"Okay, let's go, let's go, let's go!" I yell getting out of my jeep and opening the door up for the dogs.
I leave them outside and run into the house to go change. I told Sid that I would be at the Lemieux's at 2:00, and according to my clock, it was 2:00 now. Damn golden retriever just had to be stubborn.
I sprint up the stairs, jumping every other step to get to the top and to my bed room. As I approach the door, I kick off my Nike's and strip myself of my old SAR t-shirt. I run to the closet and pick out the nice v-neck purple sweater and dark jeans I had picked out the night before, thank God!
I quickly strip myself of my current clothing and hastily put the new on. I simply throw on my leather boots, being that I had had socks on all day and I didn't have time to shower, ewww. I run into the bathroom and quickly let my hair down from the pony tail it was confined in. I run my hands through my chestnut locks, getting it so it is at least presentable. After washing my face I put on some light make up before running back downstairs again. I glance at the clock, which reads 2:11, before opening the door.
"Shit! Come on guys back in!" I shout out the door before grabbing my keys, phone, and wallet.
I turn around to see Bran by the door watching as the rest of the pack file in the door. After Koda lumbers in, Bran himself follows.
"Thanks guys, I'll be back later,"I say breathlessly running out the door and locking it behind me.
I run into the car and peel out of the driveway. I calm myself down on the drive over to the Lemieux's. I had already met all the adults, but I still had to meet the kids. And their opinions of me mattered too, after all they were a part of Sidney's life.
20 minutes later I pull into the Lemieux's driveway, parking behind Sidney's Range Rover. I take a swig of water from my water bottle, before walking up the steps to get to the door of the huge house. I ring the door bell and wait smoothing any wrinkles out of my outfit.
"Who am I kidding," I murmur to myself, there was nothing I could do now. It is what it is.
The door opens to reveal... Sidney.
"Hey, a little late aren't we?" he asks with a smirk leaning on the door frame.
"Stubborn golden retriever," I sigh.
"Uh huh," he chuckles.
"Hey, I wouldn't be late if a certain someone would have told me there was a lunch to day," I counter with a smile.
"Sidney who's here?" I hear a female voice ask. Natalie comes to the door, looking over Sidney's shoulder at me...
"Caitlin! Oh, I'm so glad you made it!" She smiles at me, "Oh for God's sake Sidney let the poor girl in." she says giving him a playful shove.
He moves out of the way for me to come into the house. She pulls me into a hug.
"How have you been? Are you hungry, did you eat?" she asks pulling away and leading me down the hall way to the kitchen where Mario, Mr. Crosby, and Trina were discussing something.
"Caitlin! Good to see you again!" Mario says greeting me.
"My dear I'm so glad you could make it, the kids have been asking about you," Trina says coming over to give me a hug. These people really liked their hugs, me not so much, but I could handle it.
"Yeah, I'm excited to meet them. I'm really sorry I'm late, I had a session that took longer than expected," I say.
"Don't worry about it, Sid told us that he had forgotten to tell you about lunch. Sometimes it's scary how much he reminds me of his father," Trina sighs patting Mr. Crosby's hand.
"I know what you mean, Mario does the same thing," Nat laughs.
"Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one," I smile looking over at Sid who rolls his eyes.
My gaze drifts back to Mr. Crosby who seems to have a permanent frown on his face when it comes to me. I look back to Mario who seems to be the only one that has picked on Troy Crosby's negativity toward me. He gives me an encouraging smile that makes me think I will be talking to him later.
I smile back with a sigh.
"Alright, come on. I'll introduce you to everyone, they're downstairs," Sid says taking my hand and pulling me toward the basement steps. As I approach the bottom of the stairs, the sound of video games hit me, specifically Wii tennis.
I see five teenagers (Remember we're 4 years ahead) in a magnificent game room, 3 were playing Wii tennis infront of a huge TV and the other two were playing at an air hockey table.
"Guys, if you could take a break for minute, I would like to introduce you to some one," Sid calls out.The kids look over, and immediately stop what they are doing. Apparently curious to meet the new girl Sid brought home.
