So I've been content planning for Love You Anyway. Which includes a spreadsheet with multiple tabs and basically a quick, handmade calendar with the NFL schedule included (much easier than hockey btw. liking that).
But I'm struggling to decide so I need your input.
Originally, my plan was to start posting the rest of Love You Anyway in August. Then I thought, well, I could post in the beginning of camp, completely forgetting how insanely long training camp is. THEN, I went off the rails and posted part one way earlier than I intended to. Now, the gap from part one to part two is stretching endlessly. Does any of this matter? No. But you're getting a peek into how my brain works. I know. Scary place.
When I can't decide, majority rules on this blog so we are polling the people!
Pick a posting schedule:
Start Posting in August during Camp (Roughly around 8/9)
Thank you for finding for me the mackdavid blurb. I teared again reading, it was so sad, like David felt her dig, but at the same time by the end of the dinner he assured her that things were okay. I love them 💗
B, I just remembered that you wrote a chapter on mackdavid where they go to a steakhouse together, mack is super mean to david and lucie goes all big sister on mack. I want to read again, but I don't remember what chapter it was. Can you help a girl out ?
Summary: Nora and Sidney were on the same page until a miscommunication brings to light feelings that were buried in the dark. What happens when Nora asks a superstitious Sid to shift his plans?
Word count: 5.7k
Main Trope: Hurt/Comfort
Based on: Lose you by Jordan Davis
+ + +
Baby, I don't wanna know what it's like to lose you
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12 years ago this week, two 25 year olds were meeting for the first time in a Pittsburgh restaurant. Nora had been rushing in through the open doorway. Sidney had been walking out on his phone, and boom, two worlds collided. They both got up unscathed from their collision, but their worlds never separated again. It was a chance encounter out of a Rom-Com, including a spilled purse, bumping heads, and a number exchange that she is still slightly convinced was purely apologetic.
Sid insists that Nora was the prettiest girl he had ever seen and it had nothing to do with the way her forehead was badly bruising despite the ice pack she was given by the restaurant. On their first official date, she still had the bump on her forehead and Sid spent the whole night blushing every time his hazel eyes raised to it.
“I can’t apologize enough.”
He tried though.
Despite being a professional hockey player, he maintains that’s the worst injury he’s ever given someone.
But bruises heal and Nora came away with an amazing man, so she still sees the night as a smashing success. Sid’s usual, knowing smile tells her that under all the teasing and apologies, he feels the same.
Every few years, they head back to that restaurant to recreate the better parts of the evening including the meal, drinks, and 6 layer chocolate cake. It started off as a standard reservation over the years, but as Sid and Nora have been together longer, their desire for privacy has grown. The last few times they have celebrated, Sid has rented the roof top level of the restaurant out for them. They have their own private staff, a warm fireplace, soft candle light, and apparently this year, a million white rose petals lining the floor.
Once off the elevator, Nora pulls her gloves off, thanking the hostess for accompanying her up the stairs.
“Sid?” She calls out, not seeing him within the room. She continues walking, focusing on the outdoor balcony where his wide shoulders come into view. He is dressed up tonight in a simple black suit. His back is to her but white puffs of his breath float around his frame as he looks out over the Pittsburgh skyline. Circling him is various sized, white candles with more rose petals and additional vases of white roses. The combination of the white petals, yellow-ish candles, and the dark night are picturesque Penguins colors. The vision is romantic, including Sid’s nonchalant stance in the center of it all.
Nora pauses at the door, taking in the stunning sight. There is no table near him, so the display feels strangely out of place.
Oh my…
Is he proposing!?
Sid reaches a hand into his pocket, fiddling with something in there then pushing out a heavy breath like he is anxious.
Holy crap, he totally is!
Adrenaline and excitement shoot through her body at the prospect of what is about to happen. Sid and Nora have talked about marriage extensively over the years. They talked about waiting until he retired, or his latest contract was up. But then he re-signed another contract they weren’t sure was coming in Pittsburgh. He can see this being his last one. They’ve agreed over the years to avoid the distraction of a wedding or babies while he is still playing, but knowing this chapter is dwindling must have provided comfort to him.
Now, he is proposing early to give her time to plan the wedding.
