Anna
The morning has been crazy.
We dropped off Alex at the Dupuis' home where we met the Crosbys. Trina stayed with Carole-Lyn to help out and Vero was their too with her two girls. The house was quickly very loud and in complete chaos. It lifted my spirits to hear the children laughing and playing. It was like a salve after the sorrow of everything that happened the night before.
Before we left the Dupuis', I was able to pull Trina aside for a moment.
"Are you ok dear?" she asked the moment we were alone.
"Yes Trina, sorry, I am. I, um, I wanted to apologize for pulling Sidney away from dinner last night. It was important but I wasn't thinking about him leaving a family dinner to come down to Consol."
"Oh, that's ok Anna. We always have lots of family dinners and, from the look on Sidney's face, it must have been for a happy reason."
"Thanks Trina" I said. Since I had her alone for a moment, I decided to ask her something that I've been worried about. "Trina, Sid's asked me to move back into his house and I've said yes. I hope that doesn't make you and Troy uncomfortable especially since you stay there when you're in town. We'll all have an adjustment but I'm really hoping that you're ok with it."
"Oh, I'm so glad that you are moving in dear. You're right, it will be an adjustment, but we'll figure it out. Before Sidney bought the house, Troy and I would stay at the hotel he and I always stayed at before the games. Sometimes I think Troy is as superstitious as Sidney; anyway, when he bought the new house, I told Troy that I will be staying with my son and he can stay wherever he wants to stay."
I chuckle because it's just like Trina to be so no-nonsense.
"He decided to stay at the house?"
"Troy saw the error of his ways."
"Good and I'm glad you stay there when you visit. It's a great way for us to keep getting to know each other."
"I agree" she said and hugged me close.
"Anna!"
I heard Sid calling my name and Trina and I parted to find him. He and Troy were at the front door.
"Ready to go?" he asked me.
"Definitely" I replied.
We all said goodbye and then the three of us leave.
As we now drive to Consol, Sid and his father talk about the upcoming schedule and game. It gives me the thirty minute drive to review my email and take care of important ones. Thankfully, Adam is handling the early morning issues.
Sid sent a group message to the team last night to let them know about Kris and Catharine's loss and Mario messaged the front office and coaching staff. Adam is informing the PR team when they're all in. None of the reporters will ask about it during the media scrum after practice because they have respect for the players' personal lives and especially a core team member like Kris. Actually, ninety-nine percent of the reporters never write about the players' personal lives if it doesn't relate directly to the game or the player has made it public themselves. Rossi is in a bottom feeder all on his own usually. That reminds me.
"Has anyone heard about Mario's meeting this morning with the Trib's publisher?" I ask.
"He's probably still there" Troy tells me. "Mario said he'd come to the rink afterward."
"Oh, good, thanks."
They start talking again and I go back to my email.
"Anna?"
I look up and we're at Consol and Sid is outside of the car holding my door open.
"Sorry" I tell him and get out.
Sid and I walk hand in hand into the rink with Troy. As we get closer to the players' lounge, I can tell that the news has spread among the Pens' family. There's a sadness and mellowness to the air. Usually, we would hear laughter and joking in the morning but now there is only quiet conversations and nods from those we pass.
Outside of the lounge, at the elevators, we stop and I say goodbye to Sid and Troy. Sid kisses me softly.
"You ok?" he asks.
"About as ok as I can be" I reply. "Let me know if you hear from Kris, ok? Vero is going to let me know what Cath needs. I suggested we go grocery shopping for them since there's not too much in their fridge and her family is flying down."
"You have the time?"
"I'll make the time Sidney."
He smiles and kisses me again. Sid then digs into his pocket and hands me the Tanger's house key.
"In case they're not home yet."
"Ok, I'll let you know when I leave."
I go into the elevator and Sid walks toward the lounge to find his father. It's going to be a busy day but I can't stop thinking about Kris and Cath and how much pain that they are probably in right now. I wish that there was more we could do for them.
