All The Small Things

Sidney glanced over at her for the hundredth time on their way to his house. Laci was sitting in the passenger seat, taking in the scenery as he drove. She periodically commented on the new views in front of her. She hadn't been in Pittsburg long enough to have explored its outer communities. In fact, he was pretty sure she didn't venture outside the loop between her apartment and the hospital.


"What?" asked Laci.


Sid shook his head and looked away.


"You keep looking at me." she stated.


"So, I like looking at you." he answered honestly "Plus, it's kind of neat to see you react to Pittsburgh. I guess I’m used to it." Laci shifted in the seat and looked at him.


"I like looking at you, too." she laughed "You are amazing on dry land, add some ice, and you become a whole other creature. Is that why they call you that?"


"Not even close." he said.


"You were amazing out there. Apparently, a 4 point night is kind of a big deal. At least, it was to Cole."


"We all played well together. It was a good effort."


"Sidney, do you ever say or do anything without thinking? Or is it all prefab plug and use answers?" she asked.


"Umm..." said Sidney


Laci started laughing. Poor Sidney was a PR machine. She needed him to loosen up. Laci grabbed his hand on the console and held it in hers. He seemed startled for a second then threaded his fingers through hers. "See, spontaneous isn't always scary."


"You seem to bring that out in me. Pretty sure the guys think I've lost my mind." he replied

"When I told you I could get the box, I was totally talking without thinking. You just wanted it for Cole so bad that I had to make it happen. Bringing you to the CONSOL with Mario? Totally not a Sid move. Kissing you in the parking lot in front of God knows who? Not a Sid move." He wheeled the Rover to a stop in front his house "Bringing a girl I met 3 days ago home with me? Definitely not at Sid move."


"Do you always refer to yourself in third person?" asked Laci smiling at him "Or is that special just for me since I had no clue who you were?"


Sid flushed crimson "No, I usually refrain from being part of my own hype machine." He climbed out of the Rover. Sid walked around and opened the door for Laci. He helped her out of the vehicle. "So, I don't usually bring anyone but family out here. So, this is where you promise not to sell my address to TMZ."


Laci looked at him trying to decide if he was serious. A huge smile broke across his face. "You have jokes, Captain. I think I like that Sidney, too." She turned and looked at his house. Her eyes got wide "Is that the Canadian embassy here in Pittsburgh? Or is it just you?" she asked.
Sid led her up the front walkway "Well, Sam is here." he shrugged "She will probably knock us over when we get in."


"Sam?" she quizzed.


"My dog" he said "She's my best girl." Laci started laughing. "What?" asked Sidney.


"You really are bad at flirty stuff. You just told your date your dog is your best girl."


"I didn't mean it like that." stammered Sidney. He was flushed again. He unlocked the door and grabbed Sam who barreled toward them "She is a little exited." Laci immediately squatted down and petted Sam. She was cooing at the retriever. Sid didn't know why, but her liking Sam made him extremely happy. "She likes you." he replied.


"She’s a retriever, she likes everyone." laughed Laci.


"True" said Sid "Come on in. I've got to finish dinner." She followed him through the giant house into his kitchen." You still want to change for dinner?" She shook her head no and sat down at his counter. She watched him pull things out of the fridge. He was still in his game suit. Now that was hot to look at, but for cooking dinner, it was a bit much.


Laci came around the counter and washed her hands in the sink. "I'm not changing, but you are way over dressed Captain, to just hang out at home with me. So, why don't you tell me what I can do while you change."


"I've got this." he said.


"I'm sure you do, but I feel under dressed mister." she replied "Go change and nothing with a collar." Sidney started laughing. He put Pauly's manicotti in the oven. He smiled at Laci who was standing at his hip. "I mean it Crosby, casual. Maybe even pajamas."


"You want to see me in my pajamas?" asked Sidney moving closer to her.


It was Laci's turn to blush. That pink flush made Sid want to see how far down the blush spread. "I..." replied Laci but she was cut off by Sid's mouth covering hers. She wrapped her arms around him. God his mouth really was a work of art. Hell, the rest of him was perfect too. He kissed her gently before his hands found their way into her hair. He angled her mouth closer to his and deepened the kiss. She felt his tongue at the seam of her lips. The kiss revved into something more. She tried to move closer only to hit the wall of muscle that was Crosby. Sid pulled back and looked down at her.


