Falling Fast and Breathing Hard

Before we knew it, the guys we're playing the last game of the season in Atlanta, which was an afternoon game and I had Kris for the evening and a few days until the playoffs started. Once that came along, they'd be playing Tampa. It was a Sunday where I had a migraine and a delightful daughter, but I was miserable; I didn't want Kalea to see me that way. I was alone at our house as I wanted to be alone; I didn't want company when I wasn't feeling my best. I had just put her down for her nap about ten minutes before the game started. I grabbed a bowl and poured myself a bowl of salt 'n vinegar of chips and a glass of grape kool-aid before I sat down in front of the television.

The game started out with a power-play goal from Ladd not even five minutes in, but a period later, we finally got one of our own, which was also our first goal of the game, courtesy of TK. By the end of the period, it was four-onnee Pittsburgh. By the end of the third, Comrie scored his first goal, also a empty-netter and finished it off; my boys won 5-2. When it was over, I made dinner and fed Kalea. It had been a meal of veal parmigiana, a meal that I knew Kris would enjoy; he'd be home come seven or at the latest, eight, so I'd have to heat it up when he got here. In the meantime, I'd try and watch a movie.

"How does Up sound?" I asked Kalea, showing her the movie.

She tried to grab it causing me to laugh.

"I'll take that as a yes."

I kissed her on the cheek and went to put it into the player. It was six-thirty when the movie began. Later, I was drifting off to sleep when I heard the door open.

"Athena." I heard as Kris walked near me.

Silence.

"Are you asleep?"

This time, he was in front of me. My eyelids flickered and I moaned.

"How long have you been asleep?" he asked, moving hair away from my face.

"Not even a minute." I said, yawning.

"Wanna go to bed?"

"What time is it?"

"7:30."

I moved so I was sitting up.

"Too early, but it's time for Kalea to go to bed."

"Want me to put her to bed?"

"If you'd like." I said, smiling.

He nodded and kissed me.

"I'll be back in a few. I'll put her to bed and I'll change."

I nodded and said goodnight to my baby girl before he walked off with her, both of them smiling and talking and laughing. I got up and went to the kitchen to get myself a glass of water and look for the dinner that I saved for Kris. As I was plating his food, I felt his arms wrap around my waist.

"Is this my dinner?"

"No. It's for the other man I'm in love with." I said, trying to keep a straight face.

"What?" he asked,laughing.

"You heard me." I said pulling away.

"What's his name?"

"Dylan."

"What does he look like?"

"He has short blond hair, blue eyes and a nice tan. He's built, maybe even better... than you..."

How I actually said that last sentence, I couldn't even believe it. I bit my lip and slowly began to walk away. He picked me up and had me over his shoulder.

"More built than me? Is that even possible?"

"Well, look who's full of himself." I said, laughing.

He put me back down.

"I can't believe I said that."

"Neither can I." I said on my tippy toes and kissing him.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"If I was cheating on you, it wouldn't be with a guy with blond hair. I'm not into blondes. Never have been. Just guys with dark brown/black hair."

He nodded and kissed me.

"Good to know."

I smiled and leaned into him.

"What's for dinner?"

"Veal parmigiana."

He moaned and licked his lips. I laughed.

"Ready to eat then?"

"Tout à fait." (Absolutely.)

I smiled and handed him his food.

"What do you want to drink?"

"Just a glass of water please."

I got him a glass and followed him into the living room.

"What were you watching?" he asked as I looked at the screen.

"Up. I asked Kalea about it and she tried grabbing at it. I had put it in at 6:30."

"She has good taste."

"I'd hope so. Up is an awesome movie! Wanna start it over?"

"Sure."

I squealed then kissed his cheek. I turned it back to the beginning and pressed play. Once he was done eating and his plate was in the sink, I snuggled up to him and continued to watch the movie. Come morning, my migraine was gone and I was feeling as refreshed as can be.

"Good morning." I said as I saw him walk out of the bathroom... fresh out of the shower.

Fuck.

"Good morning." he asked, drying his hair with his towel.

"Looking good... really good."

"Look who's talking."

"Well, I suppose so, but I'll look better getting out of the shower."

He smirked.

"You know how much I want you right now? It's killing me." I said dramatically.

He came over and kissed me.

"It's killing me too. How long is it again?"

"Four weeks." I said, lying back on the bed.

He pouted. I just had to laugh.

