#Mackdavid au

[ladylooch]

Bones - Part 15 [Mack x David]

A/N: I have said this so many times, you are all probably sick of hearing it BUT THIS IS MY FAVORITE CHAPTER!!!! This was the first chapter I wrote for their series and it has stayed mostly the same since I originally wrote it in May 2024. Considering that, I think I've been patient long enough! I can't wait any longer so it's going up a few days earlier than I said. Please, please, please come talk to me about this one 😭 I want to know every single thought that comes across your beautiful brains as you read this. Literally on my knees and begging. Okay, okay, go.. now.. run please! Read! Enjoy 🥹

Word Count: 5.8k

Warnings: Vivid descriptions of child birth, birth trauma (nobody dies, promise!), mentions of bodily fluids including blood.

July

“It’s David. Leave a-”

Mack clicks off the phone as she gets her husband’s voicemail again. She pouts her lips out, looking out the window at where she can see Felix and two other farm hands in the barn. 

Maybe he knows where her husband is. 

Normally, Mack doesn’t worry about where David is at lunch time because he comes home, or she drives out to meet him in the field. Today, neither of those things happened and Mack ended up eating lunch without him. The unusual behavior makes her want to get eyes on her husband to make sure he is okay. 

The closer Mack gets to giving birth to their son, the quieter David has become. Mack knows it’s not about second guessing their choices or any of that. But it is another moment in his life he is navigating through without his parents. She gets to talk to her parents about what this was like for them- creating life, those last few weeks before everything changed, the delivery room. He doesn’t have that and as such, Mack treats those conversations as a luxury.

Mack kicks off her house shoes, then slides into a pair of sneakers. Her belly is so big now, she has to lean slightly to the side to make sure her foot is going into the shoe. The second Mack opens the door and feels the Iowa humidity, she groans. What was she thinking being this pregnant in the summer? Oh yeah, that her husband would be home for the birth. Crazy of her though, to think that being 39 weeks pregnant in the middle of July would be fun. 

She never wants to do a summer baby again. She would do another baby, but not in the summer. Bring on the winter coolness that would help alleviate the furnace of a baby inside of her. Clearly, this one is going to run hot like his daddy.

Mack braces a hand on her back, then grabs the railing to walk the three steps down the porch. Her tired feet scuff along the dirt as she flips her sunglasses down over her eyes, heading towards Felix. When she gets close to the barn, a tickle sticks in her throat as the wind whips up some dry dirt from the road.

“Hi Felix.” Mack murmurs as she pauses at the entrance of the barn. He is working with another farm hand in replacing a section of rotting wood in the far corner.

“Oh! Mrs. Mackenzie, there’s a lot of dust. Stay out there. I’ll come out to you.” Mack can see the dust flying around and wisely stops her forward progress. She stays in the opening of the barn, edging her way back out slightly. “Hi.” He says breathlessly as he comes out to her. “How can I help?”

“Do you know where David is? I’ve been calling to see if he is coming up for lunch but he isn’t answering.” 

“Oh, uh, he’s right there.” He points behind her. Mack turns around, shielding her eyes over her sunglasses. On his knees in black dirt, is her husband, shaping and working in his mom’s rose garden. She didn’t see him with the angle she took out of the house. 

“Ah… wow, I didn’t see him. So sorry for bothering you!” Mack apologizes with a grimace.

“No worries. He should have answered your calls.” Felix gives her a shrug. Mack supposes that is true. But it is not like David to ignore her, especially 39 weeks pregnant.

She walks over to him, hands crossed over her chest as her shoes kick up dust around her feet. The wind is blowing hard today. A storm is set to sweep into the area tonight, bringing with it some cooler, less humid weather. Music to this pregnant woman’s ears. 

“Hey.” Mack calls to David as she gets to the edge of the garden. 

He is shirtless, tanned skin pulling tight over this muscular back, chest, and arms. He has work gloves on his hands, protecting them from the black soil he is working with. Specks of black dot his forearms up to his elbows. The distinct white of his AirPods against his slightly curled black hair tells Mack he is deep in another world right now. She walks around the garden towards the house, getting in his line of vision. He glances up, then immediately sits back on his heels seeing her. Mack’s heart skips a beat, taking in his sexy, sweaty form looking at her like she’s his next meal. 

“Hi honey.” He says, tilting the brim of his ball cap up and wiping at his forehead with his dirty forearm. Dirt smears across his skin. She smiles as he pops an AirPod out. He looks so good right now- her hard working man, grinning at seeing her hand as she strokes her bump. “You okay?”

“I am now.” She murmurs back.

“Now?”

“I’ve been calling you?”

“Oh shit. I’m sorry. Had my notifications off cause I am listening to a pepper podcast. Tryna figure out what the fuck I’m doing wrong with the bell peppers this year. They’ve all got bottom rot out there.” The peppers were for their family use, not the farms, but David takes anything that doesn’t grow perfectly personally. “What’s up?”

“You thinking about lunch anytime soon? It’s after 1.”

“Ah… I’m not that hungry.” Mack bites her lip with worry at his response. David is always hungry. He also was supposed to be out checking fence this morning, but here he is knee deep in his mama’s garden again.

“Okay.”

“Sorry, honey. Were you waiting for me?”

“No. We can’t.” She laughs, tapping her big belly. “Your son wouldn’t allow it.” 

“Our growing boy.” David smiles. He looks down at the garden. “What do you think?”

“It looks great, babe.” She says. “Will be nice to look out at this from the baby’s room.”

“Yeah.” He nods, hands on his thighs as he scans the various colors of rose bushes.

The bedroom in question is the smallest in the house, normally an office, but the closest to the master bedroom, which is on the main level. The house layout is a little discombobulated, but David wants to keep the integrity of the farm house. He isn’t ready to change what it was like for him growing up here. The only work he has done in the house is re-doing the flooring on the main level, put a new coat of paint on, and renovated the shower into a mini spa for himself after a long day of work in the fields. 

“Mama would love it. Good growth this year. I’ve been working on splitting up a few of these big ones. Thought maybe I could plant them by her and dad.” 

“That would be really nice.” Mack nods. “I’m sure your mom would love that. Your dad would allow it.” She smirks. She never got to meet David’s parents, but she knows enough about them to feel confident saying so.

“If mama was happy, he was happy.” David smiles. “Sound familiar?”

“Mhm.” She grins at him. “Come give me a kiss. I’m going back in. My boobs are melting off right now from this heat.”

“Can’t have that.” He murmurs, pulling his gloves off. “I’m filthy.” He warns her.

“I’m well aware of how dirty you are, sir.” She winds her arms around his sweaty body, pulling him down to her height. He smirks against her mouth, making his mustache tickle her nose. She squeaks, pulling away to rub the tickles away from her nostrils. “That thing is out of control. You need to trim it.”

“Not what you were saying this morning.” He jokes. “Ohhhh baby, don’t stop.” His words hiss through gritted teeth like hers were, then he attempts to nip at her neck. 

“Shush!” She slaps his bare stomach, looking over her shoulder towards the barn. “You’re such a dick.” He laughs loudly, pulling away from her. 

“Then you must like me.” He wiggles his eyebrows. 

“Put some more sunscreen on.” Mack calls back to him, slowly meandering her way back towards the porch. She carefully steps up the porch, hand braced on her back and the railing as she does so. She glances over to her husband who watches her with careful, green eyes, then waves one more time before getting his knees back in the black dirt.

- - - & - - -

While the Iowa weather thunders and soaks outside, Mack tries to get comfortable in David’s embrace. She shifts every which way, grabs extra pillows to stuff between her legs, but nothing seems to work. It’s been like this especially since dinner when the storm clouds started to roll in.

“Ugh. This baby is so damn low.” Mack snaps. “It feels like I can’t even close my legs anymore. I might need to put a mirror down there to make sure he isn’t actually coming out.” She throws the pillow she was trying to wedge between her legs across the room in frustration.

“What can I do?”

“Nothing.” She grumbles. David brings a hand to her thigh, rubbing up and down in reassurance.

“You’re amazing, hon. I’m sorry things are tough right now. I love you.” Mack mumbles a thank you. She deeply appreciates that David has sympathy for what her body is going through, and that he regularly tells her how in awe he is of her, but tonight she is grumpy. She doesn’t want him to make anything better. She wants this damn baby out.

Mack only lasts five more minutes of her sour mood and uncomfortably shifting positions. With a final sigh, she wiggles her way to the edge of the couch to stand. David stands too, giving her his hands to help her get up with a limited struggle.

“I’m going to bed.” She tells him. His lips twist into a disappointed frown, but he nods without much fuss. A loud clap of thunder makes Mack jolt in surprise. “Holy mother of…” She trails off in Swiss German. Her heartbeat sprints in her chest as David chuckles then gives her a kiss.

“Well, you’re at least going to lay in bed.”

“Yeah. I guess.” She shakes her head, moving towards the kitchen to fill up her water bottle.

“Goodnight, baby. I’ll be in soon.”

“You don’t have to go to bed because I am.”

“I know. I want to.” He says simply. “Wanna hold you if you’ll let me.” 

Mack smirks in the kitchen, twisting on the top of her water cup before padding through the living room. On her way behind the couch, she drops a kiss on David’s head. She cups his face, gently tilting it back towards her to smooch his lips, stroking his jaw sweetly before continuing on to bed. 

“I love you.” She murmurs over her shoulder.

“Love you, hon.” He calls back.

Mack goes through her night time routine of washing her face, putting on lotions and creams as well as ten minutes of meditation through her Calm app to try and get centered into a less frustrated state. She reminds herself how grateful she is to be pregnant and have the opportunity to bring life into the world. Being pregnant in conjunction with Savannah has encouraged Mack to be appreciative for how easy her and David’s journey has been. Savannah and her have become close, sharing in so many experiences together.

Mack works on a pair of compression shorts and a t-shirt of David’s that allows for her boobs to breathe. She pulls the covers back on their bed, then slides into the cool sheets. She savors the temperature with a little shiver, but knows this feeling won’t last long. She grabs her phone, texting David to turn down the air conditioner before he comes to bed. Even with the storm blowing through, the humidity lingers more than she would like. 

Mack is scrolling through Instagram when David comes into the bedroom. He heads to the closet where Mack observes him pulling back on his work jeans and a clean Carhartt grey t-shirt. He grabs another pair of boot socks, which clues Mack in that he is heading back outside.

“Something wrong?”

“Yeah. I gotta head out to help Bob. A fence blew open and his cattle are scattered along the southern edge of our property and into the road. Gotta round ‘em up.” He flips the light off in the closet. “Just gonna help til his hands are able to get over there.” He puts a warn, Coors hat on his dark locks after pushing his hair off his forehead. “Won’t be long.” He comes to her side of the bed. He puts a hand on her bump, then at the back of her neck, stroking fire across her lips when they touch. 

“Be careful out there.” She tells him. 

“It’s done storming. Well East of us at this point.”

“Yeah, but still be careful.” He smiles, kissing her again.

“Always so worried.” He chuckles, kissing down her chin and chest to her bump. He presses his nose in, green eyes closing as Mack places a hand on the back of his head to cradle it.

“Yeah, cause I don’t want to raise this baby alone.” 

“I’ll never let that happen. Promise, mama.” He murmurs against her belly. “Be good.” If he is talking to the baby or Mack, she can’t tell. 

Despite her best efforts, Mack still cannot get comfortable after David leaves. Again, the baby feels so low and the pressure is almost unbearable. She gets up, wandering around the room, trying to find what position relieves the ache of pregnancy from her body. She practices her breathing exercises, then again tries her Calm app. Still nothing is working. She throws her phone onto the bed in frustration, then says fuck it, and heads to the freezer where pints of Ben and Jerry’s is waiting for her. It won’t solve being pregnant, but it will provide comfort. 

“What flavor do we want?” She asks her belly. She opens the freezer, looking down at the tops of the lids, reading off the options she has. “I feel like… Ew, why did Daddy get Cherry Garcia? We hate that one!” She chuckles, picking it up. It has already been opened, half eaten. David likes the weirdest, most out there flavors sometimes. “Mmm brownie or strawberry cheesecake?” She murmurs, tilting her head. “Strawberry sounds good. And it has fruit in it, so we can both lie about it having nutritional value!” She leans down, grabbing the top of it. As she comes back up, wetness begins to dribble down her right leg. 

Mack pauses. 

She focuses in on her body, then realizes exactly what that liquid is.

“Oh fuck.” She squeaks. She drops the pint of ice cream, then puts both hands on her belly. “Buddy…” She trails off. 

It’s David. Leave a message or I’m not calling you back.

Mack rolls her eyes at his voicemail and hangs up, incredibly more stressed than she was this morning when this happened. She immediately dials his number again. From her perch in the kitchen, she faintly hears a buzz. She pauses, tilting her ear towards the living room to listen better. The sound cuts off when his voicemail plays again.

“Oh you have to be kidding me.” She sighs. She presses his name again, then watches between two couch cushions light up. “What the hell, David.”

Mack puts her hands on her lower back, rubbing vertically up and down the muscles. She closes her eyes as she begins to pace, trying to stay calm as she feels some tightness happening in her back and abdomen. She remembers the coaching from the doctor’s that first time mothers tend to be in labor for awhile. She figures she has time, so there is no need to try to find her husband. She can wait until he returns.

Time is not on her side tonight.

Mack starts to experience intense pain in her abdomen while she is cleaning herself up. She grips the counter in the bathroom, moaning out in pain as another contraction takes over her. These are fast, much faster than she was expecting. She feels her abdomen release it’s tension, then stands back up to her full height. She meets her eyes in the mirror, seeing the intensity of what she is experiencing there. This must be active labor. Is it possible for her to be at this stage already?

With immense struggle, she finishes getting clean clothes on, including her roomiest pajama shorts. From their bedroom, Mack looks across the first few fields to the other house on the property. She can see a single light on in Felix and Lorena’s kitchen. She grabs her phone and the keys to the Gator, then makes her way there as fast as she can. Being alone seems like a terrible idea right now.

After parking, she stands up, then immediately bends over, moaning at the horrible pain rocketing through her. 

“Holy fuck. Why does my ass hurt so bad?!” She screeches in Swiss German. Her knuckles go white around the metal pole of the Gator. Lorena notices from where she is washing dishes at the sink. The front door flies open and she rushes down.

“Are you in labor!?” She exclaims. “Where is David?”

“He went to help Bob and- uhhhhhhh.” Mack squats down on instinct. She breathes out the way she learned in the brief Youtube video she watched, then opens her eyes into tiny slits to look at the other woman. “He doesn’t have his phone.”

“Felix!” Lorena snaps loudly, slapping the dishtowel against her thigh. “Get out here!” Felix rushes to the door, looking concerned at Mack’s state. “Go get David from Bob’s. Fast! She doesn’t have much time.”

Mack looks at Lorena, delirious from pain. She has time… right? It’s just painful. This is how labor is.

Felix takes off in his truck as Lorena puts Mack back in the Gator to get her home. Lorena stays with Mack, holding her hand as the contractions continue full force. Lorena times them and they are closing in on three minutes apart. There is no doubt anymore that Mack is in active labor. She thinks about that long, half hour drive to the hospital and tears fill her eyes. She needs relief but the drugs are a ways away at this point. 

“Ooooooo…” Mack trails off as the pain from the contraction steals the noise right from her throat. Holy shit, this is so painful. She is pretty sure cartoon stars of pain are floating in her vision as she looks across the wall at a picture of her and David laughing at their wedding. “Where the fuck are you, babe!” She howls through the room. Lorena pats her hand assuringly. 

“It won’t be long now. I’m sure Felix found him. They’re on their way.” 

On cue, David storms through the front door, bringing with him the smell of wet dirt and the cooled summer breeze.

“Honey, how we doing?” He calls to her.

“Horrible!” She yells. David walks into the living room, tossing his work gloves to the side and kneeling on one knee between her legs. He rubs the outsides of her thighs, collecting her forehead on his shoulder.

“Can you walk?” He mumbles against her right ear.

“Honestly, I don’t think so.” She cries, tears leaking down onto his shirt. “Everything is so intense- ugh.” The next contraction hits her, more forceful than the last one, somehow. She wildly searches for David’s hand. He threads her fingers into hers. 

“Great job, baby. Keep breathing.” He coos into her ear. He keeps one hand in hers, then uses the other to rub her lower back. Mack focuses on his tight, circular motions, letting his skin on hers keep her grounded through the pain. 

“We gotta go. I need drugs. Like now.” She says after the contraction is done. 

“How long between contractions are you?”

“I don’t know. Maybe like two minutes.”

“Damn. Are you serious? Maybe I should have started with that question.”

“Yeah, I probably should have said that.” She nods rapidly.

“Arms around my neck.” He instructs. Mack does so and then he lifts her into his arms. Mack looks up, seeing Felix and Lorena in the doorway.

“Thank you so much.” She says to them both.

“Good luck you two.” Felix tips his hat to them. “I’ll lock up for you. Just go. Truck is running.” 

“Thanks.” David sighs in relief. The truck’s headlights beam across Mack and David as he carries her to the passenger side. The door is open already, so David can slide her in easily. 

“Fuck fuck fuck fuck!” Mack hisses, gripping David’s shirt as he tries to work his way out of the cab. He halts, putting his hands on her thigh and shoulder. This time, he doesn’t say anything. When Mack comes out of this contraction, she looks at her husband. “Are we going to make it?” She may be a first time mother, but she can tell the baby’s head is close to crowning. The ring of fire is so severe she can feel vomit pushing at her esophagus. 

“I don’t know.” He says honestly. “But I’m gonna try, honey.” 

Not even five minutes into their drive, Mack already knows the answer to her previous question. The pressure between her legs has her moaning at every dip and bump in the Iowa highway. This isn’t good. Her eyes screw shut again in agony.

“David, he is coming…” She pushes through her gritted teeth. Her finger nails pierce into the palm of his right hand as his thumb rubs at her thigh.

“I know, baby.” He takes his hand back to put both hands on the wheel, pushing down harder on the right pedal.

“No, he is coming. Right NOW.”

David takes his eyes off the road, looking at Mack’s face. It’s flushed and twisted in pain. Her breathing is labored as she shifts uncomfortably in the seat. That Youtube video didn’t have the best suggestions for when you’re raw dogging labor in an old truck at 90 MPH. Listen to your body, Mack can hear that calm, mocking voiceover of the video. Personally, Mack wants to turn that communication all the way the fuck off right now. 

“Okay. Do you want me to keep driving or stop?”

“Um.. ahh!!!” Mack starts to whimper.

David takes his right hand off the wheel again, giving it to her so she can squeeze. Her fingernails pierce through the skin on his knuckles. A gush happens and Mack startles. Something feels different now, she cups her stomach, feeling it slightly squishy. In concern, Mack brings her other hand down, then gasps at David, looking wide-eyed at him. “I can feel his head. Ohmygod, it is partially out.”

David immediately guides the truck off to the shoulder.

“What are you doing?” Mack panics. “We have to keep going!”

“Baby, we need to focus on getting him out now. There isn’t time for us to get there. I gotta make sure you’re both safe.” He dials 911 as he gets out of the truck. Mack watches him, shocked and dumbfounded at what is happening right now. 

“Hi, we need an ambulance on County Road 63 near Anderson Lake Trail. My wife is giving birth.” He pauses, pinching the phone between his shoulder and his head as he opens Mack’s door.

“Turn, honey.” Mack is horrified, yet finds herself trusting David completely as he tilts his head in. He gently peels her shorts and panties down, looking directly at her spread legs. He works them all the way off so she is bare and spread eagle in the country night.

“Oooohhhh my god.” Mack hiccups in disbelief. “What’s happening?” She slaps a hand on her forehead. 

“She is 39 weeks. And, uh yeah, his head is partially out. I can see his hair.” He looks up at Mack with sparkling green eyes. Despite it all, she tearfully grins back at him. Their son has hair! David reaches for the lever on her passenger seat, tilting her back further. 

“Scoot back a bit, hon.” He rubs her calf comfortingly with his thumb. Mack watches him in awe now, how completely calm he is as he puts a hand between her legs, ready to catch their child when he enters the world completely. Tears collapse over her lashes and she hiccups from the fear of it all.

Another hearty contraction forces Mack forward, she bares down as David tosses the phone onto the dash. Her knees come up her body and she puffs her breaths through the contraction. 

“Perfect, Mack. You’re doing perfect.” Her husband encourages her softly. A sob retches from Mack’s chest as she feels the baby progress further. “Head is completely out.” David calls towards the phone as more instructions are murmured by the operator. 

“Ow, ow, ow!!” Mack’s howl sears through the dark night. “I can’t, I can’t, I can’t.” Mack grits down on her teeth, shaking from adrenaline and pain. Tears coat her cheeks as she shakes her head no at David. His face is calm and controlled, even his green eyes as they search her face.

“The only way through this is to get him out now, honey.” David says calmly. Mack wants to ask him if he is as scared shitless as she is, but before she can, she feels the build of another contraction. The next scream gets lost in her esophagus. She slams her head back into the headrest, closing her eyes to try and keep from completely losing it right now. Her baby needs her to get him out. She can’t be scared right now. David is here. He won’t let anything happen to them. He is going to get them through this.

And so is she.

“Okay, guide the baby down and to the side for the shoulders to come out.” The 911 operator coaches David. Mack arches off the seat in pain as the pressure builds excruciatingly fast. Then the next contraction comes and she pushes as hard as she can to end this for all of them.  A roar sounds from her chest that sounds nothing like her. Then the baby hits David’s palms as he hollers excitedly, his hearty “Yes!” filling the dark night.

“He’s out!” Mack opens her arms for the baby and David settles their son’s face into the exposed skin coming through her V-neck. “He is on mama.” David tugs his shirt off, gathering the soft cotton to put on their son.

“Great job, mom! Be careful not to pull anything. Is the baby crying?” The operator asks.

“No.” David says, already rubbing at the baby’s back. He has delivered hundreds of farm animals. He knows there needs to be a noise coming from their baby to deem him okay. He needs to breathe. Mack adds her hand too, rubbing limply at him with her husband until that first cry hits their ears.

“Oh!” She exclaims joyfully. Once the baby is consistently sobbing, David leans into the truck more over Mack’s face to kiss her tenderly. 

“You are a fucking badass, baby!” He kisses her harder then works his way over the tear tracks on both of her cheeks, smearing who knows what on her face too. “Are you okay?”

“I’m okay.” She nods, holding tighter to the baby. David’s eyes drift down to their son and he grins wider.

“Look what our love made, honey.” He whispers as the faint sound of sirens crawls closer. David looks over his right shoulder, seeing the flashing red, white and blue lights. “Hold on.” He murmurs, reaching into the back seat for a blanket. He covers Mack’s still spread legs to give her some modesty until they have to check on her. His big hand drapes over her head, thumb brushing her forehead as she closes her eyes and sighs. “You’re okay, baby. He is too. You’re bleeding some still, but it’s not too much.” David assures her. Fresh tears leak out from her corners. Their son continues to cry in his mama’s arms. Then red and blue lights flood over Mack and David’s faces. She opens her eyes, seeing two paramedics rushing to them.

“How are we doing?” One paramedic asks. David steps aside for them, but opens the back door of the truck to stay close to his wife. He gets in, putting his hands on her shoulders so she knows he is right there with her.

“Um, okay?” Mack laughs, letting them see the baby. He has gotten quiet and curious of his new surroundings. They put a blood pressure cuff around her arm, then put the stethoscope on the baby to hear his heartbeat.

“Baby’s heart sounds good!” The paramedic confirms.”I’m gonna check you, okay?” She moves down between Mack’s legs, assessing the situation. With all the adrenaline pumping through her right now, Mack can’t tell how she is doing. She’s on fire and numb all at the same time.

“We might need a new truck.” Mack says nervously.

“Nah, it’ll come out in the wash.” David assures, kissing the top of her head. 

“Dad, did you deliver?” The other paramedic asks as he checks on Mack’s vitals. 

“Yeah!” David grins excitedly. “I knew all that calf birthing would come in handy one day.” Mack scoffs at him.

“Did you just compare me to a cow?”

“No! You were much nicer than the heifers, honey.” The paramedics chuckle in agreement. 

Mack smiles tiredly.

“Weirdly comforting.”

In another few minutes, they have Mack and the baby strapped onto the stretcher. Mack assures David they are okay and he should drive the truck the rest of the way. He follows behind, using the ambulance as an excuse to rip down these old highways from his childhood. He parks the car fast, then runs to the ambulance where they are unloading Mack. Several nurses and two doctors are waiting for them. They all converge on Mack at once.

“David?” She calls weakly, losing him in the sea of people. 

“I’m right behind you, baby. It’s okay.” She nods, holding their son tighter. 

“Congratulations! What a night for you!” A doctor in a white coat says, holding a clip board. “Did anyone happen to catch a time when baby came into the world?” The doctor asks. “Not that you were busy at all?” David laughs. 

“11:14pm.” Mack swoons, thinking of how incredible he is. Everything felt so rushed and crazy. How did he even think to get the time of birth? Because he is David- calm, cool and collected in the rawness of any moment. She loves that about her husband.

Once Mack is settled into a room, they finish the final steps of delivery. The team checks her over, deciding she will need a few stitches. No one is surprised. Their son came fast and furious and Mack didn’t even quite know it was happening until he was being put in her arms by her husband on the side of the road.

Mack looks down at their son as they work on her. He has been cleaned and diapered, covered by a hospital blanket advertising back is best and a striped hat on his head. David stands next to her, rubbing her scalp gently as a tension headache throbs against her skull. The room is quiet and calm, much different than the last hour. Their son closes his eyes and puckers his little lips, already content in his new world.

“Does baby have a name?” A nurse next to the computer asks from across the room. David looks at Mack, kissing her as they both smile, thinking of the person they are naming their son after, who they hope he takes after too.

“Nico Carlson.” Mack answers. 

“Welcome Nico!” The room cheers excitedly. Mack starts to weep, thinking of her dad back in Switzerland, going about his day having no idea he has a grandson with his name now.

Later, when the lights are dim and everyone has left them alone, David sits in a chair next to Mack’s bed, looking down at their son in his arms. They’ve both already done skin to skin, now it’s time to rest, but David can’t. His gaze lifts from their son, who will go by Nicky, to Mack who is sleeping lightly in her bed. She glows now, even after her hard night. He can’t believe how lucky he is to have her.

The night replays in his head- the storm, Mack’s constant discomfort, how low she kept complaining the baby felt. David should have known. He should have sent Felix to help Bob so he was there to help his wife through labor. Instead, he barely got to hold her hand through any of it like he promised her. David reaches out for her hand, resting by her hip. He is careful of her IV as he threads their fingers together. Mack’s eye lashes flutter open. 

“Is he okay?” She asks.

“Yes. Are you?”

“Yes.” 

“Then we are all good.” He squeezes her hand.

“You need to get some sleep. You’re going on almost 24 hours being awake.” 

“Nah, I run on minutes.” Mack quietly looks him over, then slides her hips back across the bed.

“Come lay with me.” 

David slides into bed beside her, carefully holding their son in his arms. Mack settles on the other side of David’s chest from their son, looking at his sleeping face. His little lips are split open, with fast breathing pushing in and out of them. 

“How did we live without him before?” Mack murmurs, rubbing her fingers along his swaddled arms.

“I don’t know. Suddenly, he’s all the world revolves around.”

“I can’t stop staring at him. He looks like your twin.”

“Minus those big dimples in his cheeks. Those are mama’s.” Mack chuckles. Yes, but before they were hers, they were his namesake’s. David sighs, pressing his fingers deeper into her back as he kisses her head. “I’m so sorry you had to do so much of yesterday alone. I should have checked for my phone and I didn’t. I let you down.”

“You delivered our baby…” Mack trails off, blinking incredulously. 

“Well, I had to deliver the baby in the truck because we were so late. If I had my phone, or didn’t go to help Bob-"

“We will never know.” Mack says quietly. “And as parents now, we need to let that stuff go. The things we can’t change or the paths we didn’t take, like not being parents. We are here- exactly where we are supposed to be- perfect and healthy.” 

“I knew you were going to be an incredible mama and wife. Thank you, honey, for giving me my entire world.” 

Mack puckers her lips. He leans down to kiss her hard, lovingly, relentlessly. His hand cradles her firmly to his chest, then they both turn back down to stare at their son’s face. 

Nico Carlson has already changed the world.

[ladylooch]

"What are you gonna do" Davey to Mack ☠️

what’re you gonna do? is the entire meaning of jake middleton’s existence I feel

[ladylooch]

Bones - Part 7 - [Mack x David]

A/N: In the spirt of American Thanksgiving... and family... I give you David Carlson in Switzerland. I'm giggling. You'll know why when you get through this one 😁

Word Count: 6.0k

“Okay, so David, anyone who is anyone is going to be at this dinner. AND there is a quiz after.” Sophie Hischier teases her sister’s boyfriend. Tonight is their first family dinner since they arrived in Switzerland a couple days ago. The Meiers and Hischiers rented out a private room to celebrate everyone returning to their homeland. 

“Shit, I didn’t bring my flashcards.” 

Sophie giggles like its the funniest thing in the entire world, then looks over at her sister.

“He is so funny.” She hums in Swiss German. “I love him. We’re keeping him.”

“Soph, English.” Mack chuckles, rolling her eyes. Sophie looks back at David. 

“I said, you’re funny. I love you and we keep you.” She reiterates. She squeezes his waist in a quick hug, then floats up to where her parents are walking towards the restaurant. Sophie laces her arm through her dad’s and the three of them take the stairs together. Behind them, Lucie and Connor walk with their daughter. Stella skips with her mom to a beat only the two of them know. 

“Twirl!” Lucie exclaims, cheering when Stella’s gorgeous rainbow skirt flares out in a circle. “So beautiful, baby!” 

“Woo!!!” Mack hears a cheer from behind her. She turns around, seeing her aunt and uncle strutting across the parking lot looking as posh as ever. 

“Expensive.” David gapes at the fancy sports car Timo clicks the remote to lock.

“Oh you don’t even know.” Mack chuckles. “Actually, he probably didn’t even have to pay for that. He’s all sorts of famous in this country.”

“Your dad?”

“Uh huh. Him too. My first car was a Mercedes. Mom tried to talk him out of it. Dad said I was the only one responsible enough to get one. Lucie had to have a BMW.”

“Say that sentence back.” David teases.

“They’re not the same.” Mack holds her hands up. “Like Chevy and Ford.” David snorts.

“Also not the same. Your family is like.. royalty in one of the world’s most expensive countries.” Mack looks at him, contemplating. Then turns away without acknowledging that. What is she supposed to say? He isn’t wrong, but it’s weird to admit to.

Instead, she smiles at her aunt and uncle’s approach.

“This is my Auntie Em.” Mack introduces David to her aunt. 

“Oh! Hi! It’s so nice finally meeting Mackie’s boyfriend. You look better like this. You know, when you’re not hurting my kid.” David pauses, mouth dropped open preparing to greet her. He laughs sheepishly.

“It was an accident. I…” He laughs again nervously, looking over at Mack.

“Honey, I’m kidding.” Emma teases. Her lips tilt up in a sly smile, then she pats his chest. 

“Oh good.” David sighs in relief as she continues striding past him to greet Lucie and Connor. Timo continues on with his wife after giving David a firm handshake.

“Isn’t she something?” Mack smirks. Behind her parents, Liv Meier hustles forward with Luca Fiala on her arm.

“Yeah. We all want to be her when we grow up.” Liv chuckles as she comes up to the two of them, wrapping her arms around Mack. 

“Oh, Hi, Livia.” Mack drawls. “Look at you. You’re stunning. And sooooo blonde!? I love it!” 

“Thank you! I just got a touch up from Auntie.” She shakes the long, blonde waves that are cascading down her back. “I feel like we got the exact blonde I wanted.”

“It looks great. You look so much like Auntie Em. Wow.”

“The best compliment!” Liv giggles. “Hi David, it’s so good to finally see you!” She goes to hug him.

“Oh my god, I forgot you two haven’t actually met in person.” Mack and Liv have done plenty of FaceTimes that David has participated in. But the schedules of Liv being in New York and David or Mack too have not lined up at all.

“I feel like we have though.” David smiles, hugging Liv as Mack greets Luca.

“Hey, good to see you, man.” Luca extends his hand to David. “For the record, loved the hit.” 

“Shhhhhh.” David shushes Luca. “I do not wanna upset Mama Meier.”

“Lio should be thanking you for that hit. Fixed his whole damn life after that.” Mack insists. David places a hand on Mack’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. He loves when she stands up for him. 

“Shall we?” Luca asks, extending his hand forward. The four of them walk up into the restaurant, finding their large family chatting in a private room. Stella is in Nico’s arms, pointing at all the pictures on the wall, making up names for the Swiss Alps peaks together. Lexi and Emma are catching up. Lio and Timo drink whiskeys together, listening to Savannah tell an animated story. Lucie and Connor are whispering to each other, lost in their own word as per usual. The twins are out on the balcony with glasses of wine, checking out their options for the night, Mack is sure.

Liv and Luca head towards the bar with Mack and David. The boys grab beers while Liv and Mack decide on martinis. 

“So how are you doing?” Mack asks Liv as they wait for their drinks. Luca and David dove immediately into shop talk about the latest trade rumors and free agency rumblings. 

“Good. Ready to be done with Grad school and this book.”

“Our little overachiever.”

“You should talk. Ms. youngest ever to be nominated for Travel Writer of the Year.”

“I didn’t win.” Mack shrugs.

“Yeah, but you were in the conversation. That’s huge, Mackie.”

“Yuck, I don’t want to talk about me. What about your new book? When can I read it?”

“Oh! Speaking of, I was going to ask, will you be one of my reviewers?!” 

“Yes! Oh my god, yes!” Mack grabs Liv’s forearm, squeezing and grinning excitedly. 

“Okay, perfect! I thought, since I get to do whatever I want without a dumb team telling me what to do… it would be so fun to have you on the back cover with a review.”

“I am so excited. Yes. Absolutely.” 

“Okay but it is a romance. You have to like.. try to like it.”

“Stop.” Mack snorts. “I have a man now. I’m not jaded.” Mack strokes her hand down David’s chest. He looks at her, then smiles, running his hand along her lower back to hold her while him and Luca continue discussing.

“Careful… You look too happy.” Liv winks at her cousin. “I’m thrilled for you.” She whispers quietly. “Love looks good on you.” Mack sighs happily, dragging her cousin into a big hug.

“Learning from the best.” Mack bats her lashes dramatically. “Your parents.” Mack finishes, when she sees her aunt and uncle smooching like teenagers outside. “Look at them.”

“No, they are disgustingly in love. Just be like.. demure instead.”

“Big word!” Mack exclaims. “Okay, I am going to grab this drink and my man and take him outside so he can see the view while the sun is still kind of out.”

“Yes, go.” Liv grabs her drink too.

“Come with me?” Mack asks David, sliding her hand into his free one. They both step outside onto the terrace. Mack sighs immediately at how gorgeous the view is. The sunsets here are so unique and breathtaking. It’s like nothing else has been able to compare and she has seen sunsets all over the world. But this is still her favorite one. 

“Wow.” David whispers. He grabs her hips, pinning her between him and the railing so they can hold each other while taking it all in. The cold glass of David’s beer rests on her forearm. Mack’s eyes scan along the horizon, drinking in the jagged peaks of the Alps. Sometimes, its hard for her to believe this is real, that she got to live and grow up in such a magical place. “How did you leave this place?” He asks her. 

“Sometimes you have to leave to appreciate where you come from. I was at that point.” Mack murmurs back to him. She takes another sip of her drink. “As you’ve probably noticed, everyone in this town knows me.”

“Mhm.”

“I wanted to be anonymous for once in my life. What better place to do that than in New York.”

“Would you move back here?”

“I might. When I’m older and feel like I want a slower life. Would you come with me?”

“Hell yeah. I’d sell the farm and we could buy some land here. Figure out how to make stuff grow…” He trails off dreamily. 

“Always a farmer.”

“Yeah, honey. It’s how I grew up. How I made the farm work too. I knew enough to get by, but when my dad died, that responsibility pushed me to figure out how to make it all successful, not just get by.”

“You’ve done a great job.”

“I’m not fishing for compliments. Just saying.” He shrugs. He takes a long sip of his beer, then rests it back against her arm. ���Figuring out alpine farming would be fun. Good retirement plan.” He smirks against her temple, then kisses her there.

Mack has no plans to move back to Switzerland, but knowing David would live here after only a two day taste has her feeling content.

When the lighting of the sunset dims, Mack and David walk back into the restaurant with linked fingers. The warm summer breeze swirls Mack’s hair around as she takes in her family. She loves them. They’re a loud, crazy, hilarious bunch, but they are hers. She loves how David already fits in like a missing piece of them that found it’s way back home. Dinner is served, wine is poured, and laughs are shared all around. The usual suspects are made fun of- Lio and the twins. Everyone swoons when Sophie talks and then grows quiet when Nico speaks.

The dynamics are there, even with Lucie and Connor who disappear during dinner for awhile. Lucie comes back looking way too put together, almost purposefully. Mack catches her eye and shakes her head. David squeezes her thigh under the table. Dessert is decadent chocolate mousse that has David’s eyes rolling back into his head.

“The best.” Mack tells him. He nods.

“Yeah. American chocolate sucks.”

The Swiss at the table cheer proudly. “Okay, he can stay in the family!” Sophie yells.

“Thanks, Soph.” David smiles at Mack when he says it. Mack threads her fingers over his hair then pulls him in for a kiss while everyone watches. David cups her cheek, moving his lips against hers as everyone cheers. 

“To family.” Nico raises his glass. “Proscht!”

The room fills with clinking glasses. Mack and David clinks theirs together too. 

Proscht, indeed.

- - - & - - -

Two weeks into being home with David and Mack is more relaxed than she has ever been in recent memory. There is nowhere to go, nowhere to run off to. Everyone she wants to see is here and everything else can wait. 

Beneath the mountain sun, she lays out in a chaise, quietly reading a book while the boys are bopping around in the lake. Stella is learning how to swim with her dad while Lio and David cheer her on from beside him.

“That’s it Stell!” Connor cheers as she rushes towards him. Mack glances up, seeing the flailing arms and legs of her niece. It looks less like swimming and more like drowning to her. But Connor’s arms wrap around the little girl’s body, pulling her up and out. Stella’s hair is slicked across her face, held over her cheeks by the pink, sparkly goggles she has on.

“Good job!” Lucie cheers from next to Mack. “I’m trying to let go of all my anxiousness, but it’s a little hard.” Lucie sighs to Mack. She scratches at her cheeks then takes another sip of the mocktail she made earlier in the day. 

“Connor has her.”

“I know. It’s just…” Lucie shakes her head. “Hard with my pre-birth anxiety.” 

“I can see that.” Mack acknowledges. Although she isn’t pregnant and doesn’t plan to be, she can certainly see how life-changing moments like pregnancy and birth can alter your brain chemistry and world outlook. Lucie waves at Connor and Stella in the lake.

“Mom! Did you see!?”

“I did, baby! Good job!” She yells down again. “Where is Soph?” Lucie asks Mack. “I thought she was supposed to be back by now?”

“I think they were boating to town for lunch, then she would be back.”

“Oh. She better not be on a boat with someone who is drinking and driving.”

“Really?” Mack purses her lips. “Like you never got into a boat with Lio after he had been drinking.”

“I was dumb. She is smarter than me.” Lucie insists.

“I don’t think anyone is smart at 19.” Mack reminds her. Lucie sighs. 

“I’m going inside. I need a break from life.”

“Okay.” Mack waves to her, then settles back into her book. 

Mack gets through several more chapters of her book before the group in the lake gets tired from swimming lessons. David comes to sit in Lucie’s vacated chair while Connor heads inside to grab Stella a well-earned snack. Lio and Savannah disappear down to the dock to join Liv and Luca there.

“That was super fun.” David sighs. “She really got the hang of it at the end.”

“She has the best coaches and hype boys down there.” Mack smiles, putting a book mark in her book then closing it. 

“Stella is such a firecracker. I love it. At one point, she sucked up some water and we were like ‘take a break!’. She refused. Just said ‘again’ and cruised right through that water to try again.” 

“She worked up an appetite too.” 

“Oh yeah. Needed a jelly sandwich.” David grabs one of Mack’s ankles, bringing her foot into his lap so he can massage it for her. “How is your book?”

“Good.” She smiles.

“Let me guess you’ve read it like 20 times?”

“Yeah and it get better every time.” She grins at him.

“My girl hates surprises.” He chuckles. 

“Yep.” She strokes her big toe down the center of his abs. She then lets it skirt over the ties of his board shorts before resting it back on his thigh. David licks his lips, slowly looking over at her. His green eyes sparkle, a slight smirk lifting a corner of his mouth up. It’s a warning. Mack purses her lips and looks away.

“I’m going to head inside.”

“Will you be back?” He asks. 

“Yeah I feel like I need a snack and a bathroom break.”

“Okay.” David releases her foot. Mack slides it from his lap then stands. She stretched her arms high into the sky, shaking her head at the way her boyfriends eyes are clearly on her boobs.

“Obvious.”

“Not trying to hide it, honey.” He says, leaning back in his chair.

Mack walks in through the sliding glass door, smiling as Stella has jelly smeared all over her face.

“Grape!” She exclaims, holding a half eaten portion out to her.

“Ooo, looks good.” Mack tickles here wet, ruffle covered belly then goes the the fridge to grab a sparkling water. She cracks the bottle open then glugs down a few sips.

“Okay, are we ready to go back out?” Connor asks his daughter. “Maybe do some back flutters this time?”

“I’ll come with babe!” Lucie calls from the living room.

Mack smiles, watching the Woods gather one another then head back out into the lake. The house is quiet, everyone out enjoying the hot summer sun. Mack leaves her water bottle on the counter, then heads upstairs to the guest bathroom. She quickly does her business, then washes her hands. After, she fixes her pony tail and double checks her sunscreen coverage still looks good on her face. She should probably grab a hat while she is inside.

The thought barely gets across her mind as she opens the door. Outside the bathroom, her boyfriend sits, bare-chested, board shorts swelling with a glint in his green eyes. Oh.

“What are you doing?” Mack asks as he steps forward. His hands on her hips push her back into the bathroom. He shuts the door, flipping the lock.

“I don’t trust Stella.” He explains. Mack closes her eyes, laughing and nodding her head. True.

“Bend over that counter.” He points to her. Mack scans his face, beginning to drip into her bikini bottoms with how damn possessed he looks. 

“That one?” She asks, jerking her hand over her shoulder. David turns her shoulders, then forces her to bend over the counter. Mack exhales in surprise. “Okay…” She laughs, then pulls her hair over one shoulder. She looks up in the mirror at him. “Now what?” David smirks at her.

“Your dad followed me into the house.” He tells her as he grabs the edges of her bottoms. Mack stills. She glances towards the door as the cloth falls to her ankles. “He thinks you’re the tamest daughter. The non-chaotic one who would never do something like beg her boyfriend to fuck her in the bathroom while he’s downstairs.”

His fingers glide over her puffy lips, gliding to her entrance to gather up her wetness then spread it across her sex. Mack swallows her moan, keeping her face neutral.

“I don’t know if I want it right now?” She tilts her head, challenging. David raises his eyebrows at her. He begins to undo the ties on his swim trunks, making Mack’s eyes lower with pleasure. 

“You don’t want this?” He asks, gathering his hard erection in his hand. He strokes her core with his swollen head. Mack sways from pleasure but shakes her head no. She breaks eye contact when she does this. David grabs her face, squeezing her cheeks for her to open her eyes. Her lashes flutter as she does, looking almost innocent in the mirror. “Say it again.” He eases just the tip of his cock into her. Mack tries to close her eyes and David squeezes her cheeks harder. “Baby. I asked you to do something for me.”

Mack sags into his body, causing her to swallow more of his shaft. David pulls out of her, letting the hardness slap against her outer lips as he waits for her answer. 

“I want it.” She moans as his fingers twirl her clit. 

“Yeah. Beg.”

“Please, I want your cock.” She whispers. She turns away from their reflection in the mirror to look at him. He leans down, kissing her lips, devouring her mouth like she is his lunch. 

Then he grips his shaft, rolling himself through her slit once, before plunging in. 

In her haze, Mack completely forgot about David’s statement.

Her dad came in with him. 

