Chapter 148

As the night went on, there was plenty more to come with celebrating the team's win. Karen got done swimming and decided to go change. She stood back and watched the guys in the pool with the Cup when a friend came up to her.

"Well there's a familiar sight" Bob Errey said standing beside her.

"Yeah, wonder how many pools that Cup has seen in all these years."

"You look like you were having fun out there. Just like old times huh?"

Karen had been thinking when the Pens won the Cup in '92 and her celebrating with Rick "yeah, forgot how much fun it was watching the guys go crazy. Miss it?'

"Not too much. Being in the broadcast booth makes me still part of the team."

"And I'm sure you and Bourquey will lend a few ideas about how to play with the Cup in these coming days?"

"Nah, let them figure it out...it's more fun that way" he told her then left her alone. She saw Sidney and smiled at how much fun he was having, like all the pressures were finally off his shoulders to achieve his dream. Karen looked at her watch and went down to the pool to see Sidney.

"Hey baby" Sidney said getting out of the water, walking over to her "why did you change?"

"I think I'm going to head home."

"Baby why? Is it because I'm not paying attention to you? I can pay more attention" he said with worry in his voice.

"Sid, stop" she said caressing his cheek "its late and I've been up for more than 24 hours. I need to get some sleep."

"Didn't you take a nap on the plane?"

"So take away two hours, it's still 24 hours. I know you want me here to help you celebrate, but believe me when I say this...there are more days ahead to celebrate you're win and I will be at everything."

"I guess I just wanted to end the night with you."

"I would love that but you're not done playing around with the guys and I understand how important this is, go enjoy it I want you to."

"Ok. Let me dry off and get a shirt on and walk you home."

"I'll be fine stud. I love you."

"I love you too" Sidney said with a smile then kissed her to the awws coming from the pool. Karen made her way to the house, telling everyone goodnight and headed home. Trina had decided to go with her and crash at the house since she knew Troy would be young again and stay up as late as the guys. They got to the house and Karen told her to take whichever room she wanted and she would see her in the morning as she went upstairs and fell into bed.

A few hours later, Karen woke up and got dressed heading downstairs. Trina was already up and had the coffee brewing. Karen thanked her emencely for having it done.

"Feeling ok this morning?"

"Yeah, can't remember the last time I partied like that. Wait, yes I can. It was when the team won the cup in '92. Of course I don't remember going to bed until the sun actually came out, so I made progress this year."

"Sounds like you did. Are you going to head back over to Mario's?"

"Yeah, need to see what shape my hubby is in."

"Funny, I was thinking the same thing" Trina said that got the both of them laughing. They finished their coffee and headed up to Mario's a few minutes later. As Karen walked in, she heard some faint giggles as she walked to Sidney's bedroom.

"Alright you guys, what is going on?" Karen asked the girls.

"I don't think we should tell you and just let you see for yourself" Taylor told her. Karen got past them and quietly opened the door, only to shut it again.

"Did I just see what I thought I saw?"

"Yes" the girls said in unison and laughed, leaving her alone. Karen let out a little laugh and went into the room. She walked over to the bed and stood there.

"Sidney" she said in a sweet voice "come on stud, time to get up."

"I don't want to. Just five more minutes baby."

"Sorry stud but your fve minutes are up." Sidney woke up and looked at Karen before looking beside him "I see you didn't miss me at all last night" she said as Sidney still laid there with his arm around the Stanley Cup that was in bed with him. "Do I even want to know how this happened?"

"No I don't think you do baby, but I was thinking about you the whole time."

"Nice Crosby" Karen said laughing as Sidney pulled her into bed with him.

"See, now this is how it should have been last night" he said kissing her.

"So how did you wind up with the Cup in your bed?"

"Mario told me to keep it safe. This is what I came up with."

"I think he meant having it in the room with you, not necessarily in bed with you. What time did you finally get to bed?"

"A few hours ago. I think the whole team is crashed around the house."

"Well do you feel like getting something to eat because I am starving and Nathalie has made a huge breakfast for everyone."

"Yeah, I'll be out in a few minutes ok?"

"Ok. I love you."

"I love you too baby." Karen kissed him again before getting up and leaving him to get up and ready. She walked out into the kitchen and saw everyone staring at her.

"What?"

"Is Sid coming out?"

"Yes, his sleeping partner however I'm not sure about" she said as Max and Jordan began laughing. A few minutes later, Sidney emerged into the kitchen and sat down beside Karen getting food on his plate. "Are we not worthy of having the Holy Grail of Hockey join us this morning?"

