Did Anyone Else Notice That His Scary Guy Is Branded Into His Hat?

I will happily take whatever this man offers......

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

That tongue.......

Rockies Christmas - Day 7

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.

Everybody Loves a Parade - Part 6

Saturday – Part 6

Warnings: Pancakes, Fluff, shameless product placement

Again, his side of the bed is empty when I wake with music coming from the living room.  I wonder what it will take to make one of the other two bedrooms a music room for him.  I peek out the drapes.  It’s finally stopped snowing.  Whatever James is working on is going to be amazing.  I can hear him humming as he figures out where the words are going to fill in.  Maybe.  He did help write two amazing instrumentals.  His bandmates do call him the Riff Master.  I stretch out in the bed.  These sheets really do need to get changed.  I climb out of bed and tug the dirties off.  It took a moment because I was stumbling over the pile of dirty sheets, but I got the sheets changed.  I was piling them up in front of the bathroom when I see James standing there.

“I didn’t interrupt you, did I?” my voice a little high.

“No.  No.  I hit a wall.”  He scrubs his eyes, “That’s when I put it aside.  Why didn’t you wait?  I would have helped.”  Concern spreads across his face.

“You were a little busy and I wasn’t going to potentially ruin a gold record.”  I wrap my arms around his waist. 

The concern seeps from his face making his eyes brighten, “You really liked it?”

“Yes I did” I squeeze his waist looking up into his face.

He cups my face and kisses me.  “Well, I can at least take these to the washer.”

I give his waist another squeeze, “Thank you.”  I help him by collecting all the pillowcases and follow him out of the bedroom.  I grab the towels from the dryer and take them to the bedroom.  I can fold those later.  I hear James start the washer.

Returning into the kitchen, “What do you want for breakfast?”

James turns to me, “I kinda wanna go out.  Is there a place close by?

“Yeah.  It’s a real small place.  It’s about a 5 minute walk.”  I pull him into me, “They have pancakes….”

Pulling me into a kiss, “Let’s go!” he laughs.

Ten minutes later, we’re dressed.  As I head out the door, I grab the hot plate and towels for Fannie and leave it with Carl.  I call Fannie to tell her, but I know that Carl will just carry it over to her.  Fifteen minutes later we are seated in a booth at the diner, pancakes ordered.  James rests his hand over mine, “What’s on your mind.”

“What would you think if I give that second bedroom to make it into a music room for you.”  I look him in the face.

His eyes open wide, “You’d do that?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Why not.  I don’t use that second bedroom.”  I think a moment.  “Ever.”  I play with his fingers, “What would it take?”

Using his other hand, he rubs at the scruff on his face, “It wouldn’t have be a full blown studio.”  He looks at me again, “Seriously.  You’d do that for me.”

I smile at him, “Yes, James.  I will do that for you.”  I sigh deeply, “Besides, it’s time I clear out both those rooms.”  I look back at him, “You get to pick the room.”

He pulls me around the bench of our corner booth to his side and plants a deep kiss on me.  I wrap my hands around his head.  Our waitress clears her throat.  Still clinging to the other, we look at her.

“Pancakes go?” she says holding our meal grinning.

James loses it, laughing into my shoulder.  I just shake my head, “Thank you.”  She sets our plates down as James slowly pulls himself together.  “Are you ok?”

“It just caught me off guard.  I’m fine!” James laughs.

We tuck into our meals.  “That was an excellent idea” I look at James as I push my empty plate away.

Nodding, “Thanks.”

The waitress brings our bill.  She’s obviously a fan.  I just nod at her.  “Can I ask you for your autograph, please?” her voice shaking slightly.

Smiling broadly, James signs the order slip and thanks her for being a fan.  I go to the register and pay our bill.  I make sure to add a good-sized tip and we walk with arms around each other back to the apartment.

Once inside, James looks at me, I nod, then he goes and looks at the spare bedroom.  He opens the room that had been Grandmothers room.  He comes back to me, “What’s over these two rooms?”

“There’s a mechanical crawl space between this floor and the one above and below.  It’s the side walls that have neighbors.”

He rests his hands on my shoulders, “Is that why you scream into the mattress?” his eyes gleaming.

“uh huh.”  I bite my lower lip.

He plants a kiss on me.  “You are amazing.”  I just smile up at him.  He looks into both rooms again.  He returns to me.  “You’re sure.”

Nodding, “Positive.”

