Bridge over troubled waters

19| Reputation

Corey

Christmas Day finally falls upon us and deep down I was actually excited. I can't tell Bailey that for I would NEVER hear the end of it. She would take it so far and talk about Christmas plans for next year and I just don't have the energy for that. But I was still excited because I promised to spend the whole day with her and I know it was going to be a lot of fun. Never a dull moment with her. I feel like this whole month it's been me and her and someone else, I was ready for some Corey and Bailey time. Or Corley as she would say, but I would rather die then be called that. It makes me cringe.

"Okay, scoot over a tiny bit more" Bailey instructs and I let out a long groan. After she sends me a death glare I shuffle a little to the left and look at her to make sure I was where I need to be. "Okay, perfect" she tells me.

She clicks a button on her camera before she runs over and jumps up into the air. "Catch me" she yells and I catch her in my arms.

We had our Christmas PJs on and she was forcing me to take our silly Christmas picture on Christmas morning. She turns to the camera and smiles and I do too. The flash goes off and we both groan a little and start blinking a bunch of times. I try not to drop her but that thing was so bright I'm not really sure where the floor was.

"Alright, put me down" she begs.

"Nope" I say.

"Oh come on" she whines. "Put me down."

"Never" I yell.

I take off and run around her apartment as she wraps her arms around my neck so she won't fall. She laughs loudly as I act like I was going to drop her a few times but don't do it. I could never let her fall. Finally I toss her onto the couch and her laughter starts to slow down. She moved all her hair out of her face as she smiles up at me.

"I hate you" she accuses.

"Telling lies like this... and on Christmas? You should be ashamed" I tease.

"Shut up and bring me my camera" she begs.

So I go and get the camera off the stand and take it to her. I sit next to her on the couch as we look at the picture. "Awh it's cute" she coos and I shake my head. We looked like complete idiots.

"I can't believe I let you do this to me. I have a reputation to uphold you know" I say.

"Oh? And what is that" she smirks. She had that "your reputation doesn't mean a thing to me" look on her face as she messed with me.

"You little shit" I accuse and she smiles. She lightly hits my chest as she hops up from the couch.

"I'm going to go send these off and wish everyone a merry Christmas and I'll let you change this time. Meet me here in 15 minutes to watch Rudolph and drink some hot chocolate" she says.

"Yes mam" I say with a salute. She rolls her eyes and just smile because it's hard not to this time of the year.

So I go back to my place and get out of those awful pajamas. I throw them in my laundry basket before changing into a pair of jeans and a nice sweater. I grab my gift for Bailey and head back on over to her place.

She already had the hot chocolate cups filled to the brim and the movie cued up on the tv. I run over and jump into her lap and she lets out a grunt. I lay there across her lap face down just laughing as she tries to get me off of her. She slaps my butt extra hard and I let out a yelp. I rub my ass where she hit me and she just laughs.

"Ass hole" I accuse.

"Bitch" she argues.

"Fuck face" I say.

"Oh! That's a new one I like that one. I'm gonna use it" she claims.

"The wonders of being in professional hockey" I insist.

"Alright. Then it is now time for Christmas movie specials and not leaving the couch for 10 hours" she claims.

"But first" I say pulling the bag out from under me. "Present time" I smile.

"We exchanged presents when our families were here" she reminds me.

"What I really wanted to give you wasn't ready yet. But it's ready now" I insist as I shove the bag in her face.

She reluctantly takes it and removes the filling. She reaches in the bag and pulls out the gift.

I got her already famous music painting turned into a hoodie. She always loved her art hoodies and I figured she would appreciate it. It didn't cost a whole lot but I know she would love it. It's one of a kind like here and when she gets famous she can wear it and people will recognize her. I wanted her to have something special and I know that piece was so I know this sweatshirt would be too. To know that I believe in her art and that I wanted to show the world her talent.

The smile on her face told me everything I needed to know about whether or not she liked it. I see a tear in her eye as she turns to me. "Corey... I don't know what to say. This is amazing" she whispers.

"I got one made for me too. We can wear them out around the city and when people ask where we got this kick ass sweatshirt I'm going to tell them that my best friend made it and if they want something like it, well they can't. Because there's no one out there like you doing what you do" I insist. I wipe a tear from her eyes as she sniffles a little. "Why are you crying" I ask.

"The holidays make me emotional" she claims. "And I don't understand why the hell you're so good to me" she admits.

"Isn't it obvious" I ask.

"Not anymore it's not" she hiccups.

I look into her eyes and I can tell this was not the time for this. It's Christmas and I made her cry and I already feel awful for it. She's pretty emotional as is, she feels things harder than anyone I know. So I make her pull on the sweatshirt then I pull her into my lap. We didn't have to do this today. I say that every time something like this happens, but it's Christmas and it's really not time to have our come to Jesus moment. She just rests her head on my shoulder and I hand her the cup of hot chocolate she had been drinking out of. I press play on the dvd and we watch our Christmas movie.

"Corey" she says softly.

"Yeah Bai-by" I reply.

"Thank you" she says.

"For what" I wonder.

"For all the times I've been a mess and you don't say anything. You just hold me because you know that's what makes me feel better. For caring about me in ways that don't make any sense to me. I know things have been different recently. I know you want to say things you can't. But thank you for being there for me at the end of the day" she explains.

I pull her chin so she had to look me in the eyes. I know she feels bad because of the situation we find ourselves in. But trust me, nothing felt bad when I was with her.

"I don't care what happens as long as I have you" I assure her.

"I'm yours" she promises.