Chapter 12 – I Will Win

"Fuck no. No! No! No! No! Henry no more of these nut jobs. I am done with your wives setting me up and Phoebe can kiss my sweet ass if she thinks she is going to set me up even one more time. Every one of them either has issues out the ass, is a clinger or butt ugly. No!" I am leaning back in my chair talking on the phone to my brother.

"Look…just try this one lady that Timmi knows from the animal clinic. She comes in to see Timmi with her snake."

"Her snake? Did you say her snake? She has a fucking snake and that doesn't spell creepy to you? No, no, no Henry. Jesus a snake? Where are the normal women all at?" I hear my brother laughing his ass off. Sure he thinks it's funny.

"I actually saw this one, she is good looking, killer body and I am guessing she will fix your ailment." I sigh. I am so god damn horny my teeth are chattering. "You need to be adventuresome Cal." I can hear in his voice he thinks this is funny as hell.

"Adventuresome? Is that a joke? You want to get in bed with a woman that pulls a snake out…and not yours! But let's review shall we? I went out with Phoebe's personal trainer, she was okay in the looks department. Not killer, but okay. Amazing body and rockin tits. I met her for lunch. She wasn't really doing it for me, not the sharpest pencil in the box and way to fixated on our family. But I was polite and suffered through lunch. After lunch I paid the bill and thought I would walk her out to her car, trying to be a gentleman and she ripped me a new one because I paid the bill, said I was a chauvinist because I opened the door for her and walked her to the car and asked me what my problem was?" I shake my head thinking about that one.

"I hope you told her to scrounge through her pant pockets, move her dick out of the way and pay you back for the lunch."

"I should have. Then there was the dental hygienist that Gen fixed me up with. Oh my god Henry…she needs to make an appointment for herself. The woman was beautiful until she smiled. Her teeth were practically green and her breath would kill a buzzard off a shit wagon. Jesus. I slammed down two glasses of scotch and called it a night."

Henry laughs. "Ted told me when he heard Gen fixed you up with her that he was laughing his ass off for those reasons."

"Real funny. Then let's talk about Aunt Kates fix up."

"Yea…you got laid by that one…so what was the problem?"

"The problem is she thinks we are practically engaged now. She won't quit calling my office, she sends these goofy little love sick cards and dropped cookies off to the office. She cornered Bryce when he went out to pick up my lunch the other day and asked if she could bring it up to me. He ended up calling Tongo who had to tell her I was not interested. Which by the way I had politely done three times."

"You only went out with her a couple of times right?"

"Yep. The fund raiser. Nothing happened. I walked her to her door, kissed her on the cheek and she seemed nice enough. I called her a week later and asked her to dinner and she said she would like to make me dinner. So I went to her place, she made an okay dinner and I swear to god she asked me if I would like to fuck…I didn't bring it up."

"Was that a trick question?" Henry still is laughing.

"Well…we did…and it was okay…not sparks but it…you know did the trick. I called her three nights later to see if she wanted to go to the Sea Hawks playoff game with me as my date and she was crying. She said I hadn't called her and she was in love with me after two dates and one fuck. I was like 'what the hell?' So I cancelled the date…seeing clinger alert and she hasn't let up since. I might change my phone number."

"You must have led her on."

"Henry, I did not lead her on. She asked me to fuck….we did…end of story. So bottom line I am not going on anymore blind dates. I will beat the meat for the rest of my life if I have to."

Henry is laughing so hard he is choking. I don't know what is so funny. "Sure you will? You will be calling me in another week asking where the snake charmer is…oh that is funny."

"Yes hilarious. You called me. Is this what you wanted? To see if I would meet Satins sister?"

"No actually I was calling to see if you wanted to go with me and Steele to see a Trailblazers game next week. Timmi would love to take Vivi if you do?"

"Let me look at my schedule, talk to Vivi and see if she is down with that…don't get me wrong she loves Timmi, but she has been going nonstop to either Phoebe's or over to play with Delilah Mary at Ted's and the other night she had a bit of a meltdown and Ted had to bring her home."

