Until The Day I Die: A Sidney Crosby Story

Chapter Two: Surprise! 

><><><><><><><>The Next Day<><><><><><><><><

I woke up to the sounds of my alarm clock at around 7 o’clock the next morning. Opening my eyes long enough to find the off button was challenge enough, but preventing myself from falling back to sleep to get rid of the huge hangover I had was even harder.

Rolling over in bed I threw my pillow at the alarm, knocking it over onto the floor and causing it to turn off. Smiling to myself, I almost fell back to sleep before I realized that I needed to be at the Mellon in two hours. Reluctantly I rolled out of bed and landed on the plushy carpeted floor. I lay there for a moment, contemplating sleeping for another ten minutes before I remembered that half of the team was still asleep in the other room and needed to be awoken.

Getting up off the floor, I walked across the room to my closet and pulled it open. I pulled my custom made jersey out of the closet, the one that Ray Shero had presented me with when the Penguins organization started working with the community to teach kids how to skate. It was essentially a Penguins jersey, Winter Classic style, with my name and number (13) from back in my college league on the back. I put on my light blue skinny jeans and studded belt, along with a pair of my fuzzy socks.

I walked out of my room quietly after brushing my hair and went into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and did my makeup quickly, not having to fix it once this morning. And as I looked over myself in the mirror, it finally hit me. I was dating Sidney Crosby. A professional hockey God. The poster boy of the NHL. The face of American hockey. And he was mine. It took a minute to think about and finally I sighed it off. I knew subconsciously that it would happen eventually.

I tiptoed my way out of the bathroom and walked down the hall to the living room. Peeking around the corner I saw something that I hadn’t seen in years, a bunch of hockey players passed out in my living room. Geno was curled up in the chair, Max had somehow managed to trade places with Marc on the couch, Matt had traded places with Kris and was now curled up with his back to Pascal. None of them were snoring now but I thought for sure that must have been out of sheer exhaustion from yesterday.

I didn’t bother waking them up and simply went into the kitchen to start breakfast. Since I didn’t know what everyone would want, I just made Colby’s favorite and hoped for the best. Bacon, eggs and French toast were soon filling up my kitchen and when I was sure I’d made enough I finally sat down for a minute to drink a cup of coffee. It had only taken me twenty minutes to make enough food to feed an entire team of hockey players so I was please with myself. Now began the daunting task of waking everyone up.

I decided that I’d start with Colby and Sidney, figuring that they would be the least likely to jump over me to get to the food. I walked back down the hallway and opened their door, sliding in quietly. Sidney was the first person I saw, and he lay, hair tussled about messily and still sleeping peacefully, in bed. His shirt and shoes were on the floor next to his pants but I assumed he’d kept his shorts on at least. Colby, likewise, was still sleeping across the room, head under a pillow to block out the sounds of Sidney snoring. I smiled to myself and walked across the room to him first.

“Colbs. Hey, bro. Wake up. It’s time to get up.” I whispered, shaking him lightly awake. At first he protested, rolling away from me and telling me to go away groggily. But I was persistent. “Colby Joseph Armstrong get out of bed right now or you won’t get any breakfast.” That got his attention.

“Breakfast? Sis, you didn’t have to make breakfast…” he trailed off as he rolled back over to face me, facial expression showing gratitude.

“But I did, so at least get up and show that you care by eating some of it.” I told him with a smile, “I made your favorites.”

His face lit up and I knew that he was really awake now. So, knowing that he was in no danger of falling back to sleep, I walked over to Sidney. I thought about trying to wake him up by shaking him but I didn’t want to run the risk of getting hit so I went with a more, well actually it seemed more risky, but I did it anyway. I leaned down and gave him a soft kiss. Backing away from him about an inch, I waited to see if he was awake and I was greeted with a crooked smile from his bee-stung lips.

“What a wonderful wake up call.” he stated sarcastically, opening his eyes just enough to see me.

“Time to get up, Sidney. Breakfast is ready.” I whispered, watching his hazel eyes looking me over.

“Mmm. Breakfast sounds amazing.” he commented, stretching as I backed away from him and stood up again.

“You two are sickening.” Colby said from across the room as he got dressed. Neither of us looked at him because we both knew he was right. I think it was more a relief to us both to be able to be open about liking each other after all this time.

“I’ll leave you guys alone to get dressed and stuff. I have to go wake up Jordan and everyone else.” I told them both as I walked out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind me. Walking to the next room I opened its door and walked in.

Jordan lay, unmoved from the night before, in bed under the covers just as I’d left him. I moved over to him and sat down next to his waist, being careful not to scare him.

“Jordy. Wake up, sleepy head. It’s morning.” I whispered, one hand on his stomach shaking him a little.

“Huhhh? Wahhhhtt?” he mumbled, trying to wake up and get his bearings.

“It’s morning, Jorday. Wake up. Breakfast is ready.” I told him, watching his eyes open in surprise as he realized who was talking to him.

“Bernie why are you… where am I… did we… last night….. what happened?” he asked as he sat up, pushing the covers down and looking at me, confused.

“You got drunk and since everyone wanted to come back to my house, we brought you back and I put you to bed.” I assured him, “Don’t get worried.”

“Ohh. I see. That would explain the headache.” he replied, rubbing his eyes and yawning. “Breakfast, you said?” he asked hopefully.

“Yep. Breakfast. I made it myself.”

“Sweeet! Homemade breakfast! Awesome.” he said as he pulled his legs out from under the covers and jumped up right beside me. I smiled at him and he motioned for me to get a move on.

“Calm down, Jordy. Keep your pants on. Get ready and I’ll go wake everyone else up. And then, I promise, you can have breakfast.” I assured with a smile.

“Mkay!” he shouted back with a thumbs up as I left the room. I shook my head and went back to living room. I sidestepped Pascal, Matt and Kris and made my way to Max and Marc. Putting a hand on their stomachs, I shook them lightly.

“Morning, guys.” I said as they both opened their eyes.

“Morning, Mon Sherrie.” Marc said sleepily.

“What he said.” Max answered, rubbing his eyes. Next, I woke up Geno, who mumbled something in Russian before greeting me in English.

“Matt, Kris, Pascal. Wake up. It’s time to get up, lazy bums.” I told them, shaking them all awake.

“Mmmmmm! I smell breakfast!!” Matt said, a toothless grin crossing his face.

“You made us breakfast?” Marc asked me in disbelief.

“Yes. I thought you all deserved a decent breakfast after that win last night.”

“Oh, Mon Sherrie you shouldn’t have!” Marc exclaimed, hugging me.

“But I did. So all of you get up and get awake so you can eat it before it gets cold.” I half commanded. They all nodded.

“You’re so sweet, bijou. Too good to us.” Max commented as I walked away into the kitchen. I’d already made plates for everyone and now I began to make some cappuccino for myself. Slowly but surely, everyone got awake enough to walk and came into the kitchen. The pack was headed by Jordan, who was the most eager to eat. Colby, Max and Marc were behind him and everyone else followed. All of them stopped in the doorway to take a breath, inhaling the smell of a fresh breakfast.

I’d sat down all the plates on my large kitchen table and arranged enough chairs for everyone. The butter and maple syrup sat in the middle in wait for everyone to get there. Finally, after they’d all had enough of tormenting themselves, they came to sit down. I smiled as they all sat down and began to eat, all sizing up the breakfast before them. Colby took a seat to my left with Max beside him. Marc sat on Max’s left and Jordan sat directly across from me. Kris, Matt, Pascal and Geno sat on the other side of Jordan and there was one seat left for Sidney on my right.

“This smells delicious!” Marc commented, breathing deeply again.

“It tastes even better.” Jordan mumbled through a mouthful of French toast and maple syrup. I smiled behind my coffee cup and took another drink of my cappuccino. Finally, Sidney walked into the kitchen, freshly dressed and now fully awake. He too had to stop at the door and take a moment to catch the smell of breakfast before coming in and sitting down. He gave me a kiss on the cheek before whispering his thanks as he sat down to eat.

“Sis, when did you learn how to cook this well?” Colby asked after swallowing a mouthful of bacon.

“It’s not that hard to make breakfast, Colbs.” I responded, taking a bite of my own French toast.

“Yeah, but this is the best I’ve ever had.” Matt interjected, finishing his eggs.

“I’m just good, I guess.” I answered with a smile. “Oh, and there’s coffee and cappuccino over there if you want some.” I added, pointing to the counter where the coffee pot and cappuccino machine were.

One by one they descended upon the counter to get their coffee and cappuccino, coming back quickly to finish their food.

“You’re an amazing cook.” Kris complimented, finishing up with his food and taking to drinking his coffee.

“Thanks, Kris. Glad you like it.” I replied, glancing down at my watch. It was almost 8:15 but I had 45 minutes to spare. I think Max caught me looking at the clock because he was the first one to ask the obvious question.

“So, when you have to be at the rink?” he asked in between bites of his French toast.

“9.” I answered simply.

“I can’t wait to see all those kids when they see us.” Marc commented, smiling. I immediately perked up.

“Yeah, It’ll be nice to see all of the upcoming superstars.” Max added with a sly smile.

“Maybe they can teach Geno a little something about speaking English.” Matt joked.

“Hey! That wasn’t nice!” Geno half yelled across the table at him.

“Wait, you’re all coming along?” I asked, a little surprised. I thought they’d all been joking last night when they said they would.

“You bet!” Jordan half yelled. “It’ll be fun!”

“You guys are amazing! Thank you so much.” I said, imagining the kids freaking out as the Penguins walked into the Mellon to help them.

“It’s the least we can do for this.” Colby said, standing up and taking his plate to the sink.

“He’s right.” Sidney chimed in from beside me. “But I have to warn you that you’re probably going to get swamped with people when they see us together.” he warned.

“Yeah, all those fan girls might getcha.” Max joked, winking at me.

“I’ll protect you. I promise.” Jordan said solemnly, holding up his right hand.

“No one on Earth will be able to save her at the next game we play here.” Geno interjected. I knew he was right.

“You’re gonna die.” Kris laughed, handing his plate to Colby, who was cleaning up.

“We’ll all come to your funeral.” Matt promised, shaking his head.

“It’ll be a painful death. I can see the headlines. ‘Bernie Armstrong, sister of Atlanta’s Colby Armstrong, was brutally murdered by a hoard of angry fan girls this week….’ “ Pascal said thoughtfully, earning him a playful shove from Geno.

“I think I’ll manage. 15 years as a goalie might finally come in handy.” I answered with a smile, earning a laugh from them all as they finished eating and helped Colby clean up. In the midst of the pleasant conversation we’d gotten lost in, we lost track of time. Before I knew it, it was 20 minutes until I needed to be at the Mellon.

“Shiiiittt.” I said as I ran down the hall and got my Vans, putting them on as I grabbed my car keys and tried to remember where I’d thrown my skates.

“What?” Sidney asked, looking around the corner into the hallway.

“I’m gonna be late!” I answered as I walked into the spare room and pulled my skates out of the closet.

“Well then let’s get a move on, people!” Max half yelled, getting a variety of answers ranging from yes to shut up. I walked back down the hallway and past Jordan and Marc, who were again having a fight over whether or not Jordan could get a shot past Marc. I laughed a little at them and put my jacket on, making sure I had everything I needed. And just when I felt myself getting jumpy, Sidney walked over and put his hand on my arm.

“Calm down, killer. You have time.” he assured me, giving me that smile. I relaxed a little and took a deep breath. All the guys sat lazily around my living room in calm waiting and it made me realize that I didn’t need to freak. I’d get there eventually.

“I know but I don’t want to be late. I have to sharpen my skates and whatnot.” I told him before addressing everyone else. “C’mon all. Time to go.”

“Kay!” Was the general answer as everyone got up and began to get their shoes and jackets. I walked outside and took a deep breath as the cold air got to me. It was the middle of December after all but the cold was still a surprise after the warm 56 degree temperature of yesterday.

