Chapter 129

After they all got down to the locker room area, Karen did her ritual and waited outside. Being captain of the team, Sidney was pretty much obligated to do a post-game press conference with the media and Karen wanted her face to be the first one he saw. But it was also she didn't want to be inside will all the other media crowding around the locker room to see them together and make assumptions. The fact that no one has printed seeing Sidney and a girl at the majority of every game yet made her believe that they either didn't care or were sworn to secrecy until after the playoffs. Either way, it was way too many people for her to deal with. A half hour of waiting and talking with Natalie, Sidney came out and panned the hallway for Karen. There were more people around and she didn't think he saw her until a hand reached through the crowd and grabbed her arm, pulling her through. Karen stood there laughing as she hit right into his chest and he hugged her with a laugh of his own. They made their way to the set up media center.

"You didn't hurt youself did you?"

"I practice by walking into brick walls just for this occasion so I should be alright."

"Sorry baby" he said kissing her head and went to face the media. Ten minutes later, Sidney was done and they walked back to the locker room. He told her he'd be out in a little bit and she told him she'd wait forever to the apparent 'ahs' from Natalie and everyone standing around. Karen blushed and tried to bury her face in the wall. When the guys were ready to leave, Sidney told her he'd meet her back at the hotel and they parted ways.

Once they got to the hotel, everyone met up in the bar to relax and celebrate a little more. Sidney and Karen were at a table with his parents talking.

"I mentioned to Karen about letting me put together a wedding for you two when you come home after the season is over."

"Well mom, Karen and I decided that I would stay in Pittsburgh for a few weeks after the season and then I will head home with her coming a couple weeks later."

"You're not coming up right after with him?"

"I will have to work and can't get all that time off. That's why he's staying for a few more weeks so when I come up we won't be apart for that long."

"Oh, ok."

"Don't be mad mom, you will have until August to plan something."

"I'm not mad sweetie, but you're right you two need time together and when you come up Karen, we will have plenty of time to get things set."

"Thanks mom" she said sincerely and when she looked at Sidney he was just sitting there with a smile. They continued to talk for another hour until they went their separate ways for the night.

"I think you made my her lifetime" Sidney said as they entered the hotel room.

"Who's?"

"My mom's. You called her mom and I think that just made her life."

"Well it's the second time I called her that so."

"I'm glad everything worked out between all of you. I didn't want the kind of marriage that my wife and family didn't get along and only got together for reunions or holidays."

"I would have never kept you from them whether we got along or not."

"I know and it's just one more reason I love you" he said holding her.

"That list must be getting really long by now."

"All the way to the floor baby." Karen leaned up to kiss him as they got ready for bed. When they crawled in and got comfortable, they began kissing and ended up making love. This time around, there were no antics or need to rush it. It was slow and sensual, filled with nothing but love as they held on to each other.

The next morning, Karen woke up and kissed Sidney to get him awake so her and Natalie could give their guys a true day off.

"Wake up sunshine."

"Hmm, why? We have all day to spend together."

"I know we do. Nat and I planned the day for you and Max so you need to get up."

"I could get up in more ways then one baby" Sidney smirked.

"You need to curb that and go take a cold shower if needed. We have to meet them downstairs in a half hour."

"We could have some fun and still meet them in time" Sidney said moving his hand under the covers and rubbing her mound.

"We are never on time when you want to play first" she said as her breathing got faster. Sidney rolled on top of her and in one motion plunged inside of her. He started pounding into her and wouldn't stop until they both moaned out their release from their quick romp. "Damn stud, you've gotten so good we don't need to take an hour to have sex."

"When I want something, I go after it until I get it and I will always get you baby."

"Well if you get up so we can have a relaxing fun day, I promise to let you get me later."

"I can't pass that offer up." Sidney kissed her before rolling off and getting up. Karen got up after him and they got ready heading out to meet Nat and Max down in the lobby.

"Hey guys, ready?"

"Yeah, I have all of our stuff" Natalie replied.

