"Are you in love with my son?" Trina asks me.
We've been watching the game at Sid's place. Troy went to the game but Trina decided to watch with me at home. It was nice to watch her with Lizzy again showing me what it would be like to be in this family. It took a few stories to get Lizzy to bed. She knew that Sid was playing tonight since he left in his suit which meant a lot of whining to stay up and watch him. The whining led to crying and a full out temper tantrum. I was mortified worrying about what Trina was going to think of me as a mom. I usually don't worry about that kind of thing but I seem to worry about everything around Trina. I really want her to like me.
Thankfully Trina simply whispered "do you let her cry it out or comfort her?"
For a moment, I wonder what I should say but then I snap back to reality. I am a great mom. Tell her the truth.
"I've been letting her cry it out. She only gets worse if I comfort her and she needs to learn that this isn't the way to express herself. She has been much better recently and only seems to have them when it has to do with Sid."
Trina chuckles and says "Taylor used to do the same thing."
A goal snaps out of my thinking, back to present and Trina's question. Am I in love with her son? Oh boy.
"Um" is all that I can say.
"Dear, I know the question is intrusive and maybe even unfair but" now she pauses. We're both having a tough time with this situation.
"I get it Trina. If I saw my daughter with a man then I'd want to know exactly what his intentions were and how he felt about her."
Trina gives me a relieved smile.
"Trina, I don't know what Sid would want me to tell you or share about our relationship; but, because I'm a mom, I need to say something. I love Sidney. With all my heart I love him. I've never been in love before and have no idea what I'm doing but, there you go." I take in and then let out a deep breath.
"You'll figure it out, you both will dear. You're not the first girl that Sidney has introduced us but you are the first girl that he's loved. I know my boy and he doesn't have to tell me how much he loves you and Lizzy. I can see it."
There's that weird look on her face again. Am I brave enough to ask her about it?
"Trina, um" oh boy. "Trina, does it worry you that I have a daughter?"
Ok, it's out.
"No, Lizzy isn't what worries me" she replies.
It may not be Lizzy but something is worrying her. Shit.
"Cat, I don't think I'm even worried. My boy has been through so much the last two years. The concussion and all that time unwell and away from hockey almost broke him. I guess what I'm concerned about is how fast this relationship has developed. Sidney has gone from a young man to, essentially, being a family man in months."
Ok, this I can handle.
"I guess it has been fast Trina. Sid doesn't do anything slowly I've learned."
"No, he never has, even as a boy."
"I guess we fast forwarded over a few things and then had to take a couple steps back. The whole media thing threw all the plans out the window; but, I want you to know that we haven't moved in here Trina. It may look that way but I told Sid that it was too soon for us to live together. Next thing I know the pictures of us came out and boom, our world turned upside down over night."
Trina is quiet for a few moments. We continue watching the game and see Sid get hit into the boards. We both cringe and then laugh at ourselves.
"That's one of the reasons that I hate to be there. It's so much louder at the game." Trina tells me.
I nod and reply "it is and that surprised me. Way up in a box you can still hear everything."
It's really funny that we feel the same way about Sid getting hit. We both hate being at the rink and hearing it live. Of course I love going there and seeing him play.
We finish watching the game and are excited to see the Pens win where Sid is the number one star. Trina helps me clean up our glasses and our snack dishes. She gathers up her things and it hits me that I don't know how she's getting to her hotel so I ask her.
"The doorman will call me a cab."
"Oh, good" I reply and walk her to the door.
"It was so nice to spend the day with you Cat."
She gives me a hug which I return. It feels so warm and comforting.
"It was nice to get to know you better Trina."
We say our goodbyes and Trina leaves. I look in on Lizzy and she's sleeping. I'm not tired even though I should be. It's been a long day, and a little bit stressful with Sid's parents, but I'm not tired. That gives me an idea.
Sid should be home in about an hour. That gives me enough time to get ready. Damn, I don't have anything sexy to wear. I'll have to figure it out but have too much to do in the next hour to worry right now. Quickly I shower, fix my hair, apply light makeup and then try to figure out the clothing situation. I settle for a Property of the Penguins tee shirt and nothing else. For the room, I pull down the covers, turn only one light on for a soft glow and then lay across the bed to wait for Sid. I don't have to wait long.
I hear the front door open and then Sid come done the hall. He doesn't come in the room right away and I know that he's looking in on Lizzy. That's so sweet. God I need that man right now! It's been too long since we've had sex. We haven't gone this long since we first got together.
A smile definitely breaks out over my face when Sid comes through the door. He looks so hot in his suit but that doesn't mean I won't rip it off of him.
"Hi" Sid says when he sees me.
"Hi back" I tell him with my best saucy smile. "You won."
Sid smiles and says "yeah, we did."
