Disclaimer : I don't own nowt so there!
CASNYL21 : Thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
XSARAH : All that Adam going to NY and Connie going to MN could have easily been stopped if they'd actually communicated lol, don't you agree lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
CAKEEATER : WHOA! I can't believe you've just admitted that I'm turning you into a Connie/Adam fan. Quick I better write that one down lol. I didn't really want to write a fight, but I thought, nah, no-one's that perfect not to ever argue lol. I should have at least made them go on a break shouldn't I lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!
Chapter 7
"To be my husband, my partner in life, my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever". She spoke softly, as she repeated her vows after the vicar. I couldn't wait for my married life to start. No day would be the same, I had learnt long ago, that she certainly took the bore away from life…
It was a week away from thanksgiving. We had all decided, to spend thanksgiving together, as we would spend Christmas with our families. So since Goldberg, Averman, Russ and Connie were the only home owners out of us all, it was decided that we would celebrate there. It would be mine and Connie's first thanksgiving as a couple this year, and I was hoping to make it special, since we wouldn't be able to spend Christmas together.
However, tonight was the first game Connie had been allowed to play. Though she had joined the hockey team as soon as she started at Minnesota, her new Coach had held off putting her in the games until now. We were all a little apprehensive for her. This was her first game, with a new team. We crowded into the stands, sitting near her teams box, but far enough back so we had a clear view of all the ice.
Both teams suddenly entered the ice, from different ends of the arena, keeping to their respective halves. A big cheer roared throughout the arena, as Connie's team took to the ice. They did the usual warm ups, before gathering around the team benches. We could all see Connie clearly, though she no longer branded her own number. She was now number 34. Somehow, I couldn't help but think number 34 really didn't suite her. After the coach fired them up, the first line players took up there positions, and I noticed Connie wasn't one of them.
The game began, but I didn't pay nearly enough attention as I should have done. I waited in anticipation for Connie to take to the ice. She wasn't sent out in the first period at all, and I had noticed the team were struggling slightly to keep the 1 point lead.
"Why the hell doesn't he send her out. She could probably take half of those players down, and score 10 times more than they have already". Charlie complained, however I was inclined to agree with him.
"Yeah, but haven't you noticed, there's another 2 players he isn't using as well as Connie". Guy pointed out.
I remembered Connie mentioning the two girls. Tam and Crystal, I think she had called them. They too had been late joining the team, and this was also their first game. Half way through the second period the team were really struggling, it seemed we weren't the only ones to notice the 3 players still sat on the bench, unused. Some of the fans further back were beginning to shout comments at the coach.
"This is ridiculous, is he blind". Julie moaned. "HEY COACH. CAN'T YOU COUNT, YOU'VE GOT 19 PLAYERS, NOT 16". She suddenly shouted.
It did nothing though, and Connie still remained on the bench for the rest of the second period. I could tell by the way Connie headed with the rest of the team off the ice, that she was getting fed up. One thing she couldn't stand was being sat on the bench constantly, especially when it was obvious that the rest of the team needed a break. I could only imagine what was going on in the locker room.
"I wish I were a fly on the wall in her locker room". Charlie commented, obviously thinking the same as myself.
We sat silently for the full break between periods. Our apprehension for Connie had turned more into anger. She was a good player that was going to waste, just because her coach obviously had a problem with her joining the team late. When the team re-entered, there was less of a cheer for Connie's team, than there had been when the first came out. The first 5 minutes of the period, things went pretty much the same, though we were still one point up, if the team carried on the way they were, it would remain that way for long.
I watched my eyes wide, as the coach headed toward Connie and the two other girls, whispering something to them, before walking back to his original position. It was then, I thought there was a glimmer of hope that Connie would get to play.
"BARRETT, MOREAU, HOPKINS CHANGE IT UP". With those magic words, a cheer rang out throughout the arena.
I watched proudly as Connie bounded over the barrier and took her position on the right wing. We all cheered loudly for her, like proud parents. The ref blew his whistle and dropped the puck. Game commenced immediately, though my eyes were no-where near the puck, they were solely on Connie. The player nearest her, barreled toward her, intending to send her flying to the ice, however Connie held off moving until the last second, then dove out of the way, leaving one foot behind, allowing herself to trip the player, on seeing this the whole arena began cheering. As soon as the player was down, Connie skated speedily away, positioning herself ready for the puck. She caught the pass, circled around a few players before passing it back.
