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Warnings: Fluff, Gifting First Responders, Shameless Product Placement
Guide: CBF = Cali’s Boyfriend / CGF = Castor’s Girlfriend / MBF = Marcella’s Boyfriend {I didn’t want to give them names}
I blink awake. Stretching and yawning, I roll to my side. James is still sound asleep. I slip from bed, grab yoga pants, a baggy sweatshirt and go use the toilet while getting dressed. I wince as I flush the toilet. I don’t want to wake James. Checking on him, he shifts, snorfels softly, then sighs and sags back to sleep. I quickly leave our room.
Getting into the kitchen, there stands Cali staring into the open fridge. “You ok?”
“Now I’m starving.” She lets the door shut. “I couldn’t eat anything a few days ago. Now I can’t get enough.”
Moving her to a barstool, “What are you craving?”
“Everything.”
Smiling gently at her, “I mean, are you craving sweets? Proteins? Carbs?”
She stops and thinks moment. “Proteins.”
Nodding, “Ok. Breakfast burrito it is.” I pull out what I need from the fridge. As I start the onions grilling in the skillet, “Would you please start the coffee maker?”
“Sure. Why?”
“I give it five minutes and your Dad will be down here” I grin at Cali. It only takes a short time for the onions to grill. I move them off the burner and start a second skillet heating. This one I dump the beaten eggs into, scrambling them with a wooden spatula. Looking at the clock, “Three. Two. One.”
“I smell onions” comes James’ voice yawning.
“Morning Dad” Cali smiles.
James gives her a hug, “You look better. You have some color in your cheeks.”
“I can eat without barfing every ten minutes.”
“That’s good news” James smiles. “Means that you’ll be starving from this point on.” He moves to the coffee pot and makes our mugs.
“Was Mom that way?”
“Morning sick?” James asks. Cali nods. “A little with each of you. But not too bad.” James sets our mugs on the kitchen table.
I can see the concern in Calis’ eyes, “Cali, everyone is different. I worked with a pair of twins. Sasha couldn’t keep anything down for about two months. Nadine never got morning sick at all.” Cali’s eyebrows knit together. “Even twins have certain wiring that’s different. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just how we are.”
I pull the pan of eggs off the heat and shred some of the roast beef. I pull out and zap for a few seconds three large tortillas. Putting them each on their own plate, I quickly get one burrito made, handing it to James. His eyes light up. “What do you want on yours?” Cali’s burrito ends up being very close to her Dad’s. Just no hot sauce. I put mine together. The three of us sit at the kitchen table happily eating our breakfast when the others stumble in.
“Oh wow! Breakfast burritos!” Castor grins.
“Well, the cook has sat” James puts a hand on my shoulder keeping me in my seat. “The kitchen is now self-serve.”
Nodding, “Fair enough” Castor grins.
Quickly, all eight of us are seated around the table with our burritos in various stages of consumption.
CBF speaks up, “James, what New Year traditions do you have?”
James leans back in his chair, “I usually take gift cards to the first responders. Why?”
“What about meal?”
“Whatever is leftover in the fridge.” James gives CBF a look, “Why?”
“I’d like to make Jambalaya.”
James looks at me. I motion, “There’s the kitchen.”
Cali grins. “We will need to make a trip to the store.”
“We can use the van” CGF offers.
James looks out the window. It’s snowing lightly. “Naw. We’ll take the truck. Let’s make a trip to the store.”
Castor looks out the window, “Truck it is!”
The kids clean up the breakfast dishes. Within the hour, we are all dressed and piled into the truck. I decide to let James drive. It wouldn’t be cool for the megarockgodsuperstar to climb out of the passenger side of his own truck. Even if he still looks like he got slapped in the face with his own seven hundred pound snowmobile. The first stop is a SB. James pulls on a pair of sunglasses. The bruising can still be seen, but the worst of it is hidden. We all pile out.
Walking in the store, the manager turns. “Hey James!”
“Hi Chris.”
“Brought the whole fam damily this time, huh?”
James smiles, “We’re making a day of it.”
“The usual?” as Chris goes to a register and signs in.
“Yes, please.”
“Ok, that’s one tall Pike Place roast and 50 cards at ten dollars each.”
“Do you already have those loaded?” Chris nods. “Would you be mad if I have a few more loaded?”
“Not at all.”
James turns to us, “Each of you pick out five cards.”
The kids go to the card racks. There are giggles and chatter among them as they make their selections.
James leans into me, “You too” and he kisses my temple. I find a cute card at the bottom of the rack and pull out five.
The cards all get placed on the counter. “This will take a minute, James.”
“No worries.” Looking to us, “You all good on coffee?”
“A grande blond vanilla latte, add two pumps caramel, please” I ask. I get a look from James. “What?”
“You always manage to surprise me with something” as he pulls me into a loose hug, his hands clasped behind my back. I rest my hands on his chest.
The kids each place a drink order and Chris rings up the total. James releases me gently, pulling out his wallet. “The math isn’t adding up, Chris.”
“The coffees are on the house today” Chris grins.
“Thanks, that’s very kind.”
“Hey, I know where these cards are going. I wish I could just give these to you, but then they wouldn’t work” as he hands the new cards to James. “Do you want the envelopes?”
“Yes, please” as James ponies up his credit card. He hands me the new gift cards.
Chris finishes with the register – handing James a rather long receipt which just gets passed to me – and he disappears into the back. He comes back holding a small box. “Here they are.”
“Thanks again Chris” James shakes hands.
“My pleasure!”
We collect our coffees and James sits at a table – which takes me off guard. From an inside pocket of his coat, James pulls out a sharpie. The next 45 minutes are spent with James putting his JH mark – he stopped signing his full name years ago – on each card with the year. The rest of us blow on the cards to dry the ink and put the card into an envelope. There’s chatter among us about how we’ve celebrated New Years’ Eve in years past.
“Kira, have you ever seen the ball drop?” CGF wants to know.
“On TV.”
Castor looks at me, “You’ve never been there in person?”
I look at Castor, “I’m 5 foot 2. I would be crushed.” He grins. “There’s easily a million people crammed into the Square.”
Castor’s eyes squint. “Think Moscow. I know you’ve seen the footage” James says.
There’s a quiet “woah” from the kids.
“And since 9/11, they have tightened up security to the point where there are no in/out’s allowed.”
Marcella’s eyebrows knit together, “In/outs?”
“You can’t leave to go get food or use the bathroom and come back.”
“Nope. Not going now” CGF says.
Hiking a thumb at James, “Get your Dad to play it. That’s the only way I’ll go in person” I grin at him.
“Nope. Not playing there or Superbowl.”
Castor leans across the table his hands outstretched towards James, “C’mon Dad! You guys would kill a Superbowl halftime!” James just shakes his head, taking a drink from his coffee. “But you did the Raiders” Castor whines slightly.
“We played the parking lot. Before a Playoff game. On a flatbed trailer” James looks at his son. “We didn’t play the game” he grins. “And I know why you want us to play Superbowl. You don’t want to buy those tickets!” James gives Castor a wink and grin.
Castor puts his head on the table between his outstretched arms, “They are soooo expensive!” this time he did whine.
Patting his sons’ hands, “Perhaps one day, you will play half time and I will be the one asking you for tickets” James deadpans. Castor raises his head and bursts out laughing, which causes the rest of us to laugh.
The gift cards are all collected and put into the box. Which James hands to me. Castor collects the sharpie. We climb into the truck. The cards are taken to the firehouses, the Hospital Emergency Room and Police station, where James shakes the hands of everyone on duty that shift, leaving cards for those not on duty today. He begs off on selfies – this year. “Let me recover from being smacked upside the head” he nods in my direction grinning. I just shrug my shoulders and chuckle.
One paramedic took it seriously. “I can’t swing much less pick up a snowmobile” I snark.
“Yeah, I took a tumble with my machine” he pulls his glasses down a little.
“Ouch!” is the general response.
“You should have seen him a week ago” MBF adds.
As we pile back into the truck, “James, there’s twelve cards left.”
“I know. Those are going to the airport” he just gently grabs my thigh.
We pull up to the chopper hanger and all tumble out. “Hey Jacobs!” James calls out, pulling off the sunglasses.
“Well look what the cat dragged in! You’re looking good James!”
“And I have you to thank for that.” James gives the chopper pilot a hug.
“Hey, just doing what I do” Jacobs says matter of factly.
“Well, these are for you and your team. It’s not much. But they are signed.” James hands over the cards. “And you and your team will be on the list for any show you want.”
Jacobs shakes James’ hand, “That is above and beyond, but greatly appreciated!”
“Once this snow melts, I’ll need to hire you to get my machine out of that field.”
“And straight to the junk yard” Jacobs chuckles.
James’ eyebrows knit together, “You’re the second one to say that. Is it really that bad?”
“James” Jacobs puts a hand on James’ shoulder, “I have seen what you have done with cars.” Shaking his head, “But this is beyond even your skills in the garage.” James just heaves a sigh. “The cowling is completely smashed up, the frame is probably bent – if not cracked, the handlebars are through the engine cover, probably skewered the engine and the track is in about three pieces.” He looks James in the eye, “You shouldn’t have survived.” I can see that James is shaken by this information and I gently rest a hand on his lower back.
“I shouldn’t have survived the fire. I shouldn’t have survived the skidoo. Now this.”
“Hey Dad, I know you are a Leo. But will you leave the last few lives alone?” Cali smiles at James, rubbing her belly.
Grinning, James pats the growing bump, “I’ll try” he smiles at his oldest child. Jacobs gives James a look. Smiling like a fool, “Cali is making me a Grandpa!”
“Well Congratulations! Old man!” Jacobs slaps James’ shoulder. The phone in the office rings and is answered. “I should probably see what that’s about.” He shakes James’ hand again, “We’ll get your machine when the snows melt. I’ve already told BML about it, so they know it’s there. Happy New Year you lucky bastard!”
“Happy New Year to you, you freaking sky jockey!”
Pointing at James as he heads into the office, “You can do better!”
Waving, “I will next time!” James smiles.
Again, we stuff ourselves into the truck. As we go to enter the freeway, something makes me grab James’ arm. Hard. He stops and looks at me. I shiver. He gives me a concerned look just as a motorcycle comes screaming between us and the truck in the next lane over, using the gore point to pass. The biker almost lost it in the slush there but managed to stay upright and punched it even harder.
“That guy had to be doing 80” Castor says quietly from the back seat.
“Closer to 100” James states. He pats my hand, then checking traffic again, pulls us on to the freeway. We are silent for a time. “So, we need the grocery store, yes?” James asks the backset.
“The one with the really good andouille sausages, please Dad” Cali says from her boyfriend’s lap.
I can see James thinking, “Ok. I remember where that one is.”
It takes a few minutes to get there. With the size of his truck, James parks it towards the back of the lot. I swear we look like a clown car as we tumble out. CGF does almost sits down in the slush, but Castor and MBF make the grab for the save. It’s a smaller store with a good specialty meat counter. CBF’s eyes light up. I grab a cart and wander the store with the others. CBF catches up to us with his parcel from the meat department. He dashes around collecting the other things that he needs, smiling.
Pulling his daughter to his side, “Does he always shop like this?”
Cali grins, “He’s a lot like you. He likes to cook” she side hugs her Dad.
“Why Jambalaya?”
“He’s from New Orleans.”
Nodding, “So we’ll get the good Jambalaya then” James wiggles his eyebrows.
As CBF drops a bag of rice into the cart, he kisses his fingers like a French chef, “The best!”
The store has a selection of cookware, CBF stops. “What is the biggest pan you have?”
James pats CBF on the shoulder “Pick out whatever you need. That way it will be here when you come back.” CBF eyes open wide. Cali motions for him to pick out what he needs, rubbing her belly.
I backtrack to a previous aisle, find what I’m looking for and catch up to the little hoard around the cart.
At check out, I beat James to pulling out a credit card. Giving him a goofy grin, he wraps his arms around me, putting his lips next to my ear, “Gonna be like that, huh?” kissing my ear. I just nod leaning into his embrace.
As things are bagged up, I collect the lotion I’d selected. I hand it to Cali, “You are going to rub your belly raw. Use this.” She just laughs but takes the bottle.
The purchases are piled into the bed of the truck and the kids strategically pile into the back seat. James steps in after making sure that I have clambered into the passenger seat. “Anyone need anything else?” James asks.
“Nope.” “All good.” “Can’t think of anything.” Comes from the back seat.
James looks at me. I smile at him. I can tell that he’s tired. He smiles at me and – checking the surroundings – backs the truck out of the spot. Once we get home, he stops outside the garage to let the back seat out, before putting the truck into the garage.
Marcella pats her Dad’s back, “We got this Dad.” She gives me a smile. I can tell that she too sees that he’s tired.
I hold my hand out to him. James tosses the key fob to her, takes my hand letting me guide him to our room. I pull his clothes from his body creating a small pile of our clothes at the foot of the bed. James makes a trip to the bathroom. Pulling the covers back, I pull off my clothes and climb in. When James returns, I hold my arms out to him. He slides into the sheets, wrapping me in his arms, resting his head on my shoulder, his leg draping up over my hips. I flip the covers over us. I caress his hair gently with my fingers. I feel his body sag into slumber. I lay awake for a time just watching him sleep. His eyelashes and eyebrows still showing hints of the blonde he used to be. His cheeks bearing the slight scarring from the acne he’d had as a kid. He shifts some in his sleep, rubbing his nose and mustache into my boob. I kiss his hairline. Resting my hand on his tattoo laced arm, my cheek on the top of his head. I don’t remember my eyes closing.
I wake as James stretches. He looks up at me. The bruising on his face going into the yellow-green stage. I kiss him between the eyebrows. “Sleep good?” I almost whisper.
“Yeah. Didn’t realize how tired I was.”
My hand rubs his arm, “Well, gee. It’s not like you haven’t been through a lot in the last ten days or so” rolling my eyes overdramatically at him.
He grabs my ribs and plants a solid mouth fart between my boobs. I squeal in laughter. He blows another making me laugh even harder. He rests his chin between my boobs. “I love to hear you laugh.”
Caressing his head, “I love to see you smile.”
He’s closing in on kissing me when “Dad! Kira!” His head sinks to my chest. “Dinner!”
“Did we just get called to dinner by the kids … like we’re the kids?” I ask the top of his head. His head pops up, his blue eyes twinkling. He bursts into laughter as he hugs me tightly which makes me laugh.
“C’mon you two! It’s getting cold!”
“Give us a second! Geez!” James yells back. I can hear the laughter from downstairs. He looks at me, “That was their standard answer back in the day!”
Kicking out of the covers, we climb out of bed. James helps me tidy the covers. Grabbing a pair of leggings and a tank top I head into the toilet. I hear James laughing softly. After washing, he smacks my ass as he heads to the toilet. I go back to the closet and pull on a baggy knit sweater. Wearing a pair of sweatpants and a Motorhead t-shirt, James wraps his arms around me – almost carrying me – down the stairs to the kitchen.
“Took you long enough!” Cali says, hands on her hips. She’s trying to keep a straight face, but loses that battle when James starts laughing again.
Pulling away gently from James, “Standard answer?” He can only nod at me.
We are presented with open face roast beef sandwiches and the last of all the vegetables from Christmas dinner. The surprise is the grilled onions on the sandwiches. James nods, “Nice touch!”
I insist on helping with the cleanup as the kids had done the cooking. Once the dishwasher is started, Castor says, “Stranger Things time!”
“We really going to binge the whole show?” James looks at his boy.
“Yes, Dad” Castor nods, “This should become the new tradition! Besides, there’s a new season being worked on!”
In short order, we’re again piled onto the huge sofa structure in the media room, covered in blankets as another episode is started. James pulls me a little tighter into his side, kissing my temple. I rest my head on his chest.
Two episodes later, “I gotta pee” I announce.
“Good idea” MBF says.
The bathrooms are all soon put to use.
As I come back through the kitchen, I grab the tub with the cookies. James is pulling out some Squeezed to Death cans from the fridge. “Need to restock these” he grins. Castor starts the next episode once everyone is again tucked into their blankets.
Three episodes and one bin of cookies later, we call it a night.
As we climb back into bed, James pulls my naked body to his. I curl around his arm sighing. His breath warm on the back of my neck.
“I have a question for you.”
“mmhmm”
“What happened today with the motorcycle.” I nod slightly. “Does that happen often?”
I pause a moment, then rotate towards his face. “Grandmother told me that I could answer questions before they were asked.” I look into his eyes, seeing nothing but compassion there. “What happened today. It’s never happened to me before.” Goosebumps rise on my arms.
Rubbing my arms and kissing me, “I’m glad it did. At that speed, he’d’ve come right through the back window.” That makes me shiver. James pulls me closer and just holds me, my head tucked under his chin. My eyes close. I feel myself sag into his arms as sleep grabs me.
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.
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.
Warnings: Some angst, Hospital stay, Shameless product placement
Guide: CBF = Cali’s Boyfriend / CGF = Castor’s Girlfriend / MBF = Marcella’s Boyfriend {I didn’t want to give them names}
A hand on my shoulder is gently shaking me, “Kira.” It’s a hand much smaller than James’. “Kira.”
I roll over scrubbing my eyes, “mmmyeah.” I look up and there stands Cali.
“It’s six fifteen. Thought you’d like some breakfast before going to see Dad.”
Yesterday slams into my brain. “Thanks. I’ll be out in a minute.” She nods, smiling softly, and closes the door on her way out. I swim to the side of the massive bed. Scrubbing my eyes again, I get up and go to the bathroom. After flushing, I wash my hands and splash water on my face. I change clothes quickly back into what I’d worn yesterday. Returning to the bedroom, I pull out my brush, do a quick raking on my hair and bun it up again as I open the door.
