All The Small Things

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Laci woke up sweating. She was burning up. She must have the setting on her electric blanket too high. Laci moved to sit up and get a glass of water. But found herself tangled up. Laci glanced to her right. She smiled and sank her hand into Sidney's curling dark hair. Sidney turned his head towards her touch but didn't stir. He was relaxed and at peace. Not a captain or hockey Jesus, just Sidney. Right now, just Sidney, had snuggled Laci against his body. Snuggled might not be a strong enough word. She was getting quite the look at his well-developed arms clamped around her torso. Laci's legs were currently tangled between Sid's thick legs. Laci glanced at the clock. It wasn't even 5am yet. The blankets were currently around their hips. Laci was amazed. She knew from looking at him dressed he had muscle mass, but not even her imagination could prepare her for the real thing. Laci was very close to stroking her hand down the muscles of his back, but didn't want to wake him. She grabbed the duvet getting a glimpse of Sidney best asset. Maybe she should give up squats and take up skating. Laci decided that being Sidney's personal cuddle buddy was worth dying of a heat stroke. She fell back asleep thinking maybe she wouldn’t be needing that electric blanket anymore.


Laci stretched and yawned. It took her a minute to realize where she was. Now she was cold and alone. Laci threw back the covers and crawled out of the bed. Since Sid seemed a touch OCD she made the bed back as best she could. Laci heard the shower going in the attached bath. Laci ventured over into Taylor's room and gathered her clothes. She carried her jersey and jeans down to the kitchen and draped them over the back of a chair.


Laci began rummaging around the cabinets and the refrigerator. She located the K-cups for the coffee pot and the mugs. She also managed to find eggs, veggies, cheese, and ham. While her coffee perked she discovered where Sidney hid the cooking utensils and a set of pots and pans professional chef’s dream about. She added milk to her coffee, hopefully he kept sugar somewhere. Laci cracked the eggs into two more mugs. She wasn't sure about his diet plan, so she used mostly egg whites in his. But then again, he probably burned a million calories. Laci shrugged and turned the range on. She found the sugar and added a few heaping spoons to her coffee. Laci poured the eggs into the omelet pan and set about to chopping the spinach, ham, and mushrooms. She decided if he had it in the fridge, it was probably safe that he could eat it. Laci opened the dishwasher, it wasn't full from last night and still needed to be ran. She rummaged around and found the dishwasher soap. Minutes later she had it ready to start in about an hour.


Laci was humming and dancing around the range. She added the filling to her omelet. Laci watched the cheese melt and the eggs set. It landed on the plate a little sideways. She didn't profess to be a chef. Sam had meandered into the kitchen and was weaving in and out of her legs. Laci cooed at the dog. She remembered seeing her food in the pantry. Laci scooped some food into Sam's dish and put water in her bowl. Sam nudged her legs appreciatively. Laci laughed and patted her head. Laci began the second “healthier” omelet.

"So Sam, your daddy didn't tell me what he likes in his omelets. So, I'm guessing high protein low fat?" said Laci to Sam who was scarfing down her kibble "I see how it is." laughed Laci "Is there a manual on how to take care of him? You know something titled “In Regards to Caring for Canada's Prince." Sam didn't respond, but she did lay down beside the range. "You're no help." admonished Laci giving her a cube of ham "And if you're daddy asks, I didn't just give you people food." Sam made a snuffling noise "Yes Sam, I know you are a people." Laci laughed. She added the veggies, extra ham, and way less cheese to the one she was preparing for Sidney. Laci was more careful de-panning Sidney's omelet. Laci hoped he wasn't used to random half naked girls cooking him breakfast.


Sidney walked back in his bedroom only to find his bed made. Sid paused and looked at the bed. Where was Laci? Had she made the bed and disappeared? He noticed the light on in Taylor's room. Her jeans and jersey were gone. Then he heard it. Was she on the phone trying to get someone to rescue her? Sid took the stairs a couple at a time. He paused at the landing to listen to her conversation. He almost laughed out loud when he realized she was talking to Sam, but he wanted to listen. Apparently, she was sneaking Sam people food. Sidney was guilty as well. Sidney finished walking down the stairs and rounded the corner to the kitchen. He stopped in his tracks. His dog had been fed and watered. The dishwasher was currently being loaded with a pan by Laci. Sid had a very nice view of her backside in the tiny spandex shorts. She was still having a conversation with Sam.


Sid looked at his watch it was 6:45, he was going to be late. He hated being late, he was never late. He normally grabbed a shake. What was Laci doing? Did she realize he had a strict schedule? How many people counted on him? Sid was contemplating what to do or say when she turned around and smiled at him. He was fucked. He had a tiny blonde schedule wrecker smiling at him in tiny shorts and a Shattuck's shirt. "Move your ass, Crosby." she said "We're both gonna be late."


"I usually..." he began but Laci cut him off


"Well, I usually don't sleep with guys on the first date, so there is that. Now sit your booty down and eat your omelet. 3 egg white, 1 yolk, spinach, mushrooms, extra ham, and a little cheese. It was all in your fridge, so I assumed you eat it. Juice, milk, or coffee? I mean it Sidney, sit." she said placing the plate of food on the bar near where he stood. "I loaded the dishwasher, it's on a delay, and will start after we leave." Laci handed him a bottle of water since he didn't answer her. "Do you want toast or fruit or anything?"


