March

"Cindy Crybaby."

If there was anything that would pull Rebecca from the deep concentration of her case analysis, that was it.

Just those two words caused her to stiffen and look up at the other occupants of her table.

It was an early Sunday afternoon at the U of Penn library and Rebecca was hurrying to finish up her assignments before she met her sister.

They were heading to Newark to watch the Penguins take on the Devils in a rare early evening game. The season was winding down and the Penguins were making a push in the final month to secure a seed in the playoffs.

Sid had a day off and was able to spend the evening after the game having dinner with Rebecca and Molly. He was even able to stay at her place for the evening which Rebecca was look forward to. They hadn't seen much of each other lately. The season had been demanding. A lot of ups and downs. School for Rebecca was bordering on overwhelming. She needed to finish the semester strong, as the start of the year had been shaky. With Sid struggling, Rebecca found it hard to concentrate and truth be told the passion for law that she thought she always had, was waning. Motivating herself had been a challenge, plus she was exhausted, all the time.

It didn't take long for her to realize who uttered the insult. It was a young man, no older than 24, with Justin Bieber floppy hair, the kind that went out of style a few years ago, except among the rich white guy demographic. He wore an oxford shirt unbuttoned at the collar and a cocky grin that made her stomach turn.

She'd seen him before. His name was Todd something and he was dating Kayla, a girl in her study group, who was incredible smart and ditsy at the same time. For the most part, Rebecca liked Kayla. While Rebecca hadn't made any close friends, now that she was finishing up her second year, she knew the value and sheer necessity of a study group. The collection of people she'd come to rely on for tests, assignments and projects was a motley crew. Kayla was the only one with a social life and had been regulated to this study group due to classmates thinking she was just a dumb blonde. But the class's prejudice had been to Rebecca's benefit, because the girl knew her torts law like no one else.

"Todd!" Kayla giggled and gestured for him to quiet down. There were dirty looks coming from all directions, especially Rebecca. Because she knew who he was talking about. And it hadn't been the first time.

Living in Philadelphia for almost two years, she'd seen and heard it all. It was ugly. It was unfair. But it was her reality. She felt that tinge of guilt course through her veins. It was a familiar feeling. She felt it every time she saw a crude drawing or overheard a nasty comment. She felt that guilt, because she didn't say anything. Ever. And she wondered what he would think of her if he knew how bad it could be. Knew what she'd seen and heard. She knew logically that he would understand. He'd told her not to engage with the critics. That those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. It was advice he'd carried with him for his entire career. But still, she felt that guilt that she couldn't speak up. Wouldn't speak up.

And here it was front and center and she just stared silently in quiet disgust.

Todd was having a rather loud conversation with his girlfriend. From what Rebecca could decipher, they too were going to the game in Newark. Todd wanted to get on the road immediately and hit up a few bars before the game.

Rebecca wasn't surprised they were going to the game. From what she knew of Todd, he came from an extremely wealthy family. He'd gotten his undergrad at Princeton and was now enrolled at Wharton, getting his MBA. Kayla would sometimes deviate from the rules of no personal talk during study group and go on and on about Todd and how she was waiting for him to pop the question. She knew that he was the one, even though he didn't take her pursuit of a law degree seriously.

Rebecca would listen, but never shared any of her personal life. Especially not the part where she was in a serious relationship with the city's number one enemy.

She watched as Clayton, another one of her study group members hang onto Todd's every word. Shaking her head, she banged at her keyboard and tried to finish up her work.

"Do you know who Sidney Crosby is, Rebecca?"

Caught off guard, she looked up at Kayla's friendly but curious face.

"Um, what?" she responded rather inarticulately.

Todd looked bored, but Kayla repeated her question. "Todd and I are going to a hockey game tonight. They are playing the Pittsburgh Penguins and I know you went to school in Pittsburgh. You had to know who Sidney Crosby was, right?

Rebecca was certain that her face said it all, but she shook her head while she picked at imaginary lint on her book bag. "Um, not really."

The pool of guilt began to stir.

"He sucks," Todd said, his arm around Kayla, playing idly with her blond strands.

Rebecca felt like she'd fallen into some 80s teen movie.

Kayla elbowed Todd, "He does not!" She then reddened, "I think he's great."

Todd scoffed, "You think he's hot."

Kayla nodded, "You're right, I do. He's mega hot. Are you sure you don't know who I'm talking about, Rebecca? I can show you a picture."

