Hat Trick

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Skating. Micah had no idea how to skate but she was skating towards Paul. They were laughing. It was absolutely beautiful where they were. Clear blue skies, sunshine, and crisp air. It was a frozen pond. It was perfect. Pauly was urging her forward arms outstretched. She skated into his arms. It was about to happen she was going to kiss Paul. Just as he lowered his head towards her an alarm went off. It sounded like "Sloopy". Why would the Ohio State fight song be playing? She reached out to steady herself on Paul and he faded away. Micah awoke startled. She ran a hand over her face. Micah had been dreaming about Paul. Dreaming about a guy who was probably used to models and other girls that were more put together than Micah. Micah groaned then rolled towards the edge of the bed. Micah screamed and jumped. She hadn't expected to find 3 sets of eyes staring at her.


"Good morning, Mike." said Deacon. Devon and Daylon were standing side by side currently, staring at her lying in the bed.


"New rule little dudes, no coming into my room when I’m sleeping unless it’s an emergency. Emergency meaning someone is leaking bodily floods, sick, or major scared." said Micah as her heart rate came into a normal range "Deal?"
"Okay" replied the triplets


"We have school. You have to walk us to the bus." said Devon


"Plus, we have to eat and you have to pack our lunch." explained Deacon


"And we need to not die in the process." deadpanned Daylon.


"Okay, you guys get dressed" said Micah "I'll handle the food situation." She shooed them towards their rooms. Could 7 year old boys dress themselves? Guess we were about to find out. Micah climbed out of her bed and glared at the clock. It’s 6:15 am. She had about an hour until the bus would be there. She quickly pulled on a pair of black leggings, a tank, and a giant Ohio State hoodie. She pulled her hair into a messy knot. Teeth brushed and face washed, she grabbed her phone and headed to the kitchen.


"Hey" she called "Wash your faces and brush your teeth. Oh, and comb your hair." She heard them groan. She just laughed and maneuvered down the stairs. She was forging in the fridge for breakfast food when her phone chirped. Who in the hell was texting her at 6:30am?

Pauly: Open the patio door
Micah: Okay???


Micah crossed the kitchen floor and pulled open the patio door. Paul was standing in the door with a few boxes. Paul kicked his flip flops off and made his way to the counter. Micah watched him unload the boxes. She was just starting, but she wasn't even sure what he was doing.


"Good morning, Sunshine." teased Paul "You survived the night."


"Well, I almost had a heart attack when I woke up and they were all three staring at me." replied Micah "I guess I will learn to beat them awake."


"Not sure that will happen. They do it to their mom all the time." said Pauly. He grabbed the boys' lunch boxes. "Will you hand me 3 juice boxes from the fridge?"


Micah retrieved the juice boxes from the fridge. Paul placed them in the lunch boxes. Micah watched as he emptied one of the boxes into the lunch boxes. Sandwiches, chips, and cookies. He was pulling out bananas as the boys came into the kitchen. They didn't seem to think Paul being there was odd in the least.


"Park it at the table." instructed Paul. All three boys sat immediately. He forged in the second box and came out with burritos. Burritos??


"Cool" said Daylon "Paul make great breakfast burritos."


The three terrors sat calmly and munched on the food. Micah poured them all orange juice. She turned and looked at Paul. He was dressed in a black 412 shirt that fit him like a second skin, black track pants, and a Pirates ball cap. Micah finally noticed he had on glasses. He might not be what was traditionally considered good looking, but Paul was definitely a striking guy. Paul caught her looking at him. She blushed and started the Keurig coffee maker. Paul watched Micah put a package of hot chocolate mix in her mug, then put it under the coffee maker. A minute later she stirred the concoction. Paul raised an eyebrow.


"Dorm room cafe mocha" said Micah as an explanation "You want one?"


"Nope, I will eat when I get back from my run and whatever else Tanger wants to do." answered Paul.


"So, you just came over to feed the boys?" she asked.


"Sort of" replied Paul "I keep things pretty stocked. I knew we were headed to the grocery. So, I defrosted some burritos."


"I had this on lock down." Micah took a sip of her coffee. Paul laughed. He glanced at his watch. Micah looked at the clock on the stove. Shit, the bus would be there in 10 minutes. "Shoes" she said pointing at the door. "And coats." She shoved her feet into her Toms. She herded the boys out the front door toward the walk to wait for the bus. She looked at the boys. No backpacks and no lunch boxes. "Stay" she instructed as she ran back up the walk. Paul opened the door and stepped out with the forgotten items.