“Here, Colbs. You can drive my car. I wanna ride with Max and Marc.” I said, handing Colby my keys. He looked awestruck.

“You’re seriously letting me drive your Lambo?” he asked, shocked.

“Yep. I have some catching up to do.” I told him with a smile. “Take whoever you want with you.”

“Jordan, Sid! Come on!” Colby called, practically in a rush to get into the Lambo.

“Just don’t wreck!” I called to him, following Marc to his car.

“So, it looks like you, me, Max and Kris, then.” Marc said with a smile. “This’ll be interesting.”

“Yepp.” I replied with a smile, looking back to notice Sidney pouting about my choice to let Colby drive.

“Nice to see you getting back to your real friends, Sherrie!” Max said, throwing his arm around my shoulders jokingly.

“Oh yeah, it’s nice to be back.” I answered with a sarcastic smile. We both laughed and I hopped into Marc’s car with Max right behind me. Kris climbed into the passenger’s seat and away we went.

“So how’d you sleep last night?” Kris asked, his implications obvious.

“Alone.” I answered smoothly.

“Awe. No sex for Siddy.” Max commented, shaking his head.

“Of course not. Not with her brother in the house. Sid would be dead.” Marc told him with a laugh.

“That’d be a hell of a thing. I wonder what we’d write on the memorial card for his funeral.” Max said thoughtfully.

“I know.” Kris answered with a grin, obviously thinking about it.

“What, ‘All he wanted in life was to score.’ ?” I asked sarcastically, causing everyone in the car to convulse in a fit of laughter.

“Woww. That was….. Oh there’s not a word for it.” Marc said, wiping a tear away from his eye from laughing so hard.

“Yeah there is. Special.” Kris said, his laughter slowing.

“But it’s true.” Max said with a smile.

“You guys are so awkward.” I commented with a laugh.

Marc turned down a street that lead directly to the Mellon and then he retch over to turn on the radio. Immediately, there was a spat.

“What are we going to listen to?” I asked curiously.

“Metallica!” Max screamed.

“Apocalyptica!” Kris yelled back.

“System of a Down!” Marc answered them both.

“Noo!!” Max and Kris objected.

“Metallica!” Max insisted.

‘Apocalyptica!” Kris repeated.

“SOAD!” Marc told them again.

“No! None of this again! Let Bernie decide. I’m tired of fighting with you both.” Max said, folding his arms over his chest childishly.

“Fine. Bernie, what do you wanna listen to?” Marc asked, glancing back at me.

“Anything I want?” I asked, making sure I knew the rules of what I was doing.

“Yep.” Kris answered, a little defeated but interested in what I was going to say.

“Hmmm……. Smash Mouth!” I exclaimed finally, after some serious thought.

“Who?” Max asked, confused.

“I second that confusion.” Kris added, obviously not knowing who I was talking about.

“Can’t believe you guys! Smash Mouth’s amazing! They sing ‘All Star’” I told them, shocked that they had no knowledge of my other favorite band.

“Wait like, ‘Hey now, you’re an all star, get your game on, go play’ ?” Max asked.

“Yes!” I yelled in happiness.

“I love that song! Turn it on Marc!” Max replied as Marc tuned his radio to Smash Mouth’s station on his Sirius. He was just in time to catch the end of ‘Walking on the Sun’ and the beginning of ‘Come on Come on’ started playing. Kris immediately started to dance as best he could in his seat, obviously recognizing the song.

“I didn’t know they sang this.” Marc told me, turning it up.

“They’re pretty versatile.” I replied before I began singing. I couldn’t help it. It was one of my favorite songs by them. Kris’ voice joined mine in a chorus of French Canadian harmony.

“Walkin’ out of the door I’m on my way. Can’t you tell me just where I’m goin’? Occupational skills, won’t you give me a clue, What to do ‘cause my mind’s in motion. Just tryin to relax, just by myself on the couch, let’s make plans ‘cause there’s always tomorrow. Is something wrong with me? Or the way that I’m thinking? Come on Come on! And tell me, why you’re starin’. Come on Come on! It must.. Be what I’m wearing! Come on Come on! And tell me, Why’s it takin’ so long for you to recognize and stop……….. Another day in the sun I’m having fun, bill dates sneakin’ up on me. I take a look at the sky, a plane goes by. Is that the reason that I can’t breathe? I take a look and I wonder why. Why these birds don’t fly. It’s not for me to see and I believe. My oh My! Come on Come on! And tell me, why you’re starin’. Come on Come on! It must…… be what I’m wearing. Come on Come on! And tell me why’s it takin’ so long for you to recognize and stop.” and then a lengthy and catchy musical chorus ensued and Kris and I both stopped singing and started to laugh. Max looked at us both and shook his head and Marc just shifted into second and kept driving.

“You can sing great.” Max complimented, looking at me. Glancing over to Kris he just sighed. “You…. Not so much.”

“HEY!” Kris objected, causing Max to giggle.

“This band’s pretty cool. Who else do you listen to?” Marc asked, curious.

“That depends. What do you like? Techno…. Rock…. Alternative…. Heavy Metal…?” I listed choices out in hopes to get a response. All three of them instantly screamed Heavy Metal and I smiled to myself.

“Black Tide’s pretty amazing too.” I told him, smiling evilly. He immediately switched the station to Black Tide’s in time to catch the beginning of ‘Live Fast Die Young’. Apparently, though, that wasn’t heavy enough for Kris.

“Bah. Wimpy Metal.” He said in disgust.

“Oh, you meant super heavy.” I replied in realization. “Slipknot.” and so, Marc switched the channel again, this time stumbling upon the opening notes of ‘Psychosocial’. That got Kris’ attention pretty quickly.

“This is freakin’ awesome!” Max shouted over the beat of the drums in the background on the stereo.

“It should, there’s 11 members of this band!” I yelled back as the chorus played.

“Damnnnn.” Kris said, rocking out in his chair. Marc was the only one who didn’t seem to be enjoying himself too much, and I knew why. Marc wasn’t ever a huge fan of metal. He was more a fan of old school rock and roll. I respected that.

“Anthrax, Marc! Anthrax!!” I shouted over the solo of Slipknot. I saw Marc’s face instantly contort into a smile as he changed the station one more time, this time landing on ‘1000 Points of Hate’

“This is awesome too! You have a great taste in music.” Kris commented, looking back at me and smiling.

“Thanks, but Marc introduced me to this band.” I answered, causing Marc to smile to himself.

“Oh, well then. I hate them.” Max said sarcastically, punching Marc in the arm. “Just messing, Flower.”

“I have a question.” I said curiously, causing Marc to turn the music down so he could hear me.

“What’s that?” Max asked.

“How did Marc get ‘Flower’ as a nickname?” I questioned, “I’ve never really been sure.”

“Oh well that’s because his….” Kris started before I interrupted.

“I know about his last name being flower but I mean is there any other reasoning?”

“Well there was last year when he ‘blossomed’ half way through the season and almost got us completely through the playoffs to almost win the Stanley Cup.” Max mentioned.

“I see.” I said knowingly.

“What made you think about that?” Kris asked, curious, as the Mellon came into view.

“Well, I was thinking about his nickname when Max said it and it made me think back to my nickname and then I just wondered what reasoning there was for his.” I answered.

“What was your nickname?” Max asked, he too now curious.

“Oh well it was Suicide 13.” I replied, thinking back to when I’d gotten my nickname in the first place.

“Why the hell was it Suicide 13?” Marc questioned, concerned.

“Nothing like that, I assure you. It was just that going up against me when I was in goal was suppose to be suicide because I only ever had 56 pucks pass me in a season in college before I hurt myself and got benched for the rest of the last season. They’d put me in goal and the announcers of the game started calling it suicidal to take a shot on me. Then the crowd came up with signs that said ‘Suicide = #13’ and then it just shortened down to Suicide 13. My whole team called me Suicide by the time we got the end of the season.” I elaborated, watching Max and Kris’ eyes get wide as Marc pulled into the parking lot of the Mellon and turned off the car.

“You’re kidding me! That’s amazing! How did you manage that?!” Marc asked, astonished. I just shrugged my shoulders. It had never seemed that big of an achievement to me.

“I dunno. I just did it. It wasn’t that cool.” I started, “My team wanted to win. They needed me to step up. I stepped up.” I finished, opening up my door and stepping out of the car. All three of them popped out of the car quickly behind me and immediately started to all talk at once. “Stop! One at a time please!” I begged. Marc was the first to speak afterwards.

“That’s a shut out almost four out of every five games! How did that not make the news or the highlight reels!?” he questioned, “I would have been awestruck if I’d known that before when you asked me to teach you.”

“I think it was because I was originally just a backup goalie.” I said plainly, watching Matt’s car pull up next to ours on the left, and mine on the right. Everyone was getting out of the car as Max and Kris continued to chatter on about my goaltending.

“But still! That should have been told to someone! I wanna see the highlight reels from those games!!” Max said excitedly.

“Get Shero to get them. He can do anything!” Kris told Max as they began formulating a plan to get the highlight reels of my games.

“Shero can do what now?” Colby asked, closing the driver’s side door of my Lambo as Sid and Jordan climbed out of the passenger’s side.

“Get highlights of Bernie’s games! We had no idea how amazing she was!” Max informed them. Immediately I saw Colby straighten up and I could almost hear his ego growing.

“I take it she told you about college?” he asked, already knowing the answer would be yes. I just rolled my eyes.

“What happened in college?” Matt asked from the other side of us as we began to walk our little herd of people towards the doors of the Mellon. We were still ten minutes early. Enough time to hide everyone and sharpen my skates. Perfect.

“She only let 56 pucks pass her. They called her ‘Suicide 13’.” Marc informed them, obviously impressed with me. I almost heard everyone behind me draw in a surprised breath.

“Holy shit! That’s amazing.” Geno commented in broken English.

“Why didn’t you tell us earlier?!” Pascal half yelled to me as we reached the doors, which had already been unlocked for me. I pushed one open and didn’t answer, knowing that if I didn’t, Colby would.

“She doesn’t like the limelight. She didn’t want them to make a big deal of her since she wanted to just be in the backdrop since she’d always been in the limelight being in my family anyway.” Colby said, just as I knew he would, as we continued walking through the lobby to the locker room doors.

“But that’s something to be proud of!” Jordan shouted, “I’d be showing off if it were me!”

“Yeah but you have to understand Jordan, she’s not the one to show off. She doesn’t tell anyone what she can do. I didn’t know she could sing or draw or play guitar until I caught her on an off day in her room when she thought I wasn’t home.” Colby told Jordan. I was sort of glad he was talking for me now. It made my life easier.

“I still want to see those highlight reels.” Max said, shaking his head. “That’s too good to not see.”

“Can we please focus here for a minute and talk about this after lessons? I need to sharpen skates and you guys need to hide.” I begged, wanting them badly to just forget I’d ever mentioned it.

“Alright….. Suicide.” Max joked, walking past me and into the locker room. He was followed by Pascal, Kris, Marc, Matt, Geno, Jordan and finally Colby, leaving Sidney standing with me, one hand on the door as he looked at me.

“That is pretty impressive.” he complimented, flashing that smile again. I couldn’t help but smile back at him.

“I know, but it’s history. I bet anything I’m not that good now.” I said thoughtfully.

“Don’t downplay your skills. You’re more amazing than you think you are.” he told me.

“Thanks for thinking so, Sid.” I thanked him, giving him a hug.

“Anytime.” he answered, wrapping his free arm around me, “But I’m only telling the truth.”

“Whatever you say.” I said, backing up away from him and turning to go sharpen my skates. “I’ll come get you guys when everyone’s here. Get what you need and be ready, kay?”

