#jacob markstrom x reader | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ilyasorokinn · 1 year ago

Text

the perfect father , elias pettersson

note, this was originally written for jacob markstrom but i decided to rewrite it for someone else. just a personal thing. also, this fic is part of the "home with the petterssons" series. check out this masterlist for more. timeline: this takes place between february 2021-october 2021 pair, elias pettersson x reader summary, y/n and elias manage to keep a huge secret from the world during quarentine. warnings, children/kids, pregnancy, covid/quarantine, a little cheesey word count, 3873 words

(gif not mine)

The NHL schedule was confusing during the regular season, but now you were even more confused with the 2020-2021 season underway. So, to make things easier for you, Elias bought a calendar with your favorite animals and filled it out with all the dates of games.

The calendar really came in handy when planning your doctor's appointment. You had a hunch about what was causing all your sickness and it wasn't a cold.

So, you called the person you knew you could rely on, the one person who would give you the advice you needed to hear and would give you the cold hard truth even if it would hurt.

Holly Horvat.

She did indeed give you the cold hard truth and confirmed your suspicions. She also stayed on the line with you while you booked your appointment.

In the meantime, to ease some anxiety and nerves, you went to the store and grabbed as many pregnancy tests as you could fit in your hands. You purchased them and rushed home as fast as you could.

You sat on the closed toilet lid, head in hand as you waited for your timer to go off. Those two minutes felt like hours. You didn't ever understand that feeling before, but you did now. Time really did go slower.

You and Elias had been together for almost five years, engaged for less than a year, and everything was great. You were great. You had talked about babies briefly, but you talked about it as if it was something in the distant future. After marriage, after a few years more in the league. Clearly, life doesn't always go the way you want it to.

When the timer went off, you jumped out of your skin. You pulled your hands away from your eyes and flipped the tests over, inhaling as you looked at all of them.

"Holy crap." You muttered.

“I’m home!” Elias announced a few hours later, walking into the house. He found it strange that Luna, your dog, didn’t immediately run up and greet him. He followed the sound of the TV into the living room, where he found you fast asleep, and Luna curled up around you.

He smiled, turned off the TV, and draped a blanket over you, but not before kissing you on the head. He made his way into the bathroom to take a shower. He was waiting for the water to warm up a little when he spotted something sticking out of the trashcan.

He pulled it out of the trash and his eyes widened. He dug deeper into the trash, not even caring that he was digging into the trash, and looked at all of the tests in front of him, "Holy..." He covered his mouth in shock before he ran as fast as he could to the living room.

He dropped them on the coffee table then shook you awake, "Y/N." He called out, continuing to shake you before you turned around.

"What?!" You snapped, turning around, about to snap at him again, but you stopped when you noticed the tests sitting on the table, "Oh..." You looked back up at Elias, who was looking to you for confirmation, "Surprise." You gave him a nervous smile.

"Really?" He broke out into a smile, and when you nodded, he jumped onto the couch with you and wrapped you in his arms. You hugged him tighter, kissing his cheek as he pulled away, "Are you okay? Do you need anything?" He frantically asked, cupping your face and then looking down at your stomach.

"No, I'm okay." You smiled at his sudden panic, but stopped and thought about it, "Actually..."

"Anything." He stated before you could finish.

"Anything?" He nodded, "That's a lot of responsibility, Mr. Pettersson." You joked.

"I can do it." He nodded.

"If you say so." You shrugged, before listing off the things you wanted at that very moment, which he grabbed from the kitchen with no hesitation.

Because your plan to surprise Elias was spoiled, you changed your appointment to a day when Elias would actually be home. When that day finally came, Elias woke up before you and made breakfast big enough to feed a small family.

While you ate, you pointed off to different dishes you didn't want and he gave them to your next-door neighbors, who were thrilled and excited by the Swedish dishes Elias had made.

When it was finally time to drive to the doctor's, he was bouncing off the walls of the car, barely able to contain his excitement, "I really can't go in with you?" He frowned as you slipped your bag onto your shoulder.

"I'm sorry." You pouted, "But I'll ask if I can FaceTime you." You promised.

"Okay." He perked up a little at that, "I love you. Say 'hi' to the baby for me." You smiled, leaning over to kiss him.

"I will." You gave him a salute then were on your way in. You waited anxiously, texting Elias the entire time while you waited.

"Pettersson." You stood up, dropping the magazine sitting in your lap and garnering a few looks from the other people sitting in the waiting room.

"That's me." You announced. The nurse offered you a warm smile and nodded, gesturing for you to follow her. She led you into an empty room and instructed for you to sit down.

"Is this your first time?" She asked, typing a few things into the computer.

"Is it that obvious?" You laughed nervously.

"It's okay." She gave you a smile that let you know she knew what she was doing. After she asked her questions, she quickly took some tests and rushed them off to test. And that left you by yourself in the complete quiet. And in that time, everything started to sink in.

You were pregnant.

You didn't know how much time had passed, you were so stuck in your own little world, but someone knocked on the door, and that shook you from your thoughts. A woman you presumed was a doctor popped her head in and gave you a smile.

"I'm Dr. Rowe, it's nice to meet you." She reached out and shook your hand before she made her way over to the small sink, "Y/N, right?"

"Yes." You nodded. She snapped on a pair of gloves and then sat in the chair next to the big bed-table thing next to you.

"So, we got your results back, and congrats, Mrs. Pettersson, you are pregnant." She told you. You let out a breath you hadn't known you were holding and a choked laugh, "Now, I know this is a little overwhelming, so if you need a minute..."

"I'm good." You shook your head, "I'm ready."

"All right, well, I'm going to walk you through what I'm going to do then do it, is that okay?" She smiled when you nodded again.

True to her word, she walked you through what she was going to do, step by step. She then grabbed all the tools she would need and helped you lie down.

"Can I call my husband? Would that be okay?" You asked.

"Of course." She nodded. You whipped out your phone and immediately dialed Elias' number.

"Is it time?" He asked, picking up before the first ring was over. You and Dr. Rowe laughed.

"Yes." You nodded, flipping the camera around as she squirted jelly onto your stomach.

"All right, let's find a baby." She moved the wand around your stomach. Both you and Elias watched in fascination as she moved the wand and a little blob showed up on the screen.

"Is that-?"

"Your baby." She nodded. Neither you nor Elias could say anything as you stared at the screen in pure awe, "Would you like to hear the heartbeat?" You felt yourself nod and heard Elias say 'yes' immediately again.

She pressed a button on the machine and you were in awe all over again, "Elias..." Was all you managed to say through the tears. A silence enveloped the room, the only thing filling it was the heartbeat of your baby, a sound you had decided was your new favorite.

"Would you like some pictures?" Dr. Rowe asked, breaking the silence.

"Yes, please." You nodded.

You walked out of the doctor's office 10 minutes later, sonogram in hand. You made it back to the car and looked at Elias, "It's real."

"We're actually having a baby." He tearfully smiled.

After your appointment, all Elias could talk about was seeing your little baby in a little Pettersson jersey and how cute it would be, so before he came back, you decided to make part of his dream come true.

When Elias finally did have to leave for the little stint of away games, you decided that would be the perfect time to enact your plan. You went to the team store and got a little baby jersey customized, almost crying in your car when you pulled the jersey out of the bag and finally got a look at it.

As soon as you got home, you wrapped the jersey with your nicest wrapping paper, slapped the prettiest bow you owned on it, and began the countdown until Elias would be home.

He wouldn't be home for a few more days, and when he came home, you heard him before you saw him. He came through the door, looking disheveled.

"I'm home." He hummed, dropping his stuff where he stood and making his way over to you quickly, "Did I miss anything? Are you okay? Do you need anything?" He spoke frantically.

"Okay, you need to breathe." You laughed, "I'm fine. We're both fine." You reassured him, "Why don't you get changed and come back out here? I have something for you."

"This feels backwards. I should be bringing you gifts." He laughed.

"Just go." You pushed him towards the bedroom. You waited patiently, trying to keep your excitement at bay. When he finally came back into the kitchen, he looked at the bag on the coutner confused.

"You used the pretty wrapping paper." He pointed out, eyeing the gift suspiciously, "You only use that when it's a good gift."

"Just open the gift, Elias." You told him snappily. He raised his hands in surrender but opened the gift. He froze when he caught a glimpse of the tiny jersey.

He picked up the jersey and held it up so he could look at his name sprawled on the back of it, "Y/N..."

"You talked so much about the baby wearing your jersey, so I got one made." You told him, making your way over to him, "Are you okay?" You asked, worried when you saw he was frozen in place.

"This is perfect." He said, his voice so quiet you almost didn't hear him.

"Oh, Eli." You cooed, wrapping him in a hug.

"Cakes here!" Elias shouted from the door. He shut the door with his foot and carried the cake to the kitchen where you were waiting for him.

You looked at each other nervously, not because the cake was bad, but because you were finally, after months of waiting, going to know the gender of Baby Petey, and that thought filled you with both joy and anxiety.

"You ready?" You asked. He nodded, "All right." You took a breath and set up your camera while Elias grabbed the cake cutter from one of the drawers, "Pettersson family gender reveal." You clapped in front of the camera, imitating one of the movie clappers.

Elias pulled the cake out of the box and you both inhaled sharply. He set it down and his hand hovered over the cake cutter. You grabbed his hand and together, you held the cutter.

"One, two, three." You counted down together, then cut into the cake. When you pulled the slice out, you burst into tears.

"A boy!" He cheered, dropping the cutter and wrapping you in a hug, unable to fight his own tears so you stood in your kitchen, crying tears of joy together at the thought of your unborn son.

With all the guys away on a roadie, one of the girls decided to have a little get-together at her house so you could all watch the game together.

When you knocked on the door, instead of it being the host, it was Gunner Horvat, who must've seen you through the video camera and ran to the door before anyone could stop him.

"Hi, G." You laughed, "I don't think you're supposed to open the door without an adult." He simply stared at you but raised his arms, wordlessly asking for you to pick him up, "I missed you, too, bud." You laughed when he wrapped his arms around you.

"Let her get in the door, Gun." Holly laughed, grabbing the bag in your hand so you could hold onto the child more easily. She led you to the main room where a few other girls were already.

"Surprise!" They all shouted. You gaped in shock at the scene in front of you. Instead of being a little watch party, there were baby decorations all around the living room and kitchen.

"What the heck?" You gasped, tears filling your eyes as you looked at all the other girls.

"Elias told us you were a little bummed that you couldn't have a gender reveal party, so we decided to throw you a little shower." One of the girls explained with a smile.

"This is so sweet." You smiled tearfully. They led you over and grabbed some snacks before leading you to the living room where a small mountain of presents sat, "Wow."

"We might've gone a little overboard." They all laughed. Before they started, they made sure you had everything you needed and wanted before you began.

You opened so many things you didn't even know you needed but all the other mothers told you you needed. The last present was smaller than the others but they all looked excited for you to open.

You pulled out an exact replica of your special denim jacket with 'Pettersson' on the back. Everything was the same, even down to the special patches you had put on it.

"Wow." You gaped, at a loss for words as you turned the jacket around to look at every detail.

"Do you like it?" You could hear the worry in her voice.

"I love it. It's beautiful." Your eyes filled with tears again, and they all crowded you in a big hug.

It was really late. Way too late for you to be up late. It was almost 3 in the morning, and you were awake. Why you may ask? Because the baby wouldn’t stop moving, plus she was craving food.

You knew Elias was asleep. It was evident by the loud snoring. Instead of trying to fall back asleep, you got out of bed. As soon as your feet swung over the edge of the bed, Luna was up and standing next to you.

You smiled when she trotted alongside you towards the living room. By the time you made it to your destination, you were a little tired, but the overwhelming hunger outweighed the tiredness. So, you turned on the TV, before making your way into the kitchen. You grabbed an armful of different snacks and headed back to the living room.

You settled on the couch, the dogs curling into you on each side. You got through half an episode when you heard footsteps coming down the stairs, “What are you doing up? It��s almost 3:30.” Elias rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he made his way over to you on the couch.

“I was hungry, and couldn’t sleep.” You shrugged. He gave you a tired smile and carefully sat down next to you.

“Why didn't you wake me and tell me you were hungry?”

“You looked peaceful, and I just didn’t want to wake you.” You told him.

“I wish you had told me.” He yawned, and you chucked.

“I’ll be sure to do that next time.” You nodded.

"How's baby?" He asked sleepily, leaning his head on your shoulder.

“He doesn’t know when it’s time to play and when it’s time to sleep.” You told him, looking down at your bump and rubbing it.

“And how are you?”

“I’m really tired.” You admitted, looking over at him. When you finally met his eyes, he could see how tired you really were.

He grabbed your hand and pressed a few kisses to it. He grabbed the chip bags surrounding you and took them back to the kitchen. By the time he got back, your eyes were drooping, and you were on the verge of sleep.

“Come on. Let's get you to bed." He got off the couch and helped you get up too. He placed a kiss on your head before leading you down the hallway, back towards your bedroom.

He helped you get situated back in bed, tucking you in and making sure you were comfortable. He then climbed in next to you, "Sleep well." He whispered, caressing your cheek. He made sure you were asleep before he fell asleep.

Your due date was a few days away, and both you and Elias were getting very excited. Every day, you would wake up, and waddle down the stairs where Elias was already making breakfast. You would sit at the kitchen island, and the two of you would talk about the dreams you had the previous night.

You would spend most of the day lounging around the house. Either watching TV, reading books, going for drives, organizing the house again, it was the same thing every day.

Then, after dinner, the two of you would go out for a walk with the dogs. It was really the only outside interaction you would get all day unless you went out to the backyard.

The night was no different. After dinner, you grabbed your jackets and leashed up the dogs. All throughout the day, you had stomach pain. You brushed it off all the time as stomach pain. Elias usually walked ahead because he had quicker strides, but never too far because he was protective.

You were walking in silence when a sharper pain hit you, and you let out a pained noise. That caught Elias' attention, and he whipped around, “What is it? What’s wrong?” He asked, cupping your face with one hand, while his other went down to your stomach.

“I-” Before you could finish, you felt a wave of liquid trickle down your leg, “I think I’m going into labor.” You winced. You looked at him and saw all the color drain from his face, “What are you doing?!” You hit him in the arm when he didn't move, “We gotta go.”

That snapped him out of it, “Come on, baby. Let’s get you to the hospital.” He helped you walk, well waddle, back towards the house, “Breath baby, breath.” He kept telling you and placing kisses on your temple.

“He's beautiful,” Elias whispered as he leaned down over your shoulder to look at the newborn.

“He's perfect.” You smiled at him, cradling your son closer to your chest. Leonardo Michael Pettersson was perfect in every way. When you called and told Brock that you had given Leo his middle name, he almost cried.

Elias had been nothing but supportive throughout the whole process. He waited on you hand and foot, the same way he had all throughout your pregnancy, getting you whatever you asked. He even let you curse at him, and squeeze his hand which was the least he could do.

A few hours after birth, you had fallen asleep, leaving Elias and the baby alone. Elias was sitting in the chair next to your bed without a shirt, cradling little Leo to his chest. He had read somewhere that skin-to-skin contact was good for babies, so he figured he would give it a try. He couldn’t take his eyes off of the little baby.

“We’re so happy you’re here.” He whispered. Leo couldn't understand a word he was saying, but he looked up at him with his big blue eyes. His blue eyes, “We waited so long for you, and now that you’re here, you’re gonna be so spoiled.” He pressed a kiss to his chubby cheek.

“You’re already so loved. You have aunts and uncles who are so excited to meet you.” Somewhere in between his conversation, you started to wake up, but kept your eyes closed, “And of course mommy and I are so happy you’re here.” He added.

You continued to listen to Elias talk to Leo, and it warmed your heart. You knew, from the moment you told him you were pregnant, and he started taking care of you and telling you not to lift a finger, you knew he was gonna be a great father.

And boy were you right.

5 months later, February 2022

After months of waiting, you finally got the clearance for Leo to a game, and Elias was thrilled. You slipped the little Pettersson jersey on him, a surprise Elias didn't know you had in store for him.

You bundled him up in a blanket, and even got a little beanie with the number 40 embroidered on the top of it, "Papa is so excited for tonight, and you probably won't remember anything, but it's such a big night." You whispered as you got Leo ready.

You parked yourself in front of the arena, standing alongside a few of the other girls and their kids, as you waited for the guys to skate out.

When they skated out, Elias did his usual skate around the ice, tossing a few pucks over the glass to a few fans, and shooting at the net a few times, before he finally skated around to where you were standing.

You couldn't help but smile when you saw the smile on his face. His face showed nothing but pride as he watched Leo sleep. He blew you a kiss, then blew a kiss at Leo, who blissfully continued to sleep.

He tossed a puck over and one of the guards standing in front of the ice caught it and handed it over to you, "Thank you." You smiled at the man, slipping it into the bag and gathering your stuff.

After the game, and an OT goal from Elias which he chalked up to dad strength in a post-game interview, you finally met up with him in the parking garage.

"I'm so proud of you." You wrapped him in a hug before he could get into the car, "An overtime goal." You cheered.

"I had my good luck charms with me." He beamed, kissing your head and then kissing Leo's. When he pulled away, he finally noticed the jersey and gaped, "It's the jersey."

"It felt fitting for his first game." You shrugged with a smile.

"It's perfect." He picked up Leo carefully and cradled him to his chest, kissing his head again, "I love you." He leaned down, leaning his forehead against yours.

"I love you, too." You hummed, leaning up to kiss him.

my taglist: @mitch-slap @kolsmikaelson @ashleymarine @typical-simplelove @kidlnthedark @bowen-power @nhlrbs @lam-ila @ghostyjosty @puckinrightschicagoo @stars-canucks @iwantahockeyhimbo @2manytabsopen @owenpowersglasses @calermakar08 @hamilton160 @Pierrelucduboiis @thescooby-gang @huggybearmylove43 @sammysworldddd @corneliaskates @mista-svech @paintlavillered @samanthasgone @hockeyboysarehot @maximoff-xmen @nicoleloveshockey @thedukes-56-5 @nickblankenburgg @andynhl617727 @emma117717 @talksoprettyjjx @hockeyunits @sidcrosbyspuck @tdd2323 @dumbxblond3 @consflame @kaydenissleepy @Yagetintoit @seventieswhore @michellekirby30 @jamieeboulos @Coffeeandteaandflowers @bibella8swan @boqvistsbabe @sophia-bordeleau @plds2000 @luca-fantilli63 @madison-nhl @jayda12 @prisa24 @beccaiscold @calermakar @hockeybae @puckbunnyforsway @its-bitchin-belle-bitches @huggybearhughesy @cole-mcward48 @voidvannie @literatureluster

add yourself to my taglist!

379 notes · View notes

paladin--strait · 5 months ago

Text

paladin's 100 follower celly and new request list!! ✨

ahhh thank you so much for 100 followers! im so happy 🥳 and on my birthday too?? its like a gift 🎁 but, i hope that you guys like these prompts and the people i chose but if you have anybody that you want me to write for or a different prompt you wanna read you can still send it in and i'll see what i can do!

I love you all so much! keep reading to see the prompts and the people for your requests! ⬇️

the people who you request for are referred to as "name" in the prompts. and sorry, but none of these will be NSFW. even though i read it sometimes, im not comfortable with writing it just yet. all fics written will be under the tag "paladin's 100 follower celly!" make sure to check it out and drop a follow to see when a new fic comes out!! ❤️

some will be written in headcanon form and some will be in fic form! but let me know which one you want it in! ❤️

please let me know if you want the reader to be plus size, i'll happily write it for ya!

current request status: temporarily closed to work on current requests!

✨ prompts!! ✨

1 - "I'm sick, don't get near me" "I don't care"

2 - "I want you to meet my parents." "but we just met!"

3 - crying in his arms

4 - him crying in your arms

5 - "listen to me, everything is going to be alright."

6 - "I'll take care of you."

7 - "they didn't deserve you."

8 - sugar baby x sugar daddy

9 - "I'm gonna be here for you whether you like it or not."

10 - bodyguard!(name) x reader

11 - sunshine!reader x (name)

12 - lazy morning

13 - team staff member x (name)

14 - comparing hand sizes

15 - cooking for his team (athletes only)

16 - cooking for his parents

17 - meeting his team (athletes only)

18 - (name) x baker!reader

19 - reader brings cookies or cupcakes for players team after a huge win (athletes only)

20 - reader gets hurt and (name) takes care of them

21 - wearing another players jersey (athletes only)

22 - (name) cooks for reader and it goes terribly wrong

23 - (name) cooks for reader and its good

24 - reader cooks for (name) and it goes terribly wrong

25 - reader cooks for (name) and its good

26 - reader hosts a suprise party for (name)

27 - rival player chirps player about reader, player goes crazy (athletes only)

28 - reader is a ref for the nhl, slowly falls for player (athletes only)

29 - reader cooks for (name)'s friends

30 - reader's child takes a liking to (name)

31 - reader is a storm chaser

32 - reader meets (name)'s pet and the pet loves reader

33 - reader watches an episode of her and (name)'s show without him knowing

34 - (name) comforts reader in a storm

35 - reader and (name) go to a pet store and reader convinces him to buy them a pet

36 - going to the eras tour with them

37 - going to a nba game with them

38 - going to yours/his little siblings sports game

39 - hairstylist!reader / doing his hair

40 - he teaches you how to play hockey (athletes only)

41 - reader compliments their eyes

42 - reader is a florist

43 - reader is a coach for a pee wee team

44 - teacher!reader

45 - coaches daughter

✨ nhl players! ✨

matt rempe

jack hughes

luke hughes

quinn hughes

trevor zegras

jamie drysdale

sidney crosby

cole caufield

nico hischer

timo meier

dawson mercer

andrei svechnikov

arturs silovs

sergei bobrovsky

matthew tkachuk

brady tkachuk

auston matthews

igor shesterkin

connor bedard

jeremey swayman

andrei vasilevskiy

stuart skinner

marc andre fleury

nico daws

jacob markstrom

aleksander barkov

brock boeser

j.t. miller

macklin celebrini

leo carlsson

mason mactavish

david pastrnak

artemi panarin

✨ other fandoms! ✨

tyler owens (twisters)

javi (twisters)

boone (twisters)

daryl dixon (the walking dead)

rick grimes (the walking dead)

carl grimes (the walking dead)

negan smith (the walking dead)

eugene porter (the walking dead)

abraham ford (the walking dead)

(there may be more added later)

15 notes · View notes

swissboyhisch · 2 years ago

Text

That Scar Hurt By The Way

Pairing: Nikita Zadorov x Reader

Summary: In a world where everyone has a soulmate link, you happened to luck out with a pain link.

Word Count: 1424

Warnings: None I think. It is an AU though.

Request: From ANON I need soulmate and or were! fics so bad any player!😍😍🥞🥞

THE MASTERLIST JOIN THE TAGLIST HOCKEY DISCORD

Soulmates. A term used to describe two people who were meant to be with each other. Can be used platonically but more common when referring to romantic relationships.

No-one knows when it began but these days, people were born with a link to their soulmate. There were different links you could have. Marks shared by the two. Person A draws on themselves and it appears on person B. One is singing/listening to a song and the other can hear it. Some have a measure of how much danger their partner is in.

