We Are Here and Now

"Sid! Sid! Wait!" Sidney inwardly groaned at the sound of his name being called. Most days he didn't mind the extra things that came with the title captain, but some rare days he wished he was just able to leave the practice rink without being hounded by media, or fans wanting autographs, or PR ladies reminding him of his other obligations. He missed his wife, who had also been putting in crazy hours at the gallery and who promised him that morning as they had a few minutes to themselves that she would be home before he was and that they would have a quiet evening in.

"Yeah, Jen?" He asked as he heard the Penguins PR lady catch up to him on his way to the parking lot.

"Did you see what happened downtown?"

"No, I've been kind of busy..." Sid replied with a touch of sarcasm dripping from his voice.

"There was a shooting at Wood Street Gallery," Jen said without the slightest hesitation.

And everything around Sid stopped. He noticed Jen was still talking, but he couldn't hear her anymore. He moved in slow motion as he turned back towards the locker room. But he didn't make it far before he stopped to lean against the nearest wall for support. He dug into his pocket for his cell phone. No missed calls.

He searched through his recently called list, not having to look far to find CiCi's number. He dialed and waited. And waited. Jen never left his side. And even crouched down to sit with him as he collapsed further after his wife didn't pick up his call.

*****
"I can't believe it took us a month to think that you could have the condo to live in," CiCi said with a shake of her head as she wandered through her first home with Sidney. Caroline had mentioned in passing that she would love to have a place close to downtown where she worked, and laughed when she said she should just rent Sidney's condo. Of course, Sidney had planned on either selling it or having CiCi use it for storage for her personal paintings, but the idea of having their houseguest out of the house long after her welcome wore out was too inviting.

"You made some amazing furniture selections! When we lived here is was a total bachelor pad. Sid's man cave furniture filled this space. It screamed single male. You added a nice feminine touch." CiCi admired the female flair Caroline added and smiled when she noticed one of her pieces hanging above the fire place.

"Thanks! And thanks for dropping the rest of my things off. I really appreciate everything you and Sidney have done for me," Caroline said with all sincerity. She sat down on her couch as CiCi fell into the chair next to her.

"Have you talked to Tom at all?" CiCi knew bringing up this sensitive subject wasn't the best idea, but she also knew that half of Caroline's belongings were still in the house she purchased with her former fiancé.

"Just to tell him where he can bring the last of my stuff. He sounded okay when I talked with him. You know who I ran into?" Caroline asked changing the direction of their conversation entirely.

"No clue."

"That yummy man, Baron," Caroline gushed. "He, of course didn't remember meeting me. And why should he? I was a blubbering mess on your couch that night I met him. But when I told him I was your friend, he was reminded and we got to talking. He's taking me out to dinner Friday."

"Ugh, he's a creep. Be careful." CiCi rested her head against the back of the chair and looked down at her phone. She had about a half hour before she was due back at work.

"How is he a creep?" Caroline asked intrigued. CiCi knew she had shared stories before, but wondered if Caroline even listened.

"He asked me out twice knowing I am married." She decided to keep her story short and hope it jogged some memories in Caroline.

"Ci, I think he is just lonely. He knows zero people here. He just wants some friends to hang out with. And you are sounding like me now. Don't do that. I was irrational over you and Sid. Don't be irrational over me and Baron. It's just dinner."

"Yeah true, and well you're newly single, so this interaction isn't as odd as it would be for me." CiCi thought maybe this would keep Baron from stopping in so much and ignoring her pleas to stop with his advances.

"So you don't care?" Caroline seemed nervous all of a sudden.

"Care about what?"

"Care that I am going on a date with this guy?"

"Why would I care about that? He's a board member for the cultural trust, not a friend."

"Alright, good. I'm actually really excited about this!"

"I'm excited for you! I'm happy you are moving on." CiCi decided she should start walking back to the gallery and made to stand up. "Alright, I'm off. I will talk with you later."