"Guys this is my girlfriend Caitlin, Caitlin this is Lauren(age 20), Stephanie(18), Austin(17), Alexa(16), and my sister Taylor(17)," he says pointing to everyone.
"Nice to meet you guys,"I smile.
"You too," they all seem to mumble at once.There is a pretty awkward silence between all of us and understandably so.
"Sidney could you come up here for a minute?" I hear Troy call out.
"Yeah, sure, be right up," he says then turns to me," I'll be right back."
He bounds up the carpeted basement floors leaving me alone with everyone.
"Sooo..." I say, trying to break the silence.
"So, what do you do? I mean, do you work?" Lauren asks finally stepping up as the oldest to be the first to ask questions.
"Yeah, I own my own business. I train dogs," I smile.
"Where do you live?"Austin asks.
"I actually live right next door to Sid, I moved in in December."
There is another pause in the conversation and I sigh as my eyes move over the game room. I spot a card table in the corner.
"So do you guys know how to play poker?" I ask.
Everyone looks at me with a smile.
Sid's POV
After going upstairs to tell my Dad about my stats, I head back downstairs. Why he called me up to talk stats was beyond me, I mean I knew he kept up with them. I was just telling him stuff he already knew so that he could provide "constructive criticism,"which normally I didn't mind, but I wanted to be there with Caitlin being that it was her first time meeting the kids.
I walk into the playroom to hear laughing. I turn the corner to see that they have pulled out the big card table and had started a game of poker. Were they really gambling? On closer inspection, I see that instead of poker chips they had various pieces of junk food, glasses of root beer were in front of them.
"Alright, I'll see your pretzel and raise you a Dorrito," Caitlin says with a rod pretzel hanging from her mouth like a cigar, placing her amount in the pot.
"I fold," I hear Alexa say.
"Me too," Taylor agrees.
"That means it's just you and me Austin," Caitlin says looking at him with that wicked smile.
"Alright, you're going down Caitlin," he smiles, "I'll see your Dorrito and raise you an Oreo."
"Looks like I'm going to have a feast tonight," she smiles at Austin.
"Oh please Caitlin," he grins,"3 of a kind nines."
"Your pretty good Mr. Lemieux...but not good enough. 3 of a kind Aces," she grins putting down her cards after Austin does.
"Damn, I thought I had her," he mumbles to himself.
I snicker as Caitlin pops a pretzel in her mouth from the pot.
"Looks like you learned Caitlin's nickname the hard way Austin," I laugh.
"What's her nickname," Stephanie asks.
"All the guys call her 'Ace' because she hardly ever loses a poker game," I laugh.
"Awwww... I knew I should have asked if she had a nickname," Alexa sighs sarcastically.
We all laugh at her comment as footsteps are heard coming down the stairs.
Caitlin's POV
"Caitlin, can I steal you away for a minute," Mario asks as he comes around the corner and into the game room.
"Umm... sure,"I say leaving my place at the poker table.
I follow him up the stairs and to the front door of the house where he hands me my coat.
"I thought we could maybe go for a walk,"he says in reply to the confused look on my face.
"Alright," I say following his lead.
We walk out of the house and onto the street, walking a little ways before he breaks the silence.
"So, how's it going with Sid?" he asks, somewhat uncomfortably.
"It's going really well," I say hesitantly, not really sure how to answer that question.
"I hear he's over at your place a lot and not his own," he smiles not looking at me, but at the road ahead of us.
"Ummm...yeah, he has. Did he tell you that?"I ask almost guilitly.
"No, Colby did," he laughs, "I don't mean to pry, and you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but are you living together?"
"I...well...we... Ugh, I don't know," I say frustratedly.
"Okay, you don't need to answer I was just curious," he shrugs.
"No, it's not that. I mean I know you are just looking out for Sid because he's like another son to you, but I really don't know. I mean, Beth my friend, keeps commenting on it, but I really don't know. I mean should I ask him to live with me? I've never really asked a guy to live with me, I've always been on my own with my dogs. And the dogs have kind of had their own part in keeping guys away, because they take up so much of my time and my life revolves around them. But Sidney's over all the time, and he does get along so well with the dogs," I say in what seems like one breath.