"I didn't bring you here for this." he replied "I just wanted a quiet place to spend time with you."


"Well, think quiet time includes kissing?" Sid just shook his head. "So, I vote you go change and we hang out until it's time to pull this out of the oven. I've got Sam for company."


"Let me open the wine." he said "Then I will leave Sam to play host. Red, okay?"


"Up to the chef." she answered.


"Well, since he brought it, I'm guessing it goes with the meal." confessed Sidney


"He?" she asked.

"Paul Martin, my teammate, he’s the chef of the bunch. He offered to cook when the boys were helping this morning."


"You told me you can cook, Sidney Crosby." she teased


"I can, but I can't cook like Pauly." he admitted sheepishly "Pauly could probably open a restaurant."


Laci stood up on her tip toes and pressed a quick kiss on his mouth. "Wine glasses?" she asked.


"Cabinet by the sink" he answered "Was that a go get dressed kiss?"


"Nope, that was a he isn't disgustingly perfect kiss." replied Laci. Laci grabbed two wine glasses from the cabinet. "Now, go change so I don't have to drink alone." Sid left the kitchen and headed to his room.


"So, Sam." he heard her say "Is there anything your daddy does wrong? No, I didn't think so." He shook his head at her talking to the dog. Laci was quickly becoming a bright spot in his kind of dull life. He was stripping out of his suit when his phone chirped.


Flowers: How it going?
Sid: Good
Flowers: Good? You have her home alone why you texting me back.
Sid: I'm upstairs changing clothes in to something less dressy.
Flowers: Usually Mon Ami the girl says she is slipping into something more comfortable. But it is what it is.
Sid: I hate you
Flowers: Love you too Mon Ami.


Sidney tossed the phone on his dresser. He wasn't sure how long the rest of the guys would refrain from texting to check on him. Sidney pulled on a pair of grey Pens sweats and a black 412 shirt. He ditched the dress socks and decided barefoot would be fine with Laci. He headed downstairs to the kitchen. Laci was missing when he arrived. He looked around the kitchen. He then noticed the powder room door shut. He probably should have given her a quick tour. He walked through the downstairs and flipped on the lights in the den and the dining room. He grinned when he saw her tiny chucks and socks next to his trainers by the door. Laci was making herself comfortable in his house, and for some reason that wasn't scary.


"Hey" said Laci walking into the kitchen "I wanted to wash up before dinner."


"I suck as a host" he replied "Want to see the house?"


"Umm, not sure we have time." teased Laci "I went on a tour of Graceland that took 2 hours. This place is bigger so..." Sidney started laughing. Okay, that might not describe it. It was between a bray and a giggle. Damned if it wasn't fucking adorable. "What are you laughing at, Captain?"


"Most people are gushy about my house. You make fun." he shrugged "The only people who tease me are my teammates."


"So, I need to learn to play hockey so I can make fun of you?" she asked coming closer.


"Because I think I like teasing you."


"You can do whatever want." he said.


Laci grabbed his hand and threaded her fingers through his. She pulled him slightly "Show me your favorite part of your house. Not the entire thing, just your favorite part."


Sidney led her through his house. He brought her down the stairs into his basement. He let go of her hand and put one large hand over her eyes. "It's a surprise." he said opened the door with his other hand.


"Wait, this isn't some red room of pain like Fifty Shades of Gray is it, Captain?" she asked.


"Damn, you figured it out." said Sid into her ear. He led her into the room and moved his hand. She made a slight gasping sound. Sid totally understood he'd had the same reaction the first time he saw it.


"It's a movie theatre." she said softly. But, that didn't do it justice. It was decorated like a vintage 1940's movie theatre. All the high tech stuff was beautifully hidden. She walked over and looked at the concession stand, popcorn maker, and the bar. It was like stepping back in time.

"It's gorgeous, Sidney." She was looking at a framed movie poster of Gone with the Wind "I always wanted to watch it in theater. Wrong generation."


"Then I guess I know what we can do on our second date."


"What makes you so sure I'm going to go out with you again?"


"I'm not." he replied "and that makes me want to convince you to see me again."


