The Crosby Life

Jordan didn’t end up winning his trophy, but he wasn’t upset too much. This was his first time in Vegas, so he was enjoying his time here. Sid won a couple. Well, we already knew he would be coming home with one, but still, it was nice for him.
Our dad would be taking his trophies back home while we went to the Staal’s for our little summer fun. I was actually really excited to go, mainly because I wanted to see Tanya, Eric’s wife, and their son who is too cute for words.
We stayed in Vegas for one more day after the NHL Awards before heading up to Thunder Bay. I could really just relax, and that is all I planned on doing while there.
“Sierra, you just kicked me.” Jordan whined next to me.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m sorry.” He rolled his blue eyes and I chuckled again.
“We’re almost there.” Sidney said across the aisle. “Be patient.”
“Why wouldn’t I be patient? Marc doesn’t even get there for a few more days.” I pouted, noticing the look Jordan and Sidney were giving me. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Yes ma’am.” They said together, and I smiled in triumph.
“I’m glad I went.” Jordan said next to me. “Even if I didn’t get the Selke Trophy. And who knows, I may be nominated for it again.” He grinned.
I ruffled his long blonde hair. “You probably will, kid.” I said with a smile. “But Jordan, once we get you home, you have to stay off of your foot.” I gave him a pointed look.
Jordan had a second surgery on his foot earlier this month to hopefully speed up the recovery of the tendon, and he was supposed to be in a walking boot and on crutches. But for the NHL Awards, he was allowed to go without them.
The tall blonde sighed next to me. “I know, Erra.” He said. “It hurts.”
“If we weren’t in the air right now, I’d give you some pain killers.” I smiled slightly and he just shook his head.
The voice on the intercom of the plane interrupted any conversation within the plane. “We will be landing in Thunder Bay in approximately twenty minutes. Please fasten your seatbelts and thank you for flying Air Canada.” The lady repeated that in French as well.
“Well, home sweet home.” Jordan said, just as we started out descent into the airport.

Two days later, I was sitting at the edge of the Staal’s pool with my legs in the water, holding Parker, Eric and Tanya’s son, in my lap. Sidney and Jenna were relaxing on a floatie together, Eric and Tanya were cooking lunch, and Jordan and his other two brothers went to go pick Marc-Andre up at the airport.
I bounced Parker in my lap and he giggled and laughed happily as I did so. I couldn’t help but smile at the 10 month old; he was just so cute.
“He really likes you.” Tanya said behind me.
I turned around to smile at her as she set sandwiches down at the table. “And I really like him.” I said as I kissed his belly and he cooed happily.
Tanya laughed and sat down at the table as Eric brought lemonade for everyone. “You are really good with him.”
Eric sat down next to his wife and grinned. “You really are. He usually isn’t so keen on people so quickly.”
I dipped Parker’s little feet in the pool and then stood up, holding him in my arms. “I’m glad he likes me because I just can’t keep my paws off of him.” I kissed his temple and sat down at the table, holding him carefully in my lap.
Eric fed his son while he sat in my lap while I ate the sandwiches that Tanya made. Sidney carefully helped Jenna out of the pool and then they joined us at the table too. “Thank you, Tanya, for the lunch.” Jenna said kindly as she sat down and sipped her lemonade.
“It’s not a problem.” Tanya replied with a smile. “Since Sierra has Parker and I don’t have to worry about him, it’s nice to be able to just make a couple sandwiches.”
I chuckled and handed Eric a napkin since Parker was being fussy about eating. “If I lived near you, I’d babysit more often.”
“When?” Sidney question, eyebrow raised. “You play hockey too.”
I shrugged and smiled when Parker cooed at his dad. “I mean, when I retire.” I said quietly.
That got the attention of all four people at the table, and eight eyes were all glued on me. “I suppose I have to explain, right?”
“Yes.” Chimed in four voices in unison.
I sighed and shifted Parker in my lap so he was standing up, but he was lying against my chest and shoulder since Eric sat back up in his chair. “I think this upcoming season is going to be my last.” I said quietly, and four jaws dropped at once.
I smiled slightly when Parker cooed. He was too cute when he cooed. “Marc and I have been talking. It will be a lot of stress to be married and have to worry about playing.” I bit my lip softly. “What if I keep playing, and then I end up getting pregnant? Marc and I don’t plan on starting a family soon, but what if it happens? I’ll have to leave the team anyways, and then there would be a gap that would need to be filled.” Parker sat back down in my lap, his little hands wrapped around my index fingers. “We think that it would just be for the best.”
