Chapter 83
“Hey Jordy, Hey Liz.” Lauren said with a bemused expression on her face.
They both blushed and Jordan shifted nervously. “Hey guys.”
“Well, it’s getting late. I should probably get going.” Liz said, standing up, obviously trying to escape the conversation.
Lauren shot Jordan a look when she noticed the look of disappointment on his face. His cheeks flushed even deeper. Liz hugged Sidney and then pulled Lauren into a big hug. “Congratulations. I am so happy for you two. It’s about time.” She said, winking in Sidney’s direction. “So I’ll talk to you later, then?” Liz asked, looking over at Jordan.
He got a nervous grin on her face. “Yeah, definitely. Good night, Liz.”
“Night.” She said, giving a Jordan a lingering glance before turning and heading towards the front door.
Lauren barely waited until Liz was out of earshot before she sat down on the couch and pulled Jordan down next to her. Sidney smiled at Lauren and excused himself to talk to Marc and some of the guys in the kitchen.
“Start talking.” Lauren said, linking her arm through Jordan’s so he couldn’t escape.
“About what?” Jordan asked innocently.
“Ahem, you know what. What exactly was that all about?” Lauren said grinning.
“We were just talking.”
“What did she mean by ‘talk to you later’?” Lauren pressed, making air quotes with her fingers.
“We exchanged phone numbers and we’re going to go and get coffee or something tomorrow.” Jordan said, unable to keep a nervous grin off his face.
“So you like her?”
“Yeah. She seems really great.”
Lauren squealed. “Aww yay! Jordy, that’s so cute!”
“Don’t get too excited just yet. She only agreed to coffee.” Jordan said.
“Trust me, she wouldn’t have even agreed to that if she didn’t like you too.” Lauren said with a wink.
“Really? You think she likes me?” Jordan asked.
Lauren smiled at how nervous he was. “You’re blushing, Jordy.” She teased.
“I can’t help it. I just loved talking to her tonight. How come you never told me she was so great?”
“It’s not like I hid her away from you. But really, she’s great.”
“I just felt like we really connected, like we were on the same page about life.”
“Aww, Jordy, I’m really glad. This is tough for me, though.” Lauren admitted.
“Why? I still love you, gorgeous, don’t worry.”
Lauren smiled. “That’s not what I was worried about, but I still love you too. What I meant was that, on the one hand, she’s my best friend. If anybody were to ever hurt her, I’d have to kick their ass. But you’re my Jordy, and if anyone ever hurt you, I’d have to kick their ass too. So…just don’t hurt each other, okay?”
“I promise to do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Jordan replied, holding his hand solemnly over his heart.
“Good. Now, I’d better go see where my fiancée has disappeared to. You coming?” Lauren said, standing up.
Lauren and Jordan found a bunch of the guys standing around the island in the kitchen. Lauren slid in between Sidney and Max and Sidney wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to his side, planting a kiss on the top of her head. “So, Jordan and Liz, huh?” he whispered in her ear.
“That’s what it looks like. He and I talked about it a little bit – he seems pretty smitten.”
“Good, maybe now he’ll quit hitting on my fiancée.” Sidney joked, kissing her nose.
“I wouldn’t bet on that.” Max piped in, apparently having heard what Sidney said. “Just because you put a ring on her finger, phenom, doesn’t mean we don’t all still think she’s hot.” Max said very matter-of-factly.
Sidney rolled his eyes and Lauren buried her face in his chest to hide her blushing cheeks. “Boys will be boys.” She said.
“Some things will never change, I guess.” Sidney conceded with a smile.
“Don’t worry – I think it’s pretty clear who my favorite is.” Lauren said, leaning up to kiss him passionately. A chorus of whistles and cat calls broke out, and Sidney waved them off with his hand, not breaking the kiss.
When Sidney and Lauren finally broke apart a few minutes later, Max looked at them with an incredulous expression. “Seriously, you two are so sickening.”
“Oh, hush. You’re just jealous.” Vero spoke up.
“Jealous? That she has to kiss his ugly mug? For the rest of her life? I don’t think so.” Max said, shaking his head.
