We Are Here and Now

CiCi sat on the edge of her seat, her hands covered her ears, her eyes were squinted as she focused solely on the time on the clock. A minute and 30 seconds stood between the Pens and their chance to lift the cup. They only needed to keep the Kings from scoring. Twice. One to tie and one to win. She couldn't watch anymore. She turned to see Taylor looking away as well.

"Want to get a drink?" CiCi asked halfheartedly. She knew she couldn't leave her seat. When the horns blow she would be immediately escorted towards the ice.

"I can't drink. Not old enough here." CiCi knew that she wasn't, she had meant to say water or soda, but her nerves were making it hard for her to form her thoughts.

"No, I know. Never mind. I'm a nervous wreck. I can't watch."

"You're going to be a hot mess like this every time they go this far, huh?" Taylor asked with a smile. The same trademark Crosby dimples appeared on her face reminding CiCi so much of Sidney.

"You aren't watching either. I don't want to hear it," CiCi pointed out. She crossed her legs and turned her entire body towards the younger woman.

"ONE minute remaining in the period...one minute!" The announcer said over the sound system. Everyone was on their feet and cheering for the hometown team.

"They are going to win this at home, Ci. You need to see this," Taylor enticed CiCi to stand up with the rest of the crowd. The entire Crosby clan was sitting in the loge seating behind the Penguins bench and there were Consol employees nearby to escort them to the ice for the celebration should it happen for them. Those employees have also kept the fans from being complete bothers around them. They weren't sitting in a luxury box away from fans this time.

It was likely going to happen. CiCi finally looked at the ice and watched the seconds tick by, feeling like hours were separating them from the end of the season. A new era for the Pens. A new coaching staff, new teammates, a more mature and older team that played exceptional hockey all season long. They deserved it. She needed to see Sid's reaction when the buzzer sounds. She missed the Olympics the previous year. She couldn't miss this moment too. She would be forever grateful to her little sister for making her stand up and look.

Because as the horns sounded the entire arena erupted into uproarious cheers, so loud it was almost deafening and the entire Penguins bench cleared onto the ice crowding the players who were on the ice. Sidney was skating close by Fluery and the longtime teammates were the first to hug.

But she saw him, just for a second. He glanced up to her section and had the brightest smile on his face. His excitement coursed through her body, and as she followed behind his family towards the ice she felt she was floating. Everything and everyone was in slow motion, the crowd's deafening roar was silenced, and she found herself standing behind Taylor as they shuffled along down the long stairway to the ice. CiCi was certain she was missing something, and she didn't want to be.

When she stepped out onto the ice she saw a sea of black jerseys, all searching for their loved ones congratulating each other along the way. She couldn't find Sid, but she knew he was out there amongst the chaos. She tried to keep an eye on Taylor, but she lost her as she got caught up in the celebration.

CiCi just finished hugging Beau and turned in time to get swept up in Sidney's arms as he lifted her off her feet and planted a solid kiss on her lips. She squeezed her arms around his neck and squealed in delight. Cameras were everywhere, flashing at the captain and his girlfriend. But the pair didn't care.

"I love you," he half yelled in her ear. His words were what set off waterworks and she found herself planted on the ice, still in his embrace. "You're crying."

"I'm so proud of you and the first thing you say is you love me," she beamed up at him. He stood taller than his normal six inches above her. He laughed, and reached to wipe the tears from her cheeks. "Your hands stink, it's disgusting."

"We just won the Stanley Cup."

"You need a shower."

"A champagne shower!"

"Oh God."

"We're going to celebrate all fucking night," he whispered into her ear. The handlers of the cup were setting up the trophy catching the attention of the couple. CiCi was just as mesmerized by the shiny trophy as Sidney was. She didn't want to let him go, but he needed to be with the team as they were presented the cup.

Before she could let him go, she asked, "It's going to be at our reception, isn't it?"

"You know it." Sid said this without looking away from the cup. CiCi couldn't wipe the smile off her face, she hoped she would get to experience more of these moments with Sidney in the future.

"I love you too," she finally said to him before planting a kiss on his scruffy cheek.

*****
"Shot, shot, shot, shot..." A group of players chanted as they stood behind their captain while he downed three prepared Washington apples. It wasn't his shot of choice, but they were at a dive bar a block from Consol and the best alcohol they had on shelf was something they could buy at a liquor store for dirt cheap. It was exactly how the players wanted to celebrate. A block of rooms in the Cambria suites were reserved for them to trek back to when last call is announced.

CiCi sat on the stool next to Sidney and laughed as she watched him drink all three shots. The shots were to represent the three trophies everyone was certain Sid secured for the second straight year, according to Dupers. She was excited to finally see him loosen up from a season with just enough drama for the team that they needed to overcome. And of course her drama that she hated dragging him into. She decided right there as she watched Sid sip on a draft and make obnoxious jokes with his friends that she would work hard to keep her life drama free. In so doing, she knew she would have to call Caroline and apologize for her outburst. She was at least grateful that her friend hasn't backed out of being one of her bridesmaids.

