All The Small Things

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Laci was pacing around her bedroom in her underwear. She had changed outfits at least 4 times. Her bed was littered with things deemed not quite right. What did a girl wear to a hockey game when she was the guest of the captain and responsible for 12 pediatric cancer patients? She and Sidney had plans to go out after the game. She didn't want be overly dressed up for the game, but she also didn't want to be too casual. Laci glanced at the clock on her nightstand before flopping down on her bed. She was going to be late for work. Granted, she was technically working tonight at the game.


Laci smiled when she thought of the lunch she had with Sidney the previous day. The lunch had been hijacked by Nathalie and Mario Lemieux. Laci had told Janice it almost seemed like a job interview to be Sid's date combined with an informational about the box for the kids. Sid, Mario, and Nathalie had went above and beyond for the kids. They would get to meet all the Pens, the mascot, and a few of the Flyers would even be visiting. Not to mention the crazy amount of swag they had worked out for the kids. Laci had thanked them for their generosity. Sidney had shaken it off as no big deal. She had assured him it was a big deal to her and the kids. Laci had offered to help facilitate anything the Lemieux's might need in the future with the hospital. She hoped she could help them as much they were helping the kids.


Sidney had apologized profusely about the lunch switch up. Laci had enjoyed the Lemieux's. Sid insisted on walking her back up to her office even though it was out of his way. He was considerate and not what she had imagined a hockey player to be. They texted back and forth last night. For the second night in a row, she went to sleep with Sidney Crosby on her mind.


Laci grabbed her phone and scrolled through their conversation. He had promised to answer all her hockey questions. She smiled and fired off a text. It was technically a hockey question.


Laci: What does one wear to a hockey game when a girl has a hot date after?

Sidney and the boys were gearing up for morning skate. It was a game day so they would be finished early. He heard his phone ping. Everyone who might text him was in the room with him. His mom knew better. It might be Taylor. He heard the second ping due to him not looking at the text. He continued putting on his practice gear. He needs to get his head right. He didn't want to lose to the Flyers tonight in front of Cole and Laci. He smiled thinking of Laci. He sat in his locker lacing up his skates. He glanced at the shelf above his head. He could see his phone. What if it was Laci? It could be something to do with Cole. He stood and grabbed his phone. He sat back in his seat and opened the text message. He read the message and stared at the screen.


Laci: What does one wear to a hockey game when a girl has a hot date after?


Sid had no idea how to respond. He sat looking at the phone.


"Whoa" said Beau "Sid is texting. Actually texting, while in the locker room. You feelin’ alright, Cappy?"


"Non, Sunshine" called Kris "Is everything okay?"


Sid sighed and held the phone out to Tanger. Kris grabbed it and looked at the screen. He then broke out in an ear to ear smile.


"So answer 'er" replied Kris. Sidney groaned. Tanger handed the phone to Flower. Great, all he needed was the guys making this worse.


"I have no idea what to stay, Kris" said Sidney "I'm not good with flirty stuff."


Kris got a devilish look and then turned his back to Sid and composed a text. Sid jumped up and made a grab for the phone, but the boys were now running interference for Letang.


"Kris don't!" yelled Sid


"Too late, mon ami" replied Kris "Trust me. I am great at t’is." Kris let him read the text.


Sidney: Depends on how hot you want the date.


"Damn it, Tanger" said an exasperated Sidney "She’s going to think I’m some kind of pervert or player." His phone chimed.


Laci: Well Captain you are in charge of this show.


Kris got a cheshire grin. He had her. Now he just needed to help Sid keep her. Sid started to take the phone but Kris held him off. He fired off another text.


Sidney: My jersey.
Laci: I need a little more help than that. I can't show up in just your jersey.


Kris winked at Sid. He showed the phone to Geno and Flower. Sid had a feeling it was about to get worse.


Sidney: Jeans and jersey for the game. Grab a hot dress for after the game. You can change at the hospital after we see Cole home.


Sidney groaned. Laci was going to hate him. Kris was looking at the phone. "Chill out Kid. She’s answering. See it's blinking."


"But this is so not me." replied Sidney


"Exactly" said Sutter peering over Kris shoulder.


Laci: So the Captain is bossy, eh? Got it. See you tonight.
Sidney: Counting the minutes.


Sid read the last message and hung his head. He couldn't believe that Kris sent that message. He would need to apologize later.


"Sid" said Kris snapping his fingers “‘ere you go. She is 'appy. Now don't fuck it up."


"So they will be here before the game. How are you going to make it up to the box before the game?" asked Beau


Sid looked stricken. He had never invited anyone other than family to games. Of course there were contest winners and make a wish things, but they planned all that around him. He needed to be in the locker room. He needed to get everything ready before they played the Flyers.


"No worry" replied G throwing an arm around him "I tell you I best wingman. I go up see little children. Tell Laci you have captain things. Be up after media at end of game. Easy."


"Oui" said Kris "We make them welcome. You do you. We will 'andle it. You just make sure you are charming after the game. Where are you taking her?"


"I hadn’t really thought that far ahead." answered Sid.


"Take 'er 'ome." said Kris “Get it catered. That way you can really 'ave a nice date. No one will bother you."


"Da" said Evgeni


"Why do we need a caterer?" asked Pauly "I can totally hook you up. You know anything about what she likes?"