"It's sitting in the living room baby. I'm not sure who's taking it where."

"I told Dan he could take it for a little while. I'm sure he'll make a widespread call when he decides to head around town with it to see who wants to join him" Mario told everyone.

"Did you get permission from the keeper here?" Karen nodded her head towards Sidney.

"Funny baby, see if I let you play with it."

"Maybe I'll win it in the divorce settlement" she said with a sly smile.

"Divorce?" his dad said with surprise.

"Yeah, I caught him cheating on me with the Cup."

"Not like we all aren't going to be doing that in the coming months" Max said out loud.

"Well I draw the line of it being on the alter with us during the wedding."

"That's ok, I'll just put it in the pew with a tux" he said shovelling the bite of pancakes into his mouth making everyone laugh.

After breakfast Karen headed home with Sidney in tow. He told the guys that he would meet up with them later. When they got home, Sidney went upstairs to shower and change as Karen sat down and got on her laptop until he came back down. She opened up her mail and saw an urgent message from Sheril. Karen opened it and the message told her to check out The Trib's website about the celebration from the locker room. First thought was the photographer got a very unflattering picture of her but when she clicked the link, it was something totally different.

Karen sat there with a shocked expression and couldn't believe what she just read. She was staring at the screen long enough that Sidney had come down and was trying to get her attention.

"Baby? What's wrong?"

"Not Only A Summer With Stanley, But A Wedding Too" Karen read the headline to Sidney as he sat down beside her as she continued reading.

Sidney Crosby had achieved his ultimate dream by capturing the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career on Friday night. As the celebration continued on in the locker room, I have learned that Sidney will wed his girlfriend during the summer when he goes home. No further details were made available at press time.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me! Who ran the story?"

"Rob Rossi" Karen told him quietly.

"Baby I am so sorry. I don't know how it happened. I thought Dan was the only media to know."

"I think I know."

"How did he find out?"

"While us girls were standing back and watching you guys celebrate, Nathalie made a comment about having the Cup at the wedding and Vero got all excited and was kind of loud when she congratualed me. He had to have overheard one of them."

"I need to make a call" Sidney said somewhat angrily as he got up.

"Sid wait. I know we kept it a secret while the series was still going on, but it's out now. Let's just deal with it."

"Baby, I'm doing this for you."

"I know and I love how protective you are with this and me, but we knew it would come out either before or after the wedding. I can deal with whatever comes from it."

"I know Karen, just another reason I love you. But I still need to call my dad and let him and Mario know, ok?"

"Ok. I'm going to do a little searching from some other sites and see who else picked it up."

"Alright" Sidney leaned down to kiss her "I love you."

Karen smiled at him "I love you too." Sidney snuck in another kiss before getting his phone and calling his dad. Karen went to the Post Gazette website, the Pens official site and even a few fan sites. She was thankful that the only things she read so far was they all wondered who this girl was and if they had seen her. One commented about seeing a girl go into the Igloo with Sidney for a few games and wondered if it was her. Karen just sat back on the couch and hoped it didn't get too bad.

A little bit later, Sidney hung up from him dad and came back to sit with her "anything else?"

"No just some females fans wanting to know if they've seen me and not realized I was your girlfriend."

"What about work?"

"You mean my co-workers? They may harass me with questions but I have no clue what they will do individually when they find out the truth. That's when we may have to worry about stories and blogs coming out."

"Just tell them that it's true and we got married and just leave it at that. If they don't have all the details, no harm can come from it."

"I knew I married a smart man."

Sidney moved her laptop out of the way and made them more comfortable on the couch, pinning Karen underneath him "you know baby, I can be smart in other ways too."

"Mmm, how so?" she asked feeling his bulge against her crotch.

"I'm smart enough to know what you like and how you like it."

"I will give you credit there Crosby, but my mind has gotten a little fuzzy from last time. Care to remind me?"

"Forever and always baby" he said before pressing his lips against hers. The kiss intensified and hands started roaming around. Sidney’s hand made its way inside Karen’s shirt, massaging her breast as her moans started to fill the room. Karen could feel him grow against her crotch more and it brought out more feelings between them. Sidney removed his hands from under her shirt and made its way to the hem of her shorts. He was about to move under the fabric when they heard the door open and voices coming in. Sidney hurried to move off Karen but shield her so she could fix herself up.

