Caroline had only been in the team locker room once before. Then everything had overwhelmed her, the sounds and sights were so new and foreign to her that it was easy to be intimidated. Now as she entered the room along with Sid's parents and Taylor it was intimidating in a whole new way. Everything just seem magnified. There were reporters everywhere, along with families and friends congratulating the team on their turbulent but successful season. The noise was deafening, as had the crowd been that night. Caroline had sat in Mario's suite along with Troy, Trina and Taylor, as well as the Lemieux family. The entire game she had sat on the edge of her seat, her eyes focused on the puck. Her hands had clenched together as she sat tense in the close game. As the final seconds ticked down, New Jersey pulled their goalie and the one point lead was made two with an empty net goal by Pascal Dupuis. The Consol erupted with thunderous cheers as the team congregated and celebrated the pivotal win. It's funny how when you fall in love, the other person's success and happiness becomes your success and happiness and for Caroline she couldn't be more excited for this achievement. Caroline hugged the Crosby's and then the Lemieux's, she couldn't shake the permagrin off her face and it remained plastered on her face as she made her way down to the locker room. A year ago, hell six months ago she didn't know anything about this team and absolutely nothing about its captain, now here she was her heart full and adrenaline racing through her veins as she waited to congratulate Sidney on his success. She watched as he was surrounded by the media. Cameras, microphones and iPhones shoved in his face. He sat there completely unfazed as usual. Wearing only his spandex, the Penguins hat sat on his head as sweat poured off him. His smiled at the reporters as he recapped the game and the Penguins important win. It wasn't long until the media wrapped up their questions and moved along. His eyes found hers from across the room and just like the movies he stood and walked towards her as everything else just fell away, suddenly Caroline couldn't see or hear anything except Sidney coming closer and the beat of her heart. And then she was in his arms, he picked her up and spun her around, the pure joy radiating off him. She squealed like one of those cheerleaders she had mocked in high school, the girls who dated the star quarterback and always looked impossibly perfect. But at that moment Caroline could have cared less. She was so happy for him, for them, to have something to be happy about instead of analyzing everything about their relationship. He deposited her back onto the ground and without hesitation placed his hands on her cheeks and pressed his lips to hers. No matter how much everyone knew now about how they had gotten together, only the two of them really knew how much this season had played a part in their coming together and the kiss was the culmination of all of it. In a split second there were flashes of light and voices surrounding them, but all that mattered in that second was them. He pulled back and grinned that heart stopping grin.

Caroline matched his smile, "Congratulations," she breathed and hugged him fiercely not minding at all his stench of sweat.

"I love you," he whispered into her ear.

"Me too," she whispered back.

He hugged his father and his mother, then a little tighter and a little longer, Taylor. The sacrifice, Caroline thought back to, this is what it was all for.

There was a big party planned that night for the Penguins and their loved ones, but Sid asked if just the five of them could go to dinner first to celebrate the win. "I want it to be just us," he told them.

They ended up at a local place that was a favorite of the Crosby's. It wasn't the fanciest place in town, but it had been the first place the family had eaten the day Sidney arrived in Pittsburgh all those years ago. The restaurant was happy to welcome the family and Caroline and provided them the party room so they had complete seclusion. The restaurant was warm and cozy. White linen tablecloths and votive candles adorned the table. The lighting was low and soft music funneled into the background as the table of five was animated with conversation. Caroline sat next to Sid, her thigh pressed to his, as his arm hung casually against the back of her chair. He spoke quickly and excitedly with his father and sister as he recapped some key plays in the game. Occasionally his fingers would brush up against her shoulder that was now bare as she had changed out of her usual Crosby sweater and jeans and into a pink lace dress that bared her arms, cinched at the waist and flared out at the knee. Sid looked the picture of casual elegance in a crisp white shirt, dark slacks and his still hair wet but styled, his dark tendrils already beginning to curl at the nape of his neck. Caroline couldn't stop smiling as she listened to the excitement and pride in Sid's voice. They dined on steaks and fresh fish, Sid and his father enjoyed an old fashioned as Caroline and Trina sipped at the white wine and for a moment Caroline nearly pinched herself at the scene. This family who had embraced so easily had become her family, whether she was ready to admit it or not. She looked around the table and couldn't feel anything but total inclusion.