"No I understand. She is doing really well with everyone but she has had a lot of people to get to know in a short time. But hard to believe she has been here almost two months."

"I know. She is actually with me at work today. I am going to have to get a nanny soon. Mom and Dad flew to Palm Springs for a two day get away and Gail woke up with a bad cold. So she is here now. Actually let me check on her, she was down on the drafting floor with Tongo talking to my new employee who speaks Spanish. I need to go get her."

"I can't believe how well she is doing speaking English. She is Grey smart…I will give you that."

"Ha…Grey smart. I will have to remember that. What happened to your kids then?"

"What are you talking about? Steele is smart as shit. Ricky…well he's smart he is just a handful. He makes you look like a saint when you were that age."

"I know…just kidding. Gotta run…let me get back to you and tell Steele that I will help him with his car for the soap box derby since you can't even draw a stick person. We will make a killer car."

"No I got this man. We may not win…but you know I like doing that shit with him. The whole cub scouts thing…you know I am not that familiar with it…but Timmi insisted, so I am all in."

Henry is a great dad. He does everything with his boys and I am not surprised that even though he knows Steele's car might suck, they will make the most of it. Steele is a great little kid. Easy going and always happy. We joke that he is exactly like Timmi because he sure isn't like Henry other than he is a good little athlete.

My new architect, Cecila Morales started about three weeks ago and by and large I have avoided her. Not strategically but I have nothing to discuss with her. The first week she came up to my office and tried to show me her work and I reminded her that Matt Fulton was her supervisor. He is a gifted architect and he would show me her work when he was ready to show me. She tried to engage in small talk but I was very pre-occupied with the Presidential Library draft and I didn't want to be interrupted.

Another night I was working late and she stayed late and came up to my office to again try some chit chat shit and I told her I was working late for a reason…I was busy. She left but came back a few minutes later with a pizza that she ordered. I felt rude but I don't eat pizza or junk food so I politely declined. I finally had to tell Jolene and Matt to make sure she knew her boundaries. If she wanted extra help…she had a boss to go to and it isn't me. If she was hoping to get my attention to date me…the minute she signed her contract to work for me - that was off the table. I don't see her that way and I won't. My dad was clear with me when I bought this business…never shit where you eat! I told Tongo to make sure she doesn't come upstairs to the loft unless she needs to see HR.

I walk down to the warehouse floor, stop and chat with a few architects that I needed to talk to about projects, sign off on a design for office complex in Tacoma and make my way over to Cecila, Tongo and Vivi.

"Papa…Cecila talks like me." I smile at her.

"And like me. Come on…let's go get some lunch and let these people get some work done."

"No…she talks like me not like you and Uncle Teddy. You and Uncle Teddy have accents." I am a bit confused by what Vivi is trying to tell me.

"Oh Caleb…your daughter is adorable. Can I spend more time with her soon? If you ever need a babysitter I would love to do that."

Well that won't happen. I ignore her and pick Vivi up and put her on my shoulders and head to the employee dining room where Bryce has picked up lunch for us and has it set up.

Vivi tells me all about the people she met. Every one of my staff are excited to meet her and engage with her as much as they can with the language issue. But she is understanding more and more. After she has had most of her lunch I ask her more about what she meant about Cecila talking like her.

"Papa…you and Uncle Teddy talk funny…she doesn't." I think about this for a minute.

"Does she speak Spanish better than me or worse?"

"The same…you both speak it very good but she sounds more like me. You have a funny accent." I let it go. Vivi is just four years old and I doubt she even knows what she means.

The large group of women met at the Fairfield Olympic for a weekend of fun. Phoebe brought the baby but otherwise it was a no boy's allowed weekend. Henry and Jax had the other four boys and a full weekend planned and Ted and Caleb had the little girls. The entire weekend was jammed pack of activities and everyone was excited.

