Chapter 84

**SORRY for the terribly long wait! Hope you like it!**

Lauren woke up the next morning and smiled when she felt Sidney’s arms still around her. Sometime in the night, they had shifted and he was spooning her. She could feel his deep breathing on her neck and could tell he was still sleeping. Lauren held her left hand out in front of her and couldn’t help but admire her ring. It was amazing how well Sidney knew her, and knew what she liked – the ring was perfect and matched Lauren’s classic style perfectly. She might’ve normally thought the 3 carat diamond was too big, but knowing Sidney and the way he liked to spoil her, he probably got a smaller stone than what he would’ve picked out on his own. Besides, any gift from Sidney was one she would cherish forever.

“Do you like it?” Sidney asked softly before placing a kiss on her shoulder and pulling her tighter against his body.

“Are you kidding? I was just thinking about how I couldn’t have picked out a more perfect ring myself. I love it.”

“Good. I love seeing it on you.”

“I guess I should be fair though – honestly, you could’ve handed me a twisty-tie and I would have been thrilled to death, knowing what it symbolizes.”

“Well, I’m sure Nat has a twisty-tie downstairs somewhere if you’d rather have that instead.”

“Umm, that’s okay. I don’t think I’ll ever be taking this off. Ever.”

Sidney grinned and kissed her neck again. “Well, would you consider taking it off just for a moment so I can show you something?” He gently slid the ring off her finger and turned it to reveal an inscription on the inside of the band.

Forever my love…-S

“Oh Sidney…” Lauren whispered.

“I wanted it to be perfect…I wanted everything to be perfect for you. But I just couldn’t find the words to sum up everything I feel for you.” Sidney said, biting his lip.

“It is perfect. You are perfect. Don’t let Max ever tell you otherwise.” Lauren replied, bringing his hand up from her waist to her lips, placing kisses on each of his fingertips.

Sidney chuckled as he kissed her neck, pulling her closer to him. She rolled over onto her stomach and propped herself up on her elbows to look at him. “So when you do want to get married?” she asked.

“Umm, how’s today sound?” Lauren raised her eyebrows and stared at him. “I’m just kidding. But seriously, I can’t wait to marry you. I really haven’t thought about a time frame – I mean, there’s no rush or anything. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Well, I’m certainly not going anywhere either. What woman in their right mind would give this up?” she said playfully, running her fingers up and down his washboard abs.

“That’s true. It is pretty nice.” Sidney said with a smirk.

“And your modesty is nice too, champ.” Lauren said, rolling her eyes. “But you’re right – it is very nice.” She said, resting her hand on his bare chest.

Sidney chuckled. “I’m glad you approve. Especially considering that your opinion is the only one that matters.” He said, leaning up to capture her lips in a kiss.

“So, fiancé, what are we going to do today?” Lauren asked.

“I like hearing that. Well, my beautiful fiancée, first I’m going to go to practice, and then I’m thinking I want to come back here and take you out for lunch. And then the rest of the day, I’m all yours, babe.” Sidney said. “Well, wait, except from three until four-thirty when I have some phone interviews.” Sidney added sheepishly.

“Sounds good. I have some school work I need to get done this morning while you’re gone.” Lauren said, throwing the covers off of them and climbing up out of bed.

“Umm, babe?” Sidney asked timidly. Lauren turned around and looked at him. He sat up and put his legs over the side of the bed and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her legs. “I’m not planning to tell the press today. I kind of want to do it at the game tomorrow when you’re there with me. Or, if you want, if you’re not ready, we can wait. Is that okay?”

Lauren ran her fingers through Sidney disheveled curls and smiled. “Sidney, I can’t wait to tell the whole freaking world that I am marrying the most incredible man in the world. Tomorrow sounds great.” She leaned down and kissed his forehead, and he pulled her back on top of him on the bed and kissed her hard.

“Tomorrow it is. Look out world – here we come.”

“Well, for now – look out practice, here you come. You better get your butt moving or you’re going to be late.”

Sidney groaned as he kissed her again. “But I don’t want to leave.” He whined. “Besides, I’m sure they will all understand why I didn’t want to leave the house this morning.”

“Get to practice so I can get some work done and then we can have the whole day together.” She said, kissing him again before getting up and pulling him along with her. “Except from three until four-thirty, of course.” She teased him, tossing a pair of his pants at him.