"Lock down, eh?" laughed Paul


"I was coming back for them" replied Micah. She took the items from him and headed down the steps.


"I know." smirked Paul "I'm still making French toast and taking you to grocery. But, I have to go and meet Tanger. You got this."


"Thanks for saving me again" said Micah watching him climb into the BMW in her driveway. Paul nodded. She watched him drive away as she handed out backpacks and lunch boxes.


"I told you Pauly would help." said Deacon.


"Yes, Pauly is awesome" replied Devon.


"Are you going to kiss Pauly with your tongue?" asked Daylon as the bus came into sight.


"What?" exclaimed Micah "No. No discussing tongue kissing. It's a rule. I'm going to make a list."


The boys were all three laughing when the bus came to a stop. All three boarded the bus after reminding her they would be home at 3:45. She walked back into the house. Micah couldn't believe how quiet the house was. The boys made the house seem alive. She cleaned up the breakfast mess as she finished her drink. She could still smell the clean woodsy scent she associated with Paul. He obviously thought she couldn't take care of the boys. He had made her morning easier. He rescued her again. It was only 7:15. She didn't have to go over to Paul's until 9ish. She could go back to bed until 8:30. She climbed the stairs two at a time. She stripped down to her tank and yoga pants and crawled under her comforter. She went to sleep thinking of the same thing she had been thinking about when she woke up. Kissing Paul Martin.


Micah's alarm sounded. She was happy as she glanced around and found no one staring at her. She tossed back her blankets and didn't bother making the bed. A quick shower and she was standing in a towel before her closet. What did one wear to breakfast and grocery shopping? In Ohio, she would have worn PJs. Paul had already seen her pretty much at her worst, but PJs might be a bit much. Micah wiggled into a pair of ripped up jeans, and pulled on a Nirvana raglan shirt. After combing her hair and taming it into some acceptable style she slicked on some lip gloss and a dab of mascara. That would have to do. She slid on a pair of black sparkly Toms.


Micah walked out of the front door and looked out at the neighborhood. She realized in all the chaos she didn't know which house number was Paul's. She was looking at the lawns. She walked down the driveway and looked at the houses. The house to the right had a BMW like Paul's in the drive, but also had a matching white one. Paul lived alone so that ruled that one out. The house to the left had a huge swing set and toys littering the lawn. Not Paul's. She glanced at the house across the street. Paul mentioned climbing the hedge, not crossing the street. She was again looking left and right. The boys had managed to hit Paul's car with a ball. Damn it. She didn't want to text him. What was it about Paul Martin that made her stupid?


"Not sure." said a guy standing in the driveway to the right "Pauly 'e normally doesn't 'ave that effect on women."

"Fuck" said the tiny redhead "I said that out loud. Fuck my life." Micah wasn't sure who he was but he was the prettiest man she had ever actually seen in person. He was currently smirking at her. Dear lord, that smile was lethal. Was her entire neighborhood beautiful? And she had just said fuck twice in 5 words.


"Pauly did not say you 'ad a potty mouth." laughed the guy "And all I've 'eard about is Mike. You do not look like a Mike." He started across the drive towards Micah. He knew who she was but she didn't know who he was." You don't look like a 'artnell fan."


"What does a Hartnell fan look like?" she countered.


"Touche, Chere" laughed the guy. He held his hand out to Micah "I am Kris Letang. Pauly is my partner." Micah's eyes got huge. The cooking, the cleaning, it all made sense. Damn, Pauly's boyfriend was hot. Kris watched her eyes go wide. He thought about the English. Did she think he and Pauly were a couple?


"Non!" exclaimed Kris "Non, Non, Non 'e is my defensive partner on the ice! I 'ave wife and son. I play 'ockey with Paul that is it. Maybe 'e fix me bacon, but that is necessary, oui?"


"Micah Preece" said Micah shaking his hand "Can we just pretend none of this conversation happened?"


"Non" laughed Kris "I must be able to tease Pauly about you thinking we are a couple. Pauly has good taste, non?"


