On the way back to the loft Rick decided to stop and get some Hot Chocolate and watch the skaters at Rockefeller Plaza.
Card knowing the way to the loft wondered where they were going.
"Dad I think you are lost the turn to the loft...You missed it. Card said. If you turn right here you can circle back to Hamilton which…" Card said with a bit of panic in her voice.
"Card settle down we are not going to the loft just yet. I thought we would have a Father and two Daughters outing." Rick said.
"So where are we going?" Card weakly asked.
"Well have you ever seen Ice skaters before?" Rick asked.
Card shook her head no. She had never heard of this.
"Well you are in for a treat" Rick said smiling.
"Card would you look at me." Alexis said to her foster Sister.
Card reluctantly looked at Alexis though she was still apprehensive.
Alexis smiled then held her hand.
"I promise where Dad is taking us we will have lots of fun." Alexis said smiling.
"You are sure? Alexis? Would you pinky swear?" Card asked.
"Certainly, I pinky swear now just relax and enjoy the ride we will be there soon. It is not too far I promise." Alexis said.
Rick smiled as he watched how Alexis calmed Card.
Rick stopped the car then getting out of the car with Alexis and Card in tow,
"Card, would you please catch up." Rick said as he noticed Card dawdling.
Card still holding on to Alexis' hand was amazed by all the sights and sounds once they exited the car,
Catching up Card stood next to her Father who was in a line to get cups of hot chocolate.
"Here you go Card." Rick said handing the cup to her.
Card had to drop Alexis' hand to receive the cup. Eventually, the thought of the hot chocolate was overpower and she released Alexis' hand.
Card sipped from the cup.
"So is that good Card?" Alexis asked.
"Yes but not as good as the chocolate you make Alexis." Card said.
Rick chuckled.
"Ok Girls let's get going." Rick said as he stood in another line.
Alexis and Card walked up to the rail to watch the people glide across the ice.
"Alexis they look happy." Card said.
"Yes they do." Alexis said.
Rick returned with two pairs of skates, He had already had a pair on his feet as he gingerly walked to them.
"Thanks Dad" Alexis said as she sat on the bench and placed the skates on Card's feet.
Card just sat there and let her place them on her feet.
"Alexis this feels funny." Card said.
"Funny how…?" Alexis asked as she checked the tightness of the laces.
"Well it feels snug." Card said.
"Is your feet warm?" Alexis asked.
"I think so" Card said.
"Can you wiggle your toes?" She asked.
Card did wiggle them then responded.
"Yes Alexis." Card said.
"Ok then you're ok." Alexis said.
"Now I'm going to hold your hands and I want you to stand up slowly Card." Alexis said.
Card was a bit apprehensive but followed Alexis' advice then she stood up.
Alexis praised her.
"You did great Card now let me get my skates on just hold Dad's hand." Alexis said.
"Come on card I know it is a bit scary but Alexis and I are good skaters you will have fun" Rick said.
Card stood listening to the music and she had a good look at the Christmas tree.
"It is sure big." Card said.
"Yeah it is." Rick said.
Alexis just joined them.
"Ok Dad and I are going to step out on the ice. Just hold our hands ok?" Alexis said.
"Ok Alexis." Card said still a bit wary of what was about to happen.
They stepped on the ice then coaxed Card to do it to. Card followed and as she stepped on the ice she felt her feet not support her but she noticed she did not fall. She was suspended between Rick and Alexis, Knowing she was not going to fall she placed her feet down and gradually locked them together. That way she was able to stand,
"That is great Card." Alexis said, "You are standing on the ice,"
"So are you good Card" Rick asked.
She nodded her head.
"Ok Card we are going to move a bit but don't worry we have you, Just keep your feet locked together." Alexis said.
Card looked unsure but nodded that she understood.
Rick and Alexis pushed off and soon they were gliding across the ice. Card noticed she was too. She got a big smile on her face as together they slowly circled the ice. She watched as both Alexis and Rick pushed them forward by the position of their feet. Card started to figure out the physics involved. Eventually after a few circuits she tried out her theory. It did not go well as it made everyone collapse on the ice laughing.
"Well you tried something Card. It did not work but it was something" Alexis said laughing.
"I guess I did not get the force vector right." Card said.
"Yeah you caused too much torque," Alexis agreed. "It caused us to over compensate."
Rick wisely kept his mouth shut. The girl did not mean to cause them to crash. However, to the other skaters they were not as much amused.
"Ok Card that is enough skating for now. It is getting crowded now. I think it is time to get off the ice." Alexis said as several good speed skaters whizzed by.
Card agreed and they inched themselves back to the gate. Rick got a call.
"Hey Son where are you?" Jackson was heard to say.
Alexis hearing Jackson's voice yelled out.
"Hi Gramps" Alexis giggled.
Card not to be out done yelled out
"Hi Gramps" she giggled along with Alexis.
Jackson said hi back which Rick relayed.
"Son is that music I hear?" Jackson asked.
"Yeah Dad we are at Rockefeller Center at the Ice rink." Rick said.
"Ok don't move we will be there soon. It was unwise to be in public Son without protection." Jackson said.
"Ok Dad we will wait." Rick said as he hung up.
"So Card how was your first skating adventure." Rick asked removing the rental skates.
"I liked it until we fell. I don't think I liked that part much." Card said as she untied the laces so Alexis could remove the skates.
"I had fun Dad" Alexis said.
"I'm a bit cold why don't I get us some more hot chocolates. You two stay here for your Grand father" Rick told them.
"Ok Dad we'll be right here." Alexis said and Card nodded.
"Good I'll be right over there!" Rick said pointing at the kiosk.
Rick left with the skates to turn them in and retrieve some cups of Hot Chocolate. The girls leaned on the railing watching the skaters. A few minutes later Jackson appeared.
"How are my favorite Grand Daughters doing?" He asked.
Card turned around then leapt into his arms.
"Gramps I went skating." Card said proudly.
"You did well that is great where is your Dad? I need to talk to him?" Jackson said hugging the girl.
"Hey Dad what do you need to discuss?" Rick asked.
"You disobeyed my orders to go directly to the loft." Jackson whispered in his ear as he hugged him.
"I was perfectly safe. I had a tail of NYPD officers they are blending in. But be sure they would be come most obvious if anything happened," Rick said. "My Mother did not contrary to some opinions a fool. I would never do anything to imperil any of my children."
"Right be that it may let's get out of here it is getting crowded." Jackson said.
Rick escorted by Jackson brought the girls back to the car. Jackson closed the door and stood outside the door. Rick lowered the window but the girls complained about the cold.
"You're not coming with us…" Rick stated.
"No. Son I'm not so do me a favor and get these two back where it is warm preferably at the loft!" Jackson said.
"Right Dad I'll see you later" Rick said as he raised the window and turned on the heater full blast.
They returned to the loft and Card had to tell Martha, Jim and Kate of her adventure of skating.