"Wow! Okay that was a lot of information," Mario says looking at me somewhat astounded.
"Sorry, it's just I haven't had anyone to really talk to about it," I say.
"I understand. You do know that Sid was never really a big fan of dogs. I mean he had a dog, but he was always uneasy around them. Now he seems a little more at ease around them," Mario states.
"Yeah, I know," I say thinking back to when Sidney was hesitant around my dogs, "He flipped out when I told him Sam bit me and that I was keeping him."
"Yes I've heard about that. How is that coming?" Mario asks.
"Really well. I should be able to put him up for adoption soon," I smile.
"That's good, that's good," he sighs, "Caitlin, would you like some advice?"
"Of course," I say looking up at him, after all he is over a foot taller than I am.
"You and Sidney have one thing in common. Your jobs are very important to you. As you well know Sidney's life is hockey, and I don't think he has ever met a girl who's job was just as important to her as hockey was to him. You really love your job, don't you?" he asks me putting his hands in his pockets.
"Yes of course, it's my life!" I say looking at him astounded.
"See, Sid has never met someone like that. Most of the girls he's dated have had jobs that were just a filler, or didn't have one at all. But you, you're independent, much like Sidney is. And when you first started dating, I think that kind of threw Sidney. Every girl he's been with has whined about his hockey schedule and complained when he's had to tend to his fans,"he begins.
"But that's part of Sid. I know that, I realize that I have to sacrifice some things to be with him," I shrug.
"See, that's exactly what I'm talking about. Sidney never has had a girl like that. And not only that, but he has had to over come some things too, like his uneasiness around dogs. Just like girls have to accept that hockey is Sidney, Sidney has had to accept that dogs are you. And I think that gives you two a strong bond. And if he is spending as much time at your house as the guys say he is. I don't see any problem with you living together," he concludes as we turn around and head back to the house.
"But what about his parents. I mean, Trina seems to like me, but I don't think Mr. Crosby is a big fan of me," I sigh.
"You have to understand, that Troy Crosby is very protective of his son and only wants what's best for him. He'll warm up to you eventually, just give it time. I think as he learns more about you, he will see what an amazing young woman you are," Mario replies as we approach the driveway.
"Thanks Mario, that really means a lot," I say giving him a hug.
"My pleasure, Ace," he smiles.
"Colby told you about that too, huh?"I ask with a guilty grin as we walk into the house.
"Actually Max did," he laughs.
"Yes!" I say throwing my hands up in the air as Gonchar's slap shot finds the back of the net. I give Taylor a high five. The Pens were up against the Bruins 2-1, with 4 minutes left in the third. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mr. Crosby look over at me. I cheer with the rest of the crowd, refusing to give into his stare and look over.
The Penguins finish the game 2-1 against the Bruins, with Tyler Kennedy just missing the empty net. Poor TK, he'd be hearing about that one for the next week. I make my way down with the Crosbys to the locker room to wait for Sid. For once he's not the only one that is last. I see Laura Fleury waiting for a certain goalie.
"Well if it isn't Mrs. Fleury," I smile coming to greet her.
"Caitlin! Where have you been?" she asks in her adorable french accent.
"Working like crazy," I sigh giving her a hug.
"We have missed you around the box, it's just not the same trash talking the other team when you aren't there. We miss your sarcasm," she smiles.
"Awww... I'm sure that you guys are doing well with out me," I laugh, as I see Sid and Flower walk out of locker room in suits, "Well, well,well aren't we looking spiffy."
The boys quickly strike a pose, being that nobody was around but their girls and Sid's parents. This of course, causes everyone, but a certain father to erupt in laughter. Sid lets out a high pitched laugh and walks over to me giving me a hug.
"Good game. Great power play," I say giving him a quick kiss.
"Thanks, not too much passing?" he asks walking over with me to his parents.
"Eh, you could do with out a few and make them a little cleaner, but better than last game," I say surprised, he didn't often ask my opinion. I mean he did sometimes, but not until I blurted it out when we watching replays on TV.
