’m freezing” Marcella says as she goes back inside.

“Me too” as CGF follows.

I caress James’ head to his neck, “I’m pretty warm.”  His smile goes a little wicked.  I wiggle out of his arms, take his hand and lead him inside.

Castor is coming back up the hallway from the media room, “I’m thinking we’re done in there tonight.”

“Morning, you dork” Marcella playfully shoves her brother.

As James gently pulls me upstairs, “Happy New Years, kids.”

A chorus of “Happy New Years” follows us the stairs.

“Hey Castor!”

“What Cali?”

“Close your bedroom door tonight.  We don’t want to hear you two again.”

James hangs his head, “I didn’t need to know that” he whines softly as I close the door on our bedroom.

I start the home device playing classical music.  Going to James, I slowly start undressing him.  His hands softly cover mine.  I run my hands over his body.  He’s still got some bad bruising.  Some are still a little tender.  Standnig behind him, I gently run my hands down his back and over his hips.  His hands grab my wrists and tug them to his belly pressing my face against his back, “Not sure I am ready yet.”

Kissing his back, I flatten my hands against his stomach and chest.  “I just want to touch you.”

Holding my left wrist, he pulls my hand to his mouth kissing my ring and finger.  Then he rotates in my arms.  He kisses my ring and finger again as a tear leaves a trail down his cheek. 

Using my thumb, I wipe it away.  I pull his head to me, kissing his lips tenderly, “You’re here.”  Another kiss.  “You’re alive.”  Another kiss.  “You’re whole.”

He kisses me deeply.  I can feel another tear fall.  Looking at me, “I will be.”  He kisses my hairline.  “If you’ll help me.”

I know what it took for him to say those four words.  “I’m in this for the long haul, James Alan Hetfield.”  I kiss him softly.  “I love you with every fiber of my being.”

He kisses me.  “Kira Elizabeth Mooreland, I love you with … every cell in my body.”  He grins at me before kissing me again. 

“You can say fiber.  I don’t mind” I smile at him. 

Another kiss.  His hands run up my back pulling my clothes from the waist up off me.  His hands softly run down my arms still over my head.  I just watch him.  His eyes slowly wander over my body as though he’s memorizing every pore of me.  My fingers gently run over his face, neck, shoulders.  His lips find my neck.  They find that one spot.  My knees buckle as he kisses, sucks, and nibbles on that one magic spot.  His arms lock around me, keeping me from falling to the floor. 

I don’t realize that he’s backing us to the bed until my bare back is laying on the cool sheet.  He’s pulled the duvet to the floor.  I arch up some into his chest.  He runs his hands down my back warming it as his lips work their way over my collar bone, across my chest, to the other side of my neck, finding that magic spots’ twin.  I whimper into his shoulder.  He rolls off the bed, moves to the end and slowly pulls off my pants, grinning wickedly at me once I am totally naked.  I slowly writhe under his gaze, my hands roaming my own stomach and breasts. 