“I don’t know…I think he’s kind of handsome.” Lauren said, looking at Sidney.
“Thanks baby.” Sidney said, rolling his eyes.
“You’re his fiancée, you have to say that.” Max said.
“Lauren’s right. Sidney is rather handsome.” Vero said in a matter-of-fact tone. When she saw the look Marc was giving her, she added “Oh, for Pete’s sake. Marc is very handsome too.” Marc’s face brightened and he kissed her cheek.
“So, when’s the wedding?” Max asked.
“Uhh, well, we haven’t really talked about that yet.” Sidney said, chuckling.
“But we’ll make sure you’re on the guest list.” Lauren added, and then noticed everyone else looking at her expectantly. “Oh my word. You guys are worse than children. We’ll make sure you’re all on the guest list.” Lauren exchanged a knowing glance with Vero as they both rolled their eyes.
It was well into the early hours of the morning before the last of the party guests left. Lauren’s parents had left a few hours earlier and Sidney’s family and the Lemieux’s had gone to bed around the same time. Marc and Vero helped them clean up a little bit before heading home, and Sidney and Lauren collapsed on the couch, exhausted from all the festivities.
“When I woke up this morning, I had no clue that today would be most perfect day of my life.” Lauren said, resting her head on Sidney’s shoulder.
“I didn’t either. Well, I was certainly hoping everything would go the way I planned them, but nothing prepared me for the way I feel tonight. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised though – you’ve always amazed me more than I ever thought possible, but today just blew me away.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Lauren.” He said, kissing the top of her head before resting his head against hers. They each let out a content sigh. “Oh, and Lauren?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for saying yes.”
She laughed. “You’re welcome. Thanks for asking.”
They sat in blissful silence for a few moments and Sidney could feel Lauren’s body grow heavy against his. Figuring that she had fallen asleep, Sidney carefully pulled her into his arms and stood up. “Let’s go to bed, baby.” He whispered as he carried her up the stairs.
“Sidney, will you promise me something?” Lauren asked sleepily.
“Anything.” He whispered back, pushing the door open with his foot.
“If today was all a dream, don’t wake me up tomorrow morning.”
He smiled and kissed her forehead, setting her gently down on the edge of the bed. “Today was not a dream. And tomorrow morning, when we wake up, it’ll just be the first day of our life together. I can’t wait for that.”
“Me neither.” She smiled.
“Good night, angel.” Sidney said, placing a kiss on Lauren’s head as she snuggled tighter against his chest.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sorry for the lack of updating lately. I was away at a Conference in St. Louis for a week and school and work have been keeping me pretty busy. I have been doing a little writing in the past few days and am hoping to get another chapter up very soon!
Thanks for your patience!
So, Sid's post-practice interview was one of the best interviews he's done in a long time...he's actually pretty candid about the sitch with AO and it was nice seeing him actually give his real opinion for once...enjoy!
Thanks for your patience!
So, Sid's post-practice interview was one of the best interviews he's done in a long time...he's actually pretty candid about the sitch with AO and it was nice seeing him actually give his real opinion for once...enjoy!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Chapter 82
**So, the video itself isn't really important, but I included it so you can hear the song that appears in the chapter - it's a good one! Can I just mention how awesome it is that the Steelers are the first team in NFL history to win SIX Super Bowls! Now, if only my Penguins would steal a page out of that book and start winning some...**
Sidney and Lauren slowly made their way around the house, greeting their family and friends and telling stories. At one point, they got separated, having to resort to stealing glances at each other across the room.
Sidney excused himself from the conversation he was part of and was immediately back at Lauren’s side, who was talking with Nathalie and her mom and a few of her parents’ friends. “Excuse me ladies, but can I steal her away for a moment?” Sidney asked sweetly, flashing them that famous Crosby grin.
Sidney kissed Lauren’s temple as he linked his fingers with hers and led her away from the crowd and towards the staircase that led to his wing of the house.
“Where are we going, Sid?”
“I have a surprise for you.” He said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze as they ascended the stairs.
“I think I already got a pretty nice surprise tonight. It’s going to be hard to top that. Even for you, Crosby.”
