Chapter Four: Happy Christmas To All And To All A Good Night.
As I continued to sleep through the early morning, memories and dreams danced through my head, though one in particular caught my attention as it played back like a movie.
-Flashback(dream sequence)-
“Colby!! I don’t wanna go to the mall today!!!” I whined, eyes pleading as Colby dragged me out the door to his car.
“Too bad! You’re going! C’mon! It’ll be fun! I promise.” he said slyly as he opened his car door and hopped in. I got in the passenger’s side reluctantly and folded my arms to my chest.
“Whatever you say.” I rolled my eyes while he chuckled and pulled out of the driveway.
“Sidney’s going.” he offered smugly, raising an eyebrow sarcastically. I felt my heart jump a little but I kept the fluttering to myself, not wanting to fuel the proverbial fire. Colby didn’t know I liked Sidney and I preferred to keep it that way.
“Your point?” I asked coldly, trying my hardest to contain my excitement. I hadn’t seen Sidney for a few weeks since the Pens had games and I was starting my first semester of college. It’d been hard, not seeing Colby and Sidney very much. I’d seen them almost everyday since I’d met Sid and now I was becoming deprived of my two favorite penguins.
“Wow. You must be tired if you don’t want to see Sid. He missed you, munchkin. At least be nice to him.” he started, trying to sound more pleasant, “He’s bringing Marc along too.”
That brightened my mood and I smiled uncontrollably as we drove up the road to the mall. Marc-Andre had become my friend a while ago and offered to teach me some of his butterfly-style goal skills. And from the moment he’d set foot on the same ice as me, we had an instant best friend ship. “Yay.” I commented to myself as the car stopped and Colby opened his door.
“Just don’t be a grouch. I know I woke you up too early but they really wanted you to come along.” he explained as I shut the car door behind me.
“Alright.” I promised, “I’ll be nice. In need my cappuccino now and then I’ll be fine.”
“I can definitely do that for you.” he answered as we walked through the quiet parking lot. I’d become used to getting up so early to go places before, but now I was out of practice. It was the only time that I could hang out with Colby and Sid without them constantly being bothered for autographs and pictures.
We walked into the mall and I followed Colby up the escalator to the food court. There was only three places open but I got a cappuccino and proceeded to follow him back down stairs to a secluded place right outside Dick’s. He fell down on a bench and yawned. I gave him a quizzical look but took a seat next to him anyway and sipped my drink quietly, not questioning him at all.
“Where are they?” Colby asked after a few minutes of silence.
“I dunno.” I said tiredly, allowing myself a yawn.
“They should’ve been here like ten minutes ago.” he said, sitting up and looking around.
“Well maybe they’re just late…” I said standing up, “It is possi… AHH!” I screamed as someone picked me up and squeezed me.
“Bonjour, Bernadette.” Marc said, coming around from behind me to say hello to Colby. I waved weakly as the hug continued.
“Colby! Hey! Long time no see, huh? And, who’s this that’s being killed?” Max’s voice floated around as he joined Marc on the other side of me. I laughed as I realized that Sidney was the one that had hold of me. And I couldn’t have been happier about it. “Oh, Bernie. Hey!” Max said in greeting. I’d only ever met him twice and we’d never really hung out but he seemed to have taken a quick liking to me after Colby and he had become friends.
“I missed you, bijou!” Sidney whispered to me as he put me down and let go of me. I shook off the stiffness from being held and turned around to see a beaming Sidney Crosby looking back at me.
“I missed you too but you didn’t have to crush me.” I said sarcastically, pushing him with the hand that wasn’t holding my cappuccino. Somehow, as if magically, it hadn’t spilt.
“Feisty. I like that.” Max said, smiling at me and throwing in a thumbs up.
“Easy there, hockey whore.” Colby said, pushing Max to one side as Sidney put his hands on my forearms and looked me over a little. It had become so routine that I barely noticed when he paused for an extra moment to look me in the eyes. He’d become like a second brother to me, and as such, he believed it his job to protect me, just like Colby.
“You look great today. Played hockey lately?” he asked, smiling that crooked smile at me. It became wider as I shook my head no. “That explains it.”
“So what, if you play hockey, you look bad? If that’s the case then you must look terrible.” I replied quickly, not needing any time at all to form a comeback. I heard Marc laughing in the background as Sidney pouted, pushing out his bottom lip and making it look even more bee-stung than usual. It made me almost die. Almost. I’d become quite good at dealing with my feelings towards Sidney and I’d almost given up on the idea of ever having a chance with him. I decided about a week after we’d met that I hadn’t a shot in the dark and from that point on I’d been able to control the urge to just jump all over him.
“Wow, I love you.” Marc said between laughs as he watched our antics. Max just shook his head.
“You two fight like a married couple.” he commented, looking over the situation. Sidney couldn’t hold in his laughter and he began to giggle a little. I laughed too, though I didn’t think it quite as funny as Sidney did.
“Well, don’t I get some love too?” Marc asked, opening his arms and pouting. I shook Sidney’s hands off my arms and gave Marc a huge hug, not expecting it when he picked me up and then sat me down.
“What about Maxy?” Max asked, smiling wryly. I laughed and gave him a hug too. These guys were some of the craziest, most amazing people I’d ever met. They weren’t the typical sports guys, they were real friends.
“C’mon! Away!!” Colby said, turning and walking away towards another store. I linked arms with Marc in a joking way and we began to skip after him, leaving Max and Sid to themselves behind us. I didn’t think they’d noticed that I was listening and I heard them talking.
“Max… I’m so…. Oh gosh.” Sidney whispered, trying to keep his voice down.
“I saw that.” Max answered, reading Sidney’s mind almost.
“What should I….?” Sid asked, confused.
“Nothing. It’s not a good idea.” Max replied simply. And with that their conversation ended. I’d been so confused about it for so long that it made my head hurt to think about it. So, instead of figuring it out I just continued to skip off towards Colby with Marc, having a fun time. Sidney and Max eventually caught up, linking arms with Marc and I and skipping right along. Sidney beat Max to my side and linked his arm with mine, pausing a moment as he did, almost as if thinking, before continuing with a wide smile. And the rest of the day had gone a lot like that. We’d eaten a little later and just as people began to show up for the morning rush, we were already gone to the Mellon for a skate.
-End Flashback (dream sequence)-
And with that the memory faded into the darkness and the blaring sound of my alarm clock broke through the shadows. I shook my head in a daze and knocked it off the stand, turning it off. Opening my eyes as I stretched and was immediately awake. Turning my head to the window, I saw that it was snowing outside, almost a white out.
“Colby’s gonna die.” I said, making a mental note to myself. I climbed out of bed and walked down the hall to find that Mom and Dad were already awake and making breakfast in the kitchen.
“Hi honey! Merry Christmas!” Mom said cheerfully a she spun about the kitchen like a top preparing Dad’s breakfast as he sat in wait on the other side of the bar.
“Morning. Happy Christmas.” I mumbled tiredly as I gave Dad a hug before turning and going to the bathroom to get a shower.
