Discovering...Love?

Sorry, it took so freakn long. I haven't even had time to breathe in the last week. Again sorry for the long wait, but I finally got it completed! ~Aeryn


I flop onto the bed next to him. I was exhausted after today with work, cleaning, then Taylor came over. All I want to do is close my eyes and sleep, but Sid's parents would be here in about an hour. I sigh as my hands find their way into the dark hair on his head, my fingers running through it's thickness. He bends his head back to look at me with his piercing blue eyes.

"Bran how about you get ready and I'll just take a nap?" I sigh.

He looks at me for a moment, his head turning to the side as he tries to understand my words. Figuring that I don't want anything from him he put his head back down on the bed with a sigh.

"I thought not," I mumble.

A yawn seems to escape from me as I hear the running of multiple paws up the steps. Before I know it, the jingle of collars has rushed into my room and the bed almost gives way at all the weight suddenly being jumped on it.

"Ugh, Koda,"I groan as he steps on my stomach to get to a comfortable spot. Within a minute everyone has settled somewhere on the bed.

I hear the door open downstairs.

"Hello! I'm home!" Sidney calls from downstairs. All the dogs perk up but none move.

"Up here!" I call back. I hear him jog up the stairs and stand in the door way. However I can't see him because Koda's big furry white head is in my view. Dog tails thump the bed in greeting.

"Is this what it's like when I'm away?" he asks with a laugh.

"Yeah, pretty much," I sigh.

"I can't even see you, where are you?" he chuckles.

"Koda's laying on top of me."

I hear him snicker before moving over to that side of the bed.

"Hi there," he grins pressing his lips to mine briefly in a quick kiss.

"Hi. I'm assuming Taylor got back ok?"

Taylor had gone back to where the Crosby's were staying because she was covered in batter and flour from our baking.

"Yeah, she had hopped in the shower as soon as I left, or at least she was supposed to. So they should be here in half an hour."

"So I should probably get ready, huh?"

"You're not ready yet?!" he asks in surprise.

"I just have to get dressed," I reply another yawn escaping me.

"Really?" he grins mischievously, his hands traveling under the blanket I'm under. He frowns as his hands come in contact with the fabric covering me.

"I have sweats and a tshirt on," I laugh.

"Not fair," he huffs sticking out his bottom lip in a pout. I can't resist sitting up, disturbing Koda in the process, and pressing my lips to his.

"That's a little better," he smiles pulling away.

"Alright guys, come on off the bed!" I say getting up causing a blur of fur to jump from the bed and race down stairs.

I make my way over to the closet and pull out some jeans to wear and a dark green shirt. I also pull out a pair of high heels.

I walk out of the closet to see Sid reading a sports magazine.

"Can I ask you something?" I ask pulling on my jeans.

"Yup," he says not putting the magazine down.

"Is there a reason your dad hates me?" I say chewing on my lip, nervous for his answer as the cool cotton shirt slips over my head. The magazine immediately is put down and Sid looks at me with an unreadable expression.

"My dad doesn't hate you," he says somewhat surprised.

"Ok, maybe 'hate' is too strong of a word, but he certainly doesn't like me," I say rolling my eyes and sliding next to him on the bed.

"He just doesn't warm up to people very quickly, and he is always a little cautious about my girlfriends," he says a little annoyed.

"Well, it's just, everyone else seems to like me, but he is always ignoring me or glaring at me," I sigh.

"He likes you, just give him some time."

"Alright," I sigh.

"He does!" Sidney says annoyed, knowing that I don't believe him.

"Ok."

"Caitlin, he does!" he growls.

"Whatever you say Crosby," I shrug.

"Caitlin..." he begins but is interrupted by the door bell.

"That would be your parents," I say getting off the bed and sliding on my shoes. I walk down the stairs with Sid hot on my trail.

"He does," Sid tries to get in as I grip the door handle.

"I said ok!" I whisper back harshly with a quick glare at him before opening the door, "Hi guys!"


Sid's POV

I hated when she did that. She would always say ok, but with the tone she used I knew she didn't believe me.

"He does," I try one last time before she opens the door.

"I said OK!" she growls back shooting me a glare.

"Hi guys!" Caitlin greets my family warmly, "I'm assuming you found it ok."

"Hey! Where are the dogs?" Taylor asks excitedly.

"They go in the back room when company comes over," Caitlin responds with a laugh.