This is perfect! She can get things together in the next few years, slowly, build it into a magical weekend. They can invite all their friends and family- all Sid’s current and former teammates too. The inn on their lake back home will be an idyllic venue. She can see it now, walking down the wooden steps to the dock where Sid waits for her- stoic and reserved but with huge heart eyes only for her.
He really surprised me, she thinks as she fluffs her hair, ensuring none of it is tucked into the collar of her jacket. He was also weirdly insistent that she had her nails done and was wearing the new dress she bought last week on their trip to the mall. Plus, he has always loved the idea of spoiling and surprising her for their proposal. Doing it early and on such a special night, at a special place, is exactly the way to accomplish that.
“Hey stranger.” Nora says, shaking slightly as she steps out onto the rooftop patio.
“Hey beautiful.” He grins widely at her approach. He crosses the distance between them, meeting her in the middle. “Was just checking out the city from this view. Come look with me.” He encourages her forward, careful of the candles and flower petals. His hand rests on the small of her back, warming her through her coat. Once fully inside the circle, he leans forward, kissing her cheek, then turning her chin to kiss her more fully.
“Am I late?” She wonders as they step through the path together.
“No, I’m early. Meeting was done sooner than I thought, but I didn’t want to rush you away from work.” He kisses her temple. She turns, puckering her lips and he gladly presses his there. “Mm, I missed you today.”
“Me too. The days have been long lately.”
“Yeah.” Sid inhales heavily. “Hopefully tonight makes up for that.” Nora smiles, then lets him turn her shoulders at the exact angle he was at. “Look at how the river glows from the lights at this angle.”
He is subtle with his adjustment, almost making her think he isn’t attempting to him sink down to one knee beside her. Nora plays along. She points out various places they love that she can see from here. The place she lived when they met and how terrible the parking garage situation was. Her last office building that she had the luxury of an office with floor to ceiling windows. PPG Paints Arena isn’t far from here either. As she talks, Sid steps behind her, wrapping an arm around her stomach and pulling her in close to his body. His heat radiates off her, keeping her warm despite the bitter chill in the air tonight.
The wind suddenly whips particularly hard, almost knocking over a row of vases and candles.
“Damn, this is kinda a fire hazard.” Sid murmurs. Nora’s heart begins to pound in her chest.
Maybe this is it…
“Yeah, but it’s really nice. So beautiful and romantic.” She motions to the flowers and candles.
“Isn’t it? A guy proposed to his girlfriend before I got here. They asked if they should take it down, but I said it was pretty and we could enjoy it. Brings a lot of light into the room, no? I’ll have to take notes.”
Oh… Oh.
Mortified, Nora closes her eyes, groaning slightly.
“Oh my god, you’re not proposing?” She breathes out.
“Wouldn’t that be funny?” Sid laughs, genuinely, like it’s some big joke to infer from where they are standing that might be happening.
Except it’s not a joke to Nora. Not at all. Because something she didn’t plan on when she walked in here, had morphed into the plan, and now it’s being ripped right from her fingers in a way that feels like a sucker punch to the gut. Gradually, Sid realizes he shouldn’t be laughing when he takes in the disappointed look crossing her face. His smile slides off his face as he steps back from her, hands in his pockets. He shows them to her, empty hands palm side up.
“Wow, that was really stupid of me to think you were doing that.” She blinks, clearing her throat. Her hurt is visible to Sid. She can’t mask it. It’s too big right now and the added layer of fresh, unexpected disappointment makes him shift uncomfortably.
“Wha…” Sid sighs heavily, rolling his shoulders slightly forward to enclose them together as the wind continues to whip.“Babe, we’ve been on the same page about this… when I retire we can take those next steps.”
Nora’s hazel eyes focus on the edge of his suit lapel. The sharp line curves and bends with the tears swimming in her vision. She purses her lips together.
“I know.” She says measuredly, working overtime to keep her voice steady. “But I saw all this and thought…” She pauses, putting her tongue between her lips for a moment to gather her courage. She looks around at the restaurant. With fresh eyes, Sid does the same. His face suddenly falls into recognition. In a last moment of foolishness, Nora meekly says, “You could still ask?” The words trail off at the end. Sid’s eyes slide away for a moment, then come back to hers, questioning.
“Why?”
