Collide

"You met a boy?" CiCi's mom, Diana asked as the two women settled into their seats on the plane leaving London. CiCi managed to get through her week overseas with her mom without mentioning Sidney once. Not that she didn't want to tell her mom, but because it was so new and she has barely spent any time with him she wanted to be sure.

But as they were waiting for their flight to begin boarding the plane for New York CiCi checked her phone. And she had received a text she couldn't hide from her mother. All it had said was that Sid was in Pittsburgh and would pick her up from the airport when she landed the following morning. The expression she had on her face was nothing short of ecstatic, leaving her mom to ask her who Sid was.

"Oh, well yeah I have."

"Why didn't you tell me?" The older woman asked as she buckled her seatbelt.

"Because it's seriously very new. And he is a very private person. So I am just trying to respect his wishes and not go blabbing it around to everyone."

"Oh god he probably has a wife and kids somewhere."

"No! Nothing like that. Believe me mom," CiCi sighed as she rested against the back of her chair and attempted to recline.

"Well what does he do then?"

"Uh, he's a hockey player."

"Even worse Cesira!"

"How is that worse?"

"If things work out you two will always be struggling. He is living a pipe dream if he thinks he can make money playing a sport he probably isn't even good at. And then you two will be moving all over the world just for him to get an opportunity to play a handful of minutes. And what if he gets injured and never can play again? You won't be making anything to support both of you and any children you may have."

"Ok, first this is seriously a couple months old. So thanks for marrying me off and making me feel like my career path is one I should regret. Sort of contradicting yourself there. Secondly, he plays in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He signed a new contract last summer keeping him in Pittsburgh for the next 13 years."

"He can't possibly be honest and respectful of women. Athletes tend to be promiscuous."

"Seriously mom? Can't you just be happy that I am dating and not waiting around for Mark to get off his ass and be a man about things?"

"I just know how you function when it comes to relationships honey. You're going to fall fast and before you know it you are looking past all the blatantly obvious flaws and sticking by him. You did that with Mark."

"I was fifteen! I didn't know any better. I imagined I'd get lucky like you and dad and marry my high school sweetheart. I tried that, and it may have gotten to the point where I almost did, but I wizened up and got out of a bad situation. I'm not going to make the same mistake twice. Now will you let this go and and just let me enjoy this for now?"

"Fine."

"Thank you."

"When can I meet him? At the airport just seems classless."

"You're not meeting him at the airport. And I don't know if you ever will meet him."

"Your text said he'd be at the airport."

"Yes, waiting in his truck by the exit nearest baggage claim."

"That's not very romantic at all!"

"Mom! Stop! I told you he is private. If he would be seen at the airport he'd be all over the internet."

"But if he likes you..."

"Mom, I'm seeing Sidney Crosby. If you know anything about sports, which I know you don't because I don't, you'd know he is the pride and joy of Pittsburgh. I'm just lucky enough to have met him and not overwhelm him with prior knowledge of him."

"I'm googling him as soon as I am able to get on the computer."

"UGH! I'm going to sleep, this conversation wore me out more than all the traveling I've been doing lately."

"I've been meaning to say something to you about that. You definitely don't get paid enough to be traveling the world to find new art pieces. Don't they have someone else who is more worldly, or well-traveled and makes more money than you?"

"Why does it always come back to money?"

"Because I don't want you to struggle the way your father and I did."

"Then you should have seen to it that I became a doctor or a lawyer or something."

"It's never too late sweetheart!"

"Ugh!" CiCi groaned and shifted away from her mom as she geared up for a nearly seven hour flight.


******

Sidney got comfortable in the airport chair closest to the baggage claim for CiCi's flight. He wished he was still asleep, having just arrived in Pittsburgh the previous day and was worn from all the travel he had been doing. But he looked forward to picking up his girlfriend and taking her home where they could sleep in together.

It wasn't quite five in the morning so the airport wasn't busy and Sidney knew he was safe in not getting recognized so easily. Aside from himself, there was one older man sitting a few seats over reading the latest edition of the USA Today. Sid started to close his eyes when he heard voices to his left and recognized CiCi immediately.

"Mom! Will you stop? Please, you may never....oh my god!" CiCi exclaimed when she caught a glimpse of Sidney standing in front of her. She dropped her carry-on and raced to Sid's waiting arms. He laughed as she flung herself to him and squeezed her to him as her arms encircled his neck.

"I didn't think you'd come in!" CiCi gushed in Sid's ear. He felt her begin to pull back, but he held her tighter and inhaled her scent.

"I've missed you," Sid whispered. He kissed her shoulder as he heard her echo his sentiment. It wasn't until someone cleared his throat loudly did they pull apart.

