051

"I said 'marry me Avery'," he yelled slowly saying each word to make sure that I heard him correctly. "Are you shitting with me right now Crosby, because I'm not finding any of this very funny!" I saw him lift his arm and he threw something at me. I caught it just like I did with the puck and saw a black leather box in my hands. My eyes grew wide and I looked from the box down to Sid, who was leaning against his stick starring up at me. "Do I need to ask you again?" he yelled. I looked back down at the box and slowly opened it. The tears came rushing out as a beautiful vintage diamond ring glistened in the arena lights. "Avery? You still with me here?" YES! YES! YES! I looked down at Sidney and no words would come out of my mouth, I could only nod my head. "What? I can't hear you!" he shouted with a huge grin on his face. "Yes Sidney! I'll marry you!" All the guys who were still on the ice began clinking their sticks on the boards and I ran up the stairs, quickly making my way down to the locker room.

"You have to put it on my finger," I smiled handing him the box, shaking from excitement. He took the box in his hands and slowly slid the ring onto my finger, a perfect fit. He lifted me up into his arms and I gave him a big kiss and then continued to kiss him on his neck and ear. "Did you have this all planned out?" I asked laughing as he set me back down on the ground. "Yeah, and you followed it to a 't'. I flipped the puck up at you to make sure you would be able to catch the box, and the boys and I irritated you so I would catch you off guard. I didn't want it to be sappy, because that's not your style," he laughed leaning down and gave me one more kiss. "You're such a brat Crosby." While he was in the shower I called the first person I always called with good news, Colby. "Hi Avery, what's up?" he asked answering the phone. "I hope you don't have anything planned for the summer, because it's going to be a busy one," I laughed. "Why? What's going on? Are you opening another brewery?" he chuckled. "No, Sid told you we were getting married this summer, remember? So make sure you still fit in your tux!" "WHAT?!" I had to pull the phone away from my ear he yelled so loud. "It's about damn time the boy proposed. Did you know he asked his mom for that ring back in December?" Is this his grandma's ring? He asked his mom for it a month after we met? "Really? Well it's a beautiful ring, I'm happy it's on my finger finally then," I laughed as I saw Sidney emerge from the locker room. "Well hey I have to go but we will definitely talk soon, I miss you Colby. Bye!" I hung up the phone and quickly melted back into Sidney's arms. "You called Colby before you called your mother?" he asked laughing and I only nodded my head. "Hey, I can't marry you, you have to have my fathers permission," I smiled looking up at him. "Already do." "What?" "Remember that day I took your dad to lunch and then we were out until midnight? I asked for his permission that day at lunch, and we went out afterwards with Mario and celebrated, so I'm sure they've been waiting for a long time for that phone call," he laughed leaning down and giving me a kiss.

We met back at the house and I sat on Sidney's lap on the couch. "That ring was my grandmother's. I was scared to ask my mom for it, but when I finally did she was very happy to give it to me knowing I would give it to you," he smiled holding my hand in his starring at the ring. "It's beautiful Sid, and it fits perfect. When shall we start making phone calls?" "After," he laughed picking me up in his arms and carried me into the bedroom. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he laid on top of me, kissing my neck. I couldn't help but stare at my ring. My dreams I had as a little girl are starting to come true, just don't tell anybody that!

We laid in bed and I pulled my cell phone out to call my mom. I put the phone on speaker and held it out in front of Sidney and I. "Hello Avery," my mom answered. "Hi mom, I'm sure you've been waiting for this phone call for a long time," I partially laughed as Sidney wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "Is Sidney there? Can I talk to him," she shouted. "Hi Mira, I'm here we have you on speaker," Sidney laughed. "It's about damn time boy! Jack and I have been waiting for this call for months! Let me just say Sidney, we couldn't be happier, you are the perfect gentleman for our daughter." "Thanks Mira, that means a lot to me. Well if you don't mind we'd like to call my mom and let her know as well, she's been waiting just like you have," Sidney laughed. "Okay you two, I will talk to you later. Bye." I hung up the phone and rested my head on his shoulder. "Wow Sid, we're getting married, you're stuck with me for life!" I laughed and felt him kiss the top of my head. 'That was the idea," he laughed.

He took my cell phone from me and called his mom. "Hi Trina, how are you?" I asked after she answered the phone. "I'm good Avery, how are you?" "I just became the luckiest girl in the world," I smiled and Sidney's grip around my shoulders tightened a little. "Oh! It's about damn time!" she shouted. "Wow mom, Mira said the same exact thing, did I really wait that long?" Sidney asked laughing. "You've been holding onto that ring for eleven months now Sid," she laughed and I looked up at him to see him turn four shades of red. I just got an idea!! "Hey Trina, is Taylor there? Do you think I could talk to her real quick?" "Yeah, hold on one second." "Hello?" Taylor took the phone with a very cheery voice. "Hi Taylor, Sidney and I wanted to tell you something, and then I wanted to ask you something," I smiled looking up at Sidney. "We're getting married Tay," Sidney said with an even bigger smile. It sounded like complete chaos was occurring on the other end. "Taylor?" "Sorry, I'm here, this might be the best thing that has ever happened," she said and it almost sounded like she was crying. "Hey Taylor, I wanted to ask you something though," I started as I heard her calm down a bit, "will you be my maid of honor?" Sidney's head popped up a little bit and he looked down at me with a big goofy smile. "Really Avery? Me?" "Yes Taylor, I couldn't imagine anyone else up there by my side. I might be able to score you a dance with Jordan too," I smiled knowing that she had a huge crush on Staalsy but wouldn't admit it to anybody. "Yes!" she shouted and both Sidney and I started to laugh.

Even though it was 3PM we didn't want to leave the bed. "That has to be one of the coolest things you have ever done," Sidney smiled kissing my nose. "What?" "Asking my sister to be your maid of honor." "It just made sense. I've been thinking about it for awhile now, well since we were in Seattle. She's like my little sister, I wouldn't want anybody else up there." I rested my head back onto his chest and could feel his heart fluttering. Is he sure about this? All of the excitement in my body suddenly turned into fear and doubt. I wrapped my arm around his chest squeezing onto him tightly. "You alright babe?" he asked as I felt his fingers brush through my hair. "I'm perfect," I sighed. I hope this doesn't change us. Snap out of it Avery!! "Is there anyone else we need to call?" Sidney asked after a few shaky moments of silence. "All the boys already know, does Mario know?" "Yeah he knows, he's been waiting just as long as our parents," Sidney laughed and I could feel the vibrations from his chest. Is he ready? Does he know what he's getting himself into? "So did you plan anything for us tonight?" I asked trying to prevent myself from saying the wrong thing, ruining the whole day for the both of us. "Wine, pizza and season three of Fraggle Rock. Unless you wanted to go out, or do something else." "That sounds like the perfect night to me."