Fire & Ice - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Getting to spend two weeks at home with mom has honestly been amazing. It really made me happy that we got to have this time together to really rebuild our relationship. Having Alyssa around so much was an added bonus I didn't really know I would appreciate until I was leaving. Finally seeing mom so happy and in love with someone made me realize how much she was missing while she stayed with my father.
Our final day together was spent at the Bruins game. It was definitely the highlight of my trip home. This was the first time I've been to a professional game in person in so long and to have these great seats was incredible. Alyssa, Mom and I all got really into the game right from the start as the Bruins scored within the first five minutes. I had mom buy a round of beers on me as I couldn't buy them for myself. When we finished the first round mom bought the second and some popcorn for us to go through. The game was action packed with a lot of roughing and a few fights and a lot of goals by both teams. The final score ended up being 5-3 Bruins.
After the game was over we went home for the night and it didn't take long for me to crash. When I woke up the next morning I stayed in bed for a while not wanting to move. When I eventually got up I started to make my way around my room and pack up the last of my stuff I wanted to bring to campus with me. A lot of what I'm bringing back with me is cold weather stuff.
My last day at home was pretty much spent on the couch with Mom. Alyssa claimed that she had to go over some stuff with her real estate agent about finalizing the sale of her apartment so after lunch I said bye to her. A tight hug goodbye and a promise of sending home pads and a helmet and Alyssa was gone. After Alyssa took her leave mom made me pull my shirt up to look at my ribs. The bruising is practically all gone now and the only time my ribs hurt are when someone hits them right in that spot.
Mom and I went on a walk to the park not far from our house afterwards. Frank was on his lease running not too far ahead of us as we slowly made our way around the loop. On our second lap around mom and I stopped at a bench and sat down with Frank laying at our feet.
"I think this is the most we have talked and had actual genuine conversations." I said and turned to look at her.
"Did I ever tell you, you that you're a smart kid?" Mom asked and shifted on the bench to be closer to me.
"Alyssa is also really great by the way. I can see you really love her." I said.
"I do really love her. I think that I was always in love with her but was too afraid to leave PJ until he pushed you into that table. The only thought going through my mind at the time was that you better be okay, if you weren't I don't know what I would have done." Mom said and sighed.
"Well I am okay mom and so are you. Soon you and Alyssa are going to be living together and then we'll find a nice new house for the three of us. Who knows, maybe I'll have a nice new shiny trophy to bring home with me at the end of the year." I said and smirked.
"Alright, don't count your chickens McKenna." Mom said and pushed her elbow into my ribs.
I could only laugh at her actions and I bumped into her shoulder in return. We didn't stay at the park for much longer as the weather was starting to get colder. When we got home mom made us some dinner before I double checked my bags. After my bags were packed up Mom and I through them into the trunk of her car before we walked down the street to Travis' house. He is going back to school in a few more days, wanting to spend New Year's at home. So I got to hang out with him for a little while before mom and I left for the airport.
The ride to airport was a quiet one. Neither of us had anything else to say to each other right now. When we got to the airport I grabbed my bags from the trunk of the car and watched a tearful mom close the trunk. She gave me one look before pulling me into a bone crushing hug. At one point, I don't know who was holding onto each other harder. But I was rudely pulled back into the present when an airport worker blew their whistle and I slowly let go of mom.
"I can come home for spring break, maybe I can bring Cassie home with me?" I said and wiped away a few tears from my face.
"I would like that a lot. Have a safe flight McKenna. Call me when you get back to the school." Mom said and gave me one more quick hug before pulling away.
"I will, I love you mom." I said and grabbed my backpack from the passenger seat.
"I love you too McKenna." Mom said and gave me a watery smile.
I didn't stick around to watch mom pull away. Slowly I made my way through the busy Boston Logan International Airport looking for my gate. By the time I found it I didn't have long before the flight took off. It left me with just enough time to go to the bathroom and get a water bottle. I sent a few texts to Cassie for updates and finally it was time to board.
It took about 45 minutes from the start of boarding to when we were in the air. I was just happy I could relax a little on the way back to Wisconsin. The flight wasn't long enough to get some sleep but I was definitely happy to be landing before midnight. Once we got off the plane I found the bathroom and made sure I looked okay before making my way towards baggage claim.
