AUTUMN LEAVES

~Twenty years ago~

“I need you to take a deep breath for me Auttie, can you do that sweetie?”, Dr. Alan Scott asked his young patient. Autumn nodded and did as asked. She was a patient that Dr. Scott sees once a month as part of his volunteer work with the orphanage. She had asthma since she was a baby but she seemed to be doing better lately.

After finishing the routine check-up, Dr. Scott wanted to discuss something with her. He was told by her caregivers that she opens up to him more so than anyone else. He was a single dad to a girl around her age. Having one parent was hard enough, let alone having no parents at all. He thought Autumn was a sweet bright kid that deserved a family.

“I heard the last foster family did not work out”, he said casually as he was writing in her chart. The ten-year old rolled her eyes not wanting to talk about the subject. “It was not a good fit”, she answered, ever the mature little girl. “Auttie, we’ve known each other since you were brought here. For the last 10 years, I’ve seen you resist every family who has tried to take care of you”. Alan sighed, knowing that what he was going to suggest may go either ways.

“You know, Tiffany could use a sister. She’s been lonely and sad ever since her mom left. What do you say? Do you want to be part of our small family?”.
~~

It was the day that changed Autumn’s life forever. It was the day she became Autumn Scott. The same day she decided that Alan Scott was no longer her pediatrician. He was going to be her father for the next 8 years. He would lose his battle to cancer when she goes to college. She would follow in his footsteps and become a pediatrician and hope to change a kid’s life the way Alan Scott changed hers. Most of all, she will have a sister for life.

*****
I'm just wanna dance all night
And I'm all messed up, I'm so out of line,
Stilettos and broken bottles
I'm spinning around in circles
I'm in the corner, watching you kiss her, oh
I'm right over here, why can't you see me, oh
And I'm giving it my all, but I'm not the guy you're taking home, ooh
I keep dancing on my own

Robyn song played as Sidney’s question hung in the air. He could see Mario and Autumn chatting with some of their guests as the cake table was being set-up in the center of the stage. Tiffany finally shook her head no. Sidney stood up abruptly, his eyes still glued to the couple. She looked up at him. “There’s nothing to tell, Sid”. He took a long sip of his drink, setting the glass clumsily on the table. Tiffany watched his every move, still annoyed with him.

“It was a long time ago. It was just sex, we both agreed on that. The same way we agreed on never to talk about it again”, she said quietly enough for him to hear her. He looked her way briefly. Nodding, he turned on his heels as he couldn’t watch Autumn and Mario any longer. This day has been dragging and he couldn’t wait for it to be over.

He mused that past Sidney would have drowned his sorrows in meaningless sex with a random woman that he will never see again. Strangely, it did not feel right nor did it have the promise to make him forget. He found himself spending the rest of the reception with his sister as soon they will part ways due to their hockey commitments.

When all their guests left, Autumn and Mario were standing with Tiff and Sidney before heading to their room. They had an early flight to catch for their honeymoon. “Sid, thanks for everything. You were truly my best man. My wife and I really appreciate you hospitality”, Mario said as he gave Sidney a fatherly hug. “Don’t mention it. Congratulations again”, he simply replied. “Autumn, congratulations. I hope you enjoy the honeymoon”, Sidney said as he turned towards her. He wasn’t sure if a hug and kiss were in order or that would weird her out after their last encounter. He winged it and hugged her. “Happy birthday”, he whispered in her ear before excusing himself to his room. That would be the last time they would see each other for a while.

*****

October 2nd marked the day of the ring ceremony where the 2016-2017 team, including players, coaches and staff will receive their personalized rings in a private event at the Carnegie Museum of Art. That date also marks the first official appearance of the newlyweds. Autumn was nervous as she was putting the final touches on her make-up in their master bathroom. She will see Sidney in person for the first time since the wedding night.

She had few weeks to process the way Sidney acted. She was confident in her marriage and thought of what happened before the wedding as a dark cloud that had passed. As she put on her earrings, she looked at her reflection in the large mirror. She reflected at how different her life was before she walked into Mario’s office, almost a year from today. She was nervous to meet him and now she was his wife. Sidney was initially the jerk who later turned into her friend. The same friend that had confessed his love for her.

Mario entered the bathroom and put his hands on her waist to pull her back into him. “Do you have to look that beautiful when we’re out in public?”, he asked as he trailed soft kisses on her exposed shoulders. She turned in his arms and linked her hands around his neck. “I have to if my husband is you, mon magnifique”.

When they arrived at the private entrance of the venue, the Letangs and Malkins were standing near the valet catching up. “Wow I love your dress Autumn. Gorgeous as usual honey”, Catherine exclaimed in awe as the three women greeted. Kris and Geno did their part in greeting Mario and his wife. Geno was joking about how Autumn is the emperor penguin as the wife of Mario Lemieux. It was a lame joke but anything coming out of the Russian’s mouth was straight up hilarious that Autumn had hard time containing her laughter.

She was in deep conversation with Geno about his summer fishing adventures when the captain made an appearance. He looked handsome as usual with a black suit that was unfairly tight on his thick thighs and wide shoulders. He went through the circle flashing smiles and shaking hands. He greeted Catherine and Anna Malkin with handshakes, which Catherine thought was odd. She brushed it off though as she saw he gave Autumn, his close friend, the same treatment.

Sidney acted cool and casual as he pretended to listen to the conversation all the while his eyes were scanning Autumn from head to toe. From her angelic face, to her hair, to her knee-length dress embroidered with golden pearls, to her waist that was hugged by a gold metal belt. He didn’t seem to care about people around them, including her husband. He was so taken by seeing her after so long that he was not aware of his surroundings anymore.

Kris cleared his throat, suggesting going inside. He had clearly noticed his friend’s lingering eyes. The captain was always given a special treatment as he was often seated with the owners, GM and head coach at such events. He was uncomfortable to say the least. Wherever he tried to look, there she was, sitting in front of him, tucked to her husband’s side all the while looking stunning. Sidney thought he was doing a good job at acting chill, but he was not sure how long he could keep this act.

Following the speeches, Mario handed the Stanley Cup rings to each team member individually. It was the ceremony that culminated the Pens Stanley cup celebrations, aside from the banner hanging preceding the home opener. During dinner, the conversation flew easily around the table. Topics ranged from summer activities to Mario and Autumn’s honeymoon, to training camp and the upcoming season. Sidney stayed silent for the most part, speaking only when talked to. He was dreading his life at that moment as he was realizing how difficult and awkward it is going to be every time he had to be in her presence. Something that was bound to happen very often. It was unescapable and Sidney Crosby hated things he had no control over.

From her side of the table, Autumn was watching Sidney from time to time. She could easily feel his discomfort. She mused at how well she could read the man when most couldn’t. She noticed how his Adam’s apple bobbles every time he swallows uneasily, how he doesn’t know what to do with his hands when he is in distress and when he flashes a fake smile pretending to be engaged in a conversation that he was dreading. All those signs were there. She knew it may be a matter of minutes before he leaves the table. She could predict that with confidence. Her heart ached for him because deep down she knew that she was likely the reason.

To make things worse, a familiar song started in the background.

I found a love for me
Darling just dive right in
And follow my lead
Well I found a girl beautiful and sweet
I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own
And in your eyes you're holding mine

When her eyes met his, he looked alarmed and ready to make his escape. Ed Sheeran’s song was all it took for Sidney to bolt out of his chair and leave the ballroom. Autumn was hot on his heels. She was not even aware why as she found herself running after him as soon as he left the room.

Notes

Thanks for reading and commenting !

Happy American thanksgiving!!

Charlie :)