"Oh, I was really hoping we could meet them," Mom says looking at Taylor who had talked about what an awesome time she had with Caitlin as soon as we walked in the door of the hotel.

"Ok, that's fine, I can call them in," Caitlin says excitedly. I knew she loved showing off her dogs. She lets out a sharp whistle and feet come running.

"Well this is..." she begins.

"Can I introduce them?" Taylor asks.

"Sure Taylor, go ahead," Caitlin smiles.

"This is Koda, that's Hawkeye and next to him is Flash. Then Maggie is over there next to Bran and this is Sam," Taylor points to them all before going over to Sam and petting him.

"Sidney told us you had a lot of dogs, but hearing about 6 dogs and seeing them are two different things completely," Mom says surprised as Koda comes over to her. She cautiously let's him sniff her before she pets him, "How do you handle them all?"

"It's really not that much work,"Caitlin says leading everyone into the living room, "They're are well trained so it's not that much work. Plus if one of them strays off course, the others tend to discipline them. But I love having these guys and I love what I do, so it's never really a chore. I guess you can say my life has gone to the dogs."

"It's great that you have such a passion for this," Mom says apparently taking to Hawkeye as he sits next to her. Sam was by Taylor, Maggie was by my side, and of course Bran was right next to Caitlin. To my surprise the dogs seemed to be staying away from my dad, they were usually so people friendly, but they stayed aways from him completely.

"Well I'm guessing that you are all hungry so I'll go get dinner on the table,"Caitlin says walking to the kitchen.

"I'll help!" Taylor says jumping up from her place on the couch.

"Me too,"Mom puts in, following them to the kitchen.

There are a few moments of silence before Koda hops up to his seat on the unoccupied love seat.

"How do you deal with this?" Dad suddenly asks over the quiet laughing in the kitchen coming from the girls.

"What do you mean?" I ask in bewilderment.

"This! All of these dogs," he says his hand waving around the room.

"It was a little rocky at first, but it's part of Caitlin so I knew that if I wanted to be with her I had to accept that. Now it's nothing really out of the ordinary for me," I say a little confused as to where this was going.

"But is seems to me because of this 'passion' she misses out on things like your games. That doesn't bother you?" he pushes.

"No, not really. I mean, yes I would like her to be there supporting me, but I know that she can't be there all the time. In a way, it kind of mimics my job. I can't always be there for her and I'm not here a lot of the time because of road trips. It 's actually refreshing to have someone that loves their job just as much as I love mine," I say defending her.

"But..." he says about to continue.

"Dinners Ready!" Taylor calls from the dining room.

(Later)

"Caitlin that was delicious! Where did you lean to cook like that?" Mom asks wiping her mouth with her napkin.

"Well it wasn't all me, Taylor helped too," Caitlin smiles at Taylor.

"Well, it was very good ladies," Mom says.

"Thank you," Caitlin and Taylor say simultaneously.

Suddenly the phone rings. I look over to Caitlin but she gives me the 'just leave it' kinda look.The phone ceases it's noise only to start up again. Caitlin looks over to the kitchen a little more intrigued. Again, the phone stops. But this time it's ringing is followed by the noise of Caitlin's cell phone vibrating on the kitchen counter.

"If you'll excuse me for a minute," she says getting up and walking into the kitchen.

A few minutes later I hear her run up the stairs and run back down. She comes into the dining room again, her feet now in her worn leather boots and a fleece jacket in her hand.

"I'm so sorry, but something has just come up and I have to leave," she says rushed.

"Is everything Ok, dear?" Mom asks a little worried.

"Everything is fine, don't worry. Thank you guys for coming and Taylor, don't forget there is desert in the refrigerator. Stay as long as you want, Sorry guys," Caitlin says before rushing out of the living room.

I look over to my dad who gives me that 'I told you so' look. I sigh and get up to go to the living room.

I spot her putting on her coat by the door.

"Where are you going? You can't just leave! Caitlin this is your house and dinner with my parents. I can't believe that you are leaving!"I say my voice rising.

"Bran, Koda!" she shouts into the living room, making them instantly appear by her feet.

"Caitlin! What is so important that you need to leave?" I shout.

She calmly fixes the collar on her jacket and looks up to me. Even though she is calm, I can see that she is hanging on to her short temper by a thread as her eyes have changed to a red brown color like they always do when she's mad.

"Beth's house was just robbed Sid. She was home alone and right now she needs me," she growls.
I look at her in surprise, I hadn't seen that curve ball.

