THE END

As you can tell from the title of this post, this will be the final installment of "Such Great Heights." I really loved writing this story, and hearing back from all of you guys. It's been so much fun and I hate ending this, but I don't have enough time to devote to writing quality posts on a regular basis. In addition, I've kind of lost inspiration for these characters. I would really like to start another Sidney story, and if I do I'll be sure to say something here. I want to thank all my readers for your support. I'm still amazed by how many people read and appreciate this blog. You guys are the best. -Summer

I shot Sylvie a terrified look. “The veil,” I whispered in a terrified voice. “Where the FUCK is my veil?!”

“Calm down, it’s around here somewhere,” she replied, her voice equally terrified. She started tearing apart the suite, looking under cushions for my missing bridal veil. “Where did you see it last?”

“I have no idea!” I moaned. I collapsed onto a wing chair and tossed my head back. “This is a disaster. I shouldn’t even be doing this.”

“Oh, come ON.” Sylvie stood with her hands on her hips. “You are not getting cold feet now.”

I smiled. Of course I wasn’t getting cold feet. There was nothing that marriage could throw at me and Sid that we couldn’t handle. Our relationship had been a long-fought war, and neither of us was willing to surrender. Trying to stay together while I was in Montreal and he was in Pittsburgh was extremely difficult, and eventually I decided to find a job in Pittsburgh and moved back. I had my own apartment in Highland Park, and Sid and I had just moved in together last week, despite us being engaged for a year. We were still taking baby steps three years after we made that promise to each other in the locker room.

“Found it!” Sylvie cried triumphantly from behind the sofa. She jumped to her feet and gently placed the veil on my head. “Just in time, too,” she added with a smile as we heard the string quartet begin to play.

My father walked me down the aisle, to where Sidney was waiting for me with a huge grin on his face. The ceremony was a blur. I felt like everything was a dream and I didn’t wake up until the priest pronounced us husband and wife.

The years flew madly by. Five years after our marriage, I gave birth to our first son, Andrew Patrick. Less than a year later, we were surprised by another pregnancy. Another boy, this one named Jason Daniel. They were undeniably Sidney’s. Dark hair, dark eyes, and completely obsessed with hockey. They both went on to play professionally, but Andy decided to retire early and became the GM for the San Jose Sharks. Jason played until he literally couldn’t any more. He was a true threat on the ice—not as skilled as Sid, but physical and fast.

After dealing with raising the two boys, Sid and I thought we were done with children until we were yet again surprised. This time, by a baby girl, eight years younger than Jason and a spitting image of her mother. Adrienne Marie played hockey throughout high school, but opted out of an athletic scholarship to study journalism at one of the best schools in the country.

Sid won four more cups and retired a Penguin at the age of thirty-seven. He was approached by several teams with coaching offers but ultimately opted to stay in Pittsburgh. He took a management position with the Penguins and worked there for many years.