I watch as he takes off his jacket and walks into the closet. I'm surprised that he doesn't come to the bed first off but goes right to the closet.
"The game was great Sid" I tell him. "I get so hot watching you play. The post-game interview, where you were sweaty and still breathing heavy, was even better."
Sid comes back into the bedroom chuckling.
"Yeah, Roots goes live sometimes with part of the interview" he says and goes directly into the bathroom.
What is going on here? Usually just seeing me has Sid coming after me and ready to rip off my clothes. Now, he's barely looked at me and only then to smile and leave the room. What the hell?
I hear water running, Sid must be brushing his teeth, and then I hear the toilet flush. Now I'm just confused; really, very confused. No matter what else we had going on; we were always compatible in bed.
Sid comes out of the bathroom and smiles. He turns off the light and then climbs into bed. Seriously, what the hell?
I turn the light on beside me and then turn to Sid. He looks confused.
"What's up?" Sid asks.
"What's up" I repeat. "Sid, I'm lying in bed, wearing only your shirt, clearly waiting here for you."
Sid has that weird look on his face again. Something is clearly going on although I feel like I'm in the dark on what it's about. I remember that his mom gets a weird look on her face when she's worrying about something.
"Sid, what's going on?"
He's quiet and weird again. I feel a flutter in my stomach with butterflies but I don't know why. We haven't fought, in fact, everything has been great. It even went well meeting his parents in person. I don't understand this weirdness between us or maybe, really, just coming from Sid.
"There's nothing going on Cat. Actually, that's not true. There's a lot going on; more than ever. The season is busier than we've ever experienced, you and Lizzy moving in, which I wouldn't change, the media stuff about us and my parents coming. There's a lot going on Cat. That's all."
I want to believe him, he's never lied to me, but it doesn't feel right. It feels like there is something else there that we're not talking about but I really don't know what it could be. I guess I simply need to trust him.
"Ok" I say.
Sid opens his arms so I turn off the light and go into them. He pecks my lips but pulls back before I can take it deeper. I cuddle beside him and feel Sid's breath slow and deepen. I can only hope sleep comes to me as easily.
The next couple of days fly by. Sid's parents leave and I feel that Trina and I have begun a wonderful relationship. Lizzy has taken to both Trina and Troy quickly and them to her. I have gone to a few more of Sid's games. We've decided not to hide anymore. Nothing has really come of our relationship becoming public other than a lot of internet chatter, that's his agent's phrase for it, and some media questions. Tonight, I'm at the game again. Lizzy is at my apartment with Miss Sally who will sleep over there. Tonight they're playing the Islanders and there have been a lot of comparisons between Sid and the Islander's captain. Of course that's more from the New York media than the Pittsburgh media. We know that no one really can compare to Sid. I'm learning to ignore the plastic girls and stay close to Vero. Carole-Lynn isn't here tonight. She doesn't come to the evening games; four kids definitely keep her busy. I've also met Craig Adams' wife Anne. She's really nice and down to earth.
I'm into the game today. I've learned so much from watching games with Sid that I can follow along easily and pick out the plays and their moves. It's in the first period and the Pens are playing with a purpose; another phrase that I've picked up. They all look like winning is the only thing in their lives. Brooks Orpik winds up for a slap shot and that's when everything slows down. Brooks' stick makes contact with the puck. The puck shoots hard and fast toward the net. The Islander player gets a stick on it to change the direction and trajectory. It flies up and catches Sid in the face. He simultaneously covers his face and falls to the ice. I rush to the edge of the box. The trainer is out there immediately and takes Sid goes off the ice just as quickly. I'm reminded of Trina's comments about Sid's concussions. Could this be another one? I look back at the ice and see blood and what looks like teeth. I'm immediately desperate to be down there.
I turn and see Vero directly behind me.
"Come" she says, hands over the baby to Anne and then takes my hand.
We rush out the door and run down the hall. I don't even notice that Vero shows her badge to security as we head down to the player level. I see them helping Sid down the hall.
"Go" Vero tells me. "Don't let anyone tell you that you can't be with him Cat."
"Ok" I reply and follow Sid down the hall.
I recognize the hall and know that they are leading him to the receiving doors. I see that they've taken off his skates and helmet but he's still in his uniform and gear. A guard tries to stop me but Vero yells for him to let me through.
I manage to catch up with Sid and see that he's still holding a towel to his face and there's blood all over it. He looks down at me and seems surprised to see me.
"Where else would I be?" I tell him.
There's an ambulance and we climb in. I sit beside Sid and we are on our way quickly. The EMT and team doctor who are with us help Sid take his gear off above the waist and then the EMT starts taking Sid's pulse and other stuff. I take Sid's hand into both of mine. He isn't talking at all, only nodding, so I guess they told him not to talk.