The surrealness of the moment was not lost on Rebecca. "Oh, uh, no. I do know who you are talking about. Yeah, I think I heard his name a few times over the years. I don't really follow sports, but yes, he's not bad."

And then she felt her face begin to redden. Horrified, she could feel a deep blush take over her face and creep down her neck.

Kayla giggled, "Ha, I knew you had to know who he was. And you think he's hot too."

Todd scoffed, "He still sucks."

"How?"

Rebecca didn't even know she'd spoken at first. She was just as surprised as Todd.

"What?" Todd asked, his dumb smirk now in her direction.

Shut up, Rebecca, she thought.

"How does he suck? I'm just wondering? Because I thought he was the youngest captain to win the Stanley Cup? And I thought he was a two time Art Ross and Hart Trophy winner. A five time NHL all-star and a two time gold medal Olympian? He's won the Ted Lindsay award three times and the Mark Messier Leadership award twice. He has scored more than 100 points five times in his career and just a month ago became the 10th fastest player to reach 900 points. So I'm just wondering, how exactly does he suck?"

Todd just stared, while Kayla's face lit up in a giant smile. Rebecca quickly packed .up her belongings and stood up.

Heaving her bag over her shoulder, she looked at the group, "And yes, he's very hot."

And with that she walked out of the library and went to meet her sister.

The Penguins won that night 6-1.

That night she told him about what happened in the library. She told him about the guilt. About how she knew that she couldn't change everyone's opinion of him, but that she wouldn't stay silent. Not anymore.

He looked at her in the way that made her all gooey inside and took her into her bedroom to show off some of the other accolades he was known for.

May

Sid got home before she did. He needed to take his pre game nap, but he was anxious to hear how everything had gone. Game 6 against the Capitals was tonight and the Pens were up 3-2. Playoffs were an intense time and this year was to be no different.

But it was. Different.

The Rangers series, now the Caps. From the way the team had ended the season. It felt different. The air was electric. The team was electric. Everyone, everything was firing on all cylinders. And the was a feeling, among the team, the whole organization, even the whole city, that if they could beat the Capitals, the Cup was in reach. It could really happen.

And he couldn't ask for more. From where he'd started this season to where he stood now. It had all come together. And now there was another piece coming together too.

Rebecca was in town for interviews. She would be spending her third and final year of law school doing an internship at a local law firm. Sid was thrilled. The past two years had been extremely challenging. But still so much better than before, so he couldn't complain. The thought of them together and in a good place living in the same town thrilled him. They had waited so long for this.

She'd gotten in last night. She'd seemed distracted and quiet. But he chalked it up to nerves. Late into the evening she went over and over her note cards, obsessed over what to wear and checked the address of the law firm repeatedly. In the morning, he'd made her a light breakfast and said all the encouraging things he could think of. She gave him a grateful smile and a light kiss before departing.

He made himself busy checking emails and text messages when he heard the front door open.

Sid was out of his seat like a shot and strode into the foyer.

"Hey," he said excitedly, watching her drop her bag on the table and peel off her coat. He admired how the pencil skirt and fitted white dress shirt showed off her figure and it reminded him of her days with the front office.

"Hi," she said softly. She set her things down and turned towards him.

"So how did it go?" he asked, pulling her to him and dropping a light kiss on her upturned mouth.

She pulled back, "Ok, I guess."

He frowned. "Ok?"

Rebecca looked away. "I don't know, I mean there were a lot of questions and they had some concerns on my lack of extracurriculars. But I think it went alright. I'm sorry, I'm just really tired. I'm going to take a quick shower. Maybe we could lie down together?" She looked at her watch, then him, "you should be sleeping," she advised.

"I could join you in the shower," he said his eyebrows waggling.

For a fraction of a second, he thought he saw panic on her face, but it was replaced so quickly with a tired smile, that he thought he'd just imagined it.

"It won't be quick if you join me." She said sensibly. "I'll meet you in bed in like 10 minutes."

He nodded and watched her go up the stairs. He finished a few things and was heading up himself when he heard Rebecca's phone ring. Crossing to the side table he looked at the screen. It was Molly. He thought for a minute to answer it, but decided to let it go to voicemail. Even now Molly was a little nervous around him, so he figured answering was a great idea. As he ascended the stairs, the phone dinged, a text from Molly.

How did it go?

He smiled.

Then another message.

What did the doctor say?

Call me.

