Oh my God! Did I just do that? I meet this great guy, incredible guy, who cleans up after dinner so that I can spend time with my daughter and I've just yelled at him somewhat hysterically; ok, totally hysterically yelled at him. After he left and I shut the door is when I remembered the tip. I guess I'm still hot thrilled that he didn't introduce me to his friends even though he explained. When I remembered the tip, the extravagance of it, I just lost it. Oh God! Have I just screwed everything up? He's leaving tomorrow too. Ok, I have to fix this; I grab some shoes, my keys and am prepared to chase him to his car if I have to so that I can talk to him.

I run out of my door and directly into Sid. I bounce off of his chest; thankfully he grabs me so that I don't fall to the floor behind me. We stand here now just staring at each other with my hands on his chest and his holding my arms. I guess I should say something.

"Can you come back in for a few minutes?" I ask.

"Of course" he answers.

I stand back to let him in, which he does, and then we're simply staring at each other again.

"First, I apologize for what I said. It wasn't exactly the best way to say it and it's not even what I mean, so, I'm sorry."

"Ok" he says and his expression is incomprehensible.

Yeah, this really isn't going to be easy.

"There are two things that are bothering me Sid. First, you gave me a 50% tip. I don't think you're trying to buy me at all; but, if you're trying to help me then you need to know that it feels almost the same. I was on welfare for a year and I worked my ass off to get off of it, pay my own way and rely on no one. I take care of my daughter myself and I'm not looking for anyone, including you, to pay my way. I didn't even know that you were some huge hockey star when we met. I don't want anyone, especially you, thinking that I'm dating you for your money."

Ok, there, it's out. Now I guess it's in his hands to figure out what to do next.

"Cat, did you think that the tip meant that I was trying to help you out financially? Is that what you're saying?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, you paying for dinner when we go out is one thing but giving me so much for a tip is actually giving me money."

I watch him smile now. "Ok, I get it. Here's the thing, I didn't do it on purpose."

He's chuckling now but I'm still confused. "Did you mean to only give me 5% and added a zero by mistake?"

He laughs harder now. "No Cat, I always tip high. The bill was really low, since it's a diner, so I added even more I guess. That's the only reason; honest."

Well now I feel like an idiot. He didn't even mean to give me that big of a tip; he meant it to be that big just didn't connect that it was to me. He's still smiling at me.

"I guess I overreacted then, huh?" I feel like an idiot.

"Just a little" he replies smiling. "Were you coming after me?"

"Yeah, I felt bad at the way I yelled at you. Let's just say it's too much pride and I'm too exhausted to think straight right now." I offer him a smile of my own.

He tilts his head and opens his arms which I fall into quickly. Sid kisses the top of my head.

"Well you are a very silly woman if you think I see you as anything but strong and self-reliant. Would I love to help you out? Yes but only because you work so hard and I do have a lot of money."

I can tell that he's trying to joke about it so I swat his ass and say "bragger."

"Are we ok?" Sid asks me.

I tilt up to look at him and say "yeah. We're ok Sid."

He leans in to kiss me and the sweet moment quickly becomes heated. I grab his shoulders to pull him down to him. Instead, Sid lifts me so that I'm straddling him and wrapped in his arms. I shut the door behind him and Sid walks us to the sofa while keeping me wrapped in his arms. I drag my lips from his and kiss over his cheek, jaw and down his neck. I retrace my journey back to his plump, soft lips. Sid's tongue slips between my lips and slides over my own. I feel one of his hands slide down to pull my core closer to him. My hips instinctively rotate into his while my hands feast in his hair and I tilt my head to take our kiss even deeper. Sid's free hand slides under my tee shirt and up my back until he unhooks my bra. With my breasts free, Sid brings his hand down to my waist until he can brush my nipple with his thumb. I moan deep and low into his mouth while my hips push hard against his.

I can feel him harden, push against my core now and it spurs me on. I use my hands in his hair to pull his head back so that I can lick and nip down his neck, suck at his Adam's apple and then travel onto his ear. I bite down on his lobe and Sid pinches my nipple in response. I cry out this time.

"Ok?" Sid asks in a breathless voice.

I can't speak so I simply take his lips with my own again and take the kiss immediately deep and hard. Sid responds in kind and I find his other hand slide into my pants until he can fully cup my cheek. Oh God, what this man can do to me and I'm helpless to do anything but respond in kind. I grind against him again and Sid's huge, so huge, pushing against me. I need him inside of me in a very desperate way. I'm vibrating everywhere and my panties are soaked. There is no way I can let Sid leave now, not in this state for either of us. I pull away and look at his face. His lips are red and swollen from mine. He's sweating and flush with his hair forming curls where it meets his forehead. We can't do this here on the sofa; Lizzy is asleep but she could wake up. That's when I get the idea.

