I Don't Want to Miss a Thing

THREE YEARS LATER

“5.…4.…3...2...1 WE WON!” I screamed hugging Vero, jumping up and down.

“Mommy, mommy, mommy!” Stephanie yelled. “We won?!”

I spun around and picked up Sidney and my three year old daughter. I placed a noisy kiss on her cheek. “Yes baby, we won.” I couldn’t help but smile and cry at the same time.

Life was pretty much perfect for Sidney and I. We’ve been married three years and had a beautiful daughter and a son on the way, though Sidney didn’t know that yet. We did go through some hard times though in our personal lives and in the hockey world. I actually had a miscarriage the second year of our marriage, it was hard all of us especially Stephanie. The Penguins ended up making it the playoffs for the fifth season in a row and made it to the Cup finals again last season, but ended up losing in game 6 to the Blackhawks. Sidney took that loss hard because for some of the guys that was their last time playing as a Pen.

“Vero, Taylor. Come on, we can go down to the ice now.” Mario smiled at us and lead us down to the ice since we watched the game from his box.

Stephanie jumped from my arms and ran ahead of me to meet up with Mario. I couldn’t help but laugh, Steph was so much like Sidney it was scary. She wanted to play for the Penguins and Mario, so when she gets a little older Sid and I are going to sign her up to play on the baby Penguins team that Sidney sponsors.

“Stephanie, come here and leave Mario alone. He needs to go be with the boys.” I laughed, practically pulling my daughter off of Mario’s arm.

Mario chuckled and placed a kiss on Stephanie’s forehead. “You’ll get your chance to be out there with daddy in a second.”

I smiled and placed a kiss on Mario’s cheek. I cheered as they brought the Con Smyth out and held my breath, wondering who would win it this season.

“The Conn Smythe trophy for Most Valuable Player goes to Marc-Andre Fleury.” The announcer said as the team and crowd went crazy. I turned to Vero and saw that she had tears streaming down her face as she watched Flower get his picture taken with the trophy.

Finally the keeper of the cup came out onto the ice and the crowd went nuts. Vero, Stephanie and I included. I looked at the boys and smiled, they were all so excited. Finally the Cup was placed on the table and Sidney skated over to it.

“Congratulations Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins for winning the Stanley Cup.” Gary Bettman announced and shook Sidney’s hand before pictures, then Sidney lifted the Cup and the place went completely nuts. I was so excited, my husband and favorite team just won the Stanley Cup. I looked next to me as both of our families walked up to me. Stephanie squealed when she saw her two favorite aunts.

I laughed. “Tay, Man look out you’re about to get attacked in about five seconds. I’m releasing the Kraken.” I laughed and so did everyone else as I set Stephanie on the ground and she ran to her aunts. I turned to my in-laws and parents. “Hey guys,” I smiled giving my mom and dad hugs and then Troy and Trina. “So how about that game?” I asked with a huge smile on my face. Dad and Troy’s smiles mirrored mine. But they were different, Troy’s was proud, while my dad’s was from the excitement of getting to see the Penguins play in the Cup Finals and win the Cup.

After a while, Troy and Dad went to talk to some of the other fathers, which left the moms and me. “How are you feeling sweetie?” My mom asked.

“I’m great, I’m just super excited. I can’t believe they won again.” I smiled.

“That’s not what I meant. I meant how is your pregnancy going?”

“It’s going fine mom. I just went to the doctors before the game tonight. Everything is good, the baby is healthy.”

“That’s wonderful news dear.” Trina smiled. “Did you find out what you are having?”

I smiled and nodded. “I just hope he’s as good as his daddy.” I smiled.

“You’re having a boy?” Mom and Trina asked at the same time.

I nodded. “Yes and no Sidney doesn’t know.”

Just then Mario came over to the glass. “You ladies can come on now. I know Sidney wants to see you.” He smiled at me and went off to find his family.