James moves to the side of the bed and lays down on my right side, making sure to trap my right arm under him, his left arm snakes under my neck.  I slowly make lazy patterns on his back with my right hand.  His right-hand cups my chin tilting my head up and kissing me.  He tenderly encircles my left wrist and slowly pulls it to my left shoulder where his left hand securely holds it.  He looks at me.  I suck in a shuddering breath.  His right fingers slowly drag across my arm, my shoulders, caress my neck, palm my breasts – giving each a tender squeeze.  His eyes still drinking my naked form in.  Then his fingers trace tender patterns down my stomach.  They slow as they reach my pubic bone where they stop.  His eyes slowly make their way back to my face.  I’m panting slightly.  I know that I’m soaking wet.  His eyes lock on mine, he places his right palm on my abdomen just above my pubic bone, his fingertips right at the crest of my folds.  I suck in a sharp breath.  His right leg wraps around my right leg pulling it between his, trapping it between his thighs, then his right toes press against my left knee keeping me from closing my legs.  I know that I’m now totally trapped by his body and completely at his mercy.  I take several stuttering breaths.  He kisses me tenderly.  Then his right hand slowly starts exploring my folds.  I arch up slightly.  “I haven’t even started and you’re soaking wet” he grins at me.  I can only pant and smile at him.  “Already beyond words?” he purrs at me.  Again, I can only nod.  He kisses me as his fingers tease my clit making me shudder.  “Good!”  His eyes never leave mine.  His fingers are torturously slowly working my cunt.  Rubbing, then spreading my vulva, then fingertips making lazy patterns around me.  He lays his whole hand over my core, his fingertips wiggling softly.  He kisses me.  Smiling like a cheshire cat, “Ready?” as he slowly presses one digit into me.  I groan loudly just before his mouth covers mine, the fingers on my right hand digging into his back.  He’s snickering into the kiss.  Then his lips are right beside my ear as he slowly adds a digit inside me, “I love to watch you” as those digits reach deep inside me.  I arch up into his hold clawing at his back.  “So wet” he purrs at me as his hand slowly starts to fuck me.  Each thrust a little deeper.  Each deep thrust includes a wiggle from his fingers.  Each thrust making me a mewling mess.  He slows his actions watching me writhe, then adds another digit.  My hips rise on their own accord.  He grins at me as he starts thrusting his hand into me.  I’m panting, clawing at his back, my breaths coming in shorter gasps.  He kisses the end of my nose, “Should I be mean?”  I’m trying to buck my hips so his fingers go deeper into me.  “Should I make you beg?” his grin so lovingly wicked.  I whine, my right hand smacking the bed.  “Not tonight” he grins as his thumb finds my clit.  His mouth covers mine as I cum all over his fingers, my hips bucking hard against his hand.  He slows the actions with his right hand as he releases the hold on my left wrist.  I am incapable of moving, my left arm flopping to the bed.  My hips give one last lift as he tenderly withdraws his fingers.  I watch panting as he slowly sucks my wet mess from his fingers grinning at me, “Better than Jambalaya.”  I laugh softly panting still.  He withdraws his arm from under me.  He slips off the bed to recover the duvet which he flips up over my still slightly quivering body.  Dropping his pants, he slides into bed, spooning me into his body.  I curl up around his arm.  His nose buries into my hair at the back of my neck.  “Happy New Year Kira” he breathes softly.

As my eyes close, “Happy New Year James.”

if only those shorts were ... well ... shorter........

Did he REALLY take his cigar for a swim??!!??

Everybody Loves a Parade - Part 2

Warnings: Parts NSFW, Smut, Full on slightly rough sex, shameless product placement, slight angst

Tuesday

Blinking in the morning light, I groan awake flat on my back.  My left arm up over my head.  James’ left arm is wrapped over my ribs.  He’s on his stomach, but his face is buried in my side.  He snorfels some as I stretch, his mustache tickling my side making me giggle.  He blows a mouth fart on my side.  I laugh out right at the vibrations in my chest.  He tightens his hold on me and blows another.  I can feel his smile as I squeal in laughter.  He blows yet another, laughing himself.  “No more!  I gotta pee!” I squeak.

James lifts his arm from my ribs, “I concede the point to peeage!”

I almost leap from the bed and run to the bathroom.  Washing up after, James pads in and gently scoops my 5 foot 2 frame into his 6 foot 1 body, kissing me.  “Morning.”

I kiss him right back, “Morning.”  I pad out naked to the kitchen and start the coffee pot.

“Aren’t you afraid people can look in your windows?” James asks.  He’s put on a pair of basketball shorts and a tank top.

Shaking my head, “Nope.  Tinted windows.  As long as the lights aren’t on inside, I can’t be seen from outside.  Besides, this window overlooks the park.”  As I pad back to my bedroom, “Who’s gonna peep on me?  A squirrel?” 

“Never know!” he says loudly.  “Those little buggers can’t be trusted!”

Digging into my closet, I pull out a pair of yoga pants and a tank top.  Stopping in the bathroom, I pull up my hair.  I get back to the kitchen just as the coffee pot beeps that it’s done.  I hand James a mug, “Here ya go.  I’ll be right back.”  Going to the front door, I collect the newspaper.  Carl will make sure that I get one in the mornings.  Stopping at the dining table, I plop the newspaper down and do a quick glance through.  The usual pre-holiday sales inserts take up most of it.  Leaving it there, I walk toward the kitchen.

“I have yours here” James says from the living room.  He’s on the sofa, sipping his coffee.  My mug is on the table.

I make the turn and go into the living room.  “Thanks” I breath, picking up the mug and taking a big slug. 

“Did I get it right this time?” he smiles.

