I watched it happen. A freak accident they called it. We’d been back together for nearly a month, but I remained adamant that we keep the status of our relationship quiet. I liked having him to myself, everything being between the two of us. I could sense he was anxious to return to our former glory, the domestic bliss and regular sex. He made it obvious with his pouting lips and sad face when I left his house or kicked him out of my bed. His sudden interest in my apartment made for amusing conversation around the breakfast table, the four of us crowded together like an unconventional albeit loving family.

I looked up just in time. Standing behind the bench with towels slung over my shoulders, talking candidly with one of the assistant coaches, I was finally adjusting to the cool rink air and getting comfortable. I listened to the boys chatter excitedly as the seconds of the first minute ticked by. They were in the offensive zone, surrounding the Islanders’ net hoping to open the scoring early on. They passed the puck between them until Oprik found an opening. He wound up for the shot, Islanders coming at him trying to steal it away. I felt time slow down, like a cliche movie scene I watched him pull the trigger and send the puck flying through the air like a bullet in an action film. I held my breath while I watched the collision. Sidney’s soft skin and the frozen rubber puck smashing together and collapsing on the ice. I was on the ice before he could try to get up. Sliding with every step, running as fast as I could on the slick surface clutching the first aid kit in my blue gloved hands. I heard his groans and skidded to a halt beside him, dropping onto the blood covered ice.
“Where are you bleeding form?” I asked, my voice far calmer than I’d expected. It sounded foreign to my frantic mind.
He moved onto his knees and spit a mouthful of blood out in front of him. I noticed bits of white tooth with the blood and saliva.
“Can you get up, babe?” I whispered, my lips almost touching his ear. I reached for his hand, unaware of the bulky bodies surrounding us until Pascal leaned down us.
“We’re going to get you off ice bud,” he said softly to Sidney who was alert and clutching the white towel I’d given him against his face. The fabric quickly turned red, the bright blood soaking in.
On the other side of Sidney stood Brooks with his shoulders stooped apologizing as profusely as Sidney was bleeding. “I can’t believe that happened, I’m so sorry,” he shook his head. He seemed more distressed than Sid was and held tightly to the stick that had gone flying from Sidney’s hands.
The crowed erupted in cheer as we made our way to the exit, my arm around his waist while Pascal supported most of his weight and Brooks followed behind. Once we were out of the public eye, in the safety of the tunnel, Dupuis returned to the bench and we were greeted by Larry and two other trainers. A team of emergency response doctors waited for us in the first exam room, and my stomach sank as we walked to the room and I noticed the swelling already settling into the side of his face.
“Direct hit to the face with a puck, at least three broken teeth along the bottom. He’s been responsive the entire time and I don’t think he lost consciousness, but there has been a lot of blood,” I reported to the room and held up the first blood soaked towel I’d had to switch out in the hallway. Sid lay back on the elevated table, still clutching his face and groaning to himself. While Larry asked him basic yes or no questions about his pain level, I began to untie his skates. Although it seemed only right that he be as comfortable as possible, it was an action driven by maternal instinct and affection. I watched him spit out more pieces of tooth as I carefully slipped the skates off of his feet, Larry meanwhile calling for various bags of ice and a Merperidine injection. Tears had formed in my eyes and I hastily wiped at them with my sleeve, refusing to be the emotional standby and risk my professionalism. He winced as the dentist and doctor poked around his mouth and I noticed the same tears dripping his hazel eyes, but for very different reasons. I didn’t think before moving from his feet to his side and taking his shaking hand in mine.
“Everything will be better when the demorol kicks in,” I whispered into his ear playfully and squeezed his hand. He winked lazily, the only response he could give me with a mouth full of gauze.

