Pens vs Wings Pics

The face offs were the only time they were still enough
to get a decent shot. All of these were taken during the
miracle third period.

By this time most of the obnoxious Wings fans left thinking

they had the game in the bag! I wonder how they felt when

they all got up this morning and found out they lost????

Close enough to see the sweat dripping! Who knew he was

about to have a banner night!

Geno was the last one to leave the ice after warm up.

It was extremely difficult to get any good face shots. By the

time they were close enough to get a good one, they were

gone!

Mmmmmmm!

The one chance I got to take a face shot and the reflection

was horrible! Plus it was hard to take a picture when all

I wanted to do was look at this beautiful creature!

Max was the only one who ever looked up into the crowd.

Ever the flirt, he seemed to be amused by the legions of

female admirers of all ages!

Timing was slightly off to get Sid and Geno in the shot!

Flower!

Sabourin

Flower!

My other personal favourite spent alot of time right

in front of us! I was too in awe to get any real good pictures!

Literally only a few feet away! If it weren't for that damn

glass...

Yum!

The kid in action!

WOW!!!!!

Okay, so I'm sure you all know how the game turned out last night. It was amazing, truly the best game I have ever been to!!! Magic! I have been to games in Detroit before and frankly it is my opinion that Detroit fans are not just hard core fans, but hard core haters of any other team and are extremely rude and ignorant about it. I was fortunate to be sitting in a sea of Penguin fans and we sure made ourselves known. Even better than getting to see our boys for the first time was being able to say "IN YOUR FACE RED WING FANS!"
On the lighter side, I got to go down to the glass in the Pen's end during warm up to take pictures and marvel in the awesomeness of our boys. I wasn't sure what to do; take pictures or just stare! Sid, Letang, Geno, Max, Fleury and Staal spent alot of time right in front of me. I still can't get over the fact that I was that close to them (Does it really matter that the glass was between us?) All I can say is photos do not do these boys justice! Sooooooooooooooooo much better in person! Alot of the pictures did not turn out so well because my flash was giving glare off the glass. That being said, I will post some of the better ones I got as soon as I figure out how to do it on here. If anyone has any pointers, let me know!

Chapter 64

I just wanted to let you all know that I am going to the game in Detroit tomorrow night and I can even tell you how excited I am! It's my first time seeing our boys live! The only thing better would be to see them at home in Pittsburgh (but I am not complaining!) If I get any good pictures I'll be sure to share them!