And then reality struck.

"Sid sweetie, I was thinking your father and I could work on the house this coming week, I want to get all the details out of the way before your games start." Trina said across Caroline to her son.

Caroline at first didn't quite understand the statement, but the trepidation that flashed in Sid's eyes got her pulse racing as she had the sinking feeling that there was once again something out of her scope of understanding.

"Yeah, that would be great, you know it's all up in the air right now," Sid said slowly.

"Oh I know I just want to have all the details taken care of. I really feel like you could go all the way this year and if that's the case you won't have any time for the move."

Move? Caroline watched the exchange like a tennis match, her eyes shifting from mother to son, trying to make sense of the conversation.

Trina, sensing Caroline's confusion tried to clarify, "Don't look so worried sweetie, it's part of our spring ritual. We pack up Sidney for the summer so he can get ready for the months up north."

Caroline continued to be confused, this was his home. She knew that Cole Harbour was home too, she figured that he probably went home a few weeks in the summer to see his extended family and friends but other than that she had assumed he just stayed in Pittsburgh.

By now Caroline should have known better about assuming.

Caroline whipped her head towards Sid, who had closed his eyes and looked as if he was mentally counting to ten.

And then there was Trina. Caroline and Sidney's mom had developed a friendship over the past few months. Caroline had soon learned the part they played in Sid's life professionally and knew that while they loved their son fiercely, they also had a business relationship with him as well. It was too complicated for Caroline to wrap her mind around, so it was one of the many things she just pushed to the back of her mind. Caroline knew that for Trina, it was all about Sid, all the time. They both loved him dearly and that created a bond for them, but Caroline knew when to take a backseat to Trina's expectations of the place she held in his heart.

"Oh don't look so troubled sweetie," Trina said comfortingly and obliviously to Caroline as she placed her hand on Caroline's. "You'll love Nova Scotia, especially in the summer when everything is so green."

It was then that Caroline felt the panic. That feeling you get when you feel like you have forgotten something really important. The recurring nightmare where you have forgotten to study for the important test or didn't even bother to show up for class all semester until the day of the final.

That's when it hit her, Sid wouldn't need to stay in Pittsburgh after the playoffs were over. It was only April. The season wouldn't start again until October. That was six months away. If by some chance they got knocked out of the playoffs in the first round he could be gone in just a few weeks and wouldn't come back until October. Instantly Caroline felt sick. She would visit him of course, but she was in school until June. She had day camp with the school kids all summer. School would start back up again in August. All season she had put up with the trips away because she thought that eventually they would have their time together.

How could she have been so stupid? Oh god, she didn't even have a passport.

Suddenly she felt his fingers interlace with hers as he took her trembling hand out of her lap and placed it securely in his. "Don't worry." his eyes were open now and soft on hers. Speaking to his mother, Sid continued, "We haven't really talked about summer quite yet. I'm not sure what exactly my plan is."

Troy suddenly took interest in this conversation. "Not sure? Well if you win the cup we'll see you in June. LA for July and part of August and then there's camp in Colorado and Montreal, oh and the stakeholders meeting in Halifax in mid-August and don't forget Olympic trials in Berlin the first part of September." He spouted off his son's schedule like a grocery list and Caroline felt a lead weight drop in the pit of her stomach.

"Can we talk about this later?" Sid asked, exasperation evident in his voice. "I just want to enjoy tonight."

Caroline had a million questions on the tip of her tongue. But one seemed to hang in the air unspoken. "Where do I fit into all of this?"

Sacrifice. He was always the one to sacrifice. Seeing that joy on his face tonight, this celebration, this moment was his reward for all of that. She couldn't take it away from him with her selfish concerns, not now.

Putting on her bravest smile, she squeezed his hand, "We will figure it out." And she leaned over and pressed her lips to his cheek until the dimple formed beneath her mouth.

Tomorrow she would apply for her passport, today was about him.

