I had met back up with everyone in the locker room to drop off my gifts and grab my spare outfit to change.

Kris had stepped up on the bench and got everyone's attention, "Hey everyone! I'd just like to announce the winners of the anonymous secret ugly sweater contest!" He pulled out a small slip of paper from his right pocket, unfolding it.

I stood side by side with Bri, Jake next to her, "What's this?"

"I mean it really now all makes sense why we had to write some stuff down earlier."

"I guess I missed that then huh?" Shrugging my shoulders.

"Yeah." Bri puckered her lips, as we continued watching Kris.

"The best ugly sweaters go to..." He looked up, looking around the room, "Brianna and Sydney for the fireplace and Christmas tree!" The two of us screamed in shock and excitement. Kris had motioned for us to come up to the front.

We were surrounded by happy faces and warm applause by the guys and a bunch of the staff members. Kris gave us a lift up to stand on top of the bench with his hand, kindly we thanked him. We waved to the audience, graciously thanking them for voting us for the best ugly sweaters.

Mike Sullivan then came through, the crowd with a plaque in his hand, handing it to Kris, showing it to the audience.

Andy had stepped in front and snapped a bunch of pictures with the flash on, our bright faces smiling for the camera.

"Come on girls, get snuggled up with Krissy." Andy teased.

The three of us laughed, "Don't worry, I won't bite, girls," Kris teased, wrapping his arms around our backs, placing a hand on the sides of our hips as we got closer to him, grinning for the camera some more. After the clapping had stopped and Andy was finished taking pictures, Kris had given the plaque to Bri to hang on to while I stood on the bench still. Kris had stepped down, helping Bri down with his hand.

"Thank you everyone for voting for us! That was really unexpected," Everyone once again started clapping, "But! It's time for the annual Pens Holiday video! Everything is all set up so everyone get to their marks for filming and then we'll move on to the filming of the fundraising video!"

With my words, everyone then exited the locker room, going to their places for the filming of the Pens Holiday video. I had to go quick change into my Nutcracker costume for the filming while Bri slipped into some regular but festive clothing.

My outfit was festively cute, a soldier-inspired dress with a poofy skirt and long sleeves. It was all black except for the cream trimmings and little silver buttons on my chest. I paired my dress with knee-high black riding boots and a little Nutcracker soldier hat with a white feather on top while my hair was down except for my front strands, pushed to the back being held together by a clasp.

Brianna's outfit was chicer than mine, but my outfit was more of a traditional thing I had started back in high school but perfected. She was wearing a white turtleneck sweater, a short velvety red trench coat, a red plaid skirt, paired with knee-high black boots. She reminded me of a chic Mrs. Clause.

This Pens Holiday video theme was more exciting since some of the staff members were chosen to be in the video to participate and Brianna and I were lucky to get to teach in this years video.

Brianna was going to teach holiday baking. Geno, this year, was doing Christmas Traditions, Sid, as usual, was doing Holiday Illumination, I was doing Holiday Spirit Fashion with Kris since everyone recognized how much of a fashion rivalry we have.

Bri was making sure the crew was getting set up alright before calling everyone to the kitchen, "Ok everyone! We need Jake, Sid, Andy, and my Syd to the kitchen for holiday baking!" Bri announced while the camera, sound, and lighting crew went to the kitchen with more gear.

The four of us had been split up into two teams, Jake and Andy together while Sid and myself paired together, which Bri planned out because when we were getting our aprons on she gave me a smug smile.

Sid had kindly assisted me with tying my apron while I repaid the favor by doing his. He was gentle when tying the strings together, minding my dress.

"It's a cute dress," He muttered, only the two of us could hear. "It definitely suits you."

A light shade of pink kissed my cheeks, "Thanks, Sid."

"Ok is the lighting ok on them?" Bri turned to the light crew, giving them a thumbs up and down.

"Yeah, looks good." They gave her a thumbs up.

"Ok so before filming we're going to be making mini gingerbread Pens logos," She then turned to a fancy porcelain tray, uncovering the tray to reveal a stack of mini decorated gingerbread Pens logos, "Like so!" She waved her hand in front of the tray of cookies, setting down the lid next to the tray.

"Oooh, they would look so much better in my stomach than on that tray." Jake joked, making everyone in the room.

Bri covered her mouth, "Thankfully there is enough for everyone to eat one!" She said in between laughs.

"I think we're ready!" I gave everyone a thumbs up.