Troy was waiting for me outside the restaurant when I got there.
"Bekah, I'm so glad you could make it," he greeted politely while extending his arm for me to hold onto.
I thought back to the night I started to fall in love with Sid; the night Mario was admitted to the hospital for his irregular heartbeat. Sidney had made the same gentlemanly gesture walking me to my car.
"Thank you," I said taking Troy's arm. "I see where your son gets his manners from."
"They have a table reserved for us in the back corner. I thought it would be a little quieter back there."
'Quieter or less witnesses?' I thought to myself. Once we were seated and ordered our coffee, Troy wasted no time getting down to business.
"I'm sure you are already aware that Sidney has talked to me about this situation and that things are not good between us right now?"
"I knew he was going to talk to you, but wasn't sure when. I just want you to know that I was not the one who told him what happened. I would never do anything to come between you and Sidney."
"It doesn't matter who told him. There should have been nothing to tell. I crossed the line here Bekah and I am sorry."
Hmmm? No sign of the evil cyborg Troy from a few weeks ago!
"I understand that you feel you need to protect your son, believe me I know! I just think your protection was a little misguided."
"One of my greatest fears is the fear of the unknown. This is unknown territory for all of us. Sidney has never had a serious girlfriend, hell I don't think there's ever been anyone he could handle more than a few dates with," Troy said kind of chuckling. "Then you come along and you're older and have kids and don't take this the wrong way, but who knows what else going on in your life. Everything is unknown about you."
"In all fairness Troy, you never took the time to find out. I know you need to be sure about who Sidney spends his time with, so just ask me. Now is the time to lay everything out on the table; anything you want to know I'll tell you."
"That could take a very long time. I have soooo many questions."
"I don't have anywhere else to be."
"Okay. Where are you from?"
"London, Ontario."
"A Canadian girl eh? And the Knights at that. We were there for the Memorial Cup you know?"
"Yes, I know. I was there."
"Why did you move to Pittsburgh?"
"Three reasons actually; my grandmother, my brother and Mario."
"That's an...an odd answer. Your grandmother and brother live here then?"
"No. My grandmother and brother both passed away when I was 14. I was extremely close to both of them and didn't take their deaths very well. The one thing that bonded us all together was hockey. My grandmother LOVED Mario and passed that on to us. My brother played hockey. He was amazing. Sid reminds me alot of him actually. David was on a very similar career path until he died."
"May I ask how he died?" Troy asked thoughtfully.
"He had Leukemia. No one suspected anything. We were at a tournament in Toronto when he collapsed and got rushed to Sick Kids. They diagnosed him and he never left. It was only a matter of a few months before he died. The disease was so far advanced that no treatment could help. He died only months after my grandmother. I was devastated. They were all I had."
"What about your parents?"
"That's a whole other can of worms. My parents adopted me when they thought they couldn't have children. Then David came along, he was their biological child, and I pretty much stopped existing in their world. Long story short, my grandmother was the one who practically raised me. David always felt guilty for the way they treated me, but they didn't have much to do with either of us. My mother was against all things sport related. She thought hockey was barbaric and never got over me and my grandmother supporting David's dream of playing professionally. She was far too busy with social engagements and country club functions to bother with us anyway. My father worked constantly, never took his nose out of his paperwork or the business section of the newspaper. Both of them blamed me for David's death. I was with him when he got sick and I couldn't save him. Siblings tend to be the best bone marrow matches and since we were not biologically related..."
"That's absurd! How could they blame you for something like that? I'm sorry but these people don't deserve to have children!"
"Well, I guess they don't really. Not anymore. My mother hasn't really spoken to me since David died, that's 18 years now. As a matter of fact, David died the same day Sid was born, only a few minutes apart. That's one of the reasons I'm convinced Sidney is supposed to be part of my life. Anyways...after David died I went completely berserk! Got into some trouble and met a guy who promised to take care of me. I got pregnant, we got married and well, ultimately got divorced."
"Do you mind me asking what happened?"
"He was extremely abusive, to me, never the boys, but I wasn't about to take any chances. After he'd beaten me one night over a towel on the floor, I decided enough was enough. I packed up the boys and left."
"Do the boys see him?"
"No. Once the divorce was final and he had no visitation granted I moved away. He has no idea where we are. So I worked crappy jobs to support us while I went to nursing school, a career choice inspired by my brother, and when I graduated, I got a great job at the Children's hospital in Toronto. Loved working there and when my boss heard of job openings here, she thought of me. I wasn't really up for moving again but a promise I had made to both my grandmother and David was the deciding factor."
"What promise was that?"
"The promise to come to Pittsburgh and see Mario play. I got lucky when he came out of retirement the first time, I knew I didn't have much more time if I was going to fulfill the promise so I came. The day I came to see Mario for the first time was the day I met you and Sidney. I know it sounds bizarre, but it's just another thing that happened to bring Sidney and I together."
"Before today, I would have thought that you were out of your mind. Now I'm not so sure. You have had quite a life already young lady. I guess that's another thing you and Sidney have in common. You both grew up faster than you should have. You're both very goal oriented. In fact, I must say that I admire you greatly for having a goal and working hard to achieve it, especially as a single parent. You must have great strength and courage. I can see why my son loves you."
"And I love him. I didn't think it would happen ever again, but it has. Sid is the first person I've been interested in since my divorce. Getting involved with someone just wasn't an option for me. I didn't want my boys getting attached to anyone and I didn't want to get close to anyone again. But Sid changed all that. He kind of pushed his way into my life and now I can't get rid of him! Nor do I want to. I'm not interested in his money, I can support myself. I could care less about his fame, although I would prefer that it wasn't a factor, but it is. It's part of him and I accept that. I love him for the wonderful and amazing person he is. The person you moulded him into. I can only hope I do half as good of job with my boys that you and Trina have done with Sid."
"Judging from what I've seen and heard so far, you are well on your way. They seem to be two pretty special kids."
"I hope so. Can I just tell you one last thing to hopefully put your mind at ease?"
"I don't think it needs any more easing but go ahead."
"Sidney and I have talked in great depth about what his life is like and what it would mean to my life to be involved with him. We both think it would be a good idea to keep any relationship we have quiet. We are not even going to tell the boys right away. As far as they are concerned we're just friends anyways. I am not ready to be thrust into the spotlight as Sidney Crosby's girlfriend by any means. I am a very private person and would like to keep that as long a possible. It would mean alot to both Sidney and I if we were able to be open with our family and closest friends. He values your love and support above anything else and I know it would be so great for him to have it when it comes to this. It would kill him to do anything that you disapprove of and I will not be the one that comes between the two of you. I hope that we will have your support for any kind of relationship that we decide to have."
"I think it's the least I can do considering what I've put you both through. I am so sorry Bekah. Can you ever forgive the horrible things I said and did?"
"Already done. It doesn't matter how we got here. What matters is that you took the time to get to know me. Thank you."
"Sidney was right you know. You are exactly the kind of girl that he should be with. I don't think I could ask for anyone better for my son.

Chapter 63

"Troy, what's going on?" Trina asked extremely concerned. "Why is Sidney so angry with you?"
Troy knew he couldn't deny it any longer. If he didn't tell his wife what he'd done, Sidney certainly would and then there would be little hope of putting a positive spin on it.
"Sit down T, it's a long story."

Troy proceeded to tell Trina everything he had done and said to keep their son away from Bekah. Of course he made sure to emphasize how much he loved Sidney and was only trying to protect him and his future.

