Chapter 21

Sunday morning, four friends got to the airport and checked in. They found their gate and waited to be called for boarding.

"I'm so glad we get to go to the last game of the season" Sheril said..

"I know, but I'm just glad we all get to go" Karen said.

"Yeah, its not like we have Sid's money to just pick up and fly to a game whenever we want to" Sheril said with a small hint of disgust in her voice that everyone did pick up on, especially Karen.

"Is there a problem you'd like to share with the class?"

"Guys, come on. Don't do this. I would like to have fun today" Diane said to try and mellow everyone.

"No Di, I'd like to know what crawled up her ass to say that."

"Look, I didn't mean anything by it but we used to go to a lot of road games and now we don't."

"Maybe that's because not everyone is accessible as they used to be. Steve used to be home working when the kids were little and he'd watch them. Now with him travelling, you have to pin down your mom to help. Can you and Diane seriously tell me that when I want to pick up and go see Sid at a moments notice, you can just drop everything and leave right then and there?"

"If I have enough of a notice."

"But most of the time it's a last minute decision. And whether I use Sid's credit card or mine, shouldn't be an issue. I know you three don't have the money I do, and I mean my inheritance not what my spouse brings in. Money for games or going on road trips have never been an issue with us and I think I've been pretty tolerant by not giving each of you a bill to repay me."

"She has been generous Sheril" Natalie added to ease the tension "are seats at the arena are her seats and we didn't have to occupy them every game as she could have had millions of other people go with her for every home game."

"But I didn't because I want my best friends there with me...like today. I'm sorry that I have left you guys behind to go down to the locker room or go see Sid on the road. Yes, maybe I am reaping the benefits of being Sidney Crosby's wife on some occasions but the few times I've gone to the locker room or on a road trip to see him by myself shouldn't compare to the times you guys have got to spend with some of the players at Pops or at the house. Why don't you put yourself in my shoes? You did have that chance" she said before getting up and heading to the bathroom. Diane got up and followed her as Natalie stayed with Sheril.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to bring everyone down."

"I know with Karen married to Sid and with me engaged to Max is bringing back what you had with Jagr and what if you would have taken him up on his offer, you'd be right where we are today."

"Yeah you're right. I had it and let it go. Think she'll stay mad at me?"

"Not after you apologize" Natalie said smiling "you guys will be fine." Sheril just sat there and would wait until after they got to New York to talk to Karen.

Diane finished in the bathroom and waited for Karen to come out "you ok?"

Karen looked at her in the mirror as she washed her hands "I am but why should I have to feel guilty about all this?"

"You shouldn't and if I've ever made you feel that way, I'm sorry. At first I might have been put off when you left us after a game or made us wait for you when you went in with Sid, but I just put myself where you were and if I had those same opportunities as you and Nat, I wouldn't hesitate to do exactly what you're doing."

"Thanks Di" she said as they headed back to their seats. After a few minutes, they called for boarding and the four of them got on and sat down.

A couple hours later, they landed and went to the bathroom to freshen up before deciding what that wanted to do. They had a couple of hours before the game started and went to get a taxi to the arena. When they got there, they walked around and found someplace to eat.

"I'm sorry for what I said and how it came out Karen. I've appreciated everything you've done for me to be able to see every home game for the last few hundred years" she said getting the girls to laugh "and if I would have the same opportunities as you, I would take them too."

"Thanks girl and I forgive you. But I feel like I need to apologize to all of you too. When Sid asks me to go in with him, I get this overwhelming need to be with him. Like he wants to show me off or something."

"I understand, I do. And you were right, I did have the same opportunity and choose different."

"Would you really have left Steve and the kids to be with Jags?" Karen asked.

"Yeah" she said with a sigh "but if it wouldn't have worked out, I would have given up everything. After he got traded to New York, I don't know if I would have been fine leaving with him. For me, I made the right choice and you made the right choice being with Sidney. You never had to let the three of us join you when you had some of the players over but in a way, you were letting us reap the benefits too."

"I wouldn't have felt right getting to know them and not share that. Besides Sid, you guys are all I have. He's the one that keeps telling me to spend time with you guys and he's understood when I wanted to go to Pops afterwards instead of waiting for him. He knows how much I love my girls." They all raised their glasses to each other and took a drink to their friendship. Soon their food came and they continued talking about the upcoming game.

Soon after they ate, the girls walked back to the arena. Karen went to the Will Call window and got the tickets. She also got four passes which got them in before the doors opened. Karen handed out the tickets and passes to each of them.

"Nice, so what was I bitchin about?" Sheril said to get them laughing. They headed to the door and showed their passes. The attendent showed them where they needed to go and escorted them there. When they got up to the suite, Karen saw Mario, Nathalie and the kids were already there.

"There's my girl" Nathalie said walking over to hug Karen and welcome her friends.

"Thanks for letting us watch the game with you guys."

"Like you need to thank anyone. If there was the slightest chance I knew you wanted to come, I would have insisted on it. Do you guys want anything to eat?"

"We just came from lunch, but thanks" Sheril said politely.

"Well, it'll all be here throughout the game for when you get hungry. Honey, look who's here?"

