We Are Here and Now

"What time should I be ready?" Sid spoke into his phone as CiCi drove them to her hometown to file for a marriage license. They would be getting married in three weeks, but the time between now and then was packed and Friday after winning the cup was the only opportunity they had to do this together.

CiCi's schedule was wide open, Sid's became booked solid in a matter of hours after the victory parade. He flew to New York to appear on the Tonight Show, he had countless interviews for various magazines from both the US and Canada. Thankfully those writers came to him. He had a week's worth of parties to attend, and the NHL awards the Tuesday before their wedding in Las Vegas.

It didn't help that several of his teammates, old and new, were forcing him into a bachelor party that very night when they would arrive home from Slippery Rock.

Sid sighed into his phone, sounding a bit disgruntled, and said, "We will be home by 6...is someone picking me up?...where the fuck is that?"

"Just refuse to go," CiCi whispered. She didn't like the idea of Sidney out at a bachelor party, potentially exposing himself to any sort of Internet shaming. But she knew it was a ritual and she wasn't going to stop it from happening. Her own bachelorette party was scheduled the weekend before the ceremony.

"Fine. I'll be ready and waiting at 7:30. Bye," Sid sighed and hung up on Tanger. He looked out the passenger window then back over to CiCi. "Why do they insist on embarrassing me?"

"Babe, you're seriously the only guy I've ever met that doesn't want a bachelor party."

"It's not that I don't, it's just the timing couldn't be worse. We got drunk last weekend. Isn't that enough?"

"Oh just let them throw you the party."

"It's a little late in stopping them. I won't be home tonight according to Kris. They got a block of rooms downtown."

"I know." She had heard Sid's side of the conversation.

"What are you doing while I'm gone?"

"Probably work in my studio. It's been a while since I've done that. Maybe have a glass of wine."

"Don't get drunk. I may need you to bail me out."

"Yeah, yeah. Do me a favor. Don't recoil when the breasts come flying at you."

"I like your boobs, why would I do that?"

"I meant the stripper's nips!"

"Oh God, a stripper? I'm going to be embarrassed all fucking night. They don't want to celebrate the end to my bachelor lifestyle, they want to throw me to the wolves and watch me burn in a my socially awkward ways."

"To be fair, I would like to think the majority of you guys are socially awkward around women who insist on taking off their clothes for money. Well, except Nealer. And even he's a somewhat changed man since meeting Melanie."

"Talbo was Nealer before that. And they are both here. So it will be interesting to see how they act considering they are both tied down."

CiCi let the conversation die down as she took the exit off the interstate towards her hometown. Sidney settled back in his seat and watched CiCi as she focused on the road. He suppressed a smile because he knew it bothered her that he was having a bachelor party, but he knew it wasn't because she had trust issues. She was worried for his safety and well being. He got that. He was too.

But Sid wasn't going to worry about that right now. After they finish at the courthouse, they were going to test samples of the meal for the reception at the caterer's and reserve rooms at the hotel for Sid's family coming down from Canada. It was the least they could do for those traveling so far. Any of his teammates were on their own. Then they were going to stop by the venue itself so that Sid could see it finally. He was excited for that.

CiCi parked in front of a large stone building and cut the engine. "Let's do this. You sure you want to marry me?" She looked at Sid waiting for some assurance.

"I wouldn't have asked you if I didn't want to love. Let's go get our marriage license!" Sid unbuckled and climbed out of the car, meeting CiCi on the driver side before she was out of her seat. He reached for her hand and held her close as they walked through the doors of the courthouse and asked the information desk where they needed to go for the information they needed.

"May I ask you for an autograph Mr. Crosby? My grandson is a huge fan," the elderly desk attendant asked.

"Absolutely, sir. My pleasure. What is your grandson's name?" Sid took the piece of paper in front of him to write a little note for the young boy who idolized the hockey player.

"His name is Justin. You know, I must be honest here. I was anticipating the two of you showing up here. When we heard that you were engaged to a local girl, we hoped you would choose to marry here. It's a beautiful little city."

"It reminds me of my home somewhat. And I've really come to love this place as much as any other place I've lived. Well, tell Justin thanks for the support."

"Congratulations you two. You make a beautiful couple."

"Thank you," CiCi said and Sid smiled adoringly at CiCi. He wrapped his arm around her, and pulled her towards the elevators to secure their license.

"This is it," Sid pointed to the office three doors down from the elevators on the left hand side. "You have all our documents correct?"

"Yes I do. So no reason this shouldn't be smooth sailing here."

Sid walked ahead and stopped when he realized CiCi wasn't following. "Babe?"

"Sorry, it's just crazy to think this is it. We do this and we are practically married!"

"I know. So let's go get this done so we can celebrate! We have lots to do before going back to the city this evening."

CiCi nodded and took a deep breath to calm her nerves. It was now or never, the wedding part would be a piece of cake after this.