I take Sid's lips in one last searing kiss and then pull him with me as I stand. He looks puzzled but I turn and pull him with me. Outside the bedroom, Sid pulls back from me and his eyes widen, almost shocked. I shake my head and laugh before checking on Lizzy. She is sound asleep so I slip back out of the bedroom and softly shut the door.

Grabbing Sid's hand again, I pull him into the bathroom with me, lock the door, and start the shower; hot. When I turn back to him, Sid's smiling hugely and pulling off his shirt. I'm too ready to continue any further foreplay so I strip quickly too. When we're both in the shower and wet, Sid lifts me up onto the lip of the tube and wraps my leg around him.

"Shit" it hits me that I don't have condoms.

Slowly Sid figures it out but smiles. He's gone a minute and then is back quickly with a condom; thank God. I take it from him and he raises his eye brows. After opening the package, I kneel in front of him, take the base of his hard shaft in one hand and roll the condom very slowly over him with the other. I watch as his eyes close and his lips part so I continue even slower. When he's fully sheathed, I can't wait any more so I stand and Sid helps me up again. I feel his tip at my entrance and can feel my insides quiver at the thought of him filling me deep. He raises his eyebrows again and I nod. Sid slams into me hard and takes my breath away. I don't have time to catch it because we're moving together fast and hard. Our wet skin slaps together as we thrust faster and faster against each other. Sid fills me fully and I'm moaning quickly. I take his lips with my own so that I moan into his mouth and stay quiet. It takes no time for me to find my orgasm and I shake as it washes over me. I'm vaguely aware of Sid reaching his climax too.

I find Sid staring down at me when I can finally open my eyes. We both start laughing and I drop my forehead to his chest.

"We should argue more often" I tell him and Sid chuckles.

"I don't know about the argument part but I do love making up. Have I mentioned how delightful you are wet?"

Sid slides his hand over my hip. "Here" he says. His other hand finds my nipple. "Here" as his thumb slides over my wet nipple. The hand at my hip slides between us and he slips two fingers inside of me and says "definitely here." I'm still vibrating deep inside as his fingers begin to thrust and take me up again. His clever thumb finds my clit and I'm flying again quickly. I've never experienced this before. My body responds to his every caress, thrust and touch. I think I collapse in Sid's arms and he's the only reason that I'm still upright. I lean back and pull his lips down to mine. We kiss softly a few times. I can't resist sliding my hands over his chest. It's so smooth and hard.

"You better stop that or else you may not get any sleep tonight either" he tells me.

As I chuckle, I hand Sid the soap and use the shower for what it's really meant for; cleansing. Later, when I'm wrapped in my fluffy robe and lying on the sofa with Sid, I know that I've been thoroughly had. Sid is watching hockey, I don't even know who is playing, and I'm simply relaxing in his arms. Sated and in the warm of Sid's arms, there is only one thing a girl can do; I fall asleep.

I lay Cat in her bed desperately wishing that I could climb in with her. That's not possible of course with the little body in the other bed in the room. After pulling the covers over Cat and kissing her forehead, I go over to Lizzy and kiss her too. I take one last look at them both before I leave the room. They look very peaceful and could be sisters Cat looks so young in sleep.

I shut the door and grab my things in the living room. As I'm leaving the apartment it hits me: I don't have a key and her door will be unlocked when I leave. A quickly glance at the sofa shows me that it isn't an option; the floor would be more comfortable. The only option is to take Cat's key. I really don't want to wake her up. I leave a short note beside her keys letting her know that I have the door key. I'll leave it at Consol in an envelope for her. If I didn't have to leave for the road trip right after practice then I would bring it back myself. Miss Sally probably has a key so Cat won't be 100% without one.

I think back over the last twenty four hours. There have been some incredible highs, our first fight, our second fight and talking through everything that happened. I know a lot of guys who either dump girls when things get tough or when there's the smallest bump in the road. Of course none of these guys would ever date a girl who has a child. I think I fell for the child before the mom but it's been an incredible few weeks. Lizzy is wonderful, sweet and so much fun. Cat is ... I don't know how to finish that sentence. What is Cat to me?