Micah flushed a bright red. Kris was sure it went all the way to her toes. Kris was excited for Pauly. He tended to take care of everyone around and not pay much attention to himself. He had been in a funk with the Olympic injury and Nealer getting traded. Even giving him rookies to babysit hadn't made him happy. This morning he was animated talking about Mike and the bubbles. He hadn't mentioned that Mike was beautiful.


"I'm so sorry." said Micah "I can't seem to not do stupid things when Paul is involved. But yes, you are very pretty." Micah looked at the ground "And apparently around you too."


"Is okay" said Kris "I get called pretty a lot."


"Tanger" called Paul from the front steps "I thought you were leaving."


"I was" he smirked "Miss Mike and I were 'aving a conversation. I’m thinking she shouldn't be called Mike." Kris opened the door to the white BMW and climbed in. Paul threw a hand up at Kris. Kris stopped the BMW next to Micah "Revoir, Oiseau Rouge." He winked at her before pulling away.


Micah was staring after Kris. Paul walked over to her. He noticed her watching Kris. All women tended to watch Kris. She wheeled around and looked at Pauly "Your boyfriend just called me a little red bird." Paul started laughing at her fierce expression. "I don't think I will ever have a nickname that doesn't involve my crazy hair color." She made a harrumphing sound. "I think you promised me French toast, Paul Martin."


Paul laughed "That I did. I was coming to find you."


"I wasn't sure which house was yours." she admitted "I promise I am not normally this spastic."


"Sure" said Paul as he nodded to his house. "It's a mirror image of the West house, make yourself at home. I'm going to go change, then I will finish up breakfast." Micah then realized that Paul was wearing a tank top with the Pen's logo and compression shorts. His hair was a mess as if he'd ran his hands through it. He had ditched his glasses. Paul Martin was hot. Maybe, it was Kris that had good taste. She started giggling. "You okay?" asked Paul.


"Yes" she answered sliding off her shoes.


"You just randomly giggling at me?" quizzed Paul


"No, I am actually laughing at Kris." she said "So, when he told me you were partners for a split second I thought he was your boyfriend. I know. He corrected me. But not before teasing about you having good taste."


Paul looked stricken. She wasn't sure if he was going laugh or yell. Paul just shook his head. "At least my boyfriend is pretty." teased Paul heading up the stairs.


"That's what I said!" she called up the stairs. She heard him laugh again "Hey, Martin?"


"Yeah" he yelled back


"Kris has good taste too." she replied "I'm making coffee."


Micah didn't wait for a response as she headed into the kitchen. She found the Keurig and the mugs beside it on the counter. She looked through all the coffee and settled on a Boston cream pie flavor. As her coffee brewed she pulled the milk out of the fridge. Paul had apparently been busy, there were strawberries and other random berries prepped. She was sitting things out of the fridge when Paul came into the kitchen. She was popping a raspberry into her mouth, but froze and looked at him. White t-shirt, jeans, barefoot Paul might be her favorite. Paul was smiling at her picking at the berries.


"So, I have bacon and sausage in the oven staying warm. But, didn't want to make the French toast until you were here."


Micah nodded and stole a strawberry. Paul watched her dump milk into her coffee. She seemed at ease at his house. That made him happy for some reason. "Want me to make you a cup?" she asked taking a sip.


"Nah, I've had a few cups already." said Paul "Ready for cooking lesson number one?"


Micah pulled her phone out of a pocket. Paul quirked an eye brow at her. "Taking notes, Pauly. I'm taking notes."


"Okay, we need the milk, eggs, sugar, and cinnamon." said Paul moving around the kitchen with ease "Grab the bread from the garage." She turned and looked for a door. Why the hell was the bread in the garage? "The little door that raises there by your hip is an appliance garage. I keep bread and the toaster in there. You might be worse in the kitchen than Neal. Ever set a loaf of bread on fire?" he asked.


"An entire loaf, nah" replied Micah "I have however burnt things with a toaster."


"I usually just make toast in the oven" said Paul


"You can make toast in the oven?" asked Micah. Paul laughed again. He laughed a lot around her. It was good to be around someone who was genuinely happy.


"I think the triplets had the same reaction. But yes, that's how old people make toast." answered Paul.


"Mr. Martin you are not old."