Timothy is there with a couple large bags from McDonald’s. I just huff a smile. Cali comes up to me, “We may have ordered too much.” There’s concern in her eyes.
“We’ll leave a note for the cleaning staff. They’ll appreciate it” I console her. Finding an Egg McMuffin, I pull out a chair and sit.
“What do you want to drink?” Cali asks.
“Oh wait!” Timothy speaks up. “Jordan told me. Here.” He hands me a SB cup.
I chug part of it. “Bless you both!” I hear a phone ringing in my room. I quickly find that it’s mine. “Hi Lars.” I walk back out to the table.
“Hey. How you holding up?”
Sighing, “I’ve been better. Sorry for the crappy Birthday present yesterday.”
“Hey, that wasn’t on you!” Lars laughs. “I just talked to him. He sounds tired but good.”
“Who can sleep good in a hospital?” I hear the Dane laugh. “We’re just getting ready to go see him.” Cali is bouncing, “Hey Lars, Cali wants to talk to you.”
“Put her on.”
“Hi Onkel Lars!” as she hits speaker. “Is Auntie Jess there too?”
“Yeah, so are the boys.” A chorus of Hi’s from the background.
“Uhm. You’re going to be Store Onkel Lars.”
“Say what?” Lars’ voice says.
“Onkel Lars, I’m pregnant.”
“You’re making James … a Grandfather?!” there is happy cheering in the background.
The room on this side of the pond erupts in laughter. “Yes.”
“Well, it’s about time one of you did!” he laughs. “I’m … we’re very happy for you!!”
Cali hands the phone back to me. I take it off speaker. “Hey Lars.”
“Hey. Tell that lunkhead to stop showboating.”
“The kids say that he wasn’t showboating.”
“Please tell me he was wearing a helmet.”
“Yes.”
“Thank god.” I hear him chew on his toothpick. “Ok, Jess is excited, she wants to go baby shopping for Cali.”
“Hey, I really hope that you did have a good day yesterday.”
I can almost see him nodding, “I did. Until that lunkhead of yours took a spill! But I’m grateful he’s going to be ok.”
“Oh! So now he’s my lunkhead!”
“This time yes!” Lars laughs.
“I don’t know if the others know.”
“I’ll call them. Kira, it’s all good.”
“Thanks Lars. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Please do. Farvel!” He ends the call.
I chug more of my coffee and finish the sandwich.
Castor stands up and starts clearing away the garbage. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
Cali finds a pen and paper and leaves a note for the cleaning staff.
I look up the number for the car service. “The van will be downstairs in ten.” That put a hustle in everyone. Shirts are changed, coats grabbed, last bites of breakfast taken, shoes found and put on feet. Grabbing both phones, my wallet and my jacket along with a key card, we all pile into the elevator. Shortly after we get to the lobby the van arrives. Same driver as the night before. Piling in, I watch the Christmas decorations go by on the drive to the hospital. The same ones that I’d been happy to see just a few days ago with James at my side. Getting to the hospital, I lead the way to the nurses’ station. After getting his room number, we make our way to the floor. The elevator doors open and there stands the doctor.
“Wow, you are punctual” he smiles. “He’s actually awake. But please, don’t over tax him.” Motioning with his hand, “This way.” As we get to the door, he puts a hand on my arm as the kids all enter the room, “This might be a little much for him.”
“I’ll kick them out soon, but I’m not going to deny him his kids.”
The doctor nods as he walks away.
I enter the room. There’s one IV bag hung and a heart monitor beeping. The kids have all taken up space around the bed. I can’t see him. I can hear him. Lars was right. James sounds exhausted. I wait patiently. They are chattering about the hotel suite. The helicopter ride. That the other machines got back home ok.
“Is Kira here?” comes James’ voice. Castor looks over his shoulder at me. He steps aside. James is pale but alive. He looks like he’s been in the boxing ring with George Foreman. The whole left side of his face is bruised. That eye a little swollen. He’s holding a cold pack in his right hand which looks a little puffy. But those eyes. Those big glacier blue eyes. They are perfect.
“I’m here.” He smiles and reaches out for my hand. I take his left hand with my right.
Cali speaks up, “Hey, let’s go do some after Christmas sales shopping.”
“Then maybe hit up a movie” Marcella pitches in.
They all bid us goodbye and tumble out the door. Then it’s quiet and just us.
“Hey” he says, his eyelids dropping.
“Hey.”
He tugs me, “Come here.”
I climb into bed beside him, making sure that all the tubes and wires are not being pinched, and stretch out beside him, my head cradled on his left shoulder. His hand rests on my hip.
He looks at me, “I’m sorry.”
I press my fingers to his lips, “You didn’t do anything wrong. The kids have assured everyone that you were not showboating.” He barely shakes his head. “I’m just grateful that you were wearing your helmet.”
“That bad?”
I lift my head up, “James. It’s split in two.”
He sniffs out a smile, “Explains why my head hurts.”
I caress his chin, “Sleep.”
He snugs me in closer to him, “Ok.”
My eyes close shortly after his.
I hear the nurses coming in and checking monitors. I hear other machines beeping down the hallway. I hear his heartbeat in my ear. I feel his hand resting on my hip. I say a prayer and thank those in the great upstairs for watching over him. I feel the tear leak from my closed eye warm my cheek before warming the hospital gown covering James. I have no idea what time it is when my eyes finally crack open. James’ hand is playing with my fingers resting on his chest. I rock my head back. His eyes slit open. “Hey.” I smile up at him.
“This bed sucks.”
I pat his chest, “Most hospital beds do.” I wiggle a little. He winces. “I’m not hurting you, am I?”
“Right now, everything hurts.” He tightens his arm around my back. “But, I do gotta piss.”
Snorfelling at him, I detangle myself from him, the wires, tubing and slide from the bed.
A nurse walks in, “Ah. You’re awake.”
“And I gotta piss.”
“Here, let me pop these off. That will make it easier.” She pops off all the heart monitor leads.
He swings his legs off the bed, the sheet still wrapped around his legs and slowly stands. Then sits quickly grabbing his left knee with a wince. I lift his gown. His left leg from mid shin to almost waist is black and blue.
“I think I know where the snowmobile landed on me” he grimaces.
The nurse hands over a plastic urinal bottle, “Use this right now. I need to get your doctor in here.”
I help James get lined up in the bottle. His head leans onto my shoulder. I hear his pee hitting the plastic container. He heaves a sigh.
“Better?”
“mmmmhmmm.” He’s still leaning into me. I lift his gown and remove the urinal. Closing its lid, I set it on the floor. Then I help him shift back into the bed. I move the urinal into the bathroom by the toilet and wash my hands.
The doctor comes in the room as I exit the bathroom. The doctor flips back the covers and hoists the hospital gown. James’ left leg, hip and part of his torso look like a Jackson Pollock painting done in blues, purples and flesh tones. The doctor runs his hands over the area watching James’ face. “I know that you were seriously burned, but don’t let that pain tolerance hide if these hurt” the doctors’ words are kind.
“It hurts” is all James says.
“I don’t really want to give you a narcotic pain med.” He pulls the covers back over James’ body. The nurse reattaches the leads.
“Please don’t.”
“Okay. I’m going to give you a high dose of naproxen. But to do that, you’ll need to stay another night.”
James just nods.
“I would highly recommend that you” he looks at me, “sleep on his other side.”
“Alright.”
He writes up the order and hands it to the nurse. As he walks out, “You both should have a sleep study done.”
We both just look at each other. He looks at me. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For being a pain.”
“Turn around is fair game.” He looks at me. “Halloween?” I grin.
“Yeah, but you didn’t end up in the hospital.”
“True. But I didn’t have a five hundred pound snowmobile land on me.”
“Seven hundred, but I concede the point.” I look at him.
“What? Dad concedes a point?” Castor says coming in the door grinning. The other kids follow in.
They start talking about the bargains they’d found. The movie that they went to see.
“Hey Dad” Marcella pipes up. “We brought you two a late lunch.”
“Oh yeah” CGF pulls out a bag from her backpack. The smell fills the room. MBF closes the door.
“I know that Dad wants the meatball sub,” Cali says. “I hope you’ll like the turkey one.”
“Thank you.” I take the offered sandwich. “This is huge!”
“Castor will finish whatever you don’t” says CGF. “And something to wash them down.” She pulls out a pair of Severed Lime cans.
James almost inhales his sub. “Gee Dad, you weren’t hungry at all!” Castor teases him.
“Nope.” James lets out a huge burp. “Not at all.” I smile at him as he looks at me.
The nurse comes in with a new IV bag loaded with the pain meds. “Oh good, you’ve eaten. This med might have upset your stomach without food.” She quickly changes out the bags. “Uhm, where is the…?” she looks at me. I point to the bathroom. “Thanks. I’ll collect it later.” She walks to the door, “Those really smell good!” as she leaves.
“You kids aren’t eating” James says.
“We ate there” MBF says. “We thought that you two might be hungry and hospital food is horrid.”
“Yes, it is. Almost as bad as the beds.” James tries to shift some and winces.
“You need to move up the bed?” I ask. He just nods. “Castor, MBF will you two please help? Grab under the arms. Now.” They pull James a good six inches up on the mattress while I hold the bottom sheet from sliding with him. His eyes close for a minute. I rest my hand on his chest. He rests his hand over mine and opens his eyes. I can tell he’s ready to drift back to sleep.
CGF speaks up, “I think we need to let him rest.” She wraps an arm around Castor’s waist, “C’mon.”
Cali whispers to me, “You staying?” I just nod. Cali smiles at me, then leans over and kisses her Dad on the cheek. “See ya later – Grandpa!”
He smiles and his eyes brighten some, “See you later little Mama.”
As the kids file out, I hand Castor the rest of my sub. He smiles at me, his eyes lighting up. Damn. He has his Daddy’s eyes.
Once the door is closed, James pats the bed on his right side. I climb in, again making sure that I’m not on any wires or tubes. His hand curls around my head, playing with my bun. I reach up and pull off the hair tie. His fingers snarl into my hair, caressing my scalp. Those fingers in my hair slow. Then stop. I grab the TV controller and start a long movie. The nurse comes in a couple of times to check the IV flow. She also collects the full – and leaves an empty – plastic urinal bottle. She smiles at me each time. The movie ends and I start another. James shifts some in his sleep, groaning softly. The next time the nurse comes in, I ask her quietly about using arnica oil on James. She lifts her eyebrows and just as quietly says that she’ll ask his doctor. About an hour later she comes back with a bottle and a towel. She hands me the bottle and lays the towel over my hip. “I guess you know how to use this.” I just nod. Memories of various aftermaths of being in bed with James flow through my brain. I gently work the oil into the bruises on his body. I can’t quite reach his leg, but the worst part on his hip and torso I am able to rub the oil in. Again, I start another movie. It’s getting dark out. The nurse comes in again, this time changing the IV bags. James shifts in his sleep while she’s there. He again moans softly. She pulls up his chart on the computer and makes notes. She smiles at me as she leaves the room. I hear my phone buzz. It’s Cali. She’s asking for an update on James. I send her the snoring emoji. She replies with a thumbs up. About eleven, James wakes. Sorta.
“I gotta piss.”
“Hang on.” I climb out of bed, grab the urinal and put in place. “Let ‘er rip” I say.
He smiles at me, “I could get used to this.”
As he finishes, I cap the bottle, “Yeah, I don’t think so.” I put the bottle in the bathroom, wash my hands and climb back in bed. He’s already half asleep.
“Thanks for staying with me” he mumbles.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way” I kiss his chin.
His grin slowly slips as he surrenders to sleep again. I curl up against him. The nurse comes in again to check the IV. She leaves and returns with a blanket for me. “See you tomorrow” she says kindly before leaving the room. I pull the blanket up over me, my head on his chest, my eyes close.
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.
Warnings: Mostly Fluff, Slight parentage angst, Stranger Things mentioned (lots!), Shh! There's a secret! Don't tell James!!
Guide: CBF = Cali’s Boyfriend / CGF = Castor’s Girlfriend / MBF = Marcella’s Boyfriend {I didn’t want to give them names}
Getting this posted early. I suddenly have a craving for sugar cookies....
We both roll over at the same time stretching and yawning. The sun is just climbing above the mountain tops. James checks his phone. “The kids are on the way.”
I flip the covers off us, “I should check the sheets on the other beds” as I get out of bed.
Climbing out on the other side of our bed, “I’ll help you.”
Pulling on sweats, tidying up our own bed, we both check on the other bedrooms. Fortunately, there was only one bed that needed to have sheets put on it. Once that is done, James sets about making his pulled pork. I turn on the Christmas tree lights and start the stereo playing Christmas music. “Kira?”
“Yes?” I return to the kitchen.
“Would you please turn on the outside lights on the patio?”
“Sure.” I go to the patio door and flip on the switch. I also check on the water in the tree stand, which was full. Then I turn on the fireplace on low.
Returning to the kitchen, James is scrambling eggs for us. I put some sourdough bread into the toaster. I’m buttering the slices just as James is covering the eggs with shredded cheese. We sat at the kitchen table to eat. Between bites, James fills out the name tags on his gifts. I put them under the tree. When I get back to the table, James is working on unloading the dishwasher. I help him reload with the breakfast things and the pulled pork prep. It’s not quite full when he starts it. “We’re going to need some of those things later” is his reasoning. He gives a quick check on the pork, then wrapping his hands over my shoulders, he moves us to our bathroom. It’s by no means a short shower, nor one of our longest ones. But most enjoyable.
Knowing that it’s the first time I’ll be meeting his kids, I pick out a pair of black loose-fitting pants and a bright red sweater. I spend a little bit of time on my hair, French braiding it back. James kisses my exposed neck that is usually covered by my hair. I smile at him through the mirror. He’s wearing a pair of black jeans and a green sweater. I head to the living room just to make sure everything is tidy. James wraps his arms around me, “It looks great” he whispers into my ear. “They are going to like you” I feel his lips smile on my neck. I breath out a small smile pressing my cheek into his. His phone buzzes. James makes sure that I’m steady before collecting his phone from the charger in the kitchen. “The kids are in Denver. Their flight here is on time. At the moment.” He scrolls on his phone, “And the roast is ready to pick up.”
I nod, “I’ll go get the roast.”
Looking out the window, “Take the truck” James says. It’s snowing lightly.
“No. I’ll take the Shelby.” His eyebrows furrow ogether. “If something happens to the rental van, everyone can squeeze into the truck.” I look at him kindly. “It would take a million runs in the Shelby.”
Nodding, “You’re right.” He kisses my hair, “Just be careful. There will be all kinds of idiots out there today.”
Wrapping my arms around his waist, I look up into his blue eyes, “I promise I will be good on the road.” He leans down and kisses me gently. I smile at him as we break the kiss. “So, roast and food coloring. Anything else?”
“The roast should be XX pounds and have good marbling….”
I press my fingers to his lips, then press his hand holding his phone into his chest. “I’ll send you a picture.”
He laughs, “Ok.”
I grab my coat from the hooks by the garage door along with my wallet, boots, phone and the keyfob. “I’ll let you know when I get to the store.”
“Please do.”
Smiling at him, I head into the garage hitting the button to raise the big overhead door. I had to seriously move the driver seat forward on the tracks after James drove it to Denver and back. Backing the little speedster out, I hit the remote button and the big door lowers. The roads are slushy, but not too bad. I only hope that they stay that way until his kids get to the house safely. The parking lot at the store is a little crowded. I deliberately park in the back of the lot in the Shelby. Yes, it’s a longer trek into the store. But it’s a Shelby. I send a quick text to James.
Grabbing a cart from the parking lot, I push it in the store and to the butcher’s counter. I give them the order number. “Ahh. There was a mix up and the big one that James ordered isn’t here. But I have two for him to select from.” I pull out my phone and make the butcher spin each roast while I video it. I send the file to James. I stand there a minute in awkward silence, giving the butcher a wonky smile. My phone rings.
“That’s not what I ordered.”
“Hi. There was a mix up. These are what they have.”
“Can we get both of those?”
“James wants both. Is that ok?”
The butcher nods, “For James, yes” he grins.
I smile at the man, “Thank you.” Into my phone, “He’s wrapping them both up now.”
“Thank you. Oh. Horseradish please.”
“I’ll get some. I’ll text you when I’m heading back.”
“Ok. The kids flight is delayed 20 minutes. Their flight crew is an inbound flight that was delayed.”
“I hope that’s the only delay for them.”
“Me too. See you soon.” He ends the call.
Taking the first wrapped roast from the butcher, “James wants horseradish. I have no clue.”
Nodding, he sets the second wrapped roast in the cart, “Here, let me show you.”
Thirty minutes later and three texts from James, I have the roasts, horseradish, food coloring, pecans, buns for the pulled pork, sweet potatoes, sprinkles of all kinds and marshmallows paid for and in the trunk of the Shelby. I fire it up and dial James’ phone.
“Hi!”
“Hey, I’m leaving the parking lot now.”
“Perfect! The kid’s flight is in the air. And I checked on the rental van. It’s ready for them to collect.”
“Good. I’ll be home soon!”
“See you then!”
I end the call. The traffic is a little busy. The snowplows have been through making the roads less slushy. I get home without incident. Parking in the garage, I make James hoist the roasts into the kitchen. He’s smiling like a Cheshire cat as he checks them out. His pulled pork is beginning to fill the house with a delicious aroma. He settles the roasts in the fridge, and I kick him out to finish the icing for the cookies.
“Did you leave any sprinkles on the store shelf?” as he looks through the bags on the counter.
Shrugging my shoulders, “A few. Maybe.”
As I’m finishing up with the icing, the doorbell rings and the front door is thrown open at the same time. “Hey Dad! We’re home!”