He claps his hands, “Ok.”  Pulling me to him, “Do you want to go gear shopping with me?”

“How about you go gear shopping and I clear out the room you want.”

He plants another toe-curling kiss on me, “Ok.”  He looks back to both rooms again.  “That one.”  He points to the spare room.  “No neighbors on those walls, right?”  I nod.  “That one.”  He pulls out his phone.  “Don’t you even think of moving that bed.  I got a guy” he points a finger at me.  “Hey Pete!  Need a favor.”  James wanders into what will become his music room.

I remember that I’d done a floor plan, well, of the whole apartment.  I needed one for the kitchen remodel and just kinda did all the rooms.  Going into my office, turning on my computer, I pull up the diagram and hit print.  Pulling the paper from the printer, I return to the kitchen to grab a glass of water.  I can still hear James talking in the other room.  His studio, I remind myself.  He comes out with the biggest cheesiest grin on his face.  “What?”

He wraps me into a hug, “One of our engineers is going to pick me up and take me to the warehouse to get gear.”  He looks at me, “What?”

“You look like the kid that was just handed the key to the toy shop.”

Cupping my head, he kisses me deeply, “I was!”  He kisses me again.  His pocket buzzes right beside my crotch.

“Uuh!” my eyes cross.

“Sorry!” 

I kinda grind into him, “Don’t be!”  My voice a little higher than normal.

He pulls out his phone, “Yeah.”  He eases his hold me, making sure that I’m stable on my feet.  Sitting down at the dining table, he starts talking numbers.  I’m sure it’s equipment, but I have no clue.  Going into Grandmother’s room, I pull up the shades.  I start shifting things.  Most of what’s in this room is holiday decorations.  So, I start shifting all those boxes together by the closet.  Against the wall is what I’m looking for.  Empty boxes.  Grabbing a couple, I take them into James’ room and set them down.  Going into the office, I pull out the packing tape.  Going back to the room, I put together one box and start plowing through the built in drawers.  After realizing that most of what’s in them can donate, I go grab a couple of large trash bags from the kitchen.  These I fill with the donations and drop them in the living room.  James grabs me after I drop another bag.  “Damn you can be fast!”

“I have been accused of being a bit of a pit bull when I get an idea.”

“I can see that” he smiles.

“You are grinning like the Cheshire cat.  What’s up?”

“Ahh.  Big Mick happens to be in town and he’s gonna come over and look the room over and then we’ll go gear shopping."  He kisses me.  “Might be able to just pull a bunch of stuff from storage rather than having to buy anything."

"That’s cool!”  I lean into him.  “Oh!”  I pull away, “You might find this helpful.”  I give him the room diagram.

He scans it, “Damn!”  He looks around and I give him a pencil.  He kisses me.  He starts noodling on the sheet.  His eyes pop up to mine, “I can write this, right?”

I just smile at him, “yes.”  I go back into the room to continue cleaning out my shit.  Twenty minutes later the doorbell rings.  I hear James answer it.  I’m elbow deep into a box from the closet, ass to the door, when James walks in and smacks my butt. Hard.

I pop up, “OW!”

“Well, don’t leave him a target.”  The man speaking with a heavy English accent is a rock and roll version of Santa.  Long white hair and beard with blue eyes as piercing as James’.  All his clothes black.

“Kira, this is Mick” James says.  He has me tucked into his side, gently rubbing my tender ass.

I shake his hand, “Nice to meet you.”

Mick scans the room.  “Not bad for a New York apartment.”  He starts looking around for power plugs.

“Oh!  Hang on!”  James lets go of me and quickly returns with the room diagram.

Mick takes a look at it.  “Who did this?”

“I did.”

He’s nodding, “This is very good.”  He points to something on the diagram, and finds it in the room, nodding.  “Do you have your own circuit box?”

“Yeah, it’s in here.”  I led him into the office.  Tucked into a small closet is the circuit box.

“This has been upgraded” he says in approval.

“I redid the kitchen a few years ago.”

“Upping the circuit box was a good idea.”

“Thanks.”

Mick takes a snap of the circuit box with its meticulous labeling.  Then he and James sit down at the dining table and start going over what is needed and where it should go.

I go back into the room and pull out several more bags of donation stuff.  I move a couple boxes into Grandmother’s room.  As I come out of that room, James snags me in a hug, “We’re going to the warehouse.  Shouldn’t be too long.”  He kisses me.