“I’ll save you some breakfast!!” Mom yelled to me just as I shut the door. I sighed and got into the shower, almost falling back to sleep as the warm water overcame me. Getting out about ten minutes later, I got dressed again, fixed my hair and make-up and made my exit quietly, not wanting to wake Riley just yet. I walked back to my room and pulled his present, wrapping and all, out of my closet. I knew that if I hadn’t put it there that he’d have opened it before he was suppose to.
“Ahhhh…… Morning all.” Riley said just as I made it into the kitchen.
“Morning, Riles. How’d you sleep?” I asked with a smile as I sipped the cappuccino that Mom sat down in front of me.
“Mmmm great. Your guest bed is really comfy.” he answered with a tired smile as he sat down beside me and laid his head over on my shoulder.
“You look like hell, Riley.” Dad commented, a little concerned.
“Oh. I’m just really tired. I haven’t gotten much sleep lately. Nightmares and whatnot.” he answered easily, unconcerned. “It’s alright. I got a good night’s sleep last night.”
“I see.” Dad answered as Mom sat down a plate of pancakes in front of him, likewise with Riley. She just looked me over and smiled as she sat down a small box that was wrapped in silver paper with my name on it.
“Before everyone gets here I thought you might want to open our present to you.” she said, winking at me with that same motherly look I’d known all my life. I smiled widely and took the box lightly in my hands, being very careful not to shake it or drop it in case it was fragile.
“Well, open it, sis.” Riley said, suddenly alert and interested, though this wasn’t his present to me, he wanted me to get it over with because he too was as curious as I.
“Calm down.” I said, pulling off the paper easily and opening the lid to the small box. Inside was a small Canadian flag and a note. Picking up the piece of paper I saw that there was something else inside but didn’t take the time to get it out before I read.
‘Dear Bernie,
Your father and I were at a loss for what to get you this Christmas. You seem to have gotten everything you’d ever imagined you would. And so, we gave you the only thing we could think of that would make your life better. We hope you like it.
Love Always,
Mom and Dad’
A tear almost came to my eye as I finished the letter and put it down, reaching into the box again. I pulled out two tickets and as I read them, I smiled. What I held in my hands were two tickets to Saskatoon and a reservation to a hotel just outside of Calgary. I looked up to my Mom and her smiled mirrored my own.
“Merry Christmas.” she said happily.
“Thanks, Mom. I love it. I couldn’t have had a better present.” I replied. Dad put his arm around my shoulders and hugged me.
“We thought you’d like it.” he half-whispered. I smiled and got up from my chair, walking over and getting my parent’s present from under the tree in one hand and Riley’s in the other.
“Happy Christmas!” I said as I came back and sat down, sitting the presents in front of them. Mom and Dad were the first people to unwrap their gifts and they beamed as they saw the airline tickets fall out of the box.
“Oh honey! A vacation to the Caribbean! Thank you!” Mom exclaimed as she read the tickets and handed them to my father, who seemed disbelieving. He was ecstatic in a moment as well and hugged me again.
“Your turn, Riles.” I said, turning my head to Riley, who was looking over his present thoughtfully.
“Hmm….. I wonder.” he asked, somehow managing to pull all the paper off his present in one shot. His face contorted in surprise and then happiness as he looked it over.
“OHMYGOD! I LOVE YOU! I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS FOR FOREVER!!!” he said, throwing both arms around me and pulling me off my chair, almost killing me.
“I love you too, Riley. Merry Christmas.” I answered simply, knowing full well that this was the reaction I had been hoping for, the reaction I had known would come.
“Your turn!!!” he said, pushing a box in front of me. I opened it without hesitation and pulled out a Worchester Sharks jersey. Raising an eyebrow confusedly, I turned it around and saw the joke. In the team colors, the name ‘Suicide’ read across the shoulders above both Riley and Colby’s number, 20. And, though it wasn’t my number, I’d always felt a little more confident wearing 20 on my back than my actual number, 13.
“Thank you very much.” I said honestly, giving Riley a big hug.
“You’re welco……” and then Riley was interrupted by the loud sound of my phone going off in the other room. I let go of him and walked down the hall to see who was calling, though after I got a few feet from my room I knew. ‘Whole Lotta Love’ blared through the wall and I found myself almost running down the rest of the hall to get the phone. As I got to my phone, I looked it over to see Sid’s number on the screen and as it made it to the last ring, I answered.
“Hello?” I asked, knowing who would answer. And as soon as Sid’s voice filled my head I felt almost like I was going too pass out from the fluttering I my chest.
“Hey honey.” Sid’s voice was smooth and pleasant, all too wonderful to hear in the morning.
“How’re you?” I asked, sitting back on my bed.
“Great, how’re you? I hope you got some good sleep.” he replied happily.
“I’m good. I just opened Riley and Mom and Dad’s presents. I’ve got a trip to Saskatoon and a Sharks jersey with Suicide written on it. It’s a wonderful day.” I commented with a smile, though I knew Sidney couldn’t see it.
“Did anyone else get there yet? Max or Marc or…?” he asked, a little edgily, as if he was jumpy.
“No no one’s here ye….” I was cut off by the sounds of people coming in the front door. “I take that back, people are here. Hold on.” I said as I walked through the house and into the living room to find that all the Fleury’s, Max, Geno and Matt had come in. I sat the phone down on the counter and turned on the speaker before going over to welcome them. I gave everyone a hug before turning back to the phone.
“Max, Marc, Marylene, France, Geno, Max, Matt and Andre are here, Sid.” I said, seemingly to myself as everyone looked around at each other confusedly. That is, until Sidney answered.
“Hi everyone. Merry Christmas.” Sidney half yelled happily, a sudden excited tone in his voice.
“Merry Christmas, Sidney.” Marylene said sweetly, a smile on her face.
“How’s Canada?” Max asked as the doorbell rang again. I walked over as their conversation continued and answered the door to find the entire Staal clan on my porch, Jordan heading the pack. Over their shoulders I saw that Kris was pulling up into the driveway and I smiled. Everyone was here.
“BERNIE!” he squealed as he jumped on me, almost knocking me over.
“Jordy! It’s wonderful to see you too.” I answered, trying to regain my balance as each of the Staal boys said hello and came in followed by their parents, all watching Jordan still clinging to me. Suddenly the air quieted for a moment and Sidney’s voice from the phone was all that could be heard.
“Jordan Staal, just because I’m in Canada doesn’t mean I’m never coming back. LET. GO.” he said, voice serious. I laughed to myself as Jordan’s arms dropped to his sides and everyone else just looked back and forth between Jordan and the phone. “Thank you.” Sidney finished, a happy note in his voice, as though he could see us.
And then the whole room erupted in laughter after that and even Jordan, who had looked completely scared out of his mind, was laughing. I watched as the door closed and Kris walked in, smiling at the atmosphere in my house. I raised an eyebrow in question as I saw that Lexi wasn’t with him, but soon lost interest as I heard everyone chattering noisily about opening presents. Everyone put down their various bags and presents were soon spilling over every inch of the living room. I sat back and watched as everyone else opened their presents.
“OHMYGOD!” Jordan screeched as he opened his dad’s present to him.
