This chapter is actually shorter than I wanted it to be, but I figure I should stop here or it would be too long. Gwendolynn, I laughed out loud when I read your comment because I had gone back through some of my story a few days ago and realized that I hadn't even mentioned Jordan and Anya since then. So no worries, they'll be back. Thanks to all you readers who remain loyal and for the comments, they are really great. Ok, I'm done babbling, go ahead and read the chapter.
~Aeryn
"Must have been a gift from Mom," I mumble to myself throwing it in the 'get rid of pile.' Finally I was done with the top of the closet, now I needed to do the drawers and all the shoes... ugh I hate cleaning.
I hear the phone ring... somewhere.
"Where the hell did I put the phone?!" I shout looking through piles of clothing and junk listening to the muffled ring. Clothes were flying through the air as I look for the phone... I was going to have to go through the them again to determine which one's were keepers.
"AH HA!" I cry, finding the phone buried in the pile of sweat shirts and blankets.
"Hello!" I sigh loudly into the phone.
"What are you doing?" a confused voice asks.
"The most dreaded and tiring task on earth. I mean really houses should come with an easy button, I hate doing this! You should see the stuff I keep for no apparent reason, I think I have a sickness. I don't know why you even bother with me, I'll probably end up living in a house with junk in every room with cats everywhere," I sigh dramatically falling back onto the only empty spot on my bed, "I'm doomed to become a crazy cat lady!"
"I highly doubt that and I'm glad to hear that the cleaning is going so well," I hear him laugh into the phone.
"Remind me why I'm doing this?"
"Because an amazingly talented and attractive guy is moving in with you as soon as he gets back from his hockey trip," he replies.
Sid and I decided to move in together as soon as he got back from his road trip. We had told his parents which wouldn't have gone so well if it wasn't for Mario. Mario suggested we keep the house, that way if anything happened Sid still had a place to live which made Troy feel a lot better about the whole thing and Sid's parents could stay there when they came to visit. Plus we didn't have to fight over what we were doing with the extra stuff, the extra furniture could stay at Sid's place. However his plasma screen tv was taking the place of mine. Let's just say I didn't complain.
"Oh right, Tanger is moving in on Friday! Thank you for reminding me," I smile.
"Very funny Babe," Sid sighs into the phone.
"I'm kidding. So how was practice?" I ask getting back off the bed and sorting through the clothes quickly again.
"Torture. After the last couple games coach is really feeling the heat and the press is really getting on his back about it..." he says, I know he is feeling the pressure too, all the guys are.
"Yeah, I know... the paper wasn't exactly praising him this morning,"I reply starting on my shoes.
"I can imagine," he sighs, I could tell he was shaking his head.
"Well, don't think about it tonight. Tell the boys I said to play your hearts out and try to ignore Avery as best you can... either that or tell Ruuts to shut him up," I smile throwing the sneaker with out a mate in the trash can. I think Hawk ate the other one when he was a pup.
"Will do," he laughs into the phone, "I probably won't be home until late tonight and the boys said they'll help me move stuff over to your place tomorrow."
"So I should stock the kitchen," I reply.
"Hun, you don't have to feed them... what the..." his voice becoming muffled.
"Don't listen to Sid, buy food," I hear a deep voice with a thick accent speak into the phone.
"That's what I thought. I'll see you tomorrow Geno and good luck with the game," I laugh into the phone as I can hear Sid grumbling in the back ground.
"Ok see you tomorrow... " he says and I hear the phone being passes around.
"Hello?" I hear a deep voice ask.
"Hey Staalzy how's Anya?" I laugh.
"Oh hey Ace! She's good, her morning sickness is getting better and we go for another appointment tomorrow... we decided we want to know what the baby's sex is," I can hear him grin.
"That's great!" I say.
"Give me my fucking phone!" I hear Sid grumble.
"I think your lover wants to talk to you," I hear Jordan laugh into the phone.
"Alright, put him on... and good luck tonight," I sigh.
"Thanks," I hear him say before there is some grumbling on the other end.
"You still there?" Sidney growls.
"Yeah I'm still hear," I laugh.
"Sorry about that the guys were being total asses!" I hear him yell into the room.
"Yeah well, who held you down?" I ask.
"Bugsy," he grumbles.
"HI ACE!" I hear someone shout in the background.
"Alright Sid, go take your nap before you get even more grumpy... and tell Bugsy I said Hi and everybody I said good luck," I laugh.
"Ok," he mumbles.
"Good Luck, Love you," I smile.
"Love you too Babe," he sighs.
"Ooooooo... Sid and Caitlin sitting in a tree..." I hear the some of the guys mocking.
"Oh, shut up," Sid grumbles before hanging up the phone.
I laugh hanging up the phone and throwing it on the bed as I get back to my sorting.