*****
"Easier than you expected, huh?" Sid asked an hour later as the pair ventured out toward CiCi's car.

"Yeah," CiCi said, "You know this means this is it. We are getting married and its legally recognized by the state."

"Babe, what's wrong? Why do you keep wanting me to reassure you that I want to marry you?" Sid had picked up on CiCi's behavior throughout the day.

"I'm just nervous! What if you decide you want to leave me? Now it's going to be a lot messier. Are you sure no prenup?"

Sid rolled his eyes and sighed in frustration, "I only plan on ever doing this once. You're it Ci. So stop asking me ridiculous things."

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry! I just want everything to be perfect."

"And if it's not who cares? We will be married and that is all I really want to be anyways." Sid pulled CiCi close and pressed a kiss to her temple. "I am going to say this, and it is only because you're the love of my life, but stop being an idiot."

"I'm sorry! I know, I know! Okay, let's go chow down on some appetizers and cake."

"Ah food I never eat. This is going to be awesome."

"It's things like that that get my brain started."

"Yes, I am only marrying you so I can have an abundance of cheese stuffed mushrooms and cake."

"Then you do that!"

"Will you stop it you little weirdo! I could have that anytime I want!" He laughed and put her in a bear hug before swiping her keys from her and unlocking the doors. "I'll drive now. I am familiar with this little town."

*****
"So you would like the vanilla bean with the chocolate ganache and strawberry filling. No fondant for the icing, the design is simple and the topper you've brought is fitting of a hockey couple," the head pastry chef commented as she went over the final plan for the cake.

"It sounds delicious already. I'm so excited for it!" CiCi gushed. Sid nodded in agreement. The cake was something he was looking forward to. "Thank you for everything. We are meeting with our coordinator in about twenty minutes and I cannot wait to tell her that this went so smoothly!"

"If you are working with Tracy then you are in good hands," Samantha said as she escorted the couple towards the exit.

"She's been a godsend! Things have been a bit hectic as of late, if you know what I mean?" CiCi said as she pointed at Sidney. He rolled his eyes at the women. Any reason to bring up the cup victory.

"All good reasons though. Well, three weeks folks. It's going to be damn near fairy tale. Safe travels back to the city."

"Thank you Sam, see you soon." Sid said. CiCi waved and walked out of the restaurant.

Sid followed a few steps behind her when a man passing her on the street stopped and said, "Cesira? Is that you?"

CiCi turned to her right as Sid came up behind her and looked at the guy speaking to her. "Mark? What are you doing here?" She didn't know if she should hug him or just stand there. She chose to hug him when he smiled at her.

"I moved back. I've been here for a few months now. I'm working with a local law firm," Mark looked around CiCi to see Sidney, "Oh, hey Sidney. Congrats on the cup man."

Sid gave a tight lipped smile and thanked him quietly.

"So what are you two doing?"

"Oh, we were just running some errands," CiCi waved off the question which made Sidney's stomach churn.

"Yeah, we were just getting our marriage license," Sid piped in.

"Oh that's right! I heard that you guys are getting married. Congrats on that too!"

"Thanks," Sid said, but CiCi looked back at him with an evil glare.

"Well, I have a meeting I need to get to. It was great seeing you Ci. You look great. Really."

"You do too Mark. See you around."

He waved and walked away from the couple leaving CiCi stewing over Sidney and Sidney angered by The remark CiCi made.

"That was uncalled for," Sid said when Mark was out of earshot.

"What? Your behavior or the fact that you didn't know I was attempting to keep our life vague from my former fiancé?"

"You looked pretty chummy with him when you hugged him."

"Well, I felt awkward doing it. You need to stop. I was being polite."

"And I was letting him know that we are actually following through on our marriage."

"Stop with the pissing game. He is gone. He got the hint."

"Fine. Show me to the reception hall, please?" Sid swooped CiCi up in his arms as he said this and spun her to face him. He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

Sid was still somewhat troubled by how CiCi reacted to seeing Mark, but he knew he had to pick and choose his battles. That was one he didn't want to argue over anymore, not that it didn't sting to witness though.

*****
"Everything square up north?" Marc asked when he came to pick Sid up later that evening.

"Yeah." Sid was vague though. He wouldn't admit it, but CiCi and he were standoffish the rest of the afternoon with each other. He was pretty sure that the wedding coordinator thought that this wedding was going to implode. "I need to get drunk tonight."

"Fuck yeah you do! Don't worry buddy, we have the entire night planned down to the lap dances you'll be getting from the very elite, most sought after stripper in the city. Her name is Chastity. But I'm sure she is far from be chaste!"

"Good, looking forward to it." He wasn't really keen on it, but it would be one way to distract him from images of his wife to be hugging all up on some guy she had a significant past with. "I know James and Talbo are in town for the weekend. Who else is here for this?"

"Geno, Kris, Patric, Bortz, Beau, Brandon, Duper, Kuni, and Paulie. And we are bringing the party to us, not going out. We have an entire wing reserved at the Westin and several ladies making appearances. Chastity is just for you though."