"Go," I say simply.

She nods and jobs out the door with Koda and Bran by her side.

I sigh as I watch her pull out of the drive way. Now I had to go face my dad.

I walk back into the dining room and take my place at the table where a desert is waiting infront of me.

"Thanks Tay," I murmur before digging in.

"Is everything ok?" Mom asks quietly.

"Yeah, everything is fine," I sigh.

"See this is exactly what I mean! She just skipped out on a family dinner! Sidney you can't put up with that!"Dad shouts.

"Dad..." I sigh.

"How much are you supporting her financially?" he asks suddenly.

My head whips up in surprise as I stare at his expressionless face.

"Excuse me?" My own temper flaring.

"Sidney she is a dog trainer, she can't be doing that well financially yet she can still afford a house like this? You have to be helping her out in some way!" he shouts.

"Actually, no I'm not giving her any money, Dad! Caitlin is a very successful business woman, she isn't some lowly dog trainer. God, Dad! I can't believe I didn't see this! I defended you today when she brought up that you didn't like her. I had no idea that you actually didn't like her!"

"No Sidney, I don't like her because she is tricking you. Just like Victoria did," Dad says simply.

"Don't you ever compare her to Victoria! She is nothing like her. Maybe if you actually did your homework on her or even just listened to what she had to say, you'd like her. Dad she is very successful at dog training. She has trained celebrities dogs, Koda has been in a movie, and you know Sam... he actually bit her in a training session, which is why she has that scar on her arm. But instead of putting him down, she adopted him and now he wouldn't hurt a fly! She is fine financially. And I know you saw the interview she did at the event, but did you even listen. Dad, I didn't bring her there. She was invited on her own. On the bookshelf in her study you can see the crystal statue she received for finding the most victims in the avalanche. Dad I really suggest you get to know her, because she is staying in my life and because you are missing out on knowing an incredible person,"I shout.

He looks at me with a look of surprise at what I have just said.

"Oh, and she had to leave because her friend's house was robbed and her friend who is almost 9 months pregnant was inside when it happened. She left because she was needed," I say simply.

Alright, here is the next chapter. It's a tad short but of course there is more on the way. I have been extremely busy and next week is a week from hell, so there will probably not be a post until the weekend. I actually sat down this week and planned out what is going to happen in the upcoming chapters and I'm proud to say that as of now I have up to chapter 78 planned out (not written... planned out), but of course some events could change. Remember, I'm only going to Chapter 87 with this and I have a lot of stuff that needs to fit in. I hope to get this story done by the end of June because I will be heading off to college at the end of June, instead of the end of August like everyone else. But who knows if I'm actually going to finish by then, and I would like to start a new story after this... right now I'm thinkn a Letang story... but it's a little too early to say that definitively. Just wanted to tell you what was coming up, thanks for reading and LET'S GO PENS!!!!!!

~Aeryn

Practice was at 11:00 for the guys and my session ended at 10:30 so I could have conceivably gone to watch practice. But my boyfriend's parents were coming over and the place wasn't the cleanest it's ever been. If you think one or two dogs make a mess, think about six. True I kept the house clean enough, but there were fur tumble weeds that would pass you every now and again. Needless to say, I spent two hours hastily cleaning up the house, making sure everything was presentable for Sidney's family. I flop on to the couch when I'm done, practice would be letting out in about half an hour. I glance over to see Flash, Hawk, and Sam playing a game of three way tug of war with some kind of dog toy that was once supposed to be something but with use was now unrecognizable.

"Sam, come," I say from my position on the couch.

The tugging stops for a minute as he perks his ears up and looks at me with a 'huh, me?'
expression.

"Come here," I say again.

This promps him to drop his end of the rope and come trotting over to me, his tongue hanging out in a happy smile as his stubby tail wags. I move to a sitting position and he stands in front of me, sitting automatically, like he was taught. He puts his head in my lap as I scratch behind his soft ears. I had put him through all the tests; he did well with kids, he was no longer food aggressive, he of course did well with other dogs, and he could follow all basic obedience commands and then some. He was ready to be adopted. I would have to put an add up tomorrow, boy was I going to miss him. I would make sure he went to a good home and to a family that would keep up with his training. But it would be different not having him around the house. And right now I had a job that needed to be done, and he is he perfect dog to do it.

"You're a good boy!" I smile and kiss him lightly between the eyes. He wags his tail and licks my face. "Alright, you're ready."