“Sounds like a real Christmas over there.” Sidney commented from the phone. I’d taken him off speaker so that I could hear him over the noise.
“Yeah. But it’s still missing something…” I trailed off, knowing he would ask questions.
“Missing what?” he asked, confused.
“Missing…. You getting a present.” I answered happily, smiling to myself as I watched Geno and Max exchange presents.
“I told you that you didn’t need to get me anything…” he trailed off, a little disbelieving.
“But I did, so go get your bag and open it. Please?” I told him, making it sound more like a demand than a question. I heard some rustling on the other end and then the sound of ripping paper followed by a gasp.
“Oh…. My word. I can’t believe it…. Where did you… How… I… oh gosh.” he stumbled, unable to find the correct words to articulate was he was feeling.
“I’ve got friends. I’m glad you like it, Sid.” I said, smiling to myself as Kris and Geno gave Marc and Matt their presents.
“I love it! Are you kidding me! This is amazing!” Sid continued, finitely realizing what he’d gotten, “I love you so much!!” he half screamed, making me laugh.
“I love you too, Sidney. Merry Christmas.” I said, trying to contain my giggles but failing as I listened to the girlish excited squeaks that Sidney was making on the other end of the line. “Oh! How did Taylor like her present?”
“She loved it. She hasn’t taken it off since she opened it this morning. You’ve got some good taste.” Sidney complimented, pausing with his squeals.
“I’m glad she liked it…” I trailed off as Max and Marc came over to me and pulled me towards the tree.
“PRESENT TIME!!!” they both said in unison as they fell to their knees, pulling me with them. I landed hard but laughed and smiled.
“Okay. Okay. Calm yourselves. I’ll give you your presents first. Max first.” I said, putting the phone on speaker again and sitting it down on the couch.
“Oh yay!” Max squealed childishly, eyes lighting up as I handed him his box. He looked at it curiously for a minute before he turned it over and unwrapped it carefully. Getting to the box, he raised an eyebrow and as he opened it, I saw his face light up like the lights on the tree. “OHMYGOD!!!” he screamed, enthralled, “WORLD SERIES TICKETS! HOW DID YOU DO THIS?! THEY DON’T GO ON SALE UNTIL…. A LONG TIME FROM NOW!!!”
“Let’s just say when you work for the Pirates, you get perks.” I said, smiling at him as he almost tackled me.
“Thank you, Bijou!” he squealed as everyone else laughed. He let me go and I picked up Marc’s present.
“Monsieur Fleury, it’s your turn now.” I said calmly, hanging him his present. He smiled and sat it down, feeling that it was heavy. He tore the paper off easily, almost knowing what to expect. His face contorted in happiness as he saw the super brownies inside.
“My word! It’s my favorite thing ever! FOOD!” he half screamed, laughing a little as he hugged me close to him. “Great gift, Bernadette. I love it.”
“Oh god, Marc, you don’t need to eat anymore. You already eat like a hog.” Sidney commented from the phone.
“Oh shut up, Crosby. I’ve seen you down three steaks in one sitting before.” Max chimed in at Marc’s defense.
“Whatever, Talbot.” Sid finished, laughing. I just shook my head and picked up Marylene’s present, turning to her and placing it gently in her hands.
“Merry Christmas!” I said happily. She smiled back, a little embarrassed to be acknowledged, but she opened her present anyway. As soon as she did, I could tell she was awestruck and speechless, so I just patted her hand. “I thought you might want that for your room. It’s always nice to wake up to your favorite things.”
“Thank you very much. I’ll be hanging this right next to my bed.” she said, smile widening.
“So wait. What you’re saying is that you like to wake up to your favorite things? If that was true, then shouldn’t Sidney be here?” Max questioned, a sarcastic smile crossing his face as I pushed him to one side.
“Listen, buddy, I can make your life in those box seats a living hell. Don’t push your luck.” I warned, winking at him. He nodded in understanding and sat back, waiting for the next person to get their present.
“Matt!” I said excitedly, knowing that his present would surely make him laugh. “You’re next!” I exclaimed, throwing a package at him. He laughed as he caught it and unwrapped it, pulling out a jersey. He looked at it curiously, and then fell into hysterics. The front of the jersey had a picture of the cookie monster holding a stick in the same pose as the penguin in the normal logo and the back read ‘Monster’ instead of ‘Cooke’. As everyone else caught a glimpse of it, a variety of laughs and head shaking ensued.
“Thank you so much! Now he can live out his life long dream!” Marc said, laughing, “Being on Sesame Street!”
“COOOKKAYYYSSS! WHERE ARE MY COOOOOKKAYYYSSSS!!??” Matt shrieked, causing another round of hysterics before he hugged me. “Best present ever.” I nodded and turned my attention to the Staal brothers who sat facing me, cross legged like a tribe of brotherly Indians. Their parents stood behind them and were looking down on us, as were my parents and Riley. I handed Jordan a package but before he ripped it open I put my hands on his to stop him and Max squealed.
“SIDNEY! SHE’S CHEATING ON YOU WITH JORDAN!!”
“Staal.” Sidney said, tone flat and serious.
“SHE DID IT!” he answered.
“I was just stopping him for a minute. Don’t worry yourself.” I told him before turning my attention back to Jordan. “Now, Jordy. This present is for all four of you. Don’t you dare steal it all.” I said, immediately biting my tongue when Marc’s face lit up. He knew what it was already.
“Alright…?” Jordan said, confused. He tore the paper off and found the cake, nearly screaming.
“YES!!!” Eric exclaimed, “It’s been soo long since we’ve had that!”
“I KNOW!” Jared added in happily.
“This is going to be aweeeesommmeee!” Marc said, throwing himself at me and giving me a hug. “Thank you for remembering!!”
“Anytime Marc.” I said, hugging him back as Jordan looked on, still dazed but happy.
“What’d I miss here?” Jordan questioned, looking back and forth between his brother and I. My ears got red but Marc quickly covered for me.
“Oh well, when she was in New York with the Pirates last summer we met and became quite good friends. I always ranted to her how much we loved that cake when we were little and she promised to make some sometime.” he said, covering his tracks well. I heard Sidney make a displeased noise on the other end of the line and I knew that he knew Marc had edited the story a little. I also immediately knew that I would have to provide an explanation later but right now, I just focused on other things as the Staal brother’s each gave me a hug, Jordan’s being last.
“You get your present now. For this cake you get the best present I can give you. Me!” he whispered before giving me a kiss on the cheek and backing up to see my surprised face. “Merry Christmas, Sherrie!” he said, his smile widening as everyone erupted in a chorus of childish ‘OooooO’s. I just laughed.
“Thanks, Jordy.” I said as I picked up Geno’s present and handed it to him gently, hoping I hadn’t destroyed the delicate marshmallows I’d worked so hard on. Geno looked a little confused but opened the present anyway. I suppose he wasn’t expecting anything but he’d gotten something more than he’d thought he would. His smile almost ripped his face in half and he put the container down, throwing himself at me.