She looked so alive out there, skating gracefully around players, positioning herself in all the right spots, working closely with the rest of her team. After a little work, Barrett slipped the puck passed the goalie, giving us a two point lead. An eruption of cheers echoed throughout the arena, encouraging the team. After a quick celebration, the team took their positions once more. The face off was won, and the puck was handled in their own zone. Connie skated around the back of the goal, intending to set herself up into an open position. Without her seeing, one of her opponents barged into her, throwing her hard against the boards.
"BOOOO". We all scrambled to our feet, showing our dislike of the move.
We watched as Connie shook her head and climbed back to her feet, ignoring the check. She continued skating, positioning herself in a very open spot. She had caught the opposing team off guard at how quickly she was able to move after such a vicious check. The puck was sailed toward her, and with plenty of time to get closer to the goal, she took her time, faking the goalie out of her pads, before putting the puck in the back of the net.
"WOOHOO! GO CONNIE". Julie screamed at the top of her lungs, being louder than us all put together.
With 5 minutes left on the clock, it would be no easy task for the opposing team to get 3 goals. Though it was possible, I knew Coach Orion's training would kick in with her, and she'd be ready with defense. They lost the next face off, and though most of her team raced after them panicked, Connie, Barrett and Hopkins chased steadily. Not having a clear shot at the goal, the player with the puck skated around back of the goal, where she met Connie. In a very surprising move, Connie barreled all her weight into crashing the player into the boards, allowing one of her team mates to steal the puck.
"LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR THE BASH SISTER". Fulton and Portman yelled as they bumped chests.
I watched amazed as she chased down the ice, allowing her weight and speed to crash another 3 players into the boards. Though they got close enough to shoot, the goalie deflected the puck, rebounding it into the boards. One of the opposing teams players, picked it up and set off up the ice. Connie chased, and dove in front of them skating backwards. I knew in my heart, she wouldn't make the same mistake as Charlie had often made when we first arrived at Eden, though I still felt a lump in my throat rise.
"FIRST MOVE CONNIE". Charlie shouted, though he was bouncing around, I noticed the nervousness of his movements.
As expected, Connie made her opponent make the first move, before stealing the puck, and hitting it hard across the ice, with only 10 seconds left on the clock. 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… no one had picked the puck up. 1…
"EAGLES WIN". I heard the commentator shout into the microphone.
The team celebrated on the ice for a few minutes, before shaking hands with the other team and heading straight for the changing rooms. We waited for the thickest of the crowd to disappear before we headed toward the exit, standing just inside the doors, where we could see the girls exit the changing rooms one by one, when they were ready. I only partially listened to the conversations the ducks were holding, as I watched Connie's coach headed toward the changing rooms, opening the door very slightly before shouting for Connie, Barrett and Hopkins.
A moment later, Connie followed the two other girls out. Her hair still damp, and pulled back into a pony tail. Her low riding jeans sat snuggly on her hips. She sat her hockey bag down on the floor, as they listened to whatever the coach was saying. Her white tank top rose even higher, as she pulled what I recognized as one of my zipped hoodies on. The sleeves far too long, draped over her fingers. She nodded along with the coach, then answered him, before picking her bag back up, saying what I could tell was a quick goodbye to the other two girls, then headed this way.
"Here comes our lil bash sister". Portman declared, as both he and Fulton picked her up in a tight hug.
"I can't believe you guys all came". She responded to the hug.
"And miss the Connie Meister's debut, no way". Guy replied.
"Hey you". She reached me and leant up, brushing her lips softly against mine.
"Hey you". I replied, responded gently to her kiss.
"Oh please". Averman declared. "Take 5". He joked.
"Arr is Averman feeling unloved". Connie turned around to face him, then stepped closer pretending to pucker up.
"I'm unloved, but not that unloved". He laughed, Connie laughed but went to reach to smack his arm. "Ever heard the word incest". He joked. "Remember, I once shared my crib with you". He told us conspiratorially.
"Oh yeah"? Luis wiggled his eyebrows.
"Averman". Connie moaned. "You weren't meant to tell everyone". She tried to contain her giggles but couldn't.
"Opps, sorry, my bad". He laughed.
"Why wasn't I invited"? Charlie pretended to be hurt.
The 3 of them could go on like this forever. They had this brotherly/sisterly bond, that was rarely seen in friends. We had often joked that they'd still be joking around with each other when they were 90 and sat in the nursing home.
"That's why you weren't meant to say anything". Connie whined.