“You might think about putting down a rug in that room” I suggest.

“Excellent idea!  I think there are a couple in the warehouse” Mick chimes in.

James runs his hands over my head smoothing my hair, “You going to be ok?”

I look up into those fucking gorgeous eyes, “Yes.”

He leans his forehead against mine, “No bed moving.”

I look at him, “No bed moving.”

“Ok.”  He kisses me, “We’ll be back.”

“See you soon!”  I kinda follow them to the front hallway.  I listen as the front door clicks closed.  Knowing that’s secure, I return to the task at hand.  Clearing out his music room.  Stripping that bed, I forward my bed sheets and start the others.  Most of what was in the built-in drawers in that room I decide is donatable.  There are a few things that I add to my closet.  A few things that I just shudder at and throw out.  I check under that bed.  A few dust bunnies.  I pull out the vacuum and am working on the built in drawers in the closet when I hear, “Honey!  I’m Home!”  I turn off the vacuum and stretch my back.  James comes up behind me wrapping his arms around me, “Damn!  You can be tenacious!”

I lean back into him, “mmmhmmm.”

He kisses my neck, “We brought back lunch.”

The smell of burgers wafts in the room at that moment and my stomach rumbles.  “It has been a while since breakfast."

"It has!"  He takes my hand and pulls me from his music room.

There are about 12 people in my apartment.  Most sitting on the floor eating burgers.  I give James a look. 

“They are going to help shift the furniture.”  He whispers into my ear, “They are all our roadies.  I trust them.”

I nod ok.  James parks me at the table and hands me a burger.  There is a communal pile of fries in the middle.  James hands me a Severed Lime, puts his on the table and sits next to me.  Mick is on the other side of the table.  Someone asks where the trash is and James directs him to the can under the kitchen sink.  About twenty minutes later, the bed is shifted into Grandmother’s room, as are the nightstands.  A couple of the guys help me re-org that room so that I could get into the holiday boxes easily and they are neatly stacked by holiday.

I go to take a look in James’ music room.  There’s a huge paisley carpet on the floor.  A desk has been setup so that it looks out that window – tho it doesn’t really have a view.  A big tempered glass mat covers the carpet and a rolly desk chair sits on that mat.  There are a couple of guys behind the desk, at least one under it with both Mick and James sitting on the front side of the desk working on a piece of gear and cables are sliding all over the place.  There’s a standing mic stand.  There’s one clamped to the desk.  There’s all kinds of music boards sitting on the top of the desk that cables are being plugged in to.  A rolling road case filled with guitars now sits in the closet.  But it’s at a wonky angle because of the doors.

“James?”

“Yeah?” he turns, his eyes bright.

“Just have them take the closet doors off.  They can store them in Grandmother’s room against the wall.”

“What about the building super?” one guy asks.

“I’m the super.  I own this apartment.”

Nodding approval, “Page six and an apartment owner.  James, you dog!” Mick grins.

I just blush, spin and leave the room laughing softly.  Checking on the laundry, I fold the one set of sheets and forward the other.  Taking the clean sheets to my closet, I put them away.  Then fold and put away the towels I’d dumped on my bed earlier.  Crossing back into the living room, I realize that all the trash from lunch has been neatly put into a garbage bag left by the end of the kitchen counter.  There’s nothing left on the floor in my living room except the donation bags.  I sit on the sofa, a little bit in shock.  A couple of guys come in the front door carrying foam that they have obviously custom cut.  I follow them.  They neatly tuck the foam into one of the built in drawers and close it.  They measure the next one down and leave.  The first drawer is reopened, and another guy starts setting microphones into the foam.  James sees me watching and he pulls me onto his thigh.

“You look a little shell shocked” his lips right by my ear.

“They are so neat and tidy!”

“They better be for what they get paid” Mick says.  “I don’t pay them to be slobs.”

“I’m impressed.”  I see a couple of them smile. 

“We’re almost done” James leans into my ear kissing it.

“James, unless you can play with Kira on your knees, I’m sorry love, but you’ll need to move so I can test the setup.”

“Of course” I stand and move back.  One of the guys taps my shoulder.  He indicates a shorter road case.  I raise my eyebrows and he just nods.  I perch on the case.  James puts on a set of headphones and starts playing.  I can only hear the strings twanging.  The same guy plugs in another set of headsets and hands them to me.  I put them on.  I smile.  That screaming guitar riff that James plays so well sounds in my ears. 

