In Your Eyes

"So you and Sidney Crosby, huh?!?"

Piper laughed. "Good to hear from you too, Ali."

"Even better to hear from you!" Ali replied. "Now give me all the details."

Unlocking the door to the yoga studio, Piper let herself in and flicked on the lights to the lobby. "What is there to tell, really?"

"Um. Everything?"

Piper set her yoga mat and bag on top of her desk in a small office off from the main lobby. Here is where she began her every day before her classes began, and apparently, it was where she would begin to tell one of her dearest friends about her....relationship?....with Sidney.

"Well Sid must have said something to you, right?" Piper took a seat on the gray office chair, reclining back slightly. "Because there's no way you would answer the phone and not know something." She was hoping Ali would deliver, because Sidney hadn't exactly answered her when she asked him the night before. She knew how men talked, though; they were just as bad as women.

"Oh, he said a little of this and that. But I just want to know how you have made him so ga-ga over you and you've only seen each other at the reception?"

Piper wondered that herself. "You know, girl. I don't know."

"Well I do!"

Shaking her head, Piper could envision her spunky roommate who she'd spent years living with, partying with, going to class with, and bonding with, standing somewhere with her face alive and alert as ever. "Well if you know, Ali - do tell!"

"Well he's head over heels for you, Piper, for starters" Ali replied. "And I don't think I, or James, have ever seen Sid be so....so open about liking someone and being as excited as he is that you're coming to visit."

"AH HA!" Piper sat up in her chair. "I knew he told you something!"

"Oh Pfftt, of course you did."

Piper was giggling uncontrollably now, not caring how silly she must have sounded. "Oh Ali, he's just so intense in so many good ways....and he's funny! He's really fucking funny, and I like that. He challenges me."

"Oh he'll challenge you, alright. That boy is nothing but a challenge."

Hesitating slightly, Piper's face fell. "Really?"

"In a good way, hun. Don't over think it...leave that to Sid."

"Okay, okaaaay." Piper leaned back in her chair again, hearing the air conditioning kick on all about her. The low rumble and whoosh of cool air did nothing to keep her mind from running over just how much of a challenge Sidney might be. If this turned out to be a real thing between them, what challenges awaited her?

"Day dreaming over there?" Ali asked. "I know you are."

"And you'd be correct." Piper smiled. "But enough about me! How was your honeymoon? Tell me ALL about it!"

Piper listened and laughed and ooo'd and aww'd right along with Ali as she recounted her week in Italy with James. She described the coastal region they stayed in, the villa they rented for their house for the week, and the boat they took out onto the water one of the days. She told a hilarious story about how James was like a kid out on the boat, and how they'd done backwards flips into the ocean together as if they were professional divers, but it just turned out to be a hot mess.

As she listened, Piper got that old feeling back. It was fun talking to Ali again like this, and she forgot how fun and ridiculous they could be when together. This phone call made her want to keep in touch even more.

"And by the way" Ali said, taking a pause from the story telling. "I want to say thank you for making the trip down here to come to the wedding. It was an awesome surprise when I saw your RSVP. James was excited to meet you, too."

"I wouldn't miss that for the world!" Piper replied. "It was a beautiful wedding and a great reception. I had an amazing time….as you know."

"I do know. And just so you're aware - our official thank you notes will be sent in the mail at some point…I left James in charge of that." Ali made a humorous snorting noise. "Let me know if you get yours by next year."

"I'll be sure too" she said with a chuckle. "We really need to call each other more often."

"I KNOW! It's my fault, though." Ali's voice turned glum and she let out a wistful sigh. "I'll cop to being the lazy one."

"Lazy!?" Piper laughed out loud. "You goof! You just got MARRIED!"

"I knoooow, but still! And like a true ass - I now have to get going. James and I are going for a run before I head to work."

Piper could tell Ali was struggling, which she wished she could slap her over. "Well don't fret, okay? Life is a greedy bitch."

"Don't I know it" Ali said with a laugh. "CALL ME the minute you and Sid declare your love for one another."

"Oh please." She rolled her eyes. "I'll call you when that doesn't happen too, how about that?"

"Done deal. Bye hun!"