When I got there I saw Cassie waiting for me in a heavy winter jacket and a large beanie on top of her head. It put a smile on my face as I made my way over to her. The closer I got the bigger my smile until she found me in the crowd, Cassie's eyes lit up and she almost ran over to me. I quickly dropped my bag and scooped her up into my arms and held her close.
"There's my girl." I said as I spin us around once before letting her feet touch the ground again.
"Ugh I missed you so much Mac." Cassie said as I felt a wet patch start to grow on my neck.
"Hey, no tears, I'm back now." I said and slowly pulled away from Cassie to get a look at her face.
Tears are still pooling in her eyes and there are wet marks down her cheeks. I gave her a smile and carefully wiped away the offending water and leaned in to give her a kiss. When our lips pressed against each other's my heart felt like it was home. The kiss wasn't long, just a welcome home kiss and after a few more seconds I pulled away. We could have easily gotten carried away but I didn't want to make a scene in the airport baggage claim.
When we pulled away from each other I grabbed my backpack from the floor and slipped my hand into Cassies before walking over to the correct luggage carousel to wait for my bag. It didn't take much longer before the bags from my flight started to drop and I was surprised to see my bag was one of the first to come out. Once in hand, we left the airport and walked towards Cassie's Jeep. Looking around once outside it looked like Wisconsin was transformed into a winter wonderland. Snow piles were everywhere but the roads looked nicely plowed which was a big difference from Boston. It was definitely a lot colder here though. The wind cut through my jacket like knives and I knew I needed my heavier one from the team.
I made Cassie get into the Jeep while I put my bags into the truck so she would get out of the cold and joined her shortly after. Once we both had our seatbelts on Cassie pulled out of the parking spot and we were on our way back to campus. Tonight we are going to be staying here and tomorrow we would be driving up to Cassie's parent's house for the rest of the week and weekend. After the weekend we are coming back to campus as I need to start to get back into season shape after taking some time off from training for the holidays.
It didn't take long for us to get back to campus. Most of the roads are dead at this time of night and even more so now with the cold weather and all the snow. Cassie got a spot right in front of the building as the lack of cars in the parking lot made it possible even without her handicap permit. I tried to make Cassie go in front of me to the dorm but she wouldn't leave my side and took my backpack from me as I got my suitcase from the trunk.
There was barely any nose when we got inside the dorm which was a big difference from the normal people almost running up and down the halls constantly. It was a nice change. When we got into the dorm I just dropped my stuff in the hallway and rushed off to the bathroom to clean up a bit from the flight. When I was done Cassie was waiting for me at the kitchen table. Her eyes tracked my every move since I got out of the bathroom.
"Are you hungry?" She asked.
"Not for food." I said and closed the remaining gap between us. As soon as I was close enough, Cassie jumped into my arms and her lips were on mine. It took me a few moments to start moving us towards her room. Once there it didn't take long for us to make up for lost time together.
I only woke up the next morning when Cassie started to pull her body away from mine. My arms are wrapped so tight around her once she started to move away from me my brain started to wake up.
"Babe, I need to use the bathroom." Cassie whispered in my ear. Somehow I loosened my arms around her body and Cassie slipped out of our warm cocoon. I barely opened my eyes and found her clock on the nightstand blinking 11:57am and I groaned. Cassie was back in a few minutes and climbed back into bed and cuddled right into my side.
"You're cold now." I said and felt her cold arm wrap around my midsection.
"Sorry, but we need to start getting up." Cassie said and started to draw random shapes on my hip bone.
"Fine" I said turned to face her.
"Don't give me that look, we need to get up because I already have like ten texts from my family wondering when we are going to get there." Cassie said.
I pouted and finally cracked my eyes opened to look at my girlfriend. Cassie's normally bright blue eyes look more navy in the low light of her room. Cassie only gave me a smile and leaned in and gave me a kiss. I sighed after she pulled away and started to stretch a bit. It took us a few more minutes to get out of bed as I really didn't want to move. After spending the last two weeks at home I just wanted these quiet morning moments with Cassie before we go to her parent's house.
But I couldn't stay in bed forever. I had to repack a bag to bring with me and made sure I had Cassie's presents stowed away. Cassie made me some coffee to as I finally got out of bed and showered. Once I was cleaned up I started on unpacking and repacking my bag. That took a little less than an hour and afterwards Cassie stuffed a breakfast burrito in my hand and pushed me out the door.
