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tyler

The little bump wasn't hard to get over. We talked over the points of the conversation, figuring out where we were both at. I was grateful to find I could admit my real fears and she didn't judge me. I should've known I could trust Halle like this. Yet somehow I hadn't been able to express my real feelings before. Now, a new barrier had been broken down. It made me want to cherish her even more. We'd stayed calm and talked things over. Like adults. We didn't scream at each other and separate for days without talking. We worked through the problem together. Like a unit. Like we were supposed to.

The way we'd figured out what we both really wanted made me sure of what I'd known all along. She'd caught me off guard with the sudden question, and I knew I hadn't responded right. Once I'd explained my side, she'd relaxed. Everything I'd said after had been the truth.

Did I imagine a future with Halle? Absolutely. Every day. I would leave the city and start now if it was the right now if it was right time. I'd been hesitant because of my career and her schooling. I didn't want to force her to take attention away from her passion.

And frankly, at this point in my career, I didn't think a family was a good idea. I was constantly traveling and away from home. There was a reason other players with the same caliber of expectations hadn't had kids for years into their career. Sidney Crosby wasn't even married yet. It was too much to handle. The press, the fans, other players. I couldn't imagine what reaction I'd get from them. Criticism and hate, most likely. Not like I didn't get that on the daily. I avoided it at all costs.

That was what Halle and I had settled on. We were too young. The times would come. For now, we were content to living on our own and fulfilling our careers. However, marriage was an easier feat. If I could call it that. I knew we were both ready for that. Maybe not now, but within the next two years.

That was my mindset as my third season in the NHL inched forward. I would marry that girl. When, I didn't know. I wanted to set a date to pop the question, but training camp got in the way. After training camp, it was the season openers. Then regular games. Before I knew it, the remainder of 2021 was winding down. Life was flying at an incredible pace. And most of it was away from Halle.

She was always waiting for me when I got home, dutiful as ever. She was perfect in every way. She kept me fed and helped me stretch out. We went on dates or snuggled my off nights away. She worked on her schooling like crazy, keeping her grades up. We had so little time together that Christmas was a welcome break.

We'd agreed to spend it at home in Chicago. We both wanted to see our respective families, but we both needed the time together.

I returned home from a long game to find our apartment completely decked out. A large white artificial Christmas tree was placed in the center of the open living room. There were other ornate snowflake decorations throughout the room. The time and effort put into turning our apartment into a winter wonderland was impressive. I grinned at Halle, who was sitting by the flat fireplace reading a book. She scrambled to her feet when she saw me.

"Hey! You're early."

"Just a little." She wrapped her arms around me, looking up with a gaze of adoration.

"I missed you. Don't leave again."

"Mm not for a few days." Her eyes glittered dangerously. "How were your exams?" She shrugged.

"Not bad. Could've done better with my physics, but that's never been my strongest."

"You probably got, like, an eighty-five. At least. I couldn't manage a sixty."

"And that's why you're the hockey player and I'm the aspiring biologist." She smirked. I shrugged.

"Makes sense. I'm the brawn you're the brains." She tapped her head.

"Exactly. I just made some hot cocoa. Want some?"

"Yes please. It's freezing outside." My eyes traveled to the weather outside the windows. It was dull and overcast. Snow was predicted within the next hour. I'd slipped in at the right time. Halle started away from me, her fluffy socks making no sound against the floor. I didn't hide the fact that I was admiring the pajama pants she was wearing.

"Cream?"

"Sure." I followed her to the island, taking a seat. "Nice penguins." She stuck her tongue out at me.

"They're comfortable."

"I like them. I just think they'd look better on the floor." She blushed.

"Do you want hot chocolate or is your mind somewhere else?"

"Yes." I leaned back, grinning. She rolled her eyes.

"I get you just came home but control yourself for at least an hour."

"You wouldn't run around in a sports bra if you really wanted me to settle down." She crossed her arms across her bare stomach. "I don't get how you can be cold enough for fluffy pants but still run around with just that on."

"Shirts are constricting." She shrugged.

"And I feel the same way but you don't see me running around shirtless."

"That's a lie." She scoffed, setting the mug down.

"You won't see me with my shirt off the entire Christmas break." She let her eyebrows raise.

"Is that a challenge?" There was a note of playfulness to her voice. I smirked.

"It's whatever you want it to be, babe."

"I like that idea." She walked over to me. Her fingers trailed down the front of my coat. "So you wouldn't mind if I...unzipped this?"

"No, I still have two layers left." I let her pull the warm jacket from my arms. I was left in a sweatshirt over a thin black T-shirt. She worked on the sweatshirt as well, pulling it up. When her fingers danced on the hem of the T-shirt, I pushed away from the island. She gave me a glare of annoyance as I disappeared into the bedroom. I knew she would follow.

Just to annoy her, I picked up a controller from the armchairs. Halle glared again when she entered.

"Oh come on. You can't get me all excited then cut it off."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I innocently stated. I could tell she was getting flustered.

"Jesus, Tyler. Just get over here and fucking kiss me."

