Collide

Sidney's flight landed early the following morning, and he barely slept the previous night after his failed attempt at phone sex with CiCi. She wasn't expecting him to be in Vegas until around noon, so he had time to get into their hotel room before she returned from her spa day with his mom and sister. Maybe he could squeeze in a nap before he needed to get dressed and ready for the evening.

His dad was waiting for him when he made it to the baggage claim. "Hey Dad," Sid greeted.

"Hey! I had nothing to do so I got a car to come pick you up. The girls are already off getting ready for tonight," Troy explained as he fell into stride with his son.

"I figured when Ci didn't answer her phone," Sid said as he grabbed his suitcase and turned towards the exit with his father.

They climbed into the idling town car and took off towards the hotel to rest for a few hours. Prepping for an awards show wouldn't take the men nearly as long.

"So, are you nervous about tonight?" Troy asked trying to make small talk. Sid suspected he was leading to something specific.

"Why should I be? I know I won one award. If I get either of the others then that's a bonus," Sid shrugged it off.

"Not what I meant Sid. You know what I mean. Are you nervous about the media?"

"Dad, you, Mom, and Pat have trained me for years about how to handle myself in public."

"Yes, but this is your first time showing the world your personal life. And I mean with CiCi."

"She takes what the media already says about her with a grain of salt."

"That's what I like about her."

"You like her?"

"Of course I do. She's going to be my daughter in the not too distant future." Sidney was taken aback by this comment.

"What makes you think we will get married?" Sid asked wearily.

"Son, a father knows these things." Sid felt a slight stab in his heart and thought how he may not experience that with his own children.

"You may never be a grandfather if I marry her."

"Sure I will. You two will be great parents. And that child or children you two adopt will be loved by so many people."

"Thanks Dad. You think we can make a stop before going to the hotel? I want to check something out."

"Sure, where to?"

"The nearest jewelry store."

"You're going to do it here? Be a little traditional son. Go visit her parents and talk to them about your intentions."

"No! I know. I just want to look. I have an idea of what I want to get, but I need to see it before I commit to it."

"The ring you mean? Because I guarantee CiCi would marry you without a ring."

"That's what I love about her."

*****
Three hours later and CiCi felt refreshed. Her hair was styled in a soft low bun, her fingers and twos painted to match the hot pink dress she got the day before. The girls finished up their spa with brunch at the hotel restaurant then opted to go to their separate rooms to relax for the next few hours.

Sidney was sitting up against the bed frame watching daytime television, his eyes half closed and arms crossed over his chest. CiCi immediately dropped her purse to the floor, kicked off her flip flops and climbed onto the bed straddling his waist and startling him in the process.

"Hey--" Sid started but was cut off by CiCi's lips crashing down against his. His hands quickly found home along her bare thighs and slipping slowly up underneath the summery dress she chose to wear that morning.

CiCi broke away from Sid's lips and dragged her teeth along his jaw, nipping playfully as she settled against his growing erection.

"Hi," she smiled when she looked at him finally.

"You are trying to kill me aren't you?"

"What? Why?"

"Well last night I was left thinking of you doing things to yourself because I wasn't here and now you just waltz right onto my lap and start again."

"Well, what do you want me to do about it?"

"Nothing, right now. You look too good with your hair and makeup all fixed for later." Sid leaned against the headboard, but CiCi stayed on his lap rocking gently against him. Sid gripped her hips causing her to let out a little yelp and lifted her off his lap. "No."

"Ugh no teasing. Got it," she said as she settled next to him on the bed.

"Now that you're here I'm going to nap, is that alright?"

"Sure baby," CiCi said as she watched him burrow down and turn on his side. CiCi reached across him for the television remote and turned off the set.

CiCi got off the bed and went to let Sid's suit out of the bag and press his dress shirt down for him. She realized as she was setting up the ironing board that his shoes weren't anywhere to be found. So she went in search of his Vancouver luggage to find them.

She glanced over at his sleeping form and smiled. He had to have been worn out. He hadn't rested since the end of the season. She found the bag he discarded and quickly knelt down to open it.

