TWENTY-SIX

When we arrived in Nova Scotia a few hours later, Trina greeted her son with a huge hug. "I'm so glad you two made it! How was Montreal?"

"It was great," Sid replied as we stepped into the Crosby's quaint brick house.

"Are you feeling better, Karine?" Trina asked.

I smiled and nodded. "Much better."

Trina led us into the living room, where Troy and Taylor were watching television. "We brought presents for everyone," I said, pulling their gifts out of my bag. I handed Troy, Trina, and Taylor the presents Sid and I had picked out in Montreal.

"I know you chose this, Karine," Trina laughed as she checked out the black and green Kate Spade bag we had purchased. "Sidney isn't known for his fashion sense."

"Hey, I helped," Sid whined. "I told Karine green was your favorite color. But I picked out Dad's gift all by myself," he added proudly.

Troy inspected his new skates with a smile on his face. "Good call, Sid."

"Alright, Taylor, your turn," I said. Taylor's present was the smallest in size but it was the one I was most excited about. Her face brightened when she opened the velvet box and found a smaller version of the journey pendant Sid had bought for me earlier in the month.

"It's so pretty," she breathed.

"I was hoping you'd like it. Every girl should have diamonds," I replied happily.

Taylor fastened the necklace and stared at it as it sparkled against her chest. "Thank you so much," she said, giving me a hug. I couldn't stop smiling. I already felt like a part of Sid's family.

***

Later that night, Sidney's family had gone to bed but we stayed up and lit a fire in the den. We were snuggled on the couch watching the flames dance against the blackened brick and I had never been happier.

"Is it weird that we've only been dating for about three months?" I asked.

"Weird how?" Sid murmured.

"I don't know. This is going to sound cheesy, but it feels like I've known you forever. I would have never brought another boy home to my parents after only knowing him for three months."

"That's because we're perfect for each other," Sid replied. "It doesn't matter how long we've been together. You make me happier than anyone I have ever met."

"You're really in love with me." It wasn't a question. The past few days had succeeded in pushing work out of my mind, but the familiar dread that I associated with Paris was beginning to creep into my stomach.

"I love you so much," Sid replied, kissing me deeply.

"I love you, too," I replied, returning the kiss. I shoved my promotion far out of my mind and snuggled in closer to Sidney.

The den was so comfy that we spent the night on the couch. I awoke as the sun was rising wrapped up in Sidney's arms. I carefully got off the couch without waking Sid and draped a heavy fleece blanket over my shoulders. I slipped on my shoes and stepped out onto the porch to watch the sun rise over the snowy horizon. I heard the door open behind me and glanced over my shoulder.

"Hi," I greeted Troy.

"Morning," he replied, leaning against the railing beside me. "Couldn't sleep?"

I shook my head. "You guys have a beautiful view."

Troy nodded slowly. "I'm glad you and Sidney are together," he said abruptly.

"Oh. Thanks," I replied awkwardly, caught off guard.

"It's hard for him, you know? He's always made good decisions, but we worried about him when he was a teenager. Even when he moved to Pittsburgh. We were worried a girl would come along and ruin everything for him. He can't afford to have his reputation ruined by some puck bunny." I shot him a strange glance, not knowing if I should be offended. "But Trina and I both know you're with him because you love him. I mean, you're a Lemieux. Your last name is synonymous with hockey. You're not in it for attention or money. We think you're good for him. And I can see how much he cares for you. I have never seen him so head-over-heels for anyone before."

I smiled and stared at my hands. Although Troy wasn't telling me anything I didn't already know, it was humbling to hear it from Sidney's father. "Your son is an amazing person," I replied. "He's the best thing that's ever happened to me." My voice broke at the end of the sentence, because I knew it was the truth.

"There you two are!" Trina interrupted our conversation from the doorway. "I was just about to make breakfast. Are scrambled eggs okay?"

"I'll come help," I replied, stepping inside and following Trina into the kitchen.