tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76702276574003736692024-02-20T06:06:08.838-05:00Kisses and MistletoeCan Stamkos conquer it all?HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-267773078173963892011-11-08T15:39:00.000-05:002011-11-08T15:39:09.106-05:00Ulterior Motives<br />
I've been thinking of making a blog for just my one-shots and short stories for a while now and today I finally got the ambition to do so! As of right now I have one story posted... I will be posting some others as the weeks go by and I get them proof-read. Obviously this is just a space for the extra things I write which might not all be on hockey players... we shall see... click on the link, check it out and follow!! :o)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.needabreakdownhere.blogspot.com/">www.needabreakdownhere.blogspot.com</a>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-86503083690600532162011-10-26T15:55:00.002-04:002011-10-26T15:55:39.327-04:00Don't Give Up On MeWell, I said I wouldn't do it. I said I wouldn't be writing full-stories, but <a href="http://alexovetjkin.blogspot.com/2011/09/ovechkin-talks-about-trade-life-and.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FDXuq+%28Alex+Ovetjkin%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher">this article</a> and a talk in Philly with K and RebelHeart made the gears begin to turn on a player that people either hate or love. I can't say he's gorgeous, but I can't say he's ugly... I guess I want to say that he is intriguing and makes for a good story character. I am not a Capitals fan, so please don't think of me as one. However, with some help from some willing people, I've had some help in making this story seem as authentic as possible.<br />
<br />
I am sure I will have some readers that won't be willing to read this because of the character, and that is fine, but I ask you keep an open mind (like me) and remember I have yet (at least I hope) to steer you in the wrong direction with my random pick of guys... Enjoy and please let me hear your comments (whether you like it or not)!!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dontgiveuponme8.blogspot.com/">www.dontgiveuponme8.blogspot.com</a>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-13887483990572379372011-09-28T11:30:00.001-04:002011-09-28T11:30:15.176-04:00Check It Out!!Posting one of my archived stories... <a href="http://www.loveandflowers19.blogspot/">www.loveandflowers19.blogspot</a><br />
<br />
Check it out!! I'd love to see you all over there and hear your comments!! Also keep on a look-out... I am planning on making a page that will just be my short-stories and one-shots... some will be old and some will be new as the year goes by! I'll let you know when and where! Hope you're all well and thanks again for the support!!HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-30238503416054732252011-08-01T07:46:00.002-04:002011-08-02T12:46:22.359-04:00Chapter 14 - The End!<strong>Well... we quickly come to a close with our story! I really appreciate all your comments and I hope you enjoyed it!! This is definitely one of my faves!! I will most likely be posting another one of my back-stocked stories, so stayed tuned, but in the mean time if you aren't reading <a href="http://www.ifnotnow89.blogspot.com/">www.ifnotnow89.blogspot.com</a> then you better check it out! We're just starting out, so you haven't missed too much!! :o) Cheers!!</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Ch.</span></i></b></st1:country-region></st1:place><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> 14</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Olivia started her new job as Eric’s home-care nurse on Tuesday, the 14th.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of her bruises had faded to the point that she could just add a little make-up and you wouldn’t notice them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were both excited to have each other for company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Mom and Sarah headed back home, but with promises for being back in several days for Christmas, along with my dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It ended up being a nice week home with Liv.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a game on Wednesday that she attended, sitting with Heather and some of the other WAG’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She announced to the women that she would be staying in the States for good and of course they were all excited and began signing her up for all kinds of events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was glad that she would have another support system when I was away on the road for games.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">On Thursday after practice, we headed over to her apartment with Downie in tow so that we could get her apartment cleaned up and move the rest of her things into my place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t have a lot of things, so it only took one trip, for which I was thankful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could tell she was not comfortable being back in her apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every little sound seemed to make sure jump and she was literally shaking when we first stepped foot into the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Thursday night was the team Christmas party at a club in downtown <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Tampa</st1:city></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Holy shit,” I breathed when she came walking into the bathroom to finish her make-up.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She blushed as she looked up at me in the mirror and asked innocently, “What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“That dress makes you look like you have legs that go on forever,” I drooled, sliding behind her and running my hand up her smooth leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a silver sequined dress that reminded me of a go-go dancer outfit, yet classy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a fun, team party, so she wouldn’t look out of place with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When did you get this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She giggled at my reaction and said, “The girls helped me pick it out on Black Friday; I figured this would be a good event to wear it to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the silver sequins make it festive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“And make you look like a million bucks,” I said as I pressed my lips to her neck after I brushed her tousled hair away from it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Do you think the half curled hair looks okay?” she asked sincerely looking for an opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“It makes you look like we were just having sex all day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sheisse, is that bad?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Nein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sex ist gut,” I growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran my other hand up her thigh and over towards her cleft, finding a thin pair of panties.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You are a dirty minded boy,” she scolded, as she took a step, but only to part her legs farther apart to coax me on in touching her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just smiled while I moved my fingers higher, hooking one around the string holding the material together and slid them down until they just fell down, resting on her ankles that were strapped into a pair of silver stilettos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She teasingly pushed her ass back, rubbing it against my hardening cock; I was still only in my boxers so she easily felt me becoming turned on.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You’re just as evil,” I growled into her ear as I pushed off my boxers and lifted her dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I backed her up against me and placed my hand on her back so that she would bend down and lean on the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pushed a finger up into her, finding her already wet and to the satisfaction of both of us, I slowly entered her warm depths with my length.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed watching her facial expressions in the mirror as I fucked her uninhibitedly; something about it was a huge turn-on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was raw and to the point, knowing we both had a time schedule to be following yet I wanted her too bad to just walk out the door and hope for the best later.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Between the fast, hard pace and how damn good she felt in this position, I soon emptied myself into her as she cried out my name while looking at me thru sex hazed eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After helping her clean-up and kissing her deeply to thank her for the unscheduled session, I walked out of the bathroom, smiling at her flushed skin and glowing smile that I had obviously caused.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Are you seriously going to wear that suit?!” I squeaked when he walked by the open bathroom door as I was fixing my makeup after the impromptu session.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He stopped and walked backwards until he was by the doorway again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What is wrong with this suit?!” he practically whined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why does everyone have a problem with this suit?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The suit in question was a silver, almost shimmery suit that completely washed out his features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I give him props for trying to be fashion forward, but it did absolutely nothing for his pale skin and light blonde hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing that did do something for his features was the bright blue tie, which made his eyes shimmer like the suit.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sighed as I walked over and took his hands as he pouted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For one, I already have enough silver on for the both of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, I think this material completely washes you out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So what should I wear Miss Fashion police?” he chirped, seeming slightly annoyed that he didn’t pick out the best suit the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“The black one,” I blurted out as I led him down the hall to the closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I love the black one with the black skinny tie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw a picture of you in it on the internet and I think I stared at it for an hour or two when I was working and not having anything better to do.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chuckled at the declaration and began undressing as I dug through the closet and found it hanging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Here it is!” I exclaimed only to turn around and find him back in just his boxers again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped and stared, taking in the sight of his beautiful body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had gotten used to my reaction over the last couple days, yet he still would blush as he would shoo me away.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Go, finish getting ready before we end up being late because of the way you are looking at me with those hungry eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should really be okay without having sex twice before heading out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“But…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Liv,” he growled in a playful, warning tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ja,” I said, as I leaned in to quickly kiss him before turning around to sashay out of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laughed when I heard him groan; knowing that my exaggerated walk had caught his attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Holy Fuck!” Downie gawked as we walked into the party, only a few minutes late due to the fact that I couldn’t help but run and catch her down the hall after she walked away from me like a complete tease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You two look like a million bucks!!!” he exclaimed, taking Liv’s hand and dramatically kissing it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Danke,” Liv blushed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It felt so natural to have her by my side for the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was actually our first team function together, and I didn’t realize how much more comfortable it made me feel to have a woman with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Downie and I went stag to most of the functions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did it because I didn’t need the WAG’s getting the wrong ideas if I brought a date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time I didn’t care if they made assumptions, Liv was mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She had been out on the dance floor with Heather and Karine for a while, shaking her beautiful little body to the beats the DJ was playing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just stood with Marty, Gags, and Downie, watching them laugh and have fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the slow song came on, I just moved across the dance floor to capture her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Steven!” she gasped happily as she wrapped her arms around me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Olivia!” I mocked her as I kissed her lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“May I have this dance?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Mmm, you may,” she cooed. We moved in close, not leaving a centimeter of light between us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Are you having fun?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I needed this,” she answered honestly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I still can’t believe that only a few weeks ago we were total strangers, and now…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Now here we are,” I finished for her as I kissed her forehead.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A Year Later…Christmas Eve.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Liv, do you have everything packed yet?!” Steven yelled from the living room of our condo.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Almost…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Our flight leaves in a little over an hour and we need to get there a little earlier because of the crazy holiday travelers,” he practically whined.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I walked down the hall with my over sized suitcase dragging behind me, stopping in front of a photo of the Magic Kingdom Castle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The picture had been taken on New Years of last year when a group of us, including Eric, went and spent the day at Epcot and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Magic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weeks before Christmas had been too cold for us to go any earlier, but it finally warmed up enough on the 31<sup>st</sup> of December.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a day I will never forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eric and I had our picture taken together in front of the castle first and then the next picture taken was of Steven officially proposing to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I gave him a look to remind him what we had talked only a few weeks prior, he spouted off about how it didn’t matter if we got engaged so early because his feelings were not going to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood there for a moment to let the thoughts sink in and realized he was completely correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I didn’t think we’d start planning a wedding for a while, but that too took me by surprise because a few weeks later I began planning our wedding that occurred this past July in his hometown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking at the next photo, I still couldn’t believe that I was now Olivia Stamkos, Canadian citizen and wife of NHL top scorer, Steven Stamkos.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Eric walked me down the aisle that beautiful day, two weeks later his soul left the earth and we were devastated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I knew it was coming and actually we expected it a lot sooner, but Eric was one tough kid, sticking it out until after our wedding.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I promise to be there for your wedding, Olivia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, it’s all because of me that you two found each other,” Eric said brightly one day while we sat outside on the swing-set behind his house.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ja, you definitely can take the credit for it; you and Diggity,” I said as I mussed his hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every now and then I swear I could still hear his laughter when the boys did something funny.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“This will be the first time we are home since the wedding,” Steven lamented, wrapping his arm around me to pull me into his side.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m excited about going home,” I said with a smile, even though the tears had joined them as my thoughts of Eric were still fresh in my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m happy to know you consider it home,” Steven said before he pulled me into a deep kiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He still put my heart on alert and I still got butterflies everytime he walked into the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just can’t wait til our little guy comes into the world to be apart of our family holidays,” he whispered as he rubbed his hand of my swelling belly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We found out I was pregnant just a few days after Eric’s funeral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week we found out that we were having a boy; of course we already knew that we were going to name him Eric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just hoped he was the spitting image of his father.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We were back to kissing when there was pounding on the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dude!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are going to be late and my mother will kiiiiillll me if I miss my flight!” Downie yelled when I opened the door with my suitcase in hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He leaned in, kissed my cheek, rubbed my belly and then went back to yelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jesus Stammer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought you were a gentleman but no, here is your prego wife pulling around her own heavy luggage!” he complained as he took the not so heavy suitcase out of my hands, wheeling it over to his Range Rover.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“She complains that I don’t let her do enough around the house,” Steven defended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which, he was completely correct, I hated the fact that everyone treated me like I was going to break; I just attributed my stubbornness to my German roots.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So what!?” Downie shot back before twirling around and putting a finger in my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are carrying my Godchild, so I would appreciate if you just let us pamper you for the next 9 months so nothing happens to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I huffed and nodded my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Thank you and I’m sorry for yelling at you, I just am amped up to get home,” he spouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You are just amped up to see Sarah,” I joked back, knowing that Steven was within ear shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was still not overly happy with Diggity dating his little sister, but I did a lot to smooth things over since he caught them making out behind the bushes during our wedding reception.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Downie just shot me a look and said, “Soooo Stammer, I think your wife has called shotgun…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m calling for a shotgun for your head, but since its Christmas and we’re all supposed to be happy, I will wait until the New Year to go out and purchase one,” Steven growled and he helped me into the passenger seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Once I was in, I grabbed his cheeks and kissed his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now, now,” I cooed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Don’t try and schmooze me with your kisses,” he grumbled with a sparkle in his eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I am not trying to schmooze you,” I giggled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am just kissing you because we are under the mistletoe together,” I said, nodding my head for him to look up above us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hanging from the visor of Downie’s SUV was a sprig of mistletoe.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">An easy smile crossed over Steven’s lips as he leaned back in and kissed me deeply.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Come on!” Downie whined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I did not put that in the car for you two to make out under…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steven pulled back and chirped, “No, you put it in there for when my sister comes back with us to stay for a week or two before she goes back to college!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know your sneaky ways and I’m going to make you pay by making you watch me make out with my wife.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steve slammed his door and bounced up and down in the front seat as he covered his eyes and complained, “I don’t need to see this shiiiiiiit!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steven and I just laughed before kissing once more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Time to go,” I whispered with Downie was still grumbling loudly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“But I love using mistletoe as an excuse to kiss you,” Steven whispered back.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You do not need mistletoe for an excuse, silly boy,” I said as I pinched his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Santa has allowed you to keep me forever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">His cute, easy smile brightened as he said, “Yeah, and it’s definitely the best Christmas gift I’ve ever been given.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-78349302098743498102011-07-30T08:00:00.000-04:002011-07-30T08:00:13.985-04:00Chapter 13Hey!! Just wanted to drop a note to check in and let you all know I've been reading and enjoying all your comments!! The common thread seems to be how much we all hate Andy-Ass... He is pretty shitty, isn't he? :)<br />
<br />
Obviously I haven't had a ton of songs attached to the this story, but this is one that I felt was perfect for this chapter... and for Liv and Steven. It's an oldie-but-a-goodie in my book! The accoustic version is what the link is to...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">if you'd accept surrender<br />
I'll give up some more<br />
weren't you adored<br />
I cannot be without you<br />
matter of fact<br />
I'm on your back<br />
<br />
if you walk out on me<br />
I'm walking after you<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkxqI1nkZgo"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Walking After You –</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> Foo Fighters</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Ch.</span></i></b></st1:country-region></st1:place><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> 13</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The conversation I had with my mom earlier in the week was a complete disaster.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Olivia! You have a role to fulfill and you are promised to Andreas.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Mother, he abused me so bad that I was put in the hospital.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You cheated on him,” she hissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“How do you know that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Because he came here as soon as he arrived back home and told us everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also told us how you broke his nose.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Lies!” I cried into the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“All lies.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Even if they are, you still cannot change your future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are his.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m becoming an <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place> citizen, Mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not coming back home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You are better than that,” she spit and hung up the phone on me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I have to say I was shocked when my father agreed to Skype with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he probably thought I was confessing that I had been wrong and that I would be coming home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, my heart was torn in pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My family’s approval was so important to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heritage was so vital and I knew by becoming an <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place> citizen, I would be going against everything I was ever taught and I would never be able to return home to the family I loved so much and my friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Daughter,” my father said sternly over the computer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hallo, Vater,” I said in our native tongue.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I see you are making a bigger fuss than what should have been made about your bruises,” he said harshly in English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt Steven fidget next to me, but I just laid a hand on his thigh, warning him to shut his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“They were a lot worse; I actually had a severe concussion, from which I still have vertigo.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Don’t use your big medical terms on me,” he growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I just sighed and decided I better turn it over to Steven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Father, I have someone here that would like to speak with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His name is Steven and he speaks English, so please be polite to him and speak English back to him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My father just nodded, obviously annoyed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hallo, Pflazgraf Meier,” Steven said politely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My name is Steven Stamkos…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Are you the boy my daughter is messing around with?” my father blurted out.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I wouldn’t put it that way, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“How would you put it then?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you rather I just ask if you are fucking my daughter?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I cringed and heard Lesley take in a sharp breath.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You have no business being involved with Olivia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All you do is fill her head with American ideas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You Americans are all the same,” my father continued, allowing me to realize that Andreas sounded exactly like him. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Or maybe it’s the other way around…</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steven cleared his throat and spoke up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sir, I am not American.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am Canadian and there is a big difference.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Of course my father just scoffed at this.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I have an offer to make you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we promise not to press charges on Andreas, will you allow Olivia to stay here in the States and live her life the way she pleases?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Again my father laughed evilly, causing me to shutter at his harshness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You wouldn’t be able to afford to fight this in the courts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ah, that is where you are wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think our salaries are evenly matched; I make a few million in just endorsements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be able to hire the best.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was absolutely the first time I had ever heard of Steven talk about money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was never one to flaunt it or use it for power…until now.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The talk of money made my father’s ears perk up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you threatening to use your money against me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I want is your daughter,” Steven said in a grown up voice as he squeezed my hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She deserves the world and I will give it to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d just rather do it without the hassle of fighting with you, but if I have to, then I will.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I watched as my father sat back in his seat, obviously a little uncomfortable with someone talking about their feelings, especially when it came to his daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My father never told me he loved me, mainly because I was a girl and basically meant nothing to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In truthfulness, I doubt my father even knows the meaning of love.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“For not being American, you sure do have that whole attitude of believing in fairytales Mister Stamkos.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“This has nothing to do with fairytales.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So are you asking me for permission to marry my daughter?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sucked in a breath and looked over at Steven who never seemed to be thrown off kilter by the question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes,” he said solidly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want to marry your daughter, whether it is tomorrow or several years from now, I’m going to marry your daughter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“If I give you my permission, you will make sure she never steps foot on my land and promises to never make contact with my family?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Before Steven could say anything I pushed back in front of the computer and said, “Wait, do not bargain with him like I am not here listening to this!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My father just crossed his arms and looked into the computer and I could tell that there was no choice because he wouldn’t give me any other options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was either go home to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place> and marry Andreas and possibly end up on my death bed within a few weeks or stay here with Steven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To an outsider it would seem like an easy choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To a woman who loved her family and country, it was the hardest decision I ever had to make in a split second. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I took a deep breath and blew it out, willing the tears to stay away until I finished my piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry it has to end this way, Daddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though you have never loved me, I have always loved you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wish you understood what that word meant and that you could have loved my mother the way she should have been loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please tell everyone goodbye for me and as much as I am not a malicious person, I hope my decision haunts you forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Know that I have found what I deserve in life in Steven and that I will make the best of the new life God has given me a chance to pursue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day I hope to look back at this decision and realize it will probably be the best Christmas gift I have ever been given.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as the words were out of my mouth I leaned over towards the coffee table and flipped the lap-top closed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The whole room was silent except for the beating of the 4 hearts that occupied it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the best and worst moment life had dealt me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stared straight ahead for a few moments, giving Liv some privacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I looked back over at her, I found a pale faced blonde who was turning a terrible shade of green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I could say anything she was up off the couch and running to the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom, sister and I just sat still, listening to her puke and cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I stood up to go to her when I heard the sink faucet turn on, but I only made it halfway to the her by the time she walked out of the bathroom and the look on her face made me stop in my tracks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Nein, I just need some time alone,” she mumbled as she held up her hand to stop me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry,” she said, turning towards my bedroom and walking towards it, shutting the door behind her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My heart ached for her because truthfully, I had no clue what she was going through at this moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just knew how thrilled I was about the fact she was going to be here with me forever, but I couldn’t imagine making the decision to never see my family again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew how much they meant to her and I could only imagine begin to visualize how devastated she was from making the decision to walk away.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I walked back out to my living room, plopping down on the couch next to my mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I leaned into my mom as she wrapped her arm around me, whispering words of encouragement and love.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I think I’m going to head over to Downie’s for the rest of the night,” I said, hoarsely after I sat and stared at the TV, not able to concentrate on a damn thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I really needed was to go for a run, but since my best friend was probably sulking about still being laid up, I decided playing video games was probably the next best option.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hey buuuuudddy,” Steve chirped as I walked into his place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why do you look like you just lost your favorite stuffed animal?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I just rolled my eyes and shook my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It all came to a head tonight,” I said as I walked over to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What did?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I talked to Pflazgraf Meier,” I said, leaving the sentence open, looking over at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“No shit,” Steve breathed, reaching over me to grab his own bottle of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well, basically Olivia is never allowed to go back home and is not allowed to make any contact with her family ever again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well that’s a good thing right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means she can stay here…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“It is a good thing, but you know how she feels about her family.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Downie sighed as he hobbled back and flopped down on the couch, grabbing an X-Box controller off the coffee table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah, I’m sure she’s devastated.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I just nodded quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So why are you over here and not at your place consoling her?” he asked curiously.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“She said she just wanted to be alone for the rest of the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She ended up puking in the bathroom after she told her father goodbye and I think she needs time to let things set in and grieve,” I informed him honestly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well, I guess I can understand that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your mom and Sarah are still over there, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah, I just figured some time with my best friend was needed,” I said, regretting the words right after I said them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Soon his arm was around my neck and he was roughly rubbing my head with his fist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Aww, my little buddy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Jesus, Downie!” I growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can we just play Call of Duty here?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He just laughed obnoxiously, let go of my neck and flipped on the TV allowing me to immerse myself in the fantasy land for a while.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I somehow fell asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m assuming I was able to fall asleep because my body was just so tired from crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I awoke, I rolled over to see the clock reading 0300hrs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stewie had curled up next to me where he had slept every night since we moved into Steven’s place and groaned as I slid past him, placing my feet on the cool carpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grabbed one of Steven’s sweatshirts from his drawer, threw it over my head and padded out to the kitchen for a glass of water to hopefully solve the terrible case of cotton mouth I had accrued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was half way out into the semi-dark living room; it was dimly lit by the lights of the Christmas tree in the corner of the room, but I never saw Steven on the couch.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Liv,” he said hoarsely, causing me to basically jump out of my skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sheisse!” I squeaked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In two steps he was standing in front of me, his hard, warm body just inches away from mine as he looked down at me with a worried face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hair was tousled in that sexy, no sleep way. He was wearing just a pair of boxers and a t-shirt; the scent of him comforted me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t mean to scare you, love.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I looked up and just stared at him for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He must have known my tears were coming because he suddenly reached out and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against him so that I could sob into his chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sssh,” he cooed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I promise it will be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you and I promise to make everything okay my beautiful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I know it will be okay,” I sniffled in between sobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But ist meine family…und Ich just feel so alone right now,” I continued, mixing my Deutsch and English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“But see, that is what you have all wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have a new family here that is willing to accept you for who you are and already loves you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are going to make our own family some day and we are going to be here for each other forever,” he murmured as he soothingly rubbed his hands up and down my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know this will all take sometime to come to terms with, and I am here for you if you want to cry or scream about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what a relationship is about, Liv.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">After a moment of silence I mumbled, “How is it that you are only 20 years old but you seem to have the wisdom of an old man?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I smiled when he laughed his easy laugh and said, “You can thank my mom for that bit of advice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We stood there in the glow of the lights, holding onto each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just focused on his breathing and the beating of his heart, enjoying how it relaxed me by just being near him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a while he pulled back to my reluctance and took my hand to lead me back to the bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I crawled back in, over top of Stewie and snuggled myself under the blankets as Steven crawled in beside me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sighed happily when he pulled me back against him and wrapped himself around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things weren’t going to be easy, but I knew that I had the perfect partner to help me make it through as his warmth enveloped me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-60485737195532084362011-07-28T08:00:00.001-04:002011-07-28T08:00:02.377-04:00Chapter 12<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Deep in another dream<br />
