Still There For Me

Tomorrow is my day to go for my interview to talk about how hard it is to be a hockey girlfriend in the NHL, and it soon escaladed to being an interview for a documentary about Sid’s career. With tons of press today, Sidney said he would watch the kids as much as he could. I knew I wouldn’t take too long, but I was still worried. Not to mention slightly nervous about doing this on my own.

But for today, Sidney will be gone for most of the day.

“Are you sure you’ll be able to handle this on your own?” I asked him, watching him struggle to get Ty to take a bottle.

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”

“You’ve never had both kids by yourself before, and you can’t call me if I’m on set.”

“Trust me, I got this. I promise. Plus if I need help I can call Mario or Nathalie.”

“They might be gone to visit Nat’s family, so you might wanna check yourself on that one Crosby.”

“Mommy’s being mean to me,” he cooed to Ty who was looking up at him with big eyes.

“No I’m not. Kylie! Do you want to go on a walk?” I asked her while she ate her lunch. She nodded excitingly and hurried to finish her hot dog.

“And on that note, I’ll be gone to talk to another TV network, I can’t remember which one,” he said, standing up to give the baby to me.

“It’s NBC.”

“Right, and this is why I love you,” he kissed my cheek, and Ty’s, then worked his way over to Kylie. “Have a great day guys and I’ll be home as soon as I can. Love you.”

“Love you too daddy!”

“All done?” I asked. She smiled, showing me her empty plate. “Good job! I’m gonna go change some diapers and we can go.”

Once we got everything ready I got out the stroller and put Ty in, leaving the spot for Kylie available when she needs it. She hasn’t adjusted to the Pittsburgh house yet so I’m hoping the walk and fresh air will help her go down for her afternoon nap.

She walked alongside the stroller the entire time, humming away and taking her sweet time. She would stop and look at flowers, or ask questions about things she saw. We saw some press who were lingering around, so I had to hide her from them for a little bit as well. The fascination is still there to an extent, they’re just trying to get pictures of Ty, since they haven’t seen him so far.

“Mommy, what they doing?” she asked up at me.

“They want to get our picture.”

“Why?”

“Because of daddy.”

“But he’s not here.”

“I know. It’s because you are his baby girl and they want to know you like the world knows daddy.”

“Why?”

“Because daddy is famous.”

“Does me famous?”

“Kinda,” I replied, shaking my head at her questions. She started talking at 6 months and hasn’t stopped since, I tell ya.

Eventually she was getting tired so I put her in the stroller too, and I walked back home. By then I knew they’d be out until at least 3, so that gave me time to think of something simple to make for dinner. When Sidney isn’t home, that’s when I know not to make a lot of food, or something extremely healthy. It’s a nice treat for me, and takes a bit of pressure off of me as well. He has a very strict diet and if something isn’t right it’s always my fault.

When we got home, I texted Sid to make sure what time he’d be home at, just to make sure. He replied back ‘not sure’, so I was going to make fettuccini alfredo, since he never lets me have it, and it's one of my favourites. We didn’t have any chicken, since we haven’t gotten absolutely all our groceries but I can make do without.

Sure enough around 3 I heard Kylie stirring, with Ty still passed out. He wouldn’t be up for a little bit longer anyway, so I could easily cook and distract Kylie at the same time. As I boiled the pot of water I asked for her to get the container of pasta I placed on the floor. I know she loves to help so I want her to help as much as she can. It’s cute watching her try. She brought the container over and handed me a couple of handfuls for me to put in the pot.

“Do you want to make a picture for daddy?” I asked. I picked her up and put her in her high chair, put a placemat down and gave her a piece of paper and some crayons. She doesn’t know what she’s doing but it’ll occupy her.

I gave her some noodles without the sauce, because she doesn’t like it, and fed Ty once he was up, and quickly put her to bed so I could eat. 6:30 bed time is perfect. Sitting down on the couch and watching TV while eating dinner alone is pretty hard. Especially waiting for him to come home to spend some quality time together, but that’s life. It’s all part of the lifestyle.

Around 8:30 I texted him asking where he was and how much longer he’d be.

Sid: I’m out for dinner. Be home shortly.

By shortly it was 9:30. I was lying in bed, curled up watching TV to try and help me get some sleep. I got a lot done after I ate, folded laundry, put it away, cleaned bottles and containers, did dishes, and cleaned up the kitchen a little bit. I heard him come in and didn’t even bother to go see him, feeling slightly frustrated.

“I’m sorry I’m home so late,” he said, walking up to me and giving me a kiss on the forehead.

“It’s okay, how did it go?”

“Pretty good,” he replied while getting undressed. “Most of my day was spent waiting around for my turn to speak and that was it. It was a live show too which was pretty cool.”

“I see. Well that’s good honey.”

“How was your day?”

“It was good. Kylie napped half way through the walk and went until 3 and helped me with dinner.”

“What’d you make?”

“Fettuccini alfredo.”

“Yuck. Why did you make that shit?”

“Because I enjoy it and I never get to eat it anymore because of you. Plus, I didn’t want to make something too big and work up a big fuss about it because I was the only one mainly eating it. Kylie just had some plain noodles.”

