053

Colby called Sidney after we had been sitting at the coffee shop for some two hours. "Dinner? . . . Yeah, okay . . . see you there." Colby hung up the phone and looked at me. "He would rather do breakfast in the morning and would like for me to return you to him, he wants to talk to you." I hung my head a bit, part of me was scared. "Thanks for the pep talk Colby. I know everything will be okay." We walked out of the coffee shop and Colby took me back to the hotel. "So I guess I will see you for breakfast tomorrow," I half smiled before climbing out. "Bye Avery, call me later if you need to." I headed up to the room and knocked on the door. Sidney opened the door in just his underwear. I walked inside past him, but he grabbed onto my wrist and pulled me into him. I dropped my purse on the ground and just melted into his arms. "I'm really sorry about what I said the other day, I really didn't mean it. I was just frustrated," he moaned into my shoulder. "I really need your help with this Sid, I can't plan a wedding on my own. This is suppose to be our day, not just mine," I cried back. There I was, once again crying. I've cried more since I've met him than I have in my life. "What if we just got married at a court house? What do we need the big party for?" I thought about it for a minute, but the little girl in me was cussing him out. "What if we had a small wedding in Halifax, then a reception in Pittsburgh? You have more family and friends than I do, so it's only fair that we go to them." "I would love that, but is that what you want?" I felt his grip around me tighten and I knew I was breaking through to him. I was finally getting his insight on all of this. "I just want to be your wife, I don't care how. I was thinking about that park you took me to that looks over the ocean. I was also thinking about the honeymoon," I knew I was throwing a lot onto him all at once, but I couldn't help myself. "Honeymoon?" "I want to take your family to Italy. Grandma Crosby really wants to go, it just makes sense, we can always leave them there and head out on our own for a few days," I pulled back and saw him smiling down at me. "You're perfect." "Not always," I laughed.

I hated to admit it, but Colby was right. After having some fun in bed, unwinding all of the stress that was built up between us, Sidney started writing out a guest list. I could only sit in bed and laugh. "What's funny?" "Nothing, just something Colby said earlier. So who's on the list?" He looked over at me and raised an eyebrow, before handing me the list that was written on the hotel stationary. I looked down the list and it was the whole Penguins organization and his family. Probably sixty people in total. I wrote down who I wanted there, mom and dad, and handed it back to him. "You're not inviting your brother?" I looked at him, grabbed the list out of his hand and straddled him between my legs. Will sex get him to forget things too?

I thought I was going to keep a knife by the bed now a days? Sidney rolled over top of me and turned the alarm clock off. "Wake up babe, breakfast with Colby and Mel this morning. You can come back and sleep afterwards," he whispered into my ear before kissing my neck. I crawled out of the bed and headed to the bathroom where I turned the shower on. After a quick shower, I blow dried my hair, pulled on some skinny jeans, boots and a sweater. "Alright lets go," I smiled looking at Sidney who was still sitting on the bed in his underwear. "Babe, what's wrong?" I asked watching him stare out into thin air. "Oh nothing sorry, just tired," he smiled getting up from the bed and slipped into some clothes. He's lying to me! I knew that whatever he was thinking about he would tell me later, so I didn't want to push him.

I pulled Mel into a tight hug as we met her, Colby and Max at the diner down the street from the hotel. "You look amazing Avery, did you change your hair?" she asked as we walked in. "No, nothing," I laughed as my eyes caught Colby winking at me. "Whatever Army," I laughed playfully hitting him in the arm. "So where are you guys getting married?" Mel asked as we looked over the menus. "Somewhere in Halifax, Dartmouth or Cole Harbour," I smiled and a grin came over Colby's face. "Then we'll have the reception at the brewery, it just makes sense," Sidney added with a wide smile and I felt his foot rub up and down the back of my leg. I reached over and placed my hand on his thigh. Something is still wrong with him, this is going to bug me. Breakfast went on like five old friends catching up on the good times. Mel was still adjusting to life in the south, but she was just happy to be with Colby. I couldn't be happier for them.

The boys went on to beat Atlanta four to one, and that was a huge relief for me. I said goodbye to Colby once again and couldn't hold that tear from falling from the corner of my eye. "Keep that boy in line alright, and I told you sex would work. Don't deny it, I know, I have a sex radar. I know when people are getting some." I looked at him and rolled my eyes. "Thank you again Colby, for always being there for me," I smiled and pulled him into one last hug. I waved goodbye and Sidney and I left for the airport.

I closed my eyes and tightened my grip on the arm rests as the plane started hitting some turbulence. I was really hoping I was over my flying phobia with all the flying I did over the summer, but that wasn't the case. There was no point in taking any drugs at that point, Sidney would have to carry me off the plane. I just had to suck it up. I kept my eyes closed when I felt someone crawl over my lap to take the seat next to me. I figured it was Sidney but I didn't dare open my eyes in fear the roof of the plane was about to blow off. I could hear two other people sit in the chairs across from me, but my eyes would not budge. I laid my head back against the head rest and took a deep breath. "Avery," Sidney sang to me, trying to get me to look at him. "What Sid?" "I bought you something." I cracked one eye open and saw Max and Flower sitting across from me. I turned to look at Sidney but a big bump on the plane made me force my eyes shut once again. "Come on Av," I heard him plead and I once again looked over at him. He was holding a PSP up in the air in front of my eyes. "My own?" I asked laughing with only one eye open. "Yes, your own. Now you are on my team, kill Max and Flower, don't kill me," he laughed as I took the game in my hands and he put all of his attention back on his. "So is this where I yell 'where are you Flower?'" I asked laughing, but obviously they were to into their game to hear me.

