Friday, November 27, 2009

Next Year

Sorry about the shortness and jumpiness… I guess I’m just getting back into the feel of this story lol. Hope you still like it =D!!

Aberleigh’s legs were wrapped around my body, pulling me into her, encouraging me on. I thrusted in powerfully, unable to do anything but moan contentedly against the feel of her body surrounding me. “I love you so much baby…” I moaned into her ear, breathing in the sweet smell of vanilla shampoo she always used. I pulled back and looked down at her.

She smiled up at me as her perfect full lips opened and she began to beg. “Fuck me harder Max…”


I sat bolt right up; breathing hard as I glanced beside me at Aberleigh. She was resting peacefully, laying on her side with her mouth slightly opened; the same mouth that had just called me Max. What the hell kind of dream was that?
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself as flopped back down on the bed. “Max!” A woman screamed, causing me to sit up again. Ok… that I did not dream.

Abby stirred beside me, her eyes opening with a sigh. “Marc? What’s going on?”

I let out an angry huff as I threw my legs - and cast - over the side of the bed. “Max took someone home with him.” I spat, grabbing my crutches off the floor and heading for the guest room.

I stopped outside the slightly closed door; rolling my eyes as I heard the repeated thumping of headboard against wall. “Ugh! Yes… yes… YES!” The girls voice sounded through the crack.

“Comme ca?” I heard Max’s voice replied; husky from exertion.


“MAX!“ I yelled, not wanting to open the door any more than it already was.

“… merde…” He sighed. I heard the room fall quiet as someone’s feet planted on the ground. “Salut Flower…” Max said, giving me a sheepish grin as he pulled the door open fully.
The brunette laid out on the bed, didn’t even have the decency to cover herself up. She turned her head to glare from me as I turned my attention back to Max.

“Êtes-vous sérieux?” I spat, unable to believe this was happening.

Max sighed deeply and stepped out into the hall, his pants barely staying up around his hips. “Flower, look. I love you and I love Abby… but I haven’t had sex in three days… my dick is about to fall off. I need a dick to play for the Stanley Cup Flower… if I don‘t have one, we‘ll loose. Do you want us to loose?”

“… please don’t even try to make this seem like it’s my fault. You can’t take some random girl back to my house Max!”

He reached out and put his hands on my shoulders; I tried not to think what they’d been touching minutes before. “You’re upset… I can see that. I’ll take her home when we’re done.” I continued to stare at him, teetering on my crutches. “Ugh! Fine! Hey Candy…” He called over his shoulder, “get dressed, we’re leaving.”

“My name’s Mandy!” She shot back, sounding more amused than upset.

“Sorry!” He said again, holding up his hands in truce as he headed back into the guest room; this time, closing the door.



I sat in the doctor’s office beside Abby, waiting for the man with the saw to come in and finally cut off my damn cast. I glanced over at her as she started to giggle again. “I really don’t see what’s so funny about this.” I snapped, causing her to laugh harder.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I know you’re tired but, my emotions are so messed up right now and, that’s just hilarious.”

I exhaled loudly, not bothering to argue with her; at least one of us was in a good mood.
Tomorrow night the guys would be playing against the Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup finals. Without my cast on I had no excuse left not to play, but I knew they still wouldn’t put me in. I had missed too much time, was too rusty.
It was going to be hell watching that game.

Once I was given the ok; the crazy hack-saw man went to work on my cast, pulling it apart piece by piece.
I shuddered as each tiny increment of skin became viable; I had lost so much muscle, it was going to take forever to get back in shape.
The upside was that I’d be able to start helping more around the house, and Max would finally be able to go home. It wasn’t that I wasn’t grateful for everything that he’d done, I was just never going to be able to trust him again with a key to the house. Ever.



The worse part was, I felt slightly relived as Jonathan Toews hoisted the Stanley Cup up above his head; the sea of red and white fans screaming thunderously around Abby and I, as she gently squeezed my hand.
It wasn’t that I wanted us to loose, I obviously didn’t feel that way. With or without me I wanted my friends, my team-mates to win; they deserved it.
I didn’t want to allow that small sigh to escape my lips, the one that threatened to betray almost everyone I trusted.

Of course I wanted Johnson to do good; but I wasn’t a good enough person that I wanted him to do better than me.
I had really begun to come out from under all the critics after we won the cup last year, and I didn’t want to go back to being an inconsistent player. I didn’t want them to assume; if the back-up goalie can win, maybe the Pens did’t need Marc-Andre Fleury, don’t need Marc-Andre Fleury.