“Why not?” Her breathing starts to increase, making quiet gasps. Sid looks down again, dropping their gazes as he shakes his head. Then he shrugs awkwardly like that’s all he has to say. A man of so many words and now he has none.
Achingly, she straightens her shoulders. This gets Sid’s eyes to raise back to her again. His search hers, finding them shimmering from her tears and the golden candle light.
“I…” He tries.
“You don’t have to say anything. It would probably be best if you didn’t.” She nods as she says it. She looks around the roof, trying to memorize the scene and let it go all at the same time. A perfect proposal- the night, the spot, the man- but none of it is hers. Even Sid isn’t, not really. He still belongs to something else. Something that he puts above her time and time again, but tonight she can’t swallow that reality and not burst into tears. “I’m gonna go.”
“No, babe. Please?” Sid tries tenderly. His fingers reach for hers, threading through her left hand. The emptiness of her left ring finger is heavier than if it had a 5 carat diamond on it. “Let’s just sit down and have dinner. We can talk.”
“About what?” She stutters out as she shakes her head. “This is never really up for discussion, Sid.” Her bottom lip wobbles and she thinks this might be when she loses it for real. Her lips tilt down into a crumbling frown.
“What are you talking about?”
“I have loved you every moment of the last 12 years of our lives together. But at what point, are we fooling each other and ourselves? Partnership is about compromise. And I’ve done a lot of it over the years for you.” She closes her eyes. “Never once has it been about me. Now I’m asking for it to be. For a minute, so I can be honest and say that I need you to reconsider. I need… something more permanent. Something that tells me that we are building a future together. That this isn’t going to be 12 years of wasted time and suddenly you’re off to the next thing. Because sometimes it feels that way. Like I’m for now and not forever.”
“How can you say that?” Sid scoffs, shaking his head at the absurdity. “Where is this even coming from?”
“Because I don’t have anything permanent from you except your word. I only get pulled into the spotlight with you for the big moments, Sid. Otherwise, it’s like I’m not even here. Because you’re shielding me or whatever it is that you tell me and yourself to make this out like it’s for the best for both of us and not just you.”
“I know this is a lot to ask.”
“Do you!?” Nora’s voice shakes like an earthquake now as her teeth chatter together. “Because until this moment, you’ve barely acknowledged that. It shouldn’t have to be like that. I shouldn’t be on the verge of leaving and you’re telling me for the first time that this all matters to you.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you felt this way.” Sid answers quietly. “I thought we were on the same page.” He repeats again.
“I want this, Sid.” She motions around at the rooftop. “I want us to start taking steps, not just talking about making plans. I- I want get engaged. Soon. We don’t have to get married right away, but I want to have a ring on my finger by the end of the summer. Can you agree to that?”
It’s a simple comprise, Nora encourages herself to stay strong.
Sid’s gaze back to her is haunting. And she knows before he says a word. It’s such a big change and that’s his biggest fear when it should be losing her.
“I don’t know, babe. There are so many unknowns with the next few seasons.” Hockey. Of course. His mistress calls to him every time and he will always answer. Until he can’t anymore. As long as he does that, she will never come first.
So while his answer isn’t a resounding no, it’s also not a yes, and suddenly that becomes a deal breaker.
“Even if I can’t live like that?” She breathes out. Internally, her brain begs for him to pull a trick play, change his mind, anything that can save them at the last second. That he will come through for them like he has for his team countless times on the ice.
But Sid says nothing. In that silence, is everything she doesn’t want to hear but needs to.
Nora watches his jaw tighten, highlighting his cheek bones and turning his features anguished. Her head lists to the side and she blinks, looking away from him. Her face collapses into the numbness that flows through her veins.
“Well at least I know where I measure up in all this now. Exactly where I always have. Second.”
“Nora, babe…” Sid’s eyes close at her words, but she doesn’t stick around to see the sincere apology when they open again. It wouldn’t make a difference to her anyway.
Instead, she does what she should have done years ago now and leaves.
+ +
Cause people break up, fall in and outta love
But giving this up is something I just won't do
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87 missed calls all from one number.
The annoying irony of that floods over Nora’s body as she continues punching numbers into a spreadsheet.
