Sidney's youth camp started up the next week which meant I wouldn't be able to see him as much. I had kept busy, grading some summer work sent int by over zealous students. Two nights Sidney and I were able to get together for dinner. Both nights, he came to my house and we christened my bed the same way we had to his. Friday, the Cup would be in town, and Sidney was practically begging me to come with him to the parade and celebrations the town would have.
"Babe, I just want to share it with you." He pleaded over the phone, Thursday night.
"Sid, I was there for the first one, then I disappeared. People are going to talk if I'm suddenly back in the picture. Your parents still haven't had a nice sit down dinner with me since we started dating again." I sighed.
"But you know my parents love you and I love you. I don't want you to be deterred by the public and the fans because they're only going to get worse once we go even more public."
"Is that supposed to be reassuring, because it wasn't." I laughed at Sidney.
"Please come." He asked. By now, he sounded like a hurt little boy who needed protection and was asking anyone for it. I sighed and mentally weighed my pros and cons.
"Fine, I'll come." I gave in.
"Really? Yes, you're the best!" he cheered. I couldn't help but laugh at his excitement.
"What do I even wear?" I asked.
"Um, like a sundress I guess?" Sid stammered.
"You're no help. I'll see you tomorrow."
"I love you."
"I love you too, Sid." I said, hanging up.

---

God, it was hot out. While the pickup truck we sat in creeped through the center of town, it felt like the makeup I wore was dripping off my face. As fans cheered on in their jerseys, I questioned their insanity and heat tolerance.
"Isn't this awesome?" Sidney asked, pulling me from my thoughts. His hand was around my waist as we waved to the crowd. I ran my hand over his back and leaned in for a quick kiss.
"This is crazy. I can only imagine what it was like in Pittsburgh."
"Yeah, that was something else." he laughed and turned to smile for cameras. I waved to some of the people in the crowd, seeing familiar faces of people I had grown up with.
As the truck came to the end of the parade route, I saw a podium and a backdrop that was most likely for photos. Sidney's parents and Taylor stood at the podium, beeming as their son jumped from the flatbed and waved to the crowd. He turned back and grabbed my waist, lifting me from the flatbed and sending me into a fit of giggles.
"I just had to sweep you off your feet one more time." He laughed, dipping me backwards so he could leave a loving kiss on my lips. "I hope they publish that picture." He smiled. I laughed at the coy boy in front of me and raised my hand to wipe off the lipstick that I had smeared on to his face. He mouthed a thank you and then reached for the Cup.
As we made our way up the steps, Sidney whispered reassuring words in my ears. He was the one who would be talking in front of the entire town, but he knew how scared I was to have to stand there and have pictures taken of me that would be put on websites and twitter. He knew that it would take hours for my name and our entire past relationship to somehow be leaked for the entire world. He knew that I would also have to stand there with his parents who I hadn't seen until we got back together.
"Savannah!" Taylor practically squealed as I left Sidney's side and went to the side of the stage.
"Hey girly! God, you're getting so tall and beautiful." I gushed, wrapping her into a tight hug. "Senior year?" I asked.
"You know it! I'm so excited, you have no clue!"
"Oh, trust me. I know!" I laughed.
"Savannah, I'm so happy you're back in our family." Trina smiled, pulling me away from her daughter, she gave me a quick hug and promised to catch up with me afterwards. Troy gave me a hug as well, but all of us paid attention as Sidney began to address the crowd.
He went through formalities, talking about the team and the training. He made the little kids in the crowd to promise that they would do their homework and pay attention because bad grades meant no plays. He began to thank his parents and his family, but what I wasn't expecting was him to address me.
"I also couldn't do it without the woman I thought of everyday. When I was in high school and hated my coach for holding us at practice the night before a test, she was the one who would stay up and help me study after I ate and did homework for all the other classes. She was the one who hugged me first after I got drafted. I'm sure my mom still has some choice words about that, but what can I say? I need a fast paced girl to keep up with me. I couldn't be the man I am today without my girlfriend, Savannah." Sidney turned to me and mouthed an I love you. I wiped away a tear and mouthed it back.
"Please go hug my brother." Taylor egged on. I felt a blush creep up my face, but I ran over and gave him a tight hug.
"I'm serious, babe. Every day I thought of you." He whispered.
"I'm sorry for ever doubting you and almost kicking you out of my house." I laughed and kissed him quickly. "I love you."
I let go of Sidney and went back to his parents.
"I hate that stupid boy for ever letting you go." Troy scoffed. "You could've been happily married with kids by now but he had the ego the size of Toronto."
I laughed at the comment but couldn't help think about what could've been different. Would there be a ring on my finger and one or two little Crosby's? By now we would've had houses together in both Cole Harbour and Pittsburgh. We talked about kids and pets and our future, but I never got that future. We were getting older too, which also sucked. How much longer would his career be and what about mine? Teachers were being laid off left and right, and I could be next.
"Ready to go?" Sidney asked, taking my hand in his.
"Hm?" I hummed and looked up at him.
"Uh oh, those are thinking eyes. What's wrong?" Sidney asked as we stepped off the stage.
"What if we never broke up?" I asked. "Would we be married and would there be kids? Would our kids have been here today?"
"Hey, what's - where's all this coming from?" Sidney laughed nervously, and took my hands in his.
"Your dad mentioned the breakup and what we could've had now, and he's right. I wanted kids with you and a home together and the perfect wedding." I rambled.
"And I can still give you all of that. You tell me to jump and I'll ask how high." He promised. I nodded and squeezed his hands.
"We should get going, I'm sure some of the TV stations want interviews." I whispered. Sidney dropped my hands and cupped my face, pulling me into a passionate kiss. He ran his thumbs over my cheek as his mouth meshed perfectly against mine. I let his tongue slide into my mouth and ran my hands up his chest. When he pulled away, he left me breathless. I rested my head on his chest and Sidney wrapped his arms around me. He rested his head on top of mine and lightly swayed with me.
"I made a promise 7 years ago that I would give you the world. I'm still going to hold up that promise and make you the happiest woman in the world." Sidney reassured me.
"I know, Sidney. I love you, for that and for everything." I hummed against his chest.
"Now we can go get those interviews done." Sid laughed.

Notes