Pot Holes - Chapter 7

(A/N: I reposted this chapter after adding a bit more into it. Hope you all enjoy and comment!)



"Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time" - Maya Angelou

James woke up the next morning with a small smile on his face before he realized the sheets next to him were cold when he went to reach for Sara again. He quickly slid out of bed and slipped on his pants. When he opened up the door, he caught the smell of something delicious and the sound of laughter that could only be coming from the kitchen. After quickly trying to fix his hair into the perfect messy way he liked and a 3 minute debate in his head over using Sara’s toothbrush, he headed downstairs to find out whatever wonderful food that was. He spotted Vikki sitting at the kitchen island, coffee in hand and obviously laughing at something, but when he came fully in the kitchen he stopped in amazement. The island and some of the counters were filled with what looked like bakery goodness, and there stood Sara right in the center of it. He couldn’t hold back the small chuckle of amusement when he saw that she had floor streaks on her face and what looked like icing on both of her arms from the cake that she was currently decorating. “What are you laughing at?” Sara said, looking up from her master piece, which actually looked like replica of the pens logo, only made of cake.

“Ohhh nothing” James said, smirking at her as he walked over to pour himself a cup of coffee. “Exactly how long have you been up?”

 

“Well based on how much was baked when I got up at 7, I’d say she slept for maybe 3 hours.” Vikki answered him with a shake of her head, when they heard a large thump from upstairs. “Looks like it’s time to start cooking a real breakfast.”.

 

James walked over to where Sara was learning over the counter, “How are you this morning?” He whispered, brushing off some of the flour off her cheek with his thumb. He moved his hand down to her arm were there was dark fingerprint sized bruises, he couldn’t keep the intense look that came across his face when he thought of last night. When he saw her ex grab a hold of her, he wanted nothing more then to jump on the guy and start punching him. He would have too if Sara wouldn’t have gave him that pleading look. “Do they hurt?”

 

She blushed slightly at his attention and gave him a small nod, “I’m ok. Frazzled, I have to take Cait to a check up today. That’s what’s important. She was up already, I gave her something light to eat and she went back to sleep. But I’ve been keeping my thoughts occupied. Sit down, we’ll make breakfast.” She answered him, suddenly realizing she could feel his bare chest against her arm and had to hold back a groan. He ran his hand down her back as he walked around her to take a seat, picking up a croissant. Vikki just shook her head at the two as she started to cook the scrambled up eggs.

 

“What is that wonderful smell?” Kris said as he walked into the kitchen with followed by the rest of the boys. Sara stared at them before turning a look at Vikki. She could tell that her friend was trying to hold back the same feelings by the look on her face. Geno was dressed in just boxers and his undershirt, with Kris and Jordan being the same as James, wearing just their jeans. Thankfully Sidney had decided to be at least close to dressed with his jeans and undershirt. But his tight shirt really left nothing to the imagination.

 

“Seriously guys?” Sara said, stopping what she was doing and motioning towards them. When she received shrugs and smirks in return she just shook her head. “It’s like you’re all airbrushed or something….” She muttered as she turned back to help Vikki make breakfast. The guys quickly started to devour the homemade croissants, danishes, cinnamon rolls, fruit turnovers along with the eggs, French toast and bacon.

“You really made this all last night?” Jordan asked with a mouthful of French toast. “And a penguins cake? Can I take you home and marry you?”

 

“Shut up Staal. You’re already supposed to be getting married, since you’re supposed to always follow your brothers’ footsteps” Kris said, shoving Jordan slightly before going back to the little sandwich he made out the croissants. “These are as good as back home.”

“I am not married. You come home with me?” Geno said with a grin as he wrapped an arm around Sara, causing Sara to blush again. She moved out from under his arm and patted him on the back.

 

“No. I won’t go home with you, but all you have to do is ask. I’ll cook for you. This is what I do for a living.” Sara said with a grin as the guys all teased Geno for getting turned down. James tried to squash the feeling of jealousy over his teammates. He knew or at least he hopped it was all in good fun. It was hard to find a beautiful smart woman who didn’t care that you were some hockey superstar, and that could cook. He didn’t tell the guys that she was famous in her own right. She worked for a high end bakery and her cakes and cupcakes were in huge demand. People traveled from all over the upper east coast to buy from her. He couldn’t believe that someone would actually give her up. He had to shake his head when his thoughts turned dark again with the worry of leaving the city for the road trip. When they heard the pitter patter of little feat the conversation turned cleaner and the swearing stopped.

