Sid's POV
"Come on, let's go!" she says pulling me by the hand into the hospital at 8:00 in the morning.
"I only wish you were excited about this," I sigh sarcastically as we approach the front desk.
"Beth Kelley?" She asks the nurse.
"Room 312, you can just go ahead in," the nurse replies glancing at me, her eyes going wide as she looks back at Caitlin with a look of recognition.
"Thanks," Caitlin replies pulling me again in the direction of the room. She knocks gently before opening the door. We walk into the well lite room, the sun shinning through the windows. Beth lay on the bed with a bundle of blankets in her arms. Zach sat next to her on the bed playing with Beth's wavy red hair. Both look up at us upon our entrance.
I feel Caitlin grip my hand a little tighter and she bites her lip smiling.
"Hey you two," Beth whispers.
"Hey," Caitlin answers back just as quietly as she kept walking over to the bed side taking me with her. When we were close enough, I could see a little pink face in the bundle of blankets Beth was holding.
"Awww... Beth, he's adorable," Caitlin coos at the sight.
"Congratulations you two," I say, I can't help but smile as the little bundle let out a yawn and slowly opened his eyes.
"Did you want to hold him?"Beth asks looking between the two of us.
"Go ahead Sid," Caitlin says looking up at me.
I look at her in confusion.
"Don't you want to?" I ask, thinking she would jump at the chance.
"I will," she replies with a smile. I see something in her dark brown eyes I have never seen before. For once she was actually hesitant to do something.
"Oh Caitlin," Beth sighs, before looking at me,"She has always been hesitant to pick up things. Puppies, kittens, but especially babies."
"I don't want to hurt them, and I'll have you know I pick up puppies all the time," Caitlin says quickly to defend herself.
Truth be told, I was always nervous about picking up newborns too. They were all so fragile and let's face it, hockey players aren't well know for being gentle.
"Come here Caitlin," Beth says softly,"Please."
Caitlin sighs and hesitates for a moment before letting go of my hand and walking over close to the bed. Beth gently places the infant in Caitlin's arms. I can see Caitlin tense up slightly and she pulls away with the baby in her arms slowly. She comes to stand by me, a smile evident on her face as her shoulders relax slightly. I look over her shoulder to see the bundle in her arms and can't help but smile. The baby yawns again and Caitlin giggles quietly.
"My goodness, that was an awful big yawn," she says her voice getting slightly higher and more soothing as she speaks to him.
"Well, since you two are here, I'm going to head home really fast and get somethings. If that's ok with you?" Zach asks getting off the bed.
"Sure, take your time,"Caitlin murmurs not even looking at him, she is still captivated with the bundle in her arms.
"Alright see you later. And I'll see you later too," Zach says coming over to kiss the top of his son's head before walking out the door.
"So you are going to call him Brad instead of Bradley right?" Caitlin asks finally looking up from the baby.
"Yeah, I think so," Beth smiles, she looked extremely content right now and but still tired. Then again, who could blame her.
"And the middle name was after..." she begins.
"Dad, yeah," Beth smiles, a certain sadness in her eyes.
"So where is Anna?" she asks.
"She went to go get mom back home. I really don't know why, It's not like mom can't drive her self. I think Anna just misses being at home," she sighs.
"Probably. And can you really blame her?" Caitlin smiles.
"No she's never home... Are you going to give Sid a chance to hold him?" Beth asks.
"No," she says simply looking back down at Brad with a smile.
"No?" I ask slightly taken back, "But you told me to hold him first, remember?"
"Sid, even though she hesitates at first holding a baby. Once she's holding one, it takes awhile for her to give it up."
I chuckle, "Yeah, that's sounds exactly like her."
"What are you trying to say Crosby?" Caitlin says looking at me with a mischievous grin.
"Nothing dear,"I sigh rolling my eyes.
"Fine. Here, did you want to hold him?" she asks coming over toward me.
"Ummmm... I," I hesitate.
"Sidney, it's fine. If I can hold him without hurting him, believe me you can," she says looking me straight in the eye with a gently smile.
'How did she know?' I wonder to myself before I give in with a nod.
She comes close to me, close enough so that I can smell her coconut shampoo and gently lays the infant in my arms. I immediately tense up at the slight weight in my arms, looking down at the tiny life I'm currently holding.
"Just relax, you are doing fine," Caitlin whispers, putting her hand gently on my shoulder, making me relax slightly.
"So how's Koda?" Beth asks, looking at Caitlin.
"He's good, we got into the house and he immediately went to his chair. He's such a lazy dog," Caitlin chuckles.
"Yeah, he is," Beth says with a yawn.
"Beth, if you want to sleep, go ahead and sleep. I think Sid and I can handle Brad until Zach gets back," Caitlin says gently.
"I'm just a little tired from last night," she yawns.
"And understandably so," I smile.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," she smiles at me before closing her eyes, almost instantly falling asleep.
I smile and look back down to the bundle of blankets. The baby had again fallen asleep peacefully.
"Look at you. Are you great at everything?" Caitlin says with a teasing smile.
"What do you mean?"
"You holding that baby. If only that picture was published on the Internet. There would be girls everywhere swooning and even more signs at the arena with offers to have your children," she smiles.
"You're funny," I say rolling my eyes at her.
"I try," she snickers.