After an X-ray confirming a fracture in his jaw, but a test showing no signs of concussion, we took the bad news with the good and I loaded a groggy Sidney into his truck and tossed Beau my own car keys. He’d waited after the game, anticipating we’d end up at the hospital and I’d need someone with me. Fortunately the doctors had come to Sid and he was scheduled for surgery the next day. More perks that came with the NHL contract. I drove cautiously through the sloughy streets, watching him from the corder of my eye. His face was swollen and his forehead glistening with perspiration that couldn’t be quelled by the cold window he’d pressed his temple against. He mumbled something that sounded like an apology and dropped his heavy hand on my knee.
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” I stopped at a red light and turned to look in his pained eyes. The narcotics had long since kicked in and his eyes were glossy and distant. I squeezed his clammy hand and the light turned green. He couldn’t reply. I knew the mix of swelling and pain killers would make for an interesting few days. Four of his bottom front teeth were completely gone and another cracked in half, in addition four of his top teeth were dipped and there were two fractures in his jaw. The oral surgeon was confident he could repair the damage but that did little to ease my anxiety. While Sidney recovered, I’d be returning to my position as his personal nurse. I’d never considered a career in home care but there was no way I’d leave him in the hands of someone else.
“I know you wanted me to move in again, but you didn’t have to go and break your face. We could have discussed it,” I teased, hoping to lighten the mood. He tried to laugh, but instead ended up groaning in pain and clutching my hand desperately. I submitted to the silence, better to keep my mouth shut than cause him more discomfort.
Beau beat us home and sat on the front steps waiting. He smiled and jogged towards us as I climbed out of the driver’s seat. With Sidney still flying high from the shot he was off balance to say the least. He wasn’t so much bigger than me that I couldn’t have handled guiding him to the house, but in the interest of preventing further injuries I accepted Beau’s offer. We hobbled up the stairs towards the bedroom, Sid’s depth perception leaving something to be desired and his heavy limbs crashing around. Slow being our operative word we carefully ascended the stairs and stumbled into the bedroom.
“You got this?” Beau asked awkwardly, standing at the foot of the bed. He motioned to Sidney’s clothed body and blushed slightly.
“Yeah, I think I’ll manage” I laughed and sent him on his way.
I began to gently peel the layers off of him, starting with the socks that came up to his knees. We hadn’t bothered to dress him at the rink after taking off his gear so I was faced with the challenging task of removing his skin tight spandex base layer. Once the two pairs of socks were gone I gently shimmied his pants down over his hips and thighs. I felt him brush his fingers ungainly over my face. He tried to say something but I shook my head to stop him. Whatever it was, it wasn’t worth the pain. I tossed the pants aside and lay beside him, rubbing his chest gingerly.
“I know,” I smiled weakly. I didn’t know exactly, but I had some vague idea of what it could have been. Again, nothing important enough to risk the pain of talking. I carefully removed his shirt, conscious of his battered face. I wanted to kiss it better, but nothing I could do would take away the pain he was feeling, and would feel in the weeks to come. Not physically or emotionally. I could only sit beside him and pray to the God that he so confidently trusted it. Pray that everything would be okay, that he would okay. I didn’t care if he ever stepped foot on the ice again, so long as he was healthy and happy. But I knew damn well he wouldn’t be happy if this ended his career. So I prayed that he’d make the recovery everyone had on their minds, one in time for playoffs.

“You want company?” Serena asked when I picked up my buzzing phone. I was sitting in the private waiting room of the hospital, for the third of an undeclared number of hours. The doctors had assured me they’d call when he was out, but it didn’t feel right leaving him there. “Better yet, you want lunch?” she added lightheartedly.
“I wouldn’t mind a bottle of J.D while your at it,” I joked squeezing the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger. I’d had a stress headache all day that just wouldn’t quit.
“How do you think that would look? The pregnant lady in the liquor store,” she laughed. “We’ll compromise and I’ll bring chocolate.”
“Thanks,” I replied quietly, depleted of energy.

