Falling Fast and Breathing Hard

Around Christmas, I had gained ten more pounds and my mom was coming up for Christmas and New Years. She didn't get to see me for Thanksgiving, since I wasn't feeling too good and found it pointless for me to leave and come back and vice versa for my mom. This was the perfect opportunity for her to come up and see me.

"So, when's your mom arriving?" he asked after the Pens' 5-2 win over the Panthers.

My boys would be playing the Caps on the 23rd aka tomorrow.

"Around 9 tomorrow morning, so I have to be up fairly early tomorrow. Gonna go to bed probably after I get home tonight."

He nodded.

"I can't wait to see her again. You think she's gonna enjoy the game?"

"Oh my God! She's never seen a game. I think so. You know, she'll enjoy me watching it even if she doesn't like hockey."

He laughed.

"That's so true. I heard you're funny watching a game."

"Who told you that?"

"Marc. He heard it from Vero."

"Damnit Vero. I'm gonna get her back!"

"You are?" he asked trying to keep a straight look on his face.

"Yeah. I am. I don't know what I'm gonna do, but I'll brew something up."

"I'm sure you will."

"Anyway, have a safe trip and have fun tomorrow."

"Thank you. I will. You and Kalea be safe, along with your mother. Please tell her I said hi."

"You are gonna see her tomorrow night or the following morning. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, but still."

He was adorable.

"Ok. I love you." I said.

"I love you, too...and I love you." he said kissing me then kneeling down to kiss my stomach.

And then off he was in his sexy suit with his equipment bag over his shoulder. Therefore, I headed to the car with Mary. When I got home, I immediately changed and headed to bed, exhausted. The following morning, I was up early to get ready and wait for my mother to arrive. I was eating cereal and watching tv when I heard knocking. I got up as fast as a woman who's six months along can.

"Mom!" I said, wrapping my arms around her.

"Hi honey." she replied, wrapping her arms around me.

"I missed you so much."

"I missed you too. It's hard living alone."

"Well, being here will be great, won't it?"

"Absolutely. So, where do I put my things?"

"Oh..."

I showed her where to put her belongings and then she walked with me to the living room.

"How's everything been going?"

"Pretty good. Kalea's been pressing on my bladder, but other than that, it's all good."

"That sounds familiar." she smirked.

"What are you talking about?"

"I remember a little girl named Athena who did that when I was pregnant with her."

I laughed.

"Of course. Like daughter, like granddaughter."

She smiled and nodded.

"How's Kris?"

"Really good. He wanted to tell you hi, even though I told him that he'd see you tonight or tomorrow morning. He's adorable and funny."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from him."

"Yeah, me either. Can I ask you something? How much weight did you gain with me?"

"20. How much weight have you gained?"

"25." I said with a sigh, laying my head back.

She laughed.

"Mom! Why are you laughing? This sucks!"

"Of course it does. You're pregnant. You gotta laugh a little."

"I guess so." I mumbled.

She moved over and kissed my cheek.

"I love you, Athena."

"I love you, too."

She yawned.

"You wanna nap?"

"Do you mind?"

"Of course not. You did drive the whole way non-stop, right?"

"Yeah. I'm crazy aren't I?"

"Yep, but so am I. Like mother, like daughter?"

"Yeah. Like mother, like daughter."

Less than a minute later, she was off to bed for a while. Until she woke up, I got on my laptop. Noticing I was signed into Skype as I always am, Kris tried to get a hold of me; of course I would accept.

"Good morning, Kris."

"Good morning, Athena. Where's your mom? Did she arrive yet?"

"Just a few minutes ago, actually. She went to go take a nap. She drove all through the night."

"She's crazy. Like you."

"Can you tell she's my mom?"

"Absolutely. There's no doubt about that. What are you guys' plans for the day?"

"Not sure. What can a six month pregnant woman and her mother do in Pittsburgh at Christmas time?" I said scratching my chin.

He laughed.

"You'll figure it out."

"Yeah. Well, who knows? Maybe my mom and I will watch movies all day then watch the game tonight?"

"That sounds like a nice plan."

"It does. Just sit on my ass all day... minus the frequent trips to the bathroom all thanks to our daughter." I said, laughing.

After twenty minutes, he went to hang out with the guys and I went back to browsing the interwebs. Two hours later, I was off my laptop and watching tv when my mom came walking out.

"Hi, Mom."

"Hi, honey."

"Didja get enough sleep?"

"Yeah. I'm good, but I'll probably head to bed right after the game, which I can't wait to watch with you!" she said excitedly.

I smiled.

"I talked with Kris on Skype after you went to bed."

"Oh, how is he?"

"He's Kris. He saw I was online and we talked for a while. We talked what about our plans were today."

"And you said...?"

"I said what can I six month pregnant woman and her mother do in Pittsburgh during Christmastime... yeah, well, who knows? Just sit on my ass all day and watch movies, minus the frequent trips to the bathroom then the game tonight."

She laughed.

"I actually like that idea. Wanna go out for lunch and then order in food tonight?"

"Sure. Sounds like a plan."

We went on with that plan and when it came to the end of the game, there was a shootout. Great. Ovi scored then Kris scored and that was it for six rounds until it was Duper's turn.

"Come on, come on... just end it! I don't appreciate it, neither does Kalea."

My mom lightly laughed.

"Shut up, Mom."

Duper ended it and I was so relieved.

"Yes! Woo! Daddy's team won, Kalea. Daddy's team won!"

I looked over to my mom to see her smiling.

"Athena?" she asked after a few moments.

"Yeah?"

"I think I'm gonna head to bed."

"Ok. Night, Mom." I said, hugging her.

"Night, honey. Night Kalea."

She went to bed and I sat back on the couch waiting for Kris to call.

*ring-ring ring-ring*

The sound of the phone woke me up.

"Hello?" I said, yawning.

"Hey baby, did I wake ya?"

"I sat here watching tv, waiting for you to call. I must've fallen asleep. Sorry."

"You don't need to say sorry. You had a long day."

"That I did. My mom went to bed shortly after the game too."

"You going to bed after we talk?"

"Of course."

"So, how did ya enjoy the game?"

"Well, I enjoyed it until the Caps tied it up late and overtime, when you scored and when Duper won it. That was so fucking nerve-wracking."

He laughed.

"Shut up, Kris." I said irritatedly.

"Ok. I will. I will."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Hey, you mind if I go to bed?"

"No, of course not. Goodnight."

"Goodnight. I love you."

"I love you too."

"Bye."

"Bye."

I hung up and immediately headed to bed; I fell asleep almost instantly.

Notes

Previous chapter title courtesy of Arms by Christina Perri.

This chapter title courtesy of All I Need by AWOLNATION.