“Okay.” he answered, watching me walking down the hall towards the ice. I stopped on my way to quickly sharpen my skates before continuing on. I walked through the lobby and a few kids were already coming in. Checking my watch I saw that it was almost 9, I had 5 minutes.

Walking out to the Penguins’ bench, I sat down and saw a few kids already practicing on the ice, taking turns shooting and skating speed laps. I saw my star, and probably favorite student, Alyssa Riley, in goal blocking shots like a pro. She hadn’t noticed me yet and I marveled in how seriously she took being a goalie but how much of a jokester she actually was. I watched as a few other kids came onto the ice. Now we were only missing one, as I counted 19 children on the ice now. We were missing our backup goalie, Johnny Anderson.

Sliding on my skates and lacing them up tight, I found my whistle on the bench and hopped onto the ice, immediately gaining the attention of all the kids on the ice. They all stopped and skated over to me, saying a mixture of Hello’s and Bon Jour’s. I greeted them all and saw that our backup goalie was now skating onto the ice. As soon as he got to me they all gathered around in a tight group to await what we were going to do today.

“Ms. Bernadette, what are we going to practice today?” I heard Alyssa’s voice over the crowd of others.

“Today, I have a special surprise for you all. But you have to follow me.” I told them, getting their attention instantly.

“Where are we going??” My lead forward, Brian Black, asked curiously as we skated to the open door that led into the runway area.

“You’re not going anywhere. I need you all to wait out here for a moment while I go into the locker rooms.” I replied. They all complied with my requirements, knowing that this was out of the ordinary and had to be special. I saw some of their parents in the stands, all giving each other sideways glances as they watched me skate off ice. I walked briskly up the runway and opened the locker room door, walking in.

“Ready all?” I asked, looking around at everyone who sat at their stalls. All of them were in full gear and skates, waiting patiently for this moment.

“You betcha!” Max and Colby answered in unison.

“C’mon then!” I said, motioning for them to come out. “Well, follow me.” I corrected. They all went along with it and I told them all where to be. Colby was the first one behind me, followed by Pascal, Kris, Matt, Jordan, Geno, Max, Marc and lastly Sidney. Sid walked up to me before he got in his place and kissed my forehead.

“This whole thing, what you’re doing for the kids, it’s really nice of you.” he said with a smile.

“Suck up!” Jordan called from where he was, causing everyone to laugh. I leaned up and kissed Sidney’s cheek, making Jordan squirm.

“Thank you.” I answered. Turning around, I pushed the door open again and told them to wait a moment.

“Everyone! Hey!” I called the kids to attention. They all immediately turned their heads towards me, half of them now spread out against the glass so they could all see me. “I have some people here who I thought you’d all like to meet.” I said, waving my hand so that everyone in the locker room would come forwards.

As soon as Colby set foot out of the locker room, the kids went nuts. I knew that when they saw everyone else they were going to flip.

“OH MY GOD! IT’S YOUR BROTHER!!” Alyssa screamed, jumping up and down.

“That’s not even everyone. Don’t get too excited yet.” I assured them as the rest of the people I’d had waiting ran out, lastly followed by Sidney, who took my hand and pulled me with him as he ran out to the ice.

“AHHHHHHH!!! OH MY GODDD!!!” I heard Brian screaming as he watched Malkin skate onto the ice past him.

“THIS… IS…. AWESOME!” my best right winger, Stephen yelled as he got a high five from Max.

“HOW DID YOU MANAGE THIS!?” left winger, Luke, asked as he watched Jordan and Kris go by.

“I LOVE YOU!!!!” the possible greatest defenseman on the team, Jimmy Valor, yelled as he jumped up on me, hugging me.

“You better be careful, kid, Sidney might get jealous.” Max joked, skating past us with a snickering Pascal Dupuis. At this point, Sidney just turned and shook his fist at Max.

“I’ll get you later, Maxime.” he promised as Jimmy jumped down off me.

“Ms. Bernadette, are you dating Monsieur Sidney?” Jimmy asked curiously, immediately drawing attention from almost all of my students. I didn’t even have a chance to reply before Colby spoke for me.

“They’re crazzzyyy about each other, kid.” Colby informed him. Instantly, a loud ’OOooooOOOo’ went up in the crowd and I felt my cheeks flush.

“I’m happy for you, Mademoiselle!” Jimmy said as he skated back to his small group of friends, who were now chatting with Max, Pascal and Matt. I looked around to see Alyssa, who had started a chat with Marc and Johnny who was listening intently to everything Marc had to say.

I let the kids fraternize for a while but soon I called practice to order. I blew the whistle and everyone gathered around, not one complaint among them. They all knew that they needed to practice and, no matter who was there, they were going to practice hard.

“Alright, Forwards do speed laps. Defensemen I want you doing backwards skates up and down the ice. Goalies, I’ll let you off with a break for now. Go!” I told them. As soon as I finished speaking, all of them took to what they were doing, working around everyone that stood in their way. Alyssa and Johnny stood in front of me and waited to see what I was going to have them do.

“What about us?” Johnny questioned curiously.

“You two… hmm… you can fraternize a bit longer until we start shooting practice. I need to go help the defensemen skate backwards.” I told them, leaving them in the company of Marc, Max, Colby and Matt. Sidney, Jordan, Geno, Pascal and Kris all followed me across ice to where my six defensemen had lined up, but where unable to go backwards correctly.

“How do we… I’m so… ugh.” Jimmy said, obviously frustrated.

“Kris, do you wanna tell them what to do before we teach them?” I asked, turning my head to Kris, who stood on the other side of me. He nodded.

“Alright what you have to do is find your balance and move your feet like this….” he said, successfully skating backwards with some speed. “After that it’s all pretty easy.”

“Alright.” Katherine said as she attempted to do what she’d just watched. She made it about a foot before toppling over.

“My turn.” Jimmy said as he successfully went about three feet before he too fell.

“Alright, can you guys all help someone skate?” I asked, looking around at them all. They all smiled and helped someone, leaving Jimmy for me.

“So how do I do this again?” Jimmy asked over the sounds of Katherine and Rachel hyperventilating from Geno and Sidney helping them skate.

“You move your feet like this…. And then you turn if you need to go to the right or left. It’s simple.” I said, taking his hands, “Once you get the hang of it.”

He nodded and tried it again, pulling me with him for about five feet this time. He didn’t fall, I kept him from falling, but he did pull me into him. “Sorry.” he apologized.

“It’s alright. Try again.” I told him, smiling. He did and this time he made it completely to the red line of the goal cage. “Alright, now work on turning backwards while I see how everyone else is doing.” I said, turning back around to see that everyone else was getting it just as fast as Jimmy had. The Penguins were great motivators. No one wanted to look foolish in front of their idols.

“I can’t believe they got it that fast.” Jordan complimented, watching all the defensemen turning and skating backwards with ease now.

“I wish I had been that quick on the take.” Geno said, shaking his head.

“I know, right.” Sidney added, coming over to me and putting his arm around my waist. “Remember that time when we…..”

“Went ice skating and you fell on me? Yeah I remember that.” I told him, winking at him. “How could I possibly forget? I wanted to kiss you so bad.” I told him, watching everyone beginning to grow tired of speed laps.

“My God. You’re living my life.” Sidney commented as I blew my whistle with a smile upturned in the corners of my mouth.

“Stop!! Shot time! Alyssa! Get in your net please! Johnny, be ready.” I said as everyone came around center ice, some getting their breath and others rejoicing in the fact that they were now able to go backwards.

“I wanna shoot first!!!” Brian screamed, bouncing a puck up and down on his stick.

“Fine then, Brian, you may go first.” I told him. He immediately perked up and became serious. I’d always know that he was a huge fan of Malkin and Crosby, always emulating them, but now was his shot. He’d told me a week before hand that he wanted to show them what he could do and now was his chance. “Whenever you’re ready.”

“Alright.” he said, putting the puck down and shooting off the line towards Alyssa. He skated around the ice a little, turning and spinning to confuse her and then shot, a wrister, just like Sidney’s goal against the Thrashers, that went straight to the twine.

“WOOOO!!!!! THAT WAS AMAZING!!!” the team screamed as he skated back to the line with a smile.

“Stephen, you’re up.” I commented, watching Stephen skate down the ice to the net and spin around clockwise, as I’d seen Malkin do many times, and make a goal. And as happy as I was for them, I was a little disappointed in Alyssa. She was better than this.

“Good job, Stephen.” Geno said through his accent, offering Stephen a high five. I smiled to myself as I watched Stephen’s face light up while he hit Geno’s hand and skated to a stop next to Brian.

“Junior! You’re next.” I said as the team parted and Junior, the quietest and most humble forward I’d ever met, came to the line. He was the highest scorer on our team but he almost never spoke and never was one to show off. Everyone quieted as Junior spoke for the first time all practice.

“I’ll make you a deal…” he trailed off, getting my interest. This was probably only the tenth time, maybe, that he had ever really spoken to me.

“And what’s that?” I asked, curious.

“The deal is that if I make this next shot, you show us all what you can do in goal… against the Penguins and us.” he said, saying what everyone else had been saying. I immediately turned to Colby, who stood next to me, and shook my head.

“You told them, didn’t you.” I said in disbelief.

“No. I didn’t. Max and Marc did. They told Alyssa and Alyssa told Johnny and you know how it goes.” Colby answered, unshaken. I rolled my eyes and turned back to Junior.

“Deal.” I said, shaking his hand and sincerely hoping that he wouldn’t make it. Junior smiled a wide, devious smile and took off down the ice towards the net. The whole team got quiet with anticipation as he pulled back to shoot a high shot into the net under the crossbar… but it was a fake out. He turned around and shot low, into the five hole and made a goal. My head fell towards the floor.

“COME ON COACH! GO GET READY!” Alyssa shouted from the goal. And that’s when I knew that it was a set up. She’d let it go past her on purpose.

“You guys tricked me!” I said, shaking my head.

“But you made a deal! You can’t go back on it! We shook!” Junior pointed out as he came back. I looked to the guys for help but they all shrugged. Even Sidney looked like he was in on it.

“Better go get ready or these kids will turn into an angry hockey mob.” he said with a laugh.

“I’m gonna get you guys for this!” I shouted back at them as I skated off ice and went into the locker room.

I found my hockey bag, which I had left there for when I had free time to practice in net. I hadn’t ever had enough time, though, with college finishing up and other times with work and what not, so my bag had gone unnoticed in the corner for many many months. I almost felt bad for neglecting it. I hadn’t meant to, but after getting hurt in the third season of college hockey, I’d sort of given up playing, though I still loved the game.

Sitting down on the bench in front of Jordan’s stall, I began to put on my gear. I couldn’t believe I’d been tricked into doing this. I hadn’t been in goal in… wow… over a year. I didn’t honestly believe that I’d be able to stop anything. I mean, I still had fast reflexes but it would be a stretch.

Finally, I finished putting on my gear and began to do stretches. When I felt satisfied that I was ready to go, I slid my jersey over my head and took a deep breath. I felt like I was back in college again as I walked out of the locker room and into the runway, carrying my mask with me in my right hand and my lucky stick in the other. I walked out and hopped onto the ice, much to the amusement of my team and my friends, most of whom had scattered around the ice aimlessly and started conversations in the twenty minutes it had taken me to get ready.

“Looking good, Suicide!!” Max cheered before Matt whistled as I skated down the ice to the net.

“Just shut up and take a shot!” I yelled back at him, putting my mask on and hitting my stick on the ice. This got everyone’s attention and my students lined up first. One by one they came at me and one by one I stopped every shot. Junior skated towards me and spun around but I knew his game and when he turned to hit the puck, I poke checked him and the puck flew to the boards. He stopped dead in front of the net and looked up at me, dumbfounded.

“I was a college level goalie.” I reminded him. He smiled and skated back to the line where everyone else was waiting. Finally the challenges got bigger as Brian and Jimmy came at me.