Sidney
As soon as we walk into the locker room, a few of the guys come directly to me to ask about Kris and Cath. My dad walks towards the coaches offices while I talk to them.
"How are they?" Sheary asks.
"Devastated" I use my mother's word from earlier. "Kris was just focused on taking care of Cath. Her family is coming down today so that will help them."
"He's not coming to practice?" Horny asks.
We all know Kris' work ethic and, if I'm honest, if her parents were already here then he probably would be at practice right now.
"No, he's going to stay with Cath."
"Alex at Duper's?" Flower asks me.
"Yeah, and he's already torturing Stella while Kody runs after them both" I tell him and Flower smiles.
I leave the guys and walk to the change room. I'm cutting it really close so I change, warm up and then dress quickly. No sooner am I stepping on the ice then coach begins practice. I suspect he started it a few minutes late to wait for me because he knows what I've been doing this morning.
Thankfully, after twelve years in the league, I've learned how to force everything out of my mind while I'm on the ice and focus solely on hockey. The practice shortly breaks up into power play and penalty kill so that we can run plays and then the coaches get us back together to play half-ice pp/pk.
The fast pace and competitive nature of the practice is exactly what I needed this morning after the last twenty four hours. First, there was all of that Rossi shit soon replaced with the tragic, and more important, emergency of the Letangs.
When I'm back at my stall, I take off my helmet, put on my cap and sit down. The questions begin and I answer them automatically. Thankfully, especially since it's not a game day, the scrum is over quickly. Everyone leaves me and moves on to other players but Potash stays back.
"How is Kris doing?" he asks me quietly. "Catherine?"
Dan has been reporting on the team for as long as I've been here. I know that his interest is personal.
"I guess as you'd expect Dan. Her family is flying in today which will help and Alex is with Duper's family."
"That's good. I know when we had a miscarriage, we wanted the other kids with us but needed to prepare for the questions."
"You and your wife had a miscarriage?"
"Yeah, we did. We got through it and they will too. It's just a painful process. If you're talking to Kris, please give him my best ok?"
"Will do Dan, thanks."
I guess you never know what people have gone through in their lives, even those you think you know really well. No sooner has Dan walked away then Adam walks up to me.
"Hey Sid. Anna asked if you can come up to her office in about thirty minutes. Mario will be here and he wants to talk to you" Adam tells me.
"Ok, thanks" I reply. Before he can walk away, I say "and thanks for coming in early to cover for Anna today."
"Of course Sid. No thanks needed."
He smiles and then walks away. I should really get to know him better. Sure, he works for Anna but she also considers him a friend.
After hanging up my gear, I go to the player's lounge and find my dad pouring a cup of coffee. He's alone, so walk up beside him.
"Dad, Mario's going to be here in about thirty minutes and we're going to meet in Anna's office, ok?"
"Ok kid, I'll be there."
We aren't having team meetings today so the coaches are doing individual video sessions with some of the guys. When they're done, I'll look at some video of the Ranger's penalty kill but that won't be for a few hours so I shower, dress and make it up to Anna's office with five minutes to spare. She's on the phone so I sit in a chair in her sitting area.
When Anna disconnects, I look up and she's taking a long drink from her Starbucks cup.
"You ok?" I ask.
"Better now" she says when she throws the now empty cup in the garbage. "There is so much to do."
"Like what?" I ask.
Anna leaves her desk and sits next to me.
"The list keeps getting longer." She sighs and then continues "I don't know when I'm going to pack up my stuff to take to your house."
"Our house" I tell her.
Anna smiles, at first it's shy but then it gets wider.
"Our house" she says back.
"Don't worry about the packing. We'll figure it out later and you can get a few things for the rest of the week for now. It's going to be crazy for the next couple of days so we can deal with the packing later, ok? I am very grateful that you're looking out for me."
"How grateful?" I ask.