“Yes.  It’s perfect!”  I lean over and kiss him deeply.  His hand cups the back of my head, holding me in the kiss.  When we part, we are both breathing a little harder.  “What time are you planning on going to the office?” I ask him. 

He collects my mug, sets both on the table.  “Later” he purrs at me as he carries me back to the bedroom, kissing me the whole way there.  He lays me down under his body.  Kneeling over me, his hands on either side of my ribs.  My right hand reaches up and snarls into his silvered locks.  My left hand grabs his right bicep.  My legs are trapped between his.  Our lips have yet to break from each other.  He shifts his knees up closer to my ribs, freeing his arms.  Still kissing me, he tugs my tank top up exposing my breasts.  His big hands gently cup, message, palm and squeeze them.  His fingers start to tease my nipples.  I groan against his lips, my back arching into his chest, my fingers in his hair tighten making him sigh.  He finally breaks our kiss and tugs his tank top off.  He helps me pull mine all the way off.  My hands wander over his chest and stomach.  His tattoos and downy silver chest hairs get traced and tugged by my fingers.  Moving backward on his knees, he tugs my yoga pants off as he gets off the bed and his shorts add to the pile of clothes on the floor.  His eyes drink in my body.  I’m outright panting at the sight of his naked frame at the foot of my bed.  His erection bouncing off his belly.  A wicked grin spreads across his face, “Up or down?”

I slowly run my hands up my body from my hips to my breasts, “You are the guest” I sigh out.  “You get to pick.”

Leaning over, he grabs my ankles, “You are wicked this morning!” he flips me to my stomach.  Before I can move, he’s between my legs, lifting my hips up on his thighs, his strong hands holding me tight, my back arched deeply, cheek pressed into the bedding.  I can feel his cock pressed up against my dripping cunt.  I groan loudly.  I can feel his hand move between our bodies and position his head against my entrance.  He tugs on my hips forcing just his cockhead into me.  I gasp.  “You are tight and wet” he groans.

“You are so damned thick” I whimper.

He chuckles wickedly at me.  I can feel his legs shift.  I know what he’s going to do.  I can’t help myself, my walls grip his cockhead tightly.  He groans loudly.  “Fuk, that feels good!” as his fingers dig sharply into my hips.  He patiently waits for me to relax.  It’s hard to do with him just barely in me knowing what’s next.  He runs his hands up my back from my ass to my neck and back down again, several times.  I slowly relax, which eases the hold my gummy walls have on his dickhead.  With one more run up my back with his hands, in one swift motion he grabs my upper arms, lifts his hips and completely impales me on his raging cock.  I bury my face into the mattress with the primal noises that escape my mouth.  He holds me there, cock buried balls deep into me, grunting.  Then he slowly starts rocking his hips, slowly drawing in and out of my core.  He begins to pick up the rhythm of his strokes.  Each one a little harder than the one before.  Deeper.  Impossibly deeper.  Harder.  More primal.  Neither one of us capable of forming a coherent word.  The tension in my belly begins building fast.  My breathing becomes ragged.  I struggle in his hold which makes him tug me harder.  I can feel his cock twitching inside me.  His strokes becoming sloppy.  Suddenly, he drops my arms, his body pressing me down into the mattress, his arms on either side of me, his lips next to my ear, “Mine” he growls as he reaches his pinnacle.  My hips lift in to his as my orgasm slams into me.  I scream into the mattress again.  My gummy walls squeeze every last drop out of him as he makes a couple more thrusts into me.  Then he collapses onto my body.  Neither one of us can move.  Both of us panting.  His cock gently slides out of me.  After a moment, he turns my head pulling my face out of the mattress.  He kisses my temple.  I huff out a laugh.  He slowly rolls off my body, but pulls me to him, stroking my hair.  I flop an arm over his ribs.  “Now” he pants out, “that is a great way to start the day!”

“Yes”  I kiss his ribs.  “Yes it is.”

We both doze.

His chest hairs tickling my nose wake me.  I roll slightly off his body.  He’s sound asleep.  His dark blonde eyelashes lay against his cheeks.  They have just begun to show the silver that covers the rest of his body.  I lay there watching him.  Enjoying the shared warmth of our bodies intertwined.  His penis flaccid and pressed against my thigh.  Just a short time ago it had almost split me in two.  I could still feel the inner stretch it had caused in me.  I heave out a sigh.  His eyes flutter open.  Those glacier blue pools take me in and his face lights up in a smile.  One hand he runs over my back, the other gently rubs my hip.  “How you doing?” he mumbles.

