All at Once

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Estelle, happy birthday to you!” the crowd of kids and parents sang to the joyful three-year-old who was squealing and clapping her hands, clearly loving being the center of attention. Despite the celebration going on around me I couldn’t help but be distracted by the broad shoulders in front of me and the way Sidney’s eyes sparkled when Estelle mushed cake across Marc’s face. The entire city of Pittsburg was in love with the man standing in Ver’s beautiful dining room and I was finally starting to understood why. Knowing better than let my thoughts run away I busied myself with passing gifts over to Marc for Estelle to tear the wrapping off of.
The rest of the party went off without a hitch. As expected energy levels shot through the roof after cake and we were all occupied with occupying a small herd of three year olds playing on the bouncy castle and slipnslide. I loved playing with a group of the funniest kids I have ever met. We played pretend, built fairy houses, and went on the slipnslide. I was fully clothed but it was the most fun I’d have in ages. When the impending sugar crash hit, parents began herding once happy toddlers into car seats before the tears began.
Before I knew it, the sun was setting and Marc and I were walking through the Andre-Flurry’s back yard picking up fallen streamers and crumpled paper plates.
“Gabi, your clothes are soaking wet,” Marc laughed when he noticed the effects of my afternoon rampaging around the party with three year olds.
“It’s a small price to pay for such a fun afternoon, I haven’t had this much fun in ages,” I replied shrugging my shoulders.
“We really need to get you out more,” Marc said looking at me strangely, “Why don’t you borrow some dry clothes from Ver and stay for dinner?” he offered with a kind smile.
Looking down I did a quick evaluation and decided dry clothes wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
“Definitely not your worst idea,” I teased Marc and headed into the house to find Veronique.
“Ver?” I called out walking through the back door.
“In here!” I heard from down the hall.
When I entered the kitchen I found a victorious looking Ver and a blushing Sidney Crosby standing across the island from each other.
“What’s up Cherie?” she asked before looking at me and laughing at my wet clothes and damp hair. “Ah and the slipinslide claims another victim,” she grinned.
“Could I borrow dry clothes? I think I’m crashing your family dinner.” I asked feeling the blood rush to my cheeks realizing just how much my shirt was clinging to my body.
“Oh of course, let’s go get you something more comfortable. Sidney you’ll be staying for dinner too?” She said in a tone that sounded much more like a command than a question.
Next thing I knew, Ver was leading me upstairs and handing me a pair of leggings and a, (you guessed it) Penguins Hockey t-shirt. She chatted away happily about how successful the party was, how much Estelle loved it, how happy she was all the boys could come, and thanking me for being there.
“Beau and your cousin seemed to hit it off,” I teased with a wicked gin.
“Ugh don’t get me started, Audrey isn’t going to stop talking about it.” Veronique rolled her eyes. “Speaking of hitting it off though, you and Sidney seem to be getting along,” she said in what was supposed to be a casual tone but I could see the mischievous glint in her eyes. “He’s single you know,” she added with a raised eyebrow.
I immediately found myself blushing and looking away while I pulled on the borrowed clothes. “You and I both know that wouldn’t happen Veronique, besides I don’t think I’m in a good place to be starting a new relationship.” I sighed flopping onto her huge bed.
Veronique’s face immediately softened.
“Gabi, it’s almost been a year. Sam was a horrible guy and you were really hurt but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be happy,” she advised kindly.
“I know, but I just feel so good about work and everything right now, I just don’t think I’m ready to have my heart broken all over again. It feels like I just picked up the pieces.”
“Who says you have to have your heart broken? I’ve known Sidney Crosby for a very long time and he is one of the kindest men I have ever met. He won’t be carless with your heart, and don’t you dare tell me you’re not interested, the two of you couldn’t keep your eyes off each other.” Veronique said giving me a sharp look.
I blushed and made a move for the door before the conversation could go any further.
“Guess we’ll just have to wait and see,” I placated as I walked out of the room.
“Wait and see what I have to do about it,” I heard Veronique mutter behind me and I couldn’t help but smile.
The rest of the evening was much more easy going. Marc and Ver put the girls to bed and we stayed up talking and laughing. Ver told us embarrassing stories about Marc when he was in high school, and being the easy going guy he is, Marc took it all in stride. Sydney talked to us about going to boarding school for hockey and I got teased for going to Math Camp. Soon enough the night was coming to an end and it was time to go home.
“Gabi do you need a ride back into the city?” Sydney asked, grabbing his car keys from the counter.
“If it’s not too out of the way that would be awesome,” I replied, happy I wasn’t going to have to call James for a ride knowing he would be annoyed.
I stood up to gather my things, and following Sidney to the door, promised Ver I would get her clothes back to her.
After walking down the brick path Sydney opened my door for me, making me smile at the small but meaningful gesture. Conversation flowed easily and I couldn’t help but admire the way the streetlights illuminated his sharp features as he drove with one hand on the wheel.
“So what, you would just do math problems all summer?” Sydney teased as he pulled up in front of my apartment building.
“We would race to see who could do them fastest, it was really fun, I swear!” I defended. We both laughed which was followed by a beat of silence.
“Would you want to get dinner with me later this week?” Sydney asked a moment later.
It took me a second to process what he just asked and fighting the feeling of my face turning bright red I nodded my head and managed to say, “yeah I would really like that.”
His face broke out into a smile that matched mine and we sat there for a second grinning at eachother.
“We have to go to Edmonton tomorrow for a game but I’ll call you later and we can pick a day?” he offered.
“Works for me,” I agreed still smiling, “good luck tomorrow, I’ll try to watch the game.”
Feeling bold, I leaned across the center consul I pecked Sydney on the cheek. “Talk to you soon,” I said and climbed out of the car before he could respond and before I could turn into a tomato. With one last look over my shoulder, I waved goodbye and unlocked the door to the apartment building all the while trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach.

Notes