James turns to me.   “What should I play?”  My eyes fly open wide. I can hear him.  “Mics in the headsets” he smiles and points at the headsets covering his ears.

“Roam” I ask.

He smiles and he starts the song.  I can hear the tweakings that Mick is making on the sound board.  James is getting into the rhythm.  I can tell that he wants to sing but is holding back.

“James, run the bridge again” Mick asks.

Effortlessly, James replays the bridge.

Four of the roadies come in the room.  They are carrying some kind of drapery concoction.  They hang a 1x2 along the top of the walls and make a large x on the ceiling.  They staple gun the top of the fabric to the 1x2.  As it unfolds, it’s been covered in the foam waffle sound proofing squares.  They repeat this for all four walls and the ceiling.  The one over the closet space has plastic tubing in the fabric to make an opening to get into the closet.  They’ve done the same idea with the window.  Once those are hung, James lets go with the vocals.  I just smile.

“That’s got it James.  You’re good.”  Mick stands and stretches his back. 

I take the headsets off and set them on the road case.  Another one of the guys taps my shoulder.  “Yes?”

“I probably should have asked, but I tapped into the light switch line.  That way James doesn’t have to turn each piece on or off individually.  It’s kinda like a master switch now.”

“That’s fine.”  I smile at James. “And actually a really great idea.”

“You think so?” my downpicking barbarian god grins.

“Yes, that way when we go back to Colorado, we know that this room is powered down.”

“Excellent job Trevor” James says.

Trevor’s shoulders square up a touch, “Thanks!”

“You guys get everything done?” Mick asks the room.

They all answer in the affirmative. 

I quickly leave and move into the living room.  Trevor approaches me, “Are these trash?” as he points at the donations bags.

“No.  Those are to donate.”

“Ah.”

“Do you know someone that could use some women’s clothing?”

“My sister works with a shelter…”

“Take them” I cut Trevor off.  “Please.”

“Thank you.”  Trevor and a couple of others remove all the donations bags.  Sinking into the sofa, I hear them chatting as they leave the apartment, “Damn!  James scored a winner this time!”

I smile like a Cheshire cat. 

Mick and James come out of the studio.  James makes a point to stop and flick the switch off grinning.  “Mick, thanks for giving up your Saturday.”

“Just remember this at the next acceptance speech!”  Mick squeezes James’ shoulder.  The Brit looks to me, “Nice to meet you Kira.”

“Nice to meet you too!”

James walks him to the front door.  It clicks closed.  I suddenly realize that it’s quiet in my apartment.  James comes to me, leans on the back of the sofa over me and kisses me.  “Thank you.”

I cup his face, “You’re welcome.”

His eyes pop open, “Ribs.”  He stands and quickly goes into the kitchen.  “Need to get these babies marinating!”

“Anything I can do to help?”  I ask from the sofa.

“Nope.”  He’s pulling spices from the drawer.  “Maybe order a pizza?”

“That I can do.”  I retrieve my phone from its charging stand in the office.  Calling my favorite pizza place, I order two for delivery.  With a salad.  Then I let Monty know.

“It is nice having a doorman” James smiles at me.

“Yeah it is.”

Twenty minutes later the door bell rings.  I go collect the pizzas and James tucks the ribs back into the fridge.  He grabs a couple of plates and forks.  “What do you want to drink?” as he pulls open the fridge.

“Grave Fruit please.”  I sort the pies and pull out the salad, giving that container a good shake.

He grabs a Severed Lime for himself and brings my tallboy along with the plates and forks.  We plate up and go sink into the sofa.  I turn on the TV just as the National News ends.  We watch the local news until the weather.  Skies are supposed to clear overnight, which will drop temperatures as the clouds move north.  Again, we watch Jeopardy.  James collects another slice of his meaty pizza.  I set my plate down, leaning back into the sofa, patting a full tummy.  “Gawd, you and Kirk with pineapple on the pizza” he laughs.  I just look up at him.  “What?”

“I love to see you happy.”

He swallows his bite, “You make me happy.”  He kisses me, “Today makes me very happy.”

“That makes me happy.”  Holding up a finger, “Although, I would keep the singing to between 8 and 5.  Don’t want Mrs. Friedman and Floofy making a house call.”