You were born with the pain sharing and matching scars link. Growing up, you’d have random bruises popping up on your body. At random points through the years, you’d feel bursts of pain before the bruises arose. They became more frequent in your later teens and early adulthood. And more painful.

There was one instance in particular that you vividly remember. 7th of November 2019. You were going about your day, teaching one of your grade 10 classes, when you felt something hit you in the face. Your hands flew to your lip. The pain was extensive.

“Miss!” One of the girls shouted as the class watched you hunch over.

“Are you okay?”

You worked up the courage to pull your hands away from your jaw. Blood. And a lot of it. “I–”

“I’m going to get Miss Allen.”

Julie, one of your students, helped you to your desk and handed you the trash can. The pain became too much. Vomiting despite trying to hold it in. Your students whisper, worried about you. The sound of heels rushing to your class made you groan.

“Okay guys,” Lily, your colleague and close friend, called. She clapped her hands to gain the class’ attention. “Can you please make your way next door to Mrs. Harrison’s class. She knows you are coming. Hurry please.”

Lily made her way over to you, towel in hand. You looked up at her. “Hi.”

“Hey, you look like you took a puck to the face,” She jokes.

You hold the towel to your face wound and give her a glare. “Thanks.”

“Let’s get you to the hospital,” Lily states. “I have Hayley covering my class. And Nick is coming to pick up your class.”

15 stitches later and some strong medication helped you push through. That’s the day that won't leave your mind. You now have a permanent scar over your chin and lip that you try to cover daily. Makeup has become your best friend. Since then you have struggled with your self image. Men would cringe away, disgusted, when they saw the scar.

Despite your quite obvious soulmate link, it was years after that event that you had met him. Nikita Zadorov. A Russian NHL defenseman for the Calgary Flames. Six foot five. Brown hair. Chocolate brown eyes.

You moved to Canada to teach recently. Better pay. Calgary to be precise. And one day at the end of the school year, you had to cover for a PE class. You were told it was going to be an easy cover since there were a couple guests coming to talk to the grade 10 group. A couple of hockey players. Sure, you had watched hockey but not to a crazy extent. The class though… excitement. It was all they have been talking about for weeks. God forbid having these students after this period.

“I have your guests here,” One of the office ladies called as she entered the gym.

In walked three guys wearing Calgary Flames merch. You smile, offering your hand and name.

“Tyler Toffoli.”

“Jacob Markstrom.”

Then he stepped forward. I mean it was hard not to notice him. But the first thing that caught your eye was the scar on his jaw. One that happened to match yours. “Nikita Zadorov.”

“Hi…” Before you could shake his hand or say anything else the students started coming in. “Guys come sit down and you’ll get to talk to them at the end of class.”

“And signatures?” One of the boys asked.

“Yes. And signatures.”

You got to sit at the back watching over the students and observing. You needed to find out more about the tall defenseman. Without you noticing either, Zadorov kept glancing at you. The class finally got to question time where they were firing off all types of questions, about hockey, about the team. But one piqued your interest.

“How did you get that scar?” One of the students asked Zadorov.

The man chuckled, “I got a puck to the face back at the start of the 2019-2020 season.”

Thanks to his words, you were thrown back into that memory. The pain. The healing process. You were basically 100% sure he was your soulmate. But there was one way of confirming it. Pain. A pinch to your arm. Nothing too extreme but it was enough to make him jump in surprise. One that you noticed.

The bell rang, indicating the end of the period and the start of lunch. The students finally left, and you went forward to thank them for coming in. They were staying for the last period to talk to another class, but you wouldn’t be covering.

“Thank you for today. The kids loved it,” You hummed. “It was an honour.”

“I don’t want to be annoying, but do you have a scar on your lip?” Toffoli asked.

It caught you out. Too nervous to say anything. “I mean yeah, I got it years ago. Puck to the face. You know the drill.” You didn’t mean to say the puck bit, but you couldn’t think of any other excuse. Bloody Lily and her joke.

“Same as me,” Zadorov smiled.

“Yeah…”

“Soulmates,” Markstrom grinned.

Zadorov pinches himself without you realising. You didn’t jump but you rubbed where he pinched. “You are my soulmate.”

“I think so… That scar hurt by the way.”

Neither of you could believe it. Your soulmate.

“Can I see it?” Zadorov asked shyly. He remembered how badly it hurt. To know you also felt it. God that hurt him more than the actual injury. “The scar I mean.”

You guided him to your class where you could have the conversation in private. The other two dropped off at the staff room for some lunch. You sat down at your desk and pulled out your makeup wipes. Using your phone camera as a mirror, you wiped off your makeup covering the scar.

“May I?”

After agreeing, Zadorov’s hand comes to cup your jaw. Sparks filled your bodies, the soulmate touch. So gentle. Lightly ghosting your skin. His thumb grazed the scar. The dented lines across your lips and down your chin. One scar matching his.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispers, feeling his heart break once more.

When it first happened, he was aware that his soulmate was experiencing this at the same time. The pain accelerated because of this knowledge. Every time he looked in the mirror, he imagined what it would look like on another person. His soulmate. But to finally see it on them, the pain returned. He did this to you.

You smile softly, “It’s okay.”

“15 stitches,” he muttered.

“7th November 2019.”

Zadorov, still cupping your jaw, leaned in. Pressing his forehead to yours. “Tell me about it.”

“I was teaching back in Anchorage. End of the day. A grade 10 class. They’re probably scarred for life. Just feeling that sudden pain, hunching over covering my lip and jaw. But that pain had me vomiting. My friend had to take me to hospital. She even made a joke that it was like I took a puck to the face.”

“Well, you did,” Zadorov offers, “Kind of, anyway.”

Your class door opened and there stood your favourite colleague with Toffoli and Markstrom behind her. “When they said Zadorov had met his soulmate and it was the PE teacher, was a little shocked thinking it was Mr. Paulson for a hot sec.”

“Yes Big Z,” Toffoli grinned, messing with the defenseman’s hair.

Zadorov pushed his teammate away with a roll of his eyes. “Leave us alone.”

“Can’t do sadly, bell is about to go so we have to head to the gym.”

You got an expectant look which made you shake your head. “I’m not covering for the next class. I have one of my own.”

“Can I see you after?” Zadorov asked.

“I hope you’d want to,” You laugh.

“Out of all the soulmate links to have, we have this. But I’m thankful it’s you.”

TAG LIST:

@findapenny @mp0625 @hischierhaze @11zegras @lvrzegras @francesfarhadi @cixrosie @daisysthings

103 notes · View notes

matthewtkachuk · 3 years ago

Text

runner - jacob markstrom

Fear of commitment threatens to end you and Jacob before you've even properly begun, but not if Jacob has anything to say about it

pairing: jacob markstrom x reader

warnings: commitment issues, self-reflection disguised as fic, mentions of mental illness (vague, but its there!), do i really need to put angst as a warning anymore?

word count: 1.1k

a/n: this was written for my beloved @danglesnipecelly last summer when she was sad because i love her and would take a bullet for her. @antoineroussel told me to post it before ordering pizza and doing the dishes, but i don't listen well so i ordered food first <3 to my beloved readers and anons...ily. also i've never seen this gif before and it makes me wanna d*e but in a h*rny way

You’re a runner.

Not in the traditional sense, no. You never ran track, never beat anyone in the hundred meter or any number of meters for that matter. Never tried out for cross country, don’t have a trophy or a medal.

But you’ve been running since you were fifteen. From your home life, from your friendship dramas, from your own destructive internal monologue, from every boy who has ever told you sweet little lies. Commitment isn’t something you’ve been good with. Expectations placed on you from a young age coupled with terrible coping mechanisms and declining mental health: only a few in the long list of reasons why settling down with the same person for the rest of your life is so terrifying.

And so you hadn’t - settled down, that is; throughout the years, you ran through men like mani-pedi nail colors. Giving them a glimpse of you, enough of you to entice them and bring them to your bed and sometimes even into your life for a time. But never had you let someone get in close enough to see who you really are, or even close enough for enough time to begin to scratch at the surface.

Until Jacob.

Until six foot whatever of handsome and kindness and pure, unadulterated joy steps off the plane in Calgary and right into your heart. As a good friend of Annica’s and with your parents on the other side of the country, you’re invited to join her and Elias and their new guest for Christmas celebrations. You don’t expect much more than amazing food and the familiar feeling of being the redundant third wheel of a fully functional bicycle. That’s the thing about Jacob, though, from the minute you met him until the very last you'd let yourself know him, he shattered every expectation you had.

Despite his own quiet nature and initial shyness, the two of you catch on like a house on fire - burning quickly and brightly, leaving Elias and Annica to feel like the outsider looking in on something special. You let him kiss you that first night and you don’t stop letting him. It’s laughter that lasts long enough that your sides hurt, silly grins and lingering touches, conversations that make you feel like you’ve known him your entire life and not a few short days. Christmas comes and goes and you leave that apartment with a beautiful bracelet from Annica and a new number in your phone with the promise of something more weighing heavily on your heart.

Jacob’s confident but never cocky, never so sure of himself that it comes at the expense of your feelings. He is nothing if not respectful of your boundaries, never pushing to a point that’s invasive, but not content to let you sit in your negative feelings when they come. It’s like a sixth sense, the way he comes around just when you need him to. There’s never a real formal conversation about the feelings that twist and twine between the two of you like the ribbon of the gifts you’d brought the Christmas you’d met. Yet you find yourself in his bed, and in his arms, and in his jersey waiting at the end of every home game all the same. It’s you he falls into and you he calls on the road and you who comes to mean more to him than he ever thought possible.

It’s also you who gets scared.

There is never a real formal conversation about your feelings but you find yourself in love with him all the same. All your life you’d run, keeping men at arm’s length and never an inch closer and yet here had come this beautiful Swede and shattered your walls alongside your expectations. From everything you’d ever known about love, everything you’d ever read or been told, love was supposed to be this beautiful, freeing, all-encompassing feeling. There’s nothing freeing about the panic in your chest as you take in the apartment you’ve all but moved into without a single discussion. There’s no freedom in your toothbrush alongside his, your shoes in the entryway, or your keys on the counter. Nor the books on the nightstand on your side of the bed that you still haven't gotten around to reading, or the flowers you’d dried and pressed between their pages.

He’s never actually asked you for something more, but you love him and there are pieces of you all over this apartment and it’s all too much. It’s all too much and so you do the only thing you’ve ever been good at.

You run.

It’s surprisingly easy to pack the pieces of you that litter the apartment. You’re as quick as you can be, knowing Jacob could return at any moment, but it’s not enough

“What are you doing?” His voice cuts through the silence and your own internal monologue that you’ve been struggling with for hours. It’s almost comical, because what other reason would you have for your suitcase open on his bed with everything you had ever brought into this apartment haphazardly shoved within. He must come to the conclusion on his own, because his next words are: “Please, stay.” It’s so honest, so earnest, it stops you right in your tracks. You don’t turn around, don’t really trust yourself to.

“Jacob-” It’s barely his name that escapes your lips, more of a wounded noise barely resembling the syllables.

“I don’t know what’s going on in that pretty little mind of yours but just stay and we can talk this through.” He sounds so sure, so confident in the words he speaks that you hesitate for a moment.

Because no man has ever fought for you like this, content to accept the pieces of you that you offered and moving along when you no longer offered them. You should have known that Jacob would be different, that he was different. No one had ever managed to get this close, even your closest friends were still kept inches from you. Only Jacob had infiltrated your defenses with a vigor and a covertness that you’d never seen it coming until he was firmly pressed against you.

“Talk to me, baby, please,” he all but begs. Every part of your brain screams at you to ignore the plea, to finish shoving your things inside that suitcase and go. But your heart, your traitorous heart that beats for him and him alone whispers to you, calls to you. What if? What if this time you don’t go. What if this time you open your heart and lay out your every insecurity for him to see and judge.

You’re a runner, but this time you hang up your running shoes and face life head on as you sit beside him on the large sectional and let him in.

#nhl fic #nhl imagine #nhl imagines #nhl blurb #jacob markstrom fic #jacob markstrom imagine #jacob markstrom imagines #jacob markstrom blurb #jacob markstrom x reader #shelb writes

184 notes · View notes

matsbarzal · 3 years ago

Note

can I please request nsfw 14 with Jacob Markstrom?

nsfw 14. "seeing you with their baby... god the things it did to me."

pairing: jacob markstrom x fem!reader word count: 1.5k warning: minors DNI, 18+, nsfw, smut, bit of a breeding kink if you squint

Jacob knew he was screwed the moment he watched Gio’s wife place their baby in your arms. Jacob knew he was doomed when he watched her wrap her small fist around your index finger, eager to hold on for as long as she could.

You had spent a large duration of the evening with her cuddled into your chest, weaving your way in and out of the groupings of people as she held on. Jacob had found himself peering at you every chance he could get, watching as you interacted with people, helped set up things and held the baby in your arms simultaneously. To put it into words, he couldn’t keep his eyes or his mind off you the entire night.

When the party was finally dwindling down and people were slowly showing themselves out, he was quick to find you handing the baby off, a small peck to her head and a tiny tickle to her arm. He said a quick goodbye to all the teammates he could find before placing his hand at the bottom of your back, directing you towards the car he had parked hours before.

“Did you have fun tonight?” Nodding your head towards him, you smiled brightly as you reminisced on your night.

“Wouldn’t have spent it any differently. Sad when I realized it was probably Gio and Laur’s goodbye party, especially with the draft coming up, but guess we’ll find out.”

Pursuing his lips slightly at your words, Jacob hummed as he focused on the road in front of him. He still couldn’t get the picture of you holding Gio and Lauren’s baby out of his head, his knuckles turning white as he gripped onto the steering wheel, the speed of the car picking up the closer and closer the two of you got to your home.

It wasn’t that the topic of kids hadn’t come up in the past year, far from it, the topic had come up more than once, the two of you agreeing that it would happen when it happened. You weren’t actively trying to prevent it, but you also weren’t consistently trying to make it a reality, and Jacob didn’t realize how much he wanted that life for the both of you until tonight.

You could see the stiffness in your boyfriend’s arms, the white of his knuckles and the sternness of his face as he finally pulled into your driveway, a look of concern crossing your face as you observed him.

“Everything okay?”

Humming, Jacob nodded his head as he tried to loosen the tenseness in his body, a serene smile crossing his face as he looked over at you. “Course, just ready to get inside.”

Nodding your head in understanding, you followed his lead as he made his way out of the car and towards the garage of your home. You were pulled out of your thoughts when you felt him pull your body flush against his, a hungry look evident in his eyes.

“Seeing you with their baby… God the things it did to me,” groaning as he nuzzled your neck, peppering it with little kisses and small bites. You felt the butterflies instantly erupt inside of you as Jacob eagerly pushed his thigh in between yours.

“Oh really?” Humming in confirmation, he continued his assault on your neck, his hands pushing up the sides of your shirt as he gently began to knead the skin, slowly making his way further up.

“Why don’t we go make one of our own then, hm?”

Pulling back from you almost instantaneously, Jacob gave you a look of confusion before a small smirk begin to take over his lips at the seriousness of your face and the comment you had just dropped. Before you even had time to think, he was grabbing your arm and pulling you up the stairs and towards your bedroom.

The moment the door shut behind you, your back was pressed against it and Jacob’s lips were on yours, hungrily swallowing every moan and groan you made into his mouth as his thigh once again slotted in between yours. You could feel your body grinding down against him, his thigh moving slowly back and forth, urging you to press down and grind against it.

Your hands were in his hair, lightly tugging on the ends as Jacob slowly peppered kisses down your chin, to your neck and eventually to the valley in between your breasts. He made quick work of your shirt and bra, his hands instantly cupping them as his lips continued to press kisses down.

He barely gave you a moment to think before his hands were moving and his mouth was replacing their previous spot, his lips wrapping around your nipple as his tongue gently flicked back and forth. His now free hands slowly caressed down your stomach, effortlessly popping the button and tugging the pants down your legs.

Quickly kicking them off, Jacob moved his head so that his lips could wrap around the opposite nipple as his fingers snaked their way to the apex of your thighs. An evident grin crossing his face at your reaction, your body bucking towards the feeling of his fingers gently pushing your panties to the side and sliding a digit through your folds.

“Oh, someone’s a little wet, hm? Didn’t take long to get you all hot and bothered, baby,” quirking an eyebrow towards him, you moved your own hand to gently palm at the obvious tent in his shorts, a large smirk crossing your face.

“You’re one to talk, baby.”

Rolling his eyes, Jacob barely gave you a moment to breath before he was dropping down to his knees, one of your legs instantly thrown over his shoulder as he pushed your panties completely to the side. The first swipe of his tongue through your folds had you groaning, and the first touch of his tongue to your clit had you gripping his hair in your hands, trying to push him even closer.

Jacob obviously got the memo.

Pushing a digit into you, his tongue eagerly began its repetitive motions against your clit in rhythm with the finger that was pumping in and out of you. His tongue flicked against you, his lips eagerly pressing against your folds as he lapped at your pussy, the small groans falling from his lips sending instant shivers up your spine and pushing you closer and closer to that peak that you knew was coming.

Jacob knew you were getting close, the tighter and tighter you gripped his hair an obvious indication of how close you were getting. The orgasm ripped out of you, your body shaking as he attempted to hold it in place against the door and continue his ministrations until you came down from your high.

Pulling back from you, the Swede placed a gentle kiss against your pelvis as he moved up, a large grin on his face. He basically tossed you on the bed, his hands making quick work of his shirt and shorts as he crawled on the bed behind you, a predatory glint in his eyes.

“You ready to make a baby, pretty girl? Want me to finally put a baby in you, hm?”

All you could do was nod at his words, the euphoria from your orgasm just minutes before still taking over your head.

“Please, baby. Please fuck me, please.”

Obliging, he pushed your legs open and slowly pressed the tip of his cock to your clit, running his member through your folds as he attempted to coat himself in your wetness. Pressing himself to the front of you hole, you both groaned as he pushed himself all the way in. His lips met yours in a heated kiss as his lower body began to move, not wanting to waste any time or effort.

Every pump, every push, every thrust had you groaning into his mouth, your nails eagerly pressing into his back as the man above you moaned.

“Gonna make you all mine, pretty girl. Give you everything I have ta’ give,” his thrusts were becoming more erratic the quicker his pace picked up, the groans falling into your lips as your tongues battled for dominance.

You felt his body stutter, his pelvis pressing against yours as a long-winded groan fell from his lips, his fists digging into the sheets behind your head as he rode his high down. You felt his body slowly deflate as he allowed his weight to lightly drop on top of you, his head pressed against the pillow beside yours as he tried to regain his breath.

Jacob stayed like that for a moment before moving, his cock slipping out of you as he gently flopped himself down beside you, reaching over to the nightstand to grab the box of tissues so he could help clean you up.

“Think that one’s gonna do the trick?”

Shrugging your shoulders, you just smiled as you gently weaved your hands through his hair while he cleaned up between your thighs.

“Even if it wasn’t, we can keep tryin’.”

note: i truly could not stop thinking about this one so i HAD to write it. marky could do whatever he wanted to me whenever he wanted so <3 hope you enjoy!! thank you for sending one in <3 this all ended up a lil longer than a blurb but w/e

#jacob markstrom #nhl fic #nhl blurb #nhl drabble #nhl imagine #hockey fic #hockey blurb #hockey drabble #hockey imagine #jacob markstrom x reader #jacob markstrom fic #jacob markstrom blurb #hockey writing #nhl writing #jacob markstrom imagine #nhl smut #hockey smut #minors dni

192 notes · View notes

literaryslapshot · 3 years ago

Note

“Take me back” and “I’ll take care of you” w Marky!!

contains: a n g s t, cuss words, gn reader

#there weren't a lot of things that jacob hated. but there were a few that he hated, and he thought about them every day. he hated that he lived so close to you- within walking distance. he hated that every day, to and from the arena, he passed by your house. he hated that every day he was reminded of the heartbreak he caused you, and himself. so, in a way, he hated himself most of all.

so, jacob had decided he had enough. he had enough of what he had done to you, had enough of reminding himself of how he messed up, and had enough of reliving it every day. jacob decided he was going to go over to your place and spill his heart out to you, something he was good at. (that was one thing you had to commend jacob on, he was always good at sharing his feelings).

after downing a couple shots of liquid courage, he walked out his front door and walked the block from his front door to yours. the cold calgary air biting at his skin and blowing through his body, some snow spitting out of the clouds and falling onto the ground.

he finds himself on your front porch, scared to ring the doorbell. he knows you're home, it's before nine on a friday. he knows you don't have work on fridays and you prefer to stay home on your days off, but he also knows that you still wake up early because you're used to it.

he eventually rings the doorbell and feels his heart rate incline. when the door opens he sees you, in a large sweatshirt and a pair of pajama pants that you've had for so long they have shrunk in size and have a few holes around the hips. you have a pair of fuzzy socks on, ones that don't match. he's reminded of the many mornings that he woke up to this very sight, or the times where he would walk through your front door and you're sleeping on the couch wearing baggy- but warm, sleeping clothes.

"hi," he says, bright blue eyes looking down at you. he tries to figure out what you're thinking, what thoughts you have going on behind those eyes of yours. he stuffs his hands into the pockets of his flames hoodie, keeping eye contact with you.

you step aside, allowing him to walk into the warmth of your house in order to get out of the cold winter air. you know why he's here, though. you were honestly surprised it took him this long to make his way down to you. having been broken up almost a month now, you expected him wanting to talk with you two weeks ago.

"i want to talk, if that's okay with you." he says respectfully. jacob somehow always seemed to make his large, six foot six frame seem incredibly small. even though he towered over you, you never felt intimidated around him.

"yeah, that's fine." you responded, walking past him into your kitchen to continue making breakfast. he sat down at your kitchen table, pulling out a chair and watching you do your thing. he didn't know where to start, he knew what he had to say but at the same time, he didn't know what to say at all. the words were on the tip of his tongue but his tongue was tied.

"i'm sorry, Y/N." he starts, slouching in the wooden chair and watching you as you moved throughout the kitchen. "i know, i've already told you that over the phone, but i wanted to say it in person. i'm sorry for what i did to you, for how i treated you, for everything i didn't do."

jacob admitted to his wrongs. that's one thing you were waiting on, admitting that he wasn't the best boyfriend. he was a great guy, but sometimes he wasn't the best boyfriend. he was forgetful at times, could be a little chippy, and he would at times be a little lazy when it came to boyfriend things.

but you were willing to be forgiving. you were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, you couldn't imagine the mindset of being a professional athlete and how many things that he has on his mind. at some point you had to draw a line. maybe it was a right person wrong time, with jacob. but he wasn't willing to accept that fate.

"but, i came here to ask you to take me back." you were a little stunned at his plea. you thought that your ship had sailed with him, hence why it took him a month to come see you in person. he had done a skillful job ad avoiding you, considering you lived about three hundred feet away from each other.

he stands up and steps closer to you, leaning back against the island. you turn around and bite your lip nervously, making eye contact with him. he's sincere, he meant every word he said.

"take me back, and i'll treat you like you deserve. i'll take care of you, i'll be there for you. i'll be a good boyfriend, i'll go to all of the things and be at all of the work parties. i'll do it." his tone is desperate and his body language is fragile. he looks like he's going to fall apart at any given moment. the bags under his eyes can speak for that.