Timmi and Gen were hosting the first night and had a surprise in store. All the women were gathered in the large sitting room of the suite. Joining Timmi, Phoebe and Gen were Ana, Kate, Frankie, Piper, Skylar, Ivy, Mia and her daughter in-law Julia who had married Gabe just six months ago. Also in the hallway were more security than what accompanied the President of the United States. Christian Grey had insisted on it. With so many Grey women gathered in one location, he would not relent on the issue of security.

Timmi poured herself a sparkling water and made sure everyone else had plenty of wine. She had five weeks left in her pregnancy and she felt like a whale. She was going to work a few more weeks and then take her maternity leave. The clinic was always busy but she had two other veterinarians working with her so she could afford to take extra time if she needed to, and she would need it.

Henry and Timmi had not shared their news about the baby with anyone. It took them months to accept the news themselves. Baby Carter would not be born perfect, and would need some surgeries but he was going to be perfect for them. She rubbed her stomach and held back her tears…as she got closer to her due date, she became more fearful for her baby. While Henry had promised that he would love this little one just as much as the other two, she couldn't help wonder if a less than perfect Grey would cause issues. Rationally, she knew that was ridiculous as the Grey's were a close family and supported everyone. She loved the Grey's but everyone was beyond gorgeous, talented and flawless. It didn't matter to her, little Carter had her devotion and love already. Henry had reassured her over and over again that they would deal with this together. Little Carter's problems were something they could remedy with love, understanding, good medical care and patience. But when they received the news, it was a reality check that even the rich and famous were not immune to everyday life issues. As she got closer to her due date, she was over emotional and this weekend with the women in her life that she loved so very much, was just what she needed.

"Okay ladies everyone gather around. We have a guest tonight…from Hot Romance Sexy Toys!" Gen yells out. "She is going to show us some unique toys to share with our hubsters, significant others and on your own if that is what floats your boat." Gen yells out and introduces the consultant. Ana started to nervously laugh. It is one thing to know and be familiar with every product the consultant will probably demonstrate…but in front of her daughter, daughter in-laws and nieces…good lord. She looked at Kate, who laughed and winked at her.

"Bring it on!" Kate yelled out making the other women yell out and high five her.

The consultant unveiled the covered table full of every sex toy Ana had ever seen and then some. The consultant held the first item up and asked the women if they knew what it was. Everyone looked at it confused. Skylar thought it was a pastry utensil making everyone laugh. Ana had one glass of wine already and was on her second. Just enough wine to blurt out an answer.

"It's a Wartenberg Wheel." Kate spit out her wine laughing. Of course Ana knew what it was and Frankie joined her laughing. Forty years of a close friendship and the three ladies had discussed almost everything. Ana and Christian Grey's sex life was often a topic of girl's night. Mia snickered long knowing her brother and sister in-law played and often. But the others in the room sat with their mouths open not saying much.

"Yes that is correct." The consultant shared and then explained how it could be used. Then next few items were obvious…various vibrators. But when the consultant pulled out the next item and Ana Grey, now finished with her second full glass of wine declared, 'what a lovely jeweled butt plug,' Phoebe Grey lost it.

"Mother! Mom for the love of god I am about to go into a fetal position here!" The rest of the women in the room were hysterical and Ana just smiled shyly.

"Oh my god, Aunt Ana I am having really scary visuals." Skylar put her head in her hands.

"Wow…and I thought Teddy inherited his kink from his dad. Never suspected my mother in-law was such a tiger!" Gen comments while refilling everyone's wine glass. She gives poor Phoebe a hug. "Wait until I tell Ted that one…he will need to get therapy." Phoebe nods in agreement.

"Make that two of us…good god…Mom…really?"

The ladies had a great evening each buying toys to take home to their husbands and boyfriends. There was nothing that Ana hadn't seen or her husband hadn't purchased, so she sat back and privately watched everyone order. Was it wrong that she was so delighted to see her daughter and daughter's in-laws buying toys for their sexual pleasure? She didn't think so. She believed couples who were sexually satisfied had happier marriages. She giggled though thinking about how her sons might feel about the whole thing. Poor Phoebe watched her all night just shaking her head.