Troy and Trina came in and saw the scramble on the couch “are we interrupting anything?”

“Not at all mom” he said leaning back on the couch. Karen turned around and settled in by Sidney as Trina saw her blush, knowing they were caught.

"I think we are" Troy said.

Just then, Sidney's phone rang "saved by the bell" he said smiling at Karen. He got off a minute later and told everyone he was going to meet some of the guys and Coach Dan to take the Cup to a few places. "Do you want to come baby?"

Karen just gave him a look "not right now, maybe later."

"Mind if I go Sid?" Troy asked his son.

"I was going to see if you wanted to dad. Mom?"

"No, I'll stay here with Karen if she doesn't mind."

"Not at all. How about we hit a mall or two until they get back?"

"I would love that. I'm going to freshen up and we can head out" Trina told her. Karen just looked at Sidney and he knew what that look meant.

"Dad, why don't you head to the car and I will be right out" he said throwing him his keys. Troy took the keys and walked outside. "Sorry baby. Are you mad?"

"No, but I meant what I said" she said wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Don't worry baby, I will definitely have you coming every way possible later."

"I can't wait stud" she moved her hands to his neck and pulled him down to her "go have fun."

"See you later baby" he kissed her again and left her standing in the living room with a smile.

"I remember having that smile" Trina said walking back into the room.

"What, you don't anymore?"

"Oh I still do honey. Just some motherly advice...no matter how bad it gets, never lose that smile towards him."

"I promise I won't" Karen said before getting her purse and following her mother-in-law out the door for a morning filled with shopping.

Chapter 147

Karen kept an eye on the clock as she saw the puck head towards the net. She saw Marc-Andre push off into the shot and the puck hit into his midsection. There wasn't time for another shot as the Penguins' bench cleared and they had won the Stanley Cup. Karen just sat down and put her head in her hands letting the tears of joy escape down. Natalie sat down beside her and Karen looked up at her as the smiles got bigger when they hugged each other. They made their way into the suite and was engulfed by hugs from everyone before the suite cleared and they made their way to ice level. Karen had stayed back and found Sidney on the ice celebrating.

"Hey, aren't you coming?" Natalie said walking back over to her.

"Yeah, I just wanted to watch this for a minute. Look at them down there" she said pointing out Max to her.

"I know, I can't believe it. There was so much doubt back in February that they didn't think they'd get this far."

"But look at them now...Stanley Cup Champions."

"Come on, let's go" Natalie said pulling her out of the suite. They got to the first level and was stopped before they showed them their passes and were let down to the ice. Karen saw where Troy, Trina, Taylor, and all the Lemieux family were in the bench area. Her and Natalie tried to get there but the usher stopped them saying there were too many people on the ice as it was. Karen knew if she even mentioned dating, let alone being married to Sid she would get laughed out of the building. She stood as close as she could and waited for someone to see she was there to tell them to let her and Natalie through. Within a minute, Nathalie saw them standing there and walked over to the usher telling him to let them through.

"Thanks, I didn't think I would be able to get your attention."

"I was looking to see if you were on the ice already and then I saw you guys still on the other side of the glass."

"Well it wasn't like I could actually tell him I was with Sid."

"Or that he would have believed you. Come on, go stand by the ice where the girls are. He should be over soon."

Karen and Natalie got closer and watched the guys act like little boys. She found Sidney and saw him embrace Billy. The tears wanted to fall again when she saw the friendship that had grown between them. Sidney had found his dad and skated over to hug him. While he was hugging him, Sidney looked behind him and saw Karen. She was standing there with a smile for him and waited until he was done. Sidney got out of the hug with his dad and he skated right over to Karen enveloping her into a huge hug. His head went into the nook of her neck and she heard him silently cry out his emotions that brought out a few more tears from her.

"You did it Sid" she whispered into his ear.

"You helped me do it baby. I love you."

"I love you too." They stayed together for a few more minutes before they broke away. As much as Karen wanted to kiss him, Sidney surprised her and kissed her lips with a quick but passionate kiss. He mouthed 'I love you' again and went to hug his sister and mom before going back to center ice with the guys.