I love the way she lifts one eye brow and gives me a smirk
"Maybe I'll be very, very grateful" she says.
Anna is about to say something more when dad walks in the door. That effectively stops that conversation.
We don't have any time to do more than greet my dad when Mario and Pat walk in, see us and Pat shuts the office door. Mario gives us a small smile and then sits down on the sofa with my dad. Pat takes an empty chair. After greetings, we wait for Mario to tell us about the meeting.
"Bottom line, we came to an understanding" Mario tells us. "It was painful to get there but he's agreed to stay away from writing about the personal lives of our employees unless it directly impacts hockey."
"What does that mean?" Anna asks. "Specifically, what constitutes 'directly impacts'?"
"The example I gave him was an injury. It could be considered personal because it's health but it affects the player and the team so it's considered fair game" Mario explains.
"That's fair" Anna replies.
They all look at me.
"I hate it" I say. "But it is fair."
"Good" Mario says.
"So we have a good result but what made it painful" dad asks.
"He was almost yelling when I just hinted that they should refrain from publishing on a particular topic. Thankfully we were in public, not an accident" Mario smiles as he says this. "So he managed his volume but his words were, well, let's call them biting. It took straight through ordering, eating our food and a third cup of coffee, to arrive at an agreement. Regardless, it's done."
I reach for Anna's hand and she grasps it quickly. We both only feel a small amount of relief because we know that's only part of the problem.
"It's to you now" Mario says to Anna.
"I'm ready" Anna says confidently.
I look at Anna and she is sitting straight in her chair, shoulders back and a smile on her face. She looks determined, almost eager, to take on Meaghan. It's a little terrifying and really, really hot.
We talk more about the meeting with Meaghan and options for Anna depending on how Meaghan reacts to the conversation. Pat advises on how to she can bend the law but not break it when 'threatening' Meaghan. If the conversation becomes public then it won't be good for any of us but at least it won't land anyone in jail. Hopefully we can count on Meaghan's need for self-preservation and her ambition to keep her mouth shut.
When the conversation wraps up, Mario, Pat and dad leave to go to lunch together. They ask us to join them but Anna tells them that we already have plans. I don't remember plans but I guess we have them.
Anna shuts the door when we're alone and quickly moves into my arms. Her lips attack mine, hard and fast, and it takes a few moments for me to catch up. Fortunately, I do, quickly. When we finally pull apart, we're both breathing heavy and I'm wondering if her door has a lock.
"I have a surprise" she tells me.
"You're full of surprises these days. Is it what I'm hoping it is?"
"It will feed hunger but not the one you may be thinking about" she tells me.
Anna moves behind her desk and picks up a picnic basket. I didn't know that anyone actually used these things outside of books and movies.
"Lunch" she says with a smile.
I smile back and watch her set up our lunch at the conference table. I pull out two bottles of water from the mini fridge and join Anna on the sofa.
"I couldn't be sure what time we'd be able to eat so I hope you're ok with sandwiches and salads" Anna says.
I guess Anna was really serious about having more fun and enjoying each other more. It's really touching that she went to all of this effort to organize lunch for us; especially given what how busy we've been the last twenty four hours.
"This is great" I assure her. "How did you manage it?"
Anna blushes, which is always incredibly cute, and says "I had one of the interns pick it up for me at the hotel."
"The hotel makes picnic lunches?"
"Well, no, but I asked really nicely" she answers and winks.
On her conference table, she lays out sandwiches with thick slices of turkey with avocado and tomato. There's also a huge spinach salad with a bunch of nuts, seeds and beets.
"Wow, you have everything, thanks babe."
Anna smiles "I texted Andy and asked him what you usually eat for lunch during the season. We almost never have lunch together so I really didn't know."
I lean over, cup her cheek and kiss her. The first one was so good that I go in for a few more. My stomach grumbles interrupting the moment.
"I guess your stomach approves" Anna teases me.