Abby followed me down the back hallway; one hand secured in mine, the other wrapped tightly around her tiny baby bump - protecting it from the crazy people running around us.
I took a deep breath before pushing open the door to the visitor’s room. It was a completely different feeling than the world that was echoing around us.
Where the streets of Chicago were erupting with celebration, the black and white locker-room was deafeningly silent. I shivered slightly as I caught sight of Sidney’s face.
No one took losses harder than Sid, not even me. He looked like he was doing everything he could to keep from crying; every now and then running a shaky hand across his eyes. “We’ve been here before.” He said quietly, but even so, it echoed loudly across the room. “We’ve also been there before…” He continued, his eyes glancing at the door Abby and I had just come through.
“Remember this, but also remember that. We are champions. This year wasn’t our time, we all saw that… but it doesn’t mean the time of the Penguins is over.
I believe that we are worthy enough, good enough, strong enough to fight again, and to win again.
This game doesn’t mean that they’re better than us… no matter who’s got our cup right now… I don’t believe that. I’ve seen what’s inside each and everyone of you… and I wouldn’t trade a single person in here… not for anyone.
We’re a team. We play as a team, we loose as a team and next year, we will win as a team.”

“Here, here.” Max said loudly, earning echoing responses from the players and family surrounding us.

I watched as everyone went back into their own worlds. Some talking to each other, some sitting in quiet contemplation.
Sidney was heading towards us. “Don’t worry Flower. I remember how hard it was to miss the third period last year, to watch you guys fight without me. Next year though… next year we’ll get her back and you can feed the two little monsters Cheerio’s from the cup.” I nodded in agreement, giving Sidney a small pat on the shoulder.

Next year…I thought, my mind wandering off into the future. As long as they’re both still here next year…

Friday, November 20, 2009

What's in a Name

I am a horrible mother.

My babies weren't even born and one of them was dying. I couldn't take care of them before they were born, how was I going to take care of them afterwards?

Everyone was being much sweeter than I deserved. Especially, Marc... I smiled softly as his arm twitched subconsciously over my stomach as he slept. I gasped lightly as a feathery-light tickle danced across my stomach. Oh my god.. Was that?

“Marc...” I whispered shaking his arm. “Marc..” He blinked his eyes open, still half asleep.

“Wha?” He mumbled his eyes starting to close again.

“Feel this...” I smiled, placing his hand were I had felt it before; once again the bubbles danced across my skin, I grinned as Marc's eyes widened in surprise.

“Was that-?”

“Baby 'A'...” I giggled, wiping away falling tears with my thumb. Marc took over, moving my hands from my face and kissing tears off of my cheeks. “He's kicking...”

“Hey baby...” He cooed after kissing me quickly and moving his face closer to my bulging stomach. “I'm your daddy, remember. We talked once before.” I chuckled, running my fingers through his hair as he continued to talk to the boys; his soft voice allowing me to drift peacefully to sleep.



I woke the next morning to the smell of coffee and bacon lingering together. Opening my eyes, I found Max sitting in an arm chair next to the bed chuckling at the cartoon he was playing on TV, munching on a crispy piece of bacon.

“Morning...” He grinned through his mouthful of food. “Breakfast?” I moved to sit up in bed as Max held out a full plate of food to me. I stopped as I felt a weight pressing down just below my breasts; I glanced down to find Marc still lost in sleep.

“Maybe later.” I smiled, gently threading my fingers through Marc's hair; Max shrugged before turning back to the TV. We stayed there together for a moment; Max on the chair, me lying in bed, Marc lying between my babies and my breasts and Cooper curled up on his bed by the door. I chuckled softly as Max threw a piece of bread at Marc's head; Marc groaned softly pushing his head into my chest.

“Marc,” I groaned as he hit my sternum, “get up!”

“Sorry...” He mumbled, shifting position so he was curled right up against me; allowing me to accept the plate from Max. “'S that bacon?” Marc muttered lifting his head as I placed the plate on my tummy, using it as a handy table; I nodded offering him a piece, laughing as he took it right out of my fingers. “'S good...” He nodded, sounding a little more awake, as he began to pull himself up. I slapped at his hand as he moved to steal more of my bacon.

“I'm eating for three here.” Max chuckled before handing Marc his own plate over me.

“Don't worry, Flower, I feed all of my invalids.” He grinned turning back to the loud cartoon plastered on my TV. Marc grumbled slightly, taking the plate from Max before sitting back and mindlessly watching the TV with is friend. After another 5 minutes of this I finally snatched the remote control out of Max’s hands and turned the channel to the News. Both boys around me groaned through full mouths, causing me to glare at them both.

“The pregnant woman trapped to the bed controls this TV. You guys can go downstairs if you so choose.” I nodded, laughing as both men took their plates and started towards the stairs. “You two are stuck sorry...” I grinned rubbing large circles around my stomach.




I stood in my sons' room staring between the cribs, back and forth, back and forth. My heart ached, I mean, my heart literally hurt. I sunk to my knees as sobs began to rack my body, stealing any ounce of breath my lungs held at any point. I didn't hear the steps on the floor, or Cooper's barking, or growling as a pair of arms wrapped tightly around me as I struggled through sobs and gasps.