Sid got up from his barstool and wandered away from CiCi, but she watched him as she sipped on her vodka and cranberry. He roamed over to a booth of younger players, ones that she was certain weren't old enough to be in the bar, but the owners looked the other way when they realized the Pens chose to celebrate with them. She shook her head and bit back a laugh as Sidney squeezed in next to Jason Megna.

CiCi finished her drink and began to move toward the restroom when an arm swooped around her waist. "Where do you think you're going?" Sid asked seductively, his lips skimming the outline of her ear.

"Mm, I have to pee."

"Come with me," Sid whispered. And unbeknownst to the rest of the crowd the pair snuck up the back stairwell to the second floor where there were three private party rooms set up with a second restroom.

Sidney didn't lead CiCi to the restroom, instead he pulled her into the party room facing the street and pushed her gently up against the wall. His lips crashed against hers as he pressed his firm body against her much more pliant one. She moaned when she felt his hardening dick push against her thigh.

He broke free from her lips and skirted his tongue along her neck and collarbone. He reached for the button of her jeans and fumbled with the zipper to allow better access for his hand which he slipped in between their bodies and down her panties where he was met with a slickness he knew he was causing.

"Am I making you wet?" Sid said quietly. He grazed his roaming fingers across CiCi's sensitive nub making her gasp and nod vigorously. She was secretly worried about getting caught by one of the guys, but Sidney's fingers were making her lose sight of that fast.

He continued his teasing ministrations and CiCi groaned a little louder than she wanted. "Shh, you have to be quiet," Sid halfheartedly reprimanded. In all honesty, he didn't care at that point whether someone saw them or not. He was drunk, about to be married to the woman he was fondling and he was a Stanley Cup champion again.

"Stop teasing me and just fuck me already then!" She whined as she gripped his shoulders and rocked against the fingers he had slipped inside her. It wasn't enough. It was never enough, and she didn't want to explode on his hand. She wanted to feel him inside her.

He pulled his hand free, lifted his fingers to his mouth and tasted her. Seeing him do this set her off. She immediately reached for his belt and started working his pants off of him while he easily pushed her jeans down to her knees.

"Turn around," Sid instructed. He finished pushing his own pants down, and positioned himself behind her. "This is going to be fast and rough."

"Just do it already!" CiCi bent slightly at the waist for better access and held onto the wooden chair rail. Sid did not disappoint. He buried his cock inside CiCi as soon as she stuck her ass out to him and built a rhythm that made her feel full even as he pulled out. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from screaming out and drawing attention to them.

His right hand left her hip and slid down in front of her to find the little button that will set her over the edge. "I'm close babe, come with me."

CiCi couldn't find the words to say she was too, and that his hand wasn't necessary. He could make her legs quiver and her heart race fast without rubbing on her clit. That was because he knew how to love her. And she couldn't deny that he was right about moving forward and loving every aspect of their life together now.

But this, this was spontaneity that she was hoping for. Just once. Before she walks down the aisle to him and become his wife. That was the last thought on her mind before her mind went blank and an explosion coursed through her body. She could feel Sidney was coming too with how his thrusts were shallow and sporadic. When he slowed he collapsed against her back, she was resting against the wall in front of her.

"We should probably get back downstairs," Sid whispered. He kissed CiCi's shoulder and quickly pulled out of her. He reached for his jeans and watched CiCi as she did the same. She hadn't turned around yet and he instantly felt sober. He hoped he hadn't upset her.

When she finally turned around she sighed and smiled. Relief flooded through him. He stepped close to her, cupped her face in his hands and gently kissed her. "I love you Mrs. Crosby." CiCi hiccuped a little laugh and kissed him again. She loved hearing him call her by her future married name.

"I love you too Mr. Crosby," she said as she broke their kiss. "C'mon. Let's get you more drunk. Maybe I'll let you do some more spontaneous things to me after bit."

Sid laughed and let CiCi lead him down the stairs. He didn't care whether anyone noticed that they were gone. But as soon as they were back, Sid found himself back at it with more shots with his line mates while CiCi sat at a booth with Vero and Brandon's girlfriend Giselle.

Nearly an hour past before CiCi couldn't wait any longer and moved to get up from her seat and go to the restroom. She never had gone to the restroom before her little tryst with Sid.

"Where...where ya going now?" Sid stumbled over his words, clearly more intoxicated than when she was last talking to him. He had flitted over to the pool table where he was attempting to play against Geno. He had reached for CiCi's hand to stop her as she brushed past him towards the main floor restroom.

"To the restroom. I'm afraid I am breaking my seal." She mocked sadness and tried to continue on, but Sid had a firm grip on her.