Sidney just responded with a smile. When they reached his bedroom, he instructed her to sit down and then he disappeared back out into the living room. “Close your eyes.” He yelled from the living room. Lauren rolled her eyes and laughed. “I didn’t say roll your eyes, I said close them. No peeking!” Sidney called out again, and Lauren laughed again at how well he knew her.
“They’re closed! I promise. What are you doing, anyways?” She called back.
“I told you – I have a surprise for you.” He said, coming back into the room.
Lauren could feel him sit down on the bed next to her. She felt his lips on hers and a small moan escaped her lips as he ran his fingers down her jaw with a feather-light touch.
“That wasn’t the surprise…but I couldn’t resist.” Sidney said softly. “You can open your eyes now, gorgeous.”
Lauren’s eyes fluttered open and her whole face lit up when she saw what he had in his hands.
“How did you get this? They’ve been closed for months because of the fire!” Lauren took the fork her offered her and dug right into the peanut butter meltaway sitting on the plate he was holding.
“I called in a favor. I told them what I was planning, and the kind folks at Gullifty’s were more than happy to help out. Really though, I just used this as an excuse to get a few minutes alone with my new fiancée.”
“I love you. This is all so perfect.”
“I love you too.”
They ate their dessert and put the plate on the nightstand and Sidney flipped his stereo on. Lauren smiled when one of her favorite songs came on and he held his hand out to her. She stood up and walked into his arms and they swayed gently to the music, each lost in their own thoughts.
Lying here with you
I watch you while you sleep
The dawn is closing in
With every breath you breathe
I can feel the change
The change you’ve made in me
But will I ever see
All the things you see in me
When you say that I’m one of a kind
Baby, I don’t see it but you believe
That I’m so strong and true, I promise you
I’ll try to be that kind of man
Because you love me like I am
When it comes to love
I may not know the rules
But there’s one thing I know
My heart belongs to you, just you
When you say that I’m one of a kind
Baby, I don’t see it but you believe
That I’m so strong and true, I promise you
I’ll try to be that kind of man
Because you love me like I am
You show me you love me
With a fire that burns deep inside
When you say that I’m one of a kind
Baby, I don’t see it but you believe
That I’m so strong and true, I promise you
I’ll try to be that kind of man
Because you love me like I am
I’ll never understand
I don’t think I’ll ever understand
Why you love me
Why you love me just like I am…
When he heard Lauren sniffle, Sidney put his finger under her chin, gently pulling her face up to look at him. “What’s on your mind, babe?”
“I was just thinking about a conversation we had a while ago. Remember when I asked you if I would ever get to be happy again?”
“Yeah…and I do believe we went out and had some happy memories that very afternoon.”
“We did…but tonight, Sidney, tonight was…” she stopped to take a deep breath, choking back a sob. “What I mean is…I never thought I’d ever again be as happy as I am right now. I just never dreamed it could ever be like this.”
Sidney kissed her gently on the lips. “I’m glad you’re happy. That’s all that matters to me. And I told you that we would get through everything together, and I still mean that. I’m going to be by your side forever. Think you can handle that without getting sick of me?” Sidney said, trying to get her to smile.
He was rewarded when her lips curled into a grin and she chuckled. “I think I’ll manage.” She said, leaning up to kiss him again.
They were interrupted a few minutes later by a knock at the door. “Come in.” Sidney said with a sigh.
Alexa opened the door and stepped into the room and smiled shyly at them.
“Hey Lex. Whatcha doing?” Sidney asked.
Alexa didn’t answer, but waved Lauren over to her and gently pulled her down to her eye level. Sidney watched curiously as Alexa whispered something in her ear, causing Lauren’s eyes to sparkle. Lauren whispered something back and Alexa scurried out of the room.
“What was that about?” Sidney asked.
“You’ll see.” Lauren said with a smile just as Alexa appeared in the doorway again, holding something behind her back.
Alexa hesitated, looking to Lauren who reassured her. “Go ahead, Alexa. I know he’ll love it, especially coming from you.”
Sidney furrowed his eyebrows again as Alexa held out a wrapped box.
