Chapter 26: The Start of Something New

Sid smiled as he opened his eyes. In his mind Melany was curled up beside him, the smooth skin of her back pressed against his chest. He couldn’t wait to pick her up later this morning. Tightening his hold on the pillow that made him think of her, he gasped when the pillow squeaked. What the fuck?!

“Mmmm, I see you’re finally awake,” came a melodic voice. Sid jerked back, blinking in surprise.

“What are you doin here?”

“What kind of ‘good morning’ is that??”

“Well, I’m kind of in shock here!”

“Really, I couldn’t tell. I thought you’d been a little lucid last night when I came in. I guess not. Should’ve known the guys got you too smashed. You don’t remember anything that happened?”

Sid sat up and rubbed his eyes, trying to recall what happened. He remembered coming home and holding the Cup from the window at the bar on the South Side. There was a lot of alcohol, and they hadn’t really eaten anything… He remembered getting hit on and laughing it off. And he knew he’d sent the one off to find Max, and then drinking some more. But this, this he did NOT remember.

“I remember Max giving me a key and telling me to come crash at his place. And I remember setting my phone to go off so I’d have plenty of time to get to the airport… what I don’t remember is how you got here.” And he was being honest. He’d never blacked out like this…

“How do you think you got to Max’s house? You were swaying and stumbling like crazy. I took the key and helped you. I’m pretty sure we’re in his bed actually.”

Sid glanced around the room. No, we made it to the spare bedroom. He stared at the woman in front of him once more. How could he not remember?!

“Did we… I’m sorry, but did we have sex?”

“Ha… no, I wouldn’t take advantage of you like that! I’m not a completely crazy person. Besides, I’d rather have you with it when we do that. It just wouldn’t be fun if you didn’t remember it,” she purred as she crawled on top of him.

Sid closed his eyes as she began to grind against him. He could feel the pointed tips of her breasts rubbing against his chest, feel her legs on either side of his lap. They were both completely naked and he knew she could feel the effect she had on him. He could also feel his stomach churning. Not good, I can’t do this.

“Maybe we shouldn’t do this right now,” he said even as his hands kneaded her ass. She just laughed and bent down to lick the line of his jaw. He shuddered. He heard her tinkling laugh and squeezed his eye shut tight. I shouldn’t be doing this.

“Don’t you want to feel me all wet and tight around you though? We didn’t get to have any fun when you passed out.”

“Fuck… I’m going to be sick…” He shoved her off of him, not caring that she bounced onto the mattress and almost fell to the floor. Sid jumped off the bed and sprinted to the adjoining bathroom. Making it just in time, he shoved his head almost inside the bowl of the toilet as his liquid dinner and dessert came back up.

After it all came back up Sid rested his head sideways on the seat. He shivered as his insides clenched a few times and he lost it again, dry heaving and feeling like his life was going to end. He groaned and back away once more, flushing the toilet, his muscles wanting to give way.

He felt a cool cloth against his cheek, his forehead, the back of his neck. Then a hand gently rubbed between his shoulders, the movements lulling him into a sense of calm. A glass of water was placed in his hand and those fingers ran through his hair, pulling the bed head out of his eyes. He looked up and tried to smile. “Yeah yeah,” she smirked. “You’re lucky I love you Crosby, or you would be in here all by yourself!”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mel helped him up, feeling him lean against her as they slowly walked back to the bed. She pulled back the covers and helped him in.

“I’m gonna go grab something for your tummy okay?” She heard him snort the word ‘tummy’ but he nodded. Then he grimaced and she made a mental note to grab some painkillers of some sort. Throwing on his boxers and the t-shirt he’d worn last night, Mel slipped out of the room and made her way down the stairs to Max’s kitchen.

She was rummaging through his cabinet when someone behind her cleared their throat. Jumping, she whirled around and smiled sheepishly. Max was standing in the doorway with an eyebrow cocked, a towel wrapped around his hips.

“Do you have any crackers Max? Oooo, and Tylenol or something?”

“The Kid sick?”

“Yeah, he is… what did you guys give him before the girls and I got there??”

“Jack… a lot of Jack… Here, let me.” He reached behind her and flipped open a cabinet, grabbing a box. “If you want. There’s ginger ale in the fridge.” They worked together to grab the few products before walking up the stairs. She opened the door and found Sid propped against the headboard, his head in his hands.

