Chapter 29

Tuesday morning and Karen got up with her alarm at 2:30. She noticed Sidney wasn't beside her and wondered if they came in last night. She went into the bathroom for a minute before heading downstairs to start some coffee. When she reached the bottom of the steps, Karen saw a figure sitting on the couch. She turned on the hallway light and realized it was Sidney.

"Sid...how long have you been sitting here?"

"I don't know" he said as he stared blankly at the wall.

Karen sat down beside him "what's wrong?" She was worried at his behavior since usually he comes to bed with her no matter the outcome of an away game.

"We should have won that game. We should have been able to put them away not have them force a game 7."

"You know there are some teams that hold on with desperation to stay in it as long as they can. Maybe they dug deep and found that last night. It doesn't mean you guys can't reach that level you are used to and put them away Wednesday. How about I go make us some coffee? Maybe that could make you feel a little better."

"Yeah maybe." Karen leaned over and kissed his cheek before getting up and heading into the kitchen. She looked back at him briefly the went to start the coffee. She had a weird feeling in her stomach and picked up the phone.

"Hi, this is Karen Crosby...I am calling off from my shift today of 4a-1p for Inventory. I'm taking a personal day and if you could let my manager know I would appreciate it. Thanks." She hung up from the automated call off line and got the coffee in the cups and made how they like it, taking it in to Sidney and sitting beside him.

"Thanks baby."

"Tell me what's really going Sid?"

"I don't want to take up any more of your time so you'll be late. Go get ready and we'll talk when you get home."

"I have time, we can talk now" she said getting a look from him. "I called off and took a personal day."

"Why?"

"Because frankly, you're scaring me by the way you're being and I don't feel like leaving you right now. When you talk to me and feel better, then I'll go to work."

"That may not be until late tonight."

"Then I don't go into work until tomorrow morning. Baby, talk to me. I know something else is bothering you. Is it the loss? Was it the game itself?"

"I guess its me. I think we're done this year."

"Sid, you have one more game. What do you mean you're done for this year?"

"I don't think we, as a team, has it in us to win this series and move on."

"I believe that you do. The thousands of fans the team has believes in you guys."

"That's because the fans don't want to believe a season could be over. You know how I am Karen. I live, eat, breathe hockey. Even if I go out there Wednesday and play like a beast, I can't ignore what my gut is telling me." Karen just sat there and listened intently and wanted to say what she felt but didn't want to get him mad. "Will you say something about all this?"

"I would but I don't want you mad at me."

"Baby, I won't get mad."

"You know I have always been straight with you with your games, right?"

"Yeah, one thing I love about you, you won't bullshit around like everyone else."

"Alright, I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"This round you guys fought hard to win the games you did, but it didn't look or feel like you were winning to win it all. Like the Stanley Cup wasn't what your eyes were set on." Sidney looked at Karen and knew "see, I knew you'd get mad."

"It's what I've been feeling but haven't been able to put a finger on it. You're right baby, we won those 3 but it didn't feel like a fight to move on to the next round."

"I hope this doesn't alter your play for Wednesday. Things have a way of working itself out and you guys could still pull out a win to go on."

"Yeah, maybe."

"Feel like going out?"

"Where do you want to go at 3:15 in the morning?"

"To go get breakfast of course. You don't think I'm cooking today. It's a personal day to do whatever I want and right now I want to go out for breakfast" she said getting up. "I'm going to go get dressed and will be back down in 15." Karen left Sidney sitting there on the couch and all he could do was smile at her getting him in a better mood. He decided to go change too and meet her back downstairs. Fifteen minutes on the dot and Karen came back down. She stood at the door and summoned for Sidney who just gave her a look before they both busted out laughing as they headed out for breakfast.

"So where are we going?"

"Somewhere for pancakes."

"But I don't want pancakes baby."

"Well studly, sadly I do so find me an iHop...or a Lenny's."

"Denny's" he said as they both started to laugh. Soon, Sidney was pulling into the parking lot at iHop and they got out to head in. The hostess recognized Sidney right away and seated them off to the side so they wouldn't be disturbed.

"I like going out to eat with you."