It isn’t until she is two minutes into getting fucked on the bathroom counter that it hits her. The handles of the cabinets bite into her thighs and knees. David brings her up on her tip toes to get better leverage. Then footsteps hit the stairs.

“Shit.” Mack whispers, reaching back to stop David’s thrusts into her. David looks at her in the mirror, then shakes his head. He leans more forward over her back and fucks deeper into her. The sounds fills the echoing bathroom and Mack shakes her head at him in the mirror. David stops, seeing her clear panic and discomfort.

“Trust me?” He asks her, slowly puling out then pushing back in. The elicit allure of pleasure blurs rational thought from her brain. Mack can only describe what happens next as pure insanity. She nods that he can continue. Then David puts his foot up on the toilet lid before pushes her down onto the counter again. He brings her hand to his balls to keep them from thrashing against her skin. Now his long, deep strokes hit into her without any crude clapping. Her ass nudges against his inner thigh and abdomen instead, allowing deep thrusts but eliminating the risk of being heard.

Mack clenches around him, shoving her mouth into her forearm. She bites down hard as her breasts sway into the cool marble from David’s hard fucks into her. He brings a hand to her neck, close to her shoulder, pulling her back onto his thick cock.

“Shhhh.” He mouths to her in the mirror when she looks up at him.

The closet door by the bathroom opens, they can hear rummaging around. Mack bites her lip, eyebrows squiggling together as she holds back a deep, primal moan.

“Good girl.” He mouths to her, barely audible.

The closet door shuts and the footsteps lead back towards the stairs, clomping down them. 

Once the coast is clear, David begins to fuck harder into her, long, strokes while his hands move to cup her breasts. He massages them, tweaking her nipples as he connects his chest with her back.

“Baby watch me make you cum in that mirror.” He demands. He grips her chin, forcing her gaze back in front of her.

Mack raises her brown eyes to him and watches. There, she sees every dip and curve of his hips as he fucks her pussy. She sighs, collapsing into his thrusts, letting his hands maneuver her body to get them both to their high. When she is close, he keeps that demanding pace, licking his lips, hips dipping down to get her at a better angle. His head rubs at her walls in a delicious tease that has Mack coming around him. He fucks her through her orgasm, keeping a tight grip on her hips as he takes what he needs.

He slams into her three more times, hard, unforgiving, then spills into her core. His hips smoosh her ass, forcing her stomach into the counter uncomfortably. The view of his face as he comes has Mack’s muscles fluttering around him again. She exhales a groan, holding his ass so he stays deeply buried inside of her. When he opens his soft green eyes to take her in, she clenches her walls around him again. David grins at her, then cups her ass, giving it a demanding squeeze. David presses his hips into her harder, then rolls her hips against him. Mack squeezes again, David bites his lip then hisses at the overstimulation.

“Fuck.”

David pulls out of Mack, bringing with him a glob of his cum. He grabs toilet paper, wiping it off, then goes to her used, puffy lips. He cleans her off as best he can, before pulling her bikini bottoms back into place. He tucks himself back into his shorts, then grabs Mack’s hips, holding on to her as he sighs.

“Better and better every time. I swear.”

“Yeah, cause you’re a freak in this house.” She chuckles. Her and David have had a great sex life since the beginning, but he has been almost insatiable since they’ve arrived in Switzerland. He shrugs.

“Something about you here has me hooked even more than usual.” Mack stands back up to her full height. David’s hands move to wrap around her stomach, holding her close. His big hands completely cover her abdomen, making Mack’s insides fill with butterflies. He stares at her in the mirror then turns to kiss her head. 

“I love you.” Mack tells him. “I don’t want to share you anymore. Let’s go take a nap.” Mack flips her hair back over her shoulder. “You can hold me and kiss me and love on me again when we wake up later.” David smiles.

“Sounds like Heaven.” 

Mack goes to the door, unflipping the lock then glancing both ways. When it’s clear, she pushes David out into the hallway. He laughs at how guilty she looks tiptoeing back to her room. She leans against the door, sighing in relief at not being caught.

“Now that I’m not dizzy from your dick, I will literally die if he heard us.”

“He didn’t hear anything.” David assures her. He has no idea, clearly, but Mack finds it adorable that he wants to ease her worries. “If he did, I’ll take the blame. Let him hate me so you can stay perfect in his eyes.”

“My dad definitely doesn’t think I’m perfect.” Mack crawls into bed next to him after changing into a pair of athletic shorts. David collects her to his chest immediately. 

“You’re perfect to me, honey.”

David rubs her hair.

Mack rubs his stomach.

Then they do the best thing you can on a summer vacation, fall asleep in a warm cocoon of love.

- - - & - - -

(David)

Exhausted from swimming in the lake all day, Mackenzie Hischier lays curled up into a perfect ball in her boyfriend’s lap. David strokes his hand along her back, careful to keep an even rhythm so she doesn’t wake up. She’s been fighting a nap all day after he kept her up most of the night. It wouldn’t be fair for him to wake up her again when she’s finally getting some good sleep. So slow, continuous strokes over her sweatshirt are what he does.

David has loved everything about Switzerland, but there is something sinfully sexy about fucking Mack in her childhood bedroom. He can’t get enough of it. He’s never been one to wake her up multiple nights in a row, for multiple rounds, but here he is, doing it for almost an entire month. He loves her soft moans, loves the way she bites onto the meat of his palm to stay quiet, loves knowing no one else has ever had her in that room before. Not even her dipshit college “boyfriend” who couldn’t find her clit.

What a fucking idiot. David finds himself quietly scoffing and shaking his head. He blinks away his thoughts, then adjusts Mack a bit on his thigh where her hip bone is digging into him. He tilts his head down to look at her face. Her lips are split apart and the left side of her nose squishes slightly up on his chest. He smiles down at her, loving how comfortable she is here with him. When he raises his gaze back to the room, he catches Nico Hischier studying them. David double checks his hands are in appropriate places on Nico’s daughter then gives him a nod. Nico nods back, a sign of acceptance, then turns back to the TV where a movie plays out.

David hopes to catch Nico and Lexi tonight without Mack hovering around the corner. He thinks she might finally be tired enough to go to bed first. David’s chest starts to pound a little harder in his chest at the thought of the conversation he needs to have with his girlfriend’s parents. He knows they like him, but hopes the last four weeks they’ve spent here has them completely comfortable with giving him permission to marry their daughter.

He can’t imagine life without Mack. She stormed into his life all hot and bothered, overstimulated and under appreciated. He’s gathered her up in the midst of all that and soothed those out of control parts of her by loving her so well. He knows her parents can see that, hell Nico is looking over at them again seeing it in real time. Mack finds David safe and comfortable. No one has ever been able to hold her free and kept at the same time. 

David vows to be the only one to do that. Ever.

After her parents give their blessing.

The movie ends and Sophie’s loud yawning makes Mack startle awake. She sighs, gripping David’s sweatshirt tighter. He kisses her head, then begins to work his grip around her back and under her knees.

“Ready?” He asks her. She nods. David stands with her in his arms, carrying her up the stairs to her room. He lays her on the queen sized bed, filled with a deep purple comforter adorned with ruffles. It’s so moody but girly, just like her. He can imagine her laying on this bed as a teenager, head phones in, book in front of her face as she ignored her dad’s second call for dinner.

“I’m gonna grab some water for us. I’ll be back.” He murmurs to her. Mack doesn’t even hear him. She’s already fallen back to sleep tucked into her sheets. 

David won’t wake her up tonight. It’s clear she needs the sleep.

Quietly, he tip toes out of the room. Lucie and Connor are saying their goodbyes with a sleeping Stella in her father’s arms. Nico smoothes the little girls curls down, then kisses her cheek gently.

“Goodbye, sweets. We will see you back home okay?” Nico assures the little girl. She nods sleepily in response, then yawns.

“Bye. See you for Fall break.” Sophie hugs the two adults, then skirts around everyone to go up to her room. David nods to Lucie and Connor.

“See you tomorrow at the airport.” He acknowledges them. They’re all heading back to New York on the same flight. Then Connor and Lucie will be heading to Massachusetts while Mack and David jet to Iowa.

Nico and Lexi walk the family out of the house to the car. David waits leaning against the wall in the entry way. He glances over his shoulder, listening for sounds of Mack, but hearing none. Even Sophie has gotten quiet upstairs. The two parents walk back into the big house holding hands. 

“Hey, I’m sorry to ah, pounce on you right at the end of the night, but I was hoping we could talk?”

“Sure.” Lexi nods, motioning with her hand back to the living room. David leads the way, sitting back in the chair him and Mack had been in earlier while her parents take the couch. He leans forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped together. 

“What’s up?” Nico asks, a slight smile on his face. David smiles back, breathing out heavily as he glances at the pictures on the wall. There are several of Mack when she was younger with varying faces. One in particular he loves because she’s sticking her tongue out while crossing her eyes. She’s carefree like children are and he brings that same looseness out in her as an adult.

“To start, I want to say thank you for letting me stay here with your family. I have really enjoyed my time here. You two have welcomed me here, and into the family, without any reservations. You knew me before as Connor’s teammate but my on-ice personality is a little different than who I am off the ice. I know with your career, you understand that.” Nico chuckles and nods. 

“Um, every time I try to get the words together to describe what Mack means to me, I fail miserably, but I’m gonna try to get this right for you two. Simply put, I love her. Unconditionally. With every fiber of who I am, I love your daughter. Every single thing about her, even the parts of herself that she desperately tries to change because she thinks they aren’t good enough for the world. She’s moody, inconsistent, always wanting to run around the world and be anywhere but home. And I love it.”

“Mack can certainly be a little complex.” Lexi acknowledges as the three of them chuckle at David’s description of her.

“I hear you, but not to me. I see her. I know her. I hear her. I heard her when she ran in January. And I heard her when she came back to me too. That doesn’t scare me. I know she needs to go sometimes. She needs to be free to feel and grow and come to terms with what she probably already knows.  I’m never gonna cage her in. She will always know freedom and space while also having a home with me.” Lexi rolls her lips together, pursing them as her eyes fill with tears.

Nico brings his clasped hands to his lips, pressing into them until they turn white from the pressure. David swallows hard. How is this going? Is it going good? He can’t fucking read them. 

“I hope that what you’ve seen of me in this last four weeks has you believing my words and intentions with her. I want Mack to be my wife. I want to come home, take care of her, love her and support her. I want to have dreams and goals with her that we make come true in our own way- a mix of my grit and her creativity. So…” He trials off, reaching into the inner pocket of his sweatpants where he zipped the ring earlier. He pulls it out between his thumb and pointer finger. “With your blessing, I would really like to marry your daughter.” 

“Wow.” Lexi practically hiccups. She looks over at Nico who nods with his eyes closed. “Yeah.” Lexi brings her hands up to her eyes. She wipes her fingers under them then reaches for the ring. “Can I?” 

“Of course.” David hands it over to her. Lexi holds it delicately in her fingers, turning it every which way as the light collects in the diamonds.

“I don’t think… we ever really saw this for Mack.” Lexi acknowledges. 

“Yeah.” Nico clears his throat. “Mack just… never wanted to be in love. I think she was that way when you first met her too.” David nods. 

“Spicy when she doesn’t like how things make her feel.”

“Mhm.” Nico nods. He scratches at his forehead, then continues. “As a parent, all you want is for your kids to be happy. We were happy if Mack was happy. When Mack came home this winter, she was not happy. She was miserable. And even in those tough moments in the cabin with her, she loved you. She loved you enough to try to decide for you that you deserved better.” David shakes his head, smiling as he does it.

“Crazy.” 

“Yeah, well you’re the one signing up for a lifetime left of that.” 

“Can’t wait.” David beams. Nico chuckles.

“I believe that. Lex and I were talking the other night how good you are at loving her. It’s been a long time since we have seen Mack so comfortable in who she is and her roller coaster. She fights it a lot. She doesn’t like the parts of her that are out of control. But those parts aren’t so scary for her when she’s with you. She embraces them, lets them show and then pass because she’s safe with you. We can’t thank you enough for that. For loving her so completely that she doesn’t want to run anymore.” Lexi hands the ring over to Nico. He looks it over for a moment, then holds it in the air towards David. “She’s going to love that.”

“Yeah, she is.” David agrees.

“I know we don’t know your parents and truthfully, Lexi and I are sad about that as I’m sure you are too. But they would be very proud of the man you have become.” David stills, feeling tightness grip his throat. “They raised a strong, caring, empathetic person who works his ass off for the people he loves. Mack is lucky to be one of those people.” 

“Thanks.” David clears his throat. “That means a lot coming from you.” 

“You’re our kid now.” Lexi nods her head along with Nico. “And we love you.” 

“Big time.” Nico acknowledges. 

The three of them stand. Hugs are shared all around, then David dismisses himself to join Mack for bed. They have an early morning tomorrow. As David climbs back up the stairs, he sneaks a look over his shoulder at Nico and Lexi hugging each other. He grins as he walks down the hall.

David is finally going to get his family after all.

Read more Mack and David here.

[ladylooch]

Bones - Part 13 [Mack x David]

A/N: *happy sigh* I'm so glad we have made it to this point in the series because I love how these two shift as characters here. How much deeper their relationship gets as they navigate this huge life change they are embarking down... and on a much less serious, sappy note... The breeding kink was activated in this one 🤣

You're welcome or I'm sorry 😆

Word Count: 6.7k

12 months later ; October

It’s been a year.

A sexy, exciting, whirlwind of a year. Mack feels like the previous one flew by in a blink. She can’t believe they have already touched down in New York for another hockey season. They celebrated their second anniversary. The Rangers made it to the playoffs again, continuing to build towards their ultimate goal despite the disappointment of not getting to the Cup Finals. This summer was better than last. The one year anniversary of Tommy’s death passed. David got quiet like he does. He worked hard out in the field, came in and showered, then took care of his wife as a way of appreciating the things he still has. Mack traveled for work a lot more this summer, but always came back to her farmer husband the moment she could.

They traveled together too, back to Switzerland and then all over western Europe for almost six whole weeks. They ate way too much food, drank a lot of cocktails, and had incredible sex all over the continent.

Life was so good to them.

And yet… in a summer they got to fully embrace their DINK dreams, Mack started to feel like something was missing. 

She first felt it at home in Switzerland, watching David with their nieces. Winnie is still in love with David and always needs to be in his arms. She can’t possibly be expected to walk when Uncle David is around. Mack waved her thoughts off because her nieces are so damn cute; it’s impossible to not feel something. But then Mack felt it again when he was playing peek-a-boo with a baby in Norway. When they returned to Iowa, she felt physically uncomfortable watching him hold Trevor’s new baby boy, Declan.

“Look at this tank!” David had yelled to her, holding up the chunky newborn like Simba. “That’s how we grown ‘em around here, babe. Future farmer, for sure!” David was proud as hell of that baby and it wasn’t even his.

Her discomfort expanded when two other women in the friend group announced their pregnancies and grew before Mack’s eyes the rest of the summer. It all boiled over one Saturday at Hy-vee as Mack listened to Hannah, David’s high school sweetheart, gush over her third pregnancy to them.

“Another girl!” Hannah had practically swooned off her swollen ankles. A familiar discomfort had settled into Mack’s chest, and if she didn’t know any better it seemed to have a green haze to it that had nothing to do with David and Hannah or their history. Mack choked so hard on her own breath when she realized she was jealous that Hannah was pregnant with baby number three. Then a fierce, knee knocking want spread through her body like an electric shock that still has her buzzing.

This isn’t right, Mack had grappled internally when she couldn’t stop making faces at the laughing baby in front of them at the check out line.

Mackenzie Hischier does not want babies. 

Something was clearly wrong with her.

So when she got back to New York, she scheduled a doctor’s appointment. 

Everything came back normal. Mack is perfectly healthy with no concerns. 

New York had no relief for Mack’s newfound want, especially not when they spent time with Lucie and Connor. She watched David with Winnie, carting her everywhere, looking like a damn snack most of the time. Mack found herself trailing into Winnie’s room to watch David put her to bed in the doorway- her new favorite night time activity.

Then one night, as David laid Winnie on her bed, Mack imagined it was him with their baby. She could see it clearly, dark brown almost black hair, big ears, her lips, David’s green eyes, all in a child that she brought into this world for them. Mack had paused, frozen in place in the doorway. She snapped her gaze away, then looked back and the child was Winnie again. David caught Mack’s look and gave her a reassuring smile.

“You okay?”

“Yeah.” Mack had breathed out like she was in pain. She ached for that image. Ached for that life. The undeniableness of her shifting mind annihilated the future she always envisioned for them.

Suddenly the statement of not having kids with him seemed unauthentic.

How could she not have babies with this perfect man? He is an incredible partner. Mack knows he would be just as good of a co-parent. He would take care of them- be strong and protective and empathetic like the man who raised her. Raising babies and potentially fucking it up along the way, but being able to share something so permanent with him. Something that would outlast their days on this earth too. A legacy, a purpose bigger than the two of them. 

Soon, she found herself craving that experience with him.

Now, every night for the last month, she has dreamt about life with him and their babies. She sees their bare feet getting black from the farm dirt. Red popsicles dripping onto their American flag t-shirts on the Fourth of July. Running around with Winnie and Stella at Rangers games with Carlson on their backs. Learning how to skate, and farm, and read and becoming adorable humans that add so much purpose and glow into their family. Half him, half her, completely theirs.

But David doesn’t want babies and she doubts the rippled effects of his brother’s death has changed that for him.

As they ride through the congested streets of New York, Mack can’t help but feel like this may be selfish of her. This is a change in something so fundamental. Something she had dutifully repeated she did not want after David had proposed to her years ago. Mack worries about approaching the subject with him now. If he still doesn’t want to, Mack would understand. Completely. But she can’t keep this from him. She can’t pretend this ache doesn’t fill her waking thoughts and tired dreams.

That’s not how they do life together.

“Honey?” David calls next to her from the driver’s seat. 

“Hm?” Mack asks, snapping her gaze away from the windshield. Behind him, she sees more cars and concrete. The New York street has disappeared and their SUV is tucked into it’s parking spot at their building.

“We are home.”

“Oh.” She nods, unclicking her seatbelt. She runs her hand through her hair then opens her door to step out.

“What are you doing? Is this your first day being married to me? Shut that door.” David scolds her. Mack shuts the door again, then rubs at her face. 

She needs to get it together here.

David opens her door and Mack turns to jump out. David blocks her progress, puckering his lips at her.

“Are you okay?” 

“Yes.”

“I think I had an entire conversation with myself on the way home.” He rubs his hands up the tops of her thighs, stopping when his thumbs rest on her hips.

“Sorry.” She shakes her head. “I’m in my own world.”

“What’s happening in there?” He asks her, kissing the tip of her nose. Mack’s eyes close as he makes his way across her cheek. He nibbles her ear lobe, then gets her neck a few times as she drops her forehead to his shoulder. 

“It’s the Fourth of July and cherry popsicles are dripping everywhere.” He pauses his kisses, then pulls away to look at her.

“Is that a euphemism?” He tilts his head. 

“Sure.” She shrugs. 

After a chuckle, he grabs her hand, then helps her jump down. Mack wiggles her jeans back up and they walk hand in hand to the elevator. 

“Are you going to head to bed right away?” David asks her, jiggling their entwined hands by his thigh.

“No, I’m not tired.”

“Cool. I gotta ice my shoulder.” He informs her. “It’s a little nagging today. You wanna watch something?”

“No, I am going to read.” 

“By me?” He pouts.

“Yes.” She chuckles.

“Sweet. I’ll rub your feet, eh?”

Like Mack would ever say no to that.

The two of them head into their place. They go to the closet together, changing out of their game day attire. Mack pulls on clean pajamas and David opts to stay in only his boxer briefs. Mack maneuvers to the bathroom to wash her make up off while David goes to the kitchen to grab his now familiar ice pack. 

As she dots her moisturizer around her face, Mack’s mind drifts to what a game night might look like with a baby. Maybe she wouldn’t have been there tonight, opting to stay home for a normal bed time like Lucie did. Maybe David would be rocking their baby to sleep in their room right now instead of icing his shoulder in the living room. Mack slowly screws the top of her moisturizer back on. She looks at herself in the mirror and can see the obvious, fresh yearn. It seems to be re-born brighter and lighter every day.

She needs to tell her husband what she is feeling. 

Mack flips the bathroom light off, then works her way to the living room where David sits. He has a West Coast NHL game on, alternating between watching TV and flipping through emails on his phone.

“Ugh. Fuck.” David shakes his head. “We got issues on the farm I gotta deal with tomorrow. I’ll have to call Felix before morning skate.” He tosses his phone. He brings a hand up to scratch at his stubble, clearly annoyed. His eyes slide off the TV to where Mack is standing awkwardly by the hallway. He cocks an eyebrow at her. 

“Trying to decide if I want something to drink or not.” She offers. Really, she’s trying to decide if she should save this conversation for another day because suddenly with the farm issues, maybe now isn’t a good time? Cause farm issues usually mean money and so do babies, so… She glowers at her internal dialogue. It is a pathetic excuse considering money is no issue for her or him and definitely not them. Mack forces herself to walk into the kitchen. She grabs a water bottle then goes to join him on the couch. 

Mack places her feet into David’s lap as requested. He immediately begins rubbing circles into her skin with his thumb. Mack picks up her Kindle, swiping to unlock it. She begins to read a few sentences, but stops when she realizes she has no idea what the words are actually saying. She moves her gaze over to her husband, drinking in how sexy he looks. The lights and shadows of the room highlight his muscular body and dark tattoos. She drags her gaze across the tattoo he got for their wedding. 

“Do you think you’ll fill out your other sleeve?” She asks him. He takes his gaze off the TV to glance at her.

“Probably.” He tilts his arm up, looking over the details of it. “A full arm of you would make sense, eh?” She smiles. “Balance it all out.”

“Gotta save room for your next Stanley Cup tho.” She murmurs, reaching across his body to stroke the skin, both filled and not. She scoots across the leather couch to slide her butt next to his thigh.

“True. I could go onto my back tho.” He pauses, looking his skin over. “I am going to get a humming bird though. Probably on my forearm so I can see it every day.” Mack giggles. 

“I would like that.” She drifts her fingers over his forearm, then slowly raises her gaze to his eyes. Her brown orbs hold his green ones. She swallows hard, taking in a shaky breath. “Um, maybe I could share that arm with someone else.” 

“It would have to be someone pretty special.”

“Yeah. For sure… I was thinking maybe, like, our baby?”

David’s eyebrows shoot up. His fingers still. His shoulders rise and fall as he breathes but that is the only thing that moves temporarily. Then his green eyes search hers earnestly. 

“Our baby?” He eventually repeats back to her. Mack swallows nervously.

“What if I’ve changed my mind?” She whispers, unsure tone to her words.

“We should probably talk about it then.” His voice is low and tight, eyes a piercing green that cling to her face.

“Okay. I-I want babies with you.”

David doesn’t move. She is pretty sure neither of them are breathing now. When he doesn’t answer, Mack starts to fill the silence.

"If you don't, that's okay. But I just, I really want to have babies with you. I keep dreaming about it.” She swallows hard as David closes his eyes, hiding the bright green from her. “Day and night. Its like a sickness that’s come over me demanding I have your baby. But I want it. Like I actually want to be a mom to your babies. And I'll figure out how to get over that if you don't want to-“ She grabs his forearm again in assurance.

"Mack. Honey.” His voice is tight as he cuts off her rambling. ”You better not be joking with me right now."

"Why would I joke about this?" 

"Oh my god." He moans. He rubs a hand over his face then rips the ice pack off his shoulder. He whips it onto the coffee table and climbs on top of her, forcing her back to hit the cool, leather cushions. Her hair splays out behind her head as he cups her cheek gently. 

"Mackenzie Hischier, I would die a happy man if you had my baby." 

"Really?" Mack practically whimpers. Her eyes search his face hurriedly, desperately, needing to see the truth. 

"Fuck yes. You want to start now?” He cups her cheeks with both hands, kissing her lips quickly. 

"I still have my IUD.” She says.

"I can call Doc?” He jerks a thumb over his shoulder.

"Oh god." She laughs. He takes the opportunity to kiss along her neck, up to her ear lobe. Then he nuzzles his nose into her hair. Mack presses her face into the side of his head, gasping for breath to try and calm down.

“Really? Honey, I never thought… This is big.”

“I just want to do this with you. No need. I think I need to do this with you.”

“Okay.” His shocked but grateful smile makes tears form in Mack’s eyes.

“If you want to talk about this more before we make any final decisions we can.”

“Mack, I trust you. I trust your judgement. If you say this is what you want, I’m all in.”

Something is missing here- his desire for this too. Mack needs to know he isn’t pacifying her right now.

“You want this too though? It’s not just me?”

“Of course, I want this. Of course, I want to bring life into this world with you.” He leans forward to kiss her. “Something about you and me is special, honey. Bringing that together to make a baby. Gives me chills.” Mack sees the goosebumps broken out on his arms. She folds her lip into her mouth, then runs her fingers along his bumps.

“That’s what I think too. But… I have to ask. You said you never saw yourself having kids?”

“I didn’t.” David clears his throat. “Until I met you.” 

“What?”

“I mean, it was hard not to with all the time we spent with Stell and Win. You’re so good with Stell. The perfect balance of sweet, caring, and stern. She listens to you, and she doesn’t listen to many people. You have this way about you, honey. You’ve taken care of me over the years. I liked the idea of sharing a kid with you. Knew you would love our baby so completely, and the worries I had about my short comings, or my family history, went away. Cause it would be us doing that together and there isn’t anything this team here can’t do. But we got engaged and you reiterated your choice; I wasn’t going to fight that. Who would I be to do that when you’re the one who has to be pregnant? I was completely okay with us never doing that. We could fill our lives loving each other and that would be plenty.”

“I was so worried to tell you this. Like, I was going to be forcing you into wanting this, but you wanted it first.”

“That’s kinda how we roll.” He smiles. Mack laughs, then slowly her smile falls off her face, a more pensive and appreciative look on it now.

“So… I guess I’ll make an appointment.” Mack’s eyes widen as she bursts into excited giggles.

“You know…” David trails off. He hooks a finger in the collar of her t-shirt moving it to the side. His lips kiss along there as he continues. “We never thought we would be making babies together. We probably need to practice some before we really try…” 

“Mhm.” Mack moans as David lifts her hips up to meet his, then grinds his erection into the apex of her thighs. 

“We’re probably bad at it. We should practice a lot.” Mack grins into his lips when they fall on hers again. Her stomach flips at his all consuming kiss, claiming her mouth in a different way than he has before. 

This is gonna be hot as fuck.

Mack can barely wait.

- - - & - - -

The day Mack and David decide to make a baby is a Thursday. David has a night off. Mack is feeling relaxed and ready after her IUD removal a few weeks prior. They know it might not work tonight, but not having sex for weeks has them both wound tight. They need a release. 

Mack got home first from her day. She went right to the bathroom to take an everything shower. She shaved, exfoliated, scrubbed, then lathered herself up in the lotion David likes best. She did her every day make up, blow dried her hair, then put on comfortable clothing. After, she crawled onto the couch, ignoring the temptation to Google ‘baby making sex positions’. 

They don’t need that. They’re gonna wing it. 

When David comes home from practice, he smiles at her sitting on the couch watching TV. Mack clicks it off as he sets his stuff down, then kicks his shoes off.

“Any big plans tonight?” He asks her.

“Yeah, you’re gonna fill me up.”

“Fucccck yes I am.” He nods as he says it. “When do you wanna start?” He asks, heading into the kitchen to wash his hands. Mack takes in the tightening and flexing of his back muscles under his white Rangers shirt. 

“I’m not doing anything right now…” She trails off, shrugging slightly. He soaks her in from across the room as he dries his hands. 

“You freaking out at all?”

“I’m kinda nervous.” Mack admits, smiling at him. “But also really excited.” She can feel bubbles of anticipation building below the surface but she shoves them down with a big inhale.

“Me too, honey.” David responds as he comes to stand in front of her. He brushes her hair behind her ear, then cups her cheek. His lips brush hers, making Mack’s eyes close. Her hands go around his back, gripping his muscles as he works his mouth over hers. Slowly, he pulls back. “I want to make love, okay? Nothing rough or hard. I want it to be all about you.”

Mack nods. That is exactly what she wants too. David grabs her hand and leads her down to their bedroom. Mack’s heart starts to pound loudly in her ears. David brings her to the bed, then turns her hips, pressing her down to sit. 

“I love you.” He says from above her. His fingers stroke her throat, thumb on her chin to keep her face looking up at him. 

“I love you.” Mack repeats, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as he leans down to kiss her.

Sparks fly between them. The way his lips move over hers rushes the nerves away from Mack, welcoming in a river of desire. Her fingers thread through his hair, pulling him in closer. She gasps for breath around his lips, then dives back into his mouth. Gently, David works Mack onto her back. His hands go to her sides, working her shirt up and over her body. Her bare, pink nipples await him there. His lips wrap around one, stroking it to life with his mouth. Mack squeezes her thighs together at the rush of wetness that pools in her panties.

Sensing her need, David runs a hand back down her stomach, dipping into her pants and panties. He strokes her clit with smooth finger tips, then glides two fingers further down to tease her entrance. He sucks her other nipple into his mouth, then works his thumb and two fingers into a teasing frenzy.

Mack gasps then sighs out a sexy moan. She nibbles on her bottom lip, opening her eyes to watch David play with her. The view is gorgeous and he makes it better by kissing his way down from her chest. He tugs her bottoms off, then tosses them to the side. His arms hook under her thighs then he lifts her slightly up, bringing her pussy to his mouth. Their eyes stay on each other as his lips part. His tongue laps at her clit teasingly, then down her slit. He places an open mouthed kiss there, a string of saliva connecting them even as he pulls away.

Two fingers come to spread her swollen lips open, then he takes a direct path to her clit. Mack’s toes curl. Her eyes squeeze and she throws her head back as he goes in for another stroke. He teases her this way until she pulses beneath his mouth. Then he drives his tongue down to her entrance, creating and building a new, more intense friction. He moves his face to push two fingers into her core, circling it then gliding in. He curls them up at the same time he sucks her clit into his mouth. Mack’s eyes roll back into her head as she begins to pant. Softly at first, then harder, then longer, then louder, then she’s gasping and coming all over his face. 

Mack’s abdomen rolls and seizes with her intense orgasm. David guides her through it, keeping his tempo perfect for her, like he always does. Mack melts into the mattress beneath her body. Her head sways lazily to the side, shoulders rising and falling heavily. She hears David move, watching as he stands back up to his full height. Their eyes meet. Emotion swells in Mack’s chest as he slides his pants to the ground. Then he bunches his shirt into a fist, tugging it off him. The fabric falls away from his body and Mack could weep at the image of her fully naked husband. His muscles scrunch and relax as he holds a hand out for her.

“Want you on top.” He requests. Mack slides her hand in his, then lets him pull her to stand. They switch positions- David sitting on the bed and Mack standing. He holds her steady with his hands on her rib cage, then he kisses all over her abdomen. Shivers of pleasure and expectation scorch across Mack’s skin. She shakes in his arms for a few moments. He rubs his thumbs across her ribs, then pulls her forward until she lifts her legs one at a time to straddle him. 

She grips his shaft in her hand, ready to sink down when David covers her hand for a moment, knuckles pressing into her folds.

“You’re sure, honey? Completely sure?” David looks into her eyes, searching her face. Mack doesn’t hesitate.

“Yes. Put a baby in me, David.” Mack responds. He exhales with ecstasy then moves her hand away for him to take control. 

Mack drops her forehead to his. David strokes his head through her folds before finally plunging in. They savor that moment of connection with a long kiss, tongues lightly connecting. Mack glides her hips forward and back, encouraging her wet heat to mold around him. 

“How good are you going to look with my baby in you?” He drawls, watching her rise up and down on his cock with attentive eyes.

“Oh yeah, that’s gonna work for me today.” She chuckles, holding her heavy breasts in her hands.

“So good.” He murmurs back to her. “You’re gonna be such a good mama.” Mack whimpers. Damn, she is into this. “Can’t wait to see these fill up even more.” He moves her hands away to wrap his around her breasts. His tongue plays with her nipple, then he sucks it into his mouth, rolling it and slowly releasing it back into place with a quiet pop. 

His hands then move to her waist, thumbs pressing into her stomach while his tongue continues his assault. His gaze meets hers and he softens. Mack bites her lip, then stops bouncing.

“Oh..” She closes her eyes. “When you look at me like that…” She shakes her head. It makes her emotional to see that much love and adoration being focused on her.

“Sorry. I’ll make it sexy again.” He assures her. 

“No, I love it. It’s so you. So us. That’s how I want to make our baby.” David presses his cheeks into her breasts and kisses them each once more. He pulls back, then wraps his hands under her thighs. They move together in sync, chests pressed together, lips touching with every press Mack has down on his cock.

“Can’t stop thinking about your belly. What it’s going to be like to know you’re carrying a piece of me for this long. Bringing life into this world for us. Connecting us forever. Fuck.” He groans. David starts losing it first. He breathes heavily, cheeks turning slightly pink at the exertion of holding back. Mack bites her lip, then bounces harder on him.  Mack feels his cock spasm inside of her, but he holds back still, not letting himself come until she does again. 

“Come on, honey.” He begs her. His fingers find her clit. He gently rubs it. “Need your help to put our baby in you.”

“Oh. That… mhm.” She moans. “I want you to fill me up. Please. Be the only man to give me a baby.”  Mack leans into his possessiveness. David is strangled by a groan as he pushes back just a little bit longer. 

“You gonna fucking take it all? Hmmm? Be a good girl and give me a baby?” He hisses through clenched teeth then he leans forward to tease a stiff pink peak with his mustache.

His words make her come. He sucks her nipple into his mouth, making her shudder and grip the back of his neck tightly. She screws her eyes shut, feeling herself release creamy spits onto his cock.

David grinds Mack into his thrusts a few more times. Then his hand on her lower back forces her all the way down until her clit smears against his abdomen. She feels him spasm inside of her, painting her cervix. A warm heat spreads out from her core, setting her on fire in the best way. Goosebumps dance down her limbs; her stomach drops with excitement and pleasure. He’s come inside of her plenty of times, but never quite like this. Mack tilts her head back to the ceiling, moaning in ecstasy as he rolls her clit into him, making her walls spasm.

“Pull it all deep, honey.” He demands. Mack’s head falls back forward to take in his gaze. It’s primal and greedy, filling with an ownership of her Mack has never seen on his face before. She rolls her bottom lip into her mouth and whimpers as he rolls her hips again. Her walls collapse, tugging more of his cum deeper. David stands with himself still inside of her, then he turns, laying her on her back. Slowly, he drags his cock out of her. Mack sighs at the emptiness when he is gone. 

David leans over her, kissing her deeply, yearning. Mack can feel it in his lips how much he loves her and wants to raise babies with her. Or maybe she is recognizing that same need in herself. 

David grabs her a few pillows, putting them under her knees. 

“I don’t know if this works, but I read about it.” He tells her. Mack chuckles, finding it endearing that he researched this before they started while she resisted the urge this morning. 

“I’ll try it.” She shrugs, then settles in deeper to the position.

“Can I get you anything?”

“No, just stay with me.” She reaches for his hand. David laces their fingers together, then looks over the position she is in. 

“Next round, you can lay right there. I’m gonna put a pillow under your hips too.” He thinks aloud. “No need for you to move. I can do it all.” Mack starts to giggle. Once they begin, she can’t stop them. She is full on laughing until she is crying, naked on her back, with her knees up in the air and her husband’s hand in hers.

“Why is this so funny?” She wheezes. “Like look at me right now!?” David’s laughter joins hers. When it dies down, he contemplates seriously.

“Because we are happy. And we want this.” He murmurs, sliding a hand across her lower abdomen. He cups her there. Mack puts her hand over his and nods. 

“I really want this with you.”

“Only you.” He agrees.

Mack hopes she can give this to them sooner rather than later.

- - - & - - -

It’s a Thursday in the middle of the day, weeks later, when Mack decides to take a pregnancy test. She is close to a week late, unheard of for her. Then this morning, her breasts felt heavy when she rolled out of bed, still utterly exhausted despite sleeping for almost 10 hours. David had gone off to practice none the wiser. Mack wants to be sure. And she wants this moment alone. Maybe that is self-serving of her, but it’s her body. She wants to be the first to know it’s carrying their child.

Mack clips the pink cap back into place, then sets the stick down on the counter in front of her. She inhales heavily, setting a timer even though it seems pointless. She can see the oval begging to fill. The test line comes in and she looks away. She walks over to the closed door, biting on her thumb nail as the seconds pass like hours. 

It will be okay if it’s negative. They will keep trying. Honestly, trying has been really fun. David takes amazing care of her and there has been something incredibly addicting about such a primal purpose. She’s had the best orgasms of her life during the last few weeks. It will be hard to replicate when they aren’t doing this for a baby.

Mack leans her head back into the door, looking up at the ceiling, thinking about how surreal this moment is. She never thought she would be here. Okay, maybe she could see her self being here, but not hoping to see two pink lines in that oval. Her brown eyes drift to the test, but she is too far away to see it. Mack’s mind wanders back to bare feet and dripping popsicles. Maybe grape ones? She hated cherry as a kid. Or those American flag popsicles. Bomb-pops, she thinks that’s what they’re call. 

When her phone illuminates, Mack lets the sound ring through the room. It bounces off the tile with an exhilarating thrill that has her throat thickening with nerves. She inhales heavily, then pushes off from the wood, socked feet quiet across the bathroom. She focuses on her phone screen, turning it off. Then she picks up the test. She holds it in front of her, but looks at herself in the mirror.

“No matter what, it’s okay.” She reminds herself. 

Then she dares to look.

Two pink lines greet her. The second line is obvious enough that there is no question. 

She is pregnant.

A heavy inhale brings her shoulders to her ears. Mack immediately becomes overcome with emotion. Her face collapses into her hands as she sobs quietly. 

“Oh my god.” She murmurs. “Oh my god.” Part of Mack was convinced before this moment that maybe the universe would punish her for changing her mind. Like she was unworthy of this gift after saying for so long that she didn’t want it. Not when people like Savannah have always craved to hold a baby in her arms. Mack’s hands shake as she brings the test back in front of her face. No, that is not the case for her.

Mack stays sitting on the bathroom floor for awhile. Part of it is spent staring at the test, the other part is dreaming about everything that is to come. She types in a tentative date to see when she may be due. It looks likely the middle to end of July. A summer baby in Iowa. She giggles. How adorable will it be to have a baby at the same hospital David was born at? He will love that. 

Mack’s mind begins to churn on a way to tell him. She wants it to be fun and creative, more than handing him the test and calling it good. Of course she could go buy a Rangers onesie, but she doesn’t. Instead, she grabs her keys and heads down to a baby shop she’s frequented with her sister for Rangers’ baby showers. Inside, she is able to find what she remembers seeing, a onesie that says: Farmer On The Way! with a green tractor on the belly. Mack giggles, then dips into a craft store to grab a sign she can manipulate with magnetic letters.

David needs to stay at the rink later than normal for team obligations. By the time he is home, Mack is on pins and needles waiting for him in the living room. There is no way she couldn’t tell him about this today. She sits on the couch, legs folded with her hands clasped in her lap. He opens the door with a folder and a paper bag in his hand. He sees her on the couch immediately, smiling at her.

“What are you doing in here?” He asks, noting she doesn’t seem to be doing much of anything. The TV is off. There is no book in her hand and she stares at the door expectantly.

“Waiting for you.” She responds happily.

“Oooh, lucky me.” He drops his stuff on the entry way table, then comes over to kiss her. “Mmm you smell good, babe.” 

“It’s my lotion.”

“I like it. Are you done with work for the day?”

“Yeah.” She had told Sonja she wasn’t feeling well and needed the afternoon off.

“Do you want to do anything?” He asks almost regretfully.

“No.” She shakes her head, looking around him to the kitchen counter where he has yet to notice the sign and onesie. 

“Good, I wanna go take a long ass nap.” He reaches for her hand.

“Okay, but can you get me some water?” She blurts out. Of course her sweet man doesn’t balk at that. 

“Yeah, you want the blue bottle or… the…” He trails off as he gets closer to the counter. “The crops aren’t the only thing growing this summer…” He reads the sign aloud, then grabs the test off the counter. He stares at it, then snaps his gaze to her. “No…. Are you serious? You’re pregnant?” He turns fully to her with the test in his hand. She nods her head. “Fuck yes!” He yells. “Fuck yes, baby!” He runs back across the room and lifts her into his arms. He twirls them around, then brings her down so she can wrap her limbs around his body.

“We are having a baby.” She whispers to him, resting their foreheads together. “I love you.” She smooshes his cheeks in her hands earnestly.

“I love you. I love you. I LOVE YOU! I’m so excited, honey.” 

“Me too! I can’t believe it happened so fast.”

“You did a good job pulling me deep.” He smirks. “Holy shit, we are having a kid… There’s a baby in there.” He pats her stomach lovingly.

“Oh my god, I’m pregnant.” She says to him, eyes widening as the reality actually hits her. “I have to give birth…” She trails off, looking concerned. “Fuck.” 

“Oh… Are we gonna have a little moment here?”

“Yeah. Oh shit.” 

“Okay.” David puts her back on her feet, keeping ahold of her hips. Mack starts waving her hand at her face, lifting her hair up because she is suddenly extremely hot.

“I’m having a hot flash. Or a panic attack. There is other ways the baby can come out right?”

“Ah… I… no.” He finally settles on. He gives a little chuckle. “We are far away from that right now, though.” He reminds her. His hands collect hers by her thighs. “One day at at time.” He nods. Suddenly, Mack starts to cry.

“Oh my god, you’re going to be the best dad!” She exclaims. “I’m so lucky I get to have your baby. You’re perfect. You love me. You already love this little bean too.”

“Bean?” David chuckles.

“Yeah, it’s tiny right now. Like a bean.” She sniffs, holding up two tightly compressed finger tips.

“Okay, then yeah I really, really love our little bean.” He murmurs. David moves his head down to her belly button. He kisses right under it and like usual, his lips soothe her. Her fingers thread through his hair as she sighs away the rest of her worries for now. “Wait.. it’s not a kidney bean right? Those are gross.” He mumbles against her warm skin.

“No, it’s a pinto bean.” She laughs, covering her mouth with her hand. Her shoulders start to shake too and soon they’re both laughing, holding each other close while they do. Mack covers her belly button when she pulls away. “Why do I feel like a teen mom?”

“We wanted this.” He reminds her, running an index finger down her nose comfortingly. “We are two old married people, ready for this next step.”

“You’re old. I’m not.” Mack scoffs. David snorts, then tilts his head back to the ceiling. He covers his face with his hands and starts shaking from silent laughter.

“You can never resist that, huh?”

“Nope.” She chuckles. “Okay, so what I’m supposed to go about my day now? Like… nothing is different? Wait, what can I eat?” She asks him.

“I don’t know. How about we go find that out together? Maybe make an appointment for you?” Mack suddenly gasps, clasping her hands over her mouth.

“I don’t want to go alone!” She squeaks. David is heading out of town for two games tomorrow after practice. There isn’t time to get to the doctor before then.

“You don’t have to. I’m gone for barely three days. The games are back to back. Let’s try to get an appointment for that next day.” He rubs at her shoulders. “You don’t have to do any of this alone. Me and you.” He reminds her. Mack nods and sniffs. Somehow she started crying again and didn’t notice. She wipes her nose with the back of her hand then raises her gaze to her husband.

“Do you regret getting me pregnant yet? Like what is all this…” She trials off at herself.

“This is our pregnancy journey, baby. And I’m right here. Step for step with ya.” He pulls her into his arms again, rocking them gently back and forth. One of his hands slides over to cup her stomach. Mack closes her eyes, feeling the weight of what’s happening between them right now.

She may be emotional and admittedly a little scared. 

But pregnant, Mackenzie Hischier has never been happier in her entire life. 

Read more Mack and David here.

[ladylooch]

Bones - Part 11 [Mack x David]

A/N: First and foremost, please read the warnings below. This chapter is heavy. It is also one of my favorite chapters written in this series. Not because of the things that have happened, but because we learn so much more about David and his upbringing. How despite all of that, he is who he is now. It's an incredible tip of the cap to his character. I also am in love with the courage and strength shown by Mack in this chapter. Would love to hear your thoughts on this one, if you're willing to share 😘

Word Count: 7.2k

Warnings: scenes of violence, mentions of abuse, guns, death, grieving, drug use, trauma discussions.