I am sitting in one of the theatre chairs. We have all the little girls with us tonight and they are wound up big time. Tonight is the woman's skating competition for the Olympics. The girls are out of their mind excited. Stella arrived with t-shirts with an American Flag and "Go for the Gold Lainey" on them and we all had to put one on, even my dad who is with us tonight. I must be the only person in the country that never heard of this woman before last month.

"So what are the ladies doing again tonight?" I ask Ted who just came in with a beer for me and for him. He is spending the night here than in the morning we are flying all the kids to San Diego to go to the zoo meeting up with Henry, Jax and the boys who are hanging out at Henry's house tonight.

"I think they are having some lady come to the hotel tonight to show them sex toys then tomorrow spa day and all that shit."

"Sex toys. Really? Why don't I have someone….ahhhh? Wait…is mom there too? That is just wrong."

"Oh shit I didn't think of that. Oh man… change the subject." Ted shakes his body to get rid of the thought making me laugh.

"Daddy…Uncle Caleb…shhh…we need to watch the skaters from China and some other place called….Uka something. They are Lainey's competition."

"Ukraine. I'm rooting for her." Ted jokes and all the little girls jump on him even Vivi making him laugh. He asks her in Spanish if he should root for the Ukraine skater.

"No Uncle Teddy. Lainey." She tells him in English. The girls are so excited. The whole town is excited. I missed Lainey Montgomery's performance the other night as I had a dinner to go to. She evidently did great but is in second place behind the skater from China. My mom and Vivi watched it and now Vivi is obsessed with her talking about her all of the time.

"Oh I hope she wins…I hope she wins." Charlotte crawls on my lap along with Vivi while Ted's two girls sit on his lap. Ted put Anabelle to bed about thirty minutes ago.

"Daddy…is she going to win I am so nervous." Delilah is literally ringing her hands.

"I don't know but let's watch." Ted reaches for the remote and dims the lights a bit alternating between Stella and Delilah Mary with kisses.

My dad walks in and takes one of the seats. "Hey I need a cheerleader on my lap." Stella gets up and sits on my dad's lap and tells him he can't talk making him laugh.

We watch the Ukraine skater and she does well but evidently missed one of the requirements. Again, I know nothing about ice skating so it looked good to me but the commentators are saying she blew it and my daughter and nieces are cheering. Wow…when did these sweet little girls get so mean? We laugh at them and they all run up to the front of the room to get closer to the screen.

"Jing-Wei Lau skates next for China and then Lainey Montgomery will be the last skater. Will it be Lainey or Jing-Wei? Find out after this break."

"Lainey! Lainey! Lainey!" The girls are so excited and I am really enjoying watching Vivi and Delilah Mary holding hands and Vivi cheering right with her cousins. She is twirling and jumping up and down and having so much fun. I am so damn thankful she is home with me where she belongs. She has never seemed happier.

The Olympics switches over to men's bobsledding making the girls go out of their minds. A few more commercials and finally they go back to airing women's figure skating.

"They sure know how to keep an audience by dragging this out don't they?" My dad comments. He passes me some pistachios and I take a handful.

They do a background story on Jing-Wei before she skates telling how she had to leave home at six years old to become a skater and they show her home town. Finally she comes out to skate.

The girls all sit quietly and watch Jing-Wei skate what appears to me to be a great performance. She looks so young to me and it turns out she is…17. The crowd cheers loudly when she is done. The girls are quiet.

"Oh no Daddy….does this mean she will win?"

"I don't know Stel…I don't get how they judge this stuff." Ted and I are both confused. As I am thinking this skater was flawless the announcers tell a different story.

"Jing-Wei needed a perfect performance with the margins between her and Lainey Montgomery very close. She didn't have a perfect performance. She needed a double in her jump combination and missed it doing two singles and she faltered on a few other elements. I think she could be in trouble if Lainey comes in tonight and nails her performance. Jing-Wei knows it too. Look at her face. She is headed to the Kiss and Cry area for her marks but I think she is in trouble." The commentator sure saw something I didn't. But again…this is not a sport I typically follow.

