Chapter 36 Part 2

Getting out of the bus, I turn and watched as Sidney came down the stairs and off the bus.

He walks over to me as we head into the building side by side.
Then I get behind him as we turn down a hall to the locker room.

A man is holding a door open.

"Thank you," Sid says as he turns into the room.
I nod my head at the man as I follow Sidney into the room.
The room is the locker room.

I see LC over sitting by Kris as I turn my head following Sidney.
He sat down where it has his last name at.

"You can sit next to me babe. Bugsy wont bite when he gets back," Sid says as I sat down beside him in Malone's place.

"Aren't you suppose to be getting changed?" I ask.

"I like to get dressed last," Sid says.

"I figured you'll be one of the first ones to change,"

"Nope, once Bugsy gets out, I'll change but not into my uniform but into the under armer,"

Turning I watch Ryan walking over this way.

"I found a girl in my seat," Ryan says as he smiles.

"You've got one," I say as I watch Sid get up.

"I'll be back in a bit," Sid says as I move over so Ryan could sit down.

"So how are you today Aaylah?" Ryan asks.

"I'm doing better today, how are you?" I ask.

"I'm doing alright, how has Sid been?"

"He's been ok," I say.

Waiting a few minutes, and talking to Bugsy I watch Sid walking over to my in just his under armer like he said.

"I'm going to play with a puck on the ice, would you want to come?" Sid asks.

"Yes, it was nice talking to you Ryan," I say.

"You too Aaylah,"
I get up from the spot on the bench as I follow Sid.

"Going to do tricks?" Dana asks.

"Yes and can you give me another one of my sticks," Sid asks as I watch Dana going into another room and walks back out with a puck and two of Sid's reebook sticks.

"Here Sid,"

"Thanks, Dana,"
I follow Sid out of the locker room and walk beside him.

"Why did you get two sticks?" I ask as we walk our way out to the rink.

"For you," Sid says as we walk out from underneath a tent and turn onto the bench.

"Dont we need skates to do this?" I ask as Sid got onto the ice.

"No,"
He places his hand out to me as I take it.
Going over the step, I am on the ice in my clog shoes.

"What are we going to do this the puck?"

"I'm going to show you some tricks,"
I smile as Sid smiles as well.

Sid holds me hands as we make our way to center ice.

"Ok, let's go do some tricks,"
I watch Sid as he lays the puck flat down on his stick, then throws it up to catch it on the other side.

"Can to try?" Sid asks.

"Sure," I say as he throws the puck up and catchs it.
He hands it to me as I place it on the end of my stick.

"Now throw it and flip your stick," Sid says as I did what he told me but when the puck came down, I hit it by accident.

"Oops," I say as I watch Sid drop his stick, and goes running on the ice after it.

"Sidney be careful," I say as he slips onto the ice, going backwards on his butt.

I drop my stick as I head out to where he was.

Walking above him, he looks at me.

"I'm ok babe," Sid says as I put out my hand to him.
He grabs it as I help him out.

Letting go of my hand, he walks a little bit to grab the puck.

He walks back over to me as we head back to where our sticks lay onto the ice.

"Pick up your stick and we'll go this again," Sid says as I pick up my stick.
I watch as he places the puck on the end of my stick.

"Ok now throw it up hard enough to flip your stick so it can land on it,"

I did this over and over until a whisle blew.

"Come on Sid, Aaylah, its an hour until game time," Michel says as I pick up the puck as Sid has the sticks.
I walk ahead of him as we head up off the ice into the bench area.
Walking a bit to the side, I walk back under the tent thing.

"That was fun, even though it took me an hour to get it right," I say as Sid walks beside me as we get into the hallway.

"That was my goal, babe," Sid says as he turns into the locker room with my right behind him.
Sid gives Dana his sticks as I hand him the puck.

"Thanks Aaylah," Dana says.

Ray walks over to me, with LC behind him.

"You ready to head up to the box?" Ray asks me.

"Yeah, good luck Sidney," I say as he turns around.
He wraps his arms around me.

"Thanks babe. Have fun," Sid whispers in my ear before I exit the room behind Ray Shero.

"My cousin is in love," LC says.

"Why would you say that?" I ask.

"He would never let anyone touch his stick, and I think you did when you went with him. He would never talk to a girl before a game including his mom but he talks and gave you a hug. You have really changed Sidney," LC says.

"I guess I have," I say.

"Of course you have, Sid is really happy with you and I know he is,"

"And I'm happy with him,"

We follow Ray down the right to a smaller hallway to the elevator.
He presses the button.

