In Your Eyes

The warmth and sunshine of Florida impacted the Penguins in positive ways. The strain of the night before and all the frustrations that came with it seemed to melt away the second they stepped off the plane. Many were ready with their sunglasses perched on their heads, excited to wear them in warmth as opposed to in the cold like they were used to.

Sid didn't have his sunglasses ready. They were stuffed somewhere in a bag that wasn't hanging off his shoulder, so as he descended the stairs to the tarmac, he had to squint. A warm breeze blew, smelling of both jet fuel and a hint of ocean water.

If only he could relax. He slept the entire 2 hour flight down to Tampa, ignoring most of the chatter and laughter amongst the others on the plane. Fleury, somehow, had also slept through the commotion right next to him, which helped Sid to not feel guilty about sleeping the entire way.

Now, in the glaring sunlight of the Florida afternoon, Sid seemed to have a whole new perspective on things. It was amazing what a little sunlight and warmth could do for the soul.

After a short trip on the bus back to their hotel and a change of clothes, the guys were taking to the ice for their first practice. They'd practice a few hours that afternoon, then again the next morning before the game in the evening. During that time, a few of the guys had plans to enjoy their evening dining together al fresco, while others even wanted to hit the beach just because they could.

Sid figured he would join the group going out to dinner that night. He could use a drink or two and maybe then he could relax as he worried about the game and the eventual meet and greet between his folks and Piper in a few days.

Luckily for Sid, he was able to throw himself into the practice. He swore by his personal mantra that hockey was always the best medicine, and this proved true today. With every pass of the puck, every cut of his blades, every chirp between him and the others, he felt better and better.

As the evening progressed and practice ended, the team emerged once more into the warmth and humidity to board the bus back to the hotel. A few fans were waiting outside, so Sid and a few of the others stopped to sign autographs and take pictures. Sid didn't mind; practice had done him a world of good, and for now the tension he felt had diminished.

It was short-lived, however. Once they were back in their hotel room, Sid emerged from the shower, white towel wrapped about his waist, hair sticking to his forehead and sideburns and dripping with water.

"So what's the plan?" He slipped his watch over his wrist as he looked at Dupuis. "You going out with us?"

"Hell yeah. I could use a meal that actually consists of fresh seafood" he joked happily. "I love Pittsburgh, and I know Wooley's is a staple and all, but nothing beats fresh seafood."

Sid nodded with a grin. "You got that right."

Dupuis stood across the room, analyzing the wrinkle in Sid's brow. "You look tense, not gonna lie, Sid." He crossed his arms over his chest. "Stammer's good, but we'll clench the win easy--"

"--Agghh, it's not the game, Duper."

Dupuis' furry brows rose. "It's……not?"

Sid unravelled the towel and wiped his hair with it. "No, it's my parents."

"Oh." His expression turned thoughtful. "Introducing Piper to them?"

"Introducing them to Piper."

"She's cool, though, dude. Real cool."

"I know, that's the only thing keeping me sane." Sid slipped boxers on and then a fresh pair of navy dress pants. "The ONLY thing."

Pascal scratched at the back of his neck, trying to think of something to relax his young teammate. He wasn't coming up with much, since he knew Sidney better than most on the team did. He'd witnessed the details of his ups and downs where he hid those from most of the other guys. So now, as Sid went about changing for the night and tossing a dollop of gel into his hair, Pascal felt he may not need to suggest much to his friend. Sid would be tense his entire life, but he seemed to be handling this better than he normally did.

Sid turned and opened his arms, displaying his change of clothes. "Too much for where we're going?"

Pascal tossed a limp wrist at him. "You know those pants just bring out the color of your eyes."

Across the room from him, Sidney laughed. "You suck." He turned and unbuttoned the top two buttons, lifting his chain from beneath his white undershirt. "Alright, I'm ready. Who's driving?"

"Vitale" Pascal said, grabbing for his sunglasses. He slipped them on and opened the door. "And did I mention that shirt brings out the raven color of your hair?"

Sid rolled his eyes and headed out into the hall.

* * *

While some of the guys had gone out to dinner together, James had made separate plans of his own. Anytime the Pens were in town, he and Stamkos tried to get together if there was time. It just so happened that with one easy phone call and a handful of texts, Steven had cleared his evening to spend the time with his nearly-hometown buddy.