James snorts in laughter.  “No!  We don’t want that!”  I kickstart my eyelids.  He gently pulls me down to lie on the sofa, my head in his lap.  I wrap an arm over his knees stretching my legs out on the sofa.  He starts to gently play with my hair with his right hand, his left gently rubbing my back.  My eyes start to close.  I squirm a little to get comfy.  “Shhh.  You’ve done a lot today.”  Both his hands work my shoulders.  I groan lightly.  “That’s my girl.   Shhh.”  Both his hands run down my back to my hips.  He works his thumbs into my lower back gently.  I sigh as his hands work my back softly.  I feel his lips kiss between my shoulder blades.  The next thing I know he’s tucking my naked body into bed, pulling my back into his chest, wrapping his arm around my ribs.  His other arm is my pillow and I curl up around it.  His nose buries into my hair and the back of my neck, “Sleep.  Shh” he coos at me. 

And I’m out.

Sneaking a feel there, James?

Rockies Christmas - Day 14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Hey lovebirds!  Pancakes!” comes from downstairs.

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

“Go!” comes from downstairs.

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

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

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

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

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

We snort in laughter.

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

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

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

“I thought about doing a couple of runs.”

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

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

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

“Mind if bang awhile?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Mine.”

“Those monitors are huge.”

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

“How often do you have to work?”

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

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

“Don’t let Dad see that.”

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

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

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

“What aren’t you telling me.”

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

“A jerk?”

“That’s a nicer word” I smile.

“Your ring.”

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

“I like you” she states simply.

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

“Soooo, you love Dad.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Why?” CGF asks.

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

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

Pointing to the young man, “Good answer.”

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

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

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

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

Castor looks at CBF, “When’s dinner?”

“About 40 minutes from now.”

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

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

I smile, “I like fireworks.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“It’s starting!” MBF calls.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Good thinking” James smiles at her.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pointing, “Dad is worse!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Me too” as CGF follows.

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

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

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

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

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

“Hey Castor!”

“What Cali?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Life gets in the way ...

..... Of having fun.

I am going to have to step away from the writing for a bit. Life has thrown some massive curve balls at me and nailed me. I am ok. But I am finding it hard to concentrate on the writings. They have been fun and I hope y'all liked them! I will post photos from time to time.

Until the potholes in my life's road get filled, I wish all of you nothing but good!

~H4H

Everybody loves a parade - Monday

I came up with this idea a while ago. I hope y'all enjoy it! There will be a post everyday this week - as the story continues!! Again, I left the name of the main character in the story. I find it difficult to write without it. Sorry!

Link to the beginning:

Today's post: Fluff, Shameless Product Placement (IYKYK)

Monday

I was so thrilled to be back in my city.  The Concrete Jungle.  The City that Never Sleeps.  The Big Apple.  NYC. 

The brisk fall air slaps my cheeks as I step out of the taxi in front of my building.  Turning back, I help collect the luggage from the cab trunk: Two suitcases, a pair of backpacks, one large garment bag and a guitar case.  My boyfriend pays the driver.

“Welcome back Miss Mooreland!”  Carl, the doorman, is quick to help with the luggage onto a cart.  “And your guest is?”

Smiling, “Carl, this is James.”

“A pleasure to meet you.  Here, let me get that for you.”  Carl reaches for the guitar case.

James quickly picks up the case.  “I can get that, thank you.”  He smiles at the doorman, “But would appreciate your help with the rest tho.”

“Of course!” Carl smiles back as he holds the door open for both of us.  “It’ll be up in a minute for you Miss Mooreland.”  Seeing another resident, “Mrs. Friedman, you and Floofy had a good walk I hope.”

The elderly woman scoops up the little lap yap yorkie, “We did Carl, thank you.”  Seeing me, “And you are back from your adventures?”

“Yes, Mrs. Friedman.”  Taking James elbow, “May I introduce you to James Hetfield?”  James offers his hand.

Shaking just his fingers, “Are your people from Wisconsin?”  Mrs. Friedman squints up at James’ face as she is shorter than me.

Blushing slightly, “I honestly do not know” James admits.

Letting go of his fingers, “Well, you have their height.”  Setting the little yorkie down, “Come along Floofy.  We need to visit Mr. Jefferies” as she pushes the call button for the elevator.  When it arrives, “Shall we share this one?” she asks.

“Thank you, Mrs. Friedman.”  I grab James’ hand, and we get into the small car.  Mrs. Friedman pushes the buttons for the 9th and 12th floors.  I smile kindly at the elderly woman.