The smile faded from his face. Doctor? Rebecca hadn't mentioned a doctor's appointment. Plus she'd been at her interview today.

He could just ask her, but she would know he was looking at her phone and that was an invasion of privacy.

But still, why had she needed a doctor's appointment?

He walked into his bedroom and found her fast asleep on top of the covers. She was still wrapped in a towel, her hair wet.

Setting her phone on the dresser, he pulled off his t-shirt and quickly unbuttoned his jeans. He pulled back the covers and drew her into him as he settled into the large bed. She turned into his arms, still asleep as she nuzzled into him.

His body so accustom to his routine, he felt the lure of sleep pull him into unconsciousness.

And when he woke, the only thing on his mind was game six.

A few days later

"Thanks for coming, man. It meant a lot." Duper lifted his beer at Sid in salute and appreciation.

Sid smiled and gave a quick nod, "Yeah, glad we could come."

It was Saturday afternoon and he and Rebecca had spent the afternoon at Pascal's house helping celebrate the birthday of Duper's youngest. Most of the team had come but the day was winding down and there were just a few stragglers left.

He scanned the large backyard looking for Rebecca and found her under a big maple tree, pushing Flower's daughter on a swing while chatting with Veronique. He watched for a moment, the genuine smile on her face, as Estelle swung back and forth under Rebecca's gentle push. Veronique had her hands full with the Fleury's second daughter Scarlett.

Sid felt a slight pang in his chest at the image. He'd been wondering all week what Molly's message was about the doctor. He was waiting for Rebecca to say something but so far she hadn't mentioned it. Last summer they had a pregnancy scare. In Spain, after worlds, she'd confessed to missing two periods and feeling tired. Late at night they dropped in a bodega and had a heck of a time trying to find a pregnancy test. Finally they had success. He'd sat on the hotel bed, while Rebecca was in the washroom. She'd come out, test in hand, nervousness on both their faces. They didn't say much about what it all meant. But in those two minutes he'd thought about the idea of a baby. Of making a family with her.

It was something he wanted, but had figured it was a ways down the line. Rebecca still needed to finish school and find a job and as much as he'd like to tell her that he could provide for the both of them and she could take her time finding something, he knew that wasn't the way she worked.

But after two minutes, the minus sign appeared and they both let out a small sigh of relief. Given the choice they weren't ready. But if a surprise came, Sid felt ok with it.

More than ok.

And if now was time for that surprise, he was ready. He could be ready.

She was quiet on the drive home. The last few days had been hectic for sure. The Penguins had advanced to the next round and were feeling the heat from losing the first game in the Capitals series. Sid knew that they hadn't had much time together and he was grateful that she'd been willing to spend her Saturday afternoon at a kid's birthday party.

"You ok?" he asked, glancing in her direction.

Rebecca nodded, but looked pensive.

"Where do you see yourself in five years?" she asked her voice soft and hesitant.

The question caught him off guard. He wasn't sure if as a couple they talked about the future enough. He wasn't certain what enough was anyway. They hadn't talked about marriage or kids, despite last summer's scare. They rarely talked about anything long term. There were vague comments about when she graduated and of course she was interviewing in town with the hopes that they would no longer be long distance. But as far as what happened in the future, it was hard to say.

As an athlete, Sid lived in the here and now You didn't look past the length of a season, except now in the conference finals, the idea of Stanley was becoming very real. But as for his personal life, it had taken so long to be in a good place with Rebecca that the time since had been a gift and he hadn't looked too far in the future because he didn't want to waste what they had now.

The question was thought provoking and he wondered what she wanted to hear. But after two years together, he knew that he would tell her the truth, because with them that's all they allowed.

"Wow, five years? I dunno. I suppose still here in Pittsburgh. I'll be 33 and I would hope to have a few more cups. You'd be saving the world as the best lawyer in Pittsburgh" He laughed nervously, suddenly this question was making him anxious. He felt like an idiot talking about where they would be in their careers, when she probably asked in terms of their relationship.

"We'd be...together. I hope...I mean I know we would, but maybe more…" He struggled to say the world, so instead he danced around it. "...committed."

"With kids?"

Her question was direct and she looked at him, her face blank, but a flash of fear shone in her eyes.

Kids?

Yes, definitely kids. At 33 he would want at least a couple. And with the way this conversation seemed to be going, maybe there was one coming soon.

"Yes, for sure."

She looked at her hands folded in her lap. She seemed to struggle with what she wanted to say.

