AUTUMN LEAVES

The 2016-2017 playoffs were not a walk in the park for the Pittsburgh Penguins, including the Stanley cup finals against the Nashville Predators. It was a physical series with the Stanley cup at stake. During game six in Nashville, Autumn sat at the edge of her seat with a tense Mario beside her. The Pens were one win away from winning the Stanley cup. The couple was extremely nervous as minutes ticked away and the game remained scoreless. Then it all happened too quickly. Hornqvist scores from behind the net with less than 2 minutes left in regulation and Hagelin, the other Pens’ swede, scores in the empty net. The Pens families and the few fans in the Bridgestone Arena were on their feet in the final seconds separating their team from their second Stanley cup in two seasons. It was official the Pens were the Stanley Cup Champions and the first team to repeat in almost 20 years.

Autumn couldn’t wait to get to the ice level like the rest of the WAGs and kids. They had to wait for the Conn Smythe trophy to be given to a busy Sidney Crosby, who did not hear his name being called at first as he was strangely occupied with a selfie. Then the captain lifted the Stanley cup that many betted won’t make it back to Pittsburgh two years in a row. Autumn and Mario along other families were waiting impatiently in the tunnel leading to the ice. She was cheering so loudly with no care in the world as Sidney skated around the rink with his favorite toy, sheer happiness radiating from him. She knew how hard the playoffs have been for him, especially with the concussion in the second round that almost devastated him. But she had learned many things about Sidney in the past few months that it did not surprise her when he had pulled through every adversity with his strong will and relentless efforts.

She hasn’t seen him much during the postseason and was reassured by Mario that he’s not avoiding her, it’s just the way he is during this critical part of the hockey season. Autumn was happy and thankful that all his hard work was finally rewarded by winning the MVP trophy and the cup. Trina, Sidney’s mother who was standing in front of Autumn turned towards her and Mario to hide her tears from potential cameras. She was a proud mother. Autumn liked her immediately from the moment they had met few months back. The two women hugged tightly, both crying from joy as Mario and Troy Crosby patted their backs with huge grins on their faces. “He deserves it all. He’s the best player in the world”, Autumn told Sidney’s parents as they watched the trophy being passed from one player to the other. “He will even have more rings than my magnifique boyfriend”, Autumn joked with his sister Taylor as she hugged Mario affectionately.

Mario and Ron joined the celebrations on the ice. Sidney happily brought the cup to Mario like he did in the past. Passing the cup along, the two men shared a hug. “I called the hotel manager. We were able to book a large ballroom for the party tonight, double occasions”, Mario shouted in Sidney’s ear. Sidney was on such a high from the win that he did not register the last part and nodded, happy to have party arrangements taken care of.

When families were let on the ice, Autumn wanted to go to Sidney right away but felt it would be more appropriate that his family get the chance to see him and congratulate him first. Sidney was hugging his sister when he saw Autumn standing nearby with a Pens cap on, blonde waves flowing from each side, rosy cheeks and a huge smile on her face. He ignored his sister who wanted to take a family photo and skated towards her. Not caring if he was too sweaty in his hockey gear, he engulfed her in his arms, lifting her off the ice and spinning them gracefully in spirals while Autumn squealed in his arms. He set her back on the ice and this time they hugged less frantically. “Congrats Sid! I’m so happy for you and the team”, she said with sparkling eyes looking back at him. He let her go when he felt Taylor nudging him to join them in a photo with the cup that Autumn volunteered to take.

As the celebrations on the ice started to die off, Mario took Autumn away from everyone and headed towards the tunnel. “Where are we going? The hotel is very close by and everyone else is still here. I thought we would all leave together”, Autumn said questionably. Mario was nervous and did not have the courage to say anything yet so he remained silent, which made Autumn more confused but she followed him around the guts of the arena nonetheless. The couple crossed an usher in the hall that seem to know Mario. He gestured towards an open door. They entered an empty suite where the commotion on the ice was within view. Mario remained silent as he looked at his team still celebrating their well-deserved win. “Mario, you’re starting to scare me, what’s going on?”, Autumn asked with concern. “Do you see how happy they are?”, Mario said turning towards her, pausing for just a moment to contemplate her beauty. “That’s how happy you make me everyday sweetheart. I feel like I win the Stanley cup everyday ever since you walked into my life. I hope I make you as happy as you make me”, he told her softly.

“You do, you know that-“, she started saying but Mario interrupted her by going down on one knee and opening a ring box. Autumn covered her mouth with surprise. “Autumn, will you marry me and make me the happiest man, forever?”, Mario asked nervously. She was crying and laughing at the same time she was trying to say yes. She nodded hard enough that her “yes” was clear to him. He slipped the engagement ring on her finger. They shared a passionate kiss and few moments of privacy in the Bridgestone Arena suite as the Pens were making their way to the hotel for the party.