Lauren spent the next few hours trying to get some work done for class, but the light kept catching on her ring and she would get caught up in thoughts about Sidney and her excitement for their future together. She managed to get through a good portion of her assigned readings when she heard Sidney come in. He came into the Lemieux’s dining room where Lauren had spread her school stuff all over the table. “Hey.” She greeted him with a smile as he leaned down to kiss her. “How was practice?”

“It was okay. I was kind of distracted.” Sidney replied, kissing her again.

“Yeah, I know what you mean.”

“So, do you think you’ll be done with your homework soon?” Sidney asked.

Lauren laughed, knowing he often had the patience of a child. “I just need to finish reading this article and then I’m all yours.”

“Good.” Sidney grinned, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “I’ll go in the other room and watch TV or something so I don’t bug you.”

As promised, Lauren finished her reading a few minutes later and gathered up all her school stuff. When she walked in the Lemieux’s living room, she smiled to herself when she saw the back of Sidney’s head bobbing along to the jingle on TV. She walked up behind him and covered his eyes with her hands. “Hey stud. Looking for a lunch date? And then maybe a little dessert?” She whispered seductively in his ear.

“Wow. That’s quite an offer, but I have a very hot fiancée, and I don’t think she’d go for a threesome.”

“Well, maybe if Max was the third…” Lauren pretended to think about it. Sidney rolled his eyes at her. “Baby, it’s bad enough my teammates hit on you all the time, but now you too? I don’t get that whole thing…I’ve never had the desire to hit on any of my teammates’ girlfriends, why can’t they leave mine alone?”

“Oh, shut up. You flirt with Vero all the time. And you flirt with Mel too. Hell, you flirt with all of them. Besides, they only hit on me because they know it bugs you and they have fun getting under your skin.”

“I do not flirt!” Sidney cried indignantly.

Lauren laughed and crawled into Sidney’s lap. “Yes, baby, you do. You don’t even realize you’re doing it. Well, I guess it’s not really flirting, since you’re certainly not doing it on purpose, but it usually takes you...oh, about five seconds to charm a woman when you meet her, regardless of her age or marital status. There’s just something about you – it sucks all women in. Me, my friends, my mother, Alexa, your mother, even Taylor at times – all of us victims to your spell.”

“But I don’t think-”

Lauren cut him off. “Baby, I’m not worried. I’m sure I probably flirt with your teammates too – only because it bugs you and it’s fun to rattle you sometimes.” She said, ruffling his hair.

“Gee, thanks baby.” Sidney said, rolling his eyes.

“You’re welcome.” Lauren said, kissing his full lips. “Now let’s go eat – I’m starving!”

“Are you sure you want to go out? I might flirt with the waitress.” Sidney said dryly, rolling his eyes.

They stood up and headed towards the door. “I’m not worried. I know who’s sleeping in your bed tonight.”

“That’s because you’re the only one invited.” Sidney said with a grin.

“And that’s just the way I like it.” Lauren smiled back.

“Me too, babe, me too.” Sidney said, stealing one more kiss before they headed to the car.

They ate a quiet lunch at a café in Sewickley, and Lauren couldn’t stop laughing at Sidney as he tried not to “flirt” with the waitress without being rude either. He failed miserably.

Lauren was still laughing as they made their way back to the car, causing Sidney to huff dramatically.

“What am I supposed to do? I was just being nice.” Sidney tried to defend himself.

“Babe, I told you, I’m not worried about it.”

“But I don’t want you to think I’m flirting with other women.” Sidney said self-consciously.

“I don’t think you are. Like I said, you don’t realize you’re doing it. Besides, I actually think it’s sweet.”

Sidney just rolled his eyes and Lauren leaned over and kissed his cheek.

When they got back to the Lemieux’s house, they headed straight to Sidney’s wing and changed into their sweats and curled up on the couch under a blanket and watched movies for the rest of the afternoon. Lauren sat at one end of the couch and Sidney lay with his head in her lap. Lauren ran her fingers absentmindedly through his hair and noticed that after a while, his breathing had steadied and he was sleeping peacefully. She turned the volume on the TV down a little bit and watched him for a while before leaning her head back and falling asleep.

When Lauren woke up, an hour had passed and she smiled down at Sidney’s still-sleeping form. She ran her fingers through his hair again and finally he stirred.