"Got it." Sid pulled out his phone and texted CiCi. 'Love you babe. I hope I see you tomorrow.' "She is just a stripper, right?" He asked after he sent off his text.

"Yes! We aren't getting you a hooker dude," Marc clarified.

As they drove they chatted about the craziness the last week had been and how they were looking forward to their days with the cup. "I've already arranged to have it at the wedding. I did my birthday at home with it in '09."

"Nice and we all can pose with it again! Good touch."

"Thanks," Sid glanced at his phone and saw that CiCi replied, 'Love you more you little drama king. I WILL see you tomorrow. Just hope you're in one piece!' He smiled and relaxed against the seat. At least she didn't seem mad at him anymore.

*****
"Are you having a good time?" Chastity shouted at Sidney over the music in the suite they were in. He nodded his head and tried to avert his eyes away from her bare breasts that she freely let hang around. He had tried to escape to the kitchenette for a water as the alcohol was making him dehydrated, but the woman assigned specifically to him followed him in there.

"Uh, yeah. Thanks," Sid replied. In his mind he wanted this girl to cover up, but then the alcohol consuming him had him also thinking that if she were just going to let them be hanging out there then he had every right to just stare.

"Like what you see?" She noticed. Sid nodded and took a sip from his bottle of water when Max came into the kitchen area.

"You puss! It's not even midnight and you switched to water?"

"Dehydrated," Sid never looked away from Chastity. He wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or what, but he was convinced that the woman looked like CiCi. "I'll drink some more." He needed to convince himself it was just the alcohol. Or maybe it was necessary to drink in order to allow the woman to grope and gyrate all over him. It was her job, she was being paid to do it.

"Damn right you are! Come on!" Max pushed Sid toward the main living area where the group of hockey players were drinking, watching the other strippers dance together, and smoking a few cigars.

Sid wasn't nearly drunk enough to hang with them. "There is the man of the hour!" Pascal shouted making everyone cheer for Sid. He chuckled and welcomed the mixed drink placed in his hand, downed it in one large gulp and asked for another. James obliged in providing Sid with one.

"Cappy is going to be more drunk than the night we won!" Beau laughed. Sid wanted to be and intended to be. They may have righted things via text earlier, but Sid was still put off by how CiCi acted towards Mark. It hurt that she wouldn't come out and say they were making plans for their wedding. He downed his refill and turned to get one more that he could savor for a little while he enjoyed his first lap dance from Chastity.

*****
"Where are we?" Sid asked in a stage whisper. He was positioned in a lounge chair and was watching CiCi sway her hips to the soft, sultry music in the background. 'Wait,' he thought to himself, 'Ci doesn't have her belly button pierced or a tattoo on her thigh.' Then he remembered he was dragged to the master bedroom in the suite the party was taking place in for a private show. It wasn't CiCi, it was the stripper.

"Don't worry about where we are stud. It's just you and me now. No interruptions." Sid wasn't sure he should be excited about that, but he could feel his cock hardening at the sight of her and he knew he was in trouble. "Do you need more to drink?" Chastity asked.

Sid nodded and watched her thong-clad ass sashay to the minibar where she poured him a glass of scotch. Not his alcohol of choice, but he figured at that point it didn't matter. He was drunk, hard and ready to explode. He took the glass she offered him and sipped as she straddled his lap. "Mmm, someone likes what he sees." She rubbed against his jeans and he involuntarily moaned. It felt good. Too good. "Do you want to come in your pants or all over my tits?"

"Tits," he replied and felt her hands begin to unzip the front. He helped her pull his solid cock out and he felt her wrap her fingers around him. Her hand didn't feel right. She looked so much like CiCi, but her hands weren't rough from painting and countless scrubs with hot soapy water. This woman was doing it all wrong, but he was too drunk to stop her or to even care. He imagined it was CiCi working him up and down, knelt down in front of him, cooing words of encouragement to get him to come.

"Where the fuck did he go?" Sid heard Marc ask. He sounded like he was trying to come off as angry, but wasn't putting forth the effort to find him.

"He's with the stripper!" He heard Geno shout. Geno was always crass.

The door to the bedroom began to creep open just as Sid finally began to relax and let his orgasm take over.

"Oh, honey we are not paying you for that!" Bortz said with a laugh. Sid snapped out of his drunken stupor and sat up straighter, tucking his softening member away.

"Why do you think I charge so much and am the best in the city boys?" Chastity asked the crowd of hockey players. "And don't worry, I won't share with everyone that I jacked the face of the NHL off on his bachelor party. I'm all about discretion."

Sid just watched the scene unfold. The guys having words with the stripper who looked like CiCi, the stripper giving them attitude back, and all he wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep. And not in the hotel bed, in his own bed with his fiancé. Who will never learn that he just let another woman touch him. And then the guilt set in.

Notes

Oooook, ready to hear it. But in my defense I needed to make Sid seem flawed too! Maybe I took it to the extreme. It's just a story, right? Hope you don't hate it!