Piper hung up and remained reclining in her chair for a while. It was only a few days until Sidney would be back in Nova Scotia. Not long after that, she'd be taking the ferry across the bay to meet up with him. It would be a short two hour ride, since the Cat was a high speed ferry, making daily trips to and from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Bar Harbor. It was a service that Bar Harbor ran to bring more Canadian tourists into the area, helping to boost numbers at Acadia National Park as well.

Glancing at the clock on her wall, the time was twenty minutes until her first yoga class began. Her and Danika would be teaching a dual course in the afternoon, and then she'd be babysitting her brother all night. Already, the day seemed to be getting away from her.

Fearing she'd have little time to do it later, Piper sent Sid a text, smiling as she typed: Just talked to Ali - BUSTED, big guy. ;) Hope your day goes swimmingly!

With that, Piper went to tackle the rest of her day.

* * *

Finishing up a meeting at the Consol Energy Center with Mario Lemieux and Ray Shero, Sidney had one last thing to do before he headed back to his house, and then to the airport.

He crossed his fingers as he phoned Piper, hoping she was free at the moment, because it was the only moment he had. To his luck and his nervous heart's delight, she answered.

"And with one phone call, you've made my day." Piper sounded as excited as Sid felt.

"You're too kind" he replied. Heading into one of the hallways leading to the first floor of the CEC, Sid halted and listened, making sure no one else was in the hallway. "I have a very important question to ask you, so I need your entire focus."

"Ooooo, okay" Piper said, intrigue filling her velvety voice. "I'm all yours."

Those words made Sidney's body warm almost immediately. He would come back to that statement later, but first - he needed some information.

"I hope you're sitting down and alone, because this is huge."

Piper chuckled. "Jeeze, Crosby - you're starting to scare me!" She was clearly joking by the tone of her voice, which Sid enjoyed.

"Okay. Ready?"

"Ready, stud."

"What size t-shirt do you wear?" he asked, his grin growing twice the size as he heard Piper bust out laughing.

"You dork! THAT'S the question?"

"Hey, it's important!" Sidney leaned back against the cement wall of the hallway, hearing his voice echo around him. Even Piper's voice seemed to echo a little. "I'm going to guess a small, but I needed to make sure I got it right."

"Well you are right, indeed! Can I ask what this 'information' is for?"

Sid smiled. "Nope."

"Top Secret, huh?"

"Yup." He rolled his eyes, feeling his flirting game was a bit rough still. "But I suppose you can guess by the question."

"I bet you're buying me a hat."

He laughed, his voice echoing louder in the empty hall. "Very cute, Piper."

"Well I hope it's a cute hat, because I hardly wear hats."

"Really? Hmmn…" He pondered adding something else to the surprise he was going to give her when she visited. "I'll see what I can do. Gotta run - call you later?"

"Please do." Piper made a 'muah' sound with her mouth, and Sid thought it was the coolest thing he'd heard in a while.

They hung up, and Sid felt like he was floating on air again. Little by little, the more he talked to her, the more comfortable he felt with her. Piper was so easy to get along with. Everything she said to him made him feel special…just the way it had when they spent two hours together at the reception.

He smiled to himself all the way down the hallway steps, knowing that the minute he appeared in the front entrance of the CEC and people saw him, it would be the usual throng of fans clamoring around him as it normally was. Good thing was, Sidney never minded, and he wouldn't mind today, either.

Luckily, since it was only 10 am, the souvenir shop in the lobby, PensGear, had only just opened. There weren't many people about; just employees who worked at the arena. He knew most of them and shook their hands as they crossed paths. When he entered the PensGear store, the guy working at the counter nearly lost himself when he saw Sid enter.

"Holy shit." He stood there stupefied, not knowing what to do.

Sid smiled at him. "Hi, how are ya?"

The boy, a few years younger than Sid by the looks of it, only stared back. Sid held out his hand to break the ice. "Nice to meet you…" He glanced at his name tag. "Craig."

"Um…..wow, this is…." Craig stuttered his way into a greeting, which Sid was used to. "This is a huge honor."

"It's a pleasure meeting some staff I haven't met yet" Sid replied. "I bet you get pretty tired of seeing my face around here, eh?"