She didn't have to ask again. I was at her side in a second. My hand hovered around her bare waist, waiting as long as possible to pull her in. By the way she bit her lip, I could tell just how hungry she was. I smirked. I couldn't help teasing her more.

"I'll kiss you, but I'm not taking my shirt off." My words were a light whisper. She groaned.

"I don't care." She crashed her lips into mine. Before I knew what she was doing, her hands had wormed the shirt halfway up my chest. She wouldn't let me push it back down. I gave up, pulling back so she could pull it over my head. She admired my torso, grinning. "There. Much better."

I tilted her chin back up. Her eyes were sparkling with mischief.

"Eyes up here, sweetheart."

"I don't get to see you for four days and you won't let admire the goods? Not fair."

"Oh I didn't say that...just might be more comfortable from the bed." She let a squeal as I swept her up and over my shoulder. I carried her the few steps to the bed. Gently, I placed her down on top of the soft comforter.

With one hand I swept her hair away from her face. With the other, a trailed my hand down her thigh. The sensation wasn't the same with the thick pants in the way. I made quick work of them. As soon as her legs were free, I pulled her thigh vertically up again. My fingers traced a line from her knee to the top of her underwear. I paused there before leaning down to kiss from the band up the center of her torso. I stilled her as she began to writhe from the feeling. I didn't stop leaving kisses until I reached her mouth. Before I kissed her, I murmured against her skin.

"You're so damn hot. You know what matching underwear does to me." I didn't give her the chance to respond. Her hands pressed against my chest as I kissed her hungrily. I shuddered when they began to run down my sides.

She traced the outline of my muscles. Her nails created a sensation that made me shiver. I hissed when she pressed in slightly. She knew how that affected me. It made me want to do some unholy things. I looked down to find her smirking up at me.

"See, aren't you glad you took your shirt off?"

I didn't respond. I couldn't. The woman drove me crazy and there was nothing I could do but act physically.

My hands went to her bra, shimmying it up and over her head. Halle grinned up at me as she did the same to my sweatpants. I kicked my feet free as soon as they were low enough. When I was left in just my boxers, I returned my hungry attention to her bare skin. My hands trailed up her side, until I reached her arm. I pushed it over her head. When I'd done the same to the other one, I pinned them both with one hand. Halle let out a groan as I feverishly kissed at her neck, but there was nothing she could do to return the favor.

I finally let her hands go so I could pull her legs up. I grinned down at the look on her face.

"I love you Ty." She murmured. Her hands traveled up to tangle in my hair. I let my head drop.

"I love you too." My hands finally worked her underwear down. She let out a gasp as pull her up into a sitting position. With her legs straddling mine and our chests pressed together, I was completely content. We were comfortable with each other. There wasn't fear and there wasn't uncertainty.

I was hers and she was mine. They way we interacted with each other was the strongest testament to that. I knew what made her click, what drove her crazy.

Halle rose slightly until she was comfortable. The position put her collarbone at my throat, which I took advantage of. Gently, I nipped at the skin across the bone. My hands, holding her tightly at her back, shifted her in a rhythmic movement. Halle let her head fall backwards, sighing contentedly. I smirked against her skin.

Merry Christmas, Halle.

&&&

We spent the next day, Christmas Eve, by ourselves. We slept late after the adventures of the previous day. Halle made dinner for the two of us, which we enjoyed sitting on the floor while watching the snow flutter outside. It was a peaceful day of relaxation by the tree. We watched Christmas movies and drank champagne until we couldn't keep our eyes open anymore. I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend the holiday.

There was something about letting go and not worrying about my image when I was with Halle. I could be myself without the stress of constantly making sure I was doing the right thing and not making career mistakes. When the eyes of the press were on me, I didn't have breathing room. Halle gave me that leeway to relax. I was certain that she was the motor behind my drive. Without her confidence and support, I'd be lost. Floating alone in a world of crushing pressure and unforgiving people.

I let her know just how much I appreciated her presence relentlessly. So much that I think she got sick of hearing it. I didn't care. She deserved to hear it a million times over.

Christmas made me particularly appreciate relaxing with her. For someone who'd grown up without a true Christmas experience, Halle made me feel like this was an annual regular. Like I'd never known anything else.

I wanted this experience every year. I wanted to relax with her in front of sparkling lights with cheery Christmas music and frigid weather outside. We didn't need to exchange presents, but we did anyway.

A few weeks prior, while playing in New York City, I'd dropped by a fancy jewelry store and ordered her a custom necklace. It wasn't anything like the last necklace she'd received, the Stanley Cup pendant that matched my ring, but I hoped it was something she liked. It was unique to her and who she was.

The necklace was silver, with a delicate trim that connected at the letters 'HJF,' her initials. The letters themselves were adorned with shining diamonds that caught the light and sent fragments of color across the room. It was a simple and smaller piece of jewelry, but I was rather proud of my selection.

When I presented the elongated velvet box to Halle, she blushed deeply. It wasn't the only present, but it was the highlight of my purchases. One that I'd saved for last.

And like the days before, seeing her light up when she opened the gift was priceless. I finally had someone to spoil and treat like a princess. I'd do anything to help her live comfortably. I had the means to supply her with the best life possible. I intended to do that for her for the rest of our lives.