His eyes are alert but more and more pain comes into them. I can see the change as his eyes stare into mine. If it were possible, I would be willing away his pain.
We reach the hospital emergency quickly and are ushered immediately into a room and Sid onto an examination table. I try to let go of his hand and step out of everyone's way but Sid holds it tighter.
"Would you please step back miss?" A nurse asks me.
I'm about to do so but Sid makes a noise at her and pulls me closer. To make everyone happy, I keep Sid's hand in mine but move down to his hip so that everyone has access to Sid's mouth.
I watch as he's examined and get my first view of his mouth. His teeth, those that are still there, are broken and splintered. They don't seem worried about his teeth though which seems really odd to me until I figure out what they're talking about. Sid has broken his jaw and maybe in a few places which is when I notice that it doesn't look right; kind of off kilter. They also talk about his tongue being cut or cut off. Then the doctors start talking about concussions. That's when I almost lose it. They're going to take him for x-rays, an MRI and then into surgery.
The team doctor explains everything to Sid which helps me understand too. They need to reset his jaw with plates and screws. At this point, they won't replace his bottom teeth. That's dental and will be taken care of later. Right now they need to repair the broken jaw. It might need to be wired shut but they won't know until they're in there.
The doctor turns to me and that's when it registers that it's Chris, the doctor who helped us with Lizzy.
"Cat, Sid's going to leave and, after the tests, will go into surgery. They'll show you were you can wait, ok?"
I nod and then go to Sid. He looks like he's in a lot of pain now.
"You know Sid" I begin. "You might be in pain and all but this gear still reeks."
Sid smiles and then winces.
"Sorry baby" I tell him. There are so many people around so I lean into Sid until my lips are at his ear. "I love you Sidney. I'll be here when you get out. Don't worry; I'll call your parents."
I kiss his cheek very softly and then they wheel him out. I'm left, alone, clutching my phone and praying that he's ok.
"Miss?" I hear a woman say and turn to her. She's dressed casually and not in scrubs like the others.
"I'm Caroline and work in the hospital's media department. We've set up a room where you can wait without anyone bothering you. We'll be sure to update you hourly."
Caroline smiles reassuringly at me. I wish I could believe it but not even the doctors know the extent of Sid's injuries right now. I follow her down a few halls and into a private waiting room. The TV is showing the Pens game that continued without Sid. At least the Pens are up 2-0. Sid will want to know that when he's out of surgery. Caroline asks if I need anything and then leaves me when I say no.
That's when it hits me: Trina and Troy are going to be frantic. I look at my phone and Trina has sent me a text. 'Please call' is all it says. I call and she answers on the first ring. I tell Trina everything I know. She asks about the possibility of a concussion and I tell her what the doctors said; we don't know right now but there are no symptoms currently. Unfortunately, Trina's mom has become very ill so she feels that she needs to stay with her mother of course. I let her know that I'll take care of Sid when he's out of the hospital and I'll call her every hour when the doctor's update me. I'm alone for another hour. One of the doctors lets me know that Sid has gone into surgery and that they confirmed his jaw is broken in two places and his tongue has a deep cut where it meets the bottom of his mouth. They are going to do some immediate dental work and give him three root canals while he's under the anesthesia. It will help with his recovery if the nerves in those teeth are dead and not painful. He'll probably be in surgery for a couple of hours. I thank her and then I'm alone again. After a quick call to update Trina and Troy, I give in to the tears that I've been holding back, now that I know he's going to be ok. It's going to be painful and more dental work but he should be just fine. There are no initial signs of concussion.
I feel someone sit beside me and instinctively pull away. When I do look up, I see that it's Mario. I haven't met the Lemieux's yet but I know who Sid's mentor and the Pen's part owner is so I give in and lay my head on his shoulder while his arm encircles my shoulders.
I draw strength and comfort from Mario and manage to pull myself together. After cleaning myself up with some tissue, I can turn to Mario and talk with him.
"Hi Cat, I'm Mario" he says.
"Hi Mario. I realized that. Sorry for crying all over you."
"Oh Cat, don't worry about it. I completely understand. Sounds like Sid is going to be ok if very sore and off for a while."
"How long will he be recovering?"
"It depends Cat. I've seen guys off for a couple weeks or have their jaws wired shut and would be out for the season. We won't know until he comes out of surgery which way it will go."
That worries me now. Sid will be devastated if he's out for the season.
"Really Cat, it's highly unlikely it will be that extreme. They'll need to put plates and screws in his jaw to set the bones but it shouldn't be more than that."
I take a few deep breaths to try and calm myself down. Between them and Mario's hand on my shoulder, I find myself calming. Now I begin to think about what comes next. I guess we'll be staying at Sid's place for a while more.