“Lily! My darling! How are you?” I was squished into a hug before I could really make it into the box where we would be sitting for the game.

“I not see for one day and you worry so! Don’t worry, you not miss much. I only got 7 tattoos and 11 piercings and got married and divorced,” I teased the the Russian Mama Bear.

“Don’t sass me missy!” Natalia Malkin swatted my arm playfully as I tried to move out of the way.

“I would never ever sass you,” I said wide eyed. I felt a soft thwack to the back of my head; she saw right through me.

It might have been a little over 24 hours since I saw the Malkins. I had spent the majority of the last day and a half either training, with Crosby or his family, or with Vero and the baby. I had been nervous to go see the baby; never in my life had I really been around babies. Gifts for little Estelle were easy, well, because Jen helped me. We had bought some baby clothes and a stuffed animal which were easily transportable to Pittsburgh.

“Good see you,” Vladimir Malkin greeted Troy Crosby was still next to Mama Malkin and myself.

“Taylor, grow much! So beautiful!” Mama Malkin exclaimed over Taylor who was behind me.

“Nice to see you Mrs. Malkin,” Taylor answered turning slightly pink.

I grinned looking around the box watching everyone else exchange greetings. It wasn’t the box I had become familiar with over my last two trips to Pittsburgh; tonight we were sitting in the owner’s box. I would be sitting next in between the Malkins and a row below the Crosbys. The Lemieuxs hadn’t arrived yet, and aside from the Crosbys and Malkins, I didn’t recognize anyone.

But I couldn’t deny the smug victory when I noted the obvious absence of Sabine in this box.

“Where is Sabine?” I asked Geno’s mom.

Geno sometimes complained that even after all this time, I still had the nickname ‘Russian Bear‘ for him. Yet, the look upon this Mama Bear’s face when I mentioned the dreaded woman she did not approve of for her only son, it reminded me how very fitting the nickname was for both him and his mother.

“She is sitting with the other wives and girlfriends. In the other box. She came with another woman I believe,” her tone was quite frosty, even more so in her native tongue.

I let out an exasperated sigh.

“When are you going to find him a nice girl?” she asked shaking her head. The first time Geno brought me home, it was obvious that Natalia had hopes but the hopes were quickly squished. She settled on bringing me into her family as a type of daughter.

“I find girl best for Geno, then I meet the two,” I grimaced as I glanced around the box.

I realized Taylor was staring at the two of us talking with an very odd look on her face. It had been a very strained couple of days for Sidney and I. Any moment alone Sidney and I tried to steal away seemed to be instantly interrupted by the young blonde. At first, I thought it was just accidental or something, but I was getting a sneaking suspicion something was up. I figured she was just missing Sidney or something. It wasn’t like the two siblings had gotten much time together growing up, nor during the year.

I sighed aloud and glanced back around the box. Mama Malkin was chatting happily away with Mrs. Crosby about this and that, while the misters were chatting away as well. I glanced at the two families, the Crosbys’ and the Malkins’ and well, me. It was all an odd combination.

The excitement around the warmups was incredible; I didn’t bother me that I probably looked like a total goof staring around CONSOL taking in all of the incredible fans going insane for their team. For the first time, I felt some regret for not having been able to be more involved with Geno’s world before.

‘Geno’s world, or being able to meet Crosby before now?’ my snarky self decided to make itself known before the national anthems. As we all stood up, I told myself to stuff it.

Within the first minute of play, the refs called a Senator player for high sticking Dupuis. My company in the box seemed to be a lot calmer than I as I squirmed in my seat watching the Penguin’s power play team take the ice. But when Paul scored with a beautiful slap shot assisted by Geno, the entire box came alive. Not just the box, the entire building erupted in noise. Unfortunately, this mood was killed off quickly when a Senator player scored two minutes later.

The mood changed once again when the glorious Russian Bear did his thing with a wrister about halfway through the period. It was a beautiful set up; James to Kunitz to Geno. I felt like I could almost forgive Geno and James. Almost. I also realize that I was ridiculous to have never fallen in love with this sport before because yes, this game was awesome to watch, but both seeing the Malkins and Crosbys families were just as fun as the game itself.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” Mama Malkin asked me after stadium quieted down at the end of the second period. The second period had brought us another goal, so we were up 3 to 1.

“I found a jump gym,” my eyes lit up as I told her, “I need go tomorrow and get practice some tomorrow.”

As I said this, my eyes drifted over to Taylor who was on her phone. Perfect.

“Taylor,” I called her name, and I stood up abruptly without thinking

She glanced up from whatever she was doing on her phone, glancing around for whoever called her name.

“Taylor,” I repeated myself as I walked over to her seat. She stood up and gave me a sorta acknowledging polite smile, “What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Not a thing, I don’t think.” she shrugged.

“I have to go to a tramp gym for a while, wanna come?” I asked.

“Tramp gym?” she asked clearly confused.

“Sorry, trampoline gym,” I clarified my slang, “It’s basically a giant room of trampolines which you can jump, flip, and play on. I was cleared to go test out my ankle. So if you want to tag along.....”