"Good game Sidney," his father says giving him a hug, "But the passing was a little sloppy."
"So I've heard," Sidney says grinning down at me. Mr. Crosby looks at him confused for a moment, but then looks at me with eyebrows raised a little shocked.
"Good job Sid," Trina and Taylor say almost at the same time before giving him a hug. His mom giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Alright, you ready to leave?" he asks, "I'm sure Koda is ready to go lay outside."
I smile, no question about it, I'm head over heels in love with Sidney Crosby.
"Yeah, sure," I reply looking into his tired eyes.
"Well, I guess we'll see you guys tomorrow," Sid says giving his mom another hug.
"Of course dear. Caitlin are you coming to practice?" Trina asks.
"No, I wish I could but my only session is at 9:30, but if I have time afterwards I might stop in," I smile giving her a hug.
"She's gone a little to long without pranking Army. I know she and Flower have something in the works, but I don't know what," Sid says looking at me with a grin.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I grin back wickedly.
"Umm... before you go can I talk to you a minute Caitlin," Taylor asks.
"Yeah sure," I say.
"I'll meet you in the car," Sid says.
I walk a little ways away down the hall with Taylor, she tucks her hair behind her hair nervously. We stop a little ways off.
"What's up Taylor? Is everything ok?" I ask her.
"Well, it's just about dinner tomorrow," she begins not meeting my eyes, but instead looking at her feet.
"Yeah?" I ask.
"Well, it's just... I..." she hesitates.
"What is it Taylor?" I ask gently.
"Well... I..." she sighs, "I'm not very comfortable around dogs."
"That's it?" I ask with a smirk.
"Well yeah. I mean, yeah I have my own dog and I don't have a problem with little dogs, it's just, big dogs... well... they intimidate me,"she says still not meeting my gaze.
"You know Taylor," I sigh walking back to the door with her, "Your brother wasn't always a big fan of dogs. I think I have the perfect dog for you to meet. I promise, everything will be fine, no worries. Don't lose sleep over it."
"Thanks, it just I got a little worried when you said that you had six dogs. And I saw your one
dog on TV."
"No worries Taylor. You'll be fine tomorrow, just don't think about it," I say as we walk out the
door, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye Caitlin, and thanks for listening,"she says walking over to the Crosby's car.
"No problem," I say getting into Sid's car.
I slip in, putting my seatbelt on.
"Well, what was that all about?" he asks.
"Eh, girl stuff," I smile.
"Not boy stuff is it?" he asks looking over a me after pulling out of the parking lot.
"Sidney, first of all your sister is 17, I'm sure she is thinking about boys now, probably has been for years. And second of all, no, it wasn't," I smile.
"What was it about?"
"Nothing. Let's just say she has learned a thing or two from her brother," I say looking out the
window.
He looks over at me confused, but drops the subject.
Sid's POV
It was really bugging me what Caitlin and Taylor talked about. Oh well, I guess I'll just ask Taylor tomorrow, knowing that I would be getting nothing out of Caitlin. She did fabulously at the Lemieux's, I'm pretty sure she had everyone's heart, although Dad did seem a little quiet around her. But I wasn't surprised at all that she got along so well with everyone, she and Taylor especially seemed to become fast friends. She must be tired. She had been up early like always then went to work, rushed to the Lemieux's, and when we got home... I mean back to her house... she was doing more planning for Beth's party, and then she went to the game. How does she do it?
I pull my shirt out of my pants and unbutton it before going to the bathroom to take a fast shower, just to get the gel out of my hair. With in a few minutes I step out of the shower and step into my boxers before walking out of the bathroom to Caitlin just coming in. She heads into the bathroom and comes out moments later changed into one of my old t shirts. God she looked hot, and really tired.
I crawl into bed at the same time she does, with a heavy sigh. I pull her into me and kiss her sweetly on the lips. I was never more content than I was at times like these, with her in my arms quickly falling asleep, no words needing to be said.
"I love you," she whispers before her dark brown eyes close and she snuggles deeper into my chest.