Thinking about you<br />
Sailing through the city streets<br />
Thinking about you<br />
It's only been a little while<br />
But I'm thinking about you<br />
Can't hide another smile<br />
I've been thinking about you<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH7SO1_Nvw8"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Thinking About You</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> - </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Ivy</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">This road trip was going to be pure hell in my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was long and it was in <st1:place w:st="on">Western Canada</st1:place> where winter was already rearing its ugly head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truthfully the first half of this season has been total torture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were not lucky to have a nice balanced schedule where we were home for a little and away for a little, instead, we have only played roughly 18 games at home this year and have logged over 5,000 miles of travel already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The end of January couldn’t get here soon enough in my mind, we only had one away game in February and that was on the very last day of the month.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was a complete wreck not being able to be home with Liv for more than 12 hours before I had to leave with the team to head to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Calgary</st1:city></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew Steve would take good care of her, but the protective side of me was running in full force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I did what any guy would do; I called my mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“How is Olivia?” she asked, already knowing what had happened because I had called her while Liv was still basically unconscious in her hospital bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“She’s good,” I said with a grimace, knowing that she wasn’t as good as she should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She’s staying with Downie until I get home from our <st1:place w:st="on">Western Canada</st1:place> tour.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Do you want me to fly down so that I can be there for her?” my mom asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear she could read my mind at anytime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It used to piss me off when I was a teenager, debating if I should do something she might not approve of, but now it was 98% of the time a wonderful thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You are coming down at the end of the month for Christmas…I couldn’t ask you to do that,” I said slowly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m going to wash your mouth out with soap, Steven Stamkos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no reason why I can’t be down there with her this week, especially after watching you play in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Calgary</st1:city></st1:place>; I’m thinking you need a little peace of the mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sighed and cursed myself once again for having such a terrible game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll order the ticket now,” I said quietly into the phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Just text me the time I need to be at the airport and tell Steve I’ll call him when I get into town so that he can pick me up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Okay.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Get your head out of your ass and play like I know you can,” my mom said in her ‘mom knows best voice.’”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Mom, I love you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Love you too, kiddo.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was actually able to sleep a little better that night; it probably could have just been for the fact that I was exhausted from not having slept or just the stress I was feeling from worrying about Olivia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next morning I found a text on my phone from Olivia.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Liv: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your mom and sister are here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are amazing.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steven: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t let them fill your head with non-sense about me.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Liv: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Too late.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steven: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m glad you aren’t mad at me.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Liv: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am glad you are obviously thinking of me.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steven: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Always.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Liv: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am in your bed.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steven: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Damn, I wish I was there.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Liv: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I will be waiting for you here when you return. Your smell on the pillow is making me homesick for you.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steven: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God, I miss you. There are so many things I want to do to you in that bed, but I’m afraid I would hurt you.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Liv: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You would never hurt me.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steven: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I love you.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Liv: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ich liebe dich.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The one thing I had found was that I was always so tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I likened that to the copious amount of pain medications I was still taking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was already cutting back as much as possible, but at night I needed them to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steve and I joked that we could do a lunch trade swap with all the lovely drugs we were on to see what would make us the most loopy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Monday evening was topped with talking to Eric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was very sad that I wouldn’t be at his home for at least a week, but together we planned out the day we were going to go to Epcot for lunch and the day we were going to head over to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Magic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place> to get our pictures taken in front of the castle.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">As fun and entertaining as it was to hang out with Steve, I was still in need of some girl time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After-all, I had been through a lot and needed to talk to a woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My prayers were answered when Heather, Karine and Caroline came over Tuesday afternoon while Steve was at the training center working out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first it was a little awkward because I felt like they pitied me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So, how are you doing?” Caroline asked worriedly as she leaned down and gave me a hug while I was sitting on the couch.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I just shrugged and said, “I am okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My body ist beginning to heal.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“How is your heart though?” Karine asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sighed, “It hurts, a lot,” I admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Even though he did what he did, he ist still someone I have cared about for a long time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The three of them nodded like their heads were on bobble sticks and their eyes were wide open.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Don not pity me,” I said firmly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just need to be around people who are not going to bring up the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I have a lot to talk about when it comes to my future.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I looked at Heather who just smiled and nodded as she pulled out a folder from the bag she brought along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was hoping you would say that!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">At that she showed me all the paperwork that I needed to fill out to start the process of becoming a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place> citizen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ve got a lot of paper work to fill out,” she said as she nodded to Karine who got up and walked over to the kitchen to put a pot of hot water on for tea and we got down to business.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Later on that evening I must have fallen asleep during the game against Calgary because the next thing I knew I woke up in Steve’s arms as he carried me back to his guest room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You shouldn’t be carrying me,” I mumbled half asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am going to be in trouble if you end up off the ice longer because you are carrying me around.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You are the weight of a feather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I can handle carrying you, Olivia,” he said quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“To tell you the truth, I don’t know how Stammer doesn’t break you in bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">This caused me to blush as he set me down on the fluffy mattress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You have such a subtle way with words, Steve.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He puffed out his chest and smiled broadly, making me giggle when I noticed he didn’t have his fake tooth in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The chicks dig it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m sure they do,” I laughed before I threw a pillow at his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Gute Nacht, Steve!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Gute Nacht, Olivia,” he chirped as he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him, causing the darkness of the night to encompass me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I slept fitfully, waking up often to the sound of me yelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twice, Steve came in and held me until I would fall asleep again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the second time he just stayed with me and I woke up with my head on his chest and his arm draped across my back as he snored lightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was still getting a hold on my surroundings when his cell phone began vibrating across the bedside table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He jumped, but suddenly seemed to remember that I was still in his arms, causing him to abruptly slow his movements to not bother me as he answered his phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hello?” he whispered into the phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I heard a woman on the other end, but I couldn’t make out what she was saying.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Are you here in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Tampa</st1:city></st1:place> now?” he asked, sounding slightly surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay, I’ll be there to pick you up in about 20 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you then, Lesley.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After he laid the phone down he rubbed my back and I rolled my head back onto my pillow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ah, so you are awake?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I smiled shyly and nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry that you had to stay with me last night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“No problem, I got more sleep being in here with you than I would have if you were alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad Lesley and Sarah are here…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I looked at him confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Lesley and Sarah? Steven’s mom and sister?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yup.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“They are here?!” I asked, sitting up abruptly, regretting it as soon as I did because I was still feeling the effects of my concussion.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Don’t get yourself all worked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, they are here,” he said getting out of bed and stretching towards the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stammer told me they were coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He figured you would want some lady company.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh,” I mouthed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Would you like to come along?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can just stay in the Range Rover, my windows are dark tinted.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I bit my lip and thought about it for a moment, “Um, I think I would rather get a shower so I feel a little more presentable and meet them when they get here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Okay, suit yourself,” he chirped and out of my room he went.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steven and Sarah could not deny that they were siblings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah was tall and lean, like her brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had thin, long beautiful white, blonde hair like Steven and blue eyes to match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her smile was contagious, something they both seemed to have gotten from their mother, Lesley.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">With the help of Steve, we moved my things over to Steven’s condo and made lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“It is so wonderful to finally meet you, Olivia,” Lesley pulled me into a hug before we sat down to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Steven is so in love with you,” she said in a matter of fact tone that also told me she approved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He needs a good woman to stand by him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hey, what about me?!” Downie chirped as he took a sip of his drink.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“He does have a point,” Sarah giggled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You do have the personality of a moody woman, Downie…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Shut-it, Sarah,” Steve shot back at her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed immediately that there was definitely more going on between them than what met the eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I figured it hadn’t gone too far because of the age difference between the two of them (5 years) and the main factor was that she was Steven’s little sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">After lunch, Steve went back to his place and we began talking about the serious stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lesley did not beat around the bush when it came to talking about what had happened with Andreas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so hard to recall the memories, causing me to cry our in anger more than once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, once I spoke through the whole ordeal I felt a ton better.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We then talked about Steven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lesley and Sarah had no problem dishing out the dirt on him and she even brought something along to share with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I figured you might want to see some pictures of him growing up,” Lesley laughed as she came over and sat down next to me on the couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She set the large photo album on my lap and the rest of the evening was spent laughing or cooing on and on about how cute he was.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I finally broke my scoring drought in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Edmonton</st1:city></st1:place>; unfortunately we lost in a shootout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Vancouver</st1:city></st1:place> we turned it around and I had a huge multi-point night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great to salvage the away trip with a big win against a good team like the Canucks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flight back home took forever and we got home around 6am EST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were all a little shocked by the cold temperatures when we got off the plane and I found myself shivering the whole ride home to the complex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I think I was more excited to see Liv than I was cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The place was quiet when I got inside and I made sure to keep it that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tip-toed into my room, locking the door behind me as I shucked off my suit and closed the blinds so that I could bid the day time to come later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before moving the blankets, I stopped and looked at Liv as she slept. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She actually had a peaceful look on her face and I couldn’t help but smile at this finding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steve had told me that he ended up sleeping with her the other night because she was having such fitful sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was slightly jealous that he was the one to hold her, but I couldn’t thank my best friend enough for being there for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I gently lifted up the sheet and comforter and slid underneath them, pulling myself against her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She automatically curled into me, allowing me to easily spoon with her and within minutes of smelling her sweet hair and skin, I was fast asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I could get used to coming home to her like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what I want for Christmas.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I awoke some time later to her laying on top of the comforter, with her chin in her hands just staring at me with a silly grin on her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her purple cast and was a grim reminder that not everything was happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Guten Morgen, Steven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Mmm, Guten Morgen Liv,” I stretched before pulling her up towards me so that I could kiss her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her face was healing surprisingly fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bruises around her eyes were diminishing up and most of the swelling had gone away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What time is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Noon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t plan on sleeping that long,” I mumbled as I kissed her face again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You needed the sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were totally out,” she said as she ran her hand through my hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I need you,” I whispered, causing her to blush.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I need you too,” she whispered back, looking into my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I gently lifted her on top of me, so that our lengths were pressed together and I could feel the warmth of her body through the comforter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrapped my arms around her and slowly began kissing her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The initial kisses were light and gentle but that quickly changed when she began nipping at my lips for entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I opened slightly and soon our tongues were wrestling and drinking from one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I groaned when she left out a sigh into my mouth and laced her fingers through my hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I felt her begin to move, pressing her hips down against mine, allowing her to feel that I was becoming very turned on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She always turned me on, even with the smallest of kisses.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I pulled back from one of her kisses and croaked, “Why are you on top of the blankets?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She just giggled, rolled off of me and stripped out of my old t-shirt and a pair of her yoga pants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried not to focus on the bruises that still showed, but it was so hard not to when they were on her skin like a declaration of the war she was fighting in.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Stop looking at them and look into my eyes, Steven,” she whispered as she lifted back the comforter and crawled towards me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They will fade soon enough, right now I just need you to make love to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I gulped as she slid her body back over top of me, allowing me to feel her soft, smooth skin against mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is my mom and sister around?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She just giggled softly as she ran her tongue along the outline of my ear, making me shiver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They are out doing some Christmas shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am getting the feeling that maybe you do not want me?” she pouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My hands flew up and locked her hips against mine as she attempted to slide off of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am sorry that you have gotten that idea because I definitely have ideas of my own that involved me being inside of you,” I growled huskily into her ear, returning the shiver favor to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just don’t want to hurt you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I trust you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will let you know if something hurts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">So began the experiment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A wicked, yet loving smile caressed his beautiful blue eyes as he began lightly running his big hands up and down my skin, beginning at my ass and tracing a line up to my shoulder blades. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt the goosebumps instantly pop up as he breathed lightly into my ear while he did this several times.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“How does that feel?” he whispered, causing me to shake my head from how it tickled me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You are tickling me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well then I guess I need to change my approach,” he humored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gently rolled me off of him and onto my back, creating a shelter with the blankets when he straddled himself over top of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t help but cry out as he laid kisses down my neck and down to my collar bone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was intoxicated by his touch and the smell of his skin so close to mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Steeeeveeennn,” I moaned when his lips found my hardened nipples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took one in his mouth and rolled it with his tongue and teeth for an extended time before switching to the other one, allowing it the same attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then began his trek farther south with his lips and tongue.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“How does this feel?” he breathed against my skin, making me squirm.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You are teasing me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m just making sure I don’t hurt you,” he exclaimed as he looked up at me with wide puppy eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Honestly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Liar,” I began to pout but instead a sigh was forced as he quickly moved down between my sensitive thighs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay, so you are a good liar,” I hissed through my teeth as my fingers latched into his hair, coaxing him to make good of his promises.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He teased me further by just blowing air lightly over my wet folds, he continued after looking up with his big beautiful eyes to find me more than amped up and ready for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cried out his name again when his tongue finally tasted me and he hummed in pleasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mmm, I have missed the taste of you,” he murmured so softly that I almost did not hear him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so focused on the light of the end of the tunnel that was quickly coming closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To bring me to the light he took my pearl in his mouth and sucked hard as he traced it with the tip of his tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I screamed as my body quaked from the orgasm he had given me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was lying lifeless on the bed when he came up for air, chuckling at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well I now know not to do that to you if we have guests in the house.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“It was your entire fault,” I playfully complained.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I hope the next one is my fault too,” he drew out as he positioned himself between my legs again, this time slipping his hardened length inside of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt like home, not like the invasion of my last sexual encounter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This felt right, this felt amazing, this was how it was supposed to feel like with the man I loved and wanted to marry.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He was slow and gentle, obviously afraid of hurting me, forcing me to grind down against him every time he pushed into me so that I could feel the friction I enjoyed when he was inside of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally got the hint and began stroking my core with more force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Pllllleeeeassseee,” I cried out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fuck me, Steven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to cum with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He left out a grunt as he pushed fully into me, his balls slapping my skin as he did with sweat beads beginning to form on his face from his exertion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I held him down against me so that he was close enough to kiss me when we weren’t panting for air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hit first, filling me with his warm fluid and putting me over the edge milliseconds after him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We both came down from our highs by just lying still connected to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized at this moment that I was never meant to be anywhere else besides here in his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was my present and future and there was nothing else in this life I could ever want more than him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You know now that I have you living here at my place, I’m never letting you move out?” I informed her as we still lay in bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was lazily running my fingers through her soft hair, allowing them to trail down her smooth back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was relaxing for both of us it seemed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh, really?” she mused as she lifted up her head, holding it up with her hand cupped around her chin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yup.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“But what if I do not want to live here with you?” she said, obviously trying to hide her smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You are a terrible liar.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She huffed and rolled her eyes, “I know, I am not as gut as you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We laid there kissing for a few more moments until I finally made us both get out of bed and hit the shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a lot to talk and unfortunately it had to do with Andreas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“They left him go?” I freaked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I didn’t press charges, so they didn’t have anything to hold him on,” Liv said evenly as I looked incredulously at her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Why wouldn’t you press charges?!” I freaked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Because if she pressed charges she would have had to go back over to Germany to have him tried and then who knows if she’d be able to come back over,” my mom interjected, trying to calm me down.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Plus, it ist very expensive for me to fight something that in the end will not do much to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our laws are not as strict about rape over there,” Liv pleaded.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So he gets to go home without any punishment?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“He won’t be allowed back into the States,” Liv informed me quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He has lost his traveling privileges to here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So where does that leave you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you talked to your family?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She sighed and attempted not to cry, but unfortunately she couldn’t hold the tears back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are threatening to have my VISA revoked if I do not voluntarily come back home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Do they know what he did to you?!” I freaked out once again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She just nodded her head.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I ran my fingers through my hair and took a deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want to talk to them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I don’t think that will help anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I don’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to talk to them,” I said stubbornly as I held out my hand for her to give me her cell phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I won’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t try and talk to them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-87440402200479364072011-07-26T08:00:00.001-04:002011-07-26T08:00:11.692-04:00Chapter 11<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Stop checking your phone! She ain’t going to call you because she’s probably conked out in bed from you wearing her out!” Downie complained as I attempted to discreetly slide my phone back into the pocket of my khaki shorts while we stood out on the golf course.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sighed, pulled the brim of my baseball hat down over my eyes to shade them from the sun and walked over to the tee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was a perfect night,” I mumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m sure it was,” Steve said with a surprisingly sincere tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You two are perfect for each other.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I guess you are just dying to say, ‘I told you so!’ Aren’t you?” I chuckled as I swung my club and watched as my ball went bouncing up onto the green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grinned when Downie groaned at my awesome shot.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah, I was just going to save that line for your wedding day when I give a speech or something,” he said walking back over to the golf cart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We usually did a lot of walking when we were out on a beautiful day like this, but with his high ankle sprain, we really didn’t have much of choice but to drive.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Whoa, don’t rush things there,” I said as I dropped my club into the bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m only 20.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Your point?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“We’ve only been together for basically 2 weeks, its bad enough I told her I loved her last night.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I flew forward and almost went out over the front of the golf cart as Steve slammed on the brakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What the…?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You told her you love her?!” Downie exclaimed loudly as he turned towards me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Uh, ja.” I said, a little miffed by his contorted, confused face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did I do something wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He sat there looking at me for another minute before a big, cheeky smile broke out across his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nothing is wrong with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s fucking awesome!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I knew it he had me in a head lock rubbing his fist over the top of my head, growling, “My little Stammer has grown up!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I ripped myself out of the precarious position and pushed him away from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Seriously, dude?! Good lord,” I complained as I put my hat back on my head and straightened up my shirt, looking around to make sure no one was near us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Haha! Never mind, I’m so saying ‘I told you soooooo!’ now because that just goes to show how smooth I really am!” he laughed, obviously pleased with his match making skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This calls for a celebration!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sighed before asking, “And what kind of celebration do you have in mind?” I could only imagine when it came to Downie’s silly ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well, I think we need to get that Christmas tree we had talked about for the future Mrs. Stamkos and decorate it tonight since she has no decorations going on in the apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an easy excuse to spend time with her even though Andy-ass is there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I looked over at him a little amazed about his novel idea and said, “Glad I keep you around, Downie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You always come up with the best ideas to cause trouble.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He just grinned and posed in a strange pose a model would probably stand in and chirped, “Just call me Mr. Clark Griswold, because we are gonna make sure this Christmas tree is so bright you are going to need sunglasses to sit in Olivia’s living room.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A few hours later with a couple hundred dollars spent on the essential Christmas decorations and food for dinner, we were on the elevator heading up to Olivia’s floor with Heather, Marty and the kids in tow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We figured by bringing along the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">St. Louis</st1:city></st1:place> family, it would help make things a little less awkward with Andreas in the apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, the little Lucas St. Louis had taken to Olivia in such a way that I was afraid I might have competition in a few years.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Do you think Olivia will let me stay over at her house on Christmas Eve?” Lucas asked as he sniffed at the large, twined wrapped Christmas tree he had helped picked out.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Why do you want to stay over at her house for Christmas Eve?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Santa will be delivering your presents to your house,” Downie asked the child.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well, I figured Olivia might need help to put out the cookies and milk for Santa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, I have some extra Reindeer mix to put out if she would want to use it; especially since it is her first year over here in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t want Santa getting lost finding her new home.” he said sincerely, making it extra hard not to laugh at the kid.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m sure Stammer can help her with all that,” Marty piped up as he ruffled his small son’s hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You let me know if you need help,” Lucas said as he shot me a look that I could have sworn was a death threat.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“No problem, buddy,” I laughed as the elevator doors opened to Olivia’s floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked down the hall and Downie obnoxiously knocked on her door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no answer, but once all the excited “Sssh’s” faded and Downie knocked again we heard Andreas cursing loudly in German.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A voice inside me called out saying something wasn’t right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were all looking at each other when the door cracked open, the chain lock still on.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What do you want?” Andreas growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“We’re hear to visit with you and Olivia,” Marty spoke up, taking a step in front of the children, obviously feeling the same way I did about the situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“We don’t want visitors,” Andreas said rudely and attempted to close the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His attempt was thwarted by Downie’s hard walking cast that was placed between the door jam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’d at least like to talk to Olivia then,” Steve said in an even, yet on-edge tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“She’s not here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“That’s funny, because her car is outside,” Downie shot back automatically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Look buddy, we bought a bunch of Christmas decorations for Olivia, so just let us in so we can at least put them in the living room instead of leaving us out here in the hall.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Fuck you,” Andreas growled, attempting to close the door again, but this time Downie pushed against the door and busted the chain lock, effectively toppling Andreas onto the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Heather gasped when she saw how the apartment was totally trashed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m calling 911,” she said, quickly ushering the kids down the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marty, Downie and I pushed our way into the apartment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Olivia?!” I yelled out, quickly noting the dents in some of the drywall, with blood marking some spots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she didn’t answer, I turned back around to find Andreas attempting to get up as he cursed in German and English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I helped him up by roughly grabbing his collar and putting his ugly face within inches of mine when I hissed, “Where the fuck is she?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“None of your god-damn business, jock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s not your problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s mine and if you knew what was best for you, you’d stay away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have connections,” the troll threatened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before thinking twice I felt my fist connect to the asshole’s nose, dropping him back down onto the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was about ready to punch again when I heard Downie yell out from the bedroom down the hall.