The ride home from the airport was a quiet one. "My parents are coming tomorrow, last minute trip, I just found out this morning." I looked over at him and got excited for a moment, then not so much. "What's wrong?" he asked as he reached over and grabbed my hand. "Your dad, what has your dad said about us getting married?" I was scared, I thought I had a breakthrough with his father when we were in Nova Scotia, but I was pretty sure I screwed that up. "Other than 'congratulations' and 'are you sure?' not a whole lot. I wouldn't look to far into it Av, my father keeps to himself a lot, you know that. And before you go pulling out that shit again, he doesn't hate you. You need to get that assumption out of your head." I was taken back a bit. He knows me too well. "Are you sure?" I whispered to myself. That was the one big question that was on my mind since he proposed. Was he really sure? He's so young.

052

I'm back!!! My "mini"-vacation went about three days longer than expected, we just didn't want to come home! ha! I had a lot of time to think up there, clear my head about a few things, and now I'm ready to jump back in with Avery and Sid! So here we go. =)

***

The one thing I told myself I wouldn't do I found myself doing. I needed a shopping cart. Does Barnes and Noble even have shopping carts? I carried a huge stack of books to the cashier, "can you hold these for me? I'm not done yet, and I can only carry so much." "Of course," he smiled and I ventured back out into the rows of books and magazines. I took another smaller stack to the cashier, and checked out. "That will be $259.87," he smiled. Oh wow . . . I handed over my credit card before hanging my head. I could only laugh. "Recently engaged?" he asked as he ran my card. "Yeah, a week ago," I laughed. "Congrats." It felt like my fingers were going to fall off as I carried the bags out to my car. I threw them in the back and hopped up into the drivers seat. I was turning into a bridezilla!

I slipped into the house, trying to be as quiet as possible, I didn't want to wake Sidney up from his pre-game nap. I snuck downstairs and stashed all of the books and magazines into the built-in bench. I didn't want Sidney to see what I was turning into. I headed back upstairs and started working on his pre-game meal, chicken and pasta. It took a long time for him to trust me in making his meal, it had to be done a certain way, and I didn't get it right the first few times and once made the mistake of adding a little something extra to the spaghetti sauce. They lost the game that night, and he had a minus two rating. I could hear him walking around upstairs and knew he would be coming downstairs soon for his meal, and I was no where close to being done.

With a final scoop full of spaghetti sauce I slid the plate in front of Sidney just as he was sitting down. "Looks good babe, thank you," he smiled before digging in. I couldn't help but watch him while he ate. Fast bites meant it was good and slow bites meant it was bad and he was forcing himself through it. I sighed and retreated to the kitchen when I saw him power through the spaghetti looking like a vacuum. I cleaned up the kitchen and not ten minutes later he walked in with a very empty plate. "Damn Sid, I don't get how you can do that. Do you even chew?" I looked up to see that he was in fact still chewing. "Very, very good. Chewing is overrated," he laughed before kissing me on the neck. I finally have his FULL trust now!

As the weeks flew by Sidney and I managed to set a date, July 11th. I felt like I was working ninety hour weeks between the brewery and the wedding, and it was getting frustrating that Sidney didn't lift a single finger to help. There was the big debate as to where the wedding would take place, Nova Scotia, Seattle, Pittsburgh or somewhere totally different. Mid-way through December the team was going through a slump, having lost five of the past seven games Sidney wasn't the most pleasant person to be around. "We're playing like shit," he snapped at me one night. "I know you guys are playing like shit, but I've learned to not talk hockey with you. So we're not talking hockey. Can we maybe talk about something else, like where we plan on getting married!" I didn't mean to shout, but that's how it came out. "If you can't handle the hockey than why are we getting married again?" My eyes grew wide and I looked over at him, I couldn't believe he had just said that. The look on his face showed one of instant regret. "I'm sorry," he whispered. Even though I could tell he really was sorry, he had to of said it for a reason. "You are being an asshole Sid."

Two days after our little fight we drove to the airport in silence. I was still very pissed off, but also very excited knowing in just a few hours I would be seeing Colby and I could bitch to him all I want. I didn't say anything when we got onto the plane, I just went straight to the back where I found Nathalie in her usual seat. "Hello Avery, how are you doing?" she asked as I settled into my seat across the aisle from her. "Stressed out, we still don't know where we are getting married, so I can't even start looking at venue's yet," I sighed. "He's not helping at all, is he?" she asked concerned. "He's not. I know he's focused on hockey, and it would be really hard for him to really help me, but just a little insight here and there on his off days would be highly appreciated, but nothing. I don't get anything out of him." I spent the rest of the flight in silence, and only hearing the occasional hooting and hollering from the boys up front from their video game. For once this flight wasn't bothering me, I had too much on my mind to really notice the turbulence.