“O...t” I choked gasping in another ragged breath as I clutched onto the body clutching me.

“Abby...” Marc's smooth, calm voice finally broke through the thick fog of hurt and pain in my head. “Baby... talk to me... please.”

“O...t!” I screamed, pounding on his chest fruitlessly before breaking into sobs again, this time breaking into a coughing fit.

“MAX!” He called out of the room. “Grab a paper bag! HURRY!” I stopped fighting against him as my throat began to burn from the exertion. “It's ok, Abby... It's going to be ok...” He soothed into my hair, rubbing my back gently. “Here, baby... breathe into this.” He cooed placing the bag in front of my face as I took a few deep breaths, feeling my heart rate slowly start to lower.

“Out...” I whispered curling against him. “I need the doubles out.”

“What is she-” Max stopped, I assumed with a sharp glance from Marc. I pulled back to stare at Marc in the eyes.

“I can't have them in here, Marc. I need... I can't... Not two... No more.” I shook my head rapidly until he caught my chin in his hands and stopped me.

“Ok, Abby. I'll get rid of them. It's ok...” He kissed my forehead, pulling me tighter to him. “What were you doing in here anyways?”

“I just needed to be and it overwhelmed me...” I closed my eyes tightly against my next words. “He's not going to make it, Marc. My baby's going to die...” I whispered. He shook his head against me, holding me tighter to him.

“No... He's surviving, Abby. He's a fighter, just like his mommy.” He atoned before kissing my hair lightly. I bit my lip, refusing to argue with him. I already knew I was right, why cause more trouble then it was worth?




After lying in bed for a full three weeks, Dr. Cashman finally agreed to let me out of the house for small amounts of time. No strenuous activity, no work, no walking Cooper. Just out of the room, or house if I needed to go. I relished in this!

I started taking walks as often as I could escape from my captors; which wasn't often. I stood near the top of the stairs, leading to the basement, and heard Max shout.

“2-1 FLOWER! Battez-moi maintenant!” I chuckled not waiting for Marc's response as I tiptoed out of the back door, shushing Cooper with my finger against my lips as he whined from his spot near the island.

I breathed the fresh air deeply as I closed the gate behind me, stealing around the side of the house. I felt... sneaky... like I was fifteen again, trying to avoid going to yet another débutante thing my mother had tried to make me do. But it was delicious!

The air was warm as a breeze picked up, rushing through my air, as I headed towards my favourite place on our block. I had found, in my many walks with Cooper, the most beautiful cozy church. This was were I wanted to marry Marc; I just needed to go inside. I couldn't bring myself to enter it, as if going in would ruin the outside beauty. I took my normal seat on the bench across the street, staring at the magnificent stone and glass work that made up the front of the building.

“You know, it won't bite...” A voice caused me to tear my gaze away from the building's beauty and to a beauty of a different kind. “It's just a church.” He grinned easily, his teeth were so white, he could have modeled toothpaste.

“It's more than that...” I smiled back. “It's hope...” I sighed, moving my hand over my bludgeoning stomach.

“It's truth.” the beauty returned, running his hand through his slightly shaggy blond hair. Was this my angel I had prayed every night for?

“I don't think I'll be welcome...” I shrugged waving my bandless left hand at him. He chuckled his green eyes dancing at me.

“My boyfriend and I thought the same thing for the first few weeks. But we actually fit in very well. Come on. I'll introduce you to him.” He offered me a hand, that I took cautiously. “I'm Michael.” HA! I knew it! This was my angel.

“Abberleigh.” I smiled softly following my angel into the church; where the insides were even more magnificent then the outside. The stain glass painting gorgeous colours onto the floor and walls. The high vaulted ceilings providing a enlightened view out the skylight to the beauty of the sky.

“Abberleigh, this is my boyfriend, Gabriel.” Michael grinned pulling another beauty towards me. Gabriel's jet black hair flopped over his startling blue eyes; like ice with no impurities to be found.

“Let me guess... You're a musician.” I smiled softly, taking Gabriel's offered hand.

“I am, trumpet. How did you know that?” Gabriel glanced at me with astonishment. Were these guys seriously that... naive?

“Lucky guess...” I shrugged as Michael offered his arm to me, leading me towards the front of the church. “I really should go home. My fiancé's a little paranoid right now.”

“Did you tell him you were leaving?” Gabriel asked, causing me to nod, remembering the note left on the table.

“Does he know how much you love this church?” Michael was next as the three of us sat on the very front pew; me as the centerpiece. Again I nodded slightly, causing Gabriel and Michael to exchange knowing glances. “Then there's no problem, stop worrying. We'll take care of you.” Michael soothed, causing me to sigh softly as the pastor started towards the front of the church; pausing directly in front of us.