"We didn't invite you because we knew Julie would be jealous and want to join, and before we knew it you'd be all in there with us". Averman replied seriously.
"Oh". Charlie replied, accepting his reasoning. We all smirked, knowing he'd missed the lie Averman told. "HEY! We didn't even know Julie then". He finally caught on.
"And moving on, before this conversation continues any further down this twisted road it's already on". Ken laughed.
We headed back to Averman, Connie, Goldberg and Russ' place, laughing the whole way. On the way, Portman and Fulton grilled Connie as to how she'd managed to check 3 players in a row, especially since they were all quiet a bit heavier and taller than herself.
"After playing with you guys for 8 years, those girls are nothing compared". Was her answer.
Sunday night, Charlie, Guy, Julie, Ken, Luis and Dwayne all headed back to Wisconsin, ready for classes tomorrow morning. I however made the decision to stay the night with Connie, and get up early tomorrow and head back then. We hadn't really had much time to ourselves all weekend, since the ducks had been around, so any chance I had, to be alone with her, was a moment to grasp with both hands.
"So what times your first class tomorrow"? Connie asked me, and climbed into bed beside me.
"Um, 9.30". I replied, lifting my arm so she could slide underneath.
"What time you gotta leave then"? She turned over, so I could see her face.
"About 7". I answered.
For the next hour, we simply pillow talked, before steadily falling into a deep sleep, a sleep that wasn't broken until the following morning, when Connie's alarm went off. I leant over, and turned it off, before laying back down, giving myself 5 minutes to wake fully. Connie was still fast asleep, her breathing steady and rhythmical. I let out an almost silent laugh, before leaning closer to her and kissing her cheek gently.
"Just 5 more minutes". She mumbled, as she slowly came too.
"I can't baby, I've gotta get going". I kissed her again.
"Ugh, you know I could so hate you for this". She moaned. She had never been a morning person in all the time I had known her.
"But"? I supplied.
"I just can't". She turned over sleepily, and kissed me softly.
10 minutes later, Connie was walking me to my car, still might I add half asleep. I gave her one last kiss, before telling her I'd call her later that evening. I drove away, watching her stood in my rear view mirror. Eventually, she disappeared from sight. The drive back was a pretty steady one, there wasn't an awful amount of traffic on the road since it was still early. It gave me some time to think about Connie. I hated it when we spent the full weekend together, then one of us had to leave. Though our situation was far better than it had been when she'd been in New York.
"So you made it back ok"? Charlie asked, when I let myself into the dorms an hour or so later.
"Yeah". I replied, having a 5 minute break until I had to start thinking about getting my things together.
The following week drifted slowly passed, and before we knew it, it was the day before thanksgiving. I had told my parents, I'd go and see them before I headed over to Connie's. I hadn't exactly realized how late it would be, by the time I had collected everything I needed for the long weekend, and dropped a few of the ducks off at their homes or designated homes for thanksgiving.
By the time I got to my parents it was 9pm. Though my parents had understood the lateness of my arrival, I could tell they wanted me to stay for a few hours. We rarely saw each other at the moment, as whenever I had spare time to visit, they were always busy with one thing and another. My mom obviously missed me more than she let on, as she was drowning me with all my favorite foods, whilst my dad looked on shaking his head sarcastically. After telling them all my news, and catching each other up on what had been going on in each others lives, it had turned 11.30pm. Though I knew I could still go to Connie's, I knew it would be pretty late if I did, so made the decision to stay at my parents, until the following morning, when I'd get up early and head straight over there. I called the house instead of Connie's cell incase she'd gone to bed. Russ picked up, and I told him of my plans.
The following morning, I left my parents for about 8am, much to my mom's dislike, but I reminded her that I was spending Christmas with them so I had to spend thanksgiving with Connie and the ducks. I arrived at Connie's for about 8.30, and at first I wasn't sure whether anyone was up, until I saw Charlie roll into the driveway behind me. I watched amused as he had to drag the very sleepy Julie from the passenger seat. I met them halfway, and we both laughed at Julie's state.
"Be prepared to find Connie looking very similar to her"? Charlie told me, after I'd made a comment to him about letting his girlfriend drink too much.
Everyone was there except Portman and Fulton, though honestly, this was a little early for them. However Fulton had called and informed Goldberg that they were on their way. It hadn't gone un-noticed that there was a few bottles of Coors light sat on the table, and I assumed that was where Connie and Julie had, had their girlie night, as the living room was littered with macho films such as Terminator and Rocky.