"Love you too, babe," I whisper back allowing my own eyes to close.
I leave them outside and run into the house to go change. I told Sid that I would be at the Lemieux's at 2:00, and according to my clock, it was 2:00 now. Damn golden retriever just had to be stubborn.
I sprint up the stairs, jumping every other step to get to the top and to my bed room. As I approach the door, I kick off my Nike's and strip myself of my old SAR t-shirt. I run to the closet and pick out the nice v-neck purple sweater and dark jeans I had picked out the night before, thank God!
I quickly strip myself of my current clothing and hastily put the new on. I simply throw on my leather boots, being that I had had socks on all day and I didn't have time to shower, ewww. I run into the bathroom and quickly let my hair down from the pony tail it was confined in. I run my hands through my chestnut locks, getting it so it is at least presentable. After washing my face I put on some light make up before running back downstairs again. I glance at the clock, which reads 2:11, before opening the door.
"Shit! Come on guys back in!" I shout out the door before grabbing my keys, phone, and wallet.
I turn around to see Bran by the door watching as the rest of the pack file in the door. After Koda lumbers in, Bran himself follows.
"Thanks guys, I'll be back later,"I say breathlessly running out the door and locking it behind me.
I run into the car and peel out of the driveway. I calm myself down on the drive over to the Lemieux's. I had already met all the adults, but I still had to meet the kids. And their opinions of me mattered too, after all they were a part of Sidney's life.
20 minutes later I pull into the Lemieux's driveway, parking behind Sidney's Range Rover. I take a swig of water from my water bottle, before walking up the steps to get to the door of the huge house. I ring the door bell and wait smoothing any wrinkles out of my outfit.
"Who am I kidding," I murmur to myself, there was nothing I could do now. It is what it is.
The door opens to reveal... Sidney.
"Hey, a little late aren't we?" he asks with a smirk leaning on the door frame.
"Stubborn golden retriever," I sigh.
"Uh huh," he chuckles.
"Hey, I wouldn't be late if a certain someone would have told me there was a lunch to day," I counter with a smile.
"Sidney who's here?" I hear a female voice ask. Natalie comes to the door, looking over Sidney's shoulder at me...
"Caitlin! Oh, I'm so glad you made it!" She smiles at me, "Oh for God's sake Sidney let the poor girl in." she says giving him a playful shove.
He moves out of the way for me to come into the house. She pulls me into a hug.
"How have you been? Are you hungry, did you eat?" she asks pulling away and leading me down the hall way to the kitchen where Mario, Mr. Crosby, and Trina were discussing something.
"Caitlin! Good to see you again!" Mario says greeting me.
"My dear I'm so glad you could make it, the kids have been asking about you," Trina says coming over to give me a hug. These people really liked their hugs, me not so much, but I could handle it.
"Yeah, I'm excited to meet them. I'm really sorry I'm late, I had a session that took longer than expected," I say.
"Don't worry about it, Sid told us that he had forgotten to tell you about lunch. Sometimes it's scary how much he reminds me of his father," Trina sighs patting Mr. Crosby's hand.
"I know what you mean, Mario does the same thing," Nat laughs.
"Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one," I smile looking over at Sid who rolls his eyes.
My gaze drifts back to Mr. Crosby who seems to have a permanent frown on his face when it comes to me. I look back to Mario who seems to be the only one that has picked on Troy Crosby's negativity toward me. He gives me an encouraging smile that makes me think I will be talking to him later.
I smile back with a sigh.
"Alright, come on. I'll introduce you to everyone, they're downstairs," Sid says taking my hand and pulling me toward the basement steps. As I approach the bottom of the stairs, the sound of video games hit me, specifically Wii tennis.
I see five teenagers (Remember we're 4 years ahead) in a magnificent game room, 3 were playing Wii tennis infront of a huge TV and the other two were playing at an air hockey table.
"Guys, if you could take a break for minute, I would like to introduce you to some one," Sid calls out.The kids look over, and immediately stop what they are doing. Apparently curious to meet the new girl Sid brought home.
