.6.

Thank you to everyone who's reading and leaving comments. They're greatly appreciated! Sorry this update took a bit to get up, but I'm off for a whole week, so hopefully I'll be able to sit down and do some serious writing. Lots of exciting things coming up, and possiblities for some spin offs, we'll see. Enjoy :)

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In my blind rage I moved to slap the next girl but had two strong arms wrap around me before I could do anything.

“Bitch!” The first one screamed. “This is assault! I could sue you!”

“Please, do me the favour. Press charges! I would love to be able to explain to the courts how you maliciously instigated the confrontation verbally!” I screamed fighting against the still unknown arms.

“C’mon, Staci, let’s go.” Marc-Andre’s voice flooded into my ear, I stopped fighting against him and sighed deeply before nodding.

“You’re right, Marc. They’re not worth it.” I shot a glare at the girls as he let me go. I pulled gently on the hem of my coat to smooth it out and didn’t even notice the second girl storming up and punching me square in the face. I heard the crack on impact before the pain sunk in. Marc-Andre caught me as I fell backwards. I could see Max and Kris running over to restrain the girls as I steadied myself on my feet. “Max, Kris... Just leave them. I'm not hurt that badly.”

I held my hand up to my face to feel the damage. My cheek was killing me, but it wasn't too bad. And my lip was definitely bleeding. I smiled slightly as Sidney can running up and put his hand on my cheek. I winced at the shot of pain that ripped through it.

“Stace, are you ok?” He stared into my eyes so intensely, almost like if he turned away I'd disappear.

“I'm fine, Sidney,” I whispered hugging him tightly. He gently pushed me back to examine the damage.

“Hey, you didn't do so bad, Slugger.” He grinned kissing my split lip.

“You should see the other guy.” I laughed before turning towards the two girls. I took a step away from Sidney as I began to address them. “You know, I can deal with what you say to me, because I really don't care what you think of me. And neither does Sidney. But leave my family out of it. You don't know anything about any of us, including Sidney. I'm not going to press charges on you, so long as your friend doesn't.” The girls nodded weakly, feeling the steely glares from three professional hockey players. “And girls? I suggest you stay far away from me, my family and my fiancé.”

I turned back towards Sidney and held out my hand for him take. His smile grew as he took my hand and we headed towards the toboggan hill. Laura, Jordan, and Bryan came running up to us with crazy carpets and inner tubes in their hands.

“Are you ok, Aunt Staci?” Laura asked, one hand holding two crazy carpets and the other lost in Jordan's gloved one. I grinned a the sight of them.

“Oh yah, I'm fine.” I brushed it off, really not wanting to get into why the fight started with anyone. I'd tell Sidney when we got home, and were alone.

“Bryan, want to go on the tube with me?” Sidney asked as I chose my own inner tube; Laura and Jordan took the carpets. Bryan nodded enthusiastically before climbing on Sid's lap. Jordan and Laura gave the three of us a push down the hill before taking a running leap with the crazy carpets. The five of us laughed and screamed the whole way down. At the bottom we all got off our “toboggans” and ran back to the top of the hill, where we switched to Sid and I on one tube, Jordan and Laura on the other and Bryan on a crazy carpet. I screamed as Max came running up and pushed Sid and I down the hill.

As we were sailing down the hill we came up to a small jump, and,because of our combined weight, we flew about ten feet before hitting the snow again. As we hit the tube tumbled slightly knocking both of us off. I jarred my cheek on a piece of ice as I came crashing down, I could feel blood trickle slowly out of a small cut. Sidney saw the blood and came running over to me.

“Staci! Staci!” He shouted as he rolled me over, I couldn't answer him, I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe. “Staci, I need you to tell me you're ok. Did you hit your head?” He started to take off my touque and check for any bumps or bruises.

“I'm fine!” I laughed pushing him away from my head, and wiped the blood from my cheek with my glove. “I haven't had this much fun in months!” My laughter diminished to giggles as Sidney helped me up and brushed me off.

“Maybe we should go home, Stace. You can just rest.” He looked down at me, his beautiful hazel eyes full of worry.

“Sidney, I got punched in the face. It's not that serious. Calm down, I'm fine.” I smiled kissing him gently. “But if you want to go home, we can.” I looked up at him, pressing my body as close to his own as I could with all of our winter gear on. “I don't think we'll get much rest though.” I grinned wickedly, staring up into his eyes.

“I think I like that idea Ms. Lacoix.” He matched my grin and kissed my nose gently, before turning to Laura and Jordan who just made it down the hill. “Laura, Staci and I are going to head home.”

“My head's kind of bugging me.” I shrugged.

“No problem, Uncle Sid.” Laura's eyebrows knitted together with worry as I pulled her in for a hug.

“Yah, we'll make sure everyone gets home. I'm sure Flower and V can take a couple of people.” Jordan smiled doing their little hand shake thingy with him.

“Just tell your mom not to worry, I'm ok. I just want some rest and time with Sidney, ok?” I whispered to Laura. In our embrace, I felt her nod. “I'll see you soon, Laura, ok?” I kissed her cheek quickly before separating from her and taking Sid's hand and walking back towards the car.

Once in and pulled out of the parking lot, I laid my head against the cool glass. I was tired, I realized. This day took a lot out of me. Between the fight and tobogganing and Bryan, I was exhausted!

“You ok, baby?” Sid asked stealing glances at me as he watched the road.

“Just tired...” I looked over at him and smiled.

“What?” He asked self-consciously. “Do I have something on my face?” He wiped at his face with one hand causing me to laugh softly.

“No, just thinking about our wedding, and how I can't wait to be one hundred percent with you. Legally.”

“You're excited for that?” He peeked over at me again, his smile growing.

“Oh yah. I'm so excited I wish it was happening tomorrow. Getting to have you waiting for me at the end of the aisle, in your tux. Being able to promise to be with you for forever. Having you carry me over the threshold as soon as we walk up to the door. Knowing we'll be together for the rest of our lives.” I took his right hand in mine. “I'm pretty excited.”

“You'll be even more excited after Wednesday.” He laughed kissing my knuckles. “Colby said all Mel's been talking about is getting to go dress shopping with you, and now she wants him to propose so that you two can plan your weddings together.” We laughed together and I leaned my head back against the window.

“Oh Mel would too.”

“Well, she's going to feel left out if he doesn't soon.” I sat up again and looked at Sidney, raising my eyebrow. “Flower's proposing on Saturday. Don't tell V though. It's planned, right after our game. You know, we're honouring season ticket holders, well one of the tickets is hers.” He looked over at me, remembering our own engagement. “Just make sure she dresses up.”

“Oh, I will.” I smiled, resting my head against the head rest and letting my eyes close for the rest of the drive.