"jacob i-"

"i know that i messed up. i know i was a dick and i know that after i was a complete and total dick to you, you probably don't want me anymore. but i want you so bad, Y/N. i want you more than anything. i miss you, so bad."

you're conflicted. you miss him too. you miss his warmth in the morning underneath the sheets, and how he would pull you against him with his long arms. you miss his commentary during movies that you never asked for, but you always liked no matter how many times you say you didn't. you miss the way he would hug you, how he always waited until you let go first to drop his arms. you missed everything about him.

but on the other hand, you remember how he left you. he left you, a sobbing broken mess. without a warning in the world he broke your heart and left. you remember the tears you poured out over that man, the many wine bottles and taylor swift albums you went through because of the hurt he caused you.

"i don't know, jacob. i don't know if i can, right now." you respond, turning the burner off and putting your pan of scrambled eggs on the back burner to cool for a minute. you turn around and are met with a somber look from jacob, his eyes have turned a little darker and a light frown had come upon his face. "but... i might be willing to work on it a little bit."

"yeah?" he responded, standing up straight and putting his hands back into his hoodie pocket. you nodded your head and turned back around to pour the eggs onto a plate. "can... can i hug you?"

without hesitation you wrapped your arms around his middle, and he dipped his head to rest on top of your own. it was the most complete you've felt in a long time, feeling the warmth of his body against yours. hearing his heartbeat as your head rested against his chest.

though you might not be sure about getting back with jacob for the moment, you can be fine with just working on things for now.

blurb tags: @nylwnder @lorrmorr @owenpowerstapejob

#j's writing #jacob markstrom #jacob markstrom imagine #jacob markstrom x reader #nhl imagine #hockey imagine #calgary flames

90 notes · View notes

typical-simplelove · 4 years ago

Text

You All Along (J. Markstrom)

Author's Note: While celebrating 200 followers, I did a blurb weekend and wrote a blurb with the prompt: I didn't know where else to go with Jacob Markstrom. I loved the blurb so much that I decided to expand on it. This is the blurb if you haven't read it yet. It isn't embedded into the fic, but it is mentioned. Enjoy!

Warnings: cheating, broken engagements, heartache

Word Count: 11.6k

Additional Note: I didn't give a name to the ex-fiance; she is just referred to as "she", so if you see the pronoun she, then it's about the ex-fiance. Additionally, all italicized lines are in the POV of Jacob.

You and Jacob have been friends for as long as he’s been in Vancouver. You met him when you were on a night out with some friends. He was on his own and looking kind of sad. You walked over to him and introduced yourself hoping to make him happier. Instantly, he thought you were trying to sleep with him. When you told him he looked like he needed a friend, he let out a breath of relief. From there a beautiful friendship formed. You spent every single possible free moment together. As time went on, you began to develop feelings for him. Your friends looked at you the day after you realized how you felt and knew you finally realized yourself. They tried talking you into telling him how you felt. You always told them, though, that the reason your friendship blossomed was that he never had to worry about you falling in love with him. You didn’t want to lose his friendship, so you kept your feelings to yourself.

You watched Jacob date other women. At first, it was just casual dates and hookups here and there. However, when he met her, you knew it wasn’t casual. You watched Jacob fall head over heels for this woman, and she did the same. Unfortunately, you were standing on the side watching your best friend fall in love while you stood on the sidelines. For years, you watched them be all cute and lovey; you told people that you were fine and over him. You tried to be fine. Your best friend was happy, so shouldn’t you be happy, too?

A few months before Jacob got traded to Calgary, you got a new job. A new job in Calgary. You wanted to have Jacob over for dinner to tell him. He showed up at your apartment with his girlfriend in tow. You weren’t expecting her, too, but it made sense considering they were together. When you opened your door, you were met with big smiles on her and Jacob’s faces. You welcomed them, handed them a glass of wine, and immediately, she showed you her left hand. She’s engaged! You were shocked. You should have expected it considering they’ve been together for many years, but you thought Jacob would tell you.

You put a smile on your face and congratulated them. You ended up not telling them about your new job because you didn’t want to upstage them. You put a smile on your face and conducted a successful dinner party. When she and Jacob left that evening, you closed the door and broke down in tears. It was official, then. You truly had no possibility of ever being with Jacob. He was getting married, and you were in love with him.

You ended up taking the job and moving to Calgary. Jacob tried to talk you out of it, but later on, he retracted his statement. He didn’t say why, but you think that his fiance asked him to. As you began to observe the changes in their relationship, you noticed how she began to be controlling in the relationship. You wanted to say something, but you didn’t think Jacob would notice or listen to you because he was hopelessly in love with her.

When Jacob called you saying that he was being traded to Calgary, you were happy for him. In the months you were in Calgary, you felt you were over him. However, when you saw him for the first time standing on the front porch of his new house, you knew you were lying to yourself. You went home and cried. You weren’t sure how long you could pretend to be fine with the wedding and not having Jacob in the way you wanted.

You watched from the sidelines as Jacob and his fiance worked to plan the wedding of their dreams. You watched as she became a bit more controlling as each day went on. Somehow, she might have caught on to your feelings because she loved to flash her ring around. You put on a good facade that was worthy of an Oscars nomination.

You tried your hardest to put yourself out there and get over Jacob, but every date you went on, you were always comparing them to Jacob without knowing it. You did try; however, you knew that it was hopeless. Jacob was the person for you. He always would be. You felt bad stringing these men along, so you opted to stop dating for the time being until you could figure out how to coexist and co-date with the feelings you had for Jacob.

. . .

It was one week before the wedding when everything blew up in Jacob’s face. He thought they were happy; he thought she was also ready for forever. Turns out, she wasn’t. She was in the shower, and her phone was blowing up with texts and calls. He was trying to focus on a book you told him about, but her phone was bothering him, so he went to turn off the ringer. However, he paled at what he saw. What was he supposed to do? Was he supposed to ignore it? Does he confront her? Thankfully, though, she walks out of the bathroom in her towel and catches Jacob holding her phone.

“What’re you doing?” she asks in a tone that was a mix of accusation and nervousness.

“I was going to turn off your ringer because it was bothering me, but turns out, you’re cheating on me,” Jacob says blatantly.

She doesn’t meet his eye, but she also doesn’t deny anything.

“So, nothing to say?”

“What was I supposed to do, Jacob? You have Yn! You both have a connection that I can never match or be a part of! You’re too close. I was feeling sad and angry, and I needed someone.”

“So you went to someone else?” Jacob angrily says. “We’re getting married. You’re supposed to tell me when you have issues or problems like this.”

“You don’t think I tried?”

“If you tried then we wouldn’t be having this conversation. If you told me how you felt, then I’d have tried to limit my time with Yn and focus on you. Like it or not, you and I agreed on forever. Yn and I won’t always be forever. At one point, she’ll get married. You have to tell me these things!”

She scoffs at Jacob. “It doesn’t matter if she might be getting married one day because she probably won’t.”

“What? Why would you say that?”

“You’re both too close! The connection you have is ridiculous to ever get between. It’s like you both are together, and I’m standing on the sidelines. Jacob, I tried to slowly take her out of your life, but she’s always there.”

“What do you mean you tried to take her out of my life?” Jacob is getting angry now. You were his best friend, so anyone who said anything bad about you was automatically bad news to him.

“I can’t marry you if she’s in your life. I tried to limit her interactions with you as much as possible, but still, you found a way for her to be in your life regardless of what I wanted.”

“I didn’t know that you felt this way because you didn’t tell me! If you felt this way, why didn’t you say something?”

“I thought she’d back off knowing she can’t have you because I’m with you, but she was still there.”

“What do you mean back off?”

“You mean to tell me that you don’t know that Yn has feelings for you? She’s head over heels for you, and you don’t know?”

“No, you’re wrong,” Jacob denies. There’s no way, right?

“No, I’m right. She has feelings for you, and I think deep down, so do you. Every time she calls you saying she needs you, you’re always right there at her beck and call. Do you know the number of times that you’ve changed our plans to be there for her? You’re supposed to be canceling plans with her for me, not vice versa. Jacob, I tried to take her out of your life, but she’s always there because you refuse to let her leave.”

“Why would I want my best friend to leave? Also, I think we’re missing the fact that you cheated on me!”

“Like you never cheated on me with Yn.”

“I never did,” Jacob retorts, and she just scoffs in response. “You know why? Because I’m in love with you! I’m marrying you, not Yn!”

“You still want to marry me?” she asks softly.

Jacob doesn’t answer. Does he want to marry her anymore? She cheated and admitted to trying to control his life by taking you out.

“You have two options,” she says. “You pick me, and we get married. I’ll end whatever relationship I have with him, but you don’t get Yn in your life. You don’t get to talk to her, call her, or do anything with her. You stop talking to her cold turkey. Or, you leave me.”

“What? Why would you do that to me?”

“I can’t compete with Yn to be the number one woman in your life.”

“There is no competition because you are the number one woman in my life.”

She scoffs. “As much as I want to believe that, it’s not true.”

Jacob goes silent. She’s not wrong though. Even though she was number one in his life, you were close behind. He could always count on her, but he knew you’d be there no matter what for him. You’d never make him choose. “I’m not picking because there’s no reason to. Yn doesn’t have feelings for me.”

“Answer this, then. In the seven years that you’ve known Yn, has she ever had a relationship that lasted longer than six months?”

Jacob ponders the question briefly. No, you haven’t had any relationships that have lasted longer than six months. He never thought anything of it, though. You always told him that the person wasn’t what you wanted, or you didn’t like him like that. He never thought it had anything to do with him. It didn’t, he thought to himself. You don’t have feelings for him. “Why are you trying so hard to prove this point when it’s not right?”

“So, no, right? Jacob, why can’t you see it? She’s in love with you, and whether or not you realize it, you’re in love with her, too. Deep down, it was always her. It always will be.”

“I’m not picking you or Yn because there is no choice to be made. I love you and want to marry you. If you still want that, then I can find a way to get past the infidelity and everything said here.”

“I can’t. I can’t be with you anymore. I can’t be with you knowing that you know she loves you, and you refuse to do anything about it. I’m not marrying you. I can’t marry you. She’ll always be first in your heart, and I can’t compete with that.”

Jacob nods. “I understand. You can have the house; I’ll sell my rights to you.”

“No, you take the house. You have roots in Calgary; I don’t.”

“Okay, you can stay here for the next few weeks until you figure things out and move out.”

“Where will you go?” she asks.

Jacob shrugs. “I’m not sure.” In reality, though, he knows where he’s going. He’s going to you because he knows he can always count on you.

“That’s bullshit. You’re going to Yn.”

“Goodbye,” Jacob says as he walks out the door with only his wallet, phone, and keys in tow.

. . .

It was one week before Jacob’s wedding when you felt you finally figured it out. You figured out how to ignore the nagging thoughts that the person you were on a date with wasn’t Jacob. You finally figured it out. Sure, maybe it was partially because you haven’t seen him in a month. After all, he was busy, but still, progress is progress.

You had it figured out until Jacob knocked on your door at three in the morning. He knocks telling you he had nowhere else to go. You let him in, and he tells you that she cancelled the wedding. They aren’t getting married next week. Jacob begins rambling on, but you tell him just to ignore it all right now. Take the night to relax and try to calm down. You’ll both deal with the after-effects of the wedding being cancelled in the morning. You lead Jacob into your bedroom to sleep. He insisted on sleeping on the couch, but you both knew that he was way too big for it. You fell asleep that night with Jacob holding you as you fell asleep. You sighed in content. This was the way it was supposed to be.

. . .

As you quickly fell asleep, Jacob couldn’t sleep. He lied to you. He told you that the reason he and his fiance ended the engagement was because of his travel. He thinks you would have called out his lie knowing that she and Jacob have been together for five years. One would think that after being together for five years, the travel wouldn’t be a deal-breaker anymore. How was Jacob supposed to tell you that the reason he isn’t getting married anymore was because of you? How was he supposed to tell you that you were the reason he was in your bed? How was he supposed to wrap his mind around the fact that you might have feelings for him?

His thoughts were immediately halted when you shift around in the bed slightly and lean closer into Jacob. A wide smile crosses his face. Suddenly, though, one thought is coursing through his mind: was she right? Did you have feelings for him? Why did Jacob feel like all his worries slipped away when he walked into your apartment? Why did Jacob feel so much more comfortable holding you than he ever did holding her? Why did he feel more comfortable in your home than he did his own with her? Why did he love the smell of your perfume more than he did hers? Why did he love the feel of you against his body more than he ever did hers? Why wasn’t he more upset about his broken engagement? Why wasn’t he more worried about what would happen in the morning? Did he waste his time with her when you were always there?

. . .

Jacob woke up to an empty bed the next morning. Momentarily, he forgot about the broken engagement. He remembered the events the previous night, though, when he turns over and is met with your cream sheets instead of his grey sheets. He gets out of your bed and walks into the kitchen where you’re sitting there with a bowl of cereal. You left an empty bowl for him sitting there in the event you wanted some. He poured a bowl of cereal and sat next to you.

“Morning,” he says to you.

You nod. “Your mom called me.”

“Why did my mom call you?”

You just look at him with a peculiar, knowing look in your eyes.

“Oh, broken engagement, right.”

“Care to tell me why the engagement is broken?” you ask. He looks at you. He didn’t want to. The same thought went through his head. How is he supposed to tell you that you were the reason the engagement was broken?

“She couldn’t take the travel anymore,” he lies.

You nod. “Okay.”

Jacob knows that you know he lied. He’s grateful, though, that you didn’t call him out on it. He isn’t sure what he’d do if you called him out on it.

He was lying. You knew he was lying, and you weren’t sure why. He told you when he woke you up that it was the distance. You let that lie go knowing that he was probably going through a lot. However, when Jacob’s mom called you that morning saying she heard about the broken engagement, she wanted your opinion. You aren’t sure what Jacob’s ex-fiance told her, but she didn’t tell Jacob’s mom what Jacob told you. Jacob’s mom didn’t believe you when you told her it was the travel, but you were grateful that she didn’t call you out on your lie. What were you supposed to say? Jacob wasn’t telling you what happened, and you weren’t going to press him for any information he didn’t want to give you.

When you told him that his mother called, you knew he was shocked. “I know you wanted to be the one to tell your mother, but you didn’t get the chance to. You should call her back.”

Jacob nods. “Yeah, I’ll do that.”

“Just out of curiosity, how long do you think it will take for her to move out of the house?”

“Already want me gone?” Jacob teases and flashes you his signature grin that makes your heart skip a beat.

“No, no, I’m just asking.”

“I know, I’m only teasing. I told her to take as much time as she needed, but I can go and stay with Elias or go to a hotel.”

“You don’t have to do that,” you reply. “You can stay with me. I don’t have a spare bedroom, but you can take my bed, and I’ll take the couch.”

“You don’t have to do that. I don’t want to take you out of your bed.”

“I mean, unless you don’t mind sharing a bed with me then it’s fine then,” you know that sharing a bed with Jacob for a few weeks will make your feelings skyrocket through the roof. You don’t know if you’ll ever be able to get over him.

“That’s perfectly fine with me.”

You nod. “You should call your mom.”

Jacob nods and picks up his phone to call his mom. You could get through a few weeks without breaking your facade right?

. . .

“I don’t believe you, Jacob,” Jacob’s mother tells him.

“What do you mean you don’t believe me?” Jacob asks exasperated. He was hoping his mother wouldn’t call him out on the lie he was telling.

“I don’t believe you because it doesn’t seem likely that distance would be an issue in a five-year relationship. Also, she didn’t tell me distance.”

“What did she say?”

“She told me you both grew apart. Is that true? Jacob, I’ll know when you’re lying to me, and so will Yn, so don’t lie to her either.”

“I have to lie to her,” Jacob blurts out. Shit, he shouldn’t have said that.

“What happened?”

Jacob looks out of the door to where you’re still sitting at the kitchen counter from where he’s sitting on your bed. He walks over off your bed and closes the door. He doesn’t want you hearing this part of the conversation.

“This conversation stays between us, okay?”

“Yes, yes, you’re making me worried.”

“Yeah, well. Okay, so, where do I begin? I was reading a book last night, and her phone was going off like crazy, so I went to turn off the ringer. Her screen was already lit up, and she was getting texts from this guy about when they’d be able to see each other in private again. She was cheating on me. She found me holding her phone, and I confronted her. She was saying how she would always feel second to Yn in my life even though she was always number one. Yn was not at all close to being number one in my life.”

“Jacob, I told you to stop lying to me.”

“Mom, I didn’t lie to you,” Jacob says trying to feign innocence. Wow, his mother was good at calling him out.

“Yes, you did, and you know exactly what you lied about.”

“Fine, Yn is a close second, but my fiance was still number one. She began saying how Yn and I were too close, and she felt like she couldn’t compete. She didn’t have to compete because there was nothing to compete for. She began talking about how Yn had feelings for me, and I deep down have feelings for Yn. I don’t, but she wouldn’t listen to me. She gave me an ultimatum and told me either we got married and Yn was out of my life or no wedding. I couldn’t pick because why would I? Everything she was saying was ridiculous, and Yn and I are just friends. Sure, we’re close, but there’s nothing more than that.”

“She picked for you, then?”

“Yeah,” Jacob says sadly.

“How are you doing with everything?”

“I’m fine, surprisingly,” Jacob answers. “This isn’t me trying to get you off my back. I’m fine. I don’t feel any heartbreak or anything.”

“If you’re doing good then, that’s good. Do you think you know why that is?”

Jacob doesn’t miss a beat with his response. “Because I have Yn.”

Jacob’s mother doesn’t say anything knowing that Jacob is going to realize in just a few moments the impact of his words, hopefully.

“No, that came out wrong,” Jacob rushes out quickly. “That’s not me saying because I love love her. It’s because I know I can count on her, and she can count on me.”

“Look, I’m not going to tell you what I think, but let me just leave you with this,” Jacob’s mother continues. “She has strong feelings for you. This is me asking you to be gentle with her heart. She’s been through a lot as your best friend, so please be gentle with her. ”

“Mom, she doesn’t —”

“Don’t argue with me about how Yn doesn’t feel that way to you, Jacob, okay? Be gentle with her because, whether or not you know it, you’ve caused her lots of heartache and heartbreak over the years, and the fact that she’s still in your life is monumental. Just open your eyes and look while you stay with her, okay?”

“Yeah, okay,” Jacob says. He and his mother say goodbye. Jacob puts his phone down as he hangs up. He stares at the pictures sitting on your dresser. He looks at you smiling with your young nieces and nephews. His smile widens, and his heart warms looking at your smile. Is it possible that you have feelings for him? If so, is it true that he’s caused heartbreak in your life? He walks out of your bedroom and into the kitchen where you’re still sitting.

“Good talk with you mom?” you ask.

Jacob nods. Suddenly, he isn’t sure what to say to you. He, for the first time, is seeing you. Despite your hair being a bit messy because you woke up a few hours earlier, it’s still beautiful. He, for the first time, is seeing the way your hair perfectly frames your face and how it accentuates your facial features. For the first time, he’s noticing the glimmer and shine in your eyes. He’s noticing the way your voice is laced with kindness despite him waking you at three in the morning.

“Are you okay?” you ask softly.

“Yeah, why?” he asks, and he immediately blushes.

“You’re just acting weird,” you reply with a teasing smile. Jacob’s heart begins hammering in his chest. He’s looking at you and noticing your smile. How collected and beautiful your smile is. Jacob’s always known you were a beautiful woman. He’s told you on numerous occasions how stunning and beautiful you are. For the first time, though, he’s realizing how wrong that is, how much of an understatement beautiful is. You’re drop-dead gorgeous.

“You’re acting weird,” Jacob says mimicking your voice that brings out a giggle from you. Jacob looks at you, and his heart is beating much faster than before.

“You sure you’re okay?” you ask again and walk over to him. You place your hand on his forehead pretending you’re taking his temperature, and Jacob’s breath hitches in his throat. Did you notice? “Maybe you have a fever.”

“I’m fine, I promise,” Jacob whispers.

“Yeah, including everything that has happened?”

Jacob nods. He should probably stay at a hotel, right? He can barely get a single coherent thought, so why does he think he can live with you for a few weeks?

“Okay, well, I’m here if you want to talk,” you answer, taking your hand off of Jacob’s forehead. “I’m going to go get changed and ready for the day, okay? Maybe you should call or text her to talk about getting some of your stuff for basic survival.”

“Yeah, I’ll do that,” Jacob answers. As you’re walking away, he calls out to you. “Hey, yn?”

You turn around and quirk your eyebrow. “Yes?”

“I’m sorry.”

You scrunch your eyebrows together in confusion. Jacob’s seen that expression before, but for the first time, he’s noticing how cute it is. “What for?”

He shrugs. How is he supposed to tell you he’s sorry for causing you pain and heartache that you’ve never voiced to him before? How is he supposed to apologize for a pain in you that you’ve hidden from him for so long? How is he supposed to continue knowing he’s hurt you so much before, but he’s never noticed? “Nothing in particular, just saying sorry.”

You nod in confusion. “Um, okay. Apology accepted I guess?”

Jacob thinks that if you knew what he was truly apologizing for, you wouldn’t forgive him.

. . .

He was apologizing. What was he apologizing for? What did he have to apologize for? He’s never caused you any hurt or sadness that would require him to apologize for. Actually, that’s not entirely true. Sure, he’s hurt you before, but it was because he fell in love with another woman. He didn’t know the hurt and heartbreak it caused, so he wouldn’t ever need to apologize for it.

You continue to get ready for the day and try to figure out why Jacob apologized and his weird mannerisms today. Normally, Jacob can meet your eye today and get clear, coherent sentences out. However, today, he couldn’t do that. He was giving you short, terse responses and nodding instead of talking.

“Jacob, do you know who’s going to be in charge of canceling everything?” you ask Jacob when you walk out of your bedroom.

He shrugs from where he’s sitting on your couch. “I’m not sure. Maybe I should ask.”

You sit next to him. “Whatever happens, just know, I’m here to help you, okay?”

Jacob nods and a weird look flashes across his face. Did you say something wrong? For the first time in your long friendship with Jacob, you’re second-guessing your words.

“You okay?” you cautiously ask.

“What? Yeah, I’m fine. Why do you ask?” Jacob deflects hurriedly.

“You’ve just been acting weird recently which is understandable considering circumstances, but you’re being weird with me which is weird.”

Jacob looks at you, and you try to read his mind and what he’s thinking. It doesn’t work; you weren’t able to.

“Jacob?”

He looks at you with a soft eye. “Yn?”

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Okay, well, make sure you talk to her, so we can start canceling stuff and telling people that there isn’t a wedding this weekend.”

Jacob nods. He watched you get up from the couch and move to the kitchen table to get some work done. He knows you’re catching on to his weird behavior. For the first time, Jacob is befuddled and confused about how to act around you. He has no idea what to do, and he doesn’t like this feeling. You’re his best friend, so it shouldn’t be this hard for him to know how to act around you. Your smile, your concern, your soft facial expressions, your caring heart, all of it is overwhelming to Jacob. It’s always been there, and he’s always been on the other side of your kindness and caring nature and smile, but for the first time in forever, Jacob views it differently — a good difference. He’s going to have to figure out a way to push his conflicting feelings and views to the side if he’s going to be staying with you. He’s going to have to figure out how to act normally around you because he’s going to be staying with you. He’s going to be in your house, your home, your kitchen, your bed. He’s going to be living in your life, and he can’t put more on you than you can take. He now knows he’s hurt you before, and he has to find a way to make up for it.