"Is this your girls first away game?" Ray asks as the door open.

"It is for both of us," I say as we follow him into the elevator.

"Top level please," Ray says to the lady sittin on a stool.

"Well you might or might not enjoy it. This place doesnt really like sid at all," Ray says as the elevator begins to go up.

"Well be fine," LC says as he door opens.

"Thank you very much," Ray says as we walk into a wider hall with door only on your right side.
We walk down a bit as he opens a door.

"Go ahead first Aaylah," LC says as I follow Ray into the room.

It is a decent size room that I am in now.
The window is so big and the chairs are like on the edge of it.

"Sit where ever you would like," Ray says as I walk around a table as I make my way to the seats nearest to the glass.

They were close to edge.

I sit down near the left side but close to the middle.
It is the best seat.

Looking up, LC sits right next to me.

"So what did your text mean earlier?" I ask.

"What text?" LC asks.

"I got a text from you earlier saying I'm loving it,"

"Oh that text, it means I'm loving it here. I thought it would be worse then this," LC says.

"ah ok, so how are you and Kris doing?" I ask.

"We are doing alright, enjoying our time together," LC says.

"Well thats good,"

I look down onto the ice as I watch as the Flyers take the ice.

"Eww," I say.

"They look so ugly in that color of orange," LC says.

We watched the Cryers practice and I paid attention to what they where doing, hockey wise.

30 minutes later, they leave the ice as I watch a white jersey hit the ice.

"Here come our boys," I say as I watch LC stand up.
I sat as I squit to see the players numbers.

As soon as Sidney hits the ice, I follow him carefully.
I want to see what he was doing.

"Kris just waved at me," LC says as I stand up to join her by the big glasss window.

"Are you sure?" I ask as someone is waving.
I look really closely to see that it was Kris doing it with Max beside him.

"Yeah I'm sure cause he just did it again,"

"I saw that,"

"Are they boys practicing?" Ray asks as I turn to see him beside me.

"Yeah they are," I say as I watch him looking on.

"You studing Sidney, Aaylah?" Ray asks as I look over to him.

"How did you know?"

"Your his girlfriend and an women's hockey player, I can tell,"
I knew I was blushing.

Turning back around, I try and find Sidney as he was blocking the goal while Marc is talking to a coach.

"Sid could play any position in hockey," LC says.

"I know he could, he's playing goalie in practice," I say as I watch the team just taking turns whacking the puck at Sidney.

I knew he is in an happy mood.

Moving from my position, I walk pass Ray as I head to the back of the suite.

"Ray is there anything in here?" I ask.

"Should be Aaylah, check if not I'll get someone to come up here,"

Walking over to the fridge, I open it and there are a shielf of pepsi and the other of coke.

"Want anything to drink LC?" I ask.

"No thanks," LC response as I grab a pepsi walking back over to the glass.

The boys were still practicing.

"Ray, are we leaving from here to the airport?" LC asks.

"Yes we will be doing that, it would take too much time to go back to the hotel," Ray says.

"I didn't pack up," LC says.

"I'll go down to the locker room during 1st intermission to tell the two guys who will gather luggage,"

"Thank you,"

"Your welcome,"

I look onto the rink as I again just look at Sidney and his skating.
How could anyone compare me to him now?
I'm only in my first season and Sid's been playing since he was a younger kid.

I know I have his number and everything but I shouldnt been compared to him but I am.

It would be totally weird if I made it into the NHL someday.


Day Dream

"This is a first for the NHL but this is also a great day for the NHL. Today is the day when a lady makes it into the NHL,"

I just stand there with my finacee holds my hand in his.
Looking over to him, he smiles as to calm my nerves.

I never thought this would happen to me at all.

"The Pittsburgh Penguins proudly select from the Pittsburgh Tigers, Aaylah Thomason. She is now a proud member of our family now," Mario Lemieux says as I stand up with the biggest smile on my face.

I turn to hug Sidney as he kisses me.

"Congrats babe," Sid says as I turn to get hugs from Vette, Geno, LC, and Kris.
Walking down the stairs, i head to the stage as I hear lots of clapping.

Tears fell down my eyes as I reach Mario.
I hug him.

"We couldnt turn you down," Mario says as I wipe my tears from my eyes.
I get greeted by everyone else as I get my jersey with the numbers 12 on the shoulder of it.

I get the pictures down as I walk down the stage with Mario in front of me.
We walk out of an door as reporters were on me since I was the number one draft and 1st overall like mario and Sid were.

"So Aaylah, how does it feel to be the first female in the NHL?" One asks.