The Pens had finally won a game, but they still hadn't played well. It just seemed that the hockey gods were on our side last night. A few Ranger's shots went off the crossbar or side posts and the only goal of the game bounced off a Ranger's skate and trickled behind Lunquist. But it was still a win, so I hoped Sid would be in a better mood than he had been in.
"Pascal Dupuis with the only goal of the game for tonight with an assist from Colby Armstrong and Jordan Staal," Rob King says from my TV, "And that all the time we have. On behalf of Jay Caufield and the rest of FSN, good night. Pens win against the Rangers 1-0."
"Alright guys, time for bed," I sigh turning off the TV and moving Hawkeye's head so that I could get up from the couch.
I walk into the den area where they always sleep and make sure everyone lays down in their designated bed. I smile as I watch Koda and Sam get situated. Tonight was Koda's last night before he went back to Beth and I was hoping to find Sam a home soon. I was going to miss those guys.
"Night boys... and Maggs," I smile before turning all the lights and heading up stairs.
I get ready for bed the usual way and head into bed with a book. I hadn't been reading in a while and I was starting to miss a good piece of literature. So I walk back down stairs and into my study/ work area and pick out one of the many books I had collected over the years. I decide now is a good a time as any to start Anna Karenina, and reach up to a higher shelf to get it. I head back up stairs and begin the book, only to have it hit my face 20 pages in.
"Oh God, I'm just like my mother," I groan and put the book to the side, turning off the light and officially giving in to sleep burying my nose in Sid's pillow taking in his scent.
Some time later I hear him come in and undress, getting ready for bed, but I'm to tired to even mutter a good game. I fall back to sleep for a few moments only before I feel him slide into bed next to me. His strong arms pull me close and I let out a sigh of contentment as I snuggle into him.
I think I pick up a quiet 'I love you,' before slipping back into my deep sleep.
Sid's POV
"Sid... Sidney," she says quietly gently awakening me from my deep sleep.
"Five more minutes," I murmur, trying to pull her down next to me again.
"Sidney," she giggles sitting down next to me.
"Why are you up so early?" I groan. I hear her smirk and feel her fingers run through my hair. I open my eyes and find her dark brown eyes smiling down at me. God I loved her eyes.
"Sid, it's 10:30," she smiles, "I have to go take Koda back to Beth, she just called and said that it was ok to bring him back now."
"I must have been tired, I didn't even hear Flash come in or you get up," I yawn loving the feeling of her fingers running through my hair.
"What time did you get back?"
"Umm... some time around 2 I think," I sigh letting my eyes close to her comforting hand.
"Sidney you can't go back to sleep," she laughs.
"Why not?" I mumble.
"Because the boys will be here in an hour to help you move your stuff over."
"Ugh, you mean we can't have a day to our selves? I have to share you?" I groan opening my eyes again.
"Actually, I have to go to the office for a little while," she replies with a guilty look.
"Awww..." I pout.
"Sorry babe, I had a last minute appointment. I will be home around 2:30. But Sid right now I have to go," she says bending down to kiss me.
"Alright, tell Brad I said hi," I smile as she pulls away.
"I will," she sighs looking at her keys. I know it was hard for her to say bye to Koda again, but I also knew that she wouldn't even hesitate to do something for Beth. And that's just one of the many things I love about her.
I get up from bed and pull her into me.
"I love you," I murmur in her hair, feeling her nod against my shoulder. I pull way and look at her. Tears threatened to fall from her chocolaty doe eyes and she bites her lip holding it in.
"He loves it there, and Beth and Zach love having him," I say looking her in the eye.
"I know. But it's still hard," she sighs not allowing the tears to fall.
"I know babe, I know," I sigh giving her one more hug before she pulls away wiping her eyes and heading down stairs.
I hear her leave and head directly to the shower. We had had a luck win last night, but it was still a win and coach was in a better mood so he gave us the day off. Something that hasn't happened in a while. Some of the guys were coming over to help me move some stuff... I didn't know exactly who but I knew some would be coming.
After taking a shower I head downstairs to find the house completely empty! It wasn't very often that I was all alone in this house, there was usually a dog somewhere. Caitlin must have taken everyone to work with her. I pour myself a cup of coffee and a whole wheat bagel with an egg and a small fruit salad. I take everything into the living room and turn on the TV, I actually had room to sprawl out on the couch with out having to rest my feet on a dog and there was no dog pleading me to share my breakfast. I found it oddly lonely in the house. Looking out the window I see that the sky is a dark grey color and look to the weather channel only to see a that it will be rainy all day. Great moving weather. I sigh to myself, and flip the channel to the NHL network just in time to hear Don Cherry talk about Ovechkin's latest goal celebration. Was he wearing a tapestry for a sports coat?