I smiled at Trina and my mom and followed them on, Mom wanted to stay behind because she wasn’t part of the family per say. Trina and I both rolled our eyes and pulled her onto the ice. I let Sidney have time with his parents before I went over so I went to congratulate my friends.

“Taylor!” Max yelled, yes Max. They signed him for another four years and I couldn’t be more happy.

“Max!” I laughed as he picked me up and spun me around. “Congrats.” I placed a kiss to his cheek and he blushed.

“Thank you,” He beamed. “So how are you and the little bun doing?” He asked, patting my stomach.

“We are so excited for you guys.” I smiled. He gave me a look and I couldn’t help but laugh. I loved the boys, they were all so worried about me during this pregnancy, they didn’t want a repeat of the last one. I didn’t either. “We’re good. Happy and healthy. Everything is looking good for the little guy.” I smiled.

Max hugged me. “Oh that’s wonderful news Tay. Sid’s going to be so excited.”

I nodded my head and spotted my other favorite French man. “Kristopher Allen Letang, you best get your French behind over here and give me a hug.” I called and laughed when he blushed.

He skated over to me and smiled. “’ello Taylor. ‘ow are you feelin’?” He asked, giving me a hug.

I sighed. “Will everyone stop asking me how I’m feeling? This is your team’s big day. Stop worrying about me. I’m fine and the baby is fine.”

Everyone around me laughed. “You know we just love you and don’t want anything to happen to you or the little one.” Jordan said from behind me

I turned around and gave my best friend on the team a huge hug. “I know, I know. But I get enough of it from Sidney at home.” I sighed. “Congrats on the goal by the way.” I added.

“Thanks, girl.” He looked over my head and I knew who he saw. He looked down at me and blushed.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes she is here. She has Stephanie with her.” I said and walked away to find Marc-Andre.

I found him and Vero near center ice talking quietly to each other. Then I gasped when I saw Marc go down on one knee. I looked around me and noticed that I wasn’t the only one that saw this. Vero began nodding like crazy and the arena erupted into cheers and “Flower, Flower, Flower” could be heard being chanted. I smiled at my friends and ran over giving them huge hugs.

“Ohmygosh congrats you two.” I smiled and turned to Marc. “And congrats Mister MVP.”

He smiled at me and gave me a hug. “Thanks Taylor. How are you-”

Vero cut him off. “If you want to live to see your day with the Cup. Do not ask that question.” she chuckled.

I laughed at Marc’s scared look and placed a kiss to his cheek. “I’m fine. Everything is good.”

“Mommy!” I heard being yelled from across the ice. I turned and saw Sidney skating over to me with Stephanie on his shoulders.

I smiled at the sight in front of me and hugged my husband. “Congratulations baby. I’m so proud of you.” I stood on my tiptoes to place a kiss on Sidney’s lips.

“Steph, go find Flower. He wanted to see you.” Sidney said, setting the toddler on the carpet. “Stay on the carpet please.” He called after her retreating back. He looked down at me and really kissed me. “Thank you.”

“No problem, captain.” I smiled.

“How did your appointment go?”

“It went well. Everything is fine and healthy.” I bit my lip and smiled. “The doctor said we’ve bred the next hockey star.”

“What do-” He got what I meant. “We’re having a boy?”

The look in Sidney’s eyes will be with me forever. The love and pride that was there caused me to break down crying. “Yes, we are going to have a son and I only hope he play’s as well as his daddy does.”

“God, Taylor I love you.” Sidney whispered before crashing his lips to mine.

“I love you, too.” I smiled.

I sat on the bench with the rest of the wives and girlfriends and watched as the boys took more pictures and gave interviews. I sat there and watched Sidney skate with Stephanie and smiled, I was happy as could be with my family. I had people that I loved consistently surrounding me and they all loved me back. I placed my hands on my already swollen tummy and just watched my friends and family celebrating. I was happy with the life I was dealt. I had everything I wanted, a wonderful and successful husband that loved me, a daughter to love and spoil, and now we were expecting our son in four short months. My life was prefect.