"It feels great, I'm happy to be here and I'm with mny favorite team," I say.

"Whats your new number going to be since Sidney Crosby has your number currently?" another asks.

"I have no idea what my new number will be,"

"Please excuse us,"
Sercuriy pushes me into an room, which is set up for photography.

Sidney was standing right there to greet me.
He has this huge smile on his face.

"Babe you did it,"
I run over to him as I hug him.

"I'm so happy but how did you get down here fast?" I ask.

"I left as soon as I seen you get this jersey, I had to be the first person you seen in here,"
Mario walks into the room.

"Your girl made it," Mario says to Sidney.

"Can we take some pictures of you Aaylah, also could you both, Sid and Mario stay here and take a few with her?" A photographer asks.

"Yeah," I say as I walk over.
I took a few with my positions with the hockey puck, stick and I even took one on the floor.

"Ok Mario its your turn,"

I took all mine with Mario as Sidney walks in.

"Can I take a couple pose of you two?" she asks.

"Go ahead," Sidney says as I smile to him.

"Alright, Sidney stand in front of her and grab her hands,"
Sidney did what he was told.

Now look into each others eyes,"


"Aaylah, are you ok? I've been trying to tell you that the game has begun," LC says as I am still up.
Walking a few steps, I walk back and sit on a chair.

"Are you ok" LC asks as I sat down.

'Yeah, I just had a daydream," I say as I turn my attention to the game, which is 10 minutes in the first period.
Turning my head a little the guys were winning against the Cryers by one point.

I see Val on the ice as I watch him, he turned as he heads to the goalie.
He shot it as he goes up high and pass the goalie.

"Go Val," I say as I stand up, clapping for him.

"I'm glad we got him from Detroit," LC says as I sit down beside her.

"Oh I am too, hes a good scorer," I say as lines change and Sidney hops onto the ice.
I just watch him.

8 minutes later, the buzzer rang for the intermission.
Then an knock came at the door.

"I'll get it since I'm going downstairs," Ray says as he gets up.
I turn around as I watch him going over to the door and open it.

It was Bob Errey.

"Aaylah Bob is here to see you," Ray says as I turn around getting up out of my seat and heading over to the door.

"Hi Bob," I say as Ray sneeks out the door.

"Hi Aaylah, how are you today?" Bob asks.

"I'm doing alright, thanks,"

"I was wondering during intermission can you come down to the FSN suite and talk with us for a few minutes,"

I look back to LC.

"I can't leave my friend by herself,"

"She can come too,"

"Ok, hey LC come here," I say as I turn my head around to watch her getting up.

"Whats up?" LC asks.

"We are going to the FSN suite during intermission," I say.

"I'm ok with that,"

I look back at Bob.

"Ok, follow me, so why aren't you in Charleston right now?" Bob asks as I follow him down the hallway.

"It's for personal reasons," I say.

"Oh ok, Sid invited you up here with him?"

"Yeah he did, I was a wreck at the airport,"

"Oh ok, that Sidney is a good guy,"

"That he is,"
I follow him as he opens a door.

"Go ahead in first, Paul is in there with the crew," Bob says as he opens the door as I see Paul sitting there with crew around him.

I'm not used to this.

"Aaylah Thomason, come on in," Paul says as I walk to where he is sitting at.
He gets up from his stool as he places his hand out to me.

"It's great to finally meet you, I was in Charleston this afternoon but you werent there,"

"It was due to personal reasons why I wasn't there. How was the game there anyways?" I ask as he sits back down.

"They lost. The team was a wreck and werent playing well at all,"

"oh,"

"Go ahead and take the seat next to Bob,"
I walk over and sit down on a Stool as I seen LC in the back sitting down.
Bob came over and sat down.

"Ok guys we go back on the air in 5,4,3,2,"

"The Penguins are leading this game 2 to nothing and we have a surpise guest here with us now, Pittsburgh Tigers forward, Aaylah Thomason," Paul says as I seen the camera.

"Hi everyone," I say smiling.

"So Aaylah what are you doing here and not with your team?" Paul asks.

"Im here due to personal reasons. The Penguins invited me up here with them," I say.

"Well atleast you are here, how have you been liking this game do far?" Bob asks.

"I'm enjoying myself watching this game and I hope the boys can kill these Flyers, it would put me in a better mood," I say.

"They will win," Paul says.

"So Aaylah we have some questions here from people on Tweeter, can we ask them to you?" Bob asks.

"Sure go ahead," I say.
I'm really nervous about this.

"Tuttle70 asks why did you become an women's hockey player?"