It would be just like him to leave it at that too… His lucky number, never mind how annoying it is to have her phone ring 87 times in the last few days.
After what happened on the rooftop, Nora went home. She beat Sid there, threw a packed bag into the car then numbly navigated her way back to a hotel downtown. It’s where she has been since then, working from the room because she can’t bare to go into the office. How can she show her face anywhere in this city right now?
“Fuck.” She mutters when her phone dings again, this time signaling another voicemail. She taps aggressively at the backspace button on her keyboard, going back to the spreadsheet to be sure she enters the numbers in correctly this time. Then she grabs her phone, switching it onto Do Not Disturb so she can actually get some work done today. She doesn’t have time for someone who doesn’t have the balls to commit.
She doesn’t want to hear his apologies either. Or anymore of the “I didn’t know.” Because maybe that had been true before this weekend, but he does know now. Her expectation was pretty crystal clear in their conversation. She told him before she left the roof top exactly what she needed and he didn’t follow through. If he wants to twist that into whatever he needs to so he can sleep at night- well, it’s not her business anymore.
Call it what it is. You gave him an ultimatum.
One that he hasn’t addressed in any of his attempts to contact her.
Nora’s eyes lift off her laptop, sliding out the window to take in the skyline. Across and over a few buildings is the rooftop her and Sid were on. The candles, flowers, and vases are long gone, but she can still envision the flickering of the burning wicks in the wind. A shiver trails through her, down her spine and making her arms explode with goosebumps.
Did 12 years end on that rooftop? Did it slip through their fingers in a moment of misunderstanding they won’t overcome?
A freight train of sadness rocks her body. Her head falls back to the chair behind her and burning tears gush down her cheeks. She sobs silently for a few moments, until her brain forces her to gasp for breath. Her fingers clutch at her chest with one hand; the other closes her laptop screen.
Who is she kidding? She can’t work in these conditions. Not when the best thing that ever happened to her might be gone forever.
She scrabbles her hands over the clutter on her desk to clutch her phone. She swipes at her notifications, scrolling through all his phone calls and voicemails. She listens to a few of them, mouth crumpling at the deep sadness in his voice as he asks her to call him back. In one of them, his voice cracks and he weakly clears his throat.
“I love you. More than I know how to say and I’m wrecked here, babe. Please call me.”
She can’t listen to anymore of that. It’s too sad.
Nora walks over to the bed, sinking down on the edge of it. On her lock screen is still a picture of her and Sid on her birthday last year. Sid organized an incredible surprise party for her with her family and friends, despite the Penguins having an away game. He flew everyone in- paid for their lodging, all the meals, and spa days for the girls too. He covered it all so that even in his absence, she would feel loved and spoiled on her day. At the end of the night, he flew back separately from the team to surprise her too. The picture captured her excited glow at getting him in her arms for her birthday, even if it was only for an hour.
He found a way to make it work for them.
Just like he’s trying to do now.
Nora navigates back to her notifications, swiping through until she gets to her messages. Out of all the phone calls and voicemails he left, there were only two text messages, both in the last hour.
I want us to fix this. I can’t lose you.
Followed by a simple request.
Come home, babe. Please don’t give up on us.
His desperate pleas dissolve her into tears again. She puts the phone face down on the bed, falling back onto the fluffy, hotel comforter. It soaks up her fresh tears as she grapples with going home and facing him, knowing it she does, and he won’t budge, she still may lose him forever.
What the hell is she going to do?
+ +
And I don't wanna give you a reason to leave me
I never wanna feel that freedom that people say they find
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On Saturday, Nora grabs a coffee on her way out of downtown to her and Sid’s house. It’s in an expensive gated community that feel stuffy, but necessary for their privacy. Even though Sid has been making millions since he was 18, he still doesn’t seem to fit with the older, country club types that occupy most of the houses in the neighborhood. She much prefers the families and easiness of Nova Scotia. But they need a different level of security here so chalk their home up to another one of those compromises.
On the steps of the brick, colonial house with white trim, Sid sits, waiting for her. He stands up, hands in his pockets when he sees her car approach. Damn it, even when he’s sad he still looks gorgeous. Nora clicks the button on the garage door, easing her Porsche into her place beside Sid’s Range Rover.