He turned into his driveway, punching the code to open the gate.

Pulling up to the house, she finally blurted out the words. "Sid, I need to tell you something."

He couldn't help but smile. "Becs, I think I know. I saw Molly's text the other day, about the doctor's visit. It was when you were in the shower. I didn't want to say anything, I figured I would wait for you to tell me. Becs, it's you and me, always. If this is the time, then it's meant to be."

She stared at him blankly, then realization crossed her face.

"I'm...I'm not pregnant," she said softly. Her eyes became wet and bright. "I did go to the doctor, I had an appointment in Philadelphia a few weeks ago. My yearly check up. There were some abnormalities in some test results. So I came here, to my old doctor. I felt more comfortable with her, I've been going to her for years. She did a biopsy."

Rebecca's mouth moved, but he was only hearing some of the words. Her face was sad and scared. There was no pregnancy. No baby.

Then there was that word. The word that punctured the bubble of her face and his thoughts and the terrible feeling that was starting to consume him.

Biopsy. That meant one thing.

"Cancer."

The word hung in the same air that Sid was struggling to find.

He stared at her. "What?"

She swallowed and two tears came swiftly down her cheeks.

"They found precancerous cells. They're not saying it's cancer, but I had to have the biopsy. It could be nothing." She swiped at her cheeks, "It's probably nothing. But with my family his...history. It could be something more. I was doing some research and if it's bad...I mean, if it turns out to be something, there are options. But I don't know if I would be able to have children, if I have to chose some of those options. And well, I wanted to know if you wanted kids and I couldn't have them if that would...affect our future."

He stared at her. Affect their future?

He looked at her, then out the front window of his car, that now sat parked in the driveway. He looked out at the trees and the sky and back at her. And he was supposed to say, no. No it wouldn't affect anything. Unless she got sick. And then she would be gone. She would be gone and his world would come crashing down. In five years, fuck a cup, fuck hockey, fuck kids. In five years she could be gone. And not because of some stupid misunderstanding or blind pride, but because of something real. Something scary. There would be no future.

"Say something," she said quietly.

"Wh, when do you find out?" He asked. "About the bi...the thing." He felt like he was on another planet. Where the air was thin and the surrounding were foreign. How, only 20 minutes ago was he envisioning their make believe family and now everything seemed upside down.

"Tuesday, probably. But it could take longer. She said they would call."

He nodded. He needed to hug her. Comfort her. Comfort each other. But he just sat there frozen.

A lifetime of knowing what to say. Of answering questions. Thousands of interviews, spouting nonsense. And here he needed to say something positive, supporting, comforting and he was coming up with nothing.

"Sid…" she started.

"We should go inside." he said quickly, the giant lump in his throat making it hard to sound normal.

Rebecca nodded and unbuckled the seat belt. He could see the trembling in her hands.

His fingers closed over hers, his thumb pressing the button to unbuckle her.

"It's going to be okay," he said softly.

She looked at him with a sad smile, "I hope so."

They went into the house. Rebecca dropped her purse on the chair and kept walking. "I'm going to fix dinner," she said her back to him.

"Married." he said. His voice hoarse but strong.

"What?" Rebecca asked, turning around. Her face tired and worn.

"In five years. Where I see myself, us. We would be married. You'd be my wife and I'd be your husband. And I want kids, if you want kids. And if we need to we would adopt or have a surrogate. We'd figure it out. And we'll grow old together. Im sure of it. Right now, this...it's scary but you're so strong. And whatever our future holds. We'll figure it out together. Becs, you're not alone. I'm here. I will always be here, I promise you. I love you, always"

Her eyes welled and he fought the sting that formed in the corner of his eyes.

In only a few strides he was to her, pulling her into his arms. His embrace tight. She sobbed quietly into his arms.

He held her for a long time and when she pulled back, she swiped at her eyes. "I should have told you sooner, but I didn't know what to say. And there was so much pressure with the Capitals series and I didn't want to stress you out more."

"Becs," he started, but she interrupted him.

"I know, I know. I guess, I thought that telling you made it real. And I wasn't ready for it to be real."

He nodded.

She smiled, "And I really like your five year plan, I want to spend forever with you. And I want kids. So badly. However we can do it, will be right. I love you so much."

That night they made love slowly and quietly. He held her close as she opened herself to him. Rocking gently in and out of her heat, he pressed his lips to her cheeks, her nose, her forehead. He brushed away the tears that trickled down her cheeks, knowing that until Tuesday, she would carry a heavy burden and he could only hope to make it easier on her.

