He was just beginning to stir when he felt her warmth and sweet scent as she tangled herself into him. Her hold on him was strong, a mix between pulling him into her and pushing herself into him. Caroline's nose nuzzled at his shoulder and he was awake.

Sid turned and peered at her, "Good morning," his voice sleepy and husky. "Merry Christmas."

Caroline's eyes were brighter than normal, her cheeks pink and her bottom lip full as if she'd been gnawing on it for hours.

"Merry Christmas," she replied, squirming into him even more.

He dropped a kiss on her forehead, then reluctantly pulled himself away as nature was calling. Caroline clung onto him and he looked at her perplexed.

"Sid…" she studied his face, her eyes searching his. He waited for her to continue.

"I.." she paused again. Then leaned forward, her lips brushing against the angle of his jaw.

"I love you."

He grinned at her, his fingers tucking back her unruly curls. "I love you too."

The snow was falling steadily through the window as they went into the living room together. Sid plugged in the Christmas tree and Caroline put on some music. A small pile of gifts lay under the tree.

They had decided on a $50 limit for gifts. Together they had decided on a charity to give for the holidays because when money wasn't an object setting a small budget allowed for some more creative gift giving.

"You go first," Sid said, settling on his side on the thick carpet. He pulled two boxes from beneath the tree. One rectangular and one square.

Caroline sat cross legged next to him and took the packages. She opened the rectangular one first. A grey sweater lay inside the white tissue paper. She pulled the garment free. It was long sleeved and super soft. She leaned forward and pecked him on the lips.

"I love it," she said smiling, "I'll wear it at dinner later."

She then tore the paper for the second box. Lifting the lid, she saw a framed print. It was about 8 inches by 8 inches. It was a painting, abstract images in various colors. In the center was a quote.

Always remember there was nothing worth sharing, like the love that us share our name.

In the corner were the words, best wishes to the Crosbys.

It was signed by a familiar name.

The print was a lyric from her favorite song, from her favorite band. And signed by a member of the group.

"He did the artwork," Sid said, peering over her shoulder.

Caroline stared at the print. The words stared back at her. Their meaning holding something new. It was her first Christmas as a Crosby. Her first Christmas sharing Sid's name. It was perfect.

And she told him so.

Sid felt a heat creep on his cheeks.

"I thought you'd like it," unable to keep the pleased grin off his face.

"And it was under budget," he pointed out. "Only $15 for the frame."

"But h..ho..how?" Caroline stuttered, still in amazement.

Sid shrugged, "I know a guy."

Caroline laughed at that, she turned to him, her cheeks pink and her eyes bright with adoration.

"My turn," he said, pulling the remaining gifts free and pulling himself up into a seated position.

The first box contained some neckties. Geometric patterns in various blues and greys. Definitely his style and perfect for the rest of the season.

The other box was smaller. Caroline gnawed at her lip as he pulled the paper from the box.

Under the tissue paper lay a pair of cufflinks. They looked like antiques. He picked them up, inspecting the naval engravement.

"They belonged to a Canadian Naval Officer. They're from World War II, or so they told me." Caroline informed him.

"They're so cool," Sid said examining the tarnished gold.

"Where did you find these?" He asked setting them back into the box.

Caroline grinned, "I know a guy." Then quickly squealed, as he lunged towards her, pulling her into him, his fingers going for her sides.

They called both sides of their families, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. They talked about traditions as they then pulled out leftovers to snack on while the fire burned and the snow fell.

Sid shared his family tradition of playing hockey with his dad and sister, as well as uncles and cousins. They would go outside right after dinner and play for hours, the cold no match for their enthusiasm.

"We could do that," Caroline offered.

Sid looked skeptical.

"If it's a family tradition, I can give it a try," she told him.

"But there's no ice, we don't even have sticks or pucks."

"There's a shed out back, maybe they have some hockey stuff, I mean this is Canada after all."

Sid studied her, "Are you sure this is what you want to do? I mean, it looks pretty cold out there."

Caroline nodded, an enthusiastic smile on her face, "Sure, why not? I mean, what else are we going to do?"

Sid gave a predatory grin, his eyes flashing, "I could think of a few things."

Caroline reddened, then cleared her throat, "Let's give this a try, if it doesn't work out...then we can pursue other activities." She ended her offer with a grin.

He agreed and the two got ready for their outdoor activities. Caroline bundled up, while Sid threw on a sweatshirt and a ball cap.

"It's freezing out there," Caroline warned him.

"Canadian blood," he informed her. "I'll be fine."

They surveyed the contents of the shed. There were some paint cans and a raft. An outdoor broom and a shovel. In the corner was one hockey stick, a pail filled with pucks and a variety of summer sporting goods.

Improvising, they brought out the paint cans, the broom, the shovel and the hockey stick and pucks. Sid made a makeshift net with the paint cans and the raft. He brushed off the back patio covered in the freshly fallen snow and handed the hockey stick to Caroline and took the shovel.

"Here, you can shoot and I'll be goalie. I'll use the shovel as my stick."