"Ok," A camera crew member came out with the movie clapper, "Scene 1, Take 1, 3, 2, 1, ACTION!" He clapped the top part down, zipping out of the way behind the camera.

The four of us worked together, deciding to divide and conquer in our own teams. Sid had volunteered to stir and whisk while I measured and poured everything into the bowl as instructed by the directions in the recipe.

I had flopped the flour too hard down into the bowl, it came up in a decent cloud of powder, some getting on Sid's nose. He then took some of the flour from in the bowl and threw some at my face, getting some on my cheeks, the tip of my nose, and my one ear which made us laugh.

While the four of us were baking away, Bri was facing the camera, explaining our task, "Looks like we already have a mess in the kitchen!"

The two of us looked up, Bri had mentioned us which made us laugh and continue baking. Sid stirring, while I cracked the eggs, dropping the shells in the garbage next to me.

"Captain Sidney Crosby has been paired off with my best friend, graphic designer, and main photographer for Captain Crosby, Sydney Reed!" The two of us looked up at the camera and waved before going back to introduce Jake and Andy who were working diligently, already rolling out the batter.

Sid and I finally got to roll out the batter together. I was in front of him and our hands resting on top of each other on the handles of the rolling pin, extending and retracting our arms as we rolled out the batter. I felt so comfortable with his arms around me, it felt so natural and warm now. I never wanted to be let go.

Andy and Jake's batch of gingerbread had just been placed in the oven five minutes before ours. I had ripped off a piece of parchment paper, laying it down on the cookie sheet, Sid placing the gingerbread on top. The two of us went over to the oven, Sid with the oven mittens on, while I had opened the oven, the ovens already preheated beforehand. Sid slid the cookie sheet into the oven on one of the racks, closing the door, then giving me a double high five with the mittens still on.

While the cookies were baking, we had taken a break during the baking process, "Ok like I swear you did that on purpose!" Sid argued, playfully.

I puckered my lips, "I did not!" I batted my hand in front of his face, trying to get some more flour on his face, on purpose, of course.

He pointed a finger at me, "That time was on purpose!"

"Yes, that time it was!" I giggled, wiping the flour off my hands, I then went to wipe the flour off my face.

Sid stopped me, with his hand gently gripping my wrist, bringing it down to my side slowly, "Keep it there until the end of the scene, it will look better with flour on our faces."

A smile painted my face, my brain gave me a cheeky idea, "Ok." I agreed, innocently.

When the camera started filming again, the timers went off, signaling that our cookies were ready to be taken out.

Somehow, Jake and Andy's gingerbread managed to get burnt in the baking process, "I always burn cookies somehow! And I dunno how it happens!" Jake said in between laughs.

Our batch of gingerbread cookies came out perfect, and I had split the batch so Jake and Andy could have something to decorate.

Sid was mixing up yellow food coloring and white frosting to make the specialty Penguins yellow, and I took the Penguins cookie-cutter, stamping out the shapes in the sheet of gingerbread.

Sid stopped stirring, tapping the handle of the spatula against the rim of the bowl, "This yellow enough?" Turning my head, Sid leaned the mixing bowl towards me, catching me off guard, he smeared the yellow frosting across my face.

My body jumped and stood up straight, a gasp escaped from my lips. I then scrunched my face up, dipping my fingers into the bowl, smearing the frosting all over his face, for payback.

"You knew what my idea was!" I stomped my foot, like a little kid.

"Of course I did!" He laughed and tried to smear more across my face when I caught his wrist dragged his hand over his face.

"Hahaha! I win!" Laughing at Sid, he had yellow frosting and flour all over his face, same with me.

He licked his lips, covered in the frosting, tasting it, his eyes looking towards the ceiling, "Hey, at least it tastes good!"

Covering my mouth, laughing at his comment, all of my teeth were out. I also licked my lips, tasting the frosting, agreeing with him as we frosted the cookies.

Sid used the spatula to do the basic layering of the frosting while I went in and did the tiny details like the gloves, the skates, and the fine lines on the hockey stick and the triangle which were almost near perfect straight lines.

Once our cookies were finished, we showed them to Bri and the camera, obviously Sid and me had the messiest faces but the best cookies. Jake and Andy's cookies were also well decorated just like ours.

After the first scene, the four of us passed out cookies to everyone since they were freshly baked, and it was all about the fans and having fun today.

The two of us ended up cleaning up each other's faces with damp towels before the next scene where Kris and I were teaching Holiday Spirit Fashion.

