Captive

Flash. Click. Flash. Click.

I pulled the window blind as low as it can go while still able to watch the tarmac. Everywhere I looked, there were people and cameras, screams and cheers. We’ve been warned but it was still an overwhelming statement of how our lives have been truly transformed after our abduction. Sidney was famous before, but now I think his fame has reached a whole new level and people who have never even heard of hockey.

Everyone was interested in our story: news channels, newspapers, magazines, every media outlet know to humanity, and not just in North America. There were blogs and websites, Instagram and Facebook pages dedicated to us, with snippets and random pictures of us together – none was incriminating enough in my opinion. Everyone was waiting for our security bubble to burst, only to give us reasons to want to run back to our Nova Scotia hideaway. But we were no longer running. We could no longer hide. Sidney had to get back to his hockey career eventually. I also had to get back to my life, or better put, my new alternate reality.

We were still at the airport and I felt suffocated by everyone’s attention despite the fact that they can’t see me. The debate of having a quiet homecoming for Sidney was heated in the last few weeks. Everyone seems to agree that the fans, Pittsburgh – the world really – needed to see him arriving back at home, undefeated, stronger than before – “a statement” they all called it. Everyone felt this way but us. At the end, Sidney had come to terms with a full day of festivities and stops. He had to comply with what is expected of him as the athlete and national hero. He’s always been the good boy when it comes to his public life.

We did not want our relationship to be the headline though. In fact, our discussion with Sid’s publicist was mostly focused on protecting our privacy and keeping our relationship behind closed doors for as long as possible.

So, I hid in the jet, waiting for the morning scene to unfold and the tarmac celebration to be over. The whole Penguins organization was there to greet Sidney Crosby, from management to players. I watched as Mario gave him a warm hug instead of a handshake. Both men looked emotional. A sea of fans and reporters swarmed the reception. I was grateful for not being in the middle of this madness.

Of course, Sidney handled everything with grace. No matter how nervous this whole event made me, my eyes watered at how loved and appreciated he was, and rightfully so. He gave so much of himself to his team, to his second home.

“Captain Shaw, it’s time,” Jason, a member of our new private security team, announced. It seems they got the green light to discretely escort me to the safety of the car taking me to Sidney’s Pittsburgh home. Sidney will follow in a few hours.

It was a 30-minute drive to Sidney’s Sewickley home. I was live-streaming the event on my phone, pausing every now and then to speak with my family and reassure them that everything is going according to plan. It was a rough goodbye. It felt like I was getting deployed all over again, only this time, war wasn’t the danger I was putting myself in. It was a whole other kind of trouble that will come with being with Sidney.

Arriving at destination, a monstrous black and gold iron gate swung open on both sides, revealing a long driveway that led up to the Crosby mansion. I could only assume our security team had a remote access to open the locked entrance. Vast gardens covered with a thin sheet of white sat at the foot of the three-story house. Despite being far from other houses in the area, ornate walls surrounded the entire estate. Only a drug lord would have walls this high. Or maybe a celebrity obsessed with his privacy. It looked quite exaggerated, but given the current circumstances, I think these architectural choices will be paying off.

Another security detail who was sitting in the front as Jason drove opened my door, bringing me out of my trance. She introduced herself as Anne. I better get used to her forced smile. The pair will be around for a while – all part of the plan to protect us. My dad had personally vetted them along with some of his American “associates.”

The 6-hour flight was taking its toll on me as I dragged myself out of the car. I only had a backpack. The rest of our things were being taken care of in a separate caravan. I was a military woman not used to all this pampering. Welcome to your new life, Mia.

Jason raced ahead and took the 5 masonry steps two at a time. He ran his fingerprints over a shiny pad. I rolled my eyes.

“We will get you all set for the security system, Captain. Maybe you want to rest first?”

I nodded, “Jason, I know we just met and you’re being extremely polite. I’m off duty and this is all weird to begin with. So please call me Mia. Same goes for you, Anne,” I said, looking back at her standing by with her hands behind her back.”

“Are you veterans?” I asked, though I knew the answer.

“Yes, Ma’am. Mia. Sorry, force of habit,” Jason said with a small smile, gesturing for me to go inside before him.

Before I could ask about when and where they served, I stopped in my tracks. Before me two curved stairs circled around an extravagant foyer. The earth tones of the polished floors, textured brickwork, and sophisticated wainscotting added an exceptional warmth to the otherwise over-the-top entrance. Under each staircase was a high table. One had a vase that held fresh flowers. The other had cookies. Sidney said that Nathalie Lemieux took care of the house and made sure it will be a livable space once we got to Pittsburgh. Well, damn, she even thought of preparing homemade cookies.

“Thank you, sir. We’ll take it from here,” I heard Anne speak with the moving company that had all our stuff.