"Guys this is my girlfriend Caitlin, Caitlin this is Lauren(age 20), Stephanie(18), Austin(17), Alexa(16), and my sister Taylor(17)," he says pointing to everyone.
"Nice to meet you guys,"I smile.
"You too," they all seem to mumble at once.There is a pretty awkward silence between all of us and understandably so.
"Sidney could you come up here for a minute?" I hear Troy call out.
"Yeah, sure, be right up," he says then turns to me," I'll be right back."
He bounds up the carpeted basement floors leaving me alone with everyone.
"Sooo..." I say, trying to break the silence.
"So, what do you do? I mean, do you work?" Lauren asks finally stepping up as the oldest to be the first to ask questions.
"Yeah, I own my own business. I train dogs," I smile.
"Where do you live?"Austin asks.
"I actually live right next door to Sid, I moved in in December."
There is another pause in the conversation and I sigh as my eyes move over the game room. I spot a card table in the corner.
"So do you guys know how to play poker?" I ask.
Everyone looks at me with a smile.
Sid's POV
After going upstairs to tell my Dad about my stats, I head back downstairs. Why he called me up to talk stats was beyond me, I mean I knew he kept up with them. I was just telling him stuff he already knew so that he could provide "constructive criticism,"which normally I didn't mind, but I wanted to be there with Caitlin being that it was her first time meeting the kids.
I walk into the playroom to hear laughing. I turn the corner to see that they have pulled out the big card table and had started a game of poker. Were they really gambling? On closer inspection, I see that instead of poker chips they had various pieces of junk food, glasses of root beer were in front of them.
"Alright, I'll see your pretzel and raise you a Dorrito," Caitlin says with a rod pretzel hanging from her mouth like a cigar, placing her amount in the pot.
"I fold," I hear Alexa say.
"Me too," Taylor agrees.
"That means it's just you and me Austin," Caitlin says looking at him with that wicked smile.
"Alright, you're going down Caitlin," he smiles, "I'll see your Dorrito and raise you an Oreo."
"Looks like I'm going to have a feast tonight," she smiles at Austin.
"Oh please Caitlin," he grins,"3 of a kind nines."
"Your pretty good Mr. Lemieux...but not good enough. 3 of a kind Aces," she grins putting down her cards after Austin does.
"Damn, I thought I had her," he mumbles to himself.
I snicker as Caitlin pops a pretzel in her mouth from the pot.
"Looks like you learned Caitlin's nickname the hard way Austin," I laugh.
"What's her nickname," Stephanie asks.
"All the guys call her 'Ace' because she hardly ever loses a poker game," I laugh.
"Awwww... I knew I should have asked if she had a nickname," Alexa sighs sarcastically.
We all laugh at her comment as footsteps are heard coming down the stairs.
Caitlin's POV
"Caitlin, can I steal you away for a minute," Mario asks as he comes around the corner and into the game room.
"Umm... sure,"I say leaving my place at the poker table.
I follow him up the stairs and to the front door of the house where he hands me my coat.
"I thought we could maybe go for a walk,"he says in reply to the confused look on my face.
"Alright," I say following his lead.
We walk out of the house and onto the street, walking a little ways before he breaks the silence.
"So, how's it going with Sid?" he asks, somewhat uncomfortably.
"It's going really well," I say hesitantly, not really sure how to answer that question.
"I hear he's over at your place a lot and not his own," he smiles not looking at me, but at the road ahead of us.
"Ummm...yeah, he has. Did he tell you that?"I ask almost guilitly.
"No, Colby did," he laughs, "I don't mean to pry, and you don't have to answer if you don't want to, but are you living together?"
"I...well...we... Ugh, I don't know," I say frustratedly.
"Okay, you don't need to answer I was just curious," he shrugs.
"No, it's not that. I mean I know you are just looking out for Sid because he's like another son to you, but I really don't know. I mean, Beth my friend, keeps commenting on it, but I really don't know. I mean should I ask him to live with me? I've never really asked a guy to live with me, I've always been on my own with my dogs. And the dogs have kind of had their own part in keeping guys away, because they take up so much of my time and my life revolves around them. But Sidney's over all the time, and he does get along so well with the dogs," I say in what seems like one breath.
