James And His Spirit Animal??

Everybody Loves a Parade - Part 3

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. 

Da bulge......

Everybody Loves a Parade - Part 4

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.

Rockies Christmas - Day 11

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

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

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

He grunts softly.  “I could piss too.”

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

“mmmmk”

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

“Fire!” he smirks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Check with the maintenance guys.”

She nods, “Yes!  Great idea!”

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

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

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

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

“I’m gonna try” as I move to the bed.

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

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

“Want me to leave?”

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

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

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

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

“Actually, it feels good to stand.”

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

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

“Where are you, Dad?”

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

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

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

“Not at all Mr. Hetfield.”

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

Cali giggles, “Told you!”

James starts walking, “Forward into the hallway!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Both.”

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

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

“Shake?” Castor’s grin is wide.

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

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

“That’s way too much!”

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

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

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

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

“Got it!” comes a couple of responses.

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

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

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

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

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

“I’m so sorry about all this…”

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

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

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

He blanches some, “That bad?”

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

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

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

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

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

“What?”

“I haven’t kissed you in two days.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What are they?” I ask.

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

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

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

“Yeah?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“You good?” I look into his face.

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

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

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

I feel James shifting.  “You ok?”

“Gotta go.”

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

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

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

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

Hiya! As a big fan of your works, I was wondering, would you ever consider writing something like a prologue to “Snow Way to Escape”? Like how James compared Kira to his exes, the money counting thing, how he failed to notice she moved out of bedroom? I thinks it’d be an interesting story to read, but of course, your blog, your rules. Thanks 😊

Hmmmm!!! I will have to think that one out! Thanks for idea!! This series is going to be a monthly installment. Had to do something while job hunting! I think I can work that into the "year anniversary" chapter.

Hope all is well in your world and that you have a wonderful Holiday Season!

H4H

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

What are you hiding there James, hmmmm????

Ohhhh myyyyy!!!!!

Rockies Christmas - Day 15

Warnings:  Snow Day, Wind event,

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

I slowly rotate in bed.  My legs a little achy from being pinned by James earlier this morning makes me smile.  I can hear that the winds have picked up outside.  Reaching out I find his side of the bed empty.  The smell of onions being grilled floats into the room.  Sitting up, stretching, I make my way into the bathroom.  When done and cleaned up, I dig out a pair of stretchy pants.  I’m down to the bottom of the stack which means that I need to do laundry.  Pulling open the drawer that should have my tank tops in it, it’s empty.  Yup.  Need to get the laundry done.  I find a bra and taking one of James’ t-shirts – Bastardane – I finish getting dressed and head into the kitchen finding James at the stove with a huge skillet grilling onions.  I hug him from behind, “Morning.”

Twisting slightly and wrapping an arm around me, he kisses me, “Morning.”  He smiles at me and wiggles his eyebrows, “Feeling ok?”

I stand on tiptoe and kiss him, “I feel beautiful.”

Gently patting my ass, “Good.”  Then, “Hey, that’s my shirt.”

“Well, if the kiddos weren’t here, I’d be starkers” as I flash him my lacy bra.  I get a grin in response.

“Need to do laundry?” he smiles turning back to the skillet.

“Should probably change our sheets too” I purr at him as I head towards the coffee maker running my hand over his ass.

He nods in agreement, “Yeah, that’s probably a really good idea!”

Almost as if by magic, all the kids turn into the kitchen together.  “Damn, Dad.  You use a lot of onions” Cali declares sitting at the bar.

Looking at his oldest, “You have a problem with that?” he grins.

CGF sits next to Cali, “I don’t, except that they give Castor gas.”

“Tell us something we don’t already know” Marcella snarks at her brother.  He gives her a snarky smile back.

Marcella pulls out her phone as it buzzes.  James looks at her.  “Reminder that we need to check in to our flights.”

All the kids pull out their phones and check into their flights.  “Hey Marcella” Castor says putting his phone away, “Thanks for the reminder.”

“You’re welcome” she grins at her brother.

“Hey Kira!  Nice choice in shirts!” Castor grins.  I give him a pair of horns.

James finishes the onions and starts the eggs.  I see that he’s already put out the stuff to make burritos.  “Kira, will you please start the microwave?  I already have the roast beef in there.”

He’s even set the time needed.  I push the start button smiling at him.  Then grab our mugs and make our coffees.  A few minutes later, we are all sitting at the kitchen table enjoying our breakfast burritos. 

I watch as Cali and CBF keep giggling with their hands interlaced over Cali’s belly.

James smiles at them, “Moving more in the morning or evening?”