It was becoming rather obvious to the guys on the team that Sidney and I weren't talking as we rode on the bus to the hotel. A big smile came over my face though, as we pulled up and my eyes found Colby standing outside. I had called Colby the day before and gave him a few details on what was going on and he insisted we grabbed coffee the minute we showed up. As everyone piled off the bus a few of the guys said hi to Colby and when I got off he was in a full blown conversation with Sidney. "So are we going to dinner tonight?" Sidney asked looking between Colby and I. I looked down at my feet and was happy to hear Colby speak up, "Um, we will see. I'm taking Avery for the afternoon, we will call you." There was a pause and I continued looking at my feet. "Sid, I'm her best friend, pretty much her only friend. She's stressed out right now, I don't know if you realized that but if she needs to bitch about you, she's going to bitch about you." I looked up in complete shock and saw Colby pointing his finger at Sidney. I felt Sidney place his hand on the small of my back. "Call me later," he whispered before giving me a kiss on my lips, the first kiss we've shared in those two days.

Colby slid my coffee to me across the table and I looked up at him with a half smile. "So he's not helping at all?" I could only shake my head, it felt like such a stupid thing for me to be pissed off about. I like to think I have ever right to be pissed off whenever I want. "It's just not helping that the boys are losing right now. We set a date, we just don't know where we want to get married. I am hating what is happening to me though." He looked at me with a confused looked on his face. "I'm turning into a bridezilla, it's scary. A few months ago, just the idea of marrying Sid put a huge smile on my face, and I would marry him anywhere, just as long as I knew we were stuck together for life and I had his last name. Now though, it's like it's turning into the social event of the year. That's not who I am Colby, you know that's not how I am. I would marry him wearing a bedsheet in the bar." I wanted to cry, I really wanted to cry, but I wouldn't allow myself to. It seemed like I had changed so much since I met Sidney. I was turning soft. I didn't know if that was good or not. "There is nothing wrong with having a small, intimate wedding, very simple nothing extravagant. I know Sidney thinks he has to have all of these people there, but honestly he doesn't. Just get married, then have a party reception thingy at the bar. What do you think about that?" A smile finally came over my face. "I think you are a genius. How do I get him involved though?" "Sex." My eyes got wide. "Sex? What? How?" "He said you guys haven't been having sex, he helps with wedding details you reward him with a blow job or something." "Colby!!" My face was now eighty shades of red and a lot of the people in the cafe turned to look at me.

...

Just a little note, I won't be able to update for a few days, taking a last minute vacation up to Whistler to escape the stress of work. YAY! I plan on closing this story up when I get back, I have a few things planned for it, but it needs to come to an end at some point. =) Then I have a Max Talbot story in the works, so that will be up and running by the end of next week I would say.

Thanks to everyone that reads and comments. I really appreciate it!

Cheers!

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."

050

We were a month into the season and the brewery was becoming the hot spot to watch the Penguins games, home and away. I couldn't be more happy with all the business the place was pulling in, and there wasn't a single night where the bar wasn't full. Sidney and I were going through a rough patch, but I figured that would happen with the season. He was going through a slump early in the season, not a whole lot of goals, but he sure was racking up the assists. In Sidney Crosby's eyes though, that's not enough. I couldn't believe how hard he would be on himself after a loss. "One inch, I just had to move my stick up one inch and the puck would have gone in," I heard time and time again. The team wasn't really losing though, that was the thing that stumped me. Okay so four loses and two overtime loses wasn't THAT bad, they had won six games though. I gave Sidney his space when I knew he needed it, even though he would say he was fine. Most nights he would come home and go to bed, then when I would wake up in the morning I would find him in the sauna, dripping with sweat. I wouldn't say he had a negative attitude, but the aura in the house after a loss would bring me down with him. I was finding myself back in a depressed mood, but there was nothing for me to be depressed over.

Our one year anniversary was fast approaching, whatever that exact date was. He counts from the day we met, for me, I never really thought about it before. I'm not the sappy type, so anniversaries to me were just another day. Sidney on the other hand, thought differently. "So what are we doing for our anniversary?" Sidney asked as we lounged on the couch one afternoon a few days before the anniversary he declared was ours. "Well you have practice, I have to work. Did you want to do something?" "Well yeah, it's kind of a big deal to me Av, sure you have had your fair share of anniversaries with guys, but this is the first time a girl has stuck with me for longer than four months." "If it's that big of a deal to you, then we will do something," I kind of shouted with a tone of voice that was trying to find peace. I was in no mood to get into an argument over something so stupid. "It's not a big deal to you?" he asked just above a whisper. I turned on the couch to look at him straight on. "I'm sorry Sid, I've just never been the one for anniversaries or anything of the sort. I don't even do Valentine's day, you know that." "Are you okay Av, you seem off?" Not this conversation again. I lowered my eyes, and began to play with my fingers. "Are you still on your meds?" he asked sternly and I looked up at him as a tear rolled down my cheek. Just the thought of what was going on in my head scared me and I couldn't help but cry. "You're not are you? Babe, you need to take those meds, they even you out. You feel better when you're on them." "I feel numb when I'm on them. I would rather have my emotions all over the place then have none at all." He pulled me into a hug and ran his fingers through my hair. "I'll plan our anniversary okay? Can you please just go along with it, I won't do anything over the top, I just want it to be special," he whispered into my ear. "Okay, I'm sorry Sid." "Don't be sorry Avery, I just want you to be happy." "I am happy," I sobbed onto his shoulder. I'm pathetic is what I am.