"Wow! Okay that was a lot of information," Mario says looking at me somewhat astounded.
"Sorry, it's just I haven't had anyone to really talk to about it," I say.
"I understand. You do know that Sid was never really a big fan of dogs. I mean he had a dog, but he was always uneasy around them. Now he seems a little more at ease around them," Mario states.
"Yeah, I know," I say thinking back to when Sidney was hesitant around my dogs, "He flipped out when I told him Sam bit me and that I was keeping him."
"Yes I've heard about that. How is that coming?" Mario asks.
"Really well. I should be able to put him up for adoption soon," I smile.
"That's good, that's good," he sighs, "Caitlin, would you like some advice?"
"Of course," I say looking up at him, after all he is over a foot taller than I am.
"You and Sidney have one thing in common. Your jobs are very important to you. As you well know Sidney's life is hockey, and I don't think he has ever met a girl who's job was just as important to her as hockey was to him. You really love your job, don't you?" he asks me putting his hands in his pockets.
"Yes of course, it's my life!" I say looking at him astounded.
"See, Sid has never met someone like that. Most of the girls he's dated have had jobs that were just a filler, or didn't have one at all. But you, you're independent, much like Sidney is. And when you first started dating, I think that kind of threw Sidney. Every girl he's been with has whined about his hockey schedule and complained when he's had to tend to his fans,"he begins.
"But that's part of Sid. I know that, I realize that I have to sacrifice some things to be with him," I shrug.
"See, that's exactly what I'm talking about. Sidney never has had a girl like that. And not only that, but he has had to over come some things too, like his uneasiness around dogs. Just like girls have to accept that hockey is Sidney, Sidney has had to accept that dogs are you. And I think that gives you two a strong bond. And if he is spending as much time at your house as the guys say he is. I don't see any problem with you living together," he concludes as we turn around and head back to the house.
"But what about his parents. I mean, Trina seems to like me, but I don't think Mr. Crosby is a big fan of me," I sigh.
"You have to understand, that Troy Crosby is very protective of his son and only wants what's best for him. He'll warm up to you eventually, just give it time. I think as he learns more about you, he will see what an amazing young woman you are," Mario replies as we approach the driveway.
"Thanks Mario, that really means a lot," I say giving him a hug.
"My pleasure, Ace," he smiles.
"Colby told you about that too, huh?"I ask with a guilty grin as we walk into the house.
"Actually Max did," he laughs.
"Yes!" I say throwing my hands up in the air as Gonchar's slap shot finds the back of the net. I give Taylor a high five. The Pens were up against the Bruins 2-1, with 4 minutes left in the third. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mr. Crosby look over at me. I cheer with the rest of the crowd, refusing to give into his stare and look over.
The Penguins finish the game 2-1 against the Bruins, with Tyler Kennedy just missing the empty net. Poor TK, he'd be hearing about that one for the next week. I make my way down with the Crosbys to the locker room to wait for Sid. For once he's not the only one that is last. I see Laura Fleury waiting for a certain goalie.
"Well if it isn't Mrs. Fleury," I smile coming to greet her.
"Caitlin! Where have you been?" she asks in her adorable french accent.
"Working like crazy," I sigh giving her a hug.
"We have missed you around the box, it's just not the same trash talking the other team when you aren't there. We miss your sarcasm," she smiles.
"Awww... I'm sure that you guys are doing well with out me," I laugh, as I see Sid and Flower walk out of locker room in suits, "Well, well,well aren't we looking spiffy."
The boys quickly strike a pose, being that nobody was around but their girls and Sid's parents. This of course, causes everyone, but a certain father to erupt in laughter. Sid lets out a high pitched laugh and walks over to me giving me a hug.
"Good game. Great power play," I say giving him a quick kiss.
"Thanks, not too much passing?" he asks walking over with me to his parents.
"Eh, you could do with out a few and make them a little cleaner, but better than last game," I say surprised, he didn't often ask my opinion. I mean he did sometimes, but not until I blurted it out when we watching replays on TV.