“A little in the morning.  More in the evening.” Cali smiles.

Nodding, “I’ll bet on an evening birth” James grins.

“Morning” Marcella speaks up.

“Midday” is CGF addition.

“Someone write these down!” Marcella giggles.

CGF finds a notepad and pen.  We all make our guesses.

“What does the winner get?” Castor asks.

“To change the first diaper” CBF suggests and there’s laughter all around.

A strong gust of wind hits the house.  “Picking up out there” James says looking out the window.  The wind picks up the loose snow and is blowing it all around.  The clouds in the sky are being torn apart and then put back together.  I shiver some as another gust lifts more snow from the patio.  “How many episodes to we have to finish Stranger Things?” James looks at Castor.

Thinking, “There’s all of season 4 – which is 9 shows, and I think we have 3 left on season 3.”

“Shall we do the long haul and finish this?” James looks around the table.  Another gust of wind hits the house.

“Sure.”  “Not going out in this.”  “Might as well.”  “Yes!” are the mixed responses.

Everyone helps get the kitchen and dishes sorted.  Carrying my coffee mug as I’d not yet finished it, we all make our way to the media room.  Marcella and Castor pull out some extra blankets as the room is little chilled today.  Sinking into our positions on the sofa structure, Castor fires up the system and starts the next episode. 

Between every other episode, there’s a bathroom break.  Someone gets something from the kitchen.  Someone takes all the dirty dishes from the previous kitchen run to the dishwasher.  As the second episode of the fourth season starts, there’s a very harsh gust of wind.  I wince and lean into James.  The power flickers.  “Hold on Castor.  Let’s see if the genny is going to kick in.”  The lights flicker again - then go out.  About 45 seconds later, they all come back on.  There’s a dull roar from outside.  “Ok.  The genny is on.  Go ahead.”

Restarting the TV, Castor starts the next episode.  James pulls me into a tight hug, “I got you” he whispers to me.  Smiling, breathing a little fast, I lean into his chest. 

Pausing before the fifth episode, it’s the usual bathroom and kitchen runs.  I lean back and look up at James, “How long will the generator run?”

Frowning slightly, “36 to 48 hours.  Depending on how many devices we have running.  The furnace is gas, but the fan is electric.  The biggest draw will be the TV, chest freezer and the fridge.”  He kisses my forehead, “I doubt the power will be out that long.”

Before the sixth episode, it’s a unanimous decision to have more Jambalaya.  CBF pulls the leftovers out and in short order, we are all seated at the kitchen table.  A couple more heavy gusts hit the house.  One of them followed by a loud thud.  I jump.  James kisses my hair, “I should check on that.” 

MBF stands, “I’ll go with you.” 

The rest of us clean up the lunch dishes.

James comes back in the house after being outside for a time, “Hey Castor, where are the keys for the rental van?”

“Uhm, by the front door.”  Castor follows his Dad and I follow Castor.  “Everything ok Dad?”

Nodding, “The van is fine, but that old oak dropped a branch.  I’m going to move the van just to be on the safe side.”

“Is that side drive slick?” Castor asks.

“A little.”

“Let me grab my coat.  It might need a shove.”

James back tracks into the kitchen, stopping to give me a reassuring kiss.  He smells of fuel.  Then he, MBF and Castor go out the side door by the kitchen.  I see the two younger men walking beside the van, hands on it, with James in the driver’s seat.  He slowly moves it up into the small, protected area in front of the side door.  The three stomp the snow off their boots before coming in the door.

“Thought we couldn’t park there, Dad” Cali teases.

“Hey, my house, my credit card on the rental van” James grins at his daughter.

Holding her hands up, “I concede the point!” she laughs.

The two boys put their coats on the coat rack by that door.  James takes his into the garage.  I stand at the end of the hallway waiting for him.  “I topped off the fuel in the genny” he smiles at me.  “Diesel fuel stinks” he grins at me before kissing me gently.  He stops in the kitchen to wash his hands.  Several times.  He just grins at me.  Another powerful gust hits the house.  I shiver.  James pulls me into a hug, one arm around my waist, the other tenderly cupping my head.  I wrap both my arms around his waist.  Gently easing his hold on me, “You ok?”  I heave a sigh and smile at him, nodding.  We all make our way back to the media room. 

Castor stands and stretches before the last episode.  “Who’s up for some snacks?” he grins.  Again, we all head into the kitchen.  Some popcorn is made.  James, MBF and I make sandwiches from the last of the roast beef.  Cali heats up some rice and tops it with butter and salt.  Grabbing a couple bags of chips and everyone grabs a Liquid Death can from the fridge, there’s a parade back to the Media Room.  Castor is the last one to enter the media room, carrying one of James’ guitars.  Grinning, “Here Dad, in case you want to play along!”