"Have a nice evening home with the hubby!" Caroline said from the couch as CiCi let herself out.

It was a short walk from Market Square to the gallery, but CiCi walked as if she were in a hurry, dashing across not so busy roads and brushing past people who were moseying along in front of her. She turned to cross along Wood Street when she heard the squealing of tires and felt someone pushing her away from the road. The loud crack of a gun firing made her scream, but she didn't scatter like everyone else around her had. Instead, she heard the car speed off and saw a body lying on the sidewalk in front of the entrance to the gallery. No one seemed to want to help, rather they were trying to steer clear.

CiCi got to her feet, tried to shake the ringing from her ears, and moved towards the body.

"Are you hit?" She asked calmly as she knelt down beside the young boy. He couldn't be any older than fifteen or sixteen.

"Yes," he croaked and pointed towards his ribs on his right side. Thinking quickly, CiCi tore off her cardigan, balled it up and put pressure on the spot gushing with blood.

"What's your name?" She asked in the hopes to get as much information from the kid as she could.
Thankfully, Nick had witnessed the scene from inside and came running out of the front doors to help. He stood over CiCi and listened to the conversation all the while calling the police.

"Miguel," he moaned in pain as CiCi increased pressure.

"Alright Miguel, I'm CiCi. You're going to be fine. My friend, Nick, is on the phone with 911. They are sending help. You're going to go to the hospital and you'll be as good as new. How old are you?"

"Seventeen," he whispered, "I don't want to get in trouble."

"Trouble? You are hurt, this isn't your fault." Sirens pierced through their conversation and paramedics came bustling up to them with medical equipment. Cops came up to secure the perimeter of the crime scene and as the paramedics took over, CiCi was approached by a burly man in uniform.

"Miss, you need to come with me. We have a few questions for you."

CiCi knew she needed to cooperate, but she also knew that this was now going to cut into her evening at home with Sidney.

*****
"Any news?" Mike Sullivan asked as he walked through the lounge at the practice rink. Sidney was sitting on one of couches surrounded by a few of his teammates. He had attempted to leave, to go downtown to see for himself, but Jen wouldn't let him. He continued to call CiCi' phone, and then started calling the gallery but no one was picking up.

The media hadn't reported anything substantial about the shooting yet, just that there was a situation happening in front of Wood Street Gallery and that the road was blocked off by heavy police protection. The minutes felt like hours and the hours felt like days to Sidney as he waited for any news that his wife was safe.

"Channel 4 said one person was shot outside of the gallery," Ian Cole said without looking up from his phone. "A young male. So we at least now know that CiCi wasn't hurt."

"Then why isn't she answering my calls?" Sid asked as he attempted to call her again. Finally he heard only two rings.

"Pittsburgh city police," someone answered, "Ms. Barsi is unavailable at this time."

"This is her husband! Is she hurt? What's going on?"

"Mr. Crosby, sir, your wife expected your phone call. She is just answering questions regarding the incident."

"Can I talk to her?"

"Not at this time."

"Was she involved or something? Why is she being questioned?"

"I am not at liberty to divulge that information."

"BULL SHIT! Let me talk to my wife!" Sidney shouted.

"When she is able, she will call." And then the line went dead.

"That fucker hung up on me!" Sidney stood and started pacing the lounge.

"What did he say?"

"He wasn't at liberty to say anything to me except that CiCi was being questioned." Sidney's phone started ringing again and without looking frantically answered it, "CiCi!"

"Sid, it's Nick. CiCi is fine. She is being questioned because she was like the only witness who didn't run away. That cop is a dick. I was standing right next to him."

"She is okay? You saw her?"

"When I heard the gun fire I looked out my office window and saw everyone running. CiCi was the only person to go help the kid."

"The person shot was a kid?"

"Teenager. Yeah. She was trying to keep him calm and was putting pressure on the wound. Paramedics are saying she saved his life by doing what she did."

"Wow."