Craig laughed nervously. "Yeah. I mean…No! Ugh…" He exhaled, trying to get himself together. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Care if I look around?"

With another nervous chuckle, Craig lifted his hands up wide. "The place is yours, man. I mean, Crosby. Shit. I mean--"

Sid always felt a little awkward at times when he met fans, but he really, truly loved meeting them. They were, after all, the reason he did what he did. He loved hockey, he was good at it, but the Pittsburgh fan base, and his Canadian fan base, gave him a reason to keep doing it. So when Craig stuttered, Sidney felt for him. He wished he didn't always come with the title, so it was a little easier to meet people and not make them stutter every time he walked in somewhere.

With a friendly nod to Craig, Sid headed towards the women's section. He glanced around for just the right t-shirt; one that would be Piper's first Pens Hockey shirt. He glanced through a few racks of shirts and sweatshirts, long sleeve shirts and workout shirts, but found nothing.

When he moved towards the clothes hanging on the far wall, he spotted the shirt that might be the one. He rifled through the sizes for a small, then held it out before him to inspect.

Just right.

He took it with him and headed to the hat section. He found the same hat he always wore in the locker rooms…his lucky hat, as he'd come to know it…and picked one of those up as well.

Setting the items on the counter, Craig started to laugh. "You're kidding, right?"

Sid's brow bent. "What?"

"You actually think you have to pay for that stuff?" Craig's smile appeared. "You know you don't."

"I know" Sid replied, fishing through his wallet. He pulled out a fifty dollar bill and handed it to him. "This should cover it. Keep the change, okay?"

Craig stared down at the bill in his hand like it was pure gold. When he looked up, Sid stood there smiling genuinely.

"That's really cool of you" Craig said, still stunned at the gesture. He quickly bagged the items and handed them to Sid. "Thanks…Sid."

He smiled. "You're welcome."

Craig was still smiling when Sid exited the store. Glancing back, he could see through the glass pane walls of the store that Craig was still smiling, and it made Sid chuckle.

*

A few hours later, Sid was on his flight back to Halifax and couldn't be more excited. His brain was already in planning mode. He had a million things to do before Piper arrived, including several workouts with Andy and a skating practice as well.

He pulled out his cell phone and constructed a note that included all the ideas he'd been coming up with over the past couple of days. It was a while since Sid had to prepare his house for a girl who wasn't his mother or his sister. The chicks he hooked up with were normally during regular season, and were few and very selective. In addition, hook-ups hardly ever occurred in Pittsburgh; in fact, most happened on road games. It didn't leave him feeling all that great about it, but his life was different that the others', and he had to play it smart if he was going to play at all.

Now, however - the situation was much different. His house on Shubenacadie Grand Lake was anything but female-ready. It was a typical bachelor pad, in which the bachelor was never there. Similar to his house in Pittsburgh, it was bare bones furniture, grocery selection, and decor.

The minute Sid was off the plane and driving back to the house, he remembered a few other details he'd have to ensure were in place before Piper arrived.

But when IS she arriving?

He'd have to figure this out later when he called her. Knowing her schedule somewhat just in the times they've talked, Sid at least knew she was still at work at the moment. He also knew she had to babysit her brother later as well.

Either way, tonight would be the deciding night on when she was coming to visit.

And then nothing but nerves from here on out, Sid thought to himself.

It was a cloudy day in this particular part of Nova Scotia, and was especially dark and dismal by the time he commuted from the airport back to his house.

Sid unloaded his vehicle of his two suitcases and carry on bag, drug them upstairs, and left them there until he had time later to unpack and do laundry. First things first, and that was grocery shopping.

Second item of business, after he went shopping and unloaded all the food, was to finish unpacking and then call Piper. Once he got himself together, he'd do just that. It was time to put a date to this meet up, and he hoped it would be sooner than later.

* * *

Piper was busy fixing fish tacos for her and Bailey in her tiny kitchen when she heard his young voice rising from the living room area.

"You alright in there, kiddo?" she shouted.

"Yeah!"

"Not the end of the world in there, right?" Piper shouted with a smile.

