My Life as Mrs. Crosby

Saying I Love You.

Sidney never was one to want distractions around during season. He was pretty quiet, kept to himself most days. I remember seeing him at a bar a few times before we actually met. Posing for pictures, always having his hands in his pockets. He always looked really uncomfortable. I wish I could say something changed as soon as we started dating, but it didn't. There was a lot of time before he wanted me to be at his games or even let me stay over. I'm not even sure I'd call it dating, to be honest.

The first time he asked me to go to a game, they were playing Vancouver. He somehow managed to get two seats right behind the bench. I was surprised he didn't just put me in a suite, I guess he just wanted me to be close to him.

Pens won in a shootout, 2-1. I'm glad there were a lot of people around me, I didn't feel as silly for screaming almost the whole game. From time to time, a teammate would look back and laugh at me. I don't blame them though. I'm sure it was funny to see me like that. Sid didn't seem to care though.

After the game was over, I said goodbye to my best friend and told her I'd see her at home then went to stand by the locker room and wait. He was always the last one out. He usually had to talk to the media about the game. I didn't really mind when I wasn't at one of the games. It just gave me time to finish homework before he came home. But I just wanted to see him.

Kunitz was the last one to leave before Sid. He said I could go in if I wanted, that he didn't know how long Sid would be. I opened the door to see him sitting in a pair of shorts. I'm guessing he had already showered.

"Sidney." He looked up from his phone and smiled.

"Hey babe." He motioned for me to come sit next to him. He didn't say anything, just wrapped his arm around me and kissed my forehead. We sat there in silence for a while. Sidney was playing with my hands and had a big, goofy grin on his face. "Let's go to my place."

"But it's getting late..."

"Then I guess you'll have to stay over," Sid pulled me in for a kiss and ran his tongue along my lip before I opened my mouth.

When we got to his house, he started to cook mac and cheese and got out a bottle of liquor. This was a side of Sidney I rarely got to see the first few months. I had a feeling that not many of his teammates had seen him like this either. He was guarded, didn't want to let me in because I might distract him from hockey.

We danced around his kitchen drunk and ate our food. I love being the girl that gets to see the side of him that no one else knows. It was getting late, but neither of us had to get up in the morning.

"Wait, Sidney. I can't sleep in jeans." I started giggling, I would have brought a change of clothes but I didn't expect to be staying the night. He tugged at the hem of my shirt, trying to take it off.

"I'll give you shirt. Let's go to bed." He was slurring his words, I probably was too but I couldn't tell.

I've never stayed the night at a boyfriends house. It's usually them staying for a while then leaving before they got too tired to sleep. It was a nice change.

For once, I was up before Sid. I watched him sleep for a while but he finally opened his eyes. He pulled me closer to him and kissed me. I could still taste the whiskey on his tongue, but I didn't mind.

When he decided he was hungry, I got up to make him pancakes while he showered. I had never been one to want to be a housewife and I may be getting ahead of myself here, but I wouldn't mind being with Sidney. Sure, it would be a lot of work. I think it's worth it.

I was in the middle of mixing the batter when he spun me around to start dancing.

"Love me tender, llove me sweet. Never let me go. You have made my life complete, and I love you so." He stopped a minute to softly place his lips on mine. "I love you."

"I love you too, Sidney."