. . .

For the week on what would have been the week of Jacob’s wedding, you and Jacob work to cancel it. He makes the calls to all his family, friends, and the wedding party. You were in charge of calling all the vendors and the venue. You sat next to Jacob the entire time he made the calls to his family. Much of it wasn’t in English, but you could see the sadness in his eyes. He thought he was starting his forever, but instead, it was crumbling at his feet.

During a particular call to his grandmother, you could see the tears starting to form in his eyes. You wanted to hug him and hold him, but he walked into your bedroom for privacy. You understood why, but you wanted to be there for him in every way possible. He walked out of your bedroom with his eyes puffy. You put your glass down and walk over to him. You wrap him in a hug and hold him as you feel his tears through your shirt. You stroke his back and comfort him as he finally lets all the emotions out. He lets all the emotions that he’s been keeping in for days finally out.

Jacob lifts his head off your shoulder, and you look up at him. You move your hands to his face and wipe the tears off his face. “Hey, it’ll be okay.”

Jacob nods. “How can you be so sure?”

“I don’t know, but I just do. Is that enough?”

“I think so.”

Jacob was a mess. He was sad and angry and upset. He wasn’t upset at her per se. He was more upset at himself. He was upset at himself for not seeing the signs of the relationship falling apart. He was upset that she cheated on him. He was upset that she put the duty of cancelling the wedding on him, not choosing to do anything. Mostly, though, he was upset that he’s been hurting you in the past years. He’s upset at himself for not seeing what he was doing to you and what she was doing to him. He’s angry and confused at himself for not seeing you for who you truly were. He’s confused. He doesn’t know much of anything anymore. He just wants to be okay and feel happy again. Despite all these confusing, angry feelings, Jacob takes one look at you, and he knows he’ll be okay because you always made him feel better. Even though he wasn’t sure the extent of your relationship with him anymore, Jacob knows that he can count on you and vice versa.

On what would have been Jacob’s wedding night, you ask him about his living situation. “Any news on when you’re getting the house back?”

“Already want to get rid of me?” Jacob teases. Was his voice teasing? Was it too accusatory? Is he coming off as teasing?

When you smile at his words, he knows that you knew he was teasing. “No, no, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m just asking because my apartment is small, so I don’t want you to be uncomfortable or too cramped here.”

“Don’t worry, yn,” Jacob reassures. Was he talking normally? He wasn’t sure. His heartbeat was so loud in his ears that it was hard to know if he sounded normal. “Wherever you are, I’ll always be comfortable.”

You smile at him and return to the book you were reading. That was not normal at all. Has Jacob ever said those words to you? Maybe he should have told you that sooner because he always did feel comfortable wherever you were. Come to think of it, Jacob’s always felt more comfortable around you than he ever did her. He always felt more at ease and more at home whenever you were around. She never had that effect on him. Jacob always had to be on his toes around her making sure he doesn’t say or do anything wrong. Why did he always feel more comfortable with you?

“Don’t worry, I’ll get out of your hair in a few days if she doesn’t give me a plan or anything,” Jacob says.

“No, don’t do that,” you rush out quickly. Jacob knows you well enough to know that you’re flustered. He knows that you’re regretting getting that out so quickly. Despite all the changes that Jacob feels like your friendship is going through, the bottom line is he knows that you haven’t changed. You’re still the smart, beautiful, compassionate, caring person you always were. That’s not changing.

Jacob throws a deep chuckle your way.

“Stay as long as you need, Jacob,” you tell him with a shy smile. Upon seeing your smile, Jacob’s heart races. His stomach erupts in butterflies. Where were these feelings coming from? He’s known you for so long, so why is he just starting to develop romantic feelings for you? Were these romantic feelings? Was that what this is? Was he falling for you romantically?

“Thank you, Yn,” he whispers. You make him blush, flustered, and go crazy. Jacob doesn’t know much about what’s happening in his life, but he knows that as long as he has you, everything will be okay. You make his heart flutter and butterflies erupt whenever you breathe around him. Did Jacob always have these feelings for you? Did he ignore these feelings because he just wanted a friendship with you? Sure, at first that was all he wanted because he wasn’t looking for a relationship. Did he always feel this way? Were the feelings finally coming out because he wasn’t preoccupied with anyone else?

The following Monday, Jacob ventures out to practice for the first time. The coaches and the team gave Jacob a week to sort everything out and figure out his life. He was a bit rusty, but it felt great to get back on the ice. He noticed the pitying glances his teammates gave him, but when Jacob glared at them, they knew to stop.

“Marky? Do you mind staying behind for a moment?” Mark asks. “Just want to talk.”

Jacob nods. He knew this was coming for him; he knew he was going to get a talk from his captain.

“How are you doing?” Mark asks after everyone leaves.

“Um, I think I’m okay?” Jacob answers.

Mark nods. “That’s understandable. So, no sadness or anger or disappointment?”

“I — I, I don’t know how to answer that.”

Mark gives Jacob a weird look, and Jacob tries to put the thoughts into words.

“I’m angry at her for cheating on me and trying to control my life. I’m upset because I was planning this life with her, and she was one step in and one step out. I’m disappointed because I should have seen it. I’m upset and disappointed with myself because my mom told me that I’ve broken Yn’s heart before, and I didn’t notice.”

“Woah, slow down. One woman at a time. I understand all the stuff about her, but Yn? What does she have to do with this?”

“I’m staying with Yn right now until my house is free of my ex. My mom called me and told me to be gentle with Yn’s heart. I questioned her about it, and she was talking about how Yn loves me but romantically. She was telling me to be gentle with Yn’s heart because through my actions I’ve hurt her and shattered her heart. I mean, how have I never seen it? She’s my best friend, so shouldn’t I be able to see when I’m hurting her?”

“She’s good at hiding how she feels,” Mark answers.

“You knew?”

“How she feels about you, or how you’ve unknowingly hurt her before?”

“Both, I guess,” Jacob prompts.

“Yes, to both then.”

“So, you know how she might feel?”

“It’s obvious how she feels,” Mark says.

“How could I not have seen it? How could I have not seen how I’ve hurt her?”

“Don’t beat yourself up, okay? As I said, she’s good at hiding it. It took me a while to notice her feelings for you. She didn’t let you know or see how she felt because she wanted you to be happy. She let her feelings stay hidden, so you could be happy. If you were happy, then she was happy.”

Jacob nods. “I just, I don’t know.”

“I think the question that you should be asking yourself is why you care so much about this. I understand being upset that you didn’t know you’ve broken her in the past, but why is this on the front of your mind even though you just had an ended engagement?”

Jacob ponders the question momentarily. “I think I’m in love with her? I think I always was, but I didn’t let myself feel those feelings. I always did feel more comfortable with Yn than I ever did with my fiance, ex-fiance. I always felt more at home with Yn than I did with her. I think I’ve always had romantic feelings for her, but I didn’t let them out.”

Mark just stares agape at his teammate. He thought he was going to have to nurse this information out of Jacob. He wasn’t expecting Jacob to have gotten to this conclusion on his own.

“I just don’t know what to do,” Jacob says sadly.

“I agree with what your mom said about being gentle with Yn’s heart. She deserves that at least. You shouldn’t say anything without knowing for sure because she deserves that at least. Just act normally around her until you’re ready to say something.”

“That’s the problem. I don’t know how to be normal around her!” Jacob says exasperated. “I’m overthinking everything, and I no longer know how to act around her. I don’t know if the way I’m talking is weird or normal; I just don’t know.”

“Okay, okay, calm down. Breathe,” Mark interjects. “Try to stay calm. Sure, it might be difficult and hard to act around Yn, but try. That’s all I can say.”

Jacob nods. He goes back to your apartment after practice running through all the words Mark said. He’s thinking through them. He’s right; you deserve Jacob to gentle with your heart. You deserve the world, but Jacob isn’t sure if he can give you the world. He wants more than anything to be able to know exactly how he feels, but he can’t help but feel like he’s self-sabotaging the entire friendship with his overthinking. If he doesn’t figure out how he feels, Jacob fears your friendship might be doomed.

. . .

It’s been one month since Jacob showed up at your door telling you about his broken engagement. In that one month, you hoped to find little things about Jacob you never knew before and turn them into reasons for you not to love him. You tried, but you couldn’t because he was perfect. Jacob was the perfect house guest, and you hated it. Instead of finding reasons to fall out of love, you found reasons to fall more in love with your best friend. Jacob always made sure that his dirty laundry was in the basket, or his wet towel after showering was always hanging up to dry. He never left a mess in the washroom after using it, and he always cleaned the shaving clippings off the washroom counter. If you made dinner, then Jacob insisted that you relax, and he does the dishes. Even if he cooked, Jacob still did the dishes because that’s the kind of person he was. You tried not to let the domestic vibes of the situation get to your head, but it was hard. It was hard not to pretend that you and Jacob weren’t a married couple. It was hard to pretend that this isn’t permanent. It was plain hard to be around Jacob at all without your heart thumping in your chest. You’ve been good in the past years hiding how you felt, but in the one month Jacob was living with you, it all went berserk. You were overthinking and overanalyzing everything. You only hoped that Jacob didn’t notice.

On a random morning, while you were eating breakfast before going to work, Jacob prompts, “She called me and told me she wants to talk.”

You lookup. “Okay?”

“What’s your opinion on it?”

“None? I mean, you guys need to talk and sort stuff out.”

“Like?” Jacob questions. You have a feeling he knows what you’re talking about but chooses to ignore it.

“Your living situation? Who’s going to pay all the final fees for the cancellations of the wedding? Returning all your wedding and engagement gifts? Stuff like that. Also, I think it’ll be a good way to gain closure, too.”

Jacob nods with a forlorn look in his eyes. “Yeah, closure.”

The topic is immediately dropped, and you both continue in awkward silence.

You hoped Jacob was able to talk to her and sort everything out that he needed to.

. . .

Jacob met her on neutral territory — a coffee shop. Jacob got there ten minutes early hoping his nerves would die down by the time she arrived. They didn’t. She arrived, and Jacob’s heart continued to beat out of his chest. He isn’t sure why. Despite concluding that he’s always loved you, he knows that he loved her, too. Despite harboring feelings for you, he still loved her.

“Hey,” Jacob says when she sits down.

“Hi,” she says back. She and Jacob both stare at each other. Were they supposed to jump right into things or engage in small talk first? “Should we just get to the point?”

“Yeah, I think that’s best.”

“Okay, um, I changed my mind, and I want the house.”

“What?” Jacob asks, shocked.

“I want the house because despite it also being your home, I was the one who did most of the decorating and stuff like that because you were on the road. I’m not blaming you for not doing any of it. I just think it’s fairer if you let me keep the house. I’ll buy your half from you and everything. I just want the house.”

Jacob looks at her, so he’s supposed to find a new place to live in now? Should he find a temporary living place, so he doesn’t have to stay with you? “Okay, that’s fine. I guess just give me a date that works for you, and we’ll head to the bank to sort all the stuff out, and I can move my stuff out.”

“I might have destroyed some of it out of anger, but okay.”

Jacob laughs. “Hate me that much?”

“It’s not you that I hate,” she replies calmly but also coldly.

“Who do you hate then?” Jacob asks, confused.

“Really? You don’t know? Maybe I should remind you of the argument we had when you left. Also, where are you staying? I called Elias a while back asking if you need any of your stuff, but he said you were staying somewhere else.”

Jacob doesn’t answer, and instead, he opts to stare at his mug. She takes his silence as a sign as to where Jacob’s staying.

“Oh my goodness, you’re staying with Yn,” she says angrily. “Did you buy her a bigger apartment, or are you staying in her tiny apartment? If you’re staying in her apartment, then that means either you’re sleeping in her bed and she’s on the couch, or you’re sleeping in her bed.”

Jacob doesn’t look up or meet her eyes.

“No, you’re sleeping in her bed. Of course, you are. You ran right to her, didn’t you? Have you slept with her yet? Have you completely forgotten about us? Me? Was I just a placeholder until that bitch finally came clean about what she felt.”

“Hey! Don’t call her that,” Jacob condemns. “Sure, yes, we’re sharing a bed, but I didn’t think I would have to find a new place to live. I thought it was only temporary. And yes, I ran right to her because she’s my best friend. Who else was I supposed to go to when my future wife cheats on me and ends our engagement?”

“Have you slept with her?” she whispers. She doesn’t know if she wants the answer, but she still needs to ask.

“No, I haven’t slept with her.”

“But you want to.”

Jacob snaps his head up. He doesn’t want to sleep with you. That thought has never crossed his mind. “Why would you say that?”

“Because I think that you’ve finally realized that you’ve always loved her. I think that you realized that she loves you and would do anything for you. I think you’ve realized that you wasted your time on me.”

“That’s only partially true. I think I’ve finally realized that I’ve always loved her, and I think I’ve realized that she loves me, too. However, I don’t think I’ve wasted my time with you. Despite it all, I did love you at one point, and I wouldn’t throw away our relationship.”

“Did? When did you stop?”

“When I found out you cheated on me.”

“So, you’ve loved me our entire relationship?” she asks with worry in her eyes.

He nods. “Yeah, and there will always be a part of me that will always love you. Do you still love me?”

Now, it’s her turn not to answer and just stare at her mug. Jacob doesn’t want to pry for any information. “I stopped loving you a while ago. I just couldn’t do it anymore.”

“Why didn’t you break up with me then?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. You’re a great person, so I thought I could fall back in love with you, but then I started noticing the way Yn looked at you and how she acted. I began watching your patterns around her, and I realized that it didn’t matter if I loved you or not. I realized that even if you loved me, you’d always love her more. So, I cheated on you to find a love that I craved.”

“I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry you felt the need to go to another place for the love I couldn’t give you. I’m sorry that I couldn’t love you in the way you wanted,” Jacob apologizes.

“I’m sorry for the hurt I put you through. For what it’s worth, though, I wouldn’t undo our relationship. I think that if I were to redo it, we wouldn’t have gotten this far. We wouldn’t have gotten to an engagement. Deep down, I think we both know that our relationship began to fall apart shortly before you proposed.”

Jacob thinks about it for a moment. Yeah, she was right. “Yeah, you’re right. Doesn’t mean, though, that I didn’t love you.”

“Yeah, same here.”

“If I may ask,” Jacob begins. “Are you with him? I mean, the guy you cheated on me with.”

“Um, yeah, we’re together. He’s been staying with me and stuff, but yes, we’re together.”

Jacob nods.

“Are you mad?”

“No, I’m not,” Jacob says. He wasn’t. He’s moved on from her, and now, he just wants her to be happy.

“Look, Jacob, I’m going to be honest with you, okay? Yn? She’s the one for you. Don’t waste your time staying in your head thinking about whether or not Yn feels the same. She’s loved you for too long. She deserves you to be honest with her, okay? Just tell her how you feel.”

“Okay,” he says. They ended up talking for another hour sorting out things and catching up. Despite breaking up, they both knew that the other would be there if needed. Jacob went back to your apartment with the closure he needed to move on. Now, he needed to figure out how to tell you how much he loved you.

. . .

Jacob moved out into a new home two months later. In those two months, you helped Jacob in any way you could. You helped him pack up his house and move into a storage unit. You helped him look for a new place to live and helped him move in. The first night in almost three months you spent alone, it felt weird. It felt weird to eat dinner alone even though there were some nights you ate alone anyway because he was at a game or on the road. It felt weird to go to sleep in an empty bed, and it felt weird to wake up to cold sheets. It was weird, and you hated it. You missed Jacob, and you wanted him to continue living with you. However, you wouldn’t give up the time you had with Jacob. It was some of the best three months of your friendship, and you’d do anything to go back to it.

Despite spending all that time together, you still didn’t know the real reason why Jacob ended his engagement. You wanted to know what was the reason because you could tell it was eating him up. Jacob has cried and gotten emotional a few times, but you knew he wasn’t fully healed. You knew there was still something eating him up, and you wanted nothing more than to know how to fix what was going on.

Six months after the broken engagement, the Flames season came to a saddening end. Jacob opted to have the Year-End Team Barbeque at his new house. When he approached the idea with you, you told him it was a great idea. It was great that he was moving on and continuing on with his life. He told you he wanted you there. You tried interjecting saying that you weren’t part of the team; however, he countered by saying that families were also invited. When you tried to argue you weren’t family, Jacob gave you a look that made your heart beat faster and told you he expected you to be at his house on the date of the barbeque.

You showed up at his doorstep with a plate of lemon squares and a bag full of nervousness. You weren’t sure why you were particularly nervous today. It was Jacob. Jacob. Your best friend. You shouldn’t have any reason to be nervous. None at all. So, why were you suddenly nervous?

You knocked on the door, and Jacob opened it. “You don’t have to knock, you know.”

You smile. “Yeah, sure, whatever. I made lemon squares.”

He takes them out of your hand and ushers you inside. You take off your shoes, and Jacob places the plate on the bench. He wraps you in a giant hug filled with the warmth and love that you missed from him. Despite him not living with you for quite some time, you still missed him and his warmth. You missed going to sleep next to him and waking up next to him. You missed having a cuddle buddy while you were sitting on your couch reading or watching TV. Mostly, though, you missed him. “Hi,” you whisper shyly. You aren’t sure why you’re so shy all of a sudden.

“Hi,” he whispers back just as shy. You both miss the knowing and curious looks Jacob’s teammates give you. How could you? You were both absorbed in each other so much that the entire world slipped away. “Thanks for coming.”

“Of course,” you whisper into his chest. You aren’t sure if your words are audible because they’re muffled by his shirt. “Anywhere you want me to be, I’ll be there.”

Jacob pulls away and looks down at you. You meet his eyes and notice his look. He looks like he’s contemplating something serious. You can tell the inner monologue and gears in his head are spinning like crazy. What was he thinking? You wanted so badly to know what was going on in his head. Jacob must have decided whatever he was thinking was not important or against it because he shakes his head to himself and takes your hand. He leads you into the kitchen where everyone is with one hand in yours and the other holding the plate of lemon squares you made.

“Get yourself a drink and mingle, I’ll be out on the patio grilling. Come to me if you need anything, okay?” Jacob whispers into your ear. It sends shivers down your spine.

“Okay,” you whisper and head to join the other women. You’re going to need some alcohol in you to get through the day if Jacob was going to keep sending your senses into a spiral.

Jacob isn’t sure what he’s doing, but he knows it’s risky. He knows that one wrong, intimate move or action could tell you what he’s been trying to tell you for months now. When Jacob finally moved into his new home, everything clicked in his mind. Despite designing it exactly how he wanted, it didn’t feel like home. That is, it didn’t feel like home unless you were there visiting. You came two or three times a week when Jacob wasn’t on the road for dinner. Sometimes you brought takeout or you both cooked. It didn’t matter what you were both doing, though, because as long as you were next to him in his house, it felt like home.

It took him three days of living on his own for the first time in a long time to realize how he truly feels for you. It took him three days to know you were the one. It took him three days to know he loved you. Loves you. When he finally realized, Jacob stopped what he was doing. He was cooking dinner. He was making your favorite meal that he’s learned to love and to cook while he was staying with you. After him asking many, many times for you to teach him, you relented and taught him. Jacob had to turn off the stove and sit with it for a moment. He loved you? He loved you. He loves you? He loves you. He will always love you? He will always love you. He loves you, and he can’t take you not knowing anymore. He doesn’t want to rush into another relationship right away, but he also wants you by his side forever.

Jacob didn’t bring you to many team events while he was with her. Before her, he brought you to a few events with the Canucks, but you haven’t gone to many events in Calgary. You met the team and the WAGs, and Jacob thinks you’ve made some great friends amongst them all. Now, though, Jacob never wants to go to a team event where you’re not there. He wants to go to a team event, see you dressed so beautifully, and be his date. Jacob just wants you to be part of every aspect of his life.

“What’re you thinking about?” Mark asks Jacob out of nowhere. Jacob was standing at his grill making food; he was watching you play in the backyard with some of the children. Mark looks to where Jacob’s staring and knows instantly. “Ah, I see. So, did you tell her how you feel? Actually, how do you feel? That should be the first questioning.”

“I haven’t told her how I feel, but I love her,” Jacob answers and a giant smile graces his facial features. A smile that reaches his eyes and shows every smile line. A smile that he only got from talking about you.

“When will you tell her?”

“I don’t know.”

“I mean, be careful because the way you greeted her? That screamed, ‘I’m in love with you,’” Mark tells him.

“It did not!”

“It did, but if it makes you feel better, her actions did the same. She loves you, too.”

Jacob nods. “I’ll tell her soon because I don’t think I can go another day as just her friend."

"You've never been just yn's friend," Mark says.

As everyone gathered around the table in Jacob’s backyard for dinner, you were seated right next to him. As the meal went on, Jacob’s chair got closer and closer to yours. After the meal was finished, you insisted on helping to clean up, but some of the other players and WAGs insisted that you and Jacob stay at the table. As the conversation continued, you began to lean closer and closer to Jacob. So close to the point where your shoulder was right up against his chest, and his arm was around your shoulder. You were as close as physically possible without sharing a chair. Jacob began rubbing patterns on your shoulder, and it sent shivers down your spine. Jacob noticed. He whispered into your ear asking if you wanted a sweater. You told him no, but he still insisted on getting you a sweater, so Jacob got up and grabbed a sweater for you as your conversation continued with Elias, Johnny, Noah, and Annica.

“So, you and Jacob are getting close again,” Noah points out suggestively.

“I mean, we’ve always been close, so I’m not sure what you’re trying to get at,” you reply. You think you understood what Noah was pointing at, but you didn’t want to give him that satisfaction.

“Now that he’s single, are you going to make your move?” Elias eggs on.

You stare at them, and the heat drains from your face. “What?”

“I mean, you’re in love with him, and it’s obvious he’s in love with you, too,” Annica replies. “You should tell him how you feel.”

“No, he doesn’t love me like that.”

“Then explain how touchy and lovey he’s been with you. He was never like that with you before,” Johnny points out, and the rest of the group nod in agreement.

“Right, because he had a girlfriend, a fiance.”

“Sure, but he doesn’t have either of those right now, and he’s acting like a madman in love,” Noah says.

“Look, I know your heart has been broken before because of Jacob’s past relationships, so you’re allowed to be scared, but look at this as an opportunity,” Annica says to you sincerely. She leans in closer to you and places a hand comfortingly on yours. “Don’t go too long without telling him because, at the end of the day, Jacob loves you. He does, and he feels the same way. You’re allowed to be scared and nervous, but don’t let that stop you from the great love you can have with him. Don’t let your fears and nervousness stop you from getting the love that you deserve, okay?”

You nod. Out of all the people you’ve talked to, Annica somehow summed it all up perfectly. She seemed to know exactly what was going on in your head and why you were so hesitant to say anything, even now.

“Worse comes to worst, you, me, and Matthew can be a throuple,” Noah jokes, trying to ease the tension. This brings out a giant laugh from the group. It felt good to laugh with your friends again.