“I hope you don’t plan on doing laundry!” James yells back as he heads to the front door.
I hear them greeting each other in the hallway, the voices getting louder as they approach the kitchen. One of his daughters sees me in the kitchen. She almost slams her purse onto the counter - I jump slightly - “I’m not calling you Mom.”
“Marcella!” James admonishes, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.
“James” I hold up a calm hand at him. Looking to Marcella, “I don’t want you to call me Mom.” That took the wind out of her sails.
“Why not?” Obviously, Castor. He’s the spitting image of his Dad in his 20’s.
“I’m not your mom.” I can see the looks passing between the three kids. “Just because I am involved with your Dad does not automatically make me your Mom.” I smile gently at them, “You have a Mom. And it’s not me.”
“Sooo what do we call you?” Cali asks.
“Kira.”
Marcella moves her purse to the end of the counter. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have slammed my purse.”
“No worries” I smile at her. “Do you guys want anything to drink?”
James has moved behind me and puts his hands on my hips and shifts me toward the kitchen table, “They know where the fridge is” he smiles at me. Then he checks on the pork.
CBF looks over the counter, “Is that pork?” his eyes filled with joy. And the two of them start to compare notes on pulled pork.
“Wow Dad! The tree is gorgeous!” Cali says from the living room.
I watch James as he smiles, “Thanks!” He grins at me, “It’s Kira’s first real tree!”
Cali joins me at the kitchen table, “Really?” I just nod. “I loved the picture of you two at the Parade on Thanksgiving.”
“That was a great day” I smile, fingering my ring. James gives me a knowing look.
Castor sits by his sister, CGF on his knee, “Where are you from?”
“New York City.”
Cali, nibbling on a slice of bread, “What do you do?”
“As in work?” I ask back. She nods. “I’m an editor.”
“Books?” CGF asks.
“Books, articles. I have done a couple of technical papers, but not really good at those.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not a scientist.”
There are some chuckles.
CBF stands behind her, rubbing her shoulders. She has stopped nibbling the bread. As the others are discussing books they’ve read – a couple that I know the editors – Cali pales a little. Then she quietly gets up and finds a bathroom. Books are still the topic of discussion when she returns, her cheeks a little pink. CBF returns to rubbing her shoulders. The general topic of books shifts to comics and graphic novels. Cali nibbles on the slice of bread again.
James joins us at the table, pulling his chair close to mine, leaning on the table. His eyes are sparkling.
A phone rings. Everyone checks their pockets. Castor answers his. “Hi Mom. Yeah, sorry. We landed about an hour ago. The flight from Denver was a bit bumpy.” He crosses his eyes. James smothers a laugh. “The roads were plowed. Snow is light right now. Supposed to get heavier tonight. Hang on” he turns his phone to the table while hitting speaker, “Ok.”
“Merry Christmas kids!” their mother’s voice comes from the phone. The kids all respond, “Merry Christmas!” James rests his hand on my thigh. I just smile at him. Castor turns off the speaker, “Ok Mom. We will. Love you too!” He gives me a look as he ends the call. I just smile at him. There’s a moment of silence.
“Did you kids leave all your luggage in the hallway?” James asks.
MBF pops up, “There’s still a couple of bags in the van.” The kids all get up and head into the hallway. I can hear James’ three tell their significant others where to find their rooms. The front door opens and closes a couple of times, I am assuming bringing in luggage.
James leans over to me, his fingers gently lifting my chin, and kisses me. I caress his chin, my thumb gently teasing his funky little soul patch. He grins at me. A couple of toilets flush. He taps his forehead against mine, “It’s going to get noisy.”
I peck a kiss to the end of his nose, “That’s ok.”
From down the hall by his studio, “Hey Dad, mind if I play?”
“Yeah, go ahead.” James gives me a lopsided grin as the drum kit in his studio gets a beating. He pats my back between my shoulder blades and goes to join Castor in the studio. Moments later his guitar is adding to the music. Occasionally they stop playing and laughter is heard coming down the hallway.
Cali and CBF re-join me at the kitchen table. “What do you think of Colorado?”
“It’s a lot different from New York.”
“What’s the biggest difference?” CBF asks.
“The number of people per square inch” I deadpan.
Cali giggles, “I have been there with Dad a couple of times. How did you get him to the Parade. He usually hates crowds.”
Shrugging slightly, “It was his idea.”
Cali leans on the table pointing toward the studio, “Who is that and what have you done with my Dad?” Then she breaks out laughing.
“Oh my gawd! Cali get in here!” Marcella calls from the living room.
I follow Cali and CBF to the living room. Marcella is pointing to one of their school made ornaments. “I can’t believe Dad still has these!”
“I remember making that! Ms Green was a fun teacher!” Cali’s eyes light up.
They spend time pointing out different ornaments reminiscing about them. Cali points to my snowflake. “That’s new.”
“That one is Kira’s” James says as he and Castor enter the living room. I hope my blush isn’t too evident as I remember what happened immediately after hanging the snowflake. James claps his hands together, “I think the pulled pork is ready. Who’s hungry?”
There’s a chorus of “Me!” I notice that Cali blanches a little and forces a smile. CBF is right there beside her, his arm around her waist. He gently kisses her temple. She smiles at him.
James puts the final touches on his pulled pork. I pull out some sides. Marcella and MBF pull out plates for everyone along with silverware. It doesn’t take long for everyone to fix their plate and find a place in the kitchen to sit. I sit on a barstool at the counter with CGF.
CGF points to my ring, “Did you two get married?”
“No.” I set my fork down seeing the look in her eyes. “That’s a long story. And now isn’t the time” as I watch James and his kids. “And it’s not an engagement ring” seeing the look in CGF’s eyes.
“It’s complicated?” she asks quietly.
“A little” I say gently.
She smiles, “I get it.” She takes a couple of bites. “You two look really happy.” I just smile. “Castor said that he hasn’t seen his Dad this happy in a long time.”
“That makes me happy.” I smile at her then turn my gaze to the table as laughter breaks out. CGF also smiles. “I know that he’s happy you kids are all here.” CGF smiles back.
“Ok. Let’s clean this mess up and make another!” James says taking his plate to the kitchen, scraping it into the compost bin and putting it into the dishwasher. He looks up at the silence from his kids. “What?”
Cali points to her Dad but looks at me, “Again, who is that and what have you done with my Dad?”
James rests his hands on the counter, “She made me better” he grins at me.
Collecting my plate, “And I can say the same thing about you” as I scrape my plate and put it into the dishwasher.
James grabs and dips me, planting a solid kiss on me. My arms automatically wrap around his head. There’s a chorus of “Ewww!” “Get a room!” “Dad!” from the table. I know that I’m blushing when he puts me back on my feet. Looking at the table, his kids are all smiling.
With so many hands helping, that meal is quickly put away. I notice that Cali didn’t eat a whole lot. James rubs his hands together. “Now, someone was busy yesterday!” he gives me partial psycho grin. He pulls out the big bins I’d found to store the cookies.
Marcella’s eyebrows are in her hairline, “You made those?” I just nod. “How many did you make?”
I shrug, “I tripled the recipe, so maybe 100?”
Castor collects the bin from James, “Holy shit! You had to spend a lot of time baking!”
Hoisting a thumb at James, “He was cranking out something amazing, so I just kept baking.”
Putting his hands on hips, “So this is my fault?” The grin on his face belays his words. I just smile and nod at him. Nodding, “I’m good with that.”
I pull all the frosting bowls out of the fridge, “These might be a little stiff since they are cold.” There are eight different containers that I’d colored. I pull all the butter knives out of the drawer. James locates a couple of small spatulas. He also grabs the bag of sprinkles.
I see Cali quietly rejoin the table. CBF gives her a look. She just smiles at him and takes a seat.
Castor pulls out a cookie and munches it. “These are really good!”
“Thanks” I smile.
James munches one too. “Grandmother?” I nod.
“Grandmother?” Marcella asks.
“My Grandmother has an amazing collection of recipes.”
Asking softly, “Is she still around?”
“No. She passed when I was twenty-six.” Looking around, “We need something to put these on.” I go grab a couple of big platters from the dining room table and turning almost face plant into James.
“You ok?” his concern genuine.
“Yes.” I stand on tip toe and kiss his chin. Seeing the look in his eyes, “I promise. I’m ok.”
Looking at the platters in my hands, “We’re going to need more.” He pats my ass as we go back to the kitchen.
The kids have dug into the cookie decorating with glee. I set the platters on the table. James comes back with some big plastic platters that he puts on the counter. Then he joins in the fun.
Again, with so many hands, the cookies are mostly decorated in a short time. Like anything with sprinkles, they are all over the table and floor. Some of the cookies are elaborately done. I feel like the few I did look as though they have been done by a grade schooler. James smiles at me. Then sucks frosting off his finger. I squeeze my thighs together. His grin goes mildly wicked.
“I have an idea!” James speaks up, “Let’s watch Stranger Things!” Everyone is in agreement.
“Right after I’m done making cookies” Castor smiles at him. “Please Dad?”
“Sure. Let me help.” James grabs about three undecorated ones and takes a bite out of the stack, his eyes sparkling.
I watch as Cali slips away quietly again. I take one of the empty frosting dishes to the kitchen, put it into the dishwasher and fix a glass for Cali.
When she returns, “Hey Cali, come here a sec please.” She comes into the kitchen. “Here.” I hand Cali the glass.
“What’s this?”
“A bicarb.” She just looks at me. “It’ll help your tum.” I look at her, “And it won’t hurt the baby” I say softly.
She pales, “How do you know?”
Smiling gently at her, “Before Covid, I worked in an office that was mostly women. Chug that. Don’t sip.” She does and gags slightly. “I know it tastes weird and bad.”
“What is it?”
“Baking soda and water.”
“That’s it?”
“Uh huh. Give it a minute. But be aware, that sometimes it might make you throw up more.” I give her a lopsided smile. “Is there anything that you can keep down?”
“Mostly just bread.” She smiles gently, “And the cookies are ok.”
“I’ll make sure that there’s bread on the table for you.” Suddenly she lets out a very large belch. “You are your father’s daughter.” She laughs. “Feel better?”
“Yeah. Thanks.” She rubs her belly.
I take the glass, “I’ll leave the box here. A good sized spoonful and cold water.”
“Do you think Dad will be mad?”
“Why would he be mad?”
“We’re not married.”
“Ah.” I look at her, “I don’t think so. You are going to make him a Grandpa.”
Huffing a laugh, “Yeah. The Mighty Papa Het will become The Mighty Grandpa Het!” We both giggle. “I have this” she pulls out a sonogram photo from her purse, “I didn’t have the time to get a frame for it.”
Taking her hand, “Come with me.”
From the kitchen table, “Where are you two going?” came James’ voice.
Cali winces. “Gift stuff” I say back.
“Hurry up! We want to watch the show!” as he finishes munching the cookies in his hand.
“This will just take a minute Dad.”
I take her to the room that I’d claimed as my office. Picking up the silver frame off my desk with two doodled post it notes, I pull them out and hand Cali the frame.
“This is from Tiffany’s.” Her eyes wide.
“uh huh.”
“What did you take out?” her curiosity genuine.
I pick up the post it notes, “We got stuck in that September snowstorm. We’d had a fight. As an apology your Dad invited to me to dinner in the formal dining room by leaving these on the floor.”
“What are they?”
Holding out one, “Rose petals.” Showing her the last one he’d given me where he’d drawn a full rose.
“That’s so romantic!” She smiled. “Are you sure it was Dad?”
“Yes, it was your Dad.”
“Why didn’t he just get a real rose?”
“Well, the 21 to 24 inches of snow on the ground and zero visibility might have had something to do with that.” Cali just nods with a smile. I open the closet and pull out the wrapping box, “Here’s a bag and some tissue.” In a short time, the frame is wrapped in tissue and tucked into the bag. Cali adds the gift tag and we were headed back up the stairs. “Drop that under the tree” I whisper to her. The kitchen table has been cleaned up. The floor has even been swept. I kinda like having a lot of hands to help out. Going to James, I grab his hand, “C’mon. You said that you wanted to watch the show” as I tug him towards the media room. Within minutes, the eight of us are in the media room tucked under blankets and James starts Stranger Things, episode 1.
We only get three episodes watched when everyone is either yawning or lightly snoozing. James powers off the system. “Ok you dorks. Bed time.”
There isn’t any push back from the kids. As I walk past the kitchen, I start the dishwasher. Looking out the window, James wraps an arm around me, his lips right by my ear, “Your Christmas wish.” It’s snowing. Hard. I just smile up at him. James takes my hand, and we go to our bedroom. He pulls me to him and kisses me deeply. “I told you that they’d like you.” I caress his face and smile. “I’m sorry about how it started with Marcella. I should have ask…”
I press my fingers to his lips, “It’s ok. So, there was a bump at the beginning. At least it got taken care of.” I pull his head to mine and kiss him. “They are good kids.” I kiss the end of his nose, “They are good young adults.”
He rolls his eyes. “I know. I can’t believe that they are all in their twenties.”
I squeeze a little tighter, “They will always be your kids.”
“And speaking of kids” James lets go of me and disappears into the closet. He comes back with a shopping bag, “I need to stuff the stockings.”
“Hang on a second.” I go into the closet and pull out the bag of stuffers I’d bought. Going back to James, “I’ll help!”
He snakes an arm around me, kisses me, “Let’s do this!” he whispers conspiratorially. As we make our way to the living room, James is softly humming the Mission Impossible theme. I’m trying to not burst out laughing. Once the items in our bags are distributed into the stockings we almost run back to our bedroom.
He literally tosses me onto the bed before launching himself at me. I grimace slightly and close my eyes. He lands to my side but immediately grabs me and pulls me to him kissing me deeply. We tug the clothes off the other, our lips not leaving each other’s except to pull off sweaters. His hands are roaming my body when he suddenly stops. His head pops up. Then I hear it. The unmistakable sounds of sex. And not from us. James drops his head to my neck. “oooohh!” I wrap my arms around his head trying to not giggle too hard.
“That’s not right” he mumbles into my neck. “Them’s my kids.” I stroke his hair. His lips kiss my neck. Leaning up on his elbow, “This is weird.”
“What?” my fingers gently caressing the nape of his neck.
“I mean I know it’s natural and all” there’s the loud noise of climax “but my kids.” He whines and his eyebrows are knotted up.
“Here, let me help. Computer, play classic Christmas music.” The robotic voice answers, “Playing Christmas music from Kira’s Amazon Music.” Mannheim Steamroller starts. The sounds from outside our room are blurred out. James rests his forehead against mine. “Better?” He nods. I tug the covers behind me down and roll us that direction.
He grabs the covers from under his hips and tugs them out then up over us as he lays down. I rotate in his arms, curling around his right arm as my pillow, his left arm snugging me closer to his body. His nose is buried in the back of my neck. “Kira, Merry Christmas” as he gently kisses my neck.
I kiss his bicep, my fingers cupping his elbow, “Merry Christmas James” I whisper back. His left arm tightens for a bit, then loosens as he drifts off to sleep. I am not long behind him.
Warnings: Shameless product placement plugs, NSFW, Sex
James is shaking me awake. “C’mon. I hate to wake you, but it’s snowing hard. We gotta go.”
I sit up in bed. James has opened the drapes. It’s very dark. And it’s snowing. Hard. Tossing the blanket aside, I grab some clothes and get dressed on the toilet. James stops and looks at me. “You said hurry and I have to go.”
Nodding at me, “While that is killing two birds with one stone.”
Within a few minutes, we’re dressed, packed, shopping bags in hand and headed down to the lobby. James checks us out while I go get the Shelby from the valet. The valet parks it close to the door under the portico. James gets the soft top up while I put everything into the trunk. I get into the passenger seat, James climbs into the driver’s seat and heads towards the freeway. At a stoplight, there’s a McDonald’s on the other side of the intersection. He looks at me. “We can eat at home” I say gently.
As the light changes, James looks ahead but runs his right hand up my thigh to my crotch, “Deal.” I squeeze my thighs around his hand for a moment, then release it so he can drive as the roads are sloppy.
There are pockets of clear weather on the drive back. James keeps to the posted speed limit under the messy conditions. Even in the worst parts of low visibility, I am not nervous with his driving. I’d been more nervous on the back of the ATV. But then I’d never been on one before. The weather clears more as we approach Vail. I can sense James relaxing some. But he still keeps to the posted speed limits. Once we get onto our road, he sighs. I just rest my hand on his bicep. Pulling into the garage, James turns off the engine and hands me the keys. “Thank you.”
Smiling at him, “Did you have fun?”
Leaning over the gearshift, he kisses me. “Yes!”
“I’m glad.”
He pats my thigh. “You said we’d eat at home.” He gives me a look. “We’re home.” His hand travels up my leg.
I shove it between my legs, “ok.”
Like civilized adults, we get out of the car, collect the items from the trunk, James closes the garage door. Once inside, dumping all the bags just inside the door, we are like a pair of teenagers running into our bedroom. Clothes flying in every direction. Arms snaking around each other. Lips kissing whatever they connect with. Ending up on the bed – almost – he’s pushing my legs apart to get at my cunt. His tongue works its devilish magic on me. Before I can completely recover, he’s flipping me over and pulling my hips up his thighs. He’s not rough, but not exactly tender either, in seeking his release. We collapse into a heap just as the sunrise peeps into the windows. The clouds quickly cover it up. Sleep quickly covers us both.
I stretch in his arms. It’s 10 am. Wrapping my arms around his head – which is buried between my tits – I kiss his forehead. He stretches, squeezing me in the process. “Morning.” I kiss his hair.
Stretching again, “Mawhrning” he mumbles into my boobs.