"Then with our bag, we are good to go."

"Where are you guys going?" Jordan said as he came bouncing into the lobby with Tanger and Geno close behind.

"We're going away for a few hours of uninhibited animal sex in public."

"Can we come?" Kris asked to the shocked look on Karen's face. "What? Did you think we were all alter boys or something?"

Karen decided to play along to see what Sidney's reaction would be "sure, more the merrier."

"Can we talk about this first baby?"

"Really" Max added "I love these guys like brothers but a team orgy is never gonna happen."

"Good because it's not going to happen" Karen said laughing at the looks on everyone's face. "I don't mind if they come. Nat?"

"Me either. Max, Sid? Do you guys mind?"

"You guys know we don't."

"Well, I can only fit 5 in my car so unless you guys can get a car, there's only room for one with the four of us."

"Hold that thought" Geno said then walked away. He came back a couple minutes later with keys in hand. "I got a van to use, so let's go."

Karen looked to Sidney "I don't think I want to know." He smiled and kissed her, heading to the car with Max and Natalie in tow. The others headed to the van and Karen waited for them to meet her at the entrance to the hotel so Geno could follow her. They got out and on their way for their trip.

"Can we at least know where we're going baby?"

"Some place special Nat and I found one year on a vacation. It is public but private so to speak so you guys shouldn't be hounded."

"Sounds wonderful you guys" Max added in.

"Well you guys deserve some time away from the arena and the game and this was the best suggestion Karen and I came up with" Natalie told them.

"Did you really care if those guys came along?"

"I didn't" Karen said. "You all need some relaxation so why not let them enjoy it too." They continued talking for the duration of the trip until they reached their destination.

Karen pulled up to a parking lot by the ocean and they all got out. She was stunned to see more than Tanger, Geno and Staalsy get out of the van. It seemed that Orps, Scuds, Tyler Kennedy, Hal Gill and Craig Adams all made their way out of the van and gathered around Sidney and Max.

"So where are we?" Hal asked curious.

"One year Nat and I travelled down the Outer Banks, where you guys are now and we found this public beach but it's a little out of the way and seems private enough. We figured at the time, Sid and Max would enjoy some quiet away from the game but now not sure how that will work."

"We're sorry if we are intruding?"

"You guys aren't intruding. Why don't you head over the dune and see for yourself." Everyone started to head to the wooden bridge except for Sidney, who held Karen back. "Something wrong?"

"Not at all baby" he said wrapping his arms around her and kissing her. He let her go and they joined everyone else. When they got over the bridge and reached the sand, Sidney stopped and Karen saw the astonished look to his face. "This is beautiful."

"Come on, let's go have some fun" she said pulling him closer to the water. Karen and Natalie did bring some extra towels, but she wasn't sure if she had quite enough. Sidney took Karen's hand and took her into the water for a swim. They got far enough away but was still able to stand in the water, holding each other.

"Man, is that all they do when they're together?" Craig asked laughing. "My wife and I aren't even that bad."

"Pretty much" Natalie said.

"Come on guys, when have you ever seen Sid this happy? His game is at it's best right now and I think it's because of Karen" Tanger said.

"He's right guys" Max jumped in "we all see the changes in him and it's been there since Karen came along."

"Why don't we leave the lovebirds alone and have some fun" Scuds said.

"I think Karen still has some stuff in the trunk" Natalie said digging in her bag for the keys "why not see what's in there to do?" She threw them to Rob and a couple of them went to see what they could find. Natalie and Max decided to go swimming as well as Jordan, Tanger and Tyler. Rob and the others found a volleyball net and ball, bringing it down towards the water and setting it up, playing a friendly game.

The group in the water reached Sidney and Karen and they all started to play around for awhile before they headed back to the beach and got the others together. A couple of the guys walked across the street to a little restaurant and got some food for the group, bringing it back to everyone. They sat around and ate, talking about everything but the game of hockey. Karen smiled listening to them knowing this little trip did its job.