Jacob was walking out from his house with a hoodie in tow when he heard your loud laughter in the distance. He looks up to see you laughing along with Noah, Elias, Annica, and Johnny. He smiles at the thought of knowing that you’re happy and in a good mood. That’s all he wants. He wants you to be happy and in a good mood.

His emotion sours though when he sees you giggling along to something Noah says. He knows he’s reading into it too much, but he’s jealous. He’s jealous that Noah is the one who has you giggling. He’s jealous that Noah and Annica and Elias and Johnny get to be on the receiving end of your infectious laugh. He wants to be sitting right there with you and hearing your laugh.

“What are you staring so intently at?” Matthew asks out of nowhere. Where did he come from? Jacob doesn’t answer but continues to watch you interact with his and your friends. “You know Noah isn’t making a move on your girl, right?”

“She’s not my girl,” Jacob scowls. “Yet.”

Jacob wants you to be his girl so bad that he’s reading into a platonic conversation as something more.

“Just tell her. You know, go tell her right now. The entire team will be so happy that you finally figured shit out and are together.”

“I’m going to give her this hoodie, so she’s not cold,” Jacob deflects. He didn’t want to tell you in a public place. He didn’t want you to be pressured into telling him you felt the same. He wanted you to tell him you loved him out of your own free will and not influenced by added stares.

Jacob sits down in the chair next to you and hands you the hoodie without saying anything. He stays in his seat and doesn’t move to hold you close like he was before. You take the hoodie he offered you and put it on. Jacob’s heart begins to beat rapidly as he sees you wearing his clothes. When you put the hoodie on comfortably, you lean over to Jacob and place a soft kiss on his cheek. You whisper a thank you into his ear before sitting back down in your chair. Jacob instantly knows that he has nothing to worry about because you were it for him, and he was it for you. Jacob’s scowl goes away, and he wraps an arm around your shoulder. It didn’t matter who you smiled at or laughed at, as long as you were happy, then Jacob was happy.

You were the last one at Jacob’s that night. You helped him with the final cleaning up and sorting out. You plopped on his couch and let out a giant huff of air dramatically.

“Thank you for inviting me,” you tell Jacob as he sits down next to you.

“Of course,” he responds, but he has a lost look in his eyes.

“Are you okay?”

He looks at you. “Yeah, of course, why?”

“You just have a weird look in your eyes. What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing in particular, just how different my life is right now than I thought it would be,” Jacob answers. He hopes you’ll ask what’s changed because he thinks he’s finally going to tell you. He’s begging you to ask, so he can tell you that who he sees spending the rest of his life with has changed.

“Oh yeah? What’s changed?”

“A bunch of things. Like, my house, who I play for, my relationship status, who I want to spend the rest of my life with,” Jacob answers. You nod. You nodded? You nod! That’s it? Do you not have anything to say to Jacob saying the last part? He needs to emphasize it more, he guesses. “Especially the last part.”

“Oh yeah, how much has it changed?” you ask and turn to face him.

“Well, about a year ago, I thought I’d be spending the rest of my life with her, but now, I want to spend the rest of my life with someone else,” Jacob answers.

Your heartbeat quickens. Was this him telling you he’s found someone else or is this finally the confessions about the feelings you both have for each other? “Who is this someone else?” you whisper ask.

Jacob’s heart is beating so fast that it sounds like the rhythm of a dance song. He’s finally going to tell her. What if she doesn’t feel the same way? Despite everyone’s insistence that you feel the same way, Jacob is still nervous that you don’t feel the same way.

“Tell me about her?” you whisper.

“Gladly,” Jacob says. “She happens to be my best friend for the past eight years.”

You snap your head up when you hear Jacob’s words. “What?”

Oh no, you don’t feel the same way. You’re going to turn him down, and Jacob ruined the most important relationship in his life. You realize that your response was a bit terser than you meant. You were shocked. Despite everyone telling you Jacob felt the same way, it was still shocking to hear. You hoped your response didn’t force him to shut down and not continue what he was saying. Jacob moves closer to you on his couch and puts his forehead on yours. It’s now or never.

Your forehead felt warm against Jacob’s, and it was making him go crazy. “Yn, I’m in love with you. It took me eight long years to realize it, but I’m in love with you. I think I always was, but I’ve realized it over the past few months.” Please, let her feel the same way.

You smile. Jacob loves you? He’s in love with you? You place your hands on his cheeks and bring his face to yours and kiss him. You place a soft kiss on his lips before pulling away slowly. “I’m in love with you, too.”

You love him, too? You love him! “I love you, Yn.”

“I love you, too, Jacob,” you say with a giggle. Jacob grabs you and sets you on his lap. You wrap your arms around him and lean in for another kiss.

When Jacob pulls away, you have a giant smile on your face, and your lips are sensitive from the kisses.

“I’m sorry,” Jacob says to you.

“You have to stop apologizing for things you haven’t done,” you tell him.

“I’m sorry for the heartbreak I caused you. I’m sorry you were there for each step of the other relationship I had. I’m sorry I never realized that I was hurting you,” Jacob says ignoring your comment.

“Oh. I’m not upset at you for any of that.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t be sorry.”

“How about, moving forward, the past is in the past, okay?” you suggest.

Jacob smiles. “So there’s a future? A moving forward?”

“That’s all I’ve ever wanted,” you tell him with a kiss. Sure, it took Jacob a while to realize how he felt, but you were able to grow into a person who was ready to spend the rest of your life with this man. It took some time, but it was all worth it now.

. . .

Three Years Later

Jacob twirls you around on the dance floor with a giant smile on his face. It was the last dance of your wedding night. The past three years have been filled with laughter, happiness, and love. There were some difficult moments, but, at the end of the day, the love you both have for each other beat every difficulty faced.

You were dancing the last dance of the night with all your guests making a circle for the two of you on the dance floor. They were using their phones’ flashlights to illuminate you both.

As you both continued to dance to your second first dance song choice, Jacob glances around the room at the guests. Jacob sees your parents holding each other as they watch their daughter dancing with the love of her life. He sees his mother looking at you and Jacob knowing that it was a long time coming but worth it. He sees Elias, Noah, Matthew, and some of his other teammates and friends smiling and giving him a thumbs up. He sees Mark giving him a nod. Without his captain’s help, Jacob isn’t sure you’d be here today. Lastly, before putting his eyes on you, he sees her. He sees the woman he was supposed to marry. She gives him a curt nod and leans her head on her new husband’s shoulder and cradles her swollen, pregnant belly. Jacob isn’t sure what happened between you both, but he knows that you both went to brunch before the wedding and cleared the air. You both talked and cleared up things. Many thought it was weird that Jacob’s ex-fiance was invited to the wedding, but if it weren’t for her, you and Jacob wouldn’t be together. She and Jacob needed that relationship to realize who they truly wanted to be with. They needed the relationship to help them realize the lives they truly wanted to lead.

Jacob, lastly, lays his eyes on you, his new wife, and smiles.

“What are you thinking about so intently?” you ask with your beautiful smile gracing your lips.

“Nothing,” Jacob says and places a kiss on your lips.

“I don’t believe that,” you tease.

“I’m just thinking about how we got here,” Jacob says. The previous relationship Jacob was in was no longer an awkward topic. You were both able to mention it now and then without an awkward silence filling the room. Jacob knew that if he didn’t love her, then he wouldn’t have realized how much he loves you. Without her, Jacob wouldn’t be dancing with his new wife.

“Oh yeah? And what about it?”

Jacob smiles and holds you tighter. “Just how it was you all along.”

Taglist: @goalision @coffee-ontherocks @glassdanse @barzal-burakovsky @beauvibaby @boqvistsbabe @heatherawoowoo @heaveniish @stars-canucks @tkapuckit @mellany1997 @nhlboyshavemyhart88 @heybarzy @2manytabsopen @habsfan @besthockeyfics @plds2000 @kaitieskidmore1 @iwantahockeyhimbo @sidscrosbyy @barzysandmarnersbitch @ollywahlygator @leafs-forever @laurenairay @no-pucks-given @sixmapleleafs (Join my taglist here!)

#jacob markstrom #jacob markstrom imagine #jacob markstrom fic #jacob markstrom x reader #nhl fic #nhl imagine #nhl imagines #nhl writing #hockey fic #hockey imagine #hockey writing #calgary flames imagine #calgary flames x reader #calgary flames fic #claudia writes

204 notes · View notes

laurenairay · 4 years ago

Note

I would love “Why are you wearing my sweater?” with Jacob Markstrom please

Thanks for requesting this one @dutch-tv-fan! This is so soft and sweet, exactly what I needed today.

Also tagging: @danglesnipecelly – I’m only borrowing your man K! 😘

“Why are you wearing my sweater?”

Waking up to an empty bed on your day off was not what you had imagined. Instead of your beautiful big boyfriend lying next to you, his tattooed arms wrapped securely around your body, his side of the bed was empty, the sheets only lukewarm. He’d been up for a while, clearly. Where the hell was he?

With a groan you pushed yourself upright, stretching your arms luxuriously above your head with a yawn. As you slowly rolled your head from side to side, stretching out the kinks, you realised there were sounds coming from outside the room. Sounds like…clanging pans? Was Jacob cooking?

The smile that spread across your face felt stupidly wide, but you didn’t care. That man was ridiculous and wonderful and why couldn’t he still be in bed with you so you could show him how much you appreciated that?

You slipped on a pair of soft leggings, eyes scanning the room until you spotted something that made you smile. Jacob’s favourite sweater – soft, warm and far too big for you. The sleeves came down over your knuckles, the hem at your mid-thigh, and the neckline gaping wide. Normally you’d wear clothing of his like this for comfort, for warmth, but this morning you had a different intention.

Because there was nothing that riled Jacob up more than seeing you in his clothing, and you wanted nothing more than to bring your boyfriend back to bed. Win-win, right?

Shuffling down the hallway, your suspicions were confirmed when you spotted your boyfriend in the kitchen, stirring something in a pan on the stovetop, making you smile again. So sweet. Well, the fact that he was shirtless, displaying his sculpted torso brazenly, reminded you why you came out here in the first place.

“Someone’s been busy,” you teased, leaning against the arch of the doorway.

“Someone’s meant to still be in bed,” he groaned, although his smile was fond.

You giggled, taking a couple of steps into the room, making him look at you properly. His eyebrows shot up in surprise, a pleased smile spreading across his lips.

“Why are you wearing my sweater?” Jacob mused, taking the pan off the heat. Smart man.

“Because it smells like you,” you said, honest and simple.

Like the soap he uses, like his everyday light aftershave, like his laundry detergent, like a man. Like him. Why wouldn’t you want to be consumed by that?

The awe-struck look on Jacob’s face made you giggle, the neckline of the sweater moving to reveal your bare collarbone…and that you weren’t wearing anything underneath it. His expression shifted to one of devastation (in the best way) and you slowly walked over to him with a smile on your face. The fact that you could still blow his mind like this after all this time…well, that definitely felt good.

“Everything okay baby?” you asked sweetly, resting your hands on his bare waist.

“You’re killing me here,” he whined, making you giggle again, “All I wanted to do was treat you to a nice breakfast in bed, and then you turn the tables on me looking like that,”

Bare-faced, messy hair, no doubt with pillow creases in your skin…but his. You grinned, lifting a hand to trace of the bare skin of your shoulder that was currently on show, only making him whimper.

“It’s just a sweater, J,” you said simply, a hint of teasing in your voice.

“You damn well know it isn’t,” he said shortly, making you laugh, delighted at how easily he was affected.

“I can take it off if you want?” you said, faux-innocently.

But the moment that you reached for the bottom hem of the sweater, Jacob quickly gripped both of your hands in his. Hah. Too easy.

“You teasing minx,” he growled.

“Are you going to do something about it, hmm?” you grinned.

“Oh I’m going to teach you a lesson alright. Right after you get back into bed and let me bring you breakfast like I planned,” he said firmly.

How you loved this soft-hearted man.

You pouted, trying to protest, although you knew it was a lost cause by the sparkle in Jacob’s eyes. He knew the game was up, that he’d won – like you were ever going to say no to him.

“Fine, fine, ruin my fun,” you sighed, winking at him to show you weren’t mad.

“We’ll have fun, I promise you that,” Jacob smirked.

The look in his eyes sent a shiver up your spine in the best way. Yes, that was more like it. You leant up on your tiptoes to press a gentle kiss to his lips, smiling as his hands squeezed your hips gently, before breaking away.

“Don’t be too long?” you said softly.

“Of course,” he nodded, smiling down at you warmly.

You smiled back before moving to walk away from him – then a thought popped into your head, making you smile even wider. As soon as you were around the corner, out of his eyesight, you slipped his sweater over your head, leaving you in just your leggings.

“Hey baby?” you called out.

“Yeah?”

You threw the sweater through the doorway, grinning as you heard it land on the ground, laughing as you heard him curse loudly, knowing the image he now had in his head. This was going to be one hell of a morning.

#my writing #lauren turns 30 blurbs #jacob markstrom #yeah so i kinda want all of this #what a sweet man #prompt list blurb #jacob markstrom blurb #jacob markstrom fic #jacob markstrom imagine #jacob markstrom x reader #hockey writing #hockey blurb #hockey fanfic #nhl writing #nhl blurb #nhl fanfic

175 notes · View notes

zackcollins · 5 years ago

Text

autograph || jacob markstrom

masterlist

Author’s Note: I was listening to music while I was taking a shower earlier. I got random inspiration from one of the songs that came on. I was honestly debating with myself whether or not to write it today. I wasn’t exactly in the best writing mood and wasn’t sure that end result would be good. I ultimately decided to write it (as you can tell). I decided that it was best to write it while the idea was still fresh in my mind. I hope I still did a well enough job while not being at 100% performance capabilities today. GIF credit goes to keeklee!!

Warnings: Alcohol consumption and mentions of being drunk. Nothing is overtly graphic or described in great detail. I tried to keep it on the tamer side just to be safe. If you need to avoid that, I understand and stay safe out there!!

Translation: There is one Swedish statement in this fic. It translates to “My darling.”

Word Count: 1.5k+

Inspiration: Autograph by Dallas Smith

Additional: The reader is feminine this time! Since I wanted a little more representation in my fics, I made the reader bisexual. She is mentioned to have had a girlfriend in the past. As for Markstrom’s response to finding out that information I’ll say one thing: I saw my fucking opportunity and I took it. I hope both of those things are okay and I hope you enjoy this!!

Jacob had been your best friend for years. You met when you were catering to one of the Canucks various events. He had spilled some of his wine on you when Henrik had bumped into him while rushing to grab the last of the Swedish meatballs before Edler could. He had apologized profusely and even offered to pay for the dry cleaning of your outfit. That’s where your friendship began.

All these years later, your friendship was going strong as ever. He was currently over at your apartment, sitting on your couch and drinking a beer. You were in your kitchen, chopping some onions and carrots to add to the soup you were preparing for dinner. Just as you added the chopped vegetables to the pot, you noticed Jacob walk over to the island and take a seat at one of the barstools.

“You know,” he paused, taking a drink from his beer bottle. “I bet you were the homecoming queen in high school.”

“What makes you think that?” You walked over to the sink, pumped some soap onto your hands, lathered them together, and turned the tap on. You put one of your fingers under the stream of water to test the temperature. Satisfied that it was acceptable, you placed both hands under and started rinsing them.

“You’re gorgeous,” Jacob chuckled. You heard him place the beer bottle on the island briefly before he picked it back up and took another drink. “You’re the girl everyone from a small town like yours would dream about. I bet every boy was lined up in whatever old blue jean fashion you guys wore to be your boyfriend.”

Turning the sink off and grabbing a paper towel, you dried your hands off before turning to face Jacob. You leaned back against the counter and crossed your arms over your chest.

“I was the homecoming queen,” you said, smiling.

“Who was the homecoming king?” Jacob asked, taking another sip of his beer.

“My girlfriend at the time. Her name was Amanda.”

Jacob smiled and raised his beer in salute. “Cheers. I’ll drink to that, bro.” As proof of his statement, he put the bottle to his lips and drank whatever was left inside of it. Making a satisfying sound he wiped his lips with the back of his hand when he was done drinking.

“You know,” Jacob started, pointing the bottle toward you. “I’d change your autograph.”

Raising a questioning eyebrow, you frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I’d put my name on you,” Jacob replied. When you continued to look confused, he sighed and placed the beer bottle on the island. “I want to put a big ring on your left hand. I want everyone to know that I’m the lucky one that has Heaven’s girl on my arm.”

Bringing your hand up to your face, you covered it. You felt a soft heat rising along your cheeks and the tips of your ears. You spread your fingers and looked at Jacob through the slats. He was smiling fondly and his eyes were showing signs of love and one too many beers.

“I want to take you to the edge of town and get on one knee,” Jacob continued, using his hand to move toward the direction of town he was speaking about. “I really want to change your autograph, (Y/N).” He chuckled, running a hand through his hair.

You brought your hand away from your face and smiled weakly at Jacob. The thing about this was you had been having more than platonic feelings for Jacob for a couple of years; you wanted to be his girlfriend more than anything. Hearing him say he wanted to marry you was making you feel things to you that you didn’t know you could feel. Your stomach was tied in all kinds of nervous knots; your heart rate was rivalling that of a jet going Mach 10; your face was burning with the passion of a volcanic eruption. You felt so strongly about this that you wanted to rush across the kitchen and kiss Jacob as passionately as you could.

“Jacob,” you started, voice strained from your nerves. “You’re a little drunk. You don’t mean any of this.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “Of course I mean this! You’re a star in my world. I want you on the hood of my car,” he motioned out the window, presumably in the direction of the parking garage, “so you can blow me kisses like they do in the movies.”

Sighing, you walked across the kitchen to sit on the barstool beside Jacob. He lit up and leaned his head onto your shoulder. You wrapped your arm around his shoulders and squeezed him closer before placing a kiss to the top of his head.

“You should really let me change your autograph,” Jacob said, voice faltering a little. “I want to propose to you at sunset at the ocean on the edge of town. I want to give you a big ring that you customize to make it uniquely yours.”

Swallowing thickly, you rubbed along Jacob’s upper arm. Jacob hummed and nuzzled in closer to you. He sighed at that moment, voice soundly slightly wet. You lifted his head with your other hand. Looking into his eyes, you noticed that he was crying. Sitting him straight up, you took both thumbs and wiped the tears away. Jacob grabbed your wrists and rubbed along the pulse points soothingly. You shivered and leaned into the touch.

“I want everyone to know that you’re mine,” he said, bringing one of your wrists to his lips and kissing it gently. When he felt you shiver again, he smiled and brought the other wrist to his lips and kissed it. You shivered a third time and leaned into the sensation. “I want to skip dating and just go straight to marriage. The team says we act like a married couple as it is.”

You felt your heartbeat hammering in your ears. Jacob’s team had become a second family to you in the years you had been friends with him. All the players that had come and gone were like the siblings you never had growing up. They meant the world to you--almost as much as Jacob did. If they said you and Jacob acted like a married couple there was no question that it was the truth.

“We should talk about this when you haven’t had 4 beers,” you said. Your mouth felt dry as the words left your mouth. Every part of you hadn’t wanted to say what you had said but you knew it had to be done. You knew this conversation was one that needed to happen when Jacob was sober enough to understand the ramifications of what he was asking for.

Tears fell silently down Jacob’s face as he looked at you with a blank expression. Despite that, he nodded. “Yeah, yeah. You’re right.” He grabbed your cheeks and gently soothed his thumbs across them. You shivered for what felt like the thirtieth time and leaned into the sensation. “Just know my opinion won’t change when I’m sober.” He leaned in and planted his lips against yours.

You sat there, frozen for a moment. Jacob tensed against you and started to pull away. You quickly brought your hands up to cover his hands. You pressed firmly, holding him in place. Jacob relaxed and leaned back into the kiss. At that moment, you started moving your mouth fluidly with his, trying to keep up with his languid pace. It was a pace that you weren’t used to for kissing. You were used to vigorous, passionate kisses. This was languid and soft. You reminded yourself that Jacob had consumed 4 beers and that had probably slowed down his motor functions enough to affect his kissing abilities.

When you pulled apart, Jacob was panting slightly and had some hair stuck to his forehead. You took one of your fingers and brushed it aside. Jacob hummed and leaned into the touch. You smiled softly and kissed his forehead. Jacob chuckled and kissed the tip of your nose.

“Mrs. (Y/N) Markstrom,” he said, grabbing both of your hands and interlacing your fingers. “Has a nice ring to it, right?”

A soft feeling rushed through your veins. It did have a nice ring to it. You bounced the name around in your head a few times while Jacob looked at you expectantly. The longer it bounced around up there, the better it was starting to sound. You swallowed thickly and nodded at Jacob. Jacob grinned and took one of his hands away from yours to reach into his pocket. A moment later, he placed a jewellery box on the table.

“I’m going to go sleep off the alcohol,” he said, motioning toward the guest bedroom. “You look that over and we’ll talk in the morning when I’m sober.” With that, Jacob leaned over and pressed a kiss to your temple before he slipped off the barstool and walked to the guest bedroom.

You were left sitting there, staring at the box. You hesitated a moment before you opened it. The necklace inside made your heart and stomach swoop simultaneously. It had a simple heart charm with two distinct words engraved on it:

Min Älskling

93 notes · View notes

freerebelmentality · 5 years ago

Text

Its the most wonderful time of the year

AN: Ok, I know this took me a really long time to get this done and FINALLY HAVE THIS POSTED. But I ran into personal stuff and finally my laptop broke and I got it fixed and now I have it. YAY!!! Anyways this was requested during the time of the World Junior Tournament when it was hosted in Vancouver. I am so sorry but I finished it. Anyways!!! The request was “Can I request a Jacob Markstrom fic/imagine? They’ve been dating for a while until the world juniors happen. He’s off for a very long road trip and reader stays behind in Vancouver. She decides to attend a few games then attends throughout the duration of the tournament. Jacob tried calling and texting but she just doesn’t hear her phone. He thinks she’s cheating and when he gets back he distance himself from her. Until she straightens everything out. Is that too much?”

********************************************************************************

Word Count: 2,885

Its the most wonderful time of the year. The World Junior Tournament is whats wonderful and taking over the cities of Vancouver and Victoria.

Which means the Canucks will be off on a long road trip and that also means your boyfriend will be away as well.

Its Christmas Day and you spend as much time with your boyfriend as you can along with his family. Its not every day he sees them and you’ve always loved his moms company.

“Y/n do you want to come with me on this road trip?” Jacob asks while his family is surrounded the both of you in the living room.

“I would love to but I think I will just stay behind and catch up on some work” you reply wishing you would tag along for the road trip

“Its going to be a long one, you think you will be able to handle it?” his mom asks looking to you.

“I think I will survive these two weeks without him. At the same time I get to spend time with you and my family” you reply while giving a smile to Lena.

“Alright, that sounds good to me. I’ll call as much as I can and we can FaceTime” Jacob replies while wrapping his arm around you.

After dinner is done and you help clean the kitchen with his mom and sister in law. When done the cleaning, you make the coffee and bring out the cake you made.

A treat before going to bed and having to say good bye to your boyfriend the next day.

You look to his sleeping form and smile to yourself. As you smile it begins to fade, a reminder in just a few hours he will be off on a very long road trip and how you debated about packing as well.