We had instructed the three teams of two to dress someone up, in their team, something related to Christmas, I used myself as an example, showing everyone my Nutcracker outfit, giving everyone a twirl to see my outfit in full.

Kris had set a 5-minute timer. Bri was trying to dress Jake up like a Christmas tree. Geno and Amanda, one of the girls who weren't so fond of me or Bri, was trying to dress Geno up like Santa. Lizzi, who also didn't like Bri or me, was wrapping Sid up in wrapping paper, trying to make him look like a giant present.

Jake and Geno looked the most presentable, Lizzi just wasn't even trying, or she gave up with all the wrapping paper and tape because Sid looked like a mess with a bunch of small bows stuck on top of his Santa hat.

Kris declared Jake the winner since he really enjoyed watching Bri wrap Jake up in lights and put a giant star headband on top of his head.

The next scene was a lighting competition. We each got our own areas in the building to decorate and Sid was judging the little competition.

Me and Bri were paired off together, getting part of the hallway by the entrance of the locker room. We were given a fake Christmas tree, vintage Christmas lights, regular Christmas lights, a star, a ladder, a giant fake snow blanket, little snowflakes, tape, and some string.

The lights were all tangled together when we started. Bri put up the Christmas tree while I sat on one of the steps of the foldable ladder, untangling the lights, giving her the regular lights first. Instead of going around the tree, we went up and down with our lights, then wrapping the vintage lights around the tree last. We used the tape and giant fake snow blanket to stick to the wall and act as a backdrop, and stringing the snowflakes together, taping them to the ceiling. The last thing to do was to plug in the tree and put the star on top.

Bri helped me pick up and move the ladder towards the tree. She then plugged in the light which illuminated the tree.

Bri picked up the star, "Here's the finishing touch." She held the star in her hand, holding it up to me to take.

Taking the star in my hand, "Thank you, ma'am." I continued to climb the ladder to the top, steadying myself at the top.

"Looks like you guys are done," Sid's voice made me turn my head, his eyes skimmed the scene and then landed on mine when he saw me at the tip-top of the ladder with the tree, "Nice job guys." He nodded.

I went back to plugging in the star into the Christmas lights, making it turn on before gently placing it on the top of the tree.

Coming down the ladder, "Thanks, Syd really helped out a lot, especially reaching the higher places." Bri had gestured to me.

"Of course she did," He extended his hand for me to take, to help me down from the ladder, kindly I accepted his hand, helping me down, "I'm really impressed."

Sid didn't lie, he was impressed with our handiwork. He declared us as the winners of the best-decorated space in under 20 minutes, which was then given time to decorate.

The last scene to shoot was Holiday Traditions with Geno. Bri and I had to get our makeup touched up and light tested before shooting which felt like it took forever, but it was also enjoyable since we got to talk to the hair and makeup crew and somewhat gossip about trade amongst the 31 teams and other hockey stuff.

The scene just was Geno, Jake, Bri, Sid, and myself. Split into two teams. Geno had the locker room set up like a classroom somewhat, desks, and a whiteboard in the middle of the room.

"ACTION!" The camera guy snapped the clapper, starting the scene.

"Ello, I am Professor Geno, today I will be teaching Holidays Traditions," His Russian accent was thick like usual and he pointed to the whiteboard where the class name was. "Yous have veen paired of vith a team memba to complete the holiday traditions," He then flipped the whiteboard around, showing the holiday tradition tasks we were required to complete.

The first was to make a list of similar things you do on Christmas Eve and then one for Christmas Day. The second was how we wrap gifts, which seemed like an interesting topic to discuss, and then we would have to wrap one. The last one was called Secret Bonus Tradition.

"Virst, make a list with your partner of da similar tings yous do on Christmas Eve and Day and ve'll see vhos the fastest, second is how to wraps a gift, again, competing vor the fastest, and da last is secret."

Like a good student like I was in school, politely, my arm extended in the air, "Excuse me, Geno? Could you tell us what the secret bonus tradition is?"

"Vell Syddy, it vouldn't be much da secret if I's told vou." He teased, pointing an empty wrapping paper tube at me.

When Geno started the timer, the four of us scrambled to write as many things down on the whiteboard.

"Uhh, how about eating ham?" I rambled.

"Yes! Yes! We eat ham!" Sid nodded, "Then we have dessert."

"Ok, uhhh, what do you have for dinner, like what is passed around the table?"