“Я тебя люблю! Вы так много! Это присутствовал самый лучший всегда!!“ he squealed in Russian. I hugged him back and smiled to myself, triumphant.
“What’d he say?” Max asked Marc, confused. Marc shrugged and I didn’t bother to answer him, I just answered Geno.
“I love you too. I thought you’d like a little something from home. I imagine you miss it sometimes. And no one should miss home on Christmas.” I finished as Geno let go and looked me over, smile still on his face. Finally, I picked up Kris’ present and handed it to him, moving towards him a little before whispering to him. “I know you’ll like this. It has a lot of memories.”
He nodded and opened the present, almost immediately falling to tears. Everyone else looked around confused as he sat his present on the carpet and hugged me, crying on my shoulder. “T-that’s s-so……. W-where d-d-did y-you………. I-I c-can’t b-b-believe y-y-you f-f-f-found it….” he shuddered, happy and sad at the same time. His present had been the toughest to give but the most worthwhile. On the carpet lay a framed picture of Luc Bourdon and Kris together when we’d all gone on vacation one summer to our favorite lake. The original copy had been destroyed in a fire and Kris believed that the only copy had been with Luc when he was buried, but that wasn’t so. I’d gotten a copy from Luc a week before he’d died and kept it ever since, holding on to his memory, but now I believed that Kris needed it more than I did.
“I had the only other copy.” I whispered back as everyone else saw the picture on the carpet and the room’s atmosphere turned to sympathy instead of confusion. I hugged him for a few more silent minutes as he cried and finally he sat up straight and wiped his eyes, smiling at me.
“That’s the greatest thing I’ve ever gotten.” he told me with a small smile.
“Merry Christmas.” I said, smiling at him and patting his hand as I sat back and heard Sidney cough on the other end, immediately making Marc and Max straighten up. Jordan tensed too, but not as much. I raised and eyebrow in question as they gathered their presents and started to give them to me.
Matt’s present was brand new RBK skates, black and pink with cookie monster laces. Max’s present was box seats to every Pens game that we had left and to every game the next year. I smiled and hugged them both before continuing.
Marc gave me a custom mask with a brick wall pattern, similar to his, with 13 and 20 on one side and 87 25 29 on the other. I tackled him and rustled his hair before continuing on to Geno’s present. Pulling it out of it’s box, I smiled and gave him a hug. It was a Russian Pens jersey with my last name on the back and a 71 below it.
Next was Marylene, who presented me with a plate of cookies the size of Canada. Kris’ present got a laugh from Max and nudge from Jordan and Marc. His present was pj’s from Victoria’s secret that were silky, black and gold and very very sexy. I smiled and kissed him on the head before thanking him as Max ribbed Sidney.
“Kris’ is buying sexy stuff for Bernie, Sid! That must be his present to you!” Max screamed, laughing. I rolled my eyes and looked away, face pink. Eric, Marc and Jared came forward next, smiling. They handed me a package that wasn’t very heavy but I knew, from knowing them, that it was something sentimental, so I made sure that I was careful with it as I unwrapped it. Letting the paper fall to the floor, I knew my face must have lit up with happiness. What I held in my hand was a picture of Marc, Eric, Jared, Jordan, Sid, Max, Marc-Andre, Geno, Kris, Zdeno, Tim, Matt, Gods, Riley, Colby, Kovy, Alex, Petr, Pascal, Gonch, Lecavalier and Parise. All in their various uniforms, all smiling wide for the camera. I almost couldn’t say anything.
“We thought you’d like to have all your favorite men to wake up to.” Marc said, winking at me. I laughed a little and nodded.
“Thank you guys.” I said, wrapping the three of them in a hug. They all smiled as Jordan pouted to himself before his face lit up again.
“WAIT! I HAVE SOMETHING ELSE! BETTER THAN A KISS!” Jordan shrieked, causing Sidney to pipe up.
“JORDAN!” he screamed jokingly. “NO SEX!”
“Shut your trap, Sid! Listen!” Jordan said, causing everyone to quiet themselves. “I was told by coach Therrien, Gilles and Ray that as of their last meeting, they would like to invite you to join the Penguins organization as an assistant goaltending coach.” he finished, smiling widely. I was speechless. I knew that the look on my face must have been priceless because Max made a point of giggling a little before quieting again. “Well? What do you say?” Jordan asked, excited.
“I say…….” I paused for dramatic effect, “That I’d love to work with the Pens.” I finished, smiling as Max, Marc, Jordan, Geno, Matt and Kris all converged on me and nearly knocked me over.
“YAY!!!!” they squealed. I heard Sidney screaming ‘Yes!’ on the phone and I laughed along with everyone else.
“Okay, let me up before I die and don’t get a chance to have my debut.” I pleaded as they all let me up, laughing as hard as I was.
“What about the Pirates?” Riley asked, a little confused but still happy for me.
“Well, since the seasons overlap but not too much, I think I can pull of working both. The Pens need me for tendencies and plays and stuff. I can phone those in and do them in advance. I could even send them from on the road with the Pirates. Works out fine.” I said, smiling as I realized I was finally going to do what I’d always wanted. Work in both my favorite sports, baseball and hockey.
“I see.” he answered, smiling, “Well I’m happy for you sis. Congrats.”
“Thanks, Riles.” I said, mirroring his smile. As the laughter and celebration died down, I heard Sidney cough again, louder this time. Jordan, Marc and Max immediately stood up and pulled me off towards the kitchen, taking the phone along. Max pulled a box out of his pocket and sat it down in front of me before standing a few feet back with Jordan and Marc, who were obviously trying to create a human wall for a little quiet from the other room’s festivities. I looked over the box curiously, picking it up and surveying it a little before Sidney’s voice interrupted me.
“Did they get you into the kitchen?” he asked, voice sort of wavering.
“Yeah…” I trailed off, waiting for him to continue or give me an explanation of some sort.
“Take me off speaker for a minute, pleaseee.” he asked politely. I complied and took him off speaker, putting the phone up to my ear.
“Okay…”
“Well, I know you had a problem getting a present for me but when I went out with the guys, I already knew what I was getting for you. And I know we’ve only been dating for three days but I’ve been after you since the day I met you way back when. You were just so much different than every other girl I‘d ever met…. So much more… awesome.” he started. I tried to say something in reply but he shushed me and continued on, “And I’m really sorry I can’t be there to share Christmas with you and everyone else but I tried my best to make your present extra special to make up for it. I know I didn’t have to but I did. So, open your present, Bernie.” he finished solemnly.
And since I couldn’t think of anything to say in reply to all of that, I just did what he said and opened his present slowly, being very careful with it. I opened the wrapping to find a familiar box, a box from the mall. I’d know it anywhere. Opening it, I sat the box on the counter, speechless again. What was inside the box was beautiful, even though I’d never been much one for jewelry of any sort, Sidney knew me better than I knew myself. I was usually was into simple designs, simplicity was key, but when it came to things like this, details were always nice, but in moderation. Sidney had to be inside my brain. I looked down into the box again and almost felt as shocked as I had the first time. It was a beautiful gold heart locket that had to have been near 14 karots. And this time, I’d taken notice of the small engraving on the front. It read ‘I Love You’ down alongside a small detailed pink rose. I picked it up gently and turned it in my fingers, noticing the other side with its inset rose and small heart. I opened it up and inside there was a picture of Sidney on the left and the right side held a small picture of my family. I could’ve almost cried. And, almost as if by some telepathy, Sidney began to speak just then.