(David)

The first time David can remember getting smacked by his older brother, Tommy, was at their hometown grocery store.

David was 5 and had gone into town with his dad and brothers to drop his mom off at bingo. His dad didn’t know how to cook, so on nights his mom went to bingo, they stopped at the grocery store and split buckets of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and coleslaw. His dad would even let David have a full can of Coke.

On this particular day, David has been salivating over the bucket of Dum Dums from the Customer Service counter. His dad was buying cigarettes- Marlboro Reds as always. David had gone on his tip toes when the clerk reached for the white bucket. He made the mistake of reaching into the bucket first and Tommy, the second oldest had smacked David upside the head so hard his ears started ringing. 

“Wait your turn, Turd!” A 13 year old Tommy had barked. His dad had watched the whole exchange and tiredly told Tommy to knock it off. When David got home, he cried in his mom’s arms about it. He shouldn’t have. The next day Tommy gave David a black eye for snitching and knocked the wind out of him with a kick to the stomach. David learned to keep those things to himself after that. 

He generally avoided Tommy growing up those next few years. It got easier when Tommy ran off with some of his buddies to the South, convinced they could get rich on fixing up old cars and hanging around NASCAR tracks. Instead, all Tommy found was drugs.

David will never forget the first time Tommy showed to the farm high on meth. He hadn’t looked right, swerving up the driveway in his beater. David had been by the barn, bottle feeding a new calf, when his mom had called his dad back from the field. Their daddy cocked that shotgun and Tommy was off. The following afternoon, Tommy was waiting outside David’s high school hockey practice. He grabbed David and threw him against the arena wall, demanding his wallet. David had $100 in there. Tommy stole it then knocked a right hook into David’s cheek. When he got home, he told his mom he got punched at practice. She almost made him quit hockey after that.

Coach had to talk her out of it. 

For the next few months, off and on, Tommy waited outside of practice for David. Sometimes he was high. Sometimes he wasn’t. David preferred when he was. When he was sober, he would cry and hug David. Lie to him that he needed this money to get back onto his feet. Then the next time David saw him he would be high, itchy and shakey- wild eyes that threatened at every movement David made. Until one day David came out of practice to see Tommy being led away with handcuffs.

“How could you do this to me!?” He had screamed. “You’re supposed to be my brother!!!!”

David wasn’t the one who called the police. Although it was never admitted to, he suspected it was his coach. 

That same hockey rink still sits across the street from where him and Mack are walking into the grocery store now. The inside of the store has changed a lot since David was 5- more modern and clean, but the memory still lingers at that customer service counter. 

“Okay, so what are we getting?” Mack asks him. David clears his throat, pulling himself out of the past and into the present with his beautiful wife. 

“Burgers and pasta salad and some potatoes. Maybe ice cream for dessert?”

“Mmm I’m so excited for this meal. Okay, do you want veggies for your burger? Like tomatoes, onions, lettuce?” 

“Yeah. You head over there. I’ll grab a cart.” He kisses her temple then they veer off in different directions. David looks out towards the parking lot seeing a familiar, beat up Ram truck. Rust has eaten away at the wheel wells, leaving the body of the truck edgy and rough. David pauses with a hand on a cart. 

It’s probably not the one he is thinking of. Last he heard Tommy hadn’t been in town since March. At least that’s the last time he was on the farm trying to push Felix around. The only thing that made him go away was Felix and his shot gun. Some things never change with Tommy.

David and Mack arrived back into town yesterday after a few weeks in Switzerland. They fell into bed, exhausted from the time change, but with no food in the house, they had to fight their jet lag and head to the store for an early dinner. David wheels the cart with one hand, seeing Mack over by the tomatoes. As he is walking, he glances up, looking towards the familiar customer service counter. There, he does a double take. 

“Fuck.” David mutters, holding his breath. He glances back to Mack. She holds a tomato up, inspecting it every which way before plopping it into a produce bag. She ties the bag off then heads towards the onions.

Internally, David struggles. Mack has not had to interact with his brothers in any of her prior visits to Iowa and he wants to keep that streak going. Knowing Tommy, he’s here for cigarettes and not groceries. So his time in the store should be short lived. David wheels the cart close to Mack, bringing her into his chest to keep his body between her and where he last saw Tommy.

“Have you ever grown onions?” Mack asks him, putting a white one into a bag then dropping the two bags into their cart.

“I’ve grown green onions.”

“We should try next year. I feel like we should come here first and get a garden going next year, then go to Switzerland.”

“You don’t trust Felix to do it?”

“Babe, he can’t do everything for the farm and grow our personal garden.” Mack chuckles. “Give the guy a break. And a raise.”

“He hates breaks.” David reasons. “What’s next?”

“Lettuce.” She cheers, going to the back aisle of the produce section. She filters through the different options with her typical measured calculations, then points to the butter lettuce. “That okay?”

“Mhm.” David doesn’t give a crap what lettuce they have. He’s going to eat it begrudgingly anyway.

His eyes lift over his shoulder, scanning the customer service counter. He breathes a sigh of relief when he realizes Tommy is gone. Good. He wraps an arm around Mack’s back, pulling her into his body and giving her a sweet, soft smooch. She awakens in his arms and when they pull away, her look can’t be mistaken.

She wants him to bend her over when they get home. He hopes she will get handsy with him on the way home too. He can see her now, tucking her hair into the collar of her t-shirt so she can take his di-

“Wow, look who decided to come home from the big city finally.” David’s shoulders tighten when he hears Tommy’s smug voice call from behind them. David puts his hands on Mack’s hip, steering her into the cart so she’s locked in by his body.

Her fierce brown gaze squints ever so slightly. God, he loves her fiery attitude.

“Aren’t you gonna introduce me to your pretty girl, little brother?”

Ice runs through David’s veins, then a white hot rush of anger. Before he can think better of it, he’s mouthing off.

“Fuck off.”

“Oooo whoa. Is that any way to treat family?” David laughs without humor.

“Don’t fucking lecture me about how to treat family. Look in the mirror.” 

Tommy walks to the end of the cart, keeping David from creeping forward. He puts his hands on the end of the coated metal, peering in at their limited groceries.

“This is why you’re so scronnie. What you eating vegetables only now?”

It’s laughable that David could ever be considered slim or thin or weak. David rubs at the pounding thud in the middle of his forehead, then backs the cart out of Tommy’s grasp. He lets Mack slide out from his arms. She stands at David’s side, gaze watchful and guarded.

“Tommy.” He extends his hand to her. 

“Mack.” She responds, but doesn’t take his hand.

“Polite.” Tommy grumbles them brings his piercing blue eyes back to his brother. David resists the urge to shove the cart forward and knock Tommy on his back. He has to keep his cool. He can’t go flying off the handle whenever he is around. That just eggs Tommy on.

“Heard you’re married. Guess my invite got lost in the mail. But of course Felix was there. It’s so fucking disgusting that you treat Felix like he was part of our family. He wasn’t. He is a bitch boy and you better not be giving him any profits on our-"

Staying calm is no longer an option.

“Shut the fuck up!” David yells. Mack steps back, visibly surprised at the tone of David’s voice. Other people look. The whole store seems to go quiet. David rounds the cart, pressing Mack back behind him so there is distance between them and her. Then he gets right in Tommy’s face, careful not to touch him. This asshole would be one to claim assault and try to sue David for his next round of drug money.

“Leave us alone, Tommy. And I’m not just talking about today. Leave us alone for good. We are here for the summer minding our own damn business. You better do the same.”

“Oooooo.” Tommy jokingly feigns being afraid. “Little brother is so tough now. They teach you that in the big city?”

“You know where I fucking learned how to beat your ass.” David spits. “Go.” He waves him away. Something about the look in David’s eyes has Tommy choosing to heed his advice.

Tommy does turn and leave while hissing out the mocking laugh that still makes David’s blood turn cold in his veins. 

Mack slides her hand up David’s arm but he flinches and pulls away from her touch.

David tries to recover, wrapping her hand in his, but Mack’s face reflects her worry back to him She doesn’t press and they continue on through the store. David can’t help looking over his shoulder as they leave the parking lot, even after he see’s Tommy’s truck is gone.

Something in the back of David’s mind nags at him. A part of him that knows this is far from the last interaction they’ll have with Tommy.

So much for home being their summer oasis. 

- - - & - - -

(Mack)

The silence in the house creates the perfect amplifier for the hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Mack and David sit together in the living room after dinner, desperately trying to fight off their jet lag. It’s almost 8pm, which is the time they set for themselves before going to sleep for the night. 

Although, judging by the harsh, set line of David’s jaw, she isn’t sure if he will be going to bed anyway. 

If Mack hadn’t liked David’s sister, Denise, she isn’t sure what she would call her feelings about the interaction with his older brother at the store. David had turned into something dark and mean. He yelled. She thought she was going to have to jump between both the men but at the last second, David got himself under control. It was unnerving for Mack to see her husband that way. Sure, he’s fought on the ice, but that is all superficial. Nothing like what she saw in David earlier. 

Mack yawns loudly as she tosses her book, stretching her arms above her head. David does the same with his magazine, then rubs at his eyes tiredly. He stands wordlessly, pulling Mack up from her spot on the couch. He goes into the kitchen, opening up the dishwasher to let the clean dishes air dry, then grabs himself and Mack a glass of water for bed.

After they both get settled beneath the comforter, David pulls Mack in close. Her pajama shorts smooth against the bare skin of his thighs.

“I don’t want to scare you but I need you to listen to what I’m gonna tell ya, honey.” He runs his fingers through her hair. “Tommy isn’t welcome here. And he isn’t to be anywhere near you, okay? He’s all messed up on drugs again and he gets mean when he’s like this. If he shows up here when I’m out in the field, call me or Felix.”

Mack nods silently. He nods curtly, then turns out the light like their discussion is done. Mack has never seen David so serious before. His voice holds this edge of protection and his eyes have lost the sparkle they had when they arrived in Iowa a few days ago. 

“You’re safe.” He reminds her. “But you need to know he can’t be trusted.”

Mack nods again, then clears her throat to speak so he knows her answer through the darkness.

“Okay.”

Mack eventually falls into a restless sleep. She wakes in the early hours of the morning, hearing quiet voices talking down the hall. She puts on a sweatshirt, adjusting her pajama shorts back down her thighs then opens the door. She pauses, hearing David’s quiet, soothing voice talking to someone.

“How do you think we handle this with the staff?” David inquires.

“I think we tell them if they see him or his truck to let one of us know. You and I are the only ones who should be dealing with him.” Felix answers. “What about Mack?”

“She’s fine.”

A long pause happens.

“You’re sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. You think I’d gamble with her?”

“He seems worse.”

“Yeah. He’s using again. Could see it in his eyes when he looked at us.” Another sigh from David. “I want you carrying. I will too.”

“Hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“Well, it’s the only thing that gets a response from him.”

Mack’s eyebrows furrow. Carry? Like a gun? To her knowledge, David doesn’t have guns. Mack pushes the door open, letting the hinges squeak so they know she is coming. David greets her with a soft smile.

“Good morning.” He opens his arms for her to climb into his lap. She does, resting her cheek on his shoulder. He kisses her forehead as Felix rises.

“I’ll get the groups divided up and started. Have a good day, Mrs. Mackenzie.” Felix tips his cowboy hat at her, then heads to the front door.

“Is he ever going to call me Mack?”

“Probably not.” David chuckles. “He always called mama Mrs. Carlson.” 

Mack brushes his drying hair back from his forehead. The strands cling together as his hand grips her hip. She brings her eyes to his. 

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, just letting Felix know about Tommy. I want him to be aware.”

“Okay.” She nods. He tucks a chunk of her hair back behind her ear. His fingers linger lovingly on her cheek, drinking her in.

“What are you up to today?”

“I need to work. Time to write up some of our travels in Europe.”

“Mmm, nice. You’re staying here then?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, I’ll be close to the house today, in the first pasture. Come out and you can watch me cut some grass.”

“Tempting.” She widens her eyes sarcastically. “But you probably won’t see me.”

“Okay.” He pats her butt for her to stand.

His boots hit the wood floor heavily as he goes to grab himself some coffee in his thermos. Mack watches him walk to the fridge. He grabs a mason jar with the overnight oats she made him last night. When he turns back to grab his thermos, she sees a leather holster attached to his belt. 

“What’s that??”

“For my gun.” He says simply, grabbing a spoon from the silverware drawer.

“What??” She questions, sitting up straight in the chair. “David, you just told me last night that we are safe and now you’re wearing a gun to work?

“It’s not unusual here, babe.” He tries to soothe her.

“You didn’t have that at all when I have been here. Not once, David. Don’t talk to me like I’m stupid.”

David grabs the pot of coffee, pouring himself some into a white Michigan Hockey mug. He wipes his thumb under his nose, sniffing. He turns his butt to the counter, leaning against it as she stares him down, waiting for an explanation. He finally sighs.

“I take my job of protecting you seriously. I don’t trust my brother on crack. This gives me peace of mind.”

Mack’s head is spinning, not comprehending what’s going on at all. She wasn’t even aware there were guns on the property. David has never mentioned it in present tense. Sure, she knows he has hunted in the past, but he never mentioned he had hand guns. 

“I-I’m not comfortable with guns.��� Mack swallows hard, grabbing the sleeves of her sweatshirt into her hands. David frowns, rubbing at his face and neck. 

“Okay. I respect that. We can talk more about that tonight, but I gotta get going right now, okay?” Mack can hear the roar of the farm equipment starting up. He grabs his thermos, then comes to her chair. He kisses her. “Have a good day, honey.” 

Mack watches from the table as he opens up the front closet. He works a few stray jackets to the side, exposing a large safe. He punches in a few numbers, then the mechanical locks twist and click. David turns the handle to reveal a large quantity of guns. He grabs one from the top shelf, double checking something on it, then pushing it into his holster. He shuts the door, then waves at her before opening up the front door. When it shuts behind him, Mack closes her eyes with a sigh.

Through out the day, Mack tries to work but can’t. Her focus keeps being pulled to the front closet where that tall, black safe sits. Her eyes continuously pull to the closed door, wondering what else is in there. The same mantra loops in her brain: that safe is big. Tall too. Like what else is in there?

By the time David comes home for the day, she’s got herself all sorts of worked up. He’s sweaty when he comes through the front door, bringing with him the hot, sticky summer air. He already has his dirty hat and shirt off. He tosses them onto the bench as he lays down on his back for a second.

“Uh, fuck, I’m tired.”

Mack nods in acknowledgement, keeping her gaze on her computer. She quietly types away, continuing to work on her outline. She nudges her blue light glasses back up her nose as David kicks off his boots and socks. Eventually, he peels himself off the floor, then goes to take a shower. When he comes out he grills brats and they eat dinner at the kitchen table together.

“How was your day?” He asks.

Mack doesn’t respond but she does look towards the front closet again. She turns her gaze back to him with a wrinkle in her nose.

“How many guns do you have?” She asks quickly, ignoring his question.

“10.” He answers immediately. “They’re all registered. They’re always locked up unless they’re on me. I take firearm safety classes regularly. Been shooting since I was 8.”

“Okay.” She nods. “Can I have the combination?” She asks.

“Sure, after you take a firearm safety class.” He tells her around a bite of salad. Mack pauses. Something unpleasant and unnerving rips through her. It chills her body and locks her spine up. Slowly, she puts her fork down. 

“I’m really weirded out that you have a safe full of guns that only you have the combination to. I feel…” She trails off. Because how does she tell him that it makes her feel unsafe now? “Unsure.” She settles on.

“Okay. I can have Felix take the safe tomorrow. What would you like to do for tonight?”

“Oh.” She says quietly. “I didn’t mean… um.”

“This is your home too, honey. I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable. But I can’t give you that combination. I have to keep you safe from things both inside and outside this house.”

Mack swallows hard. She is starting to feel really shakey and emotional. They have only been in Iowa for three days, but she is becoming overwhelmed with how different this stay has begun, and how much anxiety she is experiencing in the current moment.

“I think I’m gonna go lay down,” She says, standing up fast. Her chair skids across the floor, almost falling back behind her. David stands too, slower, concerned, but Mack backs away when he walks forward to comfort her. He stops immediately, staring at her.

“Go ahead, baby. I’ll stay here.” He encourages, hands slightly up in surrender to her.

Mack quietly turns and goes to their bedroom. She closes the door, then sits cross legged on the bed before bursting into tears. She’s really confused and blindsided by what is going on. Then on top of it, David is acting weird, which is making her more uncomfortable. All of a sudden he’s yelling in grocery stores and has a gun on him? That’s a whole different side of him Mack has never seen. Almost like he is a completely different person.

She didn’t grow up around guns or shooting like him. He didn’t talk to her about this safe or his unstable brother before he got here. She hasn’t shared with him the why behind guns making her uncomfortable because she didn’t think she had to. Now, she’s here, in a place she still doesn’t know very well, having to deal with heavy topics while completely out of her element. 

Mack remains in their room by herself, taking some time to calm down alone. She can hear David cleaning up dinner. The dishwasher starts then a soft thump of the front door closing, meaning David is outside. She relaxes her shoulders, trying to untense her body.

Mack’s head begins to pound. She disappears into the bathroom to grab some medicine then lays down under the covers, curled up into a comma, reminding herself that she is safe. She falls asleep like that quickly, arms wrapped around herself too.

When she awakens, it’s dark outside and the clock next to the bed says 12:39 am. She sits up, looking around the room. David’s side of the bed is still made. The door is still shut. No light comes in from beneath the door. She can hear the crickets whispering outside the bedroom windows. Within these small four walls, Mack feels like the only one in the Iowa country side tonight.

Hair on the back of her neck sticks up. Her eyes begin to tear as a lump forms in her throat. She is really scared. Like she can’t breathe. Her chest heaves. She grips at her throat with her fingers then slides out of the bed. She rushes across the room, throwing the door open. The house is so dark. There are no illuminating streetlights this far out from a bigger city, so Mack stumbles down the hallway, gripping at the wall to lead herself toward the main area.

“David?” She calls through chattering teeth.

Mack can hear every octave of her shuddered breaths.

“David!” She sobs when there is no answer. Her fingers hit a picture frame, sliding it off the nail on accident. It crashes to the floor, jolting her fear to a higher level.

She begins to full on panic, sobbing, dropping to her knees. She can’t hear David calling to her. She is paralyzed in the hallway.

Then, “Mack. It’s me. I’m going to touch you.” David taps her knee then runs his fingers up her thigh to her back, fully enclosing her. “You’re okay. I’m right here.”

David leans back into the wall, pulling her body completely into his. He cradles her softly, gently murmuring to her that she is safe. Mack continues to sob, big quaking shudders that smear tears across his bare chest.

David reaches for his phone, turning on the flashlight, so he can see her face. Then he cups her chin in his hand. Her amber eyes are squeezed shut, lips warped from her cries. Eventually, with David’s touch and steady assurance, Mack calms down. She stares down at the floor, silent tears still falling.

“I-I tho-ought y-you le-e-eft.”

“Oh, baby. No. I stayed out here to give you space. I’m right here. Not going anywhere.”

Mack starts to cry again in relief and exhaustion and probably a lot of other ways. But what matters is David picks her up and takes her to bed. He pulls the covers over them and holds her as tight as he can. She’s smooshed into his bare chest. Her wet tears sink into his skin.

David is able to get Mack back to sleep. When his alarm goes off at 5, he turns it off fast. The room illuminates from David’s screen as he sends Felix a text to let him know he’s in charge. With everything going on between him and Mack, he can’t work safely today. Finally, he pulls Mack in tight again and falls back to sleep.

Hours later, they wake up like that together.

David rubs Mack’s back to help her wake up, then stretches out his legs and lower back which hurt from falling asleep on the couch. Mack is shy but doesn’t pull away from him.

“I’m so sorry. About everything that happened yesterday. I have not handled this well at all. I don’t think I could have done worse than this, babe.” His voice is a tentative, apologetic whisper.

Mack nods, then rubs at her gritty and swollen eyes.

“If you want to go back to New York, I understand.”

She shakes her head no.

“Mack, babe, I’m trying to be patient here but I’m really worried you’re falling outta love with me right now, so can you give me something?”

“I’m more in love with you than I’ve ever been.” She assures him. “I have some things I haven’t told you before and they came up yesterday. It wasn’t only about what was happening here, now.”

The kiss David lays on her has Mack curling into his body tighter. His lips suck her up, then his tongue. His hands alternate between gripping and rubbing her. She cups his jaw when they pull apart for air.

“My family was robbed once.” Mack blurts.

David stills. His eyebrows pull together and Mack can feel his jaw tighten under her hand.

“My mom was pregnant with me at the time. They cased our house. Waiting for my dad to be gone then broke in with guns. They put a gun to my mom’s head and tied her up while Lucie was upstairs sleeping.” David tenseness moves from his jaw throughout the rest of his body.

“The last thing he wanted to take were her wedding rings. My mom fought back. He knocked her over and broke her collar bone, then threatened to come back and teach her a lesson when my dad was out of town next.”

“What the fuck.” He hisses.

“Yeah. We moved after that. They caught him and he was convicted, did some jail time but he’s still out there in the world now, with the sense of home and security he stole from all of us that night.”

She pauses, pulling in a deep breath to settle her discomfort.

“So yeah. Guns make me uncomfortable. And give me panic attacks. And turn sweet men into scary, unknown people.” She whispers the last part. He needs to know how he made her feel yesterday.

“Baby, I would never hurt you.” He whispers, swallowing his wounded pride to make sure she knows he means it

“I know, David. But that feeling I have in my chest is never going to go away. Whether you’re holding the gun or someone else. It’s trauma.”

“I understand. What do you need me to do so you feel safe?”

“I want us to do other things than just have you walking around with a gun on the farm. That is not the solution to this.”

“Okay.” David nods. 

When they’re ready to rise from bed and greet the world, they have a plan. The gun safe is being moved to Felix’s until Mack gets more comfortable. Their plan also includes a new security system with cameras at the front gate, barn, and house. They get new, more sophisticates locks and stop doing their country tendencies of leaving the doors unlocked. 

After a few days of self-reflection, Mack signs up for a firearm safety class and after that, she gets the combination to the safe, exactly as he promised he would. Mack doesn’t feel the need to continue more after that, but learning how to use it and be safe, took away a lot of her fear around it.

The guns move back in the house and Mack’s attention goes back to normal things like work, the upcoming country fair, and her husband’s steady hand in hers.

- - - & - - -

Weeks later, Mack and David are driving the truck back from their sunflower patch. David’s hand is on Mack’s thigh, tapping along to the beat of a country song flowing through the old speakers. It’s a bit crackly, but Mack loves this old truck. Her and David had been out watching the sunset and making love in the truck bed.

The truck rolls up the hill from the pasture back onto the gravel road. Mack then lays her head on David’s shoulder. The cool blue of the night makes the white house they pull up to stark. The truck rounds the corner and David slows down almost to a stop. Mack lifts her head, seeing a blue, beat down truck in front of the house. Every muscle in David’s body coils up. He parks the truck in it’s spot by the barn. Mack sits up, watching as the person gets out of the driver’s side door.

It’s Tommy.

“David?”

He reaches around her to the glove box, pulling out a handgun Mack didn’t know was in there.

“Go straight inside, honey.”

“David.” Mack worriedly whispers this time.

“Baby, don’t fight me. I can tell he has been using. Get inside the house.” David shakes his head sternly. He tucks the gun in the waistband of his pants at the small of his back. David walks around the truck, then opens Mack’s door.

“Should I call…” She trails off because David isn’t listening to her. She swallows hard as he forces her forward to the house with a firm hand on her back. He doesn’t release her until her foot hits the first step of the porch. Mack hustles inside, quickly shutting the door behind her. 

“You’re not welcome here and you’re trespassing on my land.” David reminds him.

Mack watches from inside the house. She begins to tremble from fear and adrenaline. 

“Your land?” Tommy spits out with a laugh, then starts walking around the truck to David. David doesn’t move, hands loosely on his hips.

“Oh shit.” Mack mutters watching as Tommy shoves David. 

“This isn’t yours. It’s ours.”

“It’s fucking mine now. You got your cut, now fuck off.”

“Daddy would whip you with his belt if he heard you talking to me like that.”

“He wouldn’t. This land is still in Carlson hands because of me. He’d be proud of that. There have been some hard years since he died and I’m the one who made sure this farm survived. Not you. Not Charlie. Not Denise. Me.” David’s voice begins to raise. “How fucking dare you come here and say that to me.”

Tommy scoffs and shakes his head. He turns to look out towards the driveway then suddenly lunges at David out of nowhere. Even if Tommy was in great physical shape, he wouldn’t stand a chance against David. But still, Mack gasps and clutches her throat. She digs in her back pocket for her phone, fumbling with it as David flips Tommy onto his back.

Mack can feel the thud of his body on the dirt vibrate through her chest. Tommy struggles to breathe after. David gets down and says something quietly to him. Then he stands back on his feet and waits for Tommy to get back in his truck to leave. It takes Tommy a minute to get his bearings again, then he stumbles along to the driver’s side door. 

“You’ll get yours, little brother.” Tommy hisses out. Fear slices through to Mack’s core. 

After Tommy leaves in a whirl of dirt, David picks up his old Rangers hat that fell off during the altercation. He comes up the porch with heavy steps. Mack greets him in the entry way with tears on her cheeks.

“It’s okay, honey. C’mere.” He brings her into his chest with a hand on the back of her head. Mack sobs into his body. “We are safe. Don’t worry. I’m not going to let him hurt us.” 

Mack can’t help but think what that cost could be to them. He won’t let anyone hurt them, but what will he have to do to prevent the harm?

Call it fate, or maybe Devine intervention, but that night is the last time Mack and David ever see Tommy.

Two weeks later, as Mack and David are sharing coffee on the front porch, a sheriff’s car slowly rolls up into the driveway. It is David’s good friend, Trevor.

“Hey Trev.” David waves, scratching his chest hair with his other hand. 

“David, Mack.” He nods to them both, then takes off his green sheriff’s hat.

Sensing Trevor’s seriousness, David sits up in his chair, dropping both his feet back to the ground. Mack stands, getting off his lap so David can greet Trevor more formally. The two men shake hands, then Trevor says, “We had a drug raid early this morning off Aspen.”

“That green house on the corner?”

“Yeah.”

“That place should have been condemned long ago.” David sighs.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. Not as simple as when your daddy was mayor.” David nods in agreement. 

“The world is different. What’s that house got to do with us?”

“Well, in our sweep of the house, we found Tommy there.” Mack’s blood goes cold at the way David stills. “He wasn’t responsive. We transported him to Pella Regional, but it was too late, Dave.” David stares down at Trevor, hands on his hips in disbelief. Mack’s fingers shake over her mouth as she looks at her husband. She blinks tears she didn’t know had formed down her cheeks. 

“Are you serious?” David whispers to Trevor.

“Yes, sir. I am so sorry.” David licks his lips, then looks away from Trevor, staring up at the bright blue sky him and Mack had just been appreciating. “We need next of kin to come identify the body. I thought about going to Charlie but…” Trevor trails off. Everyone on that porch knows Charlie would have waved them away to disappear into the bottle, and made David do it anyway.

“Um, yeah. I’ll go change and meet you up there.” 

“Sure.” Trevor nods. “Are you okay to drive?”

“Yeah, Trev.” 

“Okay. I’ll see you at the station. Ask for me; I’ll take you.” The two men share a look of old friends, who understand each other and this circumstance. Trevor being the one to take David is a man trying to be the best friend he can be in an ugly life moment. Trevor puts his hat back on his head and gets back into his car. David watches the rocks kick up from the dirt road after the SUV, creating a plum of smoke like haze that blurs his view with his tears.

Mack carefully walks over to him. She pastes herself to his back, pushing her forehead into the deep valley of his spine. Her fingers grip as much of him as they can. She has no words. No amount of scrambling of her brain can come up with what to say to him. 

“I guess I gotta go. I can make pancakes when I get back.” Mack winces. Then grabs at him to turn him to look at her.

“Are you…” She stops herself. Of course he isn’t okay. “I’ll go with you.”

“No. Please don’t.” Mack purses her lips, trying not to feel hurt. This isn’t about her.

“Okay.” She whispers back as he walks around her. The screen door slams behind him. She hears David sigh heavily then inhale sharply like he is sobbing. She turns, watching him hit his knees in the living room. Then a gut wrenching wail rips through the house. Mack starts to sob in response. She walks into the house, collecting his big body into her arms. She buries her nose and a hand into his hair, collecting his tears and snot on her shirt. 

“I didn’t want this to happen to him!” He wails to Mack. “I just wanted him to leave us alone!”

“I know, baby. It’s not your fault.” Mack digs her finger prints deeper into his back, trying to hold him tight enough.

“Why does this keep happening to me?” He rocks forward, almost sending Mack to her back. She tightens her core to keep them both upright. “What did I do wrong?!”

“Nothing, baby. Nothing. You don’t deserve this. I’m so sorry.” 

It’s not enough. 

How could any words be when someone lost their life last night?

- - - & - - -

David doesn’t hold a funeral for his brother, there is no otherwise celebration of life. His other siblings don’t even acknowledge the loss of Tommy. Charlie rolls out of town again without a word, disappearing to roam along the West with some girl he met at a bar up in Des Moines. Denise and her family stay in Texas because “it’s just too hard”. So David takes days off from the farm over the next few weeks to settle Tommy’s affairs. He closes out his debts. Sells off the little items he had, including the run down trailer he was living in. He calls their extended family to let them know. No one is surprised. They all hope he has found peace in the next stage of existence. 

It’s Mack who suggests that David bury Tommy’s cremated remains by their parents. David stared blankly across the room at her then gave a single nod. He picked up the phone again and made a few more calls.

They buried Tommy on a Sunday morning. A local preacher from the church David’s mom loved when the kids were growing up stops by to say a few words. David doesn’t cry a single tear. He looks down at the torn up ground with an empty look. Mack folds their fingers together as they walk back up to the house. David stands at the bottom of the porch steps. Mack steps up, then turns back to look at him. 

“I want to leave.”

“Okay. Where should we go?”

“Back to New York. I’m sick of this fucking place.” Mack bites her lip worriedly then nods. 

“When?”

“Tomorrow.” 

“David.” Mack sighs, rubbing his palm. “We need to give Felix more time.” She reminds him. 

“I can’t.” He shakes his head. “I’ve gotta get outta here.” 

Mack understands. He knows she does because in a different way, she has felt the same ache he has complained about in his chest since Trevor showed up in the driveway. 

“Okay. Go. I’ll take care of the house, close it up for us and do what needs to be done here.” David nods, then walks around her into the house. 

The next day, Mack drops David off at the airport. He flies to New York and disappears there  alone. Mack takes three weeks to close up the farm. She could have been done in four days, but she knew David needed that time alone in New York. He went on long motorcycle rides. He grieved. He called her and cried on the phone at 2 am several nights. He got another tattoo. He started seeing the team psychologist to work through his grief- of the brother he had and the one he wished he did. But David got through it in the way he needed to. 

When Mack returned to New York, he was better, more himself than she had seen him since that first interaction with Tommy. Having her back with him healed him more. He started to laugh again, joke around with Woody, and build legos with Stella. He even went out for a beer with Lio and caught a Mets game with him. By the time the season started, David found himself in a good place with everything. 

He tells her as much on their last non-hockey morning together, sipping coffee.

“I’m feeling at peace with what happened this summer.”

“Yeah?” She murmurs, closing the book she had been reading.

“Yeah. I felt bad for awhile that I… like… felt relieved that he was gone? I didn’t have to worry about what he was doing anymore. He really had me on edge when we were back in Iowa. I felt violent and you sensed that the day I pulled the gun out of the safe.” Mack contemplates, then nods in agreement. “I don’t feel that way anymore. Yeah, Charlie is around town still, but he flows in and out like a breeze. Tommy was always around. Always threatening a run in or showing up and hollering at Felix when he knew I came back to New York. Not having to worry about that anymore is a relief.”

“I bet.” Mack nods assuringly. She reaches for his hand. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. I’m sorry that… his death is so much more complicated than it should have been. You should have been able to grieve this a different way.” David shifts closer to her on the couch then pulls her into a strong, loving hug.

“You’ve been so amazing with me through this. Thank you. I can’t imagine how I would have gotten through all of this without you. It’s like.. I shifted so much but you never took it personally. You stepped in and did whatever I needed and figured it all out. Thank you.”

“I like taking care of you.” She responds quietly.

“You’re good at it too.” 

Yeah. She is. 

And that’s something Mack didn’t realize until now. How good she can be at taking care of her people. 

That realization will nudge and change her life in a way she’ll never see coming. 

[ladylooch]

Bones - Part 10 [Mack x David]

A/N: This wedding is so perfectly Mack and David. The location, the people, THE VOWS, the party, the softness. But mostly in the way they turn into each other during the quiet or big moments. UGH! I always love an AU wedding chapter. & this one has found it's way to the top!

Word Count: 4.4k

Warnings: There is a brief moment of mature content in here. Because it isn't super flushed out, I'm not putting the sticker on. But if ANY mentions of sex make you uncomfy, don't continue below.

In the center of the room, a big ceiling fan swirls lazily overhead trying to move the thick, Caribbean air in the bridal room. Beneath the fan sits Mack’s bridesmaids- Lucie, Sophie, and Livy- along with her auntie Emma, her mom, Lexi, and Savannah, her cousin’s fiancé. The group of girls gabs excitedly as the finishing touches of powder are dotted on Mack’s forehead and under eyes.

“Okay, just sit there. Let’s see how that holds up.” The make up artist murmurs.

Mack is the last one to be ready because her hair took so long to curl. Plus her make up has tried to melt off her face with each layer. Things she forgot to consider when choosing their wedding venue. Overall, nothing about getting ready is going well, including the underwhelmed feeling she had when her dress came out of the garment bag. It’s fine. Just fine. Not anything like what the perfect man down the hall deserves.

Mack looks down at her folded hands and the diamonds of her engagement ring. Soon a simple platinum band will rest next to it with her and David’s initials. Is that enough too? Overwhelmed tears begin to blur her fingers together. Ugh, great. If she cries it’s going to be another set back. She swallows hard, willing the tears to cease. A glance over her shoulder reveals the group of girls sipping mimosas and laughing. Her eyes connect with her older sister. Lucie’s smile slowly fades and she cocks her head to the side as if to ask “are you good?”

Mack slaps a smile on her face, nodding. 

“Am I done?” The bride asks the make up artist. After a through examination of her face, she nods.

“Do you want me to touch anything up?” She holds a mirror up. Despite the struggles, Mack’s make up is flawless. Natural with mauve pinks and a burgundy eye crease.

“No. I love it. Thank you.”

Mack stands, then goes to her mom to ask for help with her dress. The room quiets down and everyone watches as Mack gets into her gown. The photographer clicks as Lexi zips her daughter’s dress to the top. Lexi adjusts the straps to lay flat on Mack’s shoulders then looks at her in the massive, full length mirror in front of them.

“You are so beautiful.”

“Davey is so lucky!” Lucie murmurs, getting up and squeezing her little sister. Sophie bounces up too and soon everyone is hugging Mack, making the room feel smaller than it did before. 

“Okay.” Mack mutters uncomfortably. 

“We love you, Mackie!” Liv squeals. “Do you want some champagne?”

“Sure.” Mack agrees. Maybe some alcohol will make her feel better, or take the edge off. 

Instead, the second the alcohol hits her stomach, Mack feels like she is going to barf. Suddenly, the room is too loud- ears feeling like they’re being pierced internally at the laughter and joy. Her body starts to feel incredibly heavy, throat tightening until she can barely swallow.

“Um, can everyone just get out?” Mack blurts over the noise. Once the words are out, she realizes she yelled. All the women in the room stare at her. “Sorry… I need a minute.” She whispers, turning her back on the group.

“Yep.” Lucie immediately answers. “Everyone scoot.” 

All the girls in the room follow the Hischier girls’ commands. Lucie is the last one out. Mack looks over her shoulder at her.

“Can you get him?” Mack asks her older sister pleadingly.

“Yes.” Lucie agrees. 

When the door shuts, Mack tries to breathe but it’s like she can only pull in a third of the oxygen she needs to get through this panic attack. Her nerves have nothing to do with David. She wishes they had eloped to some mountain top or were here by themselves. She feels on display for everyone else's enjoyment and she is not having fun. This is supposed to be fun!? Instead her skin prickles from anxiety, sweat is building already in her hairline and it’s so damn humid her thighs are slick where they rub together. What was she thinking with this silk dress choice?

Mack wants to sit down, but if she does, her dress will be wrinkled the rest of the day. She wants elegant pictures of her and her dad walking down the aisle. A big crease under her hips on either side is not the aesthetic. Instead, she walks over to the various drink choices, carefully pouring herself a glass of ice water. She swallows down a few sips, then blots her lips to preserve her lip stain. 

“Mack?” She hears David call from the door. 

“Come in!”

“Am I looking or no?”

“I don’t care.” She blurts. 

The door cracks open and her big, gorgeous man steps through. The door clicks shut behind him and he stares at her from across the room without a word. His green eyes roam over her. Mack can feel them everywhere, but he doesn't say anything. She looks down at herself then back at him.

“Are you disappointed?”

“Am I… What??” He asks incredulously. His mouth drops slightly open and his eyes rapidly search hers. “Oof, you’re nervous, honey, huh?”

“Yeah. I kinda wanna throw up all over this dress because I hate it now and I loved it before but it’s so hot. I’m so hot, David. I can’t think straight. I’m so out of my element with everyone waiting hand and foot on me. You’re not here with me and I don’t like it.” David chuckles as he walks over to her. HIs hands collect her hips, rubbing circles into the soft fabric.

“First of all, the dress is a ten and you’re a fucking 20. Holy shit. You look… stunning. Like what the hell are you doing marrying me?” A relieved exhale rushes from her lips.

“Stop.” Mack’s shoulders drop about three inches, back to their normal resting position. He instantly knows how to put her at ease. She laughs, holding his chest as he steps forward to nuzzle her face with his. 

“I’m serious. Holy smokes. We better get the officiant in here right now before you change your mind.”

“I’m not changing my mind. I just really need a hug from you.”

“Then come here.” He opens his arms for her. Mack drops into his body, soaking up his sweet, happy energy that she has come to crave. Where she is a thunderstorm, he’s the sunshine after the rain. She puts her hand on his chest over his heart, then rests her cheek there to be careful of his white shirt. “Don’t worry about it.” He tells her, peeling her hand away so she can lean fully against him. “I’ve got another one if we need it. My wife is always prepared.”

“I was worried they were going to lose our luggage.” She insists.

“Honey, you have been too worried. I think that’s the problem here. All that’s happening is we are saying some words to each other, putting rings on and smooching.”

“With an audience.”

“With thirty people who love us. And are so thrilled to be here to celebrate.”

“Yeah.” She sighs. “You’re right.” She takes in a big inhale, but she is still rigid in his arms. David holds her, gently trailing his fingers over her back. He presses sweet smooches into her curled, brown hair.

“I wanna show you something.” David murmurs, rubbing her back once more before dropping his hands from her. Mack steps back, watching as his fingers go to the buttons on his dress shirt.

“A pre-vow strip tease?” She quirks, wanting to make him laugh too.

“You wish, eh?” He winks, working his way down to the last few buttons. He undoes the buttons on his cuff too. His shirt slips away and Mack sees what he has been hiding for the last week.

“Wha… wow.” She quietly exclaims. Her fingers come up and she runs them around the district, black skeletal hands. Their two hands linked together, thumbs closing together in a heart, with the words “In this life and the next” woven around a banner combining their wrists. Underneath the words is their wedding date in roman numerals. A dark wedding ring sit slumped on the bones at an angle, meant to be hers. “Good thing I didn’t run, huh?” She jokes, then drops her face as she starts to cry. Her head hits his bare chest and he wraps his arms around her again. Mack glides her hand around his bicep, covering the raised ink of his fresh tattoo.

“Been saving that spot for the love of my life.” Mack kisses his chest, following a trail up to the hallow of his throat. “I love you, Mackenzie Hischier. And today is the best day of my life.” 

“Mine too.” She grins then kisses him like he deserves after all the ways he made her feel loved since walking through that door.

Her butterflies are gone. The uneasiness has disappeared from her stomach. Mack is once again grounded in importance and her safe space. Gone is all the worries about little things they won’t remember in 50 years when they’re still married.

All that is left is him. 

“I’m feeling better.” She says. “Thank you.” Mack reaches around to grab the sleeve of his dress shirt. She helps him slide back into it then re-buttons him up except for the top two buttons. “I wanna see some of you when I walk down the aisle.” 

“You’ll be seeing a lot of me right after I get to kiss ya.” He chuckles. “Be ready to go.”

“I’m ready.” She murmurs, grabbing his hand and putting it under her dress. She’s bare. His nostrils flare. 

“Baby… I wish you wouldn’t have…” He sighs. “Actually I don’t. That’s so fucking hot knowing I’m gonna marry you this way. Don’t change a damn thing, okay?”

“Promise.” She murmurs. “Kiss me again. Then go back to whatever boys do before they get married.”

“Lio wants to do shots.”

“I will kill him.” Mack rears back. “Tell him I said that.”

“I’m kidding.” David laughs, then kisses her like she requested. “Mmm, I love you.”

“I love you.” She repeats. After another grab of her bare ass, he leaves the room, confident and secure with each heavy step he takes. Before he shuts the door, he winks at her.

Mack breathes out the breath she feels like she has been holding all day. She smoothes her skirt down. Her eyes go to the stunning turquoise water for a moment, then she goes to invite everyone back into the room. 

It isn’t long before the ceremony music floats down to the bridal suite. All the girls leave again and Nico Hischier is invited in to see his beautiful daughter.

“Sweets, you are exquisite.” He murmurs, reaching a hand out for her. He squeezes her fingers together, then pulls her in for a hug. 

“Probably never saw this day coming, huh?” Mack laughs as they step out of the suite together. Her arm threads easily through his right one. Her other arm carries her bouquet of light pink roses.

“Before David, yeah I thought that.” Nico admits.

“I think you knew he was the one before me.” Mack murmurs, adjusting the collar of his shirt as they pause before the walkway leading to the overlook where her and David will exchange their vows. 

“No. You knew before me, You were just pretending you didn’t. But he was it.” Mack bites her bottom lip, then looks up at him with identical, teary brown eyes. It’s hard to imagine them standing here for this moment without Nico’s advice in Switzerland when Mack ran home.

“He’s the best, isn’t he?” They both laugh as Nico simply nods in agreement.

Yeah, David Carlson is better than anything Nico could have dreamed for his daughter.

Soft cords of Can’t Help Falling In Love begin to play. Nico looks over at Mack who nods that she is ready. So, so ready. Mack and Nico step through the door. Everyone turns to them, but Mack doesn’t even notice. She can’t take her eyes off the man who waits at the end of the aisle. He grins at her- a mega watt smile that could power the island for the night. Tears instantly sting Mack’s eyes. She laughs incredulously, like how is this perfect moment hers? What did she do to deserve this? And can she go back and do it again?

Then, she steps forward with her dad for their most important walk. Two strides in, Mack makes the mistake of looking at her dad who has tears rolling down his cheeks.

“Wow, dad, you could have tried a little harder to keep it together.”

“I should be better at this.” He acknowledges which makes Mack laugh. The motion blinks her tears down her cheeks and she sniffs.

The walk is fast. Guests will joke for years to come that Mack pulled Nico the whole way down. But who could blame her when David looks like that waiting for her. In front of her, Mack swoons at the misty glow of David’s green eyes. He isn’t crying, but his emotional smile has her heart glowing in her chest. He reaches his hand out for Nico to shake. They do so then hug tightly. Nico looks back over at his daughter. She tilts her head and tries to keep it together as she hugs him. Then he puts her hand into David’s.

“I’m not giving her away. She’s doing that herself.” Nico states to both of them. “Exactly like I would expect Mackie to.” David and Mack laugh. Yeah, that absolutely tracks for the independent, free woman she is.

“Her choice.” David nods. Nico steps away after stating he loves them both. 

As he leads her up to the flowered arch, David checks in. 

“You okay, honey?” Mack nods as she turns to face him.

