Chapter Three: Two weeks Later - First round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

          Diana  looked down at the players warming up, her eyes following Sidney’s movements. She was sitting with Mario and his wife Natalie up in their box at the Consol Energy Centre, waiting for the game to start. It was the third game of the first round, the Penguins coming off wins in both first and second games. They were playing phenomenally well and she was anxious for this one. It was going to be tough, but she had faith in her boyfriend and his team.

Mario leaned toward her and tapped her shoulder. Turning towards him she smiled. “Yes?”

“Is everything alright?” The look of concern on Mario’s face startled her.

“Yes of course. Why do you ask?” Diana replied a little surprised at the sudden question. Mario was studying her face, as though he was trying to decide if she was being completely honest or not.

“Are you sure? You seem…distracted.”

She hesitated, trying to figure out how to respond. She shifted in her chair uncomfortably, feeling suddenly vulnerable. “I’m just nervous and anxious is all. I’ll be fine. But thank you for your concern Mario.” Diana managed a smile which seemed to satisfy him as he sat back and began talking to Natalie.

Diana sighed, and turned back to the ice. They were just getting ready for the National Anthems. When they stood for the singing, she clutched the back of her seat. She felt ill and was afraid she might collapse if she didn’t hold on to something.  After the drop of the puck, she excused herself and went into the private bathroom just behind the VIP box. Splashing water on her face, she could hear the crowd cheering on their Pens.  She looked at her reflection and grimaced at how pale she looked.

After a few minutes Diana returned to her spot but instead of sitting she stood leaning against the wall her right hand gripping the edge of the barrier that separated the box from the seats below. Her left hand lay gently on her stomach almost as if to keep it still. She could feel Mario’s eyes on her but didn’t dare look at him.  She knew he didn’t believe that she was okay, yet he wouldn’t say anything. Mario would leave it up to her, whether or not she would say anything.

Forty two seconds into the third period, Sid won the face off and went straight to the net as Matt Niskanen controlled the puck. Matt saw Sidney tap his stick on the ice and shot it through the opposing defence men right onto Sid’s stick. With a swift spin-o-rama, Sid let the puck go, watching as it sailed above the goaltenders shoulder and into the back of the net. He fist pumped the air as his team mates skated to him in congratulations.

Diana grinned and shouted “YES!” as she watched her man celebrate his goal. It was his second goal of the game and he already had an assist. The score now at 4-1 for the Penguins,  Diana was ecstatic. She hoped the team would continue to battle for the rest of the period and keep the opposition away from their goalie Marc Andre Fleury.

Just then, Diana slumped against the wall, a wave of nausea and light headedness rushing over her. Without warning, everything started to go black and just before she passed out, she felt Mario’s powerful arms grab her to keep her from hitting her head. Then, darkness.

When she awoke, she was laying on a couch in Mario’s private suite, Natalie sitting next to her a cold cloth on her forehead. Natalie turned toward the other side of the room. “Mario, she’s awake.”

Dr. Burke was also there, standing with Mario talking in low hushed tones. Diana tried to sit up as they came toward her but Natalie gently pushed her down. “No sweetie stay still. You fainted.”

“What happened? How long have I been out? Is the game over?” Diana’s head was swimming with confusion. She couldn’t remember how she had passed out or what she was doing. All she could remember was that Sid had scored his second goal of the game then nothing.

“It’s alright, you fainted. There’s just over two minutes left in the game. You’ll be fine though, I promise.” Dr. Burke, smiled and gently took her wrist to feel her pulse. Then he sat down on a chair beside the couch and looked at Diana with concern.

“How are you feeling right now Diana?” He asked

“Okay I guess, a little sick to my stomach, but I’m okay.” Diana looked from the doctor, to Mario to Natalie all of whom were staring at her with concern on their faces. “What? Why are you all staring at me like that?” She asked, becoming frightened.

Dr. Burke turned and asked Natalie and Mario if they could give the two of them a few seconds alone. They nodded and left the room. Mario poked his head in a second later and said they were going to watch the last two minutes, then Mario would go and summon Sidney. After he left, Dr. Burke turned once again to Diana.

“Diana, when was your last period?”  He asked calmly, looking intently at the young woman laying on the couch.

          Diana’s head began to spin. Suddenly it all made sense; the nausea, the mood swings, the dizziness. Her eyes widened as she stared back at the doctor. “I…I can’t remember.” She said quietly.

“I think maybe you should head to the hospital after Sid is changed and everything and get a pregnancy test. I have a feeling that you’re pregnant.” Dr. Burke, rested his hand on her shoulder. His eyes showed kindness and concern.

“I suppose you’re right. I’ll go, but how am I going to explain this to Sid?” Diana was worried that he’d be upset. She wasn’t sure how he was going to react if they confirmed what she was pretty certain she already knew.

“Don’t worry about that. Mario assured me he would explain it all to him, on their way up here. Everything will be fine. Just one thing, you need to eat better. That’s most likely why you fainted. Take better care of yourself Diana.”

Diana nodded as she slowly sat up. She sat there for a minute after Dr. Burke left thinking about what this all meant. She hoped that Sidney would be okay with this. More then anything she hoped the doctor was right and that everything would be fine. She could hear the buzzer signalling the end of the game, followed by the eruption of cheers from the crowd as the Penguins had won their third playoff game in a row. One more to go and that round was theirs.

She was standing by the sink with a glass of water when Mario entered the room, followed by a very worried Sid. He rushed to her, gathering her in his arms and pulling her tightly against him. She responded by wrapping her arms around his waist and laying her head against his chest. She could hear his heart pounding hard against his rib cage.

“My God Diana! Are you alright? You aren’t hurt or anything?” His eyes were filled with fear as he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her repeatedly. She closed her eyes and sighed at the touch of his lips against her skin. She loved how soft they were, she loved being so close and being able to take in his scent.

“Yes, I’m alright Sidney. I promise. Did Mario explain everything?”

“He did. We’ll head to the hospital right away. No matter what happens, we’ll deal with it together. I’ll never leave you Diana. I promise. I  love you.” Sid kissed her mouth once more then pulled her against him. Her arms tightened around him as she laid her head back against his chest. They stood there holding each other for a few more minutes. Then after saying thanks and goodbye to Mario and Natalie, they walked out hand in hand to the rover and headed over to Allegheny General.