The girls cheer again. My dad, Ted and I crack up. This is hilarious watching these blood thirsty little girls.

After the commercial they show Lainey Montgomery warming up. And there she is the same beautiful woman that I read about in People magazine. But she looks different than the other skaters. Besides being more mature looking and a bit older, she has her long gorgeous hair hanging down her back with the front of her hair pulled back instead of a tight bun or short. She is wearing a pale blue sequined outfit with a sheer skirt and she looks phenomenal. She has the perfect figure…well maybe her tits are bit small, but fantastic legs! God damn. She blows a kiss to someone in the audience and she skates around the rink with her hands on her hips looking deep in thought while she waits her turn to perform. I wonder who she blew the kiss too and why I care.

"Papa isn't she pretty?" Vivi is twirling again. "Papa I want to learn how to skate." I nod but I am too busy just staring. The announcer comes back on jolting me from my thoughts. There is a picture of a young girl in skates.

"Lainey Montgomery put her first pair of ice skates on at the age of six when her uncle a fisherman in Alaska and who was her guardian, took her onto the ice. Lainey's parents were tragically killed in a plane crash in Anchorage, Alaska when Lainey was just four years old. When no relatives stepped forward to claim her she went into foster care. That is until her Uncle Chet who was out at sea as a Merchant Marine at the time, finally came back to claim the toddler. He was single and has shared that he had no idea to do with the little girl, but he felt that he had no choice. Well cut to the present and Lainey Montgomery calls her Uncle Chet the love of her life and her biggest fan. He went on to marry and raise a family in Kirkland, Washington, and adopting Lainey. He is in the audience with his wife Jean and they are very proud of Lainey." The camera cuts to her uncle and his wife and they are holding signs and a USA flag. I wonder if they were the ones she blew her kiss too.

"Lainey will be skating to Nessum Dorma. What is she thinking right now? She has been very vocal that this is her last attempt with her third Olympics. But she looks focused." The commentator stops talking and Lainey takes the center of the ice.

"Great song…one of my favorites…good choice," my dad comments. "She is a beautiful young lady isn't she?" I nod transfixed to the screen.

"Representing the United States of America… Lainey Montgomery." The girls again hold hands and jump up and down when Lainey is announced to the packed live audience.

It becomes quiet and the girls are now about five inches from our commercial sized movie screen and I smile thinking about all the times my dad yelled at us as kids saying we would go blind standing too close to the screen. They are all holding hands. Damn, they take this shit seriously. Because of the size of the screen I can see even more how absolutely gorgeous Lainey Montgomery is. She is refreshing…natural looking. She doesn't even have to try to look gorgeous. She is so naturally perfect! Many of the other skaters looked like they were wearing war paint. I shake my head…this woman has my attention.

"Man Cal…you should be all over that. She is a beautiful woman and from Seattle. Damn. She is just a few years younger than you…do any of your buddies know her?" Ted comments to me and I try to think who we might have both known.

"I have no idea…I never heard of her and trust me if I had met her I would have remembered. She is way too hot to be available don't you think? She probably has some famous athlete or Hollywood boyfriend. No way is she single." I hear the disappointment in my voice.

"I don't know about that Caleb. She has been dedicating her life full time to be an Olympic champion, I wouldn't assume she has had time for a boyfriend or to date much." My dad makes a good point.

The music begins and she starts her performance and she is graceful, flawless and mesmerizing. As the music intensifies and her moves more fluid and rapid I find myself standing and moving closer to the large screen. She skates as though she is on air and while I have determined I know nothing about skating she is perfect to me. The music hits its crescendo and the announcer is quietly talking about doubles and Salchow jumps and difficult combinations all terms I know nothing about but you know from the music that something big is about to happen making even my heart race.