Taylor looked at me still quite confused despite me explaining where it was I wanted her to come with me.

“But why?” her question was understandable, albeit almost harsh. I could see where she was coming from. To her, I was just someone who sorta knew her brother and was staying in his house because I had been kicked out of my normal resting spot.

“It is a lot of fun,” I confessed, “I had one built in my backyard back in Colorado for easier access, at least that is what I told everyone. I think really it was just because there are few things more fun than to goof around.”

I got a slight smile out of her. ‘C’mere girl’ my head called

“Plus,” I jerked my head towards the ice, “I think some we are long due for some girl time. Or else we are going to start growing playoff beards ourselves.”

Taylor giggled a little. ‘There it was.’ my brain roared victoriously.

“Don’t you like doing things like shopping or nails for girltime?” she asked, but now her demeanor was a little more open.

I made a face, “Eh, that is all great once in a while, but this will be a lot more fun. Promise.”

She studied me for a moment, before giving in half-heartedly, “I guess.”

‘Victory,’ my brain cheered in my head.

Third period began a little quieter about another goal by the Pens, this time Dupuis got the goal. But it was followed by more penalties by James. I wasn’t understanding this careless play by James. This was the fourth or fifth penalty he had drawn in this game.

With about three minutes left, I noticed that Bylsma had pulled Sidney and Geno off of the ice. I frowned slightly realizing that James hadn’t been put on the last penalty. Not just James, but the coach was keeping Paul, Letang, and all the other skilled players off. And there it was. I wasn’t exactly sure what as going on, but the refs were blowing whistles and sending people off.

Finally, the game resumed for the short time that was left to play. I highfived everyone in the box when the final buzzer went off. Being completely selfish, I was just glad that the Penguins won and no one got hurt.

---

“Uh, I will catch up with you. I’m going to find the restroom real quick.” I muttered to the group.

“You know where it is?” Trina asked with a slight frown on her face.

“Yup,” I said breathlessly and I spun on my heel and started hightailing it back the other direction.

I carefully took the first left, then the right, then passed two halls, and then took that right. Counting the doors on the wall on my right side I felt my heart pounding as I neared the fourth door.

I glanced up and down the hall waiting until the coast was clear before opening the door.

“Crosby?” I muttered into the darkness.

A hand reached out and dragged me into the room.

“Sidney!” I screeched as he pulled me in.

He smelled terrible or it was the room--I wasn’t sure--and I found I didn’t care.

Sid’s lips were on mine first, but his hands were a close second. Or were my hands all over him? We were mutually all over each other.

I felt my back slam into something; it definitely wasn’t not quite a solid wall. It moved slightly as he pushed me against it, it didn’t make sense to me, but I found just as the smell, as Sidney pushed his body against me, I lost total interest in anything other than Crosby.

Sidney was obviously coming off of the adrenaline and endorphins from the win and the game. His aggression was just like it had been in New York all those months ago.

His hips pinned mine to the wall as I felt one of his reach under the Malkin jersey I was wearing and easily start sliding it over my head. I raised my arms up over my head, allowing him to drag the jersey up and over my body, head, arms and he flung it somewhere in the depths of the room.

Sidney paused for a moment smoothing the craziness mess my hair had took on from being so abruptly disturbed. His lips started off a little gentler this time but my tongue ran along his lips

And then I was up, straddling him; it was much easier without a cast on my foot. I wasn’t sure who liked this position more: him or me. I was questioning if I had ever wanted anything so much.

And I realized there was.

“Wait,” I breathed.

He stiffened as he stopped.

There was an awkward silence between us.

“Do you not, not want,” he began, it was almost as if I had hit him or something as he recoiled slightly.

“God, no. Sidney, Sid. I want you,” I spoke quickly to assure him. I felt an odd tug in the back of my mind that he would jump to that conclusion so quickly.

“I just--is there a light?” I finally added.

“A light?” he echoed me.

I shut my eyes, glad he couldn’t see me at the moment as I figured out how to say what I wanted, “I just, want to be able to see you.”

A sharp inhale came from Sidney before he gently set me down on both my feet. I heard him shuffle around the room before a blinding light filled the room.

I had to blink a couple of times before my eyes could adjust to the light. Sidney was standing over by the door. I felt like an awkward teenage girl all over again as I stared at the man in front of me.

He was still in his skin tight Reebok performance gear from the game. His shaggy hair looked wet, which I am sure was from the sweat. His little awkward mustache which he was growing for the playoffs was as awkward as ever, but right now all I could think about was how badly I needed him. I bit my lip as my eyes roamed over the man before me.

I realized that Sidney was giving me the same look over as I was just giving him, so I glanced down and felt my cheeks flush.

“Lily,” I didn’t hear him move, but he was over in an instant with his hand moving my face back upwards.

And then we were kissing again, this time with a much greater urgency.

I felt one of his hands start to travel south and felt him start fumbling with my jeans before I felt the distinct release of the fabric. Sid was sliding my jeans down.