"I really dont know the answer to that one, playing hockey was just an hobby of mine until Sidney Crosby seen my play then he helped me and got me a position with te Tigers,"

"So Sidney helped you?"

"Yes he did, he found a way to help me,"

"Ok next question is from Footballplayer92 and writes how is playing hockey? Is it any different for you then for guys?"

"Playing hockey is really easy for me but it wasnt at the beginning which was only a couple weeks ago. It isnt any differeny from the guys at all,"

"omglolwtfbrbthnx asks would you every go into the NHL if you could?"

"I'm not NHL material at all but if I was giving the chance I would take it,"

"And last question is from coke82, how are the guys on the Penguins? Are they nice, mean, cool, etc,"

"I love the guys on the Penguins, they are like brothers to me cause they help me out when they can. They are all nice most of the time unless you tick them off,"

"Thank you for being with us Aaylah, Second period is up next,"

"We're out," The camera man said.

"thank for Aaylah," Bob says as he places his hand out to me.

"Your welcome," I say as I shake his hand and then Paul's.

"Would you mind if I ask you to stay here and talk with us during the 2nd period, like tell us what your thinking about plays and everything?" Bob asks.
I look at LC and think this isn't fair to her.

"Don't make your decision by me Aaylah. I dont mind you doing that," LC says as she knew I was watching her.

"Ok I'll do it for the second period," I say.

"Ok,"

"Now we are finally getting to the second period and our guest Aaylah Thomason is still here. Here is the drop off and Crosby gets it to pass to Gonchar. So Aaylah who have you been hanging around with on the team?" Paul asks.

"Mainly Sidney, Kris and Evgeni," I say.

"Valtteri Filppula has got that puck again," Bob says.

"He is becoming a star in this game, would you agree Aaylah?" Paul asks.

"He is just playing his hardest," I say as I look back.
LC was sitting right beside me without me even noticing.

I spoke during the entire second period as Val scored again and Geno scored as well.

"Thank you so much Aaylah for your time," Bob says as he puts out his hand.

"No problem," I say as I take off my headset.
I got up from my chair.

"I'll walk you girls back down to the suite you are in," Bob says as he gets up.

"Thank you," I say as I walk out with door with LC behind me.

"Thanks for sitting in there with me," I say.

"Your my friend and I had to let you do it," LC says as we walk down the hallway.

"Here is your room," Bob says from behind us.
Lc walks over to the door and knocks on it.

"Hello girls, come on in," Ray says as he opens the door.
I turn around to face Bob.

"Thanks for the experince Bob," I say.

"Your welcome Aaylah, enjoy the rest of the game," Bob says as he turn around to head back to the suite as I walk past Ray into the Suite I was in before.

LC is already sitting down by the glass as I make my way down there.

"You did well Aaylah," Ray says as I stop and turn around to face him.

"Thank you," I say as I turn back around and walk to the front and take a seat next to LC.

"I'm getting tired," LC says as she yawns.

"You can go to sleep if you wanted too, I will wake you up when the game is over," I say.

"Nah, I gotta stay up,"
She yawns again.

A few minutes later, the guys came out for the third period, it was 4 to 0. Penguins were winning.
Ray has the TV on.

"Hey Bob would you like to go with me to the Tigers game on Saturday in Pittsburgh? I forgot to ask you earlier," I heard Paul ask on the TV.

"Sure I'll go with you, I would like to see Aaylah play," Bob says.
They are paying more attention to me then they are too the game.

"Ok Crosby's line is out first with that of Mike Richards. Crosby gets the puck on the draw,"

After 35 minutes of watching, the final buzzer rang.

"The Penguins win here in Philly 5 to 0," Bob says.
I stand up as the guy celebrate then head off the ice.

"The Third Star in todays game from the Flyers, Jeff Carter,"
Lots of chants came as he skates then skates off of the ice.

"Second Star from the Pittsburgh Penguins, Marc Andre Fleury,"
Marc comes out.

"Way to go Marc," LC says as she and me both clap at the sametime.
He goes back in.

"And the First star from the Pittsburgh Penguins, Valtteri filppula,"
I clap as he came onto the ice.

People were booing him but I was cheering for him as he goes back in.

"Thats pretty cool her got first star in his second game with us," LC says as we both turn and head up to the sitting area where Ray Shero is.

"Ready to go girls?" Ray asks as he closes a computer.

"Yes," LC says as Ray got up and walk over to the door to open it up.

He walks out before we do as we follow him out of the room cause we have no idea where to go in here.

"That was a good game," LC says as we walk down the hallway.