“COME ON B-RY! YOU CAN DO IT!” Alyssa cheered. I smiled behind my mask. She’d always had a crush on Brian. I’d known, of course, since the first day of training camp. Their friends all tortured them mercilessly because they were always best friends and so they tended to keep away from each other but I’d caught them laughing and joking on more than one occasion after practice. I’d promised to keep her secret, though watching her cheering him on made it harder and harder for me not to tell him.

I almost missed catching Brian’s shot but a split second before he shot, I came back to reality and caught the puck in my glove with little effort. Brian’s eyes turned dark but he skated over to me and patted my shoulder.

“You’re really good, coach.” he complimented, smiling.

“Thanks, Brian. You’re not half bad yourself. I almost didn’t get that one.” I told him truthfully. His smile got wider.

“Almost doesn’t mean anything. What matters is that you did get it, not that you almost didn’t.” he pointed out, skating back to the line. I laughed. He was always the smart one. Alyssa hit gloves with him and they both smiled. They just needed to date already.

I looked on as Jimmy came up and got ready to take a shot. Coming back to focus he shot, high and just barely to the side of the net. I went down butterfly, just as Marc taught me, and caught the puck with the end of my skate, knocking it away. I was getting sloppy. Taking a deep breath, I looked up to see Jimmy shooting my a wry smile as he went back to the line. Now, it was the Penguins turn.

“Who’s going first?” I asked, lifting up my mask and taking a drink. I watched as Matt, Max and Jordan looked at each other and began to do rock paper scissors. I shook my head as all my students decided that they wanted to take shots on Johnny at the other end. I admired their dedication. Finally, the decision was made that Matt would be first to take a shot, followed by Pascal, Jordan, Max, Kris, Marc (whom didn’t really want to but was forced into it by Colby), Geno, Sidney and finally Colby.

I laughed to myself as I watched Matt get ready.

“Are you sure you can stop this, little girl?” Matt taunted as he smiled his toothless grin and balanced a puck on his stick. I laughed and nodded, pulling my mask down.

“Bring it, Cookie Monsta!!” I shouted in a ghetto voice. He laughed and put the puck down, picking up speed quickly and getting to the net. He shot, high and fast, towards my glove hand. Bad choice. I caught it and I almost felt the sting of the puck as it stopped so quickly. Matt walked right up to the net, almost as shocked as I was that I’d stopped the puck.

“Great job!” he shouted, as he skated backwards away, saluting me like I was a Colonel in the military.

“Thank you, Monsieur Cooke.” I said, taking a bow. Next, Pascal skated up, weaving from left to right and seeming to just float along. I knew I would need to be ready for him. He had a tricky shot. He hit the puck sooner than I thought he would, but it flew just over the crossbar and hit the glass. That was one less shot I needed to stop. He skated back and almost as soon as he did, Jordan was flying towards me.

“Get ready, cutie! You’re not stopping this one!” Jordan yelled to me as he edged nearer. I laughed and got into position, coming out of the net and into the paint. I knew his game, always to the stick side with people he was unfamiliar with. I got ready to go that way, but he surprised me and hit the puck to my other side, my glove hand. I had to dive to my other side and I hit the ice, watching the puck float away to the boards, not into the net. I smiled to myself as Jordan came over to me, face grim, as he offered me a hand.

“Sorry, honey, you’re never gonna get one past me.” I told him, patting his cheek with my hand.

“You’re right. But it’s still fun to tell myself I can.” he replied, smiling as he skated back to the line.

“Oh, Sherrie. Mad Max is coming!” Max shouted excitedly, skating at me.

I laughed and backed up into the net, preparing for his shot. He was a fast shooter, and I knew that watching the way he moved wouldn’t help me, so I just got ready for when the puck was coming at me. He went to the left, my stick side and shot, high, towards the right hand corner of the net. But, I caught it off my stick and it smashed away into the boards. He laughed.

“Maybe I’m not as good as I think I am.” he said as he came over and gave me a hug.

“Awe, you did fine.” I assured him with a laughed.

“You’re lying to me!” he said as he went back to the line, still laughing.

“Who’s next?” I asked, looking at them. They all shoved Kris forwards but he didn’t look like he really wanted to take a shot on me. “What’s you’re problem, Kris? Think I can’t handle ya?” I asked, hitting my stick on the ice.

“No, I just don’t want to embarrass you.” he replied, oblivious. I shook my head.

“Just take the shot, Tanger.”

“Alright…” he trailed off, his ego growing at least 10x normal. I got ready, following his movements back and forth, back and forth. He faked me out twice and I almost didn’t get back up in time to catch his shot. But I did. And he skated away, defeated. I looked up at the clock. It was at least an hour after we needed to be gone but we were still having fun so I didn’t make anyone leave. They were all having too much fun watching me in net anyway, none of them would have left.

I looked up and pulled my mask up as everyone looked around to see who was next. Marc stood, a little awkwardly, at center ice, staring me down. I took a drink and turned back to face him.

“Do I really have to take a shot on her? I’m a goalie, not a forward.” he whined. He didn’t really want to do this. I could tell.

“You don’t have to, Marc!” I yelled up ice to him. He smiled and backed up, allowing Geno to come forward.

“Ready?” Geno asked in broken English. I nodded and he came forward. He was so fast and elegant, almost like he wasn’t even touching ice. I marveled at the way he carried himself but when it came time for him to shoot, he hit the puck fast and I went down butterfly, catching the puck in my stomach. That one stung. I stood up and shook it off as he skated past me behind the net, clapping for me.

Looking up, I saw Sidney, standing beautifully at center ice. He smiled his crooked smile at me and I watched as Alyssa hit a puck to him. He didn’t say anything but I knew that he was focused as soon as the fire started to burn in his eyes. I had to admit that I found it a little difficult to tear my gaze away from his eyes as he came towards the net. But, as he did a spin and a fake out, and finally took a shot from the right side, my glove hand. I didn’t catch it and fumbled around a little, being forced back into the net but the puck, thankfully, got stuck between my pads and the goalpost.

Sidney looked up hopefully but his gaze found the puck outside the net and he smiled at me, coming over to where I was. I pushed my mask up and smiled at him.

“Nice try, superstar.” I told him, looking up into his eyes. He laughed.

“Not good enough, I see.” he said as he glanced down at the puck outside the net. “You’re better than you let on.” he said, leaning down and kissing the top of my head before skating back to center ice with a mischievous smile. I almost forgot that Colby was still up but I remembered just in time and backed up as he came forward.

“Watch out sis!” he shouted, coming at me fast. I backed up and began to get a little jumpy. Colby was the only person who seemed to be able to get pucks passed me. He knew my weakness. Finally, he hit the puck, high and to the left. The puck flew, almost in slow motion and as I reached up to block it, it ricochet off my stick and hit the twine just inside the net. I fell to the ice and slid a few inches as Colby jumped up and down happily.

“I can’t believe you did that.” I said, getting up to and shaking my head as I pushed my mask up.

“I finally got one passed you! Woooohoooo!!!” He screamed joyously as he rejoiced with the rest of the Pens and my students. I skated over to him and joined the fun. He stopped for a moment to look over at me with a sympathetic look. “I can’t say as it wasn’t just from practicing with you so much. I think all those shots I took on you in the basement made it easier for me to get one passed you.”

“Yeah. Good job bro.” I answered, punching his shoulder playfully. Marc gave me a high five and pulled me off to one side to give me a hug.

“You used what I taught you! I’m so proud!” he said, smiling widely.

“Ha, why would I not? You’re method is so much easier than mine was.” I said as I turned to see that the celebration had stopped and they were all playing twenty questions with Colby to see if they could learn how to get a puck passed me.

Turning away from them, I looked back to my students. “Alright, guys! You’re all dismissed for today. I’ll see you all next week!” I said as they began to skate passed me and off the ice, waving goodbye to all the boys. Alyssa stopped in front of me with Johnny and they both looked up at me, mystified.

“You need to be in net more often, coach. I’d love to learn from you.” Johnny said with a smile. Alyssa nodded.

“I’ll see what I can do. For now, just keep stretching and practicing. I’ll see you all.” I said, waving goodbye to them as they left the ice.

“So how do you do that? Get one passed her? It seems…. Well…. Suicidal to attempt after watching her today.” Max said as he looked inquisitively at Colby. Sidney skated over to me, took my hand and pulled me back over to where they all stood at center.

“Well, you have to know that her weakness is her…….” and before he could finish, I interrupted him.

“SHUT UP, COLBY!” I shouted, running over to him and half tackling him. “They don’t need to know how to score goals against me. Let them figure it out for themselves.” I told him, shooting him a death glare. He instantly shut up and looked down at the ice.

“Her weakness is her….?” Max urged him on but Colby didn’t finish his sentence.

“If I told you I wouldn’t be alive to see you get a puck passed her.” Colby said sarcastically, though everyone knew he was probably serious. I let Colby go and he skated away, screaming “HER WEAKNESS IS THAT SHE’S TICKLISH! Well, that’s one of them anyway.” I could have about killed him. Immediately, Max was near me, trying to tickle me, though it was quite impossible in full hockey gear. I just laughed a little.

“You’re going to have to wait until I’m not wearing all this gear, dude. You’re wasting your time now.” I said, putting my hand on his arm and stopping him. He nodded.

“Yeah. But I’ll get you eventually. You’ll never see it coming but I will.” Max’s voice was full of sarcasm and I knew he was serious.

“I’ll keep that in mind. But for now, I just want to get changed and take a nap.” I sighed, finally feeling the effects of a practice taking hold after so long without practicing at all. All of them nodded in agreement and we headed for the locker rooms. All the kids had gone and I picked up my bag and headed into the challenging team’s locker room for privacy. “I’ll meet you guys outside in the lobby.” I told them as I walked out.

“Mkay!!” Colby replied in a sarcastic preppy voice.

I walked into the challenger’s locker room and shed my gear next to an unmarked stall. It was nice to be practicing again but I the feeling of being able to leave my gear behind and get a shower was even better than the feeling of playing hockey. The warm water was nice after being in the cold for so long and I shivered as I got dressed again. I slid on the clothes I had left in my bag, a white shirt with a cassette tape on the middle of the front of it and some dark blue jeans with my silver, black and hot pink studded belt. I slid my shoes on and put my gear back in my bag, walking out the door and into the lobby.

Of course, everyone else had already gone and Sidney was the only one still waiting, twirling my keys between his fingers. He sat in a chair across the lobby next to the soda machine, on which I had all of the buttons memorized, and was looking down at the floor in a bored manner.

“Nice to see you waited for me, at least.” I remarked, walking across the lobby to him. His head immediately snapped up to watch me and he smiled a little.

“Everyone else was in a hurry to leave. Something about Christmas shopping.” he said, rolling his eyes.

“It is pretty close to Christmas I guess.”

“Pretty close to Christmas?! Christmas is like… Monday! You can’t tell me you forgot about Christmas!!” he exclaimed, eyebrows raise in surprise.

“I guess I just wasn’t thinking about it. Looks like I need to do some shopping…” I said, trailing off as he handed me my keys and we started to walk out of the Mellon. He took my hand and intertwined our fingers, pushing the door open for me as we walked out.

“Looks like I’m gonna need to hide in the car.” he commented thoughtfully.

“And why’s tha…….. Oh.” I asked, still sort of oblivious to the fact that the man I was dating was Sidney Crosby. I knew then it was going to take some getting used to. Sidney had never seemed that much different from me, never that much more famous or anything like that. He’d always just been Sidney, my brother’s best friend, not Sidney, the face of the NHL.

“Unless you want to run the risk of being jumped by fan girls, I’ll wait for you.” he said gently, as if he was used to not being able to go places anymore without hiding.

“No, I want you to comeee!” I whined, giving him the puppy face, “Pleeeeaaasseeee?”