I close off those thoughts when I arrive home and turn on Sports Centre to catch highlights. This shortened season has been weird. The whole thing feels like the playoffs. We're playing more games than usual in this time frame. It's been really intense and the rankings seem to change daily except that the Blackhawks can't seem to lose in regulations. I'm happy for Toews but that little shit Kane is a gifted asshole. Like Ovechkin, they have God given gifts that they've pissed away with partying. Of course I don't tell anyone what I really think but, fuck, how they can just piss it all away. Looks like the Hawks won again tonight. Wow, that's 10 in a row now. I shut everything off and head to bed.

After practice the next day, we all head to airport and taken off for Florida. It's so fucking cold right now that Florida is a welcome trip. On the way to the hotel, I call Cat.

"Hello hottie" Cat says when she picks up.

"Hi yourself" I reply.

"Oh Sid, I was talking about Florida."

"Ok, that was bad."

"Yeah, I guess it really was. How is Florida?" She asks me.

"It's sunny and warm. How's Pittsburgh?"

"Cold, wet, cold. Did I mention that it's cold?"

"Yeah, you did."

"Ok, what are you guys up to tonight?"

"We'll check in at the hotel and we'll probably go our own ways for dinner. Duper, Flower, Kuni and I plan to eat at the hotel. We want to watch the Ranger/Jersey game tonight."

"Even when you have a night off you watch hockey?"

"Yeah, well" I don't know what else to say.

"That's funny Sid. Oh, thank you for putting me in bed. I must have been exhausted not to notice."

"You're welcome. It was brutal not to jump in with you. Did you get your key?"

"Yeah, thanks. One of the guys from Consol actually brought it to the diner for me so I didn't have to go there. That was you, right?"

"I figured it would take you an hour by bus so this way you didn't have to go."

"You are a very sweet man Sid."

I can feel my face turn red and look around to make sure that no one is paying attention. Thankfully they're not.

"How's Lizzy today?" I ask to change the subject.

"She woke up this morning asking for her Sidwee."

I chuckle "you realize that she can just call me Sid."

"Yeah but it's so cute" she says.

"Yeah, it really is cute."

"Well, she was very disappointed to wake up and find you gone. She walk around saying 'Sidwee, pengun' over and over. It was pitiful and really cute."

"I'll come by as soon as I'm home. Well, not as soon as since it will be around 2am. What are you working that day?"

"That would be great. She will love seeing you. Hang on while I grab my schedule. Ok, I have a double shift tomorrow but I'm off the next day. What time works for you?"

Hearing that she's off gives me and idea. "Is it ok if I have a surprise for you?"

She's quiet for a moment then says "ok. What kind of surprise?"

"No way. If it's a surprise then it's a surprise. No cheating" I reply.

"Fine, it can be a surprise."

"I can hear you sulking over the phone Cat. It will be fun, I promise. I'll have a car pick you up and will text you when I have the details."

"What do you mean you'll have a car pick us up? We'll just take the bus Sid. It's only one bus to Consol."

This woman really doesn't want anything. She's going to have to except this one.

"Cat, stop. A car will pick you up."

"Fine. I guess it will be cold out. Thanks."

I can't believe she agreed so easily. I must be wearing her down.

"Good. I'll arrange everything. It will probably be about 10:30am when the car will be there. Oh, dress Lizzy warmly. Maybe snow suit."

"Ok, what do you have planned Sid?"

"It's a surprise! You'll have to wait and see."

"Ok, we'll just wait to be surprised. Do you guys have a team meeting tonight?"

"Nope, just dinner and the game. Tomorrow we'll have a light on ice practice and then we'll have a team meeting about the game plan."

"Then back to the hotel for your game day nap."

I can hear the laughter in her voice. "Yes. Then back to the hotel for a nap. You find that funny huh?"

"It is funny. First, you're grown men who regularly nap. Second, next to the game, it's your favourite part of the day. That's funny Sid."

"Keep laughing Cat. You know, there are studies that prove the most important factor in a professional athlete's performance during the season is the amount of sleep they get."

"Now you're just making things up Sid. Seriously!"

"Sid, you coming?" I hear Duper call from the front of the bus.

"Yeah coming" I yell and notice that I'm the last person left on the bus. "I have to go Cat. We're at the hotel."

"Ok, if I don't talk to you, good luck tomorrow."

"Cat, we'll talk or at least text before then."

"Ok" she says softly.

"I'll call you later, ok?"

"Ok, bye."

"Bye" I say and hang up.

I quickly get off the bus and am surrounded by fans for autographs. I sign and take pictures before heading into the hotel. Security is at the door in case anyone tries to follow us in.

"Seriously Sid, who were you talking to on the phone?" Neal asks me.

I ignore him and get my key. Neal, Duper, Flower and Brooks follow me into the elevator.

"Come on Sid, tells us" Neal keeps at me.