"Uh, ham, potatoes, gravy, rolls, corn, squash," I continued to scramble writing everything down. "Let's move on to Christmas Day, uhh do you open gifts right in the morning when everyone wakes up?"

"Yes, and we play some festive music."

The timer then went off, signaling us to stop writing, "Markers daown!" We sat the whiteboards and markers down on the table in front of us. "How many tings did Team Bake get?" Geno turned to Bri and Jake on his left.

Bri picked up the whiteboard in front of her, turning it around for Geno to see, "10 things! 5 for Christmas Eve and 5 for Day." She smiled proudly.

"Da! Very good! And how about team Double Trouble?"

The two of us laughed under our breaths about our team name, yes, our team name was complicated because we had basically the same name so doing a ship name would be much harder.

Turing my whiteboard around, I wasn't too confident, "Uhh, not very much except maybe for similar foods we eat at dinner on Christmas Eve and when we open our gifts on Christmas Day." My voice was hesitant.

"Good good, this match win goes to Team Bake." Geno gestured his hand to Bri and Jake who were giving each other high fives and having mini celebrations of victory.

Geno turned around, a person in the crew out of the frame had two rolls of wrapping paper, giving them to Geno, "Da next round is gift wrapping!"

Geno passed out the wrapping paper, the scissors, tape, tiny plastic bows that stuck on after you peeled the bottom tab, and a giant red ribbon that was probably three fingers big in size but long enough to wrap around the box, then we were given two decently sized empty cardboard boxes.

"Now da objective speed and neatness, I's be keeping track using a stopwatch," Geno held up the stopwatch on his phone, "Ma da best gift win!"

With his words we scrambled to start, "You size and cut!" I blurted to Sid.

"Ok!" He took a bunch of wrapping paper, putting the gift under it and guesstimating how much paper he needed before ripping the scissors through.

It made a perfect straight line, no jagged edges, "Ok divide and conquer, fold each side!" The two of us went to our own side of the box, folding the ends up, having nice creases like Geno always has in his gifts. Tape was all over our finger, hanging off, slowly decreasing in number one by one as we taped each fold down to the box.

Sid picked up the red ribbon, going to wrap it around the box, "Shit, I dunno how to tie one of the fancy ribbons!"

"Oh! I know how to! Give it here! Quick!" Sid then gave me the box and ribbon, allowing me to warp the ribbon around the box.

As I went through the technique in a matter of a few seconds, I then finished by tying the ribbon at the top, leaving floppy loopholes, and making sure the ends were even and equal.

Jumping in the air, and slamming our palms on the table, "Finished!" The two of us yelled in unison, Sid held up our wrapped box.

Geno then stopped the stopwatch, making Bri and Jake pause, they were also trying to figure out the four-sided ribbon, "Dat is amazing present! Good job!" Geno took the gift, putting it in the front. "This is vhat well-wrapped gift looks like! Volded creases! Neatly taped edges! Vancy ribbon tying! Perfect!"

"Thank you! Thank you!" I did a little curtsy with my tutu, rolling my wrist in the process.

The two of us then sat back down next to each other. Bri and Jake's gift was taken away and our workspaces were cleared off camera before we continued filming.

Geno pulled out four pieces of dark cloth from his back pockets, "Da next tradition requires blindfold!" Two in each hand he held them up in the air. He then tossed the four of us our blindfolds.

We were then directed to an open space in the locker room. We helped each other tie the pieces of cloth around our heads before slipping them on.

"Da, ok! Now I's will spin yous!" From what I was hearing, he made Bri do five spins, and Jake did five spins as well, before coming to me, placing his hands on the sides of my arms, spinning me, before stopping me. He then helped spin Sid who was standing next to me.

"Da, take off blindfold! Both of yous!"

When I pulled the cloth over my head, uncovering my eyes, Sidney had also taken off his blindfold, the two of us standing face to face.

Sid happened to look up, making me tilt my head towards the ceiling. Mistletoe. It hung from the ceiling and a pretty bow was tied neatly around the center.

My heart started beating faster when I looked back at Sid, our eyes had met each other. He had this gleam in his eyes, and it was a bit dark and seductive.

He stepped closer, snaking his arm on my lower back, just above my butt, then pulling me closer. My hands found their way up to his chest, laying my palms flat down on top of his sweater. His free hand traced my chin, raising it up higher and bringing my face closer to his. My heart stopped when our lips met.