Laci sat down in the back row of seats in the middle of theatre. She was looking around the room. Sid moved into the seat beside her. "You’re in my seat, Laci." he said.


"This whole theatre and I sat in your seat?" she replied.


"It's my favorite seat"


"Why is that?" she asked.


"Because it does this" he answered as he lifted the console between them back into the wall. He anchored a large arm around her and hauled her closer to him. He moved them both until she was laying stretched out in front of him. Laci moved so she was facing him. She smiled at him before kissing his full mouth. She nipped at his bottom lip and soothed that bite with her tongue. She plunged her tongue into his mouth. Sidney's hand anchored her hip to his. Both of her hands were tangled in his curly hair. Sidney broke the kiss and laid his forehead on hers. "I knew this feature would come in handy. The only person who has used it is Taylor."


"Taylor?" she asked not sure if she was ready to hear about exes.


"My little sister" he said "She likes to watch Disney movies in here."


"There are Disney movies here?" she asked excitedly. Sidney nodded. She kissed him again

"Can we watch Beauty and the Beast sometime?"


"What's it worth to you?" he asked.


"I'll make you some badass rice crispy treats." she replied


"I thought you couldn't cook?" he said.


"Microwaves are my friend."


Sidney gave her another kiss. He then pulled her to her feet. "Deal. Let's go eat." She was surprised when Sidney took her hand. Maybe he was getting more used to her.


Dinner was a quiet affair. They talked and ate. They learned a lot about each other. Everything that she learned about Sidney the more she wanted to learn. He was more than hockey but she wasn't sure anyone got to see the side of Sidney she was seeing. She found herself not wanting to leave. They finished their gelato and their wine. She and Sidney had been sitting in the den talking. She lost all track of time. It was close to 2am when she looked at her phone.


"I've got to work tomorrow." said Laci. Sidney looked at his watch.


"I didn't realize it was that late" he said "I'll take you to your car and follow you home."


"No stay here. I'll call a cab" she replied.


"Definitely not."


"Sidney, I'll be fine in a cab."


"But I won't be fine with you being in a cab. I'll worry and I won't sleep." he explained "What if..." She cut him off by kissing him. "Stay" he said "Just stay here. We've been drinking. I'll set an alarm take you home in time to get ready for work. I'm usually on the ice by 7 am, anyway."


"Are you sure?" questioned Laci.


"Yes, you can pick whatever room you want" said Sidney "Then I won't worry."


"You win, Captain." she said giving him another kiss "I'll stay. But if you plan on being on the ice in less than 5 hours, we need sleep."


Sidney led her upstairs and into Taylor's room. He found her a pair of shorts and one of his old high school hockey tees. He showed her Taylor's bathroom and all the girly stuff she had left behind. He ventured out and found her a toothbrush with a random hotel logo. He shrugged


"We stay in a lot of hotels." He left her to get dressed for bed.


Sidney went to his room and plugged his phone in. He brushed his teeth. Sid stripped out of the sweats and his t-shirt. He was getting ready to crawl in bed when he heard Laci call his name. He stepped out into the hallway. Laci's breath caught in her throat. Her imagination didn't do Sidney's body justice. He was all compact muscle. Ripped in the right places. He was dressed in black boxer briefs. And those were apparently made of some magical expanding material. She had never in her life seen thighs like his. "Laci?" he questioned


"Did you mean it when you said I can pick whichever room I want?"


"Ya, Taylor's is just closest to mine." he replied. Laci started towards him dressed in his t-shirt and those tiny shorts. She walked past him into his room.


"I think I would like to be even closer." she stated standing in his room "Is this okay?" she asked
"I'm just here to cuddle, Crosby."


"Definitely." he answered nodding towards the bed.


She climbed into his bed. Sid slid in beside her. He laid stalk still beside her. She started giggling. "Sidney, it's hard to snuggle if you won't touch me. I can sleep in the other room if you want."


"I want you." he said.


"Good, I want you too" she responded. She crawled across the giant bed and laid her head on his chest. "Now kiss me goodnight, Captain."


Sidney kissed her smiling mouth. Then settled her back against his chest. Laci kissed his chest just above his heart. "Sleep tight, 87. I'll see you in the morning." Sid smiled down at her blonde head. He could get used to holding Laci.

Notes