"Come here." I said, directing him to the bed.

"Just let me put..."

"No. Your briefs can wait. Sit."

"Yes ma'am."

I shook my head. When he did, I turned and wrapped my arms on his neck and began kissing him. We made out till we heard the cries of Kalea in her crib.

"I'll go get her." I asked, getting out of bed.

"You sure?" he asked.

"100%. Please get your sexy, naked self, dressed."

"Will do." he said saluting.

I shook my head and walked over to her nursery to get her up for the day. By the time I got downstairs, Kris was pouring us two bowls of cereal.

"Breakfast?" I asked with Kalea looking ahead for her daddy.

"Yep. Fruit Loops."

"Yum! Thank you!"

"You are welcome." he said, leaning in to kiss him.

She reached out for him and whined.

"You want Daddy?"

She whined even more.

"Wow." I mouthed as I handed her over.

He tried to keep a straight face as he held her.

"Did you sleep well, cutie?"

She just opened and shut her mouth before giggling.

"I'll take that as a yes." he said before kissing her cheek.

After feeding her and myself, I went upstairs to take a shower. When I got out of the shower, I heard my phone ring; it was my mother.

"Hello?'

"Hi, sweetie."

"Hi, Mom. What's up?"

"Not much. Getting ready to hangout with Susan for the day. How about you?"

"I just showered. Kris and I ate breakfast and I fed Kalea. I have no idea what we're gonna do today. Well, I gotta say it's a nice day to go out... at least that's what my weather app says. Is it?"

"It's very nice. You know? I just might do that. I gotta talk to Kris first, though."

"Sure he'll say yes and I'm sure Kalea would love it."

"Yeah. She definitely will. So, I'll talk to ya soon?"

"Yeah. Talk to ya later. Have fun!"

"You too! Tell Susan I said hi, okay?"

"Of course. I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Bye."

"Bye."

I hung up with a smile and continued to get ready for the day. As I was finishing my hair, I heard Kalea wail like she did last week. I stopped what I was doing and dashed to the nearby nursery.

"What's wrong?" I asked, panicking as she laid on the changing table and Kris was in the cabinet.

"Elle va bien." (She's fine.) he reassured me, placing his hands on my shoulders.

I nodded.

"Then, what is it? It's gotta be something."

"She has diaper rash. I was just getting out stuff to treat it."

"Ok. I need to take a look." I said, breathing easier.

I moved over and looked; it looked nasty.

"Oh, my poor baby." I said, kissing her cheek.

She was still teary though as she touched my arm.

"Daddy'll take care of that in a minute and then it'll be okay. Alright?"

Tears still came down.

"Okay, baby girl. Here I go." he said, walking over with what he needed.

By the time Kris finished treating it and she had her diaper back on, Kalea was all smiles again.
I put her clothes back on and she was even happier.

"There's my pretty girl." I asked, picking her up.

She giggled.

"I love you."

"I love you, too." he said.

"Got a question."

"Hmm?"

"My mom called me when I got out of the shower. She told she was getting ready to go out with Susan. Telling her that I didn't know what we were gonna do today, she suggested going out for the day."

"Votre mère est une dame très intelligente qui a donné naissance à une fille très intelligente." (Your mother is a very smart lady who gave birth to a very smart daughter.)

I smiled and blushed.

"Est-ce que tu rougis?" (Are you blushing?)

"Tais-toi." (Shut up.)

He laughed.

"I love you, Kristopher Letang." I said, turning to kiss him.

"I love you, Amelia Halloway."

"So, wanna go out?"

"Yes."

"Alright. I just have to finish getting ready."

"And I gotta brush my teeth."

"Good." I said smiling.

After we had finished getting, we got everything we needed for Kalea and headed out to the car as she was in the baby carrier up against my chest.

"Alright, Kalea. Ready to go in the car?" Kris asked.

She didn't answer. Instead, she got more comfortable against my chest. I laughed.

"Sweetheart, you can't stay here. You need to let Daddy put you in the car."

She made a deep noise, which sounded like one of protest. Pulling her out, she began crying.
She kept on crying, but when he put her in her car seat and buckled her in, she stopped.

"Now, was that so bad?" he asked at her level.

She just laughed as did Kris.

"She couldn't be more like you. So unpredictable." he said shaking his head as he stood back up.

"You can say that again."

Notes

Chapter courtesy of On Top Of The World by Imagine Dragons.