It was a quiet night on Kensington Drive. Out in Moon Township, large expanses of rolling green yards separated the extravagant homes by a few acres. There were no sidewalks but seeing that only the luxury vehicles of the street's homeowners traveled the dead end road, there really was no need. In the distance a party could be heard. Laughter and music echoed in the quiet night, not loud or a disturbance by any means, but enough that someone out for a late night stroll or walking their dog would hear the celebration at the Bylsma's residence and know that the coach and his team were celebrating a special night. The dog walker might also notice about 100 feet down the street parked on the side of the road, a safe distance from the party and the partygoers arriving and departing, sat a large dark grey Range Rover. At first glance, the car could be perceived as empty, but if someone were to get too close they would see that the tinted windows hid quite a bit, but what would be unmistakable was the heavy fog that lined the windows from front to back. Windows steamed up by an impromptu celebration of one's own.

Her inner thighs spread over the top of his as she straddled him in the driver's seat. Her hands on his warm cheeks as her mouth plundered his over and over again. His hands were firm on her hips, her splayed legs positioned her center just perfectly over the bulge that strained against his black pants. Neither could get enough. Sighs and moans echoed in the SUV, as hands and mouths moved in rhythm. Caroline rocked slowly against Sid, seeking relief from this make out session that had started as soon as Sid had placed the car in park. Not a moment after she had unlatched the seatbelt, Caroline felt Sidney's large hand reach out for her and lead her over the middle console and onto his lap. Instantly his hands were in her hair and his mouth consumed hers. The rest of the Crosbys had headed home to get to bed. They had a morning flight and needed to turn in early. Sid and Caroline had made their way in his car over to the neighboring town of Moon to make an appearance at the gathering Mary Beth Bylsma had put together in honor of her husband and his team. But now it seemed as if neither Sid nor Caroline were in any rush to arrive.

Caroline pressed herself heavily into Sid. Despite being swollen and raw from over 20 minutes of kissing, her lips moved over his as her tongue swept into his mouth and began battle. Sid squeezed her hips and pushed her more firmly against him. Caroline surged, relishing in the satisfaction the friction provided. Her hands moved from his cheeks and into his hair, her fingers weaving through the locks and falling to the nape of his neck. Tearing his mouth away, he buried his head into her neck and breathed her in. The sounds of breaths being taken now filled the space, as they both tried to collect themselves. Pressing light kisses against her skin, Sid ran his hands up and down her back, sadly calling an end to the celebration of their own.

"We should talk about the summer," he said into her skin, his breathing still ragged.

Caroline pulled back and looked down at him. His eyes were still dark with desire, his hair now stuck up in all directions and his perfect lips were somehow even bigger and more full than she thought possible.

"Not tonight," she whispered, her mouth equally swollen as she bent her head and pecked his mouth lovingly. Her hand found its way between the two of them and began massaging him through his trousers. "Tonight," she said trailing her lips across his cheek, over his jaw line and down his neck, "Is all about you."

Fifteen minutes and one very satisfying hand job later, they straightened their clothes and made their way out of the Range Rover and up the street to the illuminated house.

The party was a small affair, mostly just the team and their loved ones. And everyone noticed when the captain entered the home and joined the party. Hoots and hollers, cheers and handshakes bombarded the couple and before Caroline could even say division champs, Sid was swept away by his teammates. Caroline beelined for the other WAGs and said her hellos, hoping that her tousled hair and swollen lips didn't give away too much. The looks she received dashed her hopes, but luckily no one said anything. Looking around at the crowd, Caroline spotted Geno and his girlfriend in the corner. Making her way over to the couple, Caroline couldn't help the warm feeling she got in her chest when she saw the Russian superstar. There was some sort of bond, a kinship she felt with him. It was hard to explain, it wasn't romantic at all, just a tentative friendship that she valued.

She was on her path towards the couple when she was met with an obstruction. A very blond obstruction.

"Hey Caroline," purred Cameron, her clipboard in one hand, a glass of white wine in the other. She wore a tight, low cut red dress and her hair in loose waves around her shoulders.

"Oh, hi," Caroline said, her eyes now focused on the PR beauty before her. Over the past week, Caroline had gotten used to Cameron being around, almost lurking in the shadows. After games, during practices, she was always there with her fingers clenched around her clipboard, her large diamond ring sparkling under the lights.

"Super exciting right?" Cameron said, an odd smile plastered on her face.