 

“Sidney!” Cait yelled as she ran into the kitchen and into his arms he held out for her. “You guys came for breakfast! Just like in the hospital.” She said, hugging him tightly. Sidney sat her up on a stool next to him, keeping his arm on the back so she didn’t fall. Even though she smiled brightly, they all could see the dullness in her eyes and the slight grey cast of her skin.

 

“Yeah, we all wanted to have breakfast with you since we heard you didn’t feel good kiddo.” Sidney answered her, handing her the small cup of juice Vikki poured.

“Well why don’t they have shirts on?” Cait asked as she looked around at Kris, Jordan and James. They at least had the decency to blush and laugh a little.

“They were helping me and they got covered in flour honey. Like you do. So I had to wash their shirts.” Sara answered, not wanting to tell her 4 year old that she let them all sleepover since she wasn’t exactly sure how much they had to drink. As innocent as Cait was, she might accidentally tell Cody in excitement and after last night, that was the last thing she needed. Cait giggled and started to eat her breakfast and the conversation returned to normal. When breakfast was done, Cait practically dragged Sidney and Jordan up to show them all her dolls, even though they gave her a pleading look, she figured it was the least they deserved. “Put on shirt first” She muttered to Jordan as she shoved him out the doorway. When she turned back around Kris, Geno and James were all cleaning up from breakfast while Vikki was supervising from her seat, finally sitting down and eating something. “I’ll help” She said, moving over and helping James load the dishwasher.

James smirked and shook his head, trying to nudge her back to a seat. “We got it. You should sit down and eat.”

“I’m ok. Not really hungry.” He gave her a pointed look and Sara held up her hands and smiled, “I promise I’ll eat today. Besides, I’m already going to have to send some of this with you guys. Way too much food.”

 

“So Sara Christmas is in 6 days, what are you doing?” Kris asked as he put away the last of the food in the refrigerator. Sara just shrugged in answer, she knew Vikki would go home for the holiday. Her mom would make her stop by for Christmas breakfast and she would stop by her dad‘s the night before. But normally holidays were spent running between Cody’s families house and this was the first here they wouldn’t be. She had made sure to invite them to drop by Christmas evening, but that was only for the benefit of Cait.

 

James cleared his throat and crossed his arms over his bare chest, “Actually Sara I was wondering if you wanted to come to this family friends thing we do at the rink. It’s the day after we get back from our road trip. I think Cait would really like to be out on the ice with everyone. It’d be a lot of fun.”

Sara was caught up in staring at his chest and the way his muscles bunched when he crossed him arms  to really realize what he was saying. She snapped out of her own inner thoughts when Vikki nudged her. “Oh yeah…maybe. I’ll see what her doctor says today.” She answered, blushing slightly and refusing to meet James’ eyes and his cheeky grin.

 

“Ok you guys really need to go get dressed. We’re losing our minds here, being single ladies and what not.” Vikki said with a laugh as she pushed the 3 boys out of the kitchen, giving Geno a slap on the ass for good measure.

 

After everyone left that afternoon, Sara and Vikki took Cait to the dreaded doctor’s appointment. The nurses led Cait into the radiology room, leaving Sara and Vikki to wait in the hallway. Sara didn’t know who was passing more, her or Vikki. She could tell that Vikki had something on her mind on top of what Sara was going through. After 10 years of friendship they had learned to read one another. After 20 minutes, Sara couldn’t take much more of her friend biting her nails and just muttering to herself. “Vikki what’s wrong?”

 

“Huh? Oh nothing. Just ya know, hate this waiting.” Vikki answered, walking back and forth in front of Sara who had finally decided to sit down.

“Bullshit, I know you. You’re fidgeting.” Sara looked at her with a raised eyebrow and disbelieving look.

 

Vikki just shook her head and finally sat down beside Sara, “I don’t want to talk about it right now. Just like you don’t want to talk about the sexy kiss that James gave you after rescuing you from Cody”

Sara still couldn’t help the blush that crept up her cheeks and nodded, “I don’t. But I need something to take my mind off what’s going on behind that door and your misery is so helpful.” Vikki smirked and chuckled slightly but before she had a chance to explain what was bothering her, Dr. Cooper stepped out of the room with Cait beside him. The look on his face made Sara’s stomach drop. Sharing a look with her friend, Vikki knew to grab Cait’s hand and pull her down the hallway so he could give Sara the news.