“Merry Christmas.” he sad simply. I could hear from his voice that he was very happy that he’d given me a gift I’d loved. He was so unnaturally nice.
“Sidney… it’s beautiful. I love it.” I said, turning it in my fingers again, “It must’ve cost you a fortune thou……”
“It doesn’t matter what it cost, you’re worth it.” he answered firmly, stopping me before I could finish.
“Sidney Patrick, you are the sweetest thing. I would kiss you right now if you weren’t so far away.” I told him sweetly, smiling to myself and realizing that I sounded much like I had when I’d been flirting as a thirteen year old. I guess some things never change.
“Well, compromise. Save that kiss for me and then we’ll talk.” he offered wryly, laughing a little.
“That sounds wonderful.” I said, stressing the last word.
“I love you, Bernie. I hope your Christmas is everything you wanted it to be. I have to go now, though. Taylor’s taking me out to the park to meet her team. I’ll call you tonight.”
“Okay.” I said, still on a high from earlier.
“Bye.” he said, waiting until I answered with a light, “Byee.” before he hung up. I shut my phone and sat, a little shocked at the counter for a moment. Then I fixed the chain on my necklace and put it around my neck, having no trouble at all closing the clasp. I heard Max and Marc whispering behind me and I turned to face them, raising an eyebrow.
“Hmm?” I questioned quizzically.
“Nothing, nothing.” Max said, smiling, “So I take it Sidney did a good job?” he asked, obviously knowing the answer. I felt my arm involuntarily raise to my neck and touch the necklace before I answered.
“Sidney did a wonderful job.” I said, standing up and walking over to him. “And you guys did a great job of making that surprise better.” I said hugging Max first, then Jordan and finally Marc-Andre. They all beamed and back up into the living room where everyone had gathered up their presents and the Staal’s had cut their cake and were handing pieces of it out to everyone. Marc handed me a piece as I took a seat on the couch next to Max and Riley. I took a bite of the cake and immediately I could see that Mom was right, she knew I would get better, even if it did take a few long years of screw ups and burnt microwave ovens.
“Oh my god! This is sooo awesome.” Jordan commented from his place on the floor next to my legs.
“HE’S RIGHT!” Eric said through a mouthful of cake. I just smiled and nodded as I kept eating. Everyone else agreed with him at some point but I just took it all in, not really wanting to speak. Finally; when everyone had finished, Marylene revealed another tray of cookies and soon everyone was gorging themselves on that. I glanced over at the time and saw that it was now around 11 o’ clock. I got up and excused myself from the room, walking into the kitchen where Mom and Dad already were working hard on preparing supper. I smiled and pulled back my hair, moving around the kitchen with the ease that came from living here for some years.
I helped out as much as I could, giving Mom the things she needed to make what she was making and laughing when Dad made a half hearted joke. And a few minutes after we started, Marc Staal joined us in the kitchen, sitting down beside my Dad and smiling over at me. I hadn’t seen him since a few years back when I’d first met him at a Pirates game.
-Flashback-
The Pirates vs. the Mets. Not exactly you’re average major league baseball game. It was a season clincher. It was what I’d been waiting for all year. I’d always loved New York, but being here with the Pirates gave me a completely different outlook on the whole thing.
I smiled as I pulled up to the stadium and parked towards the back where the VIP entrance was. Getting out of the car, I sighed and took in the air. I could hear the buzzing of fans inside as I walked into the stadium and joined my team in the locker room and just as they got dressed, I noticed that coach wasn’t around. I walked around the backrooms aimlessly, searching for Simon for a while, but giving up and walking into the dugout to see how many people where there.
As to be expected, there were thousands of fans in every corner of the stadium, roaring in anticipation of tonight’s game. I could almost have passed out from anticipation myself. I’d been to hundreds of games, met the legends of baseball, seen so many bench clearers and injuries that it made my head spin almost, but I still got that excited feeling. And I loved it. And then, I heard a voice I’d only ever heard on tv, a voice that I really doubted to be the same as I thought it was. The voice of Marc Staal. I turned around and sure enough, Marc was filing down the hallway towards me with his agent and a few other people. I had to almost slap myself in the face. What was an NHL star doing at an MLB game?
“Miss Armstrong?” Marc’s voice was low and upbeat as he walked forward and smiled.
“Uhm… yeah that’s me.” I answered, still a little shocked. Marc’s agent took the other people and shooed them away, walking back the hallway himself afterwards.
“Marc Staal. Nice to meet you.” he said offering me his hand. I took it, still confused.
“What’re you doing here?” I let out, not realizing I’d said it until he laughed.
“Well, I like baseball, my agent likes baseball and I had a day off. I thought maybe I could come to one of the possible best games this season. And since I am who I am….” he trailed off, implying everything else I needed to know.
“Yeah but I mean what are you doing here. With me? I’m not that important. I just take care of the injuries and make sure moral is high.” I said, downplaying my job as Marc let go of my hand and laughed.
“Oh you’re more important than that. You’re like the second coach here. Simon can’t do it all himself. You’re a great motivator.” he told me, smiling. I laughed a little and shook my head.
“Think what you want.” I told him, turning back around to look at the crowd once more before realizing that I needed to be back in the locker room to talk to Simon before the game started. “Marc, can you wait here for a minute, I have to go talk to coach.”
“I’ll come with you. He invited me after all.” Marc started, stopping to think about his next words, “Well, he invited Jordan and I but he’s too busy so I came without him. C’mon.” he said, turning and leading the way down the hall. I stood, stunned for a moment as I watched him walk away but soon followed.
And the game had gone wonderfully. We’d won 13-6. Total domination. Marc had complained every inning when his team had started to lose but I shut him up quickly with a smack to the back of the head with my glove or whatever other object I had. We’d gone out after the game and it turned into a best friendship. Since the series was ten games long, we’d had a lot of time to hang out over the last few weeks and we made fast friends, though I never did get a chance to meet Eric or Jordan. After a while we’d gone out for a few dates and we got along great.
Our relationship probably would’ve kept going had it not been for Sean Avery ruining our lives and telling me that Marc had done some horrible things to Tyler Yates, my best friend during the baseball season. I broke up with Marc the week after and left with the team for our next round of games, only finding out that Sean had been lying after I met Eric in Carolina. Ever since Marc and I had been closer than ever, though he’d never tried to go out with me again. Best friends seemed enough for him and I was fine with that.
-End Flashback-
“Hey Marc!” I said, running around the counter and jumping on him like a little girl. He just laughed and sat me down on his lap, hugging me.
“I haven’t seen you since the Mets’ series. How’ve you been?” he asked curiously, smiling at me.
“I’ve been great. How about you?” I asked as Mom and Dad left the room to go back to the small party that was in the living room.