"Mm," he commented and spun her around into his arms. "How did I get so fucking lucky?"

"What do you mean?" She found it amusing how affectionate he was being when they are usually pretty reserved in public and around the team.

"You're so goddamn hot!" He tickled the skin under her shirt just below her belly button.

"You're funny when you're drunk." She wrapped her hands around his neck and kissed his cheek.

"Hey, hey, hey, I speak the truth! Bortz! C'mere!" Sid yelled for the younger defenseman to come over and defend Sid in another way. "Isn't my fiancé the hottest woman in the world? And I get to marry her and fuck her any time I want!" Sid declared with an affirmative laugh.

"Oh boy, Cappy has reached his limit! Cut him off!" Rob shouted making several people to turn their heads in the trio's direction. "You are pretty damn lucky, but I'm sure you won't be getting any after just exclaiming that in public."

"Nah, we are Stanley Cup champions. She wants to sleep with me because of that."

CiCi rolled her eyes and looked at
Rob, and with her voice dripping with sarcasm, said, "And that is obviously the only reason. I think someone needs to go to bed."

"No, I'm not tired! Let's go eat pizza. I never eat pizza. Really gross, greasy kind down the street." Sid began to push CiCi near the front of the bar and she glanced back over to the restroom longingly.

"Let's go back to the room and you can have some water and ibuprofen," she suggested and she could pee.

"But I'm hungry," Sid whined slightly. She figured he was hungry; after the team celebrated at the arena they came straight to the bar. There was only so much bar food to go around.

"I'm sure Milano's is closed now babe. Shale's is about to close up too."

"I'll pay them to keep it open all night!" Sid turned toward the exit again.

"You are partially to blame," CiCi pointed at Pascal as she past him to try to stop Sid from leaving the bar.

"You better go catch him," Pascal commented with a chuckle as he pointed toward the door to the bar. Sidney was already halfway through the door by the time CiCi retrieved her bag and looked longingly at the restroom. She waved bye to the players and their spouses close to the door and found Sid standing on the corner from the bar.

"Sid!" CiCi said sternly to draw his attention. He turned around and winked at CiCi as she approached him. "What the fuck?"

"Let's get back to our room so we can do just that," Sid said, his hand extended waiting for hers.

"Wait...you're not...I'm confused." She took his hand and lead her across the street and towards the parking garage attached to the arena. They were going to take the elevator up to avoid walking in a bad part of the city to the hotel.

"No. Took one more shot, made them all believe I was toasted and got you to leave with me. I sobered up pretty damn fast after we snuck off."

"Me too, but I have to pee!"

"I know," Sid said quickly. He pulled out a key card to access the elevator during off hours and pulled CiCi in behind him. He hit the appropriate level to lead them to the next street.

"Why wouldn't you just let me go if you knew I had to go?" CiCi asked exasperated.

Sid turned to her, a sly look on his face. He backed her against one of the elevator walls, trapping her in his arms. "Because I want to give you the most intense orgasm of your life."

*****
"Good morning sunshine! Or should I say afternoon?" Maria greeted cheerily the following day. Cici groaned as she collapsed into the booth at the Crazy Mocha in the Southside.

"Ci? Coffee?" Caroline asked from across the shop.

"Black, please? Thanks Care!" CiCi said. She tried to pull her sunglasses down over her eyes when she realized she didn't have any on her head.

"Long night?" Julia asked from across CiCi. She nodded. She couldn't explain that it wasn't a hangover she was fighting, just lack of sleep. It seemed a slightly intoxicated Sidney had it in him to go for hours. She was too embarrassed to admit her body slightly aches from all the sex, so she went for something less intrusive.

"It apparently will continue tonight at the Lemiuex's. Thank God it's a family friendly party. So I won't have to lift a lick of alcohol to my lips."

"Any parties we can come to?" Julia asked, "If anything to congratulate Sid."

"Oh yeah! Tomorrow Sid wants to have a cookout. You are all welcome there. I was going to tell you that."

"Fun!"

"What's fun?" Caroline asked when she sat down next to CiCi. She handed CiCi a large cup and CiCi was grateful for her friend.

"Hockey cookout at the Crosby mansion tomorrow," Maria explained.

"Pool party? Will the cup be there? Fuck it if it isn't! I'm in!" Care exclaimed. It was as though everything between CiCi and Caroline never happened. CiCi lifted her coffee to her lips and tasted a sweet caramel latte instead. She leaned against Caroline and sighed.

"I love you," she declared, thankful Caroline got her her drink of choice instead of listening to her original request.

"You don't drink black coffee. We always get caramel lattes to ease hangovers. Did you think I would forget?" Care asked. She rested her cheek against CiCi's head and all was right in their world again.

Notes

Thanks for all the private messages and feedback on the story! I'm glad everyone is enjoying it. I hope you like this update too!