When they came back in the room, both Cat and Taylor looked relaxed and were even laughing. Whatever they talked about must have solved Taylor's issues. Then mom even let Tay have Champaign!
Lizzy slept through all of the festivities. It was nice to have my aunt and uncle here too for the celebration. Nana would have liked this, us celebrating the same day as her funeral. She would have said that she's already dead and we should celebrate the living. Yeah, she would have liked it.
I help dad clean up and take the garbage and recycling out to the garage.
"Sid" dad says before we go back in.
"Yeah" I reply leaning against the parked car. I remember when we couldn't get a car in here because my gear took up so much room.
"I hate to ask, really hate to ask, but this is so out of character for you."
Now I'm confused. "Ask what dad?"
"Is Cat pregnant?"
"What?!" comes out of my mouth before I think about it.
"Well, you haven't known each other long and you've become serious very quickly. I have to ask."
"Dad, she's not pregnant. I didn't even intend to ask her, I hadn't really thought to ask her now, but it flew out of my mouth and, in the end, it felt right."
"Sid, you've always gone with your instincts and they've helped you make good decisions. I guess you'll know each other that much better in August. It's not like you're eloping, right?"
Dad looks worried suddenly.
"No dad, we're not pregnant and we're not eloping."
"You know that it would be ok if you were, right?"
"Yeah dad, I know." I pause for a moment to figure out how to say this next part right. "Dad, it's been a long couple of years and I've learned what's really important in life. Hockey will always be like an arm I would never want to lose but my life, outside of hockey I mean, needs as much attention. I know there's been a lot of talk about why Cat is with me but no one has asked why I'm with her. I need Cat and Lizzy in my life. I need them even more than they need me."
I look at dad now and he nods.
"I get it Sid and I'm happy for you. They are wonderful and I'm glad you have them in your life."
He grabs me and we hug. He does gets it. I should have known that he would get it. We part and head back into the house where Cat is packing up. I help and then pick up Lizzy so that we can head home.
"Ok" I say the minute we're alone in the car. "What did you say to Taylor?"
"Sid, we just talked, actually talked. We talked about you at first, the only thing we really have in common, and then went from there. I guess I thought that since her concern was with me then I should be the one to talk to her."
I can't believe this woman. How did I get so lucky?
"So you went from being terrified of my family to confronting my sister head on."
"Sid, there was no confronting. We talked that's all."
"Well my dad and I talked too. He wanted to know if you were pregnant."
"What!? He what?!"
"Yeah, that was my response too. He asked if we were getting married so fast because you're pregnant."
"Wow, ok."
"He didn't mean it badly. It's just fast considering how long I usually take to make decisions. It does make me think."
"Think about what?"
"Think about getting you pregnant as fast as possible."
"Sid, be serious" she says.
"You think I'm kidding. I want a house full of kids. The more you're pregnant the better."
Initially I was one hundred percent kidding; but, as it comes out of my mouth, I realize that it's what I want. Maybe I don't mean that I want her pregnant all the time but I do want lots of kids.
"We'll have to negotiate the number Crosby. Occasionally I'd like to see my waist" she replies and we both laugh. "Seriously though, I want a big family like you do Sid. I would like to be married for a little while before we expand the family. Your dad wasn't wrong that we haven't been together that long. I don't want to wait to get married but I would like to be married for a couple years before having more kids."
I think about what she's saying. I'm initially disappointed but then my brain takes over and I know that Cat's right. Besides, we're both young, regardless of how fast we've both grown up, and we have lots of time for more kids.
"Yeah, that makes a lot of sense Cat."
"Even though you would love to have them right now."
"Yeah, I would but I agree. Really Cat, we have lots of time."
I take her hand in mind and hold it the rest of drive home. As I run my thumb over her knuckles it hits me. Fuck! I asked her to marry me without a ring. How could I do that? Cat deserves the best and I propose to Lizzy first and then don't even have a ring. I must fix that immediately.
We've been home a week and Sid is back on the ice. It's been good for him but he's now itching to play. They start the playoffs soon and Sid feels so bad that he can't be there for his team. He does think that it might be only a couple of days until he's back so we're taking advantage of tonight. Lizzy is with Miss Sally for the night and Sid and I are going to have a great evening alone. I've planned a great dinner. Nathalie took me grocery shopping to help out and then to the lawyer where we are now.
"Ok Cat, I have a few questions" Bill says. He's the lawyer that the Lemieux's lawyer recommended.
"Ok" I tell him.
"I have copies of Lizzy's birth certificate and passport. The last thing that we need to talk about is Lizzy's father. We need a release from him."
"That's going to be a problem" I tell him. Damn, I should have told Nathalie that I would come alone. Now I have to lay out my past in front of her. We told Sid's parents that Lizzy's father is out of the picture and that he was never a part of our lives. We left it that simple and they were respectful by not asking more. Now I need to let Nathalie know. Ok, here I go.