He collects both of her hands in his own, holding them securely in place even though they shake a bit in his grasp. Behind David, Connor, Cody and Trevor stand tall, hands clasped together in front of them. Connor winks at her; Mack scrunches her nose at him then looks away before he makes her laugh. In the front row, her parents sit next to Felix and his wife, Lorena. Felix hasn’t left the U.S. in all the years David has known him. It’s huge that they are here. Today, they sit in a row with two empty seats, honoring the two people David would do anything to have here with them. 

The ceremony begins with an acknowledgement to that. A brief moment of pause for reflection and recognition of the great losses of David’s life. He remains stoic and reserved during the moment. When it’s over, he squeezes her hands and smiles. He wanted to do that, but he was unsure about it too. He didn’t want to start their marriage feeling sad at what he lost when he is gaining an entire family.

Mack and David didn’t want much fan fair in their ceremony, but they knew for sure they wanted to write vows for each other. Mack goes first. She takes in a deep breath, then looks up at him with a smirk.

“For the record, you should know I still hate you.” Everyone laughs. David nods his head, grin stretching his cheeks so wide it looks like it hurts.

“Fair.”

Mack chuckles, then continues.

“I hate how easy you make it to love you. I hate how perfect you are. I hate how much my family is obsessed with you. I hate how you brought me to Iowa and somehow made me love living on a farm? I hate how you know exactly what I am feeling when I wanna hide it all from you. But if you didn’t know, we probably wouldn’t be here.” Mack pauses there. She swallows then takes in another breath.

”You are everything I’ve ever needed. Everything I never wanted to have. But mostly because I never thought I would find something like this. I’ve been called complicated or difficult or aloof my entire life, but you’ve never made me feel that way. You've taken me exactly as I am, flaws and all, and have loved me hard, especially on the days when I didn’t want you to, then extra hard on the days I didn’t deserve it.”

David frowns at that, not liking the putdown on herself, exactly like she thought.

“Because in your eyes, I’m perfect. Nothing to fix, nothing to change. Only different parts that make me more loveable. I see myself that way now. Your love has healed parts of me I thought would never be whole.”

Now he smiles again. 

“I’ve been all over the world to tell stories. I’ve seen love in just about any place on this planet that it can exist. Sometimes it’s self-less, sometimes its hard decisions, sometimes it’s too painful to put into words, but it is always present. It used to make me ache to write these love stories out. But now I see us in every one of them. In the way love sacrifices. In the way it never fully goes away, no matter the distance. And especially in the way it forgives, vowing to be better every day.”

“So that’s my vow to you. To be self-less. To sacrifice for us. To love you in the moments you really need it, but also on the mundane Tuesday mornings. And to never stop leaning into us. So we grow and get better every day.”

“I can’t wait to ride this life out to the finish line with you. I’m so excited for this next chapter for us. I love you. Now and in the next lifetime.” She grabs his bicep where she now knows their tattoo sits, then lets her hand fall back to lace with his fingers. 

David stares at her in awe for several seconds. Then he sighs happily as the officiant hands him is vows. 

“I love you, baby.” He murmurs only to her. “Thank you for that.” 

Mack squeezes his hand then does her best to prepare for what he wants to say to her. 

“I have to say writing vows for a writer is really hard and I almost paid Livy to do it for me.” Again, everyone laughs. “Um, but the reality is that I love you so much, it’s difficult to put words together to describe it, honey. I kept telling myself when I was struggling with this that one day, 10, 20, 30 years from now, I’ll have found the words for you, but I don’t know. Because I find something new to love about you every day. If I’ve got 30 years of that, it’ll take another 30 just for me to get it all out to ya.”

"But that’s my favorite part of all this, how much time we have together. How many more memories we get to make, me and you, that will fill a lifetime of love and joy for each other.” He starts shaking his head. “And I know, that still won’t be enough for me. Instead, I’ll have to find you in the next life, honey. And I’ll love you all over again for the rest of that one too.” Mack whimpers as he folds the paper up. Short, but extraordinary as is David's way.

“I hate how good you are at writing vows even when you think you suck.” She slaps his jacket with her vows. She gestures to him at their wedding guests who clap and laugh loudly. “What the hell…” She mutters just to him. 

“You make me better.” He says simply.

That one sentence could have been both of their vows.

During the rest of the ceremony, David is holding her hand, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. He squeezes her fingers every so often, then kisses her rings as he slips her band on her finger. They may be getting married in front of other people, but truly Mack feels like they are the only ones here. 

When the rings are secured, David pulls Mack close.

“We’re done, yeah?” David asks the officiant, not looking away from his new wife.

“Sure.” The officiant nods. “Go ahead.”

Mack goes up on her tip toes, cupping David’s cheeks as their tongues meet first. It’s a hot, deep, knee weakening kiss that has Mack softening into his chest. David lifts her up. Mack’s knees curl as she laughs into their kiss. 

“My wife.” David murmurs.

“Yours. Mine. Forever.” She agrees, kissing him with each word. David sets her back on her heels. They turn to their guests and smile. Everyone claps and cheers, but Mack and David have their eyes set on the doors leading back into the venue. Mack discards her bouquet on an outside table. When they get inside then their focus is on the hallway, then the bridal suite.

Five minutes into their marriage, David buries himself deep into Mack’s core. He works her up into a feverish rush of desire then shoves her off the cliff into a white hot orgasm that feels different than any one she’s had before. Because this time it’s her husband who fills her up right after. Mack kisses all over his face- lips, jaw, mustache- as he puts her legs back down on the ground.

“So much better as my wife.” He wiggles his black eyebrows at her. Mack can’t stop grinning. Her cheeks already hurt from all the love and smiles she’s had today. But then David leans down and kisses her dimples, clearing all the discomfort away. “I love you.”

“I love you.” She agrees.

Then they walk hand in hand back to where everyone waits for them.

The second Mack and David are visible in the reception doorway, Connor starts yelling.

“My brother!!!!!!!” 

“Oh my god.” Mack laughs as Connor comes sliding over in his dress shoes. David releases her hand and runs towards his D partner.

“Brother!!!” David yells, picking Connor up. They both shake each other around, two big bodies moving awkwardly through the air as they try to express their excitement. 

“You two are such idiots.” Lucie teases. “Congrats, Mackie. I’m so happy for you.” Lucie rubs Mack’s shoulder as she pulls her in for a hug. 

“Thanks, Luc.” 

Her parents are next, followed by her little sister. Then she accepts hugs from the Meiers and of course, Felix and Lorena.

“Mrs. Mackenize.” Felix greets. Mack giggles at the name change. “Good choice keeping your last name. His sucks.” He jerks his hand at David.

“Bet it looks pretty good on your checks, old man.” David grins at Felix, all love for the older man.

“Yes! It goes!” Lorena slaps Felix’s chest. “Thank you both so much for having us here. This is a dream vacation, but we are honored to be here to celebrate your love.”

David and Mack paid their entire way as a thank you for everything the two of them do on the farm, especially while they are in New York for the season. This is the least they could do. Lorena had been telling Mack she couldn’t remember the last vacation they went on. Mack knew what they were going to do instantly. They’re all set up to continue their relaxation for another week, even after the NHL families head back home.

Next are Nico and Lexi who both hold their daughter together.

“We love you. And David is right, you are perfect.” Lexi assures her. “Nothing to change.” Mack blinks two tears down her cheeks. Her parents have never made her feel this way. It’s all been internal turmoil, but just like David, they’ve found ways to soothe and heal her over the years too.

“Thank you.” She whispers then lets them move on to her husband. 

Sophie rushes over, collapsing into Mack’s arms and sighing happily.

“I love you, Mackie! I’m so happy for you.” Sophie looks at her with stunning green eyes, framed by long lashes that make her look innocent and younger than her age. To Mack, she’ll always be five years old, needing help into her Kindergarten classroom. “Let’s drink! Luc!” Sophie calls their other sister over. “Livy! Sav! All the guuuuurls!”

The group of women wanders up to the bar together. They all get glasses of champagne. Then the DJ puts on an absolute banger and they all run away to the dance floor without Mack, who backs out of Sophie’s grip.

“Give me a minute.” She chuckles. 

“ONE!” Sophie yells back then bops her way to the dance floor and immediately starts to drop it low. 

Mack takes a sip of her champagne, then a hand grabs her elbow. She grins, hugging her uncle Timo. 

“My little bully is all grown up. Congratulations, Mack. I’m happy for you.”

“Thank you.” Mack hugs him harder. 

“Save me a dance?”

“Always.” She nods, then watches him walk off, handing a glass of champagne to his wife. Mack smiles to herself as they kiss. She’s lucky to have had incredible examples of marriages that last with hard work and two people who try. She hopes her and David can continue to replicate this in their own way.

Mack drifts her gaze across the event, trying to stay present in this moment. This day has been the best one of her life; she meant it when she told David that earlier. It’s the people who are here and the man that she just married and the ocean breeze that blows her curls around her face. She didn’t know it could be this good. 

All she wants for the rest of her life is to keep this. 

All of it.

David’s hand slides around her waist. She does the same to him, resting her head against his chest. They don’t share any words as they watch the part around them.

There are none left to say.

All they can do is soak it all in.

Read more Mack and David here.

[ladylooch]

Bones - Part 8 [Mack x David]

A/N: I'm back! Had so much fun back home in Minnesooooooota. Definitely came back with that strong midwestern accent. A guy at dinner made fun of me yesterday. BUT! As a treat for myself, and anyone else who had the Monday from hell at work... here is part 8! Where we get to celebrate love and happiness and all hold our breath for juuuuuust a second 😏

Also, quick reminder that flashback day is Wednesday this week!

Word Count: 4.2k

Mack’s fingers thread through David’s long hair as the first thrust of his cock glides into her. She sighs happily, turning her face into his cheek to kiss him. His cheek is rough due to his long stubble. When he feels her lips on him, he turns his head, stealing the breath from her lungs. A soft summer sunrise filters in through the open window in David’s Iowa bedroom. For so many reasons she can’t quite put into words, Mack feels at home here, even though they just returned from her home.

It’s the press of his hips into her. 

The weight of his body on top of her.

The warm seasonal breeze shaking the green leaves outside.

The smell in the air of them and the older farm house. 

The fresh grass growing from last nights rain. 

It’s comfortable and steady like the man making love to her now.

“You’re going to be so late.” Mack whispers.

“No one will be surprised. They saw you get outta the truck and knew it would be a long summer of the boss being late.” Mack chuckles. David kisses her nose, then tilts his head down to watch her swallow his cock. He exhales in pleasure before he drags his nose up hers to nuzzle. His lips press into hers again and again. Mack tangles her fingers into his long hair, scratching at his scalp gently. “I love when you do that.” He murmurs on her lips.

“Mmm yeah.” Mack sighs into his mouth, feeling her orgasm build. She loves this too, how they start off so sleepily touching each other and it turns into her favorite kind of orgasm. David works his way back to a kneeling position between her legs. He spreads her wider for him, then playfully strums her clit with his thumb. Mack reacts immediately, squeezing him harder as her walls collapse on him. 

“Love starting the day like this, honey.” He groans, picking up his speed. Mack’s orgasm begins to unwind in her body. She reaches for his wrists, holding him steady as his tempo stays exactly the way she needs it to come. 

“David.” Mack whimpers, squeezing his wrists as she milks his cock. David releases into her soon after, pumping hard and consistent to finish them both off. 

Mack opens her eyes, smiling at seeing David breathing heavily above her. He pants towards the ceiling, then rubs a hand over his face before dropping it to her thigh. 

“All that for the rest of summer?”

“Yeah.” Mack nods eagerly, biting her lip as he grins down at her.

“Okay, I really have to go now though.” 

They both can hear the trucks and farm equipment rolling past the house as the farm team gets started without him. David pulls out of her. Mack follows him into the bathroom so they both can rinse off in the shower. Then they both touch each other through getting dressed. David almost strips Mack right down again until his phone vibrates in his pocket. 

“I’m coming.” David answers, smirking at Mack who blushes like a total newb. “Yeah. I’ll be right out there to look with ya.” He grabs a hat from the hooks by the door, then clicks off the phone. “See you at lunch?”

“Yeah. I’ll have something ready for you.”

“Babe.” He groans when she rubs her fingers over the zipper on his work jeans. “I… what am I gonna do with you?” He laces their fingers together to stop her scavenger hunt. 

“Fuck me at lunch?”

David squeezes his eyes shut. He breathes out a heavy sigh then slaps her ass hard.

“Salad for lunch it is.”

Then he’s out the door, adjusting his jeans as he goes.

- - - & - - -

(David)

Hot coffee billows steam above the Yeti cup in David’s hand. Streaks of bright, summer sunlight cut across his property as he looks out at the puffy fog covering his fields. The humidity in the air already has a bead of sweat rolling down his spine. It’s gonna be a hot one today when the sun gets fully up. They’ll have to take long breaks today if him and the crew are gonna manage this day safely. 

Across the property to his left, David watches as Felix Alvarez opens his front door, kissing his wife, Lorena, goodbye before starting the long walk over to where David is by the barn, sitting on his truck tailgate. David spares a glance at his house, seeing it still dark. Good. Mack barely stirred when he crawled out of bed this morning. She was up late last night working on her article and he is glad to see she is still asleep. 

Especially considering the heavy, expensive box in his left pocket.

He bought it in New York before they left for Switzerland in June. He’s carried it across the world and back, but something about having it on him here, where he plans to ask Mack to marry him, holds more weight to it. 

David takes another steady sip of his coffee, licking the brown liquid off his mustache as Felix gets closer.

“What the hell you doing up so early?”

“Early bird gets the worm or whatever shit you used to say.” David smirks.

“Mack turned you down finally, eh?”

“Sure. We’ll go with that.” David laughs. “Brought you some coffee.”

“Ms. Mackenzie’s stuff?” Felix looks suspicious.

“No the good stuff.” David jokes. Felix can’t stomach European coffee, literally. It sends him running back to the house he came out of with his cheeks clenched.

“I’ll help you get everything together first.” Felix motions to the tools that need to be loaded into the truck David is sitting on. 

“Nah. Just sit there and drink some coffee. Have a donut too.”

David ran into town a half hour ago to grab fresh donuts for the crew. They’ve been working hard this summer. It’s the least he can do. 

“Fancy.” Felix murmurs, picking up an eclair with chocolate frosting and rainbow sprinkles. 

“Only the best for you.” David says after Felix takes his first bite.

“This better not be my bonus.” Felix narrows his eyes jokingly at David who chuckles lowly. 

“No, we’ll get you some real money. So you can buy Lorena that new washer and dryer she keeps bringing up at Sunday dinner.”

“I’m gonna buy it for her. I just want the other pieces of shit to kick the dust. Your generation is so wasteful. Gotta ride that crap out as long as you can.” Felix waves off David’s concern. “And don’t you go buying her that on my behalf. I can still kick your ass, kid.”

“Alright.” David concedes. They both know there is no way. David’s got about 10 inches on Felix these days.

The two men fall into a comfortable silence. Felix eats his donut. David slurps his coffee. Felix stands. David sits. They watch the sunrise higher in the sky together until Felix is done eating. 

"Gotta get through the rest of the fence today." Felix breaks the silence. "Don's boy doesn't work as fast as his daddy. Not sure how long he is for this kinda work."

David chuckles.

"Didn't you tell my daddy that about me?”

"Yeah but that was to make you work harder. This kid doesn't know hard work.”

"Well, give him a few more weeks. Need all hands on deck fixing up the buildings from the hailstorm last year. Can't go another winter like this.” Felix nods, knowing David is right, but annoyed cause he really doesn't like that kid. "I'll watch him. If he needs to go, I'll do it. Let Don be mad at me.”

Felix watches David pull his work gloves out of his pocket where they were making his ass fall asleep. Then David picks up his thermos of coffee, looking out at the rolling fog off the field. 

“Gonna be another hot one today. Hopefully those storm holds off.”

"That really what you bought donuts and coffee for? To talk about Don's kid and the weather?” Felix gestures to the truck tailgate, then puts his wrinkled, calloused hands in his pockets. David smiles with a caught chuckle. Felix always has him clocked. Has since his days bringing girls out into the farm pasture too. He always knew when to show up, right before David could round second base.

“No.” David exhales heavily, then puts his hand in his pocket and pulls out the box with Mack's ring in it. He pops it open, looking at the ring, then turning it so Felix can see. "Can't live without her." David says, shrugging his shoulders like it’s final. "You like her okay?”

"Yeah, but I don't think you'd care if I didn't." Felix laughs, then grab's David's jacket to pull him into a hug.

"Probably not." David laughs too, hugging him tight. 

"You know who would really like her tho?”

"Mama." David nods, exhaling heavily through his mouth

"She would love the way Ms. Mackenzie loves you. Fully. As you are.”

"This good enough for her?" David asks, looking down at the massive diamonds. David can see Felix starting to tear up. He nods like speaking feels too hard with the emotions in his throat. 

"Yeah, buddy. You did good. You ask her daddy?"

"Yeah and her mama."

"Good." Felix pats his shoulder, giving him one more hug. "Proud of you. Know this road has not been easy, but you never givin’ up got you here. Got you that woman in the house too, who by the way is looking out the window over here.”

"Shit. Why is she up?" David grumbles as he quickly hides the ring behind his thigh on the tailgate.

He squints over to the kitchen window, seeing her peeking out at them. She waves shyly, then turns the light out and leaves the room again, presumably back to bed. David longs to follow her there. Strip off her cherry printed pajamas and kiss all over her warm skin. Wake her up properly and gently with his hands and mouth and dick.

But he's got work to do. 

"When you gonna ask?”

"Part of me just wants to drop down in the kitchen and ask her at lunch, but she deserves something special.”

"Well, you know I'm here to help if you need it. She loves it here. Plenty of spots all over the farm that could work.”

“Like maybe the sunflower patch I asked you to plant for me this spring?” Felix grins.

“Lorena knew it. Called it when I told her what you asked.”

“Good thing you’re a good farmer, eh? They’re about the right height?”

“Give ‘em another week, if you can wait that long.”

David nods.

It’ll be hell. But he’ll do it for her.

- - - & - - -

(Mack)

Mindlessly, Mack rinses off plates from dinner before placing them into the bottom rack of the dishwasher. The TV is turned to a baseball game David has been watching for a few minutes before he went out to meet Felix at the barn. Mack wipes at an itch on the end of her nose with the back of her hand. Once the final dish is in, she plops a detergent pod into the slot and turns the dishwasher on. 

Then she turns to cleaning up the rest of the kitchen, including the dining room table where they ate. By the time she is done, David has come in and disappeared down into their bedroom. Or so she thought. 

Mack turns away from her last swipe across the dining room table and jumps at David leaning against the wall, watching her. He changed into a grey henley, darker jeans and his going out boots rather than his work ones. His hair looks like he swiped some gel through too. Mack smiles.

“We going somewhere?”

“Yeah.” He smiles. The way he watches her has Mack blushing. 

“Am I dressed okay?” She asks of her light, linen sundress. Her hair is curled from the humidity and she’s got minimal make up on.

“Always, honey.” Mack nods.

She walks over to the sink, tossing the rag onto the middle partition, then going over to grab her boots. When she has them on, she walks over to David’s outstretched hand, taking it in hers.

“I’ve been keeping something from you.” He tells her once they are loaded into the truck. He turns off the main road and starts cutting through the field to the back, southwest corner. 

“Oh?” Mack pops an eyebrow in question.

“I don’t know how you didn’t wander over here yet, but I guess I’m just lucky.” He shrugs as they come up towards the edge of the property. Mack looks over to the west, smile growing big when she sees it. 

Planted in perfect rows is a huge garden of sunflowers. They’re bright and bold in the midst of the green pasture surrounding them. Outside of the garden where his moms roses are, there aren’t many plants on the farm just to look at and appreciate their beauty. The sunflowers curve in a half arc like they were intentionally planted that way. David puts the truck in gear. Mack stays put, knowing he will come around and open the door for her. 

“Wow.” She murmurs as her hand rests in his. She steps down from the truck and lets him lead her towards it. He cuts towards the right of the garden, leading her around to show her the bench sitting perfectly in the center. It’s the same one David has been building here and there since they arrived from Switzerland.

“So we can watch the sunset together the rest of the nights we are here.”

“Babe, this is… incredible.” Mack murmurs, shaking her head in awe. She moves forward and David lets their hands drop. She hears him suck in a deep breath. Mack looks towards the west, gazing out at the blues, pinks, and oranges that burst across the sky. It’s stunning. Indescribable. She clutches at her necklace with his number on it resting between her collar bones. She opens her mouth to speak to David, but the words are lost when she sees him down on one knee.

Her heart slams to a stop in her chest and she squeaks in surprise.

His big hand holds a red box in it where his wrist is dangling off his bent knee. Mack blinks, then looks back at the sunset for a second before she gathers the nerve to look at him again. Her bottom lip wobbles. David reaches for her hand to pull her closer to him. She hesitantly steps forward. Oh my god. She is completely shocked.

“Can’t live without ya, honey.”

“Okay.” She sobs. David laughs gently, examining her face. 

“Don’t wanna either. I want to spend the rest of my days in this life loving you.” Mack shudders as she tries not to hiccup. 

“People aren’t hiding in these sunflowers, right?” She chokes out tightly.

“No. It’s just me and you, honey. Like I want forever to be.” Mack nods, then falls to her knees in front of him. She ignores the pinching of dirt and grass into her skin. She grabs his neck, bringing his face to hers so she can kiss him hard and long. “That a yes?” He chuckles when they pull away.

“God, yes. Of course. I… I love you. I want to be your wife.” She cries to him as he wipes her tears. “Oh my god.” She falls forward, head hitting his chest. She buries her nose there. “I had no idea.”

“I know.” He laughs. “I almost told you I was gonna propose today, last night. I felt like you had to know beforehand to mentally prepare. But then I figured one surprise in our life together won’t hurt.” His hand is on the back of her head, rubbing at her scalp through her curls.

“How do you want to marry this? I’m crazy…” She shakes her head.

“No, baby. You just… don’t like surprises. You like a plan, but I hope this surprise was an exception for you. Because it is a plan. A forever one.”

“Yeah.” She nods. She pulls away, looking down at the ring he slips onto her left finger. “This is a Cartier ring. New York?”

“Yeah, that has been everywhere we’ve been this summer.” Mack looks down, then slowly glances up at him.

“You asked my dad?”

“Of course I did. And your mom.” 

“I had no idea.” She shakes her head again.

“We can wait a while. Have a nice, long engagement. Get married in a few years. There is no rush. But I wanted you to have something that shows my commitment to us as we go into this next season together.” Mack nods.

“Thank you. For understanding me and knowing sometimes I need time. But I don’t need time with you anymore. I know this is what I want. Forever. So let’s… not wait awhile.”

“Courthouse tomorrow?”

“Not that fast.” She chuckles. “I really want my parents there…” She bites her lip after she says that. “And I’m so sorry yours won’t be.” David pushes her hair behind her ear and nods. 

“Me too, baby. But I know they’ll be there in the way they can be. Don’t be sad about it.” They cup each other’s cheeks, then kiss again and again. Until they need to break apart for air, then they dive back in. Eventually, they move to the bench. David grabs a blanket from the truck and he wraps it around her shoulders to keep her warm as the sun disappears under the horizon. As they head back to the house, light rain spits onto the windshield from the storm rolling in from the South. Mack lays her head on David’s shoulder, letting it bump and sway with each divot in the road. 

When they get home, David takes Mack to bed where he makes love to her, again and again and again. Until they can’t go another round and fall asleep tangled in each other, wearing nothing but tattoos and rings.

- - - & - - -

After the proposal, it takes a few days for Mack to get used to the ring on her finger. By the time they have a small engagement party gathering with the farm hands and David’s hometown friends, she is used to it. What she isn’t is the thousands of questions that come from everyone about what their future holds, including the overstepping inquires on when they’re going to have children. David is the one who waves that question away.

“We aren’t having kids.” He says it simply, firmly, without room for further discussion from Diane, or Josie, or Michelle or the handful of other women who ask that Mack still can’t remember their names.

Mack and David have discussed not having kids since early on in their arrangement. Mack likes kids okay, but she doesn’t have that urgent desire to procreate. She likes being an aunt to Stell and soon her little sister, but that’s because she didn’t have to birth or raise them. Lucie loves being a mom and thrives at it. Mack never pictured her future with kids, nor does she want to readjust her whole life for children. Being a stay at home mom sounds like Mack’s personal purgatory. She still has dreams and goals to accomplish and none of them involve being someone’s mother. She likes her freedom to do as she pleases and she wants that same lifestyle with her soon to be husband.

She hopes David is still on the same page with that. 

“How are you up before me?” David asks Mack as he thumps into the kitchen. He is all dressed for work, ready to meet the hands who are already arriving for the day. 

“Couldn’t sleep.” Mack shrugs. She takes a long sip of her coffee, watching as David grabs his clean coffee thermos from the side of the sink.

“Already a farm wife.” David murmurs, tossing a sweet smile over his shoulder at her. She winks, then looks back down into her coffee cup.

“Hey, could we talk about something when you get in tonight?” David finishes pouring the rest of his coffee into his container. He glances at her then releases a low hum.

“That looks like a serious discussion face.”

“It is.” Mack confirms, taking a sip of her water beside her coffee.

“Why do we have to wait?”

“Because you’re about to head out to the field.”

“Honey.” David shakes his head. “I’m gonna be thinking about this all day. Let’s just do it now.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you late again. I wanted you to be aware so I didn’t pounce on you later.”

“Is this where I find out you have a husband in Switzerland and this is actually going to be a poly marriage?”

“What!?” She snorts. “No.” 

“You don’t like your ring?” He tries again, leaning back against the sink.

“No, I love my ring.” She assures immediately. It is pure perfection and more than she could’ve dreamt of.

“Okay, I’m outta guesses.”

“Great.” She chuckles. “I want to talk about not having kids again. I know we talked about this in New York when things were still new, but I want to be open with you that I still don’t want kids. I don’t see that as part of my future. I never have. I love you and I am so excited to build our life together, but I… don’t want to be a mom.” She finishes with a shrug.

“I am okay with that. I told you then that I didn’t see kids as part of my future either. If it’s you and me for the rest of our lives, that’s a perfect life.”

“But it’s so different than what everyone else does around here. Are you sure?”

“Yes. I don’t really care what everyone else is doing- that’s their life. I had a shitty childhood. I’m not looking for a repeat with our kids.” Mack furrows her brows.

“Yeah, but babe, you wouldn’t be that kind of parent. Or raise our kids to…” She has to step carefully here to not offend him or his parents memories. “Not show up for each other.” David looks away, out the kitchen window over the sink. The farm hands are beginning to congregate together along the pink sky.

“I’d have different ideas, yeah. But there is some shit that runs in this family that I don’t wanna pass on.”

“Nurture and education can overcome nature.” David furrows his brows at her, then snorts.

“Are you trying to talk me into having kids after reminding me you don’t want any?” David chuckles, eyes creasing at the corners.

“No! I just… you would be great at it.” She emphasizes to him with her hand.

“So would you, Mack. But it’s not that simple with babies.” He puts the top back on his thermos, screwing it shut. “And at the end of the day, you have to go through a lot more than me to have ‘em. You don’t want to do that. I get it. If the roles were reversed, I wouldn’t want to either.” He kisses her hair, pressing his nose into her head. “Anything else?”

Mack searches his face. All she sees there is assurance. 

“No.” She shakes her head. 

“All I want out of this life is you.” He cups her chin. “I don’t need anything else.” He mumbles against her lips. “I’ll come in for lunch.” She nods. He heads towards the door. He disappears around the corner as Mack stretches her arms above her head. He suddenly reappears.

“That why you were up early this morning?”

“Yeah.” She chuckles then hides her reddening face.

“Just wake me up next time.” He raises his eyebrows at her. “Hate when you’re up worrying about shit you don’t need to.” 

“Okay.” Mack murmurs quietly.

“Promise.”

“I promise!” She whines. “Goooo.” She waves him towards the door. He stares at her, standing tall and unmoving. Mack purses her lips at him in a crinkled pout.

“I love you. I can’t believe I get to marry someone as perfect as you.” Mack starts giggling excitedly. She hops up from her seat at the table and runs over to him. He catches her in his arms, lifting her up by her waist. Mack’s knees pull up behind her, feet touching her butt as he kisses her with delicious smooches. 

“You’re obsessed with me.” She tells him. Her engagement ring glitters in the rising sun, casting rainbows along the wall beside them. “And I love that.”

“I know you do.” He grins. “Alright. Goodbye for real.” He kisses her once more, quick, then sets her back on her feet. “Have a good day, gorgeous.”

David winks, then heads out the door for a day filled with farming until he can come home and fuck around with his favorite girl.

[ladylooch]

Bones - Part 9 [Mack x David]

A/N: Sooooooooo I hope this chapter isn't what cursed Jake. Cause like... I would have never written it if I knew what was gonna come out of it! But also this has been done for weeks so.... I take no responsibility! I do love this chapter though! I'm excited to give y'all more insight into David and his family dynamics AND see Mack take care of her man 🥹

Word Count: 5.4k

Warning: brief mention of addiction, injury, surgery and general medical discussion

Mack really wanted to like the first member of David’s family that she met. She really did. 

But his sister proved herself to be three strikes and out before the drinks had even hit the table. Mack is already done with this bitch. And don’t even get her started on the husband, Ted, who keeps taking peeks of the waitress’ ass when she bends over to refill waters at the table across from theirs. 

Mack watches Ted do it again, then grinds down harder on her teeth. As she moves her potatoes around with her fork, Mack tunes back into Denise’s self-centered story about how hard the lack of income from the farm has been on her and Ted’s children. Mack peaks at her fiancé. Although he is calm and collected on the surface, Mack can see the frustration brewing beneath with the slight ticking of his upper jaw.

“I don’t know what to tell you.” David murmurs to Denise after swallowing a bite of his steak. “I asked if you wanted to continue on or be bought out and y’all chose to be bought out.” A measured disappointment flows in his tone, but Mack knows it’s for show. He is thankful his siblings all walked away from the farm. They didn’t have the business insights like David does or the college degrees that help him be innovative and calculated. The farm and David are better off without them involved.

“Well, the boys and I feel like you lied to us.” Denise whines. “Like you had all these plans you didn’t share so we could make an informed decision.” Mack scoffs slightly at the word boys, like the people Denise is talking about aren’t almost 8 and 10 years older than David. “We’re family.”

The manipulation is palpable in Denise’s words and tone. Mack’s eyes narrow as she stills in her chair. David’s hand comes to her thigh under the table, giving it a reassuring rub. He can sense her anger. How Denise and creepy Ted don’t is beyond Mack. 

“The changes for the farm were meant to be done if it was just mine. I invested my own NHL salary into the farm for these changes to take shape. I wasn’t going to do that if we were all still in on it. It was my own investment.” Irritation seeps into his voice. Mack lifts her gaze and sees how Ted is leaning back in his seat to get a better view of the waitress’ ass. 

“What about our kids, David?” Denise scoffs. 

“What about them? They’re not mine.” David chomps hard on his steak, then goes back in to saw off another piece.

“Mack, please-“

“No.” David points his fork at Denise. “This is my business. She’s got nothing to do with it.”

“I’m sure the ring on her finger could pay for the kids school for a year.” 

David sighs. Mack purses her lips against a response. Not because Denise deserves any respect at this point, but because David does. And she seems to be the only family member who can give that to him.

“I should have known.” David grumbles to Mack as they get into his cold SUV after a rushed through end of dinner. “Of course they don’t want to actually spend time with me.” His angry breath puffs white in front of his face. Mack shivers from the cold leather and chilly temperature in the car. Her nose and hands are frozen and she curses being too lazy to grab her mittens before they left. 

David turns the SUV on, then starts blasting the heat. He turns on both their seat warmers before placing his right hand on her thigh. He begins to rub at her skin as he backs out of his parking spot, trying to create friction to warm Mack up.

“I hated the way she was talking to you.” Mack huffs.

“Yeah, and that was the good sibling.” David sighs to her. “Did you hear the dig about dad not being around anymore?” He holds the name in a dramatic way like Denise had. 

Yeah, Mack did. That was the moment she abruptly rose from her chair to go to the bathroom. If she didn’t take a break, Mack was gonna swing on her. 

“Disgusting.” Mack sneers angrily. “I wanted to deck her.”

“I know.” David grins. It’s genuine. Proud. “That’s my girl.” He chuckles, flicking the blinker on to head towards home. 

“What are your brothers like?” Mack wonders. She hasn’t met them, but has heard enough stories about them to know they’re probably not her cup of tea either. His brothers live in their hometown still unlike Denise who moved to Texas. Surprisingly, Mack hasn’t seen them the previous two summers she went to Iowa.

“Bad news.” David mumbles. An icy look slides over his green eyes as the SUV rolls up to a red light. “And if I get my way, you’ll never meet them.” Mack regards him silently. The tension in his body worries her. 

“Okay.” She finally whispers. “Maybe we should talk about something else.”

“Yeah.” David mumbles. Mack folds her fingers together with his on her thigh, bringing the back of his hand up to her cold lips to kiss. “Baby, you are ice cold.” David says, shoving his vent openings off him and into her direction. 

The next few blocks are driven in silence until another red light stops their progress home. David looks over at Mack in the dark SUV. His white teeth illuminate in the black interior as he chuckles.

“You’re still so mad.” 

“Yeah! They suck! You deserve so much better.” Mack shakes her head in disgust.

“I’m used to it. I know you don’t like that answer, but it’s true.” He strokes her cheek with his hand. She leans her face into his palm, angst widening her nostrils and lowering her eyelids. “But having you to go through that stuff with now? That’s all I need. I’m finally not alone, honey.” 

The thought of David being alone in that hell hole before has tears stinging her eyes.

“That was supposed to make you feel better.” He smiles gently, acknowledging her growing water line.

“I’m so sorry.” She shakes her head. “You’re so good, babe. Sooooo good. You don’t deserve this.” 

“I know, honey.” He turns his eyes back to the road as the light changes color. “I scraped the bottom of the barrel with the family I have left here, but I won the jackpot the day I met you. It’s evened out. I have a lot to be thankful for with this family right here.”

Mack watches the lights and shadows stretch across his face as he drives. He remains calm and content in the driver’s seat. He wears it all so well, she thinks. The death of his parents, the huge responsibilities of the farm and his playing career, having angry leeches as his remaining kin on Earth. It’s not fair to her. Her mind drifts to his comment on family. 

She can’t help but wonder if her alone is truly enough to counteract all that apathy. 

“I’m sorry if what I said about the farm bothered you.” David’s voice snaps her out of her thoughts. His thumb brushes along her knuckles as he takes a right turn.

“What?”

“About the farm not being yours. I didn’t mean it like that. I just wanted to protect you from the scrutiny. Like you couldn't make decisions or whatever without me. I know you wouldn’t, but she doesn’t need to know you’re getting half ownership when we get married. It’s not her business.”

Mack startles. 

“What?” She repeats. 

“Unless you don’t want it?”

“Oh, no. I’m just... surprised. I know the farm means a lot to you.” She tucks her bottom lip between her teeth.

“I want to share every part of my life with you.” He assures her. “That’s our home. You deserve to have a part of it.” Mack nods. The peace she feels on that land is like nothing she has ever felt before. She’s honored to be given a piece of it by him.

“Thank you.” It’s not enough, but Mack doesn’t have the words right now to tell him what that means to her. He smiles.

“Thank you for loving it like I do.” He turns onto their street. “Shit and all.” He finishes with a cheesy grin. Mack chuckles. 

“You’re proud of that one.”

“Uh huh.” His laugh grows, shaking his shoulders as he turns the wheel with his right hand. “Oof.” He suddenly winces, then grunts out in pain. He releases her hand to rub at his right shoulder with his left and keep one hand on the wheel. 

“You okay?” She reaches out for the back of his shoulder gently rubbing it with the tips of her fingers.

“Yeah.” His voice is tight, which has Mack frowning deeper in concern. David doesn’t show pain. Ever. So to see him openly wincing is unnerving.

“I feel like that has gotten a lot worse since we have been back.” Mack points out. His shoulder was bothering him at the end of last season and a full summer working on the farm wasn’t the healing therapy the team recommended for him.

“It just doesn’t love getting hit again every day.” David insists.

Mack knows it is more than that, but drops it. He’s had enough hard balls thrown at him today. 

She doesn’t need to add to the pitch count. 

- - - & - - - 

Hi Mackie, FYI David left the game in the first period and hasn’t been back. You might want to check in on him. 

Mack’s heart drops when she sees the text from her sister. It’s her last day in Peru and she is currently enjoying a feast with her travel team and the local guides that have been showing them around for the last 13 days. She had her phone on do not disturb but her sister’s texts are always allowed through plus the rest of her immediate family, including David. 

Mack excuses herself from the table. The group is getting louder the more wine that’s spread amongst the glasses. Mack navigates to her phone app, then presses David’s contact. He picks up on the first ring. 

“Hi babe.” His voice sounds normal, too normal, which instantly has Mack suspicious. 

“Hi, what’s going on?” She asks. 

“I don’t know, you called me?”

“Babe, Lucie told me.” 

He sighs. 

“My shoulder. I’m in so much pain I can’t hold my stick. Got smacked into the boards on the first shift and couldn’t lift my arm up after. They want me to get an MRI tomorrow.”

“That’s not good.” Mack sighs, hating having to worry about him from so far away. “Do you think this is new or what you’ve been trying to heal through PT?” 

“It’s the same thing.”

“Do you want me to try and catch an earlier flight?” 

“No, I’m okay, honey. Thank you though. Go have fun on your last night.” 

“You trying to rush me off the phone is not helping your ‘I’m fine’ case.” 

“Can never outsmart you.” She hears a strangled grunt at the end of that sentence.

“You’re sure?”

“Positive. I am already home.”

“Send proof.” He chuckles at her insistence. 

“How about you go have fun?” Mack is silent. “Nothing about this shoulder is getting better before you get home.” He reminds her. Mack sighs.

“I don’t like this. I want to come home.”

“You do what you have to do, but I am okay.”

While on the phone with him, Mack looks up flights to New York. The only flight leaving tomorrow is the one she is already on. 

“Damn it.”

“Don’t stress.” He warns her. “There is no need to get worked up. I’m sitting here all nice and tucked in with my ice and ibuprofen.”

“Fine. But for the record, I hate this.”

“I know and I think that is cute as hell.”

The next 20 hours are tough for Mack to navigate as she tries to get back to New York. The already long flight feels like an eternity. She is grumpy and frustrated with the entire process, making her extremely annoyed to get stuck behind slow walkers off the plane. Once she gets to the end of the international section, Mack breaks through the crowd at a steady hustle. She heads down towards ground transportation when she hears her name being called. She whips towards the noise, seeing David waiting for her. His right arm rests in a sling while the other holds a bouquet of fall flowers down his left thigh.

Mack rushes into his arms as quickly as she can with the crowd. Her nose rests on his brown, leather jacket, careful of his arm. She grips her opposite wrist to keep him tight to her body.

“Hi.” He murmurs into her hair. His fingers rub into the brown strands.

“Hi. What’s the word?” David went in for an MRI this morning, but Mack hadn’t heard the results from him yet. She knows this was purposeful.

“Not good.” He frowns dejectedly. “They need to go in there and clean it up. I asked if we could do it after the season and they told me I would be in too much pain if I tried to play through with getting hit every other night.”

“Oh.” Mack says quietly. She chews on the inside of her cheek then sighs. “I know you don’t like that answer… But you’ve been struggling with this long enough. It’s already painful; I don’t think we want to see it get worse.”

“Yeah.” David sighs. He reaches his good arm down to grab her bag.

“I got it.” She shoos his hand away. “I want to hold your hand.” She insists. 

“Okay, honey.” He murmurs, lacing their fingers together. 

“Thank you for picking me up. You didn’t have to.” Mack rarely gets a ride home from the airport by David. She can get in a cab and out of the airport faster than he can get into it.

“I knew you’d want to see me right away.”

“Yeah.” She sighs, leaning into his bicep as they exit the airport. “Cause I’m really, really in love with you.” David releases her hand and brings her into a side hug. They stay that way until they get to his SUV.

“Do you know when you’re having surgery?” Mack asks once they’re settled into their drive.

“Friday.”

“Oh.” Mack blinks. “Okay.”

“It’s okay if you still need to go Chicago.” This was supposed to be a quick drop in to New York before she headed to a conference in Chicago as their division’s representative. She would never choose work over David, especially when his health is involved.

“No, they can easily send someone else.” Mack waves his worry away. “I need to be home with you.” She says with conviction. He smiles in the darkness of the car.

“You’re so into me.” His smug, residual smirk has Mack laughing in the passenger seat. 

“You caught me.” She waves her engagement ring at him. She crosses her legs into her seat as they exit the airport. “Are you going to talk funny from the anesthesia?”

“No, but I guarantee I am going to grab your ass. Be prepared.”

- - - & - - -

Five days later, Mack is curled up in a hospital chair, deep into reading her book in the waiting room. She swipes across the screen of her Kindle, caught up in a thrilling chase in her book. Her heart rate accelerates as the main female character is pinned into place by the villain. 

“Mackenzie?” She hears called beside her. Mack startles, then blinks away the reflex.

“Hi, yes, sorry.” The nurse chuckles.

“He’s ready. And asking for you quite insistently.” 

“Oh, okay. That was fast.” She looks at the time on her Omega watch. He is done almost 45 minutes early.

“Only the best for a Ranger.” Mack can tell she is a fan. “The surgeon will stop by once David is more alert to let you know how it went.” The nurse tells Mack as she drops her off at David’s recovery room.

“Honey?” She hears him drawl from the room. It’s lazy and slow like if honey was dripping from a spoon.

“I’m here.” Mack calls as she stops in the doorway. He grins dopily at her, white teeth shining as he languidly blinks. One of his legs is out from under the blankets, hospital gown pulled up his big thigh, showing off his tattoo. His black hair is long right now and it falls a bit over his forehead. Mack sits on the side of him that wasn’t operated on, then smoothes his hair off his face.

“You’re here f’r me.” He slurs. “My honey.” His good hand slaps onto her thigh with a thump, almost uncontrollable like it’s too heavy. “I wanna kiss.” She leans forward and kisses his lips. He is slow to react so she gets limp lips at first. She starts pulling away and a high whine comes from his mouth. “That sucks. More.”

“Oh okay.” Mack laughs against his mouth. His tongue comes out and he licks at Mack’s lips like SpongeBob. “Maybe tongue later?” She suggests, then pecks his lips again. She grips his chin in her hand to gently ease him away from her face.

“I liked it.” He scoffs. “I have a bionic shoulder now. I’m Winter Solider.”

“Mmmm.” Mack raises her eyebrows. His hospital gown is slightly off his right shoulder. She can see the small incisions closed with a few black stitches and blue hue from the residual bruising.  

“I love you so much.” He suddenly sighs. “Like… I don’t know what. But a lot.” 

“I bet I love you more.” She teases him. He shrieks again and she watches his heartbeat soar on the screen monitoring his vitals.

“You don’t. No! I love you more.” 

“Okay, okay. Jokes aren’t landing for ya.” She leans forward and kisses him to settle him back down. He leans back into his pillows. When she pulls away his eyebrows are furrowed together in annoyance. “Hmm?”

“I wanna go home. You’re wearing too many clothes.” 

“Okay. That’s not happening when we get home.” 

“Yes.” He says, shaking his head at her.

“No, David.” 

“I won’t do anything. You can ride me. You fuck me so good, baby.” His voice carries into the hall and Mack can hear a nurse giggle as she walks by.

“David!” Mack hisses, leaning forward to clasp her hand over his mouth. She starts laughing, shoulders shaking as she rests her forehead on his good shoulder. “Oh my god.” 

“What? I’m not embarrassed. Mackenzie Hischier fucks like-” Mack’s hand slaps over his mouth again. He keeps mumbling into her palm while trying to peel her hand off his face. 

“Babe, you know what I heard?” Mack changes the subject. 

“Mm?”

“Stella made you something and really wants to give it to you today, if you’re feeling up to it.”

“I am! I wanna see Stelly!”

“Okay, but maybe we rest here for a little bit and then you can see her?”

“M’kay.” He nods in agreement. 