“No, I really need to catch up on work” you thought to yourself as you roll over and go to bed.

You feel an arm pulling you closer and being wrap around the person you love. Oh how you were going to miss this.

You wake up early the next day, you wake Jacob up as well and he begins packing. You walk out of the room to prepare breakfast and coffee.

You make a plate for your boyfriend while you see his mom walk into the kitchen

“Is Jacob getting ready?” Lena asks while getting herself a cup

“Yeah, he is just packing and Im getting this plate ready for him” you reply and you hear someone walking into the kitchen

“There are my two favourite women” Jacob says as he gives his mom a side hug and gives her a peck to the forehead.

He goes towards you and does the same

“There is my favourite man in the world” you reply while giving into the embrace

“Are you just about ready?” you ask while finishing up your coffee and food

“I am ready, my bags are by the door” he replies while placing his cup and plate into the sink.

He gives them a rinse and places them in the dishwasher but you were going to do the dishes. Anything to pass time.

You also thought about cleaning the whole house. One day wash the walls in the living room, The next will be the windows, the next will be washing the walls in the rooms. Again just to pass the time.

“Ok we better get going. Mom you coming?” Jacob asks looking to his mom

“No, I will just say my farewells from here. Take care son” she says while giving him a hug.

His brother and sister in law come down and say their farewells as well along with with his niece. Oh how they looked cute together.

Once the both of you get to the airport is when you see the other wives and girlfriends saying their farewells.

“Last chance to change your mind” he says while looking to you.

“I’ll wait for you here” you giggle while hugging him

“Alright, I’ll call once we get to our hotel” he says while giving you a kiss

“I’ll be waiting” you reply and give into the kiss

“You two are gross, get a room” Jake Virtanen says as he passes by the both of you.

“Oh be quiet or else I will hip check you” you teasingly reply.

He gets a chuckle out of that playful threat.

“I’ll keep an eye on him for you” Jake says while giving you a hug

“Thanks” you reply while pulling away from the hug

“Babe, make sure he stays out of trouble” you tell Jacob as he gives you a nod and a smile

Ever since moving to Vancouver with Jacob, you became really close with Jake. He reminded you of your younger brother and have always remained close with Jake.

He saw you as an older sister he can go to whenever things or life got him down. Or just simply to hang out.

“Well I better go” Jacob says as he gives you one more good bye kiss

You melt right into the kiss and felt a little sad cause its going to be the last for the next two weeks. But you are willing to wait until he got back.

You wait until the plane flies off, like any other time you have dropped him off and waited until the plane was in no sight.

As you see the plane fly off and disappear into the air is when you stood there for a bit longer and finally drove off.

You went back to the house and hung out with his family. You always loved spending time with them and when it was time for them to go back to Sweden, the house felt a lot more emptier and more lonely.

Your family came and went as well and that got you down a little.

Finally you buried yourself in a ton of paper work that needed to be, you didnt have enough time before going on holidays.

Once you completed the work is when you went into the office and filed them away. Your boss is in the office as well, finishing up things before the new year.

“Y/n, finishing up a few things as well?” she asks as she enters your office

“Yes, I didnt have time before going on holidays and now that everyone is gone. I thought I would bury myself in work” you reply while finishing up the filing

“I always knew you are committed” she replies with a smile on her face

She always knew she can count on you to get the work done but never over worked you. She always wanted to give you the time to rest and come back to work refreshed.

“I have these hockey tickets my husband purchased and none of us arent going to be in the country. So I was wondering if you wanted them?” she asks in hopes you would put them into good use

“World Junior tournament tickets?” you ask rather quickly

“Yes they are and have good seats” she replies while pulling out an envelope

“Sure, I think I will put these to use. My friends are coming for a visit and now I have something to entertain them with” you reply while taking the tickets from her hand

“Good, I was getting worried because everyone else either got them or going away” she says with relief

She leaves to head home and get ready to leave for the holidays. You leave as well and go home.

You go to the bus station to pick up your friends that are coming for a visit. Finally go to the airport to get another friend. It felt good to have the house full again, even if that meant only for a few days.

The comes as the first game of the tournament starts, Its game day for team Canada and you were glad you took the tickets from your boss.

“Y/n, Im still surprised your boss even gave you tickets for the tournament” your friend Shandy says while looking at the line up to get into Rogers Arena.

“I am just as surprised as you are. I am so happy for these too” you reply thinking about giving your boyfriend a quick text that you are at the game.

You forget when your friends begin talking about other things that are going on with their lives and the line begins to move.

Finally you and your friends get to your seats while the guys went to get drinks and snacks.

“Y/n, the only one who never drinks when we come to visit” Gabe says as he hands you a water you asked

“Well someone needs to be the designated driver for your drunk asses” you reply thinking back to those times.

“Thats right and why you’re always the smart one” he replies while looking to you.

Finally the game begins.

Jacob tries calling, leaves messages and texts bu they go unaswered.

“Still trying to get a hold of y/n?” Jake asks looking to Jacob

“Yeah, I guess she really buried herself in work” he replies while placing his phone in his pocket amd walks away from him.

He takes a walk by himself to get rid of the ugly thoughts he has of you.

“No, she wouldnt do that to me. No” he thinks to himself while sitting on a bench in a park. He sips his coffee

The unanswered phone calls, texts and facetime have gone throughout the two weeks. Jacob is convinced you are with someone and cheating on him most of the time.

His other teammates and friends from other teams have tried convincing him that you would never do that to him and never got that impression from you at all. But he still isnt convinced. He appreciates the talks though but thoughts still linger.

You and your friends continue going to games, hanging out and checking out the rest of Vancouver. Along with whale watching.

Your phone died and never got the chance to charge it or just completely forgot about it cause you also went to work.

The tournament has come and gone.

Now it was time for your boyfriend to come home. Finally.

You asked one of the other girlfriends when they were landing home and she gave you the time. You drive to the airport 45 minutes early before the expected arrival. You were getting excited for Jacob to finally come home.

“Oh crap, I better charge my phone now” you finally remember and begin charging it.

As your phone begins to charge is when it comes to life, text messages are coming through, voice mails. Sixty text messages and countless of voice mails, which is full. You read every text and begin to feel bad for not charging your phone sooner.

Half of the text that consists of I miss you, good night and I love you. The other half is what are you doing?, why havent you texted or called back?, What are you up to? Is there someone else?

“Fuck” you mutter to yourself

You see the plane land after going through your voice mails and deleting everything. You needed to explain yourself to Jacob.

Finally the plane comes to a stop and finally the guys exit the plane.

Jake sees you first before Jacob can even notice his surroundings.

“Hes not happy with you right now” he says and gets into his truck

You go towards Jacob and give him a big hug, he returns a weak one and begins putting his stuff in the car. As the both of you get into the car, its silent.

“Before we go, can I explain myself?” You ask breaking the silence

“Please by all means” he replies with a stern voice

He really doesnt look happy right now

“Shandy and them came into town and we attended the world junior tournament” you reply while looking to him

“But why couldnt you just return my texts or phone calls” he asks while driving away from the airport

“Because I completely forgot to charge my phone the minute it died. Well until today just before you landed” you tell him looking to him in hopes he will forgive you.

“If you even did go to the games. Where did you even get the tickets? They were all sold out” he says never taking his eyes off the road

“I got them from my boss. Her and her husband were going out of the country for the holidays and she didnt want those tickets to go to waste and gave them to me” you reply while keeping your attention on him

He is beginning to feel a little better but the feeling of you seeing someone else isnt fading. He wants to believe but something else is tugging away.

The rest of the ride was quiet, being at home was quiet and eating dinner was quiet. Going to bed was quiet.

Going to bed without telling each other ‘I love you’

No kisses good night.

Just went to bed

Quiet

As the days go by you feel hes drifting away from you. The more you explained, the more he didnt believe a word you said. Nothing

At work wasnt great either. You were distracted and everyone can see that.

Your phone begins to ring and you see its Jake. You slide across the screen to answer it.

“You: Hey Jake

Jake: Hey, how are you?

You: Not so great

Jake: Yeah, I figured

You: Thanks

Jake: You arent the only one

You: Right

Jake: You free for lunch?

You: Yeah, since my person isnt going to pick me up nor will he answer my calls or texts

Jake: I know, Im outside your office building”

He hung up on you and you just smiled as you got up and got your jacket. You walk out of the building and get into his truck

“is he talking to you at least?” you ask once you get into his truck

“Nope, not a single word” he replies pulling away from the building

“He thinks I knew that you were messing around but I tried explaining that you wouldnt. I also mentioned that I didnt know nothing and tried convincing him you did absolutely nothing” he adds while looking for a place to have lunch

“This hurts” is all you say and the ride goes silent

He sees the hurt of your face and he doesnt like what he sees. He hates seeing his best friend, his sister hurting. He hates it.

Finally the day ends and the thought of going home was just dreadful. You didnt like the silence at home.

You walk into the house and you see Jacob in the kitchen.

“Y/n can you come into the kitchen please” he says as soon as he hears the door open

Your heart begins to race.

“I am so sorry” he says while looking to you.

You look up and tried not to form any tears

“Shandy called me and she told me everything. I am so sorry for not believing you and pushed you away” he continues while coming closer to you.

His arms wrapped around you felt amazing, finally feeling complete again and finally just being close to him. After so long of being ignored and not touched.

You were already beginning to feel as though the both of you were over and you feared he was going to ask you to move out.

Thankfully he didnt.

A tear streams down your face and you release a soft sob

“I know you said you werent seeing anyone, its just I had this feeling at the pit of my stomach that you were cause you werent answering my calls or anything. That nagging feeling wouldnt go away and I was stupid” he continues while he still holds you in his arms

“I was getting scared that you were going to ask me to move out” you whisper while pulling away from him

“No. No” he says while looking to you.

“I am so stupid, I should have listened to you but no. I am so sorry” he continues

“You arent stupid. You were just scared as I was. I dont want to lose you” you tell him while looking into his eyes

“I dont ever want to lose you either and Im sorry that I drifted from you. I feel incredibly stupid for doing that. I placed myself in a lonely position by doing that” he says while placing a light kiss to your forehead.

The more the both of you talked it out, the more everything started to feel less empty, lonely and more understanding.

“From now on, Im charging my phone right away then waiting till way later to charge it” you say while giving him a kiss to the lips.

“Yes. Or else next time Im kicking your ass to the curb” he jokingly says with a smile

Oh how you loved his smile, the dimples were always your weakness.

“Do you promise?” you ask as you chuckle as well

He pulls you in closer and kisses you. He loved being close with you and he always felt complete.

#jacob markstrom #jacob markstrom x reader #jacob markstrom fanfic #jacob markstrom fic #vancouver canucks #canucks #reader insert #reader #world junior tournament #forgotten request #jacob markstrom request #anonymous #nonnie #anonymous request #request #fic request

26 notes · View notes

2-fast-2-curious · 2 years ago

Text

No one asked for this but it’s my birthday so...

[M4F] Happy Birthday To You

[Friends to Lovers] [Listener’s Birthday] [There You Are] [Cake?] [Why So Sad?] [Confession] [Kiss] [L-Bombs]

#Christine's birthday week #christine recommends audios #jacob markstrom #x reader #smut #calgary flames #hockey #NHL Hockey #Hockey Players #Hockey Fanfiction #hockey smut #nhl #nhl fanfiction

36 notes · View notes

hockeyshmockey · 3 years ago

Text

masterlist

yall idk how to make these but with the amount of f1 stories I have in my drafts I felt i should try.. this doesnt have any of my stuff from before the end of 2021 so sorry about that

Requests are open! especially for f1 :)

updated 3/18/2023

f1 driver stories, insta aus, blurbs

charles leclerc

champagne

5+1 times charles and alysia run into each other. charles x oc

blurb

post imola feels. charles x oc (alysia favale)

I gotta feeling

you surprise charles in bahrain. charles x reader

midnight call

charles gets a late night call from you. charles x reader

lord perceval

you’re a youtuber. 5 times charles ended up in your videos, and one time you’re in his. charles x youtuber!reader

Pierre Gasly

wags (habs)

pierre dating a professional tennis player. pierre x oc

style

hadley takes over styling pierre, he joins her in a youtube video and everyone knows they’re in love. pierre x oc

ig au 2 3

celeb yn insta edit

daniel ricciardo

ig au 2 3 4 country singer yn

this is it

sasha is at the Aus GP and can’t be more in love with this honeybadger. dan x oc

sydney

daniel and his wife have a baby. dan x female reader

lewis hamilton

sugar

lewis likes to spoil his girl. lewis x female reader

untitled

Lewis Hamilton is a loyal brit through and through. what happens when he meets the youngest member of the royal family? lewis x oc

untitled

lewis surprises his girlfriend at her fashion show. lewis x model!reader

ig au singer!yn au

she’s safe with me

request that went a lot sadder than anticipated!! prompt idea: lewis in a relationship with someone who has a good relationship with their dad. the ending would prob be like “don’t worry, i’ll keep her safe & happy just like you did, she’s in safe hands.” PLS. lewis x fem!reader

mick schumacher

crazy girl

mick and his childhood friend In love, thats it. mick x oc

embarassing

mick meets someone and gets a date in the most interesting of ways. mick x oc

bare with me

based on this request! Heyy would you please write a part 2 of crazy girl (mick story) where they end up talking about the kiss and their feelings? Cheers love xx. part 2 to crazy girl. mick x oc

max verstappen

familial ties

5 times max and isabella ricciardo annoy daniel with their relationship + 1 time he thinks he can get over it. max x ricciardo!oc

champion

max wdc win smut. max x female reader

my girl

max goes looking for a fight after bahrain. max x oc

insane

jos and anna verstappen get into an altercation. time for max to step it up. max x fem oc

wing men

the moment when max has a crush and the paddock tries to help wing man. max x oc

insta au (characters from familial ties)

burning up

request: can I please request an at-home dinner date w/max where he makes food but is useless so you take over (he’s happy to watch tho bc he’s so in love) or you make food from the start as a sweet gesture or something, will leave the choice up to you! just absolute fluff and cuteness all around. max x reader

lando norris

day in the life

ciara goes through old quadrant videos and decides recreate one. lando x ofc

untitled blurb

lando coming home to you after a race. ln x reader

streaming

you wake up and Landos streaming. Lando x reader

insta au

carlos sainz

meddler

natalia norris and carlos sainz just need a push in the right direction. carlos x norris!oc

insta au

regrets

after meddling to get his sister and former team mate together, Lando may have regrets (4+1). part 2 to meddler. carlos x norris sister!reader

sebastian vettel

love report

sebastian vettel? notorious flirt. what happens when his future wife is a reporter? seb x fem oc

nhl player stories, insta aus, blurbs

erik johnson

new number

you meet ej at a bachelorette weekend. ej x female reader

story

the ej x landeskog!sister moment I feel like I needed. ej x fem oc

cale makar

ig au

meant to be

cale makar x reader

jacob markstrom

baby fever

olivia is obsessed w her sister’s baby and jacob wants one. jacob x oc

jamie oleksiak

ig au

tyler seguin

sunshine

tyler with a pregnant reader

#masterlist #f1 imagine #nhl imagine

450 notes · View notes

matsbarzal · 3 years ago

Note

The blurbs are sooo good!!! Can i request number 5 from the song prompts w marky!? ❣️

songs #5. could i be yours in the morning? i’m tired of counting down streetlights - yours in the morning (patrick droney)

pairing: jacob markstrom x reader word count: 1.2k

Things had never been inordinately easy when it came to Jacob. He was an enigma, his thoughts and feelings a riddle to you throughout the duration of the game you continuously played; while also being a breath of fresh air, something so different that the remainder of the city of Calgary just… didn’t have to offer.

It was strange the first time you met, his eyes practically boring holes into your head from across the small, empty park. Jacob’s dog’s leash wrapped around his hand; the pup eager to get a good sniff at everything he could get his little nose into; including you.

One second the leash was wrapped around Jacob’s hand, the next the pup was eagerly pouncing on your legs, undoubtfully excited to get the chance to interact with someone other than his owner. At a heightened time in the middle of a pandemic, it was difficult for new owners to socialize their dog’s, especially when said owner was a professional hockey player who was required to follow a stipulation of extra rules.

Jacob had apologized profusely when he realized, his hands trying to tug the overexcited dog from your lap.

“No, no. It’s totally okay, he’s the sweetest little thing. Probably trying to convince me to get one of my own,” you had said, your eyes smiling up at the incredibly attractive man in front of you, his tall, yet muscular body covered by an expensive-looking coat.

Every day following, the encounters were almost the same; you would spend the early morning in the park, Jacob’s pup, or Axel as you been told, actively seeking you out on their morning walks. Especially since you had begun bringing his favourite treats along with you to the small park.

It had taken Jacob all of six run-ins to ask for your number, and days of texting to muster up the courage to ask you if you’d be willing to meet him early to take Axel for a walk; citing the fact that he was sure the dog adored you more than him.

Jacob had kept quiet about his occupation at first, eager to get the chance to know someone who wasn’t intent on knowing him for his position in the sport. It had taken you inquiring about his weird travel schedule for him to come clean, admitting that it was nice talking to someone about something other than hockey, that it was something he didn’t get to do often, especially as a goaltender.

You had made it your mission to ignore the aspects of his job, opting to talk about anything else you could. He told you about his hometown, and all the beautiful things Gävle had to offer, his eyes lighting up every time he had the opportunity to talk about it. You had told him about your hometown, your family, the people you grew up with, everything you could think of. The Flames goaltender had listened intently, always eager to listen to you and the sound of your voice.

It had never gone past your early morning walks, you never wanting to disrupt the friendship you had with the man, and Jacob not being able to build up the courage to ask you if you’d be willing to do something… as more than friends.

That is, until Elias began insisting on being able to come on his early morning walks, intent on finding out what would entice his friend to stay out in the cold morning air of Calgary every day that they weren’t on the road. The fellow Swede almost cackled when he realized it was because of you, his hysterics masked by an overbearing grin and incredibly kind pleasantries.

The moment the two Swede’s got home, it took Elias all of an hour to convince his teammate and friend how imperative it was that he ask you out on a formal date. Not just an early morning walk through a park.

“I was wondering if maybe you’d like to grab a coffee?”

Looking up at him quizzingly, you tilted your head to the side. “For our walk? Absolutely. It’s getting a little chilly, wouldn’t mind something to warm us up, stay here, I’ll go grab it.”

Elias had threw his head back with a groan when Jacob relayed what had happened to him, citing that he needed to be more specific next time. But next time was slow to come, the Flames having one of their longest stretches of travel games in a row, your next walk with the Swede and his friendly pup delayed.

“Here! I’m pretty sure this is what you had me order for you last time, so I hope it’s right,” Jacob was surprised when you offered him the warm travel cup of coffee, a pleasant grin taking over his face.

“Order looks right on the side, sötnos.”

“Ouu, Swedish words, eh? Think it’s only fair if you’re planning on teaching me the whole language, otherwise I’m just sitting here in the dark, and you could be calling me rude names for all I know,” he had laughed loudly at your words, Axel zipping around his legs at the sound.

“Promise it’s not a rude name, I would never call you anything rude. How about we go and drop Axel off at my house, and we can go grab a real cup of coffee? I’ll teach you all the Swedish words you want.”

“May end up sitting there for a while then, pretty sure we won’t be able to get through an entire language in one day.”

Things had continued from there, the walks continued, but you started spending more time together outside of them, Jacob letting you into his small bubble; his time focused on you when it wasn’t focused on hockey.

There had been kisses shared, but nothing beyond that; you had spent almost all your free time together, but there had never been a mention of what you were, what you were evolving to become. And it was starting to get frustrating, confusing even.

“Jacob… I hate to ask this, but I can’t keep sitting here confused anymore, wondering what’s going on,” looking at you with a puzzled look, the Swede urged you to continue, a kind smile upon his lips.

“I just, what are we? Are we dating? Friends who kiss and spend all their free time together? I’m just confused.”

You had watched his eyes shift into a look of confusion, bewilderment and then eventually a small, teasing smile had taken over his lips.

“I forget that sometimes I’m not the most obvious about how I feel, or what I want. I’m not one to really keep my heart on my sleeve, but I kind of figured we were dating, or at least seeing each other. Because I would like to date you, if you want to date me. Counting the streetlights after I leave your apartment at night is only nice for so long, it would be nice if I could see your face in the morning as well; hear the rasp in your voice, learn the breakfast foods you like, cuddle up to you at night.”

It was of course, an easy yes.

note: AH thank you so much for your kind words, im so glad you like them! thank you so much for requesting, and i hope you enjoy <3

77 notes · View notes

typical-simplelove · 4 years ago

Text

All the Way Across the World - 40s AU (J. Markstrom)

Summary: Jacob wasn't looking for love while he was in England fighting the war. However, he wasn't expecting for Lily Stratton to come in and change that.

Series Masterlist

A/n: Here is the first part! This one is the same universe as the Matthew Tkachuk part that is linked in the series masterlist. Also, I want to thank @glassdanse for sharing their stories with me and allowing me to incorporate them into this series. Thank you so much for your help with this! Enjoy reading!

Warnings: mentions of war, death, and fighting; everyone on the Calgary Flames for this is Canadian (this is what worked for everything to flow)

Word Count: 9.3k

Taglist: @boqvistsbabe @goalision @rmaye @mellany1997 @beauvibaby @heatherawoowoo @petey-patty @barzal-burakovsky @coffee-ontherocks @heaveniish @glassdanse @nhlboyshavemyhart88 @tkapuckit @heybarzy @stars-canucks @2manytabsopen (Do you want to be tagged in my fics? Fill out this form.)

May 26, 1940

The loud dancing music coming out of the Red Cross building on the base that Jacob was at was a calming welcome. After a ten-day boot camp trekking through the English countryside, being back in London was a nice sight. Jacob didn’t often opt to spend his nights off with his friends in the Red Cross building; however, Elias wanted to introduce Jacob and some of the other boys to the girl he’s been seeing. Rumor has it that Elias is going to propose soon. Jacob walked into the Red Cross building and immediately sighed. Loud music and drunk soldiers was not what Jacob wanted to do during his free time. He understood the idea and thought behind the Red Cross women setting this up each Friday night. That doesn’t mean he has to enjoy it.

“Please, be nice,” Elias pleads to Jacob. “Don’t be this mopey version of yourself, please?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jacob grumbles.

“No, I agree, you’re unusually grumpy,” Matthew interjects. What was it with Jacob’s friends and their need to point out Jacob's mood? Don’t they understand that they are fighting a war? All he wanted to do with his time was find a girl to love and marry and go live in a house on a lake. Isn’t that the dream? This war threw everything out the window.

“Fine, I’ll try to be less grumpy, but I’m not taking care of you when you’re drunk later,” Jacob relents. His friends cheer around him at Jacob’s admission and a drink is thrown into Jacob’s hand. That was quick. Jacob follows his friends as they find a table to sit at, and Elias goes over to find Annica.

Some of the boys are looking around trying to find a girl who will want to dance with them. Jacob isn’t doing that. War isn’t a time to find someone to fall in love with. During wartime, Jacob is going to put his energy into fighting this war and ending it as soon as possible. The sooner that it’s over, the sooner that Jacob can go home and live the life he was working for.