Kissing his hair again, “What do you want for breakfast?” He humps his hips into my leg. I just giggle. His stomach rumbles. “I heard that.” I can feel him smile into my breasts. He looks up from my chest giving me his big blue puppy eyes. “Breakfast sandwich.” His eyes get sad, and I can feel his lips pout. “Burritos?” His eyes brighten and he wiggles his butt. I laugh as he kisses my tits. “Well, if you want burritos, I need to get out of bed.”
“Fawine” he mumbles from my boobs. Then his lips are covering mine with tender kisses.
Climbing out of the very messy bed, I collect the clothes on my side. He actually tidies up the covers. Gathering the rest of the clothes tossed all over our room, I dump them into the dirties hamper. Pulling out a pair of jeans and a sweater, I head into the bathroom. Again, I get dressed sitting on the toilet.
“How did I not know you do that?”
“Do what?” I ask while wiping.
“Get dressed on the toilet.
“Saves time. I realized in college that I could sleep in another five minutes by getting dressed on the toilet.” I wash my hands.
His face scrunches up a minute. “Ok.” Then he looks at me, “As long as you clean up after.”
“Always.” I kiss his chin.
Making my way into the kitchen, James follows me. He turns on the tree lights and opens all the drapes. Then he turns on the Christmas music. As I’m scrambling the eggs, he checks the water in the tree. What happens next is like a ballet in the kitchen. I hand him the syrup as he puts the tree pitcher in the sink. I pull out the shredded cheese as he grabs a towel. I reach for the saltshaker, and he smacks my ass before grabbing the pitcher and heading to the tree. He turns on the fireplace after watering the tree. I finish the burritos as he’s putting the pitcher away. Handing him his plate, he grabs my neck and plants a kiss on me. I follow him with my plate into the living room. It’s snowing lightly out the windows.
“I hope this holds off until the kids get here tomorrow” James says quietly looking out at the snow lightly falling.
“Which airport are they coming into?”
“Eagle county.”
“At least that’s a shorter drive.”
“Yeah. I rented them a van.”
“You’re worried.”
He looks at me with a soft smile. “I trust them.” He looks out the window, “I don’t trust the world with them.” I lean over and kiss his cheek. Collecting his plate, I take them to the kitchen. It takes a little bit to unload the dishwasher and reload it. In returning to the living room, James is working on the outside light strings. Between the two of us, we get them out the patio door and hung on the balcony railing. After brushing off the snow coming in the patio door, I take more of the empty bins back to the storage area. I had to start stacking some that probably came in from the garage. Pulling from another bin, I find a wreath. James finds the door hanger and puts it up on the front door. I find some holiday soap dispensers. Filling them from the bottle under the kitchen sink, I distribute them to the bathrooms around the house. James is standing in the middle of the living room staring at the fireplace.
“You ok?”
“Yeah. I just can’t remember where the wreath is that hangs there” he points to the chimney.
I pause a moment. “There’s a large flat red bin over your workbench.”
He spins to me, “That’s it!” He plants a kiss on me and almost skips to the door.
Digging through the last few bins, I find some candle holders. There’s actually quite a few. I put a pair on the kitchen table. I’m holding the others when James returns with a huge wreath made of poinsettias that look real. “Will you please help with this?”
“Sure.” I set the candle holders on the table. “What do you need?”
“Will you please move the step ladder in front of the fireplace?”
As I position the ladder, “Should I turn it off?”
Shaking his head, “I won’t be up here that long.” He reaches up and finds the hanger in the stone. The wreath is gorgeous. Climbing back down, he folds up the step ladder, he puts it by the door leading to the storage room. His eyebrows knit together again, “Tree skirt and stockings.”
Shifting the bins left in the living room, “Some of these haven’t been opened yet.”
We both dive in. I find the stocking holders. James finds the tree skirt and stockings. He’s looking a little concerned.
“What’s wrong?”
“You don’t have one” as he fondles the stockings in his hands.
“Hang on a sec.” I go to the shopping bags left by the garage door. I find the one I want and return to the living room, “Here.” I hand him a stocking. It’s covered in books, pens, pine boughs, and gold stars.
His eyes soften, “That’s perfect for you!” He puts the hangers on the mantle and hangs the stockings. “There.” Turning, he collects the candle holders, “These go here.” Following him to the dining table, he spreads them around the table. “There.” He wraps an arm around my shoulders, “What’s next?”
“Need to get the last of the bins downstairs and wrap up what we bought yesterday.”
“I’ll get the bins if you’ll wrap.” He looks at me, “Please.”
I squeeze him, “Of course.”
I go to the shopping bags. James’ hand pops around me, “I’ll do this one” he kisses my shoulder grinning. I pat his ass as he leaves. Taking all the shopping bags to the room that I’d made into my office, I set them on the floor. Returning to the storage room, I dig out the long bin that holds the wrapping paper. I also manhandle the smaller bin filled with bows at the same time. It takes me a couple of hours to get things wrapped up. I put tags on my gifts. On the bottom of the gifts from James, I stick post its of its contents along with a gift tag. It takes me a couple of trips between my office and the tree to get everything under the tree. I set James’ gifts on the table. The bins have all been removed from the living room, but James is nowhere to be seen. His guitar comes screaming from his studio. I just smile and head into the kitchen. I spend the next couple of hours baking up some of my favorite sugar cookies. Digging into the pantry I find storage tubs for what I’ve made. I also dig out some serving platters, give them a wash and set them on the dining room table. Grabbing my phone from my purse, I look up a frosting recipe. The only thing I need is food coloring. Pulling out the step stool from the pantry, I start digging through all the kitchen cabinets and shelves in the pantry.
“What are you doing?” I jump slightly. He puts his hands on my hips as I climb down the step stool, “Sorry.”
“I was looking for food coloring.”
“If there’s any here, it’s going to be really old.” He folds up the stool and leans it up against shelves in the pantry. “What do you want it for?”
“Decorating those” I point to all the sugar cookies sitting on the kitchen table.
“My little steam engine! You have been busy!”
“It’s fun!”
“But I don’t have cookie cutters.”
“I bought some yesterday. Nothing fancy.”
He wraps me into his arms, kissing me. “My talented little steam engine!” Another deep kiss. “We still have to pick up the roast tomorrow. We can grab food coloring then.”
I squeeze him, “That will work.”
“What do you want for luner?”
My eyebrows meet my hairline, “What?”
“Lunch. Dinner. Luner.” A smile replaces the question, “What do you want?”
His hands rest on my hips, “Well, I’m thinking about doing pulled pork for tomorrow. There’s the roast on Christmas. How about brats?”
“Only if you grill onions with them.”
“That’s a federal offense to NOT grill onions with brats” he deadpans. Then a huge smile spreads across his face.
“Is there anything I can do to help with luner?”
Easing his grip on me, “Don’t think so.”
“Then I’ll get the last of the bins downstairs.”
He pulls me back, kissing me. “Thank you.”
I caress his cheek, “You’re welcome.” He again releases his hold on my hips. As I pass the table, “Oh. These are your gifts to the kids. There’s name tags on them and post its on the bottom of each with the contents.”
“Perfect. I’ll finish those up.” He pulls out a couple of onions and starts slicing.
There were only a couple of bins left that I shift to the big storage room. By the time I get back to the kitchen, James has the brats going in a cast iron skillet. I stand and watch him. His eyes bright as he’s cooking. He looks at me smiling, his eyes deepen in color. In a short time, he’s got our luner plated and handing me one. The cheddar brats are smothered in grilled onions and kidney beans on the side. Again, we sat in the living room to eat. I couldn’t finish and set my plate on the coffee table. I lean into his shoulder.
“Hey. C’mon sleepy head” he’s laughing gently at me.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“Well, it’s been a long day. We did leave Denver at 5:30 this morning.”
Yawning, “Wah timawh is it now?”
“Bedtime.” He pulls me off the sofa then collects his plate. I gather up mine. James closes all the drapes while I finish loading the dishwasher. He sets his on the counter before turning off the Christmas tree lights. I put his dishes into the dishwasher, toss in the soap pod and start it. Holding out a hand to me, James gently guides me to our bedroom.
The covers are barely draped over both of us before we are asleep.
Warnings: Shameless product placement plugs, NSFW, Sex, high speed driving.
I slide off James’ chest to my back. Our legs are a tangle in the sheets. He grunts and rolls toward me, his arm flopping over my ribs. “Morning” he whispers.
“Morning.”
His lips pucker and his head rolls into mine pressing his puckered lips to my temple. I rub his head, scrubbing his silver locks and scalp. His puckered lips plant a million tiny little fish kisses to my temple. I chuckle softly.
James suddenly sits up, “Let’s go shopping.” He looks at me. I nod. “In Denver.”
I cock a look at him, “Denver?”
“Sure. You haven’t been there yet. And I still need to find something for Castor.”
I grin up at him, “What’s the weather today?”
“Cloudy, windy and cold.” He looks at me, “Why?”
I scrunch my fingers on his chest, “Would you like .. to drive …. the Shelby?” I purr slowly.
Flipping the covers off us, he scoops me up – I start laughing - and carries me into the bathroom, “Yes please!”
Within the hour, we are showered, dressed and have one duffle packed to spend the night in Denver. James had sent a text to the band's travel guru to book us a hotel room. About three minutes later, James' phone buzzes with the confirmation. I head into the kitchen toward the coffee maker, but James grabs me and pulls me to the garage. “We’ll get coffee on the way!” He’s almost giddy.
I had bought the Shelby shortly after moving in with him over the summer. We teased each other about our vehicles. I couldn’t drive his truck, and he couldn’t drive my Shelby. I teased him that he’d end up sitting in the back seat so that his long legs would fit in the Shelby’s driver’s side. He teased me that I’d never be able to see over the hood in his truck. I knew that he really wanted to drive my little sports car. With the huge engine under the hood. Even though I am a big city girl, I do like a powerful car.
James grabs my key fob, the duffle and is shooing me towards the garage door. I am barely able to grab my purse and phone. He opens the garage door. Wearing his big Cheshire cat grin, he did open the car door for me and helps me step over the long poles he’d made to bring the tree down the hill to the house. He plops the duffle behind my seat and is quickly in the driver's seat. Then he looks at me with a pleading look. “Go ahead” I say pulling out the hat I’d managed to snag from the garage shelf in passing. He hits the button. I did buy the convertible after all. He’s almost bouncing with joy. He backs the speedster out, hits the button on the remote and watches the overhead door close. He’s grinning like a psycho at me. On the city streets getting to the freeway, he kinda obeys the laws of the road. There’s a quick stop at his favorite coffee hut. Once we got up on the freeway however, he gives me a psycho grin and punches the gas. I don’t dare look at the speedometer. I have to admit, it is a smooth ride. I am completely comfortable with his driving. As we round a bend in the freeway, we fly past a Highway Patrol officer whose got his speed gun out. The Trooper flashes his lights at us as he pulls out on the pavement – well behind us. James looks at me, still grinning like a maniac, as he pulls the car to the side of the road. The trooper pulls up behind us with the lights flashing. I just give James a look as the officer approaches the Shelby.
“Registration and … James? Did you trade in the truck?” the officer really looks at my car.
“Hey Chuck! No, this is Kira’s car.” He nods towards me.
The officer tips his hat at me, “Ma’am.” He looks back to James, “A warning this time. But pull it back to below 100 please James?”
“I’ll see what I can do Chuck.”
“Hey, I know this is a great speed car, but c’mon James.” Chuck grins.
Extending his hand, “Just for you Chuck.” They shake hands, “Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas to you both!” Chuck turns to get into his vehicle.
James checks the traffic - then looks at me. “You pay the tickets” I give James a look, shrugging. Another psycho grin and he punches the gas. Chuck flashes his lights twice at James. Holding up his hand, James waves.
What should have taken us more than two hours, James does in ninety minutes. He did pull the speed way down as the traffic got thicker closer to the big city. Pulling up to the hotel valet, James guns the engine a little giving me a look as the roar of the engine echoes off the buildings before turning it off. Handing the key fob to the Valet, “Be careful with her baby” he nods at me. “Oh yeah, I know the mileage” he grins. The valet just nods laughing. “One more thing, we’ll be right back down so don’t put it away just yet. Thanks!” We check in and go up to the room. James dumps the duffle on the bed as I head into the bathroom. Not only do I have to pee, I’m a little wet. Should have used a tampon. James follows me on the toilet. I go to the duffle bag and find my brush. I’m working on my hair when James comes out of the bathroom. “Ready?” his eyes glinting. As I nod, he grabs my hand, and we head back to the valet stand. James holds the door for me, then he is quickly back in the driver’s seat. I smile at him as he obeys the laws on the city streets but needlessly revving the engine. I just laugh at him.
He finds a garage that has valet parking, again telling them to take care of the car and that he knows the mileage. As we walk away, he tucks my hand into his elbow. When I know that we’re out of earshot, “Do you really know the mileage?”
He smiles, “Nope. But they don’t know that!” He kisses my temple.
James drove us to the 16th Street Mall. It’s just over a mile of stores, restaurants and – because of the holidays – carolers. We spend several hours just wandering around the shops. James finds a cool travel backpack for Castor. He helps me find bracelets for his girls and a necklace for Castor. Since his kids are bringing their significant others, we decide that Denver sweatshirts would work for them. I manage to purchase a silver chain mail looking necklace for James while he is looking at the sweatshirts. I think he picked up something for me while I was looking at some cute purses. In the middle of the shopping, we stop for lunch. Leaving the restaurant, we stop and listen to a group of carolers dressed in old fashioned clothes. I could tell that one of them recognized James, who just smiled at the woman pulling me a little closer to him. In a store with tons of Christmas decorations, I purchase a set of cookie cutters and a stocking. We work our way back to the parking garage. They had parked my Shelby close to the stand saying that they wanted to keep an eye on it. James tips them well. Putting our purchases into the trunk, James drives us to a steakhouse for dinner. It was good, but his grilling is better. I slip off one boot and play footsie with his calves during dinner. He grins wickedly at me.
It's dark as we leave the restaurant. James drives me through a couple of neighborhoods that decorate for the holiday. Some of the houses are extreme. “I wouldn’t want their electric bill” James laughs towards me. I nod in agreement.
Returning to our hotel, James hands the key to the valet and gives me a hand out of the car. Collecting our purchases from the trunk, we make it up to our room. The shopping bags get left on the desk by the TV. James gently pulls my jacket off, with the rest of my clothes quickly following. I rotate in his arms and add his clothes to the pile on the floor. Our lips gently work on each other. He finds that special spot on my neck making my knees buckle and drawing a moan from me. He lifts me and kneeling on the bed, lays me out under him. His lips roam my neck, face, shoulders, chest. My hands run over his head, neck, shoulders, arms. Shifting my legs, I wrap them around his waist, rocking my hips up into his. He groans into my neck. Reaching between our bodies, I guide his dripping erection to my sopping wet entrance making him groan even louder. His blue eyes sparkle as he almost painfully slowly pushes into me. My body arches up into his. “gawdsss you ..are … so thiiiick” I whimper out.
His lips tenderly kiss my ear “You are so wet … and tight” he growls. He nibbles my ear and neck. I whine, digging my heels into his butt trying to urge him deeper. He resists, snickering into my ear, “Not yet my tiny little treasure.” He slowly withdraws watching me writhe. Again, he slides into me bit by bit making me groan and tighten my legs around his waist. My fingers dig into his arms pulling hard. In a swift motion, he collects both my wrists into one of his large hands and pins them to the bed above my head. I whine and squirm more under him as I grin at him. He snickers at me and kisses me deeply as he slowly plows into me again. My hips buck up begging for more of him. I get a Cheshire grin in response. “Not yet” his lips find that spot on my neck again, “not yet.” His teeth nibble my collarbone. I gasp at the attention. His knees knock up against my ass. Using one hand he flops both my legs over his shoulders basically folding me in half with my hands still pinned over my head. I gasp as he thumps into me hard once. I desperately try to reach his neck with my lips, but he’s just out of reach making me whimper and writhe. His grin gets bigger. His eyes drink in my predicament happily. I am totally at his mercy and enjoying every second. His slow workings in and out of me are slowly driving me mad. I jerk and tug my arms. James grins and easily separates my hands – one into each of his hands and pins them wide. Smiling at him I tug more. His lips find my nipple, “I can make these uncomfortable again” as his grin becomes totally devilish. I can only pant up at him smiling like a fool. “There’s my treasure!” he thrusts into me. I arch and moan. He withdraws watching me squirming. He kisses me. His hips crash into mine. I cry out in pure pleasure my eyes lock with his. I lose track of how many times he repeats this process of slowly withdrawing, a pause – some longer than others - then slamming into me. I can feel him struggle to keep his wicked pace.
The tension inside me builds. Hard. So close. But so far. “Jaaammes … pah .. pahleze.”
His lips nibble my neck, “I love to hear you beg.”
Whimpering I manage “Jahaames … pahleze … gawds … pahleze … make me cum.” I pant a few breathes while he withdraws slowly again, “Jahammes … make me yours.” That is his undoing. He pounds harshly into me with a furious pace. His teeth sink into my shoulder as he unloads deep in me tossing me over the crest of my own orgasm. I clench my teeth not wanting to scream not knowing if the adjacent room is occupied. My legs drop from his shoulders as he collapses on my still jerking body. His hands gently release my wrists. I can’t move them. I can’t move anything. He wraps an arm around my head, his fingers gently play with my hair, his lips gently caressing my cheek. I can only whimper and grin. He leans up on his elbow, gently fingering my shoulder where his teeth left their mark. “oops” he grins.
My arms finally respond – sort of – allowing me to grab his upper arms, “Thank you.”
“For what?” his eyes still sparkling.