“I’ve been well. Playing hockey. Getting killed. It’s a wonderful life.” he answered, shifting under me so that I was facing him more. “I missed you, Bernie Rae.”
“I missed you too Staalsy.” I replied, smile widening.
“I’m really sorry about Sean. He’s an ass.” he apologized, looking down at the counter top. It was the first time he’d ever apologized for that since. He’d never gotten a chance; because frankly I’d never given him one. Eric had patched it up pretty well so he’d been forgiven before but I knew that he wouldn’t feel right until he apologized himself.
“It’s alright. It wasn’t you. We all know he’s an asshole.” I told him, almost forcing that fact down his throat.
“But I wanted to congratulate you and Sidney.” he trailed off, not knowing whether to continue or not. I nearly tackled him.
“How did you find out about that!?” I half asked, half demanded.
“Jordan told me on the way over… Why am I not suppose to know?” he asked, a little hurt.
“NO NO! It’s not that!” I told him, giving him a hug. “It’s just that Sid and I were trying to keep that to ourselves and the team. We didn’t want too many people to find out.”
“Oh! Well in that case I’ll keep it under wraps. But you do realize that everyone in the league pretty much knows that you two are together, right?” he asked as I walked around the counter to get my cappuccino, which had been neglected since early this morning. I nearly dropped it.
“What?!” I asked, shocked.
“We all sort of pretty much guessed. Sidney wouldn’t date a puck bunny for very long and knowing his personality he’d go for someone close to him. You were pretty obvious there, honey. And besides, as soon as Savran said ‘someone pretty close to him in the hockey world’ we all knew it was you. Colby’s his best friend so you’re a shoe in for girlfriend.” He explained as I took a seat next to him, looking over to see how much time was left on the oven, though I knew the food wouldn’t be done for a long time.
“I see…” I said, a little surprised. These hockey players had decent heads on their shoulders. I should’ve known Marc would find out though. He seemed to find out everything that was happening to me. I suppose it helped that Jordan was here to give him updates but still.
“But don’t worry; I can call around and tell everyone to keep quiet. They probably weren’t even thinking of saying anything anyway. They all know how the media is. Especially with Sidney.” he assured. “We all know that they can be sharks.”
“WHAT ABOUT SHARKS?!” Riley screamed, throwing himself around the corner and into the conversation.
“The media, they’re sharks.” Marc repeated calmly, laughing a little as Riley relaxed.
“Oh. I thought you were dissing my team.” Riley said as he walked away back into the living room. Marc looked over at me and we both just started laughing, knowing how edgy Riley was.
“Wow. He didn’t change much, did he?” Marc asked, smiling as he wiped a tear from his eye.
“Nope. Not at all.” I answered, shaking my head as I took a drink and contemplated my next thought. Marc caught on almost instantaneously, just as he always had, and jumped into the conversation right where he knew I would sooner or later.
“But I’m very happy for you. No matter whether I have to hide the fact that you guys are dating or not. It’s nice to see Sidney find someone so…… indescribably awesome.” he complimented, smiling solemnly. I smiled back and gave him a hug.
“Thanks, Marc. That means a lot from you.” I said gratefully as I heard a few people in the living room get up. Matt, Geno, France, Andre, Marylene, Henry and Linda all came around the corner wearing their jackets. I’d expected Matt and Geno to leave but the others were a surprise.
“I’ve gotta go meet up with my brother.” Geno said, a little sad.
“Girlfriend’s waiting up.” Matt chimed in.
“We’re flying back home so we can be in Montreal for the game tomorrow.” Andre added.
“As are we.” Henry said, as sad as Geno. Marc was out of his chair before me and over to his parents. I got up slowly and was almost mauled by Matt and Geno.
“HAPPY CHRISTMAS!” they screamed in my ear as they hugged me close.
“Happy Christmas guys. I love you both. I hope you have a good rest of the day. I’ll be cheering for you tomorrow.” I told them both, letting them go and looking them over with a smile that was mirrored by the both.
“I’ll call you after the game.” Matt said, smiling, “And I might even wear my jersey for post game interviews.” he finished, winking at me slyly. My smile widened as Geno spoke.
“I will give my family your hello and some of your marshmallows.” he tried, attempting to be as grammatically correct as he could.
“Alright. Sounds nice.” I said as they both turned around to go say goodbye to everyone in the living room and dawn their coats. Next Marylene, Andre and France came over to me. Marylene instantly latched on and gave me a huge hug.
“This was a great Christmas. And you gave me something super. I love it! Thank you very much, mademoiselle.” she said before letting go.
“Anytime, Marylene. I’m glad you liked it. Keep in touch this time, okay?” I asked. She nodded and backed up, going into the living room to say goodbye to Marc. Her mother then came forward.
“Oh it is so nice to see you, bijou! I’ve wondered how you’ve been! It’s wonderful to see that you are doing well. And to hear about you and Sidney is wonderful news indeed.” she said as she hugged me. I felt myself almost pass out. How many people knew?
“Don’t worry, Bernadette.” Andre assured. “We won’t tell.”
“Thank you both. Make sure you call sometime!” I encouraged, smiling at them both. They gave me a final hug as they walked back into the living room. The only three people left in the room were Linda, Henry and Marc. Marc stepped to the side, looking a little sad, as Linda almost ran forward to hug me.
“Bernie! I haven’t seen you for so very long! I’m sorry we can’t stay to catch up.” she said excitedly, having the same reaction I expected when she’d first come in.
“I missed you too, Linda.” I said, giving her a hug as she kissed my cheek.
“You’re welcome to come to Thunder Bay anytime, you know.” Henry offered, smiling at me. I looked over Linda’s shoulder and smiled at him.
“I’ll take you up on that, I assure you.” I promised as he came forward and hugged me before backing away into the living room again, leaving Marc and I alone once more.
“So you’ll be up to visit the Staal farm, huh? That’ll be a fun time.” Marc commented, throwing his arm playfully around my shoulders.
“Oh yes. You know it.” I replied half laughing. Suddenly, Jordan popped in around the corner and ran in like a very happy dog looking for a treat.
“WHO’S COMING TO OUR FARM?!” he asked excitedly. I raised my arm slowly and he nearly jumped me, forcing Marc to give me some support so that I wouldn’t end up on the floor with Jordan on top of me.
“On second thought….. You might want to make sure Jordy’s not there…” Marc said thoughtfully as Jordan let go and punched him in the arm.
“Oh shut up, Marc. You just want her to yourself.” Jordan fought back. Marc’s ears turned a little red but he tried his best to keep his cool.
“I’ll get you back for that one later, Jordan.” Marc answered, hitting Jordan in the back of the head before sighing as we all fell into laughter. I walked away from them both and back into the living room, watching everyone gather their things and get ready to leave. Marylene gave a teary eyed Marc-Andre a hug goodbye, followed by France and Andre as they all bid everyone else adieu. Walking up towards the door, I opened it up for them and gave them each a hug on the way out. I closed it for a moment as I watched Geno gather his things and begin the same process as he stepped up to me and gave me a hug.
“Happy…. Christmas?” He questioned, confused of his own speech.