"Bill, Lizzy's father isn't and never was in the picture. There's no release to get." Maybe he'll let me leave it there.
"I understand Cat but he could come back after you and Sid are married. That could cost a lot of money and, more importantly, a lot of pain. He could say that he wants Lizzy now and it could only be because he wants money."
Oh God, it looks like I'm going to have to tell him the whole truth and in front of Nathalie too.
"Bill, it won't happen. I don't know who Lizzy's father was so neither does he. It won't be a problem."
Ok, there, it's all out there now.
"Ok Cat, then let's move on" Bill tells me.
I want to look at Nathalie but I'm too embarrassed. She must realize this because she takes my hand in hers. When I look up at her, she offers me a smile and squeezes my hand. I feel a huge relief roll off of my shoulders with that smile and squeeze.
I look back at Bill and try to focus on what he's saying.
"So, I'll file the documents with the court and in a week or so we'll have the approval. Sidney Crosby will officially, legally, be Lizzy's father."
I can feel the smile come over me. Sid will be Lizzy's dad, officially and legally. The adoption papers make this very real; we're getting married. Wow.
"Bill, what papers will Sid need to sign? As you know, Cat is doing this as a surprise for Sid. He knows that they'll go through the process at some point but not that she's doing it now" Nathalie asks.
Bill smiles "right now I only need Cat's signature. After it's been approved by the court then Sid will be required to sign something only as the last step. We'll keep those documents on file in case they're needed. The courts are only concerned with Lizzy's records and your signature Cat."
"So I can pick up the documents after they're approved by the court and surprise Sid?" I ask.
"If that's what you want to do, then yes" Bill replies.
I grin at Nathalie. This was my idea after hearing Lizzy start to call Sidney 'daddy,' and I'm so glad that Nathalie was available and willing to help me.
We finish up the paperwork and Bill agrees to hold off on invoicing me, us, until Sid knows so that the surprise isn't ruined.
When Nathalie and I are in her car, we hug tight.
"Thank you so much Nat for helping me with this" I tell her.
"You are very welcome Cat but I loved being part of it. Sid is going to be very surprised."
"Yeah. We only talked about it once and he's really focused on hockey right now. Getting back on the ice in a game is the focus."
"Of course it is and it's play offs too. Have the doctors said when they think that he can play?"
My immediate reaction is to say that I don't know. I've learned to 'play dumb' so that I don't say something that the Pens wouldn't want out there. Of course this is Nathalie and Mario probably knows these things before Sid is even told.
"Good for you" she says before I can answer.
Confused, I respond "what do you mean?"
"You've learned to pause before you answer any questions about Sid."
"Oh, yeah. Of course then I remembered that it's you I'm talking to about it."
"Of course, and I could ask Mario, but you should always think it through first."
It's nice to get that compliment from Nathalie. I always worry about doing the right thing to represent Sid.
"Thanks Nat. Anyway, he hopes for the second game in the Islander series but it will probably be the third game. They finally found a chin protector that he doesn't hate but he still has to adjust to do face offs and he can't see the puck well if it's in has skates."
We talk more as she drives me home, first about the playoffs and then about our kids. Nathalie is different than Trina. Trina is definitely a 'mom' and I'm really happy to have her as my soon-to-be mom. Nathalie is like that too but she leans more into a friend role for me and one that I can ask questions and advice.
After saying goodbye to Nathalie, I get everything ready to make dinner and then get myself ready. Sid's going to be in jeans when he comes home from the rink so I dress in jeans too and pair it with a sheer blouse. Everything is ready so I relax on the sofa and wait for my man to come home.
The doctors won't let me play in the next game. Fuck. It will have to be game two or even three that I'm back. No amount of arguing or pleading would convince the doc to let me play earlier. While the team is playing tomorrow night, I'll have x-rays to hopefully clear me. If I could do something to make them turn out right than I would. But I can't. Fuck.
At least I was able to do one thing right: I just picked up the ring for Cat. When she suggested we have a night at home, just the two of us, to celebrate then I knew that I had to get the ring. Thankfully Vero knows someone and had the guy bring samples to her house so no one would see me buying a ring. Of course Flower chirped me the whole time about being a married man soon. Truthfully, I'm a little nervous. She already said yes but I really want her to like the ring.
It's different than what I see most guys get for their girlfriends and definitely different than Vero's. Cat has such a small hand that I didn't want anything really big. Besides, neither of us are flashy people. It's perfect for her: the band is covered in small diamonds all the way around and then the stone is citrine quartz which is the gemstone for November. That's when Lizzy's birthday is and she brought us together so I thought it was perfect. I heard all the details about platinum band, cut and clarity of the stone but I remember none of it. As soon as I saw it, I knew it belonged on Cat's finger. It seemed like fate when it turned out to be her size too.