She doesn’t have a chance to open her door, Sid is there already, popping it open and holding his hand for her to get out. She ignores it, sliding out on her own power. Sid brushes it off with a smile as a greeting, then clears his throat.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” She says back.
Nora moves around to the back of the car to grab her big tote with her wallet, phone, keys, and work laptop. She hesitates at her suitcase remaining in the trunk. She isn’t sure what to expect from this conversation. All she knows is she owes him the opportunity to talk. And she has some things she wants to say too. But Sid grabs the suitcase out of the car assertively then they head into the house together. Sid puts her bags on the entry way bench. She takes off her sneakers and tosses her coat onto a random hook before heading for a glass of water.
Sid follows behind, but giving her space to move without him breathing completely down her neck. Nora rests her butt against the counter across the room from him. He looks exhausted, disheveled too, with bags under his eyes hinting at a lack of sleep. Explains why he has looked so out of place on the ice the past few days. She feels a pinch of guilt then shrugs it off. This isn’t completely her fault. She has some blame in this, but so does he. They both allowed things to get to this point, getting lost along the way. This is their chance to get back on the tracks or walk away.
At the last thought, tears spring into her eyes.
“Do you want to talk here?” He finally asks after clearing his throat.
“No, we should sit down.”
Sid nods, extending a hand out towards the living room. She takes her water with her and he trails behind again, keeping his distance. She hates it. He seems so far away. How will they bridge this gap?
“I hate that we are here.” Nora starts honestly, sitting down on the couch while Sid opts for the leather chair to her right, being considerate of her space.
“Me too.” Sid nods, clasping his hands together in front of himself.
“I’m…” She struggles to find the word. Embarrassed? Upset? Sad? What word would she use to describe the utter agony in her body the last few days. How does she tell him what it’s awaken in her? How it’s unshielded her from a truth she didn’t realize was there which is that she isn’t okay with this arrangement anymore. “Disappointed and I guess, feel let down by you too. I’ve tried to reason those feelings away the last few days, but they’re not going away, Sid. What they have awoken in me isn’t going away either.”
“I understand.” He responds.
“I’ve loved our life together. But more than the life and all it comes with, I love you so much.” She pauses, feeling her throat expand with a huge lump, blocking her from saying more momentarily. “But I’ve given up a lot and I haven’t asked for much from you. I know what my role is and some of it is to make life easier for you so you can focus on other things. But fundamentally, we are suddenly at a crossroad where it is unfair for me to continue this way without having my cup filled in return. I don’t want to always be the only one compromising anymore. I want us to rise up as a team.”
“I want that too.” Sid nods his head. She pauses.
“Sid, I know you. You are stubborn as hell.” She looks down at her water glass, swallowing thickly before she says this next part. “And I’m not going to beg you to love me enough to marry me. I don’t deserve that. I’m not going to trap you into something you don’t want to do either.” Sid shakes his head, rubbing his long fingers across the deep groves in his forehead.
“I love you more than a piece of paper.” He responds.
“It’s not a piece of paper. It’s a commitment. A bond. One that is very important to me.” She snaps. Sid raises up his hands in retreat.
“I’m sorry. Fuck, that came out wrong. I know it’s a commitment. I know it’s important to you. It’s important to me too. I promise. I want to marry you. I want to be your husband and call you my wife.” He sighs, face becoming determined as he stares at a spot on the floor. “I heard you.” Sid starts off again, softer. “I heard every word you said last week.” His hazel eyes are soft and earnest. She nods. “I wish I could go back and do that day differently. To save you from my pure stupidity. I didn’t think that moment through like I should have. Didn’t consider what it would look like to you. I’m so sorry. You deserved better than that.”
“It was really nice. Gorgeous. All of it.” She insists to him because it was. “I would have loved that to be…” She trails off with a shrug.
“If I could go back… I’d get down on one knee, babe. Planned or not planned. The second you walked through the door, you were so stunning, literally took my breath away and I thought, ‘I can’t believe I get her for the rest of my life.’ She picked me. That should have been our moment.” He sighs heavily. “I wasn’t prepared at all. Then things unraveled fast. I felt backed into a corner.” He says quietly. “It flipped that switch in me that makes me a great hockey player when the game is on the line, but a terrible partner when you needed reassurance.”