"Older than you. Now get your booty over here time to make French toast." Micah complied and came and stood next to Pauly. "Okay, crack the eggs into the bowl." instructed Paul. Micah picked up the egg and banged it against the side of the bowl. Paul took her hand and the egg. "I'd prefer not to eat eggshells." Micah let go of the egg. Paul showed her how to crack them on the counter and put them in the bowl. "Okay, pour some milk in."


"How much?" she asked pouring milk.


"I'll tell you when." he said watching her slosh milk into the bowl "okay that's enough. Now a scoop of sugar. That's a tablespoon by the way. Sprinkle in the cinnamon. Keep going we need to see it. Okay, now whisk it together while I slice the bread." Micah stirred the ingredients together while watching him slice off thick pieces of bread. He then put a pan on the stove and turned on the heat. She watched him grab 2 plates and place them to the side of the stove. Paul Martin was super comfortable in the kitchen. Somehow, that made him hotter. He pulled the butter out of the fridge. Along with some cream cheese he had sweetened earlier. "Okay, normal French toast. You dip the bread in that mix and just fry it golden brown, easy. But we are going to stuff this." She watched him cut into the thick slice of bread and make a pocket. He then filled the pockets with cream cheese. Micah watched him dip those slices in the egg custard. He then added butter and the 4 slices of battered bread to the pan. Paul watched the toast then flipped it to the other side. A few more minutes and he put the toast on the plates. He kicked off the stove. He pulled the bacon and sausage from the oven. Paul gathered the syrup, whipped cream, and sat it near the berries.


"Put what you want on it. Neal and Nat do chocolate syrup and cherries. If you would rather."
Micah shook her head. She added berries and whip cream. Paul offered her bacon and sausage.


"I'm good with dessert for breakfast." she replied. She took a bite. This was awesome. "Why are you single, Paul Martin? Do the women of Pittsburgh not know about your stuffed French toast?" It was Paul's turn to blush.


"Not a whole lot of girls around my house. Just Nat, she is 4 and prefers Mickey pancakes."


"You have a 4 year old daughter?" asked Micah shoving more whip cream laden French toast in her mouth.


"Nah, she is a teammate’s daughter but she likes Uncle Pauly to cook when she’s here."


"So, Neal and Nat get your cooking."


"Nealer got traded to Nashville. So, I’ve not really been cooking for anyone but myself." he answered sitting down next to her at his bar. He put some maple syrup on his French toast and sausage.


"That's the only way I eat sausage." said Micah "It's better in syrup." Paul nodded. They ate in companionable silence. Paul got up and poured them both milk.


After they finished breakfast Micah offered to do the dishes. Paul started laughing. "Absolutely not" said Paul "no floods today."


"That was one time!" she said "I don't destroy all kitchens."


"Yeah, well I like this one" he replied taking her plate from her. "Plus, we'll never make to the grocery store before the boys get home if you have another foam party. I believe Deac's exact words were the dishwasher is puking bubbles."


Micah pulled herself up on the counter beside where Paul was rinsing dishes "How long do you get to tease me about that?" she asked watching him load the dishes into a drawer by his hip.
"Why are you putting them in the drawer?"


"It's my dishwasher" he answered moving closer so she could see around him. Micah leaned over so she could see.


"Fancy" said Micah. Paul was standing face to face with her. They were close to the same height since she was on the counter top. Paul's mouth pulled up in a smile. He winked at her. He started to move. Micah closed her legs around him "Not so fast, Martin. You didn't answer me about how long you get to tease me about bubblegate."


Paul tossed the sponge in his hand in the sink. He braced his hands on either side of her hips on the counter. “I haven't decided yet."


"Well that is completely not fair, Paul Martin. I keep doing derpy stuff in front of you and you are all perfect."


"Not perfect" he said looking at her.


Micah leaned over and looked at him carefully. "Pretty damn close, Pauly." she replied. Micah couldn't remember a time in her life where she had ever made the first move on a guy. But every fiber of her being was pleading with her to kiss him. She leaned closer and placed her lips over his. She kissed him gently. Paul had yet to react. Micah was about to pull back and consider this a failure when his hands latched on to her face and he stepped closer. Micah made a surprised sound when he pulled her forward on the counter. His tongue slid across the seam of her lips. Micah opened to him. Her hand found the back of his neck. They kissed for several minutes. Micah pulled away from him, but placed another small kiss at the edge of his mouth. "Yep, perfect." she said looking at Paul.

Notes