“I guess I fell asleep.” He mumbled sleepily as he stretched his legs out over the armrest of the couch.

“I didn’t want to wake you up – you looked pretty content.” Lauren remarked.

“But I slept away our whole afternoon together.” Sidney pouted his bottom lip.

“We still have the whole evening together, silly boy. But you better go call in for your interviews pretty soon.”

“Five more minutes?” Sidney asked, wrapping his arms around her waist.

“How could I ever resist that face?” Lauren said, leaning down to kiss his cheek.

Five minutes later, Sidney reluctantly got up and headed into the other room to call in for his interviews.

An hour and forty-five minutes later, he was tired again from all the repetitive and mundane questions and went back into the living room. He was disappointed to see that the television was off and the blanket had been neatly folded and placed on the edge the couch. Lauren wasn’t there so he wandered into the bedroom in search of her. A grin spread across his face when he heard her softly humming in the bathroom. The door was cracked so he gently pushed it open with his fingers. His breath caught in his throat when he saw Lauren laying in a bubble bath, her head resting against the back of the large jacuzzi-style tub. Her eyes were closed but she smiled when the door creaked open.

“It didn’t take you too long to find me.” She said quietly.

“I was kind of bummed when you weren’t curled up on the couch anymore, but I’d say this is better. Mind if I join you?”

“I’m hoping you will, stud.”

Sidney shed his clothes and climbed in the opposite side of the tub, facing her. He grabbed one of her feet and began massaging it with his hands.

“Mmm.” Lauren groaned. “Even though I hate feet, I won’t stop you.”

Sidney chuckled. “Does that mean I’m not getting a foot rub in return?”

“I had something else in mind.” Lauren said, crossing the tub and climbing into his lap. She began massaging his shoulders and he just stared at her, a silly grin on his face.

“Where do you get all these good ideas?” he asked, leaning his head back and closing his eyes as she continued to knead through the knots in his shoulders and neck.

“I’m just smart.” Lauren replied.

“That you are, baby.” Sidney murmured, his eyes still closed.

A moment later they heard someone banging on the bedroom door. “Sidney! Lauren!”

Lauren and Sidney looked at each other in confusion. “That sounds like Staalsy.” Sidney said, his eyebrows furrowed together.

“What’s he doing here?” Lauren asked.

“Lauren! I really need to talk to you!”

“Well, there’s my answer.” Lauren said.

“Lauren! It’s really important. I’m coming in, ok?” They heard the bedroom door open and Sidney was suddenly very glad he had closed the bathroom door before he had joined her in the tub.

“Uhh, just a minute!” Sidney yelled.

“Sidney! I have no clothes in here!” Lauren whispered emphatically.

Sidney pondered what Lauren had just said. “Wait a minute. So you mean I missed out on seeing you walk around completely naked?”

Lauren hit him playfully. “That is so not the point right now. What are we going to do about the giant blonde man sitting in our bedroom?”

“You know that we’re never going to live this down, right? He’s going to know we were umm…well that we were in here together?”

“Yes.” Lauren’s cheeks reddened just thinking about it. “But what the heck is he even doing here anyways? We should probably make sure everything’s okay.”

Sidney kissed her nose before sliding out from underneath her and climbing out of the tub. Lauren watched the water drip off his body until he grabbed a towel off the rack and wrapped it around his waist.

When he caught her staring, Sidney leaned back down and kissed her lips. “We will be finishing this later.” He growled before slipping out into the bedroom.

“Hi.” Sidney said awkwardly when he saw Jordan pacing the floor.

Jordan stopped and looked at him. “Oh, umm, hi.”

There was a pause and Sidney looked at Jordan expectantly, waiting for him to offer some sort of explanation for his sudden presence in Sidney and Lauren’s bedroom.

“Umm, look, I’m real sorry, but is Lauren here? I need to talk to her. It’s kind of important. It’s about Liz.”

“Ahh…a girl thing. I get it. Let me just, uhh, get Lauren some clothes.” Sidney said, the tips of his ears turning pink as recognition registered in Jordan’s eyes.

“Oh ok. OH. Dude, I’m real sorry. Wow, this is awkward. I’ll just come back, I guess.” Jordan said, backing up towards the door.

“No, don’t go. She’ll want to talk to you. Just give me a minute.” Sidney said, holding up the clothes in his hand and disappearing back into the bathroom.