"No, Pipppeeerrrr" Bailey yelled back.

She chuckled to herself. If it was one thing she loved, it was razzing her kid brother.

As she finished assembling ingredients into the last soft taco, she wiped her hands and headed into the living room with both of their plates. She found Bailey sitting cross-legged on the couch and watching tv. What she didn't expect was what he was watching.

"A hockey game?" Piper asked, handing the plate of tacos over to her brother.

"Yeah! Look!" He took the plate in one hand while pointing with the other.

Piper sat down and realized just what Bailey was watching. It was a rerun game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the past spring. In addition - of all things - it was the Washington Capitals…..and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"They just scored, too!" Bailey said, his mouth already full of fish and cabbage.

"Don't talk with your mouth full, buddy." Piper kept her eyes on the screen, watching, unfamiliar with most of the players….save for one. When the number 87 hopped over the boards and flew across the ice and into action, Piper stopped chewing her food. She sat up, much like Bailey, leaning forward to get a better look.

"He's the best one" Bailey said happily. "87."

"So I've heard." Piper never moved her head or body, her green eyes focused on the body that was swerving left and right, dodging for the puck, stealing it from the other team and heading back down the other end of the ice.

"Go! Go! Go!" Bailey was bouncing up and down on the cushion of the cream colored couch. Piper glanced over, only because she didn't want her brother to spill anything, but the action on the screen tore her attention away and back to number 87.

What she saw next was unreal. The white jersey with the black number 87 swerved between two oncoming players from the other team, diving between them and never losing his footing. Somehow, he never lost the puck either. With a final turn, he shot the puck straight into the net, getting another goal for the Penguins.

"YEAH SID!!" Piper yelled. She jumped off the chair in celebration, nearly knocking over her own dish of food.

Bailey was staring at her, his small brow creased at the center. "Who's Sid?"

Piper sat down, pushing a piece of her hair behind her ear with a slight amount of embarrassment. "Duh. Number 87."

"Ohhh." He munched on another taco. "He's so good!"

"Don't chew with your mouth full!"

Bailey giggled. "Sorry."

She smiled at him and took a bite of her own taco, her eyes moving back to the tv. It was astonishing to her how often the camera focused on Sidney, how many times they played his stats, how often he was on the ice…the amount of closeups were a constant treat to Piper's eyes.

He is a really big fucking deal, she thought. She took another bite of her dinner, watching more of the game. It was nearly over, and it looked like the Penguins would take home the win. Even though it was a rerun, she watched it like it was live. It was cool to see Sidney play, even if it was an old game. It was also even cooler to feel what she felt as she watched him.

I can't believe I'm going to visit him.

The camera focused in on Sid, who was now sitting on the bench. He was out of breath, examining the edge of his stick with dark eyes, both focused and alert.

Those eyes are going to be looking into mine soon.

Piper watched Sid wipe his face with a Gatorade cloth, removing some of the sheen of sweat that only made his flawless complexion glisten more.

And those lips…. She sighed happily. Hopefully they'll be on mine.

The game went to commercial, and Piper ate the rest of her dinner with a dumb smile on her face.

* * *

After dropping her brother off at her parents later that night, Piper said a quick hello to both her mom and dad and then made her way back to her home on the other side of Bar Harbor.

Just as she was shutting the door and walking up the wooden steps to her front door, her phone rang. She got a jolt of excitement when she saw his name on her screen.

"Hey there, Ice King."

"Ice King, eh?"

Piper would've went inside, but she now felt the urge to sit outside on her porch in the warm night air. The stars were out, and the faint glow of the harbor shone off in the distance. The only thing that would've made the moment better was if Sidney was there, instead of on the other line.

"I saw you play tonight" Piper said, curling her legs under her on the chair. "My brother was watching one of the old playoff games you guys played a few months ago. You looked good. Especially when you scored."

"Saw me at my best then. That's good. Hopefully I can keep impressing you."

His voice was like butter against her ear. She couldn't help but smile, again. "So far so good, Crosby. But then again, you have a tendency to win…or so I heard."

He chuckled on the other line. "I'm gunning for your heart, you know."

Piper's brows lifted in surprise. "…my heart?"