Cassie drove us up to her parent's house while I sent a few text messages to my mom about how my flight was and what my plans are for the next couple of days. After mom was satisfied I finally started answering Becca who has been blowing up my phone since last night. Becca is going to be returning from her trip home New Year's Day and wanted me to pick her up from the airport. But I had to tell her that I'm going to be with Cassie's family still. Becca was disappointed but she understood.
It didn't take much longer for us to get to Cassie's parents house. Luckily for us the traffic was moving in the other direction and Cassie was able to have a smooth drive all the way the house. Right as we pulled up, Chad pulled the front door open and was waiting for us. Cassie put the Jeep into park and I hopped out.
"I don't know what happened since you've been away, but Chad is actually excited to have you here." Cassie said as I came around to the driver's side of the Jeep.
"He helped me with your Christmas present, I think he is just excited." I said and took Cassie's hand as she eased herself out of the driver's seat. Cassie held tightly onto my arm and grimaced as she took a few steps. "You feeling okay?"
"Yea, sometime in the winter on long drives I just get cramps in my leg. They usually go away with some movement and warming up." Cassie said and held tightly to my arm.
I didn't have to say anything when I looked up to find Chad already grabbing my bags from the trunk. Cassie and I walked slowly into the house and went right into the living room. Willa and Marshall were waiting for us on the couch when we walked in. I was surprised that Sunny didn't run up to us as we walked through the living room but she must be in a room somewhere.
"Do you want to sit?" I asked Cassie as I was just following her lead.
"Yea, go say hi." Cassie said and let go of my arm and limped over to the couch a few feet away from us.
I turned around and said hello to Willa and Marshall and even Chad when he came back from putting my bags down in Cassies room. He actually stole me away for a few minutes to his room to show me Cassie's Christmas present. The custom ice hockey sled I had ordered is here in the box mostly assembled. I just had to put the final touches on it before I could give it to Cassie. With Chad's help it didn't take long for me to finish it up and Chad to hide it in his room.
After it was done we went back to the living room and found Cassie laying down on the couch with Sunny sitting by her feet. She flashed me a smile when we got back to the living room.
"Mom and dad are going out with friends tonight and I bet Chad can find something to do so we can have the house to ourselves." Cassie said and sat up a little bit.
"Sounds good to me." I said and gave her a kiss on the forehead. When I pulled away from my girl I lifted Cassies legs and sat down on the couch and rested her legs on top of mine. "This okay?" I asked wanting to make sure I wasn't making her leg worse.
"Perfect" Cassie said and smiled. I gave her a smile and started to rub her knee as Sunny placed her head on my lap as well.
Cassie's parents moved in and out of the living room for the rest of the afternoon while Chad made himself scarce. I got to catch up a little with Willa and Marshall before they both started to get ready for their dinner. They left in the early evening and once he was gone Chad told us that he was going to the ice rink to help out at a game tonight so he won't be home till late.
After they all left I turned to Cassie and gave her a smile. She smiled back at me and sat up on the couch taking her legs back.
"Ready for your presents?" I asked getting excited.
"I thought we talked about this, nothing crazy McKenna." Cassie said.
"We did talk about it and I didn't go crazy, I'm not sure if you want to go first because my gift for you is large." I said.
"Sure I can go first, but it's in my room, you want to move this party there?" Cassie asked.
"Lead the way beautiful." I said.
Cassie got up off the couch and we walked together to her bedroom. Sitting on her bed is a wrapped gift box. Cassie said down on one side of the box and I sat on the other. She didn't say anything to me but pushed the box in my direction and gave me a smile. I took the box and unwrapped it. When I got to the box underneath I pulled open the lid and removed the tissue paper to find a brand new Boston Bruins home jersey. I pulled it out of the box and my jaw was almost on the floor.
"I remember how you said you only have one away jersey, so I thought that you would like a home one, but that's not all, check the bottom of the box." Cassie said and I continued to stare at the jersey. I didn't want to put it down but I did and looked at the bottom of the box. When I did there are two pieces of paper there. I picked them up out of the box to get a better look and saw that they are two tickets to the Chicago Blackhawks game versing the Boston Bruins.