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Stammer!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Marty stepped in between me and Andreas, mumbling something about taking care of the piece of trash and coaxing me to go back to Downie who sounded like he had just seen hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I got back to the bedroom I heard him basically sobbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I entered the room, I instantly realized he had seen hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh my God!” I choked out as I pushed him away from Liv who was lying on her bed, naked, bloodied and virtually unconscious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Liv! Liv! Are you awake?!” I cried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Downie, make sure Heather calls for an ambulance,” I turned to my friend who was still standing there with a horrified stare.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m going to kill him,” Downie breathed out as he turned and raced down the hallway.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Shit, shit, oh my God, Olivia, please wake up, open your eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m here now, you are safe, shit, shit,” I repeated over and over again as I cradled her in my arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was breathing and moaning, but she seemed to be unable to open her eyes and it was obvious they were swelling shut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her face was completely battered with cuts and bruising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her beautiful ivory skin was marked with new bruises and it looked like her arm was broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left her side for only a moment to grab a blanket out of the closet to cover her with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I vaguely heard Marty when he came back to the room to tell me that the ambulance was on its way because my heart was pounding so loudly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was fairly sure I could hear Downie punching the crap out of Andreas and the only thing I could think about was how I hoped he left him alive enough so that I could kill the son-of-a-bitch myself when Liv was taken care of.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It seemed to take forever for the ambulance to arrive, but when they did everything moved in fast-forward. They took her out of my arms and began caring for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So how did Andreas get the bruises on his face and possible broken nose?” the police officer asked Marty, Downie and I after the ambulance had taken Olivia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andreas was being questioned by another officer as he sat in the bathroom, attempting to stop the bleeding from his nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“He seemed to have a terrible balance problem, Marty said sincerely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When we pushed the door open, after seeing how the place was trashed, he just fell onto the floor onto his face, Officer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The officer stopped writing on his little note-pad, looked up at the 3 of us and just raised an eyebrow with a subtle smirk and nodded before going back to writing on the pad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all of our statements were taken and we watched them put Andy-ass in the back of the cop-car with handcuffs; I rushed to the ER to find out how Liv was doing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I remember blacking out the first time from his blow to my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pictured myself being thrown into the wall as he punched me some more and ripped at my clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Terrible nightmares clouded my mind while he raped me on my bed, while slipping in and out of consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His threats of making me go back to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place> rang through my ears and his other hateful words echoed in my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had suddenly become quiet and the next voice I heard was one of an angel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steven had rescued me, I was sure, but I couldn’t open my eyes and the pain would not let me tell him “thank you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The next memory I made was of bright lights and a lot of people yelling at each other and poking and prodding me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I’m lying on what feels like pillows with warm blankets covering me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smell however is just wrong yet the sounds of machines and bells are familiar to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I startled when I felt a hand squeeze mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Liv?” An even more familiar voice asks worriedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Liv, are you awake?” he whispers anxiously.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I slowly test my eyes but find that I can barely open them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They only open far enough to make the world look shaded and disproportioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it must have been far enough to show that I was responding to his voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh, thank God, Liv, I’m here for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sssteeeeven,” I attempted to whisper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My throat felt like sandpaper and my lips were dried and stuck together.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sssh, don’t talk, I’m right here with you, I’m just glad that you are waking up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Aaanndddreeeaasssss,” I whispered.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“He’s rotting in a jail cell at the moment,” I heard Downie grumble from another part of my hospital room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I just nodded and closed my eyes again as I pushed the pain medication button and willed it to take me off to sleep again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I’m not sure when I woke up again, but it was dark in my room except for the illumination of the TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time I was able to open my eyes a little farther, causing an ice pack to fall to the side of my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hey,” Steven murmured as his large hand caressed my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I put that ice pack over your eyes, hoping to take down some of the swelling.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I just smiled softly as I stared into his restless blue eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need something to drink.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He abruptly stood up and grabbed a Styrofoam cup from the table next to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Here, have some water.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I took a few small sips of the cold water, feeling it flow throw my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Danke,” I whispered as he set the cup back onto the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I love you,” Steven blurted out as he leaned over top of my face and kissed my forehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m so sorry,” he sobbed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I immediately squeezed his hand and willed him to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nein,” I said in a warning tone to get him to stop right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will be fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“He raped you, he bruised your beautiful face and body, he broke your arm,” Steven said with a tortured gaze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He almost killed you,” he choked as tears ran down his sweet, young face.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sssh,” was all I could say as I reached up with my good arm and held his hand to my cheek, running my thumb back and forth over his warm skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cried for a few more moments, but stopped when Downie came back into the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh, you are awake!” Steve exclaimed as he walked over to the other side of my bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How are you feeling?” he asked with concern.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I feel like I was run over by a bus,” I said with a small smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You look like me after a bad fight on the ice,” he joked, earning a growl from Steven.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I probably still look better than you,” I chirped back, hoping Steven would get the drift that I was not going to be depressed about the situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Both boys laughed as Steve informed me that I was 100% right.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The doctor came in later on in the night to inform me of all my injuries and the plan of care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their main worry was my concussion and my bruised kidneys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As long as everything kept progressing the way it was, I would be released to home tomorrow already but on strict bed rest and no work for at least a week or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t too keen on the work part because I knew Eric would be bummed, but I figured that once I felt up to it, I’d be able to start my duties as his hospice nurse without much issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the doctor left, Steve and Steven were back by my bedside going on about the future plans.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So we talked and since Downie isn’t on the ice right now, we figured you could stay with him for the week,” Steven rambled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That way you have someone to be with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heather said she would also come over and help with things if you needed them…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I put my hand up to make him stop having diarrhea of the mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I do have an apartment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Um, a trashed one,” Downie spoke up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You don’t have a choice on this one, Liv.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sighed, “Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Because for one they are not sure how long they can keep Andy-ass in jail since it seems he’s loaded and has some pull with the German government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The German embassy is involved and it already is a big mess,” Steve said in a sincere voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well I knew that was going to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our families are aristocrats...I’m sure my VISA will be getting revoked at any point…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Not so, because we have the U.S. Embassy working on getting you citizenship,” Steven piped up.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What?!” I asked a little loudly, causing me to grab at my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ssh, don’t get worked up,” he cooed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The front office has been helping me with options on helping you stay here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Options?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I took a deep breath and blew it out, “Steven, why would you do something like that?” I asked evenly, trying not to be upset.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Because I was afraid something like this would happen,” he mumbled, not being able to look me straight in the eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My heart broke, realizing how much worry and stress I had been causing him and we had only known each other for such a short time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So, what have they come up with?” I asked slowly, not sure if I wanted to hear their plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“There is a fast-track citizenship program that would take about 6 months for you to complete; it’s for skilled workers like you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He paused for a moment and I could tell that he had something else on his mind as he looked over at Downie and then back at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Or, you could become a Canadian citizen,” he said slowly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I’m sure the look on my face was a puzzled one because Downie just snickered quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Why would I want to do that?” I asked, feeling like I had totally missed something.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He sucked in some air and blew it out slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well I do want to spend the rest of my life with you…” he began.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Uh, stop,” I hissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nein. Das medications might be clouding up my kompf right now, but my brain does still work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you und I want to be with you, but we are not rushing into anything like that 2 and a half weeks into our relationship, Steven Stamkos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marriage ist not an option right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“But it would be the easiest way…” he began.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I love you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“And I love you, but not right now, Steven,” I pleaded.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Told you,” Downie mumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“SHUT UP,” Steven and I both yipped at the same time, causing Downie to shrink his way out of my room; something he probably should have done a while ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I will go through and get my U.S. Citizenship and if we get married, then I have dual citizenship allowing me to still work here in the States,” I said evenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you for the offer, Steven,” I said as I took his hand and kissed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will say yes when the time ist right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, however ist not the right time,” I said as he sadly nodded his head yet seemingly relieved that I had refused him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew it was not the right time for us to be making hasty decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We deserved the time to be a couple because frankly I didn’t want to miss this part of our relationship for the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-83627909173090755492011-07-24T08:00:00.000-04:002011-07-24T08:00:04.061-04:00Chapter 10<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My past is perilous<br />
But each scar I bear sings<br />
Monuments to where I have been<br />
And melodies to where I am going<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ytRbiM0gnI&feature=related"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Monuments and Melodies - </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Incubus</span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So why do you have to go into work early?” Andreas grilled me as I rushed around the apartment, trying to discreetly pack a bag of clothing to change into once I got to the arena.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“My charge nurse called and said they are in dire straights, so I agreed to go in a few hours early to help them out,” I said, flustered by this point because he normally wouldn’t ask so many questions, but after our day at the beach he was eerily friendlier all of a sudden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was even semi-sweet when we had sex last night, even though I still thought I was going to vomit every time he thrusted into me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well, then I guess I’ll go out for the evening,” he said as he walked out of the bedroom, finally allowing me to shove my Bolts sweater into my back-pack.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“That sounds like a great idea!” I said cheerfully as I threw the bag on my shoulder and walked out into the living room to give him a goodbye kiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll see you in the morning then.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hugged and kissed him quickly before turning to go out the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I thought you wouldn’t get here on time!” Downie exclaimed as he held the back arena door open for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in a walking cast and was leaning on a crutch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Andy-ass give you a hard time or something?” he asked as his eyes intently inspected my face and arms for bruises.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Andreas</i> has been very friendly the last few days,” I informed him as I hugged him and ran my thumb across his smooth upper lip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank God that stupid thing is gone; please tell me Steven sha…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My words were cut short as a pair of strong arms separated me from Downie and pulled me against a tall, hard, warm and familiar smelling man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I squeaked as his lips captured mine and kissed me hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was pleasantly surprised to find that no more facial hair tickled me while he drank from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drug me hands up his thin under-armor shirt and went to his face; as I moved them up I felt that his face had severe tension and that his forehead was creased with stress lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pulled back and looked up at him, cupping his face with my hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Steven, what is wrong?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I heard Downie leave out a snort behind me as Steven looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a deep breath and whispered, “I’ve just missed you so much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Jealous!” Downie coughed out behind me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I turned and looked at Steve and then back to Steven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There is nothing to be jealous of Steven Stamkos; it is your bed I plan on being in tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">This remark made him turn bright red from the neck on up, making his white blonde hair almost tinge pink.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“That’s exactly what I told him!” Marty chirped from behind us as he walked down the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turned out of embarrassed Steven’s arms and hugged Marty as we laughed together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ready for a good game tonight?” he asked cheerfully.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You bet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just need to get changed out of these scrubs…” I began to say but the words were left hanging as Steven grabbed my hand and pulled me towards a door that was labeled equipment as Downie and Marty hooted and hollered after us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are really on edge!” I breathed as he pushed me gently into the tiny closet type room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’ve been going crazy, Liv.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t even think straight or sleep because I’m just worried as hell about you,” he confessed as he lifted my shirt up and over my head, inspecting my body.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I covered my arms across my half naked upper half and stepped backwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Would you and Downie stop inspecting me for some sort of disease?!” I hissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise he has not laid a violent hand on me since.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Good, because I swear I’d kill him,” he said in a tone that made me believe every word.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Do not talk like that Bitte.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not fond of your violent side,” I spoke quietly while I reached in my bag for a shirt and my hockey sweater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I went to pull the shirt down over my head, Steven reached out and thwarted my effort by pulling me against him and kissing me deeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I moaned into his mouth and melted into his body, his hands held me possessively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how many minutes were lost until an obnoxious knock on the door separated us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I don’t think it takes that long for Olivia to get changed,” Downie yelled like a mother-hen through the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If coach finds out you are having sex right before games, you’re getting sent to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Norfolk</st1:city></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not like we need you right now anyway, you obviously haven’t found the back of the net in a few games…Ouch!” Downie cried from the other side of the door as we heard Marty smack what I presume was the back of his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“He is right about taking that long to get changed,” Marty chirped.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We both giggled as I speedily changed into my game-wear before dramatically exiting the closet room with flushed faces.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Stammer! Hammer!” A man called down the hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your guests are here!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It felt like an elephant was lifted off my back when I saw her for the first time in several days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had worried about her so much that I let my mind play tricks and lead me basically into insanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You can’t do this to yourself every time you have to leave her side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll put you in a padded room and a straight jacket.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed to find a balance, which I was sure would work itself out when Andy-ass, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it’s pathetic when Downie’s nicknames stick</i>, is back in his motherland.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The other event that brought me completely out of the emotional pitfall I had thrown myself into was the look on Erik’s face when we walked down the hallway to find him standing there with his family and a few friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t wait to give him the good news of what we had planned for him and his family.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">There was only one more loose end to tie up before we could move forward with the home hospice plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had 3 nurses that were able to stay at Eric’s family home to help take care of him, but we needed 1 more to stabilize the round o’clock care and Downie and I had decided we knew exactly who we wanted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Liv,” I whispered as Diggity gave Eric the locker room grand tour.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ja?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Um, I have a serious question to ask you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to talk about it to you yesterday, but…Well, um, we need another nurse to help out with the home hospice care for Eric.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Steve and I were wondering if you’d take the position.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Her eyes lit up and then she bit her lip as the gears turned in her pretty little head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But what about my job at the Children’s Hospital?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sucked in a breath and rambled off the information, “Well, we took the liberty to contact your agency and they said that they were also involved with the hospice agency we are dealing with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said that since it was a special circumstance, they were willing to change your contract so that you could transfer to the hospice company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing they couldn’t promise is that you could go back to the Children’s Hospital immediately after…Um, yeah, you know…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“After Eric’s family does not need me anymore,” she said quietly as she looked into my eyes intently.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah,” I said, stepping anxiously back and forth like <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Downey</st1:city></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ugh, his mannerisms are even rubbing off on me!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She took a deep breath and a smile slowly formed before she threw herself against me, wrapping her arms around my waist and squeezing me tightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You boys surprise me everyday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This makes me very happy!” she murmured into my chest as I laughed and smoothed her hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it was set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would be able to go forth with our Christmas gift to Eric and his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The game started off with a special ceremony for our buddy that included a nice video presentation about Eric with a bunch of pictures of the guys on the team spending time with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course a majority of those pictures included me and Downie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think Eric closed this mouth throughout the whole presentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked so drained and tired, but I knew he was having the time of his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He was given a jersey with his name and birth-year on the back from the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the guys had signed it for him, along with a hockey stick and a puck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The front office presented him with a season pass to Disney World so that he could go whenever he felt up to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it came to Downie and me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I wanted to speak into the microphone, I was afraid I’d break down so we left our arena MC handle the words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hushed silence filled the arena as the terms of our gift was explained to Eric and his family.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">As soon as they explained the fact there would be 24 hour nursing care for him, Eric blurted out, “Olivia! You must be my nurse!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiled broadly at him, quick sent a glance to me and Downie and then back to Eric as she nodded her head, confirming that she would be one of his nurses. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He jumped up like a normal 12 year old child would do if they were healthy, throwing himself into her arms as the tears rolled down her cheeks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">After the terrible loss in Beantown, the team put on a production for Eric’s first hockey game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a high scoring ordeal and we almost allowed the Avalanche to come back and take the win from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, it was partially my own fault because I took a bad tripping call with 4 minutes to go and they took advantage of the Power Play and capitalizing on the momentum again a minute later, putting them within one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was definitely not our best 60 minute effort, but it was a win and we would take it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“That was totally awesome!” Eric exclaimed when I walked into the family room adjacent to the locker room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Liv had brought him down so that he could congratulate the team and get more pictures if he wanted them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bumped fists before I pulled him into a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry you didn’t score though,” he said sadly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Me too, I was trying bud.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Either way it was way better watching it here in person than on that little TV in my hospital room,” he beamed as he bumped fists with a couple more of the guys that walked by us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you guys still going to come over and hang out with me when I move back home?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not that far away from here,” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Of course!” Downie piped up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now that you are home we can hook up your X-Box to the internet and we can even play against you on the road.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Totally cool!” Eric exclaimed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you guys so much,” he suddenly became serious as he pulled us both into a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I looked over to find Olivia and Heather standing there with tears once again streaming down their faces and I couldn’t help but smile, knowing that I was following through with my goal of making sure I never forgot others when I hit the big show.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I went along back to the hospital to help get Eric back to his room safely and to make sure I was taken off the schedule since my new assignment would begin on Monday when Eric moved home.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Once he was settled I headed over to Steven’s for a night of freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could have sworn there was a car following me at one point, but when I turned into the development, it wasn’t behind me any longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sent some chills through me and I began to worry if I was doing the right thing by lying to Andreas about my whereabouts for the night, but when I saw Steven waiting out on his driveway, my worries flew away.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He already had my overnight bag out of my passenger seat by the time I got out of my car and walked around towards the front of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a huge smile on his face; a complete change from the first time I saw him this evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Are you hungry?” he asked excitedly after kissing me quickly and taking my hand to lead me into his flat.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ja, I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Good! I stopped by the store and picked up a pint of Ben and Jerry’s peppermint ice cream to keep us in the Christmas mood,” he exclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I couldn’t help but laugh at his young excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was still very much like a boy even though he took on the role of a man like he was bred to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow we were able to sit across from each other at the kitchen island as we shared spoonfuls of ice cream, giggling at the faces we were making when the cold, minty ice cream hit our taste buds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Of course it turned dirty quickly as I began running the tip of my tongue across the ice cream as it sat on my spoon, tracing patterns into it before taking it into my mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point I looked up to find Steven literally drooling melted ice cream from leaving his mouth open.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ein problem, Herr Stamkos?” I asked suggestively.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He shut his mouth and covered it with a paper towel that he haphazardly swiped off the roll that sat next to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You realize you are getting coal for Christmas for turning me on like that, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are definitely on the naughty list now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I giggled as I popped another spoonful into my mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have no clue what you are talking about?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Nein, you lie. You have every clue,” he groaned rather loudly as I slipped my tongue out to catch a drip of the melted deliciousness before it slid off my lip.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I think you are over reacting…” I played some more, enjoying the cloud of lust filling his clear blue eyes with every teasing movement I made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shouldn’t be playing him like this, but it turned me on too and I was ready for an active night in his arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I jumped when a loud scraping noise of his chair skidded across the tiled floor as I was in the middle of licking my spoon probably a little slower than I needed to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I could blink and figure out what was going on, he was on my side of the counter, behind me, growling into my ear, wrapping his arms around me, effectively pinning me to the chair and against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Liv, I hope you got sleep today because I plan on making you work tonight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I squeaked as his breath tickled the skin on my neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You do not seem like a dirty minded man,” I chirped at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I usually am not, but for some reason you make me want to do very bad things,” he growled again, this time the tone of his voice mixed with his breath made every hair on my body come to a tension and I could feel my nether lips quiver at the thought of his hands on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shivered as his hands moved slowly and cupped my breasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His lips caressed my neck and his teeth nipped at my earlobe, gently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He whispered heavily into my ear, “Olivia, you make me feel like I’ve never felt before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please tell me I do the same for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeessss,” I whined as I arched my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could feel my nipples aching to be touched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I never knew I should feel like this,” I admitted in broken words because my head was becoming fuzzy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He turned my head so that he could lean around and kiss me, his one hand leaving my breast to brush my cheek with his large hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kiss was light and feathery but leaving promises of what was to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he pulled back we both paused and stared into each others eyes, causing the world to stop spinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he opened his mouth to speak, I could have sworn his lips were moving in slow motion, yet the words came out clear as a crisp winter dawn, “I have fallen in love with you Olivia.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The sentence spoke to me like bells on an angel’s wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only was it a declaration of his feelings but I felt like he was telling me that he would fight until the death for me, to make sure we would never have to be apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was surprised when I felt him wipe a tear away from my cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Something wrong?” he asked in a concerned, quiet voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I just slowly shook my head, “No, everything is perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you too, Steven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A cocky yet meaningful smile spread across his face before he pulled me off the chair and up into his arms to kiss me hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrapped myself around him, allowing him to easily move us into the bedroom, completely forgetting about the half eaten container of ice cream still sitting on the counter.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We were standing face to face beside my bed, staring at each other for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so zoned in on her green emerald eyes that she startled me when I felt her fingers slowly working the buttons on my dress shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She broke our staring contest so that she could focus on the undoing of each button with a slow, painful pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once my shirt was hanging opened, her hands were running up my abdomen and to my shoulders, pushing my shirt off and onto the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She immediately untucked my white undershirt and again ran her hands up my chest to push it up over my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hands left paths of static energy on my skin, causing my dick to ache as it pushed against the confines of my pants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sucked in a breath as I watched her lean in and flick one of my nipples with her tongue, mimicking her previous display with the ice cream and spoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A loud groan escaped from my mouth as I felt her hand wander down below my belt and press up against my erection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mmmm,” she hummed against my chest while she massaged the length and worked on my belt with her other hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I shivered when the cool room air caressed my newly freed dick when I stepped out of my dress pants and moved towards Liv who was now kneeling on the floor in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled softly when I looked down to find her eyeing up my thick cock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew what was coming, but it still didn’t prepare me for the feeling of her warm mouth devouring me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“OOOooh, Liiiiiiv,” I moaned allowing my body to immerse itself in pleasure before threading my fingers through her hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was somehow able to fully take me into her mouth, sending me through the roof when she’d hum as I would make her hold as she deep throated me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blood pounded in my ears, muting the sounds of her sucking me off and her silhouette was blackened out as she sucked me over the edge, squeezing my balls to heighten my orgasm as I screamed out her name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shot my load into the back of her mouth as she hummed in happiness, obviously enjoying the fruits of her labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shit, that is fucking hot.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">After I felt the blood going back to my limbs I lifted her up off her knees and went to work on undressing her, kissing every inch of her skin as I uncovered it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time I got down to her panties, she was lying on her back on my bed staring up at me with eyelids heavy with lust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kneeled down between her legs, drug a hand down across her naked body, looping a pinky through her light pink, lacy thong and pulled it down to uncover the treasure I was eager to taste.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I kissed up into the sensitive part of her thigh, lightly laughing as she began squirming impatiently around, my hands holding down her tiny waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I breathed in her heady scent and drug the full, flat length of my tongue up along her dripping wet honey pot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She must have been holding her breath because when she breathed out she moaned and pulled my face closer to her like she was afraid I wouldn’t follow through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lapped lazily at her, cleaning up her extra juices before thrusting my tongue in between her folds as I sucked on her pleasure button.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He hummed and I cried out incoherent curse words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bucked against his face wanting him never to stop making me feel this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was bringing me quickly to my peak with just his mouth but I was completely at his mercy when he used his long fingers to stroke my core.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swore I saw the Star of Bethlehem when my orgasm rushed through me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was still basically convulsing on the bed as he crawled up over top of me and kissed me with his swollen lips that tasted of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a kiss of promise, a pact to show that I was his and that he would protect me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrapped my arms around his muscular back and hooked my legs around his ass to pull him down towards me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed him inside of me and I wanted him to make love to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">His easy smile lit up his face as he easily slipped inside of me, making me coo out his name in a lackadaisical tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He whispered over and over again that he loved me and that he would make everything work out the way it was supposed to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He talked about how we were going to grow old together and spend many holidays together in each other’s arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled when he spoke of wanting me to have his children and how he was going to make me his wife when the time was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I placed as finger on his lips to shush him at one point so that I could focus on the orgasm that was slowly building up as he stroked my nucleus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt lucky to have such a big man to hold tight to as I screamed out in the dark bedroom that was just lit with dancing candle light.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We made love several more times throughout the night, taking cat naps in between sessions until the alarm went off reminding me that I had to return to my prison where the devil himself was awaiting my return.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Steven, I need to leave now to make sure he doesn’t get suspicious,” I said as I pulled back from another impromptu good-bye kiss; it was 15 minutes after we kissed our first good-bye kiss.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was still on cloud 9 as I walked down the hall to my apartment and unlocked the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember dropping my bag by the computer desk before the first hit that caused my world to go black.<o:p></o:p></span></div>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-34106416128587325622011-07-23T16:25:00.001-04:002011-07-23T16:27:03.507-04:00New Story...Please check out the new story I've been building... <a href="http://www.ifnotnow89.blogspot.com/">www.ifnotnow89.blogspot.com</a><br />
