Chapter 19

After everything calmed down when they got back from Vancouver, the rest of the regular season flew by and it was the last home game of the 2009-2010 season. It also marked the last home game at the famed Igloo. Karen was feeling some sadness as she decided to go in with Sidney. She loved the Igloo and remembered all the games her and her dad went to, not to mention how it became a ritual for the four best friends to bond over a game of hockey. But it also was where her and Sidney met.

"You ok? You seem sad in a way?" Sidney asked as they headed to the arena.

"Yeah, it's just bittersweet."

"Baby, we still have the playoffs you know."

"But it's not the same Sid. Its the final regular season game."

"So then what, you'll be double emotional when we play our last playoff game there? That will be the final, final game."

"Don't make fun. You had what, 5 years there? I've been going to games, concerts, everything since I was a baby and sat on dad's lap the entire game. He always took mom along so if my diaper needed changing, she'd go do it so he wouldn't miss any part of the game. Coming to the arena is part of my life."

Sidney picked up her hand and kissed the back of it "if I come out with one memory, it is where you and I met."

"And where I schooled you."

"You didn't school me" he said shooting her a look, only to smile when she sat there smiling at him.

"You have your version and I have mine."

"Anyway...tonight is special, I will give you that. But it won't be the end until the playoffs are over for us."

"Fine, I will curb all emotional ties until June."

"It better be until June."

"I don't see why not. You guys are the defending champs and will definitely go down fighting."

Sidney pulled into the parking lot, parked and shut the car off "you are my optimist."

Karen leaned over and kissed him "that I am. And your optimist is telling you to finish it out with a blowout tonight. Head into the playoffs with momentum."

"I love you" he said kissing her before they started to get out.

"I know, you can't help it since I make it near impossible for you" she smiled and got out of the car. She waited for him to join her and he grabbed her hand, holding it as the walked in. Sidney waved to the fans yelling for him as they walked inside the arena.

They got to the locker room and Karen left Sidney to go to the lounge. She saw Natalie sitting with Max, who shot her a saddened look as she sat down.

"Can't believe it's the end of an era Kiki."

"Yeah I know. Tried to be sentimental but this one" she said pointing to Sidney joining them "decided to deflate my sadness by reminding me we still have the playoffs to endure before we can mourn our years here at Mellon."

"Why be sad twice when you can wait until it's completely over."

"I'm holding you to that" she said before sneaking in a quit kiss.

"Karen please, no affection of any kind in the man zone" Jordan said coming into the room.

"The man zone? I thought the lounge area was neutral?"

"Nope. See this" he said whisping his arms around the entire room and pointing into the other rooms "it's all the man zone."

"Ok, so what are you trying to say? Wives and girlfriends aren't allowed down here?"

"You can be down here, just be prepared for manliness to emerge at any given time" he said as he began to take off his jacket, tie and unbuttoning his shirt.

Karen just looked to Sidney who sat there shaking his head "yeah, welcome to my world baby."

"Jordan strips for you before every game...that's your world?"

"Not what I meant."

"Fine, not what you meant but could you get him to stop now?" she said as Jordan was beginning to undo his belt and start to unzip his pants.

"Staalsy? Take it somewhere else."

"Pah ha" Natalie said with a breath. Karen just looked at her friend that was obviously enjoying the show.

"Excuse me?" Max said standing up "You want a naked man, let me show you something better than Jordo." Max started to unbutton his shirt.

"You're right stud, this does clear all the sadness away" Karen said as she watched intently.

"Yeah ok" he said getting up and bringing her with him "time to go." Sidney led her to the hallway and leaned up against the wall and pulling her to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and Karen instinctly placed her lips on his.

"This is better than the strip show."

"I figured you'd like it."

"I love it and you."

"Bout time you said it. It's only been 20 minutes since I said it."

"That's the thing studly, we don't always have to say it to know we mean it."

"We had one hell of a year baby. Winning the Cup last June, our wedding in August, to moving into our house in September, winning the Gold Medal just a few months ago, and now we're embarking on another playoff run."

"So when we look back on our years together, we have to go from June to June? Cover all the basis huh?"

"Basically yeah. My life is hectic from September to June but look what happened when we won the Cup last year. We had the parade, all the Cup showings around the 'burgh. Then my day with it."

"Not to mention the nice birthday parties to coincide with it."

"So from June to June, we rush around and make all the memories."

"Fair enough, but the main memory that will forever stay in my mind will be August in Nova Scotia."

"I think we need to make that a permanent 'us' month."

"I think we can make that happen." Karen was about to lean in for a kiss when he phone went off "Sheril definitely knows when we're about to do this."