As she unzipped the side of the suitcase some papers fell out and instead of picking them up, she proceeded to dig out his shoes first.

Once she located the shoes she picked up the papers. Without thinking much about them, she started placing them back inside the bag when she caught a glimpse of the pamphlet on top. A pamphlet on engagement rings from Cartier. And attached were business cards for a local dealer and for a jewelry store in downtown Pittsburgh that carried the famous designer.

CiCi felt her heart race and a huge smile spread across her face. He was ring shopping. Which meant he wanted to ask her to marry him, and hopefully sooner rather than later. She had to laugh to herself at how months ago she didn't want to get married, and now here she was fighting the urge to call her mom to tell her that Sidney was about to propose.

Instead she opted for a group text to her three friends back home. 'I found a ring pamphlet in Sidney's luggage.'

Caroline was the first to reply: 'shut up"

'I am not surprised in the least. You two have moved so quickly in every other aspect of your life,' Maria replied.

'Your wedding will lead me to my future husband. Shall I pencil in a summer date for next year?'

CiCi intermittently checked her phone as she worked out any wrinkles in Sid's suit and when Julia's comment came through she laughed loudly enough that it stirred awake a sleeping Sidney.

"Sorry! Go back to sleep. Jules texted me something funny."

"No, I'm awake. What are you talking about?" Sid asked as he climbed out of bed and walked into the bathroom.

"Oh! Nothing particular. Girl talk." CiCi pretended to be working on his slacks avoiding eye contact. She wasn't expecting his arms to snake around her waist and his chin rest on her shoulder.

"I wasn't asleep completely yet babe. I know you stumbled across some important documents."

"Ugh! I'm sorry! I just, I needed...I wanted to get your shoes out so all you had to do was get a shower and dressed. I didn't mean to look and I shouldn't have, but it was hard to miss the massive diamond rings in the pretty pictures."

"Well all I have are pictures so you can bet I won't be asking you here."

"But you're going to?"

"I don't know. Maybe."

"Ugh!"

Sid spun her around and smiled at her frustrations. "How quickly you change your mind about marriage."

"It's only because I'm pretty sure of you."

"I need a shower," Sid said abruptly changing the subject. He pecked CiCi's nose, smiled and turned towards the bathroom again.

*****

"Alright, you're all set?" Sidney asked CiCi as he walked out into the sitting area of the suite they were in. He didn't turn to see CiCi standing there in the dress Taylor snapped a photo of just the day prior. He was preoccupied as to whether he should wear his Olympic ring or not.

After several minutes, he settled on leaving it in the box he was given because tonight was about the NHL, not the Olympics. And he was certain he'd be drawing attention to himself with CiCi by his side.

"Well, how do I look?" He heard CiCi ask from behind him. He turned to stopped to stare.

"Gorgeous," he said reverently as she flashed him a megawatt smile.

"You don't look half bad yourself. I'm glad you've got a suit that actually fits you now." CiCi ran her hands across Sid's lapel and circled them around his neck. He instinctively gripped CiCi's hips and drew her close.

"I'm glad you bought this dress. I can't wait to peel it off of you tonight," he teased as he ran his hands over her hips. She frowned slightly. "What? What did I say?"

"Peel it off of me. Just made me think how I've gained some weight since I started those hormone pills."

"I think you look amazing."

"You can't see it." His hands slipped down to her hips, his fingers resting on the top of her ass.

"I do see it, but I also see you're looking healthy and I'm loving these curves. Plus it's my job to tell you you're beautiful and all these people are going to wonder how I got so lucky."

"If only you were so eloquent with your words in public."

"I'm a man of few words in public. It's worked my entire life."

"Let's go give the media an even bigger story than you winning three trophies tonight." Sid followed CiCi out, groaning inwardly as he watched her swish her hips in her form-fitting dress.

*****
"Ah, there they are!" Troy said when he caught sight of Sidney and CiCi.

"We said 3. It's 2:51. Calm yourself Dad," Sid said as he approached his family.

"You two look fantastic! CiCi the girl did a fabulous job on your hair," Trina commented even though she had seen it earlier when the three women met at the hotel's spa for styles. CiCi had it swept off her neck in a low updo with her bangs swiped off to the side.