“Everyone, this is Annica,” Elias says as he motions to a girl who is holding onto his hand. “Annica, everyone.”

Some of the boys wave and others say hi. Elias found a pretty girl who definitely is crazy about him. Introductions are made and small conversation happens.

“I actually have to go back to work; I don’t think Lily thought I’d be this long,” Annica says. She kisses Elias on the cheek and heads back to the kitchen.

“She’s great, right?” Elias says as he watches Annica walk away. “I think I’m going to marry her.”

“That’s great for you,” Jacob says. He tried to sound chipper and happy, but it was hard when he was in an atmosphere he didn’t want to be in.

“Don’t do this, Jacob, you promised that you wouldn’t be grumpy.”

“Then maybe I should just leave.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Yeah, I know,” Jacob sighs. “I’m going to go outside for a moment.” Jacob places his drink on the table that he hasn’t taken a single sip out of and crosses the room to head outside. He opens the door, and his entire attitude makes a positive turn as he heads breaths in the air.

After a few minutes of standing outside, Jacob hears some commotion about twenty feet away. He turns and looks; he sees a woman in a Red Cross uniform pouring some liquid out of a giant pot. He watches her struggle and decides to go over and help.

“Do you need some help, miss?” Jacob asks and startles the woman. She jumps and the pot lands on the ground resulting in the liquid to spill.

“Well, I guess that completes what I was trying to do,” she says with amusement.

“I’m really sorry about that,” Jacob apologizes. He looks downs at the woman and notices her shoulder length black hair that was pulled back into an intricate updo.

“Oh, don’t worry. The damage was more of you frightening me than anything else.”

“Again, my sincerest apologies, Ms.; I’m not quite sure what to call you.”

“Stratton, Ms. Lily Stratton of the Canadian Red Cross. And you are?”

“Second Lieutenant Jacob Markstrom.”

“Well, Lieutenant, thank you so much for making this part of my job easier.”

“Dumping out whatever that liquid was?”

Lily laughs. “Yeah, that’s always the hardest part. It’s heavy and I don’t have the most strong arms in the world. I doubt you can relate to that.”

“I’m afraid I don’t follow, Ms. Stratton,” Jacob asks confused.

Lily laughs, and Jacob feels a blush creep onto his face. “How tall are you, Lieutenant? Actually, it doesn't matter. You’re tall. What I mean is, I doubt that holding heavy things is a difficulty for you, Lieutenant.”

“Oh, no, definitely not, Ms. Stratton.”

Lily giggles, and Jacob determines that it’s the best noise he’s ever heard. “Well, Lieutenant Markstrom, I have to get back to serving you and your fellow soldiers. It was nice to meet you; I hope to see you around.”

“The same here, Ms. Stratton.”

Lily takes one last glance at Jacob and walks back into the kitchen. There was something about Jacob, she just couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

. . .

“Who was that man you were talking to yesterday, Lily?” Annica asks when Lily walks into the kitchen the next morning.

Lily slightly blushes and pretends to busy herself with cleaning the dishes.

“Oh, so you’re not going to tell me about him, then?” Annica teases. When Lily doesn’t respond, Annica only prods further. “You know, I could tell that he was extremely tall. Maybe I should just walk up to each tall man on the base and ask if they talked to you yesterday.”

Lily gasps. “You wouldn’t!”

“I would. Unless…”

“Unless, what?”

“Unless, Lily, you tell me his name. It’s about time that you find a romantic partner.”

“Firstly, I don’t need to have a romantic partner, so hush! Secondly, his name is Lieutenant Jacob Markstrom.”

“Oh, Lieutenant Markstrom? He’s friends with Elias.”

“Of course he is,” you joke.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Annica asks, confused.

“No, nothing mean, I promise. It just means that the one man I find attractive and talk to also happens to be friends with your boyfriend, or soon to be fiance. This means that you can badger him and me until one of us makes a move. This, however, doesn’t mean he finds me attractive or wants to go out with me.”

“Who are we talking about?” Elias asks as he walks into the kitchen. He wraps his arms around Annica from the back and kisses her cheek.

“Your friend, Jacob,” Annica answers.

“Oh? What about him?”

“Nothing, other than the fact that Lily here talked to him and finds him attractive.”

“Oh?” Elias asks amusingly.

“Can we not?” Lily pleads. “This doesn’t mean anything and it was one conversation.”

“You were the girl that Jacob was talking to because let me tell you, he came back from being outside in a happy mood,” Elias adds.

“What does that even mean?”

“He doesn’t like loud party atmospheres. However, he was in a better mood and didn’t mind the atmosphere after talking to you.”

Lily just stares at Elias and looks to Annica for help.

“It means he likes you or at least enjoys your company, Lily,” Annica clarifies.

“Oh, oh!” Lily says. “Wait, don’t. Again, this doesn’t mean anything.”

“You’re right, it might not mean anything, but you could make it mean something.”

“Oh, be quiet, Annica. Can’t we just change the topic, now? We have to have the donuts made for the pilots who come back from their flights in a few hours.”

“Sure, but this doesn’t mean we’re done with this conversation,” Annica relents. She turns to say goodbye to Elias, and Lily turns away. It was nice to see them so in love; she couldn’t wait until they got married one day.

. . .

The following week, Lily was put to work in the kitchen. She was told to have dinner readily available to be filled. Lily didn’t particularly hate this job; however, she wanted to see Jacob again. She wanted to see him and talk to him. She doubted there would be any natural way for her to see Jacob or for him to see her. Oh well, right?

Lily was beginning to peel the next batch of potatoes when the door to the kitchen opened. Believing it was just one of the Red Cross women, Lily didn’t look up. “You can leave the tray on the table in the middle.”

“Well, I don’t have any trays to give you, so I’ll just sit on this stool,” the person who enters says.

Lily lifts her head and turns to the person talking. “Lieutenant Markstrom, what are you doing here?”

“Do you not want to see me? I’m offended.”

Lily smiles. “This isn’t where the other soldiers hangout on Friday evenings.”

“What if this is where I want to be?” Jacob flirts.

Lily raises her eyebrows. “Oh, is that so, Lieutenant?”

“Partially, Ms. Stratton.”

“What does that even mean, ‘partially’, Lieutenant?”

“Annica and Elias forced me to come talk to you. I was going to wait until you made an appearance, but they forced me into here.”

Lily shakes her head. “Of course they did.”

“Now it’s my turn to ask what that means, Ms. Stratton.”

“Don’t worry, Lieutenant, it’s none of your concern.”

Jacob has an amused look in his eyes. “Mhm, if you say so, Ms. Stratton. May I ask, what are you doing?”

“I am prepping the potatoes for you and your fellow soldiers’ meal.”

“May I help, Ms. Stratton,” Jaocb asks.

“No, you may not, Lieutenant.”

Jacob asks. “And why is that?”

“You are supposed to be enjoying your evening and not working. Let me do my job, Lieutenant.”

Jacob’s deep chuckle sent shivers down Lily’s spine. “Yes, ma’am. Mind if I stay here for a bit?”

“Don’t you want to go back to your friends?” Lily asks.

“Do you really want to get rid of me that quickly?”

“No,” Lily says quickly and gets a raised eyebrow from Jacob. She blushes before she responds. “I just don’t know why you’d want to spend the evening in a kitchen when you could be drinking and dancing and ignoring your problems and the war.”

“That’s fair, but why can’t I want to spend the time with my friend?”

Lily’s smile falters slightly when Jacob calls her his friend. She doesn’t let it show, though, in her response. “Quite presumptuous, no? Calling me your friend, Lieutenant?”

“Is that not what this is?” Jacob asks with a smirk.

“I’m not sure, that’s why I’m asking.”

“Well, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to be friends with you. I think you and me could be a very powerful duo one day.”

“As friends,” Lily confirms.

“As friends, what else would we be?” Jacob asks obliviously.

“No yeah, you’re right,” Lily says. Jacob didn’t want anything more than friends with her, and she was going to be okay with that, right? Lily wasn’t going to let the attraction she felt towards Jacob ruin a perfectly fine relationship. “I’m going to get back to these potatoes, okay?”

“Yes, of course; don’t let me distract you.” Jacob tells Lily. Yeah, maybe he should walk out of the kitchen then if he didn’t want to distract her.

. . .

“Oh, good morning, Ms. Stratton,” Jacob says to Lily outside the meeting room for officers.

“Oh!” Lily says in reply. “Lieutenant, good morning to you!”

“What are you doing here?”

“I am setting up coffee, tea, and donuts for the troops this fine morning,” Lily jokes at the end. It was an awfully dreary morning with dark clouds in the sky, fog setting on the land, and a chilly breeze.

“Nice joke,” Jacob tells her.

Lily pretends to be offended. “What? This weather is quite fine.”

“I’m not sure where you’re from, but this weather is normally dreary and not ‘fine’.”

“Where are you from, Lieutenant?”

“I’m from Calgary; normal people don’t find this weather enjoyable.”

“Oh!” Lily says and raises her eyebrows. “So you’re calling me not normal and weird.”

“Who says that being not normal is weird, Ms. Stratton?” Jacob asks in a flirtatious tone. “Wait, does this mean that you like this wet, dreary weather?”

“I do like this weather, Lieutenant.”

“Where are you from, then?”

“Well, I’m from Vancouver; this weather is quite normal for Vancouverites.”

“Ah, Vancouver. Quite a lovely city, Ms. Stratton.”

“If you’re asking for me to compliment your home, Lieutenant, let me tell you, I have never been to Calgary, so I have no idea what to say.”

“Understandable, Ms. Stratton. Care to tell me about Vancouver, then?”

“Well, Lieutenant, what do you want to know?”

“Mm, I’m not sure,” Jacob says, and he playfully scratches his chin. “What about --”

“Lieutenant Markstrom, we need you here!” Captain Mark Giordano, their company CO, interrupts. “Stop flirting with the Red Cross workers!”

“Yes sir!” Jacob says. He turns to face Lily, his face is tinged with red. “My sincerest apologies, Ms. Stratton. Maybe we could continue this conversation another time?”

“Of course, Lieutenant,” Lily tells Jacob with a smile. He gives her one last glance before turning and walking away.

“So, you two are getting pretty close, eh?” Chris Tanev eggs Jacob on when he’s joined his company.

Jacob gives Chris a weird look. “What are you talking about?”

“You and Lily.”

“What about me and Lily?”

“You should ask her out. I think she likes you.”

Jacob laughs. “No, she doesn’t, and I won’t be asking her out. So don’t bother asking me to.”

Chris sighs. “Sure, whatever you say.”

. . .

After getting back from his training, Jacob has a few hours of free time, and he doesn’t know what to do. Walking around base, Jacob opts to use this time to just escape from the horrors and gruelling atmosphere of war. Subconsciously, Jacob is heading towards the Red Cross building. Incidentally, this is also where Lily happens to be at the current moment. Realizing where he’s at, Jacob decides to walk into the building. Once he’s walked in, Jacob smiles when he sees Lily sitting at a table with a notepad in front of her.

Noticing she was concentrating on her current task, Jacob softly knocks on the table to signal his arrival. Lily looks up and smiles when she sees Jacob.

“Well, hello, Lieutenant.”

“Hi, Ms. Stratton. Mind if I join you?”

“No, not at all,” Lily says and motions for the chair next to hers.

“What are you working on?” Jacob asks inquisitively.

“The Red Cross is putting on a Canada Day celebration for the troops. Because you can’t be home with your families on Canada Day, we thought we’d host our own for you here.”

“That sounds nice; you Red Cross women work hard.”

Lily smiles at Jacob. “Thank you, but I think you soldiers work harder.”

Jacob smiles at Lily. “Do you need any help with this?”

“I think I’m good at the moment; this is the first event that I will be hosting and organizing on my own.”

“Wait, does that mean you’re doing everything on your own?”

“No, no, don’t worry. I’m just the one in charge with making all the decisions and leading everyone.”

“I think you’re going to do great, Ms. Stratton.”

“Why, thank you, Lieutenant,” Lily says. Jacob was truly going to be the death of her one day.

“So, what did you do during your free time?” Elias asks later that day. He had his suspicions when he saw Jacob walking back to the barracks in the direction of the Red Cross building.

“Oh, nothing,” Jacob says. He isn’t sure why he doesn’t want to tell Elias about going to see Lily, but he knows he wants to keep that to himself.

“So, you didn’t go to the Red Cross building, then?”

“Um, no?” Jacob says.

“Why the questioning tone with that response?”

“Why all the questions badgering me about my free time?”

“Fair enough,” Elias relents.

“Just out of curiosity, why do you think I went to the Red Cross building?” Jacob asks.

“I don’t think you went; I know you went,” Elias says with power. “I saw you walking back from the direction of the Red Cross building.”

Jacob laughs and shakes his head. “Why then are you asking if you know the answer?”

“So you did go to see Lily, then?”

“I, yeah.”

“Why did you lie to me just now, then?”

Jacob shrugs. “I don’t think you need to know everything about my personal life, Elias.”

Elias sighs. “Yeah, sure, if that’s the reason, then.”

“What does that even mean?”

Elias stares Jacob directly in the eye. “You mean to tell me that there is nothing going on between you and Lily?”

“Yes, why?” Jacob asks, confused.

“Nevermind,” Elias says. This was the way it’s going to be then; Jacob was going to be oblivious to what was directly in front of him.

. . .

June 5, 1940

“I’m thinking maybe make centerpieces for all the tables,” Lily explains to some of the other Red Cross workers. “I’m going to see if my mum can send anything from back home for us to use. In the meantime, Rebecca, if you can try to find red table cloths and red and white paper. We will use the table cloths for the tables. The paper will be used to make flags. I doubt that anywhere in Great Britain sells Canadian flags. For now, why don’t we work with what we have. Let’s work on making posters to put up around base, okay?”

The group disperses into their individual groups to work on the fliers and posters.

“Any way I can help?” Jacob says out of nowhere.

“Where did you come from?” Lily asks.

“I walked in to come see you, but you were talking. I didn’t want to disturb you; you seemed like you were on a roll.”

“Oh, well, at the moment, I’m okay at the moment. However, in the future, I might be able to use your height for my advantage.”

“Let me know the time and place, and I’ll be there.”

“Perfect. What do you have planned today?”

“The weather is too muddy for us to train, so it’s a day off after our run this morning.”

“Sounds nice, what do you plan on doing?”

“I planned on coming here to see you and help, but it looks like you’re all good here.”

“How are you with coloring?”

“Is that a threat or a serious question?” Jacob jokes.

“Serious question,” Lily responds. “I was going to color in these posters, but, since you’re here, do you mind helping?”

“I don’t mind,” Jacob responds.

“Follow me,” Lily says and leads Jacob over to where her posters were. “Here. Just use these paintbrushes, please.”

“And just color it in?”

“That’s how you do it.”

Jacob begins coloring in the outlined words and pictures on the poster. He looks up and sees Lily scribbling away on her notepad. “What are you doing?” he asks.

“I am finetuning some of the details of the decorations,” she responds.

“What kind of decorations do you want to do?”

“I’m thinking of making a banner to hang made of Canadian flags,” Lily answers.

“That’s a lot of work,” Jacob admits.

“Sure, but you guys do a lot too, so shouldn’t we do something for you guys?”

“But we’re fighting a bad guy.”

“And we’re fighting off bad morale and poor morale and spirit”

“I guess both are quite vital, right?” Jacob says.

“Yes,” Lily responds. “Oh, that reminds me. I want to launch a campaign to help you guys get stuff from home.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well, our budget has a little bit extra cash,” Lily says. “I’m trying to get approval, so that I can reach out to your families to send the money to send small things to remind you guys of home.”

“That’s a great idea, Ms. Stratton. Also, I finished this flag, do you want me to keep going?”

“Yes, please. Don’t tell anyone yet, though, because I’m not one hundred percent sure that I’ll get approval.”

“I won’t, promise, but I hope you get it. The boys will like it for sure, if you can get approval.”

Lily smiles at Jacob. There was something about his presence that made Lily feel lighter and so much happier.

. . .

June 16, 1940

“Hey, Ms. Stratton,” Matthew says to the woman. “What are you doing here? Come to see Jacob?”

A red tint crosses Lily’s face at Jacob’s name, and Matthew smirks. “Actually, no. I’m here to pick up our shipment of supplies that came in today.”

“Oh, did you want some help?”

“Don’t worry, I’m good.”

“You sure?” Matthew asks. He looks at the large boxes labeled “Red Cross” and knows that it will be multiple trips to her car.

Glancing at the boxes, Lily changes her mind. “If you don’t mind, actually, could you?”

“Sure, I did offer to help,” Matthew says and follows Lily. The pair both grab two boxes each and head towards the car provided by the Red Cross for Lily. “Oh, hey, Marky,” Matthew says with a smirk on his face.

Lily turns to the man in question and a smile breaks out on her face. “Marky?”

“That’s my nickname,” Jacob responds with a red tint forming on his face. “What are you guys doing?”

“Oh, Lieutenant Tkachuk is helping me load up the Red Cross supplies into the car, so I can bring it back to the Red Cross building.”

“Did you need more help with that?” Jacob asks with a slight undertone of jealousy. Was Jacob jealous that Matthew was helping Lily?

“Um, I think we’re okay, but thanks,” Lily responds.

“Actually, I just realized,” Matthew states. “I have something I have to do, so, Marky, why don’t you help Ms. Stratton?”

“Oh, sure,” Jacob says.

“Bye, you two!” Matthew says as he walks away. “Behave!”

“Chucky, always making inappropriate jokes,” Jacob says.

“Oh, sure,” Lily replies. “So, Marky, huh?”

Jacob laughs. “That’s what they call me.”

“I’m assuming that’s a play on your last name, Markstrom, right?”

“You’re assuming correct.”

Lily laughs, “what would you like me to call you?”

“Anything is fine.”

Lily puts on a mischievous grin that makes Jacob’s heart skip a beat. “Okay, then. Marky, do you mind taking that box for me?”

Jacob shakes his head with a smile. “No, don’t call me that. You’re far too nice to call me Marky.”

“What does that mean, Lieutenant Markstrom?” Lily says with an emphasis on his name.

“The boys use that as a joke and to tease. They’re just being mean; you’re far too nice for that.”

“Interesting evaluation, Lieutenant.”

“You can call me Jacob, you know.”

“Oh, okay, sure, Jacob. You can call me Lily then.”

Jacob smiles. “Do you have a nickname or something?”

“Not really. My grandmother calls me Lilibeth, but that’s just because she wanted me to be an Elizabeth. She’s still quite bitter about that.”

“Well, Lily, I think your name fits you perfectly.”

“Thank you,” Lily says to Jacob with a smile that could win the war if anyone saw it.

After about fifteen minutes of transporting boxes, the pair finally finished.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what are all these boxes for?” Jacob asks. “Didn’t you guys get a shipment last week?”

“We get shipments every week with our supplies,” Lily explains. “However, there’s a bit more today because some of this stuff is also for the Canada Day celebration. I can guarantee that there are three extra crates of potatoes than normal.”

“What are the potatoes for?”

“Poutine of course. We can’t have a Canada Day celebration without it.”

“Are you making it?” Jacob asks.

“Well, me and some of the other women, but yes.”

“What else do you guys plan on serving?”

“Probably just sandwiches. We have to be careful with rationing and stuff like that.”

“Makes sense. Again, if you need any more help, just let me know.”

“Thank you, Jacob,” Lily says. “Just remember, you are fighting a war, so helping me is helping to fight the war.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jacob says. “See you soon?”

“Yeah,” Lily says, and she gets in the car. Jacob closes the door for her, and she waves as she starts the car. “Thank you again.”

“Of course,” he replies. If he had a giant smile on his face watching her drive away, then so be it.

. . .

June 30, 1940

“No, a little higher, please,” Lily instructs Melody.

“Here?” Melody confirms.

“Perfect,” Lily responds, and Melody places the banner on the tape.

“Wow, it looks nice in here,” Jacob says from the doorway.

“Thank you,” Lily says with a smile on her face. “What are you doing here?”

“Captain Giordano had a box of supplies that his wife sent, so he sent me here to give them to you.”

“Oh, perfect! He was telling me about these; I’m glad they came in time!”

“Are you already for tomorrow?”

“I think so,” Lily says nervously. “The only thing we have left is to make all the food.”

“What are you making?”

“I told you about poutine and the sandwiches. I also want to make nanaimo bars; my mother sent me some ingredients from back home. I’ve never made it without her, so we shall see how it turns out.”

“I can’t wait to try them,” Jacob says. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

“No, actually,” Lily says. “I want this to be a surprise for you and the men, so you should leave.”

“I should leave?” Jacob asks with a raised eyebrow.

“You know what I mean, Jacob.”

“Yeah, well, can you at least tell me what I might expect?”

“I’m going to be very vague about it,” Lily says.

“That’s fine; I just like hearing you talk.”

Oh? This was new to Lily. “I, okay, I am going to deck this place out in Canadian flags, maple leafs, and red.”

“How do you plan to do that?”

“Through banners, tablecloths, centerpieces, and decorations.”

“If you want to help, let me know, Lil,” Jacob says.

Lily smiles at the nickname. “No, thank you. If you want to help, then you can leave.”

“But --”

“No,” Lily says and begins to push Jacob out the door.

“Lily, come on,” Jacob pleads.

“I’m not trying to be mean. I just need you gone, so that the Red Cross Ladies and I can get things done,” Lily further pushes Jacob out the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I’ll be here,” Jacob says as Lily closes the door. Despite Lily pushing Jacob out the door, there was still a wide smile on his face with a slight blush. Only Lily could bring out a smile like this on Jacob, could there be another reason for this?

July 1, 1940

“Come on, we’re going to be late,” Jacob urges on to his friends.

“Why is this so important to you?” Matthew asks with a smirk.

“No reason,” Jacob says obliviously. “I know how hard Lily has been working on this, and I want to support her.”

Matthew laughs and shakes his head. So, this was still happening then; Jacob was going to remain oblivious. This was going to be fun.

When they walk in, Jacob smiles. He was impressed. Lining the walls and ceilings were banners made of Canada flags. Each table was dressed in a red tablecloth with an elaborate centerpiece in the center. Each centerpiece was made with fake flowers with fake maple leafs hanging around it. Lining the floors were fake maple leafs. The thought that each piece of decoration had was obvious. Lily really had the skill and knack to do anything she set her mind to.

“Hey,” Lily tells the group as they walk into the Red Cross building. “Welcome to our Canada Day in England Celebration.”

“Hey,” Jacob says, and his smile immediately widdens. “It looks great in here, Lil.”

The guys roll their eyes at Jacob’s pet name for Lily. Right, Jacob wasn’t incredibly whipped for the Red Cross worker.

“Thanks,” Lily responds. “We worked hard for this to be great for you guys, so enjoy! I told you it was a good idea for me to kick you out.”

“Sure, sure,” Jacob responds with a smile, and Lily waves as she heads to the next group to soldiers to greet.

The boys thank her and give Jacob an amused look.

“What?” he asks.

“So, when’s the wedding?” Matthew asks with a grin.

“Not sure. Ask Elias, he’s the one getting married,” Jacob answers.

“Elias?” Matthew asks Elias.

“Whenever he decides to pull himself together and figure it out on his own,” Elias answers.

“What?” Jacob asks, confused. They very clearly are not talking about Elias’ engagement to Annica.