"Connie's still in bed". Averman told me, as he began tidying the place slightly. "Didn't get to bed while late, did ya Jules". He purposely shouted loudly in her ear. She swung for him, but he ducked and carried about his business, knowing she wouldn't get up to chase him.
After spending another few minutes with everyone, I headed upstairs to go and wake Connie up. I quietly let myself into her room, seeing her laid in the middle of the double bed, arms and legs stretched out in starfish style. The quilt covered her from mid thigh and then draped off the end of the bed. I noticed she was wearing my shirt from the night we shared our first kiss, and it was then I realized she'd never given it back. She was wearing a pair of shorts, that didn't really match the shirt, but it wasn't as though she went shopping or anything in them. I knelt on the bed next to her, before leaning forward and planting an array of kisses on her neck. I heard her murmur, but she didn't wake. I tried again, but still nothing.
"C'mon Con, everyone's here baby". I whispered, nudging her gently.
"Bugger off". She finally mumbled in a British accent for some reason, and started falling back to sleep. "Too early".
"It's not that early". I laughed to myself. "If you don't get up in 5 seconds, I'm gonna carrying you down the stairs". I told her, smiling as she buried her head under her pillow.
"I dun whanna". I could barely make out.
"Right, you asked for it". I told her, grabbing her arm and dragging her toward me, before lifting her up, and positioning her waist on my shoulder.
As I lifted her into the position firemen carry victims, I noticed she was wearing bed socks, though one was half hanging off. I reached forward, pulling them both off, before dumping them on the floor of the room and heading downstairs. When I got to the bottom, I felt two hands grab my butt.
"Is that my ass"? I heard a mumble. "Man, my ass is fine". Then she smacked my butt with both hands.
"You're still drunk aren't ya"? I laughed.
"Noo, NO". She declared.
When I walked in with her over my shoulder, everyone cracked out laughing. Averman decided to bend down and look up into her face that was surrounded by hair.
"AVERMAN"! She screeched.
She grabbed hold of his shoulders, and he stood up, allowing me to put her feet firmly on the floor. When she realized we had let go of her, she went to sit down on the spare chair, but as she went to sit, Charlie pulled the chair away, and she landed with a bump, right next to the coffee table. We all set about laughing at her shocked expression, before Julie finally helped her up. She was handed a cup of strong coffee. She frowned on her first taste, but by the time she'd drunk it all, she was more awake, and less hung over.
Chef Goldberg, spent most of the morning, preparing the food, and only when the turkey was put in, did we decide to go down to the basketball courts 2 blocks away and have a quick game. Someone, more than likely Charlie, decided that we'd walk there. When we got onto the street, Connie leapt onto my back, and I carried her all the way there. When we ended up on different teams, she informed me, that she'd had to tire me out before we got there. I laughed at her 'brilliant' idea.
We had a quick game, neither team keeping count on how many goals were scored. I noticed the difference in everyone's game though. Julie seemed to have bettered herself even more. Normally, I could get 2 out of 3 shots passed her, but that had now dropped to 1 out of 3. There wasn't any checking allowed, since non of us have pads on to make it less painful, however I was marveled by how Connie and Fulton seemed to work together incredibly well. There was even comments made that we had found Portman's replacement.
After an hour of playing, well all headed back, where Goldberg put the finishing touches to the dinner, as we all moved the furniture to make room to pull out the massive, and I mean massive dining room table out. It was meant to sit 8, but we squeezed a few more chairs around. By the end of the 3 courses Goldberg had prepared, I was stuffed and couldn't move. We left the dishes and almost crawled into the living room, where we just sat around, not being bothered to do much else.
"I think we ought to play eye spy". Julie suggested after about an hour, of the odd word every so often.
"NO". We all replied.
We sat like that for the remainder of the afternoon, and evening. There was a light conversation, but nothing too dramatic. Eventually, night fell, Charlie and Julie disappeared back to his moms, Portman and Fulton took Luis and Dwayne back to there place for the night, and Guy took Ken, leaving me, Connie, Averman, Russ and Goldberg. We sat and watched TV until we all started yawning, then retired to bed.
"So, Mr. Banks. This was our first thanksgiving together as a couple". Connie huddled closer to me under the sheets.
"First of many". I told her, kissing her jaw.
"Totally agree". She laughed gently.
So what do you think? PLEASE R&R!