Caroline looked at the hockey stick like it was a foreign object. She wondered how good of an idea this had been, as she awkwardly held the stick and looked helplessly at her husband.

"C'mere," he instructed, amusement written all over his face. She followed him to the front of the "net." Coming up behind her, his arms reached around her, his hands covering hers as her positioned where she needed to hold the stick. "Grip the shaft here," his fingers moving her hand down the length of the stick. His voice was low and his breath warm on her cold cheek. Her breath hitched, as she felt his body so close to hers. She didn't try to pretend the chill going up and down her spine had to do with the weather. His nearness, even now still made her head fuzzy.

After some instruction, she held the stick the way she was supposed to and took some practice "swings."

"Ok," Sid said satisfied, taking a step back and looking at Caroline's form and grip. He headed into net, took the shovel in hand. "Give me your best shot."

Caroline looked at the puck on the ground, angled herself to the side of the puck, pulled back and took a shot like Sid had instructed.

She missed.

Completely.

"It's ok," Sid called, "try again."

She did. This time the puck moved about 4 feet. Still quite a distance from where Sid stood between the paint cans.

After twenty minutes and twenty pucks later, she had gotten three shots on goal. It was pretty pathetic. So much that the ever competitive goalie let one in out of sheer pity.

"We could switch places," she offered.

Sid nodded.

Two minutes later, all twenty pucks lay in the back of the raft.

"Sorry," Sid called feeling badly.

Caroline just smiled, "You didn't even hit them that hard. I think I'm a better spectator than player. This can't be that fun for you."

He jogged up to her, "Of course it is. Anything we do together is fun."

He was being nice.

"Let's see what else is in there," she said, nodding towards the shed.

A few minutes later, as Sid cleared up the paint cans and pucks, Caroline emerged with two rackets and a birdie.

"Badminton?" she asked holding up the rackets.

So that Christmas afternoon a new tradition was born. Badminton in the snow. For the next 30 minutes they volleyed back and forth, not really keeping score but trying to see how long they could keep a volley going. Caroline gave a whack that ended up going further than intended. She watched a Sid ran backwards trying to get the shuttlecock reaching his arm far back and then...disappeared from view.

"Omigod!" Caroline exclaimed running towards him. The patio was only few feet off the ground and when she reached the end, there lay Sid in a mountain of snow, the white stuff covering him.

"Are you ok?" she asked immediately. And as Sid nodded, Caroline couldn't stop the giggle that erupted.

"I-it wa-was like you we-were there and th-th-then you weren't," she could barely get the words out, as the giggles turned to full laughter.

"Very funny," Sid grumbled, but she could tell he wasn't too upset by her reaction. "Help me up, would you?"

Caroline wiped her eyes and reached down, extending her hand to him. Only when he took it, when his fingers wrapped around hers, did he jerk her forwards, his body breaking her fall.

"Oof!" she exclaimed, the snow surrounding him, now surrounding her. He turned her and deposited her into the pillow of snow next to him.

"Co-co-cold!" she exclaimed. Sid just laughed, then leaned over her, his mouth brushing against hers.

She sighed happily, "Your lips are warm," she said as the snow started to permeate her jeans.

"Oh yeah?" his voice was husky.

"Mmmhmm," she replied dreamily as his lips moved from hers and landed on her cheeks, her forehead, her chin and her nose. She arched into him as his mouth moved to her neck and the fact that her butt was turning numb didn't even register.

"I think outdoor activities are over," he mumbled into her skin.

Caroline, brain fuzzy again, nodded in agreement.

"Time for the other things."

A few hours later they finished up their leftovers dinner and the cable was out due to the snow. They were all packed up, as tomorrow morning it would be back to reality. Sid pulled out the box of scrabble off a shelf of games in the living room and suggested they play to pass the time. Caroline fixed some hot chocolate, while Sid set up the game. For the next hour or they played a few games. It was getting late and the last round was almost over when Caroline looked down at her letters.

It was a sign. Maybe more than that, or maybe less. But either way, with her husband sitting across the way from her, those words from the framed print filled her head. He was her partner and her best friend. Every moment spent with him was more precious than the one before. And it was time for him to know that the family they had created was about to get a little bit bigger.

Caroline laid down the tiles one by one. Her heart was racing and her fingers trembled as she lay down the letters. When she finished, she sat back and locked her gaze on Sid.

B-A-B-Y.

Sid furrowed his brow. "Um, that doesn't work."

Caroline looked down at the board. Then back at Sid.

"I think it does," she replied, a nervous grin on her face.

Sid's fingers ghosted over the letters. The Y was at the end of the word he had laid down previously.

"I don't think GAUGEY is a word. I mean you could use the E and make the word babe," he prattled on, looking at the board intently.

"Sid…"

He looked up at her.

"I think you should give it to me," she said finding it harder to breathe.

"Care…"

"Sid, look."

He stared at her word, then back up at her.

"Gaugey is not a wor-"

"I'm pregnant," she blurted out. The tears instantly pooled in her eyes. Her heart leapt to the back of her throat and she stared at him.