Mack thinks she finally has him settled, but then his hand strokes up her thigh and settles on her ass. His big palm squeezes her greedily and Mack has to bite her lip to stop the yelp. She adjusts his hand to her lower back once his fingers relax. Quickly, with his hand on his comfort girl, David begins to fall asleep again. Mack has to wake him when the surgeon comes in to speak to them. 

After a through discussion of how well it went and what his restrictions are, Mack and David head home in her car. David can’t stop talking about how fancy it us. Usually they take his SUV, but he is drooling all over her new Mercedes she just picked up. Two stoplights from their place, David passes out again. After parking, Mack navigates to her brother-in-law’s phone number, asking him to come help her get David into their place.

“Hey!” Golden Retriever Connor greets her. “How is he?” 

“Either high or asleep.” Connor chuckles.

“Nice, let’s get him to stay stupid shit.”

“Let’s not.” Mack gives him a look.

“What, it’s funny.” He pops David’s door open with a shrug. “Hey princess, wake up.” 

“Connor!!!!” David yowls tiredly. “Oh my god, I’m so fucking high, bro. You look hot right now.” Mack and Connor start laughing. “No seriously, tell Luc I see it. I always thought she was so much hotter than you. I mean, look at you. You’re like… Magic Mike sexy.”

“I think we just fell in love.” Connor jokes, looking dreamily at David.

“Oh. I just remembered you have a dick.” David sighs disappointedly. Connor starts laughing so hard he almost releases David into the car next to them.

“Connor!” Mack exclaims. 

“You’re in trouble.” David mumbles to Connor. “She is not nice when she is mad. Like I love her, but she’s mean as fuck.”

“And you were like, this is the one. Were you high then too?”

“Stone cold sober.” David smirks. “But look at her. I didn’t stand a chance.” 

“We are still not having sex when we get upstairs.” Mack insists.

“Damn it! Woody, help me out.” David groans.

“Nope.” Connor shakes his head. “You’re on your own with that one.” 

They get into the elevator together and all talking ceases. David sighs loudly.

“I’m tired.”

“Yeah, I know buddy. Almost there.” Connor takes on more of David’s weight. “Where am I taking him?” He directs at Mack as she unlocks the door.

“Bed.”

“Okay. Hey, Dave, you’re gonna help Mack out and stay in bed right?”

“Yeah.” He agrees. “Wait, I think I have to pee.”

Connor takes him over to the bathroom and goes in with him. Mack sighs gratefully. She would be lost without him right now, unable to cart David’s big body around. David is hanging over Connor’s shoulder when they come out.

“She’s gonna come see me though?” David asks.

“Yes, I’ll bring Stell up after you get a nap in.” Connor assures him. They head to the bed and Connor sets him down, then they tuck him in. 

“Thank you.” Mack whispers to Connor. 

“I’ll see myself out. Call later when we can come up? Lucie has dinner planned out so don’t worry about that.”

“Okay.” Mack nods. Connor disappears from the room and Mack focuses on helping David get comfortable. “How is that, babe?” She asks. David is already asleep. She smiles in adoration of him, then goes to grab a few items he may need when he wakes up. She plugs his phone in, gives him a big water bottle and a protein bar in case he is hungry, then disappears into the living room to work.

David wakes up after lunch. Mack is editing her article when she sees him appear in the opening of the hallway. His hair stands on end and his face has a crease in it on the left side. He looks adorably sleepy and pouty.

“Can you help me? I’m hot.” He motions to his shirt.

“Like feverish?” Mack asks in alarm.

“No like you two tucked me in too tight and I got overheated.”

“Oh.” Mack bites her bottom lip as she laughs. She comes over, unsnapping his sling for him. She takes it off completely, then works the hem of his shirt up the left side. “Keep your arm in place, okay? I’ll move the shirt.” David nods, then stays perfectly still as Mack works it off. She gently pulls his forearm a bit away from his body so the fabric can slide completely off.

“Thank you.” He sighs as she puts the sling back in place. She kisses his bare chest as he rubs his good hand through his hair. He looks tired and grumpy, not normal expressions for David.

“Are you hungry?” She tries.

“Yeah.”

“Do you want like.. a sandwich or maybe some pizza?”

“Whatever. I don’t care.” He mumbles, going over to the couch. “I feel like shit.” 

“Are you in pain?”

“No, I feel hungover.” He rubs at his forehead.

“You were pretty drugged up earlier.”

“Did I hit on Woody?”

“A little bit.” Mack chuckles. She leans over his good side from the back of the couch. “Food though?”

“Pizza.” 

“Okay.” She kisses his cheek.

“Wait, lips.” He mumbles, slowly turning his face towards her. She cups his cheek gently and smooches at him until they get their fill of each other. 

Mack orders pizza, then heads downstairs to pick it up from the delivery driver. Philip asks how David is doing and she fibs a bit that he is doing well. On her way back up, she knocks on Lucie’s door. Lucie opens the door wearing a sleeping Winnie in a wrap. Mack explains that they are tentative for later, including that visit from Stella.

“He’s not loving life right now, but I’m going to give him some pain medicine with this.” She raises the pizza box. “I’ll let you know.”

“Okay! No worries. I’ll bring two plates up for you at least.”

“Thanks, Luc.” Mack smiles, then heads back to her patient upstairs. 

David is up, pacing around when she gets back. Pain stretches his nostrils and furrows his eyebrows. 

“Something wore off.” He tells her through gritted teeth.

“Yeah, it’s time for your pain medication.”

“No.” He snaps. “I don’t want to take those. Just ibuprofen.”

“Babe, that’s not going to work.”

“I don’t want to take pain killers.” He shakes his head then grunts at the pain it caused. "Fu-uck."

“Um, babe? Your bones and ligaments were just scraped and repaired. ibuprofen isn’t going to be enough.” Mack watches his face switch from pain to panic then he runs his good hand through his hair. He tugs at the strands and winces, grunting slightly in pain. She curls her lips together as she sets the pizza box on the counter. David breathes heavily across the room, rooted in place as his eyes move rapidly while staring out the window.

“Can you tell me why you don’t want to take them?”

“My whole family is, like, addicts.” He blurts. “I don’t want that to happen to me.”

“I understand.” Mack nods. “But you are going to suffer like this. How about we talk through how to manage it all?” 

“I don’t want you to see me as a junkie!” He exclaims. She puts her hands gently on his bare stomach, hoping to ground him.

“I don’t see you that way and you’re not. Let’s sit and talk.” 

The pain is making David edgy as he sits on the couch next to her. His breathing intensifies and a low groan of pain follows after he leans into the cushion. Mack holds her hand out for him to take. He does so, squeezing her fingers immediately. Mack pretends it doesn’t hurt.

“What are you scared of?” She asks him gently.

“That I’m gonna get hooked on this shit.”

“Have you taken these before and felt that way?”

“No. I’ve never taken ‘em.” His wide green eyes stare into hers, clearly worried and afraid. Mack pauses, thinking through how to ease both his pain and anxieties. 

“How about I control the medication? Like I’ll take them and hide them somewhere, so they aren’t out in the open and then I’ll bring them to you when it’s time to take.”

“Okay.” He nods. “Can you, uh, take the alcohol out of here too?” They don’t have much right now, only a few bottles of red wine that can go to Connor and Lucie’s.

“Yeah.” She agrees immediately. 

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why this is effecting me so much.” Mack knows, even if David hasn’t shared much about growing up in a small town. She knows he has seen addiction ruin families, including his own. 

“It’s okay. Thank you for trusting me. We will work through this together, okay?” He nods.

“Can I have a hug? I really need a hug.”

Mack gathers herself into his lap. He leans forward, connecting their foreheads, until Mack falls forward into his good shoulder. She is careful not to squish his arm between their bodies. David’s rapidly beating heart falls to a normal level in her embrace. She kisses along his jaw to his temple, then closes her eyes, holding him as completely as she can.

“Okay, I’ll take the meds.” He gasps as she sits back. 

Mack gathers the orange bottles from the counter, then disappears down the hallway to find a place to put them while they navigate this addition to the house. She places them in her safe in the back of the closet, and changes the combination to one he doesn’t know. Her heart aches for him and how genuinely worried he is about this experience. So worried that he was willing to break his teeth off from gritting in pain.

She returns with his first dosage of the medication and his water bottle from earlier. David pops the pill back then swallows. Meanwhile, Mack gathers an ice pack for him to start on his icing routine. Within twenty minutes, David is relaxed, eating pizza and watching his show. Mack goes back to finishing her article, then sending a few emails. Eventually, David falls asleep sitting up on the couch. She wakes him, then walks him down to their bed so he can be more comfortable.

This is their routine for the next week. David sleeps and recovers. Mack manages his medication until it is all gone. David doesn’t request a refill and chooses to navigate the pain with ibuprofen and ice. His spirits increase when he goes to the rink for physical therapy and gets to be around the guys. Another assignment comes in for Mack to take, but she declines. This is where she needs to be.

Over the course of 6 weeks, their focus as partners is on David’s full recovery. He begins to attend PT, slowly working his way back onto the ice. The best day is when he gets to ditch his sling completely. Soon, range of motion begins to build back to a normal level. Mack has to do a little more work in the bedroom for a bit, but she doesn’t mind. Neither does he. 

Unfortunately, even as everything goes right in David’s recovery, the process is still long. He is out until around the end of January. His patience wears thin towards Christmas when he feels ready to go, but the medical team won’t clear him. It’s great he is feeling better, but being able to do normal things is not the same as getting checked into the boards every night.

Mack helps David with his frustrations. They go running together. They plan their Allstar break, Caribbean wedding. They take a pottery class. They fuck. Often and exquisitely. It’s a rough job taking care of her sexy, angry hockey player, but Mack is willing to do what it takes to get David back on the ice.

The night he is finally cleared for game play, David floats into MSG on cloud nine. Mack is in the stands, cheering loudly for him next to her sister and nieces when David flies onto the ice. Nico and Lexi flew in to support him too and right next to them are Lio and Savannah. The starting lineup’s are announced and David’s name is received with thundering applause. The fans are ready and so is he. 

It’s a picture perfect night in the greatest city in the world. 

David scores with a Connor assist.

David handles every single hit and bump with ease. After the third hit, Mack finally stops digging her nails into her palms. He is navigating it all so well, as is David’s way.

Thankfully, he leaves the game in one piece and swings his girl up into his arms at the end of the night.

“Hi.”

“Hi.” She mumbles into his lips. 

“Hey, I was wondering something?” David pouts as if he is contemplating.

“Hmm?”

“Would you wanna marry me next week? If you’re not busy?” Mack laughs. “You nursed me back to health and now I can’t let one more week pass without you being my wife.”

“I’ll have to check my schedule.” She teases. He sets her back on her boots. Mack shyly leans into him when she sees everyone watching them.

“Just think,” Lucie murmurs, adjusting Winnie in her carrier. “Next time you’re in this building, you’ll be married!”

Now it’s Mack’s turn to float out of MSG.

Tomorrow, they’re all bound for Turks and Caicos.

[ladylooch]

Birthday Suit - [Mack X David]

A/N: Happiest of birthdays to our 👢 anon! We are so grateful to you for providing us with Our Little Family! Personally, I'm grateful for you support, friendship, and always talking AUs in the DMs. I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Please know that you are loved and appreciated here 😘

Timeline wise, Mack and David have been hooking up for a few weeks at this point, but are not dating. 

Word Count: 4.3k

Late on a Friday night in New York City, Mackenzie Hischer stuffs the gold key to her apartment unit into the lock, flipping it open and dashing into the darkness. The minute the apartment air wraps around her skin, she feels herself beginning to decompress. She just spent the last six hours smiling and laughing, shaking hands with sponsors, to help keep her job funded for the next year. She knows it was all a huge success, with discussions beginning to happen as early as next week for more features she will do later in the year. At this rate, her schedule is almost completely full, which is impressive for a first year journalist in her field. 

Her right hand wraps around the heel of her red pump, sliding it off her foot. She drops down three inches, then pulls the other one off. Her bare feet savor their freedom, ceasing the non-stop cramping she has been trying to shake off since hour three. Mack  moves to her bedroom, throwing herself onto her bed in a tired heap. She pulls her phone out, beginning to scroll through the 50 notifications she has from various apps. 

The first place she goes is to Messages. She bites her lip, not seeing anything worth responding to right now. She clicks into her message from David. The last time she heard from him was three days ago after she stopped by for a post-game romp. He had asked her to stay, she said no, so he asked her to text him when she got home that night. His last message was:

Glad you’re safe. Sleep well 😘

She re-reads the message again, then sighs, flipping over to Instagram to doom scroll through her friend’s various Switzerland themed posts. She checks the time, realizing most of them are getting ready to start their Saturdays. Photos of European markets, the ski slopes, and pastries fill her feed until she gets to a post from the New York Rangers, wishing their #14 a happy birthday. She perks up, slowly moving back into a sitting position. 

It’s David’s birthday.

He didn’t mention that when she was him last, nor has she heard anything from him today. She double checks the date on the post, then contemplates. Should she text him? Should she quick try to order something for him to have ready for when she sees him next? Ugh no. That’s not appropriate. She scrolls past the post, not sure how to handle this new information. Her sister posted a picture with David and Stella, saying happy birthday to Stella’s favorite Ranger. Mack chuckles at Connor’s pouty response on his wife’s post. She hovers over the heart button, then likes it. She scrolls up to the Rangers post and likes that too, then takes a screenshot. 

Before she can think it through fully, Mack sends the picture to David.

You up, birthday boy?

Mack tosses her phone to the end of the bed, closing her eyes to give them a rest while she waits to see where the rest of her night is going.

I’m older than you, but not that old.

Mack giggles. Her body awakens at fleeting thoughts of the last time his hands were on her. The sex keeps getting better and better every time they have each other, surprising considering how glorious their first time was. If Mack was honest, she’s starting to crave his skin on hers at the most inappropriate times, but tonight isn’t one of them.

Are you up for one more birthday present?

Mmmm, what do you have in mind, Mackncheese?

Mack bites her lip, looking over at her dresser where various, unused pieces of lingerie are resting in a drawer. No she doesn’t have a gift he can take home with him, but she has herself, willing and interested. She is thankful her makeup is done and presentable. All she needs to do is put on a little more lipstick, then she changes into a blue teddy she’s been wanting to wear since her spontaneous purchase of it in Paris. 

Going with modestly, she takes a few pictures with her silk robe, letting it fall slightly off her shoulder so he can see what’s underneath. 

Any interest in coming this way?

Give me twenty minutes.

She smirks at his instant response, then falls back onto the bed. Men are so easy. Every minute passes painfully slow. Her heart rate accelerates then evens out. Her stomach dips and swells in anticipation of seeing him. This all feels dangerously like crush territory, but she figures that’s normal. They are regularly hooking up, so it’s natural to be excited about seeing him.

When fifteen minutes have passed, she gets up, heading out to the living room to wait for him in the kitchen after pouring herself a quick glass of wine. She sucks it down, then runs her tongue over her teeth, feeling the warmth spread out from her chest to the rest of her body. It’s a minuscule buzz that takes away any waining apprehension about letting him see her like this. 

Ron buzzes up to her apartment, asking if she is expecting a “David Carlson” again. Mack blushes but allows Ron to send him up. She adjusts the tie of her robe, then waits for his confident knock on her door. A smirk stretches her lips, then she rolls her neck, allowing her greedy need to begin to consume her body. All she wants is for him to touch her tonight, stroke a fire and frenzy in her core, put it out, then leave her to fall asleep in a satisfied, uninterrupted heap. 

Mack opens the door for him. He grins at her, stepping forward immediately to carefully back her into the apartment again. He kicks the door shut with a slam that makes Mack jump a bit.

“Sorry.” He mumbles against her lips. “Gonna kill me sending pictures lookin’ like this.” Mack holds onto his huge shoulders as he continues to walk them backwards. Her body buzzes with his hands on her hips. The back of her knees hit the arm of her couch. He sets her down onto it, then pulls apart the satin robe. 

“I didn’t know it was your birthday today.” Mack murmurs. “I would have bought you-”

“I don’t like my birthday.” He cuts her off. “Plus this is a nice present.”

Warmth fills Mack’s chest as he steps back to take her in. Her pink nipples are budding through the blue lace, catching his attention. Then he glides his gaze the rest of the way down her. He takes her hand, then pulls her back into a standing position. His hands come to her hips, twisting her so her back is to him. 

He kisses the vertebrae of her neck, then raises his fingers to the collar of her robe, slowly maneuvering the silk down her warm skin. Mack shivers at being fully exposed. The robe gets tossed onto the plush, arm chair, then he steps back again. Mack stands there for a moment, feeling his hot gaze troll over the curves of her ass. She looks over her shoulder at him, watching as he drags his eyes begrudgingly from her ass to her face. 

He steps forward, bringing her lips to his at that angel. He pulls her hips flush with his, letting her feel his hard arousal press into her ass. David forces his tongue into her mouth, lapping and swirling to taste her fully. The fingers of his right hand glide past her stomach, feeling over her belly button, then hovering above her clothed core. He pulls away before he presses the tips against her clit. Mack’s eyelids flutter, losing the battle to stay open. It’s only been three days, but she is drunk on how he touches her.

At this rate, he is ruining her for anyone else, but Mack doesn’t particularly care. 

David’s lips cover hers again. His other hand slides up her chest to grip the side of her neck. He holds her head steady as he rolls two fingers into her clit and makes love to her mouth. Mack’s body leans into his, her back pressing to his strong chest. She brings a hand behind her butt, giving his thick shaft a squeeze. David grinds his hips into her hand as she sighs a moan to him. His fingers slide from her clit to her entrance. He moves the wet fabric aside there, feeling how soaked she is for him. 

He pulls away from her mouth in a lust haze, watching the widening and softening of her eyes as he slips a finger inside of her. 

“Fuck, honey.” He groans when she drags her swollen bottom lip between her teeth. “You’re going to look so good getting fucked on this couch.” He grins down at her, then kisses her softly while sliding his finger out of her. He pushes at her hips, but Mack shakes her head, turning in his grasp.

Her hands work their way from his shoulders down his chest as she falls to her knees in front of him. Her eyes trail down from his to his zipper. She licks her lips, kissing his bulge over the denim of his jeans. David holds her face as she slides him from his unbuttoned pants. She rolls her hand up the hard velvet, then kisses the tip to hear him hiss. While maintaining eye contact, she lays her flattened tongue at the base of his cock then licks a straight, seductive line up. She is patient in her pursuit to his tip, hugging the thick vein at the bottom of his shaft until his head knocks back towards the ceiling, then she sucks his pulsing head between her lips. His knees lock into place and he sways slightly forward, resting a hand on top of her head for balance.

“F-fuck.” He blinks, exhaling heavily, then looking down at her face. Her wet cheeks collapse inwards as she sucks him harder. His head rolls back towards the ceiling again. Mack increases the tempo, adding her hand around the remaining length that won’t fit in her mouth. She strokes her hand and mouth simultaneously. “Honey, you’re a star.” He murmurs to her.  “You suck my cock like it’s your favorite thing to put in your mouth.”

“Maybe it is.” She murmurs, sucking his tip while letting her hand fall away to grip one of her breasts. 

“Holy…” He trails off, rubbing at his jaw. He collects his bottom lip against his pointer finger, pulling it down as he moans again. Mack relaxes her mouth more, taking in as much of him as she physically can. His hand comes to the back of her head, resting there respectfully as he praises her. “So fucking good, honey. Shit, I could come down your throat right now.” He moves his fingers around to her chin, cupping it and pulling her off him. “But that’s not why I’m here.” His eyes darken.

“Why are you here?”

“To hear you scream my name while you ride me.” He smirks, giving her his hand to help her back to her feet.

“Sure, but only because it’s your day.” She teases, taking his hand and leading him towards the hallway to her bedroom. David raises an eyebrow at her taking him to her bed. He hasn’t been there yet. They’ve mostly fucked and fooled around on her couch. But tonight, Mack wants the comfort of her King mattress, not to awkwardly fumble around on the couch.

Mack looks around her bedroom with fresh eyes, realizing how feminine it probably looks to him. It’s mostly white, with accents of pastel blues and pinks. The comforter is huge and cozy, perfect for cold nights like this in the winter. David flips the light on when they get in. Their hands drop as Mack goes to the side of the bed, watching him as he soaks in her space. He fingers a fake plant coming out of a vase on her dresser, then chuckles at her with a questioning look.

“It’s art.” She cuts him off before he can say anything.

“Sure, honey.” He murmurs, then goes to the picture on her dresser of her parents and sisters. He places it face down. “Not gonna let Captain Hischier see what I’m about to do to his daughter.” Something about the gentle respectiveness of this entire moment has a searing heat sizzling in Mack’s core. She watches him look round the room, noting the art on the walls, the soft rug beneath the bed and the plush, coziness she has created by filling her bed with pillows. He’s so fucking sweet and hot and good. Mack can’t hold back the urge to touch him, stretching her fingers out anxiously by her hips. 

David turns back towards her and Mack rushes around the bed to reach for him. They meet in the middle with a renewed frenzy of hands and lips. Their heavy breathing engulfs the room as they touch each other, awakening a new urgency. 

“Smells good in here.” He murmurs as he backs her up.

“It’s a vanilla candle.” She breathes out.

“Mmm, sweet like you, honey.”

He reaches his hands under her thighs, lifting her up onto the bed easily. He crawls on between her legs, forcing her back towards her pillows. When she doesn’t move fast enough, he picks her up around the waist, hauling her with him, then drops her onto her pillows. Together, they shove them off the bed, letting the decor fly to the left and right so they can get comfortable together. He grips her chin, kissing her deeply, letting his mustache tickle at her nose before he kisses over to her jaw, yearning for her throat so he can feel her moan vibrate on his mouth while he grinds his bare bulge between her legs. 

“As much as I love this… it’s gotta go.” He smirks, pulling off the strap of her top. He kisses the line it dug into her shoulder, then follows the falling cup down to her nipple. He sucks it into his mouth, releasing it with a slurp, then repeats those actions with the other side. 

His hands drag the teddy down her body, revealing new slices of her skin to kiss. Mack dashes her fingers through his hair as he licks back up her stomach. He hovers over her mouth again, smiling when she takes his hard cock in her hand. 

“Had to take a break there.” He murmurs, thrusting his hips forward into her hand.

“You about done?” She whispers. 

“Mhm.” He kisses her nose, then rolls to the side of her to take off his pants, but not before grabbing a sleeve of condoms from his back pocket. He rips one off, then slaps it in her awaiting palm. He tosses the rest onto her nightstand. Mack raises to her knees. David brings a hand to the back of her knee, then trails it up her thigh to her ass. He massages the full cheek there, watching her hand roll the latex down his shaft. He adjusts it slightly at the tip then pats her butt to hop on. 

They watch each other as David grips the base of his shaft for her, guiding her wet heat down him. Their mouthes drop open in unison, little noises spilling out as she settles down on him. 

“Oof.” Mack mutters. David notes her discomfort, lifting her up gently, keeping her up at a lesser depth until she moves his hand away. She settle down on him completely again, then moves her hips forward and back along his abdomen. David’s legs harden under her resisting the urge to push them further until she is ready. Mack tries to breathe through the stretch, but it is painful. So much that she can’t ignore the pure terror at the thought of him thrusting up into her this way. “Maybe not this position, actually.” Mack mumbles. 

“Okay.” He says, helping her off him. “What do you need?” He cups her face, kissing her lips. His thumb presses into her lips. She kisses it, closing her eyes for a moment, trying not to be disappointed she can’t give him what he wants right now. 

“Um…” She shakes her head, distracted by the dull ache settling between her legs.

“How about you lay on your back, honey? Then I can control the depth.” 

“Okay.” She nods. She bites her lip, laying down. He smiles gently at her, kissing her lips.

“I’m big.” He reminds her. “If it’s not good for you, then we need to stop. Okay?”

“Yes.” She agrees.

But that’s the last they need to hear about anything not being good for her. David wets his fingers with his mouth, rolling them through her folds, focusing on her entrance, then presses his plumped head into her pussy. Mack swallows him more comfortably, stretching in a delectable way that has her hips trying to list off the bed. 

“Behave.” He mumbles above her, smirking at her eagerness. 

“I don’t like to behave around you.” She mewls back. He chuckles, then rocks his hips in a way that has Mack gasping. “Oh.” She moans.

“Fuck, you feel like heaven.” He mumbles into her mouth. “Made for me.” 

Mack cups his head, fingers rushing through his black hair as she holds him to her throat. His thrusts are slow but deep, wakening her up and softening her resolve. Her walls contract around him, pulling him deeper than he is trying to go, which makes him groan in appreciation for how well she has adjusted to him. His hips roll deeper into her, curly hair tickling her clit with his thrusts creating an erotic sensation that has Mack’s eyes rolling back into her head.

“Right there.” She whispers. “Keep going… don’t stop. Please.”

Her words fall from her mouth like breath, escaping without her trying to push them out. His arms come under her shoulder to hold her neck, other hand bringing her leg around his hips. Their bodies move like a wave, hips thrusting and colliding with each other in blissful slaps. Mack crunches up, kissing along his shoulder for a moment. Her head falls down, only half on the pillow as his thrusts explode through Mack’s core. David pulls away from her neck, looking down at her face. His hand moves from her hip, bringing the pillow more under her head to keep her comfortable. Mack’s eyes close, she moans loudly, then comes with a bang around him.

“Oh my god.” She squeaks as he works her through every flutter of her orgasm. He is biting down on his bottom lip to keep focus, then slows his thrusts when he feels her relax down into his arms. “I wanna ride you now. I can do it.” She practically begs him. She wants to watch him come undone under her, because of her. 

“Yes, honey. Whatever you want.” He smirks, then hits his back again. His hands reach for her, helping her climb on top, not that she needs it. That first orgasm was great, but she’s chasing another high already. 

She lines herself up with him again, gliding down him better now that she is sickened from her first round. She drops down on him, forcing her ass cheeks to slam into the top of his thighs.

“Oh fuck.” David groans, running a hand over his face. His other hand comes to her hip. “Look so good up there.” He compliments her, top lip curling up in a slight sneer as she moves slowly on him. “You got more in you than that.” He demands, slapping her ass. “Give it to me, girl.” 

Mack rolls her eyes, leaning over his face, palm pressed into the bed below him. Everything around him is girly and feminine, but his dark, masculine presence overshadows all the frills and fuss, taking over her room and senses like he owns the damn place. But he doesn’t and Mack thinks she should remind him of who is in charge here.

“Keep your hands on the bed.” She murmurs, kissing along his nose. He pulls his hands away from her hips, letting her fuck him the way she wants to. 

Her hips snap and roll, forward backwards, up and down, working his cock like a seasoned vet.  His hands grip into fists on the bed, taking some of her comforter in his palm, wrinkling it against his skin. Mack sits up, pressing her biceps into her breasts to make them tight and bounce right over his face. David is speechless, for once in his damn life. He raises his neck, trying to catch a nipple. Mack puts her hand on his neck, forcing him back down. 

“Be good.” She snaps at him. He laughs, eyes rolling back into his head.

“You know, honey. I think I like this version of you the best.” He grits out. “Fucking me like that. Shit.” His eyes close, a blissed out smile covering his mouth as she falters slightly from how good she feels stuffed full of him. He opens his eyes feeling her legs struggling a bit. “Don’t quit on me now, Hischier. Not when I’m about to cum this fucking hard.” His teeth are mashed together, words barely getting out through the thin spaces. His hips begin to move under her, pressing her up when her legs give out a bit more. It feels too good. Mack has to surrender to him, knowing his powerful thighs can do the rest of this job easily.

“C-Can’t help it. Touch me. I need you.” She begs, reaching up to hold her breasts. David’s hands fly to her hips, then he forces her into a tight rhythm, hard and fast, punishing almost, until they both fly over the edge into the abyss. David gushes into the condom, savoring her ripples, careful as he works her up and down his cock a few more times to finish himself fully off. Mack collapses onto his chest like goo, unable to hold herself in any type of position except horizontal. David’s hand goes to her hair, holding her cheek on his shoulder as he tries to catch his breath. 

“Happy birthday.” She whispers to him. David’s face gets lost in her hair to kiss her scalp.

“Thank you.” He responds quietly.

In ten minutes, the aftermath of their sex has been washed from their bodies and they lay together in silence, soaking in the warmth of each other’s skin. Mack’s eyes droop, tired from a long day, ready to surrender to the tiredness that collects in her veins. Beneath her, David’s chest rises and falls consistently. His hand trolls up and down her arm, until he twitches hard, inhaling deeply to awaken himself.

“I should go.” He mumbles, rubbing at his face with his free hand. He drops a kiss to her head, then rolls out from under her.

A big yawn stretches his lips apart as he works his jeans back into place. He pulls down on the bunched up crotch, then rushes the zipper back into place. He looks around for his shirt as he buttons himself back up. Mack watches him from the comfort, warm cocoon of her bed, feeling bad that he has to drag himself back across town after 1:00am.

She should let him stay. It’s the decent thing to do.

“What’s your day tomorrow?” She inquires. 

“Ah, day off again. Coach is giving us some rest.” He yawns again, leaning down to pick up his shirt by her dresser.

“Oh… Well, maybe you want to stay then?” He pauses with his shirt at his biceps. 

“I…” He trails off, then licks his lips. He drops his arms and cocks his head at her. “You’re gonna have to ask. You don’t get outta this by making some half assed statement.” Mack hides her grin, rolling her eyes to seem annoyed.

“I just don’t want your blood on my hands when you tiredly drive off into a ditch.”

“In New York City?” He chuckles.

“Okay, fair. Or onto a sidewalk and killing innocent people.” 

“So I would be staying over purely for safety purposes?”

“Mhm.” 

“Okay, but you still got to ask.” 

“Ugh! You’re so annoying. Will you stay? Pleeeease.” She huffs at him.

“Okay, geez, I’ll stay.” He holds his hands up at her, making a show of dropping his shirt.“You just want me safe for my dick.” He jokes as he works his jeans back off so he is naked again.

“Is it that obvious?” She wonders, batting her lashes at him.

“Yeah.” He nods. “But I’m okay with it.” He walks over to the light, switching it off to allow darkness to take over the room.

Mack grins, collecting him back into her arms as he crawls under the covers with her. 

“This is a nice bed.” He compliments her.

“Mhm. It’s the one house thing I always spend good money on.” He nuzzles his stubbled cheeks into her chest.

“Could get used to this.” He mumbles against her left breast. Mack presses her lips into his hair, rubbing his shoulders with her fingers.

She could too.

Fuck.

Read more Mack and David here.

[ladylooch]

Bones - Part 14 [Mack x David]

A/N: As if we couldn't love Mack and David more. Then they give us all this gorgeous, pregnant domestic bliss? There is a bit of angst here too for them, but the ending of this one is sooooo soft and beautiful. It was actually a last minute addition after talking with @missjomarch. She brought up David building a crib and suddenly, I could see this moment in the nursery with them so clearly.

Happy Saturday!

Word Count: 5.6k

Heavy breathing fills Mack and David’s bedroom as their bodies move in sync together. It’s later in the morning. Mack is working from home. David is about to head off to practice. She got off her morning meeting and desperately needed a quick fuck to settle her rabid, pregnancy hormones. Mack’s palms press into the comforter as David pumps into her from behind. One hand is on her hip and the other holds her five month belly to keep her weight evenly distributed. 

“Damn, you’re so gorgeous.” David moans.

Mack looks over at the full length mirror on the side of the room, grinning at how sexy this looks. She is wearing pregnancy well. David agrees with her too. He rubs his hands together over her belly, fingers intertwining, then meets her gaze in the mirror as he claps his hips against her ass harder. 

“More. I can take it.” She reminds him. She grabs one of his hands to bring it to her right breast. He massages it, then pulls her nipple hard with three fingers. “Too much.” She bats his hand away. David chuckles, bringing both hands back to her hips.

His finger tips dimple her flesh firmly, rocking her back into him as he increases the tempo. When they’re back in sync, his hands glide to her belly again. Mack puts one hand over his there, sliding her fingers in the spaces of his on her stomach. He loves holding the baby while he fucks her. It brings out primal growls from deep in his gut and damn, if it doesn’t make her wetter than waterfall. 

“Uhm yeah. Right there. Don’t.. oh.. yeah! Oh!” Mack cries out as she comes. Her walls grip him tight and that’s all it takes for her husband. David moans, filling her pussy with ropes of white. 

“Fuck, you’re so tight pregnant with my baby.” David groans as he pumps through his orgasm. Mack rolls herself back into his abdomen a few times to help finish him off. “Damn.” He moans, fisting her ass cheeks. His strong fingers make divots in her cheeks, massaging the muscles for a job well done.

“Mmm, that was so good, babe.” Mack purrs as he pulls out. Her skin is pink and warm now while her relaxed muscles have her feeling comfortable.

“You’re okay?” He checks in. Mack nods, watching in the mirror with pride as he pulls back to take in his cum dripping out of her. His responsive smirk has Mack’s stomach swaying in her belly. He is so gorgeous looking at her like that.

“Honey, you’re so sexy. Cannot get enough of this.” He tells her. Two of his fingers collect the creamy mixture, stuffing her full of it again. Then he slaps her ass leaving two finger widths of wetness on her pink skin.

Mack sits up on her knees, accepting David’s loving kiss to her mouth. He holds a hand out for her to crawl off the bed, then leads her to the bathroom. The two of them clean up, unfortunately needing to skip an after care shower because David is now almost running late to practice. He helps Mack get dressed again, then rushes out of their apartment with one last kiss to her bee stung lips. 

In her next meeting, Mack stares absentmindedly out the window while stroking her belly. The baby, that they just found out is a boy, has become a lot more active during the day. Right now, she is imagining him rolling around in tumbles like he was on the last ultrasound. Mack adjusts in the chair to relieve the pressure off her lower back, then sucks up a few quick gulps of water. Her meeting ends in the next five minutes. Mack stands, stretching her expanding body out then padding over to pop her prenatal vitamins. She chews then rinses them down with a glass of juice, hating the aftertaste of the gummies. She has been lucky to not be sick much with her pregnancy, but that after taste always tests her stomach and she doesn’t have time to be sick. She needs to start packing for her work trip to Germany in a few days.

It was a no brainer for Mack and David that even though she was pregnant, she would continue to travel and work until she physically couldn’t. Mack’s work is important to both of them and her being pregnant wasn’t a reason to give up her dream job. Her editor, Sonja, was extremely supportive and told Mack to let her know what her restrictions would be. Mack and David agreed that there would be some for the duration of her pregnancy. Wherever she goes in the world, she is carrying precious cargo and she feels a strong responsibility to keep their baby safe. Ultimately, most of Mack’s assignments have centered in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. 

This trip to Germany is great because Mack can stop by Switzerland afterwards to spend some time with her parents. She hasn’t seen them since Christmas when she dropped her pregnancy bombshell on them. Both her parents had been shocked, looking around the room at Sophie, Lucie, Connor, and David almost like they expected someone to give up the joke. She is excited to bring her parents the news that they are having a boy in person.

Tonight at dinner, they will tell the Wood family too. David is picking up the cupcakes after practice. 

Mack takes a nap at lunch because it’s the only way she can make it through an entire 8 hour work day. David gently wakes her when he gets home from the rink. He sits on the bed next to her, smoothing her hair back, then rubbing his hand down her arm. He repeats this motion until she stirs awake. 

“It’s almost 1.” He whispers against her cheek, doing little nibbles at her face. Mack nods in response.

Back to work she goes. 

David works next to Mack at the kitchen island. He pays invoices for the farm, makes some phone calls, and checks in with Felix. Mack edits the first draft of her next article, reads through her final print version for this months magazine, then has a call with her editor outlining some general ideas for her trip to Munich. 

“Awesome. I love it. Have a great time and fly safe tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Sonja!” Mack smiles then clicks off the call. “Okay, I’m done working. My back hurts.” 

“Sounds good, honey. I’ve got two more emails to send then I can take care of you.” 

“I didn’t say that thinking you had to do something.” David raises his eyes off his laptop. He scans up and down her pregnant body then shakes her statement away with his head.

“Go sit on the couch. I’ll be over in a minute.”

Mack settles into the couch cushions, then grabs her phone. She scrolls through social media until David is done. After he shuts his laptop, he comes behind the couch, resting his big hands on her shoulder. His fingers and thumbs gently begin to work into her tired muscles there. Mack’s eyes close, body going limp under his hands, surrendering to him like she always does. David drops a kiss to her head. Goosebumps rise along Mack’s body then tighten her nipples into distinct points at the front of her shirt. 

Mack grabs his hands from her shoulders, bringing them to her breasts. David holds them, immediately circling her nipples then brushing across the stiff centers. This afternoon everything about that is a turn on. Mack is almost embarrassed by the moan that slips from her mouth. 

“I see your intentions.” David chuckles. “You’re sick.” He teases her, stroking her nipples again. Mack presses her head back into his shoulder. He kisses her cheek until she turns to collect his lips. His fingers brush her buds again and she whimpers.

“I need you again.”

“Yeah.” He chuckles.

He walks around the couch, helping her rise up, then he takes her hand to lead her back down to their bedroom.

Until dinner, the two fall in and out of bed together, getting their fill of one another before Mack heads off to Germany and Switzerland.

It’s safe to say, Mack’s pregnancy agrees with both her and her husband.

- - - & - - -

Days later, in her hotel room in Munich, Mackenzie Hischier exams the box of cold medicine the doctor here okayed for her to take. She scans the words, clearly seeing the warning label about pregnant women needing to consult with their doctors. Okay she did that, but she still feels uneasy about shooting this Robitussin down. She frowns at the red liquid again, holding it up to the light. 

Then, another one of her horrid coughing attacks takes over. Mack squeezes her legs together, trying not to release her bladder down her legs. Her chest heaves, feeling tight and uncomfortable. She moans once it is finished, feeling more sick than she did a minute ago. 

Fuck it. Down goes the Robitussin. 

Mack cringes at the taste, then gags. She slaps a hand over her mouth, squeezing her eyes shut to prevent everything from coming back up. Pregnancy is no joke. Pregnancy while sick may be hell on earth. As much as Mack wants to limit unnecessary medications while pregnant, she needs something to sleep tonight.

Everything had gone according to plan for Mack’s initial arrival in Germany. She had a smooth flight, landed a little early, and got settled into her hotel the night before her work itinerary began. But after that, nothing has gone well. She woke up sick that morning. She tried some natural remedies to squish the cold, but every day she has gotten worse. This morning, she finally went to see a doctor. All her vitals were good, the baby was fine, and unfortunately the advice they gave her was to rest, knock back some cold medicine, and drink more fluids. This would pass soon.

“Oh my god.” Mack mutters to herself as she rubs at her forehead. Beneath her skull, her sinuses sting and pulse. Mack brings her fingers down to her eyes, rubbing them and collecting the gross boogers to clear them away. 

Mack cancelled all her interviews the last two days. She called Sonja earlier and told her she would need more time here. Sonja had okayed it all and instructed Mack to get some rest too. As Mack flips off the bathroom light, she rubs her belly where the baby pokes out to the left.

“We’ll get through this, baby.” She assured him. “Let’s call daddy. He should be home from practice by now.”

Mack climbs onto the bed, wincing at the way her sore body creaks and protests. She is out of breath by the time she settles under the covers and into the pillows. She closes her eyes, sniffing, then breathing heavily in and out of her mouth. A cough rocks her chest next and she groans. She feel like shit. Better than this morning, but not by much. She is going to need a hail mary from that Robitussin.

Mack pulls her phone up, then hesitates with her thumb over her husband’s contact. She purses her lips, ignoring the nagging guilt she has in the back of her brain. While Sonja may know she is sick, David doesn’t. At first because Mack thought her symptoms would go away- she was just stuffy from flying. But then as more symptoms started to develop, she just… didn’t… tell… him.

The two have been texting off and on the last few days, but haven’t shared a phone call at all this trip. Because she is avoiding him. Of course, David likely hasn’t thought anything of it. He would assume she is busy working on her article. She sighs at herself. Why is she like this? She rubs at her cheek, then presses down on his contact, listening to the FaceTime bubbling fill the room.

“Hi baby!” He exclaims when he answers. Mack’s stomach drops at how good he looks. She smiles at him, biting her lip. He’s in a simple white T with his thick mustache cleaned up and the rest of his face shaved. His black hair was recently cut too, tight along the sides and back then longer, finger tossed strands on top. Her favorite look of his. 

“Hi babe.” She responds. A cough threatens, squeezing her throat, but she holds it back by holding her breath. 

“What’s up, gorgeous? You in for the night?” He asks her. His free hand runs through the hair at the top of his head as he pads out of their bedroom and into the main area of their place. 

“Yeah I am.” She tells him. Her body betrays her and unleashes a coating of sickness over her words. He stops walking, then looks fully at the phone. He licks at his upper teeth and swallows.

“Are you sick?” He asks her, eyebrows tugging together.

“I have something, yeah.” Mack sighs, then she coughs. She grips her belly, wincing. The baby thrashes around wildly. “Sorry, buddy.” She rubs at him. “Every time I cough it jolts him around and he is not loving it.”

Back in New York, David is suddenly silent. Mack can see the displeasure seeping into his face, pulling his mouth down, ultimately making his mustache extend deeper down his face.

“How long have you been sick?”

“A few days.” Mack says through a sniff. “I had to cancel my interviews and such the last two days. So, I’m either going to have to stay here longer or skip home all together.” 

David grunts, then covers his face with his hand. His thumb and pointer finger squeeze his forehead together above his eyebrows. A heavy sigh falls from his lips after he licks them.

“Babe…” He grunts again, eyes closed, clearly trying to keep it together. “Why is this the first I’m hearing that you’re sick?”

“Well, it isn’t anything bad.” She shrugs, then drops her gaze. 

“Mack, honey, you are pregnant. Your body is doing a lot right now. Being sick on top of growing a baby is a big deal. Like should you still be there?” He asks her, hand sweeping across the air in front of him. This annoys Mack instantly and like a flipped switch, her words take a turn.

“What’s wrong with being here? Don’t be so American. The German health system is superior to the one in the U.S. I’m saving money by being here.” David purses his lips. “I went to the doctor.” She assures him. “They checked me and the baby out and said I have a cold. It just has to run it’s course. It is better for me to stay here and work through it, than get on a 7 hour plane ride and hand this off to a bunch of other people.”

Mack can sense David is getting increasingly frustrated as she speaks. She is too, feeling defensive and culpable for springing this on him days later. He rubs his hand back over this face, then glides his thumb across his jaw and underside of his chin, really working his pout overtime. 

“I don’t think me being 100% American is the problem here.” He finally says. “But since you have it all figured it out, I guess everything is fine.” Mack sits up straighter in bed, eyes squinting at him. Oh, he wants to play with the pregnant, hormonal woman? Okay.

“Excuse me?”

He waves both his hands out to the side, taking her out to the left as he shrugs his big shoulder.

“Right? You got this all figured out. Nothing to run by me. So alright.” 

“You’re being so ridiculous.” Mack roll her eyes, tisking quietly. 

“Mmmm, okay. So you’re safe?” 

“Yes.” She barbs back.

David squeezes his lips tight together. His green eyes squint as she starts to cough again. This one lasts longer than the others and she is wheezing by the end. She encourages the baby a bit down to get him lower and allow her lungs to expand more.

“I’m gonna pull weight here for the first time… ever. You need to come home.” Mack rolls her eyes and shakes her head no. “Mack, I’m serious. Get on a plane home or I’m coming to get you.”

Mack pauses, feeling her heart pound in her chest at the confrontation with him.

“David. I can’t come home. I have obligations here.”

“That all that matters to you? Your obligations there? What about between us? And our family?”

“What am I going to do there that I can’t do here?”

“That’s not the point, Mack. Why don’t you get that?” David shakes his head. “Look. I’m upset. I don’t want to say something I’m going to regret or make this worse. So I am going to hang up now.” 

“Ah. O-okay.” Mack shrugs, shaking her head slightly in disbelief.

“I love you.” He says. He is mad at her, but would never end a phone call without telling her that. Mack starts to tear up. Her bottom lip wobbles, so she nods.

“I love you.” She barely gets out, then David hangs up.

Mack doesn’t think he has ever been the one to hang up first.

Shit. 