The door to the room opened and we both froze.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” the familiar voice laughed.

“Got too many sticks tonight. Thought need more.” another voice chimed in after it.

The owner of the first voice walked in and stopped as he saw us. He blinked several times, taking in our position.

“What problem?” the very Russian voice said behind him.

“You know what?” the first man said turning around, “I’ll put it away for you. How about you can do it next time?”

“Oh thanks Pauly!” Geno exclaimed and we heard him shuffle away.

Paul Martin leaned on the extra hockey sticks he was holding while grinning at the pair of us with perhaps the biggest grin I had ever seen in my life.

“I feel like an explanation would be rather fitting right about now.”

Sidney quickly pulled the front of my tank top back up while my hands fumbled for the button on my jeans. I felt rather grateful of Sidney’s much wider, more built size than myself because though Paul could clearly see it was me, he was unable to really see anything, really scandalous. I tried to make myself as decent as I could. Well, as decent as I could in the moment.

“Hi Paul,” I croaked as I stepped around Crosby, who I saw was still trying to, er, calm himself down.

Paul leaned over and picked up the Malkin jersey which had been so carelessly thrown on the ground minutes before.

“Think this is yours,” Paul said casually reaching the short distance between us to hand me the jersey.

“Thanks,” I said, knowing full well my face was bright red as I took it and slipped it over my head quickly.

“Really? Here?” Paul gestured at the two of us.

“I thought everyone was done in here,” Sidney called out frustratedly. Both Paul and I looked back at Sidney who was leaning against a rack of hockey sticks, his head buried in his elbow.

Paul didn’t say anything for a moment, just looked between the two of us, studying us. “Oh my god, Neal’s party in February.”

It wasn’t a question, it was a statement. My mouth opened slightly and shut quickly into a firm line.

His grin grew wider, “I’m right, aren’t I?”

I glanced over at Sidney, who was also now looking at me.

“And then you came to the game in New York!” Paul’s voice chimed in again as he was figuring it all out.

“The morning you two were in Sid’s room and then the bra--”

“How did you know about Neal’s?” I asked interrupting, not wanting to talk about the bra-incident. I turned my head, forcing myself to look at the older defenseman.

The blond man grinned, “I didn’t, not for sure. But Sid couldn’t keep his eyes off of you all night. Plus I saw him follow you upstairs.”

I sighed shaking my head as I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“When are you going to tell Geno?” Paul said his grin widening even more, “And I would like a front row seat for THAT discussion.”

“He knows,” Sidney supplied. Though now he was now standing next to me, he kept a good amount of distance between the two of us.

“Oh, should I have let him into the room just now? I could go get him right--” Paul began to turn from the room.

“Martin!” I scowled, my hands moving to my hips. Upon seeing my expression, he stopped, as if he were a child who just got caught sneaking cookies before dinner. Which, considering the predicament the three of us were in, it should be Sidney and I in the guilty position, but I wasn’t about to begin questioning this.

“Geno isn’t exactly thrilled about the situation, but he is being...tolerant. However, no, being found in the closet like this is not helping us. We aren’t even exactly sure what we are doing yet,” I looked over to Sidney to make sure I was speaking appropriately for the both of us. Sid nodded his head a fraction of an inch.

Frowning, I took a step toward Sidney. I didn’t know what else to do, so I took his hand in mine and gave it a squeeze. He looked away from Paul and instead, looked down at me. He gave me a small smile while squeezing my hand back.

I turned back around to look to look at Paul, who was staring at us with an odd expression on his face.

“We should probably head back before people realize we are missing,” Paul said clearing his throat, before adding, “I won’t tell anyone.”

I raised an eyebrow confused about the sudden change in Paul’s teasing. Paul jerked his head towards the door and we headed out of the room.
Pauly slung around me, pulling me in close and not too subtly, “I think you are going to be good for him.”

I nudged him gently in the ribs, “You’re silly.”

“Uh-huh, and do you know how many times you used the words ‘we’ and ‘us’?” Paul stated painfully with such fact.

I winced slightly and glanced over and up to Sidney who was on my other side who was carefully looking around the empty hall.

We turned a corner and saw some of the teammates still working on their cool down workouts.

“Do you know how to get back from here?” Sid asked softly.

I nodded glancing over at the familiar faces, until I met a pair I had pointedly avoided since he had been traded here. The grin spread quickly on his face--I saw he instantly recognized me.

“Oh Fuck,” I cursed before I realized I had said that out loud. I was hoping 3 years, from age 18 to 21 for me might have been enough change and length of time for him to have forgotten me. Sidney stiffened next to me and I could tell he was staring at me, confused.

The giant man lumbered over with even a bigger grin on his face. It wasn’t that he was huge tall-wise, he was about the same height as Geno. No, it was that he was massive; 230, 240 pounds and all of it muscles.

“Lily Rivers.”

“Douglas Murray.”

And Murray then kissed me right on the mouth.

Notes

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