Lainey jumps landing beautifully followed by another jump when the music is overwhelmingly magical and the announcer screams, "She nailed it…she nailed it." She ends her performance in a fast tight spin and she is beaming…absolutely breathtakingly beautiful when the music stops. The crowd is on their feet cheering and her hands are in the air and her head is back and she is crying and laughing and she knows she has done fantastic. We all jump up and down and are high fiving. The girls are beside themselves jumping up and down and even my dad who is never very animated is fist pumping and clapping. Wow…who knew I could get so excited about figure skating.

We watch her gather all the thrown roses and skate to that Kiss and Cry area. What a dumb name. She kisses her coaches and sits and waits for her scores…and I find my heart racing even faster. I want this for her…I really want her to win…not just because she represents my country…which is a big factor…but I just want this for her and I don't even know her.

The commentator rambles while they wait for her scores and when they post them the crowd and everyone roars with excitement. "Lainey Montgomery, America's Sweetheart, has won the Gold. She has won the Gold!" She is crying and hugging her coaches and our girls are chanting her name and USA over and over. Stella bursts into tears.

"Stel…baby what's wrong." Ted goes up to her.

"I'm so happy daddy! I'm just so happy." All the little girls are twirling and dancing. I am still glued to the screen and Lainey Montgomery. My dad interrupts my thoughts.

"Cal…how difficult would it be to make an indoor rink over on the north end of the property?"

I don't want to talk…I want to watch the replays and keep watching her. I can't say I have ever been drawn to a woman like this before. At least not someone on TV or a person I have never met. There is something about her. My dad clears his throat getting my attention. "What…oh how big do you want it?"

"I don't know that property is so far from the house… it just sits there. You can make it as big as you want. Put a concession area, bathroom, changing area whatever you want." I roll my eyes…sometimes my dad suffers from serious gross consumerism. A skating rink. Yea…my mom will think he has lost his mind. I glance over at my daughter who is still twirling…then maybe not.

"Dad…we would have to look at that land. I think it is pretty marshy over there. Are you serious? I would have to consult with an air and heating crew. I mean keeping that the right temperature all year long…you thinking aluminum structure or what?"

"I don't know you're the architect and builder. Just build it. The girls would love it and the boys would love to play hockey. Everyone would enjoy it."

"I'll look into it if you're serious." I look and see Vivi still jumping in the air and twirling like the skaters and I am actually impressed at how well she does it. Poor Charlie tried and fell down, gave up after her third attempt and is sitting on my dad's lap.

"The kids would love it. I'm serious."

"Uncle Caleb do you think Lainey is pretty?" Charlotte yells out to me and as soon as she says this all the girls look at me. Ted repeats her question in Spanish to Vivi who giggles.

"Yes! She is very very very very very pretty." I say louder with each 'very' and I do a crazy dance making them all laugh.

"Do you want to kiss her Uncle Cal?" Delilah Mary whispers with both her little hands on her chin.

I raise my eyebrows and pucker my lips making kissing sounds. "YES…I want to kiss her a lot." The girls all scream. "But first I am going to kiss all of you." I have Vivi in one arm, Delilah Mary in the other. Stella on my back and Charlotte runs at me and stands on my feet. I walk with all of them on me. "Help Ted…I have a bunch of monkeys on me…pull them off." The girls are laughing hysterically.

"Lainey and Uncle Caleb in a tree…k.i.s.s.i.n.g!" I silently wish that was true laughing at them. Once I get them all off of me and they settle down, we watch the medals ceremony and I am glued again to the screen. Damn she is hot. But she also looks sweet and I am anxious to see the interview after, just to hear her voice.

We send the girls to get their pajamas on and they hurry so they can come back down and watch the interview with Lainey. This may be the quickest they all have changed for bed.

Lainey is being interviewed by the well-known TV sports personality Dan Drummond, and they are sitting in front of a fireplace. She is wearing a blue hoodie with USA on it and she is beaming.

Drummond: Lainey congratulations. Your performance was one for the ages…how are you feeling?

"Why do they always ask such stupid questions? How do you think she is feeling?" Ted shakes his head and I agree with him. But I have not heard her speak before and I want to hear her voice so I don't say anything.