"Considering we're always doing this, it's a safe bet we'll always be interrupted."

Karen met his lips with hers for a soft, passionate kiss "good luck tonight stud."

"With you up in the stands cheering me on for our last home game, I don't need luck."

"I'll meet you down here after" she said kissing him again before he phone went off again "alright woman, keep your pants on" she said picking up the phone, reading the text. "I better go get Natalie."

"Let me make sure its safe first" he said getting her to laugh. They walked into the lounge and Karen motioned for Natalie. They told everyone goodbye and headed out to meet their friends.

Before the game started, they had all the past Penguin players come out to salute the fans. The biggest cheer came for Mario and Karen knew everyone still loved him for keeping the Pens in Pittsburgh. As the game got going, the Pens struck first. They actually went on a tear scoring 4 goals in the first, with Sidney getting the fourth goal. The Islanders managed to get two before the period ended but Karen could see how this was going to play out. After the second period, the Pens scored 2 more and the Isles added another, but they were still on their way to winning their last regular season home game.

During the second intermission, one of the attendants came over to Karen and handed her a note. It said she was picked to receive one of the player's jerseys at the end of the game. She just smiled and told the girls she'd be back. Everyone that was picked, reached in a bowl and pulled out a number. This way it made it fair for everyone. When Karen reached in, she moved the pieces of paper around until she pulled out one. Opening it, she laughed on the inside when she saw the number 87 on the paper. She showed it to the person in charge and he wrote down her name. Karen went back to her seat and wondered how many people would make a fuss that knew she was married to Sidney. She smiled knowing what she needed to do.

Karen went back to her seat and saw the little girl and her dad that had sat infront of her for the last three years. She knew the little girl was a fan of Sidney's and she had said she never got a chance to meet him but loved him anyway. Karen knew Sidney would love what she was about to do.

"Hey Katelyn" Karen said kneeling down on the step to talk to her.

"Hi Karen. Did you see, Sidney got a goal."

"Yeah I did. I think you screamed the loudest out of everyone."

"I have to, he's my favorite."

"I know he is. He's a lot of fans' favorite."

"Daddy, I need to go to the bathroom."

"Ok" he said "we'll be back in a few minutes."

"How about I take her?" Diane asked "I need to go to."

"Can Di take me daddy?"

"Sure sweetie. I'll be right here waiting. Thanks Diane."

"No problem, come on Katelyn."

Karen moved and let Katelyn out, watching her take Diane's hand. As they walked up the steps, Karen went to sit beside her father.

"Um, I would like for Katelyn to receive Sidney's jersey tonight after the game."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know how after every last home game of the regular season, the guys give their jerseys off their backs to fans, well I was picked to get one."

"And you got Sidney's number?"

"Yeah, kind of ironic huh?"

"Very ironic."

"I swear, I didn't cheat in picking the number."

"I know" he said laughing "so, you want to let Katelyn have it instead?"

"It would mean so much to me. I've enjoyed watching the games with both of you these last few years and to hear how much she loves and admires him, it would give me the honor to finally let her meet him and get his jersey."

"Is this a perk to being married to him?"

"Yeah, but I don't use being married to him to get people his autograph. And if I do, I do it only for the kids."

"She is going to freak when you tell her."

"Would you like to go down with us?"

"Could I?"

"I don't think it'll be a problem."

"Hi daddy, I'm back."

"And with popcorn no less."

"Di bought it for me."

"Sorry, hope you don't mind."

"Not at all Diane."

Karen got up and exchanged places with Katelyn. She whispered that they'll head down when the game's over before heading to the bathroom herself and getting back as the third period started.

The Pens netted one more goal before the game ended and they won by the score of 7-3. Karen told the girls what was going on and grabbed Katelyn and her dad, heading to where they needed to be. As they got down to ice level, Karen went over to the guy with the list and told him what was going on.

"I'm sorry ma'am but if you drew the number, you have to receive the jersey."

"I understand that part but this little girl will get the jersey I am suppose to be receiving. I will walk out with her, but she will get the jersey from Sidney not me."

"Ma'am, why don't you just get the jersey then hand it to the little girl."

"I can't believe you are going to let a little girl miss out on meeting her favorite Penguin player."

"Those happen to be the rules ma'am."

Karen motioned for him to take a couple steps to the side with her and with them came another person in charge "I'm not one for breaking the rules, but can you honestly tell me all those kids were upstairs picking numbers for the jerseys they will be getting? I saw all adults picking numbers like me."

"Charles, it's ok, this is Sid's wife Karen. She's not eligble anyway so if she wants to let this little girl take her place, we will not be the ones to refuse her."