I could see the sadness in Eric and Sidney’s eyes, but Jenna and Tanya had looks of understanding. “But it isn’t like I’ll be putting hockey behind me.” They all raised their eyebrows at me and I smirked as I bounced Parker lightly. “I have already spoken to Mario, and I will be able to take up my spot on the Penguins staff since it is what I have been taking college courses for.”
“You were taking college courses? For what?” Tanya asked, genuinely curious.
I grinned. “I always knew that I would end up retiring once I got married, so I took courses to be an AT.” Their eyes widened. “Starting in the 2011-2012 season, you are looking at the Penguins knew Athletic Trainer.”
Eric laughed. “I should have known.”
“You should have known? I should have. I’m her twin for God sake.” Sidney laughed and shook his head. “I never knew what you majored in, only your minor. Why did you want to keep it from me?”
“Because I wanted it to be a surprise when the time came.” I grinned and Parker squealed in delight as if he agreed with what I said.
Tanya laughed. “I’m going to go get his juice.” She said while standing up, her eyes widening when she looked towards the stairs off the deck.
I turned around to see Jordan leaning against his crutches, with his two other brothers on either side of him. “So you’ll be retiring, but you won’t leave us?” He asked.
I stood up, shifting Parker to my hip and walked over to hug him. Parker tapped his uncle’s arm as if to hug as well. “Exactly, Jor.” I said with a smile that he returned. “You’re stuck with me no matter what.”
He laughed. “I wouldn’t call it being stuck with you.” He retorted.
“Yeah, well, if my fiancé doesn’t show himself, you will be thinking of it like that.” I said with a wicked grin.
Marc-Andre stepped around the barrier of Staals and smiled at me. “Mon amour.” He whispered quietly as I rushed into his arms, careful of Parker.
He hugged me tightly, also being careful of the little boy in my arms. “I missed you so much.” I said, just before his lips met mine softly.
“I missed you too.” He grinned as he pulled away and looked down at Parker. “And who do we have here?” He asked playfully.
Tanya laughed as she stepped around us to go get the juice.
“Parker, can you say hi to Marc-Andre?” I asked him, bouncing him against my hip. He only cooed and giggled. “Sometimes he tries say it.” I laughed.
Marc chuckled and kissed my forehead softly. We went to sit down at the table, and Marc-Andre pulled me into his lap while Parker was on mine. “Three person pile up.” Marc Staal said with a grin.
“Well, a two person and a baby pile up.” Jared laughed.
I shook my head as Parker looked at his uncle Jared. “Your uncles are very strange, Parker.” I whispered to him, and he giggled.
Marc’s arms wrapped around my waist and Eric took Parker so I could cuddle against my fiancé since I haven’t seen him in a week.
“So, I say we all go to the beach tomorrow. Or the next day.” Jordan said.
Jenna looked at him, eyes wide. “Oh, we so should! But what about you Jordan? You can’t swim.”
He smiled. “I’ll live. I need to work on my tan anyways.”
I snorted and he gave me a look. “You’re tan enough, Jordan. I am a whole hell of a lot paler than you are.”
Jordan and his brothers all laughed at that. They were all pretty tan now, from being in the sun as much as possible. “So, we might be going to the beach?” Tanya asked, taking her son from her husband and giving him his juice.
“I think we should.” Eric said. “It’s going to be a really nice day tomorrow.”
My thumb ran over Marc-Andre’s hand gently. “I think it will be fun. You guys have a bunch of motor boats right?”
“Hell yeah!” Jared said with a big grin and we all laughed.
“We could bring them. It would be a lot of fun.” Marc said and Eric nodded next to him.
Marc-Andre chuckled. “My last experience on one didn’t go too well.”
I laughed. “Oh yeah, you were with the Cup on the lake by your house and it broke down. Then you friend came to rescue you and Lord Stanley and then his broke down too!”
Everyone started to crack up as I retold the tale that was a joke between the Penguins at the beginning of the last season. “I remember hearing about that. It was too funny.” Sidney chuckled.
“Alright,” Eric said, standing up. “We will go to the beach tomorrow.” He grinned and everyone started to cheer.