“Happy Christmas, Geno.” I answered reassuringly as I opened up the door for him. He waved goodbye and left as Matt came up after him.
“Sorry I can’t stay but I need to go in search of my COOOOKAAYYYSSS!” he squealed, making everyone fall into giggles. He turned to me with a large smile and gave me a hug before speaking. “Merry Christmas, Sherrie. Call me tomorrow before the game, okay?”
“Alright, Matt. Merry Christmas.” I answered as Matt took his leave. Last was Henry and Linda. They gave everyone hugs before moving on to their kids, who nearly crushed them with hugs and kisses. I just looked on thoughtfully, noticing that, though they barely ever saw each other, they still cared profusely and weren’t afraid to show it. It was the type of thing most people took for granted but the Staal family didn’t. Finally, as they all said their goodbyes Linda and Henry came up to me and gave me a hug.
“We’ll be waiting for your visit, Bernie.” Linda said smiling as she let go and Henry gave me a hug.
“I’ll make sure I come up soon.” I promised, letting go of Henry as they turned and waved to everyone else before walking out the door and up the drive to their car. The snow had slowed outside and the sun was shining, causing what little snow was falling and the snow that had collected on the ground to shimmer beautifully, like a fantasy land.
Closing the door, I turned back to everyone else and joined them in the living room for what looked to be a movie marathon. We got about halfway through Ghostbusters before my phone went off in the kitchen. Reluctantly, I got up from my place in between Max and Jordan to go get it. Answering the phone, I held it an arms length away as I heard Colby screaming on the other end.
“OHMYGOD!” Colby shrieked, excitedly.
“Quit yelling, Colbs! I can’t understand you when you scream!” I told him hurriedly. He took a deep breath on the other end and started to speak.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS!” he whisper yelled. “METALFEST!?”
“You better believe it!” I answered, realizing now that he’d found his present.
“I love it so much! Thank you!” he answered as soon as I’d finished.
“Merry Christmas.” I replied simply, taking a seat at the bar.
“Now it’s your turn!” he answered happily. I sat in my chair for a moment, a little confused before he continued. “Go into your room and open the third drawer down on your desk.”
I didn’t say anything to him, I just walked back the hallway and opened the drawer, waiting to see if I saw anything out of the ordinary. I looked down into it and didn’t see anything, just some papers and my old pen. I was just about to say something to Colby, he spoke up and interrupted me.
“Reach into the back underneath all the papers.” He instructed. I listened obediently and retch back underneath the papers and pulled out a box. It was wrapped in striped paper that was adorned with Colby’s team colors.
“Aweh, Colbs you shouldn’t have gotten me anything.” I said as I sat it down on the desk and pulled the tape off gently. I knew from years of experience there was always more then one present laying underneath the surface of the packaging.
“But I promised you that my present would be awesome. So I had to get something.” he answered edgily. I didn’t reply, I just kept unwrapping. I moved one piece of paper and saw a Kodak picture, upside down. I picked it up and turned it over, finding a picture of the first time I’d gone ice skating with Sidney. It was a picture taken from behind us, showing both our jerseys. I was holding Sid’s hand, but not for pleasure, for the purpose of making sure I didn’t fall on my ass. It’d been a long time before that that I hadn’t skated so Sid was like the rock that kept me from falling and making a fool of myself. Sitting it off to the side, I kept unwrapping, picking up the package and letting something else fall to the floor. I put the phone on speaker and sat it down as I picked up whatever it was that I’d dropped.
“DID SHE GET IT YET?!!?!?!” I heard Kovalchuk yell in the background to Colby.
“SHUT YOUR TRAP AND WE’LL FIND OUT!!” Colby yelled back, hand muffling the phone. I laughed and picked up what was laying on the floor. Turning it over I saw that it was another picture, this one of when I’d visited Atlanta and met the team. I was in the middle of the team with Kovalchuk and Colby on either side, flanked by the rest of their team. I smiled and sat it down, turning my head to the phone as I kept unwrapping.
“Tell him I got it. Thank you Ilya.” I said as I took off another piece of tape and revealed yet another picture on top of what looked to be the final piece of wrapping paper. It was a picture from our vacation to the beach. Riley on my right, Sidney on the left and Colby next to him in front of a big beautiful sunset. I smiled and sat the last picture next to the first two before taking the last piece of paper away and dropping it down on the floor. I held the box for a few seconds, looking it over a little to make sure I hadn’t missed anything else before I opened the box. Inside sat two airline tickets to LA. “California?” I questioned, a little confused.
“Mmhmmm.” he said happily.
“What for? I’ve got everyone I’d ever need here. Why am I going to California…?”
“You, sissy, are going to the home opener of the LA Angels of Anaheim to throw out the first pitch and meet with the team.” he explained, knowing full well that I would scream. And I did. Loud.
“I LOVE YOU!!!!” I squealed, jumping up and down.
“Merry Christmas!” he answered. And even though I couldn’t see him I knew he was smiling. I did a little dance and fell down on my bed, holding the tickets above my head and kissing them.
“How did you manage this?!” I asked, putting the tickets down on my desk as I walked back over to the phone.
“I didn’t. Not by myself anyway. I had some help from Ilya and the rest of the team. They knew some players from the Ducks who were best friends with some Angels players. They all got to talking and we met up and I told them about you and they said they’d be more than happy to have you. And I was going to give you the tickets before I left but thought it better to wait until Christmas. More of a great surprise that way.” he told me, laughing a little as Ilya chimed in with some sort of language I couldn’t quite make out.
“You were right. You did one up my present. Thank you so much Colby.” I told him, taking the phone off speaker and putting it up to my ear.
“You’re welcome, squirt. I’m glad you’re having a good Christmas,” he started, stopping to shush Kovalchuk before going on, “Speaking of which, what’d you get?”
“Matt bought me new skates, Jordan gave me a kiss, Max gave me box seats to Pens games until two years from now, Marc got me a new mask, Geno gave me a Russian jersey, Kris gave me Pjs, Marylene made me cookies, the Staals gave me a picture of all my favorite men, Mom and Dad gave me tickets for a flight back to Saskatoon and a reservation to a hotel in Calgary. Riley got me a jersey for the Sharks with my name and you guys’ number on it.” I stopped to take a breath as Colby spoke for a moment.
“Wow. Sounds like an awesome Christmas so far. What’d Sid get you?” he asked curiously. I could’ve sworn that they’d gone shopping together but I could’ve been wrong.
“He got me a….. it’s hard to describe. I’ll send you a picture of it. Hang up and call me back when you get it.” I told him, putting my finger on the ’end’ button. He said yes and I hung up, quickly accessing the photo setting on my phone. I turned it towards myself and too a picture of the necklace, sending it to Colby in a few seconds. Instead of calling me, he texted me back.
‘What’s on the inside? And the other side?’
I didn’t text him back but I took two pictures of each side of the inside and one of the back and sent them to him. While I waited I put the pictures he’d given me into frames that I had made and sat them on my desk in a line next to the one the Staals had given me. All of them looked wonderful and it was nice to remember the good times in my life. Some of the best I’d ever had. It really made me feel like everything in the world was awesome and that nothing would ever go wrong. And just before I could continue on with that thought, my phone began to ring with ‘Fade to Black’ . I answered it and immediately heard Ilya complaining in the background.