"Why didn't you just tell me that in the first place?" he said looking at Karen.

"Because one, you probably wouldn't have believed me and two, I should have been able to pick someone to receive it in place of me, not drawing out another name."

"If Stan says its ok, then it's alright Mrs. Crosby. Sorry for the hassle I coused."

"Just doing your job Charles" she said smiling at him "and please, it's Karen."

They smiled at each other and Karen walked back over to Katelyn and her dad.

"Everything ok?"

"Everything is perfectly fine."

"Why are we down her Karen? I want to see them give their jerseys to the fans."

"How about something even better?" she said kneeling down to her level "How would you like to get Sid's jersey tonight?"

"REALLY?" she said a little too excitedly.

"Yes really."

"I get to meet Sid?"

"You finally get to meet Sid and he is going to give you his jersey off his back."

"Yay, thank you Karen" she said hugging her.

"Your welcome baby girl." They let go of each other and stood at the back of the line, waiting their turn.

As the line got shorter and shorter, Karen could tell Katelyn was getting more excited. She was bouncing around and smiling like this was Christmas. When Geno was called, Karen looked down and whispered one more. They approached the woman calling the names and Karen stared at Sidney and watched his facial expression as he skated over.

"Baby?"

"Sid, this is Katelyn and her dad Daniel. Katelyn, meet Sidney."

"Hi Katelyn."

"Hi" she said shyly as she stood by her dad.

"Are you the one getting my jersey?" he said leaning over to her. Katelyn just nodded "would you like to get a picture first?"

"Yeah. Can my dad be in it too?"

"He sure can sweetie." They all got together and got the picture taken as Karen stood back by the table. "How about I sign the jersey for you."

"Ok. Will you make it out to me?"

Sidney walked over to the table and stretched out the jersey "where do you want me to sign it at?"

"Inside the 7" Katelyn said. Sidney asked her how she spelled her name and smiled as she did. He wrote his message and handed the jersey to Katelyn. "Thank you Sid."

"Your welcome Katelyn. Daniel, it was a pleasure to meet you."

"If your wife didn't have such a big heart, Katey wouldn't have had this chance."

"It was one reason I married her" he said shaking his hand and waving goodbye to Katelyn. He locked eyes with Karen who just shrugged. He smiled as he nodded knowing he'd get the explanation later. Sidney skated off to the cheers of the crowd and waved his acknowledgement.

Karen walked off with Katelyn and her dad, getting thanked again before going their separate ways. She found her friends waiting for her and told them she was going to wait for Sid to head home with him. Natalie left with Sheril and Diane since she had to work in the morning and told her to let Max know. Karen stood off to the side and waited until she could get into the lounge to wait for Sidney. After the media had left all the players alone, Sidney got a pair of shorts and a T-shirt on, going out to find Karen.

"Sorry that took so long baby" he said sitting down beside her.

"Like apologizing helps studly. I know how long to wait for you on any given game night."

"It's gonna be late when we leave, why didn't you head out with the girls?"

"Took a vacation day tomorrow, so there's no need for me to get to bed anytime soon."

"So what was tonight?"

"It's a funny story, really. I got picked to get one of the jerseys tonight. Would have been fine if I pulled any other number, but I got yours."

"Talk about fate."

"More ironic than fate. Anyway, I decided to give Katelyn the spot since she is a fan and everything."

"You never stop amazing me" he said smiling at her.

"I'd rather have a kid get it and appreciate it more than have them redraw another name and not mean as much to them. You made Katelyn's night."

"I think you made Katelyn's life baby."

"So, let me ask you something...why no 50th tonight?"

"It wasn't mine. I shot it, it hit Billy's pants and it goes to him. I'm not taking a goal away from a teammate."

"And I never stop amazing you. Do you know how selfless that is? Anyone else would keep that goal but you give your 50th goal of the season away."

Sidney shrugged his shoulders "I still have two more games to get it."

"Well go get your shower so we can go home to celebrate."

"Love you."

"Love you too" she said kissing him before he got up and left to get showered and changed.

Five minutes later as Karen sat there watching tv, she felt something on her head and looked up.

"You did a good thing tonight kid" Billy said after placing a kiss to the top of her head.

"How hard did you fight to give Sid back the goal?"

"I tried but he insisted and even told the ref. Not much I could do after that."

"So he told you about the jersey huh?"

"He always talks about you but when you do things like this, I don't think he could ever be more proud of you" he said before leaving her alone. Karen sat there smiling from what Billy told her and loved they kept upping each other. Twenty minutes later, Sidney came out and they left to head home.