"Yeah," there was a long pause, "Oh, here she comes!" Sidney hears Nick tell CiCi it's Sidney on the phone then some shuffling sounds as the phone is being passed along.

"Sidney?" CiCi asks loudly.

"Baby, you're okay!" He exclaimed. The tension immediately dissipated from his body.

"I'm okay! I'm sorry that I worried you. I wanted to call, but the cops needed me to give a statement."

"I'm just happy you weren't hurt."

"They think it was an isolated incident, that the kid was being targeted."

"Come home. Now."

"Sid, this held me up and I have so much work to do."

"Please. I've been physically ill thinking you were hurt this entire time. I just want you home."

"Alright, the gallery is closed now anyway because the entire block is closed off while the cops investigate."

"It didn't take much to twist your arm," Sid chuckled softly.

"Well, I kind of like how you're being so protective of me."

"Always. Now meet me at home! Dexter will be so happy to have us both home."

Sidney quickly hung up and turned to the small crowd around the room. "She's able to leave now. I'm going home. I want to get there before she does."

"I'm sorry for alarming you Sid. There was no information when the news first reported the shooting."

"No, don't apologize. It's fine! I would have been just as apprehensive even if I had known Ci was safe. I'll see you all tomorrow." Sidney quickly gathered his belongings, nodded to the guys who stayed behind and rushed out to his truck.

*****

But getting home was an adventure in and of itself. Road and bridge closures made travel through the city unbearable. And what would typically be a twenty minute drive for CiCi turned out to be nearly two hours and sitting. She had called Sid once, and heard the disappointment in his voice almost immediately. As if she had control of construction zones and apparent fender benders on the highway.

When she finally made it home, the sun was beginning to set and the lights in their home were dim. She expected Sid and Dexter to greet her in the driveway, it gave the puppy a chance to run around in the grass and burn off some more energy, but that didn't happen. Instead, the downstairs lights were turned out and Dexter was snoozing quietly in his crate. So as to not disturb the dog, since he finally was accustomed to his crate and no longer whined, CiCi tiptoed through the first floor to head upstairs and change out of her clothes.

She cracked a slight smile when she heard soft music coming from her bedroom, and the smell of her limoncello candles wafted through the upstairs hallway. When she finally reached the bedroom, she didn't find found Sidney. Rather, she heard movement across the hall where they set up a small workout room with a treadmill and some mats. This was where she found Sidney lying on their floor in nothing but his gym shorts stretching his right leg over his left. Amused at this sight, she wandered over to him, kicking her shoes off in the process. When he finally caught sight of her, he reached up and pulled her down on top of him.

Suddenly, before CiCi could even speak a greeting, Sidney's lips were on hers. His left hand gripped her neck, his fingers pulling at the roots of her dark hair, as he moved his lips hungrily; his lips felt so good --so soft and plump, and melding perfectly -- and CiCi returned the kiss. Her skin was suddenly on fire, and she was hungry for more. More of him.

Sidney moved on top of CiCi, pressing his bare skin against her. Her legs wrapped around his hips and she pulled him closer. She could feel his growing hardness pressing against her center, and she is barely able to stifle a moan.

"Bed," she painted against his lips, "Our bed."

Sidney nodded and pushed himself up off the floor, taking CiCi with him. He carried her down the hallway, her legs around his torso, his hands gripping her butt and thighs. She untangled her hands from his wavy hair and pull her lips off his just long enough so she could rip her tunic off. His eyes bleed into hers and as he moved one hand from her ass and adeptly removed her bra; he pulled it down her arms and threw it over the banister before they dive back into kissing. His mouth tasted of peppermint as their tongues wrestled in harmony.

When they reach the bedroom, Sidney raised the arm that just removed CiCi' bra and shoved the door open. He quickly climbed into bed, moving to the middle. They quickly discard CiCi of her leggings, desperate for more skin on skin contact. His touch was just what CiCi needed after the afternoon she had. His body close to hers reminded her of home.