“Hey baby, I found something to help.” He looked up and snorted before wincing.

“I don’t think a towel-dried, hairy man is going to help…”

Max chuckled and set the pills on the table. He told them to make themselves comfortable for awhile. They weren’t doing anything until the party at the Lemieux house tonight. Then he was walking out the door, pulling off the towel before he closed it behind his… behind.

“I’m scarred for life Sid.”

“I’m so used to it, I’m not phased.” She talked him into some of the saltines and the pills before they curled up in bed. She fell asleep tucked against him. They woke up a few hours later and managed to make it back to Mario’s with plenty of time before the shindig was set to kick off. Mel had gone shopping with the girls in Detroit, finding an extremely cute bathing suit in hopes that there would be a celebration to wear it.

She got ready quickly, just smearing on a light layer of cherry lip gloss and twisting her damp hair into a messy knot. Pulling a canary sundress over her head quickly, Mel bounded down the stairs to see what she could help with. Nathalie smiled appreciatively and had her taking trays in and out of the kitchen to place all around for when everyone started showing up.

The celebration was so much fun. All of the guys were in the pool in the beginning, hoisting the cup in a group photo and laughing and just enjoying themselves. It was so nice to see them all carefree and fun. The stress of the past couple months had seemed to add years to them, but now they all looked to be teenagers again. It was dark before Mel really got any private time with Sid. She found him lounging in a chair, his knee propped up.

“Is it starting to hurt?”

“Somewhat. Nothing a little dip in the hot tub wouldn’t hurt,” he said with a smile. Mel saw the sparkle in his eye and wondered if he was thinking what she was thinking. Holding out her hand, Sid pulled himself up and they walked toward the pool house. They both glanced back at the party when they reached the door and laughed as Gill threw Flower into the air. The goalie tucked himself into a ball before he reached the surface and the splash he made amazed Mel, considering he was the size of a twig.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Do you think anyone else will get this idea? We could have a couple visitors you know.”

Sid just smiled languidly as he flipped the lock on the door. There was no way he would let anything come between him and the soft curves in front of him. For the next two months he planned on spending as much time inside her as he could. Staring into her eyes, Sid stepped toward her.

“No worries, I locked the door and there’s no other entrance. It will probably get kind of hot in here with the door shut though.”

“I’m on fire already, I don’t think I can get much hotter.” He didn’t know if she meant it as a challenge or not but suddenly he was standing in front of her and his hands were reaching up to take her hair out of her ponytail. Then he was fisting his fingers through the tresses as his lips crashed over hers.

Hearing Mel moan almost instantly brought him to attention. Her hands were moving over his skin and as she trailed them down his torso Sid pulled his mouth from hers.

“You have… too many… clothes… on,” he panted between kisses. She laughed and let go of him before whipping the dress over her head. He looked down and chuckled as he took in the shiny silver suit. As much as he wanted to admire her purchase, Sid pulled the strings at her neck and watched the material fall, her breasts spilling free. Leaning down he attached his lips to one, sucking hard and drawing a moan from her lips.

“I thought we were going to take a dip in the hot tub,” Mel said in-between gasps. Shit, really… I thought that she was… ugh. Taking his hands away from the ties around her neck, Sid stepped back and then rummaged over by the edge of the tub,. He flicked open the control panel and started the jets. Holding out his hand, he watched her step over the side and slink down into the water.

He heard the sigh escape her lips, followed by a moan of pure delight and gulped. This was going to be rough. Stepping over the edge he got in, leaning back against the right side so that he could prop his knee up against a set of jets. It. Was. Heaven.

“How you holdin’ up,” he heard her ask. Cracking open an eye Sid smirked.

“Not as well as your chest.”

“Ha… want a closer look?” This time he opened both eyes. She was right in front of him, the light from the center of the tub illuminating her skin and the material between her legs. Dragging his eyes up Sid realized, with pure glee, that her top was no longer an issue. She crawled onto his lap, mindful of his leg, and Sid watched her nostrils flare as she pressed against his hardening length.

Hugging her against him for a moment, Sid just relished in the feel of her wet skin against his. He felt her nipples grazing over his chest and bit his lip as she started grinding on him like she had this morning. But unlike that time, he didn’t feel like he was going to puke. No, this time all he felt was the rush of blood to his dick and the roaring in his ears.