I sigh out a smile, “Everything.” My fingers gently caress his cheek. His neck. The tattoos there.
His lips find mine. Deeply. Tenderly. Lovingly. Finally parting with a million little tiny kisses, he looks deeply into my eyes. He shifts his legs, putting one between mine. He looks down at the bed under his knee. Then at me.
“Wet spot?” I barely squeak out, trying to keep the laughter back.
“Pond.”
I laugh, “Remember half that is you!”
He helps me sit up laughing softly, “Well, maybe a little more than half tonight” his fingers lift my chin his lips pecking mine.
“I will agree with that!”
He tugs me from the bed, “Let’s clean up.” He looks at the bed, “Might need a second blanket from housekeeping.”
I snort a laugh, “Ya think?”
Making it into the bathroom, James helps me get into the shower. We take just quick body washes. James is very tender in washing between my legs. A whimper still escapes my lips as I lean into his body. He just chuckles at me. After cleaning up and wrapping up in the hotel provided robes, James leads me out of the bathroom. We look at the bed. I check the dresser, “Ta da!” as I pull out the spare blanket.
“That will work” James kisses my hair.
Pulling the messy blanket off, we spread the clean one out. James sits on the bed, “I could do with a snack.”
“I’m peckish too.”
James locates the room service menu by the TV. He orders a burger. I order the loaded baked potato. Since the room is booked under James’ name and not his tour pseudonym, he is ‘indisposed’ in the bathroom when the knock comes on the door. I sign for the service and thank the bellhop. Making sure that the door is deadbolted, I stick my head in the bathroom. James is perched on the counter with the water running in the sink. “Foods here!” He turns off the water and joins me on the bed. Turning on the TV, he starts a movie. When done with our ‘snack’, James puts the tray in the hallway, again making sure that the deadbolt is in place. Tossing the robe in the general direction of the bathroom, he streaks to the bed tackling me. We are both giggling as he tugs the robe off me. Maneuvering a bit, we manage to get under the covers. “Uhmmm, James?”
“mmhummm?” comes from the back of my neck.
“The lights?”
“Fuk”
“I’ll get them.” I wiggle in his arms. “If you’ll let me up.”
“Let’s just sleep with them on.”
“Ok.” I grab his arm and wrap myself around it.
Ten minutes later, “Yeah. Not gonna work.” James unsnarls me from his arm, gets up and turns off the lights. I feel the bed shake as he finds it in the dark with his knee and a choked “fuk” from him. Crawling across the bed and me, he re-inserts himself into bed, tugging me into his body.
I reach down to his legs – only getting to his hip, “You ok?”
“Yeah.” He shifts some. “Just remind me next time to turn off the lights sooner.”
Re-curling myself around his arm, “mmmk”
His fingers gently caress my ribs before they still in slumber. I am not far behind him.
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.
Warnings: Fluff and Shameless Product Placement
I wake up with a grunt. Everything hurts. I can’t lower my left arm. James is face first into my side, his arm wrapped around my ribs. Our legs tangled up together. I can just reach his silvered locks with my right hand, playing with them softly. Damn, but the short haircut looks good on him. I would have loved to have known him in our 20’s when his hair was probably as long then as mine is now. But the short silver hair works on him. He grunts into my side, rubbing his face into me. His mustache gently rubbing me. His lips press against my ribs. “Morning my woodsman” I whisper at him.
He groans, “I forget every year what a workout that is.” He slowly pushes himself up on his elbow, gently caressing my stomach with his left hand. “But it’ll be worth it!”
I smile at him, “I know it will be.” He leans down and gently sucks on my nipple. His stomach rumbles. We both giggle. “We didn’t have anything after the sandwiches. I bet you are starving.” He nods, my nipple still between his lips. “Burrito morning?” His eyes light up. “Ya gotta let go of my boob.” He pouts slightly, gives my nipple a hard suck as it pops out of his lips. I grab my boobs, “They are still not fully recovered from the other day.” He’d pinned me in bed in my NYC apartment and spent who knows how long sucking, pinching, nibbling and lovingly torturing my nipples.
He kisses my knuckles giving me a wicked grin, “And you enjoyed every moment of it!”
I cup his face, “I did. My nipples haven’t yet decided” as I kiss him.
He kisses me firmly. Then breaking the kiss, “I should go squirt the creepy crawlies out of the tree again.” He again tickles the side of my neck with his fingers.
“Stop that!” I giggle, squirming. He plants a kiss on my forehead, flips the covers off us and climbs out of bed. I watch as he stretches his back. “You ok?”
“ayup. Just super sore.” He helps me straighten the bed up. I smile as I watch his naked frame walk into the bathroom. This, the megarocksuperstargod helping tidy up the bed. The sunlight catches my ring. The megarocksuperstargod who is mine. I make my way to the closet and pull on a pair of stretchy pants, a tank top and a thin sweater.
Heading to the kitchen, I hear his phone ring in the bedroom. From the ring tone, it’s his son, Castor. I pull out the ingredients to make burritos. I’m browning onions in the cast iron skillet when James comes into the kitchen. “Castor is going to arrive about the same time as the girls” he grins.
“I thought that he had some press to do before getting here.”
“It was decided that the press can wait until after the New Year. So, it will be a full house in a few days!”
“Then you better get that tree debugged.”
“On it” he grins cheerily, heading to the front door.
“Breakfast will be ready when you get back” I call after him. I can hear the hose running out front. Just as I hear it shut off, I put the final roll on the burritos.
“MMM! Those smell good!” He looks out the patio door, “I didn’t get the firepit started.”
“That’s ok.” I hand him his plate, “Sour cream?” He nods, I plop a large spoonful on top of his breakfast. Putting some on mine, I join him at the kitchen table. Between my own bites, I watch him happily munch his breakfast. He pats his stomach as he sits back in his chair. “So, what’s next?” I grin at him.
He heaves a sigh, “Pull out all the decoration boxes.”
Collecting our plates, “Where are they?”
“Some in the garage. Some downstairs.”
I add our plates to the dishwasher and I rinse the sink, “I’ll get the ones from downstairs if you’ll get the ones from the garage.”
He’s grinning, “You trust me to pull them off the shelf so close to your Shelby?”
I cock a smile at him, “You trust me and my short little arms” I flap my forearms holding my elbows to my sides “to reach them in front of your truck?”
He stands, “I’ll get the ones in the garage.” He pulls me into a kiss.
I press against his chest, “Show me where the others are, please.”
Another deep kiss, “You are beautiful.”
I caress his head down to his neck, “You are my handsome woodsman.”
He leans into my neck, kissing me. Still holding me, “Let me show you where those bins are.” He takes my hand, “The tree will go in that window corner.” I nod. He leads me downstairs to a storage area by the media room. “You’ll want to check, but I think all the red bins are Christmas decorations.” There were a lot. “Here, I’ll pull down the top row.” He lets go of me and starts unloading the bins.
“Thank you.”
He grabs my shoulders and rests his forehead against mine, “Do not over do. This doesn’t have to be completed today.”
I grab his neck, “Same thing for you.”
He nods, “Agreed.”
I smile, “Agreed.” We seal that pact with a deep kiss.
The next hour or so is spent shifting the bins to the living room near where the tree will stand. I find that some bins hold other holiday decorations in them and put those back on the shelves downstairs. I find a sharpie and label those bins accordingly.
I come upstairs to find him sitting on the floor with light strings between his long legs, testing them. As he finishes a set, I put the working strings on the big living room sofa. The non-working strings are set aside. A couple bins have the light strings with the big bulbs for outside. These also get tested. In the bottom of a bin is a small box with the spare bulbs in it. I hand that to James and soon all the lights are ready to go up.
“Hey, wanna take a break and get lunch?” I ask as James stands up off the floor.
“Yeeaahh” he answers as he stretches his back.
I gently rub his back, “You ok?”
“Just a little sore.”
“Well, maybe sitting on the floor wasn’t the best idea” I smile gently at him.
“Yeah, maybe I should have sat on the sofa.” He wraps an arm around my shoulders as we head into the kitchen.
Grabbing some ground meat, James puts together burgers for us. I pull out some macaroni and toss together a quick pasta salad as a side. He lights the firepit and we sit on the patio eating lunch. The wind is picking up and the last of the leaves are dancing around. “We’ll need to get the tree in before this wind knocks it over” he says watching the leaves.
Grabbing his empty plate, “I’m ready when you are.”
“My little steam engine” he grins at me. He kisses me as he stands. Turning off the firepit, we head back inside. I put the dishes in the dishwasher and start it. I follow James out the front door. He hands me another pair of the blue gloves just before he puts on his work gloves. Going to the tree, James steps behind it, leaning side to side. “It’s going to fit!” Then reaching into the branches and grabbing the trunk, he picks it up and lets it drop on the driveway a couple of times. The last of the water drops splash off. “Think you can handle the top of the tree?”
“Yeah.”
“Ok, it’s going in stand first. I’ll go slowly so I don’t pull you over.”
“That’s appreciated!” I smile at him.
He pushes the tree over and I catch it a couple of feet below the very top. He hoists the trunk end with the stand and we maneuver the conifer in through the front door. Shifting it around the sofa took a moment as I was still in the entry hallway with the top. But we managed that swing and got it into the corner. We were both breathing a little hard. “A real tree is heavy” I pant out.
“Yeah, they can be” he smiles at me. “But they are pretty.”
I stand beside him looking at the tree. It’s bluish green branches glinting with the stubborn water drops in the midday sunlight. “That is pretty.” I inhale deeply, “It smells good too!”
The wind slams the front door against the house making me jump, “Oops!” James is quickly down the hallway. He checks the door and the outside of the house. “No damage done” he says closing and locking the door behind him. “But that wind is kicking up.” I shiver a little. “Is that cold or nerves?” he asks pulling me to him.
“Both?” I lean into his chest. “I mean, I’ve been through snowstorms in NY. But this wind is different.”
Wrapping his arms a little tighter around me, “I got you.” He lifts my chin and gently kisses me. I sigh into him enjoying his body close to mine. “Here” he gently separates us. Moving to the fireplace, he starts it. The glowing flames spread their warmth to the room and that glow is friendly. Again, wrapping me into his arms, “Better?” I just sigh into him. “Yeah, that’s better” I can hear the smile in his voice.
I lean back gently, “These lights aren’t going to put themselves on the tree.”
“No” he smiles at me, “they are not.” He kisses the top of my head, “And I suppose my height is an advantage to putting them on?” he gives me a wonky grin.
“Do you trust me on a ladder?” I raise an eyebrow at him.
“Absolutely not!” he chuckles and squeezes me a little tighter. Then he looks at me.
“What?”
“You’re beautiful when you smile.”
I pull his head to me and kiss him gently yet deeply. “You are my handsome woodsman.” He leans in and we kiss again.
“Lights” he whispers into our kiss. I start giggling. He follows with outright laughter. “I’ll go get the ladder. Will you please plug this extension cord in behind the tree?”
“Happy to.” As he walks away, “I suppose water needs to get put into the tree stand?” as I look into the empty basin through the branches.
“Shit!” I hear from the storage room. “Hang on, I’ll show you that.” He comes up with a short step ladder and pops it open leaving it in the living room. He digs into a bin and pulls out a rather large pitcher, “Here, let me show you.” He takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen. Starting the hot water in the sink, he pulls down a bottle of karo syrup from a top shelf. “There’s a line on the bottom here for this” as he pours the syrup into the pitcher, leaving the bottle on the counter. “Then it fills with the hot water.” He lets some fill the pitcher, swirls it to mix the syrup, then tops off the pitcher. “Now, this gets poured into the stand.” He grabs a kitchen towel and I follow him to the tree.
“I guess my shortness is best for this task?” smiling up at him. He smiles sheepishly at me. I slip under the tree, “Extension cord before the water, please.” He hands me the plug end and I find the socket. “Ok, pitcher please.” He hands me the towel, then the pitcher. It was a little tricky dodging the boughs, but I was able to get the stand filled with only a little spillage. I had to basically do the worm to extract myself from under the tree. James grabs my waist and helps me stand. “Ta dah! I just watered my first real Christmas tree!” He laughs with me and pulls some needles from my hair.
“Ok. Lights.” He pulls out the other end of the extension cord and plugs in a string of lights. And they don’t turn on. “Oops!” He crosses the living room and turns on a switch. The string of lights flares to life. “Ta dah!”
“Almost like magic” I grin at him.
We spend the next couple of hours lighting the tree. I fed the strings to James as he wraps them into the branches. The sun is setting when he finally climbs down off the step ladder, “There. I think that’s got it.” He moves around the living room looking at the tree.
“What are you doing?”
“Making sure that there are no light holes.” He goes to the tree, “Like here.” He shifts the light strings a bit, then steps back. “There.” He pulls me into the sofa with him, “That’s going to be pretty when the ornaments get put on it.”
I lean into him, “I am looking forward to seeing your ornaments.”
He grabs my boobs, “I love yours” as he gently squeezes them. I squeal in laughter and twist to get my boobs out of his reach. He simply yanks me back, “Nope!” His lips find my neck. That special spot. I wilt into his arms. “Works every time” he breathes into my neck. His stomach rumbles. He starts to giggle, which sets me off and we both end up laughing. He gently releases his hold on me, “Pizza?”
I caress the back of his head, “Yes, please.”
He pulls me up with him and we walk into the kitchen. “I suppose you want your rooty-tooty-fruity pizza?”
“Yes please?” I give him my puppy eyes blinking at him quickly.
He pulls me into him, “There’s a price to pay for that in this house” his hands grope my ass.
I arch my butt into his hands, “Gladly” I purr at him.
He plants a passionate kiss on me, “Thought you’d agree!” He makes sure that I can stand before grabbing the house phone. He places the order – 1 meaty pie, 1 fruity pie, 1 large salad, 1 pan brownies – and winks at me. “Dinner will be here in about 30 minutes.” The wind flips a cushion off a chair outside. “Or maybe a little longer.”
We both quickly move to the patio doors. James pulls the cushions off the chairs and I stack them inside the door. He checks the other items on the patio before coming back inside. “Damn, that wind is cold.” I press my hands to his bright pink cheeks. “Your little hands feel so good!” as his big cold hands cover mine. His blue eyes capture mine. I pull him to me and tenderly kiss him. “Your lips feel good too” he smiles at me. I take his hand and move him to the living room. I turn his back to the fireplace and just wrap my arms around him. “Ahhhhh.” He takes up what I call his stage power stance to hold me while kissing me. Then, he picks me up and moves away from the fireplace. “Bit warm on the butt there.” I reach back to his ass, rubbing it while smiling up at him. The doorbell rings. “Dinner!” He carries me toward the front door, setting me down to open the door.
The poor delivery guy looks frozen. James hands the kid a tip and collects our dinner. I close the door and make sure it’s locked. I rub my arms as I walk into the kitchen, “That wind is cold.”
“Yeah. It’s going to knock down the last of the fall leaves.” His eyes look to me, “Glad we got the tree yesterday.” I just look at him. “Pizza’s getting cold” he smiles softly at me. He turns and pulls out a couple of plates. I hug him from behind and kiss his back. He pulls me around in front of him, putting me between him and the counter and starts loading salad on his plate. Then several slices of his meaty pie.
I pile up salad on my plate and grab a couple of slices of my Hawaiian pie. Slipping away from his body, I open the fridge, “What do you want to drink?”
“Severed please!” He turns on the TV. The local news is on.
I grab a couple of the Severed Lime cans, close the fridge and grab my plate. I join him at the table. The repeating story is the wind. Some trees down across the freeway, a couple of houses clobbered by trees, some power lines down. No one hurt.
James heaves a sigh, “Great way to start the holiday. With a wind event.” He looks at me. “You look scared.” I nod smally. He pulls my chair - they are wheeled - to him, “Hey. This house can – and has – gone a week without power. There’s a generator on the backside of the garage.”
“I’m not afraid of not having power. It’s the tall trees.”
“Ahh.” He rubs my back, “I had all the trees that could potentially do damage to the house cut before I moved in.” He smiles encouragingly at me. “I got you.” I just blush and smile. He rests his left hand on my right arm and returns to eating his pizza. I ate what I could with my left hand.
As we clean up from dinner, I can tell he’s still super sore. I gently take his hand, “Come with me.” I make him sit on the sofa as I stand behind. I dig into his shoulders with my fingers. His shirt gets in the way, so I tug it off him. Then I return to digging into his shoulders. His upper arms. His neck I’m a little more careful around with the herniated disc. I watch as his eyes slowly close. I gently stop digging into his muscles and start just rubbing, touching him. I look around the room. Although the living room is still filled with storage bins, it feels festive. The lights on the tree twinkle warmly. The fire sheds a warm glow to the room. The fresh smell of pine fills the house. James snores loudly. I just smile at him. I turn off the fireplace and figure out which switch is the tree. “Hey sleepy head, c’mon” I pull his hand. He sniffs awake, stands and follows me to our bedroom.
He disappears into the bathroom as I tug down the covers and drop my clothes to the floor. He pads to the bed naked and slides into it, pulling me close to his body as I pull the covers over us. His lips caress my neck, “I’m sorry that this has worn me out so.”
“I blame the altitude.”
“Colorado’s or mine?” there’s a smile in his voice.
“Both.” I wrap my arms around his. I feel his breath on the back of my neck, his nose buried in my hair. My eyes close as his breathing evens out.
I don’t hear the winds at all.
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.
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.
Sunday – Part 7
Sorry it's late posting. It is Gameday!!
Warnings: Ending NSFW , Shameless Product Placement, Football!
I roll to my back. Everything aches. I groan a little. His hand gently lands on my stomach. “hey beautiful.”