I get up and run to take a quick shower. I get out and put on a tshirt and jeans paired with my worn leather boots. I allow my hair to air dry which would add natural light waves. I apply a bit of make up and pick up the phone.

"Hey babe what's up?" Sid calls over the loud background noise.

"Hey, I'm assuming practice is over," I smile, grabbing my keys.

"Yeah for the most part, I figured I'd get off the ice earlier than the others so I could start interviews early so I could get home earlier. I just got off the ice so the guys are still messing around out there."

'Home?' I think, ' That's it, I was asking him as soon as his parents left.'

"Alright, umm... Did Taylor come to practice?"I ask.

"Yeah, why?"he asks.

"Well, I'm going to stop by and come find her ok?"

"Yeah sure fine. Anything else?"he asks.

"Nope that's it, I'm on my way out now," I say picking up my keys.


"Alright, I'll see you when you get here," he says.

"Alright, see you soon, bye," I say hanging up the phone.

"Sam! let's go!" I shout.

I arrive at the arena a about 15 minutes later and pull into a parking spot next to the Crosby's rental car.

"Sam I'll be back soon," I say reaching back to pet him before heading out the door. I had rolled the windows down and the back seats were down so that he had plenty of room and air. Plus the parking lot was fairly guarded, after all I was parking next to the Crosby's.

I maneuver my way around the arena until I get to the locker room, the guards outside the door knew who I was and waved me in. Most of the camera's had gone, except for a few still on Sid.

"Ace!" is said as a shout through out the room. I look to my left to see Army coming at me with out a shirt on and still sweaty from practice.

"Colby don't you dare, I just showered!" I shout holding up my arms to protect myself.

"Awwww... come on Ace! I haven't seen you in forever," he whines, sticking out his bottom lip in a pout.

"You can hug me when you're showered," I counter.

"Fine," he huffs.

"Can we head to your house after practice?" I hear Max ask from his stall. Damn he was hot, even with the black eye he was currently sporting.

"Sorry guys not today," I say.

"Awww..." I hear most of the players say, "why not?"

"Because my parents are coming over for dinner. Hi babe," Sid says coming up to kiss my cheek.

"Aww... isn't that cute, Bugs?" Ruuts says.

"It's fucking adorable!" he laughs.

I roll my eyes and turn to Sid.

"Hi, is your sister still here?" I ask.

"Good to see you too, yeah I just called her down here," he says with a smirks.

"Good," I say with a smile getting lost in those gorgeous hazel eyes.

I hear the door open behind me and immediately know who it is by the huge smile on Sid's face.

I turn to see the all the Crosby's in the locker room.

"Hey, guys!" I say cheerfully.

"Hello dear," Trina says, "Were you at practice this whole time?
"Nope, I just got here," I smile. I look over at Mr. Crosby who just looks at me with his normal frown.
"Hey, you wanted to see me?" Taylor asks.

"Yeah, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to come back to the house with me?"I ask

"Ummm... yeah I guess I could do that," she says with a somewhat panicky look on her face and looking at her parents to okay it.
"It's cool Tay, I'll be back to the house soon," Sid says from behind me.

"Great, let's go," I say moving to go out the door.

"Now?!" she asks taken back.

"Yup, now. I brought someone with me that I want you to meet. See ya boys," I say with a wave after lightly kissing Sid's cheek and walking out of the locker room.


"Umm... Caitlin are you sure about this?" Taylor asks jogging to catch up with me.

"Taylor, believe me you'll be fine."I walk out to the car and ask Taylor to stay behind the car.


"Alright Sammy, come on!" I say to the rottweiler in the car.

He jumps down from my jeep and I look to Taylor to see her immediately freeze up. She stands there as she sees Sam walking next to me. A look of fear present in her eyes.

"Taylor, this is Sam," I smile walking over to her.

She simply nods, but does not move as Sam comes over to her, his tail wagging and tongue flopping out of his mouth as if he is smiling. As his nose touches her thigh sniffing her, I see her ever so slightly flinch. From her body posture I see that she is very tense.

"Sam, come here," I say firmly.

Sam looks up at me and trots over so that I can clip a leash on his collar.

"Alright Taylor," I say handing over the leash to her, which she reluctantly takes with a slightly shaky hand, "Let's take a little stroll around the parking lot."

"Ummmm.... ok," she whispers.

We begin our walk around the parking lot, Sam obediently walking next to Taylor.
"So, how's your hockey going?" I ask.