Everyone watched Geno skate over and get the Conn Smythe trophy and when the Stanley Cup came out, Karen couldn't wait for the image that would forever live in her mind. Gary Bettman called over Sidney and they took a picture before he grabbed it and hoisted it over his head with a scream of excitment. Sidney skated around the ice with the roar of the crowd and the team behind him. He came back around and the first person he handed it off to was Billy Guerin. When he handed it off, Pierre McGuire got him for an interview. Karen couldn't really hear what he was saying but she just watched him and the excitment that was all over his face. When they were done, Sidney went back to the guys and watched them celebrate while skating around. After more than an hour of celebrating on the ice, Sidney got the cup back and they went into the locker room. Karen had already headed in with Natalie to wait for the guys to come in. They were outside of the locker room when they went past and Max had grabbed Natalie to go in with him. Sidney was the last one in and took the Cup in, setting it down before he came back out to grab Karen.

During the celebration inside the locker room, Karen just stood back with Natalie, Vero, and a couple other wives as their men sprayed champagne and saviored the moment.

"Looks like we've been replaced for 48 hours at least" Vero said.

"Sidney can't keep his hands off that thing" Natalie added laughing.

"Yes, he touched me like that once upon a time" Karen said getting the girls to laugh.

Nathalie came over to group "what are you guys giggling about over here?"

"Just that we lost our men for a couple days" Karen told her.

"Well you should be used to it Karen."

"Um, Rick didn't look like he was molesting the thing. Sid won't let go of it."

"Mario was the same way. Once the Cup is gone and everyone heads home to wait for it on their day, he'll get better."

"A day to look forward to...to be forgotten about again."

"At least you can look forward to him wanting it there for the wedding."

"You and Sid are getting married?" Vero asked with a shocked but excited tone.

"Yeah, sometime over the summer maybe in August. Nothing is definite yet."

"Oh my god" she said happily as she hugged her.

"Could I ask one favor though?"

"Sure, anything."

"Could you not really say anything right now? We're kind of keeping it low key until it actually happens."

"I understand girl, trust me."

"Thanks." Karen saw Sidney get pulled away and figured it was to go infront of the media. She thought about going with him, but decided to stay with the girls. After a while, Sidney wasn't back yet and Karen excused herself to go look for him. He was outside of the locker room with Stan Savran and Billy Guerin. She stood back and listened and watched his face as Billy just praised Sid. Karen ducked back into the locker room and waited for him to come back. A couple minutes later, Sidney came in, saw Karen and grabbed her taking her off to the side.

Sidney wrapped his arms around her, kissing her "I've been wanting to do that all night."

"It's a good thing we're out of sight from the Cup, don't want it to get jealous now."

"What are you talking about?" he asked confused.

"Just that you haven't let go of that thing since you got it. You have had a hand on it almost every minute you've been in the locker room like it's all a dream and it's going to slip away at any moment."

"Aw, is my baby getting jealous?"

"Maybe. Tell you what stud, you promise to touch me like that later and I won't complain about the Cup coming between us for a few days."

"You have my promise on that. Believe me, I can't wait to get you back to Pittsburgh and alone."

"That might be hard with the nonstop party that will continue until probably Monday."

"No way baby, once we get back it's on" he said pressing his body into hers and kissing her.

"This would turn me on more if you weren't so padded down there."

"I guess I could change into a pair of shorts."

"And I'm sure everyone here would love to see that too."

"Don't be a smartass baby. This is for your eyes only."

"You better always remember that too stud." Sidney kissed her again before leaving her, finding a pair of shorts and heading to the bathroom to change. The night had gone on and Mario had gone around getting the family members together so the guys could shower and change to head back to Pittsburgh. Sidney tried and tried to get Karen to go on the team plane with him but she told him to enjoy the plane ride home with the guys and she would see him when he got home.

As Karen and Natalie got comfortable on the plane, Nathalie made sure to tell them to head to the house for the after party. They said they would stop by after they went home to change. A couple hours later, the families landed in Pittsburgh and went their separate ways but with plans to meet at Mario's when the guys landed. Karen and Natalie headed to her house to get a shower and change clothes. They decided to chill at the house until they heard the team plane had landed before going over to Mario's.

About a half hour later, Sidney and a few of the guys started to trickle in with Sidney toting the Stanley Cup with him. He saw Karen and put the Cup down going over to her.

"I brought you a change of clothes in case you wanted to be comfortable the rest of the night" she said handing him a duffle bag.

"Come with me while I change?" he said giving her a look she couldn't refuse.

"Will the Cup mind? I don't want to cause a riff so soon in the relationship."