"Good game Sidney," his father says giving him a hug, "But the passing was a little sloppy."
"So I've heard," Sidney says grinning down at me. Mr. Crosby looks at him confused for a moment, but then looks at me with eyebrows raised a little shocked.
"Good job Sid," Trina and Taylor say almost at the same time before giving him a hug. His mom giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Alright, you ready to leave?" he asks, "I'm sure Koda is ready to go lay outside."
I smile, no question about it, I'm head over heels in love with Sidney Crosby.
"Yeah, sure," I reply looking into his tired eyes.
"Well, I guess we'll see you guys tomorrow," Sid says giving his mom another hug.
"Of course dear. Caitlin are you coming to practice?" Trina asks.
"No, I wish I could but my only session is at 9:30, but if I have time afterwards I might stop in," I smile giving her a hug.
"She's gone a little to long without pranking Army. I know she and Flower have something in the works, but I don't know what," Sid says looking at me with a grin.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I grin back wickedly.
"Umm... before you go can I talk to you a minute Caitlin," Taylor asks.
"Yeah sure," I say.
"I'll meet you in the car," Sid says.
I walk a little ways away down the hall with Taylor, she tucks her hair behind her hair nervously. We stop a little ways off.
"What's up Taylor? Is everything ok?" I ask her.
"Well, it's just about dinner tomorrow," she begins not meeting my eyes, but instead looking at her feet.
"Yeah?" I ask.
"Well, it's just... I..." she hesitates.
"What is it Taylor?" I ask gently.
"Well... I..." she sighs, "I'm not very comfortable around dogs."
"That's it?" I ask with a smirk.
"Well yeah. I mean, yeah I have my own dog and I don't have a problem with little dogs, it's just, big dogs... well... they intimidate me,"she says still not meeting my gaze.
"You know Taylor," I sigh walking back to the door with her, "Your brother wasn't always a big fan of dogs. I think I have the perfect dog for you to meet. I promise, everything will be fine, no worries. Don't lose sleep over it."
"Thanks, it just I got a little worried when you said that you had six dogs. And I saw your one
dog on TV."
"No worries Taylor. You'll be fine tomorrow, just don't think about it," I say as we walk out the
door, "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye Caitlin, and thanks for listening,"she says walking over to the Crosby's car.
"No problem," I say getting into Sid's car.
I slip in, putting my seatbelt on.
"Well, what was that all about?" he asks.
"Eh, girl stuff," I smile.
"Not boy stuff is it?" he asks looking over a me after pulling out of the parking lot.
"Sidney, first of all your sister is 17, I'm sure she is thinking about boys now, probably has been for years. And second of all, no, it wasn't," I smile.
"What was it about?"
"Nothing. Let's just say she has learned a thing or two from her brother," I say looking out the
window.
He looks over at me confused, but drops the subject.
Sid's POV
It was really bugging me what Caitlin and Taylor talked about. Oh well, I guess I'll just ask Taylor tomorrow, knowing that I would be getting nothing out of Caitlin. She did fabulously at the Lemieux's, I'm pretty sure she had everyone's heart, although Dad did seem a little quiet around her. But I wasn't surprised at all that she got along so well with everyone, she and Taylor especially seemed to become fast friends. She must be tired. She had been up early like always then went to work, rushed to the Lemieux's, and when we got home... I mean back to her house... she was doing more planning for Beth's party, and then she went to the game. How does she do it?
I pull my shirt out of my pants and unbutton it before going to the bathroom to take a fast shower, just to get the gel out of my hair. With in a few minutes I step out of the shower and step into my boxers before walking out of the bathroom to Caitlin just coming in. She heads into the bathroom and comes out moments later changed into one of my old t shirts. God she looked hot, and really tired.
I crawl into bed at the same time she does, with a heavy sigh. I pull her into me and kiss her sweetly on the lips. I was never more content than I was at times like these, with her in my arms quickly falling asleep, no words needing to be said.
"I love you," she whispers before her dark brown eyes close and she snuggles deeper into my chest.
"Love you too, babe," I whisper back allowing my own eyes to close.
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