Sidney snagged her hand and pulled her around the counter to face him "It's my house, I'm supposed to be the host." Laci smiled at him again "You didn't have to do all this."


"Well, omelets are the only thing I can cook. It will get old quick, Sidney." she teased "But I seem to remember a certain hockey player promising to help me cook. And so far his defense man has made me a lovely lasagna, and I've made breakfast." she flitted down on the bar stool next to Sidney and began to devour her omelet. Sidney was watching her. "What? I'm hungry. Eat." she groused.


Sidney began to eat his omelet. It was really good, and not entirely off plan. He kept watching her out of the corner of his eye. She was content sitting there eating. She didn't expect him to entertain her. He then noticed that she was slipping Sam pieces of egg and ham. His dog was a traitor. A traitor with her head on Laci's thigh, not that he could blame her. Sid's phone chirped. He knew it was probably Dana making sure he wasn't dead. He usually already had his skates to him by now. Yep, Sid texted him that he would be on the ice by 8 am.


"You're late, Sidney Crosby." she deadpanned "What happens when Canada’s Prince is late?" She grabbed her empty plate and Sidney's. She walked to the dishwasher and deposited the remainder of the breakfast dishes. Sidney was still watching her.


"I'm not sure," he answered honestly "I'm never late."


"They’re going say I'm a bad influence." she replied coming to stand before his barstool "Jen isn't going to like it. But the question is, can Sidney Crosby handle a day that isn't perfection?" Sidney smiled at her. She noticed his smile always quirked to the left. Sidney pulled her into the circle of his arms. In his seated position they were eye to eye. Whoever had decided Sidney's ass was his best feature, had obviously not seen fresh out of the shower damp Sidney. His dark hair was curling due to it still being damp. His eyes were focused on hers. They looked like bourbon with a hint of green in the right light. But it was always his mouth that held her gaze. She wasn't sure whether she wanted to kiss or bite them, but damned if she didn't want to touch it. Laci was never one to be hesitant. Her left hand reach out and stroked the dip in his smile. "Whose ass do I need to kick for messing up this perfect?" she asked kissing the right side of his mouth. That small kiss was all it took to set Sidney off. His hands threaded through her messy blonde bed head. His mouth centered on hers. She let out an “oh” of surprise. Sidney smiled against her mouth before stroking his tongue against hers. She relaxed into the kiss. Okay, she completely melted against Sidney there in his kitchen, but what was a girl to do when confronted by a damp Sidney Crosby? Sidney broke the kiss.


"It was friendly fire," he answered "But I'll point him out when we play the Caps." He kissed her gently "Thanks for breakfast. And for shutting me up."


"Well, someone needs to shut you up." she teased dancing away from him. Sidney swatted her ass "Ow, Captain!" she said rubbing her booty "Time to take me home. Let me get dressed."


"Nope." said Sidney shaking his head "I'm late enough, Dana will send a search party soon. You can bring those clothes back over on Friday." Sidney handed her a hoodie. "I'll drop you off at home and send a car to take you to the hospital."


"Friday?" she questioned "And I live a block and a half from the hospital. I'll walk. No arguments, Crosby." Sidney's hoodie hit her around her knees. Not all that bad for a walk of shame outfit. Laci was sitting in his floor putting on her chucks.


"Friday we are having our second date." explained Sidney helping her to her feet "Gone with the Wind or Beauty and the Beast, your choice." He grabbed his gear bag from the closet in the hall. Laci was stuffing her jeans and jersey into her purse. "We'll cook dinner here. No Pauly. You and me. Our only backup plan will be movie junk food."


"I don't know Crosby does movie junk food for the Captain involve kale chips?" asked Laci suspiciously as he held the door open to the Rover. Sidney smiled and laughed. It was a horrible sound, but Laci loved it.


"You can pick the movie snacks." replied Sid climbing behind the wheel. Sid headed towards the hospital.

"You going to give me your address?" She rattled it off. It was a short drive that they passed discussing movie snacks. Sidney had a thing for peanut butter. She would have to remember that. He pulled up to the front of her building. Sidney climbed out of the Rover and came around to her door.


"I'd invite you up, but you are late, and they probably think you’re kidnapped." she sassed. Laci motioned for him to lean down. She lifted the bill of his gross ball cap and gave him a kiss on the lips. "Friday is a go on one condition."


"Name your terms." he said watching her walk into her building.


"You never wear those yellow crocs on a date again." she teased.


"It's the morning after! They are ergonomic!" called Sidney smiling.


"Yes, but we were at your house. So it's me doing the walk of shame. I have to wear what I have. You chose those shoes." she explained, her doorman staring in awe at Sidney. Yeah, he had that effect on people. "Is it a deal, Captain? We're causing a scene."


"Deal" he said jogging over to the SUV. "Hey Laci?" he called "It's still been pretty perfect. See you and Cole later." She watched him pull away. The doorman was staring at her.


"You never saw a girl kiss her date good bye?" she questioned.


"I've never seen anyone kiss, Sidney Crosby." replied the doorman looking at Laci in awe.


"Me either." she said sweetly as she turned and headed to the elevator. She pulled out her phone.


Laci: Perfect here too, Captain. But I'm telling Tanger about the Crocs. No texting and driving. Skate hard.

Sidney read the text and started laughing. For the first time in a long time he thought about skipping his morning skate and going back to Laci. But he knew she'd toss him out. Sid smiled, he could get used to Laci's company. Normally that would scared the hell out of him. But somehow it just seemed right.

Notes