"It was even if Sidney didn't score," I say as we go back into the elevator.

"Basement level please," Ray says as LC gets into the elevator last.
The doors close as it begins to go down.

A few second later, the door open.

"Thank you," Ray says as he leads the way out and back down the hall.

We walk a bit more as we reach the outside of the locker room.

"Wait out here," Ray says as he opens the door to walk into the locker room.

"I can't wait to see Kris," LC says as she smiles.
Her and Kris are closer then ever since we've been out in Philly.

The door opens.

"Come on in girls," Michel says as he holds the door opens for us.

"Thank you," I say as I walk in first.
I couldn't see Sidney anywhere so I walk over to his stall and sat down as I watch LC go striaght to Kris, who is already dressed.

I lift my head up as Val say a few stalls away from me.
Getting up, I walk over to him.

"Congrats on your goals and first star Val," I say as i place my hand out to him.

"Thanks aaylah,"
He shakes my hand.

"Your welcome," I say as i turn around and head back to Sid's stall to sit down.

I look at Kris packing with LC helping him.
Those two have glows to them and will probably have it for awhile.

"Hey babe,"
Turning my head I see Sidney standing there in his suit and his hair is all wet.

"Hey," I say as i get up to hug him.

"Did you enjoy the game?" Sid asks as he begins to pack his bag.

"Yeah and during 1st intermission I did and interview with Paul and Bob from FSN," I say as I reach up to grab his gloves for him.

"How did it go?"

"I was nervous but I did it," I say as I grab a few other items for him.

"Good, your going to get used to it, thanks babe," Sid says as he packs up everything and zip it in the bag.

He sits down in his stall as he grabs his shoes from beside him.

"Aaylah go ahead andsit down in my stall," Bugsy says.

"You sure?" I ask.

"Go ahead,"

"Thanks Ryan," I say as I sit down beside Sid as he is getting on his socks and shoes.

A few minutes later,

"Are we all ready to leave yet? Everyone packed?" Ray asks.

"Yes," Sid says as he spoke for all of the guys.

"Ok, lets go into the bus and take roll call," Ray says he heads out.
I get up beside Sid as we wait for everyone to go out.

"Go ahead Sid, Aaylah," Val says.

"Go ahead Val," Sid says as Val passes us as we follow him out of the locker room.

"Why do you always go last?" I ask as I look at sid.

"To be nice to them, I like to be out last when going out of an game,"

We walk down the hallway and I had to get behind him, so I follow him out in a single file fashion.

Once we reach outside the cool wind begins to blow.
I havent tooken off Sidney's sweater so I clutch it more to me as I walk behind Sid to the bus.

He stops as he moves his arms.

"Come on babe, you need to get in before me," Sid says as I walk faster to get up onto the bus.
The only seat was either beside Val and Tyler or Bugsy and Whitters.

"I'm going to sit with Bugsy," I say as I turn around to Sidney.

"Thats fine," Sid says as I walk to the back of the bus.

"May I sit here Ryan?" I ask Bugsy.

"Go ahead Aaylah, your probably a better fit then Sid would have been," Ryan says.

"Shut up Bugsy,"
People chuckles.

"Alright let me check to make sure everyone is here," Ray says as he stands up and began to call out names.

A few minutes later, Ray sits down as the bus goes on.

"How are you aaylah?" Whitters asks.

"I'm alright whitters. How are you?" I ask.

"I'm doing alright,"

"Was the game good to watch?" Ryan asks.

"I watched it on and off, I was talking during the second and missed 10 minutes atthe beginning of the first period,"

"Why?" Whitters asks.

"Well I missed 10 minutes of the first cause I was daydreaming and the second I was watching and talking with the guys from FSN,"

"Oh ok, how was that?" Ryan asks.

"It went well, they just asked me to stay there and help which I did,"

"They are pretty good guys," Ryan says as he bus turns.

"I can't wait to take an nap on the plane home," I say.

"I'll probably will be doing that too," Whit says as I turn beside me to see LC sleeping in Kris arms as Max is stuck on the inside.

I smiling I face forward.

6 minutes later the bus pulls into the back of the parking lot of the airport.
It stops near the plane as everyone began to get up and walk out of the bus.

"The plane has everyones bags underneath the plane," someone says as Kris and LC get up to get off as Max stops.

"Go ahead Aaylah, I wont pass a lady,"Max says.

"Thanks Max," I say as I walk infront of him as I walk down the alise and out of the door.
Sidney is standing there as I walk down the stairs.

Smiling I get off the bus and walk over to him.