"Thanks Trina. You ladies look great too! I'm so excited about this." She grinned at Taylor who was holding back a laugh. "What? I've never been to an awards show before."

"It's nothing too exciting. But I do like dressing up to go to one," Taylor explained. The five of them made their way to the lobby where Sidney was greeted by his agent, Pat.

"Alright Sid, the media is expecting you to walk the red carpet. Stop, chat with them. Mention how you're looking forward to the new coaching system and change in management. Be vague. You know the deal. You've been doing this long enough. Now, who is sitting with you?"

"Uh, Taylor is," Sid said as he glanced in the girls general direction.

"Okay, good. We want to draw attention to you as a hockey player, and we can ease the media into the girlfriend."

"Cesira," Sidney said.

"Right. So you'll walk solo. You'll look like the proud big brother, and I am sure the camera will cut to your parents and Cesira. That will draw forth questions."

"I'm not trying to hide anything."

"I know, I know. But you've been doing this solo since you've come into this world and we would rather not rattle Cesira like this tonight."

"Uh, okay," Sidney stuttered thoroughly confused. He watched Pat turn to walk out in order to find the limousine and felt CiCi creep up next to him.

"It's probably best I don't walk the carpet with you. I'm sure I'll get blamed for your playoff lag."

"I don't give a fuck about that. But if you'd feel more comfortable going with my parents and sister I'll understand."

"I'm content either way, but it appears your agent doesn't know how to handle you being with someone."

Troy piped in, "I agree with Ci. What the hell has him all rattled?"

"Who knows. Let's just do what he says. The people I want you to meet we won't really see until after the show anyways."

"Alright, it's settled then." The five of them proceeded out to the limo that was just pulling up in front if the hotel. Pat stood next to it looking impatient.

*****
"And this year's winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy as voted on by the professional hockey writers' association is Sidney Crosby!"

Sidney felt adrenaline course through his body as he leaned over for a brief hug from Taylor. He already made this march up to the stage earlier in the evening when he was presented with the Ted Lindsey award and again when he was honored with the Art Ross trophy. Now he was takin the stage to accept the honor of league MVP.

"Thank you," he said quietly as he was handed a replica of the prestigious trophy. He turned to the microphone to give the same lame, boring speech he gives every time he is being presented with any sort of honor.

"First, Claude, Ryan congratulations on having outstanding seasons. Thank you to my teammates and the entire Penguins organization. I wouldn't have had such an amazing season without all of you. Thank you to the fans who are a beacon of support for our team. My family for allowing me the opportunity to play the sport I absolutely love," and he would usually end his speech there. Give a courteous nod of the head then turn to exit the stage. But he came to the award show wanting to walk the carpet with his girlfriend, sit with her and kiss her every time he was called to the stage. Instead she was forced to sit far away from him, projecting an image that she wasn't nearly as important to him as he may be to her.

He needed to add something. He looked down to admire the trophy in his hand then glanced out at the audience. He found her, smiling proudly at him with a few tears glistening in her eyes. "And, uh, Ci. I never saw you coming, but I know I will never be the same. I admire the fight you've fought and continue to wonder how I ever got so lucky to be a part of your world. I am awarded this Hart tonight, but I share with you my heart always. I love you babe. Thank you for your continued support."

He walked off stage happy with what he just did. If he can't show the world that he was in love, then he would shout it as loud as he could for everyone to hear. Or at least the hockey world in a Las Vegas auditorium. And he was pleased with how a year ago his world changed for the best.

The end.

Notes

Ah! Finally finished this one. I can't lie, I adore these two together and I'm toying with the idea of a sequel down the road. But I find it a challenge to write two stories at once and I had an idea in my head for a new story (which I posted the first chapter tonight. Shameless plug: it's called Hopeless Wanderer) so I ran with it. I knew this was going to be the last chapter, but unlike my previous story (The Compromise) I refuse to give an epilogue! In case I do decide on continuing with them down the road.

Thanks for all the support! And please give my new story a gander.