<br />
Well, I'm sad to say that this will probably be the last story I write for roughly a year. For those who don't know me, I'm starting paramedic school in September and my friends and instructors have already warned me that I will have no life but studying, practicals and sleeping. So, I wanted to have one last hurrah before it is time to buckle down and become a full-time student for the first time since I graduated college a few years ago.<br />
<br />
I will definitely be posting the rest of the stories I have written and posted on the Hockey Fantasy Fiction board since many have expressed interest in that...so no worries.<br />
<br />
I only have a few chapters written of this so far and I contemplated on waiting to post it until it was finished, but like any writer, I am looking for feedback!! It will be a chapter or 2 until we learn about my new hockey muse... strangely, he has been someone that I've been attempting to write about for some time now, but nothing ever seemed to work until this time. I hope you all enjoy and will follow me along on this last adventure before my hiatus!!HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-2581746228605978382011-07-23T11:56:00.000-04:002011-07-23T11:56:47.250-04:00Chapter 9<strong>Hello to some of my new followers, welcome! and thank you for the lovely comments... isn't it fun to have someone in a story that everyone can hate?? LOL This is kind of a short chapter... check here tomorrow and Chapter 10 till be posted by 8am ET!</strong> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It was great to be back in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Toronto</st1:place></st1:city>, especially since we had a full day off after practice before game day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hometown of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Markham</st1:city></st1:place> is just northeast of the city, so I headed home to spend the day with my parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been a huge change for me to move to Tampa after I was drafted into the NHL, I really hadn’t been away from my home since I played for the Sarnia Stings when I was in the OHL, I was able to commute to Newmarket, allowing me to keep a fairly normal life, unlike a lot of the other hockey kids.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What time do you have to be back for curfew?” my Mom asked as soon as I walked into the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“10pm,” I sighed as she pulled me into a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am supposed to be meeting a couple of the guys from school for dinner if it’s okay…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Her laughter rang out happily into my ears, “Steven, you are on your own now; you don’t need to ask permission to hang out with your friends.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I left out a laugh, “Yeah, I just didn’t know if you had any plans.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Nope, except for lunch on the stove,” she said with her smile that I always picture when I do something right in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That smile has always been there throughout my life and I couldn’t imagine it not being there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is only one other smile that I long for now…Liv’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So what’s new?” she asked as I grabbed a glass of ice water.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I took a deep breath and said, “I’m in love.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She stopped stirring the vegetables she was sautéing and turned around with a raised eyebrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m assuming this just happened because you haven’t really mentioned anyone,” she said slowly, almost looking like she was debating on feeling my head for a fever.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well, we just basically met a week and a half ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is one of Eric’s nurses; you know the little boy that Downie and I visit at the Children’s Hospital?” She nodded and I went on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Her name is Olivia and she’s from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Leipzig</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She got involved with agency nursing and is here for 2 years…” My mom had an “I’m impressed” face on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She looks like a young Reese Witherspoon and has the heart of an angel,” I gushed like a teenage girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“But?” Mom asked, sensing something was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“She’s basically engaged to an asshole from back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s an aristocrat, and their families have essentially a standing agreement that when he finishes University, they will marry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So how did you two end up in this predicament if she is already engaged?” My mom asked in her worried tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I left out a nervous laugh, “It’s all Downie’s fault.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom just snorted and rolled her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s the one that introduced us; he invited her to one of our practices and we ended up taking her out to lunch afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t have any friends because she’s still new here and the nurses at the hospital are wary of her because of her thick German accent…but the 3 of us began hanging out and well, the rest is history is guess.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“But I’m missing the part where it is okay to date someone when she is already engaged; arranged marriage or not,” she said quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I took a deep breath and ran my hands through my hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He is abusive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a piece of shit mom…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“She could just be saying this…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“No that’s the problem she doesn’t see anything wrong with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She thinks this is normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve seen the bruises myself because he showed up unexpectantly the other day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me that it is her duty to be with him because her family expects it of her, but I can’t let her do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s killing me now to be here and not in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Tampa</st1:city></st1:place> to protect her…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You have to be very careful to be involved with something like that,” my mom said slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I understand you feel the need to protect her and that you obviously have feelings for her, because I think this is the first time you’ve ever come home and talked to me about any girl, but I can’t help but worry you could be involved in something that is out of your league.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I nodded my head and said, “Believe me, I have thought about all of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Downie, Marty, Vinny, Gagné and me went to the front office yesterday and we gathered a bunch of information on how to make her an American Citizen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t look like it should be too hard since she already has a work VISA for the States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just haven’t been able to tell her about it yet because Andreas is still visiting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She sighed as she put my lunch plate in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Have you thought about talking to her parents?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I have thought about it, but it seems that her father treats her mother the same way Andreas is treating Liv, so I’m thinking…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“…that will definitely not help,” my mom finished with a furrowed brow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She took a bite of her food, chewed for a moment and said, “If you love her then I guess you have to do what you have to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you are young, but your father and I were young when we fell in love, so I can’t stand here and preach to you about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just please, please make sure you don’t do anything hasty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad to hear that the front office is involved because that will hopefully help cover your ass.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I couldn’t help but laugh a little at this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom always did a good job at keeping a neutral opinion to things, but she would always stand behind me in her own way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her last sentence was definitely the, “Go get ‘em” speech.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So a nurse, eh?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I couldn’t help but smile, “Yeah, she is so good with the kids too, especially with Eric.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“How is Eric?” <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I looked down at my food and shrugged before saying anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It isn’t looking good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctors are giving him maybe 2 months.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh, that is so sad…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hammer and I want to do something for the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want to pay for home hospice for him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My mom’s eyes lit up and I already saw her puffing out her “proud mommy feathers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That is very noble of you both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When are you going to tell them?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“On Saturday, we are bringing him and his family to the game against <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Colorado</st1:state></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be his first time attending a game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Olivia is going to be there to make sure he is okay and what not…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Mom got up off her chair and walked around the counter towards me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pulled me into a hug as tears began rolling down her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Steven, that is definitely one of the best things you could ever do for someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so glad you have not forgotten where you have come from.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Tears began filling my eyes and I couldn’t help but just hold onto my mom for a couple more moments and thank the Man upstairs for everything He had given me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Are you on your break?” Steven asked quietly, like whispering into the phone might keep me out of trouble if I wasn’t on break.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ja, silly jüngen,” I joked into the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ja, I’m on break, otherwise I would not be answering my cell phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He laughed, “Yeah, I guess that’s true.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“How are you doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I am well, Danke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just got in from partying with some of my high school buddies after the game.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You totally kicked ass tonight, even if you didn’t score a goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was happy to see Marty score.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’ll tell him you said that,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So how was your time at home?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Too short,” he laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, it was really nice to get back with my friends and hang out with my family a little bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told my mom about you,” he finished hesitantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sucked in a breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You did?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh, I see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was nice of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“She wants to meet you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I would like to meet her, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Good, because they are coming down for Christmas and I promised to have you over when she makes dinner, although, I was hoping you’d say you’d spend Christmas Eve with me too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The smile on my face became even bigger and I felt a fluttering in my stomach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have to work Christmas night, but I think I could spend Christmas Eve with you,” I said slowly to act as nonchalant as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“We can start our own traditions for the holiday,” he said hopefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I like that idea,” I said, but I couldn’t get it out of the back of my head that I was basically letting him believe in this fantasy that we were going to be together forever, making me feel guilty as hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well, I have to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Downie is bitching at me if you can’t hear him whining from across the room.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I laughed, “Sleeping Beauty needs all the rest he can get if he has any hope of looking as good as you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I heard that!” I heard Steve yell into the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Payback is a bitch, Olivia!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are now going down!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I doubled over in laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: DE;">“Guten Nacht Steven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: DE;">“Guten Nacht, meine Liebe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The week was going by painfully slow for me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dreaded going back to my apartment every morning to find Andreas sprawled across my bed, snoring, obviously hung-over by his evening activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course he would never admit it; but he seemed to be enjoying his time in the States, it was just sad that I had nothing to do with his happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You have the day off?” he asked on Friday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had last night off also, but lucky enough that he had another business meeting scheduled for most of the evening, allowing me to watch the boys play the Bruins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was already up, eating a bowl of Cheerios and watching the highlights of the terrible game the Bolts had in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city>, cringing at the replay of Downie getting hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then cringed when I heard Andreas’ voice, knowing that my chance of calling the boys was now gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I turned around and smiled sweetly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Good, I wouldn’t mind heading to the beach for the day or something,” he said, surprisingly cheerily.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My smile broadened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That sounds like a great idea!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A weak smile crossed his face as he nodded his head and turned back to the bedroom to get changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was getting off the couch when my cell phone vibrated across the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hallo?” I answered quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hey Liv,” Steven’s sleepy voice filtered through.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hi!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to call you, but I didn’t want to bother you…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You could never bother me,” he said over top of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need to see you,” he pleaded.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Um, I can’t today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andreas just said something about heading to the beach…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What beach?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Siesta, so that way we can play tennis,” I answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I heard him sigh into the phone with obvious frustration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So things are going well?” he asked, sounding like he was being tortured and obviously a little jealous.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Nothing has changed, Steven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Okay.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Please, don’t be upset,” I pleaded quietly as I fought the tears from coming.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’ll talk to you later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a nice day with your fiancé,” he said bitterly before hanging up on me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sat there for a moment looking at the phone in my hand, cursing myself for even getting involved with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew this situation would only end up hurting him and already it was showing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Olivia?” Andreas called from the bedroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ja?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Are you coming to get ready or not?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sighed, stood up and sulkily walked down the hall to my fate.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“This is going to be the best night ever!” Downie fidgeted excitedly in the passenger seat of my car as we headed off early to the arena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew he was bummed not to be playing due to his high-ankle sprain, but I also knew he was just as happy to be sitting with Eric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In truth, I was a little envious because with the funk I had been in lately, I was not in much of a mood to play tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What has the steering wheel done to you?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at him confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You have a death grip on the damn thing and I’m afraid you are going to hurt it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is wrong with you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve been in a foul mood since we left <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city></st1:place>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I ground my teeth and stared at the red traffic light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She went to the beach with him yesterday,” was all I could say.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re point?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What, are they just supposed to sit and stare at the apartment walls?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is here to visit with her and as far as I am aware he doesn’t know she is seeing anyone,” Downie chirped.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“She shouldn’t be with him,” I growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah, no shit Sherlock, but I’m pretty sure you had realized this wasn’t going to be an easy task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s going to take time,” he stressed as he looked out his passenger window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jealousy isn’t going to help anything either.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m not jealous,” I lashed out angrily.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steve left out an obnoxious snort and loudly said in a sarcastic tone, “Okay, yeah, sure, and Santa Claus is real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dude, you’re acting like a jealous fucking ass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buck it up bud; you need to be a better man than this for her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sucked in a breath ready to go off on him but something inside my head told me he was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I blew out the air as the rest of our trip to the arena was marked with tense silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed to get my head on straight, we had a game tonight and besides, this evening had nothing to do with me; it had everything to do with Eric.<o:p></o:p></span></div>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-12785872516109440872011-07-20T23:30:00.000-04:002011-07-20T23:30:18.747-04:00Chapter 8<strong>A nice long chapter for ya'll... :o) Enjoy!!</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It was like my worst nightmare was coming true when I found Andreas sitting on my couch as I returned from a long day of shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was exhausted and ready to go to bed, but I suddenly became wide awake when he abruptly stood up, causing me to squeak in my native tongue, “Andreas!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you doing here?!” I grabbed at my chest to make sure my heart was still beating despite all the heavy bags on my arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I decided to take a day trip,” he grumbled as he got up off the couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What the fuck do you think I’m doing here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m here to visit my fiancé who obviously doesn’t think I’m good enough to answer her phone when I call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, I’m pretty sure I told you to make sure you were at your apartment the next time I called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried calling you yesterday morning when you were supposed to be home from work but there was no answer and then today…Well, it seems you had better things to do,” he scowled at the pile of shopping bags.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I took a deep breath to steady my nerves before speaking as he walked over towards me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His facial expressions were hard and I knew he was furious even though he was keeping his tone down, for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I honestly never heard the phone ring yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came home and slept like a corpse, I almost missed my alarm.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That sounds convincing enough.</i> “And today I figured I would come home and call you so that I could give you my full attention, something I wouldn’t have been able to do since I was out with some of my friends.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Who are these <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">friends</i>?” he asked in a mocking tone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Some women I have met from the hockey team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are wives and girlfriends of some of the players.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Why have they taken to you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have nothing to do with hockey,” he growled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I met them through Steven and Steve, the guys who are friends with my patient, Eric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been really nice to finally have some people to hang out with, I was getting lonely,” I foolishly admitted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You wouldn’t be lonely if you would have stayed where you belong,” he stated roughly as he turned away to walk across my apartment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Instead of coming back with my normal argument, I just bit my tongue and carried my bags back to the bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I came back out into the living room, I found him pacing back and forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him to get him to stop so that I could properly greet him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Andreas, it really is good to see you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have missed you so very much.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I really did mean the words, as much as I knew I didn’t want to marry him, he was still my childhood love and best friend growing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t always a harsh character; he used to be a lot of fun to hang out with and we used to have good times together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew so much about me and I knew so much about him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began to change once we graduated high school and he went onto University.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He became more like his father and I blamed that on him spending more time in the crazy Aristocratic circles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sadly, he has become everything we despised our parents for being while we were growing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It broke my heart when I found out about his numerous mistresses, something of the norm when you have a title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I watched my mother cry herself to sleep at night when my father would come home smelling like some cheap whore’s perfume, drunk and angry for how unhappy he was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember hiding in the closet when he would beat her and force her to have sex with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also remember the first night Andreas did the same to me, showing up at my dorm room late at night and forcing me to suck his cock and then give up my virginity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was 17.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the beginning of my slow descent into depression and the beginning of my quest to somehow escape from it even if it was only for 2 short years.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I looked up at him, resting my chin on his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was only a few inches taller than me; definitely not the huge height difference that was between me and Steven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked older and he was not as handsome as I always believed him to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was looking down at me with dark, hardened eyes and I knew the Andreas I once remembered from my childhood was no longer alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was crushed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stiffly hugged me back and pushed me away from him, beginning to pace again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Spending your father’s money I see?” he snarled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I used all my own money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do have my own job, remember?” I said, not meaning to sound as proud as I did.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh yes, let’s just remind me how you are all of a sudden little miss independent,” he growled, almost sounding like a wounded him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Please Andreas, it is not that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you are done University, I will take my role as your wife…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He swiftly turned towards me and pushed me up against the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My head stung where it hit the dry wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ouch…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">At that the boys basically came to my rescue, even if it was only for a short time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to run out the door after them as soon as they said their goodnights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So badly did I want to shout out to Steven that I wanted to be his and only his after watching him go with a hurt look in his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was shattered.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Andreas locked the door and turned to me to me with an ugly scowl on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are fucking both of them!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“No!” I cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He grabbed me roughly by the arm and drug me into the bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then slapped me hard across the face and snarled, “With that being said, you will start making up to me by proving to me you haven’t been a little whore!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He instructed me to strip as he already was taking off his clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to vomit when I looked up to find him stroking his short cock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Up on the bed, whore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Please, Andreas,” I pleaded.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Shut up!” he roared as he roughly pushed me onto the bed so that my ass was in the air for him to take me from behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bit my lip so hard to muffle my scream as he roughly entered me, that I could taste the blood in my mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t even close to being wet enough to take him, no matter how much smaller he was than Steven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dug his fingers into my hips as he slammed into me, making the tears come more and more as he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere between my sobs of pain and his grunts of pleasure I felt him empty his disgusting seed inside of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suddenly realized I had been living in a dreamland these last few months and that the Devil had come to turn it all back into the nightmare I ran from.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Olivia!” I heard Downie call out as we skated for warm-up by the seats I had set aside for her and as Downie hatefully called him, Andy-ass.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I slept like total shit last night knowing that the short German asshole had his grubby hands on my Liv.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tossed and turned only catching a few moments of sleep here and there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I did sleep I only saw her smiling and laughing in my arms like she had the other morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did not smile or laugh when we visited her last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was basically a zombie and I could tell she was scared to death to be left alone with the monster.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I allowed my heart to soar when I saw that she was wearing my jersey and flashing me an uninhibited smile as Heather sat next to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wait, Heather?! Where is Andreas?!</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just held up my hands and she mouthed, “He allowed me to come without him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Sweeeeet!</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The game wasn’t over fast enough…especially since it ended up going into OT and then into a shoot-out which we lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a tough game and the only point I registered was a power-play assist in the first period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I could have cared less as I walked out of the locker room and found Liv standing there waiting for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately, I walked over to her and scooped her up into a hug, pressing my lips to hers, not caring if Andreas might have snuck his way in.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Please tell me I have some time with you before you need to go back to him?” I murmured low into her ear as she was still holding tight to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Only an hour; he said he had a business meeting to attend to for his father, so I expect him to go out for drinks afterwards.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I grabbed her hand and forced her to follow me out the door, not even allowing her to say hello’s and goodbye’s to everyone that was coming into the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I helped her into her car and then we drove MACH1 to get back to my apartment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">As soon as we got upstairs my hands were all over her and my lips were busy kissing her and telling her how much I had missed her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I moaned when she unbuttoned my dress shirt and her small, soft hands touched my chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled as she stood on her tippy-toes to kiss my neck and work her way down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like I was in Heaven until I lifted off her shirt and found the first signs of Hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Liv,” I said, pulling back to reach for the light switch.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Dooon’t,” she pleaded, but it was too late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The light was already on, illuminating the dark bruises on her arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t until now that I realized her lip was also swollen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Jesus, Liv, he hurt you,” I growled, trying to keep my temper down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like I was losing complete control as the reality set in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m going to fucking kill him,” I spit through my teeth as she began sobbing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“He didn’t mean too…” she began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I bruise so easy…” she said with conviction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m the bad person here; I’m the one cheating on my fiancé…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I spun around and collapsed down to the floor where she was now sitting, taking her hands into mine like I had done the day he screamed at her on the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stop,” I breathed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not listen to you making excuses that shouldn’t be made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not how a man treats a woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t care what country you are from, it’s wrong; you need to realize this,” I said as I let go with one of my hands and lifted her chin so that she would look at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“He will be gone in 2 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will do whatever I need to do to keep him appeased and then everything will go back to the way it was,” she mumbled, her accent thicker than normal because she was so upset.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What happens when he comes back to visit again?” I asked plainly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She just shrugged her shoulders before sobbing some more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">All the money in the world was not going to fix this as easily as I wanted to.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angry that this man ruined the last 45 minutes of my time with Olivia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angry that this man dared to lay a hand on a woman, especially <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my</i> woman. Angry that I felt completely helpless as she walked out the door to go back to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“That son of a bitch,” Downie growled as we stood on the golf course the next morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I knew the short shit was no good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you see how he was clenching and unclenching his fists?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should we call the cops on that piece of shit or just go take care of business ourselves?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sighed as I watched Steve get all fired-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew exactly how he felt because I was feeling like that since I had found the marks on Liv, now I was just feeling sick because I didn’t know which way to turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wish I could get a hold of her parents, to maybe talk to them and let them know what is going on, but I’m afraid it won’t help.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Why the hell wouldn’t it?” Steve blew up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you think they are supportive of their daughter being beat up?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I bit my lip and said, “Well, Liv told me last night that her father was the same exact way with her mother…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I just don’t get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Olivia is 21, she has to have rights to make her own decisions,” Downie said as he sat down on the golf cart, looking to be in deep thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“She is very loyal to her family…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Fuck her family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not family when they leave her hanging out to dry. Does she just have a work VISA for the States?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I think so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why, what are you thinking?” noticing the wheels beginning to turn in my friend’s eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Maybe we can find out how she can become an actual citizen of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place>”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Doesn’t that take a little bit?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Probably, but we have 2 years…” Downie said with a big grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sure we can talk to the front office, those people seem to know everything about Customs and what not and I’m sure they would have connections, especially after we tell them about the situation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Heh. You aren’t as stupid as you look,” I said to him as I threw a golf ball at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I aim to please,” he said throwing his arms out to the side like he was a rock star taking in all the attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Until we can get something situated, we will just have to spend as much time with Olivia when possible and keep annoying the shit out of Andy-ass so maybe I can get him pissed off enough so that he will try and come after me; I’d really like to deck the piece of shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was never more excited to go to work until Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andreas didn’t lay a harsh hand on me since Friday night, but I still didn’t trust him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was like a land-mine waiting for someone to step on him so that he could explode.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steve and Steven were already in Eric’s room playing the new Call of Duty game when I walked in to do my beginning of shift assessment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone smiled worriedly over at me, looking at me carefully to make sure no new bruises were visible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think the guys told Eric about the circumstances, but I knew he could sense tensions were high.