Mack rubs her nails against her teeth, then drops the phone to the bed. She lays back on the pillows she propped behind her. She looks down at her bump, feeling the baby stretch out again. She rubs at him over her stretching skin, then sighs. She should have told David she was sick. But she knows why she didn’t. He would have asked her to come home, like he just did, and she doesn’t want to.

Mack has been excited about this story. She loves getting to connect with similar cultures to where she grew up. She wanted to explore places she had never been and she didn’t want to be held back by being pregnant. She has this fierce determination that there is nothing her and baby boy can’t do together during this time. And she wants to do it all with him growing inside of her. Show the world and herself that pregnant women are as bad ass as ever.

Did she put herself in danger? The baby? No. She didn’t. She did the right things and went to the doctor to make sure she was okay. 

But she did purposefully keep this from her husband and that wasn’t the right call. 

She grabs the phone to call him back, but the screen is already lighting up with his contact FaceTiming her. 

“I’m sorry. You’re right.” She answers.

“No, I’m sorry. I got upset.” She can see he has moved to the kitchen island. He’s sitting in a stool she likes to work from, chin in his hand as his green eyes look her over.

“I should have told you. That wasn’t fair.”

“Yeah.” He agrees. He leans back, sighing. “I need more of a compromise than ‘I went to the doctor’ if you’re not coming home. You’re alone there. If something happens to you, who is going to help you?”

There are several sentences that come to Mack’s mind to respond with. But instead of letting reactionary words spill out again, she pauses, breathing through the initial frustration and focusing on David’s point of view. His pregnant wife is almost 4,000 miles away from him. She is sick, traveling alone for work, and she made this worse by not being forthcoming about her condition until ten minutes ago. 

“I hear you. Let me think for a moment.” She settles on. She takes a few more beats. David gets up, going to the fridge and grabbing a non-alcoholic beer. She smiles at his support. She watches as he cracks the can open then takes two hearty pulls from it. His tongue snakes out of his mouth, licking off the bubbles that collected in his mustache. “I’ll go home tomorrow.” She finally says. “It’s too late for me to go now. I’ll stay there until I’m feeling better, then I’ll come back and finish my work."

“By home do you mean, you’re going to stay with your parents? Or you’re going to cross the border into Switzerland and call it good?” Mack laughs, then bites down on her lip, shaking her head.

“Fair. I’ll go to my parents.” She promises. David smiles at her giggle about him calling her out.

“Okay.” He nods. “I can deal with that.”

“I am feeling better than this morning.” She assures him. He nods again, raising his gaze to look across their apartment. 

“Are you going to drive?”

“No, there is a train that will get me close. I’ll have one of my parents grab me from the station. Maybe Soph if she is around.”

“Okay.” He exhales heavily, shoulders dropping back to a normal position. He rolls his head from side to side. Mack smirks, thinking about how sexy he looks, taking care of and protecting her, even if it’s from herself. 

“You’re gonna be such a good daddy.” She murmurs. Her hand drifts down to her belly, cupping their son as she continues. “I can’t wait until he’s a teenager, sneaking out of the farm house, but you hear everything so you catch him at his bedroom window. And you’re like ‘not tonight, little bean’.” Mack holds up a finger, squinting as she says it.

A hearty laugh rolls out of David’s mouth. 

“That sounds like me. We should probably get serious about names for him when you get home, eh?”

“Yeah.” Mack trails off, a cough building in her throat. She covers her mouth, squeezing her eyes shut, focusing on controlling her bladder. “I almost pee every time I cough.” She admits. “If he isn’t stretching out, he is using my bladder as a pillow.” 

“That sounds shitty, honey.” His mouth slides to the side in a sympathetic frown. 

“Hopefully it doesn’t turn into that…” Mack shakes her head. Another laugh shakes her husband. Mack yawns loudly then hums happily, snuggling deeper into her pillows again. 

“Lemme see him?” David requests. 

Mack brings her hand down, pulling her shirt up. She turns the camera so he can see her bump. Her belly button is starting to get shallow. She points it out to her husband. He smiles softly, lovingly, telling her he loves it.

“Hi baby.” David sighs. “Be good to mama. She needs it right now.” Mack smiles. “Babe?”

“Hm?”

“Pull your shirt up more.” He requests. Mack pushes it up slightly. “No, more than that.”

Her fingers run up her breasts, across her nipples as she pulls it up the rest of the way. She isn’t wearing a bra, giving David the perfect view of her swollen breasts. 

“Mmm, gorgeous.” He praises her. “Give ‘em a lil something for me.”

Mack strokes her thumb across her right nipple, feeling sparks shoot through her body. 

“I showed you something…” She trails off. David cocks an eyebrow at her. 

“Mackenzie.” He teases her. 

“It would make me feel better to see more of you.” 

David chuckles, then tugs his shirt over his head.

“How is this?”

“Better.” She nods. “But maybe a little more.”

“I’m naked if I take these off.” He tilts the screen down so she can see him toy with the ties on his sweatpants. Mack bites her lip.

“Excellent.” She murmurs. Slowly, he pulls the ties, then glides the waistband down. His hand wraps around his thickening shaft, giving himself a few strokes. “Keep going.” She demands when he stops. She sees his abdominal muscles scrunch with another laugh. His hand comes back as he walks out of the kitchen, heading down the hallway to their room. 

“I miss you.” David tells her as he settles onto his back on the bed. 

“I miss you too.” Truthfully, she aches for him. She doesn’t enjoy being sick and not having him here to take care of her. 

“Wish this was you.” He tells her as he squeezes his head until a bit of pre-cum bubbles up.

Mack watches his tempo increase, drawing her fingers down between her legs. They begin sighing and moaning in sync with one another until they’re thousands of miles apart, but coming undone together.

“I love you.” Mack tells him as they both put themselves back together.

“I love you too.”

“Will you stay on with me until I fall asleep?”

“Of course, honey.”

Mack works the stand for her phone into position on the nightstand, on her left side of course. Then she rolls over so she is facing him. She stuffs a pillow between her knees, yawning hugely. 

“Medicine is kicking in.” She mumbles to him.

“That’s good.” He whispers quietly back. “I’m happy to hear that. You need rest.”

“Tell me about your day so far.” She requests. 

It’s like her own bedtime story. She closes her eyes, listening to his soothing voice come through the speaker. She smiles or chuckles at some points, but then stops responding, becoming too tired to even make noise. David stays with her until she falls asleep.

When Mack wakes up the next morning, she smiles at the FaceTime call that is still going. This time, she watches him sleep, curled onto his left side too. In his arms is her pillow. He is practically suffocates himself in it.

“Babe?” She whispers to her phone. David awakens with a deep inhale.

“Hm?”

“I’m gonna go so I can pack and get on the train.”

“Mhm, you okay?” He slurs out sleepily.

“Yeah. I slept really good.”

“Okay, mmm good. Travel safe. Call me when you get there?”

“I will.” She promises. 

When they hang up the phone, Mack chokes on grateful, emotional tears.

She really did marry the best man in the entire world. 

And soon, she’s making him a daddy.

- - - & - - -

In April, Mack arrives back in New York from London to wrap up her last international trip at 7 months pregnant. David is playing on Long Island at an away game, and even though she could easily make it, Mack is heading home right from the airport. She is exhausted and feeling huge. She refused to cry at how tight the airplane seatbelt was on her flight, but that doesn’t mean she is feeling her best right now. 10 more weeks of this should be fun. 

Phillip helps her get her bag to her apartment and after saying goodbye to him, she shuts the door, resting her forehead against it for a moment. The quiet apartment is welcome to her, so she can decompress and get settled before David comes home. For Mack that means unpacking, starting a load of laundry, and taking a quiet, candle lit bath. She watches David’s game on her laptop too and munches on the Thai food she ordered her and the baby. She spends more time in the bath than she intended too, playing with the baby’s little feet swiping across her big belly. Until he gets annoyed and gives her a big shove to the ribs.

“Oof. Okay.” Mack chuckles. “You’re done. We’ve had a busy few days. I’ll let you sleep.”

Mack eases herself out of the tub before lotioning up as best she can. Then she flips through her maternity clothes hanging in the closet. She smiles at a new pair of light pink pajamas with white hearts on them that still have tags attached. David must have gotten these for her when she was gone. She grabs them, pulling the tags off and sighing at the soft cloth holding her body. It feels like one of his hugs. 

Once dressed, she pads down the hallway to the kitchen, refilling her water and grabbing her book and travel bag by the door. She walks back towards her office to drop the bag in there. After, she pauses in the hallway, surprised to find the door left of it shut. This will be the baby’s room eventually. Right now, it’s an empty room with diapers and random gifts they’ve been collecting over the last few months. 

At least it was last time Mack looked. 

Now, it’s a nursery. 

Mack’s mouth opens in sync with the door, a small gasp coming through her parted lips. Muted green paint covers the walls. Above the crib are three different types of cutesy farm drawings. On the floor is a tan and white, fuzzy rug in the shape of a highland cow. In the corner is a tan, plush chair and ottoman. Mack walks forward, putting her hands on the stained brown crib, the one she loved from Pottery Barn Kids that she didn’t realize had even been purchased yet. 

Mack stands still, stunned. The nursery in New York was not a priority for them at all. It would be so long before they were back. They figured build the crib for the first night they came back with the baby and that would be enough until next season. But of course, her husband had other plans. Mack looks at the matching dresser and changing table in the room. On top of the dresser is a picture of Mack and David at their wedding. In a smaller frame is an ultrasound picture from their 20 week appointment and a small cowboy hat. 

A thousand emotions roll through her as she sits down in the plush, rocking chair. Her eyes close and she imagines holding their son in this room months from now. She can see it vividly- her completely wrapped around his finger as he nurses or falls asleep or looks up at her with David’s eyes. His daddy would be leaning against the doorway, watching his whole world like it’s the only thing he has to do for the night. Mack smiles and places one hand on her bump and the other on the ache for all of that right now in her chest.

She’s still there when David comes home and calls out her name. It’s measured- quiet enough that if she was awake she would hear him, but not loud enough to wake her if she’s sleeping. He walks down the hall then double takes at her in the nursery chair. 

“Oh…” He grimaces a bit. “You weren’t supposed to see this yet.” A bashful smile remains on his face. “It’s not done. Still gotta touch up some paint and the baseboards… fix the closet doors… hang the floating shelves over there.” He points above the dresser. “Cody helped me while he was here this week.”

“I love this.” She tells him with tears in her eyes. “So much. You brought all my jumbled, random thoughts to life.”

“Mmm, I’m glad, honey.” He leans a shoulder into the door jamb. He’s in various states of undressing. His shirt is unbuttoned, belt undone too. “You doing okay?”

“Yeah. We both are. Ready to be home.” 

Her husband nods, rubbing at his stubbled chin and cheeks. Mack knows he has been worried about how her being “grounded” in the U.S. would make her feel. But honestly, she’s been looking forward to this the last few weeks. David wanders over to her in the chair, dropping a kiss to her lips. His palm stretches across her belly, smoothing over the soft fabric of her shirt.

“Thank you for the pajamas. It’s nice to have something that fully covers the belly.” David chuckles.

“I know you were getting annoyed by that.”

“You just want your shirts back.”

“Honey, my shirts are yours for the rest of forever. They look better on you anyway.”

Mack looks down at his hand on her belly, holding his wrist to keep him there. She feels his lips drift to the top of her head. 

“I want to hold him really bad today. My arms are too light.” She whimpers. “Wanna kiss his face and see how much he looks like you, for real. Not on that creepy ultrasound.”

David crouches down next to her chair. He sighs heavily in agreement. His green eyes trace over her belly, then dart to hers when the baby kicks hard enough that they can see her bump move.

“You probably feel like that more than me right now.” Mack murmurs to her husband. “I get to carry him every day, but you haven’t held him yet at all.” 

“Yeah. That’s what I’m most excited about. Getting him in my hands for the first time, so I understand you wanting that.” 

“I know it’s not the same, but you can hold me tonight.” Mack whispers.

“Perfect. My whole world in my hands.” He stands back to his full height, giving her his palms to help her stand too. Mack only grunts a little as she gets on her feet. David kisses her. “You like this though? I didn’t overstep doing this without you?” There is a questioning in his green eyes Mack rarely sees. Her reaction clearly matters to him.

“I love it. All of it. Every little detail that you put in here is perfect.” A smile stretches his lips apart. “Add building nurseries to your ridiculously long resume of skills.” She kisses him, then continues against his mouth. “And being the most attentive and loving daddy, even before he is  in your arms.” David drops his forehead to hers, closing his eyes and holding her tightly to him. “He is so lucky.” 

In a moment of pure vulnerability, two tears streak down from David’s eyes. Mack kisses them, their salty taste coating the inside of her lips.

“You believe that?” He says quietly. 

“No, David, I know that.”

That’s something David will prove even before their son takes his first breath.

Read more Mack and David here.

[ladylooch]

Bones - Part 12 [ Mack x David]

A/N: This is completely unplanned... but there is a birthday celebration in here for David! On our real life Inspo, Jake's birthday! I love when things shake out this way.

Anyways, happy birthday to Jake. And to Davey. And enjoy a lil slice of heaven with our two love birds.

Word Count: 4.5k

October

Fall in New York is magical. Not as magical as the holiday season, but still gorgeous none the less. The weather finally gets cooler. The leaves begin to burst in gorgeous colors of orange, yellow and red. Then right around the corner, hockey season begins. Hockey has ruled Mack’s life in one way or another since before she was born. She wasn’t old enough to be resentful of that like Lucie by the time her dad retired, but there is something about being in this club of Rangers WAGs that has Mack excited for the upcoming season. 

She loves getting to spend so much time with her sister and her nieces. After everything that happened this summer with Tommy, Mack has really craved being around her family. She loves their spirit and protectiveness. But also the way they’ve rallied around David to support him through this difficult loss. 

Yes, there are many things about the fall and hockey season beginning that she loves. But there is still one thing she hates: 

Having to go back to sharing her husband. 

Mack hates the reality of hockey season and how many days apart the two of them will spend. Mack wants to pretend that she has found a balance in her fourth hockey season as a WAG but that would be complete bullshit. She still struggles with what to say yes versus what not to. She still yearns for David whether she is on assignment and he is gone or home. But she does think she is getting better at it.

Especially when her husband treats her to nights like this. Back where it all started in a place with checkered table clothes and outstanding pizza. They recently added a to die for tiramisu to the menu that has no business being in a place as small and hidden as theirs. But it’s there. Delectable and mouth watering, just like the man who holds her left hand. 

The two of them are walking in content silence back to their place. David holds their leftover pizza in his other hand. They’re dressed in dark jeans and sweaters. Mack has brown, high heeled boots on that slap the sidewalk with each step. David has on his own brown boots, worn and loved, with thick tan soles. 

“What time does everything start tomorrow?” Mack asks as they turn the corner onto their street.

“I’ve gotta be there by 9. But Woody and I want to go early to hit the weight room.” Mack gives him a look. He shrugs. “It’s tradition.” 

“You two are like an old married couple. Can’t do anything without the other.”

“I love that man.” 

“That’s why you actually married me, right? So you could be related in some way.”

“You caught me.” He nods solemnly before his face breaks out into a smirk. “You know why I married you.”

“Why?” Mack asks innocently. 

“For that wet, ass pu-“ 

“David.” Mack slaps her hand over this mouth, shrieking.

He grabs her hand, pulling it away, and then yells out: “Pussy!”

“Oh my god.” Mack widens her eyes at the people who turn to look.

“This is New York. They’ve heard worse.” David assures her. His arm goes around her shoulders, pulling her into the side of him so he can kiss her head. Mack sighs, closing her eyes and trying to memorize this feeling for the nights their bed is too lonely without him.

“I’m sad.” She finally admits to him. “I’m trying hard not to be, but I am.” David’s lips shift into a sideways frown. “I already miss you.”

“I know these next few weeks will be tough, honey.” He acknowledges. He pauses as they head up the steps. Philip hands over the door for David, letting him hold it for his wife as always.

“Have a good night.” He salutes them.

“You too!” Mack calls back. 

“Camp always seems so long. Once the season starts, its more normal. Less like, team activities and bonding and class or whatever you guys do.”

David delays his response until the doors shut. Then he puts his hand on her opposite hip, backing her up against the wall. He steps in front of her, cupping her face with his other hand. Mack’s breath disappears from her lungs, eyelashes fluttering as he hovers over her lips.

“I’ll make you forget about all that tonight.” His lips brush hers, but refuse to stay there long. Mack’s eyes screw shut as he kisses down her throat, then sucks the sensitive skin at the crook of her neck. She turns her face into his, fingers collapsing into his hair as he forces her legs apart with his thigh. 

By the time the elevator stops at their floor, Mack buzzes everywhere. Her nipples poke against the lining of her bra. Her panties are soaked through from grinding her crotch on top of his thigh. David pulls her out and down to their apartment in record speed. He fumbles with the keys as Mack reaches around to cup his hard erection. 

“Fuck, baby.” He leans his head back to the ceiling, pausing for a moment. Then he pokes after the key hole with more ferocity. 

When the door opens, David shoves Mack inside unceremoniously. The door slams behind them, then David backs Mack up to the wall quickly. Mack reaches behind her, feeling for the entry way table as he locks their lips back together. David grinds his hard zipper into hers. It’s not enough for him though. He hooks her leg around his waist then slams her back harder into the table. Mack’s breath stutters as his bulge brushes her clit. Her head falls back, hitting the mirror above the table.

A daze falls over Mack as her husband pulls away. He works open the buttons of her Levi’s, then his big hands slide around to grip her bare ass. 

“Fucking need you, honey.” He growls. 

Once his hands get her jeans off her feet, he picks her up with one arm around her waist. The other blindly tries to move stuff off the table so he can set her on top. Mack reaches back with him too. Their lips stay connected as things clatter to floor. Then Mack is on top. David spreads her legs wide before dipping his face down to her pussy, taking a long, hard swipe with his tongue. A gurgled moan gets stuck in Mack’s throat. Her hand comes to the back of his hair, keeping him there as she grinds into his face.

“So fucking hot, baby. Keep doing that.” His mustache tickles her clit as his tongue swirls around her wet entrance. Her inner walls collapse around his tongue as he steadily fucks her with it. “So fuckin’ sweet, Mackenzie.” He groans. He gets on his knees in front of her, a look that has Mack melting into his mouth when he puts it back on her. Arms and legs become goo as she hangs on, enjoying the build of his tempo and her orgasm. 

“Ah.” Mack’s blissed out moan spits out of her lips.

“Sounds so beautiful.” He praises her. “So gorgeous when you come on my face. Can you? Please?”

His lips wrap firmly around her clit then he sucks, lapping his tongue along the swollen bud until Mack shakes on the skinny table.

“David!” She yells out when he keeps sucking her through it. “Oh! Oh!” She tenses up, David grips her thighs with both hands to keep them open. Then Mack collapses against the wall and the table. She begins sliding off of it, but David stands, re-adjusting her limp body back onto the skinny wood. 

“Hell yeah. You're a knock out, honey.” He husks at her through gritted teeth.

David makes sure she is steady, before he works on unbuckling his belt. He shoves his jeans down his hips and half his thighs. He strokes his cock in his hand, squeezing the tip and moaning. He keeps stroking, licking his lips and looking at Mack. Everything about it is searing hot. Then Mack works her feet around his hips, pulling him into her.

“You can do that on the road. Right now you have me.” David chuckles, then kisses her as he eases himself inside of her.

David collects her wrists in his hands, then pins them above her head. Her skins smears smudges across the mirror behind her. As David increase his tempo, they get worse. Mack’s legs begin to shake and her body arches into him for more.

“Please.” She begs when he slows down. “Harder.”

David complies. He rails hard into her, shaking the table beneath his force. Mack feels slightly unsteady on the table, gasping in surprise which makes David stop. He steps closer to her, letting her wrists go and wrapping his arms around her waist to stable her. Then he unleashes into her.

“Oh right there! Yeah!” Mack howls out. She should be quieter now that they are back in an apartment building and so close to the door. But she can’t hold back. Not when he strokes her just right. Or how his balls slap up hard into her ass as he drills her down good. Mack comes loudly, curses and his name sliding from her puffy lips as she lets herself go. 

“I’m sure the neighbors don’t miss that when we were at the farm.” David murmurs into her hair as he pauses for a beat. Mack giggles softly in presumed agreement.

His cock gently glides in and out of her as David savors the wetness of her latest orgasm.  Mack hums, uncurling her fingers from his chest to grip his shoulders. With an idea, David pulls her off of him then the table. When her feet hit the wood floor, he pulls her onto the balls of them and nudges his cock into her from behind. One of his hands holds on her breast and the other spreads across her stomach.

Mack’s palms press hard into the entry way table, feeling it groan and sway like she does with each of his hard pumps into her. The wooden legs begin to wiggle harder. Mack moans for more. Then suddenly all she is holding in her hands is air. The table collapses under his vigorous thrusts, shaking the screws loose until they snap away from the wood. David's arms support her in place before her body can fall from its position.

The couple both groans in pleasure, then laughs to each other. Without the unsteadiness of the table, David drills down even harder. His strong arms hold her flush to his hips so her upper body is suspended in the air.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll build you a new one. Keep watching me fuck you in that mirror.” He insists, cupping her chin and turning her face to watch them.

Mack is in awe of what he is doing to her. How he doesn’t stutter or falter his movements. Just catches her body and keeps that pace like a damn machine. He keeps advancing on her, nothing stopping or slowing him down unless its at her request. David hooks her knee through his left arm, then forces her face onto the mirror over the broken furniture. Her cheek smudges join below the ones from her wrists. 

“Tell me who’s you are?” David demands right when she’s about to reach her high.

“Yours! I’m yours, David!” Her hot breath fogs the mirror beneath her red cheek, making everything hotter.

David’s groan is primal this time as her third orgasm tugs and collapses around him, pulling his seed from his swollen cock. With it comes a string of explicatives and greedy praises of her pussy. 

Mack is spent after they are done. A limp noodle in his arms as David smugly pulls her back into him, both feet on the floor. His fingers roll through her wet slit, teasing her stimulated clit until she shivers. Somehow, he still has energy.

“You’re insane.” Mack murmurs as he stands to his full height, almost unaffected by the orgasms he gave both of them. He strokes at her clit again, deliberate about asking for more. Mack grips his wrist and squeezes. She’s already had three. A fourth will have her covering this entry way and she isn’t open to that experience tonight.

“Could never have enough of ya.” He says simply, but respectfully.

He picks her up into his hands by her bare ass. He carries her to the bathroom where he sets her on the counter. He puts her heels on it, then wipes her clean with a wash cloth. Mack loves this part with him. She’s never had a man so diligent about after care and she’s glad this is the one she gets for the rest of her life.

Afterwards, he sets her down in the walk-in closet, then disappears out to the main area. He comes back with a tumbler of water and fresh cut peaches from the farmer’s market, setting them on her side of the bed. Before he goes to clean himself, he pulls back the comforter for her to crawl under into bed. 

Mack is happily snacking when he returns.

“Gonna get peach juice all over this bed like a lil mouse.” Mack grins, then exaggerates sucking up the peach juice into her mouth.

“That was you earlier.” She teases.

“That will be me tomorrow morning too.” Mack giggles, cheeks turning pink. 

“No, you’ll have to leave so early to hit the weights with Connor.” 

“I would never, ever choose weights with Woody over sucking on your sweet puss, honey.”

“Puss?!” Mack shakes her head, choking on a slice of fruit for a moment. “You’re so weird, babe.” She offers him a peach. 

“What’s weird about enjoying eating my wife’s pussy?” He pops the slice into his mouth, chews once then swallows.

“Calling it a puss is weird.”

“Okay I won’t call it a puss. Can I have another peach, owner of my sweet pussy?” He asks her. Mack giggles through his little pussy speech, eyes squeezed shut in pure joy at her funny, loving man. She hands over the bowl to him, signaling she is done.

As he eats the rest, Mack lays back into her pillows. She shuts her eyes for a moment, realizing how tired she really is. Her body goes still, unable to even adjust the covers over her shoulders better. The sound of the bowl resting onto David’s nightstand greets her ears, then she feels her body being pulled into his. The comforter is adjusted exactly where she likes it immediately after he gets her settled into him.

“Night, baby.” David whispers into her hair.

His breath smells like peaches and that’s the last thing Mack remembers before she falls into a well earned sleep.

- - - & - - -

February

“Are we starting? What do we need? We have to finish before Uncle Davey comes home!” Stella exclaims next to her auntie where she scrolls through the webpage on her phone.

“One sec, Stell.” Mack murmurs, looking over the recipe again. 

“He’s gonna see us!” Stella complains.

“Probably.” Mack nods. “We have to mix all this up, bake it, let it cool, then frost it. So yeah, he’s going see the cake before it’s done. Let’s allow that to be okay.” Stella stares at Mack, then rolls her bottom lip into her mouth. “The act of us making the cake is the surprise.” She soothes her niece. 

“Okay.” Stella nods, coming down from her anxious worries. 

“Chocolate?” Winnie asks.

“Uncle Davey prefers vanilla.” Mack reminds Winnie. Again. For the fourth time.

“Oh.” Winnie sighs, becoming a lil humpbacked with disappointment.  “I chocolate cake?”

“No. How about you and Stella go grab me the measuring cups?”

“Okay!” Winnie yells, taking Stella's hand to the cabinet.

Mack reads off the ingredients and baking supplies to the girls as they rush their little legs around the kitchen to grab them. When everything is set out on the counter, the girls begin. Stella gets to crack the eggs because she has more patience than her sister. Then Winnie gets to put together the dry ingredients to be sifted together. The whole ordeal moves along swimmingly except for a few hiccups. It’s all for the girls’ favorite Uncle after all.

Their favorite uncle who would rather stay in New York and watch their nieces then jet away for another Allstar break.

Lucie and Connor headed to Mexico on their own. Savannah and Lio were going to join them, but then decided to head to California to see Liv and Luca instead. Mack and David had thought about joining those two in California, and bringing the Wood girls with them, but ultimately, they both wanted to be home. Mack has traveled to seemingly every continent since the season started. She needs a break and to rejuvenate at her home base.

“Slow…” Mack murmurs to the girls as they work together to pour the batter into the greased cake pan. Mack holds the bowl while the girls scrape yellow spatulas across the surface. 

“Wait! This has peanuts in it!” Stella suddenly exclaims.

“No.” Mack assures her. Sometimes Stella gets confused with almonds and peanuts. “There is almond extract in it. You can have that.”

“Oh yeah.” She nods then brings the spatula up to her lips. She snickers as she takes a big lick across it with her tongue. Winnie watches, then imitates her older sister.

“Stinkers.” Mack chuckles.

Mack takes the bowl over to the sink and begins to rinse it off. She glances at the oven and sees it is ready to go at the correct temperature. Then the front door opens. The two Wood girls clatter off their step stools and run over to their uncle, dashing to wrap his legs up with their little arms.

“Whoa!” He exclaims, pretending to almost fall over.

This is good. David being back will keep the girls away from the oven while she puts the cake in. Stella would be fine, but Mack doesn’t entirely trust Winnie to not try to crawl on top of the open door. With that in mind, Mack makes quick work of tucking the cake in. When she turns, she laughs at David sliding across the floor with a child on each leg.

“Leg day got to me. So heavy.” He complains to her. The girls burst into giggles.

“It’s us! It’s us!” Stella cheers.

“Cake!” Winnie yells, running over and slapping her hands on the glass door of the oven.

“Win, that’s hot. Please don’t touch.” Mack reminds her. Winnie gasps, then pulls her hands back in a worried hurry.

“Ow!?”

“Let me see.” David murmurs, coming behind her. He crouches down, enclosing her in his arms to take a look. Winnie leans back into the safety of his chest, then gives her palms to him. “Should I kiss 'em?”

“Ya.” Winnie nods seriously, blue eyes big with tenderness. Mack closes her eyes, chuckling as David smooches across her completely fine hands.

“How is that?”

“Good.” Winnie nods, then she runs off into the living room. Stella has disappeared down the hall, probably flipping through the new book her and David picked up yesterday called “History of Bridges.” She has become completely fascinated with architecture, roads, bridges, and other structural landmarks. 

“Hi.” David wraps an around around Mack’s waist. She gets on her tip toes, kissing him in greeting. “What’s that?”

“A cake. For a certain birthday boy.”

“It’s my birthday?” He asks, feigning surprise.

“Yeah, another year older.” Mack pats his chest. 

“Another year full of loving you.”

“Nice. Way to make me look like an asshole.”

“That’s why you married me.” He chuckles.

Mack knocks her knuckles jokingly into his chin. He exaggerates like she punched him then spins and dips her in the kitchen. Mack laughs into their kiss, tilting her head back to look at Winnie who drops a slobbery kiss on her forehead.

“Oh thank you.” She sighs happily at her niece. “Should we watch some TV?” Mack asks Winnie.

“Yeah!” She cheers, jumping into the air with her fist high like Super Mario. She scuttles around the island with David chasing her then flies onto the couch. Mack follows after checking in on Stella, who wants to stay in her room rather than watch the movie.

The three of them snuggle up on the couch. Winnie is on one side of David and Mack on the other. By the time the final credits roll, Winnie is sprawled across David’s entire body, taking up as much residency as she can on him. The cake is almost completely cooled, so Mack calls Stella back out to the main area. David disappears to his and Mack’s place, so the girls can decorate without him peeking.

Stella and Winnie are each given a side of the cake to decorate to keep things as fair as possible. Mack pipes out the words, ‘Happy 60th Birthday, David!’ snickering the entire time. Then she steps back and lets the girls go at it. Winnie completely covers her side in huge piles of sprinkles. Literally piles like leaves in the fall. When Mack suggests she smooth them out, Winnie simply said “No.”

Stella took a more meticulous approach, pressing in mostly blue and red candy beads in a clear pattern. Mack grabs the candles, then gives David a call to come back to the Wood apartment. He pops in, smiling at the girls sitting on the counter, beaming at him.

He comes to the other side of the counter, soaking the girls in as they enthusiastically sing him happy birthday. He looks down at the cake, mouth dropping open in shock when he sees the number 60. He swipes a big finger across the frosting, then wipes it on Mack’s cheek.

“Funny.” He says as Mack laughs so hard tears form in her eyes. David isn’t mad at all. He lets her recover them licks the frosting off her face for her. “Now it’s my favorite flavor.”

“Ew.” Stella mutters. “That’s gross.” 

“Wish!” Winnie yells, eyes wide at the amount of sugar just before her finger tips.

“Hmmmmm.” David contemplates, bringing Mack into his arms. He looks over at her, smiling, then he kisses her tenderly. “Help me girls?”

Winnie and Stella oblige, so the four of them blow his candles out with him.

“I hope you all made wishes!” He exclaims as Mack heads across the kitchen to grab plates. The girls are impatiently patient as she cuts out four slices. They all head to the dining room table to eat. David raves about the cake and the girls beam excitedly, nodding along with his praise. The second the girls are done, they run around the living room together playing. 

“What did you wish for?” Mack asks as her and David hold each other in the kitchen after cleaning up.

“More birthdays like this.”

Mack loves that and agrees.

This birthday has been different than the other ones they have shared. The previous ones were either adult oriented activities or a full out fuck fest. It’s been nice to celebrate her man in a way that aligns more with who he is: soft, full of love, and cozy. Although Mack is still down for the fuck fest if he’s willing to risk it for the biscuit. 

The group orders pizza for dinner, then David opens all of his presents with both Winnie and Stella in his lap. They do more of the opening, but every time it’s not a toy, the girls are bummed. After, it’s time for the girls to get to sleep. Mack and David split bed time. She goes with Stella and he helps Winnie. Stella doesn’t need much help these days, so it’s really just a tuck in and a goodnight. As she is walking back to the living room, Mack laughs at Winnie’s head getting stuck in her pajama shirt.

“Win, ya gotta stop moving.” David chuckles, trying to get her to stand still for a second. She stops moving then stumbles head first into David’s chin. “Ow.” He murmurs, chuckling at Mack in the doorway.

“I sorry.” Winnie pats his chin softly.

“It’s okay.” He assures her. 

Winnie takes his hand as he stands, leading her over to her bed. She wiggles under the covers including her arms then begins to giggle as David forces the comforter under her body.

“Win ‘itto!” She yells. A Winnie burrito - her favorite part of the night.

David and Mack both laugh. 

“Goodnight.” Mack says first, smoothing Winnie's hair back.

“Bye.” Winnie calls, a little yawn stretching her mouth. 

“Goodnight, bug.” David murmurs. 

Then together, him and Mack head out to the living room. 

“I’m tired.” Mack says through a yawn.

“Yeah, me too.”

They both look at the clock, deciding it’s too early to really try to go to bed. Instead, David grabs them both a glass of red wine and they put on an adult focused show. They get interrupted about an hour later by a crying Winnie. She launches towards David on the couch, gripping at his shirt to keep herself as close as possible to him.

“It’s okay. You’re safe, Win.” He murmurs quietly, rubbing her back. She shivers in his arms. David wraps a blanket around her then clasps his hands around her back. “You can lay here with us for a bit.” He soothes her. She nods.

Within ten minutes, she’s out as hot puffs of air hit David’s neck. It’s not long before David is falling asleep too. His head falls back to the couch cushion, mouth open with soft snores. Mack smiles, running her hand through his hair after the movie finishes. On instinct, he flinches then pulls Winnie closer.

“Sorry.” He murmurs, then looks down at the sleeping child. “I’ll bring her back to bed.” 

David sleepily moves through the apartment. Mack clicks off the TV then follows him down the hall. She waits for him as he untangles Winnie from his body. He yawns hugely afterwards, grabbing Mack's hand to lead her down the hall to the bedroom they're staying in. 

As Mack changes into her pajamas, David strips down into shorts. They go through their night time routine- brushing teeth, washing faces, putting on night creams, before falling into bed together.

“Love you, honey.” David mumbles. Mack barely is able to respond before he is out again. 

As David sleeps, Mack thinks over their fun day. There was something a lot more meaningful about this year. It leaves a happy glow in her chest as she replays it in her memories, wanting to remember every moment of it. She wasn’t sure what to expect about having Winnie and Stella for almost a week together, but it’s been a good surprise. They’ve found a comfortable routine. They’re handling any issues that come up in real time. Then they get to fall asleep together in happy, satisfied lumps at the end of another successful day completely in sync. 

Mack's eyes slowly blink open, staring at the ceiling.

Maybe…

Mack isn’t sure how to complete that thought, but she can sense something beginning to shift inside of her. Something fundamental that began as a whisper and now is a gentle coo.

Maybe she could see herself with a life like this after all. 

Read more Mack and David here.

[ladylooch]

Bones - Part 4 [Mack x David]

A/N: *inhales and exhales heavily* Here we go.

I'm sorry...... & good luck. Would love it if you came to talk to me in my asks about this one.

Word Count: 5.1k

Rangers Looking To Make Moves, David Carlson could be one of them.

Insider Sources Hint at Huge Deal Between Stars and Rangers.

Rangers In Search Of Forward Depth: Potential Move Involving David Carlson?

“Mack? Ready in about five?” Her editor, Sonja, asks as she power walks by Mack’s cubicle. 

“Yep.” Mack answers back absentmindedly. She is currently scrolling through her newsfeed, scanning the ballooning elephant of David’s trade rumors. 

Mack tried to talk herself out of looking, but she hasn’t been able to put her phone away. Social media is a dangerous drug. Mack considers herself an expert navigator, but these rumors involve her life outside of 280 characters. The line between reality and rumor has begun to blur. While this happens in her brain, David says nothing. He probably has his reasons, but Mack can’t help but feel betrayed. Why isn’t he talking to her about this? Doesn’t he trust her? This feels like something they should be talking about, even Lucie said as much at breakfast last week.

Mack finishes reading over the comments of speculation. The rumors seem to be trending towards Dallas or Seattle. Mack’s stomach drops out when she realizes how far away both those options are.

“Ready?” Andrew, her colleague asks. Mack nods, putting her phone into her desk and gathering her notebook. The entire walk to the glass enclosed conference room, Mack tries to shed her personal life. Normally, she steps over that threshold and she can become whoever she needs to be to tell a story. Not today.

Today, Mack is quiet, listening to her team members add productive discussion for next quarters issues. Several locations are floated around that should make Mack excited and jumping to go for them. None of them do. Instead, she finds her focus trailing out the window to the building across the street. The world moves around her, but Mack feels stuck in place. Her least favorite thing.

“Mack, how is your hand not up?” Cecilia, another team member, asks. Mack turns back to her.

“What? Sorry?” Mack’s eyes divert to Sonja who looks back at Mack with a neutral face.

“Would you like to volunteer for Ireland?” Sonja repeats.

Mack has been dying to go to Ireland. There is so much to do there, so many different directions she could take her story, and although she has lived in and traveled all over Europe, she hasn’t made it there yet. She is constantly chatting with her coworkers about how she wants to do a story there. But now her hand stays in her lap. How could she leave the country with it being such tumultuous times at home? What if she leaves and David is traded? Coming back to New York and him not being here would slice her open. 

“When?” 

“Three weeks, but you could go as early as Thursday if you want more exploring time.”

“Oh. Um.” She anxiously rubs at her thighs. “I-”

“You could go after Cabo too.” Sonja answers. Cabo is the Allstar trip she has put together for the Rangers with recommendations from her colleagues. Everything is scheduled including a huge house right on the water. It has multiple pools, a hot tub, a private beach, and exclusive access to the Yacht club. 

“I’m gonna have to say no.” She hears herself say. WHAT!?She shakes off her inner demon who wants to launch a ‘just kidding’. Her whole team looks back at her with surprise. “I just need to stick around here right now. If that’s okay? I’ll take something close.” 

“We have that story on hidden gems in America? A lot of them are on the East Coast. Easily day trips.”

“Yeah, that sounds great!” Mack answers with enthusiasm she doesn’t actually feel.

The meeting moves on, but Mack can’t. Did she really just turn down Ireland for New Hampshire? With everyone’s assignments in hand, the meeting ends. Again, Mack is slow to react. Sonja stays behind.

“Are you okay?” She asks when it’s only the two of them. “You are not yourself.”

“I am a bit distracted.” 

“Anything I can help with?”

“Nope. Thanks for letting me stick around though.” Sonja laughs, shrugging.

“Something is definitely up if you’re missing out on Ireland. Let me know how I can support you, okay?”

Mack nods then Sonja power walks off to her next meeting. After swiping her phone from her drawer, Mack avoids sitting down at her cubical and heads straight to the bathroom at the back of the office. She walks into the last stall, letting her back hit the cool tile. Mack’s head finds her hands, awkwardly shoving her nose to the side due to her phone.

What the hell is happening to me?

Her phone starts to vibrate against her face. She pulls back, seeing David’s picture.

“Hello?” She answers quickly.

“Hi, are you home?”

“No.” Worry settles into her voice.

“Oh okay, no worries. I left my wallet at your place. Just figured it out, now Woody is buying me lunch.” He chuckles. 

“Oh, you can go grab it after lunch?”

“Okay, can I wait for you to get home too? Kinda miss ya.” 

“Yeah.” Mack smiles to herself. 

“I’ll take a look at your bathroom sink too. The water pressure is horseshit.”

“I put in a maintenance request.”

“Why? They didn’t fix it right last time? I hope they come up while I’m working on it so I can teach them what to do.”

“Please don’t.” Mack sighs, but she can’t help a little giggle.

“When will you be home?” He asks her. Mack can hear traffic whizzing by him as he presumably walks along a sidewalk.

“Probably a few hours.” She mumbles. 

“Alright. I’ll entertain myself.” He assures her.

When Mack gets home, she realizes that means he cleaned her entire apartment, fixed her sink, and has dinner in the oven. 

“Wow…” Mack trails off as she walks in. She puts her work bag on the counter and smiles at him by the stove. “Thank you. I haven’t had much time to clean.” She murmurs.

“I know.” He nods, toweling off his hands with the one over this shoulder. “I’ve been keeping you at my place a lot. I figure if I created the problem, I should clean it up.” He puckers his lips for her. “Hi.” He greets her after their kiss.

“Hi.” She smiles. It doesn’t quite brighten up her face or reach her eyes, which David takes notice of.

“You okay?” He tilts his head at her.

“Yeah. Tired.” She lies. 

Well, maybe not fully. She is tired, but the things that are keeping her up at night are things she could be discussing with him. Yet, Mack believes that if he wanted to talk to her about any of this, he would have already. She swallows hard, trying to will the anxious energy in her body away. David’s hands on her hips hold her in place when she tries to move around him. 

“I’m not believing that.” He smiles sympathetically. “But if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine.” Mack nods. She brushes her hand over his stomach as she walks past. She heads to the fridge to grab a sparkling water from inside. David watches her as she cracks the cap open, taking down a few gulps. She hiccups as she pulls the bottle down from her lips. “Why don’t you go change? That outfit looks great, but you should be comfy with the weather we are having.” He points to the window where sheets of snow fall down. 

“Oh that escalated.” Mack murmurs. She walks to the window, looking out at the droves of swirling snow flakes. She sighs, happy to be in here watching it than still commuting home.

“Mack.” David calls softly to her. She looks over her shoulder at him. “Go.” He encourages her, head tilted towards the hallway. She nods again, doing as he asks and wandering down to her bedroom. 

She knows she is spacey and acting weird. But she isn’t quite sure how to act with him right now. A giant elephant is sitting on her chest and he is behaving like everything is normal. Mack quickly changes into a soft sweatsuit in a sage color. She pulls her hair back into a pony tail, then pulls on new, warm socks with reindeer faces on them that her mom put into her Christmas stocking.  When she walks into the main area again, the TV is playing local news. The sports section is on but it rolls through without any mention of David, other than his goal a few nights ago, the last time the team played.

“It’s weird you’ve had so many days off.” Mack says, leaning against the counter by the bar stools. 

“Yeah. I hate it.” David shakes his head. He pulls the towel off his shoulder, tossing it onto the counter.

“What are we having?”

“Spatchcock chicken and asparagus.”

“Fancy.” Mack smiles at him. He stares back at her. 

“Why are you over there? C’mere.”

“You’re so sensitive today.” Mack rolls her eyes. “If you wanna cuddle just ask. No need to get grumpy that I’m standing across the room from you.” She tries to keep her tone light, but it’s a little snippy.

“Kay, get over here I want to cuddle.” He begrudges. Him and Mack both know she is deflecting. She doesn’t want him looking at her too closely right now.

Mack walks across the kitchen, sliding her arms around his waist. David crushes her into his chest and she can’t help but melt into him. Her shoulders drop, jaw unclenches, and mind quiets completely. The trade rumors dissipate. The worry about what could happen to them floats away. It’s just the two of them holding each other in her kitchen. David’s hand smooths over her pony tail, then begins to rub long strokes up and down her back. Mack turns her nose more into his chest. David tightens his grip on her, then drops his mouth to her hair.

It’s clear they both needed this hug. 

They don’t break away until the timer for the chicken goes off. David pulls it out. As it rests, he roasts the asparagus. Mack puts together a salad with leftover vegetables in the fridge. Then they sit down and eat dinner together with a glass of wine each. When it’s over, Mack and David move through the apartment in sync, cleaning up the main space. As the dishwasher roars to life, Mack flips all the lights off and takes David’s hand to lead him down to her room. 

There, they make love to each other. It’s soft and slow, filled with gentle smooches and quiet moans of pleasure. Afterwards, they tangle their limbs together. David falls asleep first, surprising to Mack. She studies his face as he sleeps, seeing the lines on his face soften in his slumber. With David out, a familiar monster begins to awaken inside of her. 

It comes out in the quiet, darkness of night. It confuses her and brings back all the things that had melted away when she was in David’s arms. A huge lump fills her throat. She rolls over to her other side. Doing so makes David’s hand fall off her hip. A cold shiver rolls through Mack as she buries her nose into the pillow case beneath her face. 

During sex tonight, David had murmured really sweet things to her. He told her he loved her. He told her how beautiful she looked today. He told her how much he missed her while they ran through their different, separate days, that the world gets quiet when she is in his arms. But he didn’t say anything about the rumors that swirl around him in his professional life. Every time he has an opportunity to tell her and he doesn’t, Mack can feel herself retreat a little more. 

Right before he drifted to sleep, David had sleepily murmured that he couldn’t wait until they find a place together. The memory of that now has a single tear dragging down Mack’s cheek.