“Unfortunately even though she’s been sick, the chemo isn’t killing the cancer cells and we will have to do another round of it. We can put it off until after Christmas. This time it will be stronger, she will probably lose her hair and spend long time in the hospital. But as for right now, just be careful with her. There‘s no restrictions on her, just keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. And then after Christmas we‘ll start the treatment.” Sara nodded as she kept her eyes on Cait who was playing in the hall with Vikki. Dr. Cooper continued to tell Sara what they can expect and what they will hope to happen. She didn’t have the heart to tell Cait just yet what was going to happen. The doctor gave her a pat on the arm before walking back towards his office. Before heading back over, she quickly sent James a text telling him how the appointment even though she knew he was probably already in the air by now. She left a voicemail for Cody and one for her mother before heading back over and grabbing Cait’s hand. “Come on, lets go get a Christmas tree”

The next few days were filled with decorating the house for Christmas and trying to get caught up at work since there was going to be more time taken off. The owner reassured her that she could take all the time she needed, even working from home if that was easiest. James and Sara talked at least once a day and texted every opportunity they had. The kiss they shared was never brought up, and Sara was thankful, she knew she couldn’t get over her embarrassment over how she acted and she also knew that would make the feelings she kept locked away all too real. She could deal with friends, nothing more, even though the kiss was amazing. The evening before the skate at the arena Sara and Vikki were up late baking Christmas cookies since she already promised Geno and Kris she would bring some with her tomorrow.

“Come on Sara. Details. You’ve yet to give them to me. Very disappointing.” Vikki said as she very diligently went to town with the cookie cutter on the counter.

“I’ll give you details as soon as you tell me what’s been bothering you the past few days.” Sara answered, not once looking up from the little Santa Clauses she was decorating.

 

Vikki gave her a disgruntled look, “Ugh fine. It’s stupid Jordan. And his stupid fiancée” Sara stopped what she was doing while she waited for Vikki to continue, already figuring she was going to have to kick someone’s ass. “That night at the club, he was all flirty and touchy with me. And you know, with that much alcohol I get pretty touchy with people. Well after you left, I was just going to have them drop me off, but the boys insisted they wanted to make sure Cait was ok and Jordan said he wanted to spend more time with me. So after breaking up that incredible kiss you two were sharing, I showed them all to the spare rooms. The boys were gonna spilt up in the other 2 rooms since there were those comfy futons and beds in there. But when I was heading down to my room, Jordan stopped and asked if he could hang out. I of course said yes. Next thing I know, we’re in the room and he has me back against the door and he’s kissing me! Not like a little peck on the lips either! I don’t think I could have stopped if it wasn’t for the fact that I heard you and James come up and started to think about what was going on. I told him we couldn’t here. He was all fine with it and told me next time we’d have to go back to my place. So instead of going back to the room with Geno, he crawled in bed with me.”

Sara watched her friend as she dropped her head in her hands, she was feeling a very strong urge to drive to the city and just punch Jordan in the face, but she squashed the feeling as she filled Vikki’s wine glass all the way back up, “So then what happened?”

 

“You remember the comment Tangers made at breakfast right?  Like W-T-FUCKING-F?! Why would he do that?  He was not the least bit intoxicated either.  I just want to go punch him in the face and give him a piece of my mind. He wouldn’t even look at me after Kris made that comment. Like, really buddy? You have some explain to do. I’m gunning for him now!  I have had this done to me so many times and it is not fair for whomever he is with either.” Vikki finished and took a long drink of her wine before going back to work on the cookies. “But enough about assholes. What about you? I now have to live through you since you know I don’t mess with fiancées.”

Sara laughed and took a sip of her own wine, “It was epic.” 

“Just epic? Come on. What did his lips feel like? Seriously, like two more seconds I swear you would have been up on that counter with your legs happily wrapped around him. I saw it, there was like hands and lips everywhere!”

Sara started blushing as she started to think back to that night. The strong powerful kiss he gave her once she gave in. The way he took absolute control with alternating between the deep kisses to light teasing nips along her lips. She couldn’t forget his groan of satisfaction when he found the spot along her collarbone that made her throw her head back and clutch him tighter. And she definitely couldn’t forget the way his calloused hands felt sliding under her shirt, running up and down her back.

Vikki started laughing at her hysterically, “Ok ok, your face says it enough. Epic is it then. Jesus, I think if this keeps going you might actually get to know what an orgasm feels like from sex.” She said, tossing a piece of extra cookie dough at Sara.