"The game is after your hockey season so we won't have to worry about the remaining season games or payoffs. It's a Saturday night game, thought we could spend the day in Chicago and stay the night and come back to campus on Sunday so we don't have to worry about driving home afterwards." Cassie rambled on. I put the tickets down on top of the jersey and pushed myself over to her. I took Cassie's cheeks in my hands and kissed her, hard.
When I pulled away Cassie had a bright smile on her lips and I couldn't help but lean in again and gave her another kiss.
"I, thank you Cas, I love it. Now for your presents." I said and got up to grab the jewelry box from my duffle bag. When I got back onto the bed I handed it over to Cassie and smiled.
"The other thing you'll get after this one." I said and watched as Cassie pulled the bow holding the box together. Cassie smiled at me a lifted the lid of the box and saw the necklace. It's in the shape of a heart that is open in the middle.
"Now you have my heart, figurately and literally." I said as Cassie pulled the necklace from the box.
"You have to put it on me." Cassie said and turned around and started to move her hair off her neck. I took the necklace from her hands and clasped it around her neck. Once it was on I gave her neck a kiss and stood from the bed.
"Okay I'm going to get your second gift but you have to close your eyes." I said and walked out of the door.
"Alright" Cassie said and closed her eyes.
I ran up to Chad's room and picked up hockey sled and carefully walked down the stairs to Cassie's room and stopped just outside.
"You're eyes are closed right?" I asked and peaked my head inside to see Cassie still has her eyes closed.
"Yes babe." Cassie said and laughed.
"Just checking" I said and picked up the sled again and walked into Cassie's room. I put it down in front of her bed and stood next to it.
"Okay, you can look now." I said and waited.
Cassie looked at me and then towards the ground. When she saw the sled her eyebrows crinkled and then I could see the light bulb go off.
"I saw how much fun you had the day we went skating and I wanted you to have that again. You were also really good at sled hockey just after one session, could give me a run for my money." I said and sat back down on the bed next to Cassie.
Cassie didn't say anything for a while. A few different emotions past through her face. Excitement, happiness, sorrow and a few others I couldn't place. Just when I was going to say something, Cassie turned to look at me with tears in her eyes. She didn't say anything but just pulled me into a hug and held onto me so tightly I think she thought I would disappear if she didn't.
"Thank you" Cassie said in my ear but didn't let go of her hold.
"You're welcome." I answered.
When Cassie finally pulled away from me, she wiped her face and stood from the bed. She didn't say anything but walked off and I heard the bathroom sink running. It didn't take long for her to return and when she did she looked a bit more excited.
"So, when can we go to the rink?" Cassie asked.
I gave her a smile and told her that Chad managed to block the rink out for us tomorrow morning so we would have the place to ourselves so she could try it out and afterwards we are going to stick around to watch a local sled hockey team play. They have a league here that has games in the morning and I think Cassie might like to see it. With that all settled, Cassie and I made our way back into the kitchen and started to warm up some of the leftover baked ziti Willa had made the night before.
After the plates were warmed up, Cassie and I made our way to the living room and sat down on the couch to watch some Christmas movies while we had dinner. After I confessed to never seeing National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Cassie put it on and we watched it while having dinner. Cassie was right, the movie was histerical and after it was over we moved into her bedroom for the night. We changed into our pajama's and climbed into bed together for the second time in what feels like months.
"God, I've missed having you next to me." I said and pulled Cassie onto my chest.
"Same here" Cassie answered and pressed a kiss to my chest, just above my heart.
"Would you be open to the idea of coming home with me for spring break?" I asked wanting to put it out their now to give Cassie a lot of time to decide.
"Of course I would McKenna, I would love to get to see where you grew up." Cassie said sounding excited.
"Okay, we can look into it tomorrow I just wanted to put it out there to let you know where I was at." I said and turned my head to look at Cassie. When my eyes connected with hers they were shining bright and I could help but smile at her. Cassie didn't say anything but just smiled at me in return and gave me a kiss. It was hard and wanting but I knew we couldn't go further than a heavy make-out session right now, with either her parents or brother could walk in at any time.
So Cassie pulled away after a few minutes picking up the same thing I was and sighed. We laid together in bed for a while watching some of the holiday episodes of Friends before falling asleep in each other's arms.