“That stuff is really fattening you know.”

“You know what else is fattening?”

“What?”

“You big lips and poofy ass,” I teased him.

“Oh yeah?” he asked, pouncing me on the bed, holding himself over me. “You’re the one with a big ass, not me.”

“Your ass is pretty big for a guy.”

“But you love it.”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe? Why maybe?”

“Because it out shadows mine!”

“There’s no way that could happen babe. It's too nice.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, all the guys tell me,” he giggled.

“They what!?”

“Yeah! They dubbed you the biggest and nicest booty out of the wag’s.”

“Oh for the love of God,” I rolled over. “You guys are pathetic.”

“Hey, that’s a huge honour. You should feel proud of yourself.”

“You keep telling yourself that Cindy.”

“Oh I will,” he pressed up on it in a spooning position.

We are just the most loving couple.

**Interview Time**
I’m a nervous to go and do this interview but at the same time I think this is will be good for me so that I can get a little bit off of my chest. I got my mic pack on and got into position with the backdrop behind me. I know this interviewer from other interviews and I really like her approach to this, so I’m hoping this goes nicely. While they were still setting stuff up I got a text from Sidney.

Sid: Good luck, you’ll do great. Love you!

He had an attachment of him and the kids with thumbs up. It was absolutely adorable and got me in a much better mood. Once we did a brief little chit chat it was ready to go.

“How was the move back to Pittsburgh, not knowing if there would be a season this year?”

“It was weird. Normally when we’ve made the move back Sidney has been way more focused on what he needs to do to prepare himself, and schedule out what he has to do once he’s there. But this time there was so much uncertainty that it made things eerie in a way. Plus we have a newborn with us too, which was easier than we thought, but we did have some difficulties with that also.”

“How long did it take you to come here?”

“It took us 3 days. We stopped for both nights since we needed a rest and so did the kids. Plus it gave us the opportunity to have some fun before going back, and not knowing if he’d be gone right away.”

“How does this lockout affect you as a girlfriend to one of the best players in the NHL?”

“It affects me in a number of ways. We do have very young children so having to be a single parent in essence is a hard adjustment, especially with him coming and going and having an almost 2 year old asking why he’s not around sometimes. Having to organize the house and both our lives is hard, especially not knowing what each day has in store for him. And it’s hard on us as a couple. Sid is a very determined player and I know that it’s frustrating him that he isn’t practicing or able to train the way he’s used to, and he does let it affect him.” I cleared my throat and continued.

“Much like other players, they’re at a point where they don’t know what’ll happen this year and it’s driving them nuts. They have so much pressure on them for staying in shape for when they come back, but can’t train or practice the way they want to. Plus so many players are scattered because of this issue and I know that’s taking a toll on players and their families individually. Thankfully we came here anyway as if there was a season, so Sidney could train, but also to make the transition easier for the family to make. I couldn’t imagine being back home and getting the call saying you need to be in town the next day, and then have me travel with the kids by myself. It’s hard on the both of us.”

“Would you say that you are very involved with his mental game?”

“Absolutely. I know I’m obviously not there for training and practices, and whatnot, but I’m the one he comes to to voice his opinion to. He comes to me to vent or ask for guidance, or even just to get it off his chest. Hearing him sometimes is so hard on me because I hate hearing and seeing him go through this. And other than him, I’m alone as of right now and have no one to talk to about this. It’s crushing me and there’s nothing I can do but support him and listen to him. He’s a passionate player and with the pressure that he gets for his skill level, it does make him worry a lot. He’s worried like everyone else is, and he now knows that as one of the faces of the players organization, he needs to represent the players the way they deserve to be represented, and that’s hard on him from time to time. It kills me to see him get that way at times, but it comes with the territory and we can only hope for the best.”

Despite being in a lock out, and not having many friends here that I can talk to about this stuff face to face with. This was extremely therapeutic for me, and I hope this helps the fans realize that the players aren’t just playing golf and vacationing in their spare time. I know that assumption makes Sidney upset because he is working his ass of to make this happen. And I know he’ll erupt soon enough, I’m just gonna have to try my hardest to stop that from happening.

When I got home my babies were just washed and in bed, smelling like baby. I was so relieved not having to get them ready. I curled up into a ball in bed where Sidney was and cuddled with my puppies.

"Do you mind coming with me to a charity dinner this Friday night?"

"Sure. What are we gonna do with the kids?"

"Guess who wants em?"

"The Lemieux's?"

"Nice try. Flower and Vero said they'd watch her because Mario will be there too."

"Okay. It'll be a nice date night for the two of us," I grabbed his arm and nuzzled in to him.

"Yeah, it will," he swallowed, talking in a low tone. He's probably tired and stressed. I can't wait to go on an actual date with Sid this Friday though. We haven't had one in over four months, let alone have sexy time. I miss that side of him.

Notes

Outfits for the chapter: http://www.polyvore.com/super_casual/set?id=118043821
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=118045387
I know the story is off to a slow start, it'll pick up soon I promise! How are you guys liking it so far? Your feedback helps!