"I think it'll be in good hands until we come back." Sidney smiled and took her hand leading her to his old room. Mario had said it would always be his incase he needed a place to stay. They made sure no one paid attention to see them leave and headed to the room. Once inside the room, Sidney locked the door and put the bag down before he scooped Karen up and headed straight to the bed "weren't we suppose to do this at center ice at some point tonight?"

"I don't think they would have allowed that at the Joe stud."

"Could have been fun though."

"Would have been cold and crowded with all those people around, especially your parents and the media."

"It would have been a good show though."

"I think you've had way too much to drink tonight."

"That may be true, but I am well aware of what I want right now."

"Eventhough I know, humor me and tell me what you want."

Sidney leaned down and kissed her "you" he said with hunger in his voice. Karen smiled at him before diving in for another kiss. They did away with their clothes slowly, feeling every inch of skin that appeared to them. When they were both completely naked, Sidney picked her up and set her on the bed, making sure his body fully covered hers. They laid together kissing and feeling each other's bodies not wanting to rush any part of this, eventhough there was a houseful of people looking for them. Karen's hand moved inbetween their bodies and found him getting hard with every touch she made. Sidney knew one more light touch and they would have to start from the beginning. He moved Karen's hand and put his own between them but only over Karen's heated center. He could feel the heat and dove in to feel the wetness her body was producing from his touch. They both couldn't stand it anymore and Karen parted her legs to gve Sidney full access. He took advantage and plunged inside of her going slow and staying still for a minute.

"Start moving Sid. Oh god, please move inside of me" she whispered as Sidney kissed her neck.

Sidney kept his lips planted on her neck, under the ear as his hips began to move. He would pump into her with an upward motion and Karen tighten her grip on his back every time he hit her g-spot. Karen arched her back, pressing her full breasts and swollen nipples into his chest. Her moans started to float out of her mouth and Sidney kissed her to keep her from screaming.

"Are you close baby" he asked her while his cock assualted her inner being.

"Oh god yes, make me explode Sid."

Sidney smiled and stopped only to roll them over so Karen was on top. She took control and sat up riding him like it was their last time together. Putting her hands on his chest, she felt her body temperature rise and clamped down hard onto his cock as her orgasm rocked through her body. She kept moving until Sidney let out a moan and released all his juices into her core. Karen slowed down to milk out every drop before lying down onto his chest.

"Now that was worth the wait."

"So are you saying that if I flew home with you, we would have done this on the plane?"

"Anything is possible in this relationship."

"More like anything sexual is possible."

"Just stop, you love all the sex that we have."

Karen looked up at him "I think the guy has something to do with it to."

"Good to know" he said kissing her for the hundredth time that night. "Maybe we should head back to the party before anyone gets suspicious."

"Not like we don't know what you're doing in there Crosby" a voice said from the other side of the door.

"I don't think I want to go out there just yet" Karen said blushing.

"Come on Darryl, others want to use the room to you know."

"Well give us a few mintues to get dressed and we'll be out" Sidney yelled back to the door. "Guess this will be the most popular room in the house tonight" he said to get Karen laughing. They both got up and got dressed. As soon as Sidney opened the door, there stood Max, Natalie, Jordan, Heather and Marc with Vero. Karen just shook her head when the three couples began arguing who was going in next.

"Why do I think Mario should charge for that room tonight?"

"Not like he needs the money. Since it's my room, maybe I should charge them?"

"You don't need the money either stud" she said as they headed back to the party.

Chapter 146

Before Karen left for work Friday morning, she got a few things together so she wouldn't have to worry about it when she got home. She felt nervous all morning because it was a definitely do or die game tonight at the Joe. She didn't know what could be going through Sidney's mind but hoped he would be good to go at game time.

Karen had gotten home and Natalie was already there waiting for her on the porch.

"Um, why didn't you just let yourself in?"

"I forgot where the hide-a-key is."

"Its where it always is."

"No it's not. I looked and figured you moved it around. If you told me, I must have fogotten."

"I didn't move it. Maybe Sidney did and didn't tell me."

"Well it doesn't matter. I was only here for twenty mnutes before you showed up."

"Ok. I just need to go to the bathroom and get something to eat real quick. I am starving since I didn't eat anything during break."

"Well say no more, stopped and grabbed a couple sandwiches at Subway before heading over."

"Ah, you are a lifesaver." They headed inside and ate before needing to meet everyone up at Mario's.

"What do you think their chances are for tonight?"

"I hope the momentum is still there for them from Tuesday. I won't be able to stand seeing Sid like he was last year again. They deserve this and I hope it happens for them."