He looked at me for a minute, obviously dead set in his ways at first, but after a while his face changed and he smiled. “Well….. I guess I can come with you just this once. People are going to find out about us sometime, I suppose.” he started, smiling, “And, hey, at least if they see us together, I can have the comfort of knowing that no one will hit on you while I’m gone.”

“Gone? Gone where?” I questioned as I opened the driver’s side door to my Lambo. Sidney walked around the car and got into the passenger’s side, contemplating whether or not to tell me.

“Well, I have to go home for Christmas and then I’ll be in Montreal for our game on the 26^th. And then I’ll be in Toronto for our game the 28^th so I won’t be around for a few days.” he said solemnly, looking in my direction as I hit the ‘start engine’ button.

“Ahhh! Everyone’s leaving me for Christmas! Colby’ll be gone back to Atlanta and you’ll be gone.” I pouted, “I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself.”

“I promise I’ll make it up to you when I get home. We can go to dinner, anything.” he promised.

“Awe, you don’t have to take me anywhere. I was just messing with you. I’ll miss you while you’re gone, though.” I told him, pulling out of the Mellon’s parking lot and onto the highway, heading towards the mall.

We rode, for the most part, in silence the rest of the way there. Sidney seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts and quite frankly, I didn‘t blame him. I didn’t bother disturbing him, since he seemed intent on staring out the window and watching the street go by. I turned down another street and kept driving, thinking about what I was going to buy for everyone for Christmas. I had to buy something for Max and Marc, Colby, Mom, Dad, Riley, Sidney, Kovalchuk, and a few other people. The hardest part was buying them something they didn’t already have. After all, what do you give to someone who already has everything they want?

I knew that I could get Max tickets to the World Series this year, considering he was a huge baseball fan. Mom and Dad had been lusting after a vacation to the Caribbean for almost two years so that was their present. I knew exactly what Riley wanted, too, more bobble heads. Colby and Riley had been in an everlasting bobble head battle since childhood and I wanted to be supportive. Besides, Riley hadn’t been ahead in a while. He deserved it. Kovy had told me he wanted a shirt that we’d seen on our last trip to the beach together, so that one was simple enough. But Sidney, Marc and Colby. Those three were challenging. Colby had always been a big fan of AC/DC, but they weren’t on tour this year, so I couldn’t spring for tickets. Marc, he was always a mystery and Sidney. Well, Sidney had everything he could ever want, ever.

I sighed and rounded the turn that lead to the mall’s parking lot, still deep in thought. This might be more challenging than I thought it would be.

“What are you thinking about?” Sidney’s voice broke through my thoughts as I remembered that he was still in the car with me.

“Huh? Oh, I was just thinking about what to get everyone for Christmas.” I said, still sort of caught up in thought, “It’s pretty difficult.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure something out. That’s what you’ve always been good at.” he replied.

“You give me way too much credit sometimes.” I shook my head, “I’m just as clueless as a coma patient. I’ve got no ideas.”

“You can’t tell me that you honestly have no ideas at all. It’s not rocket science, buying Christmas presents.” he answered sarcastically.

“This from the man who’s causing me the most problems.” I mumbled under my breath as I pulled into a parking spot and shut off my car, opening the door in a fluid motion and hopping out. Sidney took a minute to think about what I’d said and then got out of the car, pulling his hat on.

“You don’t have to worry about getting me anything for Christmas. I already got what I wanted.” he finally came up with a retort while he came around the car and took my hand again. I couldn’t help myself and I blushed a little, causing Sidney to laugh.

“You’re so.…” I started, suddenly at a loss for a way to describe him.

“Dorky? I know.” he finished the sentence for me, smiling a nerdy smile as we walked towards the doors that lead into the mall.

“Wow. Well, in any case, I still have some problems. Like what to get for Marc and Colby. They’re impossible.” I confessed, “I know what to get for everyone except those two.”

“I don’t even know what to get them.” he admitted, laughing. “And they’re my best friends.”

“That makes me feel so much better.” I replied sarcastically, opening the mall’s door and walking inside. It seemed quieter than most Saturdays, but then again it was still early. Maybe Sidney and I wouldn’t have to worry about fan girls just yet. I looked around and saw only four or five people, ten at most, floating around between stores. I wasn’t surprised. It was still only 11 o’clock on Saturday and after the long night that most people had watching the Penguins beat the Thrashers, I wouldn’t doubt that most of them were still in bed.

“We can figure it out together.” Sidney said hopefully. I nodded as we walked a little further in and the smell of pretzels hit us in the face. “But for now, where are we going?”

“Hmm…. I already bought my parents and Max’s presents…. Sooo…… Kovy’s present.” I said thoughtfully, pulling Sidney towards Hot Topic. He complied and didn’t offer much resistance as we stepped into the semi-dimly lit store.

“What could Kovy possibly want from Hot Topic?” Sidney asked curiously as I pulled him through the isles and back to where the t-shirts were.

“Well when we went to the beach together last we saw this shirt that had a maple leaf on it and he just found it humorous. He loves to make fun of us Canadians.” I informed him, letting go of his hand and reaching across a pile of shirts, immediately finding the one I was looking for. Holding it up to the light, Sidney chuckled to himself.

“Us Canadians are going to mob him if we see him wearing that.” Sid commented sarcastically. The shirt I held in my hands was bright red with a white maple leaf in the middle. Some red lettering inside the leaf said ‘Eh?’ in a mockery of stereotypical Canadians.

“Yes, but he said he wanted this, so I’ll get it for him. A merry Christmas in Canada he’ll have.” I replied as Sidney pulled me over to the other side of the store where the vinyl albums were. Raising an eyebrow, I watched Sidney dig through the records until he found what he was looking for. The last ‘….And Justice For All’ album.

“Kris’ll piss himself. He’s been after this for months.” Sidney said gleefully, walking up to the counter and paying for the album. He waited up for me just outside the store while I bought Kovy’s shirt and no one really seemed to notice us too much. I breathed a sigh, hopeful that our day would continue this way. Sid pulled me along beside him as we walked up stairs and into Macy’s.

“My turn to go shopping.” he stated simply, navigating the store with the same expertise he used on the ice.

“Mkays.“ I said, following him without complaint and we soon stopped at a large jewelry counter. I looked down through the glass but took little notice of anything in the case. I’d never been a huge fan of jewelry shopping myself so I just stood back and let Sidney do what he wanted.

I turned my attention to what was playing over the intercom system as Sidney walked around and around in a never ending circle, looking for something intently. He stood, a few feet away on the other side of the counter, staring down into the case with a sort of thoughtful look on his face. I leaned down onto the counter and finally decided that I would be here a while and that maybe I could find a present for someone here. Looking down into the case, I saw a few diamond pendants, some white gold chains and a few pairs of topaz ear rings, but nothing that really caught my interest. But, I guess they distracted me enough that I didn’t notice when Sidney came around the case and leaned down beside me.

“See something interesting in there?” he asked, looking down through the glass beside me, trying to find where my gaze was placed.

“Huh? Oh, no. Just some gold chains and ear rings. Nothing that interesting.” I shook off my haze and looked up at him to find him smiling that stupid dorky smile again. He took my hand and led me around the counter to where he’d been standing a while earlier.

“You have to help me here. I’m not good at buying presents.” he said, almost in confession as his cheeks turned a little red. “I have to get a present for Taylor and I’m having a fight with myself over two necklaces.” He finished, pointing down into the case at two necklaces that lay side by side. One was a ruby and sapphire circle pendant and the other was a white gold heart locket. They were both beautiful to say the least. Sidney had better taste than he thought.

“You want me to pick the necklace you give to your own sister? But I’ve never met her, why bother asking me? You know what she’d like more than I do.” I posed the question, a little confused.

“That may be true, but I’m asking you for your woman’s opinion. Men have horrible taste in jewelry… especially this one.” he said rolling his eyes and batting his eyelashes in a girly way. I giggled a little and looked down at the case again, thinking.

“Well, if I had to pick something for her, I’d go with the locket. Because at least then you can’t mess up with the stones and whatnot. Easier way to avoid a catastrophe.” I commented thoughtfully. He nodded.

“You’re probably right there.” he said, looking up and waving over the woman behind the counter. “Excuse me, miss, I’d like to buy that white gold locket, please.” he said, completely courteous.

“Wonderful choice.” the woman commented, pulling the box out from under the counter and closing it up. Sidney handed her the money and waited for his change, giving me a kiss on the head.

“Thank you for helping.” he said appreciatively. I just smiled and nodded, watching the woman hand Sid his change and the bag that held his sister’s Christmas present.

“Anytime.” I told him quietly as we walked away.

“Well, what else do you need?” he asked as we walked out of Macy’s and towards the stairs.

“Well, I need to get Riley’s present and think up something to get Colby and Marc.”

“What are you getting for Riley?”

I smiled, “Bobbleheads.”

“I should’ve known.” he answered, shaking his head. “Your brothers are crazy.”

“I know. I love them.” I stated proudly. He laughed and pulled me towards Dick’s. I thought for a minute that we shouldn’t go in there, for fear of being noticed but then shook it off. We were going to be noticed eventually, no matter what. Walking into the store, I found that it was just as quiet as all the other stores were, with only around five or six people milling around through the isles.

“Well, this’ll be simple. Bobbleheads galore.” Sidney stated, pointing to a whole isle full of sports memorabilia in the form of bobblehead dolls.

“Not as simple as you think. I had to work for three weeks last year to get him one he didn’t have.” I remarked as-a-matter-of-factly. Sidney retch up with his free hand and hit himself in the forehead.

“We’ll be here forever!” he cried, “They’ll find our bodies days from now in the corner under a pile of bobbleheads.”

“Nope! Not this year! I asked him what he was looking for this year, and I’ve been keeping tally on what he has. I know exactly what I’m getting.”

“Thank God for your well preparedness.” he said, sounding truly grateful. I shook my head and walked into the isle with him following closely behind. “So what are we looking for?”

“We, Sidney, are looking for, as much as it hurts me to say it, Zdeno Chara.” I said, rolling my eyes dramatically. He raised an eyebrow.

“I thought you and Chara were old chums.” he said, nudging me in the ribs.

“We are. It’s just the thought of Bruins memorabilia will haunt me forever.” I admitted, walking up the isle further and finding the Bruins stuff. Glancing quickly over the shelf I didn’t catch Chara but looking again I found him.

“Why’s that?” Sidney asked curiously.

“Well one summer when we went to Boston for vacation, Colby, Riley and I decided to go ice skating and it was just a sea of Bruins jerseys. It was like mental torture.” I said, shaking off the memory of being the only three Pens fans in a sea of Bruins.

“Ouch. That had to be a scaring experience.” he replied sarcastically, picking up his bobblehead and looking it over. “Dude, I am soooo much sexier than this.”

I glanced over to him as I picked up Chara’s bobblehead and I couldn’t help but laugh. He stood, holding the bobblehead next to his head while trying to make a sexy face. “Oh, you’re so sexy, they couldn’t contain it all in a bobblehead.” I assured him, rolling my eyes. He perked up and smiled, leaning down so that his face was within a few inches of mine.

“You’re lying.” he breathed sarcastically before giving me a kiss. It felt like I was being electrocuted and my heart skipped a beat. I could’ve sworn sparks were flying and I found myself almost a little disappointed that it had to end. “But you lie oh so well.” he finished, taking a breath. We both stood there a minute, just looking at each other and then we couldn’t help it and both started laughing.

When the laughter slowed we walked up to the counter together and I bought Riley’s bobblehead. Turning around, we headed out of the store to find that the crowds were picking up. Sidney pulled his hat down nervously and we started to walk out, but not before being noticed.

“Sidney?” An unfamiliar voice semi-whispered. Sid’s head turned and he smiled, seeming to recognize the person talking. Thank God.