Lainey: I feel proud, elated, relief…excited…everything that is good…I am feeling. I wanted this and it feels great to be here wearing this and representing the United States. She holds up her medal. She has a sweet sexy voice. I almost groan.

Drummond: When Jing-Wei ended up with the Bronze because of her falter what were your thoughts?

Lainey: Sad for her. I didn't want to win because she lost…I wanted to win for my performance which I believe I did. But Jing-Wei is a wonderful skater, still young so she can come back next Olympics, and she is my friend. We all have trained our entire lives…I feel happy for me but sad for her. I hugged her after my skate and she is happy for me. We all support each other.

Drummond: In the lyrics of Nessum Dorma the song you skated to, there is a line that says, 'I Will Win, I Will Win.' Did you know that?

Lainey: She smiles and blushes…god she is pure sweetness. Yes I did. I played it over and over again and repeated it every day over and over again. I wanted this so much, I had to believe it. I am so happy tonight.

Drummond: Well let's look at that great performance again. They show her performance again and congratulate her before ending the interview. Her voice was as sweet as she was in her comments. I have to meet her.

I discreetly send Tongo a message.

Find out everything you can about Lainey Montgomery and get her publicist name.

I then send Bryce, my PA a message. I know it is late on a Friday night but I don't care.

Find out how to send Lainey Montgomery a huge bouquet of flowers congratulating her on her Gold from me. She is staying at the Olympic Village. Make it big…spare no expense. I will forward card message in a few minutes.

"Papa." I look down at Vivi and she is still beaming.

"What Princesa?"

"I want to be a real princess just like Lainey. Can you take me to meet her?"

I sure hope so baby….I sure hope so. What were those lyrics again…oh yea…I Will Win! I want to win American's Sweetheart and make her mine. I have a good feeling about this!

Lainey Montgomery didn't get in bed until almost 4:00 am celebrating in the Olympic Village with her multiple of friends on the USA team. When she woke the next morning it was almost noon and her publicist had left her hundreds of messages. She was wanted for interviews by all the networks, already had invitations to be a guest on the late night shows and every publication wanted to put her on the cover of their magazine. She already had the offer if she won to be on the Wheaties box and she was now expecting that to happen as well. She stretched her feet under the covers feeling so content. She met her goal and now she would finally be able to start her life that she had put on hold since she was six years old. Maybe she would buy a home in Seattle, start her ice-skating school and if lucky, meet someone and settle down. She loved children and that was something she wanted more than anything in her life now that the gold was hers. Her roommate and a skater in the partner's competition, Miki Sullivan came out of the bathroom.

"Lainey…you have to walk out into the common area. Get dressed…get up…come on." Lainey pulled her yoga pants on, her Uggs, a sweatshirt and put her hair in a braid after washing her face. She went to the common area and reception desk. Miki was pulling her full speed and clearly excited about something. There were at least fifty flower arrangements with her name on it. One from the USA Figure Skating Organization, one from the Governor of Washington, her friends in Kirkland, ESPN and others. She opened the card of an arrangement.

"Oh my god Miki this is from Dalton Winston." Dalton was the hottest single actor in Hollywood.

"No way. Really? Oh wow Lainey all the hot guys are going to want to meet you." Lainey shrugged…she found Dalton Winston to be a big party boy and arrogant. She moved down the line.

"Oh how sweet, my first skating coach." She then stopped at a massive bouquet of roses. It was gorgeous and stood out from the rest. She opened the card, gasped and felt her cheeks get red. This one…wow…was this for real? Her long time crush!

"Lainey…you mesmerized a nation last night…

but no one more than me.

Congratulations. Caleb Grey."

Miki grabbed the card and looked at it. "OH MY GOD Lainey! The hottest specimen in the world and according to the tabloids, the sweetest guy ever! Are you kidding me?" Lainey took the card out of Miki's hand and walked away with a huge smile. She had won the Gold…and if she never heard from Caleb Grey again…she could live with the knowledge that for one moment she had mesmerized him. She clutched the card to her heart almost skating back to her room.