I know this game and exactly how to react. I say nothing.

"You're hiding her, aren't you Sid? What's wrong with her? Is she fat? Old? Mother of four?" Neal keeps going and laughs at his own 'jokes.' I glance at Flower as we get off the elevator and shake my head at him. I know that Flower wants to stand up for me since he knows about Cat; but, Neal is just being Neal. He doesn't know about Cat and I want to keep it that way for now.

We all head to our own rooms when we get off of the elevator and I can hear Neal calling after me. I continue to ignore him. I've just taken my coat and jacket off when the adjoining door knocks. I let Duper in.

"Hey Sid, you know Nealer is just being an ass, right?"

"Yeah I know."

Duper doesn't ask any further questions; that's one of the things that I appreciate the most about him. He supports me in anything and lets me talk in my time and in my way. The question is: am I ready to talk about Cat?

Duper turns on the TV and begins looking for a sports channel. He finds one as they start a story on me. I hate watching shit about myself on TV. This one is focused on my points since coming back from concussion. Every time they do a report about me it's always in relation to the concussion. I can't wait until I can stop answering questions about the fucking concussion. That was the worse time of my life and I hate reliving it every time they talk to me about anything. Duper knows that and changes the channel quickly. He finds ESPN and settles there.

I put my shaving kit in the bathroom and walk back into the bedroom where Duper is checking his phone and laughing.

"Kody has been texting me the last couple of road trips. His spelling is interesting but I can get the basics of it." Duper looks so happy as he talks about his son. It makes me think of Lizzy. Maybe I could call Cat and talk to Lizzy. I'd love to hear about her 'pengun' and call me 'Sidwee.' She can't text yet of course but we could talk. I love how she tells me about Dora and keeps asking me about the 'pengun' and when she can see him again.

"Sid?"

I turn when Duper says my name. I didn't hear a thing he's said except for my name. He looks concerned.

"Ok Duper, I'll tell you what's going on." I pause and Duper waits for me to continue. "At the kids' thing a few weeks ago, I met a woman and her little girl. The woman's name is Cat, short for Catherine and her daughter is Lizzy. She's incredible Duper. She's three years old and loves penguins."

"Wow Sid, that's great. She sounds adorable. What about the mom?"

How do I describe Cat?

"She's young Dupe, twenty one, but she's raising her daughter alone. She's incredible."

"And hot?" Duper asks with a smile. I know that from Duper, it's a very different question than the other guys.

"Very" I tell him think back to our 'shower' last night and can't help the huge smile on my face.

"That's great Sid. Wait a minute! Is this the little waitress from the diner?"

I nod to him.

"Well, shit Sid. She's cute and funny too."

"Yeah, it's been, I don't know Dupe. It's incredible. She's incredible." I don't want to share the details of Cat's childhood with Duper; it's her story, not mine. "She's had a shitty childhood and yet she's made so much out of her life including being a great mom. She knew nothing about hockey too. Had no idea who I was or what we do. It's great to only be who I am. You know?"

Duper smiles at me. "Yeah, of course I get. You've been around Mario's kids enough and mine to know that kids are everything Sid. It moves you from date one to date twelve when there are kids involved."

He's saying what I've thought and what Cat's expressed. "Yeah, and Cat and I talked about not involving Lizzy, at least up front; but, that blew apart quickly. So I guess we've moved to date twelve and we'll have to deal."

Duper's silent for a moment then replies "you're a great guy Sid but keep in mind that there are more than two people involved and one of you has a very tiny, very fragile heart."

Again, Duper says what I've been thinking. Before I can respond, there's a banging on the door and I hear Brooksy say "let's eat!" I let the guys into my room so that we can watch the game and order up dinner. Duper still looks pensive but I put it out of my mind.

"Sidwee Sidwee Sidwee" Lizzy is lying on the floor kicking and screaming because she want to see Sid. This is something I was concerned about; Lizzy won't understand that Sid travels and that she can't see him any time that she wants. She's been screaming for him for almost five minutes now. Nothing will distract her and I just need to ride it out. The terrible threes are definitely a challenge.

My phone rings and I fully intend on ignoring it since Lizzy's volume is at an all-time high. When I see that it's Sid, I decide to answer it: after all, he's seen the meltdown first hand, hearing it over the phone won't be too different.

"Hi Sid."

"Hi, is that Lizzy? What's wrong? Have you called an ambulance?"

I can't help smiling; he's the sweetest.

"There's nothing wrong Sid. Lizzy is fine. She just throwing the world class of fits right now."

I walk toward the kitchen so that the screaming isn't directly in my ear.

"Oh, what is she upset about?" He asks me.