Afterwards, they lay there in the silent darkness, his fingers brushed against hers.

"Sid?"

"Hmmm?"

"What would you think if I didn't take an internship in the fall?"

He turned to face her, in the dark shadows he could barely make out her features.

"What do you mean?"

"What if...what if I didn't continue law school? These past few weeks, with the biopsy and everything. It's made me think about my life. And the thing is...I don't really like it, law school. I mean, at first I did. I liked being in class again but as time goes by, I just., I don't have a passion for it. For so long I was sure that it was my dream. And I finally did it. I finally went and there's been so much work and we've been apart for so long and I don't want it all to be for nothing, but at the same time, I see how you love what you do. And I don't feel that. Not with law school."

"You feel it somewhere else," he said gently.

Even in the dark, he could see her nod. "Taking pictures. I love it. And I want to try and it do it full time. I know it's not sensible. But I could take classes at CMU. They have a fine arts degree and maybe I could do a show or find someone to work for. I don't know, I mean I'd do weddings if I had to, but I love it. And time is fleeting. I love you and I want my life here, doing what I love."

"Then I say, do it." He replied simply. "You went after what you wanted, you should take a lot of pride in that. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find what you are meant for. You would have always wondered with law school and now you know. This is your life Rebecca, you deserve to live it how you want. And I will be there to support you no matter what."

"Even if I become a starving artist?" he could hear the smile in your voice.

"You'll never be starving, I'll buy all your photographs. Wallpaper the house with them."

She giggled. It was the most beautiful sound and one he prayed he'd hear for a lifetime.

It came as a text, before game two on Tuesday. He checked his phone, just before they lined up to come out onto the ice.

Benign. I'm ok, dr. says nothing to worry about.

Go get em, Sid. I love you.

He stared at his phone, feeling like the weight of the world lift from his shoulders.

"You ok man?" Sid looked up to see Trevor Daley standing in front of him.

He nodded. "Yeah, I um, I just got some good news. Excuse me."

He stood and ambled his way across the locker room, through the noise of his teammates amping themselves up for the game. He kept walking, in full gear, as quickly as he could until he came to a supply closet. He opened the door and locked it behind him.

He stood there for a moment, then the tears came. Fast and hot. He pressed a fist against the wall as the emotion consumed him. In the dark, alone, thinking of her, of everything. Of the years he wish he could get back, of the years he would still have. There was a future. Their future. And as the tears streamed down his face, he knew it wouldn't be easy, he knew there would be no shortage of challenges, but it was life. It was messy and beautiful, scary and exhilarating.

And it was there to live.

He scored the OT goal that night. First in his career. But it wasn't the best part.

The best part was finding her after the game and holding her.

It gave him relief, it gave him strength and it gave him perspective.

Twenty-seven days later, as the final seconds ticked off the clock, he burst onto the ice with his teammates to celebrate the second Stanley Cup of his career. He handed the cup to Daley, knowing that tough days were in front of the veteran defenseman.

It had taken a much longer road to get here. Longer than he'd ever thought.

The first time he'd won, it was as if he could do it every year. He was young, hungry and poised for greatness. He'd kissed Rebecca that night and thought the same, that it was the beginning of something special. Years of success and love and accomplishment, both professionally and personally. But life didn't work that way. Time flew by. Dark times, hopeful times, disappointments and misunderstandings. But here they were. All these years later. It had taken longer than he'd thought, but lessons were learned and challenges overcome. And it made it all the sweeter.

Life was funny. There were coincidences and parallels. There was now and there was then. There were highs and lows. There were struggles and there were successes.

And through all of it, there was love.

And as she came running onto the ice. His mom, dad and Taylor trailing behind her, he scooped her up into his arms and felt all seven years hit him at once.

Seven years the journey, but he didn't regret a single step.

He whispered two words in her ear, "marry me," and waited for her response.

A smile, a nod and a single word.

"Yes."

And then and now, became their story.

And a love story, never ends.

***author's note: While a love story never ends, this story finally has. As always, I'm sorry it took so long, this was a story that I just couldn't figure out how to end (other than stanley of course) so thank you for sticking by me. I never thought it would take nearly 2 years to write this, it ended up being so much more than I anticipated. But your reviews and feedback really fueled my love for this story.

There were a few bumps along the way, but in the end I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Thanks again and go Pens!***