Because for the first time, she doesn’t feel like her and David are on the same page. He is already thinking about them moving in together. She’s never thought of that. She’s never thought of anything beyond the current day with him. Now he sees a future for them that Mack isn’t sure she wants this way. A future outside of New York isn’t of interest to her. If David isn’t in New York, there is nothing tying them together anymore, therefore if he leaves New York nothing ties him to her anymore. 

Meanwhile, she has stupidly turned down assignments to stay with him. Her brain is consumed of thoughts of him even when she is away. Panic begins to thread through Mack’s body. She’s too in love with him. This is all way more than she signed up for. She never wanted this. He’s changed her entire life and she went along with it.

How could she have let this happen? How could she have let it go this far?

Mack rolls to her back, staring up at the ceiling. Tears race from the corners of her eyes, falling into her ear canals. This has gone too far. She can’t do this with him. With perfect timing as always, her monster starts to whisper:

You’ll never be able to keep him. You can’t pretend all the time to be good enough for him anyway.

Mack shudders at the words that slice deep into her soul. She wipes her tears then wills herself to sleep. 

In the morning, this will all look different. She is sure of that. 

Long before the sunlight streams into her room, David awakens her to make love again. He is above her, dragging his cock through her core with soft strokes that set her on fire. When she shudders through her orgasm, he fills her up with his own, then collapses into the bed next to her. As his breathing evens out, he brings her into his side, holding her close to him.

“I’m excited about our future.” David murmurs, fingers getting slower. “We’re gonna give Lucie and Connor a run for their money.” He kisses the top of her head. 

Guilt swirls through Mack’s body. 

David continues planning for a future with her while she is choking in fight or flight. 

A tear slides silently down her cheek. David’s soft breathing behind her tells her he has fallen back to sleep. 

Mack blinks more tears down her cheeks, bottom lip trembling.

He deserves so much better than this. So much better than her. Those words are no longer the dark monster from before. Instead they’re just the truth.

And she’s going to make sure he is free to find what he deserves.

In his arms, attempting to memorize his touch, she starts to make her plans. The Ireland assignment comes to mind.

On Thursday, she’ll go there. Do what she was always going to do.

Run.

Or fly… like the humming bird he compares her to.

He won’t be surprised. He’ll be hurt, sure. But he’ll move on. He has to.

She tells herself this is all for his freedom. 

But deep down, the monster reminders her its for her own.

- - - & - - -

(David)

On Thursday, David looks down at the burger he ordered, mouth salivating at the big, half pound patty dripping cheese and bacon grease. Now this is a damn burger. One he might even find in his home state. Props to the place for sticking to the owner’s midwestern roots. He assess the sandwich, deciding two hands on this one would probably be best.

“That looks fire.” Connor murmurs. He opted for a French Dip sandwich and fries. 

Between the two of them, there isn’t a green vegetable in sight. 

“I’m going to crush this.” David confirms. He unrolls his silverware set, putting the napkin in his lap just in case some drippage misses his plate. Connor does the same.

“I’m so excited to have beef. Haven’t been able to have it at home since…” Connor trails off. David raises an eyebrow. Connor grins then shakes his head. “I can’t tell ya.”

“Slut.”

“Can’t get enough of her, man. Don’t act like you don’t get it.” 

David smirks. He does get it. In fact, he almost cancelled on this lunch so he could stay home and bury himself between Mack’s thighs again and again. But Mack said she had to get some work done, so here he is for the second time in two days eating lunch with his D partner. Mack and David had transitioned over to his place last night to meet up with the Woods. He loves that she is comfortable working from his place when he isn’t there.

David swipes a tater tot through some ketchup then pops it into his mouth. He hopes by the time he gets home Mack is doing better. She was weird when he left this morning, weird last night too. He is glad they have some time together before he goes on the road this weekend. Mack has an assignment in New York that is keeping her home with him during that time. All he wants to do is go to the rink, order glutinous take out and fuck. 

Connor hulks down a huge bite of his sandwich as David digs into his burger. He needs his napkin immediately, swiping it across his covered lips. 

“So how you doing with everything, man?” 

David swallows.

“What do you mean?” He asks, then goes in for a second bite.

“With the rumors.”

“Oh. I’m not listen.” David dismisses. “I can’t worry about that shit and play. It’s too hard.”

“Yeah, I get it. I was the same. Where are you at with your contract?”

“Doug said we would talk about it after the season. My agent doesn’t think here is any concern. It’s not like I’m gonna ask for the bank.”

“No, but get what you’re worth. I need you around here with me. Can’t handle the Hischier girls by myself.” David chuckles. Silence fills the space between them as they both take a few more bites. “How is Mack taking it all?”

David pauses mid-chew. He shakes his head slightly, then answers when he swallows.

“We haven’t talked about it since none of it is true.”

Connor looks up quickly from his fries. They hover in his pile of ketchup as alarming blue eyes look across the table at David.

“Yeah, but you warned her and everything right?”

David’s tongue runs along his back molars as an awkward silence fills the table.

No, he didn’t.

“I mean, no? She knows that shit out there isn’t true.”

“Sure, but you told her that right?” Connor clarifies, pointing at the center of David’s chest.

David stares back at his defensive partner. Slowly, Connor’s mouth falls into a cringe.

“That is not the person to leave in the dark on those rumors, man.”

As if Connor’s words are the final puzzle, it all clicks for David. The way Mack was this morning. How she turned away from him immediately after sex last night. How quiet she has been, almost to the point of calculated. His heart hammers to a stop in his chest then a big intake of air raises his huge shoulders.

“Oh FUCK!” He yells. 

She’s running.

He knows it and the awareness cools his blood, sending a chill down his spine.

“What?” Connor asks, concern etching his brows together.

“She wanted me to go to lunch with you so she can run. I’ve gotta go, Woody.”

In a calmer moment, David would pull out his wallet and throw down a few bills. But a glance at his phone tells him he doesn’t have time. He’s been gone for over a half hour. She might already be packed and he’s gotta stop her. His long, athletic stride carries him the five blocks back to his place. He rushes by Philip without a greeting, then pounds the up button on the elevator.

“Come on!” He shouts when it takes too long. He eyes the stairwell, but his heart might explode if he runs up all those flights of stairs. The doors open and he almost barrels over a couple and their kid as he rushes in. “Sorry.” He mumbles, pushing the button for his floor, then the ‘close door’ one repeatedly until it does. He bounces on his feet, heart pounding in his ears as he attempts to catch his breath. The doors open, he flies into the hallway, not seeing her. He tries the door on his place and finds it open. 

Fuck, he hopes she is still here. 

“Mack!” He yells. 

No answer. 

His sneakers slap hard against the wood floors as he heads down the hallway. He can see her pony tail floating in the doorway. Instant relief flowing through him.

She’s still here. 

His relief is short lived when he walks forward and sees her packed suitcase on the bed.

- - - & - - -

(Mack)

Mack is zipping up her suitcase when she hears the apartment door open. Her gaze snaps to the doorway. David’s hurried foot steps rush down the hallway. She frowns, then goes back to stuffing her phone charger into the side pocket. This is not ideal, but she planned for it. She is ready for this interaction. Ready for him to beg her to stay here with him and prepared with an army of reasons why they are never going to work, now or in the future. 

“Mack, stop packing.” He calls to her from the hallway. Mack freezes. Of course he already knows. She keeps going, putting the suitcase on its wheels. They meet at the door of his bedroom. “Babe, I’m not going anywhere. I talked to management. None of this is real. I’m not being traded.” Disappointment has Mack sighing internally. She wishes he had told her this days ago.

“Okay.” Mack shrugs, keeping a blank face. David frowns. His eyes move to the right, looking over his room. Every single thing of hers is gone, down to the collection of hair ties on her side of the bed. “I’m heading out of town for awhile on a long assignment. I don’t know when I’ll be back.” David chews on the inside of his cheek, searching her face. He shakes his head slightly, looking confused and hurt.

“Mack, what are you doing?”

“I’m packing.” She swallows hard, hating the way her voice wobbles slightly.

“You’re going out of town. Why do you need your house slippers?” He motions to where they used to sit by the door.

“Because I want them at my place.”

“So, you going out of town means you aren’t going to keep anything here either?”

“I don’t see the point to that.” Mack shrugs. “Like I said, I am heading out on a long assignment. I’m going to be gone for awhile. I’m not sure when I will be back, so I’m taking everything with me.” 

“What?” He questions. “Where are you going?”

“Ireland.”

“Since when? You just told me two nights ago you were here in New York through the Allstar break, and suddenly you’re leaving for an undetermined amount of time?”

“Yeah. That’s this business.” She says flatly, unemotional. David shakes his head.

“What is happening?” He whispers, getting closer to her. He reaches out for her cheek and Mack immediately pulls away. “Is this about a few nights ago? I didn’t mean-“

“No. It’s not. But that was a reminder to me how… different we are. And I think we should be realistic about our shelf life.” David’s eyebrows furrow together. That hurt him. Mack looks away, not wanting to see the sting on his face.

This is inevitable, the monster reminds herself. She’s just pulling the plug before they go back to hating each other and make this harder for everyone around them.

“Shelf life?” He sighs heavily, stepping aside for her to pass by him. He is hot on her heels into the main area of his place. “What the fuck, Mack? We love each other.” 

“For now.” She shrugs her shoulder, going to her purse and double checking she grabbed everything she needed from the main area. She finds her water bottle and phone where she put them a few minutes ago. She’s officially packed. Mack grabs the key to his place, trying to ignoring the light up, corn key chain and the way it burns her skin in her hand. “I can give you your key back.”

“Stop.” David snaps, enclosing her hand with his. He grabs the keys out of her hands. He shakes his head, looking at her, panic all over his face. “Just…” He licks his lips, looking out at the city. “Talk to me.” 

“I am. You don’t like what I’m saying.” She retorts. 

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. We literally had an incredible night and I make a comment about how I’m excited to move in together someday, and you’re running now? What are you afraid of?” He emphasizes the last line at her, pausing with his hands out to the side. The Iowa keychain in his hand is blinking red, green and blue. Mack stares at it, pursing her lips. A huge lump swells in her throat. She tries to swallow but can’t. 

“I just don’t think this is going to work.”

“What?”

“You and me. So I think we should.” She moves her hands apart. “Go in different directions.” 

Stunned, David straightens. He blinks, trying to absorb the blow of her words. He runs the hand without her keys in it through his hair then blows out a heavy sigh. His hand roughly rubs at the stubble from where he shaved his beard off yesterday, leaving only his signature mustache. Mack blinks off the slight hitch of his breathing on the inhale. 

“Okay.” He nods his head, taking another deep breath. 

David stands on the other side of the island, green eyes intense with emotion as he pins her to the cabinets behind her. He shakes his head then stands to his full height. The keys in his hand slide across the counter to her. They skid to a stop next to her right hand. His arms cross over his chest.

“Okay, I’ll see you when you get back then.”

“David.” Mack rolls her eyes, throwing the keys into her purse.

Why won’t he let her go easily? How can’t he see what she sees? How different they are? How this started with them hating each other and grew into this thing that was never supposed to happen? How she isn’t meant for this WAG, farm wife, American lifestyle that he wants? She needs to be free- wings wide open so she can breathe. Not turning down assignments and worrying about moving to Dallas.

David doesn’t say anything else to her, just stares her down. Mack can tell he is holding everything he can inside. For her benefit or his, she can’t tell.

“I don’t know when I’m coming back.” She reiterates.

“Okay.” He is eerily calm now.

“So we should go separate ways.” 

“No.” He says clearly and assertively. “You wanna run from me, baby? Then just run. Go. But when you’re done with that, and you come back home, I’ll still be here, loving you. You can move your shit back in then too.”

Mack swallows, looping her arm through the handles of her bags, looking down at them because she can’t look at him. 

“It’s for the best.” She repeats. 

“Mack. I love you. So much.” He whispers, words rough and callused like his hands from working the farm his whole life. The words sound painful as if they rip up his body when he says them. Nothing like the ones he whispered to her last night when they made love. 

It almost gets her to stay.

She hesitates for three more seconds, but her mind screams go. So she does.

“Goodbye, David.” 

He puts his head in his hands as she turns to walk out of the kitchen. She can hear his heavy, uncontrolled breathing behind her until the closed door cuts them off. 

Mack doesn’t breathe the entire ride down the elevator. A numbness comes over her as she tries to convince herself to keep moving forward. She thought she would feel better after doing this. That she was holding them back, him mostly, and cutting the tie would give her back that feeling of freedom she craves. The freedom that he deserves too.

All she feels now is dead inside.

Mack walks out of the building, strutting across the sidewalk with her hand high in the air to hail down a cab. She isn’t sure how her feet are moving so fluidly with how violently she shakes.

“Goodnight, Ms. Hischier.” Philip calls cheerfully behind her.

“Bye!” She calls, waving over her shoulder. She can’t turn around. If she turns around, her feet are going to go right back through that door. 

And she just can’t.

This is not who she is.

She isn’t a WAG. She isn’t a farmer’s girlfriend. She isn’t anywhere close to wife material or a forever kind of girl.

She is a runner. A lone wolf. Who should have taken that elevator home a year ago instead of jumping into bed with her brother-in-law’s teammate. 

The words continue on like a self-deprecating mantra she can’t silence. 

David deserves better. He deserves a wife. Someone who wants to settle into that small country life with him, or in Dallas, and stands next to him through the storm. Not someone who can only see this working if all the cards are stacked in their favor.

Mack, I love you. So much. His voice rings through her brain.

“Fuck.” Mack sobs, shakily trying to breathe in the back of the cab as it pulls away from him. 

Over her heart, her fingers clutch his number on her neck. She pulls, snapping the necklace off her body.

“Ow.” She whispers to herself as her head falls back to the head rest.

If this was what she needed to do, then why does it hurt this damn bad?

Read more Mack and David here.

[ladylooch]

Bones - Part 2 [ Mack X David]

A/N: This chapter is built completely from requests! Thank you all for loving these two and sending in questions, asks, etc to help build out their story. There is a part in here that gave me literally butterflies as I was re-reading it. Also, remember when I mentioned I was sweating writing Mack David smut? Yeah. It's this one. As a note, the smut here is rougher than I normally go. If that makes you uncomfortable, please skip this one.

Word Count: 5.3k

“Are you nervous?” Mack asks David as they walk arm and arm towards Boucherie in the Village. 

“No? I’ve talk to your parents many times.” David chuckles, white air puffing around his mouth as he speaks. “Are you nervous, Hischier?”

“No!” She laughs. “They’re my parents. But I haven’t been under the impression that you meet many girls parents.”

“I don’t.” He confirms, a smug little smirk on his face that has Mack rolling her eyes. “I guess you’re special.” She flutters her lashes, keeping her eyes rolled. 

“You’re a little too smug right now. My dad can be a hard person to win over.”

“Your dad and I have golfed, shared beers, talked shop… Why are you under the impression he isn’t already won over?”

“That was before you were dating his daughter.”

“Is this supposed to be a pep talk?” He asks her as they pause at the last crosswalk before the restaurant. He brings her hand up to his mouth, kissing the back of it multiple times. Mack’s mouth opens then closes. He has a point… what is hers?

“I suppose it’s not.” She swallows thickly. 

“Maybe you don’t do this often either?”

“Yeah, I think it’s that.” She chuckles, burying her nose into his bicep. She welcomes the warmth against the cool tip. “Also, it is annoying how likable you are.”

“Good thing you’re bringing this good ol’ Iowa boy to dinner.” He drawls as his hand wraps around the door handle. He opens it up and they are blasted with the smells of butter and roar of dinner conversation. 

“Don’t forget who else you are… a Ranger.” She says while stepping through the door. He laughs, then pats her ass as she walks by him. She grabs his wrist to stop him from going for the inevitable grab next. “This is a nice restaurant.” She mumbles at him.

“Sure, but I’m not very nice when it comes to your ass in that skirt.” 

“Oh my god.” Mack murmurs incredulously, brown eyes sparkling as she looks up at him. He sets a hand on her hip, then scans his eyes over the restaurant. “They’re over there.” He points to a spot in the back corner with a view of the street. 

Mack’s dad, Nico, raises a hand in a brief wave, then stands as they approach.

“Hi daddy!” Mack grins, then steps into his embrace. She sighs, pulling in his piney, clean scent before kissing his cheek. “How are you?” 

“Good.” He holds her shoulders to inspect her closely. “You?”

“Great.” She assures, then moves to hug her mom.

“You are stunning, my baby.” Her mom, Lexi, greets her, rubbing her back during their hug.

Behind them, Nico and David shake hands.

“Great to see you again, David.” Nico grasps David’s shoulder as their hands connect. 

“You too, sir.”

“Oh no. Nico is more than fine.” He assures. “Don’t forget, Connor Wood is my son-in-law, so anything is better than dude.”

They all laugh.

“Be nice to Connor! He loves those girls so much.” Lexi defends, picking her napkin back up before sitting down. Mack and David shrug their jackets off, giving them to the host to check in the restaurant’s coat room. “You should have seen him puppy dogging over Lucie this afternoon. I don’t think she lifted a finger.” 

“Yeah, thought he might start feeding her bites of food.” Nico shakes his head.

“You used to be like that with me.” Nico smirks at his wife, his dimples poking into his cheeks before he turns to her. 

“I love you.” They smooch.

Mack has to look down at her menu to stop herself from swooning out of her seat. She has always admired the deep love that her parents have for one another. Growing up, it was gross, but as she has gotten older, their relationship is one she aspires to. Truthfully, Lucie and Connor are gross to her too, but those two love each other more than anything else in the world. Mack glances over at David as he runs his hand along her right thigh. He senses her gaze and smiles reassuringly at her. She brings her hand down and spreads her fingers along the back of his hand on her thigh. 

These days, Mack isn’t as envious or dreamful about that kind of love. She’s getting it from the man on her right, even if those three words remain unspoken between them.

Dinner passes with soft conversation about hockey, Mack’s most recent trip and an upcoming one she has next week. Her parents beam at her with so much pride, happily filling David in on all the ways they knew Mack would be a great writer as she was growing up. This perks David in his seat and he starts asking questions about what Mack was like as a child. Mack is sure none of it is surprising to him. She’s always been the quiet, unproblematic middle child with only a sprinkle of drama here and there.

“She was a welcome transition from Lucie.” Lexi chuckles into her wine glass.

“So what was Soph?” Mack asks after a sip of her own wine.

“Too spoiled.” Lexi narrows her eyes at her husband.

“Soph? No. Luc? Yes.” Nico laughs. “Mack didn’t let me spoil her often. She was always about fairness and independence. I would try to make her snacks when she got home from school and she would pull out some she made for herself in the morning.” Nico shakes his head.

“She still hates being spoiled.” David confirms. His fingers brush at her shoulder where they are wrapped over the back of her chair. “Hates being the center of attention. Even on her birthday she’s got that wrinkle in her nose if you try to make the day about her.” 

“I have tips if you need them. We will text.”

“Great.” David laughs as the last of their dessert plates are cleared. “Any chance you’re going to let me buy dinner?” He asks Nico.

“No. Not when you make my daughter look that calm and settled in New York. I’d pay anything for that.”

They all look over at her in the dimly lit restaurant. Her cheeks flair red. Is it really that obvious to them?

“When do y’all head back to Switzerland?” David asks, taking the attention off his girl. She smiles down at her wine glass, twirling the delicate stem.

“Tomorrow. We have to get back for a charity event.” Lexi answers. “But we will be back for Christmas.” She shares brightly. “Mackie, we are going to stay at The Greenwich.”

“Oh my god.” Mack murmurs, closing her eyes in bliss. “You will love it. If you rent one of their penthouses, they decorate it fully for Christmas.”

“That’s what we did. We figure this way you and Lucie can have the year off for hosting us and we can host you again. Like the old days.” Lexi winks. 

“Stockings?”

“Of course. There is a fireplace. I’ll get one for David at the Christmas market when it opens in December.” Lexi winks at David, then takes a sip of her wine, ignoring her daughter’s cautious look. Butterflies twist in Mack’s stomach as she imagines her and David’s stockings hanging together on the mantle. 

“What kind of holiday traditions did you have growing up, David?” Her mom asks.

“Our big one was cutting a Christmas tree on our land. We have huge acreage and my family has made it a priority to make sure we always have trees to choose from. The back fourth of our plot is all evergreen trees.” 

“Wow, that is amazing! We always have to go to a farm to get a real one. Although there were years we phoned it in with a fake one. Mostly when we had three young girls and Nico was still playing. Did your family do stockings?”

“We did. It was my mom’s favorite tradition. But after she passed, no one really wanted to continue it.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry, honey. I can’t imagine how difficult the holidays are for you without your parents. We would love to incorporate anything we can into our holidays this year.” David glances over at Mack, trying to gauge her reaction to her mom’s words. Mack looks back at him with kind eyes and an open heart. 

“Stockings would be great. Maybe I can bring some homemade Baileys for you all to try.”

“Oh. Yeah. Sign us up for that.” Nico answers immediately. “How is the farm looking?” Nico asks as he settles the bill.

“Ah, we are done for the season. The hands are working on a lot of winterizing and maintenance. Sending up prayers that the winter isn’t too cold for the animals. But we had a good year.”

“I can’t believe you got our daughter out there."

“Oh quit, dad.” Mack scoffs. “I live outside for a living.”

“Sweets, no offense but you live in luxury resorts for a living. Outside is stretching it.”

“That is not true! That’s only part of the time. I stay with locals too. Just because I didn't like camping with you and Lucie doesn’t mean I'm allergic to the outdoors.”

“Well you kinda were when you first got there.” David points out to her, reminding her of the days she woke up with swollen, itchy eyes and a plugged nose.

“Ah, yeah because I was breathing in new things! I’d never been to the Midwest. There was a lot of dust and hay.. and corn.” David chuckles. 

“Humid too. No, but she did great. We got her a few pairs of boots and a hat. She fit right in out there.” Mack and David share a knowing look at his exaggeration. By the end, she was comfortable in Iowa, but it certainly didn’t start out that way.

“Well hopefully next summer Lex and I can come see your place?”

“Yeah. I’d love that!” David nods excitedly. “We’ll get you on the John Deere. The internet will love that.”

“I would love that too.” Lexi smirks, rolling her almost empty wine glass against her lip.

The group begins to collect their things. Lexi and Mack discuss meeting for breakfast in the morning as David and Nico focus on David’s upcoming games against two division rivals. At the front door, David holds Mack’s coat open for her to step into while Nico does the same for Lexi. Both women bundle up, then wait for their men to do the same. Outside, a humid fog has begun to slip it’s way into the city. Light snowflakes had fallen during their dinner and turned to wet droplets that cling to the sidewalk now. 

“David, it was so great to spend time with you tonight. We are thrilled to have you as part of our family.”

“Mom.” Mack mutters, rubbing at her forehead. They need to cool it on the ‘part of our family’ stuff. Her and David are still new at this… At least that’s how she is choosing to gaslight herself this evening.

“We will see you at Christmas?” Lexi pushes forward despite her daughter’s protests. Mack can’t help but laugh and shake her head. 

“As long as Mack’s okay with it.” David politely answers her mom. 

“Let me know if you need me to put in a word for you.” Nico jokes, slapping David into a hug after his wife. 

“Can you chill?” Mack murmurs into her mom’s ear as they hug.

“Baby, you’ve always needed a push.” Is her mom’s only response. “I love you. I’ll see you tomorrow for breakfast. Bring David too!”

“He has practice. Love you too.” Mack moves to her dad. “Bye daddy.” He squeezes her tight, then kisses her cheek. 

“Love you, sweets. Looking forward to tomorrow. You two get home safe.” 

The two couples turn in opposite directions in the cool night. Mack and David’s connected hands swing back and forth as they head down the wet sidewalk towards her apartment. At a busy intersection, they stop and wait for the signal to allow them to cross.

“Tonight was amazing.” Mack sighs into his arm as she kisses his bicep over his jacket. He turns to smile down at her.

“Your parents are awesome. I’ve always enjoyed them before with Woody and Luc, but it was nice to be there tonight as yours.” Mack smiles, blushing a bit in the dark night. The light changes, allowing them to cross.

“Well, good. You definitely made them fall in love with you tonight.” Mack smirks. “My mom is already planning your Christmas stocking stuffed full of pine scented soaps and creams.” Mack laughs. “You and Connor can go to practice smelling the same.”

“I can’t wait.” He murmurs. “I’ve missed that stuff.” He says honestly. 

“Yeah.” Mack responds with a serious tone. “I would love it if you came to Christmas with my family.” In case he isn’t sure her stance on it, Mack wants to clear the air. She wants him there, can’t imagine not having him there to be honest.

“Mackenzie Hischier….” David trails off teasingly. 

“What?”

“You into me?”

“A little bit.” She smiles at him, then pushes up on her tip toes for a smooch.

“Tell me something. Your parents the only ones who fell in love tonight?” He tucks a piece of her hair behind her ear. Mack bites her lip briefly, then shakes her head slightly. “No?” He questions, a slow, heart-stopping smile stretches his lips open.

“I fell in love with you way before tonight.” 

David chuckles incredulously. His fingers thread through the brown hairs by her temple. Their noses touch, nudging together in an intimate touch.

“When we first met, I never thought I would hear those words coming outta your mouth, honey.” He reaches down to grip her chin, then sets his longing lips on hers. “I love you, Mack.” 

Butterflies burst in her stomach. Her blood pounds through her veins with rejuvenated life. This perfect man loves her. She inhales heavily, then pushes it out, creating a white cloud between their faces.

“I love you too.” She pulls him back down to her with a tight grip on his jacket. “Maybe you could come upstairs with me and show me how much?

“Be careful what you ask for, honey.” He murmurs against her mouth. “You’ve got an early morning with your parents tomorrow. Wouldn’t be good for you to show up unable to sit.”

“Yeah, they might uninvited you to Christmas.” Mack snickers into their next kiss. He bites down on her bottom lip, then slowly releases it back into place. 

“That look… right there.” He says, thumbing her bottom lip again. “That’s what got me.”

“You know where it looks the best?”

“Hmm?” He asks, knowing already.

“From down below while I’m riding you.”

“Let’s go.” He leads her forward. “Enough with this yakety yack.”

Mack threads her arm back through the crook of his elbow. He holds her hand there with his, attempting to warm it up as they pick their pace up.

Right now, she’d follow the man she loves anywhere. 

- - - & - - -

The following Tuesday, Mack is in the office, researching a city she wrote down on a spare receipt she had in her purse from her last assignment. It’s a remote spot in the Swiss Alps that she has never heard of before, but supposedly it has the best view of the range. Debatable for Mack who has seen some pretty incredible spots in her home country. 

Her phone lights up to her left. A picture of David graces her screen and she smiles. He must be up from his nap now. He should be getting ready for their game against the Islanders. Mack had thought about going with her older sister, but both her and Lucie didn’t feel like making the trek through traffic to sit in an opposing arena. 

“You’re in big fucking trouble.” David’s rough voice comes over the second he hears Mack pick up. 

“Oh? What did I do this time?” She asks, an amused smirk drifting her lips up. 

“This book.” She straightens away from her computer, crossing her legs and twirling in her chair to look out the window.

Mack has been cruising through a dark, romance series that has kept her up late on the nights when she is with David. Even when they fall into bed with each other, Mack waits for David to fall asleep and goes back to keep reading her book. Naturally, David wasn’t enjoying that and demanded to read the book that holds her interest more than him. The section he read happened to be an extremely sexy part of the book that had him gaping at her in surprise. His green eyes had darkened. “You like this stuff?” He asked her excitedly. When she nodded, he walked over to his travel bag and plopped it into his bag for the quick roadie to the Island. 

“Ahhhhh did you get to the garden scene?” She asks presently.

“Yeah I fucking did, baby. Had to stoke one out before I got ready tonight. Imagined it was you and I in that book.” Mack smiles, closing her eyes and imagining him stroking himself to images of her and him recreating the scene.

“When you get home?” She prompts.

Silence.

“Don’t be playing with me, Mackenzie.”

“Oh the full name.” She chuckles as she stands up, walking closer to the window. A few snow flakes flitter about in the crisp November air. A heated flush rolls over her skin as her boyfriend moans on the other side of the phone.

“Baby, I’m gonna fuck you so hard tonight, you’re gonna see stars when you cum.”

“Sure.” Mack chirps him. “Guess you better go get a win tonight.” 

“You better go get your pregame nap in.” He insists back to her. “You’re not sleeping tonight.”

Like Pavlov’s dog, the sound of a key in the lock later has Mack drooling. She sits on the couch in unassuming clothes, eyes feral as they watch the lock flip open. David steps in. He immediately throws his bag and keys on the floor. His left foot kicks the door shut loudly behind him and he rips at his tie. 

“Get over here.” He demands. “I’m hard as fuck and need you on my cock right now.”

Mack’s stomach drops from her body at his words. She stands and glides across the room into his awaiting arms. His hands grip her tightly, almost piercing through her hips with how greedy he is to touch her.

“You read that slutty shit at work, baby?” He rumbles down at her. Mack bites her lip then nods. “And out here after you sneak out of bed from me.” Again she nods. “You roll your pussy against this couch too? Hmm? Touch yourself to get some relief?”

Oh boy. Heat creeps up Mack’s cheeks. 

“Answer me.”

“Yes.” She blurts out then drops her gaze from his. It’s too intense. Too much with the way he looks at her, all consuming like she’s his next ten damn meals.

“Show me.”

“I..” Mack sighs heavily then shrugs her shoulders.

“Mackenzie, get on that couch and show me how you touch yourself.”

“So no isn’t an option tonight?” She asks him slowly.

“No is always an option but you didn’t say that, did you?” He holds her chin in place so she can’t look away from him again. She bites her lip anxiously. “So get on that couch and show me how you touch yourself.” David’s other hand comes to her stomach and he gently guides her backwards one step, then another. Mack grabs his wrist and pushes it away.

“I can walk.”

“For now.” He deadpans his classic response.

She walks to the couch with her shoulders rolled back, easy glide to her gait. Behind her, David’s heavy footsteps follow. When she gets to the couch, she sits on it, resting her back against the arm rest. Her boyfriend shakes his head slowly, then grabs an ankle. He twirls her easily on the leather couch so she sits with her back against the cushion instead. Then, without taking his eyes from hers, he grabs the edge of his coffee table, pulling it closer. Mack’s eyebrows furrow for a moment, then smooth out like she knows exactly where this is going.

Tonight is about power. Although she knows she will give into him completely, she isn’t quite ready to end this game of control. Mack slides her hands into her pajama pants and panties, slowly dragging them down her thighs. David watches from above, popping open the buttons on his dress shirt. His tie hangs completely undone down both sides of his naked chest. Mack grabs the two ends, twisting them together to pull his mouth down to hers. Then she kisses him with teasing, light tongue, leaving him chasing her lips when she pulls away.

“Thought you wanted a show.” She drawls, putting her fingers on his mouth and pushing him back. David’s head knocks back away from her mouth, heavy breath falling from him. He licks his lips greedily, then tosses her discarded pants to the floor. 

David sits on the table after pushing magazines with her stories in them to the side. He picks up her left ankle, then sets her foot beside his right thigh. Then he does the same with her other foot.

“Show me something.” He relaxes, letting his hands hang off his big thighs. The seams of his dress pants are working overtime with how thick he has become in the early part of this season. Mack loves reaping those benefits. 

She brings her feet off the coffee table and sets them on his thighs instead then she widens her legs to show him her glistening folds. She’s soaked- from his behavior and the third book in the series that she had been reading before he came home. Her pussy lips are swollen with need, aching to be touched to reach a release. Mack puts her fingers forward, curling them in a come here motion. David understands the assignment. He rolls his tongue over her fingers then swallows them into his mouth for a moment. His velvet tongue stroking her skin has her inner walls collapsing in anticipation.

When they’re sufficiently wet, Mack glides them from his mouth. She wastes no time stroking them over her clit. David drinks in her movements with sparkling eyes. Mack rolls her bottom lip into her mouth, trying to control her breath in steady pulls rather than the rabid gulps she wants to do. After a few twirls of her clit, Mack’s fingers find her entrance, sliding in a knuckles length before drawing back out. Her fingers shimmer in the lamp lighting, electing a soft hum of appreciation from the man between her legs. 

“You are so pretty right now.” He murmurs encouragingly. Mack blushes under his watchful gaze, then she slides her fingers back over her clit. The wetness collects on the prints of her fingers with each stroke. Then she dips them back to stuff her entrance again. This time, she goes all the way in, back and forth to build a steady tempo. Her wet fingers pull up her puffy lips, wetting her clit again. 

“Can I touch you too?” He asks her as her fingers disappear into her hole again.

“Mhm.” Mack agrees.

David grabs her left ankle, lifting it to his shoulder as he leans closer to her finger filled core. Mack twists her fingers, plunging deeper. Her eyes close, head falling back. She repeats the same motion, noting the tightening of the coil inside her. She sighs happily, then speeds up her motions. David’s lips press to her calf, forming goosebumps that spread far and wide across her skin. Her nipples tighten. He brings a hand to her right breast, rolling her nipple. She thumbs her left one in time with him, thrusting her fingers deeper into her core. She rolls her finger tips across her velvet button and gasps excitedly when David adds one of his fingers with hers. Together, they fuck her hole until the needs has built enough that Mack’s legs shake.

“Fuck, that was gorgeous.” He compliments her as they slow down, letting her fall after her orgasm. “So damn sexy I about came in my pants.” He shows her as he stands, pulling his pants down to lift the tension off his stiff cock. By his head, a dark spot has seeped into his grey underwear. Mack sighs, then runs her still soaked fingers over it. 

“Do you trust me?” He asks her. Mack nods without even needing to think about his question. “Go over to that window.” He points to the big ones on the far end of the living room. Mack looks over her shoulder at them, then back to him with apprehensive eyes. “The lights will be off. No one will be able to see us.” He assures her. “But that book has me thinking about how hot it would be to fuck you in public where people can see."

He slides his pants down his legs until they pool at his ankles. He steps out of them, tossing them onto the chair behind him. Next, his underwear joins them, exposing his gorgeous cock to her. Mack’s apprehension wanes when she gets it in her hand. Her tongue comes out, curving along the slit to lap up a bubble of pre-cum. She kisses his swollen head with an open mouth, tongue gently licking him with each press of her lips. 

“I’m waiting for you, Mackenzie.” David says tightly. 

Oh, she got distracted by his cock and forgot he asked her to go over there. Obediently, she rises to her feet. David halts her for a moment to take off her shirt, then has his hands graze over her ass as they fall from her body.

“Hands on your breasts, honey.” He demands as he walks up behind her. She puts her hands over her bare chest, then looks back over her shoulder at him. He pushes her forward until her right cheek presses into the cold glass. Mack swallows loudly, exhaling harshly as he rolls his head through her slick folds. 

One hand goes to Mack’s hip where he eases her back onto him. He exhales a soft ‘fuck’ when he is sheathed inside of her. Then he brings his other hand to her throat. Mack whimpers.

“Okay?” He checks.

“Yes.” She chokes out desperately. 

That’s the last word Mack is able to speak. 

The tempo David sets borders on deranged. Relentless. Nothing soft or loving about it. Instead he plows into her with reckless abandon. His massive cock splits her open in the best way as he keeps her upright with his hand securely on her throat. She gasps from surprise and pleasure. Her fingers tighten over her breasts, nipples stabbing into her warm palms. The different temperatures from the front of her body to the back where David heats her up create an exquisite layer of pleasure for her. 

“You like being fucked like this, huh?” He grits out to her. “Rough and fast? Like those girls in that book.”

Mack’s head rolls forward, nose hitting the glass. David pulls her back into him roughly. Mack falls off the glass, arched at an impossible angle by David’s hands. His thumb presses into the left side of her throat, then his fingers follow on the right. Mack brings her hand up to his wrist, gripping him just as tightly. David turns her face in his hand so he can see her. She’s blissed out, almost comatose from the pleasure. He grins at her as she orgasms around his thick girth while being fucked raggedly. 

“Good girl.” He coos to her, releasing his grip on her throat. 

His right hand slides down to her leg, lifting it up. Mack focuses forward, seeing their reflection in the glass and groaning. They look so hot like this. His big body towering over hers. Her being bent by his hands and will. She releases her breasts, watching them fall back into place in the glass. Then she wraps an arm around his neck behind her, bringing his head closer to her. As he glides back into her pussy, they kiss. Mack moans into his mouth. David swallows it, then stuffs her mouth full of his tongue in rhythm with his pumps into her. 

“Fuck.” Mack groans. With this angle, he feels huge inside of her, almost painfully so. 

“You can take it.” He reminds her.

Then he makes her. 

Harsh slaps fill the room with David’s thrusts into her. Mack clutches onto him for dear life again, holding his face to hers as she gasps and groans.

“Yeah, there.” She begs. “Mmmm. Oh.” The back of her head hits his shoulder again and his mouth chases her face. He kisses her jaw, then nudges her head to the side so he can bite her throat. “Yes.” Mack moans. 

“You take cock so well, Mackenzie. Made for this big one, eh?” He bites her throat again, sucking, leaving a huge red welt where his mouth was. Mack whines, tugging his hair to pull him away. She collects his mouth with hers. 

Her orgasm ignites inside of her again. Mack brings a hand to her clit to help it along. She rolls the swollen bud with two fast fighter, matching David’s tempo. Her walls collapse around him, making him sweat again. His hips pump faster, shaking her breasts harder. Mack closes her eyes, letting her orgasm take her away completely. Her mouth drops open, away from David’s and she squeaks as she erupts like a volcano.

“David! Fuck! Yes!” She yells. David grins against her throat as her head falls away from his. He sucks her skin delicately into his mouth, pumping her through it, then spilling into her with a longing moan of her name. 

Mack’s legs shake as he drops her right leg from his grasp. He holds her tightly to his chest, feet spread wide to balance their weight out. Mack’s eyes lazily open, hooded as she looks out at the building across the street where people go about their business.

“Wow.” She finally exhales to him.

“Yeah. That was… I don’t know if there is a word for it.” He responds. Mack chuckles. She feels that way about sex with him a lot.

“So you like the book?” She asks him as he turns her in his arms. His hands go down to her butt, cupping her cheeks gently as her head rests under his chin. 

“Mhm.”

“The boys give you a hard time at all?”

“Not after I read a paragraph out loud to them.” David chuckles.

“You did!?” She laughs.

“Yeah! Woody was hooked after the first line.” 

“He is a slut.” Mack jokes. 

“What are we then?”

“Whores.” She grins proudly. 

“That’s my girl.” He lifts her into his arms, walking her away from the window and towards the hallway. “Shower? Bed?” He asks her. HIs gaze trails along her throat, zeroing in on the three red marks on her left side. “We better do a shower. Gotta get some warm water on these. Sorry, honey.”

“No you’re not.” She laughs. “You like when everyone knows who I belong to.”

David smiles, a sparkle in his green eyes.

“Honey, you don’t belong to me. You’re a humming bird, buzzing around from here to there, and sometimes you sit still long enough for me to have you.”

Mack startles a bit, looking away from him. No one has ever hit the nail on the head that directly with her. He knows her so well, understands how she craves freedom and independence without judgement.

“Hey.” He calls her back to him, pausing in the bathroom doorway. “I’ll never clip your wings, okay? I love you like this.” Mack nods. David continues forward. 

David always says the right things at the right times. 

But still, even with a perfect partner, Mack can’t lose the small part of her that feels that itch to fly.

Read more Mack and David here

[ladylooch]

Fix it, Davey - [Mack x David]

A/N: Had a bad day today, so here is smut without a plot 😏 Dedicated to Bestie @casualhilarity who dreamed this one up with me, as per usual.

Word Count: 2.0k

In their Iowa bedroom, one of Mack’s perfectly sculpted eyebrows raises when she hears a clang come down the hall from the kitchen. She finishes brushing her teeth then spits her used toothpaste into the sink. She pauses there for a moment, after clicking off the button on her toothbrush. She hears a softer thud this time and sets her toothbrush back in its holder.

She double checks her hair is in place, appreciating the style of the twisted clip holding her long locks in place, with two thin pieces framing her face. She’s dressed in a floral print cami dress that accents the two swells of her tanned breasts perfectly. She is heading into town for the first time since her and David were engaged and she wants to look good as his future wife. 

“Fuck.” Mack hears as she flips the bathroom light off. An amused smile tilts her pink, glossed lips. She licks her top teeth, absorbing the minty freshness as she heads towards the door to let herself out into the main area. 

She steps down the hallway, then slows her pace as she comes to the kitchen entryway. Her lips peel apart in a slight gasp at the view that awaits her. The upper half of David’s body has disappeared in the cabinet beneath the kitchen sink. His shirt is off, discarded in a heap to the left where it clearly looks splotched with water. Beside his hips are various tools and an orange, Home Depot bucket.

“For fucks sake!” David inhales, wrenching on a piece of pipe attached to the sink. “You’re fucking leaking, but I can’t get you the fuck off?” He sneers out.

Mack watches his abdominal muscles crunch together harder. The deep V of his abdomen pulls the waistband of his jeans taught against his tanned skin. He looks like he walked right off a damn runway, except better because these muscles are built from hard, grueling work. Mack’s fingers come to the corner of her mouth, checking for drool. 

She gets to marry that? Praise be.

David brings both his booted feet on the floor then pushes his hips into the air to get the right torque then he grunts again, finally getting the fittings around the pipe lose.

“Ha! Asshole! I got you.” He celebrates with a laugh.”Damn, dad. What the hell did you use on that thing.” He says at a quieter level. He tosses the tool to the floor then uses his fingers to loosen the fitting the rest of the way. 

Mack watches his abdomen crunch and relax with his movements as she slowly lowers down to her knees. Her eyes feel heavy with lust, breasts too, as she sinks down to the floor. Her fingers reach out, tentatively trailing up his leg as acknowledgement that she is next to him. David takes his eyes off his hands for a moment, greeting her with a brief grin.

“My swearing wake you up?”

“No.” Mack shakes her head, blinking longingly. “I was up.” David’s eyes drift down her body, giving an appreciative smile back at her.

“You look gorgeous, honey. Where you going?”

“Into town. For the first time as your future wife.” David laughs.

“You’ve been my future wife every time you’ve been here, babe.” He points out to her. “Can you hand me that blue towel by you?”

“Mhm.” She hands it over, letting her fingers fall from his forearm and rest on his abdomen. She traces a few of the rigid lines there, then leans forward to put her mouth on him. David stills for a moment in the cabinet, then goosebumps burst across his skin as she goes in for a wet kiss. 

“I want to suck on you. Right now.” She confesses. “Get in my mouth, Carlson.”

David’s signature, low chuckle increases the heat between them. It fills the cabinet, then spills out, wrapping around Mack’s body, making her nipples tighten through the thin, flowered fabric of her dress.

“I think I’ve seen this porno.” David finishes with the towel, then tosses it to the side. He reaches down for the top button on his jeans, popping it open for her. "Go ahead, honey. Suck until you can’t anymore.” He picks up another tool Mack doesn’t know the name of, raising it above his head.

Her fingers come to his zipper, working that down. She crawls forward on her knees, straddling his outstretched leg. Once situated, she curls her fingers into his clothing and tugs it down his thighs. She pulls his torso slightly out of the cabinet. David looks both turned on and flabbergasted at the intensity of her. His green eyes sparkle with appreciation when they meet hers. A sexy, teasing smirk tilts her lips and he pauses, watching them fall down to his cock, kissing the lip of it before dashing her tongue down the long length. 

She presses the crotch of her panties onto his leg, rolling her hips forward as she takes his head into her mouth. The salty taste of pre-cum explodes on her tongue. Mack doesn’t have the patience to tease or waste time right now. So she inhales and prepares her mouth to take him deep immediately. The tool slips from David’s hands, falling to the side as her mouth stretches over him.

“Honey.” He sighs the word like he’s entering heaven. 

Mack takes him to the back of her throat then switches to breathe through her nose before she swallows his tip partly down. Mack hears David’s hand slap across his mouth, muffling another moan. His hips sway up into her mouth, pressing that abdominal V into her forehead. Her hips roll harder against his leg, going to full on dry humping as her mouth works overtime on his shaft. One of his hands drifts away from the sink he was fixing, instead finding the clip in her hair. He pulls it out, letting her hair fall forward, curtaining over his stomach. 

Her right hand grips his shaft then she pulls his tight skin forward as she swallows his tip deeper.