*****

“I don’t think we should share our engagement news tonight honey”, Autumn said as she fixed Mario’s shirt in their hotel room. The couple decided to change before joining the party in the hotel ballroom. “Why not? It’s perfect timing. Everyone is here and they’ll be happy for us”. “Of course they will be, but sharing this news will kind of steal the thunder from the Stanley cup win. We can announce it tomorrow when we get back home. Sidney said he’s hosting the party this year. We can announce it at that party instead”. Mario couldn’t wait to tell the whole world but he had to agree with his fiancée’s wise opinion.

There was no need to follow the signs for the ballroom as the receptionist told them. The loud voices, screams and cheers could be heard from afar as the couple approached the party, hand in hand with permanent smiles on their faces. People were drunk partly on the win and partly on the alcohol. “Hey! you finally made it!”. Sidney greets them at the entrance, drunkenly planting himself between the two, hugging them both hard that Autumn was slightly worried he would crush her shoulders. He steered them towards the bar where he claimed that the whiskey selection would blow Mario’s mind. Autumn involuntarily started to move to the loud techno music blasting in the large room. She excused herself when she spotted some of the WAGs on the dance floor and decided to join them. They must have arranged babysitting services beforehand. She always marveled at how prepared the WAGs always were.

From the bar, Mario, Sid and Geno clunked their whiskey glasses together and drank happily while watching the ladies, Rusty and Jake dance their hearts out. Mario watched his fiancée attentively, every move, every curve, every laugh and shake of her perfect hips. She is going to be his wife and he couldn’t wait. Damned would be the short time they had been together. She was the one for him and he knew that a long time ago. Next to Mario, Sidney looked at the same woman intently, so intently that Kris noticed and came their way to take Sidney away from where he was stalking Mario’s girlfriend.

“I’m not doing anything, chill Tanger”, Sidney said irritated. He felt like a berated child with his lollipop taken away from him. if he can’t be with her, can he at least just look at her and fantasize. He felt pathetic at that thought. He reluctantly joined Kris and few other teammates on one of the high tables. His eyes kept wandering from time to time towards where she would be, though he could no longer see her. She was no longer in sight because she stood right behind him and was gesturing to the other guys to act chill as she attempted to scare Sidney. It was very easy given how jumpy he is. As always, she was rewarded with a jump and a “fuck” from her friend. “It’s getting easier Sid, you gotta work on those strong reflexes of yours, off the ice that is”, she joked and laughed at his flushed face. He couldn’t hold her playfulness against her.

“I’ll keep trying. Why aren’t you drinking? Come on let’s get you a drink. You don’t get to be the sober one who will remember how we’re making asses of ourselves tonight”, Sidney said while dragging her towards the bar. He asked the bartender for gin and tonic, an Autumn’s favorite. He noticed the bartender’s eyes linger on Autumn too long for his liking, but before he could do or say anything stupid, he was dragged by a buzzed Phil Kessel that wanted to introduce him to his sister. His eyes never left the bar where Autumn waited for her drink that the asshole just set in front of her and started to chat with her. As Sidney watched her take a sip from her drink, the image of the bartender flirting was long forgotten and replaced by the giant diamond ring in her left hand. All breath left his lungs, he couldn’t hear what the Kessels were saying. The whole room stopped existing, like he was drowning in quicksand.

Phil nudged him and brought him back to reality, the room suddenly too loud, too bright and threatening to suffocate him. He was in a daze, soberer than he wished to be. He turned on his heels, ignoring Phil’s concerned expression. He left the room not bothering to answer anyone who wanted his attention on his way out. Drink still in hand he went to the nearest exit sign. Once in the privacy of the empty staircase, he put his forehead on the wall and tried to steady his breath as he felt a panic attack may be imminent. He practiced the breathing technique that ironically Autumn showed him as she was a big believer in mindfulness meditations. It would normally work, but not now, not when he knew for sure that any shred of hope was taken away from him. When he hugged her on the ice he had just won the cup. The win made him happy and even gave him the courage to think that maybe if he told her how he felt, that things might change, that maybe and as ridiculous as it might be, they can be happy together.

He did not think Mario would propose that fast. Unless she was wearing that ring before and he did not notice. It could not be. She would have said something, someone would have said something. Anger seeped in and his scotch glass went flying crashing against the wall, shards of glass and splashes of brown liquor flying towards him. In that moment, the win dissipated, the hope vanished and was replaced by loss and heartache. “What’s wrong Sid?!”, a voice startled him from the crouching position he was in.

Phil Kessel was not believing what he was looking at. He couldn’t understand what made Sidney leave so suddenly and hide here. He did not expect to see him like this, not tonight. Especially not tonight. He squatted next to him and shook his shoulders hoping for any reaction. “Don’t worry about it”, Sidney told him with a low voice. He sniffled and sat with his back to the wall. “What? Look at you, you want me NOT to worry about it?”, Phil said with concern. “It’s some personal stuff I’m dealing with, I’ll be okay I promise”. Phil knew that Sid was a private person but it did not sit well with him to leave him alone. He looked around at the mess of glass and liquor. He shook his head. He knew it must be serious because all Sidney cared about was winning the Stanley cup. But even that seemed not enough to keep his mind off these “personal stuff”.