Laughing with his son, “Thanks, but that’s not my line.  That’s Kirk.”

“No, it’s yours.”

“I do a short solo in the middle.  The lead is all Kirk” James smiles at his boy, taking a bite from his sandwich.

“I thought this was all you.”

“Sorry Castor” James smiles.  “They even cut my solo from the show.  This rendition is all Kirk.”  Seeing the look on his boy’s face, “But I appreciate the vote of confidence.”

Castor, setting the guitar on the counter, “I honestly thought this was all you” he grins at his Dad.

“It’s me in Jungle Cruise” James offers.

“We should watch that next” MBF offers.

“How about we finish this show.  Next time we’ll do a movie marathon” James counters.

“Deal!”

Castor starts the last episode.  Everyone sits up to headbang when Eddie starts playing.  When the lines comes, we all shout “Most Metal ever!” laughing.  I smile at James.  He pulls me into a kiss.  When the episodes ends, Castor flops back on the sofa, arms raised, “We did it!”  There’s general laughter.

“You guys should pack up tonight” I offer.

James nods in agreement, “Excellent idea.  With the winds, you’ll want to leave a little early in case there’s trees on the freeway.”

Looking up at his Dad, “That corner there at Wolcott can be tricky.”  James just nods.

“Ok dorks” Marcella turns to her counterparts, “Let’s bag up.”

Castor powers down the system.  The kids all depart to their rooms.  I gather up the blankets.  James helps me, grabbing his guitar before turning off the lights in the room.  Leaning his guitar against the wall, the blankets get dumped on the floor in front of the washer.  “I’ll get to these when the power’s back” I tell him as he pulls me into a hug, my hands rest on his chest.

He kisses my forehead.  “What about the wind here has you jittery?” his eyes search my face.

“The winds here just sound … savage.”  I pat his chest, “The winds in the city just don’t sound like the winds here.”

Cupping my head into his chest, “I can understand that” as he pulls me in tighter.  I lean my head back looking into his face.  “From the sounds, I think the worst is over” he looks at me a gentle smile on his lips.  Leaving the laundry room and taking my hand, James reaches for his guitar and is almost bowled over by Castor.

“Yikes!”  Castor grabs his Dad.  “You ok?”

“I have enough bruises, thanks son” James teases Castor.

“I was just coming back.  I forgot to put your guitar away.”

James hands the axe to his boy, “Here ya go” he smiles.

Smiling, “Thanks.  I’ll put it back.”  Castor heads up the hallway, “Night Dad.”

“Night Castor” he watches the young man retreating up the hallway.

I rest my hand on his forearm and let it slide into his hand, smiling gently at the megarocksuperstargod dad at my side.   Sighing, he gently squeezes my hand.  Then turning to me with a gentle smile, we walk into the living room.  I see that there are some things the kids have left in the room and start collecting them.  James stops me, makes me set the things down and smiles, “Hey dorks!  Y’all left things in the living room!”  I raise my eyebrows at him.  “What?” he grins.

“So you started the dorks thing?”

“No.  That was actually Lars” he smiles.

Soon all six young people are in the living room collecting their items.  CGF and Marcella do a thorough search of the room as well as the kitchen.  With a “Good night!” they return to their rooms.

James turns off the lights in the living room.  With a sigh, he turns off the tree lights.  The room is very dark indeed.  Draping an arm over my shoulders to my other hip, he leads us to our bedroom – making sure to close the door behind us.  After climbing into bed, he’s fidgety.  I roll over, “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t like sleeping with the genny running.”  Reaching to my bed side table, I hand him the TV remote.  With concern etched on his face, “Are you sure?”

“Positive” I caress his face.

He sits up against the headboard and turns on the TV.  I completely roll over, putting my head into his lap.  His fingers play with my hair.  I drift to sleep. 

I feel him shift me gently off his lap.  That’s when I realize that the faded roar of the generator is silenced.  James is cold when he curls up against my back.  “All good?” I whisper.

“Yes, other than I’m cold” he snugs up closer.  I pull his arms tighter around me.

Sleep grabs us both.

Weird Observation

I'm supposed to be working (Yay for the hybrid work!) and listening to this podcast again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O6QPTawR14&t=145s

But I am now distracted because I have noticed that I can watch his hands in the reflection of his sunglasses hanging from his t-shirt.....

He's a "hand talker".

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