I smile at him.  “I’m excellent.”

His head lolls back on to the pillow.  “I bet our coffees are cold.”

I bust out laughing.   He looks at me and joins the laughter.  Patting my hip, “Let’s get cleaned up.”

I shift out of his arms.  He climbs out of the bed and holds a hand out to help me.  Arms wrapped around each other, we head into the bathroom.  A quick body shower revives me.  James does the whole shebang.  But then, he does have plans for the day.  I wrap a towel around me, giving his back a kiss, I let him have the bathroom.  Picking up my discarded yoga pants and top, I quickly get dressed.  Then I tidy the bed.  Damn, but we made a mess of it!  I pick up his shorts and tank, fold them and put them on the foot of the bed.  I pull on a sweater as my shoulders are getting chilled.  James’ arms snake around my body, he buries his face into my neck.  His freshly shaven cheeks are smooth.  His cologne subtle but arousing.  His mustache tickles my neck.  I twist in his arms, wrapping mine around his neck.  He leans down and kisses me.  Then he looks at me and heaves a sigh.

“What’s wrong?”

“Just happy” he says quietly.

I run my hands down the back of his head to his neck to his shoulders “That makes me happy.”  I stand on tip toe to kiss him. 

Sighing again, he hugs me.  Then gently eases his grip.  He goes to his suitcase, “Do you know what today’s weather is supposed to be?”

“Depends on where you’re going.”

“uhm, Midtown I think is where the office is.”

“It’ll be windy there.”  Sitting down on the bed, “Mid 30’s for the high today.”

James pulls out a pair of black jeans, a black t-shirt and a black sweater.  His underwear has the only bright spot with its red stripe and lettering in the waistband.  I kiss his bare back and let him get dressed.  If I’d stayed, the bed would not only need to be remade, again, but the sheets would definitely have to be washed today.  Actually, I should probably wash the ones we just used.  But that can wait.  Moving into the living room, I collect our coffee mugs.  Going into the kitchen, I dump the contents out.  I remake my mug.  I still have three articles to crank out today.  Going to the dining table, I re-start looking at the newspaper again.  I pull out a couple of holiday shopping ads that pique my curiosity. 

“Anything interesting?”

“Just a couple of ads so far.”  I push them closer to James.  “Otherwise, nope.”

Placing both his hands on the sides of my face, James kisses me.  “Do you think I’ll need the big coat?”

Nodding, “I’d suggest you take it.  It’s better to have it and not need it than to not have it and want it.”

Kissing my forehead, “Sage advise.”  He pats his pockets.  “Phone.”

“Charging on my office desk.”

“Oh yeah.”  He goes into my office and returns checking it.  “Management says that they’ll send a car service to pick me up.”

“Do you want to be incognito or get the hoopla?”  James looks at me.  “Towncar service will always draw attention in this town.”

“Incognito.”

“Let me ring Carl.  He’ll get you in touch with Rudy.”  I go into my office, setting my coffee down by my computer – which I power on - and call downstairs.  A few minutes later, “James, give me your phone please.”  He hands it to me.  I enter a couple of numbers into it.  Handing it back to James, “You now have Carl’s number.  You also have listed under ‘Taxi’ Rudy’s number.  Rudy has been the go to cabbie for years.  And I added my address to my contact info.”  I take a sip of coffee and pick up my phone sending a quick text.  His phone buzzes.  “That’s the grocery store from last night.”

James puts his phone in his pants pocket, “You are amazing.”  He leans over and plants a solid kiss on me.  Standing up, he looks at his watch.  “I better get going.”

“Carl will ring you when Rudy gets here” I smile at him.  James again plants a kiss on me, his hand cupping the back of my head.  His phone buzzes.  “Car’s here” I say against his lips.

He chuckles but stands up.  As we walk to the front door, James collects his big coat.  A thought suddenly hits me.  “Wait wait wait” I say scampering to the kitchen.  I pull from the front of a drawer a key ring.  It only has one key on it.  I hand it to James.

“What’s this?”

I smirk at him, “The key to my front door.”

He looks at me.  “Really?”

I nod.  “Please don’t lose that key ring.  Grandmother gave it to me.”

Clutching the item in his hand to his heart, “I promise.”  His phone buzzes again.

I kiss him, “Better get going.”  We walk to the front door.  “Have a great day!”