Suddenly the baby stirs in my arms, and lets out a small whine. I tense immediately hoping he will go back to sleep, but he whines again. Caitlin comes over to me and offers to take him, which I oblige to pretty quickly.
I watch as she walks away with him to the window, ever so slightly rocking back and forth.
"Shhhhh... you're ok. We need you to be quiet so your mommy can sleep some more," Caitlin whispers.
I sit down in the chair next to the little table, desk, cabinet thing and watch as she soothes the baby. I can just pick up on her humming a soft lullaby. I had heard her humming the song before, but I never really picked up on it being a lullaby until right at this moment. I watch her by the window, and can't help but think of what a good mother she will be someday.
I hear the door quietly open before Zach walks in, carrying a bag of something or another.
"Look see, your daddy's back," Caitlin whispers to the baby walking over to Zach.
"Hey," I hear Zach says softly putting the bag down in the corner of the room so that he can take his son. "Is Beth asleep?"
"Yeah, she just fell asleep about 15 minutes ago," Caitlin says quietly, "Zach, we have to get going."
"Oh alright, I guess I'll see you later?" he asks.
"Yeah, I'll be back, but Sid has a game in New York tomorrow," she nods.
"Oh right, Good luck Sid," Zach says with a smile shaking my hand.
"Thanks and congratulations man," I smile looking down at the baby in his arms.
"Thanks," he grins, a very proud father.
Caitlin and I walk out of the hospital and I pull my hat down a little lower, hoping not to be recognized. Luckily, no one seems to notice me and we get to the car easily.
As soon as we get into the car I lean over the center console, giving Caitlin a quick kiss. I feel her smile against my lips as she kisses me back. I pull away and start the car.
"What was that for?" she asks with a smile.
"I just love you," I sigh with a smile.
"Well, I love you too," she chuckles as I start the car and pull away to go to the airport.
We arrive at the airport, but not so that I could leave. My parents and Taylor were leaving today and heading back home. It was 10:00 right now and I had to say goodbye, go home and pack, then get back to the airport at 2:00 and get on a plane to New York. We played the Rangers tomorrow in an afternoon game and coach wanted to sneak in a practice there tomorrow morning before the game and then as soon as we got off the plane tonight.
I sigh as a park in my normal parking space and head with Caitlin through airport security to the get to the gate my family was at.
They smile as we approach them, but I could see that sad look in their eyes, leaving me again in Pittsburgh while they went home to Cole Harbor. It had been years since I had been traded to the Pens, but it still hurt to know that they were going home to Canada. Don't get me wrong, Pittsburgh was great and it was feeling more and more like home, especially now that I had someone to come home to, but it wasn't the same.
"So you guys are all ready? You didn't leave anything in the hotel did you?" I ask remembering when Taylor lost her 'lucky Friendship bracelet' and we spent a week looking around the Lemieux house for it. She ended up finding it in the laundry, it had gotten stuck in one of her sleeves.
"Yeah, we have everything," My mom sighs sadly, she always got the most upset when they left.
"You need to get into the playoffs big brother so I can come back," Taylor says giving me a hug.
"I'll try my hardest Tay. And you stay away from the guys," I say looking at her with one eyebrow raised.
"Sid, my hockey team is basically all guys along with most of my friends,"she says frowning at me.
"Fine, just tell them I'll be on the first plane over there if they lay one finger on you,"I say hugging her again.
"Sidney..."she groans.
"Sid, let your sister have her own life," Caitlin sighs coming over to hug Taylor as well."If you need anything Taylor, or if you just want to talk just call me. I'll keep the boy details from Sid," she smiles.
"Hey!"I say looking over at her, only to have Caitlin grin at me and stick out her tongue.
"Thanks Caitlin, I'm so glad we met," Taylor smiles.
"We all are glad we met you, just take care of my boy," Mom says with a watery smile hugging Caitlin.
"I will," Caitlin smiles back, "Bye Trina, I'm sure I'll see you soon."
"I'm sure you will dear," she smiles.
"Sid, good luck tomorrow. Remember, Lunquist is weak up high and don't let Avery get to you," Dad says giving me a hug.
"Will do Dad, I'll talk to you later," I reply before going over to Mom.
"Honey I really like her," she says whispering in my ear as I see Caitlin go over to my dad. I frown as he says something to her, hoping that it is nothing offensive.
"Sidney, did you hear me?" I hear my mom ask.
"What, I'm sorry. What did you say Mom?"I say bringing my eyes back to my mom.
"I said that I really like her. You did well picking her. I was a little worried what she would be like after you and Victoria, but I really like her. Don't let her go hun," she smiles.
"I won't Mom," I say giving her a hug.
"I love you Sidney," she says kissing my cheek.
"Love you too Mom."
I turn to see my dad say something to Caitlin at which she grins at and nods her head, then something happens that I thought I would never see. Caitlin gives my dad a hug and he pulls away smiling. What the hell did I miss?!
"Alright, well we need to get going," Dad says coming over to Mom's side.
"Bye, guys be safe," I smile with a small wave as they walk down the terminal.
They wave good bye before disappearing from sight. I sigh heavily, again I watched my family go home without me.
I feel a warm body press against my side, her lips meeting my cheek briefly as her hand finds mine. I hear her let out a small sigh as she leans against me.
Then again...For once, as my family left for Canada, I didn't feel so alone.
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