I knew Sidney wouldn't do anything over the top considering the next day they had a home game against the Oilers. When I woke up that morning I rolled over to find my bed, once again, empty. I gripped the sheets in my fist and yelled a little bit into the pillow. I hated mornings when I woke up alone. I looked over to the clock and wanted to shot myself in the foot. "SEVEN AM!?" I crawled out of bed, slipped into my slippers, threw on my robe and headed downstairs to the sauna, but he wasn't there. I looked out the front window, car was still there. Where is he? It was times like this I missed having a smaller house, it was shorter of a hunt to find him. I headed downstairs and found him in the room with our very small wine collection. "Morning babe," he smiled looking through our wine. "For once, can I wake up, roll over and give you a kiss in the morning?" I asked a little irritated as I sat down on the built-in bench. "I'm sorry, but once I'm up, I'm up," he smiled then leaned down and kiss me. "Happy anniversary," he smiled after he pulled away. "Well I'm going back to bed, wake me before you leave for practice," I yawned before heading back upstairs.

I headed to work and was somewhat confused to see that I was the only one there. Did everyone take today off and not tell me? I peaked out into the warehouse and all the workers were there, but there wasn't anyone else. I unlocked my office and walked in to find a beautiful bouquet of stargazer lilies on my desk. How did those get there? I plucked the card off and read it out loud, "Happy Anniversary mo anam cara, there's no work for you to do today, so you should come watch practice if you get bored. I'm sure you will. Love, Sidney." I sat down behind my desk and could only laugh. Why is no one here? I looked around my desk and there really wasn't anything for me to do. I sat there and thought for about ten minutes, there had to be something I needed to do. I finally gave up, locked up and headed to Starbucks down the street. I sipped on my Americano as I walked back to my car. Alright Sid, you win!

"Hi baby!" Sidney shouted to me from the ice. I smiled and waved to him as the rest of the guys began to whistle. I took a seat about fifteen rows up from the penalty box to watch practice. "Hi Avery, what brings you to practice today?" Mario asked taking the seat next to me. "Well I got to my office to find no one was working, and there were flowers and a note on my desk saying if I got bored to come to practice. So I'm here, only because I got bored though," I smiled watching the guys skate laps around the rink. "How's the brewery doing now that it's been open for a few months?" "It's going really, really well. I'm doing a lot better than my dad's and my brother's, which was kind of a shock to us all. I have to say though, I think my personal life is the best marketing Red Hook has ever come up with," I laughed. "Why do you say that?" "People know it's my brewery, and people know who I'm dating. We have the regulars that are cool but then we get the tourists and the puck bunnies who come around in hopes of just meeting a player. As long as they are buying drinks and keeping the peace, I'm cool with it," I continued to laugh and Mario joined in. Mid-way through practice Mario disappeared into the emptiness of the arena, I said my goodbye and turned my attention back to the ice. The Sidney I saw on the ice that day was a fun, energetic one, nothing like the one that comes home at night after a loss. It was refreshing to see him having a good time.

After a small talk on the ice the boys skated around a bit and I got up to walk down to the locker room to meet up with Sidney. "Avery, where you go?" I heard Geno yell to me from the ice. "I was heading downstairs," I shouted down to him. "Practice no over yet!" Man I love that guy. I laughed at his still broken English and walked down a few rows to get a little closer to the ice. "Looks like it's over to me," I yelled pointing to some of the vets skating off the ice. Geno just starred at me shaking his head. "Okay fine, continue practice!" I yelled and watched as him and Sidney took a few shots on Flower. "Avery go put some skates on!" Sidney yelled up to me after a few shots. "No Crosby, remember the last time I was wearing skates?" I thought back to that night in Seattle that resulted in Sidney with three stitches. "Oh come on you loser!" Oh no you didn't. "Sidney Crosby, I am not a loser!" "I think Sid is right Avery, you are a loser," Max yelled. Why are they picking on me? I just laughed and shook my head, I was getting ready to walk away but Sidney flipped a puck up over the glass to me. I caught it out of the air and looked at him with a confused look on my face. "La-who-sa-her!" he yelled up to me and I chucked the puck down at him, missing Max only by a few inches. Yeah, my aim sucks! "Oh come on baby, just go put some skates on," he shouted up to me with a few of the guys standing around him. "No Crosby, I came to watch, not to participate." "You're scared aren't you? You're a big chicken," his laughter nearly filled the arena. "Bak! Bak! Baaaak!!" Max, Geno and Flower all started yelling acting like chickens skating around the rink. "Hey how did you get into my office? I have the only key!" I shouted holding my keys up in the air trying desperately to change the subject. "I have my ways, come on Avery get your ass down here and put some skates on!" Excuse me? "I'll be at the brewery if you wanted to swing by on the way home, and just go ahead and come up to my office since you have your ways!" I turned on my heels and stomped up the steps. I made it up five steps when Sidney yelled up at me. I spun around and looked down at him. WHA . . . ?? Did I just hear him right? "Sidney Patrick Crosby, what did you just say!!"