“What’s this, Lex?” he asked, sitting down on the bed to open it. Lauren and Alexa sat down on either side of him, waiting for his reaction.
Sidney took the lid off the box to reveal a picture frame. When he pulled it out of the box, he smiled at the hand-drawn picture. It was the same picture Alexa had made for Lauren when she returned from Montreal.
“See Lex. This is the perfect time. It’s beautiful.” Lauren marveled.
“Thanks. Mom helped me get it framed. It was her idea to get it engraved.”
Lauren ran her fingers lightly over the inscription.
Lauren and Sidney
Sidney excused himself from the conversation he was part of and was immediately back at Lauren’s side, who was talking with Nathalie and her mom and a few of her parents’ friends. “Excuse me ladies, but can I steal her away for a moment?” Sidney asked sweetly, flashing them that famous Crosby grin.
Sidney kissed Lauren’s temple as he linked his fingers with hers and led her away from the crowd and towards the staircase that led to his wing of the house.
“Where are we going, Sid?”
“I have a surprise for you.” He said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze as they ascended the stairs.
“I think I already got a pretty nice surprise tonight. It’s going to be hard to top that. Even for you, Crosby.”
Sidney just responded with a smile. When they reached his bedroom, he instructed her to sit down and then he disappeared back out into the living room. “Close your eyes.” He yelled from the living room. Lauren rolled her eyes and laughed. “I didn’t say roll your eyes, I said close them. No peeking!” Sidney called out again, and Lauren laughed again at how well he knew her.
“They’re closed! I promise. What are you doing, anyways?” She called back.
“I told you – I have a surprise for you.” He said, coming back into the room.
Lauren could feel him sit down on the bed next to her. She felt his lips on hers and a small moan escaped her lips as he ran his fingers down her jaw with a feather-light touch.
“That wasn’t the surprise…but I couldn’t resist.” Sidney said softly. “You can open your eyes now, gorgeous.”
Lauren’s eyes fluttered open and her whole face lit up when she saw what he had in his hands.
“How did you get this? They’ve been closed for months because of the fire!” Lauren took the fork her offered her and dug right into the peanut butter meltaway sitting on the plate he was holding.
“I called in a favor. I told them what I was planning, and the kind folks at Gullifty’s were more than happy to help out. Really though, I just used this as an excuse to get a few minutes alone with my new fiancée.”
“I love you. This is all so perfect.”
“I love you too.”
They ate their dessert and put the plate on the nightstand and Sidney flipped his stereo on. Lauren smiled when one of her favorite songs came on and he held his hand out to her. She stood up and walked into his arms and they swayed gently to the music, each lost in their own thoughts.
Lying here with you
I watch you while you sleep
The dawn is closing in
With every breath you breathe
I can feel the change
The change you’ve made in me
But will I ever see
All the things you see in me
When you say that I’m one of a kind
Baby, I don’t see it but you believe
That I’m so strong and true, I promise you
I’ll try to be that kind of man
Because you love me like I am
When it comes to love
I may not know the rules
But there’s one thing I know
My heart belongs to you, just you
When you say that I’m one of a kind
Baby, I don’t see it but you believe
That I’m so strong and true, I promise you
I’ll try to be that kind of man
Because you love me like I am
You show me you love me
With a fire that burns deep inside
When you say that I’m one of a kind
Baby, I don’t see it but you believe
That I’m so strong and true, I promise you
I’ll try to be that kind of man
Because you love me like I am
I’ll never understand
I don’t think I’ll ever understand
Why you love me
Why you love me just like I am…
When he heard Lauren sniffle, Sidney put his finger under her chin, gently pulling her face up to look at him. “What’s on your mind, babe?”
“I was just thinking about a conversation we had a while ago. Remember when I asked you if I would ever get to be happy again?”
“Yeah…and I do believe we went out and had some happy memories that very afternoon.”
“We did…but tonight, Sidney, tonight was…” she stopped to take a deep breath, choking back a sob. “What I mean is…I never thought I’d ever again be as happy as I am right now. I just never dreamed it could ever be like this.”