Nora understands this completely. She knows him, recognizes now that fierce competitiveness that drives him isn’t always something that can be turned off. He is built different than other people. That’s why he has known success at every level. In a high stress moment, he leaned into what he knew which was to push back until the playing field tilted more in his favor.
“I didn’t snap out of it soon enough.” He shakes his head. “I’ve had plenty of hours to replay that moment and it’s different every time. I want to give that to you, but I can’t. All I can do is try to fix this.” He twists his fingers together, cracking his knuckles. “I don’t want to know what life without you looks like. I don’t care to know that level of emptiness. You’re not second. There is you, then everything else. I obviously haven’t been treating you that way. And I’m going to change that. Immediately.”
He stands up, rubbing his palms on his jeans as he comes to crouch down next to her legs on the couch. He puts his hands on the outsides of her thighs, then moves them up to her hips. His thumbs rub circles into her abdomen on either side, cradling and holding her while maintaining distance if she wants to shove him away. She doesn’t. Instead she glides her right hand into the sleeve of his sweater to hold the bare skin of his forearm.
His eyes search hers, looking for permission to keep going before he continues with one more big inhale.
“I have your ring. I’ve had it for 8 years actually. I don’t know if that makes you more angry with me or less, but I want you to know that I’m not reacting to what happened. I’m repeating what you already know, but I’ve had this plan for us.” She pauses, not expecting to hear he purchased the ring so long ago. “It’s the oval one from the ring shopping we did. You loved it, glowed even when I slid it onto your finger. It was so clearly the one, just like you are for me, baby.” He licks his full lips. “Am I still the one for you?”
She nods, tearfully. Of course he is, that’s what has made all of this so hard. The thought of having to do life with him has been unbearable.
“Then marry me.” He whispers. The words are light, floating through the air as individual letters and wrapping around her body in a way that soothes the sting of the million, horrid cuts in her heart. The words fill in the gaps and so does his touch where he kneels down in front of her, grabbing her hands in his.
“Marry me, baby. Not because you asked for me to do this on the rooftop last week. Not because it’s always been part of a plan we keep talking about like after my career is over, we somehow really start living. Marry me because we are it for each other. Because we love each other more than all the other circumstances that could keep us apart. Because if it’s not you, I don’t want it. Not a single fucking thing about marriage, or babies, or building a life with someone.” Misty tears are obvious in his eyes as he brings her hands up to his mouth, kissing across her knuckles. “Marry me, please, because loving you for the rest of my life is the only thing I’m fully sure about.”
Nora pulls her hands from Sid’s and runs them up his chest to his shoulders. She grips the side of his face and neck, sniffing from her hot tears. He holds her arms at her biceps, keeping her close.
“They could take it all from me. The medals, the cups, the MVP awards. Even the C on my chest. But not you. You’re the piece of me I can’t lose.”
Nora pushes out a huge exhale because she feels like she is going to combust by the way his words fill her up with love.
“Of course, I’ll marry you. You’re all I’ve ever wanted, Sid.” She murmurs, then pulls him to her on the couch so she can kiss his plump lips. Their kiss is desperate, yearning, filled with relief and promise and apologies in a way only true partners can replicate by coming back to each other.
“Still? Even though I’m such a fucking idiot?” He mumbles into her lips.
“Yes. I love my fucking idiot.” She insists, smiling under his kiss.
Sid breaks away from her mouth, resting their foreheads together, stretching his thumb across her left cheek bone.
“That’s good. Cause I put down four deposits on four different dates for us at the inn you love back home.” He tells her. Nora pulls slightly away to look into his eyes.
“W-what?”
“Yeah. One at the end of June. One in the beginning of September. One during the holiday break. And one during the Allstar break.” She recognizes that all of those dates are within the next year. None of them are after his contract expires, or years down the line when retirement is surely their life. They’re all within 12 months of this exact moment.
“Oh… Are you comfortable with that?”
“Yes. I’m dead serious about marrying you. We know where. We have your ring. We have each other. I’m just as sick of waiting as you are. I’ve already taken up too much of our time setting limits on our love that aren’t fair to us. I’ll make it up to you. I promise. If you tell me you want a baby right now, I’ll give that to you too.”