“Jesus, fuck. Y-yeah.” He stutters out. She swallows him again, making his head knock back into the cabinet from the intensity. Suddenly a big hand is around her chin, gently pulling her off him. A long, string of saliva keeps her lips connected with his cock as he cups her face in his large hand. David takes her in, brown eyes blown wide, looking possessively feral as she eyes his cock like she needs another taste.

“Woman of my dreams.” He mumbles right before he shoves his tongue into her mouth to get a taste of his own.

David maneuvers his big body out from under the sink fully then overpowers Mack onto her back on the cold tile. She shivers at the intrusion cooling her hot, aroused skin. David hits his knees between her spread legs. His quick fingers rip away her lace panties from her folds. The waistband stays around her hips, leaving the ruined fabric swaying over her clit until David brushes it away. His calloused fingers run over her pussy, gathering her wetness and smearing it over her clit.

Satisfied with her arousal level, David gathers his cock in his hand, swiping the head down her slit until he nestles at her entrance. As he presses in, both his big arms wrap around her body. One hand protects her head from the tile and the other pulls her mid-back up so their hips meet at his kneeled level. Mack is arched like a circle, suspended in the air except her head and feet as he begins to pound away. 

His lips sloppily mop her loud moans up, both of them forgetting about plans and work that they were supposed to be tending to this morning. Instead, they’re drowning in each other. David’s hand moves from the middle of her back to her ass, leaving bruises of his finger prints in her right cheek. He throws her down on his cock, pounding so hard that Mack can’t even tell him how badly she needs him to keep going. 

Instead it comes out as tiny, sexy grunts then complete and utter silence as he shoves her over the abyss and into an intense orgasm. Her legs shake. Her chest heaves. And the snap of David’s hips work her through the highest point. They slow as she comes down, but only for a moment, then he is right back to where he was with her. The slaps of their skin meeting echo through the kitchen crudely. Mack’s ripped underwear sticks to the crease of her thigh from their mixing sex. She struggles for her voice, cooing soft begs of ‘more’ that shake the black curls around his ears.

“Fucking feel so good, honey. So god damn good. All mine too. All mine for the rest of my life.” He roars out to her as he pushes them closer again. Mack shrieks fingers curling around his shoulders, as her feet bounce against his bare ass cheeks.

“Right there!” She suddenly bellows out to him.

“I got you, baby. Come all over my cock.” He demands. One of her hands falls from his shoulder, dropping to her clit to roll it wildly like his strokes. Then she collapses, going limp in his arms as she crashed into orgasm number two. David follows her immediately, resting her back on the floor so he can finish his jerky pumps into her safely for them both. 

Delicately, David unwraps Mack’s feet from where they are hooked together on his ass. One by one, he puts her feet back on the tiled floor. Then he strokes his nose down hers, kissing her stung lips. She can feel the red, mustache burn above her lips from their wet kisses in the heat of the moment. Her fingers trail through his black hair, then her eyes slowly open, still dazed from the orgasms he gave to her. David’s hands float along her outer thighs, creating pimpled skin in the wake of his finger tips. 

The summer sun makes the kitchen glow, showcasing white dust in the warm rays. Mack looks up at David as he leans back from her, going back on his haunches. His jeans and underwear are stretched to their max in the middle of his big thighs. His cock softens against the waistband of his boxer briefs. A large hand comes to her left breast, flicking her nipple then pinching it between his thumb and pointer finger. Mack’s body lifts off the floor, chasing the buzzing feeling into the air. 

“I’m thinkin’ maybe today is finally the day I fuck you in every room of this house.” He releases her nipple, so she falls flat back onto the floor. Then he leans over it, sucking the puckered bud into his mouth. “Where to next? Hmm?” He asks her, tonguing her nipple. “Maybe my office?”

Mack nods eagerly, running her fingernails down the back of his neck. She’s limp, like a pool noodle when he scoops her up into his arms. He stands up, collecting her face into his shoulder as his boots crack down the hall towards his office.

Mack bites his shoulder.

David moans. 

Then in one swoop, he shoves everything off his desk to the floor. He lays Mack down on the worn wood, pulling back to look down at her spread wide and blissful in front of him.

“Take that dress off, baby. The only thing I want on you is our ring.”

Read more Mack and David here.

[ladylooch]

Bones - Part 5 - [Mack x David]

A/N: I want to say big, huge thank you to @wardlow and @casualhilarity for being so supportive and kind when I asked them if they would read the first 5 chapters of the series for me. I was really struggling on if this was good, flowing, made sense etc. Both of you showed up for me, even though you're so busy, and gave great feedback! I love you soooo much! A million forehead smooches to you! I could not have gotten through these first few parts without you both 💜

& I have to shout out my favorite little sister, @missjomarch. Part of this angst was your idea in the making. You little writer you 😘 I love you! Thank you for dreaming about these two with me.

Okay, now, without further ado.... let's get into it 🔥

Word Count: 5.0k

Silence.

Not even the hum of the refrigerator or a chirping bird to break it. It’s too heavy, blanketed in fresh snow and the stillness of the morning after a big storm. 

Inside her family’s cabin, Mack slowly brings a cup of fresh, hot coffee to her lips. She stares out the window, ignoring her blurry reflection in the glass. The pines are practically bent in half from all the snow the area has seen this winter. Normally, she may have been hesitant about driving into the Alps alone in these conditions, but nothing about now is normal. 

Mack shakes her head, trying not to think about the circumstances that brought her here. Or how she walked into JFK three days ago with a ticket bound for Ireland, but didn’t get on that plane. Instead she transferred it to a one way ticket to Zurich then rented a car to get up here without disturbing her parents. Although with the security cameras on the cabin, they know she is here. 

Everything okay? Her mom had texted her.

Yeah. Just need a break and some solitude. 

Okay. Love you 😘 

One corner of the blanket across her shoulders falls down to her elbow. Mack grabs it, putting it back into place and curling more into herself. Nothing about the cabin is cold. It’s modern and fancy with high end heating elements, but it is no match for the chill of a broken heart. 

A lump forms in Mack’s throat.

What the hell did she do?

She should call him. She should apologize immediately, but her limbs and fingers won’t move. They won’t grab the phone to her left and press his name to ring across the world. The muscles of her face can’t possibly move her mouth, and her brain is blank for the words she should say to him. 

But Mack knows exactly what happened, an 8 hour plane ride helped her quickly realize it.

She got scared. Plain and simple.

It was too good. All of it. To the point that the darkness in the corners of her brain lured her into the comforting old habit of being the one who cares less. Her deep seeded beliefs that she doesn’t need anyone to live on this earth. Survival depends on your ability to exist alone and she could feel herself depending on him.

She broke all of her rules for him- she dated him, fell in love with him, spent weeks on his farm, turned down assignments. Then the trade rumors swirled and he acted like they didn’t exist when her whole world was turned upside down with the what ifs. What if he left New York? What would she do? But David's silence made it seem so simple. She would go with him. And when it came to the next steps he was starting to talk about, and want, Mack couldn’t do it. She liked the way things were and him wanting more is a need Mack doesn’t believe she can provide for him.

Because he deserves so much better than this. Wasn’t that what she was trying to show him by leaving? Look at how much better your life is when I’m not in it. Simple. No one running across the world, chasing after who knows what. He deserved someone who would follow him anywhere and put roots down. That’s not her.

It can’t be her. 

But when he came barreling into his apartment, looking at her like she was shredding his hearts to pieces, she almost faltered. She almost stayed. And that reaction scared her more than anything else did. It was a blimp, but she could see herself in Seattle or fucking Dallas. For him. But what is in those cities for her? Is that who she is now? 

No. 

No matter how much she loves him, she can’t do it this way.

Mack jolts up from the chair, shaking away these thoughts. She is done with this merry-go-round of nothing. She has work to do.

Later in the morning, Mack is deep in rewriting her next piece for the magazine when a loud pop jolts her away from her computer screen. She smacks her ankle on the leg of the table, yowling out in pain. Then she whips her head towards the front door where the sound came from. She glares in frustration until the reality of how alone she really is out here settles in. What was that? She gets up, tiptoeing over towards the door with her blanket flowing like a cape behind her. She looks out at the U shaped drive way, seeing her dad pulling out a Louis Vuitton duffle bag from his shiny Mercedes. 

Mack’s grip on the blanket tightens.

Her mom did not believe her. If she did, she wouldn’t have sent in the big guns.

Mack sighs, then unlocks the door, opening it for her dad as he steps on the porch.

“Mom sent me.” He shrugs then greets her with a hug. “But also I wanted to come. Lucie called.”

Lucie. Fuck. In Mack’s haste to leave New York, and David, she didn’t think about her older sister. David must have told her. Guilt pierces her thoughts again. Lucie is going to be so angry with her. Connor too. This is why she should have never started down this road to begin with.

“Oh.” Mack responds blankly to her dad.

“We don’t have to talk about it.” Her dad assures her. Mack nods in agreement, looking down as a sting fills her eyes. 

Nico walks into the cabin behind her, setting his duffle bag on the couch. Mack touches two fingers to the corners of her eyes, collecting the wetness there discreetly.

“Um, there is still coffee in the carafe over there.”

“No, thanks. I got some on the drive up.”

Mack nods, then pads over to the chair in the living room. Her dad takes the couch, stretching out his long legs onto the coffee table. He crosses his feet at his ankles, then laces his fingers at the back of his head. 

“How is work?” Mack shrugs. Probably not good considering she didn’t get onto the flight she agreed to be on. She did text Sonja that a family emergency was calling her home to Switzerland and received an instant response for her to take all the time she needed. “Lucie seemed to think you were going to Ireland?”

“I was.” Mack acknowledges. She reaches up to her nose, scratching a non-existent itch to avoid his gaze.

“Ah, she is a true Swiss girl. She traded luck for snow.” He chuckles. Mack smiles at his corny attempt to make her laugh, then curls her legs tighter up onto the chair. She swallows hard, looking at the fireplace embers blackened from last night's fire.

“I just… couldn’t go.” She whispers. Her bottom lip is scraped into her mouth by her top teeth before she sighs. She meets his patient gaze again. “What did Lucie tell you?” Mack asks. His arms cross over his chest.

“That you left for Ireland on an assignment after breaking things off with David.” Mack drops her gaze back to the cream carpet. “Is that true?” Mack nods. “I’m sorry, sweets.” He murmurs. “Will you tell me what happened?”

Shame fills Mack’s throat as she assumes her dad means ‘what did David do?' Because nothing. All he did was fall in love with a scared and timid woman, who ran at the first real sign of trouble. How can she tell her dad the truth? How could he not be extremely disappointed in her?

“I fucked up.” She chokes through a sob. Her bottom lip trembles like the breath she sucks in. This admission surprises her as much as her father who raises his thick eyebrows. She begins to pant heavily, trying to suck in big breaths to stop crying. “He is perfect and I am a mess.” 

“Mack, you are the furthest thing from a mess.” He assures her. He opens his right arm out towards the empty couch cushion next to him. Mack gets up and folds herself into his body, sighing into his chest as more tears fall down her face.

“He’s never going to forgive me for this. He shouldn’t. I deserve whatever happens after this.” Mack closes her eyes, letting herself be comforted by her dad’s hands wrapping around her back. She sniffs. “I got scared. It all felt so good. So perfect. And this monster inside of me flipped the table when rumors started about him being traded. He never told me anything about them, but kept like making plans for us and this wasn’t supposed to be anything like what it was. We were just supposed to…” She trails off. 

“Hang out?” Her dad fills in. 

“Yeah.” 

“Baby, nothing about what mama and I saw when we were in New York was hanging out.” He rubs her back comfortingly. “You are in love with each other. I can’t imagine that all could have blown up in a few weeks, or because of some rumors.”

“No, it didn’t.” She shakes her head. “I wrapped dynamite around it and blew it up instead because I don’t know how to be in love like that. And I don’t think I wanna be.” 

“You don’t want to be with someone who loves you? Mack?”

Mack pauses, then pulls away to look at his face.

“What?”

“You don’t know how to be in love like that, so you blew it up because you don’t want to be in love?” He rephrases. Mack still looks confused. Is her reasoning that wild or does she not understand what he is saying? “Did you talk to David about any of this before you strapped the dynamite to it?” 

“No.” She shakes her head. Bigger tears fill her eyes. “Why do you make it sound so simple?”

“Because I’ve been in love with your mom for almost 30 years. I’ve had some practice.” He removes a slice of hair from her wet cheek. “Don’t beat yourself up. You’ll figure out more of this as you go through life with him.” Mack’s bottom lip wobbles.

“No. He’s… never going to forgive me. You didn’t see his face. He tried to talk to me. He tried to save us and I wouldn’t let him.”

“Sweets, this all comes down to a simple conversation. Get on the same page. If you don’t want to move if he gets traded, say that. Or if you want to go with him, say that. Give him the opportunity to meet you where you are, so you can grow together into the next stage.”

“He deserves better than someone who is unsure.”

“You don’t get to decide that for him.” His reminder is gentle but deeply true. “He does.” Mack nods, looking down at where her tears have splotched into his gray sweatshirt. “You do get to decide for yourself if this is what you need though. It’s okay if he is perfect, and loves you the way that you deserve, and you still don’t want it right now.” Mack starts to cry again, shaking her head no.

“No I really, really, really want it. I love him and all I did was hurt us both.”

Nico pulls her back into his chest again becoming the safe space she needs to feel everything catch up with her. It’s long, painful sobs that threaten the collapse of her chest. When her tears dry on her cheeks, and her body stops quivering from emotion, her and Nico sit in the same silence that was here before he arrived. Light snow begins to fall outside again and they both watch the flakes settle into the white ground from their perch. 

The only thing Mack can think about is how badly she wishes David was the one holding her right now.

Mack sniffs, wiping at her nose with her thumb.

“I’m going to go back.” She nods. “Face whatever is waiting for me there.” 

If she doesn’t try to fix this, she’ll never have him again. She owes it to herself, and to him, to try.

“I like that choice.” Her dad smiles gently, squeezing her tighter to his chest for a moment. It’s almost like he is trying to imprint this moment into his skin. “Maybe we could go back home though? Spend some time with mama? I know she would love to get her hands on you too.”

Mack smiles through her leftover tears and nods. 

Going home is exactly what she needs.

- - - & - - -

Back in New York 10 days later, Mack sits on the familiar espresso brown couch in David’s living room. The leather is cool beneath her leggings as falling snow drifts down in icy, zigzag swirls through the black night.

20 minutes.

In 20 minutes, David should walk through that apartment door.

Butterflies dive in Mack’s stomach, threatening to send her to the bathroom to spill the contents of her light dinner. She ate a salad from the market down the street, but half of it is discarded in the kitchen trash. Every time she started to chew the limp greens, her mouth filled with saliva while her stomach twisted painfully. She can’t remember a time she was this nervous, especially about David.

Mack brings her hands up to her hair, collecting the long brown strands into a pony tail at the top of her head. She sighs heavily, checking her phone again. Only a minute has passed. She calculates the exact timing she thinks she can expect David from the airport. The team has been on a road trip since right after she fled the city. His plane already touched down from what Mack could track off the itinerary he had forwarded to her before their demise. 

Her arrival in New York is planned, though later than she really wanted it to be. David left not long after she did for a road trip. The thought of returning home and him not being here made it too painful. So Mack hung around Switzerland with her parents. She visited Sophie at school, who clearly knew not to ask about David. She drank way too much German beer and ate too many baked goods. In the midst of all that, she thought about David the entire time. During those long days, Mack had held her phone in her hand so many times to call him, but each time doubt had her closing out the phone app before she could, especially when he never called her. Silly of her to expect that, she knows, but it felt like more confirmation of her consequences.

Mack inhales nervously when she hears the key in the lock. She looks towards the door, watching the lock flip, then the door handle turn. She stays sitting cross legged on the couch as he opens the door. He walks in wearing black dress pants and coat, a white shirt and a dark gray tie loosened from around his throat. He wheels in his black, hard cover luggage with his duffle bag on top.

He is looking down at his hand where he juggles his keys, wallet and phone. The phone screen has lit up against his fingers and she can see it’s the same picture of them from Christmas morning a few weeks ago. She is silent as he walks over to the bowl on the skinny entry room table that collects his things. There, he sees her purse resting too. Next to it, he finds her corn cob key chain in the bowl. He stares at it, then looks over his shoulder to where she is on the couch. 

Tears blur him as her throat swells with a lump. She practiced this moment at least fifty times on the long plane ride over here. But now that he is in front of her, Mack can’t find the will to speak. He looks tired and worn out- exhausted even- as his green eyes soak her in like dry land after a steady rain. And the words that Mack came up with on the plane don’t seem like enough. There is nothing she can say to him to make up for what she’s done to them. 

“Hi baby.” He greets her tenderly. 

“Oh.” She croaks out.

Mack covers her face with her hands and collapses forward, immediately sobbing. She hears the clattering of items into porcelain and the roll of a bag being placed off to the side. Then she feels the big hands of her man wrap around her body. They lift her easily into his lap as David settles himself into the couch cushion behind him. One hand is wrapped around her hips, pressing her into him while the other cradles her head to his chest.

“I’m so sorry.” She sobs. 

“It’s okay.” 

“It’s not okay!!!” She wails. 

“It is. Because you’re here now. You came home to me. Nothing else matters.” Mack fists the lapels of his coat, breathing him in, letting him take over her senses. She has been back in New York for hours, but now she is home.

“I’m so sorry.” She whispers again, shaking in his embrace from both remorse and relief.

"I know. You got scared."

“Damn it, don’t be so understanding.” He’s totally already forgiven her. Mack can feel it in his touch that the second he saw her it was all resolved. 

"We're okay, honey.” Mack winds her fingers up his chest to his neck, tangling in the hair at the base. David turns, kissing her forehead. Mack focuses on his lips plumped on her skin, willing herself to say some of the words she thought of on the plane.

“You’re right. I was really scared and I freaked out.” She inhales deeply, trying to stop the croaking of her voice so she can speak clearly. “I should have told you that. You would have understood.”

“Yeah.” He acknowledges then grabs her chin so her face is primed for him to kiss. It’s achingly beautiful and brimmed with love. Their greedy lips soak up the taste of their lovers without the desire to pull apart for air. Mack’s tongue laps at David’s as she hoists herself closer to him. His palms press harder into her until not even lint could slide between their bodies. When they pull apart, David groans in relief.

“I went home.” Mack blurts, suddenly finding her voice. 

“I know. Lucie told me.” 

“I’m sorry I didn’t.” His lips purse and he laughs a bit.

“I knew you wouldn’t. You were long gone the second that door shut behind you.” 

“I-"

“Baby, we can talk in the morning, but I am dead tired right now. Just come to bed with me.”

Mack would do anything he asked of her right now, as long as they are doing it together.

In bed, after stripping naked and collapsing into each other’s arms, David’s hands run down her back to her ass. He pulls her flush with him then uses her cheeks to raise her left breast to his lips. He sucks her deep into his mouth as a few fingers slide against her entrance from behind. 

Too tired to talk, but never too tired to make love to her. 

His lips work them both up into a state of arousal that needs to be cured. Between their bodies, Mack reaches for his thick cock, rubbing it through her slit as he continues to play with her nipples- one in his mouth and the other pinched by two fingers. 

“Mmm.” She grunts, then bites her lip as she pushes just his swollen head inside of her. David breaks away, needing to see her face as she fills herself with him. 

“Perfect.” He compliments her quietly as she takes him without resistance. “My perfect fucking girl.” He nips at her breast, then maneuvers himself into place. His hips give her slow, deep thrusts. 

His mouth collects her moans as he makes her come undone on his cock, like it’s like the first time all over again.

He spills into her greedily, marking her neck when he does.

Then they fall asleep curled deeper into each other than they’ve ever been before.

- - - & - - -

The next morning, a car alarm jolts Mack and David awake at the same time. David squeezes Mack tighter to him, lifting his head to pinpoint the noise. When he registers the alarm, he loosens his grip. Mack slowly opens her eyes, glancing up at him. All she can see is the underside of his chin. She runs her eyes along the waves of his growing out stubble, then tilts up to kiss along a particularly swirly patch. David hums beneath her lips. It isn’t long before David’s fingers running along her back have her falling back to sleep. When she wakes again, David is gone but the sounds of him rummaging in the kitchen float into the bedroom.

Mack pads out to join him after doing her morning routine of skin care and brushing her teeth. She stretches her arms above her head, swaying left and right to force the stretch further down her back. David looks over his shoulder, smiling at her. Mack bites her lip, taking in the deep groves of his muscular shoulders as his arms filter through his pantry. 

“We should talk.” Mack murmurs, tucking her hair behind her ear. She puts her forearms on the counter, folding her hands together.

“About what?” He asks, taking out a box of pre-made mix for waffles or pancakes. Mack stills. Is he serious?

“About me… leaving.”

“You’re back though?” He scratches at his nose, flipping the box to the back and reading the directions. “Do I have eggs?” He murmurs to himself, moving towards the fridge. He pops the doors open. “I do.” He grins back at her, wiggling his eyebrows. “Do you want waffles or pancakes?”

Mack sucks her cheeks in as he begins to bring out bowls, a whisk and measuring cups. With intention, she pushes off from the counter and comes to intercept him before he can get to the fridge for water. 

“What?” He chuckles as she weaves her arms around his waist.

“I don’t want waffles or pancakes. I want us to talk about me leaving.” David stills, eyes finding hers and tracing the brown irises. 

“Okay.” He sets the measuring cups behind her on the counter. His hands collect on her lower back and he waits expectantly. 

“I feel like you don’t want to?”

“No, not really. It’s over, ya know? You’re here.”

“Right but…” Mack trails off, staring at him, trying to find the words. She inhales to start, then stops again, clearing her throat. “I left you…” Surprisingly, David chuckles genuinely.

“Baby, you ran away from a lot of things, but you came back for me.” She stares at him. “Right?” Mack nods. “Then, again, I don’t know what else we have to talk about here.”

“I’m scared if we don’t talk more about this that it’s going to leave a big crack in our foundation.” She shakes her head slightly, looking away. 

“If you’ve got things you feel you need to say to me, go ahead. I just want you to know, before you even start, that from my perspective, everything is okay. Now and in the future.” Mack pauses, considering, then she nervously chews on her bottom lip. She swallows hard, tilting her head down to look at the hairs in the middle of his chest. He trimmed them recently, probably right after she left. She brings a hand up, stroking his pecs.

“I got scared.” She mumbles then forces her teeth into her bottom lip again to stop from crying. “I got scared that some organization’s decision could wreck my whole life. I still don’t think I’m cut out for relationships, but I love you so much, it’s like there is nothing I wouldn’t try for you. That scared me too. That I want to be here in New York. That I don’t want to go on long assignments that take me away from here for weeks at a time. That I feel this pull to come home when New York was never supposed to be home for me.” 

“You’ve changed everything for me.” She continues. “Not because you asked for it to change or forced me into anything. It’s just happened. And I woke up a few weeks ago with all this news and chatter and you wouldn’t talk to me and…” He brushes his thumbs under her eyes to collect her tears. “That wasn’t wrong of you, but suddenly I was thinking about moving to Dallas with you. And getting a place together because that makes more sense than having two places, if I was going to move to another state with you. And do they have an international airport close by? Or do I have to do multiple flights and it was too much. My life no longer was mine. It was completely consumed by someone else.” 

David says nothing, but his eyebrows pull tight together. His hands grip her hips harder, pulling her in more so they’re completely pressed together.

“I was in fight or flight. And I told myself that you deserved so much better than this. So much better than someone who had one foot out the door the first time something goes wrong. So the old habits that die hard, hit harder than ever before, and I was packing my bag the second you left for lunch with Connor. I felt like I was drowning and exploding all at the same time. I couldn’t stop the spiral to think about who that person was that had filled my life up. Or rationalize with myself about how lonely and unhappy I was before you. You have changed everything, but it’s been for the better.” She closes her eyes, letting the tears stream down for him to catch again. 

“When you came home while I was packing…” She shudders, trying not to sob. “I anticipated you would do so many things, but not that you would tell me to go. It was like I wanted you to tell me to stay, but then you told me to go. And I’m stubborn as hell so I did.”

“Mack, I couldn’t ask you to stay. I need things too and I needed you to stay without me telling you to. I won’t hold you back. I won’t tether you down or clip your wings. You are free to choose. And when you came back last night, you choose me. That’s all I need to move past all this. I just hope you keep choosing me… Forever.”

It’s the boldest David has ever been with his plans for them. Forever. Mack gnaws her bottom lip, causing it to plump and redden. 

“Forever?” She repeats. 

“Mhm.” He mumbles into her lips. He kisses her deeply, fusing her lips with his until she has to gasp for another breath. “You gonna run if I let go of you?” The deep smirk on his lips makes her understand he is joking.

“No!” She laughs, slapping his chest. “God, of course you’re already joking about this.” He runs a hand down her hip to her ass, giving it a healthy squeeze. He levels her with a serious stare, then kisses her again.

“Waffles or pancakes?” 

“Waffles.” She decides immediately. 

“Chocolate chips or strawberries?”

“Both?”

“Yessss. I was hoping you would say that.” He kisses her nose, then releases her to grab the other two ingredients. “Hey, we are going to Connor and Lucie’s tonight for dinner.” Mack stares back at David with an anxious, wide-eyed expression.

“I haven’t talked to Lucie yet.” She admits. That is definitely a conversation she is still avoiding.

“Nice.” David chuckles. “What could possibly go wrong?”

- - - & - - -

“Heeeee-YAH! MACK!” Lucie’s smile fades instantly when she sees her younger sister. “Nice.” She snaps at her, crossing her arms and blocking the doorway.

“I saw mom and dad in Switzerland. They say hi… I-I have chocolate for Stell!” Mack tries to smooth her sister’s angry scowl immediately.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Lucie snarls in Swiss German. “Get in here.” She wraps a hand around her wrist then tugs her into a hug. “You scared the shit out of me and I’m fucking pregnant!”

“I’m sorry, Luc.” Mack closes her eyes, squeezing her older sister tightly. The pregnancy is not a surprise at all to her considering last time she saw Lucie. “Congratulations. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You hurt him.” Mack nods then steps out from their hug. 

“I know.” Mack whispers back. Lucie sighs, then steps around her to hug David.

“Go easy on my girl, Luc.” David murmurs to Lucie but looks at Mack while he says it. 

“Welcome home, Mack.” Connor murmurs from behind her. He tosses an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his side. Mack looks up at him. “You two good?” He motions between her and David. They both nod. “Then this group is good too.” He says decidedly. “Now tell me about this chocolate you brought for Stell. She has a dad tax to pay, even on gifts.”

They all laugh then move further into the apartment. Lucie and Connor go back into the kitchen together. Mack knows her and Lucie will discuss more later, when it's just the two of them. She'll cross that bridge when they get there.

David puts a hand on the small of Mack’s back to guide her into the living room. Stella is bouncing between various activities in the living room, but stops everything and dives at Mack for a hug. Mack smooches her cheeks, then allows her past to David. 

“What are we playing tonight, Stelly?” He asks her. 

Mack knows exactly why she ran. 

But this right here, is exactly why she never will again.

Read more Mack and David here.

[ladylooch]

David POV when Mack leaves - [Mack x David]

A/N: YOOO HOOOOOOOO! We have an author contribution to flashback days!!! And it's a hurty, angsty one! No one is surrrrpriseedddddddd! 👏🏻 Obsessed doesn't even come close to it. So happy to bring this one to ya!

Enjoy babes!

If you need a refresher, please read here & here.

Word count: 3.7k

Realistically, David knows the click of the door behind Mack leaving him is soft. 

But it may as well be a gunshot ripping right through his fucking chest.

She’s leaving him.

Everything in his body is trying to launch him back out that door to her. But the side that loves Mack the most knows he needs to let her go. 

She needs this. 

But fuck if it isn’t going to kill him.

His big hands dash through his hair and he wonders if he might need to restrain himself for a moment. Maybe he can tie himself to the claw foot tub in the bathroom or something to stop himself from running after her.

“Fuck.” He growls out, placing his hands on his hips as he walks to the window, looking down at the street. He can see her head bop out in a rush. She is literally running.

And it’s all his fault.

He spooked her. By not talking about the trade rumors. By talking too much about forever. But damn, things were feeling so good with her. So right. For the first time in his life, David felt fully at peace with someone. He loves every god damn thing about the women throwing herself into the cab below. 

Because he’s a masochist, he watches the yellow cab pull away from the curb. 

Another gunshot wound to the chest. How many can he take before he is dead?

“Fuck!” He screams the obscenity now.

Panic chokes him again. His hands begin to shake. His feet rush him to where his phone is on the counter. Then he stops when its in his hands.

He can’t. 

And this time it has nothing to do with her. 

He can’t force her to stay because he doesn’t want her that way. 

He wants her free will and choice to pick him. 

He gently lowers the phone down to the counter, even though he wants to smash it down. Obliterate it like his heart is inside his chest cavity.

Then he stalks across the apartment to his bar cart, dropping a sloppy fifth of bourbon into a high ball glass. The glasses Mack got for a special drink she wanted to make on New Years. 

Ouch.

He shoots the warm golden liquid down.

Rinse and repeat.

Again and again. 

Until he’s so drunk that he passes out on his leather couch, moaning out for his brown eyed girl.

- - - & - - -

The next morning, a pounding in David’s head wakes him. No. It’s real pounding on his front door followed by a hiss of his name.

“David. Wake *fist pound* the *fist pound* fuck *fist pound* up!” *three fist pounds*

David rolls to look at the time on his phone but it isn’t near him. He sits up, immediately regretting it when his head sways and the world tilts off center. Holy fuck, is he this hungover or still drunk?

He stands, stumbling to the kitchen and then inhaling sharply at the time. He is going to be so fucking late for practice. The whole team is going to have to do sprints because of him and holy god, he cannot possibly do sprints right now. He keeps going to the door, opening it to find a frantic Woody on the other side.

“Holy balls. You bathe in bourbon last night?” Connor coughs.

“Maybe.” David chokes out, trying not to gag at how bright the hallway light is.

“We gotta go.”

“I can’t fucking go.” David shakes his head.

“You gotta.” Connor reminds him. “Hockey doesn’t stop for Swiss princesses that skip town.” His captain’s tone is dripping in condescension and David wants to deck his ass. 

“Hey. Don’t talk about her like that.”

Connor’s jaw sets.

“She’s such an asshole.”

“She’s scared.” David defends.

“She’s still an ass.” Connor maintains. 

“Woody, I swear to god you’ve hit three strikes, and if I wasn’t currently dying on the spot, you’d be getting a right hook to the face.”

“How about you take that fire and get in the shower?”

“There isn’t time.”

“Coach pushed practice back two hours. Some issue with the ice or something. It’s your lucky day and you cannot go in smelling like that.”

“You couldn’t have led with that?” David complains, rubbing at his head. 

“You’re totally going to puke in the shower.” Connor laughs.

David closes his eyes, willing everything to be different when he opens them again. 

It’s not. 

Woody is still looking at him with that dumbass smirk. 

And Mack is still gone.

- - - & - - - 

7.

Seven days. 

It’s been seven fucking days since Mackenzie Hischier walked out on him and he hasn’t heard one damn word from her since.

Part of what kept David’s shit together initially was thinking, truly in his soul, that this was temporary. That she was going to run and within a day or so, she was going to wake up. Smell the roses of their life so to speak.

But that hasn’t happened and now he’s miserable on the road. 

As he waits for his turn in the drill at practice in Chicago, David thinks about what she is doing right now. He knows she isn’t in Ireland. Lucie had told him that she was in Switzerland. So not only did she leave him, she lied to him too. 

Not a good sign. 

He looks down at the puck he is stick handling to the side, then makes eye contact with Blake to snap a breakout pass his way. His skate blades carve into the ice and he is off, sprinting his part of the drill then pivoting backwards to catch the 2 on 1 coming the other direction. The puck snaps into the back of the net and coach gives a bit of a hmph when David skates back into line. 

“Fix that gap, Carlson.”

David nods in response, looking down at the ice, bent over his stick. Two beads of sweat drip down his nose, hitting the ice between his skates. Coach blows the whistle to signal a water break, so David meanders over to the bench. He squirts a few streams into his mouth, then one down the back of his neck, soaking his shoulder pads more. He’s hot. This will help cool him off with the breeze of the next drill.

“I feel like ass out there.” Connor says next to him. “Like I’ve got two cinder blocks for feet.”

David ignores him. He isn’t much for chatting these days and feels annoyed at even being spoken to right now. He knows it’s not Connor’s fault, but David can’t help but wonder if he has heard from Mack. He doesn’t bother asking. It would be torture to know and at least this way, David can still pretend she’s miserable without him. Except he doesn’t want her to be. How fucked up is that?

The intensity of practice escalates as the coaches push them harder. The players and coaching staff are clearly on different pages about the pace of what the day should be. So they scream and yell. The players dig in harder. All the while, David feels disassociated from his body. He’s thinking about Mack. Why she is in Switzerland and not Ireland. Why she lied to him about where she was going. When she might think about coming back… unless she is thinking she won’t be coming back. Is that why she is in Switzerland?

The thought has David’s heart slamming to a stop in his chest. His head swirls and whirls, making him discombobulated on the ice. He stands up from where he had been pushing back against Blake for net front positioning. Blake pops the puck in the back of the net. 

David and Connor get told to take a lap as punishment.

“Come on, man. I’m dragging ass today. Help me out, eh?” Woody puffs from the right of him. David ignores him.

The next four attempts on the drill are the same. Coach’s face gets progressively redder until he levels David with a glare.

“You got something better to be doing with your time than being present at my practice?” 

A white hot temper flares in David’s chest and he smashes his stick into splinters against the goal post.

“Bro.” Connor warns him with a look. David shoves past Connor with a shoulder into his chest.

“Fuck off, Woody.” He grumbles then collects another stick from the equipment manager.

The drill shifts again and it’s focused on getting defenseman involved in the offensive zone. This means David and Connor are now going against each other. The two battle it out in front of the net, fanning the fire in David’s eyes. The whistle blows as they jostle for position. Coach pauses the forwards to reposition them, then they run the drill from there. Connor comes towards David again and something snaps inside of David when he brushes shoulders with Connor. He grabs the center of Woody’s jersey and hauls him to the ice in a cheap shotted tug. David stands over him, huffing and puffing, finally feeling a bit of control after being out of it for a week.

“What the fuck?” Coach mutters. “Am I missing some pissing match here, Carlson? You two got a lovers quarrel going?”

Below him, Connor gets on one knee, taking a deep breath.

“I’m gonna let that go cause I know what you’re going through. Once.” Connor warns. David laughs angrily.

“Don’t do me any favors, Woody.” He sneers back. 

“Doing you a favor would be knocking your ass out. Get your head in the game. We have points to win.”

“You wanna hit me man?” David asks, getting in front of Connor so he can’t skate past him like he was trying to do. “Then let’s fucking go!” 

“Fighting with me isn’t going to bring Mack back.”

“Fuck YOU!” David snarls, shoving Woody backwards with a cross check. “Keep her name out of your fucking mouth like that.”

“Guys, break it up, we got media here.” An assistant captain, Joe, mutters as he gets between them. Connor skates away, rolling his eyes. David’s chest heaves. “What’s up with you?” Joe asks. 

“Nothing.” David responds. 

The rest of practice is physical. With the tension between their top pair defenseman, the other players respond and rise up to the physicality and energy the coaching staff was hoping for. Elbows are flying, sticks are snapping, hands are tugging jerseys. But it’s all in good competitive fun and they end the day with fucking around in a shoot out style. David barely participates, going through the motions and missing high or wide every time. No one gives him shit about it. They know better than to poke the bear now.

After practice, David takes his time getting his gear off. Woody taps his shin pads with his stick, telling him silently that they are good. David nods in response, glad he doesn’t have to explain himself further. He takes a long shower, spending most of it standing under the warm stream of the water. He just wants something to wash this all away from him. Booze hasn’t done it, playing hockey hasn’t done it, maybe scalding hot water will do it. 

When his skin can’t stand it anymore, he heads back to his locker with a towel around his waist. A few guys linger, but it’s Connor fully dressed in the stall next to him that gets David’s attention.

“Wanna go see a movie? I know you said you wanted to see the new Superman.”

“Sure. Not like I have anything else to do.” David shrugs, dropping his towel to pull his street clothes back on. Connor is quiet as David dresses. The rink is close to the hotel so there is no bus for them to head back on. They’re expect to walk back on their own. Connor ends up finding some tickets, but they’ll have to Uber to get there. David frowns. 

“I’m out. I don’t wanna do that.”

“Beers?” David shrugs to Connor’s suggestion. 

Sure, he can do beers.

Any other road trip, David would love this. He likes the camaraderie of the road. The way the world bleeds away except for hockey and the job they need to get done. There is nothing like it and it’s something only hockey players really understand. Sure, it can be a grind. But it’s nothing like the grind in Iowa he has in the off-season. The world gets simple on the road. Go to the rink, play your game, shower it off, get on the plane, touch down in the next city and keep it going until you get home. 

This trip hasn’t felt like that for him. It’s been tedious and annoying. Another thing he has to do.

“Look at Stell.” Connor says from David’s left, showing him a picture of her screaming at Disney on Ice at MSG. She’s dressed as Ariel from The Little Mermaid for the occasion, including a long red wig on her head.

“Cute.” David responds. 

Connor quietly puts his phone away then stretches his neck out like he’s preparing for something.

“How many beers do I have to buy you to talk about what’s going on?” David doesn’t respond, just focuses all his attention on the TV showing NFL highlights over the past season. Riveting shit. “Apparently more than one.” Connor sighs, running a hand over his brown curls.

“Dude, I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m fucking wrecked. She leaves me after I’m in this deep with her?” David shakes his head. “Like it meant nothing to her? Then she lies about where she was going? That’s fucked up, man. She’s got me fucked up.”

“To be fair… wow, I can’t believe I’m defending her. She was going to Ireland. It was a last minute change on her end.”

That makes David pause. It’s a simple redirection, but an important one. David doesn’t lie to Mack. He expects the same in return and knowing that she was truthful about where she was going eases some of that ache inside of him. 

“She didn’t even tell her parents she was there. They found out from the cabin cam.” David soaks up every piece of knowledge that Woody gives to him. Cabin cam? So she’s in the Alps then. 

“Classic Mack.” David shakes his head. 

“You mad at her?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know.” 

“This is her shit, man. Most of it has nothing to do with you other than the fact that she fell in love with you and that’s her biggest fear.”

“What’s so bad about me?”

“You miss that part where I just said it really has nothing to do with you.” Connor sighs. “Mack’s always been a runner. She was always going to run. It’s part of why Lucie and I said…” He trails off. “It doesn’t matter. You got together and now it is what it is.”

“Thanks for the pep talk. I’ll take another beer on his tab.” He tells the bartender. Connor signals for another too. 

“I don’t really know what to say. It’s not like she’s talking to anybody about what is going on.” Connor finishes off his first beer. “Although Luc said she is home at Nico and Lexi’s now. So, something Nico said got her out of the mountains.” 

Knowing she is safe and with the people she loves soothes more of David’s anger and worry. Good. He wants that for her. He would rather have her in Switzerland, safe and tucked into Nico Hischier’s house than off running herself ragged trying to write a story. 

He knows how much Mack has been dreaming about Ireland. For her not to be there right now is a big deal.

“I wish I would have handled this differently.” David admits to Connor. “The trade rumors. Letting her leave… What if I had chased after her? I was going to. I didn’t.”

“Because you know her.” Connor shrugs. “You chase her, she will run twice as fast away from you.”

“I haven’t reached out.” David continues. “I’m scared of that.” He rubs a hand over his mouth and chin anxiously. “I’m so in love with her, Woody. I keep waking up at night, sweating, thinking about what I’m going to do if she doesn’t come back. What if I’ve already held her in my arms for the last time? How am I gonna live with that?” 

Connor looks at David with an ache that mirrors what he feels inside. Like he knows what it’s like to think these thoughts, all consumingly. 

“She was the one I saw everything with. Marriage. Houses. Mundane Tuesdays. Counting who has more grey hairs. Retirement. All of it was supposed to be with her. You know what she told me? That this was inevitable. Us not working out was inevitable. How do I go on now that she’s shifted my whole world like this? I just go live without her? How? And how can she do that?”

Connor shakes his head, unable to respond to those questions.

David knows it’s not his fault. He doesn’t have the answers. 

The only person who does is 4,400 miles away, living her life without him like she never loved him at all.

- - - & - - - 

The wheels touch down at JFK jolting David out of his book. He hates sleeping on planes. He has gotten better at it over the years with his frequent travel schedule, but it’s tough to get his mind and body quiet enough after a big two point night for the team. 

The plane had been bumping when they got in the air. A lot of the guys were unwinding and knocking back drinks. The poker game was going loudly at the back of the plane. David watched for a bit, but found his way back to his seat after seeing Woody confidently lose two hands in a row. 

Connor sucks ass at poker, but no one wants to tell him because he’s an easy win.

David chuckles at that as he walks to his car. He pops his bags into the trunk, then gets in for the quiet drive home. The only time New York seems to slow down is in the early hours of the morning. An uneventful drive has him hitting the garage remote for the building a bit ahead of schedule. 

It’s like the universe knows he needs his bed.

His cold, lonely, empty bed.

David’s head falls back to the headrest after he tosses his SUV into park. He glances over as Woody rolls into his parking spot by him. Connor is out of his truck fast, waving to David as he hustles up to his apartment to be reunited with his wife. Knowing David is returning to an empty apartment has him staying in the driver’s seat longer than normal. 

His phone lights up in the cup holder. He reaches for it, still hopeful he’s going to hear from Mack. Instead it’s a promotional email from Tractor Supply about a feed sale back home. He swipes the email to archive then is left with a mocking picture of the two of them at Christmas a few weeks back. They’re in those matching PJs she loved, cheek to cheek with huge grins. He had no idea this was coming then. Did she?

David tosses the phone down again then scratches at his nose. He inhales a big breath just to push it out in a defeated sigh.

I think she’s really gone…

The thought floats into his brain, blurring his vision as his hands grip the steering wheel. 

No. She can’t be.

He cannot accept that.

That’s enough thinking for now, he decides.

David pulls his phone back out of the holder then pops his driver’s side door open. He gathers his bags from the trunk, more than he usually brings because of the longer road trip. He tosses his jacket back over his shoulders, then taps the close button for the trunk. His car beeps into a locked state as he walks towards the elevators. Once inside, he tugs the knot of his tie loose, navigating the ride up in silence. 

He should call her. 

He’s given her space. A lot of it. But maybe she thinks he’s okay with this somehow because he hasn’t called? He should tell her that she can keep taking the time and space she needs, but that he will be here when she’s ready. 

Yeah, tomorrow. When he gets some sleep. 

David scoffs at the thought. He’s barely been able to sleep more than a few hours at a time since she left. It was easier on the road to have an empty bed. He is used to that. But knowing he is going into his place, where she won’t be waiting for him, twists his stomach into a knot. 

It will be a long night staring at that ceiling, trying to pick out any lingering notes of her perfume left behind on his sheets.

Once at his door, David fishes his keys out of his jacket pocket. He flips the lock, then pushes it open, catching it with his foot for a moment so he can maneuver all his bags in. They roll through onto the entry way rug. He pauses by the table, careful not to drop the wallet, phone and keys he is juggling. His eyes make out the cream porcelain bowl he usually puts his things in. Inside is his farm keys that have been there, untouched since September. To the left of the bowl though is a bag. He stares at it, trying to make it out. He doesn’t own anything that small.

But Mack does.

The expensive, black leather looks like the bag she had in her hands when she left his apartment last. His eyes move to the porcelain bowl, recognizing a familiar key chain tucked in with his keys: a light up corn cob.

Holy shit, was she here?

He turns to look around the apartment and then the whole world stops. For one second. Everything pauses except his eyes narrowing in on the brown eyed girl tucked nervously on one couch cushion. She’s folded up almost inside of herself, eyes wide, lips slightly parted as she looks back at him. He watches her shoulders rise in a breath, like she might speak, but then she doesn’t.

The world starts moving again with a loud siren and fire truck horn roaring down the street.

Mack still doesn’t say anything, but David doesn’t care.

Nothing else matters anymore.

Because Mackenzie Hischier came home to him.

Read more Mack and David here.