"But of course" Mario said getting a look from Nathalie "haven't seen you in a while" he said hugging her.

"Sorry about that. I promise to make it a point to come see you before every home game next year."

"Well alright then, you're forgiven."

Everyone continued talking and having fun when two more unexpected visitors showed up. Natalie first saw Max and went running over to him but Karen was too busy talking to Lauren to see Sidney so he walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I swear Geno, you are really playing with fire" she said as Lauren started laughing. Karen turned around and saw the look on Sidney's face "oh smile."

"You know the next time you do that, I will walk away and never come back."

"How many times do I keep doing this?"

"Too many to count."

"Well apparently you love me teasing you because you keep falling for it."

"We'll see next time" she said smiling at him. Sidney broke his frown and smiled at her. Lauren excused herself leaving them alone "you know I wouldn't want any other hands on me than yours stud."

"I know. But it's always Geno or Jordan."

"Well how about this, next year I'll use someone different" she said winking at him.

Sidney took her hand and they walked out of the suite into the hallway. He saw a place that looked secluded and they went over there. He pressed her up against the wall, kissing her "you really know how to get me going baby."

"If you keep this up, a lot more people will know too."

Sidney let out a chuckle "I forgot what I had on" he said looking down at what he was wearing.

"Well, you will be starting your routine before you get suited up soon."

"I know. Max and I knew we couldn't bring you and Nat down to us so we came up here to say hi and thanks for coming" he said leaning in for another kiss. They were locked together until a voice rang out.

"Yo Siddo, feel like playing a hockey game?"

"If you knew what I was feeling, hockey's not on my mind."

"Max, take him and throw him into a cold shower please."

"Alright, but he's plays better when he's all riled up from you."

"And besides, a shower will just make me think of you more."

Karen just looked at him and wondered if he did what she did after they hung up Friday night "well either way, you got a game to play and goal 50 to get."

Sidney kissed her one last time "just for you baby." They walked over to Max and Natalie and they bid their men goodbye and good luck.

"Is it bad that I want to marry that man like right now?"

"I don't think Sid is into the whole polygamy thing."

"Not Sidney you goof, Max. I'm scared that if he goes home for the summer and I don't get a chance to go with him, he might come back with a changed mind."

"Nat, he loves you and wants to marry you. If he goes home, he's not going to come home and break it off with you."

"Maybe."

Karen remembered back from their last conversation and knew she shouldn't tell her but decided to anyway. "Look, you're not suppose to know this but I think Max might want to surprise you like Sid did for me."

"What?"

"Remember when we talked about this the last time" she said getting Natalie to nod "he said he wanted it to be like when Sid surprised me at the Igloo after a game. I think he's waiting to find the perfect spot and timing."

"Oh. I never thought about it that way."

"Max is head over heels in love with you girl. Do you honestly think he wants anyone else?"

"No, but I guess its the same thing you always think about Sid. It might not be someone younger but just prettier and a better body."

"Please girl. I'm even envious of your body."

"Don't even try it. I hope when I'm your age I look half as good as you."

"Well thanks, but I credit my man for that. He gives me such intense work outs."

"Ok, TMI...you went too far and it's time to go" she said as Karen laughed. They walked back into the suite and waited for the game to start.

After the first period, Sidney had scored his 50th goal and Karen was happy he got it. She knew Steven Stamkos was Sid's closest competitor to take away the award for the top goal scorer.

At the start of the second, Sidney scored just 55 seconds in and got his 51st. Karen knew it was good to hold up and hoped like hell it would. In third, the Islanders tied the game and sent in into overtime. Karen hoped Sidney would get the puck to score and a few were trying to give him the puck to get the hat trick, but it didn't seem the plan. A little over 4 minutes in, Jordan Leopold scored and the Pens won their final game of the season.

After the game, Karen heard that Stamkos ended with 51 goals as well and they ended up tied for the Maurice Richard Trophy for the top goal scorer. She was happy that he accomplshed his goal of top goal scorer, but it was bittersweet that he had to share it.

Before the girls left, Sidney had sent someone to tell Karen that he wanted her to stick around for a few minutes. After the crowd died down, Karen and her friends used their passes and headed down towards the locker rooms. Security had them wait by the wall and in a few minutes Sidney emerged.

"Hey baby."

"Hey, congratulations."

"Thanks but it would be nice to not share it you know."

"I know."

"When are you guys flying out?"

Karen looked at her watch "we fly out at 10:55p, so we need to get to the airport and check in."

"This might be the first time we've gotten in at around the same time."

"Well since I did drive and we all have to work in the morning, I hope I can meet you at home."

"Definitely. Have a safe flight and I will meet you in bed in a few hours."

"Mmm, I love the sound to that. Love you."

"I love you too" he said kissing her. "Thanks for coming to the game guys" he told her friends.

"Thanks for the invite Sid" Diane said.

"Yeah and congratulations on the goals" Sheril added.

"Thank you Sheril."

"Karen, we need to go" Natalie said coming over with Max.

"Yeah I know. See you at home" she said kissing him again before they were escorted out by security. They walked out of the arena and found a taxi to take them to the airport for their flight home.