“Have you ever done this before?”

“We just had sex the other day… so… yeah.”

“I meant in one of these?”

“Oh! No, I haven’t… I figured it was similar to a pool… and why are we even talking right now?!”

Laughing he pulled her bottoms to the side and plunged two fingers inside of her. Whether it was the water or her lust for him, his digits slid in easily and before long she was rocking against his hand, biting her lip and clutching his shoulder. Thrashing about for a moment she leaned over more, moaning as he fucked her with his fingers.

She was whimpering and moaning in his ear but Sid could tell she was close already. Must’ve been working herself up since this morning. Twisting his hand, Sid placed his thumb against her clit and rubbed furiously while he continued to pump his fingers in-between her lips.

“Oh god Sidney, yes… fuuuucckkk… Keep going, oh baby don’t stop! Please don’t stop!” He chuckled as she writhed on top of him. There was no way he could stop now. He thought of her slick walls clutching him, his cock buried deep inside her again. She was bouncing against him now, her head in the crook of his neck. With a couple more flicks Mel fell apart in his arms, her teeth sinking into his neck as she rode out the waves of her first orgasm of the night.

As her body started to relax, Sid almost ripped her bottoms in his haste to get them out of the way. He un-did the laces on his trunks and reached inside, pushing the material down and pulling his cock out. Melany lifted up slightly and he ran the tip along her slit. In one thrust he was buried to the hilt inside of her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mel’s eyes rolled back in her head as a burst of stars shot out behind her lids. Her body tensed as he held her over him. She felt his throbbing length deep inside and heard him groan as she moved tentatively. Sid held her hips firmly as she began to ride him, water sloshing over the edges of the hot tub. Grabbing the sides of the tub her heartbeat tripled as he thrust up against her harder, his motions bringing her to the brink of insanity.

“Jesus…”

“No… Sid. We’ve been over this Melany, my name is Sid.” She heard the smirk in his voice and bit her cheek to hide the smile she felt coming.

“I’m going to stab you,” she muttered as he squeezed her ass.

“Lean back.”

“Are you insane, I don’t want to drown!”

Sid ignored her complaint and pushed her back some, her spine bowing as he continued to thrust. She hissed as the angle hit every wonderful spot imaginable and then he latched onto a nipple, his teeth playing with it as he applied a suction cup-like grip on the hardened tip.

“Oh God!”

“No… SID…”

“Come here,” Mel growled as she grabbed his hair and pulled his face up. She nibbled on his lower lip and when he groaned she slipped her tongue along the area, soothing the flesh before capturing his lips in a kiss. They continued to move together, a frenzied pace that brought her to the brink in no time. She was wondering how much longer she could hold out when Sid grasped her waist and lifted her, switching up positions.

“Grab onto the opposite edge,” he commanded. Mel reached back and took hold of the side of the tub as Sid covered her body and started pounding back into her. He held onto her hips so hard that she had a feeling there would be fingerprint bruises in the morning. But all of it disappeared from her train of thought when Sid slipped one hand between their bodies and toyed with her clit. She tightened around him, the friction adding to her arousal.

“Fuck.. I’m gonna cum,” Sid practically whispered as he pressed firmly against the bundle of nerves. He pushed once more, before her name left his lips and he listened to her scream out his name. He felt her walls milking him of every last drop and the tension, the energy, left his body in a flash.

Mel was gasping for breath under him and he Held her to him to keep her from sinking down into the water. She had one of those Cheshire Cat smiles on her face and had released her death grip on his shoulders.

“You know that everyone is going to know what just did, right?” Sid chuckled and pressed a kiss to her neck, below her ear.

“Well,” he whispered,” if you didn’t believe that marking my back was a must…”

“Ha, wait until you see the fingerprint bruises on my hips in the morning.” They both smiled and he eased himself from inside her, missing the feeling of contentment as he sat back against the jets. Then he remembered just how much stuff they were going to be doing in the next two days.

“Ugh… we have that baseball game tomorrow.”

“It’ll be fun!”

“Are you coming?”

“No Sid… I’m going to stay here and hang out with the dogs while you and practically everyone else are at the Bucs game…”

“Smart ass… aren’t you supposed to be catatonic or something right now?”