“Will you be in town for the Holidays?” Mrs Friedman asks.

Nodding, “At least for the Parade.  James has not experienced it live.”

“Ah.  That will be fun.”  The elevator stops on floor 9.  “Here we go Floofy.”

“Have a good afternoon” I say to the old woman.  When the doors are closed, leaning back into James, “Booty call.”  James snorts a laugh as the doors open on the 12th floor.  “This way” I lead James down the hallway.  Opening the door, “Ahh!  Home.”

“Woah.”

My apartment is done all in white with tile flooring.  The furniture in tan is understated but comfy.  Dropping my backpack on a chair at the dining table, shedding my heavy jacket as well, I take James into the living room.  The large windows look out over Central Park.  The foliage in the park is a glorious mix of golds and reds with a smattering of evergreens.  The doorbell rings.  I leave James staring out the window.

“Thank you, Carl.”  I take the luggage from the doorman.

“Glad that you are back safely, Miss Mooreland.”

Laughing, “Carl, when are you going to call me Kira?”

Leaning into me, “When the old biddies are all gone!” Carl chuckles as he closes the front door.

James wraps his arms around my waist.  “This is a cool place!”  His coat now is on the chair with mine.

“It’s small, but home.”  Pointing to a room right by the front door, “My office.”  Taking his hand, “Kitchen.  You’ve seen the living room.  Guest bedroom, my bedroom and” opening the last closed door, “storage or Grandmother’s room.”  It’s taken all of about 20 steps for him.  50 for me.

“You weren’t kidding about it being small” James says as he investigates my bedroom.  The king bed almost fills the entire room.

Smiling awkwardly, “I like a big bed.”  Pointing to a darkened doorway, “Bathroom.”  Wandering back to the living room, “There are two more bathrooms as well.”  Collecting my backpack, I go into my office.  Flipping on the light, I wince a little.  The desk is covered in piles of folders, magazines, newspapers and books.

“Why would put your office in the smallest room?” James asks, “Why not clear out the other bedroom overlooking the park?”

Smiling up at him and wrapping my arms around him, “I’d never get any work done with that view.”

Frowning slightly, “Huh.”  James cups my head and plants a kiss on my lips.

Detangling myself from his body, I set my phone on the charging stand.  James pats his pockets and pulls out his phone checking its charge.  “Uhm, do you have a place I can plug in?” 

Digging into a desk drawer, I find a cord and plug one end into a hub.  Holding the other end to him, “A little Apple juice?” I smirk.

“That’s funny!” he chuckles as he takes the cord and plugs it into his phone. 

Kissing his bicep and I retrace my steps into the kitchen.  Checking the fridge, “Yikes.”

“What?”

I let the fridge door swing all the way open.  There’s a mustard bottle, ketchup, soy sauce, butter, and a few cans of Severed Lime.  The rest of the shelves were empty.  “I think we need to hit up the store.”

“uhm, I’d say so” James huffs a laugh. 

Quickly collecting my wallet, shrugging back into our big coats, I lock the door after stepping into the hallway.  James rests his hand in the small of my back inside the elevator.  Carl holds the door for us as we walk out onto the sidewalk.

James asks, “Cab?”

“On the way back.  It’s just a short walk there.”  Buttoning up my jacket, “But carrying the full grocery bags back can be a pain.”  Slipping my hand into his elbow, “This way” I smile up at him.  Although the parade is just a couple days away, the streets are only slightly crowded at the moment.  James is getting a little tense.  At the stoplight, I look up at him, “You ok?”

“Yeah,” he smiles down at me, “Just not used to so many people.”

Nodding, “Colorado is a lot less populated.”  Tugging him with me when the light changes we cross the street.

Entering the store, I grab a shopping cart.  Pulling out of the main traffic flow, “James, are we doing turkey dinner in or out?”

James steps in front of the cart, leaning his tattooed hands on it.  “I don’t know” he says honestly.

Smiling gently at him, “If you do the bird, I can do the rest.”

His face lights up, “Deal!”

Unbuttoning my coat, “Right then.  Meat department first.”

An hour of shopping and cab ride later – his height made hailing one super easy - we step from the taxi back at the building.  Carl is there immediately with the cart.  As I pay the driver, Carl and James load the groceries onto the cart.  The three of us and the cart take the elevator to the 12th floor.  At my front door, “Oh.  Carl, we have a turkey being delivered on Wednesday from the store.”  I hold the door for Carl to pull the cart inside my apartment.