In his absence, Lauren had dried off and was sitting on the edge of a tub with a towel wrapped around her body. “He wants to talk to you about Liz. You should’ve seen the look on his face when he realized what he interrupted.” Sidney snickered, recalling the look of horror in Jordan’s eyes.

Lauren laughed as she took the clothes from Sidney’s hands. “Umm, babe? You forgot to grab me a pair of underwear.” Lauren said, looking up at him.

“Oh, I didn’t forget.” Sidney said matter-of-factly, obviously proud of himself, “Consider this my consolation prize for having to give you up to him right now when I want nothing more than to put you back into that tub.”

Lauren blushed a deep crimson but decided to humor (and perhaps torture) her future husband by putting on the sweatpants, sports bra, and t-shirt he had given her. She kissed him hard on the lips before retreating to the bedroom and leading Jordan out to the living room.

“Lauren, I am so sorry. When I came over here, I totally wasn’t thinking that you’d be…that I’d be interrupting…oh man, I really should’ve called first but I just really needed your advice.” Jordan rambled.

“Jordy, slow down and take a deep breath. What happened?”

“Well, Liz and I had coffee this afternoon.”

“Yes, I knew that. How’d it go?”

“It was…well, see here’s the thing, I’m afraid to even say anything…but it was…oh it was-”

“Jordan. Spit it out or I’m going back to what I was doing before you got here.”

“It was perfect. I had so much fun with her. She knows exactly who I am and what I do for a living and how much I make and she doesn’t care. Lauren, we talked and laughed and joked for like four hours straight. The only reason the date ended was because she had already made plans for dinner with her parents. Well, aren’t you going to say something? I’m dying here! Lauren, please!”

Lauren had been watching him with a coy smile on her face. “What do you want me to say? Go forth in peace. Godspeed.”

“Lauren, I’m serious!” Jordan whined.

“So am I. What do you want me to say, Jordan? It sounds like you’ve got everything under control.”

“What should I do now?” Jordan pleaded.

“You’re kidding, right? Jordan, she’s not the first girl you’ve ever dated. What would you normally do at this point?”

“I’d ask her out again, but she’s your friend and I just don’t want to screw this up because I really like her and I want this to work.”

“Jordan, you are a wonderful man, you know that? Really, the way you’re thinking everything through is very sweet. But really, in this situation, I think you should stop thinking so much and just do what your gut instinct is telling you – what your heart is telling you.”

“Well, my heart is saying that she’s really great and that I can’t wait to see her again.”

“Then what do you need me for? Ask her out again!”

“When? Can I call her tonight, or is that too soon? What if she says no?”

“Well, tonight would be fine. And trust me, if she didn’t want to see you again, she would’ve called me to tell me how much the date sucked. The fact that she hasn’t called yet just means that it went really well and she wants to tell me all about it when I see her at the game tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?” Jordan asked.

Lauren raised her eyebrow. “First you come over here and ask for my help, and now you doubt me?”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that.” Jordan said defensively.

“Jordan, I’m just kidding. Call her tonight and ask her out again. She’ll say yes.”

“Thanks. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem. Now, if you don’t mind, I kind of have plans with my fiancé this evening.” Lauren said, standing up.

Jordan grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, sorry about before. I didn’t mean to interrupt you two umm…well, anyways, I’m sorry about that.” He said, pulling her into a hug.

“Forget about it, Jordan.” Lauren said with a smile.

“No, really, forget about it.” Sidney said sternly, standing in the doorway.

They all laughed. “Bye guys.” Jordan said before he left.

Lauren walked over to Sidney and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Now, where were we?” she asked, looping her fingers underneath the waistband of his shorts.

“I think we were right about here.” Sidney said before his lips crashed down on hers. He picked her up swiftly and she laughed as he laid her gently in the middle of the bed and got up and locked the bedroom door. “No more interruptions.” He growled, crawling back on top of her and bringing his lips back to hers.

While you are waiting...

No worries - I have been writing and hopefully an update will be coming soon!

In the meantime, I wanted to tell you about a great new story that my friend Kat is writing...it's called "Life Burns" and it is a Sidney Crosby story...if you like Twilight, you will love this story!
Check it out here: http://hockeymeetsfiction.blogspot.com/

Kat is also the author of "Let Go of Everything You Know."

Enjoy!