“Hey, Pat.” Sid’s voice was happy and I knew that this person was a friend. Turning around I, too, recognized the person speaking. It was Pat Brisson, Sidney’s agent.

“Doing some Christmas shopping, eh Sidney?” Pat asked curiously, just then taking notice of me. Suddenly, I felt the air get tenser, everything became a little more formal.

“Ha, yeah. I thought I should probably get Taylor a present before I get back to Cole Harbour.” Sidney answered lightly.

“And who might this be?” Pat asked, suddenly more stiff than he had been. I began to feel a bit uncomfortable, like I had when I was being punished as I child. There was just something telling me that Pat didn’t particularly like me.

“Oh, I’m sorry. This is Bernadette Armstrong, Colby’s sister. You remember.” Sidney replied, smiling as he glanced in my direction. “The one I’ve told you about before.” I forced a smile but couldn’t help but feel that Pat really disapproved of me now.

“It’s nice to meet you Miss. Armstrong.” Pat said, a lot more stiffly now.

“And you as well, Mr. Brisson.” I said, trying to lighten things up.

“Ah, I see you know my business. It’s nice to know you know what’s going on.” Pat answered a little disdainfully, almost as if he was insulting my intelligence. Sidney took quick note of stopping that.

“Pat, can I talk to you for a minute, please?” Sidney asked formally. Pat nodded his head and Sidney let go of my hand, walking off to one side with Pat. They spoke in hushed whispers and I caught Pat glancing at me a few times sharply. I only heard a few sentences of what was being said but I got enough to know that Pat didn’t approve.

“Sidney, you can’t be fraternizing with women. You have a career to pursue. This is just another distraction. I’m warning you that this could seriously hurt your hockey career.” Pat whispered, a little louder and sharper than he meant to. I saw Sidney’s face contort with a flash of anger.

“Pat, you can’t honestly tell me that I can’t see a girl. I’m over eighteen. I can date if I want to. And she is not going to hurt my career. What’s going to hurt my career is you trying to ruin my relationship. An angry hockey star doesn’t perform. Stay out of my personal life, Pat.” Sidney answered him, taking a breath.

The rest of their conversation continued in whispers but finally Pat stood back, rubbing a hand over his face thoughtfully. Sidney seemed to be putting up an impressive argument, because Pat loosened up. He nodded to Sidney and I watched them both relax. All the formalities were gone and they came back over to me. Sidney took my hand again and squeezed it tightly, reassuringly.

“Well, it was nice to meet you, Bernie. I’m sure I’ll be seeing… a lot more of you.” Pat said, more relaxed now than he had been. He waved a gentle goodbye and walked away as Sidney pulled me towards the door.

“What’s his deal with me?” I asked, sort of confused.

“He’s just looking out for me. He knows how crazy other guys have been over women and what its done to their careers and he just doesn’t want it to happen to me.” Sid elaborated as we walked out of the mall, holding the door for an old woman headed the other way.

“Oh. Well I’ll do my best not to cross him. He doesn’t seem very pleasant.” I said, shaking my head. Sidney just laughed, as if someone had told a joke only he could hear.

“Pat’s a wonderful guy, he’s just…. Pat. You get used to him.” He stopped laughing and yawned suddenly. “Wow, I’m tired.” he commented, letting go of my hand and walking around my car to the passenger’s side.

“Me too. I think I wanna go home and take a nap.” I commented, getting in the car and turning it on.

“I second that.” Sidney said slyly. I raised an eyebrow and looked at him questioningly.

“Who invited you?” I asked sarcastically.

“You did.” he answered, his smile widening. “You said it before, I’m always welcome.”

“When did I say that?” I asked, attempting to remember.

“Way back when, remember? That time when Max and I came over. You remember. When you had finals.”

“Hmm….” I mumbled thoughtfully. Sidney suddenly began flailing.

“You can’t tell me you don’t remember!! I remember because you were…. never mind.” he trailed off, face becoming red.

“I was what…?” I asked curiously.

“Well… oh this is silly…. I remember because that was the first day I felt jealous of Max’s friendship with you.” he elaborated, shrinking down in his seat as I pulled out of the parking lot and onto the back road that lead to my house.

“But why were you jealous that day…?” I asked, still confused. “All I remember that day is video games and movies…”

“It wasn’t the video games it was the movies.” he started, hastily trying to finish before I could speak again and ask more questions, “When you and Max were on the couch and you fell asleep on him and he had his arms around you, I was so jealous. I guess I remember ‘cause I’d never really felt jealous before. Of anyone. I didn’t like it. Not at all.” he finished, still shrinking. “That sounds really silly and childish, I know.”

“Not really. I mean I’ve been jealous of people too.” I admitted, “More envious though.”

“Who’ve you envied?” he asked, trying to get off topic.

“Well, I envied you for being friends with Mario Lemieux. And I envied Max and Marc for getting to travel around all over the place.” I answered without hesitation, turning right down a dirt road.

“That’s not the same thing.” he said, looking on through the glass window.

“Well….” I trailed off, wondering if I should tell him about my childish jealousy. Then again, he had just confided in me. I owed him. “I was envious of the girl that interviewed you all the time before I knew you. And jealous of my brother because he got to spend all that time with you. That’s the same thing.”

“Yeah, I guess. Oh, speaking of your brother. We never figured out what to get him.” Sid pointed out as we turned down another street and onto a paved road that lead directly to my house.

“I’ll figure that out after my nap.” I answered, slowing as I reached my driveway and pulled in. Colby wasn’t home yet. Thank God.

“Our nap?” Sidney questioned hopefully.

“I guess so.” I retorted, cutting the engine and getting out of the car with my bags. Sidney squealed like a little kid and ran around the car and up the drive to the door. I shook my head, rolling my eyes as I walked up and unlocked the door. Sidney rushed in and jumped onto the couch.

“Nap time!!” he yelled childishly.

“You’re a dork.” I remarked, sitting my stuff down, closing the door and walking over to the tv. I turned it on to find that the original ‘Mighty Ducks’ was playing on Disney.

“MIGHTY DUCKKSSSS!!!” Sidney half screamed, bouncing up and down on the couch while clapping. I rolled my eyes and went over to the couch, taking a seat next to him. He calmed down after a few minutes and relaxed into the couch.

A few minutes after the movie started, Sidney put his arms around me and pulled me over to him. Not that I minded. I curled up on my end of the couch, head in his chest, and closed my eyes. He made a nice pillow. A few minutes later, Sidney moved one more time and after that all I could see was black. I’d been more exhausted than I thought I’d been.

><><><><><><><>Sidney’s POV><><><><><><>

I laid my head back on the couch and as the Mighty Ducks turned off and switched to another show, glancing down at Bernie. She was passed out cold on my chest, completely drained. She hadn’t been kidding when she’d said she was tired. I wanted to wake her up so that we could go out to lunch but then again, looking at her now, I sort of just wanted to let her sleep so I could watch her. She was so peaceful when she slept. I didn’t have the heart to disturb her.

Sitting there for a few minutes, I managed to turn the tv off and I sat in silence. Finally, I had a chance to think about everything that had happened in the last 48 hours.

I’d confessed that I liked Bernie, I’d asked her out, we’d started dating, I’d slept at her house, we’d gone shopping together and that kiss….. that kiss made me shiver. I’d never felt anything like that before. It was so….. different. So…. amazing. It kind of scared me. I’d never been in a serious relationship before. I mean, I’d had a few dates with some puck bunny’s once upon a dream, and I’d dated in high school, but other than that I hadn’t dated anyone that I really wanted anything to go anywhere with. One night stands a few times even, but never anything serious. All I knew about this relationship was that I didn’t want it to be like the others, I didn’t want to screw anything up.

Finally, I looked up to see that the clock read 2:15 and I remembered that I needed to meet Jordan, Max and Marc so we could go shopping for Bernie’s Christmas presents.

I moved smoothly and made sure that I didn’t move too quickly. I didn’t want to wake her up. Pulling over a pillow, I put it under her head and covered her up with a blanket. Just as the silence fell over the room again, my phone started to go off. I opened it up hastily and saw that I had a text from Max.

‘Where are you, Sid?’

‘I’m at Bernie’s house. Come get me, dude.’ I typed back quickly, closing my phone. I pressed the button that read vibrate mode to prevent waking her. I walked over to the door and slid on my shoes as my phone went off again.

‘We’re right up the street at Marc’s. Just walk up and we’ll go.’

‘Okay. Be there in a minute.’ I answered, glancing up at Bernie on the couch. She was still passed out cold. Smiling to myself, I walked back over and kissed her head.

“I love you.” I whispered. She didn’t move and I smiled to myself as I quickly scribbled down a note on a piece of paper, folding it in half and writing her name on the front of it before sitting it down on the table in front of her. Walking back to the door and opening it, I made sure I hadn’t forgotten anything quietly. I made it out onto the porch without too many problems and closed the door behind me as gently as I could.

‘Don’t take too long. Jordan’s getting yancy.’ Max texted me back. I rolled my eyes and started to walk down the drive and up the street to Marc’s house, which was only about seven houses up. I wondered to myself how I’d never noticed that before, but then again, I had a horrible sense of direction. I could barely find my way to the airport and I’d lived here for over a year, two years actually.

I made it to Marc’s house quicker than I thought I would and took the three stairs in one step, opening the door without knocking. Marc, Max and Jordan all sat in the kitchen drinking coffee and talking about what they were going to do for Christmas when I found them.

“TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH!” Jordan yelled sarcastically.

“What, did you have to find your pants?” Max asked, eyebrow raised. I couldn’t help but feel my face turning red and they just laughed.

“C’mon, we have to go before everything gets super busy or we’ll never get anything done.” Marc said, standing up.

I nodded, “I was just at the mall. It was getting busy when I left.”

“Wait… I thought you were just at Bernie’s house…?” Max said, a little confused.

“I was. After we left the Mellon we went to the mall and then to her house and she passed out while we were watching the Mighty Ducks. So I was just at her house.” I elaborated. Max nodded in understanding and Jordan just shook his head.

“Mighty Ducks. Good times man, good times.” Jordan said thoughtfully, laughing a little. We all kinda stood there laughing as we walked towards the door. Marc pulled it open and we all walked out, suddenly striking up another conversation.

“So, where are we going first?” Marc asked curiously. “Anyone know what they’re getting?”

“I think I do.” I said, trailing off, as I thought back to when I was at Macy’s earlier. I’d seen a beautiful gold heart locket with the words ‘I love you’ engraved in it. And even though I was suppose to be looking for Taylor’s present, I knew that that necklace was going to be Bernie’s present. It was perfect. Even if I wasn’t going to be home for Christmas, I wanted her to have something from me.

“Of course you would.” Jordan said, rolling his eyes.

“I know what I’m getting her.” Max said surely.

“What’s that?” I asked as we all piled into Marc’s car.

“I can’t tell you. That’d ruin the surprise.”

“Fun killer.” I commented sarcastically as Marc pulled out of his driveway and drove towards the mall.

><><><><><>4hrs ltr (Bernie‘s POV)<><><><><><><

I woke up on the couch, head on a pillow with a fleece blanket covering me up. Rubbing my eyes slowly, I became aware that I was alone on the couch now. I sat up slowly and looked around but nothing was moved, and there was no movement in the house at all. Looking over at the clock while I stretched, I saw that it was now four o’ clock in the afternoon. I’d slept the day away. Sighing, I looked over at the table and saw a note, written in Sidney’s hand writing, that had been left for me.

I picked it up and unfolded it, reading it slowly.