"I know what you mean. With dating Max and knowing a lot of the guys, I don't think I can see them go through it either. Maybe this year is different, just wish Diane and Sheril could have came too."

"I asked them but with Sheril's husband out of town and Di couldn't get off work for Saturday morning, they weren't able to come."

"We'll just have to invite them to all the parties when we get back."

"That we will" she said as they finished eating then got ready to head to Mario's.

Once everyone was together, they headed to the airport and then to Detroit. Karen hoped they would get there before the guys took their naps and got to spend some time with Sidney before the game. Not that she cared if anything happened to pump him up before the game, but she wanted to see what frame of mind he was in. When the plane landed, they found out that the guys were at the hotel and Karen told Mario that she and Natalie would take a cab there since everyone was headed to the arena. He just smiled and told her it was fine, giving them their tickets and passes for when they got to the arena later.

In the cab ride to the hotel, Karen had sent a text to Sidney to ask him what room he was in. He sent a message back telling her what room he was in and also what room Max was in so Natalie would know. The got to the hotel and went directly to the elevator. Once it stopped on the floor, Natalie went to Max's room and Karen walked a few doors away to Sidney's. She knocked on the door and waited for him to answer. As soon as the door opened, Sidney wrapped his arms around her and picked her up bringing her inside the room.

"It's about damn time you got here baby" he said kissing her.

"Well a plane will only go so fast stud. Were you getting ready for your nap?"

"Let's see, I was laying down and thinking of you was keeping me from sleep so I'm wide awake now."

Karen saw the look in his eyes "Sid, you need to be focused and ready for the game tonight."

Sidney began to peel off her clothes and followed with his shorts and t-shirt "there is only one way I can get focused and ready" he said walking her to the bed and having her crawl up onto to it with him getting behind her "care to help me?"

Karen sat up on her knees and turned her head kissing him "well, it does appear that I am available to do that." Sidney had her fall back onto her hands so he could enter her from behind. He got a rhythm going before bringing her back up to his chest. Karen moved one of his hands from her hip to her mound and if on instinct Sidney began to rub over her clit. Karen's orgasm began to rise within her and she grabbed the sheets around her as she came with a fury of passion. Sidney held onto her hips tighter, making her come down on him harder until he unleashed his own. They sat there for a few minutes before laying down and Sidney curled up behind her. Karen turned her head to offer her lips to him in a heated kiss. She broke the kiss and let Sidney get some sleep.

An hour later, the alram went off and Sidney turned it off and rolled back over to Karen who was lying there looking at him. "Mmm, hey baby."

"Hey. Get enough sleep for tonight?"

"Yeah I did. How about you?"

"I really wasn't that tired, just watched you sleep instead."

"I guess I didn't do my job then."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm suppose to tire you out baby."

"You usually do stud, but I just wasn't tired since I fell asleep on the plane ride here."

"Well I need to get my shower, care to join me again?"

"I would love to, but I'm going to say no this time. Go get ready stud."

"I guess it's going to be a cold shower" he said mumbling his way to the bathroom to make Karen laugh. She got up and got dressed, waiting for him to come out. When he was done, Sidney came out and got dressed. "Ready to go get some dinner with your handsome husband?"

"I would love to, is he here?" she said as they walked out the door.

"You know, it's a good thing that I love you so much" he said closing the door behind them and walking towards the elevator. Karen just smiled and kissed him getting a smile from his lips. They went downstairs and met up with the rest of the guys for dinner.

A half hour later, Sidney and Karen were making their way back up to the room so Sidney could finish getting ready to head to the arena. He was getting his tie on and Karen went to sit infront of him to tie it for him.

"This is the last time you'll be doing this baby."

"Not really. I'm sure there will be other events that I will have the pleasure of doing this. I kind of enjoy it" she said pulling the knot closer to his neck and straightening the tie.

"I kind of enjoy how close you are to me. If I didn't need to go play hockey right now, we'd be taking the tie back off."

"Well you still had it on in the suite on Tuesday and I think that was a little bit of a turn on that I didn't take it off you."

"Just like when I kept the jersey on you...so sexy if I do say so myself."

"Is this preparing you for the game at all?" she said smiling.

"Any feeling of nerves that I had are gone if that's what you mean."

"How are you nervous Sid? You've played this game for practically all your life."

"I know and it's not so much the game I'm nervous about."

"It's what this game represents huh?"