“Thank you, Miss Mooreland.  I will add you to the list.”  Carl helps put the sacks on the counter.  As he pulls the cart back into the hallway, “Should I put it in your fridge if you are not available for the delivery?”

“Yes, please Carl.  I don’t know our plans just yet.”

Nodding, “I will see it’s taken care of.  Have a good evening!”  Carl makes certain that the front door clicks shut.

After putting all the groceries away, I set about making dinner.  James seems to be fascinated by the view out the living room window.  The sun is setting and dancing off the windows in the high rises.  The leaves in the park are dancing in the winds as they pick up.  After making sure that our dinner is simmering just right, setting a timer, I join him, slipping an arm around his waist.

He drapes his arm around my shoulders.  “I get it now.”

“Get what?”

“Why your office is in the back room.”

We stand there for a time just watching.  The trees.  The setting sun.  I point out a skein of geese flying over the Park.  Shifting me to stand in front of him, he wraps both arms around me.  I lean back into his chest.  A siren screams down the street.  I heave a sigh.

“Life in the big city, huh?”

“yeah” I sigh out.

The timer dings.

“That smells good.”  But his arms still remain wrapped around me.

I squeeze his arms, “It’s going to burn if I don’t take it out of the oven.”

Kissing my shoulder, “Don’t want that!” he rumbles into my ear.  Easing his hold on me, I move back into the kitchen.  He follows me.  “Is there something I can do to help?”

Opening a cabinet, “Yes, please.  Can you grab two of those big white bowls?”

“What?” he grins.  “You can’t reach those?”  He easily lifts the bowls down.  He holds them tightly as I try to collect them.

“Thank you” I purr at him.  He lifts my chin and tenderly kisses me.  I breathe deeply.  His cologne, the faint cigar smoke, him, fills my nose.  “Dinner is going to burn” I purr.  He huffs a laugh gently, letting go of the bowls.

I check on the rice and open the oven door.  The steam from the paella wafts out.  Pulling the dish out, I set it on the stove to cool.

“Where will I find silverware?” James asks sincerely.

“Oh.  Thanks!  That drawer.  And there are glasses in that cabinet.”  Tasting the paella, I add just a couple grinds of pepper.  “Napkins are in that drawer.”

I watch him go about setting the table.  This, the megarocksuperstargod that I about dumped three months ago, doing a mundane task.  A freak September snowstorm gave us a second chance.  He has been working on changing.  So have I.  It’s not been an easy road.  We have had some heated discussions.  We have had some intensely deep discussions.  But - so far - we have agreed that this is the best relationship either of us have had and it’s worth the effort to make it work.  His offering to set the table is just one more step in the right direction for us.  It was his idea for us to spend Thanksgiving in NY.  That he’d be willing to give up the sanctity of his Colorado home for the big city during one if its biggest events spoke volumes to me. 

As I dish out the rice and paella into the bowls, James collects drinks for both of us from the fridge.  “Squashed or Severed?” he asked.

“Either will work with the paella.”

Smiling at me, “Blended it will be!”  Filling two large glasses with ice, he pours half of one can into each glass, adding half of the second can to each.  Taking a spoon from the drawer, he gives them a gentle stir.  He carries them to the table, me following with the bowls.

Taking a bite of the paella, “This is so good!” James smiles at me.

“Thanks.”  I smile gently.

“What’s that look for?” his concern genuine.

“My Grandmother taught me to make it.”

Taking another big bite, “She taught you well” James smiles at me.  “Tell me about her.”

Sighing, “She raised me from the time I was three.”  James looks at me and puts his spoon down.  “My parents died” I shrugged off the memories.  Looking around the apartment, “She bought this apartment when it was new before I was born.”  Taking a sip of the concoction James had made, “That’s good!” I smile at him.  Hie eyes light up.  “When I was 23, she added me to the paperwork.”  Smiling awkwardly at him, “When she died, it reverted to me.”  I set the glass down.  “I didn’t mean to be a Debbie downer.”

James rests his hand on mine, “I’m sorry about your parents.  But it seems that you have a lot of happy memories here with your Grandmother.”

“I do.”  I took another sip.  “I am grateful for everything she gave me.  This apartment.  My love for reading that got me my job.”  I smile at James.  “Her cookbook!” I giggle.

Picking his spoon back up, “Me too!” he chuckles at me.