Stammer picked James up at their hotel, driving one of his less-garish cars that he owned so as not to draw wandering eyes. The fans who knew the Penguins were in town often waited at the hotel in hopes of getting items of theirs signed by the players, but Steven knew the drill. He went around the back entrance, waiting with one window down and his arm casually resting on the ledge. After a few minutes, he saw Nealer trotting out of the door towards his car.

James gave a friendly wave before slumping into the passenger side seat of his friend's car. "What's up, asshole."

"Love you too" Steven said. "And you're welcome for the ride."

James flashed him his large grin. "Anyone else coming over tonight?"

Steven glanced in his rearview mirror before backing out, his friendly smile appearing. "Nah, think it's just us. Purcell threatened to make an appearance, but think he's got something else going on."

James snorted. "What the fuck would he have going that's more important than beer and steak at your place?" He watched Steven chuckle, shifting his ride into fifth gear.

"Ahhh….well that's the beautiful mystery of One Teddy Purcell."

The chirping went on the entire ride back to Steven's house as the two caught up. Steven informed James of all new developments with he and his girlfriend and how seriously it was progressing. James did the honor of filling Steven in on all the latest with Ali…minus one very large, important detail. He was dying to tell him; he was dying to tell anyone at this point, but he held out.

Just a couple more days and then we'll tell my parents together he thought. Then I can tell everyone the news.

"So how's Crosby and that chick from the summer? Piper, was that her name?" A sly smile played across Steven's face.

"Uh, don't shit your pants or anything, but she moved in with him."

Steven almost lost control of the wheel. "You're kidding me."

James shook his head. "Nope. It's a done deal. She moved in last week."

"Last week!?" Steven's blue eyes went back to the road in front of them as silence settled over the car. "Well damn. I wouldn't have guessed that."

"Not after meeting them this summer, right?" James recalled the first time Sid introduced Piper to him and the guys. "He's gotten, uh…a lot smoother since then. That's what Ali tells me anyways."

"I bet. Or….well…..I hope he would."

"Otherwise she'd be yours?" James punched him in his shoulder. "You wanted on that, don't fucking lie to me, Stammer."

"She's a good looking girl, don't get me wrong!" Steven glanced over, trying to conceal the guilt in his expression. "But you know I'm in love."

"I know, I know…relax." James turned his gaze to the scenery zipping by out the window. Just being near the water and enjoying 80-degree weather in November seemed to relax him a little. He had enough going on in the back of his mind that if he spent any time dwelling on it, he'd be far more anxious than he currently was.

Just a few more days and then I can finally tell everyone there's another Neal coming into this world.

Steven was too sharp to miss the smile that was gradual but growing across James' face. "Uh oh."

James looked over, black sunglasses shielding his eyes. "What?"

"What the hell is that look? Huh?" Steven's good-natured tone of voice wasn't hard enough to threaten James into telling him.

"The sun is shining and I'm 24 hours from another win against you - what's not to smile about?" he joked.

Steven laughed. "Fuck you."

A few minutes later, they rolled up the driveway to Steven's house and James was finally able to see the renovations Steven had been bragging of for the past few months. Steven gave him a quick tour of the changes he and his girlfriend had made together since she moved in several months back.

"Sorry she couldn't be here to team up with me and give you twice as much shit as I want to." Steven tossed James a beer from the fridge, claiming one for himself.

James looked around, surprised and interested by the newness of his buddy's life. "Not bad, really."

"Not bad at all."

They clinked the necks of their beer bottles and went out onto the patio. James made himself comfortable in one of his plush lounge chairs. He crossed one leg over the opposite knee, reclining back with his face in the late evening sun. "This beats dinner with the others." He said this as his eyes tried to find a spot to rest on: the outside flat panel Steven had mounted to the stone fireplace, the pool with water that looked fiercely inviting, or the grill that Steven was currently firing up right in front of him.

James took a swig of the ice cold beer, smiling to himself. Wish Ali was here to enjoy tonight with me.

He felt this sentiment the rest of the evening. Steven grilled a couple steaks for them and they ate and caught up even more. The beer flowed, likely one too many for the both of them, but the humid air of the night was too much for James to resist. It was like the ease of summer all over again. Now that the season was in full swing, summer seemed so far in the past now, and the two friends didn't get to hang like this often.

"What time do you need to be back?" Steven cracked the cap of another beer and pressed the end to his lips. He could feel himself getting about as drunk as he likely should the night before a game.

James shrugged. "Soon?" He laughed for no reason, and so did Steven. "Ahhhh fuck me…I should've stopped like two beers ago."