"Popcorn and wine" replied Sid mentally going over their conversations "She can't cook. Mostly does cafeteria or Chinese. She did mention liking Italian. That's where we were headed before we got waylaid by Nathalie."


"Olivia Pope" laughed Paul "My kind of girl. You stop and get wine and some gelato. I will handle the rest. I’ll bring it over before peanut butter and jelly time."


Sid nodded. He looked at the clock. He led the guys on the ice. Sid was all work on the ice. The practice went well. He needed to win this game. He had told the guys how important it was to Cole.


"And we need to make sure the Creature gets a second date with Laci." said Flower "So everybody on point, oui!" The entire team was now skating around making kissy faces at Sid. Great just what he needed.


"We look good" said G "You text girl before nap. Her not know you. Might wake you."


"Am I really that much of a nutcase?" asked Sid. Everyone started laughing and headed to the room. He looked at Flower expectantly.


"That's a Duper question" said Flower.


"Fuck yes" said Beau "But if we win I accept that you are hella weird."


"What does that even mean?" asked Sid


"That he’s been pulled under one too many waves" replied Kuni hitting Beau in the back of the head.


"You damage his brain" said Geno "No hit in head"


"The Russian bear has spoken" called Duper "Don't hit the little ones. And yes you are weird. But it's a likable weird. Get your ass off the ice. You are already off schedule"


The entire team was out of the locker room quickly. Sid went up to see Mario to confirm everything. Mario and Jenn assured him everything was a go. Jenn had thrown him for a loop asking if he wanted Cole to drop the puck. Sid was thrilled and knew it was the chance of a lifetime for the little boy. Jenn had reluctantly agreed to let Laci push him out on the ice. Sid made it home 30 minutes before he was due for a nap. He gave Sam her treat and headed up to his room. He lowered the blinds on the right window. Then repeated the ritual with the left. He turned the overhead light off and snapped on the bedside lamp. He stripped down to his boxers and laid on the bed. His suit was laid out, he had his gear ready, and Pauly would be by at 4:30. Sid set the alarm on his phone. He knew he would wake up without it, but he couldn't take chance. The guys were right he was ritualistic and maybe a tad weird. He needed to tell Laci about puck drop.


Sidney: Hey change of plans for tonight. If you aren't busy I can call and explain.
Laci: What's wrong?
Sidney: Nothing it’s very good actually. Sorry that probably seemed like a cancellation.
Laci: A little. I'm almost in the office. Can I just holler when I get there?"
Sid: Holler whenever.


Sid smiled. Laci had him doing that a lot. He was really looking forward to seeing her. Now with the puck drop he could see her before the game. It was weird to have someone to play for besides his family. He didn't want to mention Laci to his mom or dad. His dad would demand he get rid of her since it's only a month to play offs. His mom would be out with Nathalie picking china patterns. Maybe he could tell Tay. His phone rang and he quickly answered it.


"How's it going?" he asked.


"Good. I have 12 very excited kids. The jerseys and swag arrived. It was like Christmas. Sidney it was amazing. Too much, but amazing." answered Laci "I've not seen him so excited since I've been here."


"I just want him to have it all" he replied "In the long run this is a drop in the bucket."


"Did you realize his Make A Wish request was to skate with you?" quizzed Laci "The medical team told him he wasn't strong enough."


Sid cleared his throat. He didn't want the emotion to pour through the phone "No, I had no idea. But that's a little like why I said plans changed. Can we get Cole on the ice to drop the puck? Jenn is working out the details. You would come out on the ice with us. He would get to hang out by the bench and drop the puck. I can keep him on the ice with us during the anthem. Then he will go back up with the other kids."


"He can do that" said an awestruck Laci "You can make that happen? You can take him on the ice in his chair."


"Yes, we have carpets that can be laid over the ice for him. Jenn will take care of it."


"Sidney I didn't tell you about the wish for you to do more."


"I know. Jenn brought it up this morning."


"I don't want people thinking I’m using you. I've been sucked up in the tornado. I keep waiting for a house to fall on me."


"That would make you the bad witch" laughed Sid "You are definitely not the bad witch type."


"Thank you, Sidney. Thank Jenn and everyone else too."


"I will. I promise." said Sid "I wish I had more time to talk to you. But it's game day. I've got to nap and get ready."


"Nap?" asked Laci


"We expend a lot of energy." explained Sid "So we all take game day naps. I have to be asleep by 2."


"Okay" she replied


"Okay" repeated Sid "I'll text Jenn your number so you can work it out."


"I will wait for instructions. Bye Sidney"


"Bye Laci" Sid disconnected the call. He laid his phone on his nightstand and clicked off the lamp. He was suddenly thrown into darkness. Sidney jerked the blanket up over his body. He was getting ready to roll over to sleep when his phone chirped. He picked it up ready throttle whoever was messing with his nap time. But when he opened the message he smiled. It was a picture of Laci and Cole. Both in their Crosby jerseys. Cole was holding a whiteboard. The message read "Thanks for the tickets Sid. Happy Napping."
His phone pinged again.


Laci: The puck thing is a surprise. Get some rest. We have a hot date.


Sidney started to laugh. He looked at the clock and it read 2:05 pm. Normally, this would set his teeth on edge. Sidney burrowed into his bed. He fell asleep thinking he might not mind Laci disrupting his schedule. He might even have to make room for her on his schedule. For some reason the idea of Laci being around calmed him. He fell asleep thinking of how pretty she looked in his jersey.


Notes