049

Two weeks flew by, and Sidney and I managed to pack up the house, keeping everything in storage while we stayed at the Lemieux's. We hadn't heard anything else about Scott, and didn't know if he was in jail or not, but for the first time in the past three weeks I felt safe. I was sitting in my office and my alarm went off at 3 PM, just like it does everyday. Man I'm old if I have an alarm to tell me when to take my meds! I pulled my prescription bottles out of my purse and looked at them for a moment. "Why do I take these again? I feel great!" I said to myself spinning one bottle round and round on my desk. I walked out of my office and went to the bathroom to take them. I looked down at my hand that was holding seven pills. "Nope, not doing it," I whispered to myself then walked into the stall and threw all the pills into the toilet, quickly flushing them. I washed my hands clean and went back into my office. I check my cell phone real quick to see I had a text message from Sidney. 'We can go home this weekend.' What? I called him, but it went straight to voicemail. "Hi Sid, what do you mean we can go home this weekend? Where's home again? I know you love your new car and all, but we can't live in it, my couch won't fit, and you know how much I love that couch! Well call me when you get this message, I'm just sitting at my desk, love you." I hung up the phone and put all my attention back to my work.

Another two hours passed and I locked up my office and headed downstairs. "Avery!" Brad shouted to me as I passed through the bar. I walked over to him and he held a key up in front of my face. "What's this?" I asked taking it from him. "Sidney dropped it off earlier, I told him you were upstairs and he could just go up there and give it to you himself, but he said he didn't have time," he explained to me before he poured up a beer for one of our regulars. What's the key for? "You still with the kid Avery, I haven't seen him around here lately?" Aaron, our regular asked me. "He's far from a kid," I began to laugh, "he comes around every once and awhile, but we're usually upstairs." "Well you tell him I said hello and he better help you out with your jersey idea for the rafters," he smiled before taking a big gulp of his beer. Yeah, I do need those jerseys! I said my goodbye's and headed home. I pulled in the driveway to see Sid's Range Rover, but no Jaguar. What's going on? I walked in the house to find Mario in the kitchen pulling out a beer. "Where's Sid?" I asked setting my purse down on the counter. "Oh, he wants you to meet him at your house, he said to pack an overnight bag," Mario replied smiling at me. I looked at him confused and he just shrugged his shoulders and headed to the family room.

I pulled into the driveway, next to Sidney's car and headed inside. There were rose petals scattered everywhere. Usually when rose petals were involved it was a trail leading to the bedroom, but they were everywhere, if there was a trail, I couldn't see it. "Sid?" I asked as I walked around the empty house. I found him sitting on the floor up against the wall where our bed once was. "Come sit next to me," he smiled patting his hand on the hardwood floor. I sat next to him and leaned into him a bit as he threw his arm over my shoulders. I looked up at him and he had a goofy sideways smile, I leaned up and kissed him on the lips, holding it there a little bit longer than usual. "So what's up with the rose petals, and the key, and why are we here?" I asked laughing. "The rose petals, I don't know, I felt like being romantic and that's what romantic guys do right?" he asked laughing and I just shook my head laughing with him. "We're here because I just want to remember all of the memories we had in here, good and bad." "The key?" I asked looking up at him. "We'll get there, let's just think back for a minute. Remember cutting my hair?" he asked with a chuckle. I looked into the bathroom and remembered how happy I was to see his hair short once again. "Never, ever --" "Grow it that long again, I know," he laughed finishing my sentence. I looked around a bit and my eyes were set on my closet. "I remember that time I was doing laundry and I came in here, and all the clothes I just folded were in a huge pile on the ground. I was so pissed off, I started picking them up and you jumped out of the pile, scared the crap out of me." I leaned my head up against his shoulder and laughed thinking about all the times we shared in the house. "You know what makes me smile the most?" Sidney asked. "What?" "Our Christmas tree."

I laughed thinking about all the times we shared in that house, but I was brought back to reality when I heard something fall out of my pocket, the key. "The key Sid, what's the key for?" I asked holding up in the air to look at it. "Our house, in Ben Avon Heights," even though I wasn't looking at him I could tell he was smiling. "We got the house!? When did you find out?" I asked jumping up a bit throwing my legs over his. "Last week, ready to go check it out?" "Last week and you didn't tell me?" "I wanted it to be a surprise, come on let's go!" I jumped up, and held my hand out to help Sidney up. Like he needs help getting up, that boy is a gazelle. We walked to the front door, and we both stopped and took one last look around. I leaned up and gave him a kiss before we headed out to our cars, I followed him there and was shocked to see that not once he did get lost.