He grabs my hand as we walk our way to the plane.
When we reach the plane, he lets go of my hand.

I knew that he was going to tell me to go in front of me so without his direction I get in front of him to climb the stairs up before him.

"Hey," Sid says as walk up the steps.

"What?" I ask as I make it up onto the plane.

"You cutted in front of me," Sid says as I walk into the plane itself.

"I knew you wanted me to go in first," I say as I walk to what seats we sat in last.
I go over and sit in the window seat as Sid sits beside me.

Looking over at Sidney, I smile as he comes down and kisses my cheek.

"Would everyone please fasten your seatbelt for take off? Thank you," The Captain says.

I grab my two ends and clip them together as Sidney grabs my hand in his.
Smiling, I knew he remembered I was afraid of flying.

A couple minutes later, the plane begins to move as I close my eyes and move over to Sid.
He removes his hand from me as I place my head on his chest.
His arm goes around me.

"It's alright babe," Sid whispers to me.

I open my eyes then yawn.

"Go ahead and go to sleep, I promise to wake you up when we get there," Sid says.
I reclose my eyes as I go to sleep.


Dream

I take my first steps onto the ice as an Pittsburgh Penguin.
I'm playing for my hometown team, which made me happy.

"Come on Babe," Sid says as he skates right past me as I begin to go faster to catch up with him.

"Is that the best you got?"
I begin to go my fastest as I catch him.

"Slow down Sid,"
I grab a hold of him as he did.

"Come in you two loverbirds," Charlie Michaelson says as me and Sid obey and go into the center of the rink.

"Well I like to welcome Aaylah Thomason to our team now," Dan says.

"You mean Aaylah Crosby," Jordan says as he jokes.

"Knock it off Jordan," I say.

"But thats your last name, now. Remember you married sid," Jordan says.

"And you need to act your age Staal,"

"Ok cut it out you two," Bugsy sayd.

"Thank you Malone. Well Aaylah do you know who everyone is on the team, if not we'll go around,"
Charlie was a new coach this season to the team.

"I know everyone, thanks Charlie," I say.
I missed Dan Bylsma alot.
He was a good coach when he was here.

"Ok, lets play a game twleve on one team and twleve on the other. Sidney since your the captain, you can be captain of one team and how about the rookie be captain of the other,"

I was the rookie, which wasnt true, Johnson was the rookie.

"Is that me or her?" Johnson asks.
I didnt know his first name.

"You,"

"Sid pick,"

"Aaylah," Sid says as I skate over to him.

"I knew he would pick her," Tyler says.

"Shut up,"


The teams were picked out as we began to play a game.

"Get center Aaylah," Sid says as he moves over to left wing so Geno would get in the right wing.

An whisle blew as the game began

The game went forever as the coach blows the whisle.

"What the heck," Brooks Orpik yelled.

"We need to go back and get off the ice, there is an show here and they need to get set up," Charlie says.

I sigh
Dan nor Michel wouldnt let anyone stop there practice no matter what.

"I just relize that you have Sid's jersey on," Marc Fleury says as he skates by us.

"I grabbed the wrong jersey," I say
I feel stupid right now.

"It's alright babe, Charlie didnt say anything about it and speaking of mine, you need your last name changed on your jersey," Sid says as I stop, turning around to face him.

"It's about the logo, not the name,"


2 nights later, it is opening night for the Penguins.
I stand right behind Sid, waiting.

"Fans are going to hate you, expecally the women," I say.

"I don't care, all I care about is hockey, you, and the true fans, not the obessive ones," Sid says.

"Wearing number 87 and your captain, Sidney Crosby!!!"
Sid smiles as he turns around heading onto the ice.

I was all alone with no one around me.

"And finally number 88 Aaylah Crosby!!!"

I skate out onto the ice, hearing alot of screams from me as I hit everyones hand on the way to Sidney.
I hit his hand as I took my place besides him.

"And these are you Pittsburgh Penguins!!!"

I smile as the lights came back on as I took off of the other side of the ice, so I can practice on.


FSN Pittsburgh

"Can you believe we talked to that young lady a few years ago and now she is on the Penguins and is married to the captain. This is the first time a husband and wife dup have been on the same team," Bob says.

"I can't believe she is on the team, I'm glad the new comissioner allowed women to play in the NHL now,"


Scores for the season Penguins opener
Penguins- 3
Jackets- 2

Penguin scores
A. Crosby
S. Crosby
Malkin

Jackets scores
Nash
Filtaov


"Aaylah, babe we are in Pittsburgh," Sidney says as I open my eyes to lean off of sidney.