“I don’t want to pry Sid. We just won the cup, you should be happy. I mean you were just ecstatic two minutes ago. What happened that you just so suddenly got here”, Phil said while gesturing towards the aftermath of Sidney’s outburst. “Please Phil I don’t want to talk about it”. Sidney cleared his throat, trying to put on his joker face. Phil nodded, knowing that Sidney will not talk. “Okay, just know that I’m here for you man. We all are”. Sidney simply nodded thankful that Phil did not push the subject. The two teammates went back to the party. To Sidney’s luck Autumn and Mario were nowhere to be seen. Maybe they’re celebrating their engagement in private, he thought bitterly.

*****

The party at Sidney’s house was a success. The tradition of swimming with Lord Stanley’s cup was kept alive. Mario and Autumn announced their engagement and Sidney congratulated them trying his best to look happy for the couple. No one noticed anything suspicious. Phil kept a close eye on Sidney the whole time. He was still concerned for his friend. Sidney was not one to share his thoughts and feelings. He was too private and closed-off in an unhealthy way, Phil thought. Once the news was announced, Kris tried to talk to Sidney to casually assess his reactions but got nothing in return. His captain acted fine and seemed to be handling it well.

*****

Few days after the parade and locker room clean-up, Sidney started packing his house for the off-season. He emptied the fridge, packed his clothes and his gear to be shipped to LA where he usually spends the first 2 weeks of the off-season. As he was moving his bags to the first floor, he was startled by Mario standing in his door about to ring his doorbell. “You’re ready to leave I see. Were we going to get a goodbye before you skipped town?”, Mario asked teasingly. “Of course, I was going to drop by”.

“Actually, I’m glad I caught you now, because I’m headed out of the country myself for a mini-vacation with my fiancée”, Mario said wiggling his eyebrows happily. “She works too hard and I do too. We both need a break”, he added. Sidney nodded understandably. “I wanted to ask you something actually”, Mario said. Sidney dropped the bag he was shuffling as Mario got his full attention. “No need to be alarmed, it’s a good request. So Um, … Autumn and I have picked the date for our wedding. We wanted to get married towards the end of August before training camp and the season start. Autumn and I were wondering if you would be my best man at the wedding”, Mario said in a hopeful tone.

Sidney was surprised and touched at this request. He thought it would be Mario’s brother or maybe a close friend. “I would be honored Mario, you know that. I just… I’m a little surprised but in a good way”, Sidney answered honestly. The two man hugged and Mario wanted Sidney to know why he chose him. “You are the closest person to both of us. You and Autumn are good friends and you’re practically my son Sid. It was an easy decision for us. Autumn will be very happy you accepted. Not that she had a doubt you would turn us down”.

“What’s the date? I need to make sure I don’t have other commitments that day. Have you decided where yet?”, Sidney asked. “August 22nd, Autumn’s birthday. She always thought of that day as bad since her parents abandoned her. I want to replace that sad memory with a happy one, you know”, Mario said. “That’s a great idea”. Sidney knew how much Mario loves her and how much he cares about her feelings. He would undoubtedly make her a happy wife. “As for the place, we both want a low-key wedding with just close friends and family. We’re thinking of a private venue of course. Autumn suggested a beach wedding but I’m not too fond of standing barefoot in the sand”, Mario said with a chuckle. “I think she likes the idea of water or something”, he added. “What about my lake house? It’s private enough. It’s not a beach, but very close. I have grass, so no sand issues”, Sidney suggested.

If he was going to be the best man, he will make sure he will be the best best man his mentor could have. “That’s not a bad idea at all”, Mario said contemplatively with his hand on his chin. “I will ask Autumn what she thinks and will get back to you on that. I feel it’s the best compromise”. Mario patted Sidney’s shoulder and wished him safe travels and that he will keep him in the loop regarding the wedding venue.

Once Mario left, Sidney released a breath he was not aware he was holding. He was angry with himself for hating how happy Autumn and Mario seemed with this whole wedding. He felt selfish and ungrateful for not being as happy for Mario as he should be. The long summer should take care of your feelings towards her. You won’t see her until, well, late August since you so smartly offered your house for the wedding. Sidney thought to himself.

He kept repeating Tanger words in his head, hoping that the distance will heal his broken heart. He wanted to kick himself for being so emotional over a woman. She’s just another woman. But most of all she’s engaged and not interested in you AT ALL. And by the way, she’s marrying Mario, your friend and mentor of 12 years. Sidney hoped that if he kept reminding himself of these facts that she would magically disappear from his thoughts and dreams.

Notes

Thanks for reading and commenting! This is a long chapter, I was hesitant whether to split it in two or not. Oh well. Enjoy the weekend! Let's go Pens! let's kick some Caps ass!

Charlie :)