I used my key to open the door and before I could walk in, Sidney swept me up into his arms to carry me in. "Welcome home baby," he smiled walking me into the living room which wasn't empty. "How did you move all of our stuff in here?" I asked as he set me down and I walked around. "Mario and I did it this past week. This house is a lot bigger than our last one, so there are a few empty rooms, but what we had is already in here." "So the stuff we packed up this past week you never took to storage, you brought straight here huh?" I asked laughing. "Yeah pretty much, then the stuff you took to storage I just went and got out the next day." I pulled him into a deep kiss then dragged him around the house. It really was beautiful, the family room had two story windows from floor to ceiling looking out over the backyard and pool. A beautiful country kitchen with a huge island, a room in the basement with floor to ceiling wine racks, the sauna and a stunning master bathroom with a huge bathtub, the one thing I was most excited about. I spun around one of the empty guest bedrooms and started laughing. "You know what we need to do?" He looked at me as he leaned against the door jam. "We need to go furniture shopping," I smiled. "Are you going to keep putting it off like last time?" "No, last time you came for moral support, this time we're going to pick things out for OUR house."

I sat down on the couch and Sidney put a DVD in the DVD player. He walked over to me and laid down, placing his head on my lap. "So I put a lot of thought into what I wanted to do our first night in here, and this just made sense," he laughed as he turned the TV on and the menu for the second season of Fraggle Rock appeared. "Season two? You went out and bought season two?" I asked with the excitement of a five year old. "Seasons two, three and four. It's going to be a long night," he laughed starting the DVD. "I knew I loved you for more reasons than just your body." "Thanks Winters, appreciate that," he laughed hitting me in the head with a pillow. We sat there and watched a few shows and I looked down at Sidney. "You're starring at me," he mumbled. "You remind me of Gobo," I laughed and he turned his head to look up at me. "Gobo?"
"You're telling me we've been sitting here watching Fraggle Rock for the past two hours and you don't know who Gobo is? He's the main guy, the one with the Canadian accent," I continued to laugh running my fingers through his hair. He rolled his eyes and moved his head back so he was watching the TV again. "I can see it now, 'Sidney Crosby what do you like to do on your free time?' 'Well Tom I like to sit at home with my girlfriend and watch Fraggle Rock'."

We woke up the next morning to the sun coming in hard through our bedroom window. "We need blinds," I moaned as I rolled off the bed. I headed into the bathroom and sat down on the tub while I brushed my teeth. Is all of this really happening right now? For once in my life things are going the way I imagined them to be. I washed my face, threw my hair up into a messy bun and walked back out into the bedroom to see Sidney sitting on the edge of the bed with a large box between his legs. "There's one last thing. I hope you didn't think I forgot, it's just taken me longer than I thought to get these, and Marty called, he said he put a box in the mail two days ago," he explained smiling at me before he opened the box. He began to pull out jerseys and I wanted to start jumping up and down in excitement and kiss Sidney all over the place, but I managed to keep my composure. "We were just talking about this last night at the bar, Aaron, one of regulars, said I needed to get on you about the jerseys," I laughed looking through them. Jack Johnson, Danny Briere, Alexander Ovechkin, Ryan Miller, Vinny Lacavalier, Ilya Kovalchuk, Markus Naslund, they went on and on. "And the best for last," he smiled pulling out a black trash bag. He opened it up and I saw the gold and black. "There's three in here that are mine, a Penguins jersey, Team Canada jersey and a Rimouski jersey. We got Army's Pens jersey and Thrashers jersey. Talbot, Orpik, Whitney, Flower, Geno, Letang, Kennedy and of course Jagr and Lemieux. Then there are a few baby penguin jerseys in here too," he said pulling each jersey out one at a time. I couldn't hold it back anymore. I jumped around before tackling Sidney on the bed. "Thank you so much babe, this means a lot to me," I smiled before pulling him into a kiss.

The next week flew by and before I could blink Sidney was at training camp. I stayed busy at the brewery while he was away and took my time hanging the jerseys up in the rafters. It truly did look amazing. I hung all the Penguin jerseys over the bar so they were easier to see, and I'm sure the local die hards would enjoy that. Marty sent a bunch of jerseys too, a lot of Stars and a lot of Kings, which I was very, very happy about. Brad and I were just hanging out in the bar after we hung the last jersey and we saw Sidney on the TV being interviewed after that day's practice. "Oh turn it up," I smiled before pouring myself a beer. I can drink again! They talked about expectations for this year, and how he wants to do things differently. They did hit a few soft spots talking about losing the Cup last season, but Sidney was a professional he flew right through the questions. "So Sidney, how has your summer gone?" "It was great, went to Ireland, went to Seattle, just had a fun time, very relaxing." They continued to talk about the summer before a peppy little blond asked, "what do you like to do with your free time?" He did that confused look where he pulls the corner up his lips back a bit, his eyes get wide and he tips his head. "I like to sit at home with my girlfriend and watch Fraggle Rock," he said it with such a serious tone, I don't know how he pulled it off. I sat there stunned, then the laughter poured in. Did he really just say that on national television? "You guys watch Fraggle Rock huh?" Brad asked laughing. I couldn't answer Brad or watch the interview anymore I was laughing so hard. I pulled my phone out and shot a text message to Sid, 'do you know how many girls are going to be wearing Fraggle Rock t-shirts to the games now instead of your jersey? Reebok is going to be mad!'