"I guess so."
As we eat, we chat about Christmas.
"What are your family traditions?" Anna asks me.
"Well, we invite friends over the day of Christmas Eve and have a huge party. It's easier now that I have the house. Everyone brings their kids and there are gifts from Santa for all of them."
"Santa Sidney?"
"Yeah, well, there are gifts for them" I know that I'm turning red but I can't help it. "A couple of years ago, I finally convinced my mother to let me have it catered. We started this party with her making the food, she insisted, but it became way too big and way too much work for her. She still makes Christmas dinner of course."
"What's for Christmas dinner?" Anna asks.
"I guess the usual; turkey, stuffing. Mom makes the best pecan pie, you'll think you died and went to heaven, oh, and pumpkin pie too. You'll definitely want to eat more than salad."
Anna smiles and looks down at her plate.
"It will be nice to have a great plate of carbs" she tells me and smiles.
"What do you want for Christmas?" I ask her.
"To have a family Christmas, just like you're describing, that's all I want."
"We'll have that" I tell her. "But what do you want, you know, like from Santa."
She chuckles.
"I really have everything I want Sidney." I tilt my head and raise an eyebrow so she continues. "Ok, fine, I don't know that there is something specific that I want. I guess, whatever you get me, I want you to choose it. Any gift will be special because it's from you."
From any other girl, I would roll my eyes because I'd know that her words were crap and she wants expensive jewellery; but, I know that these words from Anna are sincere and honest. I could probably get her a Pens tee shirt with my number on it and she'd be happy. Thankfully, I can do much better than that.
"Ok" I tell her. "I'll surprise you."
"Good" she smiles. "I already know what I'm getting you."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
We continue eating and talk more about the holidays including decorating the house. It reminds me that Anna has never had a 'normal' Christmas. She's never 'decked the halls' with the family, or wrapped gifts or planned dinner. I suspect that, for her entire life, there has been staff to do everything for their family and her mother isn't the kind of woman to string popcorn with her kids. I'll have to talk to mom to make sure that we go all out for this Christmas. They tend to be on the smaller and quieter side when we do it in Pittsburgh but I want to do it up big this year. Not only will it be Anna's first 'real' Christmas; but, it's our first one together.
As we are cleaning up, Anna's phone rings and there's a knock at the door at the same time. She chuckles and answers her phone while walking to the door, opening it and moving back so that Adam can walk into the room. She holds up a finger to him while she walks to her desk. Adam sits beside me at the conference table.
"Hungry?" I ask and point to the remaining salad and fruit.
"No thanks, I had lunch" he tells me.
He looks at Anna and then back at me before speaking in a low voice.
"How is she?" Adam asks. "She seems to be handling everything ok but I want to know if there's anything I can do for her. Of course, if I ask her, then Anna will say no."
"Of course she would" I smile. "She actually is ok Adam and in large part to you. Thank you for being such a good friend to her."
I remind myself of my previous commitment to get to know Adam better and I have an idea.
"Adam" I begin. "On Christmas Eve Day, I have a party at the house with friends and family. I'd very much like you to join us and I know that Anna would love it too."
At first Adam only stares at me, eyes wide and mouth slack, but he then pulls himself together.
"That's great of you Sid. I'd love to come. Wow, that's really great" he tells me.
"Good" I say and stand when I notice that Anna has disconnected her call. I can tell that she's back to business again. "I need to go babe" I tell her.
Anna gives me a grateful smile and walks to me.
"That was Vero. She ordered groceries to be delivered to Cath's house because they're home and Vero doesn't think that we should actually go over there right now."
"Ok, whatever they need" I reply.
"Yeah, I'll text you later" she tells me. "I'll know in a couple hours what time I should be able to get out of here tonight."
"Ok" I kiss her cheek and then turn to Adam. "Bye."
Anna
"That was really cool of him" Adam tells me.
"What was cool of who?" I ask confused.