‘Bernie,

Sorry for leaving without saying goodbye, but you needed the rest. I went out with your brother, Jordan, Max and Marc. The Mighty Ducks was amazing. You’ve got no idea what you missed. Text me when you wake up and maybe we can go out to dinner or something. Hope you got some good rest. Oh yeah, and I’m not jealous of Max anymore.

xoxoxo,

Sidney’

I smiled. He was possibly the nicest guy I’d ever met. Definitely one of the best boyfriends I’d had. Rubbing my eyes again and yawning, I stood up and stretched before walking into the kitchen. Flipping on the light, I turned on my Cappuccino machine and checked the time. It was 6:10. I’d slept for over six hours. Talk about needing a nap. I sighed as the cappuccino machine signaled that it was done and got a cup of coffee for myself. Sitting back down at the table, I flipped up my phone and saw that I had six text messages. One from Colby, Max, Marc, Riley, Jordy, Kris and Sid. I smiled and opened Max’s first.

‘Hey!! Wake up! It’s getting late! I wanted to hang out!’ I sighed and closed the message; planning to reply in a few minutes. Marc’s text was next.

‘Mademoiselle. Text me back later so that we can go somewhere. I missed having you around. (:’

Then Kris,

‘Bernie! Text me back! I’m boredd!!!’ Just like him.

Jordan,

‘Hey Cutie. Call me! I have to ask you a question! Oh, and are you free tomorrow morning? Coffee?’ I smiled and closed his text, opening Colby’s.

‘Sis, just wanted to tell you that I bought you an amazing present. But you don’t get to see it yet. Haha. Love you :]’ I rolled my eyes. Of course. Always tormenting me.

Riley’s text was next on the list.

‘Hey Sis! I haven’t talked to you in a while! How’ve you been? I miss you. Can’t wait to see you again. <3 -Riles’ My smile grew wider. I missed Riley a lot. I hadn’t seen him for just as long as Colby. Sidney’s text was last on the list. I opened it, heart racing instantaneously.

‘Hi honey<3 How was your nap? I hope I didn’t wake you when I left. Bought you a present. Call me later, okay? I love you. So much. -Sidney’

I replied to everyone accordingly:

‘Max, I’m awake! Where did you wanna hang out?’

‘Marc, when Max texts me back, we can all go somewhere. And I’m free tomorrow afternoon if you want to go somewhere. Lunch?’

‘It’s not my job to amuse ya, Kristopher. I’ll catch up with you later. Go amuse yourself with something else’

‘Jordy, honey, what do ya need? And yeah, Coffee with you sounds amazing! When and where?’

‘You’re a meanie face, Colbs!! I’ma get you an awesome present and it’s gonna be so much better than the one you got me! :p’ Love you too!’

‘Riles<333 I miss you!!!! I’ve been great! How’ve you been? Any new girlfriends? I got me a boyfriend now ;]’

‘Hi sweetie<3 My nap was great. You didn’t wake me, but I wish you would have stayed ;) I’ll call you when I wake up. I love you too.’

Finally, when I closed my phone, I finished up my coffee, walking into the living room and taking a seat on the couch, which was still warm from when I had been sleeping on it. Flipping on the tv, the screen flashed to FSN. I was just in time for Savran on Sportsbeat. I sat back into the couch and enjoyed the show, which featured the NHL standings as of late and an interview with Penguins’ head coach, Michel Therrien. I smiled as the conference standings flashed on screen and I saw the Penguins in fourth, behind the Bruins, Capitals and Flyers. Then suddenly something caught my ear as I looked down at my now vibrating phone.

“Rumor today has that Sidney Crosby has finally found a girl. Nothing’s been confirmed yet but word around practice this morning was that he settled for someone pretty close to him in the NHL world, though there is no word yet on who this person may be…” and as Stan Savran continued, I looked down at my phone. Two texts. Riley and Sidney.

‘No new girlfriends. Who are you dating now, munchy?’ I quickly texted back that I was dating Sidney and hit send, opening Sid’s text as fast as I could.

‘That’s good to hear. Did you hear Savran?! Someone found us out. Oh well. They were gonna find us out eventually. <3 Do you wanna announce it or just…..?’ I texted back hastily.

‘Yeah I just saw Savran. It’s not like we could’ve hidden forever. I didn’t think it’d get out this quick, though. Do you think you should announce it or….? Should we talk to Pat…? It’s pretty much whatever you wanna do. I’m here for you.’

I looked back up to the screen where they were now reporting on the basketball games that had been played in the last few days. Pitt was doing the best this season, as usual. My phone went off again.

‘Dating Sidney, huh? I guess I can let that go. I’m happy for you, sissy. But I have to say, Colby and I saw that one coming from way back in Vacation times.’ I blushed. I thought for certain Riley had forgotten our little rendezvous to Virginia Beach the past summer, but it seemed he hadn’t. And what a vacation it had been.

-Flashback-

“Sidney! Bernie! Riles!! Wake up!! C’mon!! I wanna go to the beaccchhh!” Colby whined childishly, staring out the large glass window that led to the beach from our hotel. I rolled over in my bed in the other room, throwing a pillow at the door that led to the room where Riley, Sidney and Colby had slept.

“It’s 6 o’ clock, Colbs!!!” I yelled back, a little annoyed and sleepy.

“C’mon Bernziee! I wanna go too!!” Sidney’s voice was husky after sleep and it made me shiver where I lay.

“Finnee.” I whined, rolling over and sitting up in bed. My Kovalev jersey fell limp around my shoulders and my sweats where now making me a little uncomfortable because of the heat coming in from outside. Getting up slowly, I got dressed in my white space ghost tank top and jean shorts and flopped back down on the bed.

“Are you ready yet?!” Riley shouted through the door.

“Not ready but I’m decent.” I replied, turning my head towards the door, which was now being unlocked. Suddenly, three hockey players flew out of the other room and jumped onto the bed, tackling me.

“MORNING!!!” Riley and Colby shouted in unison as they hugged me from both sides. Sidney just stood in front of me, sort of in his own little world.

“Morning Riles, Colbs. Morning Squidney.” I said happily. This was turning into the best vacation ever. We’d only been here for a day and already everything was so wonderful. Well, I’d only been here for a day. They’d been here a day early to have a guys day before I arrived.

“M-morning…” Sidney said, still sort of out of it.

“Sissy! Let’s go! I wanna go on the beach before everyone gets there!!” Riley said, clearly excited. I hadn’t seen him for a while since he had been away playing in the AHL.

“Okay, Okay. Let me go so I can get my glasses.” I said, being released from their grip and allowed to walk past Sidney to the table behind him. I picked up my sunglasses and put them on. “Let us go, children!” I said excitedly, throwing my fist into the air.

“YAY!” Colby shouted, jumping down off the bed and running into his room, followed closely by Riley. Sidney stood at my bedside, still a little hazy. I slid on my sandals and pulled on his t-shirt, one I’d bought him for his birthday. It was a white shirt with some black paint splatter designs on it.

“Siddy? You alive?” I asked, pulling him towards Colby’s door.

“Oh, yeah. I’m alive.” he said, coming back from dreamland and smiling that wide, Sidney Crosby smile that I’d become all too familiar with. I returned it and walked through Colby’s door, following a now excited Riley and Colby out the door to our hotel room and down the hall.

“How’d you sleep?” I questioned, adjusting my glasses as we pushed open a large glass door and headed outside to the pool. Walking around the pool, Sid started to answer me.

“I slept great, besides Riley’s snoring and Colby talking in his sleep.” he replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes. I laughed.

“Oh, you’ve no idea how annoying that can be every night for eighteen years.” I assured him, giggling a little myself as we crossed the boardwalk and hit the beach. Riley ran full speed towards the ocean, diving in as soon as he got there, his shirt just barely hit the sand before the water from his dive splashed the beach. Colby stood beside Sidney and I, breathing deep and enjoying the ocean air. Suddenly, Colby picked me up and ran with me, throwing me down into the water. I was soaked. “What’d I do to you!?” I asked, getting up and splashing some water on him.

“I heard that comment.” he replied sarcastically, splashing me back. Sidney made it up to us and stopped in his tracks for a minute. I knew he was looking me over. He always did. It was like he thought he was going to miss something, forget something.

“Meanie face! I’m walking the beach to get dry.” I said, looking up to the now rising sun.

“Fine. Just promise you’ll come back!” Riley yelled in from where he was, a few feet out.

“I’ll come with you.” Sid offered. I smiled and turned, taking my shoes off and sitting them next to Riley’s shirt.

“So how was your day yesterday, Siddy?” I asked curiously as soon as we were far enough away from Colby and Riley that they couldn’t hear us.

“It was fun. Had some ice cream. Tormented your brothers. Nothing more I could ask for.” he replied happily, adding, “Well, besides having you here to watch.”

“Oh yes. I really need to see you torture my brothers.” I told him, nudging his side. He caught my arm and playfully pushed me to the other side, holding on so that I wouldn’t fall in the ocean.

“You’re a dork!” I said, laughing. He smiled that crooked smile at me again and his face turned a little pink.

“I know.” he answered simply, hand sliding down my forearm to my hand. Somehow, I didn’t really mind it as much as I thought I should. He seemed to sense that and he held on, lightly at first but then with a little tighter of a grip.

“Well, as long as they didn’t bother you too much.” I said with a smile. I looked out over the sunrise and stopped, sinking down in the sand a little more. Sid stopped beside me and tried to find where my gaze was but seemed unable.

“What are you staring at?” he asked obliviously.

“That sunrise. It’s spectacular.” I replied, mystified.

“It’s very beautiful.” he answered, finally looking up to see the wonderful colors of the sunrise. I heard running on the beach and turned my head to see Colby jogging to where we were with my shoes and Riley’s shirt in hand.

“HEY GUYS! LET’S GO GET SOME ICE CREAM!!” he shouted, waving his arms towards where I saw Riley was with the ice cream man. Sidney turned and pulled me along with him to where Colby was but after a few steps, let go of my hand frantically, embarrassed. Sidney ran ahead to get some ice cream from Riley but Colby waited up.

“What was that about?” Colby questioned, handing me my shoes.

“What was what about?” I asked, confused.

“You and Sid. What’s that about?” he asked again, walking with me slowly.

“We’re just best friends.” I told him truthfully. I’d never really thought of Sidney as anything else. He was way out of my league anyway. Best friends was good enough for me.

“Ohkay.” Colby said sarcastically, nudging me. I laughed and we ran up the beach to where Sidney and Riley were waiting with our ice cream.

-End Flashback-

I texted Riley back quickly, blushing a little. ‘We were just friends then, Riles!! I swear!’ I hit send just as I got another text, from Sidney.

‘I’ll talk to you about it in a minute.’ was all it said. I looked at it for a moment, even read it over again but still didn’t get it. Then, after a second, there was a knock on my door. I got it. He was coming over. Silly me.

Walking over to the door, I turned the handle and pulled it open, finding a very handsome looking Sidney Crosby standing before me. He was wearing his grey RBK hoodie and he held a pink rose in his fingers.

“Hey.” he said, kissing my cheek and giving me a hug. “For you.” he said, holding the rose out to me.

“Awwe. Thank you.” I said, turning around and walking into the kitchen to put the rose in water. As I did, Sidney took his shoes off and closed the door quietly, following me into the kitchen.

“So your nap was good?” he asked, almost concerned.

“Yeah. It was great.” I assured him with a smile as I dropped the rose into a vase of water and pulled out a cup, pouring Sidney a cup of cappuccino.

“Glad to hear it.” he replied, suddenly becoming a little more formal. I felt that something was on his mind and walked passed him, into the living room. Taking a seat on the couch, Sidney took the spot beside me, putting his arm around me.

“So, what are you thinking?” I asked, curious.

“Well… I was thinking about talking to Pat but then again, after seeing how he reacted to you, I don’t want everyone else to get as uppity.” he admitted, sounding a little embarrassed by this thought.

“Okay, that makes sense.” I agreed, leaning my head into his side as Savran began to show the Pens highlights from the previous day.

“So, if you don’t take offence, I think we should hide as much as we can. No hugging or kissing or anything except around the team for now. Maybe just until after I get home from Canada and get a chance to talk about this with Pat… and Mario.” he suggested, pulling me in and taking a drink. “It’ll be really hard though.”