“uunngh”
“Yeah, you overdid.” He rolls to his side, his fingers gently smooth my hair out of my face, cupping the side of my head. He kisses my forehead. Grabbing my left hip he forces me to my stomach. He kneels up over my thighs and basically palms my back with his big hands, his thumbs digging into my lower back. “Damn your tense.
“Ow” whimpers out.
His hands work out the knots in my lower back. Then they work their way up my back. He shifts up my body and ends up sitting on my butt. The pressure of his hands on my upper back and his weight on my butt stretching out my spine feels so good. He pulls his hands down my back.
“Do that again, please” I ask quietly.
His hands flutter over my hips, “Do what?”
“Push on my upper back again.”
“Ahh. Like this?” His hands again push on my shoulders and he pushes down on my hips with his body.
“yeah” I sigh out.
He gently eases up, “Better?”
“yes.”
His hands warm my sides as he leans up me. He plants his left hand up over my shoulder. His right-hand cups over the top of my head, his fingers gently playing with my hair. His lips gently kiss the back of my neck. “Morning.”
A smile lifts the corners of my lips, “Morning.”
“It’s game day!” He lifts his weight off me and stretches out beside me.
“oh yeah!” I breath out. “What time is it?”
“It’s 7am.” He kisses the small of my back, “I need to get the ribs going.”
I reach for his hand, “Can I have the oven for about 20 minutes first?”
“Sure,” he again kisses my lower back, “But you’ll have to get your ass out of bed – like right now.”
I can feel him smile against my back, “Ok.” I swim my way to the edge of the bed. James climbs out and helps me stand. “You good?”
Facing him, I put his hands on my hips, “Hold please.” And I arch back, my head almost touching the bed. My back crackles back into place. His hands slide up my back, slowly pulling me upright. I look into his eyes. “All better!” I grin. James grabs my robe and slides it up my arms. I kiss his chest. “Kitchen is that way,” I point out the door.
“Yes. Yes it is,” he chuckles and gently gives me a push.
Getting into the kitchen, I open the fridge and pull out the two types of rolls – cinnamon and orange. Double checking the temps, I start the oven. Tenderly bending over, I pull out a cookie sheet from below the oven. Popping open both canisters, I take one orange and one cinnamon roll, unwinding each, then lining them up and rewinding the pair together. I do this for all the rolls. Then slide the tray into the oven and set the timer. Taking both of the included little icing cups, I dump them into a bowl and add some cream cheese to it and blend til smooth. Setting that aside, I start making coffee.
James comes up behind me, resting his hands on my waist, “What are you concocting?”
“Yumminess” I lean back into him.
His thumbs dig into my lower back again. My knees almost buckle. His hands grab me. He kisses my hair and pats my ass, “Go sit.” He turns my shoulders and points me toward the sofa. “I got it from here.” There’s only concern in his voice.
I can’t argue with him. My back is trying to tighten up again. I sink into the sofa, grab a blanket and the remote. Turning on the TV, I find the right channel and try to get comfy. I watch him in the kitchen. Eyes glowing, big cheesy grin plastered on his face. The sun shining in the window, I close my eyes.
“Here’s your coffee and two ibuprofen” his voice a gentle rumble. The concern in his eyes pinches my heart.
“Thank you” as I take the pills and a slug of coffee. “It feels good to have that room cleaned out for you.”
His face lights up, “I still can’t believe you did that for me.” Putting his hands on the back of the sofa on either side of me he leans over and kisses my forehead – his lips lingering there. My hand gently strokes his arm, the other holding my coffee mug. The timer dings. I can feel his smile on my forehead. Shifting, he rests his forehead on mine, his blue eyes finding mine. “How do you want your eggs?”
“Scrambled, please.”
He kisses my nose and stands, “Cheesy eggs?”
“mmmm, yes please!”
His fingers gently caress my chin, “Be right back.”
“Mmm k.” Gawd, I really overdid it yesterday. The pre-game chatter on the TV is a distraction.
And so is watching him. He pulls out the rolls and checks the temp on the oven, then in go the ribs. In short order, he’s got our breakfast ready. Bringing over two plates each with a combo roll smothered in frosting and a pile of cheesy scrambled eggs. He sets them on the table and returns to the kitchen. Grabbing his coffee mug - and the pot - along with forks, he returns to the living room. Handing me my plate and a fork, he grabs his. I dig into the eggs. He takes a bite of the combo roll. I watch his eyes widen.
“Dis is rweary gud.”
“Thanks” I look at the huge roll on my plate. “Grandmother showed me.”
He strokes my hair, “I wish I could have met her.”
Looking at him, “I think she would have liked you.” He leans over and kisses my temple.
We finish breakfast and he gathers up the plates and forks. When he comes back from the kitchen, he sits next to me, urging me to lean up against him, making sure that the blanket is tucked in around me. And my game starts. The Seahawks against the Jets. We spend the next three hours cheering the good plays, heckling the refs on the bad calls and smooching during the commercial breaks. Halftime, I make a bathroom run as James checks on the ribs. He is actually humming while cooking. He’s wearing a big cheesy grin as third quarter started. “What?” his eyes sparkling.
“Cheshire cat” I snicker.
“The ribs are going to be really good!” his grin widens as he tucks the blanket back around us.
I sniff loudly, “They smell really good!!!” His arms wrap around me.
The second half of this game is close, but the Hawks pull off the win. I am very happy.
James again checks on the ribs. I stand and stretch. James returns with two cans of Severed Lime and two rolls and two more Ibuprofen for me. I give him a smile, take the pills and give him a kiss as he sits back down, tucking me back up against him again. His game starts. The Raiders vs Steelers. At halftime, the score is tied. Again, he checks the ribs. I make a bathroom trip, and so does he. We both converge back on the sofa just as third quarter starts. It’s a well fought game. It goes into overtime. We’re both sitting on the edge of the sofa. With seconds left on the clock, the Raiders make a hail Mary pass into the end zone for the TD. James literally jumps off the sofa yelling in joy that just makes me laugh. His face is lit up in joy. He spins and plants a toe curling kiss on me.
“Ready for some ribs?!”
“Yes!”
“Where’s the cornbread mix? That won’t take long.”
“I’m feeling better, I can get it.”
Placing his hands on my shoulders, he pushes me flat on the sofa, “Nope. Not gonna risk you” he grins. “I got this.”
I tell him where the mix and the pan are. He almost skips into the kitchen. I watch as he sets about finishing the ribs and the rest of dinner.
“Hey, there are some green beans left from Thursday. We can have those too.”
Nodding, “I suppose an actual vegetable would be a good idea” he smiles at me.
I stand and stretch, my back finally beginning to stop complaining.
“You ok?” he couldn’t hide the concern in his voice.
“mmmhmmm. I didn’t think I did that much yesterday.”
“Let’s see. You pulled out about ten bags of donations. Three of just garbage. You vacuumed out all those drawers. Trevor said that you helped shift about as many boxes as he and Gary did in the other bedroom. Hmmm” he’s smiling dorkily at me, “There’s no reason why your back will be hurting.” He pulls the cornbread out of the oven, “Oh yeah, you did two or three loads of laundry too.”
“Forgot about the laundry” I mumble as I sink back into the sofa.
“uh huh!” He pulls the green beans from the microwave. “Do you want to come make your own plate?”
Standing back up, “Sure. Otherwise I might forget how to walk.”
He pulls me into a kiss as I walk into the kitchen, his fingers gently caressing my cheeks, his blue eyes shining.
“What?” I smile up at him.
“Trevor sent me a text this morning. His sister was super happy with the donations.”
“I’m glad they went to a good place.”
He kisses my hair, “Dinner’s ready” he purrs.
Looking at the spread he’s put together, “This all looks really good!”
He almost slaps a plate into my chest, “Dig in!” as he piles ribs on his plate.
I reach into a drawer and pull out a couple of kitchen towels, slinging one over his shoulder. “Napkins aren’t big enough for ribs.”
Again, he kisses my hair, “No! They aren’t!”
Putting some ribs, green beans, cornbread and BBQ beans on my plate, I head back into the living room. James has already changed the channel for the Sunday night game. Bears vs Colts. At half time we work together to clean up the kitchen. The game is well fought. Da Bears win by two.
“Pie?” James asks me.
“Sure. Although I feel like all I have done today is stuff my face.”
He pats his stomach, “Me too.” Standing, “But I can think of a way to burn those calories!”
Raising my eyebrows, “Just one?”
He grabs the remote and turns off the TV. “Pie later” he sneers at me.
“Ok” as I let him pull me off the sofa.
His fingers gently hold my hands, pulling me toward the bedroom. As I get to the end of the bed, he slowly spins me tenderly and he encourages me to sit on the bed, he kneels over my lap, wrapping his arms around me under my arms, he lifts me into the middle of the bed. “Don’t throw your back out!”
As he lays me down, “I won’t.” His eyes sparkling blue.
Kneeling over me, he slowly unties my robe. I rest my hands on his thighs. I can feel them flex slightly as he shifts his weight. Slowly, almost reverently, he opens my robe exposing my naked body. He hisses in a sharp breath. “I forgot you’ve been starkers all day.” Putting a hand on the bed beside each of my shoulders, he starts kissing me. My face. My neck. My collarbones and shoulders. He sits up tenderly shifting my arms off his legs and places my hands on his shoulders, a wicked glint in his eyes. “Gawd, you are so beautiful” as he gently runs his hands over my breasts, stomach and lower belly. I groan in answer. Again, his lips are on mine. One hand by my head. The other still groping my body. My hands run over his shoulders, my nails dragging gently down his biceps, ghosting fingers down his forearms. He gives me a wicked smile and gently grasps both my wrists. Bringing them together, he easily wraps one of his hands around both of my wrists and slowly pushes them to the bed above my head. His eyes search mine, looking for any discomfort. I can only moan and writhe under him. Grinning, he starts kissing my neck again. Laying his body down on me, his height making it easy for him to keep my arms pinned, his lips work down to my neck to my breasts. His other hand cups, squeezes, palms and teases one nipple while his lips, tongue and mouth work the other. My groans urge him on. Tugging my wrists makes him suck harder. I gasp but keep pulling. My hips try lift up into him. “uh huh” he says around a mouthful of my boob. He pulls off my nipple with a pop, “Not yet!” his eyes smiling as broadly as his lips. Sticking his tongue out, he licks the nipple he’d been working. Keeping my hands pinned, he shifts his head to my other breast. This leaves the one wet. And getting cold. And harder. I squirm more. His suction increases. I gasp loudly. He slowly pulls off my other nipple with a pop. His eyes gleaming, “Shhh” he coos at me. “The more you struggle, the longer I am going to take” he breathes wickedly at me. Keeping my eyes locked to his, he lowers his mouth to my ribs. I can’t help it. I squirm and moan. He just chuckles into my ribs, his mustache tickling some. I snort a giggle and struggle some more. Grinning up at me, “Ok, that doesn’t count.” I buck my hips up into his stomach grinning at him. “That does” he whispers and returns to working my nipples, switching between them. I whimper, still trying to tug my wrists free. The sensations he’s putting through me are mind blowing. They are slow. Deliberate. Exceedingly sensual. I can barely move under his weight pinning my hips to the bed. His arm holding my wrists is just out of the reach of my mouth. His mouth shifts from breast to breast, his eyes gleaming up at me. I whimper at the sight. Leaving my breasts, he rises slightly, “Damn. I can smell you.” I can only nod. “Puddle?”
I laugh gently, “Lake.”
Those damned blue eyes sparkle brighter, “Good.” Those lips reattach to a nipple and I arch up whining. He puts a finger on my lips and literally pops off my nipple again. “Shh.” He looks a the wall. “Neighbors.” I can only giggle until his mouth reattaches to my other nipple making me gasp again. He reaches up with his other hand to caress up my arm. He puts one of my wrists in each of his hands and eases them down to my sides. This action has put most of his weight against my hips and I moan loudly. “You doing good?” I can only nod. “Good” he smiles. He gently pins my arms with his forearms which lets him use both hands on my breasts. He tenderly squeezes, tweaks, palms, kisses, cups and sucks them. I can only groan under his attention. He pinches one nipple and I wince a little. “Getting tender are they?” he grins wickedly. I nod. “Good.” He sucks each one. Hard. I whimper and whine. I manage to get one hand free and pull his head closer to my chest. He gently nibbles but I refuse to let his head go. I pull his head even closer to my body. He forces his head up. “Let me breath woman!” he chuckles. I breathe heavily into a grin. Watching me, he teases both nipples. I writhe under him. He lets go, smiling. Firmly placing his hands on my sides, he lowers his mouth to my ribs, sides, belly. He shifts his body lower on mine. My hips being freed from his weight wiggle in anticipation. His kisses move over my pubic bone. His elbows urge my legs apart. His eyes take in my sopping wet cunt. “Forget lake.” His eyes catch mine. “Ocean!” Placing a hand behind each knee, he pushes my legs farther apart. I pant some. Smiling at me, I watch as he purses his lips and blows on my wetness. I gasp loudly at the sensation, my hips bucking up. He chuckles still keeping our eyes locked on each other. Without warning, he dives into my folds, his arms snake under my thighs, his hands reach up, grab my hips, his tongue laps up what I have already excreted. “Damn you taste good!” He dives right back into me. My fingers curl into his silvered locks. He groans into my pussy. His tongue explores my folds, caresses my clit, dips into my entrance, laps up my wetness. I can only use his silver locks to pull him closer. He grabs both my wrists again pulling them close to my thighs. I start panting. Hard. The knot in my belly is tight. Very tight. “don stawhp … gawds don stawhp … right … there!” He concentrates on that one spot, eagerly lapping me. I start to fall over into my orgasm, I yank one hand free, grab a pillow just in time to cover the scream exiting my mouth. My body bucks, writhes and squirms as he continues working me. I can only scream. He slows down painfully slowly to a stop. He presses a kiss to my over sensitized bud. My body jerks. I hear him chuckle softly. Then his hand is tenderly pulling the pillow from my face. I am still breathing heavily and unable to move. My arms and legs feel like lead. His lips press against mine. I can smell me in his mustache. “you back yet?” he huffs gently at me.
“uhn huh”
“Take your time.” I huff out a soft giggle. His hands caress my hair, my cheeks, my eyebrows – which waggle slowly. My eyes slowly open and I’m looking directly into those gorgeous blue pools. “Hi.”
“Hi” I whisper.
“Weclome back.” He shifts my bangs out of my eyes. I just smile. He kisses me. I try to grab him. “Nope” he takes my hand and kisses it. My eyebrows knit together. “Not tonight.” My eyebrows remain knitted. “You gave me something amazing yesterday.” He gently pats my pubic bone, the very tips of his fingers touching my clit making me draw in a sharp breath. “I wanted to give you something amazing.”
I manage to get my left hand up to caress his head, “Ya did good.”
James kisses me deeply, “So did you.” He takes my left hand and kisses my finger around my ring. I smile at him. My eyelids drift down. His fingers gently urge them to close. “Shhh. Sleep.” I feel him pull the side of the blanket up over me. I roll into him. I feel his hand gently stroking my hair.
I don’t feel myself slip into sleep.
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.
Warnings: Mostly Fluff.
Thursday
Reaching to his side of the bed, it’s empty. I blink awake. It’s barely sunrise. I can smell onions cooking. Kicking my way out of the covers, I pull on my robe. Our clothes from the Gala are draped over the chair in my room. Padding out to the kitchen, there stands James. He’s engrossed watching the onions brown in the pan. I lean on the counter and watch him. Those tattoo laced hands that had me screaming in pleasure last night, that make amazing music, are now expertly chopping up celery. He scoops the celery into the pan. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“The smell woke me.”
“Sorry.”
“I love the smell of onions being browned. That’s a comfort smell for me.”
Stirring the pan, “Me too” he grins. He moves the pan off the heat, “Do you have spices?” Pointing to a drawer, “Ah.” His eyes light up. Kid in the candy store. “I figured that I could get the bird in the oven before we leave on a slightly lower temp and it should be ok until we get back.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
He smiles at me, “Coffee?”
Moving into the kitchen, I set about making a pot. I end up shoving the stuffing into the bird since I have the smaller hands. Being small does pay off every now and again. Putting the bird into the oven, we clean up the kitchen. Fixing our coffee mugs we move to the sofa. I power up the TV. All the local channels are showing the parade prep. The weather forecast is snow flurries and light winds. I curl up into his side. James wraps an arm around my shoulders and gently strokes my hair. When the news cycle repeats, I turn off the TV. Stretching some, “We should get ready.”
Standing up, he pulls me to my feet, “I want to check on dinner.” He takes our coffee cups to the sink. I go to the front door. There’s a stack of papers there. I pick them up and close the door.
Dropping the stack on the dining table, I open the top one to page six. There in glorious color photos is a full spread of the Gala last night. Of us. James wraps his arms around me from behind. He points to one of the photos of me, “Nice ass.”
I laugh and spin in his arms grabbing his ass, “Yours is pretty good too!” He snorts a laugh.
“We need to get ready” he says holding me tight. I hug him back. He walks me backward into the bedroom as I giggle in his arms. When we get to the bed, we tumble into it as his misguessed the distance. We both laugh loudly.
Sitting up, I look at his reclining form. “What?”
“You amaze me” I almost whisper.
Rising up on his elbows, “How.”
“Watching you this morning. Your hands. The tattoos. Your music. Cooking.” I bit my lower lip, “What they do to me.”
He smiled at me. “I love watching you. I love watching you while I make love to you.” He pulled me closer. “I am so glad that we are sharing this weekend.” He kisses me deeply. “Together.” His blue eyes filled with compassion. And something more. I wasn’t sure what I saw there. He pats my hip, “We need to get dressed.” He gets up off the bed and pulls me with him.