“Nothing,” Elias and Matthew say together.

Jacob rolls his eyes. “Come on, let’s find the rest of the unit.” The trio walks towards their captain and other unit members.

“This is really good,” Matthew says as he spoonfuls a mouth of poutine. “You’re a lucky man, Marky.”

Jacob looks up. “What?”

“To have a girl who cooks this amazing is so lucky.”

“I’m not dating anyone, though,” Jacob says.

“Oh, right, you haven’t realized you’re in love with Lily.”

Jacob glares at Matthew. “I haven’t realized because I’m not in love with her.”

“Sure,” Matthew says and shakes his head.

“So, Jacob, do you love my Nanaimo bars?” Lily asks as the celebration is wrapping up.

“I actually haven’t had one yet,” Jacob admits.

Lily gasps in a playful manner. “You haven’t tried one yet?”

Jacob smiles. “No, I haven’t.”

Lily suddenly grows somber. “I don’t think we can be friends, Jacob.”

“Why not?”

“Because, you haven’t eaten one of the Nanaimo bars, yet, obviously.”

Jacob laughs. “What can I do to make up for it?”

“Come with me,” Lily says and takes Jacob’s hand. She leads Jacob into the kitchen and pulls out a paper plate. “I was saving these for the Red Cross women, but since you haven’t had one yet, I feel that it’s important for you to have one.”

Lily grabs a small plate and places a Nanaimo bar on it; she hands the plate to Jacob with a smile.

“I just eat it?” Jacob asks.

“Yes, unless you want to tell me how beautiful it looks.”

You’re really beautiful. “It’s beautiful, Lily; it’s absolutely stunning.” Like you.

“Thank you, and now, try it.”

Jacob nods and eats it in one bite. “That’s amazing,” he says after finishing it. “I absolutely love it. I’m not sure why I didn’t get one earlier.”

“I’m not sure if there’s anymore around here, but you can have mine from the tray.”

“No, no, I won’t do that; you eat it,” Jacob says.

“I’ve had a few already, you eat it,” Lily insists.

“What about we share it?” Jacob suggests.

“Sure, let me get a fork.” Lily goes to the drawer and grabs a fork. She places one of the Nanaimo bars on the plate, Jacob puts out the knife. “Where did you get a knife from?”

“When you were getting the fork, I grabbed a knife.”

“That makes sense. You cut then?”

Jacob nods and cuts the bar in half. He grabs the fork and spears one of the pieces. “Here you go.” Lily grabs the fork out of his hand, and their hands briefly touch.

“Thank you,” Lily barely whispers as her face grows warm. She could suppress these feelings she had, right?

. . .

July 2, 1940

“So, you and Jacob, huh?” Annica says.

“What?” Lily says with a blush.

“You and Jacob are finally dating!”

“Yeah, no we’re not.”

“Oh, come on, really?” Annica asks. “I saw you guys in the kitchen yesterday. You guys were cute together and interacted so well together.”

Lily looks up. “It doesn’t matter what you saw.”

“Why’s that?” Annica asks curiously.

“He doesn’t feel the same,” Lily answers.

Annica squeals.

“What?” Lily questions.

“You like him?”

“Oh, yeah, I guess I do.”

“I know you don’t think he feels the same why, but he does,” Annica insists.

“No, he doesn’t.”

Annica shakes her head and sighs. Will the pair finally realize the way they both feel for each other?

. . .

August 10, 1940

“Lily, wait up!” Jacob calls out to Lily.

She turns around and smiles when she sees Jacob. “Hey, it’s you!”

“It’s me indeed. Where are you headed?”

“Nowhere in particular. I’m just out for a walk. You?”

“Same, mind if I join you?”

“Of course,” Lily replies with a smile. “How has your day been?”

“It’s been fine. I can’t complain. How about you, Lil?”

“Same, too. I’m ready to immerse myself in our next project, though.”

“What’s your next project?” Jacob asks.

“Other than Annica and Elias’ wedding?” Lily jokes.

“I guess that is coming up soon, isn’t it?”

“It is, but it’s exciting for them.”

“The Red Cross is putting on the wedding?”

“No, we aren’t,” Lily shakes her head. “However, her friends who are in the Red Cross are putting it together. Both of their parents aren’t able to be here, so we are going to try to make this as special as possible for them.”

“Well, let me know if I can help in any way,” Jacob says.

“I’ll be sure to do that,” she says with a smile.

. . .

September 16, 1940

“Guess who?” Jacob says as he covers Lily’s eyes.

“Matthew?” Lily jokes. She knows exactly who it is.

“Oh, I’m offended,” he says, and Lily giggles as he sits down next to her. “What are you reading?”

“A book,” Lily teases.

“Really?” Jacob says with a raised eyebrow. “I never could have guessed. What’s the book?”

“Pride and Prejudice.”

“Oh, a classic,” Jacob says. “Are you enjoying it?”

“I’ve read it quite a few times. We only have so many books here, so I’m rereading it.”

“One of your favorites?”

“It is,” Lily responds with a smile.

“Whatcha reading, Marky?” Matthew teases.

“A book, Chucky,” Jacob responds but not looking up.

“What’s the book?”

“Pride and Prejudice.”

This gets a bout of laughs from the men.

“Why are you reading that?” Elias says. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you read a book.”

“It’s one of Lily’s favorites, so I’m borrowing it from her and reading it.”

This comment from Jacob results in the men looking at each other knowingly. So, Jacob isn’t in love with Lily, right?”

. . .

October 11, 1940

“We missed you this past Friday at the Red Cross evening,” Jacob says to Lily as she’s setting up for the day’s activities.

Lily sniffles. “Yeah, I came down with a cold, so I stayed in my room.”

“Are you feeling better, now?” Jacob asks, concerned.

“Yeah, I have a bit of a runny nose still but nothing to worry about.”

“You’re sick, so shouldn’t we be a little bit concerned?”

“I was a lot worse the other day, so, in theory, no.”

Jacob doesn’t seem convinced. “Sure, if you say so, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to be worried about you.”

Lily isn’t sure how to respond. She’s tried everything in her power to conceal her feelings towards Jacob; however, when he acts like this and cares for her like this, it’s hard to hide them. It’s only a matter of time before they go away, right?

. . .

November 5, 1940

“Maybe you should ask a girl to dance tonight,” Mark suggests. “It’ll take your mind off of what’s happening.”

It’s been a tough month with training and fighting. The men are tired and exhausted and stretched thin. When there is a day off, all anyone wants to do is sleep and catch up on writing home. Today is one of the few days that anyone wants to actually do anything on their day off. To seize the opportunity, the boys are going dancing.

“I think I’m good,” Jacob replies.

“Come on, live a little, have some fun, Marky,” Mark eggs on. “How about this, you tell me what you want in a girl, and I will try to find you someone who fits the bill.”

Jacob sighs. “Fine.”

“Then, Marky, close your eyes and tell me about what you want in a girl.”

Jacob closes his eyes and begins picturing the girl he wants to marry. His eyes are closed for a few seconds, but he suddenly snaps them open. He shouldn’t be picturing Lily’s green eyes or dark hair. He shouldn’t be smiling at the memory of Lily’s giggle. Why was he picturing his friend? Why was Lily’s face all he could see when he closed his eyes?

“You figure it out?” Mark asks.

“Oh, um,” Jacob begins with a shaky breath. “Blue or brown eyes? Maybe light hair. It doesn’t have to be blond or anything. Like, light brown hair? Or a mix?” Yeah, opposite of what Lily looked like.

Thankfully, Chris didn’t catch on to what Jacob was doing. Why was he thinking about Lily as his dream girl?

. . .

December 16, 1940

“Are you ready?” Lily asks Annica. “It’s the big day.”

“I think so,” Annica responds nervously. Lily helps Annica put on her veil.

“You look so beautiful; Elias is going to love you,” Lily tells her friend. Today was the big day. Annica and Elias were getting married, finally. From meeting before the war and somehow ending up in the same place, the pair fell in love and are finally getting married.

“I hope so,” she responds. “What if he isn’t there?”

“He’ll be there, I promise. He loves you more than anything in the world; I have no doubt that Elias will be standing there in his dress uniform ready to sweep you off your feet.”

Annica takes a deep breath. “Let’s head to the cathedral?”

Lily smiles. “Let’s head to the cathedral.”

“Ready, Elias?” Jacob asks. “As best man, I think it’s my responsibility to make sure you’re ready.”

Elias takes a deep breath. “I think so.”

“You look great, and she’ll love you.”

“The bride is here,” the bishop says. “Jacob, if you could head to the back and Elias, follow me?”

Elias nods. “I’m getting married!”

Jacob smiles. “That you are.”

Jacob heads to the back of the cathedral to get ready to process in with the few bridesmaids and groomsmen.

“You have the rings?” Lily asks when Jacob finally reaches the vestibule.

“Yes, I have the rings,” Jacob says and looks at Lily. the breath leaves his body. “Wow, you look beautiful, Lily.”

Lily feels the heat rush to her face. “Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.”

Jacob smiles and blushes. “We should get ready, yeah?”

Lily nods. “We’re walking down the aisle together.”

Jacob stops. He was supposed to lead Lily down the aisle when she was dressed in that beautiful dress that made his heart race? “Oh, okay.”

As the music begins, Lily and Jacob walk down the aisle as instructed. Throughout the entire ceremony, Jacob couldn’t stop staring at Lily. It didn’t matter if they were directly across from each other in the pew and Jacob had to move his head, he wanted to look at Lily. He wasn’t sure if she knew he was staring, but he didn’t care. She was so beautiful, and Jacob just couldn’t look away.

“How are you enjoying the evening, Jacob?” Lily asks as she goes and sits next to him at the ceremony.

“I’m enjoying the evening,” he responds with a smile. “I love that Elias and Annica are finally married. They are perfect for each other, and it shows.”

Lily nods in response. “I agree. I have a question for you.“

“Sure.”

“Do you see yourself getting married one day and doing all this?”

Jacob looks at Lily. “I’m not sure. Maybe? I think if I find the right woman who I want to spend the rest of my life with, then yes.”

Lily nods. “What does this perfect person entail to you?”

“I’m not sure,” Jacob responds. “I think someone who is smart, knows what she wants, kind, and passionate.” Kind of like you.

“Beauty isn’t a requirement?” Lily teases.

Jacob blushes. “Beauty is a weird concept, in my opinion. Everyone is beautiful in their own way, and everyone’s standards of beauty are different. So, if you find yourself beautiful, I’ll find you beautiful. If you don’t find yourself beautiful, then I’ll still find you beautiful because you are beautiful.”

“That’s really sweet, Jacob.”

“I can be a bit of a romantic when there isn’t a war to be fought.”

Lily laughs. “I can see that.”

“How about you? Do you see yourself getting married one day?”

“I think so, but similarly to you, when the right person comes, I’ll know. I do know, though, that I want to have a family.”

Jacob nods. “What do you see in your future husband?”

Lily takes a moment to respond. How can she try to describe Jacob without describing Jacob? How does she tell him that she sees him, or someone like him, to be her future husband? Fortunately, though, another soldier walks up to Lily and Jacob interrupting Lily’s response.

“I don’t mean to be rude, but a pretty girl like you should be dancing, no?” he says. Smooth, Lily thinks.

“If someone were to ask me, then I’d dance with them,” Lily flirts back. If Jacob wasn’t ever going to reciprocate her feelings, she should be able to try to move on, right?

“Well, ma’am, may I have the next dance?”

Lily looks to Jacob for confirmation. Afterall, they were having a conversation. Jacob motions his hand to express that Lily could dance. What was he to say, anyways? No, Lily, you can’t dance because we’re just friends, but you make my heart burst? No Lily you can’t dance with him because you make me calm and happy, but we’re just friends?

Lily takes this soldier’s hand and follows him to the dance floor.

“If it’s not too much to ask, may I ask your name, soldier?” Lily asks.

“Corporal Liam Springs,” Liam responds. Lower rank than Jacob Lily thinks to herself. Stop comparing the two. “And you are?”

“Red Cross worker Lily Stratton. How do you know the bride and groom?”

“I trained with Elias before getting transferred to a different unit.”

Lily nods. “I work with Annica, and we are close friends. That’s how I know the bride.”

As the song continues, Lily and Liam strike up a conversation. The constant thought that Lily kept having were along the lines of “that’s not how Jacob does it” or “Jacob is funnier” or “Jacob makes me smile more”. What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she try to get over Jacob? It was obvious that Jacob would never feel the same, so why was she hung up on him? Because. Because Lily Stratton was in love with Jacob Markstrom, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Meanwhile, as Lily and Liam danced, Jacob was staring at the pair and sulking. There was something upsetting about watching Lily dancing with someone else.

“What are you staring at?” Chris asks Jacob as he approaches.

Jacob doesn’t realize someone was talking to him or came up to his table.

“Marky, what are you looking at?” Chris asks again; Jacob doesn’t realize. Chris smacks Jacob’s arm.

“Hey!” he finally says. “What was that for?”

“What are you staring at?” Chris asks for the third time.

Jacob doesn’t say anything but returns his gaze back to what he was staring at. This time, Chris follows Jacob’s eyeline and realizes what Jacob was looking at. He was looking at Lily, dressed in a beautiful blush dress, dancing with Liam.

“Jacob,” Chris begins.

“Why doesn’t she want to dance with me?” Jacob asks. “I’m right here, and she chooses to dance with him. I’m not disappearing or going anywhere.”

“Why do you want to dance with her?” Chris asks. Jacob always insisted that he and Lily were just friends, so why is he getting so worked up over Lily dancing with someone else?

“Because, I don’t know,” Jacob says and shakes his head. “I want to be the one to have all her attention. I want to be the one on the receiving end of her smiles. I want to be the one to dance with her. I want to be the one who she goes to when she has the biggest news or the smallest news. I just want to be around her.”

“Can I say something without you getting upset or mad at me?” Chris approaches.

“Maybe, I’m not promising anything.”

“That’s fair,” Chris begins. “I think you’re feeling this way because you’re jealous.”

“Why would I be jealous?”

Chris opens his mouth but then closes it again.

“Just say it.”

“Jacob, you’re in love with her, and I think you’re finally starting to realize that yourself.”

Jacob stares at Chris dumbfounded. He wanted to contradict his friend; however, as he sat with the thought, the more he realized that Chris was right. Jacob was in love with Lily, and he probably drew away your love because he acted in ways that represented he only wanted to be your friend. “Oh my goodness, I’m in love with her.”

Chris nods.

“What do I do? Do I just tell her? What if she doesn’t feel the same way?”

“I’m not sure what to tell you, Jacob,” Chris says. “I’m pretty sure she feels the same way, but whatever you do, you have to commit one hundred percent. You can’t go into it and only have one foot in and one foot out. She deserves the truth and everything you have to offer.”

Jacob nods. What does he do now?

. . .

“So, you and Lily, huh?” Jacob says to Liam quite passive-aggressively a few days later.

“Oh, um it’s nothing too serious,” Liam says. “We’re just talking and getting to know each other.”

Jacob scowls at the other soldier. “She’s a special girl, so don’t string her along if you have no serious intentions with her.”

“I wasn’t?”

“Good,” Jacob says and walks away angrily. That man shouldn’t get to have Lily’s love and attention. He wasn’t good enough for Lily.

. . .

“Guess what Elias told me?” Annica says as she and Lily are preparing for the day.

“What did Elias tell you?” Lily asks. “Something gross about your guys’ married life now?”

“Lily!” Annica says shocked. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t share that with you. No, Jacob and Liam got into a fight.”

“What?” Lily asks, shocked.

“Yeah, they were arguing about something and Liam punched him.”

“Do you know why they fought?”

Annica shakes her head. “I do have a theory, though.”

“What’s your theory?”

“You.”

“Me?” Lily asks.

“I think they fought about you because they both like you.”

“I’d believe you except for the fact that Jacob doesn’t like me like that.”

“I don’t know what to say to you, Lily. I think Jacob likes you, and you should talk to him.”

“Maybe,” is all Lily says. Why would Jacob like her if he’s only ever treated her as a friend?

. . .

“Did you know that vegetables can make you tan?” Liam says to Lily out of blue.

“What?” Lily says with a giggle. “There’s no way that’s true.”

“It is! I promise; I learned it in school.”

“Where did you go to school?” Jacob questions annoyingly. He can’t stand Liam, and Liam did punch Jacob in the jaw. Granted, however, Jacob was egging on Liam, but what else was he to say as Liam talked about how you weren’t good enough for him? Liam should be lucky to have you.

“I went to the University of British Columbia,” Liam answers in a tone that Lily couldn’t quite decipher.

“Of course you did; it makes sense why you learned that in school.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Nothing,” Jacob says and looks away. There was no reason for Jacob’s comment. He had no hate against UBC except for the fact that Liam learned something from there that was bringing out your giggles. He wanted to be the one to do that. Jacob wanted to make you giggle and laugh, not UBC Liam.

“Jacob,” Lily says to him in an aggravated voice. “Can we go talk in private for a moment?”

“Sure,” Jacob says in a monotone voice.

“Jacob, what is the matter with you?” Lily fiercely says to Jacob when they’re in private.

“What, Lily?” Jacob says.

“Why are you treating Liam like that?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re acting like an idiot and are being truly mean and cold towards him. Why can’t you be nice to him?”

“Why are you even entertaining him, Lily?” Jacob asks with conviction.

“I don’t know,” Lily confesses.

“Really? It doesn’t seem like. It seems like you’re in love with him!”

“Well, I’m not in love with him.”

“Then why do you care for him?”

“I guess because he makes me laugh, makes me smile, and gives me attention. He cares for me, and it’s nice to have that feeling.”

“You are entertaining him for the attention he gives you? I can make you laugh, smile, and give you attention, yet you chose his attention?”

“His attention isn’t the one I want, but it’s the one I get,” Lily tells Jacob.

Jacob looks at her with a sad expression. “Yeah, whatever.”

He walks away, and Lily is beyond confused. She kind of just admitted to having feelings for Jaocb, and he just walked away?

. . .

“I’m not sure what funk you’re in, but it needs to stop,” Mark says. This was the captain's cornering that Jacob was expecting to come soon. “It’s not affecting your fighting, but it will soon.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jacob responds.

“No, I tried to let you figure this out on your own, but it’s not working,” Mark contradicts with purpose in his voice. “What’s wrong? You’re not leaving until you figure out what’s wrong.”

“I think I blew it with Lily,” is all Jacob says. “I treated Liam like crap, and I think that’s the end of anything with her. She hasn’t talked to me in days. I miss her. I’m also in love with her, and I know I blew that with her.”

“Wait, you’re in love with her? When did you finally realize this?”

“When she started dancing with Liam,” Jacob says.

“If I’m not mistaken, I don’t think she’s been hanging out with him recently.”

“Wait, really?” Jacob says shocked.

“Whether or not you believe me, but I think she likes you, too.”

“No, she doesn’t,” Jacob insists.

“Yes, she does. I just think you didn’t know how you felt, so you ignored anything she did that might have indicated this. How many times did she spend her evenings with you? Or, did she go to you when she needed help? It didn’t matter, she always went to you or your aid. She always went to you first if Annica wasn’t around which is saying a lot because the pair are super close.”

Jacob just stares at Mark dumbfounded. He’s right. Did Lily really feel the same way? Was it possible? What if Lily didn’t feel the same way anymore? What if Jacob ruined anything ever happening? In order to quell any lingering thoughts, he knew that he had to talk to Lily.

. . .

January 1, 1941

New year, new start, right? That’s the saying? Jacob couldn’t set the world on it’s new start overnight, but he could fix his relationship with Lily. Hopefully.

You can do this, Jacob keeps telling himself. If she didn’t feel the same way anymore, then Jacob would understand. It took him hell of an amount of time to realize himself, so he’d understand if Lily got tired of waiting. He could do this.

Jacob walks into the kitchen where Annica told him Lily would be. “Hey,” he says when he walks in.

Lily looks up and gives him a soft smile. “Hey, Jacob. Happy New Year!”

“Happy New Year to you as well!” Jacob says and takes a deep breath. “Would it be okay if we went for a walk? I asked Annica, and she said that you deserve a break.”

Lily laughs. “Sure, let me just wash my hands and grab my coat. Give me a sec.”

Jacob nods.

“Ready?” Lily asks when she returns. Jacob smiles at her and leads Lily out of the kitchen to go outside. After about five minutes of walking in silence, Lily decides to ask what the reason for requesting a walk was. “Jacob, why do you want to go on a walk with me?”

“Can’t I just want to go on a New Year's walk with my lovely friend?”

“You are, but we aren’t really talking much right now.”

“That’s what I want to fix. I have one question first, what’s happening with you and Liam?”

“Nothing, I told him that I couldn’t be with him romantically if I was in love with someone else. Why do you ask?”

“I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t making a move on someone else’s girlfriend.”

“Who do you want to make a move on?” Lily asks obliviously.

Jacob gives Lily a deep chuckle. “You.”

Lily stops in her tracks and it takes a moment for Jacob to realize. “You want me?” she asks.

“I want everything with you. I know that I was an ass to Liam, and I treated you unfairly recently. In my defense, though, I finally realized I was in love with you, and I thought you didn’t like me or already got over me.”

“It’s hard to get over someone you’re crazy about,” Lily says, and Jacob erupts into a large smile.

“You mean that?”

Lily nods. “I’ve been crazy about you since that day you scared the crap out of me.”

Jacob laughs at the memory. “I think I’ve been crazy about you, too, but I just didn’t realize.”

“Good thing you realized now, yeah?”

“Absolutely,” Jacob says and cups Lily’s cheek. “Can I kiss you?”

Lily nods. “Absolutely.” The gentle kiss that Jacob places on Lily’s lips was immaculate. She never knew that kissing someone so softly could also be filled with so much passion. She knew that she never wanted to kiss anyone else ever again. “What do we do now?” Lily asks after they break away from the kiss.

“Well, we finish fighting this war, I bring you home with me to meet my family, and we live happily ever after,” Jacob says with a smile. “Is that okay?”

“Absolutely perfect,” Lily says and reaches to kiss Jacob again.

. . .

March 18, 1946

“Should I put my hand under yours?” Lily asks Jacob, her now husband. They were about to cut the cake at their wedding reception filled with their friends and family.

“Yes, you do that,” Jacob says and places a kiss on top of his wife’s head. The cut into the cake and cut a piece and put it on the plate. They both grab a fork to take a piece. They look eyes before eating the cake and smile. After finishing their bite, Jacob and Lily kiss amongst the hoots and cheers from the people gathered around them.

“Nice cake choice, Mrs. Markstrom,” Jacob says.

“See? This is why we listen to me.”

Jacob chuckles. “I guess I have forever to listen to you.”

“That you do.”

All the way across the world they had a love story. Now, on the other side, they had their forever. All the way across the world in England bloomed a friendship and love story for the ages. All the way in Calgary, though, Jacob and Lily had the start of their forever that was a story that instilled hope in all young people and couples.

#jacob markstrom #jacob markstrom fic #jacob markstrom imagine #jacob markstrom x reader #nhl fic #nhl writing #nhl imagine #hockey fic #hockey imagine #calgary flames imagine #calgary flames fic #calgary flames x reader #40s au #claudia writes

62 notes · View notes