“Maybe I’m just too much for you. Maybe you can’t handle keeping me happy. Perhaps I should just slip on my suit and go find one of th--”

Sid snatched her arm quickly and brought her against him. They just stared at one another for a moment. Then the jets shut off and as the water stopped moving she started to rise. He held her on his lap.

“If I let you go, it’s only long enough to put on that shiny bikini and walk to the house. Then we’re going upstairs so that I can show you just how much you don’t need someone else.”

“I like this idea, very much,” she murmured before planting a quick kiss on his lips.

“You… you just used… oh, you’re evil,” Sid stated with a laugh. If there was one thing about him that he couldn’t control, it was his competitive nature. The jealousy he was handling pretty well, but that need to win. Maybe he could work on it over summer. And she’d played him. He shook his head as he watched her slink back into the two pieces of material. When she had her dress back on she turned to him once more.

“I can’t help it if you took that comment to be a challenge. And now you want to take me to your room and ravish me… All. Night. Long.”

“Evil,” he laughed.

“Think about it though. We can do whatever we want. You can have my body as much as you want, and you don’t have to worry about tiring yourself out before a game. There’s no ‘No Sex On Game Day” rule right now.”

“Why are you still standing here? Move that ass woman!”

Mel smiled and shook her butt in front of him before taking a step toward the door. He grinned evilly and hopped behind her, the palm of his hand making a loud SMACK in the quiet room. She yelped and turned, glaring at him.

“Not nice baby.”

“Don’t shake it in front of me then,” he replied. She nodded and started to turn. Sid watched her bit her lip to try and hide a smile as she added some extra sway into her walk. She was just about to the door when he hauled her back against him, her ass pressed firmly against his groin. “Tease.”

“Torturer.”

“How… how am I torturing you?”

“I can feel how hard you are already. But I can’t do anything about it, and it’s torture!”

“We could just stay here… there’s a couch in the other room. And plenty of towels...” He let the sentence die of and chuckled as Melany took one of his hands and brought it up to her breast. The other one she moved down, pushing it beneath the material of her suit bottoms. “I’ll take that as an O.K.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mel wiped the hair out of her eyes as she blinked, trying to get a feel for her surroundings. It was pitch black and eerily quiet. She felt around for Sid but he wasn’t beside her. They’d realized the couch pulled out after collapsing onto it and being curious as to why it felt so bouncy. How he didn’t know it was a sofa-bed still puzzled her.

“Sid,” she whispered. “SID?”

No reply came back. She was just thinking of going out to investigate when she heard the doorknob turn. Clutching the sheet to her chest, Mel held her breath as the door opened. Soft light poured into the room and she saw curls attached to a muscular body.

“Sid?” She tried out her actual voice this time and threw one hand to her mouth as the person jumped and let out a little scream.

“Jesus Mel! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!”

“ME?? You’re the one creeping around in the middle of the night!”

“I didn’t want to wake you.”

“Oh… well, I was already awake.”

“Obviously…”

“Where did you go?”

“I was grabbing you something to put on so that we could wander back up to the house and curl up in my big bed until morning.” She felt the clothes hit the bed as he shut the door and the room went back in the dark.

“Did everyone leave,” she asked as she pulled a clean t-shirt over her head. It smelled like him and she took a moment to just breathe in his smell.

“God no. Half of the guys are sitting around the pool with longnecks. The Cup is in the center of the group, chilling the unopened ones,” he laughed. She smiled in his direction and then stood up to pull on the shorts he thrown at her.

Once she was presentable she grabbed his hand and they quietly made their way from the pool house to the main house. Sid had hung up the towels they’d used, and her suit, in the back of the room and she made a mental note to come down tomorrow morning to clean up any mess they may have made. The two of them were almost to the side door when a flashlight clicked on and showered them with light.

“An’ just what do we have here?” The voice was a little slurred and with the accent that he already had, Mel was surprised she could make out who had spotted them. Turning, her hand still in Sid’s, Mel blinked at the bright light in her eyes.

“Kris, turn off the damn light, it’s freaking bright!”

“Ahhh, but I caught you! You were sneaking… into the house? Why are you trying to sneak in? Shouldn’t you be sneaking out??”

“No genius. We were already out.”

“But that doesn--”

“Kris, you’re drunk. Go find the guys and have another beer courtesy of Lord Stanley,” she said with a small laugh. Mel heard Sid chuckling as well when Kris spun around and headed back down to the group that she could hear laughing and talking.