“That’s a beautiful necklace, sis.” he complimented happily. “None of us saw what he got for you, we just knew that he needed help when he gave it to you. He wouldn’t let us see.”
“Typical Sidney.” I told him, twirling the necklace in my fingers.
“Yeah. But you’ve got to admit, he does care a lot.” Colby said over the sounds of Kovalchuk complaining again. “OH STOP WHINING KOVALCHUK!” Colby yelled, muffling the sound with his hand over the phone again.
“What’s he yelling about?” I asked curiously.
“Oh he’s mad that you aren’t single. I tried to tell him he didn’t have a chance but he finally realized that he didn’t and now he’s mad.” Colby explained, pausing for a moment to hush Kovalchuk again.
“Am I really that hot?” I asked sarcastically, laughing a little. I’d known that Kovalchuk liked me. I’d always known that since the time I met him. He could barely keep himself away from Colby’s house every time I was in Atlanta.
“Nope. You’re horrible looking. Everyone in the NHL is after you for no reason what so ever.” he replied equally sarcastically. We laughed together before I heard a rustling on the other end followed by Colby screaming. “KOVALCHUK! GET OUT OF HERE! I’M ON THE PHONE!!! LEAVE ME ALONE!! AHHHH!” he squealed. I just kept on laughing, almost falling out of my chair. “I’ll call you back later sis.”
“Alright.” I said between laughs as I heard the click on the other end. I hung up my phone and sat it down, laughter slowing. I wiped a tear from my eye and stood up, putting the phone back into my pocket and walking back down the hall to where the rest of our little party was just finishing up with Ghostbusters and starting on Ghostbusters 2. I took my seat between the boys again and they both looked over at me, as though I’d just come back from the dead. I just smiled at them and rolled my eyes as the questions began. And from Riley of all people.
“What was that about?!” Riley questioned excitedly.
“Colby found his present and he called to tell me where mine was.” I explained simply.
“What was it?” Max asked, curiosity getting the best of him.
“Two tickets to LA and a chance to meet the Angels and throw out the first ball.” I said triumphantly, smiling wide. Max just looked at me like I’d dropped a bomb.
“MEAN!!” he said, folding over his arms. I patted his back and shushed him.
“Honey, you get to see the World Series with the coaches in a comfy box seat with all the food you could eat. I get to throw a ball and sit in a dug out with my favorite people in the heat and hope that the peanut guy is feeling generous. I think you should feel more special than I do.” I said soothingly. His face lifted and he laughed.
“You’re right.” he agreed, laughing as he hugged me.
Soon everything else faded into the background as our movie marathon continued. We watched the rest of Ghostbusters 2, pausing it a few times to make a commentary before continuing on. The Dark Knight was next on the list, followed closely by Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey, Click, Mr. Deeds, Liar Liar, and last but not least Happy Gilmore.
Soon after that was finished up, we all hurried out of the living room to the kitchen where Mom and Dad were pulling out all the stops at making dinner. Ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, a large fruit cake, a tray of cookies, cinnamon rolls, biscuts and other assorted treats sat on my table. Everyone sat down and Dad said grace and then began the best meal I’d ever had. There was small talk and a few squabbles between everyone about which team would win the cup that always ended with laughs. Riley proposed the idea of him and Jared coming up in the ranks and kicking everyone else’s ass but we all joined in ribbing them.
Soon, dinner was done and we cleaned up as everyone else went into the living room to watch another movie. Marc stayed behind and helped me and soon the clock hit nine. We went back into the living room and it seemed unanimous that everyone stay the night since the snow had built up too high for anyone to drive home safely. Luckily for everyone they had clothes to wear the next day. The Staal brothers had left their bags in Jordan’s car so they were taken care of and Kris, Max and Marc-Andre all had clothes at Flower’s house so they’d be fine too. Everyone gathered their things and got ready for bed. Mom and Dad left to sleep in the room where Jordan had been. Riley roomed with Jared and Kris bunked down on the floor with them. Marc-Andre and Max pulled out the couch and slept as they had a few days before. Eric took over the chair and Marc took up the floor beside him.
I bid them all goodnight before going back down my hallway and into my room. It was near 11 before I got to bed, as I was painting a picture of the Joker that had come to me when we’d been watching The Dark Knight earlier. Eventually, I slipped on the Pjs that Kris had given me and climbed into bed, turning on my phone’s alarm and closing my eyes. I was maybe three minutes from falling completely asleep when the phone rang. I turned on the light angrily and picked up the phone, annoyed. Rubbing my eyes I read the caller ID and immediately felt guilty. It was Sidney. I answered it tiredly, the annoyance and anger gone.
“Hello?” I semi-questioned, as I always did when I was tired.
“Hey… oh sorry, honey. Did I wake you?” he started, his voice just as tired as mine but more sorry.
“No no, it’s alright. I wasn’t asleep just yet.” I assured him
“I can let you alone if you want. I didn’t mean to disturb you.” he said, obviously about to hang up.
“Sidney Patrick. It’s alright. I’d never turn down a chance to talk to you.” I told him firmly, sitting up in bed.
“Okay….” he started, trying to re-gather the thoughts he had been having. “How was dinner with everyone?”
“It was great. Everyone had so much fun. They all stayed over because of the snowdrift. I didn’t want them to get caught in the snow so I made them stay at least until tomorrow when the roads were clear.” I told him, yawning a little.
“You care so much for people.” Sid commented thoughtfully, “I’m glad you had a nice time, anyway. What’d you get from Colby?”
“Tickets to LA and a chance to meet my favorite baseball team.” I said happily.
“That’s awesome. I’m happy for you.” he said, equally as happy sounding as I felt. I smiled to myself before speaking again.
“Thanks, Sid. So how was your day?”
“It was…… crazy to say the least. Woke up and called you and then went out with Taylor and my parents. I got caught by the paparazzi and had to sign a million autographs but I got away for a while to go skate and then I came home, had some amazing dinner and came to bed and that’s pretty much how I got to where I am right now. I fell asleep for a while but then I had a crazy dream and woke up and decided to call.” he said, voice growing a little more solemn. I sighed and raised an eyebrow.
“What’d you dream about?” I interrogated, remembering this morning when Riley had said he’d been having nightmares.
“Nothing. Nothing important anyways. It doesn’t matter.” he assured me, yawning. “I just wanted to call and see how your day went. I miss you so much.”
“I miss you too. I’ll be cheering extra loud for you tomorrow.”
“You better be.” he said slyly, making me laugh a little. “I’ll be trying to make a goal for you. Well, I’m going to try to get some more sleep. Hopefully without anymore crazy dreams. Goodnight. I love you.”
“I love you too. Goodnight Sidney.” I said, listening to him yawning on the other end before laughing his rarely heard laugh and hanging up. I hung up a few seconds later and sat the phone back down on my nightstand, closing my eyes and going to sleep happier than I’d been before, more at peace.