“Yeah but we can do it. I’ll even fake ‘em out if I have to.” I said, looking up at him. He tilted his head down to face me, a questioning look in his eyes.

“What do you mean?” he asked, curious.

“I could always fake dating Max or Marc or Jordy.” I told him, watching his eyes get a little harder at the suggestion. I leaned up and kissed his nose, “But I don’t think I’ll need to do that. I can control myself.”

“Okay.” he said, jumping as he felt my phone go off under his leg.

“Oh, that’s Riley.” I said, picking it up and pressing the read button.

“What’s he want?” Sid asked, looking over my shoulder and reading the text.

‘You guys are good together. Just tell me if he gives you any grief, sis. I’ll beat his ass. Got to go. Going out to dinner with the guys. Talk to you later. Loveeee<3 -Riles’

“Is he talking about us?” Sid questioned, raising an eyebrow seductively.

“Yeah. He was asking me how I was and then he asked me about my life and I had to include you in there.” I answered.

“You should tell him that he couldn’t beat my ass.” he said, laughing. He leaned his head down on mine, slouching down into the couch and turning his attention back to Savran, which was just wrapping up. Just as I went to sit my phone down, it began to go off like mad. Texts from everyone I’d been texting earlier. I opened them in the order they came: Kris, Jordan, Colby, Marc, Max.

‘I can’t amuse myself with anything else! I have no life!!!!’

‘Starbucks, meet me at my house, 8 o’ clock. Be there.’

‘Nuh uh. My present will own yours. I’ll be home in a bit, I’m still out with Max.’

‘Lunch at my favorite café. Just meet me at my house. I’ll call you in the morning.’

‘Movies! An hour from now. Horror film and dinner? And ice cream!!!’

I laughed as Sidney read over my shoulder, his face changing as he read each one to reflect his thoughts.

“My god. You’re so busy. I don’t think you’ll have time to miss me while I’m in Cole Harbour. Max and Marc will keep you busy.” He said sarcastically, looking up at the tv as I texted back an ‘Okay’ to Jordan, Marc and Max, ‘Sure’ to Colby and ‘Get a life on ebay.’ to Kris.

“I’ll make time.” I said, laughing a little at the dorky smile Sid flashed at me. “But they will keep me pretty busy, I agree.”

“They’re so hyper active.” he said, rolling his eyes as I heard keys opening the front door. Colby waltzed in with Max in tow and they were both laughing and joking as they came into the living room. “Speaking of which…” Sid said, looking over to them and raising his eyebrows sarcastically.

Max glanced over in our direction and finally noticed that we were in the room. Nudging Colby in the side he laughed. “I think we’re interrupting.”

“We had better not be; it’s only been two days.” Colby said, looking over in our direction warningly. He looked us over and sighed, “God, Crosby, keep it in your pants. She’s not a puck bunny.”

“I know that! If she was I wouldn’t be dating her.” Sid said defensively, sitting up and putting his coffee on the table.

“No, you’d be screwing her.” Max added sarcastically. I couldn’t help myself and I laughed.

“Oh no, Mon Ame. If I was a puck bunny I’d be screwing you.” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Uh ohh! Looks like she’s got a thing for me, Siddy.” Max said, winking and walking into the kitchen, sitting down a bag he’d been carrying.

“Psh. What do you have that I don’t? A Porsche?” Sid joked, laughing a little.

“No no, sweetie, he’s got mad skills.” I said, getting up and going into the kitchen. I put my arms around Max’s neck and hugged him. Sid just sighed.

“Can’t argue that logic.” he agreed. Everyone was silent for a moment but then we all just busted out laughing.

“I’m sorry, Sherrie, but I can’t take you away from Sidney. He’d have my head on a plate.” Max said, kissing my hand, “But we can still be friends.”

“Oh darn.” I said, turning away and pouting before walking back into the living room where Sidney sat, arms crossed sarcastically.

“I love you too.” he joked.

“I know.” I said peppily, batting my eyelashes.

“Oh stop it. You two make me sick.” Colby said, walking back into the room and rolling his eyes.

“Oh shush!” I half-exclaimed. He just laughed.

“Don’t you have a date with Max to go on?” he asked, walking into the kitchen and taking some things out of the bag that Max had brought in.

“I do, actually. Maxy where is we goingg?” I asked childishly, pulling Sid off the couch and walking back into the kitchen.

“We, Mademoiselle, are going to one of the finest Italian restaurants in all of Pittsburgh.” Max said wryly, turning around with a huge smile crossing his face.

“How did you know?” I asked, confused and surprised. Max didn’t have to say anything, he just glanced over at Colby and his smile got wider.

“In any case, if you guys hope to catch any good horror films, you best be off.” Colby said, putting down the Chinese he was holding in his hand. “Besides, Max has practice tomorrow morning. He can’t stay out too long.”

“Thanks, mom.” Max said, rolling his eyes and walking over to me, “Come along, miss. Time to paint the town polka dot.”

“Yes!” I said excitedly, turning on my heels and watching Max walk back into the living room and slip on his shoes again. Sidney gave me a pouty sort of look but I just sighed.

“Tell me how that all goes for you. I want details.” he said, smiling suddenly.

“Deal.” I replied, leaning up to give him a kiss. “Goodnight, Sidney. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

“Goodnight.” he said, going over to the table and opening the Chinese and stealing Colby’s fortune cookie. I heard him screaming as Max and I walked out of the house.

“Well, looks like we’re taking your car, Sherrie.” he said, climbing into the passenger’s side of my Lambo.

“Looks like.” I said, laughing as I got in and pressed the start engine button.

“He really likes you, you know.” Max said thoughtfully and seemingly out of no where as we pulled out of the driveway.

“Yeah, I know.” I replied, a little surprised.

“And that’s exactly why we’re not going to dinner.” he said, telling me where to turn.

“But if we’re not going to dinner, where are we going, Max?” I questioned, confused.

“We are going to get Sidney a present. Because I’m the only one that knows what he wants for Christmas.” he answered simply, “Turn here.”

I did what he said but I still found myself baffled. “But then why did you say…?”

“Because I knew he was with you. Hang a right.” he started as we turned down another street, “But we’re still going to go eat. Not exactly at the best restaurant but still one of the greatest.”

“You didn’t answer my question, though. Where are we going?” I asked again, sill confused.

“You’ll see. Turn right and stop in that plaza up ahead.” he said plainly, pointing up the road about a mile to a small parking lot that lead up to an old game store that I’d never seen before. Pulling into the parking lot, I turned off the engine and looked over at Max questioningly.

“An old gamer’s store?” I asked, glancing over at the nostalgic looking store doubtfully. “What could he possibly want here?”

“Ah, Sherrie, you only see the outside. But on the inside there is something very special for him, and his obsession.” he said smiling and opening his door, “C’mon then.”

“Alright..” I said, still sort of doubtful. We walked up to the door and Max pushed it open. As we entered, I took notice of all the various game systems and games that filled the glass cases and the shelves that covered the walls.

“Daemon!” Max called towards the back of the store happily. A few seconds later I heard the quick movement of footsteps followed by the sound of something being taken out of a case.

“Maxime! So nice to hear from you after so long!” a short man with dark brown hair and wiry glasses said as he turned the corner backwards and saw that I was with Max.

“Very nice to see you as well, Daemon. This is…” Max was cut off suddenly by Daemon’s smooth voice.

“Bernadette Armstrong! Hello!” he said, extending his fragile looking hand to me. I shook it and smiled.

“It’s nice to know you know who I’m talking about before I even talk about them, Daemon.” Max said, rolling his eyes.

“How could you not know her and live in this town? She’s practically as famous as you, Max.” he said, half baffled as he sat down a game on the counter. I glanced down at it and my eyes became as wide as saucers.

“Max… this is… how could you have… it’s not suppose to…” I said, suddenly at an excited loss for words.

“I know it’s not suppose to come out for six months and they’re not suppose to have a name for it yet but I have some connections through Daemon here and we got an early copy. I was going to give it to you for him a while ago, but then I decided to wait and see if you got any sudden ideas…” he trailed off, as if questioning me. I said nothing so he continued, “but I knew that you probably wouldn’t, so I waited and here it is. I’ve already gotten him something else, so it’s not like you’re taking a present away from me.”

“Max! I love you!” I said, jumping on him and giving him a huge hug.

“I love you too, Sherrie.” he said, surprised as he smiled and laughed.

“Got yourself a new girlfriend, Maxime?” Daemon asked slyly, watching the little display. I blushed sheepishly as I let go and turned my attention to the floor.

“Ah, sadly no. She’s reserved.” Max said, winking at me. Apparently Sidney had already had the whole ‘keep us to yourself for now’ speech with everyone. I sighed and picked up the game gingerly.

“I see.” Daemon said thoughtfully, looking me over. “Sidney’s going to be all over you for that, you know. So whomever you’re reserved for might have to deal with him, Bernadette.”

“Oh, I’m sure she’ll have no problems dealing with Sidney.” Max joked, nudging me. “How much do I owe you, Daemon?”

“A million and one dollars.” Daemon joked with a smile, “Nothing, Maxime. It’s a gift. Christmas, you know.”

“I don’t know how to thank you, Daemon.” I said, surprised and grateful at the same time.

“No need to thank me, just make sure you come back and tell me how it goes. I’m to be playing that game myself, you see. Company testing. I just choose to let others do the work for me.” Daemon said slyly, winking mischievously in my direction. I giggled to myself and shook his hand again.

“Deal.”

“Well, Sherrie. Now we’re off to dinner. C’mon. Our Italian awaits.” Max said, throwing his arm lightly around my shoulders.

“Mkay!” I said, now much less doubtful and more grateful than I had been when I’d first walked into the small nostalgic video game store a few moments before.

“Thanks again, Daemon!” Max called over his shoulder as we walked back into the cold evening air and back to my car.

“Max you’re amazing! I can’t believe this! He’s going to flip! Spirit Tracks isn’t suppose to be out until June!!” I exclaimed, climbing back into the driver’s side and shutting the door in synchronization with Max’s.

“I know I’m amazing. I work hard to be so awesome, but someone has to do it.” he said, smiling at me. “And I’ll be even more awesome when you see where we’re eating.” he said, pressing the start engine button on my dash as I put the game gingerly inside my purse.

“Where are we going?” I asked, feeling a little repetitive.

“You’ll see.” he said, smiling again, but wider.

“You’re very mysterious, Maxime Talbot. I like that.” I told him, pulling out of the parking lot and following his directions all the way to another secluded plaza with a small store and a restaurant.

What followed was the most exquisite Italian dinner I’d ever had. We dined on authentic Italian pasta and some of the greatest wine I’d had in all my days. Apparently, Max had some friends in great places. The store owner, Mrs. P, whom I realized quickly only spoke Italian, was a kindly old woman in her mid to late seventies. She was as frail looking as Daemon, but possibly more pale and fragile, though she didn’t seem to take no as an answer. She’d told Max repeatedly to eat more and that he hadn’t eaten enough and though he tried to refuse, she eventually won the battle and he finished off two full plates of spaghetti. We finished up soon after that and the old woman saw us out before closing up shop behind us, as though she’d been waiting on us especially. I drove Max home and then headed home myself, opening the door to my house quietly and walking in.

Taking off my shoes, I tiptoed past the living room where Colby had passed out on the couch watching FSN in his sweats. Walking down the hallway and into my room I got changed quickly and jumped into bed, still excited about Sidney’s present. I rolled over and noticed that there was a post-it note stuck to the other pillow. Pulling it off, I read it quietly to myself.

‘I’ll see you tomorrow morning at practice before I leave for Cole Harbour. Have a good night’s sleep, honey. I love you. -Sid’

I smiled to myself and closed my eyes, quickly falling to sleep.