"I want to win it. If I don't…it might be my biggest loss yet."

Is this guy for real?

"You're sweet, you know that?" she asked him. It was a serious question, too.

"I'm not just saying this, Piper" Sidney admitted. "I've been looking forward to getting back in town for a while now. And you coming to visit is going to be the highlight of the month."

Butterflies. Nothing but butterflies. It was all Piper could feel, since the rest of her seemed to go weightless.

"I think you're making me blush" she said with a giggle. "For real. And I don't blush often."

"So I am winning…."

Sidney left the question hanging, and Piper grasped onto it with a grip so tight, it would've left her knuckles white if she actually were holding on.

"Very much so, Crosby. Very much so."

"So when do I get to see you? I don't want to wait any longer."

Piper detected desire and wanting in his voice now. She had to continually remind herself that this was actually all very real.

"When are you free?"

Sid chuckled again. "I make time for what matters. Always. So I'm on your schedule, babe."

The word slipped out, and both Piper and Sidney stopped for a moment, their breath caught in their throats.

"I'm….I'm sorry, I shouldn't--"

"--Stop" Piper said, cutting him off. "I like it."

Another hesitation.

"You do?"

She smiled. "A lot, actually."

"Is there any way you can get here tomorrow?"

"Crosby!" She laughed and covered her mouth to keep from sounding like a lovesick schoolgirl. "How about in two days? I can get my yoga classes covered in that amount of time easily."

"Two days." Sid thought about it, silence hanging on the line. "I think I can make it another two days."

"So Thursday then" Piper stated. If she said it out loud, it solidified it. "Perfect."

They both exhaled audibly on the line, which made them both crack up.

"So you'll call or text when you're on the boat and on your way?" he asked. "I need to know exactly how long I'll have to be nervous."

Piper rolled her eyes. "How in the world do you even get nervous? With all the crazy stuff you do, and all the people that love you and look up to you…"

"Funny thing." Sid's voice lowered a little. "I'm actually human, which many forget. I get nervous over a lot of stuff. Alot."

The corner of Piper's mouth lifted as she hugged her legs, wishing it was Sid's shoulders her arms were wrapped around. His last statement was endearing, yes…but there was something sad about that meaning in those words. To be adored by so many, to be watched by millions, to be counted on and depended on and to be looked up to…it could leave a person feeling very isolated.

"Don't worry" Piper said, still smiling to herself. "I'll be just as nervous. You don't have to go it alone."

If she only knew the weight of her own words at that moment.

* * *

The next day was a blur.

Piper ran around town like a chicken with its head cut off, trying to get everything and anything done before her the trip the following day. Mostly, though - she knew that the busier she kept herself, the less time she had to focus on her anxiety.

Only when she invited Danika over to help her pick out an outfit did she realize just how nervous she was.

"You need at least three daytime outfits" Dani said, hands on her hips in front of Piper's closet. "At LEAST."

Piper let out a frustrated puff of air with her mouth, which in turn blew her side-swept bangs upwards. "Why three?! Why not ten?"

"Three is perfect! See, if you bring one…he'll be let down, like you don't want to stay overnight."

Piper gave her friend a side eye.

"If you bring ten, as you suggest…you'll look desperate."

"I was only tossing a random number out there" Piper teased.

"Sooooo….if you bring threeeee…." Dani continued. "Seems like two day time outfits, and one spare to change into after an unexpected round of sex."

Piper laughed. "You are just so certain we're banging, aren't you?"

"YES!" Dani flipped her blonde hair with sass. "And if you don't - I'll lose all respect for you."

"Oh yeah right." Piper smirked at her and approached the closet again. She rummaged through dress after skirt after flouncy top after tank top. She realized all of her clothes were a mismatch of random, colorful pieces.

She lifted one of her shorter skirts; one that was white and would match anything, and had a flirty ruffle detail that would ensure plenty of swishing every time she moved.

"This?"

Dani studied it. "Could work. What tops?"

Piper turned towards the closet. "Any one of these, I guess." She lifted her hand towards the selection of strappy, multicolored, patterned tank tops.

"Oh yes, definitely. Those will show off your amazing arms and back."