I don't understand what he's talking about and I'm also distracted watching Sid's butt as he walks away.
"Sid asked me to the Christmas party he has on the twenty-forth."
I'm surprised and very touched that Sid did.
"I hope you're coming" I tell him.
"Of course."
"Great, ok, let's start on that list I'm sure that you brought with you."
For the next hour, we work through the list that Adam did indeed bring with him.
"The last item is a request for an interview with Catherine and Kris Letang" Adam tells me.
"Seriously?!" I can't keep the shock out of my tone. "It hasn't even been twenty four hours and someone is already requesting an interview with them."
"That's what I thought too; but, it's a little bit different. Have you heard about the charity called Tommy's?"
"No."
"They focus on raising money for research into miscarriages, still births, and pregnancy health for all women. They were very clear to me that they didn't want to approach the Letangs right now. They called because they wanted us to know that if and when the family is ready to tell their story then Tommy's would be grateful to help them. The women said that she would never approach them so close to the tragedy, it's not often that they approach anyone at all, but to have someone so prominent tell their story can help others."
"What was your take on them?" I ask. "Was she spouting shit or sincere?"
"She seemed really sincere Anna. I mean, she could have gone to them directly or to Kris' agent but she came to us and asked our opinion. At first I thought it was a tactic but she was very genuine and kind. I agree that we should definitely wait but it might be worth mentioning to Kris at some point in the future. He was so outspoken in support of cardiac care after his stroke that I thought this might appeal to him when it's not so fresh."
"Good call Adam. Let Tommy's know that we will keep their request to ourselves for now; but, we will consider passing it on to the Letangs based on their healing."
"Ok, sounds good" he replies.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?"
"Yep, I know what I need to do to get Meaghan into the conference room without knowing that she's meeting with you. Are you ready?"
"I am, although I might explode if anyone else asks me that question again."
"Ok, ok, fine, we'll agree that you're ready" he says and chuckles.
I take a look at my watch and sigh. The day has completely gotten away from me and there's no way that I'm going to be able to pack up hotel room for the move to Sid's as I'd hoped.
"What's wrong?" Adam asks.
"Nothing really. It's just that I'm moving in with Sid and hoped to pack up my hotel room today. At the very least, I wanted to pack up enough clothes for a couple of days."
"I can go for you."
"Adam, no, that is so not part of your job, seriously. I appreciate the offer though."
"I'll send an intern."
I consider it but "I don't want an intern going through my underwear and picking out my clothes."
"I get it" he replies. "So give me the key and I'll pack enough for a couple of days for you. I don't mind, honestly. Consider it an offer from a friend and not part of my job."
He holds out his hand and raises an eyebrow. We stare at each other for a few minutes until I finally give in.
"Ok, fine" I tell him. "I really appreciate it."
I take out my card and give him a list of things that I need.
"Thanks Adam."
"You're welcome. If you're not here then I'll leave the bags behind your desk, ok?"
"Yeah, thanks."
Adam leaves and I check my calendar. I have a few minutes before my next meeting so I go down to ice level and find Troy in the player's lounge.
"You're still here" I say.
"Yeah, Sid's looking at film so I thought I'd take a few minutes and read the paper" he tells me. "Join me" he gestures to the chair beside him.
I sit beside Troy and sigh.
"Tired?" he asks.
"Yeah, unexpectedly. I got a good night's sleep but I didn't run this morning like I usually do."
"The stress will add to it. Everyone is sad for Kris and Cath."
"Have you heard from them or about them?" I ask.
"Yeah, I talked to Trina about an hour ago and Catherine's parents picked up Alex a few minutes before that. Cath and Kris were at home."
"I feel so bad for them" I tell him.
"No one should have to lose a child."
It's his last statement that causes an unexpected pain in my heart. Troy has lost a child, a grandchild, so he knows how it feels. I know that I promised myself that I'd let all of the guilty go but it's not that easy.