They opened the door quietly and wove through the kitchen, grabbing a couple apples, before taking the stairs up to Sid’s area. They were just about through the door when they heard a pair of voices.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“I don’t think he’s in there dear.”

“Of course he’s in there. I saw him come up to the house about five minutes ago.”

“Yes, I saw him leave with clothes not more than thirty seconds after that.”

“Well, I wanted to talk to him. I think that he and Melany are… well, I need to talk to him.”

“Trina. The boy is twenty-one. He and I had that talk seven years ago!”

Sid suppressed a groan as he heard his parent’s hushed conversation. It’s two in the morning, why aren’t they in bed?! He could feel Melany shaking against him and knew she was desperately trying not to laugh out loud.

“But he’s my baby. Ever since I walked into the room that first morning I’ve wanted to talk to him. Make sure he’s using the proper precautions and all that.” Sid smacked his palm against his face. Was he really hearing this conversation??? He grunted as Mel elbowed him in the ribs and saw his dad turn their way slightly.

“Trina. I promise you that I’ll get you some alone time with your wayward son in the morning. Maybe we should mosey on down to our room before we get caught standing outside his door like idiots.”

“Oh my, that would be embarrassing for him wouldn’t it? I just don’t want to see him screw this up. I like the girl.” Sid and Melany watched his dad glance their way, a brief smile on his face.

“I do too, Trina. I do too.” Then he was ushering his wife back toward their room and Sid let out a relieved breath as the door shut. Hurrying down the hall, He opened his door and pulled Mel in behind him before shutting it quickly and quietly. Turning the lock as well, he walked over to his bed, tugging off his clothes as he did.

He was watching Mel from the corner of his eye as she fiddled with something by her bag. She was still shaking slightly and he called out her name softly.

“Are you okay over there?” She didn’t respond and so he stepped over beside her, crouching down to be level with her. “Babe? Are you laughing or crying?”

She turned and he saw the huge grin on her face, along with a couple tears.

“I’m laughing so hard that I’m crying! You’re mom is so adorable!!”

“No, that was not adorable. That was so insanely embarrassing!”

“I wanted to call out to her so much! You have no idea!”

“You, get in bed. It’s time for some sleep before you walk down to their room and the two of you sit and compare how adorable I am or something,” he grumbled as he stood up. He was turning when he felt her hand slide up his leg with a faint caress. He started to harden with that single move and groaned as Mel maneuvered herself in front of him.

“Do you really want to go to bed?”

“You’re a nymphomaniac.”

“And you’ve got something I want,” she said with a smile before she took him in her hand and started stroking him. She wasted no time at all with formalities as she took him in her mouth once again tonight. He loved the sensation of being engulfed by her talented mouth.

Sid held onto her head, guiding himself in and out of her mouth at a faster pace than normal. He wanted to reciprocate all of this love she was showering him with, but knew that if he was hard still then he would end up between her legs once again. But this time he wanted to taste her. So he let himself go for once, letting his emotions take control as her lips slide over his length again and again.

He didn’t last long, but then again, he didn’t know how he had managed to find anything left to expel from his body. She had this way of making him feel invincible when she started touching him. He looked down at her while she worked him over with her tongue.

“I’m going to come again you little minx. I don’t know whether to be amazed at your abilities or sad about my staying power,” he said. Mel just moaned around him and sucked him deeper into her throat. He was cumming down that throat a few minutes later. She released him with a ‘pop’ and Sid found himself holding onto her shoulders to keep from falling over.

“Get on the bed, your turn next,” he said as he helped her up off her knees.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Baby, you don’t have to. I’m pretty sure I’ve worn you out by now.” And she wasn’t lying. She knew that the hot tub, the sofa bed and this was a lot in the time span they’d done it. He just growled and pushed her back onto the bed. She giggled as he pulled his shorts from her hips, kissing her flesh as it became visible. He pulled the borrowed shirt off as well and crawled up, sliding his body over hers.

He started at her lips, drawing the breath from her with each scorching kiss. Then he moved to her neck, nipping at her pulse point and tracing his tongue down to her collarbone. He knew how ticklish she was here and he nibbled gently, pulling a gasp and giggle from her,

Next, Sid spent some time with her breasts. He covered them both with wet kisses, licking her nipples before blowing on them and watching them both stiffen under his manipulations. She was breathing hard already and he’d only reached her torso.