"Oh ok," I say.

"We can stay in here while you wake up. I dont want you to trip off the stairs," Sid says as I unbuckle myself.

"How long have we been on the ground?"

"10 minutes. I really didn't want to wake you up,"

"You could have, I wouldnt have yelled at you,"

"I wanted the plane to be clear too,"

"Oh ok, what time is it?"

"It's 1:45 in the morning,"

"Geez,"

"Sidney we need you and Aaylah out of the plane,"

"Come on babe," Sid says as he gets up.
He picks me up into his arms as I wrap my arms around his neck.

"Sid I can walk," I say.

"Let me carry you off, like I said I dont want you too fall,"
He walks over to the stairs as he goes step for step down the plane as he lands on the ground.
Moving his arms, he places me down on the ground.
Unwrapping my hands from around his neck, he grabs my hand.

"Are we going to get our bags?" I ask.

"I already took them to your car,"

"Thank you ricky," Sid says as we walk across the runway to his car.

LC and Kris were standing outside of the car with their bags by the trunk.

"Where were you, making out?" LC asks as a joke.

"No, she was sleeping," Sid says as he unzips his bag for his keys.
I watch as he places his keys in as he lets the trunk go up.

Watching him, he places our bags in as Kris moves in to help with his and LC;s bags.

Then they close the trunk as Sid goes to my side of the car as I follow behind him.
Using his key, he unlocks the door and opening it up.

"Thank you," I say as I climb into the car.

"Everything in?" Sid asks.

"Yes," I say as he closes the door on me before walking to the other side.
I watch as he unlocks all the door then opening his.

Reaching behind me, I grab the seatbelt as I place it on my chest and clip it into place.

"You left us out there sid," LC says as I hear doors slam.

"I needed to get Aaylah in the car first," Sid says as I watch him place the key in to begin up the car.

"Ah, so she is more important that your own cousin," LC says as I can hear her laughing in her voice.

"Dont pull that one on me LC," Sid says as he looks both ways, pulling out of the parking place.
Turning his wheel he heads for the exit.

"Aaylah would you like to stay with me tonight at the Lemieux's house?" Sid asks.
I knew why he wanted me over there tonight so I could be with him and that we could get up early to plan and decorate for LC's birthday party at the skating rink then at an resturant in downtown Pittsburgh.

"You sure?" I ask as I look over to him.

"Yeah, I could sleep on my floor if you had a problem with me sleeping in my bed," Sid says.

"Ok, I'll stay with you tonight," I say.

Turning around I face LC and Kris.

"No doing that in my apartment and I mean it," I say.
LC knew not to do that in the apartment, even thought I think she has before.

"I won't," LC says.

The rest of the ride is slient as 25 minutes later, we come up into my apartment complex.
Sidney stops a bit so he can turn into my complex, then he took an left into the main complex.
Then he turns and parks near the enterence of my building.

"We're here," Sid says as I turn around watching them unbuckle.

"Aaylah do you have your house key on you or is it in your bag?" LC asks as I open my door.

"I'll grab it," I say as I hop out of the car and walk to the back of the car, where the trunk is up.

Grabbing my bag from on top of LC's, I unzip and side as I reach down inside of it grabbing the keys.

"Here, just place the keys in the small contier when you get inside," I say as I hand her the keys to my apartment, car and whatever else I had on there.

"I will, have fun at the Lemieux's," LC says as I place my bag into the trunk.

"Want me to take your bag in? I'll be more then happy too of you want me too," Kris says.

"Thanks Kris but I still need it but thank you," I say as he closes the trunk.

"Your welcome," Kris says as he walk in between the cars until I walk back over to the door.
Opening it, I hop back into the car as I close the door.
Grabbing the seatbelt, I buckle up.

Sidney backs out of the parking space as he turn his wheel to head back down the road.
Getting to the enternce, he looks both ways before turning an right onto the road.

"You sure the Lemieux's or your family won't mind me staying there with you?" I ask.

"They won't be mad, I promise," Sidney says.

"I trust you Crosby," I say.

"I'm glad you do cause I trust you too Thomason,"
I smile as I watch him driving.

He isn't a bad driver at all, hes a better driver then I am.

"Your a better driver then I am," I say.

"I like driving in the dark then the light,"

"Never had experience driving in the dark,"

"You will once I get off in the summer,"

"Oh, are you staying here during the summer?"

"I'll probably be going to Nova Scotia from July until late August,"

"I'm going to miss you, hopefully you know that,"

"You could come with me,"

"If I dont take summer classes, Ill go with you. Deal?"