"Why's that?"

"Because we always get seated away from everyone else."

"Not that I mind eating with the common folk, I do enjoy it."

"The common folk? Not your royal subjects or the peasants of Pittsburgh?"

Sidney just looked at her sitting there with a smile "shut up and order your pancakes" he said going back to his menu.

"Hmph" Karen said looking at which ones she wanted. She loved how they played off each other with the humor only they got. Soon the waitress came over to take their order and let them be.

"Thank you baby."

"For what?"

"You know what for? Why do you always do that?" he said smiling.

"Because I love hearing you tell me why your thankful for all that I do."

"You seriously are a nut job."

"Well yeah" she said matter-of-factly as she picked up her glass to take a sip. "Thought that was apparent before you married me?"

"It was more of hoping you would grow out of it by the time we got married."

"Not a chance stud. And the best part, my craziness will just get better with age."

"Ah, a lot to look forward to."

"Bet your sweet ass it is." Sidney was about to respond but saw that their food was coming. He waited until the waitress set down their food and left before remembering what he was going to say.

"I'll get your sweet ass later baby."

Karen just nodded "can't wait" she said winking at him. They shared a look before eating their breakfast and continuing with their banter.

An hour later, they were on their way home when Sidney took a detour. He drove towards a lookout view and parked the car.

"Do you mind?" he said taking a hold of her hand.

"Mind what...sex in the car? No, think we've already established I'm easy."

"Alright baby, you can stop now" he said laughing. "I'm in a better mood and you don't need to keep going."

"Well now that you finally said it, I can stop now. But why are we here?"

Sidney just nodded his head towards the windshield " thought it would be nice to watch the sunrise" he said as the orange tint began to brighten up what was left of the night's sky. Karen just smiled and put her head on his shoulder.

"Could we capture this moment and just stay like this?"

"We could. Just for you I would give up hockey and we could sit and stare at a sunrise everyday."

"I don't want you to give up hockey."

"Cause you know I would miss it too much?"

"Nah, because I would miss seeing you in that uniform every other day. You know how sexy you are to me in all that gear."

"Baby, can you please just be serious with me for one minute?" Karen removed her head and looked at him. "Thank you for being with me today. I think I needed this more then going to the arena and shooting pucks into the net for 8 hours." Sidney reached his hand up and caressed her cheek "I love you more and more everytime you are like this with me. I don't think anyone else could possibly understand what I'm thinking or feeling more than you. I truly love you for that."

Karen's eyes welled up with tears hearing him say all that. "I love you too Sid" was all she could tell him before they leaned in for a slow passionate kiss as the sun rose infront of them setting the mood for later. 

Chapter 28

Game 5 was in the books as the Pens won 2-1 and took the series lead going back to Montreal for Monday night. Karen was glad it was Saturday night and the girls decided to head to Pops after the game for a mini celebration. She sent a text to Sidney to tell him to grab Max and whoever else and meet them at Pops after the media got done with them.

"So what are the chances our boys head to Montreal and come back to wait and see who we get in the next round?" Sheril asked.

"I just don't want a game 7, those always scare me" Karen said for her response.

"That's why they need to win Monday, duh" Sheril said only to get a glare from Karen.

"I'm not doubting a win but we all know how Montreal can get. Let's just wait and see on Monday."

"Are you going to go to the game Karen?" Natalie asked.

"Probably not. Not pushing for asking for any more time off with the way things are going at work right now."

"What is up with those bitches?" Diane said getting shocking looks from everyone.

"Gee Di, such language and you've only had one drink."

"Sorry Kiki but they need to lay off before I kick some ass."

"Thanks girl but I have it under control" she said getting looks "Sidney is going to invite them to a game, tie them to the goal posts and shoot pucks at them."

"Well that's nice of him to offer."

"Yeah, he loves me and will do anything for me" Karen said smiling. But then her smile faded "but I may just give them what they want and quit."

"Why not just ask for a transfer into another department? Greg would love to have you in Camo."

"I know and it will be known that I quit to please them when I know I'm quitting so I can be home with Sid...and maybe plan the family we both want to have."

"You can still work while you're planning Karen."