The guys started showing up around 1 and we decided to get started now in order to relax later. By 3:00 we had made excellent progress, we had switched TVs and somehow managed to squeeze one of my chairs into the living room for extra seating. Caitlin had wanted to switch some of her things for some of my kitchen things, being that mine were rarely used and thus in great condition. Stacks of CDs, DVDs, video games, and a few books were taken over as well as my clothes. We all were currently in the living room arguing about who's sound system was better when the door opened and a flood of fur came in the room. All the dogs stood by the door before going any further to shake the rain off of themselves. Bran was the last in before Caitlin came in as well.
"Hey, Ace!" the boys seem to all shout at once as they greet the dogs and I walk over her side.
"Hey boys!" She waves before taking off her fleece jacket revealing a black t shirt that said "Dogs Rule... pedigree". She's such a dog trainer.
"Hey, how was Beth and work?"I ask kissing her briefly.
"Beth's good, she said the baby is sleeping pretty well so she's not totally exhausted but Zach goes back to work tonight so we'll see how that goes. As for work... I just don't understand why people let their dogs control them. I had an Akita come in today and his owners were afraid of him," she says rolling her eyes.
"Hun, that's not exactly uncommon," I say slowly.
"Well it should be," she grumbled before she looked into the living room with a smile, "So how goes the work?"
"Well, we almost have everything moved over. We were discussing who has the better sound system."
"Oh, you do," she says over her shoulder as she walks into the living room.
"Told you!" I hear Max call.
I roll my eyes at him and watch Caitlin interact with the guys. She gives Tanger and Geno a hug, and throws a punch into Max's shoulder after he made a remark that I didn't catch. I hear Army pout causing Caitlin to tackle him in a hug. The rest of the guys were spending time with their families or doing other such stuff, although I had a feeling more would show up after the work was done. She always got along so well with the guys and you could tell they all loved her... even if she did whip their asses in poker.
Caitlin's POV
I hate when people are afraid of their own dogs, especially since it was usually the owner who had made their dog the way they were.
I sigh, I needed a cup of coffee or a nap or a piece of cake... I didn't know what the hell I needed but I needed something after that training session. It had drained me. I run out of the car and let the dogs out before running up to the porch out of the rain. I open the door and let the fur fly as the dogs zoom past me into the house and out of the rain. I let Bran go in before I head in and am greeted by the sound of the guys arguing.
"Hey Ace!" they all shout over to me.
"Hey boys!" I say taking off my coat with a smile, I liked my nick name and those guys always found a way to put a smile on my face.
"Hey. How was Beth and work?" Sid asks coming over to me and kissing me briefly. That's what I needed, as soon as his lips touched mine and he asked how my day was I felt better.
"Beth's good, she said the baby is sleeping pretty well so she's not totally exhausted but Zach goes back to work tonight so we'll see how that goes. As for work... I just don't understand why people let their dogs control them. I had an Akita come in today and his owners were afraid of him," I say rolling my eyes.
"Hun, that's not exactly uncommon," he says slowly looking at me curiously.
"Well it should be," I mumble, but have to smile at the group of guys in the living room, "So how goes the work?"
"Well, we almost have everything moved over. We were discussing who has the better sound system."
"Oh, you do," I say walking into the living room. That was really a no brainer why was he even asking, mine was ancient.
"Told you!" I hear Max call and I can't help but laugh.
"Hey guys," I smile as Geno holds his arms out for me to give him a hug.
"Ace, I haven't seen you in awhile," he says hugging me tightly.
"Well were you the last time everyone was here?" I ask.
"I was busy... I came this time though," he pouts.
"And I'm glad you did," I smile back at him before Kris pulls me over to him.
"You didn't miss me?" he mumbles into my shoulder.
"Of course I did! How could I not miss my best friend," I smile as he pulls away with his famous crooked grin on his face.
"Ok, my turn," Max says pulling me into him I laugh and hug him back.
"I think I deserve a kiss too," he grins.
"Oh really?" I laugh raising my eyebrow at him.
"Quick before Sidney sees!" he says.
"Funny Max. Go get yourself a girl," I laugh punching him in the shoulder instead.
"But I only have eyes for you Ace," he grins at me.
"What about the one who named you?"I hear Army pout.
"Awww... Colby...." I say tackling him in a hug.
"I always knew you loved me best... no worries I won't tell Sid," he smirks.
"Shhh..." I say with a wink.
"Alright, so we have to move the sound system and that's it?" Sid says coming into the room.
"And then food?" Geno asks.
"Hell yeah! I'm starving!" I say.
"Good, let's go," he replies heading for the door the line of guys and now dogs following him outside.
I laugh as Sid come up behind me, pulling me into him.
"I love you," he murmurs against my ear.
"I love you too," I say giving him a strange look, trying to figure what that was all about.
"Hey, give Flower a call. He said he'd be over as soon as the work was over, he can pick up the food on his way over."
"Alright, will do," I smile and watch as he walks out the door, before I go to the phone to call Marc. I'm sure as soon as word gets around that the work is over, we'll be seeing a lot more of the team.
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