I pull out a pair of wool pants, a tank top, a silk liner shirt, a sweater, scarf, gloves and a hat. Finding a thong, I start getting dressed. James pulls on a pair of heavy jeans, a tank top, a thin hunting shirt liner, a sweater, scarf, gloves and hat. We both pull on our fur lined boots. Grabbing the extra warm things, we make our way to the dining room table. “Oh wait!” James says. He goes back into the bedroom and quickly returns, “Here.” He hands me a couple of hand warmers. “Hope they are still good. They were buried in the bottom of the hunting backpack.”
Smiling, I tuck mine into my pocket. “Thank you.”
James texts Rudy, and then checks on the turkey in the oven again. “You sure you’re comfortable leaving your oven – your gas oven - on while we’re gone?”
“Very.” Taking the newspaper stack to my office, I collect my phone and tuck it into my coat pocket. “I did it last year. And the year before that, and the year before that.” Collecting my scarf, “Besides, too late now.”
“ok.” He smiles at me. His phone buzzes. “That’s us.” He pats his pockets. “Let’s go!” He holds out his hand to me and we walk out into the hallway. James locks the front door. A quick elevator ride and we are in the lobby.
“Happy Thanksgiving Carl!”
“And to you two!” Carl says happily as he opens the front door.
We climb into Rudy’s taxi. “Where to?” he grins.
“As close to Hearld Square as possible, please” I ask.
Putting the car in drive, “It’s early, but I can probably only get four blocks away.”
“That’s fine” James says.
“How was the Gala last night?”
James smiles. “It was wonderful” I say. “They always put on a glorious show.”
“It is pretty spectacular!” Rudy chuckles at his own pun.
James joins in the chuckle, “Good one!”
I kiss his cheek, “My king of dad jokes” I giggle. James pulls me in closer a huge cheesy grin plastered on his face.
Pulling over, “This is as close as I can get you to the Square today.” There are roadblocks on almost every street.
“No worries. Thanks!” James says happily.
Leaning over the back of his seat, “Give me a call when you’re ready to head back. I’ll collect you at this corner.” James pays the fare, then climbs out.
“Thank you, Rudy. And Happy Thanksgiving!” I say as I climb out after James.
“Enjoy the parade!” Rudy says. He waits a moment as someone is ready to jump in almost before I’m completely out of the car.
“That happen often?” James gives the other rider a dirty look.
“Almost every time.” I do up my coat and tug on my cap. James follows suit and we head toward the Square.
There’s a check in point for Grandmother’s seats. A young assistant looks up from her tablet and looks at me. She looks at James. Her complexion fades a little. “I hate to ask, but I am supposed to check IDs.”
“Of course.” I turn to James. He looks at me. “Mine is in your wallet.”
“Oh yeah.” He pulls it out, shows the young woman my ID then slips it back into his wallet then back into his pocket. He pulls his coat down over his pockets.
“Thank you.” She picks up a walk-talkie. “Someone will be here shortly to show you to your seats.” She fidgets with her gloves.
“Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving” I say.
She blushes, “And to you too!”
Hands grab my shoulders, “There you are!”
Turning, “Mrs. Corbett! Happy Thanksgiving!”
“Thank you! And to you!” She pulls me from the check in point. I grab James’ hand. “This way!”
She leads us past all the TV cameras and across the street to the stands setup in front of the stores’ grand entrance. We weren’t quite as far to the end of the bench as I would have liked, but, we weren’t front and center either.
“So, what did you think of the show last night?” Mrs. Corbett asks James.
“I can see why it’s called Spectacular!” he smiles broadly. I stifle a snort. “I really enjoyed it!”
“I am so glad!” Her radio buzzes. “I must away! I will come collect you after to visit the Big Guy.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Corbett!”
“Again, with the Big Guy.” James cocks his eyes at me. I just grin at him.
The bench begins to fill up. As families arrive on our bench, I shift us to our left to allow them to sit in the middle. James looks at me, questions in his eyes. I point to all the cameras across the street. “Technically, this is the worst seat in the house as all the performances will be staged to face the cameras.” James nods. “Moving us to the side means minimal camera time for us.” I reach up and tug his stocking cap down a little more on his head. He slouches a little giving me a side long glance with a gleam in his eyes. I snorfel a giggle.
He snakes an arm around my waist and lifts my chin with his other hand and kisses me. “Hey you.”
“Hey you.”
“Happy Thanksgiving.”
I reach up and tenderly kiss him. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
He just holds me close to him, tucking my head under his chin.
The Broadway theatre presentations start. I lean into him, “Here we go!”
He’s trying to watch everything at once, “This is kinda exciting!” After the first performance, James pulls out his phone and discreetly snaps a selfie of us. After some texting, he pockets his phone. I look at him. “The kids.” I smile and nod. “And Lars.” I start giggling. “Rob. Kirk.”
“What? Not your manager?”
His eyes light up, “Oh yeah!” He pulls his phone out again and another text is sent. He shows me the response from Kirk. A middle finger. “Oops. He’s in Hawaii.” I grimace. He checks once more. His kids each sent him selfies back. I watch him as he reads their messages. He tucks his phone into his inside jacket pocket and takes my hand.
I squeeze it. “I made a promise to you.” He kisses the back of my gloved hand. I lean into his ear, “I will never get between you and your kids.” His eyes glow as he kisses my hand again.
The sirens of the NYC motorcycle cops echo in the concrete canyon. “This is the start!” I spend the next few hours watching him watch the parade. He tries to watch everything at the same time. Somewhere in the middle I open the hand warmers slipping one into each glove. The flurries start just as the end approaches, I get a little excited. My favorite float. Santa. I get giggly and little teary eyed.
James pulled me into a full on hug. “You ok?”
Wiping away the tears, “This was our favorite.”
“You and your Grandmother?” I could only nod. He just holds me.
As the people began to leave the stands, I tug James hand to keep our seats. A short time later, Mrs. Corbett shows up. “Well? What did you think?” she asked James.
“Wow.” His face full of joy, “This is an experience. I am so glad that we came.” His arm still around my waist.
“Well, someone is waiting to meet you two!” She smiles at me conspiratorially. “Let’s go!” She leads us from the stands to a side door, down a hallway and into what looks like a conference room. “Wait here just a moment.” She leaves us there.
I sit on the table and pull off my cap and gloves tucking them into my coat pockets. “Did you really enjoy it?”
He grabs my face, “Yes!” He kisses me.
“I’m glad.”
James pulls off his gloves and loosens his coat and scarf. Standing between my knees, he pulls me into his chest. I wrap my arms around him. No words are needed. Just being together is enough.
I hear the door open and there’s a soft tap. James turns and Mrs. Corbett is standing there. “Are you ready?”
“Yes” I respond sliding off the table and taking James’ hand. We leave the conference room and are led into a winter wonderland. There are Christmas trees everywhere covered in all kinds of ornaments – each with a price tag. We walk slowly through them, me leading James. His blue eyes seem to sparkle with wonder. There is no one else in the space. We move past the last trees and there, on a huge chair that’s almost throne like, sits Santa.
I keep walking forward. James looks at me, “The Big Guy, huh?”
“uh huh!” I almost skip the last bit.
“There you are! I haven’t seen you in a very long time Kira!”
“Hi Santa!”
“And you must be James.”
Almost blushing, James nods. He gives me a look. I crinkle my nose at him.
“I understand that this is your first time seeing the Parade in person, James. Tell me. What did you think?” Santa leans forward, hands on his knees.
“Honestly, it was amazing.” James grins. “The balloons don’t look that big on the TV.”
“Yes, they would look smaller on TV” Santa chuckles. “Even on a big screen” he chuckles again. “I know what this one wants for Christmas” Santa nods towards me, “But what would you like?”
James cocks a look at me, “What do you want?”
I raise my eyebrows at Santa. “It’s the same request every year. Snow. From about 9pm Christmas Eve to about 10am on Christmas Day” Santa chuckles out. Looking at me, “You know that all I can do is forward your request on to Mother Nature.”
“I do Santa. And I appreciate that.”
Giving a big belly laugh, “Well, you are a very good girl!”
James kisses my temple, “Yes she is.”
“So, what can I bring you, James.”
He thinks a moment nodding. “Happiness. For my kids.”
“I will see what I can do for your three children.”
I watch as James’ eyebrows almost meet his hairline. Santa just belly laughs.
“Thank you, Santa.”
“You are most welcome Kira” Santa says happily.
I look up at James, “You want a photo with the Big Guy?”
James laughs, “Sure!”
Santa laughs again. Mrs. Corbett appears and takes our phones. James sits beside Santa and I perch on their knees. Several snaps are taken on each phone. I almost trip getting up, but James grabs me.
“Good catch there James!” Santa laughs softly.
“Yes, she is.” James smiles broadly at Santa. “Merry Christmas, Big Guy.”
Santa lets out a deep genuine belly laugh, “Ho ho ho! Big Guy! Ho ho ho!!!”
Heading back into the trees, I stop to look at the ornaments. A crystal snowflake catches my eye. I feel James take my left hand into his. I collect the ornament. He kisses my hand. I look at him. Then my hand. There on my ring finger is an eternity band with the sparkliest diamonds I have ever seen. James slips his hand around my neck and kisses me deeply. I am in total shock.
“This is not an engagement ring.” James’ eyes are serious. “I told you that I’d never marry again. But,” he looks at my hand, “this is a promise ring.” I’m confused. “A promise that I will spend every day earning your forgiveness.” He kisses me again. My heart soaring higher. My insides fluttering hard. My brain saying ‘Ok, we good’. He rests his forehead on mine, “Don’t say it. I can see it in your eyes. Let me have this.”
“Ok” squeaks out of me. “This is just a start then….”
Smiling, “That’s what I want to hear,” and he kisses me again. Deeply. Someone clears their throat. We both snicker. Pulling me into his side, we find our way out of the trees. He pays for my snowflake. It gets wrapped up and we head to the exit. The flurries have become an outright snow fall. He texts Rudy as we make our way to the pick-up corner, both of us pulling on our gloves and doing up our coats. We did have to stand a few minutes waiting for Rudy. He was most apologetic. We assure him that as long as he was safe, that was all that mattered. Getting to the building, James pays Rudy and probably tips him well. Morty opens the door for us and we quickly escape the wind and cold. Getting to the apartment front door, James opens it and we get hit with the smell of roasting turkey.
“Oh man! That smells wonderful!” I groan.
James dumps his outer layers on the table and checks the oven. He uses the meat thermometer. He smiles broadly. “Almost done!”
I pull off my outer layers and set about making the rest of dinner. The yams get popped into the microwave. The rolls get set in front of the oven vent. The green beans are set on the stove. I pull out the pie and set it on the counter.
We both clear off the dining room table of our outer layers. I show James the rack for drying gloves and scarves in the hallway. The coats get hung in the hall closet, I make sure that the heater vent is wide open before closing the door. We set the table together. My new ring still catches me off guard.
James checks the bird again, “It’s done!” He sets it on the butcher block.
“How long does it need to rest?”
“About 20 minutes.”
“Perfect!” I pull the yams from the microwave and shift them to the oven. Reaching into the cabinet, I pull out the mini-marshmallows. James opens the bag and grabs some. He tosses a couple at me, but I miss catching both. So he pops several directly into my mouth.
I had to dig for Grandmother’s carving set. “I haven’t used it in years.”
James takes it, “Wow. This is an excellent set.” He sits down with it and sharpens the blade with the whetstone in the box. I watch him. He was very intent on making sure that it was done correctly. I pull out a platter and he sets about carving up the turkey. I put the marshmallows on the yams. I put the rest of dinner on the table, the yams last. James sets the main course in the middle. I turned the oven off and put the pie in to warm with the door open. I finally sit down at the table.
He turns to me, holding his hands out to me. I put my hands in his. He wraps his fingers around my hands, his right fingers toying with the ring on my left hand. “It’s tradition to say what you are thankful for before digging in.” I just nod. “I am thankful that you wrote that note and that it snowed that night.” He kisses both my hands.
“I am thankful that you didn’t just slam the door on me. That you are truly trying to earn my forgiveness.” I kiss his hands. Then I wipe away the tear that falls from his eye.
He leans into me and kisses me. My stomach rumbles. I snort into our kiss. He just out right laughs. “Light or dark?” he asks merrily.
“Both.”
It wasn’t a huge bird, but it wasn’t tiny either. We managed to do it justice. Along with the other dishes on the table. There are leftovers that still got put away. The dishwasher gets loaded. We plop onto the sofa.
“Pie?”
James belches, “Not yet.”
I turn on the TV. We settle on watching the classic black and white Miracle movie. We both chuckle at the old balloons after seeing the new ones earlier in the day. Once it was over, James stands and goes into the kitchen, “Pie?”
“Yes please.”
He brings back two plates with pie slices on them totally covered in whipped cream.
“Did the patisserie chef have the night off?” I deadpan and blink quickly at him.
James actually snorts. Hard. I take the plates from him – setting them on the coffee table - as he was laughing so hard. When he calms, “I knew I wanted a dessert that night, and that’s all I had!”
“It was perfect under the circumstances!”
He bowls into me laying me out flat on the sofa. His eyes shining. “This has been the best Thanksgiving I have ever had.” Our lips meet. “Ever.”
My hands caress his face, “Me too.”
He grabs my left hand and kisses both my ring and my finger. Then my mouth. He shifts his leg over me and I push back. “What?”
“I gotta pee!”
We detangle ourselves and I run to the closest bathroom. After washing up, I return to the sofa. It’s empty. The flush of another toilet tells me where he is. I collect a plate from the coffee table and dig into it as James returns to the sofa. “It’s nice to have several bathrooms so close together” he says, picking up his plate and joining me on the sofa. I change the channel to the local news. The parade – was of course – the lead story. The follow up: US at the Gala and parade. We just look at each other. It wasn’t a long blip, but enough to totally unnerve me. I was the unknown woman at his side. He kinda giggles.
“What?” I squeak.
“I wonder what they would think if they knew that everything was under your name!”
I had to giggle too.
The news carries on into the weather. Full on snow fall overnight with clearing late Saturday afternoon for the balance of the week. We both look out the front windows. It is snowing pretty good. But small little flakes. James leans into my ear, “Looks like you got your wish.”
I turn my head to him, “It’s not Christmas Eve.”
I turn off the TV. We eat our pie watching the snow fall. I put our plates on the coffeetable. James stretches out and puts his head in my lap. I play with his silvered locks. I look down as he snores softly. I drag a blanket over his damned long legs and watch the snow. The day replays for me. His cooking in the morning. His hands. The parade. Santa. Dinner. My ring. I take the time to really look at it. The diamonds are set in the middle of a wide silver band. Between every pair of diamonds is a gold cross or x. I tug it off. Inscribed on the inside of the band: Tiffany’s. I almost drop it on his face. Slipping it back on my finger, I look at him. He’d not begged off dinner to come home to me. He’d begged off dinner to go shopping. At Tiffany’s. For me. I was in shock. The private flight from Denver. Dinner from the Tavern. A ring from Tiffany’s. He’s spent a fortune on me. James grunts some and shifts in his sleep, his face turning into my stomach. I tenderly caress his cheek. It’s a little scruffy as he didn’t shave this morning. I smooth his eyebrows. He sighs in his sleep, his body relaxing a little more. I sit there in my tiny NY apartment with the megarocksuperstargod snoring in my lap. My upper arms still bearing the bruises from our escapades yesterday morning. The ring from Tiffany’s wrapped around my finger. The memories of Colorado. The laughter that has built up after. “Yes, James” I whisper. “You are doing a great job working on my forgiveness.” Again, I smooth his eyebrows with my fingertips. “And I will continue to work on not taking you for granted.” I don’t remember my eyes closing.
“Hey sleepy head, c’mon.” James’s voice a sweet rumble in my ear. I sniff awake. It’s late. It’s still snowing. James is standing in front of me. “C’mon, lets get comfy in bed.”
I make it off the sofa. James’ arm guides me to the bedroom. I tug off my shirt just inside the door. James pulls his off. I sit on the bed and pull off my pants. James is stretching right in front of me. I undo his pants and they fall off his hips. James reaches behind me to flip the covers down, “In we go.” He guides me back into his body. I tuck my feet under the covers. He pulls the covers up over us. I curl up around his arm which doubles as my pillow. He wraps his other arm around my ribs. His nose buries into the back of my neck.
Moments later, we are both snoring softly.
Warnings: Fluff, Sex teased, Shameless Product Placement
Wednesday
I roll over to find the bed empty. It is barely dawn. I hear a guitar being played. I smile. James was somewhere in my place doodling. I crawl out of bed, still very sore from yesterday morning, but it makes me smile. Pulling a robe on over what I’d worn the day before, I pad out to the living room. James is sitting on the sofa, guitar on his knee, notepad on the coffee table, completely lost in writing. Not wanting to crunch in on his vibe, I return to bed. Laying there listening to him create.
His lips are pressed against my temple, “Hey sleepy head.” His hand rubs my back, “You gonna wake up today?”
I scrunch up my eyebrows, “What time is it?
“About 8.”
I stretch and groan at the same time. “Did you finish your song?”
“Did I wake you with it?” his eyes showing concern.
“It sounded really good.” I smile, and get lost in those fucking blue eyes.
He kisses my neck, “I still need to work on some things, but yeah. It’s gonna be better on electric.”
I caress his arms, “I’m looking forward to hearing it.” I stretch again and yawn, rebounding into a ball.
He pats my hip. “My turn to make breakfast. C’mon.”