"Ah fuck it. You're going to win anyways tomorrow, right? That's the bullshit you fed me in the car?"

"Exactly." James had a brotherly reaction whenever Steven would chirp him. His fair features, kissed by the Florida sun to make them even lighter, and the wily smile James knew so well - Steven was like a brother to him.

Picking at the label of the bottle in his hands, James' head swam a little. Maybe it was the beer, or maybe it was just how relaxed he was and how at home he felt chilling by the pool with his friend, he didn't know. But the combination was all it took for James to let his guard down, even slightly.

"So Ali's pregnant, ya know."

Steven's eyes grew twice their size. "What?"

James nodded, smiling as he looked down at the bottle. "We're having a baby." He looked over to see Steven swing his legs around the lounger, elbows leaning on his knees.

"James."

"What?"

"You're drunk."

"Maybe a little."

"Why the fuck would you joke about that? She'd kick your ass if she heard you--"

"--Not joking, man." James took another drink, his eyes never leaving Steven's. "100% truth."

"You lie."

"Not this time." He smiled.

Steven ran a hand through his blonde hair, just a tinge sweaty from the humidity and warmth of the night. He mulled the information over, but when he looked into James' eyes, they never wavered. His grin didn't have that devilish air to it, his expression dead serious and as solid as he'd ever seen it.

"She is pregnant, isn't she?" he asked him.

James nodded. "I got her pregnant, Stammer."

"Was it….planned?"

"Yeah."

Steven's mouth dropped. "You PLANNED it?"

James started to laugh. "Why? What's so wrong with that?"

"I don't….I don't know, I just…" Steven lifted his gaze and saw the smirk on James' face. "Holy shit, Nealer."

"I know." James was full-on grinning now. "I'm so fucking excited, dude, you have no idea."

"Holy shit, Nealer!" Steven stood up, and James followed. He clapped his arms about his taller friend, excited and surprised and dumbfounded all at once for him. "Congratulations! This is amazing, especially if you guys were trying and all..."

"I honestly can't believe it." James couldn't stop smiling, and the buzz he had made him feel even lighter on his feet and his mind was floating along in the euphoria of the moment. "We just decided, you know, over the summer…and it wasn't going well there for a while, but…"

Steven's face was all aglow with happiness. "Is Ali excited? I bet she's going absolutely nuts over this."

"She is. I still don't deserve that woman, Stammer."

"Shut up, yes you do and you know it." Steven held up his bottle. "This is cause for celebration, my friend."

"No, wait--" James held out a hand. "We weren't going to tell anyone until we told our parents this week…"

"Dude." Steven set his sharp jaw and stared at him. "Why the hell did you tell me, then?"

"You're like a brother. A brother who won't fucking tell my parents." He said this with amusement in his tone and in his eyes. "So you know…don't fucking tell anyone."

"You know I won't." Steven held out his hand to James. "I'll shake on it."

James took his friend's hand in his, feeling his steady, solid grip in his own. "I know you won't. I just had to tell someone or the excitement will kill me."

Steven was humbled. "You got it, man. Secret's safe with me." He pointed at him then and grinned. "But the minute you give me the green light - I'm telling everyone I know that James fucking Neal is having a kid."

He laughed. "I'll drink to that."

The two friends clinked bottles again, and Steven gave a shake of his head before drinking from his. James fucking Neal is having a kid. The world has officially spun off its axis.

* * *

Piper crossed another building off her list with a disappointed sigh. Of the number of different units she had visited that day, none of them seemed like the right place for her new yoga studio. She had two places left, and then she'd have to start all over whenever new vacancies around the city opened and were advertised.

Fingers running through her hair, Piper looked out her windshield at the place she'd just examined. The location was great, but the set-up was all wrong. That was the problem with many of the places she visited: they were great buildings for other businesses, but the layouts were either too small or too narrow to allow a number of students the room they needed to have a good experience. Piper needed room. She wanted room.

"Off to the next site, I guess" she said aloud. Glancing at the directions she'd jotted down on the opposite side of her list, she turned and pointed her car in the right direction of the city where it was located.

The second she pulled up along the sidewalk near the building, she had hope. The entrance was grand, and while the color of the doors was all wrong, Piper could easily paint it. She could envision whatever name she created hanging above the tall doorway.

She also saw the realtor she called on her way over. He was seated on a bench by the door, and as she walked over, he stood and shook her hand. Given the trouble she had all morning finding a place, his friendly expression was a welcomed sight.

"Piper Lake?"