As Sidney knelt back, CiCi lay there open for him, his hands ran up and down her body, causing her body to tingle all over.

"You're so beautiful, Ci." Sid's voice was so quiet, CiCi could barely hear him. But their eyes are locked on each other and she could read his luscious lips. He shimmied out of his gym shorts and spread her legs apart, positioning himself at her entrance. He let his arousal tease her, nudging at her drenched folds. CiCi arched upward trying to force him into her, but he continued his teasing. His head rubbed deliciously over her clit and CiCi felt her insides flutter, desperate for him. It was infuriating and completely sexy.
"Sidney, now!" CiCi moaned, desire overwhelming her as she raked her nails down his muscular arms and chest. He still took her breath away even after all these years.

Sid put his weight on his elbows, his face only a few inches from CiCi's, then slowly he pushed himself into her. She felt full and complete every time he entered her, and this time was no different. CiCi looked up to see Sid's face twisted in controlled pleasure. His mouth clenched, causing his strong jaw to bulge in the sexiest manner. CiCi lifted her hand and touched it to his rigid muscles. She always loved his jaw. It was so sexy and strong. He paused when he was completely buried inside her, relishing in the feeling of being fully connected to his wife.

"Oh God, CiCi, you're so tight. You feel amazing," Sid whimpered, leaning into cici's hand. His eyes were screwed shut and his breathing haggard. After a few seconds, he pulled out and pushed back in and began to give it to CiCi in an unhurried pace. CiCi moved her hand from Sid's jaw and traced her hands up and down his defined torso, outlining his toned muscles. Seeing Sid naked is like second nature to CiCi after two years, but there's such a difference between him being shirtless as he crawls into bed and being shirtless as he filled her repeatedly. She loved that his muscles tensed because of her. CiCi started to moan loudly, grateful that they were finally home alone. And Sid's movements just felt so damn good.

"Faster, Sid, faster," CiCi begged, her voice utterly desperate.

Sid smiled down at cici, as she licked her lips, her mouth suddenly dry as she looked into his striking brown eyes. The ones she has looked at for so long, the ones that were so much more familiar to her than her own. He picked up the pace, and leaned down to bite the tip of her nipple. CiCi gasped and felt herself clench around him in response.

"I knew you'd like that," he mumbled against her breasts as he bit at her nipples again, "my baby likes it a little rough."

CiCi nodded her head furiously, as Sidney picked up the pace and began pounding into her frantically. He moved one hand to her lower back and tilted her pelvis up slightly. When he pushed into her again he rubbed her sweet spot and she moaned even louder, her back arched, and her skin broke out in a thin sheen of sweat. He attacked her breasts again, nibbling, biting and kissing until CiCi felt herself reach the edge.

"Come for me," Sidney ordered, moving his lips back to CiCi's. He kissed her deeply, pinching her left nipple between his thumb and forefinger and she does what he said. Her whole body trembling with release, pulsing around Sid's thickness as it pumped into her, long and hard.

"You feel so good, baby," Sid moaned, "You always feel so fucking good." He barely had the words out as his own orgasm released inside CiCi. She felt his muscles tense in his back as he pumped her full. They pant in unison as he collapsed against her, pressing his full weight onto her frame. She relished in the feel of his weight on her and immediately twisted her fingers into his hair. After their breathing settled, their mouths reconnect as Sid made to move off of CiCi.

"No, no, no. Stay right here," CiCi protested, not wanting Sid to move just yet. Sid obliged and pressed his forehead against hers.

"You mean everything to me, Ci. I was so scared earlier."

"But I'm okay. I'm safe and here with you."

"I love you." Sid pressed a kiss to CiCi's shoulder and shifted off of her without actually removing his arms from around her body. She adjusted to their new position and cozied up against Sid's chest.

"I love you more." She smiled and felt Sid's grip tighten around her. It felt good to be home.

Notes

So finally I felt inspired to write! I hope you all enjoy, as I am getting ready to wind this story down.