"I know" she said somewhat dejected.

"What's wrong?" Natalie asked concerned.

"There are times when I don't feel like I'm the wife I should be to him. I guess I pictured myself as a housewife before we got married."

"So you want to give up working to be Suzy Homemaker?"

"I'm so unhappy at work just being in the same building with those people, I just feel like I need time away and a two week vacation doesn't seem to work anymore."

"Well Nat and I can't be selfish Karen" Diane said "you need to do what you feel is right for you."

"We really don't see each other that much anyway and we spend more time outside of work that quitting might be the natural thing to do."

"Thanks for the support guys. I'm not going to decide anything right now but will see what happens when I get back from Canada this summer."

An hour later, the girls were joined by Jordan, Geno, Kris, Brooks, and Marc. They told Karen and Natalie that Sid and Max would be a few more minutes and the look Geno gave Karen scared her. Jordan saw the look and smirk before beating him and sitting beside her.

"You snooze you lose Geno."

Geno looked at everyone sitting and smiled "not over yet Staalsy" he said as he got up on the table and stepped down on the booth on the other side of Karen. He got comfortable making everyone move down and put his arm around her smiling at Jordan "see, I fit too."

"Damn girl, it must be fun being you."

"You haven't seen anything yet" Jordan said removing Geno's arm so he could put his arm around Karen.

After a few minutes of each of them removing the other's arms, Karen had enough "ok, guys. I am not the shiny new toy to fight over in kindergarten."

"You will never be a toy to me Karen?" Jordan said.

"Me either. I respect women" Geno said.

Karen just shook her head and looked at Kris and Brooks laughing at what was going on. She just mouthed the words 'help me' to which she got the reply of 'I'm not getting involved with this' from Brooks and a head shake from Kris.

What seemed like an eternity, Max and Sidney finally showed up to the delight of Karen but the dismay of his teammates. He saw the look on her face and her eyes just pleaded for help.

"I hope this is some sort of protection my wife gets when I'm not around and nothing more boys."

"You late Sid, she our date now" Geno sputtered out as Jordan saw the change in Sidney facial expression.

"I was just keeping your seat warm" Jordan said before getting up but not before sneaking in a kiss on Karen's cheek.

Sidney took his spot and just looked at Geno's arm around her shoulders then looked at him. Geno took the hint and removed his arm but knew his fun wasn't over.

Karen turned to Sidney and smiled while poking at his side to make him smile "all I'm gonna say is, thank god you're here" she whispered to him.

"We'll deal with this at home" he said before taking a sip of her beer. Karen leaned in and kissed his cheek before going back to the conversation.

After about two hours, everyone decided to head out since the guys would have a practice in the morning before flying out to Montreal Sunday. Karen was happy after dealing with Geno's roving hand that kept finding its way onto her knee. She would just give him a look and he would just smile back. One day Sid is going to knock him on his ass she thought to herself. Everyone said goodnight to each other as they headed to their cars. Since it was late, Karen had invited the girls to stay but Diane had to work so Sheril went back to Wheeling with her to keep her awake.

As Sidney drove them home, Karen noticed how quiet he was. "Please tell me you aren't mad about what you walked in on? They were being Geno and Jordan."

"I'm not mad baby but its everytime they get around you. It needs to stop."

"If you're so uncomfortable, then why don't you talk to them?"

"Why don't you just tell them to stop?"

"Sid, I know they are just playing around. They both know I love you and wouldn't jeopardize my life with you for one night with either of them. I'm not planning on taking it anywhere and I hope they know their limits."

Sidney pulled into the driveway and shut the car off. Karen made a move to get out when he grabbed her arm to stop her "its the brief thing with Ryan, when I see them joke around like that it scares me that one of them would actually slip and something would happen."

"Sid.."

"You said it yourself you got caught up for a moment in that kiss. What happens if Jordan or Geno or maybe Tanger kisses you? What if you feel something from one of them and it does take you away?"