"Yes, very." Caroline replied her eyes darting around the room, searching for an escape.

"I know this is all so new to you," Cameron said, her eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly. "It's going to be quite the roller coaster ride, I hope you are prepared."

"I think I am," Caroline said, hoping she sounded a lot surer than she felt.

"I've been through this before…" Cameron said in authoritative tone, taking a sip of wine. "Roger, my fiancée, he was on the Canucks 2011 team, made it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. Didn't win and he retired that year, but we had just started dating and boy was it an eye opener. I barely saw him for six weeks. And the intensity, it was like he became a different person. They get into this mode you know. Everything is different in the playoffs. I just hope you are prepared. It can be really hard on a relationship, just ask any of the ladies, they will tell you. Roger and I almost didn't make it." Cameron's gaze was fixed on Caroline, as if she dared Caroline to think she was any different.

"But you did," Caroline said brightly, refusing to let Cameron faze her. "When is the wedding?"

Cameron smiled tightly, "Next summer."

Caroline returned the smile and started to make her exit.

"Oh by the way," Cameron said lightly, "The interview with you and Sid on Wednesday…" Caroline knew about it and had been dreading it ever since Sidney had informed her of it the other day, "It's been changed to 8 o'clock; sorry I have a thing."

"Ok, no problem, listen I have to ru—" Caroline sentence was interrupted by the sound of a chant behind her. Politely excusing herself, she turned and walked towards the great room where a crowd was forming. Coming up behind Veronique and a couple of other wives, she saw that the team had formed around Sid, as he stood in front of the fireplace. "Speech, speech, speech," the crowd cheered. Sid looked like he was in his element. His cheeks pink, a wide smile stretched across his face as he held a bottle of water. Caroline watched as he quieted the guys down with a hand and began to speak. Michelle Cooke shoved a glass of wine in her hand and Caroline took a small sip as every held their drinks in a toast.

"Ok, ok, ok, I guess I can say a few words," he scanned the crowd and his eyes stop for a brief second on Caroline before he continued. "First off, I just want to say that this team is incredible. I owe so much to you guys this year. This has for sure been one of the toughest years of my career and my life, but you boys were with me for the highs and the lows. Now I know things started off a little rocky and there were a few bumps along the way, but never did you give up on me. This team is strong, this team is fierce. From top to bottom. Our depth, our desire, our drive…it's unparalleled. Now is the time to take it to the next level. To push ourselves, to focus on one goal and one goal only. I know we can do it. This year changed my life." Sid paused, his gaze locked on Caroline. And she felt the heat flow through her like an electric current. "I learned a lot. I met the love of my life," Caroline's face was flaming now, but she couldn't look away. She felt everyone's eyes on her but she didn't care. Her heart was full. Sid continued, "And I learned about what is really important and that no matter what, you fight for what you love and what you believe in." His voice caught on those last words, his eyes were bright and he was suddenly silent. Caroline felt every ounce of breath rush out of her. Her eyes instantly filled at this rare show of emotion and she fought desperately to keep the tears at bay. The crowd was still, you could hear a pin drop. "You fight for what you believe in," Sid said finally after a few seconds that ticked by excruciatingly slow. Staring directly at Caroline he continued, "I believe in us," and for an instant it was just the two of them in that room and Caroline's heart felt as if it would burst. He quirked the corner of his mouth up in a small smile, then looked around the room, "I believe in this team and I believe that we can bring the Stanley Cup back to Pittsburgh and back to this organization. Now is the time, we are ready…let's do it!" And with that the crowd erupted into cheers and Caroline quickly swiped at her cheeks. Overcome by his words and the very public moment. She felt Veronique's hand close over hers, her eyes misty, "Is it pregnancy hormones or was that the most touching thing I ever heard?" Caroline' rubbed at her own wet cheeks, "It was pretty incredible," she agreed as she watched Sid become surrounded by his teammates. No matter how hard she tried though, Cameron's words echoed in her head. But that was a concern for another day, she had meant what she said earlier, tonight was about nothing more than celebrating, the reward for the sacrifice.

Tomorrow she would worry.

***Author's note: Trying to get better with the updates and so excited to see Sid skating again! Thanks for the reviews, they mean so much!***