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Guten Tag, Olivia!” Eric said happily, even though he looked exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Guten Tag, Eric,” I said quietly as I leaned over to hug him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I see this last treatment has taken a little out of you today?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He yawned as he said, “Ja.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I looked up at Steven and Steve and said, “I cannot let you guys stay too long tonight…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“We know, but we wanted to come hang out since we are leaving for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Toronto</st1:city></st1:place> tomorrow evening,” Downie piped up.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh?” I asked, trying not to sound too upset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew the road trip was coming up, but I secretly hoped it would be canceled or something, even though I couldn’t spend the time with Steven either way.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“We will be home early Friday morning,” Steven said, noting the worry in my voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I want to go to a game!” Eric whined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m tired of having to watch them on TV.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“We are looking into getting you to one,” Downie informed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who would you like see us play against?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I don’t care, just as long as it’s soon,” Eric said, leaving out the part that he didn’t know how much more time he had left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sad fact was that Eric did not have much more time on this earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nurse who reported off to me stated that they found more tumors and the Doctors were unable to operate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He only had 2 months at most and sadly those last 2 months would be spent here because his family could not afford at home hospice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Everyone in the room just nodded their heads, trying not to speak of the inevitable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked around the boys as they went back to playing their video game and then walked out of the room to work on some charting.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You have a habit of standing and staring,” I said lightly when I felt Steven in my personal space.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Only when my eyes have found something worth staring at,” he joked quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He leaned in towards me, leaving only a few inches of space between us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How are you doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I’m miserable because I miss you and I’m walking on egg shells hoping not to add more bruises to my body collage.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m doing okay,” I said with a weak smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I am missing you so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These two weeks won’t be able to go fast enough,” he answered honestly, making me feel a little guilty that I didn’t tell him the full truth of how I was feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is there anyway you can take your early break now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sighed and looked around at the empty hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How about 2300hrs?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“That will be fine, I’ll come back then, we are going to leave so Eric can get some rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, I want to call his parents to see if we can’t get him to the game on Saturday against <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Colorado</st1:state></st1:place>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My ears perked up at this and I couldn’t help but smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That would be sooo super!” I exclaimed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He will love that!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sssh,” he laughed at my outburst of excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We will make sure it will be a special night for him and his family, an early Christmas present; you will have to be there too…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I will have to ask off work…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Don’t!” he said as his eyes got big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I mean, do ask off, but whatever you do, don’t tell Andreas,” he said with a “catch my drift?” kind of smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We just smiled at each other for a moment until Downie walked out and said, “Eric fell asleep.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I snapped out of my trance and nodded my head.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Olivia?” Downie asked quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“How much longer does he have?” he asked seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I took a deep breath and shrugged my shoulders, “Maybe two months,” I said sadly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What do his parents need to get him back home and out of this place?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Money,” I stated honestly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, really, they need money to pay for home hospice care which ist insanely expensive, especially since they need a nurse with him for basically 24 hours a day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Both boys just looked at each other and nodded their heads silently.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well, I will see you at 11,” Steven leaned in and kissed my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood up and hugged Downie, willing the clock to fast-forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She met me out in the parking-lot of the hospital with a big grin glued across her face as I walked over and pulled her into my arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“How long do you have?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“An hour and a half.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Can you leave the premise?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“The other women do,” she said as she looked at me curiously.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Before she could finish the words, I pulled her over to my car and coaxed her to get in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon we were stripping down and sliding the passenger seat back as far as possible in a dark alley a few blocks away from the hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“This ist not going to be very comfortable for you,” she giggled as she helped me get my pants down around my ankles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I don’t care, I need to be inside of you, Liiiiiivvv…” I moaned as she straddled me and pushed herself down over my aching cock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been hard since I left the hospital and I could tell she had been thinking about the rendezvous just as much, just by how wet she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fuck,” I moaned into her breasts that were perfectly positioned in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thank God for dark tinted windows and the cloak of night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>She cried out my name as I sucked on her nipples, biting them lightly to bring them into little hard peaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her small hands were splayed on top of my shoulders so that she could raise and lower on me, swiveling her hips when she ground down on my lap, putting me balls deep inside of her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was in complete control and I was pleasantly along for the ride as I cupped her ass with my hands for a little more support.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Steven, oh, God…” she whined as she pushed herself down along my length, her warm, tight pussy sucking tight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She leaned down, her hair shielding me as it tickled my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She kissed me deeply and a sense of need and passion filtered through her mouth into mine, causing a low groan to erupt from me as I shot my load into her sooner than I had wanted to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I really wanted was to keep fucking her until the sun came up and we were caught by one of the shop owners, but she felt too good and I couldn’t help myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must have pushed her over the edge when I came, because I felt her muscles clamp down and she left out a feral scream that would have hurt my ears under normal circumstances.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">When she came back down from her high, I watched her bite her lip, obviously a little embarrassed by her actions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sorry,” she said quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Why? What? No, no need to be sorry, that was amazing Liv.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A shy smile began to lift the corners of her sweet candy lips before I pulled her back to me so that I could kiss her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I don’t think I’ve ever kissed a girl as much as I kiss her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just can’t get enough.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">After kissing for a few more minutes, allowing our bodies to cool down we decided to run to the mini-mart down the block and buy a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last 30 minutes of her break were spent back in the hospital parking-lot, leaning against the trunk of my car, each taking turns eating out of the container and talking about how much we missed spending time together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was weird, we had only actually been together as a “couple” for a week, but I felt like we had known each other for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew she was miserable with the current circumstances and I was suffering through it right along with her, just biding my time until we could make things the way the needed to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite all the tension and depressed feelings, when she smiled, I knew she was genuinely happy to be with me; making my life seem the most fulfilled it had ever been. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I’ve found the woman I want to have in my life forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know she’ll always be there when things are good and bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She will be my rock and I will make sure I do my part to be hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guess Marty was right when he had given one of his life lesson speeches to me the other month, “you just know and it doesn’t matter how old you are because God works on His own time.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only hope God has a miracle on his watch, because Liv was going to need one and fast.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-2528924669507074422011-07-19T08:36:00.000-04:002011-07-19T08:36:18.454-04:00Seven<strong>Shout-out to Sara!! Glad to hear you like this!! :o)</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You up for an adventure?” Heather asked over the phone while I was at work on Thanksgiving night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boys had flown up to DC to spend the night up there before their game on Friday evening against the Capitals.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What kind of adventure?” I asked hesitantly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Black Friday shopping,” she said excitedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A lot of stores open at midnight, but I’ve been doing some planning and found there are actually some better deals starting when you get out of work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Nanny will have the kids, so it will just be a girl’s day…unless you think you will be too tired.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well, I don’t work tomorrow night, so I will be staying up anyway to get back on my normal sleep schedule for a few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I am definitely up for an adventure,” I said with a big grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I definitely thought this whole Black Friday thing seemed a little crazy, but Americans seemed to make a big deal of it and it just felt like I should be apart of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My relief came in a little early, so I was showered, changed and ready to go by 7:30am when Heather arrived at my apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had a big, friendly smile on her face as I jumped in her Range Rover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turned around to find Caroline, Vinny’s girlfriend, and a petite dark haired woman I had never met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh! Olivia, you already know Caroline, but our other shopping buddy for the day is Karine Gagné.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her husband Simon Gagné was just traded from Philly to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Tampa</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place> this past off season.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hallo, nice to meet you,” I said as I took the woman’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiled sweetly and said in a thick French accent, “Very nice to meet you, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It was great to finally meet some women that were genuinely nice and fun to hang out with; not that hanging out with Steven and Steve wasn’t already a blast, but having that female perspective I have been missing since I moved away from my friends in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place> was a welcome feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We shopped like crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly felt like I was on a shopping spree, the women were literally throwing clothing at me to try on, saying that I was going to need some nice outfits for the upcoming fundraisers and parties that the team held for the holidays.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I thought Black Friday was for Christmas shopping?!” I whined as I plopped down with my 6 bags of clothing and food tray at Panera Bread.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“It is and that is why we have been switching it up so some of us can get stuff for the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t want you to get bored just clothing and toy shopping…” Caroline informed me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well, I appreciate it, but I do need to buy some things for Steven, Steve and my patient, Eric.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Perfect because after we eat lunch and unload some of these bags, shopping for the men is next on the agenda!” Heather said excitedly as she sat down next to me, smacking her list on the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was chewing on my sandwich when Caroline asked out of the blue, “So how are things going on the Steven front?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I almost choked and I could feel myself turning every shade of red, causing Heather to give me a good healthy smack on the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I swallowed the food and took a swig of my Iced Tea I said, “Um, you know…good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“That boy only has eyes for you,” she smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The way he looks at you is the exact way Vinny used to look at me when we were young and first started hooking up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course he still does look at me that way, but there is something just priceless about young love.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Mmm, I have to agree,” Karine piped up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Karine had informed me earlier that she and Simon had been childhood sweethearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It sometimes seems like they will never settle down, but they love some sort of stability in their lives, so when they find a good woman they latch on fairly quickly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I just smiled and nodded, taking in all the information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know what to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was pretty sure Heather was the only one at the table who knew all the details with my situation, but Caroline obviously had a clue after what happened on Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took another bite of my sandwich letting all the memories from yesterday’s events flood back into my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surprisingly, I did end up getting some sleep in his arms after we went for round two in the shower; I still am in awe over the fact that sex can be so good with someone that cares for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">See, you are finally allowing yourself to realize that Andreas has never cared for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My relationship with Andreas is not healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shouldn’t have to put up with him treating me like a dog that is only good enough when he needs a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steven…Steven treats me like I am a goddess, he is so gentle with me and Caroline did have a point on the way he looked at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never seen that look in a man’s eyes before, but I sure as hell know how it makes me feel as if I’m the only thing in this world that can make him happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only hope my eyes say the same when I look at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But listen to me, ugh, Andreas was right, I’m allowing the whole American independence fill up my head…I just don’t know what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a duty to my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have a choice even if I do want one…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Earth to Olivia!” Heather pulled me back from my internal head-war, “Your phone is ringing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Huh?” I said, snapping out of my trance and then realizing that it was my phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked it up and looked at the caller-ID.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Andreas.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a deep breath and hit the ignore button and then hit the power button, effectively turning it off because I knew he would just keep calling until he got an answer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Heather and Caroline looked over at me with sympathetic but proud faces as I just nodded at them and went back to finishing my lunch so that we could get back to the task at hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas shopping for our men.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Wow, what a shitty ass game,” I grumbled as we walked out to board the bus for the airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had just been completely shut-out by the Washington Capitals, 0-6, effectively flushing our win-streak down the drain and taking away all the talk of 50-goals in 50-games for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">At least I don’t have to hear anymore about that…</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You heading over to Olivia’s after we get home?” Downie asked as he sat down next to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I don’t know yet, probably not the best idea with being in the middle of back to back games, but I do want to see her…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well how about we take over pizza and a movie or something?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless you don’t want me around...” he faded off with a pouting lip that made him overly pathetic, giving me no chance of getting the night alone with Olivia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just think, if I’m there you will have to behave, which solves the back to back game dilemma,” he informed me with a big goofy smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I rolled my eyes, “Fiiiinnneee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me call her,” I growled as I pulled out my phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A look of confusion must have passed over my face as the phone went directly to voicemail, because Downie caught on automatically.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What’s wrong, she change her number or something?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“No, it just went right to voicemail, so it must be off or something.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh, well we can get in touch with her when we get back to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Sunshine</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until then, it’s just you and me time bud!” Steve chirped as he ruffled at my hair. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh, good God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>I shook my head and pulled out my PSP for some video game wars with my best friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Knock, Knock!” Downie banged on the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still hadn’t been able to get a hold of her on her phone and I was beginning to get worried, so we decided to just show up at her place.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Who ist it?” her voice rang out from the other side of the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Your two favorite boys!” Downie sang back in a high pitched girly voice as he batted his eyelashes in front of the door-peephole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t help but punch him in the stomach, so he was still bent over when the door opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still laughing at Steve when I looked up to find a man about Marty’s height in jeans and a long sleeve buttoned-down shirt, with thick, dark unruly hair that was topped off with a scowling face.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Whoa!” Steve blurted out as I froze, standing there staring at the obviously annoyed man. “We leave for one day and come home to find that Olivia got a sex change…” he was going to say something more but I instinctively punched in him the stomach to silence him once more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Andreas, bitte geh zur Seite, damit sie reinkommen können,” Olivia pleaded from behind him with a wary smile that told me she was just as surprised to see him as we were and not very happy about it either.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The man’s face actually softened a bit, causing me to think he was probably a person who could put on a wonderful act of being sweet as pie, but a real asshole when given the chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He backed up, giving room for Downie and me to enter the tension laden room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Downie of course didn’t skip a beat as he stuck out his hand for Andreas to shake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hi!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m Steve Downie, and this is my best friend Steven Stamkos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have befriended Olivia over the past week and a half; she takes care of one of my best buddies on the pediatric floor at the Children’s Hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just got home from DC after losing a terrible game, so we figured we’d bring over some pizza and a movie to relax for a bit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Are you not professional sports players?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You do not have girlfriends to spend the evenings with?” Andreas asked in perfect English with an evil raised eyebrow that made me want to deck the guy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Nah, we can’t find women to put up with us for longer than a week or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe me, Olivia hasn’t gotten to the 2-week breaking point yet,” Steve joked as he hugged Olivia and then walked over to her kitchen, acting like he had been there a million times when it all actuality it was his first time stepping into the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole scene was hilarious, taking all I had not to piss my pants.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I decided to do my part by also shaking Andreas’ hand, leaving a kiss on Olivia’s cheek and following Diggity over to the kitchen so that I could pull out some plates and cups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Olivia stood still for a moment before un-freezing and joining us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You have no idea how good that smells,” she said with a smile and a wink to thank us for saving her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew she had a lot she wanted to say to us, but it obviously was not the time with Andreas still standing like a statue in the living room, most likely festering.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So, I thought you weren’t supposed to be arriving in the States until the end of next week?” Steve piped up while he walked past Andreas with a plate full of pizza and plopped down on the couch.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Andreas just stood still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t decide if he was just floored by how the two of us were acting or if he was thinking about how to find a hit man to murder us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Olivia walked over with her own plate and cup, sitting down on the love seat across from Steve and said, “Andreas thought it would be nice to surprise me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had this planned all along,” she said sweetly with a smile that told me she did not find this a happy surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh, wow, what great boyfriend you are…” Steve said in a tone that could have easily been taken as mocking.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Andreas finally moved, but to my dismay he took a seat next to Olivia so I was stuck sitting next to Downie when all I wanted to do was grab Liv and take her far away from the evil man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am Olivia’s fiancé,” Andreas said plainly as he took Olivia’s cup and helped himself to a bit of her drink.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So where is the ring?” Steve pressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I do not think that is any of your damn business,” Andreas growled with his volume ramping up a bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steve just held up his hands in a truce and said, “Sorry, I did not mean to upset you, friend.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I watched as Andreas made a fist with his other hand, flexing it and unflexing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly I was very afraid for Liv.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She seemed to notice it also, strategically moving the conversation towards a more neutral area, hockey.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So what happened tonight?” she asked, looking straight at me with eyes that made me wish I could carry her back to her bedroom and make love to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sighed, putting down my empty plate, “Our defense had a major meltdown and we just couldn’t seem to get a puck past their goalie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was almost as if someone forgot to tell us we had a game to play today.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m sorry that your streak has been broken,” she said sincerely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You play tomorrow, correct?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“<st1:city w:st="on">Battle</st1:city> of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Sunshine</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place>!” Downie announced before I could say anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You should come to the game, the rivalry is always a decent one…well as exciting as two <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state></st1:place> hockey teams can be,” He joked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah, Hammer is right, you should come to the game,” I paused, “Both of you,” I manned up and finished, looking at Andreas to see if he had enough spine to say no.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“That’s a great idea!” Liv exclaimed as she turned to Andreas to see his expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then you could meet some more of my friends; some of the women I spent the day with today!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I could tell Andreas was not at all for this, as it was obvious he was trying to keep his cool while he once again began flexing his fist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We will see, Olivia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am here to spend time with you, not your friends,” he said, trying to offend us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Besides, I don’t think I’d be into watching guys skate on the ice…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh, but it is such a wonderful game to watch and a lot more exciting than you are making it sound!” Olivia tried again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“We will leave tickets at will-call,” <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Downey</st1:city></st1:place> added enthusiastically.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Andreas huffed and nodded, “We will see.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-32074599485365291062011-07-17T12:01:00.000-04:002011-07-17T12:01:19.572-04:00Six<strong>So is anyone out there?? I know ya'll are reading, so let's hear what you think!! :o)</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span></i></b></st1:place></st1:country-region></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Are you stalking me, Stammer?” I smiled when I walked out of work at 730am, flowers in hand, to find Steven leaning on my car with a mischievous smile on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked adorable in just a pair of sweatpants, flip-flops, backwards baseball hat and a sweatshirt to ward away the damp morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Guten Morgen, Liv.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are the pretty flowers from?” he joked, taking them from my hands so that I could unlock my car.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Some stud hockey player,” I said with a wink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need to tell him not to send me gifts at work,” I said with a serious look.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it against the rules?” he asked now sounding worried.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Not against the rules, but those nurses are definitely nosey people,” I informed him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sorry, I hope I didn’t cause you much trouble, I just wanted to make you smile,” he said with a “golly gee shucks” look that made my heart melt.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well, they definitely made me smile along with making me the coolest nurse on the floor,” I said with a giggle as I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So it’s 730am and you are here…why aren’t you at home still in bed after playing like a mad man last night?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He laughed easily as said, “Because I couldn’t sleep without my cuddle buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come home to with me, I’ll make you some breakfast and we can lay in bed all day before I leave for DC…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sighed, “That sounds wonderful, Steven, but I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I already have the wrong idea,” he admitted with a cocky grin that wouldn’t have stopped any hot blooded woman from going home with the guy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was still shaking my head at how much trouble this was going to be as I pulled into his driveway and walked in through the garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just ignored my obvious hesitation by grabbing my hand and dragging me up the steps into his living area.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Cheerios?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Here I figured you were making me a big breakfast,” I scolded him, nodding my head up and down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cheerios sound great!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We sat across from each other to eat, just staring at one another wondering what move should be made next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I finished, I set my bowl in the sink and walked over to his couch, sitting down onto it and stretching out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I squeaked when he did a vault jump over the back of the couch and plopped down next to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You have too much energy,” I yawned.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m just happy you are here,” he smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Isn’t Diggity becoming jealous of your time spent with me?” I joked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“We are going golfing on Sunday, so he should be set,” he informed me. He began haphazardly twirling a piece of my hair in his fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to admit that I had no idea what to do with all this attention from someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never “dated” anyone beside Andreas and technically I still wasn’t dating anyone; but if I was, I could only hope this is how it would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was sitting there thinking about all this as I zoned out while staring at Steven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He woke me up quickly by leaning in and kissing me possessively on the lips, effectively taking the air from my lungs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I instinctively threaded my fingers in his hair, coaxing him on.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I pulled back after a minute and said, “I-I don’t think this is a good idea…” but before I could finish he was up on his knees, straddling my legs, effectively pinning me to the couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“No idea of mine is ever good when you are this close to me,” he growled and came down on my lips again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I squeaked as he nipped at my lower lip before wrestling my tongue with his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was like a towering giant over top of me who could have easily crushed me if he didn’t distribute his weight properly, but he seemed aware of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hands were in my hair and I found myself pulling him towards me all while moaning his name into his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pouted when he sat back for a moment but I was quickly appeased as he pulled his sweatshirt over his head, exposing his beautifully sculpted chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without thinking I reached out and ran my finger tips over his taut skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was almost down to his navel when he grabbed my hands and pulled them up to his mouth to kiss them before leaning back down and kissing my lips once more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">His hands slid down my sides, pulling me slightly forward so that he could pull off my scrub top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cried out his name when his teeth grazed the skin of my neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both giggled when he picked me up with one arm, like I weighed nothing in his arms and maneuvered himself so that I was now laying down on the large couch with him over-top of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His kisses were needier than the last time and I met him with just as much force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so turned on that I thought my panties were just going to float off my legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cried out when he ground his hips against mine, allowing me to feel his long, hard length.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Are you okay?” Steven whispered heavily into my ear, already knowing the answer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">However, I couldn’t answer before he ground against me once more, pushing my pelvis deeper into his couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just moaned and clawed at his smooth back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just laughed softly as he leaned down and bit gently through the lace of my bra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arched up my back so that he could un-do the undergarment and get rid of it ASAP.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Pleeeaassseeee…” I whined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His lips traced patterned around my nipples, his mustache tickling the sensitive area before he sucked on them and kneaded them gently with his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His other hand was busy getting in my pants.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Feels like you are as into this as I am,” he said heavily dipping into my wet folds, causing me to buck up against his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began tracing the same patterns with his finger as he had been with his tongue on my breast and I began to see stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never had a man touch me this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never knew realized it could feel even better than it did when I touched myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gasped when two of his fingers pushed into me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Steeeeven…” I cried while he worked me with a come hither motion, hitting my g-spot.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m right here, Liv. Relax and cum for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A couple more flicks of his wrist and I was seeing the fireworks I thought were never possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still panting as his mouth devoured mine roughly before I could tell him thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a deep kiss that felt like it lasted for hours, he pulled back and whispered huskily into my ear, “I think it’s time for bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I just nodded. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pushed himself off the couch and reached out his hand for mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He led me to his room and we both crawled up on the bed, kneeling in front of each other beginning where we left off with touching and kissing each other, hands all over each others bodies as the rest of our clothing piled up on the floor next to the bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I left out a little gasp when he revealed his size to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t help but take him in my hand and begin stroking him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow, I was able to topple him backwards onto the bed so that I was on top of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled me down so that the length of our bodies pressed against each other and once again I was trapped by his passionate kisses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t even realize I had stopped stroking him with my hand and just began grinding my dripping wet heat along his dick until he slid into me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We were so hot and heavy and her slick folds felt amazing along my throbbing cock, I couldn’t help but thrust up against her to feel more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ooh…” she breathed out surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped instantly, even though I just wanted to screw my whole length into her tight spot.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“If you want to stop, I will…it won’t be easy, but I will,” I said, scared to death she was going to say stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Instead she shook her head back and forth, her hair swaying back and forth across my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fuck me,” she said plainly and she slid the rest of the way down on my cock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow I could never picture Reese Witherspoon speaking those two words, but coming out of Liv’s mouth, it made her all the more my dream girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I pushed deep into her, slowly, allowing her muscles to stretch around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A low moan came from one of us, or maybe both of us, but I wasn’t sure because all I could hear was a ringing in my ears while a bright white light blinded me from how she felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was lifting up to plunge back down when I decided that I wanted to be on top of her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She squeaked when I flipped us over, changing positions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want to possess you, Liv,” I whispered before pushing fully into her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes rolled back into her head as she smiled and moaned from the feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I groaned and began slowly setting a pace with her, making sure my lips never left her body accept to tell her how beautiful she was and how much I cared for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to make sure she knew that this was not because I just wanted a roll in the hay.