048

"Have you Googled yourself lately?" Colby asked laughing into the phone. "No, why am I scared right now?" "Um, well . . . go to Google videos and search yourself," his laughter got a little bit louder. "Did you just say videos?!" I quickly got up from my desk and shut my office door. I brought up Google videos and typed in my name. "Colby! What?" I shouted as a video of him and I dancing at the bar on Sidney's birthday started playing. "Keep watching til the end, this is grade A stuff right here," Colby laughed and I figured he was probably watching it for the fiftieth time today. All you could see at the beginning of the video was Colby and I doing our best Soulja Boy dance, and it was clearly obvious that he had no chance on me. We now had proof about that. I couldn't help but dance a little bit in my chair watching it. "We're going to be internet celebrities Avery!" Colby laughed as the video freezed on a still of him grabbing onto the railing as if he was a stripper, with his head thrown back. After the dance the video jumped to a clip of all of us standing outside looking at the car and all you can hear is Sidney yelling 'what'. I couldn't stop my laughing. "He sounds like such a little kid," I told Colby as the video ended. "That has to be the best thing I have ever seen before. WHAT!?" "He sounds like Lil' Jon," I continued to laugh and knew I had to show this to Sidney the minute I got home.

I knocked on the door and a few moments later Mario opened the door. "Avery you don't have to knock, just come right in," he laughed. "Sorry, habit," I laughed brushing it off. We walked into the living room where everyone was gathered around watching TV. "Hey Mario, do you have a computer I can use, I want to show Sidney a video on Google," I said already starting to laugh. "Well if it's okay if we can all watch it, we can pull it up on the TV," Mario smiled. Technology now a days, blows my mind. He handed me a keyboard and I pulled it up. As I clicked on the link Sidney hung his head. "Oh no," he moaned and I continued to laugh. At the end of the video everyone was laughing, except for Troy. Go figure. I looked at Sid and shouted, "What?!" "Why are you making fun of me, when I was in it for twenty seconds, but the whole video is of your backside, dancing," Sidney laughed pulling me down onto his lap. "I'm in that video? I'm sorry I was too busy laughing at Colby and at you to notice I was in it," I smiled pulling him in for a kiss. "Ahem," Mario said from in front of us. "Sorry boss," Sidney blushed setting me down on the couch next to him. I feel like a teenager again.

We drove around the same neighborhood for probably the hundredth time just hoping one home was up for sale, but there was nothing. "So Colby and Mel are leaving in two days, we need to do dinner tomorrow night," I said with sadness in my voice. "Yeah I'm going to miss his ugly mug around here," Sidney said as we pulled into a different neighborhood. "You guys love each other so much, he told me he's going to miss your fat ass," I laughed when a beautiful two story home for sale came into view. "Oh wow Sid," I smiled as he parked the car in front of the house. I jumped out and grabbed a flier. "Four bedrooms, four and a half baths, pool, sauna. A sauna?! This place looks gorgeous," I smiled looking up from the flier back to the house. It was very secluded hidden by many trees, which was nice. It was towards the end of a dead end street located in Ben Avon Heights and in my eyes, it was perfect for us, private. "I think we need to call the realtor and take a look," Sidney smiled before we drove away.

We walked back into Mario's, without knocking, and crashed on the couch with his family. "Sidney!" Alexa yelled running out to us. "Hey Alexa, what's up?" "What are you doing tomorrow Sid?" she asked putting her hands behind her back swaying from side to side. "I think I'm taking someone to the zoo," he smiled pulling her up onto his lap. She leaned up to him and whispered something into his ear. "You will have to ask them that," he said winking at her. Alexa jumped off of Sidney's lap and walked over to Taylor whispering something in her ear. Taylor smiled and nodded her head, than Alexa made her way over to me. She too whispered into my ear, "will you come to the zoo with us, Taylor is coming too. Keep it a secret though, I don't want anyone to get jealous, just nod your head." I started to laugh and nodded my head. She then ran out of the room up the stairs. "What was that about?" Mario asked looking over at me. "I can't tell you, you might get jealous," I laughed. "We get to go see Sid's second family tomorrow, the monkey's," Taylor laughed and Sidney shot her a glare. "We're only taking you so we can leave you there Tay," he snapped back. "No you got it all wrong Taylor, the monkey's are too cute for Sid to blend in with," I laughed looking over at him. He gave me those 'fuck you' eyes that always turned me on. 'Don't even', I mouthed to him.

Sidney and I woke up the next morning to Alexa jumping on our bed. "I thought you locked the door," I moaned into his ear. "I thought I did too." I stayed under the covers and Sidney took Alexa downstairs. I took a quick shower and got ready for the long day. I was excited for spending the day at the zoo, but I was dreading dinner, I did not want to say goodbye to Colby. I knew I would see him a few time throughout the season, but I was really going to be alone this season. Sure there's Max, but let's not kid ourselves. It's awkward. The four of us piled into the car and we drove out to the zoo. "This is going to be a fun day," Sidney started as he pulled into the zoo parking lot, "it's a beautiful day and I get to spend it with three beautiful ladies. I'm one lucky guy." I squeezed onto his hand and we all got out making our way into the zoo. "Anything you want to see in particular?" Sidney asked me as we walked around. "Good question," I thought about it for a minute, "can I get really sappy and corny right now?" I asked laughing looking up at him. "Wait, are you about to say something that you would only hear in a Hollywood tear jerker?" Sidney asked with such sarcasm I could only stop and stare at him. "Nevermind," I moaned. "Oh come on Av," he nagged me on. "You really bring the worse out in me Crosby, I'm not the sappy type," I laughed and he looked at me to continue. "I really do want to see the penguins. I mean these penguins, they find their mate and they stick together for life. You're my penguin Sid, and it's funny that you actually are a penguin. Captain penguin," I laughed as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders, kissing me on top of my head.