"Oh, daddy!" CiCi said and turned towards the man who had been reading the newspaper. She gave him a brief hug and a kiss on his cheek before turning back around to Sidney. Sid chuckled to himself when he saw the uncomfortable look in CiCi's eyes. He knew she felt bad for having her parents meet him at the luggage carousel at the Pittsburgh International Airport, but he didn't mind.

"So, not how I envisioned you meeting, but I suppose it works. Mom, Dad, this is Sidney. Sidney these are my parents, Diana and Joseph."

"It's really great to meet both of you," Sid said as he extended out his hand to shake theirs. He upped the charm and dazzled them with a smile.

"You're even more handsome in person," Diana commented when she grasped Sid's hand. He smiled bashfully at CiCi's mom and glanced at CiCi quickly.

"Uh, mom did google search you when she didn't believe me that you are an NHL player. She didn't even know what the acronym meant."

"And it took me nearly thirty minutes to get your name! She was being very secretive."

"I guess I'm rubbing off on you huh?" Sid joked as he draped his arm around CiCi's shoulder.

"Maybe a little. Anyways, let's get our bags. I am exhausted." CiCi turned to the carousel and lead her mother over to retrieve their suitcases.

After saying goodbye to her parents, promising to go home for a visit in the coming month, CiCi collapsed into the passenger side seat and closed her eyes before Sid pulled out of the parking lot.

"Your place babe?" CiCi just nodded without opening her eyes and felt the SUV come to life.

"Are you back for good now? Why do you have your truck?" She asked as they got onto the highway towards the city.

"I am here for the next week, then I go to Colorado. Then I'll be back for good. I got the truck so I don't have to rely on you or cabs for the next week."

"How long in Colorado?"

"About a week there. Then I'll come here and continue to train on my own."

"Can I just say that all this training has done a number on you, damn! You were downright puny when I first met you." She opened her eyes to sneak a peek at Sid and saw him smile a crooked smile.

"Good thing?" He asked.

"Oh, very good thing! Me likey." She sighed, contentedly and adjusted her seated position to face Sid, and kept her eyes closed. That was the last thing she said to him as sleep consumed her and she couldn't fight it anymore.

It wasn't until Sid had parked in front of CiCi's house and he had leaned over to unbuckle her belt for her did she stir. Even then she didn't make to move or wake up entirely. She only opened her eyes when she felt herself being lifted from the car seat and swept up into Sidney's arms. She didn't fight his carrying her. Instead she rested her head against his shoulder, let him search her purse for her house key and carry her all the way up to her room. He laid her on the bed, removed her flats then left the room.

She sat up when she felt the front door close and began to panic. Sid had left. She thought he would stay with her, instead he left. CiCi held back a sob, but threw her arm over her eyes and let the soft pillows sink around her head. She must have dozed off again, because minutes later she was jostled awake when she felt the bed shift. She let out a soft scream and relaxed when Sidney came into view.

"It's just me silly girl," he chuckled softly.

"You left. I heard the door close."

"I went to get your suitcase baby. You were my number one priority this morning. Clothes can be replaced, you are irreplaceable." CiCi felt her heart swell and tears burn at the corner of her eyes. She burrowed close to Sidney and felt his lips press into the crown of her head and his arms hold her against him. "I've missed you," she heard him whisper for the second time in an hour.

"I missed you too," CiCi responded as sleep took over once again, but not before she heard him say softly, "I love you."

*******
"So what's the big deal?" Nick, CiCi's coworker, asked as they settled into their seats at the Starbucks nearest the gallery.

"Don't you think it's too soon to be saying that?" CiCi asked as she took a swig of coffee.

"That he loves you? Does he know you heard him?"

"I don't think so," she admitted.

"Then don't be feeling obligated to say it if you don't feel the same way," he explained, "He doesn't know you heard him and he may not say it again until he is ready for you to be conscious and react the way he hopes you react. You think you can love him?"

"Honestly?"

"Yeah."

"It's hard not to. He is more than anything I ever expected."

"I wouldn't hold back then if you could be in love with him too."

"That's only because you're an 'I love you' slut."

"That may be true, but I am just as happy that I said it so soon today as I was when I actually said it. And we've been together for nearly four years now."

"Yeah, but."

"No 'yeah, buts'. I know how that phrase ends and it doesn't matter."

CiCi smiled at Nick and glanced out the window they were sitting by and stared at the Heinz Hall marquee.

"You're gay," she said anyways.

"Hey!" Nick bellowed making the two erupt into fits of giggles.

"Come on, coffee break over. I need to go over my findings with Sherri and you need to look pretty as you greet passers-by," CiCi said as she stood and turned towards the exit.