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I enjoyed the feel of her arms around me, occasionally grabbing my ass to pull me deeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The noises she made were second to none and her ramblings in incoherent German made me smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was obviously enjoying this as much as I was, making me want to give her the best orgasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lifted up her hips slightly so that as I bottomed out, her clit hit my pelvic bone, making her cry out louder each time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple more times of this and I felt her muscles clench down on my length as she held on tight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As she convulsed, I blew my load deep inside of her, feeling a huge release.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She was still convulsing when I gently rolled off of her and laid beside her, lightly tracing her hardened nipple with my index finger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turned her head towards me and when she opened her eyes a big smile crossed her swollen lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wunderbar.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I couldn’t help but laugh and kiss her once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So how do you feel?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I cannot feel right now,” she giggled, causing her free breasts to ripple with the movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is that what it is supposed to feel like?” she asked seriously, looking into my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I would hope so,” I answered back truthfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hasn’t it ever felt that way?” I asked curiously, hoping my question wasn’t too forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Let me just say that some people only care about themselves when it comes to the deed,” she said, grabbing a sheet to cover herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Doesn’t sound like the only subject he thinks about himself on,” I mumbled, the words slipping out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She just looked at me and nodded with a meek look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I leaned down and whispered, “I will always make sure you are first, Liv.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She looked at me with serious eyes and said, “I can actually lay here and say that I believe your words.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She caressed my cheek with her hand as she looked at me intently and then a small shy smile crossed over her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need a shower.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I laughed as I flipped the sheet back off of her and carried her into the bathroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-32350632534441582582011-07-14T21:51:00.002-04:002011-07-14T21:51:43.196-04:00Five<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Have you talked to her yet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heather tried to call, but she didn’t answer,” Marty asked quietly as we dressed for morning practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a game tonight, but coach just wanted to run over a few things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really didn’t feel like practicing, I just wanted it to be over so that I could go over to Olivia’s to apologize and talk to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“No, she won’t answer my calls either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am just going to stop over after practice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to talk to her,” I rambled as I finished taping up my socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just wish I knew what I said wrong”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“She is obviously very private about her home life…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“That’s bullshit because she had no problem telling me about her life in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s just protective of Andreas and I don’t understand why,” I cut in on my concerned friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I think he’s abusive,” Downie piped up into the conversation as the 3 of us sat on the locker room bench.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I opened my mouth to disagree, but then somethings clicked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know, for once I think you have a good point.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“And for once I think I’m going to ignore that remark and just keep talking about the subject at hand,” he punched me in the arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It would explain her protective behavior about him when it comes to one of us criticizing him and it would explain the whole flinching thing when you either raise your voice or move suddenly.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had explained what had happened after she left, so Steve knew all the details.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sounds like this Andreas guy is definitely a goon,” Vinny remarked as he walked over to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was just going to ask how Olivia was doing…Caroline really likes her and so do I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just move slow with her, Stammer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think she will see that the grass is definitely greener on this side of the world.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I smiled up at Vinny and said, “Thanks man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">After practice I headed over to Olivia’s apartment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Knock, knock.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I placed my ear to the door and heard feet shuffling across the carpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew she was standing on the other side of the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you are selling something,” she said in her thick accent, “Then please just leave the info on my door…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Liv, its Steven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please open your door and let me in,” I pleaded.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I don’t want any visitors Steven, just go home,” she said in a voice that broke my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Liv, come on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not leaving until you do; so if I’m late for the game tonight, you are going to have a lot of explaining to do for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I heard her sigh and then I heard her lock chain being removed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stepped back in time for her to open the door. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked a beautiful mess in her short gym shorts and tank-top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hair was pulled loosely back into a pony-tail and her eyes were red and puffy, letting me know she had just as much sleep as I did the night before.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My heart-rate increased when I heard his voice on the other side of my apartment door, but I couldn’t bring myself to open it at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wanted to be left alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All his friendship did was cause trouble for my some-what stable life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So okay, maybe my life wasn’t a box of roses, but I was always thankful for what I had and glad to know that I had a future that my family always wanted me to have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was doing my duty as a daughter should in a wealthy family.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I don’t know what made me open the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it felt like I was having an outer-body experience as my heavy hand undid the lock and opened the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found Steven standing there in a grey TampaBay Lightning t-shirt that fit him snugly in all the right places, backwards baseball hat, with his hands shoved in his khaki cargo shorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked like a teenager with a brooding face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">or fortunately</i>, I didn’t have a lot of time to stare at him because that quickly he was over the threshold with me scooped up in his arms as he spouted out words of forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Liv, I’m so sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t mean to flip out in front of you like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just can’t stand seeing you hurting like this, it literally ripped out my heart to see you upset yesterday…and then you didn’t answer my phone calls and God, I’m such an ass.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was saying all this as his lips were all over my face and hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat me down on my couch and kneeled between my legs still caressing my face and pleading with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I could only listen to a minute of it before I placed my hand over his lips to silence him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please Steven, stop.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">His blue eyes became large while he waited for me to say something else.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I was not upset with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just upset with me because everything you said was true; it ist just that no one has ever pointed that out to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I took my hand away from his mouth, allowing him to speak again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So does this mean you are going to break it off with him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I took a deep breath as I stared into his hopeful eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That is the part that you do not understand, Steven,” I said quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I really don’t have a choice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So are you saying this is an arranged marriage of sorts?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Basically.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Huh,” he said as he sat back on his feet and ran his fingers through his white blonde hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“If I break it off with Andreas, I will have to go home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My father has enough pull with the government to get my work Visa reproached.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Do your parents know how much of a monster he is?” I asked suddenly without thinking.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“He’s not a monster, Steven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Anyone who treats someone like you the way he does is a monster in my book.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She smiled sadly as she spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Men like him are a dime a dozen in my family and my friends families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just the way life is sometimes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He sighed, seeming to realize he was not going to win the battle with me, at least not today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, I can’t promise you that I will keep my mouth shut, so until then can you please forgive me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even brought you lunch…” he finished as he held up a bag from the grille we had eaten at the other day after their practice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I took the bag from his hand and put it on the coffee table behind him and pulled him into a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are amazing,” I whispered before he kissed me gently on the lips.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I figured we could eat some lunch and we could take our pre-game nap together since you have to work tonight,” he said with his kid-smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You are pretty assuming.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I will promise to behave myself,” he informed me as he crossed his heart and hopped up off the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You really have a nice place here,” he said as he walked over to my kitchen, helping himself to a drink.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Thanks,” I smiled as I watched him look so perfect in my place, like he belonged here.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Meow,” Stewie said as he made his presence known to Steven.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So this is the all-wonderful Stewie?” Steven asked as he bent down to pick up the grey cat that was walking between his legs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“It is,” I giggled as I walked over and petted my purring friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“He’s handsome.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Like the man holding him,” I said shyly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steven blushed and handed me Stewie so that he could get us drinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat at my small dinning table and ate our lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked about their game tonight and his schedule for the rest of the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to admit that I felt a little more relaxed that things hadn’t seemed to change between us, despite the fact that I couldn’t promise a change in my situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing I could hope for was a good several days with Andreas to talk to him and get him to understand that life changes and I wanted out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I could get him on my side, then our families would be easier to convince.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andreas could be a fair man, so I didn’t see why my plan wouldn’t work.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">After lunch I nervously led Steven back to my bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just so you know I have never had a man in my bed here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He just smiled and pulled back the covers for me to crawl under.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I was settled I watched him kick off his flip-flops, take off his shorts and t-shirt before crawling in under the blankets with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He possessively pulled me into him, so that he was spooning me, and wrapped his arm around my waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt him kiss my hair as he whispered, “Alarm set?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah,” I said quietly, afraid to move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smelled sooo good and I loved how he warmed me instantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was nervous as hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sweet dreams, my Liv.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sweet dreams, Steven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I figured it was easier to not give her a choice on if she wanted to take a nap with me or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily she seemed too tired to really put up a fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I really wanted to do was make slow sweet love to her, but that wasn’t an option before a game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, she did just basically tell me that she was not splitting with Andreas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That meant whatever happened between us from here on out was only going to make it harder when he did come to visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reckless/romantic part of me said not to worry about it and make an effort to show her that I should be the choice she makes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The realist part of me said to just stay friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Staying just friends is going to be hard when I am lying practically naked with this woman I am falling quickly for, in my arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She fits perfectly against me and I am so comfortable with her.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It made my night to see that Eric was once again one of my assigned patients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Someone here must like me a little bit.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oliva! Was ist los?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Das ist gut, Eric,” I grinned, bumping fists with him before I started my normal beginning of shift assessment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’ve missed you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diggity said you’ve been busy hanging out with them on your days off,” my little friend said, not even flinching as I gave him a shot.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yes, we had an early Thanksgiving meal since they leave tomorrow evening for a road trip.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m glad that you have become friends with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will show you what I can’t show you since I’m sitting here in this hospital room all the time,” he said sadly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well, what would you show me if you weren’t here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">His face lit up as he exclaimed, “Disney World!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to go with you to Disney World!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could eat real German food in Epcot and I know you’d love <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Magic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Did you know that the castle in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Magic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place> was modeled after a castle in my country?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Seriously?! That is totally cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have pictures of it?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yes, seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is called Neuschwanstein, and it is southwest of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Munich</st1:city></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a crazy King by the name of King Ludwig II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spent the country’s money to build himself a fantasy land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was quite strange, but his castles are beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been there several times, so I will bring you some pictures tomorrow night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well then we definitely have to go to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Magic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place> and have our picture taken in front of the castle as King and Queen!” Eric said as he pulled his lap-top back onto his lap and searched the castle on Google as I walked out of the room, giggling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Olivia?” one of the older nurses asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yes, Kathy?” I asked before turning around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I did, I found her holding a large bouquet of assorted flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Whoa!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are they for?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“The tag says for you,” she said with a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple of the other nurses came over at this point and they were all suddenly interested in the German nurse they knew little about.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Who are they from?” one of the women asked as I stood there staring at them for a moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I shrugged my shoulders and picked out the card that had been lost in the middle of the arrangement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Liv” was written on the card and I instantly knew who they were from.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh, they are from my friend, Steven,” I said loud enough for them all to hear in hopes they would disperse and go back to their own things, instead they crowded closer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sighed and opened the card.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Liv, I just wanted to say thank you for a wonderful afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a good night at work my beautiful Prinzessin and I’ll see you tomorrow before I leave for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Washington</st1:state></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steven.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Damn girl!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You found yourself a keeper!” A nurse by the name of Emily whistled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Washington</st1:state></st1:place>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you dating a politician?” Kathy asked with a raised eyebrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m thinking that has to be Steven Stamkos from the Tampa Bay Lightning,” a nurse named Rachel piped up, causing everyone to take in a breath of air.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Theeee Steven Stamkos?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one that comes to visit Eric?!” someone squeaked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Before I could answer Rachel cut in and said, “I think Downie is hotter…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I could feel myself blushing as I put the flowers on my desk and made a mental note to tell Steven not to send things to my work again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-14749064230559146602011-07-12T07:40:00.001-04:002011-07-12T07:41:47.472-04:00Four<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">I backed into the garage and before I could even get out of the car, she was at the trunk pulling out all the things we bought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Liv, let me get the heavier bags…”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">She stopped grabbing for the bags and looked up at me with a semi-startled look, like I had said something wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Something wrong?” I asked, confused.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“What did you just call me?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Um, Liv?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that a bad word in German that I don’t know?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">She giggled and began blushing, “No, it is just that no one has ever called me that and I really like it.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Phew.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well then I guess I have officially given you a nickname,” I laughed as I reached into the trunk and pulled out the heavier bags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think Liv has a nice ring to it.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">She smiled broadly and nodded her head.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">She was chatting non-stop about how nice my place was every time we entered a different room to get to the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You really keep it clean and look at the Christmas decorations!!” she exclaimed, “You Americans are all about starting the Christmas season early…”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Whoa there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> American!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am Canadian and there is a big difference,” I cut her off in a loud voice.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">She stopped and bit her lip, looking like she had just been scolded and was afraid I was going to hit her or something.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“I’m sorry, I was just trying to get my point across,” I said quietly as I stepped towards her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wasn’t yelling at you.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Her face instantly perked up and she smiled shyly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Why did she become so scared? Something is definitely not right. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“About the Christmas decorations,” I said, trying to change the subject as I put the groceries on the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My mom was here a week ago and brought all this stuff along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of it was in my house when I was growing up, so she figured I would enjoy it since Christmas is my favorite holiday.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“It’s my favorite holiday too!” she informed me happily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s just funny to see the decorations so early here in the States because we don’t normally decorate and things until a week or two before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually don’t know if I’ll decorate this year, I don’t think there is any place to get a Christmas tree,” she said the last part almost to herself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“I’m sure we can help you find something,” I said happily as I took the rest of the bags from her hands.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">I watched as she went over to the sink to wash her hands and I quickly followed when I remembered that my mom had strategically placed some mistletoe above the sink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was chatting about something when I purposefully stood by her so that our sides were touching as I leaned in and washed my hands.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Patience grasshopper,” she said as she lightly hip checked me and smiled carelessly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You will soon have your turn to wash your hands.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“But then I wouldn’t have a chance to do this,” I blurted out, as I reached out with my wet hands to capture her waist and turn her towards me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I leaned down towards her face, taking in the fact that her lips were already parted while her green eyes grew large with surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are so beautiful,” I whispered right before I pressed my lips to hers, pulling her tiny frame to mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She seemed hesitant at first but soon I felt her arms snake around my neck and waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reveled in the heat I felt radiating off her body and I couldn’t help but moan as she pulled herself even tighter against me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shivered when I felt the water from her hands drip down my back, but I believe it had more to do with the fact that she electrified me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Her lips fit perfectly against mine and she tasted like a sweet candy-cane, keeping me begging for more as I entered her mouth with my tongue, searching for anyway to keep this feeling going.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">His words shook me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His kisses unraveled me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was afraid that if he wasn’t holding onto me, I probably would have floated off like a balloon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was this how things were supposed to be between a man and woman?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was this what I had been missing out on throughout my whole relationship with Andreas?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">His furry mustache tickled my skin as he kissed me, but I loved the feeling of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All my senses became heightened 100% and his cologne fogged up my brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed how his strong body felt as he wrapped himself around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was strong enough to crush me, yet he was so gentle.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">I sighed when our lips finally parted a couple minutes later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What was that for?” I asked breathlessly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">A childish smile played at his moistened lips as I followed his blue eyes up to the mistletoe that was hanging above us.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Devil,” I hissed jokingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will have to make sure that ist moved before I come back here tomorrow…” I murmured nervously while making some space between us by stepping over to the other counter, feeling my skin heat and tingle as his clear blue eyes caressed me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“And I’ll just have to make sure I go out and purchase enough to cover every nook and cranny of my apartment so that I have an excuse to kiss you again,” he challenged back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something in my heart told me he was dead serious.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Soon I felt his tall, hard body standing behind me while I began gathering the ingredients to make the marinade I was going to inject the turkey with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t say anything; he just kept silent, like he was awaiting me to say something.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“I-I am engaged, Steven,” I spoke quietly, not turning around because I knew I wouldn’t be strong enough to say the words to his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had already melted me like butter once and I couldn’t afford to let him do it to me again, for I would have been in his bed quicker than a whore who was paid to do so.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“I know,” he said as if he was being choked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just needed to know how it would feel if I kissed you…”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Und?” I asked, regretting it as soon as the word was out of my mouth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Und…” he said slowly placing his larger hands on my shoulders and turning me so that we were facing each other once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked deep into my eyes and tethered me to him as he spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Und I want to do it again and again until you realize that there are better options than Andreas.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“You do not understand,” I mumbled and looked away, trying to wish away the tears that were beginning to fill my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t hold back the sob when I felt his large hand gently caress my cheek like I was a porcelain doll.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“What I do understand is that you never look very happy when you talk of him,” he stated plainly, causing me to flinch at the truth of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I also understand that you are most beautiful when you are happy.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“You do not need to say nice things like that to me…” I whispered, still not looking at him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“They are words of truth, Olivia,” he said quietly as he kissed my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a deep breath and began giving me space as he said, “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to put you in an awkward position.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">He sounded so sad and dejected that I almost believed that he was truly regretting kissing me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like a stranglehold was placed on my heart to know that I might have hurt his feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Steven” I breathed when I reached out towards him, stopping him from walking further away from me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">He turned towards me with a look that told me he was getting his way and one of thankfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one swift movement he pulled me into his arms once more and kissed me hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This kiss was totally different from our first, it was more demanding, like he had already taken the test and passed so this time he could be more reckless.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">A moan slipped out as his large hand slid down my lower back and firmly squeezed my ass, his tongue assaulted my mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took pleasure in the feeling of him completely wrapping himself around me; like he wanted to prove to me that life could be so much better with someone that actually cared for me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">I whimpered when he broke our kiss, but I wasn’t sad for long as his lips nibbled at my ear and he began whispering, “Liv, my beautiful Olivia,” over and over again as tears began rolling down my cheeks from his onslaught of feelings and words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had rarely heard words of endearment from Andreas throughout our whole relationship, so I never thought it was possible for a man to say those things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just always assumed men only said things like this to women in the movies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">He was making a trail of moisture and heat down my neck when a sliver of sense sparked in a remote corner of my brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Steven,” I choked out.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Yeah?” he asked, his moustache making me giggle as it tickled the sensitive skin of my neck.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“We need to stop before I allow you to talk me into anything else, otherwise we won’t have any food to feed people tomorrow,” I said as straight faced as possible when he slowly lifted his head and looked at me like he had been scolded.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“I didn’t mean to make you feel pressured…” he said slowly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">I placed my hand to his lips to effectively shush him as I kissed his nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I do not think you could pressure a mouse into eating a cookie,” I joked as I wrapped snuggled against his hard chest.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">I felt him laughing inside as he ran his fingers through my hair and then down the whole length of my body before pulling me tight against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will try and behave, but I cannot make promises.”</span></div><div style="border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Thanksgiving dinner was a success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow I was able to take Liv home the night before, at a decent hour so that she could come back over in the morning to begin the full preparation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laughed when she brought over construction paper and markers so that I could make Thanksgiving Day place-mats and soon I found myself weaving different colored paper together for the dinner settings.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“I feel like I’m back in pre-school again,” I whined jokingly as she came over to check on my progress.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“You make a good student,” she said as she kissed me on the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She attempted to head back to the kitchen but she did not get very far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reached out, grabbed her waist and pulled her onto my lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her thin physique was no match for my strength as I held her squirming body against mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stopped squirming as soon as I kissed her lips.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“And they always say you Germans can be so stubborn,” I joked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think I found a weapon of mass destruction; kisses for the women.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">She jabbed at me, rolled her eyes and scrambled to get back up as the timer for the oven went off.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Everyone was seated around the table by 3pm, with a steaming spread in front of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marty, Heather and the boys, Vinny, his long-time girlfriend Caroline and their little baby Victoria, and Downie who had come over a little early to help with some of the finishing touches of the meal, were all digging into.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">I kept stealing glances of Olivia who was sitting across from me, between Luke St. Louis and Heather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would catch me occasionally, rewarding me with a smile or a wink.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“So taking a girl to the grocery store works out just as well as picking one up at the store?” Downie chirped as he helped me wash the dishes that didn’t fit into the dishwasher.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Nah, it’s the mistletoe my mom insisted hanging above the sink here,” I joked back as I puckered up my lips and nodded up to the flower above our heads.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">He jumped back and exclaimed, “Stammer, I will deal with you cheating on me with Olivia, but I ain’t kissing your ugly mug.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">I just laughed, flicked some soap suds at him and went back to washing the dishes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was finishing drying the roaster pan when Heather came into the kitchen with a concerned look on her face.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Steven, Olivia is on her cell phone in your guest room in tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can hear some man screaming at her in German…”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">I didn’t even let her finish her words as I handed her the towel and pan and bounded upstairs to find Marty standing in the doorway while Liv sat on the floor with her knees pulled to her chest, tears flowing down her sweet face.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Marty just looked at me sadly as I pushed passed him and slid onto the floor, taking her hand in mine to grab her attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A deep voice could be heard screaming profanities over the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know enough German to understand what he was saying, but I knew enough that told me he wasn’t happy about something.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Stopp, Andreas,” she said in a surprisingly calm and collective voice that didn’t show how upset she physically was.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Andreas.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took all I had not to rip the phone out of her hand and begin screaming at the man who obviously made her so unhappy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">The yelling went on for at least 5 minutes more until Olivia cut him off and said, “Wiedersehen Andreas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ich liebe dich.”</span></div><div style="border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">As soon as I answered my cell phone, I knew it was the wrong thing to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was sitting with Luke on my lap, reading him a children’s book that he insisted I read to him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Where are you?!” Andreas snapped into the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I tried calling your apartment and you didn’t answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never not answer your phone when you aren’t at work.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“I am over at my new friend’s house for Thanksgiving dinner,” I answered politely in German as I placed Luke back on the floor and walked upstairs for more privacy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Are these new friends the boys who supposedly play ice hockey?” he asked indignantly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Yes, they are, along with some more of the players and their families,” I said with a smile.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“What did I tell you about whoring yourself around?!” he exploded into the phone.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">I just left him rant for awhile but of course the tears came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They always came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just couldn’t let him hear them because that would only make him angrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t realize Marty was standing in the doorway until I looked up to find Steven in front of me with a worried face.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“…You will be at the phone in your apartment the next time I call Oliva.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you understand?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not tolerate this any longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are mine and you will follow my rules, whether you are across the <place w:st="on">Atlantic Ocean</place> or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise I will be in touch with your father and he’ll have your ass on the next plane home.