He kisses me, “You too!”

Then he’s out the door and it clicks closed behind him.  I stand there a moment.  I haven’t been alone since our fight three months ago.  But this is different.  I feel secure.  Grabbing the morning paper, I return to my office and log into work.

I am two paragraphs from finishing the last article when I hear, “Honey!  I’m home!”

“I’m in the office” I call out giggling.  James wanders in and smiles at me.  “What?”

“You didn’t eat lunch, did you?”

“Uhm no.”  I giggle slightly.  “Two more paragraphs and I’m done for the week!”

James kisses the top of my head, “Hurry up!”

Five minutes later, I complete the article.  Saving it and my notes file, I send the links to both author and my boss.  I exit out of my work server and power down my machine.  Collecting my long cold coffee mug, I leave my office.  I find James again standing at the living room window.  I wrap my arms around his waist from behind.

“Come here” he says pulling me around in front of him.  He cups my face and kisses me deeply.

I sniff, “You found a cigar bar.”

A smirk lifts his lips, “I did.”

“How’d things go with the managers?”

His hands begin working on my back, “Good.  They insisted on taking me to Tavern on the Green for lunch.  Then to a cigar bar.”  He kissed my hair.  “They wanted to take me out to dinner, but I begged off.”  He again kisses me deeply.  “I wanted to be with you.”  His hands run down my arms and I wince.  With concerned filled eyes, James tugs my sweater open.  My upper arms are very black and blue where he’d grabbed them earlier this morning.  His face pales.

I reach up to his face cupping it with both hands, “Don’t.”  My fingers gently stroke his face.  He’d been served papers, shortly after our argument, being charged with rape.  The claimant saying that her evidence were old photos showing that he’d bruised her.  The case was thrown out when it was brought to light that she’d tried to accuse several other stars of the same thing using the same photos.  But it had unnerved James.  Because he’s a big man and – I’m not complaining – likes things a little on the rough side in bed.  “Don’t you go down that path.  We both know what put these on my arms.”  I pull his forehead to mine.  “I completely enjoyed this morning.”  I kiss his lips, chin, neck.  He shudders a sigh.  “Look at me.”  His blue eyes find my brown ones.  “I’m ok.”  I kiss him again.  “Nothing a little arnica oil can’t fix.”

His hands press against my back, “But not before tomorrow night.”

I smile up at him, “That gown is long sleeved.”  I can see him digging into his memories and then smiles at me.  I wiggle my eyebrows at him.

He kisses my forehead again sighing.  “I brought back dinner.”  His eyes light up, “And I got a really good looking set of ribs for Sunday!”  He grabs my hand and pulls me to the kitchen.  Again, kid with the key to the candy shop.  He pulls out the ribs and unwraps them.  They really do look great.  He’d also gotten corn bread mix and some beans.  He rewraps the ribs and stows them in the fridge.  Then he pulls up a large bag from Tavern on The Green.  He’d ordered us each a Rack of Lamb.  They smell wonderful.

“James … wow.”

“You’ve never been there?”

I just shake my head.  He moves me to the dining table and begins setting out our dinner, talking the whole time about the experience.  I just smile at him.  After putting out everything, he finally takes a chair.  He smiles at me, “Dinner’s served madam” using his really lousy French accent.

It was amazing.  Then he pulls out the four desserts he’d ordered.  “I couldn’t decide on just one.”  We share the Bing Cherry Crème Brule, the Key Lime Tart, the Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie and the classic New York Cheesecake slice.  Neither of us could finish them.  I lean back in my chair, patting a very full belly, “I think I over did.”

He pats his, “Me too.”  And belches loudly.

Together we clean up, then sink into the sofa.  I curl up into him.  He wraps an arm around me, the other he strokes my hair.  We just sit there, enjoying being together.  No need to talk.  I lay a hand on his chest, gently messaging him.  He lifts my chin.  His glorious blue eyes sparkling.  I smile.  He kisses me.  Tenderly.  Softly.  Then he tucks me close to him.  I sigh into his chest.  The next thing I know, he’s pulling the sheets up over us both in bed.  I kiss his bare chest and let sleep reclaim me.

Hey Santa! I've been a very good girl! Please see above for my wish list!!

Oh honey!! Let me help you with that zipper!!!

Need this! But hold on to your wallets ....

LOAD FANS ALERT 🗣🗣🗣