Who You Say I Am (A Jai Courtney Fanfic)

Chapter 87-Jai

Jai

I smile as Megan has the little ankle biter on her lap while the other stands in front of me with a dummy in her mouth watching the match. They're not so bad. They're actually sweet and absolutely adorable—especially the one Megan's holding. She looks just like Megan's childhood pictures. Hannah, Megan, and Tabby all resemble each other so much. Even when she spit the dummy earlier, she curled her top lip up just like Megan does... and who wouldn't cave at that face?
The match is definitely not what I was expecting, too. Hockey isn't so popular back home but if there was this kind of an atmosphere, I bet it'd be more so. The fans like a good show and this is definitely it. The teams are playing hard and the fans are into it. We all shout and barrack for the home team. The ankle biters are getting into in, too, and I love it. I actually haven't been to any sort of a match in a while. I just haven't gotten into the American teams in LA and it's been some time since I saw one back home. My mates usually join me and the atmosphere is very different from here—or at least this group. But Megan's brothers are great to be around, taking the piss with each other. I'm laughing and joking right back with them and Kyle. I'm having a bloody fantastic time. 
Beside me Tabby is snacking on some popcorn on Megan's lap. "Look, look, look! Auntie Meg. I lost my tooth," she tells her.
"Really?" Megan says examining what's in her hand. She laughs, "You tricked me, you silly goose." She kisses her head and gives her a gentle squeeze. I look a little closer and it's actually a piece of popcorn. I grin at the little larrikin.
I watch as the fish score again and we all jump up and barrack for them.  They're tied now but there's a break in periods. 
"I'm going to take them to the bathroom," Yvette says picking up Jojo from in front of me. 
"Do you need some help with them?" Megan offers. 
"No, I've got this," her sister-in-law smiles as she carries one and holds the other's hand. 
"Did you want to go pet some dogs?" Megan asks me.  "Or stretch our legs?" she shrugs. 
"Sure," I agree. 
We rise as the others stay here and wait for the next period to start.  I hold her hand as we walk out of the room since it's a little crowded just outside the door.  People are up and about moving around.  We walk down the stairs to the next level and it's even more so.  We don't have to walk far to see people with their dogs in a sectioned off area.  There are all kinds and sizes—big and small, mixed and purebred.  I see labs, huskies, pugs, poodles, poodle mixes, some little breeds I'm unsure of, dachshunds, terriers, boxers, miscellaneous hounds... and this is just at the barrier. 
She's right that they all seem so friendly.  They're not really barking or acting up.  I see one bloke who has a matching jersey with his pup and I can't help but smile at it. 
I observe as Megan goes right up to someone and starts talking to her about her dogs.  I chuckle at how fearless and friendly she is.  She lets her pet the two huskies—one's a Siberian, the other is a white husky.  They both give her attention, one's licking her hand, the other is nuzzling her.  She's laughing and looks back to me.  I grin at her. 
"Not a fan of dogs?" she asks. 
"I didn't say that," I chuckle. 
She thanks the sheila and pets the dogs once more before moving on.  She sighs, "I love the long haired ones but my dad's allergic.  I'm surprised he's okay with Popi's cat but he has been taking a new allergy medicine lately.  Maybe that's helping."
"So that's why they're not here?" I question finally getting it. 
"Yeah," she admits.  "I'm going to have to brush this pet hair off before I go near my dad."
"It's not bad," I tell her brushing a little off her sleeve. 
"Yeah, she must groom them well.  They smelled like they just had a bath," she grins. 
I hold her hand in the crowd but pull her closely when I recall her ex is present.  I almost want to ask her about it but I don't know if that'll bring up a sore subject.  She's happy and smiling and I sort of don't want to ruin the moment. 
I get stopped by a few fans but I hold tightly to her with my left hand—just in case.  We hear a buzzer announcing the next period and we make our way back up the escalator.  I hug her as we go up and she actually seems content, no care about the bogan being present.  I'm glad we didn't run into him as we step back into the box.  The game is just starting back up again and Megan and I take the same seats as before.  I hear there's an announcement of desserts but I'm actually not interested.  I'm enjoying this game surprisingly.  Another biffo breaks out and I can't stop laughing.  It's the same two blokes from earlier.  They must not get along.  They're both pulled off the ice for a penalty. 
"Aren't you going to get an ice cream or something?" Mikey asks Megan. 
"No, thanks," she waves the offer away. 
"Since when do you turn down ice cream?" he laughs.  "I haven't seen you ever turn down ice cream or potatoes before."
"I'm good, really," she responds. 
Tabby climbs up on Megan's lap with a cup of ice cream.  She's smiling and playing with her sister happily while she eats.  I keep my eye on the game watching as they take the puck back and forth unable to score.  The next thing I know is I hear Tabby whinging and I see the ice cream spilt. 