She arrived half an hour later with four chocolate bars and enough Subway to keep me happy for a week. I’d always joked that her knowledge of my favourite sub toppings was a sign of our undying friendship.
“I figured you wouldn’t have time to shop after this so there is a case of Ensure in the trunk of my car too,” she smiled and plopped down beside me. “Wouldn’t want boyfriend going hungry.” At seventeen weeks Serena had finally popped, her stomach convex and stretching the fabric of her white tank top. Her hips were already giving her yoga pants a run for their money and I could already anticipate the fashion meltdown that was going to come as she grew.
“You’re my hero,” I took an unladylike bite of my sandwich and licked mayo out of the corners of my mouth.
“I try,” she shrugged and unwrapped her sub. “Did they tell you how long it would take?”
“No,” I sighed. “I didn’t think it would take too long, but obviously I’m not an oral surgeon.”
She snickered and looked at me with her lips in a tight smirk. I rolled my eyes and fought back my own laughter. Normally we could handle words like ‘oral’ but the tension was making me batty and the hormones had Serena reverting back to grade school.
“I’m an expert not a surgeon, there’s a difference,” I finally said and burst into tearful hysterics. It didn’t take long before she joined me, her belly shaking with every laboured gasp for air.
“How long before he’s back to normal?” She’d finally caught her breath and we’d regained composure.
“We’re hoping for playoffs but I have no idea,” I took another bite.
“So that’s not just the press statement?”
“Nope,” I said between bites.
“Shit, I’m sorry,” she shook her head and stared at the sandwich in her lap. “I can’t image how this is for you,” when she looked up I noticed tears in her eyes, a very uncharacteristic reaction from my usually jovial best friend.
“Are you crying?” I looked at her confused.
“No!” she balked and wiped at her eyes. “It’s just that, I don’t know what I’d do if Geno got hurt. And you’re so freaking strong. I don’t understand how you're not losing it right now.”
“I haven’t really had time to lose it,” I admitted. “But I probably will. There’s nothing easy about watching them in pain but it’s part of their job and mine.”
“Well, when you want to lose it I’ll be here to ensure Sidney drinks his Ensure and supply you with kleenex and Toblerone,” she wrapped her arm around my shoulders and lay her head against my shoulder.
“Are you planning on practicing your mothering skills on my invalid boyfriend?” I giggled and let my head rest on top of hers.
“Yes… so long as I don’t have to change his diapers.”
“Praise Jesus it’s just his jaw and not his legs.”
“And Buddha too,” she added playfully.

The surgeon came out on hour six to tell me it had been a success. They’d removed the left over bits of the four destroyed teeth and planned to do surgical replacements once everything had healed. Sidney would have two permanent titanium plates in his jaw that would allow the area to be stabilized and heal quickly.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever heard the saying about things being as pleasant as a root canal, but Sidney has just had four and a number of screws placed into his bone so we’re going to keep him here for the night and maybe tomorrow night.” The surgeon smiled comfortingly. “We just want to make sure he gets the best possible start to recovery. He won’t be awake for a few more hours, but I have a feeling you don’t plan on leaving so I’ll send a nurse out to take you to his suite.” And there it was, more Crosby perks in the form of private rooms and the privilege to stay in them with him. No one had told me I’d be allowed to stay with him, I’d been prepping myself for a lonely night and driving back and forth but was pleasantly surprised.
I thanked Serena for her company and sent her home to Geno with the promise of calling if I heard anything. The nurse came soon after, smiling warmly and leading me down the silent hallway to what looked like a luxury hotel room.
“Your bed has been set up in the corner and I’ll give you this pass so you can get in and out of the area,” she handed me a keycard with VISITOR printed on the front. “If you need anything feel free to ring one of us. He should be in soon but in the meantime help yourself to the television and I can give you directions to the cafeteria and shopping area if you like.”

I scanned the room around me and noticed a flat screen TV against the wall with a DVD player below it. The pale blue walls were nothing like I’d seen during our other hospital stays and I noted the already arranged flowers on every surface. They’d even laid out a pair of hospital pyjamas on my perfectly made bed. I half expected to see a mint on my pillow but was hardly surprised when I found tiny wrapped soaps and little bottles of shampoo in the bathroom. I was wrapped in the high-end results of capitalism and my only complaint was that we weren’t staying longer.

Notes

So in the midst of writing this I accidentally confessed to my ex WHL playing father that I'm writing a Crosby fanfic... awkward. It started off with me asking how fancy fancy hospital rooms are and ended up with "Well he broke his jaw... oh shit now you know who I'm writing about!" I'd been so careful to keep it hush hush.

Anyway, I just can't let them be happy for too long now can I? where's the fun in that?

Hope it was worth the wait!
xx-T