She didn't notice him as she made her way to the door until she nearly walked right into him. "Geez, not even going to say hi?"

Glancing up to apologize, an embarrassed grin spread across her face, "Are you stalking me now?"

"Ha! You wish. What are you doing here at 10:30 in the morning when you started work at 9?" Sid asked. He noticed the man standing behind CiCi and felt his heart race.

"Well somebody doesn't have coffee in his almost bare kitchen pantry," CiCi started then leaned closer so only Sidney could hear, "The very person who kept me awake and now I walk slightly sore in places."

"Good sore?" Sid asked feeling slightly concerned he hurt her. After they finally woke up from their day long nap, CiCi had packed fresh work clothes for the rest of the week and the couple spent the evening reacquainting themselves with each other at Sid's place.

"Hoping to feel this way again tomorrow sore," CiCi replied with a slight smirk. She heard a cough behind her and remembered Nick. He must have heard their exchange.

"Oh! Sidney this is my coworker Nick. Nick, this is Sidney."

"Hey, how're you doing?" Sid said and reached out to shake Nick's hand.

"Great! It's nice to meet the man CiCi doesn't stop talking about," Nick replied. And Sid surprised them both by reaching for CiCi and securely wrapping his arm around her shoulders and brushing a kiss along her temple.

"Oh my, public display of affection. Doubt he'd do that if he didn't love you," Nick said, "Oh, oops! Gotta go!" And he hurried past the couple to the street to wait for CiCi.

She looked up slowly at Sid to see his reaction to Nick's outburst. Sid's face was hard to read so she decided to tread lightly. "I need to get back to work."

"Yeah, uh I'll see you later," Sid turned back towards the barista making a cappuccino to place an order. She recognized this Sid. The one that was standoffish and afraid to show emotion in public. She knew he was probably mad at her for spilling to Nick what he said. She just never dreamed Nick would reveal it to Sid in such a way. She could tell he looked embarrassed even though he had no reason to be.

CiCi didn't know what else she could say to Sid so she walked out dejected towards Nick. "I can't believe you said that."

"What I do? I just pointed out the obvious!"

"Now he knows I heard him and we were talking about it. He's all embarrassed now! Come on." CiCi turned away from Nick and started towards the gallery.

******

CiCi spent the rest of the day stressing over Sidney's reaction, so much so that Sherri sent her home. She claimed CiCi must be suffering from jet lag and told her not to come back until Wednesday. Everything was functioning smoothly at the gallery. The current exhibit wasn't set to wrap up for another two weeks and they were at a bit of slow period. So CiCi agreed and hurried out of the gallery as quickly as she could. She would be back at Sidney's in minutes and she hoped he was there when she arrived.

But as she climbed into the elevator and began to ascend to the top floor she began to panic. It wasn't like he was sitting around all day this week. He had things to do, and he had only been returning from a run that morning when he ran into her at the coffee shop.

She pulled out her phone and dialed Sid's number as she got off on his floor and walked towards his apartment door. By the third ring. She was convinced he was busy and determined she should find something else to do. And as his voicemail picked up she stood in front of the door and could hear Sid's television through the door. She hung up and pounded on the door for what felt like several minute when it jerked open and a disheveled looking Sid stood in front of her.

"What are you...?" Sid started confused.

"I love you too!" CiCi interrupted her pulse pounding in her ears, her palms sweaty from her nerves. The genuine smile that spread across Sid's face made CiCi leap forward into his arms. "I did hear you the other morning. And I do too."

"But that doesn't explain why you are here at 1 in the afternoon."

"Sherri let me leave. Told me not to come back until Wednesday. She figures I will be over my jet lag by then."

Sid dragged CiCi into his apartment and closed the door behind them.

"I called your phone but you didn't answer."

"I fell asleep on the couch. Say it again." Sid looked like a kid in a candy store. He blocked CiCi from going further into his place so she threw her purse on the floor and looked at him.

"Say what again?" Sid knew she was playing around.

"That you love me."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to be an 'I love you' slut and I already feel like I've said it too soon, but it just feels..."

"Right?"

"Yeah, it does."

"What's an 'I love you' slut?"

"A person who says it too much."

"You've said it once."

"Almost twice. And that would have been double the amount of times you've said it."

"I love you, Cesira."

"It is I incredibly nice to hear you say it to my face when I am awake." Sid laughed loudly making his entire body shake. He pulled her close to him and squeezed her to his body.

"I love you, Sidney." They grinned like two kids on Christmas before wrapping each other up and kissing each other senseless.

Notes

Hope you all are enjoying!! Thanks for reading. :)