“Michael, you brought someone new with you today.” The older man smiled sweetly at me.

“Yes, Pastor Raphael, I did. This is Aberleigh.” Michael nodded at me as I furrowed my brow in concentration. It was just coincidence that the last three people I'd met, the only three people I've met surrounding this church, just happen to have the names of arch angels... Right?

“Hello, Aberleigh. It's a pleasure having you and your babies at Mount Zion Alliance.” Pastor Raphael smiled sincerely.

“Thank you, Pastor Raphael. You have a beautiful church here.” I sighed in awe of my surroundings.

“We pray, God hears our prayers. We are but blessed few to hear His response.” He smiled staring at a spot just above my head. He seemed nice enough, even if he was a little... off.

The service was short, but beautifully poignant. I mean how simple was it to know that you are loved. And yet not one of us believes we're worthy of that love. I shook Pastor Raphael's hand as we started to leave, thanking him for his message.

“Don't thank me, Aberleigh, thank God. Bring your fiancé. I would love to talk to you both about your wedding.” I nodded dumbfounded as I headed out of the church with Michael and Gabriel flanking me protectively.

“Thank you guys for letting me join you today.” I gave both of my angels' arms a squeeze as we bounced down the stairs to find a frantic Marc running towards us.

“Abby!” He yelled as I pulled away from my angels before Marc engulfed me in his arms. “I didn't know where you were! I was so worried. I thought something happened... Are you? Are they...?” He pressed, smoothing my hair down with his hand as if that was the only thing keeping him together.

“Marc... I'm fine. I was at the church.” I motioned behind me and laughed as Michael and Gabriel waved at us. “The babies are find, Marc. We're all good.” I chuckled as I audibly heard him sigh in relief. “Come here, I want to introduce you to my two new friends.” I pulled him towards the boys, stopping and turning first to Michael. “Marc, this is Michael. He was the one to encourage me to go.” I watched as Marc sized the larger man up before shaking his hand. “And this... is Michael's boyfriend Gabriel.”

“B-boyfriend?” Marc choked on his words as I glanced at him incredulously. “As in... gay?”

“Yah... Gabriel and I have been together for about three years now.” Michael smiled at Gabriel, as the other man pulled him in close for a sweet kiss, causing my eyes to well with tears.

“Aww..” I sniffed, letting Marc pull me into his chest. “You guys are just so cute.” The three men around me laughed as I wiped escaping tears from my cheeks.

“Abby... Why are you crying?” Marc pondered kissing the top of my head lightly.

“It's your fault,” I accused, playfully hitting his chest. “Your babies reek havoc on my emotions.” I mumbled against him, breathing in the soapy scent of his shirt, crossed with the spicy scent of him. Divine. “We should go home, Marc... I want to lay down for a bit...” I turned my face to look up at him. His brow furrowed in worry as he brushed hair from my face.

“Is everything ok, Abby? Babies? Are you hurting anywhere?” His concern was palpable as he placed a hand to my stomach, our boys responding my shoving an elbow or knee in that general direction.

“Minus the fact that your kids are trying to kick the crap out of me.” I laughed through a groan. “My back's a little sore from standing so long. I just want to lay down. Maybe... get a massage?” I pouted hopefully as he chuckled nodding.

“It was nice meeting you guys. Michael, Gabriel... Thanks for taking good care of my Abby.” Marc nodded at them, shaking their hands once more.

“Any time, Marc-Andre.” Gabriel smiled softly at both of us. “You both should come to service next week. Pastor Raphael I'm sure would love to see you both there.”

“We'll definitely keep that in mind, Gabriel, thanks.” I smiled, waving at the two men as Marc and I headed back towards our house.




Sighing contentedly I leaned back against Marc's strong chest as he dragged a wash cloth over my stomach. This was honestly the best way to spend an afternoon. Just me and Marc in a tub full of bubbles.

“You know...” Marc murmured into my neck, the vibrations making me shiver gently. “We still need names...”

“Ok... what are you thinking of...?” I sighed softly as he massaged my lower back gently.

“Andre for sure...” He mused. “It's kinda tradition. You know?” I tilted my head up to him. “But we need a name to put with it.”

“Benoit...” I whispered into the air. “It means blessed.” He smiled and nodded as I stared up at the ceiling. “Dominic John...” I sighed into thin air.

“Dominic...” He whispered, leaning over my shoulder. “Hi Andre-Benoit... Salut Dominic...” My smile grew as I felt his lips brush my collarbone.

Coming Soon

There is a post coming. I SWEAR! It's 85% written... Hopefully tomorrow.... Well today....

I promise before the weekend is over there will be an OTI post. Just hold on a little bit longer.