Sidney kissed her gently on the lips. “I’m glad you’re happy. That’s all that matters to me. And I told you that we would get through everything together, and I still mean that. I’m going to be by your side forever. Think you can handle that without getting sick of me?” Sidney said, trying to get her to smile.
He was rewarded when her lips curled into a grin and she chuckled. “I think I’ll manage.” She said, leaning up to kiss him again.
They were interrupted a few minutes later by a knock at the door. “Come in.” Sidney said with a sigh.
Alexa opened the door and stepped into the room and smiled shyly at them.
“Hey Lex. Whatcha doing?” Sidney asked.
Alexa didn’t answer, but waved Lauren over to her and gently pulled her down to her eye level. Sidney watched curiously as Alexa whispered something in her ear, causing Lauren’s eyes to sparkle. Lauren whispered something back and Alexa scurried out of the room.
“What was that about?” Sidney asked.
“You’ll see.” Lauren said with a smile just as Alexa appeared in the doorway again, holding something behind her back.
Alexa hesitated, looking to Lauren who reassured her. “Go ahead, Alexa. I know he’ll love it, especially coming from you.”
Sidney furrowed his eyebrows again as Alexa held out a wrapped box.
“What’s this, Lex?” he asked, sitting down on the bed to open it. Lauren and Alexa sat down on either side of him, waiting for his reaction.
Sidney took the lid off the box to reveal a picture frame. When he pulled it out of the box, he smiled at the hand-drawn picture. It was the same picture Alexa had made for Lauren when she returned from Montreal.
“See Lex. This is the perfect time. It’s beautiful.” Lauren marveled.
“Thanks. Mom helped me get it framed. It was her idea to get it engraved.”
Lauren ran her fingers lightly over the inscription.
Lauren and Sidney
Forever begins today…
It even had the date on it, further proof that Lauren had been the only one in the dark about Sidney’s grand plan.
“What’s wrong, Sidney? I thought you would like it.” Alexa asked, her voice cracking as tears welled up in her eyes.
“Oh Lexie, nothing’s wrong. I love it.” Sidney replied, wiping away a few tears that had welled up in his eyes and then wrapping his arm around Alexa’s shoulder.
“Then why are you crying?” Alexa asked, still unsure.
“These are happy tears. I am so happy right now, and this picture has just made tonight even more special.”
“We should probably head back downstairs.” Lauren said, standing up and holding her hand out to Sidney. He swung Alexa onto his back and carried her back downstairs with Lauren following behind them, all three of them laughing.
Alexa disappeared into the crowd and Sidney wrapped his arm around Lauren from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. She snuggled her back into his broad chest and he kissed her neck as they took a minute to watch their friends and family celebrating. “Well, well, well, look what we have here.” Sidney said, pointing through the crowd.
Lauren raised an eyebrow as she saw what Sidney was pointing towards.
“Huh. Well that’s certainly interesting.” Lauren said, taking Sidney’s hand and leading him across the room towards the young man and woman who were talking animatedly on the couch.
It even had the date on it, further proof that Lauren had been the only one in the dark about Sidney’s grand plan.
“What’s wrong, Sidney? I thought you would like it.” Alexa asked, her voice cracking as tears welled up in her eyes.
“Oh Lexie, nothing’s wrong. I love it.” Sidney replied, wiping away a few tears that had welled up in his eyes and then wrapping his arm around Alexa’s shoulder.
“Then why are you crying?” Alexa asked, still unsure.
“These are happy tears. I am so happy right now, and this picture has just made tonight even more special.”
“We should probably head back downstairs.” Lauren said, standing up and holding her hand out to Sidney. He swung Alexa onto his back and carried her back downstairs with Lauren following behind them, all three of them laughing.
Alexa disappeared into the crowd and Sidney wrapped his arm around Lauren from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. She snuggled her back into his broad chest and he kissed her neck as they took a minute to watch their friends and family celebrating. “Well, well, well, look what we have here.” Sidney said, pointing through the crowd.
Lauren raised an eyebrow as she saw what Sidney was pointing towards.
“Huh. Well that’s certainly interesting.” Lauren said, taking Sidney’s hand and leading him across the room towards the young man and woman who were talking animatedly on the couch.
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