"Don't go there" Troy says as his hand gently takes mine. "You need to let that go Anna and move on. Ok?"
I don't need to ask what he's referring to because it's clear that we are both thinking about the abortion.
"I'm trying to" I tell him. "Will it ever stop hurting?"
"I don't know honey" he gently strokes my knuckles. "I really don't know. But I want you to know that we have moved past it, Trina and I, and we both want you to as well."
I look up and he's giving me a soft smile that I immediately recognize. Sid got his empathetic smile from his dad and it instantly comforts me.
"Ok, thank you."
We both hear guys laughing and getting closer to the lounge. Troy smiles, gives me one more squeeze and then releases my hand.
"Hi, what are you doing down here?" Sid asks me as he approaches us.
"I had a few minutes and thought I'd see if your dad was still here. You ready to go?" I ask.
"Yeah, dad you ready?"
"I am" Troy tells him and then turns to me. "We'll see you for dinner?"
"Definitely Troy" I tell him.
Troy kisses my cheek before walking a few feet away to chat with Sully.
"Do you need to go to the hotel to pick up clothes?" Sid asks me.
"As we discussed, I was hoping to pack up my stuff today but the schedule was blown to hell. Adam offered to pack a few things so that I have clothes for the next couple of days. I'll figure the rest later."
"Ok" he says and looks around. No one is looking at us so he gives me a quick kiss. "Do you want me to pick you up later?"
"No, I appreciate it, but I can take a cab. Don't come all the way back here for me, ok? I'll text when I'm leaving."
"Alright, bye."
He kisses me one more time and calls for his dad.
"Anna?"
I turn and see Pascal.
"Hi Pascal" I tell him and walk to him.
"Coffee?" he asks.
"Sure, thanks."
As he pours me a cup, he asks "have you heard from Tanger? I don't want to bother them to ask."
"I know what you must know. Cath's parents are in town and they picked up Alex from your house. Cath and Kris are at home but that's all I know. I've wanted to call but I don't want to intrude."
"Yeah, I get it. Me too. Carole-Lyn is going to text Cath later so I'll let you know if she responds. She figured that Cath can either answer it or ignore it depending on how she feels."
"That's a good idea. Thanks" I tell him.
"I heard a rumour that you've moved in with Sid" Pascal says with a wide smile.
"Rumour huh?" I joke right back.
"You know, a little birdy might have whispered something."
"A little birdy or was it a Flower?"
"Ok, fine, it might have been a Flower" he teases.
"Then the Flower is right. Yes, I've moved back in with Sid."
"I'm really happy for you both, really Anna. This is great."
"Thanks Pascal."
He is called from down the hall and we say goodbye. Before I can leave, Sully comes into the room and asks if I've heard from Kris. We talk more until I realize that I'm late for my meeting. I feel like I'm running late the rest of the day and it's 6pm when I finally have time to look at my watch.
I text Sid.
'I'm so sorry, the day got away from me'
I wait a few minutes but there is nothing back.
'I'm going to call a cab right now so I'll be home in about thirty minutes'
"You don't need to call a cab" I hear Sid say from the doorway.
"Sidney! What are you doing back here?"
"Aren't you happy to see me?"
I stand up, walk to the door and only stop when I'm directly in front of Sid. I take his cheeks in my hands and pull his face down to mine so that I can devour his lips. We're both short of breath when we pull apart.
"I guess you are happy to see me" Sid teases.
"A little bit I guess" I tell him.
"Let's go home" he says.
That reminds me.
"Shit, I never got my bag from Adam" I tell him.
"I told him not to go. I called the hotel and had them pack all of your things. They are currently in boxes and bags in our bedroom."
"You are the sweetest man alive" I kiss him softly one more time. "I like the sound of that."
"Sound of what?"
"Our bedroom."
"So do I" he says.
"Then let's go home. It is going to be a crazy day tomorrow."
Unfortunately, he's right.