Right away, I was completely blown away. I could tell he was the dominant type of person just from one kiss because it made my knees weak and give way, literally, so I wrapped my arms around his neck before I felt my one leg begin to rise and pop up in the air, like in Princess Diaries, except I didn't get tangled in a net and fall over. My heart continued to beat faster but our kiss felt so real, almost dream-like. His mustache tickled my skin but in the best way possible.

I then moved down, kissing his lower lip. His lips were already full as it is but they were so soft and plump. For a second, we broke away, his thumb sliding in between us, brushing over my lips before I laid a kiss on it. The tip of his thumb slowly and gently dragging my upper lip upwards before springing loose.

A cough from the side made us turn, Geno, Bri, Jake, and the entire crew in the locker room were just awestruck. The guy behind the camera had opened a can of Pringles and crunched the first chip, making everyone turn their heads looking at him.

I then went back to looking at Sid, blushing, taking my arms off his neck, lowering my one leg. He also took his hand off my lower back, fixing himself. We then turned to the camera, fixing ourselves, blushing.

"Uhhhhh, vell! Da perfect example of perfect kiss under the mistletoe!" Geno had a cheeky smile on his face, gesturing to the two of us for the camera.

The scene ended, and I immediately bolted out of the locker room, obviously scared, and out of my gourd for kissing Sidney Crosby. I ignored Bri's calls of my name from behind me, every other sound blurred together as I ran for the rink, trying to get away and think.

"Syd! Wait! Don't run so fast!" Bri yelled from a ways behind me down the hallway, she was obviously a bit excited about my kiss.

Running to the rink, I climbed over the railing separating the walkway and the seats, then I plopped down in the closest seat, flopping my head in my hands, my legs opened a bit as I stared at the floor of the stands.

Bri ran into the rink, finally catching up to me, "Syd!" She then also crawled over the railing, taking a seat in front of me. "Syd? You ok?" Her voice went from excited to concerned quickly when she saw me.

I knew I fucked up, "What have I done?" I dragged, quietly.

Kissing Sidney Crosby on camera was a big mistake.

"What do you mean? You didn't do anything?" Bri touched and gently rubbed circles on my knee.

Shaking my head, "Yes, I did everything, I kissed him on camera when I know damn well that he likes his privacy. Now the media will be all over him," I disagreed with Bri, "And. It's. All. My. Fault." I said in between breaths.

"To me, it looked like he kissed you," She emphasized, making me raise my head to look at her, "Maybe he wanted to kiss you like that on purpose."

"I don't think he's the type of person for attention from the media, Bri."

Bri pursed her lips, "Yes, that's true," Nodding her head in agreement, "But I think he just wanted to make a statement."

"God, I just feel like an idiot. I probably looked like an idiot too."

Bri choked up a giggle, "Nah, actually, y'all looked really hot, and the little leg pop thing was adorable. He is definitely into you if he kissed you under the mistletoe like that." She winked.

My body perked up a little bit, "Ya think so?"

"Oh, hell yes." She dragged while nodding her head in agreement.

"What do you think the headlines gonna be?" I chuckled, wiping the corner of my eye carefully.

Bri thought for a second, "How about, "Mysterious Nutcracker Girl Steals A Kiss from Pittsburgh Penguins Capitan: Sidney Crosby"?" She then stood up, extending both of her hands out to me.

Kindly taking them, she helped me up, "Hmm, that's a good one!" I then looped my arm, linking our arms together, "I was thinking, "Sidney Crosby Steals A Kiss Under The Mistletoe"."

We laughed and went back to our day, filming the last video. We called it the NHL Lip Sync Challenge. Every team would make a video of themselves lip singing the song they would choose, and whenever people used the hashtag, they would help raise money for local children's hospitals.

We had selected Band-Aid's "Do They Know Its Christmas?" Each person, from the players, to select staff, and the board would have lip singing parts, and at the end, everyone would come in, from the President to the janitors and we would all finish off the song singing together.

Of course, since it was Bri and myself who came up with the idea, we got to stand in the front of the group, leading everyone in song. Jake at Bri's side, and Sid at mine, secretly holding my hand the entire time. Geno, Kris, and Tristian also in the front.

When Sid held my hand, I knew things would be different. Our work and friendship relationship would be completely different from now on but there was the lingering thought in the back of my head that Kathy would be out there, judging, shaming, and criticizing Sid and myself.

The only thing I can thank is for the Mistletoe Merrymaking.