Chapter Thirty-Five... Arrangements.

Julie had been taking more of an active role with the team, while she was enjoying being off work she got bored occasionally. James would phone her up and ask her advice on something if he needed it. It was one of these phone calls that gave her the information that Danny, her back up goalie, was moving to Los Angeles. Julie had known for a while that he might move back home, it was perfect timing anyway. Julie told James that she trying out a new goalie so it wouldn't matter too much, she also told him about Connie and he seemed quite happy to welcome the new players should they prove to be good enough.

Julie was sure that Connie and Scooter would make the team, Connie hadn't played professionally in a few years but she was still as sharp as ever, a few training sessions and she would fit right in with the rest of the team. Gunnar had asked to come with her and watch Connie and Scooter's trial, she wasn't sure if he should, Gunnar hadn't been to the rink since Stansson had beaten him up there. Julie wasn't sure how Gunnar would react, the ice had been repaired and cleaned but Gunnar would have memories of what happened. Julie was apprehensive about going into the locker rooms, Stansson was no longer around but she would be looking over her shoulder for quite some time, it wouldn't stop her going in, Stansson was not going to have any control over her life whatsoever.

Gunnar had made all the arrangements for their visit to Iceland, he had called his mum to let her know he was coming back again. Gunnar had eventually told his mum what had happened with Stansson and she had swore quite colourfully in Icelandic, he was quite surprised to hear her talk like that. Once she had calmed down she had asked him how bad it was, he had edited it a little bit as there were some things that she didn't need to know. Gunnar had told her that he was going to ask Julie to marry him, something that she approved of fully. Julie's ring had arrived this morning and he had hidden it where he knew she would never find it. It was a real symbol that he was going to ask her, he still wasn't sure if she would say yes, Connie had reassured him that Julie wouldn't say no. Gunnar knew that Julie loved him, he was certain of it, he didn't want her to say no. He was nervous, he had a plan but he was still nervous about asking her.

Stansson's sentencing date was rapidly approaching, no one knew what he would get, Julie just hoped that they locked him away for a very long time. Stansson was dangerous and shouldn't be out on the streets. There was word from the lawyer, Stansson had shown no remorse for the things that he had done. Stansson had basically told them that they had got what they deserved and if he could have done more then he would have. Julie's blood ran cold when she read the statement that Stansson had given, he said he would have raped her as she had it coming, he really was an evil bastard. Julie had shredded the copy of the statement, there was no need for Gunnar to see it, he was back to being his old self again and she didn't want it knocking him back. Julie had cuddled up to Gunnar that evening and it had made her feel better, Stansson couldn't touch them now.

Gunnar was working on his plan for proposing to Julie whenever she wasn't around, he took good care to hide every trace of his plan from Julie, he didn't want her to find anything that would ruin the surprise. It was necessary to plan everything, he didn't want anything to go wrong. Gunnar's idea wasn't too flashy, it was inventive and he hoped that Julie would enjoy it. Gunnar was waiting until Julie went out again so he could talk to Connie and get her opinion, he thought that she would approve of everything but he wanted to make sure that he hadn't missed anything.

Connie went over Gunnar's plan the first minute that she could, if someone proposed to her the way that Gunnar was going to propose to Julie then she would be a very happy woman, it was going to be lovely. Connie knew her part in the plan, it was the reason Gunnar had asked her to go to Iceland, Gunnar wanted Connie to keep Julie occupied during the day so he could get everything ready.

Julie, Gunnar and Connie met Scooter at the rink, Julie held Gunnar's hand as they walked through the main reception and into the rink itself. Gunnar was holding up quite well, he had squeezed Julie's hand as they entered but hadn't said anything. 'Okay, guys if you want to go and get changed and then we'll meet back here.' Connie and Scooter nodded their agreement and Julie showed them to the changing rooms, she took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

To Gunnar it looked as if nothing had happened at the rink, he knew it had though, there were his memories of everything still inside his head. Gunnar was watching Julie change, she had insisted he be there, this must be where she was held by Stansson. Once Julie had finished changing Gunnar went over and hugged her. 'Julie, is this where Stansson kept you?'

'Yes, over there by the lockers.'

'Are you okay?'

'I think so, the only person here with me is you and I know you won't hurt me. I feel safe with you.'

'Good.'

'Come on, I have two players that need a trial.' Gunnar followed Julie to the rink, they were putting the past behind them and it felt good.

Julie saw Olaf sat at the side of the ice, Gunnar went and sat with him. Julie called Connie and Scooter to her and she explained how the trial would go. Julie ran the trial very similar to Gunnar's, she had devised skill tests for each of them and marked them according to their performance. Julie was pleased to see that her instinct about both Connie and Scooter had been spot on, they were performing well. Connie's speed was her greatest asset, she would be able to assist other players in their scoring attempts as well put in a few of her own. Scooter had a definite ability for stopping people scoring, it was almost as if he could read the intention of a player and use it to stop their shot. Julie recognised his tactics, being a goalie herself made it easier to see what he was doing.

Gunnar watched everything from the sidelines with Olaf, he remembered his own trial, how he'd been so eager to impress Julie. That trial has lead to his first kiss with Julie, after she had let him in the team he had to do it, Gunnar remembered how he had felt more from that one kiss with Julie than he had with other women. Gunnar watched Olaf out the corner of his eyes and Olaf was too busy watching Connie to even notice that Gunnar had been watching him. 'Olaf, you haven't taken your eyes of Connie for the past five minutes.'

'I'm watching them all.'

'Are you?'

'Yes.'

'Okay, whatever you say.' Olaf didn't reply, Gunnar knew when to stop winding Olaf up.

Julie confirmed that both Scooter and Connie had made the team, once they were all showered and ready she met them all back in her office where James was waiting. Julie and James congratulated them, Scooter and Connie were made full members of the team. Julie watched as Gunnar and Scooter talked, she was happy that they were getting on well. Julie told James about her upcoming trip to Iceland and that she would be back playing once they had returned. They were taking a longer trip this time, a week, Julie knew that Gunnar liked being home and she often wondered if he was totally happy in New York and away from his family.

Gunnar was glad to be going home, he missed his family from time to time, now that Connie had gone through her trial they were going back to the apartment to pack. Gunnar wasn't sure whether Olaf would stay in Iceland or return to America, he hadn't showed a preference for either way. Gunnar had caught quite a few long looks between Connie and Olaf, he had tried to draw Olaf out but it hadn't worked, Julie had talked to Connie too but all she had said was that they were friends and nothing more.

Julie was taking Gunnar's advice and packing some warm clothes, the weather in Iceland could be unpredictable and in September it was starting to get cold in the evenings and if they wanted to see the aurora then they would have to go out on these evenings. Julie was looking forward to seeing the aurora, she had seen pictures and they had been really beautiful. It was peaceful in Iceland and she was looking forward to going back.

Gunnar made sure that the ring he had bought Julie was safely packed in his bag, he had kept it secret from her and he would need to do so for another day until he was ready to put the plan into action. Gunnar had booked Connie and Julie into a spa that did massages and treatments to help people relax, he wanted Julie to have a nice day. Gunnar smiled at the rest of the plan, he was quite proud of himself. It wouldn't be long before he put the plan into action, he was hoping that Julie would enjoy herself. Gunnar had deliberately chosen a flight that would get them there for early evening, he wanted Julie to be well rested for the day after and his proposal.