Piper made a sweet face. "Awww, Danniii…Thanks."

"You know you've got a hot bod" Dani replied, grabbing a few of her tank tops. "I like these."

"Me too. Toss 'em!"

Dani tossed two tank tops into Piper's bag, where they joined the dress and skirt that were already in there. "Okay, one more."

"I think I know which one." Piper hustled over to her bright red dresser, pulling one of the wooden drawers outwards. "These? Again, with one of those tanks, or maybe a longer sleeve top, incase it's chilly?"

She turned and held out a pair of ripped skinny jeans. "These show off my butt like a dream."

"You know what to do then!"

"Toss 'em!" Piper threw the jeans into the pile of clothes sticking out of the bag she'd be taking with her to Halifax. "Well, that makes three. Are we done?"

"Did you pack any lingerie?" Dani asked, her face totally serious.

"Just about 15 pairs of sexy panties. Does that count?" Piper's smile turned naughty. "Or is that not enough?"

Dani's mouth fell open as she laughed, her blue eyes widening. "Girl, I LOVE where your head is at right now!"

They giggled excitedly, talking more and more about what might happen during Piper's time in Canada with Sid. But as much as they talked and speculated how the trip might go, she still had reservations.

"You know what happens when you build something like this up too much." She shifted her eyes in Dani's direction. "Disappointment."

"I know, I know" Dani replied. "But don't think of that at all, okay? Just have FUN."

"Well that's guaranteed, silly!" She hesitated, thinking for a moment about the realities of what might actually go on with Sid. What was she expecting, really? Ali mentioned he was a challenge…in a good way. She still couldn't figure out what that may mean, especially with Sid.

"I think I really like him, Dani." Piper looked up, facially shrugging. "I don't want to expect anything. I just want to see him. Whatever happens….happens."

Dani smiled. "You must, because if you could only see your face right now."

"Pretty bad?"

"Pretty good" Dani said. "It's the face of someone who is falling hard for someone."

She nodded. "Good, because I am."

*

Before bed, Piper made one last round in her house, making sure everything was ready for her departure the next morning. Her plan was to wake up and shower, get ready, then be at the ferry terminal by 8 am. The Cat wasn't leaving the dock until 9, but she knew how nervous and excited she would be, and she wanted to take the time to soak it all in. It might be the only time she got to do this, and she wanted to make sure she appreciated it from start to finish.

Grabbing her phone, Piper hopped into bed and snuggled under the covers. It was dark in the room, but the almost-full moon outside and the clear skies cast a pale glow through the window, which Piper had left open. A warm breeze fluttered her pink and orange colored curtains, making for the perfect sleeping temperature.

The last thing she wanted to do to cap the night off was text Sid. It was pretty late, and she knew he had an early morning skate…so she opted to text over phoning him.

P: In bed. Totally relaxed, awesome breeze, and tomorrow is just around the corner. :) Hope you're sleeping well right now.

She wanted to write "because you won't be getting any sleep tomorrow night", but decided against it.

Snuggling further down, her head against the pillow, Piper glanced outside at the tall evergreens that surrounded her home and her yard. She tried to imagine what Sid would think if he ever came to visit. Would he find her home too small? Would he think it's too goofy, too eclectic, too….unrefined?

The beep of her cell shocked her out of her spiraling thoughts. She was surprised to see that Sid wrote back, and then became fearful that she'd woken him up.

S: I can't sleep. Too excited. :)

"Oh my god, he uses smiley faces" Piper said out loud. She laughed a girly little laugh, feeling special and smitten all at once.

P: You ready for me?

S: More than you know.

P: Well I'm ready for you. More than ready.

S: Don't torture me with those lines…not this late at night ;)

"AND winky faces!" she exclaimed, still laughing over the fact that a superstar hockey player used emoticons.

P: Better get some rest then. Big day tomorrow! Can't wait to see you again.

S: Can't wait to see you. Sleep well, Piper.

She sunk down under her comforter until it covered her up to her neck. Closing her eyes, she basked in the moment that tomorrow…maybe….she'd be sleeping beside Sidney Crosby, the man who swept her off her feet at a friend's wedding reception.

* * *

Notes