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He paused and I heard a female voice in the background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not now, Rochelle,” he growled in a tone that I had only heard when he had used with me once or twice before when things were good between us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quickly his voice turned back to the hatred ice I had become accustomed too as he spoke once again how I better realize that I will have my duties once he has a ring on my finger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t listen to it anymore without holding back my tears so I just cut him off and said good-bye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Why do you say that you love him when he talks to you like that?” Steven said quietly as I fell into his arms sobbing uncontrollably.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“I told you already...” I said between hiccups.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Why was he so angry?” I asked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Because I didn’t answer the phone at the apartment,” she said as if it made complete and total sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to scoff at the idea it was something so petty, but I kept my mouth shut and just rocked her back and forth in my arms for what seemed like an eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon her tears were all dried up and she was pulling out of my arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I must go,” she said, not looking at me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Why don’t you spend the rest of the evening here with me, we can just relax and watch a movie or something,” I pushed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Nein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to go home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stewie is probably thinking I have deserted him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will help clean up but then I will have to leave.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Everything is already cleaned up…”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Okay, then I will say goodbye to everyone,” she said, wobbling as she stood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was still obviously very upset.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">I quickly stood up to steady her as I took her chin in my hand, forcing her to look up at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry if I have caused you trouble.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“It ist not your fault, Steven,” she said sadly as she looked at me, but I could tell she was hesitant on staring into my eyes for too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It ist mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have known better.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">“Known better?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Known better for what?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You did not come to the <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">U.S.</country-region></place> to be a prisoner or work slave…” I blew up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You shouldn’t be letting him treat you like that!” I roared as I began pacing back and forth in the guest room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“God, he doesn’t fucking deserve you if he treats you like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you see?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">When I turned back to look at her, she was still as a stone and her face held no expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You do not understand, Steven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please, stay out of it,” she said with no emotion as she attempted to push past me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grabbed at her arms a little rougher than I intended to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I instantly realized because I felt her stiffen and almost cower; the same reaction she had last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I immediately left go and before I could say anything she was running down the steps and out the door without saying goodbye to anyone.</span></div>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-48552682118861439492011-07-10T08:00:00.002-04:002011-07-10T08:00:08.744-04:00Three<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A nice long chapter... they seem to go on forever when I have a lot of dialogue. Hope you enjoy and get a few laughs from it!! :o) And hey! Where are all my commentors at?! I know there are more than 2 of you... </span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Are you serious?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You haven’t been to Disney World yet?” I exclaimed a little louder than I probably should have at the outdoor café we were sitting at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She just looked at me, her green eyes large as she nodded her head up and down.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well I think we definitely need to change that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the point of coming to the States to experience our culture if you don’t get out and do things?” I asked, realizing that I might be sounding rude, but I relaxed when I saw her begin to giggle.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I have not made many friends here,” she said as she took a bite of her cheeseburger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The nurses are not very welcoming,” she said with a mouthful, immediately covering her face with her hands in embarrassment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well Eric sure talks highly of you,” Downie piped up as he laughed at her blushing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“The kids accept my accent a little easier than the adults,” she said when she finished chewing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I understand the language very well, but speaking can sometimes be difficult.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I think you speak good,” Downie grinned.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You mean you think she speaks <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">well</i>,” I corrected him as I punched him in the side.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Whatever mister perfect,” he grumbled over at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I have noticed that grammar ist not like it ist over in Deutschland,” she giggled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So do you plan on staying here in the States?” Steve blurted out, obviously trying to take the conversation in a different direction to help out his ego a bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A look of sadness quickly crossed her face, but a serious look took over as she swiveled her head back and forth, slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will only be here for close to 2 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once my boyfriend ist done University, it is understood that I go back home to get married.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You don’t seem very excited about that prospect,” Downie piped up right away as I was still stuck on the words “boyfriend.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She sighed, obviously a little uncomfortable about telling us about her situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He ist a great man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have known each other since we were little and our families have been supporting it from the beginning,” she stated unenthusiastically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then plastered a fake smile on her face, trying to show she was excited when she informed us that he was coming here to visit her in a little under 2 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It will be the first time since I have been here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Downie and I just looked at each other, our thoughts staying silent but completely understood as we both looked back at her and said, “Oh, that’s nice,” in flat toned unison.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She didn’t seem to notice our lack of gusto as she picked at the rest of her food on her plate.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Are you working on Tuesday?” I suddenly blurted out.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“After tonight I have off work the next two nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I go back on Wednesday.” she said, obviously a little taken back from my sudden question.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh,” was all I could say as I sat there looking at her with a dumbfounded look on my face.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Was there a point to that question?” Steve asked slowly as he snapped his fingers in front of my face, grabbing my attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Um, yeah, sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thinking that you might want to partake in a little bit of the Thanksgiving tradition; I know the holiday is on Thursday, but we leave for DC that day, so I figured Tuesday would be a good day to put on a spread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will need help doing some of the cooking…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I would love that!” she said as her eyes instantly brightened and a meaningful smile stuck to her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can help you do some of the cooking and what-not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am pretty handy in the kitchen!” she said enthusiastically as I was thinking about how good she was going to look standing in my kitchen…<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You might want to make sure you put a grocery list together, Stammer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last time I looked around in your kitchen, you had absolutely nothing in there that resembled edible food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think a Thanksgiving meal is composed of power bars and protein drinks,” Downie remarked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“If you come up with a list, I can do the shopping,” Olivia interjected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need to get a few things for myself and Stewie anyway.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Stewie?” Steve asked almost automatically.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I looked over at Olivia to find her blushing slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He is my cat and roommate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Cool, I wish I had time for a pet,” Steve said with a sad puppy face that Olivia instantly had to sympathize with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She reached over and patted his hand as she cooed at him about being welcome to come over and play with her kitten.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">As soon as the words came out of her mouth, I knew it was going to be bad news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Downie turned bright red, attempting to hold in a boisterous laugh from the dirty thought she had put in his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course she did not mean “playing with her kitten” in a vulgar way, obviously not aware of the English innuendo.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I sucked in a breath when Olivia asked, “Did I say something wrong?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was looking back and forth between the two of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Um…” was all I could say because I was more interested in kicking Downie under the table at the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In true Steve Downie fashion, he had no problem explaining the slang term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Kitten is another word for a woman’s honey pot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that is why I began laughing, even though I knew that was not what you meant…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I could tell she was mortified as color instantly flushed her pale skin and she shielded her eyes from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All she squeaked out was, “Oh my.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I shot a glare over to Steve and kicked him once again in the shins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Really?!” I mouthed silently to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He just shrugged and mouthed back, “What?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We sat in silence for a moment before she took in a deep breath and said, “Well then, I’m glad we have that all cleared up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is exactly why I need to hang out with more friends that speak English,” she giggled, obviously overcoming her initial embarrassment. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Nah, you just need to hang out with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I obviously have no problem telling things like they are,” Steve proudly announced as he looked over at me and stuck out his tongue in an effort to prove that he did nothing wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Eric was picking on both of the guys about their mustaches when they came to visit him last night, but by the end of the night Downie took a brown, washable marker and drew one on Eric’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was delighted and I couldn’t help but laugh as I walked out of the room to him saying something about being the best looking guy in the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I piped up and said, “Ich stimmer Eric zu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Er ist der best aussehendster,” causing Eric to laugh as Stammer and Diggity looked at each other trying to figure out what I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just smiled as I walked out of the room, heading over to my work-desk.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I had been charting when I felt someone standing next to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ja?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I figured you would at least say I was the best looking,” Stammer joked as he leaned against the wall, smiling at me easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I could get used to that easy look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think Andreas has ever looked at me that way.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ah, so Eric told you what I said?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Maybe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I just giggled and then yawned as I looked back over at the computer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Did we keep you up too late today?” he asked, seemingly humored by my yawning.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Maybe,” I said in the same tone he had used with me when he had said it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I couldn’t help but look over at him and wink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You are flirting, Olivia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>“So, ist there something you need?” I asked, trying to be more professional, but it was difficult after noticing how much his t-shirt clung to his broad shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked cute with his black baseball hat on backwards, making him look even younger.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I brought something along for you,” he said, bringing a bag out from behind his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I figured you would need something to wear to the game tomorrow…” he continued as he handed over the bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I opened it and pulled out a dark blue jersey that had BOLTS in big letter across the front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know what to say because I was so shocked and happy to receive a gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I hope you don’t mind that it’s my number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Downie was a little bummed when he scavenged through the bag on the way over here; he thinks every pretty girl should wear his name and number,” he continued quietly as I turned it around and admired his name and number displayed across the back.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He was still mumbling on about how he was sorry it wasn’t a game worn jersey, but he figured I’d want a smaller one that fit a little better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then he went on about how it wasn’t the women’s cut jersey because personally he didn’t think they should even be on the market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at him and took his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Steven, thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the first gift I have received since I have come here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He abruptly stopped talking and exclaimed with raised eyebrows, “Really?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I just nodded my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had completely forgotten that I still had my hand on his until he looked down at them and then back up at me with longing eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly pulled back, afraid he was getting the wrong idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I can only be friends with him, but I can’t deny how my fingers are still tingling from touching him.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“W-w-well, um, I’ll let you get back to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad you like it,” he stuttered as he nodded at me with a shy smile and turned to head back into the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Steven?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He stopped and turned back around to face me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Vielen Dank.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Gern geschehen, Olivia,” he said, once more flashing me his easy smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It was that smile that I awoke to this afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I woke up in a cold sweat, breathing heavy, finding my comforter and sheets a total wreck around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The dream had started out with Andreas running up to me in the street and taking me into his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was whispering words of love and how much he missed me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the next scene he had me laid out on my bed, candles illuminating our naked skin as he traced light patterns over my skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was laying there with my eyes closed, listening to him speak sweet nothings when it dawned on me that not only has he never been one to compliment or tell me he loved me when we had sex, but that his words were in English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I opened my eyes I found it was Steven leaning in towards me and capturing my lips in his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I woke up as he pulled back from kissing me in my dream.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Stewie must had heard me stir because he was soon walking across my pillow and curling up next to me, purring as I reached over and ran my hand over his baby soft fur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shook my head a few times and rolled my eyes as I tried to make sense of what I had just dreamed about.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I just had the most ridiculous dream, Stewie; I am almost ashamed to think about it,” I sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My quiet thoughts were shattered by my cell phone vibrating across my nightstand.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hallo?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Olivia?” A familiar female voice rang into the phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ja?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s Heather, Marty’s wife?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you don’t mind, but Steven gave me your number so that we could plan a place to meet tonight before the game.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh, that ist not a problem…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She ended up picking me up on her way to the arena about an hour before the game so that we could say hello to the guys before the game and that I could watch warm-ups and such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heather informed me that she wanted to make sure I got the “full-effect” for my first game.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What ist wit all the hair?” I asked Heather as I ran my finger across my upper lip as a couple of the guys passed us walking down the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is it a hockey player thing?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She giggled and said, “No, actually it’s for Movember!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a national initiative to show support for prostate cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally, I can’t wait til they shave them off next week; most of the boys look totally silly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I smiled in agreement because I thought both Steve and Steven were handsome, but I had to admit that the mustaches’ looked goofy on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steven’s was the worst, probably because he was so young and the dyed-dark facial hair seemed to clash with his white-blonde hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Diggity of course whined when he greeted Heather and me in the locker room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m giving you one of my sweaters for a Christmas present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are just too many Stamkos’ sweaters around this arena already…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I crooked my finger at him so that he would lean down closer to my height and I planted a kiss on his cheek as I stood on my tip-toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good luck tonight, Diggity,” I giggled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh and…” I put my fist out in front of me so that he could bump it, which he did, “And that is from Eric who insisted I do that with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steve grinned broadly as he scooped me up into an impromptu hug and swung me around, causing me to squeak until he placed me back onto the ground at Marty’s insistence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had only met these people a couple days ago, but already I felt like I had known them for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laughed as Marty insisted he also get a kiss on the cheek and the same went for Stammer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was practically shaking as I leaned in to kiss Steven who smelled delicious with the cologne he was wearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Viel Glueck, Steven,” I whispered nervously.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Danke, Oliva,” he whispered back before straightening back to the intimidating height he had on skates.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was glad I decided to dress warm because our seats were down along the ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heather said most of the wives and girlfriends sit together, but she didn’t think it would be fair to throw me to the wolves on my first night; especially since I wasn’t dating either Steve’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled to silently thank her.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">No scoring occurred during the first period, but it was a good time for Heather to explain what was going on, so by the time the 2<sup>nd</sup> period rolled around I actually had some sort of clue what I was watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main thing that confused me was the offsides rule, something that seemed very different from the soccer I grew up playing in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed how the game was fast paced and that there was always action going on all over the ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The Lightning scored the first goal of the game with a tip-in past Boston’s goal, Rask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I jumped up with Heather and bounced around with her and the other thousands of fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few minutes later, Steven scored the 2<sup>nd</sup> goal, which would eventually be what Heather called the game-winning goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both Marty and Diggity had assists on the goal that Steven made look so easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All 3 boys congregated in front of us on the ice to celebrate, causing Heather and I to yell even louder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When all was said and done, the Bolts beat the Bruins, extending their win streak to 4 in a row.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The guys were on cloud 9 as they came out of the locker room to greet us and I was unable to breathe when Steven walked out in a black suit with a baby-blue tie that made his eyes shine like sapphires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heather jumped in and gave him a motherly hug, congratulating him on a good game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she let him go, he moved over towards me and looked at me in a way that once again put my heart on notice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Wow,” was all I could say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course he thought I was talking about the game itself and not the way he looked like my night in shining armor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course I did not say anything to let him know any different.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So I guess that means you had a good time tonight?” he chuckled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I just nodded my head at first until I was able to find my tongue, “Yeah, it really was a lot of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I might have to come to more of these games.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">His smile lit up his face and he nodded with satisfaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m going out with a couple of the guys,” Downie informed me before I walked out into the family room that was adjacent to our locker room. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh, okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to ask Olivia if she wanted to get the groceries tonight for tomorrow’s feast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marty and the family are also joining us and I said something to Vinny also.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Downie snorted, “Jesus Stammer, have I taught you nothing?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">take</i> a woman grocery shopping on your first date; you are supposed to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pick</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them up</i> at the grocery store, preferably the produce aisle…” he stopped when I punched him in the stomach.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Shut up, Downie,” I hissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you have a hole in your head where information just happens to leak through when you feel it shouldn’t pertain to you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told us yesterday that she is engaged,” I reminded him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Of course the light bulb never popped on because when he opened his mouth, more bullshit came pouring out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She ain’t engaged without a ring, which means you are still free to make your move.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“That just makes you sound like a guy with no respect,” I grumbled as I tightened up my tie.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“No, it’s just coming from a guy who noticed she didn’t seem too enthusiastic when she talked about that Andy guy yesterday when we were at the café…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“It’s Andreas,” I cut in.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Andreas, Andy-ass, his name makes no difference because it’s gonna be your names she is screaming out in the middle of the night when you finally grow a set and make a move,” he finished as Marty just stood there laughing at our conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Stop laughing Marty, you are supposed to be telling him not to talk like that,” I whined.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“But he’s completely right, Stammer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You obviously have a thing for this German beauty…and if she’s even only half as unhappy as Hammer here portrays, then I think you have the okay to make a move. So throw on your charming face, get your ass out to the family room, and ask to take her grocery shopping!” he said as serious as Marty can be when he is attempting to make an ass out of you without actually making an ass out of you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My heart raced when I first connected eyes with her, making me feel like I had just come off the ice from a fast-paced shift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guys were right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did notice how unhappy she seemed when she spoke of Andreas the other day, so this was a big chance for me to make a move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just didn’t want to blow it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was smiling like a baboon when she said she wanted to come to more of our games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was only a few awkward seconds of staring at each other before I finally got up the nerve to ask her to join me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Do you want to go with me tonight and get the groceries for tomorrow?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She looked over at Heather who was still standing near by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you mind if I get a ride with Steven?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appreciate you bringing me here tonight,” she said politely.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Heather leaned in and pulled her into a hug, “Go ahead, don’t feel the need to spend a moment longer with this mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will see you kids tomorrow,” she said as she winked at me over Olivia’s shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I offered her my arm as we walked out to my car in the warm, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state></st1:place> evening air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nizza Auto,” she murmured.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I let out a laugh, “Thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought it off Ryan Malone the other year when he decided to upgrade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The black paint makes it a little warm during the day…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I bet,” she said as I opened the door of my Mercedes for her to slide in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can we drive with the top down?” she asked excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sure!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Soon we were cruising down the highway with the Top Hits radio station blaring out the new Kanye West song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was giddy by the time we pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store that was right down the street from my apartment complex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laughed as she began trying to comb through her now knotted blonde hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Next time I will bring a hair tie,” she grimaced as she pulled through another knot.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sorry,” I said, not knowing what else to say.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“No worries,” she said, suddenly pulling off her jersey and revealing a black, tight fitting, knit tank top that had a tiny little jewels in the shape of a small star strategically placed between her breasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t help but glance at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I always get too warm with jeans and long sleeved shirts, except when we are at the ice rink of course,” she smiled, seeming completely oblivious to the fact that I was probably drooling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I just nodded my head in acknowledgment, pulling my eyes away from her perky breasts as I quickly took off my suit coat, ditched the tie and rolled up my shirt sleeves before getting out of the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly ran around to the other side of the car to open her door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was rewarded with a bright smile and a peck on the cheek for being “so sweet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Grocery shopping had never been more rewarding as I lolly-gagged behind, admiring how her tight jeans hugged her little body, accentuating her small ass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was talking on and on about how they did not have big supermarkets over in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place> and how it was very overwhelming when she went shopping the first few times over here in the States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed listening to her stories, so I made sure to ask her all about <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Leipzig</st1:city></st1:place> and about her family.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Her father was a wealthy aristocrat, who was not too keen on her choice of profession, but since she had a brother following in the family footsteps, she was able to basically get away with anything she pleased when it came to her future.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“…except for Andreas,” she said in a barely audible voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I paused as she picked out some yams and worked up the nerve to ask the million dollar questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you love him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She continued to study the yams to make sure she picked the right ones as she spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If love ist comfort, then yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have known each other since we were babies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His dad ist also an aristocrat, so we were brought up in similar households where the men make the decisions and the women have to follow them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andreas ist…” she paused for a moment, like she was trying to think of the correct English word, “Andreas ist a very proud man who knows what he wants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has promised to make me his wife and give me the same life I have known since I was born, one of old money and comfort.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You don’t seem the type to look at money as the root of happiness,” I noted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ah yes, you are right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However that ist where things are very different in <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not have as many rags to riches stories as they do here in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The American Dream is a thing of mockery, so when you come from a wealthy family, you stay married to the wealth to make sure your children have the same chance you had growing up,” she said thoughtfully as she placed the bag of yams she chose in the cart.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It seemed she had enough talking about her own life, so she began asking me about mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the rest of the shopping trip we talked about how I was lucky to not have to move away from my parents at a young age, like most aspiring hockey players because I was drafted by my hometown team and how I worked at a butcher shop in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Toronto</st1:city></st1:place> in the summer at the insistence for my dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also told her about my other best friend, Mike DelZotto and the 3 of us (Me, Mike, and Steve) and how we spent the summer training together and working on our golf strokes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was probably the longest grocery shopping trip I had ever been apart of, but I didn’t mind because I enjoyed getting to know Olivia, my mini-Reese Witherspoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Are you sure you want to help me unload these groceries? Seriously, I can handle it myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure you are tired after working last night and all…” I rambled on as she insisted on coming back to my apartment with me to help get all the groceries in and to prep the turkey so that I just had to put it in the oven in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She looked over at me with furrowed eyebrows, “You told me that you have no clue how to cook a bird.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yea…” I said, realizing that I she actually did have to come back to my apartment with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not that I didn’t want her there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact I couldn’t wait to get her into the apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, my idea of events had nothing to do with her in the kitchen; it had more to do with what I wanted to do with her in the bedroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“No more argument,” she said with a satisfied smile that made my dick jump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jesus, since when have you become the horn-dog, Stamkos?!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-46689907084720214732011-07-08T08:00:00.002-04:002011-07-08T08:00:16.904-04:00Two<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So I think you should ask her out on a date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eric said she is new around here, so I’m thinking she doesn’t have many friends here,” Downie said as we drove back to our apartment complex.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“How do you know she didn’t move to the States because she <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">does</i> have friends here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steve thought about this for a moment and said, “Either way, I’m sure she probably likes to make new friends.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I just flopped my head back against the headrest and rolled my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are really too much,” I mumbled to myself, but loud enough for him to hear.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I’m just trying to look out for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t want to be alone and miserable like Crosby, do you? “<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“<st1:place w:st="on">Crosby</st1:place> is not miserable…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah, but you can tell the fame weighs him down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bet if he had a girlfriend, he’d probably be a little more laid back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hell, you saw that slappy fight he had the other week in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Dallas</st1:city></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t want to end up like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I think I held my own during my one and only fight of my NHL career,” I pointed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Plus, I did not get into that fight because of my personal life off the ice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hell, I do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I know,” I said evenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I knew that he has curbed that tendency more than once over the last season and a half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It’s not like I haven’t had a girlfriend in a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact I have dated a few girls here and there, but no one has really held my interest to make me stay with them longer than a few months.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh, by the way, she’s 21 years old,” Steve announced happily, like he had gotten the biggest information known to man.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“So.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Don’t be such a crank ass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m telling you this because you were worried she was a lot older than you…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I wasn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> worried because truthfully I’m not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that </i>interested,” I tried to reiterate this to my thick skulled friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Obviously I’m going to have to be the one to get the ball rolling in this relationship…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“STOP!” I yelled, loud enough to make him slam on the brakes at the stop sign he was already half way through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily there were no other cars around in the apartment complex.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What?! Did I run over a bunny or something?!” Downie freaked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ugh, no. Keep driving, just shut your mouth.” I growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t need help with this ‘relationship’ you think that needs to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to hear anything more about it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“But Christmas is coming,” he whined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t you want someone to snuggle by the fire with?