Chapter 113

Karen pulled back in shock “what?”

“I don’t want to wait to marry you, I want us to get married right now, right here on center ice…tonight.”

“Sid, it’s after midnight.”

“Exactly, Happy Anniversary baby.”

Karen smiled “Happy Anniversary stud, but how is this possible? We don’t have a marriage license or anything else to go with it.”

“Actually we do.” Sidney skated over to the bench and pulled a piece of paper out, skating back to her “I got one on Monday.”

“Were you so sure I would say yes?”

“No, hoping was more like it. Stay here for a minute.” He skated over to the door that led to the locker room and brought out the carpet. He brought it over to her and laid it down on the ice. Soon, a man walked out towards them. Karen realized it was a preacher in plain clothes to not draw attention to anyone. Sidney stood back in front of Karen and held her hands “well?”

Karen looked from Sidney to the preacher and back to Sidney. “Your parents are going to kill you if they find out about this.”

“I’ll deal with them when the time comes. Whether we get married next month, next year, five years from now or today the thing of it is…I want to marry you. I love you baby, let’s get married tonight.”

Words couldn’t form and all Karen could do was smile and nod her head yes.

The preacher began a simple ceremony as Sidney and Karen stood looking into each other’s eyes. Since they pretty much professed their feelings to each other, there was really nothing more they could say.

“Do you have the rings?”

“Yes” Sidney said to the confusion of Karen as he pulled them out of his pocket and handed them to the preacher.

“Ok, wait. You got rings too?”

“Kind of, but it’s not like you can’t get married and not wear a ring.”

“I can’t believe all this” Karen said with disbelief.

“Sidney” the preacher continued “place this ring on Karen’s finger and repeat after me…with this ring, I thee wed.” He repeated the words and slipped the ring on her finger. “Karen, place this ring on Sidney’s finger and repeat after me…with this ring I thee wed.” Karen picked up the ring and smiled at Sidney as she put it on his finger and said the same words.

“Sidney, do you take Karen to be your wife?”

“I do” he said then smiled.

“Karen, do you take Sidney to be your husband?”

“I do” she said as the tears ran down her cheeks.

“Then by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”

Sidney put his hand to her cheek as he leaned in and kissed her. Knowing the audience in front of them, they kept the kiss as sweet and innocent as they could. After they broke apart, they thanked the preacher and Sidney escorted him off the ice before skating back over to Karen.

“What just happened here?” she asked still somewhat confused.

Sidney wrapped his arms around her “I believe we just got married Mrs. Crosby.”

Karen smiled as she thought about it “I kind of like the sound to that Mr. Crosby.”

“Good. Why don’t we get our skates off and head out?” Sidney took her hand in his as they skated off the ice and went to the locker room. A few minutes later, they were leaving the arena and headed out.

“Do I get a hint to where we’re going?”

“We are going to have something to eat and celebrate a little.”

“It’s late Sid.”

“I know a place that will work at this hour.” Karen just smiled at him as Sidney continued driving. On the short drive to a house Karen didn’t know, Sidney had never let go of her hand. He parked the car and as they headed up to the house, Sidney opened the door and it was completely dark.

“Ok, so what’s going on?” she whispered.

Sidney kissed her before turning on the lights to reveal a houseful of players “SURPRISE.”

Karen couldn’t contain her smile looking at the entire Penguins team “they all knew?” she said turning to Sidney.

“Well most of them knew what I was planning, some knew a couple days ago, and then there are a few that just found out” Sidney said pointing to the likes of Jordan and Geno. Just then Max came running over and scooped up Karen, hugging her.

“Congratulations you guys” he said smiling as he put her down. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to say no to this guy.”

“He does have a charming side that makes you want to come back for more.”

Max pinched Sidney’s cheeks “be good to her man or you’ll have me and about 20 other guys to answer to.”

“Don’t worry I don’t plan on letting her go…ever.”

“Well you are going to let me go considering I have a couple people to talk to” she said giving him a kiss and walking over to Jordan and Geno. “Ok guys, what’s with these looks I keep getting from you two?”

“You married him? What about us?” Jordan said pouting.

“I didn’t know there was an us Jordan. You know if you were a little clearer about that there could have been an us.”

“Really?” Jordan said with a glimmer of hope.

“Not a chance Staalsy” Sidney said as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

“You are such a tease Karen.”

“One reason why I married her” he said.

“Nice Crosby” Karen said giving him a look.

“You Ok Geno?” Sidney asked his friend.

“Yeah. I’m happy for you guys. Besides, I’ve never hit on a married woman before.”

“And you better not start with this one.”

“Wow, we’ve been married for a matter of minutes and you are already being protective.”

“Well get used to it because it will happen a lot” Sidney said turning her around to face him as their lips came together in a searing kiss.

“I think I’m going over there, this is a little to lovey dovey for me” Jordan said walking away as Geno followed.

“They seriously can’t be mad about this.”

“I don’t think they are, but I will talk to them later.” Karen just smiled at him while bringing him down for another kiss to the cheers of the crowd.