With a strangled moan she ran her fingers through his hair as he suckled one torrid peak, pulling on it with his teeth and driving her crazy as he pinched the other between his fingers. Sid alternated between the two tips and she was sure she was going to go up in flames any second. When she began cursing him for his very existence, he moved lower.

As his lips brushed her ribs and his tongue circled her belly button, Mel was thinking of things to keep her mind away from the fact that he hadn’t even touch her pussy and she thought she could come already. Her internal battle with herself was cut short when he roughly pushed her legs apart before dipping his head and slowly licking her slit.

“Oh fuck,” she moaned as her fingers tangled in his hair once more. He attacked her pussy with gusto, his mouth never stopping as he brought her to the edge and retreated time and again. It was on the third rise to the top when Mel could feel her body tensing up for an impending orgasm. She knew Sid could feel it as well and between gasps she threatened him, his life and his hockey career if he denied her once more.

With a chuckle he sought out her clit, his lips wrapping around it as he sucked like a baby. Tears pooled behind her lids and she thrashed about as she kept him firmly in place. Her hips came off the bed, her back arched and her mouth opened in a silent scream as the lights burst behind her eyes and the tears of relief came. As she jerked and shuddered Sid placed one more kiss to her clit before moving his body up and stretching out beside her.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck ,fuck fuck… oh god you are amazing and talented and thoughtful…”

“Oh, keep going, please,” she heard him mumble through a laugh. She smiled at him and grabbed his face, placing a kiss on his lips and tasting herself on his tongue. It wasn’t something she did often, but Mel let out a moan as he pulled away.

“Why did you stop?”

“I’m dead. You win. I surrender.”

“Wimp.”

“I couldn’t go another round with you… no matter how enticing your body is.”

“I thought that I picked the good one,” she grumbled as he hugged her to him. Sid just chuckled and promised to work on his abilities if she promised to be nice for the rest of the night.

“It’s not like I didn’t please you.”

“True, I’m very sated actually.”

“Good, then go to sleep woman. I can’t believe you have any energy left.”

She just laughed as they continued to banter back and forth until she felt her eyes drooping and heard her voice getting soft with sleepiness. She fell asleep to the sounds of his breathing and his promise to catch her a foul ball at the game.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Morning came with a knock at the door and his dad’s low voice rousing Sid from a peaceful slumber.

“If you don’t want your dear mother to try and have that ‘meaningful’ talk with you, I’d suggest jumping in the shower within the next two minutes.”

Sid groaned and dragged his body out of bed. He realized the shower was already running and smiled as he padded across the floor to the bathroom door. He could hear her humming lightly as the spray hit her skin. Another voice joined in the tune and he frowned. Why was there someone else in his bathroom?! He pushed open the door and the curse died on his lips when he noticed Amanda sitting on the toilet.

“I believe Sleeping Beauty has finally woken up Mel!” He just looked between her and Mel, who had poked her sudsy head out from behind the curtain.

“G’mornin’ babe,” she said cheerfully before disappearing once again.

“Good morning. Ummm, how did you get in here without me hearing?” Amanda just laughed and placed her hands together. She laid her head on them and made a snoring noise.

“I don’t think a train wreck outside your door would’ve woken you up! Mel found me lounging downstairs and dragged me away from Brooks so that we could discuss summer plans.” Summer plans? Canada was the plan. She said she’d come to the lake house.

“And just what are these plans?” Amanda looked at him and then at the shower. She let out a small laugh and stood up.

“I’m gonna let you two figure that out… See you downstairs dear!” He heard a garbled ‘good bye’ and after Amanda promised to lock the door behind her, Sid stripped out of the shorts that he’d thrown on haphazardly when he heard the two voices. Pulling back the curtain he stepped in behind Melany.

They showered quietly though, just enjoying one another’s company without having to rush around before a practice or a nap or a flight. He sighed when she leaned against him, the steam rising from the water and the excess droplets sliding down his skin. They were drying off moments later when he asked her about these plans.

“Well, Geno’s going to the awards show in Vegas. Erin’s going with him, obviously, and Max is going as a final ‘hurrah’ before his surgery.” Sid nodded, still wrapping his mind around the fact that Max was hurt so bad. No one outside the team would know for a few more days, but they were already planning therapy and stuff for after.

“What’s Amanda doing?”