So, do I tell him? Will he think it's too much that she's upset because she wants to see him? Is it too much too fast? Shit. This is one of the things that I have no experience with and, although Sid is a great guy, he is a guy but not Lizzy's dad. I don't want him to think that I'm trying to force anything.

I guess I've been quiet for too long because Sid asks "are you there Cat?"

"Yeah, sorry. She's, um, upset because she wants to see you and she can't."

Ok, there, it's out.

"Oh" is all he says in response. A million meanings can be in that one tiny word.

"Put her on the phone" he continues.

I'm too stunned to move for a moment.

"Really?" I ask.

"Yes, really. Put her on the phone Cat."

"Ok" I tell him.

First I put him on speaker. "Ok Sid you're on speaker. You may want to turn down the volume."

Then I go towards the sobbing.

"Lizzy" I say and she turns to me. The sobbing intensifies when she sees that I'm back.

"Lizzy, if you stop crying and use your words then I have a surprise for you. But you only get the surprise if you behave like a big girl" I tell her.

Lizzy contemplates what I've said and I can see her deciding if she wants to stop or keep on with the tantrum. I sit on the sofa while I wait. A moment later, Lizzy stands and walks to me. I wipe her tears away and help her blow her nose. She has the crying hiccups now but all of the tears and screaming are gone.

"Ok Lizzy. Use your words and tell me why you are upset."

The classes all say that between the ages three and four is when the child has enough words that they can start articulating what the feel or want; but, it will be a process to get them to stop crying and talk instead. I see her eyes get wet again.

"Lizzy" I say in warning. "Tell me with your words what you want.

"Sidwee! I want my Sidwee!"

The tears threaten again but only because she so distraught and not because of a tantrum this time.

"Well I have a surprise for you sweetheart. Do you want to say hello now" I say toward the phone now.

"Hi princess" Sid replies.

Lizzy's tearful eyes widen in happy surprise.

"Sidwee? Sidwee!"

She grabs the phone from me and hugs it to her chest. It's so incredibly sweet. I feel tears come into my eyes.

"Yes princess, it's me. I hear that you miss me so I thought I'd call to say hello" the white lie comes out. It's very sweet of him.

"Sidwee, Sidwee, Sidwee." Lizzy repeats over and over dancing with the phone.

I find myself laughing as Sid tries to talk to Lizzy but she keeps laughing and dancing. It's adorable.

"Lizzy, slow down sweetheart. Talk to Sidney."

"Sidwee?" She says after she stops.

"Yes Lizzy I'm here. How's my princess?"

"Pincess. Izzy a pincess" she tells him and then runs to the bedroom.

I'm about to follow her but she comes back out before I can leave the living room.

"Pincess" she shouts as she holds up the phone to her face.

"Sid, you can't see her right now but she is holding up the phone to show you that she is wearing her crown."

I hear Sid laugh then he asks "you have an iPhone, right?"

"Yeah" I reply.

"Do you have Facetime?"

"I didn't think of that. Hang on a minute. Lizzy let mommy see the telephone for a moment."

I can see the tears well up so I quickly say "Sidney isn't going anywhere. Let me change something so you can see him." I know she didn't really understand me but she does give me the phone. I connect to Facetime and his beautiful smile greets me.

"Hi beautiful" he says.

"Hi back."

"Sidwee!" Lizzy is tired of waiting so I hand her the phone so that she can see Sid.

"Hi princess. You look so beautiful in your crown."

"Thank you" she replies and looks at me.

"That's right Lizzy. You have very good manners" I tell her.

She beams at me and then turns her attention to Sid. He asks her questions about her day and Dora, her favourite show right now. They actually talk much longer than I would have thought that she had the attention span for although she does begin to droop. Lizzy leans against me on the sofa and puts the phone on my lap. As quickly as she was revved up, she turns off and falls asleep.

"Lizzy" I hear Sid say.

I pick up the phone so that I can see him.

"She has fallen asleep. Between the tantrum and excitement, she is exhausted." I look behind Sid and ask "are you in the bathroom?"

He chuckles. "Yeah, the guys all came to my room for dinner and to watch the game. I wanted some privacy" he says looking slightly embarrassed.

"Well I think it's sweet." I tell him. 'Sweet or secretive' a little voice in my head says. I ignore it.

"That little girl is sweet and so are you. I can't think about nothing else but the shower last night you know?"

"Me too although we need to be more careful about playing around on the sofa."

"Yeah, I thought about that too. I need to go Cat. Sleep tight. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Ok, night" and I turn off the phone. I know that I'll have sweet dreams for sure.