"Yes, pleasure to meet you, Mark." Piper guessed he was in his early 30s. He was fresh-faced and squeaky clean, likely a budding realtor with more enthusiasm than he could contain. "Hopefully I didn't keep you waiting?"

"Not at all! Shall we go inside?" His smile was even more excited than Piper's was.

"Lead the way" she said.

Mark unlocked the door and they stepped inside. It was chilly and their footsteps echoed, especially Piper's boots. She gazed up at the vaulted ceiling, loving the architecture that was sweeping and dated, but unique and totally her style.

"How old is this building?"

"It dates back to the 1920s, but much of the inside has been renovated." Mark pointed towards the adjacent rooms and the detail above their entrances. "Because it was in such great condition, the contractors left the original details above these entrances, as well as the front entrance, which I'm sure you noticed."

Piper walked over to one of the adjoining room, running her hands over the door handles while her eyes stared upwards as the beautiful detailing. "This is gorgeous….it's so……" She shook her head, unable to find the words. "It's so old, but it has such a unique look all its own."

"Precisely why the contractors left it" Mark said happily. "If you'd like - those doors are open, if you wish to go inside."

She let herself in, noticing the hardwood floors and the tremendous renovation job that was done. They were polished boards, cut on a diagonal, shiny and new and just begging for Piper to put a yoga matt on. She looked out the windows, seeing another brick building without much else of a view. I can add privacy film to these windows, then paint the detailing around these. Maybe I could buy privacy film that mimics stained glass for more color? She continued to touch the window sills as her ideas rolled in faster than she could envision them.

The walls were painted gray, but Piper knew she could easily change that to something brighter. Maybe have one room brighter, and keep the gray room as a more relaxing theme. Piper ran her hand along the wall thoughtfully. "How tall are these walls?"

"Nine and a half feet."

She nodded. I could add the mirrors along this wall. She glanced up at the lighting fixtures, trying to decide if they would need to be redone to promote a more calming effect to the room.

Mark watched as Piper jotted down some numbers on a small pad she'd pulled from her coat pocket. "Would you like to see the other room?"

She glanced up and smiled, somewhat embarrassed at how into her own mind she had become. "Sorry, don't mind me. Just putting numbers and ideas down."

"That's good to hear." He opened his hand to the door. "Right this way."

Piper shoved her note pad back into her pocket and followed Mark out into the small entryway. They crossed over to the second adjoining room, only to discover this particular room was even larger.

Piper's eyes were practically buldging. "Wow - what's the floor space here?" she asked, her eyes round and full. "It's huge!"

"1500 feet" Mark said proudly.

Piper turned quickly and stared at him. "1500 feet."

Mark nodded. "All brand new cedar flooring, same as the other room, renovated ceilings, air conditioning unit, fresh paint job on all the walls…"

He kept talking, spouting off stats for the room, but Piper was lost in her own thoughts again. This is twice as big as anything at Daybreak she thought excitedly. I could branch out, like Dani said…I could hold specialty classes in the smaller room, and do Vinyasa here in the grand room. She turned towards the back wall, envisioning additions and adjustments she'd have to make. I could place a ballet barre, have storage units right up against the corner, keep everything organized without the wasted space of a storage room.

"Miss Lake?"

Piper turned. "Yeah?"

"I asked if you'd like to go upstairs?"

Her breath caught in her throat. "There's an upstairs?"

Mark smiled. "Come with me."

There was a small stairway behind the large room, known only to those who would exit the side door. It functioned before as a stairway to storage upstairs, but Piper knew the room she and Mark just stepped into would be her office. It was also twice, maybe three times, as large as her Bar Harbor office.

She walked over to the window and looked out. Her view was much better from here, which was a direct shot of the Fifth Avenue and PPG buildings.

Turning, she faced Mark and tried to contain her joy at what she was seeing. "Dare I ask how much this entire gorgeous space is?" She bit her lip as Mark glanced down at the card he'd been holding.

"Depending on your monthly lease plan, the cost is 90 grand, spread out over a total of---"

"--STOP."

Mark's eyes lifted slowly.

Piper took a few steps closer. "You said 90 grand? As in…$90,000?"

"Yes?" Mark's brows furrowed.

Piper laughed. "That's gotta be a joke. It's a joke, right?"

"No…"

She held a hand up to her mouth, smiling wildly and feeling all her extremities go tingly. "And for a 24 month lease?"

"That would be about $3800 per month---"

Piper squealed and stomped her feet.