I find myself whistling as I get off the elevator. Life is perfect right now. I have a woman who loves me, a daughter who couldn't be better and, as soon as I'm playing, our team is ready to win the Cup this year.
I find Cat sleeping when I walk in the door. She's dressed in form fitting jeans and a sheer blouse. My eyes travel over her legs, hips, slim waist and full, small breasts. Her lips are pink and glossy, begging for mine. She's curled her hair the way I love it. Part of me wants to curl in beside her and simply hold her. Part of me wants to carry her to bed and rip off every piece of clothing. Instead of either, I gently wake her so that we can enjoy our evening together. "Hi baby" she says and stretches. Watching as her body lengthens and her breasts push against, and threaten to spill out of, her bra. I can't resist so I run my fingertips over the wells of her breasts and feel my dick twitch when she moans sleepily.
I manage to resist, barely, touching more and pull her up off the sofa with me. I can't resist taking her lips with mine and sinking into her for a few moments. When Cat shifts, I feel the ring in my pocket and know that I have other plans before we finish this kiss. I pull away and lightly graze her cheek with my knuckles.
"Hi" she says.
"Hi" I reply.
"Hungry?" She asks and raises an eyebrow.
"For what?" I can't help but flirt back.
"How about dinner first?" She says, kisses my lips, then says "and then me later."
She turns and pulls me to the kitchen with her.
"Cut this" she tells me and hands me the bread and knife.
I enjoy making dinner with Cat. We tease and flirt, make jokes and pull together a delicious dinner. Eating it over candlelight is perfect, makes Cat look perfect, and when we're finished dessert, it is the perfect moment. I take Cat's hand and kiss it.
"There was only one thing missing that morning in Nova Scotia. I had our beautiful daughter in my arms calling me daddy and you agreeing to be my wife. It was very nearly perfect" I tell her.
"Very nearly?" she whispers.
"Cat, I couldn't have imagined this as my life right now. It was going to be hockey, and only hockey, for now. I lost almost two years injured and, as much as it taught me that there is more to life than hockey, I wanted, needed hockey back. Then I met a screaming three year old and her frazzled mom." I chuckle now as does Cat.
"Anyway, that moment changed my life forever and I'm grateful for it. I love you Cat more than I ever thought I would love anyone. Thank you for bringing that much love into my life."
I watch Cat's eyes become wet as she smiles.
"When you agreed to marry me Cat, it made me so happy. You are so beautiful. I want you to have something beautiful to represent my promise to always love and care for you."
I take out the ring and watch Cat's eyes widen in surprise. One hand covers her mouth and I place the ring on the third finger of her left hand before kissing it.
"Sidney" Cat says and cups my cheek. "I love you so much. I don't have the words to tell you how much."
"You don't need them Cat. I know how much you love me."
"I know Sid but I want to try." She takes a breath. "Sid, having Lizzy changed my life in every way. I went from being a self-centred party girl to being a mom. Lizzy taught me how to love. She taught me that non-conditional love not only exists but could be real for me. It became real for me. Sidney, I never thought that I could have this" she gestures around us. "But it's not this that changed my life for a second time. It was this" she says as she lightly kisses my lips. "You changed my life by loving me. You changed my life by loving my daughter, our daughter. And I love you more than I could ever express."
"Well you're doing a pretty good job finding the words babe" I tell her.
She gets ups and slides onto my lap. I watch as she slides her arms around my neck. When her lips touch mine I feel everything she just said also in her touch and the way she glides her lips over mine. I lose my hands in her hair where they tighten as she slides her tongue through my lips and over mine. We take the kiss deeper and deeper until I have to feel her body beneath me.
I stand with Cat still in my arms. This is one of the great benefits of Cat being so small. Her legs wrap around my waist. We keep kissing so I bang into a chair, the wall and then another wall as I walk us to the bedroom.
Cat has the bed turned down and the soft corner light on. She slides down to the bed and kneels on it in front of me. Her hands slide over my waist and lift my shirt over my head. I actually shiver as her fingers play over my shoulders, chest and down to my stomach. Her fingers make quick work of the snap and zipper of my jeans. She pushes them over my hips and down my legs. I help her and step out of them. My fingers are actually itching to touch her so I unbutton her blouse and push it off of her shoulders then throw it with my clothes. Her skin glows on her shoulders and the swell of her breasts. I lean down and kiss a trail from her ear, down her throat and to her breasts. I kiss and lick over the swells and then take her nipple in my mouth through the lace. Cat moans and her fingers tighten on my shoulders as I move to the other nipple. Through the lace, I bite a little harder than I usually would.
"Oh Sid" Cat says on a breath and then moans long. I love when she does that and now need much, much more.