"Deal,"

"Sidney do you have Friday off?"

"I have practice that day but I can skip it, oh you want me to go with you on Friday?"

"Could you I dont want to go be myself,"

"I'll go with you babe and that is a promise,"

Sidney reaches down for my hand.

How did I ever get so lucky with him?
I mean seriously, how did I?

A few minutes later, Sid turns into the Lemieux's drive as the gate is down.
Rolling his window down, I watch as he presses a few buttons to open the gate up.

He drive through as I hear it closing as we enter.
Sid parks in his normal parking place an he turns off the car.

Letting go of my hand, I turn opening my car door as he does his.
Getting out of the car, I close the door as I walk to the back of the car where Sidney was unlocking the trunk.

"I'll get your bag babe," Sidney says as he opens the trunk door up.
I watch as he grabs my bag first then his bag.

"Thank you," I say as he moves out of trunk.
I reach up as I use both of my hands to close the trunk of the car while Sid got the bags on his shoulder.

After he does, we begin walking to the front door.
I watch as Sid goes up onto the porch then myself.
Walking into the porch, I watch as Sid unlocks it.

"Shh, the kids are sleeping and have school in the morning," Sid says as he gently takes out his keys and places them in his pocket before he opens the door.

He walks in as I follow him.
Once I'm in, I turn around and quietly close the front door and lock it.
Turning back around Sidney stopped at the bottom of the two steps that were after the front door.

"Go aheadm" I whisper to him as we move quietly from the hallway, into the living room then down the hallway to his wing ofthe house.

I watch as Sid gently grabs the door handle to open it up.

"When you go in, go past the living room and walk to the end of the hall into the room. Thats my room," Sid says.

"I know Sid,"
He opens the door as I walk in before him as I walk quietly past te TV room where Taylor was laid out on the pull out couch.
Walking into the hall i walk past the cloest door where his parents were, then I walk striaght back into Sidney's room.
I move far ahead that Sid can get into his room.
Once he got in, he closed the door then turns on the light.

"We made it," Sid said a little louder but not too loud to wake anyone up.
I watch as he places the bags onto the ground.

"Can I get into your bed?" I ask.

"Go ahead, do you mind if I sleep with you too?" Sid asks.

"I dont mind at all Sidney," I say as I take off my shoes before climbing into the bed.

"Do you want a t-shirt and shorts to sleep into?" Sid asks as be begins stripping in front of me.

"Yes, oh I have to get this off," I say as I take Sid's sweater off as i place it onto the bed.

I watch as Sid goes through his drawer.

"Want shorts and a shirt or just shorts?"

"Just shorts," I say as I get off the bed walking over to Sid.

He turns around has he has a pair of reebok shorts in his hands.

"You can change in my bathroom, oh nevermind, be back," Sid walks into this bathroom and closes the door.

Taking my chance, I strip out of my skirt and place the shorts on that Sidney gave me.

"Sid can I pick out one of your shirts? I want to be in an shirt," I say.

"Go ahead," Sid says as I walk over to his dresser and open his second drawer to see alots of shirts so I just picked the first one, which is a white shirt that said property of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia.

Closing the drawer, I strip from the dressy shirt into the t-shirt I just got from Sidney's drawer.
Then I pick up my clothes walking them over to my bag.

Unzipping it, I place the clothes in as I walk over to the bed and grab my clog shoes as well.
Going back over to the bag, i place them in as I zip it.

"Can I come out?" Sidney asks.

"Yeah," I say as I watch him come back out in only a pair of shorts.

I walk over to the bed as I get into the bed on the right side of the bed.
Watching, Sidney walks over to his door as he shuts off the lights.

Laying down on his fluffy white pillow, I feel a movement in the bed.
Then covers covered me up.

"We would be cold without them, oh crap, Babe do you mind me laying over you for a second I have to turn on the alarm," Sid says.
I lay on my back.

"Go ahead Sid," I say as I feel Sidney lean over me as he turns on his table light beside me.
Turning my head, I see him setting his clock.

A couple minutes later, he turns off the light and gets off my chest.

"I'm sorry babe," Sid says as I turn back onto my right side.

"It's fine, what time did you set it for?" I ask.

"6, cause i want to get to the ice rink and set up by 8 since she will be there at nine," Sid says.

"Alright well if i'm getting up that early I need to go to bed now," I say.

"I understand you. Good night,"

"Good night Sid,"
As soon as I say that I lean my head up as he kisses me.

turning my face back onto the pillow my eyes begin to shut for the night.