Sidney walked over to the bed and sat down "I could lose it all tonight Karen."

Karen got off the dresser and went to kneel infront of him "and you could win everything you've dreamed about since you were 3. No one knows how this game will end until the final buzzer sounds."

"And you'll still be cheering for me no matter how it does?"

"Haven't you learned that by now? Even when we were apart, I still cheered for you and that will never change."

"Tell me" he said looking into her eyes and Karen knew exactly what he needed to hear.

"This is your game Sid. Whether you score all the goals or none of them...this is your dream. Go get it."

Sidney brought his hand up and caressed her cheek "I love you."

"I love you too" she said leaning up to kiss him "Come on stud, go make me proud."

Karen stood up and brought Sidney with her "forever and always baby." They shared another kiss and headed to the arena.

As the game started, everyone was up in a suite watching the game unfold. The first period came and went with no goals from either team. As the second period started and with more than a minute into the period Max shot the puck and scored. Karen and Natalie erupted with happiness. But for Karen, that happiness dulled when four minutes later Sidney got pressed into the boards and got hurt. Karen watched with pain in her heart as he limped off the ice. As Mario and Troy turned to see if she was ok, Karen was out of the suite and heading down to the locker room. She ran passed everyone, flashing her pass and headed to the trainer's room when she didn't see him in the locker room. Sidney was sitting on the table and saw her come in.

"How did I know you'd be down here?"

"Because we think too much alike. How bad is it?"

"I don't know if I'll be able to finish the game. They're numbing it now so we'll see for the third, but I'm definitely done for the rest of the second." And if on cue, half the crowd erupted as they heard that Max had scored again to give the Pens the lead at 2-0. "Baby, I'm ok. Go back up and watch the rest of the game."

"I'm not going back up until the second period is over and I know for sure you're ok."

"Wow, she's a determined one" the trainer said.

"Yeah she is" Sidney said taking her hand in his, letting her stay with him for a while longer. When the trainer was done, Karen helped Sidney into the locker room and back to his stall.

"So what happened?"

"I was going for the puck to take it down ice and Franzen came with a check. I tried to jump out of the hit and his body caught my leg against the top on the boards. They said it could be a deep bruise."

"Let's hope it's not more serious then that and you can finish the game."

"That's all I want right now baby" he said kissing her cheek. Just then, someone came in and told them that the second period was about over and Karen knew she needed to leave. "I'll be alright baby, go watch the rest of the game."

"Ok, but if you do try and there's too much pain, don't push it."

"Famous last words from someone who did the opposite in the Olympics."

"I'm stubborn and didn't have another twenty years of hockey to play. Just becareful, that's all I'm asking."

"I will baby. See you when it's over." Karen just nodded and kissed him before she left the locker room. She got through the crowd and back to the suite a few minutes later.

"Is it bad?" Troy asked.

"Right now they seem to think it's just a deep bruise in the lower thigh muscle. They won't know until Sidney gets it checked but they don't think its his knee or anything too drastic."

"So Sidney's going to try and play on it?" Mario asked.

"You know Sid but yeah, he'll try a shift and see after that."

"He'll be ok Troy" Trina said "if Sid is really hurt, he would've told Karen the truth to not make her worry."

"Or do something to jeopardize his hockey career" Karen added and they all nodded in agreement. Karen excused herself and got something to drink, going back over to Natalie and waited for the third period to begin.

As the third period was about to start, Karen saw Sidney skate around testing his leg. She saw him move it around and she kind of knew he wouldn't be playing much. He didn't start the third and waited a couple shifts before going out. Karen watched him more than the play and could see he was having trouble turning. When he skated to the bench after the shift, she knew he was done.

"You ok?" Natalie asked her.

"He's done for the game Nat, his leg must be hurting."

"He'll be ok."

"I know he'll be fine but this is going to kill him sitting on the bench with 3/4 of the game remaining." Natalie gave her friend a reassuring hug as they continued watching the game.

The Pens were able to hold off the Red Wings until there was about 6 minutes left when they scored to cut their lead in half. Everyone in the suite looked at each other and prayed that another one wouldn't follow. As the time ticked down, Karen and Natalie felt a little more nervous as the Wngs were putting a surge of shots towards Marc-Andre. Karen would watch the numbers fall off and when there was close to a second left, she saw the puck go to Lidstrom. She held onto Natalie as her breath caught in her throat as he took a hard wrist shot towards the net....