We finish dinner talking about my childhood memories in this apartment.  Going to the Parade.  The Rockettes.  The windows.  The baking.  Summers playing in the park.  The fall trips to Vermont to go leaf peeping.

As we clean up, James really looks around.  “This kitchen is newer.”

Nodding, “I upgraded about six years ago.”  Shuddering, “It needed it.”

“That bad?”

Patting his chest as I leave the kitchen, “Think avocado green and shag carpet.”

James shudders.  “Shag carpet?”

“Yup.  The whole place.”

“Blech!”  He sinks into the sofa, pulling me with him.  “It looks good now.”

“Thanks.”

He presses a kiss to my neck.  Leaning back, “So what’s the schedule tomorrow?”

Twisting slightly and leaning into his chest, “I have three articles that need to get finished.  Two won’t take long.  But the third one, she gets technical and I have a lot to look up.”

“You have to look up?”

“Yeah.  I made the mistake once to not double check and there was holy hell to pay.  Not making that mistake again."

James wraps a hand around my head and kisses my hair.  “While you are working, then I want to get to the management company office.  They will probably insist on taking me out to lunch.”  He looks at my face, “That ok with you?”

Again, my heart is warmed that he’s really trying.  A few months ago, he would have just taken off and not said a damn word to me.  “Yes.”  I kiss his chin, “Just bring me the leftovers, please.  I will probably forget to eat lunch.”

Patting my stomach, “You got it!” his eyes sparkle as he grins.  Looking out the window, “Dang, it gets dark here early.”

“Yeah.  And sadly, we don’t get the stars.”

“Too many lights.”

“Yup.”  Leaning forward I grab the TV remote and power up the system.  We watch a little bit of the local news.  After the weather report – potential snow flurries for the Parade – I change the channel to a nature show.  I can feel him looking at me.  “The rest of the news will be shootings, stabbings, holdups.”  Looking up at him, “Sunday will be game day.”  His eyes light up.  “Yes, I get all the games.  I have the morning game, you have the afternoon game.”  He looks like a kid that just got handed the keys to the candy store.

“I’ll stop on the way back tomorrow and get some ribs from that store.”

“I’ll text you the address” I smile up at him.  “And my address so you have it.”

Gently kissing me, “And text me anything else you want to go with the ribs.” 

He wraps his fingers around the back of my neck and messages it.  “mmmm.  That feels good” I murmur.

Leaning into my ear, “It’s been a long day.  Let’s get a shower” his voice a velvet rumble.

I stand, power off the TV and take his hand, pulling him from the sofa leading the way to my bathroom.  It is a bit smaller than his in Colorado.  But the white marble and glass stall fit us both comfortably.  We take turns washing each other’s hair and scrubbing each other’s backs.  I wrap my hair up in a second towel, using a bath sheet around my body.  James, wraps in a towel, goes to his luggage and pulls out his toiletries bag.  I am brushing my teeth when he comes back, claiming the second sink and starts brushing his teeth.  Finishing drying my hair, I hang up both my towels and pad naked to my bed.

Flipping off the bathroom light, a very naked James joins me between the sheets.  He wraps me in his arms, pulling me to his chest.  Kissing my forehead, “I can’t believe I almost let this slip between my fingers.”

I snuggled in closer, “Well, you got lucky” I purr.

Kissing me tenderly, “Yes.”  Another kiss.  “I got very lucky.”  He tucks my head under his chin, his left hand playing with my hair.  His right hand holding me securely to his chest.

I fall asleep listening to his heartbeat.

Everybody Loves a Parade - Part 2

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

Tuesday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“You are so damned thick” I whimper.

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

“Yes”  I kiss his ribs.  “Yes it is.”

We both doze.

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

I smile at him.  “I’m excellent.”

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

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

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

“What’s wrong?”

“Just happy” he says quietly.

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

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

“Depends on where you’re going.”

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

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

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

“Anything interesting?”

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

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

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

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

“Charging on my office desk.”

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

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

“Incognito.”

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

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

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

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

“What’s this?”

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

He looks at me.  “Really?”

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

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

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

He kisses me, “You too!”

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

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

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

“You didn’t eat lunch, did you?”

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

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

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

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

I sniff, “You found a cigar bar.”

A smirk lifts his lips, “I did.”

“How’d things go with the managers?”

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

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

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

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

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

“James … wow.”

“You’ve never been there?”

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

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

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

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