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Steeeeeeveeee,” I hissed through my teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Fine, fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t say anything more about it,” he said, dejectedly as he pulled into his garage.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I got out of his SUV and began walking, heading back over to my apartment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hey! Not hanging out tonight?” Downie called out as he quickly scrambled out of the driver’s side.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“No, I’m not in the mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m tired and I just want relax in peace and quiet for a bit,” I said as pleasantly someone can when they are slightly annoyed with their best bud.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh, okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you in the morning for practice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yup, later,” I mumbled, fumbling for my keys.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hallo?” I answered the phone at the nurse’s station by my rooms.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Olivia?” a deep voice asked anxiously over the phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yes?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hey! This is Steve Downie…” he paused like he was waiting for some sort of reaction from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Steve Downie, Eric’s hockey player friend?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Okay…” I said slowly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Are you busy?” he asked like it was an after thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I am at work,” I said evenly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah, I know,” he laughed nervously.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ist there something I can help you with?” I asked, becoming slightly annoyed that he wasn’t getting to the point.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Um, yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was wondering if you would want to come to our practice tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Practice?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah, so you can see what we do…you know?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He almost sounded like he was fidgeting on the otherside of the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, I could almost picture him rocking back and forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed that the guy definitely had some ADD going or something.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I thought a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found it kind of odd that he was calling and asking me this out of the blue, but I really did want to get out and do something besides sitting at home and reading my many books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, I didn’t watch much of the sport except for when we’d play in the Olympics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a professional league in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region>, but it’s nothing like what they have over here in <st1:place w:st="on">North America</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Olivia?” Steve said over the phone, pulling me from my thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yes, I’d like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What time and where?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You are going where?” Andreas asked over the phone in our native tongue, sounding surprised that I was going out and doing something besides working.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“To watch the Tampa Bay Lightning practice,” I answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“One of my patient’s friends play for the team.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Why would you want to go watch an Ice Hockey team practice?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“It will be nice to get out for a change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve barely done anything outside of the hospital and the beach since I’ve been here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole point of me coming to the States was to check out the culture and visit places, remember?” I sighed into the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Truth be told, Andreas was completely against me coming over here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not understand why I would want to move from our motherland and work in a country that he claimed was filled with ‘self centered ingnorants.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andreas was in University to become a lawyer and his time was filled with study sessions and tests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I barely saw him when I was only several blocks away from him, so I just figured it wouldn’t be much different if I was across the ocean while he finished up his schooling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The plan was for me to travel around the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place> for the next 2 years and go back to Deutschland when he graduated so that we could settle down and get married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our marriage had been planned by our families since we were born and Andreas had no problem reminding me of this fact often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never fought it because I truly felt comfortable with him and knew that it only made sense for us to be together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would provide me with the comfortable living had was accustomed with and he had the same family values that I had been raised with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I became very frustrated with his attitude and how he insisted I do ‘what is expected of a woman.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could be very old school at times.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“They have professional women’s hockey teams?” Andreas inquired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I can almost see him raising an eyebrow at this.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh, so these friends of your patient are guys.” He recited the question as a statement.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I guess you will do what you want, but let it be known that I will not marry a woman who whore’s herself around.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Jesus, Andreas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to watch a hockey practice, not fuck the players,” I spit into the phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You better make sure that is the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want a stretched out cunt when I fuck you in a couple weeks,” he said severely, reminding me that he would soon be visiting me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I cringed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hated when he talked to me like I was his slave or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please Andreas, I don’t appreciate you talking to me like that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You are mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will talk to you how I want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Understood?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t let the American independence fill your head with nonsense.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yes, Andreas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you and miss you so very much,” I said softly into the phone; meaning the words.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yes, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you missed me, you wouldn’t have left me here…” he grumbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sentence had been one I had heard ever since the day my plane landed here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have to get to study group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will call you tomorrow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Guten Nacht, Andreas.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Tschus.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Did you eat extra sugared Captain Crunch today?” I asked Steve as he fidgeted back and forth in the passenger seat of my Mercedes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Huh? Nah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hyper meds just don’t seem to be kicking in today,” he said, obviously focused on something else.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hopefully you can put all that energy into a good practice this morning, we play the Bruins tomorrow and it could be a real tough game,” I grimaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were finally back home after being up in the Northeast over the past week, but we would be playing a hot <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city></st1:place> team and a pesky Rangers team over the next three days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully we had been 3-0 during our away trip, so everyone’s spirits were up in the locker room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Stammer,” Coach Boucher called as I walked by his office.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah, coach?” I stopped and popped my head into the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“The PR guy told me to give you these…” he said with a grin as he handed over the assignment sheets.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">More interviews. Ugh. They really are making a big deal about this 50 in 50 thing.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I left out a small sigh and took the sheets of paper out of his hands to look at the times I needed to be near the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both were for tomorrow before the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I guess my pre-game nap is getting cut a little short.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hey, if you think it is getting too much, let us know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t want you to worry about the pressure they insist putting on you,” Guy said meaningfully as he got up from behind his desk to walk over towards me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Honestly, it’s fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know that I don’t care about their records and what is said about me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just here for the team, not for myself,” I said with a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“For such a young guy, you really do have a good head on your shoulders,” Boucher said as he patted me on the shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I definitely don’t think I could have handled the pressure you are dealing with at your age.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sometimes I wonder how I do it,” I admitted as we walked into the busy locker room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I knew something was off kilter when we hit the ice for the open practice and Downie was scanning the crowd like a child looking for their parents at their first school choir performance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hot date, Hammer?” Marty (<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">St. Louis</st1:place></st1:city>) chirped at him as he elbowed him in the side, almost knocking down the unsuspecting Downie. Marty was definitely the “old man” on our line but he was probably still one of the best in the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it wasn’t for him, I don’t think I’d have even half the goals I’ve had in my career thus far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a funny dude who basically never shut is mouth, always having something witty or important to say.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What?” Downie chirped back, turning his full attention to Marty and me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Did you forget to put your hearing aid in this morning?” Marty joked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steve actually is deaf in his left ear due to having a disorder called Otosclerosis, so he is forced to wear a hearing aid in his left ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You don’t finitely scan the stands when you aren’t looking for a specific person.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I watched as Steve looked over at me and then back to Marty, shrugging his shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah, a friend of mine is supposed to be here today; I just hope she found her way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Well if she’s like any of the girls you deal with, I hope you drew a colored picture with the shopping district labeled and stick figures walking on the sidewalk,” I joked, quickly skating away so that he couldn’t hook me with his stick.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Whatever smart ass, you will be thanking me one day,” he yelled back with a cocky smile that told me maybe I too should be searching the seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What did he do now?!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Unfortunately I didn’t have time to do much scanning before the end of practice because I was too busy with the drills Boucher was putting us through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it didn’t take long to figure out Downie’s master plan when I saw him skate over to one of the boards, pointing and waving his visitor to come down to the glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt my blood begin to boil instantly when I saw her bright smile light up the arena as she walked down the steps towards Steve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tough part was I didn’t know if it was boiling because I was furious at Steve or if it was from becoming all hot and bothered by seeing her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I groaned as Marty skated over to Downie, knowing this was only going to end badly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hallo, Olivia!” Downie grinned at the blushing blonde who obviously seemed to feel a little intimidated by her surroundings.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Guten Tag, Diggity,” she said answered with a shy smile, looking over at me and then back over at Downie and Marty.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Go back up to the concourse and follow the signs for the elevator so that you can come down to the locker room,” Steve informed her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll make sure the guard lets you into the waiting room.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She opened her mouth to say something, closed it, and then just nodded her head like she wasn’t 100% sure she wanted to do what he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“We’ll see you soon,” Steve winked at her as he punched his fist into the glass and then turned on his skates to glide back over to the bench with a big shit ass grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marty followed suit as I just stood there for a moment watching her cute ass walk up the stairs to the concourse before I too headed over to the bench.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hammer!” I growled as I walked over to our respective lockers.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yeah?” he asked innocently, even blinking his eyes for added dramatics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That mustache for Movember just adds to the insanity of this man.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What the hell is going on?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you ever listen?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I can’t understand you because you are sitting on the wrong side of me and I obviously forgot my hearing aid this morning,” he said, speaking louder than normal as he pointed to his left ear that clearly had the molded plastic piece in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ugh!” I growled as I flopped down on the bench to get undressed and attempt to cool my temper before I had to walk out and meet up with Olivia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A cold shower will be in order.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The security guard was nice enough to show me to the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a couple other people milling around, including a woman with 3 boys that looked to be her sons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was looking at pictures when one of the boys came over and tugged at my jeans.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hallo!” I said, looking down at the little boy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Hi!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My name is Luke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is your name?” he asked unabashedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“My name ist Olivia,” I informed him as kneeled down to his level.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Lucas St. Louis!” the woman scolded as she walked over with a toddler squirming in her arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What have I told you about bothering people?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I looked up and instantly defended the cute little kid who had a look on his face that told me this definitely wasn’t the first time he had been scolded for talking to strangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, it is completely fine,” I exclaimed at the petite brunette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He ist quite the polite young man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The woman’s face lit up as she walked over to me and my new friend Luke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She held out her hand and said, “Well thank you for that compliment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s quite the hell raiser like his father,” she smiled and grimaced at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m Heather, my husband is Marty St. Louis.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh! Yes, I think he skated over to the glass with Diggity and Stammer,” I said as I stood up.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Probably, he skates on the same line as the kids, but even though they are a lot younger than him, I think they are the ones that have to be in charge of keeping him in line,” she giggled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So are you here for the Steve’s?” she asked politely.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Um, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dark haired Steve asked me to come to their practice,” I answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Her brown eyes sparkled as she said, “Oh, he is truly a good kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a bad rap around the league, but he’s one of the most polite guys on the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steven is the same way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a very lucky girl…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I instantly threw up my hands and began shaking my head back and forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nein, nein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not seeing Steve,” I protested before she could get the wrong idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just met them both last night at the hospital…they were visiting one of my patients.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Heather’s eyebrows raised in understanding as she nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, I’m sorry, I just assumed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“It is fine,” I said with a reassuring smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She looked like she was going to ask me another question, but she was interrupted when a couple of the guys began coming out from the locker room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh yay! Heather, I guess you have met my new friend Olivia!” Diggity said excitedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She takes care of my little buddy, Eric!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Yes, she was just explaining that to me,” Heather smiled as handed the little toddler over to Steve.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">His attention was quickly taken by the small child and I was left standing there looking on, still unsure what I was doing here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I soon felt eyes upon me and when I looked up, I found Steven’s bright blue eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled haphazardly as he walked over to the small group that I was now standing with.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: DE;">“Guten Tag, Olivia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wie gehts?” </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steven asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Ganz gut,” I answered shyly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your practice was interesting,” I said, switching back to English.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He laughed as Downie’s attention was pulled towards our conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You will have to come to our game tomorrow and hopefully you can sit with Heather so she can explain it to you,” he said, nudging her as he handed back the now fussy toddler.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“That sounds like a great idea!” Heather said enthusiastically as she tried to calm the child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other two boys were chasing each other around the room, but quickly stopped when a man, who I assumed was Marty, walked into the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My assumption was correct when he came over and the boys introduced him to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was quite the funny guy and I could tell where his kids got their energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heather definitely had her hands full.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Lunch?” Steve asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Um, ja.” I said as I left him take my arm and lead me out of the room with Steven following behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What could be the harm in going to lunch?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-56372823700843295362011-07-07T10:45:00.003-04:002011-07-07T10:45:46.778-04:00One<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Kisses and Mistletoe<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Ch.</span></b></st1:country-region></st1:place><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You have to check out this nurse!” Downie exclaimed as he pulled me down the hall, away from the Pediatric playroom at the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were visiting a bunch of sick patients on the floor, spending time with the ones that would most likely be stuck in the sick-ward for the holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She was in with our little buddy, Eric while I was playing video games with him and I instantly thought of you because she seems like your type.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What exactly would be my type?” I sighed as I rolled my eyes at my best friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People on the outside never really understood how the scrappy, hyper active Steve Downie could be best friends with the laid-back, easy going, talented Steven Stamkos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we just seemed to click when he was traded to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Tampa</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place> a couple seasons ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have become inseparable; we even live in the same apartment building, train together with Gary Roberts in the summer, room together on the road, and play on the same line for the Tampa Bay Lightning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truthfully, I knew who he was in Jr. Hockey, but I stayed far away because of his reputation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was always a good player who had a lot of points, but I had seen too many of his antics on the ice to think he was not the type of person I wanted to hang with.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Obviously, my perception of him changed when he came into the locker-room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the beginning he still had a problem of keeping his attitude in check, but with some faith from our former coach, Rick Tocchet, Diggity had come into his own and matured in a way that no one ever thought was possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s had a rough life compared to mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lost his dad in a car accident while they were traveling to one of his hockey games when he was young; Steve was in the car when it happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So his mom took over everything and even to this day he calls her every night after our games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I bust his balls for it time to time, but I can understand why he is so close to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He isn’t the party animal that his reputation has made him out to be, all in all he’s a fairly laid back guy off the ice which helps pull me out of my sometime intense moods.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I have to admit I was a little scared as he pulled me down the hall to check out this girl he insisted was my type.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I know you have the hots for the Reese Witherspoon types; you know the do-gooders…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“There is nothing wrong with a ‘do-gooder,’” I insisted.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I realize this, which is exactly why you have to meet her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s even cute like Reese, but not as old of course and she has this thick accent that I think will turn you on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“She’s probably older than me if she’s a nurse…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He stopped abruptly as I pained look came across his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously I had thought of something that he didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He, like most others forgot that I was only 20 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man, I really don’t think she’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> much older than you,” he pouted as he started slowly walking towards the nurse’s station once more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eric must have seen us passing his room because he was soon yelling out towards the hallway for Diggity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So our course was changed towards Eric’s room since Steve would never let his little friend down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Eric had been diagnosed with a terrible spinal cancer that caused tumors to grow in his brain and spinal cord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a constant battle between all the treatments and surgeries which probably wouldn’t change the outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had also spent a decent amount of time with Eric over the last few months after I met him at a charity event that was held here at the Children’s Hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a great kid with an amazing personality for only being 12 years old and as hard it was not to sit in his room and pity him, I always found myself laughing whenever I was near him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What’s up, Shredder?” Downie chirped as we entered the room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I was wondering when we were going to start round two of your MarioKart beat-down,” Eric asked with a raised eyebrow that said he meant business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think you should be the other victim too, Stammer,” he said with a wink.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I think that sounds like a perfect idea!” I said enthusiastically while I pulled up a chair and grabbed a controller, happy to get out of nurse-stalking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laughed to myself when I looked over to see a perplexed look briefly cross Downie’s face but he covered it up with his big smile and plopped down on his chair.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">We were in the middle of a race that I was leading when I felt someone walk into the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was too zoned in on the game to pay any attention to the person in the room and I had come immune to the constant visitors to Eric’s room, mainly because staff was always checking on his various medication pumps.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Entschuldigung boys, but we need to pause das Videospeil for eine moment so that I can take Eric’s vitals,” a thick German accent said behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her voice was light, despite the heavy accent; effectively keeping her from sounding like Helga the beefy gym teacher.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Eric paused the game and said, “Guten Abend, Olivia,” Eric said happily to the petite blonde in light pink scrubs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Meet meinen freunden, Diggity und Stammer,” he said in broken German.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled at his honorable attempt to speak her language.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Diggity und Stammer?” she repeated skeptically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are those your true names?” she asked, looking over at Downie and then at me for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had striking green eyes and a beautiful face that needed no make-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like I had the wind knocked out of me; Downie was right, she looked like a young Reese Witherspoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Steve busted up laughing as he stood up and reached across Eric’s bed to introduce himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Um, actually, my name is Steve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My nickname around the locker room is Diggity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And over there is Steve<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">n</i>, who everyone calls Stammer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She just opened her mouth and nodded quietly, still looking slightly perplexed by the names.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Locker room?” she asked slowly, like she didn’t know what the word meant or quite possibly the fact that wasn’t sure if she wanted to know.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“They play for the TampaBay Lightning,” Eric piped up excitedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Fussball?” she asked, still hesitant.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Nein, Eishockey,” I replied in her native tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After being over in Germany for a couple weeks this past spring playing in the World Championships, I had picked up a little of the language.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">She looked over at me and smiled as she nodded, causing my stomach to completely drop to the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of a sudden I felt like I needed to leave the room to get some air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Um, we’ll let you do what you need to do with Eric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be in the waiting room…” I spit out nervously and quickly backed out of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think she tried to say that we didn’t need to leave, but I didn’t stay long enough to hear her words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was more annoyed with the fact that I had completely lost my cool around the girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was never the type of person to be uncomfortable around people, but she definitely made me feel like a nervous wreck.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Jesus! What the hell happened in there, Stammer?” Downie interrogated me like I had just had my ass kicked in the boxing ring, as I plopped down on the chair in the waiting room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I wiped my hands over my face and breathed, “I don’t know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He just laughed and slapped me on the shoulder, “I told you that she was your type.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Dude, I don’t think someone is my type if I can’t even talk to her without making a fool out of myself,” I complained.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“How did you make a fool out of yourself?” he asked, obviously a little shocked that I had a slight outburst about the event.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“I know I was blushing in there and I all of a sudden felt like I needed some air…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“You really are dense, you know this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“That just goes to show you have a thing for the girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Geesh, do I need to spell everything out for you, Wonderboy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have total game on the ice, but when it comes to women, not so much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Thanks for pointing out the obvious,” I mumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“That’s what friends are for, buddy,” he said, stretching back in his chair, putting his arms behind his head and closing his eyes with a smirk on his face that I really just wanted to punch off.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I graduated from nursing school when I was 19.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place> you can go into a trade school if you decide you want to get into a public service job, helping you get a decent paying job right after you graduate from school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew at an early age that I wanted to be a nurse, so it was only natural that I start my education for it as soon as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I worked for a year in a hospital in my hometown of Leipzig, a several hours outside of Berlin but I decided that I wanted to travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I contacted a travel nursing agency and the rest is history as they say here in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was ecstatic to find that my first assignment was going to be here in <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state>, the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Sunshine</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing I wished for is that I didn’t have such fair skin, so that I could spend more time out on the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">It was definitely a huge learning curve when I got over here, mainly because of the English language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understood everything that was said to me, but it was sometimes hard for me to speak well enough for people to understand me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I often find myself talking slower than normal, just so the other person in the conversation can understand me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I love working at the Children’s Hospital, mainly because the kids never seem to be as judgmental about my accent as adults can sometimes be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate when I go out and I run into someone who thinks they need to talk to me like a 2 year old; it definitely is frustrating.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">One of my favorite patients on my floor is Eric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is such an enthusiastic child whom, since day one, was interested in my language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when I had some downtime I would teach him a few words here and there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has taken to the language so much that he begged his mom to buy him Rosetta Stone, just so that he could talk to me in my native tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such a sweet gesture and I greatly appreciated it because it helped me from getting so homesick.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was thrown for a little loop tonight when the blonde, Stammer answered me in Deutsch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to say something to him back in the language or at least ask him how he knew how to speak it, but his tune quickly changed and he practically ran out the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What a turn off.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I had seen the boys a couple times before when I walked past Eric’s room the last couple months, but they never really noticed me before and I just kept quiet around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eric had spoken of them numerous times, but I just thought they were imaginary people with silly names.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">They were both quite good looking, the dark haired Steve seemed to be somewhat of a class clown and the blonde Steve seemed a little quieter, but Eric adored them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both were built; their muscular legs were easily noticed because they were wearing shorts and their arms also looked strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I was informed they played Ice Hockey, their physique was no surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know much about the sport, but I knew that with any professional sport, you needed to take good care of your body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was obvious these boys took care of themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was quiet intrigued by Stammer’s blue eyes and his chiseled facial features, but then again I shouldn’t even be looking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am already “involved” with a schoolmate from home, so a relationship is out of the question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I am lonely for some sort of companionship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to make friends; I want someone to hangout with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately a lot of the girls on the floor are not the easiest to get along with on a regular basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of them are very “clicky” and don’t really include me in their extracurricular activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">My only friend is my cat, Stewie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked Stewie up at an animal shelter not long after I moved here, just for a buddy for when I am home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was only a small grey kitten when I first brought him home and we have instantly become the best of friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was smiling to myself when I walked out of Eric’s room, mainly because he couldn’t stop gushing about his two visitors and how he was “beating their butts” in their video game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I walked over to the waiting area I found a relaxed looking “Diggity” and a perplexed looking “Stammer” sitting quietly next to each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Um, Eric ist ready for company again,” I said quietly, not wanting to startle them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The blonde abruptly picked up his head and looked straight at me with a look that put my heart on notice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled faintly as he stood up, punching the dark haired Steve in the stomach and said “Danke” as he walked by, breaking his gaze with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still standing there like a lost soul, taking a minute to realize that the other Steve was still in the room, looking at me with an amused smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“He’s a little nervous around the ladies, but don’t let that deter you from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s wunderbar,” he said enthusiastically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was almost out in the hallway when he stopped and turned on his heal, back towards me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, and by the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How old are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Um, I just turned 21,” I stammered, a little put out by his question.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Nice,” he winked, lightly pinched my arm when he passed by and giggled like a school girl as he walked down the hall to Eric’s room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670227657400373669.post-86988157680503901002011-07-07T10:45:00.000-04:002011-07-07T10:45:14.681-04:00IntroductionHey All!<br />
<br />
Well, after the little voting session there was actually a tie between Stammer and Ryan... so after some thought I decided to go with my Stamkos story this time. (Don't worry if your choice didn't win because like I said before, I will be posting the rest of them at some point and I'll make sure to put a poll up at the end of this one to see who is next!) This was actually a story I wrote for a Christmas Theme Challenge, hence the name and since it's July, we're half way there, so why not?!<br />
<br />
There is a little German in this one... and I tried to fix what I could after getting some input from my buddy Lisa over at the fanfic board, but I probably didn't get it all, so please don't be offended if you know German really well. Despite being able to speak and understand it, my German grammar has never been one for the books.<br />
<br />
I will be posting this every other day... and I hope to get it on the schedule that it will be on the days MMB isn't be posted, we shall see, otherwise, it's set-up to post at 8am. Even though it's a done story, I really love comments and feedback so hit me with it!!!HockeyFireChickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091285029672917458noreply@blogger.com0