“Well, her and Brooks have decided to go hang out in Vegas for a couple days as well. Then they, minus Max, are going to Mexico for a week.”

“Mexico, eh? It’s always fun to go to Mexico.”

“I agree. And I’ve never been there. And they booked an extra room… on the off chance that we’d like to join them. I’m free, and you don’t have any pressing engagements, do you?”

“I don’t.”

“Would you like to go then? Just the six of us… lounging around by the pool all day, authentic food, good drinks, partying at night… me wearing next to nothing for seven days…”

“This could kill me,” he said with a serious face. Then she cracked a smile and watched her melt in his arms. “I think it’s a great idea. Mom and Dad can use that time to get the house ready for me, instead of me getting a cleaner after I’ve already shown up.”

“Mmmm, I love you,” she said as she wove her arms around his neck and lifted up to kiss him. “Now, let’s get ready for that game. I’ll try to stall your mom!” Then she was bounding out of the bathroom and hurrying around in her towel.

Ten minutes later she was walking out the door and he was left staring at the frame. How does she get ready before me?! I’m a guy! He just shook his head and finished styling his hair. He was about to go downstairs for some breakfast when he heard her voice in the hallway.

“Why yes Trina, he’s still in the room. I believe he was getting ready when I left.” She wouldn’t!

“I just needed to talk to him about something, a little mother/son time.” Stop her babe, please!

“Oh certainly! Why, just the other day he was saying how much he missed those chats. I know you guys are close. I’m going to head downstairs and fix some food. Why don’t you guys come down after your talk and I’ll have pancakes and bacon waiting. Find that wayward husband of yours as well!” I’m going to murder her. No, worse… I’m going to tickle her. I can’t believe that she would send my mom in here…

“Thank you dear! I’m sure he’s already downstairs talking to Mario about something hockey related. And Taylor was going to get some early morning sun by the pool.”

Sid glanced at the door as he heard retreating footsteps. He was seriously contemplating jumping out the window and seeing if a second story fall would do too much damage when he heard the light knock. His mom poked her head in and the grimace he’d had on his face disappeared behind a half-fake smile.

“Hey Mom. What can I do for ya?”

“I think we should sit down and talk about something.”

Sid rolled his eyes internally and sunk onto the mattress. His mom sat beside him and took hold of his hands.

“I know that you’re old enough to make your own choices, and I think you’ve found a very special woman. But when the time comes, I don’t want you to make a mistake.”

“Mom, you don’t have t--”

“No, let me finish. I don’t want you to go out and blow all this money that you have on some big, flashy ring.”

“Mom, I’m being caref… WHAT?!”

“I haven’t spent a huge amount of time with Melany. But I think she’s perfect for you. And I know that you already care deeply for her. Don’t try to deny it, I heard you both exchange ‘I love yous’ after you won the Cup. And I can tell that she’s not in this for your money, so when you two decide to take this relationship to the next level… I think you should use this.”

Sid looked down at the object his mom had placed in his hand. She still held the box in her hands. It was a small ring by today’s standards. There was only one stone and the band was simple. But it was elegant and unique and utterly priceless. Just like Melany.

“Mom, it’s way too soon to be thinking of that.”

“I know. And I know that you know that too. But you trust me on this. By this time next year you’ll have a ring on her finger, and I think that this one would be perfect. It’s the same ring that your father used when he proposed to me. It was his grandmother’s. Passed down to the first Crosby son.”

“I don’t know what to say, Mom. But it’s beautiful. And perfect for her. Mel would bawl like a baby. And we would both consider it a great honor… when the time comes.”

“Wonderful. Now, put that somewhere safe and let’s go downstairs. Melany promised me pancakes and bacon and if the people I saw in the spare rooms and couches are all up, she’s going to need some help with all the cooking.”

Sid smiled and put the ring back in the box before taking it over and placing it in a mini safe in his closet. Mario had installed it when he’d first moved in. Then he and his mom exited the room and headed toward the stairs that would take them to a delicious-smelling kitchen.

“I’m not gonna lie more, I thought you were going to try and give me ‘The Talk,’ and I’d had that with dad years ago.”

“Oh god no… who do you think packed you the condoms when you left for Pittsburgh??”

So, that wasn't where I expected the chapter to go, or how I outlined it.. .but the words just came out that way* So I hope you liked it!