"It's going good. I'm number one goalie on my team and my save percentage has been really good recently," she says keeping her eyes cautiously trained on Sam.

"That's great! I'm assuming you and the Lemieux's have been playing a few pick up games," I smile.

"Yeah, we always have some competitions when we get together, it's like and on going game," she smiles at me. "We all agreed that that poker game was a blast! Where did you learn to play poker so well?"

"My families always been big card game players, but I started playing poker in high school. I would always hang out with the guys. Don't get me wrong, I have a ton of girl friends, but they can be a little too catty sometimes. So a night out watching the game and playing poker with the guys was always my time to chill out and relax."

"Yeah, Sid said that the guys often hang out at your house," she says looking over at me.

"Yeah, that's always a blast. A little crowded sometimes, but it's always fun. They actually would have come over today if you guys weren't coming over for dinner. So I should probably expect them tomorrow," I laugh.

"Do you think maybe, I could come sometime?" she asks shyly.
"Of course!" I say as we approach the car,"Oh and good job with Sam."

"Wow, I forgot I was even walking him," she says.

"See, you allowed yourself to let go. Think you could pet him now?"I ask.

"Yeah, I think I could," she smiles, reveling in her new found confidence.

"Sammy come here," I say calling him over from sniffing one of he car tires,"Alright Taylor, let him sniff you and just relax."


She holds out her hand which Sam sniffs, I can see that she is still a little tense. But as if sensing her nervousness, Sam gently licks her hand breaking the ice. She smiles and bends down to pet him, her hands running through his burly fur. She stops cautiously as Sam moves, but laughs when he flops onto his back exposing his belly for her to rub.


Sid's POV

I get home about an hour after Caitlin had showed up at the arena. I walk in the front door to be greeted by the dogs, of course, and the heavenly aroma of roast.

"Hello, I'm back!" I call kicking off my shoes at the door. I hear music coming from the kitchen and my sister's and girlfriend's voice singing along.

"Hello?!" I smile coming into the kitchen. I laugh as I see Taylor singing into a wooden spoon to
"Walking on Sunshine" and Caitlin singing into a batter covered spatula.

"Sid!" Taylor says spotting me and giving me a hug.

"Hey!"Caitlin smiles coming over to kiss me quickly, "When did you get here?"

"Just now. What are you two doing?" I laugh as I wipe a smug of flour from Caitlin's cheek.

"Making pound cake for tonight. We're going to put whipped cream on the slices and top it off with strawberries!" Taylor says with a huge smile on her face.

"And that mouth watering aroma is...?" I ask, looking down at Caitlin's smiling eyes. They really were captivating when they shined.

"Oh, we put roast in the oven for dinner! Caitlin showed me what spices to use and how to use smell to make everything go together. And then later we're going to make mashed potatoes and green beans with almonds in them!" Taylor replies, I don't remember the last time she was so excited around my girlfriend. She was always happy with the Lemieux's because they were all her age, but she was always very reserved when I brought Victoria around. Now she was the complete opposite with Caitlin. She was excited and outgoing, I mean she was singing into a spoon.

"Hey Taylor, do you think you could let the dogs out," Caitlin asks her, never taking her eyes from me.

"Hun, Taylor isn't a big fan of..."I begin, I knew Taylor was always a little uncomfortable around dogs, even if she wouldn't admit it.

"Sure!" Taylor says just as enthusiastically as before. I turn, a little shocked, as she walks into the living room and calls all the dogs. She gives Sam a pat on the head and opens the door for them.

"I thought Taylor was nervous around dogs," I say turning back to Caitlin.

"She was," Caitlin says with a sly smile.

"Is that what Taylor talked to you about last night?" I ask walking up to her and pulling her into me.

"Maybe," she smiles.

"What did you do?"

"I brought Sam along this morning when I came to the arena. I had Taylor take him for a walk and as we walked she got more comfortable around him. Then when I knew she was comfortable around him, we came home and I introduced her to everyone else," she shrugs.

"You are amazing you know that?" I say my lips hovering over hers, "I don't think I have ever seen my sister so laid back with some one she has just met."

"Eh, it's the dogs not me," she shrugs, looking up at me with those beautiful eyes.


"Nope, it's you," I say before connecting my lips with hers.

I hear someone clear their throat behind me. I look up to see Taylor standing there looking very uncomfortable.

"Sorry Tay," I laugh.

"Yeah, Yeah..." she smiles.