Falling Fast and Breathing Hard

When Kris and I thought they were gonna win the series in Game 6, they didn't and he was getting even more frustrated. I don't know how he was gonna feel if they didn't win the series; I was worried for sure. Going into it, I was a bundle of nerves, which I hated beyond belief. I was like this last year when they had a Game 7 against Montreal and they didn't win. Knowing how late this game was, I asked Mary to babysit for us, which she graciously accepted. It'd be past 11 when we got home and I knew she'd be cranky if she didn't get enough asleep.

"I miss her." I said a few minutes before the puck dropped.

"You do?" Vero asked.

"I know she's only minutes away with Mary, but I miss her. I've never been away from her, not for more than a few minutes."

I was a little teary-eyed at this moment.

"Oh, chérie." (Oh, honey.) she said, hugging me.

"I'm pathetic, aren't I?"

"I don't have any kids and I don't think you're pathetic. I'm sure I'll understand even more once Marc and I have kids."

I smiled.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

Once the game started, I was feeling happier and began watching it. After a goalless first period, it didn't take long for someone to score in the second. Over five-and-a-half minutes in, Bergenheim scored and turns out no one else scored in that period. The third period was the worst for just about everyone in the building. Their was an interference penalty on Dominic Moore against Kris and then Kris got a penalty for diving at the same time. The frustration in his eyes was ever apparent and I could feel it. That last minute nearly killed me as my boys tried desperately to score but were unsuccessful as they lost and were eliminated from the playoffs. I laid back and sighed as I watched them go through that painful handshake line which comes at the end of every series. After this game, I decided to just wait for a text thinking there was a strong chance he wanted a drink. Ten minutes later, I got that text I was waiting for.

Gonna go out for maybe an hour. I love you! Tell Kalea, Daddy says goodnight and that he loves her!

I smiled.

Enjoy yourself! I'll be sure to tell Kalea what you said. I love you!

"What'd Kris say?"

"He's gonna go out for maybe an hour and told me to tell Kalea that he says he loves her and goodnight."

"Aww... he's adorable. He can't be feeling too bad. That sounds like a happy text."

"I wish I knew for sure, but I'm gonna let it be and find out tomorrow."

About half an hour later, I was back at Kris and I's house. Mary was sitting on the couch watching post game.

"I'm back! How'd things go?"

"Hey. Great. She didn't give me a problem at all. Just wish the game would've turned out different."

"Yeah. Thanks again. I really appreciated you doing this."

"It was my pleasure. I love that little girl of yours. So, how's Kris?"

"All I know is that he's going out for maybe an hour. I didn't speak to him."

"Well, I certainly hope he's okay."

"Me too." I said, nodding.

"On that note, I'm gonna let you get to bed. I'm heading straight to bed when I get home."

"Ok. Goodnight, hun." I said, hugging her.

"Goodnight."

Once she left, I locked the door and took my shoes off before heading to Kalea's nursery; she was fast asleep. I leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Goodnight Kalea. Mommy and Daddy love you."

And with that, I headed to our bedroom and got ready for bed; I was out in seconds once my head hit the pillow. In the morning, I woke to a snoring Kris as I tried to hold in laughter. Apparently, I didn't handle it well since I felt an arm wrap around my waist pull me down on top of him as I was sitting up on the bed.

"Are you laughing at me?"

"I'm trying not to. Got a problem with that?" I replied, laughing.

"You bet I do."

I then felt him tickle the shit outta me.

"Kris! Stop it!" I said, laughing.

"But you're laughing. Doesn't that mean you like it?" he asked, laughing.

"Shut up and stop it!" I said, getting irritated and trying to elbow him in the ribs,

"You're hilarious."

"Kristopher Allen Letang! I'm serious! Stop it! I wanna get our daughter up for the day."

I don't know why I was so irritated today. I mean I know a little bit is him tickling me but I didn't know what else was causing me to feel this way.

"I'm sorry." he said, letting both of us sit up but holding me tightly.

"It's okay. I don't know why I'm so irritated." I sighed, leaning my head back.

He kissed my neck. It felt good but then I felt a pain in my back causing me to cry out in pain.

"What's wrong?"

"Pain just shot through my back."

"Where?"

"Middle of my back." I said, showing him.

I leaned forward a little, so he could find it and maybe make me feel better. He went down until he found the spot which was when I cried out in pain again.

"Lay down."

"Go wake Kalea."

"It can wait."

"No. It can't."

"Athena. Just listen to me. We need to address this now before it gets worse."

I groaned in protest.

"You're lucky I love you."

He laughed.

"I love you, too."

That's when he lifted my shirt as much as he needed to. The touch of his hands made me moan; I really missed them.

"Is it next week?" he asked.

"Yes. Just one more week." I said with a smirk knowing what he meant.

Maybe ten minutes later, I was feeling a lot better.

"You have magic hands." I asked once I got to move.

"Just wait till next week. You'll see how magical they are." he said, looking straight into my eyes.

And the countdown till then begins...

Notes

Chapter Title courtesy of Smile by Uncle Kracker.

After I finished this chapter, I realized I made a mistake...in timing. The time a woman can have sex again after giving birth is 4-6 weeks and by the time I have it written, it'll be past six. So, I'm gonna make it so they decided to wait till the Pens were done in the playoffs. Hope that's okay. That's a lot to change and I've loved these chapters I've written. I think it's gonna work out just fine. Thanks for understanding, you guys!