Chapter 18 The Stowaway - Yamit Mamo

It should be known I hate Christmas. Hence why I was confused when I ended up writing a Christmas chapter. Anyways this bonus post is happing because I've finished writing 'Part 1' of what I've taken to calling the All or Nothing Saga. Hope you enjoy the adorable perfection that is Kris & Sarah at the holidays.


Three days off for Christmas wasn’t much. As it turned out Sarah and Kris both had traditions on Christmas Eve that they weren’t able to give up. So Kris was bound for Montreal and Sarah for West Virginia. It was so strange their traditions were so similar but so different at the same time. Sarah’s Christmas Eve started early in the morning cooking several hams in the ovens of her G-Dad’s bar. Christmas was meant to be shared and the bar was a place she was used to spending her holidays. Her G-Dad didn’t let anyone go unfed on the holiday. All were welcome to eat with their family. Kris on the other hand awoke to the smells of his Mother baking. Spending most of the day in pajamas or sweats he would help decorate and clean up the nativity set placing it under the tree.

Sarah’s Grandma was a churched woman. She went to mass at least once a week and when she could force her grandchildren out of bed she would take them with her. Sarah didn’t mind mass on Christmas. The church was warm with the glow of candle light at the midnight mass she attended in her Grandmothers memory. She could never get her G-Dad or brother to go with her. This year was like all the others in that respect. Kris dressed up for his Mom button down and tie with a sweater she had picked out for him to go to mass in with her and his Step-Father. He didn’t attend church all that often but Christmas was special.

Sarah always came home to find the bar had been cleaned up and her Dad and brother gone to bed or more her G-Dad in his chair in the living room with the Pope doing midnight mass on the tv. She would always cover him up turning the tv off before heading to bed herself. Kris’ night was just beginning as gifts were opened after Mass. His Mom had taken to getting him gift cards and a few little things to remind him of his childhood over the last few years. She knew shopping for him would be useless.

Christmas morning for Sarah loved waking up to the smells of G-Dad making breakfast. Always fried eggs, toast and sausages. It’s what it always was and Sarah wouldn’t change that for the world. Then it was just her, Rus and her G-Dad. The three of them exchanged gifts. Sarah had gotten each of the guys a jersey. G-Dad wanted one with Kris’s name on it and Rus had requested Geno’s name and number. Things went well considering the drama from earlier in the fall. Rus was making an effort to get help with his problems and his PO was making sure Rus actually followed though. Archie Pearson was just happy to have his ‘kids’ there.

Sarah was still in her pajamas never having changed when she heard her cell phone ringing in her room that evening; Christmas evening.

“Joyeux Noël.” Kris said on the other end of the line.

“Joyeux Noël.” Sarah said a smile spreading wide on her face. “How’s it going? How’s your Mom? Did you have good food?” she asked peppering him with questions curious about how his holiday was going.

“Everything is great.” he said though there was now a bustle of people in the background. “Can I ask a favor?” he said obviously shielding the phone from outside noise.

“Sure anything Kris you know that.” She was concerned now hoping everything was ok with him and his family.

“Can you pick me up from the airport at midnight?” her brows knit. She had planned on picking him up the next evening not this evening.

“Yeah, is everything ok?”

“Yes. Alls well. I just got an early flight. There is important person in Pittsburgh I have to see. I am missing them.” he said finally having found a quiet corner of the airport. “Max and I switch flights. It was difficult but we got it done.” he explained. Max was for sure playing some kind of Santa/Cupid hybrid in this situation.

“Yeah. I’ll be there. I have my tree up if you want to come to my place.” she bit her lip not wanting to read to much into his actions. It sure seemed like he cut his vacation short to come home and spend time with her.

Kris loved his family but it seemed weird not to be with Sarah at some point over the holiday. When he was scheduled to be home he would be jumping back into a practice and then a game right away. He loved his job but getting to experience a first Christmas with his Girlfriend was something he didn’t want to miss. So he called the airlines and then when nothing was available he called Max. He knew Max had an earlier flight having complained about not being able to stay another day with his family. It took some begging and name dropping to get their reservations switched but Kris managed it.

Broaching the subject with his Mother was a little more difficult. He had mentioned Sarah numerous times but cutting his trip home short to be with her? Well he expected the worst kind of reaction. Instead he was greeted with a quiet understanding. That and a threat of death if he cut out on the longer Olympic break he would have to visit Montreal. Then there was a shocker from his Mom. She requested he bring Sarah with him in February.

“Um….” he kind of chewed on his bottom lip pondering her request. “It is up to Sarah but I think she will agree. You should know she does not speak French.” he said watching his Mother out of the corner of his eye.

“I figured as much she is American.” she replied with a shrug.

“She’s learning though.” he clarified.

“Good.” was all his Mom said going about the business of the day.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was 11:45 when Sarah arrived at the airport parking in the temporary lot to meet Kris. He said he didn’t have luggage so they were skipping baggage claim. She checked her watch nervously. She had not he new cream colored sweater and dark jeans her G-Dad had gotten her. Really Sarah knew he enlisted the help of Nessa having done that since Sarah was 12. It made things easier on everyone.

She spotted him at 11:58 and he was running. She had an obviously confused look on her face as he caught her in his arms at full speed.

“I had to make it before Christmas was over.” he said against her shoulder as he held her close.

Sarah’s eyes welled up and tears fell onto his shirt collar where her head was buried. “No one has ever come home for me.” she mumbled against him.

“I will. Always.” he said his hand stroking over her hair.
________________________________________________________________________

They went ‘home’ to Sarah’s apartment where they exchanged gifts. Sarah had gotten him a new tie being sick of the blue spotted one he had deemed ‘lucky’ a few games for his psp, one of which she knew some of the other guys were also getting so they would be able to play together. And a new bedding set. His old one was leaking down from somewhere and she was tired of picking tiny feathers off of one another all the time. Kris had gotten her a Burberry trench. She tackled him on her living room floor. She had always wanted something this nice but never in a million years would she have bought it on her own.

They went to bed then content and happy in flannel pajamas. She rested snuggly with her back to his chest his arms around her holding her close to him as he snored lightly into her hair. This was one new Christmas tradition she could get used to celebrating.