Karen got out of his grip and got out of the car, shutting the door and walking around to the driver side. She stepped back when Sidney got out but pushed him back up against it after he closed his door. "I know I have to live with the pain I caused you after I kissed Ryan and a part of me still worries about when you see an old girl friend but I'm devoted to you and I know you're devoted to me. Geno, Jordan, even Max all love to torment you by playing it up with me. They know my heart lies right here" she said putting her hand over his heart. "No one will take me away from you" she said leaning up for a kiss that was meant to be soft and quick but Sidney gripped her hips and held her to him as he deepened the kiss that sent shivers down her spine. When their lips parted, Karen kept her forehead to Sidney's "just talk to them." She looked up into his eyes and kissed him again before going up the walkway to the door.

The next morning, Sidney awoke to the alarm and turned it off before getting up. He went to get a shower to wake up for practice. Karen came to when she heard the shower going and smiled before getting out of bed. She walked into the bathroom and just watched Sidney in the shower through the glass doors. Her lips began to pulsate as she remembered last night and how Sidney unleashed his subdued anger of seeing his teammates hit on her. Karen walked over to the shower door and opened it, stepping in behind Sidney and closing the door. She put her hands on his back and moved them down to his ass.

"Can I help you baby?"

"I was actually wondering if I could help you."

Sidney turned around to face her "what could you help me with?"

Karen felt his cock grow against her thigh "it seems someone wants to play before they leave for a couple days."

"Any idea where the nearest playground is?"

"Its about 2 inches to the north and I can tell you, its a really nice place to play in."

"Really?" he said picking her up pressing her against the wall. He grabbed his cock and positioned it at her entrance, slowing pushing himself into her. "Mmm, feels so nice and warm" he said as he slowly moved inside of her.

"Keep going and it'll get a lot hotter" Karen said as the sensations made her breathing get heavier. Sidney moved his hands to help open her up to him as his hips pounded his hard cock into her making tiny whimpers escape her lips. "Oh god Sid...please...harder" she moaned out.

Sidney slowed down only to come all the way out so he could slam himself back into her. Karen heard the growl in his voice as he got harder with each thrust. After a few more, Sidney pressed into her body and let his hips take over, darting in and out of her until they each moaned out their release. Karen felt him thrust into her a couple more times until he finished filling her with all he had. Once her orgasm subsided, she loosened her grip from his shoulders and felt the emptiness as Sidney pulled out from her core and put her down, holding onto her until she was able to stand on her own.

"I think after last night and just now, I feel a lot better."
"I hope so." Karen looked up into his eyes "I love you and will definitely miss you tonight."

"I wish I had my cheering section for tomorrow night."

"You know you'll hear me cheering for you whether I was there or here." Karen closed her eyes when she felt Sidney's lips on hers only to remove them a minute later "if I stay in here any longer, you'll be late for practice."

"I think Coach Dan knows by now why I'm late."

Karen just smiled "no wonder I get weird looks from him" she said kissing him again "you finish your shower and I will get one later."

"Alright, only if you promise to think of me when you do."

"Always" she said smiling before getting out of his arms to let him finish. Karen left the shower and grabbed a towel, going into the bedroom to dry off and put on her robe before heading downstairs and making her husband some breakfast.

After a short practice, the Pens were getting dressed so they could head to the airport.

"Sid, can I talk to you for a minute?" Jordan asked walking up and sitting beside him.

"Sure man, what's up?"

"I hope you're not mad about last night. We were just joking around."

"As long as it was just that Jordy then we're fine."
"We're not going to take her away from you man. We know how much you love her and she loves you. Karen plays along and its fun. Take a look around and tell me which girlfriend or wife has that much fun with us. She's special man, that's why we like her."

"Thanks Staalsy. I appreciate the clarification."

"And don't worry about Geno. You know his mom has him on a tight leash to marry a Russian" he said before getting up to finish getting ready. Sidney felt better after hearing all that from Jordan and he didn't have to say anything first which told him everything would be fine. He looked down a bit and saw Geno getting his shoes on and smiled knowing his intentions were innocent and reminded himself to keep playing along.

Monday night came and went and the Pens lost 4-3 and the Canadiens forced a game 7 back in Pittsburgh. Sidney had a goal and an assist but he had the fear of wondering if Wednesday nights game would be the final game of the season.