"I've got it," Megan says calmly.  She takes some napkins from Yvette and wipes up the mess.  Then she takes her tights off of her since they're covered in sticky. 
"I'm cold," Tabby frowns and that lip is curling, ready to start crying. 
"It's okay, sweetheart.  I'll go wash and dry these in the ladies room," Megan tells her calmly kissing her head.  "Jai?  Could you hold her for me?"
"Of course," I say taking the little ankle biter.  She hands me the blanket and I cover her up. 
"I dropped my ice cream," she frowns. 
"No worries," I tell her as that lip turns up again. 
"I'm sorry," she says. 
"It's okay," I tell her.  I remember what was in the bag with the blanket and I'm hoping this one is the one who likes creepies.  I pull it out and ask her if she wants it.  The face she makes is priceless as she hugs the hideous thing to her chest. 
"Are you going to marry my Auntie Meg?" she asks me. 
"I don't know about that," I tell her. 
"I like you better than Uncle Spencer," she tells me. 
"Well, thank you," I laugh. 
The little sweetheart snuggles with me and I'm so incredibly touched.  It's been a while since I was really around the little ones and I've missed it—been kind of avoiding them because my heart was broken with the loss of my best mate.  I couldn't understand how something like that could happen to someone so healthy, someone who had so much to live for, so much life in him.  I hold on tightly to the most beautiful child I've ever seen and I'm comforted.  I've missed this kind of closeness, the tenderness and genuine adoration one receives from youth.  It's so different, so less complicated than other relationships.  It's so simple and innocent.  We watch the game and barrack together when our team scores, then we boo and jeer the other team when they do the same.  We're laughing together. 
"Can I touch your beard?" she asks me. 
"Sure," I grin.  All the others in Jamaica did it without hesitation or permission. 
She reaches out and laughs.  "It feels different," she smiles.  She yanks on it and I laugh in surprise. 
"That's not very nice," Megan lectures her as she returns.  "Apologize."
"I'm sorry.  I thought it was fake like Santa Claus," she tells me. 
"Nope, this is real," I chuckle. 
"You better not be pulling on Santa's beard either," Megan comments trying not to laugh.  "You want these back?" she offers Tabby. 
She nods and climbs off of my lap.  Megan helps her to slide back into them and she notices the centipede. 
"So, what do you think of the gift Uncle Jai bought you?" she asks her. 
Tabby smiles, "She's beautiful."
"What do we say?" Megan asks her. 
"Thank you Uncle Jai," she says and she hugs me and kisses my cheek. 
My heart melts at that.  "You're welcome, love," I tell her.
Megan hands her a new cup of ice cream and takes part of the blanket from me so all three of us are using it.  "Now you have to hold on tightly to this one.  You either eat or play, not both at the same time," Megan tells her.  She nods in response and eats the dessert. 
I grab Megan's hand and we sit and watch the game together.  I'm surprised when Artie and the fam get ready to leave before the game ends. 
"Leaving already?" I question. 
"Yeah, the kids can't take the traffic home.  It was nice to meet you.  Maybe we'll see you again soon.  We could have you two over for dinner and I can convince Megan to hold something poisonous," he teases.
"Not gonna happen," Megan laughs.  "Dinner would be nice, though.  Oh, Mom just texted me that she'll watch the girls for you two so you can have a date night before the baby is born."
"Oh, awesome!" he says excitedly.  "Tell her I owe her one."
"She's a grandma.  You're doing her a favor.  Just take it and say thank you," Megan chuckles. 
"Can do," he waves.  "Gotta beat the traffic."
"Bye," I wave back. 
We watch as the game ends in a tie.  Mikey rubs his hands together in excitement.  "These are always the best," he tells Kyle and me. 
"Is it sudden death or something?" I ask. 
"Five minute overtime with three players each.  Whoever scores first wins.  If nobody scores then it's a shoot out," Megan explains as we observe the six players take the ice. 
"This is pretty exciting," I agree. 
We watch as the teams face each other going back and forth with the puck.  There are several shots aimed at the goal—they're either deflected or complete misses.  The two fighters go up against the wall but split apart quickly.  Messing around isn't worth the game to them—I'm sure.  The five minutes are almost up and I'm expecting a shoot off soon when someone from the home team fakes a shot and then hits it in while the goalie dives.  Everyone in the stadium jumps up in surprise.  We're all shouting in shock and joy at that awesome win.  I see Megan high five her brother and she hugs me. 
I laugh in surprise.  "I think you're making me a hockey fan," I admit. 
"This is a fun team to watch," she smiles. 
"We'll see you later," Mikey and Kyle wave as they bolt to the door. 
"So... traffic gets bad leaving, huh?" I question. 
"Yeah, but I need to use the ladies' room," she tells me. 
"Alright," I nod and follow her out. 
I see a line as she opens the door.  I step into the men's room and come out a moment later.  A woman exists and I notice she's still waiting.  I lean up against the wall in relief.  I am nervous about running into the ex now.  I'm hoping he's long gone but I keep an eye on both sides.  Megan comes out a few minutes later. 
"Sorry, there was a line," she explains.
"No worries," I laugh.