Mark blinked, watching Piper almost jumping in place. "I'm sorry, Miss Lake - is everything okay?"

"Is everything okay!?!?" She walked towards him and Mark followed her with question. He was even more confused when Piper held her hand out to him.

"I'll take it."

Mark looked at her. "You'll take it??"

"Yes! I want it." Piper re-extended her hand. "Now shake my hand before I lose my nerve."

* * *

When Sid got on the bus following their game against the Lightning, he was as tired as tired could be. His arms and legs were fatigued from the intensity of the game and the extra minutes he played to compensate for an injury Sutter sustained halfway through the second period. All he wanted to do…above anything else….was talk to Piper.

He held his composure until they were back in the rooms. While they had only a few minutes to get their luggage together and get it back out to the bus so they could head to the airport, Sid had packed long before the game, knowing he'd need those few minutes to speak to Piper before he boarded his late flight.

One ring hadn't even gone through when he heard Piper's voice on the other line. "Baby!"

"Hi to you too!" He smiled against the phone. "Someone's awfully energetic for this late at night."

"Well first, can I just tell you how amazing you were tonight?"

Sid's smile grew. "Sure, I know enough not to argue." He listened as Piper went on to compliment him, feeling his cheeks turning pink and warm.

"And that's not even counting your two goals" she added.

"Well thank you for that" Sid replied, trying his best to humbly accept her praise. "My turn now."

"Nope! I have more."

He laughed. "Okay then, have at it. The floor is yours."

"Are you sitting down?" Piper asked.

"No, I'm in the hallway of the hotel." Sid glanced around, but there was no furniture. He decided to lean his back against the wall. "But I am leaning. Does that work?"

"It does - because I have amazing news."

Sid felt his heart beating faster just hearing the anticipation in her tone. "Yeah? What happened?" When there was a short pause before she spoke, Sid could see her in his mind and could imagine the delight on her face.

"I found a yoga studio."

He inhaled quickly. "What? REALLY?"

"Yes! Yes! Yes! AND - it's SO CHEAP, Sidney."

"How much?" he asked cautiously.

"90 grand."

His entire face lifted in surprise. "That's IT?"

Piper began to giggle. "It's ridiculous the luck I had in finding it!"

Sid's heart was racing now, sharing the excitement with her, even from where he stood in Tampa. "Baby this isfantastic! Where is it? When do you get to move in?" The questions were coming faster than his mouth could give voice to them.

"This is even better, you ready?" Her voice was overflowing with joy. "It's DOWNTOWN."

"Downtown where?" Sid was astounded. "You actually found a place downtown for that price?"

"YES!! Yes! It's kind of wedged between some buildings, so not the best views in some ways, but it's in the area of Sixth Avenue and Liberty."

"No way. This is EXACTLY what you needed to find!" Sid knew the part of town she was speaking of, and he couldn't believe she'd landed the spot she did at the price she did.

"I'm so excited, Sid. It's like everything's coming together now."

Turning so his shoulder was leaning against the hallway wall, Sid rested his head against the wall and closed his eyes. "It is, it really is…I just wish I could be there to celebrate with you right now."

"There will be plenty of time for celebrating" she replied, the large grin she wore audible over the phone. "I love you so much. I can't WAIT to show you the inside of this place. It's old, and yet…like nothing I've seen before. I don't know why no one else snatched this up."

"It was meant to be" Sidney replied. Somehow, when he said the words, he wasn't just thinking about Piper's future studio.

Somehow, Piper didn't think so either. "Maybe all this was supposed to happen this way, Sid. Maybe we were really meant to be together after all."

"After all?" He laughed softly. "Was there some doubt?"

"Only in me remaining jobless" she joked. "You were pretty much a done deal."

"You spoil me, baby."

"And I'd spoil you now if you were here."

And how I wish that were possible. Sidney sighed happily. "Do something nice for yourself tonight. Or tomorrow. Treat yourself to something like Chinese food because you deserve it."

Piper laughed. "Chinese food is your treat, Sid."

He smiled. "I'll share it, but just this once."

Down the hall, doors began to open as his teammates flowed out, dragging their luggage behind them or carrying their bags over their shoulders.

Sid sighed. "I hate to cut this short--"

"--It's okay, you know it is" Piper said, interrupting him before he could apologize. "I'm glad I got this much time to tell you."

"I'm glad, too. But the celebration isn't over, okay? I'll make this up to you" Sid said with a grin.

"You always do" Piper replied. "And I can't wait."

* * *

Notes