Taylor, Alexa and I relaxed on a bench right outside of the polar bears and Sidney had disappeared promising he would be back soon. I saw him come around the corner with a big bag, and a tray filled with ice creams. "What's in the bag Sidney?" Alexa asked taking her ice cream. "Let's eat our ice cream and then I will show you," he smiled sitting down next to her on the bench. We sat in silence eating out ice cream and I looked over at Alexa who had ice cream all over her face. "Woah slow down there kiddo, you're going to get a . . ." "BRAIN FREEZE!!" she shouted holding her hand to her forehead. "That's what I was going to tell you," Sidney laughed taking her ice cream from her. After he cleaned her up he pulled the bag out from underneath his legs. "Okay, I got your guys something," he smiled. First he pulled out a stuffed lobster and handed it to Taylor. "Thanks Sid, this will go with all of the other lobsters I have shoved in my closet," she laughed. Mental note, other lobsters? Must ask about that one. Then he pulled out a polar bear and handed it to Alexa. "Thanks Sid!" she shouted pulling him into a hug. He looked up at me before pulling mine out, giving me a quick wink. He pulled out a stuffed penguin, probably the cutest thing I had ever seen before. "So when I'm gone, you'll have this little guy," he smiled giving me a kiss before handing it to me.

"Thanks for taking me to the zoo Sid," Alexa said half asleep as we walked back into the house. "No problem kiddo, thanks for letting my sister and Avery come too," he smiled before she made her way up to her room. "We better get ready for dinner eh?" Sidney said looking over at me. "Yeah, I guess so," I sighed before we both headed up to his bedroom to get ready. "I can't believe they are leaving tomorrow, this summer went by way too fast," I sighed pulling some clean clothes out. "Yeah I can't believe training camp starts in three weeks. Time flies when you're having fun," he smiled before pulling his shirt off. I could wash my clothes on those abs. "I want to drink tonight," I sighed watching him change his clothes. "I miss when you use to drink. You are already a fun, outgoing lady, but when you got a few in ya, man I can watch you sing, dance, play games for hours," he smiled and I raised an eyebrow at him. "Lady? Like little old lady?" "Oh come on Avery, you have to accept it at some point. I will always be younger than you. I know it's hard for you to deal with, but when you start getting all wrinkled up and things start sagging just know I will get old at some point too, but never will I be older than you," he stated with such pride and I could only throw a pillow at him. "Thanks Crosby, that makes me feel so much better about my old age", I laughed and then wrapped my arms around his waste looking up into his eyes, "will you still look at me the same as you do today in say twenty or thirty years?" He starred out into space for a moment and then a huge smile came over his face. "Eye balls don't wrinkle do they?" I tried to slip out of his grip as I rolled my eyes but he pulled me in tighter. "Avery you are a beautiful woman, a very beautiful young woman and I will always think that of you, no matter how old you get. What I love the most is how beautiful you are on the inside, so there is nothing that will change the way I look at you." "Right answer Crosby, we better leave for dinner," I smiled before getting up on my tip toes to kiss him.

"More wine?" The waitress asked and I nodded my head with a big smile handing her my glass. "Avery when the boys come down to play us, you have to come with, you will love the house we got," Colby smiled as I sipped on my wine. "House? You never told me you got a house, last I heard you had an apartment," I slightly shouted shocked. "Houses are cheap down there, and I fell in love with the city when I was down there last season. You must visit and visit often Av," that goofy smile of his crawled over his face. "Oh I plan on it, just make sure you have a cute southern draw by the time I come to visit," I laughed clinking my glass with his. After dinner we all walked outside and I knew I was going to regret all the wine I drank later. No, I don't want to say goodbye!! I pulled Mel into a hug and whispered bye to her, trying to hold back my tears. "Atlanta has some amazing shopping," she laughed after we pulled apart. "I look forward to that!" I smiled then looked over at Sidney and Colby who were man hugging it out. "Hey Mel, come check out my new car," Sidney laughed allowing Colby and I to have a moment alone. "I've already seen it," she laughed and then caught on to what he was doing. Colby tangled his fingers into mind, bringing my hand up to his mouth and gently kissing my fingers. I wrapped my arms around his neck tightly and started taking very sharp, short breaths as the tears dropped onto his chest. "Hey, make sure you take care of Sid alright? His body fat is getting pretty high, I might actually be able to out skate him," he laughed still holding onto me tight. "I noticed his butt is getting bigger, if that's possible," I laughed through my tears. "I'm going to miss you Avery, but it's not goodbye forever, if we survived being apart for four years, we'll survive being apart for a few months." I nodded my head into his chest and looked up at him. Sidney was taller than me by a few inches but Colby was even taller, so I really had to look. "I love you Colby, call me when you land tomorrow okay?" He leaned down and gave me a kiss on my forehead before sneaking a quick kiss on my lips, just a little peck. "Love you too kid, see ya soon."