He helps me climb out of bed. Walking into the kitchen, he’d already started the coffee maker. For being the megarockgodsuperstar, he could actually cook. Sorta. His grilling skills are far better, but he still knows his way around in the kitchen. He put together a breakfast for us of scrambled eggs with cheese, sourdough toast, sliced avocados and coffee. His eggs are fluffy. The toast is well buttered. The coffee hot. He clears away the plates when we are done. We curl up on the sofa under a blanket. “What do you want to see today?” I ask him.
“You.” He kisses me, “Naked.” His eyes twinkling.
“I can barely move after yesterday morning!”
“Didn’t say I was going to fuk you, just that I want to see you naked.”
“MMmk.” I stand up, tossing the blanket aside and take his hand. Leading him back toward my office and into that bathroom. The only one with a tub in it. I had replaced the stupid shallow apartment tub with an old-fashioned claw footed cast iron monster tub. Turning on the taps to start filling it, I pull off my clothes. Then I start pulling off James’. I dump some bath salts into the waters, then I step into the tub and sit. James slides in behind me. Using my toes, I turn off the water when the tub is full. James lets water fill his hands to pour it slowly over my shoulders. I gently message his arms. Reaching under the water, I message his thighs and calves. James gently rolls me to the side and rubs my back, making me sigh in contentment. He still flinches at the sight of my bruised arms. I move his hand between my legs, “I can still feel you” I purr into his ear. His other hand grabs my head and kisses me deeply.
“I love you” he whispers.
“I love you” I whisper back. My insides fluttering. My heart soaring. My brain screaming ‘Hang on a second here.’ I pushed that last thought to the side.
We lay there in the tub, wrapped in each other’s arms until the water begins to chill. Since it is a cast iron tub, that takes some time. We finally climb out and wrap up in towels and cross my apartment to pull on some clothes.
“What time is the gala thingy?” James asked.
“We have to be there no later than 5pm.” I look at the clock, it was just coming up on 1pm. “Do you want some lunch? There’s paella left.”
“mmm! That sounds great!” as he kisses the back of my neck.
Pulling on clean Yoga pants and a t-shirt – trying to keep the bruises from showing - I quickly get into the kitchen and pull out the paella. James comes up behind me as I put the dish into the oven. He wraps his arms around me as I set the temp and a timer. His hands grab my boobs pulling me into his chest, his face buried in my neck. “What are you doing?” I giggle.
“Hugging you.”
“Groping my boobs!” He gently squeezes them. I reach back with both hands and grab any part of him I can – his head and a hip. His mouth starts working on my neck. I pull away slightly, “No hickies today.” The suction becomes pressure, but I can feel him smile. I pull his head a little closer, “Tonight” I whisper. I can feel his question, “I’m wearing a sweater and scarf tomorrow.” His kisses are little harder. I sigh out a laugh. Pulling his hands from my boobs, I turn in his arms. He rests his hands on my ass. I caress his face with both hands. “You are so handsome.” I can see the doubt in those big blue eyes. “You are.” I pull his face to mine and kiss his lips wrapping an arm around his head. His arms wrap around my waist. We are still kissing when the timer goes off. I pull away gently, “I don’t want to burn lunch” my hands holding his head.
He smiles at me, “Please don’t burn the paella. It should be really good today since it’s marinated.”
I smile at him, “I can’t reach into the oven.”
“Hmmm.” He looks at me, the oven and back to me. “I suppose…” as he gently releases me.
Our hands slowly drift off the other. I turn off the timer and check in the oven. It’s bubbling nicely. Grabbing a couple hot pad holders I pull out the dish. James has already pulled out the two bowls from the dishwasher. I grab the leftover rice from the fridge and pop it into the microwave. James pulls out two spoons and napkins and has the table set by the time the microwave is done.
Opening the fridge, “Drink?”
Pulling the rice from the microwave, I start portioning out our lunch, “Uhmmm, Obituary today, thanks!” He kisses the top of my head as he passes me. Picking up the bowls, I follow him to the table.
He takes a bite, “This is even better today!”
Nodding, “It usually is better a day or so later.”
We’re about done when the doorbell rings. I answer the door, “Carl.”
“Your bird, Miss Mooreland” he smiles.
“Actually, it’s his, but ok!” I open the door wider.
Carl carries the bag from the store to the kitchen and James joins us. He opens the bag and unwraps the butcher paper from the bird. Since it was a fresh one, it wasn’t covered in plastic wrapping. Nodding, “Looks fine” James smiles.
“Excellent!” Carl says as he heads back to the front door.
I follow, “Carl, we’re going to need a car service for this evening.”
“Going to the Gala?”
“Yes, but the catch is, the gown I’ll be wearing I can’t bend over.” I am ever so slightly embarrassed.
Carls’ eyebrows knit together, “This one is a challenge, but I’ll see what I can do for you.” He steps out into the hallway, “Pick up about 4pm?”
“Yes please.”
Nodding, “I’ll ring you!” and he’s off down the hallway with his cart full of turkey deliveries.
I close the door and go back to the kitchen. James has put the clean dishes away and is working on putting the dirties in it. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome!” He cocks a goofy grin, “I had an ulterior motive.”
Looking askance at him, “And that was….”
“I need a pan for the bird.”
“Ahh.” Going to another high cupboard, I manage to swing the door open, “There are a couple in here.”
James comes up behind me and easily pulls them both down. “I think one of these will do.” He returns to the bird and puts it into one of the pans.
“Do you want foil to cover it?”
“Foil or a towel will work.” He repositions the bird, “Or both.” I dig out an old kitchen towel and pull the foil from the drawer. James soaks the towel, squeezes it lightly and places it over the bird then covers the whole thing with the foil. I give him a look. “The soaked towel will keep it from drying out in the fridge. The foil keeps the moisture in the pan.”
“Huh.” I screw up my eyebrows, “I think Grandmother said something like that.”
James puts the panned bird in the fridge, then washes his hands. “It’s probably time we think about getting ready for this evening.”
Looking at the clock on the stove, “You’re probably right. I should wash my hair.”
He grabs my hand, “I’ll help” he smiles at me.
Letting him lead me to the bathroom, “You just love playing with my hair!”
Nodding, “That too!”
A good scrubbing later, we both emerge from the shower stall. James stops at the sink and checks his cheeks. Grabbing a second towel, I leave the bathroom while he shaves. Sitting on the bed, I towel my hair dry. I hear the blow dryer in the bathroom. Three minutes later, James comes into the bedroom. Naked. I heave a sigh.
“What?” he looks at me.
“You look wonderful.” He rubs his belly. “Trust me, you look wonderful.” I take his hand and put it between my legs where I’m getting wetter by the moment.
Grinning wickedly, “We don’t have time right now.”
“Sadly” I whine.
He reclaims his hand from my body and licks me from it, groaning.
Reaching up I cup his face, “Later” I whisper. Then I smack his ass. He grabs me and kisses me, smiling.
“Where is my suit?”
“Hanging out with my gown” I nod towards the closet. James relinquishes his hold on me and opens the door. He pulls out his suit pants and lays them on the bed. He reaches into his suitcase and pulls out a pair of briefs and socks. I return to the bathroom to attend my hair and makeup. Starting with a quick double bump to the pits. Once my makeup is done, I work on pulling up my hair. I manage to get a couple of long curls left out to hang down my back. Digging out my curling iron, I add a little more curl to them. Taking another look at me in the mirror, I like what I’ve come up with. Deciding to not take any chances, I take a damp cloth and give my sex a quick wipe down. Then pull out a tampon and put it in place. I wasn’t going to take the chance that I’d leak my arousal all over my gown since I have to go completely commando under it. I hear James becoming frustrated in the bedroom. “What’s wrong?” I ask as I reenter the room.
“I can’t get these cuff links…” he’s struggling with the little gold devices.
Holding out my hands, “Here, let me.” It took a moment, but I got them in place. Patting his wrists, “There.” I help him with his jacket. I make sure that his shirt collar in the back is standing up. He turns. “Damn!” I breath.
“What?” he starts checking his clothes.
“You look hot!!” The tampon was great idea.
“So do you!” he grabs me and kisses my cheek.
“I need to get dressed!”
Patting my ass, “Mmmk” he pouts slightly as he releases me.
I dig out my shoes first. After putting them on I pull out my gown. It’s deep green velvet with rhinestone trim is actually pretty heavy. Its plunging back makes it easy to step into. I pull it up and James helps make sure that it sits correctly on my shoulders. His fingers gently tug up the plunging back to make sure that my ass is covered. Barely. His fingers linger a moment before he gently runs them up my back to fluff my curls. He plants a soft kiss between my shoulder blades.
Then he stands back, “Wow.” His eyes are radiant. “I do love this gown on you.”
I gently rub the front of his pants, “You love this gown off me” as I walk out of the bedroom.
He groans, “That too!”
Going to my office, I pull out my ID from my clutch wallet. Returning to the dining table I check my phone. No call from Carl yet.
“I’ll put that with mine” James says putting my ID in his wallet with his.
“Thank you.”
His fingers make lazy patterns on my exposed back. “What jacket are you going to wear? It’s cold out there.”
“Oh.” I think a moment, “You’ll need an over coat too.” I take his hand, “Come with me.” I led him to the storage bedroom. This had been Grandmother’s room. She’d had her closet lined in cedar. I open that door and pull out an overcoat, “I think this will fit you.” James turns and I pull the overcoat up his arms. It fits him perfectly as I smooth my hands over his shoulders. He turns slowly, his fingers running over the material. He just looks at me. “It was my Grandfathers. I never met him, but Grandmother said that someday I’d need it.” I look into his blue eyes. “I guess that is today.”
“It’s beautiful.” James kisses me tenderly. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I turn back to the closet and pull out Grandmother’s dress coat – as she called it. “I never saw her wear this. But like Grandfather’s, she insisted that I keep it.” The coat is curly black wool, with a broad fur collar.
James takes it from my hands and holds it for me. I slip my hands into the sleeves and James pulls it up my arms, gently lifting my curls so that they don’t get smashed. He fingers the fur collar, “This is real fur.”
“I think Grandmother said it was fox.”
James rests his hands on my waist, “Does that bother you?”
“Not really. I think Grandfather hunted it.” I run my fingers over the pelt. “They would not have been trophy hunters. In the 30’s they would have needed the meat.” Knowing his feelings on hunting, I smile at him.
James presses a kiss to my forehead. He fluffs the collar, “It looks beautiful on you.”
I hear a phone buzz. “I think our ride is here.”
James takes my hand and pulls me from the bedroom back to the dining room table. “yup. That’s Carl.” He pats his pockets, “Phone, wallet.” He reaches into his front pants pocket, “key!” He grins like a cheshire cat. “Ready?”
“Yup!” as I head to the front door. This gown makes me walk a little taller, straighter back. Namely because if I slouch, the gown will slide off my naked body.
James locks the apartment door and offers me his elbow as we walk to the elevator. “You look amazing” he breathes into my ear. A few moments later, we are in the lobby. Carl is opening the front door for Mrs. Friedman and Floofy to come in.
Looking up, Mrs. Friedman stops. “Kira. You look gorgeous. Is that your Grandmother’s overcoat?”
“Thank you, Mrs. Friedman. Yes it is.”
Leaning in a little closer, “May I see your gown?”
Smiling, James helps me pull off the coat. He takes my hand and spins me slowly. I hear a gasp from Mrs. Friedman. James pulls the coat back up my arms.
“Gorgeous and scandalous!” Mrs. Friedman actually smiles, “Just like your Grandmother.”
“Thank you” I reply quietly.
“Miss Mooreland, James, your car is here” Carl says holding the door open.
James again offers me his arm and we walk to the car. I hear Mrs. Friedman say to Carl, “They make a good-looking couple.”
We both snorfell laughs.
I have to reach inside the coat to pull up the back of my gown before sitting. “You ok?” James asks.
“Just making sure that I don’t stretch out the back” as I sit in the bucket seat.
James holds his hand out to me. I lay my hand in the warmth of his. He slow blinks me. I smile back at him. All too soon, the van pulls up to the front of Radio City Music Hall. It’s a full-on red-carpet event. I look at James, “We don’t have to…”
He lifts my hand and kisses it. “I want to.”
The door by James is opened by a valet. He steps out. It takes a moment, then the photographers go nuts. The big megasuperstarrockgod at the Rockettes Gala. Gracefully turning, James holds his hand out for me. I gingerly step out of the vehicle, grabbing his hand. Once he knows that me – and my gown – are safely out of the car, he tucks my hand into his elbow. The cameras are non-stop. As we approach the doors, I can see the confusion on the staffs’ faces. James’ name is not on the list. I stop at one staff member holding a tablet, “Mooreland.” Looking at the list, he finds my name and smiles at me. He opens the door to the Hall. James steps back slightly to let me enter first. Once inside, an usher points the way to coat check. James sheds his first, then turns me so that I’m facing into the foyer and slides my coat off. He collects the check ticket. Stepping up behind me, he gently takes my left wrist in his left hand. From over my right shoulder, his right hand appears – holding a pink rose. I burst out laughing looking up into his sparkling blue eyes just before he kisses me gently. I can hear the cameras outside going bonkers. I take the rose from his hand and he gently lets his right arm drift down my bare back to rest just above the scoop of the gown barely covering my ass as we walk into the foyer. Again, I hear the cameras clicking away like crazy.
Mrs. Corbett approaches me, “Kira! I am so glad to see you!” She gives me a quick peck on each cheek.
“Good to see you Mrs. Corbett!” Pulling James a little closer, “May I introduce you to James Hetfield.”
Mrs. Corbett’s eyes grow large, but she maintains her cool, “Welcome to Radio City Music Hall!”
Nodding slightly, “Thank you. It’s really pretty.” I can feel him wince.
“Yes it is an amazing building. Have you seen the Spectacular before?”
“No, this is my first time” James says happily now that the subject is changed, his fingers gently playing on my lower back.
“This is the first time James has done the holiday in person.”
Looking at me, “Then you will be using your Grandmother’s seats tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“I will personally make sure that you have seats front and center!”
Raising a hand gently, “I’d prefer the front and center seats go to the kids.” I can see Mrs. Corbett thinking. “However, I would love to have an appointment with the – uhm – Big Guy.”
Her face lights up, “Done!” She looks across the foyer, “Excuse me please” and she hurries away.
“The Big Guy?” James just looks cockeyed at me.
“Yup.” I smile back mischievously at him. “The Big Guy.” James’ fingers gently lift my chin and he kisses me tenderly. More camera nuttery.
I wrap my right arm around his arm as an usher approaches. “Miss Mooreland, your box is ready.” She indicates the stairs, “This way please.” I shift the rose from my left hand to my right, grabbing a fist full of skirt as we start to climb the stairs. Again, I hear the cameras clicking away. Once at the top I drop the fabric. James looks at me concerned. I just smile back at him. Entering the box, I slide one chair closer to the rail and – holding up the back of my gown – sit. I pull the other chair closer to me and pat the seat. James just snickers at me and sits, his hand resting on my thigh. I look at him, “You ok?”
Shifting his hand from my leg to wrap around my shoulders, his fingers gently pulling me closer, “You never said it was box seating.”
“oops.”
He kisses my temple smiling.
The lights go down.
Two hours later, we participate in the standing ovation. The smile spread across his face lifts my heart. He sinks back down in his seat. “That was amazing.”
I smile at him, “TV doesn’t do it justice.”
His eyebrows are almost in his hairline, “NO. It does not!” He stands again and plants a kiss on me, “Thank you.”
Grabbing the backs of his arms, “You are very welcome.”
The Hall slowly is emptying out. James holds his hand out to me and we leave the box. Looking up and down the hallway, he pins me to the wall, kissing me deeply. His mouth by my ear, “I can’t wait to get you home.”
I whimper. “Let’s go.”
He again takes my hand and we walk down the hallway to the main stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, James leaves me with my pink rose standing in the middle of the foyer facing the doors – I think deliberately – to go collect our coats. I see him pull out his phone. Probably calling our car. He shrugs on his overcoat and collects mine. Coming up behind me, he gently turns me and then - with a smug look in his eyes – gently lifts my coat up my arms, one at time to accommodate the rose. He deftly pulls out my curls and drapes them over the fur collar. I just look knowingly up at him. He’s showing me off. Somehow, I’m fine with that. He takes my hand and completes the spin, tucking my hand into his elbow just as his phone buzzes. “Ready?” I merely nod and let him lead me out into the cold to the car. Again, the cameras are going wild. He hands me into the car and then climbs in himself. “Home?”
“Yes, please.”
James nods to the driver as he pulls me into his side. I bury my nose into the pink rose. “I still have the postit petals.”
“You do?” his blue eyes sparkling.
“Of course I do.” I play with the real rose in my hands. “That was very creative and romantic.” He just smiles at me leaning in to kiss me.
We get back to the building and step out of the car. The night doorman, Morty, opens the door. “Miss Mooreland! Very good to see you again! How was the Gala?”
“Thank you Morty. Good to see you too! Wonderful as always!”
“It was marvelous!” James chimes in.
“Uhm, Morty. Would you please keep a keen eye out for paparazzi?”
“Of course, Miss Mooreland.” Morty pushes the elevator call button. He winks at James, “When you’re out with the most eligible single woman in New York City, everyone is going to want your picture!”
“Already?” I say.
“Probably page six tomorrow morning” Morty grins.
The elevator door opens. We step in. “Page six?” a look of total confusion on James’ face.
“The gossip page” I lean into James.
“Most eligible single woman, huh?”
“Not any more” I lean a little harder into his body.
Kissing my hair, “Good!”
The doors open. After opening the front door I dip into the first bathroom using it and pulling out the tampon – that is completely soaked. My rose gets dropped into a water glass. Two minutes later, we are both naked in bed exploring each other’s bodies. Our clothes, jackets, and shoes are strewn in a path from the front door to the bedroom.
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.