He looked back down at the board, the letters staring back at him.

BABY.

"Wha…" the words wouldn't come.

Caroline bounced from her seat and dashed down the hall.

Moments later she returned, her fingers clutched around something.

She dropped three plastic sticks down in front of him.

"I took three tests. They were all positive."

He stared at the tests, still there were no words. He picked them up one by one, as Caroline started to ramble. "I'm not sure how it happened, i mean I know how it happened, but I'm on birth control. I don't know if when I changed prescriptions something happened, but I haven't missed a day. And I know this is all kind of quick but I think it's a go-"

Her words were cut off as Sid stood from his chair and pulled her into his arms. He wrapped himself around her, holding her tight. Really tight.

She didn't say anything, finally he pulled back. His eyes were wet. Taking her face in his hands he pressed his mouth to hers.

She clung to him. Feeling overwhelmed but excited at the same time.

Drawing back, he looked at her, "a baby," he said, his voice quiet.

"Yeah," she nodded.

Suddenly be pulled back and looked down at her stomach, alarm on his face. "I shouldn't have pulled you down into the snow earlier. And..last night, what if I was too rough?"

Caroline placed her hand on his chest, "Sid, it's ok. I don't think you did anything to hurt, him or her. It's still early. I'll make an appointment with the doctor when we get back, just to make sure the tests were correct."

He grinned, widely, his eyes once wet, now sparkled. "We're going to have a baby." His hand reached out and found the hem of her t-shirt. His palm went under her shirt and covered her stomach, her skin soft and warm under his fingers.

"Sid," she breathed, looking up at him with newly moistened eyes.

"You're going to be the best dad."

Flower and Mario came over first. They tried to keep things light, but Sid had too many questions. A little while later the team doctors arrived. Sid was more comfortable with them and they took his vitals and performed a few tests. They tried to sugar coat it at first, but he wasn't having any of it.

It was a concussion. Which he knew. But it had a few unusual side effects. Periods of time had been lost. The doctors were confident they memories would return, but he couldn't let himself get too worked up. It wasn't healthy. Rest and time were what was best for him. They would be back tomorrow, but for now he just needed quiet.

It was dark when Caroline returned. Trina was just coming out of the bedroom when she saw Caroline ascending the stairs.

"You came back," she said quietly, somewhat surprised.

"I said I would," Caroline said shortly. She'd gone to lunch with Sara. Explained as much as she could. She wanted to scream and cry and vent to her friend. But she didn't. What could she say? She'd left town. Left everyone behind without a word. She'd packed up as much stuff as she could fit in her car and she'd gone.

And now she was back. To an estranged husband who had no idea what she had done. Who didn't hate her.

Only because he couldn't remember.

"What did you do?" There was yelling. The colors and the shapes were disjointed, blurs. But the voice, his voice was unmistakable.

"Yo-you don't understand." This time it was a different voice. Tearful and frantic. Caroline's voice.

"What did you do?" His voice roared.

Sid woke with a start. He had nodded off again. This time when he woke it was dark outside. He heard low voices outside the door. He got up and went into the bathroom, washed his face and stared back at his reflection. His eyes had trouble focusing and he stared as if to will the memories back into his head. His gaze shifted to bathroom vanity, at what was there and what wasn't there.

What did you do?

Those words echoed in his head.

He made his way back into the bedroom and saw Caroline standing there, turning a lamp on.

"Hey," he said causing her to jump in surprise. She turned to look at him and he put his hands up in surrender. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"No, no," she said quietly. "I wasn't sure where you were."

"Caroline," he started.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, her gaze shifting away from his.

"They told me about the concussion, that I have amnesia?"

"I think it's just certain parts are missing, chunks of time, but I think you will get them back. I mean, I know you'll get them back and everything will be ok again."

Ok again. Those words hung in the air, because he knew something wasn't right.

He looked at her, then walked over to their closet and opened the door.

"Sid…" Caroline started.

He stared at the contents and then swung around to look at her.

His voice was quiet and measured.

"That picture on the desk, from winning the cup. You weren't in it. And earlier...you cried when I kissed you. The bathroom, your things aren't there. This closet is missing your clothes. He walked towards her quickly and before she could react, he took her hand in his, looking at her fingers. Her ring finger devoid of any rings.

"You weren't at your parents' this weekend. You weren't here when I got hit, because you don't live here anymore."

It wasn't that the memories had come back, it was that all the signs were right in front of him.

Signs that told him that something was very very wrong.

"Caroline, what happened? Please, just tell me what happened."

Caroline's eyes flooded with tears stared back at him.

Finally she nodded.

"Ok, I'll tell you everything."

***Author's note: Oh my goodness. I am so so sorry about this long delay. There is a long list of reasons for this delay, a broken computer, work craziness, playoff overload and a new kitty! But I am back. I am plugging away and as usual I hope to move along a little quicker, but we will see. For those of you still reading, thank you so much and I hope you enjoy this chapter.***