“Slow down.” Nora shakes her head.
“Slowing down.” He nods. “Sorry, I just got really excited about seeing you with a baby. Maybe a girl? Not that I don’t want a boy but-”
“Sid!”
“Sorry… yes. I’m done talking about babies. But you would look so sexy pregnant. Okay! Shit. I am really done now. I’m going to grab your ring so I stop talking.”
“Are you flustered?” She laughs as he stands up, heading towards the stairs.
“Yeah, a little bit.”
“Never thought I would see the day…” She trails off, standing up and following him to their room. He comes out of the closet with the black, velvet box from Harry Winston. Sid pops it open, carefully pulling the ring out. Then he gathers Nora’s fingers into his hand, nudging it up her fourth one. When it stops in place, he grins at her.
“I love this as much as I did that first day.” She murmurs, holding her hand up to his chest to watch the diamonds sparkle against the black fabric of his sweater. Sid’s fingers curl around hers.
For the past few days, the world has lacked color and light. Now, in their home, in each other’s embrace, the colors begin to illuminate, more vibrant than they were before. Nora knows she’s lucky. Their love isn’t perfect- it has ugly bruises and scars as it tends to after 12 years of loving each other hard. Those imperfections doesn’t make it a bad thing.
After all, isn’t this all anyone really wants? To be loved so fiercely, so unconditionally, that it feels hopeful even in the darkest moments. To be able to lean into what you know and pull each other out of it. To dream of better days, but then pull on your hiking boots and rise up through what you need to in order to get to the top again.
Maybe it won’t always be that simple for them in the future. After all, hockey has been Sid’s love since long before he met Nora. When he loses that for good, they will need to shift again.
Maybe that’s why they are currently going through this dip. To give them an example of working through it together as a team, like they are right now too.
No winners, no losers, just teammates.
+ +
Baby, I just wanna make this last
Me over us puts you in the past, and I don’t wanna know.
+ + +
More hockey fics of mine are here for your enjoyment
The best part about nicky's birth, is david being in control outside and going crazy inside. And mack trying to make the situation lighter for them.
Yes!! Agreed! The way he was like… so calm and in the zone. Did he really know what to do? No. But did he know his wife and son’s lives were at risk? Yeah. It’s like adrenaline and pure willpower took over for him. He was going to make sure they were okay 🥺🥺
Then after they’re in the hospital and everything dies down, Mack perfectly transitions to… We’re parents now. We have to let that stuff go. 🤌🏻
I love everything about that scene! One of the first I wrote for their series!
Did you ever write a piece about a couple at dinner and she hands her panties to her man or something like that? I could've sworn it was you but I've been looking and can't find it. I have no idea what couple I think you wrote it for. If not, I really think you could do that scenario justice in the future hehe!
I can't think of a blurb/fic where I did this... But I am admittedly not great at remembering, so let's ask the blog!
Emma took that picture of Timo and she’s telling him her plans for Lio’s second birthday party meanwhile you already know he’s thinking about something else that comes after wine dates with them
Imagine it.
Them sitting together at that table, opposite sides because sober Emma already knew where this night was going.
Timo leaned back, watching her, wine glass lazing in his hand. Eyes roaming. Everywhere. Not shy. Very obvious. He’s deep in his “let’s have another baby era.” So he’s feral.
She is a little wine drunk, not enough to be crazy but enough that she is very interested in his attention. She’s warmer and lighter, starting to forget about Lio being with her parents instead of them.
Timo’s agreeing to everything she is saying.
Teddy bears as gifts? Yes.
Cupcakes because the smash cake is less cute at 2? Yes.
Two bouncy houses? “Why not three?”
Then a soft, “Em, come over here. I wanna kiss you.” He slides over on the couch, patting a spot for her. She stands slow, dress catching high on her thigh before she smoothes it out.
The kiss is unreasonably hot. Too much tongue and a little teeth and Timo’s wine spills a bit on the ground. He laughs, setting the glass down and grabbing her face with two hands now.
“I want you laid out on your back the rest of the night.” He tells her, kissing all over her face.
Emma lets out a soft whine.
“I used to say no to you all the time.” She whines as he kisses along her jaw, heading for her favorite spot. “Now it’s like… i cant… what’s wrong with me?”