“We will be taking your luggage to the master bedroom as instructed by Mr. Crosby. Anything you would like to leave on the main floor?” Jason asked, pointing to the boxes.

I stared at all our stuff then at my surroundings. I had no clue what’s on the main floor or the first floor.

“Um, leave the boxes here and when Sid comes home, we will figure it out.”

They disappeared with our heavy luggage under one of the staircases. I was confused until I heard a barely audible ding. Of course, Sidney has an elevator in his home. No big deal. Also, my guards seem to know where the bedroom is. This whole situation was ridiculous. I certainly would have preferred for Sidney to be with me the first time I explored his castle.

I took the stairs and followed the sound of the luggage wheels to the first flood. I stood in the long carpeted hallway and watched as they wheeled all our stuff into the bedroom. The pair excused themselves and I heard the front door close. Where were they going?

I walked into the bedroom in desperate need to just sleep. My phone rang in my pocket.

“Hey.”

“Hey to you, too,” his voice was warm and sweet like chocolate.

“Oh, Sid!” I squeaked.

“Were you expecting someone else?”

I could hear the smile in his voice.

“No, just surprised you’re calling with all the craziness around you.”

“I’m in the car now. I have exactly 3 minutes,” he said with a chuckle. “I wanted to check in. Are you all settled?”

“Just stepped into your massive room. I think I’m gonna watch the party on your 100-inch TV and then take a nap until you get home.”

“Party? It’s kind of a military welcome, baby. You should know a thing or two about those.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”

He sighed, “Nathalie left a lunch in the fridge. Don’t forget to eat.”

“Yes, dad.”

“I can’t wait to be home.”

“Me too. I need a proper tour of your place. You could have told me you had an elevator. Any other surprises I should be aware of?”

“Well, yeah,” he said in a low tone. I had no idea what he was referring to, but I knew that tone all too well. It made me blush every time.

“Listen, I gotta go. I’ll see you at 5, okay?”

“Okay. Good luck. I’ll be watching.”

5 turned into 6 and 6 turned into 7 by the time Sidney finally made it home. I haven’t moved from bed where I watched him receive honor after honor. Despite his efforts to be quiet, I felt his presence. I was now wide-awake staring at him kneeling next to me, an endearing smile masking his tired features. His fingers combed my hair lightly.

“How was your nap?” he whispered.

“Good. How was your day?” I said as I sat up and yawned, stretching my arms.

He nudged me back until my back hit the mattress. His lips were soft on my cheek. Then he kissed my mouth slowly. He tasted of vanilla and chocolate. It must be Nathalie’s cookies. I melted under his warmth. But my stomach interrupted our make out session.

“Did you eat lunch?” he asked, his lips an inch away from mine.

“No, was too tired. But I’m always up for dessert,” I wiggled my eyebrows, earning a lopsided grin.

“Very funny. We’re having dinner at Mario’s and we’re late,” he said, pinching my sides.

“You’re late,” I said sticking my tongue out.

He silenced me with a more interesting kiss that had every potential to escalate.

Putting his forehead against mine, he said, “I don’t want to go. I want you right here, right now.”

He squeezed his eyes shut and I could see the internal struggle.

“But we have to go. They have been nothing short of amazing. The least we could do is show up for the dinner they prepared in our honor.”

He groaned into my neck and got up at once. “Let’s shower and get going.”

“You go first. I need to find something to wear. I will need to unpack tomorrow.”

“We can shower together.”

“Ha Ha. We both know that this is a terrible idea.”

“No, baby. I have two showers. His and hers,” he said, looking so proud of himself.

He was not lying. He had two shower stalls separated by a glass wall – a fully transparent wall.

As we tried showering without touching, Sidney’s eyes burned into me. When the steam was fogging the separator, Sidney would wipe it and wink at me. I never wiped my side. Let him suffer.

“This was a terrible idea,” he said, stepping out and pointing to the fancy walk-in showers. “It’s a major tease.”

“Now you’re concluding that?” I said as we both dried ourselves.

He tilted his head. “Yeah, it’s the first time I shower with another person on the other side.”

I must have looked surprised. He held me close and tucked my wet hair behind my ears. “Mia, you’re the first woman to ever step foot into my house.”

“Are you expecting me to believe that?”

“When did I ever lie to you?” he sounded offended.

“No, I mean it’s hard to believe. You’ve been with many women before me.”

“Yeah, but never in here. None of them was important enough.”

“Where then?” I asked, looking away.

He turned my chin to catch my gaze. “Does it matter? Nothing before you mattered to me.”

I stood on my toes and kissed him, my hand leaving the towel. It pooled at my feet as I our kissed deepened and hands wandered, both of us naked and late for an overdue meal.

Notes

Here's another chapter :)

Thanks for reading!

Love,
Charlie