Trina tried to remain calm while each disgusting detail rolled off her husband's lips. After taking a few moments to let the information sink in, she spoke.
"You lied to me. I asked you outright if Sidney's problems had anything to do with Bekah and you lied to me! You told that beautifully innocent young girl, a girl our son is in love with, despicable lies to keep her away from him. Is that what you're telling me?" she asked coolly.
"Yes. And she's not young and innocent, that's the whole problem!"
"No...the problem is YOU! I can't believe that you would deliberately do this to Sidney, or Bekah for that matter! I know you're trying to do what's best for him, but you have crossed the line Troy. You're not only messing with Sidney's life, but Bekah's and those boys too!"
"Is that what you want for our son Trina? You want Sid to be an 18 year old step father to 2 kids that are almost the same age as his sister for Christ sake?"
"Don't you think you're over reacting just a bit? He's not marrying this girl next week; he just wants to date her. He's in love with her. He needs to explore that, and find out where it takes him."
"He's going to get hurt," Troy said sitting next to his wife and holding his head in his hands.
"And if he does, we'll be there for him. He's a big boy now honey," Trina said putting a comforting arm around her husband. "We've done everything we can do for him. We taught him values, to be a kind, loving and respectable human being, and how to make good choices. We have to trust him."
"But she's so...so...so much older than he is! And what about those kids? Where is their father anyways? Why would he want to do this to himself?"
"Because he's in love with her Troy."
"He doesn't know what love is."
"I think he does. After all, he's had us as role models," she said taking his hand in hers and giving it a loving squeeze. "Where would we be if I had of listened to everyone who told me to stay away from you because we were too young to be together?"
"And look how much we had to struggle; living with my mother; everything. I don't want him to suffer the same fate we did."
"And what fate would that be? Happily married for almost 20 years with 2 of the most amazing children on the planet? Sidney about to live his dream. You're right! Why would we want that for our son?"
"You know what I mean Trina."
"Yes I do, but Sidney has a far better start than we did."
"I just want his life to be perfect. I don't want him to go through what we had to go through."
"His life will never be perfect Troy, no matter what we do. But we will be there to guide him through, just like we always have been...if he ever forgives you."
"I'm not sure that will happen anytime soon."
"Of course it will, but you know what you have to do to help it happen...right?"

***********************************

"Hello?"
"Miss Jones?"
"Yes."
"It's Troy Crosby. I was wondering if I could speak to you for a moment?"
"I uh...I'm just on my way to work," (I lied) "I really don't have time right now. Besides, I don't think that we have anything to say to each other."
"Well, maybe you could just listen to what I have to say then."
"I did that once already Mr. Crosby and frankly it didn't work out so well for me. If this is about staying away from Sidney, you don't have to worry. I've kept my end of the deal."
"It's not about that. I'd like to apologize. Can we meet for a coffee or something? Please? I would really appreciate the opportunity to clear things up."
"I don't think that's necessary. It's done and over with."
"Well, that's where you're wrong. I know that Sidney knows about our 'conversation'. I think for all our sakes, we need to clear the air."
"Ummm..."
"Please Bekah?"
"I can meet you around 7, is that okay?"
"That's fine. The restaurant across from the arena okay for you?"
"That's fine. I'll see you at 7."

*********************************

"Hello?"
"Hey beautiful, we just got to the hotel. How's your day going?"
"Uhh, it's going. How was your flight?"
"Good. What are you up to tonight? The boys are coming home aren't they?"
"Well, Lily was going to bring them home and have dinner with us, but there's been a change of plans."
"Oh? How come?"
"I have a date."
"Excuse me? A what?"
"A date. You know, that thing two people do when they like each other? They go out, maybe have a meal, some good conversation..."
"I know what a date is," Sid replied tersely. "With who?"
"Are you jealous Crosby?"
"No. With who?"
"This rather attractive older gentleman. I was originally interested in his son, but when I told him I loved him and he skipped town, I decided to go for the next best thing."
Sidney was silent for a moment.
"Are you talking about my... dad?"
"Yep. I assume you talked to him before you left?"
"Talk? Kind of. We fought. I'm confused. Explain this to me. What the hell happened?"
"He called me and asked to meet with me so he could apologize and clear things up between us."
"Really? He must have told my mom what was going on."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because he would never, ever apologize on his own; especially if he thought he was right."
"Maybe he realizes that he wasn't."
"Clearly you don't know my father! So you're actually going to meet with him?"
"Yep, at 7. I'm actually kind of interested in what he has to say."
"Me too! Just be careful okay."
"Sid, you're acting like I'm going to meet a complete stranger in a dark alley or something. It's your father!"
"I know! And I think we know what he's capable of. Just stand your ground. If you feel like you need to tell him about us, I'm behind you 100%. He can't do anything to us now."
"Let's just see how it goes. I should go get ready."
"Yeah, we're going to go grab some dinner."
"Behave yourself Crosby."
"Of course! Call me and tell me what happens."
"You know I will. I'll talk to you later."
"Hey Beks?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
"I love you too Sidney. Miss me lots."
"Already done!"